bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cis‐regulation of antisense non‐coding RNA at the JAZF1 locus in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ding Qiuju , Zhao Weiwei , Long Jirong , Alsafar Habiba , Zhou Qing , Chen Huimei 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundSeveral genomic loci of type 2 diabetes (T2D) nominated in genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have been suggested to regulate metabolism in muscle. However, a large portion of the genetic risk and the underlying regulation remain unexplained. The present study aimed to localize the potentially functional regions or genes at juxtaposed with another zinc finger protein 1 (JAZF1) locus and interpret their possible biological mechanisms in the muscle of T2D.MethodsSeven GWAS datasets including 21,897 T2D patients and 32,710 healthy controls of 772 SNPs within JAZF1 locus were meta‐analysed using unconditional logistic regression. The Sherlock and GTEx protal online algorithms were implemented to show the significant colocalizations. Multiple omics data were integrated to predict the potential biological functions of JAZF1‐AS1 in muscle. The cis regulation of JAZF1‐AS1 was analysed using in vitro cloning in Human skeletal muscle cells (HSkMC).ResultsWith a cross‐population meta‐analysis of seven GWAS, we identified a linkage disequilibrium (LD) block within intron 1 of JAZF1 that was significantly associated with T2D (false discovery rate < 0.05). The colocalization analysis showed a significant association between genetically determined expression of JAZF1 in skeletal muscle and T2D with a strong probability of colocalization (PP4 = 75.09%). This region also encodes the upstream regulatory region of the antisense non‐coding RNA JAZF1‐AS1. Expression‐quantitative trait loci analysis detected a regulatory SNP within this LD block, rs864745, which is associated with the expression of JAZF1‐AS1 and JAZF1. With in vitro cloning, we further reported the role of JAZF1‐AS1 in cis‐regulating JAZF1 by directly forming RNA double strands. Downregulation of JAZF1, caused by JAZF1‐AS1 depletion, inhibited the glucose uptake and lipid oxidation in skeletal muscle.ConclusionsThe present study proposes a strategy for identifying a novel T2D gene at the reported locus and generating a model in which polymorphisms at JAZF1 influence T2D risk through antisense‐mediated gene regulation.
The impact of COVID‐19 government responses on remittances in Latin American countries
Authors: Cardozo Silva Adriana R. , Diaz Pavez Luis R. , Martínez‐Zarzoso Inmaculada , Nowak‐Lehmann Felicitas 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWorkers' remittances declined sharply as the COVID‐19 pandemic spread in the first half of 2020, rebounding in the second half. This paper analyses the impact of containment and economic support measures on remittances sent to Latin America during 2019–2020 using a gravity model estimated with the Poisson pseudo‐maximum likelihood estimator (PPML). Results show that containment measures in receiving countries mainly explain the fall in remittance flows, whereas the effect of economic support measures is not robust. Among the traditional explanatory factors, the business cycle and the real exchange rate in receiving countries explain the subsequent recovery of remittances.
MRI‐Based Back Propagation Neural Network Model as a Powerful Tool for Predicting the Response to Induction Chemotherapy in Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Liao Hai , Chen Xiaobo , Lu Shaolu , Jin Guanqiao , Pei Wei , Li Ye , Wei Yunyun , Huang Xia , Wang Chenghuan , Liang Xueli , Bao Huayan , Liu Lidong , Su Danke 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundPretreatment individualized assessment of tumor response to induction chemotherapy (ICT) is a need in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC). Imaging method plays vital role in tumor response assessment. However, powerful imaging method for ICT response prediction in LANPC is insufficient.PurposeTo establish a robust model for predicting response to ICT in LANPC by comparing the performance of back propagation neural network (BPNN) model with logistic regression model.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationA total of 286 LANPC patients were assigned to training (N = 200, 43.8 ± 10.9 years, 152 male) and testing (N = 86, 43.5 ± 11.3 years, 57 male) cohorts.Field Strength/SequenceT2‐weighted imaging, contrast enhanced‐T1‐weighted imaging using fast spin echo sequences at 1.5 T scanner.AssessmentPredictive clinical factors were selected by univariate and multivariate logistic models. Radiomic features were screened by interclass correlation coefficient, single‐factor analysis, and the least absolute shrinkage selection operator (LASSO). Four models based on clinical factors (Modelclinic), radiomics features (Modelradiomics), and clinical factors + radiomics signatures using logistic (Modelcombined), and BPNN (ModelBPNN) methods were established, and model performances were compared.Statistical TestsStudent's t‐test, Mann–Whitney U‐test, and Chi‐square test or Fisher's exact test were used for comparison analysis. The