bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased Serum MMP-9 in Long-COVID May Reflect Activation of Microglia by SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein
Authors: Kempuraj Duraisamy , Tsilioni Irene , Aenlle Kristina K. , Klimas Nancy G. , Theoharides Theoharis C. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Long-COVID is a major health concern because many patients develop chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms, but the precise pathogenesis is unknown. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) can disrupt neuronal connectivity and was elevated in patients with COVID-19. MMP-9 was measured in the serum of long COVID patients and healthy controls, as well as in the supernatant fluid of cultured human SV-40 microglia, by commercial ELISA. Results were analyzed with one-way ANOVA. MMP-9 in the serum of Long-COVID patients and supernatant fluid from cultured human microglia stimulated by recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein was assayed by ELISA. MMP-9 was significantly elevated in the serum of Long-COVID patients compared to healthy controls. Moreover, cultured human microglia released MMP-9 when stimulated by Spike protein. In conclusion, MMP-9 may contribute to the development of Long-COVID and serve both as a prognostic biomarker and as target for treatment.
Gut microbiota, human blood metabolites and esophageal cancer: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: LI Xiuzhi , Xu Bingchen , Yang Han , Zhu Zhihua 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background:Unbalances in the gut microbiota have been proposed as a possible cause of esophageal cancer, yet the exact causal relationship remains unclear.Objectives:To investigate the potential causal relationship between the gut microbiota and esophageal cancer with Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.Methods:Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of 207 gut microbial taxa (5 phyla, 10 classes, 13 orders, 26 families, 48 genera, and 105 species) and 205 gut microbiota metabolic pathways conducted by the Dutch Microbiome Project (DMP) and a FinnGen cohort GWASs of esophageal specified the summary statistics. To investigate the possibility of a mediation effect between the gut microbiota and esophageal cancer, mediation MR analyses were performed for 1,091 blood metabolites and 309 metabolite ratios.Results:MR analysis indicated that the relative abundance of 10 gut microbial taxa was associated with esophageal cancer but all the 12 gut microbiota metabolic pathways with esophageal cancer indicated no statistically significant association existing. Two blood metabolites and a metabolite ratio were discovered to be mediating factors in the pathway from gut microbiota to esophageal cancer.Conclusion:This research indicated the potential mediating effects of blood metabolites and offered genetic evidence in favor of a causal correlation between gut microbiota and esophageal cancer.
Using glycerol-inducible expression system to overexpressed maltooligosaccharide-forming α-amylase in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Li Xiangyi , Yang Jianghua , Li Yonglu , Yan Xu , Pan Shiyou , Du Liqin , Wei Yutuo 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

In order to meet the desire of maltopentaose (G5) in industrial application, we developed a glycerol-inducible expression system in Bacillus subtilis to overexpress maltooligosaccharide-forming α-amylase from Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 (BcMFAse). Verifying the glycerol-inducible promoter, optimizing fermentation conditions, comparing homologous promoter and constructing double translation initiation sites were studied. Results shown that the optimal induced time for glycerol-inducible promoter is at 8 h, the optimal induced concentration of glycerol is 1% and the optimized fermentation medium was consisted of 2% tryptone, 0.6% yeast exact, 1% NaCl and 0.6% casein hydrolysate with highest BcMFAse activity (~1549.9 U/mL) promoted by PGlpD in 500 mL triangular flask. Comparing to the homologous promoter, PGlpDL from Bacillus paralicheniformis A4-3 exhibited stronger ability to promoted the expression of BcMFAse and the maximum BcMFAse activity was ~2364.6 U/mL. The BcMFAse activity achieved ~3137.5 U/mL by constructing double translation initiation sites (TISs) at 5´-untranslated region(5´-UTR) of promoter PGlpDL. This study provided a high-efficiency way for overexpressing the BcMFAse in B. subtilis, which would economically producing G5 on industry.
Marshall-Olkin Cosine Topp-Leone Family of Distributions with Application to Real-life Datasets
Authors: Osi Abdulhameed , Doguwa Sani , Yahaya Abubakar , Zakari Yahaya , Usman Abubakar 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The Marshall-Olkin (MO) family of distributions is a flexible framework that is adept at modeling complex dependence structures and tail behaviors in a variety of real-life datasets. This paper introduces a new member of the MO family called the Marshall-Olkin Cosine Topp-Leone G family. We derive several mathematical properties of this family, including the moment, moment generating function, Renyi's entropy, and the distribution of order statistics. We also provide some special cases of this class. To estimate the model parameters, we use the method of maximum likelihood. We explore the performance of this method through simulation studies, which show that biases and root-mean-square errors decrease as the sample size increases. To demonstrate the usefulness of our model, we apply it to two real-world datasets. Our findings show that, in comparison with existing distributions, our model provides the best fit for these data.
