bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum uric acid level is correlated with the clinical, pathological progression and prognosis of IgA nephropathy: an observational retrospective pilot-study
Authors: Lu Pingfan , Li Xiaoqing , Zhu Na , Deng Yuanjun , Cai Yang , Zhang Tianjing , Liu Lele , Lin Xueping , Guo Yiyan , Han Min 
Published: November 2020

Objectives
This study was aimed to assess the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) level and the clinical, pathological phenotype of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and to determine the role of SUA level in the progression and prognosis of IgAN.

Methods
A total of 208 patients with IgAN were included in this study, and were classified into the normo-uricemia group and hyperuricemia group according to the SUA level. The clinical data at baseline, IgAN Oxford classification scores (MEST-C scoring system), and other pathological features were collected and further analyzed. All patients were followed up and the prognosis was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. GraphPad Prism 7.0 and SPSS 23.0 were used for statistical analyses.

Results
In clinical indicators, patients with hyperuricemia had the significantly higher proportion of males to females, mean arterial pressure, the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, Scr, BUN, 24 hour-urine protein, C3, and C4, the lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and eGFR than those without (p < 0.05). In terms of pathological characteristics, the tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis scores, vascular injury scores, and glomerular sclerosis percentage were significantly higher in patients with hyperuricemia compared with those without (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the scores of mesangial hypercellularity, endocapillary hypercellularity, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, as well as crescents between the two groups (p > 0.05). As for the depositions of immune complexes deposition in IgAN, the hyperuricemia group had less deposition of immunoglobulin G and FRA than the normo-uricemia group (p < 0.05), while the deposition of immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin M, and complement C3 in the two groups showed no statistical difference. The survival curve suggested that patients in the hyperuricemia group have significantly poorer renal outcome than those in the normo-uricemia group (p = 0.0147). Results also revealed that the SUA level is a valuable predictor of renal outcome in patients with IgAN. The optimal cutoff value was 361.1 µmol/L (AUC = 0.76 ± 0.08167) and 614 µmol/L (AUC = 0.5728 ± 0.2029) for female and male, respectively.

Conclusions
The level of SUA is associated with renal function level and pathological severity of IgAN, and maybe a prognostic indicator of IgAN.
Projection of premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases for 2025: a model based study from Hunan Province, China, 1990–2016
Authors: Xu Qiaohua , Zhou Maigeng , Jin Donghui , Zeng Xinying , Qi Jinlei , Yin Li , Liu Yuan , Yin Lei , Huang Yuelong 
Published: November 2020

Background
In 2011, the United Nations set a target to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025. While studies have reported the target in some countries, no studies have been done in China. This study aims to project the ability to reach the target in Hunan Province, China, and establish the priority for future interventions.

Methods
We conducted the study during 2019–2020. From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016, we extracted death data for Hunan during 1990–2016 for four main NCDs, namely cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. We generated estimates for 2025 by fitting a linear regression to the premature mortality over the most recent trend identified by a joinpoint regression model. We also estimated excess premature mortality attributable to unfavorable changes over time.

Results
The rate of premature mortality from all NCDs in Hunan will be 19.5% (95% CI [19.0%–20.1%]) by 2025, with the main contributions being from CVD (8.2%, 95% CI [7.9%–8.5%]) and cancer (7.9%, 95% CI [7.8%–8.1%]). Overall, it will be impossible to achieve the target, with a relative reduction of 16.4%. Women may be able to meet the target except with respect to cancer, and men will not except with respect to chronic respiratory diseases. Most of the unfavorable changes have occurred since 2008–2009.

Discussion
More urgent efforts, especially for men, should be exerted in Hunan by integrating population-wide interventions into a stronger health-care system. In the post lock-down COVID-19 era in China, reducing the NCD risk factors can also lower the risk of death from COVID-19.
Identification and functional characterization of SlDronc in Spodoptera littoralis
Authors: Liu Hao , Zhou Ke , Yang Zhouning 
Published: November 2020

Background
Apoptosis is responsible for eliminating damaged and virus-infected cells, regulating normal cell turnover, and maintaining the immune system’s development and function. Caspases play a vital role in both mammal and invertebrate apoptosis. Spodoptera littoralis is a generalist insect herbivore that is one of the most destructive pests in tropical and subtropical areas and attacks a wide range of commercially important crops. Although S. littoralis is a model organism in the study of baculovirus infection, its apoptotic pathway has not been explored.

