bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel insight of N6-methyladenosine modified subtypes in abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Wang Kangjie , Kan Qinghui , Ye Yanchen , Qiu Jiachong , Huang Lin , Wu Ridong , Yao Chen 
Published: November 2022

Background: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent non-cap reversible modification present in messenger RNAs and long non-coding RNAs, and its dysregulation has been linked to multiple cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac hypertrophy and atherosclerosis. Although limited studies have suggested that m6A modification contributes to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development, the full landscape of m6A regulators that mediate modification patterns has not been revealed.Methods: To distinguish the m6A methylation subtypes in AAA patients, an unsupervised clustering method was carried out, based on the mRNA levels of 17 m6A methylation regulators. Differentially expressed genes were identified by comparing clusters. An m6Ascore model was calculated using principal component analysis and structured to assess the m6A methylation patterns of single samples. Subsequently, the relationship between the m6Ascore and immune cells and the hallmark gene set was analyzed. Finally, pairs of circRNA-m6A regulators and m6A regulators-m6A related genes were used to establish a network.Results: We identified three m6A methylation subtypes in the AAA samples. The m6Acluster A and C were characterized as more immunologically activated because of the higher abundance of immune cells than that in m6Acluster B. The m6Acluster B was less enriched in inflammatory pathways and more prevalent in pathways related to extracellular matrix stability. Subsequently, we divided the individual samples into two groups according to the m6Ascore, which suggested that a high m6Ascore predicted more active inflammatory pathways and higher inflammatory cell infiltration. A network consisting of 9 m6A regulators and 37 circRNAs was constructed.Conclusion: This work highlighted that m6A methylation modification was highly correlated with immune infiltration of AAA, which may promote the progression of AAA. We constructed an individualized m6Ascore model to provide evidence for individualized treatments in the future.
A novel signature based on CeRNA and immune status predicts prognostic risk and drug sensitivity in gastric cancer patients
Authors: Cao Wei , Zhou Weiguo , Li Mengying , Zhang Zehua , Zhang Xun , Yang Kang , Yang Shiyi , Cao Guodong , Chen Bo , Xiong Maoming 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundAt present, there is increasing evidence that both competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and immune status in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can affect the progression of gastric cancer (GC), and are closely related to the prognosis of patients. However, few studies have linked the two to jointly determine the prognosis of patients with GC. This study aimed to develop a combined prognostic model based on ceRNAs and immune biomarkers.MethodsFirst, the gene expression profiles and clinical information were downloaded from TCGA and GEO databases. Then two ceRNA networks were constructed on the basis of circRNA. Afterwards, the key genes were screened by univariate Cox regression analysis and Lasso regression analysis, and the ceRNA-related prognostic model was constructed by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Next, CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE algorithms were utilized to obtain the immune cell infiltration abundance and stromal/immune score in TME. Furthermore, the correlation between ceRNAs and immunity was found out through co-expression analysis, and another immune-related prognosis model was established. Finally, combining these two models, a comprehensive prognostic model was built and visualized with a nomogram.ResultsThe (circRNA, lncRNA)-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network of GC was constructed. The predictive power of ceRNA-related and immune-related prognosis models was moderate. Co-expression analysis showed that the ceRNA network was correlated with immunity. The integrated model of combined ceRNAs and immunity in the TCGA training set, the AUC values of 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates were 0.78, 0.76, and 0.78, respectively; in the independent external validation set GSE62254, they were 0.81, 0.79, and 0.78 respectively; in GSE15459, they were 0.84, 0.88 and 0.89 respectively. Besides, the prognostic score of the comprehensive model can predict chemotherapeutic drug resistance. Moreover, we found that plasma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) and infiltrating immune cells (mast cells) are worthy of further investigation as independent prognostic factors.ConclusionsTwo ceRNA regulatory networks were constructed based on circRNA. At the same time, a comprehensive prognosis model was established, which has a high clinical significance for prognosis prediction and chemotherapy drug selection of GC patients.
Analysis of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase activity in thermophilic fungi by high-performance liquid chromatography–refractive index detector
Authors: Yu Weishuai , Yu Jie , Li Duochuan 
Published: November 2022

