bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non-fasting Changes in Blood Lipids After Three Daily Meals Within a Day in Chinese Inpatients With Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Tan Yangrong , Lin Qiuzhen , Xu Jin , Zhu Liyuan , Guo Liling , Xie Yingying , Du Xiao , Zhang Shilan , Wen Tie , Liu Ling 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundNon-fasting (i.e., postprandial) lipid detection is recommended in clinical practice. However, the change in blood lipids in Chinese patients with cardiovascular diseases after three daily meals has never been reported yet.MethodsSerum levels of blood lipids were measured or calculated in 77 inpatients (48 men and 29 women) at high or very high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the fasting state and at 4 h after three meals within a day according to their diet habits.ResultsFemale patients showed significantly higher level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than male patients, and the gender difference in other lipid parameters did not reach statistical significance at any time-point. Levels of triglyceride (TG) and remnant cholesterol (RC) increased, while that of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased significantly after three meals (p &lt; 0.05). Levels of HDL-C, total cholesterol (TC), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) showed smaller changes after three meals. Percent reductions in the non-fasting LDL-C levels after lunch and supper were around 20%, which were greater than that after breakfast. The percent reductions in the non-fasting non-HDL-C levels after three meals were smaller than those in the non-fasting LDL-C levels. Patients with TG level ≥ 2.0 mmol/L (177 mg/dL) after lunch had significantly greater absolute reduction of LDL-C level than those with TG level &lt; 2.0 mmol/L (177 mg/dL) after lunch [–0.69 mmol/L (–27 mg/dL) vs. –0.36 mmol/L (–14 mg/dL), p&lt;0.01]. There was a significant and negative correlation between absolute change in LDL-C level and that in TG level (r = −0.32) or RC level (r = −0.67) after lunch (both p&lt;0.01).ConclusionLDL-C level decreased significantly after three daily meals in Chinese patients at high or very high risk of ASCVD, especially when TG level reached its peak after lunch. Relatively, non-HDL-C level was more stable than LDL-C level postprandially. Therefore, when LDL-C level was measured in the non-fasting state, non-HDL-C level could be evaluated simultaneously to reduce the interference of related factors, such as postprandial hypertriglyceridemia, on detection.
Transfemoral Occlusion of Doubly Committed Subarterial Ventricular Septal Defect Using the Amplatzer Duct Occluder-II in Children
Authors: Tang Changqing , Zhou Kaiyu , Shao Shuran , Liu Xiaoliang , Li Yifei , Hua Yimin , Wang Chuan 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundsThe traditional treatment of doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect (dcVSD) is open-heart surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and outcome of transcatheter closure of small dcVSD using Amplatzer duct occluder-II (ADO-II) in children.MethodsBetween January 2016 and April 2021, 24 children (17 male and 7 female patients) with small dcVSD who received transfemoral closure with ADO-II were enrolled retrospectively. All of their available clinical and follow-up data were evaluated.ResultsThe patients' median age was 3.2 years (1.6–12.6 years, 4.2 ± 3.1 years) and body weight was 13.3 kg (10.0–38.5 kg, 16.5 ± 7.7 kg). Left ventricular angiography showed that the median dcVSD size was 2.0 mm (1.5–3.5 mm, 2.1 ± 0.6 mm). The device was successfully implanted in 23 patients (95.8%), and one patient failed to be closed because of the underestimation of defect size due to preoperative aortic valve prolapse, with 16 patients by the antegrade approach and eight patients by retrograde approach. The diameters of the device used were 3/4, 4/4, and 5/4 mm. The median operative time was 40.0 min (20.0–75.0 min, 41.7 ± 13.7 min), and the median fluoroscopic time was 5.0 min (3.0–25.0 min, 6.8 ± 5.0 min). With a follow-up duration of 1+ to 45+ months, only 1 patient presented with new-onset mild aortic regurgitation (AR).ConclusionTransfemoral closure of small dcVSD with ADO-II is technically feasible and safe in the selected children. However, the development or worsening of AR requires long-term follow-up.
