bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between dietary salt and plasma glucose, insulin and hemoglobin A1C levels among type 2 diabetes patients in Eastern China
Authors: Lin Yi , Kaushik  , Yang Xi , Li Jia-Lin , Chen Yan-Shu , Zhou Ye , Li Li 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the major public health concerns in China. Studies on the association between dietary salt intake and the glycaemia response of T2D are lacking in China. The aim was to investigate the association between the levels of dietary salt intake and the plasma glucose, insulin and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in T2D patients.
Methods
Patients with T2D, who accepted management and treatment by the National Standardized Metabolic Disease Management Center at Ningbo First Hospital from March 2018 to January 2020, were included in this study. Dietary salt was collected through a standardized food frequent questionnaire. Anthropometry, blood pressure and biomarkers were measured by well-trained endocrinology nurses. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to examine the association.
Results
A total of 1145 eligible T2D patients with the mean age of 51.4 years were included in the study. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2h postprandial plasma glucose and 2h postprandial insulin, were significantly increased across dietary salt categories. Generalized linear models further showed that dietary salt > 8g/d were positively associated with FPG and HbA1c.
Conclusion
Higher daily salt intake was found to be associated with FPG and HbA1c in T2D patients. Lifestyle education and promotion on salt reduction should be provided to T2D patients.
Association Between MUC1 rs4072037 Polymorphism and Helicobacter Pylori in Patients With Gastric Cancer
Authors: Shekarriz Ramin , jabbari hadi , Alikhani Reza , Navaei Reza Alizadeh , Hashemi‑Soteh Mohammad Bagher 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
RAB20 Promotes Proliferation via G2/M Phase Through the Chk1/cdc25c/cdc2-cyclinB1 Pathway in Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Tan Xingliang , Yuan Gangjun , Wang Yanjun , Chen Dong , Zou Yuantao , Luo Sihao , Han Hui , Qin Zike , Liu Zhuowei , Zhou Fangjian , Liu Yanling , Yao Kai 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: RAB20, a member of the RAS GTPase oncogene family, promotes tumorigenesis in several cancers with poor survival outcomes but its role in penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) remains unclear. Here, comprehensive genomic profiling was performed on eight PSCC and normal tissue pairs and revealed that RAB20 is upregulated in tumors, especially in metastatic lymph nodes. We aimed to explore the clinical significance and oncogenic effect of RAB20 on PSCC and to identify its specific mechanisms in tumor progression.Methods: RT-qPCR and Western blotting were performed on PSCC tissue pairs and our newly established PSCC cell lines to examine the RAB20 expression pattern. The clinical relevance and prognostic value of RAB20 were validated by immunohistochemistry in samples from 259 PSCC patients, the largest cohort to date. Cell proliferation, migration, colony formation, and cell cycle assays were performed along with analysis of a nude mouse tumorigenesis model to explore RAB20’s oncogenic functions. RAB20-mediated G2/M phase cell cycle arrest mechanisms were further demonstrated by bioinformatics analysis and Western blotting.Results: RAB20 expression was upregulated in PSCC tissues, especially in metastatic lymph nodes. High RAB20 expression in PSCC was associated with T, N, and M status, extranodal extension and clinical stage (P < 0.01). Survival analysis indicated that RAB20 was an unfavorable independent prognostic indicator (p = 0.011, HR = 2.090; 95% Cl: 1.183–4.692), and patients with high expression experienced shorter 5-year cancer‐specific survival (P < 0.001). Furthermore, knockdown of RAB20 inhibited cell growth and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies indicated that RAB20 depletion arrested the PSCC cell cycle at G2/M via the Chk1/cdc25c/cdc2-cyclinB1 pathway.Conclusions: RAB20 promotes PSCC progression, predicting advanced disease with poor outcomes. RAB20 could be a promising prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for PSCC.
Mental Health, Alcohol Consumption, and Partnerships After the Third Wave During the Corona Pandemic - A Comparison of German Psychology Students and Other Students
Authors: Supke Max , Schulz Prof. Dr. Wolfgang 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background.

