bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coronary artery calcification progression and long-term cardiovascular outcomes in renal transplant recipients: an analysis by the joint model
Authors: Seyahi Nurhan , Alagoz Selma , Atli Zeynep , Ozcan Seyda Gul , Tripepi Giovanni , Bakir Alev , Trabulus Sinan , Pekmezci Salih , Zoccali Carmine 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT

Background
Compared with the general population, the risk of death is substantially higher in renal transplant recipients than in age- and sex-matched individuals in the general population. In the general population, coronary artery calcification (CAC) predicts all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. In this study we aimed to analyse these relationships in renal transplant recipients.

Methods
We examined 178 renal transplant patients in this prospective observational cohort study. We measured CAC with multidetector spiral computed tomography using the Agatston score at multiple time points. Overall, 411 scans were performed in 178 patients over an average 12.8 years follow-up. The clinical endpoint was a composite including all-cause death and non-fatal cardiovascular events. Data analysis was performed by the joint model.

Results
During a follow-up of 12.8 ± 2.4 years, coronary calcification progressed over time (P &lt; 0.001) and the clinical endpoint occurred in 54 patients. In the analysis by the joint model, both the baseline CAC score and the CAC score progression were strongly associated with the incidence rate of the composite event [hazard ratio 1.261 (95% confidence interval 1.119–1.420), P = 0.0001].

Conclusions
CAC at baseline and coronary calcification progression robustly predict the risk of death and cardiovascular events in renal transplant recipients. These findings support the hypothesis that the link between the calcifying arteriopathy of renal transplant patients and clinical end points in these patients is causal in nature.
Successful treatment of refractory hypertension with bilateral nephrectomy in a patient with chronic kidney disease stage 3
Authors: Zemke Anna M , Rodby Roger A , Hertl Martin , Waleed Ali , Bakris George L 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT
We present a case of life-threatening refractory hypertension (rHTN) in a patient with stage 3b chronic kidney disease that was unresponsive to open surgical renal denervation (RDN) but responded to bilateral nephrectomy (BLN). Both RDN and BLN reduce the increased sympathetic activation in rHTN. However, RDN has yet to show reductions in blood pressure adequate for the average patient with rHTN, and BLN has thus far been reserved for patients with preexisting end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Our case suggests that there are patients with rHTN that warrant consideration of BLN prior to developing ESKD.
Genome-Scale Methylation Analysis of Circulating Cell-Free DNA in Gastric Cancer Patients
Authors: Ren Jie , Lu Ping , Zhou Xin , Liao Yuhan , Liu Xiaomeng , Li Jingyi , Wang Wendong , Wang Jilian , Wen Lu , Fu Wei , Tang Fuchou 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background
Aberrant DNA hypermethylation of CpG islands (CGIs) occurs frequently and is genome-wide in human gastric cancer (GC). A DNA methylation approach in plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is attractive for the noninvasive detection of GC. Here, we performed genome-scale cfDNA methylation analysis in patients with GC.

Methods
We used MCTA-Seq, a genome-scale DNA methylation analysis method, on the plasma samples of patients with GC (n = 89) and control participants (n = 82), as well as 28 pairs of GC and adjacent noncancerous tissues. The capacity of the method for detecting GC and discriminating GC from colorectal cancer (CRC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was assessed.

Results
We identified 153 cfDNA methylation biomarkers, including DOCK10, CABIN1, and KCNQ5, for detecting GC in blood. A panel of these biomarkers gave a sensitivity of 44%, 59%, 78%, and 100% for stage I, II, III, and IV tumors, respectively, at a specificity of 92%. CpG island methylation phenotype (CIMP) tumors and NON-CIMP tumors could be distinguished and detected effectively. We also identified several hundreds of cfDNA biomarkers differentially methylated between GC, CRC, and HCC, and showed that MCTA-Seq can discriminate early-stage GC, CRC, and HCC in blood by using a high specificity (approximately 100%) algorithm.

