bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alternate-Layered MXene Composite Film-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator with Enhanced Electrical Performance
Authors: Feng Yanmin , He Meng , Liu Xia , Wang Wei , Yu Aifang , Wan Lingyu , Zhai Junyi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe output power of the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) strongly depends on the performance of triboelectric materials, especially microstructures and functional groups of them. In this work, aiming at the excellent triboelectric ability, alternate-layered MXene composite films-based TENG with abundant fluorine groups(-F) through layer-by-layer stacking are designed and fabricated. Benefitting from the uniform intrinsic microstructure and increased dielectric constant, when the amount of the Nb2CTx nanosheets increases to 15 wt%, the TENG based on Nb2CTx/Ti3C2Tx composite nanosheets films achieves the maximum output. The short-circuit current density of 8.06 μA/cm2 and voltage of 34.63 V are 8.4 times and 3.5 times over that of pure Ti3C2Tx films, and 3.3 times and 4.3 times over that of commercial poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) films, respectively. Furthermore, the fabricated TENG could be attached to human body to harvest energy from human motions, such as typing, texting, and hand clapping. The results demonstrate that the alternate-layered MXene composite nanosheet films through layer-by-layer stacking possess remarkably triboelectric performance, which broaden the choice of negative triboelectric materials and supply a new choice for high output TENG.
A rigorous evaluation of optimal peptide targets for MS-based clinical diagnostics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Rajczewski Andrew T. , Mehta Subina , Nguyen Dinh Duy An , Grüning Björn , Johnson James E. , McGowan Thomas , Griffin Timothy J. , Jagtap Pratik D. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic has had a profound, lasting impact on the world's population. A key aspect to providing care for those with COVID-19 and checking its further spread is early and accurate diagnosis of infection, which has been generally done via methods for amplifying and detecting viral RNA molecules. Detection and quantitation of peptides using targeted mass spectrometry-based strategies has been proposed as an alternative diagnostic tool due to direct detection of molecular indicators from non-invasively collected samples as well as the potential for high-throughput analysis in a clinical setting; many studies have revealed the presence of viral peptides within easily accessed patient samples. However, evidence suggests that some viral peptides could serve as better indicators of COVID-19 infection status than others, due to potential misidentification of peptides derived from human host proteins, poor spectral quality, high limits of detection etc.MethodsIn this study we have compiled a list of 636 peptides identified from Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) samples, including from in vitro and clinical sources. These datasets were rigorously analyzed using automated, Galaxy-based workflows containing tools such as PepQuery, BLAST-P, and the Multi-omic Visualization Platform as well as the open-source tools MetaTryp and Proteomics Data Viewer (PDV).ResultsUsing PepQuery for confirming peptide spectrum matches, we were able to narrow down the 639-peptide possibilities to 87 peptides that were most robustly detected and specific to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The specificity of these sequences to coronavirus taxa was confirmed using Unipept and BLAST-P. Through stringent p-value cutoff combined with manual verification of peptide spectrum match quality, 4 peptides derived from the nucleocapsid phosphoprotein and membrane protein were found to be most robustly detected across all cell culture and clinical samples, including those collected non-invasively.ConclusionWe propose that these peptides would be of the most value for clinical proteomics applications seeking to detect COVID-19 from patient samples. We also contend that samples harvested from the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity have the highest potential for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection from easily collected patient samples using mass spectrometry-based proteomics assays.
The diversity of opsins in Lake Baikal amphipods (Amphipoda: Gammaridae)
Authors: Drozdova Polina , Kizenko Alena , Saranchina Alexandra , Gurkov Anton , Firulyova Maria , Govorukhina Ekaterina , Timofeyev Maxim 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Vision is a crucial sense for the evolutionary success of many animal groups. Here we explore the diversity of visual pigments (opsins) in the transcriptomes of amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda) and conclude that it is restricted to middle (MWS) and long wavelength-sensitive (LWS) opsins in the overwhelming majority of examined species.

Results
We evidenced (i) parallel loss of MWS opsin expression in multiple species (including two independently evolved lineages from the deep and ancient Lake Baikal) and (ii) LWS opsin amplification (up to five transcripts) in both Baikal lineages. The number of LWS opsins negatively correlated with habitat depth in Baikal amphipods. Some LWS opsins in Baikal amphipods contained MWS-like substitutions, suggesting that they might have undergone spectral tuning.

