bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between remnant cholesterol and chronic kidney disease in Chinese hypertensive patients
Authors: Yuan Ting , Ding Congcong , Xie Yanyou , Zhou Xinlei , Xie Chong , Wang Tao , Yu Chao , Zhou Wei , Zhu Lingjuan , Bao Huihui , Cheng Xiaoshu 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundRemnant cholesterol (RC) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have not been definitively linked in individuals with different characteristics. This study aims to investigate the relationship between serum RC level and CKD and examine possible effect modifiers in Chinese patients with hypertension.MethodsOur study is based on the Chinese H-type Hypertension Project, which is an observational registry study conducted in real-world settings. The outcome was CKD, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than 60 ml/min·1.73 m2. Multivariate logistic regression and smooth curve fitting were used to analyze the association between RC and CKD. Subgroup analyses were subsequently conducted to examine the effects of other variables.ResultsThe mean age of the 13,024 patients with hypertension at baseline was 63.8 ± 9.4 years, and 46.8% were male. A conspicuous linear positive association was observed between RC level and CKD (per SD increment; odds ratio [OR], 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.23). Compared with the lowest quartile group of RC, the risk of CKD was 53% higher (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.26–1.86) in the highest quartile group. Furthermore, a stronger positive association between RC level and CKD was found among participants with a higher body mass index (BMI &lt;24 vs. ≥24 kg/m2; P-interaction = 0.034) or current non-smokers (smoker vs. non-smoker; P-interaction = 0.024).ConclusionsAmong Chinese adults with hypertension, RC level was positively associated with CKD, particularly in those with a BMI of ≥24 kg/m2 and current non-smokers. These findings may help improve lipid management regimens in patients with hypertension.
Correlation between hearing impairment and the Triglyceride Glucose Index: based on a national cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Long , Qin Maolin , Ji Jiabiao , Wang Weiqing 
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveData from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to assess the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and hearing impairment (HI).MethodsWe used eight survey cycles from NHANES 2001–2012 and 2015–2018 to conduct this cross-sectional study. HI was designed as an dependent variable, and the TyG index was selected as an exposure factor (independent variable). The correlation between the two variables was assessed using multiple logistic regression. In order to assess whether there was a non-linear relationship between the TyG index and HI, the TyG index was distributed and a test for trend was conducted (P for trend), followed by smooth curve fitting (penalized spline) and generalized additive model (GAM) regression. We also performed a subgroup analysis to identify sensitive groups whose responses were clearly associated with independent variables.Results10,906 participants were finally included in the study, and those with a higher TyG index had a higher frequency of hearing impairment. There was a linear positive correlation between the TyG index and HI. For the low-frequency HI, however, this positive correlation was not statistically significant (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.14); however, it was more stable for the high-frequency HI (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.22). Additionally, as the TyG index increased, this positive association increased as well (P for trend = 0.05). The HPTA test showed a positive association with more severe HI (simultaneous) as the independent variable increased (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.05–1.24), and this association was even more significant with increasing severity (P for trend 0.05). According to the subgroup analysis, the positive association between TyG index and high-frequency HI was more significant in females, 40–69 years old, without hypertension or diabetes, and when strict high-frequency HI was significant in males, females, 40–69 years old, with hypertension and diabetes.ConclusionParticipants with a higher TyG index may have a higher risk of HI. TyG index and HI risk showed a linear relationship, which became even more significant when HPTA was included.
Assessing the viability of a grid-connected PV power plant in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Luqman Raji , Kehinde Issa Abdul-Jeleel , Owolabi Abdulhameed Babatunde , Yakub Abdulfatai Olatunji , Same Noel Ngando , Yahaya Abdullahi , Yasin Naveed , Kavgic Miroslava , Suh Dongjun , Huh Jeung-Soo 
Published: June 2023

This paper is based on a techno-economic analysis and the environmental impact of a proposed 1 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant at the main campus of the Federal Polytechnic Mubi (FPM) in north-eastern Nigeria. A photovoltaic power plant converts solar radiation into electricity that can be used as a source of electrical power to meet the daily energy requirements of homes, equipment, and all tertiary institutions. RETScreen Expert software was used to evaluate the techno-economic and environmental sustainability of installing a grid-connected PV power plant. The research results revealed that with an annual solar radiation of 5.74 kWh/m2/day, the maximum annual energy production was estimated to be 1,550.98 MWh. It was discovered that the maximum energy production in March was 146.89 MWh. The project’s profitability and economic sustainability were determined with a good internal rate of return (IRR) of 11.9% and a positive net present value (NPV) of $681,164. The proposed PV power plant has a simple payback period of 11.4 years. The maximum greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction is 670.9 tCO2, equivalent to 61.7 ha of forest-absorbing carbon emissions.
