bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of mercury enrichment in lake sediment records from Alberta Oil Sands development via fluvial and atmospheric pathways
Authors: Kay Mitchell L. , Wiklund Johan A. , Sun Xiaoyu , Savage Cory A. M. , Adams Jennifer K. , MacDonald Lauren A. , Klemt Wynona H. , Brown Kathleen C. , Hall Roland I. , Wolfe Brent B. 
Published: August 2022

Exploitation of bitumen-rich deposits in the Alberta Oil Sands Region (AOSR) by large-scale mining and processing activities has generated widespread concern about the potential for dispersal of harmful contaminants to aquatic ecosystems via fluvial and atmospheric pathways. The release of mercury has received attention because it is a potent neurotoxin for wildlife and humans. However, knowledge of baseline mercury concentration prior to disturbance is required to evaluate the extent to which oil sands development has contributed mercury to aquatic ecosystems. Here, we use stratigraphic analysis of total mercury concentration ([THg]) in radiometrically dated sediment cores from nine floodplain lakes in the AOSR and downstream Peace-Athabasca Delta (PAD) and two upland lakes in the PAD region to establish pre-1900 baseline [THg] and evaluate if [THg] has become enriched via fluvial and atmospheric pathways since oil sands mining and processing began in 1967. Concentrations of THg in sediment cores from the study lakes range from 0.022–0.096 mg/kg (dry wt.) and are below the Canadian interim sediment quality guidelines for freshwater (0.17 mg/kg). Results demonstrate no enrichment of [THg] above pre-1900 baseline via fluvial pathways at floodplain lakes in the AOSR or PAD. Enrichment of [THg] was detected via atmospheric pathways at upland lakes in the PAD region, but this occurred prior to oil sands development and aligns with long-range transport of emissions from coal combustion and other anthropogenic sources across the northern hemisphere recognized in many other lake sediment records. The inventory of anthropogenic [THg] in the upland lakes in the AOSR is less than at the Experimental Lakes Area of northwestern Ontario (Canada), widely regarded as a “pristine” area. The absence of enrichment of [THg] in lake sediment via fluvial pathways is a critical finding for stakeholders, and we recommend that monitoring at the floodplain lakes be used to inform stewardship as oil sands operators prepare to discharge treated oil sands process waters directly into the Athabasca River upstream of the PAD.
Distinctive gene expression patterns in pregnancy-associated breast cancer
Authors: Wang Dan , Peng Huiyu , Hu Yuyao , Piao Xue , Gao Dianshuai , Sha Yan 
Published: August 2022

Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is diagnosed during pregnancy or within 1 year postpartum, but the unique aspects of its etiology and pathogenesis have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to ascertain the molecular mechanisms of PABC to facilitate diagnosis and therapeutic development. The Limma package was used to characterize the differentially expressed genes in PABC as compared to non-pregnancy-associated breast cancer (NPABC) and normal breast tissue. A total of 871 dysregulated genes were identified in the PABC versus NPABC groups and 917 in the PABC versus normal groups, with notable differences in the expression of MAGE and CXCL family genes. The dysregulated genes between the PABC and normal groups were mainly associated with signal transduction and immune response, while Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed that the dysregulated genes were enriched in immune-related pathways, including the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II protein complex, the type I interferon signaling pathway, regulation of α-β T-cell proliferation, and the T-cell apoptotic process. Through protein-protein interaction network construction, CD44 and BRCA1 were identified as prominent hub genes with differential expression in PABC versus NPABC. Furthermore, a cluster with eleven hub genes was identified in PABC versus normal adjacent tissues, of which the expression of EGFR, IGF1, PTGS2, FGF1, CAV1, and PLCB1 were verified to be differentially expressed in an independent cohort of PABC patients. Notably, IGF1, PTGS2, and FGF1 were demonstrated to be significantly related to patient prognosis. Our study reveals a distinctive gene expression pattern in PABC and suggests that IGF1, PTGS2, and FGF1 might serve as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of PABC.
Identified novel heterozygous HTRA1 pathogenic variants in Chinese patients with HTRA1-associated dominant cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Chen Mei-Jiao , Zhang Yi , Luo Wen-Jiao , Dong Hai-Lin , Wei Qiao , Zhang Juan , Ruan Qi-Qi , Ni Wang , Li Hong-Fu 
Published: August 2022

Background: Homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations in HTRA1 cause cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL). Recently, heterozygous pathogenic variants in HTRA1 were described in patients with autosomal dominant cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Here, we investigated the genetic variants in a cohort of Chinese patients with CSVD.Methods: A total of 95 Chinese index patients with typical characteristics of CSVD were collected. Whole exome sequencing was performed in the probands, followed by Sanger sequencing. Pathogenicity prediction software was applied to evaluate the pathogenicity of the identified variants.Results: We detected five heterozygous HTRA1 pathogenic variants in five index patients. These pathogenic variants included four known variants (c.543delT, c.854C&gt;T, c.889G&gt;A, and c.824C&gt;T) and one novel variant (c.472 + 1G&gt;A). Among them, c.854C&gt;T, c.824C&gt;T, and c.472 + 1G&gt;A have never been reported in China and c.889G&gt;A was once reported in homozygous but never in heterozygous. Three of them were distributed in exon 4, one in exon 2, and another splicing variant in intron 1. Four out of five probands presented typical features of CARASIL but less severe. The common clinical features included lacunar infarction, cognitive decline, alopecia, and spondylosis. All of them showed leukoencephalopathy, and the main involved cerebral area include periventricular and frontal area, centrum semiovale, thalamus, and corpus callosum. Anterior temporal lobes and external capsule involvement were also observed. Three probands had intracranial microbleeds.Conclusion: Our study expanded the mutation spectrum of HTRA1, especially in Chinese populations, and provided further evidence for “hot regions” in exon 1–4, especially in exon 4, in heterozygous HTRA1 pathogenic variants. Our work further supported that patients with heterozygous HTRA1 pathogenic variants presented with similar but less-severe features than CARASIL but in an autosomal dominantly inherited pattern.
Echofilter: A Deep Learning Segmention Model Improves the Automation, Standardization, and Timeliness for Post-Processing Echosounder Data in Tidal Energy Streams
Authors: Lowe Scott C. , McGarry Louise P. , Douglas Jessica , Newport Jason , Oore Sageev , Whidden Christopher , Hasselman Daniel J. 
Published: August 2022

Understanding the abundance and distribution of fish in tidal energy streams is important for assessing the risks presented by the introduction of tidal energy devices into the habitat. However, tidal current flows suitable for tidal energy development are often highly turbulent and entrain air into the water, complicating the interpretation of echosounder data. The portion of the water column contaminated by returns from entrained air must be excluded from data used for biological analyses. Application of a single algorithm to identify the depth-of-penetration of entrained air is insufficient for a boundary that is discontinuous, depth-dynamic, porous, and varies with tidal flow speed.Using a case study at a tidal energy demonstration site in the Bay of Fundy, we describe the development and application of deep machine learning models with a U-Net based architecture that produce a pronounced and substantial improvement in the automated detection of the extent to which entrained air has penetrated the water column.Our model, Echofilter, was found to be highly responsive to the dynamic range of turbulence conditions and sensitive to the fine-scale nuances in the boundary position, producing an entrained-air boundary line with an average error of 0.33 m on mobile downfacing and 0.5–1.0 m on stationary upfacing data, less than half that of existing algorithmic solutions. The model’s overall annotations had a high level of agreement with the human segmentation, with an intersection-over-union score of 99% for mobile downfacing recordings and 92–95% for stationary upfacing recordings. This resulted in a 50% reduction in the time required for manual edits when compared to the time required to manually edit the line placement produced by the currently available algorithms. Because of the improved initial automated placement, the implementation of the models permits an increase in the standardization and repeatability of line placement.
A new species of Phymatolithon Foslie, P. abuqirensis (Hapalidiaceae, Hapalidiales), from Mediterranean Egypt
Authors: Kittle Ronald P. , Richards Joseph L. , Sauvage Thomas , Gabriel Daniela , Schmidt William E. , Fredericq Suzanne 
Published: August 2022

