bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between Serum Vitamin A Levels and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Risk
Authors: Song Yang , Chen Peiqiong , Xu Wenxian , Huang Yizhou , Jia Yingxian , Li Chunming , Lan Yibing , Chu Ketan , Ma Linjuan , Zhou Jianhong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to explore the association between serum vitamin A levels and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, women with POI (n = 47) and normo-ovulatory controls (n = 67) were enrolled from December 2016 to May 2018 in Zhejiang, China. The serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), vitamin A, and total cholesterol (TC) were measured for each participant. The association of vitamin A levels with POI risk was assessed using binary logistic regression analysis. Results: Serum vitamin A levels seems slightly higher in the POI group than in the control group (728.00 ± 176.00 vs 503.93 ± 145.64 µg/L, p = 0.133). But after adjust with serum lipid level, serum vitamin A/TC ratio was significantly lower in the POI group than in the control group (143.14 ± 35.86 vs 157.56 ± 35.21 µg/mmol, p = 0.035). Further, serum vitamin A/TC ratio was significantly and negatively associated with POI risk [unadjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.988, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.977–0.999, p = 0.039]. The same trend was found after adjusting for confounding factors (age, BMI, annual household income, and education) (OR = 0.986, 95% CI: 0.972–0.999, p = 0.040). Conclusion: Serum vitamin A/TC ratio was negatively associated with POI risk, indicating that vitamin A deficiency may be a risk factor for POI development. Serum vitamin A/TC ratio may serve as a predictive factor for POI incidence. Thus, vitamin A may serve a protective role in ovarian tissue.
Effects of Irbesartan on Phenotypic Alteration of Monocyte and Inflammatory Status of Hypertensive Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Authors: Zhang Jingsi , Yang Lina , Ding Yanchun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Circulating monocytes and tissue macrophages play complex roles in pathogenesis of hypertension and its target organ damage. In this study we observed the alterations of monocyte phenotype and inflammatory state of hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and the effects of Irbesartan on it. We explored new mechanisms of Irbesartan to reverse LVH and provided new targets for the prevention and treatment of hypertensive target organ damage.Methods: The CD163 and CD206 expressions on monocytes were detected as well as the IL-10 and TNF-α levels in serum of hypertensive patients with or without LVH and healthy volunteers. Furthermore, we treated monocytes of LVH group with different concentrations of Irbesartan, and then CD163, CD206, IL-10 and TNF-α were detected. Results: We found for the first time that the expression of CD163, CD206 and IL-10 of LVH group was lower than that of non-LVH group and healthy control, but the TNF-α level of LVH group was significantly higher. Irbesartan could upregulate the expression of CD163 and CD206 of hypertensive patients with LVH in a concentration-dependent manner. Irbesartan could also increase the expression of IL-10 and inhibit the expression of TNF-α in monocytes culture supernatant in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions: Our data suggests that inflammation was activated in hypertensive patients with LVH, the monocyte phenotype was mainly pro-inflammatory. The expression of pro-inflammatory factors increased while the expression of anti-inflammatory factors decreased. Irbesartan could alter monocyte phenotype and inflammatory status in hypertensive patients with LVH, which may be a new mechanism of Irbesartan to reverse LVH.Trail registration: The study protocols were approved by the Ethical Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. Each patient signed the informed consent.
Isovalent Doping Effect on Structural, Optical Properties and Dispersion Parameters of Layered Perovskite La2-xAxTi2O7 (A = Bi, Ce, and Y, With x = 0.0 and 0.1)
Authors: Tuyikeze V. , Omari L.H. , Fraija F. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Lanthanum titanate nanoparticles of La2-xAxTi2O7 (the undoped is denoted by LTO and the monodoped with Bi, Ce, and Y is denoted by LBTO, LCTO and LYTO, respectively) were prepared by sol-gel route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals that these compounds crystallize as a monoclinic layered perovskite-like structure with a space group P21. UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was employed to characterize the optical properties and hence the dispersion parameters. Optical transmittance and reflectance were investigated to obtain more in-depth insight into the optical properties and optoelectronic behavior of studied nanoparticles. The data collected reveal that the samples have a wide band gap (Eg) that varies between 3.50 and 3.88 eV. By introducing the Ce ion into the host matrix LTO, the optical gap energy was decreased from 3.69 to 3.51 eV despite a low doping content of 5%. However, the Urbach energy (EU) was increased from 0.28 to 0.85 eV. The dispersion of the refractive index has been studied in terms of a single oscillator by the Wemple and Di-Domenico (WDD) model as well as important parameters such as the dispersion energy Ed, the excitation energy Eo and the third-order nonlinear (NL) optical susceptibility χ(3). Ed and E0 parameters have a crucial role in identifying the characteristics of optical materials and allow the calculations of the factors required for the design of spectral dispersion and optical communication devices.
