bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The spectrum and prevalence of arrhythmia in different clinical pulmonary hypertension groups in Chinese population
Authors: Xue Lin , Yang Yi‐Cheng , Zhao Qing , Zhao Zhi‐Hui , Zeng Qi‐Xian , Yang Tao , Luo Qin , Liu Bing‐Yang , Ma Xiu‐Ping , Liu Zhi‐Hong , Xiong Chang‐Ming 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundArrhythmia is not uncommon among pulmonary hypertension (PH) population, and may be associated with disease severity.HypothesisTo investigate different spectrums and prevalence of arrhythmias in different clinical PH groups in Chinese population.MethodsPatients diagnosed with PH between April 15, 2019, and August 2, 2021, were enrolled prospectively. The prevalence of different types of arrhythmias in PH patients were calculated. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine independent predictors for arrhythmia.ResultsOne thousand patients were enrolled. The prevalence of any arrhythmia, sinus node dysfunction, sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, other types of atrial tachycardia, atrioventricular block, and ventricular tachycardia is 44.4%, 12.2%, 15.2%, 8.1%, 4.1%, 10.2%, 7.1%, and 2.5%. Logistic regression analyses revealed that older age and larger right ventricle (odds ratio: 1.111 and 1.095, p < .05) were independently related with higher probability of supraventricular arrhythmia; Complicating with coronary artery disease, larger right ventricle, and increased left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (odds ratio: 19.540, 1.106, and 1.085, p < .05) were independently correlated with sinus node dysfunction/atrioventricular block in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.ConclusionsNearly half of PH patients experienced at least one type of arrhythmia. The most common seen arrhythmias were supraventricular arrhythmia, sinus tachycardia, and sinus node dysfunction. Older age and larger right ventricle were independently related with higher probability of supraventricular arrhythmia; Complicating with coronary artery disease, larger right ventricle and increased left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter were independently correlated with higher probability of sinus node dysfunction/atrioventricular block in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Effects of Hepatic Impairment on the Pharmacokinetic Profile and Safety of Lobeglitazone
Authors: Park Jungsin , Kim Choon Ok , Oh Eun Sil , Lee Jung Il , Kim Ja Kyung , Ahn Sang Hoon , Kim Do Young , Kim Seung Up , Kim Beom Kyung , Chung Yong Eun , Kim Se‐mi , Park Min Soo 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn this open‐label, single‐dose, parallel‐group study, we compared the pharmacokinetic profile and safety of lobeglitazone, a thiazolidinedione acting as an agonist for peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors, in patients with hepatic impairment (HI) and healthy matched controls for age, sex, and body weight. After a single oral dose of lobeglitazone (0.5 mg), the lobeglitazone (parent drug) and M7 (major metabolite) plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed and compared between the HI patient groups and healthy matched control groups. The geometric mean ratio (GMR; 90% confidence interval [CI]) for maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinity (AUCinf) of lobeglitazone was 1.06 (0.90‐1.24) and 1.07 (0.82‐1.40), respectively, for mild HI vs control A. The GMR (90%CI) of Cmax and AUCinf was 0.70 (0.56‐0.88) and 1.00 (0.72‐1.37), respectively, for moderate HI vs control B. For M7, the GMR (90%CI) of Cmax and AUCinf was 1.09 (0.75‐1.57) and 1.18 (0.71‐1.97), respectively, for mild HI vs control A and 1.50 (0.95‐2.38) and 1.79 (1.06‐3.04), respectively, for moderate HI vs control B. Notable adverse events or tolerability issues were not observed. Lobeglitazone may be safely used in patients with mild or moderate HI without dose adjustment.
Using functional traits and phylogeny to understand local extinction risk in dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata)
Authors: Suhonen Jukka , Ilvonen Jaakko J. , Korkeamäki Esa , Nokkala Christina , Salmela Jukka 
Published: March 2022

AbstractUnderstanding the risk of local extinction of a species is vital in conservation biology, especially now when anthropogenic disturbances and global warming are severely changing natural habitats. Local extinction risk depends on species traits, such as its geographical range size, fresh body mass, dispersal ability, length of flying period, life history variation, and how specialized it is regarding its breeding habitat. We used a phylogenetic approach because closely related species are not independent observations in the statistical tests. Our field data contained the local extinction risk of 31 odonate (dragonflies and damselflies) species from Central Finland. Species relatedness (i.e., phylogenetic signal) did not affect local extinction risk, length of flying period, nor the geographical range size of a species. However, we found that closely related species were similar in hind wing length, length of larval period, and habitat of larvae. Both phylogenetically corrected (PGLS) and uncorrected (GLM) analysis indicated that the geographical range size of species was negatively related to local extinction risk. Contrary to expectations, habitat specialist species did not have higher local extinction rates than habitat generalist species nor was it affected by the relatedness of species. As predicted, species’ long larval period increased, and long wings decreased the local extinction risk when evolutionary relatedness was controlled. Our results suggest that a relatively narrow geographical range size is an accurate estimate for a local extinction risk of an odonate species, but the species with long life history and large habitat niche width of adults increased local extinction risk. Because the results were so similar between PGLS and GLM methods, it seems that using a phylogenetic approach does not improve predicting local extinctions.
