bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated expression of HIGD1A drives hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating polyamine metabolism through c-Myc–ODC1 nexus
Authors: Zhang Haixing , Li Xiaoran , Liu Ziying , Lin Zimo , Huang Kuiyuan , Wang Yiran , Chen Yu , Liao Leyi , Wu Leyuan , Xie Zhanglian , Hou Jinlin , Zhang Xiaoyong , Liu Hongyan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Hypoxia contributes to cancer progression through various molecular mechanisms and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most hypoxic malignancies. Hypoxia-inducible gene domain protein-1a (HIGD1A) is typically induced via epigenetic regulation and promotes tumor cell survival during hypoxia. However, the role of HIGD1A in HCC remains unknown.

Methods
HIGD1A expression was determined in 24 pairs of human HCC samples and para-tumorous tissues. Loss-of-function experiments were conducted both in vivo and in vitro to explore the role of HIGD1A in HCC proliferation and metastasis.

Results
Increased HIGD1A expression was found in HCC tissues and cell lines, which was induced by hypoxia or low-glucose condition. Moreover, HIGD1A knockdown in HCC cells arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase and promoted hypoxia-induced cell apoptosis, resulting in great inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as tumor xenograft formation. Interestingly, these anti-tumor effects were not observed in normal hepatocyte cell line L02. Further, HIGD1A knockdown suppressed the expression of ornithine decarboxylase 1 (ODC1), a rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine metabolism under c-Myc regulation. HIGD1A was found to bind with the c-Myc promoter region, and its knockdown decreased the levels of polyamine metabolites. Consistently, the inhibitory effect on HCC phenotype by HIGD1A silencing could be reversed by overexpression of c-Myc or supplementation of polyamines.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrated that HIGD1A activated c-Myc–ODC1 nexus to regulate polyamine synthesis and to promote HCC survival and malignant phenotype, implying that HIGD1A might represent a novel therapeutic target for HCC.
Meta-analysis of 46,000 germline de novo mutations linked to human inherited disease
Authors: Lopes-Marques Mónica , Mort Matthew , Carneiro João , Azevedo António , Amaro Andreia P. , Cooper David N. , Azevedo Luísa 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
De novo mutations (DNMs) are variants that occur anew in the offspring of noncarrier parents. They are not inherited from either parent but rather result from endogenous mutational processes involving errors of DNA repair/replication. These spontaneous errors play a significant role in the causation of genetic disorders, and their importance in the context of molecular diagnostic medicine has become steadily more apparent as more DNMs have been reported in the literature. In this study, we examined 46,489 disease-associated DNMs annotated by the Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD) to ascertain their distribution across gene and disease categories.

Results
Most disease-associated DNMs reported to date are found to be associated with developmental and psychiatric disorders, a reflection of the focus of sequencing efforts over the last decade. Of the 13,277 human genes in which DNMs have so far been found, the top-10 genes with the highest proportions of DNM relative to gene size were H3-3 A, DDX3X, CSNK2B, PURA, ZC4H2, STXBP1, SCN1A, SATB2, H3-3B and TUBA1A. The distribution of CADD and REVEL scores for both disease-associated DNMs and those mutations not reported to be de novo revealed a trend towards higher deleteriousness for DNMs, consistent with the likely lower selection pressure impacting them. This contrasts with the non-DNMs, which are presumed to have been subject to continuous negative selection over multiple generations.

Conclusion
This meta-analysis provides important information on the occurrence and distribution of disease-associated DNMs in association with heritable disease and should make a significant contribution to our understanding of this major type of mutation.
Comparative analysis of emotional facial expression recognition and empathy in children with prader-willi syndrome and autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Perosanz Ane , Martínez Oscar , Espinosa-Blanco Patricia , García Irune , Al-Rashaida Mohammad , López-Paz Juan Francisco 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that is often comorbid with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Due to the close association between these two conditions, and recognizing that Theory of Mind (ToM) is related to social behaviors in ASD, there is a growing interest in studying the reciprocity of social communication between these two groups.

Method
The primary objective of this study was to compare how children (n = 45) with PWS (n = 15), ASD (n = 15), and a control group (n = 15) respond to emotion recognition of facial expressions and empathy, which are both concepts related to ToM. The study utilized two tools named FEEL and Deusto-e-Motion 1.0. We also evaluated the Working Memory index of the WISC-IV scale, the Social Perception domain of the NEPSY-II battery, and the SCQ in both clinical groups.