Mapping and Ablation of Isolated Frequent Symptomatic Premature Atrial Contractions in Patients With Structurally Normal Heart
Authors: He Bo , Li Yi , Huang Weiping , Yu Wenxi , Zhao Fang , Wu Xiaoyan , Yao Shuyuan , Po Sunny S. , Lu Zhibing 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThe present study investigated the safety and efficacy of mapping and ablating isolated premature atrial contractions (PACs) in patients with a structurally normal heart, as well as whether the elimination of PACs by radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) improved symptoms and the quality of life.MethodsForty-three consecutive patients with frequent, symptomatic, and drug-refractory PACs, but without atrial tachyarrhythmias (≥5 beats), were enrolled. In all patients, we performed physical, laboratory, and imaging examinations to exclude structural heart disease. The quality of life questionnaire SF-36 before and 3 months after RFCA was performed in each patient.ResultsTwenty-three men and 20 women with an average age of 52.6 ± 17.6 years were finally enrolled. The mean number of PACs was 21,685 ± 9,596 per 24 h, and the mean PACs' burden was 28.9 ± 13.7%. Short runs of tachycardia (&lt;5 atrial beats) were observed in 32 patients (74.4%). All patients underwent successful RFCA without complications. The activation time at the successful ablation sites preceded the onset of the P-wave by 36 ± 7.6 ms. During 15 ± 8 months of follow-up, the recurrence of PACs was observed in 2 patients. The 24-h PAC burden was significantly reduced 3 months after RFCA (mean 0.5%, p &lt; 0.05). The quality of life scores were significantly increased 3 months after RFCA (all p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionsRFCA was feasible, safe, and effective to eliminate isolated frequent, symptomatic, and drug-refractory PACs in patients with a structurally normal heart. The elimination of PACs by RFCA significantly improved symptoms and the quality of life.
Ice Dynamics and Morphological Changes During Proglacial Lake Development at Exploradores Glacier, Patagonia
Authors: Irarrazaval Inigo , Dussaillant Alejandro , Vivero Sebastián , Iribarren-Anacona Pablo , Mariethoz Gregoire 
Published: April 2022

Proglacial lakes are ubiquitous features formed during deglaciarization and are currently increasing in number in Patagonia and elsewhere. Proglacial lakes can affect glacier dynamics, catchment hydrology and have the potential to cause glacial lake outburst floods. Therefore, monitoring the onset and development of proglacial lake formation is relevant to understand glacial processes and anticipate glacier response to climate change. In this study, we integrate geomorphological and ice-dynamic information to assess proglacial lake development in Exploradores Glacier, Chilean Patagonia. We monitor recent spatial and temporal changes in the lower trunk of Exploradores Glacier (10 km2) to provide a 20-year observation record by combining eight uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) surveys between 2019 and 2020, with high-medium resolution satellite imagery (Rapid Eye and Landsat) between 2000 and 2018. We use feature tracking techniques, digital surface elevation model analysis and field data to create a multi-temporal scale (inter-annual and seasonal) and a multi-spatial (cm to km) data set. Our analysis shows that surface velocity overall trend has not changed over the last 20 years and that surface velocity near the terminus is significant (&gt;10 m a−1). Moreover, an exceptional advance over moraine deposits was detected. We also found low downwasting rates (&lt;0.5 m a−1) close to the glacier terminus which are attributed to sufficient ice flux and the insulation effect of the debris-covered surface. However, hundreds of supraglacial ponds were observed and are currently coalescing and expanding by ice-cliff backwasting favoring glacier disintegration. Lastly, it was found that calving losses at the east marginal lake equaled ice-flux input into the lake for the UAV monitored period. This study contributes to a better understanding of glacial lake dynamics during proglacial lake development, and our results may help ice modelling efforts to predict glacier response to future climate scenarios.
