bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association between non-clinically apparent liver fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension in Hispanic patients
Authors: Kalas M Ammar , Khatab Yacoub , Galura Gian , Alkhateeb Haider , Mukherjee Debabrata , Garcia Hernando , Zuckerman Marc , Nickel Nils 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background:Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a deadly cardiopulmonary disease with multi-organ involvement including impaired liver function. Liver dysfunction in PAH is poorly understood but significantly associated with morbidity and mortality. Hispanics have a significantly higher prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and evidence of more advanced disease in comparison to other ethnic groups. The clinical impact of NAFLD in Hispanic PAH patients is unknown. We aimed to investigate the impact of a validated scoring system, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis (NFS) score, to predict the degree of liver fibrosis in a Hispanic PAH population and its relationship to hemodynamics, functional class, and outcomes. Methods: A retrospective review of all treatment naïve Hispanic patients with group I WHO pulmonary hypertension (PH) at a single academic center between February 2016 and March 2021 was performed. Patients with history of substance or alcohol abuse, non-group I WHO PH, pre-existent liver disease, chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation, thyroid disease, and warfarin use were excluded from the study. The diagnosis of group I WHO PH was determined by cardiac catheterization after the exclusion of other etiologies. NFS scores were calculated for each patient and correlated with functional capacity, hemodynamics, NT-proBNP, and survival.Results:A total of 96 Hispanic patients were included in our study. The median age of patients in our cohort was 49 (IQR 15) and 69% of our cohort were females. Higher NFS scores indicating advanced hepatic fibrosis (F3-F4) were found to correlate with elevated right-sided cardiac filling pressures, elevated levels of NT-proBNP, lower functional capacity, and worse 5-year survival rates. Conclusion:In Hispanic patients with PAH, NFS scores correlate with the degree of right sided pressure overload. In addition, advanced fibrosis scores were independently associated with lower 5-year survival rates and added prognostic information to other established risk parameters in PAH. This study suggests that screening for liver disease in this vulnerable patient population can aid in earlier detection and possible intervention, thus leading to potential improvement in survival rates.
A new family of eukaryotic and bacterial deubiquitinases spreading and diversifying through transposons and horizontal gene transfer
Authors: Erven Ilka , Abraham Elena , Hermanns Thomas , Baumann Ulrich , Hofmann Kay 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Several distinct families of eukaryotic deubiquitinases (DUBs) regulate various aspects of ubiquitin signaling. Apart from one metalloenzyme family, six classes of eukaryotic papain-fold cysteine proteases are known to have DUB activity. A seventh cysteine-based DUB class is found in intracellular bacteria, which use DUB effectors to evade the ubiquitin-based defense response. Here, we report on the presence of an additional DUB class broadly distributed in eukaryotes and several bacteria. So far, the only known members of this family are the large tegument proteins of α/β/γ herpesviruses, which act as relatively unspecific deubiquitinases and deneddylases attached to the outer face of the viral capsid. By using a bioinformatical screen, we identified distant homologs of this family in transposons of vertebrates and invertebrates, in agaricomycete fungi, insects, nematodes, cnidaria, protists and selected intracellular bacteria. Members of this VTD (Viral tegument-like DUB) family use an atypical Cys-Asp-His catalytic triad to cleave ubiquitin chains. Some activities resemble the viral tegument DUBs in preferring K48-linked ubiquitin chains and also cleaving NEDD8, while other members are highly specific for K6- or K63-linked ubiquitin chains. Judging by the crystal structures of K48- and K6-specific members, the subfamilies differ considerably in their ubiquitin recognition mode. Our analyses suggest that this deubiquitinase family evolved from YopT/HopN-like non-DUB proteases and was co-opted early by DNA transposons, helping the spread of this family. In several independent events, the deubiquitinase domain of these transposons was ‘domesticated’ by various taxa, giving rise e.g. to the Drosophila male sterile (3)76Ca gene and several nematode genes with male-specific expression.
Effects of temperature on soil geochemical properties and accumulation of heavy metals in Brassica napus
Authors: Lee Sujung , Kim Kyoung-Woong 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The global surface temperature is predicted to increase by 1.0°C to 5.7°C by the end of the twenty-first century from the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, but the effects of higher temperatures on soil properties and heavy metal accumulation in plants are unclear. To investigate the effects of soil temperature on soil geochemical properties and the accumulation of heavy metals in plants, we grew rapeseeds (Brassica napus) in pots filled with contaminated field soil at four different temperatures (22.5, 22.9, 23.7, and 24.6°C) in a controlled growth chamber. The concentration of heavy metals in the rapeseed samples at different temperatures showed a positive partial correlation coefficient with the soil temperatures. The order of partial correlation coefficients was Zn (0.50) > Cd (0.21) > Cu (0.19) > As (0.15) > Pb (0.13). However, only the Zn concentration in rapeseed showed a significant moderate positive correlation (r = 0.50, p < 0.01) with soil temperature. In terms of soil properties, soil pH positively correlated (r = 0.49, p < 0.01), whereas the cation exchange capacity (CEC) negatively correlated (r = -0.55, p < 0.001) with soil temperatures. These results suggest that increasing soil temperatures affect the plant metabolisms and soil geochemical properties and enhance the soil-to-plant transfer of heavy metals. Therefore, future global warming may lead to unforeseen losses in crop productivity and pollutant accumulation, consequently resulting in detrimental effects on the health of animals and human beings.
A comparative study of stoma-related complications from diverting loop ileostomy or colostomy after colorectal surgery
Authors: Kumano Koichiro , Kitaguchi Daichi , Owada Yohei , Kinoshita Eiki , Moue Shoko , Furuya Kinji , Ohara Yusuke , Enomoto Tsuyoshi , Oda Tatsuya 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Even though minor, stoma-related complications significantly impact quality of life, they are often excluded from clinical analyses that compare short-term postoperative outcomes of loop ileostomy (LI) and loop colostomy (LC). This study compares stoma-related complications between LI and LC after rectal resection, including minor complications, and discusses the characteristics of diverting stoma (DS) types.
Methods
A retrospective review was conducted in patients who underwent DS construction after rectal resection. Data on patient background and postoperative short-term outcomes, including stoma-related complications and morbidity after stoma closure, were collected and compared between LI and LC groups. Morbidities of all severity grades were targeted for analysis.
Results
A total of 47 patients (27 LI, 20 LC) underwent DS construction following rectal resection. Overall stoma-related complications, incidence of skin irritation, high-output stoma, and outlet obstruction were found to be significantly higher in the LI group. In addition, high-output stoma and outlet obstruction were absent in the LC group. Regarding morbidity after stoma closure, operation times and surgical site infections were significantly higher in the LC group while anastomotic leakage after DS closure occurred (2 cases; 15%) in the LC group but not the LI group.
Conclusion
Because stoma-related complications were found to be significantly higher in the LI group, and even these minor complications may impair patient’s QOL, early LI closure is recommended. For LC, stoma-related morbidities are lower but post-closure leakage is a calculated risk.
Coral distribution and diversity in Sakiyamawan–Amitoriwan nature conservation area of Iriomote Island in Japan
Authors: Shimokawa Shinya , Murakami Tomokazu , Kohno Hiroyoshi 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Sakiyama and Amitori bays of Iriomote Island in Japan are adjacent, but their coral distributions differ considerably. This study investigates the differences in coral distribution and diversity between both bays from a diversity index and intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH) views. In Amitori Bay, tabular and branching corals dominate the mouth and inner parts of the bay, respectively. Coral diversity is the maximum in the intermediate part of the bay, realizing IDH. In Sakiyama Bay, branching and massive corals dominate the reef edge and the coast sides of the bay’s intermediate part, respectively. Coral diversity is the maximum in the reef edge part of the bay, and IDH is not realized. The difference in the soil inflow and the geographical characteristics between both bays significantly influences the coral distribution and diversity between both bays.
Tiltable objective microscope visualizes discrimination of static and dynamic head movement originates at hair cells
Authors: Tanimoto Masashi , Watakabe Ikuko , Higashijima Shin-ichi 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Spatio-temporal information on head orientation and movement is fundamental to the sense of balance and motion. Hair cells (HCs) in otolith organs of the vestibular system transduce linear acceleration, including head tilt and vibration. Here, we build a tiltable objective microscope in which an objective lens and specimen tilt together. In vivo Ca2+ imaging of all utricular HCs and ganglion neurons during 360° static tilt and vibration in pitch and roll axes visualizes the direction- and modality-selective topographic responses in larval zebrafish. We find that head vibration is preferentially received by HCs in a specific region whereas static tilt is preferentially transduced by HCs in the outside region. Spatially ordered direction preference in HCs is consistent with hair-bundle polarity, and is preserved in ganglion neurons through topographic innervation. Together, these results demonstrate that the discrimination of different direction and temporal modalities of head orientation and movement originates at HCs.
