bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Household structure is independently associated with malaria risk in rural Sussundenga, Mozambique
Authors: Searle Kelly M. , Earland Dominique , Francisco Albino , Muhiro Valy , Novela Anisío , Ferrão João 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionMozambique has the fourth highest malaria cases and malaria mortality globally. Locally, malaria incidence increases from low in the southern region to high in the central and northern regions. Manica Province in central Mozambique has the fourth highest prevalence of malaria out of the 11 provinces, and the highest in the central region of the country. In this area where coverage of interventions has been limited, household level risk factors can be important for understanding the natural history of infection, as well as the implementation of current and future interventions. There has been indication that the relationship between household structure and malaria risk is actually a mediating one between the true relationship between household income and education and Plasmodium falciparum infection. The objective of this study was to determine and quantify these complex relationships.MethodsWe conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in Sussundenga village. Sussundenga is a rural village, located in Sussundenga District, Manica Province, Mozambique. We enrolled 303 participants from 83 randomly selected households. We collected information on demographics, household construction, and administered a P. falciparum rapid diagnostic test (RDT). We constructed several generalized estimating equations logistic regression models to determine the independent effects of housing construction on malaria risk. We also constructed models separate from generalized estimating equations logistic mediation models to determine the proportion of effects mediated by household construction material in the relationship between head of household occupation and education and malaria risk.ResultsThe overall malaria prevalence among the study population by RDT was 30.8%. In the multivariable model adjusting for all individual and household factors as potential confounders, rudimentary roof structure was the only household structural variable that was statistically significantly associated with increased malaria risk [OR 2.41 (1.03–5.63)]. We found no evidence that household structure mediated the relationship between head of household education or employment and malaria risk in our study population.DiscussionHousehold structure was a significant risk factor for malaria infection in our study population. These findings are consistent with malaria being a disease of poverty and an area that could be targeted for future interventions that could have long-term impacts.
Spatiotemporal evolution and driving factors of urban green technology innovation efficiency in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle of China
Authors: Deng Shicheng , Wu Yuming 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionGreen technology innovation efficiency (GTIE) growth is an essential route to protect the urban ecological environment in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle (CCEC). However, the measurement and spatial driving factors of GTIE are still puzzled. MethodsThis study constructs an urban GTIE indicator system including inputs, desired outputs, and undesired outputs, and evaluates urban GTIE in the CCEC using the super-efficiency slacks-based measure (S-SBM). Then, the exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) method is applied to analyze the geographical distribution and spatial correlation characteristics of urban GTIE, and a spatial econometric model is used to analyze the influencing factors of urban GTIE from the perspective of spatial spillover. ResultsThe results suggest that: (1) From 2006 to 2020, the urban GTIE of CCEC has obviously increased, and its spatial distribution has a prominent unbalanced feature. (2) The urban GTIE of CCEC mainly presents a significant spatial positive correlation, mainly manifested in the "high-efficiency type" and "low-efficiency type" regional agglomeration patterns, and the spatial "core-edge" structure centering on Chengdu and Chongqing tends to be stable. (3) Economic development (ED), government support (GS), and environmental regulation (ER) can promote the urban GTIE. The negative spillover effects of external opening (EO) and ER are significant, and they have negative effects on the GTIE of neighboring cities. (4) Spatial heterogeneity analysis shows that the driving factors of urban GTIE with different efficiency levels are significantly different, and the spatial spillover effect of the driving factors of GTIE is more significant in high-efficiency cities.DiscussionThe urban GTIE in the CCEC is showing a growth trend, but it needs to narrow the gap in GTIE between cities. Firstly, cities can improve the GTIE by improving ED, strengthening GS, and enhancing ER. Secondly, cities need to pay attention to the negative spatial spillover effects of ER and EO in the process of improving the GTIE. Finally, cities with different efficiency types need to develop differentiated green innovation development strategies based on their own conditions.
Analysis of plant expression profiles revealed that aphid attack triggered dynamic defense responses in sorghum plant
Authors: Huang Yinghua , Huang Jian 
Published: August 2023

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is one of the most important cereal crops grown worldwide but is often attacked by greenbug (aphid). In response to aphid attack, host plant initiates a large transcriptional reorganization, leading to activation of the host defense genes in aphid-attacked plants. In this study, our objective was to analyze defensive responses of sorghum against aphid and identify aphid resistance genes in sorghum. For the experiments, seedlings developed from an aphid resistant germplasm line (PI 550607) were divided into two groups, then, one group was infested with greenbug ((Schizaphis graminum Rondani) and the other group was used as control (un-infested). In addition, seedlings of sorghum cultivar Tx 7000, a susceptible genotype, prepared under the same conditions, were used as a genetic control. Those plant samples were used to develop transcriptional profiles using the microarray method, from which 26.1% of the 1,761 cDNA sequences spotted on the microarray showed altered expression between two treatments at 4 days after infestation. Sequence annotation and molecular analysis revealed that many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were related to direct host defense or signal transduction pathways, which regulate host defense. In addition to common responsive genes, unique transcripts were identified in response to greenbug infestation specifically. Later, a similar transcriptional profiling was conducted using the RNA-seq method, resulted in the identification of 2,856 DEGs in the resistant line with a comparison between infested and non-infested at 4 days and 4,354 DEGs in the resistant genotype compared to the susceptible genotype at 4 days. Based on the comparative analysis, the data of RNA-seq provided a support for the results from the microarray study as it was noticed that many of the DEGs are common in both platforms. Analysis of the two differential expression profiles indicate that aphid triggered dynamic defense responses in sorghum plants and sorghum plant defense against aphid is a complex process involving both general defense systems and specific resistance mechanisms. Finally, the results of the study provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying host plant defense against aphids and will help us design better strategies for effectively controlling aphid pest.
Predicting potential lncRNA biomarkers for lung cancer and neuroblastoma based on an ensemble of a deep neural network and LightGBM
Authors: Su Zhenguo , Lu Huihui , Wu Yan , Li Zejun , Duan Lian 
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Lung cancer is one of the most frequent neoplasms worldwide with approximately 2.2 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths each year. The expression levels of programmed death ligand-1 (PDL1) demonstrate a complex association with lung cancer. Neuroblastoma is a high-risk malignant tumor and is mainly involved in childhood patients. Identification of new biomarkers for these two diseases can significantly promote their diagnosis and therapy. However, in vivo experiments to discover potential biomarkers are costly and laborious. Consequently, artificial intelligence technologies, especially machine learning methods, provide a powerful avenue to find new biomarkers for various diseases.Methods: We developed a machine learning-based method named LDAenDL to detect potential long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) biomarkers for lung cancer and neuroblastoma using an ensemble of a deep neural network and LightGBM. LDAenDL first computes the Gaussian kernel similarity and functional similarity of lncRNAs and the Gaussian kernel similarity and semantic similarity of diseases to obtain their similar networks. Next, LDAenDL combines a graph convolutional network, graph attention network, and convolutional neural network to learn the biological features of the lncRNAs and diseases based on their similarity networks. Third, these features are concatenated and fed to an ensemble model composed of a deep neural network and LightGBM to find new lncRNA–disease associations (LDAs). Finally, the proposed LDAenDL method is applied to identify possible lncRNA biomarkers associated with lung cancer and neuroblastoma.Results: The experimental results show that LDAenDL computed the best AUCs of 0.8701, 107 0.8953, and 0.9110 under cross-validation on lncRNAs, diseases, and lncRNA‐disease pairs on Dataset 1, respectively, and 0.9490, 0.9157, and 0.9708 on Dataset 2, respectively. Furthermore, AUPRs of 0.8903, 0.9061, and 0.9166 under three cross‐validations were obtained on Dataset 1, and 0.9582, 0.9122, and 0.9743 on Dataset 2. The results demonstrate that LDAenDL significantly outperformed the other four classical LDA prediction methods (i.e., SDLDA, LDNFSGB, IPCAF, and LDASR). Case studies demonstrate that CCDC26 and IFNG-AS1 may be new biomarkers of lung cancer, SNHG3 may associate with PDL1 for lung cancer, and HOTAIR and BDNF-AS may be potential biomarkers of neuroblastoma.Conclusion: We hope that the proposed LDAenDL method can help the development of targeted therapies for these two diseases.
Upregulated CD8+ MAIT cell differentiation and KLRD1 gene expression after inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination identified by single-cell sequencing
Authors: Dou Xiaowen , Peng Mian , Jiang Ruiwei , Li Weiqin , Zhang Xiuming 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundThe primary strategy for reducing the incidence of COVID-19 is SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Few studies have explored T cell subset differentiation and gene expressions induced by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Our study aimed to analyze T cell dynamics and transcriptome gene expression after inoculation with an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine by using single-cell sequencing.MethodsSingle-cell sequencing was performed after peripheral blood mononuclear cells were extracted from three participants at four time points during the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination process. After library preparation, raw read data analysis, quality control, dimension reduction and clustering, single-cell T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing, TCR V(D)J sequencing, cell differentiation trajectory inference, differentially expressed genes, and pathway enrichment were analyzed to explore the characteristics and mechanisms of postvaccination immunodynamics.ResultsInactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination promoted T cell proliferation, TCR clone amplification, and TCR diversity. The proliferation and differentiation of CD8+ mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells were significantly upregulated, as were KLRD1 gene expression and the two pathways of nuclear-transcribed mRNA catabolic process, nonsense-mediated decay, and translational initiation.ConclusionUpregulation of CD8+ MAIT cell differentiation and KLRD1 expression after inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was demonstrated by single-cell sequencing. We conclude that the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine elicits adaptive T cell immunity to enhance early immunity and rapid response to the targeted virus.
Activated mast cells in periprosthetic joint infection-associated tissue
Authors: Fisher Cody R. , Patel Robin 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundPeriprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication of total joint arthroplasty surgery. Increased densities of activated mast cells have been predicted to be present in PJI compared to non-infectious arthroplasty failure based on analysis of transcriptomic data, but their presence in PJI-associated periprosthetic tissues has not been visually confirmed.ObjectiveThis preliminary study investigated the presence and activation status of mast cells in periprosthetic tissues associated with PJI.MethodsPeriprosthetic tissues from five PJI cases and three arthroplasty failures due to instability and one due to stiffness were immunohistochemically stained using tryptase and microscopically evaluated to enumerate mast cells and evaluate overall activation status within tissue samples. Mast cell activation was evidenced by the release of tryptase into the extracellular space surrounding mast cells.ResultsMast cells were found in all samples, with average cellular densities of 22 and 26 cells/mm2 tissue in PJI and uninfected samples, respectively (p, 0.6610). Apparent mast cell activation and degranulation was readily observed throughout each of the five PJI samples studied, but not in any of the uninfected samples studied.ConclusionWhile preliminary, these findings provide evidence for a role of mast cells in the immune response in PJI. Additional investigation of the role of mast cells during arthroplasty failure is warranted, providing a better understanding of underlying biology and informing potential diagnostic and treatment targets.
Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals distinct chondrocyte states in femoral cartilage under weight-bearing load in Rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Yan Mingyue , Sun Zewen , Wang Junjie , Zhao Haibo , Yu Tengbo , Zhang Yingze , Wang Tianrui 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune joint disease, the pathogenesis of which is still unclear. Cartilage damage is one of the main manifestations of the disease. Chondrocytes are the main functional component of articular cartilage, which is relevant to disease progression. Mechanical loading affects the structure and function of articular cartilage and chondrocytes, but the effect of weight bearing on chondrocytes in rheumatoid arthritis is still unclear.MethodsIn this paper, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed on collected cartilage from the weight-bearing region (Fb group) and non-weight-bearing region (Fnb group) of the femur, and the differences between the Fb and Fnb groups were analyzed by cell type annotation, pseudotime analysis, enrichment analysis, cell interactions, single-cell regulatory network inference and clustering (SCENIC) for each cell type. ResultsA total of 87,542 cells were analyzed and divided into 9 clusters. Six chondrocyte subpopulations were finally identified by cellular annotation, and two new chondrocyte subtypes were annotated as immune-associated chondrocytes. The presence of each chondrocyte subpopulation and its distribution were verified using immunohistochemical staining (IHC). In this study, the atlas of femoral cartilage in knee rheumatoid arthritis and 2 new immune-related chondrocytes were validated using scRNA-seq and IHC, and chondrocytes in the weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing regions of the femur were compared. There might be a process of macrophage polarization transition in MCs in response to mechanical loading, as in macrophages.ConclusionTwo new immune-associated chondrocytes were identified. MCs have contrasting functions in different regions, which might provide insight into the role of immune and mechanical loading on chondrocytes in the development of knee rheumatoid osteoarthritis.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy performed for a patient with prepancreatic postduodenal portal vein: a case report and literature review
Authors: Tang Bingjun , Li Sijia , Wang Pengfei , Ma Jiming , Yu Fei , Shi Jun , Wang Xuedong 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionPrepancreatic postduodenal portal vein (PPPV) is a rare congenital variation, with only 17 cases reported in the literature and five of them undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Of these, four were L-shaped PPPV with a thin wall that was difficult to isolate, while only one normal-shaped PPPV was reported previously. For patients undergoing PD, recognizing this variation is important to prevent PPPV injury, which could lead to liver ischemia or intraoperative hemorrhage. We here present a case of normal-shaped PPPV who underwent PD.Case presentationA 68-year-old woman underwent PD for bile duct carcinoma at our hospital. Preoperative enhanced CT revealed that the portal vein was located anterior to the pancreas and posterior to the duodenum, and the L-shaped splenic vein was longitudinally located posterior to the pancreatic neck. During surgery, there was a loose tissue area between the PPPV and the pancreatic head, and the PPPV could be isolated safely. The morphology of PPPV was similar to normal portal vein. Due to the presence of the PPPV, a superior mesenteric artery (SMA)-first approach from the anterior was at high risk of vascular injury, and the pancreatic neck could not be dissected at the dorsal face of PV. Therefore, the SMA was revealed by the classic right posterior approach after transection of the pancreatic neck on the dorsal surface of L-shaped spleen vein, and the specimen was successfully resected without significant intraoperative bleeding. The patient was discharged 18 days after surgery without complications. The final pathology was bile duct carcinoma with R0 resection.ConclusionPPPV is a rare variant that can be diagnosed by preoperative imaging. In PD procedure, knowledge of PPPV helps in surgical decision-making, approach selection and avoid major bleeding due to PPPV injury. The origin of normal-shaped and L-shaped PPPV might be different. Normal-shaped PPPV can be safely isolated in this case.
Attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions among women toward uterus transplantation and donation in the United Kingdom
Authors: Vali Saaliha , Jones Benjamin P. , Sheikh Sairah , Saso Srdjan , Quiroga Isabel , Smith J. Richard 
Published: August 2023

ObjectiveTo assess the motivations and perceptions of the general public in the United Kingdom toward donating their uterus for Uterus Transplantation after death (UTx).DesignA cross sectional study.SettingA 32-item electronic questionnaire.PopulationOne hundred fifty nine females over the age of 16 living in the United Kingdom, consented and took part in the study.Main outcome measuresThe motivations and perceptions toward UTx among the general public including the willingness to donate and barriers preventing donation.ResultsOne hundred fifty nine women completed the questionnaire. The majority had never heard of UTx (n = 107, 71%) and most were not aware the uterus could be donated after death (n = 130, 92%). 43% of the cohort were willing to donate their uterus after death (n = 57). 8% stated they wished to donate their organs but not their uterus (n = 10). 30% of women (n = 42) believed the child born following UTx would have genetic links to the donor. Over half of the respondents (n = 65, 51%) strongly agreed or agreed they would feel joy in the knowledge that donation would lead to bringing a new life into the world. A quarter of respondents strongly agreed or agreed (n = 45, 25%) that the use of their uterus by another woman would feel like an extension of life.ConclusionThe findings indicate a favorable opinion toward UTx and a positive attitude toward donation of the uterus after death among the general public in the United Kingdom. The findings also highlight the need for education around UTx now this therapeutic option is available.
Morphological and phylogenetic analyzes reveal two new species of Melanconiella from Fujian Province, China
Authors: Mu Taichang , Chen Jinhui , Zhao Zhiying , Zhang Weibin , Stephenson Steven L. , Yang Chenjie , Zhu Mengjia , Su Hailan , Liu Pu , Guan Xiayu , Qiu Junzhi 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionSpecies of Melanconiella include a diverse array of plant pathogens as well as endophytic fungi. Members of this genus have been frequently collected from the family Betulaceae (birches) in Europe and North America. Little, however, if known concerning the distribution of Melanconiella and/or their potential as pathogens of other plant hosts.MethodsFungi were noted and isolated from diseased leaves of Loropetalum chinense (Chinese fringe flower) and Camellia sinensis (tea) in Fujian Province, China. Genomic DNA was extracted from fungal isolates and the nucleotide sequences of four loci were determined and sued to construct phylogenetic trees. Morphological characteristics of fungal structures were determined via microscopic analyses.ResultsFour strains and two new species of Melanconiella were isolated from infected leaves of L. chinense and C. sinensis in Fujian Province, China. Based on morphology and a multi-gene phylogeny of the internal transcribed spacer regions with the intervening 5.8S nrRNA gene (ITS), the 28S large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA (LSU), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1-α), Melanconiellaloropetali sp. nov. and Melanconiellacamelliae sp. nov. were identified and described herein. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, and a key to the known species of Melanconiella are provided.DiscussionThese data identify new species of Melanconiella, expanding the potential range and distribution of these dark septate fungi. The developed keys provide a reference source for further characterization of these fungi.
Quantitative evaluation of the subsequent hemorrhage with arteriography-derived hemodynamic features in patients with untreated cerebral arteriovenous malformation
Authors: Zhu Haoyu , Liu Lian , Chang Yuzhou , Song Yuqi , Liang Shikai , Ma Chao , Zhang Longhui , Liang Fei , Jiang Chuhan , Zhang Yupeng 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundPatients with untreated cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are at risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. However, treatment to prevent AVM hemorrhage carries risks.ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the AVM nidus-related hemodynamic features and identify the risk factors for subsequent hemorrhage.MethodsWe retrospectively identified patients with untreated AVMs who were assessed at our institution between March 2010 and March 2021. Patients with ≥6 months of treatment-free and hemorrhage-free follow-up after diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography were included in subsequent examinations. The hemodynamic features were extracted from five contrast flow-related parameter maps. The Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to find the potential risk factors for subsequent hemorrhage.ResultsOverall, 104 patients with a mean follow-up duration of 3.37 years (median, 2.42 years; range, 6–117 months) were included in study, and the annual risk of rupture was 3.7%. Previous rupture (hazard ratio [HR], 4.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–20.72), deep AVM location (HR, 4.02; 95% CI, 1.01–15.99), higher cerebral blood volume (HR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.15–9.74) in the nidus, and higher stasis index (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.06–2.24) in the nidus were associated with subsequent hemorrhage in untreated AVMs.ConclusionHigher cerebral blood volume and stasis index in the nidus suggest increased blood inflow and stagnant blood drainage. The combination of these factors may cause subsequent hemorrhage of AVMs.