bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of helium-induced defects on the migration of strontium implanted into SiC above critical amorphization temperature
Authors: Mokgadi T. F. , Abdalla Z. A. Y. , Madhuku M. , Njoroge E. G. , Mlambo M. , Mdluli P. , Sohatsky A. , Skuratov V. A. , Malherbe J. B. , Hlatshwayo T. T. 
Published: November 2023

The presence of radiation-induced defects and the high temperature of implantation are breeding grounds for helium (He) to accumulate and form He-induced defects (bubbles, blisters, craters, and cavities) in silicon carbide (SiC). In this work, the influence of He-induced defects on the migration of strontium (Sr) implanted into SiC was investigated. Sr-ions of 360 keV were implanted into polycrystalline SiC to a fluence of 2 × 1016 Sr-ions/cm2 at 600°C (Sr-SiC). Some of the Sr-SiC samples were then co-implanted with He-ions of 21.5 keV to a fluence of 1 × 1017 He-ions/cm2 at 350°C (Sr + He-SiC). The Sr-SiC and Sr + He-SiC samples were annealed for 5 h at 1,000°C. The as-implanted and annealed samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Rutherford backscattered spectrometry (RBS). Implantation of Sr retained some defects in SiC, while co-implantation of He resulted in the formation of He-bubbles, blisters, and craters (exfoliated blisters). Blisters close to the critical height and size were the first to exfoliate after annealing. He-bubbles grew larger after annealing owing to the capture of more vacancies. In the co-implanted samples, Sr was located in three regions: the crystalline region (near the surface), the bubble region (where the projected range of Sr was located), and the damage region toward the bulk. Annealing the Sr + He-SiC caused the migration of Sr towards the bulk, while no migration was observed in the Sr-SiC samples. The migration was governed by “vacancy migration driven by strain fileds.”
Changes in foveal avascular zone area and retinal vein diameter in patients with retinal vein occlusion detected by fundus fluorescein angiography
Authors: Liao Dingying , Zhou Zixia , Wang Fei , Zhang Bin , Wang Yanfen , Zheng Yuping , Li Jinying 
Published: November 2023

PurposeTo investigate changes in foveal avascular area (FAZ) and retinal vein diameter in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) after intravitreal ranibizumab, and to analyze the correlation between ranibizumab therapy and visual gain.MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled 95 eyes of 95 patients who had accepted three consecutive monthly ranibizumab injections, including 50 branch RVOs (BRVOs) and 45 central RVOs (CRVOs). BRVOs were divided into ischemia group (n = 32) and non-ischemia group (n = 18), and CRVOs also had ischemia group (n = 28) and non-ischemia group (n = 17). Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were performed before the first injection and after 6, 12, and 24 months. The FAZ was manually circumscribed on early-phase images of fundus fluorescein angiography. Retinal vein diameters were measured on fundus photographs.ResultsAfter three injections, the FAZ area was significantly enlarged firstly and then reduced in all ischemic RVOs and the non-ischemic BRVOs (p &lt; 0.05), while the retinal vein diameter was significantly reduced firstly and then increased in all groups except for unobstructed branch veins of non-ischemic BRVOs (p &lt; 0.05). The correlation between the FAZ area and best corrected visual acuity was statistically significant in all CRVOs (non-ischemic, r = 0.372; ischemic, r = 0.286; p &lt; 0.01) and ischemic BRVOs (r = 0.180, p &lt; 0.05). Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that the retinal vein diameter was significantly correlated to the larger FAZ area in obstructed branch veins of ischemic BRVOs (r = −0.31, p &lt; 0.01), inferior temporal branch veins of non-ischemic CRVOs (r = −0.461, p &lt; 0.01) and ischemia CRVO groups (superior temporal branch vein, r = −0.226, p &lt; 0.05; inferior temporal branch vein, r = −0.259, p &lt; 0.01).ConclusionAfter three consecutive monthly ranibizumab injections, the FAZ area was enlarged and retinal vein diameter reduced with gradual recovery to near baseline from 12 months. These results suggest that ranibizumab therapy can worsen macular ischemia and prevent visual gain in the short term. It has important significance for the treatment and prognosis of RVO, although the natural course of RVO may also affect ischemia and visual gain.
Clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Adwan Lina , Al-Sadi Tala , Shawakha Shorouq , Al-Shami Ni’meh A. 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known for its effects on the respiratory system. Three years after the pandemic morbid and mortal consequences, growing evidence is showing that the disease also has adverse outcomes and complications on additional organs including the kidneys. This study aims at investigating the effects of COVID-19 on hemodialysis patients receiving services at Palestine Medical Complex (PMC) kidney dialysis department, and to identify mortality related risk factors.MethodsIn April 2022, data was collected using the electronic medical records system for the dialysis department at PMC. The study included all PMC hemodialysis patients that were infected with COVID-19 between January 2020–April 2022. The collected data included patient demographics, clinical features, laboratory tests, dialysis frequency and the disease outcome.ResultsThe results showed that the patients’ outcomes and dialysis frequency were impacted by their blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr) and calcium levels. About one third of the study population died after being infected with COVID-19. The frequency of dialysis was also affected by the presence of comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM) and myocardial infarction (MI).ConclusionThis study found that there was a high mortality rate within the hemodialysis patients infected with COVID-19. Having comorbidities affected the frequency of dialysis following COVID-19 infection. Dialysis patients should be protected from infections such as COVID-19 and their comorbidities should be monitored and kept under control as much as possible.
fMRI changes during multi-limb movements in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Chung Jae Woo , Bower Abigail E. , Malik Ibrahim , Martello Justin P. , Knight Christopher A. , Jeka John J. , Burciu Roxana G. 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundWhile motor coordination problems are frequently reported among individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), the effects of the disease on the performance of multi-limb movements and the brain changes underlying impaired coordination are not well-documented.ObjectiveFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to examine differences in brain activity during a task that involved the coordination of non-homologous limbs (i.e., ipsilateral hand and foot) in individuals with and without PD.MethodsParticipants included 20 PD and 20 healthy control participants (HC). They were instructed to generate force in a coordinated manner by simultaneously contracting their ipsilateral hand and foot. PD were tested off their antiparkinsonian medication and on their more affected side, whereas the side in controls was randomized.ResultsAlthough both groups were able to coordinate the two limbs to produce the expected level of force, PD had a slower rate of force production and relaxation compared to HC. Additionally, their globus pallidus and primary motor cortex were underactive, whereas their pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) and lateral cerebellum were overactive relative to HC. Importantly, in PD, the fMRI activity within the pre-SMA correlated with the rate of force decrease.ConclusionMulti-limb force control deficits in PD appear to be related to widespread underactivation within the basal ganglia-cortical loop. An overactivation of higher-level motor regions within the prefrontal cortex and lateral cerebellum may reflect increased cognitive control and performance monitoring that emerges during more complex motor tasks such as those that involve the coordination of multiple limbs.
