bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Exercise on Plaque Volume and Composition in a Mouse Model of Early and Late Life Atherosclerosis
Authors: Stanton Kelly M. , Liu Hongjuan , Kienzle Vivian , Bursill Christina , Bao Shisan , Celermajer David S. 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundExercise is associated with a less atherogenic lipid profile; however, there is limited research on the effect of exercise on atherosclerotic plaque composition and markers of plaque stability.MethodsA total of 110 apolipoprotein (apo)E−/− mice were placed on a chow diet and randomly assigned to control or exercise for a period of 10 weeks, commencing either at 12 weeks of age (the early-stage atherosclerosis, EA group) or at 40 weeks of age (the late-stage atherosclerosis, LA group). At the end of the exercise period, blood was assayed for lipids. Histologic analysis of the aortic sinus was undertaken to assess plaque size and composition that includes macrophage content, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and 2).ResultsA total of 103 mice (38 EA, 65 LA) completed the protocol. In the EA group, exercise reduced plasma total cholesterol (TC) (−16%), free cholesterol (−13%), triglyceride (TG) (−35%), and phospholipid (−27%) levels, when compared to sedentary control mice (p &lt; 0.01). In the EA group, exercise also significantly reduced plaque stenosis (−25%, p &lt; 0.01), and there were higher levels of elastin (3-fold increase, p &lt; 0.0001) and collagen (11-fold increase, p &lt; 0.0001) in plaques, compared to control mice. There was an increase in plaque MMP-2 content in the exercise group (13% increase, p &lt; 0.05) but no significant difference in macrophage or MCP-1 content. In the LA group, exercise reduced plaque stenosis (−18%, p &lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference in plaque composition. There was no difference in macrophage, MCP-1, or MMP-2 content in the LA groups. TIMP-1 was lower with exercise in both the EA and LA groups (−59%, p &lt; 0.01 and −51%, p &lt; 0.01 respectively); however, there was no difference in TIMP-2 levels.ConclusionA 10-week exercise period reduces atherosclerotic plaque stenosis when commenced at both early- and late-stage atherosclerosis. Intervening earlier with exercise had a greater beneficial effect on lipids and plaque composition than when starting exercise at a later disease stage.
Genetically Predicted Atrial Fibrillation and Valvular Heart Disease: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Gao Jie , Bai Yulin , Ji Hongwen 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundPrevious studies have found atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with valvular heart disease (VHD). However, whether there is a causal relationship between these two diseases or it is just a result of bias caused by confounding factors is uncertain. This study aims to examine the potential causal association between AF and VHD by using Mendelian randomization.MethodsIn order to examine the causal relationship between AF and VHD, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization study by collecting exposure and outcome data from genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets. We utilized data from FinnGen project (FinnGen, 11,258 cases for VHD including rheumatic fever, 3,108 cases for non-rheumatic VHD, and 75,137 cases for participants) and European Bio-informatics Institute database (EBI, 55,114 cases for AF and 482,295 cases for participants). Inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median approaches were performed to estimate the causal effect.ResultsThe Mendelian randomization analysis indicated that AF increased the risk of VHD by all three MR methods [For VHD including rheumatic fever: IVW, odds ratio (OR) = 1.255; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.191~1.322; p = 1.23 × 10−17; Weighted median, OR = 1.305, 95% CI, 1.216~1.400, p = 1.57 × 10−13; MR-Egger, OR = 1.250, 95% CI, 1.137~1.375, p = 1.69 × 10−5; For non-rheumatic VHD: IVW, OR = 1.267; 95% CI, 1.169~1.372; p = 6.73 × 10−9; Weighted median, OR = 1.400; 95% CI, 1.232~1.591; p = 2.40 × 10−7; MR-Egger, OR = 1.308; 95% CI, 1.131~1.513; p = 5.34 × 10−4]. After the one outlier SNP was removed by heterogeneity test, the results remained the same. No horizontal pleiotropic effects were observed between AF and VHD.ConclusionsOur study provides strong evidence of a causal relationship between AF and VHD. Early intervention for AF patients may reduce the risk of developing into VHD.
Establishment of Reference Interval and Aging Model of Homocysteine Using Real-World Data
Authors: Ma Chaochao , Li Lei , Wang Xinlu , Hou Li’an , Xia Liangyu , Yin Yicong , Cheng Xinqi , Qiu Ling 
Published: March 2022