Hierarchical Ni2P@Ni(OH)2 Architectures Supported On Carbon Cloth As Battery-Type Electrodes For Hybrid Supercapacitors With Boosting Specific Capacitance and Cycle Stability
Authors: Lan Yingying , Xing Hongna , Zong Yan , Sun Yong , Zhang Linxue , Wang Yajing , Li Xinghua , Zheng Xinliang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this work, a novel binder-free electrode, in which three-dimensional porous Ni2P@Ni(OH)2 nanosheet arrays were in-situ grown on carbon cloth (CC), is rationally designed for supercapacitor applications. In comparison with Ni2P@CC, the Ni2P@Ni(OH)2@CC electrode represents superior electrochemical characteristics: the gravimetric capacitance and areal capacitance are boosted to be 632 C g-1 and 0.73 C cm-2 at 1 mA cm-2, about 2 and 2.7 times larger than those of Ni2P@CC (321 C g-1 and 0.27 C cm-2), respectively; the rate capability is improved to be 63.3% from 1 to 10 mA cm-2, about 1.5 times larger than Ni2P@CC (42.9%); the cycle stability is enhanced to be 81.4% after 1000 cycles, about 1.6 times larger than Ni2P/CC (51.8%). The assembly Ni2P@Ni(OH)2@CC//AC hybrid supercapacitor device shows high energy density of 23.5 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 1158.0 W kg-1 and good cycling stability of 75.2% maintenance after 5000 cycles. Benefiting from the combined advantages of high electronic conductivity and large specific capacitance of Ni2P, superior anion exchanging/intercalating capacity of Ni(OH)2, excellent flexibility of carbon cloth and special hierarchical architecture with large surface area, the Ni2P@Ni(OH)2@CC electrode is promised to be a good candidate for supercapacitors.
Theoretical Studies on The Mechanism of Pd2+-Catalyzed Regioselective C-H Alkylation of Indole With MesICH2CF3OTf
Authors: Shi Yao , Ma Hongsheng , Shao Jiaxuan , deng chao 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The reaction mechanism of Pd2+-catalyzed regioselective C–H alkylation of indole with MesICH2CF3OTf has been investigated by the density functional theory calculations. The reaction mechanism mainly contains four steps：C-H activation, oxidative addition, reductive elimination and ligands substitution. From our calculations, we find that the C-H activation step was realized by the acetate anion (-OAc) assisted CMD process and the transition state of C-H activation process is a square planar configuration. Moreover, the calculation results suggest that the regioselectivity of C-H bond alkylation of indole with MesICH2CF3OTf can be ascribed to the different stability of the CMD transition states in C-H activation step and different acidities of C-H bonds.
Land Subsidence Spatial Modeling and Assessment of the Contribution of Geo-Environmental Factors to Land Subsidence: Comparison of Different Novel Ensemble Modeling Approaches
Authors: Arabameri Alireza , Yariyan Peyman , Santosh M 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Land subsidence is a worldwide threat. In arid and semiarid land, groundwater depletion is the main factor that induce the subsidence and results in environmental damages, with high economic losses. To foresee and prevent the impact of land subsidence is necessary to develop accurated maps of the magnitude and evolution of the subsidences. Land subsidence susceptibility maps (LSSMs) provide one of the effective tools to manage vulnerable areas, and to reduce or prevent land subsidence. In this study, we used a new approach to improve Decision Stump Classification (DSC) performance and combine it with machine learning algorithms (MLAs) of Naive Bayes Tree (NBTree), J48 decision tree, alternating decision tree (ADTree), logistic model tree (LMT) and support vector machine (SVM) in land subsidence susceptibility mapping (LSSSM). We employ data from 94 subsidence locations, among which 70% were used to train learning hybrid models, and the other 30% were used for validation. In addition, the models’ performance was assessed by ROC-AUC, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, odd ratio, root-mean-square error (RMSE), Kappa, frequency ratio and F-score techniques. A comparison of the results obtained from the different models, reveal that the new DSC-ADTree hybrid algorithm has the highest accuracy (AUC = 0.983) in preparing LSSSMs as compared to other learning models such as DSC-J48 (AUC = 0.976), DSC-NBTree (AUC = 0.959), DSC-LMT (AUC = 0.948), DSC-SVM (AUC = 0.939) and DSC (AUC = 0.911). The LSSSMs generated through the novel scientific approach presented in our study provide reliable tools for managing and reducing the risk of land subsidence.
