bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential Microplastic Threat: Environmental Assessment of The Face Mask Pollution
Authors: Akarsu Ceyhun , MADENLİ Özgecan , DEVECİ Ece Ümmü 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In recent studies, many reports on the environmental effects of microplastic pollution have been presented. Countries across the world have already started carrying out studies on the restrictions of the industrial use of microplastics based on these reports. Many non-governmental organizations try to clean the existing microplastics from the oceans using their resources. However, a new source of microplastics has started to be released into nature as a result of the single-use face masks that protect us against the spread of COVID-19 and are being thrown onto the streets and into seas and nature. Before the pandemic, it was reported that more than 300 million microplastics were discharged from the province of Mersin to the eastern Mediterranean. This number will inevitably increase if not managed correctly. A mass balance needs to be studied for the correct management of waste. This study aims to estimate the amount of face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey, thereby expressing our concerns about waste management and plastic pollution, and calling on appropriate solid waste management policies and governments to take the necessary measures to formulate their strategies at all levels.
Predicting Overall Survival After Conventional Chemoembolization of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: The Role of 3D Quantitative Tumor Analysis
Authors: Rexha Irvin , Laage-Gaupp Fabian , Chapiro Julius , Miszczuk Milena Anna , Breugel Johanna Maria Mintje , Lin MingDe , Duran Rafael , Gebauer Bernhard , Georgiades Christos , Hong Kelvin , Nezami Nariman 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This study was designed to assess 3D vs. 1D and 2D quantitative tumor analysis for prediction of overall survival (OS) in patients with ICC who underwent conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE). 73 ICC patients who underwent cTACE were included in this retrospective analysis between Oct 2001 and Feb 2015. The overall and enhancing tumor diameters as well as the maximum cross-sectional and enhancing tumor areas were measured on baseline images. 3D quantitative tumor analysis was used to assess total tumor volume (TTV), enhancing tumor volume (ETV), and enhancing tumor burden (ETB) (ratio between ETV and liver volume). Patients were divided into low (LTB) and high tumor burden (HTB) groups. There was a significant separation between survival curves of the LTB and HTB groups using enhancing tumor diameter (p=0.003), enhancing tumor area (p=0.03), TTV (p=0.03), and ETV (p=0.01). Multivariate analysis showed a hazard ratio of 0.46 (95% CI 0.27–0.78, p=0.004) for enhancing tumor diameter, 0.56 (95% CI 0.33–0.96, p=0.04) for enhancing tumor area, 0.58 (95% CI 0.34–0.98, p=0.04) for TTV, and 0.52 (95% CI 0.30–0.91, p=0.02) for ETV. TTV and ETV as well as largest enhancing tumor diameter and maximum enhancing tumor area reliably predict the OS of patients with ICC after cTACE and could identify ICC patients who are most likely to benefit from cTACE.
Establishment of&nbsp;a&nbsp;Highly Predictive&nbsp;Survival Nomogram For Patients With Sepsis: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Liu Hui , Zhang Luming , Xu Fengshuo , Wang Zichen , Han Didi , Zhang Feng , Lyu Jun , Yin Haiyan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Sepsis is a critical illness common in intensive care units (ICUs) and emergency rooms worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, exisiting methods to predict mortality from sepsis, such as the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, are insufficient. This paper aimed to construct a nomogram for predicting the 30-, 60-, and 90-days mortality risks of patients with sepsis that is more accurate than the SOFA score alone. Methods: Data on sepsis patients were obtained from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) database and analysed retrospectively. The included patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort. The variables included in the training cohort were selected using a backward stepwise selection method with Cox regression, which were then used to construct a prognostic nomogram. In the validation cohort, we compared our prognostic nomogram with the existing SOFA using the area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), net reclassification improvement (NRI), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), calibration plotting and decision-curve analysis (DCA).Results: We included a total of 5240 patients in the study, who were divided into the training (n=3667) and validation (n=1573) cohorts. Patient age and the following clinical parameters obtained on the first day of ICU admission were included in the nomogram: SOFA score, metastatic cancer, SpO2, lactate, body temperature, albumin, and red blood cell distribution width (RDW). The AUCs for the 30-, 60-, and 90-days mortality risks were better for our nomogram than for the SOFA score, with values of 0.766, 0.771, and 0.772, respectively, in the training cohort and 0.759, 0.770, and 0.760, respectively, in the validation cohort. The nomogram also showed good calibration, as indicated by the evidence that the predicted values of the survival risks at 30-, 60-and 90-days were in good agreement with the observed values both in the training and validation sets. In addition, IDI and NRI improved over the entire follow-up period. Finally, DCA was used to verify the clinical value of the model and its impact on actual decision-making. We can see that the net benefit of the nomogram is greater than the SOFA score for any predicted probability, both in the training set and in the validation set, indicating that it has a substantial net benefit in predicting 30-, 60-, and 90-days survival rates. Conclusions: We established a nomogram that performed better than the SOFA score in predicting the prognosis of patients with sepsis. Further studies with a large sample size are needed to verify the generalizability of the nomogram.
