bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations of Longitudinal Multiparametric MRI Findings and Clinical Outcomes in Intra-Articular Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Kang Woo Young , Woo Ok Hee , Hong Suk-Joo , Bae Ji-Hoon , Yang Zepa , Kim In Seong 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex heterogeneous disease and degradation of the articular cartilage is the hallmark of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of pre-structural and structural features and cartilage volume/thickness with clinical outcome in knee OA patients who received intra-articular injection for one year.
Methods
A total of 24 patients with mild-to-moderate OA were included in this retrospective study. Patients received intra-articular injections and were assessed for one year after treatment onset using knee Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results. OA features were assessed semi-quantitatively using a Whole Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging score (WORMS). Cartilage thickness and volumes of the medial femoral condyle (MFC) and medial tibial plateau (MTP) were quantified. T1ρ and T2 values for MFC cartilage were measured. Clinical outcome was measured using Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (K-WOMAC) score and Knee Injury Osteoarthritis Outcomes (KOOS) score. Spearman’s rank test was used to evaluate the associations between change of imaging findings and clinical parameters.
Results
MTP and MFC cartilage thickness and MTP cartilage volume at baseline showed significant associations with clinical outcome. Changes in WORMS cartilage score for the medial femorotibial joint (MFTJ) and total joint were significantly correlated with clinical outcome.
Conclusion
Thicker baseline MFTJ cartilage and less progressive MFTJ and total joint cartilage loss were associated with favorable clinical response over 12 months in knee OA patients undergoing intra-articular injection.
Alpha-spinasterol in the roots of Impatiens glandulifera
Authors: Vrchotová Naděžda , Bednář Jan , Tříska Jan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The roots of Impatiens glandulifera belong to plants, or to part of plants with a higher content of α-spinasterol. Chromatographic analysis of roots hexane extract using GC-MS revealed that α-spinasterol is the dominant substance in the freeze-dried roots of Impatiens glandulifera and its content reaches ca. 1 % wt. When the hexane extracts are concentrated, α-spinasterol crystals fall out in the form of tiny needles, so the isolation of this substance from the roots of Impatients glandulifera is very easy.
Intelligent Building Construction Cost Prediction Based on BIM and Elman Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Yanfen , Mo Haijun 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This paper aims to predict the construction cost more accurately to promote the digital and visual development of the design and construction process in the construction field. In this paper, an intelligent building construction cost prediction model based on BIM and Elman neural network (ENN) is constructed. In this model, firstly, BIM technology is introduced, and the BIM intelligent building model is established, including the digitalization and visualization of the information of building structure, electromechanical and pipeline. Then the data information in BIM intelligent building model is imported into ENN as input data, and the construction cost of intelligent building is predicted by optimizing the parameters of neural network. Finally, the model is evaluated experimentally. The results show that the predicted value of the construction cost of the intelligent building is highly fitted with the original information price, the root mean squared error (RMSE) is less than 75. The determination coefficient is greater than 0.95, which is clearly superior to the single ENN. The algorithm of the intelligent building construction cost prediction model has thus been found through this paper to have high accuracy and reliability, and can successfully predict the construction cost, providing strong decision support for the digital and intelligent development of construction enterprises.
PC12 transformation to neuron cells activated by low-level laser at 660 nm on the UV pre-treated CR-39 scaffolds with parallel microchannels
Authors: Hashamdar Somayeh , Parvin Parviz , Jafargholi Amir , Refahizadeh Mitra , Heidari Omid , Ramezani Fatemeh 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
A rapid method of neuron regeneration is introduced on a novel synthetic scaffold. Initially, poly allyldiglycol carbonate (CR-39) substrate is textured under high dose of ArF UV excimer laser (1000 shot, 300 mJ/pulse at 193 nm) to create superficial periodic parallel microchannels with micrometer spacing and sub-micron width. Ultra violet treated CR-39 (UT CR-39) provides a suitable scaffold to speed up the transformation/differentiation of PC12 cells. The latter is pheochromocytoma from the rat adrenal medulla as an embryonic origin from the neural crest usually exposed to the nerve growth factor (NGF). In fact, PC12 cells are seeded on the microchannels and simultaneously stimulated by coherent red photons at 660 nm within the therapeutic window. The parallel microchannels improve oxygen and water diffusion in the scaffold providing better condition for the cell culture alongside the axon alignment to support the nerve outgrowth. The surface cross-linking due to UV exposure and subsequent induced hydrophilicity notably contribute in the neuron cell regeneration without adding NGF. The cell activation due to the coherent photons give rise to enhance the regeneration process too.
