bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Centimeter-scale hole diffusion and its application in organic light-emitting diodes for reducing efficiency roll-off and enhancing operation lifetime
Authors: Liu Shihao , Zang Chunxiu , Zhang Xiang , Shen Dong , Yu Hongwei , Li Menglin , Wang Hui , Tong Zhongqiu , Lo Ming-Fai , Zhang Letian , Xie Wenfa , Lee Chun-Sing 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
We found that hole diffusion in a centimeter-scale can be achieved in a PEDOT:PSS layer via composition and interface engineering. This ultralong distance hole diffusion enables
substantially enhanced hole diffusion current in the lateral direction perpendicular to the applied electric field in typical organic optoelectronic devices. By introducing this lateral-holediffusion layer (LHDL) at the anode side of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), both reduced efficiency roll-off and enhanced operation stability are demonstrated. In conventional OLEDs, balance in electron and hole currents is typically achieved by leakage of the major carrier through the devices or by accumulation of the major carrier inside the devices. Both of these are known to reduce performances leading to efficiency roll-off at high currents, reduction of operation stability due to exciton-polaron annihilation etc. The application of the LHDL provides a new strategy for current balancing with much reduced harmful effects from the previous two approaches. For example, by incorporating the diffusion layer in a white phosphorescent OLED, 94% of its maximum efficiency can be maintained even at a brightness of 10000 cd/cm2. At a high brightness of 30000 cd/cm2, the OLED maintains a record high 2 external quantum efficiency of 13.9% without using any optical photon extraction layer. The OLED also show 5.5 times improvements in operation lifetime over the device without the diffusion layer. This study shows that centimeter-scale hole diffusion can be achieved in organic semiconductors and generally applied for enhancing efficiency and stability of OLEDs.
Study Protocol for Multi-Center, Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Trial for Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of Electroacupuncture for Cold Hypersensitivity in Hands and Feet
Authors: Lee Kyou-Young , Han In-Sik , Lee Dong-Nyung , Kim Dong-Il , Yu Junsang , Sun Seung-Ho 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF) is defined as the symptom of a sensation of coldness in the extremities under conditions that are not considered cold by an unaffected person. CHHF is common in East Asian women. CHHF can affect the quality of life by placing restrictions on one's daily activities. Although electroacupuncture (EA) and acupuncture have been widely used for treating CHHF, randomized clinical trial (RCT) has not yet been conducted for evaluating the safety and efficacy of EA or acupuncture for the treatment of CHHF. This study aims to evaluate the effects of EA in CHHF patients. Methods: This study is a randomized, multicenter, and parallel design clinical trial. Overall, 72 participants will be randomly assigned to the EA treatment group, acupuncture treatment group, and untreated control group in 1:1:1 ratio via a web-based randomization system. The EA treatment group and acupuncture treatment group will receive EA or acupuncture treatment by visiting ten times at intervals of twice a week for five weeks. Follow-up visits will be made four weeks after the end of treatment. For the untreated control group, three visits will be made. The primary outcome measures will be the CHHF visual analogue scale score. Secondary outcome measures will be the body temperature of hands and feet, total scores of the Korean version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale abbreviated version, the results of the questionnaire of health-related quality of life, questionnaire of demonstration, and questionnaire of cold hypersensitivity.Discussion: This study will be the first clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EA for the treatment of CHHF. We expect this study to provide basic evidence for the treatment of CHHF with EA, future large-scale RCT, and the development of general clinical guidelines for CHHF in the Korean medical field.Trial registration: CRIS, KCT0004306. Registered on October 14, 2019. https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01.jsp?seq=14865
Three unusual Pulmonary fibroleiomyomatous hamartomas: cases report and literature review
