bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic accuracy and clinical usefulness of erythrocyte creatine content to predict the improvement of anaemia in patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis
Authors: Hayashi Ohki , Nakamura Seishi , Sugiura Tetsuro , Hasegawa Shun , Tsuka Yoshiaki , Takahashi Nobuyuki , Kikuchi Sanae , Matsumura Koichiro , Okumiya Toshika , Baden Masato , Shiojima Ichiro 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
The improvement of anaemia over time by eythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) is associated with better survival in haemodialysis patients. We previously reported that erythrocyte creatine, a marker of erythropoietic capacity, was a reliable marker to estimate the effectiveness of ESA. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy and clinical usefulness of erythrocyte creatine content to predict the improvement of anaemia in haemodialysis patients.
Methods
ESA dose was fixed 3 months prior to the enrollment and was maintained throughout the study period. Erythrocyte creatine and haematologic indices were measured at baseline in 92 patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis. Haemoglobin was also measured 3 months after. Improvement of anaemia was defined as ≥ 0.8 g/dL change in haemoglobin from baseline to 3 months.
Results
Erythrocyte creatine was significantly higher in 32 patients with improvement of anaemia compared to 60 patients with no improvement of anaemia (2.47 ± 0.74 vs. 1.57 ± 0.49 µmol/gHb, P = 0.0001). When 10 variables (anaemia at baseline, iron deficiency at baseline, erythrocyte creatine, ESA dose, reticulocyte, haptoglobin, C-reactive protein, intact PTH, serum calcium and albumin) were used in the multivariate logistic analysis, erythrocyte creatine emerged as the most important variable associated with the improvement of anaemia (P = 0.0001). The optimal cut-off point of erythrocyte creatine to detect the improvement of anaemia was 1.78 µmol/gHb (Area under the curve: 0.86). Sensitivity and specificity of erythrocyte creatine to detect the improvement of anaemia were 83.3% and 90.6%.
Conclusion
Erythrocyte creatine content is a reliable marker to predict the improvement of anaemia 3 months ahead in patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis.
“Fatigue of Brain Scale” for the Measurement of Cognitive and Behavioral States in Mental Health Problems: A Scale Development Study
Authors: Adachi Hiroyoshi , Hirai Kei , Harada Eri , Fujino Ryohei , Kobayashi Sayaka , Tanimukai Hitoshi , Tateishi Seiichiro 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
To help workers balance work and personal life while experiencing illness, we developed a self-monitoring assessment tool for workers. We conceptualized " Fatigue of Brain" as a state of dysfunction of the central nervous system, such as decreased brain function and mental health problems, and attempted to measure it in a comprehensive, simple, and quantitative manner. We also developed cutoff points and provided indicators of conditions that would require a recommendation for medical examination.
Methods
We developed the items of the Fatigue of Brain Scale to measure the “Fatigue of Brain” state, and conducted factor analysis, comorbid validity, and retest reliability verification. The first survey (Survey 1) was conducted between February-March 2019, and the second survey (Survey 2) was conducted one month later. Men and women aged 18–64 years, who had experienced a leave of absence due to physical or mental health problems within the past 10 years were included in the survey. A total of 460 participants (211 men and 249 women, mean age 45.64 ± 9.62 years) were recruited for Survey 1, and 334 participants (161 men and 173 women, mean age 46.72 ± 10.11 years) for Survey 2. Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis was then used to examine the optimal cut-off value for this scale.
Results
A clear factor structure was obtained for 20 items consisting of four factors: "decline in role execution function," "social/daily function decline," "lack of sleep," and "maladaptive cognitive and behavioral responses," and sufficient reliability and validity were confirmed. In addition, cut-off values for “mild Fatigue of Brain,” “moderate Fatigue of Brain,” “severe Fatigue of Brain,” and “extreme Fatigue of Brain” were established.
Conclusions
If workers are aware of their current performance status and are able to self-manage their performance better, this would play an important part in trying to maintain good health, improve individual productivity, and contribute to company profits. The usefulness of this scale needs to be further verified by using it in actual workplaces in the future.
