bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Intrarenal Resistance Index and Systemic Atherosclerosis After Kidney Transplantation.
Authors: Köger Philip , Engelberger Stephan , Wüthrich Rudolf , Valentin Marie-Luise , Kucher Nils , Thalhammer Christoph , Clemens Robert Karl 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Patients after kidney transplant are at risk of cardiovascular morbidity. Surveillance of kidney transplants is mandatory to ensure a maximal transplant lifespan. Renal function is measured by levels of creatinine (clearance) while morphological aspects and other parameters like the kidney-size and Resistance Index are assessed with Duplex sonography. An elevated Resistance Index is associated with renal graft failure. The Resistance Index can also be measured in the carotid artery. It is uncertain whether a correlation between intrarenal RI after kidney transplant and the RI of the internal carotid artery exists.
Material and Methods
Resistance index of kidney transplants and of the carotid artery were measured with duplex sonography in adult patients after kidney transplant. Carotid intima-media thickness as well as the Framingham risk score and the Augmentation index, all known markers of atherosclerosis, were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed with STATA. Continuous data were expressed as means +/- standard deviation and compared by Kruskal-Wallis Test. Correlations between the RI in Carotid artery and the RI of the kidney transplant were based on Spearmen test with the level of significance set at p < 0.05.
Results
98 consecutive patients (60% male, mean age of 48.7 (+/-15.6)) were included. Mean interval after transplantation was 27.5 (+/- 8.5) months and the mean serum creatinine was 308 (+/- 220.3) mmol/L. The RI of the internal carotid artery and the renal transplant were significantly correlated (p < 0.05). A strong correlation between the RIs and the Augmentation Index (AIx) was found.
Conclusion
The RI of the kidney transplant is correlated with the RI of the carotid artery and to markers of general atherosclerosis. This observation may be helpful to identify patients after kidney transplant with higher risk for cardiovascular events.
A Novel Nano-sized Co3O4@C Catalyst Derived from Co-MOF Template for Efficient Hg0 Removal at Low Temperatures with Outstanding SO2 Resistance
Authors: Zhou Jiacheng , Shen Qicheng , Yang Jie , Tariq Muhammad , Sun Wei , Cao Limei , Yang Ji 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Co3O4 is a promising Hg0 removal catalyst for industrial application. Operating temperature and low sulfur resistance are two of the main problems that hinder its industrial application in Hg0 removal. Herein, a metal-organic framework (Co-BDC) was introduced as a sacrificial template to obtain the catalyst nano-sized Co3O4@C by calcination. Part of the organic ligands carbonized during the calcination. Carbon wrapped Co3O4 and reduced metal agglomeration. The optimal Hg0 removal temperature of the existing cobalt oxides catalysts was always around 150 ℃, but H2-TPR showed that the oxygen atoms on the Co3O4@C were more active than those on commercial Co3O4, causing the Hg0 removal temperature window of Co3O4@C to shift to lower temperatures. The Hg0 removal efficiency of Co3O4@C could reach almost 100% even at 25 ℃. In the meanwhile, Co3O4@C also showed a strong SO2 resistance at ambient temperature. Experimental results and characterization proved that SO2 did not compete with Hg0 on the surface of Co3O4 at low temperatures. On the contrary, it participated in the oxidation of Hg0. This is a great improvement for Co3O4 catalyst in Hg0 removal. It reduces the restrictions on the application of Co3O4 in Hg0 removal. Co3O4@C shows considerable potential as an Hg0 removal catalyst.
2D→3D Polycatenated Cu(I) Coordination Polymer: Photocatalytic Property and Protective Activity on COPD by Reducing the INF-γ Production
Authors: Zhu Jun-Fei , Yang Weiwei , Yang Jian , Jin Li-Tong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Reported here is a new [Cu4I4] cluster-based coordination polymer, namely [Cu4I4(bib)2]n·n(DMF) (1, bib = 1,4-bis(imidazolyl)butane, DMF = N,N’-dimethylformamide), which was synthesized by the self-assemble reaction of CuI, bib and KI under solvothermal conditions. Remarkably, compound 1 shows promising photocatalytic performance toward to the degradation of MB solution under visible light irradiation. For the COPD treatment, the ELISA detection kit was conducted to determine the content of INF-γ released by the respiratory tract mucosal epithelial cells. In addition to this, the activation levels of the NF-κB signaling pathway was still need to be assessed by the real time RT-PCR after the compound treatment.
Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) Regulates The Progression and Imatinib Resistance of Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Authors: CHENG XIAOBIN , Wang Jinhai , Fan Weina , Lu Sen , Wang Weilin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a common tumor that originates from mesenchyme in the alimentary system. Compared to the typical gastrointestinal carcinomas, GISTs exhibit unique malignant behaviors. Bioinformatic tools and subsequent experiments were applied to investigate novel targets involved in GIST progression and imatinib resistance. Methods: Differences of gene expression profiles between advanced and non-advanced GISTs were comprehensively analyzed based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE136755. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was conducted to identify the potential target gene. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to elucidate relevant biological events of the target gene based on dataset GSE47911. Subsequently, immunohistochemistry and Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed to validate the prognostic value of the target gene in GISTs. Overexpression of the target gene was conducted to analyze its functions in proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and imatinib resistance of GIST/T1 cells. Results: In current study, a total of 606 differentailly expressed genes (DEGs) were screened based on dataset GSE136755 and the upregulated DEGs in advanced GISTs were mainly involved in cell division through functional annotations. The intersected hub gene, Aurora Kinase A (AURKA), was identified by degree and bottleneck algorithms. GSEA revealed that AURKA was involved in cell cycle-related biological processes. Oncomine and GEPIA databases supported an elevated expression pattern of AURKA in most human malignances. Clinical assay demonstrated that AURKA could be an independent prognostic factor for GISTs. Additionally, overexpression of AURKA was experimentally demonstrated to promote cell proliferation and survival, and enhance imatinib resistance of GIST/T1 cells. Conclusions: These findings indicated that overexpression of AURKA promoted GIST progression and enhanced imatinib resistance, implying the potential of AURKA as a therapeutic target for GISTs.
Growth Performance of Indigenouns Goat Breeds Through Grazing Supplemented with Graded Levels of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas) Silage in Loma Woreda, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Lorato Yaekob Lomba , Alambo Amare Abera 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: A study was carried out in Loma district of Southern part of Ethiopia that aimed to determine the effects of supplementation of graded levels of sweet potato vine silage on growth performances of grazing indigenous goat breeds. Loma district, the potential area for sweet potato production, that they practiced feeding sweet potato for animal feed shortage especially during dry season in the study area. Two hundred Sixteen indigenous yearling male local goats (16.3±0.4kg) were randomly selected for on-farm feeding trial. The goats were blocked into four groups of fifty four animals based on their initial body weight. Dietary treatments were randomly assigned to each animal in the groups. Animals which were assigned randomly in each block were given to farmers. The treatment comprised of grazing alone as treatment 1, grazing+78 g dry matter sweet potato silage as treatment 2, grazing +156 g dry matter sweet potato silage as treatment 3, grazing + 234 g dry matter sweet potato silage as treatment 4. Results: The highest dry matter contents (89.7%) were observed in final trial periods compared to initial and mid-term of trial periods. The average daily gain for Treatment 4 was higher (P<0.05) than those goats in Treatment 1 and Treatment 2. The weight gain for Treatment 3 and Treatment 4 were similar (P>0.05). About 96.7% of the respondents produce sweet potato. Conclusions: In the current feeding trial study results indicated that, the increased supplementation of sweet potato vine silage revealed increased performance of grazing local goats. Intake of dry matter increased from 78% to 234% with increasing levels of sweet potato vine silage supplementation. There was higher average daily gain for the supplemented group (60, 80 and 97g/head/day in Treatment 2, Treatment 3 and Treatment 4, respectively) than non-supplemented ones (34.2g/head/day). Therefore, from these findings it is concluded that supplementation of sweet potato silage favors better growth rate however we need to work on improving the productivity of sweet potato and improve benefits of feeding to goats.
