bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Benchmarking Marine Energy Technologies Through LCA: Offshore Floating Wind Farms in the Mediterranean
Authors: Pulselli Riccardo Maria , Maccanti Matteo , Bruno Morena , Sabbetta Alessio , Neri Elena , Patrizi Nicoletta , Bastianoni Simone 
Published: June 2022

Floating wind turbines are a valid option for offshore wind farms in the Mediterranean, where the sea-floor falls off rapidly with distance from the coastline. The present study concerns a Life Cycle Assessment of the environmental performance of two types of floating wind turbine. Greenhouse gas emissions of two standard models (raft-buoy and spar-buoy, 154 m rotor diameter, 6 MW installed power) were estimated in terms of Global Warming Potential (t CO2eq) with the aim of determining a benchmark for evaluating the performance of similar offshore wind farms. Thus, the aim of the paper was to create a benchmark for the design of innovative technologies, such as those developed by specialist companies, and to verify the validity of new designs and technologies in terms of avoided greenhouse gas emissions. The results show that the Carbon Intensity of Electricity of a single floating wind turbine varies in the range 26–79 g CO2eq·kWh−1, averaging 49 g CO2eq·kWh−1, in line with other studies of offshore wind turbines and other renewable energy sources (such as onshore wind and photovoltaic). Extension of our study to the whole life cycle, including manufacturing, assembly and installation, maintenance and material replacement and a hypothetical decommissioning and end-of-life, showed that wind farms are among the most promising marine renewable energy technologies for the Mediterranean.
Total Nitrogen Stock in Soil Profile Affected by Land Use and Soil Type in Three Counties of Mollisols
Authors: Li Meng , Han Xiaozeng , Li Lu-Jun 
Published: June 2022

Soil total nitrogen is the major indicator of soil fertility and quality in agricultural ecosystems. However, few comparative studies investigated the spatial patterns of soil total nitrogen density (STND) in deep soils of different land uses and soil types. Therefore, our study aimed to identify the influence of environmental factors on spatial variability in STND by comparing the STND spatial patterns of different land uses and soil types in a typical Mollisols in northeast China. Results showed that land use types did not significantly affect STND, but the soil types did. The STND was more heterogeneous above 60 cm than that in subsoil, and no significant changes in STND were found in the same land use or soil type. The STND had a significant correlation with SOC, soil BD and pH regardless of land use or soil type. The STND in the soil profile (100 cm) and top 20 cm was fitted using a mathematical model. The results provided insights into nitrogen cycle and stock in similar areas in northeast China.
Analysis of Competitive Endogenous Mechanism and Survival Prognosis of Serum Exosomes in Ovarian Cancer Patients Based on Sequencing Technology and Bioinformatics
Authors: Li Xia , Wang Yurong , Xu Chunju , Reheman Xirenguli , Wang Yuxi , Xu Rong , Fan Jiahui , Huang Xueying , Long Linna , Yu Siying , Huang He 
Published: June 2022

Background: We determined the competitive endogenous in serum exosomes of ovarian cancer patients via sequencing technology and raw signal analysis. We performed an in-depth study of the potential mechanisms of ovarian cancer, predicted potential therapeutic targets and performed survival analysis of the potential targets.Methods: Serum exosomes from three ovarian cancer patients were used as the experimental group, serum exosomes from three patients with uterine fibroids were used as the control group, and whole transcriptome analysis of serum exosomes was performed to identify differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs in ovarian cancer. The miRcode database and miRNA target gene prediction website were used to predict the target genes. Cytoscape software was used to generate a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network of competitive endogenous mechanism of serum exosomes in ovarian cancer, and the R language was used for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of the target genes. Finally, the TCGA website was used to download clinical and expression data related to ovarian cancer, and the common potential target genes obtained previously were analyzed for survival.Results: A total of 117 differentially expressed lncRNAs as well as 513 differentially expressed mRNAs (p &lt; 0.05, |log2 fold change (FC)|≥ 1.0) were obtained by combining sequencing data and raw signal analysis, and 841 predicted target genes were reciprocally mapped by combining the data from the miRcode database and miRNA target gene prediction website, resulting in 11 potential target genes related to ovarian cancer (FGFR3, BMPR1B, TRIM29, FBN2, PAPPA, CCDC58, IGSF3, FBXO10, GPAM, HOXA10, and LHFPL4). Survival analysis of the above 11 target genes revealed that the survival curve was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05) for HOXA10 but not for the other genes. Through enrichment analysis, we found that the above target genes were mainly involved in biological processes such as regulation of transmembrane receptor protein kinase activity, structural molecule activity with elasticity, transforming growth factor-activated receptor activity, and GABA receptor binding and were mainly enriched in signaling pathways regulating stem cell pluripotency, bladder cancer, glycerolipid metabolism, central carbon metabolism of cancer, and tyrosine stimulation to EGFR in signaling pathways such as resistance to enzyme inhibitors.Conclusions: The serum exosomal DIO3OS-hsa-miR-27a-3p-HOXA10 competitive endogenous signaling axis affects ovarian cancer development and disease survival by targeting dysregulated transcriptional pathways in cancer.
