bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of subway shield tunnel construction on deformation of existing utility tunnel
Authors: Wei Shi , Zenglin Hong , Min Yang , Ning Li , Tianxiang Tan 
Published: February 2023

In recent years, the development of urban underground space in China, especially the construction and operation of subway tunnels, has greatly relieved the pressure of urban traffic. Due to the imperfect planning of urban facility, many subway tunnels have to be built under the existing utility tunnels (pipe galleries). Nevertheless, shield construction of subway tunnel has a great adverse impact on the deformation and safety of the existing pipe gallery. Therefore, this paper takes Xi’an Metro Line 2 as an example, and studies the safety depth for subway tunnel shield construction under different regional conditions in Xi’an through numerical simulation. The results show that the deformation of the existing pipe gallery and its influence range decrease with the rising buried depth of the double-line subway tunnel when the soil properties are good. For example, in the loess tableland area, when the buried depth of the subway tunnel is greater than 12 m, the settlement deformation of the pipe gallery basically meets the control standard. When the soil properties are poor or the soil properties vary greatly, the subway tunnel excavation has a great impact on the safety of the pipe gallery. For example, in the first-level alluvial fan area with sand layer, when the buried depth of the subway tunnel is less than 24 m and more than 12 m, the deformation standard cannot be satisfied. In addition, in the first-level alluvial fan area with sand layer, the lower soil layer should be treated or the construction parameters should be optimized before the excavation of subway tunnel. The research results can provide reference for similar engineering construction.
DNA methylation profiling reveals novel pathway implicated in cardiovascular diseases of diabetes
Authors: Hu Shengqing , Chen Lulu , Zeng Tianshu , Wang Wenyi , Yan Yan , Qiu Kangli , Xie Yajuan , Liao Yunfei 
Published: February 2023

ObjectiveEpigenetics was reported to mediate the effects of environmental risk factors on disease pathogenesis. We intend to unleash the role of DNA methylation modification in the pathological process of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes.MethodsWe screened differentially methylated genes by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation chip (MeDIP-chip) among the enrolled participants. In addition, methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and gene expression validation in peripheral blood of participants were utilized to validate the DNA microarray findings.ResultsSeveral aberrantly methylated genes have been explored, including phospholipase C beta 1 (PLCB1), cam kinase I delta (CAMK1D), and dopamine receptor D5 (DRD5), which participated in the calcium signaling pathway. Meanwhile, vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGFB), placental growth factor (PLGF), fatty acid transport protein 3 (FATP3), coagulation factor II, thrombin receptor (F2R), and fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4) which participated in vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) signaling pathway were also found. After MSP and gene expression validation in peripheral blood of participants, PLCB1, PLGF, FATP4, and VEGFB were corroborated.ConclusionThis study revealed that the hypomethylation of VEGFB, PLGF, PLCB1, and FATP4 might be the potential biomarkers. Besides, VEGFR signaling pathway regulated by DNA methylation might play a role in the cardiovascular diseases’ pathogenesis of diabetes.
Numerical study of extreme waves driven by synthetic tropical cyclones in the northwest Pacific Ocean
Authors: Du Shengtao , Yan Zhiduo 
Published: February 2023

