bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Characteristics and Origin of Amber Deposits in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Stach Paweł , Natkaniec-Nowak Lucyna , Dumańska-Słowik Magdalena , Kosakowski Paweł , Naglik Beata , Drzewicz Przemysław , Misiak Jacek , Pršek Jaroslav , George Carlos , Gomez Ramon Elias Ramirez 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of amber deposits located in the Dominican Republic, i.e., Hato Mayor Province of the Eastern Mining District (EMD) in the Cordillera Oriental, and Santiago Province of the Northern Mining District (NMD) in the Cordillera Septentrional were performed. The results of analyses of amber-bearing sediments collected from the borehole in Siete Cañadas area (EMD) were referenced to the petrological data obtained for the coaly shales from La Cumbre (NMD). The mineralogy of the rocks was described using transmitted and reflected light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Powder X-ray diffraction and Fourier Transform Raman Spectroscopy. Biomarker analyses by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to trace the genetic source and transformation stage of abundant organic matter hosted in the core sediments. Our findings indicated that basins in EMD and NMD regions were different isolated palaeosettings, in which under the influence of local physicochemical factors the terrigenous material was transformed and got maturated. In both amber deposits, the sedimentation of clastic and organic material proceeded in the presence of marine conditions. In case of the NMD area, the sedimentation underwent probably in the conditions of the lagoon environment, a shallow maritime lake or periodically flooded plain, that facilitated organic matter decomposition and carbonation from meta-lignite to sub-bituminous coal (random reflectance of coal - Rro = 0,39%). In the EMD region, the sedimentation took place in a deeper basin, where terrigenous material was likely mixed with material found in situ (fauna fossils, carbonate-group minerals) to form the mudstones enriched in bituminous substance of low maturity. The organic matter found in the rocks from both regions is of mixed terrestrial/marine origin and was deposited in the presence of low oxygen concentration and reducing and/or dysoxic conditions.
Effects of Levetiracetam in Acute and Kindling Model of Epilepsy Through Adenosinergic Pathway in Mice: Possible Involvement of Adenosine A1 Receptor
Authors: Jamal Muhammad , Azam Muhammad , Simjee Shabana Usman 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to explore the possible levetiracetam mechanisms of action in the adenosine signaling systems using the PTZ-induced acute seizure and the PTZ-induced kindling model of epileptogenesis.Method: In acute model, male mice received caffeine (non-specific adenosine receptor antagonist), or dipropylcyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX) (specific A1 receptor antagonist) prior to levetiracetam. After 30 minutes, a convulsant dose of PTZ (100 mg/kg) was administered to determine whether caffeine or DPCPX have any antagonistic effects on anti-seizure activity of levetiracetam by analyzing the onset of first myoclonic jerk (FMJ), generalized clonic seizures (GCS) and percent mortality.The chronic PTZ-induced kindling model was set to assess the gene expression changes in adenosine A1 receptor, inwardly-rectifying potassium channel (Kir3.2) and equilibrative nucleoside transporter-1 (ENT-1) through RT-qPCR. Data were analyzed using Origin statistical software version 8.5 and represented as Mean ± SEM.Results: In acute study, we found that caffeine (100 mg/kg) and DPCPX (25 mg/kg) reversed the anti-seizures effects of the levetiracetam significantly by reversing the percent protection and shortening the delay in the FMJ and onset of GCS in animals. In kindling model of epileptogenesis, it was found that levetiracetam increased the gene expression of adenosine A1 receptor andKir3.2 in the brain. Furthermore, levetiracetam significantly reduced the gene expression of ENT-1 in the brain that supposed to enhance the extracellular adenosine in the brain.Conclusion: Based on these results, it can be concluded that in addition to its action on SV2A vesicular protein, levetiracetam also prevent epileptogenesis by acting on the adenosine pathway in the CNS.
