bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Qu Fangzhou , Yang Wei , He Ni , Qu Shangcheng , Zhou Xiao , Ma Huayan , Jiang Xin 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundA meta‐analysis study was conducted to determine how to predict the effect of postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.HypothesisLong‐term mortality and cardiovascular morbidity are linked to postoperative atrial fibrillation.MethodUntil August 2024, a comprehensive literature study was completed, and 3486 connected studies were revised. The 38 selected studies included 241 299 cardiac surgery participants at the beginning of the study. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to look at the effect of atrial fibrillation after heart surgery using two‐sided methods and either a fixed or random model.ResultsIndividuals with cardiac surgery with postoperative atrial fibrillation had significantly higher mortality at 1 year (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.12–1.72, p < 0.001), mortality at 5 years (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.33–1.94, p < 0.001), mortality at 10 years (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.39–1.87, p < 0.001), and overall stroke (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.34–1.94, p < 0.001) compared to without postoperative atrial fibrillation.ConclusionsIndividuals with cardiac surgery with postoperative atrial fibrillation had significantly higher mortality at 1 year, mortality at 5 years, mortality at 10 years, and overall stroke compared to those without postoperative atrial fibrillation. To validate this discovery, more research and caution must be implemented when interacting with its values.
Oligomerization of 33‐mer Gliadin Peptides: Supramolecular Assemblies in Celiac Disease
Authors: Dodero Verónica I. , Herrera María G. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe 33‐mer gliadin peptide and its deamidated derivative, known as 33‐mer DGP, are proteolytically resistant peptides central to the pathomechanism of celiac disease (CeD), the autoimmune presentation of gluten‐related disorders (GRD). Both peptides can form spontaneous oligomers in the nanomolar concentration, leading to the formation of nanostructures. In other protein‐related diseases, oligomers and aggregates are central in their pathomechanism; therefore, it was hypothesized that the oligomerization of proteolytical‐resistant 33‐mer gliadin peptides could be an underrecognized disease trigger. This review focuses on the current understanding of 33‐mer peptides and their oligomers in vitro and cellular experiments. We intend to give the necessary details that incentivize the chemistry community to get involved in the effort to understand the self‐assembly of gliadin peptides and the role of their supramolecular structures in CeD and the other GRD. More research is needed to design effective and safe chemical and/or nutritional interventions beyond the gluten‐free diet.
Stability and Fibrillation of Lysozyme in the Mixtures of Ionic Liquids with Varying Hydrophobicity
Authors: Kushwaha Pratibha , Hatwar Abhinav , Prabhu N. Prakash 
Published: December 2024

AbstractCombinatorial effects of small molecules provide newer avenues to improve protein stability. The combined effect of two different classes of ILs on the stability and fibrillation propensity of lysozyme (Lyz) was investigated. Imidazolium‐ILs (an aromatic moiety) with varying alkyl chains, methyl (MIC), butyl (BMIC) and hexyl (HMIC), and pyrrolidinium‐IL (alicyclic moiety) with butyl substitution (BPyroBr) were chosen. The fibrillation was delayed by the addition of any of the IL. While added as a mixture with varying molar ratios, the presence of HMIC with MIC or BMIC at the ratio of 2:1 increased the fibrillation time synergistically by increasing lag time and reducing elongation rate. The protein stability was significantly reduced in these conditions compared to lower molar ratios of HMIC with MIC or BMIC. Molecular dynamics simulation studies indicated that upon adding Im‐ILs water molecules were reduced around Lyz, whereas BPyroBr slightly increased the water around Lyz. Preferential interaction studies suggest that the preferential binding of HMIC with the protein was the most favored and it synergistically facilitated the preferential binding of MIC. Though BMIC was preferentially binding to the protein, it disfavoured the interaction of MIC. BMIC and BPyroBr had a competitive binding on the surface of Lyz. The results suggested that the mixture of ILs containing the longer alkyl chain destabilizes the protein and delays the fibril formation to a larger extent than the shorter alkyl chain ILs. Further, the effect of aromatic ILs could be greater than alicyclic ILs having the same alkyl chain length.
