bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of the Effect of Diurnal Temperature Range and Apparent Temperature on Cardiovascular Disease among Farmers in Qingyang, Northwest China
Authors: Zhai Guangyu , Qi Jintao , Zhang Xuemei , Zhou Wenjuan , Wang Jiancheng 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background
Apparent temperature (AT) and diurnal temperature range (DTR) have been extensively used to evaluate the effects of temperature on cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, few studies have analyzed and compared their effects on CVD in less-developed, rural areas of China.
Methods
A case-only analysis was conducted of 43,567 cases of CVD morbidity in Qingyang (Northwest China) in 2011–2017 and the effects of thermal indicators were assessed using distributed lag nonlinear modelling and a Poisson regression model. Data on CVD morbidity originated from the New Rural Cooperative Medical Insurance of Gansu Province and meteorological variables were provided by the Meteorological Science Data Sharing Service.
Results
Both AT and DTR had significant nonlinear and delayed impacts on hospital admissions for CVD. DTR had a stronger and more persistent effect on CVD incidence than AT. Women were more affected by high AT and low DTR than were men, while men were more vulnerable to low AT and high DTR. Temperature effects were not significantly different between people above and below 65 years of age.
Conclusions
These findings provide local public health authorities with reference data concerning sensitive temperature indices for susceptible populations with a view to improving CVD preventive strategies in rural areas.
Molecular Dynamics Study of Cl- Permeation through Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR)
Authors: Zeng Zhi Wei , Linsdell Paul , Pomès Régis 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The recent elucidation of atomistic structures of Cl - channel CFTR provides opportunities for understanding the molecular basis of cystic fibrosis. Despite having been activated through phosphorylation and provided with ATP ligands, several near-atomistic cryo-EM structures of CFTR are in a closed state, as inferred from the lack of a continuous passage through a hydrophobic bottleneck region located in the extracellular portion of the pore. Here, we present repeated, microsecond-long molecular dynamics simulations of human CFTR solvated in a lipid bilayer and aqueous NaCl. At equilibrium, Cl - ions enter the channel through a lateral intracellular portal and bind to two distinct cationic sites inside the channel pore but do not traverse the narrow, de-wetted bottleneck. Simulations conducted in the presence of a strong hyperpolarizing electric field led to spontaneous chloride translocation events through the bottleneck region of the channel, suggesting that the protein relaxed to a functionally open state. Conformational changes of small magnitude involving transmembrane helices 1 and 6 preceded ion permeation through diverging exit routes at the extracellular end of the pore. Although permeating Cl - ions remain mostly hydrated, partial dehydration occurs at the binding sites and in the bottleneck. This portion of the pore undergoes wetting prior to Cl - translocation, suggesting that it acts as a hydrophobic gate. The observed Cl - pathway is largely consistent with the loci of mutations that alter channel conductance, anion binding, and ion selectivity, supporting the model of the open state of CFTR obtained in the present study.
Silicon Fertilisation Affects Morphological and Immune Defences of an Insect Pest and Enhances Plant Compensatory Growth
Authors: Islam Tarikul , Moore Ben D. , Johnson Scott N. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Insect herbivores employ various defences, including morphological, behavioural, and immune responses against their natural enemies (e.g., predators, parasitoids) which can make biocontrol of herbivorous pests challenging. Silicon (Si) accumulation in plants is a potent physical defence against herbivores. However, it remains uncertain how Si affects pest defences to their enemies and plant defences following herbivore attack. We grew the model grass, Brachypodium distachyon, hydroponically with (+Si) or without (–Si) Si and investigated the impacts of Si on morphological (integument resistance and thickness), behavioural (flee, headrear, thrash, and regurgitation), and immune defences of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera. We further examined the effects of Si on plant compensatory growth and leaf trichome production. Larval growth, leaf consumption, and integument resistance were lower when feeding on +Si plants compared to when feeding on –Si plants. Larval integument thickness, defensive behaviours, hemocyte density and lysozyme-like activity in the hemolymph were unaffected by Si. Larvae fed on +Si plants had higher hemolymph phenoloxidase (PO) and total-PO activities than larvae fed on –Si plants, although this did not enhance larval melanisation response. Furthermore, Si supply increased plant compensatory growth and constitutive trichome production whereas herbivory induced trichome production only on –Si plants. We provide the first evidence that Si fertilisation affects insect defences in addition to reducing their growth and feeding. Lower integument resistance might enhance larval vulnerability to parasitoids and pathogens and higher PO activities could impose fitness costs (e.g., delayed development), potentially increasing overall insect susceptibility to enemies.
Nano-spectroscopy of excitons in atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Li Baichang , Chen Xinzhong , Ruta Francesco , Shao Yinming , Sternbach Aaron , McLeod Alexander , Sun Zhiyuan , Xiong Lin , Moore Samuel , Xu Xinyi , Wu Wenjing , Shabani Sara , Zhou Lin , Wang Zhiying , Mooshammer Fabian , Ray Essance , Wilson Nathan , Schuck P. , Dean Cory , Pasupathy Abhay , Lipson Michal , Xu Xiaodong , Zhu X-Y. , Millis Andrew , Hone James , Liu Mengkun , Basov Dimitri 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Excitons play a dominant role in the optoelectronic properties of atomically thin van der Waals (vdW) semiconductors. These excitons are amenable to on-demand engineering with diverse controls, including dielectric screening, interlayer hybridization, and moiré potentials. However, external stimuli frequently yield heterogeneous excitonic responses at the nano- and meso-scales, making their spatial characterization with conventional diffraction-limited optics a formidable task. Here, we use a scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscope (s-SNOM) to acquire exciton spectra in atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenide microcrystals with previously unattainable 20 nm resolution. Our nano-optical data revealed material- and stacking-dependent exciton spectra of MoSe2, WSe2, and their heterostructures. Furthermore, we extracted the complex dielectric function of these prototypical vdW semiconductors. s-SNOM hyperspectral images uncovered how the dielectric screening modifies excitons at length scales as short as few nanometers. This work paves the way towards understanding and manipulation of excitons in atomically thin layers at the nanoscale.
The Absence of Rehabilitation During the ICU Stay of Elderly Patients is Associated with a Decreased Long-Term Autonomy.
Authors: Thiolliere Fabrice , Allaouchiche Bernard , Marie Manon , group AZUREA Study , Friggeri Arnaud , VACHERON Charles-Hervé 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: The intensive care unit (ICU) stay is associated with a loss of autonomy, especially for elderly patients. We therefore conducted a study to estimate the impact of the rehabilitation performed during the ICU stay on the loss of autonomy at 6 months. Methods: We conducted an ancillary study of the multicenter FRAGIREA study, including patients between April 2018 and January 2019 aged over 70 years, admitted in ICU for an expected length of stay of more than 48 hours. We excluded the patients who died before day 180, who were lost to follow-up, and for whom the baseline autonomy (ADL) score was not available. We collected the baseline characteristics of patients, the ICU stay characteristics, and the 6-month follow-up. Were also collected the detailed rehabilitation therapy carried out during the ICU stay (passive mobilization, upright sitting, transfer to chair, standing, walking, and cycle ergometers.). Patients were classified into the rehabilitation (out of bed) or non-rehabilitation group, and the impact of rehabilitation on the decreased 6-month autonomy (loss of ADL score >1 point) was estimated after the selection of 17 potential confounders. Results: Among the 548 patients of the FRAGIREA cohort, 276 were included in the present study. Among them, 226 were rehabilitated and 50 were not. 220/276 (80%) patients benefited from the transfer to chair as rehabilitation therapy, passive mobilization and transfer to upright sitting were also frequently performed. A decrease in the 6-month autonomy was observed for 63 (23%) patients. After the elimination of potential confounders, non-rehabilitated patients had a greater risk of 6-month decreased autonomy (adjusted Odds Ratio 2.43, 95% confidence interval [1.18; 4.98]). Conclusions: Rehabilitation during the ICU stay of elderly ICU patient survivors was associated with a lower decreased autonomy at 6 months. Tweet: The absence of rehabilitation during the ICU stay of elderly patients is associated with 2.4 higher risk of a decreased 6 month autonomy
Overexpression of Sesame Polyketide Synthase A Leads to Abnormal Pollen Development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Tianyu , Zhou Ting , Yang Yuanxiao , Liu Hongyan , Zhou Fang , Dossou Senouwa Segla Koffi , Zhao Yingzhong 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Sesame is a great reservoir of bioactive constituents and unique antioxidant components and is widely used for its nutritional and medicinal value. The expanding demands for sesame seeds are putting pressure on sesame breeders to develop reliable high-yielding varieties. Heterosis utilization is an efficient way to increase sesame yield. Polyketide synthases (PKSs) are critical enzymes in the biosynthesis of sporopollenin, a primary component of pollen exine. Their in planta functions are being investigated for application in crop breeding.Results: In this study, we cloned the sesame POLYKETIDE SYNTHASE A (SiPKSA) and examined its function in male sterility. SiPKSA was specifically expressed in sesame flower buds, and its expression was significantly higher in sterile sesame anthers than in fertile anthers at the tetrad and microspore development stage. Further overexpression of SiPKSA in Arabidopsis caused transgenic plants male sterile. Ultrastructural observation showed that the pollen grains of SiPKSA-overexpressing plants contained few cytoplasmic inclusions and exhibited an abnormal pollen wall structure, with a thicker exine layer compared with wild type. In agreement with it, the expression of a set of sporopollenin biosynthesis-related genes and the contents of fatty acids and phenolics were significantly altered in anthers of SiPKSA-overexpressing plants compared with wild type during anther development. Conclusion: These findings highlighted that overexpression of SiPKSA in Arabidopsis might cause excessive sporopollenin biosynthesis to influence pollen and pollen wall development, leading to male sterile, suggesting that its manipulation might improve hybrid breeding in sesame and other crop species.
A Comparison of Survival Models for Prediction of Eight-year Revision Risk Following Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Cuthbert Alana R , Giles Lynne C , Glonek Gary , Ellett Lisa M Kalisch , Pratt Nicole L 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThere is increasing interest in the development and use of clinical prediction models, but a lack of evidence-supported guidance on the merits of different modelling approaches. This is especially true for time-to-event outcomes, where limited studies have compared the vast number of modelling approaches available. This study compares prediction accuracy and variable importance measures for four modelling approaches in prediction of time-to-revision surgery following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods The study included 321 945 TKA and 151 113 THA procedures performed between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2017. Accuracy of the Cox model, Weibull parametric model, flexible parametric model, and random survival forest were compared, with patient age, sex, comorbidities, and prosthesis characteristics considered as predictors. Prediction accuracy was assessed using the Index of Prediction Accuracy (IPA), c-index, and smoothed calibration curves. Variable importance rankings from the Cox model and random survival forest were also compared. ResultsOverall, the Cox and flexible parametric survival models performed best for prediction of both TKA (integrated IPA 0.056 (95% CI [0.054, 0.057]) compared to 0.054 (95% CI [0.053, 0.056]) for the Weibull parametric model), and THA revision. (0.029 95% CI [0.027, 0.030] compared to 0.027 (95% CI [0.025, 0.028]) for the random survival forest). The c-index showed broadly similar discrimination between all modelling approaches. Models were generally well calibrated, but random survival forest underfitted the predicted risk of TKA revision compared to regression approaches. The most important predictors of revision were similar in the Cox model and random survival forest for TKA (age, opioid use, and patella resurfacing) and THA (femoral cement, depression, and opioid use). ConclusionThe Cox and flexible parametric models had superior overall performance, although all approaches performed similarly. Notably, this study showed no benefit of a tuned random survival forest over regression models in this setting.
Simultaneously Remove and Visually Detect Ce4+ Based On Nanocomposite of UiO-66-NH2/CPA-MA
Authors: Tang Xiaoqiu , Chen Pinghua , Wang Tao , Ceng Jiezeng , Jiang Hualin 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Effective strategies to deal with rare earth pollution are urgently needed due to the overexploitation of rare earths resource. In this study, a novel nanocomposite of UiO-66-NH2/CPA-MA denoted as UA was successfully synthesized, which can simultaneously remove and detect Ce4+ in water. The hybrid consists of UiO-66-NH2 and CPA-MA. Based on the high adsorption performance of UiO-66-NH2, it can remove Ce4+ with high capacity by adsorption. Moreover, it can change its color from olive drab to light cyan depending on the adsorbed Ce4+ concentration, and the chroma is linearly related to the Ce4+ concentration. So UA can be used to qualitatively and quantitatively detect Ce4+ by its color changing. The kinetics of adsorption course were investigated in details. The anti-inference ability of the nanocomposite in co-existing systems were carefully evaluated. The results indicate that UiO-66-NH2/CPA-MA is highly potential to deal with Ce4+ pollutions due to its bi-functionality.
Newly Hatched Stage I American Lobster (Homarus americanus) Survival Following Exposure to Physically and Chemically Dispersed Crude Oil
Authors: de Jourdan Benjamin , Boloori Tahereh , Burridge Les 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Standard model species are commonly used in toxicity tests due to their biological and technical advantages but studying native species increases the specificity and relevance of results generated for the potential risk assessment to an ecosystem. Accounting for intraspecies variability and other factors, such as chemical and physical characterization of test medium, is necessary to develop a reproducible bioassay for toxicity testing with native species. In this study, larval stage I American lobster (Homarus americanus) was selected as the test species, which is native to Atlantic Canada. Toxicity tests were first conducted exposing lobster larvae to a reference toxicant of copper sulfate (CuSO4) and then to physically and chemically dispersed oil. The effect on larval survival was estimated by calculating the median effect concentration (EC50) as 2.54-9.73 mg TPH/L when all trials are considered together. The HC5 or PNEC value was 2.52 mg TPH/L and therefore a narrow difference from the EC50 value. The inter-trial variability (coefficient of variability = 17%) was lower than the US Environmental Protection Agency standard test species of mysid shrimp (Americamysis bahia) and inland silversides (Menidia bervillina). Our results indicate that the described larval lobster bioassay is reliable to produce repeatable results for this commercially important and native species of Atlantic Canada.
Alcohol Consumption, Poor Lifestyle Choices and Air Pollution Worsen Cognitive Function in Seniors: a Cohort Study in China
Authors: Han Lizhen , Jia Jinzhu 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Based on the complexity of cognitive-related influences and the specificity of Chinese liquor culture, this study aimed to explore the associations and potential interactions between demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption, life and atmospheric environment and cognitive function in seniors through a comprehensive analysis, in order to provide evidence support and feasible recommendations.Methods: The study sample was selected from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, which included 40,583 seniors aged 65-115 years. Data analysis and processing were performed by R 4.0.4. The relationship between the factors and cognition was modeled and analyzed by generalized additive model, and the interaction was explored by combining the ANOVA.Results: The generalized additive model confirmed that alcohol consumption was detrimental to the cognitive status of older adults, especially for liquor (≥ 38º) and beer. The higher the average daily alcohol consumption, the greater the impairment. SO2 and PM2.5 showed the same negative effects. In contrast, life environment factors such as good education, balanced diet and positive activity participation had a positive effect on cognition in seniors. In addition, interactions between alcohol consumption and average daily alcohol consumption, frequency of vegetable and meat intake, and between open-air activities and air pollution were also confirmed.Conclusions: Poor lifestyle choices such as alcohol consumption, unbalanced diet, lower activity participation, and air pollution deteriorate cognitive function in seniors. It is recommended that the elderly population should avoid alcohol consumption, maintain a balanced diet and be physically active. Attention should also be paid to the effects of air quality.
Identification and Expression Analysis of Histone Modification Gene (HM) Family During Somatic Embryogenesis of Oil Palm
Authors: Zhou Lixia , Yarra Rajesh , Jin Longfei , Yang Yaodong , Cao Hongxing , Zhao Zhihao 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
BackgroundOil palm (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq.) is an important vegetable oil yielding plant. Somatic embryogenesis is the promising method to produce large scale elite clones to meet the demand of palm oil. The epigenetic mechanisms such as histone modifications have emerged as critical factors during somatic embryogenesis. These histone modifications are associated with the regulation of various genes controlling the somatic embryogenesis. To date, none of the information is available on the histone modification gene (HM) family in oil palmResultsWe reported the identification of 109 HM gene family members including 48 HMTs, 27 HDMs, 13 HATs, and 21 HDACs in the oil palm genome. Gene structural and motif analysis of EgHMs showed varied exon-intron organization and with conserved motifs among them. The identified 109 EgHMs were distributed unevenly across 16 chromosomes and displayed tandem duplication in oil palm genome. Furthermore, relative expression analysis showed the differential expressional pattern of 99 candidate EgHM genes at different stages (non-embryogenic, embryogenic, somatic embryo) of somatic embryogenesis process in oil palm, suggesting the EgHMs play vital roles in somatic embryogenesis. Our study laid a foundation to understand the regulatory roles of several EgHM genes during somatic embryogenesis. ConclusionsA total of 109 histone modification gene family members were identified in the oil palm genome via genome wide analysis. The present study provide an insightful information regarding HM gene’s structure, their distribution, duplication in oil palm genome and also their evolutionary relationship with other HM gene family members in Arabidopsis and rice. Finally, our study provided an essential role of oil palm HM genes during somatic embryogenesis process.
Clinical Significance of Expression of Immunoadjuvant Molecules (LAG-3, TIM-3, OX-40) in Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Authors: Asano Yuka , Kashiwagi Shinichiro , Ishihara Sae , Takada Koji , Goto Wataru , Morisaki Tamami , Shibutani Masatsune , Tanaka Hiroaki , Hirakawa Kosei , Ohira Masaichi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Various immunosuppressive factors that inhibit the immune response to cancer are present in cancer cells and the cancer microenvironment. Co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory receptors are dynamically expressed on T-cells as immunoadjuvant molecules that regulate the state of T-cell activity. In this report we focus on immunoadjuvant molecules such as LAG-3, TIM-3, and OX-40, for which there have been few published reports. We investigated the expression of LAG-3, TIM-3, and OX-40 in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and clinically verified the significance of that expression in relation to neoadjuvant thermotherapy (NAC).
Methods
A total of 177 patients with resectable early-stage breast cancer were treated with NAC. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), Ki67, LAG-3, TIM-3 and OX-40 status were assessed by immunohistochemistry.
Results
There were 47 (26.6%) patients with high LAG-3 expression, 31 (17.5%) patients had high TIM-3 expression, and 32 (18.1%) patients had high OX-40 expression. The group with low-LAG-3 expression was significantly smaller than the group with high expression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (p = 0.038) and HER2-enriched breast cancer (HER2BC) (p = 0.021), and the total number of pathological complete response (pCR) patients was greater (p < 0.001). In TNBC and HER2BC, the pCR rate was significantly higher in the low-LAG-3 expression group than in the high-LAG-3 expression group (p < 0.001) (p = 0.020). Moreover, on multivariate analysis also showed that low-LAG-3 expression status was an independent factor to predict the favorable prognosis (p = 0.014, HR = 8.124) (p = 0.048, HR = 10.400).
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that LAG-3 may become a biomarker in highly malignant breast cancers such as TNBC and HER2BC that can predict the therapeutic efficacy of NAC.