ObjectiveThe level of Homocysteine (Hcy) in males is generally higher than that of females, but the same reference interval (RI) is often used in clinical practice. This study aims to establish a sex-specific RI of Hcy using five data mining algorithms and compare these results. Furthermore, age-related continuous RI was established in order to show the relationship between Hcy concentration distribution and age.MethodsA total of 20,801 individuals were included in the study and Tukey method was used to identify outliers in subgroups by sex and age. Multiple linear regression and standard deviation ratio (SDR) was used to determine whether the RI for Hcy needs to be divided by sex and age. Five algorithms including Hoffmann, Bhattacharya, expectation maximization (EM), kosmic and refineR were utilized to establish the RI of Hcy. Generalized Additive Models for Location Scale and Shape (GAMLSS) algorithm was used to determine the aging model of Hcy and calculate the age-related continuous RI.ResultsRI of Hcy needed to be partitioned by sex (SDR = 0.735 &gt; 0.375). RIs established by Hoffmann, Bhattacharya, EM (for females) and kosmic are all within the 95% CI of reference limits established by refine R. The Sex-specific aging model of Hcy showed that the upper limits of the RI of Hcy declined with age beginning at age of 18 and began to rise approximately after age of 40 for females and increased with age for males.ConclusionThe RI of Hcy needs to be partitioned by sex. The RIs established by the five data mining algorithms showed good consistency. The dynamic sex and age-specific model of Hcy showed the pattern of Hcy concentration with age and provide more personalized tools for clinical decisions.
Next-Generation and Single-Cell Sequencing Approaches to Study Atherosclerosis and Vascular Inflammation Pathophysiology: A Systematic Review
Authors: McQueen Liam W. , Ladak Shameem S. , Abbasciano Riccardo , George Sarah J. , Suleiman M-Saadeh , Angelini Gianni D. , Murphy Gavin J. , Zakkar Mustafa 
Published: March 2022

Background and AimsAtherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite decades of research into the development and progression of this disease, current management and treatment approaches remain unsatisfactory and further studies are required to understand the exact pathophysiology. This review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of currently published data utilizing single-cell and next-generation sequencing techniques to identify key cellular and molecular contributions to atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation.MethodsElectronic searches of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases were undertaken from inception until February 2022. A narrative synthesis of all included studies was performed for all included studies. Quality assessment and risk of bias analysis was evaluated using the ARRIVE and SYRCLE checklist tools.ResultsThirty-four studies were eligible for narrative synthesis, with 16 articles utilizing single-cell exclusively, 10 utilizing next-generation sequencing and 8 using a combination of these approaches. Studies investigated numerous targets, ranging from exploratory tissue and plaque analysis, cell phenotype investigation and physiological/hemodynamic contributions to disease progression at both the single-cell and whole genome level. A significant area of focus was placed on smooth muscle cell, macrophage, and stem/progenitor contributions to disease, with little focus placed on contributions of other cell types including lymphocytes and endothelial cells. A significant level of heterogeneity exists in the outcomes from single-cell sequencing of similar samples, leading to inter-sample and inter-study variation.ConclusionsSingle-cell and next-generation sequencing methodologies offer novel means of elucidating atherosclerosis with significantly higher resolution than previous methodologies. These approaches also show significant potential for translatability into other vascular disease states, by facilitating cell-specific gene expression profiles between disease states. Implementation of these technologies may offer novel approaches to understanding the disease pathophysiology and improving disease prevention, management, and treatment.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021229960, identifier: CRD42021229960.
PHREND®—A Real-World Data-Driven Tool Supporting Clinical Decisions to Optimize Treatment in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Braune Stefan , Stuehler Elisabeth , Heer Yanic , van Hoevell Philip , Bergmann Arnfin ,   NeuroTransData Study Group
Published: March 2022