Conclusions
This repeating two-step evolutionary scenario suggests common triggers, possibly the lack of light during the periods when Baikal was permanently covered with thick ice and its subsequent melting. Overall, this observation demonstrates the possibility of revealing climate history by following the evolutionary changes in protein families.
Transcriptomic analysis reveals pronounced changes in gene expression due to sub-lethal pyrethroid exposure and ageing in insecticide resistance Anopheles coluzzii
Authors: Ingham V. A. , Brown F. , Ranson H. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Malaria control is heavily reliant on the use of insecticides that target and kill the adult female Anopheline vector. The intensive use of insecticides of the pyrethroid class has led to widespread resistance in mosquito populations. The intensity of pyrethroid resistance in some settings in Africa means mosquitoes can contact bednets treated with this insecticide class multiple times with minimal mortality effects. Furthermore, both ageing and diel cycle have been shown to have large impacts on the resistance phenotype. Together, these traits may affect other aspects of vector biology controlling the vectorial capacity or fitness of the mosquito.

Results
Here we show that sublethal exposure of a highly resistant Anopheles coluzzii population originally from Burkina Faso to the pyrethroid deltamethrin results in large and sustained changes to transcript expression. We identify five clear patterns in the data showing changes to transcripts relating to: DNA repair, respiration, translation, behaviour and oxioreductase processes. Further, we highlight differential regulation of transcripts from detoxification families previously linked with insecticide resistance, in addition to clear down-regulation of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway both indicative of changes in metabolism post-exposure. Finally, we show that both ageing and diel cycle have major effects on known insecticide resistance related transcripts.

Conclusion
Sub-lethal pyrethroid exposure, ageing and the diel cycle results in large-scale changes in the transcriptome of the major malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii. Our data strongly supports further phenotypic studies on how transcriptional changes such as reduced expression of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway or pyrethroid induced changes to redox state might impact key mosquito traits, such as vectorial capacity and life history traits.
Genome wide analysis of kinesin gene family in Citrullus lanatus reveals an essential role in early fruit development
Authors: Tian Shujuan , Jiang Jiao , Xu Guo-qi , Wang Tan , Liu Qiyan , Chen Xiner , Liu Man , Yuan Li 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Kinesin (KIN) as a motor protein is a versatile nano-machine and involved in diverse essential processes in plant growth and development. However, the kinesin gene family has not been identified in watermelon, a valued and nutritious fruit, and yet their functions have not been characterized. Especially, their involvement in early fruit development, which directly determines the size, shape, yield and quality of the watermelon fruit, remains unclear.

Results
In this study, we performed a whole-genome investigation and comprehensive analysis of kinesin genes in C. lanatus. In total, 48 kinesins were identified and categorized into 10 kinesin subfamilies groups based on phylogenetic analysis. Their uneven distribution on 11 chromosomes was revealed by distribution analysis. Conserved motif analysis showed that the ATP-binding motif of kinesins was conserved within all subfamilies, but not the microtubule-binding motif. 10 segmental duplication pairs genes were detected by the syntenic and phylogenetic approaches, which showed the expansion of the kinesin gene family in C. lanatus genome during evolution. Moreover, 5 ClKINs genes are specifically and abundantly expressed in early fruit developmental stages according to comprehensive expression profile analysis, implying their critical regulatory roles during early fruit development. Our data also demonstrated that the majority of kinesin genes were responsive to plant hormones, revealing their potential involvement in the signaling pathways of plant hormones.

Conclusions
Kinesin gene family in watermelon was comprehensively analyzed in this study, which establishes a foundation for further functional investigation of C. lanatus kinesin genes and provides novel insights into their biological functions. In addition, these results also provide useful information for understanding the relationship between plant hormone and kinesin genes in C. lanatus.
Predicting venous thromboembolism in hospitalized trauma patients: a combination of the Caprini score and data-driven machine learning model
Authors: He Lingxiao , Luo Lei , Hou Xiaoling , Liao Dengbin , Liu Ran , Ouyang Chaowei , Wang Guanglin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication of hospitalized trauma patients and has an adverse impact on patient outcomes. However, there is still a lack of appropriate tools for effectively predicting VTE for trauma patients. We try to verify the accuracy of the Caprini score for predicting VTE in trauma patients, and further improve the prediction through machine learning algorithms.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed emergency trauma patients who were admitted to a trauma center in a tertiary hospital from September 2019 to March 2020. The data in the patient’s electronic health record (EHR) and the Caprini score were extracted, combined with multiple feature screening methods and the random forest (RF) algorithm to constructs the VTE prediction model, and compares the prediction performance of (1) using only Caprini score; (2) using EHR data to build a machine learning model; (3) using EHR data and Caprini score to build a machine learning model. True Positive Rate (TPR), False Positive Rate (FPR), Area Under Curve (AUC), accuracy, and precision were reported.

