bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PrEP initiation and discontinuation among transgender women in the United States: a longitudinal, mixed methods cohort study
Authors: Cooney Erin E. , Saleem Haneefa T. , Stevenson Meg , Aguayo‐Romero Rodrigo A. , Althoff Keri N. , Poteat Tonia C. , Beckham S. Wilson , Adams Dee , Radix Asa E. , Wawrzyniak Andrew J. , Cannon Christopher M. , Schneider Jason S. , Haw J. Sonya , Rodriguez Allan E. , Mayer Kenneth H. , Beyrer Chris , Reisner Sari L. , Wirtz Andrea L. ,   American Cohort to Study HIV Acquisition Among Transgender Women (LITE) Study Group
Published: December 2023

AbstractIntroductionTransgender women in the United States experience high HIV incidence and suboptimal Pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) engagement. We sought to estimate PrEP initiation and discontinuation rates and characterize PrEP discontinuation experiences among a prospective cohort of transgender women.MethodsUsing a sequential, explanatory, mixed‐methods design, 1312 transgender women at risk for HIV acquisition were enrolled from March 2018 to August 2020 and followed through July 2022 (median follow‐up 24 months; interquartile range 15–36). Cox regression models assessed predictors of initiation and discontinuation. In‐depth interviews were conducted among 18 participants, including life history calendars to explore key events and experiences surrounding discontinuations. Qualitative and quantitative data were integrated to generate typologies of discontinuation, inform meta‐inferences and facilitate the interpretation of findings.Results21.8% (n = 286) of participants reported taking PrEP at one or more study visits while under observation. We observed 139 PrEP initiations over 2127 person‐years (6.5 initiations/100 person‐years, 95% CI: 5.5–7.7). Predictors of initiation included identifying as Black and PrEP indication. The rate of initiation among those who were PrEP‐indicated was 9.6 initiations/100 person‐years (132/1372 person‐years; 95% CI: 8.1–11.4). We observed 138 PrEP discontinuations over 368 person‐years (37.5 discontinuations/100 person‐years, 95% CI: 31.7–44.3). Predictors of discontinuation included high school education or less and initiating PrEP for the first time while under observation. Four discontinuation typologies emerged: (1) seroconversion following discontinuation; (2) ongoing HIV acquisition risk following discontinuation; (3) reassessment of HIV/STI prevention strategy following discontinuation; and (4) dynamic PrEP use coinciding with changes in HIV acquisition risk.ConclusionsPrEP initiation rates were low and discontinuation rates were high. Complex motivations to stop using PrEP did not consistently correspond with HIV acquisition risk reduction. Evidence‐based interventions to increase PrEP persistence among transgender women with ongoing acquisition risk and provide HIV prevention support for those who discontinue PrEP are necessary to reduce HIV incidence in this population.
Respiratory torque teno virus load at emergency department visit predicts intensive care unit admission of SARS‐CoV‐2 infected patients
Authors: Feghoul Linda , Caillault Amandine , Peyrony Olivier , Salmona Maud , Nere Marie‐Laure , Delaugerre Constance , Azoulay Elie , Chevret Sylvie , LeGoff Jérôme 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAccurate prediction of COVID‐19 severity remains a challenge. Torque teno virus (TTV), recognized as a surrogate marker of functional immunity in solid organ transplant recipients, holds the potential for assessing infection outcomes. We investigated whether quantifying TTV in nasopharyngeal samples upon emergency department (ED) admission could serve as an early predictor of COVID‐19 severity. Retrospective single‐center study in the ED of Saint‐Louis Hospital in Paris, France. TTV DNA was quantified in nasopharyngeal swab samples collected for SARS‐CoV‐2 testing. Among 295 SARS‐CoV‐2 infected patients, 92 returned home, 160 were admitted to medical wards, and 43 to the intensive care unit (ICU). Elevated TTV loads were observed in ICU patients (median: 3.02 log copies/mL, interquartile range [IQR]: 2.215–3.825), exceeding those in discharged (2.215, [0; 2.962]) or hospitalized patients (2.24, [0; 3.29]) (p = 0.006). Multivariate analysis identified diabetes, obesity, hepatitis, fever, dyspnea, oxygen requirement, and TTV load as predictors of ICU admission. A 2.91 log10 copies/mL TTV threshold independently predicted ICU admission. Nasopharyngeal TTV quantification in SARS‐CoV‐2 infected patients is linked to the likelihood of ICU admission and might reflect respiratory immunosuppression.
