bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison between hydroxychloroquine and systemic corticosteroids in IgA nephropathy: A two-year follow-up study
Authors: Si Feng-lei , Tang Chen , Lv Ji-Cheng , Shi Su-Fang , Zhou Xu-Jie , Liu Li-Jun , Zhang Hong 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is recommended as a treatment for IgA nephropathy（IgAN）to control proteinuria. The long-term effects of HCQ compared to systemic corticosteroids therapy remain unclear.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study at Peking University First Hospital. 39 patients with IgAN received HCQ for at least 24 months without corticosteroids (CS) or other immunosuppressive agents were included. 78 matched patients who received systemic CS therapy were selected using propensity score matching. Clinical data over a 24-month period were compared.
Results: In the HCQ group, the level of proteinuria decreased from 1.72 [1.44, 2.35] to 0.97 [0.51, 1.37] g/d (-50.5 [-74.0, -3.4] %, P < 0.001) at 24 months. Significant decline of proteinuria was also found in the CS group, and the proteinuria at 24 months in CS group was lower than that in the HCQ group (0.56 [0.15, 1.05] vs. 0.97 [0.51, 1.37] g/d, P=0.030). The percent reduction in proteinuria was not statistically different between the two groups at 24 months (-63.1% [-82.3%, -15.1% vs. -50.5% [-74.0%, -3.4%], P=0.228). In addition, the decline rates of eGFR between HCQ and CS groups were comparable (-7.9% [-16.1%, 5.8%] vs. -5.8% [-15.5%, 6.4%], P=0.729). More adverse events were observed in the CS group.
Conclusions: Long-term use of HCQ can maintain renal function stable with minimal side effects, though the anti-proteinuria ability is slightly weaker than systemic corticosteroids treatment. In patients who cannot tolerate corticosteroids, HCQ might be an effective and safe supportive therapy for IgAN.
The role of lactate dehydrogenase in the diagnosis of acute renal infraction: a retrospective case-control study
Authors: Li Renjie , Yin Tongxin , Luo Jiazhen , Li Jiaoyuan , Cui Lei , Yan Li 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the value of serum lactate dehydrogenase in the early diagnosis of acute renal infraction(ARI).
Methods: We conducted a retrospective investigation in this study. A total of 63 ARI cases were recruited, and 219 cases which diagnosed with other acute abdominal diseases, including renal calculus, gall-stone and acute appendicitis, were also enrolled as controls. The clinical and laboratory data of those subjects were collected and analyzed. And the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to evaluate the value of laboratorial biomarkers in the classification of ARI.
Results: There was no difference about the demographic characteristics and clinical symptoms between ARI cases and total controls except for a higher frequency of vomit in ARI group (25.4%) compared with the control group (13.2%).More ARI cases suffered with underling hypertension and cardiovascular diseases than controls. Laboratory data analysis identified abnormality of leukocytes and neutrophils counts, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, LDH, uric acid, estimated glomerular filtration, fibrinogen and D-dimer levels, among which LDH was found prominently related to the area of renal infarction (r=0.63, P=0.027). The area under the curve (AUC) of LDH reached 0.93 (SD: 0.07, P<0.001) in the classification of ARI, with an optimal sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 97%.
Conclusions: Patients with ARI had a markedly higher LDH level compared with other acute abdomens. LDH might be an useful indicator in the differential diagnosis of ARI.
Trial registration: No result of a health care intervention on human participants in the article.
The anti-allergic potential of stingless bee honey from different botanical sources via modulation of mast cell degranulation
Authors: Yong Poi Yi Aw , Yip Ashley Jia Wen , Islam Fahmida , Hong Hui Jing , Teh Yi En , Tham Chau Ling , Tan Ji Wei 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: Allergy is an inflammatory disorder affecting around 20% of the global population. The adverse effects of current conventional treatments give rise to the increased popularity of using natural food products as complementary and alternative medicine against allergic diseases. Stingless bee honey, commonly known as Kelulut honey (KH) in Malaysia, has been used locally as a traditional remedy to relieve cough and asthma. This study evaluated the anti-allergic potential of KH collected from four different botanical sources on phorbol ester 12-myristate-3-acetate and calcium ionophore-activated human mast cells.
Methods: The present study examined the inhibitory effects of all collected honey on the release of selected inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8, histamine, and β-hexosaminidase in an activated HMC. Besides that, all honey's total phenolic content (TPC) was also examined, followed by using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify the phytochemicals in the honey. Further examination of the identified phytochemicals on their potential interaction with selected signaling molecules in an activated mast cell was conducted using computational methods.
