bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HLA Haplotypes and Differential Regional Incidence of COVID-19 in Brazil: A Population Study Based in a Large Bone Marrow Donors Bank Dataset
Authors: Boquett Juliano André , Vianna Fernanda Sales Luiz , Fagundes Nelson Jurandi Rosa , Schroeder Lucas , Barbian Marcia , Zagonel-Oliveira Marcelo , Andreis Tiago Finger , Pôrto Luis Cristóvão de Moraes Sobrino , Chies José Artur Bogo , Schuler-Faccini Lavinia , Ashton-Prolla Patricia , ROSSET CLÉVIA 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly spread all over the world causing high morbidity and mortality. Brazil is currently the third country in the world in the number of COVID-19 cases. Even though all Brazilian regions and states have reported a high number of cases, mortality rates varies among them. Environmental and genetic factors may influence the immune response towards SARS-CoV-2. The Brazilian population is highly heterogeneous, with different colonization and immigration histories in each region resulting in different genetic backgrounds. Here, we test if specific HLA haplotypes are associated with COVID-19 incidence and mortality in Brazil.MethodsHLA data was obtained from The Brazilian Voluntary Bone Marrow Donors Registry (REDOME) which harbors data from more than four million individual donors, and COVID-19 data was retrieved from epidemiological bulletins issued by State Health Secretariats via the Ministry of Health of Brazil. We tested the association between the most frequent HLA haplotypes in Brazil and COVID-19 incidence and mortality using Spearman's correlation analysis.ResultsNo correlation between HLA haplotypes and COVID-19 rates was found when we analyzed data from the 26 states and Federal District, as well as when we analyzed data from the 90 cities with at least 50 deaths registered in the São Paulo state. Significant negative correlation (suggestive of protection) between COVID-19 mortality and haplotypes HLA-A*01~B*08~DRB1*03, HLA-A*29~B*44~DRB1*07 and HLA-A*02~B*44~DRB1*04 was found when analyzing data from cities with at least 50 deaths registered in the entire country.ConclusionsOur results do not support an association of specific HLA haplotypes with an increased risk of contracting SARS-CoV2 or dying from COVID-19 in Brazil. Nevertheless, using bone marrow donor registries for testing for associations between HLA variation and COVID-19 outcomes may represent an additional tool for health policymakers in the fight against COVID-19.
Therapeutic Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Sjögren's Syndrome: Systematic Review and a Preclinical Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Yan , Chen Yi Xiong , Olsen Nancy , Jarjour Wael , Lu Yan , Pan Yun Feng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundEvidence to support Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) treatment in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) has been verified. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of heterogeneous MSCs therapies, identify optimal experimental parameters and explore possible underlying mechanisms in animal models of SS.MethodsLiterature searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE. Effect sizes of SS treatments with MSCs were extracted and analyzed by two authors independently.ResultsA total of 13 studies and 20 treatment arms met the inclusion criteria. When compared with the controls, MSCs treatment resulted in lower level of histological score (SMD= -2.208; 95%CI= -3.129, -1.286; P<0.001) accompanied by an improved trend of salivary flow rate (SFR) (SMD = 1.726; 95%CI= 1.340, 2.113; P <0.001) and Schirmer's test results (SMD= 3.379; 95% CI= 2.141, 4.618; P<0.001). In MSCs groups, levels of autoantibodies decreased to varying degrees. Treg cells were increased and Th17 cells were decreased in both lymph nodes and spleens. Additionally, IL-6 reduction and IL-10 elevation were found in local lesional tissues. Furthermore, TNF-α level dropped either in sera or glands. Notably, the cell injection frequency and routes may be two important factors affecting the effect of MSCs therapy.Conclusion﻿To the best of our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate MSCs therapeutic effects on SS. Our research emphasizes optimizing MSC treatment strategies to achieve better outcomes, thereby providing a valuable reference for clinical application.
