bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diarrhea Prevalence and Associated Factors Among Under-Five Children in the Periphery Area of Azezo Sub-City, Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: A community Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bitew Bikes Destaw , Getachew Atalay , Azanaw Jember 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background

Although there has been a global decrease in childhood diarrheal disease in parallel with improvements in the standard of living, it still remains a significant public health problem that occurs due to poor WASH status and other related factors that cause massive childhood morbidity and mortality particularly in sub-Saharan Africa countries including Ethiopia.
Objective

To assess diarrheal disease prevalence and associated factors among under-five children in periphery area of Azezo sub-city, Gondar, northwest Ethiopia.
Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2019. A simple random sampling technique was applied to recruit the eligible clusters/villages. Structured interview questionnaires were used to collect data. The completed data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for further analysis. A binary logistic regression model was used to process bivariate and multivariable analysis of the data to establish the association between dependent and independent variables. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was used for the interpretation of data after controlling the confounders.
Results

The two-week prevalence of U5C diarrheal disease was 24.9% with 95% CI: (20.4 – 29.7). Age group of 1-12months [AOR: 9.22, 95%CI: (2.93-29.04)], age group of 13-24months [AOR: 4.44, 95%CI: (1.87-10.56)], low monthly income (AOR: 3.68, 95% CI: (1.81-7.51)], small family size [AOR: 0.32, 95% CI: (0.16-0.65)], poor hand washing practice [AOR: 8.37, 95% CI: (3.12-22.52), and immediate feed for cooked foods [AOR: 0.39, 95%CI: (0.19-0.81)] were significantly associated factors with childhood diarrhea.
Conclusion

Diarrhea was a common health problem among under-five children in the periphery area of Azezo sub-city. Age of children, family size, monthly income, hand-washing practice, and feeding time for cooked food were identified statistically significant risk factors. Therefore, an appropriate intervention program through health education would be recommended with a focus on identified risk factors to reduce the burden of diarrheal diseases.
Long-term Observation After Transplantation of Cultured Human Corneal Endothelial Cells for Corneal Endothelial Dysfunction
Authors: Sun Peng , Shen Lin , Li Yuanbin , Du Liqun , Wu Xinyi 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background

At present, corneal transplantation is still the only way to treat serious corneal diseases caused by corneal endothelial dysfunction. However, the shortage of donor cornea tissues and human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) remains a worldwide challenge. We cultivated HCECs by the use of a conditioned medium from orbital adipose-derived stem cells (OASC-CM) in vitro. Then the HCECs were used to treat animal corneal endothelial dysfunction models via cell transplantation. The initial effect was gratifying. The purpose of this study was to conduct a long-term observation and evaluation after cell transplantation.
Methods

First, orbital adipose-derived stem cells (OASCs) were isolated to prepare conditioned medium (CM). Then HCECs were cultivated and expanded by the usage of CM (CM-HCECs). Related CEC markers were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Cells proliferation ability was also tested. CM-HCECs were then transplanted into monkey corneal endothelial dysfunction models by cell injection. We carried out a 24-month postoperative preclinical observation and verified the long-term effect by histological examination and transcriptome sequencing.
Results

CM-HCECs expressed HCEC related markers and maintained polygonal cell morphology after several passages. During 24 months of cell transplantation into the monkey's anterior chamber, the cornea thickness and transparency kept healthy status, and the corneal endothelial cell density remained in the normal range. Gene sequencing showed that the gene expression pattern of CM-HCECs was similar to that of transplanted cells and HCECs.
Conclusions

