bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Degeneration of lumbar paravertebral muscles in lumbar degenerative kyphosis with dynamic sagittal imbalance
Authors: Ru Nan , Wang Guodong , Li Yang , Cui Xingang , Sun Jianmin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to probe the degeneration of lumbar paravertebral muscles in lumbar degenerative kyphosis (LDK) with dynamic sagittal imbalance (DSI).Method: A total of 132 patients with LDK were enrolled in the study. According to the ΔSVA of the full-spine lateral radiographs before and after walking, enrolled patients were divided into two groups: DSI group (31 cases) and control group (42 case). Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging examination was taken for each subject. Fat infiltration area (FIA)and muscle muscularity of multifidus (MF) and erector spinae (ES) were quantitatively measured though Image J software. Independent-sample t test were performed for comparison of quantitative variables between two groups. P value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Result: DSI group had lower muscle muscularity both in ES and MF than control group. ES muscularity at L2 level was 0.42±0.08 in DSI group and 0.82±0.17 in control group. (p=0.016). ES muscularity at L4 level was 0.36±0.11in DSI group and 0.76± 0.22 in control group. (p＜0.001).MF muscularity at L2 level was 0.17±0.08 in DSI group and 0.36±0.07in control group. (p＜0.001). MF muscularity at L4 level was 0.34±0.18 in DSI group and 0.48±0.14 in control group. (p＜0.001).DSI group had higher FIA both in ES and MF than control group.ES FIA at L2 level was 0.50±0.17 in DSI group and 0.31±0.10 in control group. (p=0.023). ES FIA at L4 level was 0.55±0.27 in DSI group and 0.34±0.07 in control group. (p＜0.001).MF FIA at L2 level was 0.63±0.22 in DSI group and 0.36±0.12 in control group. (p＜0.001). MF FIA at L4 level was 0.76±0.31 in DSI group and 0.40±0.19 in control group. (p＜0.001). Conclusions: LDK patients with DSI suffered lower muscle muscularity and higher FIA both in ES and MF compared to control group. Our study revealed that the weakness of the paravertebral muscles plays an important role in DSI process, targeted paravertebral muscle strengthening training may be a potentially effective treatment for this disease.
Deposition of potentially toxic metals in the soil from surrounding cement plants in a karst area of Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Silva Thiago Augusto da Costa e , de Paula Marcos , Silva Washington Santos , Lacorte Gustavo Augusto 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Cement factories are the main sources of environmental pollutants among the different industrial activities, including soil contamination by potentially toxic metals and the Karst region of Southeastern Brazil is known for the implementation of large cement producing facilities. This study aims to evaluate whether there is an increase in the concentration of PTM in the soil surrounding the cement plants and to estimate their harmfulness to both local human population and environment. In total, 18 soil samples were collected from the surroundings of three cement plants as well as four soil samples from areas outside the influence of cement plants and concentration of the following potentially toxic metals (PTM) were estimated: Cd, Pb, Co, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Zn. The results revealed that all PTM concentrations from cement plant surroundings were significantly higher than PTM concentrations from control areas and no PTM concentrations from CPS or CA soil samples exceeded national and global contamination thresholds. However, Igeo Index indicated low level soil contamination by Pb, Cu and Cr and high levels for Co. We could not verify significant Non-carcinogenic risk to health for any soil sample, but carcinogenic risk analysis revealed different levels of carcinogenic risk among the sampled locations, for both adults and children. Our results indicate that exclusively evaluating the concentration of potentially toxic metals is not enough to verify the potential harmful effects of cement production for the surrounding population. Here we evidence that additional indices, based on both contamination indices and health risk assessments, should be considered for better evaluation of the impacts of cement production activity.
