bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of B12 and folate deficiency in hypomethylation of Angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 gene and severity of disease among the acute respiratory distress syndrome patients
Authors: Najafipour Reza , Mohammadi Davood , Momeni Abdolmabood , Moghbelinejad Sahar 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundAngiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE‐2) is the most important receptor and has important role in the entry of corona virus to the host cells. The present study aimed to investigate the different mechanisms involved in the expression regulation of this gene among the COVID‐19 patients.MethodsA total of 140 patients with COVID‐19 (n = 70 mild COVID‐19, n = 70 ARDS) and 120 controls were recruited. The expression of ACE‐2 and miRNAs was evaluated by quantitative real‐time PCR (QRT‐PCR), and methylation of CpG dinucleotides in the ACE2 promoter was quantified using bisulfite pyro‐sequencing. Finally, different polymorphisms of the ACE‐2 gene were studied by Sanger sequencing.ResultsOur results showed a significant high expression of the ACE‐2 gene in the blood samples of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients (3.8 ± 0.77) in comparison with controls (0.88 ± 0.12; p < 0.03). The methylation rate of the ACE‐2 gene in ARDS patients was 14.07 ± 6.1 compared with controls (72.3 ± 5.1; p < 0.0001). Among the four studied miRNAs, only miR200c‐3p showed significant downregulation in ARDS patients (0.14 ± 0.1) in comparison with controls (0.32 ± 0.17; p < 0.001). We did not see a substantial difference in the frequency of rs182366225 C>T and rs2097723 T>C polymorphisms between patients and controls (p > 0.05). There was a significant correlation between B12 (R = 0.32, p < 0.001), folate (R = 0.37, p < 0.001) deficiency, and hypo‐methylation of the ACE‐2 gene.ConclusionThese results for the first time indicated that among the different mechanisms of ACE‐2 expression regulation, its promoter methylation is very crucial and can be affected by factors involved in one‐carbon metabolisms such as B9 and B12 vitamins deficiency.
Circulating tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, and interleukin‐17A estimates increased major adverse cardiac event risk in acute myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Guo Jing , Hu Zhenfeng , Ren Liang , Zhao Weibo , Zuo Ruijing , Guo Shuang , Jia Chaoguo , Gao Wei 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundInflammatory cytokines are implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiomyocyte injury during acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to investigate the correlation of eight common inflammatory cytokines with major adverse cardiac event (MACE) risk and further establish a prognostic model in AMI patients.MethodsSerum samples of 210 AMI patients and 20 angina pectoris patients were, respectively, collected at admission, to detect tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐17A, vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsTNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐17A, VCAM‐1, and ICAM‐1 were elevated (all p < 0.050); IL‐10 (p = 0.009) was declined; IL‐1β (p = 0.086) was not varied in AMI patients compared with angina pectoris patients. TNF‐α (p = 0.008), IL‐17A (p = 0.003), and VCAM‐1 (p = 0.014) were elevated in patients with MACE occurrence compared to patients without MACE occurrence; meanwhile, they possessed a relatively good value for identifying MACE risk via receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the independent risk factors for MACE contained TNF‐α (odds ratio (OR) = 1.038, p < 0.001), IL‐1β (OR = 1.705, p = 0.044), IL‐17A (OR = 1.021, p = 0.009), history of diabetes mellitus (OR = 4.188, p = 0.013), history of coronary heart disease (OR = 3.287, p = 0.042), and symptom‐to‐balloon time (OR = 1.064, p = 0.030), whose combination disclosed a satisfying prognostic value for MACE risk (area under the curve: 0.877, 95% CI: 0.817–0.936).ConclusionElevated levels of serum TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐17A independently correlated with MACE risk in AMI patients, which perhaps provide novel auxiliary for AMI prognostic prediction.
