bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Generalized Mori-Tanaka approach in peridynamic micromechanics of multilayered composites of random structure
Authors: Buryachenko Valeriy 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
The basic feature of peridynamics is a continuum description of material behavior as the integrated nonlocal force interactions between material points. Besides the conventional local theory, the peridynamic equation of motion introduced by Silling (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 2000; 48: 175-–209)has no spatial derivatives of displacement. A linearized bond-based peridynamic model is used to analyze random structure CMs subjected to the remote volumetric homogeneous boundary conditions. Effective properties are expressed through the local stress polarization tensor averaged over the external interaction interface of inclusions rather than in an entire space. Any spatial derivatives of displacement fields are not required. Inclusions are considered as identical aligned layers with a statistically homogeneous distribution in the space. For one infinite layer in the infinite homogeneous matrix,3D peridynamic equilibrium equation is reduced to the 1D integral equation with 1D micromodulus obtained by integrations of the original 3D micromodulus over the cross-sections (parallel to layers) of a horizon region. One estimates the average strain and stress fields in the extended layer by the use of averaging displacement and traction over the external interaction interface. Effective moduli for peridynamic multilayered CM are estimated in the matrixform representations usually used in locally elastic multilayered CM and basedon the consideration of the normal and tangential parts of the effective moduli matrix.
Tumors after kidney transplantation: a population study
Authors: Ietto Giuseppe , Gritti Mattia , Pettinato Giuseppe , Carcano Giulio , Gasperina Daniela Dalla 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
One of the main causes of post-transplant-associated morbidity and mortality is cancer. The aim of the project was to study the neoplastic risk within the kidney transplant population and identify the determinants of this risk. A cohort of 462 renal transplant patients from 2010 to 2020 was considered. The expected incidence rates of post-transplant cancer development in the referenced population, the standardized incidence ratios (SIR) taking the Italian population as a comparison, and the absolute risk and the attributable fraction were extrapolated from these cohort of patients. Kidney transplant recipients had an overall cancer risk approximately three times that the one of the local population (SIR 2.8). A significantly increased number of cases were observed for Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) (SIR 195) and hematological cancers (SIR 6.8). In the first 3 years post-transplant, the risk to develop either KS or hematological cancers was four times higher than in the following years; in all cases of KS, the diagnosis was within 2 years from the transplant. Post-transplant immunosuppression represents the cause of 99% of cases of KS and 85% of cases of lymphomas, while only 39% is represented by solid tumors. Data related to the incidence, the percentages attributable to post-transplant immunosuppression and the time of onset of neoplasms, particularly for KS and hematological tumors, could help improving the management for the follow-up in these patients.
Effects of Lateral Cerebellar Nucleus Stimulation on Seizures in Rats Kindled to Different Levels of Seizure Severity with PTZ
Authors: Godlevsky Leonid S. , Pervak Mykhailo P. , Poshyvak Olesya B. , Hathal Suliman N.A. , Yehorenko Olha S. , Doganyigit Zuleyha , Akyuz Enes 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

BackgroundIn recent years, the cerebellum and its nuclei have become important targets for understanding and suppressing the mechanisms of seizures. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) applied to the lateral cerebellar nucleus (LCN) in rats with early and fully developed pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-kindled seizures.MethodsThe experimental groups were represented by rats kindled with PTZ (35.0 mg/kg, i.p.) to myoclonus (9-11 PTZ injections) and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (21 PTZ injections). Unilateral ES (100 Hz, 0.25 ms, 4.5-5.0 duration) was delivered daily for five days after the last kindled PTZ administration with PTZ seizure testing after the last ES.ResultsES of LCN performed at the early stage of kindling facilitated the appearance of myoclonus and increased seizure severity by 30.2% - up to 2.25+0.46 scored points compared to the control group (P<0.05). In fully developed kindling, ES prevented generalized seizure and reduced seizure severity by 27.5% - to 3.11+0.31 scored points (P<0.02). In both groups,spikes in the frontal and ventral hippocampus corresponding to myoclonuswere noticed. The linear density of PC in the cerebellar hemisphere cortex was reduced to 9.67±1.12in fully kindled rats, while in the control group, it was 20.17±2.10 per mm (P<0.05).ConclusionThe data obtained showed that repeated ES of the LCN at the early kindling stage facilitates myoclonus appearance, while in fully PTZ-kindled rats causes suppression of generalized seizure fits, which were substituted with myoclonus.