Density Dependence in Large Herbivores Inhabiting an Insular Nature Reserve
Authors: Louw Cornelius J. , Parrini Francesca , Marshal Jason P. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTWhile studies often focus on density‐dependent responses of ungulate populations to resource limitations at large spatial scales, the dynamics at smaller scales remain relatively unexplored. To address this gap, we investigated the temporal dynamics of ungulate abundance in a small dystrophic grassland ecosystem over 20 years, with minimal management interventions. We used annual counts and herd composition data to explore density‐dependent responses at the population level and attempt to link such responses to demographic mechanisms. Counts were corrected using a state‐space modeling approach. Populations of most species increased from low densities to approximate equilibrium densities. Our findings reveal evidence of density‐dependent responses in population growth that shaped the population abundance dynamics. Additionally, juvenile‐to‐adult ratios exhibited patterns of density‐dependent reductions in recruitment. This study suggests grassland ecosystems with moderate annual rainfall are regulated primarily by bottom‐up processes.
Interactions Between Climate and Species Drive Future Forest Carbon and Water Balances
Authors: McQuillan Katie A. , Oishi A. Christopher , Robbins Zachary J. , Scheller Robert , Martin Katherine L. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTGlobal change is altering forest carbon and water balances; however, the extent to which tree species shape ecosystem‐scale responses to climate, particularly in biodiverse forests, remains unclear. To address this, we simulated the effects of an envelope of future climate conditions on watershed carbon and water balances and quantified the contributions of tree species based on their xylem anatomy. We accomplished this by incorporating species‐level transpiration calculations into a landscape‐scale ecosystem process model. Our revised model linked the effects of forest succession, species composition, and climate change on water and carbon. Calibration of forest water fluxes using sap flux measurements and catchment water balances captured variability in species transpiration and interannual ET in biodiverse, humid temperate forest catchments in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, USA. Across wet and dry future climate projections, ET increased, and streamflow and net carbon uptake decreased, particularly under a scenario of increasing drought. Despite accounting for just 30% of current biomass, diffuse‐porous tree species were the main driver of carbon and water flux responses now and in the future, thus intensifying the increase in ET and decline in streamflow. As diffuse‐porous biomass continues to increase, these forests will be increasingly sensitive to drought, amplifying losses of carbon sequestration and freshwater delivery.
Evaluation of leg symmetry in muscle oxygen saturation during submaximal to maximal cycling exercise
Authors: Sendra‐Pérez Carlos , Priego‐Quesada Jose I. , Murias Juan M. , Carpes Felipe P. , Salvador‐Palmer Rosario , Encarnación‐Martínez Alberto 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIt is unclear whether physiological responses, such as muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), can be considered symmetrical during cycling. This knowledge has important practical implications for both training and performance assessment. The aim of this study was to determine whether oxygenation profiles in the three active muscles of both legs were symmetrical during cycling at different intensities. Twenty‐six trained cyclists and triathletes completed a graded exercise test (GXT) and an 8‐min functional threshold power estimation test (8MTT) on a cycle ergometer over two nonconsecutive days. SmO2 was bilaterally assessed using NIRS technology in the vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius medialis, and tibialis anterior. Symmetry was compared between legs in both tests, and reliability and agreement between the measurements were quantified. The main results were that SmO2 in the three muscles assessed did not differ between legs during the GXT and 8MTT (p > 0.05). Reliability of the measures was poor to good in the vastus lateralis (ICC = 0.83–0.37), moderate to excellent in the tibialis anterior (ICC = 0.92–0.73), and poor to good for the gastrocnemius medialis (ICC = 0.80–0.24). Overall, the group variability in SmO2 showed a narrower distribution at lower intensities, with data dispersion increasing at higher intensities. In conclusion, the SmO2 was similar and showed symmetrical responses in both the preferred and nonpreferred limb in different muscles assessed during cycling at different intensities within a range of 10%–20%. Although individual physiological differences that might be relevant in some clinical/performance settings should not be disregarded, these findings indicate that measuring a single lower limb provides an accurate approximation of the responses in both lower limbs.
