bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association between Clonorchis sinensis infection and hepatocellular carcinoma in an endemic area: a study in Guangxi, China
Authors: Yang Qing-Li , Lu Xi-Wei , Fang Zhong-Liao , Gao Yu-Qiu , He Yi-Ning , Huang Yan , Dai Yue , Liang Ming-Yong , Chan Carlos H. F. , Jiang Zhi-Hua 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Chronic infection with Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis) has been associated with the development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC); however, the relationship between C. sinensis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uncertain.
Methods
This study examined 120 patients with liver cancer in the clonorchiasis endemic area of Hengzhou, Guangxi, China. The type of cancer, the differentiation grade according to Edmondson Steiner's classification, and the pathological characteristics of HCC were determined through postoperative tissue biopsy. C. sinensis infection was detected by measuring serum specific IgG antibody, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was determined by detecting serum HBsAg and HBV DNA in HCC tissues.
Results
Of the patients evaluated, 98 (81.7%) had HCC, 21 (17.5%) had ICC, and 1 (0.8%) had comorbidity of HCC/ICC. Among the HCC patients, 24 (24.5%) were solely infected with HBV, 71 (72.4%) were infected with C. sinensis, and 3 (3.1%) showed no evidence of infection. C. sinensis infection rates in HCC patients are much higher than in the general population, as well as in general outpatient and non-liver cancer inpatients in the local area (χ2 = 82.61/141.92, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the pathological type, differentiation grade, and lesion composition between the tumor associated with C. sinensis/HBV mono- and co-infection (P > 0.05). Among the patients with C. sinensis-related HCC, 8 (8.2%) were solely infected with C. sinensis, while 63 (64.3%) were co-infected with HBV. Infection with C. sinensis and HBV has a significant impact on the kind of liver cancer (χ2 = 22.858, cramer’V/φ = 0.444, contingency coefficient = 0.406, P < 0.001).
Conclusions
These findings indicate that HCC still accounts for the majority of liver cancer in this region. In addition to being most commonly related with HBV infection, HCC is also related with C. sinensis infection. The co-infection of HBV and C. sinensis is the leading cause of HCC in this region.
Epigenetic Modulation of Social Cognition: Exploring the Impact of Methylation in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Oxytocin Receptor Genes Across Sex
Authors: Park Hye Yoon , Lee Suonaa , Koo Se Jun , Li Zhenxu , Seo Eunchong , Lee Eun , An Suk Kyoon 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: Social cognition, which ranges from recognizing social cues to intricate inferential reasoning, is influenced by environmental factors and epigenetic mechanisms. Notably, methylation variations in stress-related genes like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) are linked to distinct social cognitive functions and exhibit sex-specific differences. This study investigates how these methylation differences affect social cognition across sexes, focusing on both perceptual and inferential cognitive levels.
Methods: Social cognitive abilities were assessed using the Korean version of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (K-RMET) and Brune’s story-based Theory of Mind tasks (ToM-PST). DNA methylation levels in BDNF and OXTR were analyzed for correlations with performance on these cognitive tasks in a cohort of male and female participants. A moderation model was applied to determine if sex moderates the relationship between social cognition and DNA methylation.
Results: No significant overall correlation was found between social cognition and DNA methylation across participants. However, sex-specific correlations were identified, including a negative impact of BDNF methylation on K-RMET scores in males, and a similar effect of OXTR methylation on ToM-PST scores in females.
Conclusions: The findings underscore the complex relationship between epigenetic modifications and social cognition, revealing sex-specific effects and highlighting the importance of considering sex in epigenetic studies of social cognition. This research contributes to understanding how epigenetic factors, influenced by sex, shape social cognitive processes and supports the need for sex-specific therapeutic approaches.
