bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurocognitive Profile in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Candidates: Effects of Medical and Sociodemographic Factors
Authors: Gu Lidan , Anzalone Christopher J , Kane-Grade Finola , Glad Danielle , Evans Michael , Kizilbash Sarah 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
We evaluated the effects of kidney failure etiology, dialysis, and sociodemographic factors on the subdomains of intellectual functioning in pediatric kidney transplant candidates.
Methods
This retrospective study included 78 pediatric kidney transplant candidates who completed a Wechsler Intelligence Scale assessment during pre-transplant neuropsychological evaluation between 1/1/2010 and 10/31/2022. Linear regression models were employed to examine the effects of kidney failure etiology, dialysis status, neighborhood area deprivation, and race on subdomains of intellectual functioning.
Results
The mean scores of various intellectual functioning domains in pediatric kidney transplant candidates were significantly lower than in the general population (ps <0.001). After adjusting for covariates, patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract had significantly lower processing speed (M=85; 95% CI: 79-91) compared to patients with nephrotic syndrome (M=99; 95% CI: 90-107) and other etiologies (M=84; 95% CI: 78-90) (p=0.003). Patients living in high-level deprivation neighborhoods showed lower working memory performance (M=84, 95% CI: 77-91) than patients living in median-level (M=91, 95% CI: 87-95) and low-level (M=98, 95% CI: 92-104) neighborhood area deprivation (p=0.03). Patients from marginalized racial groups demonstrated lower verbal skills (M=80, 95% CI: 74-87) than White patients (M=92, 95% CI: 88-97) (p=0.02). Additionally, patients receiving dialysis showed higher reasoning skills (M=98, 95% CI: 90-104) than patients without dialysis (M= 90, 95% CI: 86-95) (p=0.04).
Conclusions
Neurocognitive development in pediatric kidney transplant candidates is associated with medical and sociodemographic factors. Strategies to monitor, treat, and accommodate neurocognitive concerns need to be considered to optimize long-term medical and social outcomes.
Prognostic Factors for Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy Success in Hydrocephalus with Myelomeningocele
Authors: Macedo Fernando Augusto Medeiros Carrera , Giannetti Alexandre Varella , Vandi Hudson Henrique Santos 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Purpose Myelomeningocele (MMC) is a prevalent neural tube closure defect often associated with hydrocephalus, necessitating surgical intervention in a significant proportion of cases. While ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) has been a standard treatment approach, endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has emerged as a promising alternative. However, factors influencing the success of ETV in MMC patients remain uncertain. This retrospective observational study aimed to identify clinical and radiological factors correlating with a higher success rate of ETV in MMC patients.Methods Medical records of MMC patients who underwent ETV at a tertiary care center between 2015 and 2021 were reviewed. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were analyzed. ETV success was defined as the absence of further hydrocephalus treatment during follow-up.Results Of 131 MMC patients, 21 met inclusion criteria and underwent ETV. The overall success rate of ETV was 57.1%, with a six-month success rate of 61.9%. Age ≤ 6 months was significantly associated with lower ETV success (25%) compared to older patients (76.9%) (OR: 0.1; 95% CI 0.005–2.006; p = 0.019). Radiological factors, including posterior fossa dimensions and linear indices, did not exhibit statistically significant associations with ETV success.Conclusion Age emerged as a significant factor affecting ETV success in MMC patients, with younger patients exhibiting lower success rates. Radiological variables did not significantly influence ETV outcomes in this study. Identifying predictors of ETV success in MMC patients is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Regulated Cytokines and Transcription Factors Reduce Haemonchus contortus Larval Establishment in Black Bengal Goat
Authors: Ahmed Nurnabi , Roy Babul Chandra , Biswas Amitav , Rabbi Md. , Sajib Md. , Zim Md. , Rahman Md. Khalilur , Hasan Md. Manjurul , Biswas Hiranmoy , Talukder Md. Hasanuzzaman 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Black Bengal goat (BBG) is a native breed of Bangladesh and its ability in reducing the establishment of H. contortus infection through cellular and immune responses was unexplored. In vitro larval motility in response to PBMC, in vivo larval infectivity assay, differential blood cell counts, histopathology, cytokine and transcription expression have been investigated in BBG kids following H. contortus L3. In vitro motility experiment revealed that L3 exposed to PBMC from primed kids had significantly (P < 0.05) reduced speed and straight-line distance compared to L3 exposed to PBMC from naive kids. Kids with L3 exposed to PBMC in primed and naive kids, reduced H. contortus egg shed. Upon 10,000 L3 challenge, WBC count was higher in primed kids compared to naive and 35% of TC were neutrophils. Lymph nodes were increased in weight (P < 0.05) in primed kids except 1st day (D0). IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-33, MCP1, CXCL1, TLR2 and GAL14 were expressed both naive and primed kids. Significant expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-33, MCP1 and CXCL1 at D3, D5 and D7, suggesting early TH2 differentiation in primed kids. These results suggest that BBG can much resist H. contortus infectivity. Role of transcriptome differences in other resistant breeds should be investigated.
