bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bioinvasion by Spartina Patens Alters Sediment Biogeochemical Functioning European Salt Marshes
Authors: Duarte Bernardo , Fonseca Vanessa F. , Reis-Santos Patrick , Caçador Isabel 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Bioinvasions pose undeniable threats and trigger changes in salt marsh ecosystem functioning. In Mediterranean and Atlantic marshes, the invasion by S. patens contributed to added competitive pressure to endemic middle-upper marsh species such as H. portulacoides. The introduction of a new and aggressive non-indigenous species (NIS) is a game-changer for the marsh biogeochemical functioning. In the present study we explored effects of this bioinvasion on an array of different extracellular enzymatic activities (EEA) of salt marsh sediments colonized by NIS and endemic plant species and its impacts on the biogeochemical functioning of a large estuarine ecosystem. In H. portulacoides there was an evident control of the extracellular enzymatic activities (EEA) by the sediment physic-chemical traits, but these relationships were weaker and fewer in number when compared to the EEA and the sediment abiotic traits in the sediments colonized by S. patens. This indicates a prevalence of a plant effect over abiotic traits in controlling EEA. Disruption in biogeochemical functioning was evident in the sediments colonized by S. patens, with clear enzymatic activity peaks during spring and summer and with significantly higher values of several EEA during autumn and winter. These led to an acceleration of necromass decomposition processes and thus to reduced marsh storage and remediation capacity. Spartina patens also showed increased phosphatase, urease, and protease activity contributing to increased release of the inorganic phosphorous and nitrogen (ammonia) into the system, with possible consequences for its eutrophication status. Higher activity of carbon-based substrates decomposition allied to an increase in dehydrogenase activity (proxy to microbial abundance and respiration), will lead to an inevitable decrease in the carbon sink capacity of the sediments and reduction of the blue carbon storage ecosystem service. The sulfatase activity in the S. patens rhizosediments also showed a significant decrease during autumn, leading to reduced production of sulfate, sulfides and increased metal bioavailability. All these changes amount to a loss of the sink capacity of the system, in terms of eutrophication reduction through organic nitrogen and phosphorous retention, carbon sink due to the acceleration of the decomposition processes and decreased metal remediation capacity. Thus, the present work highlights the need to control this invasive species not only to prevent potential reductions in floristic diversity but also to prevent the loss of key biogeochemical services, that can impact the entire estuarine system.
Effects of water-fertilizer coupling on immobilization remediation technology using sepiolite
Authors: Liu Yiyun , Xu Yingming , Huang Qingqing , Qin Xu , Zhao Lijie , Liang Xuefeng , Wang Lin , Sun Yuebing 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Sepiolite shows great potential to reduce the pollution risk of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated rice in acidic paddy soils, but the efficiency in practical application was synergy of water-fertilizer coupling. We studied the effect of goat manure in sepiolite amended soil under aerobic, intermittent, and flooded irrigation condition. The results showed that the application of sepiolite alone increased soil pH, as a consequence, sepiolite decreased available Cd under flooded condition. The application of goat manure alone increased DOM content in unamended and sepiolite amended soil. As a result, goat manure increased available Cd under aerobic and flooded water condition in sepiolite amended soil. Under intermittent water condition, the combined application of sepiolite and goat manure inhibited the transfer of Cd from roots to unpolished rice to the greatest extent. The application of sepiolite in Cd polluted soil decreased the accumulation of Cd in unpolished rice at the first year, but Cd content witnessed slight increase at the second year. But, the application of goat manure in sepiolite amended soil further decreased Cd content in unpolished rice under intermittent irrigation condition. As a result, the application of goat manure and intermittent irrigation pattern could present a water-fertilizer coupling effect in sepiolite amended soil and further increased the long-term passivation effect of sepiolite.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a cohort of Labrador Retrievers in England
Authors: Woolley Charlotte S C , Handel Ian G , Bronsvoort B Mark , Schoenebeck Jeffrey J , Clements Dylan N 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have affected the welfare and health of dogs, due to surges in adoptions and purchases, changes in the physical and mental health and financial status of dog owners, changes in dogs’ lifestyle and routines and limited access to veterinary care. Research is needed to be able to assess the extent of these effects. The aims of this study were to investigate whether COVID-19 restrictions were associated with differences in Labrador Retrievers’ lifestyle, routine care, insurance status, illness incidence or veterinary attendance with an illness, who were living in England and enrolled in Dogslife, an owner-based cohort study. Longitudinal questionnaire data from Dogslife that was relevant to the dates between the 23rd of March and the 4th of July 2020, during COVID-19 restrictions in England, were compared to data between the same dates in previous years from 2011 to 2019 using mixed regression models and adjusted chi-squared tests. ResultsThe COVID-19 restrictions study period (March 23rd to July 4th 2020) was associated with owners who enrolled in Dogslife reporting increases in dogs’ exercise and worming and decreases in insurance, titbit-feeding and vaccination, in comparison with previous years (March 23rd to July 4th, 2010 to 2019). There were decreased odds of owners reporting that their dogs had an episode of coughing (0.20, 95% CI: 0.04 – 0.92) and that they took their dog to a veterinarian with an episode of any illness (0.58, 95% CI: 0.45 – 0.76) during the COVID-19 restrictions and owners were even less likely to take their dog to a veterinarian with certain illnesses. ConclusionsDogslife provided a unique opportunity to study prospective questionnaire data from owners already enrolled on a longitudinal cohort study, which minimised bias associated with recalling events prior to the pandemic, allowed a wider population of dogs to be studied than is available from primary care data and offered unique insights into owners’ decision making about their dogs’ healthcare. There are clear implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions for the lifestyle, care and health of dogs.
Novel Prognostic Indicator Combining Inflammatory Indicators and Tumor Markers for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Yu Liang , Jiang Runben , Chen Wanjing , Liu Yanwei , Wang Gui , Gong Xin , wang Yong 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, and we hope to identify an economical but practical prognostic indicator. It has been reported that inflammatory indicators and tumor markers are associated with GC progression and are widely used to predict prognosis. However, existing prognostic models do not comprehensively analyze these predictors.Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed 893 consecutive patients who underwent curative gastrectomy from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2015, in the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University. Prognostic factors predicting overall survival (OS) were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Nomograms including independent prognostic factors were plotted for predicting survival.Results: Ultimately, 425 patients were enrolled in this study. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR, total neutrophil count/lymphocyte count*100%) and CA19-9 were independent prognostic factors for OS (p=0.001, p=0.016). The NLR-CA19-9 score (NCS), constructed as the combination of the NLR and CA19-9, was significantly associated with worse clinicopathological characteristics and OS (p<0.05). Multivariate analyses revealed that the NCS was an independent prognostic factor for OS (NCS1: p<0.001, HR=3.172, 95% CI=2.120-4.745; NCS2: p<0.001, HR=3.052, 95% CI=1.928-4.832). Compared with traditional predictive indices, the NCS had the highest AUC for 12-month survival, 36-month survival, 60-month survival and OS (AUC= 0.654, 0.730, 0.811, 0.803, respectively). The nomogram had a higher Harrell’s C-index than TNM stage alone (0.788 vs. 0.743).Conclusions: The NCS provides more accurately predicts the prognosis of GC patients, and its predictive value is significantly better than that of traditional inflammatory indicators or tumor markers. It is an effective complement to existing GC assessment systems.