Here, we have shown that PC12 cells are efficiently transformed to nerves according to Immunocytochemistry (ICC) and Western Blot verification tests based on MAP2 and Synapsin1 protein antibodies. In general, UT CR-39 acts as a superior ridged bed to elevate the population of neural cells more than three times against those of untreated (control ones). Furthermore, the UT CR-39 scaffold undergoes extra improvement of ~ 30% after 12 minutes laser activation regarding the photo biomodulation (PBM) mechanism.
CFD analysis of multiphase flow in an airlift reactor: superficial velocity and gas holdup influence on the loop recirculation
Authors: Batista Pedro Henrique Rocha , Paz Diego Gaspar Souza , Oliveira Patrick Silva , Coimbra Jamille Coelho 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Several products of great importance in the food and pharmaceutical industries are produced by biotechnological processes, using high conversion and high specificity chemical reactions carried out by microorganisms. Such processes can be conducted in airlift reactors (ALRs), which are capable of operating multiphase systems. The ALRs are pneumatically agitated, have a high surface area of contact between the phases and have satisfactory homogenization, favoring the transfer of mass and energy. The analysis of flow patternsinvolving recirculation zones, dead zones, gas holdup and phase velocity profiles, both in the riser and downcomer, is little explored. This study allows the evaluation of the influence of variables such as air inlet velocity and bubble size on the flow pattern to optimize operating conditions for more efficient reactors. In this work, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique was used to study the effects of different air inlet velocities (0.27 m/s, 0.36 m/s, 0.45 m/s and 0.54 m/s) and the average Sauter diameter of the bubbles injected by the sparger (12 mm, 15 mm, 18 mm and 21 mm) on the type of flow (stagnant, recirculation and preferential pathzones), gas holdup, alpha parameter and phase velocity profiles. The simulation results indicated that the higher the air velocity injected by the sparger, the greater the amount of gas in the riser relative to the downcomer, which results in a lower alpha parameter (useful information for reactor sizing). It was also observed that the velocity profile of the liquid phase is closely related to that of the gas phase. Both the velocity profile and the air volume fraction are strongly dependent on the reactor geometry, especially the riser and downcomer. This proves that techniques such as CFD are of great importance for designing, optimizing and controlling airlift reactors because it makes it possible to study different operating conditions through simulations without needing a pilot plant or benchtop.
Does health investment matter for productivity growth in Sub-Saharan Africa? Empirical insights from income and regional economic grouping perspectives
Authors: Okunade Solomon Oluwaseun , Olayiwola Abiodun Sunday , Joseph Kehinde Elizabeth 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This study investigates whether investment in the health sector matters for achieving sustainable growth via the Dumitrescu-Hurlin heterogeneous panel non-granger causality test and the dynamic panel threshold model for 26 Sub-Saharan African countries (SSA). We report evidence of a bidirectional causality between health investment and productivity growth in the panel of SSA and find that investing a substantial part of GDP (about 7.96%) into the health sector is necessary to increase productivity growth levels in SSA. When we control heterogeneity in our sample using the regional economic grouping, we report unidirectional causality across the panels and variations in the estimated threshold with higher values for all groups except ECOWAS with 5.82%. Using the World Bank income classification, we also find varying evidence of unidirectional causal relationships between health investment and productivity growth in different income groups. Generally, above the threshold level, health investment has positive effects on productivity growth for all groups. We report other significant findings that are instructive to policymaking and future research and conclude that SSA countries should increase investment in the health sector to ensure greater productivity, and should deepen growth-oriented policies to further stimulate investment in the health sector.
