bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Higher plasma D-dimer is associated with increased risk of distal sensory polyneuropathy in people with HIV
Authors: Ellis Ronald J. , Diaz Monica M. , Marra Christina M. , Clifford David B. , Grant Igor , Gelman Benjamin B. , Robinson-Papp Jessica , McCutchan J. Allen , Letendre Scott , Heaton Robert K. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Although plasma D-dimer levels are high in patients with some types of peripheral neuropathy, this has not been examined in people with HIV (PWH). We tested the hypothesis that higher plasma D-dimer levels would be related to the presence and severity of HIV-associated distal sensory peripheral neuropathy (DSP). Participants in a U.S. research cohort were evaluated using standardized clinical examinations and interviews for findings of DSP and distal neuropathic pain by trained clinicians. D-dimer levels in the two neuropathy groups (0 or 1 versus 2 or more neuropathy signs), were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Multivariable regression assessed the effects of age and other covariates. Participants were 185 PWH, mean (SD) age 56.2 (8.10), 19.7% females, 56.4% non-White, median nadir and current CD4 lymphocytes 107 (IQR 20, 210) and 567 (348, 817), undetectable plasma HIV RNA 79.9%; and 210 people without HIV (PWoH), mean age 50.6 (15.8) years, 38.6% female, 18.1% non-White. Among PWH, 50 had 0 signs, 47 had 1 and 88 had 2 or more; among PWoH, 149 had 0 signs, 38 had 1 sign, and 23 had 2 or more signs (PWH versus PWoH p = 1.36e-20). Log10 plasma D-dimer levels were higher in PWH than PWoH (2.78±0.233 versus 2.66±0.253, p = 5.20e-6). D-dimer was significantly higher in those with DSP (2 or more DSP signs) compared to those without (p = 0.0017, Wilcoxon rank sum test). In multivariable analyses this relationship was independent of potential confounders. This association persisted in a sensitivity analysis that was limited to only the subset of participants with undetectable plasma HIV RNA (Wilcoxon p = 0.041). In PWoH, d-dimer levels were numerically higher in those with DSP (2.75±0.206 versus 2.65±0.256, p = 0.0604). Neuropathy symptoms (pain, paresthesias) were not significantly related to D-dimer levels. Since DSP is a major cause of disability in PWH, identifying biomarkers such as D-dimer may enable future investigations to assess prognosis or response to therapy.
Blow-up conditions of nonlinear parabolic equations and systems under mixed nonlinear boundary conditions
Authors: Chung Soon-Yeong , Hwang Jaeho 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Note: for full abstract, please view the manuscript pdf below. Abbreviated abstract: In this paper, we firstly discuss blow-up phenomena for nonlinear parabolic equations under mixed nonlinear boundary conditions. Lastly, we discuss blow-up solutions for nonlinear parabolic systems.
Capo: Calibrating Device-to-Device Positioning in Heterogeneous Systems
Authors: Li Tong , Wan Kao , Wu Zhaoxi , Cao Qian , Zheng Xiaotao 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Device-to-device relative positioning systems such as COVID-19 contact tracing, seamless access systems, mobile interactive gaming, directional interaction, etc. have been promoted recently. The legacy absolute object positioning technologies are not suitable for device-to-device positioning because of the mobility and heterogeneity of devices. In this paper, we focus on the heterogeneity problem and propose Capo, the first calibration algorithm that enables the interaction among devices with different communication modes for relative positioning in heterogeneous systems. In particular, Capo optimizes the ranging results of low-precision devices in a collaborative network based on the ranging data collected from high-precision devices. Evaluation results show that Capo can significantly improve up to 26.56% of the positioning accuracy of the heterogeneous systems. Real use case study on COVID-19 contact tracing further shows that Capo significantly improves the accuracy of exposure notifications.