Extreme waves induced by extreme tropical cyclones (TCs) with a very strong intensity threaten marine production and transportation. In this paper, six tropical cyclones with a typical track and extremely strong intensity were synthesized to study the extreme waves. The data on TC tracks were extracted from the China Meteorological Administration. The historic TCs from 1949 to 2018 were classified into six groups according to their tracks, and a representative track was synthesized for each group of TCs. We applied an extremely strong intensity to the tracks for studying the extreme wave field. The synthesized track of typical track cyclones (TTCs) was based on the maximum probability of the translation distance and direction of the TC center according to historical data. The central pressure (Pc) was used to represent the TC intensity and was studied at the recurrence periods of 100, 1,000, and 10,000 years. The synthetic TC with a representative track and extremely strong intensity was called a typical tropical cyclone (TTC). The extreme wave fields driven by TTCs were simulated by Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN). The wind field driving the waves was calculated using the Holland parametric wind model and was well-verified with observations. This paper calculated the extreme Hs and Tp values of the return periods of 100, 1,000, and 10,000 years for six types of TTCs. It was found that the extreme Hs values were very different for each TTC. The highest Hs could reach 31.3 m in the recurrence period of 10,000 years. Followed by TTC-I with 18 m, TTC-VI was the weakest with less than 10 m. The TC track position frequency and its spatial variation of extreme intensity were discussed. The synthetic tracks were representative, and the intensity could be influenced by spatial variation. In the end, four historical typhoons with great intensity, wide impact, and serious disaster-causing effects were selected to compare with TTC. This paper can provide guidance for maritime planners.
Pre-transplant CRP–albumin ratio as a biomarker in patients receiving haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation: Developing a novel DRCI-based nomogram
Authors: Wang Kejing , Jian Xing , Xu Ziwei , Wang Huafang 
Published: February 2023

BackgroundIn allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), prognostic indicators effectively predict survival. The Disease conditions prior to transplantation dramatically affects the outcome of HSCT. Optimization of the pre-transplant risk assessment is critical for enhancing allo-HSCT decision-making. Inflammation and nutritional status play significant roles in cancer genesis and progression. As a combined inflammatory and nutritional status biomarker, the C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) can accurately forecast the prognosis in various malignancies. This research sought to examine the predictive value of CAR and develop a novel nomogram by combining biomarkers and evaluating their importance following HSCT.MethodsAnalyses were conducted retroactively on a cohort of 185 consecutive patients who underwent haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) at Wuhan Union Medical College Hospital during the period from February 2017 to January 2019. Of these patients, 129 were randomly assigned to the training cohort, and the remaining 56 patients constituted the internal validation cohort. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to examine the predictive significance of clinicopathological factors in the training cohort. Subsequently, the survival nomogram model was developed and compared with the disease risk comorbidity index (DRCI) using the concordance index (C-index), calibration curve, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).ResultsPatients were separated into low and high CAR groups using a cutoff of 0.087, which independently predicted overall survival (OS). Based on risk factors, CAR, the Disease Risk Index(DRI), and the Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation–specific Comorbidity Index(HCT-CI), the nomogram was developed to predict OS. The C-index and area under the ROC curve confirmed the improved predictive accuracy of the nomogram. The calibration curves revealed that the observed probabilities agreed well with those predicted by the nomogram in training, validation and entire cohort. It was confirmed by DCA that the nomogram offered greater net benefits than DRCI among all cohorts.ConclusionCAR is an independent prognostic indicator for haplo-HSCT outcomes. Higher CAR was related to worse clinicopathologic characteristics and poorer prognoses in patients underwent haplo-HSCT. This research provided an accurate nomogram for predicting the OS of patients following haplo-HSCT, illustrating its potential clinical utility.
Characterization of patients with IgA nephropathy with and without associated minimal change disease
Authors: Guo Wei-yi , Sun Li-jun , Dong Hong-rui , Wang Guo-qin , Xu Xiao-yi , Cheng Wen-rong , Zhao Zhi-rui , Ye Nan , Liu Yun , Cheng Hong 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionImmunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) presents various clinical manifestations and pathological phenotypes. Approximately 5% of patients with IgAN present with early onset nephrotic syndrome, mild mesangial lesions, and diffuse foot process effacement of podocytes, which resemble minimal change disease (MCD). These patients are defined as MCD-IgAN. Whether MCD-IgAN is a special type of IgAN or simply MCD accompanied by IgA deposition remains controversial.MethodsA total of 51 patients diagnosed with MCD-IgAN at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2010 to September 2022 were recruited. The clinical and pathological characteristics of IgA-MCD were analyzed. Patients with IgAN but without MCD (non-MCD-IgAN) and healthy participants were enrolled as controls. Galactose-deficient immunoglobulin A1 (Gd-IgA1) and complement C3 were detected both in the circulation and in renal tissues.ResultsWe found that the levels of serum Gd-IgA1 were lower in participants with MCD-IgAN than in those with non-MCD-IgAN, but higher than in healthy participants. Gd-IgA1 was rarely deposited in the glomeruli of participants with MCD-IgAN, with a positive rate of only 13.7% (7/51); in contrast, the positive rate in participants with non-MCD-IgAN was 82.4% (42/51). Among renal Gd-IgA1-positive patients, Gd-IgA1 and immunoglobulin A (IgA) colocalized along the glomerular mesangial and capillary areas. Interestingly, we found that the circulating levels of complement C3 were significantly higher in participants with MCD-IgAN than in participants with non-MCD-IgAN. In addition, the intensity of C3c in glomeruli in participants with MCD-IgAN was significantly weaker than in participants with non-MCD-IgAN.ConclusionsOur study suggests that, in MCD-IgAN, most of the IgA that is deposited on glomeruli is not the same pathogenic Gd-IgA1 as found in general IgAN. Complement activation both in the circulation and in the renal locality was much weaker in MCD-IgAN than in non-MCD-IgAN. Our study suggests that IgAN with MCD might be MCD with coincidental IgA deposition.
Abnormal resting-state functional connectivity underlies cognitive and clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Jia Yingxin , Jariwala Namasvi , Hinkley Leighton B. N. , Nagarajan Srikantan , Subramaniam Karuna 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionThe cognitive and psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia (SZ) are thought to result from disrupted brain network connectivity.MethodsWe capitalize on the high spatiotemporal resolution of magnetoencephalography imaging (MEG) to record spontaneous neuronal activity in resting state networks in 21 SZ compared with 21 healthy controls (HC).ResultsWe found that SZ showed significant global disrupted functional connectivity in delta-theta (2–8 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), and beta (12–30 Hz) frequencies, compared to HC. Disrupted global connectivity in alpha frequencies with bilateral frontal cortices was associated with more severe clinical psychopathology (i.e., positive psychotic symptoms). Specifically, aberrant connectivity in beta frequencies between the left primary auditory cortex and cerebellum, was linked to greater hallucination severity in SZ. Disrupted connectivity in delta-theta frequencies between the medial frontal and left inferior frontal cortex was associated with impaired cognition.DiscussionThe multivariate techniques employed in the present study highlight the importance of applying our source reconstruction techniques which leverage the high spatial localization abilities of MEG for estimating neural source activity using beamforming methods such as SAM (synthetic aperture morphometry) to reconstruct the source of brain activity, together with functional connectivity assessments, assayed with imaginary coherence metrics, to delineate how neurophysiological dysconnectivity in specific oscillatory frequencies between distinct regions underlie the cognitive and psychotic symptoms in SZ. The present findings employ powerful techniques in spatial and time-frequency domains to provide potential neural biomarkers underlying neuronal network dysconnectivity in SZ that will inform the development of innovations in future neuromodulation treatment development.
Visual field improvement after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery in patients with pituitary adenoma
Authors: Ji Xiaoyu , Zhuang Xinyu , Yang Siyuan , Zhang Kai , Li Xiaozhe , Yuan Kun , Zhang Xiaofeng , Sun Xuebo 
Published: February 2023

PurposeTo analyze and predict the possibility of visual field (VF) recovery after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS) in patients with pituitary adenoma, we investigated the factors affecting the improvement of the visual field defect (VFD) and built a nomogram predictive model based on these risk factors. We further investigated specific recovery regions of VF associated with the improvement of VFD.MethodsThe clinical data of patients who underwent ETSS for pituitary adenomas at a single center between the January 2021 and April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the predictive factors affecting the improvement in the VF defect and specific recovery regions in patients with pituitary adenomas after ETSS.ResultsWe enrolled 28 patients (56 eyes) who were hospitalized at our institution. Four clinical features, including compression of the optic chiasm, preoperative mean defect (MD), diffuse defect, and duration of the visual symptom, were chosen from the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis to establish the predictive nomogram. The nomogram’s area under the curve (AUC) was 0.912, indicating a good degree of differentiation. A calibration plot was used to evaluate the predictive model’s calibration, and a decision curve was used to evaluate its clinical application value. The VF defects were improved in the 270–300° range (270–300: RR = 361.00, 95% CI: 21.01–6,202.41).ConclusionWe developed a predictive nomogram model based on significant visual field improvement-associated factors after ETSS in patients with pituitary adenoma. Postoperative visual field improvement is likely to begin at 270–300° in the inferior temporal quadrant. This improvement would enable personalized counselling for individual patients by precisely predicting the visual field recovery after surgery.
Case report: Managing multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in Lao People's Democratic Republic, a success story
Authors: Douangboupha Vannida , Nhiacha Kouyang , Sodaluck Bounloth , Thepmixay Daosavanh , Krohn Kristina M. 
Published: February 2023

IntroductionMultisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is believed to be one of the most important life-threatening complications of COVID-19 infection among children. In any setting, early recognition, investigations, and management of MIS-C is crucial, but it is particularly difficult in resource-limited settings (RLS). This is the first case report of MIS-C in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) that was promptly recognized, treated, and resulted in full recovery with no known complications despite the resource limitations.Case presentationA healthy 9-year-old boy presented to a central teaching hospital fulfilling the World Health's Organization's MIS-C criteria. The patient had never received a COVID-19 vaccine and had a history of COVID-19 contact. The diagnosis was based upon the history, changes in the patient's clinical status, and response to treatment and negative testing and response to treatment for alternative diagnoses. Despite management challenges relating to limited access to an intensive care bed and the high cost of IVIG; the patient received a full course of treatment and appropriate follow-up cares post discharge. There were several aspects to this case that may not hold true for other children in Lao PDR. First, the family lived in the capital city, close to the central hospitals. Second, the family was able to afford repeated visits to private clinics, and the cost of IVIG, and other treatments. Third, the physicians involved in his care promptly recognized a new diagnosis.ConclusionsMIS-C is a rare but life-threatening complication of COVID-19 infection among children. The management of MIS-C requires early recognition, investigations, and interventions which may be difficult to access, cost-prohibitive, and further increase demand on healthcare services that are already limited in RLS. Nevertheless, clinicians must consider means for improving access, determine which tests and interventions are worth the cost, and establishing local clinical guidelines for working within resource constraints while awaiting additional assistance from local and international public health systems. Additionally, using COVID-19 vaccination to prevent MIS-C and its complication for children may be cost-effective.
Study on the pathogenesis of MiR-6324 regulating diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome and bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Xiao Jin , Zhou Yan-ni , Yang Yan-lin , He Li , Wang Ke-kai , Chen Min 
Published: February 2023

Objective: To investigate the pathogenesis of IBS-D by bioinformatics analysis of the differential microRNAs in rat colon tissue and to analyze and predict the function of their target genes.Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats of SPF class were randomly divided into two groups, the model group was manipulated using the colorectal dilatation method + chronic restraint stress method to establish the IBS-D model; while the blank group stroked the perineum at the same frequency. Screening of differential miRNAs after High-throughput sequencing of rat colon tissue. GO and KEGG analysis of target genes using the DAVID website, further mapping using RStudio software; the STRING database and the Cytoscape software were used to obtain the protein interaction network (PPI) of the target genes as well as the core genes. Finally, qPCR was used to detect the expression of target genes in the colon tissue of two groups of rats.Results: After the screening, miR-6324 was obtained as the key of this study. The GO analysis of target genes of miR-6324 is mainly involved in protein phosphorylation, positive regulation of cell proliferation, and intracellular signal transduction; it affects a variety of cellular components such as cytoplasm, nucleus, and organelles on the intracellular surface; it is also involved in molecular functions such as protein binding, ATP binding, and DNA binding. KEGG analysis showed that the intersecting target genes were mainly enriched in cancer pathways, proteoglycans in cancer, neurotrophic signaling pathway, etc. The protein-protein interaction network screened out the core genes mainly Ube2k, Rnf41, Cblb, Nek2, Nde1, Cep131, Tgfb2, Qsox1, and Tmsb4x. The qPCR results showed that the expression of miR-6324 decreased in the model group, but the decrease was not significant.Conclusion: miR-6324 may be involved in the pathogenesis of IBS-D as a potential biological target and provide further ideas for research on the pathogenesis of the disease or treatment options.
Potentially inappropriate medication including drug-drug interaction and the risk of frequent falling, hospital admission, and death in older adults - results of a large cohort study (getABI)
Authors: Reinhild Haerig Theresa , Krause Dietmar , Klaassen-Mielke Renate , Rudolf Henrik , Trampisch Hans Joachim , Thuermann Petra 
Published: February 2023

Introduction: With growing age, multiple chronic diseases may result in polypharmacy. Drugs that should be avoided in older adults are called potentially inappropriate medications (PIM). Beyond PIM, drug-drug interactions (DDI) are known to be related to adverse drug events. This analysis examines the risk of frequent falling, hospital admission, and death in older adults associated with PIM and/or DDI (PIM/DDI) prescription.Materials and methods: This post hoc analysis used data of a subgroup of the getABI study participants, a large cohort of community-dwelling older adults. The subgroup comprised 2120 participants who provided a detailed medication report by telephone interview at the 5-year getABI follow-up. The risks of frequent falling, hospital admission, and death in the course of the following 2 years were analysed by logistic regression in uni- and multivariable models with adjustment for established risk factors.Results: Data of all 2,120 participants was available for the analysis of the endpoint death, of 1,799 participants for hospital admission, and of 1,349 participants for frequent falling. The multivariable models showed an association of PIM/DDI prescription with frequent falling (odds ratio (OR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–2.60, p = 0.027) as well as with hospital admission (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04–1.58, p = 0.018), but not with death (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.58–1.72, p = 0.999).Conclusion: PIM/DDI prescription was associated with the risk of hospital admission and frequent falling. No association was found with death by 2 years. This result should alert physicians to provide a closer look at PIM/DDI prescriptions.
Improvement of obesity-induced fatty liver disease by intermittent hypoxia exposure in a murine model
Authors: Chen Liya , Wang Yao , Zheng Weikun , Zhang Hu , Sun Yan , Chen Yiping , Liu Qi 
Published: February 2023

Background: The high prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the world raises an important concern for human health. The western diet containing high fat and fructose is the risk factor for NAFLD development. Intermittent hypoxia (IH), known as the basis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), normally is correlated with impaired liver function. However, the role of IH in liver injury prevention has been revealed by many other studies based on the different IH paradigms. The current study, therefore, tests the impact of IH on the liver of high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFHFD) fed mice.Material and Method: Mice were exposed to IH (2 min cycle, FiO2 8% for 20 s, FiO2 20.9% for 100 s; 12 h/day) or intermittent air (FiO2 20.9%) for 15 weeks, with normal diet (ND) or high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFHFD). Indices of liver injury and metabolism were measured.Results: IH causes no overt liver injury in mice fed an ND. However, HFHFD-induced lipid accumulation, lipid peroxidation, neutrophil infiltration, and apoptotic process were significantly attenuated by IH exposure. Importantly, IH exposure altered bile acids composition and shifted the hepatic bile acids towards FXR agonism, which was involved in the protection of IH against HFHFD.Conclusion: These results support that the IH pattern in our model prevents liver injury from HFHFD in experimental NAFLD.