bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy for pediatrics with infective disease: A updated meta-analyses and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Li Peng , Liu JiaLe , Liu Junjun 
Published: September 2022

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the effect of procalcitonin (PCT) guided therapy on antibiotic exposure in pediatric patients with infectious disease.MethodsWe performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified in systematic searches of MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Database, Google Scholar, and SinoMed (through July 2021). The primary outcome was the length of the antibiotic therapy. Required information size (RIS) was calculated using trial sequential analysis (TSA).ResultsFour RCTs with 1,313 patients with infectious disease were included. Overall, after a mean 22-day follow-up, PCT-guided antibiotic therapy was associated with a significantly shorter length of antibiotic therapy compared with the control group (WMD, −2.22 days; 95% CI, −3.41 to −1.03; P &lt;0.001) and a decreased rate of antibiotic adverse events (RR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.11–0.58; P &lt;0.001). However, the length of hospital stay (WMD, −0.39 days; 95% CI, −0.84 to 0.07; P = 0.094), rates of antibiotic prescription (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.97–1.25; P = 0.122), hospital readmission (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.92–1.16; P = 0.613) and mortality (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.17–3.19; P = 0.674) were comparable between the PCT-guided antibiotic and control groups. TSA showed that the RIS was 2,340, indicating a statistically significantly shorter length of antibiotic therapy between PCT-guided antibiotic and control groups (P &lt;0.05).ConclusionsPCT-guided management seems to be able to decrease antibiotic exposure in patients with infectious disease. However, much larger prospective clinical studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
The safety of pericardiocentesis in patients under antithrombotic therapy: A single-center experience
Authors: Zhu Yuansong , Zhang Chengxiang , Xie Yuqiao , Sasmita Bryan Richard , Xiang Zhenxian , Jiang Yi , Gong Ming , Wang Yaxin , Chen Siyu , Luo Suxin , Huang Bi 
Published: September 2022

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the characteristics of patients with pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis and to evaluate the safety of pericardiocentesis without discontinuation of anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of patients undergoing pericardiocentesis in our hospital between 2012 and 2022. Patients were categorized into the Antithrombotic Group if they had used any antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs on the day of pericardiocentesis; otherwise they were categorized into the Non-antithrombotic Group. All procedures were performed by experienced cardiologists with echocardiographic guidance. Bleeding events were defined using the National Institutes of Health scale of adverse events.ResultsA total of 501 consecutive patients were identified and 70 cases were under antithrombotic drugs (Antithrombotic Group). Patients in Antithrombotic Group were older, had more comorbidities, presented with lower platelet counts and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (all p &lt; 0.05). Malignancy was the most common etiology for pericardial effusion in both groups (28.6% in Antithrombotic Group and 54.7% in Non-antithrombotic Group) and tuberculosis was the second etiology in the Non-antithrombotic Group (21.9%), while procedure-related effusion (17.1%) accounted for the second cause in the Antithrombotic Group. Two patients in the Antithrombotic Group had mild oozing at the puncture site that resolved without interventions (2.9 vs. 0%, p = 0.019), and no bleeding events higher than Grade 1 occurred in either group.ConclusionAlthough antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs may put patients undergoing pericardiocentesis at theoretically higher risk of bleeding, our study demonstrated that they are not associated with increased major bleeding complications.
Global pattern of cardiovascular disease management in patients with cancer and impact of COVID-19 on drug selection: IRAQ—IC-OS survey-based study
Authors: Farhan Hasan Ali , Yaseen Israa Fadhil , Alomar Mohammed , Lenihan Daniel , Dent Susan , Lyon Alexander R. 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundRegional variations in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD management are well known. However, there is limited information on geographical variations in the discipline of Cardio-Oncology, including both the nature of CVD in patients with cancer and its management. Furthermore, during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, CV care for patients was disrupted resulting in an unknown impact on cardio-oncology services.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify the regional variations in the management of CVD among patients with cancer and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the selection of cardiovascular drugs in cardio-oncology.MethodsAn online survey was conducted by the Iraq Chapter of the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS). The survey was shared with cardiologists and oncologists in all seven continents to identify whether regional variations exist in cardio-oncology daily practice.ResultsFrom April to July 2021, 140 participants responded to the survey, including cardiologists (72.9%) and oncologists (27.1%). Most of the respondents were from the Middle East (26.4%), North America (25%), Latin America and the Caribbean (25%), and Europe (20.7%). Baseline CV risk assessment in patients with cancer using the HFA/IC-OS score was reported in 75.7% of respondents (78.4% cardiologists and 68.4% oncologists). Hypertension was the most common CVD treated by the survey respondents globally (52.1%) unlike in Europe where heart failure was the most prominent CVD (51.7%). The blood pressure cutoff value to initiate hypertension management is &gt;140/90 mmHg globally (72.9%), but in North America (48.6%) it was &gt;130/80 mmHg. In the Middle East, 43.2% of respondents do not use cardioprotective medication. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 10.7% of respondents changed their practice, such as switching from prescribing ACEI to ARB. Apixaban is the main anticoagulant used in patients with cancer (32.9%); however, in cancer patients with COVID-19 infection, the majority used enoxaparin (31.4%).ConclusionMore than three-quarters of cardiologists and oncologists responding to the survey are using HFA/IC-OS proformas. The survey showed regional variations in the management of CVD on different continents. The use of cardioprotective agents was limited in some regions including the Middle East. COVID-19 pandemic impacted daily practice on the selection and switching of cardiovascular drugs including ACEI/ARB and the choice of anticoagulants.
Small-volume monogenetic igneous landforms and edifices statistics (SMILES): A catalog of representative mafic volcanic landforms to enable quantitative remote identification
Authors: Nolan Joseph A. , Graettinger Alison H. 
Published: September 2022