Conclusions
Our comprehensive analyses provided valuable data on cfDNA methylation biomarkers of GC and showed the promise of cfDNA methylation for the blood-based noninvasive detection of GC.
Could diffuse coevolution explain the generic eggshell color of the brown-headed cowbird?
Authors: Hanley Daniel , Moghaddame-Jafari Beheshteh , Rutledge Samantha L 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The brown-headed cowbird (hereafter cowbird) is an avian brood parasite that produces an egg dissimilar to those produced by the majority of its diverse host community. The cowbird’s generic egg may result from a Jack-of-all-trades strategy; however, the evolutionary mechanisms that select for their generic eggs are unclear. Here we propose that the cowbird’s eggshell phenotypes have evolved via diffuse coevolution, which results from community-level selective pressures, rather than via pairwise coevolution that occurs between a particular host species and its brood parasite. Under diffuse coevolution the cowbird’s host community, with varying eggshell phenotypes and recognition abilities, would select for a cowbird eggshell phenotype intermediate to those of its host community. This selection is exerted by hosts that reject cowbird eggs, rather than those that accept them; therefore, we expect cowbird eggshell colors can be approximated by both the phenotypes and rejection abilities of their host community. Here we use eggshell reflectance data from 43 host species to demonstrate that the cowbird eggshell phenotypes are reasonably predicted (within 2 just noticeable differences) by the eggshell phenotypes and rejection rates of their hosts. These findings suggest that cowbird eggshell phenotypes, and potentially those of other some generalist parasites, may evolve via diffuse coevolution. Importantly, this research provides insight into the underlying evolutionary processes that explain observed phenotypic variation and provides a framework for studying selection on both specialist and generalist parasites’ traits.
Influence of mutuality on quality of life in heart failure patient with inadequate self-care and caregiver dyads: an actor–partner interdependence model analysis
Authors: Dellafiore Federica , Chung Misook L , Alvaro Rosaria , Zeffiro Valentina , Ercole Vellone , Pucciarelli Gianluca 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Aims
Mutuality, a positive quality of the relationship between patients and their informal caregivers characterized by love and affection, shared pleasurable activities, shared values, and reciprocity, influences several patient–caregiver outcomes in chronic-condition cases, but it remains unknown whether it influences the heart failure (HF) patient–caregiver dyad quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of mutuality and its four dimensions (love and affection, shared pleasurable activities, shared values, and reciprocity) on QOL in HF patient–caregiver dyads

Methods and results
Cross-sectional study: Using the actor–partner interdependence model, we examined how an individual’s mutuality influenced his/her own QOL (actor effect) and his/her partner’s QOL (partner effect). Mutuality and physical and mental QOL were measured with the Mutuality Scale and Short Form 12, respectively. A total of 494 HF patient–caregiver dyads were enrolled in the study. Mutuality showed strong evidence of caregiver partner effects on the HF patients’ physical QOL (total score B = 2.503, P = 0.001; shared pleasurable activities B = 2.265, P &lt; 0.001; shared values B = 1.174, P = 0.420 and reciprocity B = 1.888, P = 0.001). For the mental QOL, mutuality and its four subscales had actor effects only on the patients’ mental health (total mutuality B = 2.646, P = 0.003; love and affection B = 1.599, P = 0.360; shared pleasurable activities B = 2.599, P = 0.001; shared values B = 1.564, P = 0.001 and reciprocity B = 1.739, P = 0.020). In caregivers, mutuality had an actor effects on mental QOL (total score B = 1.548, P = 0.041 and reciprocity B = 1.526, P = 0.009).

Conclusion
Our results confirm the important role of mutuality in determining the physical and mental QOL in HF patient–caregiver dyads. Interventions aimed at improving the relationships within HF patient–caregiver dyads may have an impact on HF patients’ and caregivers’ QOL.
SimFFPE and FilterFFPE: improving structural variant calling in FFPE samples
Authors: Wei Lanying , Dugas Martin , Sandmann Sarah 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background
Artifact chimeric reads are enriched in next-generation sequencing data generated from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. Previous work indicated that these reads are characterized by erroneous split-read support that is interpreted as evidence of structural variants. Thus, a large number of false-positive structural variants are detected. To our knowledge, no tool is currently available to specifically call or filter structural variants in FFPE samples. To overcome this gap, we developed 2 R packages: SimFFPE and FilterFFPE.

