bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Subjective sleep disorders and daytime sleepiness in patients with restrictive type anorexia nervosa and effects on quality of life: a case-control study.
Authors: Romigi Andrea , Mercuri Nicola B. , Caccamo Marco , Testa Federica , Vitrani Giuseppe , Tripaldi Maria Carmela , Centonze Diego , Jacoangeli Fabrizio 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose To evaluate sleep disorders and daytime drowsiness in a cohort of patients affected by anorexia nervosa (AN) and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Method We evaluated AN patients and healthy controls (C) by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Beck Depression Index. We also utilized the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire to assess HRQoL in both AN and C. Results: Twenty-eight out of 34 AN patients (82.3%) had a pathological PSQI score while 10/34 (29.4%) healthy subjects (p<0.0001). The overall PSQI score was significantly higher in AN than in the controls (p=0.0004). The components sleep quality (p=0.008), sleep duration (p=0.03), sleep efficiency (p=0.004), sleep disturbances (p=0.01) and daytime dysfunction (p=0.002) were higher than C. SF36 showed significantly reduced scores of standardized physical components (p=0.01) and standardized mental components (p<0.0001) in AN, while physical function (p=0.0001), physical role (p=0.0005) and general health (p<0.0001), vitality (p=0.001), social functioning (p=0.0006) emotional role (p=0.002) and mental health (p<0.0001) were significantly decreased in AN. We found a significant correlation between the PSQI score and the physical role (r=-0.35, p=0.03) and education (r=0.38, p=0.02).Conclusion We demonstrated low sleep quality lacking subjective daytime sleepiness in AN. Sleep quality correlated significantly with HRQoL (physical role) and level of education. Level of evidence: level III case-control study
A study on Co doped SnO2 loaded corn cob activated carbon for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye
Authors: S Ragupathy , M Ramamoorthy 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
SnO2 with different Co2+ doping concentrations (0.050, 0.075 and 0.10 M), and Co (0.075 M): SnO2/corn cob activated carbon (Co: SnO2/CCAC) were prepared, and are labelled CS1, CS2, CS3 and CS2/CCAC respectively. The CS2/CCAC showed that the particle size is reduced (16.29 nm) with Co2+ doping and CCAC loading. Moreover, CS2/CCAC indicate that the decreased PL intensity and its lower value (2.156 Ω) of impedance from EIS results and increased separation of the photogenerated e−/h+ pairs. Thus, the result showed that CS2/CCAC possesses improved photocatalytic efficiency (95.38 %) as compared to other samples. The photocatalytic mechanism of CS2/CCAC also is discussed.
Electrochemical determination of rutin by using NiFe2O4 nanoparticles loaded reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Askari Nahid , Salarizadeh Navvabeh , Askari Mohammad Bagher 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A binary transition metal oxide based on nickel and iron (NiFe2O4) and hybridization of this nanomaterial with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are synthesized by the hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy confirm the successful synthesis of these materials. Also, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images illustrated the particle morphology with the particle size of 20 nm. The synthesized material is then examined as a sensor on the surface of the glassy carbon electrode to detect a very small amount of rutin .Some electrochemical tests such as cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy indicate the remarkable accuracy of this sensor and its operation in a relatively wide range of concentration of rutin (100 nM-100 µM). Considering the very good results, it seems the NiFe2O4-rGO can be considered as a new proposal in the development of accurate and inexpensive electrochemical sensors.
Visceral adiposity index was independently associated with hyperuricemia in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Chen Yun , Han Yan , Yang Hongyi , Ma Danyan , Zeng Xiying , Ye Jiawen , Chen Zheng , Zheng Xin , Shi Xiulin , Yan Xiaohong , Liu Changqin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objective: The current study aimed to explore the prevalence rate of hyperuricemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and investigate the relationship between Visceral adiposity index (VAI) and hyperuricemia in PCOS.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 318 PCOS women were evaluated between November 2018 to September 2020. Of them, 256 subjects with complete anthropometric and the serum uric acid (SUA) level data were analyzed. Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the associations of VAI with the SUA level and hyperuricemia.Results: The prevalence rate of hyperuricemia was 56.3% in women with PCOS and was gradually increased across tertiles of VAI, which was 2.6%, 21.3%, 22.4%, respectively. Obese subjects had significantly higher levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body fat percentage (BFP), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), VAI (P<0.001) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (P<0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed the SUA level was positively correlated with BMI, BFP, WHR, log (TG), log (LDL-c), SBP, and log (VAI) and negatively correlated with HDL-c. In addition, with adjustment for potential confounding factors, multivariable linear regression and logistic regression analyses showed that VAI significantly associated with the SUA level and hyperuricemia, with the coefficient (95% confidence interval (CI)) of 9.20 (2.85-15.56, P=0.005) and the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) of 1.32 (1.05-1.65, P=0.018), respectively.Conclusion: The present study indicates that VAI was independently associated with hyperuricemia, even with adjustment for BMI and other potential confounding factors.
