bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Failure Mechanism and Dynamic Response Characteristics of Loess Slopes Under the Effects of Earthquake and Groundwater
Authors: Chai Shaofeng , Wang Lanmin , Wang Ping , Pu Xiaowu , Xu Shiyang , Guo Haitao , Wang Huijuan 
Published: April 2022

A large-scale shaking table test was conducted with simulated earthquakes and groundwater to study the dynamic response and instability mechanism of a loess slope with a saturated bottom. By examining the acceleration, dynamic pore water pressure, corresponding soil pressure and observed macroscopic failure behaviour of the slope under different shaking intensities, the dynamic responses of acceleration and pore water pressure of the loess slope were analysed. By comparing the time history curve of acceleration with the time history curves of pore water pressure and surrounding soil pressure, we found that the instability failure of the slope was first due to the continuous vibration that caused the local structure of the slope soil to be damaged, forming locally saturated soil and the rise in the groundwater table during shaking. Then, the saturated soil liquefied under the action of strong vibration, and the liquefied soil mass slid under the action of a high-intensity earthquake force. Finally, the acceleration and spectral characteristics of the pore water pressure changed sharply with a shift in the predominant frequency at the liquefied locations under a high shaking intensity. The significant changes in dynamic pore water pressure mainly occurred when the shaking components in the low-frequency bands below 1 Hz. This implied that the shift in the frequency mainly resulted from the damage in the structure of the loess slope after high-intensity shaking. These results help us better understand the triggering mechanism and failure mechanism of saturated loess slopes during the Minxian-Zhangxian earthquake.
Trabecular Bone Score and Osteoprotegerin as Useful Tools in the Assessment of Bone Deterioration in Acromegaly
Authors: Jawiarczyk-Przybyłowska Aleksandra , Halupczok-Żyła Jowita , Syrycka Joanna , Zembska Agnieszka , Kuliczkowska-Płaksej Justyna , Bolanowski Marek 
Published: April 2022

PurposeThis study aimed to assess bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) in 61 patients from the acromegaly group (AG) with regard to the activity of the disease in comparison to 42 patients—control group (CG). We also analyzed selected bone markers and their association with BMD and TBS.Materials and MethodsLumbar spine and femoral neck BMD measurements were performed. TBS values were obtained. Serum concentrations of selected bone markers, including osteoprotegerin (OPG), were measured.ResultsWe revealed a difference in TBS values between the AG and CG as well as between the TCA (treatment-controlled acromegaly) vs. CG and TCA+CA (cured acromegaly) vs. CG. We did not observe any statistically significant difference in BMD. OPG had a lower concentration in the CG compared to the AG. TBS correlated negatively with OPG in the AG (r = −0.31, p = 0.01) and in the TCA+ CA group (r = −0.3, p = 0.01).ConclusionsThe acromegalic patients have altered bone microstructure as indicated by the decreased TBS regardless of the activity of the disease and BMD. OPG could be a marker of the destruction of the bone microstructure, but further studies are needed.
Mapping Highway Mobile Carbon Source Emissions Using Traffic Flow Big Data: A Case Study of Guangdong Province, China
Authors: Li Yuanjun , Wu Qitao , Zhang Yuling , Huang Guangqing , Jin Shuangquan , Fang Shun 
Published: April 2022

The continuously growing transportation sector has become the second largest, yet increasing, industrial emissions source of CO2, posing serious challenges to global environmental security. Among the various transport modes, road transportation yields the highest cumulative level of CO2 emissions. However, these emissions have not been sufficiently investigated in previous studies, especially with respect to analyses from the perspective of vehicle emission sources. This can make source management and emissions reduction difficult. To address these methodological issues, this study aims to build a highway traffic carbon emissions monitoring and spatial analysis system, employing the mobile carbon sources concept, and establish a carbon emissions model encompassing all types of passenger and freight vehicles based on interstation O-D traffic flow data recorded by the toll collection network, to calculate vehicle carbon emissions and create a mobile carbon source emissions map. Empirical analyses in Guangdong Province revealed that, compared with conventional studies, the mobile carbon source emission mapping approach can accurately identify vehicle types with higher emissions while assisting with source management. Of the average total daily carbon emissions from all types of vehicles that use highways (15,311 t), 57.10% originated from freight vehicles (8,743 t) while passenger vehicles contributed 42.90%. By specific vehicle type, emissions mainly originated from small and medium-sized vehicles, including Class I passenger vehicles (i.e., cars) and Class I and III freight vehicles. Further, the proposed method could locate road sections characterized by high carbon emissions. High-emission sections in Guangdong Province were mainly spatially autocorrelated, with peak aggregations on national highways; near economically developed and densely populated areas; and adjacent to surrounding airports, ports, and overpass roads. This study improves the scientific and spatial analytical accuracy for carbon emissions measurements of highway vehicles, thus informing source management and sustainable development, as well as providing technical support for attaining carbon neutrality in China.