25-Hydroxyvitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a prospective study
Authors: Su Shan , Wang Liting , Tang Xulei , Zhao Nan , Guan Conghui , Li Hongli , Liu Lijuan , Liu JinJin , Che Hongxia , Zhang Di , Wang Qiangmei , Fu Songbo , Zhen Donghu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, play a protective role in the cardiovascular system. Increasing evidence has suggested that the vitamin D deficiency is a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] and the risk of ASCVD in Chinese, especially in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).

Methods

Based on the "REACTION" study conducted in 2011, 9014 residents aged 40 to 75 in Lanzhou, Gansu province were followed up from 2014 to 2016. A total of 7061 subjects with complete data from the two surveys in present study were analyzed. Baseline population was classified into four groups based on 25(OH)D quartiles, comparing the different 25(OH)D groups of ASCVD incidence after follow-up, multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression modelling was used to estimate associations between 25(OH)D levels and the risk of ASCVD and to further analyze the relationship between ASCVD risk and 25(OH)D levels in different glucose metabolism status.

Results

Among 7,061 subjects aged 40 to 75 years, the median serum 25(OH)D level was 15.91ng/ml, and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 75.1%, merely 2.0% of those with vitamin D sufficiency. During the follow-up period of 3.3 years, 216 cases of ASCVD events were recorded. The cumulative incidence of ASCVD from lowest of 25(OH)D levels to the highest were 4.1%, 3.0%, 3.1% and 2.0%, respectively. Cox regression analysis indicated that the individuals in quartile 1 but not quartile 2 or 3 of 25(OH)D level had significantly higher rate of ASCVD than that in highest quartile, additionally, 10 ng/ml per increase in serum 25(OH)D at baseline, the ASCVD risk was reduced by 24%[hazard ratio(HR):0.761, 95% confident interval(CI):0.590- 0.980, P <0.05]. When the effects of 25(OH)D on ASCVD risk was assessed in different glucose metabolism status, the results showed that the low 25(OH)D plus T2DM was associated with high risk of ASCVD after adjustment of confounding risk factors (HR: 2.284, 95% CI: 1.242-4.202, P <0.05).The risk of ASCVD decreased by 35% as serum 25(OH)D increased by 10 ng/ml, which remained significant after stepwise adjustments ( P <0.05).

Conclusions

Serum 25(OH)D is independently and inversely associated with the risk of ASCVD in Chinese.Increasing vitamin D levels can effectively reduce the risk of ASCVD incidence, especially in T2DM populations.
Identification&nbsp;of Novel Inhibitors&nbsp;of GLUT1 by Virtual Screening and Cell-Based Assays
Authors: chen xiaotong , zhao yunshuo , lyu sifan , gao guanfei , gao yanfeng , qi yuanming , du jiangfeng 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In order to fuel the uncontrolled cell proliferation and division, tumor cells reprogram the energy metabolism to Warburg effect, where glucose is favorite converted by glycolysis even in the presence of oxygen. However, the high energetic demand of tumor cells require upregulating the expression of glucose transporters, notably GLUT1, which substantially increases glucose uptake into cytoplasm. GLUT1 is overexpressed in a variety of tumor cells and is likely to be a potential drug target for the pan-cancer treatment. Although many small molecules were reported to inhibit theglucose uptake function by various measurements, several shortcomings such as weak binding affinity, low specificity of the known inhibitors demand the identification of alternative inhibitors with novel scaffolds. In this study, we performed a virtual screening campaign by docking each compound from Chemdiv database to the glucosebinding pocket based on the crystal structure of GLUT1 (PDB ID 4PYP) and four small molecules with novel scaffolds were identified to inhibit the glucose uptake of cancer cells at the sub-micromole levels. The identified compounds may serve as starting points for the development of anti-cancer drugs by manipulating the energy metabolism.
