bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Models for linking hunter retention and recruitment to regulations and game populations
Authors: McGowan C. P. , Price Tack J. L. , Silvano A. L. , Grand J. B. 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionDeclining hunter populations across North America present wildlife management agencies with the prospect of declining revenues for wildlife conservation and management and the need for new tools to evaluate management strategies and predict future status of game species and hunters.MethodsHere we present a modeling framework and potential decision support tool for managers to link future hunter population dynamics to regulatory restrictiveness, prey abundance, and harvest success. Our hunter model is parameterized based on the authors’ judgment and can be used for demonstration purposes. We simulated three scenarios of restricted harvest, moderate harvest and liberal harvest.ResultsOur simulations show that even though liberal harvest predicts higher cumulative license sales revenue, it corresponds with a slight decline in buck abundance over 10 years. In contrast, highly restrictive harvest corresponds with deer population growth, but a near collapse of hunter populations. Our model demonstrates that managers might face tradeoffs between managing for deer population abundance and hunting revenue and clarifies how these factors might affect decision making.DiscussionThe utility of our tool would be dependent on accessing data on hunter retention and recruitment, however, the strength of our paper is in highlighting a new way of thinking about and potentially addressing these potential tradeoffs. Further, these simulations demonstrate that these tools could be used to evaluate management strategies but also highlight uncertainties, establish research priorities, and potentially design an adaptive management framework.
Automatic landslide identification by Dual Graph Convolutional Network and GoogLeNet model-a case study for Xinjiang province, China
Authors: Ma Shiwei , Li Shouding , Bi Xintao , Qiao Hua , Duan Zhigang , Sun Yiming , Guo Jingyun , Li Xiao 
Published: September 2023

Landslides are a natural disaster that exists widely in the world and poses a great threat to human life and property, so it is of great importance to identify and locate landslides. Traditional manual interpretation can effectively identify landslides, but its efficiency is very low for large interpreted areas. In this sense, a landslide recognition method based on the Dual Graph Convolutional Network (DGCNet) is proposed to identify the landslide in remote sensing images quickly and accurately. The remote sensing image (regional remote sensing image) of the northern mountainous area of Tuergen Township, Xinyuan County, Xinjiang Province, was obtained by GeoEye-1 (spatial resolution: 0.5 m). Then, the DGCNet is used to train the labeled images, which finally shows good accuracy of landslide recognition. To show the difference with the traditional convolutional network model, this paper adopts a convolution neural network algorithm named GoogLeNet for image recognition to carry out a comparative analysis, the remote sensing satellite images (single terrain image) of Xinyuan County, Xinjiang Province is used as the data set, and the prediction accuracy is 81.25%. Compared with the GoogLeNet model, the DGCNet model has a larger identification range, which provides a new method for landslide recognition of large-scale regional remote sensing images, but the performance of DGCNet is highly dependent on the quality and characteristics of the input image. If the input data quality is poor or the image structure is unclear, the model’s performance may decline.
Investigation of the effects of phthalates on in vitro thyroid models with RNA-Seq and ATAC-Seq
Authors: Nazzari Marta , Romitti Mírian , Hauser Duncan , Carvalho Daniel J. , Giselbrecht Stefan , Moroni Lorenzo , Costagliola Sabine , Caiment Florian 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionPhthalates are a class of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have been shown to negatively correlate with thyroid hormone serum levels in humans and to cause a state of hyperactivity in the thyroid. However, their mechanism of action is not well described at the molecular level.MethodsWe analyzed the response of mouse thyroid organoids to the exposure to a biologically relevant dose range of the phthalates bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-iso-decylphthalate (DIDP), di-iso-nonylphthalate (DINP), and di-n-octylphthalate (DnOP) for 24 h and simultaneously analyzed mRNA and miRNA expression via RNA sequencing. Using the expression data, we performed differential expression and gene set enrichment analysis. We also exposed the human thyroid follicular epithelial cell line Nthy-ori 3-1 to 1 µM of DEHP or DINP for 5 days and analyzed changes in chromatin accessibility via ATAC-Seq.ResultsDose-series analysis showed how the expression of several genes increased or decreased at the highest dose tested. As expected with the low dosing scheme, the compounds induced a modest response on the transcriptome, as we identified changes in only mmu-miR-143-3p after DINP treatment and very few differentially expressed genes. No effect was observed on thyroid markers. Ing5, a component of histones H3 and H4 acetylation complexes, was consistently upregulated in three out of four conditions compared to control, and we observed a partial overlap among the genes differentially expressed by the treatments. Gene set enrichment analysis showed enrichment in the treatment samples of the fatty acid metabolism pathway and in the control of pathways related to the receptor signalling and extracellular matrix organization. ATAC-Seq analysis showed a general increase in accessibility compared to the control, however we did not identify significant changes in accessibility in the identified regions.DiscussionWith this work, we showed that despite having only a few differentially expressed genes, diverse analysis methods could be applied to retrieve relevant information on phthalates, showing the potential of in vitro thyroid-relevant systems for the analysis of endocrine disruptors.
Clinical features and mutational analysis of X-linked agammaglobulinemia patients in Malaysia
Authors: Chear Chai Teng , Ismail Intan Hakimah , Chan Kwai Cheng , Noh Lokman Mohd , Kassim Asiah , Latiff Amir Hamzah Abdul , Gill Sandeep Singh , Ramly Nazatul Haslina , Tan Kah Kee , Sundaraj Charlotte , Choo Chong Ming , Mohamed Sharifah Adlena Syed , Baharin Mohd Farid , Zamri Amelia Suhana , Yahya Sharifah Nurul Husna Syed , Mohamad Saharuddin Bin , Ripen Adiratna Mat 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundBruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a cytoplasmic protein involved in the B cell development. X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is caused by mutation in the BTK gene, which results in very low or absent B cells. Affected males have markedly reduced immunoglobulin levels, which render them susceptible to recurrent and severe bacterial infections. Methods: Patients suspected with X-linked agammaglobulinemia were enrolled during the period of 2010-2018. Clinical summary, and immunological profiles of these patients were recorded. Peripheral blood samples were collected for monocyte BTK protein expression detection and BTK genetic analysis. The medical records between January 2020 and June 2023 were reviewed to investigate COVID-19 in XLA.ResultsTwenty-two patients (from 16 unrelated families) were molecularly diagnosed as XLA. Genetic testing revealed fifteen distinct mutations, including four splicing mutations, four missense mutations, three nonsense mutations, three short deletions, and one large indel mutation. These mutations scattered throughout the BTK gene and mostly affected the kinase domain. All mutations including five novel mutations were predicted to be pathogenic or deleterious by in silico prediction tools. Genetic testing confirmed that eleven mothers and seven sisters were carriers for the disease, while three mutations were de novo. Flow cytometric analysis showed that thirteen patients had minimal BTK expression (0-15%) while eight patients had reduced BTK expression (16-64%). One patient was not tested for monocyte BTK expression due to insufficient sample. Pneumonia (n=13) was the most common manifestation, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently isolated pathogen from the patients (n=4). Mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 was reported in four patients.ConclusionThis report provides the first overview of demographic, clinical, immunological and genetic data of XLA in Malaysia. The combination of flow cytometric assessment and BTK genetic analysis provides a definitive diagnosis for XLA patients, especially with atypical clinical presentation. In addition, it may also allow carrier detection and assist in genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis.
Homologs of bacterial heat-labile enterotoxin subunit A contribute to development, stress response, and virulence in filamentous entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana
Authors: Ding Jin-Li , Wei Kang , Feng Ming-Guang , Ying Sheng-Hua 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionEnterotoxigenic bacteria commonly excrete heat-labile enterotoxins (LT) as virulence factors that consist of one subunit A (LTA) and five B subunits (LTB). In fungi, there are a large number of genes encoding the homologs of LTA, but their biological roles remain largely unknown. MethodsIn this study, we identified 14 enterotoxin_A domain proteins in filamentous fungus B. bassiana in which five proteins were functionally characterized. ResultsFive proteins displayed diverse sub-cellular localizations but perform convergent functions in stress response, development, and virulence. The loss of five LTA genes resulted in significant reduction in conidial production, blastospore formation, and the increased sensitivity to oxidative and cell wall –perturbing stresses. The virulence of five disruptants was notably weakened as indicated by topical and intrahemocoel injection assays. Notably, the loss of these five proteins led to the significant changes in the carbohydrate profiles of cellular surface, which induced the enhanced host immune reactions of encapsulation and melanization. DiscussionThus, LTA proteins contribute to the fungus–host interaction via maintaining the carbohydrate profiles of cellular surface. This study expands our understanding of the enterotoxin_A domain proteins in fungal physiology and deepens mechanisms involved in the lifestyle of fungal insect pathogens.
