bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Xuezhikang vs. Pravastatin on Triglyceride Level in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Dyslipidemia: A Research Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Xu Jin , Du Xiao , Zhang Shilan , Xiang Qunyan , Guo Liling , Zhu Liyuan , Tan Yangrong , Fu Yan , Xie Yingying , Zhang Miao , Wen Tie , Liu Ling 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Diabetes often accompanies with increase in triglyceride(TG) as well as small dense low density lipoprotein(sdLDL). Statins are difficult to completely correct this dyslipidemia. Xuezhikang, an extract of cholestin, is better than some statins in reducing TG. Under the condition of the similar decrease in LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), it is not clear whether there is any difference in the effect of XZK and statins on TG reduction in patients with Type 2 DM(T2DM). Methods: An open-label multicenter study is planned to estimate the effects of Xuezhikang(1.2 g/d) and pravastatin(20 mg/d) on TG level and other blood lipids in T2DM patients with dyslipidemia and moderate to high risk of cardiovascular diseases. A total of 114 patients will be enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to accept Xuezhikang or pravastatin therapy for 6 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the change in fasting TG level after 6 weeks. The changes in other fasting lipids and postprandial lipids at 1, 2, 4 h after a nutritious breakfast will also be explored. The planned duration for enrollment is between November 2021 and December 2022. Conclusion: This study will evaluate the effect of 6-week treatment of Xuezhikang(1.2 g/d) and pravastatin(20 mg/d) on fasting TG level and other blood lipids in T2DM patients with dyslipidemia, which may provide a more optimized schedule for lipid control in patients with diabetes and dyslipidemia in primary prevention.
Risk Factors and Clinical Characteristics of Catheter Line-associated Bloodstream Infection in MIMIC IV Database
Authors: Li Fang , Lu Fan , Zhang Luming , Li Longzhu , Xing Mingyao , Shen Tao , Yin Haiyan , Lyu Jun 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a common hospital infection. The increasing use of peripherally inserted central catheters and fully implanted venous ports, data on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of CLABSI in the overall central venous catheter (CVC) population remain limited. The Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC IV) database is a free, open, and public resource research database. The purpose of this study was to describe the risk factors and clinical characteristics of CLABSI in MIMIC IV.Methods: A total of 31,116 patients were included in this study. General information, CVC-related information, comorbidity information, microbiological information, and antibiotic use information were extracted to describe and analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with CLABSI.Results: According to the occurrence of CLABSI, 31,116 patients were divided into the NO CLABSI group (n=30,395) and CLABSI group (n=721). The total indwelling duration of CVC was 439,239.6 days, The incidence of CLABSI is 2.32% and 1.64/1000 catheter days. The risk factors for CLABSI were the number of CVC type, duration of CVC, number of antibiotic type, duration of antibiotics, and femoral vein and internal jugular vein intubation. The in-hospital mortality of the CLABSI group was higher than that of the NO CLABSI group, but no statistical significance was observed (P>0.05). Gram-positive (G+) cocci and Gram-negative (G-) bacilli accounted for 80% and 16.93% of positive bacteria in catheter culture. G+ cocci and G- bacilli accounted for 59.45% and 25.62% of positive bacteria in blood culture. Drugs with the highest resistance rates in catheter culture included penicillin G benzathine, oxacillin, and erythromycin. The most commonly used antibiotics for the treatment of CLABSI included vancomycin, cefepime, piperacillin tazobactam, and cefazolin.Conclusions: This study investigated independent risk factors for CLABSI and their association with in-hospital mortality and described the etiological characteristics, drug sensitivity, and the distribution of antibiotics used for treatment.
SINE Insertion in 5’ Flanking of Porcine IGFBP3 May Associated with Gene Expression and Phenotypic Variations
Authors: wang xiaoyan , An Yalong , Murani Eduard , D'alessandro Enrico , Chi Chengling , Chen Cai , Moawad Ali Shoaib , Li Kui , Wimmers Klaus , Song Chengyi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) have been considered important candidate genes for economic traits due to their involvement in physiological processes related to growth and development. However, most of the current studies on genetic markers of IGFBPs have focused on SNPs, and large fragment insertion mutations such as retrotransposons have rarely been considered.Results: In total twelve retrotransposon insertion polymorphisms (RIPs) were confirmed using bioinformatics prediction combined with the PCR-based amplification. By linkage genetic analysis, IGFBP3-1-RIP and IGFBP3-2-RIP are completely linked, showing only three genotypes, SINE+/+/LINE-/-, SINE-/-/LINE+/+ and SINE+/-/LINE-/+. The age of 100 kg body weight and longissimus muscle thickness of Large white individuals of SINE+/+/LINE-/-genotype were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of other two genotypes. However, corrected backfat thickness of SINE+/+/LINE-/- individuals were significantly (P<0.05) thinner than those of SINE+/+/LINE-/- genotype. The expression of the IGFBP3 gene in liver and backfat of 30-day Sujiang piglets with SINE+/+/LINE-/- genotype were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those with SINE-/-/LINE+/+ genotype by qPCR. After the core promoter region of the IGFBP3 gene was identified locating within 482bp upstream of ATG by using the dual-luciferase activity assay, further study was conducted to confirm the effect of SINE of IGFBP3-1-RIP and LINE of IGFBP3-2-RIP on the promoter activity of IGFBP3 based on the PGL3-Promoter-Enhancer. The result revealed that only SINE insertion was significantly increased (P<0.05) promoter activity of the IGFBP3 gene, indicating that the SINE may act as an enhancer to regulate the promoter activity of the IGFBP3 gene.Conclusions: Overall, this study identified 12 RIPs in IGFBP gene clusters. Furthermore, SINE insertions in 5’ flanking of IGFBP3 may associated with variations of gene expression and phenotype.
Novel Oral Anticoagulant Use in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: a Single-center Experience
Authors: Samarai Daniel , Isma Nazim , Lindstedt Sandra , Hlebowicz Joanna 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
IntroductionAdults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are a group with an increased risk of thromboembolic complications and arrhythmias. Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are the most commonly used thromboprophylaxis therapy in this population. Studies on the efficacy and safety of novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are scare, but emerging together with their increasing use.MethodsACHD patients taking NOAC treatment were identified in AuriculA, a Swedish national quality register for atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation. Data on duration of treatment and patient characteristics were provided by the Register. CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores for atrial fibrillation were calculated. CHD severity was determined according to guidelines. Thromboembolic and major bleeding events were provided by AuriculA. Results30 patients who had been taking NOAC treatment for a minimum of 3 months were included. Their median age was 55 years (SD 17 years) and 57% were male. Median follow-up was 17 months (IQR: 10-41). Apixaban was the most commonly used NOAC (47%). Median CHA2DS2-VASc score was 2 (IQR: 0-3) and HAS-BLED was 1 (IQR: 0-2). Complex CHD was prevalent in 27% of the patients. No thromboembolic events were recorded; however, one major bleeding, unspecified, was reported during the total cumulative patient follow-up time of 64 years. ConclusionThe results of our study, although limited in size, suggest NOAC to be a non-inferior alternative to VKA in a heterogenic study group with a balanced inclusion of CHD severity defects. Further and larger studies on VKA and NOAC in ACHD patients are warranted.
Superconductivity modulated by structural phase transitions in pressurized vanadium-based kagome metals
Authors: Du Feng , Li Rui , Luo Shuaishuai , Gong Yu , Li Yanchun , Jiang Sheng , Ortiz Brenden , Liu Yi , Xu Xiaofeng , Wilson Stephen , Cao Chao , Song Yu , Yuan Huiqiu 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The interplay of superconductivity with electronic and structural instabilities on the kagome lattice provides a fertile ground for the emergence of unusual phenomena. The vanadium-based kagome metals AV3Sb5 (A = K, Rb, Cs) exhibit superconductivity on an almost ideal kagome lattice, with the superconducting transition temperature Tc forming two domes upon pressure-tuning. The first dome arises from the competition between superconductivity and a charge-density-wave, whereas the origin for the second dome remains unclear. Herein, we show that the appearance of the second superconducting dome in KV3Sb5 and RbV3Sb5 is associated with transitions from hexagonal P6/mmm to monoclinic P2/m structures, evidenced by splitting of structural peaks from synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction experiments and imaginary phonon frequencies in first-principles calculations. In KV3Sb5, transition to an orthorhombic Pmmm structure is further observed for pressure p≥20 GPa, and is correlated with the strong suppression of Tc in the second superconducting dome. Our findings indicate distortions of the crystal structure modulates superconductivity in AV3Sb5 under pressure, providing a platform to study the emergence of superconductivity in the presence of multiple structural instabilities.
Long-Chain Alkenones in the Shimosa Group Reveal Palaeotemperatures of the Pleistocene Interglacial Palaeo-Tokyo Bays
Authors: Kajita Hiroto , Nakazawa Tsutomu , Ohkouchi Naohiko , Sato Miyako , Harada Naomi , Kawahata Hodaka 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The Shimosa Group, middle- to late-Pleistocene sedimentary succession, has been the focus of stratigraphic attention because it is beneath the Tokyo metropolitan area of central Japan. It is also of palaeoclimatic significance because it contains important interglacial marine strata of the past 450,000 years. Since the marine strata of the Shimosa Group were formed in the fluvial, estuary, and shallow inner bay known as Palaeo-Tokyo Bay, few occurrences of marine microfossils, make it difficult to quantitatively reconstruct the palaeotemperatures. Here, we extracted long-chain alkenones from the core GS-UR-1 penetrating the Shimosa Group to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11. We found that the alkenone unsaturation ratio appears to reflect the sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of Palaeo-Tokyo Bays formed during MIS 5e, 7e, 9, and 11, which might be recorded around the peak of each interglacial period. The palaeo-SSTs during each interglacial period were 2–3 ℃ higher than the palaeo-SSTs of Tokyo Bay in the pre-industrial era, seemed to reach the similar level as the Holocene thermal maximum. We suggest that the LCA-based proxy, which has not been utilized hitherto in studies on the Shimosa Group, demonstrates its potential to provide palaeoclimatic and stratigraphic information.
Time-Resolved Detection of Multilevel Switching of the Magnetization and Exchange Bias Driven by Spin-Orbit Torques
Authors: Wang Yuyan , Taniguchi Takuya , Lin Po-Hung , Zicchino Daniel , Nickl Andreas , Sahliger Jan , Lai Chih-Huang , Song Cheng , Wu Huaqiang , Dai Qionghai , Back Christian 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Current induced magnetization switching, jointly with the manipulation of exchange bias, via spin-orbit torques (SOT) on sub-nanosecond timescales hold great promise for fast and low-power spintronic devices. Specifically, the time-resolved detection and subsequent analysis of switching trajectories relevant to ferromagnet/antiferromagnet exchange biased structures are central to designing SOT devices with high speed, and are still open questions. Here, we report the SOT-induced multileveled switching on sub-nanosecond timescales in Pt/Co/IrMn heterostructures, and illustrate the time-resolved magnetization switching trajectories of the exchange bias. By adopting time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr microscopy combined with micromagnetic simulations, our work reveals that not only the ferromagnets, but also the multiple antiferromagnetic domains and exchange bias, can be partially switched by sub-nanosecond current pulse, to flexibly control the switching probabilities at multiple levels. The experiments demonstrate that the SOT switching of exchange bias, which immediately depends on the current density, can significantly stabilize the multileveled magnetization switching within sub-nanosecond current pulse with high thermal stability.
Detection and attribution of the spatiotemporal trend of climatic disaster impacts and vulnerability in Nepal
Authors: Chapagain Dipesh , Bharati Luna , Borgemeister Christian 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The impacts of climatic disasters have been rising globally. Several studies argue that this upward trend is due to rapid growth in the population and wealth exposed to disasters. Others argue that rising extreme weather events due to anthropogenic climate change are responsible for the increase. Hence, the causes of the increase in disaster impacts remain elusive. Disaster impacts are higher in low-income countries, but existing studies are mostly from developed countries or at the cross-country level. Here we assess the spatiotemporal trends of climatic disaster impacts and vulnerability and their attribution to climatic and socioeconomic factors at the subnational scale in a low-income country, using Nepal as a case study. Loss of life is the most extreme consequence of disasters. Therefore, we employed human mortality as a measure of disaster impacts, and mortality normalized by exposed population as a measure of human vulnerability. We found that climatic disaster frequency and mortality increased in Nepal from 1991 to 2020. However, vulnerability decreased, most likely due to economic growth and progress in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Disaster mortality is positively correlated with disaster frequency and negatively correlated with per capita income but is not correlated with exposed population. Hence, population growth may not have caused the rise in disaster mortality in Nepal. The strong rise in disaster incidence, potentially due to climate change, has overcome the effect of decreasing vulnerability and caused the rise in disaster mortality.
Phylogenetic Relationship Between the Endosymbiont “candidatus Riesia Pediculicola” and Its Human Lice Host
Authors: hammoud alissa , Louni Meriem , Missé Dorothée , Fenollar Florence , Mediannikov Oleg 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: The human louse is one of the most ancient haematophagous ectoparasites that is related intimately to its host and has been of great concern to public health throughout human history. Previously, Pediculus humanus was classified within six divergent mitochondrial clades (A, D, B, F, C and E). Like all haematophagous lice, P. humanus directly depends on the presence of bacterial symbionts, known as “Candidatus Riesia pediculicola”, to complement their unbalanced diet. In this study, we evaluated the coevolution of human lice around the world and their endosymbiotic bacteria. Using molecular approaches, we targeted lice mitochondrial genes from the six diverged clades and Candidatus R. pediculicola housekeeping genes. Methods: A total of 126 lice were selected for molecular analysis of the cytb gene for lice clade determination. In parallel, four PCR primer pairs were developed targeting three housekeeping genes of Candidatus R. pediculicola: ftsZ, groEL and two regions of the rpoB gene (rpoB-1 and rpoB-2).Results: The endosymbiont phylogeny perfectly mirrored the host insect phylogeny, using the ftsZ and rpoB-2 genes, suggesting a strict vertical transmission and a host-symbiont co-speciation following the evolutionary course of the human louse. Conclusion: Our results unequivocally indicate that lice endosymbiont have experienced a similar co-evolutionary history, and that the human louse clade can be determined by their endosymbiotic bacteria.
Nintedanib reduces corticosteroid resistance pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in mice by increasing the expression of β3 &amp; β6 integrins
Authors: Alghamdi Doha O , Kawy Hala S Abdel , Damanhouri Zuhair A 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background:Corticosteroid resistance pulmonary fibrosis is a major health problem. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of nintedanib on corticosteroid resistance pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in mice.Methods:The mice were divided into five groups 12 mice each. control group, BLM group received single dose of bleomycin (BLM), BLM+MP group received BLM and methylprednisolone (MP), BLM+NIN group received BLM and nintedanib(NIN) and BLM + NIN + MP group. The lung tissues were obtained for biochemical analysis, gene expression and histopathological examination on day 7 and day 28.Results:After 7 days, both NIN groups showed a significant decrease in the levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interferon-gamma, lung tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Malondialdehyde and lung water content with a significant increase in the Glutathione level in lung tissues compared to MP group. After 28 days, both NIN groups showed a significant reduction in hydroxyproline, and Trans-forming Growth Factor beta lung tissues contents compared to MP group, and they showed a positive effect on the expression of β 3 &β6 integrins compared to the negative effect of MP group. Histopathologically, both NIN groups showed significant improvement compared to MP group by H&E and Masson’s trichrome stains. Immunohistochemical staining revealed negative BCL-2 expression in the cytoplasm of bronchiolar epithelium in both NIN groups after 7 and 28 days of treatment. Lung tissue morphometric studies showed significant improvement of pathological changes induced by BLM in both NIN groups.Conclusion:Altogether, our data indicates that nintedanib overcame corticosteroid resistance pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin.
Alcohol use and misuse among school adolescents from national surveys in Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 2018
Authors: Peltzer Karl , Pengpid Supa 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of alcohol use and misuse and associated factors among adolescents in Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Data from 3,847 adolescents (mean age:14.6 years, SD = 1.7) that took part in national cross-sectional school surveys in 2018 in Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were analysed. Students responded in a classroom setting to self-administered questions on substance use and othe variables. The results indicate that 42.7% of the students reported current alcohol use, 27.9% were ever drunk and 11.4% had trouble with alcohol use. In adjusted logistic regression analyses, compared to students from Saint Lucia, students from Saint Vincent and the Granadines had higher odds of trouble from drinking. Older age was associated with current alcohol use and ever drunk but not with trouble from drinking. Severe food insecurity and suicidal ideation were associated with trouble from alcohol use. Current tobacco use and current cannabis use were highly associated with current alcohol use, ever drunk, and trouble with alcohol use, while ever use of amphetamines was associated with ever drunk. School truancy, participation in physical fights, injury, and multiple sexual partners increased the odds, while parental support decreased the odds of current alcohol use, ever drunk, and trouble from alcohol use. In conclusion, high alcohol use and misuse has been identified calling for interventions.
Integrated reporting and firms' performance of listed ICT companies in Nigeria
Authors: Kaura Aminu Abdullahi , Bello Abdulrasheed , Sokoto Sirajo Sani 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of corporate performance of 9 listed ICT companies in Nigeria over a period of ten years (2011 – 2020). MVA and ROA were employed as market and financial based measures of performance and controlling for Leverage, Firm size and Age. Panel regression was employed using fixed effect model to test the study hypothesis. The findings from the analysis revealed a positive and significant association between IRINDEX and MVA while the result was insignificant between ROA and IRINDEX. All the control variables were significantly associated with IRINDEX. The model was also significant with f-statistics probability significant at 1% (0.000) level. The model account for about 66.21% variation in IRINDEX. The study therefore concluded that, corporate performance affect IR only in the long-run. The study recommended that, regulatory agencies in Nigeria should enact laws that make it mandatory for quoted companies to adopt IR or grant tax credit to voluntary compliers and lastly, managers should strive to adopt IR not minding its cost implication in the short-run as the benefit will accrue in the long-run.
Modeling of natural convection of a concentrated solar power receiver absorber tube in interaction with neighbouring absorbers
Authors: Oyewola Olanrewaju Miracle , Olukayode Niyi Ezekiel , Ajide Olusegun Olufemi 
Published: September 2021

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology stands out among other renewable energy sources not only because of its ability to address current energy security and environmental challenges but because its energy can be stored for future use. To ensure optimum performance in this system, the heat losses need to be evaluated for better design.
This work studies the natural convection in the receiver absorber tube of a CSP plant taking into consideration the influence of neighboring absorbers. A 2-Dimensional model was adopted in this study. Initially, a single absorber tube was considered, it was subjected to heat flux at the top wall, the bottom wall was insulated and a temperature differential was set up at the lateral walls. The dimensionless forms of Navier-Stokes and energy equations were solved using the finite element formulation of COMSOL Multiphysics software. The result obtained for a single absorber tube showed good agreement with existing research works. This validated model was then extended to multiple absorber tubes (two to six absorber tubes). On the basis of the study, there is an observed increase in the intensity and dominance of convective heat transfer with an increase in the number of absorber tubes. This is occasioned by an increase in the average surface temperature as well as average Nusselt number. For the Rayleigh number of 104, 105 and 106, the average Nusselt number increases with the number of absorber tubes by 13.87 %, 6.26 %, and 1.55 %, respectively. This increment suggests effect of thermal interactions among the neighboring absorber tubes