bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between circulating dephosphorylated uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein and vascular calcification in peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Mao Liman , Huang Haole , Zhou Meiyang , Zhou Canxin 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are prone to develop vascular calcification (VC), which increases the all-cause mortality in PD patients. Dephosphorylated uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (dp-ucMGP) is the inactive form of matrix Gla protein (MGP), and MGP is considered as a potent inhibitor of VC. This study is to explore the association between serum dp-ucMGP and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in PD patients.
Methods
A total 128 PD patients and 120 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. Serum dp-ucMGP was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lateral plain X-ray films of abdomen were used to evaluate the abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) score (AACS). PD patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of AAC. The relationships between dp-ucMGP levels and AACS were assessed by Spearman analysis and the value of dp-ucMGP in predicting AAC was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC).
Results
Serum dp-ucMGP in PD patients were significantly higher than controls. And PD patients with AAC had higher serum dp-ucMGP than that of PD patients without AAC. In 128 PD patients, higher dp-ucMGP was associated with greater risk of present AAC (OR = 2.554, 95%CI 1.415–4.609). The area under ROC curve of dp-ucMGP was 0.9227, the corresponding sensitivity was 0.86, and the specificity was 0.92.
Conclusion
Serum dp-ucMGP levels were positively associated with the AACS in PD patients. Higher serum dp-ucMGP level is independently associated with AAC in PD patients.
Percutaneous mesh-container-plasty versus percutaneous kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures with up-endplate injury: a retrospective study
Authors: Sun Haifu , Gu Qiang , Deng Lei , Wang Chengyue , Li Yonggang , Qian Zhonglai , Wang yimeng 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: Percutaneous mesh-container-plasty（PMCP），a modified traditional percutaneous kyphoplasty（PKP）technique，is increasingly being used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures（OVCF） with up-endplate injury. This retrospective study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological results of PKP and PMCP for the treatment of this disease.
Methods: We reviewed the records of patients with osteoporosis compression fracture and upper endplate injury in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2021.One hundred and ninety-two patients who sustained osteoporosis compression fracture and upper endplate injury without neurological deficits were included in this study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.103 patients underwent PKP surgery，and 89 patients underwent PMCP surgery.
Results: The VAS and ODI scores improved in the PKP and the PMCP. The anterior vertebral body height ratio (AVBHr) and Cobb's angle showed recovery, but there was no significant statistical difference between BMCP and PKP groups. The amount of bone cement injection and the duration of patient hospitalization were similar between the two groups. But the incidence of cement leakage and adjacent vertebral fracture was lower in the PMCP group (9/89 and 3/89) than in the PKP group (24/103 and 12/103) (p < 0.05). The operation time and fluoroscopy time in the PMCP group (35.23 ± 8.54 minutes and 13.26 ± 3.34 minutes) were significantly lower than that in the PKP group（44.64 ± 9.88 minutes and 18.43 ± 4.87 minutes）(p < 0.05).
Conclusions：The BMCP group demonstrated favorable treatment outcomes in managing osteoporotic compression fractures with up-endplate injury. Additionally, it showed shorter operation and fluoroscopy times. Moreover, the postoperative probabilities of adjacent vertebral fractures and bone cement leakage were lower.
Neural networks for abstraction and reasoning: Towards broad generalization in machines
Authors: Banerjee Soumya , Bober-Irizar Mikel 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

For half a century, artificial intelligence research has attempted to reproduce the human qualities of abstraction and reasoning - creating computer systems that can learn new concepts from a minimal set of examples, in settings where humans find this easy. While specific neural networks are able to solve an impressive range of problems, broad generalisation to situations outside their training data has proved elusive.

In this work, we look at several novel approaches for solving the Abstraction and Reasoning Corpus (ARC). This is a dataset of abstract visual reasoning tasks introduced to test algorithms on broad generalization. Despite three international competitions with $100,000 in prizes, the best algorithms still fail to solve a majority of ARC tasks. The best solvers today rely on complex hand-crafted rules, without using machine learning at all. We revisit whether recent advances in neural networks allow progress on this task, or whether an entirely different class of models are required.

