bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of comorbidities on the serological response to COVID-19 vaccination in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Chung-Feng , Jang Tyng-Yuan , Wu Ping-Hsun , Kuo Mei-Chuan , Yeh Ming-Lun , Wang Chih-Wen , Liang Po-Cheng , Wei Yu-Ju , Hsu Po-Yao , Huang Ching-I , Hsieh Ming-Yen , Lin Yi-Hung , Hsiao Hui-Hua , Hsu Chin-Mu , Huang Chien-Tzu , Lee Chun-Yuan , Chen Yen-Hsu , Chen Tun-Chieh , Lin Kun-Der , Wang Shuo-Hung , Wang Sheng-Fan , Huang Jee-Fu , Dai Chia-Yen , Chuang Wan-Long , Yu Ming-Lung 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background/Aims
Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is one of the best policies to control COVID-19 pandemic. The serological response to COVID-19 vaccination in Taiwanese patients with different comorbidities is elusive.
Methods
Uninfected subjects who received 3 doses of mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 [Pfizer-BioNTech, BNT] and mRNA-1273 [Moderna]), viral vector-based vaccines (ChAdOx1-S (AZD1222, AZ) or protein subunit vaccines (Medigen COVID-19 vaccine) were prospectively enrolled. The SARS-CoV-2-IgG spike antibody level was determined within three months after the 3rd dose of vaccination. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was applied to determine the association between vaccine titers and underlying comorbidities.
Results
A total of 824 subjects were enrolled in the current study. The proportions of CCI scores of 0-1, 2-3 and >4 were 52.8% (n=435), 31.3% (n=258) and 15.9% (n=131), respectively. The most commonly used vaccination combination was AZ-AZ-Moderna (39.2%), followed by Moderna-Moderna-Moderna (27.8%). The mean vaccination titer was 3.11 log BAU/mL after a median of 48 days after the 3rd dose. Factors associated with potentially effective neutralization capacity included an age ≥60 years (odds ratio [OR]/95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49/0.34–0.72; P <0.001), female gender (OR/CI, 1.78/1.26–2.53; P =0.001), Moderna-based vaccination (compared to AZ-based vaccination; OR/CI, 6.49/3.90–10.82; P <0.001) and a CCI score ≥4 (OR/CI, 0.55/0.35–0.85; P =0.01). There was a decreasing trend in antibody titers with increasing CCI scores (trend P<0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed that AZ-based vaccination (β: 0.341, CI: 0.144, 0.21, P<0.001) and higher CCI scores (β: -0.055, CI: -0.096, -0.014, P=0.009) independently correlated with low IgG spike antibody levels.
Conclusions
Subjects with more comorbidities had a poor response to 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccination.
Clinical roles of soluble PD-1 and PD-L1 in plasma of NSCLC patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Himuro Hidetomo , Nakahara Yoshiro , Igarashi Yuka , Kouro Taku , Higashijima Naoko , Matsuo Norikazu , Murakami Shuji , Wei Feifei , Horaguchi Shun , Tsuji Kayoko , Mano Yasunobu , Saito Haruhiro , Azuma Koichi , Sasada Tetsuro 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Introduction

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have significantly improved the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, only a limited proportion of patients can benefit from this therapy, and clinically useful predictive biomarkers remain to be elucidated.

Methods

Blood was collected from 189 patients with NSCLC before and six weeks after the initiation of the ICI treatment (anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibody). Soluble PD-1 (sPD-1) and PD-L1 (sPD-L1) in plasma before and after treatment were analyzed for evaluation of their clinical significance.

Results

The Cox regression analysis demonstrated that higher sPD-L1 levels before treatment significantly predicted unfavorable progression-free survival (PFS; HR 15.4, 95%CI 1.10–86.7, P = 0.009) and overall survival (OS; HR 11.4, 95%CI 1.19–52.3, P = 0.007) in NSCLC patients treated with ICI monotherapy (n = 122), but not in those treated with ICI combined with chemotherapy (n = 67: P = 0.729 and P = 0.155, respectively). In addition, higher sPD-1 levels after treatment were significantly associated with better OS (HR 0.24, 95%CI 0.06–0.91, P = 0.037) in patients treated with anti-PD-1 monotherapy, whereas higher sPD-L1 levels after treatment were significantly associated with worse PFS (HR 6.09, 95%CI 1.42–21.0, P = 0.008) and OS (HR 42.6, 95%CI 6.83–226, P < 0.001). The levels of sPD-L1 at baseline were well correlated with those of other soluble factors, such as sCD30, IL-2Ra, sTNF-R1, and sTNF-R2, which are known to be released from the cell surface by zinc-binding proteases ADAM10/17.

Conclusions

These findings suggest the clinical significance of pre-treatment sPD-L1 as well as post-treatment sPD-1 and sPD-L1 in NSCLC patients treated with ICI monotherapy.
Protective effect of bone morphogenetic protein-7 induced differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in acute spinal cord injury rat
Authors: Sun Xudong , Li Maoyong , Huang Shiyuan , Zhang Heng , Li Kuanxin 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The principal aim of present study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) induced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) differentiation in rat acute spinal cord injury (SCI) model. BMSCs were isolated from rats, then divided into control and BMP7 induction groups. The proliferation ability of BMSCs and glial cell markers were detected. Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham, SCI, BMSCs, and BMP7 + BMSCs groups (n = 10). The recovery of motor function of hind limbs of rats, the pathological, related markers and motor evoked potentials (MEP) were detected. BMSCs differentiated into neuron like cells after exogenous BMP7 intervention. Interestingly, the expression levels of MAP-2 and Nestin increased, while the expression GFAP level decreased after exogenous BMP7 intervention. BBB score reached 19.33 ± 0.58 in the BMP7 + BMSCs group at day 42. Nissl bodies in model group were reduced compared to sham group. After 42 days, both in the BMSCs and BMP7 + BMSCs groups, the number of nissl bodies were increased. Especially, the number of nissl bodies in the BMP7 + BMSCs group was more than that in BMSCs group. The expression of Tuj-1 and MBP in BMP7 + BMSCs group increased, while the expression of GFAP decreased. MEP waveform decreased significantly after surgery. The waveform was wider, the amplitude was higher in BMP7 + BMSCs group than that in BMSCs group. BMP7 promotes BMSCs proliferation, and induces BMSCs differentiate into neuron like cells, inhibits the formation of glial scar. BMP7 plays a confident role in the recovery of SCI rats.
Hypopituitarism or hyperpituitarism? Empty sella combined with Cushing disease: a case report and literature review
Authors: Li Yang , Wu Nianwei , Lu Yongxia , Li Xuan , Zhang Fang , Zhou Peizhi , Ran Xingwu , Tong Nanwei , Lü Qingguo 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Purpose
We aimed to describe and emphasize the qualitative and etiological diagnosis of Cushing disease combined with empty sella.
Methods
We reported a 54 y/o female patient who was diagnosed as Cushing syndrome and was qualitatively diagnosed as Cushing disease through endocrine function test. However, the first enhanced MRI examination only found the empty sella. The consistent results of all endocrine function tests led us to conduct the second enhanced MRI of pituitary microadenomas and finally found pituitary nodules on the background of empty sella after careful analysis of imaging films. Finally, the patient accepted surgical treatment and was followed up well.
Conclusion
The empty sella is not necessarily all hypopituitarism, and it may be hyperpituitarism or both in some cases. Standardized endocrine function tests and advanced imaging technology can play decisive roles for qualitative and etiological diagnosis.