Authors: Song Han-xiang , Wang Yali , Fu Wanlei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundPulmonary fibroleiomyomatous hamartomas (PFLH) is an extremely rare benign leision, characterized by most patients have no respiratory symptoms and pulmonary nodules is found during rutine chest imaging. It’s completely different from fibrochondrolipoma (ie.chondrogenic pulmonary hamartoma, FCL), Herein, we report three unusual cases of PFLH in a 48-year-old male patient, a 63-year-old male patient and a 63-year-old female patient,respectively and discuss their morphological characteristics and differential diagnoses including fibrochondrolipoma (FCL), pulmonary fibroadenoma (PFA), primary pulmonary leiomyoma (PPL), bronchioloalveolar adenoma (BAA), solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) and pulmonary metastatic leiomyoma (PML) in female patients.Case presentationThree cases showed singler and multiple nodules in the pulmonary parenchyma,the boundary of these nodules was clear. it showed swelling growth and lobulated in larger tumors. it consisted of the mesenchymal rich in spindle cells and the glandular epithelium tissue. the spindle cells form smooth muscle tissue and fibrous tissue, the glandular epithelium with invagination showed glandular ducts or fissures, disorder of composition. Immunohistochemical staining showed Desmin, SMA,H-caldesmon-positive in the all spindle cells; H-caldesmon-positive, SMA-weak positive and desmin-negative in the long spindle cells; TTF-1,CK7 were positive in glandular epithelium and P63,CK5/6 were expressed in basal cells; HMB45,S-100,CD34, ER,PR were negative in all cells. Additionally, Ki-67 VPI was low and less than 1%. The immunohistochemical analysis combined with the morphological results supported the diagnosis of solitary PFLH (SPFLH) or multiple PFLH (M PFLH). There was no recurrence in SPFLH and recurrence in MFLH in the group.ConclusionsPFLH is a rare benign leision .It originated from the small bronchus or smooth muscle cells of vascular wall which implanted into the lung parenchyma and overgrowth into nodules or mass, the messenchymal component of PFLH is the most important for accurate pathological diagnosis, PFLH is easy to be confused with PFA and PPL when there are not enough immune marker such as SMA,desmin, H-caldesmon to mark the mesenchymal components. Therefore, Diagnosis of PFLH mainly depends on pathological examination, females patients have to exclude PML.
Laennec's Approach for Laparoscopic anatomical Hemihepatectomy
Authors: Hu Wei , Zhang Gongming , Chen Meng , Zhong Chengcheng , Li Mingxu , Li Kai , Sun Titai , Wang Zhong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Laennec's capsule has been found for about 200 years. However, laparoscopic anatomical right and left hemihepatectomy (LARH and LALH) using the Laennec's approach are rarely reported. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the technical details and the surgical outcomes of 15 patients who underwent LAH via Laennec's approach between May 2017 and July 2020. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, and hospital stay were recorded and analyzed. Results: 4 of 15 patients were diagnosed with hepatic hemangioma, 2 had hepatolithiasis, and 9 patients had primary liver cancer. During the surgery, Laennec's approach was used for LAH without conversion to open surgery. 4 patients were treated with LARH and 11 patients were cured with LALH. The operative time, blood loss, and hospital stay were 193 ± 49 min, 247 ± 120 mL and 8.7 ± 2.0 days, respectively. There was no incidence of postoperative bile leakage and bleeding. No mortality occurred. We also demonstrated that Laennec's capsule does exist around the peripheral hepatic veins with histological confirmation. Conclusions: Laennec's approach is safe and feasible for LAH. Precise isolation of Laennec's approach based on Laennec's capsule helps to standardize the surgical techniques for laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy.
Dielectric and Piezoelectric Studies of Dysprosium Doped BZT-BCNT Perovskite Ceramic System for Sensors and Actuators Applications
Authors: Ramam Koduri , Surabhi Srivathsava , Sangam Gurumurthy , M Shilpa P , K Bindu , . Ravikirana , Mundinamani Shridhar 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Perovskite structured Dy doped BZT-BCNT system has been investigated with variation of Dy doping through the solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microscopic studies confirm the results in the rhombohedral stoichiometry without any secondary phases, and uniform grain growth, respectively. Tolerance factor and electronegativity also confirm the presence of Dy doping in BZT-BCNT ceramic system with a stable rhombohedral crystallinity forming vacancy sites for oxygen ions. Optimum piezoelectric properties in non-Pb piezoelectric ceramic systems were obtained due to trivalent donor Dy doping at A-site and pentavalent donor Nb at B-site are possible members for actuator and energy harvesters. Dielectric and piezoelectric studies signifying the rhombohedral perovskite behavior of this lead-free ceramic system confess that the proposed investigation could yield further potential piezoelectric sensors and actuators applicative futuristic studies.
