bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Research on Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Electromagnetic Shielding Properties of Mg-6Zn-3Sn-0.5Cu Alloy
Authors: Liu Yan Hui , Ma Ming Long , Li Xing Gang , Li Yong Jun , Shi Guo Liang , Yuan Jia Wei , Zhang Kui 
Published: November 2021

In this paper, the microstructure, electromagnetic shielding properties and mechanical properties of Mg-6Zn-3Sn-0.5Cu alloys are studied. As indicated from the results, the phases in the as-cast alloy comprise α-Mg, MgZnCu, Mg2Sn and Mg2Zn3 phases. After homogenization, Mg2Sn and Mg2Zn3 phases are decomposed, but the MgZnCu phase remains. During extrusion, complete dynamic recrystallization (DRX) occurs, and the spherical Mg2Sn phase precipitates dynamically. Due to considerable rod-like β′1 phases precipitate by complying with the [0001] Mg direction, the mechanical properties of aged alloys are remarkably enhanced. The peak-aged alloy achieves the tensile strength of 366 MPa, the yield strength of 358 MPa and the elongation of 7%. With the increase in the size of the β′1 phase, the mechanical properties of the over-aged alloy are reduced. Since the phases precipitate, the electrical conductivity of the alloy is enhanced, and the internal reflective interface increases, so the aged alloys exhibit improved electromagnetic shielding performance. The electromagnetic shielding efficiency of the peak-aged alloy exceeds 105 dB in the range of 30–1500 MHz, showing the best match between mechanical and electromagnetic shielding properties.
Development and Validation of a Simple-to-Use Nomogram for Predicting In-Hospital Mortality in Patients With Acute Heart Failure Undergoing Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Authors: Gao Luyao , Bian Yuan , Cao Shengchuan , Sang Wentao , Zhang Qun , Yuan Qiuhuan , Xu Feng , Chen Yuguo 
Published: November 2021

Background: Patients with acute heart failure (AHF) who require continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) have a high risk of in-hospital mortality. It is clinically important to screen high-risk patients using a model or scoring system. This study aimed to develop and validate a simple-to-use nomogram consisting of independent prognostic variables for the prediction of in-hospital mortality in patients with AHF undergoing CRRT.Methods: We collected clinical data for 121 patients with a diagnosis of AHF who underwent CRRT in an AHF unit between September 2011 and August 2020 and from 105 patients in the medical information mart for intensive care III (MIMIC-III) database. The nomogram model was created using a visual processing logistic regression model and verified using the standard method.Results: Patient age, days after admission, lactic acid level, blood glucose concentration, and diastolic blood pressure were the significant prognostic factors in the logistic regression analyses and were included in our model (named D-GLAD) as predictors. The resulting model containing the above-mentioned five factors had good discrimination ability in both the training group (C-index, 0.829) and the validation group (C-index, 0.740). The calibration and clinical effectiveness showed the nomogram to be accurate for the prediction of in-hospital mortality in both the training and validation cohort when compared with other models. The in-hospital mortality rates in the low-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk groups were 14.46, 40.74, and 71.91%, respectively.Conclusion: The nomogram allowed the optimal prediction of in-hospital mortality in adults with AHF undergoing CRRT. Using this simple-to-use model, the in-hospital mortality risk can be determined for an individual patient and could be useful for the early identification of high-risk patients. An online version of the D-GLAD model can be accessed at https://ahfcrrt-d-glad.shinyapps.io/DynNomapp/.Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT0751838.
Cardioprotective Properties of Ginkgo Biloba Extract 80 via the Activation of AKT/GSK3β/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zheng XiangWei , Gao Qi , Liang Shuang , Zhu GuoQin , Wang DanDan , Feng Yi 
Published: November 2021

