bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of arterial damage in vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A retrospective multicentric cohort
Authors: Adham Salma , Legrand Anne , Bruno Rosa-Maria , Billon Clarisse , Dalens Violaine , Boutouyrie Pierre , Mazzella Jean-Michaël , Gueguen Sonia , Frank Michael , Mirault Tristan , Jeunemaitre Xavier 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundVascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare inherited connective tissue disorder due to pathogenic variants in COL3A1 leading to medium-size-artery (MSA) dissection, aneurysm, rupture. Aortic lesions are rarer and less investigated. The objective was to describe the distribution of MSA and aortic lesions and the type of COL3A1 variants in a multicentric cohort of 330 adult vEDS patients.MethodsAt the time of the study, 87% were alive, 60.3% were index cases, and 60.0% were women. COL3A1 variants were identified using NGS and/or Sanger sequencing and classified according to functional consequences: 80.6% leading to dominant-negative (DN) and 19.4% leading to haploinsufficiency (HI). Imaging was systematically performed during the initial workup. Carotid mechanics were assessed by echo tracking in a subgroup of patients.ResultsArterial lesions were reported in 82.4% of the patients (N = 272): 83.5% had MSA lesions alone, 3.3% had aortic lesions alone, and 13.2% both. DN variants were associated with a higher prevalence of arterial lesions (P &lt; 0.044), especially in supra-aortic trunks and renal arteries. The prevalence of aortic lesions in HI patients with arterial lesions was higher than that in patients with DN (P 0.027), but not anymore when adjusted for age (P &lt; 0.559). Carotid Young’s modulus was lower in patients with DN, in association with the higher incidence of MSA lesions in this group.ConclusionThe prevalence of aortic lesions is not influenced by the COL3A1 genotype when adjusted for age. Patients with DN variant vEDS have a higher frequency of MSA lesions, especially in supra-aortic trunks associated with lower carotid stiffness. These results support optimized care and follow-up for these vulnerable patients.
Association of METS-IR index with prevalence of gallbladder stones and the age at the first gallbladder stone surgery in US adults: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Jin , Yang Junping , Chen Yan , Rui Jing , Xu Maoqi , Chen Mingwei 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between the metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) index and gallbladder stoneprevalence in US adults, as well as the age at first gallbladder stone surgery.MethodsA logistic regression analysis, subgroup analysis, and dose-response curve were computed for participants in the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to assess the relationship between the METS-IR index and gallbladder stone prevalence and age at first surgery for gallbladder stones.ResultsThis study ultimately included 9452 participants aged &gt;20 years, of whom 534 self-reported a history of gallbladder stones, and after adjusting for all confounders, each unit increase in METS-IR index was associated with a 3.3% increase in gallbladder stone prevalence (OR= 1.033, 95% CI: 1.0258, 1.0403) along with an earlier age at first gallbladder stone surgery 0.26 years (β= -0.26, 95% CI: -0.35, -0.17), stratified analysis showed that increased METS-IR index was associated with increased prevalence of gallbladder stones in all subgroups, and the dose-response curve showed a positive linear correlation between METS-IR index and prevalence of gallbladder stones, while a negative linear correlation was observed between increased METS-IR index and age at first gallbladder stone There was a negative linear correlation between age at surgery.ConclusionThe METS-IR index has been positively associated with gallbladder stone prevalence, thereby contributing to age at first surgery for gallbladder stones. However, the causal relationship between the METS-IR and gallbladder stones cannot be concluded.
