bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing the modified 4-item version of the Perceived Stress Scale with a better reliability and validity in functional dyspepsia
Authors: Du Limei , Yong Guizhen , Wang Ping , Wang Xi , Ming Wen , He Guobin 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: To develop the modified 4-itemversion of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) as a better reliability and validity than the 4-item version of the PSS (PSS-4) in evaluating psychological stress in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Also, to explore the relationship between psychological stress assessed by two approaches and symptoms of FD.
Methods: 389 FD patients who met the Roman IV criteria completed the 10-item version of the PSS (PSS-10) and 4/10 items were selected by five methods of Cronbach’s coefficient, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), correlation coefficient, discrete degree and item analysis to develop the modified PSS-4. Reliability and validity of the modified PSS-4 and the PSS-4 were compared by internal consistency, EFA and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The relationship between psychological stress assessed by two approaches and symptoms of FD were explored by Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis.
Results: The Cronbach’s α coeffcient of the modified PSS-4 and the PSS-4 was 0.855 and 0.848, respectively, and a common factor was extracted, respectively. The cumulative contribution rate of one factor to the overall variance for the modified PSS-4 and the PSS-4 was 70.194% and 68.698%, respectively. The model used for the modified PSS-4 showed that the values of the goodness of ft index (GFI) and the adjusted GFI (AGFI) were 0.987 and 0.933, respectively, which indicated that the model fitted well. Psychological stress assessed by the modified PSS-4 (r=0.302, P=0.000) and the PSS-4 (r=0.301, P=0.000) was found to be correlated to somatization. And psychological stress assessed by the modified PSS-4 (r=0.225, P=0.000) and the PSS-4 (r=0.220, P=0.002) was found to be correlated to quality of life (QoL). Multiple linear regression analysis unveiled that psychological stress (β=0.251, P=0.000), dyspepsia symptoms severity (DSS) (β=0.345, P=0.000) assessed by the modified PSS-4 were correlated to somatization. In addition, psychological stress (β=0.247, P=0.003), DSS (β=0.343, P=0.000) assessed by the PSS-4 were correlated to somatization. Psychological stress (β=0.173, P=0.000), DSS (β=0.283,P=0.000), somatization (β=0.216, P=0.000) assessed by the modified PSS-4 were correlated to QoL. In addition, psychological stress (β=0.167, P=0.000), DSS (β=0.281, P=0.000), somatization (β=0.219, P=0.000) assessed by the PSS-4 were correlated to QoL.
Conclusions: The modified PSS-4 showed a better reliability and validity, and psychological stress assessed by the modified PSS-4 may has a greater effect on the somatization and QoL of FD patients as compared to the PSS-4. These findings were helpful for further research on the clinical application value of the modified PSS-4 in FD.
Two-stage surgery for adult patients with chronic hematogenous osteomyelitis of the femur or tibia: A case series study
Authors: Wang Yi , Xu Yongqing , Yang Xiaoyong , Song Muguo , Chen Xingyu , Zhou Tianhua , Zhang Xijiao , Luo Shunji , Shi Jian 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of a two-stage surgery using the induced membrane technique combined with antibiotic-loaded bone cement sustained-release for patients with chronic hematogenous osteomyelitis (CHOM) of the femur or tibia.
Methods
In this case series study, data of patients with CHOM underwent the two-stage surgery in our Hospital between January 2016 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.
Results
A total of 18 patients (16 men) with an average age of 32.1 (range from 16 to 56) years old were included. The average duration of disease was 17.8 (range from 1.2 to 42) years. The infection was located in tibia in 10 cases and femur in 8 cases. Besides, 10 cases had sinus tract or local redness, swelling, as well as fever of the affected limbs preoperatively. After the surgery, all patients were followed up for 29.1 (range from 22 to 47) months. At the end of follow-up, no recurrence of infection, swelling and pus was found. The white blood cell count, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were all returned to normal ranges.
Conclusions
The two-stage surgery using the induced membrane technique combined with antibiotic-loaded bone cement sustained-release might be a feasible and effective treatment for adult patients with CHOM.