BackgroundWith increasing availability of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), treatment decisions in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) have become complex. Data-driven algorithms based on real-world outcomes may help clinicians optimize control of disease activity in routine praxis.ObjectivesWe previously introduced the PHREND® (Predictive-Healthcare-with-Real-World-Evidence-for-Neurological-Disorders) algorithm based on data from 2018 and now follow up on its robustness and utility to predict freedom of relapse and 3-months confirmed disability progression (3mCDP) during 1.5 years of clinical practice.MethodsThe impact of quarterly data updates on model robustness was investigated based on the model's C-index and credible intervals for coefficients. Model predictions were compared with results from randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Clinical relevance was evaluated by comparing outcomes of patients for whom model recommendations were followed with those choosing other treatments.ResultsModel robustness improved with the addition of 1.5 years of data. Comparison with RCTs revealed differences &lt;10% of the model-based predictions in almost all trials. Treatment with the highest-ranked (by PHREND®) or the first-or-second-highest ranked DMT led to significantly fewer relapses (p &lt; 0.001 and p &lt; 0.001, respectively) and 3mCDP events (p = 0.007 and p = 0.035, respectively) compared to non-recommended DMTs.ConclusionThese results further support usefulness of PHREND® in a shared treatment-decision process between physicians and patients.
Exploration and Petrogenesis of Corundum-Bearing Pegmatites: A Case Study in Migif-Hafafit Area, Egypt
Authors: Khaleal Farrage M. , Saleh Gehad M. , Lasheen El Saeed R. , Alzahrani Abdullah M. , Kamh Samir Z. 
Published: March 2022

A net of pegmatite veins crosscut gneiss and dismembered ophiolitic ultramafic rocks are abundant in the Migif-Hafafit culmination area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt. Some of these pegmatites are corundum-bearing. Corundum-bearing pegmatites are studied in eight localities around the Migif-Hafafit complex. The present study aims to integrate field investigation, whole rock and corundum chemistry, remote sensing studies, and the conventional methods to detect the corundum-bearing pegmatites, which led to finding out the genesis of the corundum mineralization. In addition, the tectonic regime has been detected using bulk rock geochemistry. False-color composite (FCCs), band ratio (BR), principal component analysis (PCA), minimum noise fraction (MNF), decorrelation stretch (DS), and the constrained energy minimization (CEM) image processing algorithms were proposed and applied on Landsat-8 OLI, and Sentinel-2A data to discriminate the exposed lithological units and to detect the corundum-bearing pegmatites in the study area. These detected pegmatites are structurally controlled following the NW-SE direction. The ultramafic rocks are the host of six areas and the gneisses are the host rocks of the two others. Gneisses and pegmatites are characterized by a steep slope of LREEs relative to HREEs with week Eu negative anomaly. The studied pegmatites have both plumasite and marundite. On the other hand, the studied corundum has Al2O3 content up to 99.72 wt% in pegmatite-gneiss and up to 100 wt.% in pegmatite-ultramafics. Corundum is ascribed to metamorphic/metasomatic type according to its chromosphere. Desilication in pegmatites led to the excess of alumina content in the residual melt producing corundum mineralization.
Impact of Microbially Enhanced Coalbed Methane on the Pore Structure of Coal
Authors: Gao Di , Guo Huiling , Guo Bianqing , Tan Kaili , Ren Hengxing 
Published: March 2022

Microbially enhanced coalbed methane (MECBM) has important theoretical and practical significance for reforming coal reservoir structure, alleviating greenhouse effects and energy crises and developing new sources of clean energy. In this study, No. 3 coal seams in Qinshui Basin were taken as research objects to analyze the pore structure characteristics after microbial treatment by means of low-temperature nitrogen adsorption (LTNA), mercury porosimetry (MP), and isothermal adsorption/desorption experiments. The results showed that after bioconversion, the specific surface area and pore volume increased from 1.79 m2/g and 0.0018 cm3/g to 4.01 m2/g and 0.0051 cm3/g respectively under liquid nitrogen testing; however, the specific surface area was reduced from 5.398 m2/g to 5.246 m2/g and the pore volume was increased from 0.053 cm3/g to 0.0626 cm3/g under MP. The fractal dimension based on the LTNA data indicated that the fractal dimension of micropores and minipores was increased from 2.73 to 2.60 to 2.89 and 2.81, however the fractal dimension of meso-macropores was decreased from 2.90 to 2.85. The volatile matter and fixed carbon were both reduced from 6.68% to 78.63%–5.09% to 75.63%, and the Langmuir volume and Langmuir pressure were increased from 34.84 cm3/g and 2.73 MPa to 36.34 cm3/g and 3.28 MPa, respectively. This result indicated that microorganism participated in the degradation of coal reservoir and promoted the production of methane gas, the meso-macropores were more obviously modified by microorganism, so that the pore diameter stabilized, the pores became smoother, the specific surface area decreased, and the pore volume increased. These are more beneficial to the adsorption and production of coalbed methane (CBM) after microbial treatment.
Effectiveness of Panretinal Photocoagulation Plus Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Treatment Against PRP Alone for Diabetic Retinopathy: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Wuyue , Geng Jinsong , Sang Aimin 
Published: March 2022

