bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efectos de la Estimulación Acústica Personalizada en Pacientes con Tinnitus
Authors: Ocampo Carmen , Toro López Angela María , González Eslait Francisco Javier , Blanco Sarmiento Pedro 
Published: January 2023

En el mundo se reportan más de 600 millones de personas que experimentan tinnitus. Aproximadamente 20% de las personas con tinnitus subjetivo permanente presentan incomodidad significativa, interviniendo negativamente en su calidad de vida, con inducción de estados depresivos. Existen diferentes estrategias de intervención para el manejo del tinnitus, entre ellas la estimulación acústica. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el impacto de la estimulación acústica pasiva en la severidad del tinnitus y en la calidad de vida de los pacientes con tinnitus subjetivo crónico mediante la Escala Visual Análoga(VAS)y el Inventario de Discapacidad del Tinnitus(THI). Estudio descriptivo de cohorte histórico que incluyó a pacientes >18 años con tinnitus subjetivo crónico que recibieron manejo con estimulación acústica pasiva entre 2017-2018. A los pacientes se les aplicó la VAS y el THI antes, durante y después del tratamiento. Se evidenciaron cambios significativos (p<0,05) entre las medianas en dos de los tres dominios del VAS y en todos los dominios pre y post tratamiento del THI. En las pruebas post hoc se encontraron diferencias (p<0.05) entre las medianas de los puntajes al inicio y a los tres meses y entre los puntajes al inicio y a los seis meses en todos los dominios y en el puntaje total de la escala THI. La estimulación acústica pasiva generó cambios en la discapacidad generada por el tinnitus. Se sugiere complementar los abordajes de tratamiento con estrategias que favorezcan también los mecanismos de memoria, atención y conciencia para aumentar la efectividad de las intervenciones.
The effect of Er3+ concentration on the kinetics of multiband upconversion in NaYF4:Yb/Er microcrystals
Authors: Huang Hanchang , Zhong Yanyi , Li Mingchen , Cui Wenda , Yu Tongcheng , Zhao Guomin , Xing Zhongyang , Guo Chuan , Han Kai 
Published: January 2023

In Yb-Er co-doped upconversion (UC) nanomaterials, upconversion luminescence (UCL) can be modulated to generate multiband UCL emissions by changing the concentration of activator Er3+. Nonetheless, the effect of the Er3+ concentrations on the kinetics of these emissions is still unknown. We here study the single β-NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ microcrystal (MC) doped with different Er3+ concentrations by nanosecond time-resolved spectroscopy. Interestingly, different Er3+ doping concentrations exhibit different UCL emission bands and UCL response rates. At low Er3+ doping concentrations (1 mol%), multiband emission in β-NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ (20/1 mol%) MCs could not be observed and the response rate of UCL was slow (5–10 μs) in β-NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+. Increasing the Er3+ doping concentration to 10 mol% can shorten the distance between Yb3+ ions and Er3+ ions, which promotes the energy transfer between them. β-NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ (20/10 mol%) can achieve obvious multiband UCL and a quick response rate (0.3 µs). However, a further increase in the Er doping concentration (80 mol%) makes MCs limited by the CR process and cannot achieve the four-photon UC process (4F5/2 → 2K13/2 and 2H9/2 → 2D5/2). Therefore, the result shows that changing the Er3+ doping concentration could control the energy flow between the different energy levels in Er3+, which could affect the response time and UCL emission of the Yb/Er doped rare earth materials. Our work can facilitate the development of fast-response optoelectronics, optical-sensing, and display industries.