Results: The results indicated that there were significant inhibitory effects on all selected inflammatory mediators’ release by KH sourced from bamboo (BH) and rubber tree (RH) at 0.5% and 1%, but not KH sourced from mango (AH) and noni (EH). BH and RH were found to have higher TPC values and were rich in their phytochemical profiles based on the LC-MS/MS results. Computational studies were employed to determine the possible molecular target of KH through molecular docking using HADDOCK and PRODIGY web servers.
Conclusions: In short, the results indicated that KH possesses anti-allergic effects towards an activated HMC, possibly by targeting downstream MAPKs. However, their anti-allergic effects may vary according to their botanical sources. Nevertheless, the present study has provided insight into the potential application of stingless bee honey as a complementary and alternative medicine to treat various allergic diseases.
The impacts of climatic changes on the yield and water use efficiency of maize grown under different sowing dates and two irrigation schemes in arid climate
Authors: Abaza Ahmed S.D. , Elshamly Ayman M.S. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Upper Egypt is characterized by high temperatures in summer and low temperatures in winter, which has a significant impact on the dates of planting maize in this region. The productivity of the maize crop as well as the efficiency of the use of water can be severely affected by planting dates and drought. Consequently, the optimum irrigation level and planting date must be determined based on local conditions.
Two irrigation schemes were used: (1) control (full irrigation water applied), (2) 70% of irrigation water. Field experiments were conducted at the water studies and research complex station, National Water Research Center in Toshka to evaluate two irrigation levels (full irrigation water applied and 70% of irrigation water requirements) under five planting dates (early seeding (mid-February and March), normal (mid- June) and late planting (mid- August and September) in 2019 and 2020) to determine the optimum planting date and irrigation level.
Early SD has increased the days between seeding and plant emergence. Late SD reduced the number of days until the plant matured and had higher grain yields and water use efficiency (WUE). The planting date in September under the irrigation level of 70% achieved the best productivity and the best water use efficiency, where the productivity was 7.01 Mg ha−1 and the water use efficiency was 0.72 kg/m3
The data confirm the general perception of farmers that the September sowing date under 70% irrigation levels is the best within the experimentation area.
The evaluation of Interleukin 34, Macrophage colony stimulating factor and Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa ligand levels in gingival crevicular fluid and saliva of patients with periodontitis
Authors: Aycan Seda , Bengi Vahdi Umut , Saygun Nuriye Işıl , Ozcan Erkan , Guler Ozlem Sebnem , Ozgurtas Taner 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Cuproptosis‑related lncRNAs predict the prognosis and immune landscape in esophageal carcinoma
Authors: Chen Leijie 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background: Used cuproptosis-related lncRNA (CUPlncRNA) to construct an overall survival (OS) model of the esophageal carcinoma (ESCC) and predict potentially effective chemotherapeutic agents.
Methods: Gain RNA-seq and clinical date of ESCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, extract cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (CUPlncRNAs) by co-expression analysis with cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs). Cox regression analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis were used to construct the prognostic model. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and C-index was used to further test the model. Tumor mutation burden (TMB) analysis was performed. Finally, TMER and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (GESA) were applied to find out whether CUPlncRNA influenced the tumor immune microenvironment and to predict potentially effective chemotherapeutic agents for ESCC.
Results: Five CUPlncRNAs were used to construct prognostic model. The model showed power in survival prediction between the high- and low-risk groups both before and after binding to TMB. The high-risk group had increased immune checkpoint and HLA mutations, means immune evasion happens more easily. Finally, 15 chemotherapeutic agents were screened for differences in efficacy between groups.
Conclusions: This study has prognostic prediction and immune evaluation, provide theoretical basis for the role of cuproptosis in ESCC.
A multi-period fuzzy portfolio optimization model with investors' loss aversion
Authors: Yang Xingyu , Chen Jingui , Liu Weilong , Zhao Xuejin 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
This paper considers the problem of how to construct the optimal multi-period portfolio for investor with loss aversion in fuzzy environment. Firstly, we regard the return rates of the risky assets as fuzzy numbers, and use the value function in prospect theory to transform the return rate of a portfolio into perceived value, which reflects investors' loss aversion. Moreover, due to the fact that investors' perception level toward risk may vary with the loss aversion degree, we propose a new risk measure based on the perceived value. Then, we formulate the objectives of maximizing the cumulative expected perceived value and minimizing the cumulative perceived risk, and propose a multi-period portfolio selection model with diversification constraint. Furthermore, to solve the proposed model, we design a multiple particle swarm optimization algorithm with respect to its specific situation. Finally, using the data from real financial market, we construct a real case to illustrate the effectiveness of the model and algorithm. The results show that loss aversion has an important effect in investors' investment decisions, and the proposed model could provide more reasonable strategies for investors with different loss aversion degrees.
Inclusion unlocks the creative potential of gender diversity in teams
Authors: Vedres Balazs , Vasarhelyi Orsolya 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Several studies have highlighted the potential contribution of gender diversity to creativity, while noting challenges of conflict and lack of trust. Thus, we argue that gender diversity requires inclusion as well to boost team creativity. We analyzed teams in 4011 video game projects, recording weighted network data from past collaborations. We developed four measures of inclusion, based on de-segregation, strong ties across genders, the incorporation of women into the core of the team’s network, and the coincidence of the three above. We measured creativity by the distinctiveness of game features compared to prior games, and success by review score and unit sales. Our results show that gender diversity without inclusion does not contribute to creativity, while with maximal inclusion one standard deviation change in diversity results in .04 to .09 standard deviation increase in creativity. Inclusion at low diversity has a negative effect. Gender diverse teams seem to face a penalty in success measured by review scores that is due to a lower probability to review games with higher female participation. Adding diversity first, and developing inclusion later can lead to higher diversity and inclusion, compared to the alternative of recruiting developers with already existing cross-gender ties, suggesting that developer firms should encourage building inclusive collaboration ties in-house.
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Induces Neural Injury that Promotes a Transcriptomic and Functional Repair Signature by Peripheral Neuroglia
Authors: Weitz Jonathan , Garg Bharti , Tiriac Herve , Martsinkovskiy Alexei , Patel Sandip , Lowy Andrew 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Perineural invasion (PNI) is the phenomenon whereby cancer cells invade the space surrounding nerves. PNI occurs frequently in epithelial malignancies, but is especially characteristic of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The presence of PNI portends an increased incidence of local recurrence, metastasis and poorer overall survival. While interactions between tumor cells and nerves have been investigated, the etiology and initiating cues for PNI development is not well understood. Here, we used digital spatial profiling to reveal changes in the transcriptome and to allow for a functional analysis of neural-supportive cell types present within the tumor-nerve microenvironment of PDAC during PNI. We found that hypertrophic tumor-associated nerves within PDAC express transcriptomic signals of nerve damage including programmed cell death, Schwann cell proliferation signaling pathways, as well as macrophage clearance of apoptotic cell debris by phagocytosis. Moreover, we identified that neural hypertrophic regions have increased local neuroglial cell proliferation which was tracked using EdU tumor labeling in KPC mice. This study reveals a common gene expression pattern that characterizes solid tumor-induced damage to local nerves. These data provide new insights into the pathobiology of the tumor-nerve microenvironment during PDAC as well as other gastrointestinal cancers.
Trends in long-term use of antidepressants in Switzerland and associated factors between 2013 and 2021
Authors: Amrein Melanie A. , Hengartner Michael P. , Näpflin Markus , Farcher Renato , Huber Carola A. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose: Antidepressant use has increased in many European countries, mostly driven by longer treatment duration. The aim of this study was to provide prevalence rates of long-term users of antidepressants for the Swiss population over the last decade and to investigate associated factors for longer use.
Methods: We examined the prevalence rates of individuals with at least one prescription for antidepressants using longitudinal health claims data. To compare different lengths of prescription duration, we defined short-term (<6 months), medium-term (6-12 months) and long-term users (>12 months). We applied a binary logistic regression model to investigate the effects of population characteristics and treatment patterns on long-term compared to short- and medium-term users.
Results: In 2021, 9% of the Swiss population (n=770 698) received at least one antidepressant prescription. This one-year-prevalence remained stable since 2013. In 2020, the proportion of long-term users was 69.4%, with steady increase from 2014 to 2020. The numbers of medium- and short-term users have decreased during this period. Older age, being a woman, living in an urban area, living in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland, living in a nursing home, being enrolled in a standard care plan, and receiving psychiatric or psychotherapeutic care were factors associated with long-term users.
Conclusions: The proportion of long-term users in Switzerland is steadily increasing. Taking antidepressants longer than recommended may indicate possible overprescribing. Given the ongoing debate about the confounding effects of relapse and withdrawal, more research is needed to investigate antidepressants overprescribing, particularly for older people.
