bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Construction and Analysis of Freezing Damage Indices for Winter Wheat During the Overwintering Period in Northern Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Zulian , Wang Mingquan , Huo Xunguo , Mao Weiyi , Gu Yawen , Cao Guanping , Aidaituli Mushajing 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Freezing damage indices of winter wheat during snowfall in the overwintering period in northern Xinjiang, China, were constructed using six climate factors: the negative accumulated temperature, average temperature, maximum cooling range, average snow depth, extreme minimum temperature, and average wind speed. A snow depth data processing method was designed. The principal component method was used to construct the freezing damage indices. The freezing damage indices were constructed and analyzed separately using three different sources of data: freezing damage conditions recorded by 49 meteorological stations during 1960 − 2020; freezing damage conditions recorded by 11 wheat observation stations during 1960 − 2020; and freezing damage conditions recorded by 83 meteorological observation stations during 2016 − 2020. Before the analysis of disaster factors, Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett's test of sphericity were applied to test the suitability of factor selection. The results were analyzed to determine freezing damage according to a Mann–Kendall mutation test. Historical freezing damage data were used to test the freezing damage indices. The results showed that the indices did reflect the freezing damage in northern Xinjiang. In the last 60 years, the interannual variation of the freezing damage indices in northern Xinjiang displayed a significant downward trend.The freezing damage indices changed abruptly around 1985, and the frequency, extent, and scope of severe freezing damage in northern Xinjiang significantly decreased under climate warming. At the same time, instability was apparent due to climate change, with an increase in freezing damage from 1990 to 2009, a decrease from 2010 to 2020, and an increase in the area over which mild and moderate freezing damage occurred in the past 5 years. The analysis of wheat observation stations showed that the maximum cooling range and extreme minimum temperature during the overwintering period had the greatest influence on freezing damage of winter wheat. A large part of the winter wheat crop experienced frequent freezing damage, and it is therefore necessary to predict and prevent freezing damage in advance, and adjust the regional planting regime according to climate change.
To construct a prognostic model and identify target gene of macrophage polarization by machine learning for predicting immune responses in osteosarcoma and pan- cancer
Authors: Wang Dong , Peng Yi , Tong ZhaoChen , Li zixin , Huang LiPing , Zeng Jin , Li JinSong , Miao JingLei , Chen Shijie 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Although neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with surgical resection improved the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma, there was no significant effect on metastatic and recurrent osteosarcoma. Immunotherapy seems to have turned the corner. However, as an important target of immunotherapy, the relationship between the phenotype of Tumor-associated macrophages and the prognosis of osteosarcoma remains unclear. In single-cell RNA sequencing, the relationship between macrophages and immunotherapy in the osteosarcoma microenvironment was analyzed, and the hub genes closely related to macrophage polarization were revealed. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to constructed long-term survival predictive strategies which was further validated in the GEO cohort. Multiple machine learning algorithms were then used to screen for target gene, which was then used for pan-cancer analysis. Finally, immunotherapy predictions were made using TIDE and TCIA databases. We found that macrophages are closely related to immune checkpoint inhibitors and identified 141 genes regulating macrophage polarization, from which 8 genes were selected to construct prognostic models. Significant variations between high-risk and low-risk groups were found in the activation of immune cells, immune-related signaling pathways and immune function. Lastly, the prognostic model and the identified target-gene (BNIP3) may provide more precise immunotherapy options for osteosarcoma and other tumors. In general, the constructed prognostic model of genes that regulating macrophage polarization can provide precise immunotherapy regimen and the quintessential insights into follow-up mechanisms in existing studies. Furthermore, BNIP3 may be a potential immunotherapeutic intervention target for tumors including osteosarcoma.
