bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aortic Arch Calcification Is Associated With Death From Cardiovascular Disease, Infection, and Malnutrition in Patients on Hemodialysis: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hashiba Toyohiro , Tanaka Mototsugu , Honda Tomoko , Kishi Satoru , Ogura Yoshiyasu , Takenaka Yuto , Furuse Satoshi , Nishio Kyosuke , Masaki Kazunobu , Kano Tatsuya , Mise Naobumi 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Aortic arch calcification (AAC) is a well-known risk factor of death in patients on hemodialysis (HD); however, the causes of death in those having severe AAC have not been well studied. This study aimed to clarify the association between AAC and causes of death in HD patients and investigate their long-term prognosis.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on Japanese HD patients from two clinics. AAC was classified into grade 0 to 3 using chest radiograph. The patients were followed up to 7 years, and their mortality and causes of death were recorded. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the probabilities of death from any cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) death. The Cox proportional hazard models were employed to investigate variables relevant to all-cause mortality.Results: Among 321 patients (211 male, 64 ± 11 years old, 10 ± 8 years of dialysis duration), AAC grade 0, 1, 2, and 3 were observed in 88 (27.4%), 145 (45.2%), 54 (16.8%), and 34 (10.6%), respectively. During 5.2 ± 2.1 years, 117 (36.4%) patients died. AAC was associated with all-cause mortality (p < .001), and the death rates in AAC grade 0, 1, 2, and 3 were 19.3%, 35.2%, 46.3%, and 70.6%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, grade 3 AAC, age, ischemic heart disease and C-reactive protein were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality. The major causes of death were CVD (39.3%), infection (20.5%), and malignant tumor (15.4%) in the entire cohort. In AAC grade 3, death from infection (29.2%) and malnutrition (16.7%) increased and the combined death from these 2 reasons outweighed CVD death (33.3%).Conclusions: Although AAC was associated with all-cause and CVD mortality, the causes of death in patients on HD much differ among different AAC severities. Attention should be paid to CVD, infection, and malnutrition in patients on HD with severe AAC.
Theoretical Study of Novel B2CO Compounds with High Hardness
Authors: LIU Chao , LIU Lingyu , YING Pan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Two B2CO phases (oP8’ with sp2-sp3 hybridization coexist and mP16 with unitary sp3 hybridization) were discovered via structure searching and stability analysis. The study of formation enthalpy reveals that high pressure (HP) technology performed maybe an important method for synthesis. Among all isoelectronic with diamond (IED) B-C-O phases, oP8’ has the smallest gap and mP16 has the widest gap. With pressure increasing, for B2CO phases with high symmetry and composed of sp3 hybridization, their band gaps all increases monotonically; for B2CO phases composed by sp3-sp2 hybridization coexist or with low symmetry like mP16, their band gaps increased first and then decreased. oP8’ and mP16 both have large mechanical modulus and they are typical materials with high hardness. Pressure has a positive correlation with its mechanical modulus.
The Clinical and Genetic Characteristics of Chinese Male Pediatric Patients With Congenital Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
Authors: Wang Yi , Qin Miao , Fan Lijun , Zhang Beibei , Gong Chunxiu 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundsCongenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) are invided into Kallmann Syndrome (KS) and normosmic HH(nHH). The clinical and genetic characteristics of CHH are more studied in adults, but less in pre-adults. MethodsMedical records of 126 patients with CHH at our hospital during 2008−2020 were evaluated. ResultsTotally, seven patients (5.6%) had hypospadias. Among 49 patients with positive family history, delayed puberty, KS/nHH and olfactory abnormalities accounted for 44.9%, 16.3%, and 12.2%, respectively. Sixty-five patients completed the hCG prolongation test, and T levels of 24 patients were lower than 100 ng/dl. 25 CHH-related genes were found in 78 patients, digenic mutations in 23 patients, and trigenic mutations in 3 patients. The most common pathogenic genes were FGFR1 (21.1%), PROKR2 ( 17.9%), ANOS1 (12.6%), and CHD7 (12.6%). The oligogenicity rate of common autosomal dominant heredity genes accounted for 50.0% (FGFR1, 10/20) and 33.3% (CHD7, 4/12), of autosomal recessive heredity gene PROKR2 accounted for 47.1% (8/17). ConclusionMicropenis and cryptorchidism are important cues for CHH in pre-adulthood; hypospadias is a rare phenotype of CHH. At least 22.9% of patients tested had testicular Leydig cell dysfunction (dual CHH). Oligogenic mutations were found in 27.4% of all patients with CHH.
