bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 Quarantine is a Risk Factor for Poor Pregnancy Outcomes in GDM Patients: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Cai Qin-Yu , Yang Yin , Ruan Ling-Ling , Wang Dang-Dang , Cui Han-Lin , Yang Shu , Liu Wen-Jie , Luo Xin , Liu Tai-Hang 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Aims: This study was to evaluate the effects of the home quarantine on pregnancy outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients during the COVID-19 outbreak.Methods: Thecomplete electronic medical records of GDM patients with home quarantine history were collected and classified into the home quarantine group from 24 February 2020 to 24 November 2020. The same period of GDM patients without home quarantine historywas included in the control group from 2018 and 2019.Results: A total of 1358 GDM patients were included in the analysis, including 484 in 2018, 468 in 2019, and 406 in 2020. GDM patients with home quarantine in 2020 had higher glycemic levels and worse pregnancy outcomes than 2018 and 2019, including higher cesarean section rate,lower Apgar scores, and higher incidence of macrosomia and nuchal cord. More importantly, the second trimester of home quarantine had brought a broader impactto pregnant women and fetuses.Conclusion: Home quarantine has aggravated the condition of GDM pregnant women and brought more adverse pregnancy outcomes during the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, we suggested that governments and hospitals should strengthen lifestyle guidance, glucose management, and antenatal care for GDM patients with home quarantine during public health emergencies.
Effect of Zoledronic Acid Combined With Metformin on Bone of Db/db Mice
Authors: Yang Xing-yao , Wen Zhao , Ma Wen-jie , Lin Yan-shui 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background Diabetic Osteoporosis (DO) is a complication of diabetes. As a first-line medication for diabetes, metformin combined with the anti-osteoporosis drug zoledronic acid is still unclear whether it is effective in treating DO. In this work, we explored the effect of metformin combined with zoledronic acid in the treatment of DO.Methods 12-week-old db/db mice were randomly divided into db/db group, ZA (zoledronic acid) group, MET (metformin) group, CMT (combination therapy group) group, Set WT (wild-type) mice of the same strain and age as the blank control group. Body weight and blood glucose were measured every 2 weeks. After 10 weeks, samples were taken for pathology and imaging related tests.Results (1) The body weight of db/db mice treated with metformin was stable and blood glucose was decreased. (2) After HE staining, db/db mice treated with metformin showed decreased adipocytes, increased blood cells and blood vessels in bone marrow cavity; db/db mice treated with zoledronic acid showed increased trabeculae. The number of bone trabeculae and blood vessels in the bone increased after the combined use of the two drugs. (3) By OPG staining and semi-quantitative analysis, db/db mice had the lowest osteoblastic activity. db/db mice treated with metformin had higher osteoblastic activity than those treated with zoledronic acid, and the osteoblastic activity of CMT was higher than that treated with ZA group or MET group. (4) After TE staining, semi-quantitative analysis showed that the number of bone lacunae in WT group was the least, the number of bone lacunae in ZA group and CMT group was significantly lower than that in db/db group, but the number of bone lacunae in MET group was not significant. (5) The bone morphological analysis of db/db mice in the CMT group was significantly better than that of MET or ZA alone by micro-CT scanning and bone tissue parameters determination.Conclusion ZA combined with MET has better anti-bone loss effect than zoledronic acid or metformin alone in db/db mice.
Lived Experiences of Palestinian Patients With COVID-19: A Multi-center Phenomenological Study of Recovery Journey
Authors: Alkaissi Aidah , AlZiben Fadi , Rajab Mohammad Abu , Alkony Mahdia 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Exploring lived experiences of recovered COVID-19 patients might have scientific, social, and policy relevance that apply to the healthcare infrastructure. This multi-center phenomenological study was conducted to explore lived experiences of Palestinian patients who recovered from COVID-19.  Methods: In this qualitative study, a phenomenological descriptive approach was used. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with patients who recovered from COVID-19 (n = 20). The transcripts of the audio recorded interviews were analyzed by using Giorgio’s phenomenological analysis method. Results: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 male and 6 female participants. The age of the participants ranged from 25-50 years. Nine themes and multiple subthemes emerged from the qualitative data. The themes were relevant to patient’s feelings about the experience, mental issues, social discriminations/stigma, symptoms, life in isolation, using supportive treatment, personal preventive measures, social support, and life after recovery.Conclusion: Survivors who were interviewed in this study recounted devastating experiences with regard to their mental health, social stigmatization, feeling guilt, shame, and hesitant to regain contact with others. Mental health issues should be addressed as a part of the care plan for patients with COVID-19. More studies are still needed to investigate if introducing mental healthcare providers to the care team of patients with COVID-19 can improve the experiences of the patients.
