bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NT-proBNP as a predictor of death and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Malachias Marcus Vinicius Bolivar , Wijkman Magnus Olof , Bertoluci Marcello Casaccia 
Published: May 2022

AbstractExisting risk prediction scores based on clinical and laboratory variables have been considered inaccurate in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Circulating concentrations of natriuretic peptides have been used to aid in the diagnosis and to predict outcomes in heart failure. However, there is a growing body of evidence for the use of natriuretic peptides measurements, mainly N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), as a tool in risk stratification for individuals with T2DM. Studies have demonstrated the ability of NT-proBNP to improve outcomes prediction when incorporated into multivariate models. More recently, evidence has emerged of the discriminatory power of NT-proBNP, demonstrating, as a single variable, a similar and even superior ability to multivariate risk models for the prediction of death and cardiovascular events in individuals with T2DM. Natriuretic peptides are synthesized and released from the myocardium as a counter-regulatory response to increased cardiac wall stress, sympathetic tone, and vasoconstriction, acting on various systems and affecting different biological processes. In this article, we present a review of the accumulated knowledge about these biomarkers, underscoring the strength of the evidence of their predictive ability for fatal and non-fatal outcomes. It is likely that, by influencing the functioning of many organs, these biomarkers integrate information from different systems. Although not yet recommended by guidelines, measurement of natriuretic peptides, and particularly NT-proBNP, should be strongly considered in the risk stratification of individuals with T2DM.
Maternal iron status in early pregnancy and DNA methylation in offspring: an epigenome-wide meta-analysis
Authors: Taeubert M. J. , de Prado-Bert P. , Geurtsen M. L. , Mancano G. , Vermeulen M. J. , Reiss I. K. M. , Caramaschi D. , Sunyer J. , Sharp G. C. , Julvez J. , Muckenthaler M. U. , Felix J. F. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundUnbalanced iron homeostasis in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of adverse birth and childhood health outcomes. DNA methylation has been suggested as a potential underlying mechanism linking environmental exposures such as micronutrient status during pregnancy with offspring health. We performed a meta-analysis on the association of maternal early-pregnancy serum ferritin concentrations, as a marker of body iron stores, and cord blood DNA methylation. We included 1286 mother–newborn pairs from two population-based prospective cohorts. Serum ferritin concentrations were measured in early pregnancy. DNA methylation was measured with the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (Illumina). We examined epigenome-wide associations of maternal early-pregnancy serum ferritin and cord blood DNA methylation using robust linear regression analyses, with adjustment for confounders and performed fixed-effects meta-analyses. We additionally examined whether associations of any CpGs identified in cord blood persisted in the peripheral blood of older children and explored associations with other markers of maternal iron status. We also examined whether similar findings were present in the association of cord blood serum ferritin concentrations with cord blood DNA methylation.ResultsMaternal early-pregnancy serum ferritin concentrations were inversely associated with DNA methylation at two CpGs (cg02806645 and cg06322988) inPRR23Aand one CpG (cg04468817) inPRSS22. Associations at two of these CpG sites persisted at each of the follow-up time points in childhood. Cord blood serum ferritin concentrations were not associated with cord blood DNA methylation levels at the three identified CpGs.ConclusionMaternal early-pregnancy serum ferritin concentrations were associated with lower cord blood DNA methylation levels at three CpGs and these associations partly persisted in older children. Further studies are needed to uncover the role of these CpGs in the underlying mechanisms of the associations of maternal iron status and offspring health outcomes.
Delayed dorsal scapular artery hematoma following blunt thoracic trauma: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Florescu Anna Maria , Lange Ane Brøndum , Brandt Erik Gudmann Steuble , Krusenstjerna-Hafstrøm Anders Vestergaard , Vad Henrik , Hallas Peter 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
The present case contributes to the limited literature on delayed chest wall hematomas following blunt trauma. The literature review provides a summary of similar previously reported cases.

