bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in dynamic electrocardiogram after COVID-19 infection: a self-controlled study
Authors: Wang Liying , Gao Jie , Wang Xinkang 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) not only causes respiratory system damage, but also cardiovascular system. Previous studies had shown that COVID-19 can cause abnormal changes in ECG, however few studies reported changes in dynamic electrocardiogram before and after COVID-19 infection.
Methods: A retrospective review of patients who were first diagnosed with COVID-19 and underwent dynamic electrocardiogram from Fujian Provincial Hospital between January 1, 2023 and April 30, 2023.In which who had received at least once dynamic electrocardiogram between January 1, 2018 and December 20, 2022 were included in our study. The differences of dynamic electrocardiogram before and after COVID-19 infection were compared and analyzed.
Results: A total of 144 COVID-19 patients were included(67 males，mean age 56±14.3). After COVID-19, the mean heart rate and minimum heart rate increased, the total number of atrial premature, atrial tachycardia and ventricular premature contractions bigeminy，the incidence of T wave changes were increased, SDNN, SDNN index, PNN50, HF and LF were decreased(all p< 0.05).
Conclusion:Dynamic electrocardiogram showed increased arrhythmia and decreased heart rate variability after-COVID-19 , indicating that COVID-19 has damage to the cardiovascular system, which can provide reference for clinical diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
A Game-Theoretic Exploration with Surplus Profit-Sharing in a Three-Channel Supply Chain, Featuring E-Commerce Dynamics
Authors: Vatanara Maryam , Rabbani Masoud , Heydari Jafar 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

In a three-channel supply chain, coordination can be especially challenging especially when a manufacturer has to work with a retailer and an online platform. In such a scenario, sales efforts can be critical to the success of the supply chain. However, there is a risk of free riding behavior by either the retailer or the manufacturer, which can lead to suboptimal sales performance. This article will explore the centralized and the decentralized models by the use of game theory (Nash and Stackelberg) and eventually tries to coordinate the three-channel supply chain with the help of Operational Research (OR) to optimize the decision-making and create a win-win situation. Numerical examples are provided to prove the efficiency of the presented models. Finally, the models are evaluated through sensitivity analysis, and managerial insights are provided to enhance the applicability of the models for coordinating a three-channel supply chain.
Triglyceride–glucose index and serum uric acid on the prediction of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events after PCI: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Huo Li-Kun , Hu Su-Tao , Zhang Yu-Kun , Zhao Wen-Juan , Ji Xiang , Chen Kang-Yin , Liu Tong 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background：Both serum uric acid (SUA) levels and TyG index have been reported to associate with adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. Limited evidence has focus on the combined and mediating effects of TyG on the association between SUA and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Methods：In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 6923 patients who underwent PCI were included. The patients were grouped based on the cut-off value of the TyG index and the sex-specifc criteria of hyperuricemia (HUA).
The primary end point was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and target lesion revascularization.
Cox regression analysis was conducted to estimate the association of TyG index and SUA with clinical outcome. A mediation analysis was performed to assess whether TyG index mediates the relationship between SUA and MACCE.
Results：During a median of 693 days follow-up, 756 (10.9%) patients experienced MACCE. Compared with the Non-HUA/L-TyG group, the HUA/H-TyG group experienced the highest MACCE risk[hazard ratio(HR): 1.455,95% confidence interval(CI): 1.177–1.799, p < 0.001], followed by the HUA/L-TyG group(HR: 1.342, 95% CI: 1.093–1.647, p = 0.005) and Non-HUA/H-TyG (HR: 1.226, 95% CI: 1.007–1.493, p = 0.043). The TyG index significantly mediated 50.25% of the relationship between SUA and MACCE (p < 0.001).
Conclusions：In patients undergone PCI, the TyG index and HUA synergically increased the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and TyG index partially mediated the association between HUA and clinical outcomes, which emphasizes that combining TyG and SUA can help identify high risk patients.