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs): Environmental and public health risks
Authors: Ziylan‐Yavas Asu , Santos Daniel , Flores Erico Marlon Moraes , Ince Nilsun H. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are those substances used for medical care, cosmetics, hygiene and health care purposes. Due to their globally high production and consumption rates and rapid discharge into the environment without control, they are of considerable public concern. Many of them, particularly antibiotics, analgesics, endocrine disruptors and microbial/disinfecting substances are frequently detected in wastewater treatment effluents, fresh water systems and groundwater in concentrations ranging from ng L−1 to mg L−1. Moreover, most of them are persistent and tend to bioaccumulate in cell tissue, being transported subsequently to vegetables, crops and drinking water sources. As such, a large group of PPCPs are recognized with their potential to impair the ecosystem and/or to induce health risks, so that they have been classified under “emerging contaminants.” The present study is a comprehensive review of the literature on the occurrence, fate and potential environmental and health risks of PPCPs in the aquatic and terrestrial environments. It also encompasses the reported cases of human health disorders or risks, although the data so far is inadequate for presenting a complete assessment. Finally, the study covers a short review of the most promising advanced technologies for their partial or ultimate elimination from wastewater treatment effluents and water.
A multi‐controller placement method for software defined network based on improved firefly algorithm
Authors: Guan Shaopeng , Li Juan , Li Yi , Wang Zhenqi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPlacing multiple controllers in a large‐scale software defined network (SDN) is an NP‐hard problem. Currently, it is still a challenge to design a solution algorithm with high accuracy, short time consumption, and compliance with engineering standards. To overcome this challenge, we proposed the concept of synthetical delay, and took the controller capacity as a constraint condition, and established a controller placement model. The firefly algorithm (FA) was chosen as the solving algorithm for the controller placement problem. However, the FA has the drawbacks of insufficient search breadth in the early stage and low convergence efficiency in the later stage. To this end, we first introduced the dynamic parameter strategy for the light attractiveness, the light absorption coefficient, and the parameter to control the random walk of the FA. Then, we adopt the particle swarm optimization to improve the initial static parameters of the FA. Experimental results in the real large‐scale SDN topologies show that, compared with the latest controller placement algorithms based on cuckoo optimization, chaotic salp swarm algorithm, Varna‐based Optimization, and Teaching‐Learning‐based Optimization, the controller placement scheme obtained by the improved FA has a lower synthetical delay and more balanced controller load. Simultaneously, the time consumption of the improved FA is acceptable.
An experimental in silico study on COVID‐19: Response of neutrophil‐related genes to antibiotics
Authors: Mousavi Seyyed R. , Lotfi Hajie , Salmanizadeh Sharareh , Feizbakhshan Sara , Khosravian Farinaz , Sajjadi Maryam S. , Komachali Sajad R. , Beni Faeze A. , Torkan Banafshe , Kazemi Mohammad , Sami Ramin , Salehi Mansoor 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackground and AimsAll components of the immune system are involved in alleviating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. Further research is required to provide detailed insights into COVID‐19‐related immune compartments and pathways. In addition, a significant percentage of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients suspect bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance occurs following antibiotics treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effects of antibiotics on the response of neutrophil‐related genes in SARS‐CoV‐2 patients by an experimental in silico study.MethodsThe two data sets GSE1739 and GSE21802 including 10 SARS positive patients and 35 influenza A (H1N1) patients were analyzed, respectively. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these two data sets were determined by GEO2R analysis and the Venn diagram online tool. After determining the hub genes involved in immune responses, the expression of these genes in 30 COVID‐19 patients and 30 healthy individuals was analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All patients received antibiotics, including levofloxacin, colistin, meropenem, and ceftazidime.ResultsGEO2R analysis detected 240 and 120 DEGs in GSE21802 and GSE1739, respectively. Twenty DEGs were considered as enriched hub genes involved in immune processes such as neutrophil degranulation, neutrophil activation, and antimicrobial humoral response. The central nodes were attributed to the genes of neutrophil elastase (ELANE), arginase 1 (ARG‐1), lipocalin 2 (LCN2), and defensin 4 (DEFA4). Compared to the healthy subjects, the expression of LCN2 and DEFA4 were significantly reduced in COVID‐19 patients. However, no significant differences were observed in the ELANE and AGR‐1 levels between COVID‐19 subjects and the control group.ConclusionsActivation and degranulation of neutrophils were observed mainly in SARS, and H1N1 infection processes and antibiotics administration could affect neutrophil activity during viral infection. It can be suggested that antibiotics can decrease inflammation by restoring the expression of neutrophil‐related genes in COVID‐19 patients.