Early outcomes of a triple-branched stent graft implantation in elderly patients with acute type A aortic dissection
Authors: Dong Yi , Wang Xuefei , Chen Liangwan , Wu Qingsong , Li Qianzhen 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Purpose:
Older patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) have higher risk of mortality than that of younger patients when a total arch reconstruction (TAR) is required. Triple-branched stent graft (TBSG) implantation is a novel technique for TAR. However, early outcomes of a TBSG implantation in older patients have not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the early outcomes of the TBSG technique in older patients with ATAAD.
Methods:
From February 2015 to December 2020, 640 patients who simultaneously underwent an emergent open aortic surgery and TBSG implantation for ATAAD were enrolled in this study. They were categorized into the younger (age < 70 years old, n=573) and older groups (age > 70 years, n=67). Clinical data of all patients were retrospectively reviewed.
Result:
The mean ages of the patients in the younger and older groups were 45.3 ± 9.6 years old and 73.5 ± 3.0 years old, respectively. Preoperative characteristics were similar between the two groups, except for weight and incidence of moderate or greater aortic regurgitation, which were lower in the older group than those in the younger group. Surgical procedure and duration (i.e., duration for cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamp, selected cerebral perfusion, and total circulation arrest) were comparable between the two groups (p>0.05). Patients in the older group had higher incidence of dialysis for acute kidney injury and longer ICU stay compared with those in the younger group. However, the incidences of 30-day mortality (5.1% in younger group vs. 7.5% in older group, p=0.407) and other major complications (i.e., neurological adverse events) were similar between the two groups.
Conclusion:
TBSG implantation for ATAAD resulted in an acceptable mortality rate in patients above 70 years old; thus, it could be a feasible surgical procedure to perform in older patients with ATAAD when a TAR is required.
Characterization of The Heterogeneity of Bone Marrow in NK-AML (M4/M5) Based on Single Cell RNA Sequencing
Authors: Wu Wenqi , Shi Zeyan , Tang Zhongyuan , Li Huiqun , Huang Xiaoke , Liang Xiaolin , Li Jing , Yao Yibin , Zhao Weihua , Wu Meiqing , Luo Jun , Liu Zhenfang 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Normal karyotype acute myeloid leukemia (NK-AML) is a heterogeneous hematological malignancy that composes a minor of self-renewing leukemia stem cells (LSC), complicating efforts to achieve long-term survival. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing to profile 39288 cells from 6 bone marrow aspirates, including 5 NK-AML(M4/M5) patients and 1 healthy donor. The single cell transcriptome atlas and the gene expression characteristics of each cell population in NK-AML (M4/M5) and healthy bone marrow (BM) were obtained. Besides, we identify a distinct LSC-like cluster with possible biomarkers in NK-AML(M4/M5)and verified 6 genes using qRT-PCR analysis and bioinformatics analysis. In conclusion, we provide single-cell technologies and an atlas of NK-AML(M4/M5) cell heterogeneity, composition, and biomarkers with implications for precision medicine and target therapies.
