bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimation of central blood pressure waveform from femoral blood pressure waveform by blind sources separation
Authors: Gbaoui Laila , Hoeschen Christoph , Kaniusas Eugenijus , Khatib Saher , Gretschel Stephan , Wellnhofer Ernst 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundCentral blood pressure (cBP) is a better indicator of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than peripheral BP (pBP). However, direct cBP measurement requires invasive techniques and indirect cBP measurement is based on rigid and empirical transfer functions applied to pBP. Thus, development of a personalized and well-validated method for non-invasive derivation of cBP from pBP is necessary to facilitate the clinical routine. The purpose of the present study was to develop a novel blind source separation tool to separate a single recording of pBP into their pressure waveforms composing its dynamics, to identify the compounds that lead to pressure waveform distortion at the periphery, and to estimate the cBP. The approach is patient-specific and extracts the underlying blind pressure waveforms in pBP without additional brachial cuff calibration or any a priori assumption on the arterial model.MethodsThe intra-arterial femoral BPfe and intra-aortic pressure BPao were anonymized digital recordings from previous routine cardiac catheterizations of eight patients at the German Heart Centre Berlin. The underlying pressure waveforms in BPfe were extracted by the single-channel independent component analysis (SCICA). The accuracy of the SCICA model to estimate the whole cBP waveform was evaluated by the mean absolute error (MAE), the root mean square error (RMSE), the relative RMSE (RRMSE), and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The agreement between the intra-aortic and estimated parameters including systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and pulse pressure (PP) was evaluated by the regression and Bland–Altman analyses.ResultsThe SCICA tool estimated the cBP waveform non-invasively from the intra-arterial BPfe with an MAE of 0.159 ± 1.629, an RMSE of 5.153 ± 0.957 mmHg, an RRMSE of 5.424 ± 1.304%, and an ICC of 0.94, as well as two waveforms contributing to morphological distortion at the femoral artery. The regression analysis showed a strong linear trend between the estimated and intra-aortic SBP, DBP, MAP, and PP with high coefficient of determination R2 of 0.98, 0.99, 0.99, and 0.97 respectively. The Bland–Altman plots demonstrated good agreement between estimated and intra-aortic parameters with a mean error and a standard deviation of difference of −0.54 ± 2.42 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI): −5.28 to 4.20] for SBP, −1.97 ± 1.62 mmHg (95% CI: −5.14 to 1.20) for DBP, −1.49 ± 1.40 mmHg (95% CI: −4.25 to 1.26) for MAP, and 1.43 ± 2.79 mmHg (95% CI: −4.03 to 6.90) for PP.ConclusionsThe SCICA approach is a powerful tool that identifies sources contributing to morphological distortion at peripheral arteries and estimates cBP.