Accurate classification of terrestrial and non-terrestrial volcanic landforms requires a robust suite of morphometric parameters. The Small-volume Monogenetic Igneous Landforms and Edifices Statistics (SMILES) catalog contains the morphometric characterizations of mafic small-volume volcanic landforms and was created using uncrewed aerial system photogrammetry, open-source LiDAR, and digital elevation model repositories. This study analyzed 20 simple maars, 22 lava collapse features, 24 ring scoria cones, and 24 spatter landforms (fissure and point source spatter ramparts), using high-resolution (&lt;0.1–5 m/pixel) digital elevation models to establish what dimensionless morphometric parameters enable remote identification of the studied landforms. Parameters include isoperimetric circularity, depth ratio (crater depth/major chord), interior slope angles, as well as crater to base ratios for the area, perimeter, and major chord lengths. Landforms were limited to a basal width of &lt;2 km and &lt;1 km3 for scoria cones and spatter landforms, and a major chord of 2 km or less for lava collapse features and maars. Simple maars have an aspect ratio (AR) (&gt;0.74), isoperimetric circularity (IC) (&gt;0.90), interior slope angle (&lt;47°), and depth ratio (&lt;0.26) creating a distinct range of morphometric parameters. Lava collapse features exhibit wider variability in AR (0.26–0.95), IC (0.46–0.98), interior slope angle (up to 16–86°), and depth ratio (0.25–0.52). Scoria cone craters have a distinct range of AR (&gt;0.54), IC (&gt;0.81), interior slope angle (&lt;34°), and lower depth ratio (&lt;0.25). Spatter landforms have a wider range of variability in AR (0.25–0.94), IC (0.43–0.98), interior slope angle (&lt;63°), and depth ratio (0.04–0.37). Scoria cones have lower crater/base area ratios and lower crater/base perimeter ratios than spatter landforms. This study demonstrates that while an individual parameter is not diagnostic for recognizing small-volume mafic volcanic landforms remotely, a suite of parameters is. The SMILES catalog demonstrates the value of evaluating populations of similar landforms using higher-resolution datasets to establish diagnostic suites of dimensionless parameters, to enable accurate and positive remote identification of volcanic landforms. The technique used in this study can be applied to other volcanic and non-volcanic landforms on Earth, as well as non-terrestrial targets.
Temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of stratospheric aerosols over xinjiang region based on CALIPSO spaceborne lidar observation
Authors: ZiWei Li , Xiangling Tang 
Published: September 2022