IL-17-mediated inflammation promotes cigarette smoke-induced genomic instability
Authors: Cao Chao , Tian Baoping , Geng Xinwei , Zhou Hongbin , Xu Zhiwei , Lai Tianwen , Wu Yanping , Bao Zhengqiang , Chen Zhihua , Li Wen , Shen Huahao , Ying Songmin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Chronic inflammation has been regarded as a risk factor for the onset and progression of human cancer, but the critical molecular mechanisms underlying this pathological process has yet to be elucidated.
Methods
In this study, we investigated whether interleukin (IL)-17-mediated inflammation was involved in cigarette smoke-induced genomic instability.
Results
Higher levels of both IL-17 and the DNA damage response (DDR) were found in the lung tissue of smokers than that of non-smokers. Similarly, elevated levels of IL-17 and the DDR were observed in mice after cigarette smoke exposure, and a positive correlation was observed between IL-17 expression and the DDR. In line with these observations, the DDR in the mouse lung was diminished in IL-17 KO when exposed to cigarette smoke. Besides, the treatment of human bronchial epithelium cells with IL-17 led to increased levels of the DDR and chromosome breakage.
Conclusions
These results suggest that cigarette smoke induces genomic instability at least partially through IL-17 mediated inflammation, implying that IL-17 could play an important role in the development of lung cancer.
Urban-rural gradients in soil nutrients beneath Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) are affected by land-use
Authors: Su Yuebo , Cui Bowen , Ouyang Zhiyun , Wang Xiaoke 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Urban-rural gradients of soil nutrients may be affected by many factors including land use, vegetation cover, and management. In this study, we investigated soil nutrients along urban-rural gradients beneath Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) in parks, neighborhoods and roadsides in Beijing, China. Soil levels of organic carbon, calcium, and magnesium are significantly higher in neighborhoods and parks than in roadsides. Soil nitrate-nitrogen levels are higher in neighborhoods than in roadsides. Soil magnesium levels are higher in neighborhoods than in parks. Interestingly, soil moisture, nitrate-nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, and available phosphorus and potassium all decreased in parks along the urban to rural gradient. Soil available phosphorus also declined along urban-rural gradients in neighborhoods. Thus, land use plays an important role in modifying urban-rural gradients of soil nutrients.
SIRT1 promotes macrophage polarization to enhance efferocytosis by regulating TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway
Authors: Jiang Qiao , Xu Tongda , Liu Yang , Zhu Hong , Ma Yanfeng , Zhang Buchun , Li Dongye 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objects: This study aimed to determine if SIRT1couldenhance efferocytosis and inhibit apoptosis by modulating cell polarization through the TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in murine peritoneal macrophages.Methods and Results: The effects of SIRT1in peritoneal macrophages were detected using adenovirus-mediated overexpression and knockdown of SIRT1. The apoptotic rate was determined by Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. LDLcholesterol levels were tested by Oil Red O staining and cholesterol testing. Efferocytosisof peritoneal macrophages was determined by fluorescence staining and macrophage markers were determined by flow cytometry, western blot, and ELISA.SIRT1 decreased cholesterol intake andthe apoptotic rate stimulated with ox-LDL in macrophages, which was consistent with upregulation of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 and downregulation of Bax and cleaved caspase-3. SIRT1 increased efferocytosis in macrophages. Expression levels of the M1 macrophage markers IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, and CD16/32 were decreased, and levels of the M2 markers Dectin-1, IL-10, Arg-1, and CD206 were increased by SIRT1. Moreover, SIRT1 inhibited the ox-LDL stimulated increase in expression of TXNIP and NLRP3 proteins. The effects of SIRT1 were similar to those of TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway inhibitor MCC950.Conclusions: These results indicated that SIRT1 exerted an anti-atherosclerosis effect by regulating macrophage polarization to enhance efferocytosis and inhibit apoptosis. Specifically, these effects were generated by downregulation of the TXNIP/NLRP3inflammasome pathway.