JEL Classification: H51, I15, O47
Effective control of postoperative recurrence of pregnancy-related gastric cancer using anti-PD-1 as a monotherapy
Authors: Liu Xu , Li Xiaoqi Li , Zhu Chunchao Zhu , Ji Linhua Ji 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background: Pregnancy related gastric cancer is characterised by refractory nature and poor prognosis, few gastric cancer cases during pregnancy achieved acceptable outcomes by using anti-PD-1 as a monotherapy.
Case presentation: A 32-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department of obstetrics and gynaecology department, and eventually diagnosed with gastric cancer. Radical surgery for gastric cancer was conducted after termination of pregnancy. One year postoperative follow-up exerted tumour recurrence, this patient has achieved promising results after receiving anti-PD-1 as a monotherapy.
Conclusions: Some specific pregnancy related gastric cancer patients may benefit significantly from immunotherapy.
State-agent and citizen-agent: Whether the Chinese government has inspired community healthcare workers’ public service motivation
Authors: Zheng Guanghuai , Wang Yean , Zhao Peihao , Lai Huaxiang , Li Wangwang 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Community healthcare workers need to have a dual public service motivation of participating in policy-making and producing community services in China. The government has adopted the strategies of “embedding” and policy innovation to inspire public service motivations and set career capital requirements to select healthcare workers. Using data from a sample of 589 individuals in eight cities, this study developed structural equation models of leader-member exchange relationships, innovation climate, career capital, and state-agent motivation versus citizen-agent motivation to test the rationality of these strategies. We found that the leader-member exchange relationship was positively associated with two public service motivations, innovative climate fully mediated leader-member exchange relationship and state-agent motivation, while partially mediated leader-member exchange relationship and citizen-agent motivation. Healthcare workers with high political capital and educational capital have stronger citizen-agent motivation. These findings validate the rationality of Chinese community social work development strategies and also reveal their inadequacies.
Assessment of spatiotemporal patterns of the Kolonnawa marsh, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Authors: R.M.U B Rathnayake Rathnayake , Chandrathilake Guruluwana Gamaethiralalage Thilakawansha , Jayewardena Daham Taranga , Tanaka Nobuaki , Gunathilake Bhanuka Mahesha , Buddhima Abewickrama Vidana Pathirana Sandani 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Kolonnawa Marsh (KM) is one of the important urban wetland ecosystems in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and plays an important role by providing invaluable ecosystem services. Owing to the continuous exploitation, and reclamation of home states and industries in recent decades, this urban wetland has experienced significant changes. To assess the spatiotemporal pattern of KM, land cover change (LC) from 2000 to 2022 and land use in 2022 were investigated. Land-use maps from the Survey Department of Sri Lanka in 2000, 2016 and Google Earth satellite images from 2000 to 2022 were developed to identify land cover; whereas land-use patterns in the KM were detected by drone data and analyzed with the Spatial Analyst extension of ArcGIS version 10.7. On the KM, marshy area, water-covered area, and area covered with vegetation were the dominant land cover features, and in the year 2000 marshy area covering by 65.81%, 55.69% in 2016, and 78.71% in 2022 of the total area respectively. However, from 2000 to 2016, the water-covered area increased from 34.19–44.31% (5.93 ha net gain), and 21.29% in 2016 to 022(16.2 ha net loss). In proportion to the total extent of KM, an area covered with vegetation increased by 24.25% in 2000, 29.98% in 2016 (3.43 ha net gain), and 44.99% (0.16 ha net gain) in 2022. Results of a drone survey done in the year 2022 has been revealed 9 land use features identified and accordingly, mixed woodland 37.66%, herb-dominated high vegetation 25.15%, highland vegetation associated with wetland 6.95%, herb dominated low vegetation 5.19%, stream reservation 0.78%. Thus, within a 300 m buffer zone from the margin of KM, 8.52% of the construction area, 40.39% of the built-up area, and 59.61% of home gardens respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that the extent of the KM is decreasing over the study period while transforming into a terrestrial ecosystem. Hence, immediate interventions are needed to preserve this valuable freshwater ecosystem.