The osteogenic capacity and lncRNA/mRNA expression profile of periosteal-derived mesenchymal stem cells of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia
Authors: Yang Ge , Huang Yiyong , Mei Haibo , Zhu Guanghui , Liu Yaoxi , Yu Hui , Tan Qian 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) is an uncommon disease that is difficult to treat. The biological properties, molecular expression patterns and regulatory mechanisms of periosteal-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (PDMSCs) remain unclear. In this study, we separated PDMSCs from CPT patients or control donors. Cell viability and EdU positive proportion in CPT PDMSCs were lower than control. After osteogenic differentiation induction, the ALP staining intensity, calcium nodule formation level and Osterix, Runx2, OCN, OPN protein level were lower in CPT PDMSCs. Co-culture THP1-derived macrophage and PDMSCs, after osteoclast differentiation induction, TRAP level, dissolved hydroxyapatite plate activity, CTSK, CALCR and ITGβ3 levels of co-culture with CPT PDMSCs were shown to be higher than control. RNA-seq results revealed 822 differentially expressed mRNAs and 194 differentially expressed lncRNAs, respectively. Functional analysis showed that differentially expressed lncRNAs involved in tryptophan metabolism, steroid biosynthesis, sphingolipid metabolism and so on. Based on differential mRNAs and lncRNAs, we conducted correlation analysis of their cis regulation, and the results showed that 27 mRNAs were cis regulated with 24 lncRNAs, a total of 30 cis-regulated combinations, including MIR22HG-WDR81, AC103702-HOXB4, AC004080-HoxA13, lncRNA ATG12-CDO1 and lncRNA FAM227B-FGF7. Our results indicat that CPT PDMSCs has weak proliferation and osteogenesis ability, but stronger ability to promotes osteoclast differentiation, and certain lncRNAs and mRNAs were differentially expressed in CPT PDMSCs which have important roles in regulated osteogenesis and osteoclast differentiation.
MicroRNAs secreted by human preimplantation embryos and IVF outcome
Authors: Kamijo Shintaro , Hamatani Toshio , Sasaki Hiroyuki , Suzuki Hiroki , Abe Akane , Inoue Osamu , Iwai Maki , Ogawa Seiji , Odawara Kei , Tanaka Kanako , Mikashima Mutsumi , Suzuki Masami , Miyado Kenji , Matoba Ryo , Odawara Yasushi , Tanaka Mamoru 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Objective. To generate an effective embryo prediction model and identify a non-invasive evaluation method by analyzing microRNAs (miRNAs) in embryo culture medium.Design. Analysis of microRNA profiles from spent culture medium of blastocysts with good morphology that did or did not result in pregnancy. Setting. Clinical and experimental research.Patients. Sixty patients who underwent thawed embryo transfer of blastocysts after intracytoplasmic sperm injection.Intervention(s). None.Main outcome measure(s). The association of miRNA abundance levels secreted by blastocysts in culture medium and implantation success.Results. Our RNA sequencing analysis found a total of 53 differentially expressed miRNAs in the culture media of pregnancy and non-pregnancy groups. Twenty-one miRNAs were analyzed their potential to predicting implantation success. Eight miRNAs (hsa-miR-191-5p, hsa-miR-320a, hsa-miR-92a-3p, hsa-miR-509-3p, hsa-miR-378a-3p, hsa-miR-28-3p, hsa-miR-512-5p, and hsa-miR-181a-5p) were further extracted from the results of a logistic regression analysis of qPCR Ct values. A prediction model for high-quality blastocysts was generated using the eight miRNAs, with an average accuracy of 0.82 by 5-fold cross validation.Conclusion. We isolated blastocyst miRNAs that may predict implantation success and created a model to predict viable embryos. Increasing the number of investigated cases and further studying the effect of each miRNA on embryonic development is needed to refine the miRNA-based predictive model.