Soil texture analysis by laser diffraction and sedimentation and sieving–method and instrument comparison with a focus on Nordic and Baltic forest soils
Authors: Callesen Ingeborg , Palviainen Marjo , Armolaitis Kęstutis , Rasmussen Charlotte , Kjønaas O. Janne 
Published: June 2023

PurposeLaser diffraction (LD) for determination of particle size distribution (PSD) of the fine earth fraction appeared in the 1990s, partly substituting the Sieving and Sedimentation Method (SSM). Whereas previous comparison between the two methods predominantly encompasses agricultural soils, less attention has been given to forest soils, including pre-treatment requirements related to their highly variable contents of carbon and Alox+ Feox. In this small collaborative learning study we compared (1) national SSM results with one type/protocol of LD analysis (Coulter), (2) LD measurements performed on three different LD instruments / laboratories, and (3) the replication error for LD Coulter analysis of predominantly sandy and loamy forest soils.MethodsWe used forest soil samples from Denmark, Norway and Lithuania and their respective national SSM protocols / results. LD analyses were performed on Malvern Mastersizer 2000, Sympatec HELOS version 1999, and Coulter LS230, located at University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University and Helsinki University, respectively. The protocols differed between laboratories, including the use of external ultrasonication prior to LD analysis.ResultsThe clay and silt fractions content (&lt;20 μm) from the LD analysis were not comparable with SSM results, with differences ranging from −0.5 to 22.3 percentage points (pp) for clay. Preliminary results from loamy samples with spodic material suggested inconsistent effects of external ultrasonication to disperse aggregates. The comparison between the three LD instruments showed a range in the clay and silt fractions content of 1.9–5.3 and 6.2–8.1 pp, respectively. Differences may be related to the instruments, protocols, and content of a given particle size fraction. The replication error of the Coulter LD protocol was found to be &lt;3 pp in sandy soils, but up to 10 pp in loamy soils.ConclusionDifferences in the clay fraction results partly affected the classification of soil types. The fast replication of the LD analysis enables more quality control of results. The pedological evaluation of non-silicate constituents and optional pre-treatment steps (e.g., soil organic matter or sesquioxides) remains the same for LD and SSM. For comparison of results, detailed descriptions of the analytical protocol including pre-treatments are needed irrespective of instrument and theoretical approach.
Case report: Extending the spectrum of clinical and molecular findings in FOXC1 haploinsufficiency syndrome
Authors: Garza Flores Alexandra , Nordgren Ida , Pettersson Maria , Dias-Santagata Dora , Nilsson Daniel , Hammarsjö Anna , Lindstrand Anna , Batkovskyte Dominyka , Wiggs Janey , Walton David S. , Goldenberg Paula , Eisfeldt Jesper , Lin Angela E. , Lachman Ralph S. , Nishimura Gen , Grigelioniene Giedre 
Published: June 2023

FOXC1 is a ubiquitously expressed forkhead transcription factor that plays a critical role during early development. Germline pathogenic variants in FOXC1 are associated with anterior segment dysgenesis and Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS, #602482), an autosomal dominant condition with ophthalmologic anterior segment abnormalities, high risk for glaucoma and extraocular findings including distinctive facial features, as well as dental, skeletal, audiologic, and cardiac anomalies. De Hauwere syndrome is an ultrarare condition previously associated with 6p microdeletions and characterized by anterior segment dysgenesis, joint instability, short stature, hydrocephalus, and skeletal abnormalities. Here, we report clinical findings of two unrelated adult females with FOXC1 haploinsufficiency who have ARS and skeletal abnormalities. Final molecular diagnoses of both patients were achieved using genome sequencing. Patient 1 had a complex rearrangement involving a 4.9 kB deletion including FOXC1 coding region (Hg19; chr6:1,609,721-1,614,709), as well as a 7 MB inversion (Hg19; chr6:1,614,710-8,676,899) and a second deletion of 7.1 kb (Hg19; chr6:8,676,900-8,684,071). Patient 2 had a heterozygous single nucleotide deletion, resulting in a frameshift and a premature stop codon in FOXC1 (NM_001453.3): c.467del, p.(Pro156Argfs*25). Both individuals had moderate short stature, skeletal abnormalities, anterior segment dysgenesis, glaucoma, joint laxity, pes planovalgus, dental anomalies, hydrocephalus, distinctive facial features, and normal intelligence. Skeletal surveys revealed dolichospondyly, epiphyseal hypoplasia of femoral and humeral heads, dolichocephaly with frontal bossin gand gracile long bones. We conclude that haploinsufficiency of FOXC1 causes ARS and a broad spectrum of symptoms with variable expressivity that at its most severe end also includes a phenotype overlapping with De Hauwere syndrome.
