bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new predictive model for the concurrent risk of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes patients and the effect of metformin on amino acids
Authors: Song Zicheng , Luo Weiming , Huang Bing , Cao Yunfeng , Jiang Rongzhen 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveThis study established a model to predict the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) with amino acids selected by partial least squares (PLS) method, and evaluated the effect of metformin on the effect of amino acids on DR in the model.MethodsIn Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, China, we retrieved 1031 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) from the First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University. After sorting the amino acids using the PLS method, the top 10 amino acids were included in the model. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between different amino acids and DR. And then the effects of metformin on amino acids were explored through interaction. Finally, Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between different amino acids.ResultsAfter sorting by PLS, Gly, Pro, Leu, Lyr, Glu, Phe, Tyr, His, Val and Ser were finally included in the DR risk prediction model. The predictive model after adding amino acids was statistically different from the model that only included traditional risk factors (p=0.001). Metformin had a significant effect on the relationship between DR and 7 amino acids (Gly, Glu, Phe, Tyr, His, Val, Ser, p&lt;0.05), and the population who are not using metformin and have high levels of Glu (OR: 0.44, 95%CI: 0.27-0.71) had an additive protection effect for the occurrence of DR. And the similar results can be seen in high levels of Gly (OR: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.29-0.75), Leu (OR: 0.48, 95%CI: 0.29-0.8), His (OR: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.29-0.75), Phe (OR: 0.24, 95%CI: 0.14-0.42) and Tyr (OR: 0.41, 95%CI: 0.24 -0.68) in population who are not using metformin.ConclusionsWe established a prediction model of DR by amino acids and found that the use of metformin reduced the protective effect of amino acids on DR developing, suggesting that amino acids as biomarkers for predicting DR would be affected by metformin use.
An integrative pan-cancer analysis revealing the difference in small ring finger family of SCF E3 ubiquitin ligases
Authors: Huang Tingting , Li Jiwei , Liu Xinli , Shi Bingbing , Li Shiqin , An Han-Xiang 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundThe SCF (Skp1-cullin-F-box proteins) complex is the largest family of E3 ubiquitin ligases that mediate multiple specific substrate proteins degradation. Two ring-finger family members RBX1/ROC1 and RBX2/RNF7/SAG are small molecular proteins necessary for ubiquitin ligation activity of the multimeric SCF complex. Accumulating evidence indicated the involvement of RBX proteins in the pathogenesis and development of cancers, but no research using pan-cancer analysis for evaluating their difference has been directed previously.MethodsWe investigated RBX1/2 expression patterns and the association with clinicopathological features, and survivals of cancer patients obtained from the TCGA pan-cancer data. The binding energies of RBX1/2-CUL1 complexes were preliminarily calculated by using molecular dynamics simulations. Meanwhile, we assessed their immune infiltration level across numerous databases, including TISIDB and Timer database.ResultsHigh expression levels of RBX1/2 were observed in most cancer types and correlated with poor prognosis of patients analyzed. Nonetheless, exceptions were observed: RBX2 expression in KICH was higher than normal renal tissues and played a detrimental role in KICH. The expression of RBX1 was not associated with the prognostic risk of KICH. Moreover, the combination of RBX1 and CUL1 expression is more stable than that of RBX2 and CUL1. RBX1/2 expression showed their own specific characteristics in tumor pathological stages and grades, copy number variation and immune components.ConclusionsThese findings not only indicated that the difference of RBX1/2 might result in varying degrees of tumor progression, but also suggested that they might serve as biomarkers for immune infiltration in cancers, shedding new light on therapeutics of cancers.
Case Report: Recognition of Devastating Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) Caused by Naegleria fowleri: Another Case in South China Detected via Metagenomics Next-Generation Sequencing Combined With Microscopy and a Review
Authors: Chen Shenggen , Che Chunhui , Lin Wanhui , Chen Baojian , Huang Xinming , Liu Changyun , Huang Huapin 
Published: August 2022

IntroductionPrimary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Naegleria fowleri is seldom reported in mainland China.MethodsOne case from South China was presented, and the clinical features of the PAM, especially the early CT features, were compared to those in the literatures from PubMed/Web of Science/China National Knowledge internet (CNKI).Case Presentation and ResultsA 47-year-old man with a high fever came to the fever clinic. Twelve hours later, the man lost consciousness and exhibited generalized tonic-clonic seizures and needed ventilator-controlled ventilation. Then, he was admitted to the neurology intensive care unit (NICU). The opening pressure of his cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was over 500 mm H2O with highly increased leukocyte/protein levels and very low glucose levels. Three days after admission, high copy numbers of Naegleria fowleri amoebae were detected by metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and cysts were visible with wet mount microscopy. Four days after admission, the patient experienced brain death. However, the relatives of the patient did not want to give up, and he received amphotericin B (AmB). During hospitalization, he suffered from severe damage to the liver and kidneys and electrolyte disorders that required continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).ReviewAll 20 included PAM patients suffered from fever. Seventeen of them had headache and neck stiffness. Ten of them showed generalized brain edema. To date, 7 cases of PAM have been reported in China. Only one patient survived. Most of the patients showed generalized brain edema. Only the surviving patient showed focal edema. He died three months later.ConclusionRapidly progressive meningoencephalitis in which the CSF results are similar to those suffered from a bacterial infection should be considered a possible case of PAM. It can be rapidly detected with microscopy in CSF wet mounts but needs further molecular investigation for confirmation, and mNGS should be a new method used for rapid and precise identification. Moreover, CRRT may prolong the survival time of PAM patients with multiple organ failure.
Chemosynthetic and photosynthetic trophic support from cold seeps in Arctic benthic communities
Authors: Åström Emmelie K. L. , Bluhm Bodil A. , Rasmussen Tine L. 
Published: August 2022

Benthic communities below the photic zone are largely reliant on the export of surface-water primary production and the flux of partially degraded organic matter to the seabed, i.e. pelagic−benthic coupling. Over the past decades, however, the role of chemosynthetically produced carbon in food webs has been recognized in various habitats. Cold seeps are now known to be widespread across circumpolar Arctic shelves where natural release of hydrocarbons occurs at the seabed. Here, we investigated to what extent chemosynthesis-based carbon (CBC) enters the food web in a high latitude shelf-system. Specifically, we estimated the contributions of chemosynthesis-based carbon to primarily benthic invertebrate taxa from seeps at both shallow and deeper shelves and comparative non-seep areas in the Svalbard-Barents Sea region using bulk stable isotope-analysis of carbon and nitrogen. Our results show low δ13C values (-51.3 to -32.7 ‰) in chemosymbiotic siboglinids and several species of benthic, higher-trophic level, invertebrates (mainly polychaetes and echinoderms; -35.0 to -26.1‰) collected at cold seeps, consistent with assimilation of chemosynthesis-based carbon into the Arctic benthic food web. Using a two-component mixing equation, we demonstrate that certain species could derive more than 50% of their carbon from chemosynthesis-based carbon. These findings show that autochthonous chemosynthetic energy sources can contribute to supporting distinct groups of ‘background’ benthic taxa at these Arctic seep-habitats beyond microbial associations and chemosymbiotic species. Furthermore, we found a higher degree of chemosynthesis-based carbon in benthos at the deeper Barents Sea shelf seeps (&gt;330 m) compared to seeps at the Western Svalbard shelf (&lt;150 m water-depth), and we suggest this result reflects the differences in depth range, surface production and pelagic-benthic coupling. We detected large intra-species variations in carbon signatures within and across geographical locations and, combined with isotopic niche-analysis, our results show that certain taxa that inhabits seeps, have wider trophic niches in comparison to taxa inhabiting non-seeps. The increasing number of discovered natural seeps in the Arctic suggests that chemosynthetic production from seeps could play a more critical role in Arctic trophic structure than previously thought. Seep-derived carbon should, hence, be accounted for as an additional carbon source and included in food-web and energy-flow models in future work.