At the end of winter and in spring 2021, Germany experienced the third wave of the corona pandemic leading to a strict lockdown. This study compares psychology students and students of other subjects in terms of their mental health, alcohol consumption, and partnerships after the third wave during the corona pandemic.
Methods.

The study sample consists of n = 127 (female: n = 108, male: n = 19) psychology students and n = 579 (female: n = 322, male: n = 257) students of other subjects from the TU Braunschweig in Germany. These students participated in an online survey in June and July 2021. The comparison was performed separately for women and men. The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were used to assess depressive mood problems and worrying.
Results.

Significantly fewer female psychology students were above the cut-off for clinically relevant mood problems (31.5%), worrying (22.2%), and both simultaneously (19.4%) compared to other female students (mood: 66.1%; worrying: 41.9%; both: 39.8%). The small sample of male psychology students showed similar tendencies; however, the results were not significant. While female psychology students rated their general health and life satisfaction significantly higher, male psychology students had significantly fewer concerns about their professional future compared to their respective counterparts. No significant effects were found for alcohol consumption and partnerships.
Conclusion.

We found hints that psychology students, especially female students, appear to be less psychologically distressed in terms of depressive mood problems and worrying during the corona pandemic. Better mental health knowledge could be a possible explanation for these findings.
Feasibility And Safety of A CaO-SiO2-P2O5-B2O3 Bioactive Glass Ceramic Spacer In Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kwon Byung-Taek , Kim Ho-Joong , Park Sang-Min , Ham Dae-Woong , Kwon Ohsang , Yeom Jin S. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Study design: Prospective randomized controlled trial.Background: The CaO-SiO2-P2O5-B2O3 glass-ceramic (BGS-7) spacer is a recently developed spacer that shows chemical bonding to bone with high mechanical stability. Further, this spacer achieves similar results to those of titanium cages. However, evidence regarding the advantages of the BGS-7 spacer is weak compared to polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage. A randomized controlled trial is therefore warranted. The purpose of this study was to compare the radiographic and clinical efficacies and safety of the BGS-7 spacer compared to those of the PEEK cage in patients who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). Methods: The 54 participants who required one- or two-level PLIF due to lumbar degenerative disorders were randomly assigned to receive a BGS-7 spacer or PEEK cage. Visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), painDETECT score were evaluated before surgery and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The fusion rate, degree of osteolysis, cage migration and subsidence around the cage (spacer) were evaluated on computer tomography (CT) images at 12 months after surgery. Results: The 12-month fusion rates were 75% in the BGS-7 spacer group and 79.3% in the PEEK cage group, with no significant difference (p=0.676). The result regarding the non-inferiority of BGS-7 spacer was inconclusive. The linear mixed model showed no significant intervention effect in VAS, ODI, EQ-5D, and painDETECT score at the 3-, 6-, or 12-month follow-up. In addition, we found no significant between-group differences in the extent of osteolysis, spacer migration. However, the subsidence around the cage was significantly lower in the BGS-7 spacer group. Conclusions: This trial found similar fusion rates, clinicoradiographic outcomes, and adverse events between the BGS-7 spacer and PEEK cage for PLIF. However, the non-inferiority was inconclusive, and thus, the BGS-7 spacer can be a feasible and safe alternative to PEEK cage in PLIF surgery after further studies.
Perceived Causes and Diagnosis of Febrile Convulsion in Selected Rural Contexts in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana
Authors: Owusu Bernard Afriyie 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Febrile convulsion (FC) in children under age five is a common childhood condition especially in deprived communities. In 2015, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) attributed about 30% of all under-five mortality cases to FC. Although, the perceived causes and diagnosis of FC are significant in determining treatment approaches, such evidence is limited in the literature. Objective: This study explored the perceived causes and diagnosis of FC in selected rural communities in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological study design underpinned the study at five selected communities located not more than 2 Kilometres from the University of Cape Coast Hospital. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to interview 42 participants made up of 27 parents, two grandmothers, seven registered traditional health practitioners, four herbalists, and two faith healers in the communities. The data was analysed using QSR NVivo 12.Results: Three perceived causes of FC were identified – biological, social/behavioural, and spiritual. Biological causes include genetic abnormalities and other underlying health conditions. The behavioural factors include poor childcare practices and nutrition. Spiritual causes include harm caused by evil spirits. The diagnosis of FC entails pre-attack, attack and post-attack stages. The former is largely associated with high body temperature. The attack stage is often associated with extreme body jerking. Post-attack diagnosis of FC include deafness, dumbness and paralysis.Conclusion: The perceived causes of FC are interplay of complex natural, social and spiritual factors that are deep-rooted in local socio-cultural beliefs and FC experiences. Unlike the attack stage, pre-attack diagnosis were usually missed, or misconstrued to mean other health conditions.