Results
Our findings suggest that individuals with PWS exhibit lower accuracy in recognizing facial expressions and empathy compared to the control group. Both clinical groups exhibited a delayed reaction time compared to the control group. Children with PWS display difficulties in recognizing emotions of disgust and surprise. In terms of cognitive empathy, children with PWS showed a greater inclination to respond to disgust as compared to children with ASD.

Conclusions
This study represents the initial stage in comprehending the emotional and empathetic abilities of children with PWS and ASD. The findings can provide valuable insights for developing future interventions.
Data-driven multinomial random forest: a new random forest variant with strong consistency
Authors: Chen JunHao , Wang XueLi , Lei Fei 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we modify the proof methods of some previously weakly consistent variants of random forest into strongly consistent proof methods, and improve the data utilization of these variants in order to obtain better theoretical properties and experimental performance. In addition, we propose the Data-driven Multinomial Random Forest (DMRF) algorithm, which has the same complexity with BreimanRF (proposed by Breiman) while satisfying strong consistency with probability 1. It has better performance in classification and regression tasks than previous RF variants that only satisfy weak consistency, and in most cases even surpasses BreimanRF in classification tasks. To the best of our knowledge, DMRF is currently a low-complexity and high-performing variation of random forest that achieves strong consistency with probability 1.
Sepsis and obesity: a scoping review of diet-induced obesity murine models
Authors: Eng Mikaela , Suthaaharan Keshikaa , Newton Logan , Sheikh Fatima , Fox-Robichaud Alison ,   the National Preclinical Sepsis Platform, Sepsis Canada
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Sepsis, the life-threatening host response to infection, is a major cause of mortality. Obesity increases vulnerability to sepsis; however, some degree of obesity may be protective, called the “obesity paradox”. This scoping review systematically maps the literature on outcomes associated with diet-induced obesity and sepsis-induced organ injury, focusing on non-transgenic murine models.

Methods
A literature search of primary articles was conducted from database inception to June 2023. Eligible articles compared diet-induced obesity to non-obese mice in sepsis models involving live pathogens. Two reviewers screened articles and extracted data on obesogenic and sepsis models utilized, and organ injury outcomes, including physiological dysfunction, histological alterations, and biochemical changes.

Results
Seventeen studies met eligibility criteria; 82% used male C57BL/6 mice, and 88% used cecal ligation and puncture to induce sepsis. Most studies used 60% high-fat diets compared to 10–16% fat in controls. Seven (64%) studies reported increased mortality in obese septic mice, one (9%) observed a decrease, and three (37%) found no significant difference. The liver, lungs, and kidneys were the most studied organs. Alanine transaminase results were inconclusive. Myeloperoxidase levels were increased in the livers of two studies and inconclusive in the lungs of obese septic mice. Creatinine and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin were elevated in obese septic mice.

Conclusions
There is variability in the methodology and measured outcomes in murine models of diet-induced obesity and sepsis and a lack of studies in female mice. The absence of standardized models has produced conflicting findings on the impact of obesity on sepsis outcomes.
Prognostic value of CT-based radiomics in grade 1–2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Heo Subin , Park Hyo Jung , Kim Hyoung Jung , Kim Jung Hoon , Park Seo Young , Kim Kyung Won , Kim So Yeon , Choi Sang Hyun , Byun Jae Ho , Kim Song Cheol , Hwang Hee Sang , Hong Seung Mo 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Surgically resected grade 1–2 (G1-2) pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) exhibit diverse clinical outcomes, highlighting the need for reliable prognostic biomarkers. Our study aimed to develop and validate CT-based radiomics model for predicting postsurgical outcome in patients with G1-2 PanNETs, and to compare its performance with the current clinical staging system.

Methods
This multicenter retrospective study included patients who underwent dynamic CT and subsequent curative resection for G1–2 PanNETs. A radiomics-based model (R-score) for predicting recurrence-free survival (RFS) was developed from a development set (441 patients from one institution) using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-Cox regression analysis. A clinical model (C-model) consisting of age and tumor stage according to the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system was built, and an integrative model combining the C-model and the R-score (CR-model) was developed using multivariable Cox regression analysis. Using an external test set (159 patients from another institution), the models’ performance for predicting RFS and overall survival (OS) was evaluated using Harrell’s C-index. The incremental value of adding the R-score to the C-model was evaluated using net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI).

Results
The median follow-up periods were 68.3 and 59.7 months in the development and test sets, respectively. In the development set, 58 patients (13.2%) experienced recurrence and 35 (7.9%) died. In the test set, tumors recurred in 14 patients (8.8%) and 12 (7.5%) died. In the test set, the R-score had a C-index of 0.716 for RFS and 0.674 for OS. Compared with the C-model, the CR-model showed higher C-index (RFS, 0.734 vs. 0.662, p = 0.012; OS, 0.781 vs. 0.675, p = 0.043). CR-model also showed improved classification (NRI, 0.330, p < 0.001) and discrimination (IDI, 0.071, p < 0.001) for prediction of 3-year RFS.

Conclusions
Our CR-model outperformed the current clinical staging system in prediction of the prognosis for G1–2 PanNETs and added incremental value for predicting postoperative recurrence. The CR-model enables precise identification of high-risk patients, guiding personalized treatment planning to improve outcomes in surgically resected grade 1–2 PanNETs.
Creation and environmental applications of 15-year daily inundation and vegetation maps for Siberia by integrating satellite and meteorological datasets
Authors: Mizuochi Hiroki , Sasagawa Taiga , Ito Akihiko , Iijima Yoshihiro , Park Hotaek , Nagano Hirohiko , Ichii Kazuhito , Hiyama Tetsuya 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAs a result of climate change, the pan-Arctic region has seen greater temperature increases than other geographical regions on the Earth’s surface. This has led to substantial changes in terrestrial ecosystems and the hydrological cycle, which have affected the distribution of vegetation and the patterns of water flow and accumulation. Various remote sensing techniques, including optical and microwave satellite observations, are useful for monitoring these terrestrial water and vegetation dynamics. In the present study, satellite and reanalysis datasets were used to produce water and vegetation maps with a high temporal resolution (daily) and moderate spatial resolution (500 m) at a continental scale over Siberia in the period 2003–2017. The multiple data sources were integrated by pixel-based machine learning (random forest), which generated a normalized difference water index (NDWI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and water fraction without any gaps, even for areas where optical data were missing (e.g., cloud cover). For the convenience of users handling the data, an aggregated product is provided, formatted using a 0.1° grid in latitude/longitude projection. When validated using the original optical images, the NDWI and NDVI images showed small systematic biases, with a root mean squared error of approximately 0.1 over the study area. The product was used for both time-series trend analysis of the indices from 2003 to 2017 and phenological feature extraction based on seasonal NDVI patterns. The former analysis was used to identify areas where the NDVI is decreasing and the NDWI is increasing, and hotspots where the NDWI at lakesides and coastal regions is decreasing. The latter analysis, which employed double-sigmoid fitting to assess changes in five phenological parameters (i.e., start and end of spring and fall, and peak NDVI values) at two larch forest sites, highlighted a tendency for recent lengthening of the growing period. Further applications, including model integration and contribution to land cover mapping, will be developed in the future.
The Emergency Braking Game: a game theoretic approach for maneuvering in a dense crowd of pedestrians
Authors: Szőts János , Gyenes Zoltán , Gincsainé Szádeczky-Kardoss Emese , Bölöni Ladislau , Harmati István 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe introduce an algorithm that maneuvers a vehicle through an area with randomly moving pedestrians. In non-critical situations, our strategy is to avoid pedestrians by steering, whereas dangerously moving pedestrians are avoided by braking, possibly coming to a complete stop. The distinction between non-critical and dangerous situations, as well as proof of safety, is based on a continuous optimization problem that we define. In this abstract problem, called Emergency Braking Game, one pedestrian is actively trying to collide with a continuously decelerating car. We show how to determine the outcome of the game based on the initial states of the car and the pedestrian. Using this information, our algorithm can initiate deceleration in the real scenario in time to avoid collision. The method’s safety is proven theoretically, and its efficiency is shown in simulations with randomly moving pedestrians.
Assembled or unassembled? Different types of outfit coordination presentations in online fashion retailing
Authors: Qu Ying , Baek Eunsoo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn the realm of retailing, various methods of product presentation exert a significant influence on consumers' perceptions and behaviors. In the context of fashion retailing, one crucial aspect of presentation revolves around outfit coordination (OC), which can be displayed in either an assembled or unassembled manner. Assembled OC entails displaying fashion items collectively on a body, while unassembled OC involves presenting them individually on a flat background. Drawing from the literature on the Elaboration Likelihood Model of attention, this research explores the impact of assembled versus unassembled OC on consumers' imagery elaboration, attention, and product evaluations, employing three online experiments. In the first study (N = 126), we demonstrate that assembled OC, in contrast to unassembled OC, fosters greater imagery elaboration and elicits more positive product evaluations. Building upon these findings, the second study (N = 214) employs a serial mediation analysis to unveil the underlying mechanism involving shifted attention. The third study (N = 182) explores the moderating effect of fashion involvement, revealing that for consumers with a high level of fashion involvement, unassembled OC, rather than assembled OC, leads to higher levels of imagery elaboration and more favorable product evaluations. This research not only enriches the literature on online retailing and visual communication, but also provides actionable insights for industry practitioners on effectively presenting fashion products to online shoppers.
Ectopic pancreatic adenocarcinoma in Meckel’s diverticulum: a case report
Authors: Inokuchi Shoichi , Shirabe Kohjiro , Tsutsumi Satoshi , Takayama Hiroomi , Terashi Takahiro , Yasuda Kazuhiro , Ikebe Masahiko , Bandoh Toshio , Wada Junpei , Urabe Shogo , Utsunomiya Tohru 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Malignant neoplasms arising from Meckel’s diverticulum are rare and an adenocarcinoma in Meckel’s diverticulum originating from ectopic pancreatic tissue is even rarer. Herein, we report a patient with an ectopic pancreatic adenocarcinoma in Meckel’s diverticulum who was successfully treated with surgery and chemotherapy.