Based on level 3 stratosphere aerosol profile data retrieved from CALIPSO during 2007–2018, optical properties of stratospheric aerosols over the Xinjiang China are analyzed. The results are as follows:Firstly, the optical depth of stratospheric aerosol over Xinjiang is considerably higher in spring (0.0006) and summer (0.0009), than in autumn (0.0003) and winter (0.0002). Secondly, the backscattering ratio of stratospheric aerosol particles decreases with the increase of altitude, with the bottom of the stratosphere as the main contributor of the optical depth. Thirdly, for latitudinal distribution (35°–50° north latitude), the backscattering ratio gradually increases from south to north, with an average value that reaches 0.0013 × 10–3 km−1sr−1 at maximum in May and 0.0003 × 10–3 km−1sr−1 at minimum in January, October and December.
Modeling of hydrogen production system for photovoltaic power generation and capacity optimization of energy storage system
Authors: Wei Daohong , Li Huawei , Ren Yan , Yao Xianhe , Wang Long , Jin Kunyong 
Published: September 2022

Hydrogen production using solar energy is an important way to obtain hydrogen energy. However, the inherent intermittent and random characteristics of solar energy reduce the efficiency of hydrogen production. Therefore, it is necessary to add an energy storage system to the photovoltaic power hydrogen production system. This paper establishes a model of a photovoltaic power generation hydrogen system and optimizes the capacity configuration. Firstly, the mathematical model is modeled and analyzed, and the system is modeled using Matlab/Simulink; secondly, the principle of optimal configuration of energy storage capacity is analyzed to determine the optimization strategy, we propose the storage capacity configuration algorithm based on the low-pass filtering principle, and optimal time constant selection; finally, a case study is conducted, whose photovoltaic installed capacity of 30 MW, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, analyzing the relationship between energy storage capacity and smoothing effect. The results show that as the cut-off frequency decreases, the energy storage capacity increases and the smoothing effect is more obvious. The proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the 1 h maximum power variation of PV power generation. In which the maximum power variation of PV generation 1 h before smoothing is 4.31 MW. We set four different sets of time constants, the maximum power variation of PV generation 1 h after smoothing is reduced to 0.751, 0.389, 0.078, and 0.04 MW, respectively.
Acoustic emission feature events during rock failure and their cumulative probability distribution: Case study of phosphate rock and granite
Authors: Zhang Yi , Feng Guangliang , Lin Manqing , Li Xianfu , Gao Chengcheng , Liang Xiaoshuai 
Published: September 2022

Rock mass failure is gradually becoming more common as the number of geotechnical engineering projects continues to increase. In this paper, the probability density distributions of initial and peak frequency events in the acoustic emission (AE) from two types of rock (phosphate rock and granite) undergoing failure are analyzed. Feature events (FEs) in this AE are proposed and obtained. The probabilities of events with an initial frequency of 1,000 kHz and peak frequency of 625 kHz are found to be higher than those with other frequencies. The evolutionary behavior of the cumulative probability distributions (CPDs) of the FEs as the rocks fail is subsequently investigated. The characteristic FEs of the AE and their CPD evolution behavior in the two rocks are then compared and contrasted. The CPD curves derived for both types of rock consist of four stages: slow rise—concave rise—rapid rise—slow rise. The differences related to the FEs for the two rocks are also found. The duration of the last stage (near rock failure) is quite different for phosphate rock and granite. The peak frequencies of the FEs are the highest and the smallest in the two rocks, respectively. Our method of analyzing the AE data and results provide a theoretical method for analyzing the stability of rock masses and predicting their failure.
Reclassifying TNM stage I/II colorectal cancer into two subgroups with different overall survival, tumor microenvironment, and response to immune checkpoint blockade treatment
Authors: Liu Xiangxiang , Qin Jian , Nie Junjie , Sun Huiling , Pan Yuqin , Wang Shukui 
Published: September 2022

Background: The traditional TNM staging system is often insufficient to differentiate the survival discrepancies of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients at TNM stage I/II. Our study aimed to reclassify stage I/II CRC patients into several subgroups with different prognoses and explore their suitable therapeutic methods.Methods: Single-cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing data, bulk RNA sequencing data, and clinicopathological information of CRC patients were enrolled from the TCGA and GEO databases. The tumor microenvironment of CRC tissues was accessed by the ESTIMATE algorithm. The prognostic genes were identified by Cox regression analysis. GO and KEGG analyses were conducted in the DAVID database. GSEA analysis was performed for annotation of the correlated gene sets.Results: We successfully reclassified stage I/II CRC patients into two subgroups and discovered that patients in cluster-2 underwent worse overall survival than those in cluster-1. GSEA analysis showed that immune-associated gene sets were positively enriched in cluster-2. Besides, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between cluster-1 and cluster-2 patients also participated in immune-related biological processes and signaling pathways. Moreover, we found that more immune cells infiltrated the microenvironment of cluster-2 patients compared to that of cluster-1 patients, such as Tregs and tumor-associated macrophages. ScRNA sequencing analysis uncovered that most of the enriched immune-associated signaling in cluster-2 patients was mainly attributed to these upregulated immune cells whose infiltration levels were also high in CRC tissues rather than in normal tissues. In addition, we demonstrated that the expression of immune checkpoint genes was significantly higher in cluster-2 patients compared to cluster-1 patients. ScRNA sequencing analysis revealed that the infiltrated CD8+T cells in CRC were naïve T cells and can be activated into effector T cells after immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatment.Conclusion: TNM stage I/II CRC patients can be divided into two subgroups, which have different overall survival rates, tumor microenvironment, and response to ICB therapy.
Integrated identification of key immune related genes and patterns of immune infiltration in calcified aortic valvular disease: A network based meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Li-Da , Xiao Feng , Sun Jin-Yu , Li Feng , Chen Yu-Jia , Chen Jia-Yi , Zhang Jie , Qian Ling-Ling , Wang Ru-Xing 
Published: September 2022

Background: As the most prevalent valvular heart disease, calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) has become a primary cause of aortic valve stenosis and insufficiency. We aim to illustrate the roles of immune related genes (IRGs) and immune cells infiltration in the occurrence of CAVD.Methods: Integrative meta-analysis of expression data (INMEX) was adopted to incorporate multiple gene expression datasets of CAVD from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. By matching the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to IRGs from “ImmPort” database, differentially expressed immune related genes (DEIRGs) were screened out. We performed enrichment analysis and found that DEIRGs in CAVD were closely related to inflammatory response and immune cells infiltration. We also constructed protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of DEIRGs and identified 5 key DEIRGs in CAVD according to the mixed character calculation results. Moreover, CIBERSORT algorithm was used to explore the profile of infiltrating immune cells in CAVD. Based on Spearman’s rank correlation method, correlation analysis between key DEIRGs and infiltrating immune cells was performed.Results: A total of 220 DEIRGs were identified and the enrichment analysis of DEIRGs showed that they were significantly enriched in inflammatory responses. PPI network was constructed and PTPN11, GRB2, SYK, PTPN6 and SHC1 were identified as key DEIRGs. Compared with normal aortic valve tissue samples, the proportion of neutrophils, T cells CD4 memory activated and macrophages M0 was elevated in calcified aortic valves tissue samples, as well as reduced infiltration of macrophages M2 and NK cells activated. Furthermore, key DEIRGs identified in the present study, including PTPN11, GRB2, PTPN6, SYK, and SHC1, were all significantly correlated with infiltration of various immune cells.Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggested that PTPN11, GRB2, PTPN6, SYK, and SHC1 might be key DEIRGs associated with immune cells infiltration, which play a pivotal role in pathogenesis of CAVD.
Indole and p-cresol in feces of healthy subjects: Concentration, kinetics, and correlation with microbiome
Authors: Candeliere Francesco , Simone Marta , Leonardi Alan , Rossi Maddalena , Amaretti Alberto , Raimondi Stefano 
Published: September 2022

Indole and p-cresol are precursors of the most important uremic toxins, generated from the fermentation of amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine by the proteolytic community of intestinal bacteria. The present study focused on the relationship between the microbiome composition, the fecal levels of indole and p-cresol, and their kinetics of generation/degradation in fecal cultures. The concentration of indole and p-cresol, the volatilome, the dry weight, and the amount of ammonium and carbohydrates were analyzed in the feces of 10 healthy adults. Indole and p-cresol widely differed among samples, laying in the range of 1.0–19.5 μg/g and 1.2–173.4 μg/g, respectively. Higher fecal levels of indole and p-cresol were associated with lower carbohydrates and higher ammonium levels, that are markers of a more pronounced intestinal proteolytic metabolism. Positive relationship was observed also with the dry/wet weight ratio, indicator of prolonged intestinal retention of feces. p-cresol and indole presented a statistically significant negative correlation with OTUs of uncultured Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, the former belonging to Bacteroides and the latter to the families Butyricicoccaceae (genus Butyricicoccus), Monoglobaceae (genus Monoglobus), Lachnospiraceae (genera Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, and Eubacterium ventriosum group). The kinetics of formation and/or degradation of indole and p-cresol was investigated in fecal slurries, supplemented with the precursor amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine in strict anaerobiosis. The presence of the precursors bursted indole production but had a lower effect on the rate of p-cresol formation. On the other hand, supplementation with indole reduced the net rate of formation. The taxa that positively correlated with fecal levels of uremic toxins presented a positive correlation also with p-cresol generation rate in biotransformation experiments. Moreover other bacterial groups were positively correlated with generation rate of p-cresol and indole, further expanding the range of taxa associated to production of p-cresol (Bacteroides, Alistipes, Eubacterium xylanophylum, and Barnesiella) and indole (e.g., Bacteroides, Ruminococcus torques, Balutia, Dialister, Butyricicoccus). The information herein presented contributes to disclose the relationships between microbiota composition and the production of uremic toxins, that could provide the basis for probiotic intervention on the gut microbiota, aimed to prevent the onset, hamper the progression, and alleviate the impact of nephropaties.
Association between serum transthyretin and intracranial atherosclerosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Authors: He Jinfeng , Zhu Jiamin , Zhang Wenyuan , Zhan Zhenxiang , Fu Fangwang , Bao Qiongqiong 
Published: September 2022

BackgroundIntracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is a primary cause of ischemic stroke. In addition to dyslipidemia, inflammation has been recognized as a potential pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. It remains unknown whether there is a link between transthyretin and ICAS as an inflammatory index.MethodsConsecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between January 2019 and June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Blood samples were collected from all patients within 24 h of admission to detect their serum transthyretin levels. ICAS was defined as at least one intracranial artery stenosis on vascular examination with a degree of stenosis ≥50%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with ICAS. Restricted cubic spline models were used to depict patterns in the association between serum transthyretin levels and ICAS.ResultsIn total, 637 patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in this study, of whom 267 (41.9%) had ICAS. Compared with the patients without ICAS, serum transthyretin levels in patients with ICAS were significantly lower (226.3 ± 56.5 vs. 251.0 ± 54.9 mg/L; p &lt; 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, patients in the lowest tertile showed a significant increase in ICAS compared to those in the highest tertile (odds ratio, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–3.05; p = 0.016). This negative linear association is also observed in the restricted cubic spline model. However, this association may only be observed in men. Age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, hemoglobin A1c level, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level were independently associated with ICAS.ConclusionsDecreased serum transthyretin levels are associated with a more severe ICAS burden in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Our findings suggest that transthyretin may play a role in the pathogenesis of ICAS and provide insight into the control of inflammation for the treatment of ICAS.