bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Minimally Invasive Technique Using Cortical Bone Trajectory Screws Assisted by 3D-Printed Navigation Templates in Lumbar Adjacent Segment Degeneration
Authors: He Kun , Dong Chunke , Wei Hongyu , Yang Feng , Ma Haoning , Tang Xiangsheng , Tan Mingsheng , Yi Ping 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Revision surgery of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) commonly need to expose and remove the original fixation. In order to minimize the trauma, reduce the operation time and blood loss, we introduce a minimally invasive lumbar revision technique using cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screws assisted by three-dimensional(3D) printed navigation templates.Methods: From April 2017 to October 2019, 18 patients with ASD underwent revision surgery with CBT screws assisted by 3D-printed templates in our hospital. All the operation data, including operation time, blood loss, incision length were recorded. We evaluated the clinical efficacy using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. X-ray and Computed Tomography (CT) scans were used to evaluate the stability of CBT screws fixation, the accuracy of screws, and the fusion rate.Results: The mean follow-up was 22.4±4.7 months (12-31m), the VAS, ODI, and JOA score were analyzed by SPSS 21.0 and showed significant improvement at 2-weeks and the last follow-up compared with preoperative data(P<0.05). 76 CBT screws were inserted with navigation templates, 2 screws were Grade B, other screws were all Grade 0 or A. Changes of intervertebral height showed good stability of CBT screws fixation(P>0.05). All the patients had satisfactory fusion results.Conclusion: Revision surgery of ASD with CBT screws assisted by 3D-printed navigation templates has satisfactory clinical efficacy with advantages of the short operation time, small incision, and less blood loss.
The Mechanism of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills in the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Authors: An Xuedong , Duan LiYun , Zhang YueHong , Jin De , Zhao Shenghui , Zhou RongRong , Duan YingYing , Lian FengMei , Tong XiaoLin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundOur previous randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center clinical study showed that Compound Danshen Dripping Pills (CDDP) had a significant and safe effect in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR), but its mechanism is still unclear, which we would explain based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.MethodThe active ingredients of CDDP (composed of Panax notoginseng, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., and Borneol) were searched in the TCMSP database. The validated target and Smiles number of the active ingredient are queried through the PubChem database, and the predicted target of the active ingredient is obtained through the Swisstarget Prediction database. The Drugbank, TTD, and DisGeNET databases were retrieved to obtain the related targets of DR. The core targets were obtained by the cluster analysis function of Cytoscape, and then the Protein-Protein Interaction was performed. The GO and KEGG signal pathways were enriched and clustered in David database. The potential active components and targets were docking with Autodock Vina, and the results were visualized by PyMOL.Result51 active components and 922 validation and prediction targets of CDDP, 715 targets of DR and 154 co-targets were obtained. Cluster analysis showed that there were two clusters, a total of 64 targets. Go and KEGG signal pathway enrichment analysis showed that the top 20 mainly included TNF and HIF-1 signaling pathway. In GO analysis, BP mainly includes positive regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation and response to hypoxia, CC mainly includes extracellular space and extracellular domain, MF mainly includes protein binding and protein binding recognition. In KEGG database, the key genes in the TNF signaling pathway were TNF, NFkB and VEGF, in HIF-1 signaling pathway were the IL-6, STAT3, HIF1A and VEGF. Molecular docking results showed that all components of CDDP had a certain docking ability with TNF, NFkB, VEGF, IL-6, STAT3 and HIF1A, which of Asiatic acid and Salvianolic acid j was the strongest.Conclusion Based on the network pharmacology and molecular docking, the core active components of CDDP, mainly including Asiatic acid and Salvianolic acid j, which may play a role in regulating cell proliferation and response to inflammation and hypoxia by regulating the binding and recognition of intracellular and extracellular proteins, that is, mainly through TNF signaling pathway and HIF-1 signaling pathway.
Isorhapontigenin from Traditionally used Iris Domestica Reduces the Inflammatory Response by Suppressing NF-κB and MAPK Signaling in LPS-Activated RAW 264.7 Macrophages
Authors: Huang Wen-Chung , Wu Shu-Ju , Lo Han , Peng Hui-Ling , Hu Sindy , Liou Chian-Jiun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundIsorhapontigenin, a resveratrol analogue, isolated from Iris domestica can induce apoptosis in tumor cells. Here, we designed to explore whether isorhapontigenin reduced inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.MethodsIsorhapontigenin treated with RAW 264.7 cells, and then with LPS to stimulate inflammatory response. Proinflammatory cytokine expressions were measured using ELISA, and protein expressions were detected using western blots. ResultsIsorhapontigenin significantly inhibited the proinflammatory cytokine expressions. Isorhapontigenin also decreased cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase productions and promoted heme oxygenase-1 expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Isorhapontigenin could significantly inhibit NF-κB subunit p65 protein localization to the nucleus and reduced MAPK signal pathway activation. Isorhapontigenin also decreased reactive oxygen species production. ConclusionThus, isorhapontigenin has potential anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress that inhibits inflammatory mediators and cytokines expressions through suppressing the MAPK and NF-κB pathways.
Outage Analysis of Cognitive Communication System Using Opportunistic Relay Selection and Secondary Users as Relays
Authors: Javadzadeh Hojjat , zahedi abdulhamid 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Efficient bandwidth utilization is significant in new communication systems where secondary users can be used besides of primary users considering interference issues and idle state of primary users. Using secondary users as relays to transmit their own signals in addition to the primary signals can be applied for more reliability of the system where opportunistic relay selection can significantly enhance the performance of the system. The best-condition secondary user is selected as the optimum relay for retransmission of primary/secondary signal. Outage probability is analyzed in this paper based on decode and forward techniques in secondary users while the closed-form statement for outage probability is provided and verified by numerical evaluations.
Predictive structure and protein-ligand interface of novel lectin from rice bean (Vigna umbellata)
Authors: Tripathi Ankur , Hallan Vipin , Raj Ritu , Katoch Rajan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Lectins are an important group of multivalent glycoproteins having the property of selectively recognizing and precipitating glycoconjugates. Although lectins have been reported from diverse biological sources, legume lectins is the best-characterized family of plant lectins. We have successfully cloned and sequenced the RbL ORF of 843bp from immature rice bean seeds (Vigna umbellata). We report the results of in silico analysis of novel lectin precursor of 280 amino acids from rice bean. BlastP analysis revealed more than 90% sequence similarity of RbL protein with Vigna angularis lectin and Vigna aconitifolia lectin. ProtParam analysis revealed acidic, stable and hydrophobic nature of RbL protein. Template based 3D structure of RbL protein was modeled using I-TASSER tool and validated as good quality model. Structural analysis revealed the presence of β-sandwich (Jelly roll fold or lectin fold) in modeled RbL structure. RbL protein was functionally annotated as a plant defense protein. Molecular docking was performed to analyze interactions of RbL protein with predicted ligands (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine β-galactose, Lactose and Adenine) and two selected ligands (Glucose and Mannose). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of RbL-ligand complexes confirmed robust hydrogen bonding interactions between ligands and RbL protein. The novel information generated in the study would be useful in exploring RbL protein for different biomedical and biotechnological applications.
SARS-CoV-2 Infections Among Healthcare Workers Outside Hospitals
Authors: Fröberg Maria , Hassan Sadaf Sakina , Pimenoff Ville N. , Akterin Susanne , Elfström K. Miriam , Dillner Joakim 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Most Covid-related infections and deaths occur in healthcare outside hospitals. We wished to explore SARS-CoV-2 infections among healthcare workers (HCWs) in this setting. All healthcare providers in Stockholm, Sweden were asked to invite HCWs at work for a study of past or present SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs. This study reports the results from 839 HCWs, mostly employees of primary care centers, sampled in June 2020. Prior infection, as measured using seropositivity, was found among 12% (100/839) of HCWs, ranging from 0–29% between care units. There was a significant trend of decreasing serology positivity by age (one sided p-trend 0.0467). Seropositivity was highest among HCWs < 40 years of age. Within this age group there was 19% (23/120) seropositivity among women and 11% (15/38) among men (p < 0.02). Current infection, as measured using PCR, was found in only 1% and the typical pre-symptomatic testing pattern found in only 2 subjects. SARS-CoV-2 infections had been rather common among younger HCWs in this setting, but pre-symptomatic infection appeared to be uncommon. Sex differences in SARS-CoV2 specific seropositivity in HCWs younger than 40 years and older than 50 years can be due to exposure, behavior and/or immunological factors.