Single-center experience in 127 adult patients, mono or dual artificial liver support therapy, in patients with acute liver failure
Authors: Ocak Ilhan 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundAcute liver failure (ALF) is a serious condition characterized by sudden liver dysfunction, jaundice and hepatic encephalopathy. Its mortality rate of approximately 80% underscores the urgent need for effective treatments. Supportive extracorporeal therapies (SET), which temporarily support liver function and remove toxins, have shown promise in improving outcomes in acute liver failure (ALF). The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of dual supportive extracorporeal therapy (SET) and mono supportive extracorporeal therapy in patients with acute liver failure.MethodsA total of 127 patients with acute liver failure were included in this retrospective, single-center study. Of these, 62 patients received dual supportive extracorporeal therapy and 65 patients received mono supportive extracorporeal therapy. Primary endpoints were survival without the need for liver transplantation and mortality. Secondary endpoints included resolution of encephalopathy and normalization of International Normalized Ratio (INR).ResultsIn the dual supportive extracorporeal therapy group, 59.6% of patients survived without the need for liver transplantation, while 27.4% achieved recovery with liver transplantation. The mortality rate in this group was 12.9%. Significant regression of encephalopathy grade was observed in 87% of patients, and the 1 year mortality rate for liver transplant recipients was 10.7%. In the mono supportive extracorporeal therapy group, 61.5% of patients experienced a successful recovery without the need for liver transplantation, with a mortality rate of 29.2%. Significant improvement in the grade of encephalopathy was observed in 70.7% of patients.ConclusionBoth dual supportive extracorporeal therapy (CVVHDF and PE) and mono supportive extracorporeal therapy (PE) were associated with significant improvements in renal and hepatic biochemical parameters, blood ammonia levels, and neurological status in patients with acute liver failure associated with grade III-IV hepatic encephalopathy. In particular, dual support was associated with improved hemodynamic stability, lactic acidosis and acid–base balance. Survival in acute liver failure in our retrospective cohort using a protocolized approach to extracorporeal therapies is higher compared to previously published large ALF studies. This protocolized approach warrants further prospective studies.
Clinical trials in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorders: a retrospective and preclinical assessment
Authors: Nair Malavika A. , Niu Zhiyv , Madigan Nicholas N. , Shin Alexander Y. , Brault Jeffrey S. , Staff Nathan P. , Klein Christopher J. 
Published: September 2023

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the progression of clinical and preclinical trials in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disorders.BackgroundCMT has historically been managed symptomatically and with genetic counseling. The evolution of molecular and pathologic understanding holds a therapeutic promise in gene-targeted therapies.MethodsClinicalTrials.gov from December 1999 to June 2022 was data extracted for CMT with preclinical animal gene therapy trials also reviewed by PubMed search.ResultsThe number of active trials was 1 in 1999 and 286 in 2022. Academic settings accounted for 91% and pharmaceutical companies 9%. Of the pharmaceutical and academic trials, 38% and 28%, respectively, were controlled, randomized, and double-blinded. Thirty-two countries participated: the United States accounted for 26% (75/286). In total, 86% of the trials were classified as therapeutic: 50% procedural (21% wrist/elbow surgery; 22% shock wave and hydrodissection therapy), 23% investigational drugs, 15% devices, and 11% physical therapy. Sixty-seven therapeutic trials (49%) were designated phases 1–2 and 51% phases 3–4. The remaining 14% represent non-therapeutic trials: diagnostic testing (3%), functional outcomes (4%), natural history (4%), and standard of care (3%). One-hundred and three (36%) resulted in publications. Phase I human pharmaceutical trials are focusing on the safety of small molecule therapies (n = 8) and AAV and non-viral gene therapy (n = 3). Preclinical animal gene therapy studies include 11 different CMT forms including viral, CRISPR-Cas9, and nanoparticle delivery.ConclusionCurrent CMT trials are exploring procedural and molecular therapeutic options with substantial participation of the pharmaceutical industry worldwide. Emerging drug therapies directed at molecular pathogenesis are being advanced in human clinical trials; however, the majority remain within animal investigations.
Neuropsychiatric disturbance detecting polycythemia vera myelofibrosis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Li Li , Zhou Min , Wu Yun-Qin , Fan Wei-Nv , Li Da 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundNeuropsychiatric disturbances and chorea are less recognized consequences of polycythemia vera (PV), and their role in post-PV myelofibrosis (MF) has not been reported. Clinical features that predict post-PV MF lack specificity.Case presentationWe describe an elderly patient with PV who developed acute-onset reversible neuropsychiatric disturbances accompanied by generalized chorea and was finally diagnosed with post-PV MF after a bone marrow examination. We also reviewed four cases of late PV associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms since 1966 and analyzed their clinical characteristics and therapeutic effects.ConclusionOur case indicates that Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)-related PV is a treatable cause of late-onset chorea and that chorea may herald the deterioration of hematological parameters. Our case provides a clinically specific representation of post-PV MF. Patients with a long course of PV are recommended to undergo bone marrow re-examinations when they present with neuropsychiatric symptoms to achieve an early diagnosis of post-PV MF.
Treatment of insomnia in myasthenia gravis—A prospective study on non-benzodiazepine hypnotics in the treatment of myasthenia gravis patients with insomnia
Authors: Yan Jingwen , Yang Minhui , Li Michael Ke , Huang Yangyu , Tan Ying , Shi Jiayu , Fan Qianqian , Zhu Zhu , Guan Yuzhou , Cui Liying 
Published: September 2023

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients with insomnia.MethodsThis is a prospective longitudinal study. Outpatients who met the criteria for stable MG and insomnia diagnosis according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (third edition) were included in the study. They took a regular dose of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (zolpidem 10 mg per night or zopiclone 7.5 mg per night) based on their own preferences. Patients received psychotherapy (including sleep health education) and were followed up for 4–5 weeks. Cases with lung diseases, respiratory disorders, or inappropriate use of hypnotic medications were excluded. The primary outcome is the difference in total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score between baseline and the end of follow-up period. Secondary outcomes include the difference in Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) score, 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) between baseline and the end of follow-up period and the safety of medication.ResultsA total of 75 MG patients with insomnia were included in this study. After 4–5 weeks of treatment, the total PSQI score and MG-ADL score were lower than baseline (p &lt; 0.01). No patients had an increased MG-ADL score. The incidence rate of adverse events was 16.0% (12 cases), including dizziness (6 cases, 8.0%), drowsiness (3 cases, 4.0%), fatigue (2 cases, 2.7%), and nausea (1 case, 1.3%), all of which were mild. No patients had new onset breathing disorders.ConclusionNon-benzodiazepine hypnotics are safe and effective for stable MG patients who need insomnia treatment.
Low-frequency deep brain stimulation reveals resonant beta-band evoked oscillations in the pallidum of Parkinson’s Disease patients
Authors: Zapata Amaya Valentina , Aman Joshua E. , Johnson Luke A. , Wang Jing , Patriat Remi , Hill Meghan E. , MacKinnon Colum D. , Cooper Scott E. , Darrow David , McGovern Robert , Harel Noam , Molnar Gregory F. , Park Michael C. , Vitek Jerrold L. , Escobar Sanabria David 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionEvidence suggests that spontaneous beta band (11–35 Hz) oscillations in the basal ganglia thalamocortical (BGTC) circuit are linked to Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathophysiology. Previous studies on neural responses in the motor cortex evoked by electrical stimulation in the subthalamic nucleus have suggested that circuit resonance may underlie the generation of spontaneous and stimulation-evoked beta oscillations in PD. Whether these stimulation-evoked, resonant oscillations are present across PD patients in the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi), a primary output nucleus in the BGTC circuit, is yet to be determined.MethodsWe characterized spontaneous and stimulation-evoked local field potentials (LFPs) in the GPi of four PD patients (five hemispheres) using deep brain stimulation (DBS) leads externalized after DBS implantation surgery.ResultsOur analyses show that low-frequency (2–4 Hz) stimulation in the GPi evoked long-latency (&gt;50 ms) beta-band neural responses in the GPi in 4/5 hemispheres. We demonstrated that neural sources generating both stimulation-evoked and spontaneous beta oscillations were correlated in their frequency content and spatial localization.DiscussionOur results support the hypothesis that the same neuronal population and resonance phenomenon in the BGTC circuit generates both spontaneous and evoked pallidal beta oscillations. These data also support the development of closed-loop control systems that modulate the GPi spontaneous oscillations across PD patients using beta band stimulation-evoked responses.
Postoperative serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen predict overall survival in surgical patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Huang Yi , Liu Fangfang , Xu Ruiping , Zhou Fuyou , Yang Wenlei , He Yu , Liu Zhen , Hou Bolin , Liang Linlin , Zhang Lixin , Liu Mengfei , Pan Yaqi , Liu Ying , He Zhonghu , Ke Yang 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundTumor markers are routinely used in clinical practice. However, for resectable patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), they are applied infrequently as their prognostic significance is incompletely understood.MethodsThis historical cohort study included 2769 patients with resected ESCC from 2011 to 2018 in a high-risk area in northern China. Their clinical data were extracted from the Electronic Medical Record. Survival analysis of eight common tumor markers was performed with multivariable Cox proportional hazards regressions.ResultsWith a median follow-up of 39.5 months, 901 deaths occurred. Among the eight target markers, elevated postoperative serum SCC (Squamous cell carcinoma antigen) and CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen) predicted poor overall survival (SCC HRadjusted: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.70-4.17; CEA HRadjusted: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.14-4.86). In contrast, preoperative levels were not significantly associated with survival. Stratified analysis also demonstrated poorer survival in seropositive groups of postoperative SCC and CEA within each TNM stage. The above associations were generally robust using different quantiles of concentrations above the upper limit of the clinical normal range as alternative cutoffs. Regarding temporal trends of serum levels, SCC and CEA were similar. Their concentrations fell rapidly after surgery and thereafter remained relatively stable.ConclusionPostoperative serum SCC and CEA levels predict the overall survival of ESCC surgical patients. More importance should be attached to the use of these markers in clinical applications.