IntroductionMost current methods for analysing the activity of LPMO are based on the quantification of H2O2, a side product of LPMO; however, these methods cannot assay the LPMO activity of thermophilic fungi because of the low thermostability of H2O2. Therefore, we present a high-performance liquid chromatography–refractive index detector (HPLC-RID) method to assay the LPMO activity of the thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus.ResultsAccording to the established method, the specific activities of nTaAA9A C1 and C4 oxidation were successfully analysed and were 0.646 and 0.574 U/mg, respectively. By using these methods, we analyzed the C1 and C4 oxidation activities of the recombinant TaAA9A (rTaAA9A) and mutated rTaAA9A (Y24A, F43A, and Y212A) expressed in Pichia pastoris. The specific activities of rTaAA9A C1 and C4 oxidation were 0.155 and 0.153 U/mg, respectively. The specific activities of Y24A, F43A, and Y212A C1 and C4 oxidation were 0.128 and 0.125 U/mg, 0.194 and 0.192 U/mg, and 0.097 and 0.146 U/mg, respectively.DiscussionIn conclusion, the method can assay the LPMO activity of thermophilic fungi and directly target C1 and C4 oxidation, which provides an effective activity assay method for LPMOs of thermophilic fungi.
Pulsed electric field increases the extraction yield of extra virgin olive oil without loss of its biological properties
Authors: Martínez-Beamonte Roberto , Ripalda Marina , Herrero-Continente Tania , Barranquero Cristina , Dávalos Alberto , López de las Hazas María Carmen , Álvarez-Lanzarote Ignacio , Sánchez-Gimeno Ana Cristina , Raso Javier , Arnal Carmen , Surra Joaquín C. , Osada Jesús , Navarro María A. 
Published: November 2022

IntroductionPulsed electric field (PEF) has been used for improving extraction of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). However, the biological changes induced by the consumption of pulsed electric field-obtained extra virgin olive oil (PEFEVOO) have not been studied yet.Materials and methodsEVOO oils from Empeltre variety were prepared by standard (STD) cold pressure method involving crushing of the olives, malaxation and decanting and by this procedure including an additional step of PEF treatment. Chemical analyses of EVOO oils were done. Male and female Apoe-deficient mice received diets differing in both EVOOs for 12 weeks, and their plasma, aortas and livers were analyzed.ResultsPEF application resulted in a 17% increase in the oil yield and minimal changes in chemical composition regarding phytosterols, phenolic compounds and microRNA. Only in females mice consuming PEF EVOO, a decreased plasma total cholesterol was observed, without significant changes in atherosclerosis and liver steatosis.ConclusionPEF technology applied to EVOO extraction maintains the EVOO quality and improves the oil yield. The equivalent biological effects in atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease of PEF-obtained EVOO further support its safe use as a food.
Autonomic measures identify stress, pain, and instability associated with retinopathy of prematurity ophthalmologic examinations
Authors: Onuagu Vivian , Gardner Fumiyuki , Soni Ajay , Doheny Kim K. 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundRetinopathy of prematurity (ROP) ophthalmologic examinations cause stress and pain. Infants’ stress and pain can be measured non-invasively using skin conductance (SC) and high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), reflecting sympathetic-mediated sweating and parasympathetic activity, respectively.ObjectivesTo test the utility of SC to detect sympathetic activation during ROP examination, and the contribution of HF-HRV to predict stability post-examination.MethodsIn this prospective, single center study, we measured SC continuously pre-, during, and post-examination, and HRV at 24 h pre-ROP examination. Clinical data included stability [apneas, bradycardias, and desaturations (A/B/Ds)], and interventions post-examination.ResultsSC increased 56% above baseline during ROP examination (p = 0.001) and remained elevated post-examination (p = 0.02). Post-hoc analysis showed higher illness acuity, represented by need for respiratory support, was associated with lower HF-HRV at 24 h pre-ROP examination (p = 0.001). Linear regression indicated lower HF-HRV at 24 h pre-examination contributed to the need for higher intervention (i.e., stimulation to breathe, oxygen support) particularly among infants with higher illness acuity [F(1, 15) = 5.05, p = 0.04; β = −1.33, p = 0.04].ConclusionROP examination induced a 2-fold increase in sympathetic activation which remained above baseline in recovery. Also, we propose that the low parasympathetic tone associated with autonomic imbalance contributes to instability and need for higher intervention to assure stabilization with A/B/D events. Our findings provide insight into the underestimation of adverse events associated with ROP examination and identification of infants who may be more vulnerable to potential sequelae following ROP examinations.
Eight-week virtual reality training improves lower extremity muscle strength but not balance in adolescents with intellectual disability: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Shuhan , Yu Hao , Lu Zhaoxia , Wang Jiangna 
Published: November 2022

Purpose: This study aims to assess the effects of 8-week virtual reality (VR) training on balance and lower extremity muscle strength in adolescents with intellectual disability (ID).Methods: Thirty adolescents with intellectual disability were randomly divided into the virtual reality group and control group. The participants in the virtual reality group and the control group received the virtual reality training and the physical education (PE) course, respectively, for 8 weeks. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and lower extremity muscle strength were measured before and after the training.Results: The between-group results showed that the participants in the virtual reality group increased the muscle strength of hip flexors (p &lt; 0.001), hip extensors (p = 0.002), hip abductors (p &lt; 0.001), knee flexors (p &lt; 0.001), knee extensors (p = 0.002) and ankle plantar flexors (p = 0.042) significantly after training, compared to the control group. However, no significant improvement was found in the berg balance scale and timed up and go scores between the virtual reality group and control group after training (p &gt; 0.05). The within-group results showed that the strength of all the muscle groups significantly increased after training in the virtual reality group (p &lt; 0.05) compared to the baseline. However, no significant difference was found in the muscle strength in the control group before and after training. The within-group berg balance scale and timed up and go scores showed no significant improvements in both groups.Conclusion: Virtual reality training intervention might be effective in improving the lower extremity muscle strength, but no significant improvement was found on balance ability in adolescents with intellectual disability.
Promoting self-change in cannabis use disorder: Findings from a randomized trial
Authors: Schluter Magdalen G. , Hodgins David C. , Stea Jonathan N. , Kilborn Michelle L. 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundA growing body of literature supports the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI) for the treatment of problematic cannabis use, diagnostically referred to as cannabis use disorder, though most individuals do not access formal treatment. Stepped-care-type models emphasize interventions across a continuum of severity and there is a need for more treatment options across this continuum. This project focused on the evaluation of the least intensive of the individual interventions – promotion of self-directed recovery.MethodsUsing a three-arm randomized control trial design, adults (N = 186) with problematic cannabis use and who wished to recover with minimal professional support were recruited from across Canada and randomized to receive a self-directed treatment workbook based on CBT and MI principles (WB; n = 61), the workbook plus a single MI session (WMI; n = 61) or a delayed treatment control (DT; n = 65) condition. Participants completed 3-month and 6-month follow-up assessments.ResultsAcross conditions, GEE modeling revealed that the baseline to 3-month slopes differed significantly from zero, ps &lt; 0.001. Participants in the WMI condition reduced their frequency of use to a greater extent than the WB alone, p = 0.005, and DT groups, p = 0.02. Chi-square analysis revealed that participants in the WMI condition also showed greater rates of abstinence at 3-months follow-up than participants in the WB or DT condition, p = 0.046. Changes in the frequency of cannabis use between 3-months and 6-months did not differ significantly between groups, ps &gt; 0.05. For quantity of cannabis use, a significant effect of time emerged, p = 0.002. However, no between-group effects were significant from baseline to 3-months, or from 3- to 6-months, ps &gt; 0.06.ConclusionOverall, results support the utility of a brief self-directed workbook in combination with a single MI session at promoting changes in cannabis use. This self-directed intervention has the potential to fill an important need in that the self-directed intervention can attract individuals who wish to recover with minimal professional support.Clinical trial registration[https://www.isrctn.com/], identifier [ISRCTN426 32893].
Altered functional connectivity strength in chronic insomnia associated with gut microbiota composition and sleep efficiency
Authors: Chen Ziwei , Feng Ying , Li Shumei , Hua Kelei , Fu Shishun , Chen Feng , Chen Huiyu , Pan Liping , Wu Caojun , Jiang Guihua 
Published: November 2022

BackgroundThere is limited evidence on the link between gut microbiota (GM) and resting-state brain activity in patients with chronic insomnia (CI). This study aimed to explore the alterations in brain functional connectivity strength (FCS) in CI and the potential associations among altered FCS, GM composition, and neuropsychological performance indicators.Materials and methodsThirty CI patients and 34 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Each participant underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) for the evaluation of brain FCS and was administered sleep-, mood-, and cognitive-related questionnaires for the evaluation of neuropsychological performance. Stool samples of CI patients were collected and subjected to 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing to assess the relative abundance (RA) of GM. Redundancy analysis or canonical correspondence analysis (RDA or CCA, respectively) was used to investigate the relationships between GM composition and neuropsychological performance indicators. Spearman correlation was further performed to analyze the associations among alterations in FCS, GM composition, and neuropsychological performance indicators.ResultsThe CI group showed a reduction in FCS in the left superior parietal gyrus (SPG) compared to the HC group. The correlation analysis showed that the FCS in the left SPG was correlated with sleep efficiency and some specific bacterial genera. The results of CCA and RDA showed that 38.21% (RDA) and 24.62% (CCA) of the GM composition variation could be interpreted by neuropsychological performance indicators. Furthermore, we found complex relationships between Alloprevotella, specific members of the family Lachnospiraceae, Faecalicoccus, and the FCS alteration, and neuropsychological performance indicators.ConclusionThe brain FCS alteration of patients with CI was related to their GM composition and neuropsychological performance indicators, and there was also an association to some extent between the latter two, suggesting a specific interaction pattern among the three aspects: brain FCS alteration, GM composition, and neuropsychological performance indicators.
Perceived partial social integration, levels of distress and resilience, and COVID-19 vaccine rejection of Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel
Authors: Eshel Yohanan , Kimhi Shaul , Marciano Hadas , Adini Bruria 
Published: November 2022

IntroductionThe present study examines the role of perceived partial social integration (PPSI) in determining the rejection of the COVID-19 vaccine of Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel.MethodsThe research hypotheses are examined using a relatively large sample of the Israeli public, including 208 Arab and 600 Jewish adults, who have responded to an anonymous questionnaire pertaining, among other issues, to partial social integration and the individual level of vaccine uptake.ResultsHigher levels of PPSI were found to be associated with higher levels of vaccine rejection, in both Jewish and Arab samples. The Arab minority group regards themselves as less socially integrated into the Israeli society and therefore rejects the COVID-19 vaccine to a greater extent than the majority group. The Arab respondents expressed a higher level of psychological distress and a lower level of resilience compared with the Jewish participants. The perceived partial social integration score significantly predicted the levels of distress and resilience of the Jewish but not the Arab sample.DiscussionThe study indicates that increasing the vaccination rates depends more substantially on trust in the authorities than on leveraging greater pressure on individuals that reject the vaccine. Increased trust in the authorities and regarding oneself as an integral component of society are two vital conditions for vaccine acquiescence. Insufficient social integration is a major reason for vaccine rejection.
Activated Carbon from Stipa tenacissima for the Adsorption of Atenolol
Authors: Madani Nesrine , Moulefera Imane , Boumad Souad , Cazorla-Amorós Diego , Gandía Francisco José Varela , Cherifi Ouiza , Bouchenafa-Saib Naima 
Published: November 2022

The Stipa tenacissima S. is an endemic species of the Western Mediterranean countries, which grows on the semi-arid grounds of North Africa and South Spain. This biomass offers an abundant, renewable, and low-cost precursor for the production of activated carbon (AC). In that context, ACs were prepared by chemical activation of Stipa tenacissima leaves (STL) using phosphoric acid (H3PO4). The effects of activation temperature and impregnation ratio on the textural and chemical surface properties of the prepared activated carbons were investigated. Activation temperatures of 450 and 500 °C turned out to be the most suitable to produce activated carbons with well-developed porous textures. The best results in terms of developed surface area (1503 m2/g) and micropore volume (0.59 cm3/g) were observed for an STLs to phosphoric acid ratio of 1:2 and a carbonization temperature of 450 °C. The adsorption capacity of the optimal activated carbon was found to be 110 mg/g for the atenolol drug. The adsorption equilibrium was well explained by the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm. This study showed that the chemical activation method using H3PO4 as an activating agent was suitable for developing STL-based activated carbon prepared for the removal of atenolol drug in an aqueous solution and compared with commercial activated carbon supplied by Darco.
Investigating the Effect of Volatiles on Sub-23 nm Particle Number Measurements for a Downsized GDI Engine with a Catalytic Stripper and Digital Filtering
Authors: Pfau Sebastian A. , Haffner-Staton Ephraim , La Rocca Antonino , Cairns Alasdair 
Published: November 2022

Recent efforts of both researchers and regulators regarding particulate emissions have focused on the contribution and presence of sub-23 nm particulates. Despite being previously excluded from emissions legislation with the particle measurement programme (PMP), the latest regulatory proposals suggest lowering the cut-off sizes for counting efficiencies and the use of catalytic strippers to include solid particles in this size range. This work investigated particulate emissions of a 1.0 L gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine using a differential mobility spectrometer (DMS) in combination with a catalytic stripper. Direct comparison of measurements taken with and without the catalytic stripper reveals that the catalytic stripper noticeably reduced variability in sub-23 nm particle concentration measurements. A significant portion of particles in this size regime remained (58–92%), suggesting a non-volatile nature for these particles. Digital filtering functions for imposing defined counting efficiencies were assessed with datasets acquired with the catalytic stripper; i.e., particle size distributions (PSDs) with removed volatiles. An updated filtering function for counting efficiency thresholds of d65 = 10 nm and d90 = 15 nm showed an increase in particulate numbers between 1.5% and up to 11.2%, compared to the closest previous digital filtering function. However, this increase is highly dependent on the underlying PSD. For a matrix of operating conditions (1250 to 2250 rpm and fast-idle to 40 Nm brake torque), the highest emissions occurred at fast-idle 1250 rpm with 1.93 × 108 #/cm3 using the updated filtering function and catalytic stripper. This setup showed an increase in particulate number of +27% to +390% over the test matrix when compared to DMS measurements without the catalytic stripper and applied counting efficiency thresholds of d50 = 23 nm and d90 = 41.
Atmospheric Muon Flux Measurement near Earth’s Equatorial Line
Authors: Borja Cristian , Ávila Carlos , Roque Gerardo , Sánchez Manuel 
Published: November 2022

We report measurements of muon flux over the sky of the city of Bogotá at 4°35′56′′ north latitude, 74°04′51′′ west longitude, and an altitude of 2657 m above sea level, carried out with a hodoscope composed of four stations of plastic scintillators located equidistant over a distance of 4.8 m. Measurements were taken at different zenith (θ) angles within the range 1.5° ≤ θ ≤90°, the muon flux data is statistically consistent with a cos2θ dependence, with a χ2 per degree of freedom near unity. If instead, we fit to a cosnθ we obtain n = 2.145±0.046 with a lower χ2 per degree of freedom. Integrating the muon flux distribution as a function of the zenith angle over the solid angle of the upper Earth’s hemisphere allows an estimation of the atmospheric vertical muon rate at the altitude and latitude of Bogota obtaining a value of 255.1 ± 5.8m−2s−1. This estimate is consistent with an independent direct measurement of the vertical muon flux with all detectors stacked horizontally. These measurements play a key role in the further development of detectors, aimed to perform muon imaging of Monserrate Hill, located in Bogotá, where the detectors will be placed at similar locations to those used in the present study.