bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological Distribution and Formation Mechanisms of Antimony in the Shallow Groundwater of the Xikuangshan Antimony Mine in Hunan, China
Authors: Sun Ximeng , Li Yi , Liu Chao , Zhang Lu , Li Ziyao , Hao Chunming 
Published: July 2022

The century-old mining development and utilization of antimony (Sb) ore in Xikuangshan (XKS) mine, groundwater antimony pollution has attracted great attention. At present, the sources and geochemical behaviors of high Sb groundwater in this area have been widely recognized, but morphological distribution and formation mechanisms of Sb(V) and Sb(III) in shallow groundwater were still little known. Forty-three groundwater samples of Magunao aquifer (D3x4) were collected between June and September 2020 to determine morphological distribution and formation mechanisms of Sb valence state in the recharge area, runoff area and discharge area. The range of Sb content in the recharge area, runoff area, and discharge area of the D3x4 water was 3.300 × 10−3–7.982 mg/L, 1.760 × 10−2–17.326 mg/L and 1.230 × 10−2–16.773 mg/L, respectively. The D3x4 water is dominated by Sb(V), which form was Sb(OH)6−. The Sb(V) mainly comes from the oxidative dissolution of Sb2S3, the mining activities, and the leaching of arsenic alkali residues. The silicate mineral weathering, carbonate mineral dissolution, and ion exchange promote the dissolution of Sb2S3. At the same time, redox and competitive adsorption in the runoff area increase the Sb(V) content in the water environment. The results of this research provide an understanding of the mechanism of Sb pollution in shallow groundwater and will help in controlling water-environment pollution and securing water-resource in mining areas.
Acinar Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicle MiRNA-183-5p Aggravates Acute Pancreatitis by Promoting M1 Macrophage Polarization Through Downregulation of FoxO1
Authors: Tang De-sheng , Cao Feng , Yan Chang-sheng , Cui Ji-tao , Guo Xiao-yu , Cheng Long , Li Le , Li Yi-long , Ma Jia-min , Fang Kun , Gao Lei , Ren Nian-sheng , Sun Bei , Wang Gang , Ji Liang 
Published: July 2022

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common cause of a clinically acute abdomen. Crosstalk between acinar cells and leukocytes (especially macrophages) plays an important role in the development of AP. However, the mechanism mediating the interaction between acinar cells and macrophages is still unclear. This study was performed to explore the role of acinar cell extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the crosstalk between acinar cells and macrophages involved in the pathogenesis of AP. EVs derived from caerulein-treated acinar cells induced macrophage infiltration and aggravated pancreatitis in an AP rat model. Further research showed that acinar cell-derived EV miR-183-5p led to M1 macrophage polarization by downregulating forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1), and a dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that FoxO1 was directly inhibited by miR-183-5p. In addition, acinar cell-derived EV miR-183-5p reduced macrophage phagocytosis. Acinar cell-derived EV miR-183-5p promoted the pancreatic infiltration of M1 macrophages and increased local and systemic damage in vivo. Subsequently, miR-183-5p overexpression in macrophages induced acinar cell damage and trypsin activation, thus further exacerbating the disease. In clinical samples, elevated miR-183-5p levels were detected in serum EVs and positively correlated with the severity of AP. EV miR-183-5p might play an important role in the development of AP by facilitating M1 macrophage polarization, providing a new insight into the diagnosis and targeted management of pancreatitis.Graphical abstract of the present study. In our caerulein-induced AP model, miR-183-5p was upregulated in injured acinar cells and transported by EVs to macrophages. miR-183-5p could induce M1 macrophage polarization through downregulation of FoxO1 and the release of inflammatory cytokines, which could aggravate AP-related injuries. Therefore, a vicious cycle might exist between injured ACs and M1 macrophage polarization, which is fulfilled by EV-transported miR-183-5p, leading to sustainable and progressive AP-related injuries.
Transcriptomic Analysis and Time to Hatch Visual Prediction of Embryo Development in the Ornate Spiny Lobster (Panulirus ornatus)
Authors: Lewis Courtney L. , Fitzgibbon Quinn P. , Smith Gregory G. , Elizur Abigail , Ventura Tomer 
Published: July 2022

The ability to conduct closed life-cycle culture of tropical spiny lobsters, Panulirus ornatus, at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) provides a unique opportunity to investigate specific developmental stages during embryogenesis. The production of closed life-cycle lobsters provides access to embryos at defined time points, yet physical staging is challenging due to their small size and environmental factors impacting their development. A transcriptome comprising 11 distinct stages across the 30-day P. ornatus embryonal development period allowed the establishment of the most detailed transcriptomic library of embryogenesis across decapods. A series of key genes across the 11 stages of embryonal development were characterized. The expression of neuropeptides was reported across P. ornatus embryos, suggesting they are primarily active during the later stages of embryogenesis as the nervous system develops and the animal prepares to hatch. Gastrula-specific genes, nanos and brachyury, presented an expression profile indicating gastrulation occurs early in embryogenesis. In addition to the molecular tools used to characterize embryo development, certain developmental characteristics, such as eye spot development, provide a measurable indicator that can be visualised. Hatch prediction models based on visual characteristics were shown to be an accurate method to predict the timing of the hatch for P. ornatus embryos kept at 26°C. The combination of morphological and visual measures with transcriptomics can be used to further define and establish the groundwork for future characterisation and staging of P. ornatus embryogenesis.
