bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the myocardial deformation in the diagnosis of rejection after heart transplantation
Authors: Costa Rodrigo Cordovil Pinto Lobo da , Rodrigues Ana Clara Tude , Vieira Marcelo Luiz Campos , Fischer Claudio Henrique , Monaco Claudia Gianini , Filho Edgar Bezerra Lira , Bacal Fernando , Caixeta Adriano , Morhy Samira Saady 
Published: October 2022

IntroductionHeart transplantation represents main therapy for end-stage heart failure. However, survival after transplantation is limited by development of graft rejection. Endomyocardial biopsy, an invasive and expensive procedure, is gold standard technique for diagnosis of rejection. Most of biopsy complications are observed using echocardiography. Novel echocardiographic techniques, such as myocardial strain and three-dimensional reconstruction, can be useful in heart transplant patients.PurposeTo evaluate ventricular strain in heart transplant patients and association with rejection, cellular or humoral, as well as two- and three-dimensional echocardiographic parameters.MethodsCohort of patients from heart transplant program taken to echocardiography after endomyocardial biopsy, from December 2017 to January 2020. Ventricular strain and three-dimensional left ventricle parameters were studied. Rejection results were retrieved from medical record. Qualitative variables were expressed by absolute frequency and percentages, while continuous variables by means and standard deviations. Association between rejection and variables of interest was measured by odds ratio and confidence interval of 95%, with p-value &lt; 0.05.Results123 post-endomyocardial biopsy echocardiographic exams were performed in 54 patients. Eighteen exams were excluded, lasting 105 exams to be evaluated for conventional and advanced echocardiographic parameters. Male patients were 60.4%. Prevalence of cellular rejection was 8.6%, humoral rejection 12.4%, and rejection of any type 20%. There was no association between right ventricular strain and rejection, whether cellular (p = 0.118 and p = 0.227 for septum and free wall, respectively), humoral (p = 0.845 and p = 0.283, respectively), or of any type (0.504 and 0.446). There was no correlation between rejection and left ventricle global longitudinal strain, three-dimensional ejection fraction or desynchrony index. Conventional parameters associated to rejection were left ventricle posterior wall thickness [OR 1.660 (1.163; 2.370), p = 0.005] and left ventricle mass index [OR 1.027 (1.011; 1.139), p = 0.001]. Left ventricle posterior wall thickness remained significant after analysis of cellular and humoral rejection separately [OR 1.825 (1.097; 3.036), p = 0.021 and OR 1.650 (1.028; 2.648), p = 0.038, respectively].ConclusionsThere was no association between ventricular strain, three-dimensional left ventricular ejection fraction and the desynchrony index and rejection, cellular or humoral. Evidence of association of graft rejection with left ventricle posterior wall thickness and left ventricle mass index was observed.
Identification of cuproptosis-related lncRNA prognostic signature for osteosarcoma
Authors: Liu Binfeng , Liu Zhongyue , Feng Chengyao , Li Chenbei , Zhang Haixia , Li Zhihong , Tu Chao , He Shasha 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundCopper is an indispensably mineral element involved in various metabolic processes and functions in the active sites of many metalloproteins. Copper dysregulation is associated with cancers such as osteosarcoma (OS), the most common primary bone malignancy with invasiveness and metastasis. However, the causality between cuproptosis and OS remains elusive. We aim to identify cuproptosis-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) for osteosarcomatous prognosis, immune microenvironment response, and immunotherapy.MethodsThe Person correlation and differential expression analysis were used to identify differentially expressed cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (CRLs). The univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to construct the CRL signature. The Kaplan–Meier (K-M) survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, internal validation, independent prognostic analysis, and nomograph were used to evaluate the prognostic value. The functional enrichment, tumor microenvironment, immunotherapy and chemotherapy response between the two distinct groups were further explored using a series of algorithms. The expression of signature CRLs was verified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in OS cell lines.ResultsA novel CRL signature consisting of four CRLs were successfully identified. The K-M survival analysis indicated that the OS patients in the low-risk groups had a better prognosis than that in the high-risk group. Then, the ROC curve and subgroup survival analysis confirmed the prognostic evaluation performance of the signature. Equally, the independent prognostic analysis demonstrated that the CRL signature was an independently predicted factor for OS. Friends analysis determined the hub genes that played a critical role in differentially expressed genes between two distinct risk groups. In addition, the risk score was related to immunity status, immunotherapy response, and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity. Finally, the expression of these signature CRLs detected by RT-qPCR was consistent with the bioinformatic analysis results.ConclusionIn summary, our study confirmed that the novel CRL signature could effectively evaluate prognosis, tumor immune microenvironment, and immunotherapy response in OS. It may benefit for clinical decision-making and provide new insights for personalized therapeutics.
Borderline conditions for single or platooning operations in freight transport on expressways: Case study in Japan
Authors: Kawasaki Tomoya , Tagawa Hoshi , Lau Yui-yip 
Published: October 2022

Truck platooning is defined as a convoy of freight vehicles operated using an electronic coupling system, and has several advantages, particularly in terms of cost savings for fuel consumption and labor. Platooning technology is introduced by discussing several issues: the distance between trucks, number of trucks convoyed, waiting time at the platooning center, and distance between the origin and destination, all of which are variables that influence the transport costs. Important is to identify the extent to which these factors affect borderline conditions for single or platooning freight transport operations. Therefore, this study aims to develop a cost function of platooning operations, compare transport costs between single and platooning operations, determine the factors that affect the transport costs and identify the borderline conditions for single or platooning operations. The cost functions in the hypothetical network were developed by considering the important factors that contribute to the transport costs in Japanese road freight transport. A scenario analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of the inter-vehicle distance and the number of platooned trucks on the borderline conditions. Our results revealed that the platooning operation would offer a comparative advantage with a shorter inter-vehicle distance. For example, for an inter-vehicle distance of 49 m and a distance of 800 km between the origin and destination, the platooning operation is not advantageous compared with manned driving unless the waiting time at the platooning center is less than 30 min. In addition, a platooning operation is feasible even with a travelling distance of 100 km if the trailing vehicles are unmanned. The highest cost contributor is the cost of labor, the reduction of which can significantly reduce the total transport costs.
Sleep disturbances correlate with behavioral problems among individuals with Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome
Authors: Ng Rowena , Bjornsson Hans Tomas , Fahrner Jill A. , Harris Jacqueline 
Published: October 2022

Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome (WSS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutation in KMT2A and characterized by neurodevelopmental delay. This study is the first prospective investigation to examine the sleep and behavioral phenotypes among those with WSS through parent-informant screening inventories. A total of 24 parents of children/adults with WSS (11F, Mean age = 12.71 years, SD = 8.17) completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and 22 of these caregivers also completed the Modified Simonds and Parraga Sleep Questionnaire (MSPSQ). On average, the majority of those with WSS (83%) were rated to show borderline to clinical level of behavioral difficulties on the SDQ. Approximately 83% were rated in these ranges for hyperactivity, 63% for emotional problems, and 50% for conduct problems. When applying prior published clinical cut-off for risk of sleep disturbance among those with neurodevelopmental disorders, over 80% of our sample exceeded this limit on the MSPSQ. Largely, caregivers’ ratings suggested restless sleep, rigid bedtime rituals, sleep reluctance and breathing through the mouth in sleep were most consistent problems observed. Partial correlations between sleep and behavioral domains showed elevated emotional problems were associated with parasomnia characteristics after controlling for age. Daytime drowsiness and activity were associated with more hyperactivity. Those with more night waking problems and delayed sleep onset were rated to show more severe conduct problems. Overall, these findings suggest dysfunctional sleep behaviors, hyperactivity, and affective problems are part of the neurobehavioral phenotype of WSS. Routine clinical care for those affected by WSS should include close monitoring of sleep and overactive behaviors.
Clinical characteristics of hepatitis flares during pregnancy and postpartum in Chinese chronic hepatitis B virus carriers—a prospective cohort study of 417 cases
Authors: Wang Xiaoxiao , Song Aixin , Lin Xiao , Lu Junfeng , Zheng Sujun , Ma Lina , Ren Shan , Zheng Yanhong , Chen Xinyue 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundIn China, it is common for pregnant women with a high load of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to take nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) to prevent maternal-to-child transmission of HBV. However, the impact of NA intervention on virological and biochemical parameters in pregnant and postpartum women and the safety of drug cessation remain unclear. A prospective observational cohort was established in this study to analyze the clinical characteristics of hepatitis flares in pregnant and postpartum chronic HBV carriers, with or without NA intervention.MethodsPregnant women who were chronic HBV carriers were enrolled in this study and divided into an NA intervention group and a non-intervention group according to their preferences. Liver function, HBV DNA level, and HBV serological markers were regularly measured during pregnancy and at approximately 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, 36 weeks, and 48 weeks postpartum.ResultsA total of 417 patients were enrolled, including 303 in the NA intervention group and 114 in the non-intervention group. The incidence rates of postpartum hepatitis flares in both groups were higher than that of during pregnancy (45.7% vs 10.9%, p &lt; 0.001; 41.2% vs 17.7%, p &lt; 0.001). The second trimester was the peak of the incidence of flares during pregnancy and the incidence peak of postpartum flares was about 6 weeks postpartum. A total of 98% (145/148) of postpartum flares occurred within 24 weeks postpartum. After drug cessation, the incidence rate of flares was 34.1% (44/129).ConclusionIn pregnant chronic HBV carriers, a certain proportion of hepatitis flares occurred during pregnancy and postpartum regardless of whether NA intervention was used, and the incidence of postpartum flares (44.6%) was significantly higher than that (12.8%) of during pregnancy. The flare incidence peaked at approximately 6 weeks postpartum, which may be the time period suitable for treatment. Since 98% of postpartum flares occurred within 24 weeks postpartum, the follow-up after drug cessation should be at least 24 weeks postpartum.
The human milk proteome and allergy of mother and child: Exploring associations with protein abundances and protein network connectivity
Authors: Dekker Pieter M. , Azad Meghan B. , Boeren Sjef , Mandhane Piushkumar J. , Moraes Theo J. , Simons Elinor , Subbarao Padmaja , Turvey Stuart E. , Saccenti Edoardo , Hettinga Kasper A. 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundThe human milk proteome comprises a vast number of proteins with immunomodulatory functions, but it is not clear how this relates to allergy of the mother or allergy development in the breastfed infant. This study aimed to explore the relation between the human milk proteome and allergy of both mother and child.MethodsProteins were analyzed in milk samples from a subset of 300 mother-child dyads from the Canadian CHILD Cohort Study, selected based on maternal and child allergy phenotypes. For this selection, the definition of “allergy” included food allergy, eczema, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. Proteins were analyzed with non-targeted shotgun proteomics using filter-aided sample preparation (FASP) and nanoLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS. Protein abundances, based on label-free quantification, were compared using multiple statistical approaches, including univariate, multivariate, and network analyses.ResultsUsing univariate analysis, we observed a trend that milk for infants who develop an allergy by 3 years of age contains higher abundances of immunoglobulin chains, irrespective of the allergy status of the mother. This observation suggests a difference in the milk’s immunological potential, which might be related to the development of the infant’s immune system. Furthermore, network analysis showed overall increased connectivity of proteins in the milk of allergic mothers and milk for infants who ultimately develop an allergy. This difference in connectivity was especially noted for proteins involved in the protein translation machinery and may be due to the physiological status of the mother, which is reflected in the interconnectedness of proteins in her milk. In addition, it was shown that network analysis complements the other methods for data analysis by revealing complex associations between the milk proteome and mother-child allergy status.ConclusionTogether, these findings give new insights into how the human milk proteome, through differences in the abundance of individual proteins and protein-protein associations, relates to the allergy status of mother and child. In addition, these results inspire new research directions into the complex interplay of the mother-milk-infant triad and allergy.
Spatial and diel patterns of volatile organic compounds, DMSP-derived compounds, and planktonic microorganisms around a tropical scleractinian coral colony
Authors: Masdeu-Navarro Marta , Mangot Jean-François , Xue Lei , Cabrera-Brufau Miguel , Gardner Stephanie G. , Kieber David J. , González José M. , Simó Rafel 
Published: October 2022

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are constituents of marine ecosystems including coral reefs, where they are sources of atmospheric reactivity, indicators of ecosystem state, components of defense strategies, and infochemicals. Most VOCs result from sunlight-related processes; however, their light-driven dynamics are still poorly understood. We studied the spatial variability of a suite of VOCs, including dimethylsulfide (DMS), and the other dimethylsulfoniopropionate-derived compounds (DMSPCs), namely, DMSP, acrylate, and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), in waters around colonies of two scleractinian corals (Acropora pulchra and Pocillopora sp.) and the brown seaweed Turbinaria ornata in Mo’orean reefs, French Polynesia. Concentration gradients indicated that the corals were sources of DMSPCs, but less or null sources of VOCs other than DMS, while the seaweed was a source of DMSPCs, carbonyl sulfide (COS), and poly-halomethanes. A focused study was conducted around an A. pulchra colony where VOC and DMSPC concentrations and free-living microorganism abundances were monitored every 6 h over 30 h. DMSPC concentrations near the polyps paralleled sunlight intensity, with large diurnal increases and nocturnal decrease. rDNA metabarcoding and metagenomics allowed the determination of microbial diversity and the relative abundance of target functional genes. Seawater near coral polyps was enriched in DMS as the only VOC, plus DMSP, acrylate, and DMSO, with a large increase during the day, coinciding with high abundances of symbiodiniacean sequences. Only 10 cm below, near the coral skeleton colonized by a turf alga, DMSPC concentrations were much lower and the microbial community was significantly different. Two meters down current from the coral, DMSPCs decreased further and the microbial community was more similar to that near the polyps than that near the turf alga. Several DMSP cycling genes were enriched in near-polyp with respect to down-current waters, namely, the eukaryotic DMS production and DMS oxidation encoding genes, attributed to the coral and the algal symbiont, and the prokaryotic DMS production gene dddD, harbored by coral-associated Gammaproteobacteria. Our results suggest that solar radiation-induced oxidative stress caused the release of DMSPCs by the coral holobiont, either directly or through symbiont expulsion. Strong chemical and biological gradients occurred in the water between the coral branches, which we attribute to layered hydrodynamics.
Disentangling species-specific krill responses to local oceanography and predator’s biomass: The case of the Humboldt krill and the Peruvian anchovy
Authors: Díaz-Astudillo Macarena , Riquelme-Bugueño Ramiro , Bernard Kim S. , Saldías Gonzalo S. , Rivera Reinaldo , Letelier Jaime 
Published: October 2022

Euphausiids (hereafter “krill”) are one of the main components of the pelagic communities of the Humboldt Current System (HCS). Their community dynamics have been well studied in central-southern Chile where upwelling is strongly seasonal, but little is known about the permanent-upwelling area of the HCS, which yields the largest fishery in the world, the Peruvian anchovy. We applied hierarchical generalized additive models with environmental and biological predictors to determine the main drivers of krill abundance, adjusting species-specific functions. We used a time series of 16 bi-annual surveys to study annual, seasonal, and spatial scales of variability of the four numerically dominant taxa: Euphausia mucronata (Humboldt krill), E. eximia, Stylocheiron affine, and Nematoscelis spp. The spatial pattern of the Humboldt krill (the dominant species) proved it is an upwelling-associated species, with higher abundances within 10 km from the coast. The other 3 taxa showed opposite spatial patterns with higher abundances offshore. The main covariates explaining krill abundances were the depth of the upper limit of the oxygen minimum zone (dOMZ) and the mean temperature of the water column. Humboldt krill was negatively correlated to both drivers, and the opposite effect was observed for the other taxa. Although many krill species are metabolically adapted to cope with the severe hypoxic conditions of this system, the Humboldt krill was the only species with higher modeled abundances when dOMZ was shallower. Chlorophyll-a remained high during all sampling periods, and it was an insignificant predictor for all taxa, suggesting food is not a limitation for krill in this highly productive system. The acoustic biomass of the Peruvian anchovy had a negative non-linear effect on the abundances of the Humboldt krill, and higher Humboldt krill abundances were found in areas with no anchovy hotspots. Our results indicate that krill in this system are susceptible to changes in temperature, oxygen, and upwelling conditions. Extreme events (e.g. heatwaves and ENSO events) are expected to increase in frequency and intensity, while climate change scenarios show a potential intensification of upwelling. These conditions could lead to distribution displacements and alter trophic interactions by modifying the distribution and biomass of the predator.
Self-healing mechanism of deposited carbonates in cement cracks under CO2 storage well conditions
Authors: Xing Xuesong , Zhong Guangrong , Wu Zhiqiang , Cai Jingxuan , Cheng Xiaowei 
Published: October 2022

In CO2 geological storage wells, the leakage of CO2 along the micro-cracks of the cement sheath of abandoned wells is one of the main risks of CO2 leakage. The chemical reaction between CO2 and oil well cement can realize self-healing of micro-cracks in the cement sheath. In this study, self-healing experiments of artificial cracks in cement-based materials were carried out by simulating the working conditions of high temperature, high pressure and CO2-rich CCS. The formation process and self-healing effect of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in oil well cement-based materials induced by CO2 under different exposure environments were explored, and the self-healing products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM and EDX). X-ray computed tomography (μ-CT) was used to reconstruct the changes of cracks in 3D, and compressive strength, porosity, and permeability were used to evaluate the self-healing properties of cement-based material cracks. The results indicated that for the CS-28 (the samples reacted with humid CO2 for 28 days) and AS-28 (the samples reacted with humid air for 28 days) samples, the compressive strength increased by 56.67% and 10.38%, the porosity decreased by 59.37% and 18.19%, and the permeability decreased by 59.91% and 28.07%, respectively. The crack-volume reduction rate of the CS-28 specimen was 57.08%, and the pore-volume reduction rate was 69.20%. Many massive, needle shaped CaCO3 crystals were formed in the pores and cracks of the sample. The reconstruction of the 3D structure of self-healing cement shows that the micro-cracks of the cement are sealed but the pores are increased. The damage prediction based on von Mises stress shows that under the axial force, the healing layer is not prone to damage. This study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for applying self-healing technology in CCS downhole environment, improving the service life of cement sheath and preventing the leakage of stored CO2.
Machine learning algorithm-based identification and verification of characteristic genes in acute kidney injury
Authors: Li Yinghao , Du Yiwei , Zhang Yanlong , Chen Chao , Zhang Jian , Zhang Xin , Zhang Min , Yan Yong 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundAcute kidney injury is a common renal disease with high incidence and mortality. Early identification of high-risk acute renal injury patients following renal transplant could improve their prognosis, however, no biomarker exists for early detection.MethodsThe GSE139061 dataset was used to identify hub genes in 86 DEGs between acute kidney injury and control samples using three machine learning algorithms (LASSO, random forest, and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination). We used GSEA to identify the related signal pathways of six hub genes. Finally, we validated these potential biomarkers in an in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation injury cell model using RT-qPCR.ResultsSix hub genes (MDFI, EHBP1L1, FBXW4, MDM4, RALYL, and ESM1) were identified as potentially predictive of an acute kidney injury. The expression of ESM1 and RALYL were markedly increased in control samples, while EHBP1L1, FBXW4, MDFI, and MDM4 were markedly increased in acute kidney injury samples.ConclusionWe screened six hub genes related to acute kidney injury using three machine learning algorithms and identified genes with potential diagnostic utility. The hub genes identified in this study might play a significant role in the pathophysiology and progression of AKI. As such, they might be useful for the early diagnosis of AKI and provide the possibility of improving the prognosis of AKI patients.