Quantitative Phantom-Based Image Quality Analysis of MRI Acoustic Noise Reduction Algorithm Effects
Authors: Leatherday Christopher , Fraser Timothy 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
The impact of proprietary acoustic noise reduction (ANR) algorithms on ghosting, intensity uniformity, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio were quantitatively assessed on 1.5 and 3 Tesla MRI scanners at Fiona Stanley Hospital. T1 weighted images of an MRI phantom were acquired repeatedly over three sessions with all sequence parameters on a given scanner constant except ANR being off or on. Significant differences in paired t-tests were found at 1.5T (p < 0.001) and 3T (p < 0.01) between the ANR on vs off groups for ghosting; intensity uniformity at 1.5T (p < 0.001); and for contrast-to-noise ratio at 1.5T (p < 0.01). ANR can have an impact on image quality; the methods used in this study are easily replicable and could be used to help inform decision making regarding its routine use in the clinic.
Comparison of the incidence of immune thrombocytopenia between adult patients infected with Helicobacter pylori with and without eradication therapy: A retrospective cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Koseki Mitsuhiro , Sheu Ming‑Jen , Tsai Kang-Ting , Ho Chung-Han , Liu Hsiao-Hua , Lin Hung-Jung , Lin Chien-Liang , Huang Chien-Cheng 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication therapy (HPE) is recommended for patients with unexplained immune thrombocytopenia (ITP); however, the role of HPE in preventing ITP in patients with HP infection remains unclear. Therefore, this study was designed to clarify it.
Methods
This study was conducted at a tertiary medical center and included all adult patients with HP infection between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018. We compared the risk of developing ITP between patients with and without HPE. All patients were followed up until December 31, 2020.
Results
After excluding patients with thrombocytopenia, 1,995 adult patients with HP infection, including 1,188 patients with HPE and 807 patients without HPE, were included in this study. The mean age of the patients with HPE was 57.9 years, whereas that of those without HPE was 61.6 years. The percentage of males was 56% in patients with HPE and 59% in those without HPE. Patients without HPE had a higher risk of ITP than those with HPE after adjusting for age, sex, the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and comorbidities (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16 − 2.68). Stratified analyses showed that the higher risk was found only in males (adjusted OR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.03 − 2.80). In addition to HPE, male sex and anemia were independent predictors of ITP in patients with HP infection.
Conclusion
This study showed that adult patients with HP infection not receiving HPE had a higher risk of developing ITP. We suggest that HPE should be considered, particularly in males and those who have anemia, to prevent ITP.
Analyses of the viability of automating the quantum circuit construction of Grover’s Oracle for executing wildcard searches on NISQ processors
Authors: Huang Willie 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Using Grover’s algorithm, this work investigates a technique for encoding search phrases used in wildcard searches. The technique involves creating a phase Oracle that loads data into a quantum circuit together with the search terms that have been encoded. The method entails constructing a phase Oracle programmatically using encoded input information and encoded search terms. By combining Grover’s diffusion operator with the phase Oracle, Hadamard gates, and zero-initialized three-qubit states, a complete quantum circuit is created. Trapped ion and superconducting qubit quantum computers, which were used in the research, were operated numerous times. In order to confirm that the proposed strategy is a workable one for wildcard search, the outputs from both systems were compared with the expected values. The suggested strategy will be useful for a range of wildcard search issues and could speed up the attainment of quantum advantage.
Targeting hepatocyte MagL regulates the progression of colorectal liver metastases during liver ischemia-reperfusion
Authors: Xia Nan , Wang Ziyi , Liu Yue , Li Xiangdong , Zhang Yu , Yu Wenjie , Likalamu Pascalia Wikana , Chen Minhao , Xiao Yuhao , Sun Linfeng , Han Sheng , Shi Yuhua , Pu Liyong 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) commonly metastasizes. The liver is the most frequent site of metastases and dominates the length of survival for this disease. In such cases, surgical resection is usually the first choice of treatment, but postoperative recurrence is very common. To control hemorrhage, liver ischemia-reperfusion (LIR) becomes a common event during hepatic surgery. Many studies show that LIR is one of the most important causes of CRC recurrence after hepatectomy. Monoacylglycerol lipase (MagL) is an enzyme playing an important role in liver metabolism, and it has also been found multiple effects in several hepatic disease models.
