bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the correlation between immune thrombocytopenia and T cell activity-regulated gene polymorphism using functional study
Authors: Chen Ding-Ping , Lin Wei-Tzu , Wen Ying-Hao , Wang Wei-Ting 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThrombocytopenia is a condition where the platelet count is under 100 × 109/L, which is caused by various disorders. However, the mechanism of thrombocytopenia is still unclear. Hence, we tried to investigate the correlation between immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes related to T cell activation. There were 32 ITP patients and 30 healthy controls enrolled in this study. PCR and sequencing were used to find out the significant SNPs, which we focused on the promoter region of CTLA4 and CD28. In this study, the ITP cases were divided into primary ITP group, secondary ITP group, and the combination of the two to the follow-up analysis. Moreover, dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the transcription activity of the significant SNP. We found the − 1765_rs11571315 of CTLA4 gene was associated with primary ITP (p = 0.006), secondary ITP (p = 0.008), and the combination of the two (p = 0.003). Moreover, the −318_rs5742909 also had statistical significance in secondary ITP group that was only caused by autoimmune disease (p = 0.019). In functional study, the rs5742909 would decrease 19% of the transcription activity when it carried a T-allele at this position (p = 0.040). It was noted that CTLA4 gene polymorphism was related to ITP but not CD28. According to our results, we surmised that CTLA4 is involved in the pathogenesis of ITP, and the secondary ITP result from the lower CTLA4 expression that leads to T cell over-activation.
Heterologous prime-boost vaccination based on Polymorphic protein D protects against intravaginal Chlamydia trachomatis infection in mice
Authors: Russi Romina Cecilia , Del Balzo Diego , Luján Agustín , Reidel Ivana Gabriela , García María Inés , Veaute Carolina , Damiani María Teresa 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe control of the worldwide spread of sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection urgently demands the development of a preventive vaccine. In this work, we designed a vaccine based on a fragment of polymorphic protein D (FPmpD) that proved to be immunogenic enough to generate a robust systemic and mucosal IgG humoral immune response in two strains of mice. We used a heterologous prime-boost strategy, including simultaneous systemic and mucosal administration routes. The high titers of anti-PmpD antibodies elicited by this immunization scheme did not affect murine fertility. We tested the vaccine in a mouse model of Ct intravaginal infection. Anti-PmpD antibodies displayed potent neutralizing activity in vitro and protective effects in uterine tissues in vivo. Notably, the humoral immune response of PmpD-vaccinated mice was faster and stronger than the primary immune response of non-vaccinated mice when exposed to Ct. FPmpD-based vaccine effectively reduced Ct shedding into cervicovaginal fluids, bacterial burden at the genitourinary tract, and overall infectivity. Hence, the FPmpD-based vaccine might constitute an efficient tool to protect against Ct intravaginal infection and decrease the infection spreading.
In vivo magnetic resonance imaging study of the hip joint capsule in the flexion abduction external rotation position
Authors: Tsutsumi Masahiro , Yamaguchi Isao , Nimura Akimoto , Utsunomiya Hajime , Akita Keiichi , Kudo Shintarou 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAlthough the flexion abduction external rotation (FABER) test is a useful hip provocation test, hip soft tissue characteristics in the FABER position remain unclear. This study investigated the in-vivo joint capsule characteristics, including its articular cavity area and relation to the fat pad surrounded by the joint capsule and pericapsular muscles, in the FABER position using magnetic resonance imaging. Thirteen hips from 13 healthy volunteers were analyzed. The images were obtained, with the participant hips at 15°-extension, 45°-flexion, and in the FABER position, to analyze the articular cavity size and fat pad and calculate these ratios to size of the femoral neck. The articular cavity area and its ratio to the femoral neck were significantly greatest in the FABER position, followed by those in the hip flexion and extension. Additionally, the area of the fat pad in the inter-pericapsular muscle space and its ratio to the femoral neck in the FABER position were significantly larger than those in the hip flexion and, as a tendency, larger than those in hip extension. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in-vivo study to show the interrelationship among the joint capsule, pericapsular muscles, and fat pad in the FABER position.