Genetic Variants and Haplotype Structures in the CASC Gene Family to Predict Cancer Risk: A Bioinformatics Study
Authors: Gholami Morteza , Asouri Mohsen , Ahmadi Ali Asghar 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsThe cancer susceptibility (CASC) gene family of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) plays an important role in cancer. The aim of this study was to identify genetic variants and haplotype structures of CASC genes associated with cancer risk.MethodsGenome‐wide association studies (GWAS) significant variants (p ≤ 5 × 10−8) on CASC family genes were identified from the GWAS Catalog‐EMBL‐EBI, and then cancer‐associated variants on CASC genes were extracted. These variants were functionally analyzed, including lncRNA:miRNA binding sites, Regulomedb scores, and eQTL. The 1000 Genome Project genotyping data Phase III were used to identify haplotypic blocks. Finally, the genes associated with them were examined for expression and gene‐gene correlation analyses using OncoDB.ResultsThere were six haplotypic blocks in four genes. The GC, TA, and AGAC haplotypes are located in the CASC8 gene and increase the risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer, respectively. The CA haplotype in the CASC15 gene increases the risk of neuroblastoma, AA haplotype in the CASC16 gene increases the risk of breast cancer, and ACGATG haplotype in the CASC17 gene increases the risk of prostate cancer (p ≤ 5 × 10−8). Their genes are interrelated and their expression is increased in these cancers. The rs2294214 is associated with skin cancer and has positive effects on five CASC15:miRNA binding sites. The rs3803662 is located in CASC16:miRNA binding sites, which has positive effects on hsa‐miR‐4475 and hsa‐miR‐7845‐5p and negative effects on hsa‐miR‐4524a‐3p and hsa‐miR‐4524b‐3p.ConclusionThese haplotypic structures and lncRNA:miRNA:SNP interactions on CASC family lncRNAs reveal novel genetic associations between CASC genes and various cancers.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Stroke Among Hypertensive Patients in Selected Hospitals, Mogadishu: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Osman Walid Abdulkadir , Ahmed Hassan Muse , Abdullahi Maryan Mukhtar , Kuule Amal Adam , Hassan Qaali Barre 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackground and AimStroke is a leading cause of death and disability globally, with hypertension identified as the main risk factor. Therefore, the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of hypertensive patients are crucial for the early recognition and timely intervention needed to prevent strokes and minimize their long‐term complications. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding stroke among hypertensive patients.MethodsThe study used a cross‐sectional design and enrolled 289 hypertensive patients. A consecutive sampling technique was employed to select the participants. Data were collected through an interviewer‐administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS software (version 26). A significance level of 0.05 was established for the study.Results70.6% of participants identified stroke as an interruption in blood flow to the brain. The majority of respondents (94.5%) identified hypertension and diabetes as risk factors for stroke. Sudden loss of vision or double vision is the most prominent indicator of stroke (75.8%). In terms of stroke complications, chronic headaches (89.3%) were widely recognized. Only 41.9% of the patients checked their blood pressure, and 37% took their medications regularly. The knowledge level significantly differed only with sex. However, significant differences were observed in the mean scores for attitudes based on age, education, and income, and in the practice mean score based on sex, education, employment status, and income. A weak positive correlation was found between patients' knowledge and attitude, but no significant correlation between knowledge and practice, or attitude and practice.ConclusionThe study demonstrated that respondents had good knowledge about stroke but struggled to convert it into a positive attitude and practice. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions to improve attitudes and practices towards stroke prevention.