A high-trans fat, high-carbohydrate, high-cholesterol diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis mouse model and its hepatic immune response
Authors: Zhang Qian , Jin Yue , Xin Xin , An Ziming , Hu Yi-yang , Li Ya-juan , Feng Qin 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic progressive disease that can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Animal models are important tools for basic NASH research. Immune activation plays a key role in liver inflammation in patients with NASH. We established a high-trans fat, high-carbohydrate, and high-cholesterol diet-induced (HFHCC) mouse model. C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal or HFHCC diet for 24 weeks, and the immune response characteristics of this model were evaluated. The results showed that mice treated with HFHCC diet exhibited remarkably increased hepatic triglycerides (TG)content, and the increase in plasma transaminases resulted in hepatocyte injury. Biochemical results showed that HFHCC induced glucose and lipid metabolism disorders; marked hepatocyte steatosis, ballooning, inflammation, and fibrosis. The proportion of innate immunity-related cells, including Kupffer cells (KCs), neutrophils, dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer T cells (NKT), and adaptive immunity-related CD3 + T cells increased; interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-9, and chemokines, including CCL2, CCL3, and macrophage colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) increased. The constructed model closely approximated the characteristics of human NASH and evaluation of its immune response signature, showed that the innate immune response was more pronounced than adaptive immunity. Its use as an experimental tool for understanding innate immune responses in NASH is recommended.
A 3-4 hour oocyte retrieval-ICSI interval optimizes clinical outcomes for women over 40 years: A retrospective analysis of 1476 ICSI cycles.
Authors: Chen Jingbo , Guo Yingchun , Wang Yanfang , Fang Cong , Li Tingting 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Purpose
To explore an appropriate time interval between oocyte retrieval and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for optimal embryological and clinical outcomes in ICSI cycles over 40 years of maternal age.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of 1476 ICSI fresh cycles from women aged over 40 years, was performed at the Reproduction Medicine Research Center of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, between December 2013 and August 2020. The fertilization rate and clinical pregnancy rate were the main outcomes.
Results
Multivariate linear regression and logistic regression analysis of factors showed that fertilization rate (P = 0.024) and clinical pregnancy rate (P = 0.011) were significantly associated with oocyte pick up (OPU)-ICSI interval. A longer OPU-ICSI interval (no more than 6h) was associated with a higher fertilization rate but significantly decreased the clinical pregnancy rate when the OPU-ICSI interval was over 4h (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
The optimal OPU-ICSI interval is between 3h and 4h for excellent embryological and clinical outcomes in ICSI cycles over 40 years of maternal age.
The effect of corruption in steering the business-government relationship: evidence from 13 African countries.
Authors: Gebrehans MEBRAHTU , Chang Li , Tuo Siele Jean , Qian Yu 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
A strong Business-government relationship is one method of rent-seeking. We study the response behavior of 7733 firms from 13 African countries to their government policy and regulations. Using two novel proxies of political connectivity from the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES), we find that, policies and business regulations trigger the inevitable alliance introspects of a firm’s strategic choices. Our results using the robust Tobit and Probit model indicate that corruption level is among the fundamental factors that drive the relations exponentially. Thus, witnessing strong alliances in more corrupt countries. Moreover, the impact of corruption exacerbates when the firm is bigger. This study provides some empirical contribution to the study of the business-government relationship, and, at the same time provides insightful implications for policymakers to amend their business policies and regulations as it activates the illicit business-government relationship.
WITHDRAWN: Diagnostic value of ultrasonography and computed tomography in pathology-confirmed acute appendicitis in children
Authors: Baykara Aziz Serhat , Kılıç Murat Özgür 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Objective and aim:
Acute appendicitis (AA), the most common cause of acute abdomen in childhood, can cause high morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed and treated on the time. Diagnosis of AA is more difficult in children due to the limited communication skills, in comparison to adults. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of abdominal ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of AA in children.
Materials and methods
Pediatric patients who were operated on the diagnosis of AA between January 2016 and December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative abdominal US and CT findings of the patients and postoperative pathology results were recorded.
