bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological Patterns and Clinical Impact of Vasculitis in China: An Insight from the FUTURE Database
Authors: Zhao Xiaozhen , Tan Xiaohua , Xu Hui , Kuang Weiying , Deng Jianghong , Zhang Junmei , Feng Guoshuang , Li Chao , Li Shipeng , Wang Jiang , Li Caifeng 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background Vasculitis presents significant health challenges due to its complex clinical manifestations and the variability in its prevalence and severity across different regions and demographics. Understanding these patterns is crucial for developing targeted medical interventions and health policies, especially during global health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods Using the Futang Updating Medical Regulations (FUTURE) database, we conducted an exhaustive analysis of the prevalence, complications, and healthcare impacts of vasculitis across mainland China from January 2016 to August 2023. The study assessed demographic distributions, regional variations, and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on disease diagnosis rates.Results The study found that conditions such as Takayasu arteritis (TAK), ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), and immune complex vasculitis were more prevalent in females, while diseases like polyarteritis nodosa and Behçet's disease (BD) showed a gender-neutral distribution. A significant decrease in vasculitis diagnoses was noted during the pandemic. Geographical analysis indicated a higher incidence of various types of vasculitis in the northern and eastern regions of China. Complications varied, with BD showing significant digestive system involvement and TAK associated with high rates of hypertension and vascular complications. Critical cases required intensive care, highlighting the severity of these conditions.Conclusions The analysis underscores the need for region-specific healthcare strategies and more robust disease monitoring frameworks, particularly in the face of global health emergencies. The financial and clinical burden of vasculitis is considerable, emphasizing the necessity for efficient diagnostic and treatment modalities to manage and mitigate the impacts of this disease group effectively.
Implementation of Energy Efficient Light control system using Wireless network technology
Authors: Bhavani R , Yokidha S 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Lighting load will consume about 10% of total electricity. Traditional lighting sytem are less efficient because they use more energy and lead to higher electricity costs. People sometimes neglect to turn off lights when not in use, wasting energy. This proposed system describes a low-cost, leader-friendly, smart office lighting control system that uses IoT to save energy. This system uses MCU, wireless network (cloud), smartphone, PIR (passive infrared sensor), LDR and timing module to solve the problem. Through the use of sensors, this system replaces conventional non-touch LED bulbs with touch LED lights. When no one is nearby, all LED lights inside the area are in low light mode. Otherwise, all the internal LEDs will switch to high brightness mode together. To control the system brightness, LED parameters are transmitted to the microcontroller via IoT and the Internet. This system will eliminate the need for additional wiring as it uses existing fixtures and wiring. The system also shows how many bulbs are working properly and how many are broken due to short circuits. A calculation is made to determine the amount of energy saved by comparing it with conventional LED lights
Analysis of Myocardial T1, T2, and T2* Values by Age, Sex, and Cardiac Segments in Normal Population: A Prospective Study
Authors: ÖZCAN Çağrı , YİĞİT Hasan , ÇETİN Mehmet Serkan , Özcan İrem 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study examines myocardial T1, T2, and T2* values in a sizable cohort of healthy volunteers, analyzing variations by age, sex, and cardiac segments. It offers a novel approach to defining normal parametric mapping boundaries and represents the first comprehensive study of its kind in Turkey.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Our prospective study was conducted between August 2021 and 2022. Healthy volunteers aged 20-80 were grouped, with at least eight females and eight males per decade. Cardiac MRI examination measured T1 and T2 times in 16 left ventricle segments using parametric mapping techniques on a 1.5 Tesla MRI device. T2* mapping was also performed on the mid-section interventricular septum. The data analysis considered the impact of age, sex, and segments.
One hundred eighteen cases were included in the study. Female volunteers observed significantly higher T1, T2, and T2* values than male volunteers. For the T2* and T1 times, significantly lower values were detected in women over 50 than those under 50. It was observed that the Midventricular approach gave closer results than the Midventricular Septal approach in predicting Global times.