Leisure‐time physical activity and sarcopenia among older adults from low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Jacob Louis , Gyasi Razak M. , Oh Hans , Smith Lee , Kostev Karel , López Sánchez Guillermo F. , Rahmati Masoud , Haro Josep Maria , Tully Mark A. , Shin Jae Il , Yon Dong Keon , Koyanagi Ai 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundThere are no data on the association between leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA) and sarcopenia in older adults from low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to investigate the association between LTPA and sarcopenia in individuals aged ≥65 years living in six LMICs.MethodsCross‐sectional data from the Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa) were analysed. Sarcopenia referred to the presence of both low skeletal muscle mass and weak handgrip strength. LTPA was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and was analysed as a dichotomized variable [high LTPA (>150 min/week of moderate‐to‐vigorous LTPA) or low LTPA (≤150 min/week)]. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess associations.ResultsThere were 14 585 individuals included in this study [mean (SD) age 72.6 (11.5) years; 55.0% women]. The prevalence of high LTPA and sarcopenia was 8.9% and 12.0%, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, low LTPA was significantly associated with higher odds for sarcopenia [prevalence odds ratio (POR) = 1.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.29–2.65] compared with high LTPA. Significant associations were found in women (POR = 3.22, 95% CI = 1.82–5.68) but not in men (POR = 1.52, 95% CI = 0.99–2.35).ConclusionsA positive and significant association between low LTPA and sarcopenia was found among older adults from LMICs. The promotion of LTPA among older adults in LMICs may aid in the prevention of sarcopenia, especially among females, pending future longitudinal research.
Patients' attitudes regarding genetic counseling before germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants testing in Taiwan: A single‐country, multi‐center, patient‐reported outcome study
Authors: Kuo Wen‐Ling , Lin Po‐Han , Peng Meng‐Ting , Chu Chia‐Hui , Cho Chia‐Wei 
Published: March 2023

AbstractGermline pathogenic variants of BRCA1 or BRCA2 cause hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes. The present study investigated the participants' understanding and awareness of germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants before genetic counseling, the expectations and obstacles for genetic testing from the perspective of participants and their families, and their attitudes towards genetic testing after counseling. In this single‐country, multicenter, non‐interventional, patient‐reported outcome study, untested cancer patients and their families who visited genetic counseling clinics or who wanted to receive pre‐test genetic counseling were eligible to fill in the questionnaire after pre‐test counseling for germline BRCA1/2 testing. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, and information collected from the questionnaires, including the understanding of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants before genetic counseling, understanding of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants and feelings after genetic counseling, willingness to share results of genetic testing with family, and willingness to receive genetic testing, were summarized using descriptive statistics. A total of 88 participants were enrolled. The proportion of slight understanding of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants increased from 11.4% to 67.0%, and the proportion of full understanding increased from 0% to 8.0%. After genetic counseling, most participants were willing to undergo genetic testing (87.5%) and share the results with their families (96.6%). The main factors that may affect participants' willingness to undergo BRCA1/2 testing were management (61.2%) and testing costs (25.9%). After pre‐test counseling, there was a high acceptance of BRCA1/2 testing and in‐family information sharing in Taiwanese patients with cancer and their families, which may serve as a reference for implementing genetic counseling in Taiwan.
What knowledge is required for an informed choice related to non‐invasive prenatal screening?