Urinary IL-18 is associated with arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Shi Caifeng , He Aiqin , Wu Xiaomei , Wang Lulu , Zhu Xueting , Jiang Lei , Yang Junwei , Zhou Yang 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveDiabetic kidney disease (DKD) has been shown to be associated with an excess risk of cardiovascular death. Inflammation has been considered central to type 2 diabetes (T2D) pathophysiology, and inflammation markers have been linked to cardiovascular disease. The serum and urinary IL-18 levels were significantly elevated in patients with T2D; however, whether interleukin 18 (IL-18) are associated with the severity of arterial stiffness remains to be determined. This study examined the relationship of IL-18 levels with pulse wave velocity (PWV) as a reflector for arterial stiffness in patients with T2D.MethodsA total of 180 participants with T2D who had undergone PWV examination were enrolled. Serum and urinary IL-18 levels were measured using sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Arterial stiffness was determined by carotid–femoral PWV (cf-PWV) and carotid–radial PWV (cr-PWV).ResultsThe urinary IL-18 levels correlated positively with cf-PWV in patients with T2D with DKD (r = 0.418, p &lt; 0.001); however, we found no significant correlation between urinary IL-18 and cf-PWV in diabetic subjects without DKD. In addition, we found no significant correlation between urinary IL-18 and cr-PWV in participants with T2D with or without DKD. Moreover, the association remained significant when controlling for arterial stiffness risk factors, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate. cf-PWV was greater in the higher group of urinary IL-18 than in the lower group. Nevertheless, we found no significant correlation between serum IL-18 and cf-PWV in participants with T2D.ConclusionThe urinary IL-18 levels appear to be associated with greater cf-PWV, suggesting the link between urinary IL-18 and arterial stiffness in patients with T2D.
Sub-lethal fungicide concentrations both reduce and stimulate the growth rate of non-target soil fungi from a natural grassland
Authors: dela Cruz Jeane A. , Camenzind Tessa , Rillig Matthias C. 
Published: October 2022

Conventional agriculture has relied extensively on the use of fungicides to prevent or control crop diseases. However, some fungicides, particularly broad-spectrum fungicides, not only eliminate target pathogens but also non-target and beneficial soil microbes. This scenario is not only limited to agricultural soil, but this may also potentially occur when neighboring environments are contaminated by fungicides through spray drift. Although concentrations may be sub-lethal, the chemicals may accumulate in the soil when used continuously resulting in more toxic effects. In this study, the effect on the colony extension rate of 31 filamentous soil saprobic fungi, initially isolated from a protected grassland ecosystem, were analyzed under fungicide treatment. These isolates were considered naive (no deliberate exposure), hence presumed to have not developed resistance. Two currently used fungicides with different modes of action were added to Potato Dextrose Agar at varying concentrations. Results showed a wide range of tolerance and sensitivity to isopyrazam and prothioconazole. Fungi belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota were most negatively affected by both fungicides. Phylum Mucoromycota were the most tolerant to prothioconazole while isolates belonging to phylum Ascomycota differed in their responses to both fungicides. Negative effects on the growth rate were more pronounced at higher concentrations except for a few isolates that were inhibited at 1 mg·L−1. A slightly positive effect was also observed in three of the isolates under fungicide treatment. Lastly, the negative impact of fungicides was not associated with the growth strategy of the fungi, whether fast growing or slow growing, rather it is isolate-specific and phylogenetically conserved. The results of this study demonstrate that co-occurring fungi differ in their sensitivity to fungicides even without prior exposure. This difference in sensitivity among co-occurring fungi may result in shifts in community composition of the soil fungal community to the detriment of the more sensitive isolates.
Numerical simulation study of oil–water separation based on a super-hydrophilic copper net
Authors: Bai Kun , Liu Weinan , Zhao Maoyu , Li Kaifang , Tian Yiming 
Published: October 2022

Green and environmentally friendly oil–water separation is an important technique for reducing environmental pollution. In this study, the oil–water separation effect of the super-hydrophilic copper net was optimized through numerical simulation and orthogonal experiments. To be specific, a super-hydrophilic copper net was prepared using the solution etching method to perform oil–water separation experiments, and a favorable oil–water separation effect was achieved. First, the influences of oil–water flow velocity, copper net mesh size, and surface wettability on the oil–water separation effect of the super-hydrophilic copper net were explored via single-factor experiments. The results showed that the oil resistance of the super-hydrophilic copper net degraded, and its oil–water separation effect became poor due to the increasing oil–water flow velocity, enlarged copper net mesh size, and reduced oil contact angle on the surface of the super-hydrophilic copper net. On this basis, the optimized oil–water separation parameters were obtained through orthogonal experiments. The optimized process parameters were as follows: velocity = 0.1 m/s, copper net mesh size = 30 μm, oil contact angle = 150°, and oil removal rate = 95.7%. Furthermore, the copper net was etched using sodium hydroxide and sodium persulfate mixed solution to prepare a 500-mesh super-hydrophilic copper net for the oil–water separation experiment and then the oil removal rate reached 96.4%. The study results provide a theoretical basis, method, and means for the practical application of super-hydrophilic copper nets.