Estimation of the incidence of invasive meningococcal disease using a capture-recapture model based on two independent surveillance systems
Authors: Ciruela Pilar , Vilaró Marta , Carmona Gloria , Jané Mireia , Soldevila Núria , Garcia Tomás , Hernández Sergi , Ruiz Laura , Domínguez Angela 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an urgent notifiable disease and its early notification is essential to prevent cases. The objective of the study was to assess the sensitivity of two independent surveillance systems, the statutory disease reporting system (SDR) and the microbiological reporting system (MRS), and to estimate the incidence of IMD.Methods: The study was performed in Catalonia, Spain, between 2011 and 2015. The variables collected were age, sex, year of report, size of municipality (< 10,000 and ≥ 10,000), clinical form, death, serogroup, country of birth and type of reporting centre (private and public). The capture-recapture analysis and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the Chapman formula. Multinomial logistic regression was performed for adjusted estimation.Results: The sensitivity of the two combined surveillance systems was 88.5% (85.0-92.0). SDR had greater sensitivity than the MRS (67.9%; 62.7-73.1 vs. 64.7%; 59.4-70.0). In 2014-2015, the sensitivity of both systems was higher (80.6%; 73.2–87.9 vs. 73.4%; 65.2–81.6) than in 2011-2013 (59.3%; 52.6–66.0 vs. 58.3%; 51.6–65.1). In private centres, the sensitivity was higher for SDR than for MRS (100%; 100–100 vs. 4.8%; -4.4–13.9). The adjusted estimate of cases was lower than that obtained using the Chapman formula (279; 266–296 vs. 313; 295–330). The estimated adjusted incidence of IMD was 0.7/100,000 persons-year.Conclusions: The sensitivity of enhanced surveillance through the combination of two complementary sources was higher than for the sources individually. Factors associated with under-reporting in different systems should be analysed to improve IMD surveillance.
Analysis of Microbial Community Structure Around Roots of Stipa Grandis
Authors: Zhu Ai-Min , Han Guo-Dong , Liu Hai-Li , Wang Yue-Hua 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The root zone microbial structure is particularly complex for plants with rhizosheaths, which may play an important role in the future agricultural sustainable development. However, one of the important reasons for restricting our study of rhizosheath microbial structure is that there is no definite method for rhizosheath separation. The aim of this study was to explore the isolation methods of rhizosheath and the diversity and functional characteristics of microorganisms around the rhizosphere. In this study, we isolated the rhizosheath of Stipa grandis, a dominant species in desert steppe, and the microorganisms in the roots, root epidermis, rhizosheath, rhizosphere soil were extracted and sequenced by 16s RNA and ITS. The bacterial alpha diversity index was in the order rhizosphere soil > rhizosheath > root epidermis > endophytic, and the fungal alpha diversity index was rhizosphere soil and rhizosheath > root epidermis and endophytic. There were significant differences in bacterial community structure between the root epidermis and endophytic, rhizosheath, rhizosphere soil, and the sum of relative abundance of the dominant bacterial populations Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria was 73.9% in the root epidermis. Different from bacterial community structure, the community structure of root epidermis fungi was similar to endophytic, but significantly different from rhizosheath and rhizosphere soil. We suggest that the root epidermis can act as the interface between the host plant root and the external soil environment. This study will provide theoretical and technical guidance for the isolation of plant rhizosheath and the study of microorganisms in it.