Climate Variations vs. Human Activities: Distinguishing the Relative Roles on Vegetation Dynamics in the Three Karst Provinces of Southwest China
Authors: Yang Hao , Hu Jing , Zhang Shuo , Xiong Ling , Xu Yong 
Published: April 2022

Vegetation in karst areas is crucial for maintaining fragile local ecosystems, driven by climate change and human activities. Southwest China contains the largest continuous karst zone in the world and its vegetation dynamics are more sensitive to climate changes and human activities. However, previous studies rarely studied the driving roles of vegetation dynamics in karst areas during the last 20 years, and whether climate change or human disturbance factors have dominated the vegetation dynamics are still uncertain. The objective of this work is to study vegetation dynamics and its responses to climate change and human activities from 2001 to 2019 using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Taking the three karst provinces of southwest China as study area. Vegetation variation characteristics under the influence of climate variations and human activities were distinguished through a residual analysis. The results indicated general greening trends with about 90.31% of the study area experiencing an increase in NDVI and about 9.69% of the area showing a decrease. Within the combination of climate change and human activities, human activities became the dominant factor in the process of vegetation cover improvement and degradation in the study area during 2001–2019, with average relative roles of 62 and 59%, respectively. Temperature made the greatest positive contribution among the climatic factors, followed by precipitation and relative humidity. In contrast, sunshine duration had a negative effect on NDVI in the study area. Human activities have had different effects on the vegetation dynamics of the three karst provinces in southwest China, including destruction of vegetation around some cities.
Mechanism of Overlying Strata Migration and Failure During Underground Mining in the Mountainous Carbonate Areas in Southwestern China
Authors: Li Jun , Li Bin , Gao Yang , Cui Fangpeng , He Kai , Li Jiangshan , Li Haowen 
Published: April 2022

In this study, theoretical analysis and numerical simulation methods were used to investigate the mechanical mechanism of the migration failure of the overlying strata and the development characteristics of the water-conducting fractured zone (WCFZ) in the mountainous carbonate areas in southwestern China. Due to the block-shaped rock mass structure characteristics of carbonate rocks, this paper considered the rock mass structure of the overlying strata. For the three-hinged arch structure of the block-shaped rock mass, the theory of damage mechanics was used to deduct the recursive calculation formula for the ultimate subsidence of the three-hinged arch structure of the overlying strata. Then, a method for determining the height of the WCFZ (HWCFZ) in the overlying strata under mining conditions was developed. Numerical simulations were carried out to study the stress field, plastic zone, and displacement field of the overlying strata and the dynamic evolution of the WCFZ during the mining process, and it was revealed that there was a positive feedback effect between them. After the mine was mined, due to the change of the stress field of the overlying strata, the overlying strata were mainly subjected to three types of plastic deformation during the fracturing process: tension, shearing, and tensile-shearing. There was a plastic partitioning phenomenon in the overlying strata. Among them, the tensile-slip failure zone was the most severely damaged. And the boundary of the WCFZ and the bending subsidence zone were determined based on the change characteristics of the displacement field. The HWCFZ obtained from the numerical simulations was consistent with the theoretical calculated value (93 vs. 92.5 m), validating the reliability and accuracy of the theoretical calculation method. Underground mining activities are active in the mountainous carbonate areas in southwestern China, and there are many landslide disasters due to overlying strata collapse, resulting in serious casualties. Therefore, prediction of HWCFZ and stability analysis of mountain need to be carried out for different mines in order to effectively carry out geological disaster prevention and mitigation research.
