bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low-dose CT I mage D enoising M ethod B ased on Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Jiao Fengyuan , Yang Zhixiu , Shi Shaojie , Cao Weiguo 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
In order to solve the problems of artifacts and noise in low-dose computed tomography ( CT ) images in clinical medical diagnosis, an improved image denoising algorithm under the architecture of generative adversarial network ( GAN ) is proposed. First, a noise model based on Style GAN2 is constructed to estimate the real noise distribution, and the noise information similar to the real noise distribution is generated by as the experimental noise data set. Then, a network model with encoder-decoder architecture as the core based on GAN idea is constructed, and the network model is trained with the generated noise data set until it reaches the optimal value. Finally, the noise and artifacts in low-dose CT images can be removed by inputting low-dose CT images into the denoising network. The experimental results show that the constructed network model based on GAN architecture can improve the utilization rate of noise feature information and the stability of network training, remove image noise and artifacts, and the reconstructed image has rich texture and realistic visual effect.
Salivary oxidative stress as a health indicator for titanium-zirconia tissue-level implants in diabetic patients: a cross-sectional study.
Authors: Marconcini Simone , Giammarinaro Enrica , Correja Joao Andre , Maltagliati Alberto , Salvado Francisco , Covani Ugo 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: Diabetes is a chronic condition associated to higher levels of systemic oxidative stress. This might pose a risk of failure for implant therapies. However, there is insufficient data regarding the long-term implant survival in patients with diabetes assessing different implant designs and complementary information related to patients’ general oral health status. The aim of this cohort study was to investigate the survival and success rates of titanium-zirconia tissue-level dental implants in patients with a history of T2DM and to assess the outcome according to glycemic control and oxidative stress levels.Methods: The present cross-sectional study evaluated the implant success among a cohort of patients diagnosed with diabetes type II and rehabilitated with titanium-zirconia tissue-level implants. Blood and salivary oxidative stress has been scored at different time points with U CARR units. Results: Thirty-seven implants in twenty-eight patients have been included in the analysis. All implants were healthy, not showing pathological bone loss neither signs or symptoms of mucositis/peri-implantitis at the last follow-up visit. Local and systemic stress appeared unrelated. The blood test scored an average value of 367±71.8 U CARR which is to be expected in a diabetic cohort, with no difference on the basis of glycemic control. The average salivary test score was 2203±364 U CARR, which is within the limits of a healthy range. This test was found to be higher in diabetic patients showing poor glycemic control. Conclusion: Tissue level implants are a reliable solution in diabetic patients with varying levels of glycemic control and systemic oxidative stress, as long as the general oral health is preserved. Assessment of salivary antioxidants could be a non-invasive beneficial procedure to routing patients to the appropriate treatment plan, discouraging elective surgical procedure unless strict hygiene measures are followed.