Analysis of Phenotypic and Genetic Characteristics of 37 Children with SCN5A Variants: from A Single Tertiary Medical Center in China
Authors: Zhou Huiming , Li Xiaomei , Zhang Yi , Li Meiting , Chen Danlei 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The clinical, electrocardiographic and genetic characteristics of children with SCN5A variants are complex and widely different from those of adults, but relevant reports are lacking. So, this study was designed to illustrate the characteristics of children with SCN5A variants in China with the largest sample size. Of arrhythmic children with SCN5A variants, clinical history and electrocardiographic and genetic results were integrated, and further follow-up was conducted to illustrate the disease spectrum, progression and genetics. Thirty-seven arrhythmic children with SCN5A variants were enrolled, whose electrocardiograms mainly presented as conduction disorders (60%), sinoatrial node dysfunction (46%), prolonged QT interval (38%) and Brugada pattern (5%). These electrocardiogram abnormalities could exist alone (54%) or form overlap syndrome (46%). Ventricular arrhythmia co-occurred in 57% of long QT syndrome patients. Of children with progressive cardiac conduction system disease (PCCD), 25% showed second-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) type II or third-degree AVB firstly and another 25% progressed from second-degree AVB type I to third-degree AVB. Forty-six percent of the sick sinus syndrome (SSS) children showed atrial tachycardia/flutter firstly, but sinus arrest/bradycardia was then triggered. Most of the overlap syndrome was SSS plus PCCD (65%) and the former took the predominance. The most prevalent culprit domain in NaV1.5 channel was the pore-loop (26%) and followed by the II-III linker (18%). In conclusion, conduction disorders and sinoatrial node dysfunction are the most popular abnormal electrocardiograms. The pore-loop and II-III linker of NaV1.5 channel are highly likely to be the key molecular structural regions determining the clinical phenotypes.
The enigmatic αIIb β-propeller: Structural insights from select missense mutations
Authors: Chandrasekaran Finola Priyadharshini , Nelson Everette Jacob Remington 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Integrin αIIbβ3 is the predominant receptor for fibrinogen which mediates platelet aggregation, an important step in hemostasis and thrombosis. Several mutations have been reported in the genes encoding αIIb and β3 subunits among patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia, of which 177 are in the β-propeller domain. The two subunits form a heterodimer at the interface between β-propeller and β-I domains of αIIb and β3 respectively with their stability critical for intracellular trafficking, surface expression, and ligand binding. Our study was aimed at retrieving the β-propeller mutations from various databases and study structural variations due to select mutations upon interaction with fibrinogen using molecular docking and molecular dynamics. Mutations were studied for their impact on phenotypic severity, structural stability, and evolutionary conservation. Molecular docking analysis and molecular dynamics simulations were carried out for αIIb-β3 complexes as well as αIIbβ3-fibrinogen complexes; in particular, E355K structure had more deviations, fluctuations, and other changes which compromised its structural stability and binding affinity when compared to both wild-type and G401C structures. Our comprehensive in silico analysis clearly reiterates that mutations in the β-propeller are not only responsible for structural changes in this domain but also have implications on the overall structure and function of integrin αIIbβ3.
Deterioration of neuroimmune homeostasis in Alzheimer’s Disease patients who survive a COVID-19 infection
Authors: Villareal Jonathan A. B. , Bathe Tim , Hery Gabriela P. , Phillips Jennifer L. , Tsering Wangchen , Prokop Stefan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Growing evidence has implicated systemic infection as a significant risk factor for the development and advancement of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and the resultant pandemic, many individuals from the same aging population vulnerable to AD suffered a severe systemic infection with potentially unidentified long-term consequences for survivors. To study the impact of COVID-19 survival on the brain’s intrinsic immune system in a population also suffering from AD, we profiled post-mortem brain tissue from patients in the UF Neuromedicine Human Brain and Tissue Bank with a diagnosis of AD who survived a COVID-19 infection (COVID-AD) and contrasted our findings with AD patients who did not experience a COVID-19 infection, including a group of brain donors who passed away before arrival of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States. We assessed disease-relevant protein pathology and microglial and astrocytic markers by quantitative immunohistochemistry and supplemented these data with whole tissue gene expression analysis performed on the NanoString nCounter® platform. COVID-AD patients showed slightly elevated Ab burden in the entorhinal, fusiform, and inferior temporal cortices compared to non-COVID-AD patients, while tau pathology burden did not differ between groups. Analysis of microglia revealed a significant loss of microglial homeostasis as well as exacerbated microgliosis in COVID-AD patients compared to non-COVID-AD patients in a brain region-dependent manner. Furthermore, COVID-AD patients showed reduced cortical astrocyte numbers, independent of functional subtype. Transcriptomic analysis supported these histological findings and, in addition, identified a dysregulation of oligodendrocyte and myelination pathways in the hippocampus of COVID-AD patients. In summary, our data demonstrate a profound impact of COVID-19 infection on neuroimmune and glial pathways in AD patients persisting for months post-infection, highlighting the importance of peripheral to central neuroimmune crosstalk in neurodegenerative diseases.