Validation Of An Overnight Wireless High-Resolution Oximeter Plus Cloud-Based Algorithm For The Diagnosis Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea At Home
Authors: Hasan Rosa , Genta Pedro Rodrigues , PInheiro George do Lago , Garcia Michelle Louvaes , Scudeller Paula Gobi , Carvalho Carlos Roberto Ribeiro , Lorenzi-Filho Geraldo 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is extremely common and has several consequences. However, most cases remain undiagnosed. One limitation is the lack of simple and validated methods for OSA diagnosis at home. The aim of this study was to validate a wireless high-resolution oximeter with a built-in accelerometer linked to a smartphone with automated cloud analysis (Biologix) that was compared with a home sleep test (HST, Apnea Link Air) performed on the same night. We recruited 670 patients out of a task force of 1,013 patients with suspected OSA who were referred to our center for diagnosis. The final sample consisted of 478 patients (mean age: 56.7±13.1 years, mean body mass index: 31.9±6.3 kg/m2). To estimate the night-to-night OSA severity variability, 62 patients underwent HST for two consecutive nights. The HST-apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and the Biologix-oxygen desaturation index (ODI) was 25.0±25.0 events/h and 24.9±26.5 events/h, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) - sensibility/specificity to detect at least mild (HST-AHI> 5), moderate-to-severe (HST-AHI>15), and severe OSA (HST-AHI > 30) were (0.983) - 94.7/92.8, (0.986) - 94.8/93.9, and (0.990) - 95.8/94.3, respectively. The limits of agreement originating from the Bland-Altman plot and the correlation between HST-AHI and Biologix-ODI were lower than the night-to-night HST-AHI variability (25.5 and 34.5 events/h, respectively, p = 0.001). We conclude that Biologix is a simple and reliable technique for OSA diagnosis at home.
First timeseries record of a large-scale silicic shallow-sea phreatomagmatic eruption
Authors: Maeno Fukashi , Kaneko Takayuki , Ichihara Mie , Suzuki Yujiro , Yasuda Atsushi , Nishida Kiwamu , Ohminato Takao 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Phreatomagmatic eruptions are one of the most common styles of volcanic eruptions on Earth1–2. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the eruption depth and magma discharge rate on the eruptive behaviour of underwater volcanoes2–7. Even though voluminous silicic eruptions in shallow-water environments are likely to be intense and hazardous, such eruptions mostly appear in geological records7–12 and the nature of this type of eruption is therefore poorly understood. Here, we show the first timeseries record of a large-scale silicic phreatomagmatic eruption that occurred at the Fukutoku-Oka-no-Ba volcano, Ogasawara, Japan, on 13 August 2021. The eruption started on the seafloor at a depth of < 70 m and breached the sea surface, resulting in a 16-km-high, steam-rich sustained eruption column. The total magma volume was ~ 0.1 km3, including the subaerial tuff cone and the 300-km2 pumice raft, most of which can be explained by the effective accumulation of pyroclasts near the vent resulting from interactions between the eruption plume and the ambient water. This eruption provides a rare opportunity to investigate the process of a large-scale phreatomagmatic eruption in a shallow sea and contributes to our understanding of the nature, dynamics, and hazards of submarine volcanism.
CkREV enhances the drought resistance of Caragana korshinskii through regulating the expression of auxin synthetase gene CkYUC5
Authors: Gong Chunmei , Li Jiayang , Ren Jiejie , Zhang Tianxin , Cui Jinhao 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
As a common abiotic stress, drought severely impairs the growth, development and even sur-vival of plants. Here we report a transcription factor, Caragana korshinskii REVOLUTA(CkREV), which can bidirectionally regulate the expression of the critical enzyme gene CkYUC5 in auxin synthesis according to external environment changes, so as to control the biosynthesis of auxin and further enhance drought resistance of plants. Quantitative analysis reveals that the expression level of CkYUC5 and AtYUC5 is both down-regulated after C. korshinskii and Arabidopsis thaliana are exposed to drought. Functional verification of CkREV reveals that CkREV up-regulates the expression of AtYUC5 in transgenic A. thaliana under common conditions, while down-regulates it under drought conditions. Meanwhile, the expression of CkYUC5 is also down-regulated in C. korshinskii leaves instantaneously overexpressing CkREV. We apply dual-luciferase reporter system to discover that CkREV can bind to the promoter of CkYUC5 to regulate its expression, which is further proved by EMSA and Y1H experiments. Functional verification of CkREV in C. korshinskii and transgenic A. thaliana shows that CkREV can regulate the expression of CkYUC5 and AtYUC5 in a contrary way, maintaining the equilibrium of plants between growth and drought resisting. CkREV can positively regulate the expression of CkYUC5 to promote auxin synthesis in favor of growth under normal development. However, CkREV can also respond to external signals and negatively regulate the expression of CkYUC5, which inhibits auxin synthesis in order to reduce growth rate and lower water demands and eventually improves drought resistance of plants.
