bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation Between Circulating PCSK9 Levels and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Chinese Population
Authors: Wu Yiming , Shi Jie , Su Qing , Yang Zhen , Qin Li 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundPrevious studies reported that proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) was a key player in the regulations of lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis. The current study aimed to detect the expression of PCSK9 in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and investigate the possible relationships between PCSK9 and related metabolic phenotypes in GDM.MethodsCirculating PCSK9 levels were determined by ELISA kit in a cohort of subjects with GDM (n = 170) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n = 130). We collected blood samples from all participants for the biochemical index determinations. Diagnosis of GDM was made according to the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups Consensus Panel. Correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to study the potential associations between PCSK9 and GDM.ResultsGDM women presented significantly higher circulating PCSK9 levels than those in NGT pregnant subjects (268.07 ± 77.17 vs. 254.24 ± 74.22 ng/ml, P &lt; 0.05). In the GDM group, serum PCSK9 levels were positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (R = 0.251, P = 0.015), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (R = 0.275, P = 0.009), total cholesterol (TC) (R = 0.273, P = 0.010), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (R = 0.326, P = 0.002) after adjustment of age and gestational age. Logistic regression found that age [odds ratio (OR) = 5.412, P = 0.02] and serum PCSK9 levels (OR = 4.696, P = 0.03) were independently associated with GDM. Compared with the lowest serum PCSK9 level quartile group, the prevalence of GDM was significantly higher in the highest quartile group, the ORs of GDM were 3.485 (95% CI 1.408–8.627, P &lt; 0.05 for the trend), after adjusting for potential confounders.ConclusionsCirculating PCSK9 levels were associated with dyslipidemia, pathoglycemia, and the risk of incident GDM, indicating a potential link between PCSK9 and GDM.
Intelligent Optimization Method for Core Flow Zoning of Long-Cycle Lead-Bismuth-Cooled Reactor
Authors: Yu Qingyuan , Dai Shengqi , Zhao Pengcheng , Zhao Yanan , Xiao Yingjie , Peng Liangxing , Yu Tao 
Published: April 2022

Flow zoning is an important way to achieve core outlet temperature flattening. Appropriate zoning can improve safety and economy. This study combines an artificial intelligence optimization algorithm with a parallel multi-channel model to develop a model for calculating reactor core flow zoning based on the modern optimization theory, convergence analysis of a genetic algorithm, differential evolution algorithm, and quantum genetic algorithm is carried out for long-life reactor flow partitioning. Using the optimized algorithm, two flow rates are determined using power distribution at the beginning of the core life as the sample data and the maximum power of each fuel assembly during the entire life as the sample data. Comparative analysis of two different flow zoning schemes is implemented on a small long-life natural circulation lead-bismuth fast reactor, SPALLER-100. The findings of this study show that the quantum genetic algorithm has the best convergence for the long-life reactor among the three intelligent optimization algorithms, and it can quickly provide optimal results. In flow zoning scheme calculations based on the core power distribution at the beginning of reactor life, the maximum outlet temperature of the fuel assembly exceeds the thermal safety limit of the reactor, and in the flow zoning scheme calculations based on the average core power distribution during the whole reactor life, the maximum outlet temperature of the fuel assembly is 140 K lower than the maximum outlet temperature obtained in the previous scheme, remaining below the thermal safety limit. The optimal number of partitions for the SPALLER-100 reactor is determined to be 5, and increasing the number of zones only slightly improved the thermal safety performance of the reactor.