Circ_TGFBR2 Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Phenotypic Switch and Suppresses Aortic Dissection Progression by Sponging miR-29a
Authors: Xu Zhenjun , Zhong Kai , Guo Guanjun , Song Zhizhao , Xu Can , Wang Dongjin , Pan Jun 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Aortic dissection (AD) is a threatening and catastrophic vascular disease with high mortality rate and limited therapeutic strategies. There is emerging evidence showing that circular RNAs play crucial role in regulating various cardiovascular diseases. However, the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of circRNAs in AD still remains elusive. The purpose of this study was to illustrate the potential functional roles and mechanisms of hsa_circ_0064654(circ_TGFBR2) in vitro and in vivo.Methods:The vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and AD-VSMCs were isolated from normal aorta and AD tissues. The expression of circ_TGFBR2, miR-29a and KLF4 were detected by Realtime Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 assay, colony formation and EDU assay. Cell migration was evaluated through transwell assay. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pulldown were performed to identify the interaction among circ_TGFBR2, miR-29a and KLF4. Western Blot measured the expression of phenotype switch-related proteins. AD rat model induced by (β-Aminopropionitrile monofumarate) BAPN was used to verify the role and mechanism of circ_TGFBR2.Results: Circ_TGFBR2 inhibited cell proliferation and migration of AD-VSMCs cells. Overexpression of circ_TGFBR2 promoted the expression of contractile markers(α-SMA，SM22α) and inhibited the expression of synthetic markers (MGP,OPN) in AD-VSMCs cells. Circ_TGFBR2 served as a sponge for miR-29a targeting KLF4. MiR-29a mimics rescue biological roles induced by circ_TGFBR2 overexpression. The results of in vivo experiments were consistent with in vitro experiments.Conclusion:Our study revealed that circ_TGFBR2 regulated VSMCs phenotype switch and suppressed the progression of AD.
Blood meal sources of Anopheles vectors of human malaria in Malawi: Implications for malaria transmission and effectiveness of interventions
Authors: Mbewe Rex B , Keven John , Mzilahowa Themba , Cohee Lauren , Laufer Miriam K , Mathanga Don , Wilson Mark , Walker Edward D 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
BackgroundSelection of blood meal hosts by mosquitoes is a key variable in the vectorial capacity of Anopheles mosquitoes for human malaria. Blood feeding on humans is likely to be modulated by use of different types of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and the effectiveness of LLINs is impacted by the relative intensity of insecticide resistance. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that LLINs containing pyrethroid and the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) would lead to a reduction of human host utilization than LLINs containing only pyrethroid and that blood feeding patterns of Anopheles in Malawi compromise malaria interventions.MethodsFemale Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled indoors from May 2019 through April 2020 by aspiration, pyrethrum spray catch, and CDC light trap in rural villages of Namanolo (conventional nets) and Ntaja (PBO nets) in Balaka and Machinga districts respectively. Anopheles species, blood meal sources, and infection with Plasmodium falciparum in the head and thorax of individual mosquitoes were determined with PCR.ResultsOf a total of 6,585 Anopheles females sampled indoors in 203 houses, 633 (9.6%) were blood-fed and consisted of An. arabiensis (44.1% (n = 279)), An. gambiae s.s (16.2% (n = 103)), An. funestus s.s (33.5% (n = 212)), An. parensis 0.3% (n = 2), and unidentified Anopheles spp (5.8% (n = 37)). Of the 541 mosquitoes (85.5%) successfully identified blood meals, 436 (81.0%) were solely human, 28 (5.2%) goat, 11 (2.0%) dog, 60 (11.1%) mixed goat-human, 5 (0.9%) dog-human, and 1 dog-goat. Human blood index and EIR was high in Namanolo than Ntaja (0.96 vs 0.89 (p = 0.001) and 0.11 vs 0.06 infective bites per person per year respectively) despite high net ownership (92%) and nightly use (75%) rates. Relative to host availability, non-human hosts were over selected in the two sites.ConclusionThe use of PBO nets was associated with lower HBI and EIR, however, the wide availability of LLINs was still associated with extensive successful human blood meals by the main malaria vectors in Malawi. The presence of a small fraction of mixed blood meals indicates constrained plasticity of Anopheles vectors to switch to non-human hosts and circumvent malaria control interventions.