Methods
We silenced the expression of MagL in hepatocytes through in vivo transfection reagents. We injected colorectal cancer cells, MC38, into the spleen and then clamped the vascular structures in the left hepatic lobe for 90 minutes to construct an LIR model in the context of colorectal liver metastases. We used a transwell co-culture system to investigate the effect of hepatocyte MagL on the polarization of macrophages and its secondary effect on colon cancer cells in vitro.
Results
We found that LIR significantly promoted MC38 tumor growth in the liver, and targeting hepatocyte MagL reversed this tumor-promoting trend. Further studies revealed that targeting hepatocyte MagL significantly inhibited the M2 polarization of monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) induced by its secondary lipid metabolite prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) after LIR, and liver fibrosis induced by macrophages with reparative phenotypes was simultaneously alleviated. All of these events caused reduced colon cancer cell migration and invasion.
Conclusion
Targeting hepatocyte MagL could disrupt the immune and fibrotic microenvironment which can promote tumor growth, by affecting the phenotypic switch of immune cells to immunosuppression after LIR, thereby alleviating the recurrence of colorectal liver metastases caused by LIR.
Total-mRNA-Aware Analysis for Droplet-Based Single Cell Sequencing
Authors: Lian Qiuyu , Ma Jianzhu , Hua Kui , Rong Ziqi , Cai Jinpu , Jiang Xinzhu , Zhou Jieli , Xu Jiaying , Zhang Zhiyuang , Fan Li , Zou Henry , Huang Xiaoling , Yan Qi , Gu Jin , Zhang Xuegong , Shen Hong-Bin , Marioni John , Chen Kong , Xin Hongyi 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Controlling total mRNA content differences between cell populations is critical in comparative transcriptomic measurements. Due to poor compatibility with ERCC, a good control for droplet-based scRNA-seq is yet to be discovered. Normalizing cells to a common count distribution has been adopted as a silent compromise. Such practice profoundly confounds downstream analysis and mislead discoveries. We present TOMAS, a computational framework that derives total mRNA content ratios between cell populations via deconvoluting their heterotypic doublets. Experiments showed that cell types can have total mRNA differences by many folds and TOMAS can accurately infer the ratios between them. We demonstrate that TOMAS corrects bias in downstream analysis and rectifies a plethora of previously counter-intuitive or inconclusive analytical results. We argue against the opinion that doublets are undesired scale-limiting factors and revealed the unique value of doublets as controls in scRNA-seq. We advocate for their essential role in future large-scale scRNA-seq experiments.
Ssc-miR-221-3p regulates melanin production in Xiang pigs melanocytes by targeting the TYRP1 gene
Authors: Yuan Wei , Qin Hai , Bi Huan , Zhao Depeng , Zhang Yiyu , Chen Wei 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs of endogenous origin that down-regulate gene expression. An increasing number of studies have confirmed that miRNAs play an important role in mammalian hair color production, and the TYRP1 gene, a member of the tyrosine family, is also an important candidate gene affecting melanogenesis. The aim of this study was to screen genes and miRNAs that affect melanin in Xiang pigs by transcriptome sequencing, and to validate through experiments whether the screened genes and miRNAs have a targeted regulatory relationship with each other and whether they can jointly affect melanin production in Xiang pigs.
Results: 17 miRNAs and 1230 genes were significantly differentially expressed in the black and white skin tissues of Xiang pigs（P< 0.05）, based on which the candidate miRNA-221-3p for melanin formation and its target gene TYRP1 were screened. TYRP1 gene, as a member of the TYR gene family, was evolved from the TYR gene through chromosome segmental duplication, and the gene function was highly conserved throughout the evolutionary process. overexpression of TYRP1 gene significantly increased the expression of TYR, TYRP1 and DCT genes（P< 0.01）, which in turn increased the relative content of melanin, and TYRP1-siRNA significantly decreased the expression of TYR, TYRP1, and DCT genes in Xiang pig melanocytes（P< 0.01）, which in turn decreased the relative melanin content. Validation of the targeted binding relationship between ssc-miR-221-3p and TYRP1 gene, after transfection of porcine melanocytes with ssc-miR-221-3p mimic, the expression of ssc-miR-221-3p was significantly up-regulated（P < 0.01）, TYR, TYRP1, and DCT genes were significantly down-regulated at both mRNA and protein levels（P< 0.01）, and melanin content in cells was significantly reduced（P < 0.01）.