Epichlorohydrine crosslinked chitosan cinnamaldehyde Schiff base: Synthesis, characterization, thermal studies and its application in adsorption of methyl green
Authors: Bashandeh Zahra , Khalaji Aliakbar Dehno 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Epichlorohydrine crosslinked chitosan cinnamaldehyde Schiff base (Epy-Chit-cin) had been synthesized by the reaction of epichlorohydrine, chitosan and trans-cinnamaldehyde (weight ratio 1:1:1) and characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis, TG-DTA, DSC and XRD. The efficiency of the prepared Epy-Chit-cin was studied for the methyl green (MG) dye removal from aqueous solutions. The effects of pH, adsorbent dosage and contact time on the adsorption process were evaluated. Results showed that the equilibrium of MG adsorption by Epy-Chit-cin was reached at 120 min contact time and the maximum adsorption capacity obtained 98.47 at the presence of 0.02 g of Epy-Chit-cin.
An NIR-Fluorophore-Based Theranostic for Selective Initiation of Tumor Pyroptosis-Induced Immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Kewei , Xiao Xuan , Jiang Maolin , Li Jisi , Zhou Jielian , Yuan Youyong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of programmed cell death that can effectively eliminate malignant cells and boost anticancer immunity. However, most of the current pyroptosis inducers lack cell selectivity, which may cause severe side effects for cancer therapy. In this work, for the first time, we discovered that the commonly used near-infrared (NIR) fluorogenic hemicyanine (CyNH2) induces pyrolysis to kill cancer cells and boost antitumor immunity. Cancer cells overexpressing the NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase isozyme 1 (NQO1)-responsive theranostic (NCyNH2) were designed for selective cell pyroptosis and were nonfluorescent with low toxicity before activation. In the presence of NQO1, the fluorescence of CyNH2 was restored and could selectively initiate pyroptosis of cancer cells and further lead to systemic antitumor immunity activation for solid tumor therapy. Thus, this fluorogenic NIR dye may represent a novel theranostic agent for the selective initiation of tumor pyroptosis.
Construction and Validation of Nomogram for Prediction of Metastasis in Osteosarcoma&nbsp;Patients
Authors: xu weilong , niu wei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Osteosarcoma is one of the most common malignant tumors of the bone with poor prognosis. The present study was aimed to establish and validate nomogram to predict the risk of metastasis for individual osteosarcoma patients.Methods: 2195 osteosarcoma patients were retrospectively collected from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model was applied to promote feature selection for the metastasis signature model. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis were used to discern independent predictive factors. These predictive factors were included in the nomogram to evaluate metastasis probability in osteosarcoma patients. Nomogram was validated internally and externally. Results: We randomly assigned 2195 osteosarcoma patients into the training (n = 1464) and validation (n = 731) subgroups. Age, sex, tumor grade, tumor size and use of surgery were identified as the predictive factors for the risk of metastasis (all p<0.05) and further incorporated to develop the nomogram. Predictive accuracy (AUC) for metastasis prediction were 0.7427067 in the training subgroup and 0.6798374 in the external validation subgroup, respectively. And the decision curve analysis also proved the value of the model.Conclusions: We have constructed new high-performance nomogram to assist clinicians in identifying osteosarcoma patients with high risk of metastasis.
Conbercept Versus Conbercept Combined with Retinal Photocoagulation for Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion
Authors: Tong Gengmin , Hu Yishan , Wang Dawei , Jin Yanhua 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal injection of conbercept (IVC) with or without laser photocoagulation for recurrent macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods: 82 patients (82 eyes) with recurrent macular edema secondary to BRVO were collected. The central macular thickness (CMT) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were recorded. Results: The BCVA in both groups was significantly superior to that before treatment (P<0.05). Compared with initial values, CMT was reduced significantly in both groups (P<0.05). But at 1 month to 6 month after treatment, there are no significant difference was observed between the two groups (P>0.05). In the combined therapy group for Hemispheric Retinal Vein Occlusion, we observed a lower number of reinjections during follow-up. Conclusion: Conbercept with or without retinal photocoagulation can effectively improve the visual acuity and reduce the CMT.