CONCLUSIONS
We present the normal reference ranges for cardiac T1, T2, and T2* times in a large cohort of healthy volunteers with homogeneous sex and age distribution. Sex was the most influential factor in our study. Therefore, we suggest using separate reference values for males, and females above and below 50 years old, instead of the standard reference intervals that do not account for specified sex in current guidelines.
Peptide Mold: A Novel Strategy for Mapping Potential Binding Sites in Protein Targets
Authors: Bagwe Pritam V. , Jagtap Yogesh , Ghegade Vaibhav , Machhar Janvhi , Martis Elvis , Joshi Shreerang V. , Kharkar Prashant S. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

A novel concept titled ‘Peptide Mold’ for mapping potential binding sites in protein targets is presented. A large multiconformer tetrapeptide library comprising of 32 million conformations of all possible combinations of naturally-occurring amino acids was constructed and used for molecular docking analysis in the substrate-binding site of SARS-CoV-2 PLpro enzyme. The top-ranking, structurally-diverse tetrapeptide docked conformations (symbolizing peptide mold, analogous to a clay mold) were used then for elucidating a five-point pharmacophore. Ligand-based virtual screening of a large, multiconformer library of phytoconstituents using the derived five-point pharmacophore led to identification of potential binders for SARS-CoV-2 PLpro at its substrate-binding site. The approach is based on generating the imprint of a macromolecular binding site (cavity) using tetrapeptides (clay), thereby generating a reverse mold (with definitive shape and size), which can further be used for identifying small-molecule ligands matching the captured features of the target binding site. The approach is based on the fact that the individual amino acids in the tetrapeptide represent all possible drug-receptor interaction features (electrostatic, H-bonding, van der Waals, dispersion and hydrophobic among others). The ‘peptide mold’ approach can be extended to any protein target for mapping the binding site(s), and further use of the generated pharmacophore model for virtual screening of potential binders. The peptide mold approach is a robust, hybrid computational screening strategy, overcoming the present limitations of structure-based methods, e.g., molecular docking and the ligand-based methods such as pharmacophore search. Exploration of the peptide mold strategy is expected to yield high-quality, reliable and interesting virtual hits in the computational screening campaigns during the hit and lead identification stages.
Serving Up FLAN. A Food Literacy and Nutrition Intervention to Fend Off Food Insecurity.
Authors: Royer Michael F. , Hauser Michelle E. , Zamora Astrid N. , Campero Maria Ines , Garcia Dulce , Gabaray Martha , Sheats Jylana L. , King Abby C. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity, an ongoing and accelerating problem in the U.S., is an economic and social condition involving limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Some of the highest rates of food insecurity in 2022 were found among individuals who were Hispanic-Latinx (20.8%), a population that already faces disproportionate health and socioeconomic disadvantages. There remains an urgent health-related need to identify sustainable strategies to prevent food insecurity in the Latinx population.
Methods: A first-generation pilot investigation was conducted using data derived from a sub-study connected to the Computerized Physical Activity Support for Seniors (COMPASS) Trial, a 12-month cluster-randomized controlled trial among older Latinx adults. The sub-study focused on two nutrition interventions that included 1) the Food Literacy and Nutrition (FLAN) curriculum, and 2) a nutrition information-only control. Research hypotheses aimed to determine whether the FLAN intervention reduced food insecurity and increased daily fruit and vegetable servings.
Results: On average, participants (n = 39) were 61.5 years of age (SD = 6.7), mostly female (69%), and reported Spanish as their primary language (69%). The FLAN intervention was associated with decreased odds of food insecurity at 12 months (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.54, 0.95; p = 0.03) when compared to the nutrition-information only control intervention. Although no between-group differences in daily fruit and vegetable servings were found, there was a significant correlation between changes in daily fruit and vegetable servings from baseline to six months and changes in food insecurity from baseline to 12 months (r = -0.51, p = 0.01).
