bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal variations of water quality and driver forces detection in Yangtze River Basin, China from 2008 to 2020 by multi-statistical analyses
Authors: Liu Shasha , Fu Rui , Liu Yun , Suo Chengyu 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Water quality deterioration is a prominent issue threatening water security throughout the world. Yangtze River Basin, as the largest river in China, is facing severe water pollution due to the intensive human activities. The analysis of water quality trends and identification of driver factors are significant for sustainable water quality management. Thus, spatiotemporal characteristics of the water quality from 2008 to 2020 were analyzed by using Mann–Kendall test and Rescaled Range analysis (R/S), respectively. Also, the drivers of the key monitoring indicators including permanganate index (CODMn), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and total phosphorus (TP) were detected by multi-statistical analyses. The results showed that water quality was significantly improved, which was reflected from its mean concentration of NH3-N and TP, decreasing from 0.31 mg/L to 0.16 mg/L and 0.16 mg/L to 0.07 mg/L, respectively. However, the concentration of CODMn did not remarkably decline in the past 13 years. The R/S analysis indicated that the concentration of NH3-N would continue to decrease in the next 13 years, while CODMn might continue to increase, which should be of great concern to us. In terms of spatial distribution, the water quality in the upstream was significantly better than that of the mid-downstream. Multi-statistical analyses revealed that the temporal evolution of water quality was predominantly influenced by tertiary industry (TI), nitrogen fertilizer application rate (N-FAR), phosphate fertilizer application rate (P-FAR) and irrigation area of arable land (IAAL), with a contribution rate of 15.92%, 14.65%, 3.46% and 2.84% respectively. The spatial distinction of CODMn was mainly influenced by TI, while TP is primarily determined by anthropogenic activity factors including N-FAR, P-FAR and so on. This study was expected to provide deep insights into water quality evolution and foundations for water quality management in Yangtze River Basin.
First Two Year Observational Exploratory Real Life Clinical Phenotyping, And Societal Impact Study Of Parkinson’s Disease In Emiratis And Expatriot Population Of United Arab Emirates 2019-2021: The Empark Study
Authors: Metta Vinod , Ibrahim Huzaifa , Loney Tom , Amer Hani , Almuhairi Ali Al Hawai Danamir , Shamsi Abdulla Al , Mohan Sneha , Rodriguez Kislyn , Mohan Judith , O'Sullivan Margaret , Muralidharan Neha , Seetha Arun , Mazrooei Sheikha Al , DarMousa Khadeeja , Chung-Faye Guy , Mrudula Rukmini , Faluo-Pecurariu Cristian , Mattar Maryam , Borgohain Rupam , Chaudhuri Ray 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: phenotypic differences in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) among locals (Emiratis) and Expatriots (Expats) living in United Arab Emirates have not been described and could be important to unravel local aspets of clinical heterogenecity of PD pointing towards genetic and epigenetic variations. Objective: To investigate range and nature of motor and nonmotor clinical presentations of PD and its impact on time to diagnosis, local service provisions, quality of life in Emiratis and Expats in UAE as well as address the presence of current unmet needs on relation to care and aetiopathogenetovty of PD related to possible genetic and epigenetic factors. Methods: a cross-sectional one point in time prospective, observational real-life study of 171 patients recruited from PD and Neurology clinics across United Arab Emirates from 2019-2021. primary outcomes were sociodemographic data, motor and nonmotor symptoms (NMS) including cognition and sleep, and quality of life (QOL) assessments,Results: 171 PD patients (52 Emiratis 119 Expats) were included with mean age (Emiratis 48.5 +/- 13.05, Expats 64.15+/-7.7) and mean disease duration (Emiratis 4.8+/-3.2, Expats 6.08+/-2.7)In the e miratis there was a significant mean delay in initiating treatment after diagnosis (Emiratis 1.2+/0.9, Expats 1.6+/1,1 yrs) while from a clinical phenotyping aspect 25% of Emirati females had a predominant lower limb onset PD. NMS burden was ----and fatigue and sexual dysfunction occur independent of disease duration and disease severity in both Emiratis and Expats however, anxiety contributes to 43% of sexual dysfunction among Emiratis and 41% among Expats. Emotional well-being and Social Stigma aspects of QoL measurements predicted worse QOL in Emiratis while lack of social support impaired QOL in Expats. Awareness for advanced therapies was low and only 25% of Emiratis were aware of deep brain surgery compared to 69% Expats. 2% of Emiratis compared to 32% of Expats for Apomorphine infusion and none (0%) Emiratis were aware of intrajejunal levodopa infusion compared to 13% of expats.Conclusion: Our pilot data suggest clinical phenotypic differencesin presentation of PD in Emiratis popuulation of UAE compared to expats . Worryingly the data also shows delayed treatment initiation as well as widespread lack ot knowledge of advanced therapies in the Emirati poopulation.
North-African doctors as second victims of medical errors
Authors: Boussarsar Mohamed , Saida Imen Ben , Grira Sabil , Toumi Radhouane , Ghodhbani Amani , Ennouri Emna , Meddeb Khaoula , Saad Helmi Ben 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Introduction. Physicians involved in medical errors (MEs) can experience loss of self-esteem and negative psychological experiences. They are called “second victims” of the ME. Aims. To i) describe the profile, the types and the severity of MEs, and ii) explore the psychological impact on “second victims” to better understand how they cope.Methods. It was a cross sectional retrospective study conducted from March to August 2018. All physicians working at Farhat Hached and Sahloul university hospitals were asked to complete a questionnaire about their possible MEs. The impact of MEs was evaluated using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) (scoring, 0-88) (subscales ranges; intrusion, (0-32); avoidance, (0-32); hyperarousal, (0-24)). The diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was made when the total IES-R score exceeded 33. The coping strategies were evaluated using Ways of Coping Checklist Revised (WCC-R) scale (scoring, problem-focused, (10-40); emotion focused, (9-36); seeking social support, (8-32)). Results. Among 393 responders, 268 (68.2%) reported MEs. Wrong diagnosis (40.5%), faulty treatment (34.6%), preventive errors (13.5%) and faulty communication (6.4%) were the main frequent types of MEs. The most common related causes of MEs were inexperience (47.3%) and job overload (40.2%). The physicians’ median(range) score of the IES-R was 19(0-69). According to the IES-R score, the most frequent psychological impacts were median(range): intrusion, 7(0-28) and avoidance symptoms, 7(0-24). PTSD symptoms affected 23.5% of physicians. Female sex and serious MEs were identified as predictors of PTSD. On the WCC-R check list, coping was balanced between the three coping strategies median(range), problem focused, 28.5(10-40); emotion-focused, 24(9-36) and seeking social support 21(8-32). Conclusion. There is a relatively high impact of ME within these North-African university hospital physicians. Coping was balanced within different three strategies as reported worldwide. Physicians adopted more likely constructive changes than defensive ones.
Utilizing Bioinformatics Process to Compare the Single-Cell Sequencing Results of Normal and Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Tissue Samples to Obtain Key Genes from Holistic Level
Authors: Yu Yang , Ding Zheng , Shi Enyi , Gu Tianxiang 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
BackgroundThe thoracic aortic aneurysms especially ascending aortic aneurysms are lethal and tend to be rupture and dissected. The prognosis of untreated aortic aneurysms is worse compared with surgical treatment, however surgical treatment is still a challenging operation with massive trauma and hard to perform on the appropriate time. Medical treatment is mainly to treat the risk factors but not the pathogenesis. With the exploration of the mechanisms of the diseases from onset to development till deterioration or even death leading, the medicine treatment of aortic aneurysms will become more well-targeted and effective.The single cell RNA sequencing is widely used to reveal the function of an individual cell in the context of its microenvironment. After the gene differences study at the cell clusters level, we attempt to obtain the overall differential expression analysis through the algorithm on this basis. This is not only an overall exploration of the mechanism of this disease, but also an attempt to propose a new analytical method to incorporate both local and holistic results from the single-cell sequencing outcome. MethodsAll DEGs are obtained by starting from the processing of the original samples. After ensuring no statistical significance, we extracted gene expression array and finally to the results intersection of the edgeR and DESeq models. The following part is bioinformatics analysis process, including enrichment analysis such as GO analysis and KEGG pathways, the presentation of PPI network, and the target prediction associated with network analysis used to select the hub genes.ResultsBy comparing the gene expression of normal ascending aorta tissue and ascending aorta tissue of ATAA patients, we screened 1390 DEGs, including 526 up-regulated DEGs and 864 down-regulated DEGs. The selected hub genes are: CDC20, CCNB2, BUB1B, BIRC5, PTTG1, ESPL1, PPP1R12B, MYLK, MYL9, MYH14, MYH11. In the classification process using k-means clustering algorithm, MYLK and MYH11 gene showed the characteristics of being in the center and difficult to be classified, indicating that they have a certain pivotal effect. It is consistent with the observation of the characteristics of the small world network. The results obtained by this method is highly compatible with the consensus，and can explain the mechanisms of the aortic aneurysms progressing. ConclusionCDC20, CCNB2, BUB1B, BIRC5, PTTG1, ESPL1 genes as down-regulated hub genes, PPP1R12B, MYLK, MYL9, MYH14, MYH11 were up-regulated hub genes associated with ATAA. MYLK and MYH11 are in the strong group in the consensus of experts. Also, we provided a method to convert single-cell mRNA sequencing results to whole-exome sequencing results, thereby enabling further thinking about molecular pathways of disease at the global and local level in single cell sequencing result.
Assessment of Clinical Features and Morphological Characteristics of Myocardial Bridging Involving the Left Circumflex Artery Using Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography
Authors: Wang Peipei , Yuan Ming-Yuan 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Purpose
This retrospective study aimed to investigate the clinical features and morphological characteristics of myocardial bridging involving the left circumflex artery and its branches using coronary computed tomography angiography.
Methods
We enrolled 23 patients (mean age: 55.65 ± 13.28 years) with myocardial bridging of the left circumflex artery between January 1, 2014 and July 31, 2020. All patients underwent coronary computed tomography angiography and electrocardiography. The morphology, clinical findings, and coronary computed tomography angiography -derived fractional flow reserve were compared for patients with myocardial bridging of a single left circumflex artery (n = 23), right coronary artery (n = 10), and left anterior descending artery (n = 23).
Results
Myocardial bridging of the left circumflex artery were more commonly superficial (superficial myocardial bridging: 22 vs. deep myocardial bridging: 1) while bridging in the left anterior descending artery was mostly located in the middle segment (91%, 21/23), and bridging in the left circumflex artery was mostly located on the distal-segment or obtuse marginal branch (87%, 20/23). The 95% confidence interval of myocardial bridging thickness, myocardial bridging length, arterial diameter in systole and diastole period of the myocardial bridging of the proximal segment was: 0.24 (0.05, 0.43), 2.88 (2.32, 3.42), 1.67 (1.47, 1.87), and 1.74 (1.54, 1.95), respectively. 95% confidence interval of computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve in the proximal and distal segments of bridging were 0.96 (0.96, 0.97) and 0.93 (0.92, 0.94), respectively. All heart dominance showed right coronary dominance (73.91%, 17/23) or co-dominance (26.09%, 6/23).
Conclusions
All patients with bridging segments in the left circumflex artery have right coronary dominant or co-dominant hearts. Bridging of the left circumflex artery is mostly long and located in the distal segment. Computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve showed a low value in diagnosing myocardial ischemia resulting from myocardial bridging of the left circumflex artery.
A new perspective of Ferroptosis in People with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis basing on a bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Li Xiaobin , Tao Xiaohua , Ding Xiaoxia 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Patients with psoriasis (Ps) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are reported with increased cancer risk, but the underlying correlation in less clear. This study was performed to identify the possible association of ferroptosis with Ps and PsA using bioinformatics methods. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between blood samples from patients with PsA and Ps as well as normal control (CL), and the overlapped as well as merged DEGS between the two sets were used for further analysis including the hub genes exploration, enrichment analysis, interaction network construction and engaged pathway analysis. The expression level of ferroptosis related genes among above two sets were performed and the association of key ferroptosis related genes and hub genes was explored to clarify whether ferroptosis correlated with Ps and PsA. The findings revealed a correlation between ferroptosis regulatory genes and hub genes in both Ps and PsA groups, and it appeared to be stronger in the PsA group. Furthermore, most of the correlations are negative. And the similar results were found in the validation dataset. In conclusion, ferroptosis may be a potential research point in psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis development and increased cancer risk.
Sex-Specific Differences in the Efficacy of Traditional Low Frequency Versus High Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain
Authors: Conic Rosalynn RZ , Caylor Jacob , Cui Christina L. , Reyes Zabrina , Nelson Eric , Yin Sopyda , Lerman Imanuel 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Introduction:Spinal cord stimulation (SCS), an FDA-approved therapy for chronic pain, uses paresthesia (low frequency SCS (LF-SCS)) or paresthesia-free (high frequency SCS (HF-SCS)) systems, providing analgesia through partially-elucidated mechanisms, with recent studies indicating a sexual dimorphism in pain pathogenesis. We aim to evaluate SCS therapy sex effects based on paradigm, utilizing visual analog scores (VAS), perceived pain reduction (PPR), and opioid use.Methods:A retrospective cohort study of SCS patients implanted between 2004-2020 (n=237) was conducted. Descriptive statistics and linear mixed methods analyses were used. Results: HF-SCS was implanted in 94 patients (40 females, 54 males), and LF-SCS in 143 (70 females, 73 males). At 3 months and 6 months, HF-SCS (p<0.001) and LF-SCS (p<0.005) had lower VAS scores compared to baseline (p<0.005), with no differences across groups. PPR improved in both post-implantation (p<0.006) and at 3 months (p<0.004 respectively), compared to baseline persisting to 6 (p<0.003) and 12 months (p<0.01) for HF-SCS, with significantly better PPR for HF-SCS at 3 (p<0.008) and 6 (p<0.001) months compared to LF-SCS. LF-SCS patients used more opioids at every time point (p<0.05), with no differences compared to baseline. VAS for HF-SCS males, HF-SCS and LF-SCS females improved at 3 (p=0.001) and 6 months (p<0.05), and at 3 months for LF-SCS males (p<0.001). Female HF-SCS had improved PPR at 3 (p=0.016) and 6 (p=0.022) months compared to baseline, and at 6 (p=0.004) months compared to LF-SCS. Male HF-SCS and LF-SCS had improved PPR post-trial (p<0.05) and at 3 months (p<0.05), with HF-SCS having greater benefit at 3 (p<0.05) and 6 (p<0.05) months. LF-SCS males but not females used less opioids at 6 months (p=0.017) compared to baseline; however this effect did not persist. On linear mixed model analyses, including age, sex and stimulator type, VAS decreased with age and at each timepoint, with a trend towards increasing with sex, while PPR increased at 3 and 6 months and opioid use was decreased with HF-SCS use.Discussion:PPR at 3 and 6 months improved to a greater extent in HF-SCS. HF-SCS females had improved PPR at 3 and 6 months, and only LF-SCS males used less opioids at 6 months, potentially indicating sex-based pathway. Future studies should further elucidate differences in sex-based pathways and identify optimal SCS opioid-sparing paradigms for chronic pain patients.
The cofactor-dependent folding energy landscape of a light-sensing protein revealed by single-molecule pulling experiments
Authors: Maillard Rodrigo , Foroutannejad Sahar , Good Lydia , Lin Changfan , Ingram Zachariah , Tadesse Mahlet , Lucius Aaron , Crane Brian 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The functional link between cofactor binding and protein activity is well established, but how cofactor interactions with the polypeptide reshape the folding energy landscape of large and multidomain proteins is unknown. Here, we use optical tweezers in combination with a novel analytical framework that integrates clustering, bootstrapping and global fitting of kinetic and thermodynamic data to dissect the folding mechanism of the light-sensing Drosophila cryptochrome (dCRY), a 542-residue protein that binds FAD, one of the most common, complex cofactors. We show that FAD binds to multiple dCRY folding intermediates, some of which contain large amounts of unfolded polypeptide. Yet, binding occurs with association kinetics above the diffusion-limit and at sub-nanomolar affinity. Surprisingly, the first parts of dCRY to fold are independent of FAD, but later steps are FAD-driven as the remaining protein folds around the cofactor. Thus, dCRY coordinates cofactor-dependent and independent folding mechanisms to attain its native state. Furthermore, we find that not all the FAD chemical moieties are strictly required for folding: whereas the isoalloxazine ring linked to ribitol and one phosphate group (i.e., FMN) are sufficient to drive complete dCRY folding, the adenosine ring plus the phosphate groups (i.e., AMP and ADP) only allow partially folded structures. Lastly, by combining the results from optical tweezers experiments with structural data, we propose a model for the dCRY folding pathway wherein regions known to undergo conformational transitions during signal transduction are the last to fold. Altogether, our single-molecule experiments and data analysis illustrate the power and broad applicability of optical tweezers to dissect complex mechanisms that couple the folding of large proteins to cofactor binding.
Key residue for aggregation of amyloid-β peptides
Authors: Itoh Satoru , Yagi-Utsumi Maho , Kato Koichi , Okumura Hisashi 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Amyloid-b peptides (Abs) are associated with Alzheimer’s disease and have two isoforms: Ab40 and Ab42. Although the difference between Ab40 and Ab42 is only two additional C-terminal residues, Ab42 aggregates much faster and is more toxic than Ab40. It is unknown what role the C-terminal two residues play in accelerating aggregation. Clarifying the differences between the oligomerization processes of Ab40 and Ab42 is essential to elucidate the key factors of oligomerization. Performing Hamiltonian replica-permutation molecular dynamics simulations for Ab40 and Ab42 to investigate the early oligomerization process, we identified the key residue, Arg5, for the Ab42 dimerization. The two additional residues in Ab42 allow the C-terminus to form contact with Arg5, and this contact stabilizes the b-hairpin. This b-hairpin promotes the intermolecular b-bridge formation. We also conducted experiments on Ab aggregations to validate these simulation results and confirmed that mutations of Arg5 remarkably suppressed the Ab42 aggregation.
A Practical Approach to Estimating Expected Hitting Time with Applications to Climatology and Epidemiology
Authors: Zou Haolin , Cane Mark , Alemayehu Demissie , Peña Victor de la , Pena Victor de la 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Hitting time, or first passage time, is the first time that a process reaches (from above or below) a pre-specified area. Estimating expected hitting time is an important practical problem in many areas of science. In this paper, we discuss a novel and practical approach to estimating expected hitting time of [b, ∞), for a pre-specified boundary level b, as a function of the inverse of existing projections. An important example are predictions from an ensemble of models. Convergence properties of the estimator are established. Applications of the approach in epidemiology and climatology are presented. The performance of the approach is evaluated using real data from climate variability (El Niño) and flu prevalence. It is shown that the proposed approach has superior performance compared to commonly used methods in terms of MSE and other measures of goodness-of-fit.
STS delivery PCL-MECM based hydrogel hybrid scaffold promote meniscal regeneration through controlling the phenotype of macrophages
Authors: Li Muzhe , Yin Han , Chen Mingxue , Deng Haotian , Tian Guangzhao , Yuan Zhiguo , Yan Zineng , Ning Chao , Wu Jiang , Zhang Runmin , Li Huiyun , Wei Fu , Chen Wei , Yi Guoliang , Sui Xiang , Guo Quanyi , Chen Zhiwei , Liu Shuyun 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
BackgroundMeniscus injury has a limited ability to heal itself and often results in the progression to osteoarthritis. Tissue engineering offers the possibility of regeneration of severely damaged meniscus. Immunomodulatory strategies based on biomaterials have a wide range of regenerative potential. Macrophages have a high degree of plasticity and will change in morphology and function under the influence of different tissues. M1 macrophages have pro-inflammatory properties, while M2 macrophages have tissue repair and remodeling functions. It has been reported many times that biological scaffolds induce M2 polarization, resulting in the increase of the M2: M1 macrophage phenotypic ratio, thereby promoting tissue repair. However, there is no report on meniscus repair and regenerative.ResultsIn this study, sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) delivery Polycaprolactone (PCL)-meniscus extracellular matrix (MECM) based hydrogel hybrid scaffold was fabricated. PCL provides mechanical support, MECM based hydrogel provides a microenvironment conducive to cell proliferation and differentiation, and STS is used to control the phenotype of macrophages. In vitro experiments, we confirmed that STS could not only transform macrophages from M1 to M2 polarization but also prevent meniscal fibrochondrocytes (MFCs) from oxidative stress, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix degradation induced by inflammatory stimulation, thus having stronger proliferation activity. Results of subcutaneous implantation in vivo showed that hybrid scaffold could induce M2 polarization in the early stage. In addition, a hybrid scaffold seeded with MFCs could achieve good meniscus regeneration and chondroprotective effects in the rabbit.Conclusion STS delivery PCL-MECM based hydrogel hybrid scaffold promotes meniscal regeneration through controlling the phenotype of macrophage, which provides a new direction for tissue engineering meniscus regeneration.