In Silico Analysis of TUBA4A Mutations in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis to Define Mechanisms of Microtubule Disintegration
Authors: Ganne Akshatha , Balasubramaniam Meenakshisundaram , Ayyadevara Haarika , Kiaei Lily , Reis Robert J. Shmookler , Varughese Kottayil I. , Kiaei Mahmoud 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an inexorably progressive and degenerative disorder of motor neurons with no currently-known cure. Studies to determine the mechanism of neurotoxicity and the impact of ALS-linked mutations (SOD1, FUS, TARDP, C9ORF72, PFN1, TUBA4A and others) have greatly expanded our knowledge of ALS disease mechanisms and have helped to identify potential targets for ALS therapy. Cellular pathologies (e.g., aggregation of mutant forms of SOD1, TDP43, FUS, Ubiqulin2, PFN1, and C9ORF72), mitochondrial dysfunction, neuro­inflammation, and oxidative damage are major pathways implicated in ALS. Nevertheless, the selective vulnerability of motor neurons remains unexplained. The importance of tubulins for long-axon infrastructure, and the special morphology and function of motor neurons, underscore the central role of the cytoskeleton. The recent linkage of mutations to the tubulin α chain, TUBA4A, to familial and sporadic cases of ALS provides a new investigative opportunity to shed light on both mechanisms of ALS and the vulnerability of motor neurons. In the current study we investigate TUBA4A, a structural microtubule protein with mutations causal to familial ALS, using molecular-dynamic (MD) modeling of protein structure to predict the effects of each mutation and its overall impact on GTP binding, chain stability, tubulin assembly, and aggregation propensity. These studies predict that each of the reported mutations will cause notable structural changes to the TUBA4A (α chain) tertiary protein structure, adversely affecting its physical properties and function. Molecular docking and MD simulations indicate certain α chain mutations (e.g. K430N, R215C, and W407X) will cause structural deviations that impair GTP binding, and may prevent tubulin polymerization. Furthermore, several mutations (including R320C and K430N) confer a significant increase in predicted aggregation propensity of TUBA4A mutants relative to wild-type. Taken together, these in silico modeling studies revealed structural perturbations and disruption of GTP binding, culminating in failure to form the tubulin heterocomplex, which may account for an important mechanism and a trigger in initiation of motor neuron degeneration in ALS.
Metabolic reprogramming of OPA1-deficient cells
Authors: Dai Wenting , Wang Zhichao , Wang Qiong A. , Chan David , Jiang Lei 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
OPA1, a dynamin-related GTPase mutated in autosomal dominant optic atrophy, is essential for the fusion of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Although OPA1 deficiency leads to impaired mitochondrial morphology, the role of OPA1 in central carbon metabolism remains unclear. Here, we aim to explore the functional role and metabolic mechanism of OPA1 in cell fitness beyond the control of mitochondrial fusion. We applied [U-13C]glucose and [U-13C]glutamine isotope tracing techniques to OPA1-knockout (OPA1-KO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) compared to OPA1 wild-type (OPA1-WT) controls. Furthermore, the resulting tracing data were integrated by metabolic flux analysis (MFA) to understand the underlying metabolic mechanism through which OPA1 deficiency reprograms cellular metabolism. OPA1-deficient MEFs were depleted of intracellular citrate, which was consistent with the decreased oxygen consumption rate in these cells with mitochondrial fission that is not balanced by mitochondrial fusion. Whereas oxidative glucose metabolism was impaired, OPA1‑deficient cells activated glutamine-dependent reductive carboxylation and subsequently relied on this reductive metabolism to produce cytosolic citrate as a predominant acetyl-CoA source for de novo fatty acid synthesis. Prevention of cytosolic glutamine reductive carboxylation by GSK321, an inhibitor of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1), largely repressed lipid synthesis and blocked cell proliferation in OPA1-deficient MEFs. Our data support that, when glucose oxidation failed to support lipogenesis and proliferation in cells with unbalanced mitochondrial fission, OPA1‑deficiency stimulated metabolic anaplerosis into glutamine-dependent reductive carboxylation in an IDH1-mediated manner.
RETRACTED: Molecular and Structural characterization of β PFT Reveal a common Evolutionary Origin and Mode of action during Pore-Formation
Authors: Kashif Mohd. , Kumar Bhupendra , Akhter Yusuf , Ahmad Abrar , Khan Mohammad Imran , Zamzami Mazin A , Rahangdale Somnath 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
A New insight into friction transfer behavior of MoCN coatings: the tribo-activated formation of carbonitride based nano-twisted helix wear debris
Authors: Kang Jian , Sui Xudong , Lu Xiaolong , Wang Wenchang , Hao Junying , Wan Yong , Liu Weimin 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Molybdenum carbonitride coatings were deposited onto 304 steel substrate by magnetron sputtering method. A novel transition behavior of tribo-activated carbonitride based nano-twisted helix wear debris was discovered. The structure, mechanical and tribological properties of the coatings were investigated systematically. As the carbon content increases, the cross-sectional structure of the coating gradually becomes denser, while the hardness gradually decreases. Tribological test results show that the friction coefficients of 304 steel and MoN coatings are about 0.8–0.9, and both are mainly characterized by adhesive wear. With the increase of carbon content, the friction coefficient of the MoCN coating decreases gradually from 0.8 to about 0.55. The wear rate of the MoCN coatings is significantly influenced by the tribo-activated carbonitride based nano-twisted helix wear debris formed at the contact interface perpendicular to the sliding direction.