Minimally invasive posterior fossa decompression in Chiari malformation type I with and without syringomyelia
Authors: zhang Lei , chen Hongfu , zhang Hui , Ji Peizhi 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background: At present, there is no consensus on the selection of surgical methods for Chiari malformation type I (CM-I). The extent of decompressive craniectomy, whether subarachnoid exploration is necessary, and whether the hernia tonsils are excised are still controversial. In this study, we put forward our views on these controversial issues. Compared with previous literature, the application of our surgical technique in the treatment of CM-I has better effect and fewer surgical complications.
Methods: From September 2019 to December 2022, the clinical data of 22 patients with CM-I who underwent minimally invasive posterior fossa decompression (PFD) were retrospectively analyzed.
Results: After 4-33 months follow-up, the improvement rate of symptoms and signs were 86%, Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale (CCOC) was an average rating of 14.2. Postoperative cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that syringomyelia were relieved in all cases. The incidence of postoperative complications was 9% (1 case of cerebrospinal fluid leakage and 1 case of subcutaneous effusion).
Conclusions: Minimally invasive posterior fossa decompression is effective in the treatment of Chiari malformation type I with low complication rate.
Comparative analysis of pursestring method versus conventional methods for stoma closure
Authors: Huseynov Amil , Vural Veli 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Stoma surgery, crucial for conditions like Crohn's disease and colorectal cancers, requires effective closure techniques. This study compares the pursestring method to conventional closure methods, focusing on postoperative outcomes and complications.
Methods: The study involved a systematic comparison between the pursestring and traditional linear suturing techniques in stoma closure. Patient selection was based on specific criteria, ensuring a representative sample. Variables such as surgical time, complication rates, and recovery periods were meticulously recorded and analyzed.
Results: The analysis revealed that patients undergoing the pursestring method experienced significantly lower infection rates and quicker healing times. This method, employing a circular suture pattern, proved more effective in minimizing postoperative complications compared to conventional methods.
Conclusion: The pursestring method demonstrates a notable advantage over traditional techniques in stoma closure. Its benefits in reducing infection rates and promoting faster recovery highlight its potential as a preferred method in surgical practice. The study advocates for its broader adoption in clinical settings, considering its positive impact on patient outcomes.
Novel DNA damage repair signature for immunotherapy and a proposed molecular subtyping scheme in gastric cancer
Authors: Li Xing , Wang Chen , Dong Haifeng , Chen Jingyao , Chen Songyao , Li Mingzhe , Chen Hengxing , Deng Cuncan , Zhang Changhua 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The DNA damage repair (DDR) mechanisms is closely related to the occurrence and progression of cancer cells. The diversity and complexity of DNA repair mechanisms also affect the tumor immune microenvironment. In this study, we analyzed gastric cancer gene-related data to select 19 DDR genes associated with prognosis.Through LASSO and multivariate Cox regression analysis, we obtained a prognostic model for gastric cancer based on two genes (CHAF1A, PER1) and validated it by qPCR with 30 pairs of GC samples. Moreover, small-molecule compounds targeting the antitumor effects of predictive genes were identified through molecular docking. Based on this model, we compared the immune characteristics of the two groups of patients and the differences in tumor immune microenvironment (TME), and further predicted the outcome and prognosis of immunotherapy. Additionally, we used consensus clustering and k-means methods to further identify molecular subtypes of patients, and compared the immune characteristics of the two DDR subtypes and predicted the drug sensitivity of the two subtypes of patients to standard clinical chemotherapy drugs.
Effectiveness of Bilateral Varicocelectomy on Male Infertility; a Case Series Study in Southern Iran
Authors: Eslahi Ali , Omidbakhsh Kian 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background and Objective: Varicocele is a common cause of male infertility. The impact of varicocele treatment on fertility has been a topic of debate. Bilateral varicocele has been identified as a significant factor in infertility, offering hope for positive treatment results. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of bilateral varicocelectomy on male infertility.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted from January 2020 to January 2023, involving infertile men with varicocele. Varicocele diagnosis was performed using Color Doppler ultrasonography, and the contralateral maximum vein diameter was measured using an intraoperative Doppler device. Sperm parameters were assessed 6 months post-surgery, with fertility outcomes evaluated 12 months post-surgery.
Results: A total of 180 patients participated in the study. Among them, 55 individuals (30.55%) had unilateral varicocele, while 125 cases (69.44%) presented with bilateral varicocele. Intraoperative measurements revealed a bilateral varicocele prevalence of 93.88% (169/180). Patient follow-up showed significant improvements in sperm parameters at 3 and 6 months post-varicocele surgery, with 59 patients (32.77%) achieving successful pregnancies 12 months after the procedure.