Precision Compensation Control of a Piezo-Scanning Mechanism
Authors: Liu Shuxin , Jiang Huhai , Huang Xiaohong , She Junchao , Si Chen , Lv Shengqiang 
Published: July 2022

In this study, a controller based on two compensators is developed to support a two-axis piezo-scanning mechanism for tracking control. The hysteresis compensator is designed based on a Prandtl–Ishlinskii hysteresis model in order to reduce the nonlinear hysteresis effect of a piezoelectric actuator. Furthermore, to compensate for uncertainties due to parametric variations, hysteresis-compensated error, and un-modeled dynamics, the uncertainties compensator based on the neural network disturbance observer is proposed. The developed controller is verified with regard to control performance by experiment. Those two observers are used to complete hysteresis compensation and disturbance compensation, which will not reduce the stability and bandwidth of the system and improve the control accuracy. Experimental results show that the proposed hybrid controller can overcome the mentioned nonlinearity and uncertainty efficiently and preserve good positioning accuracy with high-bandwidth varying frequencies (1–150 Hz).
Anesthesia Assistance in Colonoscopy: Impact on Quality Indicators
Authors: Liang Min , Zhang Xinyan , Xu Chunhong , Cao Junli , Zhang Zongwang 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundAdenoma detection rate (ADR) and polyp detection rate (PDR) are both indicators for colonoscopy quality. Improving ADR or PDR is critical for reducing the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). Although several studies have focused on identifying the factors that may influence ADR or PDR, the evidence remains limited and inconclusive. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the effect of anesthesia assistance (AA) on ADR or PDR in patients undergoing colonoscopy screening and identify risk factors affecting ADR or PDR.MethodsWe reviewed electronic medical records of patients who underwent colonoscopy screening between May 2019 and August 2020. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they received AA: patients in Group A underwent colonoscopy screening with AA, whereas patients in Group O underwent colonoscopy screening without AA. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to account for differences in baseline characteristics. After, ADR and PDR were compared between the two groups. Binary logistic regression was employed to identify risk factors that affected ADR or PDR.ResultsOf 9432 patients who underwent colonoscopy examination during the study period, 7170 were included in the final analyses (Group A = 5756 and Group O = 1414). After PSM, 736 patients remained in each group for analyses. There was no significant difference between groups A and O (P &gt; 0.05) in ADR or PDR. Binary logistic regression indicated that the endoscopic device version (Olympus HQ290), equipment image-based technique and number of images were independent risk factors that affected ADR, and the age (50–59 years and 60–69 years), gender (male), high-risk status, endoscopist seniority (senior endoscopist), equipment image-based technique and number of images were all independent risk factors that affected PDR.ConclusionsWe discovered that AA does not affect ADR or PDR. Despite improved patient satisfaction, using AA is unnecessary for improving colonoscopy quality. Endoscopists should consider all these factors as much as possible when performing colonoscopy screening.
Thymic Extranodal Marginal-Zone Lymphoma of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue: Pathological Features, 18F-FDG PET/CT Findings and Prognosis in 12 Cases
Authors: Zang Shengbing , Liu Lei , Bao Junjie , Xiong Min , Zhao Yumo , Lin Suxia , Lin Xiaoping 
Published: July 2022

PurposePrimary thymic extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a rare type of MALT lymphoma. We aim to investigate the clinicopathologic features, 18F-FDG PET/CT findings and outcomes for patients with primary thymic MALT lymphoma; to explore the correlation between metabolic parameters and immunohistochemical phenotypes.MethodsA retrospective single-center study enrolled 12 patients with primary thymic MALT lymphoma between 2010 and 2021. Nineteen 18F-FDG PET/CT scans were performed, and clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics, PET/CT imaging features, and outcomes were analyzed.ResultsThe male-to-female ratio was 1. The median age at diagnosis was 40 (range 31–68). The long diameter of the lesions ranged from 3.5 to 15.7. Histopathological examinations revealed that the normal thymic lobular architecture was effaced by a diffuse lymphoid infiltrate, but residual Hassall corpuscles could still be identified, mostly with CD20+, PAX5+, CD3-, CD23-, CD10-, BCL-6-, cyclin D1-, EBER- and low Ki-67. The gene rearrangement indicated that the IGH gene but not TCR gene was found in 7 patients. Six initial PET/CT scans showed a mean SUVmax of 6.8 (range, 3.1–12.4), a mean MTV = 40.0 (range, 6.7–81.4), and a mean TLG = 144.3 (range, 19.7–286.4). During the follow-up period, there was no death except for the patient with DLBCL who died 59 months after diagnosis of primary thymic MALT. No significant correlation between SUVmax and Ki-67 index was observed (r = 0.355, P &gt; 0.05).ConclusionPrimary thymic MALT lymphoma should be considered in patients with multilocular cystic lesions with different degrees of 18F-FDG uptake in the anterior mediastinum. The results of this study showed no correlation between SUVmax and Ki-67 index.