Phymatolithon Foslie is one of the most studied and ecologically important genera of crustose coralline algae (CCA) due to their dominant abundance in various marine ecosystems worldwide. The taxonomy of the genus is complex and has been revised and updated many times based on morphological and molecular analyses. We report on a crustose coralline algal species collected in June 2011 via snorkeling in the subtidal zone along the beach Abu Qir on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, as part of a larger macroalgal diversity survey in the region. The species shows significant sequence divergences (3.5%–14.8% in rbcL; 2.9%–11% in psbA) from other closely related Phymatolithon taxa. Morpho-anatomically, this species possesses the characters considered collectively diagnostic of the genus Phymatolithon, namely, thalli non-geniculate epithelial cells and non-photosynthetic and domed-shaped meristematic cells, usually as short with progressive elongation of their perithallial derivatives. Based on molecular and morphological analyses, we determined that these specimens encompass a new, distinct species that we herein name Phymatolithon abuqirensis. Including this new species, the total number of described Phymatolithon species found in the Mediterranean Sea is now six.
Skin temperature change in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction following intense pulsed light treatment
Authors: Yun Jeongseop , Min Ji Sang 
Published: August 2022

PurposeWe investigated the change in skin temperature of treated areas during intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment in patients who have meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) to determine whether there is superficial telangiectatic blood vessel ablation.MethodsThe medical records of 90 patients (90 eyes) with MGD who underwent IPL treatment were reviewed. The patients had undergone IPL treatment four times every 4 weeks. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores, dry eye (DE), and MGD parameters were obtained before the first and after the fourth IPL treatments. The skin temperatures of the upper and lower lids were measured before every IPL treatment.ResultsThe skin temperatures of the lower lids were 31.89 ± 0.72°C at the first IPL (IPL#1), 30.89 ± 0.63°C at the second IPL (IPL#2), 30.14 ± 0.95°C at the third IPL (IPL#3), and 29.74 ± 0.87°C at the fourth IPL (IPL#4) treatments. The skin temperatures of upper lids were 32.01 ± 0.69°C at IPL#1, 31.13 ± 0.75°C at IPL#2, 30.34 ± 1.07°C at IPL#3, and 29.91 ± 0.76°C at IPL#4. The skin temperature of the upper and lower lids significantly decreased with every IPL treatment. Schirmer 1 test (ST) result was 12.97 ± 10.22 mm before IPL#1 and 14.45 ± 9.99 mm after IPL#4. Tear break-up time (TBUT) was 3.15 ± 1.38 s before IPL#1 and 5.53 ± 2.34 s after IPL#4. Corneal staining scores (CFS) was 1.61 ± 3.09 before IPL#1 and 0.50 ± 0.78 after IPL#4. Lipid layer thickness (LLT) was 71.88 ± 26.34 nm before IPL#1 and 68.38 ± 24.16 nm after IPL#4. Lid margin abnormality score (LAS) was 1.96 ± 0.62 before IPL#1 and 0.86 ± 0.67 after IPL#4. Meibum expressibility (ME) was 1.67 ± 0.87 before IPL#1 and 1.03 ± 1.67 after IPL#4. Meibum quality (MQ) was 18.18 ± 6.34 before IPL#1 and 10.16 ± 5.48 after IPL#4. OSDI was 35.38 ± 19.97 before IPL#1 and 15.48 ± 34.32 after IPL#4. OSDI scores, DE, and MGD parameters significantly improved after the fourth IPL treatment but not ST and LLT.ConclusionOur study showed that the occurrence of superficial telangiectatic vessels were indirectly reduced by the decrease in skin temperature accompanying IPL treatments in patients with MGD.
Use of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees and risk of pneumonia in hospitalised patients with mild coronavirus disease 2019: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tanwettiyanont Jeeranan , Piriyachananusorn Napacha , Sangsoi Lilit , Boonsong Benjawan , Sunpapoa Chamlong , Tanamatayarat Patcharawan , Na-Ek Nat , Kanchanasurakit Sukrit 
Published: August 2022

BackgroundAndrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees (AP) has been widely used in Thailand to treat mild COVID-19 infections since early 2020; however, supporting evidence is scarce and ambiguous. Thus, this study aimed to examine whether the use of AP is associated with a decreased risk of pneumonia in hospitalised mild COVID-19 patients.Materials and methodsWe collected data between March 2020 and August 2021 from COVID-19 patients admitted to one hospital in Thailand. Patients whose infection was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, had normal chest radiography and did not receive favipiravir at admission were included and categorised as either AP (deriving from a dried and ground aerial part of the plant), given as capsules with a total daily dose of 180 mg andrographolide for 5 days or standard of care. They were followed for pneumonia confirmed by chest radiography. Multiple logistic regression was used for the analysis controlling for age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, statin use, and antihypertensive drug use.ResultsA total of 605 out of 1,054 patients (mostly unvaccinated) were included in the analysis. Of these, 59 patients (9.8%) developed pneumonia during the median follow-up of 7 days. The incidence rates of pneumonia were 13.93 (95% CI 10.09, 19.23) and 12.47 (95% CI 8.21, 18.94) per 1,000 person-days in the AP and standard of care groups, respectively. Compared to the standard of care group, the odds ratios of having pneumonia in the AP group were 1.24 (95% CI 0.71, 2.16; unadjusted model) and 1.42 (95% CI 0.79, 2.55; fully adjusted model). All sensitivity analyses were consistent with the main results.ConclusionThe use of AP was not significantly associated with a decreased risk of pneumonia in mild COVID-19 patients. While waiting for insights from ongoing trials, AP’s use in COVID-19 should be done with caution.
A tumor microenvironment gene set–Based prognostic signature for non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Wen Yingsheng , Guo Guangran , Yang Longjun , Chen Lianjuan , Zhao Dechang , He Xiaotian , Zhang Rusi , Huang Zirui , Wang Gongming , Zhang Lanjun 
Published: August 2022

Background: The tumor microenvironment (TME) is involved in the development and progression of lung carcinomas. A deeper understanding of TME landscape would offer insight into prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets investigation. To this end, we aimed to identify the TME components of lung cancer and develop a prognostic signature to predict overall survival (OS).Methods: Expression data was retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and differentially expressed TME-related genes were calculated between tumor and normal tissues. Then nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering was used to identify two distinct subtypes.Results: Our analysis yielded a gene panel consisting of seven TME-related genes as candidate signature set. With this panel, our model showed that the high-risk group experienced a shorter survival time. This model was further validated by an independent cohort with data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE50081 and GSE13213). Additionally, we integrated the clinical factors and risk score to construct a nomogram for predicting prognosis. Our data suggested less immune cells infiltration but more fibroblasts were found in tumor tissues derived from patients at high-risk and those patients exhibited a worse immunotherapy response.Conclusion: The signature set proposed in this work could be an effective model for estimating OS in lung cancer patients. Hopefully analysis of the TME could have the potential to provide novel diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic opportunities.
Inhibition mechanism of alpha-amylase, a diabetes target, by a steroidal pregnane and pregnane glycosides derived from Gongronema latifolium Benth
Authors: Ogunyemi Oludare M. , Gyebi Gideon A. , Saheed Afolabi , Paul Jesse , Nwaneri-Chidozie Victoria , Olorundare Olufunke , Adebayo Joseph , Koketsu Mamoru , Aljarba Nada , Alkahtani Saad , Batiha Gaber El-Saber , Olaiya Charles O. 
Published: August 2022

Alpha-amylase is widely exploited as a drug target for preventing postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Inhibition of this enzyme by plant-derived pregnanes is not fully understood. Herein, we used in vitro, in silico, and in vivo studies to provide further insights into the alpha-amylase inhibitory potential of selected pregnane-rich chromatographic fractions and four steroidal pregnane phytochemicals (SPPs), viz: marsectohexol (P1), 3-O-[6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1→14)-β-D-oleandropyranosyl]-11,12-di-O-tigloyl-17β-marsdenin (P2), 3-O-[6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-oleandropyranosyl]-17β-marsdenin (P3), and 3-O-[6-deoxy-3-O-methyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-canaropyranosyl]-17β-marsdenin (P4) derived from Gongronema latifolium Benth. The results revealed that the SPPs source pregnane-rich chromatographic fractions and the SPPs (P1–P4) exhibited inhibitory potential against porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase in vitro. Compounds P1 and P2 with IC50 values 10.01 and 12.10 µM, respectively, showed greater inhibitory potential than the reference acarbose (IC50 = 13.47 µM). Molecular docking analysis suggests that the SPPs had a strong binding affinity to porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase (PPA), human pancreatic alpha-amylase (HPA), and human salivary alpha-amylase (HSA), interacting with the key active site residues through an array of hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The strong interactions of the SPPs with Glu233 and Asp300 residues may disrupt their roles in the acid-base catalytic mechanism and proper orientation of the polymeric substrates, respectively. The interactions with human pancreatic amylase were maintained in a dynamic environment as indicated by the root mean square deviation, radius of gyration, surface accessible surface area, and number of hydrogen bonds computed from the trajectories obtained from a 100-ns molecular dynamics simulation. Key loop regions of HPA that contribute to substrate binding exhibited flexibility and interaction potential toward the compounds as indicated by the root mean square fluctuation. Furthermore, P1 significantly reduced blood glucose levels and area under the curve in albino rats which were orally challenged with starch. Therefore, Gongronema latifolium and its constituent SPPs may be exploited as inhibitors of pancreatic alpha-amylase as an oral policy for impeding postprandial blood glucose rise.
Treatment of hyponatremia in children with acute bacterial meningitis
Authors: Zheng Feixia , Ye Xiaoyan , Chen Yuanyuan , Wang Hongying , Fang Shiyu , Shi Xulai , Lin Zhongdong , Lin Zhenlang 
Published: August 2022

