bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between socioeconomic position and cystatin C in the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study
Authors: Zamrik Tanja , Frank Mirjam , Emmel Carina , Rump Lars Christian , Erbel Raimund , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Dragano Nico , Schmidt Börge 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSocial inequalities in health and disease are well studied. Less information is available on inequalities in biomarker levels indicating subclinical stages of disease such as cystatin C, an early diagnostic marker of renal dysfunction and predictor for cardiovascular disease. We evaluated the relationship between cystatin C, socioeconomic position (SEP) and established cardiovascular risk factors in a population-based study. In 4475 men and women aged 45–75 years participating in the baseline examination of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study cystatin C was measured from serum samples with a nephelometric assay. SEP was assessed by education and household income. Linear regression models were used to analyse the association between SEP and cystatin C as well as the impact of cardiovascular risk factors (i.e., body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose, diabetes mellitus, blood lipids, C-reactive protein, smoking) on this association. After adjustment for age and sex cystatin C decreased by 0.019 mg/l (95% confidence interval (CI) − 0.030 to − 0.008) per five years of education. While using a categorical education variable cystatin C presented 0.039 mg/l (95% CI 0.017–0.061) higher in men and women in the lowest educational category (≤ 10 years of education) compared to the highest category (≥ 18 years). Concerning income, cystatin C decreased by 0.014 mg/l (95% CI − 0.021 to − 0.006) per 1000 € after adjustment for age and sex. For men and women in the lowest income quartile cystatin C was 0.024 mg/l (95% CI 0.009–0.038) higher compared to the highest income quartile. After adjusting for established cardiovascular risk factors the observed associations were substantially diminished. Social inequalities seem to play a role in subclinical stages of renal dysfunction, which are also related to development of cardiovascular disease. Adjustment for traditional cardiovascular risk factors showed that these risk factors largely explain the association between SEP and cystatin C.
Evaluating the “holiday season effect” of hospital care on the risk of mortality from pulmonary embolism: a nationwide analysis in Taiwan
Authors: Hung Duan-Pei , Lin Shu-Man , Liu Peter Pin-Sung , Su I-Min , Hsu Jin-Yi , Wu Ting-Yu , Lin Chu-Chun , Huang Huei-Kai , Loh Ching-Hui 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe aimed to determine whether hospital admissions during an extended holiday period (Chinese New Year) and weekends were associated with increased mortality risk from pulmonary embolism (PE), compared to admissions on weekdays. We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. Data of newly diagnosed PEs during the months of January and February from 2001 to 2017 were obtained from patient records and classified into three admission groups: Chinese New Year (≥ 4 consecutive holiday days), weekends, and weekdays. The adjusted odds ratios (aORs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for 7-day and in-hospital mortality were calculated using multivariable logistic regression models. The 7-day and in-hospital mortality risks were higher for patients admitted during the Chinese New Year holiday (10.6% and 18.7%) compared to those admitted on weekends (8.4% and 16.1%) and weekdays (6.6% and 13.8%). These higher mortality risks for holiday admissions compared to weekday admissions were confirmed by multivariable analysis (7-day mortality: aOR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.15–2.44, P = 0.007; in-hospital mortality: aOR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.05–1.90, P = 0.022), with no subgroup effects by sex or age. Hospital admission for PE over an extended holiday period, namely Chinese New Year, was associated with an increased risk of mortality.