The Influence of Coalescent Microbiotic Particles From Water and Soil on the Evolution and Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Baquero F. , Coque T.M. , Guerra-Pinto N. , Galán J.C. , Jiménez-Lalana D. , Tamames J. , Pedrós-Alió C. 
Published: April 2022

Water and soil contain a multiplicity of particulate material coated with bacterial populations and communities. Microbiotic particles are any type of small particle (measuring less than 2 mm) to which bacteria and other microbes attach, resulting in medium to long-term colonization. This study reviews the interactions of ecologically distant bacterial organisms on microbiotic particles in soil and water as a method for explaining the evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance traits. These particles include bacteria-bacteria aggregates, which can merge with particles from fungi, protozoa, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and biodetritus resulting from animal and vegetal decomposition, humus, mineral particles (clay, carbonates, silicates), and anthropogenic particles (including wastewater particles and microplastics). In turn, these complex particles can interact and coalesce. Natural phenomena (waterflow, tides, tsunamis, currents, and strong winds) and anthropogenic activity (agriculture, waste-water management, mining, excavation/construction) favor the interaction and merging of microbiotic particles in soil and water, resulting in enhanced recombinant communities capable of exchanging genetic material, including antimicrobial resistance genes, particularly in antimicrobial-polluted environments. In this review, we propose that the worldwide spread of antimicrobial resistance might be related to the environmental dynamics of microbiotic particles, and we discuss possible methods for reducing this problem that threatens One Health and Planetary Health.
Early COPD Risk Decision for Adults Aged From 40 to 79 Years Based on Lung Radiomics Features
Authors: Yang Yingjian , Li Wei , Guo Yingwei , Liu Yang , Li Qiang , Yang Kai , Wang Shicong , Zeng Nanrong , Duan Wenxin , Chen Ziran , Chen Huai , Li Xian , Zhao Wei , Chen Rongchang , Kang Yan 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a preventable lung disease, has the highest prevalence in the elderly and deserves special consideration regarding earlier warnings in this fragile population. The impact of age on COPD is well known, but the COPD risk of the aging process in the lungs remains unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the COPD risk of the aging process in the lungs, providing an early COPD risk decision for adults.MethodsCOPD risk is evaluated for adults to make an early COPD risk decision from the perspective of lung radiomics features. First, the subjects are divided into four groups according to the COPD stages. Their ages are divided into eight equal age intervals in each group. Second, four survival Cox models are established based on the lung radiomics features to evaluate the risk probability from COPD stage 0 to suffering COPD and COPD stages. Finally, four risk ranks are defined by equally dividing the COPD risk probability from 0 to 1. Subsequently, the COPD risk at different stages is evaluated with varying age intervals to provide an early COPD risk decision.ResultsThe evaluation metrics area under the curve (AUC)/C index of four survival Cox models are 0.87/0.94, 0.84/0.83, 0.94/0.89, and 0.97/0.86, respectively, showing the effectiveness of the models. The risk rank levels up every 5 years for the subjects who had suffered COPD after 60. For the subjects with COPD stage 0, the risk rank of suffering COPD stage I levels up every 5 years after the age of 65 years, and the risk rank of suffering COPD stages II and III &amp; IV levels up every 5 years after the age of 70 years.ConclusionOnce the age is above 60 years, the patients with COPD need to take action to prevent the progress and deterioration of COPD. Once the age is above 65 years, the patients with COPD stage 0 need to take precautions against COPD.