Development and Validation of a Non-invasive Model to Predict Liver Histological Lesions in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients With Persistently Normal Alanine Aminotransferase and Detectable Viremia
Authors: Hu Qiankun , Wang Qianqian , Xu Wei , Huang Chenlu , Tao Shuai , Qi Xun , Zhang Yi , Li Xinyan , Jiang Xuhua , Song Jie , Li Qiang , Chen Liang , Huang Yuxian 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundA critical and controversial issue is whether antiviral therapy should be recommended in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (PNALT) and detectable HBV DNA. The study aimed to develop a non-invasive model for predicting significant liver histological changes (SLHC), which is the histological indication for antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with PNALT and detectable HBV DNA.Methods398 chronic HBV infection patients with PNALT and detectable HBV DNA who underwent liver biopsy were divided into the estimation set (n = 256) and validation set (n = 142). A multivariate logistic regression model was developed to predict SLHC in the estimation set, and the diagnostic performance was further validated in the validation set.Results132 patients (33.2%) with PNALT and detectable HBV DNA had SLHC. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholinesterase (ChE), and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) were identified as the independent predictors of SLHC. The AUROC of the SLHC index, which combined AST, ChE, and LSM, was 0.824 and 0.816 in the estimation and validation set, respectively, for the prediction of SLHC. Applying the SLHC index ≤ 0.15, the presence of SLHC could be excluded with high negative predictive value in the estimation set (93.2%) and in the validation set (90.2%). Applying the SLHC index ≥ 0.55, the presence of SLHC could be considered with high positive predictive value in the estimation set (79.2%) and in the validation set (76.5%).ConclusionThe SLHC index provides a high accuracy in predicting liver histological indication for antiviral therapy in CHB patients with PNALT and detectable HBV DNA.
Relationship Between Gender and 1-Year Mortality in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhu Qing , Li Fen , Xie Xi , Chen Bilin , Yu Qianwen , Wei Yusong , Ge Yan 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveThe relationship between gender and short-term prognosis of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV) is unclear, hence single-center retrospective analysis and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the relationship.MethodsInitially treated patients with AAV were retrospectively enrolled. Data of clinical manifestation, laboratory indicators, Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS), therapeutic treatments, and the patients' situations within 1 year were recorded. First, we compared the basic characteristics between male and female patients. Second, the risk factors associated with a 1-year mortality rate of patients with AAV were evaluated. Finally, a meta-analysis was performed to explore the effect of gender on 1-year mortality in patients with AAV.ResultsThe study involved 84 patients with AAV, including 33 female and 51 male participants. In total, 14 people died (12 males and 2 females) and 70 survived in the 1st year. Statistical differences were noted in the age of onset, the course of the disease, WBC, HB, N, ESR, CRP, BUN, ALT and ALB, BVAS, and 1-year mortality rate between male and female participants. In male patients, elevated Scr, NLR, PLT, and RDW-CV were associated with poor AAV (P &lt; 0.05) prognosis. The meta-analysis verified that male gender was an independent risk factor for the 1-year mortality of patients with AAV(OR = 1.54).ConclusionSignificant sex-specific differences were found in patients with AAV. Male patients contributed to 1.54-fold of 1-year mortality risk in patients with AAV by meta-analysis. More attention should be paid to the mortality risk of male patients with AAV in the early stage.