Emergent collective alignment gives competitive advantage to longer cells during range expansion
Authors: Jauffred Liselotte , Berg Nathan van den , Thijssen Kristian , Nguyen Thu , Sarlet Adrien , Cordero Mireia , Vázquez Alba , Mitarai Namiko , Doostmohammadi Amin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Bacteria’s competition for nutrients and territory drives biofilm evolution (1 –4). The factors determining the outcome of competition among diverse bacterial species have a broad impact on a wide range of pathological (5), environmental (6), and microbiome interactions (7). While motility-related traits (8 – 11) and specific molecular mechanisms (12 , 13) have been identified as potential winning attributes in bacteria, a shared and universally conserved feature determining competition remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that a simple morphological feature of individual bacteria, cell aspect ratio, provides a winning trait for the population. Using range expansion experiments (14), we show that relatively longer bacteria robustly conquer the expanding front, even when initially in minority. Using an agent based model of dividing bacteria, we reveal that the takeover mechanism is their emergent collective alignment: groups of locally aligned bacteria form "nematic arms" bridging the central region of the colony to the expanding front. Once at the front, bacteria align parallel to it and block the access of shorter bacteria to nutrients and space. We confirm this observation with single-cell experiments and further generalise our findings by introducing a generic continuum model of alignment-dominated competition, explaining both experimental and cell-based model observations. Moreover, we extend our predictions to spherical range expansions (15) and confirm the competitive advantage of being longer, even though the effect is less pronounced than in surface-attached colonies. Our results uncover a simple, yet hitherto overlooked, mechanical mechanism determining the outcome of bacterial competition, which is potentially ubiquitous among various bacteria. With the current advances in genetic engineering, varying aspect ratios can work as a simple tunable mechanism for the on-demand setting of the outcome of bacterial competitions with widespread implications for biofilm control.
Proteomics and Machine Learning in the Prediction and Explanation of Low Pectoralis Muscle Area
Authors: Enzer Nicholas A. , Chiles Joe , Mason Stefanie , Shirahata Toru , Castro Victor , Regan Elizabeth , Choi Bina , Yuan Nancy F. , Diaz Alejandro A. , Washko George R. , McDonald Merry-Lynn , Estépar Raul San José , Ash Samuel Y. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Low muscle mass is associated with numerous adverse outcomes independent of other associated comorbid diseases. We aimed to predict and understand an individual’s risk for developing low muscle mass using proteomics and machine learning. We identified 8 biomarkers associated with low pectoralis muscle area (PMA). We built 3 random forest classification models that used either clinical measures, feature selected biomarkers, or both to predict development of low PMA. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for each model was: clinical-only = 0.646, biomarker-only = 0.740, and combined = 0.744. We displayed the heterogenetic nature of an individual’s risk for developing low PMA and identified 2 distinct subtypes of participants who developed low PMA. While additional validation is required, our methods for identifying and understanding individual and group risk for low muscle mass could be used to enable developments in the personalized prevention of low muscle mass.
An MRI-Based Deep Learning Radiomics Nomogram Analysis for Prediction of Postoperative Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Therapy
Authors: Wu Rong-Rong , Xie Xing-Yun , Zhou Yi-Min 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the value of combining radiomics features and deep learning features to construct Nomogram for non-invasive prediction of postoperative lymph node metastasis (LNM) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for cervical cancer, to assist clinical decision-making and diagnosis.
Method
Two hundred and sixty-five cervical cancer patients were divided into training (n = 212) and test (n = 53) sets in an 8:2 ratio. Radiomics features were extracted from Axial Liver Acquisition with Volume Acceleration plus Contrast enhancement (Ax-LAVA + C) sequences of MRI, and deep learning (DL) features were extracted using the Inception V3 model. The features selected by LASSO were combined with four machine learning algorithms to construct models to evaluate the predictive value of the radiomics features and DL features for postoperative LNM in cervical cancer patients operated after NACT. A Nomogram was constructed based on Logistic Regression model combining radiomics score (rad-score) and DL-score.