performance of models was assessed by area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) and Delong test. P < 0.05 was considered statistical significance.ResultsThree significant clinical factors: Epstein–Barr virus‐DNA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.748; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.969–3.171), sex (OR = 2.883; 95% CI, 1.364–6.745), and T stage (OR = 1.853; 95% CI, 1.201–3.052) were identified via univariate and multivariate logistic models. Twenty‐four radiomics features were associated with treatment response. ModelBPNN demonstrated the highest performance among Modelcombined, Modelradiomics, and Modelclinic (AUC of training cohort: 0.917 vs. 0.808 vs. 0.795 vs. 0.707; testing cohort: 0.897 vs. 0.755 vs. 0.698 vs. 0.695).ConclusionA machine‐learning approach using BPNN showed better ability than logistic regression model to predict tumor response to ICT in LANPC.Evidence Level3Technical EfficacyStage 2
Are northern bobwhites an umbrella species for open‐land birds in Ohio?
Authors: Rosenblatt Connor J. , Matthews Stephen N. , Gates Robert J. , Peterman William E. , Shumar Matthew B. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBirds that inhabit open lands such as grasslands and shrublands are rapidly declining across North America. A common practice for multi‐species management is to focus on umbrella species whose habitat requirements overlap with several other species. We evaluated whether the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; bobwhite) could serve as an umbrella species for open‐land birds in Ohio, USA. We related landscape metrics to abundance patterns and assessed whether bobwhite occupancy positively predicts presence of open‐land birds. We combined bird survey data from the second Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas (2006–2011) with land cover data from the 2011 National Land Cover Database (Homer et al. 2015) to construct single‐season N‐mixture models to identify landscape metrics that influence bobwhite abundance. Bobwhite abundance was positively predicted by forest cohesion, percent agriculture, percent barren, and percent grassland. Of the 34 focal species, bobwhites were a significant positive predictor for 12, and a significant negative predictor for 10. The model with only bobwhite occupancy probability as a predictor was the best supported model for only willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii). These results suggest that bobwhite land cover type requirements are too specialized to meet the needs of broader species guilds, instead affording protection for a narrower range of individual species that share specific habitat requirements with bobwhites. Management for bobwhites may still be able to promote co‐occurrence for declining species across multiple guilds by identifying locations where focused management can create more suitable conditions for species with positive co‐occurrence.
Spatio‐temporal occurrence and sensitivity to livestock husbandry of Pallas's cat in the Mongolian Altai
Authors: Greco Ilaria , Oberosler Valentina , Monti Ibra Edoardo , Augugliaro Claudio , Barashkova Anna , Rovero Francesco 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBiased research and conservation efforts result in some faunal groups (e.g., small felids) being understudied, and hence these groups are often declining without adequate knowledge to manage for threat reduction. The Pallas's cat (Otocolobus manul) occurs across central and western Asia with declining populations and the largest population is likely in Mongolia. A potential threat to this felid is livestock encroachment across its range, including within protected areas, yet we lack a clear understanding of the impact of livestock husbandry on this cat. We used motion‐sensitive camera data from 216 sites in 4 study areas in western Mongolia to study the occurrence probability of Pallas's cat in relation to habitat characteristics and occurrence of livestock, and conducted a local assessment within a strictly protected area where we obtained the highest number of detections. We estimated a relatively low occupancy (0.33 ± 0.10), which is associated with sites with natural vegetation, steeper slopes, and greater prey abundance. Occupancy also increased with increasing livestock occurrence, particularly large herds of sheep and goats. Such co‐occurrence was partially adjusted by diel activity segregation, presumably to limit direct encounters. Our results suggest that the preferred habitat by Pallas's cat in the study region coincides with areas encroached by livestock. The Pallas's cat's habitat is specialized and its dependence on areas that are increasingly used for grazing may eventually threaten the cat with habitat degradation, prey depletion, predation by dogs, and poisoning from pest control. Relevant conservation actions should regulate livestock encroachment within protected areas and improve grazing regimes. The Pallas's cat is an indicator species of mountainous and steppe ecosystems in central Asia; hence, further research towards the preservation of its populations would also benefit other key species across its range.
MoS2@PDA@Ag/PVA Hybrid Hydrogel with Excellent Light‐Responsive Antibacterial Activity and Enhanced Mechanical Properties for Wound Dressing
Authors: Yan Pengfei , Li Mengya , Liu Jie , Hu Yadi , Tang Keyong 
Published: December 2021

AbstractHydrogel is an ideal wound dressing material because of its 3D network structure, which is similar to that of the extracellular matrix. However, it is a challenge to design antibiotic‐free hydrogels with both antibacterial activity and enhanced mechanical strength. In this study, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hybrid hydrogel incorporated with molybdenum disulfide@polydopamine@silver (MoS2@PDA@Ag) is prepared for rapid killing of bacteria under irradiation with near‐infrared (NIR) light. The interpenetration of MoS2‐based nanoparticles and PVA molecular chain significantly improves the mechanical property of the hydrogel. The hydrogels demonstrate an excellent photothermal effect and antibacterial activity, and the photocatalytic properties are considerably enhanced by Ag doping. The hydrogel exhibits favorable antibacterial activity after irradiation with 808 nm NIR light for 15 min due to the synergistic effect of reactive oxygen species and hyperthermia. Meanwhile, in vitro 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay further demonstrated that all hydrogels are nontoxic when their effects are examined against mouse fibroblasts (L929) cells. In addition, the MoS2@PDA@Ag/PVA hydrogel can promote wound healing compared with the pure PVA hydrogel, demonstrating its significant potential in mitigating bacterial infection of wounds.
Study of effective permittivity and loss reduction of SISL using ring resonator
Authors: Liu Zhiyi , Ma Kaixue , Yan Ningning 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA ring resonator used to study the effective permittivity and the loss of substrate integrated suspended line (SISL) is presented in this article. The effective permittivity is obtained by calculating resonant frequency and the relative value of loss is calculated by comparing unloaded quality factor (Q factor). For the four cases of uniform ring resonators, their S‐parameter, effective permittivity, unloaded Q factors are simulated, measured and investigated. The effect caused by the height of air cavity, the material of dielectric substrate, dielectric loss tangent is also investigated. Finally, the calculated results indicate that the effective permittivity of SISL structure at operating frequency is very closed to 1, which manifests that within a certain substrate‐material range the relative permittivity of substrate has little influence on SISL platform that is instructive for SISL circuits design. And the use of metalized via‐hole connection with dielectric removal can reduce the circuit loss dramatically.
Simultaneous 3D acquisition of1H MRF and23Na MRI
Authors: Yu Zidan , Hodono Shota , Dergachyova Olga , Hilbert Tom , Wang Bili , Zhang Bei , Brown Ryan , Sodickson Daniel K. , Madelin Guillaume , Cloos Martijn A. 
Published: December 2021

PurposeTo develop a 3D MR technique to simultaneously acquire proton multiparametric maps (T1, T2, and proton density) and sodium density weighted images over the whole brain.MethodsWe implemented a 3D stack‐of‐stars MR pulse sequence which consists of interleaved proton (1H) and sodium (23Na) excitations, tailored slice encoding gradients that can encode the same slice for both nuclei, and simultaneous readout with different radial trajectories (1H, full‐radial;23Na, center‐out radial). The receive chain of our 7T scanner was modified to enable simultaneous acquisition of1H and23Na signal. A heuristically optimized flip angle train was implemented for proton MR fingerprinting (MRF). The SNR and the accuracy of proton T1and T2were evaluated in phantoms. Finally, in vivo application of the method was demonstrated in five healthy subjects.ResultsThe SNR for the simultaneous measurement was almost identical to that for the single‐nucleus measurements (<2% change). The proton T1and T2maps remained similar to the results from a reference 2D MRF technique (normalized RMS error in T1≈ 4.2% and T2≈ 11.3%). Measurements in healthy subjects corroborated these results and demonstrated the feasibility of our method for in vivo application. The in vivo T1values measured using our method were lower than the results measured by other conventional techniques.ConclusionsWith the 3D simultaneous implementation, we were able to acquire sodium and proton density weighted images in addition to proton T1, T2, andfrom1H MRF that covers the whole brain volume within 21 min.