Results
SimFFPE is a read simulator, specifically designed for next-generation sequencing data from FFPE samples. A mixture of characteristic artifact chimeric reads, as well as normal reads, is generated. FilterFFPE is a filtration algorithm, removing artifact chimeric reads from sequencing data while keeping real chimeric reads. To evaluate the performance of FilterFFPE, we performed structural variant calling with 3 common tools (Delly, Lumpy, and Manta) with and without prior filtration with FilterFFPE. After applying FilterFFPE, the mean positive predictive value improved from 0.27 to 0.48 in simulated samples and from 0.11 to 0.27 in real samples, while sensitivity remained basically unchanged or even slightly increased.

Conclusions
FilterFFPE improves the performance of SV calling in FFPE samples. It was validated by analysis of simulated and real data.
Public health insurance and ethnic disparities in maternal health care: the case of vulnerable Mexican women over the last 25 years
Authors: Serván-Mori Edson , Orozco-Núñez Emanuel , Heredia-Pi Ileana , Armenta-Paulino Nancy , Wirtz Veronika J , Meneses-Navarro Sergio , Nigenda Gustavo 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
This article examines the coverage in the continuum of antenatal–postnatal care for vulnerable women in Mexico according to indigenous status and assesses the influence of public health insurance strategies on the evolution of coverage over the last 25 years. We studied a total of 19 613 567 Mexican women, aged 12–54 years at last birth, based on a pooled cross-sectional analysis of data from the 1997, 2009, 2014 and 2018 waves of the National Survey of Demographic Dynamics. After describing sociodemographic characteristics and maternal-health coverage by indigenous status, we constructed a pooled fixed-effects and interaction multivariable regression model to assess the influence of the Seguro Popular programme on continuum of care. We estimated adjusted continuum of care coverage between 1994 and 2018 according to Seguro Popular affiliation and indigenous status. Prior to the Seguro Popular programme, crude coverage in the continuum of care for non-indigenous women stood at 14.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 13.2–15.8%] or 11 percentage points higher than for indigenous women. During the last period of the programme, it rose to 46.5% [95% CI: 45.6–47.5%] and 34.1% [95% CI: 30.7–37.4%], respectively. Our regression analysis corroborated findings that, on average, indigenous women faced lower odds of benefiting from continuum of care [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.40–0.57] than did their non-indigenous counterparts. It also revealed that coverage for indigenous women without Seguro Popular affiliation was 26.7% [95% CI: 23.3–30.1%] or 12 percentage points lower than for those with Seguro Popular affiliation (38.6%, 95% CI: 35.7–41.4%). Our regression results confirmed that the latter benefited from higher odds of continuum of care (aOR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.36–2.26). Gaps between those of indigenous and non-indigenous status have persisted, but the Seguro Popular clearly contributed to reducing the coverage gaps between these two groups of women. Strategies yielding better outcomes are required to improve the structural conditions of indigenous populations.
Energetic Lifestyle Drives Size and Shape of Avian Erythrocytes
Authors: Soulsbury Carl D , Dobson Jessica , Deeming D Charles , Minias Piotr 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The size and shape of red blood cells (erythrocytes) is determined by key life history strategies in vertebrates. They have a fundamental role to deliver oxygen to tissues, and their ability to do so is shaped by the tissue's need and their shape. Despite considerable interest in how other components of blood are shaped by ecology and life history, few studies have considered erythrocytes themselves. We tested how erythrocyte size and shape varied in relation to energetically demanding activities using a dataset of 631 bird species. We found that in general, birds undergoing greater activities such as long distance migration had smaller and more elongated cells, while those with greater male-male competition had smaller and rounder cells. Smaller, more elongated erythrocytes allow more rapid oxygenation/deoxygenation and support greater aerobic activity. The rounder erythrocytes found in species with strong male–male competition may stem from younger erythrocytes deriving from androgen-induced erythropoiesis rates. Finally, diving species of bird had larger erythrocytes, indicating that erythrocytes are acting as a vital oxygen store. In summary, erythrocyte size and shape in birds are driven by the need to deliver oxygen during energetically costly activities.
