bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kinetics of Heterogeneous Reaction of H2O2 and SO2 on Coal Fly Ash: Temperature Effect and Their Synergistic Effects
Authors: Zhou Li , Lei Ting , Kang Dongjuan , Guo Yucong , Zhang Yunhong , Yang Fumo , Ge Maofa , Wang Weigang 
Published: June 2022

Coal-derived fly ash is a major aerosol composition in the atmosphere and presents a major challenge in understanding the atmospheric environment. In this study, the heterogeneous uptake of hydrogen peroxide and sulfur dioxide on coal fly ash was investigated using a Knudsen cell reactor coupled with a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The uptake coefficients were measured as a function of the initial mixing ratio of H2O2 and SO2 from 10 to 60 ppbv, and the temperature dependence of the uptake coefficients was also carried out over a range from 253 to 313 K. The mixing ratio of H2O2 and SO2 showed little effect on the uptake coefficients for these heterogeneous processes. As a function of temperature, the initial uptake coefficients of H2O2 and SO2 on coal fly ash were (0.48–1.65) × 10−4 and (1.50–8.54) × 10−5, respectively, which decreased with an increase in temperature. The steady-state uptake coefficients of H2O2 on coal fly ash were in the range of 2.46 × 10−5 to 4.84 × 10−5, which increased with an increase in temperature. Furthermore, we examined the synergistic effects between SO2 and H2O2 in their reaction on coal fly ash and found the existence of gaseous H2O2 appeared to enhance the ability of SO2 uptake on coal fly ash. Therefore, this finding suggests that the oxidation of SO2 on the surface of coal fly ash by gaseous H2O2 would promote SO2 consumption and transformation.
Human Activity Behind the Unprecedented 2020 Wildfire in Brazilian Wetlands (Pantanal)
Authors: de Magalhães Neto Newton , Evangelista Heitor 
Published: June 2022

The Pantanal natural region in South America is the largest wetland worldwide. Due to floods and a diverse lithology, this wetland area exhibits high plant and animal biodiversity levels and encompasses more than 185,000 km2. In 2020, the Pantanal experienced the worst recorded fire episode in history. Hundreds of thousands of hectares burned, threatening habitats and corresponding ecosystem functions. The fire reached regions never burned before, including national conservation units. Although federal authorities have blamed climate change and cultural indigenous practices, environmentalists, scientists, and non-governmental organizations have questioned this foregone conclusion. To better understand this historical event, we examined the burn severity in conservation units most affected by fire and the association with human and climate factors (represented by the fire occurrence distance to roads/waterways/railways and drought severity, respectively) and analyzed fire spatial patterns and durations. Via a comparison of these two factors, we demonstrated that 60% of the fire outbreaks was concentrated at distances less than 5 km from roads, waterways, and railways and that 80% was concentrated at distances less than 10 km from areas with human activities. Since values of the SPEI (drought index) &lt; −2.6 were critical to the spread of fire, a combination of more favorable climate conditions enabled the rapid and irreversible spread of fire. The observed association between fire occurrence and distance to roads makes the ongoing plans for road expansion of great concern, considering the 2020 fire episode, which greatly affected natural vegetation and conservation units across the Pantanal. The determination of trends in fire hot spot regions in the Pantanal can help environmental surveillance and fire control.
