bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perturbation on gut microbiota impedes the onset of obesity in high fat diet-induced mice
Authors: Yu Zhongjia , Yu Xiang-Fang , Kerem Goher , Ren Pei-Gen 
Published: August 2022

High-calorie intake has become one of the most common causes of dietary obesity, which eventually develops into type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Microbiota, along with the length of the gastrointestinal tract, is related to metabolic disorders, but its shifts and following impact on metabolic disorders due to external perturbation are still unclear. To evaluate shifts of microbiota from the proximal to the distal intestine and their impact on metabolic disorders, we profiled jejunal and colonic microbiota with the perturbation using high salt (HS) and antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion (AIMD) in diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice and analyzed the association with parameters of both obesity and blood glucose. After ten weeks of feeding DIO mice with HS intake and AIMD, they failed to develop obesity. The DIO mice with HS intake had T2DM symptoms, whereas the AIMD DIO mice showed no significant difference in blood glucose parameters. We observed that the jejunal and colonic microbiota had shifted due to settled perturbation, and jejunal microbiota within a group were more dispersed than colonic microbiota. After further analyzing jejunal microbiota using quantified amplicon sequencing, we found that the absolute abundance of Colidextribacter (R = 0.695, p = 0.001) and Faecalibaculum (R = 0.631, p = 0.005) in the jejunum was positively correlated with the changes in BW and FBG levels. The predicted pathway of glucose and metabolism of other substances significantly changed between groups (p &lt;0.05). We demonstrated that the onset of obesity and T2DM in DIO mice is impeded when the gut microbiota is perturbed; thus, this pathogenesis depends on the gut microbiota.
Association between osteoporosis or osteopenia and taking antiplatelet agents in general US population of NHANES
Authors: Lv Hao , Wang Jiuxiang , Zhu Yujun , Hu Zhimu , Wang Ziwen , Qiao Mingzhu , Jiang Ting 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundOsteoporosis (OP) and osteopenia are common bone disorders in old age, and lots of patients suffering from OP or osteopenia need to take antiplatelet agents to treat basic diseases. However, clinical data on the link between osteopenia or OP and antiplatelet agents are limited.MethodsData in this study were collected and screened from the NHANES from 2013 to 2014 and 2017 to 2018. The variables were extracted from interviews and compared between OP or osteopenia participants and normal. The relationship between OP or osteopenia and taking antiplatelet drugs was analyzed by weighted multivariate logistic regressionResultsAfter excluding individuals who were not eligible and had invalid data, we finally identified 894 participants for inclusion in the study. We found a negative association between OP or osteopenia and taking antiplatelet agents (OR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.33–0.84; p &lt; 0.05). These results did not change on multiple imputations (OR = 0.32, 95% CI, 0.19–0.56; p &lt;0.01). In the subgroup analyses, the associations were more significant in women (OR = 0.18, 95% CI, 0.05–0.62; p &lt;0.05).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that the association between OP or osteopenia and taking antiplatelet agents was significant. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm the result by extending further research.
Numerical study on influence of wind on thermal performance of a solid particle solar receiver
Authors: Li Zhenzhong , Wang Bowen , Xu Liangjin , Wei Jinjia , Bu Shanshan , Chen Deqi 
Published: August 2022

The effects of wind speed and wind attacking angle on the thermal performance of a solid particle solar receiver (SPSR) are studied by numerical simulation. In addition, the effect of aerowindow on the efficiency of the solar receiver is also explored. The results show that under different wind speeds and attack angles, wind can differently prevent hot air from flowing out and carry cold air into the solar receiver. These two effects compete with each other, resulting in the complex influence law of wind on receiver efficiency. Generally, the increasing wind speed will eventually lead to a negative effect on the thermal efficiency of the receiver. At the incident radiation aperture, the aerowindow formed by the air nozzle can effectively reduce convection heat loss and significantly improve the receiver efficiency. Under the simulation conditions of the present study, there is an optimal air jet velocity to maximize the protection effect of the aerowindow. The heat receiver efficiency increases from 41.7 to 58.2% when the wind is 2.5 m/s and the wind attacking angle is 135°. In the analysis of the energy balance inside the solar receiver, the proportion of radiation heat loss is about one-third, and it is not affected by the aerowindow. Thus, reducing radiation heat loss is very important for further improving the receiver’s efficiency of SPSR.
Assessing the toxicity of polystyrene beads and silica particles on the microconsumer Brachionus calyciflorus at different timescales
Authors: Pawlak Julia , Noetzel Dominique C. , Drago Claudia , Weithoff Guntram 
Published: August 2022