Infliximab trough levels are associated with endoscopic healing but not with transmural healing at one year treatment with infliximab in pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease
Authors: Choi So Yoon , Kwon Yiyoung , Choi Sujin , Lee So Mi , Choe Byung-Ho , Kang Ben 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionIt is well known that infliximab (IFX) trough levels (TLs) are associated with endoscopic healing (EH) in Crohn’s disease (CD). We investigated whether IFX TLs are associated with transmural healing (TH) in pediatric patients with CD following 1-year treatment.MethodsPediatric patients with CD treated with IFX were included in this single-center prospective study. IFX TL tests, magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), and colonoscopies were simultaneously conducted after 1-year IFX treatment. TH was defined as a wall thickness of ≤3 mm without inflammatory signs evaluated using MRE. EH was defined as a Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s disease of &lt;3 points on colonoscopy.ResultsFifty-six patients were included. EH and TH were observed in 60.7% (34/56) and 23.2% (13/56) of patients, respectively. IFX TLs were higher in patients with EH (median, 5.6 vs. 3.4 µg/mL, P = 0.002), whereas IFX TLs showed no significant difference in patients with and without TH (median, 5.4 vs. 4.7 µg/mL, P = 0.574). No significant difference was observed in EH and TH between patients whose intervals were shortened or not. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that IFX TLs and disease duration to IFX initiation were associated with EH (odds ratio [OR] = 1.82, P = 0.001, and OR = 0.43, P = 0.02, respectively).DiscussionIn pediatric patients with CD, IFX TLs were associated with EH but not with TH. Further studies investigating long-term TH and proactive dosing based on therapeutic drug monitoring may clarify whether an association between IFX TLs and TH exists.
Biomechanical study of two-level oblique lumbar interbody fusion with different types of lateral instrumentation: a finite element analysis
Authors: Zhong Yuan , Wang Yujie , Zhou Hong , Wang Yudong , Gan Ziying , Qu Yimeng , Hua Runjia , Chen Zhaowei , Chu Genglei , Liu Yijie , Jiang Weimin 
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to verify the biomechanical properties of a newly designed angulated lateral plate (mini-LP) suited for two-level oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF). The mini-LP is placed through the lateral ante-psoas surgical corridor, which reduces the operative time and complications associated with prolonged anesthesia and placement in the prone position.MethodsA three-dimensional nonlinear finite element (FE) model of an intact L1–L5 lumbar spine was constructed and validated. The intact model was modified to generate a two-level OLIF surgery model augmented with three types of lateral fixation (stand-alone, SA; lateral rod screw, LRS; miniature lateral plate, mini-LP); the operative segments were L2–L3 and L3–L4. By applying a 500 N follower load and 7.5 Nm directional moment (flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation), all models were used to simulate human spine movement. Then, we extracted the range of motion (ROM), peak contact force of the bony endplate (PCFBE), peak equivalent stress of the cage (PESC), peak equivalent stress of fixation (PESF), and stress contour plots.ResultsWhen compared with the intact model, the SA model achieved the least reduction in ROM to surgical segments in all motions. The ROM of the mini-LP model was slightly smaller than that of the LRS model. There were no significant differences in surgical segments (L1–L2, L4–L5) between all surgical models and the intact model. The PCFBE and PESC of the LRS and the mini-LP fixation models were lower than those of the SA model. However, the differences in PCFBE or PESC between the LRS- and mini-LP-based models were not significant. The fixation stress of the LRS- and mini-LP-based models was significantly lower than the yield strength under all loading conditions. In addition, the variances in the PESF in the LRS- and mini-LP-based models were not obvious.ConclusionOur biomechanical FE analysis indicated that LRS or mini-LP fixation can both provide adequate biomechanical stability for two-level OLIF through a single incision. The newly designed mini-LP model seemed to be superior in installation convenience, and equally good outcomes were achieved with both LRS and mini-LP for two-level OLIF.