Association Between Baseline Therapy and Flare Reduction in Mepolizumab-Treated Patients With Hypereosinophilic Syndrome
Authors: Reiter Andreas , Lefevre Guillaume , Cid Maria C. , Kwon Namhee , Mavropolou Eleni , Yancey Steven W. , Steinfeld Jonathan 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundCurrent standard-of-care treatments for hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) include oral corticosteroids (OCS) and immunosuppressive/cytotoxic (IS/CT) therapies. The anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody mepolizumab has also recently been approved for patients with this disease. The objective of this analysis was to assess the relationship between baseline therapy and flare reduction in patients with HES treated with mepolizumab, using data from the Phase III 200622 study (NCT02836496).MethodsIn the double-blind, parallel-group 200622 study, eligible patients were ≥12 years old and had HES for ≥6 months, ≥2 flares in the previous 12 months, blood eosinophils ≥1000 cells/μL at screening and ≥4 weeks’ stable HES therapy. Patients were randomised (1:1) to receive mepolizumab 300 mg subcutaneously or placebo every 4 weeks for 32 weeks plus their existing HES therapy. This post hoc, descriptive analysis assessed the effect of baseline HES therapy [IS/CT (± OCS), OCS No IS/CT, and No IS/CT/OCS] on the proportion of patients with ≥1 flare during the study period, the annualised rate of flares, time to first flare, and the proportion of patients with ≥1 flare during Weeks 20─32, with mepolizumab versus placebo.ResultsMepolizumab treatment was associated with a decrease in the proportion of patients who experienced ≥1 flare during the study period in all baseline therapy groups versus placebo (32–96% reduction). Similarly, the probability of a flare was lower with mepolizumab (14.3–31.4%) than placebo (35.7–74.1%) in all baseline therapy groups, as was the annualised flare rate (0.22–0.68 vs 1.14–1.62). The proportion of patients who experienced ≥1 flare during Weeks 20–32 was reduced with mepolizumab versus placebo for all baseline therapy groups (55–85% reduction). For all endpoints, the greatest effect of mepolizumab treatment was seen in the IS/CT (± OCS) group.ConclusionsPatients with poorly controlled HES are likely to achieve clinical benefit with mepolizumab in terms of flare reduction, regardless of their baseline therapy.Clinical Trial Registration(https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02836496).
Weak Expression of Terminal Complement in Active Antibody-Mediated Rejection of the Kidney
Authors: Tiller Gesa , Lammerts Rosa G. M. , Karijosemito Jessy J. , Alkaff Firas F. , Diepstra Arjan , Pol Robert A. , Meter-Arkema Anita H. , Seelen Marc. A. , van den Heuvel Marius C. , Hepkema Bouke G. , Daha Mohamed R. , van den Born Jacob , Berger Stefan P. 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThe role of the complement system in antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is insufficiently understood. We aimed to investigate the role of local and systemic complement activation in active (aABMR). We quantified complement activation markers, C3, C3d, and C5b-9 in plasma of aABMR, and acute T-cell mediated rejection (aTCMR), and non-rejection kidney transplant recipients. Intra-renal complement markers were analyzed as C4d, C3d, C5b-9, and CD59 deposition. We examined in vitro complement activation and CD59 expression on renal endothelial cells upon incubation with human leukocyte antigen antibodies.MethodsWe included 50 kidney transplant recipients, who we histopathologically classified as aABMR (n=17), aTCMR (n=18), and non-rejection patients (n=15).ResultsComplement activation in plasma did not differ across groups. C3d and C4d deposition were discriminative for aABMR diagnosis. Particularly, C3d deposition was stronger in glomerular (P&lt;0,01), and peritubular capillaries (P&lt;0,05) comparing aABMR to aTCMR rejection and non-rejection biopsies. In contrast to C3d, C5b-9 was only mildly expressed across all groups. For C5b-9, no significant difference between aABMR and non-rejection biopsies regarding peritubular and glomerular C5b-9 deposition was evident. We replicated these findings in vitro using renal endothelial cells and found complement pathway activation with C4d and C3d, but without terminal C5b-9 deposition. Complement regulator CD59 was variably present in biopsies and constitutively expressed on renal endothelial cells in vitro.ConclusionOur results indicate that terminal complement might only play a minor role in late aABMR, possibly indicating the need to re-evaluate the applicability of terminal complement inhibitors as treatment for aABMR.
