bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sediment Infill of Tropical Floodplain Lakes: Rates, Controls, and Implications for Ecosystem Services
Authors: Lo Edward L. , Yeager Kevin M. , Bergier Ivan , Domingos-Luz Leandro , Silva Aguinaldo , McGlue Michael M. 
Published: May 2022

Shallow lakes in tropical floodplains provide significant ecosystem services that can be altered by natural and anthropogenic forces. Despite their importance, little is known about the infill patterns and timescales and the magnitude of these changes in tropical floodplain lakes. Here, we present a global meta-analysis of sediment core-derived accumulation rate data for shallow floodplain lakes in tropical lowlands to quantify the timescales of basin infill. Environmental variables (e.g., sediment accumulation rates, bathymetry, surface area) were compiled from the literature or derived from remote sensing imagery, resulting in a database (n = 76 lakes) that includes various lake morphologies. Our results show an exponential increase in sediment accumulation rates in many of these lakes over the past 50 years, which we interpret as a response to growing human populations and deforestation, particularly in topographically steep watersheds with pronounced seasonal rainfall. Over centennial periods, tropical floodplain lakes accumulate sediment faster than many other extratropical lakes. The dataset suggests that complete infill of some tropical floodplain lakes will occur in as little as a few centuries. Our findings also reveal the critical environmental and human factors that influence sediment accumulation patterns and affect ecosystem services in shallow tropical floodplain lakes. These findings have important implications for water and sediment management in low latitude watersheds, many of which are located in densely populated and/or developing nations.
A Nomogram Predicting the Overall Survival and Cancer-Specific Survival in Patients with Parathyroid Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Tao Mei , Luo Shuyan , Wang Xiaoming , Jia Meng , Lu Xiubo 
Published: May 2022

PurposeThis study aimed to explore a visual model for predicting the prognosis of patients with parathyroid carcinoma (PC) and analyze related biochemistries in different groups of stage.MethodsThe training dataset of 342 patients with PC was obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, and the validation dataset included 59 patients from The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate significant independent prognostic factors. Based on those factors, nomograms and Web-based probability calculators were constructed to evaluate the overall survival (OS) and the cancer-specific survival (CSS) at 3, 5, and 8 years. The concordance index (C-index), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the nomogram in the training set and validation set. Moreover, biochemistries from the validation set were retrospectively analyzed in different groups of stage by Kruskal–Wallis test.ResultsAge, marital status, tumor size, stage, lymph node status, and radiation were identified as prognostic factors of OS. In contrast, only tumor size and stage were predictive for CSS. The nomogram was developed based on these independent factors. The C-index, ROC curve, calibration curve, and DCA of the nomogram in both training and validation sets showed that the nomogram had good predictive value, stability, and clinical benefit in predicting 3-, 5-, and 8-year OS and CSS in PC patients. Among the 59 PC patients from our hospital, lower albumin (ALB) levels and higher postoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were found in patients with distant metastasis (Distant vs. Regional ALB levels: p = 0.037; Distant vs. Local ALB levels: p = 0.046; Distant vs. Regional postoperative PTH levels: p = 0.002; Distant vs. Local postoperative PTH: p = 0.002).ConclusionThe established nomogram application can provide accurate prognostics for patients with PC in the Chinese population, but it must be validated on prospectively collected real-world data.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Small Hive Beetles From Native to Introduced Populations
Authors: Bai Wen Feng , Liu Junfeng , Liu Yuanzhen , Han Wensu , Evans Jay D. , Huang Qiang 
Published: May 2022