Immunological and Prognostic Role of Hub Genes Defined Gene Signature in Septic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Li Wenli , Yang Jianzhong , Cao Yang , Gao Ranran , Sun Hu , Yang Kai , Wang Ying , Peng Peng 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Septic cardiomyopathy is a life-threatening heart dysfunction caused by severe infection. Considering the complexity of the pathogenesis and high mortality, it was necessary to identify efficient biomarkers to guide the clinical practice. Based on the muti-microarray analysis, this study aimed to explore the pathogenesis of septic cardiomyopathy and the related immune landscape. The results showed that septic cardiomyopathy was organ dysfunction after extreme pro- and anti-inflammation. In this process, KLRG1, PRF1, BCL6, GAB2, MMP9, IL1R1, JAK3, IL6ST, and SERPINE1 were identified as the hub genes regulated the immune landscape of septic cardiomyopathy. Nine transcription factors regulated their expression: SRF, STAT1, SP1, RELA, PPARG, NFKB1, PPARA, SMAD3, and STAT3. Hub genes activated the Th17 cell differentiation pathway, JAK-STAT signaling pathway, and Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway. These were mainly involved in regulating inflammatory response, adaptive immune response, leukocyte-mediated immunity, cytokine-mediated immunity, immune effector process, myeloid cell differentiation, and T-helper cell differentiation. These nine hub genes can be seen as biomarkers for the early prediction of septic cardiomyopathy.
Modeling the navigation of Oecophylla smargandina on short-length scales in an unfamiliar environment
Authors: Charoonratana Lattawat , Smith Michael F. , Thiwatwaranikul Theerawee , Paisanpan Panyaphong , Suksombat Sukrit 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The movement of individual weaver ants, of Oecophylla smargandina, was previously tracked within an unfamiliar arena. We develop an empirical model, based on Brownian motion with a linear drag and constant driving force, to explain the observed distribution of ants over position and velocity. Parameters are fixed according to the isotropic, homogeneous distribution observed near the middle of the arena. Then, with no adjustable parameters, the model accounts for all features of the distribution data. For instance, the tendency of the ant to remain near the arena edges can be explained as a statistical property of bounded, stochastic motion. Members of this species are capable of impressive feats of collective action and long-range navigation. But we argue that they use a simplistic algorithm, captured semi-quantitatively by the model provided, to navigate within the confined region.
Effect of acute normovolemic hemodilution on long-term prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma undergoing flap reconstruction: a retrospective study
Authors: Chen Qiumiao , Du Hongze , Shi Xiaotong , Zhou Yumei , Li Yuquan , Zhang Manqing , Xie Yubo 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Objective
To investigate the effect of acute normovolemic hemodilution on long-term prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients after tumor resection and flap reconstruction.
Methods
This study retrospectively analyzed follow-up data for 371 OSCC patients who underwent tumor resection and flap reconstruction for the first time at our hospital from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2020. The patients were split into three groups: no blood transfusion (NBT), acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH), and allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT). Measurement data were analyzed by ANOVA and enumeration data by χ2 tests. Survival analysis with the Cox model was used to confirm independent prognostic factors. Disease-free (DFS) and overall (OS) survival were calculated by the life table method and K-M curve.
Results
The ANH group had a 0.523-fold higher risk of recurrence than the NBT group (P = 0.010). The ABT group had a 1.844-fold higher risk of death than the NBT group (P = 0.033). Among those with lymph node metastasis, the ANH group had a lower risk of recurrence, 0.436 times higher than the NBT group (P = 0.017), and the ABT group had a higher risk of death, 2.186 times higher than the NBT group (P = 0.032).
Conclusion
ANH can reduce immune system suppression by decreasing the amount of allogeneic blood to reduce tumor recurrence and risk of tumor-specific death, and this result is more prominent in OSCC patients with lymph node metastasis.
Clinical relevance
Preoperative ANH can effectively reduce the recurrence rate of patients with OSCC.
Mapping the Urban and Rural Planning Response Paths to the Pandemics of Infectious Diseases
Authors: Zhang Haozhe , Li Jinyi 
Published: March 2023

AbstractModern urban and rural planning has a long history in terms of epidemics. However, contemporary urban and rural planning lacks a comprehensive response map for the prevention and control of infectious diseases. As the process of comprehensive policies making for social issues, a bridge between urban and rural development and the prevention and control of infectious diseases must be established. This research sorts out the academic literature that studies the relationship and logic between epidemic infectious diseases and urban and rural physical environments. We constructed links between issues of urban and rural planning and the means of prevention and control of epidemic infectious diseases, and drew them to form a comprehensive map which illustrates the logic paths between 12 issues of urban and rural planning and epidemic infectious diseases.