Authors: Griffin Erin , Hooker Gillian , Grace Matthew , Kaphingst Kimberly , Velez Edwards Digna , Zhao Zhiguo , Slamon Jill 
Published: March 2023

AbstractNon‐invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) using cell‐free DNA is a screening test for fetal aneuploidy offered by a variety of prenatal healthcare providers. Guidelines for genetic screening consistently recommend that providers facilitate informed choices, which have been associated with better psychological and clinical outcomes than uninformed choices. The multidimensional measure of informed choice (MMIC) is a widely used and theory‐based measure that combines knowledge, values, and behavior to classify decisions as either informed or uniformed. We implemented a previously validated version of the MMIC for women offered NIPS to describe the choices made by women receiving prenatal care at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The survey included the Ottawa Decisional Conflict scale, an outcome measure used for validation of choice categorization. We found that most women (87%) made an informed choice about NIPS. Of the women categorized as uninformed, 67% had insufficient knowledge, and 33% had an attitude discordant with their decision. The vast majority of respondents (92.5%) underwent NIPS and had a positive attitude toward screening (94.3%). Ethnicity (p = 0.04) and education (p = 0.01) were found to be significantly associated with informed choice. Decisional conflict was extremely low among all participants, with only 5.6% of all participants demonstrating any form of decisional conflict, and all being categorized as having made an informed choice. This study suggests that pre‐test counseling by a genetic counselor results in high rates of informed choice and low‐decisional conflict amongst women offered NIPS by genetic counselors, though more research is required to determine if rates of informed choice remain high when NIPS is offered by other prenatal providers.
Sub‐classification of laparoscopic left hepatectomy based on hierarchic interaction of tumor location and size with perioperative outcomes
Authors: Ruzzenente Andrea , Valle Bernardo Dalla , Poletto Edoardo , Syn Nicholas L. , Kabir Tousif , Sugioka Atsushi , Cipriani Federica , Cherqui Daniel , Han Ho‐Seong , Armstrong Thomas , Long Tran Cong Duy , Scatton Olivier , Herman Paolo , Pratschke Johann , Aghayan Davit L. , Liu Rong , Marino Marco V. , Chiow Adrian K. H. , Sucandy Iswanto , Ivanecz Arpad , Vivarelli Marco , Di Benedetto Fabrizio , Choi Sung‐Hoon , Lee Jae Hoon , Prieto Mikel , Fondevila Constantino , Efanov Mikhail , Rotellar Fernando , Choi Gi‐Hong , Robles‐Campos Ricardo , Wang Xiaoying , Sutcliffe Robert P. , Lai Eric C. H. , Chong Charing C. , D'Hondt Mathieu , Yong Chee Chien , Troisi Roberto I. , Kingham T. Peter , Ferrero Alessandro , Levi Sandri Giovanni Battista , Soubrane Olivier , Yin Mengqiu , Lopez‐Ben Santiago , Mazzaferro Vincenzo , Giuliante Felice , Monden Kazateru , Mishima Kohei , Wakabayashi Go , Cheung Tan‐To , Fuks David , Abu Hilal Mohammad , Chen Kuo‐Hsin , Aldrighetti Luca , Edwin Bjorn , Goh Brian K. P. ,   International robotic and laparoscopic liver resection study group investigators are co‐authors of this study
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this multicentric study was to investigate the impact of tumor location and size on the difficulty of Laparoscopic‐Left Hepatectomy (L‐LH).MethodsPatients who underwent L‐LH performed across 46 centers from 2004 to 2020 were analyzed. Of 1236 L‐LH, 770 patients met the study criteria. Baseline clinical and surgical characteristics with a potential impact on LLR were included in a multi‐label conditional interference tree. Tumor size cut‐off was algorithmically determined.ResultsPatients were stratified into 3 groups based on tumor location and dimension: 457 in antero‐lateral location (Group 1), 144 in postero‐superior segment (4a) with tumor size ≤40 mm (Group 2), and 169 in postero‐superior segment (4a) with tumor size >40 mm (Group 3). Patients in the Group 3 had higher conversion rate (7.0% vs. 7.6% vs. 13.0%, p‐value .048), longer operating time (median, 240 min vs. 285 min vs. 286 min, p‐value <.001), greater blood loss (median, 150 mL vs. 200 mL vs. 250 mL, p‐value <.001) and higher intraoperative blood transfusion rate (5.7% vs. 5.6% vs. 11.3%, p‐value .039). Pringle's maneuver was also utilized more frequently in Group 3 (66.7%), compared to Group 1 (53.2%) and Group 2 (51.8%) (p = .006). There were no significant differences in postoperative stay, major morbidity, and mortality between the three groups.ConclusionL‐LH for tumors that are >40 mm in diameter and located in PS Segment 4a are associated with the highest degree of technical difficulty. However, post‐operative outcomes were not different from L‐LH of smaller tumors located in PS segments, or tumors located in the antero‐lateral segments.