End of Treatment Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is Predictive of Radiation Response and Overall Survival in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Sumner Whitney , Kim Sangwoo S. , Vitzthum Lucas , Moore Kevin , Atwood Todd , Murphy James , Miyauchi Sayuri , Califano Joseph A. , Mell Loren K. , Mundt Arno J. , Sharabi Andrew 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Image guidance in radiation oncology has resulted in significant improvements in the accuracy and precision of radiation therapy (RT). Recently, the resolution and quality of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for image guidance has increased so that tumor masses and lymph nodes are readily detectable and measurable. During treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), on-board CBCT setup imaging is routinely obtained; however, this CBCT imaging data has not been utilized to predict patient outcomes. Here, we analyzed whether changes in CBCT measurements obtained during a course of radiation therapy correlate with responses on routine 3-month follow-up diagnostic imaging and overall survival (OS). Materials/Methods: Patients with oropharyngeal primary tumors who received radiation therapy between 2015 and 2018 were included. Anatomical measurements were collected of the primary tumor and largest nodal conglomerate (LNC) at CT simulation, end of radiation treatment (EOT CBCT), and routine 3-month post-RT imaging. At each timepoint anteroposterior (AP), mediolateral (ML) and craniocaudal (CC) measurements were obtained and used to create a 2-dimensional (2D) maximum. Results: CBCT data from 64 node positive patients were analyzed. The largest nodal 2D maximum and CC measurements on EOT CBCT showed a statistically significant correlation with complete response on 3-month post-RT imaging (r=0.313, p=0.02 and r=0.318, p=0.02, respectively). Furthermore, patients who experienced a 30% or greater reduction in the CC dimension had improved OS (continuous HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.15, p=0.045). Conclusion: Decreased size of pathologic lymph nodes measured using CBCT setup imaging during a radiation course correlates with long term therapeutic response and overall survival of HNSCC patients. These results indicate that CBCT setup imaging may have utility as an early predictor of treatment response in oropharyngeal HNSCC and could ultimately help guide management.
Study of Prevalence of Neuromuscular Dysfunctions Especially Trunk Dysfunction among the Athletic Population of Rocket, Team and Water Sports
Authors: Sarand Ali Parvaneh , Daneshmand Hasan , Norasteh Ali Asghar 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The high prevalence of injury in sports necessitates the use of screening tests and injury prevention programs. Dysfunctions in the neuromuscular control of the trunk or TD (Trunk Dysfunction) are directly related to athletic performance and injury. The present study aims to study the prevalence of neuromuscular dysfunctions especially TD among the athletic population of rocket, team and water sports.Results: For data analysis, it’s used the analysis of variance of (ANOVA) and also the Chi-square tests. The ANOVA test did not show a significant difference between tuck jump test scores among the three sports; the Chi-square test, on the other hand, demonstrated people with and without TD. The number of people with TD was 12 (40%) in table tennis, 6 (20%) in cycling, and 9 (30%) in swimming respectively.Conclusions: It can be concluded that the most and the least people with TD were table tennis and cycling, respectively. According to the direct relationship between TD and sports injury, it’s possible to reduce the risk of injury by an accurate and timely screening and assessing of TD in future athletes, by this, it seems that the quality level and the implementation strategies of techniques, the skills and the activities of athletes can be improved.
Growth, Structural, NLO and Impedance Properties of Cu2+ doped Lithium Sulphate Monohydrate Single Crystals
Authors: Annalakshmi A , Balasubramanian K. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Single crystals of 2.5 mole% of Cu 2+ doped Lithium sulphate monohydrate (LSMH) have been grown using slow evaporation technique at room temperature. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis ensures that the crystal belongs to monoclinic crystal system. The variation of relative dielectric constant, dielectric loss and tangent loss with frequency have been discussed. The conductivity and dielectric relaxation mechanism involved in the grown crystals have been carried out by using complex impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range (343K and 353K) and in the frequency range from 20Hz to 2MHz. The frequency dependent ac conductivity obeys the Jonscher’s power law. The imaginary part Mʺ of electrical modulus of grown crystals shows the formation of asymmetric dispersion peak and indicating non- Debye relaxation behaviour. Morphology properties of the grown crystals have been studied using atomic force microscopy and hence the roughness of the grown crystals has been calculated. The NLO property and LDT values of the grown crystals are analysed using Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm and 532 nm respectively.
MRI-based Radiomics Model Can Improve the Predictive Performance of Postlaminar Optic Nerve Invasion in Retinoblastoma
Authors: Li Zhenzhen , Guo Jian , Xu Xiaolin , Wei Wenbin , Xian Junfang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To develop an MRI-based radiomics model to predict postlaminar optic nerve invasion (PLONI) in retinoblastoma (RB) and to compare its predictive performance with that of subjective radiologists’ assessment.Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 124 patients with pathologically proven RB (90 in the training set and 34 in the validation set) who had MRI scans before surgery in this retrospective study. A radiomics model for predicting PLONI was developed by extracting 2058 quantitative imaging features from axial T2-weighted images and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images in the training set. The Kruskal-Wallis test, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, and recursive feature elimination were used for feature selection, whereupon a radiomics model was built with a logistic regression (LR) classifier. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the accuracy were assessed to evaluate the predictive performance of PLONI in the training set and validation set. The performance of the radiomics model was compared to radiologists’ assessment.Results: The AUC of the radiomics model for the prediction of PLONI according to ROC analysis was 0.928 in the training set and 0.841 in the validation set. In all 124 patients, the AUC of the radiomics model was 0.897, while that of radiologists’ assessment was 0.674 (p< 0.001).Conclusions: By incorporating MRI-based radiomics features, we constructed a radiomics model to predict PLONI in patients with RB, and it was shown to be superior to visual assessment and may serve as a potential tool to guide personalized treatment.
The scale effect of landscape variables on landscape experiences: A multi-scale spatial analysis of social media data in an urban nature park context
Authors: Chang Ping , Olafsson Anton Stahl 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Context

