bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
12-weeks of Slow Breathing Exercises Reduces Blood Pressure among Healthy Normotensive Subjects
Authors: Gamboa Alfredo , Nian Hui , Smith Emily , Paranjape Sachin , Abraham Robert , Diedrich Andre , Birdee Gurjeet 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Slow breathing exercises are a key component to many mind-body practices and have been shown to reduce blood pressure acutely. Long-term effects on blood pressure and autonomic tone are not well documented. We studied 99 healthy participants (41 ± 4 years, 76% female) who performed slow breathing exercises for 12 weeks and examined the effect of slow breathing on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and autonomic tone. At baseline average BP was 105 ± 11/67 ± 8 mmHg. Among the 11 participants with elevated blood pressure, BP was 126 ± 11.0/ 80 ± 5 mmHg. SBP and DBP decreased significantly (-2.4 ± 7.3 and − 1.6 ± 5.5 mmHg, respectively) at 12 weeks among all participants. Blood pressure among slow breathing participants with elevated baseline SBP > 120 mmHg and/or DBP > 90mmHg reduced further ( -10.3 ± 7.9 and − 3.8 ± 5.5 mmHg, respectively). In our regression model, baseline SBP was associated with further decreases in SBP from baseline to 12 weeks. No significant changes were observed from baseline to 12 weeks in autonomic tone as measured with spectral analyses, catecholamines, standing stress test, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and Valsalva maneuver. Nor were there any observed correlations between changes in blood pressure and autonomic tone. In conclusion, 12-weeks of slow breathing exercises resulted in clinically significant reduction of blood pressure in the absence of statistically significant changes in autonomic tone. Further research into the mechanisms of slow breathing on blood pressure regulation and efficacy for hypertension.
Quality and Content Assessment of Internet Information on Nasoalveolar Molding
Authors: Eglenen Merve Nur , Arslan Can , Cakan Derya Germec 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
To evaluate the quality and content of websites related to nasoalveolar molding (NAM).
Methods
A systematic Internet search was conducted using the keywords "nasoalveolar molding" and "presurgical nasoalveolar molding" determined through Google Trends and popular search engines: GoogleTM, YAHOO!® and Yandex®. The top 50 websites were evaluated for each keyword and search engine. Repetitive websites, advertisements, scientific articles, and irrelevant websites were excluded from the study. The remaining 40 websites were evaluated using JAMA benchmarks, HON criteria, DISCERN, and EQIP tools.
Results
75% of websites were created for informational purposes, and the remaining websites were created for clinical promotion and advertising. According to DISCERN, only 2.5% of the sites were classified as excellent (63 points): 7.5% very weak (16–26 points), 22.5% weak (27–38 points), 40% moderate (39–50 points), and 27.5% good (51 points-62 points).
Conclusions
Internet information on NAM was generally at a moderate to poor level in terms of quality and content. In this regard, patients should be informed about the limits of their Internet information, and the Internet content that patients can obtain information should be increased.
Characteristics of attrition within the SuperMIX cohort of people who inject drugs: A multiple event discrete-time survival analysis
Authors: Abdelsalam Shady , Agius Paul A , Sacks-Davis Rachel , Roxburgh Amanda , Livingston Michael , Maher Lisa , Hickman Matthew , Dietze Paul 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Compared to the general population, people who inject drugs have poor health and wellbeing. Longitudinal studies can provide insight into factors driving these worse health outcomes but are subject to methodological challenges, such as cohort attrition. The aim of this study was to assess and characterise attrition in a prospective cohort of people who inject drugs in Victoria, Australia.
Methods
Using annually collected self-reported data from The Melbourne Injecting Drug User Cohort Study (SuperMIX) from September 2008 to January 2021, we estimated the incidence of participants being lost-to-follow-up (LTFU), with an episode of being LTFU defined as participants not undertaking a follow-up interview within two years of their last interview. We utilised a multiple event discrete-time survival analysis on participant period-observation data to estimate the associations between key factors and LTFU. Key areas of exposure measurement in analyses were sociodemographic, drug use and mental health.
Results
A total of n=1328 SuperMIX participants completed a baseline interview, with n=489 (36.8%) LTFU, i.e. not completing a follow up interview in the following two years. Increased attrition was observed among SuperMIX participants who were: born outside Australia, younger than 30 years, reporting having completed fewer years of education, not residing in stable accommodation, not in stable employment and not on opioid agonist therapy (OAT).
Conclusions
The attrition rate of the SuperMIX cohort has largely been stable throughout the duration of the study. Higher attrition rates among individuals at greater sociodemographic disadvantage and not on OAT suggest that additional efforts are required to retain these participants. Findings also suggest that SuperMIX might not be capturing data on adverse health and wellbeing outcomes among individuals at greatest risk of harm.
