bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in nutritional status and the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome following pediatric heart transplantation
Authors: Sill J. , Lukich S. , Alejos A. , Lim H. , Chau P. , Lowery R. , McCormick A. , Peng D. M. , Yu S. , Schumacher K. R. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundNutritional status in pediatric patients undergoing heart transplantation (HT) is frequently a focus of clinical management and requires high resource utilization. Pre‐operative nutrition status has been shown to affect post‐operative mortality but no studies have been performed to assess how nutritional status may change and the risk of developing nutritional comorbidities long‐term in the post‐transplant period.MethodsA single‐center retrospective chart review of patients ≥2 years of age who underwent heart transplantation between 1/1/2005 and 4/30/2020 was performed. Patient data were collected at listing, time of transplant, 1‐year, and 3‐year follow‐up post‐transplant. Nutrition status was classified based on body mass index (BMI) percentile in the primary analysis. Alternative nutritional indices, namely the nutrition risk index (NRI), prognostic nutrition index (PNI), and BMI z‐score, were utilized in secondary analyses.ResultsOf the 63 patients included, the proportion of patients with overweight/obese status increased from 21% at listing to 41% at 3‐year follow‐up. No underweight patients at listing became overweight/obese at follow‐up. Of patients who were overweight/obese at listing, 88% maintained that status at 3‐year follow‐up. Overweight/obese status at listing, 1‐year, and 3‐year post‐transplantation were significantly associated with developing metabolic syndrome. In comparison to the alternative nutritional indices, BMI percentile best predicted post‐transplant metabolic syndrome.ConclusionsThe results suggest that pediatric patients who undergo heart transplantation are at risk of developing overweight/obesity and related nutritional sequelae (ie, metabolic syndrome). Improved surveillance and interventions targeted toward overweight/obese HT patients should be investigated to reduce the burden of associated comorbidities.
Alemtuzumab induction is associated with decreased hospitalization rates in pediatric kidney transplant: A UNOS data review for safety and outcomes with common induction regimens
Authors: Aydin‐Ghormoz Emmanuel , Ortiz Jorge , Koizumi Naoru , Li Meng‐Hao , Faddoul Geovani 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundWe hypothesized that alemtuzumab use is safe in pediatric kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with equivalent long‐term outcomes compared to other induction agents.MethodsUsing pediatric kidney transplant recipient data in the UNOS database between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2022, multivariate logistic regression, multivariable Cox regression, and survival analyses were utilized to estimate the likelihoods of 1st‐year and all‐time hospitalizations, acute rejection, CMV infection, delayed graft function (DGF), graft loss, and patient mortality among recipients of three common induction regimens (ATG, alemtuzumab, and basiliximab).ResultsThere were no differences in acute rejection or graft failure among induction or maintenance regimens. Basiliximab was associated with lower odds of DGF in deceased donor recipients (OR 0.77 [0.60–0.99], p = .04). Mortality was increased in patients treated with steroid‐containing maintenance (HR 1.3 [1.005–1.7] p = .045). Alemtuzumab induction correlated with less risk of CMV infection than ATG (OR 0.76 [0.59–0.99], p = .039). Steroid‐containing maintenance conferred lower rate of PTLD compared to steroid‐free maintenance (HR 0.59 [0.4–0.8] p = .001). Alemtuzumab was associated with less risk of hospitalization within 1 year (OR 0.79 [0.67–0.95] p = .012) and 5 years (HR 0.54 [0.46–0.65] p < .001) of transplantation. Steroid maintenance also decreased 5 years hospitalization risk (HR 0.78 [0.69–0.89] p < .001).ConclusionsPediatric KTRs may be safely treated with alemtuzumab induction without increased risk of acute rejection, DGF, graft loss, or patient mortality. The decreased risk of CMV infections and lower hospitalization rates compared to other agents make alemtuzumab an attractive choice for induction in pediatric KTRs, especially in those who cannot tolerate ATG.