Investigating the dislocation reactions on Σ3{111} twin boundary during deformation twin nucleation process in an ultrafine-grained high-manganese steel
Authors: Hung Chang-Yu , Shimokawa Tomotsugu , Bai Yu , Tsuji Nobuhiro , Murayama Mitsuhiro 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSome of ultrafine-grained (UFG) metals including UFG twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steels have been found to overcome the paradox of strength and ductility in metals benefiting from their unique deformation modes. Here, this study provides insights into the atomistic process of deformation twin nucleation at Σ3{111} twin boundaries, the dominant type of grain boundary in this UFG high manganese TWIP steel. In response to the applied tensile stresses, grain boundary sliding takes place which changes the structure of coherent Σ3{111} twin boundary from atomistically smooth to partly defective. High resolution transmission electron microscopy demonstrates that the formation of disconnection on Σ3{111} twin boundaries is associated with the motion of Shockley partial dislocations on the boundaries. The twin boundary disconnections act as preferential nucleation sites for deformation twin that is a characteristic difference from the coarse-grained counterpart, and is likely correlated with the lethargy of grain interior dislocation activities, frequently seen in UFG metals. The deformation twin nucleation behavior will be discussed based on in-situ TEM deformation experiments and nanoscale strain distribution analyses results.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: A numerical study of chemical reaction in a nanofluid flow due to rotating disk in the presence of magnetic field
Authors: Ramzan Muhammad , Khan Noor Saeed , Kumam Poom , Khan Raees 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this paper, a numerical study of MHD steady flow due to a rotating disk with mixed convection, Darcy Forchheimer’s porous media, thermal radiation, and heat generation/absorption effects are explored. A strong magnetic field is applied in perpendicular direction to the flow which governs the Hall current effects. Homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions are also taken into account. For the simplification of partial differential equations (PDEs) into the nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs), the method of generalized Von Karman similarity transformations is employed, and the resulting non-dimensional ordinary differential equations are solved by using the homotopy analysis method (HAM). Effects of different parameters on the axial, radial and tangential velocity profiles, temperature and concentration of chemical reaction profiles are analyzed and discussed. The present work’s remarkable finding is that with the expansion of nanoparticles size, dimensionless constant parameter, local Grashof number, porosity parameter, Hall current, and suction parameter, the nanofluid radial velocity is enhanced. For the higher values of magnetic field parameter, the tangential velocity and nanofluid temperature are enhanced. The magnetic field parameter and the disk thickness coefficient parameter have similar impacts on the axial velocity profile. Heterogeneous chemical reaction parameter decreases the concentration of chemical reaction profile. The nanoparticles volume fraction increases the concentration of chemical reaction profile. Furthermore, the present results are found to be in excellent agreement with previously published work in tabulated form.
Development of a multi-species SNP array for serrasalmid fish Colossoma macropomum and Piaractus mesopotamicus
Authors: Mastrochirico-Filho Vito A. , Ariede Raquel B. , Freitas Milena V. , Borges Carolina H. S. , Lira Lieschen V. G. , Mendes Natália J. , Agudelo John F. G. , Cáceres Pablo , Berrocal Milthon H. M. , Sucerquia Gustavo A. L. , Porto-Foresti Fabio , Yáñez José M. , Hashimoto Diogo T. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractScarce genomic resources have limited the development of breeding programs for serrasalmid fish Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui) and Piaractus mesopotamicus (pacu), the key native freshwater fish species produced in South America. The main objectives of this study were to design a dense SNP array for this fish group and to validate its performance on farmed populations from several locations in South America. Using multiple approaches based on different populations of tambaqui and pacu, a final list of 29,575 and 29,612 putative SNPs was selected, respectively, to print an Axiom AFFYMETRIX (THERMOFISHER) SerraSNP array. After validation, 74.17% (n = 21,963) and 71.25% (n = 21,072) of SNPs were classified as polymorphic variants in pacu and tambaqui, respectively. Most of the SNPs segregated within each population ranging from 14,199 to 19,856 in pacu; and from 15,075 to 20,380 in tambaqui. Our results indicate high levels of genetic diversity and clustered samples according to their hatchery origin. The developed SerraSNP array represents a valuable genomic tool approaching in-depth genetic studies for these species.
