bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endovascular Debulking of Human Carotid Plaques by Using an Excimer Laser Combined With Balloon Angioplasty: An ex vivo Study
Authors: Yang Kai , Tan Jinyun , Deng Ying , Shi Weihao , Yu Bo 
Published: September 2021

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of applying an excimer laser in debulking human carotid atherosclerotic plaques by investigating the distal debris, plaque luminal gain, and micromorphology of the plaque surface.Methods: Eighteen plaque samples obtained from carotid endarterectomy (CEA) were randomly allocated to the excimer laser ablation (45 mJ/mm2, 25 Hz) alone group (group 1), balloon angioplasty (8 atm) alone group (group 2), and excimer laser ablation combined with balloon angioplasty group (group 3). Hematoxylin–eosin staining and Movat's pentachrome staining were performed on the collected particles to quantify the size and composition of the debris. The superficial micromorphological structure of the plaque lumen surface after device treatments was observed using a scanning electron microscope. Micro-CT, tissue sections, and pathological stainings were applied to the treated plaques. The plaque lumen and artery lumen were three-dimensionally reconstructed using clinical computed tomography angiography and the micro-CT images. Lumen enlargement was set as the main measurement of effectiveness.Results: Group 3 produced the highest luminal gain (5.40 ± 4.51 mm2), while the other two groups had gains of 4.05 ± 3.20 and 3.77 ± 2.55 mm2. Both devices caused disruptions to the plaque lumen surface. Laser ablation exposed the fibers under the endothelium and balloon angioplasty cracked the surface. The mean amounts were 3,611 ± 1,475.4 for group 1, 2,828 ± 1,266.7 for group 2, and 4,400 ± 2,567.9 for group 3. More than 90% of the distal debris was smaller than 10 μm. Group 2 produced the most debris with Feret (maximum caliper diameter) ≥ 40 μm; group 1 had the least. There was little difference in the contents of collagen and reticular fiber in the debris in each group, but a big difference was observed in the contents of fibrin and mucin.Conclusion: Excimer laser ablation could significantly increase the luminal gain of carotid plaque with high stenosis. Excimer laser combined with balloon angioplasty achieved the highest lumen enlargement. Our result also suggests that the embolic protection strategy needs to be renewed for the application of a plaque debulking device in the future.
Systematic Comparison of Left Ventricular Geometry Between 3D-Echocardiography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Zhao Debbie , Quill Gina M. , Gilbert Kathleen , Wang Vicky Y. , Houle Helene C. , Legget Malcolm E. , Ruygrok Peter N. , Doughty Robert N. , Pedrosa João , D'hooge Jan , Young Alistair A. , Nash Martyn P. 
Published: September 2021

Aims: Left ventricular (LV) volumes estimated using three-dimensional echocardiography (3D-echo) have been reported to be smaller than those measured using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, but the underlying causes are not well-understood. We investigated differences in regional LV anatomy derived from these modalities and related subsequent findings to image characteristics.Methods and Results: Seventy participants (18 patients and 52 healthy participants) were imaged with 3D-echo and CMR (&lt;1 h apart). Three-dimensional left ventricular models were constructed at end-diastole (ED) and end-systole (ES) from both modalities using previously validated software, enabling the fusion of CMR with 3D-echo by rigid registration. Regional differences were evaluated as mean surface distances for each of the 17 American Heart Association segments, and by comparing contours superimposed on images from each modality. In comparison to CMR-derived models, 3D-echo models underestimated LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) by −16 ± 22, −1 ± 25, and −18 ± 24 ml across three independent analysis methods. Average surface distance errors were largest in the basal-anterolateral segment (11–15 mm) and smallest in the mid-inferoseptal segment (6 mm). Larger errors were associated with signal dropout in anterior regions and the appearance of trabeculae at the lateral wall.Conclusions: Fusion of CMR and 3D-echo provides insight into the causes of volume underestimation by 3D-echo. Systematic signal dropout and differences in appearances of trabeculae lead to discrepancies in the delineation of LV geometry at anterior and lateral regions. A better understanding of error sources across modalities may improve correlation of clinical indices between 3D-echo and CMR.
Efficacy and Safety of Ablation for Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation in Elderly Patients: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lee Wei-Chieh , Wu Po-Jui , Chen Huang-Chung , Fang Hsiu-Yu , Liu Ping-Yen , Chen Mien-Cheng 
Published: September 2021