Interferon-γ increases sensitivity to chemotherapy and provides immunotherapy targets in models of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Korentzelos Dimitrios , Wells Alan , Clark Amanda M. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractInterferon-γ (IFNγ) is a cytokine with limited evidence of benefit in cancer clinical trials to date. However, it could potentially play a role in potentiating anti-tumor immunity in the immunologically "cold" metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) by inducing antigen presentation pathways and concurrently providing targets for immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Moreover, it could additionally increase sensitivity to chemotherapy based on its pleiotropic effects on cell phenotype. Here, we show that IFNγ treatment induced expression of major histocompatibility class-I (MHC-I) genes and PD-L1 in prostate cancer cells in vitro. Furthermore, IFNγ treatment led to a decrease in E-cadherin expression with a consequent increase in sensitivity to chemotherapy in vitro. In an in vivo murine tumor model of spontaneous metastatic prostate cancer, IFNγ systemic pretreatment upregulated the expression of HLA-A and decreased E-cadherin expression in the primary tumor, and more importantly in the metastatic site led to increased apoptosis and limited micrometastases in combination with paclitaxel treatment compared to diffuse metastatic disease in control and monotherapy treatment groups. These findings suggest that IFNγ may be useful in combinatorial regimens to induce sensitivity to immunotherapy and chemotherapy in hepatic metastases of mCRPC.
Signature of a randomness-driven spin-liquid state in a frustrated magnet
Authors: Khatua J. , Gomilšek M. , Orain J. C. , Strydom A. M. , Jagličić Z. , Colin C. V. , Petit S. , Ozarowski A. , Mangin-Thro L. , Sethupathi K. , Rao M. S. Ramachandra , Zorko A. , Khuntia P. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractCollective behaviour of electrons, frustration induced quantum fluctuations and entanglement in quantum materials underlie some of the emergent quantum phenomena with exotic quasi-particle excitations that are highly relevant for technological applications. Herein, we present our thermodynamic and muon spin relaxation measurements, complemented by ab initio density functional theory and exact diagonalization results, on the recently synthesized frustrated antiferromagnet Li4CuTeO6, in which Cu2+ ions (S = 1/2) constitute disordered spin chains and ladders along the crystallographic [101] direction with weak random inter-chain couplings. Our thermodynamic experiments detect neither long-range magnetic ordering nor spin freezing down to 45 mK despite the presence of strong antiferromagnetic interaction between Cu2+ moments leading to a large effective Curie-Weiss temperature of − 154 K. Muon spin relaxation results are consistent with thermodynamic results. The temperature and magnetic field scaling of magnetization and specific heat reveal a data collapse pointing towards the presence of random-singlets within a disorder-driven correlated and dynamic ground-state in this frustrated antiferromagnet.
Fluid flow stimulates chemoautotrophy in hydrothermally influenced coastal sediments
Authors: Sievert Stefan M. , Bühring Solveig I. , Gulmann Lara K. , Hinrichs Kai-Uwe , Pop Ristova Petra , Gomez-Saez Gonzalo V. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHydrothermalism in coastal sediments strongly impacts biogeochemical processes and supports chemoautotrophy. Yet, the effect of fluid flow on microbial community composition and rates of chemoautotrophic production is unknown because rate measurements under natural conditions are difficult, impeding an assessment of the importance of these systems. Here, in situ incubations controlling fluid flow along a transect of three geochemically distinct locations at a shallow-water hydrothermal system off Milos (Greece) show that Campylobacteria dominated chemoautotrophy in the presence of fluid flow. Based on injected 13C-labelled dissolved inorganic carbon and its incorporation into fatty acids, we constrained carbon fixation to be as high as 12 µmol C cm−3 d−1, corresponding to areal rates up to 10-times higher than previously reported for coastal sediments, and showed the importance of fluid flow for supplying the necessary substrates to support chemoautotrophy. Without flow, rates were substantially lower and microbial community composition markedly shifted. Our results highlight the importance of fluid flow in shaping the composition and activity of microbial communities of shallow-water hydrothermal vents, identifying them as hotspots of microbial productivity.
Mechanism-based strategies to prevent salt sensitivity and salt-induced hypertension
Authors: Kurtz Theodore W. , Pravenec Michal , DiCarlo Stephen E. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHigh-salt diets are a major cause of hypertension and cardiovascular (CV) disease. Many governments are interested in using food salt reduction programs to reduce the risk for salt-induced increases in blood pressure and CV events. It is assumed that reducing the salt concentration of processed foods will substantially reduce mean salt intake in the general population. However, contrary to expectations, reducing the sodium density of nearly all foods consumed in England by 21% had little or no effect on salt intake in the general population. This may be due to the fact that in England, as in other countries including the U.S.A., mean salt intake is already close to the lower normal physiologic limit for mean salt intake of free-living populations. Thus, mechanism-based strategies for preventing salt-induced increases in blood pressure that do not solely depend on reducing salt intake merit attention. It is now recognized that the initiation of salt-induced increases in blood pressure often involves a combination of normal increases in sodium balance, blood volume and cardiac output together with abnormal vascular resistance responses to increased salt intake. Therefore, preventing either the normal increases in sodium balance and cardiac output, or the abnormal vascular resistance responses to salt, can prevent salt-induced increases in blood pressure. Suboptimal nutrient intake is a common cause of the hemodynamic disturbances mediating salt-induced hypertension. Accordingly, efforts to identify and correct the nutrient deficiencies that promote salt sensitivity hold promise for decreasing population risk of salt-induced hypertension without requiring reductions in salt intake.