Modeling the Dynamic Behaviors of Bank Account Fraudsters Using Combined Simultaneous Game Theory with Neural Networks
Authors: USMAN A.U. , Abdullahi S. B. , Ran J. , Liping Y. , Suleiman A.A. , Daud H. , Ishaq A.I. , Sokkalingam R. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
New bank account fraud is a significant problem causing financial losses in banking and finance. Existing statistical and machine-learning methods were used to detect fraud thereby preventing financial losses. However, most studies do not consider the dynamic behavior of fraudsters and often produce a high False Positive Rate (FPR). This study proposes the detection of new bank account fraud in the context of simultaneous game theory (SGT) with Neural Networks, the SGT involves two players, a fraudster, and bank officials attacking each other through Bayesian probability in a zero-sum. The influence of outliers within the SGT was tackled by adding a context feature for effective simulation of the dynamic behavior of fraudsters. The Neural Networks layer uses the simulated features for fraud context learning. The study is validated using Bank Account Fraud (BAF) Dataset on different machine-learning models. The Radial Basis Function Networks achieved FPR of 0.0% and 8.3% for fraud and non-fraud classes, respectively, while achieving True Positive Rate (TPR) of 91.7% and 100.0% for fraud and non-fraud classes, respectively. An improved Radial Basis Function Networks detect fraud by revealing fraudulent patterns and dynamic behaviors in higher dimensional data. The findings will enhance fraud detection and reduce customer attrition.
Isolated Pulmonary Arteriovenous Fistula Related Stroke with Large Vessel Occlusions Successfully Recanalized by Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator： a case report
Authors: Zhang Meixia , Pan Xiaoling , Chen Hongfang 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula (PAVF) induced paradoxical embolism leading to stroke is rare, especially large vessel occlusions. We presented a case of a 69-year-old female with middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion, initially responsive to thrombolysis.
Case Presentation: The patient presented with sudden-onset aphasia, resolving partially but recurring. Imaging revealed left MCA occlusion and carotid stenosis. After recombinant tissue plasminogen activator use, left MCA completely recanalized and carotid stenosis dicovered. Trans‑cranial Doppler with positive bubble test discovered a significant right-to-left shunt and chest CT angiography suggested the formation of PAVFin the lower lobe of the right lung.
Discussion: Although rare, PAVF is a potentially fatal but treatable cause of stroke. Even in large vessel occlusions patients, when considering embolic stroke of undetermined source, it is crucial to consider PAVF as a rare underlying cause.
Predicting survival in myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms with SF3B1 mutation and thrombocytosis
Authors: Xiao Zhijian , Li Fuhui , Qin Tiejun , Li Bing , Qu Shiqiang , Pan Lijuan , Zhang Peihong , Sun Qi , Cai Wenyu , GAO QINGYAN , Jiao Meng , Ai Xiaofei , Ma Jiao , Gale Robert Peter , Xu Zefeng 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We interrogated data from 180 consecutive subjects with myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm with SF3B1 mutation and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-SF3B1-T) diagnosed according to the 2022 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of myeloid neoplasms to identify co-variates associated with survival. At a median follow-up of 45 months (Inter-Quartile Range [IQR], 19–73 months), median survival was 70 months (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 57, 84 months). Subjects with bone marrow ring sideroblasts < 15% had briefer median survival compared with those in whom it was ≥ 15% (41 months [32, 50 months] versus 80 months [63, 97 months]; P = 0.003). In multi-variable analyses, age ≥ 65 years (P = 0.005), haemoglobin concentration < 80 g/L (P = 0.008), platelet concentration ≥ 800×10E + 9/L (P = 0.02), bone marrow ring sideroblasts < 15% (P = 0.007), complex cytogenetics (P = 0.04) and SETBP1 mutation (P = 0.004) were independently associated with worse survival. Using these data we divided subjects into 3 risk cohorts: (1) low- (N = 77; median 96 months [72, 120 months]); (2) intermediate- (N = 70; median 56 months [32, 80 months]); and (3) high-risk (N = 7; median 17 months [15, 19 months]; All pairwise comparisons P < 0.0001). Our model, if validated, should help physicians estimate survival in persons with MDS/MPN-SF3B1-T in the 2022 WHO classification.
Silencing lncRNA TUG1 inhibits osteo/odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Sun Linghan , Jiang Yaxin , Li Shoucheng , Zhang Hua , Feng Hao 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs), a type of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), can be induced to various tissues under appropriate conditions. LncRNA TUG1 has been shown to exert promoting effect on osteogenic differentiation, while its role in osteo/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of TUG1 during osteo/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs.