Effects of the Main Ecological Restoration Projects on Grassland Carbon Sequestration in Ningxia on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Ding Jinmei , Mi Wenbao , Wen Qi , Luo Anmeng , Hou Kaiyuan , Wu Xinyan , Xu Hao 
Published: June 2022

The temperate steppe experienced degradation and desertification as a result of long-term heavy grazing and excessive reclamation. Some major ecological projects, such as the Grain for Green Program (GGP) and Grazing Exclosure (GE), have been implemented to promote ecological restoration in grassland ecosystems. With the goal of carbon neutrality, the effects of the GGP and GE on grassland carbon sequestration need to be further explored. Based on soil data from the second soil survey in the 1980s, a field survey in 2021, and the land-use/land-cover datasets of 2000–2018, we characterized the changes in soil C stock following grazing exclosure, analyzed the effect of GGP on land-use changes and soil C accumulation, and then estimated the overall grassland carbon sequestration in Ningxia on the Loess Plateau of China. From 2000 to 2018, GE increased the grassland SOCD from 49.60 Mg ha−1 to 90.71 Mg ha−1, and the C stock increased by 65.55 T g. Under the influence of the GGP, 347.62 km2 of cultivated land was converted into grasslands, increasing the grassland soil carbon sequestration by 1.31 T g. Subsequently, the grassland organic carbon storage increased by 66.86 T g, which accounted for approximately 4.26% of the grassland organic carbon storage in the Loess Plateau of China. In the southern Loess hilly area, which experienced high precipitation and low temperatures, grasslands increased by 95.55 km2; the average organic carbon density increased 46.95 Mg ha−1 due to a rate of increase of 2.61 Mg ha−1 yr−1; and the corresponding values for those in the middle arid zone were 36.25 Mg ha−1 and 2.01 Mg ha−1 yr−1, with grasslands decreasing by 147.41 km2. The follow-up policies of the GGP and GE should be implemented and improved according to local conditions to improve the carbon sink and ecological services in grassland ecosystems.
Exploring the Relationship Between Senescence and Colorectal Cancer in Prognosis, Immunity, and Treatment
Authors: Dong Kechen , Liu Jianping , Zhou Wei , Zhang Guanglin 
Published: June 2022

Background: Senescence, as an effective barrier against tumorigenesis, plays a critical role in cancer therapy. However, the role of senescence in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not yet been reported. This study aimed to build a prognostic signature for the prognosis of patients with CRC based on senescence-related genes.Methods: A prognostic signature was built from TCGA based on differentially expressed senescence-related genes by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Cox regression analyses, which were further validated using two Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohorts. The CIBERSORT and ssGSEA algorithms were utilized to analyze the infiltrating abundance of immune cells. The relationship of signature with the immune therapy and the sensitivity of different therapies was explored.Results: We found 93 genes associated with senescence that were differentially expressed. Based on expression and clinical parameters, we developed a senescence-related prognostic signature and its effectiveness was verified using two external validation cohorts. Overall survival was predicted using a prognostic nomogram that incorporated the predictive values of the risk score and clinical traits. Additionally, the risk score was significantly correlated with immune cells infiltration, tumor immune microenvironment (TME) score, immune checkpoints, immunotherapeutic efficacy, and chemotherapy sensitivity.Conclusion: The senescence-related prognostic model can well predict the prognosis, immunotherapeutic response, and identify potential drug targets, which can help guide individualized treatment.
Elevated Expression of Growth Differentiation Factor-15 Is Associated With Acute Exacerbation of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Cao Mengshu , Gu Lina , Guo Lili , Liu Mengying , Wang Tianzhen , Zhang Ji , Zhang Huizhe , Zhang Yufeng , Shi Yanchen , Zhao Yichao , Qiu Xiaohua , Gui Xianhua , Ma Miao , Tian Yaqiong , Liu Xiaoqin , Meng Fanqing , Xiao Yonglong , Sun Lingyun 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundsGrowth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a highly divergent member of the TGF-β superfamily and has been implicated in various biological functions. However, the expression of GDF-15 in patients with acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) is unclear.MethodThe study included 47 AE-IPF patients, 61 stable IPF (S-IPF) subjects, and 31 healthy controls (HCs). Serum GDF-15 levels and their expression in the lung were measured. The correlation between serum GDF-15 and other clinical parameters and the risk factors for AE occurrence and the survival of IPF patients were analyzed.ResultsSerum GDF-15 levels were significantly elevated in AE-IPF patients (1279.22 ± 540.02 pg/ml) as compared with HCs (891.30 ± 479.90 pg/ml) or S-IPF subjects (107.82 ± 14.21 pg/ml) (both p &lt; 0.001). The protein and mRNA expressions of GDF-15 in the lung of AE-IPF patients were significantly increased as compared with S-IPF cases (p = 0.007 and p = 0.026, respectively). The serum GDF-15 level was correlated with the clinical variables of inflammation, metabolism, and disease severity in IPF subjects (all p &lt; 0.05). The GDF-15 serum concentration was significantly higher in decedents than in survivors (p = 0.005). A serum GDF-15 level above 989.3 pg/ml was a risk factor for AE occurrence (p = 0.04), and the level above 1,075.76 pg/ml was an independent predictor for survival in IPF cases (p = 0.007).ConclusionsThe GDF-15 level was significantly elevated in subjects with AE-IPF. GDF-15 could be a promising biomarker for AE occurrence and survival in IPF patients.