Results
A total of 251 patients with a mean age of 11.3 years were included in the study. There were 154 (61.4%) males and 97 (38.6%) females. Histopathology revealed AA in 215 (85.7%) patients. Preoperatively, US and CT were performed in 139 (55.3%) and 137 (54.5%) patients, respectively. US had a sensitivity and specificity rate of 77.2% and 52.6%, respectively. Pozitive predictive value (PPV) was found to be 81.2% whereas negative predictive value (NPV) was 46.5% for US. Diagnostic accuracy rate of US was found as 70.5%. CT had a sensitivity and specificity rate of 88.1% and 57.1%, respectively. PPV was found to be 88.8% whereas NPV was 55.1% for CT. Diagnostic accuracy rate of CT was found as 81.8%.
Conclusion
In case of suspicion of AA, US may be the first choice because it is inexpensive, and easily accessible. However, considering the patient incompatibility and subjective factors in children, US may sometimes be unsufficient. We think that CT should be performed as an advanced examination method in cases where US is not compatible with the patient's clinic.
Effects of best land management practices on the characteristics of woody vegetation in agroforestry parklands: case of Dan Saga and Tabofatt villages in Niger republic
Authors: Saidou Salifou , Iro Dan Guimbo , Karimou Ambouta Jean-Marie , Mahaman Larwanou 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

The large-scale use of best land management practices has been instrumental in the accession of recent regreening in certain Sahelian areas. This study therefore aimed at highlighting the effect of the wide use of these practices on the structural and ecological parameters of the woody flora agroforestry parklands. To this end, an inventory of ligneous vegetation was carried out on radial transects in an East-West and North-South direction in the village clusters of Dan Saga and Tabofatt in Niger Republic. A variance comparison test was applied on the values from plots with practice compare to those from plots without practice (controls). In Dan Saga site, the results obtained show the significant effect of the practice of assisted natural regeneration on the density of trees (97 against 58 plants/ha for the control plots), on the basal area (3.04 against 1.98 m2/ha for the control plots), on regeneration (61.96% against 40.91% for the controls) and on floristic diversity (2.93 against 2.41 bits for the control plots) with a clear dominance of Combretaceae. On the other hand, this effect is relatively less significant in the case of Tabofatt site’s where the practice of planting trees coupled with water and runoff collection structures induced positive effect particularly on the basal area (2.29 against 1.90 m2/ha for plots controls), on the structure of the vegetation stood by the abundance of plants with average diameter (class from 5 to 10 cm) as well as the species diversity (2.54 against 2.18 bits for the controls) with a dominance of species of the Mimosaceae family. These results can be used as decision support tools to guide actions to scale up regreening in the Sahelian context.
Few-Shot Named Entity Recognition with Hybrid Multi-Prototype Learning
Authors: Liao Zenghua , Fei Junbo , Zeng Weixin , Zhao Xiang 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Information extraction provides the basic technical support for knowledge graph construction and Web applications. Named entity recognition(NER) is one of the fundamental tasks of information extraction. Recognizing unseen entities from numerous contents with the support of only a few labeled samples, also termed as few-shot learning, is a crucial issue to be studied. Few-shot NER aims at identifying emerging named entities from the context with the support of a few labeled samples. Existing methods mainly use the same strategy to construct a single prototype for each entity or non-entity class, which has limited expressiveness power and even biased representation. In this work, we propose a novel hybrid multi-prototype class representation approach. Specifically, for entity classes, we first insert labels after entities in support sentences to enrich the learned token and label embeddings with more contextual information. Then, for each entity span, the contextual token embeddings are averaged to form its entity-level prototype, while the contextual label embedding is considered as its label-level prototype. The set of prototypes for all entities in a class constitute the multi-prototype of this entity class. For non-entity class, we directly use the set of token embeddings to represent it, where multi-prototype refers to the multiple token embeddings. By treating the entity and non-entity classes differently, our hybrid strategy can extract more precise class representations from the support examples. Furthermore, we establish a harder and more reasonable experimental setting of few-shot NER by offering a rigorous sampling strategy. Extensive empirical results show that our proposal improves F1 scores by 3%∼10% absolute points over prior models on popular benchmark Few-NERD under both loose and our proposed rigorous sampling constraints, achieving state-of-the-art performance.