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) combined with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) against PRP monotherapy for diabetic retinopathy (DR).MethodsWe searched Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and Science Direct Register of Controlled Trials from April 2011 to January 2021 to identify the randomized trials that compared the efficacy and safety between PRP combined with intravitreal anti-VEGF and PRP monotherapy for DR. We searched in the following databases between April 2011 and January 2021: Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and Science Direct without any restriction of countries or article type. The outcome measures were the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), neovascularization on the disc (NVD), neovascularization elsewhere (NVE), central macula thickness (CMT), and total retinal volume over time (FAS), and we also observed the adverse events (AEs) between the two groups.ResultsA total of 351 studies were identified, of which 11 studies were included in this meta-analysis (N = 1,182 eyes). Compared with PRP monotherapy, PRP plus anti-VEGF combination treatment produced a mean reduction in BCVA in units of logMAR of -0.23 [95% CI -0.32, -0.15] or a mean improvement in BCVA in units of letters of 4.99 [95% CI 3.79, 6.19], and also yielded a mean reduction in NVD of -28.41 [95% CI -30.30, -26.52], in NVE of -1.33 [95% CI -1.52, -1.14], in CMT of -1.33 [95% CI -1.52, -1.14], or in total FAS. No significant difference was observed on the risk of AEs as vitreous hemorrhage, elevation in intraocular pressure, and cataract between the two different treatments.ConclusionPRP with anti-VEGF combination treatment can achieve the ideal efficacy on DR by improving BCVA and NV regression, with no potential increased incidence of AEs, which proves that the combination therapy is an efficient therapeutic strategy that could improve the management of patients with DR.
Characterisation of Two Wood-Waste and Coffee Bean Husk Biochars for the Removal of Micropollutants from Water
Authors: Van Limbergen Thessa , Roegiers Inez Henriette , Bonné Robin , Mare Federica , Haeldermans Tom , Joos Bjorn , Nouwen Olivier , Manca Jean V. , Vangronsveld Jaco , Thijs Sofie 
Published: March 2022

The inclusion of bioaugmented low-cost biochar in current wastewater treatment technologies is a promising way to enhance the removal and degradation of emerging contaminants. In this paper, the properties of two wood waste biochars (wood waste mix - AB, and date palm fiber wood - PDF), and coffee bean husks (COF), produced at four temperatures (350, 450, 500, 550°C) were compared, and investigated in the presence of Geobacter sulfurreducens or a mixed freshwater stream bacterial culture to understand their potential for the adsorption and biotransformation of two types of pesticides (thiacloprid, pirimicarb), and two pharmaceuticals (ibuprofen, diclofenac). Biochar yield was similar for all three biochars and ranged between 30 and 35%. The ash content of PDF and COF was significantly higher than AB. pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were initially high for COF (pH: 7.4–8; EC: 3–4.27 mS/cm) and PDF (pH: 7.7–10.1; EC: 4–6.24 mS/cm) after 24 h, but stabilized at neutral pH and &lt;0.5 mS/cm EC after additional washes. COF and AB did not leach high concentrations of chloride (&lt;10 mg/L), nitrate (&lt;1 mg/L), nor sulphate (&lt;76 mg/L), this in contrast to date palm fiber wood (PDF) with 1760 mg/L Cl− (550°C), and 846 mg/L sulphate (350°C). Lower pyrolysis temperatures reduced leachable anions. The biochars were highly (ultra)microporous with little meso- and macroporosity. The adsorption experiments showed that AB and COF biochars were both suited to sorb more than 90% of the initially spiked 10 ppm pirimicarb, AB removed 50.2% of the initial diclofenac concentration compared to only 5% for the no-biochar control, and both biochars could remove about 55% of the initially spiked thiacloprid, and 40% of the ibuprofen. In the presence of a mixed culture, on average 30% more thiacloprid and ibuprofen was removed from the supernatant by AB and COF than the sterile control. This work shows that selected wood-waste feedstocks and low pyrolysis temperature can produce environmentally-safe biochars that have suitable characteristics to sorb emergent pollutants from water. These materials could be further studied in multi-pollution sorption/competition experiments, and in larger environmental wastewater treatment systems.
On-Farm Relationships Between Agricultural Practices and Annual Changes in Organic Carbon Content at a Regional Scale
Authors: Dupla Xavier , Lemaître Téo , Grand Stéphanie , Gondret Karine , Charles Raphaël , Verrecchia Eric , Boivin Pascal 
Published: March 2022