Interaction Between Construction Land Expansion and Cropland Expansion and Its Socioeconomic Determinants: Evidence From Urban Agglomeration in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, China
Authors: Wang Liye , Zhang Siyu , Liu Yanfang , Liu Yaolin 
Published: April 2022

Nowadays, both urbanization and cropland expansion are hot issues. However, research related to the spatiotemporal interaction between urbanization and cropland expansion and their socioeconomic determinants remains scarce. Accordingly, this research takes the urban agglomeration in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River (MRUA) as the research area by combining spatial analysis, sensitivity analysis, and the spatial gravity model. To achieve this goal, we identified the area of the construction land expansion and cropland expansion, the sensitivity of cropland expansion to construction land expansion, and the shifting trajectory of gravity centers of construction land expansion and cropland expansion and their interaction during 2000–2020, respectively. Additionally, the geographically weighted regression model was utilized to explore the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of four socioeconomic determinants of the interaction between construction land expansion and cropland expansion. The results are as follows: 1) the area of the expanded construction land and the expanded cropland and the sensitivity of cropland expansion to construction land expansion show an overall increasing pattern; 2) the gravity center of the expanded construction land shifted toward the northeast, whereas that of the expanded cropland moved to the southeast but with similar moving distances (17.83 and 15.37 km, respectively); 3) the GDP has an increasing positive effect on the interaction of the construction land expansion and cropland expansion, whereas the investment in fixed assets shows an increasing negative effect during 2000–2020. The GDP in the agricultural sector and population displays a stable influence. This article offers a solution for decision makers to promote the interaction between construction land and cropland.
Introgressing cry1Ac for Pod Borer Resistance in Chickpea Through Marker-Assisted Backcross Breeding
Authors: Kaur Ajinder , Sharma Urvashi , Singh Sarvjeet , Singh Ravinder , Vikal Yogesh , Singh Satnam , Malik Palvi , Kaur Khushpreet , Singh Inderjit , Bindra Shayla , Sarmah Bidyut Kumar , Sandhu Jagdeep Singh 
Published: April 2022

The gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera is a major constraint to chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) production worldwide, reducing crop yield by up to 90%. The constraint is difficult to overcome as chickpea germplasm including wild species either lacks pod borer resistance or if possessing resistance is cross-incompatible. This study describes conversion of elite but pod borer-susceptible commercial chickpea cultivars into resistant cultivars through introgression of cry1Ac using marker-assisted backcross breeding. The chickpea cultivars (PBG7 and L552) were crossed with pod borer-resistant transgenic lines (BS 100B and BS 100E) carrying cry1Ac that led to the development of BC1F1, BC1F2, BC1F3, BC2F1, BC2F2, and BC2F3 populations from three cross combinations. The foreground selection revealed that 35.38% BC1F1 and 8.4% BC1F2 plants obtained from Cross A (PBG7 × BS 100B), 50% BC1F1 and 76.5% BC1F2 plants from Cross B (L552 × BS 100E), and 12.05% BC2F2 and 82.81% (average) BC2F3 plants derived from Cross C (PBG7 × BS 100E) carried the cry1Ac gene. The bioassay of backcross populations for toxicity to H. armigera displayed up to 100% larval mortality. BC1F1 and BC1F2 populations derived from Cross B and BC2F3 population from Cross C segregated in the Mendelian ratio for cry1Ac confirmed inheritance of a single copy of transgene, whereas BC1F1 and BC1F2 populations obtained from Cross A and BC2F2 population from Cross C exhibited distorted segregation ratios. BC1F1 plants of Cross A and Cross B accumulated Cry1Ac protein ranging from 11.03 to 11.71 µgg−1 in leaf tissue. Cry1Ac-positive BC2F2 plants from Cross C demonstrated high recurrent parent genome recovery (91.3%) through background selection using SSR markers and phenome recovery of 90.94%, amongst these 30% plants, were homozygous for transgene. The performance of BC2F3 progenies derived from homozygous plants was similar to that of the recurrent parent for main agronomic traits, such as number of pods and seed yield per plant. These progenies are a valuable source for H. armigera resistance in chickpea breeding programs.