Geometric morphometric analysis of body shape and size variations in hatchery-reared larvae of a tropical damsel fish, Dascyllus carneus Fischer, 1885
Authors: Anzeer F. Muhammed , Santhosh B. , Anand P. P. , Vardhanan Y. Shibu , Gopalakrishnan A. , Krishnan P. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The growth trajectories of the fishes during their early developmental phase are not adequately understood due to the continuous changes in their morphology, behaviour, and feeding habits. Understanding these interactions in relation to the habits, habitat, rate of growth, rate of development, and duration of different stages of growth are useful in predicting the direction of ecological and evolutionary changes in the life history of fishes. Using, geometric morphometric methods, we investigated the stage-specific phenotypic plasticity of Dascyllus carneus (cloudy damsel) in captivity during the entire larval development and metamorphosis. Each developmental stage has its unique shape and size, showing significant phenotypic plasticity (p < 0.001). The allometric analysis showed that D. carneus did not change its linear pattern of allometric growth trajectory till the stage of postflexion. In contrast, non-allometric growth analysis indicated a sudden shift from negative to positive allometric growth after the postflexion stage. Based on the results, it can be concluded that both in allometric and non-allometric analyses, except the yolk sac stage, all the other post-embryonic stages followed allometric growth patterns. Apart from the stage- specific phenotypic plasticity, the similarity and dissimilarity of each developmental stage were validated using statistical methods, such as discriminant function analysis (DFA), two-block partial least square (2B-PLS), and canonical variate analysis (CVA). All stages were seen distributed into a unique trait-based morphospace as each stage contained unique shape and size features. In our study, 2B-PLS was used to unveil the head and trunk integration at each stage. We establish that, the development of head and trunk are in separate morphological modules after the yolk sac and preflexion stages. From the overall analyses, all stages, except the juvenile stage, were observed to show high level of heterogeneity and at the transition stage, well-adapted individuals were observed. Stage-specific analysis and understanding of stage-specific requirements of developing larvae will help to surpass some challenges in larval rearing practices, which are discussed in this paper.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial, Antiproliferative Evaluation of Novel Quinolone and Conazole Analogues via Conventional and Microwave Techniques
Authors: Ceylan Şule , Cebeci Yıldız Uygun , Demirbaş Neslihan , Karaoğlu Şengül Alpay , Altun Muhammed 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
1,2,4-Triazole-3-one (3), acquired from cinnemaldehyde was converted to the corresponding carbox(thio)amides via several steps (6a-c). Their reaction with sodium hydroxide gave the 1,2,4-triazole derivatives (7a-c). Compound 3 treatment with 2-bromo-1-(4-chlorophenyl) ethanone or 2-chloro-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)ethanone afforded the compounds 8a,b and by reducing these compounds reduction products were obtained (9a,b). The synthesis of (10a-e) was carried out by the reaction compounds 9a,b with different benzyl chlorides. Then oxadiazol derivative (12) was obtained by ring closure from hydrazide compound 5. Subsequently compounds 3, 7a-c and 12 were treated with various amines in the presence of formaldehyde to yield Mannich bases (11a-e, 14a-e, 13a,b). Microwave-assisted and conventional techniques were utilized for the syntheses. The structures of newly synthesized compounds were illuminated by spectroscopic methods. Their antimicrobial (MIC method), and anticancer activities (Abay’s method) were examined. Results showed that most of the compounds exhibited good antimicrobial activities. Especially compounds 14a-e which is a mannich base showed very good antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis compared with Streptomycin standard drug. Also compounds 8a and 9b have been found to have strong antiproliferative effects on the HeLa cervical cancer cells and also these compounds did not have cytotoxic effect on normal cell.
Dynamics of Laser Produced Plasma From Foam Targets for Future Nanolithography Devices and X-Ray Sources
Authors: Wu Yaoxing , Jain Girik , Sizyuk Tatyana , Wang Xinbing , Hassanein Ahmed 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Foam targets are expected to be more efficient candidates than solid targets for laser produced plasma (LPP) for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and x-ray radiation sources due to the expected plasma conditions that can be optimized regarding plasma opacities, volumetrics heating effects, and the produced ions debris characteristics. In this paper, a comparison of ion dynamics between low-density foam and solid Ni plasma was systematically investigated at CMUXE. The foam Ni target (density 0.6 g/cm3) and solid Ni target (density 8.9 g/cm3) were irradiated with 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser in vacuum. A Faraday cup (FC) was used to record the ion flux and time-of-flight (TOF) signals. A lower and wider TOF signal was observed for foam Ni plasma on the time scale. The average ion energy and peak of the TOF signal of solid Ni plasma were much higher than that of the foam Ni plasma. However, the total charge values between foam and solid Ni plasma were comparable indicating a more volumetric absorption of laser energy for foam Ni. The average ion energy and peak of the TOF signal of solid Ni showed a stronger angular and laser energy dependence than that of foam Ni. The plume shape of the solid Ni plasma appeared as an oblong ellipse at each time, while that of foam Ni plasma tended to be more circular, especially at early times. The results of mass ablation rate were consistent with the FC signals and showed a more intense plasma shielding for solid Ni.