Diagnostic and Predictive Values of Ferroptosis-Related Genes in Child Sepsis
Authors: Li Zhi , Zhang Chi , Liu Yiqi , Wang Fang , Zhao Baoling , Yang Junmei , Zhao Yongjing , Zhao Hong , Wang Guiqiang 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundEarly diagnosis of sepsis in children was essential to reducing mortality. This study aimed to explore the value of ferroptosis-related genes in children with sepsis.MethodsWe screened the septic children microarray dataset from the GEO database and analyzed the ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A functional analysis of ferroptosis-related DEGs was performed. The protein–protein interaction network was used to identify hub genes. We explored the immune landscape of sepsis and controls. The value of hub genes in diagnosing sepsis was tested in the training (GSE26440) and validation sets (GSE13904), and ELISA was used to verify their diagnostic value in children with sepsis in our hospital.ResultsA total of 2,103 DEGs in GSE26440 were obtained, of which ferroptosis-related DEGs were 34. Enrichment analysis showed significant enrichment in the ferroptosis and hypoxia pathways (i.e., HIF-1 pathway). The top three genes (HMOX1, MAPK14, TLR4) were selected as hub genes. Immunological analysis suggested that 10 cell types (i.e., CD8/CD4 T cells) were lower in sepsis. Immune checkpoint-related genes CD274 (PD-L1), HAVCR2 (TIM3), and SIGLEC15 were overexpressed in sepsis. The AUROC for the diagnosis of sepsis for HMOX1 and TLR4 ranged from 0.77 to 0.81, while the AUROC of MAPK14 reached 0.935 and 0.941 in the training and validation sets. Serum ELISA results of HMOX1 and TLR4 showed no significant difference in differentiating sepsis. The AUROC of MAPK14 was 0.877. When the diagnostic threshold was 74.852 ng/ml, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.906 and 0.719, respectively.ConclusionFerroptosis-related gene MAPK14 is of considerable value in the early diagnosis of sepsis in children.
Added Value of Reanalysis of Whole Exome- and Whole Genome Sequencing Data From Patients Suspected of Primary Immune Deficiency Using an Extended Gene Panel and Structural Variation Calling
Authors: Mørup Sara Bohnstedt , Nazaryan-Petersen Lusine , Gabrielaite Migle , Reekie Joanne , Marquart Hanne V. , Hartling Hans Jakob , Marvig Rasmus L. , Katzenstein Terese L. , Masmas Tania N. , Lundgren Jens , Murray Daniel D. , Helleberg Marie , Borgwardt Line 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundKnowledge of the genetic variation underlying Primary Immune Deficiency (PID) is increasing. Reanalysis of genome-wide sequencing data from undiagnosed patients with suspected PID may improve the diagnostic rate.MethodsWe included patients monitored at the Department of Infectious Diseases or the Child and Adolescent Department, Rigshospitalet, Denmark, for a suspected PID, who had been analysed previously using a targeted PID gene panel (457 PID-related genes) on whole exome- (WES) or whole genome sequencing (WGS) data. A literature review was performed to extend the PID gene panel used for reanalysis of single nucleotide variation (SNV) and small indels. Structural variant (SV) calling was added on WGS data.ResultsGenetic data from 94 patients (86 adults) including 36 WES and 58 WGS was reanalysed a median of 23 months after the initial analysis. The extended gene panel included 208 additional PID-related genes. Genetic reanalysis led to a small increase in the proportion of patients with new suspicious PID related variants of uncertain significance (VUS). The proportion of patients with a causal genetic diagnosis was constant. In total, five patients (5%, including three WES and two WGS) had a new suspicious PID VUS identified due to reanalysis. Among these, two patients had a variant added due to the expansion of the PID gene panel, and three patients had a variant reclassified to a VUS in a gene included in the initial PID gene panel. The total proportion of patients with PID related VUS, likely pathogenic, and pathogenic variants increased from 43 (46%) to 47 (50%), as one patient had a VUS detected in both initial- and reanalysis. In addition, we detected new suspicious SNVs and SVs of uncertain significance in PID candidate genes with unknown inheritance and/or as heterozygous variants in genes with autosomal recessive inheritance in 8 patients.ConclusionThese data indicate a possible diagnostic gain of reassessing WES/WGS data from patients with suspected PID. Reasons for the possible gain included improved knowledge of genotype-phenotype correlation, expanding the gene panel, and adding SV analyses. Future studies of genotype-phenotype correlations may provide additional knowledge on the impact of the new suspicious VUSs.