Characteristics of spring Mongolian cyclones in the recent 70 years: Background circulations and weather influences
Authors: Wang Jing , Chen Lei , Li Shuanglin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBased on the fifth‐generation reanalysis (ERA5) data of the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), spring Mongolian cyclones were examined from 1950 to 2023. Then, based on the feature parameters of activity path information, machine learning method (k‐means) is used to classify the trajectories of spring Mongolian cyclone. Subsequently, the atmospheric circulation configurations of the three categories of Mongolian cyclones and their influence on the weather in China verify the reasonability of the classification method. Specifically: (1) eastward moving type, affecting Inner Mongolia and Northeast China (Clus‐1). The circulation background of the Clus‐1 cyclone displays a broad negative geopotential height anomaly centre over East Asia; (2) northeastward moving type, affecting northeast part of Northeast China (Clus‐2). The circulation background of the Clus‐2 cyclones shows a “positive–negative–positive” distribution of circulation anomalies in the European Plain, Lake Baikal and the Sea of Japan; (3) southeastward moving type, this type can move to the south of China (Clus‐3). The circulation background of the Clus‐3 cyclones is opposite to that of the Clus‐2 cyclones. The three categories of Mongolian cyclones will cause dust weather and strong winds in different regions of China, mainly affecting Inner Mongolia and Northeast China.
Poor prognosis of young male patients with stage III colorectal cancer: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Okamoto Kazuaki , Sasaki Kazuhito , Nozawa Hiroaki , Murono Koji , Emoto Shigenobu , Yamauchi Shinichi , Sugihara Kenichi , Ishihara Soichiro 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe number of young patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing. However, sex‐dependent differences in the prognosis of young CRC remain unknown.MethodsWe investigated patients aged <70 years with stage III CRC treated between January 2000 and December 2010 in 24 Japanese referral hospitals. Patients were divided into subgroups by age of 50 years (early‐onset and late‐onset groups) and sex, and clinical characteristics and survival outcomes were compared. Risk factors associated with poor survival outcomes were also analyzed.ResultsAmong 4758 consecutive patients, 771 (16%) were <50 years. Regardless of sex, there were more patients with rectal cancer and treated with adjuvant chemotherapy in the early‐onset group. Among males, tumors in the early‐onset group were poorly differentiated (p < 0.001), and patients were diagnosed at an advanced N stage (p = 0.010). Among females, there were more patients with left‐sided cancer in the early‐onset group (p < 0.001). Relapse‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were worse in the early‐onset group than in the late‐onset group (5‐year RFS rates: 58% and 63%, p = 0.024; 5‐year OS rates: 76% and 81%, p = 0.041, respectively), while there were no age‐dependent differences in the survival outcomes of female CRC patients. A multivariate analysis identified age <50 years as one of the independent risk factors associated with poor RFS in male stage III CRC patients (p = 0.032)ConclusionsYoung male patients with stage III CRC showed poorer survival outcomes than their older counterparts. Therefore, age‐ and sex‐related differences in the incidence of CRC recurrence need to be considered.
lncRNA UCA1 promotes tumor progression by targeting SMARCD3 in cervical cancer
Authors: An Lanfen , Dong Kejun , Chi Shuqi , Wei Sitian , Zhang Jun , Yu Zhicheng , Zhang Qian , Zhang Tangansu , Cheng Shuangshuang , Shi Rui , Jin Zhishan , Zhou Xing , Zhao Yingchao , Wang Hongbo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractLong noncoding RNA urothelial carcinoma associated 1 (UCA1) has been identified as a key molecule in human cancers. However, its functional implications remain unspecified in the context of cervical cancer (CC). This research aims to identify the regulatory mechanism of UCA1 in CC. UCA1 was identified through microarray and confirmed through a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Proteins that bind with UCA1 were recognized using RNA pull‐down assays along with RNA immunoprecipitation. Ubiquitination assays and coimmunoprecipitation were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms of the SWI/SNF‐related, matrix‐associated, actin‐dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily d, member 3 (SMARCD3) downregulated in CC. The effects of UCA1 and SMARCD3 on the progression of CC were investigated through gain‐ and loss‐of‐function assays and xenograft tumor formation in vivo. In this study, UCA1 was found to be upregulated in CC cells as well as in human plasma exosomes for the first time. Functional studies indicated that UCA1 promotes CC progression. Mechanically, UCA1 downregulated the SMARCD3 protein stabilization by promoting SMARCD3 ubiquitination. Taken together, we revealed that the UCA1/SMARCD3 axis promoted CC progression, which could provide a new therapeutic target for CC.