Characteristic changes in the mRNA expression profile of plasma exosomes from patients with MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis and its possible correlations with pathogenesis
Authors: 陈 杨凡 , 周 东清 , 钱 辛 , 格 尚庆 , 帅 宗文 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Objective
To explore the expression patterns and potential roles of mRNAs in exosomes from patients with myeloperoxidase-specific anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (MPO-AAV).
Methods
Plasma exosomes were isolated from MPO-AAV patients and healthy controls (HCs) to screen for differential mRNA expression via exosomal mRNA sequencing. The differentially expressed mRNAs in exosomes from the 2 groups were comparatively explored by bioinformatics analysis. The six most differentially expressed mRNAs were selected and validated in larger groups of MPO-AAV patients and HCs by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‒qPCR). The relationships between these selected mRNAs and patient characteristics were statistically analyzed.
Results
Compared with HCs, a total of 1,077 mRNAs in exosomes from MPO-AAV patients were found to be significantly upregulated, including DEPDC1B and TPST1, while NSUN4 and AK4 were significantly downregulated. Statistical analysis did not reveal any correlation between the six selected mRNAs and clinical indicators, including disease activity. GO enrichment analysis revealed that these differentially expressed genes participate in various enzyme activities, protein synthesis, etc. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that metabolic pathways, cell adhesion molecules, epithelial signaling, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways were significantly enriched in the exosomal mRNAs.
Conclusions
There were significant differences in the expression of exosomal mRNAs between MPO-AAV patients and HCs, which may be related to the occurrence and development of MPO-AAV. These findings provide clues for further investigations of MPO-AAV pathogenesis and the identification of new potential therapeutic targets.
Towards the development of better therapeutic agents for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis: Computational design and evaluation of pyrazinone derivatives as inhibitors of enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase
Authors: Goel Akshita , Negi Indu , Aggarwal Sanchita , Pandey Ankur Ganesh , Sharma Purshotam 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The treatment of tuberculosis (TB) has become challenging due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Consequently, new, and efficient therapies need to be developed to combat this dreaded disease. In this study, we apply in-silico techniques to analyse the potential inhibitory role of pyrazinone derivatives for enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA), an important component protein involved in the synthesis of mycolic acids, the major components of the mycobacterial cell wall. Specifically, we amalgamated molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and quantum mechanical (QM) calculations to analyse the interaction of InhA with eight distinct pyrazinone derivatives, that contain thiophenyl, phenyl, or chloro substitutions at C6, ethyl or methoxybenzyl substitutions at N4, and carboxylate group (hydrolysed form of the parent carbonitrile group) at C2 position of the pyrazinone skeleton and compared our results with isoniazid, a well-known first-line TB drug that potentially inhibits InhA. Docking suggests that despite binding within the same pocket (albeit with different residues), pyrazinone derivatives interact more strongly with InhA than isoniazid. This points towards the potentially greater efficacy of these compounds than isoniazid towards InhA inhibition. Further, although C6 substitution does not significantly affect the ligand binding, N4-methoxybenzyl derivatives exhibit higher docking scores than their N4-ethyl counterparts, thereby suggesting their promising inhibitory potential against InhA. Extended (500 ns) all-atom explicit solvent MD simulations, amounting to a total of 9 µs of the simulation time, provide a refined picture of ligand binding in the explicit-solvent environment, and suggest that the crucial interaction with Arg 194 observed in the docked structures is mostly retained. Analysis of the hydrogen bond occupancies and binding-site linear interaction energies reiterate that the binding of the pyrazinone derivatives with InhA is stronger than isoniazid. In synchrony with MMGBSA binding energy calculations and QM calculations, these analyses reveal that irrespective of the nature of C6 substitution, pyrazinone derivatives with N4-methoxybenzyl substitution exhibit stronger binding to InhA, compared to those containing N4-ethyl substitution. Overall, this study identifies promising candidate compounds that should be experimentally tested for their potential inhibitory effects towards InhA.