A simplified multi-mode adaptive displacement-based pushover analysis procedure for seismic response assessment of tall steel frame buildings
Authors: Ahmadi Adib , Jalilkhani Maysam , Babaei Mehdi 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The multi-mode adaptive displacement-based pushover (MADP) method has recently been developed to use the advantages of two advanced ‘multi-mode’ and ‘adaptive’ pushover analysis (POA) methods and accurately estimate the seismic response of RC buildings. The procedure predicts the seismic response of the frames through several adaptive modal POAs. In MADP method, a POA is conducted for each mode and continued up to a target-displacement, calculated using the nonlinear time-history analysis (NTHA) of the equivalent single-degree-of-freedom system subjected to a set of ground motion records. However, this methodology is time-consuming and needs more computational effort. To overcome this drawback, a simplified MADP procedure (i.e., SMADP) is proposed in this paper, which benefits from a new simplified integration method to analyze the structures under the dynamic loads and estimate the modal target-displacements with less computational effort. Unlike MADP approach, the SMADP procedure can satisfactorily calculate the modal target-displacements without the need for updating them at each analysis step. The SMADP procedure is applied to the analysis of four tall steel frames with 10-, 15-, 20-, and 30-stories, and the seismic demands are obtained for three various seismic risks. The NTHA results are also presented as the benchmark solution. The predictions from the original MADP and two advanced ‘multi-mode’ pushover methods are also provided for comparison. It is demonstrated that the SMADP approach can adequately predict the target-displacement of the structures and almost provide similar predictions of the original MADP method for the example structures with less computational effort.
Numerical prediction of the effect of thermal plume of a standing human on the airborne aerosol flow in a room Assessment of the social distancing rule
Authors: Hossain Mamdud , Chinenye-Kanu Nkemjika , Faisal Nadimul H , Prathuru Anil , Asim Taimoor , Banik Snehashish 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Purpose:
The purpose of the study is to investigate the dispersion of droplet nuclei/aerosol which are produced during coughing and continuous talking in order to quantify the risk of infection due to airborne disease transmission.
Methods:
A three-dimensional modelling of aerosol transport due to human respiratory activities such as coughing and talking within a room environment has been simulated using CFD technique. An inert scalar transport equation was used to represent aerosol cloud, while turbulence was modelled with the \(k-ϵ\) turbulence model. A modified Wells-Riley equation was used to calculate the risk of infection based on quanta emission concept.
Results
The spatial and temporal distribution of aerosol cloud within the room is initially driven by the upward flowing thermal plume surrounding the human, but later driven by the flow field constrained by the walls and cooler air movement. While the cough generated aerosols are concentrated in a smaller space within the room, the continuous talk generated aerosols are distributed throughout the room.
Conclusion
Within an indoor environment, 2m distancing will not be enough to protect healthy people from aerosols coming from an infected person due to continuous talking with prolonged exposure.