Synthetic artificial intelligence using generative adversarial network for retinal imaging in detection of age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Wang Zhaoran , Lim Gilbert , Ng Wei Yan , Tan Tien-En , Lim Jane , Lim Sing Hui , Foo Valencia , Lim Joshua , Sinisterra Laura Gutierrez , Zheng Feihui , Liu Nan , Tan Gavin Siew Wei , Cheng Ching-Yu , Cheung Gemmy Chui Ming , Wong Tien Yin , Ting Daniel Shu Wei 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision impairment globally and early detection is crucial to prevent vision loss. However, the screening of AMD is resource dependent and demands experienced healthcare providers. Recently, deep learning (DL) systems have shown the potential for effective detection of various eye diseases from retinal fundus images, but the development of such robust systems requires a large amount of datasets, which could be limited by prevalence of the disease and privacy of patient. As in the case of AMD, the advanced phenotype is often scarce for conducting DL analysis, which may be tackled via generating synthetic images using Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). This study aims to develop GAN-synthesized fundus photos with AMD lesions, and to assess the realness of these images with an objective scale.MethodsTo build our GAN models, a total of 125,012 fundus photos were used from a real-world non-AMD phenotypical dataset. StyleGAN2 and human-in-the-loop (HITL) method were then applied to synthesize fundus images with AMD features. To objectively assess the quality of the synthesized images, we proposed a novel realness scale based on the frequency of the broken vessels observed in the fundus photos. Four residents conducted two rounds of gradings on 300 images to distinguish real from synthetic images, based on their subjective impression and the objective scale respectively.Results and discussionThe introduction of HITL training increased the percentage of synthetic images with AMD lesions, despite the limited number of AMD images in the initial training dataset. Qualitatively, the synthesized images have been proven to be robust in that our residents had limited ability to distinguish real from synthetic ones, as evidenced by an overall accuracy of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.61–0.66) and Cohen’s kappa of 0.320. For the non-referable AMD classes (no or early AMD), the accuracy was only 0.51. With the objective scale, the overall accuracy improved to 0.72. In conclusion, GAN models built with HITL training are capable of producing realistic-looking fundus images that could fool human experts, while our objective realness scale based on broken vessels can help identifying the synthetic fundus photos.
Preventive role of cinnamaldehyde against tenuazonic acid- and Freund’s adjuvant-induced histopathological and biochemical alterations in the mouse model
Authors: Kumari Ankita , Singh Karuna 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionThis study was designed to assess the protective role of cinnamaldehyde (Cin) against the synergistic effect of tenuazonic acid (TeA) and Freund’s adjuvant on different organs of Swiss albino mice.MethodsTeA was administered singly and in combination with Freund’s adjuvant intra-peritoneally. The mice were divided into control (vehicle treated), mycotoxicosis-induced (MI) groups, and treatment groups. The route of administration of TeA was intra-peritoneal. The treatment group (FAICT) received Cin orally as a protective agent against TeA-induced mycotoxicosis. The effects on performance, differential leukocyte counts (DLC), and pathological measurements in eight organs (liver, lungs, kidney, spleen, stomach, heart, brain, and testis) were taken into consideration.ResultsThe body weight and feed consumption decreased significantly in the MI groups, which were reversed in the FAICT group. The necropsy observations revealed an increase in the relative organ-to-body weight percentage in the MI groups, which was restored to normal in the FAICT group. Freund’s adjuvant enhanced the effects of TeA on DLC. The antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT decreased, while MDA increased in the MI groups. Caspase-3 activity was reduced in all organs and remained stable in the treatment group. TeA elevated the ALT concentration in the liver and kidneys and the AST in the liver, kidney, heart, and brain tissues. The oxidative stress induced by TeA in the MI groups was ameliorated in the treatment group. Histopathological observations consisted of NASH, pulmonary oedema and fibrosis, renal crystals and inflammation, splenic hyperplasia, gastric ulceration and cyst, cerebral axonopathy, testicular hyperplasia, and vacuolation in the MI groups. However, no such pathology was recorded in the treatment group.DiscussionsThus, it can be concluded that the toxicity of TeA was found to be enhanced when combined with Freund’s adjuvant. However, Cin exhibited promising protective effects against TeA + Freund’s adjuvant toxicity and reverted the pathological alterations caused by them. Additionally, this study emphasizes Freund’s adjuvant’s ability to increase mycotoxicity rather than just acting as an immunopotentiator.