Conclusions: The significance of bilateral varicocele in infertile men is often underestimated. Bilateral varicocelectomy has shown substantial benefits for male fertility. Thorough evaluation by experienced radiologists and andrologists is crucial to avoid missing important pathological findings or adverse treatment outcomes.
Construction and Application of Machine Learning Models for Predicting Intradialytic Hypotension
Authors: Wang Pingping , Xu Ningjie , Wu Lingping , Hong Yue , Qu Yihui , Ren Zhijian , Luo Qun , Cai Kedan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) remains a prevalent complication of hemodialysis, which is associated with adverse outcomes for patients. This study seeks to harness machine learning to construct predictive models for IDH based on multiple definitions.
Methods
In this study, a comprehensive approach was employed, leveraging a dataset comprising 35,431 hemodialysis (HD) sessions for training and testing cohort, with an additional 15,546 HD sessions serving as an external validation cohort. Five definitions of IDH were employed, and models for each IDH definition were constructed using ten machine learning algorithms. Subsequently, model interpretation was facilitated. Feature simplification ensued, leading to the creation and evaluation of a streamlined machine learning model. Both the most effective machine learning model and its simplified counterpart underwent external validation.
Results
Across the five distinct definitions of IDH, the CatBoost model consistently demonstrated superior predictive prowess, yielding the highest ROC-AUC (Definition 1–5: 0.859, 0.864, 0.880, 0.848, 0.845). Noteworthy is the persistent inclusion of certain features within the top 20 across all definitions, including LVMI, etc. Leveraging these features, we developed robust machine learning models that exhibited commendable performance (ROC-AUC for Definition 1–5: 0.858, 0.860, 0.879, 0.847, 0.841). Both the leading original machine learning model and the refined simplified machine learning model demonstrated commendable performance on an external validation set.
Conclusions
Machine learning emerged as a reliable tool for predicting IDH in HD patients. Notably, LVMI emerged as a crucial feature for effectively predicting IDH. The simplified models are accessible on the provided website.
Mitochondrial impairment demonstrated via 18F-BCPP-EF mitochondrial complex I PET ligand in case study of individual with bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder
Authors: Wigstrom Travis P. , Roytman Stiven , Bohnen Jeffrey L. B. , Paalanen Rebecca R. , Griggs Alexis M. , Vangel Robert , Barr Jaime , Albin Roger , Kanel Prabesh , Bohnen Nicolaas I. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
With Bipolar Disorder (BD) having a lifetime prevalence of 4.4% and a significant portion of patients being chronically burdened by symptoms, there has been an increased focus on uncovering new targets for intervention in BD. One area that has shown early promise is the mitochondrial hypothesis, with supporting evidence in the form of mtDNA copy number, SNPs, ETC complex activity in peripheral cells, postmortem analyses of ETC function, and iPSC-derived biomarkers, among others. Despite this compelling evidence, at the time of this publication no studies have utilized PET imaging to assess mitochondrial function in the setting of BD.
Case Presentation
Our participant is a 58 year old male with a past medical history notable for alcohol use disorder and bipolar disorder (unspecified type) who, while enrolled as a control for a separate trial, underwent PET imaging with the mitochondrial complex 1 PET ligand 18F-BCPP-EF. Those images were compared to normal controls which demonstrated significant overlap between areas of dysfunction identified with the 18F-BCPP-EF PET ligand and areas of dysfunction previously identified in the setting of BD with fMRI techniques. That overlap was seen in both affective and cognitive circuits, with mitochondrial dysfunction in the fronto-limbic, ventral affective, and dorsal cognitive circuits showing particularly significant differences.
Conclusions
Despite mounting evidence implicating mitochondria in BD, this study represents the first PET imaging study to investigate this mechanistic connection. There were key limitations in the form of comorbid alcohol use disorder, limited statistical power inherent to a case study, no sex matched controls, and the absence of a comprehensive psychiatric history. However, even with these limitations in mind, the significant overlap between areas of dysfunction previously demonstrated on fMRI and this 18F-BCPP-EF PET ligand imaging provides compelling preliminary evidence that strengthens the mechanistic link between mitochondrial dysfunction and Bipolar Disorder and warrants further investigation.
Comparative Effectiveness of Ultrathin vs. Standard Strut Drug-Eluting Stents: Insights from a Large-Scale Meta-Analysis with Extended Follow-up
Authors: Hassan Ahmed , Amin Ahmed Mazen , Gadelmawla Ahmed Farid , Mansour Ahmed , Mostafa Hamed Abdelma'aboud , Desouki Mariam Tarek , Naguib Mostafa Mahmoud , Ali Bilal , Siraj Aisha , Suppah Mustafa , Hakim Diaa 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: Newer generation ultrathin strut stents are associated with less incidence of target lesion failure (TLF) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the short term. However, its long-term effect on different cardiovascular outcomes remains unknown.
Objectives: We aim to identify the effects of newer-generation ultrathin-strut stents vs. standard thickness second-generation drug eluting stents (DES) on long term outcomes of revascularization in coronary artery disease.
Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library databases, and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and registries that compare newer-generation ultrathin-strut (<70 mm) with thicker-strut (>70 mm) DES to evaluate cardioprotective effects over a period of up to 5 years. Primary outcome was TLF, a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (TVMI) or target lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary outcomes included the components of TLF, stent thrombosis (ST), and all-cause death were pooled as the standardized mean difference between the two groups from baseline to endpoint.
Results: We included 19 RCTs and two prospective registries (96756 patients) in this analysis. The overall effect on the primary outcome was in favor of second-generation ultrathin struts stents in terms of TLF at ≥ one year, ≥ two years, and ≥ three years (P value= 0.01, 95% CI [0.75, 0.96]), P value=0.003, 95% CI [0.77, 0.95]), P value= 0.007, 95% CI [0.76, 0.96]), respectively. However, there was no reported benefit in terms of TLF when we compared the two groups at ≥ five years (P value= 0.21), 95% CI [0.85, 1.04]). Some of the reported components of the primary and secondary outcomes, such as TLR, target vessel revascularization (TVR), and TVMI, showed the same pattern as the TLF outcome.
Conclusion: Ultrathin-strut DES showed a beneficial effect over thicker strut stents for up to three years. However, at the 5-year follow-up, the ultrathin strut did not differ in terms of TLF, TLR, TVR, and TVMI compared with standard-thickness DES, with similar risks of patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE), MI, ST, cardiac death, and all-cause mortality.
High Similarity Controllable Face Anonymization Based on Dynamic Identity Perception
Authors: Xu Jiayi , Tan Xuan , Ju Yixuan , Mao Xiaoyang , Zhang Shanqing 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

In the meta-universe scenario, with the development of personalized social networks, interactive behaviors such as uploading and sharing personal and family photos are becoming increasingly widespread. Consequently, the risk of being searched or leaking personal financial information increases. A possible solution is to use anonymized face images instead of real images in the public situations. Most of the existing face anonymization methods attempt to replace a large portion of the face image tomodify identity information. However, the resulted faces are often not similar enough to the originalfaces as seen with the naked eyes. To maintain visual coherence as much as possible while avoidingrecognition by face recognition systems, we propose to detect part of the face that is most relevant tothe identity based on saliency analysis. Furthermore, we preserve the identification of irrelevant facefeatures by re-injecting them into the regenerated face. The proposed model consists of three stages.Firstly, we employ a Dynamic Identity Perception Network (DIPNet) to detect the identity-relevantfacial region and generate a masked face with removed identity. Secondly, we apply Feature Selectionand Preservation Network (FSPNet) that extracts basic semantic attributes from the original face andalso extracts multilevel identity-irrelevant face features from the masked face, and then fuses theminto conditional feature vectors for face regeneration. Finally, a pre-trained StyleGAN2 generator isapplied to obtain a high-quality identity obscured face image. The experimental results show that theproposed method can obtain more realistic anonymized face images that retain most of the originalfacial attributes, while it can deceive face recognition system to protect privacy in the modern digitaleconomy and entertainment scenarios.
Analytical Solution for Evaluating the Responses of Existing Pile Caused by Adjacent Tunnel Excavation
Authors: Wei Zheng 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Tunnel excavation in short distance will change the physical equilibrium stress field of stratum and cause adverse effects on adjacent existing pile. A simplified analytical solution to calculate the horizontal displacement of existing pile under the influence of unloading in adjacent tunnel excavation is presented. First, consider that the existing pile is a Euler-Bernoulli beam resting on the Pasternak foundation model. Then, the free ground settlement of existing pile caused by a modified Loganathan’s formula during shield tunnel excavation is considered. The differential equation of lateral displacement of existing pile is established by combining the displacement coupling condition of tunnel-soil-pile foundation. Finally, the analytical solution of lateral displacement of pile caused by adjacent tunnelling is obtained by finite difference method. The reliability of the analytical solution is validated by comparing with boundary element program, finite element simulation and field measurement. Then, results of different factors such as tunnel buried depth, tunnel excavation radius, clearance distance between tunnel and pile on existing pile is analyzed. Through parameter analysis, the theoretical formula of maximum horizontal displacement of pile caused by tunnel excavation is put forward. The research content can provide theoretical verification for the investigation on the influence of adjacent tunnelling on deformation of existing pile.