Methods
We cloned a new caspase gene named sldronc in S. littoralis using Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE). We then measured caspase activity on synthetic caspase substrates and S. littoralis’ effector caspase. SlDronc’s function in the apoptotic pathway and its interaction with caspase inhibitors were also tested in SL2 cells.

Results
We found that the initiator caspase SlDronc cleaved and activated effector caspase in S. littoralis. SlDronc overexpression induced apoptosis in SL2 cells, and Sldronc knockdown decreased apoptosis induced by UV irradiation in SL2 cells. Our results indicate that SlDronc acts as an apoptotic initiator caspase in S. littoralis. Additionally, we found that processed forms of SlDronc increased in the presence of N-terminally truncated S. littoralis inhibitors of apoptosis (SlIAP) and that SlDronc was inhibited by P49. This study contributes to the further understanding of S. littoralis’ apoptotic pathway and may facilitate future studies on baculovirus infection-induced apoptosis.
Standardization of Poly Herbal Cosmetic Formula on Abnormal Pigmentation in Cutaneous Wound Healing – A Preliminary Study
Authors: Priyadarshani K. A. J. S. , Gunarathna E. D. T. P. , Kulathunga R. D. H. 
Published: November 2020

Abnormal pigmentation in cutaneous wound healing has become a major cosmetic issue in the current society. Rising popularity of green labeled cosmetics which are environmentally sustainable with minimum side effects have greater demand in the world cosmetic market. Standardization of herbal formula is essential in order to assess the quality of drugs. Hence, the research study was designed to standardize the selected herbs based on comprehensive literary study on selected Varnaya Dravya (complexion promoting herbs) mentioned in Ayurveda authentic texts and Sri Lankan traditional manuscripts comprising of Terminalia chebula Retz, Terminalia belerica (Gaertn). Roxb, Phyllanthus emblica Linn, Rubia cordifolia Linn, Curcuma longa Trim, and Sesamum indicum Linn. Authentication of herbal ingreedients has been carried out at Bandaranayaka Memorial Ayurveda Research Institute, Nawinna, Sri Lanka. Microscopic identification, Moisture content, pH value, Total ash content and Colouring matter were tested determind through paper chromatography under WHO (2011) guidelines. Microscopic identification revealed that the poly herbal cosmetic formula in powder form contains yellow colour cells, stone cells, group of elongated stone cells, transparent cells, pitted vessels, spiral vessels, vessels filled with red, small fibers, oil globules, starch granules, needle shape crystals, hair and Trichoid. Moreover, moisture content of the formula was 6.3%, pH - 5.92 and total ash value - 4.45%. Determination of colouring matter indicated formula does not contain synthetic dyes. In addition, secondary plant metabolites like phenolic, tannins and saponins were present. Pharmacodynamics potential of the formula showed 25% kashaya (astringent) and tiktta (bitter) rasa (taste) accordingly. Further, 46% and 27% of formula showed ruksha (dryness) and laghu (lightness) guna (properties) along with 83% and 67% indicated ushna virya.
(hot in potency) and madura (sweet) vipaka respectively. Due to presence of secondary metabolites, the poly herbal formula has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant potentials which will be favorable for skin complexion protection from bacteria and fungi. Moreover, Lekhana action gives scraping effect which is important for removing the scar.
The study suggested that parameters found to be sufficient to evaluate the herbal cosmetic powder and could be used as reference standards and applicability of this formulae should be validated with a preclinical and clinical trials.
Effect of Rennet Casein and Whey Protein Concentrate on Extrusion Behavior of Maize Flour
Authors: Ponbhagavathi T. R. Thirumuruga , Singh Ashish Kumar , Raju P. Narender , Upadhyay Neelam 
Published: November 2020