Background: Age affects the efficacy of pharmacological treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). Catheter ablation, including radiofrequency (RF) or cryoballoon ablation, is an effective strategy for symptomatic AF. This meta-analysis aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of AF ablation in elderly patients with AF compared to non-elderly patients with AF.Methods: We searched several databases for articles published between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2020. Eighteen observational studies with 21,039 patients were analyzed. Data including recurrence of AF or atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATA), complications, procedural time, and fluoroscopic time were compared between the elderly and non-elderly groups.Results: The elderly patients had significantly higher incidences of recurrent AF or ATA after AF ablation compared to the non-elderly patients (&lt;60 years old) (odds ratio [OR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–1.33). The elderly patients had significantly higher incidences of complications of AF ablation compared to the non-elderly patients (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.14–1.64). However, elderly AF patients with age ≥75 years old had similar incidence of recurrent AF or ATA and complication after AF ablation compared to non-elderly patients with AF.Conclusions: The elderly patients had significantly higher incidences of recurrent AF or ATA and complications after ablation for non-paroxysmal AF compared to non-elderly patients with AF (&lt;60 years old), except in patients ≥75 years old.
Association Between Carotid Artery Perivascular Fat Density and Intraplaque Hemorrhage
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Gu Hui , Yu Xinxin , Kang Bing , Yuan Xianshun , Wang Ximing 
Published: September 2021

Objectives: Perivascular adipose tissue plays a key role in atherosclerosis, but its effects on the composition of carotid atherosclerotic plaques are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the association between inflammatory carotid artery and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) in the carotid artery.Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study. Carotid inflammation was assessed by perivascular fat density (PFD) in 72 participants (mean age, 65.1 years; 56 men) who underwent both computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 2 weeks. The presence of IPH was assessed with MRI. Carotid stenosis, maximum plaque thickness, calcification, and ulceration were evaluated through CTA. The association between PFD and the occurrence of IPH was studied using generalized estimating equations analysis.Results: Of 156 plaques, 72 plaques (46.2%) had IPH. Plaques with IPH showed higher PFD than those without [−41.4 ± 3.9 vs. −55.8 ± 6.5 Hounsfield unit (HU); p &lt; 0.001]. After age, calcification, degree of stenosis, maximum plaque thickness, and ulceration were adjusted for, PFD (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.41–2.73; p &lt; 0.001) was found to be strongly associated with the presence of IPH.Conclusions: A higher PFD is associated with the presence of IPH in the carotid artery. These findings may provide a novel marker to identify carotid IPH and risk stratification.
Oxygen Isotope Equilibrium of the Shallow-Water Benthic Foraminifer Hanzawaia nipponica Asano in Tosa Bay, Southwest Japan
Authors: Ikehara Minoru , Kita Shigetaka , Kawagata Shungo 
Published: September 2021

