bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fecal Sample Collection Methods and Time of Day Impact Microbiome Composition and Short Chain Fatty Acid Concentrations
Authors: Jones Jacquelyn , Reinke Stacey , Ali Alishum , Palmer Debra , Christophersen Claus T. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Associations between the human gut microbiome and health outcomes continues to be of great interest, although fecal sample collection methods which impact microbiome studies are sometimes neglected. Here, we expand on previous work in sample optimization, to promote high quality microbiome data. To compare fecal sample collection methods, amplicons from the bacterial 16S rRNA gene (V4) and fungal (ITS2) region, as well as short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations were determined in fecal material over three timepoints. We demonstrated that spot sampling of stool results in variable detection of some microbial members, and inconsistent levels of SCFA; therefore, sample homogenization prior to subsequent analysis or subsampling is recommended. We also identify a trend in microbial and metabolite composition that shifts over two consecutive stool collections less than 25h apart. Lastly, we show significant differences in bacterial composition that result from collecting stool samples in OMNIgeneGUT tube (DNA Genotec) or Stool Nucleic Acid Collection and Preservation Tube (NORGEN) compared to immediate freezing. To assist microbiome investigators plan their fecal sample collection and storage procedures for multiple analyses, we recommend participants to collect the first full bowel movement of the day and freeze the sample immediately after collection.
Fluoropolymer/GAP Block Copolyurethane Binders: Sensitivity, Mechanical Properties and Reactive Properties with Aluminum
Authors: Xu Minghui , Lu Xianming , Liu Ning , Zhang Qian , Mo Hongchang , Ge Zhongxue 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In order to enhance the application properties of GAP in solid propellant, an energetic copolyurethane binder, (poly[3,3-bis(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxymethyl)oxetane] glycol-block-glycidylazide polymer (PBFMO-b-GAP) was developed. The PBFMO-b-GAP was prepared using poly[3,3-bis(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxymethyl)oxetane] glycol (PBFMO) which preparing from cationic polymerization and GAP as the raw materials, TDI as the coupling agent via a prepolymer process. The molecular structure of copolyurethane was confirmed by FT-IR, NMR, GPC. The impact sensitivity, mechanical properties and thermal behavior of PBFMO-b-GAP were studied by drop weight test, XPS, tensile test, SEM, DSC and TG/DTG respectively. The results proved that the introduction of fluoropolymer can evidently reduce the sensitivity of GAP based polyurethanes and enhance their mechanical behavior (the tensile strength up to 5.75MPa with a breaking elongation of 1660 %). Also, PBFMO-b-GAP exhibited an excellent resistance to thermal decomposition up to 200°C and good compatibility with Al and HMX. Cook-off test was used to investigate the reactive of copolyurethanes and Al, the results indicated that the copolyurethanes could react with Al efficiently and release significantly more heat. Therefore, the energetic copolyurethanes may serve as promising energetic binders for future propellant formulations.
Selective growth of Ti3+/TiO2/CNT and Ti3+/TiO2/C nanocomposite photocatalysts for enhanced visible-light utilization to degrade organic pollutants by lowering the bandgap of TiO2
Authors: Akter Jeasmin , Hanif Md. Abu , Islam Md. Akherul , Sapkota Kamal , Hahn Jae 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A convenient route was developed for the selective preparation of two stable nanocomposites, Ti3+/TiO2/CNT (labeled as TTOC-1 and TTOC-3) and Ti3+/TiO2/carbon layer (labeled as TTOC-2), from the same precursor by varying the amount of single-walled carbon nanotubes used in the synthesis. TiO2 is an effective photocatalyst; however, its wide bandgap limits its usefulness to the UV region. As a solution to this problem, our prepared nanocomposites exhibit a small bandgap and wide visible-light (VL) absorption because of the introduction of carbonaceous species and Ti3+ vacancies. The photocatalytic efficiency of the nanocomposites was examined via the degradation of methylene blue dye under VL. Excellent photocatalytic activity of 83%, 98%, and 93% was observed for TTOC-1, TTOC-2, and TTOC-3 nanocomposites within 25 min. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of TTOC-2 toward rhodamine B was 71% and for methyl orange (MO) dye was 28% under similar experimental conditions, after 25 min. Higher reusability and structural integrity of the as-synthesized photocatalyst were confirmed within five consecutive runs by photocatalytic test and X-ray diffraction analysis, respectively. The resulting nanocomposites provide new insights into the development of VL-active and stable photocatalysts with high efficiencies.
Health Status Evaluation of Type 2 Diabetics from Two Northern Hospitals of Peru
Authors: León-Jiménez Franco , Barreto-Pérez Daysi , Altamirano-Cardozo Lida , Loayza-Enríquez Blanca , Farfán-García Juanita 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objective: To describe illness related knowledge features, mental health, adherence to therapy and quality of life on type 2 diabetics from two northern hospitals from Peru. Material and methods: Cross sectional descriptive study. A cense was made. Descriptive statistics and exploratory analysis were employed. Results: there were 382 diabetic patients: 289 in Lambayeque and 93 in Piura:112 people were interviewed. The mean age was 59.5 +/- 11.6 years, 58% were women, 59% were from Piura, 43.8% only had primary school and 41.5% reffered 2 to 4 outpatient evaluation in the last two years; 28,6% referred to have been infected by COVID-19: 35,5% in Lambayeque and 23,8% in Piura; 17.8% had poor illness related knowledge’s. About mental health, 62.5% had Depression, 93.8% Anxiety (severe in 80.3%) and 57.1%, both; 50.6% had adequate adherence to therapy. The median of quality of life was 161.5 (IQR=127.1-215) and 24.1% had poor quality of life. In descending order, the more affected dimensions of quality of life were: “control of diabetes”, “Energy and mobility”, “Social charge”, “anxiety” and “sexual performance”. In the exploratory multivariate analysis only anxiety was associated with poor quality of life. Conclusion: illness related knowledge features, mental health, adherence to therapy and quality of life were poor on type 2 diabetics from these two northern cities of Peru. Diabetic anxiety patients had poor quality of life. Source: MeSH
Facile One-pot Synthesis of CuCN by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Nitrile Solvents and Mechanistic Studies using Quantum Chemical Calculations
Authors: Begildayeva Talshyn , Ahn Ahreum , Naik Shreyanka Shankar , Lee Seung Jun , Theerthagiri Jayaraman , Kim Tae Ho , Choi Myong Yong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Binding energies of different nitrile solvents and their utilization for CuCN formation were investigated through quantum chemical calculations. A pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) method for CuCN synthesis was developed herein. Initially, the interaction between the pulsed laser and the Cu-target generated Cu-ions and electrons at the point of contact. The laser beam also exhibited sufficient energy to dissociate the bonds of the respective solvents. In the case of acetonitrile, the oxidized Cu-ions bonded with CN− to produce CuCN with a cubic-structure. Other nitrile solvents generated spherically-shaped Cu@graphitic carbon (Cu@GC) nanoparticles. Thus, the production of CuCN was favorable only in acetonitrile due to the availability of the cyano-group immediately after the fragmentation of acetonitrile (CH3+ and CN−) under PLAL. Conversely, propionitrile and butyronitrile released large amounts of hydrocarbons, which deposited on Cu NPs surface to form GC layers. Following the encapsulation of Cu NPs with carbon shells, further interaction with the cyano-group was not possible. Subsequently, theoretical study on the binding energies of nitrile solvents was confirmed by highly correlated basic sets of B3LYP and MP2 which results were consistent with the experimental outcomes. The findings obtained herein could be utilized for the development of novel metal–polymer materials.