Case presentation
We report the case of a 59-year-old Caucasian male who presented to the emergency department with a rapidly expanding chest wall hematoma. Six weeks earlier, he had sustained multiple rib fractures and a pneumothorax after falling 4 m from a ladder. Computed tomography angiography was used to identify two sources of active bleeding on the left dorsal scapular artery. The patient underwent surgery with evacuation of the hematoma and ligation of the artery. The patient was hospitalized for 3 days and recovered with no sequelae.

Conclusions
A literature review revealed eight previously reported cases of chest wall hematomas exterior to the endothoracic fascia following blunt trauma. Most cases were initially diagnosed by computed tomography of the chest and finally by angiogram. Management options range from surgical drainage to angiographic embolization. This case is unusual regarding the delay in the development of the hematoma and illustrates the importance of considering this diagnosis even weeks after relevant trauma.
A practical underwater information sensing system based on intermittent chaos under the background of Lévy noise
Authors: Zhang Hanwen , Qin Zhen , Zhang Yichao , Chen Dajiang , Gen Ji , Qin Hao 
Published: May 2022

AbstractNowadays, the increasingly complex and changeable marine environment makes the signals received by the underwater sensing equipment not only contain the weak signals radiated by underwater targets but also accompanied by marine solid background noise, which leads to the degradation and distortion of underwater acoustic signals and the decline of underwater communication quality. Under the severe influence of ocean noise, the underwater acoustic sensing and acquisition system will have the problems of high SNR ratio threshold, minimal sensing bandwidth, and unable to sense the signal with unknown frequency effectively. The Lévy noise model has been selected to describe the marine noise environment and explain its scientificity in this paper. A parameter estimation method for Lévy noise is proposed. Under the condition of characteristic index $$\alpha =1.5$$

α
=
1.5

and noise intensity $$D=0.1$$

D
=
0.1

of the Lévy noise model, the estimated mean values of parameters are 1.5026 and 1.1664. The estimated variances are 0.0034 and 0.0046, which proves the effectiveness and applicability of the estimation method. Then, an improved dual-coupled Duffing oscillator sensing system is proposed to sense the weak signals with unknown frequency under Lévy noise. Under the background of Lévy with characteristic index $$\alpha =1.5$$

α
=
1.5

, deflection parameter $$\beta =0$$

β
=
0

and noise intensity $$D=0.1$$

D
=
0.1

, the sensing error rate of our system with unknown frequency is $$0.054\%$$

0.054
%

, the lowest sensing signal amplitude is $$A=0.010$$

A
=
0.010

, the lowest sensing SNR ratio is − 23.9254 dB, and the frequency of multi-frequency weak signals to be measured can be obtained. The estimation error of frequency sensing is $$0.33\%$$

0.33
%

.
An analysis concerning approximate controllability results for second-order Sobolev-type delay differential systems with impulses
Authors: Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Vijayakumar Velusamy 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis paper is devoted to studying the approximate controllability for second-order impulsive differential inclusions with infinite delay. For proving the main results, we use the results related to the cosine and sine function of operators, Martelli’s fixed point theorem, and the results when combined with the properties of differential inclusions. Firstly, we prove the approximate controllability for second-order impulsive differential inclusions with initial conditions. Then, we extend the discussion to the second-order impulsive system with nonlocal conditions. Finally, we provide an example for the illustration of the obtained theoretical results.
Parvalbumin neuroplasticity compensates for somatostatin impairment, maintaining cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Morrone Christopher Daniel , Lai Aaron Yenhsin , Bishay Jossana , Hill Mary Elizabeth , McLaurin JoAnne 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Patient-to-patient variability in the degree to which β-amyloid, tau and neurodegeneration impact cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) complicates disease modeling and treatment. However, the underlying mechanisms leading to cognitive resilience are not resolved. We hypothesize that the variability in cognitive function and loss relates to neuronal resilience of the hippocampal GABAergic network.

Methods
We compared TgF344-AD and non-transgenic littermate rats at 9, 12, and 15 months of age. Neurons, β-amyloid plaques and tau inclusions were quantified in hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. Somatostatin (SST) and parvalbumin (PVB) interneurons were traced to examine hippocampal neuroplasticity and cognition was tested in the Barnes maze.