The Effect of Elevated Alanine Transaminase on Non-invasive Prenatal Screening Failures
Authors: Chen Ping , Qiao Longwei , Zhang Sheng , Jin Jieyu , Cao Jun , Zhang Yuqiong , Tang Haoyu , Yu Zheng , Shi Jingye , Yin JingPing , Liang Yuting , Wu Xiao 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveTo determine the effects of alanine transaminase (ALT) levels on the screening failure rates or “no calls” due to low fetal fraction (FF) to obtain a result in non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS).MethodsNIPS by sequencing and liver enzyme measurements were performed in 7,910 pregnancies at 12–26 weeks of gestation. Univariate and multivariable regression models were used to evaluate the significant predictors of screening failure rates among maternal characteristics and relevant laboratory parameters.ResultsOf the 7,910 pregnancies that met the inclusion criteria, 134 (1.69%) had “no calls.” Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that increased body mass index, ALT, prealbumin, albumin levels, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) conception rates were independently associated with screening failures. The test failure rate was higher (4.34 vs. 1.41%; P &lt; 0.001) in IVF pregnancies relative to those with spontaneous conceptions. Meanwhile, the screening failure rates increased with increasing ALT levels from 1.05% at ≤10 U/L to 3.73% at &gt;40 U/L. In particular, IVF pregnancies with an ALT level of &gt;40 U/L had a higher test failure rate (9.52%). Compared with that for an ALT level of ≤10 U/L, the adjusted odds ratio of “no calls” for ALT levels of 10–20, 21–40, and &gt;40 U/L was 1.204 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.709–2.045], 1.529 (95% CI, 0.865–2.702), and 2.764 (95% CI, 1.500–5.093) (Ptrend &lt; 0.001), respectively.ConclusionsIncreased ALT and IVF conceptions were associated with a higher screening failure rates in NIPS. Therefore, a feasible strategy to adjust these factors to reduce the probability of “no calls” due to low FF would be of great clinical significance.
Effectiveness of Perioperative Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients With Lung Cancer Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery
Authors: Chao Wei-Hao , Tuan Sheng-Hui , Tang En-Kuei , Tsai Yi-Ju , Chung Jing-Hui , Chen Guan-Bo , Lin Ko-Long 
Published: June 2022

ObjectivesPatients with lung cancer pose a high risk of morbidity and mortality after lung resection. Those who receive perioperative cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (PRCR) have better prognosis. Peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2), VO2 at the ventilatory threshold (VO2 at VT), and slope of minute ventilation to carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2 slope) measured during pre-surgical cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) have prognostic values after lung resection. We aimed to investigate the influence of individualized PRCR on postoperative complications in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer with different pre-surgical risks.MethodsThis was a retrospective study. We recruited 125 patients who underwent VATS for lung cancer between 2017 and 2021. CPET was administered before surgery to evaluate the risk level and PRCR was performed based on the individual risk level defined by peak VO2, VO2 at VT, and VE/VCO2 slope, respectively. The primary outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital lengths of stay, endotracheal intubation time (ETT), and chest tube insertion time (CTT). The secondary outcomes were postoperative complications (PPCs), including subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, atelectasis, infection, and empyema.ResultsThree intergroup comparisons based on the risk level by peak VO2 (3 groups), VO2 at VT (2 groups), and VE/VCO2 slope (3 groups) were done. All of the comparisons showed no significant differences in both the primary and secondary outcomes (p = 0.061–0.910).ConclusionPatients with different risk levels showed comparable prognosis and PPCs after undergoing CPET-guided PRCR. PRCR should be encouraged in patients undergoing VATS for lung cancer.