Lactococcus intestinalis sp. nov., a new lactic acid bacterium isolated from intestinal contents in Alzheimer’s disease mice
Authors: Sun Peilin , Li Xue , Shi Weixiong , Zhang Ling , Su Lei , Qin Chuan 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
A gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, and coccoid or ovoid-shaped bacterium designated M2458T was isolated from the intestinal contents of APPswe/PSΔE9 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. With the polyphasic approach, the taxonomic position of the novel isolate was confirmed. Strain M2458T grew well at 37°C on YCFA agar. Strain M2458T belongs to the family Streptococcaceae and class Bacilli, and it is related to Lactococcus formosensis NBRC 109475T (97.59% sequence similarity) according to its 16S rRNA gene sequence. In a comparison of two housekeeping genes, rpoA and rpoB, strain M2458T was found to be well separated from Lactococcus formosensis NBRC 109475T. On the basis of whole genome sequences, the DNA G + C content was 38.29 mol%. In terms of average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization, strain M2458T was identified as a novel species of the genus Lacococcus. The major fatty acids (> 10% of the total fatty acids) were C18:1ω9c (39.68%), C16:0 (13.26%) and C18:1ω7c (11.52%). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and an unidentified phospholipid. As a result of its genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, strain M2458T was considered to be a new species within the genus Lactococcus; the name Lactococcus intestinalis sp. nov. has been proposed, with type strain M2458T (= JCM 35706 = CGMCC 1.60066).
Multiple rectal carcinomas successfully treated by intersphincteric resection with neoadjuvant therapy without radiation therapy: A case report
Authors: Watanabe Hidetaka , Yoshida Takefumi , Fujita Fumihiko , Nakano Masahiko , Nakayama Masamichi , Koushi Kenichi , Yoshida Naohiro , Shigaki Takahiro , Fujiyoshi Kenji , Sudou Tomoya , Akagi Yoshito 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
In recent years, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) followed by total mesorectal resection has been the standard of care to prevent recurrence of locally advanced rectal cancer. However, radiotherapy is associated with several serious side effects in rectal cancer patients, including fecal incontinence, dysuria, sexual, dysfunction, and secondary cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has demonstrated comparable efficacy to NACRT for advanced rectal cancer without these problematic side effects. Here, we present a case of advanced lower rectal cancer with multiple tumors that was successfully treated with NAC and intersphincteric resection.
Case presentation
A 56-year-old man presented with bloody stools and was diagnosed with lower rectal cancer cT3N1aM0 cStage IIIB and rectosigmoid cancer cT4aN1aM0 cStage IIIB following investigations by colonoscopy, whole-body contrast-enhanced computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Abdominoperineal resection was recommended but the patient refused, and thus NAC was proposed. Genetic testing revealed negativity for RAS and BRAF mutations, and hence five courses of mFOLFOX6 (fluorouracil, levofolinate, and oxaliplatin) and panitumumab regimen were administered. Subsequent imaging revealed a yellow clinical partial response for rectosigmoid cancer and a yellow clinical complete response for lower rectal cancer. Hospital tests showed no abnormal data, and the preoperative diagnosis was lower rectal cancer ycT0N0M0 ycStage 0 and sigmoid rectal cancer ycT2N0M0 ycStage I. Therefore, laparoscopic intersphincteric resection and a diverting stoma were performed at our institution 39 days after NAC was completed. The postoperative period was mostly uneventful apart from suture failure on postoperative day 12, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 43. No cancer cells or lymph node metastasis were evident in postoperative pathology. Five months after surgery the colostomy was closed, and the patient had good anal function and no fecal incontinence 9 months after surgery. No recurrence had occurred 1 year after surgery.
Conclusions
NAC is efficacious in patients with multiple advanced rectal cancers and negates the requirement for abdominoperineal resection.