Interaction Between CETP Taq1B Polymorphism and Dietary Patterns on Lipid Profile and Severity of Coronary Arteries Stenosis in Patients under Coronary Angiography: A Cross Sectiona Study
Authors: AhmadiVasmehjani Azam , SeyedHosseini SeyedMostafa , Khayyatzadeh SayyedSaeid , Madadizadeh Farzan , Mazaheri-Naeini Mahta , Yavari Mahdie , Darabi Zahra , Beigrezaei Sara , Taftian Marzieh , Arabi Vahid , Motallaei Maryam , Salehi-Abargouei Amin , Nadjarzadeh Azadeh 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Aim: Evidence indicates there are still conflicts regarding CETP Taq1B polymorphism and coronary artery disease risk factors. Current knowledge about whether dietary patterns can change the relationship of the Taq1B on lipid profile and the severity of coronary arteries stenosis is limited. Present research aimed to investigate this hypothesis.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 453 male and female participants, with a mean age of 57 years. A validated 178-item food frequency questionnaire ( FFQ ) used to assess dietary usual intake. Dietary patterns extracted through principal component analysis (PCA). Taq1B variant genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Two-way ANOVA was used to test the interaction between Taq1B polymorphism and dietary patterns.
Results: Two dietary patterns were detected: the western dietary pattern (WDP) and the traditional dietary pattern (TDP). The frequency of Taq1B genotypes was 10.4, 72.4, and 17.2% for B1B1, B1B2, and B2B2, respectively. Carriers of the B2 allele who adhered highly to either TDP or WDP had lower levels of TG and a lower ratio of TG to HDL-C. Taq1B had a significant interaction with TDP for modulating TG in both unadjusted and adjusted models (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively), and also in TG/HDL-C ratio in the adjustment model (P = 0.04). No significant difference or interaction observed in the other variables among Taq1B genotypes and diets.
Conclusion: TDP may alter the relationship between CETP Taq1B and TG and TG/HDL among subjects under coronary angiography. Longitudinal and interventional studies suggest for a better understanding of the role of diets and Taq1B variant in cardio-metabolic risk factors.
Timing of surgery in patients with synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastases undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a propensity score analysis
Authors: Wang Yaoqun , Wen Ningyuan , Xiong Xianze , Lu Jiong , Li Bei 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background:The optimal timing of surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastases (SLM) remains controversial. We plan to analyze whether the choice of different surgical timings will have different effects on the perioperative and oncologic outcomes of patients.
Method: We retrospectively collected all patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria from 2010 to 2020 in west china hospital . Patients were grouped according to time interval (TI) after NAC to surgery. The perioperative and oncologic outcomes of the two groups were compared after propensity score matching. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were used to screen factors associated with prognosis.
Result: Among 255 enrolled patients, 188 were matched with comparable baseline (94 each group). Patients in the 6≦TI≦8 group had longer operation time, less intraoperative blood loss and less postoperative complications than those in the 4≦TI<6 group. However, the OS (p=0.012) and DFS (p=0.013) of the patients in the 4≦TI<6 group were better than those in the 6≦TI≦8 group. Multivariate analysis showed that the prolongation of TI after NAC to surgery was an independent prognostic risk factor for OS and DFS, while postoperative complications were not related to the prognosis of patients.
Conclusions: Patients with SLM may be a better choice for surgery within 4-6 weeks after receiving NAC. Although patients with SLM undergoing surgery 4–6 weeks after NAC has a higher rate of postoperative complications, radical surgery is still recommended for a better survival benefit.