Conclusions: The FLAN intervention, a bilingual and culturally tailored educational curriculum, yielded 12-month improvements in food security among a small sample of older Latinx adults. Evidence from this investigation suggests the potential utility of implementing the FLAN curriculum among individuals who are at an increased risk of food insecurity. Further investigation in a larger sample is merited to determine whether the 12-month decreases in food insecurity that were produced by the FLAN intervention can be replicated.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02111213
Mesozoic larva in amber reveals the venom delivery system and the palaeobiology of an ancient lineage of venomous insects (Neuroptera)
Authors: Badano Davide , Fratini Michela , Palermo Francesca , Pieroni Nicola , Maugeri Laura , Cerretti Pierfilippo 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The larvae of Neuroptera are predators that feed by injecting bioactive compounds into their prey and then suctioning the fluids through modified mouthparts. We explore the evolutionary history of this feeding structure through the examination of a new fossil larva preserved in Late Cretaceous Kachin amber, which we describe as new genus and species, Electroxipheus veneficus gen et sp. nov. X-ray phase-contrast microtomography enabled us to study the anatomy of the larva in 3D, including the reconstruction of the structure of the mouthparts and of the venom delivery system. The specimen exhibited a unique combination of morphological traits not found in any known fossil or extant lacewing, including an unusual structure of the antenna. Phylogenetic analyses, incorporating a selection of living and fossil larval Neuroptera and enforcing maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference, identified the larva as belonging to the stem group Mantispoidea. The larva shows that the anatomy of the feeding and venom-delivery apparatus has remained unchanged in Neuroptera from the Cretaceous to the present. The morphology of the specimen suggest that it was an active predator, in contrast with the scarcely mobile, specialized relatives, like mantispids and berothids.
Effect of β-Lactam Antibiotics on the Gut Microbiota of Term Neonates
Authors: Gu Hongdan , Tao Enfu , Fan Yijia , Long Gao , Jia Xinyi , Yuan Tianming , Chen Lihua , Shu Xiaoli , Zheng Wei , Jiang Mizu 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

β-Lactam antibiotics are a class of antibiotics that are commonly used to treat bacterial infections. However, the effects of β-lactam antibiotics on term neonatal intestinal flora have not been fully elucidated. Hospitalized full-term newborns receiving β-lactam antibiotics formed the antibiotic group, while those without antibiotic treatment comprised the non-antibiotic group. A healthy group included healthy full-term newborns. Stool samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing to analyze gut microbiota variations. Further investigation was carried out within the β-lactam antibiotic group, exploring the effects of antibiotic use on the newborns’ gut microbiota in relation to the duration and type of antibiotic administration, delivery method, and feeding practices. The antibiotic group exhibited significant difference of microbial beta diversity compared to the other groups. Genera like Klebsiella, Enterococcus,Streptococcus, Alistipes, and Aeromonas were enriched, while Escherichia-Shigella, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Bifidobacterium, and Parabacteroideswere reduced. Klebsiella negatively correlated with Escherichia-Shigella, positively with Enterobacter, and Escherichia-Shigella negatively correlated with Enterococcus and Streptococcus. Regardless of neonatal age, β-lactam antibiotics induced elevated Klebsiella andEnterococcus. Impact on gut microbiota varied with antibiotic duration and type (cefotaxime or ampicillin/sulbactam). Compared to vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery after β-lactam treatment heightened the abundance of Klebsiella, Enterobacteriaceae_Unclassified, Lactobacillales_Unclassified, and Pectobacterium. Feeding patterns minimally influenced β-lactam-induced alterations. In conclusion, β-lactam antibiotic treatment for neonatal pneumonia and sepsis markedly disrupted intestinal microbiota, favoring Klebsiella, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Alistipes, and Aeromonas. β-lactam impact varied by duration, type, and delivery method, emphasizing heightened disruptions post-cesarean delivery.