The Perception of the Anesthesiologist Among the Medical, Paramedical and Administrative Staff
Authors: Selim Jean , Selim Marc , Demailly Zoé , Wable Thierry , Clavier Thomas , Besnier Emmanuel , Dureuil Bertrand , Veber Benoît , Djerada Zoubir , Compere Vincent 
Published: April 2022

IntroductionAnesthesia remains a young medical discipline still relatively unknown by the general public and probably by some health professionals. The objective of the study was to evaluate the perception of anesthesiologist by health professionals working with this specialty.MethodsWe distributed a computerized survey to physicians, residents, paramedical, midwives, and administrative staff in different hospitals between April and July 2018 in Normandy, France. The survey included 38 questions on 6 different topics: communicated image, skills and knowledge, communication, place in patient care, workload, and initial anesthesiologist formation. The survey was validated by a semi-directive interview methodology. A Likert scale from ×2 to +2 (“completely disagree” to “completely agree”) was used for each item.ResultsSix hundred and twenty five out of 2,000 surveys sent were analyzed. The anesthesiologist conveys an image of serenity (+0.94 ± 0.79), has a high degree of responsibility (+1.72 ± 0.59) with important decision-making power (+1.39 ± 0.82). He guarantees patient safety and comfort (+1.07 ± 0.88) with his/her dual competence in anesthesia and intensive care (+1.36 ± 0.82). Anesthesiology requires teamwork (+1.68 ± 0.58) and good communication skills (+1.48 ± 0.73). The anesthesiologist is not perceived as a service provider (−0.33 ± 1.15) but is the physician responsible for perioperative care (+1.69 ± 1.00). His/her workload is moderately perceived as high (+0.71 ± 1.17) but is confronted with potentially conflictual relationships with colleagues from other specialties (+1.40 ± 0.68) and stressful situations (+1.44 ± 0.80).ConclusionThe overall perception of the anesthesiologist in our study appears to be good.
Deletion of Non-histidine Domains of Histidine Kinase CHK1 Diminishes the Infectivity of Candida albicans in an Oral Mucosal Model
Authors: Feng Yahui , Bian Shaodong , Pang Zhiping , Wen Yiyang , Calderone Richard , Li Dongmei , Shi Dongmei 
Published: April 2022

ObjectivesThe histidine kinase (HK) CHK1 and other protein kinases in Candida albicans are key players in the development of hyphae. This study is designed to determine the functional roles of the S_Tkc domain (protein kinase) and the GAF domain of C. albicans CHK1 in hyphal formation and mucosal invasion.MethodsThe domain mutants CHK25 (ΔS_TkcCHK1/Δchk1) and CHK26 (ΔS_TkcΔgafCHK1/Δchk1) were first constructed by the his1-URA3-his1 method and confirmed by sequencing and Southern blots. A mouse tongue infection model was used to evaluate the hyphal invasion and fungal loads in each domain mutant, full-gene deletion mutant CHK21 (chk1Δ/chk1Δ), re-constituted strain CHK23 (chk1Δ/CHK1), and wild type (WT) from day 1 to day 5. The degree of invasion and damage to the oral mucosa of mice in each strain-infected group was evaluated in vivo and compared with germ tube rate and hyphal formation in vitro.ResultWhen compared with severe mucosal damage and massive hyphal formation in WT- or CHK23-infected mouse tongues, the deletion of S_Tkc domain (CHK25) caused mild mucosal damage, and fungal invasion was eliminated as we observed in full-gene mutant CHK21. However, the deletion of S_Tkc and GAF (CHK26) partially restored the hyphal invasion and mucosal tissue damage that were exhibited in WT and CHK23. Regardless of the in vivo results, the decreased hyphal formation and germ tube in vitro were less apparent and quite similar between CHK25 and CHK26, especially at the late stage of the log phase where CHK26 was closer to WT and CHK23. However, growth defect and hyphal impairment of both domain mutants were similar to CHK21 in the early stages.ConclusionOur data suggest that both protein kinase (S_Tkc) and GAF domains in C. albicans CHK1 are required for hyphal invasiveness in mucosal tissue. The appropriate initiation of cell growth and hyphal formation at the lag phase is likely mediated by these two functional domains of CHK1 to maintain in vivo infectivity of C. albicans.
Association Between Aneurysmal Hemodynamics and Rupture Risk of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Tian Zhongbin , Li Xifeng , Wang Chao , Feng Xin , Sun Kaijian , Tu Yi , Su Hengxian , Yang Xinjian , Duan Chuanzhi 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundAssessing rupture risk in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) remains challenging. Hemodynamics plays an important role in the natural history of intracranial aneurysms. This study aimed to compare aneurysmal hemodynamic features between patients with different rupture risk as determined by PHASES score.MethodsWe retrospectively examined 238 patients who harbored a solitary saccular UIA. Patients were stratified by rupture risk into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups according to PHASES score. Flow simulations were performed to compare differences in hemodynamics among the groups.ResultsAneurysmal time-averaged wall shear stress (WSSa) and normalized WSS (WSSn) decreased progressively as PHASES score increased. WSSa and WSSn significantly differed among the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups (p &lt; 0.001). WSSa was significantly lower in the high-risk group than the low-risk group (p &lt; 0.001) and the intermediate-risk group (p = 0.004). WSSn was also significantly lower in the high-risk group than the low-risk group (p &lt; 0.001) and the intermediate-risk group (p = 0.001).ConclusionsLow WSS was significantly associated with higher risk of intracranial aneurysm rupture as determined by PHASES score, indicating that hemodynamics may play an important role in aneurysmal rupture. In the future, a multidimensional rupture risk prediction model that includes hemodynamic parameters should be investigated.
Glioblastoma Relapses Show Increased Markers of Vulnerability to Ferroptosis
Authors: Kram Helena , Prokop Georg , Haller Bernhard , Gempt Jens , Wu Yang , Schmidt-Graf Friederike , Schlegel Jürgen , Conrad Marcus , Liesche-Starnecker Friederike 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundDespite the availability of various therapy options and being a widely focused research area, the prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) still remains very poor due to therapy resistance, genetic heterogeneity and a diffuse infiltration pattern. The recently described non-apoptotic form of cell death ferroptosis may, however, offer novel opportunities for targeted therapies. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of ferroptosis in GBM, including the impact of treatment on the expression of the two ferroptosis-associated players glutathione-peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and acyl-CoA-synthetase long-chain family number 4 (ACSL4). Furthermore, the change in expression of the recently identified ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) 1A3 was investigated.MethodsImmunohistochemistry was performed on sample pairs of primary and relapse GBM of 24 patients who had received standard adjuvant treatment with radiochemotherapy. To identify cell types generally prone to undergo ferroptosis, co-stainings of ferroptosis susceptibility genes in combination with cell-type specific markers including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) for tumor cells and astrocytes, as well as the ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) for microglial cells were performed, supplemented by double stains combining GPX4 and ACSL4.ResultsWhile the expression of GPX4 decreased significantly during tumor relapse, ACSL4 showed a significant increase. These results were confirmed by analyses of data sets of the Cancer Genome Atlas. These profound changes indicate an increased susceptibility of relapsed tumors towards oxidative stress and associated ferroptosis, a cell death modality characterized by unrestrained lipid peroxidation. Moreover, ALDH1A3 and FSP1 expression also increased in the relapses with significant results for ALDH1A3, whereas for FSP1, statistical significance was not reached. Results obtained from double staining imply that ferroptosis occurs more likely in GBM tumor cells than in microglial cells.ConclusionOur study implies that ferroptosis takes place in GBM tumor cells. Moreover, we show that recurrent tumors have a higher vulnerability to ferroptosis. These results affirm that utilizing ferroptosis processes might be a possible novel therapy option, especially in the situation of recurrent GBM.