Effects of dietary valine chelated zinc supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestine health in weaned piglets
Authors: Zhang Tuan , Zhang Nan , Peng Shuyu , Zhang YaWei , Wang Huakai , Huang ShiYu , Zhu Min , Ma Yongxi 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary valine chelated zinc (ZnVal) supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestine health in weaned piglets. A total of 240 healthy 35-day-old weaned piglets [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire), average weight 10.70 ± 0.14 kg] were randomly divided into five groups with six replicate pens and eight piglets per pen. Dietary treatments were a corn–soybean meal basal diet supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg ZnVal, respectively. The experiment lasted for 28 days. Results showed that average daily gain (ADG) was increased (P < 0.05) by ZnVal with 75–100 mg/kg supplementation on days 15–28 and with 50–100 mg/kg supplementation on days 1–28. Supplementation of 25–100 mg/kg ZnVal reduced (P < 0.01) the diarrhea rate of weaned piglets at 1 to 14 days and 1 to 28 days. Dietary supplementation with 25–100 mg/kg ZnVal increased (P < 0.05) copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and decreased malonaldehyde (MDA) activities in the serum on day 14 and 28. Supplementation of 25–100 mg/kg ZnVal increased (P < 0.05) glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in serum on day 14. In addition, supplementation of 75 mg/kg ZnVal increased (P < 0.05) the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver and Cu/Zn-SOD, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) with 25–100 mg/kg ZnVal supplementation in liver increased (P < 0.05). Higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of IgG in the serum were measured from piglets supplemented with 75–100 mg/kg ZnVal on day 14 and dietary supplementation with 25–100 mg/kg ZnVal increased the level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum on in serum day 28 (P < 0.05). In addition, higher (P < 0.05) concentration of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the duodenum and ileum were measured from piglets supplemented with 75 mg/kg ZnVal and the supplementation of 25–100 mg/kg ZnVal also showed a higher (P < 0.05) concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in duodenum. Supplementation of 50–100 mg/kg ZnVal increased the villus height and villus height/crypt depth of jejunum (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary supplementation with 75–100 mg/kg ZnVal showed a higher (P < 0.05) concentration of zinc in liver and supplementation of 50–100 mg/kg ZnVal increased (P < 0.05) the concentration of zinc in the heart, spleen and kidney. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with ZnVal improves ADG, antioxidant ability, and immunity in weaned piglets.
Reliable and accurate prediction of basic pKa values in nitrogen compounds: The pKa shift in supramolecular systems as a case study
Authors: Alcázar Jackson J. , Saide Alessandra C. Misad , Campodónico Paola R. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

This article presents a Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) approach for predicting the acid dissociation constant (pK \(_a\) ) of nitrogenous compounds, including those within supramolecular complexes based on cucurbiturils. The model combines low-cost quantum mechanical calculations with QSAR methodology and linear regressions to achieve accurate predictions for a broad range of nitrogen-containing compounds. The model was developed using a diverse dataset of 130 nitrogenous compounds and exhibits excellent predictive performance, with a high coefficient of determination (R \(^2\) ) of 0.9905, low standard error (s) of 0.3066, and high Fisher statistic (F) of 2142. The model outperforms existing methods, such as Chemaxon software and previous studies, in terms of accuracy and its ability to handle heterogeneous datasets. External validation on pharmaceutical ingredients, dyes, and supramolecular complexes based on cucurbiturils confirms the reliability of the model. To enhance usability, a script-like tool has been developed, providing a streamlined process for users to access the model. This study represents a significant advancement in pK$_a$ prediction, offering valuable insights for drug design and supramolecular system optimization.
Blood biomarkers of neurodegeneration associate differently with amyloid deposition, medial temporal atrophy, and cerebrovascular changes in APOE ε4-enriched cognitively unimpaired elderly
Authors: Koivumäki Mikko , Ekblad Laura , Lantero-Rodriguez Juan , Ashton Nicholas J. , Karikari Thomas K. , Helin Semi , Parkkola Riitta , Lötjönen Jyrki , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Rinne Juha O. , Snellman Anniina 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tau tangles, and neurodegeneration in the brain parenchyma. Here, we aimed to i) assess differences in blood and imaging biomarkers used to evaluate neurodegeneration among cognitively unimpaired APOE ε4 homozygotes, heterozygotes, and non-carriers with varying risk for sporadic AD, and ii) to determine how different cerebral pathologies (i.e., Aβ deposition, medial temporal atrophy, and cerebrovascular pathology) contribute to blood biomarker concentrations in this sample.