Results
The Caprini score shows a good VTE prediction effect on the trauma hospitalized population when the cut-off point is 11 (TPR = 0.667, FPR = 0.227, AUC = 0.773), The best prediction model is LASSO+RF model combined with Caprini Score and other five features extracted from EHR data (TPR = 0.757, FPR = 0.290, AUC = 0.799).

Conclusion
The Caprini score has good VTE prediction performance in trauma patients, and the use of machine learning methods can further improve the prediction performance.
Discovery and validation of novel protein markers in mucosa of portal hypertensive gastropathy
Authors: Zhu Ying , Xu Wen , Hu Wei , Wang Fang , Zhou Yan , Xu Jianguo , Gong Wei 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Portal hypertension induced esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding is the main cause of death among patients of decompensated liver cirrhosis. Therefore, a standardized, biomarker-based test, to make an early-stage non-invasive risk assessment of portal hypertension, is highly desirable. However, no fit-for-purpose biomarkers have yet been identified.

Methods
We conducted a pilot study consisting of 5 portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) patients and 5 normal controls, sampling the gastric mucosa of normal controls and PHG patients before and after endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection, using label-free quantitative (LFQ) mass spectrometry, to identify potential biomarker candidates in gastric mucosa from PHG patients and normal controls. Then we further used parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) to verify the abundance of the targeted protein.

Results
LFQ analyses identified 423 significantly differentially expressed proteins. 17 proteins that significantly elevated in the gastric mucosa of PHG patients were further validated using PRM.

Conclusions
This is the first application of an LFQ-PRM workflow to identify and validate PHG–specific biomarkers in patient gastric mucosa samples. Our findings lay the foundation for comprehending the molecular mechanisms of PHG pathogenesis, and provide potential applications for useful biomarkers in early diagnosis and treatment.
Trial registration and ethics approval: Trial registration was completed (ChiCTR2000029840) on February 25, 2020. Ethics Approvals were completed on July 17, 2017 (NYSZYYEC20180003) and February 15, 2020 (NYSZYYEC20200005).
Epidemiological characteristics of the COVID-19 spring outbreak in Quebec, Canada: a population-based study
Authors: Jantzen Rodolphe , Noisel Nolwenn , Camilleri-Broët Sophie , Labbé Catherine , Malliard Thibault de , Payette Yves , Broët Philippe 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundBy mid-July 2020, more than 108,000 COVID-19 cases had been diagnosed in Canada with more than half in the province of Quebec. In this context, we launched a study to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and the socio-economic impact of the spring outbreak in the population.MethodWe conducted an online survey of the participants of the CARTaGENE population-based cohort, composed of middle-aged and older adults. We collected information on socio-demographic, lifestyle, health condition, COVID-19 related symptoms and COVID-19 testing. We studied the association between these factors and two outcomes: the status of having been tested for SARS-CoV-2 and the status of having received a positive test. These associations were measured with univariate and multivariate analyses using a hybrid tree-based regression model.ResultsAmong the 8,129 respondents from the CARTaGENE cohort, 649 were tested for COVID-19 and 41 were positive. Medical workers and individuals having a contact with a COVID-19 patient had the highest probabilities of being tested (32% and 42.4%, respectively) and of being positive (17.2% and 13.0%, respectively) among those tested. Approximately 8% of the participants declared that they have experienced at least one of the four COVID-19 related symptoms chosen by the Public Health authorities (fever, cough, dyspnea, anosmia) but were not tested. Results from the tree-based model analyses adjusted on exposure factors showed that the combination of dyspnea, dry cough and fever was highly associated with being tested whereas anosmia, fever, and headache were the most discriminant factors for having a positive test among those tested. During the spring outbreak, more than one third of the participants have experienced a decrease in access to health services. There were gender and age differences in the socio-economic and emotional impacts of the pandemic.ConclusionWe have shown some discrepancies between the symptoms associated with being tested and being positive. In particular, the anosmia is a major discriminant symptom for positivity whereas ear-nose-throat symptoms seem not to be COVID-19 related. The results also emphasize the need of increasing the accessibility of testing for the general population.
A novel risk-predicted nomogram for sepsis associated-acute kidney injury among critically ill patients
Authors: Yang Shanglin , Su Tingting , Huang Lina , Feng Lu-Huai , Liao Tianbao 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a prevalent and severe complication of sepsis contributing to high morbidity and mortality among critically ill patients. In this retrospective study, we develop a novel risk-predicted nomogram of sepsis associated-AKI (SA-AKI).

Methods
A total of 2,871 patients from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) critical care database were randomly assigned to primary (2,012 patients) and validation (859 patients) cohorts. A risk-predicted nomogram for SA-AKI was developed through multivariate logistic regression analysis in the primary cohort while the nomogram was evaluated in the validation cohort. Nomogram discrimination and calibration were assessed using C-index and calibration curves in the primary and external validation cohorts. The clinical utility of the final nomogram was evaluated using decision curve analysis.