ANGPLT3 Impacts Not Only Proteinuria But Also Hyperlipidemia in Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Zhong Fu , Gao Xin , Xu Zichuan , Li Guanyu , Qiu Bing , Cui Weijing , Suo Yanhong , Deng Huiying , Gao Xia 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Why primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) patients often accompany with dyslipidemia is unknown. Recent studies discovered that angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) is an important regulator in lipid metabolism. In this study, we explored how ANGPTL3 impact dyslipidemia in PNS development. Methods: We detected the expression serum level of ANGPTL3 in PNS patients. Further, degree of proteinuria and lipid metabolism were tested in angptl3 overexpression-transgenic (angptl3-tg) mice at different weeks of age. Meanwhile, this study used CRISP/Cas 9 system to build angptl3-knockout (angptl3-/-) mice to observe LPS-treated nephrotic mice. Results: There was a significant correlation between the expression level of serum ANGPTL3 and the level of cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein in PNS patients. Along with the age growing, the angptl3-tg mice emerged more and more severe hypertriglyceridemia and proteinuria. The pathological features showed rich lipid droplets deposition of hepatocytes and diffuse podocytes effacement with these angptl3-tg mice. Compared to wild type mice, angptl3-/- mice showed significant less degree of lipid dysfunction and proteinuria after treated with LPS. The ANGPTL3’ effects on nephrotic dyslipidemia was confirmed in the cultured hepatocyte with knock-down or overexpressed angptl3. Finally, the significant alters of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) were tested in liver tissues between Angptl3-/- and wild type mice with LPS treatment. Conclusion: ANGPTL3 could be involved in development of dyslipidemia, besides proteinuria in PNS pathogenesis. Inhibiting LPL expression is a reason why ANGPTL3 induce hyperlipidemia in PNS.
MiR-133a-3p Functions as a Tumor Suppressor in Colorectal Cancer by Targeting PFKFB3
Authors: Zhou Yanjie , Jiang Lu , Cai Yuanjun , Tang Wendong , Wang Ke 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Recent studies reveal that PFKFB3 plays an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Our study aims to identify an novel microRNA which can suppress the expression of PFKFB3 and to provide a potential target for tumor therapy.Methods: Bioinformatics methods were implemented to explore the expression and clinical significance of PFKFB3 and miR-133a-3p in colorectal cancer (CRC). qRT-PCR was performed to detect PFKFB3, miR-133a-3p, KI67 and MMP9 mRNA expression, while western bot was carried out for the detection of protein expression of PFKFB3, miR-133a-3p, KI67 and MMP9. Bioinformatics analysis was used to predict the binding sites of miR-133a-3p on PFKFB3 3’UTR, while dual-luciferase assay was conducted to validate their binding relationship. CCK-8 assay, KI67 detection, Transwell assay and MMP9 detection were employed to measure CRC cell proliferative and invasive abilities. Results: PFKFB3 is up-regulated in CRC and significantly associated with poor prognosis. Overexpressed PFKFB3 promotes CRC cell proliferation and invasion. miR-133a-3p is down-regulated and has diagnostic value in CRC. Dual-luciferase assay confirmed that there was a binding relationship between miR-133a-3p and PFKFB3.Overexpressed miR-133a-3p remarkably reduced PFKFB3 expression in CRC cells, weakened the promoting effect of PFKFB3 on cell proliferation and invasion.Conclusions: Our study suggests that miR-133a-3p functions as a novel tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer by targeting PFKFB3.
Identifying Conservation Technology Needs, Barriers, and Opportunities
Authors: Hahn Nathan , Bombaci Sara , Wittemyer George 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Amid accelerating threats to species and ecosystems, technology advancements to monitor, protect and conserve biodiversity have taken on increased importance. While most innovations stem from adaptation of off-the-shelf devices, these tools can fail to meet the specialized needs of conservation and research or lack the support to scale beyond a single site. Despite calls from the conservation community of its importance, a shift to bottom-up innovation driven by conservation professionals remains limited. We surveyed practitioners, academic researchers, and technologists to identify limitations of currently-available technologies, barriers to the development of new tools, and emerging technology needs. High cost was the main barrier to technology use across occupations, while development of new technologies faced barriers of cost and partner communication. Automated processing of data streams was the largest emerging need, and respondents focused mainly on applications for individual-level monitoring and automated image processing. Cross-discipline collaborations and expanded funding networks that encourage cyclical development and continued technical support are needed to address current limitations and meet the growing need for conservation technologies.