In situ probing of the present-day zircon-bearing magma chamber at Krafla, Northeastern Iceland
Authors: Borisova Anastassia Y. , Melnik Oleg E. , Gaborit Nicolas , Bindeman Ilya N. , Traillou Thibault , Raffarin Marie , Stefánsson Andri , Laurent Oscar , Leisen Mathieu , Llovet Xavier , de Parseval Philippe , Proietti Arnaud , Tait Stephen 
Published: November 2023

Active felsic magmatism has been rarely probed in situ by drilling but one recent exception is quenched rhyolite sampled during the 2009 Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP). We report finding of rare zircons of up to ∼100 µm in size in rhyolite glasses from the IDDP-1 well products and the host 1724 AD Viti granophyres. The applied SHRIMP U-Th dating for both the IDDP and the Viti granophyre zircons gives zero-age (±2 kyr), and therefore suggests that the IDDP-1 zircons have crystallized from an active magma intrusion rather than due to the 20–80 ka post-caldera magmatic episodes recorded by nearby domes and ridges. Ti-in-zircon geothermometer for Viti granophyre reveals zircon crystallization temperatures ∼800°C–900°C, whereas IDDP-1 rhyolite zircon cores show Ti content higher than 100 ppm, corresponding to temperatures up to ∼1,100°C according to the Ti-in-zircon thermometer. According to our thermochemical model at such elevated temperatures as 1,100°C, rhyolitic magma cannot be saturated with zircon and zircon crystallization is not possible. We explain this controversy by either kinetic effects or non-ideal Ti incorporation into growing zircons at low pressures that start to grow from nucleus at temperatures ∼930°C. High temperatures recorded by IDDP-1 zircon together with an occurrence of baddeleyite require that the rhyolite magma formed by partial melting of the host granophyre due to basaltic magma intrusion. Zr concentration profiles in glass around zircons are flat, suggesting residence in rhyolitic melt for &gt;4 years. In our thermochemical modeling, three scenarios are considered. The host felsite rocks are intruded by: 1) a basaltic sill, 2) rhyolite magma 3) rhyolite sill connected to a deeper magmatic system. Based on the solution of the heat conduction equation accounting for the release of latent heat and effective thermal conductivity, these data confirm that the rhyolite magma could be produced by felsic crust melting as a result of injection of a basaltic or rhyolite sill during the Krafla Fires eruption (1975 AD).
Pseudohypoadrenalism, a subclinical cortisol metabolism disorder in hyperuricemia
Authors: Bao Ruixia , Chen Beibei , Pan Jujie , Wang Alexander , Yu Haiyang , Chen Qian , Zhang Yi , Wang Tao 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundHyperuricemia is a known risk factor of lipid metabolism disorder. However, the mechanisms have not been fully understood.MethodsThe serum samples from hyperuricemia subjects were used to analyze the correlation between serum uric acid and clinical characteristics. Hyperuricemia mice induced by potassium oxonate (PO) and adenine were used to explore glucocorticoid metabolism.ResultsIn hyperuricemia patients, the levels of serum uric acid were positively correlated with the levels of γ-glutamyltransferase, associated with a cortisol metabolism disorder. In hyperuricemia state, the adrenal glands failed to respond to adrenocorticotropic hormone properly, leading to low cortisol, but not corticosterone production, and decreased mRNA levels of aldosterone synthase, 11β-hydroxylase, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1, three key enzymes for cortisol synthesis. The expression of both hepatic 5α-reductase and renal 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 was significantly reduced, which led to low cortisol clearance. We denominated this cortisol metabolism disorder in hyperuricemia as pseudohypoadrenalism (PHAL).ConclusionPHAL increased exposure to the bioavailable cortisol in the liver, leading to local amplification of the biological action of corticosteroids. Unregulated biosynthesis pathway of bile acid expanded bile acid pool, and further aggravated cholestatic liver injury.
Energy evolution mechanism during rockburst development in structures of surrounding rocks of deep rockburst-prone roadways in coal mines
Authors: Xuan Zhongtang , Cheng Zhiheng , Li Chunyuan , Fan Chaojun , Qin Hongyan , Li Wenchen , Guo Kai , Chen Haoyi , Xie Yifei , Yang Likai 
Published: November 2023

Influenced by the deep high-stress environment, geological structures, and mining disturbance in coal mines, the frequency of rockburst disasters in roadways is increasing. This research analyzed energy evolution characteristics during rockburst development in the elastic bearing zone and energy conversion in the plastic failure zone. The critical energy criteria for structural instability of roadway surrounding rocks were deduced. Numerical software was also applied to simulate the energy evolution during rockburst development in surrounding rocks of rockburst-prone roadways under conditions of different mining depths and coal pillar widths. The occurrence mechanism of rockburst deep in coal mines was analyzed from the perspective of energy in structures of deep roadway surrounding rock in coal mines. The research results show that the critical energy criteria are closely related to the elastic strain energy stored in deep roadway surrounding rocks and the energy absorbed by support systems. The impact energy in roadways is directly proportional to the square of the stress concentration factor k. Moreover, as the mining depth increases, the location of the peak point of maximum energy density gradually shifts to coal ahead of the working face. The larger the mining depth is, the more significantly the energy density is influenced by advanced abutment pressure of the working face and the wider the affected area is. With the increment of the coal pillar width, the distance from the peak point of energy density to the roadway boundary enlarges abruptly at first and then slowly, and the critical coal pillar width for gentle change in the distance is 30 m. Changes in the peak elastic energy density in coal pillars with the coal pillar width can be divided into four stages: the slow increase stage, abrupt increase stage, abrupt decrease stage, and slow decrease stage. The elastic energy density is distributed asymmetrically in deep roadway surrounding rocks in coal mines. Under the action of structures of roadway surrounding rocks, energy evolution in these structures differs greatly during rockburst development under conditions of different coal pillar widths. This research provides an important theoretical basis for the support of rockburst-prone roadways during deep coal mining.