Direct 16S/ITS rRNA Gene PCR followed by Sanger Sequencing for Detection of Mycetoma causative Agents in Dakar, Senegal: A pilot study among patients with mycetoma attending Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital
Authors: DIONGUE Khadim , Dione Jean-Noël , Diop Abdoulaye , Kabtani Jihane , Diallo Mamadou Alpha , L’Ollivier Coralie , Seck Mame Cheikh , Ndiaye Mouhamadou , Badiane Aida Sadikh , Ndiaye Daouda , Ranque Stéphane 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Introduction. A mycetoma is defined as “any pathological process in which fungal or actinomycotic agents of exogenous origin produce grains”. A precise identification of the causal agents is critical for the therapeutic outcome. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify the pathogens of mycetoma using direct 16S/ITS rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by Sanger sequencing directly on grains.
Materials and Methods. In sum, 32 samples including 15 black grains, 12 red grains, and five white/yellow grains collected from patients with mycetoma at the Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital in Dakar, Senegal, between October 2014 and September 2020 were submitted to PCR/sequencing in IHU Méditerranée Infection in Marseille, France. For black grain eumycetoma, the ITS rRNA region was targeted. Similarly, the 16S rRNA gene was targeted for red grain actinomycetoma. These two regions were targeted in parallel for white/yellow grains, which could be of either bacterial or fungal origin. The obtained sequences were assembled and searched using BLAST against the NCBI GenBank nucleotide database with DNA sequence-based species identification defined by ≥99% sequence similarity.
Results. The age of the patients ranged from 14 to 72 years with a mean age of 36±14 years. Thirteen (86%) of the 15 samples with black grains, were successfully sequenced with only one established eumycetoma pathogen, M. mycetomatisidentified in 11 (73%). Cladosporium sphaerospermum was identified in one sample. For the 16S rRNA sequencing about red grains, a 58.3% (7/12) success rate was obtained with Actinomadura pelletieri identified in six (06) samples. Among the five samples sequenced twice, the ITS rRNA sequencing success rate was 60% (3/5); and no mycetoma causative agent was identified. The 16S rRNA sequencing success rate was 40% (2/5) with the established actinomycetoma causative organism, Actinomadura madurae, identified in one. In the second, A. geliboluensis was identified.
Conclusion. Overall, direct 16S/ITS rRNA sequencing on grains for the detection and identification of mycetoma pathogens was successful in 59.4% of cases. The success rate depended on the colour of the grains. It was 80% for black, 50% for red and 40% for white/yellow grains. Fungi, led by Madurella mycetomatis, were the predominant pathogens identified. We identified two probable new causal agents, namely Cladosporium sphaerospermum, and Actinomadura geliboluensis. Yet, the involvement of both deserves confirmation.
A Fast Distance Transform Algorithm Based on Parallel Computing for Digital Rock Image Processing
Authors: Shi Xiaoting , Mao Tan , Zha Junyan , Su Qiang , Wang Xin , Cheng Youliang 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Distance transform (DT) can accurately represent spatial information relationship, and it has been widely used in digital core analysis, such as computer image processing, pattern recognition, and etc. However, for large-resolution 2D/3D images, the existing serial Euclidean distance transform (EDT) algorithm is time-consuming and memory-consuming. This paper proposed a parallel implementation of fast Euclidean distance transform in neighborhood based on data set decomposition, which is called as Parallel Computing EDT (PCEDT). The distance transformation is completed efficiently and accurately by data segmentation, batch calculation, and results combination. Compared with other EDT algorithms, PCEDT algorithm is more efficient and more suitable, especially for 20003 Voxels to 40003 voxels data amount to deal with when applied in practical applications.
Identification of Genetic Variants in Patients with Idiopathic Ventricular Arrhythmia by Taiwan Arrhythmia Gene Panel Implying Underlying Mechanisms
Authors: Chen Jien Jiun , Chang Sheng-Nan , Chiu Fu-Chun , Huang Pang-Shuo , Wu Cho-Kai , Wang Yi-Chih , Hwang Juey-Jen , Tsai Chia-Ti 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to idiopathic ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation is a catastrophic disease. Its genetic basis is heterogeneous and has been rarely addressed in Asia. We aim to find variants in an Asian cohort of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmia (IVA).
Methods
Nationwide patients with IVA were consecutively recruited. We designed a SCD gene panel (134 genes) to detect variants by next-generation sequencing (NGS) including most of the channelopathy and cardiomyopathy genes.
Results
A total of 40 IVA patients were included. Thirteen variants with unknown significance (VUS) and 7 pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants were identified in 20 patients (50%). All variants were novel and not found in dbSNP, ExAC and our general population. The identified variants were in genes implicated for long QT or Brugada syndromes (SCN5A, KCNH2, CACNA1C and ANK2), cardiomyopathy (MYH6, DSP and TTN) and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (RYR2). Patients with P/LP were younger, and more were women than those with VUS.