Observation of roton-like dispersion relations in acoustic metamaterials
Authors: Zhu Zhenxiao , Gao Zhen , Liu Gui-Geng , Ge Yong , Wang Yin , Xi Xiang , Yan Bei , Chen Fujia , Perry Shun , Sun Hongxiang , Yang Yihao 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Roton dispersion relations, displaying a pronounced “roton” minimum at finite momentum, were firstly predicted by Landau and have been extensively explored in correlated quantum systems at low temperatures. Recently, the roton-like dispersion relations were theoretically extended to classical acoustics, which, however, have remained elusive in reality. Here, we report the experimental observation of roton-like dispersions in acoustic metamaterials with beyond-nearest-neighbour interactions at ambient temperatures. The resulting metamaterial supports multiple coexisting modes with different wavevectors and group velocities at the same frequency and broadband backward waves, analogous to the “return flow” termed by Feynman in the context of rotons. Moreover, by increasing the order of long-range interaction, we observe multiple rotons on a single dispersion band, which have never appeared in Landau’s prediction or any other condensed matter study. The realization of roton-like dispersions in metamaterials could pave the way to explore novel physics and applications on quantum-inspired phenomena in classical systems.
Debridement, antibiotics, irrigation, and retention of the prosthesis with antibiotic-impregnated calcium hydroxyapatite in periprosthetic hip joint infection
Authors: Wakabayashi Hiroki , Hasegawa Masahiro , Naito Yohei , Tone Shine , Sudo Akihiro 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background

We have developed antibiotic-impregnated calcium hydroxyapatite (CHA) as a novel antibiotic delivery system. Here, we assessed the clinical results of debridement, antibiotics, irrigation, and retention of the prosthesis (DAIR) with antibiotic-impregnated CHA for the treatment of prosthetic joint-associated infection (PJI) after total hip arthroplasty (THA).
Methods

Twelve patients (13 hips) treated with DAIR for PJI after THA at our institution between 1997 and 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. The study group included four men (five hips) and eight women, with an average age of 66.1 (range, 56–90) years. Four patients (five hips) had symptoms of infection within less than 3 weeks; however, eight patients had symptoms of infection over 3 weeks. All patients received DAIR with antibiotic-impregnated CHA in the surrounding bone. In one patient, the cup component revision was performed with one-stage re-implantation because of loosening, but the stem component was retained. In nine patients (10 hips), vancomycin hydrochloride was impregnated in the CHA.
Results

The average duration of follow-up was 8.3 (range, 2.9–18.6) years. No patients were lost to follow-up. Four patients included in this study died of other causes, with an average follow-up of 6.7 (range, 4.0–12.5) years. Intra-operative cultures were positive in 12 hips. Ten of 12 patients (11 of 13 hips) were successfully treated, and no signs of infection were observed at the latest follow-up. In two of 12 patients (two of 13 hips) for whom treatment failed, infection was successfully treated with two-stage re-implantation. Both patients had diabetes mellitus and symptoms of infection over 3 weeks. Eighty-five percent of patients were successfully treated by DAIR with antibiotic-impregnated CHA. No complications were observed with this antibiotic-impregnated CHA.