Conclusion: The TYRP1 gene can affect melanogenesis in melanocytes of the Xiang pigs, and ssc-miR-221-3p targets the TYRP1 gene to affect melanogenesis in melanocytes of the Xiang pigs.
Older age, internal carotid artery stenosis, and female sex as factors correlated with twisted carotid bifurcation based on 457 angiographic studies and a literature review
Authors: Tokugawa Joji , Kudo Kentaro , Mitsuhashi Takumi , Mitsuhashi Takashi , Hishii Makoto 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Twisted carotid bifurcation (TCB) is a well-known anatomical variation of the carotid bifurcation in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. However, few investigations of TCB have focused on patients without internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. This study was performed to analyze the characteristics of TCB in patients with ICA stenosis and other diverse pathologies. All conventional cerebral angiographies performed in our institute for any reason from January 2012 to December 2018 were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups, the TCB group and the anatomically normal non-TCB group, and the basic characteristics of the groups were analyzed. Both sides of the carotid bifurcation were clearly visualized in 457 patients. TCB was found in 89 of 457 patients (19.5%); among these 89 patients, 74 (83.1%) had TCB only on the right side, 8 (9.0%) only on the left side, and 7 (7.9%) bilaterally. TCB was found more frequently on the right than left [81 (17.7%) and 15 (3.3%), respectively, on each of the 457 sides (p < 0.0001)]. TCB was significantly more frequent in older patients (p = 0.02), female patients (p < 0.001), and patients with ICA stenosis or occlusion at the bifurcation (p = 0.005). The prevalence of TCB was 19.5%, and 84.4% of cases were on the right side in patients with diverse pathologies. In conclusion, older patients, female patients, and patients with ICA stenosis or occlusion are more prone to have TCB.
Seismic Loss Assessment of Residential Buildings in Karaj, Iran, By Considering Near-Source Effects Using Stochastic Finite-Fault Approach
Authors: Kheirkhah Nazila , Firuzi Erfan , Kalantari Mohsen , Alikhanzadeh Reza 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
This study provides the results of a study conducted to evaluate the seismic loss of residential buildings in Karaj, Iran, caused by the rupture of North Tehran Fault (7.1 Mw). One of the main concerns of seismic risk assessment in Karaj is proper considering the near-source effects of the NTF fault, which passes through the city. In the present study, the finite-fault approach with dynamic corner frequency was first employed to simulate the acceleration time histories. This is an appropriate approach to take into account the source, path effects, directivity and site condition on seismic waves. The results of seismic hazard showed that the PGA values vary between 0.15 to 0.55g, with maximum values nearby the NTF fault. Afterwards, a high-quality database of residential buildings consists of 26 building types was compiled. A set of compatible vulnerability curves were also employed. The results indicated that the loss ratio, defined as the ratio of the loss to the total exposed economic value, for the whole of Karaj is about 18.2%±5.3. The northern parts of the city, which are close to the NTF fault, are the most vulnerable. A disaggregation analysis was also performed to identify the most vulnerable building types. The results showed that the adobe and low-quality masonry buildings contribute the most to loss. The findings from this study can be used by local authorities and managers to provide appropriate emergency and risk reduction plans in Karaj in the case of the NTF fault seismic scenario.
Clinical Characteristics and Molecular Aetiology of Cytochrome P450 Oxidoreductase Deficiency Diagnosed in 46 XX Patients
Authors: Zhang Duoduo , Yao Fengxia , Luo Min , Deng Shan , Tian Qinjie 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background
P450 oxidoreductase deficiency (PORD) affects cytochrome enzyme activities, causing various symptoms, such as adrenal insufficiency, disorders of sex development and skeletal malformations. This study aims to elucidate the clinical manifestations, genotype characteristics, diagnosis and management of 46 XX karyotype patients with PORD in China.
Method
The patients’ clinical characteristics were summarized based on manifestations, hormone profiles, and responses to treatments. Seven patients aged between 11 and 19 years were included in the series from 2004 to 2022 in a tertiary medical centre.