Conclusions
A high yield rate of genetic test was found in the largest NGS cohort of Asian IVA patients. These patients should be vigorously followed up for possible channelopathy or cardiomyopathy with repeated provocative test and myocardial imaging.
“Well, it’s very doctor-related” – Interprofessional communication and collaboration between general practitioners and nurses: a qualitative study in Southern Germany
Authors: Nordmann Kim , Sauter Stefanie , Redlich Marie-Christin , Möbius-Lerch Patricia , Schaller Michael , Fischer Florian 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: The demographic transition in Germany is leading to an increase in the number of people needing care or nursing services in their own homes. Interprofessional communication and collaboration among healthcare professions providing outpatient care is paramount to ensure effective and high-quality patient-centred care. However, interprofessional communication and collaboration comes with complex prerequisites and rarely works smoothly. Thus, it is necessary to assess the current status quo.
Therefore, the aim is to characterize communication patterns, factors influencing interprofessional communication and collaboration and expectations towards communication and collaboration between home-care nursing services and general practitioner practices in Germany.
Methods:Semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals in general practitioners’ practices and nurses working in home-care nursing services were conducted in southern Germany. The interviews were analysed using inductive thematic content analysis.
Results: Current communication occurs via fax, telephone or personal contact for various purposes, including the emission or rectification of medical orders and exchanging information about change in a patient’s condition. Key factors influencing interprofessional communication are organizational (e.g., lack of direct communication), profession-related (e.g., hierarchy) and individual (e.g., capacity to provide care). Interprofessional collaboration is scarce. Nurses and general practitioners expect uncomplicated, efficient and quick communication and collaboration through set channels.
Conclusions: Current interaction patterns are deficient and require political, structural and educational changes to establish well-functioning collaboration in the ambulant sector that facilitates patient-centred care. Educational and political reforms should comprise expanding interprofessional education in curricula and the introduction of clear and secure communication channels.
MDIAM: A Multi-Device Identity Authentication Mechanism Based on Blockchain and Fuzzy Extractor
Authors: Wang Liang , Wang Zhipeng , Zuo Lina , Liu Haibo 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

With the widespread deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, security issues with identity authentication are becoming increasingly prominent. Traditional methods of identity authentication cannot adequately meet the security requirements for managing multiple devices in IoT contexts. Therefore, we propose an innovative IoT multi-device identity authentication mechanism (MDIAM), which is designed based on fuzzy extractor and blockchain technology. MDIAM enables users to set different identity credentials on multiple IoT devices using just one fingerprint. The MDIAM adopts a novel password generation algorithm based on Chebyshev polynomials. This algorithm cleverly transforms the string-form fingerprint feature into multiple sets of passwords, providing crucial technical support for the mechanism. Additionally,we conducted experimental simulations and security analyses on the mechanism. The experiment simulates the actual operational process of the mechanism and analyzes various potential attacks it may face. Through in-depth security analysis, we comprehensively evaluated the mechanism, and the results showed its ability to resist common attack methods such as brute force attacks and man-in-the-middle attacks. We focused on identifying and addressing potential security vulnerabilities, further proving its security and reliability.
Early Cretaceous Troodontine Troodontid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Ohyamashimo Formation of Japan Reveals the Early Evolution of Troodontinae
Authors: Kubota Katsuhiro , Kobayashi Yoshitsugu , Ikeda Tadahiro 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

A new troodontid dinosaur, Hypnovenator sasayamaensis gen. et sp. nov., is described based on an articulated postcranial skeleton recovered from the fluvial deposits of the Albian Ohyamashimo Formation of the Sasayama Group in Tambasasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Hypnovenator is distinguished from other troodontids by four autapomorphies and a combination of additional features. Our phylogenetic analysis positions Hypnovenator as the oldest and one of the most basal troodontines, forming a monophyletic clade with Gobivenator mongoliensis. The discovery of Hypnovenator suggests that small-bodied maniraptorans with a sleeping posture were common not only in environments with volcanic and eolian events or alluvial systems but also in fluvial systems. Geometric morphometric analysis of manual unguals shows that manual unguals I and III of Hypnovenator exhibit considerable morphological variation but are functionally similar, which differs from those of non-troodontine troodontids, reflecting the transition of manual motion within Troodontinae. Hypnovenator also has mosaic features in the pes related to cursoriality. This study reveals that asymmetrical arctometatarsus occurred by the Albian, and some morphological changes, such as shorter digit IV than digit III and non-ungual phalanges of digits III with roller joints and digit IV with weakly ginglymoid articulation, arose during the early Late Cretaceous.