Environmental pollution by microplastics has become a severe problem in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and, according to actual prognoses, problems will further increase in the future. Therefore, assessing and quantifying the risk for the biota is crucial. Standardized short-term toxicological procedures as well as methods quantifying potential toxic effects over the whole life span of an animal are required. We studied the effect of the microplastic polystyrene on the survival and reproduction of a common freshwater invertebrate, the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus, at different timescales. We used pristine polystyrene spheres of 1, 3, and 6 µm diameter and fed them to the animals together with food algae in different ratios ranging from 0 to 50% nonfood particles. As a particle control, we used silica to distinguish between a pure particle effect and a plastic effect. After 24 h, no toxic effect was found, neither with polystyrene nor with silica. After 96 h, a toxic effect was detectable for both particle types. The size of the particles played a negligible role. Studying the long-term effect by using life table experiments, we found a reduced reproduction when the animals were fed with 3 µm spheres together with similar-sized food algae. We conclude that the fitness reduction is mainly driven by the dilution of food by the nonfood particles rather than by a direct toxic effect.
Measuring inclusive green total factor productivity from urban level in China
Authors: Guan Yongpan , Wang Huijuan , Guan Rong , Ding Lin 
Published: August 2022

Background: Inclusive green development aims to combine economic inclusiveness with greenness, which is an important goal of current economic development for China to achieve common prosperity. Measuring inclusive green total factor productivity (IGTFP) is of great significance for evaluating the quality of inclusive economic growth and accelerating inclusive economic growth.Method: This study establishes an index evaluation system of IGTFP from four aspects of high quality, efficient, fair, and sustainable development, using super-SBM to measure IGTFP based on panel data of 276 cities in China from 2006 to 2019, and conducts empirical comparative analysis from national central cities, provincial capitals, and ordinary prefecture.Result: 1) The IGTFP and technical progress rate in the central city and the provincial capital are significantly higher than that of the ordinary prefecture, but there is no significant difference in technical efficiency; the growth rate of IGTFP in the most central city remains around 10%, which is significantly higher in the south than that in the north. 2) According to the index decomposition result, all cities have basically realized the double-line improvement of technological efficiency and technological progress rate, but the technological efficiency is mostly lower than the technological progress rate. 3) From the perspective of economic convergence, only the IGTFP of provincial capitals shows the σ convergence feature, that is, the phenomenon of intra-group convergence; the IGTFP of all cities in three levels shows the β convergence feature, indicating that there is an obvious catch-up phenomenon within the group.Conclusion: The integration of “technology” and “efficiency” is the main driving force and path to realize the sustainable improvement of IGTFP in cities. Inclusive green growth needs to break “regional boundaries,” including north–south boundaries and urban boundaries.
Establish immune-related gene prognostic index for esophageal cancer
Authors: Guo Caiyu , Zeng Fanye , Liu Hui , Wang Jianlin , Huang Xue , Luo Judong 
Published: August 2022

Background:Esophageal cancer is a tumor type with high invasiveness and low prognosis. As immunotherapy has been shown to improve the prognosis of esophageal cancer patients, we were interested in the establishment of an immune-associated gene prognostic index to effectively predict the prognosis of patients. Methods: To establish the immune-related gene prognostic index of esophageal cancer (EC), we screened 363 upregulated and 83 downregulated immune-related genes that were differentially expressed in EC compared to normal tissues. By multivariate Cox regression and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), we built a prognostic model based on eight immune-related genes (IRGs). We confirmed the prognostic model in both TCGA and GEO cohorts and found that the low-risk group had better overall survival than the high-risk group. Results: In this study, we identified 363 upregulated IRGs and 83 downregulated IRGs. Next, we found a prognostic model that was constructed with eight IRGs (OSM, CEACAM8, HSPA6, HSP90AB1, PCSK2, PLXNA1, TRIB2, and HMGB3) by multivariate Cox regression analysis and WGCNA. According to the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis results, the model we constructed can predict the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer. This result can be verified by the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Patients were divided into two groups with different outcomes. IRGPI-low patients had better overall survival than IRGPI-high patients.Conclusion:Our findings indicated the potential value of the IRGPI risk model for predicting the prognosis of EC patients.
Protective antigenic epitopes revealed by immunosignatures after three doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
Authors: Peng Mian , Dou Xiaowen , Zhang Xiuming , Yan Mingchen , Xiong Dan , Jiang Ruiwei , Ou Tong , Tang Aifa , Yu Xiqiu , Zhu Feiqi , Li Weiqin 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) has infected millions of people around the world. Vaccination is a pillar in the strategy to control transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 spread. Immune responses to vaccination require elucidation.MethodsThe immune responses to vaccination with three doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were followed in a cohort of 37 healthy adults (18–59 years old). Blood samples were collected at multiple time points and submitted to peptide array, machine learning modeling, and sequence alignment analyses, the results of which were used to generate vaccine-induced antibody-binding region (VIABR) immunosignatures (Registration number: ChiCTR2200058571).ResultsAntibody spectrum signals showed vaccination stimulated antibody production. Sequence alignment analyses revealed that a third vaccine dose generated a new highly represented VIABR near the A570D mutation, and the whole process of inoculation enhanced the VIABR near the N501Y mutation. In addition, the antigen conformational epitopes varied between short- and long-term samples. The amino acids with the highest scores in the short-term samples were distributed primarily in the receptor binding domain (RBD) and N-terminal domain regions of spike (S) protein, while in the long-term samples (12 weeks after the 2nd dose), some new conformational epitopes (CEs) were localized to crevices within the head of the S protein trimer.ConclusionProtective antigenic epitopes were revealed by immunosignatures after three doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine inoculation. A third dose results in a new top-10 VIABR near the A570D mutation site of S protein, and the whole process of inoculation enhanced the VIABR near the N501Y mutation, thus potentially providing protection from strains that have gained invasion and immune escape abilities through these mutation.
TNF-α inhibitor ameliorates immune-related arthritis and pneumonitis in humanized mice
Authors: Gao Jian , Miao Jinlin , Sun Haoyang , Fu Xianghui , Zhang Peiyan , Chen Zhinan , Zhu Ping 
Published: August 2022