Assessment of the impact of intravenous antibiotics treatment on gut microbiota in patients: Clinical data from pre-and post-cardiac surgery
Authors: Xue Ling , Ding Yinglong , Qin Qiong , Liu Linsheng , Ding Xiaoliang , Zhou Yi , Liu Kun , Singla Rajeev K. , Shen Ke , Din Ahmad Ud , Zhang Yan , Shen Zhenya , Shen Bairong , Miao Liyan 
Published: January 2023

Background and aimsSurgical site infection is a common complication after surgery. Periprocedural antibiotics are necessary to prescribe for preventing or treating infections. The present study aimed to explore the effect of intravenous antibiotics on gut microbiota and menaquinone biosynthesis in patients, especially in elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery.MethodsA total of 388 fecal samples were collected from 154 cardiac surgery patients. The V3–V4 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced on a MiSeq PE300. The gut microbiota diversity of samples was analyzed in terms of α- and β-diversity at the OTU level. The different groups were classified according to antibiotics in combinations and single antibiotics. PICRUSt2 was used for preliminary prediction of the gut microbiota function for menaquinone biosynthesis.ResultsThe intravenously administered antibiotics which are excreted via bile represents the main antibiotics that could disturb the gut microbiota’s composition in cardiac surgery patients, especially for elderly patients. The effect of antibiotics on gut microbiota is produced after antibiotics treatments over one week. The recovery of gut microbiota to the state of pre-antibiotics may require over two weeks of antibiotics withdrawal. Sex factor doesn’t represent as an influencer in gut microbiota composition. Long-term use of cefoperazone-sulbactam may affect coagulation function.ConclusionsThe composition of the gut microbiota had a significant change post-intravenous antibiotics treatment in cardiac surgery patients. The richness and diversity of gut microbiota are increased in elderly patients.
Excessive neutrophil extracellular trap formation induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide exacerbates inflammatory responses in high glucose microenvironment
Authors: Tong Yue , Xin Yue , Fu Lanqing , Shi Jia , Sun Ying 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionNeutrophil extracellular trap (NET) is a novel defense strategy of neutrophils and found to be induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or high glucose. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles and mechanisms of NET formation in high glucose inflammatory microenvironment.MethodsNETs induced by 1 μg/ml P. gingivalis LPS and/or 25 mM glucose were visualized using a fluorescence microscopy and the levels of extracellular DNA were determined by a microplate reader. The bactericidal efficiency of NETs was assessed by quantifying the survival P. gingivalis in neutrophils. The levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β in THP-1 derived-macrophages, and the expressions of p-PKC βII, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, ORAI1 and ORAI2 in neutrophils were detected by Western blot. Moreover, levels of intracellular Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neutrophils were explored by flow cytometry.ResultsP. gingivalis LPS enhanced the formation of NETs and increased the levels of extracellular DNA in high glucose microenvironment (p &lt; 0.05). Compared with normal glucose inflammatory microenvironment, quantities of extra- and intracellular viable P. gingivalis in neutrophils exposed to NETs induced in high glucose inflammatory one were increased (p &lt; 0.05) and the expressions of NLRP3 and IL-1β were dramatically increased in macrophages co-cultured with NETs from high glucose inflammatory microenvironment (p &lt; 0.05). In addition, levels of ROS, intracellular Ca2+, p-PKC βII, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, ORAI1 and ORAI2 were increased in neutrophils stimulated with both high glucose and P. gingivalis LPS compared with the single stimulus groups (p &lt; 0.05).DiscussionIn high glucose inflammatory microenvironment, formation of NETs was enhanced via oxidative stress, which failed to reverse the decreased bactericidal capacity in high glucose microenvironment, and instead aggravated the subsequent inflammatory responses.
Stress CMR T1-mapping technique for assessment of coronary microvascular dysfunction in a rabbit model of type II diabetes mellitus: Validation against histopathologic changes
Authors: Ma Peisong , Liu Juan , Hu Yurou , Chen Lin , Liang Hongqin , Zhou Xiaoyue , Shang Yongning , Wang Jian 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundCoronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is an early character of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and is indicative of adverse events. The present study aimed to validate the performance of the stress T1 mapping technique on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for identifying CMD from a histopathologic perspective and to establish the time course of CMD-related parameters in a rabbit model of T2DM.MethodsNew Zealand white rabbits (n = 30) were randomly divided into a control (n = 8), T2DM 5-week (n = 6), T2DM 10-week (n = 9), and T2DM 15-week (n = 7) groups. The CMR protocol included rest and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stress T1-mapping imaging using the 5b(20b)3b-modified look-locker inversion-recovery (MOLLI) schema to quantify stress T1 response (stress ΔT1), and first-pass perfusion CMR to quantify myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI). After the CMR imaging, myocardial tissue was subjected to hematoxylin-eosin staining to evaluate pathological changes, Masson trichrome staining to measure collagen volume fraction (CVF), and CD31 staining to measure microvascular density (MVD). The associations between CMR parameters and pathological findings were determined using Pearson correlation analysis.ResultsThe stress ΔT1 values were 6.21 ± 0.59%, 4.88 ± 0.49%, 3.80 ± 0.40%, and 3.06 ± 0.54% in the control, T2DM 5-week, 10-week, and 15-week groups, respectively (p &lt; 0.001) and were progressively weakened with longer duration of T2DM. Furthermore, a significant correlation was demonstrated between the stress ΔT1 vs. CVF and MVD (r = −0.562 and 0.886, respectively; p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionThe stress T1 response correlated well with the histopathologic measures in T2DM rabbits, indicating that it may serve as a sensitive CMD-related indicator in early T2DM.