Materials and methods
The hDPSCs were characterized and identified using flow cytometry and assessment of their multidirectional differentiation capabilities. TUG1 knockdown was achieved by lentivirus-mediated TUG1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and confirmed by qRT-PCR. The osteo/odontogenic ability was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, alizarin red S (ARS) staining, qRT-PCR, and western blot. Lithium chloride (LiCl) was used as an agonist of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Results
The hDPSCs were characterized by flow cytometry and multidirectional differentiation experiments successfully. The expression of TUG1 was upregulated during the process of the osteo/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs. Knockdown of TUG1 attenuated the osteo/odontogenic potential of hDPSCs and decreased the expression of DSPP, DMP-1, Runx2, OCN and OPN. Besides, silencing of TUG1 significantly reduced the levels of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway related marker proteins, Wnt3a and β-catenin, while activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by LiCl markedly reversed the inhibitory effect of TUG1 silencing on the osteo/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs.
Conclusion
Our results imply that TUG1 might function through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to promote the osteo/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs.
Causality between ageing and 24 gastrointestinal diseases: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Ren Yao , He Lei , Li Hongxia 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Purpose
The relationship between aging and gastrointestinal diseases has not been extensively studied. This study aims to investigate the correlation between various proxies of aging and the risk of 24 gastrointestinal diseases using a Mendelian randomization approach.
Methods
The latest genome-wide association studies were used to collect summary data on telomere length, 4 epigenetic clocks ( like the Horvathage clock) and 24 gastrointestinal diseases (like gastric cancer). The instrumental variables were obtained from the summary data on exposure based on assumptions of correlation, independence and exclusivity.. Causal inferences were made using three methods of Mendelian randomization (such as inverse variance weighting). Four sensitivity analyses were used to assess the results' credibility.
Result
The analysis using inverse variance weighting indicates that longer telomere length is association with a lower risk of alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis. (P = 0.009, P = 0.01), but a higher risk of cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and pancreatic cancer (P = 0.006, P = 0.049, P = 0.028). Additionally, the genetically predicted HorvathAge acceleration was found to reduce the risk of developing chronic gastritis and gastric cancer (P = 0.003, P = 0.038). The analysis of reverse MR did not indicate any reverse causality for the aforementioned results. The presence of Celiac disease and ulcerative colitis may shorten telomere length (P < 0.001, P = 0.016), while the presence of Celiac disease may accelerate GrimAge and PhenoAge (P = 0.045, P = 0.032). Additionally, the presence of Cholangitis may accelerate GrimAge and HannumAge (P = 0.004, P = 0.008).
Conclusion
Telomere length was found to reduce the risk of alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis, but increase the risk of gallstone disease, cholecystitis and pancreatic cancer. Additionally, genetically predicted HorvathAge acceleration was associated with a decreased risk of chronic gastritis and gastric cancer. Telomere length (TL) and epigenetic clock (EC) are two independent biomarkers of aging, therefore further research is needed to investigate the relationship between aging and the genetic predisposition to gastrointestinal diseases.
Effect of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) Application on Aggregate Stability and Permeability Parameters of Soil with Different Alkalinity Levels
Authors: EGRICAYIR Aysun , OZTAS Taskin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Soil alkalinity is an important soil degradation process that leads to deterioration of soil structure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a synthetic organic polymer, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), on structural improvement of soils treated with sodium for creating different alkalinity levels. The PVA was applied at w/w ratios of 0.001, 0.003 and 0.005 on a weight basis to the soil samples, which were previously brought to three different exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) levels (10%, 20% and 40%) by NaCl application. Aggregate stability, water and air permeability of the PVA treated soil samples were measured and compared with the control group samples. As the ESP values of the soil samples increased, aggregate stability and water permeability decreased significantly, but the effect of ESP on the air permeability value was found to be insignificant. By applying PVA to soil samples at different alkalinity levels, a 27% increase in aggregate stability and a 438% increase in water permeability was achieved even at the lowest PVA dose. The results of this study showed that even very low doses of PVA could be used effectively in improving the degraded structural characteristics of alkaline soils.
Pupal exuviae of Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) can be utilised as a non-invasive method of biotype differentiation.
Authors: Jones Laura , Sanders Christopher , England Marion , Cameron Mary , Carpenter Simon 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Culex pipiens L. is a principal vector of zoonotic arboviruses in Europe, acting in both an amplification role in enzootic transmission between avian hosts and as a bridge vector between avian hosts and mammals. The species consists of two forms which are indistinguishable using morphological methods but possess varying ecological and physiological traits that influence their vector capacity. In this study we validate methods that can be used to extract trace DNA from single pupal exuviae of Cx. pipiens for use in molecular speciation of samples. These DNA extraction methods are compared using measurement of the nucleic acid concentration and successful identification using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.
Results
Genomic DNA was initially extracted from colony-derived individuals using an ethanol precipitation method, two commercially available DNA extraction kits: DNeasy® Blood & Tissue Kit (Qiagen, UK) and Wizard® SV Genomic DNA Purification System (Promega, UK) and a direct real-time PCR method. Time elapsed between eclosion and processing of pupae significantly influenced Culex pipiens form identification as nucleic acid concentration and PCR amplification success decreased with increased time elapsed. Real-time PCR amplification success, however, was not shown to vary significantly between the three extraction methods, with all methods successfully identifying all samples, but the direct real-time PCR method achieved a lesser amplification success rate of 55% (n=20 for each treatment). More variable results were produced when field-derived exuviae were used, with no significant difference in real-time PCR amplification success found across the four methods and a lower overall rate of successful identification of 55-80%.
Conclusions
This study shows that both colony and field derived Cx. pipiens pupal exuviae can be a useful non-invasive source of trace DNA permitting accurate biotype differentiation for up to twenty-four hours post-eclosion. The significance and utility of this technique in ecological and behavioural studies of Cx. pipiens is discussed and recommendations made for use according to experimental scenario.
A model based on Immunogenic cell death-related genes can predict prognosis and drug sensitivity in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shi Jianfei , Zhang hua , Han Xin , Wang Jinfeng , Han Guangjie , Zhao Man , Duan Xiaoling , Mi Lili , Li Ning , Yin Xiaolei , Li Cuizhen , Yin Fei 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background: Immunogenic cell death (ICD) can activate the immune system against cancer in host with immunocompetent. However, the prognostic role of ICD-related genes (IRGs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown.We aimed to establish a prognostic model based on IRGs, and to verify the relationship between this model and the immune microenvironment of HCC, and whether this model can predict the prognosis of patients with HCC.
Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas-Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma(TCGA-LIHC), and The Liver Cancer, Riken Japan (LIRI-JP) were downloaded via public databases, and 34 IRGs were extracted from the literature. First, consensus clustering analysis was applied in TCGA-LIHC to classified LIHC samples into different clusters based on IRGs. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between LIHC and normal samples in TCGA-LIHC, and DEGs among clusters were respectively sifted out through differential expression analysis, and they were overlapped to obtain IRGs-DEGs. Next, univariate Cox and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses were implemented on IRGs-DEGs for identifing prognosis related genes, and HCC samples were divided into high/low risk groups via risk score. Moreover, independent prognostic factors were yielded via univariate and multivariate Cox analyses, and enrichment analysis was applied for exploring biological pathways related to the prognosis model. Finally, the role of prognostic model in immune microenvironment and chemotherapy of HCC were analyzed.
Results: HCC samples were classified into two clusters in the light of IRGs, and cluster2 had a poorer survival state than that of cluster1. Totally 2197 DEGs in TCGA-LIHC and 112 DEGs between clusters were yielded, and they were intersected to get 72 IRGs-DEGs. Six prognosis-related genes, namely KRT20, MMP12, AGR2, CXCL5, CYP3A4, and MAGEA8 were finally identified via univariate Cox and LASSO analyses. Besides, the risk score and grade were found to be correlated with LIHC prognosis. Obviously, the prognostis model was related to immune, and metabolism related pathways like nitrogen metabolism, and adaptive immune response. Moreover, tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) score was sensibly lowly expressed in low risk group, suggesting that low risk group patients were more susceptible to immunotherapy. Ultimatly, high risk group was more sensitive to Camptothecin, Sorafenib and others, while low risk group was more responsive to Veliparib and Dabrafenib.
Conclusion: Through bioinformatic analysis, a prognosis model (contained KRT20, MMP12, AGR2, CXCL5, CYP3A4, and MAGEA8) was constructed in HCC, contributing to studies related to prognosis and treatment of HCC.
Wind tunnel experiment on the footprint of a block-arrayed urban model in a neutrally stratified boundary layer
Authors: JIA HONGYUAN , Lin Chao , Wang Xiang , Kikumoto Hideki 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

This study addresses the need to investigate footprint function features in urban areas and establish a validation database for numerical methods. Concentration and its flux footprints of a block-arrayed urban model were measured in a wind tunnel with a neutrally stratified boundary layer. The velocity and concentration were simultaneously measured by an X-probe hot wire anemometer and a fast-response flame ionization detector to evaluate the vertical flux. Experimental results highlighted the influence of the measurement heights on footprint distributions. Because the sensors were immersed in the roughness sublayer, their footprints showed strong heterogeneity across horizontal positions caused by building configurations. It was found that turbulent flux contributes up to 70% of total flux footprints, emphasizing the importance of accurate turbulent dispersion estimation in numerical methods. Furthermore, measured footprints were compared to those modeled by a widely used analytical method (Kormann and Meixner in Boundary-Layer Meteorol 99:207–224, 2001, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018991015119). The measured footprints extended further along the streamwise direction and their spanwise dispersions were constrained by the rows of blocks, which failed to be reproduced in the analytical method. This indicates the significant effects of building configurations on footprint functions in urban areas.