Changes in extreme Integrated water Vapor Transport on the U.S. west coast in NA-CORDEX, and relationship to mountain and inland precipitation
Authors: Hughes Mimi , Swales Dustin , Scott James D. , Alexander Michael , Mahoney Kelly , McCrary Rachel R , Cifelli Robert , Bukovsky Melissa 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Western U.S. (WUS) rainfall and snowpack vary greatly on interannual and decadal timescales. This combined with their importance to water resources makes future projections of these variables highly societally relevant. Previous studies have shown that precipitation events in the WUS are influenced by the timing, positioning, and duration of extreme integrated water vapor transport (IVT) events (e.g., atmospheric rivers) along the coast. We investigate end-of-21st-century projections of WUS precipitation and IVT in a collection of regional climate models (RCMs) from the North American Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (NA-CORDEX). Several of the NA-CORDEX RCMs project a decrease in cool season precipitation at high elevation (e.g., across the Sierra Nevada) with a corresponding increase in the Great Basin of the U.S. We explore the causes of this terrain-related precipitation change in a subset of the NA-CORDEX RCMs through an examination of IVT-events. Projected changes in frequency and duration of IVT-events depend on the event's extremity: By the end of the century extreme IVT-events increase in frequency whereas moderate IVT-events decrease in frequency. Furthermore, in the future, total precipitation across the WUS generally increases during extreme IVT-events, whereas total precipitation from moderate IVT-events decreases across higher elevations. Thus, we argue that the mean cool season precipitation decreases at high elevations and increases in the Great Basin are largely determined by changes in moderate IVT-events which are projected to be less frequent and bring less high-elevation precipitation.
Poor Tricuspid Regurgitation Signal on Echocardiogram: How Does It Correlate with Pulmonary Artery Pressure as Measured by Right Heart Catheterization?
Authors: Aziz Mohammad , Romero Steven , Price Matthew J. , Mohan Rajeev 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR) gradient on echocardiogram is used to approximate pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) on echocardiography. A common dilemma is encountered when PAP measurement is indeterminate due to poor TR signal. We hypothesized that patients with poor TR signal would be unlikely to have pulmonary hypertension (PH) on right heart catheterization (RHC).
Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 141 patients who underwent RHC and had a corresponding echocardiogram showing poor TR signal within 2 months of RHC. A cutoff of 25 mm Hg was used as the upper limit of normal to define PH.
Results

Fifty percent of patients had mean PAP (mPAP) greater than 25 mm Hg. 82% of values were 35 mm Hg or below.
Conclusions

Poor TR signal does not rule out PH but may indicate lower likelihood of severe PH.
Salivary Cytokine Profile in Patients with Ischemic Stroke. Can Salivary TNF-α be a Non-invasive Biomarker of Cognitive Impairment in Stroke Cases?
Authors: Maciejczyk Mateusz , Mil Kacper , Gerreth Piotr , Hojan Katarzyna , Zalewska Anna , Gerreth Karolina 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Inflammation plays a crucial role in stroke pathogenesis. Thus, it is not surprising that cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors have been advocated in stroke diagnostics. Our study is the first to evaluate the salivary cytokine profile in patients with ischemic stroke. Twenty-five patients with subacute ischemic stroke and an age-, sex-, and oral hygiene status-matched control group were enrolled in the study. The number of patients was set a priori based on our previous experiment (α = 0.05, test power = 0.9). Salivary concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were assessed using an ELISA method. We showed that salivary TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly higher, whereas IL-10 content was statistically lower in both non-stimulated (NWS) and stimulated (SWS) whole saliva of ischemic stroke patients. However, evaluation of cytokines in NWS rather than in SWS may be of greater diagnostic value. Of particular note is salivary TNF-α, which may indicate cognitive/physical impairment in post-stroke individuals. This parameter distinguishes stroke patients from healthy controls and correlates with cognitive dysfunction and severity of functional impairment. It also differentiates (with high sensitivity and specificity) stroke patients with normal cognition from mild to moderate dementia patients. Saliva may be an alternative to blood for assessing cytokines in stroke patients, although further studies on a larger patient population are needed.
Groundwater Origin and Quality Appraisal through a Combined Geochemical and Isotopic Approach in the Great Algiers District (Algeria)
Authors: Khous Dalèle , Moulla Adnane Souffi , Cherchali Mohammed El-Hocine , Chorfi Hadjer , Benchabane Mounia , Ouarezki SidAli , Belaid Messaouda 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The assessment of the origin of water that is allocated both for people and for irrigation in the eastern part of the Mitidja plain was carried out making use of geochemical and isotopic tools (18O, 2H and 3H). Both hydrochemical and isotopic information gathered for eastern Mitidja alluvial aquifer were used for the sake of assessing the mechanisms controlling groundwater chemistry. This allowed one to identify: (i) the natural or the anthropogenic processes that control groundwater quality, (ii) the origin of groundwater and when its recharge occurs. The work involved sampling campaigns, in situ measurements, and analyses of ions, heavy metals and water isotope content. Results showed a fair overall chemical quality of waters, since the assessment of water quality using water quality index (WQI) revealed that 90 % of the groundwater samples are good. Mitidja’s groundwaters fall into the Cl−SO4−Ca water type, that is mainly induced by water-rock interactions (dissolution of evaporites). The concentrations in Fe, Mn, Ni and Cd for some of the samples were found higher than the prescribed limits recommended by the World Health Organization. Isotopes indicate that groundwater is young since it originates from direct infiltration of precipitation that is mostly induced by Mediterranean atmospheric disturbances.
Analytical solution of MHD micropolar nanofluid flow and forced convection heat transfer with entropy generation analysis past a linearly stretching sheet
Authors: Sadighi Sina , Afshar Hossein , Jabbari Mohsen , ashtiani Hossein Ahmadi danesh 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This perusal attempts to model and interpret the entropy generation analysis and the flow field of 2-D, steady, viscous, incompressible and laminar boundary layer and forced convection heat transport of micropolar ferrofluid past a stretching sheet including suction and normal magnetic field effects. The porous sheet’s velocity and temperature are presumed to change linearly. Exact explicit solutions of the velocity, angular velocity and temperature distributions have been derived. The impacts of physical parameters on the local skin friction coefficient, the local Nusselt number, the entropy generation number further the velocities and temperature distributions are analyzed by tables and graphs. The angular velocity has more value than velocity for the least value of the magnetic and material parameters. The entropy generation number has a direct relation with material parameter and Brinkman either Reynolds numbers. Moreover, an inverse relation with the Prandtl number.
Hot environment aggravated hemorrhagic shock-induced organ dysfunction and protective effects of cold fluid resuscitation
Authors: Zhu Yu , Ma Sheng , Deng Haoyue , She Han , Zhang Jie , Tian Kunlun , Liu Liangming , Li Tao 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

There are more and more areas with hot environment. Whether hot environment can aggravate hemorrhagic shock-induced organ dysfunction and its pathophysiological mechanism and treatment remains unclear.
Methods

Hemorrhagic shock rat model in hot environment was used to observe the changes of vital organ functions, the variation of the internal environment, stress factors and inflammatory factors, meanwhile, the targeted prevention and treatment measures were further studied.
Results

Hot environment further aggravated hemorrhagic shock induced death even in 34℃ hot environment which core temperature was not increased. At the same time, functions of heart, liver and kidney were more damaged after hemorrhagic shock rats in 34℃ hot environment as compared with room environment. The further study showed that the blood concentration of Na+, K+ and plasma osmotic pressure, the expression of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum, as well as the stress factors Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) and Glucocorticoid (GCS) were all notably enhanced following hot environment with hemorrhagic shock; and acidosis was extraordinary obvious; oxygen supply and oxygen consumption were remarkably decreased. At last present study demonstrated that 4–10℃ hypothermia fluid resuscitation could significantly improve the survival rate in hemorrhagic shock rats with hot environment.
Conclusions

Hot environment accelerated the death of hemorrhagic shock rats, which was related to the disorder of internal environment, increase of inflammatory and stress factors. Furthermore, moderate hypothermic fluid resuscitation was suitable for the treatment of hemorrhagic shock in hot environment.
Optimal 3D Deployment and Trajectory Selection of UAVs for Maximum Network Utility and Disaster Management
Authors: Debnath Sanjoy , Arif Wasim , Sen Debarati , Baishya Srimanta 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Advancement in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) technology supervised us to use them in many situations like seismic survey of an area, border and restricted area surveillance, disaster rescue, agriculture monitoring, and many others. The deployment of UAVs for expansion and extension of wireless network coverage for surveillance and rescue during and post disaster situations is fenced with promising challenges. The dense user coverage, quality of service (QoS), user data rate requirement, limited short flying time, and optimal trajectory path are some of the pertinent issues that UAVs are encountering. In this work we develop some algorithms for fast deployment of UAVs for application in disaster scenarios and optimal trajectory of each UAV in some specified area. The main aim of the work is to reduce the time complexity for optimal deployment of UAVs in order to optimize diverse parametric constraints. We propose a highly time efficient algorithm for UAV deployment through Lloyd and FCM as the initial localization of position in conjunction with the evolutionary algorithm namely Differential Evolution (DE) and Hybrid Differential Evolution with Learning (HDEL) for finding the optimal location of UAVs. We also develop an algorithm for finding out the optimal trajectory to reach the intended location for effective deployment of UAVs to ensure optimal resource allocation and user coverage. Comprehensive simulation of various performance measuring metrics is obtained and the result shows that the proposed algorithms are well efficient as compared to some of the standard algorithms used in deployment of UAVs.
Alternatives to Remdesivir: Drug repurposing for inhibition of SARSCoV2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase
Authors: Sharp Kumar 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Even after more than a year of the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, a specific treatment for the disease has not been discovered. Vaccination programmes are being rolled out as the fastest pace possible but achievement of herd immunity will take time.[1] Many drugs like favipiravir, remdesivir and tocilizumab are being used for the treatment of this disease but reports published by the World Health Organization and the New England Journal of Medicine shows that they do not produce any significant clinical results. In this study, by molecular docking a large set of drugs has been used to replace remdesivir in RdRp protein so that they can produce the same action and therefore provide suitable alternatives for clinical trials and emergency use. The drugs identified in the study are saquinavir, cefoperazone, gliquidone, nelfinavir, 5-methyltetrahyrofolate among various others.
Gray water treatment by air-gap multi-effect membrane distillation with pre-treatment by electrocoagulation
Authors: Pangarkar Bhausaheb , Guddad Mahendra 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The gap between supply and demand of fresh water is widening due to increase in global population. Hence, an alternative source of water such as gray water could potentially save a significant amount of precious fresh water. Gray water is distinct from black water by the amount and composition of its chemical and biological contaminants. In this paper, an air-gap Multi-effect membrane distillation (MEMD) module performance for gray water treatment is described. Surfactant present in the gray water was wetting the membrane pores. Hence, electrocoagulation was used as a pre-treatment of gray water feed. About 99.14% surfactants were removed by electrocoagulation and the experiment shows excellent performance of the MEMD module. The 4-stage MEMD module offered permeate fluxes nearly to 50.12 l/m2 h at 80 °C. It was also found that a high thermal efficiency and output gain ratio was possible with lower specific energy and no cooling water. Hence, it is apparent that the air gap MEMD technology could be used for gray water treatment. Pre-treatment by electrocoagulation (EC) operation seems an important step in the overall treatment process when large amounts of surfactants are present in the treatment water.