bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Catheter Ablation in Complex Atrial Arrhythmias: Pilot Study Evaluating a 3D Wide-Band Dielectric Imaging System
Authors: Pongratz Janis , Dorwarth Uwe , Riess Lukas , Schwartz Yitzhack , Wankerl Michael , Hoffmann Ellen , Straube Florian 
Published: January 2022

BackgroundCryoballoon ablation (CBA) for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a standard in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation but might not be enough in complex atrial arrhythmias (AA). An open three-dimensional wide-band dielectric imaging system (3D-WBDIS) has been introduced to guide CBA.Material and MethodsPilot study evaluating feasibility and safety of 3D-WBDIS in combination with CBA and optional radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with complex AA defined as (1) history of persistent AF, (2) additional atrial tachycardia/flutter, or (3) previous left atrial ablation.ResultsProspectively, seventeen patients, 68.9 ± 12.2 years of age, with complex AA were enrolled. In 70 pulmonary veins (PV), balloon positioning maneuvers (n = 129) were guided additionally by the occlusion tool (1.84/PV). Compared to angiography, its sensitivity and specificity was 94.5, and 85%, respectively. CBA-PVI was achieved in 100% of PVs including variants. In 68 maps, the median number of mapping points was 251.0 (interquartile range (IQR) 298.0) with a median map volume of 52.8 (IQR 83.9) mL. Following CBA, six additional arrhythmias (two right and two left atrial flutter, one left atrial appendage tachycardia, and one atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia) were identified and successfully ablated by means of RFA in five patients (29.4%). Left atrial and fluoroscopy times were 88 (IQR 40) and 20 (IQR 10) minutes, respectively. Dose area product was 1,100 (IQR 1252) cGyxcm2. Freedom from AA after 6 months follow-up time and 90 days blanking period was documented in 10/17 (59%) patients, and 8/17 (47%) without a blanking period. No major complication was observed.ConclusionThe combined use of CBA with optional RFA guided by a novel 3D-WBDIS is feasible and safe in patients suffering from complex AA. The occlusion tool shows high sensitivity and specificity for assessment of the balloon occlusion. Additional arrhythmias were successfully mapped and ablated. Short-term outcome is promising, and subsequent prospective, larger outcome studies are necessary to confirm our observations.
Structural Vibration Analysis of Historical Drum Tower Structure Caused by Underground Train Running
Authors: Zhou Yefei , Bai Xiaoxiao , Wang Shengnian , Zhao Kai , Su Hui , Wang Haiyan 
Published: January 2022

The vibration induced by underground metro operation could have significant impacts on the safety of building structures. In this study, the dynamic response of the Nanjing Drum Tower affected by the metro line four operation was investigated by a three-dimensional FEM coupling train-track-tunnel-foundation-soil-basement–Drum Tower model performed on a 64 CPU parallel computing cluster platform. The results show that the vertical vibration caused by the subway operation has a more serious impact on the historical structure of the Drum Tower than the horizontal vibration. The vertical vibration attenuates rapidly from the basement bottom to the top of the tower. The horizontal vibration amplifies along the height of the historical building. The truss roof significantly weakens the vibration. As the speed of the train increases, the amplitude of horizontal and vertical vibration increases gradually from the bottom to the roof of the Drum Tower despite a relatively smaller increase for the horizontal vibration. As for the double-track operation case, the vertical vibration amplitude is much greater than that for the single-track operation, and no significant difference is observed in the horizontal direction. The amplitudes of horizontal vibration velocity for the basement and Drum Tower are 0.131 and 0.060 mm/s, respectively.
Primary Adrenal Lymphoma: Two Case Series From China
Authors: Zeng Jinyang , Yan Fangfang , Chen Yulong , Zang Li , Chen Kang , Lyu Zhaohui , Dou Jingtao , Mu Yiming , Lin Mingzhu , Yang Guoqing 
Published: January 2022

