bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Forecasting of Strong Earthquakes in North America, South America, Japan, Southern China and Northern India With Machine Learning
Authors: Velasco Herrera Victor Manuel , Rossello Eduardo Antonio , Orgeira Maria Julia , Arioni Lucas , Soon Willie , Velasco Graciela , Rosique-de la Cruz Laura , Zúñiga Emmanuel , Vera Carlos 
Published: June 2022

Strong earthquakes (magnitude ≥7) occur worldwide affecting different cities and countries while causing great human, ecological and economic losses. The ability to forecast strong earthquakes on the long-term basis is essential to minimize the risks and vulnerabilities of people living in highly active seismic areas. We have studied seismic activities in North America, South America, Japan, Southern China and Northern India in search for patterns in strong earthquakes on each of these active seismic zones between 1900 and 2021 with the powerful mathematical tool of wavelet transform. We found that the primary seismic activity patterns for M ≥ 7 earthquakes are 55, 3.7, 7.7, and 8.6 years, for seismic zones of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, southwestern Mexico, South American, and Southern China-Northern India, respectively. In the case of Japan, the most important seismic pattern for earthquakes with magnitude 7 ≤ M< 8 is 4.1 years and for strong earthquakes with M ≥ 8, it is 40 years. Every seismic pattern obtained clusters the earthquakes in historical intervals/episodes with and without strong earthquakes in the individually analyzed seismic zones. We want to clarify that the intervals where no strong earthquakes do not imply the total absence of seismic activity because earthquakes can occur with lesser magnitude within this same interval. From the information and pattern we obtained from the wavelet analyses, we created a probabilistic, long-term earthquake prediction model for each seismic zone using the Bayesian Machine Learning method. We propose that the periods of occurrence of earthquakes in each seismic zone analyzed could be interpreted as the period in which the stress builds up on different planes of a fault, until this energy releases through the rupture along faults and fractures near the plate tectonic boundaries. Then a series of earthquakes can occur along the fault until the stress subsides and a new cycle begins. Our machine learning models predict a new period of strong earthquakes between 2040 ± 5 and 2057 ± 5, 2024 ± 1 and 2026 ± 1, 2026 ± 2 and 2031 ± 2, 2024 ± 2 and 2029 ± 2, and 2022 ± 1 and 2028 ± 2 for the five active seismic zones of United States, Mexico, South America, Japan, and Southern China and Northern India, respectively. In additon, our methodology can be applied in areas where moderate earthquakes occur, as for the case of the Parkfield section of the San Andreas fault (California, United States). Our methodology explains why a moderate earthquake could never occur in 1988 ± 5 as proposed and why the long-awaited Parkfield earthquake event occurred in 2004. Furthermore, our model predicts that possible seismic events may occur between 2019 and 2031, with a high probability of earthquake events at Parkfield around 2025 ± 2 years.
Is the Development of Gestational Diabetes Associated With the ABO Blood Group/Rhesus Phenotype?
Authors: Lemaitre M. , Passet M. , Ghesquière L. , Martin C. , Drumez E. , Subtil D. , Vambergue A. 
Published: June 2022

AimsThere are few published data on the putative association between the ABO blood group/rhesus (Rh) factor and the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Our aim was to explore the link between each one factor and GDM development.MethodsAll women having given birth at Lille University Medical Center (Lille, France) between August 1st, 2017, and February 28th, 2018, were tested for GDM, using the method recommended in the French national guidelines. The risk of GDM was assessed for each ABO blood group, each Rh phenotype and combinations thereof, using logistic regression models.Results1194 women had at least one GDM risk factor. The percentage of GDM varied with the ABO group (p=0.013). Relative to group O women, group AB women were more likely to develop GDM (OR = 2.50, 95% CI [1.43 to 4.36], p=0.001). Compared with the Rh-positive O group, only the Rh-positive AB group had an elevated risk of developing GDM (OR = 3.02, 95% CI [1.69 to 5.39], p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsOur results showed that Rh-positive group AB women have a greater risk of GDM. With a view to preventing GDM, at-risk individuals could be identified by considering the ABO blood group phenotype either as a single risk factor or in combination with other risk factors.
The EIF2AK4/rs4594236 AG/GG Genotype Is a Hazard Factor of Immunoglobulin Therapy Resistance in Southern Chinese Kawasaki Disease Patients
Authors: Yu Hongyan , Liu Fucheng , Chen Kaining , Xu Yufen , Wang Yishuai , Fu Lanyan , Zhou Huazhong , Pi Lei , Che Di , Li Hehong , Gu Xiaoqiong 
Published: June 2022

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, self-limited vasculitis disorder of unknown etiology in children. Immunologic abnormalities were detected during the acute phase of KD, which reflected that the effect cells of the activated immune system markedly increased cytokine production. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is effective in resolving inflammation from KD and reducing occurrence of coronary artery abnormalities. However, 10%–20% of KD patients have no response to IVIG therapy, who were defined as IVIG resistance. Furthermore, these patients have persistent inflammation and increased risk of developing coronary artery aneurysm (CAA). EIF2AK4 is a stress sensor gene and can be activated by pathogen infection. In addition, the polymorphisms of EIF2AK4 were associated with various blood vessel disorders. However, it remains unclear whether the EIF2AK4 gene polymorphisms were related to IVIG therapy outcome in KD patients.Methods:EIF2AK4/rs4594236 polymorphism was genotyped in 795 IVIG response KD patients and 234 IVIG resistant KD patients through TaqMan, a real-time polymerase chain reaction. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the strength of association between EIF2AK4/rs4594236 polymorphism and IVIG therapeutic effects.Results: Our results showed that the EIF2AK4/rs4594236 AG/GG genotype was significantly associated with increased risk to IVIG resistance compared to the AA genotype (AG vs. AA: adjusted ORs = 1.71, 95% CIs = 1.17–2.51, and p = 0.0061; GG vs. AA: adjusted ORs = 2.09, 95% CIs = 1.36–3.23, and p = 0.0009; AG/GG vs. AA: adjusted ORs = 1.82, 95% CIs = 1.27–2.63, and p = 0.0013; and GG vs. AA/AG: adjusted ORs = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.04–2.02, and p = 0.0306). Furthermore, the stratified analysis of age and gender in the KD cohort indicated that male patients carrying the rs4594236 AG/GG genotype tends to be more resistant to IVIG therapy than female patients.Conclusion: These results suggested that EIF2AK4/rs4594236 polymorphism might be associated with increased risk of IVIG resistance in southern Chinese KD patients.
Novel RSPH4A Variants Associated With Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia–Related Infertility in Three Chinese Families
Authors: Wang Lin , Wang Rongchun , Yang Danhui , Lu Chenyang , Xu Yingjie , Liu Ying , Guo Ting , Lei Cheng , Luo Hong 
Published: June 2022

Background: The radial spoke head component 4A (RSPH4A) is involved in the assembly of radial spokes, which is essential for motile cilia function. Asthenoteratozoospermia in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) related to RSPH4A variants has not been reported.Materials and Methods:RSPH4A variants were identified and validated using whole-exome and Sanger sequencing in three unrelated Chinese families. High-speed video microscopy analysis (HSVA) was performed to measure the beating frequency and pattern of nasal cilia of the patients and healthy control. Papanicolaou staining and computer-aided sperm analysis were performed to analyze the morphology and motility of the sperm in patient 1. Immunofluorescence was adopted to confirm the structure deficiency of sperm and nasal cilia.Results: Patient 1 from family 1 is a 22-year-old unmarried male presented with bronchiectasis. Semen analysis and sperm Papanicolaou staining confirmed asthenoteratozoospermia. Novel compound heterozygous RSPH4A variants c.2T&gt;C, p.(Met1Thr) and c.1774_1775del, p.(Leu592Aspfs*5) were detected in this patient. Patients 2 and 3 are from two unrelated consanguineous families; they are both females and exhibited bronchiectasis and infertility. Two homozygous RSPH4A variants c.2T&gt;C, p.(Met1Thr) and c.351dupT, p.(Pro118Serfs*2) were detected, respectively. HSVA showed that most of the cilia in patients 1 and 3 were with abnormal rotational movement. The absence of RSPH4A and RSPH1 in patient 1’s sperm and patient 3’s respiratory cilia was indicated by immunofluorescence. Patient 2 died of pulmonary infection and respiratory failure at the age of 35 during follow-up.Conclusion: Dysfunctional sperm flagellum and motile cilia in the respiratory tract and the fallopian tube were found in patients with RSPH4A variants. Our study enriches the genetic spectrum and clinical phenotypes of RSPH4A variants in PCD, and c.2T&gt;C, p.(Met1Thr) detected in our patients may be a hotspot RSPH4A variant in Chinese.
Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Telehealth on Antenatal Screening and Services, Including for Mental Health and Domestic Violence: An Australian Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Henry Amanda , Yang Jennifer , Grattan Sarah , Roberts Lynne , Lainchbury Anne , Shanthosh Janani , Cullen Patricia , Everitt Louise 
Published: June 2022

IntroductionAustralian antenatal care includes specific screening and service provision for domestic and family violence (DFV) and mental health. However, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in major care changes, including greatly expanded telehealth. Given difficulties in a safe assessment and management of disclosures via telehealth, DFV and mental health service provision might be substantially impacted. This study therefore aimed to assess COVID-19 effects on DFV and mental health screening, as well as broader service provision from the perspective of local maternity service providers.MethodsMixed-methods study of staff surveys and interviews of staff directly involved in pregnancy care (doctors, midwives, and allied health) in three Sydney (Australia) maternity units, from October 2020 to March 2021. Surveys and interviews interrogated perceived effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on delivery (ensuring required services occurred), timeliness, and quality of (a) overall maternity care and (b) DFV and mental health screening and care; and also advantages and disadvantages of telehealth. Surveys were descriptively analyzed. Interviews were conducted online, recorded, and transcribed verbatim prior to thematic analysis.ResultsIn total, 17 interviews were conducted and 109 survey responses were received. Breakdown of survey respondents was 67% of midwives, 21% of doctors, and 10% of allied health. Over half of survey respondents felt the pandemic had a negative effect on delivery, timeliness, and quality of overall pregnancy care, and DFV and mental health screening and management. Perceived telehealth positives included convenience for women (73%) and reducing women's travel times (69%). Negative features included no physical examination (90%), difficulty regarding non-verbal cues (84%), difficulty if interpreter required (71%), and unsure if safe to ask some questions (62%). About 50% felt telehealth should continue post-pandemic, but for &lt;25% of visits. Those perceived suitable for telehealth were low-risk and multiparous women, whereas those unsuited were high-risk pregnancy, non-English speaking, and/or mental health/psychosocial/DFV concerns. “Change to delivery of care” was the central interview theme, with subthemes of impact on mental health/DFV screening, telehealth (both positive and negative), staff impact (e.g., continuity of care disruption), and perceived impact on women and partners.DiscussionWhile telehealth may have an ongoing, post-pandemic role in Australian maternity care, staff believe that this should be limited in scope, mostly for low-risk pregnancies. Women with high risk due to physical health or mental health, DFV, and/or other social concerns were considered unsuited to telehealth.
Persistent Antiphospholipid Antibodies Are Not Associated With Worse Clinical Outcomes in a Prospective Cohort of Hospitalised Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Espinosa Gerard , Zamora-Martínez Carles , Pérez-Isidro Albert , Neto Daniela , Bravo-Gallego Luz Yadira , Prieto-González Sergio , Viñas Odette , Moreno-Castaño Ana Belen , Ruiz-Ortiz Estíbaliz , Cervera Ricard ,   The COVAPS-CLINIC Study Group Investigators
Published: June 2022

ObjectivePatients with COVID-19 presented with an elevated prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) but the relationship with thrombosis is controversial. We analysed the persistence of aPL and their association with the clinical outcomes during hospitalisation in a cohort of COVID-19 patients.Patients and MethodsWe conducted a prospective study including consecutive hospitalised patients with COVID-19 from Hospital Clínic of Barcelona between March 28th and April 22nd, 2020. Clinical outcomes during hospitalisation were thrombosis, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and severe ventilatory failure. We determined both criteria and non-criteria aPL. Of note, in those patients with a positive result in the first determination, a second sample separated by at least 12 weeks was drawn to test the persistence of aPL.ResultsOne hundred and fifty-eight patients (59.5% men) with a mean age of 61.4 ± 14.9 years old were included. Thrombosis was present in 28 (17.7%) patients, severe respiratory failure in 47 (30.5%), and 30 (18.9%) patients were admitted to ICU. Sixteen (28.6%) patients were positive for the criteria aPL at both determinations and only two (3.6%) of them suffered from thrombosis during hospitalisations (both had aCL IgG). However, they presented with low titers of aCL. Of note, aPL were not related to thrombosis, ICU admission or severe respiratory failure.ConclusionAlthough aPL were prevalent in our cohort of hospitalised COVID-19 patients and they were persistent in half of tested patients, most determinations were at low titers and they were not related to worse clinical outcomes.
Efficacy of N-acetylcysteine in Preventing Acute Kidney Injury and Major Adverse Cardiac Events After Cardiac Surgery: A Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis
Authors: Zhao Jingtao , Li Maowei , Tan Chen 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundThe effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, on preventing acute kidney injury (AKI) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis to evaluate its efficacy on cardiac surgery-related adverse events.MethodsPubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies from inception to June 2021. We selected randomized controlled trials comparing NAC with controls in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.ResultsTwenty-five studies including 2,444 patients met the inclusion criteria. The pooled results showed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of AKI between the NAC and control groups [relative risk (RR) = 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.77, 1.08, P = 0.28], but the trial sequential analysis (TSA) could not confirm this result. No difference was observed in the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), all-cause mortality, MACE, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and length of stay in the hospital. Results of subgroup analysis results showed that intravenous infusion instead of oral NAC could significantly reduce the incidence of AKI and arrhythmia (RR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.71, 0.99,P= 0.03,I2= 3% and RR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.61, 0.91,P= 0.004,I2= 48%, respectively).ConclusionIntravenous administration of NAC can reduce the incidence of AKI and arrhythmia in patients after cardiac surgery, but cannot reduce all-cause mortality, AMI, cardiac insufficiency, and the number of patients using RRT. Oral NAC has no significant effect on the outcomes of patients after cardiac surgery.
A Multicenter Real-World Study Evaluating the Hepatoprotective Effect of Polyene Phosphatidylcholine Against Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Xu Jinghang , Fan Yanan , Yu Yanyan , Han Yifan , Kang Qian , Tan Ning , Yang Yuqing , Chen Hongyu , Pan Jiali , Xu Xiaoyuan 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundPolyene phosphatidylcholine (PPC) has been widely used to treat liver diseases in China. However, there is a lack of post-marketing evidence demonstrating its liver-protective efficiency among patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). This study analyzed the multicenter real-world data to compare the effectiveness of PPC with those of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (IsoMag) and glutathione (GSH) in patients with liver injury.MethodsThis study comprised the real-world data analysis of a multicenter, retrospective observational cohort. The data were retrieved from the Cooperative Registry of the Hospital Prescription in China between 1 October 2018, and 30 September 2019. A growth curve analysis was performed to compare the effects of different treatments on liver function longitudinally for up to 30 days after treatment commencement. In addition, the dose effect of the PPC treatment was investigated.ResultsThe final cohort included 6,052 patients with approximately 8% infected with HBV (N = 471). There were 1,649, 1,750, and 2,653 patients in the PPC, GSH, and IsoMag groups, respectively, with an average age of 53.9 years. In patients with HBV infection, the PPC treatment was associated with a significant decline in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (slopes: −3.7, 95% CI, −6.0 to −1.5 U/L/day; −2.4, 95% CI, −4.5 to −0.3 U/L/day, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in the effects among the three groups. In patients without HBV infection, the PPC treatment decreased ALT, AST, γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and albumin levels (−5.2, 95% CI, −5.8 to −4.5 U/L/day; −3.5, 95% CI, −4.2 to −2.7 U/L/day; −4.9, 95% CI, −6.2 to −3.7 U/L/day, −0.07, 95% CI, −0.09 to −0.04 g/L/day, respectively) and showed a stronger effect on lowering ALT levels than GSH (−2.6, 95% CI, −3.3 to −1.8 U/L/day, p &lt; 0.05), as well as a stronger effect on lowering GGT levels than IsoMag (−1.4, 95% CI, −2.4 to −0.4 U/L/day, p &lt; 0.05). PPC had no impact on prothrombin activity levels in patients with or without HBV infection. High-dose PPC exhibited a stronger effect on lowering ALT and AST levels than low-dose PPC.ConclusionThis was the first real-world multicenter study to demonstrate that PPC efficiently lowers ALT and AST levels in patients with liver diseases regardless of the status of HBV infection. PPC treatment showed a comparable or better effect compared with GSH and IsoMag treatments. High-dose PPC resulted in a stronger effect than low-dose PPC.
The Clinicopathological Significance and Prognostic Value of Androgen Receptor in Endometrial Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wu Xirong , Zhong Xiuli , Huo Xiaoqing , Zhang Junrong , Yang Xiaoqing , Zhang Yuquan 
Published: June 2022

BackgroundThe role of androgen receptor (AR) in evaluating the prognosis of patients with endometrial cancer (EC) remains controversial. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to assess whether AR expression improves EC survival outcomes.MethodsWe searched related articles published before August 2021 in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. The association between AR expression and patient prognosis was estimated with hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The review is registered on PROSPERO, registration number: CRD42021268591.ResultsTen studies including 1,485 patients were enrolled in the meta-analysis. The results showed that AR expression in EC tissues was associated with a better survival in crude analyses (HR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.32–2.02, P &lt; 0.001). However, no significant relation was found after the adjustment of the confounding factors (HR = 1.68, 95% CI = 0.75–3.75, P = 0.205). In subgroup analyses, grade 1–2 disease, stage I–II disease, negative lymph node status, and lack of the lymphovascular invasion were more common in AR-positive groups (OR = 0.47, 0.48, 0.37, and 0.57; 95% CI = 0.45–0.62, 0.35–0.65, 0.24–0.56, and 0.37–0.89). Furthermore, AR expression was more common in endometrioid cancers (OR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.79–3.20).ConclusionsAR expression is significantly associated favorable characteristics including low-grade disease, early-stage disease, negative lymph node status, and lack of the lymphovascular invasion and a specific histology—endometrioid cancer. However, AR is not an independent prognostic factor.
Neurological Symptom Improvement After Re-Irradiation in Patients With Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma: A Retrospective Analysis of the SIOP-E-HGG/DIPG Project
Authors: Chavaz Lara , Janssens Geert O. , Bolle Stephanie , Mandeville Henry , Ramos-Albiac Monica , Van Beek Karen , Benghiat Helen , Hoeben Bianca , Morales La Madrid Andres , Seidel Clemens , Kortmann Rolf-Dieter , Hargrave Darren , Gandola Lorenza , Pecori Emilia , van Vuurden Dannis G. , Biassoni Veronica , Massimino Maura , Kramm Christof M. , von Bueren Andre O. 
Published: June 2022

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate the spectrum of neurological triad improvement in patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) treated by re-irradiation (re-RT) at first progression.MethodsWe carried out a re-analysis of the SIOP-E retrospective DIPG cohort by investigating the clinical benefits after re-RT with a focus on the neurological triad (cranial nerve deficits, ataxia, and long tract signs). Patients were categorized as “responding” or “non-responding” to re-RT. To assess the interdependence between patients’ characteristics and clinical benefits, we used a chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Survival according to clinical response to re-RT was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method.ResultsAs earlier reported, 77% (n = 24/31) of patients had any clinical benefit after re-RT. Among 25/31 well-documented patients, 44% (n = 11/25) had improvement in cranial nerve palsies, 40% (n = 10/25) had improvement in long-tract signs, and 44% (11/25) had improvement in cerebellar signs. Clinical benefits were observed in at least 1, 2, or 3 out of 3 symptoms of the DIPG triad, in 64%, 40%, and 24%, respectively. Patients irradiated with a dose ≥20 Gy versus &lt;20 Gy may improve slightly better with regard to ataxia (67% versus 23%; p-value = 0.028). The survival from the start of re-RT to death was not different between responding and non-responding DIPG patients (p-value = 0.871).ConclusionA median re-irradiation dose of 20 Gy provides a neurological benefit in two-thirds of patients with an improvement of at least one symptom of the triad. DIPG patients receiving ≥20 Gy appear to improve slightly better with regard to ataxia; however, we need more data to determine whether dose escalation up to 30 Gy provides additional benefits.