Results
In the radiomics model, the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) outperforms other machine learning algorithms, with AUCs of 0.79,0.80 in the training set and test set, respectively. In the DL model, Support Vector Machine (SVM) outperforms other machine learning algorithms with AUCs of 0.78,0.78 in the training set and test set, respectively. The Nomogram constructed by combining radiomics features and deep learning features has an AUC of 0.93,0.89 in the training set and test set, respectively. It outperforms the radiomics model and the DL model. The decision curve analysis (DCA) shows that the Nomogram has good clinical benefits.
Conclusion
Radiomics models and deep learning models can effectively predict LNM status after NACT in cervical cancer patients. The Nomogram constructed by combining radiomics and DL features has better prediction performance compared with the radiomics model and DL model.
Aerosol-type Classification Based on AERONET Version 3 Data: A Case Study of Two Major Cities in Pakistan
Authors: Zeeshan Muhammad 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
In the Earth’s atmosphere, aerosols are among the most variable components that significantly impact the Earth's climate and largely vary in their form. This study investigated the temporal distribution of atmospheric particles over two megacities in Pakistan for the period 2015–2023, offering an aerosol-type classification based on the Particle linear depolarization ratio (PLDR) and Single-scattering albedo (SSA) at 1020 nm, retrieved from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) Version 3.0 Level 2.0 inversion products. The results revealed that Lahore had comparatively greater average values for aerosol optical depth (AOD 440nm) and Ångstroṁ exponent (AE 440nm-870nm) than did Karachi. The contribution of fine (coarse) −mode aerosols to the total volume concentration dominates at lower (higher) PLDRs. The dust ratio (Rd) parameter indicated that coarse-mode aerosols were dominant at both sites, with occurrence rates of 86% at Lahore and 99% at Karachi. Pure dust (PD) particles have a greater frequency of occurrence (43.16%) and pollution-dominated mixture (PDM) aerosols (44.14%) in the atmospheres of Lahore and Karachi, respectively, but dust-dominated mixture (DDM) has a lower frequency of occurrence (33.91% and 29.63%, respectively). The annual incidence rates of dust-free pollution aerosols (SA, MA, WA, and NA) were lower (25.62% at Lahore, 27.87% at Karachi) at both sites than those of dust-containing aerosols (28.47% at Lahore, 30.43% at Karachi). Weakly absorbing (WA) and Non-absorbing (NA) aerosols are more dominant than strong absorbing (SA) and moderately absorbing (MA) aerosols. In addition, seasonally, the winter season is strongly affected by PD (85.42%) and DDM (54.39%), the spring season is strongly affected by WA (55.53%) and PDM (68.61%), the summer is strongly affected by NA (Lahore: 64.94%, and Karachi: 57.22%), and the autumn season is strongly affected by WA (Lahore: 51.56%, and Karachi: 49.46%) aerosols, over Lahore and Karachi.
A Quantitative Analysis of Mandatory Wellness Assessments for 1st and 3rd Year Medical Students at the University of Ottawa
Authors: Haykal Kay-Anne , Zombre Ines , Laprade Selena , Duquet Miryam , Joseph Joseph 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
An alarming prevalence of burnout among medical students has been reported in many countries, including Canada. To design resilience and wellness programs, it is important to explore individual risk factors. This article presents an example of a Wellness Assessment Program for medical students at the University of Ottawa. The overall goal was to identify risk factors for poorer mental health outcomes among medical students at the University of Ottawa.
Methods
We conducted a quantitative study to determine risk factors for mental health, among MD-A (1st year only), MD-B (1st year only), MD-C (1st and 3rd year) and MD-D (1st and 3rd year).
Results
Risk factors that significantly impacted the mental health of 1st and 3rd year medical students at the University of Ottawa were physical health, sleep/fatigue, social support, education and career, stress, and drug and/or alcohol use. Students who were originally from Ottawa had more social support and less stress and drug and/or alcohol use (p < 0.001;p = 0.009). Being in the Francophone cohort had a positive effect on physical health, but a negative effect on psychological/emotional health (p = 0.039;p = 0.004). There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.021) between the psychological/emotional health of 1st year students (M = 0.7895) and 3rd year students (M = 0.8923) when co-variates (risk factors) were not considered.