Study on the Kinematic characteristics of different level jumpers squatting and jumping under different ground
Authors: Hua Hewen 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the kinematic differences of different level jumping athletes in the process of squatting on different ground, and to reveal the biomechanical mechanism of the effect of squatting on different ground on training effect. Methods: The subjects were 11 first-class and above jumping athletes (excellent group) and 11 second-class athletes (ordinary group). The kinematic data were photographed by SONYDCRHC52E high-speed camera with a sampling frequency of 50 frames per second, and the data were analyzed by SIMI-Motion three-dimensional motion analysis system. The subjects squatted and jumped on four kinds of ground (force platform, balance pad, gymnastics pad and sand) with their hands on their hips. Results: In the intra-group analysis, it was found that the athletes of different levels squatted and jumped on four different kinds of ground, but there was no significant difference only on the balance pad and gymnastics mat (excellent group p=0.344, ordinary group p=1). In the inter-group analysis, it was found that there were significant differences between different levels of athletes in balance pad (p=0.043) and sand (p=0.02). In the buffering stage of squatting jump, there was no significant difference in the buffering angle displacement of lower limb joints of different athletes on different ground. In the stage of pedal and extension, the angular displacement of ankle on the middle platform of the excellent group was significantly different from that of the balance pad (p=0.014), gymnastics pad (p=0.017) and sand (p=0.013), but in the ordinary group, the ankle angular displacement of the middle platform was only significantly different from that of the gymnastics pad (p= 0.048) and sand (p=0.017), but not significantly different from that of the balance pad (p=0.166). The maximum angular velocity of hip joint of athletes of different levels was significantly different among different ground groups. The maximum angular velocity of ankle joint of common group was significantly different in force platform and sand (p=0.032), gymnastics mat and sand (p=0.008), but there was no significant difference in balance pad. Conclusion: Different places have great influence on the ordinary group, and on the ground with lower elastic coefficient, the maximum angular velocity of the ankle joint in the ordinary group is much smaller than that in the excellent group, which indicates that the rapid contractile ability of ankle muscles in the ordinary group is poor on the ground with low elastic coefficient. When squatting and jumping on the ground with lower elastic coefficient, the excellent group has better body control and coordination and lower joint energy loss, which makes the jumping effect better,
Solitary Liver Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma 8 Years After Nephrectomy
Authors: Lu Haoran , Zhao Shouye , Ma Guodong , Zhao Rou , Zhang Bin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common renal malignancy in adults. RCC can metastasize to various organs of the human body, including lung, bone, brain, liver, and adrenal gland. However, solitary metastases are relatively rare in clinical practice, and surgical treatment is still the preferred treatment.Case report: We present a 68-year-old male patient who was performed laparoscopic radical left nephrectomy for RCC 8 years ago. Postoperative routine examination revealed an occupying lesion in the liver. Further PET-CT suggested hepatic metastasis of RCC thus undergoing laparoscopic left hepatectomy. Pathology confirmed metastatic RCC in the liver. The patient recovered well after the operation, and there was no sign of recurrence during the follow-up for six months after the operation.Conclusion: Patients with renal carcinoma can still have recurrence and metastasis after radical nephrectomy for many years. Therefore, long-term close follow-up is beneficial to patients with radical nephrectomy.
Ovarian Mucinous Tumor with Mural Nodules of Anaplastic Carcinoma: A Clinicopathological Analysis of Three Cases Report and Review of Related Literature
Authors: Wang Xiaojuan , Wang Pei , Xi Yanfeng , Bu Peng , Wang Chunyan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background:Anaplastic carcinoma mural nodules presenting in ovarian mucinous cystic tumors are very rare. Here, we reported clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular features of 3 such cases, and reviewed the related literature.Case presentation:The expression of pan-cytokeratin (CK) in the mural nodules of all three patients supported the diagnosis of mural nodules of anaplastic carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining showed wild-type expression of p53 in the mural nodules and mucinous epithelium of Cases 2 and 3, while Case 1 was negative for the p53 mutation. The synchronous expression of p53 in epithelia and mural nodules suggested that mural nodules might be homologous with mucinous adenocarcinoma and might be the result of dedifferentiation of mucinous adenocarcinoma. In the sarcomatoid region of Case 1, p53 was wild-type in spindle cells and multinucleated giant cells in the background. In Case 3, a broad-based serrated adenoma of the appendix was also found. Therefore, exons of tumor-related genes were detected by high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS). Missense mutations of PIK3CA and PTEN were found, but no germline mutations were detected.Conclusions:In young patients with sarcomalike mural nodule (SLMNs) morphology, pathological analysis is recommended to avoid overlooking the existence of malignant mural nodules. Serrated lesions occurred in the appendix and ovarian mucinous tumor simultaneously, but no germline mutations were detected by NGS, indicating this was a sporadic case.