PurposeFew studies have evaluated hyponatremia management in children with bacterial meningitis (BM). Thus, we aimed to describe variations in clinical practice, the effectiveness of sodium management, and adverse outcomes in children with BM and hyponatremia.MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary institution analyzed participants' demographic, clinical, and sodium-altering treatment data. The sodium trigger for treatment was defined as pretreatment sodium level, with response and overcorrection defined as increments of ≥5 and &gt;10 mmol/L after 24 h, respectively.ResultsThis study enrolled 364 children with BM (age: &lt;16 years; 215 boys). Hyponatremia occurred in 62.1% of patients, among whom 25.7% received sodium-altering therapies; 91.4% of those individuals had moderate/severe hyponatremia. Monotherapy was the most common initial hyponatremia treatment. After 24 h of treatment initiation, 82.4% of the patients responded. Logistic regression analyses revealed that ΔNa24 &lt;5 mmol/L [odds ratio (OR) 15.52, 95% CI 1.71–141.06, p = 0.015] and minimum Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤ 8 (OR 11.09, 95% CI 1.16–105.73, p = 0.036) predicted dysnatremia at 48 h after treatment initiation. Although rare, persistent moderate/severe hyponatremia or hypernatremia at 48 h after treatment initiation was associated with a high mortality rate (57.1%).ConclusionThis study found that most cases of hyponatremia responded well to various treatments. It is important to identify and institute appropriate treatment early for moderate or severe hyponatremia or hypernatremia in children with BM. This study was limited by its non-randomized nature.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy promotes consciousness, cognitive function, and prognosis recovery in patients following traumatic brain injury through various pathways
Authors: Chen Yuwen , Wang Liang , You Wenjun , Huang Fei , Jiang Yingzi , Sun Li , Wang Siye , Liu Su 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical curative effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment and its mechanism in improving dysfunction following traumatic brain injury (TBI).MethodsPatients were enrolled into control and HBO groups. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and coma recovery scale-revised (CRS-R) scores were used to measure consciousness; the Rancho Los Amigos scale-revised (RLAS-R) score was used to assess cognitive impairment; the Stockholm computed tomography (CT) score, quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG), and biomarkers, including neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S100 calcium-binding protein beta (S100β), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), were used to assess TBI severity. The patients were followed up 6 months after discharge and assessed with the Glasgow outcome scale-extended (GOSE), functional independence measure (FIM), and the disability rating scale (DRS).ResultsThe CRS-R scores were higher in the HBO group than the control group at 10 days after treatment. The RLAS-R scores were higher in the HBO group than the control group at 10 and 20 days after treatment. The Stockholm CT scores were significantly lower in the HBO group than the control group at 10 days after treatment. HBO depressed the (δ + θ)/(α + β) ratio (DTABR) of EEG, with lower δ band relative power and higher α band relative power than those in the control group. At 20 days after treatment, the expression of NSE, S100β, and GFAP in the HBO group was lower than that in controls, whereas the expression of BDNF, NGF, and VEGF in the HBO group was higher than that in controls. Six months after discharge, the HBO group had lower DRS scores and higher FIM and GOSE scores than the control group significantly.ConclusionsHBO may be an effective treatment for patients with TBI to improve consciousness, cognitive function and prognosis through decreasing TBI-induced hematoma volumes, promoting the recovery of EEG rhythm, and modulating the expression of serum NSE, S100β, GFAP, BDNF, NGF, and VEGF.