Multi‐band echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging of hyperpolarized 13C probes in a compact preclinical PET/MR scanner
Authors: von Morze Cornelius , Blazey Tyler , Baeza Richard , Garipov Ruslan , Whitehead Timothy , Reed Galen D. , Garbow Joel R. , Shoghi Kooresh I. 
Published: December 2021

PurposeHyperpolarized (HP) 13C MRI has enabled real‐time imaging of specific enzyme‐catalyzed metabolic reactions, but advanced pulse sequences are necessary to capture the dynamic, localized metabolic information. Herein we describe the design, implementation, and testing of a rapid and efficient HP 13C pulse sequence strategy on a cryogen‐free simultaneous positron emission tomography/MR molecular imaging platform with compact footprint.MethodsWe developed an echo planar spectroscopic imaging pulse sequence incorporating multi‐band spectral–spatial radiofrequency (SSRF) pulses for spatially coregistered excitation of 13C metabolites with differential individual flip angles. Excitation profiles were measured in phantoms, and the SSRF‐echo planar spectroscopic imaging sequence was tested in rats in vivo and compared to conventional echo planar spectroscopic imaging. The new sequence was applied for 2D dynamic metabolic imaging of HP [1‐13C]pyruvate and its molecular analog [1‐13C]‐ketobutyrate at a spatial resolution of 5 mm × 5 mm × 20 mm and temporal resolution of 4 s. We also obtained simultaneous 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography data for comparison with HP [1‐13C]pyruvate data acquired during the same scan session.ResultsMeasured SSRF excitation profiles corresponded well to Bloch simulations. Multi‐band SSRF excitation facilitated efficient sampling of the multi‐spectral kinetics of [1‐13C]pyruvate and [1‐13C]‐. Whereas high pyruvate to lactate conversion was observed in liver, corresponding reduction of ‐ketobutyrate to [1‐13C]‐hydroxybutyrate (HB) was largely restricted to the kidneys and heart, consistent with the known expression pattern of lactate dehydrogenase B.ConclusionAdvanced 13C SSRF imaging approaches are feasible on our compact positron emission tomography/MR platform, maximizing the potential of HP 13C technology and facilitating direct comparison with positron emission tomography.
A probabilistic proof of the Perron–Frobenius theorem
Authors: Glynn Peter W. , Desai Paritosh Y. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe Perron–Frobenius theorem plays an important role in many areas of management science and operations research. This article provides a probabilistic perspective on the theorem, by discussing a proof that exploits a probabilistic representation of the Perron–Frobenius eigenvalue and eigenvectors in terms of the dynamics of a Markov chain. The proof recovers conditions in both the finite‐dimensional and infinite‐dimensional settings under which the Perron–Frobenius eigenvalue and eigenvectors have been shown to exist by other methods. In addition to providing new insights, the probabilistic representations that arise can be used to produce a Monte–Carlo algorithm for computing the Perron–Frobenius eigenvalue and eigenvectors that will be explored elsewhere.
Family bonding as a result of the family talk intervention in pediatric oncology: Siblings’ experiences
Authors: Ivéus Kerstin , Eklund Rakel , Kreicbergs Ulrika , Lövgren Malin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundChildhood cancer affects the whole family. Illness‐related stressors increase the risk for poor family communication, affecting the family's well‐being. Siblings describe worry and poor illness‐related information. As there are few evaluated family interventions in pediatric oncology, this study aimed to pilot‐test a family‐centered intervention, the family talk intervention (FTI), in pediatric oncology. This paper examined the feasibility in terms of acceptability from the siblings’ perspectives.MethodsThis study derives from a pilot study of 26 families including 37 siblings recruited from one pediatric oncology center. Standard FTI comprises six meetings with the family, led by two interventionists, with the main goal to facilitate family communication on illness‐related topics (e.g., prognosis, the invisibility of healthy siblings). This paper focuses on interview and survey data from siblings after participation in FTI. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT03650530).ResultsThe siblings, aged 6 to 24 years, stated that the interventionists made the meetings feel like a safe environment and that it was a relief for the siblings to talk. They reported that FTI helped the family talk openly about illness‐related topics, which they felt led to increased family understanding and improved relationships. The siblings described that FTI also helped them with their school situation. The majority of the siblings reported that FTI came at the right time and involved an appropriate number of meetings.ConclusionAccording to the siblings, the timing, content, and structure of FTI were appropriate. FTI showed benefits for both the siblings and each family as a whole.
Neurocognitive functioning in preschool children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Heitzer Andrew M. , Cohen Diana L. , Okhomina Victoria I. , Trpchevska Ana , Potter Brian , Longoria Jennifer , Porter Jerlym S. , Estepp Jeremie H. , King Allison , Henley Misham , Kang Guolian , Hankins Jane S. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundChildren with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience neurodevelopmental delays; however, there is limited research with preschool‐age children. This study examined neurocognitive risk and protective factors in preschoolers with SCD.ProcedureSixty‐two patients with SCD (60% HbSS/HbSβ0‐thalassemia; 40% HbSC/HbSβ+‐thalassemia) between the ages of 3 and 6 years (mean = 4.77 years) received a neuropsychological evaluation as routine systematic surveillance. Patients were not selected for disease severity, prior central nervous system findings, or existing cognitive concerns. Thirty‐four patients (82% HbSS/HbSβ0‐thalassemia) were prescribed hydroxyurea (HU) at the time of their neuropsychological evaluation. On average, these patients had been prescribed HU at 2.15 (standard deviation = 1.45) years of age. The average dose was 28.8 mg/kg/day. Besides genotype, there were no group differences in medical or demographic factors based on HU treatment status.ResultsPatients with HbSS/HbSβ0‐thalassemia scored below normative expectations on measures of intelligence, verbal comprehension, and school readiness (false discovery rate‐adjusted p‐value [pFDR] < .05). Age, sickle genotype, and HU treatment exposure were not associated with measured neurocognitive outcomes (pFDR > .05). Greater social vulnerability at the community level was associated with poorer performance on measures of intellectual functioning, verbal comprehension, visuomotor control, and school readiness, as well as parent report of executive dysfunction (pFDR < .05). Greater household socioeconomic status was positively associated with academic readiness.ConclusionsPreschoolers with severe SCD (HbSS/HbSβ0‐thalassemia) perform below age expectations on measures of intelligence and academic readiness. Sociodemographic factors were stronger drivers of neurocognitive performance than disease severity or disease‐modifying treatment. Neurodevelopmental interventions targeting the home and broader community environment are needed.
Perioperative risk factors for long‐term intelligence in children with postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome after medulloblastoma surgery
Authors: Aarsen Femke K. , van Veelen‐Vincent Marie‐Lise C. , Partanen Marita , Catsman‐Berrevoets Coriene E. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectiveApproximately 7%–50% of children with medulloblastoma (MB) develop postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome (pCMS). pCMS has a short‐term negative impact on intelligence, but effects on long‐term outcomes are contradictory. The aim of this study was to assess long‐term effects of pCMS in MB patients on aspects of intelligence quotient (IQ) and its perioperative risk factors.MethodsIn this single‐center retrospective cohort study, 31 children were included (14 pCMS). Perioperative risk factors included brainstem invasion, vermis incision, hydrocephalus, tumor size, severity of pCMS, neurological symptoms, mean body temperature (BT) on days 1–4 post surgery, and age at resection. Age‐appropriate Wechsler Intelligence tests were assessed at least 2 years after tumor resection.ResultsMean interval between tumor resection and neuropsychological evaluation was 3.9 years in pCMS and 4 years and 11 months in the no‐pCMS group. No significant differences in IQ scores were found between groups. The pCMS group had a clinically relevant difference of 10 points when compared to age norms on verbal IQ (VIQ). Bilateral pyramidal and swallowing problems were risk factors for lower performance. In the overall group, tumor size, younger age at surgery, and raised mean BT were negatively correlated with aspects of IQ.ConclusionsWe found a clinically significant reduction of VIQ in the pCMS patient group. pCMS patients with a larger tumor size, younger age at surgery, a higher mean BT in the first days after surgery, bilateral pyramidal symptoms, and swallowing problems 10 days post surgery are more at risk for VIQ deficits at long‐term.