Integration of Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Indicates Changes in MRSA Exposed to Terpinen-4-ol
Authors: Cheng Feng , Mo Yanan , Chen Keyuan , Shang Xiaofei , Yang Zhen , Hao Baocheng , Shang Ruofeng , Liang Jianping , Liu Yu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: This study investigated the effects of terpinen-4-ol on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and its biofilm, and the possible mechanisms governing this effect.Results: We observed that terpinen-4-ol has good antibacterial activity and inhibits the formation of MRSA biofilm. The MIC and MBC values for terpinen-4-ol against S. aureus were 0.08%~0.32%. And terpinen-4-ol at 0.32% could kill all bacteria and clear all biofilms. Untargeted metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses showed that terpinen-4-ol strongly inhibited DNA and RNA biosynthesis in MRSA at 2 h after treatment by affecting genes and metabolites related to purine and pyrimidine metabolic pathways. Some differential genes which play important roles in DNA synthesis and the production of eDNA from biofilm exposed to terpinen-4-ol was also significantly decreased compared with that of the control. Conclusions: Terpinen-4-ol has good antibacterial activity and significantly inhibits the formation of MRSA biofilm by inhibiting purine and pyrimidine metabolism.
Extending the Luminescence Properties of Zinc Gallogermanate via Co-doping with Cost Effective Metals Ions (Cr3+/Mg2+, Cr3+/Ca2+ and Cr3+/Sr2+)
Authors: Sanad Moustafa M.S. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The huge applications of red-light emitting materials paying the research attention to reduce the cost of production and raw materials. Therefore, abundant cations of alkaline earth metals e.g. Mg2+, Ca2+ and Sr2+ were successfully incorporated with Cr3+: Zn3Ga2Ge2O10 (Cr-ZGGO) as co-activators via simple solid-state method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results of all samples confirmed the formation of zinc gallogermanate superstructure with two cubic phases ZnGa2O4 and Zn2GeO4. The particle imaging of Cr-ZGGO and Ca@Cr-ZGGO via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) reveals a significant change in morphology and particle size by Ca2+ co-doping. Meanwhile, the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis (EDS) and mapping techniques elucidate the exact chemical composition of the calculated stoichiometric substitution and illustrate the equal distribution of all elements over the whole sample. Optical band gap energy of Mg2+, Ca2+ and Sr2+ co-doped phosphors are lower than Cr-ZGGO. The Sr@Cr-ZGGO displays the most intense photoluminescence (PL) peak and the broadest emission in the near infra-red region (NIR) as a result of increasing light traps and generation of new paths between the energy levels of trapping centers.
Plasma applications for the treatment of bean sprouts: safety, quality and nutritional assessments under aqueous and gaseous set-ups
Authors: Darmanin Martina , Fröhling Antje , Bußler Sara , Durek Julia , Neugart Susanne , Schreiner Monika , Blundell Renald , Gatt Ruben , Schlüter Oliver , Valdramidis Vasilis P. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Sprouts are particularly prone to microbial contamination due to their high nutrient content and the warm temperatures and humid conditions needed for their production. Therefore, disinfection is a crucial step in food processing as a means of preventing the transmission of bacterial, parasitic and viral pathogens. In this study, a dielectric coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) system was used for the application of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), plasma activated water (PAW) and their combination on mung bean seeds. Overall, it was found that the combined seed treatment with direct air CAP (350 W) and air PAW had no negative impact on mung bean seed germination and growth, nor the concentration of secondary metabolites within the sprouts. These treatments also reduced the total microbial population in sprouts by 2.5 log CFU/g. This research reports for first time that aside from the stimulatory effect of plasma discharge on seed surface disinfection, sustained plasma treatment through irrigation of treated seeds with PAW can significantly enhance seedling growth. The positive outcome and further applications of different forms, of plasma i.e., gaseous and aqueous, in the agro-food industry is further supported by this research.