The small hive beetle (SHB), a social parasite of beehives, is native to sub-Saharan Africa and has spread to America, Europe, and Australia. Recently, these beetles invaded China, causing widespread colony collapses in the honeybee, Apis cerana. In this study, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the beetle genome from its native range (Africa), a region that was invaded by SHBs nearly 30 years ago (America), and more recent invasions (Asia). The beetles in the United States formed the earliest branch and show signs of two decades of gene flow and local adaptation to differentiate this population from the native ones. The beetles in China were deep branched and showed the highest fixation index when compared to the US populations. The number of SNPs in overexpressed genes was significantly higher than the transcriptome. Gene-expression profiles presented here distinguish the characters between adult and larvae SHBs.
Increased Tuberculosis Incidence Due to Immunotherapy Based on PD-1 and PD-L1 Blockade: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Kewei , Wang Dongpo , Yao Cong , Qiao Min , Li Qing , Ren Weicong , Li Shanshan , Gao Mengqiu , Pang Yu 
Published: May 2022

ObjectivesIn this study, we conducted a systematic review to determine tuberculosis (TB) incidence due to immunotherapy with programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1)/PD ligand (PD-L1) blockade in cancer patients.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Cochrance Library, Excerpt Medica Database (Embase), ClinicalTrials.gov, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Wanfang and China Science and Technology Journal Database to identify studies between January 1, 2000 and April 30, 2021, on the reports of TB cases in patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Methodological quality of eligible studies was assessed, and random-effect model meta-analysis was performed to generate the pooled incidence estimate of TB cases in patients undergoing PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.ResultsWe initially identified 745 records, of which 27 studies ultimately met the inclusion criteria and were included in our meta-analysis. A total of 35 TB cases occurred among patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Nivolumab (51.4%) was the most frequently used PD-1/PD-L1 blockade for cancer treatment. In addition, pulmonary TB was the most common form of tuberculosis seen in 77.1% cases. Clinical outcomes were recorded in 18 patients, of whom 77.8% were cured or achieved remission, and 22.2% were died of TB. Pooled analysis determined that the TB rate in this population was 2,000 cases per 100,000 persons, and the estimated rate for TB associated with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade was 35 times higher than that in the general population.ConclusionTo conclude, our results demonstrate that the clinical use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors significantly increases risk of TB reactivation. An extremely high mortality rate due to TB disease is noted in the patients with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade.
High Expression of CKS2 Predicts Adverse Outcomes: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Glioma
Authors: Yu Kai , Ji Yulong , Liu Min , Shen Fugeng , Xiong Xiaoxing , Gu Lijuan , Lu Tianzhu , Ye Yingze , Feng Shi , He Jianying 
Published: May 2022