Long‐term immune response to Omicron‐specific mRNA vaccination in mice, hamsters, and nonhuman primates
Authors: Wu Yi , Wu Namei , Jia Xiaoying , Wu Yan , Zhang Xinghai , Liu Yang , Hou Yuxia , Shen Yanqiong , Li Entao , Wang Wei , Wang Yucai , Chiu Sandra 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) Omicron and its subvariants (such as BQ.1, XBB and the latest variants, including XBB.1.16, EG.5, and BA.2.86), as the dominant variants, currently account for almost all new infections in the world due to their high transmissibility and immune escape ability. Omicron‐specific mRNA vaccines showed great potential to protect against Omicron infections. However, whether the vaccine could provide long‐term protection is unknown. Toward this goal, we evaluated the immunogenicity of a preclinical Omicron (BA.1)‐specific mRNA vaccine (SOmicron‐6P) in different animal models. SOmicron‐6P induced the highest levels of antibody titers at 1–2 weeks in different animals after the second dose. Even 9 months after the immunization, we observed modest neutralizing activity against Omicron subvariants in macaques. In addition, immunological memory cells can be rapidly reactivated upon stimulation. SOmicron‐6P at concentrations higher than 10 μg effectively protected hamsters from BA.1 challenge 253 days after the first immunization, which could be attributed to the reactivation of immune systems. In addition, the toxicity tests conducted in rats revealed a highly favorable biosafety profile for SOmicron‐6P, even at high dosages. Our data suggest that the Omicron‐specific mRNA vaccine is highly effective and safe in animal models and provides long‐term immunologic protection against SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron infections.
Application of geometric shape‐based CT field‐of‐view extension algorithms in an all‐digital positron emission tomography/computed tomography system
Authors: Hu Tianjiao , Li Bingxuan , Yang Jigang , Zhang Bo , Fang Lei , Liu Yuqing , Xiao Peng , Xie Qingguo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundComputed tomography (CT)‐based positron emission tomography (PET) attenuation correction (AC) is a commonly used method in PET AC. However, the CT truncation caused by the subject's limbs outside the CT field‐of‐view (FOV) leads to errors in PET AC.PurposeIn order to enhance the quantitative accuracy of PET imaging in the all‐digital DigitMI 930 PET/CT system, we assessed the impact of FOV truncation on its image quality and investigated the effectiveness of geometric shape‐based FOV extension algorithms in this system.MethodsWe implemented two geometric shape‐based FOV extension algorithms. By setting the data from different numbers of detector channels on either side of the sinogram to zero, we simulated various levels of truncation. Specific regions of interest (ROI) were selected, and the mean values of these ROIs were calculated to visually compare the differences between truncated CT, CT extended using the FOV extension algorithms, and the original CT. Furthermore, we conducted statistical analyses on the mean and standard deviation of residual maps between truncated/extended CT and the original CT at different levels of truncation. Subsequently, similar data processing was applied to PET images corrected using original CT and those corrected using simulated truncated and extended CT images. This allowed us to evaluate the influence of FOV truncation on the images produced by the DigitMI 930 PET/CT system and assess the effectiveness of the FOV extension algorithms.ResultsTruncation caused bright artifacts at the CT FOV edge and a slight increase in pixel values within the FOV. When using truncated CT data for PET AC, the PET activity outside the CT FOV decreased, while the extension algorithm effectively reduced these effects. Patient data showed that the activity within the CT FOV decreased by 60% in the truncated image compared to the base image, but this number could be reduced to at least 17.3% after extension.ConclusionThe two geometric shape‐based algorithms effectively eliminate CT truncation artifacts and restore the true distribution of CT shape and PET emission data outside the FOV in the all‐digital DigitMI 930 PET/CT system. These two algorithms can be used as basic solutions for CT FOV extension in all‐digital PET/CT systems.
