bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Vascular Inflammation by Apolipoprotein A-IV
Authors: Shearston Kate , Tan Joanne T. M. , Cochran Blake J. , Rye Kerry-Anne 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundApolipoprotein (apo) A-IV, the third most abundant apolipoprotein in human high density lipoproteins (HDLs), inhibits intestinal and systemic inflammation. This study asks if apoA-IV also inhibits acute vascular inflammation.MethodsInflammation was induced in New Zealand White rabbits by placing a non-occlusive silastic collar around the common carotid artery. A single 1 mg/kg intravenous infusion of lipid-free apoA-IV or saline (control) was administered to the animals 24 h before collar insertion. The animals were euthanised 24 h post-collar insertion. Human coronary artery cells (HCAECs) were pre-incubated with reconstituted HDLs containing apoA-IV complexed with phosphatidylcholine, (A-IV)rHDLs, then activated by incubation with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Cell surface vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the TNF-α-activated HCAECs was quantified by flow cytometry. VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and 3β-hydroxysteroid-Δ24 reductase (DHCR24) mRNA levels were quantified by real time PCR.ResultsApolipoprotein ApoA-IV treatment significantly decreased collar-induced endothelial expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and neutrophil infiltration into the arterial intima by 67.6 ± 9.9% (p &lt; 0.01), 75.4 ± 6.9% (p &lt; 0.01) and 74.4 ± 8.5% (p &lt; 0.05), respectively. It also increased endothelial expression of DHCR24 by 2.6-fold (p &lt; 0.05). Pre-incubation of HCAECs with (A-IV)rHDLs prior to stimulation with TNF-α inhibited VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 protein levels by 62.2 ± 12.1% and 33.7 ± 5.7%, respectively. VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 mRNA levels were decreased by 55.8 ± 7.2% and 49.6 ± 7.9%, respectively, while DHCR24 mRNA expression increased by threefold. Transfection of HCAECs with DHCR24 siRNA attenuated the anti-inflammatory effects of (A-IV)rHDLs. Pre-incubation of TNF-α-activated HCAECs with (A-IV)rHDLs also inhibited nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and decreased IκBα phosphorylation.ConclusionThese results indicate that apoA-IV inhibits vascular inflammation in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting NF-κB activation in a DHCR24-dependent manner.
Eco-Cultural Niche Breadth and Overlap Within the Cucuteni–Trypillia Culture Groups During the Eneolithic
Authors: Mihu-Pintilie Alin , Gherghel Iulian 
Published: June 2022

One of the most applied tools for documenting cultural variability and for tracing cultural trajectories within the environmental context is eco-cultural niche modeling and its associated methodology. The niche breadth characterization quantitatively evaluates the links between a given adaptive system and ecological constraints, which provides valuable information for archeology. For this purpose, in this study, 10 independent climatic and topographic environmental variables were interpolated, and eco-cultural niche modeling techniques were used to determine whether these differences in geographic distributions and niche breadth are consequences of differences in five Cucuteni–Trypillia groups that flourished in Eastern Europe during the Eneolithic (cal. 5,400/5,300–2,800/2,700 BCE). Our results showed that the eco-cultural niches of Cucuteni–Trypillia groups are significantly overlapping, and the expansion trend of the last two cultural groups (Late Eneolithic–cal. 4,100/4,000–2,800/2,700 BCE) into the northeastern steppe regions was not due to ecological niche differences but rather a result of other cultural factors. Furthermore, we highlighted that the first three Cucuteni–Trypillia groups (Early-to-Middle Eneolithic—cal. 5,400/5,300–4,100/4,000 BCE) had slightly more constrained ecological niches in the mid-Holocene ecosystems than the Late Eneolithic groups. The results have significant implications for understanding the geographical range dynamics and distribution of the last great Chalcolithic society of Old Europe and contribute to the characterization of ecological niches they have exploited during the cultural evolutionary process.