Combined effect of salinity and temperature on copepod reproduction and oxidative stress in brackish-water environment
Authors: von Weissenberg Ella , Mottola Giovanna , Uurasmaa Tytti-Maria , Anttila Katja , Engström-Öst Jonna 
Published: August 2022

Climate-induced warming and increased river inflows are forcing the Baltic Sea to radical changes in the near future; organisms living in this brackish-water ecosystem are already experiencing osmotic stress, which, together with thermal stress, may have severe consequences on the ecosystem. The aim of this work was to study the combined effect of decreasing salinity and increasing temperature on reproductive success and oxidative stress in zooplankton by using a calanoid copepod Acartia sp. as a model organism. The field study was conducted during summer 2020 in the western Gulf of Finland, using three sampling sites with naturally differing salinity levels. Additionally, the copepods from these sites were experimentally exposed to ambient or 3°C elevated temperature for 72 h. The copepods derived from the deepest and the most saline sampling site suffered less oxidative damage and exhibited relatively high reproduction, while the temperature treatment itself had little effect. On the other hand, the field-based monitoring data showed otherwise; temperature increased lipid peroxidation, glutathione-s-transferase activity, or both in all three sampling sites. Meanwhile, egg production rate was negatively associated with temperature in the area with the lowest salinity. Moreover, egg production rate decreased from June to September along with increasing temperatures in the mid-salinity sampling site, while similar change occurred also in the highest-salinity site between August and September. The combined effect of salinity and sampling date on reproduction indicates the importance of even subtle salinity changes on copepods. Moreover, the data suggest that the unusually strong heatwave was responsible for increased oxidative stress during the sampling season and possibly forced a trade-off between antioxidant activity and reproductive effort.
Effects of tidal variations on total nitrogen concentration, speciation, and exchange flux in the Shuidong Bay coastal water, South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Peng , Luo Weisheng , Fu Miaojian , Zhang Jibiao , Cheng Mingyue , Xie Jiale 
Published: August 2022

Nitrogen (N) plays an important role in marine ecosystems as a biogenic element for phytoplankton. The tidal cycle had major influence on various biogeochemical parameters of the bay and changed nutrients input with the ebb and flow of the tide. In this study, we collected samples from Shuidong Bay (SDB) in China, in August 2021, to explore the periodic variations in coastal waters during spring and neap tides. The effects of spring and neap tides on different speciation of nitrogen in the SDB and the exchange fluxes between the SDB and the South China Sea (SCS) were investigated. The results indicated that the concentrations of particulate nitrogen (PN) and N-NO2- were significantly different between the spring and neap tides (P &lt; 0.05). The total nitrogen (TN) concentrations in SDB during the spring and neap tides were 258.12 ± 89.49 μmol/L and 231.77 ± 56.86 μmol/L. During the spring and neap tides, total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) accounted for 54.1% and 52.2% of TN, respectively. In addition, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) accounted for 81.4% and 69.9% of the TDN during the spring and neap tides, respectively. Furthermore, the net exchange fluxes of different speciation of nitrogen showed that the net exchange fluxes of TN were transported from SDB to SCS during the spring and neap tide, with the net exchange fluxes of 37.7 t and 8.8 t, respectively. The net exchange flux of TN during spring tide was 4.3 times higher than that of neap tide. In addition, a significant negative correlation was observed between dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and salinity in SDB during the spring and neap tides (P &lt; 0.001), indicated that DIN was mainly influenced by terrestrial sources inputs. A significant positive correlation (P &lt; 0.01) was observed between PN and Chlorophyll-a in SDB during the spring and neap tides, implied that the assimilation of a large number of planktonic organisms promoted PN formation. The present results revealed that tidal variation played an important role in regulating N speciation and exchange flux in coastal waters, which had great implications for N biogeochemistry and water quality improvement in SDB.
Computed tomography enterography increases the ability of endoscopy to differentiate Crohn's disease from intestinal Behçet's disease
Authors: Yang Hong , Zhang Huimin , Liu Wei , Han Wei , Guo Tao , Lai Yamin , Tan Bei , Wang Congling , Chen Minhu , Gao Xiang , Ran Zhihua , Liu Zhanju , Wu Kaichun , Cao Qian , Qian Jiaming 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundDistinguishing Crohn's disease (CD) and intestinal Behçet's disease (BD) is difficult in clinical practice.AimTo evaluate the ability of CT enterography (CTE) to enhance the diagnostic value of endoscopy in differentiating CD from intestinal BD and to establish differential diagnosis models.MethodsA total of 113 patients with CD and 70 patients with intestinal BD from seven tertiary inflammatory bowel disease centers were enrolled. The univariate and multivariate analyses were used by SAS software version 9.2. Three differential scoring models based on the multivariate analysis of endoscopic features alone (model 1), endoscopic features combined with clinical symptoms (model 2), and endoscopic features combined with clinical symptoms and CTE (model 3) were established.ResultsThe results showed that model 2 increased the efficacy of model 1 in differential diagnosis and model 3 had the highest accuracy of 84.15% at a cutoff value of two points. The scoring of model 3 was as follows: genital ulcer (−3 points), skin lesions (−3 points), oval ulcer (-2 points), longitudinal ulcer (1 point), number of ulcers &gt; 5 (3 points), inflammatory polyps (2 points), mucosal severe enhancement (2 points), and fibrofatty proliferation (1 point).ConclusionClinical symptoms and CTE increased the ability of endoscopy to differentiate CD from intestinal BD.
ISupport-Brasil: Preliminary results of the usability and acceptability assessment by caregivers of people who have dementia
Authors: Ottaviani Ana Carolina , Monteiro Diana Quirino , Ferreira Campos Camila Rafael , Barham Elizabeth Joan , Oliveira Déborah , da Cruz Keila Cristianne Trindade , Corrêa Larissa , de Souza Orlandi Fabiana , Zazzetta Marisa Silvana , Gratão Aline Cristina Martins , Pavarini Sofia Cristina Iost 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveTo assess usability and acceptability of iSupport-Brasil (iSupport-BR) to virtually support family caregivers of people who have dementia.Materials and methodsIn the first stage, nine caregivers/former caregivers assessed the interface of the platform that hosts iSupport-BR. In the second stage, 10 caregivers assessed acceptability of the platform and answered the System Usability Scale (SUS), which varies from 0 to 100 points. A descriptive analysis of the quantitative data was performed, as well as a thematic analysis on the open questions. All the ethical aspects were respected.ResultsThe results of the first stage indicated a user-friendly interface of the system and relevant content of the program, with 55.6 and 77.8% of the participants assigning the maximum grade to these questions, respectively. Of the five possible points, the system’s mean score was 3.7. In Stage 2, 80% of the caregivers rated the program as very useful and 100% would recommend it to other caregivers. Perception of the program’s usability by the SUS scale was excellent (M = 86.5 ± 11.5).ConclusionThis research allowed elaborating the final version of iSupport-BR, considering usability and acceptability of the platform and the program for computers/notebooks, being a pioneer in evaluating it for use in smartphones. Future research studies will have to assess the effects of iSupport-BR on the caregivers’ mental health.