The STUN (STop UNhealthy) Alcohol Use Now Trial: Study Protocol for an Adaptive Randomized Trial on Dissemination and Implementation of Screening and Management of Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Primary Care
Authors: Jonas Daniel E. , Barclay Colleen , Grammer Debbie , Weathington Chris , Birken Sarah A. , DeWalt Darren A. , Shoenbill Kimberly A. , Boynton Marcella H. , Mackey Monique , Riley Sean , Cykert Samuel 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Unhealthy alcohol use is a leading cause of preventable deaths in the US and is associated with many societal and health problems. Less than a third of people who visit primary care providers in the US are asked about or ever discuss alcohol use with a health professional. Methods/design: This study is an adaptive, randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the effect of primary care practice facilitation and telehealth services on evidence-based screening, counseling, and pharmacotherapy for unhealthy alcohol use in small-to-medium-sized primary care practices. Study participants will include primary care practices in North Carolina with 10 or fewer providers. All enrolled practices will receive a practice facilitation intervention that includes quality improvement (QI) coaching, electronic health record (EHR) support, training, and expert consultation. After 6 months, practices in the lower 50th percentile (based on performance) will be randomized to continued practice facilitation or provision of telehealth services plus ongoing facilitation for the next 6 months. Practices in the upper 50th percentile after the initial 6 months of intervention will continue to receive practice facilitation alone. The main outcome measures include the number (and %) of patients in the target population who are screened for unhealthy alcohol use, screen positive, and receive brief counseling. Additional measures include the number (and %) of patients who receive pharmacotherapy for AUD or are referred for AUD services.Discussion: A successful intervention would significantly reduce morbidity among adults from unhealthy alcohol use by increasing counseling and other treatment opportunities. The study will produce important evidence about the effect of practice facilitation on uptake of evidence-based screening, counseling, and pharmacotherapy for unhealthy alcohol use when delivered on a large scale to small and medium-sized practices. It will also generate scientific knowledge about whether embedded telehealth services can improve use of evidence-based screening and interventions for practices with slower uptake. The results of this rigorously conducted evaluation are expected to have a positive impact by accelerating the dissemination and implementation of evidence related to unhealthy alcohol use into primary care practices.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04317989. March 23, 2020 –registered, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04317989?titles=STUN&draw=2&rank=1
A Prognostic Model Constructed Based on Rna Binding Protein to Predict the Prognosis of Patients With Rectal Cancer
Authors: Zhou Liqiang , Wu You , Li Shihao , Wu Dengzhong , Wang Jinliang , Yuan Yiwu , Xin Lin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The incidence of rectal cancer in young people is increasing, and there has been a problem of poor prognosis in recent years. Many studies have shown that RNA binding protein (RBP) is related to the progression of various malignant tumors. However, the role of RBPs in rectal cancer is poorly understood. New prognostic models are urgently needed.Materials and methods: In the study, we used the RBPTD database, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the transcription data information and corresponding clinical information of rectal cancer patients in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to screen out RBPs that are differentially expressed in tumor tissues and normal tissues. Subsequently, we analyzed the prognostic value of these RBPs using bioinformatics methods. In order to screen the key RBP in the occurrence of rectal tumors and establish a prognostic risk score model. The use of survival analysis shows that assessing the relationship between key RBPs and the patient's overall survival rate. In the TCGA cohort, the prognostic model was further tested. At the same time, the nomogram of the 6 RBP mRNAs in the TCGA cohort was constructed, and the ROC curve was used for verification. Finally, q-PCR was performed on clinical samples to verify the expression of hub genes.Results: The new 6RBP (EXO1, TOP2A, RUVBL1, NXT1, PACSIN2, WDR4) prognostic model was established to predict the prognosis of rectal cancer. The ROC curve showed good results in the training cohort and validation cohort. The new 6RBP (EXO1, TOP2A, RUVBL1, NXT1, PACSIN2, WDR4) prognostic model was established to predict the prognosis of rectal cancer. The ROC curve showed good survival prediction in both the training cohort and the validation cohort. The constructed nomogram has certain guiding significance for clinical decision-making. In addition, GSEA analysis revealed potential biological functions. The q-PCR verification results showed the consistency with the construction of the prognostic model.Conclusions: We constructed a six RBPs prognostic model and a nomogram to predict the prognosis of patients with rectal cancer, and performed q-PCR expression testing through clinical samples, which may help clinical decision-making.
Selection for Low-cadmium Cultivars and Cadmium Subcellular Distribution Comparison between Two Selected Cultivars of Eggplant (Solanum Melongena L.)
Authors: Shen Chuang , Fu Hui-Ling , Liao Qiong , Huang Bai-Fei , Huang Ying-Ying , Xin Junliang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Excessive accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in vegetables poses a serious threat to human health; therefore, it is urgent to screen and cultivate vegetable cultivars with low Cd accumulation in the edible parts. Eggplant has a high tendency for Cd accumulation, but research on its low Cd accumulation cultivars is still rare. In this study, to screen low-Cd cultivars, 30 eggplant cultivars were screened using soils containing 0.22 mg/kg, 2.9 mg/kg (low-Cd), and 4.7 mg/kg of Cd (high-Cd). MYCQ and ZGQ were confirmed as low-Cd cultivars, BXGZ and WCCQ were confirmed as high-Cd cultivars, and a 2.52–3.88 fold difference in Cd concentration was observed in their fruits. The subcellular distribution revealed that the root cell wall and vacuole Cd concentrations of a typical low-Cd cultivar (MYCQ) were significantly higher than those of a typical high-Cd cultivar (BXGZ); however, the Cd concentrations in the cell wall and vacuole in fruits, leaves, and stems were significantly lower in MYCQ than in BXGZ. These results indicated that the low-Cd cultivars of eggplant could lessen Cd toxicity through the elevated Cd retention and sequestration levels of root cell walls and vacuoles, thus reducing Cd transport from roots to aboveground tissues, leading to low Cd accumulation. The findings of this study can provide a physiological and biochemical foundation for the screening and breeding of low-Cd cultivars of fruit vegetables and demonstrates that the application of low-Cd cultivars is necessary for food safety in humans.
Tuning weight values by resolving imbalances at nodes in an augmented artificial neural network
Authors: Shinkai Gou 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Tuning the weight values in an artificial neural network for a computational function is essential for artificial intelligence. This letter proposes tuning based on a mathematical model, which conceptually extends the artificial neural network by allowing an imbalance between the sum of the incoming values to a node and the outgoing values from the node in the network. In a different way from the gradient-descent-based tuning that uses multiple updates to minimise the difference between the required output values and the computed output values of an artificial neural network, the proposed tuning resolves the imbalance at each node in the network. The proposed tuning exhibits similar performance to the existing stochastic-gradient-descent-based tuning. In contrast, the proposed tuning does not need to explore the optimal parameters to obtain the optimal weight values. These benefits of the proposed tuning method could accelerate the advancement of artificial intelligence.
Immune and Stromal Score-Related Gene Signatures For Risk Stratification of Gynaecologic Cancers
Authors: Gao Li , Liang Zi-Qian , Wei Zhu-Xin , Chen Jun-Hong , Zeng Jing-Jing , Chen Gang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The immune and stromal landscape of gynaecologic cancers is far from elucidated, and there is a lack of systematic prognostic analysis of the immune or stromal parts of the tumour microenvironment (TME) in all types of gynaecologic cancers. We aimed to establish immune and stromal score-based risk signatures for each type of gynaecologic cancer.Methods: In the present study, using the algorithm of “Estimation of stromal and immune cells in malignant tumours using expression data”, we calculated immune and stromal scores for cervical squamous carcinoma (CESC), uteri corpus endometrial cancer (UCEC) and ovarian cancer (OVCA) from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) to establish immune and stromal score-based risk signatures. Multi-omics analysis combining single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), tumour mutation burden (TMB) and gene set variation analysis was further performed to investigate the mechanism of immune and stromal score-based risk signatures in gynaecologic cancers. Eventually, the prognostic value of some signature genes was examined in independent microarrays and aberrant expression of IHH in UCECs through immunohistochemistry. Results: According to the results, the prognosis prediction ability of the immune and stromal score-related risk signatures constructed for pan-gynaecological cancers withstood the tests of tROC curves and Kaplan-Meier survival curves, proving to be effective in risk stratification. Three signature genes, including BNC1, CCDC80, and IHH, were verified in independent datasets to have prognostic value in gynaecologic cancers. Conclusions: In summary, the immune and stromal score-related risk signature constructed in this study might be promising prognostic markers for pan-gynaecological cancers.
Interfacial Interactions and Tribological Behaviour of Metal-Oxide/2D-Material Contacts
Authors: Yadav Shwetank , Arif Taib , Wang Guorui , Sodhi Rana N.S. , Cheng Yu Hui , Filleter Tobin , Singh Chandra 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This work combines experimental atomic force microscopy (AFM) and DFT simulations to study oxidized metal (oxidized copper & titanium) and 2D material (graphene & MoS2) interfaces. Combining AFM and DFT allowed identifying the interfacial interaction and established a correlation between tribological behavior, interfacial charge distribution, and variations in the potential energy profile with sliding along the metal/2D-materials interfaces. The TiO2 (rutile) and CuO (cupric oxide) metal oxides were mostly found to chemisorb along the interface with the 2D-materials. Both the metal-oxide counter-surfaces (TiO2 and CuO) exhibited higher friction force and adhesion on graphene than on MoS2. The CuO surface was inferred to be copper rich based on comparison with DFT simulations. The interfacial electronic charge distribution and relative energy change were identified to strongly influence sliding and adhesive behavior between oxidized-metal/2D-material contacts when considering only electronic effects in the DFT simulations. More homogenous interfacial charge distribution/sharing and lower surface energy variation, as found on the MoS2 surfaces, were identified to lower friction and adhesion. Non-electronic effects not captured by simulations were found to likely dominate interfacial shear strength measurements experimentally. Therefore, MoS2 should be used in interfacial applications involving TiO2 and copper rich CuO surfaces requiring lower adhesion and friction.
Intermittent saltation drives Mars-like sand transport on Titan
Authors: Comola Francesco , Kok Jasper , Lora Juan , Cohanim Kaylie , Yu Xinting , He Chao , McGuiggan Patty , Hörst Sarah , Turney Francis 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is characterized by gigantic linear dunes and an active dust cycle. Much like on Earth, these and other aeolian processes are caused by the wind-driven mobilization of surface grains, known as saltation. To date, very little is known about the conditions that allow for the occurrence of saltation on Titan. In fact, Titan saltation may be fundamentally different from Earth saltation given the denser atmosphere, the lower gravity, and the cohesion of its surface grains. Here, we draw on experiments, theory, and modeling to progress towards a comprehensive understanding of saltation on Titan. We find that aerodynamic lifting of surface grains requires strong wind speeds due to the high cohesion of the grains. However, saltation may be sustained through granular splash at wind speeds much smaller than those required to initiate grain motion. This suggests that most saltation transport on Titan is intermittent rather than continuous. We account for these insights by proposing a saltation mass flux parameterization specific for Titan conditions that accounts for transport intermittency, and use it to quantify yearly sediment transport with a general circulation model. The results show that Titan's prevailing atmospheric circulation is capable of generating highly intermittent yet significant saltation, yielding yearly transport rates similar to those on the most active dunes of Mars. Furthermore, we find that accounting for surface topography might be critical to answering open questions related to Titan's landscape evolution, including the formation of linear dunes in opposite direction to the prevailing circulation.