Performance analysis and techno-economic assessment of a developed cooling/preheating small PVT-RO desalination plant
Authors: Bacha Habib Ben , Abdullah Abdelkader Saad , Alqasir Umar , Salama Reda S. , Abdelgaied Mohamed , Kabeel Abd Elnaby 
Published: November 2023

Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries are experiencing rapid population growth, so water and electricity consumption plays a crucial role in the sustainable development of these countries. To overcome the water scarcity and electricity problems facing the MENA region, the developed cooling/preheating small PVT-RO desalination plants have been proposed as a practical solution. To achieve sustainable water and energy development in the MENA region, this study presents a commendable and highly efficient renewable energy project for freshwater production and electricity generation to solve the energy crisis and water scarcity in the MENA countries. Therefore, this study aims to develop a cooling/preheating small PVT-RO desalination plant to facilitate freshwater supply to remote regions and produce electricity. This was done by connecting photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) collectors with reverse osmosis (RO) desalination systems, where seawater is used as a medium to cool photovoltaic cells to increase electric power generation and at the same time recover thermal energy and use it in the initial heating of feed seawater before it is fed into the RO plants, thus increasing its productivity. The results indicate that using the photovoltaic thermal panels as preheating units will lead to a 0.135 kWh/m3 reduction in the rate of specific electricity consumption for the RO desalination plant, as well as increase the electricity generation from PVT panels by a rate of 8%. The economic feasibility presented that the proposed developed cooling/preheating small PVT-RO desalination plant represents an effective technology that reduced the freshwater cost by a rate of 49.5%.
Impact of Corona virus pandemic on wastewater characteristics, treatment, and water reuse in a municipal plant
Authors: Hamoda Mohamed F. , AL Rashidi Noura S. 
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic is considered one of the most significant threats to health. The effect of the pandemic on performance of wastewater treatment plants has not received much attention in the literature. This study assessed the impact of Coronavirus pandemic on the wastewater quantity, characteristics, treatment processes, and water reuse in Kuwait. It focused on three municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with different design capacities, namely Sulaibiya (600,000 m3/d), Kabd (180,000 m3/d), and Umm Al-Hayman (27,000 m3/d), all using tertiary treatment. Daily data records were obtained on influent and effluent over the years 2018–2020 (before and during the pandemic). In addition, influent and effluent samples were collected from the Sulaibiya and Kabd plants for laboratory analysis to determine the effect of increase in the use of home disinfectants. The results indicate an increase (&lt;50%) in the average daily flow rates received in WWTPs during the 2020 home quarantine lockdowns. Statistical analysis showed stability of the Sulaibiya in BOD5, COD, and TSS removal efficiency while a decrease in the Kabd and UAH plants removal efficiency was observed during the pandemic. During the lockdown period, GC-MS analysis showed a high probability of chloroxylenol (&gt;90), one of the main components of Dettol disinfectant, existing in the raw wastewater samples while the GC-FID analysis indicated the presence of (PAH) as emerging contaminants, at higher concentrations in the influent and effluent samples. The pandemic adversely affected wastewater treatment plant performance and excessive use of Dettol disinfectant by homes resulted in the presence of objectionable organic pollutants in the tertiary-treated effluent which would impair water reuse. Reverse osmosis process used in Sulaibiya plant proved to be effective in removing residual organics and improving effluent quality for reuse during the pandemic.
