bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards a genomic resolution of the Phengaris alcon species complex
Authors: Lucek Kay , Blattner Lucas , Cornet Camille , Chittaro Yannick , Erhardt Andreas , Jaun Andreas , Jost Bernhard , Winiger Nathalie , Wymann Hans-Peter , Dušej Goran 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Taxonomic entities below the species level often pose difficulties for conservation practice, especially when they are ecologically distinct from the nominal species. Genomic tools provide the opportunity to study and potentially resolve such cryptic diversity. The Alcon blue butterfly Phengaris alcon species complex is such a cryptic example, comprising different ecotypes or even subspecies, one of them is the high elevation taxon P. rebeli from the European Alps. We sequenced a first reference genome for Phengaris alcon. Furthermore, we generated whole genome resequence data for individuals of three Swiss ecotypes, i.e., the low elevation P. alcon, the mid elevation and high elevation Alpine P. rebeli and integrated genomic data from across Europe to study the relationship among these ecotypes. At a European scale, our results suggest that biogeography and the evolutionary context of diversification of the P. alcon complex is more multifaceted than previously suggested, falling in the range of more recent ecological speciation. In Switzerland, the three ecotypes were genetically isolated with only limited current gene flow between them. Past gene flow, however, could have given rise to the mid elevation ecotype. Our findings emphasise that high elevation P. rebeli should be treated as a distinct species. Our study highlights how the availability of reference genome assemblies allows to address so far open taxonomic questions in conservation research and that broadscale studies are needed to understand the biogeographic history of apparent diversification.
Nationwide incidence and blindness trends in patients with diabetic retinopathy using age-period-cohort analysis
Authors: Park Sue , Lee Ju-Yeun , Bae Kunho , Lee Sangjun 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the epidemiologic trends of blindness in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and investigate the age-, period-, and cohort-specific effects on blindness.
Methods: A total of 1.5 million patients with DR aged 20 years or older were included from the Korean National Health Claims database from 2005 to 2019. Non-proliferative DR/ proliferative DR (NPDR/PDR) cohorts were constructed separately. Participants were identified as having a blindness in at least one eye. The incidence of blindness were calculated. Using a log-linear Poisson age-period-cohort (APC) analysis model, each effect on blindness were estimated for each study group.
Results: The incidence of blindness was 2162.36 per 100,000 in the NPDR group and 5339.29 in the PDR group. The blindness rate sharply decreased after 2011, with annual decreases of 5.6% and 4.4% in the NPDR and the PDR groups, respectively. People born between 1920 and 1930 had the highest overallrisk of blindness, with the risk decreasing rapidly after that. For those born after 1980, the risk started to increase in both sexes. Among the APC models, the combination model of age, period, and cohort effects showed the highest explanatory power (0.96).
Conclusions: In this nationwide long-term study, blindness in DR was not due to a single epidemiologic cause but rather a combination of biological age, social determinants, and healthcare policies. The increased risk of blindness in individuals in their 20s and 30s may even increase in the future and should not be ignored. Therefore, vigilance of younger patients are recommended.
Retinal Microstructure Based on Optical Coherence Tomography Predicts Visual Prognosis in Diabetic Macular Edema with Extended Intraretinal Cysts and Subretinal Fluid.
Authors: Zhu Lili , Tang Qunwu , Ren Peifang , Lou Dinghua , Tong Jianping 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose
We investigated the association between the retinal microstructure on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the visual outcomes of diabetic macular edema (DME) with extended intraretinal cysts (IRCs) (maximum diameter ≥ 200 μm) and serous retinal detachment (SRD) who underwent anti-vascular endothelial growth factor intravitreal injections.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 58 eyes from 43 DME patients with extended IRCs and subretinal fluid who were treated with three consecutive intravitreal injections of ranibizumab with subsequent as-needed administrations. The OCT images were assessed at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 monthsafter treatment. The association of the baseline retinal microstructure on OCT with photoreceptor disruption at 12 months was investigated. We also evaluated the relationships between visual outcomes and baseline OCT parameters.