The roles of landscape variables with regard to the recreational services provided by nature parks have been widely studied. However, the potential scale effects of the relationships of landscape features and attributes to categorized nature experiences have not been adequately studied from an experimental perspective.

Objectives

This article demonstrates multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) as a new method to quantify the relationship between experiences and landscape variables and aims to answer the following questions:
1) Which dimensions of landscape experiences can be interpreted from geocoded social media data, and what landscape variables are associated with specific dimensions of experience?
2) At what spatial scale and relative magnitude can landscape variables mediate landscape experiences?

Methods

Social media data (Flickr photos) from Amager Nature Park were categorized into different dimensions of landscape experience. Estimated parameter surfaces resulting from the MGWR were generated to show the patterns of the relationship between the landscape variables and the categorized experiences.

Results

All considered landscape variables were identified as relating to certain landscape experiences (nature, animals, scenery, engagement, and culture). Scale effects were observed in all relationships. This highlights the realities of context- and place-specific relationships and the limited applicability of simple approaches that assume relationships to be spatially stationary.

Conclusions

The spatial effect of landscape variables on landscape experiences was clarified and demonstrated to be important for understanding the spatial patterns of landscape experiences. The demonstrated modelling method may be used to further the study of the value of natural landscapes to human wellbeing.
Fractalkine Aggravates LPS-induced Macrophage Activation and Acute Kidney Injury via Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Gong Qiming , Jiang Yan , Pan Xiuhong , You Yanwu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Fractalkine（CX3CL1, FKN），a CX3C gene sequence inflammatory chemokine, has been found to have pro-inflammatory and pro-adhesion effects. Macrophages are immune cells with a critical role in regulate inflammatory response. The imbalance of M1/M2 macrophage polarization can lead to aggravated inflammation. This study takes an attempt to investigate the mechanisms through which FKN regulates the macrophage activation and the acute kidney injury (AKI) involved in the inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by using FKN-knockout (FKN-KO) mice and cultured macrophages.Results: In this study, we found that FKN and Wnt/β-catenin signaling have a positive interaction in macrophages. FKN-overexpression inhibited LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis. However, it enhanced the cell viability and transformed them into M2 type. The effects of FKN-overexpression were accelerated by activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In the in vivo experiments, FKN deficiency suppressed the macrophage activation and reduced AKI induced by LPS. Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and FKN deficiency further mitigated the pathologic process of AKI. Conclusions: We provide a novel mechanism underlying activation of macrophage in LPS-induced AKI. The positive interaction between FKN and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may be the therapeutic target in kidney injury.
Genome-Wide Association Studies of Leaf Angle in Maize
Authors: Peng Bo , Zhao Xiaolei , Wang Yi , Li Chunhui , Li Yongxiang , Zhang Dengfeng , Shi Yunsu , Song Yanchun , Wang Lei , Li Yu , Wang Tianyu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Compact plant-type with small leaf angle has increased canopy light interception, which is conducive to the photosynthesis of the population and higher population yield at high density planting in maize. In this study, a panel of 285 diverse maize inbred lines genotyped with 56,000 SNPs was used to investigate the genetic basis of leaf angle across three consecutive years using a genome-wide association study (GWAS). The leaf angle showed broad phenotypic variation and high heritability across different years. Population structure analysis subdivided the panel into four subgroups that correspond to the four major empirical germplasm origins in China, i.e., Tangsipingtou, Reid, Lancaster and P. When tested with the optimal GWAS model, we found that the Q+K model was the best in reducing false positive. In total, 96 SNPs accounting for 5.54%-10.44% of phenotypic variation were significantly (P<0.0001) associated with leaf angle across three years. According to the linkage disequilibrium decay distance, 96 SNPs were binned in 43 QTLs for leaf angle. Seven major QTLs with R2>8% stably detected in at least two years and BLUP values were clustered in four genomic regions (bins 2.01, 2.07, 5.06, and 10.04). Seven important candidate genes, Zm00001d001961, Zm00001d006348, Zm00001d006463, Zm00001d017618, Zm00001d024919, Zm00001d025018, and Zm00001d025033 were predicted for the seven stable major QTLs, respectively. The markers identified in this study can be used for molecular breeding for leaf angle, and the candidate genes would contribute to further understanding of the genetic basis of leaf angle.
The Use of Climate Information for Climate Resilience and Adaptation: Current Practices
Authors: Lu Xianfu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