QTL analysis in multiple sorghum mapping populations facilitates dissection of the genetic control of agronomic and yield-related traits in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (Moench)]
Authors: Mekonnen Techale Birhan , Dong Hongxu , Getinet Mihrete , Gabizew Aregash , Paterson Andrew , Bantte Kassahun 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The genetic architectures of agronomic and yield-related traits are expected to involve multiple loci that are unlikely all to segregate for alternative alleles in a single bi-parental population. Therefore, the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) that are expressed in diverse genetic backgrounds of multiple bi-parental populations provides evidence about both background-specific and common genetic variants. The purpose of this study was to map QTLs for agronomic and yield related traits using three connected mapping populations of different genetic backgrounds, to gain insight into the genomic landscape of these important traits in elite Ethiopian sorghum germplasm. The three bi-parental populations, each with 207 F 2:3 lines were evaluated using an alpha lattice design with two replications under two moisture stress environments. Data analysis was done separately for each population using composite interval mapping, finding a total of 105 QTLs. All the QTLs identified from individual populations were projected on a combined consensus map, comprising a total of 25 meta QTLs for seven traits. The consensus map allowed us to deduce locations of a larger number of markers than possible in any individual map, providing a reference for genetic studies in different genetic backgrounds. The meta QTLs identified in this study could be used for marker-assisted breeding programs in sorghum after validation. Only one trait reduced leaf senescence, showed a striking bias of allele distribution, indicating substantial standing variation among the lines that might be employed in improving drought tolerance of sorghum.
A Novel Approach to Investigate Analog and Digital Circuit Applications of Silicon Junctionless-Double-Gate (JL-DG) MOSFETs
Authors: Gupta Abhinav , Rai Manish Kumar , Pandey Amit Kumar , Pandey Digvijay , Rai Sanjeev 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The double gate junctionless transistor (DG-JLT) has become the most promising device in sub nano-meter regime. DGJLT based circuits have improved performance and simpler fabrication than their inversion mode counterparts. This paper demonstrates the design of different analog and digital circuits using DGJLT. Amplifiers and inverters are the basic building block of electronic ICs. A MOS amplifier converts the variation of the gate to source voltage to a small current under transconductance and hence, the output voltage. A single-stage amplifier and differential amplifier have been designed with junctionless-double-gate (JL-DG) MOSFET. Trans-conductance, output voltage, and gain have been investigated using ATLAS 2D device simulator. The inverter is the primary logic gate that can be used to verify the device's response in digital applications. Further, CMOS inverter have been designed using JL-DG MOSFET, and its performance parameters such as switching voltage, noise margin, and logic delay have been analyzed. A switching voltage of 0.43 V, noise margin of 0.265 V, and a delay of 19.18 psec have been obtained for the basic cell. CMOS inverter using JL-DG MOSFET at 20 nm technology node have prompted better performance results. Thus, The JL-DG MOSFET has a bright future in low-power analog and digital applications.
Clinical disease characteristics of patients with Niemann-Pick Disease Type C – findings from the International Niemann-Pick Disease Registry (INPDR)
Authors: Bolton Shaun Christopher , Soran Vina , Marfa Mercedes Pineda , Imrie Jackie , Gissen Paul , Jahnova Helena , Sharma Reena , Jones Simon , Santra Saikat , Crushell Ellen , Stampfer Miriam , Coll Maria Jose , Dawson Charlotte , Mathieson Toni , Green James , Dardis Andrea , Bembi Bruno , Patterson Marc , Vanier Marie T , Geberhiwot Tarekegn 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC) is an autosomal recessive rare disease characterised by progressive neurovisceral manifestations. The collection of on-going large-scale NPC clinical data may generate better understandings of the natural history of the disease. Here we report NPC patient data from the International Niemann-Pick Disease Registry (INPDR).