Results
Risk predictors included in the prediction nomogram included length of stay in intensive care unit (LOS in ICU), baseline serum creatinine (SCr), glucose, anemia, and vasoactive drugs. Nomogram revealed moderate discrimination and calibration in estimating the risk of SA-AKI, with an unadjusted C-index of 0.752, 95 %Cl (0.730–0.774), and a bootstrap-corrected C index of 0.749. Application of the nomogram in the validation cohort provided moderate discrimination (C-index, 0.757 [95 % CI, 0.724–0.790]) and good calibration. Besides, the decision curve analysis (DCA) confirmed the clinical usefulness of the nomogram.

Conclusions
This study developed and validated an AKI risk prediction nomogram applied to critically ill patients with sepsis, which may help identify reasonable risk judgments and treatment strategies to a certain extent. Nevertheless, further verification using external data is essential to enhance its applicability in clinical practice.
When to perform curettage after uterine artery embolization for cesarean scar pregnancy: a clinical study
Authors: Wang Qiao , Peng Hongling , Zhao Xia , Qi Xiaorong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Prophylactic uterine artery embolization (UAE) combined with subsequent curettage is suggested as an effective and minimally invasive treatment strategy for cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) with a high bleeding risk. However, the timing of curettage after UAE remains to be studied. Thus, we aimed to identify the optimal time interval to perform curettage after UAE in patients with CSP.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a large medical center for women and children in Southwest China. CSP patients treated by UAE combined with subsequent curettage were included and grouped by the treatment time interval between these two procedures. The clinical outcomes among arms were compared by univariate and multivariable analysis.

Results
Our study included 314 CSP patients who received this combination treatment in our department from January 2014 to December 2019. The median time interval between UAE and curettage was 48 h, with a range of 12-168 h among all participants. Thirty-two patients (10.2%) experienced intraoperative hemorrhage (blood loss ≥200 mL). Intrauterine balloon tamponade was used in 17 cases (5.4%). In 14 cases (4.5%), the procedure was converted to laparoscopy (or laparotomy). In the cohort study, patients with longer treatment intervals had more intraoperative blood loss and a higher incidence of complications than those with shorter intervals (P < 0.05). The rates of intraoperative bleeding were 5.0% for patients who received curettage within 24 h after UAE (Arm 1) and 19.4% for those who had a treatment interval longer than 72 h (Arm 4). In the multivariable logistic regression model of bleeding, a treatment interval > 72 h had an adjusted odds ratio of 3.37 (95% confidence interval: 1.40-8.09).

Conclusion
We suggest that curettage not be delayed longer than 72 h after UAE in this combined treatment of CSP.
A randomized controlled trial to test the effect of simplified guidance with visuals on comprehension of COVID-19 guidelines and intention to stay home if symptomatic
Authors: Gold Natalie , Watson Robin , Weston Dale , Greaves Felix , Amlôt Richard 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
In the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that people understand and comply with self-isolation guidelines. We tested whether a simplified version of the guidelines and a simplified version with visual aids would affect comprehension and intention to self-isolate during the containment phase of the pandemic in the UK, in March 2020, compared to the standard guidelines.

Methods
We conducted an online, three-armed parallel randomized controlled trial. Participants were English and over 18. The survey software randomized them into conditions; they were blind to condition. The control group read the 7-page standard guidelines (the current version at the time of the trial). The intervention groups were given either a 3-page simplified version, with a summary box on the front page and numbered bullet points, or the same simplified version with pictograms illustrating the points in the box. Primary outcomes were comprehension of the guidelines, as measured by the number of correct answers given to six questions about the content, and the proportion who answered that they would ‘definitely’ stay at home for 7 days if symptomatic.

Findings
Recruitment was from 13 to 16 March 2020, with 1845 participants randomised and all data analysed. The Control group averaged 4.27 correct answers, the Simplified 4.20, and the Simplified + visual aids 4.13, out of a possible total of 6 correct answers. There were no differences in comprehension in the unadjusted models; however, when the model was adjusted for demographic variables, there was lower comprehension in the simplified + visual aids condition than in the control, (ß = − 0.16, p = 0.04998). There were no statistically significant differences in intention to stay home: Control was 85%, Simplified 83%, and Simplified + visual aids condition 84%.

Conclusion
Simplified guidance did not improve comprehension compared to the standard guidance issued in the containment phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, and simplified guidance with visual aids may even have worsened comprehension. Simplified guidance had no effect on intention to stay home if symptomatic. This trial informed COVID-19 policy and provides insights relevant to guidance production in the acute phase of a major public health emergency.