Peer Effects in Language Therapy for Preschoolers With Developmental Language Disorder: A Pilot Study
Authors: Schmitt Mary Beth , Tambyraja Sherine , Siddiqui Seham 
Published: April 2022

Purpose:
The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the impact of including peers with typically developing language (TDL) in language intervention sessions for preschool children with diagnosed developmental language disorder (DLD).

Method:
To measure peer effects, participants received 8 weeks of group language intervention in their neighborhood head start. Twenty children with DLD were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. Children in the experimental condition received language intervention with a peer with TDL; children in the control condition received language intervention with another peer with DLD. Pre- and posttest measures of language (semantics, syntax, morphology, and narrative) were collected. Teachers, speech-language pathologists, and assessors were blind to study condition.

Results:

All children in the study showed gains from pre- to posttest; there were no statistically significant differences between conditions. However, effect size estimates (Cohen's
d
) indicated that the children in the experimental condition showed an advantage over the control condition in syntax, morphology, and narrative.

Conclusions:
This study provides preliminary evidence that children with DLD show increased gains in language when paired with peers with TDL. This finding supports previous research in educational literature, suggesting that children's development is influenced by the skills of their peers. Additional research is warranted to further explore and understand the role of peers for children with DLD.
Age estimation from facial images based on Gabor feature fusion and the CIASO‐SA algorithm
Authors: Lu Di , Wang Dapeng , Zhang Kaiyu , Zeng Xiangyuan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAiming at the problem of long time‐consuming and low accuracy of existing age estimation approaches, a new age estimation method using Gabor feature fusion, and an improved atomic search algorithm for feature selection is proposed. Firstly, texture features of five scales and eight directions in the face region are extracted by Gabor wavelet transform. The statistical histogram is introduced to encode and fuse the directional index with the largest feature value on Gabor scales. Secondly, a new hybrid feature selection algorithm chaotic improved atom search optimisation with simulated annealing (CIASO‐SA) is presented, which is based on an improved atomic search algorithm and the simulated annealing algorithm. Besides, the CIASO‐SA algorithm introduces a chaos mechanism during atomic initialisation, significantly improving the convergence speed and accuracy of the algorithm. Finally, a support vector machine (SVM) is used to get classification results of the age group. To verify the performance of the proposed algorithm, face images with three resolutions in the Adience dataset are tested. Using the Gabor real part fusion feature at 48 × 48 resolution, the average accuracy and 1‐off accuracy of age classification exhibit a maximum of 60.4% and 85.9%, respectively. Obtained results prove the superiority of the proposed algorithm over the state‐of‐the‐art methods, which is of great referential value for application to the mobile terminals.
A novel algorithm for distance measurement using stereo camera
Authors: Adil Elmehdi , Mikou Mohammed , Mouhsen Ahmed 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDistance estimation can be achieved by using active sensors or with the help of passive sensors such as cameras. The stereo vision system is generally composed of two cameras to mimic the human binocular vision. In this paper, a Python‐based algorithm is proposed to find the parameters of each camera, rectify the images, create the disparity maps and finally use these maps for distance measurements. Experiments using real‐time images, which were captured from our stereo vision system, of different obstacles positioned at multiple distances (60–200 cm) prove the effectiveness of the proposed program and show that the calculated distance to the obstacle is relatively accurate. The accuracy of distance measurement is up to 99.83%. The processing time needed to calculate the distance between the obstacle and the cameras is less than 0.355 s.
Logical consistency verification of state sensing in safety‐critical decision: A case study of train routing selection
Authors: Wang Ke‐Ming , Wang Xia , Wang Zheng , Wu Guan‐Feng , Xu Yang 
Published: April 2022

AbstractReliable decision‐making in a safety‐critical system depends on the consistency of the state of the system process. Based on the decision‐makeing properties of safety‐critical systems, the definition of the critical component, Boolean evolution system, and cognate variables are presented here. By exploring the two lemmas of the critical components, the consistency of the safety‐critical system is defined, then a new process of a safety‐critical decision of consistency checking is proposed. In order to check the consistency properties of the decision, two computation tree logic formulas derived from the lemmas of the consistency checking are developed. The case of the train routing selection is modelled and verified by model checking, which shows the decision prototype guarantees the safety of the critical process. As the turnout is the critical component in the process of the train routing selection, a multi‐sensor‐based unit of state monitoring is developed, and a real‐world test shows the accuracy of the monitoring unit. This study confirms that the state consistency verification ensures the reliability of the safety‐critical system's decision output. The case can enlighten the development of the intelligent control system which has a critical component of decision‐making.
Analysis on characteristic of 3.3‐kV full SiC device and railway traction converter design
Authors: Ding Rongjun , Dou Zechun , Qi Yu , Mei Wenqing , Liu Guoyou 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWith the rapid development of wide‐band gap semiconductor chip and package technologies, the voltage class of commercial silicon carbide (SiC) device is gradually improved. This paper concentrates on the latest 3.3‐kV full SiC‐based metal oxide semiconductor field‐effect transistor (MOSFET) device and its application in railway traction. First, compared with the Si‐based insulated‐gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), the SiC‐based MOSFET shows lower switching loss but weaker short‐circuit capacity. Second, in the railway traction application, the SiC‐based MOSFET with high switching frequency could reduce the inverter loss, the harmonic loss and the noise of traction motor. Third, a well‐designed filter is necessary between the inverter and the motor to prevent the motor from terminal overvoltage and insulation problem, which are resulted from long cable and high dv/dt. Finally, a full‐SiC railway traction inverter prototype is built and tested, and shows obvious advantages on miniaturization and lightweight.
A fast adaptive bus voltage regulation strategy for supercapacitor energy storage systems
Authors: Shi Zhiyuan , Peng Jun , Li Heng , Peng Hui , Liu Weirong , Gao Zhiwei , Huang Zhiwu 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSupercapacitors undergo wide terminal voltage fluctuations, which makes it difficult to maintain a stable bus voltage and develop a satisfactory dynamic response. To solve this problem, a fast adaptive bus voltage regulation strategy is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the dual‐loop controller with an external voltage loop and an internal current loop is applied to the supercapacitor energy storage systems. Secondly, an adaptive proportional–integral controller is designed for the outer voltage loop to accommodate the variations of the system characteristics. Furthermore, in order to improve the dynamic response, the set‐point automatic modulation is integrated into the voltage control loop to compensate the stochastic load demanded fluctuations. The simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method ensures the stability of the bus voltage and provides a lower fluctuation and shorter settling time compared with the conventional method.
Subthreshold Photocoagulation, Laser Endpoint Management Based on Optical
Coherence Tomography Angiography in Cases of Diabetic Macular Edema Refractory to
Anti-VEGF
Authors: Karasu Bugra , Akbas Yusuf Berk , Aykut Aslan , Çelebi Ali Riza Cenk 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to determine the changes that occur in the vasculature,
as based on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) after non-damaging endpoint
management (EpM), using a continuous wave yellow laser. The study was on eyes with
diabetic macular edema (DME) that were resistant to anti-vascular endothelial growth
factors (anti-VEGFs).
Materials and Methods This was a retrospective analysis of OCTA images of 44 eyes
in 44 patients with DME refractory to anti-VEGF. The eyes were treated with a PASCAL
Streamline yellow laser (577 nm wavelength, 200 mm spot size). Treatment was administered
to the DME area and utilized 10% continuous wave laser energy and 0.50 µm beam diameter
spot spacing. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and enhanced in-depth imaging with
optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images were
recorded at baseline, and 3 and 6 months posttreatment. Total choroidal area (TCA),
luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), and the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were
calculated using Image J software. The macula was divided into five quadrants in
accordance with the mapping system in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study
(ETDRS).
Results All patients (mean age: 58.90 ± 9.55 years) were diagnosed with diabetes
mellitus type 2. Mean BCVA at baseline was 0.30 ± 0.11 logarithm of the minimum angle of
resolution (logMAR) versus 0.23 ± 0.10 logMAR at 3 months (p = 0.032) and
0.17 ± 0.10 logMAR at 6 months (p = 0.013). The foveal avascular zone area (FAZ) decreased
in the deep capillary plexus (DCP) from baseline to 6 months (p = 0.028). Vessel densities
(VDs) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), DCP, and choriocapillaris decreased
significantly in the fovea at 3 and 6 months compared to baseline (p < 0.05 for both
follow-up time points). There were significant decreases in SCP and DCP in the superior
quadrant at the end of month 6 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.038, respectively). There was a
significant decrease in the nasal quadrant of the DCP and choriocapillaris at the end of
month 6 (p = 0.024 and p = 0.049, respectively). Although there was a significant decrease
in central macular thickness (CMT) (p < 0.001), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT)
(p < 0.001), and LA (p = 0.034) at months 3 and 6, there was no significant change in
the CVI (p = 0.19). According to the DME recovery rate, 36 eyes (81%) were irradiated
once, whereas 8 eyes (19%) were irradiated twice.
Conclusions Non-damaging EpM therapy using a continuous wave yellow laser in eyes
with DME that are resistant to anti-VEGFs induces significant changes in the SCP,
choriocapillaris, and, most commonly, the DCP, which caused a significant decrease in VDs
during 6 months of follow-up.