Variations in the Suspended Sediment Concentration in Mountain-Type Rivers Flowing Into the Sea in the Past 60 years—Taking Nanliu River in Beibu Gulf as an Example
Authors: Li Shushi , Yang Xialing , Huang Hu , Liang Xixing , Wang Riming , Feng Bingbin 
Published: June 2022

Suspended sediment in the water body of rivers flowing into the sea is of great significance to the accumulation process in river basins and change pattern of landforms. In particular, small and medium rivers entering the sea in mountainous areas exhibit the characteristics of both mountains and streams, and the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) greatly contributes to the formation and evolution of deltas. However, scholars rarely give attention to the factors influencing changes in the SSC in small- and medium-sized mountainous rivers, and few studies have examined SSC changes in small- and medium-sized mountainous rivers. Here, based on daily SSC and flow data obtained at the Bobai Station and Changle Station, the percentile method and regression analysis method are employed to analyse the changes in SSC from the Nanliu River to the Beibu Gulf and possible influencing factors. The main research results indicate that 1) the SSC in river water bodies from 1965 to 2020 generally reveals a downwards trend, with significant annual variations. Specifically, the overall trend can be divided into three stages: 1) the SSC is the highest from 1965 to 1971, and the mean yearly SSC reaches 0.25 kg/m3; 2) the SSC is relatively high from 1972 to 2006, and the mean yearly SSC reaches 0.16 kg/m3; and 3) the SSC is the lowest from 2007 to 2020, and the mean yearly SSC reaches 0.11 kg/m3 2) High values of the SSC are mainly concentrated in the flood season, and low SSC values mostly occur in the dry season. The monthly average SSC in the flood season from April to September and the dry season from October to March exhibits the characteristics of a decrease in the flood season and an increase in the dry season. Moreover, the peak SSC value in the watershed obviously occurs out of sync with the peak flow value. Generally, the former precedes the latter. 3) The curve of the flow rate-sediment ratio is an irregular clockwise rhombus. Moreover, the impact of tropical cyclones, land cover changes, regional GDP per capita, and engineering construction are crucial reasons for the observed variations in the SSC in the Nanliu River Basin. In this paper, the obtained research results provide an important guiding significance for the planning and management of water and sediment resources in the Nanliu River and offer a reference for hydrological planning of other river basins discharging into the sea.
Provenance of the Lower Triassic Clastic Rocks in the Southwestern Margin of the South China Craton and Its Implications for the Subduction Polarity of the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean
Authors: Han Chao , Huang Hu , Yang Chenchen , Wang Linxi , Luo Hongwei 
Published: June 2022

The southwestern margin of the South China Craton preserves a Late Permian to Early Triassic sedimentary succession, the provenance of which helps to constrain the magmatic history and tectonic evolution of the Paleo-Tethyan Orogen. In this study, we present new detrital zircon U-Pb age, trace element, Hf isotope and whole-rock geochemical composition analyses from the Lower Triassic Qingtianbao Formation, to distinguish the provenance of clastic rocks. The results show that the detrital zircons of the Qingtianbao Formation are characterized by an age spectrum of unimodal, with an age peak of ∼260 Ma, and have a geochemical affinity to within-plate sources. Most of these zircons have positive εHf(t) values (+1.6 to +5.9), similar to those of the Emeishan rhyolites. The whole-rock geochemistry of most clastic samples shows no Nb–Ta anomalies on primitive mantle-normalized elemental diagrams. These features imply a source related to the Emeishan volcanic rocks. Integration of the geologic and provenance records in the southwestern margin of the South China Craton, we suggest that the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean may undergo a unidirectional subduction westward beneath the Indochina Block during the Late Permian–Early Triassic.