Conclusions

DAIR treatment with antibiotic-impregnated CHA produce a higher rate of success in patients with PJI after THA.
Characterization of a Novel Keratinase With Surfactant Stability in a Wide Range of pH Activity From a Native Isolate, Bacillus Mojavensis FUM125
Authors: Jeddi Elahe , Sharifmoghadam Mohammad Reza , Asoodeh Ahmad , Moridshahi Rihaneh , Bahreini Masoumeh 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Keratinases are enzymes with the most diverse sources and applications. Different forms of keratinase have been applied in environment and variety of industries, highlighting the necessity for novel potential keratinases, which could be applicable in variety of industries. Accordingly, the present study aimed to identify and characterize a novel keratinase producing bacterium with high potential in variety of industries. In the present study, the native isolate of Bacillus sp. FUM125 was isolated, identified and optimized for the keratinolytic activity. The keratinase was purified and characterized using biochemical assays. The Bacillus sp. FUM125 isolate was identified as Bacillus mojavensis R-OH-1 with 99.8% similarity. The isolate showed the maximum keratinolytic activity at pH of 8.5 after 24-hour incubation at 37°C (2.1-fold enzyme production). According to the biochemical analysis, the keratinase belonged to a serine protease family, whit 33.5 kDa molecular weight and was stable in a wide range of pH and temperature with maximum keratinolytic activity at 60°C and pH 8. Among the metal ions, K+, Ca2+, Na2+ and Mg2+ increased the enzyme activity. The activity was increased by the reducing agents of DTT and beta-mercaptoethanol. Based on the substrate profile findings, the enzyme was active in various soluble and insoluble substrates. The enzyme showed a half-life of 98 min in the optimal temperature and the ratio of keratinolytic:caseinolytic to be 0.95. Our enzyme with higher temperature and pH stability compared to existing commercial enzymes can be considered as a potential candidate for use in various industries.
Microstructure and mechanical performance of dissimilar metal joints of aluminium alloy and stainless steel by cutting-assisted welding-brazing
Authors: Xu Huibin , Cong Wei , Yang Donghua , Ma Yanlong , Zhong Wanliang , Tan Pan , Yan Jiuchun 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The 5052 aluminium alloy and 304 stainless steel were successfully joined by cutting-assisted welding-brazing (CAWB) method without using flux. Dual-scale interfacial structures were achieved by manipulating the cutting tool profile. Results indicated that the macro-scale interfacial structure was produced at the joint interface when the taper step-shape cutting tool was adopted. As the cutting tool step was increased to 6-step, the micro-scale interface took on serrated morphology and a layer of continuous and wavy intermetallic compound (IMC) with an average thickness of 3.3 μm was formed at the interface. The τ 4 IMC particles and the FeAl 6 phases on a small scale were dispersed homogeneously in the welded seam. The maximum tensile strength of the joints reached 152.3 MPa upon tensile loading, 75% that of the 5052 aluminium base metal. The strong and reliable Al/steel dissimilar joints were attributed to the particle reinforced weld metal and the macro- and micro-scale dual self-locking structure at the interface.
Plasma NFL Disrupt Cognitive Integrity Via Coupling the Interactions of Core Subsystem and Frontoparietal Network in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Yao Weina , Zhang Xiao , Zhao Hui , Xu Yun , Bai Feng 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Backgroud: Plasma neurofilament light chain (NFL) is a potential biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases. Both NFL and the interactions of core subsystem and frontoparietal network (FPN) are associated with the cognitive integrity. The present study was to investigate the underlying mechanism and application of plasmaNFL couplingcore-FPN in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: A total of 224 AD-spectrum participants with complete resting-state fMRI, neuropsychological tests and plasma NFL at baseline (n=112) and after approximately 17 months follow up (n=112) . Brain networks construction of core subsystem and FPN wereperformed in these subjects. The follow-up data were used to test and verify these baseline characteristics. Furthermore, Receiver Operating Characteristic analysiswas used to explore the classification by the association of plasma NFL and core-FPN, and the mediation analysis were appliedto investigate the significance of plasma NFL coupling networks on cognitive impairments in these subjects. Results: The discernment ofdisease-relatedinteractions of core subsystem and FPN maybe the neural network fundamentals of plasmaNFL regarding to cognitive decline in AD-spectrum patients. Furthermore, the clinical significance of plasma NFL coupling networks on AD identification and monitoring cognitive impairments were observed in these subjects. Conclusions: The characteristic change of plasma NFL coupling networks could expect to be used as an potential indicator of future targeted therapies and prevention strategies in AD patients.