Impact of Non-Uniform Heat Flux on Heat Transfer in Laminar Flow Between Parallel Plates
Authors: Verma Ram Niwas 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

In practical engineering, heating and cooling are among the most common applications. Typically, during these processes, the heat flux to the heat transfer surface is not uniform. This study analyzes convection heat transfer between parallel plates subjected to non-uniform heat flux. The flow between the parallel plates is laminar, hydrodynamically developed, and thermally developing. A two-dimensional unsteady model is developed, and the momentum and energy equations are derived and solved numerically to obtain the velocity and temperature fields. An indigenous solver is created to solve the two-dimensional unsteady partial differential energy equation using the finite difference method. The algorithm for this solver is written in MATLAB and verified against analytical solutions. Temperature profiles are plotted and analyzed under various heat flux conditions to describe the rate of heat transfer. Local and average Nusselt numbers are calculated from the obtained temperature and velocity fields and presented graphically. This study is valuable for practical engineering applications, heating and cooling systems, and radiation calorimeters. Additionally, the development of this solver contributes to the research field of CFD simulations.
Maximising Organ Donor Utility System-wide (MODUS): A study protocol for using linked health services data in multi-modal modelling of kidney transplant waitlist outcomes
Authors: Rosales Brenda Maria , Shah Karan K , Mata Nicole La , Baldwin Heather , Hedley James A , Clayton Philip , Wyld Melanie , Wyburn Kate , Kelly Patrick J , Morton Rachael L , Webster Angela C 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Increasing deceased organ donation is a global priority constrained by concerns of inadvertent transmission of cancer or infectious disease from deceased organ donors. Up to 60% of potential donors referred for consideration for deceased organ donation in Australia do not proceed for biovigilance concerns. However, there are opportunities to increase acceptance. We aim to describe the impact of accepting or declining potential donors forgone for biovigilance concerns on patient and transplant outcomes. We will use data for all potential donors referred for consideration for deceased organ donation and data for patients ever waitlisted for kidney transplantation in New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, 2010–2020. We will 1) describe the patient journey on the kidney transplant waitlist, including episodes of suspension and reactivation, time waiting and whether transplanted; 2) describe the characteristics of patients on the kidney transplant waitlist who decline a deceased donor organ offer and patient outcomes after their first decline; 3) determine potential gains made through increased donor acceptance and profile potential donors forgone for medical suitability; 4) use economic modelling to investigate the benefits and costs of increasing donor acceptance. Research findings will be presented at scientific conferences, published in the scientific media, and via collaborator networks.
Assessing the relevance of sharks and rays for Mediterranean EU fisheries to support a transition from species exploitation to species conservation
Authors: Colloca Francesco , Arcioni Martina , Acampa Francesca , Valente Salvatore , Ventura Daniele , Lorenzo Manfredi Di , Milisenda Giacomo , Moro Stefano 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Ten years (2013–2022) of official data on elasmobranchs landed and discarded by European fishing fleets operating in the Mediterranean Sea were analysed with the primary objective of assessing the significance of shark and ray catches for the main fleet segments across five Mediterranean regions (i.e. Western, Central and Eastern Mediterranean, Ionian Sea, Adriatic Sea). The annual elasmobranch catches ranged from 3,200 to 5,800 tons, declining consistently from 2020 to 2022. Four fishing gears (i.e. bottom trawls, longlines, trammel nets, and gillnets) contributed over 96.6% of the reported catch, with notable variations among regions. Bottom trawlers accounted for approximately 75% of catches, discarding around 40%; fixed nets and longlines had minimal discard rates (< 2.5%). The Western Mediterranean contributed the most to total catches (2,057 − 3,229 tons/year), followed by the Adriatic Sea. Generalized Additive Models revealed a significant correlation between catches and fishing effort, indicating increasing catches at high fishing effort levels. Reported landings included species absent in the Mediterranean and considered rare or extremely rare in the basin, highlighting the need for better species reporting. The average contribution of sharks and rays to the total annual landings of Mediterranean fleets was 1.66% in weight and 0.60% in value, totaling approximately 96.4 million euros over the decade, compared to the overall value of 15.8 billion euros for the whole landing. As elasmobranchs no longer represent a substantial revenue stream for Mediterranean fleets, implementing conservation measures to restore depleted shark and ray populations will likely have minimal impact on the economic sustainability of fisheries.