Spatial differentiation and influencing factors of active layer thickness in the Da Hinggan Ling Prefecture
Authors: Zhan Daqing , Li Miao , Xiao Yang , Man Haoran , Zang Shuying 
Published: January 2023

Active layer thickness (ALT) of permafrost changes significantly under the combined influence of human activities and climate warming, which has a significant impact on the ecological environment, hydrology, and engineering construction in cold regions. The spatial differentiation of Active layer thickness and its influencing factors have become one of the hot topics in the field of cryopedology in recent years, but there are few studies in the Da Hinggan Ling Prefecture (DHLP). In this study, the Stefan equation was used to simulate the Active layer thickness in the Da Hinggan Ling Prefecture, and the factor detection and interaction detection functions of geodetector were used to analyze the factors affecting the spatial differentiation of Active layer thickness from both natural and humanity aspects. The results showed that Active layer thickness in the Da Hinggan Ling Prefecture ranges from 58.82 cm to 212.55 cm, the determinant coefficientR2, MAE, RMSE between simulation results and the sampling points data were 0.86, 11.25 (cm) and 13.25 (cm), respectively. Lower Active layer thickness values are mainly distributed higher elevations in the west, which are dominated by forest (average ALT: 136.94 cm) and wetlands (average ALT: 71.88 cm), while the higher values are distributed on cultivated land (average ALT: 170.35 cm) and construction land (average ALT: 176.49 cm) in the southeast. Among the influencing factors, elevation is significantly negatively correlated with ALT. followed by summer mean LST, SLHF and snow depth. NDVI and SM has the strong explanation power for the spatial differentiation of ALT in factor detection. Regarding interactions, the explanatory power of slope ∩ snow depth is the highest of 0.83, followed by the elevation ∩ distance to settlements. The results can provide reference for the formulation of ecological environmental protection and engineering construction policies in cold regions.
A novel variant of NR5A1, p.R350W implicates potential interactions with unknown co-factors or ligands
Authors: Gau Maki , Suga Ryota , Hijikata Atsushi , Kashimada Ayako , Takagi Masatoshi , Nakagawa Ryuichi , Takasawa Kei , Shirai Tsuyoshi , Kashimada Kenichi , Morio Tomohiro 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionNR5A1 and NR5A2 belong to an orphan nuclear receptor group, and approximately 60% of their amino acid sequences are conserved. Transcriptional regulation of NR5A receptors depends on interactions with co-factors or unidentified ligands.Purpose and methodsWe employed in vitro and in silico analysis for elucidating the pathophysiology of a novel variant in the ligand-binding domain of NR5A1, p.R350W which was identified from a 46,XY patient with atypical genitalia.ResultsIn the study, [1] reporter assays demonstrated that R350 is essential for NR5A1; [2] 3D model analysis predicted that R350 interacted with endogenous ligands or unknown cofactors rather than stabilizing the structure; [3] R350 is not conserved in NR5A2 but is specifically required for NR5A1; and [4] none of the 22 known missense variants of the ligand binding domain satisfied all the previous conditions [1]-[3], suggesting the unique role of R350 in NR5A1.ConclusionOur data suggest that NR5A1 has unidentified endogenous ligands or co-activators that selectively potentiate the transcriptional function of NR5A1 in vivo.