Nationwide study in France investigating the impact of diabetes on mortality in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
Authors: Raffort Juliette , Lareyre Fabien , Fabre Roxane , Mallat Ziad , Pradier Christian , Bailly Laurent 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe aim of this nationwide study was to analyze the impact of diabetes on post-operative mortality in patients undergoing AAA repair in France. This 10-year retrospective, multicenter study based on the French National electronic health data included patients undergoing AAA repair between 2010 and 2019. In-hospital post-operative mortality was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curve survival and Log-Rank tests. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to calculate Hazard Ratios. Over 79,935 patients who underwent AAA repair, 61,146 patients (76.5%) had at least one hospital-readmission after the AAA repair, for a mean follow-up of 3.5 ± 2.5 years. Total in-hospital mortality over the 10-year study was 16,986 (21.3%) and 4581 deaths (5.8%) occurred during the first hospital stay for AAA repair. Age over 64 years old, the presence of AAA rupture and hospital readmission at 30-day were predictors of post-operative mortality (AdjHR = 1.59 CI 95% 1.51–1.67; AdjHR = 1.49 CI 95% 1.36–1.62 and AdjHR = 1.92, CI 95% 1.84–2.00). The prevalence of diabetes was significantly lower in ruptured AAA compared to unruptured AAA (14.8% vs 20.9%, P < 0.001 for type 2 diabetes and 2.5% vs 4.0%, P < 0.001 for type 1 diabetes). Type 1 diabetes was significantly associated with post-operative mortality (AdjHR = 1.30 CI 95% 1.20–1.40). For type 2 diabetes, the association was not statistically significant (Adj HR = 0.96, CI 95% 0.92–1.01). Older age, AAA rupture and hospital readmission were associated with deaths that occurred after discharge from the first AAA repair. Type 1 diabetes was identified as a risk factor of post-operative mortality. This study highlights the complex association between diabetes and AAA and should encourage institutions to report long-term follow-up after AAA repair to better understand its impact.
Soret and Dufour effects on a Casson nanofluid flow past a deformable cylinder with variable characteristics and Arrhenius activation energy
Authors: Shaheen Naila , Alshehri Hashim M. , Ramzan Muhammad , Shah Zahir , Kumam Poom 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this study, the effects of variable characteristics amalgamated with chemical reaction and Arrhenius activation energy are analyzed on a two-dimensional (2D) electrically conducting radiative Casson nanoliquid flow past a deformable cylinder embedded in a porous medium. The surface of the cylinder is deformable in the radial direction i.e., the z-axis. The impression of Soret and Dufour's effects boosts the transmission of heat and mass. The flow is analyzed numerically with the combined impacts of momentum slip, convective heat, and mass conditions. A numerical solution for the system of the differential equations is attained by employing the bvp4c function in MATLAB. The dimensionless protuberant parameters are graphically illustrated and discussed for the involved profiles. It is perceived that on escalating the velocity slip parameter and porosity parameter velocity field depreciates. Also, on escalating the radiation parameter and heat transfer Biot number a prominent difference is noticed in an upsurge of the thermal field. For growing values of Brownian motion and thermophoretic parameters, temperature field augments. On escalating the curvature parameter and porosity parameter, drag force coefficient upsurges. The outcome of the Soret number, mass transfer Biot number, and activation energy parameter is quite eminent on the concentration distribution for the sheet in comparison to the deformable cylinder. A comparative analysis of the present investigation with an already published work is also added to substantiate the envisioned problem.
Morphological, biological, and genomic characterization of a newly isolated lytic phage Sfk20 infecting Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei, and Shigella dysenteriae1
Authors: Mallick Bani , Mondal Payel , Dutta Moumita 
Published: September 2021

AbstractShigellosis, caused by Shigella bacterial spp., is one of the leading causes of diarrheal morbidity and mortality. An increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant Shigella species has revived the importance of bacteriophages as an alternative therapy to antibiotics. In this study, a novel bacteriophage, Sfk20, has been isolated from water bodies of a diarrheal outbreak area in Kolkata (India) with lytic activity against many Shigella spp. Phage Sfk20 showed a latent period of 20 min and a large burst size of 123 pfu per infected cell in a one-step growth analysis. Phage-host interaction and lytic activity confirmed by phage attachment, intracellular phage development, and bacterial cell burst using ultrathin sectioning and TEM analysis. The genomic analysis revealed that the double-stranded DNA genome of Sfk20 contains 164,878 bp with 35.62% G + C content and 241 ORFs. Results suggested phage Sfk20 to include as a member of the T4 myoviridae bacteriophage group. Phage Sfk20 has shown anti-biofilm potential against Shigella species. The results of this study imply that Sfk20 has good possibilities to be used as a biocontrol agent.