Elderly people are more likely to experience myocardial infarction (MI) than young people, with worse post-MI mortality and prognosis. Ginkgo biloba extract 50 (GBE50) is an oral GBE product that matches the German product, EGb761, which has been used to treat acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The extraction purity of GBE50 was improved to form a new formulation, Ginkgo biloba extract 80 (GBE80). This study investigates the effect of GBE80 on aged acute myocardial infarction rats. GBE80 injection is a novel formulation that was prepared by mixing Ginkgo flavonoids and lactones in a 4:1 weight ratio, with a Ginkgo content of more than 80%. Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to determine the biological safety and protective effect of GBE80 on cardiomyocytes against oxidative damage. An aged AMI rat model was developed and used to determine the myocardial infarction weight ratio using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) was applied to detect cell apoptosis in myocardial tissue. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the protein levels of members of the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway in vitro and in vivo, respectively. We found that GBE80 in vitro suppressed H2O2-induced cytotoxicity by promoting AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling, while it did not show cytotoxicity to normal cardiomyocytes in the 0–500 μg/ml dose range. After 7 days of administration to aged AMI rats, GBE80 markedly reduced the weight ratio of the infarction and inhibited cell apoptosis in myocardial tissue. Furthermore, the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway was activated by GBE80. These results suggest that GBE80 injection effectively inhibited AMI-induced myocardial damage and in vitro H2O2-induced cardiomyocyte cytotoxicity by activating the AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Sex Differences in Risk Profile, Stroke Cause and Outcome in Ischemic Stroke Patients With and Without Migraine
Authors: Linstra Katie M. , van Os Hendrikus J. A. , Ruigrok Ynte M. , Nederkoorn Paul J. , van Dijk Ewoud J. , Kappelle L. Jaap , Koudstaal Peter J. , Visser Marieke C. , Ferrari Michel D. , MaassenVanDenBrink Antoinette , Terwindt Gisela M. , Wermer Marieke J. H. 
Published: November 2021

Background: An increased risk of stroke in patients with migraine has been primarily found for women. The sex-dependent mechanisms underlying the migraine–stroke association, however, remain unknown. This study aims to explore these sex differences to improve our understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms behind the migraine–stroke association.Methods: We included 2,492 patients with ischemic stroke from the prospective multicenter Dutch Parelsnoer Institute Initiative study, 425 (17%) of whom had a history of migraine. Cardiovascular risk profile, stroke cause (TOAST classification), and outcome [modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 3 months] were compared with both sexes between patients with and without migraine.Results: A history of migraine was not associated with sex differences in the prevalence of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Women with migraine had an increased risk of stroke at young age (onset &lt; 50 years) compared with women without migraine (RR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3–2.3). Men with migraine tended to have more often stroke in the TOAST category other determined etiology (RR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.0–2.7) in comparison with men without migraine, whereas this increase was not found in women with migraine. Stroke outcome was similar for women with or without migraine (mRS ≥ 3 RR 1.1; 95% CI 0.7–1.5), whereas men seemed to have a higher risk of poor outcome compared with their counterparts without migraine (mRS ≥ 3 RR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0–2.1).Conclusion: Our results indicate possible sex differences in the pathophysiology underlying the migraine–stroke association, which are unrelated to conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Further research in larger cohorts is needed to validate these findings.
Intracranial Metastases Tend to Be Overt and Predict Poor Prognosis in Children With Neuroblastoma
Authors: Liu Ying , Huo Liang , Zhang Jinhua , Liu Ying 
Published: November 2021