Conclusion
In the current context of the limited effectiveness of measures to address the negative impacts of medical education on student well-being, this study showed that efficient use of the wellness program data can identify risk factors that have a significant impact on wellness.
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide separates graft-versus host disease and graft versus leukemia effects after HLA- matched stem-cell transplantation for AML
Authors: Shimoni Avichai , Peczynski Christophe , Labopin Myriam , Kulagin Alexander , Meijer Ellen , CORNELISSEN Jan , Choi Goda , Sanz Jaime , Rovira Montse , Gorkom Gwendolyn Van , Kröger Nicolaus , Koc Yener , Vydra Jan , Díez-Martín Jose Luis , Solano Carlos , Patel Amit , Chiusolo Patrizia , Ciceri Fabio , Nagler Arnon , Mohty Mohamad 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The association of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (SCT) is well-established but was not confirmed in modern era and following post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy). We assessed GVHD/ GVL association in AML patients following HLA-matched SCT with standard calcineurin-based (n = 12,653) or PTCy-based (n = 508) GVHD prophylaxis. Following standard prophylaxis, the rates of acute GVHD grade II-IV and III-IV, chronic GVHD and extensive chronic GVHD were 23.8%, 7.5%, 37.0% and 16.3%, respectively. Acute GVHD grade II and III-IV were associated with lower relapse [hazard-ratio (HR) 0.85, P = 0.002; HR 0.76, P = 0.003, respectively)], higher non-relapse mortality (NRM) (HR 1.5, P < 0.001; HR 6.21, P < 0.001) and lower overall-survival (OS) (HR 1.49, P < 0.001; HR 6.1, P < 0.001). Extensive chronic GVHD was associated with lower relapse (HR 0.69, P < 0.001), higher NRM (HR 2.83, P < 0.001) and lower OS (HR 2.74, P < 0.001). Following PTCy, GVHD rates were 22.8%, 6.2%, 35.5% and 17.7%, respectively. Acute GVHD grade II-IV was not associated with relapse (HR 1.37, P = 0.15) but predicted higher NRM (HR 3.34, P < 0.001) and lower OS (HR 1.92, P = 0.001). Chronic GVHD was not prognostic for these outcomes. In conclusion, GVHD and GVL are strongly associated in contemporary SCT. However, following PTCy, GVHD is not associated with reduced relapse.
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric and adult patients with haemophilia
Authors: Zhang Shu-xia , Xie Bangxiang , Lin Yanfang , Chen Chunrong , Yang Shu , Xu Shujuan , Li Xin , Chen Jing , Yang Feng’e , Huang Meijuan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background:The COVID-19-associated mortality rate of haemophilia patients is similar to that of the general population, but the risk of hospitalization and bleeding is higher. However, the specific impact of this infection on haemophilia patients has not been reported yet. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the infection susceptibility, symptoms, drug use, and social intercourse of patients with haemophilia.
Methods: A survey was distributed to a total of 265 patients with haemophilia [adult (n = 185) and pediatric patients (n = 80)] in the Fujian haemophilia therapeutic center (Fuzhou City, China) during the COVID-19 pandemic, and data were collected between January 2022 and January 2023. The impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection on haemophilia symptoms, drug use, and social intercourse of these patients were investigated, and the association between the recovery time and disease conditions was explored in infected patients.
Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with adult patients, pediatric patients had reduced social intercourse and outdoor activities because of the fear of contracting COVID-19 (85.0% vs. 66.5%; P = 0.002). Bleeding events were also significantly fewer in children than in adults (61.2% vs. 81.1%; P = 0.001). The SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was significantly higher in patients living in urban areas than in those living in rural areas (74.3% vs. 53.6%; P < 0.001). The duration of achieving symptomatic recovery from COVID-19 was not significantly associated with hemorrhage, type and classification of haemophilia, presence of inhibitors, complications, and vaccination status.
Conclusion: Having COVID-19 infection did not significantly influence the symptoms and treatments in patients with haemophilia. Compared with adults, pediatric patients had significantly fewer bleeding events.
Pan-Genome Analysis with Virulence Factors: Charting the Genomic Landscape of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)
Authors: Salian Lavanya Shankar , Sajeevan Anusree , K Krishna Prasath S , S Suma Mohan , Solomon Adline Princy 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Urinary tract infections remain a worldwide health challenge, affecting over 150 million individuals annually, with significant morbidity and healthcare costs. Escherichia coli is the chief uropathogen (50–90%) in uncomplicated, community-acquired urinary tract infections. Numerous virulence factors are expressed by Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), allowing the bacteria to cause urinary tract infections. Despite large-scale sequencing efforts to raise clinical awareness of UPEC, not much is known about the diversity and functions of virulence factors. To understand and elucidate the genetic diversity, evolutionary characteristics, and virulence profile, efforts were taken to construct the pan-genome of UPEC using 212 publicly available complete genome sets. The UPEC pan-genome was open in nature i.e. its size increases indefinitely when adding new genomes and showed extensive genome variability. These UPEC strains had diverse virulence gene content, and four potential core virulence genes (dhak, fimH-1, H-2, uspABCDFG, yehD) have been identified. The conserved mechanisms for their pathogenicity were related to adherence, motility, and immune modulation. The study underscores the crucial role of bacterial adhesins, particularly fimH, in mediating UPEC attachment to uroepithelial cells, enhancing persistence, and resisting mechanical elimination by urine flow. The investigation into fimH single-nucleotide polymorphisms aids in understanding UPEC epidemiological types. The datasets provide in-depth analysis of genomic diversity and virulence profiles of UPEC strains, paving the way for the development of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. Therefore, the identified virulence factors with further research can serve as potential targets for vaccine and antibiotic development, facilitating genetic studies and clinical research for enhanced UTI management.
The correlation between the expression of serum intestinal mucosal barrier function markers and the natural killer cell in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Yun Yang , An Jia , Zhang Fen , Bu Yu-Jie , Cen Xing , Zhao Gui-Fang , Lian Fen-Ping , Wang Yi-Qi , Zhang Sheng-Xiao , Chen Jun-Wei 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Dysfunction of the intestinal mucosal barrier may be closely related to the development of autoimmune diseases such as SLE. However, there are fewer studies in this area. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between the expression of serum markers for intestinal mucosal barrier function and the lymphocyte subsets in patients with SLE.
Methods
30 SLE patients and 10 healthy individuals were collected in the study. 30 SLE were divided into disease activity group and non-disease activity group according to their SLEDAI score. The levels of serum markers of mucosal barrier function were determined by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The number of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were measured by Flow Cytometry (FCM). The levels of plasma cytokine were detected by Cytometric Bead Array (CBA).
Results
Compared with the healthy control group, the level of serum zonulin [13.33 (8.69, 28.83) vs5.25 (3.78, 9.25), P < 0.001] and IFABP [2.53 (1.87, 3.38) vs1.68 (1.66, 2.01), P = 0.004] in the SLE patients were increased. Compared with the SLE non-disease active group, the expression level of serum zonulin was significantly higher than that in the SLE disease active group [25.17 (16.78, 33.99) vs 8.74 (6.81, 12.60), P < 0.001]. The expression level of serum zonulin in SLE patients was positively correlated with ESR (r = 0.424, P = 0.020), anti-ds-DNA antibody (r = 0.629, P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with C3 (r=-0.441, P = 0.015); the expression level of IFABP was negatively correlated with C3(r=-0.380, P = 0.038)and C4 (r=-0.432, P = 0.017). There was a negative correlation between the expression level of serum zonulin and the absolute number of total NK cells in peripheral blood in patients with SLE (r=-0.380, P = 0.038). There was a positive correlation between the expression level of serum zonulin and IFN-γ in patients with SLE (r = 0.561, P = 0.015).
Conclusion
Intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction is a common occurrence in SLE patients, and it is related to disease activity and antibody production. It can be used as an evaluation indicator of disease progression. The dysfunction is associated with dysregulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes, especially NK cells, in SLE patients. It may be one of the causes of immune homeostasis imbalance in SLE patients.