The Arabidopsis expansin gene (AtEXPA18) is capable to ameliorate drought stress tolerance in transgenic tobacco plants
Authors: Abbasi Alireza , Malekpour Meysam , Sobhanverdi Sajjad 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Expansins are cell wall proteins that, due to changes in pH, causing the expansion of the cell walls. In this study, a previously gene construct designed based on a root-specific gene, AtEXPA18, was utilized to assess its potential roles on different morphological, physiological, and cellular levels of generated transgenic tobacco plants in response to moderate and severe drought stress. AtEXPA18 gene was successfully transferred to the tobacco plants through an agrobacterium-mediate transformation system. Upon obtaining the second generation, tobacco transgenic plants were confirmed by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique alongside reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) using specific primers. Under drought stress, the transgenic lines showed remarkable growth and significantly improved based on morphological traits such as height and stem diameter, leaf area, leaf number, root dry weight, and Abscisic acid (ABA) levels of leaves compared control plants. As a result, the Cytokinin content of transgenic plants has increased under severe stress levels. Notably, the area's expansion for abaxial epidermal cells under the microscope confirmed in transgene cells compared with the -transgene cells. These results, altogether, could support the AtEXPA18 gene implication in cell expansion and improving tolerance capacity of transgenic crops under drought stress.
The CsLAZY1&nbsp;Mediates Shoot Gravitropism and Branch Angle in Tea Plant (Camellia Sinensis)
Authors: Xia Xiaobo , Mi Xiaozeng , Jin Ling , Guo Rui , Zhu Junyan , Xie Hui , Liu Lu , An Yanlin , Zhang Cao , Wei Chaoling , Liu Shengrui 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) architecture not only affects tea quality and yield, but also influences the efficiency of automatic pruning of tea plants. However, the molecular mechanism of branch angle that important aspect of plant architecture is poorly understood in tea plant. Results: In the present study, three CsLAZY genes were identified from the tea plant genome data through sequence homology. Phylogenetic tree displayed that the CsLAZY genes have high sequence similarity with LAZY genes from other plant species, especially those in woody plants. The expression patterns of the three CsLAZYs in eight tissues were surveyed, and we further verified the expression levels of the key CsLAZY1 transcript in different tissues among eight tea cultivars, demonstrating that CsLAZY1 was highly expressed in stem. Subcellular localization analysis showed that CsLAZY1 protein was localized in the plasma membrane. Remarkably, CsLAZY1 was transferred into Arabidopsis thaliana to investigate its potential role in regulating shoot development, demonstrating that the over-expressed plants responded more effectively than the wild types under gravity processing in light and dark. The results indicate that CsLAZY1 plays an important role in regulating shoot gravitropism in tea plant.Conclusions: The results provide evidence that CsLAZY1 may plays a critical role in regulating shoot gravitropism, and further affecting stem branch angle in tea plant.
Approaches to multidrug-resistant organism prevention and control in long-term care facilities for older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wong Valerie Wing Yu , Huang Ying , Wei Wan In , Wong Samuel Yeung Shan , Kwok Kin On 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Current guidelines recommend infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions to limit the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Despite clear evidence of benefits in acute-care hospital settings, the effectiveness of IPC programmes in LTCFs has not been quantified.Objective: To investigate the effects of IPC interventions on MDRO colonization and infections in LTCFs. Data sources: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL from inception to September 2020. Eligibility criteria: Original and peer-reviewed articles examining the post-intervention effects of IPC interventions on MDRO colonization and infections in LTCFs for older adults. Interventions: i) Horizontal interventions: administrative engagement, barrier precautions, education, environmental cleaning, hand hygiene, performance improvement, and source control; and ii) vertical intervention: decolonization. Study appraisal and synthesis: We employed random-effects meta-analysis to estimate the pooled risk ratios (pRRs) for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization by intervention durations; and conducted subgroup analyses on different intervention components. Study quality was assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tools. Results: Of 3877 studies initially identified, 19 were eligible for inclusion (eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 11 non-RCTs). Studies reported outcomes associated with MRSA (15 studies), Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) (four studies), Clostridium difficile (two studies), and Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) (two studies). Eleven studies included in the meta-analysis. The pRRs were closed to unity regardless of intervention durations (long: RR 0.81 [95%CI 0.60-1.10]; medium: RR 0.81 [95%CI 0.25-2.68]; short: RR 0.95 [95%CI 0.53-1.69]). All studies involving active administrative engagement reported reductions. The risk of bias was high in all but two studies.Conclusions: Our meta-analysis did not show beneficial effects from IPC interventions on MRSA reductions in LTCFs. Administrative engagement was crucial in all programmes with reductions. Before more evidence is available, LTCFs should elucidate their goals and weigh cautiously for the benefits and risks before implementing IPC interventions, which may have potential negative impacts on residents. An alternative approach would be to reinforce strict compliance to standard precautions through administrative engagement. We call for high-quality trials with detailed execution and exit plans to refine the existing IPC strategies in LTCFs.
Study of Effective Graded Oxide Capacitance and Length Variation on Analog, RF and Power Performances of Dual Gate Underlap MOS-HEMT
Authors: Ghosh Sneha , Mondal Anindita , Kar Mousiki , Kundu Atanu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Comparative analysis of a Symmetric Heterojunction Underlap Double Gate (U-DG) GaN/AlGaN Metal Oxide Semiconductor High Electron Mobility Transistor (MOS-HEMT) on varying the effective capacitance by using different oxide materials on source and drain sides, and determination of optimum length of oxides for the superior device performance has been presented in this work. This paper shows a detailed performance analysis of the Analog Figure of Merits (FoMs) like variation of Drain Current (IDS), Transconductance (gm), Output Resistance (R0), Intrinsic Gain (gmR0), RF FoMs like cut-off frequency (fT), maximum frequency of oscillation (fMAX), gate to source resistance (RGS), gate to drain resistance (RGD), gate to drain capacitance(CGD), gate to source capacitance (CGS) and total gate capacitance (CGG) using Non-Quasi-Static (NQS) approach. Power analysis includes Output power (Pout), Gain in dBm and power output efficiency (POE) have been studied. Studies reveal that the device with higher dielectric material towards source side shows superior performance. On subsequently changing the proportion of two oxides in a layer by varying length, it is observed that as the proportion of oxide increases the device demonstrates more desirable Analog and RF characteristics while best power performance is obtained from device with equal lengths of HfO2 and SiO2.
Effect of handwashing with soap at crtitical times and home based water treatment in combating hot spot areas of childhood diarrhea in Ethiopia
Authors: Alemayehu Bezuayehu , Ambleu Argaw , Ayele Birhanu Teshome 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
IntroductionEffective intervention needed to reduce childhood diarrhea, a significant cause of morbidityin resource-limited settings. This intervention aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of handwashing with soap at critical times, home-based water treatment and both combinations to reduce childhood diarrheain hotspot areas of southwestern Ethiopia.MethodsCommunity randomized control with the factorial design was conducted in southwestern Ethiopia from July to October 30/2020. About 720 households were maintained and equally allocated for handwashing with soap at critical times, home-based water treatment, and both combined interventions having 180 households that were followed up for four months. Baseline data were collected at the first two weeks from 720 households of intervention groups. Data was processed and entered into EPI data version 3.02. Homogeneity of the baseline characteristics of the participant in both groups was checked at a p-value less or equal to 0.05. The incidence of childhood diarrhea per 100 per two weeks was measured in both groups. Mann-Kendall trend test was performed to check the statistical significance patterns of childhood diarrhea. Intention-to-treat analysis was used to compare the incidence of childhood diarrhea for both groups. A generalized estimating equation with a logit-link Poisson distribution family and the exchangeable working correlation,with robust standard error estimation, was used for the analysis of repeated observations of the incidence of childhood diarrhea in individuals over time. An unadjusted and adjusted incidence rate along with the corresponding 95% CI was analyzed by using a multivariable analysis to control potential confounders on Stata 14 software.ResultsChildhood diarrhea significantly decreased in all intervention groupsbut increasing in control groups. Particularly, handwashing with soap at critical times has reduced childhood diarrhea incidence by 45% (IRR = 0.55, 0.48, 0.61, P < 0.001). Similarly,home-based water treatment reduced by 52% (IRR = 0.48, 0.42, 0.54, P < 0.001). Likewise, a combinationof handwashing with soap and home-based water treatment has reduced childhood diarrhea by 60% (AOR = 0.40, 0.36, 0.47, P < 0.001) after adjusting potential confounders.ConclusionThis study indicated single and combined interventions reduced childhood diarrhea. Promoting these effective or promising intervention effects in rural communities would save many lives of children from diarrhea.Trial registrationRegistered 11 August 2020, http://www.pactr.org/PACTR202008856063947
Record Tests to Detect Non Stationarity in the Tails With an Application to Climate Change
Authors: Guajardo Ana C. Cebrián , Castillo-Mateo Jorge , Lafuente Jesús Asín 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The analysis of non stationary behaviours and trends in the extremes of a series is an important problem in global warming. This work develops statistical tools to analyse that behaviour, using the properties of the occurrence of records in i.i.d. series. The main difficulty of this problem is the scarcity of information in the tails, so that it is important to obtain all the possible evidences from the data available. To that end, first, different statistics based on upper records are proposed and the most powerful is selected. Then, using that statistic, several approaches to join the information of four types of records, upper and lower records of forward and backward series, are suggested. It is found than these joint tests are clearly more powerful. The suggested tests are specifically useful in the analysis of the effect of global warming in the extremes, for example of daily temperature. They have a high power to detect weak trends and they can be widely applied, since they are non parametric. The proposed statistics join the information of M independent series, what is useful given the necessary split of the series to arrange the data. This arrangement solves usual problems of climate series (seasonality and serial correlation) and provides more series to find evidences. These tools are used to analyse the effect of global warming in the extremes of daily temperature in Madrid.