bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aldosterone inhibits EVs secretion through autophagic degradation of MVBs in LSECs leads to the activation of HSC
Authors: Chen Tingting , Zhang Yan , Zhang Yijie , Ning Zuowei , Xu Qihan , Lin Ying , gong Jiacheng , Li Jierui , chen Zhuoer , Meng Ying , Li Yang , Li Xu 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background and aims: Increasing evidence have confirmed the important role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in liver fibrosis. However, there are rarely study concerned about the EVs from liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) in the activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) and liver fibrosis. Our previous work has shown that Aldosterone (Aldo) may have potential to regulate EVs from LSECs via autophagy pathway, hence we try to investigate the role of Aldo in the regulation of LSECs’ EVs.
Approach and results: Aldo were used to induce liver fibrosis in rats. Rat with LSEC-specific Atg5 knock down was used to investigate mechanisms of autophagy in LSECs drive by Aldo. EVs of LSECs was isolated and co-culture with HSCs to define it effects on the activation of HSCs. EVs of LSECs was also analyzed by RNA-sequencing. In this study we found that inhibiting autophagy in LSECs could reduce the extent of Aldo induced liver fibrosis. Aldo led to capillarization, excessive autophagy and multivesicular bodies (MVBs) degradation in LSECs which reduce its secretion of EVs. Interesting, the antifibrotic microRNA miR-342-5p was also downregulated in the EVs. Rats developed liver fibrosis and HSCs activation through specific knockdown the secretion of EVs in LSECs.
Conclusion: In summary, the degradation of MVBs through Aldo induced autophagy promotes the quantity and quality change of LSEC-derived EVs, thereby leading to the activation of HSCs in liver fibrosis in hyperaldosteronism. By regulating the LSECs’ phenotype and its EVs secretion may be a promising strategy for treating liver fibrosis.
Superior detection of significant prostate cancer by MRI-transrectal ultrasound fusion image-guided biopsy using the BioJet system over transperineal MRI-targeted cognitive biopsy
Authors: Ito Masaya , Yonese Ichiro , Ikuta Shuzo , Toide Masahiro , Kobayashi Shuichiro , Koga Fumitaka 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
The BioJet system allows the fusion of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images with real-time transrectal ultrasonography to accurately direct biopsy needles to the target lesions. To date, the superiority of targeted biopsy using the BioJet system over cognitive registration remains unknown.
Methods
This retrospective study included 171 biopsy-naïve men with elevated prostate-specific antigen (2.5–20 ng/mL) and MRI-positive lesions; 74 and 97 men underwent a four-core targeted biopsy per MRI-positive target lesion and a 14-core systematic biopsy transperineally using the BioJet system and cognitive registration, respectively. Detection rates of significant cancer, defined as grade group ≥ 2 or maximum cancer length ≥ 5 mm, were compared between the BioJet system and cognitive registration using propensity score matching and a multivariate logistic regression model.
Results
After propensity score matching (70 men for each group), the detection rates of significant cancer were significantly higher in the BioJet group than in the cognitive group for both targeted (76% vs. 51%, P = 0.007) and systematic (70% vs. 46%, P = 0.005) biopsy. Multivariate analysis of the entire cohort also showed that the BioJet system was independently associated with significant cancer detection by targeted and systematic biopsy (P < 0.01), along with a higher prostate-specific antigen level, a lower prostate volume, and a higher prostate imaging reporting and data system score.
Conclusions
Transperineal prostate biopsy using the BioJet system is superior to cognitive registration in detecting significant cancer for targeted and systematic biopsies.
Debris-Flow Susceptibility assessment Using Stacking Ensemble Learning Including Multiple Heterogeneous Learners with RFE for factor optimization
Authors: Li Kun , Zhao Junsan , Lin Yilin 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
An accurate assessment of debris-flow susceptibility is of great importance to the prevention and control of debris-flow disasters in mountainous areas. In this study, by applying the recursive feature elimination-random forest (RFE-RF) and the stacking ensemble learning including multiple heterogeneous learners, debris-flow the high accuracy of the debris-flow susceptibility is assessed. As indicated by the results, the very low and low susceptibility zones of debris-flow are mainly concentrated in the eastern and western parts in the study area. The very high and high susceptibility zones are mainly distributed on the two banks of Xiaojiang River Valley and the south bank of Jinsha River, where there is fragile geological environment and high risk, in the study area. The medium susceptibility zone is mainly distributed around the very high and high susceptibility zones. There are excellent accuracy and stability in the stacking ensemble learning model of debris-flow susceptibility in the mountainous areas, when combining with the RFE-RF model and the diversity measurement. As for the stacking ensemble learning therein, the area under curve (AUC) value of the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC), the accuracy (ACC) value, and F1 score are the maximum, reaching 95.6%, 88.6%, and 88.9%, respectively. Besides, the root mean square error (RMSE) value is the minimum, namely 0.287, which indicates that stacking ensemble learning including multiple heterogeneous learners is a high-performance model for debris-flow susceptibility assessment. The findings can provide a scientific basis for the disaster prevention and mitigation in the mountainous areas.
Clinical outcomes and antibody transfer in a cohort of infants born to mothers with SARS-COV-2 infection during pregnancy (Coronascope Study)
Authors: Colom Jaime Carrasco , Manzanares Ángela , Gómez Alicia Álvaro , Escribano Isabel Serrano , Esqu Estrella , Pérez-Rivilla Alfredo , Moral-Pumarega Maria Teresa , Aguirre Elisa , de Vergas Joaquín , Barrio Sara Reda del , Moraleda Cinta , Epalza Cristina , Fernández-Cooke Elisa , Prieto Luis , Villaverde Serena , Zamora Berta , Herraiz Ignacio , Galindo Alberto , Folgueira María Dolores , Delgado Rafael , Blázquez-Gamero Daniel 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose: We aimed to describe the outcomes, focusing on the hearing and neurological development, of children born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, and to evaluate the persistence of maternal antibodies in the first months of life.
Methods:An observational, prospective study at a tertiary hospital in Madrid (Spain) on infants born to mothers infected with SARS CoV-2 during pregnancy between March and September 2020. A follow-up visit at 1-3 months of age with a physical and neurological examination, cranial ultrasound (cUS), SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR on NPS and SARS-CoV-2 serology were performed. Hearing was evaluated at birth through the automated auditory brainstem response and at six months of age through the auditory steady-state response. A neurodevelopmental examination using the Bayley-III scale was performed at 12 months of age.
Results:Of 95 infants studied, neurological examination was normal in all of them at the follow-up visit, as was the cUS in 81/85 (95%) infants, with only mild abnormalities in four of them. Serology was positive in 47/95 (50%) infants, which was not associated with symptoms or severity of maternal infection. No hearing loss was detected and neurodevelopment was normal in 96% of the children (median Z score: 0).
Conclusions: In this cohort, the majority of infants born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy were healthy children with a normal cUS, no hearing loss and normal neurodevelopment in the first year of life. Only half of the infants had a positive serological result during the follow-up.
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for the treatment of giant cervical disc herniation
Authors: Liang Weibin , Jia Yukun , Li Shaoqiang , Zhao Kaishuai , Wang Guangye 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Giant cervical disc herniation (GCDH) is rarely seen in the clinical setting but can cause serious medullary symptoms. Several surgical treatment procedures have been reported to date, but each remains challenging to perform. The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the treatment of GCDH.
Methods
GCDH was defined as a herniated intervertebral disc that accounted for more than 50% of the spinal canal. Patient demographic and imaging data, clinical results, and perioperative complications were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were treated with ACDF.
Results
A total of 23 patients were included in the study; none had spinal cord or vertebral artery injury. Spinal cord recovery pulsation was observed under a microscope in all cases. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed complete decompression of the spinal cord and no residual intervertebral disc. The patients were followed up for 12 to 18 months. The average visual analogue scale score and Oswestry Disability Index decreased from 8.6 ± 0.5 and 86.0 ± 2.7% to 2.2 ± 0.2 and 26.7 ± 2.0%, respectively, three days after surgery. The average Japanese Orthopedic Association score increased from 6.9 ± 2.1 to 13.9 ± 1.1. The cervical spinal cord function improvement rate was 69.3%. No neurological complications after surgery were observed.
Conclusion
This study shows that ACDF is feasible for the treatment of GCDH disease. The results indicate that this approach can be used to safely remove herniated disc fragments, effectively relieve compression of the spinal cord, and improve neurological function.
WITHDRAWN: Serum biomarkers of liver fibrosis identify changes in striatal metabolite levels
Authors: Zahr Natalie , Sullivan Edith , Pfefferbaum Adolf 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) conducted in cirrhosis shows consistent CNS changes such as high levels of the combined resonances (Glx) of glutamate (Glu) + glutamine (Gln) and low levels of choline-containing compounds (Cho) and myo-Inositol (mI) relative to total creatine (tCr). Studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, however, note higher than control levels of tCr, Cho, and mI. Here, serum markers of liver fibrosis were evaluated to determine whether they would discriminate neurometabolites in striatum, cerebellum, and pons. An aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI)>0.7 identified liver fibrosis in 9.0% (n=13) of the cohort; a fibrosis score (FIB4)>1.5 identified liver fibrosis in 32.4% (n=34) of the population. Those with APRI>0.7 had higher levels of striatal tCr (p=.001) and Cho (p=.0003). Similarly, those with FIB>1.5 had higher levels of striatal Cho (p=.01). A multiple regression including the variables APRI>0.7 and HCV explained 16.5% of the variance in striatal Cho and was driven by the APRI. Likewise, the FIB4 relative to HCV explained more of the variance in striatal Cho. Higher striatal Cho levels showed a positive relationship with pallidal signal intensities (r=.18, p=.04). Further, higher pallidal T1-signals were associated with greater standing balance instability with eyes closed (r=-.22, p=.008). Together, these results suggest that elevations in striatal Cho and basal ganglia T1-signal intensities are related to presence of liver fibrosis with functional consequences.
A significant reduction in the cost of the iron electrodes-based electrocoagulation process with higher tetracycline removal performances when addressed by a time-integrated performance index
Authors: Espinoza-Quiñones Fernando Rodolfo , Módenes Aparecido Nivaldo , Valençola William Vitor Rodrigues , Dall’Oglio Isabella Cristina , Obregón Phallcha Luízar , Romani Maurício 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
This work used a time-integrated performance index to address the low cost of the Electrocoagulation process to strengthen its tetracycline removal performance significantly. A reasonable control of the time-depending tetracycline removal efficiency of the electrocoagulation process was searched by choosing a better combination of the electrode material and electrolyte species types for getting a stabilization condition of the total electric voltage. The response surface methodology was included to address, compare and rescue the best results of the time-integrated performance index. The electrolyte type, pH of the aqueous media, electric conductivity, and electric voltage were assessed to better respond to the performance of tetracycline removal. In this regard, an iron-based electrocoagulation reactor was operated over a range of 40 to 67 A m-2 of electric current density supported by 5 to 10 mS cm-1 electric conductivity values. To increase the electrical conductivity, four electrolytes (Cr3+, Zn2+, Ca2+, and K+) were added separately to tetracycline synthetic solutions. The best performance was obtained by Ca2+ electrolytes stabilizing the total electric voltage due to maintaining a constant electric conductivity and pH buffering at the alkaline region. From a Box-Behnken experimental design, a 40 A m-2 electric current density allowed getting the maximal time-integrated performance index value over 30 min time, removing above 97% tetracycline with minimal electric power consumption.
Refinement of Parallel Algorithms down to LLVM applied to practically efficient parallel sorting
Authors: Lammich Peter 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We present a stepwise refinement approach to develop verified parallel algorithms, down to efficient LLVM code. The resulting algorithms' performance is competitive with their counterparts implemented in C/C++. Our approach is backwards compatible with the Isabelle Refinement Framework, such that existing sequential formalizations can easily be adapted or re-used. As case study, we verify a parallel quicksort algorithm that is competitive to unverified state-of-the-art algorithms.
Flow patterns around confined low-aspect-ratio obstacles
Authors: Hajimirzaie Seyed , Buchholz James 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
An experimental study was conducted on the wakes around three different obstacles confined between two parallel walls: semi-ellipsoids with the major axes of the base ellipses aligned in the streamwise and transverse directions, and a sphere. The Reynolds number was 1.78 × 104 based on ellipsoid height, H, and sphere diameter, D. The study was performed using thermal anemom-etry and two-dimensional digital particle image velocimetry. Common to each of these geometries is a convex surface of the obstacle intersecting the top and/or bottom walls, which was shown to result in a wall jet in the vicinity of the junction. Large streamwise counter-rotating vortex structures were found to be a robust feature of the wakes, which are referred to as lobes, due to their resemblance to previously coined lobe structures identified in the wake of a deeply-submerged sphere. Inner lobe structures, of opposite sense to the primary lobes, were also observed in all cases, and it is proposed that the primary and inner lobe structures are formed by the wall jet deforming vorticity shed by the obstacle into a hairpin-like loop. Wavelet analysis of velocity time series on both sides of the wake revealed approximately antisymmetric vortex shedding in the ellipsoid wakes; however, intermittent in-phase shedding was observed in the wake of the sphere. Spectral analyses confirmed the approximate ReDm dependence of the Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) instability frequency fKH with values of m varying between 0.46 and 0.49. This study showed that the shape of the obstacle junction (convex vs. flat) plays an important role in the behavior of the wake.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy With or Without Transarterial Chemoembolization Versus Transarterial Chemoembolization Alone in Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Dumago Mark P. , Agas Ryan Anthony F. , Jainar Carl Jay E. , Yap Eugene T. , Co Lester Bryan A. , Ortin Teresa T. Sy 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to review the current evidence on the utility of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), with or without transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (ESHCC) patients not amenable to standard curative treatment options.
Methods
Literature search was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Comparative studies reporting oncologic outcomes were included in the review.
Results
Four studies (one prospective cohort, three retrospective studies) compared SBRT versus TACE. Pooled analysis showed an overall survival (OS) benefit after three years (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.17–2.39, p = 0.005) which persisted in the 5-year data (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.06–2.39, p = 0.02) in favor of SBRT. Recurrence-free survival benefit with SBRT was also seen at three years (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.03–4.11, p = 0.04) which continued after five years (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.47–3.75, p = 0.0004). Two retrospective studies compared TACE followed by SBRT (TACE + SBRT) versus TACE alone. Pooled analysis showed significantly improved 3-year OS (OR 5.47; 95% CI 2.47–12.11, p < 0.0001) and local control (LC) (OR: 21.05; 95% CI 5.01–88.39, p = < 0.0001) in favor of the TACE + SBRT group. A phase III study showed significantly improved LC and progression-free survival with SBRT after failed TACE/TAE versus further TACE/TAE.
Conclusions
In ESHCC patients not amenable to established SOC, SBRT alone or the combination of TACE + SBRT appears to be more effective than TACE alone. SBRT after TACE/TAE failure also appears to be superior to further TACE/TAE based on a phase III trial. Larger prospective studies are warranted to further define the role of SBRT and TACE for ESHCC.
Impact of 18F FDG PET/CT on management of incidental gallbladder carcinoma
Authors: Singh Man Mohan , Verma Shashwat , Kakkar Lavish , Thakur Priyamedha Bose , Deswal Satyawati 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose: Incidental gallbladder carcinoma (IGBC) is identified after cholecystectomy being performed for a presumed benign disease and histopathology turns out as malignant disease. For optimal management planning, it is crucial to know the actual disease status. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/ Computed Tomography (FDG PET/CT) provides local, regional as well as distant disease i.e. restaging and identifying true burden of disease for optimal treatment planning.
The aim of this study was to restage the IGBC patients on 18F FDG PET/CT and find out any change in treatment plan.
Methods:
This retrospective descriptive study was performed between November 2021 to February 2023. All PET/CT scans were analyzed which came for restaging in IGBC.
Results:
PET/CT was performed at a median time of 9 weeks (range 6 to 12 weeks) from the date of surgery. This study included 17 patients (6 male and 11 female), with a median age of 55 years (range 38 to 76 years). From total of 17 PET/CT scans, 10 (58.8%) patients were positive and 7 (41.1%) patients were negative on PET/CT. Amongst the PET/CT positive patients, disease pattern was seen in the form of local/ residual disease/ liver infiltration, regional lymph nodes and distant metastases. Among the 17 patients, treatment plan in 5 patients (having PET/CT negative) was changed from surgical intervention to no treatment, and in 2 patients (having PET/CT positive), treatment plan was changed to Chemotherapy i.e. total 7 (5+2, 41% of total 17 patients) patients’ treatment plans were changed. By reducing the number of patients undergoing re-resection, there is improvement in overall survival and it reduces the burden on already overburdened health infra-structure especially in developing countries like India where incident is high.
Conclusion:
PET/CT provides the actual stage of IGBC. It changes treatment plan and reduces the number of patients undergoing re-resection, thus improving overall survival. It also decreases burden on overburdened health infrastructure.
Water Quality Analysis in relation to biological, hydrogeochemical factors with spring discharge, population, and land use pattern in the Western Himalayan region in India
Authors: Kothari Vinod , Vij Suman , Gupta Neha , balomajumder Chandraji , Pant Nikhalesh , Bamola Vargish , Rana Virender 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Drying of springs, depletion of groundwater resources and the continued decline of groundwater quality is a cause of concern in most parts of the western Himalayas. A significant increase in microbial contamination is the main parameter to deteriorate the water quality of spring water in hilly terrain. This study is based on hydrogeochemical and biological parameters assessment in three blocks, Jaunpur, Chamba, and Thauldhar of the Tehri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. A total of 57 samples of spring water were considered from 46 villages, distributed in three clusters and Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated for further analysis. The study showed the varying microbial population, and nitrate concentration concerning the land use pattern, spring discharge and rainfall. The factor analysis is applied to identify possible indicators for delineating the domestic and agricultural contaminants in the study area and to understand the spatial distribution of hydrogeochemical factors in the region. Various statistical tools such as ANOVA and Pearson correlation were applied to establish the association of increased spring discharge with nitrate, faecal coliform(FC), total coliform (TC), TDS, Hardness and Alkalinity. The study inferred two main components which are responsible for deteriorating water quality one bio-chemical (consist microbial concentration & nitrate content from manure) and another chemical component (TDS, Hardness, and alkalinity mainly due to rock weathering) and the situation is more enhanced in monsoon season in some study areas and decreased as monsoon subside.
WITHDRAWN: On Computation of Entropy Measures and Heat of Formation for Sodium Oxide Via Statistical models
Authors: Chen Jiawei , Siddiqui Muhammad Kamran , Javed Sana , Khalid Sadia , Hussain Mazhar , Eldin Sayed M 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The chemical graph theory is a new branch of applied chemistry in which we discuss the relationships between atoms and bonds and their chemical activities with the help of different combinatorial tools. A topological index is a numerical quantity that relates the thermodynamical properties of a chemical structure to its corresponding chemical graph. In this paper, we discuss the physical measures including heat of formation and entropy based on the topological properties of chemical graph of Sodium oxide. Moreover, relations between the topological indices and thermodynamical properties of Sodium oxide have been developed in the form of mathematical equations by applying different curve fitting techniques using MATLAB software. These methods have been selected on the basis of statistical tests including mean squared error, sum of squared error or $R^2$-test.
PCMeans: Community Detection using LocalPagerank, Clustering, and K-Means
Authors: Louafi Wafa , Titouna Faiza 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
With the rise of social networks, the task of community detection in networks has become increasingly difficult in recent years. In this study, weintroduce a novel approach, named PCMeans, which combines PageRank, hierarchical clustering, and K-means algorithms to tackle this issue.Our technique employs local PageRank to identify the most influential nodes, followed by a hierarchical clustering strategy that determinesthe optimal number of clusters, and ultimately applies K-means learning to swiftly converge to the final community structure. PCMeansis an unsupervised method that is easy to implement, efficient, andsimple, and it addresses three common problems, including the random selection of the initial central node, specification of the number ofclasses K, and slow convergence. Our experimental findings show thatPCMeans can efficiently identify communities and outperforms otherrecent approaches on both real networks and synthetic benchmarks.