Analysis of an electroless plating problem
Authors: Girault Vivette , Pironneau Olivier , Wu Po-Yi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractElectroless plating in microfluidic channels is a novel technology at the micrometer scale. As the microchannel depth varies with the flow of the chemicals, care must be taken for the channel not to run dry. Owing to the deposited chemical species the physical domain of the flow changes with time, leading to a free boundary problem. As the motion of the free boundary is small it is modelled by a transpiration approximation. With this simplification, the mathematical model consists of a Navier–Stokes flow and an equation for the concentration of the plating chemical coupled by nonstandard and nonlinear boundary conditions. Existence and uniqueness are proved for the concentration equation, assuming that the flow is given. Numerical analysis is carried out and justifies the proposed numerical schemes and the nonlinear algorithms. The numerical study is performed, in the two-dimensional case, with the finite element method and an implicit Euler time scheme for the coupled problem with the Navier–Stokes flow and the nonlinear concentration equation.
Expression Analyses of Vitellogenin and Target of Rapamycin of Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), and Their Effects on Reproduction
Authors: Yi Jinyu , Li Fei , Xu Changyu , Liu Yudi , Hou Maolin 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Vitellogenin (Vg) and the target of rapamycin (TOR) are important genes involved in insect reproduction regulation. In this work, the full lengths of the Vg (SfVg) and TOR (SfTOR) genes of the white-backed planthopper Sogatella furcifera were cloned. The expression pattern in females showed that SfVg was highly expressed in fat bodies, and SfTOR was highly expressed in Malpighian tubules. After silencing SfVg or SfTOR, female adults did not deposit eggs. Their ovarian development was delayed, and yolk protein deposition in the oocytes was reduced. However, wild-type females mated with SfTOR-silenced males could lay eggs and produce offsprings normally. The dissections of testes and accessory glands of males with SfTOR knockdown showed that their development was not affected. Therefore, the silencing of the SfVg or SfTOR genes can effectively inhibit female reproduction, but SfTOR knockdown has no significant effect on male reproductive capacity. Furthermore, silencing SfTOR can cause SfVg expression to decrease significantly. All of the above results revealed that SfVg and SfTOR are essential for white-backed planthopper reproduction and may provide a potential target for pest control.
Regional local integrated rockburst monitoring and early warning for multi-seam mining
Authors: Mu Hongwei , Song Dazhao , He Xueqiu , Li Zhenlei , Su Dongfang , Xue Yarong 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Rockburst has become a main problem affecting the safety and efficiency of coal mine production. Early warning of it is essentially important for safety management. The dynamic and static load sources of rockburst, induced by multi-coal seam mining, are more complex, making rockburst prediction more difficult. The problem of rockburst early warnings in multi-seam mining was addressed by establishing a regional local integrated rockburst monitoring and early warning method based on the following criteria. (i) In regional space, the microseismic (MS) frequency ratio index and dispersion index were used to predict the regional dynamic load. (ii) In the local excavation and mining space, the risk degree of local static load concentration was characterised by the overrun amplitude indexes of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) intensity and pulse. (iii) According to the predicted spatial location of dynamic load and the attenuation law of regional dynamic load, the influence weight of the regional dynamic load on the excavation and mining space was determined. Based on this, the danger degrees of regional dynamic load and local static load were superposed to realise the regional local integrated warning of rockburst. This prediction method was applied for predicting rockburst in the Xinzhouyao mine, and the result indicated that the method can effectively predict the occurrence of dynamic load, the risk degree of local static load and rockburst induced by multiple types of dynamic and static loading combined together. The reliability of this prediction method was verified by records of roadway deformation and rockburst, and detection results from passive velocity tomography.
Characterization and Developmental Expression Patterns of Four Hexamerin Genes in the Bumble Bee,Bombus terrestris(Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: Tian Yakai , Qu Yingping , Dong Kun , He Shaoyu , Jie Wu , Huang Jiaxing 
Published: September 2021

AbstractHexamerins are members of the hemocyanin superfamily and play essential roles in providing amino acids and energy for the nonfeeding stages of insects. In this study, we cloned and analyzed the expression patterns of four hexamerin genes (hex 70a, hex 70b, hex 70c, and hex 110) at different worker development stages and queen diapause statuses in the bumble bee, Bombus terrestris. The results of this study showed that hex 110 has the longest open reading frame (ORF; 3,297 bp) compared to the ORFs of hex 70a (2,034 bp), hex 70b (2,067 bp), and hex 70c (2,055 bp). The putative translation product of Hex 70a, Hex 70b, Hex70c, and Hex 110 has 677, 688, 684, and 1,098aa with predicted molecular mass of 81.13, 79.69, 81.58, and 119 kDa. In the development stages of workers, the expression levels of hex 70a, hex 70b, and hex 70c increased gradually from the larval stage and exhibited high expression levels at the pink eyed and brown eyed pupae stage, whereas hex 110 exhibited the highest expression level at the larval period. Four hexamerin genes were highly expressed at the prediapause status of queen (P &lt; 0.05), and compared to the eclosion queen, the lowest upregulation was 3.7-fold, and the highest upregulation was 1,742-fold. The expression levels of hex 70b, hex 70c, and hex 110 at diapause were significantly higher than those at postdiapause (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, hexamerins may play important roles in queen diapause and metamorphosis of larval and pupal stages.
Transcriptomic profiling reveals gene expression in human peripheral blood after exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation
Authors: Fang Fang , Yu Xiaoling , Wang Xiaochun , Zhu Xiaojun , Liu Lantao , Rong Li , Niu Dongsheng , Li Jue 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Although the health effects of exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation have been the focus of many studies, the affected biological functions and underlying regulatory mechanisms are not well-understood. In particular, the influence of radiation exposure at doses of less than 200 mGy on the regulation of genes and pathways remains unclear. To investigate the molecular alterations induced by varying doses of low-dose radiation (LDR), transcriptomic analysis was conducted based on ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing following exposure to 50 and 150 mGy doses. Human peripheral blood was collected, and the samples were divided into three groups, including two treatments and one control (no radiation). A total of 876 (318 upregulated and 558 downregulated) and 486 (202 upregulated and 284 downregulated) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified after exposure to 50 mGy and 150 mGy, respectively. Most upregulated genes in both the 50 mGy and 150 mGy groups were associated with ‘antigen processing and presentation,’ which appeared to be the major targets affected by LDR exposure. Several interacting genes, including HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQA2, HLA-DQB2, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DRB5 were mapped to ‘antigen processing and presentation,’ ‘immune system-related diseases’ and the ‘cytokine-mediated signaling pathway,’ suggesting that these genes might drive the downstream transmission of these signal transduction pathways. Our results suggest that exposure to LDR may elicit changes in key genes and associated pathways, probably helping further explore the biological processes and molecular mechanism responsible for low-dose occupational or environmental exposures in humans.
Semaphorin 3A Levels in Lupus with and without Secondary Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome and Renal Involvement
Authors: Kart Bayram Gözde Sevgi , Erden Abdulsamet , Bayram Doğan , Özdemir Bahar , Karakaş Özlem , Apaydın Hakan , Ateş Ortaç , Güven Serdar Can , Armağan Berkan , Gök Kevser , Maraş Yüksel , Omma Ahmet , Küçükşahin Orhan , Topçuoğlu Canan , Erten Şükran 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate semaphorin 3A levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with and without renal involvement and secondary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS).MethodsPatients with SLE were grouped according to the presence of secondary APS or renal involvement. The control group consisted of age-matched, nonsmoking, healthy volunteers. Semaphorin 3A levels were compared among groups. All patients with SLE were regrouped according to the presence of thrombotic events, miscarriages, and proteinuria, and semaphorin 3A levels were investigated. Finally, semaphorin 3A levels of all patients with SLE as a single group were compared to those of the control patients.ResultsThe mean semaphorin 3A values were 16.16 ± 2.84 ng/mL in the control group, 9.05 ± 5.65 ng/mL in patients with SLE without nephritis and APS, 11.28 ± 5.23 ng/mL in the SLE with APS group, and 8.53 ± 5.11 ng/mL in the lupus nephritis group. When all 3 patient groups were examined as a single group, the mean semaphorin 3A value was significantly lower than that of the control group. Semaphorin 3A was reduced in patients with SLE with thromboembolism and/or history of miscarriage.ConclusionSemaphorin 3A levels were lower in all patient groups compared to the control group. Moreover, the reduced semaphorin 3A levels in patients with a history of thromboembolism and/or miscarriage suggest that semaphorin 3A may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vasculopathy.