Methods: Sixty APOE ε4 homozygotes (n = 19), heterozygotes (n = 21), and non-carriers (n = 20) ranging from 60–75 years, were recruited in collaboration with Auria biobank (Turku, Finland). Participants underwent Aβ-PET ([11C]PiB), structural brain MRI including T1-weighted and T2-FLAIR sequences, and blood sampling for measuring serum neurofilament light chain (NfL), plasma total tau (t-tau), plasma N-terminal tau fragments (NTA-tau) and plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). [11C]PiB standardized uptake value ratio was calculated for regions typical for Aβ accumulation in AD. MRI images were analysed for regional volumes, atrophy scores, and volumes of white matter hyperintensities. Differences in biomarker levels and associations between blood and imaging biomarkers were tested using uni- and multivariable linear models (unadjusted and adjusted for age and sex).
Results: Serum NfL concentration was increased in APOE ε4 homozygotes compared with non-carriers (mean 21.4 pg/ml (SD 9.5) vs. 15.5 pg/ml (3.8), p = 0.013), whereas other blood biomarkers did not differ between the groups (p > 0.077 for all). From imaging biomarkers, hippocampal volume was significantly decreased in APOE ε4 homozygotes compared with non-carriers (6.71 ml (0.86) vs. 7.2 ml (0.7), p = 0.029). In the whole sample, blood biomarker levels were differently predicted by the three measured cerebral pathologies; serum NfL concentration was associated with cerebrovascular pathology and medial temporal atrophy, while plasma NTA-tau associated with medial temporal atrophy. Plasma GFAP showed significant association with both medial temporal atrophy and Aβ pathology. Plasma t-tau concentration did not associate with any of the measured pathologies.
Conclusions: Only increased serum NfL concentrations and decreased hippocampal volume was observed in cognitively unimpaired APOEε4 homozygotes compared to non-carriers. In the whole population the concentrations of blood biomarkers were affected in distinct ways by different pathologies.
Experience with Dalbavancin Use in Various Gram-positive Infections within Aberdeen Royal Infirmary OPAT Service
Authors: McSorley James C. , Reyes Darshini , Tonna Ivan , Bateman Vhairi 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose: dalbavancin, approved in 2014 for Gram-positive acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI), has pharmacokinetics enabling treatment with one or two doses. Dalbavancin might be useful in outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) of deep-seated infections otherwise requiring inpatient admission. We documented our experience with pragmatic dalbavancin use to assess its effectiveness for varied indications, on and off label, as primary or sequential consolidation therapy.
Methods: patients prescribed dalbavancin between 1st December 2021 and 1st October 2022 were screened for demographics of age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), allergies, pathogens, doses of dalbavancin, other antibiotics administered and surgery. Where available, infection markers were recorded. Primary outcome was cure at end of treatment. Secondary outcomes were adverse events and for treatment failures, response to salvage antibiotics.
Results: Sixty seven percent of patients were cured. Cure rates by indication were 93 % for ABSSSI, 100 % for bacteraemia, 90 % for acute osteomyelitis, 0 % for chronic osteomyelitis, 75 % for native joint septic arthritis and 33 % for prosthetic joint infection. Most bone and joint infections not cured did not have source control and the goal of treatment was suppressive. Successful suppression rates were greater at 48 % for chronic osteomyelitis and 66 % for prosthetic joint infections. Adverse events occurred in 14 of 102 patients.
Conclusion: This report adds to clinical experience with dalbavancin for off label indications whilst further validating its role in ABSSSI. Dalbavancin as primary therapy in deep seated infections merits investigation in formal clinical trials.
Human wastewater tracking in tropical Hawaiian island streams using qualitative and quantitative assessments of combined fecal indicating bacteria and sucralose, an organic micropollutant of emerging concern.
Authors: Berg Carl J , Alderete John P. , Alderete Ethan A. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Prevalence of cesspools on tropical islands suggests that high concentrations of enteric bacteria in streams and coastal waters are an indicator of groundwater contamination by human wastewater. But enterococci bacteria may also be from homeothermic animals common to these watersheds, or bacteria living in sediments. Sucralose, a manufactured chemical not destroyed in passage through the human gut, cesspools, septic systems, or wastewater treatment facilities was used to test for the presence of human wastewater in streams on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Effluent from six municipal wastewater treatment plants showed an average concentration of 39,167 ng/L of sucralose, roughly back-calculated to 9 ng/L per person, enough to present itself in cesspool effluent contaminated waters. Of 24 streams tested, 79% were positive for sucralose at least once in four sets of sampling. All streams tested positive for enterococci bacteria above established standards. Serial testing of the pair of indicators in the same location over time and applying the Multiplication Rule to the independent samples, provides a probabilistic certainty level that the water is chronically polluted by human waste. When repeatedly paired with tests for enterococci, sucralose testing is a cost-effective means for assessing human health risk and developing proper waste management programs that has been underutilized in under-developed tropical and island settings.
