bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between soluble lymphocyte activation gene-3 and coronary artery disease
Authors: Xiong Xinlin , Duan Zonggang , Zhou Haiyan , Niu Li , Luo Zhenhua , Li Wei 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundSoluble lymphocyte activation gene 3 (sLAG3) may be used for diagnosis or prognosis in various diseases. However, the relationship between sLAG3 and coronary artery disease (CAD) are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the levels of sLAG3 in patients with CAD, and its potential clinical association with the disease.MethodsA total of 66 subjects (49 patients with CAD and 17 control subjects without CAD) were enrolled. The sLAG3 level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Clinical variables included demographics, biochemical markers, coronary angiography status, and ejection fraction of the heart (EF) were collected, and Gensini scores were calculated. LAG3 gene data was extracted from three datasets (GSE23561, GSE61144, GSE60993) in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to compare differential expression between CAD and control subjects.ResultsThe sLAG3 level was significantly lower in the CAD vs. the controls (P &lt; 0.05), and negatively associated with CAD [odds ratio (OR): 0.212, 95% confidential interval (CI): 0.060–0.746, P &lt; 0.05]. Furthermore, the area under the curve (AUC) of sLAG3 level was significant (P &lt; 0.05). The sLAG3 level in subjects with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24 kg/m2 was lower compared to those with BMI &lt; 24 kg/m2 (P &lt; 0.05). The sLAG3 level was also negatively associated with BMI and diabetes mellitus (P &lt; 0.05), though not associated with the Gensini scores or EF (P &gt; 0.05). Lastly, the LAG3 gene expression in peripheral whole blood of patients with CAD were down-regulated compared to healthy controls (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionThe sLAG3 level was negatively associated with the occurrence but not severity of CAD. Meanwhile, the sLAG3 was negatively associated with BMI and diabetes mellitus, suggesting the reduced sLAG3 might be a novel risk factor for developing CAD.
Association of obesity phenotypes with left ventricular mass index and left ventricular hypertrophy in children and adolescents
Authors: Genovesi Simonetta , Tassistro Elena , Giussani Marco , Lieti Giulia , Patti Ilenia , Orlando Antonina , Montemerlo Massimo , Antolini Laura , Parati Gianfranco 
Published: September 2022

It has been argued that metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether, in a population of obese children/adolescents, the metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) phenotype is associated with higher left ventricular mass index and/or higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy than the MHO phenotype. We also tested whether the addition of an insulin resistance index (HOMA-index &gt;90th percentile by sex and age) and the presence of hyperuricemia (serum uric acid &gt;90th percentile by sex and age) to the definition of MUO better identified obese children with early cardiac damage. Left ventricular hypertrophy was defined as the presence of left ventricular mass index greater than or equal to the age- and sex-specific 95th percentile.The study population included 459 obese children (males 53.2%, mean age 10.6 [standard deviation, 2.6] years), of whom 268 (58.4%) were MUO. The left ventricular mass index was higher in MUO children than in MHO children (37.8 vs 36.3 g/m2.7, p=0.015), whereas the percentage of MUO children presenting left ventricular hypertrophy was only slightly higher in MUO children (31.1 vs 40%, p=0.06). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the variables significantly associated with higher left ventricular mass index were male gender (p&lt;0.01), Body Mass Index z-score (p&lt;0.001) and Waist-to-Height-ratio (p&lt;0.001). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy was only significantly associated with higher Body Mass Index z-score (p&lt;0.05) and Waist-to-Height-ratio (p&lt;0.05). In spite of the higher left ventricular mass index of MUO as compared to MHO children, the MUO phenotype was not a significant predictor of either higher left ventricular mass index or higher left ventricular hypertrophy prevalence. The MUO phenotype had a low predictive ability on the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.57 (sensitivity 0.64, 1-specificity 0.55). The addition of insulin resistance and hyperuricemia to the definition of MUO did not change the results observed with the standard definition of MUO at multivariable analysis.The MUO phenotype appears to be of little usefulness in identifying the early presence of cardiac damage in a large population of obese children and adolescents. Excess weight and abdominal obesity are confirmed as an important determinant of early organ damage in obese children.
Vertical sleeve gastrectomy normalizes circulating glucocorticoid levels and lowers glucocorticoid action tissue-selectively in mice
Authors: Akalestou Elina , Lopez-Noriega Livia , Christakis Ioannis , Hu Ming , Miras Alexander D. , Leclerc Isabelle , Rutter Guy A. 
Published: September 2022

ObjectivesGlucocorticoids produced by the adrenal cortex are essential for the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. Glucocorticoid activation is catalysed by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1). Excess glucocorticoids are associated with insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia. A small number of studies have demonstrated effects on glucocorticoid metabolism of bariatric surgery, a group of gastrointestinal procedures known to improve insulin sensitivity and secretion, which were assumed to result from weight loss. In this study, we hypothesize that a reduction in glucocorticoid action following bariatric surgery contributes to the widely observed euglycemic effects of the treatment.MethodsGlucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed at ten weeks post operatively and circulating corticosterone was measured. Liver and adipose tissues were harvested from fed mice and 11β-HSD1 levels were measured by quantitative RT-PCR or Western (immuno-) blotting, respectively. 11β-HSD1 null mice (Hsd11b1-/-) were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Wild type and littermate Hsd11b1-/- mice underwent Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) or sham surgery. ResultsUnder the conditions used, no differences in weight loss were observed between VSG treated and sham operated mice. However, both lean and obese WT VSG mice displayed significantly improved glucose clearance and insulin sensitivity. Remarkably, VSG restored physiological corticosterone production in HFD mice and reduced 11β-HSD1 expression in liver and adipose tissue post-surgery. Elimination of the 11β-HSD1/Hsd11b1 gene by CRISPR/Cas9 mimicked the effects of VSG on body weight and tolerance to 1g/kg glucose challenge. However, at higher glucose loads, the euglycemic effect of VSG was superior to Hsd11b1 elimination.ConclusionsBariatric surgery improves insulin sensitivity and reduces glucocorticoid activation at the tissular level, under physiological and pathophysiological (obesity) conditions, irrespective of weight loss. These findings point towards a physiologically relevant gut-glucocorticoid axis, and suggest that lowered glucocorticoid exposure may represent an additional contribution to the health benefits of bariatric surgery.
Experimental investigation of a hybrid configuration of solar thermal collectors and desiccant indirect evaporative cooling system
Authors: Ditta Allah , Tabish Asif Nadeem , Mujtaba M. A. , Amjad Muhammad , Yusuf Abdulfatah Abdu , Chaudhary Ghulam Qadar , Razzaq Luqman , Abdelrahman Anas , Kalam M. A 
Published: September 2022

This paper presents the integrated performance of a solar-assisted desiccant dehumidifier along with Maisotsenko cycle (M-cycle) counter flow heat and mass exchanger. This system handles latent load and sensible load separately. The hybrid configuration of solar thermal collectors was analyzed for efficiency of solar collectors and solar fraction. High consumption of fossil fuels, which are already present in a limited amount, is also associated with environmental problems and climate change issues, as these increase the chances of global warming. These issues demand of us to shift towards renewable energy resources. Increase in world energy use results in a number of environmental problems, such as climate change, in addition to global warming and ozone depletion. In building services, HVAC systems are major concerns. To overcome the requirement, conventional air conditioning and vapor compression systems are mainly used for air conditioning, although these also have some environmental problems. Solar thermal applications in combination with other renewable-energy-dependent cooling practices have generated a huge interest towards sustainable solutions, keeping in view several techno-economical, environmental, and climatic advantages. The experimental investigation reveals that the maximum outlet temperature and efficiency of solar thermal collectors was 87°C and 56% respectively. The maximum cooling capacity of the system is evaluated at 4.6 kW.