Genetic network analysis of human immunodeficiency virus sexual transmission in rural Southwest China after the expansion of antiretroviral therapy: A population-based study
Authors: Chen Jin , Chen Huanhuan , Li Jianjun , Luo Liuhong , Kang Ruihua , Liang Shujia , Zhu Qiuying , Lu Huaxiang , Zhu Jinhui , Shen Zhiyong , Feng Yi , Liao Lingjie , Xing Hui , Shao Yiming , Ruan Yuhua , Lan Guanghua 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundThis study is used to analyze the genetic network of HIV sexual transmission in rural areas of Southwest China after expanding antiretroviral therapy (ART) and to investigate the factors associated with HIV sexual transmission through the genetic network.Materials and methodsThis was a longitudinal genetic network study in Guangxi, China. The baseline survey and follow-up study were conducted among patients with HIV in 2015, and among those newly diagnosed from 2016 to 2018, respectively. A generalized estimating equation model was employed to explore the factors associated with HIV transmission through the genetic linkage between newly diagnosed patients with HIV (2016–2018) and those at baseline (2015–2017), respectively.ResultsOf 3,259 identified HIV patient sequences, 2,714 patients were at baseline, and 545 were newly diagnosed patients with HIV at follow-up. A total of 8,691 baseline objectives were observed by repeated measurement analysis. The prevention efficacy in HIV transmission for treated HIV patients was 33% [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48–0.93]. Stratified analyses indicated the prevention efficacy in HIV transmission for treated HIV patients with a viral load (VL) of &lt;50 copies/ml and those treated for 4 years with a VL of &lt;50 copies/ml to be 41 [AOR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.43–0.82] and 65% [AOR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.24–0.50], respectively. No significant reduction in HIV transmission occurred among treated HIV patients with VL missing or treated HIV patients on dropout. Some factors were associated with HIV transmission, including over 50 years old, men, Zhuang and other nationalities, with less than secondary schooling, working as a farmer, and heterosexual transmission.ConclusionThis study reveals the role of ART in reducing HIV transmission, and those older male farmers with less than secondary schooling are at high risk of HIV infection at a population level. Improvements to ART efficacy for patients with HIV and precision intervention on high-risk individuals during the expansion of ART are urgently required.
Characterizing Plasma Biomarkers of Alzheimer's in a Diverse Community-Based Cohort: A Cross-Sectional Study of the HAB-HD Cohort
Authors: Hall James R. , Petersen Melissa , Johnson Leigh , O'Bryant Sid E. 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundDue to their low cost, less invasive nature, and ready availability, plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease have been proposed as one-time screening tools for clinical trials and research. The impact of ethnoracial factors on these biomarkers has received little attention. The current cross-sectional study investigated the levels of Aβ40, Aβ42, total tau (t tau), and neurofilament light (NfL) across diagnoses for each of the three major ethnoracial groups in the United States in a community-based cohort of older adults.MethodsA total of 1,862 participants (852 Mexican Americans (MAs); 775 non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), and 235 African Americans (AAs)) drawn from The Health &amp; Aging Brain Study—Health Disparities (HABS-HD) study were included. Diagnoses were assigned using an algorithm (decision tree) verified by consensus review. Plasma samples were assayed using Simoa technology. Levels of each biomarker were compared for the three ethnoracial groups across cognitive diagnoses using ANOVA covarying sex and age.ResultsSignificant differences were found across the groups at each level of cognitive impairment. Cognitively unimpaired (CU) AA had significantly lower levels of each of the biomarkers than cognitively unimpaired MA or NHW and NHW had higher levels of Aβ40, and NfL than the other two groups. MA had higher t tau than AA or NHW. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group NHW had the highest levels on all the biomarkers and AA had the lowest. NHW and MA have higher levels of Aβ40, Aβ42, and t tau there was no difference between the groups for Aβ42. NHW had significantly higher levels of Aβ40, t tau, and NfL than AA. AA had a higher Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio than either NHW or MA for CU MCI.ConclusionsThe use of plasma biomarkers of cognitive decline is promising given their advantages over other biomarkers such as CSF and imaging but as the current research shows, ethnoracial differences must be considered to enhance accuracy and utility. Developing ethnoracial-specific cut points and establishing normative ranges by assay platform for each of the biomarkers are needed. Longitudinal research to assess changes in biomarkers during a cognitive decline is ongoing.