Cyclin-dependent kinase regulatory subunit 2 (CKS2) is a potential prognostic marker and is overexpressed in various cancers. This study analyzed sequencing and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus, with external validation using the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) data. CKS2 expression in the normal brain and tumor tissue was compared. cBioPortal and MethSurv were utilized to scrutinize the prognostic value of CKS2 methylation. Gene set enrichment examination and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis were employed to explore the potential biological functions of CKS2. Cell viability, colony formation, and transwell assays were conducted to evaluate the influence of CKS2 on glioma cell proliferation and invasion. Compared with normal brain tissue, the expression of CKS2 was upregulated in glioma samples (p &lt; 0.001). Multivariate data analysis from TCGA and CGGA indicated that increased expression of CKS2 was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of overall survival in glioma patients. CKS2 methylation was negatively associated with CKS2 expression. Patients with CKS2 hypomethylation had worse overall survival compared with patients with CKS2 methylation, as suggested by the analysis of both TCGA and CGGA datasets. The expression level of CKS2 is closely related to tumor immunity, including the correlation of tumor immune cell infiltration, immune score, and co-expression of multiple immune-related genes. In addition, CKS2 is associated with several immune checkpoints and responses to the chemotherapy drug cisplatin. CKS2 knockdown impeded the expansion and aggression of glioma cell lines. The changes in CKS2 expression may provide a novel prognostic biomarker that can be used to improve patient overall survival rates.
Identification of Clinical Phenotypes in Septic Patients Presenting With Hypotension or Elevated Lactate
Authors: Aldewereld Zachary T. , Zhang Li Ang , Urbano Alisa , Parker Robert S. , Swigon David , Banerjee Ipsita , Gómez Hernando , Clermont Gilles 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionTargeted therapies for sepsis have failed to show benefit due to high variability among subjects. We sought to demonstrate different phenotypes of septic shock based solely on clinical features and show that these relate to outcome.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed of a 1,023-subject cohort with early septic shock from the ProCESS trial. Twenty-three clinical variables at baseline were analyzed using hierarchical clustering, with consensus clustering used to identify and validate the ideal number of clusters in a derivation cohort of 642 subjects from 20 hospitals. Clusters were visualized using heatmaps over 0, 6, 24, and 72 h. Clinical outcomes were 14-day all-cause mortality and organ failure pattern. Cluster robustness was confirmed in a validation cohort of 381 subjects from 11 hospitals.ResultsFive phenotypes were identified, each with unique organ failure patterns that persisted in time. By enrollment criteria, all patients had shock. The two high-risk phenotypes were characterized by distinct multi-organ failure patterns and cytokine signatures, with the highest mortality group characterized most notably by liver dysfunction and coagulopathy while the other group exhibited primarily respiratory failure, neurologic dysfunction, and renal dysfunction. The moderate risk phenotype was that of respiratory failure, while low-risk phenotypes did not have a high degree of additional organ failure.ConclusionsSepsis phenotypes with distinct biochemical abnormalities may be identified by clinical characteristics alone and likely provide an opportunity for early clinical actionability and prognosis.
Contrast Sensitivity Deficits and Its Structural Correlates in Fuchs Uveitis Syndrome
Authors: Zhou Fang-Yue , Li Yi-Sha , Guo Xingneng , Shi Xiutong , Wu Ke , Zheng Jing-Wei , Li Xia-Xin , Wu Jiaqing , Liu Ruru , Dai Ma-Li , Huang Xiu-Feng , Hou Fang , Lin Dan , Wang Yu-Qin 
Published: May 2022

PurposeTo investigate the deficits in contrast sensitivity in patients with Fuchs uveitis syndrome (FUS) and to explore the potential relationship between contrast sensitivity and ocular structure.MethodsIn this prospective study, 25 patients with FUS and 30 healthy volunteers were recruited. Eyes were divided into three groups: FUS-affected eyes (AE), fellow eyes (FE), and healthy eyes. The contrast sensitivity function (CSF) of all participants was evaluated using the quick CSF (qCSF) method. Fundus photographs were collected for the analysis of refractive media, and vascular density (VD) was assessed using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Data were analyzed and compared using the generalized estimating equation (GEE).ResultsThe CSF of AE was significantly lower than that of FE and controls, while no significant difference was observed between FE and controls. Contrast sensitivity was negatively correlated with the grade of haze. No significant correlation was found between visual function and VDs in FUS eyes.ConclusionsWe found that the CSF of FUS-affected eyes was significantly reduced, and the visual impairment was predominantly caused by the refractive media turbidity.
Experiences, Challenges, and Coping Strategies of Frontline Healthcare Providers in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kelantan, Malaysia
Authors: Che Yusof Ruhana , Norhayati Mohd Noor , Azman Yacob Mohd 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionIn the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline healthcare providers who are engaged in the direct diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients face a high risk of infection and inadequate protection from contamination, overwork, frustration, and exhaustion. These impose significant psychological and mental health concerns for frontline healthcare providers.ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the experiences and challenges faced and coping strategies adopted by frontline healthcare providers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kelantan, Malaysia.MethodologyThis phenomenological approach to qualitative study used a telephone-based in-depth interview that followed a semistructured interview guide. The number of frontline healthcare providers was based on saturation theory. All the participants recruited fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria from May to July 2020 in Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic data analysis using NVIVO version 10 was performed.ResultThe 10 respondents involved in this study consisted of doctors, medical assistants, and nurses. The findings were divided into four main themes: invaluable experiences during the pandemic, challenges, coping strategies, and future expectations. The providers responded well in facing the disease even though they felt psychologically disturbed at the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionHealthcare providers perceived themselves as being more resilient and less vulnerable to psychological impacts than they were before the pandemic.
Association Between Monocyte to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio and Risk of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Wang Liping , Dong Jinzhong , Xu Miao , Li Li , Yang Naibin , Qian Guoqing 
Published: May 2022