ObjectivePrimary adrenal lymphoma (PAL) is a rare form of adrenal mass. We summarize our experience in its clinical presentation, biochemical indexes, radiological features, pathological information, therapy regimens, and outcomes.MethodsThis was an institutional review board-approved retrospective review of medical records and surgical pathology specimens of patients with a diagnosis of PAL at the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital and the First Affiliate Hospital of Xiamen University between July 2007 and July 2017.ResultsTwenty-six patients were identified. The mean age at presentation was 60.84 ± 13.14 years with a male-to-female ratio of 2.25:1 (18:8). The most common presenting symptoms were loss of appetite (65%, 17/26), weight loss (62%, 16/26), abdominal pain (58%, 15/26), and fatigue (58%, 15/26). The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (75%, 15/20), β2-microglobulin (100%, 10/10), C-reactive protein (82%, 14/17), and ferritin (88%, 7/8) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (83%, 10/12) were elevated. Bilateral involvement was seen in 21 of 26 patients (81%); 12 of 19 evaluated patients with bilateral lesions (63%) were confirmed to have adrenal insufficiency. On computed tomography (CT), the mean tumor diameter was 7.31 ± 3.35 cm and the median Hounsfield density was 37.0 HU (range: 31.0–45.0 HU); 67% (10/15) and 27% (4/15) of lesions presented with mild and moderate enhancement after injection of contrast medium. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET)-CT revealed not only an adrenal tumor but also extra-adrenal lesions. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the most common phenotype (92%, 24/26). Ninety-two percent (24/26) of patients received chemotherapy while 8% (2/26) received unilateral adrenalectomy plus chemotherapy. The prognosis of PAL was poor, with a general survival time of 7.20 ± 5.18 months.ConclusionPAL is a rare disease. The clinical characteristics of PAL include loss of appetite and weight loss. Endocrine evaluation should be performed to determine whether patients have adrenal insufficiency, especially patients with bilateral lesions. FDG-PET appears to be more accurate than other imaging modalities in revealing extra-adrenal sites. Better therapy is required to improve the poor prognosis of PAL.
Exploring NH3 and NOx Interaction Chemistry With CH4 and C2H4 at Moderate Temperatures and Various Pressures
Authors: Deng Yuwen , Sun Zijian , Yuan Wenhao , Yang Jiuzhong , Zhou Zhongyue , Qi Fei 
Published: January 2022

The oxidation of CH4/C2H4/NH3/NO/NO2 gas mixtures was studied aiming to explore the homogenous chemistry of exhaust gas from lean-operated natural gas engine. With respect to this goal, experiments were carried out with a laminar flow reactor under engine-relevant (diluted and lean) conditions over the temperature range of 600–1400 K. Four gas mixtures were designed to evaluate the effects of NO/NO2 ratio (1, 4) and pressure (0.04 and 1.0 atm) on the interaction chemistry of NH3/NOx with CH4 and C2H4. By using synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry, fingerprint products for revealing interaction chemistry were identified and quantified, e.g., nitrogenous and oxygenated intermediates. The experimental results show that the NO concentrations are significantly affected by adding CH4/C2H4, changing NO/NO2 ratio and pressure. Besides, the promotion of DeNOx reactions and narrower temperature windows of NO reduction are unexpectedly observed in the presence of CH4/C2H4. To interpret the experimental observations, a detailed kinetic model was developed by integrating hydrocarbons/NH3/NOx interaction chemistry. Rate of production and sensitivity analyses indicate that the active radical pool is enriched and additional chain-branching pathways regarding NO/NO2 interconversion are activated with the addition of hydrocarbons. In the presence of both CH4 and C2H4, reaction C2H3 + O2 = CH2CHO + O was demonstrated as a crucial reaction that drives the reactivity of CH4/C2H4/NH3/NO/NO2 mixture. This is explained by the production of CH2CHO, whose dissociation generates CH2O and ultimately leads to the abundant production of active OH via the reaction sequence CH2O → HCO → HO2 → OH. The conversion kinetics of hydrocarbons, NO and NH3 under different NO/NO2 ratios and pressure, as well as the formation kinetics of oxygenated and nitrogenous intermediates was also analyzed in this work.
The Role of RAB GTPases and Its Potential in Predicting Immunotherapy Response and Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Jiang Xuefei , Yang Lanlan , Gao Qianling , Liu Yiting , Feng Xingzhi , Ye Shubiao , Yang Zihuan 
Published: January 2022