Exploring the Impact of Air Pollution Sources on Incident Lung Cancer in a Northern Swedish Cohort
Authors: Sommar Johan , Raza Wasif , Flanagan Erin , Segersson David , Åström Daniel Oudin , Oudin Anna 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Exposure to particulate air pollution seem to be a contributing cause to lung cancer incidence; however, the role of the size and composition of the particles is still unclear. The objective was to assess the association between source-specific concentrations of ambient particulate air pollution and lung cancer incidence in a Swedish cohort in a low-level area.
Methods
Participants in the Västerbotten intervention programme cohort from Northern Sweden were recruited between January 1990 and December 2014 and followed until diagnosis for lung cancer, as defined by Swedish national hospital, cause of death and pharmaceutical registers. Exposure to total particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 µm (PM10) and ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) as well as source-specific PM concentrations from traffic (PM10-traffic), exhaust (PM2.5-exhaust) and wood burning (PM2.5-wood burning) was estimated at each individual’s home address using dispersion models with high spatial resolution (down to 35 x 35 m2). For the years of follow-up, the moving average of source-specific pollutants was calculated for the time windows 1–5 years (lag 1–5) and 6–10 years (lag 6–10) preceding the outcome. Cox regression models were used to assess Hazard Ratios (HRs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) for the association between air pollution exposure and lung cancer incidence, adjusted for relevant potential confounding factors.
Results
The median age of the 51,064 participants was 40 years at baseline. During 421,466 person-years of follow-up, 253 incident cases of lung cancer were observed. Non-statistically significant risk increases associated with PM10, PM2.5, PM10-traffic, PM2.5-exhaust and PM10-wood burning, respectively in single-pollutant unadjusted models. The risk estimates changed considerably by adjustment for individual-level baseline covariates as well as area-level socioeconomics. The HR for incident lung cancer associated with a 1 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5-exhaust was 1.20 (95% Confidence Interval, CI: 0.65–2.23), whereas the corresponding HR associated with PM2.5-wood burning was 1.05 (95% CI: 0.70–1.57), in single-pollutant models.
Conclusions
There was some evidence for an association between exposure to particles from traffic, but not wood burning, and incidence of lung-cancer in this register-based study, but not for with particles from wood burning.
WITHDRAWN: Masked face recognition with BF-FaceNet and multi-view features
Authors: Su Xueping , Sun Dandan , Li Yunhong , Yao Lina , Ratsch Matthias 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Wearing masks in accordance with scientific guidelines is the most economically-effective protective measure for preventing respiratory diseases, such as COVID-19 and influenza, by interrupting viral transmission and safeguarding one's own health. In fact, researchers found that wearing masks can effectively reduce the infection rate of COVID-19 by 65%. However, this brings great inconvenience to face recognition, and human face recognition accuracy under occlusion conditions is low.
Therefore, this paper proposes masked face recognition with BF-FaceNet and multi-view features. Firstly, in order to extract fine-grained features of the face region, ResNet50 is replaced by BoTNet as the backbone network of FaceNet. Secondly, a non-masked map is generated to accurately locate the non-masked area. Meanwhile, the face attention augmentation model (FAAM) is designed to extract local face features of the non-masked map. Thirdly, by combining loss function Ltriplet with Lattention, joint loss function Lface is proposed to improve the accuracy of masked recognition. Finally, experimental results on the publicly-available masked face dataset, SMFRD, demonstrate a significant improvement in recognition accuracy using our proposed algorithm compared to other methods.