Oxygen isotopic compositions (δ18O) of benthic foraminifer tests are widely used for reconstructing paleoceanographic changes, such as global ice volumes during glacial–interglacial cycles. Although deep-sea benthic foraminifers have been well characterized and are considered reliable indicators, little attention has been paid to the geochemistry of shallow-water benthic foraminifers. In this study we evaluated δ18O in the shallow-water benthic foraminifer Hanzawaia nipponica Asano, which lives in surface sediments on continental shelves and upper slopes under the influence of two warm currents, the Kuroshio and Tsushima currents, in the East China Sea, northwest Pacific, and southwestern Japan Sea. To evaluate oxygen isotope equilibrium, we analyzed δ18O of H. nipponica and ambient seawater on the continental shelf in Tosa Bay, southwest Japan. Seawater δ18O and salinity in Tosa Bay are similar to those of surface and subsurface waters in the Kuroshio region in the Okinawa Trough and the northwest Pacific. Vertical profiles of seawater δ18O show no variation with water depth (0–200 m) in Tosa Bay. However, tests of living H. nipponica (as determined by staining with Rose Bengal) and fossil (non-stained) H. nipponica, picked from samples of the top centimeter of seafloor sediment, yielded carbonate δ18O values that clearly increase with water depth, suggesting a temperature-dependent relationship. A comparison of carbonate δ18O values in living H. nipponica and those predicted on the basis of seawater δ18O and annual mean bottom temperature shows that H. nipponica tests are in oxygen isotopic equilibrium with ambient seawater. We determined the linear equations of δ18O–temperature relationship, and the slope of −5.26 (0.19‰°C−1) for living and −4.50 (0.22‰°C−1) for the fossil H. nipponica, respectively. The carbon isotopic compositions (δ13C) of H. nipponica also closely match seawater δ13C. Thus, we propose that the carbonate δ18O and δ13C of H. nipponica are useful proxies to reconstruct shallow-water paleoenvironmental changes in the northwest Pacific and its marginal seas.
Summer Cyclones and Their Association With Short-Term Sea Ice Variability in the Pacific Sector of the Arctic
Authors: Finocchio Peter M. , Doyle James D. 
Published: September 2021

We investigate the effects of summer cyclones on sea ice within the Pacific sector of the Arctic by analyzing the surface energy flux and wind forcing from a large sample of cyclones. Consistent with recent studies, we find that cyclones earlier in the melt season tend to be associated with less 1–5 day sea ice loss than what occurs in the absence of cyclones. In contrast, cyclones later in the melt season slightly accelerate the 1-day sea ice loss. The reduced ice loss following cyclones in June is primarily due to increased cloud cover reducing the net shortwave flux at the surface. Clouds associated with cyclones in July and August also reduce the net shortwave flux at the surface, but only over high-concentration sea ice. Southerly winds associated with August cyclones increase both the negative local sea ice advection and the surface heat flux, particularly for the low concentration sea ice that is prevalent in August. Sea ice advection and surface heat flux are the only two factors we examined that can explain the enhanced ice loss on cyclone days in August. We also examined two cyclone cases that impacted sea ice in the East Siberian Sea in June 2012 and August 2016, and found for both cyclones that the sensible heat flux is the largest positive anomalous forcing and the shortwave radiative flux is the largest negative anomalous forcing. Similar to the large sample of cyclones, the shortwave flux has a stronger relationship to local changes in SIC in June than in August. Part of the reason for this is that the cloud shortwave radiative forcing during the August cyclone is 26% weaker than during the June cyclone. In an area averaged sense, the anomalous surface energy and wind forcing of both cyclone cases is similar in magnitude, yet the August cyclone is followed by a greater reduction in both sea ice area and mean sea ice concentration than the June cyclone. This result emphasizes how the underlying sea ice characteristics largely determine cyclone impacts on sea ice on short time scales.
Research on Application of Multi-Channel Selector in Centrifugal Model Test of Anchoring Slope by Frame Beam
Authors: Zhang Junhui , Li Feng , Zhang Shiping , Zhou Jiankun , Wu Houming 
Published: September 2021