Method
The INPDR is a web-based, patient-led independent registry for the collection of prospective and retrospective clinical data from Niemann-Pick Disease patients. Baseline data from NPC patients enrolled into the INPDR from September 2014 to December 2019 was extracted to analyse the demographic, genetic and clinical features.
Results
A total of 203 NPC patients from six European countries were included in this study. The mean age (SD) at diagnosis was 11.2 years (14.2). Among enrolled patients, 168 had known neurological manifestations; 43 (24.2%) had early-infantile onset, 47 (26.4%) had late-infantile onset, 41 (23.0%) had juvenile onset, and 37 (20.8%) had adult onset. 10 (5.6%) patients had the neonatal rapidly fatal systemic form. Among the 97 patients with identified NPC1 variants, the most common variant was the c. 3182T > C variant responsible for the p.lle1061Thr protein change, reported in 35.1% (N = 34) of patients. The frequencies of hepatomegaly and neonatal jaundice were greatest in patients with early-infantile and late-infantile onset. Splenomegaly was the most commonly reported observation, including 80% of adult-onset patients. The most commonly reported neurological manifestations were cognitive impairment (78.5%), dysarthria (75.9%), ataxia (75.9%), vertical supranuclear gaze palsy (VSGP) (70.9%), dysphagia (69.6%). A 6-domain composite disability scale was used to calculate the overall disability score according to neurological-onset. Across all with neurological onset, the majority of patients showed moderate to severe impairments in all domains, excluding ‘swallowing’ and ‘seizure’. The age at diagnosis and death increased with increased age of neurological symptom onset. Miglustat use was recorded in 62.43% of patients and the most common symptomatic therapies used by patients were antiepileptics (32.94%), antidepressants (11.76%) and antacids (9.41%).
Conclusion
The proportion of participants at each age of neurological onset was relatively consistent across the cohort. Neurological manifestations, such as ataxia, dysphagia, and dysarthria, were frequently observed across all age categories.
Study on blasting vibration response mechanism of talus slope based on particle discrete element model
Authors: Zhu Dapeng , Xie Changjian , Abu Latie 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Talus slope are widely distributed all over the world, which is a special natural landscape and widely distributed in southwest and Northeast China particularly. It’s formed by the collapse and transportation of parent rock, freeze-thaw cracking and other reasons, so it’s often loosely accumulated at the foot of the hillside or at the gentle hillside. They are usually composed of collapsed rockfalls and weathered soil mixtures with large particle sizes. Therefore, Tunnel excavation construction through blasting will directly threaten the construction and operation safety of Railway, Highway and other projects along the way, which is very easy to cause heavy economic and personnel losses. In order to explore the dynamic response mechanism of overlying loose talus slope affected by blasting construction, taking the blasting excavation of Daqianshiling talus slope as an example, we measured the size of rocks on the slope on site, carried out the on-site and indoor geotechnical tests, and monitored the velocity and acceleration in real time. Then, we constructed the two dimensional particle discrete element model of irregular rock under blasting, which calibrated based on macro mechanical parameters obtained from field measurements. On this basis, we studied the process of rock breaking by blasting, the dynamic response law of slope, the propagation law of stress wave reflected and an interesting phenomena, eddy current phenomenon, by the the numerical simulation. Finally, we verified the applicability and limitation of Sadovsky family formulas for talus slope under blasting. This research is conducive to controlling blasting parameters and safe construction.