Performance of elastic x‐ray shield made by embedding Bi2O3 particles in porous polyurethane
Authors: Maeda Tatsuya , Hayashi Hiroaki , Ando Miku , Kobayashi Daiki , Nishigami Rina , Asahara Takashi , Goto Sota , Lee Cheonghae , Yamashita Kazuta , Higashino Kosaku , Konishi Takeshi , Murakami Shuichi , Maki Motochika 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundMany healthcare institutions have guidelines concerning the usage of protective procedures, and various x‐ray shields have been used to reduce unwanted radiation exposure to medical staff and patients when using x‐rays. Most x‐ray shields are in the form of sheets and lack elasticity, which limits their effectiveness in shielding areas with movement, such as the thyroid. To overcome this limitation, we have developed an innovative elastic x‐ray shield.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explain the methodology for developing and evaluating a novel elastic x‐ray shield with sufficient x‐ray shielding ability. Furthermore, valuable knowledge and evaluation indices are derived to assess our shield's performance.MethodsOur x‐ray shield was developed through a process of embedding Bi2O3 particles into porous polyurethane. Porous polyurethane with a thickness of 10 mm was dipped into a solution of water, metal particles, and chemical agents. Then, it was air‐dried to fix the metal particles in the porous polyurethane. Thirteen investigational x‐ray shields were fabricated, in which Bi2O3 particles at various mass thicknesses (ranging from 585 to 2493 g/m2) were embedded. To determine the performance of the shielding material, three criteria were evaluated: (1) Dose Reduction Factor (), measured using inverse broad beam geometry; (2) uniformity, evaluated from the standard deviation () of the x‐ray image obtained using a clinical x‐ray imaging detector; and (3) elasticity, evaluated by a compression test.ResultsThe elastic shield with small pores, containing 1200 g/m2 of the metal element (Bi), exhibited a well‐balanced performance. The was approximately 80% for 70 kV diagnostic x‐rays. This shield's elasticity was −0.62 N/mm, a loss of only 30% when compared to porous polyurethane without metal. Although the non‐uniformity of the x‐ray shield leads to poor shielding ability, it was found that the decrease in the shielding ability can be limited to a maximum of 6% when the shield is manufactured so that the of the x‐ray image of the shield is less than 10%.ConclusionsIt was verified that an elastic x‐ray shield that offers an appropriate reduction in radiation exposure can be produced by embedding Bi2O3 particles into porous polyurethane. Our findings can lead to the development of novel x‐ray shielding products that can reduce the physical and mental stress on users.
Detrusor nerve radiofrequency ablation (DENERA): Experimental study of safety and efficacy in an ovine model
Authors: Ghoniem Gamal , Mao Rongwei , Csuka David Alexander , Farhan Bilal , Souccar Sami 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPurposeThe subtrigonal perivesical nerve plexus contains a large proportion of the bladder's innervation. A transurethral radiofrequency ablation approach has successfully denervated this region to alleviate overactive bladder symptoms, with some urothelial heat injury. We report a novel transvaginal RFA device (DENERA) and assess its feasibility and efficacy in denervating the perivesical nerve plexus of in vivo sheep.MethodsIn 14 adult female in vivo sheep, pulsed radiofrequency energy was applied transvaginally for three cycles of 4 min, maintaining the tissue temperature at 45°C, with 30 s of rest between each cycle. The control group (n = 4) was sacrificed without ablation, and various groups were sacrificed 1 week (n = 3), 4 weeks (n = 4), and 12 weeks (n = 3) after ablation. The bladder subtrigones were harvested then analyzed with H&E, S100, and TH immunostaining to quantify their neural density and neural vacuolization.ResultsThe ablation procedure increased the neural vacuolization the most at 1 week and decreased the neural density the most at 4 weeks, with both variables displaying a significant change followed by a slight rebound towards baseline at 12 weeks. The H&E analysis showed that the needles penetrated deep into the subtrigonal detrusor muscle. The sheep recovered from the procedure with no complications or damage in the bladder wall or urothelium.ConclusionsThis study shows that one DENERA treatment can cause subtrigonal denervation with some rebound afterwards and no complications. DENERA may become a promising OAB treatment option that can ablate the perivesical plexus without harming the urothelium.