Energy endowment, energy capacity aggregation and carbon emissions in china-empirical analysis based on spatial durbin model
Authors: Wang Guoyu , Zhou Jinsheng 
Published: September 2022

Abstract: This paper investigates how regional energy endowment affects carbon emissions and whether energy capacity aggregation plays a mediating role. In the context of the “double carbon target”, it is important to study the relationship between energy endowment and carbon emission growth to formulate reasonable and effective energy policies in the region. Based on the panel data of 30 Chinese provinces from 2008 to 2019, this paper investigates the mechanism of the role between energy endowment, energy capacity aggregation, and carbon emissions using the spatial Durbin model. The results show that: 1) Carbon dioxide emissions have significant positive spatial autocorrelation. 2) Energy endowment and energy capacity aggregation increase provincial carbon emissions. For each unit increase in energy endowment and energy capacity aggregation level, regional carbon emissions will increase by 0.0423 and 0.0564 units. Moreover, the effect of energy endowment on carbon emissions has a spatial spillover effect. 3) The intermediary effect test finds that energy capacity aggregation plays an intermediary role in the energy endowment affecting carbon emissions. Therefore, this paper verifies that energy endowments promote regional carbon emissions and that the energy capacity aggregation effect plays a mediating role. The research results provide theoretical guidance for solving the contradictory problem of energy demand growth on carbon emission limitation and promoting regional green and low-carbon development.
Tradeoffs between units providing soil ecosystem services in multifunctional landscapes of the Orinoquia
Authors: Caro-Caro Clara Inés , Bernal-Riobo Jaime Humberto , Arango-Argoti Miguel , Torres-Mora Marco Aurelio 
Published: September 2022

Ecological assessment of soil ecosystem services was made through indicators of provision of nutrients, amount of organic matter, and cation exchange capacity; and climate regulation, carbon storage, in the Orotoy river basin. As units that provide ecosystem services, mosaics of tropical humid forest cover, oil palm crops and cattle pastures were selected, persistent for 20 years, in windows located in the upper, middle and lower areas of the basin. Soil samples (896) were collected and analyzed in the laboratory for determining physical and chemical properties. The data were processed with the SPAW and R software. Indicators, ranging from 0 to 1, and tradeoffs were represented on a 1: 25.000 scale land cover map. It was found that in the indicator of carbon storage, the low zone obtained the highest average value (0.42); and the indicator of the ecosystem service of nutrient provision obtained close average values in the middle and lower zones, 0.33 and 0.44, correspondingly. In vegetation cover, the tropical humid forest presented the highest average values for the indicator of climate regulation (0,43). The established trade-offs from the valuation are: the upper zone is fundamental for water regulation and climate regulation throughout the basin; forest cover in the entire basin regulates the climate, oil palm crops and cattle pastures via fertilization, contribute to the surrounding forests, located in areas of less slope. In the mosaics of the multifunctional landscapes it was found that although the ecosystem services are related to the forming factors of the soil and the vegetation coverage, the influence of cultural practices on the soils is also evident; these determine trade-offs. The importance of including the ecosystem services of the soil in the processes of territorial ordering and management of landscapes like the one of the basin of the Orotoy river is verified, which in the current management scenario presents trade-offs between zones and coverages.