A micro-video recommendation system incorporating social connections
Authors: Fang Ting , Wen Bin , Li Yichun , Song Kai , Lin Xiao 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
With the increasing number of micro-video community applications, social media platforms have started to attract more people through their built-in micro-video features. More and more people like to record and share their favorite people or events through micro-videos. The content of micro-videos is very diverse. If we can accurately obtain the preferred character of each user and the degree of preference for that character, we can be considered as being able to obtain the user’s preference more accurately. Therefore, it is necessary to study and implement a micro-video recommendation system. Currently, video-oriented recommendation algorithms mostly start from the following parts: user rating, video text description, video content, etc. The recommendation algorithm that starts with user ratings is similar to the recommendation algorithm of ordinary e-commerce platforms. Most of them will first ask users to rate the videos they have watched, and then find other users who also rate these videos and whose scores are closer to those of the target user, as the nearest neighbors of the target user, so as to obtain the user-item similarity matrix. The research goal of this paper is to design and implement a micro-video recommendation system that integrates social relationships in order to solve the current problem of micro-video information overload on social platforms, which makes it difficult for users to find videos that meet their preferences. We can get users’ preferences for video content by recognizing their portraits and their weights, and get their nearest neighbors and making video recommendations by improving the social relationship similarity, familiarity, and interest similarity between users. And through several experiments and a series of comparative experiments, it was confirmed that the algorithm has an advantage in the recommendation accuracy rate of the algorithm has some advantages.
New insights into the anomaly genesis of frequency selection method: supported by numerical modeling and case studies
Authors: Yang Tian Chun , Gao Qiang Shan , Li Hao , Fu Guo Hong , Hussain Yawar 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The frequency selection method (FSM) is the further development of audio frequency telluric electricity method (TEFM), however there are still ongoing debates on the involving mechanisms leading to anomaly genesis. Therefore, the present study intends to explore this using 2D forward modeling of magnetotelluric (MT) sounding, and practical applications of FSM on three Chinese case studies in karst and granitic settings. In the first stage, the profile curves and pseudo-section of apparent resistivity (ρs) and horizontal electric field component (Ey) in Transverse Magnetic field (TM) mode are obtained by forward calculation. As a result, the static shift in ρs is observed over the near-surface inhomogeneities, as documented in literature. Additionally, the profile curves of Ey showed an obvious static shift in the rectangular coordinate system (i.e., the curve rises with the increase in frequency) which is a well-known phenomenon. The pseudo-sections of Ey also showed static shift characteristics at the horizontal position above the anomaly, referred to as "noodles phenomenon". The FSM results obtained from case studies related to the groundwater and low resistivity clay-filled karst body identification. The △V section curves and pseudo-section showed a significant low potential, and a "noodles phenomenon" respectively, above the low resistive anomalous body. These abnormal characteristics of △V are the basis for delineating the horizontal position of groundwater aquifer applying FSM. It is concluded that the anomaly of FSM is the reflection of the static shift in MT and hence, the FSM can be categorized as a "static shift method". Therefore, this inspired us that the static shift feature of surface Ey component can be utilized to explore near-surface geological bodies such as clay-filled or water-filled cavities.
Peripheral metabolites of the kynurenine pathway are decreased in serious mental illness and show phase-specific differences in bipolar disorder patients
Authors: Brum Murielle , Nieberler Matthias , Kehrwald Christopher , Knopf Katrin , Brunkhorst-Kanaan Nathalie , Etyemez Semra , Allers Kelly A , Bittner Robert A. , Slattery David A. , McNeill Rhiannon V. , Reif Andreas , Kittel-Schneider Sarah 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Background
Previous studies have linked disturbances in the kynurenine pathway, responsible for the main catabolism of tryptophan and a key regulator of the immune system, to mental disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD) or schizophrenia (SCZ). However, the relationship between tryptophan catabolism and the presentation of psychiatric disorders seems to be rather complex, as up to now results have mostly been inconsistent or even contradictory. In this study, we measured plasma levels of tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs: tryptophan, kynurenine, kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid) in a sample of in total 175 participants consisting of individuals suffering from an acute disease episode seeking inpatient treatment as well as healthy controls (HC) to investigate whether individual metabolites could serve as a biomarker for differential diagnosis.
Results
Significantly decreased levels of tryptophan, kynurenine, kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid were found in the patient group as a whole. This was mainly driven by the difference between BD patients and HC. Specifically, the manic symptom domain in manic and mixed phase BD patients displayed significantly lower kynurenine and kynurenic acid levels. We could not find significant differences between the psychiatric disorders disqualifying TRYCATs as biomarkers for differential diagnosis. None of the assessed potential demographic or pharmaceutical confounding factors revealed a significant correlation to TRYCAT concentrations. Upon reaching (partial) remission, the changes in TRYCAT levels partially normalized in the patient group.
Conclusions
Our data suggests an involvement of the kynurenine pathway in mental disorders, especially BD. Although we cannot prove a causal relationship, underlying mechanisms might include pro-inflammatory states in the central nervous system and/or increased neurotoxicity contributing to the immune assault. Also considering the manifold, but inconsistent previous analyses regarding TRYCAT concentrations in psychiatric disease, larger, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies will be needed for detangling the mystery about the role the tryptophan catabolism plays in the pathophysiology of mental disorders and for answering the burning question if it might constitute a possible therapeutic target in the future.
Blockchain Based Framework for COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery using Smart Contracts
Authors: Rai Srinidhi , B Shamantha Rai , P. Rithesh Pakkala , Rai Prakhyath 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
A blockchain is a continuously expanding list of documents known as blocks that are connected together via cryptography. A smart contract is a computer program that executes itself in accordance with the terms of a contract. In Traditional vaccine delivery systems, vaccine delivery information is not visible to all the supply chain entities, thereby prone to data tampering. Thus, transparency is the biggest concern in this system. In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid launch of a vaccine and the implementation of a worldwide vaccination campaign is crucial, but their success depends on the availability of an operable and transparent distribution chain that all necessary stakeholders can assess. In the proposed work, we show how blockchain technology may be used to enable transparent tracing of COVID-19 vaccination registration, storage, and distribution and self-reporting of side effects by constructing a prototype using smart contracts.
Clinical and functional characteristics of pseudophakic myopia in children after congenital cataract extraction in infancy
Authors: Katargina L. A. , Kruglova T. B. , Mamykina A. S. , Egiyan N. S. , Arestova N. N. 
Published: July 2022

One of the serious challenges facing surgeons after congenital cataract extraction with IOL implantation in infancy is unplanned refractive results revealed in the long-term period, including the cases of myopia higher than 3.0 D in approximately 50 %. Purpose. The study aimed to evaluate the clinical and functional condition of the eyes in children with moderate to high myopia. Material and methods. Our study included a total of 33 patients (61 eyes) with pseudophakia, of which 16 (26 eyes) developed moderate (12 eyes) or high (14 eyes) myopia at the age of 5 to 15 years. Parameters of the anterior and posterior eye segments were evaluated using Galilei Dual Scheimpflug Analyzer and Optical Coherence Tomography RS-3000 Advance 2, and the axial length using Optical Biometer Al-Scan. Results. The central corneal thickness (CCT) was found considerably above the norm (up to 580 ± 35 pm) in most cases of pseudophakic myopia (72.2 %). Anterior chamber depth in children (4.07 ± 0.39 mm) was equal to that in adults with pseudophakia. Astigmatism and axial length in children with highmyopia significantly exceeded those in children with moderate myopia (3.5 and 1.88 D; 23.57 ± 1.31 and 25.04 ± 1.90 mm, respectively), while choroidal thickness and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were much lower (268 and 181 pm; 0.1 and 0.3, respectively). There were no variations in spherical equivalent between different axial length in high and moderate myopia. Conclusion. Taken together these results suggest that with the increase of astigmatism axial length elongated and high myopia developed in children with pseudophakia. Choroidal thickness declined due this process and may be a cause of poor functional outcome. Sufficient CCT opens possibilities for refractive surgery in those patients to improve visual outcomes.
Mathematical modeling of fluid movement inside the eyeball during intravitreal injection
Authors: Lipatov D. V. , Skladchikov S. A. , Savenkova N. P. , Novoderezkin V. V. , Vysikailo Ph. I. 
Published: July 2022

Intravitreal injections show an avalanche-like growth the world over. Purposes: 1) create a mathematical model of the eyeball and fluid movement inside the eye, assuming the simplified structure of the vitreous body (without tanks); 2) estimate the time span when the drug substance remains in the cavity of the vitreous body until it is completely washed out, depending on the injection site; 3) observe and evaluate the path of drug movement in the vitreous body cavity; 4) evaluate the variation of time when the drug is located in the vitreous body cavity, depending on the presence or absence of complete detachment of the vitreous body. Results. If the drug is injected closer to the center of the eyeball, the time when it is located in the vitreous is increased as compared to parietal injection. With full vitreous body detachment, the location time of the drug increases as compared to its normal location, which favorably affects the prolongation of the therapeutic effect. Conclusion. As this is a pilot study, many parameters are approximate, so the results obtained cannot be mechanically extrapolated to the live human eye subjected to intravitreal injections, due to the complexity of the processes occurring in eyeball.