bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Naturalistic Study Comparing the Efficacy of Unilateral and Bilateral Sequential Theta Burst Stimulation in Treating Major Depression – The U-B-D Study Protocol
Authors: Watson Molly , Chaves Arthur R. , Gebara Abir , Desforges Manon , Broomfield Antoinette , Landry Noémie , Lemoyne Alexandra , Shim Stacey , Drodge Jessica , Cuda Jennifer , Kiaee Nasim , Nasr Youssef , Carleton Christophe , Daskalakis Zafiris J. , Taylor Reggie , Tuominen Lauri , Brender Ram , Antochi Ruxandra , McMurray Lisa , Tremblay Sara 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental health condition affecting millions worldwide, leading to disability and reduced quality of life. MDD poses a global health priority due to its early onset and association with other disabling conditions. Available treatments for MDD exhibit varying effectiveness, and a substantial portion of individuals remain resistant to treatment. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), applied to the left and/or right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), is an alternative treatment strategy for those experiencing treatment-resistant MDD. The objective of this study is to investigate whether this newer form of rTMS, namely theta burst stimulation (TBS), when performed unilaterally or bilaterally, is efficacious in treatment-resistant MDD. Methods: In this naturalistic, randomized double-blinded non-inferiority trial, participants with a major depressive episode will be randomized to receive either unilateral (i.e., continuous TBS [cTBS] to the right and sham TBS to the left DLPFC) or bilateral sequential TBS (i.e., cTBS to the right and intermittent TBS [iTBS] to the left DLPFC) delivered 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks. Responders will move onto a 6-month flexible maintenance phase where TBS treatment will be delivered at a decreasing frequency depending on degree of symptom mitigation. Several clinical assessments and neuroimaging and neurophysiological biomarkers will be collected to investigate treatment response and potential associated biomarkers. A non-inferiority analysis will investigate whether bilateral sequential TBS is non-inferior to unilateral TBS and regression analyses will investigate biomarkers of treatment response. We expect to recruit a maximal of 256 participants. This trial is approved by the Research Ethics Board of The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research (REB# 2019071) and will follow the Declaration of Helsinki. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Discussion: Comprehensive assessment of symptoms and neurophysiological biomarkers will contribute to understanding the differential efficacy of the tested treatment protocols, identifying biomarkers for treatment response, and shedding light into underlying mechanisms of TBS. Our findings will inform future clinical trials and aid in personalizing treatment selection and scheduling for individuals with MDD. Trial Registration: The trial is registered on https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/home (#NCT04142996).
Developmental toxicity and metabolomics analyses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos exposed to Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl
Authors: ZHAO FENG , Lin Lu , Zhao Yihao , Wu Jingjing , Zhu Junqi , Zhang Tengfei , Tan Huihua 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl (FEN) is an aryloxy phenoxy propionate herbicide that has been widely used in paddy fields. Previous studies indicated FEN exhibited highly toxic to aquatic organism, but little is known about developmental effects of FEN. In present study investigated the acute toxic and developmental toxic effects of zebrafish embryos, content of malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and the metabolomics profiling in zebrafish embryos after 96h exposure. FEN exhibited high acute toxicity to zebrafish embryos and larvae. Exposure to FEN could reduce heartbeat and hatching rates, and increased malformation rates in embryos. Oxidative damage was also caused in embryos. The results of metabolomics analysis showed that 102 differential metabolites were found in zebrafish embryos in 0.05 mg/L FEN treatment group, and 60 differential metabolites found 0.2 mg/L FEN treatment group. These differential metabolites mainly belonged to 9 metabolic pathways, of which folate pathways and ABC transport protein pathways have the greatest impact. These results suggested that FEN induced high acute toxicity and developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos.
The Prognostic and Immunotherapeutic Significanceof NCAPD2 in Pan-Cancer, and Its Relationship With the Proliferation and Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ma Wenjing , Tian Yao , Shen Wanbo , Song Zhengrui , Yang Bo , Ye Daowen 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background Present studies indicated that NCAPD2 has emerged as an essential participant of condensin I involved in the mitotic chromosome assembly and dissociation. Simultaneously, NCAPD2 has an enormous potent to interpret the tumor progression in a broader perspective. Due to the superficial comprehensive analysis of NCAPD2 in pan-cancer, lacking of detailed studies was to explore the underlying pathogenesis and the potential regulatory mechanism. Herein, this study systematically provided the prognostic landscape visualization of NCAPD2 in pan-cancer, and further investigate the function and the correlation with immune infiltration characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Method In this study, using the online databases TCGA, TIMER2.0, OPENTARGET, GeneMANIA, HPA, UCSC, TCIA. This analysis suggested that the relevance between NCAPD2 and oncogenesis, progression, prognosis, methylation, immune infiltration and function. Subsequently, RT-qPCR, western blotting assays were performed to detect the NCAPD2 expression. Additionally, the proliferation of NCAPD2 silenced cells was evaluated using BrdU assay. Transwell assays further confirmed the effect of knock down NCAPD2 on migration and invasion capacity. Flow cytometry assay was finally performed to assess cell cycle and apoptosis in indicated cells. Result NCAPD2 was aberrant active in multiple cancers. NCAPD2 upregulation was related with poor prognosis in pan-cancer. Meanwhile, NCAPD2 gene mutation, the methylation level of NCAPD2 promoter and MSI increase occurred in a series of cancers. In addition, the results exhibited that a significant association between abnormal expression of NCAPD2 and immune infiltration cells and immune therapy response in HCC. Furthermore, this study clarified the utility of NCAPD2 that knock down its expression could result in suppressing proliferation, invasion and migration capacity, and induce the accumulation of G0/G1 cells and the apoptosis occurrence in HCC cells. Conclusion This study revealed that NCAPD2 could participate in the carcinogenic progression of various cancers. It used as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker in pan-cancer, especially HCC patients, and contributed to the NCAPD2-based estimation of immune-therapy response for HCC, which might provide a new strategies into immune therapy and precision medicine.
Single-cell and spatial analyses revealed the co-location of cancer stem cells and SPP1+ macrophage in hypoxic region that determines the poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shi Yuankai , Fan Guangyu , Xie Tongji , Li Lin , Tang Le , Han Xiaohong 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), classical cancer stem cells (CSC) markers were shared by normal stem cells, targeting which may hinder hepatic regeneration and cause liver failure. Additionally, the spatial structure of CSC still remained elusive. To address these limitations, we undertook a comprehensive study combining single-cell data (81,508 cells from 45 samples) and spatial data (38,191 spots from eight samples) to obtain CSC signature and uncover its spatial structure. Utilizing the CytoTRACE algorithm, we discretely identified CSC, which displayed upregulated proliferation pathways regulated by HIF1A. A CSC signature of 107 genes was then developed using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). Notably, HCC patients with high CSC levels exhibited an accumulation of SPP1+ macrophages (Macro_SPP1) expressing metalloproteinases (MMP9, MMP12, and MMP7) regulated by HIF1A, suggesting a hypoxic tumor region connecting Macro_SPP1 and CSC. Both CSC and Macro_SPP1 correlated with worse prognosis and undesirable immunotherapy response. Spatial analysis revealed the co-location of CSC and Macro_SPP1, with CD8 T cells excluded from the tumor region. The co-location area and non-tumor area of boundary exhibited a high level of hypoxia, with the HAVRC2 checkpoint highly expressed. Within the co-location area, the SPP1 signaling pathway was most active in cell-cell communication, with SPP1-CD44 and SPP1-ITGA/ITGB identified as the main ligand-receptor pairs. This study successfully constructed a CSC signature and demonstrated the co-location of CSC and Macro_SPP1 in a hypoxic region that exacerbates the tumor microenvironment in HCC.
Characterization of bacterial and viral pathogens in the respiratory tract of children with HIV-associated chronic lung disease: a case‒control study
Authors: Mushunje Prince K. , Dube Felix S. , Odland Jon Ø , Ferrand Rashida A , Nicol Mark P. , Abotsi Regina E. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Introduction: Chronic lung disease is a major cause of morbidity in African children with HIV infection; however, the microbial determinants of HIV-associated chronic lung disease (HCLD) remain poorly understood. We conducted a case-control study to investigate the prevalence and densities of respiratory microbes among pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)-naïve children with (HCLD+) and without HCLD (HCLD-) established on antiretroviral treatment (ART).
Methods: Nasopharyngeal swabs collected from HCLD+ (defined as forced-expiratory-volume/second<-1.0 without reversibility postbronchodilation) and age-, site-, sex- and duration-of-ART-matched HCLD- enrolled in Zimbabwe and Malawi (BREATHE trial-NCT02426112) were tested for seven bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP), Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Haemophilus influenzae (HI), Moraxella catarrhalis (MC), and five viruses, including human rhinovirus (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus A or B, and human metapneumovirus, using qPCR (Fluidigm). Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis were used for between-group comparisons and risk factors associated with common respiratory microbes, respectively.
Results: A total of 345 participants (287 HCLD+, 58 HCLD-; median age, 15.5 years [IQR=12.8–18], females, 52%) were included in the final analysis. SP (40%[116/287] vs. 21%[12/58], p = 0.005) and HRV (7%[21/287] vs. 0%[0/58], p = 0.032) were more prevalent in HCLD+ patients than in HCLD- patients. Viruses (predominantly HRV) were detected only in HCLD+ participants. HI (1.55x104 CFU/ml vs. 2.55x102 CFU/ml, p = 0.006) and MC (1.14x104 CFU/ml vs. 1.45x103 CFU/ml, p = 0.031) densities were higher in HCLD+. Bacterial codetection (≥ any 2 bacteria) was higher in the HCLD+ group (36% [114/287] vs. (19% [11/58]), (p = 0.014), with SP and HI codetection (HCLD+: 30% [86/287] vs. HCLD-: 12% [7/58], p = 0.005) being the most frequent. In 128 SP-positive participants (116 HCLD+, 12 HCLD-), 66% [85/128] of participants had non-PCV-13 serotypes detected. Serotypes 13 and 21 (9% [8/85] each) and PCV-13 serotypes (4, 19A, 19F: 16% [7/43] each) were more prevalent. Study participants with a history of previous tuberculosis treatment were more likely to carry SP or HI, while those who used ART for ≥2 years were less likely to carry HI and MC.
Conclusion: Children with HCLD+ were more likely to be colonized by SP and HRV and had higher HI and MC bacterial loads in their nasopharynx. The role of SP, HI, and HRV in the pathogenesis of CLD, including how they influence the risk of acute exacerbations, should be studied further.
Exploration of appetite regulation in Yangtze sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus) during dietary transition
Authors: Zhou Bo , Wang Bin , Chen Shuhuang , Liu Youlian , Tang Ni , Chen Defang , Li Zhiqiong , Zhang Xin 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background
The Yangtze sturgeon is an endangered fish species, and artificial breeding is an effective means of restoring its population. However, after transitioning to an artificial diet, several Yangtze sturgeons are reluctant to eat. Therefore, the objectivity of the current study was to investigate the response of appetite regulatory factors and analyze their expression throughout various stages of dietary transition.
Results
The body length and body weight of Yangtze sturgeons failed transiting diet were significantly lower than those succeed transiting diet sturgeons. Since the brain is the center of appetite regulation, RNA-seq of the brain was employed to analyze the differentially expressed genes and their biological functions in successfully and unsuccessfully transit diet fry. After that, 82,151 unigenes and 3222 DEGs were obtained. Based on the results of RNA-seq, appetite factors, including pomc, cart, npy and agrp, were cloned, and then a diet transiting experiment was designed to explore the changes in appetite after feeding a microcapsule diet (dietary transition group). The results showed that during the dietary transition period, the expression of cart was increased on the 1st and 3rd days but decreased on the 5th, 6th, 8th and 10th days. The expression of agrp was downregulated on the 1st and 3rd days but upregulated on the 5th, 6th, 8th and 10th days.
Conclusions
The results of this study can provide information for a better understanding of the appetite change during the dietary transition of Yangtze sturgeon and improve their survival rate after the dietary transition.
Performance Analysis of an Asymmetric Damper Suspension on Rough Roads and Steps
Authors: Ribeiro Jose Geraldo Telles 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
This paper analyzes the advantages of employing an asymmetric suspension compared to a symmetric suspension. The road profiles considered are rough roads and steps, and the optimization parameters include comfort and safety. The optimal suspension is achieved using the Cross-Entropy method, and the obtained results for each profile are contradictory. Asymmetric dampers confer specific advantages over symmetric counterparts, notably in their ability to mitigate transient vibrations experienced during steps. However, their advantage becomes less pronounced during steady-state vibrations induced by rough road conditions. The results obtained show that if a suspension is optimized for steps, the resulting configuration is asymmetric. On the other hand, for rough roads, the resulting configuration is symmetric. This disparity indicates that the optimization of an asymmetric suspension must consider a combination of both scenarios.
Synthesis and Characterization of Material Derived from Chitosan, Malic acid and Urea
Authors: Sharma Richa , Dhamodharan Raghavachari 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
The synthesis of chitosan-based material (CHMAUR) of different forms (foam, porous and non-porous tough gels, porous dry) through crosslinking, facilitated by using urea in the presence of malic acid as the organic acid, is explored. The new material is characterized extensively using FT IR spectroscopy, CP MAS solid state NMR spectroscopy, powder x-ray diffraction analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The porosity of the material is determined using helium gas pycnometry, ethanol displacement method while its morphology is examined using scanning electron microscopy. The new material absorbs water to the extent of 5000 to 8000% which in turn arises partly from the porosity and partly from the ionic crosslinks. In the foam form CHMAUR is found to be suitable for smaller compressive loads. In the porous dry form, CHMAUR is observed to support compressive load of up to 15 MPa, with the ability to be machined using conventional tools.
Draft Genome Sequence of Novel Candidatus Ornithobacterium hominis Carrying Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Egypt
Authors: Ahmed Nada , Azab Marwa , Enany Shymaa , Hanora Amro 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Candidatus Ornithobacterium hominis (O. hominis), which was found in Egyptian nasopharyngeal swabs but remains unidentified, has been associated with respiratory disorders in humans. Herein, we presented two draft genome assemblies of O. hominis that were extracted from metagenomic data using the Illumina sequencing method. The primary goal of this study was to present the first O. hominis genome sequence from Egyptian populations.
Results
The genome size was estimated to be 1,931,660 base pairs (bp), with 1,837 predicted coding regions and a G + C content of 35.62%. The toxA gene, 20 antibiotic resistance genes, and gliding motility genes were found in the genome assembly. Gliding motility lipoproteins (GldD, GldJ, GldN, and GldH) and the gliding motility-associated ABC transporter substrate-binding protein, which acts as a crucial virulence mechanism in Flavobacterium species, were identified. The genome contained unique proteins, such as the ParE1 toxin, that exhibit a defense mechanism against quinolone and other antibiotic actions. The cobalt-zinc-cadmium resistance protein CzcB, which is necessary for metal resistance, urease regulation, and colonization, was also detected. Several multidrug resistance proteins were identified, such as MexB, mdtK, yheI, and VanC.
Conclusion
Numerous virulence factors such as toxA and gliding motility genes, were present in the core O. hominis genome. Additionally, the draft genome contains several antibiotic-resistance genes. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the genomic landscape of O. hominis and the identification of genes involved in virulence and antibiotic resistance.
Optimization of Solar Tree Performance in Egypt: A Simulation-Based Investigation
Authors: Rabie Ahmed , Thabet Doha , Elsayed Kariman , Elbadawy Marwa , Abdellatif Ibrahim , Shalaby Raafat 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
The paper discusses the orientation and positions of solar panels in solar tree. Solar energy contributes to the most available and abundant energy source in Egypt. Hence, The PV system is considered a promising solution to generate power from this source. However, its energy density is low. Therefore, the solar tree is considered in this paper as it has higher density and fits the urban cities of Egypt. The design of the solar tree is divided into two sections: the study of the solar panel's orientation and positions. For the solar tree orientation, a single-objective genetic algorithm is used to maximize the total incident irradiance on a tilted solar panel. The output of this optimization problem is 20 optimal angles for the tilt angle (beta) and surface azimuth angle of the solar panel (yaw). These angles are inputted to the second methodology to determine their positions. In this methodology, a multi-objective genetic algorithm is used to trade between the area occupied by the solar tree representing the cost and the power loss due to the shading of the solar panels on each other, the output is the coordinates of the center of each solar panel. The proposed solar tree design increased the incident irradiance from 4427.389 to 4496.584 watt/m^2year using the optimal angles and the output power increased as the shadow loss decreased from 904.685 watts to 300 watts The final design of the solar tree is 5m height and 1.13m Wide.
Genetic analysis of de novo 17q terminal partial trisomy
Authors: Zheng Huiling , Zheng Lin , Li Guangping , Tang Daili , Tian Tian , Li Yuquan , Liu Mei , Yang Xue 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Chromosomal trisomy syndromes are associated with diverse clinical phenotypes, including intellectual disabilities. Partial trisomy of distal 17q is a rare anomaly with similar clinical features, including psychomotor and growth deficits, facial dysmorphism, and microcephaly. Here, we describe three patients from two unrelated families with terminal trisomy of 17q detected using chromosomal karyotype analysis and chromosomal microarray analysis.
Results
The child in Family 1 had a 31.3 Mb mosaic duplication on chromosome 17. Family 2 included dizygotic twins with a 263 kb deletion on chromosome 15 and 9.2 Mb duplication on chromosome 17, despite normal karyotyping results for both parents. We also analyzed the genetic mechanisms underlying the occurrence of this chromosomal aberration and summarized the literature describing known genotype–phenotype correlations.
Conclusion
Given the rarity of partial trisomy of terminal 17q, these cases provide new insights into the diagnosis of the condition and genotype–phenotype correlations, which can aid in detection and genetic counseling.
Deforestation Policies in the Brazilian Legal Amazon: An Analysis of the PPCDAm using the Triple Difference Method
Authors: Benevit Bruno , Trindade Carolina S. da , Junior Roberto B. de M. , Uhr Daniel de Abreu Pereira , Uhr Júlia Gallego Ziero 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
This study evaluates the effects of the synergy between monitoring technologies and deforestation control policies promoted by the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PPCDAm) during its initial stage. The triple difference method is employed to explore the differences between the non-metropolitan municipalities with indigenous lands and other regional municipalities. The findings indicate a reduction of approximately 16.1 km² per municipality between 2004 and 2007. This reduction corresponds to a decrease of 10,293 km² in the area of deforestation and a total of 498 million tons of CO2. The results indicate that the policy was cost-effective. To ensure the robustness of the results, placebo tests, analyses of heterogeneous effects, and flexibility in the composition of the groups were conducted. The robustness tests substantiate the findings. These results emphasize the significance of remote monitoring policies for controlling deforestation in isolated regions and indigenous lands.
JEL: C31, Q51, Q58
Application of Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Facial Nerve in Preoperative Planning for Large Vestibular Schwannoma
Authors: Bubeníková Adéla , Vlasák Aleš , Fík Zdeněk , Sedlák Vojtěch , Tesařová Michaela , Bradáč Ondřej 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Objective: The accurate identification and preservation of the facial nerve (FN) during vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery is crucial for maintaining facial function. Investigating the application of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in preoperative planning for large VS surgery is provided.
Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, ISI Web of Science, Embase and additional sources were searched to identify cohort studies about the preoperative DTI usage for the FN tracking before large VS (≥ 2.5 cm) surgery published between 1990 and 2023. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed; the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias and to evaluate limitations based on selection/outcome biases.
Results:A total of 8 publications yielding 149 VS (mean size 3.66 ± 0.81 cm) were included. Surgical concordance with preoperative DTI FN tracking was 91.67% (range 85–100%). Overall DTI reliability was 88.89% (range 81.81–95.83%). Larger tumor size predicted either DTI inaccurate finding and complete DTI failure (p=0.001). VS size above > 3.5 cm was associated with a higher risk of DTI failure (p=0.022), with a higher risk of inaccurate DTI finding preoperatively (p=0.033), and with a higher House-Brackman score postoperatively (p=0.007).
Conclusion: Application of DTI in larger VS surgery is a valuable FN identification along with electrophysiological monitoring and neuronavigation, therefore also in its preservation and in lowering risk of complications. DTI represents a valuable adjunct to electrophysiological monitoring and neuronavigation in FN identification, applicable not only for smaller, but also larger VS.