Results
The mean logarithmic minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) decreased from 0.66 ± 0.34 before treatment to 0.46 ± 0.32 after treatment (p < 0.001). ELM (R = 0.535, p < 0.001) and EZ (R = 0.612, p < 0.001) disruption at 12 months, but not CFT at 12 months (R = 0.185, p = 0.164), were associated with the logMAR BCVA at 12 months. The extent of EZ disruption (R = 0.256, p = 0.039) and the area ratio of SRD spaces (R = 0.409, p = 0.002) at baseline were positively correlated with the extent of EZ disruption at 12 months. The extent of ELM disruption (R = 0.641, p < 0.001) and the area ratio of IRCs (R = 0.287, p = 0.008) at baseline were positively correlated with the extent of ELM disruption at 12 months. The area ratio of SRD spaces (R = 0.400, p = 0.006) and the extent of ELM disruption (R = 0.393, p = 0.014) at baseline were predictive of the logMAR BCVA at 12 months.
Conclusion
The extent of EZ and ELM disruption was significantly associated with baseline OCT imaging characteristics. Both the baseline area ratio of SRD spaces and ELM disruption might be useful OCT biomarkers to predict the visual outcomes of DME patients with extended IRCs and SRD spaces.
Trial registration number and date of registration (retrospectively registered):
Spectral change of curcumin in DMSO-NaOH solution after exposure to air
Authors: Roy Bahnishikha , Singha Joydeep , Goswami Santanu , Saikia Jyoti Prasad 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Curcumin (CurH3) forms a blue derivative (CurH2−) when it combines with superoxide radicals. The blue colouring is caused by the proton loss of curcumin to the superoxide radicals. In DMSO, in the presence of excess NaOH and dissolved oxygen, superoxide radicals are produced by consuming the hydroxyl ion which causes the deprotonation of curcumin (Cur3−) and gives the corresponding orange colour. The production of superoxide radicals increased as it was more exposed to air (maybe oxygen). As a result, the pH drops, and the orange derivative is protonated by one H+ ion, producing the corresponding blue colour derivative (CurH2−). The conversion of the orange derivate to the blue derivative may suggest the presence of oxygen in the surrounding atmosphere, allowing the feasibility of a novel oxygen sensor. The physicochemical characteristics and stability of this blue-coloured curcumin derivative are investigated. The distinct colour shifts of curcumin upon the addition of different volumes of NaOH were also investigated. The UV-Vis and FTIR analyses were used to study the stability of the blue curcumin derivative.
Wave Mechanics of Microwave Absorption Films: Part 2 - Distinguishing Film from Material
Authors: Liu Yue , Liu Ying , Drew Michael 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

A groundbreaking wave mechanics theory for film has emerged, introducing innovative concepts that diverge significantly from the conventional microwave absorption framework. This pioneering theory suggests that optimizing absorption in films can be achieved through the phenomenon of wave cancellation, enabling efficient absorption with materials exhibiting reduced attenuation power and diminished microwave penetration. It delineates a clear distinction between films and materials, offering a streamlined and more relevant theory as a substitute for the often intricate and ambiguous impedance matching concept. By defining the material's attenuation power within the film, this research provides a fresh perspective on physics, conclusively demonstrating that film absorption differs from material attenuation. This constitutes a significant advancement in our understanding of film physics. It also underscores the fundamental difference in physics between film and its constituent material.
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, a Form of Cytokine Storm Associated with Adult-onset Still's Disease
Authors: pan zhou , Zhang Lei , Liu Shengyun 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to analyse data regarding the clinical characteristics and outcomes of adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).
Methods
A retrospective analysis of 72 AOSD patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University was conducted comparing the clinical characteristics, treatment protocols, and outcomes of patients with SIRS and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS).
Results
This study included 15 AOSD patients with SIRS (12 women) and 57 with MAS (47 women). The mean (SD) age of the patients with SIRS was 30.1 (14.2) years, and that of patients with MAS was 34.6 (14.9) years. Clinical features of these patients included fever, hepatosplenomegaly, polyserositis, and shock. There were statistically significant differences in leukocyte counts, platelets, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein values between the two groups. Patients with SIRS had lower HScore scores than patients with MAS (171 [156, 192] vs. 216 [178, 248], P = 0.02). Patients were treated with glucocorticoids (13 SIRS, 55 MAS), cyclosporine (7 SIRS, 49 MAS), intravenous immunoglobulin (8 SIRS, 30MAS), etoposide (5 SIRS, 34 MAS), and tocilizumab (2 SIRS, 21 MAS). The mortality rate of patients with SIRS (40%) was higher than that of patients with MAS (1.8%, P < 0.001).
Conclusions
SIRS is a rare but often fatal form of cytokine storm caused by persistent AOSD activity. Early treatment with immunosuppressants, etoposide, and IL-1 and IL-6 inhibitors is necessary for these patients.
Scalable Atomic Arrays for Spin-Based Quantum Computers in Silicon
Authors: Jakob Alexander , Robson Simon , Firgau Hannes , Mourik Vincent , Schmitt Vivien , Holmes Danielle , Posselt Matthias , Mayes Edwin , Spemann Daniel , Morello Andrea , Jamieson David 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Semiconductor spin qubits combine excellent quantum performance with the prospect of manufacturing quantum devices using industry-standard metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) processes. This applies also to ion-implanted donor spins, which further afford exceptional coherence times and large Hilbert space dimension in their nuclear spin. Here we demonstrate and integrate multiple strategies to manufacture scale-up donor-based quantum computers. We use 31PF2 molecule implants to triple the placement certainty compared to 31P ions, while attaining 99.99% confidence in detecting the implant. Similar confidence is retained by implanting heavier atoms such as 123Sb and 209Bi, which represent high-dimensional qudits for quantum information processing, while Sb2 molecules enable deterministic formation of closely spaced qudits. We demonstrate the deterministic formation of regular arrays of donor atoms with 300nm spacing, using step-and-repeat implantation through a nano aperture. These methods cover the full gamut of technological requirements for the construction of donor-based quantum computers in silicon.
Dose Escalation of Total Marrow and Lymphoid Irradiation Prior to Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation treating for Acute Leukemia and Lymphoma
Authors: Xiong Yu , Liu Weicheng , Jiang Dazhen , Shen Jiuling , Wang Xiaoyong , Deng Di , Liu Yu 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative option for various hematologic malignancies (HM), however, the risk of relapse hampers favorable HSCT outcomes. Augmentation of irradiation to sites of disease is one potential strategy to overcome this risk. This study evaluated the feasibility of radiation dose escalation of total marrow and lymphoid irradiation (TMLI) as part of the conditioning regimen prior to HSCT.
Methods and Materials
53 patients (5 acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), 29 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 17 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), 2 mixed acute leukemia (MAL)) received conditioning radiation treatment with TMLI 10 Gy (8 Gy to bone marrow (BM), 10 Gy to involved lymphatic sanctuary sites in 2 fractions per day). 36 patients (5 AML, 26 ALL, 2 NHL, 3 MAL) underwent the radiation treatment with TMLI 12 Gy (8 Gy to BM, 12 Gy to involved lymphatic sanctuary sites in 2 fractions per day) before HSCT.
Results
The median age of patients receiving TMLI 10 Gy and 12 Gy was 24 (4–47) and 27 (8–55) years old, respectively. Median dose of organs at risk (OARs) was down-regulated by 27% − 79% and 11% − 83% of the prescription dose at TMLI 10 Gy and 12 Gy compared to standard total body irradiation (TBI). Grade 1–2 acute toxicities were primarily observed. The 2 years progression-free survival (PFS) was 73.6% at TMLI 10 Gy and 84.8% at TMLI 12 Gy (95% CI: 0.15, 1.33) and, and the 2 years overall survival (OS) was 79.1% and 65.7% respectively (95% CI: 0.28, 2.15). The 2-year relapse rate was 19% and 11%, and the non-relapse mortality was 9% and 22% at TMLI 10 Gy and 12 Gy, respectively.
Conclusions
This study suggests that the relapse rate and 2 years PFS of HM are considerably improved when TMLI is performed prior to HSCT, which will offer an effective strategy for treating these diseases.