Transcranial focused ultrasound modulates cortical and thalamic motor activity in awake sheep
Authors: Kim Hyun-Chul , Lee Wonhye , Kunes Jennifer , Yoon Kyungho , Lee Ji Eun , Foley Lori , Kowsari Kavin , Yoo Seung-Schik 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTranscranial application of pulsed low-intensity focused ultrasound (FUS) modulates the excitability of region-specific brain areas, and anesthetic confounders on brain activity warrant the evaluation of the technique in awake animals. We examined the neuromodulatory effects of FUS in unanesthetized sheep by developing a custom-fit headgear capable of reproducibly placing an acoustic focus on the unilateral motor cortex (M1) and corresponding thalamic area. The efferent responses to sonication, based on the acoustic parameters previously identified in anesthetized sheep, were measured using electromyography (EMG) from both hind limbs across three experimental conditions: on-target sonication, off-target sonication, and without sonication. Excitatory sonication yielded greater amplitude of EMG signals obtained from the hind limb contralateral to sonication than that from the ipsilateral limb. Spurious appearance of motion-related EMG signals limited the amount of analyzed data (~ 10% selection of acquired data) during excitatory sonication, and the averaged EMG response rates elicited by the M1 and thalamic stimulations were 7.5 ± 1.4% and 6.7 ± 1.5%, respectively. Suppressive sonication, while sheep walked on the treadmill, temporarily reduced the EMG amplitude from the limb contralateral to sonication. No significant change was found in the EMG amplitudes during the off-target sonication. Behavioral observation throughout the study and histological analysis showed no sign of brain tissue damage caused by the acoustic stimulation. Marginal response rates observed during excitatory sonication call for technical refinement to reduce motion artifacts during EMG acquisitions as well as acoustic aberration correction schemes to improve spatial accuracy of sonication. Yet, our results indicate that low-intensity FUS modulated the excitability of regional brain tissues reversibly and safely in awake sheep, supporting its potential in theragnostic applications.
Larval metamorphosis is inhibited by methimazole and propylthiouracil that reveals possible hormonal action in the mussel Mytilus coruscus
Authors: Li Yi-Feng , Wang Yu-Qing , Zheng Yi , Shi Xue , Wang Chong , Cheng Yu-Lan , Zhu Xin , Yang Jin-Long , Liang Xiao 
Published: September 2021

AbstractLarval metamorphosis in bivalves is a key event for the larva-to-juvenile transformation. Previously we have identified a thyroid hormone receptor (TR) gene that is crucial for larvae to acquire “competence” for the metamorphic transition in the mussel Mytilus courscus (Mc). The mechanisms of thyroid signaling in bivalves are still largely unknown. In the present study, we molecularly characterized the full-length of two iodothyronine deiodinase genes (McDx and McDy). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that deiodinases of molluscs (McDy, CgDx and CgDy) and vertebrates (D2 and D3) shared a node representing an immediate common ancestor, which resembled vertebrates D1 and might suggest that McDy acquired specialized function from vertebrates D1. Anti-thyroid compounds, methimazole (MMI) and propylthiouracil (PTU), were used to investigate their effects on larval metamorphosis and juvenile development in M. coruscus. Both MMI and PTU significantly reduced larval metamorphosis in response to the metamorphosis inducer epinephrine. MMI led to shell growth retardation in a concentration-dependent manner in juveniles of M. coruscus after 4 weeks of exposure, whereas PTU had no effect on juvenile growth. It is hypothesized that exposure to MMI and PTU reduced the ability of pediveliger larvae for the metamorphic transition to respond to the inducer. The effect of MMI and PTU on larval metamorphosis and development is most likely through a hormonal signal in the mussel M. coruscus, with the implications for exploring the origins and evolution of metamorphosis.