Cesarean section with operation on placental support as an adapted EXIT procedure for fetal thyroid goiter: A case report and literature review
Authors: Diawtipsukon Sanpon , Moradokkasem Woraluk , Chansriniyom Nareenun , Nuntnarumit Pracha 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe ex‐utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure is a specialized delivery strategy that extends utero–placental–fetal circulation to convert a potential neonatal emergency condition into a condition that is compatible with postnatal life. Cesarean section with operation on placental support is an EXIT technique that requires a relatively short duration of placental support and few skilled medical personnel and specialized instruments; it can successfully treat selected fetal indications. In the present study, we report a case of fetal thyroid goiter as an example of a fetal anomaly requiring the procedure. We then review all cases published in the medical literature that were similar to our procedure (15 cases including our new case). Twelve (80%) cases of fetal anomalies and three prophylactic cases of extremely low birth weight were delivered using a procedure adapted from the standard EXIT procedure. All 12 cases of fetal anomalies were treated by airway intervention. In 12 of the 15 cases (80%), direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation were attempted; intubation was successful in seven of these 12 cases (58%). There was only one case of postpartum hemorrhage caused by uterine incisional bleeding, with a consequence of delayed hysterotomy closure. In summary, cesarean section with operation on placental support is a promising alternative delivery technique for neonates with airway obstructive lesions, especially in resource‐limited settings.
Interventions for recurrent embryo implantation failure: An umbrella review
Authors: Almohammadi Abdulla , Choucair Fadi , Khan Khalid S. , Bueno‐Cavanillas Aurora , Cano‐Ibáñez Naomi 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundRecurrent implantation failure (RIF) has a multifactorial etiology. An umbrella review was undertaken to evaluate the multiple proposed interventions.ObjectivesTo summarize and assess the strength of evidence of interventions for RIF from published systematic reviews (SR) of randomized clinical trials (RCTs).Search StrategyAfter prospective registration (PROSPERO CRD42023414255), a systematic search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, Scopus and Medline from inception until March 2024.Selection CriteriaSRs of RCTs, with or without meta‐analyses (MA), were included if they reported clinical pregnancy rates (CPR) or live birth rates (LBR).Data Collection and AnalysisThe methodological quality of the included SRs was appraised independently in duplicate using the AMSTAR 2 tool. For each intervention, the MAs of RCTs with statistically significant improvements were counted as a percentage of the total assessing the strength of evidence using the GRADE system.Main ResultsA total of 47 SRs were included: 32 reviews covered immunomodulatory interventions, 10 (68 RCTs) covered uterine and endometrial interventions, one covered antibiotics, and four (69 RCTs) addressed mixed approaches, including laboratory interventions. AMSTAR 2 appraised 41 (88%) SRs as critically low or low, and 6 (12%) as moderate or high in quality. The SRs often had a level of overlap of RCTs (median 33.3%), inconsistent definitions of RIF, and varied comparisons for the interventions. Considering the significant meta‐analytic evidence of high‐moderate GRADE strength: Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) showed improvement in CPR in 9/13 (69.2%) MAs and LBR in 1/7 (14%); intralipid infusion showed improvement in CPR in 4/6 (57.14%) MAs and LBR in 3/4 (75%); peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) showed improvement in CPR in 4/8 (50%) MAs and LBR 3/5 (60%); platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) intervention showed improvement in CPR in 6/10 (60%) MAs and LBR in 1/5 (20%); human chorionic gonadotropins showed improvement in CPR in 3/3 (100%) MAs; growth hormone showed improvement in CPR in 1/1 (100%) MA; low molecular weight heparin showed improvement in CPR in 1/1 (100%) MAs and LBR in 1/2 (50%); hysteroscopy showed improvement in CPR in 1/2 (50%) MAs; and, intentional endometrial injury showed improvement in CPR in 3/4 (75%) MAs and LBR in 2/3 (66.66%).ConclusionsEvidence syntheses of RCTs evaluating interventions for RIF suggest a consistent direction, with high to moderate strength, indicating that immunomodulatory treatments, including G‐CSF, PBMC, PRP, intralipid infusion, and intentional endometrial injury are likely to be effective. However, this conclusion should be interpreted with caution due to the generally low methodological quality of the included studies and the clinical heterogeneity observed in most SRs.