Result
All patients presented ovarian multilocular cysts and different manifestations of skeletal malformation. Patients after puberty all suffered from abnormal menses. Five patients’ external genitalia exhibited virilizing patterns, and three had received perineoplasty. The hormone analyses of six patients indicated hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, while all patients’ progesterone and deoxycorticosterone levels were elevated. The most frequent POR mutation, c.1370G > A, is located on exon 11 and appears in all seven patients with an allele frequency of 92.9% (13/14). One case was a carrier of a novel variance (c.1684dupG), situated within exon 14, encoding a nonsense mutation in the NADPH binding area.
Conclusion
Therefore, c.1370G > A could be a dominant mutation type of PORD in China. Female patients with PORD have a vulnerable ovarian reserve, and their ovarian macrocysts can be managed conservatively for fertility preservation. This study specifically focuses on PORD in 46 XX Chinese individuals, which implies its genetic causes with novel genetic findings and summarizes patients’ puzzling spectrum of clinical manifestations.
Characterization of permanent deformation properties of densely-compacted unbound granular materials subjected to cyclic loading
Authors: LIU Gang , ZHAO Mingzhi , LUO Qiang , LU Rui 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
To investigate the long-term deformation properties of unbound granular materials (UGM) that are ordinarily adopted to construct subgrade bed for high-speed railway, a series of medium-sized cyclic triaxial tests were performed to obtain the relationship between permanent strain and loading cycles under different cyclic stress levels. Moreover, DEM analysis was conducted for the samples to reveal the deformation mechanism and verify the strain developing tendency. It is found that the UGM samples present different long-term deformation properties under different cyclic stress levels. As cyclic stress increases, the permanent strain of UGM sample transfers from rapid stabilization to tardy stabilization, then to tardy failure and finally to rapid failure. Furthermore, the power in a negative-power function was selected as the critical indicator of deformation developing tendency. With the power obtained precisely in accordance with the strain rate, the deformation tendency can be analyzed quantitatively. Finally, the characteristics of interparticle force chains induced by different cyclic stress levels were obtained by DEM analysis, which provides evidences for the classification of long-term deformation properties of UGM samples. The achievements have guiding significance for the subgrade design of both ballasted and unballasted high-speed railway.
Epidemiology, antifungal susceptibility, risk factors, and mortality of persistent candidemia in adult patients in China: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Li Yanping , Gu Chenghong , Yang Yuling , Ding Yinhuan , Ye Caihong , Liu Jinbo , Zeng Zhangrui 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background: Data on persistent candidemia (PC), a recognized complication of candidemia, are lacking in China. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for the mortality of PC among adults in China.
Methods: This 6-year retrospective study analyzed the prevalence, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility, risk factors, and patient mortality of PC among adults in three regional tertiary teaching hospitals in China from 2016 to 2021. PC was defined as the isolation of the same Candida species from positive blood culture for ≥5 days following the initiation of antifungal therapy.
Results: The definition of PC was fulfilled by 36 patients (13.7%, 36/263). The mean age of the patients was 59.9 years (60 years for patients with PC; 59.8 years for those with non-PC; P > 0.05), and 131 (60.1%) were men [16 with PC (44.4%), 115 with non-PC (63.2%), P < 0.05]. The mean annual incidence was 0.15/1000 admissions (including PC 0.03/1000 admissions vs non-PC 0.12/1000 admissions, P < 0.05). Candida parapsilosis(14/36, 38.9%) and Candida albicans (81/182, 44.5%) were the predominant pathogens in patients with PC and non-PC, respectively. Most isolates were susceptible to flucytosine (99.0%) and amphotericin B (99.5%), and the activity of antifungal agents against Candida species was not statistically significantly different between patients with PC and non-PC (P> 0.05). The 30-day mortality rate was 20.2% (16.7% with PC vs 20.9% with non-PC, P > 0.05). Multivariable regression analysis showed that use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and fluconazole were independent predictors of PC, sex (male) was the protective factor for PC. Respiratory dysfunction and length of hospital stay were independent predictors of 30-day mortality in patients with non-PC. C. tropicalis bloodstream infection (odds ratio, 12.642; 95% confidence interval, 1.059–150.951; P = 0.045) was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality in patients with PC.
Conclusions: The epidemiological data of patients with PC and non-PC were different in the distribution of Candida species, the mean annual incidence, and independent predictors of 30-day mortality. Flucytosine and amphotericin B could be used as first-choice drugs in the presence of PC infections.