A limited overlap of interactions between the bacterial community of water and sediment in wetland ecosystem of the Yellow River floodplain
Authors: Han Zhiguang , Wang Cong , Lei Binghai , Hui Nan , Yu Yanyan , Shi Yu , Zheng Junqiang 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionAquatic ecosystems in floodplains provide homes for a variety of active bacterial populations. However, the coexistence pattern of bacterial communities of water and sediment in these ecosystems is unclear.MethodsIn the present study, Illumina Mi-Seq sequencing were to assess bacteria's co-occurrence patterns in the water and sediment of different time dynamics and plant communities of the Yellow River floodplain ecosystem.Results and discussionThe results showed that compared to water, the α-diversity of the bacterial community was way greater in sediment. The bacterial community structure significantly differed between water and sediment, and there was a limited overlap of interactions between the bacterial community of water and sediment. In addition, bacteria in water and sediment coexisting show different temporal shifts and community assembly patterns. The water was selected for specific groups of microorganisms that assemble over time in a non-reproducible and non-random way, whereas the sediment environment was relatively stable, and the bacterial communities were gathered randomly. The depth and plant cover significantly influenced the structure of a bacterial community in the sediment. The bacterial community in sediment formed a more robust network than those in water to cope with external changes. These findings improved our comprehension of the ecological trends of water and sediment bacterium colonies coexisting enhanced the biological barrier function, and the capacity of floodplain ecosystems to provide services and offered support for doing so.
Long-term prevalence follow-up (1967–2022) of HTLV-2 among vulnerable indigenous populations in the Amazon region of Brazil
Authors: Ishak Ricardo , de Oliveira Guimarães Ishak Marluísa , Abreu Isabella Nogueira , Machado Luiz Fernando Almeida , Lima Sandra Souza , Queiroz Maria Alice Freitas , Cayres-Vallinoto Izaura Maria , Guerreiro João Farias , Vallinoto Antonio Carlos Rosário 
Published: June 2023

IntroductionHuman T-lymphotropic virus 2 (HTLV-2) has been described for more than 30 years as an endemic infection in Brazilian indigenous populations, with its occurrence varying by age and sex, maintained mainly by sexual intercourse and mother-to-child transmission, favoring intrafamilial aggregation.MethodsThe epidemiological scenario of HTLV-2 infection has been described among communities of the Amazon region of Brazil (ARB), with the number of retrospective positive blood samples increasing for more than 50 years.ResultsFive publications were selected that showed the presence of HTLV-2 in 24 of 41 communities; the prevalence of infection was described among 5,429 individuals at five points in time. Among the Kayapó villages, the prevalence rates were described according to age and sex and reached up to 41.2%. Three communities (Asurini, Araweté, and Kaapor) were kept virus free for 27 to 38 years of surveillance. Low, medium and high prevalence levels of infection were defined, and two pockets of high endemicity were shown in the state of Pará, pointing to the Kikretum and Kubenkokrê Kayapó villages as the epicenter of HTLV-2 in the ARB.DiscussionThe prevalence rates over the years have shown a decline among the Kayapó (from 37.8 to 18.4%) and an apparent change to a higher prevalence among females, but not during the first decade of life, usually associated with transmission from mother to child. Sociocultural and behavioral aspects, as well as public health policies directed toward sexually transmitted infections, might have positively influenced the decline in HTLV-2 infections.