bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rethinking biodiversity patterns and processes in stream ecosystems
Authors: Green Matthew D. , Anderson Kurt E. , Herbst David B. , Spasojevic Marko J. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractA major goal of community ecology is understanding the processes responsible for generating biodiversity patterns along spatial and environmental gradients. In stream ecosystems, system‐specific conceptual frameworks have dominated research describing biodiversity change along longitudinal gradients of river networks. However, support for these conceptual frameworks has been mixed, mainly applicable to specific stream ecosystems and biomes, and these frameworks have placed less emphasis on general mechanisms driving biodiversity patterns. Rethinking biodiversity patterns and processes in stream ecosystems with a focus on the overarching mechanisms common across ecosystems will provide a more holistic understanding of why biodiversity patterns vary along river networks. In this study, we apply the theory of ecological communities (TEC) conceptual framework to stream ecosystems to focus explicitly on the core ecological processes structuring communities: dispersal, speciation, niche selection, and ecological drift. Using a unique case study from high‐elevation networks of connected lakes and streams, we sampled stream invertebrate communities in the Sierra Nevada, California, USA to test established stream ecology frameworks and compared them with the TEC framework. Local diversity increased and β‐diversity decreased moving downstream from the headwaters, consistent with the river continuum concept and the small but mighty framework of mountain stream biodiversity. Local diversity was also structured by distance below upstream lakes, where diversity increased with distance below upstream lakes, in support of the serial discontinuity concept. Despite some support for the biodiversity patterns predicted from the stream ecology frameworks, no single framework was fully supported, suggesting “context dependence.” By framing our results under the TEC, we found that species diversity was structured by niche selection, where local diversity was highest in environmentally favorable sites. Local diversity was also highest in sites with small community sizes, countering the predicted effects of ecological drift. Moreover, higher β‐diversity in the headwaters was influenced by dispersal and niche selection, where environmentally harsh and spatially isolated sites exhibit higher community variation. Taken together our results suggest that combining system‐specific ecological frameworks with the TEC provides a powerful approach for inferring the mechanisms driving biodiversity patterns and provides a path toward generalization of biodiversity research across ecosystems.
Liquid Contact Ion Selective Electrode Green Method for the Determination of Flavoxate HCl Main Active Metabolite in Pure Powder and Human Urine with Establishment of Urinary Excretion Pattern
Authors: Ragab Mona T. , Ramadan Nesrin K. , El‐Ragehy Nariman A. , El‐Zeany Badr A. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe main aim of this work is to develop the first liquid contact ion selective electrode potentiometric method for determination of flavoxate HCl main metabolite; 3‐methylflavone‐8‐carboxylic acid (MFC). The method can be used for studying flavoxate HCl bioavailability through tracing its active metabolite; MFC, excreted in human urine. The metabolite was determined in pure powder and in human urine with establishment of urinary excretion pattern without any sample extraction or pretreatment procedures. The suggested sensor‘s performance was assessed in accordance with IUPAC guidelines. According to the Bioanalytical Method Validation Guidance for Industry, the suggested method was validated where good results were obtained. The proposed method is an excellent green eco‐friendly analytical method.
Role of the hydrogen sulfide‐releasing donor ADT‐OH in the regulation of mammal neural precursor cells
Authors: Wei Shan‐Wen , Zou Ming‐Ming , Huan Jian , Li Di , Zhang Peng‐Fei , Lu Mei‐Hong , Xiong Jian , Ma Yan‐Xia 
Published: March 2022

AbstractNeural precursor cells (NPCs) generate new neurons to supplement neuronal loss as well as to repair damaged neural circuits. Therefore, NPCs have potential applications in a variety of neurological diseases, such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and glaucoma. Specifically, improving NPCs proliferation and manipulating their differentiated cell types can be a beneficial therapy for a variety of these diseases. ADT‐OH is a slow‐releasing organic H2S donor that produces a slow and continuous release of H2S to maintain normal brain functions. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of ADT‐OH on NPCs. Our results demonstrated that ADT‐OH promotes self‐renewal and antiapoptosis ability of cultured NPCs. Additionally, it facilitates more NPCs to differentiate into neurons and oligodendrocytes, while inhibiting their differentiation into astrocytes. Furthermore, it enhances axonal growth. Moreover, we discovered that the mRNA and protein expression of β‐catenin, TCF7L2, c‐Myc, Ngn1, and Ngn2, which are key genes that regulate NPCs self‐renewal and differentiation, were increased in the presence of ADT‐OH. Altogether, these results indicate that ADT‐OH may be a promising drug to regulate the neurogenesis of NPCs, and needs to be studied in the future for clinical application potential.
N6‐methyladenosine modification participates in neoplastic immunoregulation and tumorigenesis
Authors: Zhao Wanzhen , Li Jianjun , Ma Qiang , Cai Jijie , Li Aixin , Wu Weijun , Lv Yuncheng , Cai Manbo 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis review aims to provide insight into the role of N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification in neoplastic immunity and subsequent tumorigenesis. m6A modification, which is catalyzed by methyltransferases, demethylases and reader proteins, has emerged as a widespread regulatory mechanism that controls immune‐related gene expression and immune reactions during tumorigenesis. Aberrant m6A modification changes the neoplastic immune response in multiple cancers by regulating immune cell infiltration, tumor‐promoting inflammation, immunosuppression, immune surveillance, and antitumor immune responses. m6A modification affects immune cell recruitment and cancer‐promoting inflammation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to alter the progression of HCC. m6A modification has been implicated in the infiltration of immune cells and the activation of immune pathways, changing the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer. Immune surveillance and the antitumor immune response in breast cancer were enhanced via m6A modification, which inhibited tumor proliferation. m6A modification participates in neoplastic immunoregulation to influence tumor progression.
Association of peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 to post‐myocardial infarction and periodontal inflammation: A subgroup report from the PAROKRANK (Periodontal Disease and the Relation to Myocardial Infarction) study
Authors: Rathnayake Nilminie , Gustafsson Anders , Sorsa Timo , Norhammar Anna , Bostanci Nagihan ,   the PAROKRANK Steering Committee
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundPeptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1) is an antimicrobial and proinflammatory innate immunity protein activated during infections. We aimed to investigate whether PGYLRP1 and associated molecules of the immune response in saliva is a cumulative outcome result of both MI and periodontal inflammation.Methods and ResultsTwo hundred patients with MI and another 200 matched non‐MI controls were included. A full‐mouthexamination was conducted to assess periodontal inflammation and collection of stimulated saliva was performed 6 to 10 weeks after the first MI. PGLYRP1, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM‐1), interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) were analyzed by ELISA. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8 levels were determined by IFMA. Compared to controls, MI patients showed higher salivary PGLYRP1, but not TREM‐1 levels. The difference in PGLYRP1 levels remained after adjustment for covariates. In MI patients, the PGLYRP1 levels positively correlated with BOP and PPD 4 to 5 mm. Among non‐MI subjects, the levels of PGLYRP1 correlated positively and significantly with BOP and total PPD. Salivary PGLYRP1 concentrations also showed strong positive correlations with levels of TREM‐1, IL‐1β and MMP‐8. In multivariate linear regression analysis, in MI patients, BOP and former smokingstatus displayed an association with salivary PGLYRP1 concentration.ConclusionMI patients showed higher salivary PGLYRP1 levels than healthy controls, also after adjusting for smoking, sex, age and periodontal health status. Salivary levels of PGLYRP1 may reflect the overall inflammatory burden to chronic bacterial exposure, possibly underpinning the observed associations between periodontitis and exposure with MI.
On the bias of complete‐ and shifting‐case meta‐regressions with missing covariates
Authors: Schauer Jacob M. , Lee Jihyun , Diaz Karina , Pigott Therese D. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractMissing covariates is a common issue when fitting meta‐regression models. Standard practice for handling missing covariates tends to involve one of two approaches. In a complete‐case analysis, effect sizes for which relevant covariates are missing are omitted from model estimation. Alternatively, researchers have employed the so‐called "shifting units of analysis" wherein complete‐case analyses are conducted on only certain subsets of relevant covariates. In this article, we clarify conditions under which these approaches generate unbiased estimates of regression coefficients. We find that unbiased estimates are possible when the probability of observing a covariate is completely independent of effect sizes. When that does not hold, regression coefficient estimates may be biased. We study the potential magnitude of that bias assuming a log‐linear model of missingness and find that the bias can be substantial, as large as Cohen's d = 0.4–0.8 depending on the missingness mechanism.
MoS2 Decorated Silver Nanowire‐Reduced Graphene Oxide Aerogel Micro‐Particle for Thermally Conductive Polymer Composites with Enhanced Flame Retardancy
Authors: Chang Chen , Guan Xin , Lin Jingya , Nie Hui , Zhou Xingping , Xie Xiaolin , Ye Yunsheng 
Published: March 2022

AbstractMultifunctional polymer composites with efficient heat dissipation and flame retardancy are highly desirable in the electronic industry. Here, by the combination of hydrothermal reaction and in situ fragmentation, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) decorated silver nanowires (AgNWs) and 3D reduced graphene oxide (RGO) (AgNW‐RGO@MoS2) aerogel micro‐particles (AMPs) are successfully prepared. When the above AMP is introduced to epoxy (EP) resin by the simple blending method, a polymer composite with continuous thermally conductive pathways and flame barrier layers is achieved. With an AMP loading of 4.0 vol.%, the polymer composite displays superior enhancement in thermal conductivity up to 420%. Compared to neat EP, the peak heat release rate and total heat release decreases by 61.1% and 58.8%, respectively. This work provides new insights into the design and large‐scale fabrication of multifunctional polymer composites for efficient thermal management materials.
Cramér–Rao bound‐informed training of neural networks for quantitative MRI
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxia , Duchemin Quentin , Liu* Kangning , Gultekin Cem , Flassbeck Sebastian , Fernandez‐Granda Carlos , Assländer Jakob 
Published: March 2022

PurposeTo improve the performance of neural networks for parameter estimation in quantitative MRI, in particular when the noise propagation varies throughout the space of biophysical parameters.Theory and MethodsA theoretically well‐founded loss function is proposed that normalizes the squared error of each estimate with respective Cramér–Rao bound (CRB)—a theoretical lower bound for the variance of an unbiased estimator. This avoids a dominance of hard‐to‐estimate parameters and areas in parameter space, which are often of little interest. The normalization with corresponding CRB balances the large errors of fundamentally more noisy estimates and the small errors of fundamentally less noisy estimates, allowing the network to better learn to estimate the latter. Further, proposed loss function provides an absolute evaluation metric for performance: A network has an average loss of 1 if it is a maximally efficient unbiased estimator, which can be considered the ideal performance. The performance gain with proposed loss function is demonstrated at the example of an eight‐parameter magnetization transfer model that is fitted to phantom and in vivo data.ResultsNetworks trained with proposed loss function perform close to optimal, that is, their loss converges to approximately 1, and their performance is superior to networks trained with the standard mean‐squared error (MSE). The proposed loss function reduces the bias of the estimates compared to the MSE loss, and improves the match of the noise variance to the CRB. This performance gain translates to in vivo maps that align better with the literature.ConclusionNormalizing the squared error with the CRB during the training of neural networks improves their performance in estimating biophysical parameters.
Optimization of undersampling parameters for 3D intracranial compressed sensing MR angiography at 7 T
Authors: de Buck Matthijs H. S. , Jezzard Peter , Hess Aaron T. 