Long term agroecosystem research experimental watershed network
Authors: Goodrich David C. , Bosch David , Bryant Ray , Cosh Mike H. , Endale Dinku , Veith Tamie , Kleinman Peter , Langendoen Eddy , McCarty Greg , Pierson Fred , Schomberg Harry , Smith Douglas , Starks Patrick , Strickland Timothy , Tsegaye Teferi , Awada Tala , Swain Hilary , Derner Justin , Bestelmeyer Brandon , Schmer Marty , Baker John , Carlson Bryan , Huggins David , Archer David , Armendariz Gerardo 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe vision of the Long Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network is to enable multi‐decadal, trans‐disciplinary, and cross‐location science to ensure the long‐term sustainability of U.S. agriculture. LTAR's primary goals are to: (1) Intensify agricultural productivity, (2) Improve ecosystem services related to agricultural production, and (3) Improve rural prosperity. The LTAR network includes 18 locations (sites). It includes 10 existing hydrologic observatories from the Agricultural Research Service‐Experimental Watershed Network (ARS‐EWN) that were established before the creation of LTAR. Background and an overview of the network are presented.
Applying weight of evidence methods to assessing exposure in aquatic environments: Comparing lines of evidence
Authors: Miglino Andrew N. , Holmes Christopher M. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Weight of evidence (WoE) is a useful approach to quantifying the relative relevance, strength, reliability, and uncertainty associated with estimates of exposure concentrations. WoE is often used in exposure assessments but rarely explored or discussed in detail. In this article, the utility of a WoE approach in aquatic exposure assessments is illustrated via two case studies using a tiered approach and the chemical triclosan. Each case study evaluates the same chemical and pathway to the environment but with substantially different data strength, reliability, and uncertainty. The collection and qualitative evaluation of relevant lines of evidence (LoE) using a three-tiered approach are discussed. Our results demonstrate how a higher tiered WoE approach can reduce uncertainty and improve decision-making based on predicted exposure concentrations. We also identify LoE that played a significant role in the final exposure determinations and describe a framework for conducting exposure assessments using WoE. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1207–1219. © 2022 SETAC
Mutations in the telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter and PIK3CA gene are common events in penile squamous cell carcinoma of Italian and Ugandan patients
Authors: Starita Noemy , Pezzuto Francesca , Sarno Sabrina , Losito Nunzia Simona , Perdonà Sisto , Buonaguro Luigi , Buonaguro Franco M. , Tornesello Maria Lina 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPenile carcinoma develops either through human papillomavirus (HPV) related or unrelated carcinogenic pathways. Genetic alterations and nucleotide changes in coding regions (ie, TP53, CDKN2A, PIK3CA and NOTCH1) are main cancer driver events either in HPV positive or in HPV negative tumours. We investigated the presence of hotspot nucleotide mutations in TERT promoter (TERTp) and PIK3CA exon 9 and their relationship with HPV status in 69 penile cancer cases from Italian and Ugandan patients. Genetic variations and viral sequences have been characterised by end‐point polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. The mutant allele frequencies (MAFs) of TERTp −124A/−146A and PIK3CA E545K have been determined by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays. The results showed that TERTp mutations are highly prevalent in penile carcinoma (53.6%) and significantly more frequent in HPV negative (67.6%) than HPV positive (32.4%) cases (P = .0482). PIK3CA mutations were similarly distributed in virus‐related and unrelated cases (25.9% and 26.7%, respectively) and coexisted with TERTp changes in 15.8% of penile carcinoma samples. Notably, MAFs of co‐occurring mutations were frequently discordant indicating that PIK3CA E545K nucleotide changes are subsequent genetic events occurring in subclones of TERTp mutated cells. The frequencies of TERTp and PIK3CA mutations were higher among Italian compared to Ugandan cases and inversely correlated with the HPV status. In conclusion, TERTp mutations are very common in penile carcinoma and their coexistence with PIK3CA in a substantial number of cases may represent a novel oncogenic synergy relevant for patient stratification and use of therapeutic strategies against new actionable targets.
How much metagenome data is needed for protein structure prediction: The advantages of targeted approach from the ecological and evolutionary perspectives
Authors: Yang Pengshuo , Ning Kang 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIt has been proven that three‐dimensional protein structures could be modeled by supplementing homologous sequences with metagenome sequences. Even though a large volume of metagenome data is utilized for such purposes, a significant proportion of proteins remain unsolved. In this review, we focus on identifying ecological and evolutionary patterns in metagenome data, decoding the complicated relationships of these patterns with protein structures, and investigating how these patterns can be effectively used to improve protein structure prediction. First, we proposed the metagenome utilization efficiency and marginal effect model to quantify the divergent distribution of homologous sequences for the protein family. Second, we proposed that the targeted approach effectively identifies homologous sequences from specified biomes compared with the untargeted approach's blind search. Finally, we determined the lower bound for metagenome data required for predicting all the protein structures in the Pfam database and showed that the present metagenome data is insufficient for this purpose. In summary, we discovered ecological and evolutionary patterns in the metagenome data that may be used to predict protein structures effectively. The targeted approach is promising in terms of effectively extracting homologous sequences and predicting protein structures using these patterns.
Challenged by extremely irregular school schedules, Uruguayan adolescents only set their waking time
Authors: Estevan Ignacio , Tassino Bettina , Vetter Céline , Silva Ana 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntroductionEarly school start times adversely influence adolescents’ sleep duration. Late school start times and remote learning are associated with longer sleep durations. We leveraged a highly variable school schedule adopted after the first SARS‐CoV‐2 wave in Uruguay to study the influence of a hybrid mode of instruction (in‐person/remote) with irregular school start times on adolescents’ sleep.MethodsObjective sleep on school nights (120 observations) was determined using accelerometry recordings of 15 high‐school students (3 males 15–17 years old). We used mixed‐effects regressions to explore the influence of the mode of instruction (in‐person/remote) and school start time on adolescents’ sleep patterns (onset, end, and duration).ResultsAn irregular individual regime of 2–6 school days per week, either in‐person or remote, and with irregular start times (range: 07:30–12:00) were observed during the studied period. Remote learning delayed sleep end by 48 ± 9 min and increased sleep duration by 36 ± 12 min. In addition, 1 h delay in school start time delayed sleep end in 36 ± 4 min and increased sleep duration in 34 ± 5 min.ConclusionsA strong linear association of the mode of instruction and the school start time with participants’ sleep was observed: Only waking time was associated with both school start time and mode of instruction, and sleep duration increased when students were taught remotely and when school started later. These results add evidence to the effectiveness of delaying school start time to improve adolescents’ sleep. However, these efforts may not overcome the influence of a very late circadian orientation, as observed in Uruguayan adolescents.
Association Between Muscle Mass Determined by D3-Creatine Dilution and Incident Fractures in a Prospective Cohort Study of Older Men
Authors: Cawthon Peggy M. , Peters Katherine E. , Cummings Steven R. , Orwoll Eric S. , Hoffman Andrew R. , Ensrud Kristine E. , Cauley Jane A. , Evans William J. ,   the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study Research Group
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT
The relation between a novel measure of total skeletal muscle mass (assessed by D3-creatine dilution [D3Cr]) and incident fracture is unknown. In 1363 men (mean age 84.2 years), we determined D3Cr muscle mass; Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) 10-year probability of hip and major osteoporotic (hip, humerus, vertebral, forearm) fracture; and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]). Incident fractures were centrally adjudicated by review of radiology reports over 4.6 years. Correlations adjusted for weight and height were calculated between femoral neck BMD and D3Cr muscle mass. Across quartiles of D3Cr muscle mass/weight, proportional hazards models calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for any (n = 180); nonspine (n = 153); major osteoporotic fracture (n = 85); and hip fracture (n = 40) after adjustment for age, femoral neck BMD, recurrent fall history, and FRAX probability. Models were then adjusted to evaluate the mediating influence of physical performance (walking speed, chair stands, and grip strength). D3Cr muscle mass was weakly correlated with femoral BMD (r = 0.10, p &lt; 0.001). Compared to men in the highest quartile, those in the lowest quartile of D3Cr muscle mass/weight had an increased risk of any clinical fracture (HR 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–2.8); nonspine fracture (HR 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–3.0), major osteoporotic fracture (HR 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2–4.6), and hip fracture (HR 5.9; 95% CI, 1.6–21.1). Results were attenuated after adjustment for physical performance, but associations remained borderline significant for hip and major osteoporotic fractures (p ≥ 0.05 to 0.10). Low D3Cr muscle mass/weight is associated with a markedly high risk of hip and potentially other fractures in older men; this association is partially mediated by physical performance. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).