A Nitsche‐based cut finite element solver for two‐phase Stefan problems
Authors: Tchinda Ngueyong Ismaël , Urquiza José Manuel , Martin Dave 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWe present a cut finite element method based on ghost penalty stabilization technique for solving two‐phase Stefan problems. The essential interfacial constraints are weakly enforced using the symmetric variant of Nitsche's method. To track the interface efficiently, the level‐set technique is employed and the front location is updated at each time step by solving a transport equation. Because this is a convection problem, we utilize the continuous interior penalty method to stabilize the finite element formulation. According to the Stefan condition, the normal velocity of the interface is proportional to the jump in the interfacial flux. To accurately approximate this quantity, we use a recent post‐processing technique that combines a ghost penalty regularization and the domain integral method on cut elements. We validate our algorithm with several numerical examples that demonstrate optimal convergence.
Nonlocal strain gradient‐based nonlinear dynamics of sinusoidal impulsive actuated porous/piezoelectric multilayer energy nanoharvesters
Authors: Fan Fan , Sahmani Saeid , Safaei Babak 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe applications of nanoelectromechanical systems integrating simultaneously the mechanical and electrical functionalities at nanoscale have been gotten wider in the last decade. The main objective of this exploration is to analyze the small scale‐dependent nonlinear dynamical feedback of multilayer energy nanoharvesters containing a graded porous passive core coated by piezoelectric facesheets under a sinusoidal impulsive external actuation. For this purpose, the technique of meshless collocation is constructed at the same time the nonlocal stress and strain gradient tensors without any necessary background meshes and integration procedure. It is found that by taking the nonlocal stress tensor into account, the average of extremum points of maximum lateral deflection increases from to , and from to for simply supported and clamped multilayer nanoharvesters, respectively. On the contrary, through considering the strain gradient tensor, the average of extremum values of the maximum lateral deflection reduces from to for the simply supported nanoharvester, and from to for the clamped one.Highlights
Development a third‐order shear flexible nonlocal strain gradient (NSG)‐based plate‐type nanoharvester model
Incorporating the role of nonlocal stress and strain gradient tensors in nonlinear dynamics of nanoharvesters
Time‐histories of achieved voltage of sinusoidal impulsive loaded plate‐type nanoharvesters
Influence of porosity on the NSG‐based nonlinear dynamic performance.
Durability of glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic polypropylene composite bars under the coupling effect of seawater and sea sand concrete environment and sustained bending
Authors: Dong Shaoce , Qi Xiao , Tian Jingwei , Zhou Ping , Li Chenggao , Xian Guijun 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe long‐term interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and flexural strength of GFPP bars under the coupling effect of bending and immersion in the simulated seawater and sea sand concrete (SWSC) solution were studied by an acceleration experiment. Three temperatures and three bending stress levels (0%, 9.8%, and 29.4% of the maximum flexural strain of GFPP bars) were used to accelerate the experiment. Results indicate that the degradation of mechanical properties of GFPP bars is relatively sensitive to the immersion temperature. Low bending stress did not accelerate the degradation of GFPP bars compared with unbent GFPP bars while high bending stress dramatically accelerated the degradation. Microscopic tests found there is corrosion of glass fibers and debonding between glass fibers and polypropylene but no obvious chain breaks of polypropylene occurred. Based on the Arrhenius theory, long‐term stable retention rates of the IFSS of GFPP bars with zero and low bending stress immersed in the simulated SWSC solution are 42.4% and 52.3%.Highlights
Low‐stressed GFPP bars degraded similarly or even slower than unbent GFPP bars.
GFPP bars degraded mainly due to interfacial debonding and fiber corrosion.
Long‐term IFSS of GFPP bars under a coupling effect was predicted.