First, we adapt the DreamCoder Neurosymbolic reasoning solver to ARC. DreamCoder automatically writes programs in a bespoke domain-specific language to perform reasoning, using a neural network to mimic human intuition. We present the Perceptual Abstraction and Reasoning Language (PeARL) language, which allow DreamCoder to solve ARC tasks, and propose a new recognition model that allows us to significantly improve on the previous best implementation.

We also propose a new encoding and augmentation scheme that allows large language models (LLMs) to solve ARC tasks, and find that the largest models can solve some ARC tasks. LLMs are able to solve a different group of problems to state-of-the-art solvers, and provide an interesting way to complement other approaches.

We perform an ensemble analysis, combining models to achieve better results than any system alone. Finally, we publish the arckit Python library to make future research on ARC easier.
Bearing Anomaly Detection in an Air Compressor using an LSTM and RNN-Based Machine Learning Model
Authors: Joung Byung Gun , Nath Chandra , Li Zhongtian , Sutherland John W. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Smart systems such as data-driven machine health monitoring are emerging as a powerful technology for advanced manufacturing as a result of the availability of low-cost sensors, wireless communication, and advances in computational capabilities. Machine learning represents a critical element of manufacturing equipment health monitoring due to its ability to efficiently process large amounts of data and move beyond traditional rule-based maintenance methods. Predictive maintenance (PdM) has become increasingly popular in manufacturing. PdM can detect faults, determine root causes of operation anomalies, estimate the current health state of a system, and predict the future state and time when a component will fail in the absence of an intervention. One weakness of many past studies is the lack of run-to-failure data from an actual production environment. This paper presents run-to-failure data for the air compressor of an injection molding machine. A Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) is proposed to detect bearing faults in the air compressor. The model achieves a 97.4% of prediction accuracy (95.3% of overall accuracy). Experiments for machine state classification are also conducted and the classification performance compares favorably with conventional models.
Effluent plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 predicts ultrafiltration in incident peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Lai Jia-Wen , Wang Charles C.N. , Chou Che-Yi 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
The peritoneal equilibration test (PET) measures ultrafiltration and small solute clearance in peritoneal dialysis (PD). We aimed to assess if PET and biomarkers predict ultrafiltration in the first two days of PD. Biomarkers included in the study were matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI1), aquaporin1 (AQP1), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and CA125.
Methods
We enrolled 36 incident PD patients, and a fast PET was performed after the PD catheter insertion. Effluent MMP2, PAI1, AQP1, TLR4, and CA125 were collected with the fast PET and were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. The association of ultrafiltration and variables was analyzed using linear regression.
Results
The mean age of 36 patients was 69 ± 13 years, and 22 (61.1%) patients were male. The average daily ultrafiltration was 652 ± 775 ml in the first two days of PD. The D/P creatinine 1-hour was 0.59 ± 0.21, MMP2 13.9 ± 13.1 ng/ml, and PAI1 1.59 ± 1.88 ng/ml. MMP2 (p = 0.007) and PAI1 (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with ultrafiltration in univariable linear regression, but D/P creatinine (p = 0.064) was not. PAI1, independent of MMP2 and D/P creatinine, was associated with ultrafiltration with a coefficient of 404.18 (95% confident intervals 143.85 to 664.50, p = 0.003) in multivariable linear regression.
Conclusion
Measurements of effluent PAI1 at the PD catheter insertion predict ultrafiltration in the first two days of PD. The association of PAI1 and ultrafiltration is independent of MMP2 and D/P creatinine using fast PET.