Supporting the career development of Black adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Cabell Autumn 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn this pilot study, Black adults (N = 15) in a large Midwestern city who were economically impacted by the pandemic completed three career development webinars. The study examined how completing three career development webinars improved participants’ perceptions of career search efficacy and helped participants progress toward their career development goals. Results of a linear regression indicated a significant positive increase in post‐test career search efficacy scores. Results of the thematic analysis revealed four themes: career development knowledge, career development confidence, entrepreneurship, and exploring career interests. Implications for counselors and counselor educators are discussed.
Viability analysis for population reinforcement of Grauer's gorillas at Mount Tshiaberimu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Iyer Neetha , Kahlenberg Sonya M. , Williamson Elizabeth A. , Kyungu Jean‐Claude , Syaluha Eddy K. , Mbeke Jackson K. , de Merode Emmanuel , Caillaud Damien 
Published: March 2023

AbstractReintroduction and translocation programs have been sparingly used for the management of endangered primate populations. Mount Tshiaberimu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) contains 6 Grauer's gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) with only 2 adult females. Without intervention, this population is at high risk of extinction. We designed population viability analysis models to compare different release scenarios of wild‐born captive female gorillas housed at the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) Center in the DRC. We identified the minimum number of females needed to maintain a viable population in this habitat. We used a stochastic Leslie matrix model and a more complex individual‐based model to project population growth. We used published demographic parameters for mountain gorillas (Gorilla b. beringei) corresponding to a 3.2% annual growth rate, and then applied a correction factor to female fertility to obtain parameters consistent with 1% and 2% growth rates. We ran each scenario over a 50‐year time period (1,000 simulations) to determine the final population size and risk of local extinction. Results from our optimistic (3.2% growth) and conservative (1% growth) individual‐based model projections indicated that the extinction risk dropped below 1% with the release of at least 2 or 3 females, respectively. Both approaches predicted similar extinction risks for all scenarios; however, the variance in final population size was higher with the individual‐based model. For long‐lived mammals like primates, we recommend the use of individual‐based models, which can incorporate life‐history parameters such as long gestation and nursing periods. Our analysis suggests a translocation of ≥3 females to rescue the Tshiaberimu gorilla population in the short term. Factors such as inbreeding depression, habitat quality, disease risks, and anthropogenic pressures will need to be evaluated in later stages of population reinforcement planning.
Male elk survival, vulnerability, and antler size in a transboundary and partially migratory population
Authors: Martin Hans , Hebblewhite Mark , Hubbs Anne , Corrigan Rob , Merrill Evelyn H. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMigration is a behavioral strategy used by many ungulates to access resources and avoid predation in heterogenous landscapes. If migratory individuals access higher quality forage and avoid predation, then they should attain greater fitness. Migration can also expose individuals following distinct migratory tactics to differential mortality and harvest. We investigated how transboundary migration affected male elk (Cervus canadensis) survival and antler size when subjected to harvest with different antler point restrictions (APRs) and year‐round harvest by treaty First Nations in a multi‐carnivore system in Alberta, Canada. We measured antler size and age for 35 unmarked, harvested male elk and 90 global positioning system (GPS)‐collared adult male elk. We also estimated radio‐collared elk survival and cause‐specific mortality (105 elk‐years) from 2018 to 2020. Antler size increased as a non‐linear function of age and exposure to high quality forage for migrants. The biological effect size of exposure to higher quality forage (i.e., lower biomass) obtained by migrants was variable but biologically equivalent to the antler size difference (i.e., 33–54 cm) predicted between 5‐ and 6‐year‐old male elk. Annual mortality rate was 0.304 and the primary cause of death was hunting (cumulative incidence functions [CIF] mortality rate = 0.203,n = 33 mortalities) of which a third was by First Nations treaty harvest (CIF = 0.101,n = 12). Non‐human‐caused mortality was rare (CIF = 0.015); only 2 males died because of predation by wolves (Canis lupus). Six‐point APRs resulted in lower annual survival rates (S = 0.42) for male elk with ≥6 antler points, which were usually >4 years of age. Harvest risk increased by 20% for every 1‐km closer to an access road. Elk harvested by licensed recreational or First Nations hunters were similar with respect to male elk age, antler size, date, and location. There was very little evidence that multiple species of large carnivores influenced male elk survival. These results indicate forage quality and vulnerability to harvest by humans influence male elk age structure, and hence antler size, of transboundary and partially migratory populations, even in carnivore‐rich complex systems.