Viability of Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (MRH) Regional Programs in advancing medicines Access – Case of New Drug Applications for East Africa Community (EAC) MRH
Authors: Mwangi John M , Makokha Teresa N. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Access to essential medicines remains a significant challenge for patients in Africa. This is attributable to, among other factors, overreliance on imports from other countries for essential medicines, poor healthcare infrastructure, and weak regulatory systems. This is more apparent in the case of communicable diseases of Malaria, HIV, and TB in addition to the rising non-communicable diseases burden whose medicines access has been affected by the inefficient regulatory systems. Realizing this need, African countries through the support of WHO and the donor community started initiatives to strengthen regulatory systems over the last decade with the view to bring Africa towards being at par with other countries and regions of the world. An example has been the 2009 Africa Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) program started with the goal of harmonizing regulatory requirements across Africa through regional economic communities as interim building blocks. In East Africa, such an initiative was launched in 2012 resulting in multiple regulatory milestones being fulfilled to date. Past studies have assessed the utility of the process from a regulator’s perspective. The current study assessed the impact of EAC MRH from an industry perspective as a tool to accelerate medicines access. The study looked at retrospective data covering fifteen years in the company regulatory database showing approval timelines for new drug applications using the traditional/national procedures in comparison to the EAC MRH procedure. From the results, there was a reported reduction in regulatory timelines for new drug application authorizations among the member countries from a high of up to 17 months to 12 months on average. Additionally, the EAC MRH process was found to be predictable, transparent, and a platform to practice regulatory reliance, therefore, facilitating quicker access to health products and medicines for patients. From the findings, applicants are encouraged to explore the EAC MRH route as an alternative to the national regulatory procedures as one way to guarantee faster access to health products and medicines. It is also recommended to address the gaps in the national procedures that have been shown to delay regulatory decisions in the East Africa region. This report however did not cover other regulatory aspects such as the sustainability of the program, post-approval changes, GMP inspection, and vigilance which are not as well developed and which should be a focus for future work by industry and regulators.
Double-walled Al-based MOF with large microporous specific surface area for trace benzene adsorption
Authors: Yang Kun , Hu Laigang , Wu Wenhao , Hu Min , Jiang Ling , Lin Daohui , Wu Jian 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Double-walled metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), synthesized using Zn and Co, are potential porous materials for trace benzene adsorption. Aluminum is with low-toxicity and abundance in nature, in comparison with Zn and Co. Therefore, a novel double-walled Al-based MOF, named as ZJU-520(Al), with large microporous specific surface area of 2235 m2/g, pore size distribution in the range of 9.26 – 12.99 Å and excellent thermal-chemical stability, was synthesized in this study. ZJU-520(Al) is consisted by helical chain of AlO6 clusters and 4,6-Di(4-carboxyphenyl)pyrimidine ligands. It exhibits unprecedented trace benzene adsorption up to 5.98 mmol/g at 298 K and P/P0 = 0.01. Adsorbed benzene molecules are trapped on two types of sites. One (site I) is near the AlO6 clusters, another (site II) is near the N atom of ligands, using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations. ZJU-520(Al) also can effectively separate trace benzene from mixed vapor flow of benzene and cyclohexane, due to the adsorption affinity of benzene higher than that of cyclohexane. Therefore, ZJU-520(Al) is a potential adsorbent for trace benzene adsorption and benzene/cyclohexane separation.
Identification of Diagnostic Model in Heart Failure with Myocardial Fibrosis and Conduction Block by Integrated Gene Co-expression Network Analysis
Authors: yuan yonghua , Niu Yiwei , Ye Jiajun , Xu Yuejuan , He Xuehua , Chen Sun 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background: Despite the advancements in heart failure(HF) research, the early diagnosis of HF continues to be a challenging issue in clinical practice. This study aims to investigate the genes related to myocardial fibrosis and conduction block, with the goal of developing a diagnostic model for early treatment of HF in patients.
Method: The gene expression profiles of GSE57345, GSE16499, and GSE9128 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. After merging the expression profile data and adjusting for batch effects, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with conduction block and myocardial fibrosis were identified. Gene Ontology (GO) resources, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) resources, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were utilized for functional enrichment analysis. A protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed using a string database. Potential key genes were selected based on the bioinformatics information mentioned above. SVM and LASSO were employed to identify hub genes and construct the module associated with HF. The mRNA levels of TAC mice and external datasets (GSE141910 and GSE59867) are utilized for validating the diagnostic model. Additionally, the study explores the relationship between the diagnostic model and immune cell infiltration.
Results: A total of 395 genes exhibiting differential expression were identified. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these specific genes primarily participate in biological processes and pathways associated with the constituents of the extracellular matrix (ECM), immune system processes, and inflammatory responses. We identified a diagnostic model consisting of 16 hub genes, and its predictive performance was validated using external data sets and a transverse aortic coarctation (TAC) mouse model. In addition, we observed significant differences in mRNA expression of 7 genes in the TAC mouse model. Interestingly, our study also unveiled a correlation between these model genes and immune cell infiltration.
Conclusions: We identified sixteen key genes associated with myocardial fibrosis and conduction block, as well as diagnostic models for heart failure. Our findings have significant implications for the intensive management of individuals with potential genetic variants associated with heart failure, especially in the context of advancing cell-targeted therapy for myocardial fibrosis.
A Pseudorandom Bit Generator Based onBose-type Sidon Sets
Authors: Osorio Rigo Julian , Trujullo Carlos Alberto , Ruiz Diego Fernando 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Sidon sets have a variety of applications in mathematics and in real-world problems, such as error-correcting codes, the signal compression in telecommunications, and cryptography. In particular, pseudorandom number (bit) generators with good randomness qualities is critical in the development of secure applications. Based on the construction of Bose-type Sidon sets, in this paper we present the construction of a new pseudorandom bit generator (PRBG) with large period, high degree of entropy and good randomness properties.
MSC Classification: 43A46 , 12E20 , 94A55
In vitro replicative potential of an HIV-1/MO intergroup recombinant virus compared to HIV-1/M and HIV-1/O parental viruses
Authors: Moisan Alice , Tombette Fabienne , Vautrin Manon , Alessandri-Gradt Elodie , Mourez Thomas , Plantier Jean-Christophe 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Genetic recombination is one of the major evolution processes of HIV-1. Despite their great genetic divergence, HIV-1 groups M and O can generate HIV-1/MO intergroup recombinants. The current description of 20 HIV-1/MO unique recombinant forms suggests a possibl e benefit of the recombination.
The aim of this work was to study in vitro the replicative potential of HIV-1/MO recombinant forms.
This analysis was based on a simple recombination pattern, [Ogag/pol-Menv], harboring a breakpoint in Vpr. A chimeric infectious molecular clone, pOM-TB-2016 was synthesized from HIV-1/M subtype B and HIV-1/O subgroup T and recombinant viruses were obtained by transfection/co-culture. To compare the replicative potential of these viruses, two markers were monitored in culture supernatants: Reverse Transcriptase (RT) activity and P24 antigen concentration. The results showed a superiority of the group M parental virus compared to group O for both markers. In contrast, for the recombinant virus, RT activity data did not overlap with the concentration of P24 antigen, suggesting a hybrid behavior of the recombinant, in terms of enzyme activity and P24 production.
These results highlighted many hypotheses about the impact of recombination on replicative potential and demonstrated gain the significant plasticity of HIV genomes and their infinite possibility of evolution.
Importance :
HIV-1/M and HIV-1/O can generate HIV-1/MO intergroup recombinants. The current description of 19 URF_MO raises the question of a possible benefit of recombination in terms of emergence. The objectives of this work were to study in vitro the replicative potential of HIV-1/MO recombinant viruses. For this, a chimeric infectious molecular clone (IMC) generated from HIV-1/M subtype B and HIV-1/O subgroup T and recombinant viruses were obtained by transfection and co-culture. To compare the replicative potential of recombinant viruses with HIV-1/M and HIV-1/O parental viruses, RT activity and P24 antigen concentration were monitored in culture supernatants. A superiority of the group M parental virus compared to group O was observed for both markers whereas a hybrid behavior in terms of enzyme activity and P24 production was found for the recombinant virus. These results demonstrated once again the significant plasticity of HIV genomes and their infinite possibility of evolution.