Circular RNA ERBIN Promotes Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via the miR-1263/CDK6 Axis
Authors: Yang Shikun , Yu Fei , Ji Yang , Shen Yanjun , Lu Hao , Gao Yuan , Zhang Feng , Wang Xuehao , Zhang Chuanyong 
Published: April 2022

ObjectivesHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and characterized by high aggressiveness and extremely poor prognosis. Increasing evidence has suggested that circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are highly stable, play crucial roles in the progression of multiple malignancies. However, the roles of circRNAs in HCC remain elusive.Materials and MethodsThe expression patterns of circRNAs in HCC were identified by qRT-PCR. A series of functional experiments both in vivo and in vitro were used to determine the role of circERBIN in HCC proliferation. Bioinformatics and an RNA pulldown assay were used to identify potential downstream targets of circERBIN.ResultsThe expression of circERBIN was upregulated in HCC cell lines and tissues, which was predictive of a poor prognosis in HCC patients. Elevated circERBIN promoted G1/S transition of HCC cells, thus facilitating the proliferation and tumorigenesis of HCC cells. Mechanistic investigations revealed that circERBIN regulated HCC proliferation by acting as a sponge of miR-1263, which subsequently targeted cyclin dependent kinase 6 and controlled G1/S transition.ConclusionTaken together, these results determined that circERBIN functions as an important epigenetic regulator in HCC development, highlighting that circERBIN is a promising target for treatment of HCC.
Short-Term Effects of Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor Combination on Glucose Tolerance in Young People With Cystic Fibrosis—An Observational Pilot Study
Authors: Korten Insa , Kieninger Elisabeth , Krueger Linn , Bullo Marina , Flück Christa E. , Latzin Philipp , Casaulta Carmen , Boettcher Claudia 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThe effect of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ELX/TEZ/IVA) on glucose tolerance and/or cystic-fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) is not well understood. We performed an observational study on the short-term effects of ELX/TEZ/IVA on glucose tolerance.MethodsSixteen adolescents with CF performed oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) before and 4–6 weeks after initiating ELX/TEZ/IVA therapy. A continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system was used 3 days before until 7 days after starting ELX/TEZ/IVA treatment.ResultsOGTT categories improved after initiating ELX/TEZ/IVA therapy (p = 0.02). Glucose levels of OGTT improved at 60, 90, and 120 min (p &lt; 0.05), whereas fasting glucose and CGM measures did not change.ConclusionShortly after initiating ELX/TEZ/IVA therapy, glucose tolerance measured by OGTT improved in people with CF. This pilot study indicates that ELX/TEZ/IVA treatment has beneficial effects on the endocrine pancreatic function and might prevent or at least postpone future CFRD.
Long Term Follow up of Patients With Primary Obstetric Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Niznik Stanley , Rapoport Micha J. , Avnery Orly , Lubetsky Aharon , Shavit Ronen , Ellis Martin H. , Agmon-Levin Nancy 
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Primary obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (OAPS) is defined by specific morbidities and/or losses of pregnancy in the presence of persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). This variant of APS is usually treated during pregnancy and the post-partum period. Data on occurrence of thrombotic event during long term follow-up of OAPS patients is limited.Methods: A multi-centre retrospectively cohort of female patients with primary APS (pAPS) was assembled during 2004–2019. Patients were grouped according to disease presentation as pure OAPS or thrombotic APS (tAPS) for those presenting with thrombosis. Clinical and serological data were compared between groups.Results: Of 219 pAPS female patients 67 (30.6%) were diagnosed with OAPS and 152 (69.4%) with tAPS. During &gt;10 years of follow-up 24/67 (35.8%) OAPS and 71/152 (50%) tAPS suffered a new thrombotic event (p = 0.06), while obstetric morbidity was more likely in the OAPS group (31.3 vs. 10.5%, p &lt; 0.001) respectively. Among patients with OAPS at presentation heart valve disease and the presence of ANA were related to thrombosis following diagnosis (25 vs. 4.7%, p = 0.02; and 45.8 vs. 20.8%, p = 0.04 respectively).Conclusion: Thrombotic event following diagnosis were common among female patients with pAPS regardless of disease presentation. Heart valve disease and ANA positivity may be risk factors for thrombosis during follow-up of patients presenting with pure OAPS.