Both soil quality degradation and climate change mitigation issues emphasize the need to increase, or at least stabilize, the topsoil organic carbon content (wt%) in arable land. This on-farm study aimed at measuring the impact of agricultural practices on changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) content over 10 years. A total of 120 fields belonging to 120 farms representative of the cropping systems and soil properties in Western Switzerland (Lake Geneva region) was randomly selected. The field 0–20 cm topsoil was sampled at a 10-years interval, and the corresponding cropping practices were gathered using farmer’s interviews and the mandatory records of yearly practices at field level in Swiss-farms. Only 1) organic matter inputs and 2) cover-crop intensity were significantly correlated to SOC increase while 3) the soil tillage intensity and 4) the soil saturation in carbon expressed as a SOC to clay content ratio were correlated to SOC decrease. Among others, temporary meadows were not correlated to changes in SOC content mainly due to increased tillage and decreased cover-crops between meadows. Organic farming did not correlate either with SOC changes due to the large tillage intensity applied for weed control. The observed SOC content changes ranged from −56‰ to +74‰ and were well explained by a linear regression model with additive effect of the four identified SOC change factors. The additivity of these factors means that farmers can emphasize the methods of their choice when regenerating their soils. This study advocates that strict no-till is not required at low carbon saturation level (small SOC:Clay ratio). However, as carbon saturation increases, conservation tillage and then no-till practices become necessary to further increase SOC contents. These findings are in accordance with previous studies showing that since 2015 SOC is increasing at more than +4‰ on average in the region and provide practical insights to further manage the transition of farming systems towards soil regeneration.
Transcription Factor KLF7 Promotes Osteoclast Differentiation by Suppressing HO-1
Authors: Chen Changhong , Hu Fei , Miao Shichang , Sun Liping , Jiao Yajun , Xu Mingwei , Huang Xin , Yang Ying , Zhou Rongkui 
Published: March 2022

Background: Osteoporosis is a common orthopedic disease with high prevalence in patients older than 50 years. Osteoporosis is often detected only after the fracture and is hard to treat. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the molecular mechanism of the occurrence of osteoporosis.Methods: The expression of Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in people with different bone mineral density (BMD) was analyzed based on public databases. GenHacncer and JASPAR databases were adopted to search and verify the upstream transcription factor of HO-1. qRT-PCR, western blot and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase assays were performed to explore the impact of HO-1 and Kruppel-like factor 7 (KLF7) on osteoclast differentiation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay confirmed the binding relationship between KLF7 and HO-1. Finally, Hemin, the agonist of HO-1, was applied in rescue assays, thereby verifying the mechanism of KLF7 modulating osteoclast differentiation by HO-1.Results: Bioinformatics analysis revealed that HO-1 was highly-expressed while KLF7 lowly-expressed in people with high BMD. Besides, a potential binding site of KLF7 was found on the promoter region of HO-1. ChIP assay further manifested the targeting relationship between HO-1 and KLF7. Western blot and TRAP staining unveiled that osteoclast differentiation was suppressed by HO-1, while facilitated by KLF7. Rescue experiments indicated that over-expressed HO-1 could reverse of the promoting effect of KLF7 on osteoclast differentiation.Conclusion: The study confirmed that osteoclast differentiation was promoted by KLF7 constraining HO-1, thereby facilitating osteoporosis. The cognation of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis was further enriched. New treatment could be developed on this basis.