Whether, when, how, and how much? General public’s and cancer patients’ views about the disclosure of genomic secondary findings
Authors: Cléophat Jude Emmanuel , Dorval Michel , Haffaf Zaki El , Chiquette Jocelyne , Collins Stephanie , Malo Benjamin , Fradet Vincent , Joly Yann , Nabi Hermann 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background:Data on the modalities of disclosing genomic secondary findings (SFs) remain scarce. We explore cancer patients’ and the general public’s perspectives about disclosing genomic SFs and the modalities of such disclosure. Methods:Sixty-one cancer patients (n=29) and members of the public (n=32) participated in eight focus groups in Montreal and Quebec City, Canada. They were asked to provide their perspectives of five fictitious vignettes related to medically actionable and non-actionable SFs. A thematic analysis of the transcripts was conducted. Results:Cancer patients and members of the public were open to receive genomic SFs, considering their potential clinical and personal utility. They believed that the right to know or not and share or not such findings should remain the patient’s decision. They thought that the disclosure of SFs should be made mainly in person by the prescribing clinician. Maintaining confidentiality when so requested and preventing genetic discrimination were considered essential. Conclusion:Participants in this study welcomed the prospect of disclosing genomic SFs, as long as the right to choose to know or not to know is preserved. Policies and practice guidelines aiming to protect genetic information confidentiality, and patients’ and families’ autonomy, physical and psychosocial wellbeing are expected.
Cross-racial Consistency of Sexual Dimorphism in Facial Forms: Comparisons Between Turkish and Japanese Populations
Authors: Tanikawa Chihiro , Akcam M Okan , Gokalp Hatice , Zere Edlira , Takada Kenji 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Facial features may reflect an individual’s probability of survival because of natural selection—for example, through reproduction and feeding abilities. However, questions remain about which facial characteristics contribute to facial masculinity and/or femininity across races. Given that sexual dimorphism stems from the common natural selection process, it is hypothesized that there is cross-racial consistency in sexual dimorphism of facial forms. Examining the extent to which sex differences in facial soft tissue configurations are similar across diverse populations could suggest the source of the indirect evolutionary benefits of facial sexual dimorphism traits. To explore this idea, we selected two geographically distinct races. Three-dimensional model faces were derived from 272 Turkish and Japanese men and women; their facial morphologies were evaluated using landmark and surface-based analyses. We found four common facial features related to sexual dimorphism. Both Turkish and Japanese females had a shorter lower face height, a flatter forehead, greater sagittal cheek protrusion in the infraorbital region but less prominence of the cheek in the parotid-masseteric region, and an antero-posteriorly smaller nose when compared with their male counterparts. We also discussed the possible phylogenetic contribution of masticatory organ function and morphogenesis on sexual dimorphism of the human face.
Enhanced Anti-cancer Effects of Conditioned Medium From Hypoxic Cultured Human Adult Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Han Kyu-Hyun , Kim Ae-Kyeong , Kim Dong-ik 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This study investigates the anti-cancer effects of cervical cancer (HeLa) cells in a conditioned medium (CM) obtained from normoxic and hypoxic cultured human adult dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The HeLa cells showed decreased cell viability, arrested cell cycles, and increased apoptosis in CM from hypoxic cultured HDFs (H-CM) compared with normoxic cultured HDFs (N-CM). In up-regulated (> 2-fold) proteins of H-CM compared with N-CM, the top enriched term of biological process of gene ontology (GO) was GO:0006955~immune response. In intracellular down-regulated (> 2-fold) proteins of HeLa cells treated with H-CM compared with N-CM, the top enriched term of biological process of GO was GO:0016579~protein deubiquitination, and the terms of the KEGG pathway were determined to be hsa05166:HTLV-I infection, hsa03410:base-excision repair, and hsa05340:primary immunodeficiency. Among down-regulated hub proteins with ≥ 5 edges (ESR1 MCL1, TBP, CD19, LCK, PCNA, CHEK1, and POLA1) of HeLa cells treated with H-CM, the top enriched term of biological process of GO and the KEGG pathway were GO:0006272~leading strand elongation and hsa05166:HTLV-I infection. H-CM displayed not only enhanced anti-cancer effects on HeLa cells compared with N-CM, but also induced intracellular signaling patterns with 9 hub proteins.