Estimation of the causal effect of sex on neonatal intensive care unit outcomes among very low birth weight infants
Authors: Hagan Joseph 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Objective: Estimate the causal effect of sex on outcomes in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
Study Design: Retrospective cohort study comparing NICU outcomes for VLBW males versus females. Odds ratios (OR) for outcomes that differed significantly by sex were computed using standard unweighted analysis and inverse probability weighted (IPW) analysis to correct for selection bias.
Results:Using standard analysis, males were significantly more likely to die before discharge and experience six other adverse outcomes. From IPW analysis, male sex causeda 60% increase in the odds of death before discharge (OR=1.60, 95% confidence interval: 1.18-1.94). Standard unweighted results were significantly biased towards increased risk of adverse outcomes for males (p=0.006) compared to IPW results for which three outcomes no longer significantly associated with male sex.
Conclusion: Standard statistical methods generally overestimate the casual effect of sex among VLBW infants.
Alternations in gut microbiota and host transcriptome of patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Chen Liuying , Mou Xuanting , Li Jingjing , Li Miaofu , Ye Caijie , Gao Xiaofei , Liu Xiaohua , Ma Yunlong , Xu Yizhou , Zhong Yigang 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a widespread heart condition caused by atherosclerosis and influences millions of people worldwide. Early detection of CAD is challenging due to the lack of specific biomarkers. The gut microbiota and host-microbiota interactions have been well documented to affect human health. However, investigation that reveals the role of gut microbes in CAD is still limited. This study aims to uncover the synergistic effects of host genes and gut microbes associated with CAD through integrative genomic analyses.
Results
Herein, we collected 54 fecal and 54 blood samples from CAD patients and matched controls, and performed amplicon and transcriptomic sequencing on these samples, respectively. By comparing CAD patients with health controls, we found that dysregulated gut microbes were significantly associated with CAD. By leveraging the Random Forest method, we found that 10 bacteria biomarkers can distinguish CAD patients from health controls with a high performance (AUC = 0.939). We observed that there existed prominent associations of gut microbes with several clinical indices relevant to heart functions. Integration analysis revealed that CAD-relevant gut microbe genus Fusicatenibacter was associated with expression of CAD-risk genes, such as GBP2, MLKL, and CPR65. In addition, the upregulation of immune-related pathways in CAD patients were identified to be primarily associated with higher abundance of genus Blautia, Eubacterium, Fusicatenibacter, and Monoglobus.
Conclusions
Our results highlight that dysregulated gut microbes contribute risk to CAD by interacting with host genes. These identified microbes and interacted risk genes may have high potentials as biomarkers for CAD.
Promotion of Hydrogen Evolution from Seawater via Poly(aniline-co-4- Nitroaniline) combined with 3D Nickel Nanoparticles
Authors: Moradi-Alavian Saleh , Kazempour Amir , Mirzaei-Saatlo Meysam , Ashassi-Sorkhabi Habib , Mehrdad Abbas , Asghari Elnaz , Lamb Jacob J. , Pollet Bruno G. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This work reports the synthesis of poly (aniline-co-4-nitroaniline) deposited on a three-dimensional nanostructured nickel (3D-Ni) film, where both layers were fabricated via potentiostatic electrodeposition. The obtained electrocatalyst exhibited excellent electrochemical activity for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) with small overpotentials of + 195 and + 325 mV at + 10 and + 100 mAcm− 2, respectively, and a low Tafel slope of 53.3 mV dec− 1 in seawater. Additionally, the electrocatalyst exhibited good stability after 72 h operation under a constant potential of -1.9 V vs. RHE. The efficient HER performance of the as-prepared catalyst was found to originate from the synergy between the conducting polymer and three-dimensional nickel nanoparticles with a large electrochemical active surface area. Moreover, the results obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements revealed that the presence of 3D-Ni layer improved the kinetics of HER by reducing the charge transfer resistance for the electrocatalyst.
