bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimizing the shape of PCM container to enhance the melting process
Authors: Huang Bingkun , Yang Shimi , Wang Jun , Lund Peter D 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The shape of container influences natural convection inside a latent heat storage with a phase change material (PCM). Often, the geometrical design of a PCM container is based on empirical observations. To enhance convection and melting of the PCM, authors propose here new design guidelines for an improved container. Using the so-called Co-factor method as the optimized basis, which is defined as the vector product of the velocity and temperature gradient, the new design method strives to raise the velocity of natural convection in liquid PCM, increase the amount of PCM in the direction of the convective flow, and reduce the amount of PCM far from the heating surface. Following these guidelines and Co-factor, an optimized PCM container with an elongated and curved shape is proposed and compared with a rectangular container. Numerical simulations indicated that the total melting time of the PCM in the optimized container could be reduced by more than 20% compared with the rectangular one. The higher natural convection velocity and the better use of it to melt the PCM in the optimized container space attributed to the better performance than that in rectangular container. The results can be used to design more effective PCM storage systems.
Multivariate competing endogenous RNA network characterization for cancer microRNA biomarker discovery: a novel bioinformatics model with application to prostate cancer metastasis
Authors: Lin Yuxin , Qi Xin , Chen Jing , Shen Bairong 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional regulators with potential as biomarkers for cancer management. Data-driven competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network modeling is an effective way to decipher the complex interplay between miRNAs and spongers. However, there are currently no general rules for ceRNA network-based biomarker prioritization.

Methods and results
In this study, a novel bioinformatics model was developed by integrating gene expression with multivariate miRNA-target data for ceRNA network-based biomarker discovery. Compared with traditional methods, the structural vulnerability in the human long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)–miRNA–messenger RNAs (mRNA) network was comprehensively analyzed, and the single-line regulatory or competing mode among miRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs was characterized and quantified as statistical evidence for miRNA biomarker identification. The application of this model to prostate cancer (PCa) metastasis identified a total of 12 miRNAs as putative biomarkers from the metastatic PCa-specific lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA network and nine of them have been previously reported as biomarkers for PCa metastasis. The receiver operating characteristic curve and cell line qRT-PCR experiments demonstrated the power of miR-26b-5p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-363-3p as novel candidates for predicting PCa metastasis. Moreover, PCa-associated pathways such as prostate cancer signaling, ERK/MAPK signaling, and TGF-β signaling were significantly enriched by targets of identified miRNAs, indicating the underlying mechanisms of miRNAs in PCa carcinogenesis.

Conclusions
A novel ceRNA-based bioinformatics model was proposed and applied to screen candidate miRNA biomarkers for PCa metastasis. Functional validations using human samples and clinical data will be performed for future translational studies on the identified miRNAs.
Dysregulation of the gene signature of effector regulatory T cells in the early phase of systemic sclerosis
Authors: Kobayashi Satomi , Nagafuchi Yasuo , Okubo Mai , Sugimori Yusuke , Hatano Hiroaki , Yamada Saeko , Nakano Masahiro , Yoshida Ryochi , Takeshima Yusuke , Ota Mineto , Tsuchida Yumi , Iwasaki Yukiko , Setoguchi Keigo , Kubo Kanae , Okamura Tomohisa , Yamamoto Kazuhiko , Shoda Hirofumi , Fujio Keishi 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Objectives
We evaluated flow-cytometric and transcriptome features of peripheral blood immune cells from early-phase (disease duration &lt;5 years) SSc in comparison with late-phase SSc.

Methods
Fifty Japanese patients with SSc (12 early SSc cases and 38 late SSc cases) and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. A comparison of flow-cytometric subset proportions and RNA-sequencing of 24 peripheral blood immune cell subsets was performed. We evaluated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), characterized the co-expressed gene modules, and estimated the composition of subpopulations by deconvolution based on single-cell RNA-sequencing data. As a disease control, idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM) patients were also evaluated.