Alteration of Bile Acids and Omega-6 PUFAs Are Correlated With the Progression and Prognosis of Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Zhao Shuang , Fu Haoshuang , Zhou Tianhui , Cai Minghao , Huang Yan , Gan Qinyi , Zhang Chenxi , Qian Cong , Wang Jiexiao , Zhang Zhenglan , Wang Xiaolin , Xiang Xiaogang , Xie Qing 
Published: April 2022

Background &amp; AimsDrug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the leading causes of liver failure with some of the patients progressed to chronic DILI. The mechanisms underlying the severity and chronicity of DILI are poorly elucidated and the biomarkers are limited. Metabolites and gut microbiota played a crucial role in the development of various liver diseases. Herein, a systematic analysis of serum metabolites and gut microbiota was performed in DILI patients, aiming to identify metabolites correlated with the progression and clinical prognosis of DILI.MethodsVarious serum metabolites were quantitated using a metabolite array technology in this prospective study. Gut microbiome compositions and the expression profiles of liver genes were determined in patients with DILI and healthy controls.ResultsMetabolomic analysis revealed that bile acids (BAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were closely related to DILI severity and chronicity respectively. The ratios of serum primary/secondary BAs and omega-6/omega-3 PUFAs were elevated in DILI patients. A model established by adrenic acid (AdA) and aspartic acid (Asp) exerts good performance for predicting the chronicity of DLIL. Hepatic transcriptome revealed enhanced expression of PUFA peroxidation and supressed expression of BA synthesis related genes in DILI patients. In addition, Lactic acid bacteria and BA converting bacteria were increased in gut of DILI patients. Besides, elevated serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) was observed in DILI patients.ConclusionBAs and PUFAs could be potent markers for the severity and chronicity of DILI respectively. The panel of AdA and Asp could be ideal predictive model for the risk of chronicity at the acute stage of DILI. Gut microbiota might act as a negative feedback mechanism to maintain the homeostasis of BAs and PUFAs via FGF19 signalling and PUFA saturation, respectively. Our study revealed novel biomarkers for severe and chronic DILI and provided new therapeutic targets for DILI.
Neuroprotective Effects of Tauroursodeoxicholic Acid Involves Vascular and Glial Changes in Retinitis Pigmentosa Model
Authors: Fernández-Sánchez Laura , Albertos-Arranz Henar , Ortuño-Lizarán Isabel , Lax Pedro , Cuenca Nicolás 
Published: April 2022

PurposeRetinitis pigmentosa is primarily characterized by a massive photoreceptor loss. But a global retinal remodeling occurs in later stages of the disease. At that phase, glial cells and retinal vasculature are also strongly affected. The main aim of the present work is to assess if the bile acid Tauroursodeoxicholic acid (TUDCA), which has a demonstrated neuroprotective effect in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, is able to prevent glial and vascular degeneration in the P23H rat retina.MethodsHomozygous P23H (line 3) animals were injected weekly with a TUDCA (500 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle solution, from the postnatal day (P) 21 to P120. Sprague-Dawley rats (SD) were used as control. Retinal cross-sections and wholemounts were immunostained using different glial and vascular markers and visualized with confocal microscopy. Retinal blood vessels were stained with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase histochemistry and retinal vascular networks were drawn by hand using a camera lucida.ResultsAt P120, the photoreceptor degeneration observed in P23H rats was accompanied by a reduction in the vascular network density and complexity at the deep capillary plexus. In addition, astrocytes showed gliotic features and the outer processes of Müller cells displayed an aberrant distribution in ring-shaped structures. When treated with TUDCA, P23H rats displayed better-preserved vessels and capillary loops in the deep capillary plexus which are associated with the partial preservation of photoreceptors. TUDCA treatment also increased the number of astrocytes and reduced the presence of Müller cell process clusters in the outer retina.ConclusionThis work suggests that, besides its neuroprotective effect on photoreceptor cells, TUDCA treatment also protects from vascular and glial degeneration, a fact that encourages the use of TUDCA as a powerful therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.