The role of donor type and pre‐transplant immunosuppression on outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children and young adults with severe aplastic anemia
Authors: Kashif Reema , Horn Biljana , Milner Jordan , Joyce Michael , Dalal Mansi , Lee Jin‐Ju , McNerney Kevin , Cline Jessica , Fort John , Castillo Paul , Galvez Jorge , Alperstein Warren , Ligon John , Ziga Edward , Crawford David , Chellapandian Deepak 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe goal of this study was to assess the effect of donor type and pre‐transplant immunotherapy (IST) on outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for children and young adults with severe aplastic anemia (SAA).MethodsThis retrospective, multi‐center study included 52 SAA patients, treated in 5 pediatric transplant programs in Florida, who received HSCT between 2010 and 2020 as the first‐ or second‐line treatment.ResultsThe median age at HSCT for all 52 patients was 15 years (range 1–25). The 3‐year overall survival (OS) by donor type were as follows: 95% [95% CI 85.4–99] for matched related donors (MRD) (N = 24), 84% [95% CI 63.5–99] for haploidentical (N = 13), and 71% [95% CI 36–99] for matched unrelated donors (MUD) (N = 7). The 3‐year OS was 81% [95% CI 69.7‐99] for all patients, 90.5% [95% CI 79.5‐99] for non‐IST patients (N = 27), and 70% [95% CI 51–99] for IST patients (N = 24) (log‐rank p = .04). Survival of haploidentical HSCT (haplo‐HSCT) recipients with post‐transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) (N = 13) was excellent for both groups: 100% for non‐IST patients (N = 3) and 80% for IST patients (N = 10). The 3‐year OS for patients with previous IST by donor type in groups where >5 patients were available was 78.8% [95% CI 52.3–99] for haplo‐HSCT (N = 10) and 66.7% [95% CI 28.7–99] for MUD (N = 6). Although it appears that patients receiving HSCT ≥6 months after the start of IST had worse survival, the number of patients in each category was small and log‐rank was not significant(p = .65).ConclusionsPatients receiving MUD and haplo‐HSCT with PTCy had similar outcomes, suggesting that haplo‐HSCT with PTCy could be included in randomized trials of upfront IST versus alternative donor HSCT.
Safety and infectious outcomes in pediatric kidney transplant recipients after COVID‐19 vaccination: A pediatric nephrology research consortium study
Authors: Churilla Travis , Crane Clarkson , Sreedharan Rajasree , Alzarka Bakri J. , Charnaya Olga , Jain Namrata G. , Pizzo Helen , Mansuri Asifhusen , Jain Amrish , Grewal Manpreet , Fishbein Joseph D. , Kula Alexander J. , Heald‐Sargent Taylor , Matossian Debora , Verghese Priya S. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundAdult kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) fully vaccinated against COVID‐19 have substantial morbidity and mortality related to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection compared with the general population. However, little is known regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID‐19 vaccination series in pediatric KTRs.MethodsA multicenter, retrospective observational study was performed across nine pediatric transplantation centers. Eligible KTRs fully vaccinated against COVID‐19 were enrolled and data were collected pertaining to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection incidence and severity, graft outcomes and post‐vaccination safety profile, as well as overall patient survival.ResultsA total of 247 patients were included in this investigation with a median age at transplantation of 11 years (IQR 5–15). SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was observed in 30/110 (27.27%) of fully vaccinated patients, tested post‐transplant, within the defined follow‐up period. Of these patients, 6/30 (18.18%) required hospitalization and 3/30 (12.12%) required reduction in immunosuppression, with no reported deaths. De novo donor‐specific antibodies (DSAs) were found in 8/86 (9.30%) of DSA‐tested patients with two experiencing rejection and subsequent graft loss. The overall incidence of rejection and graft loss among the total cohort was 11/247 (4.45%) and 6/247 (3.64%), respectively. A 100% patient survival was observed.ConclusionsObservationally, infectious outcomes of SARS‐CoV‐2 in fully vaccinated pediatric KTRs are excellent, with a low incidence of infection requiring hospitalization and no associated deaths. Though de novo DSAs were observed, there was minimal graft rejection and graft loss reported in the total cohort.