Analysis of decision‐making for value co‐creation in digital innovation systems: An evolutionary game model of complex networks
Authors: Xu Yingying , Sun Hui , Lyu Xichen 
Published: March 2023

AbstractDigitalization has reshaped the way of value co‐creation among innovation subjects, expanded the existing innovation ecosystem theories, and triggered the thinking about the digital innovation ecosystem. How to continuously promote value co‐creation between focal companies and non‐focal subjects within the digital innovation ecosystem to elevate the sustainable development of the system is an urgent issue to be solved. In this paper, we built a model of value co‐creation behavior evolution of focal companies and non‐focal subjects in the digital innovation ecosystem based on the complex network evolutionary game theory. The dynamic decision‐making process and critical factors of value co‐creation behavior of focal companies and non‐focal subjects were explored, and the emergence mechanism from micro‐behavior of value co‐creation to macro‐evolution was studied. The results showed that (1) increasing the variability of digital resources shared by focal companies and non‐focal subjects and the level of digital innovation benefits could promote value co‐creation in the system, but digital innovation ecosystems of different scales have various sensitivities to the variability of digital resources and the level of digital innovation benefits; (2) during the initial construction period of digital innovation ecosystems, the distribution of digital innovation benefits should be dominated by focal companies. With the expansion of the ecosystem, the focus of benefit distribution should gradually shift to non‐focal subjects. (3) In the evolution of the digital innovation ecosystem, focal companies should bear relatively more coordination costs of value co‐creation to promote the stable development of the system. (4) It is necessary to establish a punishment mechanism for opportunistic behavior, and the punishment should be gradually increased as the scale of digital innovation ecosystem expands. This study characterizes the digital innovation ecosystem with scale‐free networks in complex networks and constructs a complex network evolutionary game model to study the dynamic decision‐making process of value co‐creation behavior in the system, which makes up for the limitations of traditional evolutionary game research in which game subjects interact in a uniformly mixed manner and highlights the macroscopic phenomena emerging from the dynamic decision‐making of value co‐creation behavior of micro subjects. The research findings have important implications for the co‐creation of value by focal companies and non‐focal subjects in the digital innovation ecosystem and the sustainable development of the system.
Design of a broadband GaN 12 W power amplifier
Authors: Fan Ze , Mou Shouxian 
Published: March 2023

AbstractA compact broadband 12 W power amplifier with broadband matching networks is presented. Transistors connected in parallel are used to synthesize the high power. Input, interstage, and output matching networks are also properly designed to meet the requirement of the broadband application. The broadband high power amplifier (HPA) was fabricated using a 0.15‐μm gallium nitride (GaN) HEMT technology, with a maximum saturated measured output power of 43 dBm from 6 to 18 GHz. The measured power added efficiency exceeds 20% in the whole interested band. The proposed HPA also has a compact size of 3.1 mm × 2.96 mm.