Serum Soluble B Cell-Activating Factor Is a Non-Invasive Biomarker of Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Kidney Allograft With Satisfactory Risk Stratification Performance But Negligible Diagnostic Value
Authors: Wu Shenghui , Su Xiaojun , Ye Qianyu , Wei Yongcheng , Gao Yifang , Huang Mingchuan , Chen Yanxu , Wang Jiali , Zhang Qiang , Fu Qian , Li Jun , Wu Chenglin , Huang Huiting , Xu Bowen , Zhang Huanxi , Liu Longshan , Wang Changxi 
Published: April 2022

ObjectivesB cell-activating factor (BAFF), which is critical in the activation and differentiation of B cells, is a candidate diagnostic and predictive biomarker for antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). We aimed to investigate the value of serum soluble BAFF (sBAFF) for the diagnosis and risk stratification of ABMR after kidney transplantation.MethodsIn the diagnostic study, sBAFF level among ABMR (n = 25), T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) (n = 14), 4 other pathological lesions (n = 21), and stable allograft function group (n = 15) were compared. In the nested case-control study, kidney allograft recipients with de novo donor-specific antibody (DSA) or ABMR (n = 16) vs. stable allograft function (n = 7) were enrolled, and sBAFF was measured preoperatively, at D7, M1, M3, M6, M9, M12, M18 posttransplant and at allograft biopsy.ResultsThere was no significant difference in sBAFF level at biopsy between ABMR and non-ABMR groups. Longitudinal study showed that the sBAFF levels decreased dramatically at D7 in both groups. The sBAFF level in the DSA group started to increase within M1, while in the stable group, it maintained a low level until M3 and M6. The sBAFF levels of the DSA group were significantly higher than that of the stable group at M1 [1,013.23 (633.97, 1,277.38) pg/ml vs. 462.69 (438.77, 586.48) pg/ml, P = 0.005], M3 [1,472.07 (912.79, 1,922.08) pg/ml vs. 561.63 (489.77, 630.00) pg/ml, P = 0.002], and M6 [1,217.95 (965.25, 1,321.43) pg/ml vs. 726.93 (604.77, 924.60) pg/ml, P = 0.027]. sBAFF levels at M3 had the best predictive value for the DSA/ABMR with the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve value of 0.908. The predictive performance of the maximum (max) change rate from D7 to the peak within M3 was also excellent (AUROC 0.949, P = 0.580).ConclusionWe clarified by a diagnostic study that sBAFF is not a diagnostic biomarker for ABMR in kidney transplantation and revealed by a nested case-control study that sBAFF values at M3 posttransplant and dynamic changes in sBAFF within M3 posttransplant have a good predictive value for the DSA/ABMR. It provides a useful tool for early screening of low-risk patients with negative preoperative DSA for the risk of developing postoperative DSA in kidney allograft recipients.
Numerical Modeling and Experimental Validation of TiC Nanoparticle Distribution During the Ultrasonic Casting Process of 2219 Aluminum Matrix Nanocomposites
Authors: Yi-Long Yang , Yun Zhang , Hao-Ming Zhang , Xu-He Liu 
Published: April 2022

In this work, a two-dimensional model of 0.9 wt% TiC nanoparticle-reinforced 2219 aluminum nanocomposites fabricated by a high-intensity ultrasonic casting technique was established. The TiC nanoparticle distribution in 2219 aluminum melts was investigated using the multiphase computational fluid dynamics ultrasonic cavitation model accounting for turbulent flow. And the variable interaction between nanoparticles and melts was analyzed by Ansys’s Fluent Dense Discrete phase Model According to the simulation results, the ultrasonic power had a significant effect on the distribution of TiC nanoparticles in aluminum melt. The appropriate ultrasonic power has a promoting effect on the dispersion of nanoparticles. Due to the impact of ultrasonic streaming, the number of nanoparticles in the center position was lower than that in the edge position of the molten pool. Moreover, casting experiments were carried out to verify the efficacy and accuracy of the simulation. The average grain size in the center position was smaller than that in the edge position. TEM and SEM were used to analyze the distribution of TiC nanoparticles. They were more evenly distributed in the center position of the ingot than those in the edge part. Besides more nanoparticles were agglomerated in the edge. The experimental results were mostly consistent with the simulation results.
Case Report: Botulinum Toxin-A for Complication of Exposure Keratopathy Following Frontalis-Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Flap Shortening
Authors: Lai Chun-Chieh , Lin Chia-Chen 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundLagophthalmos with exposure keratopathy is a potential vision-threatening complication following surgery for blepharoptosis. We report three cases successfully treated with botulinum toxin-A (Botox®, Allergan, Irvine, USA) for this complication.CasesThree patients presented with severe blepharoptosis after surgery for orbital and frontal base tumors. They obtained good appearances after frontalis-orbicularis oculi muscle (FOOM) flap shortening. However, exposure keratopathy developed after the surgery despite frequent use of topical lubricants and autologous serum eye drops. We injected 5-10 units of botulinum toxin-A around the central supra-brow area, which was near the origin of the FOOM flap. One week later, they developed ptosis and could close the eye completely. The corneal defect gradually resolved. They recovered from ptosis 3 months later and never required a second injection.ObservationsLagophthalmos with exposure keratopathy is a potential vision-threatening complication following FOOM flap surgery. In severe cases, surgical revision should be considered to partially or totally release the FOOM flap attachment, which also decreases its function permanently. In this case series, we demonstrated that injecting botulinum toxin-A may be a promising method to manage this complication without permanently affecting the function of the FOOM flap.ConclusionsA botulinum toxin-A injection may be an effective treatment for patients developing exposure keratopathy after FOOM flap surgery.
Trends of Transmitted and Acquired Drug Resistance in Europe From 1981 to 2019: A Comparison Between the Populations of Late Presenters and Non-late Presenters
Authors: Miranda Mafalda N. S. , Pingarilho Marta , Pimentel Victor , Martins Maria do Rosário O. , Kaiser Rolf , Seguin-Devaux Carole , Paredes Roger , Zazzi Maurizio , Incardona Francesca , Abecasis Ana B. 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundThe increased use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has decreased mortality and morbidity of HIV-1 infected people but increasing levels of HIV drug resistance threatens the success of ART regimens. Conversely, late presentation can impact treatment outcomes, health costs, and potential transmission of HIV.ObjectiveTo describe the patterns of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) and acquired drug resistance (ADR) in HIV-1 infected patients followed in Europe, to compare its patterns in late presenters (LP) vs non-late presenters (NLP), and to analyze the most prevalent drug resistance mutations among HIV-1 subtypes.MethodsOur study included clinical, socio-demographic, and genotypic information from 26,973 HIV-1 infected patients from the EuResist Integrated Database (EIDB) between 1981 and 2019.ResultsAmong the 26,973 HIV-1 infected patients in the analysis, 11,581 (42.9%) were ART-naïve patients and 15,392 (57.1%) were ART-experienced. The median age was 37 (IQR: 27.0–45.0) years old and 72.6% were males. The main transmission route was through heterosexual contact (34.9%) and 81.7% of patients originated from Western Europe. 71.9% of patients were infected by subtype B and 54.8% of patients were classified as LP. The overall prevalence of TDR was 12.8% and presented an overall decreasing trend (p for trend &lt; 0.001), the ADR prevalence was 68.5% also with a decreasing trend (p for trend &lt; 0.001). For LP and NLP, the TDR prevalence was 12.3 and 12.6%, respectively, while for ADR, 69.9 and 68.2%, respectively. The most prevalent TDR drug resistance mutations, in both LP and NLP, were K103N/S, T215rev, T215FY, M184I/V, M41I/L, M46I/L, and L90M.ConclusionOur study showed that the overall TDR (12.8%) and ADR (68.5%) presented decreasing trends during the study time period. For LP, the overall TDR was slightly lower than for NLP (12.3 vs 12.6%, respectively); while this pattern was opposite for ADR (LP slightly higher than NLP). We suggest that these differences, in the case of TDR, can be related to the dynamics of fixation of drug resistance mutations; and in the case of ADR with the more frequent therapeutic failure in LPs.
Higher Grade Glioma Increases the Risk of Postoperative Delirium: Deficient Brain Compensation Might Be a Potential Mechanism of Postoperative Delirium
Authors: Huang Hua-Wei , Zhang Xiao-Kang , Li Hao-Yi , Wang Yong-Gang , Jing Bin , Chen You , Patel Mayur B. , Ely E. Wesley , Liu Ya-Ou , Zhou Jian-Xin , Lin Song , Zhang Guo-Bin 
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveThe brain compensation mechanism in postoperative delirium (POD) has not been reported. We uncovered the mechanism by exploring the association between POD and glioma grades, and the relationship between preoperative brain structural and functional compensation with POD in patients with frontal glioma.MethodsA total of 335 adult patients with glioma were included. The multivariable analysis examined the association between tumor grade and POD. Then, 20 patients with left frontal lobe glioma who had presurgical structural and functional MRI data and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in this cohort were analyzed. We measured the gray matter volume (GMV) and functional connectivity (FC) in patients with (n = 8) and without (n = 12) POD and healthy controls (HCs, n = 29) to detect the correlation between the structural and functional alteration and POD.ResultsThe incidence of POD was 37.3%. Multivariable regression revealed that high-grade glioma had approximately six times the odds of POD. Neuroimaging data showed that compared with HC, the patients with left frontal lobe glioma showed significantly increased GMV of the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in the non-POD group and decreased GMV of right DLPFC in the POD group, and the POD group exhibited significantly decreased FC of right DLPFC, and the non-POD group showed the increasing tendency. Partial correlation analysis showed that GMV in contralesional DLPFC were positively correlated with preoperative neurocognition, and the GMV and FC in contralesional DLPFC were negatively correlated with POD.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that insufficient compensation for injured brain regions involving cognition might be more vulnerable to suffering from POD.
Bio-Receptors Functionalized Nanoparticles: A Resourceful Sensing and Colorimetric Detection Tool for Pathogenic Bacteria and Microbial Biomolecules
Authors: Daramola Oluwafemi B. , Omole Richard K. , Akinwale Ifeoluwa V. , Otuyelu Frank O. , Akinsanola Bolanle A. , Fadare Taiwo O. , George Reama C. , Torimiro Nkem 
Published: April 2022

Pathogenic bacteria and several biomolecules produced by cells and living organisms are common biological components posing a harmful threat to global health. Several studies have devised methods for the detection of varying pathogenic bacteria and biomolecules in different settings such as food, water, soil, among others. Some of the detection studies highlighting target pathogenic bacteria and biomolecules, mechanisms of detection, colorimetric outputs, and detection limits have been summarized in this review. In the last 2 decades, studies have harnessed various nanotechnology-based methods for the detection of pathogenic bacteria and biomolecules with much attention on functionalization techniques. This review considers the detection mechanisms, colorimetric prowess of bio-receptors and compares the reported detection efficiency for some bio-receptor functionalized nanoparticles. Some studies reported visual, rapid, and high-intensity colorimetric detection of pathogenic bacteria and biomolecules at a very low concentration of the analyte. Other studies reported slight colorimetric detection only with a large concentration of an analyte. The effectiveness of bio-receptor functionalized nanoparticles as detection component varies depending on their selectivity, specificity, and the binding interaction exhibited by nanoparticles, bio-receptor, and analytes to form a bio-sensing complex. It is however important to note that the colorimetric properties of some bio-receptor functionalized nanoparticles have shown strong and brilliant potential for real-time and visual-aided diagnostic results, not only to assess food and water quality but also for environmental monitoring of pathogenic bacteria and a wide array of biomolecules.
Anterior Circulation Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Plateau of China: Risk Factors and Clinical Characteristics
Authors: Yan Yujia , Zhang Xiqiang , Ren Hecheng , An Xingwei , Fan Wanpeng , Liang Jingbo , Huang Ying 
Published: April 2022

Background and PurposeAcute ischemic stroke has a high incidence in the plateau of China. It has unique characteristics compared to the plains, and the specific relationship with altitude has not yet been appreciated. This study aimed to investigate the specificity of the plateau's anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke in China.MethodsTo retrospectively collect clinical data of patients with first-episode acute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation in Tianjin and Xining city. The differences in clinical presentation, laboratory, and imaging examinations were compared.ResultsPatients at high altitudes showed a significant trend toward lower age (61.0 ± 10.2 vs. 64.8 ± 8.1, P = 0.010) and had a history of dyslipidemia, higher levels of inflammatory markers, erythrocytosis, and alcohol abuse. The main manifestations were higher diastolic blood pressure (85.5 ± 14.0 mmHg vs. 76.8 ± 11.6 mmHg, P &lt; 0.001), triglycerides [2.0 (1.8) mmol/L vs. 1.3 (0.9) mmol/L, P &lt; 0.001], CRP [4.7 (4.4) mg/L vs. 2.1 (1.9) mg/L, P &lt; 0.001], homocysteine levels [14.5 (11.7) μmol/L vs. 11.2 (5.2) μmol/L, P &lt; 0.001]; larger infarct volume [3.5 (4.8) cm3 vs. 9.0 (6.9) cm3, P &lt; 0.001] and worse prognosis. Patients at high altitudes had higher atherosclerotic indexes in cIMT and plaque than those in plains.ConclusionsThe natural habituation and genetic adaptation of people to the particular geo-climatic environment of the plateau have resulted in significant differences in disease characteristics. Patients with the anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke in the plateau show more unfavorable clinical manifestations and prognosis. This study provides a preliminary interpretation of the effects of altitude and suggests developing preventive and therapeutic protocol measures that are more appropriate for the plateau of China.