Results
Analysing the data from early and late SSc, fraction II effector regulatory T cell (Fr. II eTreg) genes showed a remarkable differential gene expression, enriched for genes related to oxidative phosphorylation. Although the flow-cytometric proportion of Fr. II eTregs was not changed in early SSc, deconvolution indicated expansion of the activated subpopulation. Co-expressed gene modules of Fr. II eTregs demonstrated enrichment of the DEGs of early SSc and correlation with the proportion of the activated subpopulation. These results suggested that DEGs in Fr. II eTregs from patients with early SSc were closely associated with the increased proportion of the activated subpopulation. Similar dysregulation of Fr. II eTregs was also observed in data from patients with early IIM.

Conclusions
RNA-seq of immune cells indicated the dysregulation of Fr. II eTregs in early SSc with increased proportion of the activated subpopulation.
What Do Local Government Education Managers Do to Boost Learning Outcomes?
Authors: Cilliers Jacobus , Dunford Eric , Habyarimana James 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Recent public sector reforms have shifted responsibility for public service delivery to local governments, yet little is known about how their management practices or behavior shape performance. This study reports on a comprehensive management survey of district education bureaucrats and their staff that was conducted in every district in Tanzania, and employs flexible machine-learning techniques to identify important management practices associated with learning outcomes. It finds that management practices explain 10 percent of variation in a district’s exam performance. The three management practices most predictive of performance are (a) the frequency of school visits, (b) school and teacher incentives administered by the district manager, and (c) performance review of staff. Although the model is not causal, these findings suggest the importance of incentives and active monitoring to motivate district staff, schools, and teachers, that include frequent monitoring of schools.
Intracranial Hemorrhages on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Differences Between COVID-19 and Other Viral Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Seeliger Benjamin , Doebler Michael , Hofmaenner Daniel Andrea , Wendel-Garcia Pedro D. , Schuepbach Reto A. , Schmidt Julius J. , Welte Tobias , Hoeper Marius M. , Gillmann Hans-Jörg , Kuehn Christian , Ehrentraut Stefan Felix , Schewe Jens-Christian , Putensen Christian , Stahl Klaus , Bode Christian , David Sascha 
Published: January 2022

OBJECTIVES:
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a potentially lifesaving procedure in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19. Previous studies have shown a high prevalence of clinically silent cerebral microbleeds in patients with COVID-19. Based on this fact, together with the hemotrauma and the requirement of therapeutic anticoagulation on ECMO support, we hypothesized an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs). We analyzed ICH occurrence rate, circumstances and clinical outcome in patients that received ECMO support due to COVID-19–induced ARDS in comparison to viral non-COVID-19–induced ARDS intracerebral hemorrhage.

DESIGN:
Multicenter, retrospective analysis between January 2010 and May 2021.

SETTING:
Three tertiary care ECMO centers in Germany and Switzerland.

PATIENTS:
Two-hundred ten ARDS patients on ECMO support (COVID-19, n = 142 vs viral non-COVID, n = 68).

INTERVENTIONS:
None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
Evaluation of ICH occurrence rate, parameters of coagulation and anticoagulation strategies, inflammation, and ICU survival. COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ARDS patients showed comparable disease severity regarding Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, while the oxygenation index before ECMO cannulation was higher in the COVID group (82 vs 65 mm Hg). Overall, ICH of any severity occurred in 29 of 142 COVID-19 patients (20%) versus four of 68 patients in the control ECMO group (6%). Fifteen of those 29 ICH events in the COVID-19 group were classified as major (52%) including nine fatal cases (9/29, 31%). In the control group, there was only one major ICH event (1/4, 25%). The adjusted subhazard ratio for the occurrence of an ICH in the COVID-19 group was 5.82 (97.5% CI, 1.9–17.8; p = 0.002). The overall ICU mortality in the presence of ICH of any severity was 88%.

CONCLUSIONS:
This retrospective multicenter analysis showed a six-fold increased adjusted risk for ICH and a 3.5-fold increased incidence of ICH in COVID-19 patients on ECMO. Prospective studies are needed to confirm this observation and to determine whether the bleeding risk can be reduced by adjusting anticoagulation strategies.
LAWN TRIMMER–RELATED OPEN-GLOBE INJURIES IN TAIWAN
Authors: Zhang Jia-Rong , Hsieh Tsung-Cheng , Chang Fang-Ling , He Ming-Shan 
Published: January 2022

Purpose:
Work-related ocular trauma remains the leading cause of unilateral visual impairment worldwide. Many preventable work-related ocular injuries continue to occur, even at home. This study describes the characteristics, surgical techniques, and prognostic factors of lawn trimmer–related open-globe injuries in eastern Taiwan.

Methods:
This was a retrospective, consecutive case series study. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy, dilated fundoscopy, and orbital computed tomography (CT) images were collected.

Results:
Twenty-six eyes of 26 patients were enrolled in the study. Fifteen patients (57.7%) had an intraocular foreign body (IOFB). The IOFB was metallic in 13 cases and glass and stone in the other 2 cases. Seven IOFBs (46.7%) were retained in the anterior chamber, 7 (46.7%) in the posterior segment, and 1 (6.7%) in the intraconal space. Univariate analysis showed that the presence of IOFB trended toward the development of endophthalmitis; however, this was not statistically significant (hazard ratio, 2.25; 95% confidence interval 0.35–14.61; P = 0.658). Eleven patients had metallic IOFBs noted on CT scans with metal artifacts, whereas two patients had small metallic IOFBs without metal artifacts. One patient had a glass IOFB mimicking metal artifacts on the CT scan. In one case, CT failed to reveal the IOFB, and an intralenticular metallic foreign body was incidentally found intraoperatively.

Conclusion:
Our study provides a broad characterization of lawn trimmer–related open-globe injuries. The informative and diverse findings of IOFBs on CT scans will help clinicians detect and recognize IOFBs more precisely and perform the surgery without causing further damage.
Diabetes associated with hypertension exacerbated oxidative stress–mediated inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy leading to erectile dysfunction in rats
Authors: Yang Chih-Ching , Liao Pin-Hao , Cheng Yu-Hsiuan , Chien Chen-Yen , Cheng Kuo-Hsin , Chien Chiang-Ting 
Published: January 2022

Background:
Diabetes or hypertension contributes to erectile dysfunction (ED). We hypothesized that excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production evoked by diabetes combined with hypertension may further suppress endothelial nitric oxide (NO) expression/activity and promote oxidative stress in the ED penis.

Methods:
Twenty-four adult male Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into four groups: normal WKY, diabetic WKY, normal SHR and diabetic SHR. Intraperitoneal streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) was applied to induce type I diabetes. After 4-week diabetes and/or hypertension induction, we determined the intra-cavernous pressure (ICP) using electrical stimulation of cavernous nerves, intra-cavernosum NO amount using an electrochemical NO probe, and blood ROS using an ultrasensitive chemiluminescence-amplified analyzer. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to explore the pathophysiologic mechanisms of inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy in the penis. A novel NO donor, CysaCysd Lu-5 (CCL5, (RCH2CH2S)(R’R”CHCH2S)Fe(NO)2, 1-4 µg), was intravenously administered to these ED rats for evaluating their ICP responses.

Results:
In the baseline status, the lucigenin- and luminol-amplified blood ROS were significantly enhanced in the diabetic SHR rats vs normal WKY rats. Significantly decreased ICP, eNOS expression and NO amount were found in the normal SHR, diabetic WKY, and diabetic SHR vs normal WKY rats. Intravenous NO donor L-Arginine markedly increased ICP and NO amount, whereas eNOS inhibitor, Nω-Nitro-L-Arginine methyl ester hydrochloride depressed ICP in all four groups. Diabetes and/or hypertension alone increased fibrosis, proinflammatory NF-kB/ICAM-1 expression, mast cell numbers, CD68 expression and infiltration, Caspase 3-mediated apoptosis, Beclin-1/LC3-II–mediated autophagy and mild Nrf-2/HO-1 expression and depressed eNOS expression in the ED penis. The novel NO donor, CCL5, was more efficient than L-arginine to improve diabetes and/or hypertension–induced ED by the significant increase of ICP.

Conclusion:
Diabetes combined with hypertension synergistically exacerbated ED through enhanced oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy and depressed eNOS activity and NO production.
Patella cryo-free technique with recycled frozen autograft reconstruction preserves extensor mechanism for proximal tibial malignancy
Authors: Chen Chao-Ming , Chen Cheng-Fong , Wang Jir-You , Chen Tain-Hsiung , Wu Po-Kuei , Chen Wei-Ming 
Published: January 2022

Backgrounds:
We designed a patella cryo-free method to protect patella from cryoinjury during recycled frozen bone-prosthesis-composite reconstruction for proximal tibial malignancy. This study aimed to use animal model to ensure safety and efficacy of this method and reported our clinical outcomes.

Methods:
Six swine proximal tibias along with patella and patellar tendon were harvested and dived into group A (n = 3, traditional patella freezing) and group B (n = 3, patella cryo-free). Temperature curve measurement, histological analysis, and TUNEL assay were performed in both groups. Clinically, we retrospectively reviewed 23 patients with proximal tibia malignant bone tumor (13: traditional patella freezing method; 10: patella cryo-free method). The clinical and functional outcomes were reported and compared in both groups.

Results:
Temperature curve of the group B showed that ideal therapeutic temperature (<−60°C) required to kill tumor cells can be achieved in the proximal tibia while the innocent patella can be kept in room temperature at all time. Histological analysis showed better preservation of the cartilage tissue in patella of group B. TUNEL assay showed significantly more apoptotic cells in the frozen tibia of both groups and frozen patella of group A. When reviewing our clinical results, less complication of the patella as well as better functional preservation were found in patients subjecting to patella cryo-free method. No local recurrence was observed in either group.

Conclusion:
Patellar cryo-free technique could protect patella from cryoinjury during freezing and therefore preserve more extensor functions for patients with proximal tibial malignant bone tumors.
[18F]FDG PET/MRI in the follow-up of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation
Authors: Zucchetta Pietro , Lacognata Carmelo , Girardi Francesca , Spimpolo Alessandro , Crimì Filippo , Cabrelle Giulio , Zanon Chiara , Boccagni Patrizia , Evangelista Laura , Cecchin Diego , Cillo Umberto 
Published: January 2022

Background
There is limited evidence regarding the application of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/MRI in patients with a suspected clinical recurrence, who underwent liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, we compared the accuracy of PET/MR and standard-of-care (SOC) imaging in these patients.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients, whose liver were transplanted for HCC and were suspected of disease relapse based on biochemical analysis or SOC follow-up imaging, and carried out PET/MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging sequences on them. All patients underwent SOC imaging within the 2 months prior to the PET/MRI examination and had follow-up data for at least 12 months after. Reference standards were histopathology, clinical and imaging follow-up data.

Results
Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy for PET/MRI were 100, 94, 91, 100 and 96%, whereas for SOC imaging were 80, 69, 61, 85 and 73%. The accuracy of PET/MRI was higher with respect to SOC imaging, although not significantly.

Conclusions
PET/MRI is useful for oncological surveillance of patients who have undergone liver transplantation for HCC, particularly in cases of allergy to contrast media, renal failure or persistently elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels, and with no identification of metastatic/relapsing foci at standard-of-care imaging.
Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia of the Femoral Nerve in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Heffler Michael A. , Brant Julia A. , Singh Amar , Toney Amanda G. , Harel-Sterling Maya , Grandjean-Blanchet Charlotte , Riera Antonio , Khalil Paul A. , Starr-Seal Rebecca L. , Binder Zachary W. 
Published: January 2022

Objectives
Femur fractures are painful, and use of systemic opioids and other sedatives can be dangerous in pediatric patients. The fascia iliaca compartment nerve block and femoral nerve block are regional anesthesia techniques to provide analgesia by anesthetizing the femoral nerve. They are widely used in adult patients and are associated with good effect and reduced opioid use. Ultrasound (US) guidance of nerve blocks can increase their safety and efficacy. We sought to report on the use and safety of US-guided regional anesthesia of the femoral nerve performed by emergency physicians for femur fractures in 6 pediatric emergency departments.

Methods
Records were queried at 6 pediatric EDs across North America to identify patients with femur fractures managed with US-guided regional anesthesia of the femoral nerve between January 1, 2016, and May 1, 2021. Data were abstracted regarding demographics, injury pattern, nerve block technique, and analgesic use before and after nerve block.

Results
Eighty-five cases were identified. Median age was 5 years (interquartile range, 2–9 years). Most patients were male and had sustained blunt trauma (59% low-mechanism falls). Ninety-four percent of injuries were managed operatively. Most patients (79%) received intravenous opioid analgesia before their nerve block. Ropivacaine was the most common local anesthetic used (69% of blocks). No procedural complications or adverse effects were identified.

Conclusions
Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia of the femoral nerve is widely performed and can be performed safely on pediatric patients by emergency physicians and trainees in the pediatric emergency department.
68Ga-FAPI PET/CT Findings in a Rare Presacral Myxopapillary Ependymoma
Authors: Li Chongjiao , Wen Bing , Tian Yueli , Chen Jie , He Yong 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Myxopapillary ependymoma is a rare tumor. Most of them occur exclusively in the conus medullaris, cauda equina, or filum terminale. Here, we present the 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT findings in a 37-year-old woman with presacral myxopapillary ependymoma.
Rare Distribution of Sclerotic Bony Lesions in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Wang Yuhua , Liu Ye , Ma Le , An Caixia , Zhang Wanchun 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
A 66-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to a newly discovered left chest wall mass, which was diagnosed as plasmacytoma on biopsy. The patient underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT scanning before treatment. PET imaging revealed intense FDG signal in osseous lesions, and the CT showed most of the lesions were osteoblastic. The osseous lesions were predominantly localized to the humerus, femur, tibia, and phalanx of toe.
Diffuse Tracheobronchial Tuberculosis With Left Pulmonary Tuberculosis Displayed on 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Li Qiang , Jiang Lei 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
A 57-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with persisting cough and sputum for 2 months. Chest CT revealed multiple nodules in the left lung. 18F-FDG PET/CT scan was carried out to further evaluate these pulmonary lesions. In addition to multiple hypermetabolic nodules in the upper lobe of left lung, diffuse thickening of the trachea and left bronchial wall with increased FDG uptake was also found. Inflammatory granulation tissue with Mycobacterium tuberculosis was confirmed through the pathological examination of bronchoscopy.
Orbital Granulomatous Inflammation Mimicking Malignancy on 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT
Authors: Wang Yong , Yang Xiao , Tian Min , Lv Hongbin , Liu Huipan 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
A 31-year-old man presented with a left orbital mass for 3 months traumatic enucleation of the left eye. On 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT images, the lesion presented as a soft tissue mass with irregular shape, filling the left orbital cavity and showing intense FAPI uptake. Based on imaging findings, a malignancy was suspected. However, the orbital mass was diagnosed as granulomatous inflammation by pathological biopsy.
The draft genome sequence of Japanese rhinoceros beetle Trypoxylus dichotomus
Authors: Morita Shinichi , Shibata Tomoko F. , Nishiyama Tomoaki , Kobayashi Yuuki , Yamaguchi Katsushi , Toga Kouhei , Ohde Takahiro , Gotoh Hiroki , Kojima Takaaki , Weber Jesse , Salvemini Marco , Bino Takahiro , Mase Mutsuki , Nakata Moe , Mori Tomoko , Mori Shogo , Cornette Richard , Sakura Kazuki , Lavine Laura C. , Emlen Douglas J. , Niimi Teruyuki , Shigenobu Shuji 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBeetles are the largest insect order and one of the most successful animal groups in terms of number of species. The Japanese rhinoceros beetle Trypoxylus dichotomus (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Dynastini) is a giant beetle with distinctive exaggerated horns present on the head and prothoracic regions of the male. T. dichotomus has been used as research model in various fields such as evolutionary developmental biology, ecology, ethology, biomimetics, and drug discovery. In this study, de novo assembly of 615 Mb, representing 80% of the genome estimated by flow cytometry, was obtained using the 10x Chromium platform. The scaffold N50 length of the genome assembly was 8.02 Mb, with repetitive elements predicted to comprise 49.5% of the assembly. In total, 23,987 protein-coding genes were predicted in the genome. In addition, de novo assembly of the mitochondrial genome yielded a contig of 20,217 bp. We also analyzed the transcriptome by generating 16 RNA-seq libraries from a variety of tissues of both sexes and developmental stages, which allowed us to identify 13 co-expressed gene modules. The detailed genomic and transcriptomic information of T. dichotomus is the most comprehensive among those reported for any species of Dynastinae. This genomic information will be an excellent resource for further functional and evolutionary analyses, including the evolutionary origin and genetic regulation of beetle horns and the molecular mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism.