Plasma NT pro-BNP, hs-CRP and big-ET levels at admission as prognostic markers of survival in hospitalized patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: a single-center cohort study

BACKGROUND: Circulating N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP), high- sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and big endothelin (big-ET) have been shown to be increased in heart failure and to contribute to both hemodynamic deterioration and cardiovascular remodeling. Here, we examined the prognostic value of the three neurohormones at admission in a population of hospitalized patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS AND RESULTS: This cohort study was undertaken in 622 hospitalized patients with DCM in Fuwai Hospital from January 2005 to September 2011 (female 26.5%, 51.4 ± 14.6 years old). Standard demographics, echocardiography and routine blood samples were obtained shortly after admission. NT pro-BNP, hs-CRP and big-ET were measured, and their concentrations in relation to all-cause mortality were assessed through a mean follow-up of 2.6 ± 1.6 years. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the all-cause mortality rates were higher in patients with NT pro-BNP > 2247 pmol/L compared to patients with NT pro-BNP < 2247 pmol/L (11.9% vs 34.8%, log-rank χ(2) = 35.588, P < 0.001), in patients with hs-CRP > 3.90 mg/L compared to patients with hs-CRP < 3.90 mg/L (12.8% vs 33.6%, log-rank χ(2) = 39.662, P < 0.001) and in patients with big-ET > 0.95 pmol/L compared to patients with big-ET <0.95 pmol/L (12.5% vs 31.0%, log-rank χ(2) = 17.890, P < 0.001). High circulating concentrations of NT pro-BNP (HR 2.217, 95% CI 1.015-4.846, P = 0.046) and hs-CRP (HR 1.922, 95% CI 1.236-2.988, P = 0.004), but not big-ET, in addition to left atrial diameter and fasting blood glucose, were independent predictors of the outcome defined as all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In a large population of patients with DCM, the circulating concentrations of NT pro-BNP and hs-CRP, but not big-ET, were independent markers of all-cause mortality

Who Has Published What in East Asian Studies? An Analysis of Publishers and Publishing Trends

This study examines Western-language, particularly English-language, monographs on East Asian studies published in the United States, Canada, England, Australia, and other countries from 2000 through 2005. The study provides a landscape view of the scope and trends of publications for both scholars and librarians in East Asian studies. The data for this study were collected from the YBP’s GOBI (Global Online Bibliographic Information) database, covering publications profiled by YBP from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2005. The results of data analysis shed light on scholarly currents and publishing trends in East Asian studies over that six-year period

Screening of Potential Hub Genes in Glioma Progression Based on Bioinformatics Analysis

Objectives:&nbsp;Glioma is the most common primary tumor of the central nervous system, and its therapeutic effect is not optimistic. In recent years, related therapeutic technologies have developed rapidly, but unfortunately, the improvement of clinical therapeutic effect is not satisfactory. In addition to conventional therapies, there are some attractive therapies, such as biological therapy (immunotherapy), gene therapy, etc[1]. Therefore, searching for potential target genes of glioma is of great significance for developing new therapeutic directions and designing new biomarkers[2].&nbsp;Methods: Download gene expression data set, GSE137902 gelatin and GSE13790 matrix through NCBI-G to screen overlapping differential expression genes (DEGs). In order to identify central genes from these genes, we conducted protein protein interaction (PPI) network. To further explore the potential mechanism of central genes in glioma, we performed gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Gene and Genome Encyclopedia (KEGG) analysis. Then get the intersection of key genes according to five algorithms of Closeness Degree EPC MCC Stress.&nbsp;The intersection is obtained through GSE117423, GSE188256 and GSE90598 in geo database, and finally verified through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve.&nbsp;Results:&nbsp;A total of 1274 differentially expressed genes are identified, and then 309 genes are obtained by intersection of the two. 16 Hub genes were obtained, and then the intersection of the two genes with GSE117423, GES188256 and GSE90598 genes was verified to obtain the key gene TIMP1 of glioma.&nbsp;Made the ROC curve of key gene.The intersection with hub gene was determined to identify TIMP1 as the key gene.&nbsp;Conclusion: The DEGs and Hub genes and signal pathways found in this study can confirm that the key gene TIMP1 is closely related to the occurrence and evolution of glioma, and provide candidate targets for the diagnosis and treatment of glioma

Differentiation of Soil Conditions over Low Relief Areas Using Feedback Dynamic Patterns

In many areas, such as plains and gently undulating terrain, easy-to-measure soil-forming factors such as landform and vegetation do not co-vary with soil conditions across space to the level that they can be effectively used in digital soil mapping. A challenging problem is how to develop a new environmental variable that co-varies with soil spatial variation under these situations. This study examined the idea that change patterns (dynamic feedback patterns) of the land surface, such as those captured daily by remote sensing images during a short period (6-7 d) after a major rain event, can be used to differentiate soil types. To examine this idea, we selected two study areas with different climates: one in northeastern China and the other in northwestern China. Images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) were used to capture land surface feedback. To measure feedback dynamics, we used spectral information divergence (SID). Results of an independent-samples t-test showed that there was a significant difference in SID values between pixel pairs of the same soil subgroup and those of different subgroups. This indicated that areas with different soil types (subgroup level) exhibited significantly different dynamic feedback patterns, and areas within the same soil type have similar dynamic feedback patterns. It was also found that the more similar the soil types, the more similar the feedback patterns. These findings could lead to the development of a new environmental covariate that could be used to improve the accuracy of soil snapping in low-relief areas

Analysing spatio-temporal patterns of non-native fish in a biodiversity hotspot across decades

Abstract Aim: Analysing the spatio-temporal patterns and dynamics of non-native species is essential to understanding the mechanisms underlying successful invasions and developing effective management strategies. Yet, such analyses generally neglect the influence of receiving ecosystem types and non-native species sources (i.e. alien species, non-natives originating outside the concerned region; translocated species, non-natives introduced to locations outside their historical range within the concerned region). Location: Yunnan, China. Methods: We analysed long-term (1950–2022) spatio-temporal patterns and potential underlying dynamics of non-native fishes in a biodiversity hotspot (Yunnan, China), paying special attention to waterbody types receiving non-native species and comparing alien and translocated species. We did this through compiling a highly comprehensive occurrence dataset of native and non-native fishes. Results: We recorded 783 native species and 94 non-native species (49 alien species and 45 translocated species), which mainly belonged to the order Cypriniformes (52 species) and were introduced via purposes for advancing aquaculture. Most frequently encountered non-native species were either intentionally introduced aquaculture species or small-bodied fish unintentionally introduced via aquaculture activities. The richness and spatial ranges of non-native fishes increased consistently since the 1950s and demonstrated a pronounced change after the 2000s, with densely populated areas and the middle to lower reaches of large rivers being more profoundly affected. The number of records of translocated species exceeded the number of records of alien species after the 2000s. Lakes and reservoirs are hotspots for both alien and translocated species introductions, and watersheds with large areas in Yunnan (e.g. the Jinsha-Yangtze and Lancang-Mekong basins) contained more non-native fish. Main Conclusions: Our study highlights the need to consider invasion sensitivities of receiving ecosystems and pay special attention to intra-regional species translocations when developing prevention and management strategies against invasions of alien species, particularly in important biodiversity hotspots around the world.Abstract Aim: Analysing the spatio-temporal patterns and dynamics of non-native species is essential to understanding the mechanisms underlying successful invasions and developing effective management strategies. Yet, such analyses generally neglect the influence of receiving ecosystem types and non-native species sources (i.e. alien species, non-natives originating outside the concerned region; translocated species, non-natives introduced to locations outside their historical range within the concerned region). Location: Yunnan, China. Methods: We analysed long-term (1950–2022) spatio-temporal patterns and potential underlying dynamics of non-native fishes in a biodiversity hotspot (Yunnan, China), paying special attention to waterbody types receiving non-native species and comparing alien and translocated species. We did this through compiling a highly comprehensive occurrence dataset of native and non-native fishes. Results: We recorded 783 native species and 94 non-native species (49 alien species and 45 translocated species), which mainly belonged to the order Cypriniformes (52 species) and were introduced via purposes for advancing aquaculture. Most frequently encountered non-native species were either intentionally introduced aquaculture species or small-bodied fish unintentionally introduced via aquaculture activities. The richness and spatial ranges of non-native fishes increased consistently since the 1950s and demonstrated a pronounced change after the 2000s, with densely populated areas and the middle to lower reaches of large rivers being more profoundly affected. The number of records of translocated species exceeded the number of records of alien species after the 2000s. Lakes and reservoirs are hotspots for both alien and translocated species introductions, and watersheds with large areas in Yunnan (e.g. the Jinsha-Yangtze and Lancang-Mekong basins) contained more non-native fish. Main Conclusions: Our study highlights the need to consider invasion sensitivities of receiving ecosystems and pay special attention to intra-regional species translocations when developing prevention and management strategies against invasions of alien species, particularly in important biodiversity hotspots around the world