South Asia suffers severe water scarcity even under the Paris Agreement
Authors: Rashid Mehnaz , Wu Ren-Jie , Wada Yoshihide , Schmied Hannes Müller , Lo Min-Hui 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Water scarcity (WS) is projected to increase as a result of future climate and population changes, and its impacts will be hazardous to vulnerable groups of people in South Asia (SA). We present the first assessment of WS in SA under the Paris Agreement, using two global hydrological models (GHM) forced by three global climate models (GCM) under the RCP 6.0. Results show that a significant alteration in the hydrological fluxes contributes to the decline in water availability, along with an intense increase in water consumption that augments WS. The seasonal shifting in WS significantly increases the population affected by approximately 16% in June to September (JJAS) to 42% in December to February (DJF) under 1.5 ºC warming. We also highlight spatial hotspots of WS in SA, including North-central, Northwestern, and Southern India, Eastern Pakistan, Northern, and Northwestern Bangladesh. We observe a 1.5 ºC temperature increase as a critical point for WS in SA with a profound impact on 875 million people and suggest the Paris Agreement temperature target of even 1.5 ºC will not ubiquitously alleviate future warming-driven WS. Hence, immediate mitigations and legislations are required to curtail WS in SA.
Knowledge, Practice and Barrier Towards Emergence Contraceptive Usage Among Female University Students at Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania.
Authors: Mariki Tonny J. , Mbuya Euphurasia J. , Mkojera Erick J. , Amour Caroline , Mboya Innocent , Msuya Sia E. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Unplanned pregnancy is major public health concern. Globally unintended pregnancies account for about 40% of all pregnancies annually. The problem is more in developed countries in which nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended. In Tanzania over 20 women die each day due to the complication of unplanned pregnancy and childbirth which contribute to high maternal mortality rate. Though EC can prevent unplanned pregnancies by nearly 95% to 99% but the practice is still very low in Africa as well as in Tanzania despite some of the study shown that there is moderate knowledge. Therefore, the current study aiming of assessing knowledge, practice and barrier or challenges which face female university students in using EC. Method: A cross-sectional study design was conducted among 365 female students at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCO), Mwenge Catholic University (MWECAU) and Moshi cooperative University (MOCU) in Kilimanjaro region. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Self-administered questionnaires were used during data collection. Results: About (65.7%) of the female university students had ever heard of EC and more than half of them had knowledge on when to use EC (54.4%), where to obtain (58.7%) and time for EC to be taken (41.5%). Moreover about 75.6% of female university students in this study reported never use emergency contraceptives (EC) while 24.4% reported having ever used emergency contraceptive and among 24.4% EC users reported that 90.2% use EC pills method. On the other hand, common barriers toward EC use reported by female university students were fear of side effects, personal barrier, and religion opposition 39.4%, 31.9% and 12.8% respectively.Conclusions: This study found that majority 65.7% of female university students had ever heard of emergence contraceptive (EC) in their lives. Practice of EC is still very low among female students where by only 24.4% reported having ever used emergency contraceptive. Fear of side effect and personal barrier were mostly reported as the common barrier by the female student towards EC usage 39.4%, 31.9% respectively. Thus, there is an urgent need to educate the female university students about EC.