Sulfonylurea and Cancer Risk Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Zhao Houyu , Liu Zhike , Zhuo Lin , Shen Peng , Lin Hongbo , Sun Yexiang , Zhan Siyan 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundCurrent evidence of the association between the use of sulfonylurea and cancer risk is highly conflicting and little evidence of this association is from the mainland Chinese population. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of sulfonylurea use on cancer risk among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsA retrospective cohort study of T2DM patients who were new users of sulfonylurea or metformin was conducted using the Yinzhou Regional Health Care Database. A marginal structural Cox model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of cancer associated with the use of sulfonylurea compared with metformin, with time-varying confounders controlled by inverse probability weighting. Secondary analyses using different glucose-lowering drugs (GLDs) as comparator and sensitivity analyses for potential bias due to latency period, model misspecification, missing data, analyses strategy (intention-to-treat and per-protocol), and diagnosis validation were performed to examine the robustness of the results.ResultsAfter fully controlling for time-varying confounding, baseline confounding, and competing risk, the use of sulfonylurea was not associated with the risk of any cancer (HR 1.09; 95% CI, 0.93–1.27), compared with the use of metformin. In the secondary analyses, compared with α - glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, glinides, other GLDs except sulfonylure and insulin, and T2DM patients not treated with sulfonylureas, the HRs of the association between sulfonylurea use and cancer risk were 0.92 (95% CI; 0.78–1.08), 0.89 (95% CI; 0.66–1.19), 0.85 (95% CI; 0.71–1.02), 1.04 (95% CI; 0.89–1.22), and 1.07 (95% CI; 0.99–1.16), respectively. The results of analyses for various subgroups, risk of site-specific cancers, cumulative duration, dose-response relationship, and sensitivity analyses of different latency periods and missing data were generally consistent with the findings of the primary analyses.ConclusionNo association between sulfonylurea use and cancer risk was found in this study after properly controlling biases due to time-varying confounders and other sources. Further studies on the association between sulfonylurea use and the risk of cancer by using data from a Chinese population with higher representativeness are needed.
Identification and Optimization of Contributing Factors for Precocious Puberty by Machine/Deep Learning Methods in Chinese Girls
Authors: Pang Bo , Wang Qiong , Yang Min , Xue Mei , Zhang Yicheng , Deng Xiangling , Zhang Zhixin , Niu Wenquan 
Published: June 2022

Background and ObjectivesAs the worldwide secular trends are toward earlier puberty, identification of contributing factors for precocious puberty is critical. We aimed to identify and optimize contributing factors responsible for onset of precocious puberty via machine learning/deep learning algorithms in girls.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed among girls aged 6-16 years from 26 schools in Beijing based on a cluster sampling method. Information was gleaned online via questionnaires. Machine/deep learning algorithms were performed using Python language (v3.7.6) on PyCharm platform.ResultsOf 11308 students enrolled, there are 5527 girls, and 408 of them had experienced precocious puberty. Training 13 machine learning algorithms revealed that gradient boosting machine (GBM) performed best in predicting precocious puberty. By comparison, six top factors including maternal age at menarche, paternal body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio, maternal BMI, screen time, and physical activity were sufficient in prediction performance, with accuracy of 0.9530, precision of 0.9818, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.7861. The performance of the top six factors was further validated by deep learning sequential model, with accuracy reaching 92.9%.ConclusionsWe identified six important factors from both parents and girls that can help predict the onset of precocious puberty among Chinese girls.
The Clinical Characteristics and Gene Mutations of Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young Type 5 in Sixty-One Patients
Authors: Ge Shenghui , Yang Mengge , Cui Yuying , Wu Jing , Xu Lusi , Dong Jianjun , Liao Lin 
Published: June 2022

AimsMaturity-onset diabetes of the young type 5 (MODY5), a rare disease, is very easy to be misdiagnosed as type 2 diabetes. To get better understanding of the disease, we analyzed the clinical characteristics and gene mutations of MODY5.MethodsPubMed, Cochrane, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang were searched with the following search terms: “MODY5” OR “HNF1B maturity-onset diabetes of the young” OR “maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 5” OR “renal cysts and diabetes syndrome”. Clinical characteristics and gene mutations of MODY5 were analyzed. The demography, clinical characteristics, and blood indicators of patients were described utilizing simple summary statistics. Variables were analyzed by t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and Fisher exact test. Spearman’s correlation analysis was used for bi-variate analysis. All tests were two-sided, and a p-value &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26 for Windows (SPSS).ResultsA total of 48 literatures were included in this study, including 61 eligible patients and 4 different mutations. Of the 39 patients with available body weight index, 15 (38.46%) were underweight, 21 (53.85%) were normal weight and 3 (7.69%) were overweight or obese. Of the 38 patients with available family history, 25 (65.79%) reported a family history of diabetes. Of the 34 patients with available age of diabetes diagnosis, the median age of diabetes diagnosis was 16.00 years old and 88.24% (30/34) of patients were under 25 years old when they were first diagnosed with diabetes. Renal cysts were presented in 72.41%, hypomagnesemia in 91.67%, and pancreatic dysplasia in 71.88% of the patients. Patients with hepatocyte nuclear factor 1B (HNF1B) deletion had lower serum magnesium, serum creatinine, and higher eGFR than patients with other gene mutations, and the difference was statistically significant.ConclusionsThe young onset of diabetes with low or normal BMI, renal cysts, hypomagnesemia, and pancreatic dysplasia should be recommended to genetic testing in order to differentiate MODY5 from other types of diabetes earlier.