Potent Biological investigation of new class of sulfone derivatives endowed with quinolinyl-cyclopropane analogue
Authors: Patel Janki J , Morja Mayur I. , Chauhan Prakashsingh M. , Chikhalia Kishor H. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Novel series of quinoline derivatives incorporating cyclopropyl ring and sulfone linkage as substituents were synthesized, Oxidation of ethyl-2-cyclopropyl-4-(substituted phenylthio) quinoline-3-carboxylate 10a-n was carried out to set ethyl-2-cyclopropyl-4(substituted phenyl sulfonyl) quinoline-3-carboxylate 11a-n. Sulfone derivatives were afforded by reaction of glacial acetic acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide at room temperature. An eco-friendly synthesis of sulfone derivatives were afforded by using weak acid at room temperature. The synthesized quinoline incorporating sulfone linkage derivatives were evaluated for their expected antimicrobial activity; where the majority of these compounds showed potent antibacterial and antifungal activities against the tested strains of bacteria and fungi. All the final synthesized derivatives were characterized by their melting point, mass spectra, IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectras. SAR and HOMO-LUMO studies were also carried out for proving the structural biological activity. Among them compounds 11a, 11b, 11h, 11k and 11m gave best results as their energy gap is very low which makes their activity higher.
Effects of cigarette smoking on the growth of Streptococcus mutans biofilms: an in vitro study
Authors: Han Ye 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the differences in growth and virulence (EPSs and acidogenicity) of Streptococcus mutans biofilms (S. mutans) according to the different times of cigarette smoking (CS) treatment. S. mutans biofilms (74-hour-old) were formed on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite disks. The biofilms were treated with CS at different times per day (one time, three times, and six times/day). The control group did not receive CS treatment. Acidogenicity, dry weight, colony-forming units, water-soluble/insoluble extracellular polysaccharides, and intracellular polysaccharides were analyzed and confocal laser scanning microscopy images were obtained of the 74-h-old biofilms. The 74-h-old biofilms on sHA discs in the 6 times/day CS treatment group showed the lowest biofilm accumulation and extracellular polysaccharide amount compared with the control group and other CS treatment groups. In the CLSM study, the biofilms in the six times/day CS treatment group also showed the lowest bacterial count (live and dead cells) and EPS biovolume. CS has an obvious inhibition on the growth of S. mutans biofilms, the degree of inhibition is proportional to the number of CS treatments.
Structural Stability and Behavioral Characteristics of the Fortress Wall from the 6th Century Baekje Kingdom in Ancient Korea
Authors: Park Jun Hyoung , Park Seok Tae , Lee Chan Hee 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The Gongsanseong Fortress in Gongju, Republic of Korea, is one of the most essential remains for historical research of Baekje Kingdom, and reinforces on the fortress wall has continuously been implemented since the 6th century to present. Through visual inspections of the fortress ramparts, sections in which structural deformations have occurred, and then they were classified by morphological characteristics based on lithofacies that compose the ramparts, shape of each rock, and construction method. Also, automatic sensors that can measure behavior changes of the ramparts, and the surrounding environment were installed to monitor microscale movements of the ramparts and changes in the surrounding microclimate. As a result, damages were shown intensively on the ramparts that retain specific morphological characteristics, and it has been discovered that, even for the ramparts located in an identical environment, morphological characteristics affect damages and structural deformations of the ramparts because of behavior changes for minutes. Such changes in behavior can be classified based on reversibility and predictability, and different management schemes must be applied based on behavior change patterns. If we continuously operate and develop this monitoring system, it is expected to be meaningfully utilized in efficient maintenance of the cultural heritage of the ramparts.