Whole Exome Sequencing of Six Chinese Families with Hereditary Non-syndromic Hearing Loss
Authors: Liang Pengfei , Chen Fengping , Wang Shujuan , Li Qiong , Li Wei , Wang Jian , Chen Jun , Zha Dingjun 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss (NSHL) has a high genetic heterogeneity with >152 genes identified as associated molecular causes. The present study aimed to detect the possible damaging variants of the deaf probands from six unrelated Chinese families.Methods: After excluding the mutations in the most common genes, GJB2 and SLC26A4, 12 probands with prelingual deafness and autosomal recessive inheritance were evaluated by whole-exome sequencing (WES). All the candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing in all patients and their parents.Results:Biallelic mutations were identified in all deaf patients. Among these six families, 10 potentially causative mutations, including 3 reported and 7 novel mutations, in 3 different deafness-associated autosomal recessive (DFNB) genes (MYO15A, COL11A2, and CDH23) were identified. The mutations in MYO15A were frequent with 7/10 candidate variants. Sanger sequencing confirmed that these mutations segregated with the hearing loss of each family.Conclusions:Next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach becomes more cost-effective and efficient when analyzing large-scale genes compared to the conventional polymerase chain reaction-based Sanger sequencing, which is often used to screen common deafness-related genes. The current findings further extend the mutation spectrum of hearing loss in the Chinese population, which has a positive significance for genetic counseling.
Thematic Analysis of the Raters’ Experiences Administering Scales to Assess Depression and Suicide in Arab Schizophrenia Patients
Authors: Amro Iman , Ghuloum Suhaila , Hammoudeh Samer , Hani Yahya , Yehya Arij , Al-Amin Hassen 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to enhance the cultural adaptation and training on administering the Arabic versions of the Calgary Depression Scale in Schizophrenia (CDSS) and The International Scale for Suicidal Thinking (ISST) to Arab schizophrenia patients in Doha, Qatar. Methods: We applied the qualitative thematic analysis of the focus group discussions with clinical research coordinators (CRCs). Five CRCs met with the principal investigator for two sessions; we transcribed the conversations and analyzed the content. Results: This study revealed one set of themes related to the scales themselves, like the role of the clinician-patient relationship during administration, the semantic variations in Arabic dialects, and the design of scales to assess suicide and differentiate between negative symptoms and depression. The other set of themes is relevant to the sociocultural domains in Muslim Arabs, covering religion, families' role, and stigma. It also covered the approaches to culturally sensitive issues like suicide, taboos in Islam, and the gender roles in Arab countries and its impact on the patients' report of their symptoms. Conclusions: Our results highlight several cultural and religious aspects to tackle when approaching schizophrenia patients through in-depth discussions and training to improve the assessment tools and treatment services' validity.
SEPIA: Simulation-based Evaluation of Prioritization Algorithms
Authors: Almaraz Kimberly , Jang Tyler , Lewis McKenna , Ngo Titan , Song Miranda , Moshiri Niema 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The ability to prioritize people living with HIV by risk of future transmissions could aid public health officials in optimizing epidemiological intervention. While methods exist to perform such prioritization based on molecular data, their effectiveness and accuracy are poorly understood, and it is unclear how one can directly compare the accuracy of different methods. We introduce SEPIA (Simulation-based Evaluation of PrIoritization Algorithms), a novel simulation-based framework for determining the effectiveness of prioritization algorithms. Under several metrics of effectiveness that we propose, we utilize various properties of the simulated contact networks and transmission histories to compare existing prioritization approaches: one phylogenetic (ProACT) and one distance-based (growth of HIV-TRACE transmission clusters). Results: Using all metrics of effectiveness that we propose, ProACT consistently slightly outperformed the transmission cluster growth approach. However, both methods consistently performed just marginally better than random, suggesting that there is significant room for improvement in prioritization tools. Conclusion: We hope that, by providing ways to quantify the effectiveness of prioritization methods in simulation, SEPIA will aid researchers in developing novel tools for prioritizing people living with HIV by risk offuture transmissions.
Propensity-Score Analysis Reveals that Sex is Not a Prognosis Factor for Mortality in Intensive Care Unit-Admitted Patients with Sepsis
Authors: Ponce-Alonso Manuel , Fernández-Félix Borja M , Halperin Ana , Rodríguez-Domínguez Mario , Sánchez-Díaz Ana M , Cantón Rafael , Muriel Alfonso , Zamora Javier , Campo Rosa del 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Classically, men have been considered to have a higher incidence of infectious diseases, with controversy over the possibility that sex could condition the prognosis of the infection. The aim of the present work was to explore this assumption in patients admitted to the ICU with sepsis using a robust statistical analysis.Methods: Retrospective analysis (2006-2017) in patients with microbiologically confirmed bacteremia (n=440) by majoritarian bacterial pathogens. Risk of ICU and in-hospital mortality in males respect to females was compared by an univariant analysis and a propensity score correspondence analysis integrating their clinical characteristics. Results: Relevant differences were related to the infection source: urinary origin for females (28.7% vs 19.8%) and abdominopelvic surgery for males (8.8% vs 4.8%). Sepsis occurred more frequently in males (80.2% vs 76.1%) as well as in-hospital (48.0% vs 41.3%) and ICU (39.9% vs 36.5%) mortality. Escherichia coli was 2 times more frequent in survivors whereas Staphylococcus aureus was 3 times more frequent in deceased patients. Univariate analyses showed that males had a higher Charlson comorbidity index, a poorer McCabe prognostic score; however the propensity score in 296 patients demonstrated that females had higher risk of both ICU (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.46 to 1.13), and in-hospital mortality (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.55 to 1.30) but without statistical significance. Conclusion: Men with sepsis have worse clinical characteristics when admitted to the ICU, but sex has no influence on the prognosis of mortality. Our data contributes to help reduce the sex-dependent gap present in health care provision.
Metformin protects against insulin resistance induced by high uric acid in cardiomyocytes via AMPK signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Jiao Zhenyu , Chen Yingqun , Xie Yang , Li Yanbing , Li Zhi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundHigh uric acid (HUA) is associated with insulin resistance and abnormal glucose metabolism in cardiomyocytes. Metformin is a recognized agonist of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and an antidiabetic drug widely used for type 2 diabetes. It can play a cardioprotective role in many pathways. We investigated whether metformin protects against HUA-induced insulin resistance and abnormal glucose metabolism in cardiomyocytes.MethodsWe exposed primary cardiomyocytes to HUA, and cellular glucose uptake was quantified by measuring the uptake of 2-NBDG, a fluorescent glucose analog, after insulin excitation.ResultsTreatment with metformin (10 µmol/L) protected against HUA-inhibited glucose uptake induced by insulin in primary cardiomyocytes, as shown by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analysis. HUA directly inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and the translocation of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) induced by insulin, which was blocked by metformin. Metformin promoted phosphorylation of AMPK, renewed HUA-inhibited glucose uptake induced by insulin and protected against insulin resistance in cardiomyocytes. As a result of these effects, in a mouse model of acute hyperuricemia, metformin improved insulin tolerance and glucose tolerance, accompanied by increased AMPK phosphorylation, Akt phosphorylation and translocation of GLUT4 in myocardial tissues. As expected, AICAR, another AMPK activator, had equivalent effects to metformin, demonstrating the important role of AMPK activation in protecting against insulin resistance induced by HUA in cardiomyocytes. Metformin protects against insulin resistance induced by HUA in cardiomyocytes and improves insulin tolerance and glucose tolerance in an acute hyperuricemic mouse model, along with the activation of AMPK.ConclusionsConsequently, metformin may be an important potential new treatment strategy for hyperuricemia-related cardiovascular disease.