Comparison of two different starting dose of rhFSH in GnRH antagonist protocol for patients with normal ovarian reserve
Authors: Jia Zhi-cheng , Li Yong-qian , Li Ran , Hou Sen , Xia Qing-chang , Yang Kai , Wang Pei-xuan , Li Shu-miao , Sun Zhen-gao , Guo Ying 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveTo evaluate different starting doses of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (rhFSH) on pregnancy outcomes for patients with normal ovarian reserve during gonadotropin- releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) protocol-controlled ovarian stimulation of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.MethodsIn this retrospective study, a total of 1138 patients undergoing IVF cycles following the GnRH-ant protocol were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to the starting dose of rhFSH. 617 patients received a starting dose of rhFSH of 150 IU, and 521 patients received a starting dose of rhFSH of 225 IU. We compared demographic characteristics, ovarian stimulation and embryological characteristics, and pregnancy and birth outcomes between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the possible effects of the known potential confounding factors on pregnancy outcomes.ResultsThe number of oocytes retrieved in the 150 IU rhFSH group was significantly lower than those in the 225 IU rhFSH group. There was no significant difference between the two groups referring to embryological characteristics. The proportion of fresh embryo transfer in the 150 IU rhFSH group was significantly higher than that in the 225 IU rhFSH group (48.30% vs. 40.90%), and there was no difference in the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and pregnancy outcomes between the two groups.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the starting dose of rhFSH of 150 IU for ovarian stimulation has a similar pregnancy outcome as starting dose of rhFSH of 225 IU in GnRH-ant protocol for patients with normal ovarian reserve. Considering the potential cost-effectiveness and shorter time to live birth, the starting dose of rhFSH of 150 IU may be more suitable than 225 IU.
Association between growth differentiation factor 15 levels and gestational diabetes mellitus: A combined analysis
Authors: Lu Yi-Cheng , Liu Song-Liang , Zhang Yu-Shan , Liang Fei , Zhu Xiao-Yan , Xiao Yue , Wang Jing , Ding Cong , Banerjee Sudipta , Yin Jie-Yun , Ma Qiu-Ping 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common glucose metabolism disease occurs in pregnancy that affects both maternal and neonatal health. Recently, increasing studies have attached importance to the relationship between growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and GDM, but the results were inconclusive. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to examine the association between GDF-15 and GDM.Materials and methodsA systematical search was performed in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), PubMed and Google Scholar till Oct 27, 2022. We first calculated the mean and standard deviation of GDF-15 expression levels from the included eligible datasets and articles. Then, a meta-analysis was conducted to depict the difference in GDF-15 mRNA or GDF-15 protein expression between case and control groups by using conservative random effect model. Moreover, the potential publication bias was checked with the aid of Begg’s test and Egger’s test. Finally, sensitivity analyses were performed by changing the inclusion criteria.ResultsIn summary, 12 GEO datasets and 5 articles were enrolled in our study, including 789 GDM patients and 1202 non-GDM pregnant women. It was found that the expression levels of GDF-15 mRNA and GDF-15 protein in late pregnancy were significantly higher in GDM patients compared with non-GDM pregnant women, with the standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 0.48 (0.14, 0.83) and 0.82 (0.32-1.33), respectively. Meanwhile, a slightly weakened association between GDF-15 protein levels and GDM was also observed in the middle pregnancy, with SMD (95% CI) of 0.53 (0.04-1.02).ConclusionIn all, our results suggested that the expression levels of GDF-15 were significantly higher in GDM patients compared with non-GDM pregnant women, especially in the late pregnancy.
The impact of environmental disclosure and the quality of financial disclosure and IT adoption on firm performance: Does corporate governance ensure sustainability?
Authors: Lin Jing , Qamruzzaman Md 
Published: January 2023

Introduction: The study’s motivation is to investigate the role of environmental and financial disclosure, IT adoption, and good governance on firms’ sustainability from 1990–2019. A sample of 75 financial institutions enlisted in Bangladesh’s capital market was considered for relevant data collection.Methodology: Secondary data sources were used for data accumulation, including annual reports of target FIs, economic review reports, and central banks publication. Several econometrical techniques have been implemented to document the empirical nexus and the elasticities of explained variables on firm performance.Findings: In terms of baseline assessment, the study revealed a positive and statistically significant association between a firm’s sustainability and target explanatory variables. Furthermore, the study extended the empirical valuation by implementing a system-GMM and documented a positive linkage between financial and environmental disclosure, IT adaptation, good governance, and the firm’s performance sustainability.Discussion: These study findings suggest that information symmetry, investor protection, and access to financial services foster and stabilize the firms’ performance. Concerning corporate governance’s mediating effect, the study established a mediating role with positive influences on financial performance augmentation. On the policy ground, the study postulated that financial policymakers should address fairness and integrity in disclosing information to the public. Enforcement has to be initiated to ensure good governance.
Modeling social interaction and metapopulation mobility of the COVID-19 pandemic in main cities of highly populated Java Island, Indonesia: An agent-based modeling approach
Authors: Ahmad Riris Andono , Imron Muhammad Ali , Ramadona Aditya Lia , Lathifah Nurul , Azzahra Faradhina , Widyastuti Kirana , Fuad Anis 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionCoronavirus transmission is strongly influenced by human mobilities and interactions within and between different geographical regions. Human mobility within and between cities is motivated by several factors, including employment, cultural-driven, holidays, and daily routines.MethodWe developed a sustained metapopulation (SAMPAN) model, an agent-based model (ABM) for simulating the effect of individual mobility and interaction behavior on the spreading of COVID-19 viruses across main cities on Java Island, Indonesia. The model considers social classes and social mixing affecting the mobility and interaction behavior within a sub-population of a city in the early pandemic. Travelers’ behavior represents the mobility among cities from central cities to other cities and commuting behavior from the surrounding area of each city.ResultsLocal sensitivity analysis using one factor at a time was performed to test the SAMPAN model, and we have identified critical parameters for the model. While validation was carried out for the Jakarta area, we are confident in implementing the model for a larger area with the concept of metapopulation dynamics. We included the area of Bogor, Depok, Bekasi, Bandung, Semarang, Surakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Malang cities which have important roles in the COVID-19 pandemic spreading on this island.DiscussionOur SAMPAN model can simulate various waves during the first year of the pandemic caused by various phenomena of large social mobilities and interactions, particularly during religious occasions and long holidays.
Combination of single-cell and bulk RNA seq reveals the immune infiltration landscape and targeted therapeutic drugs in spinal cord injury
Authors: Zhang Qing , Yu Beibei , Zhang Yongfeng , Tian Yunze , Yang Shijie , Chen Yongfeng , Wu Haining 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundIn secondary spinal cord injury (SCI), the immune microenvironment of the injured spinal cord plays an important role in spinal regeneration. Among the immune microenvironment components, macrophages/microglia play a dual role of pro-inflammation and anti-inflammation in the subacute stage of SCI. Therefore, discovering the immune hub genes and targeted therapeutic drugs of macrophages/microglia after SCI has crucial implications in neuroregeneration. This study aimed to identify immune hub genes and targeted therapeutic drugs for the subacute phase of SCI.MethodsBulk RNA sequencing (bulk-RNA seq) datasets (GSE5296 and GSE47681) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset (GSE189070) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. In the bulk RNA-seq, the R package ‘limma,’ ‘WGCNA,’ and ‘CIBERSORT’ were used to jointly screen key immune genes. Subsequently, the R package ‘Seurat’ and the R package ‘celldex’ were used to divide and annotate the cell clusters, respectively. After using the Autodock software to dock immune hub genes and drugs that may be combined, the effectiveness of the drug was verified using an in vivo experiment with the T9 SCI mouse model.ResultsIn the bulk-RNA seq, B2m, Itgb5, and Vav1 were identified as immune hub genes. Ten cell clusters were identified in scRNA-seq, and B2m and Itgb5 were mainly located in the microglia, while Vav1 was mainly located in macrophages. Molecular docking results showed that the proteins corresponding to these immune genes could accurately bind to decitabine. In decitabine-treated mice, the pro-inflammatory factor (TNF-α, IL-1β) levels were decreased while anti-inflammatory factor (IL-4, IL-10) levels were increased at 2 weeks post-SCI, and macrophages/microglia transformed from M1 to M2. At 6 weeks post-SCI, the neurological function score and electromyography of the decitabine treatment group were also improved.ConclusionIn the subacute phase of SCI, B2m, Itgb5, and Vav1 in macrophages/microglia may be key therapeutic targets to promote nerve regeneration. In addition, low-dose decitabine may promote spinal cord regeneration by regulating the polarization state of macrophages/microglia.