Altered Gut Microbiota in Patients With Peutz–Jeghers Syndrome
Authors: Wang Sui , Huang Gang , Wang Jue-Xin , Tian Lin , Zuo Xiu-Li , Li Yan-Qing , Yu Yan-Bo 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundPeutz–Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the development of pigmented spots and gastrointestinal polyps and increased susceptibility to cancers. It remains unknown whether gut microbiota dysbiosis is linked to PJS.AimThis study aimed to assess the structure and composition of the gut microbiota, including both bacteria and fungi, in patients with PJS and investigate the relationship between gut microbiota dysbiosis and PJS pathogenesis.MethodsThe bacterial and fungal composition of the fecal microbiota was analyzed in 23 patients with PJS (cases), 17 first-degree asymptomatic relatives (ARs), and 24 healthy controls (HCs) using 16S (MiSeq) and ITS2 (pyrosequencing) sequencing for bacteria and fungi, respectively. Differential analyses of the intestinal flora were performed from the phylum to species level.ResultsAlpha-diversity distributions of bacteria and fungi indicated that the abundance of both taxa differed between PJS cases and controls. However, while the diversity and composition of fecal bacteria in PJS cases were significantly different from those in ARs and HCs, fungal flora was more stable. High-throughput sequencing confirmed the special characteristics and biodiversity of the fecal bacterial and fungal microflora in patients with PJS. They had lower bacterial biodiversity than controls, with a higher frequency of the Proteobacteria phylum, Enterobacteriaceae family, and Escherichia-Shigella genus, and a lower frequency of the Firmicutes phylum and the Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae families. Of fungi, Candida was significantly higher in PJS cases than in controls.ConclusionThe findings reported here confirm gut microbiota dysbiosis in patients with PJS. This is the first report on the bacterial and fungal microbiota profile of subjects with PJS, which may be meaningful to provide a structural basis for further research on intestinal microecology in PJS.
Development, Reliability, and Validity of the Preschool Learning Skills Scale: A Tool for Early Identification of Preschoolers at Risk of Learning Disorder in Mainland China
Authors: Yao Mengmeng , Wang Jing , Liu Panting , Guo Yanru , Xie Yachun , Zhang Lei , Su Nan , Li Yanwei , Yu Dongchuan , Hong Qin , Chi Xia 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundEarly identification of children at risk of learning disorders (LD) may mitigate the adverse effects of delayed intervention by guiding children to receive preventive services at an earlier age. However, there is no assessment tool for the early identification of children at risk of LD in Mainland China. Therefore, this study aimed to create a Chinese version of the Preschool Learning Skills Scale and investigate its validity and reliability.MethodsFirstly, a pilot scale was designed based on literature review and expert review. Secondly, a pre-survey of the pilot scale was conducted. In phase 3, a formal survey was carried out to test the reliability and validity of the scale by involving 2,677 preschool children from 7 kindergartens. Data were collected using a checklist for demographic characteristics, the preschool learning skills scale, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version (BRIEF-P), and Conners' Rating Scales.ResultsThe final scale included 38 items under seven factors. The reliability and validity tests confirmed that the Cronbach's alpha, split-half reliability, and test–retest reliability coefficients of the scale were 0.946, 0.888, and 0.941, respectively. The Spearman correlations of factor-total score ranged from 0.685 to 0.876. The results of criterion-related validity showed a direct and significant association between the preschool learning skills scale with the BRIEF-P (r = 0.641, P &lt; 0.001) and the cognitive problems factor of Conners' Rating Scales (r = 0.564, P &lt; 0.001). The model had a good fit (χ2/df = 3.489, RMSEA = 0.047, RMR = 0.024, CFI = 0.912, TLI = 0.900, and IFI = 0.912). Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis supported the structural and measurement invariance on the preschool learning skills scale across gender and grade.ConclusionsThe developed preschool learning skills scale has good reliability and validity, indicating that the scale can be used to identify preschool children at risk of LD and can be recommended for use in clinical research and practice.
Pain-Related Factors and Their Impact on Quality of Life in Chinese Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: An Ran , Wu Yuan , Li Yi , Li Xin , Ai Shaolong , Xu Yanming , He Chengqi 
Published: July 2022

ObjectivesPain is considered a common symptom in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the results of studies on pain in ALS are limited and inconsistent. The aim of our study was to comprehensively evaluate the potential factors of pain and effects on quality of life (QoL) in patients with ALS from China.Participants and MethodsPatients were eligible if they fulfilled the criteria of probable and definitive ALS according to the revised El Escorial criteria. Pain was assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Disease severity, sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) were evaluated in ALS patients by the ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) and ALS severity scale (ALSSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQOL). Then, the clinical characteristics of ALS patients with pain were compared with those without pain. Last, associated factors of pain, as well as impact on QoL in Chinese ALS patients, were assessed.ResultsA total of 86 ALS patients were included. ALS patients with pain tended to have higher FSS scores and poorer QoL. The FSS score and ALSSS [lower extremity (LE) + upper extremity (UE)] were associated with pain in ALS patients. The ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-R), Pain Severity Index (PSI), HARS and HDRS scores were significantly associated with both the physical and psychological domains of QoL.ConclusionOur study was the first to comprehensively evaluate factors associated with pain in Chinese ALS patients, finding that fatigue can be a risk factor for pain and ALSSS (LE + UE) score was related with pain intensity. Additionally, we identified the adverse effects of ALSSS (LE + UE), HARS and HDRS scores on QoL in Chinese ALS patients.