The proliferation and repair ability of HCECs were significantly improved due to the effect of OASC-CM. The result of this study confirmed long-term therapeutic efficacy of CM-HCECs in vivo. Our research provided an extensive cell source and a promising prospect for regenerative medicine and cell-based therapy.
A 13-item Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS 13): Validation by Item Response Theory (IRT) in people with Substance Use Disorder
Authors: Chatton Anne , Khazaal Yasser , Penzenstadler Louise 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) is a widely used 12-item tool to assess mental health and social functioning. The French version has an added 13th item measuring adherence to psychotropic medication. The aim of the current study is to uncover the unknown pattern of item 13 and to compare the unidimensional and multi-dimensional fit of both the original HoNOS 12 and the new HoNOS 13 using Item Response Theory (IRT) modelling. This research question was studied among inpatients with substance use disorder (SUD). MethodsSix hundred and nine valid questionnaires of the HoNOS were analyzed using the multidimensional extension of the IRT graded-response modelling. For HoNOS 13, we fitted respectively a one-factor and a two-factor model. ResultsThe two-factor model suggesting a first factor capturing psychiatric/impairment-related issues and a second factor reflecting social-related issues yielded better goodness-of-fit values compared to the one-factor solution. ConclusionsWe were able to validate the 13-item questionnaire including medication compliance and suggest that the HoNOS 13 can be recommended as a clinical evaluation tool to assess the problems and treatment needs for inpatients with SUD. In IRT analyses, the items related to substance use and item 13 showed moderate discriminative abilities to catch the severity of the latent construct whereas the items related to the second factor (social problems) showed higher discriminative abilities. Trial registration﻿ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT03551301, registered: 11.06.2018.
Dexmedetomidine is Resistant to Ferroptosis by Activating mTOR-TFR1 Signaling
Authors: Ding Hui , Wang Jing-Yan , Li Yuan-Hai , Huang Yan 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: With the development of society, Neurodegenerative disease (ND), such as alzheimer's disease, is more and more important to the researchers. Metal iron may play a crucial role in this disease, so our research constructed the iron overloading model in nerve cells, induce the ferroptosis, simulate the state of the nerve in the body, and used the anesthesia Dexmedetomidine (Dex), and study whether the Dex can inhibit the ferroptosis and reduce the ND.Methods: Cell proliferation kit CCK8 and PI/Hoechst fluorescence double staining were used to detect the proliferation and apoptosis of HT22 cells. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the expression of PTGS2 and ACSL4, pathway proteins mTOR, TFR1. ROS content in HT22 cells was determined by DHE fluorescence probe. Lipid Peroxidation in nerve cells was detected by MDA Assay. Mito-ferrorange fluorescent probe was used to detect the level of ferrous ions in cells to demonstrate that ferroptosis occurred in nerve cells and Dex could protect nerve cells from ferroptosis.Results: Dex inhibits ferroptosis by regulating the mTOR-TFR1 pathway, reducing lipid peroxidation, intracellular reactive oxygen accumulation (ROS), reducing iron ions, and alleviating mitochondrial damage. mTOR is a well-known autophagy target and has been found to be closely related to ferroptosis. Dex activates the mTOR pathway, inhibits iron entry into the cell, reduces iron influx, and prevents ferroptosis by fenton reaction between excessive iron and lipids in the cell.Conclusion: Dex protects nerve cells from ferroptosis by regulating the mTOR-TFR1 pathway.
Correlation Between Occurrence Environment and the Cause of Deterioration at Ancient Earthen Ruins: A Case Study at Shenna Ruins, Qinghai, China
Authors: Wang Juanli , Rong Yan , Zhang Ying , Chao Xiaolian , Feng Xue , Yu Jingli , Liu Jian , Mai Bingjie , Li Yuhu , Cao Jing 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The earthen ruins are precious historical imprints left over from ancient human life and production, and have important cultural values. Chinese ancient ruins are widely distributed, large in number, and numerous in types. Most of the unearthed ruins are large in scale, immovable, and closely related to the surrounding environment. This paper takes the Shenna ruins as the research object, realizes the investigation of the occurrence environment of the ruins through geotechnical survey technology, and explores the reasons for the deterioration of the soil at the ruins of Shenna through the research of the correlation between the occurrence environment and typical diseases. On the basis of traditional cultural relics survey, the geological, environmental characteristics and geotechnical engineering conditions of the ruins were identified, analyzed, and evaluated through survey methods. Combined with indoor experimental analysis, it was found that the main reason for the deterioration of Shenna ruins was the migration of water and salt in the soil caused by seasonal precipitation, and combined with the geotechnical investigation results, the possibility of groundwater damage in this area is eliminated, which provides a research basis for the preventive treatment of water environment in the future protection and restoration of the Shenna ruins, and provided very useful technical application reference and research idea for such earthen ruins protection in Northwest China.
Higher Cystatin C Level Increase the Risk of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia after Endovascular Treatment of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Case-Control Study.
Authors: Chen Kehua , Huang Guanghua , Cai Chengwei , Yan Chuangnan , Zhang Fuguang , Yao Min , Ma Junqiang , Xu Hongwu 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Cystatin C (CysC) has been found to be associated with hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke in many studies. However, the association between CysC level and the risk of delayed cerebral ischemia after endovascular treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage has been reported rarely. Our study was proposed to explore this association. Consecutive patients from June 2015 to February 2021 in this single-center retrospective study were selected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify potential prognostic risk factors for delayed cerebral ischemia, and the stability of the association was demonstrated by several statistical methods, such as subgroup analysis, interaction testing, generalized linear models, and propensity score matching. A total of 424 patients were included in the analysis. Cystatin C was independently associated with delayed cerebral ischemia. The independent effects of CysC on delayed cerebral ischemia were shown in generalized linear models with a logit link, and the results were relatively stable in crude, partial, and full models with ORs (95% CIs) for delayed cerebral ischemia. Subgroup analysis showed no significant subgroup differences in the effect of CysC on delayed cerebral ischemia. There was also no interaction effect between CysC and other confounders. Patients in the high CysC group had a higher risk of delayed cerebral ischemia than those in the low CysC group before and after propensity score matching. CysC level could be an independent predictor for the risk of delayed cerebral ischemia after endovascular treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
The Methylation Inhibitor 5-Aza-2′-Deoxycytidine Induces Genome-Wide Hypomethylation in Rice
Authors: Liu Shuo , Bao Yu , Deng Hui , Liu Guanqing , Han Yangshuo , Wu Yuechao , Zhang Tao , Chen Chen 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