Animal models for partial heart transplantation
Authors: Yerger Julia , Hill Morgan A. , Fitzgerald David C. , Rajab Taufiek K. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundPartial heart transplantation delivers growing heart valve implants by transplanting the part of the heart containing the necessary heart valve only. In contrast to heart transplantation, partial heart transplantation spares the native ventricles. This has important implications for partial heart transplant biology, including the allowable ischemia time, optimal graft preservation, primary graft dysfunction, immune rejection, and optimal immunosuppression.AimsExploration of partial heart transplant biology will depend on suitable animal models. Here we review our experience with partial heart transplantation in rodents, piglets, and non‐human primates.Materials & MethodsThis review is based on our experience with partial heart transplantation using over 100 rodents, over 50 piglets and one baboon.ResultsSuitable animal models for partial heart transplantation include rodent heterotopic partial heart transplantation, piglet orthotopic partial heart transplantation, and non‐human primate partial heart xenotransplantation.DiscussionRodent models are relatively cheap and offer extensive availability of research tools. However, rodent open‐heart surgery is technically not feasible. This limits rodents to heterotopic partial heart transplant models. Piglets are comparable in size to children. This allows for open‐heart surgery using clinical grade equipment for orthoptic partial heart transplantation. Piglets also grow rapidly, which is useful for studying partial heart transplant growth. Finally, nonhuman primates are immunologically most closely related to humans. Therefore, nonhuman primates are most suitable for studying partial heart transplant immunobiology and xenotransplantation.ConclusionsAnimal research is a privilege that is contingent on utilitarian ethics and the 3R principles of replacement, reduction and refinement. This privilege allows the research community to seek fundamental knowledge about partial heart transplantation, and to apply this knowledge to enhance the health of children who require partial heart transplants.
Exploring the impact of solar radiation on skin microbiome to develop improved photoprotection strategies
Authors: Gilaberte Yolanda , Piquero‐Casals Jaime , Schalka Sergio , Leone Giovanni , Brown Anthony , Trullàs Carles , Jourdan Eric , Lim Henry W. , Krutmann Jean , Passeron Thierry 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe skin microbiome undergoes constant exposure to solar radiation (SR), with its effects on health well‐documented. However, understanding SR's influence on host‐associated skin commensals remains nascent. This review surveys existing knowledge on SR's impact on the skin microbiome and proposes innovative sun protection methods that safeguard both skin integrity and microbiome balance. A team of skin photodamage specialists conducted a comprehensive review of 122 articles sourced from PubMed and Research Gateway. Key terms included skin microbiome, photoprotection, photodamage, skin cancer, ultraviolet radiation, solar radiation, skin commensals, skin protection, and pre/probiotics. Experts offered insights into novel sun protection products designed not only to shield the skin but also to mitigate SR's effects on the skin microbiome. Existing literature on SR's influence on the skin microbiome is limited. SR exposure can alter microbiome composition, potentially leading to dysbiosis, compromised skin barrier function, and immune system activation. Current sun protection methods generally overlook microbiome considerations. Tailored sun protection products that prioritize both skin and microbiome health may offer enhanced defense against SR‐induced skin conditions. By safeguarding both skin and microbiota, these specialized products could mitigate dysbiosis risks associated with SR exposure, bolstering skin defense mechanisms and reducing the likelihood of SR‐mediated skin issues.
Gradient‐based approach to sufficient dimension reduction with functional or longitudinal covariates
Authors: Huang Ming‐Yueh , Chan Kwun Chuen Gary 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we focus on the sufficient dimension reduction problem in regression analysis with real‐valued response and functional or longitudinal covariates. We propose a new method based on gradients of the conditional distribution function to estimate the sufficient dimension reduction subspace. While existing inverse‐regression‐type methods relies on a linearity condition, our method is based on the gradient of conditional distribution function and its validity only requires smoothness conditions on the population parameters. Practically, the proposed estimator can be obtained by standard algorithm of functional principal component analysis. The proposed method is demonstrated through extensive simulations and two empirical examples.
Neural Network-Based Modeling of Diffusion-Induced Stress in a Hollow Cylindrical Nano-Electrode of Lithium-Ion Battery
Authors: Li Yong , Wu Yunhao , Huang He , Zhang Kai , Yang Fuqian 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Understanding the interaction between mechanical deformation and mass transport, such as diffusion-induced stress, is crucial in the development of advanced battery materials and electrochemical devices. Mathematical modeling and solving the related coupling problems have played important roles in advancing the understanding of the interaction between mechanical deformation and mass transport. As the complexity of mathematical modeling continues to increase, numerical methods used to solve the related coupling problems are likely to encounter significant challenges. This work explores the feasibility of designing a neural network specifically for solving diffusion-induced stress in the electrode of lithium-ion battery via deep learning techniques. A loss function is constructed from the spatiotemporal coordinates of sampling points within the solution domain, the overall structure of the system of partial differential equations, boundary conditions, and initial conditions. The distributions of stress and lithium concentration in a hollow-cylindrical nanoelectrode are obtained. The high degree of conformity between the numerical results and those from the finite element method is demonstrated.
Application of Mechano-Luminescence-Optoelectronic Composites for Delamination Detection in Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites
Authors: Mongare Alfred 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have attracted significant attention from the aerospace industry in recent years. FRP composites have the advantage of being light weight, high strength, and resistant to corrosion making them an attractive option for various applications in the aerospace industry. However, FRP composites are prone to delamination which can eventually compromise structural integrity leading to sudden failure. An effective damage detection methodology is therefore necessary to monitor delamination in structures. In this study, mechano-luminescence-optoelectronic (MLO) composites were integrated with FRP composites to create MLO-FRP test coupons for delamination detection. The MLO composites were prepared by coupling a poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)-based sensor with a copper dopped zinc sulfide (ZnS:Cu) composite. MLO composites were attached to the surface of FRP composites to create MLO-FRP test coupons. The MLO-FRP test coupon was mounted on a 3-point bending load frame and subjected to cyclic loading and unloadings at various displacements with the first displacement starting from zero to 5 mm, the second displacement starting from zero to 6 mm, and so on. A direct current (DC) voltage was recorded from the MLO composites at a constant loading rate to validate its DC-based strain sensing capability. Other parameters such as applied load, strain energy release rate, and strain were also obtained with the aim of tracking delamination propagation in FRP composites. Results showed that MLO composites were sensitive to delamination propagation highlighting their potential to be used in structures for health monitoring.
Thermodynamic Performance Investigation of Environmentally Friendly Working Fluids in a Geothermal Integrated Pumped Thermal Energy Storage System
Authors: Mwesigye Aggrey 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Among the available energy storage technologies, pumped thermal energy storage (PTES) is emerging as a potential solution for large-scale electrical energy storage with high round-trip efficiencies and no geographical limitations. However, PTES requires a low-cost, high-temperature heat source to achieve reasonable round-trip efficiencies. Moreover, organic Rankine cycle-based PTES systems require high-performance and environmentally friendly working fluids. In this study, the thermodynamic performance of a geothermal integrated PTES system using environmentally friendly working fluids is investigated. The mathematical model of the geothermal integrated PTES system is developed using the first and second laws of thermodynamics and implemented in Engineering Equation Solver (EES). With the developed model, the thermodynamic performance of the PTES system for different working fluids, including butene, cyclopentane, isobutene, R1233zd(E), R1234ze(Z), R1224yd(Z), HFO1336mzz(Z), n-hexane, and n-pentane was investigated. For geothermal fluid outlet temperatures between 60 °C and 120 °C and geothermal fluid inlet and outlet temperature differences across the evaporator between 20 °C and 60 °C, the net power ratio, i.e., the ratio of the electrical energy discharged to the electrical energy used to run the charging cycle, is between 0.25 and 1.40. This shows that the system has the potential to give back more than 100% of the electrical energy used during charging under certain conditions. High net power ratios are obtained for a combination of high source temperatures and low geothermal fluid inlet and outlet temperature differences.
An Improved Positive Displacement Pump Model Accounting for Suction Cavitation
Authors: Rizzuto Francesco , Corney Jonatan , Dempster William , Tijsseling Arris 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Positive displacement (PD) pumps are widely employed in industrial settings due to their inherent simplicity and reliability, serving a variety of applications from slurry transport to jet washing. Although their operational principles are straightforward, the fluid dynamics of the pumped medium exhibit nontrivial characteristics, including intricate transient phenomena. Consequently, a comprehensive fluid dynamic description, such as a three-dimensional fluid analysis, presents challenges due to its demanding computational requirements. While simpler analytical PD pump models are available, they often fail to adequately represent the primary system behaviors, particularly when dealing with cavitation. Motivated by these challenges, this study aims to develop a novel one-dimensional model for PD pumps, offering a representation of essential fluid phenomena without imposing significant computational burdens. After assessing the relative importance of the fluid dynamic behaviors that the model must capture, we construct a pump model based on a one-dimensional fluid description and solve it using a second-order in time and space monotone upwind scheme for conservative law and total variation diminishing (MUSCL-TVD) scheme. The model's validity is confirmed by its application to both single-chamber and three-chamber diaphragm PD pumps, which are instrumented for experimental validation. The results of the one-dimensional model exhibit strong agreement with physical experiments, both in controlled laboratory environments and field conditions. This success suggests a promising approach for industrial applications.
Improving nitrofurantoin resistance prediction in
Escherichia coli
from whole-genome sequence by integrating NfsA/B enzyme assays
Authors: Dulyayangkul Punyawee , Sealey Jordan E. , Lee Winnie W. Y. , Satapoomin Naphat , Reding Carlos , Heesom Kate J. , Williams Philip B. , Avison Matthew B. 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Nitrofurantoin resistance in
Escherichia coli
is primarily caused by mutations damaging two enzymes, NfsA and NfsB. Studies based on small isolate collections with defined nitrofurantoin MICs have found significant random genetic drift in
nfsA
and
nfsB
, making it extremely difficult to predict nitrofurantoin resistance from whole-genome sequence (WGS) where both genes are not obviously disrupted by nonsense or frameshift mutations or insertional inactivation. Here, we report a WGS survey of 200
oqxAB
-negative
E. coli
from community urine samples, of which 34 were nitrofurantoin resistant. We characterized individual non-synonymous mutations seen in
nfsA
and
nfsB
among this collection using complementation cloning and NfsA/B enzyme assays in cell extracts. We definitively identified R203C, H11Y, W212R, A112E, and A112T in NfsA and R121C, Q142H, F84S, P163H, W46R, K57E, and V191G in NfsB as amino acid substitutions that reduce enzyme activity sufficiently to cause resistance. In contrast, E58D, I117T, K141E, L157F, A172S, G187D, and A188V in NfsA and G66D, M75I, V93A, and A174E in NfsB are functionally silent in this context. We identified that 9/166 (5.4%) nitrofurantoin-susceptible isolates were “pre-resistant,” defined as having loss of function mutations in
nfsA
or
nfsB
. Finally, using NfsA/B enzyme assays and proteomics, we demonstrated that 9/34 (26.5%)
ribE
wild-type nitrofurantoin-resistant isolates also carried functionally wild-type
nfsB
or
nfsB
/
nfsA
. In these cases, NfsA/B activity was reduced through downregulated gene expression. Our biological understanding of nitrofurantoin resistance is greatly improved by this analysis but is still insufficient to allow its reliable prediction from WGS data.
Type I toxin-antitoxin systems in bacteria: from regulation to biological functions
Authors: Shore Selene F. H. , Leinberger Florian H. , Fozo Elizabeth M. , Berghoff Bork A. 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Toxin-antitoxin systems are ubiquitous in the prokaryotic world and widely distributed among chromosomes and mobile genetic elements. Several different toxin-antitoxin system types exist, but what they all have in common is that toxin activity is prevented by the cognate antitoxin. In type I toxin-antitoxin systems, toxin production is controlled by an RNA antitoxin and by structural features inherent to the toxin messenger RNA. Most type I toxins are small membrane proteins that display a variety of cellular effects. While originally discovered as modules that stabilize plasmids, chromosomal type I toxin-antitoxin systems may also stabilize prophages, or serve important functions upon certain stress conditions and contribute to population-wide survival strategies. Here, we will describe the intricate RNA-based regulation of type I toxin-antitoxin systems and discuss their potential biological functions.