Clinical risk factors of carbohydrate antigen-125, cytokeratin fragment 19, and neuron-specific enolase in liver metastases from elderly lung cancer patients
Authors: Cheng Tao , Chen Jun , Ying Ping , Wei Hong , Shu Huiye , Kang Min , Zou Jie , Ling Qian , Liao Xulin , Wang Yixin , Shao Yi 
Published: September 2022

Objective: Lung cancer is a common malignant tumor characterized by challenging detection and lack of specificity in clinical manifestations. To investigate the correlation of tumor markers in the serum with liver metastasis and prognosis of lung cancer.Methods: A total of 3,046 elderly lung cancer patients were retrospectively studied between September 1999 and July 2020. Divided into liver metastasis group and non-liver metastasis group. We compared a series of serum biomarkers between the two groups of elderly patients to predict the prognosis in patients with lung cancer by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), advanced flow cytometry (FCM) and multi tumor marker protein chip, including tumor markers in the serum included alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum calcium, hemoglobin (HB), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), cytokeratin fragment 19 (Cyfra21-1), carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA-125), carbohydrate antigen-153 (CA-153), carbohydrate antigen-199 (CA-199), and free prostate specific antigen (free PSA). We used binary logistic regression analysis to determine risk factors, and used receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis to evaluate the diagnostic value of liver metastases in elderly patients with lung cancer.Results: The proportion of lung cancer in the liver metastasis group was higher than that observed in the non-liver metastases group. The expression levels of CA-125, Cyfra21-1, and NSE in the liver metastasis group of lung cancer were significantly higher than those reported in the non-liver metastases group (p &lt; 0.05). ROC curve analysis shows that the area under the curve of CA-125, Cyfra21-1, and NSE are 0.614, 0.616 and 0.608, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of CA-125 were 45.70% and 76.20%, the sensitivity and specificity of Cyfra21-1 were 60.10% and 57.10%, and the sensitivity and specificity of NSE were 44.10% and 75.00%, respectively.Conclusion: High levels of CA-125, Cyfra21-1, and NSE in the serum may be associated with liver metastasis in elderly patients with lung cancer. CA-125 and NSE are factors influencing the prognosis of elderly patients with liver metastasis of lung cancer.
The contribution of a MOET nucleus scheme for the improvement of Guzerá (Bos indicus) cattle for milk traits in Brazil
Authors: Campolina Diniz Peixoto Maria Gabriela , Carrara Eula Regina , Lopes Paulo Sávio , Tomita Bruneli Frank Ângelo , Penna Vânia Maldini 
Published: September 2022

The Guzerá breed evolved from the introduction of breeds from India, mainly the Kankrej breed, into Brazilian livestock at the end of the 19th century. Guzerá adapted well to the climatic conditions of Brazil, where it is considered a dual-purpose breed and has been used for pasture-based beef, milk or dual-purpose production systems with the use of low-medium inputs. The importance of this genetic resource for milk production in tropical regions moved breeders to implement the National Breeding Program for the Improvement of Guzerá in 1994, based on both progeny testing and MOET nucleus schemes. We sought to evaluate the role of the MOET nucleus scheme in the phenotypic and genetic progress for milk traits in this breed. The initial database used in the present study consisted of 6,513 cows, daughters of 761 bulls. We performed genetic evaluations with different datasets using a linear mixed model in a single trait analysis, including the relationship matrix, in order to estimate breeding values. Inbreeding coefficients were also calculated using the relationship of descent between two parents. Annual phenotypic, genetic and inbreeding trends were obtained for each dataset, considering the genetic pathways of both the bull and the cow. The low genetic progress found for milk yield in the whole population (5.27 ± 0.30 kg/year) partially accounted for the dual-purpose selection goal, despite the higher genetic progress in the MOET nucleus (9.39 ± 0.79 kg/year). The inbreeding coefficient was minimized at the beginning of the breeding program based on the use of new lineages. Posteriorly, it started increasing again from 0.002 in 1991 to 0.008 in 2019. The results provided evidence of the significant contribution of the MOET nucleus scheme for the phenotypic and genetic progress of Guzerá breed for milk traits, as well as of the impact of the breeding program on the inbreeding coefficient rate in the early years. New strategies need to be designed for the Guzerá breed, to allow for greater improvement of milk traits and minimizing the rate of the inbreeding coefficient.
Associations of microbial and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-derived tryptophan metabolites with immune activation in healthy adults
Authors: Riazati Niknaz , Kable Mary E. , Newman John W. , Adkins Yuriko , Freytag Tammy , Jiang Xiaowen , Stephensen Charles B. 
Published: September 2022

Background Tryptophan (Trp) metabolites from intestinal bacteria (indole, indole acetic acid [IAA] and indole propionic acid [IPA]), and the Trp metabolite kynurenine (Kyn) from the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) pathway, are aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists and thus, can regulate immune activityviathe AhR pathway. We hypothesized that plasma concentrations of these metabolites would be associated with markers of immune activation in a cohort of healthy adults in a manner consistent with AhR-mediated immune-regulation. We also hypothesized that the plasma Kyn/Trp ratio, a marker of IDO activity, would be associated with immune markers reflecting IDO activation in innate immune cells. Finally, we hypothesized that some intestinal bacteria would be associated with plasma indole, IPA and IAA, and that these bacteria themselves would be associated with immune markers.MethodsA novel set of 88 immune markers, and plasma Trp metabolites, were measured in 362 healthy adults. Bacterial taxa from stool were identified by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify significant associations with immune markers.ResultsThe sum of indole and IAA was positively associated with natural killer T-cells levels. Kyn and Kyn/Trp were positively associated with neopterin and IP-10, markers of type 1 immunity, and TNF-α and C-reactive protein (CRP), markers of the acute phase response, and the regulatory cytokine IL-10. Three bacteria negatively associated with Trp metabolites were associated with markers of immune activation: the family Lachnospiraceae with higher lymphocyte counts but lower level of activated CD4 T-cells, the genus Dorea with higher production of IFN-γ by T-cells in PBMC cultures, and the genus Ruminococcus with higher production IL-6 in PBMC cultures stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS).ConclusionsIn this cohort of healthy adults bacterial Trp metabolites were not strongly associated with immune markers. Conversely, the Kyn/Trp ratio was strongly associated with markers of systemic inflammation and the acute phase response, consistent with IDO activation in innate immune cells. Finally, commensal bacteria associated with lower plasma (and perhaps intestinal) levels of bacterial Trp metabolites were associated with greater immune activation, possibly reflecting decreased regulatory immune activity related to lower intestinal levels of bacterial indole metabolites.
Cuproptosis regulator-mediated patterns associated with immune inﬁltration features and construction of cuproptosis-related signatures to guide immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Gongjun , Xiao Ruoxi , Zhao Shufen , Sun Libin , Guo Jing , Li Wenqian , Zhang Yuqi , Bian Xiaoqian , Qiu Wensheng , Wang Shasha 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundLiver hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent cancer that lacks a sufficiently efficient approach to guide immunotherapy. Additionally, cuproptosis is a recently identified regulated cell death program that is triggered by copper ionophores. However, its possible significance in tumor immune cell infiltration is still unclear.MethodsCuproptosis subtypes in HCC were identified using unsupervised consensus cluster analysis based on 10 cuproptosis regulators expressions, and a cuproptosis-related risk signature was generated using univariate and LASSO Cox regression and validated using the ICGC data. Moreover, the relationship between signature and tumor immune microenvironment (TME) was studied through tumor immunotherapy responsiveness, immune cell infiltration, and tumor stem cell analysis. Finally, clinical specimens were analyzed using immunohistochemistry to verify the expression of the three genes in the signature.ResultsTwo subtypes of cuproptosis regulation were observed in HCC, with different immune cell infiltration features. Genes expressed differentially between the two cuproptosis clusters in the TCGA were determined and used to construct a risk signature that was validated using the ICGC cohort. Greater immune and stromal cell infiltration were observed in the high-risk group and were associated with unfavorable prognosis. Elevated risk scores were linked with higher RNA stemness scores (RNAss) and tumor mutational burden (TMB), together with a greater likelihood of benefitting from immunotherapy.ConclusionIt was found that cuproptosis regulatory patterns may play important roles in the heterogeneity of immune cell infiltration. The risk signature associated with cuproptosis can assess each patient’s risk score, leading to more individualized and effective immunotherapy.