Published: March 2022

Purpose3D time‐of‐flight MRA can accurately visualize the intracranial vasculature but is limited by long acquisition times. Compressed sensing reconstruction can be used to substantially accelerate acquisitions. The quality of those reconstructions depends on the undersampling patterns used. In this work, we optimize sets of undersampling parameters for various acceleration factors of Cartesian 3D time‐of‐flight MRA.MethodsFully sampled datasets, acquired at 7 Tesla, were retrospectively undersampled using variable‐density Poisson disk sampling with various autocalibration region sizes, polynomial orders, and acceleration factors. The accuracy of reconstructions from the different undersampled datasets was assessed using the vessel‐masked structural similarity index. Identified optimal undersampling parameters were then evaluated in additional prospectively undersampled datasets. Compressed sensing reconstruction parameters were chosen based on a preliminary reconstruction parameter optimization.ResultsFor all acceleration factors, using a fully sampled calibration area of 12 12 k‐space lines and a polynomial order of 2 resulted in the highest image quality. The importance of parameter optimization of the sampling was found to increase for higher acceleration factors. The results were consistent across resolutions and regions of interest with vessels of varying sizes and tortuosity. The number of visible small vessels increased by 7.0% and 14.2% when compared to standard parameters for acceleration factors of 7.2 and 15, respectively.ConclusionThe image quality of compressed sensing time‐of‐flight MRA can be improved by appropriate choice of undersampling parameters. The optimized sets of parameters are independent of the acceleration factor and enable a larger number of vessels to be visualized.
A propensity score‐matching analysis of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker exposure on in‐hospital mortality in patients with acute respiratory failure
Authors: Fang Yi‐Peng , Zhang Xin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractStudy ObjectiveTo explore the impact of pre‐hospital ACEI and ARB exposure on the prognosis of ARF patients.DesignA single‐center retrospective cohort study.SettingMedical Information Mart for Intensive Care‐III (MIMIC‐III) database.PatientsThe patients meeting ICD‐9 code of acute respiratory failure were enrolled.InterventionThe primary exposure was the pre‐hospital exposure of ACEI and ARB.Measurement and main resultsThe primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the independent effect of ACEI/ARB exposure on mortality. Propensity score matching (PSM) method was adopted to reduce bias of the confounders. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were used to test the stability of the conclusion. 5335 adult ARF patients were enrolled. Mortality was significantly decreased in patients with ACEI/ARB exposure before and after PSM, and the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of ACEI/ARB exposure was 0.56 (95% CI 0.43–0.72). In the subgroup analysis, ACEI/ARB lost its protective effect in young subgroup, but no significant interaction was found between ACEI/ARB exposure and age (p = 0.082). The point estimation and lower 95% limit of E‐value was 2.97 and 2.12. In sensitivity analysis, ACEI/ARB exposure showed similar effect in ARDS cohort, but no significantly difference was found in the MIMIC‐IV database, which may be explained by small sample size of the ACEI/ARB group.ConclusionsAmong patients with acute respiratory failure, pre‐hospital ACEI/ARB exposure was associated with better outcomes and acted as an independent factor. The relationship between ACEI/ARB and prognosis of ARF is worth investigating further.
Enhancement of Arabidopsis growth by non–24 hour day–night cycles
Authors: Yamamoto Yuko , Tabata Kazufumi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPlant yield can be increased by matching the internal circadian rhythms with the external light and dark cycle (circadian resonance). The circadian resonance reported in the past was analyzed under light–dark cycles with 20‐, 24‐, or 28‐hr periods; however, the mechanism for circadian resonance is still debatable due to the experimental time schedules in previous studies being few in number and widely separated. By analyzing the yield of Arabidopsis thaliana grown under eight different external light and dark periods, we found that the yield increased when the external cycle was 22 and 26 hr instead of 24 hr. Time course RNA‐seq analysis determined that seedling circadian clock genes had a free‐running period of 22 ± 1 hr. Furthermore, a group of genes with 25‐ to 26‐hr period rhythms were also observed in the seedlings with a 22‐ ± 1‐hr period as their circadian clock. We propose that resonance that occurred by matching the expression time of a group of genes with the 25‐ to 26‐hr cycle and providing an external day–night cycle of 25 to 26 hr was one factor that caused the yield increase.