The Predictive and Diagnostic Potential of Symptoms for Glioblastoma Patient Survival
Authors: Mrowczynski Oliver , Yang Ae Lim , Liao Jason , Langan Sara , Rizk Elias 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
PurposeGlioblastoma is a devastating malignancy with a dismal survival rate and median survival time of 14 months. Currently, the biomarkers for glioblastoma are mostly molecular and include EGFRvIII, ATRX, PTEN, IDH1, MGMT, and others. These prognostic tumor biomarkers are obtained through a surgical biopsy and thus not easily attainable. Clinicians would benefit from a robust, non-invasive, and readily available indicator for early diagnosis and accurate prognostication for glioblastoma patients. MethodsIn this study, we assessed whether specific patient symptoms could provide early diagnosis of glioblastoma. Further, if any patient symptomatology would provide clinicians with the ability to prognosticate patient survival more accurately. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data for 218 patients. We determined whether symptoms including headache, weakness, seizure, memory loss/confusion, visual changes, speech changes, and loss of consciousness led to a patient being diagnosed earlier and if any of these symptoms predicted a diminished patient survival. ResultsOur study determined that weakness and memory loss/confusion were symptoms that predicted diminished survival, and weakness alone was the symptom that predicted earlier diagnosis. Conclusion: This study further elucidates the complexities of glioblastoma and provides clinicians with more data for their patients when discussing prognostication after diagnosis of glioblastoma.
Inflammation Related circRNAs Polymorphism and Ischemic Stroke Prognosis
Authors: liu xu , wang qianwen , zhao jingjing , chang hongtao , Zhu Rui-xia 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundCircRNAs belong to a novel class of noncoding RNAs that are generated by exons of genes by alternative mRNA splicing and involved in pathophysiological processes of ischemic stroke by regulating neuroinflammation. MethodsA total of 982 patients were enrolled in our study for stroke recovery analysis. The aim of our study was to first explore the association between the inflammation related circRNA polymorphism and functional outcome 3 months after ischemic stroke by using multivariate logistic regression model. Next, we further investigated the role of circRNA polymorphism in predicting stroke recurrence by using cox proportional hazards regression model. Five circRNA polymorphisms were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction and ligation detection reaction method.ResultsWe identified circ-STAT3(signal transducer and activator of transcription) rs2293152 GG genotype to be associated with poorer recovery 90 days after stroke (OR=1.452; 95%CI:1.165-4.362, p=0.016). After adjusting for confound factors, the association for rs2293152 with 3 months outcome after IS was stronger, suggesting a mechanism that rs2293152 is an independent risk factor for stroke recovery (OR=2.255; 95%CI:1.034-2.038, p=0.031). However, no other circRNA polymorphisms (circ-DLGAP4 rs41274714,circ-TRAF2 rs10870141, circ-ITCH rs10485505,rs4911154 ) was associated with functional outcome 3 months after stroke in any genetic models. Subgroup analysis revealed that the negative effect of rs2293152 GG genotype was greater in female and older patients, subjects with history of hypertension. Additionally, all the circRNA polymorphisms were not correlated with recurrent risk of ischemic stroke. ConclusionsOur results indicated that circ-STAT3 might be a novel biomarker for predicting functional outcome after stroke and an important contributor to the ischemic stroke recovery.