In silico structural, functional and virtual screening study against proteasome subunit alpha of Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii as a drug target
Authors: Sahu Rohit , Singh Satendra , Gautam Budhayash , Yadav Pramod Kumar 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Many studies and observations suggest proteasomes are multimeric proteolytic enzyme complexes that play a central role in degradation of protein in animal cells. Several basic cellular processes such as the cell cycle, apoptosis, the stress response, and also the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses are concerned with it. In one of the studies, it was found that proteasome subunit alpha was identified as a drug target in Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii 50594. So we have predicted the proteasome subunit alpha structure of Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii in the present analysis via a Swiss-prot server. The primary and secondary structure analysis was performed through several webserver. The stereochemical quality of the model was evaluated by SAVES server. The compound ligand library was prepared with the help of the JSCG database and the Drug Bank. With the assistance of iGEMDock and AutoDock Vina tools, these ligands are used for virtual screening via protein-ligand docking. The result obtained by docking shows that there are several ligands from the prepared library, showing a much better interaction based on binding affinity. The pharmacokinetic analysis was also performed to predict out the ADMET properties and bioactivity of lead compound. It was noticeable from this outcome that there are certain ligands that could be used as a medication to treat the disease. These studies also enable us to discover a new potent anti-disease drug caused by Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii 50594.
Medwakh smoking induces alteration in salivary proteins and cytokine expression: An exploratory investigation employing salivary proteomics analysis
Authors: K.G Aghila Rani , Soares Nelson C. , Rahman Betul , Giddey Alexander D. , Al-Hroub Hamza M. , Semreen Mohammad H. , Kawas Sausan Al 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The study aims to elucidate salivary proteome alterations in medwakh smokers. Saliva samples from 33 medwakh smokers and 30 non-smokers were subjected to proteomic analysis using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. Saliva samples were analyzed for the production of 13 cytokines using LEGENDplex™ Human Essential Immune Response Panel. Statistical analysis revealed alterations in the abundance of 74 proteins including key immune mediators and inflammatory markers (Accession: PXD045901). Proteins involved in oxidative stress, cell anchorage, and cell metabolic processes were affected in medwakh smokers. Salivary immune response evaluation further validated proteome findings, revealing significantly higher levels of IL-1β, IL-12p70, IL-23, IFN-γ (Th1 cytokines), IL-6 (Th2 cytokine), and MCP-1 (chemokine) in medwakh smokers. The substantial increase in abundance of involucrin suggests stratified squamous cell differentiation and increased cell lysis in the oral cavity of medwakh smokers akin to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). The protein–metabolite joint pathway analysis further showed significantly enriched differentially expressed proteins and metabolites of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate, fructose and mannose, nicotinate and nicotinamide, and glutathione metabolism pathways in medwakh smokers. The findings underscore an urgent need for comprehensive public health interventions among youth, including awareness, cessation programs, and promoting healthier lifestyle choices to safeguard the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide.
Eradication and diversity of potato spindle tuber viroid in Dahlia in Japan
Authors: Yanagisawa Hironobu , Fuji Shin-ichi , Shiki Yusuke , Oishi Moritsugu , Oya Hitoshi , Fukushima Keisuke , Ishikawa Tomoki , Fujiwara Yuji , Matsuura Takayuki 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) was discovered in 2009 in Japanese dahlia (Dahlia sp.). Their occurrence areas were distributed across 24 prefectures based on an exhaustive survey using RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. All dahlia plant varieties in which PSTVd was detected and their adjacent plants were removed from the field. This was repeated until the eradication was completed in 2021. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the collected PSTVds were closely related which suggests that PSTVd was widespread from the same point from infected seedlings and tubers in Japan.
The correlation between the number of oocytes retrieved and PGT clinical outcomes: a population study of 1084 PGT cycles
Authors: Liang Yunhao , Li Meiyi , Wu Zhufeng , Liu Shuai 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
PGT is widely used in IVF center to improve the clinical outcomes. The number of oocytes retrieved is a critical indicator in IVF-PGT cycle.Therefor, We aim to determine whether the number of retrieved oocytes can affect the clinical outcomes of patients who undergoPGT.
Methods
The participating patients were divided into 6 groups according to the number of oocytes retrieved. The clinical outcomes of patients who underwent PGT and euploid blastocyst transfer at our IVF centre between January 2017 and December 2022 were retrospectively analysed.
Results
A total of 1084 cycles were includedin our study. Patient age and AMH levels were positively correlated with the number of oocytes retrieved and were significantly different among the 6 groups (P<0.001). Basal E2, basal FSH and basal LH levels were also significantlydifferent among the 6 groups (P<0.001). BMI and endometrial thickness did not significantly differ among the 6 groups (P=0.200 and P=0.065, respectively). The MII oocyte rate, 2PN embryo rate, and blastocystrate were significantly different among the 6 groups (P<0.001). However, the proportion of biopsied blastocysts did not significantly differ among the6 groups (P=0.257). The genetic testing revealedthat the euploid blastocyst rate and mosaic blastocyst rate were significantly different among the 6 groups (P=0.014 and P=0.038, respectively). The number of OHSS patients did not significantly differ among the 6 groups (P=0.110). After FET, the implantation rate (P=0.057), ectopicpregnancy rate (P=0.496), miscarriage rate (P=0.986), pretermbirth rate (P=0.051), birth defectrate (P=0.544), neonatal weight (P=0.913) and livebirth rate (P=0.339) did not significantly differ among the6 groups. Both the clinicalpregnancy rate and cumulative live birth rate were significantly different among the 6 groups(P=0.046 and P<0.001, respectively).
Conclusion
Our results suggest that the clinical pregnancy rate and cumulativelive birth rate of 21-25 oocytes increase, after which they plateau and donot increase therisk of OHSS. Thus, 21-25 is theoptimal number of oocytes retrieved in PGT cycles.
Vaccine wastage rates and attributed factors in rural and urban areas in Uganda: Case of Mukono and Kalungu districts
Authors: Ninsiima Mackline , Muhoozi Michael , Luzze Henry , Kasasa Simon 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background Vaccine wastage contributes to missed opportunities to vaccinate especially in low-income countries with high vaccine preventable disease burden. We estimated vaccine wastage rates and assessed attributed factors among health workers participating in vaccination activities in Mukono and Kalungu districts in Uganda. Methods A mixed methods study design was utilised to estimate vaccine wastage rates for BGC, OPV, IPV, PCV, MR, DPT–HepB–Hib and assess attributed factors among health workers participating in vaccination activities in randomly selected health facilities in Mukono (urban) and Kalungu (rural) districts. Mann–Kendall statistical test was used to assess significance of observed trends of vaccine wastage rates. We applied Mann Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H tests to compare overall average vaccine wastage rates per vaccine by district, ownership, and type of health facility. For purposes of triangulation, we conducted Key informant interviews among immunization focal persons to explore reasons attributed to vaccine wastage. Thematic analysis method using inductive coding was used to analyse qualitative data. Results Overall vaccine wastage rates were BCG (70%), MR (58%), DPT–HepB–Hib (21%), IPV (31%), OPV (28%) and PCV (17%); exceeding accepted vaccine wastage rates in Kalungu and Mukono districts from March–August, 2022. Significant variations in vaccine wastage rates were observed across the different types of health facilities [BCG (p < 0.001), IPV (p = 0.023), MR (p = 0.004) and OPV (0.008)] and further, among health facilities located within urban and rural areas [BCG (p < 0.001), MR (p < 0.001) and OPV (0.003)]. Vaccine wastage rates particularly for BCG and MR vaccines were attributed to compliance with Multi Dose Vial Policy (MDVP). Other contributing factors were low turn up during vaccination outreaches, errors and non–completion of vaccine monitoring tools, failure in maintaining cold chain and lack of training in vaccine management among health workers. Conclusion Vaccine wastage rates for all vaccines were relatively higher than acceptable levels in both districts. Intensified efforts such as regular review of vial opening guidelines, predictive modelling for outreach planning, decentralized vaccination approaches, and availability of vaccines in single-dose presentations where feasible could minimize vaccine wastage especially in multi–dose vials.
Multimodal monitoring using the Analgesia Nociception Index (ANI) during catheter ablation of the heart in patients with sinus rhythm and short-term induced atrial arrhythmia: prospective observational study
Authors: Belyakov K. S. , Ruslyakova Irina A. , Marinin V. A. , Shamsutdinova E. Z. 
Published: April 2024

INTRODUCTION: Сatheter ablation (CA) is a painful procedure requiring an assessment of the balance between nociception associated with surgical trauma and anesthesia induced antinociception. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the monitoring system “ANI Monitor” for anesthesia and intensive care in patients with sinus rhythm and short-term induced (< 1 min) atrial arrhythmia (STIAA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group of our trial consisted of 94 patients with CA and ANI Monitor. The control group consisted of 94 patients, selected using the “copy-pair” method, with standard (hemodynamic) monitoring. A Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used for assessment the intensity of pain. At the stage of femoral vein catheterization in all patients regional anesthesia was performed, at the CA stage, procedural sedation and/or analgesia (PSA) was titrated with the administration of propofol and fentanyl (under the control with ANI Monitor). Statistical data processing was carried out using Statistica 10.0 and SPSS programs. RESULTS: At the stage of CA under PSA, negative correlation was found between NRS and ANIm in patients with sinus rhythm and STIAA (r = −0.37). At the threshold of 56.0 the sensitivity and specificity of ANIm in detecting NRS ˃ 3 were 60 and 100 %, respectively, corresponding to ROC curve AUC of 0.81. Significant changes in hemodynamic reactivity were not registered. It was revealed the reduction of fentanyl administration in patients of the study group (0.04 ± 0.02 and 0.05 ± 0.03 µg/kg/min, respectively, p < 0.001) under the control of ANI Monitor. CONCLUSIONS: ANI Monitor during CA in patients with sinus rhythm and STIAA was more effective in detecting harmful nociceptive stimuli compared to standard (hemodynamic) monitoring. The use of ANI Monitor to control the fentanyl administration could create conditions for opioid-sparing anesthesia.
A fine balance: A review of incinerators for menstrual waste and recommendations for policy and practice
Authors: Weber Alison Z. , Muralidharan Arundati , Scanlon Brandon , Hallowell Jeff , Pellowski Jennifer A. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Menstrual health and hygiene is a public health and human rights issue. Amid growing access to menstrual health products and education, there is limited focus on end-of-life management and environmental impact of single-use products. Burning is a common practice to dispose of pads globally, with pad incinerators becoming widely available in India and parts of sub-Saharan Africa. However, known literature does not provide insights into the current product landscape for practitioners, researchers, or funders. Thus, this review aimed to identify and characterize incinerators designed specifically for menstrual pads and to propose recommendations for effective onsite incineration. Incinerators were identified using Internet searches, web forum posts, and key informant interviews. A custom coding form documented and summarized product characteristics. An estimate of the total cost of ownership (TCO) was computed. The ‘Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, Quality’ framework was adapted to identify technology strengths and failures. This review identified 69 incinerators from 30 global manufacturers. Estimates of a 10-year TCO ranged from USD 153 to 149,900, with electricity being the largest driver of cost. Incinerators were found to largely lack safety features, such as emissions controls. This review provides key recommendations for a variety of stakeholders, including manufacturers, policymakers, regulators, researchers, and technical experts.
Seasonality effect on trend and long-term persistence in precipitation and temperature time series of a semi-arid, endorheic basin in Central Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: Koycegiz Cihangir 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

In climate change research, it is vital to have knowledge about future changes in the trends of climatological time series. The purpose of this study is to look at the effect of seasonality on the trend and long-term persistence of precipitation and temperature time series in the Konya Endorheic Basin, a semi-arid basin in central Anatolia, Turkey. Seasonal-trend decomposition by locally estimated scatterplot smoothing was used to obtain a seasonality adjusted time series, and a comparative analysis with the original series was performed. The Mann–Kendall test and simple linear slope were used to determine monotonic trends. To observe long-term persistence, Hurst exponents were computed using the rescaled range analysis approach. The Onyutha trend test was then used to investigate the sub-trends. As a result, there is a significant increase in temperature. Precipitation is increasing in the west and east of the basin while decreasing in the north and south. The magnitude of the monotonic and sub-trend is enhanced by seasonal adjustment. Meanwhile, in the seasonally adjusted dataset, the Hurst exponent grew dramatically, reinforcing the long-term persistence. Seasonality has less of an impact on precipitation, which is more affected by local variability, than temperature.