Modelling the effects of climate and land-cover changes on the potential distribution of three Earthsnakes (Genus Conopsis, Günther, 1858) in a highly anthropized area of Mexico
Authors: Sunny Armando , Manjarrez Javier , Caballero-Viñas Carmen , Bolom-Huet René , Gómez-Ortiz Yuriana , Domínguez-Vega Hublester , Heredia-Bobadilla Rosa Laura , González-Fernández Andrea 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAnthropogenic changes, such as land use and climate change, are the greatest threats to biodiversity, especially for reptiles, the second most endangered vertebrate class worldwide. Species distribution modelling was applied to assess how expected scenarios of future climate and land cover change might influence the geographic distribution and habitat connectivity of threeConopsisearthsnakes endemic to Mexico:Conopsis biserialis(Taylor and Smith, 1942),Conopsis lineata(Kennicott, 1859), andConopsis nasus(Günther, 1858). In order to do this, two climate models were used, CNRM-CM5 (CN) and MPI-ESM-LR (MP), with the Representative Concentration Pathways of RCP 85 and the Maxent modelling method in ENMeval. The most important environmental variables affecting the distribution of the target species, as well as the environmental niche overlap between them, were also determined.C. biserialis, C. lineata, andC. nasuswere found to be restricted by maximum and minimum temperatures as they are adapted to high elevations and temperate semi-cold climates; therefore, climate was a main determining factor for species distribution. As expected, allConopsisspecies were predicted to face a reduction in their potential distribution withC. lineatapossibly losing approximately 48.5% andC. biserialislosing 28.7%. However, the models were inconsistent in determining which species would suffer the biggest reduction in distribution in the future. Likewise, a reduction in connectivity was found for the three species ofConopsis, while the Sierra de las Cruces and Corredor Biológico Chichinautzin were determined as very important areas in terms of connectivity. Unfortunately, great losses ofAbiesandPinusforests occurred in these areas between 2011 and 2014, along with an increase in the agricultural activity that compromises the populations of these species when intensively managed. Most of the potential distribution of these species are found in close proximity to agriculture and outside of protected areas, which is why it is extremely important to create protected areas for reptile species that live in these parts of central Mexico.
Evaluation of dewatering-induced hydraulic and ground responses of thick multi-aquifer sandy strata without aquitards
Authors: Fan Dongdong , Tan Yong , Tang Yongjing , Wang Dalong 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Currently, a great number of studies have been conducted to analyze hydraulic performance of the alternated multi-aquifer aquitard system (MAAS); while, few researches on the hydraulic performance of the strata without aquitard were known in literature. Construction of subways in Nantong, a typical costal city located at the estuary area of the Yangtze River and featuring thick water-rich sandy strata, provided a rare chance for this investigation. Based on a series of pumping tests, the hydrological characteristics of the unique full-profile water-rich sandy strata were examined extensively. Both analytical and numerical methods were adopted to analyze the results further. The results indicate that due to the absence of aquitards, there existed a strong hydraulic connection between the aquifers. Apart from the hydraulic parameters, the hydraulic recharge between aquifers has impact on the hydraulic performance as well when pumping was carried out at different burial depths. On the basis of considering the hydraulic performance of aquifers and the hydraulic connection between them, the optimal pumping scheme for underground construction or domestic water use was discussed. The findings of this study provide an insight into the distinctive full-profile water-rich sandy strata and can help engineers adopt appropriate measures to deal with pumping works under similar geohydrology conditions.
Study on the impact of delaying the legal retirement age on basic endowment insurance for urban employees in China
Authors: Yunxia Fang , Zheng Mingming 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The 14th Five-Year Plan for 2021 has once again put delaying the legal retirement age on the agenda, and the impact of delaying the legal retirement age on the basic endowment insurance for urban employees has received much attention. By building an actuarial model of individual basic endowment insurance fund contributions and benefits, this study examines the effects of raising the retirement age and life expectancy on urban employees' pension contributions and benefits.Delaying retirement has been shown to reduce the gap between pension contributions and benefits for female employees, but it still demonstrates that benefits outweigh contributions;When the current pension policy and the guidelines outlined in this paper are used, the difference between pension contributions and benefits is positive for male employees who retire at age 64 with 42 years of contributions or at age 65 with 37 years of contributions;but the difference between pension contributions and benefits for male employees is much smaller than that for female employees. The difference between male's and female's pensions contributions is much smaller than that between male's and female's pensions, and the difference between male's and female's pensions cannot be realized.The increase in life expectancy means an increase in the number of lives left in retirement, which leads to an increase in pension benefits, and the difference between pension contributions and benefits will become more pronounced;delaying the legal retirement age can help reduce the difference between contributions and benefits under the increase of life expectancy.
Polymer precursor method for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles: A Novel Approach
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Bhoj Gaurav Singh , Wohra Kruti , Ali Shah Raj , Haider Naved , Karmakar Rachan 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a very important compound used in different industries. Several methods are currently used to synthesize ZnO. In this study, we discuss a novel chemical route used to synthesize and purify ZnO in the nanometer scale, with full control on the particle size. Zinc oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized using a simple chemical method using polymer precursors. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The average crystallite size as measured from XRD and TEM image confirmed the particle size in the range of 30-50 nm. The SEM image was used to confirm the uniform spherical particles of zinc oxide nanoparticles.
Subcutaneous adipocyte size but not adiposity was associated with inflammation, ER stress, and insulin resistance markers
Authors: Pourdashti Sara , Faridi Nassim , Monem-Homaie Forouzandeh , Yaghooti S. Hamid , Soroush Ahmadreza , Bathaie S. Zahra 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background: The fat storage capability of the adipose tissue prevents ectopic lipid deposition, which is one of the risk factors for metabolic abnormalities in obesity. This capability depends on the adipogenic gene expression and blood supply provision for tissue expansion through angiogenesis. Here, we studied hyperplasia/hypertrophy of subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT) concerning adipogenic gene expression, angiogenic status, and metabolic parameters in non-obese, Class I, and Class II+III obese subjects.
Methods: The scWAT samples were collected from 80 subjects. The anthropometric parameters, adipose tissue cell size, serum biochemistry, ER stress induced XBP1 splicing, PPARγ2, SFRP1, WNT10B, and VEGFA gene expression levels were studied. In addition, the CD31 level was investigated by Western blotting.
Results: The obese subjects had greater waist circumferences and higher serum TG, TC, insulin, and HOMA-IR than the non-obese group. The Class I obese group showed the largest adipocyte size, increased TNFα, insulin, HOMA-IR, and sXBP-1, WNT10B, and VEGFAexpression. In contrast, the expression of SFRP1 was not significantly different between all studied groups. The Class II+III obesity group showed high PPARγ2 expression and CD31 levels. Class I obesity, with hypertrophic scWAT adipocytes and limited capability of adipose tissue expansion, showed inflammation, insulin resistance, and ER stress.
Conclusion: The results suggest that the capability of adipogenesis with inadequate angiogenesis is related to metabolic status, inflammation, and ER function. Therefore, therapeutic strategies to simultaneously promote angiogenesis and adipogenesis can effectively prevent obesity complications.
Spatial and Seasonal Variation in Physicochemical Characteristics of Sediment Cores from Selected Creeks in The Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Eguvbe Peter Mamuro 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Live DNA: 234.17895*
The spatial and seasonal changes in pH, electrical conductivity and total organic carbon were investigated in sediment cores of Ubeji, Ifie, and Egbokodo Creeks in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. A total of 222 sediment core samples were taken during the wet (August 2010) and the dry seasons (January 2011). The samples were dried, sieved, and analyzed using standard analytical methodology. The pH of the sediment ranged from 2.25 to 4.80 (wet season), and 2.12 to 4.42 (dry season), thereby, implying that the sediment cores are acidic in nature in both wet and dry season. The Electrical conductivity of the core sediment ranged between 620 and 5,620 µS/cm (wet season) and between 800 and 5900 µS/cm (dry season). Total Organic Carbon of all nine cores decreased slightly with increase of sediment core depth. This study provided information on the physicochemical properties of sediment cores, which may be useful for enforcement actions, environmental quality governance, and environmental forensic studies.
COCAM: A Cooperative Video Edge Caching and Multicasting Approach Based on Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Shi Ruohan , Fan Qilin , Fu Shu , Zhang Xu , Li Xiuhua , Chen Meng 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The evolution of the Internet of Things technology has boosted the drastic increase in network traffic demand. Caching and multicasting are effective approaches to alleviate the backhaul burden of networks and reduce service latency. However, existing works do not jointly exploit the advantages of these two approaches. In this paper, we propose COCAM, a cooperative video edge caching and multicasting approach based on multi-agent deep reinforcement learning to minimize the transmission number in the multi-clouds scenario with limited storage capacity in each mobile edge server. Specifically, by integrating a cooperative transmission model with the caching model, we provide a concrete formulation of the joint problem. Then, We cast this decision-making problem as a multi-agent extension of the Markov decision process and propose a multi-agent actor-critic algorithm in which each agent learns a local caching policy and observes the information of neighboring agents as part of the environment. Finally, to validate the COCAM algorithm, we conduct extensive experiments on a real-world dataset. The results show that our proposed algorithm outperforms other baseline algorithms in terms of the number of video transmissions.
Market Research and the New Product Development Process
Authors: Vidor Gabriel Vidor , de Medeiros Janine Fleith , Zin Roque Alberto , Vieira Guilherme Bergmann Borges 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Market research is an important tool throughout all the steps that involve developing new products. Nevertheless, the inadequate use of the available research methodologies raises the probability of failure within innovation to be negotiated in the markets. Based on the stated, this article systematizes the main types of market research to be carried out along the stages of the product development process, as well as its stages and data analysis procedures. Initially, regarding the bibliographic research, it was possible to identify five market research problems throughout the NPD stages: (i) identification of latent demands, (ii) identification of requirements valued by customers, (iii) concept testing, (iv) prototype testing and (v) evaluation of product performance with consumers. Therefore, to establish the appropriate research processes for each of the listed problems, a focus group was conducted with specialists. The proposed classification constitutes a framework that can be adopted for validation in further studies, because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalisability. The synthesis proposed in this work contributes to guiding the managers who act directly in the processes of product innovation.
Prolonged latent 'baseline' state of large-scale resting state networks in Alzheimer's disease as revealed by hidden Markov modelling
Authors: Li Chaofan , Li Yunfei , Tao Yunyun , He Yang , Wang Jianhua , Li Jie , Jia Yu , Hou Wen , Zhao Xiaohu , Liu Dongqiang 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. While resting state fMRI holds great promise in identification of diagnostic markers, how spatio-temporal dynamics of functional networks are reconfigured in AD remains elusive. We employed hidden Markov model to examine the time-resolved information of resting state fMRI data from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative dataset. Two hundred and ninety-four participants well selected (23 with AD, 54 with mild cognitive impairment and 217 normal controls). We focused on the mean activation map which allows reliable measurement for statistical characteristics of spatial distribution of the latent states. At the time scale of seconds, we detected a 'baseline' state at which all the resting state networks had low activation levels. Moreover, AD patients tended to spend more time on this 'baseline' state and less time on the default mode network states than healthy elderly subjects. The prolonged latent 'baseline' state in AD probably reflects departure of the brain from criticality. Our findings provide important clues that help understand mechanisms underlying the reorganization of large-scale functional networks for AD.
The daily intake and serum levels of copper, selenium and zinc are associated with osteoarthritis but not with rheumatoid arthritis in a cross-section study
Authors: Yang Wei-ming , Wang Yuan-yuan , Xu Yan-mei , Lin Jin , Liu Jing , Lv Jiao-feng , Chen Juanjuan , Wang Xiaozhong 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The present study examined potential association between the daily intake and serum levels of copper (Cu), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) and the risk of osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Daily intake and serum concentrations of Cu, Zn and Se in 4200 adults from the 2011–2016 NHANES were examined and divided into normal, OA patients and RA patients. The level of serum Cu was higher in OA and RA than in non- arthritis, while the level of serum Se and Zn were no difference in the three group. Serum Se and Zn, but not Cu, concentrations were highly correlated with daily intake. Cu, Se and Zn intake was independently associated with increased risk of OA, but not with RA. And there was a trend for higher odds of OA among participants in the higher Cu, Se and Zn intake. Future large longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm these findings.