ObjectivesThis study aimed at establishing a mouse model of immune-related adverse in humanized BALB/c-hPD1/hCTLA4 mice to investigate their potential pathogenesis and explore therapeutic targets for immune-related arthritis and pneumonitis.MethodsHumanized BALB/c-hPD1/hCTLA4 mice were injected with vehicle or collagen-specific antibodies (CA) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI, ipilimumab, anti-human CTLA-4; and nivolumab, anti-human PD-1), and some mice were treated with anti-TNF-α antibody, leading to the control, collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA), CAIA+ICI and treatment groups. The severity of clinical arthritis and pneumonitis in mice was monitored longitudinally and the pathological changes in the joints and lungs were histologically analyzed and the contents of lung hydroxyproline were measured. The frequency of different subsets of T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry and multiplex immunofluorescency.ResultsCompared with the control, the ICI group of mice developed the delayed onset of moderate degrees of arthritis while the CAIA+ICI group of mice exhibited the early onset of severe arthritis. Treatment with ICI caused severe pneumonitis, especially in the mice with CA. Flow cytometry analysis indicated a significantly higher frequency of splenic TNF-α+CD4+and TNF-α+CD8+T cells, but not other subsets of T cells tested, in the CAIA+ICI group of mice, relative to that in other groups of mice. Treatment with anti-TNF-α significantly mitigated the severity of arthritis and pneumonitis as well as deposition of collagen in lung of mice. The treatment also decreased the frequency of TNF-α+CD4+and TNF-α+CD8+T cells as well as effector memory T cells in the periphery lymph orangs and lungs of mice.ConclusionsWe successfully established a humanized mouse model of ICI-related severe arthritis and pneumonitis with a higher frequency of TNF-α+T cells, which were significantly mitigated by anti-TNF-α treatment. Conceptually, ICI treatment can induce multiple autoimmune-like diseases in autoimmune-prone individuals and TNF-α+T cells may be therapeutic targets for intervention of immune-related arthritis and pneumonitis.
Pediatric membranous nephropathy: In the novel antigens era
Authors: Huang Guoping , Liu Fei , Yu Ling , Wang Jingjing , Chen Junyi , Mao Jianhua 
Published: August 2022

Membranous nephropathy (MN) falls within the scope of a glomerular disease. MN exhibits subepithelial immune- complex deposition and capillary wall thickening which could occur in all age groups. In comparison with adult patients with MN, MN in pediatric population has a lower incidence and more secondary factors (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, infection, malignancy, or drug toxicity). Two target antigens for the immune complexes, PLA2R (identified in 2009) and THSD7A (in 2014), found in previous studies and first presented in adult MN, are found in pediatric patients suffering from MN and their antibodies are now an effective tool for diagnosis and monitoring in children and adolescents. Several novel antigens have been identified (e.g., EXT1/EXT2, NELL1, Sema3B, PCDH7, HTRA1, and NCAM1) over the past few years. Each of them represents different clinical and pathologic findings. In-depth research should be conducted to gain insights into the outcomes and pathophysiology of the above novel antigen-associated MN. Targeted treatment opinions for different novel antigen-related MN are under development both in adults and pediatric patients.
Electroacupuncture improves TBI dysfunction by targeting HDAC overexpression and BDNF-associated Akt/GSK-3β signaling
Authors: Hung Shih-Ya , Chung Hsin-Yi , Luo Sih-Ting , Chu Yu-Ting , Chen Yu-Hsin , MacDonald Iona J. , Chien Szu-Yu , Kotha Peddanna , Yang Liang-Yo , Hwang Ling-Ling , Dun Nae J. , Chuang De-Maw , Chen Yi-Hung 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundAcupuncture or electroacupuncture (EA) appears to be a potential treatment in acute clinical traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, it remains uncertain whether acupuncture affects post-TBI histone deacetylase (HDAC) expression or impacts other biochemical/neurobiological events.Materials and methodsWe used behavioral testing, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry analysis to evaluate the cellular and molecular effects of EA at LI4 and LI11 in both weight drop-impact acceleration (WD)- and controlled cortical impact (CCI)-induced TBI models.ResultsBoth WD- and CCI-induced TBI caused behavioral dysfunction, increased cortical levels of HDAC1 and HDAC3 isoforms, activated microglia and astrocytes, and decreased cortical levels of BDNF as well as its downstream mediators phosphorylated-Akt and phosphorylated-GSK-3β. Application of EA reversed motor, sensorimotor, and learning/memory deficits. EA also restored overexpression of HDAC1 and HDAC3, and recovered downregulation of BDNF-associated signaling in the cortex of TBI mice.ConclusionThe results strongly suggest that acupuncture has multiple benefits against TBI-associated adverse behavioral and biochemical effects and that the underlying mechanisms are likely mediated by targeting HDAC overexpression and aberrant BDNF-associated Akt/GSK-3 signaling.
Prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adult patients attending the outpatient department at the primary hospitals of Wolkait tegedie zone, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Belay Daniel Gashaneh , Fekadu Wolde Haileab , Molla Meseret Derbew , Aragie Hailu , Adugna Dagnew Getnet , Melese Endalkachew Belayneh , Tarekegn Gebrekidan Ewnetu , Gezahegn Eleleta , Kibret Anteneh Ayelign 
Published: August 2022