Results
The 9-month-old TgF344-AD rats exhibited loss of neurons in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. Hippocampal neuronal compensation was observed in 12-month TgF344-AD rats, with upregulation of GABAergic interneuronal marker. By 15 months, the TgF344-AD rats had robust loss of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. β-Amyloid and tau pathology accumulated continuously across age. SST interneurons exhibited tau inclusions and atrophy from 9 months, whereas PVB interneurons were resilient until 15 months. The hippocampal PVB circuit underwent neuroplastic reorganization with increased dendritic length and complexity in 9- and 12-month-old TgF344-AD rats, before atrophy at 15 months. Strikingly, 12-month-old TgF344-AD rats were resilient in executive function and cognitive flexibility. Cognitive resilience in TgF344-AD rats occurred as maintenance of function between 9 and 12 months of age despite progressive spatial memory deficits, and was sustained by PVB neuroplasticity.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate the inherent neuronal processes leading to cognitive maintenance, and describe a novel finding of endogenous cognitive resilience in an AD model.
Geographical resistome profiling in the honeybee microbiome reveals resistance gene transfer conferred by mobilizable plasmids
Authors: Sun Huihui , Mu Xiaohuan , Zhang Kexun , Lang Haoyu , Su Qinzhi , Li Xingan , Zhou Xin , Zhang Xue , Zheng Hao 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
The spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) has been of global concern as one of the greatest environmental threats. The gut microbiome of animals has been found to be a large reservoir of ARGs, which is also an indicator of the environmental antibiotic spectrum. The conserved microbiota makes the honeybee a tractable and confined ecosystem for studying the maintenance and transfer of ARGs across gut bacteria. Although it has been found that honeybee gut bacteria harbor diverse sets of ARGs, the influences of environmental variables and the mechanism driving their distribution remain unclear.

Results
We characterized the gut resistome of two closely related honeybee species, Apis cerana and Apis mellifera, domesticated in 14 geographic locations across China. The composition of the ARGs was more associated with host species rather than with geographical distribution, and A. mellifera had a higher content of ARGs in the gut. There was a moderate geographic pattern of resistome distribution, and several core ARG groups were found to be prevalent among A. cerana samples. These shared genes were mainly carried by the honeybee-specific gut members Gilliamella and Snodgrassella. Transferrable ARGs were frequently detected in honeybee guts, and the load was much higher in A. mellifera samples. Genomic loci of the bee gut symbionts containing a streptomycin resistance gene cluster were nearly identical to those of the broad-host-range IncQ plasmid, a proficient DNA delivery system in the environment. By in vitro conjugation experiments, we confirmed that the mobilizable plasmids could be transferred between honeybee gut symbionts by conjugation. Moreover, “satellite plasmids” with fragmented genes were identified in the integrated regions of different symbionts from multiple areas.

Conclusions
Our study illustrates that the gut microbiota of different honeybee hosts varied in their antibiotic resistance structure, highlighting the role of the bee microbiome as a potential bioindicator and disseminator of antibiotic resistance. The difference in domestication history is highly influential in the structuring of the bee gut resistome. Notably, the evolution of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance is likely to promote the probability of its persistence and dissemination.
Psychosocial risks factors among victim support workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study with the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire
Authors: Caridade Sónia , Oliveira Ana , Saavedra Rosa , Ribeiro Rita , Santos Manuela , Almeida Iris , Soeiro Cristina 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundBeing a victim support worker (VSW) involves exposure to victims' suffering, pain, and traumatic events, which may trigger the risk of VSWs developing mental health problems. Psychosocial risks (PSR) and work-related stress are considered the most challenging issues in occupational safety and health, considering they impact individuals, organizations, and economies.MethodsThe purpose of the present study was to identify the PSR in a sample of 196 Portuguese victim support workers (VSW) (Mean age = 36.49;SD = 10.52). A questionnaire with socio-demographic characteristics, variables related to VSW's job, and the Portuguese medium version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II (COPSOQ II) were used to assess these professionals' perception of PSR factors.ResultsThe results reveal that although VSW recognizes some psychosocial factors favourable to their health and well-being, they also identify some PSR that place them at intermediate and severe risk, i.e., emotional and cognitive demands, which are the main areas of risk to the VSW. VSW over 38 years old scored higher in job insecurity, burnout, and offensive behaviours.ConclusionsThese findings give important insights into the areas that must be enhanced in this context involving VSW. Additionally, the results highlight the relevance of encouraging a healthy and supportive work environment, preventing and promoting the health and well-being of VSW, particularly when considering the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
A novel magnetically controlled bioreactor for ex vivo expansion of NK-92 cells
Authors: Liu Yangyang , Sun Qihao , Hao Mengyang , Tan Wen‑Song , Cai Haibo 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe application of natural killer (NK) cells as potential antitumor effector cells appears to be valuable for immunotherapies. However, the clinical use of NK cells is limited because the technical difficulties associated with mass production NK cells at sufficiently high numbers represents a great challenge. Ex vivo expansion of NK cells is a key technology for cell therapy. Bioreactor systems can generate homogeneous culture condition and modulate the environmental and biochemical cues. In this study, a novel magnetically controlled bioreactor was developed for supporting NK cells ex vivo expansion. Using synthetic magnetic beads, the stirring device of the magnetically controlled bioreactor generated reduced shearing force. The intermittent magnetic field was applied for magnetic beads movement to homogenize the culture system. NK-92 cells were cultured in the magnetically controlled bioreactor and the expansion and function of expanded cells were investigated on day 8. The results showed that the expansion of NK-92 cells in the bioreactor was 67.71 ± 10.60-fold, which was significantly higher than that of the T25 culture flask (P < 0.05). Moreover, the proportions of CD3−CD56+ cells and cell killing activity of expanded cells in the bioreactor did not reveal any differences compared to T25 flasks. Taken together, this study demonstrated the possibility of magnetically controlled bioreactor as a potent strategy in NK cells production for facilitating cancer immunotherapy.
Graphical Abstract
A credit scoring model based on the Myers–Briggs type indicator in online peer-to-peer lending
Authors: Woo Hyunwoo , Sohn So Young 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAlthough psychometric features have been considered for alternative credit scoring, they have not yet been applied to peer-to-peer (P2P) lending because such information is not available on platforms. This study proposed an alternative credit scoring model for P2P lending by extracting typical personality types inferred from the borrowers’ job category. We projected a virtual space of borrowers by using the affinity matrix based on the Myers–Briggs type indicator (MBTI) that fits each job category. Applying the distance in this space to Lending Club data, we used locally weighted logistic regression to vary the coefficients of the variables, which affect loan repayments, with each MBTI type for predicting the default probability. We found that each MBTI type’s credit scoring model has different significant variables. This study provides insights into breakthroughs in developing alternative credit scoring for P2P lending.
Increased branching independent of strigolactone in cytokinin oxidase 2-overexpressing tomato is mediated by reduced auxin transport
Authors: Pino Lilian Ellen , Lima Joni E. , Vicente Mateus H. , de Sá Ariadne F. L. , Pérez-Alfocea Francisco , Albacete Alfonso , Costa Juliana L. , Werner Tomáš , Schmülling Thomas , Freschi Luciano , Figueira Antonio , Zsögön Agustin , Peres Lázaro E. P. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractTomato production is influenced by shoot branching, which is controlled by different hormones. Here we produced tomato plants overexpressing the cytokinin-deactivating geneCYTOKININ OXYDASE 2(CKX2).CKX2-overexpressing (CKX2-OE) plants showed an excessive growth of axillary shoots, the opposite phenotype expected for plants with reduced cytokinin content, as evidenced by LC-MS analysis andARR5-GUSstaining. The TCP transcription factorSlBRC1bwas downregulated in the axillary buds of CKX2-OE and its excessive branching was dependent on a functional version of the GRAS-family geneLATERAL SUPPRESSOR(LS). Grafting experiments indicated that increased branching in CKX2-OE plants is unlikely to be mediated by root-derived signals. Crossing CKX2-OE plants with transgenic antisense plants for the strigolactone biosynthesis geneCAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE(CCD7-AS) produced an additive phenotype, indicating independent effects of cytokinin and strigolactones on increased branching. On the other hand, CKX2-OE plants showed reduced polar auxin transport and their bud outgrowth was reduced when combined with auxin mutants. Accordingly, CKX2-OE basal buds did not respond to auxin applied in the decapitated apex. Our results suggest that tomato shoot branching depends on a fine-tuning of different hormonal balances and that perturbations in the auxin status could compensate for the reduced cytokinin levels in CKX2-OE plants.
Loneliness at Older Ages in the United States: Lonely Life Expectancy and the Role of Loneliness in Health Disparities
Authors: Raymo James M. , Wang Jia 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
We provide an empirical foundation for research on the demography of loneliness at older ages. First, we use published life tables and data from the U.S.-based Health and Retirement Study for the period 2008–2016 to calculate lonely life expectancy for Americans aged 55 or older. Using Sullivan's method, we demonstrate pronounced differences in lonely life expectancy by sex, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment that correspond to well-established patterns of stratification in other dimensions of well-being. Next, we estimate models that decompose observed sex, racial/ethnic, and educational differences in three key health outcomes into the part explained (in a statistical accounting sense) by loneliness and the part accounted for by other factors. We find little evidence of an important role for loneliness in understanding disparities in mortality and the onset of physical disability and cognitive impairment among Americans aged 55 or older, net of several established correlates of health disparities. These descriptive findings provide an empirical foundation for continued development of a demography of loneliness at older ages in response to the anticipated growth in scientific and policy emphasis on loneliness and the fundamental life changes that have accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regenerative neurogenesis: the integration of developmental, physiological and immune signals
Authors: Becker Thomas , Becker Catherina G. 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACT
In fishes and salamanders, but not mammals, neural stem cells switch back to neurogenesis after injury. The signalling environment of neural stem cells is strongly altered by the presence of damaged cells and an influx of immune, as well as other, cells. Here, we summarise our recently expanded knowledge of developmental, physiological and immune signals that act on neural stem cells in the zebrafish central nervous system to directly, or indirectly, influence their neurogenic state. These signals act on several intracellular pathways, which leads to changes in chromatin accessibility and gene expression, ultimately resulting in regenerative neurogenesis. Translational approaches in non-regenerating mammals indicate that central nervous system stem cells can be reprogrammed for neurogenesis. Understanding signalling mechanisms in naturally regenerating species show the path to experimentally promoting neurogenesis in mammals.
The genetic basis of natural variation in the timing of vegetative phase change inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Doody Erin , Zha Yuqi , He Jia , Poethig R. Scott 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACTThe juvenile-to-adult transition in plants is known as vegetative phase change and is marked by changes in the expression of leaf traits in response to a decrease in the level of miR156 and miR157. To determine whether this is the only mechanism of vegetative phase change, we measured the appearance of phase-specific leaf traits in 70 natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that leaf shape was poorly correlated with abaxial trichome production (two adult traits), that variation in these traits was not necessarily correlated with the level of miR156, and that there was little to no correlation between the appearance of adult-specific vegetative traits and flowering time. We identified eight quantitative trait loci controlling phase-specific vegetative traits from a cross between the Columbia (Col-0) and Shakdara (Sha) accessions. Only one of these quantitative trait loci includes genes known to regulate vegetative phase change (MIR156A and TOE1), which were expressed at levels consistent with the precocious phenotype of Sha. Our results suggest that vegetative phase change is regulated both by the miR156/SPL module and by genes specific to different vegetative traits, and that natural variation in vegetative phase change can arise from either source.