Bridging Realities: Training visuo-haptic object recognition models for robots using 3D virtual simulations
Authors: Ruiz Conrado , de Jesús Òscar , Serrano Claudia , González Alejandro , Nonell Pau , Metaute Arnau , Miralles David 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This paper proposes an approach for training visuo-haptic object recognition models for robots using synthetic datasets generated by 3D virtual simulations. In robotics, where visual object recognition has witnessed considerable progress due to an abundance of image datasets, the scarcity of diverse haptic samples has resulted in a noticeable gap in research on machine learning incorporating the haptic sense. Our proposed methodology addresses this challenge by utilizing 3D virtual simulations to create realistic synthetic datasets, offering a scalable and cost-effective solution to integrate haptic and visual cues for object recognition seamlessly. Acknowledging the importance of multimodal perception, particularly in robotic applications, our research not only closes the existing gap but envisions a future where intelligent agents possess a holistic understanding of their environment derived from both visual and haptic senses. Our experiments show that synthetic datasets can be used for training object recognition in haptic and visual modes by incorporating noise, performing some preprocessing, data augmentation, or domain adaptation. This work contributes to the advancement of multimodal machine learning towards a more nuanced and comprehensive robotic perception.
Gender differences in the relationship between forbearance and depression among college students — a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Wangrong , Lv Xia , Xiao Rong 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: College students are at a high risk of depression, and forbearance might be a critical resource to help college students alleviate depression. However, forbearance exhibits heterogeneity, with people displaying distinct styles of forbearance in coping with stress. Furthermore, gender differences in the relationship between forbearance and depression have not been investigated. Thus, the study aims to comprehensively explore gender differences in the relationship between forbearance and depression.
Methods: Data were collected from 825 Chinese college students. We assessed their forbearance using the Forbearance Scale (FS) and evaluated their depression using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). A moderated model was used to explore the effect of gender in the relationship between forbearance and depression.
Results: Active forbearance (b = -0.22, t = -5.29, p ＜0.01) had a negative predictive effect on depression in college students, while repressive forbearance (b = 0.10, t = 2.35, p ＜ 0.05) had a positive predictive effect on depression. The interaction term of active forbearance and gender was a significant predictor of depression (b = 0.19, t = 2.71, p ＜0.01), and active forbearance negatively predicted depression in females at a significant level (b = -0.22, t = -5.29, p＜0.01), but not in males (b = -0.03, t = -0.60, p = 0.55). The interaction term of repressive forbearance and gender was not a significant predictor of depression (b = 0.04, t = 0.54, p = 0.59).
Conclusions: The impact of active forbearance on depression was modulated by gender. When utilizing forbearance for psychological health interventions, relevant personnel should consider the heterogeneity of forbearance and potential gender differences to enhance the effectiveness of interventions.
Crystal Structures and Hirshfeld Surface Analysis of Two Inner Salts of 3-carboxy-2-(quinolinium-1-ylmethyl)propanoate, and 3-(3-carbamoylpyridinium-1-yl)-2-(carboxymethyl)propanoate
Authors: Chen Yutao , Hong Xingyi , Jin Shouwen , Ma Xiaodan , Ji Yanglin , Gong Xusen , Wu Ronghui , Wang Daqi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Two crystalline inner salts 3-carboxy-2-(quinolinium-1-ylmethyl)propanoate dihydrate (1), and 3-(3-carbamoylpyridinium-1-yl)-2-(carboxymethyl)propanoate (2) were featured by the X-ray diffraction analysis, IR, mp, and elemental analysis. Salt 1 crystallizes in the triclinic, space group P-1, with a = 7.8315(8) Å, b = 11.1063(12) Å, c = 11.3763(14) Å, α = 67.5800(10)º, β = 82.295(2)º, γ = 80.970(2)º,V = 900.38(17) Å3, Z = 2. Salt 2 adopts the monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, with a = 8.4782(8) Å, b = 7.7825(7) Å, c = 16.8649(17) Å, β = 97.999(2)º, V = 1101.95(18) Å3, Z = 4. Both salts comprise the extensive O-H···O H-bonds as well as other non-covalent associates. The percentage contribution of the significant non-covalent contacts were calculated via the Hirshfeld surface analysis. The hetero supramolecular synthons R21(6), R22(10), R22(12), R22(13), R22(14), R22(16), R22(22), R33(9), R42(8), R43(10), and R55(17) were established at the both salts. Most of the synthons were not found repeatedly, yet the R22(10) was established at the both cases. The role of these non-covalent interactions in the crystal structure extension is ascertained. These weak interactions combined together, both salts exhibited the 3D framework structures.