Case presentation
A woman in her sixties presented to another hospital with abdominal pain. Plain computed tomography suggested an abdominal tumor and she was referred to our hospital. Enhanced computed tomography revealed a 23-mm low-density tumor in the abdominal cavity. Surgery was performed with a tentative diagnosis of a mesenteric tumor, such as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor, schwannoma, or lymphoma. First, we inspected the peritoneal cavity with a laparoscope. This revealed numerous nodules in the small bowel mesentery, suggesting peritoneal dissemination. A 20-mm-diameter white tumor was found in the small intestine and diagnosed as a small intestinal cancer. The small intestine was partially resected laparoscopically through a small skin incision. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged on postoperative day 9. Pathological examination revealed well-differentiated adenocarcinoma in the small intestine. The tumor had developed from a sac-like portion protruding toward the serosal side and had a glandular structure lined with flattened atypical cells. Neither pancreatic acinar cells nor islets of Langerhans were evident, suggesting a Heinrich type 3 ectopic pancreas. The final diagnosis was an adenocarcinoma originating from an ectopic pancreas in Meckel’s diverticulum. After a smooth recovery, the patient commenced chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer.

Conclusions
We present a very rare case of ectopic pancreatic carcinoma in Meckel’s diverticulum.
Successful sutureless repair of multiple left ventricular free wall ruptures due to Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a case report
Authors: Yasumura Hiroto , Tao Koji , Imada Ryo , Yamashita Yushi , Tateishi Naoki , Kinjo Tamahiro 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a temporary and reversible systolic abnormality of the left ventricular apical area resembling a myocardial infarction. Cardiac rupture due to TCM is a rare but fatal complication. Without cardiac surgery, 94% of patients with left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR) due to TCM die. Furthermore, successful surgical cases are rare. We report herein the successful treatment of multiple LVFWRs due to TCM using a sutureless repair.

Case presentation
An 80-year-old man quarreled with his daughter and had a sudden onset of chest pain. He was transferred to our hospital in shock. Electrocardiography showed ST elevation and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a bloody pericardial effusion. Emergent coronary angiography showed no significant stenosis. Cardiac arrest ensued because of cardiac tamponade. Emergent surgery was undertaken and three oozing lacerations on the lateral and inferior walls were noted. A sutureless repair was performed using TachoSil® patches. We also applied Surgicel Nu-Knit® absorbable hemostat with Hydrofit® where TachoSil® failed to completely adhere because of hematoma formation and achieved complete hemostasis. We diagnosed the ruptures due to TCM according to the Mayo criteria. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 71.

Conclusions
A sutureless repair using TachoSil® patches and Surgicel® with Hydrofit® is a minimally invasive and effective method for the treatment of multiple LVFWRs due to TCM.
Effects of free trade on export efficiency of COMESA member-states
Authors: Masunda Stein , Mhonyera Gabriel 
Published: February 2024

AbstractRegional integration in Africa is deepening, and the existing regional groupings are making frantic efforts to remove barriers to trade. One way in which trade among countries can be promoted is through the establishment of free trade areas with member-states. However, regulatory quality that supports international trade in most African countries is exceptionally low. This study investigates the effect of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) free trade area (FTA) on the bilateral export efficiency of member-states over the period 1997–2021. The results obtained using a stochastic frontier specification of the gravity model and panel data of 16 exporting COMESA member-states show a positive effect of the COMESA free trade area on export efficiency. In addition, the study finds regulatory quality to have a positive impact on export efficiency. Controlling for regulatory quality, the results also show that the FTA stimulates export efficiency. Hence, non-FTA COMESA members ought to contemplate joining the FTA in order to expand their respective exports with other member-states to their maximum potential.