Unraveling immunotherapeutic targets for endometriosis: a transcriptomic and single-cell analysis
Authors: Zhou Cankun , Feng Minqing , Chen Yonglian , Lv Side , Zhang Yifan , Chen Jiebo , Zhang Rujian , Huang Xiaobin 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundEndometriosis (EMs), a common gynecological disorder, adversely affects the quality of life of females. The pathogenesis of EMs has not been elucidated and the diagnostic methods for EMs have limitations. This study aimed to identify potential molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of EMs.MethodsDifferential gene expression (DEG) and functional enrichment analyses were performed using the R language. WGCNA, Random Forest, SVM-REF and LASSO methods were used to identify core immune genes. The CIBERSORT algorithm was then used to analyse the differences in immune cell infiltration and to explore the correlation between immune cells and core genes. In addition, the extent of immune cell infiltration and the expression of immune core genes were investigated using single-cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing data. Finally, we performed molecular docking of three core genes with dienogest and goserelin to screen for potential drug targets.ResultsDEGs enriched in immune response, angiogenesis and estrogen processes. CXCL12, ROBO3 and SCG2 were identified as core immune genes. RT-PCR confirmed that the expression of CXCL12 and SCG2 was significantly upregulated in 12Z cells compared to hESCs cells. ROC curves showed high diagnostic value for these genes. Abnormal immune cell distribution, particularly increased macrophages, was observed in endometriosis. CXCL12, ROBO3 and SCG2 correlated with immune cell levels. Molecular docking suggested their potential as drug targets.ConclusionThis study investigated the correlation between EMs and the immune system and identified potential immune-related biomarkers. These findings provided valuable insights for developing clinically relevant diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for EMs.
Comparison of Shigella GMMA and glycoconjugate four-component formulations in animals
Authors: Di Benedetto Roberta , Mancini Francesca , Caradonna Valentina , Aruta Maria Grazia , Giannelli Carlo , Rossi Omar , Micoli Francesca 
Published: November 2023

Shigellosis is leading bacterial cause of diarrhea with high prevalence in children younger than 5 years in low- and middle-income countries, and increasing number of reports of Shigella cases associated to anti-microbial resistance. No vaccines against Shigella are still licensed, but different candidates based on the O-antigen portion of lipopolysaccharides are in clinic. Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA) have been proposed as an alternative delivery system for the O-antigen, and a 4-component vaccine candidate (altSonflex1-2-3), containing GMMA from S. sonnei and S. flexneri 1b, 2a and 3a is being tested in a phase 1/2 clinical trial, with the aim to elicit broad protection against the most prevalent Shigella serotypes. Here, the 4-component GMMA vaccine candidate has been compared to a more traditional glycoconjugate formulation for the ability to induce functional antibodies in mice and rabbits. In mice, in the absence of Alhydrogel, GMMA induce higher IgG antibodies than glycoconjugates and stronger bactericidal titers against all Shigella serotypes. In the presence of Alhydrogel, GMMA induce O-antigen specific IgG levels similar to traditional glycoconjugates, but with a broader range of IgG subclasses, resulting in stronger bactericidal activity. In rabbits, GMMA elicit higher functional antibodies than glycoconjugates against S. sonnei, and similar responses to S. flexneri 1b, 2a and 3a, independently from the presence of Alhydrogel. Different O-antigen based vaccines against Shigella are now in clinical stage and it will be of particular interest to understand how the preclinical findings in the different animal models translate in humans.