Improving the Conductivity and its Flexibility of Fabricated Chips from A copolymer PDMS-PEI and Nano Graphene Metals composite
Authors: Abdelrahman Ameen , Erchiqui Fouad , Nedil Mourad 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Our work aims to make a unique polymer to be used as a conductive and flexible chip antenna. Its properties are robustness, rigidity, stretchability, and good conduction. The fabricated composite is composed of two copolymers, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Polyethylenimine (PEI), assembled with nano metals (Copper, Silver ), and graphene nanoparticles as a matrix. Nano metals fill out the inter-layer space, and polymer voids reinforce the cross linker. Graphene/metal nanoparticles help make chelating complexes using metallic bonds, enhancing the polymer’s conductivity from 1.87 × 10− 4 to 5.64 ×10− 6 σ Scm− 1. We analyze the conductivity, self-healing, and surface morphology of fabricated composite using different spectroscopic techniques, such as electrochemical impedance (EIS), Scanning Electronic Microscopy ( SEM), Transition Electronic Microscopy (TEM), Infrared spectroscopy ( IR), UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV), and a particle size analyzer.
Complex Probiotics Supplementation Improves Overtraining-Induced Muscle Inflammatory Response and Antioxidant Status Via LPS-TLR4/NF-κb Signalling Pathway in Rats
Authors: Xia Yali , Shao Jing , Wang Hui , Tan Qiushi , Han Qi , YI Muqing 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Prolonged endurance and intensive exercise has shown detrimental effects on muscle health as well as causes intestinal dysbiosis. Probiotics are known as live microorganisms effective in improving gut microbiota and immunity to warrant health and well-being, which exert global and local biological functions on gut and muscle comprising of anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis, etc,. This research was conducted to investigate whether complex probiotics supplementation could alleviate excessive exercise-induced muscle damage and underlying signaling mechanism in rats.Methods: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly allocated to four groups: control (SC), exercise (EC), probiotics (SP) and exercise with probiotics (EP) (n = 8 each). In the overtraining model, rats were arranged to an incremental load training on the treadmill 6 days/week for 8 weeks and gavaged with complex-probiotic-preparation (4 × 109 CFU/g) containing maltodextrin or maltodextrin only once a day. Serum and soleus were collected at the end of experiment. Serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, the levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), and muscle total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) in soleus were measured. Furthermore, soleus protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), p-p65/p65, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-9 and caspase-3 were determined by western blotting assay. Results: The findings indicated that excessive exercise induced a significant increased CK and LDH activities, LPS levels, relative protein expression of TLR4, MyD88, p-p65/p65, inflammatory cytokines and lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, the antioxidant elements including T-AOC, GPx, CAT were markedly decreased in the muscle of EC group (p < 0.05). In addition, up-regulated the protein expression of Bax/Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-9/procaspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3/procaspase-3 in muscle (p < 0.05). Administration of complex probiotics attenuated overtraining-induced inflammatory response, oxidative injury and TLR4/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) signaling factors expression as a result of reversing the most of above altered biochemical parameters (p < 0.05), and there was only tendency downregulation in the expression of apoptosis-regulated proteins (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Administration of complex probiotics could improve capability of the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory status induced by excessive exercise in rat skeletal muscle possibly via protecting the gut mucosal barrier, inhibiting the outflow of endotoxin, attenuating the action of TLR4-mediated NF-kB pathway.