Serum lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 activity in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Feng Jie , Wang Kun , Gao Yanhong 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundFew studies have explored the association between lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, most of these studies have investigated only European patient populations and have come to contradictory conclusions. Furthermore, few studies have been conducted on Chinese patient groups. This study aimed to explore the association between serum Lp‐PLA2 activity and SLE in a Chinese patient group.MethodsSerum Lp‐PLA2 activity was detected in 154 SLE patients and 55 age‐, sex‐, and body mass index‐matched healthy controls. Information concerning the anthropometric data, clinical manifestations, SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI‐2K), complement C3 (C3), and complement C4 (C4) erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and autoantibodies were evaluated.ResultsThe average level of serum Lp‐PLA2 activity was 221 ± 56 U/L in SLE patients compared with 160 ± 37 U/L in healthy controls (p < 0.001). SLE patients that presented with nephritis, anemia, and fibrinolytic abnormality had higher serum Lp‐PLA2 activity than SLE patients who did not present with these symptoms (p < 0.05), and the levels of serum Lp‐PLA2 activity correlated with the severity of the clinical manifestations (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between serum Lp‐PLA2 activity and serum autoantibodies levels (p > 0.05). According to Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, ESR, SLEDAI‐2K, C3, and C4 significantly correlated with serum Lp‐PLA2 activity (p < 0.001). According to binary logistic regression, Lp‐PLA2 activity was independently associated with active SLE in patients (OR 1.049; 95% CI: 1.025–1.073, p < 0.001).ConclusionsSerum Lp‐PLA2 activity is associated with some clinical manifestations (nephritis, anemia, and fibrinolytic abnormality) in SLE patients, and its activity may contribute to the development of SLE disease. These findings provide new insight into the pathogenesis of SLE.
Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time‐Dependent DFT (TDDFT) Studies of Porphyrin Adsorption on Graphene: Insights on the Effect of Substituents and Central Metal on Adsorption Energies
Authors: Gara Rayene , Morales‐García Ángel , Arfaoui Youssef , Illas Francesc 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTCombining metalloporphyrins (MPr) and graphene constitutes key composites in the development of photovoltaic devices. Here, we focus on the analysis of the properties of metalloporphyrins/graphene systems by means of the density functional theory (DFT) and its time‐dependent (TDDFT) version, focusing on the ground and singlet excited states. Our benchmark analysis concludes that ωB97XD density functional combined with 6‐31G(d)/Def2‐TZVP basis set is a better‐suited method for simulating accurate MPr adsorption on graphene. It is shown that a reduced atomic model where the external organic shell of the structure is removed provides the same resulting optoelectronic properties of the original model, constituting an important speed‐up of the calculations when studying porphyrins‐derived molecules. We observe that ZnPr provides the highest light harvesting efficiency (LHE) value. In addition, we find out that the adsorption energy increases monotonically with the size of the graphene flake and the highest stability involves the use of graphene comprising above 500 atoms. Besides, CdPr and HgPr keep their properties as photosensitizers when they are bonded to graphene and show promising values in terms of LHE emerging as suitable solar energy harvesters.
Single‐Walled ZnSe Nanotubes for High‐Performance Photodetectors: A Computational Prediction
Authors: Meng Shuang , Li Wenhui , Zhou Jia 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTLow‐dimensional nanomaterials show great potential for developing semiconducting materials due to their distinct electronic, optical, and mechanical properties. In this study, we constructed various one‐dimensional ZnSe nanotubes and investigated their transport and photoresponse properties by using the density functional theory (DFT) and non‐equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) method. Under bias regulation, one‐dimensional tetragonal ZnSe nanotube curled along the diagonal can reach a current of 111.3 μA at a bias of 4.0 eV. It is worth noting that for all considered photon energies, the photocurrent exhibits a cosine dependence on the polarization angle, which is consistent with the photogalvanic effect. The results show that our constructed ZnSe nanotubes have potential for applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices.