bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of temporal patterns of global longitudinal strain in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Abou Kamar Sabrina , Aga Yaar S. , de Bakker Marie , van den Berg Victor J. , Strachinaru Mihai , Bowen Dan , Frowijn René , Akkerhuis K. Martijn , Brugts Jasper , Manintveld Olivier , Umans Victor , Geleijnse Marcel L. , Boersma Eric , van Dalen Bas M. , Kardys Isabella 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundWe investigated whether repeatedly measured global longitudinal strain (GLS) has incremental prognostic value over repeatedly measured left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and a single “baseline” GLS value, in chronic heart failure (HF) patients.MethodsIn this prospective observational study, echocardiography was performed in 173 clinically stable chronic HF patients every six months during follow up. During a median follow-up of 2.7 years, a median of 3 (25th–75th percentile:2–4) echocardiograms were obtained per patient. The endpoint was a composite of HF hospitalization, left ventricular assist device, heart transplantation, cardiovascular death. We compared hazard ratios (HRs) for the endpoint from Cox models (used to analyze the first available GLS measurements) with HRs from joint models (which links repeated measurements to the time-to-event data).ResultsMean age was 58 ± 11 years, 76% were men, 81% were in New York Heart Association functional class I/II, and all had LVEF &lt; 50% (mean ± SD: 27 ± 9%). The endpoint was reached by 53 patients. GLS was persistently decreased over time in patients with the endpoint. However, temporal GLS trajectories did not further diverge in patients with versus without the endpoint and remained stable during follow-up. Both single measurements and temporal trajectories of GLS were significantly associated with the endpoint [HR per SD change (95%CI): 2.15(1.34–3.46), 3.54 (2.01–6.20)]. In a multivariable model, repeatedly measured GLS maintained its prognostic value while repeatedly measured LVEF did not [HR per SD change (95%CI): GLS:4.38 (1.49–14.70), LVEF:1.14 (0.41–3.23)]. The association disappeared when correcting for repeatedly measured NT-proBNP.ConclusionTemporal evolution of GLS was associated with adverse events, independent of LVEF but not independent of NT-proBNP. Since GLS showed decreased but stable values in patients with adverse prognosis, single measurements of GLS provide sufficient information for determining prognosis in clinical practice compared to repeated measurements, and temporal GLS patterns do not add prognostic information to NT-proBNP.
Residual electron spin resonance signals of quartz from the 2018 Baige dammed lake in Tibet: Implications for the identification of sediment layers caused by megafloods
Authors: Wei Chuanyi , Yin Gongming , Du Jinhua , Liu Chunru , Cheng Li , Ji Hao , Wang Libin 
Published: January 2023

Residual doses may cause overestimation of electron spin resonance (ESR) ages for fluvial sediments. However, ESR residual doses in outburst megaflood sediments have rarely been evaluated. The Jinsha River, situated in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, is characterized by active faults, narrowed canyons, and dammed lakes. Consequently, the river is a rare opportunity for a reconstruction study of outburst flood events from a paleo-dammed lake. After the destruction of the Baige dammed lake in the upper Jinsha River in 2018, outburst megafloods formed a thick diluvium that was deposited in broad valley land along the lower Jinsha River. Based on detailed field investigation and laboratory studies, preliminary hydraulics estimates and residual quartz ESR signals indicate the following. 1) Among the multiple quartz ESR centers, the Al, E1ʹ, Ti-H, and Ti-Li centers could be measured. The Ti-H center had the lowest residual dose and would provide relatively accurate ages for outburst megaflood sediment. 2) The Ti-Li and Al centers commonly used for ESR dating provide overestimates of 283 ± 42 ka ∼ 462 ± 63 ka and 1,010 ± 88 ka ∼ 1,400 ± 219 ka, respectively, for present outburst megaflood sediment. 3) The diverse ages given by the same ESR signal may be caused by various precursors of megaflood sediments, which are mainly sourced from landslide dams and from various terraces and slope sediments along the river. Results demonstrated that the apparent ESR ages observed for the outburst megaflood sediment in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau may be counterfeit, providing an age much older than its real age. This could be interpreted to mean that the narrowed lower channel makes the upper reaches of the broad valley appear lake-like, with diluvium deposits having large non-negligible residual ESR signals without enough exposure to adequate sunlight, despite having good stratification and sorting characteristics similar to those of fluvio-lacustrine sediments. Thus, abrupt reversal in quartz ESR ages in multiple centers observed in the geochronological framework of the fluvial sedimentary profile may indicate a diluvial or flood layer in the absence of other inducements.
Color changes in yardang strata sediment in the Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark, Northwest China: Controlling factors and significance for sedimentary environments
Authors: Liang Xiaolei , Wang Xiaoli , Zhai Xiaohui , Niu Qinghe , Li Jiyan 
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Yardang stratum is the basic material unit of yardang landforms. Due to their protracted age and complex sedimentary structure, formative yardang stratum mechanisms remain poorly understood. Color, being one of the most intuitive, easily accessible, and important lithological indicators, can be used to identify yardang strata sedimentary environments. However, the lack of quantitative analysis and systematic research have limited how chromatic environmental proxies can be extracted and interpreted.Materials and methods: The Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark was selected for this experiment. Based on chromaticity, grain-size, chemical element, organic matter, and carbonate content measurements of yardang strata sediment samples, this study used correlation analysis and chromaticity proxy extraction to quantitatively characterize associated color changes, controlling factors, and sedimentary environments.Results and discussion: Results found significant cyclic changes in chromaticity parameter curves were observed in the profiles, which is likely indicative of a dry/wet evolutionary process that occurred during different stages of the yardang sedimentary environment. Organic matter content was the main factor affecting changes in brightness, while iron oxide content directly affected yardang sediment redness and yellowness values. Due to its low value, effects of carbonate content on brightness were obscured. The grain-size characteristics indirectly affect the brightness value through the content of quartz, feldspar and organic matter. Moreover, based on modern analogy method, the brightness and redness values are proved to be effective proxies for distinguishing the yardang sedimentary environment. Accordingly, it is concluded that the sedimentary environment of Dunhuang yardang landforms is composed of sedimentation that derived from lacustrine, aeolian, and alluvial environments, and that the chromaticity parameter range and characteristic color for sedimentary environments are extracted and quantified. Findings from this study not only rectify the lack of quantitative research on yardang sediment color theory but also provide an important theoretical basis for identifying sedimentary environments in the field.
Comprehensive analysis of the effect of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis on the diagnostic efficacy of preoperative ultrasonography on cervical lymph node lesions in papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Tan Hai-Long , Nyarko AdolphusOsei , Duan Sai-li , Zhao Ya-Xin , Chen Pei , He Qiao , Zhang Zhe-Jia , Chang Shi , Huang Peng 
Published: January 2023

PurposeHashimoto’s thyroiditis often leads to reactive hyperplasia of the central compartment lymph nodes in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. However, the effect and clinical significance of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) on ultrasonography evaluation for cervical lymph node (LN) lesions remain unknown. This study aims to investigate the effect of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis on the diagnostic efficacy of preoperative ultrasonography on cervical lymph node lesions in PTC patients.Patients and methodsThis study consecutively enrolled 1,874 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and radical cervical lymph node dissection between January 2010 and December 2021. Eligible patients were categorized as with HT and without HT. The diagnostic performance of preoperative ultrasonography for cervical LN lesions (including central LNs and lateral LNs) was evaluated between PTC patients with HT and those without HT, respectively.ResultsAmong the 1,874 PTC patients, 790 (42.1%) had central cN+ and 1,610 (85.9%) had lateral cN+. Compared with PTC patients without HT, the preoperative US for central LNs displays a higher false-positive rate (27.9% vs. 12.2%, p &lt;0.001) and a lower specificity (72.1% vs. 87.8%, p &lt; 0.001) in PTC patients with HT. Moreover, in PTC patients with HT, the ratio of the absence of fatty hilum in central LNs without metastasis was higher than in PTC patients without HT (13.02% vs. 7.46%, p = 0.013). However, no such differences were observed in lateral LNs.ConclusionHT will interfere with the preoperative US evaluation for central LNs and increase the incidence of the absence of fatty hilum in central benign LNs. When PTC patients have concomitant HT, clinicians should thoroughly evaluate the central LNs, thereby decreasing the incidence of misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgery.
Adoption impact of solar based irrigation facility by water-scarce northwestern areas farmers in Bangladesh: Evidence from panel data analysis
Authors: Sunny Faruque As , Islam Mohammad Ariful , Karimanzira Taonarufaro Tinaye Pemberai , Lan Juping , Rahman Md Sadique , Zuhui Huang 
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Fossil fuel and electricity-based irrigation practices contribute to greenhouse gases and add substantial costs to water access. Solar-powered irrigation is spreading globally, notably in developing countries, as a solution to the rising energy and climate concerns related to agriculture. This policy perspective devoted to examining the impact of the solar irrigation facilities (SIF) adoption on irrigation cost and return on investment (ROI) based on seven years of panel data seeks to contribute to the efforts to propel solar irrigation toward delivering on the myriad of promises.Methods: Panel logistic regression was employed to analyze adoption determinants, while adoption impact was evaluated through the propensity score matching with the difference-in-difference (PSM-DID) method. In addition, the time and panel fixed effect DID and doubly robust DID model was also used for robustness check.Results: The result reveals that SIF adoption significantly increased ROI by 20% to 30% and reduced irrigation costs by 21% to 30%.Conclusion: The findings call for further research and analysis on evidence-based best practices for solar irrigation solutions at the farm level so that the dissemination of this revolutionary technology, apart from contributing to the advancement of the energy sector, also plays a vital role in driving us towards establishing a more equitable and sustainable world.
Research on construction schedule risk management of power supply and distribution projects based on MCS-AHP model
Authors: Xinfa Tang , Tian Zhong , Xingwu Huang , Dan Li 
Published: January 2023

In order to manage the construction schedule risk of power supply and distribution engineering, a construction schedule risk evaluation model, namely the Monte Carlo simulation method - Analytic Hierarchy Process (MCS-AHP) model, is proposed. In this model, the Monte Carlo simulation method is adopted to improve the analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the normal distribution interval is used to replace the specific value when constructing the fuzzy complementary judgment matrix, to reduce the risk of fuzzy thinking and incomplete information or scattered data in the process of investigation and judgment and improve the scientific evaluation. This paper takes a power supply and distribution project in Guangdong Province as an example uses the MCS-AHP model to measure the key factors limiting the project progress, and uses the AHP method for comparative analysis, to verify the feasibility of the MCS-AHP model. The analysis shows that the key influencing factors are material and equipment procurement, production and arrival, installation of 10 kv high voltage switchboard, electrical acceptance and single machine commissioning, installation of low-voltage switchboard and DC switchboard, and foundation construction of power station equipment, etc., which are consistent with the actual situation. Therefore, it is feasible to construct the MCS-AHP model, which can provide a new way of thinking for schedule risk management analysis.
Age-related changes in antigen-specific natural antibodies are influenced by sex
Authors: Webster Sarah E. , Tsuji Naomi L. , Clemente Michael J. , Holodick Nichol E. 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionNatural antibody (NAb) derived from CD5+ B-1 cells maintains tissue homeostasis, controls inflammation, aids in establishing long-term protective responses against pathogens, and provides immediate protection from infection. CD5+ B-1 cell NAbs recognize evolutionarily fixed epitopes, such as phosphatidylcholine (PtC), found on bacteria and senescent red blood cells. Anti-PtC antibodies are essential in protection against bacterial sepsis. CD5+ B-1 cell-derived NAbs have a unique germline-like structure that lacks N-additions, a feature critical for providing protection against infection. Previously, we demonstrated the repertoire and germline status of PtC+CD5+ B-1 cell IgM obtained from male mice changes with age depending on the anatomical location of the B-1 cells. More recently, we demonstrated serum antibody from aged female mice maintains protection against pneumococcal infection, whereas serum antibody from male mice does not provide protection.ResultsHere, we show that aged female mice have significantly more splenic PtC+CD5+ B-1 cells and more PtC specific serum IgM than aged male mice. Furthermore, we find both age and biological sex related repertoire differences when comparing B cell receptor (BCR) sequencing results of PtC+CD5+ B-1 cells. While BCR germline status of PtC+CD5+ B-1 cells from aged male and female mice is similar in the peritoneal cavity, it differs significantly in the spleen, where aged females retain germline configuration and aged males do not. Nucleic acid sensing toll-like receptors are critical in the maintenance of PtC+ B-1 cells; therefore, to begin to understand the mechanism of differences observed between the male and female PtC+CD5+ B-1 cell repertoire, we analyzed levels of cell-free nucleic acids and found increases in aged females.ConclusionOur results suggest the antigenic milieu differs between aged males and females, leading to differential selection of antigen-specific B-1 cells over time. Further elucidation of how biological sex differences influence the maintenance of B-1 cells within the aging environment will be essential to understand sex and age-related disparities in the susceptibility to bacterial infection and will aid in the development of more effective vaccination and/or therapeutic strategies specific for males and females.
Integrated analysis of transcription factor-mRNA-miRNA regulatory network related to immune characteristics in medullary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Weng Danfeng , He Long , Chen Xiangna , Lin Huangfeng , Ji Daihan , Lu Shuting , Ao Lu , Wang Shenglin 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundMedullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a thyroid C cell-derived malignancy, is poorly differentiated and more aggressive than papillary, follicular and oncocytic types of thyroid cancer. The current therapeutic options are limited, with a third of population suffering resistance. The differential gene expression pattern among thyroid cancer subtypes remains unclear. This study intended to explore the exclusive gene profile of MTC and construct a comprehensive regulatory network via integrated analysis, to uncover the potential key biomarkers.MethodsMultiple datasets of thyroid and other neuroendocrine tumors were obtained from GEO and TCGA databases. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specific in MTC were identified to construct a transcription factor (TF)-mRNA-miRNA network. The impact of the TF-mRNA-miRNA network on tumor immune characteristics and patient survival was further explored by single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) and ESTIMATE algorithms, as well as univariate combined with multivariate analyses. RT-qPCR, cell viability and apoptosis assays were performed for in vitro validation.ResultsWe identified 81 genes upregulated and 22 downregulated in MTC but not in other types of thyroid tumor compared to the normal thyroid tissue. According to the L1000CDS2 database, potential targeting drugs were found to reverse the expressions of DEGs, with panobinostat (S1030) validated effective for tumor repression in MTC by in vitro experiments. The 103 DEGs exclusively seen in MTC were involved in signal release, muscle contraction, pathways of neurodegeneration diseases, neurotransmitter activity and related amino acid metabolism, and cAMP pathway. Based on the identified 15 hub genes, a TF-mRNA-miRNA linear network, as well as REST-cored coherent feed-forward loop networks, namely REST-KIF5C-miR-223 and REST-CDK5R2-miR-130a were constructed via online prediction and validation by public datasets and our cohort. Hub-gene, TF and miRNA scores in the TF-mRNA-miRNA network were related to immune score, immune cell infiltration and immunotherapeutic molecules in MTC as well as in neuroendocrine tumor of lung and neuroblastoma. Additionally, a high hub-gene score or a low miRNA score indicated good prognoses of neuroendocrine tumors.ConclusionThe present study uncovers underlying molecular mechanisms and potential immunotherapy-related targets for the pathogenesis and drug discovery of MTC.