Profiles of resting state functional connectivity in temporal lobe epilepsy associated with post-laser interstitial thermal therapy seizure outcomes and semiologies
Authors: Syed Mashaal , Miao Jingya , Sathe Anish , Kang Kichang , Manmatharayan Arichena , Kogan Michael , Matias Caio M. , Sharan Ashwini , Alizadeh Mahdi 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionIt is now understood that in focal epilepsy, impacted neural regions are not limited to the epileptogenic zone. As such, further investigation into the underlying functional connectivity (FC) patterns in those enduring Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) with Mesial Temporal Sclerosis (MTS) is imperative to understanding the intricacies of the disease.MethodsThe rsfMRIs of 17 healthy participants, 10 left-sided TLE-MTS patients with a pre-operative history of focal impaired awareness seizures (FIA), and 13 left-sided TLE-MTS patients with a pre-operative history of focal aware seizures (FA) were compared to determine the existence of distinct FC patterns with respect to seizure types. Similarly, the rsfMRIs of the above-mentioned healthy participants, 16 left-sided TLE-MTS individuals who were seizure-free (SF) 12 months postoperatively, and 16 left-sided TLE-MTS persons without seizure freedom (nSF) were interrogated. The ROI-to-ROI connectivity analysis included a total of 175 regions of interest (ROIs) and accounted for both age and duration of epileptic activity. Significant correlations were determined via two-sample t-tests and Bonferroni correction (α = 0.05).ResultsComparisons of FA and FIA groups depicted significant correlations between the contralateral anterior cingulate gyrus, subgenual region, and the contralateral cerebellum, lobule III (p-value = 2.26e-4, mean z-score = −0.05 ± 0.28, T = −4.23). Comparisons of SF with nSF depicted two significantly paired-ROIs; the contralateral amygdala and the contralateral precuneus (p-value = 2.9e-5, mean z-score = −0.12 ± 0.19, T = 4.98), as well as the contralateral locus coeruleus and the ipsilateral intralaminar nucleus (p-value= 1.37e-4, mean z-score = 0.06 ± 0.17, T = −4.41).SignificanceFC analysis proves to be a lucrative modality for exploring unique signatures with respect to seizure types and postoperative outcomes. By furthering our understanding of the differences between epileptic phenotypes, we can achieve improvement in future treatment modalities not limited to targeting advancements.
The cross-sectional relationship between vitamin C and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels: insights from NHANES database
Authors: Ding Ning , Zeng Zhao , Luo Ju , Li Keng 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundAscorbic acid or vitamin C has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may impact markers of inflammation like C-reactive protein (CRP). However, studies specifically on vitamin C and high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) have been scarce.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017–2018 dataset including 5,380 U.S. adults aged ≥20 years. Multiple regression models examined the relationship between plasma vitamin C and serum hs-CRP while adjusting for potential confounders. Stratified analyses and curve fitting assessed effect modification and nonlinearity.ResultsAn inverse association was found between plasma vitamin C and serum hs-CRP overall (β = −0.025, 95% CI: −0.033 to −0.017, p &lt; 0.00001) and in subgroups except for the “other Hispanic” subgroup in model II (β = −0.009, 95% CI: (−0.040, 0.023), p = 0.5885). The relationship was nonlinear, with the greatest hs-CRP reduction observed up to a plasma vitamin C level of 53.1 μmol/L.ConclusionThe results showed a non-linear negative correlation between vitamin C levels and hs-CRP in adults. These results suggest vitamin C intake may reduce inflammation and cardiovascular risk, but only up to 53.1 μmol/L plasma vitamin C.
