bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DNA Methylation-Based Prediction of Post-operative Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Fischer Matthew A. , Mahajan Aman , Cabaj Maximilian , Kimball Todd H. , Morselli Marco , Soehalim Elizabeth , Chapski Douglas J. , Montoya Dennis , Farrell Colin P. , Scovotti Jennifer , Bueno Claudia T. , Mimila Naomi A. , Shemin Richard J. , Elashoff David , Pellegrini Matteo , Monte Emma , Vondriska Thomas M. 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a major healthcare burden, contributing to an increased risk of stroke, kidney failure, heart attack and death. Genetic studies have identified associations with AF, but no molecular diagnostic exists to predict POAF based on pre-operative measurements. Such a tool would be of great value for perioperative planning to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs. In this pilot study of epigenetic precision medicine in the perioperative period, we carried out bisulfite sequencing to measure DNA methylation status in blood collected from patients prior to cardiac surgery to identify biosignatures of POAF.MethodsWe enrolled 221 patients undergoing cardiac surgery in this prospective observational study. DNA methylation measurements were obtained from blood samples drawn from awake patients prior to surgery. After controlling for clinical and methylation covariates, we analyzed DNA methylation loci in the discovery cohort of 110 patients for association with POAF. We also constructed predictive models for POAF using clinical and DNA methylation data. We subsequently performed targeted analyses of a separate cohort of 101 cardiac surgical patients to measure the methylation status solely of significant methylation loci in the discovery cohort.ResultsA total of 47 patients in the discovery cohort (42.7%) and 43 patients in the validation cohort (42.6%) developed POAF. We identified 12 CpGs that were statistically significant in the discovery cohort after correcting for multiple hypothesis testing. Of these sites, 6 were amenable to targeted bisulfite sequencing and chr16:24640902 was statistically significant in the validation cohort. In addition, the methylation POAF prediction model had an AUC of 0.79 in the validation cohort.ConclusionsWe have identified DNA methylation biomarkers that can predict future occurrence of POAF associated with cardiac surgery. This research demonstrates the use of precision medicine to develop models combining epigenomic and clinical data to predict disease.
Associations Between Adult Triceps Skinfold Thickness and All-Cause, Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Mortality in NHANES 1999–2010: A Retrospective National Study
Authors: Li Weiya , Yin Han , Chen Yilin , Liu Quanjun , Wang Yu , Qiu Di , Ma Huan , Geng Qingshan 
Published: May 2022

Background:The association between triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness and mortality in previous studies was controversial. This study aimed to explore how TSF thickness affects all-cause, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular mortality among the United States (U.S.) general population.MethodsOur research included 25,954 adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2010. Participants were categorized by the baseline TSF quartiles [quartile 1 (Q1): &lt; 11.8, (Q2): 11.8–17.4, (Q3): 17.4–25, and (Q4): ≥25; unit: millimeter (mm)]. Cox regression models were used to assess the association of TSF with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular mortality. The association between mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and mortality was also explored. Subgroup analyses were conducted to assess heterogeneity in different subgroups.ResultsThe highest TSF group (Q4) had the lowest risk to experience all-cause (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.38–0.59; P &lt; 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.23–0.54; P &lt; 0.001) than the lowest TSF group (Q1) after multivariate adjustment. However, there was no relationship between TSF quartiles and cerebrovascular mortality (HR, 0.98; 95%CI, 0.42–2.30; P = 0.97). The protective effects of TSF thickness on mortality still existed after adjusting for BMI and MAMC. For every 1 mm increase in TSF thickness, the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death decreased by 4% (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95–0.97; P &lt; 0.001) and 6% (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.93–0.96; P &lt; 0.001), respectively. In the stratified analysis, the relationships between TSF and mortality risk were generally similar across all subgroups.ConclusionsHigher TSF thickness was associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, independent of BMI and MAMC. Our study revealed that the TSF thickness may be a convenient and credible indicator to predict mortality, especially in those with severe cardiovascular diseases.
The Association Between the Frequency of Annual Health Checks Participation and the Control of Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Lei Li , Tang Yongzhen , Zhang Qiuxia , Xiao Min , Dai Lei , Lu Junyan , Lin Xinxin , Lu Xiangqi , Luo Wei , Pan Jiazhi , Xin Xiaoyu , Qiu Shifeng , Li Yun , An Shengli , Xiu Jiancheng 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundGeneral health checks can help in controlling cardiovascular risk factors. However, few studies have investigated whether regular participation in annual health checks could further improve the control of cardiovascular risk factors compared with intermittent participation. Therefore, our study aimed to explore the association between the frequency of annual health check participation and the control of cardiovascular risk factors.MethodsResidents aged ≥ 65 years or having chronic diseases (hypertension or diabetes) from 37 communities of Guangzhou, Guangdong, who participated in the Basic Public Health Service project between January 2015 and December 2019, were enrolled and divided into 3 groups (“Sometimes,” “Usually,” and “Always”) according to their frequencies of annual health check participation. Multivariable linear regression models were performed to assess the association between the frequency of annual health check participation and the control of cardiovascular risk factors. A subgroup analysis stratified by gender was also conducted.ResultsIn total, 9,102 participants were finally included. Significant differences were identified between groups in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), weight, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and serum creatinine. After fully adjusting for confounding factors, residents who always participated in the annual health check tended to have lower SBP (β = −4.36, 95% CI: −5.46; −3.26, p &lt; 0.001), fasting glucose (β = −0.27, 95% CI: −0.38; −0.15, p &lt; 0.001), and total cholesterol (β = −0.19, 95% CI: −0.26; −0.13, p &lt; 0.001), compared with those who attended sometimes. Furthermore, gender did not alter these associations.ConclusionA higher frequency of annual health check participation was associated with lower SBP, fasting glucose, and total cholesterol.
Nicotinamide Riboside Supplementation for Treating Elevated Systolic Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Midlife and Older Adults
Authors: Freeberg Kaitlin A. , Craighead Daniel H. , Martens Christopher R. , You Zhiying , Chonchol Michel , Seals Douglas R. 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundAging is the primary risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death worldwide. Age-related increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP) link advancing age to cardiovascular disease risk. A key mechanism mediating the increase in SBP with aging is stiffening of the large elastic arteries, which occurs due to increases in oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular smooth muscle tone. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a key molecule in energy metabolism and cellular functioning which declines with advancing age and chronic disease. Dietary supplementation with NAD+ precursors, such as nicotinamide riboside, boosts NAD+ bioavailability and may improve cardiovascular health. Here, we present the protocol for a randomized, controlled trial investigating the efficacy of 3 months of oral supplementation with nicotinamide riboside for decreasing SBP and arterial stiffness in midlife and older adults with initial above-normal (120–159 mmHg) SBP (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03821623). The primary outcome is casual (resting) SBP and secondary outcomes include 24-h SBP and aortic stiffness. Other outcomes include assessment of safety; tolerability; adherence; diastolic BP; systemic NAD+ bioavailability; and circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and sympathoadrenal activity.MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-site parallel-group design clinical trial will be conducted in 94 (47/group) midlife and older (age ≥ 50 years) adults with initial above-normal SBP. Participants will complete baseline testing and then will be randomized to either nicotinamide riboside (500 mg, 2×/day, NIAGEN®; ChromaDex Inc.) or placebo supplementation. Outcome measures will be assessed again after 3 months of treatment.DiscussionThis study is designed to establish the safety and efficacy of the NAD+ boosting compound, nicotinamide riboside, for reducing casual and 24-h SBP and aortic stiffness in midlife and older adults with above-normal SBP at baseline, a population at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.Clinical Trial Registration[www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT03821623].
Assessment of Landslide Susceptibility of the Wiśnickie Foothills Mts. (The Flysch Carpathians, Poland) Using Selected Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Zydroń Tymoteusz , Demczuk Piotr , Gruchot Andrzej 
Published: May 2022

Landslides are well-known phenomena that cause significant changes to the relief of an area’s terrain, often causing damage to technical infrastructure and loss of life. One of the possible means of reducing the negative impact of landslides on people’s lives or property is to recognize areas that are prone to their occurrence. The most common approach to this problem is preparing landslide susceptibility maps. These can factor in the actual location of landslides or the causal relationship between landslides and selected environmental factors. Creating a classification of landslide-prone areas is a challenging task when landslide density is not high and the area of analysis is large. We prepared shallow 10 m × 10 m resolution landslide susceptibility maps of the Wiśnickie Foothills (Western Carpathians, Poland) using eleven different machine learning algorithms derived from the Python libraries Scikit-learn and Imbalanced-Learn. The analyzed area is characterized by a mean density of 3.4 surficial landslides (composed of soils and rocks) per km2. We also compared different approaches to imbalanced sets of data: Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes, Random Forest, AdaBoost, Bagging, ExtraTrees (Extremely Randomized Trees), Easy Ensemble, Balanced Bagging, Balanced Random Forest, RUSBoost and a hybrid model combining Random Under Sampler and Multi-layer Perceptron algorithms. The environmental factors (slope inclination and aspect, distance from rivers, lithology, soil type and permeability, groundwater table depth, profile and plan curvature, mean annual rainfall) were categorized and divided into training (70%) and testing (30%) sets. Accuracy, recall, G-mean and area under receiver operating curve (AUC) were used to validate the quality of the models. The results confirmed that algorithms based on decision tree classifiers are suitable for preparing landslide susceptibility maps. We also found that methods that generate random undersampling subsets (Easy Ensemble, Balanced Bagging, RUSBoost) and ensemble methods (Bagging, AdaBoost, Extra-Trees) both yield very similar test results to those that use full sets of data for training. Relatively high-quality results can also be obtained by integrating the Random Under Sampler algorithm with the Multi-layer Perceptron algorithm.
Geochemical Characteristics and Fluid Properties of the Qixia Formation Dolomites of the Middle Permian in the Shuangyushi Block, NW Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Xu Wenli , Zhou Gang , Wan Cixuan , Zhang Lianjin , Tao Jiali , Xu Changhai , Yan Xue 
Published: May 2022

On the basis of petrology, in combination with analysis of the geochemical characteristics of major and trace elements, REE (rare earth elements), carbon isotopes, oxygen isotopes, strontium isotopes and fluid inclusions, the geochemical characteristics and fluid properties of the Qixia Formation dolomites of the Middle Permian Qixiain the Shuangyushi block in the NW Sichuan Basin were systematically studied. The analysis results of the samples show that the Qixia dolomites are mainly composed of medium, coarse, medium-coarse crystalline and dolomites with polymodal crystal size distribution, and cloudy centers and clear rims. They generally show dark purple cathodoluminescence (CL) colors in the centers and orange red CL colors in the rims. The Qixia dolomites are relatively highly ordered (0.79–0.95, averaging 0.90). The CaO and MgO contents show a negative correlation. They are characterized by higher Mg/Ca ratio (0.89–0.92, averaging 0.91), high Fe (94–2,991 ppm, averaging 622 ppm), high Mn (26–185 ppm, averaging 102 ppm), high Na (210–374 ppm, averaging 277 ppm) contents, low Sr (53–218 ppm, averaging 93 ppm) content and lower ∑REE (1.10–5.56 ppm, averaging 2.08 ppm) concentrations. The REE patterns of the dolomites are similar to those of the calcites (C1), and are characterized by light REE (LREE) enrichment, heavy REE (HREE) depletion (LREE/HREE = 5.38–9.58, averaging 7.10), and Eu (0.65–4.19, averaging 1.70) and Ce (0.99–9.52, averaging 2.61) positive anomalies. They have consistent δ13C (1.98–4.27‰ VPDB, averaging 3.01‰ VPDB) and δ18O (−9.54‰–−4.65‰ VPDB, averaging −7.09‰ VPDB) values with the coeval seawater. The salinity index Z is larger than 120, with diagenetic temperature higher than normal temperature. The average value of 87Sr/86Sr is positive (0.707150–0.712273, averaging 0.708669), while some samples are consistent to those of the coeval seawater. Their homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions (96.3°C–105.0°C, averaging 101.1°C) exceed 100°C, which is equivalent to the buried paleogeothermal temperature, and their salinity (12.3%–14.3%, averaging 13.5%) is 3–5 times that of normal seawater. Based on the regional geological setting and previous research achievements, the dolomitized fluids in the Qixia Formation are probably derived from seawater or marine fluids sealed in pores under shallow-burial environment. The dolomites experienced late alternation by deep high-salinity hydrothermal fluids, and were formed before the Middle-Late Triassic Period.
A New Impedance Sensor Based on Electronically Implemented Chaotic Coupled van der Pol and Damped Duffing Oscillators
Authors: Pedro Bruna Gabriela , Bertemes-Filho Pedro 
Published: May 2022

The chaotic behaviour of a system depends on the parameter values, and when the system exhibits such a chaotic behaviour, it is sensitive to the initial conditions. This feature can be used for manufacturing high sensitivity sensors. Sensors based on chaotic circuits have already been used for measuring water salinity, inductive effects, and both noise and weak signals. This article investigates an impedance sensor based on the van der Pol and Duffing damped oscillators. The calibration process is a key point and therefore the folding behaviour of signal periods was also explored. A sensitivity of 0.15 kΩ/Period was estimated over a range from 89.5 to 91.6 kΩ. This range can be adjusted according to the application by varying the gain of the operational amplifier used in this implementation. The development of this type of sensor might be used in medical and biological engineering for skin impedance measurements, for example. This type of chaotic impedance sensor has the advantage of sensing small disturbances and then rapidly detecting small impedance changes within biological materials.
Troponin T Is Negatively Associated With 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Peripheral Nerve Perfusion in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Jende Johann M. E. , Mooshage Christoph , Kender Zoltan , Schimpfle Lukas , Juerchott Alexander , Nawroth Peter , Heiland Sabine , Bendszus Martin , Kopf Stefan , Kurz Felix T. 
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveThe pathogenesis of diabetic polyneuropathy (DN) is poorly understood and given the increasing prevalence of DN, there is a need for clinical or imaging biomarkers that quantify structural and functional nerve damage. While clinical studies have found evidence of an association between elevated levels of troponin T (hsTNT) and N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (proBNP) with microvascular compromise in type 2 diabetes (T2D), their implication in mirroring DN nerve perfusion changes remains unclear. The objective of this study was, therefore, to investigate whether hsTNT and proBNP assays are associated with MRI nerve perfusion in T2D.MethodsIn this prospective cross-sectional single-center case-control study, 56 participants (44 with T2D, 12 healthy control subjects) consented to undergo magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) including dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) perfusion imaging of the right leg. Using the extended Tofts model, primary outcome parameters that were quantified are the sciatic nerve’s microvascular permeability (Ktrans), the extravascular extracellular volume fraction (ve), and the plasma volume fraction (vp), as well as hsTNT and proBNP values from serological workup. Further secondary outcomes were clinical, serological, and electrophysiological findings.ResultsIn T2D patients, hsTNT was negatively correlated with Ktrans (r=-0.38; p=0.012) and ve (r=-0.30; p=0.048) but not with vp (r=-0.16; p=0.294). HsTNT, Ktrans, and ve were correlated with peroneal nerve conduction velocities (NCVs; r=-0.44; p=0.006, r=0.42; p=0.008, r=0.39; p=0.014), and tibial NCVs (r=-0.38;p=0.022, r=0.33; p=0.048, r=0.37; p=0.025). No such correlations were found for proBNP.ConclusionsThis study is the first to find that hsTNT is correlated with a decrease of microvascular permeability and a reduced extravascular extracellular volume fraction of nerves in patients with T2D. The results indicate that hsTNT may serve as a potential marker for the assessment of nerve perfusion in future studies on DN.
Identification of a Potential MiRNA–mRNA Regulatory Network for Osteoporosis by Using Bioinformatics Methods: A Retrospective Study Based on the Gene Expression Omnibus Database
Authors: Lin Shi , Wu Jianjun , Chen Baixing , Li Shaoshuo , Huang Hongxing 
Published: May 2022

IntroductionAs a systemic skeletal dysfunction, osteoporosis (OP) is characterized by low bone mass, impairment of bone microstructure, and a high global morbidity rate. There is increasing evidence that microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with the pathogenesis of OP. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) is a systematic method for identifying clinically relevant genes involved in disease pathogenesis. However, the study of the miRNA–messenger RNA (mRNA) regulatory network in combination with WGCNA in OP is still lacking.MethodsThe GSE93883 and GSE7158 microarray datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed with the limma package. OP-related miRNAs from the most clinically relevant module were identified by the WGCNA method. The overlap of DE-miRNAs and OP-related miRNAs was identified as OP-related DE-miRNAs. Both upstream transcription factors and downstream targets of OP-related DE-miRNAs were predicted by FunRich. An intersection of predicted target genes and DEGs was confirmed as downstream target genes of OP-related DE-miRNAs. With the use of clusterProfiler in R, Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were performed on target genes. Finally, both the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and miRNA–mRNA network were constructed and analyzed.ResultsA total of 79 OP-related DE-miRNAs were obtained, most of which were predicted to be regulated by specificity protein 1 (SP1). Subsequently, 197 downstream target genes were screened out. The target genes were enriched in multiple pathways, including signaling pathways closely related to the onset of OP, such as Ras, PI3K-Akt, and ErbB signaling pathways. Through the construction of the OP-related miRNA–mRNA regulatory network, a hub network that may play a prominent role in the formation of OP was documented.ConclusionBy using WGCNA, we constructed a potential OP-related miRNA–mRNA regulatory network, offering a novel perspective on miRNA regulatory mechanisms in OP.
Satellite Analyses Unravel the Multi-Decadal Impact of Dam Management on Tropical Floodplain Vegetation
Authors: Salerno Luca , Moreno-Martínez Álvaro , Izquierdo-Verdiguier Emma , Clinton Nicholas , Siviglia Annunziato , Camporeale Carlo 
Published: May 2022

An assessment of river regulation impact on floodplain vegetation is crucial to developing a modern watershed management approach in the Neotropics aimed at mitigating alterations of the floodplain environment. Floodplain forest monitoring requires high–resolution mapping, as vegetation dynamics are in the narrow area at the interface between terrestrial and aquatic systems. The existing satellite images that afford land observations have limitations due to coarse resolution or gaps in data caused by the extreme cloudiness of tropical regions. This study provides a new framework for high-resolution mapping and monitoring of a large-scale tropical forest in the aquatic-terrestrial zone of an Amazon basin. The main aim is to assess the vegetation status and the environmental degradation in a highly altered fluvial setting. To achieve the goal, a remote sensing processing chain, which couples hydrologic and vegetation data, was developed. A map of high-resolution traditional vegetation indices and their non-linear generalization was derived from the high-resolution gap-free reflectance data obtained by combining Landsat and MODIS data, through the HISTARFM algorithm. Subsequently, hydrological modification within these areas was assessed by using a global water surface dataset. In addition, the impact of river regulation on riverine forest carbon cycling was assessed through the analysis of interannual variability of the gross primary production of floodplain vegetation. The framework was applied to analyze the last 2 decades of changes in the floodplain forest of Uatumã river (central Amazon basin), downstream of the Balbina hydropower dam built in 1987. The analysis showed the presence of vegetation degradation in areas of increased hydrologic stress and upland forest encroachment in areas no longer inundated. The dam continues to have effects on vegetation even 30 years after its construction. The ongoing profound reshuffling of the floodplain forest, and the impact on the carbon storage capacity of the floodplain forest suggest that the situation is far from a new environmental equilibrium. The proposed high–resolution approach allows for a detailed mapping of riparian vegetation alterations, helping to develop a more careful management of the watershed through a better understanding of the human footprint on floodplain forests.