The present study was carried out to find out the effect of blending of maize flour (MF) with varying levels of Rennet casein (RC 6, 8%) and Whey protein concentrate-70 (WPC-70 4, 8%) at different feed moisture content (12,14%) on the physico-chemical characteristics (pasting properties, colour, expansion ratio, bulk density, hardness, water absorption and water solubility index, resistant starch), sensory properties of extrudates and their changes in physico-chemical (TBA and Free Fatty acids) as well as sensory properties of extrudates during storage. Physical parameters like, bulk density, WAI, WSI, expansion ratio, texture profile (hardness and crispiness) shown significant (p<0.05) variation among the treatments. Addition of RC and WPC-70 increased the setback viscosity and decreased the peak, breakdown and final viscosity. The hunter L* value, a* value and b* value were significantly (p< 0.05) affected by the type and level of addition of protein. Incorporation of RC and WPC-70 upto 8% to maize flour was more suitable for protein enriched snack base with good overall acceptability of product. The developed extrudate was packaged in metallized Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) pouches and stored under 25±1°C and 37±1°C for 1 month and monitored at weekly interval. The resistant starch content of extrudates increased from 45 to 128 mg/ 100 g and 132 mg/ 100 g of sample stored at 25°C and 37°C at the end of storage. Changes in TBA value was non-significant and FFA value increased significantly (p<0.05) due to hydrolytic rancidity. The sensory scores obtained for color and appearance, texture and overall acceptability did not have any significant variation (p>0.05), however the flavour scores decreased significantly (p<0.05) which can be correlated with FFA and TBA value.
Escalating BMI Associated With the Complex Pharmacology of Propranolol: A Case Report
Authors: Barrouq Deena M. S. , Irshaidat Tareq 
Published: November 2020

Background: Improving the awareness of the public about the body weight and the body mass index (BMI) criteria is very important as increased body weight may be associated with an increased risk for many dangerous diseases and health complications. Propranolol is generally prescribed for tachycardia while its most common side effects are bradycardia and masking hypoglycemia.
Case Presentation: A tachycardia was diagnosed in a young overweight woman and treated successfully with propranolol but this treatment, unpredictably, was associated with a rapid increase in the weight that classified her as obese.
Discussion: The physical (body weight and heart rate) and the biochemical (blood glucose level) monitoring and analysis including the lifestyle provided a deeper insight into the principal details and helped to design a personalized treatment protocol.
Conclusion: A therapeutic dose of propranolol could be linked to uncommon mounting weight change which was associated with a decrease in the blood glucose level and an appetite enhancement.
Reversibly Transforming a Highly Swollen Polyelectrolyte Hydrogel to an Extremely Tough One and its Application as a Tubular Grasper
Authors: Yu Hai Chao , Zheng Si Yu , Fang Lingtao , Ying Zhimin , Du Miao , Wang Jing , Ren Ke‐Feng , Wu Zi Liang , Zheng Qiang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPoly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid) and its copolymer hydrogels are typical polyelectrolyte gels with extremely high swelling capacity that are widely used in industry. It's common to consider these hydrogels as weak materials that are difficult to toughen. Reported here is a facile strategy to transform swollen and weak poly(acrylamide‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid) [P(AAm‐co‐AMPS)] hydrogels to tough ones by forming strong sulfonate–Zr4+ metal‐coordination complexes. The resultant hydrogels with moderate water content possess high stiffness, strength, and fracture energy, which can be tuned over 3–4 orders of magnitude by controlling the composition and metal‐to‐ligand ratio. Owing to the dynamic nature of the coordination bonds, these hydrogels show rate‐ and temperature‐dependent mechanical performances, as well as good self‐recovery properties. This strategy is universal, as manifested by the drastically improved mechanical properties of hydrogels of various natural and synthetic sulfonate‐containing polymers. The toughened hydrogels can be converted to the original swollen ones by breaking up the metal‐coordination complexes in alkaline solutions. The reversible brittle–tough transition and concomitant dramatic volume change of polyelectrolyte hydrogels afford diverse applications, as demonstrated by the design of a tubular grasper with holding force a thousand times its own weight for objects with different geometries. It is envisioned that these hydrogels enable versatile applications in the biomedical and engineering fields.
Halogen Bond‐Catalyzed Friedel−Crafts Reactions of Furans Using a 2,2’‐Bipyridine‐Based Catalyst
Authors: Zhang Huimiao , Toy Patrick H. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA halogen bond donor based on a 2,2’‐bipyridine framework has been synthesized, and used to catalyze Friedel−Crafts reactions of furans. Electrophiles used successfully in these reactions included various enones, an aldehyde, and a carboxylic acid anhydride. The yields of the reactions were generally good using a moderate catalyst loading (0.025 or 0.1 equiv.) at a relatively low temperature (room temp. or 50 °C) in acetonitrile. The catalyst used was designed with a biaryl scaffold so that if it indeed proved to be an efficient halogen bond donor organocatalyst, an enantioenriched version of it could potentially serve as a stereoselective catalyst.magnified image
Vibrational Spectra of the OH Radical in Water: Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Quantum Chemical Calculations Using Hybrid Functionals
Authors: Apostolidou Christina 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe OH radical has remarkable features in aqueous environments. Studies of vibrational properties can uncover more information about this omnipresent radical. However, infrared spectra of the OH radical in water represent a challenging task. This work studies the OH⋆ stretching vibration from the gas phase for OH⋆‐wn (w = water, n = 0–5) clusters to the bulk phase for OH⋆‐w31 via ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations with B3LYP‐D3 and the maximally localized Wannier function scheme. The infrared spectrum of pure liquid water reveals from an AIMD simulation with 32 water molecules a characteristic bulk phase. The OH⋆ stretching vibration is continuously red‐shifted from the gas phase to liquid water. This fact is supported by static DFT and RI‐MP2 calculations. A comparison of Wannier and radical Voronoi tessellation spectra leads to the same result for all clusters, which implies the absence of delocalized electrons. Despite the use of van der Waals radii, the Voronoi approach is able to distinguish between strong and weak hydrogen bonds, emphasizing the flexibility of this approach toward different hydrogen bond types. The stretching vibration of the OH⋆ in the gas phase appears as a doublet due to the coupling of rotation and stretching.
Extremely Stable, High Performance Gd and Li Alloyed ZnO Thin Film Transistor by Spray Pyrolysis
Authors: Saha Jewel Kumer , Bukke Ravindra Naik , Jang Jin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe simultaneous doping effect of Gadolinium (Gd) and Lithium (Li) on zinc oxide (ZnO) thin‐film transistor (TFT) by spray pyrolysis using a ZrOx gate insulator is reported. Li doping in ZnO increases mobility significantly, whereas the presence of Gd improves the stability of the device. The Gd ratio in ZnO is varied from 0% to 20% and the Li ratio from 0% to 10%. The optimized ZnO TFT with codoping of 5% Li and 10% Gd exhibits the linear mobility of 25.87 cm2 V−1 s−1, the subthreshold swing of 204 mV dec−1, on/off current ratio of ≈108, and zero hysteresis voltage. The enhancement of both mobility and stability is due to an increase in grain size by Li incorporation and decrease of defect states by Gd doping. The negligible threshold voltage shift (∆VTH) under gate bias and zero hysteresis are due to the reduced defects in an oxide semiconductor and decreased traps at the LiGdZnO/ZrOx interface. Li doping can balance the reduction of the carrier concentration by Gd doping, which improves the mobility and stability of the ZnO TFT. Therefore, LiGdZnO TFT shows excellent electrical performance with high stability.
The clinical effect of psychosomatic interventions on empty nose syndrome secondary to turbinate‐sparing techniques: a prospective self‐controlled study
Authors: Tian Peng , Hu Junwu , Ma Yun , Zhou Chao , Liu Xiang , Dang Hua , Zou Hua 
Published: November 2020

BackgroundIndividuals affected by empty nose syndrome secondary to turbinate‐sparing techniques (ENS‐type) experience decreased productivity and lifestyle disruption owing to considerable nasal‐associated discomfort. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of psychosomatic intervention on ENS‐type.MethodsA prospective self‐controlled study was conducted, and 28 patients suffering from ENS‐type who met the diagnostic criteria for somatic symptom disorder (SSD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM‐5) received cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT) plus antidepressants. Nasal symptom burden was evaluated using the 25‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐25). Somatic symptom burden, anxiety severity, and depression severity were assessed by the 25‐item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐15), the 9‐item PHQ (PHQ‐9), and the 7‐item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD‐7) scale, respectively. Patient assessments were completed prior to treatment and 3 and 12 months after the intervention.ResultsThe total scores of the SNOT‐25 declined posttreatment, showing a significant difference at the 3‐month and 12‐month follow‐ups compared with the baseline scores (p < 0.001). The severity of the 5 most common subjective symptoms, including “nose is too open,” “waking up at night,” “lack of a good night's sleep,” “difficulty falling asleep,” and “reduced concentration,” declined significantly at 3 and 12 months posttreatment compared to baseline levels. Statistically significant changes in the PHQ‐15, PHQ‐9, and GAD‐7 scores were observed at 3 and 12 months posttreatment compared to baseline scores (p < 0.001).ConclusionThis study showed that some patients with ENS‐type meeting the diagnostic criteria for SSD might benefit from psychiatric treatment.
Synthesis of polymeric dyes based on self‐colored network of castor oil‐based waterborne polyurethane
Authors: Li Xinxiang , Zeng Tengchao , Yin Yunjie , Wang Chaoxia 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe development of vegetable oil‐based polymers was particularly suitable for the era of increasingly scarce petroleum. Self‐colored castor oil‐based waterborne polyurethanes (PUs) were successfully synthesized based on castor oil and 1‐amino‐4‐hydroxy‐2‐(6‐hydroxyhexyl) anthraquinone (DR) as polyols. The UV–Vis spectrum showed that the addition of carboxylic acid groups make the spectrum of the PU produce the hyperchromic effect under alkaline conditions. Castor oil‐based waterborne colored PUs possessed excellent stability under weak alkaline conditions. The connection of castor oil caused the PU to constitute soft polymer networks. PU coatings on cotton fabrics possessed excellent color properties. The urethane groups in the PUs formed hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups on the cotton fibers and the polymer network structure formed by the PU coating itself made the color fastness of the cotton coatings reached grade 5. With the increase of castor oil content, the degradation rate of castor oil‐based waterborne colored PU increased from 3.45% to 3.65%. This work provides a way to impart excellent color properties and fastness to PU coatings by inserting dye molecules and vegetable oils into the PU macromolecular chain.
Activating Iron Based Materials for Overall Electrochemical Water Splitting via the Incorporation of Noble Metals
Authors: Sayeed Md Abu , Heron Jonathan , Love Jonathan , O'Mullane Anthony P. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAlthough the presence of iron in mixed metal oxide based catalysts has shown significant performance improvement in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), iron oxides themselves demonstrate much poorer activity. In this study, we investigate improving the performance of iron catalysts via surface decoration with gold or platinum for not only the OER but also the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) for overall water splitting in an alkaline electrolyte. Two types of iron catalysts were synthesised, iron nanocubes and iron oxide via electrochemical deposition methods which were decorated with either Au or Pt via galvanic replacement. It was found that the presence of Au significantly enhanced the OER performance of iron oxide and the HER performance of iron nanocubes. The presence of Pt resulted in moderate improvement in the OER but significant improvement for the HER but did not surpass the performance of gold decorated iron nanocubes. This indicates that the speciation of the iron catalyst and the decorating metal was important for tuning the activity to the OER and the HER. For the OER, the formation of iron oxide/Au interfaces was determined to be an important component for high activity whereas the metallic nature of metal decorated iron nanocubes was important for the HER. Therefore, iron based catalysts can be modified to demonstrate bifunctional behaviour for overall water splitting via the inclusion of gold nanoparticles.