Full Vaccination coverage, Smoking, Hypertension and COVID-19-associated Excess Mortality in Southeast Asia Region: GLMM analysis of Real-world Epidemiological Data
Authors: Midon Mu’syadzwinna Binti , Ngatu Nlandu Roger , Kanda Kanae , Hirao Tomohiro , Kanenishi Kenji , Yasuda Saneyuki , Ogawa Takashi , Wada Kenji , Nishiyama Akira 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background. From Wuhan (China) where its originated, COVID-19 has rapidly spread worldwide; mass vaccination and cardiometabolic disorders are reported to influence the disease prognosis and mortality burden. We applied a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) to explore associations between COVID-19 mortality, full vaccination coverage and cardiometabolic health indicators in Southeast Asia region (SEAR).Methods. A region-wide ecological analysis of aggregate COVID-19 data of 10 SEAR countries (January 2020-December 2022) was performed. Databases used were from John Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center and WHO. Excess deaths associated with COVID-19/100,000 and case-fatality rate (CFR) were outcome variables. GLMM was performed to determine the predictors of COVID-19 mortality; adjustment was made for sociodemographics. Statistical significance level was set at p < 0.01 (double-sided).Results. Adjusted GLMM analysis showed that number of excess deaths due to COVID-19/100,000 was strongly and positively associated with age-standardized smoking (coeff.= 9.18 (SE: 2.15); p < 0.001) and hypertension prevalence (coeff.= 25.98 (SE: 9.15); p < 0.01), whereas it was strongly and negatively associated with full vaccination coverage rate (coeff.= -5.23 (SE: 1.54); p < 0.01) and log-transformed GDP per capita (coeff.= -102.01 (SE: 18.31); p < 0.001). COVID-19 CFR was positively associated with age-standardized hypertension prevalence (coeff.= 0.30 (SE: 0.16); p < 0.01), negatively with full vaccination coverage rate (coeff.= -0.05 (SE: 0.01); p < 0.01) and GDP per capita (coeff.= -1.09 (SE: 0.34); p < 0.01). The associations observed in the multivariate analysis remained true in the stratified analysis using quartiles.Conclusion. Study findings suggest that implementing effective public health interventions that increase vaccine uptake and improve cardiometabolic health would have reduced COVID-19 mortality in SEAR.
Effect of Surface Crosslinking on the Wear and Friction Behavior of Tea Polyphenol Stabilized Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene for Total Joint Replacements
Authors: Ahmad Adnan , Shah Nouman Ali , Gul Rizwan M. , Kamran M. Ali , Ishaq M. Aaqib , Xu Jia Zhuang , Li Zhong Ming , Sagbas Binnur 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Highly crosslinked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with vitamin E (VE) as an antioxidant is widely accepted as a bearing material for joint implants. VE significantly helps in resisting oxidation, but it poses concerns about the loss of crosslink density and causes deterioration of the wear performance. This research aims to hypothesized that tea polyphenols, such as lipid-soluble epigallocatechin gallate (lsEGCG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) could inhibit the usual decrease in crosslink density due to VE, leading to higher wear performance. The antioxidants were blended with UHMWPE at 0.2 wt%, followed by surface chemical crosslinking using di-cumyl peroxide. The surface properties such as crosslink density, roughness, co-efficient of friction and wear performance is evaluated in detail. The results show a significantly higher crosslinked density of lsEGCG and EGCG blended UHMWPE, compared to VE stabilized UHMWPE, which was 17% lower than the virgin UHMWPE. The co-efficient of friction increased after crosslinking and was relatively higher in tea polyphenol blended UHMWPE, confirming a highly crosslinked network structure. The wear resistance of surface crosslinked tea polyphenol stabilized UHMWPE was significantly higher in comparison to crosslinked UHMWPE stabilized with VE. In addition, a substantial number of scratches, furrows, and flakes were observed on the surface of VE stabilized UHMWPE as compared to tea polyphenol stabilized UHMWPE. It was concluded that tea polyphenols are promising alternatives to VE for improvement in the overall performance and longevity of UHMWPE based implants.