Assessment of heavy metal pollution in Sirwan River by heavy metal pollution index (HIP) and metal index (MI)
Authors: Sarhat Abdulmutalib Raafat , Al-Obaidi Basim Shakir 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of Sirwan River water with respect to its heavy metal contents by using two of most recent index regarding heavy metal which are: heavy metal pollution index HIP and metal index MI. In this study, twenty four (24) stations sampling were selected along the Sirwan River from downstream of Darbandikhan Dam to the border of Jalawlaa Sub-district. Seven heavy metals including: Aluminum (Al), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Nickle (Ni) and Chromium (Cr) were analyzed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer (ICP). The average value of HPI index was found to be (47.2) and (12.8) for drinking and irrigation uses respectively, which indicates that water in Sirwan River is seriously polluted in respect to drinking purpose; while, it is fall under (pure) class for irrigation uses. Also, the results of (MI) for domestic and irrigation uses were found to be (5.7) which fall under (seriously affected) class and (0.65) under (pure) class respectively. Therefore, the study revealed the effect of man-made sources on the pollution load of Sirwan River water.
Controlling mean exit time of stochastic dynamical systems based on quasipotential and machine learning
Authors: Li Yang , Yuan Shenglan , Xu Shengyuan 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The mean exit time escaping basin of attraction in the presence of white noise is of practical importance in various scientific fields. In this work, we propose a strategy to control mean exit time of general stochastic dynamical systems to achieve a desired value based on the quasipotential concept and machine learning. Specifically, we develop a neural network architecture to compute the global quasipotential function. Then we design a systematic iterated numerical algorithm to calculate the controller for a given mean exit time. Moreover, we identify the most probable path between metastable attractors with help of the effective Hamilton-Jacobi scheme and the trained neural network. Numercal experiments demonstrate that our control strategy is effective and sufficiently accurate.
CDC6, a key replication licensing factor, is overexpressed and confers poor prognosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Shen Mingfang , Zhang Yunfeng , Tang Lun , Fu Qinyan , Zhang Jiawei , Xu Yang , Zeng Hui , Li Yuan 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Cell division cycle 6 (CDC6) is a key licensing factor in the assembly of pre-replicative complexes at origins of replication. The role of CDC6 in the pathogenesis of in diffuse larger B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains unknown. We aim to investigate the effects of CDC6 on the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle regulation in DLBCL cells, delineate its underlying mechanism, and to correlate CDC6 expression with clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with DLBCL.
Methods: Initial bioinformatic analysis was performed to screen the potential role of CDC6 in DLBCL. Lentiviral constructs harboring CDC6 or shCDC6 was transfected to overexpress or knockdown CDC6 in SUDHL4 cells. The cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay, cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin-V APC/7-AAD double staining, and cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry. Real time quantitative PCR and western blot was used to characterize CDC6 expression and its downstream signaling pathways. The clinical data of DLBCL patients were retrospectively reviewed, the CDC6 expression in DLBCL or lymph node reactive hyperplasia tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.
Results: In silico data suggest that CDC6 overexpression is associated with inferior prognosis of DLBCL. We found that CDC6 overexpression increased SUDHL4 cell proliferation, while knockdown of CDC6 inhibited cell proliferation in a time-dependent manner. Upon overexpression, CDC6 reduced cells in G1 phase and did not affect cell apoptosis; CDC6 knockdown led to significant cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and increase in cell apoptosis. Western blot showed that CDC6 inhibited the expression of INK4, E-Cadherin and ATR, accompanied by increased Bcl-2 and deceased Bax expression. The CDC6 protein was overexpressed DLBCL compared with lymph node reactive hyperplasia, and CDC6 overexpression was associated with non-GCB subtype, and conferred poor PFS and OS in patients with DLBCL.
Conclusion: CDC6 promotes cell proliferation and survival of DLBCL cells through regulation of G1/S cell cycle checkpoint and apoptosis. CDC6 is overexpressed and serves as a novel prognostic marker in DLBCL.
Microscale vortexes in cellular media
Authors: Yan Peng , Li Hong , Zhang Yang , Hao Zhiqiang , Li Xingang , Ou Xiaoxia , Fan Xiaolei , Gao Xin 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Vortex formation is one of the key phenomena of fluid transport within porous foam media, being responsible for improving mass transfer in relevant engineering applications such as separation and catalysis. Here, water flows through SiC open-cell foam media were investigated using the combined experimental and simulation method. Direct observation of pore-scale vortexes in the foam media was achieved experimentally, showing the formation of forced vortexes in foam cells with the constant exchange of fluid elements between vortexes and bulk fluid, which was confirmed by the CFD simulation using the virtual 3D replica of the foam media. Upon the validation of the simulation results by the experimental ones, further investigation of the vortex formation mechanism in the porous foam media was performed. Based on the Galileo invariance, a dimensionless vortex formation number (Vop) with the physical significance of vorticity was proposed, as the criteria to determine vortex formation in the porous channel of open-cell foams.
A deep learning solution to predict tumor mutational status : an evaluation as a first-line diagnostic tool
Authors: Vinçon Nathan , Morel Louis-Oscar , Derangère Valentin , Arnould Laurent , Ladoire Sylvain 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The presence of genomic mutations in cancer can be associated with a response to a targeted therapy. Therefore, it has become a crucial information for giving more efficient treatments to every patient. Detection of mutation is routinely made by DNA-sequencing diagnostic tests. Recent developments showed promising results for tumoral mutational status prediction using new deep learning based methods on histopathological images. However, it is still unknown whether these methods can be useful aside from sequencing methods for efficient population diagnosis. Here, we use a standard prediction pipeline for the detection of clinically relevant genomic alterations in breast, lung and colon cancer. We propose 3 diagnostic strategies using deep learning methods as first-line diagnostic tools. We show that these methods help reduce DNA sequencing by up to 34.6% with a high sensitivity (95%). In a context of limited resources, these methods increase sensitivity up to 75% at a 30% capacity of DNA sequencing tests, up to 85.7% at a 50% capacity, and up to 92.3% at a 70% capacity. These methods can also be used to prioritize patients with a positive predictive value up to 86.7% in the 10% patient most at risk of being mutated.
An unexpected case of wind-pollination: ambophily in an ornithophilous tropical mountaintop Orobanchaceae
Authors: Pacheco Amanda , Bergamo Pedro Joaquim , Freitas Leandro 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Some plant species have a kind of mixed pollination system – ambophily – which rely both on biotic and abiotic (most commonly wind) as pollen vectors. Ambophily remains poorly addressed in the pollination literature and may have been overlooked because existing studies do not quantify the wind contribution in animal-pollinated species. Moreover, it is expected in species pollinated by different insect groups and generalist floral phenotype. Esterhazya eitenorum is a (sub-)shrub endemic to a high-altitude grassland (campos de altitude) area in southeastern Brazil. Pollinated mainly by hummingbirds and secondarily by large bees, it presents features generally associated with ornithophily. Bird-pollinated species are not expected to be ambophilous, due to their high resource investment in floral construction and maintenance. However, here we detect ambophily in E. eitenorum by testing the potential for pollen export by wind as well as seed set after floral visitor exclusion and spontaneous self-pollination treatments, and comparing these with natural conditions. Esterhazya eitenorum has an ambophilous pollination system, with effect size analyses between floral visitor exclusion treatments and natural conditions revealing significant contributions from both abiotic and biotic components. Although its floral phenotype corresponds to the main pollinator, the occurrence of ambophily in E. eitenorum underscores the need for an independent approach to the association of floral phenotypes with pollination vectors, in particular for the detection and better understanding of the evolution of mixed pollination systems.
Optimization of continuous casting for preventing the surface peeling defects of Ti-containing ferrite stainless steel
Authors: Feng Chien-Cheng , Lin Ming-Hong , Chen Yi-Cheng , Ou Shih-Fu , Huang Ching-Chien 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Owing to the durability of stainless steel, stainless steel components can be effectively reused, remanufactured, and indefinitely recycled. The production of stainless steel from scrap is expected to be a trend in the future to achieve a circular economy. However, the surface of cold-rolled Ti-containing ferrite stainless steel strips produced from scrap is prone to severe peeling. In this study, it was found that peeling defects were caused by cracking near slab inclusions during hot rolling. These inclusions mainly comprised Ti oxides, Ti nitrides, and Al oxides generated from clogged and submerged entrance nozzles. To prevent peeling defects and the clogging of the submerged entrance nozzle, the Taguchi method was used and the optimal casting parameters, such as casting overheating, casting speed, stirring time, and inclination, were determined. Increasing casting overheating and decreasing the casting speed inhibited clogging and effectively mitigated peeling defects. When casting overheat was fixed at 60°C with a casting speed in the range of 0.8–0.9 m/min, no peeling defects on the surface of the steel strip were observed. The steel strip produced using the optimized parameters fulfilled the required mechanical properties (tensile strength ≥ 415 MPa, yield strength ≥ 205 MPa, elongation ≥ 22%, and hardness ≤ 89 HRB) and design criteria.
The Risk of Ischemic Stroke Significantly Increases in Individuals with Blepharitis: A Population-based Study Involving 424,161 Patients
Authors: Li Jing-Xing , Tsai Yi-Yu , Shih Ying-Hsiu , Wu Ying-Hsuen , Li You-Ling , Chiang Chun-Chi 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Introduction:
To investigate the association of blepharitis and ischemic stroke (IS).
Methods
This retrospective cohort study used population-based data in Taiwan. We identified 424,161 patients with blepharitis between 2008 and 2018.
Results
424,161 pairs of blepharitis cohort and non-blepharitis cohort were 1:1 propensity score matched for statistical analysis. Patients with blepharitis had significantly increased risks of IS compared with the individuals without blepharitis (adjusted hazard ratio 1.32, 95% CI 1.29–1.34, P < 0.001). A significantly higher risk of IS was observed in blepharitis cohort with a previous diagnosis of cancer than in those without cancer (P for interaction < 0.0001). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed the cumulative incidence of IS increased in the blepharitis cohort compared with that in the non-blepharitis cohort in 10 years (log-rank P < 0.001). The follow-up period analysis further indicated 1.41-fold adjusted hazard (95% CI 1.35 − 1.46, P < 0.001) of IS within a year after blepharitis diagnosis.
Conclusions
Patients with blepharitis had an elevated risk of developing IS. Further research is required to determine the causal relationship between blepharitis and IS, as well as the underlying mechanism.
Unveiling Sex-based Differences in Parkinson's Disease: A Comprehensive Meta-analysis of Transcriptomic Studies
Authors: López-Cerdán Adolfo , Andreu Zoraida , Hidalgo Marta R. , Grillo-Risco Rubén , Català-Senent José Francisco , Soler-Saez Irene , Neva-Alejo Almudena , Gordillo Fernando , Iglesia-Vayá María de la , Garcia-Garcia Francisco 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Background:In recent decades, increasing longevity (among other factors) has fostered a rise in Parkinson's disease incidence. Although not exhaustively studied in this devastating disease, the impact of sex represents a critical variable in Parkinson’s Disease as epidemiological and clinical features differ between males and females.Methods:To study sex bias in Parkinson’s Disease, we conducted a systematic review to select sex-labeled transcriptomic data from three relevant brain tissues: the frontal cortex, the striatum, and the substantia nigra. We performed differential expression analysis on each study chosen. Then we summarized the individual differential expression results with three tissue-specific meta-analyses and a global all-tissues meta-analysis. Finally, results from the meta-analysis were functionally characterized using different functional profiling approaches.Results:The tissue-specific meta-analyses linked Parkinson’s Disease to the enhanced expression ofMED31in the female frontal cortex and the dysregulation of 237 genes in the substantia nigra. The global meta-analysis detected 15 genes with sex-differential patterns in Parkinson’s disease, which participate in mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, neuronal degeneration, and cell death. Furthermore, functional analyses identified pathways, protein-protein interaction networks, and transcription factors that differed by sex. While male patients exhibited changes in oxidative stress based on metal ions, inflammation, and angiogenesis, female patients exhibited dysfunctions in mitochondrial and lysosomal activity, antigen processing and presentation functions, and glutamic and purine metabolism. All results generated during this study are readily available by accessing an open web resource (http://bioinfo.cipf.es/metafun-pd/) for consultation and reuse in further studies.Conclusions:Our in-silico approach has highlighted sex-based differential mechanisms in typical Parkinson Disease hallmarks (inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress). Additionally, we have identified specific genes and transcription factors for male and female Parkinson Disease patients that represent potential candidates as biomarkers to diagnosis.
A Simulation of the Migration of a Cassava Contaminant Plume from a Processing Mill into Aquifers, Eku, Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Atiti Prince , Ohwoghere-Asuma Oghenero , Ophori Duke 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The migration of a cassava contaminant plume from a cassava mill into aquifers in Eku and its environs, Delta State, Nigeria, has been modeled using the Groundwater Modeling System (GMS). The cassava plume was modeled using Cyanide. It was found that the Cyanide transport generally follows the groundwater flow direction. Cyanide is attenuated as it infiltrates into the soil, but, with continuous introduction of the contaminant for 20 years, the mass of the contaminant at the aquifer increases with time. In 1460 days (4 years) the concentration of the contaminant that may be pumped from a well at the source is 0.246 mg/l which is above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water standard of 0.2 mg/l. The transport of the Cyanide is influenced by the groundwater recharge rate, the pumping rate of water from the aquifer, and by the dispersion rate of the contaminant. Variation in recharge rate was simulated to represent possible climate change at the study area, while variation in pumping rate was used to cover the range of possible demand for water. The dispersion rate was varied to account for the degree of uncertainty to which the rock dispersivity is known at the site. In a well at the contaminant source in the aquifer, a contaminant mass of 355000 mg was observed under increased recharge conditions in 7300 days. With reduced recharge, the mass observed was 76000 mg. With increased pumping rate in 7300 days, a contaminant mass of 88000 mg was detected in the aquifer. Under reduced pumping rate, a contaminant mass of 260000 mg was detected. Increased dispersion results in 230000 mg of contaminant in the well, while reduced dispersion results in a contaminant mass of 308000 mg. Of these parameters that control the fate of the Cyanide, recharge has the greatest impact on the spread, followed by the dispersion rate and pumping rate in that order.
Autoantibody to VASP is associated with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus and elevated platelet level
Authors: Zhu Chenxi , Yang Hang , Zhao Yi , Xu Jiayi , Liu Yi 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Biomarkers for diagnosis in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) are still lacking, we implemented this study to identify potential antigenic targets that are associated with the pathogenic mechanism in this disease, combining transcriptomic and proteomics approach with chemiluminescence immune assay.
Methods: Transcriptomic analysis of 70 SLE patients with or without neuropsychiatric involvement was carried out to obtain NPSLE-related genes. Epitope mapping and sequence analysis were used to predict autoantigens. Then enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoprecipitation (IP), and blotting were conducted to detect the autoantibodies.
Results: Analysis of transcriptomic data indicated a set of hub genes with a close correlation to NPSLE phenotype and higher platelet (PLT) levels. Epitope prediction for corresponding protein revealed that vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) was a potential autoantigen in NPSLE, as it had sequences with optimal antigen index mapped to small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP). By ELISA and IP, we confirmed that the anti-VASP antibody (Ab) was positively related to both NPSLE phenotype and PLT levels.
Conclusions: Anti-VASP Ab was a novel candidate biomarker for NPSLE and might involve in its pathogenesis via coagulation and autoimmunity.