Higher Serum RCAN2 Levels Are Associated with Metabolically Unhealthy Individuals, Either with Obesity or Not
Authors: Wang Hongya , Fang Xia , Ren Qian , Tan Xiaozhen , Fan Jiahao , Xu Yong 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Regulator of calcineurin 2 (RCAN2) has been documented to cause weight gain and related pathology and metabolism abnormalities in animal researches. The aim of the study was to compare serum RCAN2 concentrations in metabolically healthy (MH) and metabolically unhealthy (MUH) individuals.Methods: 872 subjects (581 MH and 291 MUH) were recruited to the study. Basic anthropometric, metabolic parameters and concentration of RCAN2 were measured. Results: Serum RCAN2 levels differ between MH and MUH subjects (9.22 ± 3.21 vs. 11.09 ± 5.01 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Circulating RCAN2 level was an independent predictor of MUH compared with MH group (9.3% higher rate of MUH incidence per 1 ng/mL increment of RCAN2) after adjust other potentially confounding variables. Higher serum RCAN2 levels were significantly correlated with SBP, FBG, WHR. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that serum RCAN2 [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.615, 95% CI 0.575-0.655, p < 0.001] might be used as a candidate biomarker for MUH. Men had considerably greater RCAN2 levels than female in the MH group, but this difference was not significant in the MUH group.Conclusion: Higher circulating RCAN2 levels are associated with MUH individuals regardless of the BMI status.
Standardization of Genomic DNA Isolation Method from mature leaves and SSR-PCR conditions for Flemingia semialata an Alternative Lac Host Plant
Authors: Kumar Aditya , Kumari Khushboo 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Flemingia is an important multipurpose leguminous perennial shrub, grows from 0.5 to 2.5 meters and sometimes upto 3 meters. It is one of the most suitable plant species for kusumi lac strain which produces best quality lac in the world. To develop improved and productive varieties of Flemingia spp., it was needed to know the genetic diversity present in the germplasm and breeding material. Molecular markers are best tool to study the genetic diversity present in breeding population and to utilize molecular markers, genomic DNA of high quality and quantity was required. To obtain high quality and quantity of genomic DNA at lesser cost, it was needed to standardized a robust genomic DNA isolation protocol. Therefore, in the present study, the DNA isolation protocol of Murray and Thompson (1980) was modified and optimized. The standardized protocol yielded 1200–1500 ng/µl genomic DNA with an average of 1359 ng/µl DNA from 40 samples of F. semialata and F. macrophylla. A very low level of RNA, protein, phenolics and polysaccharide contaminants were recorded (A260/A280 ratio ranges from 1.8–1.85) from the isolated DNA. The isolated DNA was utilized for molecular characterization and genetic diversity assessment of Flemingia semialata and Flemingia macrophylla by using microsatellite markers. The standardized protocol was yielded genomic DNA of good quality and quantity from both, juvenile leaf and matured leaf samples. The optimized protocol was also utilized for the genomic DNA isolation of Shorea robusta and Buchanania cochinchinensis.
Quantum Affective Processes: decision-making from a quantum computing perspective
Authors: Ho Johnny K. W. , Hoorn Johan F. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
In modeling the human affective system and applying lessons learned to human‒titrobot interaction, the challenge is to handle ambiguous emotional states of an agency (whether human or artificial), probabilistic decisions, and freedom of choice in affective and behavioral patterns. Moreover, many cognitive processes seem to run in parallel whereas seriality is the standard in conventional computation. Representation of contextual aspects of behavior and processes and of self-directed neuroplasticity are still wanted and so we attempt a quantum-computational construction of robot affect, which theoretically should be able to account for indefinite and ambiguous states as well as parallelism. Our Quantum Coppélia (Q-Coppélia) is a translation into quantum logics of the fuzzy-based Silicon Coppélia system, which simulates the progression of a robot’s attitude towards its user. We show the entire circuitry of the Q-Coppélia framework, aiming at contemporary descriptions of (neuro)psychological processes. Arguably, our work provides a system for simulating and handling affective interactions among various agencies from an understanding of the relations between quantum algorithms and the fundamental nature of psychology.
Coherent Surface Plasmon Polariton Amplification via Free Electron Pumping
Authors: Tian Ye , Zhang Dongdong , Zeng Yushan , Bai Yafeng , Li Zhongpeng , Li Ruxin 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Surface plasmonic with its unique confinement of light is expected to be a cornerstone for future compact radiation sources and integrated photonics devices. The energy transfer between light and matter is a defining aspect that underlies recent studies on optical surface-wave-mediated spontaneous emissions. But coherent stimulated emission, being omnipresent in every laser system, remains to be realized and revealed in the optical near fields unambiguously and dynamically. Here, we present the coherent amplification of Terahertz surface plasmon polaritons via free electron stimulated emission. We demonstrate the evolutionary amplification process with a frequency redshift and lasts over 1-mm interaction length. The complementary theoretical analysis predicts a 100-order surface wave growth when a properly phase-matched electron bunch is used, which lays the ground for a stimulated surface wave light source and may facilitate capable means for matter manipulation, especially in the Terahertz band.
RNA-Sequencing for transcriptional profiling of whole blood in early-stage and metastatic pancreatic cancer patients
Authors: Kalantari Sima , Kazemi Bahram , Roudi Raheleh , Zali Hakimeh , D’Angelo Alberto , Mohamadkhani Ashraf , Madjd Zahra , Pourshams Akram 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
We investigated the transcriptional profile of whole blood in early and metastatic stages of PaC patients to identify potential diagnostic factors for early diagnosis. Blood samples from 18 participants (6 healthy individuals, 6 patients in early stage (I/II) PaC and 6 patients in metastatic PaC) were analyzed by RNA-sequencing. The expression levels of identified genes were subsequently compared with their expression in pancreatic tumor tissues based on TCGA data reported in UALCAN and GEPIA2 databases. Overall, 331 and 724 genes were identified as differentially expressed genes in early and metastatic stages, respectively. Of these, 146 genes were shared by early and metastatic stages. Upregulation of PTCD3 and UBA52 genes and downregulation of A2M and ARID1B genes in PaC patients were observed from early stage to metastasis. TCGA database showed increasing trend in expression levels of these genes from stage I to IV in pancreatic tumor tissue. Finally, we found that low expression of PTCD3, A2M, and ARID1B genes and high expression of UBA52 gene were positively correlated with PaC patients survaval. We identified a four-gene set (PTCD3, UBA52, A2M, and ARID1B) expressed in peripheral blood of early stage and metastatic PaC patients that may be useful for PaC early diagnosis.
PhyloTransformer: A Self-supervised Discriminative Model for Mutation Prediction Based on a Multi-head Self-attention Mechanism
Authors: Wu Yingying , Xu Shusheng , Yau Shing-Tung , Wu Yi 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Although coronaviruses have RNA proofreading functions, a large number of variants still exist as quasispecies. Identified coronaviruses might just be the tip of the iceberg, and potentially more fatal variants of concern (VOCs) may emerge over time. These VOCs may exhibit increased pathogenicity, infectivity, transmissibility, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) binding affinity, and antigenicity, causing an increased threat to public health. In this article, we developed PhyloTransformer, a Transformer-based self-supervised discriminative model, which can model genetic mutations that may lead to viral reproductive advantage. We trained PhyloTransformer on 1,765,297 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequences to infer fitness advantages, by directly modeling the amino acid sequence mutations. PhyloTransformer utilizes advanced techniques from natural language processing, including the Fast Attention Via positive Orthogonal Random features approach (FAVOR+) and the Masked Language Model (MLM), which enable efficient and accurate intra-sequence dependency modeling over the entire RNA sequence. We measured the prediction accuracy of novel mutations and novel combinations using our method and baseline models that only take local segments as input. We found that PhyloTransformer outperformed every baseline method with statistical significance. In order to identify mutations associated with altered glycosylation that might be favored during viral evolution, we predicted the occurrence of mutations in each nucleotide of the receptor binding motif (RBM) and predicted modifications of N-glycosylation sites. We anticipate that the viral mutations predicted by PhyloTransformer may identify potential mutations of threat to guide therapeutics and vaccine design for effective targeting of future SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Assessment of Malaria Related Anemia and Underweight in Under-Five Age Children in Estie Woreda, South Gondar Zone of Amhara Region, South East Ethiopia
Authors: Bekele Damtew , Kumie Tensay 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Malaria remains a challenging health problem in malaria endemic regions. Malaria associated anemia represent a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Both, anemia (reduced in hemoglobin level) and underweight in terms of (weight-for-age) was a critical problem of malaria directly or indirectly. The objective of this study was to assess malaria related anemia and malaria related underweight among under-five years age children in Arushe wanqat kebele. Children’s were selected through systematic random sampling technique to select the first children from new vital event registration master list of Arushe wanqat kebele, and then totally 364 children were included. Parasitological, hematological and anthropometric measurements were conducted. Questionnaire survey was also used in order to assess malaria related anemia and weight on children whose age were below five years. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 20 and was presented in frequency, table, pie chart, bar graph and percentage form. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), correlation(r), and Chi-square (X2) tests were used to verify the possible association between Plasmodiums pecies, anemia, and underweight at different age (in months).
Results
Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum accounted for 101(27.8%), Plasmodium vivax accounted for 84(23.1%), and mixed infection (both P. falciparum and P. vivax) also accounted for 14(3.8%). The correlation (r) between Plasmodium species and hemoglobin concentration (r = 0.628; p = 0.000); Plasmodium species and weight measure (r = 0.77; p = 0.000). The prevalence of malaria related anemia and underweight were 70.4% and 51.3%, respectively. Plasmodium falciparum is the most prevalent species and a notorious cause of anemia among children who were less than five years old. Both anemia (reduction of Hb. in g/dl) and underweight have a positive linear relationship. Malaria-related anemia was also more prevalent than malaria-related underweight among children. The result of the study indicates that there was a strong association between malaria and anemia (association is significant between Plasmodium species and hemoglobin concentration; p < 0.05); there is also an association between malaria and weight loss or underweight (association is significant between Plasmodium species and weight-for-age z-score; p < 0.05) at different age groups
Conclusions
The prevalence malaria-related anemia among children in Arushe wanqat kebele was 38.67%.On the other hand, the prevalence of malaria-related weight loss or underweight among children in Arushe wanqat kebele was 28.02%. So, the findings of this study also revealed that malaria remains a public health problem that contributes for anemia and underweight on under five children.
Phenotypes and prognostic factors of syringomyelia in single-center patients with Chiari I malformation: moniliform type as a special configuration
Authors: Lu Chunli , Ma Longbing , Yuan Chenghua , Cheng Lei , Wang Xinyu , Duan Wanru , Wang Kai , Chen Zan , Wu Hao , Zeng Gao , Jian Fengzeng 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
The specific association between morphometric characteristics of the syrinx and the prognosis of Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) with syringomyelia following surgical procedure seems to have not been elaborated. This study focused on the preoperative clinical and radiologic parameters in simple CM-I patients with syringomyelia to find out the relationship between the patients’ clinical status and the phenotypes of the syrinx with surgical outcome.
Methods
A continuous series of pediatric and adult patients with simple CM-I and syringomyelia from a prospectively maintained database in a single center were included, and we explored the related factors affecting the prognosis following decompression surgery through retrospective analysis of clinical presentations, imaging characteristics, and the morphological features of syringomyelia, to provide a clinical reference for the treatment of syringomyelia.
Results
There were 28 (13.8%) pediatric patients, and 174 adults (86.2%) included in our study. The average CCOS score was 14.56 ± 1.78. The overall prognosis after surgery was good in our series, among them 152 cases (75.25%) with a favorable prognosis, and syrinx was resolved effectively in 172 cases (85.15%). According to the univariate and multivariate analyses, the preoperative symptom duration, observation time, and with/without moniliform type were independent factors affecting the prognosis in adults. The most obvious difference between moniliform type and non-moniliform type lies in the patients with straightened cervical physio-curve or not, preoperative symptom duration, and ventral SAS.
Conclusions
Timely and effective decompression surgery could achieve a better outcome in CM-I patients with syringomyelia. Moniliform syringomyelia may suggest a relatively better prognosis.