bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Citrulline and kynurenine to tryptophan ratio: potential EED (environmental enteric dysfunction) biomarkers in acute watery diarrhea among children in Bangladesh
Authors: Das Rina , Haque Md. Ahshanul , Sobi Rukaeya Amin , Sultana Al-Afroza , Khan Murad Alam , Gazi Amran , Mahfuz Mustafa , Nahar Baitun , Bardhan Pradip Kumar , Ahmed Tahmeed 
Published: January 2023

AbstractTwo emerging biomarkers of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) include plasma citrulline (CIT), and the kynurenine (KYN): tryptophan (TRP)/ (KT) ratio. We sought to investigate the plasma concentration of CIT and KT ratio among the children having dehydrating diarrhea and examine associations between concentrations of CIT and KT ratio with concurrent factors. For this analysis, we used cross-sectional data from a total of 102, 6–36 months old male children who suffered from non-cholera acute watery diarrhea and had some dehydration admitted to an urban diarrheal hospital, in Bangladesh. CIT, TRP, and KYN concentrations were determined at enrollment from plasma samples using ELIZA. At enrollment, the mean plasma CIT concentration was 864.48 ± 388.55 µmol/L. The mean plasma kynurenine, tryptophan concentrations, and the KT ratio (× 1000) were 6.93 ± 3.08 µmol/L, 33.44 ± 16.39 µmol/L, and 12.12 ± 18.10, respectively. With increasing child age, KYN concentration decreased (coefficient: − 0.26; 95%CI: − 0.49, − 0.04; p = 0.021); with increasing lymphocyte count, CIT concentration decreased (coef.: − 0.01; 95% CI: − 0.02,0.001, p = 0.004); the wasted child had decreased KT ratio (coef.: − 0.6; 95% CI: − 1.18, − 0.02; p = 0.042) after adjusting for potential covariates. The CIT concentration was associated with blood neutrophils (coef.: 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.03; p < 0.001), lymphocytes (coef.: − 0.02; 95% CI: − 0.03, − 0.02; p < 0.001) and monocyte (coef.: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.11; p = 0.021); KYN concentration was negatively associated with basophil (coef.: − 0.62; 95% CI: − 1.23, − 0.01; p = 0.048) after adjusting for age. In addition, total stool output (gm) increased (coef.: 793.84; 95% CI: 187.16, 1400.52; p = 0.011) and also increased duration of hospital stay (hour) (coef.: 22.89; 95% CI: 10.24, 35.54; p = 0.001) with increasing CIT concentration. The morphological changes associated with EED may increase the risk of enteric infection and diarrheal disease among children. Further research is critically needed to better understand the complex mechanisms by which EED biomarkers may impact susceptibility to dehydrating diarrhea in children.
Diagnosis and treatment patterns among patients with newly diagnosed Helicobacter pylori infection in the United States 2016–2019
Authors: Shah Shailja , Cappell Katherine , Sedgley Robert , Pelletier Corey , Jacob Rinu , Bonafede Machaon , Yadlapati Rena 
Published: January 2023

AbstractApproximately 36% of the United States (US) population is infected with Helicobacter pylori (HP), a known major risk factor for peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. HP eradication reduces the rate of complications; however, the benefits are undermined by rising rates of HP eradication treatment failure. This real-world observational cohort analysis aims to describe HP diagnostic and treatment patterns among insured patients in the US. Using diagnoses, lab results, and treatment patterns, we identified adults (18+) with new diagnoses of HP in the Veradigm Health Insights EHR Database linked to Komodo claims data (1/1/2016–12/31/2019). Patients were required to have ≥ 12 months of data pre-/post-index. We captured patient characteristics, HP-related diagnostic testing, and the use of US guideline-recommended HP eradication regimens. HP eradication rates following first-line eradication treatment were measured among patients with available lab results. Overall, 31.8% of the 60,593 included patients did not receive guideline-recommended treatment. Among the 68.2% (41,340) with first-line treatment, 80.2% received clarithromycin-based triple therapy, and 6.6% received bismuth quadruple therapy. Of the 4569 patients with a repeated course of eradication therapy, 53.4% received the same regimen as their first-line, the majority (90.7%) of whom received two rounds of clarithromycin-based triple therapy. Among the 2455 patients with results of HP non-serology testing following first-line treatment, the 180-day eradication rate was 80.2% overall, with differences based on treatments and demographics. This study highlights gaps between guideline-recommended HP management and real-world patterns, underscoring the need to improve HP testing, treatment, and follow-up practices.
Modeling community COVID-19 transmission risk associated with U.S. universities
Authors: Uelmen J. A. , Kopsco H. , Mori J. , Brown W. M. , Smith R. L. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is among the worst in recent history, resulting in excess of 520,000,000 cases and 6,200,000 deaths worldwide. The United States (U.S.) has recently surpassed 1,000,000 deaths. Individuals who are elderly and/or immunocompromised are the most susceptible to serious sequelae. Rising sentiment often implicates younger, less-vulnerable populations as primary introducers of COVID-19 to communities, particularly around colleges and universities. Adjusting for more than 32 key socio-demographic, economic, and epidemiologic variables, we (1) implemented regressions to determine the overall community-level, age-adjusted COVID-19 case and mortality rate within each American county, and (2) performed a subgroup analysis among a sample of U.S. colleges and universities to identify any significant preliminary mitigation measures implemented during the fall 2020 semester. From January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021, a total of 22,385,335 cases and 374,130 deaths were reported to the CDC. Overall, counties with increasing numbers of university enrollment showed significantly lower case rates and marginal decreases in mortality rates. County-level population demographics, and not university level mitigation measures, were the most significant predictor of adjusted COVID-19 case rates. Contrary to common sentiment, our findings demonstrate that counties with high university enrollments may be more adherent to public safety measures and vaccinations, likely contributing to safer communities.
Preliminary comparison of the modified extraperitoneal free-PORT single incision technique and transabdominal multi-incision robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Ren Shangqing , Ou Yong , Wang Yaoqian , Wei Yi , Luo Cheng , Yang Bo , Yuan Jiazheng , Lv Qian , Zhou Fang , Chen Zhengjun , Nie Yu , Lin Jie , Wu Yilei , Yang Bo , Fan Shida , Wang Dong 
Published: January 2023

AbstractTo compare the clinical efficacy of an innovative modified single-incision technique without special extraperitoneal PORT with that of transperitoneal multi-incision robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and to explore the feasibility and safety of the former. A retrospective analysis was performed on 259 patients who received robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in the Robot Minimally Invasive Center of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital between September 2018 and August 2021. Among them were 147 cases involving extraperitoneal single incision with no special PORT (Group A) and 112 cases involving multiple incisions by the transperitoneal method (Group B). Differences in age, PSA level, Gleason score, prostate volume, body mass index, clinical stage, lower abdominal operation history, and lymph node dissection ratio between the two groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). All operations were performed by the same operator. In this study, all 259 operations were completed successfully, and there was no conversion. There was no significant difference in transperitoneal blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, positive rate of incision margin, indwelling time of urinary catheter, satisfaction rate of immediate urine control, satisfaction rate of urine control 3 months after operation, positive rate of postoperative lymph node pathology or postoperative pathological stage between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in operation time, postoperative exhaust time and incision length (P < 0.05). The modified extraperitoneal nonspecial PORT single-incision technique is safe and feasible for robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, and its curative effect is similar to that of transperitoneal multi-incision RARP. It has the advantages of a short operation time, less impact on the gastrointestinal tract and a more beautiful incision. The long-term effect of treatment needs to be further confirmed by prospective studies.
Second-life battery systems for affordable energy access in Kenyan primary schools
Authors: Kebir Nisrine , Leonard Alycia , Downey Michael , Jones Bernie , Rabie Khaled , Bhagavathy Sivapriya Mothilal , Hirmer Stephanie A. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAs the world transitions to net zero, energy storage is becoming increasingly important for applications such as electric vehicles, mini-grids, and utility-scale grid stability. The growing demand for storage will constrain raw battery materials, reduce the availability of new batteries, and increase the rate of battery retirement. As retired batteries are difficult to recycle into components, to avoid huge amounts of battery waste, reuse and repurposing options are needed. In this research, we explore the feasibility of using second-life batteries (which have been retired from their first intended life) and solar photovoltaics to provide affordable energy access to primary schools in Kenya. Based on interviews with 12 East African schools, realistic system sizes were determined with varying solar photovoltaic sizes (5–10 kW in 2.5 kW increments) and lithium-ion battery capacities (5–20 kWh in 5 kWh increments). Each combination was simulated under four scenarios as a sensitivity analysis of battery transportation costs (i.e., whether they are sourced locally or imported). A techno-economic analysis is undertaken to compare new and second-life batteries in the resulting 48 system scenarios in terms of cost and performance. We find that second-life batteries decrease the levelized cost of electricity by 5.6–35.3% in 97.2% of scenarios compared to similar systems with new batteries, and by 41.9–64.5% compared to the cost of the same energy service provided by the utility grid. The systems with the smallest levelized cost of electricity (i.e., 0.11 USD/kWh) use either 7.5 kW or 10 kW of solar with 20 kWh of storage. Across all cases, the payback period is decreased by 8.2–42.9% using second-life batteries compared to new batteries; the system with the smallest payback period (i.e., 2.9 years) uses 5 kW solar and 5 kWh storage. These results show second-life batteries to be viable and cost-competitive compared to new batteries for school electrification in Kenya, providing the same benefits while reducing waste.
Energy landscapes from cryo-EM snapshots: a benchmarking study
Authors: Dsouza Raison , Mashayekhi Ghoncheh , Etemadpour Roshanak , Schwander Peter , Ourmazd Abbas 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBiomolecules undergo continuous conformational motions, a subset of which are functionally relevant. Understanding, and ultimately controlling biomolecular function are predicated on the ability to map continuous conformational motions, and identify the functionally relevant conformational trajectories. For equilibrium and near-equilibrium processes, function proceeds along minimum-energy pathways on one or more energy landscapes, because higher-energy conformations are only weakly occupied. With the growing interest in identifying functional trajectories, the need for reliable mapping of energy landscapes has become paramount. In response, various data-analytical tools for determining structural variability are emerging. A key question concerns the veracity with which each data-analytical tool can extract functionally relevant conformational trajectories from a collection of single-particle cryo-EM snapshots. Using synthetic data as an independently known ground truth, we benchmark the ability of four leading algorithms to determine biomolecular energy landscapes and identify the functionally relevant conformational paths on these landscapes. Such benchmarking is essential for systematic progress toward atomic-level movies of continuous biomolecular function.
Utilisation of exome sequencing for muscular disorders in Thai paediatric patients: diagnostic yield and mutational spectrum
Authors: Summa Sarinya , Ittiwut Chupong , Kulsirichawaroj Pimchanok , Paprad Tanitnun , Likasitwattanakul Surachai , Sanmaneechai Oranee , Boonsimma Ponghatai , Suphapeetiporn Kanya , Shotelersuk Vorasuk 
Published: January 2023

AbstractMuscular dystrophies and congenital myopathies are heterogeneous groups of inherited muscular disorders. An accurate diagnosis is challenging due to their complex clinical presentations and genetic heterogeneity. This study aimed to determine the utilisation of exome sequencing (ES) for Thai paediatric patients with muscular disorders. Of 176 paediatric patients suspected of genetic/inherited myopathies, 133 patients received a molecular diagnosis after performing conventional investigations, single gene testing, and gene panels. The remaining 43 patients from 42 families could be classified into three groups: Group 1, MLPA-negative Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with 9 patients (9/43; 21%), Group 2, other muscular dystrophies (MD) with 18 patients (18/43; 42%) and Group 3, congenital myopathies (CM) with 16 patients (16/43; 37%). All underwent exome sequencing which could identify pathogenic variants in 8/9 (89%), 14/18 (78%), and 8/16 (50%), for each Group, respectively. Overall, the diagnostic yield of ES was 70% (30/43) and 36 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in 14 genes were identified. 18 variants have never been previously reported. Molecular diagnoses provided by ES changed management in 22/30 (73%) of the patients. Our study demonstrates the clinical utility and implications of ES in inherited myopathies.
A study of management decisions to adopt emission reduction measures in heavy industry in an emerging economy
Authors: Panjaitan Togar Wiliater Soaloon , Dargusch Paul , Wadley David , Aziz Ammar Abdul 
Published: January 2023

AbstractHeavy industry can face challenges in choosing applicable climate change mitigation measures due to a lack of technical background and practical guidance. A better understanding of these determinants is needed to design region-specific climate policies that most effectively enable more ‘successful’ low carbon transitions. Set in an emerging economy, this study aims to understand the determinants which underlie investment decision-making in greenhouse gas reduction. It relies on empirical research using an exploratory case study method in the leading cement company in Indonesia. The results show four key determinants influencing (constraining) adoption were (1) the primacy of profit-seeking objectives in operational planning and development; (2) the availability of sources (clinker substitutes and alternative energy fuels); (3) the limited access to cash capital; and (4) the complexity in implementing emissions reduction projects. The inquiry also compares determinants in an emerging and developed country to provide a comparative perspective on emissions management in manufacturing. It appears that firms from the industrial sector in emerging economies have investment strategies that are largely characterised by activities that accentuate achieving financial benefits or best value for money or cost savings in a short time frame, or ‘short-termism’. Currently, greenhouse gas emissions management activities tend to be second-preference strategies for firms in emerging economies, at least in the industrial manufacturing sector.
Deformable cardiac surface tracking by adaptive estimation algorithms
Authors: Tuna E. Erdem , Franson Dominique , Seiberlich Nicole , Çavuşoğlu M. Cenk 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThis study presents a particle filter based framework to track cardiac surface from a time sequence of single magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slices with the future goal of utilizing the presented framework for interventional cardiovascular magnetic resonance procedures, which rely on the accurate and online tracking of the cardiac surface from MRI data. The framework exploits a low-order parametric deformable model of the cardiac surface. A stochastic dynamic system represents the cardiac surface motion. Deformable models are employed to introduce shape prior to control the degree of the deformations. Adaptive filters are used to model complex cardiac motion in the dynamic model of the system. Particle filters are utilized to recursively estimate the current state of the system over time. The proposed method is applied to recover biventricular deformations and validated with a numerical phantom and multiple real cardiac MRI datasets. The algorithm is evaluated with multiple experiments using fixed and varying image slice planes at each time step. For the real cardiac MRI datasets, the average root-mean-square tracking errors of 2.61 mm and 3.42 mm are reported respectively for the fixed and varying image slice planes. This work serves as a proof-of-concept study for modeling and tracking the cardiac surface deformations via a low-order probabilistic model with the future goal of utilizing this method for the targeted interventional cardiac procedures under MR image guidance. For the real cardiac MRI datasets, the presented method was able to track the points-of-interests located on different sections of the cardiac surface within a precision of 3 pixels. The analyses show that the use of deformable cardiac surface tracking algorithm can pave the way for performing precise targeted intracardiac ablation procedures under MRI guidance. The main contributions of this work are twofold. First, it presents a framework for the tracking of whole cardiac surface from a time sequence of single image slices. Second, it employs adaptive filters to incorporate motion information in the tracking of nonrigid cardiac surface motion for temporal coherence.
Cross-domain few-shot learning based on pseudo-Siamese neural network
Authors: Gong Yuxuan , Yue Yuqi , Ji Weidong , Zhou Guohui 
Published: January 2023

AbstractCross-domain few-shot learning is one of the research highlights in machine learning. The difficulty lies in the accuracy drop of cross-domain network learning on a single domain due to the differences between the domains. To alleviate the problem, according to the idea of contour cognition and the process of human recognition, we propose a few-shot learning method based on pseudo-Siamese convolution neural network. The original image and the sketch map are respectively sent to the branch network in the pre-training and meta-learning process. While maintaining the original image features, the contour features are separately extracted as branch for training at the same time to improve the accuracy and generalization of learning. We conduct cross-domain few-shot learning experiments and good results have been achieved using mini-ImageNet as source domain, EuroSAT and ChestX as the target domains. Also, the results are qualitatively analyzed using a heatmap to verify the feasibility of our method.
Long-term plasticity of astrocytic phenotypes and their control by neurons in health and disease
Authors: Wardlaw Kyle S. , Hardingham Giles E. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The brain is a complex organ even when viewed from a cell biological perspective. Neuronal networks are embedded in a dense milieu of diverse and specialised cell types, including several types of vascular, immune, and macroglial cells. To view each cell as a small cog in a highly complex machine is itself an oversimplification. Not only are they functionally coupled to enable the brain to operate, each cell type’s functions are themselves influenced by each other, in development, maturity, and also in disease. Astrocytes are a type of macroglia that occupy a significant fraction of the human forebrain. They play a critical role in sustaining functional neuronal circuits across the lifespan through myriad homeostatic functions including the maintenance of redox balance, ionic gradients, neurotransmitter clearance, and bioenergetic support. It is becoming apparent that astrocytes’ capacity to carry out these and other neurosupportive roles is not fixed, but is regulated by signals coming from the neurons themselves, both in the healthy brain but also in response to neuron-derived disease pathology. Here, we review mechanisms by which neurons control the properties of astrocytes long term in order to alter their homeostatic capacity both in development and maturity. Our working hypothesis is that these signals are designed to change and maintain the homeostatic capacity of local astrocytes to suit the needs of nearby neurons. Knowledge of the external signals that can control core aspects of a healthy astrocytic phenotype are being uncovered, raising the question as to whether this knowledge can be harnessed to promote astrocyte-mediated neurosupport in brain disorders.
Mucin utilization by gut microbiota: recent advances on characterization of key enzymes
Authors: Raba Grete , Luis Ana S. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The gut microbiota interacts with the host through the mucus that covers and protects the gastrointestinal epithelium. The main component of the mucus are mucins, glycoproteins decorated with hundreds of different O-glycans. Some microbiota members can utilize mucin O-glycans as carbons source. To degrade these host glycans the bacteria express multiple carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) such as glycoside hydrolases, sulfatases and esterases which are active on specific linkages. The studies of these enzymes in an in vivo context have started to reveal their importance in mucin utilization and gut colonization. It is now clear that bacteria evolved multiple specific CAZymes to overcome the diversity of linkages found in O-glycans. Additionally, changes in mucin degradation by gut microbiota have been associated with diseases like obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Thereby understanding how CAZymes from different bacteria work to degrade mucins is of critical importance to develop new treatments and diagnostics for these increasingly prevalent health problems. This mini-review covers the recent advances in biochemical characterization of mucin O-glycan-degrading CAZymes and how they are connected to human health.