Impact of feed glyphosate residues on broiler breeder egg production and egg hatchability
Authors: Foldager Leslie , Winters Jeanet F. M. , Nørskov Natalja P. , Sørensen Martin T. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractGlyphosate is the active substance in glyphosate-based herbicides, e.g. Roundup. Its widespread application on feed crops leaves residues in the feed. Glyphosate has antimicrobial and mineral chelating properties and we investigated whether there is an association between feed residues of glyphosate on the one side and broiler breeder egg laying percent and egg hatchability on the other side. Twenty-six feed samples from five conventional flocks producing hatching eggs were analysed for glyphosate. Data on laying percent and egg hatchability from periods following each feed sampling were then associated with feed residues of glyphosate. The average glyphosate residue level was 0.09 mg/kg, maximum was 0.19 and minimum was 0.004 mg/kg. Average laying percent over observation days was 65% (SD = 5.4%) and average hatchability was 79% (SD = 5.8%). We found a negative association between feed glyphosate residue level and hatchability (P = 0.03) when adjusted for breeder age, storage time of eggs on farm before delivery and storage time at hatchery before incubation start. No association was found with laying percent (P = 0.59) adjusted for breeder age. The range of glyphosate concentrations in feed was narrow and should be kept in mind when interpreting both significant and non-significant associations with glyphosate residue concentrations. In nine of 24 analysed conventional eggs the concentration of glyphosate in yolk was above the detection limit however below the quantification limit indicating that traces of glyphosate are common in conventional eggs.
Vitrectomy and external drainage of subretinal fluid containing high concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor for advanced coats disease
Authors: Mano Fukutaro , Matsushita Itsuka , Kondo Hiroyuki , Utamura Shoko , Kondo Chiori , Kusaka Shunji 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study investigated the surgical outcomes of Coats disease and the role of external drainage (XD) of subretinal fluid (SRF). The study is a multicenter retrospective interventional case series of 26 consecutive eyes of 26 patients who underwent surgeries for advanced Coats disease with retinal detachment. Main outcomes measured were: 1) comparison of complete SRF resolution with or without XD, and 2) variables that were associated with functional postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) defined as BCVA of 0.1 or better, 3) intraocular vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. Complete SRF resolution was achieved in all 14 eyes in which XD had been performed and in 75% of 12 eyes in which XD had not been performed (P = .03). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that initial BCVA was the only variable associated with functional postoperative BCVA (odds ratio 3.24, 95% CI 0.93–11.33; P = .04). Markedly elevated VEGF levels were noted in the SRF compared with those in the vitreous humor (49,760 ± 52,990 vs. 707 ± 611 pg/mL, P = .03). XD seems to provide better anatomical success than without XD in the treatment of advanced Coats disease as XD could effectively eliminate substantial amount of VEGF in the SRF.
Benefits and risks of antiplatelet medication in hemodynamically stable adult moyamoya disease
Authors: Pang Chang Hwan , Cho Won-Sang , Kang Hyun-Seung , Kim Jeong Eun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractRevascularization surgery is considered a standard treatment for preventing additional stroke in symptomatic moyamoya disease (MMD). In hemodynamically stable, and asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients, however, the treatment strategy is controversial because of the obscure natural course of them. The authors analyzed the benefits and risks of antiplatelet medication in those patients. Medical data were retrospectively reviewed in 439 hemispheres of 243 patients with stable hemodynamic status. Overall, 121 patients (49.8%) with 222 studied hemispheres (50.6%) took antiplatelet medication. Symptomatic cerebral infarction and hemorrhage occurred in 10 (2.3%) and 30 (6.8%) hemispheres, over a mean follow-up of 62.0 ± 43.4 months (range 6–218 months). The use of antiplatelet agents was statistically insignificant in terms of symptomatic infarction, hemorrhage and improvement of ischemic symptoms. In subgroup analyses within the antiplatelet group according to drug potency and duration of medication, a longer duration of antiplatelet medication significantly improved ischemic symptoms (adjusted OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01–1.03; p = 0.006). Antiplatelet medication failed to prevent symptomatic cerebral infarction or improve ischemic symptoms. However, antiplatelet therapy did not increase the risk of cerebral hemorrhage.