Single-cell analysis reveals melanocytes may promote inflammation in chronic wounds through proteinase-activated receptor-2
Authors: Yakupu Aobuliaximu , Zhang Di , Guan Haonan , Jiang Minfei , Dong Jiaoyun , Niu Yiwen , Tang Jiajun , Liu Yingkai , Ma Xian , Lu Shuliang 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
BackgroundWound healing is a complex, highly regulated process that is critical for restoring the anatomic and functional integrity of the skin after injury, which requires the interaction of various cell types. During acute wound healing, epidermal cells will activate at precise temporal stages, and proper communication will occur between different cells and will restore the skin integrity eventually. However, why the chronic wounds stagnate in an undefined non-healing state and how the epidermal cells interact with each other in the chronic wound environment is still unclear. To provide new insights into chronic wound healing, we reconstructed the variations in the epidermal cell-cell communication network that occur in chronic wound healing via single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data analysis. MethodsWe used the count matrix of scRNA-seq data to create a Seurat object with the R package “Seurat” which was analyzed using default parameters. GO analysis was performed for the differentially expressed genes with Enrichr by R package “Cluster Profiler”. Then we created a CellChat object with the R package “CellChat” from Seurat and reconstructed the cell-cell autocrine and paracrine signaling interactions through CellChatDB.ResultsSix cell types are annotated in each wound type and through comparing the acute and chronic wounds we found that cellular and molecular interactions of epidermal cells are enhanced in chronic wounds. Especially, the PTN and PAR signaling pathways were significantly changed in chronic wounds. Then we found the melanocyte cell population was the dominant sender of PTN and PAR signaling pathways and the most contributing ligand-receptor pairs of the PTN and PAR signaling pathways were PTN-SDC1 and CTSG-F2RL1 respectively. ConclusionsIn this study, we used CellChat to reconstruct the epidermal cell-cell autocrine and paracrine signaling networks and try to understand the underlying molecular and physiological perturbations in non-healing wounds. we speculate that melanocytes may play a key role in skin regeneration, and that the absence of the PTN pathway and increasing PAR signaling pathways may disrupt the healing in chronic wounds. In addition, we identified that CTSG and PTN may respectively be a novel potential target and a therapeutic strategy in the treatment of chronic wounds.
Detection and Characterization of Latency Stage of EBV and Histopathological Analysis of Prostatic Adenocarcinoma Tissues
Authors: Ahmed Khalid , Sheikh Alisalman , Fatima Saira , Haider Ghulam , Ghias Kulsoom , Abbas Farhat , Mughal Nouman , Abidi Syed Hani 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Introduction: The pathophysiology of prostate cancer involves both genetic and acquired factors, including pathogens, such as viruses. A limited number of studies have shown the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in prostate cancer tissues. However, there is a dearth of data exploring EBV latency profile in prostate cancer, and the relationship of EBV with histopathological features of prostate cancer. In this study, prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) samples were screened for the presence of EBV, followed by the characterization of the EBV latency profile and analysis of histopathological parameters in EBV-positive and EBV-negative groups. Material & Methods: A conventional PCR strategy was employed using virus-specific primers to screen EBV in 99 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) prostate cancer and 33 BPH samples received for histopathological analysis during the years 2019-2020. Subsequently, cDNA samples were used in a qPCR array to analyze the expression of EBV latency-associated genes to map the latency profile EBV maintains in the samples. Finally, statistical analyses were performed to determine the correlation between EBV and several histopathological features of the samples. Results: EBV was detected in 39% of prostate cancer and 24% of BPH samples. The histopathological analysis of prostate cancer samples identified all samples as prostatic adenocarcinoma of acinar type, while statistical analyses revealed EBV-positive samples to exhibit significantly higher (p<0.05) Gleason major and total Gleason scores as compared to EBV-negative samples. In the EBV positive samples, variable expression patterns of latency-associated genes were observed, where most of the samples exhibited EBV latency II/III-like profiles in prostate cancer, while latency-II-like profiles in BPH samples.Conclusion: This study suggests a high prevalence of EBV in prostate samples, where EBV exhibited latency II/III-like profiles. Furthermore, EBV-positive samples exhibited a higher Gleason score suggesting a possible link between EBV and onset/progression of prostate cancers. However, future functional studies are required to understand the role of the EBV gene expression profile in the onset/progression of prostate cancer.