An anchoring frame beam is a very common form of support for reinforced slopes, especially in alpine regions. Centrifugal tests have proved to be an intuitive and effective means of investigating the mechanism of action of frame beams. However, the data acquisition system of the geotechnical centrifuge in service has the problem of a small number of acquisition channels. A multi-channel selector based on the existing acquisition system was proposed, designed, processed, and manufactured, and it was debugged, tested, and applied in a no-load centrifugal test, static pressure model test, and centrifugal model test. The results show that the acquisition mode of the multi-channel selector connected with a maximum of 288 sensors has been changed from “one-to-one” to “one-to-many”. Its influence on various sensor signals is negligible. The multi-channel selector can work normally, which communicates and feeds back with the remote controller in the 1–120 g no-load centrifugal test. In the static load model test, 162 sensor signals were well collected through it. And only 51 channels were used to effectively obtain the signals of 187 sensors in a 70 g centrifugal model test of an anchoring slope with a frame beam. The multi-channel selector can be successfully applied in different use environments, saving time and reducing the cost of obtaining a single set of data.
Microbes Go to School: Using Microbiology and Service-Learning to Increase Science Awareness and Fostering the Relationship Between Universities and the General Public
Authors: Fatton Mathilda , Schneiter Arthur , Allisiardi Miriam , Hänni Lola , Hauser Gilles , Gonçalves-Fernandes Yazalde , Pessina Alice , Pijnenburg Marie-Lou , Vaudroz Clément , Bshary Andrea , Bindschedler Saskia , Junier Pilar 
Published: September 2021

Microbiology is an essential element of our everyday lives. This is not only the consequence of the importance of some pathogenic microorganisms, but also due to their positive and important role in processes related to human health, food production or waste recycling, to cite a few. However, the relevance of microbiology for the well-being of humankind and the planet still needs to reach beyond academic circles. Many current matters of urgency, such as environmental pollution or climate change, could partly be tackled by using green and sustainable solutions derived from microbial biotechnologies. Nevertheless, the wider public still attributes a negative connotation to microbes such as fungi and bacteria. The aim of this study was to implement service-learning as a pedagogical approach to increase scientific and microbiology literacy in society. Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates community service and civic responsibility, fostering the dissemination of scientific knowledge. This approach is used to communicate about pressing societal issues surrounding microbes (antibiotic resistance, natural resources recycling, human microbiota, and food production among others) to an audience of pupils attending public schools. The activity of service-learning is proposed in the final year of the biology bachelor curriculum. Its purpose is to allow university students to develop and practice their lay communication skills as a key competence to be acquired during their university education. In the activity, the students developed their own concept and material for the activity and delivered it to pupils at primary and secondary school levels (pupils aged 6–15 years old). The message is also expected to be disseminated beyond the participants, when the students and pupils share their experience with family and friends. With this pedagogical approach, we intend to raise awareness regarding about the importance of microbiology and its dual roles as harmful and beneficial for humans. We also wish to increase the connection between primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions. Finally, we want to highlight the importance of having a new generation of communication savvy professionals in biology.
CoMM-S4: A Collaborative Mixed Model Using Summary-Level eQTL and GWAS Datasets in Transcriptome-Wide Association Studies
Authors: Yang Yi , Yeung Kar-Fu , Liu Jin 
Published: September 2021

Motivation: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have achieved remarkable success in identifying SNP-trait associations in the last decade. However, it is challenging to identify the mechanisms that connect the genetic variants with complex traits as the majority of GWAS associations are in non-coding regions. Methods that integrate genomic and transcriptomic data allow us to investigate how genetic variants may affect a trait through their effect on gene expression. These include CoMM and CoMM-S2, likelihood-ratio-based methods that integrate GWAS and eQTL studies to assess expression-trait association. However, their reliance on individual-level eQTL data render them inapplicable when only summary-level eQTL results, such as those from large-scale eQTL analyses, are available.Result: We develop an efficient probabilistic model, CoMM-S4, to explore the expression-trait association using summary-level eQTL and GWAS datasets. Compared with CoMM-S2, which uses individual-level eQTL data, CoMM-S4 requires only summary-level eQTL data. To test expression-trait association, an efficient variational Bayesian EM algorithm and a likelihood ratio test were constructed. We applied CoMM-S4 to both simulated and real data. The simulation results demonstrate that CoMM-S4 can perform as well as CoMM-S2 and S-PrediXcan, and analyses using GWAS summary statistics from Biobank Japan and eQTL summary statistics from eQTLGen and GTEx suggest novel susceptibility loci for cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis.Availability and implementation: The developed R package is available at https://github.com/gordonliu810822/CoMM.
A Ferroptosis-Related Prognostic Signature Based on Antitumor Immunity and Tumor Protein p53 Mutation Exploration for Guiding Treatment in Patients With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Fan Xin , Ou YangShaobo , Liu Huijie , Zhan Liangzhen , Zhu Xingrong , Cheng Mingyang , Li Qun , Yin Dongmei , Liao Lan 
Published: September 2021