The Impact of Increased Maternal sFlt-1/PlGF Ratio on Motor Outcome of Preterm Infants
Authors: Middendorf Lisa , Gellhaus Alexandra , Iannaccone Antonella , Köninger Angela , Dathe Anne-Kathrin , Bendix Ivo , Reisch Beatrix , Felderhoff-Mueser Ursula , Huening Britta 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundThe sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1)/PlGF (placental growth factor) ratio serves as a clinical biomarker to predict the hypertensive, placenta-derived pregnancy disorder pre-eclampsia which is often associated with placental dysfunction and fetal growth restriction. Additionally elevated levels also indicate an increased risk for prematurity. However, its predictive value for subsequent neonatal neurological outcome has not been studied.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the correlation of maternal sFlt-1/PlGF ratio with early motor outcome of preterm infants. Design/Methods: 88 preterm infants (gestational age ≤ 34 + 0) born between February 2017 and August 2020 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Essen in Germany, were included, when the following variables were available: maternal sFlt-1/PlGF levels at parturition and general movement assessment of the infant at the corrected age of 3 to 5 months. The infants were stratified into high and low ratio groups according to maternal sFlt-1/PlGF cut-off values of 85. To investigate the early motor repertoire and quality of spontaneous movements of the infant, the Motor Optimality Score (MOS-R) based on antigravity movements and posture patterns, was applied. In the given age, special attention was paid to the presence of fidgety movements. Linear regressions were run to test differences in infants motor repertoire according to the maternal sFlt-1/PIGF ratio.ResultsLinear regression analysis showed that the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio does not predict the MOS-R score (β=≤0.001; p=0.282). However, children with birth weight below the 10th percentile scored significantly lower (mean 20.7 vs 22.7; p=0.035). These children were 91% in the group with an increased ratio, which in turn is a known predictor of low birth weight (β= -0.315; p &lt;0.001). In the group with a high sFlt-1/PLGF ratio above 85 the mothers of female infants had a lower average sFlt-1/PlGF ratio compared to a male infant (median: 438 in female vs. 603 in male infant, p=0.145).ConclusionsIn our cohort, especially low birth weight, which correlated with an elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, had a negative effect on the outcome in the MOS-R. A direct correlation between an increased ratio and a worse motor outcome was not demonstrated.
Impact of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components on Clinical Severity and Long-Term Prognosis in Patients With Premature Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Gao Jing , Wang Yuan , Yang Ya-Nan , Wu Xiao-Yuan , Cui Yan , Zou Zhong-He , Cui Zhuang , Liu Yin 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundThe effects of metabolic syndrome (MS) on premature myocardial infarction (PMI) are not clear to date. This study aimed to investigate the impact of MS and its components on clinical severity and long-term prognosis in patients with PMI.MethodsWe enrolled 772 patients aged ≤45 years old who were diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at our hospital consecutively between 2015 and 2020. The patients were divided into an MS group and non-MS group. The parameters of clinical severity were compared using regression analysis. Patients were followed for median of 42 months for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).ResultsHyperglycemia was associated with multi-vessel disease [odds ratio(OR)=1.700, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.172-2.464, P=0.005] and Syntax score ≥33 (OR=2.736, 95% CI=1.241-6.032, P=0.013). Increased MACE were observed in the MS group(17.9% vs 10.3%, P=0.004).The Kaplan-Meier curve also showed significant differences (P&lt; 0.001). MS was an independent risk factor for MACE. Of each component of MS, BMI ≥28 kg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR]=2.022, 95% CI =1.213-3.369, P=0.007] and hyperglycemia (HR=2.904, 95% CI=1.847-4.567, P&lt;0.001) were independent risk factors for MACE.ConclusionsIn patients with PMI, 1) hyperglycemia usually indicates more severe lesions; 2) MS as a whole was an independent risk factor for MACE; 3) BMI ≥28.0 kg/m2 and hyperglycemia were associated with MACE.