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common pediatric extracranial solid neoplasm after leukemia. Intracranial metastases (IM) rarely occur in patients with NB. The present study aimed to review the clinical characteristics of NB patients from a single center presenting with IM.Methods: Two hundred children (aged 3–91 months) with NB admitted to the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University between January 2009 and December 2015 were enrolled, and their clinical characteristics were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of IM. Their clinical characteristics, including demographics, clinical features, and laboratory and imaging studies, were retrospectively analyzed.Results: IM occurred in 22 of 200 (11%) neuroblastoma patients, with a median age of 42.5 months (range, 3–91 months), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.4:1. Seven patients had IM at the initial diagnosis. Among the 15 children who did not have IM at initial presentation, the median interval from presentation to the diagnosis of IM was 17.3 months (range, 1–55 months). Compared with the control group, NB patients with IM tended to be asymptomatic at the time of NB diagnosis, which was made incidentally during routine physical examination (5 of 22, 22.7%, p &lt; 0.05). In addition, this group had more primary intra-abdominal sites (18 of 22, 81.8%, p &lt; 0.001) and worse prognosis (5 of 22, 22.7%, p &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: NB patients with IM have insidious onset in the early stage and a lower survival rate, especially patients with primary intra-abdominal lesions. Regular neurological monitoring could improve the rate of early diagnosis and prognosis of NB children with IM. Familiarity with the characteristic findings of NB with IM is necessary to avoid misdiagnosis and initiate necessary interventions.
Jinmaitong Alleviates Diabetic Neuropathic Pain Through Modulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome and Gasdermin D in Dorsal Root Ganglia of Diabetic Rats
Authors: Sun Qing , Zhang Rui , Xue Xiaowei , Wu Qunli , Yang Dan , Wang Chao , Yan Bin , Liang Xiaochun 
Published: November 2021

Jinmaitong (JMT) is a compound prescription of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used to treat diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) for many years. Here, we investigated the effects of JMT on the activation of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and pyroptosis in Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of diabetic rats. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were gavaged with JMT (0.88 g/kg/d) or alpha-lipoic acid (ALA, positive control, 0.48 mmol/kg/d) for 12 weeks. Distilled water was administered as a vehicle control to both diabetic and non-affected control rats. Blood glucose levels and body weights were measured. Behavioral changes were tested with mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and tail-flick latency (TFL) tests. Morphological injury associated with DRG was observed with hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E) and Nissl’s staining. mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome components (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1), downstream IL-1β and gasdermin D (GSDMD) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real time-PCR and western blot. The results showed that JMT had no effect on blood glucose levels and body weights, but significantly improved MWT and TFL behavior in diabetic rats, and attenuated morphological damage in the DRG tissues. Importantly, JMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of components of NLRP3 inflammasome, including NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1. JMT also down-regulated the expression of IL-1β and GSDMD in the DRG of DNP rats. In addition, ALA treatment did not perform better than JMT. In conclusion, JMT effectively relieved DNP by decreasing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis, providing new evidence supporting JMT as an alternative treatment for DNP.
Evaluation of Kratom Opioid Derivatives as Potential Treatment Option for Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Gutridge Anna M. , Chakraborty Soumen , Varga Balazs R. , Rhoda Elizabeth S. , French Alexander R. , Blaine Arryn T. , Royer Quinten H. , Cui Haoyue , Yuan Jinling , Cassell Robert J. , Szabó Márk , Majumdar Susruta , van Rijn Richard M. 
Published: November 2021

Background and Purpose:Mitragyna speciosaextract and kratom alkaloids decrease alcohol consumption in mice at least in part through actions at the δ-opioid receptor (δOR). However, the most potent opioidergic kratom alkaloid, 7-hydroxymitragynine, exhibits rewarding properties and hyperlocomotion presumably due to preferred affinity for the mu opioid receptor (µOR). We hypothesized that opioidergic kratom alkaloids like paynantheine and speciogynine with reduced µOR potency could provide a starting point for developing opioids with an improved therapeutic window to treat alcohol use disorder.Experimental Approach:We characterized paynantheine, speciociliatine, and four novel kratom-derived analogs for their ability to bind and activate δOR, µOR, and κOR. Select opioids were assessed in behavioral assays in male C57BL/6N WT and δOR knockout mice.Key Results:Paynantheine (10 mg∙kg−1, i.p.) produced aversion in a limited conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm but did not produce CPP with additional conditioning sessions. Paynantheine did not produce robust antinociception but did block morphine-induced antinociception and hyperlocomotion. Yet, at 10 and 30 mg∙kg−1doses (i.p.), paynantheine did not counteract morphine CPP. 7-hydroxypaynantheine and 7-hydroxyspeciogynine displayed potency at δOR but limited µOR potency relative to 7-hydroxymitragyninein vitro, and dose-dependently decreased voluntary alcohol consumption in WT but not δOR in KO mice. 7-hydroxyspeciogynine has a maximally tolerated dose of at least 10 mg∙kg−1(s.c.) at which it did not produce significant CPP neither alter general locomotion nor induce noticeable seizures.Conclusion and Implications:Derivatizing kratom alkaloids with the goal of enhancing δOR potency and reducing off-target effects could provide a pathway to develop novel lead compounds to treat alcohol use disorder with an improved therapeutic window.
“He Who Relies on His Brother's Property Dies Poor”: The Complex Narratives of Livestock Care in Northern Tanzania
Authors: Davis Alicia , Virhia Jennika , Buza Joram , Crump John A. , de Glanville William A. , Halliday Jo E. B. , Lankester Felix , Mappi Tauta , Mnzava Kunda , Swai Emanuel S. , Thomas Kate M. , Toima Mamus , Cleaveland Sarah , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Sharp Jo 
Published: November 2021

Background:Endemic zoonoses have important impacts for livestock-dependent households in East Africa. In these communities, people's health and livelihoods are severely affected by livestock disease losses. Understanding how livestock keepers undertake remedial actions for livestock illness has the potential for widespread benefits such as improving health interventions. Yet, studies about livestock and human health behaviours in the global south tend to focus on individual health choices. In reality, health behaviours are complex, and not solely about individualised health experiences. Rather, they are mediated by a range of “upstream” factors (such as unequal provision of services), which are beyond the control of the individual.Methods:This paper presents qualitative research conducted from 2014 to 2019 for a study focused on the Social, Economic, and Environmental Drivers of Zoonoses in Tanzania (SEEDZ). Qualitative data were collected via focus group discussions, community meetings, informal interviews, formal in-depth interviews, observations and surveys that addressed issues of health, disease, zoonotic disease risks, and routes for treatment across 21 villages. Thematic analysis was carried out on in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Conceptual analyses and observations were made through application of social science theories of health.Findings:Livestock keepers undertake a range of health seeking strategies loosely categorised around self and formal treatment. Two key themes emerged that are central to why people make the decisions they do: access to resources and trust in health care providers. These two issues affect individual sense of agency which impacts their ability to act to improve livestock health outcomes. We suggest that individual choice and agency in veterinary health seeking decisions are only beneficial if health systems can offer adequate care and health equity is addressed.Significance:This study demonstrates the value of in-depth qualitative research which reveals the nuance and complexity of people's decisions around livestock health. Most importantly, it explains why “better” knowledge does not always translate into “better” practise. The paper suggests that acknowledging and addressing these aspects of veterinary health seeking will lead to more effective provision.
Molecular Characterization and Expression of the LAP3 Gene and Its Association with Growth Traits in the Blood Clam Tegillarca granosa
Authors: Yao Hanhan , Ren Fuzhen , Bao Yongbo , Dong Yinghui , Lin Zhihua 
Published: November 2021

Leucine aminopeptidase 3 (LAP3) is a metallopeptidase that cleaves N-terminal residues and is involved in protein maturation and degradation. In this study, we characterized the leucine aminopeptidase 3 (LAP3) gene from Tegillarca granosa (Tg-LAP3 for short), which appeared to consist of 15,731 nucleotides encoding 530 amino acids. We identified 12 introns and 13 exons in the Tg-LAP3 gene, suggesting a highly conserved genomic structure. The proximal promoter sequence consists of 1922 bps with a typical TATA box structure, which is the general structural characteristic of core promoters in eukaryotes. We found two functional domains in the Tg-LAP3 protein, including an N-terminal domain (41–174aa) and a peptidase_M17 catalytic domain (209–522aa). Multiple alignment showed that Tg-LAP3 shares 73.4% identity with LAP3 of Mizuhopecten yessoensis and 55.2–70.7% identity with LAP3 of other species. Quantitative analysis of Tg-LAP3 in embryos/larvae and adult tissues indicated that the highest expression occurred in eyebot larva, with limited expression in other stages; among tissues, the highest expression was found in the liver (p < 0.05). Association analysis found that three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (g.-488A > G, g.-1123C > T, and g.-1304C > A) in the proximal promoter were successfully typed, but there was no significant difference in growth traits (body weight, shell length, shell width, and shell height) among these genotypes. The results of our study demonstrate the functional roles of the Tg-LAP3 gene and provide valuable information for molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) of the blood clam.
Diophantine Equations Relating Sums and Products of Positive Integers: Computation-Aided Study of Parametric Solutions, Bounds, and Distinct-Term Solutions
Authors: Karlovsky Petr 
Published: November 2021

Diophantine equations ∏i=1nxi=F∑i=1nxi with xi,F∈ℤ+ associate the products and sums of n natural numbers. Only special cases have been studied so far. Here, we provide new parametric solutions depending on F and the divisors of F or F2. One of these solutions shows that the equation of any degree with any F is solvable. For n = 2, exactly two solutions exist if and only if F is a prime. These solutions are (2F, 2F) and (F + 1, F(F + 1)). We generalize an upper bound for the sum of solution terms from n = 3 established by Crilly and Fletcher in 2015 to any n to be (F+1)(F+n−1) and determine a lower bound to be nnFn−1. Confining the solutions to n-tuples consisting of distinct terms, equations of the 4th degree with any F are solvable but equations of the 5th to 9th degree are not. An upper bound for the sum of terms of distinct-term solutions is conjectured to be (F+1)[F+(n−2)(n−1)!/2+1]/(n−2)!. The conjecture is supported by computation, which also indicates that the upper bound equals the largest sum of solution terms if and only if F=(n+k−2)(n−2)!−1, k∈ℤ+. Computation provides further insights into the relationships between F and the sum of terms of distinct-term solutions.
Characterising risk of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-related acute kidney injury: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Sharon X , Phillips Thomas , Culliford David , Edwards Christopher , Holroyd Christopher , Ibrahim Kinda , Barrett Ravina , Howard Clare , Johnson Ruth , Adams Jo , Stammers Mathew , Rischin Adam , Rutter Paul , Barnes Nicola , Roderick Paul J , Fraser Simon DS 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed for pain and inflammation. NSAID complications include acute kidney injury (AKI), causing burden to patients and health services through increased morbidity, mortality, and hospital admissions.AimTo measure the extent of NSAID prescribing in an adult population, the degree to which patients with potential higher risk of AKI were exposed to NSAIDs, and to quantify their risk of AKI.Design & settingRetrospective 2-year closed-cohort study.MethodA retrospective cohort of adults was identified from a pseudonymised electronic primary care database in Hampshire, UK. The cohort had clinical information, prescribing data, and complete GP- and hospital-ordered biochemistry data. NSAID exposure (minimum one prescription in a 2-month period) was categorised as never, intermittent, and continuous, and first AKI using the national AKI e-alert algorithm. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to explore NSAID prescribing patterns and AKI risk.ResultsThe baseline population was 702 265. NSAID prescription fell from 19 364 (2.8%) to 16 251 (2.4%) over 2 years. NSAID prescribing was positively associated with older age, female sex, greater socioeconomic deprivation, and certain comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis) and negatively with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and heart failure. Among those prescribed NSAIDs, AKI was associated with older age, greater deprivation, chronic kidney disease (CKD), CVD, heart failure, diabetes, and hypertension.ConclusionDespite generally good prescribing practice, NSAID prescribing was identified in some people at higher risk of AKI (for example, patients with CKD and older) for whom medication review and NSAID deprescribing should be considered.