Hydro-morphological stressors reduce distribution range and affect population status of cyprinid fishes in Austria
Authors: Hayes Daniel S. , Schaufler Gregor , Schmutz Stefan , Unfer Günther , Führer Simon , Auer Stefan , Seliger Carina 
Published: October 2022

Rivers worldwide have been transformed into fragmented, impounded, channelized, and flow-regulated ecosystems. These anthropogenic transformations can reduce fish distribution and population status, especially of those species belonging to medium- or long-distance migratory guilds and those dependent on free-flowing rivers and intact sediment and habitat conditions. Here, we aim to understand how different hydro-morphological pressure types affect the distribution and population status of key potamodromous fish species of the rheophilic and lithophilic fish guilds, the barbel (Barbus barbus) and the nase (Chondrostoma nasus). We also assess the status of chub (Squalius cephalus) to include a species less sensitive to habitat degradation. For the first time, we assembled an extensive Austrian-wide GIS-based fish sampling database with hundreds of biological surveys, allowing us to analyze quantitatively &gt;4,000 river kilometers for presence/absence of target fishes and to assess population status. The data reveal that the distribution range of target species decreased by around 40–60% compared to their natural ranges according to the reference standard (Leitbild). Hydro-morphological pressures affect target species’ population biomass, and trends between impact types can be detected. Chub and barbel exhibit the highest median biomass in free-flowing rivers and residual flow reaches, followed by reservoir sections. Of all pressure types, population biomass is lowest in hydropeaked river stretches. Nase biomass has a grand median of 0.0 kg/ha across all sites, showing hardly any differences between hydro-morphological pressure types. Overall, our results show a drastic shrinkage of the distribution range of three cyprinid fish species previously prominent in Austria. By linking current population vitality to hydro-morphological stressors and ecological status assessments, this study sets a baseline for data-based conservation actions of (Red-listed) species as well as policy and management frameworks.
Genetic parameters of color phenotypes of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)
Authors: Hasan Md. Mehedi , Raadsma Herman W. , Thomson Peter C. , Wade Nicholas M. , Jerry Dean R , Khatkar Mehar S. 
Published: October 2022

Black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) is the second most important aquaculture species of shrimp in the world. In addition to growth traits, uncooked and cooked body color of shrimp are traits of significance for profitability and consumer acceptance. This study investigated for the first time, the phenotypic and genetic variances and relationships for body weight and body color traits, obtained from image analyses of 838 shrimp, representing the progeny from 55 sires and 52 dams. The color of uncooked shrimp was subjectively scored on a scale from 1 to 4, with “1” being the lightest/pale color and “4” being the darkest color. For cooked shrimp color, shrimp were graded firstly by subjective scoring using a commercial grading score card, where the score ranged from 1 to 12 representing light to deep coloration which was subsequently found to not be sufficiently reliable with poor repeatability of measurement (r= 0.68–0.78) Therefore, all images of cooked color were regraded on a three-point scale from brightest and lightest colored cooked shrimp, to darkest and most color-intense, with a high repeatability (r= 0.80–0.92). Objective color of both cooked and uncooked color was obtained by measurement of RGB intensities (values range from 0 to 255) for each pixel from each shrimp. Using the “convertColor” function in “R”, the RGB values were converted toL*a*b* (CIE Lab) systems of color properties. This system of color space was established in 1976, by the International Commission of Illumination (CIE) where “L*” represents the measure of degree of lightness, values range from 0 to 100, where 0 = pure black and 100 = pure white. The value “a*” represents red to green coloration, where a positive value represents the color progression towards red and a negative value towards green. The value “b*” represents blue to yellow coloration, where a positive value refers to more yellowish and negative towards the blue coloration. In total, eight color-related traits were investigated. An ordinal mixed (threshold) model was adopted for manually (subjectively) scored color phenotypes, whereas all other traits were analyzed by linear mixed models using ASReml software to derive variance components and estimated breeding values (EBVs). Moderate to low heritability estimates (0.05–0.35) were obtained for body color traits. For subjectively scored cooked and uncooked color, EBV-based selection would result in substantial genetic improvement in these traits. The genetic correlations among cooked, uncooked and body weight traits were high and ranged from −0.88 to 0.81. These suggest for the first time that 1) cooked color can be improved indirectly by genetic selection based on color of uncooked/live shrimp, and 2) intensity of coloration is positively correlated with body weight traits and hence selection for body weight will also improve color traits in this population.
Domestication of newly evolved hexaploid wheat—A journey of wild grass to cultivated wheat
Authors: Gohar Sasha , Sajjad Muhammad , Zulfiqar Sana , Liu Jiajun , Wu Jiajie , Rahman Mehboob-ur- 
Published: October 2022

Domestication of wheat started with the dawn of human civilization. Since then, improvement in various traits including resistance to diseases, insect pests, saline and drought stresses, grain yield, and quality were improved through selections by early farmers and then planned hybridization after the discovery of Mendel’s laws. In the 1950s, genetic variability was created using mutagens followed by the selection of superior mutants. Over the last 3 decades, research was focused on developing superior hybrids, initiating marker-assisted selection and targeted breeding, and developing genetically modified wheat to improve the grain yield, tolerance to drought, salinity, terminal heat and herbicide, and nutritive quality. Acceptability of genetically modified wheat by the end-user remained a major hurdle in releasing into the environment. Since the beginning of the 21st century, changing environmental conditions proved detrimental to achieving sustainability in wheat production particularly in developing countries. It is suggested that high-tech phenotyping assays and genomic procedures together with speed breeding procedures will be instrumental in achieving food security beyond 2050.
Case Report:Pregnancy and birth in a mild phenotype of Alström syndrome
Authors: Marozio Luca , Dassie Francesca , Bertschy Gianluca , Canuto Emilie M. , Milan Gabriella , Cosma Stefano , Maffei Pietro , Benedetto Chiara 
Published: October 2022

Background: Alström syndrome (AS) is an ultrarare multisystemic progressive disease caused by autosomal recessive variations of the ALMS1 gene (2p13). AS is characterized by double sensory impairment, cardiomyopathy, childhood obesity, extreme insulin resistance, early nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, renal dysfunction, respiratory disease, endocrine and urologic disorders. In female AS patients, hyperandrogenism has been described but fertility issues and conception have not been investigated so far.Case: This case report describes the spontaneous conception, pregnancy, and birth in a 27-year-old woman with AS, characterized by a mild phenotype with late onset of visual impairment, residual perception of light, and hypertension. Before pregnancy, menses were regular with increased levels of dihydrotestosterone and androstanediol glucuronide in the follicular phase, and the ovaries and endometrium were normal during vaginal ultrasound. A thorough clinical follow-up of the maternal and fetal conditions was carried out. A weight gain of 10 kg during pregnancy was recorded, and serial blood and urine tests were all within the normal range, except for mild anemia. The course of pregnancy was uneventful up to 34 weeks of gestation when preeclampsia developed with an abnormally high level of blood pressure and edema in the lower limbs. At 35 weeks + 3 days of gestation, an urgent cesarean section was performed, and a healthy male weighing 1,950 g was born. Histological examination of the placenta showed partial signs of flow obstruction, limited abruption areas, congested fetal vessels and villi, and a small single infarcted area.Conclusion: The present case demonstrates for the first time that conceiving is possible for patients with ALMS. Particular attention should be given to the management of AS systemic comorbidities through the course of pregnancy.
Natural killer cell-related prognosis signature characterizes immune landscape and predicts prognosis of HNSCC
Authors: Chi Hao , Xie Xixi , Yan Yingjie , Peng Gaoge , Strohmer Dorothee Franziska , Lai Guichuan , Zhao Songyun , Xia Zhijia , Tian Gang 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the most common head and neck cancer, is highly aggressive and heterogeneous, resulting in variable prognoses and immunotherapeutic outcomes. Natural killer (NK) cells play essential roles in malignancies’ development, diagnosis, and prognosis. The purpose of this study was to establish a reliable signature based on genes related to NK cells (NRGs), thus providing a new perspective for assessing immunotherapy response and prognosis of HNSCC patients.MethodsIn this study, NRGs were used to classify HNSCC from the TCGA-HNSCC and GEO cohorts. The genes were evaluated using univariate cox regression analysis based on the differential analysis of normal and tumor samples in TCGA-HNSCC conducted using the “limma” R package. Thereafter, we built prognostic gene signatures using LASSO-COX analysis. External validation was carried out in the GSE41613 cohort. Immunity analysis based on NRGs was performed via several methods, such as CIBERSORT, and immunotherapy response was evaluated by TIP portal website.ResultsWith the TCGA-HNSCC data, we established a nomogram based on the 17-NRGs signature and a variety of clinicopathological characteristics. The low-risk group exhibited a better effect when it came to immunotherapy.Conclusions17-NRGs signature and nomograms demonstrate excellent predictive performance and offer new perspectives for assessing pre-immune efficacy, which will facilitate future precision immuno-oncology research.
Single center blind testing of a US multi-center validated diagnostic algorithm for Kawasaki disease in Taiwan
Authors: Kuo Ho-Chang , Hao Shiying , Jin Bo , Chou C. James , Han Zhi , Chang Ling-Sai , Huang Ying-Hsien , Hwa Kuoyuan , Whitin John C. , Sylvester Karl G. , Reddy Charitha D. , Chubb Henry , Ceresnak Scott R. , Kanegaye John T. , Tremoulet Adriana H. , Burns Jane C. , McElhinney Doff , Cohen Harvey J. , Ling Xuefeng B. 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundKawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. The major challenge in KD diagnosis is that it shares clinical signs with other childhood febrile control (FC) subjects. We sought to determine if our algorithmic approach applied to a Taiwan cohort.MethodsA single center (Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan) cohort of patients suspected with acute KD were prospectively enrolled by local KD specialists for KD analysis. Our previously single-center developed computer-based two-step algorithm was further tested by a five-center validation in US. This first blinded multi-center trial validated our approach, with sufficient sensitivity and positive predictive value, to identify most patients with KD diagnosed at centers across the US. This study involved 418 KDs and 259 FCs from the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan.FindingsOur diagnostic algorithm retained sensitivity (379 of 418; 90.7%), specificity (223 of 259; 86.1%), PPV (379 of 409; 92.7%), and NPV (223 of 247; 90.3%) comparable to previous US 2016 single center and US 2020 fiver center results. Only 4.7% (15 of 418) of KD and 2.3% (6 of 259) of FC patients were identified as indeterminate. The algorithm identified 18 of 50 (36%) KD patients who presented 2 or 3 principal criteria. Of 418 KD patients, 157 were infants younger than one year and 89.2% (140 of 157) were classified correctly. Of the 44 patients with KD who had coronary artery abnormalities, our diagnostic algorithm correctly identified 43 (97.7%) including all patients with dilated coronary artery but one who found to resolve in 8 weeks.InterpretationThis work demonstrates the applicability of our algorithmic approach and diagnostic portability in Taiwan.
Case report: Tongdu Xingshen acupuncture for a patient with persistent vegetative state after herpes simplex virus encephalitis
Authors: Jin Bingxu , Tang Yuyuan , Wu Yunyun , Liu Zhenhuan 
Published: October 2022

IntroductionA persistent vegetative state (PVS) can be caused by traumatic or non-traumatic brain injury. PVS is a complex clinical condition with numerous complications. Nursing care, medical treatment, and comprehensive rehabilitation are necessary to improve the outcomes of PVS. However, the prognosis remains unsatisfactory. Acupuncture therapy has been used as a rehabilitation strategy to treat patients with PVS in China, showing better results in the recovery of consciousness, intellectual capability, and motor function.Case descriptionWe present the case of a 4-month-long PVS after herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE) in a 3.5-year-old boy who underwent Tongdu Xingshen acupuncture integrated with Western medicine and rehabilitation. The patient regained consciousness post-treatment. His intelligence and motor function gradually recovered after seven treatment sessions.ConclusionTongdu Xingshen acupuncture is a potential complementary therapy to optimize clinical outcomes in PVS.