Puerarin protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis via activating the AMPK/NRF2 pathway
Authors: Yang Jingxiao , Liu Peng-Yun , Wang Zi-Kuan , Zhu Xi-Ming , Chen Jing-Yuan , Chu Yi , Wang Fang-Fang 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Objective

Puerarin was reported to protect against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. The current study aims to investigate the protective effects of puerarin against myocardial IR injury and the underlying mechanisms.
Methods

The hearts were subjected to the ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and reperfusion. Before reperfusion, pretreatment with puerarin (100 mg/kg), with or without the AMPK inhibitor Compound c (0.25 mg/kg). Myocardial infarct size, the serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) activity, cardiac function, apoptotic cell death, and the endoplasmic reticulum stress, as well as activation of the AMPK/NRF2 pathway were observed.
Results

Treatment with puerarin significantly decreased the myocardial infarct size, the serum CK-MB activity and notably alleviated IR-induced cardiac dysfunction. Moreover, puerarin reduced myocardial IR-induced apoptotic cell death. In addition, puerarin inhibited myocardial IR-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and activated the AMPK/NRF2 pathway. More importantly, the AMPK inhibitor Compound c prevented these puerarin-induced cardioprotective effects and activation of the AMPK/NRF2 pathway, as well as apoptosis and the endoplasmic reticulum stress activation.
Conclusion

Our results show that puerarin alleviates myocardial IR injury by inhibiting apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress via the AMPK/NRF2 pathway.
Implementation of community case management of malaria in malaria endemic counties of western Kenya: are community health volunteers up to the task in diagnosing malaria?
Authors: Marita Enock Oburi , Langat Bernard , Kinyari Teresa , Igunza Patrick , Apat Donald , Kimori Josephat , Carter Jane , Kiplimo Richard , Muhula Samuel 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
BackgroundCommunity case management of malaria (CCMm) is an equity-focused strategy that complements and extends the reach of health services by providing timely and effective management of malaria to populations with limited access to facility-based healthcare. In Kenya, CCMm involves the use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDT) and treatment of confirmed uncomplicated malaria cases with artemether lumefantrine (AL) by community health volunteers (CHVs). The test positivity rate (TPR) from CCMm reports collected by the Ministry of Health in 2018 was twofold compared to facility-based reports for the same period. This necessitated the need to evaluate the performance of CHVs in conducting malaria RDTs.MethodThe study was conducted in four counties within the malaria lake endemic zone in Kenya with a malaria prevalence in 2018 of 27%; the national prevalence of malaria was 8%. Multi-stage cluster sampling and random selection were used. Results from 200 malaria RDTs performed by CHVs were compared with test results obtained by experienced medical laboratory technicians (MLT) performing the same test under the same conditions. Blood slides prepared by the MLTs were examined microscopically later as a backup check of the results. A kappa score was calculated to assess level of agreement. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated to determine diagnostic accuracy.ResultsThe median age of CHVs was 46 (IQR: 38, 52) with a range [26, 73] years. Females were 72% of the CHVs. Test positivity rates for MLTs was 42% and for CHVs was 41%. The kappa score was 0.89 indicating an almost perfect agreement in mRDT results between CHVs and MLTs. The overall sensitivity and specificity between the CHVs and MLTs were 95.0% (95% CI: (87.7, 98.6) and 94.0% (95% CI; 88.0, 97.5) respectively.ConclusionEngaging CHVs to diagnose malaria cases under CCMm yielded results which compared well with results of qualified experienced laboratory personnel. CHVs can reliably continue to offer malaria diagnosis in the community setting.