Effectiveness and Safety of Two Consecutive Cycles of Single Embryo Transfer Compared With One Cycle of Double Embryo Transfer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Peng Yangqin , Ma Shujuan , Hu Liang , Wang Xiaojuan , Xiong Yiquan , Yao Minghong , Tan Jing , Gong Fei 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveTo date, evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of two consecutive cycles of single embryo transfer (2SETs) compared with one cycle of double embryo transfer (DET) has been inadequate, particularly considering infertile women with different prognostic factors. This study aimed to comprehensively summarize the evidence by comparing 2SETs with DET.MethodsPubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, ClinicalTrails.gov, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched up to March 22, 2022. Peer-reviewed, English-language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (OS) comparing the outcomes of 2SETs with DET in infertile women with their own oocytes and embryos were included. Two authors independently conducted study selection, data extraction, and bias assessment. The Mantel–Haenszel random-effects model was used for pooling RCTs, and a Bayesian design-adjusted model was conducted to synthesize the results from both RCTs and OS.Main ResultsTwelve studies were finally included. Compared with the DET, 2SETs were associated with a similar cumulative live birth rate (LBR; 48.24% vs. 48.91%; OR, 0.97; 95% credible interval (CrI), 0.89–1.13, τ2 = 0.1796; four RCTs and six observational studies; 197,968 women) and a notable lower cumulative multiple birth rate (MBR; 0.87% vs. 17.72%; OR, 0.05; 95% CrI, 0.02–0.10, τ2 = 0.1036; four RCTs and five observational studies; 197,804 women). Subgroup analyses revealed a significant increase in cumulative LBR (OR, 1.33; 95% CrI, 1.29–1.38, τ2 = 0) after two consecutive cycles of single blastocyst transfer compared with one cycle of double blastocyst transfer. Moreover, a lower risk of cesarean section, antepartum hemorrhage, preterm birth, low birth weight, and neonatal intensive care unit admission but a higher gestational age at birth and birth weight were found in the 2SETs group.ConclusionCompared to the DET strategy, 2SETs result in a similar LBR while simultaneously reducing the MBR and improving maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes. The 2SETs strategy appears to be especially beneficial for women aged ≤35 years and for blastocyst transfers.
Necessity of Routinely Testing the Proximal and Distal Ends of Exposed Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve During Monitored Thyroidectomy
Authors: Huang Hsiao-Yu , Lien Ching-Feng , Wang Chih-Chun , Wang Chien-Chung , Hwang Tzer-Zen , Shih Yu-Chen , Wu Che-Wei , Dionigi Gianlorenzo , Huang Tzu-Yen , Chiang Feng-Yu 
Published: June 2022

ObjectivesIntraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is a useful tool to evaluate the function of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in thyroid surgery. This study aimed to determine the necessity and value of routinely testing the proximal and distal ends of RLN.MethodsIn total, 796 patients undergoing monitored thyroidectomies with standardized procedures were enrolled. All 1346 RLNs with visual integrity of anatomical continuity were routinely stimulated at the most proximal (R2p signal) and distal (R2d signal) ends after complete RLN dissection. The EMG amplitudes between R2p and R2d signals were compared. If the amplitude of R2p/R2d ratio reduction (RPDR) was over 10% or loss of signal (LOS) occurred, the exposed RLN was mapped to identify the injured point. Pre- and post-operative vocal cord (VC) mobility was routinely examined with video-laryngofiberscope.ResultsNerve injuries were detected in 108 (8%) RLNs, including 94 nerves with incomplete LOS (RPDR between 13%-93%) and 14 nerves with complete LOS. The nerve injuries were caused by traction in 80 nerves, dissecting trauma in 23 nerves and lateral heat spread of energy-based devices in 5 nerves. Symmetric VC mobility was found in 72 nerves with RPDR ≤50%. The occurrence of abnormal VC mobility (weak or fixed) was 14%, 67%, 100%, and 100% among the different RPDR stratifications of 51%-60%, 61%-70%, 71%-80%, and 81-93%, respectively. Of the 14 nerves with complete LOS, all showed fixed VC mobility. Permanent VC palsy occurred in 2 nerves with thermal injury.ConclusionRoutinely testing the proximal and distal ends of exposed RLN helps detect unrecognized partial nerve injury, elucidate the injury mechanism and determine injury severity. The procedure provides accurate information for evaluating RLN function after nerve dissection and should be included in the standard IONM procedure.