Prognostic value of protein biomarkers in liver transplantation: A systematic review
Authors: Song Wei , Xiong Xiaofu , Ge Weihong , Zhu Huaijun 
Published: March 2022

AbstractLiver transplantation is currently the preferred method for the treatment of advanced liver disease and early‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppressive drugs and postoperative management have reduced the incidence of postoperative complications, how to effectively predict or diagnose postoperative complications earlier and reduce their incidence is still a clinical concern. We performed a comprehensive proteomics literature research to identified protein biomarkers in complications after liver transplantation. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria including ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) (n = 4), acute rejection (AR) (n = 4), renal dysfunction (n = 4), HCC recurrence (n = 2), primary graft dysfunction (PGD) (n = 1), infection (n = 1), and liver fibrosis (n = 1). A total of 625 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) have been reported between postoperative complications and controls, of which 63 have been validated by quantitative protein expression and 26 have been reported by at least two studies and showed consistently changes. The results of the bioinformation analysis show that the immune system, especially the innate immune system and cytokine signaling in immune system, is an important protein‐mediated pathway that affects the prognosis of liver transplantation.
Impact of positive surgical margin length and Gleason grade at the margin on oncologic outcomes in patients with nonorgan‐confined prostate cancer
Authors: Preisser Felix , Heinze Alexander , S. Abrams‐Pompe Raisa , Budäus Lars , Chun Felix K.‐H. , Graefen Markus , Huland Hartwig , Tilki Derya 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPurposePositive surgical margins (PSM) represent a poor prognostic factor at radical prostatectomy (RP). To investigate the impact of PSM, its length, the focality and the Gleason grade at the PSM, on the oncologic outcomes in nonorgan‐confined RP patients.MethodsWithin a high‐volume center database, we identified patients who harbored non‐organ‐confined (pT3) prostate cancer (PCa) at RP between 2010 and 2016. Only patients without lymph node invasion were included. Kaplan–Meier analyses and multivariable Cox regression models were used to test the effect of PSM on biochemical recurrence (BCR), metastasis, and cancer‐specific death after RP in patients without adjuvant radiotherapy.ResultsOverall, 3705 patients were identified. Of those, 27.2% (n = 1007) harbored PSM. At 96 months after RP, BCR‐free, metastasis‐free and cancer‐specific survival was 41.6 versus 57.5%, 82.7 versus 88.6%, and 94.7 versus 98.5% for patients with versus without PSM (all p < 0.001). BCR‐free, metastasis‐free and cancer‐specific survival rates at 96 months were 56.7 versus 26.5% (p < 0.001), 94.4 versus 67.4% (p < 0.001), and 100.0 versus 87.1% (p < 0.01) for Gleason pattern 3 versus ≥ 4 at the margin and 45.0 versus 27.8% (p < 0.01), 83.3 versus 82.3% (p = 0.2), and 95.2 versus 92.7% (p = 0.3) for <4 mm versus ≥4 mm length of margin. In multivariable Cox models PSM was an independent predictor for BCR (hazard ratio [HR]:1.53, p < 0.001) and cancer‐specific death (HR:2.75, p = 0.02). In subgroups of patients with PSM only, Gleason ≥ 4 at the margin (HR:1.60, p < 0.01) and length of PSM (HR:1.02, p < 0.05) was an independent predictor of BCR.ConclusionPSM represents an independent predictor for worse oncologic outcome in nonorgan‐confined PCa at RP. Gleason ≥ 4 at the margin was associated with the development of BCR, metastasis, and with cancer‐specific death after RP. Next to margin status, Gleason at the margin and its length carry important information that should be reported for the specimen.