Background:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health problem affecting more than a quarter of the entire adult population. Both monocytes and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were found to participate in the progression of hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress. We speculated that the monocyte-to-HDL-C ratio (MHR) may be associated with the risk of NAFLD.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2018. NAFLD was identified using a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) of ≥274 dB/m. Degree of liver fibrosis were assessed by liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and LSM values≥8.0, ≥ 9.7, and ≥13.7 kPa were defined as significant fibrosis (≥F2), advanced fibrosis (≥F3) and cirrhosis (F4), respectively. The association between MHR and the risk of NAFLD and liver fibrosis was estimated using weighted multivariable logistic regression. The non-linear relationship between MHR and the risk of NAFLD was further described using smooth curve fittings and threshold effect analysis.ResultsOf 4,319 participants, a total of 1,703 (39.4%) participants were diagnosed with NAFLD. After complete adjustment for potential confounders, MHR was positively associated with the risk of NAFLD (OR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.95–4.22). The risk of NAFLD increased progressively as the MHR quarter increased (P for trend &lt; 0.001). In subgroup analysis stratified by sex, a positive association existed in both sexes; Women displayed higher risk (men: OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.33–3.39; women: OR = 2.64, 95%CI: 1.40–4.97). MHR was positively associated with the risk of significant liver fibrosis (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.08–2.37) and cirrhosis (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.08–3.13), but not with advanced liver fibrosis (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 0.98–2.39) after full adjustment for potential confounders. In the subgroup analysis by sex, the association between MHR and different degrees of liver fibrosis was significantly positive in women. When analyzing the relationship between MHR and NAFLD risk, a reverse U-shaped curve with an inflection point of 0.36 for MHR was found in women.ConclusionHigher MHR was associated with increased odds of NAFLD among Americans of both sexes. However, an association between MHR and liver fibrosis was found mainly among women.
Agreement Between Predicted and Actual Measured Ablation Depth After FS-LASIK Using Different Rotating Scheimpflug Cameras and OCT
Authors: Chen Hao , Wang Ziqian , Li Kunke , Wang Yiran , Li Xin , Du Lan , Lin Meimin , Savini Giacomo , Wang Qinmei , Yu Ayong , Chen Sisi 
Published: May 2022

PurposeTo compare the predicted ablation depth (AD) with the postoperatively measured corneal ablation depth (postop-AD) at central, paracentral, and midperipheral locations using two rotating Scheimpflug analyzers and a Fourier-domain optical coherence tomographer in eyes that underwent femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK (FS-LASIK).MethodsThe values of corneal thickness were measured preoperatively and postoperatively at one and three months. The difference between preoperative and postoperative was defined as postop-AD. Measurements were performed at the corneal vertex and mid-peripheral area. The mid-peripheral corneal thickness was measured at the superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal locations at a distance of 1.0 or 2.5 mm from the corneal vertex. The predicted AD was calculated by ORK-CAM software (Schwind eye tech-solutions GmbH, Kleinostheim, Germany), and the difference between the predicted AD and postop-AD was defined as Δ-AD. Paired t-test analysis was employed to evaluate the differences, agreement was assessed by the Bland-Altman method.ResultsForty-two eyes of 42 patients were investigated. At one month, the predicted AD in the central and paracentral areas was underestimated by the Pentacam HR (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany), Sirius (Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici, Florence, Italy) and RTVue OCT (Optovue Inc., Freemont, CA, United States), whereas Δ-AD was negative as established by all devices and predominantly statistically significant. The Δ-AD values approximated zero at three months. The mean difference of Δ-AD at three months at the corneal vertex was 0.67 ± 9.39 mm, −7.92 ± 9.05 mm and −1.36 ± 8.31 mm, respectively. The mid-peripheral measurements had positive values at one month and even more highly positive at three months (with statistically significant differences in most of the cases). The agreement between the predicted and postop-AD was moderate with all devices, but slightly better with RTVue.ConclusionThe predicted AD seems to be underestimated in the central and paracentral corneal area and overestimated in the mid-periphery.Translational RelevanceThe study could help to partly explain and prevent the refractive errors after FS-LASIK.
Brain Functional Alterations in Prepubertal Boys With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Yue Xipeng , Zhang Ge , Li Xiaochen , Shen Yu , Wei Wei , Bai Yan , Luo Yu , Wei Huanhuan , Li Ziqiang , Zhang Xianchang , Wang Meiyun 
Published: May 2022

ObjectivesAbnormal brain function in ASD patients changes dynamically across developmental stages. However, no one has studied the brain function of prepubertal children with ASD. Prepuberty is an important stage for children’s socialization. This study aimed to investigate alterations in local spontaneous brain activity in prepubertal boys with ASD.Materials and MethodsMeasures of the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) acquired from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) database, including 34 boys with ASD and 49 typically developing (TD) boys aged 7 to 10 years, were used to detect regional brain activity. Pearson correlation analyses were conducted on the relationship between abnormal ALFF and ReHo values and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) scores.ResultsIn the ASD group, we found decreased ALFF in the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and decreased ReHo in the left lingual gyrus (LG), left superior temporal gyrus (STG), left middle occipital gyrus (MOG), and right cuneus (p &lt; 0.05, FDR correction). There were negative correlations between ReHo values in the left LG and left STG and the ADOS social affect score and a negative correlation between ReHo values in the left STG and the calibrated severity total ADOS score.ConclusionBrain regions with functional abnormalities, including the left IPL, left LG, left STG, left MOG, and right cuneus may be crucial in the neuropathology of prepubertal boys with ASD. Furthermore, ReHo abnormalities in the left LG and left STG were correlated with sociality. These results will supplement the study of neural mechanisms in ASD at different developmental stages, and be helpful in exploring the neural mechanisms of prepubertal boys with ASD.
Chronic Consumption of Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) for 12 Weeks Improves Episodic Memory and Regional Brain Perfusion in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Groups Feasibility Study
Authors: Flanagan Emma , Cameron Donnie , Sobhan Rashed , Wong Chloe , Pontifex Matthew G. , Tosi Nicole , Mena Pedro , Del Rio Daniele , Sami Saber , Narbad Arjan , Müller Michael , Hornberger Michael , Vauzour David 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundAgeing is highly associated with cognitive decline and modifiable risk factors such as diet are believed to protect against this process. Specific dietary components and in particular, (poly)phenol-rich fruits such as berries have been increasingly recognised for their protection against age-related neurodegeneration. However, the impact of cranberries on cognitive function and neural functioning in older adults remains unclear.DesignA 12-week parallel randomised placebo-controlled trial of freeze-dried cranberry powder was conducted in 60 older adults aged between 50 and 80 years. Cognitive assessment, including memory and executive function, neuroimaging and blood sample collection were conducted before and after the intervention to assess the impact of daily cranberry consumption on cognition, brain function and biomarkers of neuronal signalling.ResultsCranberry supplementation for 12 weeks was associated with improvements in visual episodic memory in aged participants when compared to placebo. Mechanisms of action may include increased regional perfusion in the right entorhinal cortex, the accumbens area and the caudate in the cranberry group. Significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol during the course of the intervention was also observed. No significant differences were, however, detected for BDNF levels between groups.ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that daily cranberry supplementation (equivalent to 1 small cup of cranberries) over a 12-week period improves episodic memory performance and neural functioning, providing a basis for future investigations to determine efficacy in the context of neurological disease. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03679533 and at ISRCTN as ISRCTN76069316.