With the need for action on adaptation gaining growing attention in public discourse on climate change, the use of climate data from observations and climate model simulations has been rapidly expanding. This includes areas such as designing climate-resilient critical infrastructure and valuating assets of financial institutions. How climate information is applied in these emerging areas of adaptation practice has significant practical, economic and financial implications. Using a set of case studies, this paper illustrates the current practices of how climate information is applied to inform climate-resilient infrastructure development in multilateral climate funds and development banks, and to assess physical climate risks by financial institutions. Two main challenges are identified: a disconnect between what climate data is needed to inform certain decisions and analyses and what is currently available, and a lack of common standards and professional scrutiny around the provision of climate services. Opportunities to help address these challenges are highlighted for the providers and users of climate information.
The Influence of Age and Gender on Normalized Foot Arch Height in Childhood and Adolescence: Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Park Kyue-nam , Koh Eun-kyung , Jung Do-young 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Normalized arch height (NAH), which can be calculated as the instep height (IH) divided by total foot length (TFL), has been used when comparing the foot arch height, instead of navicular height (NH) because of the difficulty to palpate navicular tuberosity when measuring NH. The aim of current study was to investigate to investigate association between foot length and arch height, change in NAH over age, and distribution of foot type according to age in children and adolescent from 8 to 19 years. Foot scanning data of 1,451 children and adolescents were obtained. Four NAH indices were calculated as follows, 1) NH/TFL, 2) NH/instep length (IL), 3) IH/TFL and 4) IH/IL. There were significant positive relationships between foot length and arch height. Natural growth was observed in NH/TFL and NH/IL until 16 years old and IH/TFL and IH/IL between 11-13 and 14-16 years age groups. The proportions of pes planus also decreased, whereas the proportion of rectus foot type increased over age. Clinicians should be caution when diagnosing and designing non-surgical program for children with pes planus until 16 years old.
Influence of Oral Health on Frailty in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Aged 75 Years or Older
Authors: Ishii Masaki , Yamaguchi Yasuhiro , Hamaya Hironobu , Iwata Yuko , Takada Kazufumi , Ogawa Sumito , Imura Mitsuo , Akishita Masahiro 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of oral health on frailty in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes aged 75 years or older were included in this retrospective study. Eligible patients were surveyed by questionnaire for frailty, oral health status, and cognitive and living functions. Factors influencing pre-frailty, frailty, and individual frailty score categories were evaluated. Results: Of the 111 patients analyzed, 66 cases (59.5%) were categorized as robust, 33 cases (29.7%) as pre-frailty, and 5 cases (4.5 %) as frailty. The oral frailty index, the cognitive and living functions score, and BMI were factors influencing pre-frailty or frailty. In the evaluation by individual frailty score categories, BMI was found to only influence those with a frailty score ≤2. The cognitive and living functions score was a factor influencing those with frailty scores ≤3. The oral frailty index was found to have a significant influence on all frailty score categories.Conclusion: Poor oral health has an influence on frailty in patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥75. The management of oral health is an important consideration in the prevention of the frailty of elderly patients with diabetes.
Microwave Irradiated Novel Mesoporous Nickel Oxide Carbon Nanocomposite Electrodes for Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Thida Rakesh Kumar , CH Shilpa Chakra , S Madhuri , E Sai Ram , K Ravi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The present work accentuates the aspects of electrochemical analysis determined by Cyclic Voltammeter(CV), especially enhancement in Supercapacitor's specific capacitance and energy density. In this work, Nickel Oxide (NiO) and Nickel Oxide @ reduced Graphene Oxide (NiO@rGO) nanocomposite materials using as electrodes synthesized by the Microwave irradiation method. Performance of the synthesized material further characterized using X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), BET(Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) specific surface-area, Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and CV. Electrochemical performance of active material at three different molarities (2M, 4M & 6M) of potassium hydroxide (KOH) as an electrolyte is analyzed and observed decline in specific capacitance for synthesized nanocomposite materials in a lower state of electrolyte concentration. Accordingly, Specific capacitances at 1A/g are 270F/g, 395 F/g at 1A/g current density, and Energy densities of 10.2Wh/Kg, 17.55Wh/Kg are observed for NiO and NiO@rGO respectively at 6M KOH.
Design and Simulation of an Electrically Pumped SPASER
Authors: Fattah Ali , Livani Abdolber Mallah , Norouzi Eliye 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this investigation, a novel SPASER is designed and simulated which uses a forward biased pn junction to induce population inversion condition. Simulations are performed by means of SILVACO software. In the proposed structure, the active region is considered as a direct bandgap material (InGaAs) and a larger bandgap material (InP) is used for p and n regions to form heterojunctions. This pn junction is in contact with gold and surface plasmons propagate along their interface. Free space wavelength of the oscillations of surface plasmons is 1550nm that is used in photonic devices, frequently. To form the resonance cavity of the SPASER, two high reflective mirrors are placed at the ends of the plasmonic waveguide. Applied forward voltage and absorption coefficient of the SPASER are 1.2V and − 0.33cm− 1, respectively. Thus, the optical gain for a 50 microns cavity length is 1cm− 1. Moreover, the power consumption of the proposed device at these conditions is 1.2mW. The output plasmonic power is 0.6mW which yields 50% power efficiency.