The Involvement of ALPK3 in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in East Asia
Authors: Dai Jiaqi , Li Ke , Huang Man , Sun Yang , Liu Hao , Li Zongzhe , Chen Peng , Wang Hong , Wu Dongyang , Chen Yanghui , Xiao Lei , Wei Haoran , Li Rui , Peng Liyuan , Yu Ting , Wang Yan , Wang Dao Wen 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveALPK3 is associated with a recessive form of pediatric cardiomyopathy accompanied by musculoskeletal and craniofacial abnormalities. Heterozygous truncating variants in this gene (ALPK3tv) have recently been confirmed as a cause of autosomal dominant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Whether ALPK3 is also implicated in HCM in East Asia and the effect of missense variants in ALPK3 on HCM remains unresolved.MethodsWe compared the frequency of rare deleterious variants in ALPK3 in a study cohort comprised of 793 HCM cases of East Asian descent to that in the controls subset of Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD). Gene burden test was used to assess this association. The involvement of these variants in HCM was further validated by independent cohort. The clinical characteristics and prognoses of these carriers were compared with sarcomere-positive and negative patients.ResultsRare deleterious variants in ALPK3 were significantly enriched in HCM compared with gnomAD controls (truncating: 4/793 vs. 4/4523, P = 0.02; missense: 25/793 vs. 46/4523, P = 2.56e-5). Replication in an independent cohort provided more supporting evidence. Further comparisons revealed that ALPK3 carriers displayed more severe hypertrophy in interventricular septum (IVS) and apex, as well as greater maximal left ventricular wall thickness, relative to sarcomere negatives.ConclusionHeterozygous rare variants in ALPK3, both missense and truncating variants, are associated with HCM in East Asians.
Expression of ALG3 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Its Clinical Implication
Authors: Zhao Zhen , Zheng Zehao , Huang Jianfeng , Wang Jianxi , Peng Tianyi , Lin Ye , Jian Zhixiang 
Published: June 2022

Background: Recent studies have shown that alpha-1,3-mannosyltransferase (ALG3) promoted tumorigenesis and progression in multiple cancer types. Our study planned to explore the clinical implication and potential function of ALG3 in hepatocellular carcinoma.Materials and Methods: Data from public databases were used to analyze the ALG3 expression and its impact on the clinical significance of patients with HCC. The ALG3 expression was confirmed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was used to confirm the ALG3 expression and explore its clinical implication in HCC. KEGG, GO, and GSEA enrichment analyses were utilized to explore the biological pathways related to ALG3 in HCC. TIMER2.0 was applied to assess the association between ALG3 and immune infiltration. CCK8, MTT, and transwell assays were used to investigate the role of ALG3 downregulation in HCC cell lines.Results: qRT-PCR, WB, and IHC proved ALG3 was highly overexpressed in HCC tissues. The Kaplan–Meier analysis verified the overexpression of ALG3 was related to poor overall survival (p &lt; 0.001). Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that the high ALG3 expression was an independent risk prognostic factor. GSEA and TIMER2.0 predicted that ALG3 participates in cell differentiation and cycle and correlates with immune cell infiltration. Transwell assay results showed that ALG3 silencing also impaired the invasion ability of HCC cells.Conclusion: ALG3 was overexpressed and considered a potential indicator of survival in HCC, and our findings provided a novel therapeutic target for HCC.
Startle-Induced Epileptic Spasms: A Clinical and Video-EEG Study
Authors: Xu Zhao , Jiao Xianru , Gong Pan , Niu Yue , Yang Zhixian 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveThis study aimed to delineate the detailed characteristics of startle-induced epileptic spasms (ES) and explore the brain regions where startle-induced ES originated.MethodsAmong 581 patients with ES registered in our database, 30 were diagnosed with startle-induced ES according to video-electroencephalogram (EEG) and seizure semiology and were included in this study. Patients' clinical characteristics and ictal high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) were analyzed.ResultsMean age at the onset of startle-induced ES was 28.1 months. Half of the patients had structural etiology, two of whom were diagnosed with co-existing structural and genetic etiologies. The focal neuroimaging abnormalities were predominant in the frontal cortex (9/15, 60.0%). Fifteen patients (50%) had prominent interictal epileptiform discharges in the frontal and anterior temporal. Ictal HFOs counts of the startle-induced ES in the anterior region were significantly higher than those in the posterior regions (p&lt; 0.05). Five patients (16.7%) became seizure-free ≥6 months, and ten (33.3%) showed startle-induced ES cessation ≥6 months. All patients except one had mild to severe psychomotor developmental delay after the onset of seizures.ConclusionPatients with startle-induced ES typically had brain lesions and showed drug-resistant. The neuroimaging and EEG findings, including ictal HFOs, support that startle-induced ES often originates from the frontal cortex.
Altered Regional Brain Glucose Metabolism in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Patients Treated With Cyclophosphamide, Epirubicin, Vincristine, and Prednisone: An Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Study of 205 Cases
Authors: Hu Yuxiao , Zhang Qin , Cui Can , Zhang Yun 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundA growing number of neuroimaging studies reported that chemotherapy might impair brain functions, leading to persistent cognitive alterations in a subset of cancer patients. The present study aimed to investigate the regional brain glucose metabolism differences between diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients treated with cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine, and prednisone and controls using positron emission tomography with 18F-labeled fluoro-2-deoxyglucose integrated with computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scanning.MethodsWe analyzed 18F-FDG PET data from 205 right-handed subjects (for avoiding the influence of handedness factors on brain function), including 105 post-chemotherapy DLBCL patients and 100 controls. The two groups had similar average age, gender ratio, and years of education. First, we compared the regional brain glucose metabolism using a voxel-based two-sample t-test. Second, we compared the interregional correlation. Finally, we investigated the correlations between the regional brain glucose metabolism and the number of chemotherapy cycles.ResultsCompared with the controls, the post-chemotherapy group showed higher metabolism in the right hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus (region of interest (ROI) 1) and the left hippocampus (ROI 2), and lower metabolism in the left medial orbitofrontal gyrus (ROI 3), the left medial superior frontal gyrus (ROI 4), and the left superior frontal gyrus (ROI 5). The two groups had different interregional correlations between ROI 3 and ROI 5. In some brain regions—mainly located in the bilateral frontal gyrus—the number of chemotherapy cycles was positively correlated with the regional brain glucose metabolism. Meanwhile, in some bilateral hippocampus regions, these two parameters were negatively correlated.ConclusionThe present study provides solid data on the regional brain glucose metabolism differences between post-chemotherapy DLBCL patients and controls. These results should improve our understanding of human brain functions alterations in post-chemotherapy DLBCL patients and suggest that 18F-FDG PET/CT scanning is a valuable neuroimaging technology for studying chemotherapy-induced brain function changes.
DHA Ameliorates Cognitive Ability, Reduces Amyloid Deposition, and Nerve Fiber Production in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Xiao Min , Xiang Wei , Chen Yashu , Peng Nan , Du Xiubo , Lu Shuhuan , Zuo Yao , Li Boling , Hu Yonggang , Li Xiangyu 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundThe etiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is very complex. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is important in cognitive ability and nervous system development. A limited number of studies have evaluated the efficacy of DHA in the treatment of AD.IntroductionWe detected neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the hippocampus and cortex of transgenic mice brain through silver glycine staining. We determined the activity of neurons by staining Nissl bodies, used liquid NMR to detect metabolites in the brain, and functional magnetic resonance imaging results to observe the connection signal value between brain regions.Materials and MethodsWe fed 3-month-old APP/PS1 double transgenic mice with DHA mixed feeds for 4 months to assess the effects of DHA on cognitive ability in AD mice through the Morris water maze and open field tests. To evaluate its effects with AD pathology, continuous feeding was done until the mice reached 9 months of age.ResultsCompared to AD mice, escape latency significantly decreased on the fifth day while swimming speed, target quadrant stay time, and the crossing number of platforms increased by varying degrees after DHA treatment. Brain tissue section staining revealed that DHA significantly reduced Aβ and nerve fibers in the brain of AD mice.ConclusionDHA significantly reduced the deposition of Aβ in the brain and inhibited the production of nerve fibers, thereby increasing cognitive abilities in AD mice. In addition, DHA suppressed blood lipid levels, and restored uric acid and urea levels, implying that DHA is a potential therapeutic option for early AD.