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, in which aberrant activation of the RAS signaling pathway appears frequently. RAB proteins (RABs) are the largest Ras small GTPases superfamily that regulates intracellular membrane trafficking pathways. The dysregulation of RABs have been found in various diseases including cancers. Compared with other members of Ras families, the roles of RABs in colorectal cancer are less well understood.Methods: We analyzed the differential expression and clinicopathological association of RABs in CRC using RNA sequencing and genotyping datasets from TCGA samples. Moreover, the biological function of RAB17 and RAB34 were investigated in CRC cell lines and patient samples.Results: Of the 62 RABs we analyzed in CRC, seven (RAB10, RAB11A, RAB15, RAB17, RAB19, RAB20, and RAB25) were significantly upregulated, while six (RAB6B, RAB9B, RAB12, RAB23, RAB31, and RAB34) were significantly downregulated in tumor tissues as compared to normal. We found that the upregulated-RABs, which were highly expressed in metabolic activated CRC subtype (CMS3), are associated with cell cycle related pathways enrichment and positively correlated with the mismatch repair (MMR) genes in CRC, implying their role in regulating cell metabolism and tumor growth. While, high expression of the downregulated-RABs were significantly associated with poor prognostic CRC mesenchymal subtypes (CMS4), immune checkpoint genes, and tumor infiltrating immune cells, indicating their role in predicting prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy. Interestingly, though RAB34 mRNA is downregulated in CRC, its high expression is significantly associated with poor prognosis. In vitro experiments showed that RAB17 overexpression can promote cell proliferation via cell cycle regulation. While, RAB34 overexpression can promote cell migration and invasion and is associated with PD-L1/PD-L2 expression increase in CRC cells.Conclusions: Our study showed that RABs may play important roles in regulating cell cycle and immune-related pathways, therefore might be potential biomarkers in predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response in CRC.
Comparative Transcriptional Analysis Identified Characteristic Genes and Patterns in HIV-Infected Immunological Non-Responders
Authors: Liu Xiaosheng , Lin Ling , Lu Lianfeng , Li Xiaodi , Han Yang , Qiu Zhifeng , Li Xiaoxia , Li Yanling , Song Xiaojing , Cao Wei , Li Taisheng 
Published: January 2022

PurposeThe incomplete immune reconstitution is a complex phenomenon among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients despite the fact that they have achieved persistent viral suppression under the combined antiretroviral therapy. This study aims to screen and verify the immunological characteristics and underlying mechanisms of immunological non-responders (INRs).MethodsThe RNA-seq and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis were used to explore potential characteristics among INRs. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) analysis, Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analysis, and the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were used to explore the potential mechanism. The transcriptional meta-analysis was used to analyze the external efficiency.ResultsThe RNA-seq identified 316 DEGs among INRs. The interferon signaling pathway was enrichedviaGO and IPA analysis among DEGs. The combined GSEA and WGCNA analysis confirmed that the IFN response was more correlated with INR. Furthermore, IFI27 (IFN-α Inducible Protein 27, also known as ISG12) was chosen based on combined DEG analysis, WGCNA analysis, and the transcriptional meta-analysis conducted on other published datasets about INRs. The expression of IFI27 was significantly negatively correlated with the CD4+ T-cell counts of PLWH, and the predictive efficiency of IFI27 level in distinguishing PLWH with poor immune recovery was also with significant power (AUC = 0.848).ConclusionThe enhanced expression of IFI27 and the IFN response pathway are among the important immunological characteristics of INRs and exhibited promising efficiency as biomarkers for CD4+T-cell recovery.
Hemp From Disordered Lines for New Staple Fibre Yarns and High-Performance Composite Applications
Authors: Graupner Nina , Weber David E. , Bell Erik G. , Lehmann Karl-Heinz , Hilgers Hans-Willi , Randerath Herbert , Gries Thomas , Walenta Isabel , Joulian Marc , Müssig Jörg 
Published: January 2022

The use of natural fibre-reinforced plastics for higher-stressed applications is currently often limited by the high price of high-quality semi-finished products. Therefore, the present study deals with developing yarns from cost-effective hemp from a disordered separation process (total fibre line) for composite reinforcements. Composites were fabricated using a miniature pultrusion process with thermosetting matrices from the yarns. The results show that around 90% of the flexural strength and flexural modulus of identically produced flax composites could be achieved with maximum values of 282 MPa for the flexural strength and 23.4 GPa for the flexural modulus. The yarns were additionally used to manufacture quasi-unidirectional fabrics to produce composite laminates using different manufacturing processes. The highest values were obtained for a laminate with 39 vol% fibre content, produced with a resin injection process in an autoclave, achieving a tensile strength of 155 MPa, Young’s modulus of 19.4 GPa, a flexural strength of 174 MPa and bending modulus of 12.4 GPa. The characteristic values are sufficient to use the materials in applications with higher mechanical requirements.
Case Report: Dislocation Into Vitreous Cavity and Removal of a Posterior Chamber Phakic Intraocular Lens
Authors: He Jingliang , Zhang Li , Zheng Fang , Fang Xiaoyun 
Published: January 2022

Purpose:To report a rare case of delayed dislocation of a novel posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens into the vitreous cavity, which was successfully treated by a reformed technique.Case PresentationA 29-year-old female received Ejinn phakic refractory lens (EPRL) implantation to correct her high myopia. Spontaneous dislocation into the vitreous cavity occurred 26-months post-operatively without traumatic history. Pars plana vitrectomy combined with cutting the EPRL into two equal pieces was performed to remove the dislocated EPRL.ConclusionDislocation into the vitreous cavity of EPRL can be successfully and easily removed by our reformed technique. Concerns about zonules-related complications pre-operatively, intraoperatively, and post-operatively must be raised in the practice of EPRL implantation.
Trends and Disparities in Quality of Life Among Older Adults From 1998 to 2018 in China: A National Observational Study
Authors: Liu Jue , Wang Jun 
Published: January 2022

ObjectiveTo investigate 20-year trends and disparities in quality of life among older adults in China from 1998 to 2018.MethodsOur study was based on eight representative nationwide health surveys among older adults conducted in China from 1998 to 2018. Quality of life data were obtained from 91,993 individuals aged 65 years or above. All surveys included identical indicators of self-reported quality of life, demographic factors, socioeconomic status, lifestyle habits, and health status. The trends in the standardized prevalence of poor quality of life from 1998 to 2018 were examined by locally weighted scatterplot smoothing regression (LOWESS) analysis. We assessed the prevalence of poor quality of life and its related factors by logistic regression models after adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsThe prevalence of poor quality of life was 38.2% (95% CI: 37.9–38.5%). The trends of poor quality of life showed an inverted “U” shape, that the prevalence increased from 27.8% in 1998 to 43.6% in 2008, and then decreased from 39.2% in 2011 to 32.1% in 2018. Disparities in the prevalence of poor quality of life were exacerbating among participants with low or moderate household income per capita and participants with high household income per capita from 1998 to 2018. After controlling potential confounders, living in rural areas, aged below 80 years, unmarried, living alone, low household income, current smoker, poor dietary diversity, never participating in organized social activities, with chronic diseases, functional disability, poor self-reported health, and unhealthy psychological status were risk factors related with poor quality of life in the multivariate model (all p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionDuring the past two decades, poor quality of life in Chinese older adults showed an inverted “U” trend from 1998 to 2018 that the prevalence of poor quality of life peaked in 2008 and declined since China's deepening health system reform in 2009. However, disparities in the poor quality of life were exacerbating among participants with different socioeconomic statuses. Strengthening the health system is of great importance in improving the quality of life. More efforts are needed to reduce the disparities in the quality of life among the population at the different socioeconomic levels.
Metastatic Immune-Related Genes for Affecting Prognosis and Immune Response in Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Sun Si , Mao Weipu , Wan Lilin , Pan Kehao , Deng Liting , Zhang Lei , Zhang Guangyuan , Chen Ming 
Published: January 2022

Background:In renal clear cell carcinoma, a common cancer of the urinary system, 25–30% patients are metastatic at initial diagnosis and 20–30% patients have a tendency of recurrence and metastasis after local surgery. With the rapid development of tumor immunology, immune agents have brought new directions to tumor therapy. However, no relevant studies have explored the role of immune-related genes in kidney cancer metastasis.Methods:Co-expressed metastatic immune-related differentially expressed genes (mIR-DEGs) were screened by GSE12606, GSE47352, and immunorelated genes. Then, differential expression analysis, prognostic analysis, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis in KIRC were performed to determine independent prognostic factors associated, and the risk prognostic model was established. The correlation of hub mIR-DEGs with clinicopathological factors, immune invasion, and immune checkpoints was analyzed, and the expression of hub mIR-DEGs and their effect on tumor were re-evaluated by OCLR scores in KIRC.Results:By comprehensive bioassay, we found that FGF17, PRKCG, SSTR1, and SCTR were mIR-DEGs with independent prognostic values, which were significantly associated with clinicopathological factors and immune checkpoint–related genes. The risk prognostics model built on this basis had good predictive potential. In addition, targeted small molecule drugs, including calmidazolium and sulfasalazine, were predicted for mIR-DEGs. Further experimental results were consistent with the bioinformatics analysis.Conclusion:This study preliminarily confirmed that FGF17, PRKCG, SSTR1, and SCTR were targeted genes affecting renal cancer metastasis and related immune responses and can be used as potential therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers for renal cancer. Preliminary validation found that PRKCG and SSTR1 were consistent with predictions.
Dynamic Alterations of the Gut Microbial Pyrimidine and Purine Metabolism in the Development of Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Xiong Yinghui , Wu Li , Shao Li , Wang Yang , Huang Zebing , Huang Xun , Li Chunhui , Wu Anhua , Liu Zhenguo , Fan Xuegong , Zhou Pengcheng 
Published: January 2022

Background: Liver cirrhosis is the common end-stage of liver disease which lacks effective treatment, thus studies to determine prevention targets are an urgent need. The intestinal microbiota (IM) play important roles in modulating liver diseases which are mediated by microbial metabolites. Despite decades of growing microbial studies, whether IM contribute to the development of cirrhosis and the intimate metabolic link remain obscure. Here, we aimed to reveal the dynamic alterations of microbial composition and metabolic signatures in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver cirrhosis mice.Methods: CCl4-treated mice or normal control (NC) were sacrificed (n = 10 per group) after 5 and 15 weeks of intervention. The disease severity was confirmed by Masson’s trichrome or Sirius red staining. Metagenomics sequencing and fecal untargeted metabolomics were performed to evaluate the composition and metabolic function of IM in parallel with the development of cirrhosis.Results: The CCl4-treated mice presented liver fibrosis at 5 weeks and liver cirrhosis at 15 weeks indicated by collagen deposition and pseudo-lobule formation, respectively. Mice with liver cirrhosis showed distinct microbial composition from NC, even in the earlier fibrosis stage. Importantly, both of the liver fibrosis and cirrhosis mice were characterized with the depletion of Deltaproteobacteria (p &lt; 0.05) and enrichment of Akkermansia (p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, fecal metabolomics revealed distinguished metabolomics profiles of mice with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis from the NC. Notably, pathway enrichment analysis pointed to remarkable disturbance of purine (p &lt; 0.001 at 5 weeks, p = 0.034 at 15 weeks) and pyrimidine metabolic pathways (p = 0.005 at 5 weeks, p = 0.006 at 15 weeks) during the development of liver cirrhosis. Interestingly, the disorders of pyrimidine and purine metabolites like the known microbial metabolites thymidine and 2′-deoxyuridine had already occurred in liver fibrosis and continued in cirrhosis.Conclusion: These novel findings indicated the crucial role of IM-modulated pyrimidine and purine metabolites in the development of liver cirrhosis, which provides microbial targets for disease prevention.