DNA methylation is a conserved epigenetic modification which is vital for regulating gene expression and maintaining genome stability in both mammals and plants. Homozygous mutation of rice methyltransferase 1 (met1) gene can cause host death in rice, making it difficult to obtain plant material needed for hypomethylation research. To circumvent this challenge, the methylation inhibitor, 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (AzaD), is used as a cytosine nucleoside analogue to reduce genome wide hypomethylation and is widely used in hypomethylation research. However, how AzaD affects plant methylation profiles at the genome scale is largely unknown. Here, we treated rice seedlings with AzaD and compared the AzaD treatment with osmet1-2 mutants, illustrating that there are similar CG hypomethylation and distribution throughout the whole genome. Along with global methylation loss class I transposable elements (TEs) which are farther from genes compared with class II TEs, were more significantly activated, and the RNA-directed DNA Methylation (RdDM) pathway was activated in specific genomic regions to compensate for severe CG loss. Overall, our results suggest that AzaD is an effective DNA methylation inhibitor that can influence genome wide methylation and cause a series of epigenetic variations.
Prognostic Value of Exercise Capacity in Incidence Diabetes: A Country With High Prevalence of Diabetes
Authors: Jamiel Abdelrahman A. , Ardah Husam , Ahmed Amjad M. , Al-Mallah Mouaz H. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a fast-growing health problem that imposes an enormous economic burden. Several studies demonstrated the association between physical inactivity and predicting the incidence of diabetes. However, these prediction models have limited validation locally. Therefore, we aim to explore the predictive value of exercise capacity in the incidence of diabetes within a high diabetes prevalence population.Methodology: A retrospective cohort study including consecutive patients free of diabetes who underwent clinically indicated treadmill stress testing. Diabetic patients at baseline or patients younger than 18 years of age were excluded. Incident diabetes was defined as an established clinical diagnosis post-exercise testing date. The predictive value of exercise capacity was examined using Harrell’s c-index, net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination index (IDI).Results: A total of 8,722 participants (mean age 46±12 years, 66.3% were men) were free of diabetes at baseline. Over a median follow-up period of 5.24 (2.17-8.78) years, there were 2,280 (≈26%) new cases of diabetes. In a multivariate model adjusted for conventional risk factors, we found a 12% reduction in the risk of incident diabetes for each one greater MET achieved (HR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.88–0.92; P<0.001). Using Cox regression, exercise capacity improved the prediction ability beyond the conventional risk factors (AUC=0.62 to 0.66 and c-index= 0.62 to 0.68).Conclusion: Exercise capacity improved the overall predictability of incidence diabetes. Patients with reduced exercise capacity are at high risk for developing incidence diabetes. Improvement of both physical activity and functional capacity represents a preventive measure for the general population.
A General Approach for All-visible-light Switching of Diarylethenes through Triplet Sensitization using Semiconducting Nanocrystals
Authors: Hou Lili , Larsson Wera , Hecht Stefan , Andreasson Joakim , Albinsson Bo 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Coupling semiconducting nanocrystals (NCs) with organic molecules provides an efficient route to generate and transfer triplet excitons. These excitons can be used to power photochemical transformations such as photoisomerization reactions using low energy radiation. Thus, it is desirable to develop a general approach that can efficiently be used to control photoswitches using all-visible-light aiming at future applications in life- and material sciences. Here, we demonstrate a simple ‘cocktail’ strategy that can achieve all-visible-light switchable diarylethenes (DAEs) through triplet energy transfer from the hybrid of CdS NCs and phenanthrene-3-carboxylic acid, with high photoisomerization efficiency and improved fatigue resistance. The size-tunable excitation energies of CdS NCs make it possible to precisely match the corresponding energy of the relevant DAE photoswitch. We demonstrate reversible all-visible-light photoisomerization of a series of DAE derivatives both in the liquid and solid state, even in the presence of oxygen. Our general strategy is promising for fabrication of all-visible-light activated optoelectronic devices as well as memories, and should in principle be adaptable to photopharmacology.
Accidental Epidural Catheter Removal Rates and Strength Required for Disconnection: a Retrospective Cohort and Experimental Study
Authors: Ishida Yoshiaki , Homma Yoichiro , Kawamura Takashi , Sagawa Masatoshi , Toba Yoshie 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Epidural analgesia requires the use of epidural catheters, which are associated with certain risks such as accidental epidural catheter removal, including dislodgement and disconnection. Few studies have investigated accidental catheter removal rates and directly compared them among epidural connector types. This study aimed to examine the differences in accidental catheter removal rates associated with different catheter connector types and to experimentally determine the linear tensile strength required to induce disconnection in each connector type.Methods: This retrospective cohort study included adult patients who underwent elective surgery and received patient-controlled epidural analgesia between December 2019 and August 2020. Patients were divided into groups according to the type of catheter connection used: standard (old group), new standard (new group), and new standard with taping (taping group). Furthermore, we prepared 60 sets of epidural catheters and connectors comprising 20 sets for each of the old, new, and taping groups, and used the digital tension meter to measure the maximum tensile strength required to induce disconnection. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine risk factors for disconnection. The experimental study groups were compared using one-way analysis of variance.Results: The clinical study involved in 920 patients (360, 182, and 378 patients in the old, new, and taping group, respectively). Dislodgement rates were similar among the three groups. Disconnection was most likely to occur in the new group (5.5%) and least likely to occur in the taping group (0.3%) compared to the old group (1.9%). However, the new group was not a risk factor for disconnection. The experimental study identified tensile strengths of 12.41 N, 12.06 N, and 19.65 N in the old, new, and taping groups, respectively. Comparison tests showed a significant difference in the tensile strength required for disconnection between the new and taping groups but not between the new and old groups.Conclusions: These findings suggest that taping the catheter connector connection may reduce the risk of disconnection, and thereby help improve patient outcomes. Further studies are required to clarify other parameters that may affect patient safety in this context.
Theoretical and Experimental investigation of PVMQ/ EPDM-g-MA/CR blends: Rheological, Compatibility and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Azizli Mohammad Javad , Azizli Mohammad Javad , Vafa Ehsan , Barghamadi Mohammad , Rezaeeparto Katayoon , Mokhtary Masoud , Jahankhah Zahra 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Estimation of R0 for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany from Excess Mortality
Authors: Prada Juan , Maag Luca , Siegmund Laura , Bencurova Elena , Chunguang Liang , Koutsilieri Eleni , Dandekar Thomas , Scheller Carsten 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background