Associations between maternal complications during pregnancy and childhood asthma: a retrospective cohort study in southern China
Authors: Tang Jie , Ma Ying , Wu Yu , Jiao Ting , Guo Shuangshuang , Zhang Dongying , Yang Jiewen , Deng Nali , Liang Zhijiang , Wang Harry H.X. , Bao Wei , Liu Xiaoqing 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The associations between maternal complications during pregnancy and childhood asthma have rarely been investigated in low and middle-income countries. This study investigated the associations among the southern Chinese population using data from the Physical Health Monitoring Project of Primary and High School Students in Guangzhou. Information on maternal gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, gestational anemia, and hepatitis B during pregnancy was extracted from medical records. Ever diagnosis of asthma of the child was obtained by questionnaire. Binomial logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidential interval (CI) for childhood asthma. Mediation analyses were used to estimate the indirect effects of gestational complications on childhood asthma mediated through preterm birth, cesarean delivery, low birth weight, and non-breastfeeding in the first 6 months. We included 208,190 children, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, gestational anemia, or hepatitis B during pregnancy was positively associated with ever diagnosed childhood asthma, with the aOR of 1.66(95%CI 1.31–2.10), 1.68(95%CI 1.40–2.02), 1.69(95%CI 1.49–1.91) and 1.54(95%CI 1.13–2.08), respectively. A stronger association was observed for 2 or more gestational complications (aOR = 2.34, 95%CI 1.71–3.23) than 1 gestational complication (aOR = 1.80, 95%CI 1.62–1.99). A small proportion of the associations were mediated through preterm birth, cesarean delivery, low birth weight, and non-breastfeeding in the first 6 months. Gestational hypertension, diabetes, anemia, or hepatitis B during pregnancy was significantly associated with childhood asthma in the southern Chinese population, and the associations were partially explained by the mediated effects of cesarean delivery, preterm birth, low birthweight and non-breastfeeding in the first 6 months.
Model-based index reveals highly varied correlation between norovirus wastewater surveillance and gastroenteritis hospital admissions
Authors: Zhu Yifan , Saito Mayuko , Miura Takayuki , Kazama Shinobu , Sano Daisuke 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Wastewater virus surveillance is a powerful complementary tool for epidemic monitoring and countermeasure, yet its quantitative implications, especially in a long-term perspective, have not been well studied. In this study, by monitoring the occurrence of human norovirus (NoV) GII in municipal wastewater for multiple years, we analyzed and modeled the long-term correlation between the wastewater surveillance results and gastroenteritis hospital admissions. We found the wastewater viral load correlated well with the patient viral load calculated from hospital admissions during an outbreak event, but the correlation became loosened in the subsequent non-outbreak period, implying the uncertainty introduced by mild and asymptomatic patients. Bayesian analysis revealed that the correlation varies greatly over time and is under the impact of factors with various timescales, each epidemic year and month has its own impact on the correlation. In the study period, a difference of up to 45 times was observed in the relative gap between wastewater viral load and estimated patient viral load. Our findings highlight that: 1) the uncertainty of wastewater surveillance can be attributed to factors under different temporal scales, and 2) considering the pathological and environmental impacts is crucial to the dependability when interpreting wastewater surveillance results.
Graph Theory-based Mild Cognitive Impairment Classification Using Functional Connectivity Analysis on EEG
Authors: Echeverri-Ocampo Isabel , Ardila-López Karen , Molina-Mateo José , Padilla-Buriticá Jorge Ivan , Llamur Ismael , Restrepo Francia , Segura-Giraldo Belarmino , Iglesia-Vaya Maria 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Understanding how global brain networks are affected in mild cognitive impairment may explain the changes concerning the electrophysiology of the brain. We research functional changes within neuronal networks in frontal, temporal, parietal lobe and central zone using graph theory in visual oddball paradigm. Thirty subjects (19 females; mean age of 70.63 years old, age range 61 to 79 years old, 11 males; mean age of 70.36 years old, and age range 63 to 81 years old) 14 with mild cognitive impairment and 16 health control. Oddball protocol with target and no target stimuli electroencephalography (EEG) signal were analyzed through functional connectivity (FC) along with Change point detection method and a detailed preprocessing in order to detect dynamical changes in the signal, which reflect the non-stationary behavior of a given EEG signal. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) and Decision Tree (DT) were trained to classify brain activity in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Health Control (HC) subjects based on graph measurements and the physiology interpretation of the Mild Cognitive Impairment. The findings show that using a combination of EEG-based model-free functional connectivity measurements and machine learning to categorize cognitive impairment is effective. The research can be expanded upon to study the possibilities of identifying cognitive decline in real-time, dynamic, and complicated real-world circumstances.
Retrospective Study on Resting Saliva Volume as a Risk Factor for Dysgeusia
Authors: Shintani Tomoaki , Naito Mariko , Obayashi Nami , Ando Toshinori , Yanamoto Souichi , Kajiya Mikihito , Sugita Makoto , Kawaguchi Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The causes of dysgeusia include zinc deficiency, systemic illness, and drugs. Oral cavity diseases such as oral candidiasis and xerostomia, may present risk factors that are yet to be reported. This study investigated the relationship between saliva volume and taste function in patients with dysgeusia. A taste test was performed on 335 participants who complained of taste abnormalities. The recognition thresholds of 1 and 2 were defined as healthy and that of 3 or more was defined as dysgeusia. Participants were divided into dysgeusia and healthy groups and their clinical items, including resting saliva volume (RSV) and stimulated saliva volume (SSV) were compared. A multivariate logistic regression analysis focusing on RSV was performed. The participants with dysgeusia had a lower RSV than the healthy participants for all tastes, but not for SSV. Bases on the regression analysis, RSV was an independent predictor of dysgeusia for salty and bitter taste. The proportion of patients with decreased RSV increased as the number of taste qualities exceeding the reference recognition threshold increased. A decrease in RSV was associated with the increased recognition threshold for salty and bitter tastes. From this result, moisturizing the oral cavity may be useful for the treatment of dysgeusia.
Association between preoperative platelet and 30-day postoperative mortality of adult patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumors: data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database
Authors: Liu Yufei , Hu Haofei , Li Zongyang , Yang Jihu , Zhang Xiejun , Chen Lei , Chen Fanfan , Li Weiping , Ji Nan , Huang Guodong 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: Evidence regarding the relationship between preoperative platelet and 30-day postoperative mortality of intracranial tumor patients undergoing craniotomy is still limited. Therefore, the present research was conducted to explore the link of the platelet and 30-day postoperative mortality. Methods: Electronic medical records of 18,642 adult patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumors from 2012 to 2015 in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, were subject to secondary retrospective analysis. A binary logistic regression model evaluated the independent association between preoperative platelet and 30-day postoperative mortality. A generalized additive model and smooth curve fitting was conducted to explore the exact shape of the curve between them. Additionally, We also conducted sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of the results, and performed subgroup analyses. Results: 18,063 patients were included in this study analysis. Of these, 47.49% were male. The mean preoperative platelet value was (244.12 ± 76.77)×109/L. The 30-day postoperative mortality of included participants was 2.5% (452/18,063). After adjusting covariates, the results showed that preoperative platelet was positively associated with 30-day postoperative mortality (OR=0.999, 95%CI: 0.997, 1.000). There was also a nonlinear relationship between preoperative platelet and 30-day postoperative mortality, and the inflection point of the platelet was 236. The effect sizes (OR) on the right and left sides of the inflection point were 1.002 (1.000, 1.004) and 0.993 (0.990, 0.995), respectively. And sensitive analysis demonstrated the robustness of the results. Subgroup analysis showed a stronger association between preoperative platelet and 30-day postoperative mortality in non-emergency surgery patients when preoperative platelet value is less than 235×109/L.Conclusions: This research demonstrates a positive and non-linear relationship between preoperative platelet and 30-day postoperative mortality in U.S. adult brain tumor patients undergoing craniotomy. Preoperative platelet is strongly related to 30-day postoperative mortality when the platelet is less than 235×109/L. Proper preoperative management of platelet and maintenance of platelet near inflection point (235) could reduce risk of 30-day postoperative mortality in these cases.