Combining Clinical Parameters and Acute Tubular Injury Grading Is Superior in Predicting the Prognosis of Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplantation: A 7-Year Observational Study
Authors: Wang Jiali , Liu Jinqi , Wu Wenrui , Yang Shicong , Liu Longshan , Fu Qian , Li Jun , Chen Xutao , Deng Ronghai , Wu Chenglin , Long Sizhe , Zhang Wujun , Zhang Huanxi , Mao Haiping , Chen Wenfang 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundWe developed a pragmatic dichotomous grading criterion to stratify the acute tubular injury (ATI) of deceased-donor kidneys. We intended to verify the predictive value of this criterion for the prognosis of deceased-donor kidney transplantation.MethodsThe allografts with ATI were classified into severe and mild groups. Severe ATI was defined as the presence of extreme and diffuse flattening of the tubular epithelial cells, or denudement of the tubular basement membrane. The clinical delayed graft function (DGF) risk index was calculated based on a regression model for posttransplant DGF using 17 clinical parameters related to donor–recipient characteristics.ResultsA total of 140 recipients were enrolled: 18 severe and 122 mild ATI. Compared with the mild ATI group, the severe ATI group had more donors after cardiac death, higher median donor terminal serum creatinine level (dScr), and longer median cold ischemia time. Severe ATI had a higher DGF rate (55.6% vs 14.6%, p &lt; 0.001), longer DGF recovery time (49.6 vs 26.3 days, p &lt; 0.001), and a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 1 month (23.5 vs 54.0 ml/min/1.73 m2, p &lt; 0.001), 3 months (40.4 vs 59.0, p = 0.001), and 6 months after transplant (46.8 vs 60.3, p = 0.033). However, there was no significant difference in eGFR at 1 year or beyond, graft, and patient survival. The predictive value of combined dScr with ATI severity for DGF rate and DGF recovery time was superior to that of dScr alone. The predictive value of the combined DGF risk index with ATI severity for DGF was also better than that of the DGF risk index alone; however, the association of the DGF risk index with DGF recovery time was not identified. Chronic lesions including glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, arterial intimal fibrosis, and arteriolar hyalinosis were associated with declined posttransplant 1-year eGFR.ConclusionBased on our pragmatic dichotomous grading criterion for ATI in a preimplantation biopsy, donor kidneys with severe ATI increased DGF risk, prolonged DGF recovery, and decreased short-term graft function but demonstrated favorable long-term graft function. Our grading method can offer additive valuable information for assessing donor kidneys with acute kidney injury and may act as an effective supplementary index of the Banff criteria.