Efficacy and Safety of Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined With First Lines Chemotherapy for Small-cell Lung Cancer: a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chen Shuntai , He Jie , He Shulin , Li Conghuang , Geng Liang , Sun Mingxi , Zheng Honggang , Hua Baojin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) tends to respond well to the standard treatment of chemotherapy, but disease progression, chemotherapy resistance, and adverse reactions still remain major problems that have long limited its effectiveness. Although Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is wildly applied for patients with SCLC in China, using TCM in the treatment for SCLC is still in the absence of sufficient evidence.Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TCM combined with the first lines chemotherapy for SCLC.Method: In this perspective, two-center cohort studies, overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR) were compared between patients who received chemotherapy with or without TCM, with adverse events (AEs) also on the list of comparison.Results: When the follow-up ended, 168 patients were included in this study. Compared with patients treated with chemotherapy alone (non-TCM group), those with TCM and chemotherapy (TCM group) had better PFS (adjusted HR 0.552, 95% CI 0.389–0.783, P=0.01), median PFS (11.83 months vs. 8.60 months, P = 0.004), rates of ORR (85.88% vs 75.90% after second cycle treatment, 61.2% vs. 43.4% after fourth cycle treatment), rates of DCR(100% vs 98.80% after second cycle treatment, 95.3% vs. 89.2% after fourth cycle treatment). The number of cases with leukopenia, anorexia, constipation, fatigue, nausea in patients receiving TCM treatment is lower than those in patients not receiving TCM (P < 0.05). There was no difference between the two groups in median OS (23.4 months vs. 20.1 months, P = 0.301). Subgroup analysis showed there was no difference between the two groups in median OS with 34.5 months vs. 22.6 months for LS-SCLC (P=0. 586) and 18.5 months vs. 17.37 months for ES-SCLC (P=0.162). Patients in the TCM group have better median PFS than patients in the non-TCM group for both LS-SCLC and ES-SCLC with 14.73 months vs. 9.2 months (P=0.040) and 9.53 months vs. 7.47 months (P=0.007) respectively.Conclusion: This study indicated that TCM combined with chemotherapy for SCLC may prolong PFS, improve therapeutic effect, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, but may not be effective in the prolongation of OS. More large-scale and higher quality clinical studies are warranted to support our findings.Clinical registration number: ChiCTR2000040151. (http://www.chictr.org.cn)
Cognitive Training Modulates Brain Hypersynchrony in a Population at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Suárez-Méndez Isabel , Bruña Ricardo , López-Sanz David , Carrasco Pedro Montejo , Montenegro-Peña Mercedes , Delgado-Losada María Luisa , Dolado Alberto Marcos , López-Higes Ramón , Maestú Fernando 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundRecent neuroimaging studies in humans and animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) demonstrated brain hyper-synchrony under amyloid burden, which is being identified as a proxy for conversion to dementia. The potential of non-pharmacological interventions to reverse this neurophysiological phenomenon in the early stages of the disease is still an open question. MethodBrain synchrony modulation by cognitive training (CogTr) was examined in a cohort of healthy controls (HC, n = 41, 22 trained) and individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD, n = 49, 24 trained). Magnetoencephalographic (MEG) activity and comprehensive neuropsychological scores were acquired before and after completion of a ten-week CogTr program aimed at improving cognitive function and daily living performance. Functional connectivity (FC) analyses were carried out using the phase-locking value. A mixed-effects ANOVA with factors stage (pre-intervention or post-intervention), CogTr (trained or non-trained), and cognitive status (HC or SCD) was used to estimate significant FC changes across MEG recordings.ResultsAlpha-band FC increases were observed for the whole sample (both trained and non-trained), but the effect was different in each group. For the trained group (both HC and SCD), we report a reduction in the FC increase within temporo-parietal and temporo-occipital connections. This effect was particularly manifest in trained participants with SCD, for whom the reduction in the FC increase also correlated with enhanced cognitive performance in different neuropsychological domains (memory, language, and executive function).Conclusions﻿CogTr programs could mitigate the increase in FC observed in preclinical AD, promoting brain synchrony normalization in groups at increased risk for developing the disease.
Ecosystem health assessment of three inland water bodies in South-west, Nigeria based on fish diversity, pollution status, ecological and health risk indices
Authors: Ndimele Prince Emeka , Owodeinde Fatai Gbolahan , Giwa-Ajeniya Abdullatif O , Moronkola Bridget A. , Adaramoye Oyindamola R. , Ewenla Lois O. , Kushoro Hijrah Y. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the health status of three water bodies (Badagry Creek, Ologe Lagoon and River Owo) because of the large amount of effluent they receive from industries around Lagos as well as the services they provide to sustain the large human population in an emerging mega city like Lagos. Water, sediment and fish samples were collected monthly from the three water bodies between January and December, 2018. Standard methods were used for the analysis of physico-chemical parameters, heavy metals, length-weight relationship, condition factor, fish diversity indices, sediment pollution indices, ecotoxicology of heavy metals in sediment and potential ecological risks as well as health risk assessment of heavy metals. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) of heavy metals in sediments of the sampling sites ranged from − 12.14 to -0.38. The mean quotients using the probable effect level (m-PEL-Q) are 3.91 x10-4, 4.77 x10-4 and 7.87 x10-4 for Ologe Lagoon, Badagry Creek and River Owo respectively. The trend was the same with mean quotients using effect range-median (m-ERM-Q). The estimated daily intake (EDI) ranged from 0.00 mgkg-1day-1 in Pb from River Owo to 1.15 x10-3 mgkg-1day-1 in Fe still from River Owo. The range of values of the target hazard quotient (THQ) of the metals in Badagry Creek, River Owo and Ologe Lagoon are 1.23x10-4–1.65x10-2, 0.00–1.64x10-2 and 5.76x10-5–1.65x10-2 respectively. The study showed that the three aquatic ecosystems are healthy but require regular monitoring to promptly detect sudden changes in their health status.
Potential of mosques to serve as evacuation shelters for foreign Muslims during disasters: A case study in Gunma, Japan
Authors: Kotani Hitomu , Tamura Mari , Li Jiayue , Yamaji Eiji 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Foreigners tend to be vulnerable to disasters due to religious and cultural differences. In Japan, Muslim foreign residents, who are minorities, likely face difficulties in terms of food and religious practices in evacuation shelters. In this study, we propose the use of mosques as voluntary shelters for Muslim foreigners in Japan and evaluate their potential to function as shelters. Mosques are expected to have a large space, including a prayer space, and to store food familiar to daily users. We conducted field surveys targeting two mosques in Isesaki, Gunma, Japan, to investigate their equipment and building environment in relation to how they could function as shelters; the number of evacuees they could accommodate; the amount of food they could supply to evacuees; and the willingness of the administrators to use the mosques as shelters. Both mosques were found to be equipped with toilets and shower rooms and had enough space for approximately 60–80 evacuees. They also had sufficient kitchen space and tableware to prepare meals for about 100 people. Although they did not always stock a large amount of food, they could quickly receive food from nearby stores. Moreover, the administrators were willing to use the mosques as shelters. Therefore, it was suggested that the mosques could serve as shelters accommodating and feeding many evacuees. Finally, measures to improve the function of mosques as shelters are discussed. This study lays the groundwork for the future use of mosques as shelters.
Comparison of Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes of Single Frozen Blastocyst Transfer Between Letrozole-induction and HRT Cycles in Patients With Abnormal Ovulation
Authors: Zhang Junwei , Li Zhen , Sun Lijun , Guan Yichun , Du Mingze 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: The use of frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles has dramatically risen. The optimal endometrial preparation method for women undergoing FET is of utmost importance to provide the optimal chances of pregnancy. For patients with abnormal ovulation in particular, there have been few studies on FET protocols; notably, most of these studies focus only on the clinical pregnancy rate or live birth rate (LBR) and pay little attention to the regimen’s safety for offspring.Methods: It was a retrospective cohort study. First FET cycle with a single blastocyst from whole embryo frozen IVF/ICSI at the Reproductive Center of Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2016 and January 2020. The LBR was the primary outcome of interest. The secondary outcome measures were miscarriage rate and offspring safety, including preterm birth, low birthweight (LBW), small-for-gestational age (SGA), macrosomia and large-for-gestational age (LGA).Results: In total, 2782 FET cycles met the eligibility criteria for analysis. Additionally, there were 1178 singleton births from FET cycles. The clinical pregnancy rate was 58.4% in the L-FET group and 54.5% in the HRT group, with no statistical significance (P=.116). The miscarriage rate was higher in the HRT group than in the L-FET group (21.7% vs. 14.3%, P=.005). The LBR was significantly higher in the L-FET group than in the HRT group (49.6% vs. 41.7%, P=.001). Neonatal outcomes were similar between the two groups. After adjustments for confounding factors, the LBR was higher in the L-FET group (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.06-1.58). The rate of miscarriage was lower in the L-FET group (aOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.44-0.90). Conclusion: For patients with abnormal ovulation, the L-FET regimen has a higher LBR and lower miscarriage rate than HRT. The neonatal outcomes were similar between the two groups.