Sex-Specific Response to A1BG Loss Results in Female Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Emerson James I. , Shi Wei , Conlon Frank L. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Cardiac disease often manifests differently in terms of frequency and pathology between men and women. However, the mechanisms underlying these differences are not fully understood. The glycoprotein A1BG is necessary for proper cardiac function in females but not males. Despite this, the role of A1BG in the female heart remains poorly studied.
Methods
To determine the sex differential function of A1BG, we generated a novel conditional A1bg allele and a novel conditional A1bg Rosa26 knockin allele. Histology, electrocardiography, transcriptional profiling (RNA-seq), transmission electron microscopy, western blot analyses, mass spectrometry, and immunohistochemistry were used to assess cardiac structure and function.
Results
The study reveals that the absence of A1BG results in significant cardiac dysfunction in female but not male mice. Gene expression underscores that A1BG plays a critical role in metabolic processes and the integrity of intercalated discs in female cardiomyocytes. This dysfunction may be related to sex-specific A1BG cardiac interactomes and manifests as structural and functional alterations in the left ventricle indicative of dilated cardiomyopathy, thus suggesting a sex-specific requirement for A1BG in cardiac health.
Conclusion
The loss of A1BG in cardiomyocytes leads to dilated cardiomyopathy in females, not males.
Measuring the health-related quality of life in HIV patients with integrase strand transfer inhibitor-based regimens in China
Authors: Tang Wei , Huang Yaxiong , Qi Hui , Chen Zhong , Zheng Fang , Zhou Guoqiang , Xiao Gang , Cao Jing 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
With bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF), and dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) included in the national drug reimbursement list, the integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based regimens could be afforded and used by more patients. Majority of previous health-related quality of life (HRQoL) studies were conducted before INSTI-based regimens reimbursed and have no restriction on the regimens received. The aim of the study is to measure the HRQoL of HIV patients with INSTI-based regimens in China.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey of HIV patients conducted in the First Hospital of Changsha. Adult patients diagnosed with HIV-1 infection between January 1st, 2021-July 31st, 2022, with the prescription of BIC/FTC/3TC or DTG/3TC as the current treatment were included. Patients’ responses were collected through a digital platform and the HRQoL were measured by three questionnaires, including HIV-symptom index (HIV-SI) questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ-9) and the five-level version of the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). Generalized linear regression model was used to estimate the effects of covariates on each HRQoL measure.
Results
A total of 143 HIV patients with HRQoL data available were included in the study. The mean (SD) of HIV-SI total score, PHQ-9 total score and EQ-5D utility score was 26.7 (14.4), 7.4 (1.0) and 0.95 (0.12), respectively. Compared with treatment-naive patients, treatment-experienced patients reported significantly higher score/proportion of HIV-SI and PHQ-9 total score, presence of depression and problems in anxiety/depression (all p<0.05). Patients with older age, without formal work, having treatment switch due to safety reason and lower CD4 cell counts had significantly higher HIV symptom burden and worse depression status, respectively (all p<0.05).
Conclusions
HIV patients suffer from HIV symptoms and depression, which greatly deteriorate their HRQoL. Considering the aging population and lower employment rate, the needs for social support or patient-assistant program for HIV patients are highlighted. The early initiation of INSTI-based regimens is necessary to avoid the HRQoL loss due to safety reasons.
Conceptual study of a scramjet with symmetrical internal compression system
Authors: Araújo Tiago Aleixo , Bezerra Ítalo Sabino Arrais , Souza Sandi Itamar Schafer , Toro Paulo Gilberto Paula 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

This paper focuses on the design analysis of a planar hydrogen-powered scramjet constructed with a symmetrical internal compression system of rectangular cross-sectional area, developed to demonstrate supersonic combustion in atmospheric flight at 30 km of altitude and velocity of 2050 m/s, equivalent to Mach number 6.8. In this analysis, is proposed an analytical approach based on theories of oblique shock wave optimized by the criterion of maximum total pressure recovery, Rayleigh flow’s and the area ratio coupled to Prandtl–Meyer to dimension the compression, combustion, and expansion sections. The design of the compression system was developed to provide velocity, and temperature sufficiently adequate for spontaneous supersonic combustion of the hydrogen-air mixture. The atmospheric airflow was modeled by the hypothesis of calorically perfect gas without viscous effects. A visualization of the effects of various flow phenomena, such as shock waves, combustion, and expansion waves, on the evolution of thermodynamic properties throughout the scramjet demonstrator is discussed. The results showed by conducted compression performance analysis, a major increase in entropy in the reflected shock wave where the criterion of shock waves of equal strength was not applied. Also, the airflow thermodynamic properties and velocity from the leading edge to the trailing edge were analyzed. With heat addition, the scramjet was able to produce uninstalled thrust.
Fabrication of the reduced graphene oxide/activated carbon composite modified by PbSO 4 as ternary additive to negative plate of lead acid battery
Authors: Ri Chung-Nam , Ri Jin-Chon , Jon Min-Ung 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

In this paper reduced graphene oxide/Activated Carbon(rGO/AC, GAC) composite modified by PbSO4(PbSO4-rGO/AC, PGAC) as the additive to Negative Active Material(NAM) of Lead Acid Battery(LAB) was fabricated and its effect on High Rate Partial State of Charge(HRPSoC) cycle life was investigated. To fabricate PGAC, the powder of AC was added to graphene oxide suspension and reduced by glucose. GAC powder was immersed in Pb2+ solution to allow ion exchange and the final product PGAC composite was obtained. X ray Diffration (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM) was used for the structural characterization of the PGAC and electrochemical measurement was carried out by using Cyclic Voltametry(CV), Linear Sweep Voltametry(LSV), Galvanostatic Charge-Discharge(GCD). The results showed that the addition of PGAC composite(PbSO4:GAC= 26:74 wt. ratio) to NAM at 2wt.% increased HRPSoC cycle life by 343% from 14768 to 65477.
Impact of Clonal Hematopoiesis on the Carcinogenic Process of Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Koh Youngil , Park Changhee , Cho Gayeon , Ryu Gangpyo , Park Jeongmin , Yoon Hyundong , Oh Yu Mi , Lee Chansub , An Hongyul , Sun Choong-Hyun , Jung Sung-Hoon , Lee Je-Jung , Kim Bum Suk , Byun Ja Min , Shin Dong-Yeop , Hong Junshik , Kim Inho , Yoon Sung-Soo , Nachun Daniel , Maurer Taylor , Choi Su-Yeon , Kim Seok Jin , Kim Chan-Hyuk , Kim Kihyun , Cho Sung-Yup , Jaiswal Siddhartha , Kim Jong 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH), a phenomenon linked to aging, correlates with inflammation and myeloid malignancies. Here, we explore the interaction of CH, with terminally differentiated lymphoid malignancy, and multiple myeloma (MM). Analysis of CH in clinical cohorts revealed a higher prevalence among MM patients and a lower deep response to proteasome inhibitors. By utilizing the bone marrow samples from MM patients with CH, single-cell transcriptome analyses indicated frequent interaction between CH and MM cells, mediated by CCR10-CCL2, resulting in the upregulation of the MAPK pathway and angiogenesis, findings corroborated by exosome RNA analysis. Conditioned media from TET2 knockdown macrophages significantly enhanced MM cell proliferation compared to that from wild-type cells, an effect reversible by a CCR10 inhibitor. Our results underscore the pivotal role of TET2 CH in driving CCR10-high myeloma progression through paracrine oncogenic effects via exosomal interactions on CCR10, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target.