P2X7 Receptor of Microglia Mediates Neuropathic pain by Regulating Autophagy After Chronic-Constriction Injury
Authors: Zhong Qi , Huang Yifei , Zhang Bo , Li Tingting , Fang Peng , Chang Jing , chen Chang , Zhang Zongze 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
P2X7 receptor is a crucial receptor related to neuronal activation, neurosensitization, and pain transmission, and increasing evidences indicated that glial cells is thought to be a major contributor to the chronic neuropathic pain after nerve injury. In present study, we designed to investigate whether the P2X7R in glial plays a role in chronic neuropathic pain. We divided adult male Sprague Dawley rats were respectively into four groups:(1) vehicle group (Veh), (2) CCI (C group), (3) P2X7 inhibitor group (P group), (4) CCI+ P2X7R inhibition (CP group). Behavior test, real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, immunofluorescence staining, and transmission electron microscope were used to analyze the scientific hypothesis. The results of the experiment is that(i) P2X7R of microglia was downregulated by A-70003 after CCI. (ii) Downregulation of P2X7R on microglia is coincident with remission of NP after CCI. (iii) P2X7R of microglia participates in NP via regulating autophagy and apoptosis. In summary, our results support P2X7R inhibition can counteract the CCI-induced NP due to microglia activation via a modulation of autophagy and apoptosis in mPFC and spinal cord. This may provide an importantly neuroprotective mechanism for the improved NP and also help devising new therapeutic to improve chronic pain in patients.
The Type of Anticoagulant Used for Plasma Collection Affects in Vitro Rhodococcus Equi Assays
Authors: Rivolta Alejandra Antonella , Pittman Dana Christine , Kappes Amanda J , Stancil Robert K , Kogan Clark , Sanz Macarena Guadalupe 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective: The efficacy of Rhodococcus equi-specific hyperimmune plasma (HIP) is usually evaluated in vitro. Anticoagulants (AC) used for plasma collection can negatively impact bacterial replication but their effect on R. equi growth has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to establish the effect that AC routinely used in veterinary medicine (ACD, K2EDTA, Li Heparin, and Na Citrate) have on in vitro R. equi growth. To assess this, in vitro assays commonly used to test HIP efficacy (direct effect on microorganism and macrophage infection), were performed using each AC and non-treated bacteria. Results: There was no direct effect of ACD, Li Heparin or Na Citrate on R. equi growth. These AC significantly (p < 0.05) delayed growth for 12 h following opsonization. The number of R. equi colonies after macrophage infection was significantly (p < 0.05) lower 72h post-opsonization with Na Citrate. K2EDTA inhibited the formation of R. equi colonies by 12 h in all the assays. In conclusion, AC should be taken into consideration when interpreting in vitro results as their negative effect on bacterial growth may be mistakenly interpreted as HIP efficacy. ACD and Li Heparin appear more appropriate for the selected assays.
Quality of Life and Mortality after Craniotomy for Brain Tumor Removal: A South Korean Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Oh Tak Kyu , Song In-Ae , Kwon Ji-Eyon , Lee Solyi , Choi Hey-ran , Jeon Young-Tae 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
PurposeWe aimed to investigate the prevalence of quality-of-life deterioration and associated factors in patients who underwent craniotomies for brain tumor removal. Additionally, we examined whether deteriorating quality of life after surgery might affect mortality. MethodsAs a national population-based cohort study, data were extracted from the National Health Insurance Service database of South Korea. Adult patients (≥18 years old) who underwent craniotomy for excision of brain tumors after diagnosis of malignant brain tumor between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2017, were included in this study. ResultsA total of 4,852 patients were included in the analysis. Among them, 2,273 patients (46.9%) experienced a deterioration in quality of life after surgery. Specifically, 595 (12.3%) lost their jobs, 1,329 (27.4%) experienced decreased income, and 844 (17.4%) patients had newly acquired disabilities. In the multivariable Cox regression model, a lower quality of life was associated with a 1.41-fold higher 2-year all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 1.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.27–1.57; P<0.001). Specifically, newly acquired disability was associated with 1.80-fold higher 2-year all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 1.80, 95% confidence interval: 1.59–2.03; P<0.001), while loss of job (P=0.353) and decreased income (P=0.599) were not significantly associated.ConclusionsAt one-year follow-up, approximately half the patients who participated in this study experienced a deterioration in the quality-of-life measures of unemployment, decreased income, and newly acquired disability after craniotomy for excision of brain tumors. Newly acquired disability was associated with increased 2-year all-cause mortality.
Real-world Evidence of Time-varying Effects of Renin-angiotensin System Inhibitors on Pneumonia and Related Deaths: A Territory-wide Cohort Study in 252,616 Patients With Diabetes (2002-2019)
Authors: Yang Aimin , Shi Mai , Wu Hongjiang , Lau Eric SH , Fan Baoqi , Kong Alice PS , Ma Ronald CW , Luk Andrea OY , Chan Juliana CN , Chow Elaine 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundDiabetes is associated with increased risk of respiratory infections. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibition with anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory effects may reduce pneumonia risk. Prior studies did not account for time-varying and cumulative exposure to RAS inhibitors (RASi), with short follow-up periods, nor compared angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use in Asians. We investigated the association of long-term use of RASi with risk of pneumonia and related death in Chinese people with diabetes using electronic medical record (EMR) data.MethodsThis was a prospective analysis of EMR with overlap propensity-score weighting of a territory-wide cohort (n=252,616, 1.7 million person-years) and a register-based cohort (n=13,017, 0.1 million person-years) in Hong Kong. We compared new-users of RASi (ACEi/ARBs) following baseline assessment with non-RASi users and new-users of calcium-channel blockers as active comparator. The main outcome was first hospitalization and death from pneumonia. ResultsAmongst 252,616 patients with diabetes in the population-based cohort (mean age=61.0 [SD=12.2] years), 73,161 were new-ACEi-only users; 20,907 new-ARBs-only users; 38,778 ACEi/ARBs users; and 119,770 never-ACEi/ARBs users. Over a mean follow-up period of 6.7 years, 5.2% (n=13,057) of patients had pneumonia and 2.2% (n=5,480) died with pneumonia. Compared with non-RASi use, time-varying RASi exposure was associated with reduced risk of pneumonia (hazard ratio, HR, 95% CI): 0.78 (0.75-0.82) and pneumonia-related death (HR=0.49, 0.46-0.53). The respective HRs for ARBs-only were 0.70 (0.62-0.78) and 0.41 (0.33-0.52) and that of ACEi-only were 0.98 (0.91-1.05) and 0.77 (0.68-86). In the Aalen-additive hazards model, the effect of RASi use was time-invariant for pneumonia (P=0.340) and time-varying for related death (P<0.001) with prevention of 0.6 (0.2-0.9) and 1.4 (1.0-1.6) per-1000-person-years pneumonia events and related deaths, respectively.ConclusionsLong-term use of RASi, notably ARB, was associated with reduced risk of pneumonia and related deaths in Chinese patients with diabetes.
Novel Niobium-doped Titanium Oxide Towards Electrochemical Destruction of Forever Chemicals
Authors: Ko Jesse S. , Le Nam Q. , Schlesinger Danielle R. , Johnson James K. , Xia Zhiyong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Electrochemical advanced oxidative processes (EAOP) are a promising route to destroy recalcitrant organic contaminants such as per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Central to EAOP are catalysis-induced reactive free radicals for breaking the carbon fluorine bonds in PFAS. Generating these reactive species electrochemically at electrodes provides an advantage over other oxidation processes that rely on chemicals or other harsh conditions. Herein, we report on the performance of niobium (Nb) doped rutile titanium oxide (TiO2) as a novel EAOP catalytic material, combining theoretical modeling with experimental synthesis and characterization. Calculations based on density functional theory reveal that Nb doping below 6.25 at.% is expected to reduce radical generation, and higher concentrations up to 12.5 at.% lead to increased performance, competitive with state-of-the-art Magnéli Ti4O7. Nb-doped TiO2 samples were synthesized and found to generate reactive oxygen free radical species with high oxidative stability. We conclude that Nb-doped TiO2 is a promising alternative EAOP catalytic material with increased activity towards generating reactive oxygen species, and is a viable solution for electrochemically destructing PFAS contaminants.
Association of Intraoperative Hypotension and Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury After Adrenalectomy for Pheochromocytoma: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Ruan Xia , Pei Lijian , Lan Ling , Li Mohan , Chen Weiyun , Zhang Yuelun , Yu Xuerong , Yu Chunhua , Yi Jie , Zhang Xiuhua , Huang Yuguang 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundPerioperative acute kidney injury (AKI) has been one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality for surgical patients. Pheochromocytoma is a rare, catecholamine- secreting neuroendocrine neoplasm characterized by typical long-term hypertension that needs surgical resection. Our objective was to determine whether intraoperative mean arterial pressures (MAPs) less than 65 mmHg is associated with postoperative AKI after elective adrenalectomy in patients with pheochromocytoma.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma between 1991 and 2019 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China. Two intraoperative phases, before and after tumor resection were recognized based on distinctly different hemodynamic characteristics. The authors evaluated the association between AKI and each blood pressure exposure in these two phases. The association between the time spent under different absolute and relative MAP thresholds and AKI were then evaluated adjusting for potential confounding variables.ResultsWe enrolled 560 cases with 48 patients developed AKI postoperatively. The baseline and intraoperative characteristics were similar in both groups. Though time-weighted average MAP was not associated with postoperative AKI during the whole operation (OR 1.38; 95% CI, 0.95-2.00; P = 0.087) and before tumor resection phase (OR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.65-1.05; P = 0.12), both time-weighted MAP and time-weighted percentage changes from baseline were strongly associated with postoperative AKI after tumor resection, with OR 3.50, 95% CI (2.25, 5.46) and 2.03, 95% CI (1.56, 2.66) in the univariable logistic analysis respectively, and with OR 2.36, 95% CI (1.46, 3.80) and 1.63, 95% CI (1.23, 2.17) after adjusting sex, surgical type (open vs laparoscopic) and estimated blood loss in the multiple logistic analysis. At any thresholds of MAP less than 65, 70, 75 and 80 mmHg, prolonged exposure was associated with increased odds of AKI.ConclusionsWe found a significant association between hypotension and postoperative AKI in patients with pheochromocytoma undergoing adrenalectomy in the period after tumor resection. Optimizing hemodynamics, especially blood pressure after the adrenal vessel ligation and tumor is resected, is crucial for the prevention of postoperative AKI in the patient with pheochromocytoma, which could be different from general populations.
Pre-term Infants in Major Abdominal Surgery and Postoperative Outcome
Authors: Kumba Claudine 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: A monocentric observational study was undertaken in pediatric surgical patients in neurosurgery, abdominal and orthopedic surgery to determine predictors of postoperative outcome. In this cohort of 594 patients with a mean age of 90.86±71.80 months there were 25 pre-terms aged less than 37 weeks. A description of postoperative outcome was undertaken in these pre-term infants. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics in pre-term patients in this initial cohort. Methods: Secondary analysis of pre-term patients included in the initial retrospective observational study. The Ethics Committee approved the study. Results: 25 pre-terms aged <37 weeks were included with a mean weight of 2.43±0.75 kg in major neonatal abdominal surgery. 9 patient presented postoperative complications among which 1 had an intra-operative cardiac arrest, 4 had postoperative respiratory failure, 2 had pulmonary sepsis, 1 had surgical wound sepsis, 1 had septicemia and 1 had multi-organ sepsis. Conclusion: In this cohort of 25 critically ill pre-terms in major neonatal abdominal surgery, the most common postoperative complications concerned the respiratory system which included respiratory failure and pulmonary sepsis. There was no in-hospital mortality.
Hemoglobin Levels and Postoperative Outcome in Pediatric Surgical Patients
Authors: Kumba Claudine 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Postoperative outcome in children is multifactorial. Among the reported predictors of postoperative outcome, preoperative anemia has been related to adverse outcome in children. A secondary analysis was undertaken to determine the correlation between hemoglobin levels and postoperative outcome in children included in a cohort of an observational pediatric study published previously since this analysis has not been done.Objective: To determine the correlation between preoperative, intra-operative, postoperative hemoglobin levels and postoperative outcome in children in neurosurgery, abdominal and orthopedic surgery.Methods: Secondary analysis of a sub-cohort of 252 pediatric surgical patients with a median age of 62 months [12.50-144.00].Results: Preoperative hemoglobin levels were negatively correlated to length of stay in the intensive care unit (LOSICU) (p=0.002), to length of hospital stay (LOS) (p<0.0001), to the number of patients with intra-operative and/or postoperative complications (p<0.0001) and to re-surgery (p<0001). Low preoperative hemoglobin levels below 6 g/dL were correlated to higher postoperative LOSICU and LOS.Intra-operative hemoglobin levels were negatively correlated to LOS (p<0.0001) and to the number of patients with intra-operative and/or postoperative complications (p=0.004). Low intra-operative hemoglobin levels below 5 g/dL were correlated to higher LOS. Postoperative hemoglobin levels were positively correlated to LMV (p=0.002).Conclusion: Hemoglobin levels are among other multifactorial predictors of postoperative outcome in pediatric surgical patients emphasizing the importance of a global patient blood management implementation program to improve outcome in surgical children.
A study of the insulating and anti-frost heave effects of polystyrene boards under molded bag concrete conditions
Authors: Guo Fuqiang , Li Gangtie , Cheng Manjin 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
In this study, the channel frost heaving actions in the Hetao irrigation area of Inner Mongolia were examined and a field in-situ test platform was established. Then, experimental investigations were conducted regarding the insulating and anti-freeze effects of polystyrene boards under the conditions of concrete bags with different thicknesses. In this study's experiments, concrete bags with different thicknesses were set, along with a test block of polystyrene boards with different thicknesses. The research results showed that by adding 2–5 cm molded bags, the total accumulated temperature increased in the range of 3.93–9.22% and the frost heave rate decreased by between 18.28 and 55.44% concrete, on the basis of 10 cm molded bag concrete. In addition, when 4–8 cm polystyrene boards were laid, the total accumulated temperature increased by 207.63–272.25%, and the frost heave rate decreased by between 71.43 and 96.6%. The absolute slope of the curve fitting of the frost heave rates and the soil temperatures decreased by 44.6–58.7%.
Study on the influence of infiltration on flood propagation with different peak shape coefficients and duration
Authors: Hou Jingming , Zhang Zhaoan , Zhang Dawei , Shi Baoshan , Chen Guangzhao , Zhang Hongbin 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Traditional flood simulations fail to properly consider the impact of soil infiltration in floodplain areas with high soil infiltration rates. Notably, ignoring soil infiltration will lead to considerable uncertainty in flood simulations. In this paper, a fully hydrodynamic model coupled with the Green–Ampt infiltration model was used. Taking a natural reach in northern China (HTH in this paper) as a case study, observed flood discharge data were used to analyze the influence of soil infiltration on flood propagation based on the flood propagation simulation results for various inflow conditions. The maximum difference of inundation area is about 25%. The results show that soil infiltration has little effect on the inundation area during the rising stage of a flood. In the late period of a flood, the inundation area considering the effect of infiltration is smaller than that without infiltration, and the smaller the peak coefficient is, the longer the flood duration is, the larger the impact of infiltration on the inundation area. When the peak shape coefficient is 0.42 and the flood duration is 44.4 h, the maximum difference of the inundation area is about 28%. The research results provide a reference for flood management and post-disaster rescue efforts.
Research on stage–discharge relationship model based on information entropy
Authors: Hao Lin , Zhu Jiang , Boxiang Liu , Ying Chen 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
In order to improve the estimation accuracy of stage–discharge relationship model, the back propagation neural network optimized through the genetic algorithm (GA-BP) based on information entropy was proposed. Firstly, the information entropy and hierarchical clustering were used to quickly cluster the hydrological sample data and get the optimal number of clusters. Secondly, the k-nearest neighbor algorithm was used to divide the new stage data into the most appropriate clustering categories. Finally, the river daily discharge was estimated. Some measured data collected from a hydrological station were used to test the model, and the simulation results showed that the method proposed by this paper can get higher estimation accuracy than the classical analytical model, BP neural network algorithm and GA-BP neural network algorithm, which provided a new effective method for parameter estimation of the stage–discharge relationship model.