Exploring the Impact of Pre-course High-Fidelity Simulation on Professional Socialization of Medical Students in Emergency Medicine Internship Rotation—A Qualitative Approach
Authors: Chang Yu-Che , Nkambule Nothando Sithulile , Chen Shou-Yen , Hsieh Ming-Ju , Chaou Chung-Hsien 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundMedical students in block clerkships constantly adapt to new environments and learn to interact with new people as they rotate between specialties. This frequent change potentially limited interns' opportunities for participation in real clinical practice. The aims of this study were to explore interns' conceptualization of their learning opportunities and experiences in the workplace during an emergency medicine (EM) block internship. In addition, the study also explored how participating in the pre-rotation high-fidelity simulation (HFS) orientation influenced interns' perception of their transition, participation and learning experiences in the real EM setting.MethodsWe implemented a newly developed pre-EM rotation orientation curriculum for interns. This orientation took place on the first day of the 2-week EM internship rotation. Two focus group discussions were held after each simulation training, one immediately after simulation to understand the students' perception and the educational impact of this activity, the other at the end of EM rotation to explore and compare their roles and perception in both simulation activity and the real clinical practice. A total of 151 seventh-year medical students enrolled in the pre-course HFS and post-hoc focus group discussions between 2017 and 2019. We applied thematic analysis to systemically identify, examine, and construct themes.ResultsFour major themes were constructed from the data; 1. Challenges in finding authentic learning experiences within the context of emergency medicine; 2. Effectiveness of the pre-course HFS 3. Limitations of EM internship rotation curriculum and pre-course simulation. 4. Suggestions for EM block-internship curriculum reforms. Our study's key findings indicate that pre-rotation orientation HFS activity, which offered a psychologically safe space for students to explore facets of EM and gain a contextualized understanding of the emergency work culture and environment, was essential for enhancing students' ability to identify and maximize practice affordances in real workplace.ConclusionSimulation, facilitates interns' negotiation of legitimate peripheral participation opportunities as they transition into the EM community of practice during their block internship rotation; putting students at the center of the learning process.
Clinical Characteristics of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Variant Infection After Non-mRNA-Based Vaccination in China
Authors: Zeng Qing-Lei , Lv Yuan-Jun , Liu Xiao-Jing , Jiang Zhi-Yong , Huang Shuo , Li Wei-Zhe , Yu Zu-Jiang 
Published: June 2022

IntroductionTo date, little is known about the real-world protective role of Chinese inactivated and recombinant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines under the background of the long-term “Dynamic Zero COVID-19 Case” (i.e., no infection source) in China, especially when facing the widespread Omicron severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant infection.MethodsIn this prospective, single-center cohort study, the clinical characteristics of post-vaccination Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant infection were investigated in the initial largest outbreak of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant infection that occurred between the 8 January, 2022 and 29 January, 2022 in Anyang City, Henan Province, China. The primary endpoints were the rates of severe and critical diseases or death. The secondary endpoints were the SARS-CoV-2 shedding duration and length of hospitalization.ResultsA total of 380 post-vaccination patients infected with the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant were enrolled. The median age was 18 (interquartile range [IQR] 17–35) years, 219 (57.6%) cases were female, and 247 (65.0%) cases were students. Before confirmation of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant infection, patients had 3 (IQR 2–4) days of dry cough (40.3%), nasal congestion (26.3%), and sore throat (26.3%). On admission, 294 (77.4%) cases had normal chest computerized tomography (CT) imaging. Additionally, only 5 (1.3%), 30 (7.9%), 4 (4/342, 1.2%), and 7 (7/379, 0.2%) patients had lymphocyte counts &lt;800 per mm3, C-reactive protein levels &gt;10 mg/L, lactate dehydrogenase levels ≥250 U/L, and D-dimer levels ≥0.5 mg/L on admission, respectively. During hospitalization, 308 (81.1%) and 72 (18.9%) were identified as mild and moderate cases, respectively, and no one progressed to severe and critical types, with a SARS-CoV-2 shedding period and length of hospital stay of 17 (IQR 12–22) and 19 (IQR 15–24) days, respectively.ConclusionThe current study found that approximately 80% of individuals infected with the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant were mild, approximately 20% of patients were moderate, and no severe, critical, or fatal cases were identified in a prospective cohort including 380 participants vaccinated with non-mRNA-based vaccines.DiscussionThis study supports the consideration of policy adjustments and changes to prevent and control the Omicron-predominant COVID-19 in China and other regions with high SARS-CoV-2 vaccination rates.
The Effect of Sevoflurane Anesthesia on the Biomarkers of Neural Injury in the Prefrontal Cortex of Aged Marmosets
Authors: Cheng Yanyong , Shi Lingling , Mao Haoli , Xue Zhenyu , Liu Siyu , Qiu Zilong , Zhang Lei , Jiang Hong 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundSurgery under general anesthesia leads to neural injury, especially in older patients. Sevoflurane anesthesia without surgery for 2 h does not induce neural injury, however, whether prolonger sevoflurane anesthesia without surgery has the same consequence is still unknown.MethodsIn the present study, aged marmosets were exposed to a clinical concentration of sevoflurane (1.5–2%) for 6 h to access the effects of prolonged sevoflurane anesthesia on the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Caspase3 activity and myelin formation in the brain.ResultsSevoflurane anesthesia did not alter the expression of IL-6 (120.1 ± 2.21 vs. 120.8 ± 2.25, p = 0.74), TNF-α (189.3 ± 31.35 vs. 218.7 ± 21.47, p = 0.25) and Caspase3 (57.35 ± 1.54 vs. 58.67 ± 1.19, p = 0.53) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of aged marmosets. The amount of MBP expression (60.99 ± 6.21 vs. 58.91 ± 2.71, p = 0.77) did not change following sevoflurane exposure.ConclusionSevoflurane anesthesia did not increase the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, activated the the expression of Caspase3, and induced myelination deficits in the PFC of aged marmosets.
Fertility Does Not Alter Disease Progression in ALS Patients of Childbearing Age: A Three Centers Retrospective Analysis in Southern China
Authors: Yang Biying , Huang Sen , Zheng Yu , Hou Xiaomei , Lin Jianing , Peng Yu , Du Baoxin , Yao Xiaoli 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundLimited data exists on the clinical features of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) during reproductive ages.ObjectiveOur study characterized the clinical features of ALS and the effects of pregnancy on disease progression in patients with ALS.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of female patients with ALS in three ALS research centers in southern China from 2009 to 2021. Data regarding fertility status, and clinical and genetic features, were collected. Age-matched male patients with ALS served as controls. The patients were divided into the following two subgroups: patients with symptom onset within 1 year of pregnancy and patients with symptom onset over 1 year group after pregnancy.ResultsA total of 52 female and 52 matched male patients were enrolled. There were no differences in female and male patients in the mean age of symptom onset, the mean baseline ALSFRS-R score, or median reduction of ALSFRS-R score (p &gt; 0.05). The mean age of first pregnancy was 25.57 ± 4.40) years. The mean age of first pregnancy in the over 1 year group was lower than that in the within 1 year group (p= 0.01). There was no difference in the median reduction of ALSFRS-R between the two subgroups. In the univariate analysis, diagnostic delay was highly correlated with the disease progression, with short delay representing rapid progress. No multicollinearity was found among every variable. In addition, 40.38% patients carried ALS-related gene variants. The proportion with gene mutations in the within 1 year group was higher than that in the over 1 year group (p &lt; 0.01). Furthermore, SETX was the most frequently mutated gene in this cohort (16.67%) including 4 uncertain mutation.ConclusionPregnancy and fertility were not associated with disease progression. Diagnostic delay was correlated with disease progression in this cohort. In addition, SETX might be a gene of concern for ALS patients of childbearing age.
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Liang Ning , Chen Yaxin , Yang Sihong , Liang Changhao , Gao Lidong , Wang Shang , Wang Yanping , Zhang Zhanjun , Shi Nannan 
Published: June 2022

ObjectivesThis study aims to explore the benefits and harms of Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) for mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsElectronic searching was conducted in two English and four Chinese databases till 2021 December. Randomized clinical trials on CHM compared to no intervention, placebo or other therapies for MCI were included.ResultsForty-nine RCTs (48 finished trials and 1 protocol) were identified. The overall methodological quality of included trials was relatively low. This review found that compared to no intervention or placebo, CHM can significantly decrease the number of patients who progressed to dementia (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.22–0.58) and increase the cognitive function assessed by MMSE (MD 1.96, 95% CI 1.41–2.50) and MoCA (MD 2.44, 95% CI 1.57–3.31). The subgroup analysis of different CHM showed that Ginko leaf tablets can significantly improve the cognitive function compared to no intervention or placebo when assessed by MMSE (MD 2.03, 95% CI 1.18–2.88) and MoCA (MD 3.11, 95% CI 1.90–4.33). Compared to western medicine, CHM can significantly increase the score of MMSE (MD 0.88 95% CI 0.46–1.30) and MoCA (MD 0.87, 95% CI 0.33–1.41), but there was no significant difference on the score of ADL (SMD −0.61, 95% CI −1.49 to 0.27). None of the RCTs reported on the quality of life. Of 22 RCTs that reported adverse events, there was no statistical difference between the CHM and the control group.ConclusionsCHM, Ginko leaf extracts in particular, could help to prevent progression into dementia and to improve cognitive function and ability of daily living activities. More qualified RCTs were needed to confirm the conclusion due to the low quality of current trials.Systematic Review RegistrationUnique Identifier: CRD42020157148.