For SARS-CoV-2, R0 calculations in the range of 2-3 dominate the literature, but much higher estimates have also been published. Because capacity for PCR testing increased greatly in the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, R0 determinations based on these incidence values are subject to strong bias. We propose to use Covid-19-induced excess mortality to determine R0 regardless of PCR testing capacity.
Methods

We used data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on the incidence of Covid cases, Covid-related deaths, number of PCR tests performed, and excess mortality calculated from data from the Federal Statistical Office in Germany. We determined R0 using exponential growth estimates with a serial interval of 4.7 days. We used only datasets that were not yet under the influence of policy measures (e.g., lockdowns or school closures).
Results

The uncorrected R0 value for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 based on PCR incidence data was 2.56 (95% CI 2.52-2.60) for Covid-19 cases and 2.03 (95%CI 1.96-2.10) for Covid-19-related deaths. However, because the number of PCR tests increased by a growth factor of 1.381 during the same period, these R0 values must be corrected accordingly (R0corrected = R0uncorrected/1.381), yielding 1.86 for Covid-19 cases and 1.47 for Covid-19 deaths. The R0 value based on excess deaths was calculated to be 1.34 (95% CI 1.32-1.37). A sine-function-based adjustment for seasonal effects of 40% corresponds to a maximum value of R0January = 1.68 and a minimum value of R0July = 1.01.
Discussion

Our calculations show an R0 that is much lower than previously thought. This relatively low range of R0 fits very well with the observed seasonal pattern of infection across Europe in 2020 and 2021, including the emergence of more contagious escape variants such as delta or omicron. In general, our study shows that excess mortality can be used as a reliable surrogate to determine the R0 in pandemic situations.