IntroductionHypertension, often known as increased blood pressure, is a worldwide public health concern. Globally, ~1 billion people have hypertension and 7.1 million die from this disease. It is disproportionately more prevalent in resource-poor nations, with inadequate health systems like Ethiopia. Moreover, information on the burden of disease from hypertension in the specific area, especially in the newly organized Wolkait Tegedie zone, is essential to develop effective prevention and control strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among adult patients evaluated at the outpatient department of the two district hospitals in the Wolkait Tegedie zone, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select a total of 449 participants. The data were collected and then entered using EPI-INFO version 7 and exported to STATA 14 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as a measure of association. Variables having a p-value &lt; 0.05 from the multivariable analysis were considered to have a significant association with the outcome.ResultsThe prevalence of hypertension among adult patients in this study was 44.91% [95% CI: 40.26%, 49.65%], of which 63.92% were new diagnoses. Being &gt;60 years [AOR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.20], having poor physical exercise [AOR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.01, 3.15], consuming cruddy oil [AOR = 15.22; 95% CI: 3.86, 60.12], having a family history of hypertension [AOR = 13.02; 95% CI: 3.75, 45.16], and having a history of diabetes mellitus (DM) [AOR = 8.05; 95% CI: 1.24, 51.49] had a statistically significant association with having hypertension.ConclusionThere is a relatively high prevalence of hypertension among adult patients in the outpatient department of the two primary hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia. Factors such as being of older age, having poor physical exercise behavior, cruddy oil consumption, and family history of DM and hypertension had a positive significant statistical association with being hypertensive. Community-based screening programs for hypertension should be designed and implemented to prevent this silent killer disease. Health education and promotion that focus on healthy nutrition and physical exercise should be delivered.
Activation of the GABA-alpha receptor by berberine rescues retinal ganglion cells to attenuate experimental diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Fang Wangyi , Huang Xiaojing , Wu Kaicheng , Zong Yuan , Yu Jian , Xu Huan , Shi Jiemei , Wei Jiaojiao , Zhou Xujiao , Jiang Chunhui 
Published: August 2022

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the role and mechanism of berberine (BBR) in the protection of injured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in diabetic retinopathy (DR).MethodsExperimental diabetic retinopathy rat model was successfully induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg) in male SD rats with sufficient food and water for 8 weeks. Animals were randomly divided into four groups: (1) non-diabetic, (2) diabetic, (3) diabetic + BBR + PBS, and (4) diabetic + BBR + SR95531. BBR (100 mg/kg) was given daily by gavage to rats in the group (3) and group (4) for 8 weeks, and weekly intravitreal injections were conducted to rats in the group (3) with 5 μL of 1×PBS and rats in the group (4) with 5 μL of GABA-alpha receptor antagonist SR95531 to investigate the underlying mechanisms. The survival and apoptosis of RGCs were observed by fluorescence gold labeling technology and TUNEL staining. Visual function was evaluated by visual electrophysiological examination. Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were used to analyze the expression of GABA-alpha receptors in RGCs.ResultsIn an animal model, BBR can increase the survival of RGCs, reduce RGCs apoptosis, and significantly improve the visual function. The reduction of GABA, PKC-α, and Bcl-2 protein expression caused by DR can be considerably increased by BBR. SR95531 inhibits BBR's protective effect on RGC and visual function, as well as its upregulation of PKC-α and Bcl-2.ConclusionBBR is a promising preventive or adjuvant treatment for DR complications, and its key protective effect may involve the regulation of RGC apoptosis through the GABA-alpha receptor/protein kinase C-alpha (GABAAR/PKC-α) pathway.