Cetuximab inhibits colorectal cancer development through inactivating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and modulating PLCB3 expression
Authors: Cheng Xun , Zhou Wenming , Wu Chenqu , Feng Li 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) often necessitates cetuximab (an EGFR-targeting monoclonal antibody) for treatment. Despite its clinical utility, the specific operative mechanism of cetuximab remains elusive. This research investigates the influence of PLCB3, a potential CRC oncogene, on cetuximab treatment.
Methods
We extracted differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the GSE140973 and identified the overlapping genes combined with 151 Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway-related genes. Then, we conducted bioinformatics analysis to pinpoint the hub gene. Subsequently, we investigated the clinical expression characteristics of this hub gene and scrutinized the impact of cetuximab and the hub gene on CRC cellular progression through cell experimental.
Results
Our study identified 26 overlapping genes. High expression of 8 genes (AXIN1, CACYBP, FBXW11, FZD2, MAPK9, PLCB3, NCOA3, RHOA) correlated with poorer prognosis, whereas high expression of TCF7L2 indicated better prognosis. PLCB3 emerged as a significant oncogene associated with patient prognosis. In vitro tests revealed that cetuximab exerted a cytotoxic effect on CRC cells, with PLCB3 knockdown inhibiting CRC cell progression. Furthermore, cetuximab treatment led to a reduction in both β-catenin and PLCB3 expression, while simultaneously augmenting E-cadherin expression. These findings reveal PLCB3 promotes cetuximab inhibition on Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Finally, simultaneous application of cetuximab with a Wnt activator (IM12) and PLCB3 demonstrated inhibited CRC proliferation, migration, and invasion.
Conclusion
Our study emphasizes the pivotal role of PLCB3 in CRC and its potential to enhance the efficacy of cetuximab treatment. Furthermore, cetuximab suppresses Wnt/β-catenin pathway to modulate PLCB3 expression, thus inhibiting colorectal cancer progression. This study offers fresh perspectives on cetuximab mechanism in CRC.
Discovery of novel diagnostic biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with immune infiltration
Authors: Liu Qiang , Zhang Hua , Xiao Heng , Ren Ao , Wu Zhongjun , Yu Huarong , Huang Zuotian 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objective
The diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains challenging for clinicians. Machine learning approaches and big data analysis are viable strategies to identify HCC diagnostic markers.
Materials and methods
For this study, we downloaded mRNA expression profiles of HCC from the GEO database and used random forest and machine learning algorithms such as Lasso to screen for reliable diagnostic genes. DO, KEGG, GSEA enrichment analysis for exploring differential gene function, disease pathways. CIBERSORT was performed to calculate the immune cell infiltration of HCC and to calculate the correlation of diagnostic genes with immune cells.
Results
The results indicated that ECM1, NPC1L1, and RSPO3 were downregulated in HCC compared with the normal group (P < 0.05), and furthermore, ECM1, NPC1L1, and RSPO3 had a high diagnostic value for HCC in both the training and test cohorts (AUC > 0.75). Immuno-infiltration analysis revealed that ECM1 and RSPO3 were highly positively correlated with neutrophil and macrophage M2, whereas they were negatively correlated with Tregs.
Conclusion
The present study identifies ECM1, NPC1L1, and RSPO3 as new diagnostic biomarkers for HCC based on normal and disease samples from HCC and correlated with immune cell infiltration.