Background: Due to the lack of accurate guidance of biomarkers, the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been ideal. Ferroptosis plays an important role in tumor suppression and treatment of patients. However, tumor protein p53 (TP53) mutation may promote tumor progression through ferroptosis. Therefore, it is particularly important to mine prognostic-related differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes (PR-DE-FRGs) in HNSCC to construct a prognostic model for accurately guiding clinical treatment.Methods: First, the HNSCC data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used to identify PR-DE-FRGs for screening candidate genes to construct a prognostic model. We not only used a variety of methods to verify the accuracy of the model for predicting prognosis but also explored the role of ferroptosis in the development of HNSCC from the perspective of the immune microenvironment and mutation. Finally, we explored the correlation between the prognostic model and clinical treatment and drew a high-precision nomogram to predict the prognosis.Results: Seventeen of the 29 PR-DE-FRGs were selected to construct a prognostic model with good predictive performance. Patients in the low-risk group were found to have a greater number of CD8 + T cells, follicular helper T cells, regulatory T cells, mast cells, T-cell costimulations, and type II interferon responses. A higher tumor mutation burden (TMB) was observed in the low-risk group and was associated with a better prognosis. A higher risk score was found in the TP53 mutation group and was associated with a worse prognosis. The risk score is closely related to the expression of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)-related genes such as PD-L1 and the IC50 of six chemotherapeutic drugs. The nomogram we constructed performs well in predicting prognosis.Conclusion: Ferroptosis may participate in the progression of HNSCC through the immune microenvironment and TP53 mutation. The model we built can be used as an effective predictor of immunotherapy and chemotherapy effects and prognosis of HNSCC patients.
LOX-1-Expressing Immature Neutrophils Identify Critically-Ill COVID-19 Patients at Risk of Thrombotic Complications
Authors: Combadière Behazine , Adam Lucille , Guillou Noëlline , Quentric Paul , Rosenbaum Pierre , Dorgham Karim , Bonduelle Olivia , Parizot Christophe , Sauce Delphine , Mayaux Julien , Luyt Charles-Edouard , Boissonnas Alexandre , Amoura Zahir , Pourcher Valérie , Miyara Makoto , Gorochov Guy , Guihot Amélie , Combadière Christophe 
Published: September 2021

BackgroundLymphopenia and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio may have prognostic value in COVID-19 severity.ObjectiveWe investigated neutrophil subsets and functions in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of COVID-19 patients on the basis of patients’ clinical characteristics.MethodsWe used a multiparametric cytometry profiling based to mature and immature neutrophil markers in 146 critical or severe COVID-19 patients.ResultsThe Discovery study (38 patients, first pandemic wave) showed that 80% of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients develop strong myelemia with CD10−CD64+ immature neutrophils (ImNs). Cellular profiling revealed three distinct neutrophil subsets expressing either the lectin‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐1 (LOX‐1), the interleukin-3 receptor alpha (CD123), or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) overrepresented in ICU patients compared to non-ICU patients. The proportion of LOX-1- or CD123-expressing ImNs is positively correlated with clinical severity, cytokine storm (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and thrombosis. BALs of patients with ARDS were highly enriched in LOX-1-expressing ImN subsets and in antimicrobial neutrophil factors. A validation study (118 patients, second pandemic wave) confirmed and strengthened the association of the proportion of ImN subsets with disease severity, invasive ventilation, and death. Only high proportions of LOX-1-expressing ImNs remained strongly associated with a high risk of severe thrombosis independently of the plasma antimicrobial neutrophil factors, suggesting an independent association of ImN markers with their functions.ConclusionLOX-1-expressing ImNs may help identifying COVID-19 patients at high risk of severity and thrombosis complications.