Human and mouse TLR2 results in different activation of p38 and JNK signal pathway in HaCaT infected by Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis
Authors: Su Zhen , Deng Weiwei , Zhan Shuting , Li Meirong , Yin Songchao , Chen Jian 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionIt has long been recognized that inflammation to dermatophyte infection is different among various hosts, but the mechanism underlying is still not well understood. Toll-like receptor (TLR2), mediates the innate immune response against dermatophyte infection and is very important to trigger the inflammatory response to dermatophytes. Considering the different amino acid sequences and structures of TLR2, we speculated that TLR2 from different hosts will activate the downstream signal pathways to varying degrees, resulting in different inflammatory responses to dermatophytes.MethodsIn this study, we constructed the mice-human fusion TLR2 expressed HaCaT (mhTLR2-HaCaT) by replacing the extracellular ligand recognition region of human TLR2 with that of the mouse. Then hTLR2-HaCaT cells and mhTLR2-HaCaT cells were infected with T. rubrum and M. canis for 24 h followed by immunoblotting to asses associated proteins of p38 and JNK signal pathway.ResultsCompared with that of human TLR2 expressed HaCaT (hTLR2-HaCaT), levels of phosphorylated p38 protein were increased in mhTLR2-HaCaT cells stimulated by T. rubrum for 24 h, and levels of phosphorylatedJNK and c-Jun protein were increased in mhTLR2-HaCaT cells whenstimulated with M. canis for 24 h.DiscussionCompared with hTLR2-HaCaT cells, p38 and JNK signal pathwayswere activated in mhTLR2-HaCaT after being infected by Trichophyton rubrumand Microsporum canis, respectively. Since p38 and JNK are the mainpathways that transduce the signal for host recognition of dermatophytes andmediate the downstream inflammatory response, it suggested that theinterspecific difference of TLR2 ectodomain may be one of the reasons for thedifferent inflammatory manifestations between humans and mice infected bythese two dermatophytes. Quite especially, the mouse-derived TLR2extracellular recognition region is more effective in recognizing T. rubrum andM. canis to activate the downstream signal pathways, resulting in a tenserinflammatory response against these two dermatophytes.
Identification of EMT-related alternative splicing event of TMC7 to promote invasion and migration of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Weng Yuanchi , Qian Hao , Hong Liwen , Zhao Shulin , Deng Xiaxing , Shen Baiyong 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveEpithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is tightly associated with the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer with rapid progression and poor prognosis. Notably, gene alternative splicing (AS) event plays a critical role in regulating the progression of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, this study aims to identify the EMT-related AS event in pancreatic cancer.MethodsThe EMT-related gene sets, transcriptomes, and matched clinical data were obtained from the MSigDB, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Key gene AS events associated with liver metastasis were identified by prognostic analysis, gene set variation analysis (GSVA), and correlation analysis in pancreatic cancer. The cell line and organoid model was constructed to evaluate these key gene AS events in regulating pancreatic cancer in vitro. Furthermore, we established an EMT-related gene set consisting of 13 genes by prognostic analysis, the role of which was validated in two other databases. Finally, the human pancreatic cancer tissue and organoid model was used to evaluate the correlation between the enrichment of this gene set and liver metastasis.ResultsPrognostic analysis and correlation analysis revealed that eight AS events were closely associated with the prognosis of pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, the expression of TMC7 and CHECK1 AS events was increased in the metastatic lesions of the human tissue and organoid model. Additionally, the knockdown of exon 17 of TMC7 significantly inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of pancreatic cancer cells in 2D and 3D cell experiments. Finally, the expression of exon 17 of TMC17 exhibited a significant correlation with the poor prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).ConclusionThe AS events of TMC7 and CHECK1 were associated with liver metastasis in pancreatic cancer. Moreover, exon 17 of TMC7 could be a potential therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer.