bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thyroid and Sex Hormones Ratios in Predicting Breast Cancer Risk
Authors: Akalanka Kasuni , Ekanayake Sagarika , Samarasinghe Kamani 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose: The study intended to analyze the incidence of thyroid related diseases and to assess thyroid to sex hormones ratios of breast cancer (BC) patients Methods: TSH, T3, T4, Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels of newly diagnosed BC patients (n=155) aged 30 to 75 years and age-matched normal controls (n=75) were analyzed. Data on history of thyroid related diseases were collected from an interviewer administered questionnaire. Thyroid/sex hormone ratios were analyzed and compared against healthy women. Results: History of thyroid related diseases was significantly higher (p<0.05) in BC patients compared to controls. Patients (10%) with history of thyroid related diseases were excluded from the study. Subclinical hyperthyroidism was identified among 14% of the remaining BC patients and was the only dysfunction (7%) among healthy women. Significantly higher (p<0.05) mean T3 and T4 values, lower TSH levels and non-significant levels of estrogen and progesterone were observed in patients with BC when compared to healthy. Serum Testosterone of BC patients were significantly low (p<0.05). Considering the thyroid to sex hormones ratios among postmenopausal women, T3/testosterone, T4/testosterone, T3/estrogen, T4/ estrogen, ratios were significantly different in the two groups and the highest significance was found with T3/testosterone. Cutoff values studied from receiver operative characteristic curves indicated that a woman having T3/testosterone above 7.47 showed 12.5 times odds (p=0.000) of being diagnosed with BC. Conclusion: Incidence of thyroid related diseases are higher among BC patients and elevation of T3/testosterone ratio indicated a significant risk of BC. However, a study involving a larger number of participants could confirm the above.
Modeling and Optimization of Weld Bead Profile with Varied Welding Stages for Weathering Steel A606
Authors: Zhao Dawei , Bezgans Yuriy , Vdonin Nikita , Radionova Liudmila , Bykov Vitaly 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The profile of the welding bead changes with the welding process parameters during the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process, the reinforcement disappears and the penetration becomes sunken when the excessive welding heat input is applied. However, little research work is specially planned to cope with the studying of welding bead at these stages. A systematic studying of the relationships among the welding process variables and welding bead geometric features and optimization of the welding quality is presented. The influences of the welding technological parameters (voltage, welding speed, and wire feed speed) on the welding geometry were revealed and the models correlating them were established. The features of the weld bead geometry were composed of top reinforcement width, top reinforcement height, penetration depth, bottom reinforcement width, and bottom reinforcement height. By the desirability function approach, the recommendation of suitable welding parameters to meet the contradicting demands of multiple bead geometric features is fulfilled. The microstructure in different welding regions and mechanical performances of the welding joints produced by the verification test were also studied.
Strategies To Implement SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care Testing Into Primary Care Settings: A Qualitative Secondary Analysis Guided By The Behaviour Change Wheel
Authors: Kierkegaard Patrick , Hicks Timothy , Allen A. Joy , Yang Yaling , Hayward Gail , Glogowska Margaret , Nicholson Brian D. , Buckle Peter 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: There is little empirical evidence to inform implementation strategies for introducing SARS-CoV-2 point of care (POC) testing into primary care settings. The purpose of this study is to develop a theory-driven understanding of the behavioural determinants underpinning the implementation of SARS-CoV-2 POC testing in primary care. This will allow identification of potential intervention strategies that could encourage successful implementation of testing into routine practice and facilitate face-to-face consultations.Methods: We used a secondary qualitative analysis approach to re-analyse data from a qualitative study that involved interviewing 22 primary care physicians from 21 primary care practices across three regions in England. We followed the three-step method based on the Behaviour Change Wheel to identify barriers/enablers to the implementation of SARS-CoV-2 POC testing and identified behaviour change techniques to inform intervention strategies that targeted the barriers/enablers.Results: We identified 10 barriers and enablers to POC implementation under eight Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF): (1) knowledge; (2) behavioural regulation; (3) reinforcement; (4) skills; (5) environmental context and resources; (6) social influence; (7) professional role and identity; and (8) belief about consequences. Linkages with the Behaviour Change Techniques (BCT) taxonomy enabled the identification of intervention strategies to address the social and contextual factors influencing primary care physician’s willingness and capacity to adopt POC testing.Conclusions: A theory-informed approach identified barriers to the adoption of POC tests in primary care as well as guiding implementation strategies to address these challenges.
GABRQ is Overexpressed and Correlated with Tumor Progression in Breast Cancer
Authors: Mei Ran , Cui Xichun , Zheng Lili , Jingyi Li 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Breast cancer (BRCA) is the most common type of women's cancer with a high incidence. The function of gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor θ subunit (GABRQ) has been studied in other cancers. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of GABRQ were closely associated with tumor prognosis. However, the functions and mechanisms of GABRQ in BRCA remain unclear.Materials and methods: We used the public genome datasets and a tissue microarray (TMA) cohort to analyze the GABRQ expression levels. We performed Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot to determine GABRQ expression in BRCA cell lines and tissues. Cell proliferation was assessed by EDU assay and colony formation assay. Transwell assay was carried out to investigate the cell invasion ability in vitro and Xenograft nude mouse model was constructed to test the function of GABRQ on tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, we utilized bioinformatic analysis to identify the potential molecular mechanisms mediated by GABRQ modification in BRCA.Results: GABRQ was markedly up-regulated in BRCA tissues, and the expression levels of GABRQ were closely associated with BRCA prognosis. Functional analysis elucidated that knockdown of GABRQ could suppress BRCA cell growth and invasion in vitro, and inhibit tumor development in vivo. Moreover, we found that GABRQ overexpression activated the EMT signaling pathway.Conclusions: These results demonstrated that the function of GABRQ in BRCA progression provided potential prognostic predictors for BRCA patients.
CeO2/CdS Heterojunctions Decorated Cotton Fabrics as Facile Recyclable Photocatalysts for Highly Efficient Visible Light Driven Degradation of Methylene Blue
Authors: Zou Rui , Li Linhua , Yang Lin , lan jianwu , Liu Hongyu , Dou Baojie , Shang Jiaojiao , Lin Shaojian 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this work, visible light response CeO2/CdS decorated cotton fabrics as durable and facile recyclable composite photocatalysts were fabricated for photo-degradation of methylene blue (MB). First of all, amino-functionalized CeO2/CdS nanoparticles were synthesized through a fast, efficient and low-cost coprecipitation method. Subsequently, the as-prepared CeO2/CdS nanoparticles were immobilized on aldehyde-functionalized cotton fabric surfaces as composite photocatalysts via "amine-aldehyde" chemical reaction. The surface microstructure and chemical composition of the CeO2/CdS decorated cotton fabric (CeO2/CdS-CF) were characterized by SEM, FTIR and XPS, respectively. The results showed that CeO2/CdS nanoparticles were successfully anchored on the surface of cotton fabric, and distributed uniformly. As expected, the as-prepared CeO2/CdS-CF exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity, which can degrade MB within 90 min with a degradation efficiency of 93.8% under simulated sunlight irradiation, due to the CeO2/CdS heterostructure with the efficient photo-generated charge transfer and separation. In addition, the degradation efficiency remained above 90.3% after five successive degradation cycles, indicating that the obtained CeO2/CdS-CF possessed excellent stability and recyclability. This work opened up a facile preparation way for the fabrication of durable and recyclable composite photocatalysts, and has a promising application in treating dye contaminated wastewater.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Effect of Cadmium Sorption by River Sediments on Longitudinal Dispersion
Authors: Nasrabadi Mohsen , Mazdeh Ali Mahdavi , Omid Mohammad Hossein 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This paper concerns the cadmium sorptive effects by river bed sediments on longitudinal coefficient in an open-channel flow via experimental and numerical study. For this purpose, a circular flume was used with mean diameter of 1.6 m and a width of 0.2 m. The adsorbing bed was considered as a thin layer of the sediment particles with mean diameter of 0.5 mm and three sediment concentrations of 3, 12, and 20 gr/lit. To determine the sorption parameters of the sediments, some experiments were conducted with three cadmium concentrations of 150, 460, and 770 ppb. Then, the dispersion experiments were carried out with and without the bed sediments. To solve the advection-dispersion equation with considering the sorption term by river bed sediments, a numerical model was then developed. The longitudinal dispersion coefficients were estimated by comparing the experimental and numerical breakthrough curves. The results showed that, with increasing the sediment concentrations, the sediment sorption rate increased and the longitudinal dispersion coefficient decreased by about 38, 36 and 33 percent, respectively, for cadmium concentrations of 150, 460 and 770 ppb. In addition, by increasing the cadmium concentrations, the changes in the longitudinal dispersion coefficient are decreased. Furthermore, a relationship was developed using non-dimensional longitudinal dispersion as a function of the new parameter of sorption ratio. From a practical point of view, the results of this study demonstrated that, at the presence of sediment, the cadmium is longitudinally dispersed with more delay in comparison with no sediment at the river bed.
Epigenetic Quantification of Circulating Immune Cells in Peripheral Blood of Triple-negative Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Manoochehri Mehdi , Hielscher Thomas , Borhani Nasim , Gerhäuser Clarissa , Fletcher Olivia , Swerdlow Anthony J , Ko Yon-Dschun , Brauch Hiltrud , Brüning Thomas , Hamann Ute 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: A shift in the proportions of blood immune cells is a hallmark of cancer development. Here, we investigated whether methylation-derived immune cell type ratios and methylation-derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (mdNLRs) are associated with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Methods: Leukocyte subtype-specific un/methylated CpG sites were selected and methylation levels at these sites used as proxies for immune cell type proportions and mdNLR estimation in 231 TNBC cases and 231 age-matched controls. Data were validated using the Houseman deconvolution method. Additionally, the natural killer (NK) cell ratio was measured in a prospective sample set of 146 TNBC cases and 146 age-matched controls. Results: The mdNLRs were higher in TNBC cases compared with controls and associated with TNBC (odds ratio (OR) range (2.66-4.29), all Padj.<1e-04). A higher neutrophil ratio and lower ratios of NK cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, monocytes, and B cells were associated with TNBC. The strongest association was observed with decreased NK cell ratio (OR range (1.28-1.42), all Padj.<1e-04). The NK cell ratio was also significantly lower in pre-diagnostic samples of TNBC cases compared with controls (P=0.019).Conclusion: This immunomethylomic study shows that a shift in the ratios/proportions of leukocyte subtypes is associated with TNBC, with decreased NK cell showing the strongest association. These findings improve our knowledge of the role of the immune system in TNBC and point to the possibility of using NK cell level as a non-invasive molecular marker for TNBC risk assessment, early detection, and prevention.
Association of EAAT1 and EAAT2 Genes Polymorphism With Schizophrenia in Chinese Han Population
Authors: Wang Lina , Ma Tantan , Qiao Dongdong , Cui Kaiyan , Bi Xiaojiao , Han Chao , Yang Limin , Sun Mengmeng , Liu Lanfen 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Previous studies have linked schizophrenia to EAAT1 and EAAT2 genes. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between polymorphism of these two genes and schizophrenia in Chinese Han population. Methods: A total of 233 schizophrenic patients and 342 healthy controls were enrolled. Six SNPs including rs2269272、rs2731880、rs12360706、rs3088168、rs12294045、rs10836387 were genotyped by SNaPshot. Clinical features were collected using a general demographic questionnaire. Symptoms were measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and cognitive function was assessed by Matrics Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). Results: The allele frequency of EAAT1 rs2731880 was significantly different between patients and controls (c2=4.205, R=0.040). The allele and genotype frequency of EAAT2 rs12294045 were significantly different between case and control group (allele:c2 = 8.144，R = 0.004; genotype: c2 = 8.054, R = 0.02). Patients with family history of psychosis were more likely to have the CT genotype of rs12294045 than patients without family history of psychosis，while patients with CT genotype of rs12294045 had significantly lower scores of verbal learning and working memory.Conclusions: The polymorphism of EAAT1 and EAAT2 genes in Chinese Han population may be associated with schizophrenia. The CT genotype of EAAT2 rs12294045 may be one of the risk factors for verbal learning memory and working operational memory dysfunction in patients.
Diversity of Culturable Gut Bacteria of Diamondback Moth, Plutella Xylostella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) Collected From Different Geographical Regions of India
Authors: Kaur Mandeep , Thakur Meena , Sagar Vinay , Sharma Ranjna 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella is one of the important pests of cole crops, the larvae of which cause damage to leaves from seedling stage to the harvest thus reducing the quality and quantity of the yield. The insect gut posses a large variety of microbial communities among which, the association of bacteria is the most spread and common. Due to variations in various agro-climatic factors, the insect often assumes the status of major pest. These geographical variations in insects influence various biological parameters including insecticide resistance due to diversity of microbes/bacteria. The diverse role of gut bacteria in insect fitness traits has now gained perspectives for biotechnological exploration. The present study was aimed to determine the diversity of larval gut bacteria of diamondback moth collected from five different geographical regions of India. The gut bacteria of this pest were found to be influenced by different geographical regions. A total of 14 larval gut bacterial isolates were obtained. Majority of these bacteria belong to Enterobacteriaceae followed by Yersiniaceae, Morganellaceae and Enterococcaceae. Phylogeny analysis of all the bacterial isolates collected from five different geographical regions of India revealed that all the isolated strains are resolved in well-defined clades with their closest type species.
Dexmedetomidine Attenuates Hippocampal Damage and Improves Cognition by Up-Regulating Glyoxalase1 in APP/PS1 Mice
Authors: Guo Chunyan , Zhang Lei , Gao Yaoxing , Sun Junzhi , Fan Lingling , Bai Yuguang , Zhang Jing , Naren Gaowa , Yang Jiwen , Li Libiao 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Dexmedetomidine (DEX), an α2-adrenoceptor agonist, has been reported to possess neuroprotective effects against postoperative cognitive impairment. GLO-1 plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, the primary goal was to assess whether DEX affect GLO-1 and protect cognition impairment in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.Methods: After DEX was intraperitoneally injected in APP/PS1 mice, behavior was tested by Water Maze to illustrate whether DEX treatment has a significantly positive effect on ameliorating the cognition deficits in AD. We assessed the effect of DEX on the expression of GLO-1 and the production of other oxidative stress factors by ELISA and Western blot. To determine whether DEX play roles in the Aβ induced neuron apoptosis, flow cytometry was used.Results: DEX treatment significantly ameliorated cognition deficits in APP/PS1 mice. DEX increased GLO-1 expression and decreased MG activity in the hippocampus. In addition, DEX increased activity of SOD, GSH and reduced the activity of MDA. In vitro, DEX could protect the neuron apoptosis induced by Aβ. GLO-1 inhibitor could block the protective role of DEX.Conclusion: Taken together, our findings suggest that DEX prevents progression of AD-like pathology through upregulating GLO-1.
Childhood Disability in Rural Niger: A Population-based Assessment Using the Key Informant Method
Authors: Banks Lena Morgon , Liu Jing , Kielland Anne , Tahirou Ali Bako , Harouna Abdoul Karim Seydou , Mactaggart Islay , Dybdahl Ragnhild , Mounkaila Dan Firoun , Grønningsaeter Arne 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Data on childhood disability is essential for planning health, education and other services. However, information is lacking in many low- and middle-income countries, including Niger. This study uses the Key Informant Method, an innovative and cost-effective strategy for generation population-based estimates of childhood disability, to estimate the prevalence and causes of moderate/severe impairments and disabling health conditions in children of school-going age (7-16 years) in the Kollo department of western Niger. Methods: Community-based key informants were trained to identify children who were suspected of having the impairment types/health conditions included in this study. Children identified by key informants were visited by paediatricians and underwent an assessment for moderate/severe vision, hearing, physical and intellectual impairments, as well as epilepsy, albinism and emotional distress. Results: 2,561 children were identified by key informants, of whom 2191 were visited by paediatricians (response rate = 85.6%). Overall, 597 children were determined to have an impairment/health condition, giving a prevalence of disability of 11.4 per 1000 children (10.6- 12.2). Intellectual impairment was most common (4.9 per 1000), followed by physical (4.9 per 1000) and hearing impairments (4.7 per 1000). Many children had never sought medical attention for their impairment/health condition, with health seeking ranging from 40.0% of children with visual impairment to 67.2% for children with physical impairments. Conclusion: The Key Informant Method enabled the identification of a large number of children with disabling impairments and health conditions in rural Niger, many of whom have unmet needs for health and other services.
Gibberellic Acid Biosynthesis During Dehydration Phase of Priming Increases Seed Vigour of Tomato
Authors: S Seethalakshmi , R Umarani , Maduraimuthu Djanaguiraman 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Priming of seed is intended to reduce the time to germination through activation of pre-germinative processes. Seed priming is controlled hydration and followed by a drying (dehydration) process. The physiological processes during hydration (imbibition) were studied in detail in tomato. In contrast, gibberellic acid (GA) changes during the dehydration phase were not studied in detail. We hypothesize that there would be a change in the GA concentration during the dehydration phase of the seed priming process, which may influence the vigour characteristics of the resultant seedling. The objective was to understand the influence dehydration phase of seed priming on GA biosynthesis and its subsequent effect on seed germination and seedling traits of tomato. First, the hydroprimed and unprimed seeds were re-imbibed for 3, 6, 9, and 12 h to initiate the germination process, and the GA concentration and seedling vigour associated parameters were recorded. In the second experiment, the imbibed seeds were dehydrated for 3, 6, 9, and 12 h, then re-imbibed for 3, 6, 9, and 12 h to understand the effect of dehydration on the GA concentration and its associated traits. Results revealed that hydroprimed seeds had a higher GA concentration and seedling vigour than unprimed seeds. The seeds that are completely dehydrated for 12 h had the highest GA and seed vigour parameters. Therefore, increased vigour of hydroprimed seeds is due to the higher levels of GA accumulated during the dehydration phase of seed priming, which can improve seed germination and seedling vigour of tomato.
Stepwise membrane binding of the C2 domains of the extended synaptotagmins revealed by optical tweezers
Authors: Ge Jinghua , Bian Xin , Ma Lu , Cai Yiying , Li Yanghui , Yang Jie , Karatekin Erdem , De Camilli Pietro , Zhang Yongli 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Extended synaptotagmins (E-Syts) mediate lipid exchange between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the plasma membrane (PM). Anchored on ER, E-Syts bind the PM via an array of C2 domains in a Ca2+- and lipid-dependent manner, drawing the two membranes close to facilitate lipid exchange. How these C2 domains bind the PM and regulate the ER-PM distance have not been well understood. Here, we applied optical tweezers to dissect PM membrane binding by E-Syt1 and E-Syt2. We detected Ca2+- and lipid-dependent membrane binding kinetics of both E-Syts and determined the binding energies and rates of individual C2 domains or pairs. We incorporated these parameters in a theoretical model to recapitulate various properties of E-Syt-mediated membrane contacts observed in vivo, including their equilibrium distances and probabilities. Our methods can be applied to study other proteins containing multiple membrane-binding domains linked by disordered polypeptides.
Fine Structure Constant derived from Principle Theory.
Authors: Geilhaupt Manfred 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Derivation of mass (m), charge (e) and fine structure constant (FSC) from theory are unsolved problems in physics up to now. Neither the Standard Model (SM) nor the General theory of Relativity (GR) has provided a complete explanation for the existence of the rest mass, i.e. restmass of the electron. The question “of what is rest mass” is therefore still essentially unanswered. We will show that the combination of two Principle Theories, General Relativity and Thermodynamics (TD), is able to derive the restmass of an electron (m), which surprisingly depends on the (Sommerfeld) FSC (same for the charge (e)).