Effects of green coffee aqueous extract supplementation on glycemic indices, lipid profile, CRP, and malondialdehyde in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Khalili-Moghadam Sajad , Hedayati Mehdi , Golzarand Mahdieh , Mirmiran Parvin 
Published: November 2023

Background/objectivesStudies have reported the health benefits of green coffee extract (GCE) in experimental models. In the current study, we aimed to determine whether supplementation with GCE improves glycemic indices, inflammation, and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Methods and study designThis randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 44 patients (26 male and 18 female) with T2D and overweight/obesity. After blocked randomization, patients received either capsules containing 400 mg GCE twice per day (n = 22) or a placebo (n = 22) and were followed for 10 weeks. In this study, glycemic indices, lipid profiles, anthropometric examinations, blood pressure, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured twice; at baseline and at the end of the study.ResultsAfter 10 weeks of supplementation, GCE supplementation significantly reduced body weight (p = 0.04) and body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.03) compared to the placebo. The intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis indicated patients in the GCE group had a lower fasting blood glucose (FBG) concentration compared to the placebo group; however, this decreasing was marginally significant (8.48 ± 8.41 vs. 1.70 ± 5.82 mg/dL, p = 0.05). There was no significant difference in insulin levels and HOMA-IR between the groups. At the end of the study, significant changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = 0.01), triglyceride (TG) level (p = 0.02), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (p = 0.001), and TG-to-HDL ratio (p = 0.001) were found between the intervention and placebo groups. Our trial indicated GCE supplementation had no effect on diastolic blood pressure (DBP), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or total cholesterol. During the supplementation period, the hs-CRP level significantly decreased in the GCE group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.02). No significant changes were observed in the MDA level between the two groups at the end of the study (p = 0.54).ConclusionOur findings showed beneficial effects of GCE on SBP, TG, hs-CRP, and HDL levels in patients with T2D and overweight/obesity over a 10-week period of supplementation.Clinical trial registration:https://en.irct.ir/trial/48549, identifier [IRCT20090203001640N18].
Clinical effectiveness and safety of sirolimus in pediatric patients with complex vascular anomalies: necessitating personalized and comprehensive approaches
Authors: Kim Minji , Hong Kyung Taek , Park Hyun Jin , Kim Bo Kyung , Choi Jung Yoon , Kim Hyun-Young , Kang Hyoung Jin 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundManaging complex vascular anomalies in pediatric care requires comprehensive approaches. Sirolimus, an mTOR inhibitor with immunosuppressive and anti-angiogenic properties, offers promise. We evaluated sirolimus's effectiveness and safety in pediatric patients with complex vascular anomalies at a tertiary children's hospital.MethodsOur study included 20 patients, aged 1 month to 19 years, with diverse vascular anomalies resistant to conventional therapies or located in high-risk areas precluding surgery. The evaluation of response encompassed measuring the reduction in the size of the targeted vascular or lymphatic lesions as observed on radiologic imaging, along with considering improvements reported by the patients.ResultsPatients used sirolimus for a median of 2.1 years, ranging from 0.6–4.3 years. Results indicated that 60% of patients achieved complete or partial response (CR/PR), whereas 40% had stable disease (SD). Notably, no disease progression occurred. Lesion size assessment was complex, yet patients' self-reported improvements were considered. Three patients reinitiated sirolimus after discontinuation due to worsening lesions. Sirolimus treatment demonstrated good tolerability, with minor complications except for one case of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. Group comparisons based on response highlighted better outcomes in patients with vascular tumors (CR/PR group 58.0% vs. SD group 0.0%, P = 0.015) or localized measurable lesions (83.3% vs. 12.5%, P = 0.005).ConclusionOur study underscores sirolimus's potential for treating complex vascular anomalies in pediatric patients. Challenges associated with optimal treatment duration and concurrent interventions necessitate a comprehensive approach and genetic testing to optimize outcomes.