Development and validation of a combined hypoxia- and metabolism-related prognostic signature to predict clinical prognosis and immunotherapy responses in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wu Xin , Xie Wenjie , Gong Binbin , Fu Bin , Chen Weimin , Zhou Libo , Luo Lianmin 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundHypoxia and metabolism are closely correlated with the progression of cancer. We aimed to construct a combined hypoxia- and metabolism-related genes (HMRGs) prognostic signature to predict survival and immunotherapy responses in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).MethodsThe RNA-seq profiles and clinical data of ccRCC were acquired from the TCGA and the ArrayExpress (E-MTAB-1980) databases. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were applied to establish a prognostic signature. The E-MTAB-1980 cohort was selected for validation. The effectiveness and reliability of the signature were further evaluated by Kaplan–Meier (K-M) survival and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Further analyses, including functional enrichment, ssGSEA algorithm, CIBERSORT algorithm, and expression of immune checkpoints, were explored to investigate immune status and immunotherapy responses.ResultsWe constructed a prognostic eight-gene signature with IRF6, TEK, PLCB2, ABCB1, TGFA, COL4A5, PLOD2, and TUBB6. Patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the medium-risk score. The K-M analysis revealed that patients in the high-risk group had an apparently poor prognosis compared to those in the low-risk group in the TCGA (p &lt; 0.001) and E-MTAB-1980 (p &lt; 0.005). The area under ROC curve (AUC) of the prognostic signature was 0.8 at 1 year, 0.77 at 3 years, and 0.78 at 5 years in the TCGA, respectively, and was 0.82 at 1 year, 0.74 at 3 years, and 0.75 at 5 years in the E-MTAB-1980, respectively. Independent prognostic analysis confirmed the risk score as a separate prognostic factor in ccRCC patients (p &lt; 0.001). The results of ssGSEA showed not only a high degree of immune cell infiltration but also high scores of immune-related functions in the high-risk group. The CIBERSORT analysis further confirmed that the abundance of immune cells was apparently different between the two risk groups. The risk score was significantly correlated with the expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA4), lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3), and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1).ConclusionThe HMRGs signature could be used to predict clinical prognosis, evaluate the efficacy of immunotherapy, and guide personalized immunotherapy in ccRCC patients.
Genomic alterations associated with pseudoprogression and hyperprogressive disease during anti-PD1 treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhou Rui , Tong Fan , Zhang Yongchang , Zhang Ruigang , Bin Yawen , Zhang Sheng , Yang Nong , Dong Xiaorong 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionThis study aimed to elucidate the relationship between dynamic genomic mutation alteration and pseudoprogression (PsPD)/hyperprogressive disease (HPD) in immunotherapy-treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), to provide clinical evidence for identifying and distinguishing between PsPD and HPD.MethodPatients with advanced NSCLC who were treated with anti-PD1 were enrolled. Whole blood was collected at baseline and post image progression. Serum was separated and sequenced using 425-panel next-generation sequencing analysis (NGS).ResultsNGS revealed that not only single gene mutations were associated with PsPD/HPD before treatment, dynamic monitoring of the whole-blood genome mutation spectrum also varied greatly. Mutational burden, allele frequency%, and relative circulating tumor DNA abundance indicated that the fold change after image progression was much higher in the HPD group.DiscussionThe gene mutation profiles of PsPD and HPD not only differed before treatment, but higher genome mutation spectrum post image progression indicated true disease progression in patients with HPD. This suggests that dynamic whole-genome mutation profile monitoring as NGS can distinguish PsPD from HPD more effectively than single gene detection, providing a novel method for guiding clinical immune treatment.
Baseline BMI is associated with clinical symptom improvements in first-episode schizophrenia: a longitudinal study
Authors: Chen Xiaofang , Fan Yong , Ren Wenchao , Sun Maodi , Guan Xiaoni , Xiu Meihong , Li Shuyun 
Published: November 2023

Background: There is sufficient evidence of the high prevalence of obesity in schizophrenia (SZ) compared to the general population. Previous studies have reported that weight gain correlated with the response to antipsychotics in patients with SZ. Nonetheless, the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and therapeutic benefits remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate the association between baseline BMI and improvements in clinical symptoms after treatment with antipsychotics in first-episode and medication-naïve SZ (FEMNS).Methods: A total of 241 FEMNS patients were enrolled and received risperidone over 12 weeks. The severity of symptoms was assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and BMI was measured at baseline and 12-week follow-up.Results: We found that risperidone treatment raised the body weight of FEMNS patients and baseline BMI was negatively correlated with the improvement in negative symptoms (r = −0.14, p = 0.03) after 12-week treatment. Linear regression analysis indicated that baseline BMI was an independent predictor of response to risperidone in the early stage of SZ.Conclusion: The current study suggests a close relationship between baseline BMI and improvement in negative symptoms in SZ.