Perceptions of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Rehabilitation Care Among Women in Southeast China After Radical Hysterectomy: a Qualitative Study
Authors: Lai Yu-ting , Lin Ai-wu , Ge Li , Zheng Zhi-hui , Wang Ya-li , Yu Hong-hong , Jiang Xin-yong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective: To investigate the perceptions of pelvic floor dysfunction and rehabilitation care among women after radical hysterectomy and to explore ways to improve quality of care. Methods: Thirty-six women who underwent radical hysterectomy at a hospital in southeast China were enrolled via purposive sampling. One-on-one semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted. The texts were analyzed via qualitative content analysis (Graneheim & Lundman). Results: Four themes were attained: serious lack of knowledge of PFD and rehabilitation care; heavy psychological burden; different coping styles to PFD; and great eagerness to receive multiparty support on PFD rehabilitation care.Conclusion: The women had a low cognition of pelvic floor dysfunction and rehabilitation care after radical hysterectomy. Poor awareness of pelvic floor dysfunction among women is one of the reasons they do not ask for support from the society and even from family members. Knowledge of pelvic floor dysfunction should be shared and disseminated to the society to raise public awareness of this medical condition. Moreover, knowledge of medical insurance should be popularized, especially in rural areas in southeast of China. Family-centered care is an important way to support women with pelvic floor dysfunction.
The Association Between Coronary 18F-Sodium Fluoride Uptake With Pro-Atherosclerosis Factors in Patients With Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease: A Mono-Centric Pilot Study
Authors: Wen Wanwan , Gao Mingxin , Yun Mingkai , Meng Jingjing , Zhu Ziwei , Yu Wenyuan , Hacker Marcus , Yu Yang , Li Xiang , Zhang Xiaoli 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose: 18F-Sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) is a novel approach to detect and quantify microcalcification in atherosclerosis. Peri-coronary adipose tissue (PCAT) is associated with vascular inflammation and high-risk atherosclerotic plaque. We aimed to assess the association between coronary 18F-NaF uptake with pro-atherosclerosis factors in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) and to explore the systematic vascular osteogenesis in the coronary artery and aorta in these patients. Methods: Patients with multivessel CAD prospectively underwent cardiac computed tomography (CT) and 18F-NaF PET/CT. PCAT density was measured in the coronary artery and the average PCAT value was calculated from the three coronary arteries in each patient. 18F-NaF tissue-to-blood ratios (TBR) in the coronary artery (TBRCoronary) and aorta (TBRAorta) were calculated. Correlations between coronary 18F-NaF uptake with PCAT density, coronary artery calcium (CAC) burden, CAD risk factors, serum biomarkers, and aortic 18F-NaF uptake were evaluated, respectively. Patients were categorized by a median of TBRCoronary 2.49. Results: 100 multivessel CAD patients (64.00 [57.00 - 67.75] years; 76 men) were prospectively recruited. 6010 active aortic segments (TBR ≥ 1.6) were identified. TBRCoronary was significantly associated with the PCAT density (r = 0.56, p < 0.001) and CAC score (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). TBRCoronary was also significantly associated with the TBRAorta (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). In addition, patients with higher TBRCoronary showed elevated PCAT density (-75.89[-79.07 - -70.06] vs -84.54[-90.21 - -79.46]; p < 0.001) and CAC score (1495.20[619.80 - 2225.40] vs 273.75[116.73 - 1198.18]; p < 0.001) in comparsion patients with lower TBRCoronary. TBRCoronary was correlated with the age (r = 0.24, p = 0.019) and the serum troponin I levels (r = 0.22, p = 0.039). There were no significant correlations between TBRCoronary with other conventional CAD risk factors and other serum biomarkers.Conclusion: Coronary 18F-NaF uptake was correlated with the PCAT density. A significant correlation between 18F-NaF uptake in the coronary artery and aorta might indicate a systematic vascular osteogenesis in patients with multivessel CAD.
Effects of Surge Tank Geometry on the Water Hammer Phenomenon: Numerical Investigation
Authors: Mahmoudi-Rad Mohammad , Najafzadeh Mohammad 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
A surge tank, as one of the most common control facilities, is applied to control head pressure level in long pressurized pipelines during the water hammer occurrence. The cost-effective operation of surge tank is highly affected by its characteristics (i.e., surge tank diameter and inlet diameter of surge tank) and can effectively reduce the repercussion of water hammer. This investigation utilized the method of characteristics (MOC) in order to simulate the behavior of transient flow at surge tank upstream and head pressure fluctuations regime for hydraulic system of a hydropower dam. The various types of boundary conditions (i.e., sure tank, reservoir, branch connection of three pipes, series pipes, and downstream valve) were applied to numerically investigate the simultaneous effects of the surge tank properties. In this way, all the simulations of water hammer equations were conducted for nine various combinations of surge tank diameter (D) and inlet diameter of surge tank (d). Results of this study indicated that, for the surge tank design with D=6m and d=3.4m, head pressure fluctuations reached minimum level in the large section of pipeline here is surge tank upstream. Additionally, occurrence of water hammer phenomenon was probable at the initial section of pipeline.
Vibration Characteristics of Spur Gear Under Tooth Fatigue Wear
Authors: Tian De , Tao Lizhuang , Hu Yue , Li Bei , Wu Xiaoxuan , Tang Shize 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Tooth surface wear is one of the most common faults of gearboxes which increases the fatigue load on the gearbox and endangers its stable output characteristics and service life. Gear meshing characteristics vary significantly with the wear location and severity. Thus, the wear fault model considering tooth profile deviation, friction and time varying mesh stiffness (TVMS) was established in order to quantitatively study the vibration characteristics of tooth fatigue wear (TFW). Tooth profile modification and friction coefficient coupling were applied to characterize TFW, and the maximum wear depth was introduced to characterize TFW severity. The gear-pair simulation models under multiple wear severities were established and imported to a single-stage parallel gearbox whose dynamic differential equation was established under multiple torque conditions. The dynamic simulation results showed good agreement with the experimental data, which validated the method’s effectiveness. The vibration characteristics under different wear severities and simulation conditions were then obtained and compared.
Positive Association Between Body Mass Index and Hematologic Parameters, Including RBC, WBC and Platelet Count, in Korean Children and Adolescent
Authors: Jeong Hwal Rim , Shim Young Seok 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective: To investigate the associations between hematologic parameters and obesity in children and adolescents.Methods: A total of 7,997 subjects (4,259 boys, 3,738 girls) aged 10–18 years was enrolled and hematologic parameters, including WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct, and platelet levels, were recorded and compared against body mass index (BMI) classified into normal-weight, overweight, and obesity groups.Results : The obesity group had significantly higher mean levels of WBC (7.16 vs. 6.16 (x103/mm3), p<0.001), RBC (4.90 vs. 4.82 (x106/mm3), p<0.001), Hb (14.07 vs. 13.99 (g/dL), p<0.05), Hct (42.31 vs. 41.91 (%), p<0.001) and platelets (311.87 vs. 282.66 (x103/mm3), p<0.001) than the normal-weight group after adjusting for obesity and sex. BMI SDS was significantly positively associated with WBC (β=0.275, p<0.001), RBC (β=0.028, p<0.001), Hb (β=0.034, p<0.001), Hct (β=0.152, p<0.001), and platelets (β=8.372, p<0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, and possible socioeconomic confounders in a multiple linear regression analysis.Conclusion: Higher BMI is associated with elevated WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct and platelet counts in children and adolescents. Because higher hematologic parameters are potential risk factors for obesity-related morbidity, more attention should be paid to evaluating and interpreting hematologic parameters in children and adolescents with obesity
Association of four gene polymorphisms in Chinese Guangxi population with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Jiang Dongdong , Ding Zhixiang , Xiong Yu , Jin He , Zeng Xinsheng , Liao Miaoyun , Zheng Liu , Yang Binbin 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common chronic microvascular complications of diabetes. Many studies have suggested that genetic factors are important in the context of DR. This study evaluated the associations of GWAS-identiﬁed DR-associated SNPs in a Chinese population in Guangxi Province with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods: A total of 386 hospitalized T2DM patients without proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and 316 hospitalized T2DM patients with PDR were included in this case–control study. Four tag SNPs, rs1800896 in the IL-10 gene, rs2010963 in the VEGFA gene, rs2070600 in the RAGE gene and rs2910164 in the miR-146a gene, were examined using KASP (Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR) Genotyping Assays.Results: There were no signiﬁcant differences in the genotype or allele frequencies of the miR-146a polymorphism (rs2910164) between subjects with DR and without DR. For rs1800896, the TT allele was determined to be associated with a decreased risk of PDR (P adjusted = 0.022). For rs2010963, 2 alleles (CC and GG) were associated with an increased risk of PDR (P adjusted-CC = 0.048, P adjusted-GG = 0.028). For rs2070600, 2 alleles (TT and CT) were associated with a decreased risk of PDR (P adjusted TT = 0.033, P adjusted CT = 0.002).Conclusions: The polymorphisms rs1800896 in the IL-10 gene, rs2010963 in the VEGFA gene and rs2070600 in the RAGE gene are associated with the risk of PDR in the Han Chinese population of Guangxi Province. Our ﬁndings provide suggestive evidence that these polymorphisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of PDR and should be investigated further.
Non-linear Optimization Scheme Applied to EIT Medical Images Based on the Gauss-Newton Method With Iterative Conductivity Update and Total Variation Regularization
Authors: Rosa Bruno Miguel Gil , Yang Guang-Zhong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Medical imaging modalities are vast and include the well-established techniques of Computerized Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Ultrasounds. Though the underlying physics differs amongst modalities, a similar Inverse Mapping is shared: the recovery of the internal physical property under analysis from measurements obtained at the exterior of the body. In the lesser common technique of Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT), measurement of the voltage levels around a body part are used to retrieve the internal distribution map for conductivity. The complexity of the Inverse Problem in EIT surpasses that found for the Forward Problem (or Mapping), both in terms of mathematical formulation and computational overload. The ill-posed nature of the Inverse Problem further contributes to that intricacy, and solutions to tackle it will be presented in this paper by means of a non-linear optimization scheme involving the iterative Gauss-Newton (GN) method with Total Variation (TV) regularization, applied to two-dimensional (2D) body domains only. The proposed scheme is also compared to other traditional reconstruction algorithms like 2D back-projection and the sensitivity approximation to the Jacobian matrix of the system of equations governing EIT. Results from conductivity map reconstructions in anatomical phantoms have shown an improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and distribution map error (DME) of 36% and 11% for the proposed non-linear method relative to the back-projection and single-step GN method with sensitivity approximation.
Genome-wide Association Analysis Reveals a Novel QTL CsFS1 for Fruit Skin Color in Cucumber
Authors: Huang Hongyu , Yang Qinqin , Zhang Lidong , Kong Weiliang , Wang Huizhe , Wei Aimin , Du Shengli , Yang Ruihuan , Li Jiawang , Lin Tao , Geng Xiaolin , Li Yuhe 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Fruit skin color is a crucial external trait that affects consumer preference in cucumber. In this study, an F2 population was constructed from a cross between the inbred lines G35 (with light-green fruit skin) and Q51 (with dark-green fruit skin) and used to investigate the inheritance patterns of fruit skin color in cucumber. Genetic analysis showed that dark-green fruit skin was dominant to light-green skin. A major QTL, Fruit skin 1 (CsFS1), was identified between 36.62 Mb and 39.77 Mb on chromosome 3 by BSA-seq and GWAS. We further narrowed down the CsFS1 locus to a 94-kb interval containing 15 candidate genes in three F2 recombinant individuals with light-green skin color and one BC4F2 recombinant individual with dark-green skin color. Among these genes, Csa3G912920, which encodes a GATA transcription factor, was expressed at a higher level in the pericarp of the NIL-1334 line (with light-green fruit skin) than in that of the NIL-1325 line (with dark-green fruit skin). This study provides a novel allele for the improvement of fruit skin color in cucumber breeding.