An electrochemically stable defect-free glassy electrolyte formed at room temperature for all-solid-state sodium batteries
Authors: Chi Xiaowei , Zhang Ye , Hao Fang , Kmiec Steven , Dong Hui , Xu Rong , Zhao Kejie , Wang Liang , Zhao Lihong , Guo Liqun , Xin Huolin , Martin Steve , Yao Yan 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
All-solid-state sodium batteries (ASSSBs) are promising candidates for grid-scale energy storage applications. To date, however, there are no commercialized ASSSBs due in part to the lack of a solid electrolyte (SE) that meets all of the requirements of low cost, facile fabrication, high Na+ conductivity, electrochemical stability, and is resistant to sodium metal dendrite penetration. In this work, we report a family of oxysulfide glass SEs (Na3PS4−xOx, where 0 < x ≤ 0.6) that combine the advantages of sulfides and oxides, we demonstrate stable electrochemical cycling of Na metal for hundreds of hours and the highest critical current density of 2.3 mA cm−2 among all Na-ion conducting sulfide-based SEs. These performance enhancements are found to be associated with the ability of the oxysulfide glass to undergo room temperature pressure induced amorphization that creates a fully homogeneous glass structure that has robust mechanics and substantial chemical and electrochemical stability. Microstructural analysis revealed that the added oxygen creates a glassy network structure by forming bridging oxygen units resulting in a significantly stronger defect-free glass network and two orders of magnitude lower electronic conductivity compared to the fully ionic and non-network structure of Na3PS4. We show ambient-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries (ATSSBs) can be fabricated from these SEs that demonstrate the highest specific energy among the current sodium batteries. The unique room-temperature processing of composite SE structures may provide a sustainable path forward for the further development of ATSSBs in particular and ASSSBs in general.
The Impact of Venture Capital Expenditures on Innovation in Europe
Authors: Leogrande Angelo , COSTANTIELLO ALBERTO , LAURETI LUCIO 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
We investigate the relationship between “Venture Capital Expenditures” and innovation in Europe. Data are collected from the European Innovation Scoreboard for 36 countries in the period 2010-2019. We perform Panel Data with Fixed Effects, Panel Data with Random Effects, Pooled OLS, WLS, Dynamic Panel. Results show that the level of Venture Capitalist Expenditure is positively associated to “Foreign Doctorate Students” and “Innovation Index” and negatively related to “Government Procurement of Advanced Technology Products”, “Innovators”, “Medium and High-Tech Products Exports”, “Public-Private Co-Publications”. In adjunct, cluster analysis is realized with the algorithm k-Means and the Silhouette coefficient, and we found the presence of four different clusters for the level of “Venture Capital Expenditures”. Finally, we propose a confrontation among 8 different algorithms of machine learning to predict the level of “Venture Capital Expenditures” and we find that the linear regression generates the best results in terms of minimization of MAE, MSE, RMSE.
In vitro evaluation of antiviral efficacy of a Siddha Formulation against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Kanchibhotla Divya , Pathak Jeetu , K.R. Hari Venkatesh , reddy Ravi , Pathania Monika 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 virus caused COVID-19 pandemic with 218 million cases and 45 million deaths world over. It has challenged the already overburdened healthcare systems and created an urgent need to investigate solutions present in other healthcare systems. In this study Kabasura Kudineer is investigated as an intervention to influence the immune response which is beneficial for the host and stop the viral replication. Methods: Kabasura Kudineer is a polyherbal formulation containing 15 herbal drugs mixed in equal quantity. It is an official Siddha formulation, used for phlegmatic fevers and flu-like symptoms. To conduct this study Vero E6 (CL1008), the African monkey kidney epithelial cell line was taken and infected with SARS-CoV-2 viral isolate. The Kabasura Kudineer was added in different concentrations; 0.5 mg/mL, 0.25 mg/mL, 0.12 mg/mL, 0.06 mg/mL and 0.03 mg/mL to the infected cells respectively. These cell plates were incubated for 3 days in 5% CO2 incubator. Remdesivir was used as a positive control. The cells were fixed with formaldehyde, stained with crystal violet and plaques were visualised. Plaques were counted as PFU/ml. Result: Kabasura Kudineer was found to exhibit good antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. The highest antiviral activity was 81.5% at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. The IC-50 value was found to be 0.2 mg/mL. Conclusion: The antiviral efficacy of Kabasura Kudineer in our study showed reduction in the viral load which supports the results of clinical studies. Kabasura Kudineer can be used widely in a clinical setting as a treatment for COVID-19.