ShenQiWan ameliorates renal injury in type 2 diabetic mice by modulating mitochondrial fusion and endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Xiong Wei , Feng Jing , Liu Yumeng , Liu Jiapeng , Fu Liang , Wang Qian , Li Xia , Li Shuyu 
Published: November 2023

Background: ShenQiWan is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, which is closely related to mitochondrial fusion and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This study aimed to investigate the intervention effect and molecular mechanisms of ShenQiWan on renal injury in KKAy mice.Methods: C57BL/6J mice (11 weeks old) were fed a regular diet upon arrival, while KKAy mice (11 weeks old) were fed a high-fat diet upon arrival. At 12 weeks of age, KKAy mice with random blood glucose ≥13.9 mmol/L were identified as diabetic mice and randomly divided into the model group (n = 30) and the treatment group (n = 30), while C57BL/6J mice of 12 weeks old (n = 30) served as the control group. The treatment group received daily aqueous decoction of ShenQiWan (13.5 g/kg), while the control group and model group received daily equal amounts of saline from 12 weeks old to 24 weeks old. The general status of mice was observed regularly, and fasting blood glucose and 24-hour urine microalbumin were measured. Ten mice were euthanized in each group at the age of 16, 20, and 24 weeks, serum samples were used for biochemical indexes and kidney tissues were used for morphological studies. GRP78, OPA1, MFN1, MFN2 mRNA and protein expression were detected by Real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results: The mice in the model group exhibited symptoms of lethargy, slow movement, obesity, polyuria and proteinuria. Morphological observation revealed pathological changes, including thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and interstitial fibrosis. After treatment with ShenQiWan, the fasting blood glucose level of KKAy mice was significantly reduced, urinary albuminuria was decreased, serum biochemical indexes were improved, renal tissue pathological changes were significantly alleviated. The results also showed a significant reduction in the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related factor GRP78 and an increase in the expression of mitochondrial fusion-related factors OPA1, MFN1 and MFN2 after treatment with ShenQiWan.Conclusion: ShenQiWan can protect diabetic mice from renal damage by modulating mitochondrial fusion and alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress, exerting its protective effects.
Immune mediators as predictive biomarkers for anti-PD-1 antibody therapy in urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Shibata Yosuke , Kishida Takeshi , Kouro Taku , Wei Feifei , Igarashi Yuka , Himuro Hidetomo , Noguchi Takeaki , Koizumi Mitsuyuki , Suzuki Takahisa , Osaka Kimito , Saigusa Yusuke , Sasada Tetsuro 
Published: November 2023

Introduction: This study aimed to identify immune mediators, including cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, in the plasma for predicting treatment efficacy and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).Methods: We enrolled 57 patients with aUC who were treated with the anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody pembrolizumab after the failure of platinum-based chemotherapy between February 2018 and December 2020. Plasma levels of 73 soluble immune mediators were measured before and 6 weeks after initiating pembrolizumab therapy. The association of estimated soluble immune mediators with clinical outcomes, including overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), anti-tumor responses, and irAEs, were statistically evaluated.Results: In the multivariate analysis, levels of 18 factors at baseline and 12 factors during treatment were significantly associated with OS. Regarding PFS, baseline levels of 17 factors were significantly associated with PFS. Higher levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNF-R1), and IL-12 (p40), both at baseline and post-treatment, were significantly associated with worse OS. Conversely, low IL-6 and high TWEAK levels at baseline were associated with irAEs. Among identified factors, interferon (IFN) γ and IL-12 (p40) were repeatedly identified; high baseline levels of these factors were risk factors for worse OS and PFS, as well as progressive disease. Notably, using correlation and principal component analysis, factors significantly associated with clinical outcomes were broadly classified into three groups exhibiting similar expression patterns.Discussion: Measuring plasma levels of soluble immune mediators, such as IL-6, IL-8, sTNF-R1, IFNγ, and IL-12 (p40), could be recommended for predicting prognosis and irAEs in ICI-treated patients with aUC.