Positive Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Heavy Metals in Groundwater and Possible Health Risks for Human beings in an Industrialized City of South India
Authors: Duraisamy Karunanidhi , Palanisamy Aravinthasamy , Karuppannan Shankar , Thirumalaisamy Subramani , Setia Raj 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this investigation, positive impact of COVID-19 lockdown on heavy metals concentration and biological parameters in the groundwater samples of Coimbatore city of South India. The groundwater samples (n = 15) were obtained from shallow-open wells before lockdown (24–25 January 2020) and after lockdown (2–3 June 2020) periods. These samples were analysed for heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr and Pb) and biological parameters (E. coli, Fecal coliforms, Fecal streptococci and Total coliforms). Fe concentration was within the permissible limit but, the concentrations of Mn, Ni, Cr and Pb were above the allowable limits for drinking uses as per the WHO. However, after lockdown the number of samples crossing the cutoff limit had considerably decreased (Mn: 2 to 0; Ni: 13 to 10; Cr: 7 to 5; Pb: 13 to 8). The spatial distribution of heavy metal pollution index (HPI) revealed that 176.75 km2 (67.4%) and 85.35 km2 (32.6 %) areas fell under unsuitable and very poor categories, respectively, during pre-lockdown period, whereas 138.23 km2 (52.6 %), 118.98 km2 (45.3%) and 4.89 km2 (2.1%) areas fell under very poor, poor and good categories, respectively, during post-lockdown period. Similarly, Total coliform, Fecal coliform and E. coli had decreased distinctly due to the pandemic lockdown. Therefore, shutdown of small and large-scale industries during the lockdown period had improved the groundwater quality. Health risk assessment showed that 93%, 87% and 80% of pre-lockdown samples, and 87%, 80% and 73% of post-lockdown samples possessed non-carcinogenic risks (HI > 1) for children, female and male categories, respectively.
Quality of Inpatient Care of Small and Sick Newborns in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study With Key Stakeholders
Authors: Pradhan Nousheen Akber , Ali Ammarah , Roujani Sana , Ali Sumera Aziz , Rizwan Samia , Saleem Sarah , Siddiqi Sameen 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

In LMICs including Pakistan, neonatal health and survival is a critical challenge, and therefore improving the quality of facility-based newborn care services is instrumental in averting newborn mortality. This paper presents the perceptions of the key stakeholders in the public sector to explore factors influencing the care of small and sick newborn and young infants in inpatient care settings across Pakistan.
Methods

This exploratory study was part of a larger study assessing the situation of newborn and young infant in-patient care provided across all four provinces and administrative regions of Pakistan. We conducted 43 interviews. Thirty interviews were conducted with the public sector health care providers involved in newborn and young infant care and 13 interviews were carried out with health planners and managers working at the provincial level. A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore participants’ perspectives on enablers and barriers to the quality of care provided to small and sick newborns at the facility level. The interviews were manually analyzed using thematic content analysis.
Findings:

The study respondents identified multiple barriers contributing to the poor quality of small and sick newborn care at inpatient care settings. This includes an absence of neonatal care standards, inadequate infrastructure and equipment for the care of small and sick newborn, deficient workforce for neonatal case management, inadequate thermal care management for newborns, inadequate referral system, absence of multidisciplinary approach in neonatal case management and need to institute strong monitoring system to prevent neonatal deaths and stillbirths. The only potential enabling factor was the improved federal and provincial oversight for reproductive, maternal, and newborn care.
Conclusion

This qualitative study was insightful in identifying the challenges that influence the quality of inpatient care for small and sick newborn and the resources needed to fix these. There is a need to equip Sick Newborn Care Units with needed supplies, equipment and medicines, deployment of specialist staff, strengthening of in-service training and staff supervision, liaison with the neonatal experts in customizing neonatal care guidelines for inpatient care settings and to inculcate the culture for inter-disciplinary team meetings at inpatient care settings across the country.
The Inhibitory Effect of Cyclodextrin on Oxygen Bioavailability Is a Key Factor for the Metabolic Flux Redistribution Towards Steroid Alcohols in Phytosterol Resting Cells Bioconversion
Authors: Wang Xuedong , Chen Kuan , Cao Dandan , Wei Dongzhi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In the present work, we tried to identify the mechanism why by which the steroid alcohols accumulated when hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) was present to enhance the sterol conversion rate. Compared with the bioconversion system without HP-β-CD, the reaction rate was greatly improved in presence of HP-β-CD, but the steroid alcohols largely accumulated concurrently. The concentration of steroid alcohols increased with the enhanced reaction rate and the higher intracellular NADH/NAD+ level was detected. Mycobacterium neoaurum mutants with higher KshA activity (3-ketosteroid 9α-hydrolase, a monooxygenase hydroxylating the nucleus at C-9 at the expense of NAD(P)H consumption) reduced the steroid alcohols production and in the meantime, the NADH/NAD+ level was decreased consequently. Further research found that oxygen availability was seriously inhibited by the cyclodextrin in a reaction system. These results indicated that NADH formed in the bioconversion was not properly regenerated via the respiratory chain because of the poor oxygen bioavailability. The inhibitory effect of cyclodextrin on oxygen bioavailability is a key factor for the metabolic flux redistribution towards steroid alcohols in phytosterol resting cells bioconversion.
Preservation the Pulp Activity of the Involved Teeth in Jaw Cyst: an Observational Study
Authors: Niu Gang , Li Qing-ling , Tang Yong-gang , Lv Jing-jing , Lin Li-song , Lu You-guang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Jaw cyst is the most common disease of the oral and maxillofacial region. In addition to the pathogenic tooth, the roots of some teeth are often located in the cavity of the cystic capsule. Whether these involved teeth require root canal therapy and apicoectomy is still inconclusive. In the present study, we aimed to preserve the pulp activity of involved teeth in jaw cyst by improved operation.Methods: In our improved surgical method, the root canal therapy was not performed on the involved teeth, and no apical excision was performed during the operation. 63 involved teeth in 20 cases of jaw cyst treated by our department were selected between September 2015 and October 2017. The involved teeth were diagnosed by X-ray, CBCT, and a pulp vitality test before surgery. We observed the pulps' activity in the involved teeth and the efficacy of surgery for 12-36 months.Results: Electrical activity test of 63 involved teeth pulp in 20 patients with jaw cyst was normal or insensitively before operation. The involved teeth were preserved by improved surgical method. After 12-36 months’ follow-up, the pulp activity of 53 involved teeth (84.1%) were preserved, whereas 10 teeth (15.9%) showed adverse symptoms such as redness and swelling in the apical area, fistula, and pain. These symptoms resolved after postoperative root canal therapy. Chewing function was restored well. There was no recurrence and the bone cavity gradually reduced and finally disappeared, and bone density returned to normal after long term follow-up.Conclusion: Our results showed that to preserve the activity of the involved teeth for the treatment of jaw cyst by performing an improved operation method was effective.
DFT and TD-DFT study on quadratic NLO response and optoelectronic activity in novel Y-Shaped imidazole-based push-pull chromophores
Authors: Zaitri Lamia Kara , Mekelleche Sidi Mohamed 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A theoretical analysis of a series of imidazole-based Y-shaped chromophores, D1-D8, is performed in order to investigate their non(linear) optical, fluorescence, and charge-transport properties. The calculations have been carried out employing DFT and TD-DFT methods at CAM-B3LYP and M06-2X levels of theory. FMO analysis reveals that in ground state, highest occupied molecular orbital is localized on the 4,5-dimethylanilino donor moiety and imidazole core while lowest unoccupied molecular orbital spreads on π-linker and nitro acceptor moieties. Vertical absorption and fluorescence transitions are characterized as intramolecular charge transfer and maximum absorption and fluorescence wavelengths show that by changing the π-bridge to the imidazole C2, we can tune fluorescence color from cyan to orange. Calculated (hyper)polarizabilities show that elongation of π-linker by polarizable subunits, such as double bonds or heteroaromatic rings, increases significantly the nonlinear response and shifts the charge-transfer band bathochromically. Calculated reorganization energies indicate that the studied compounds are hole-transporting materials rather than electron-transporters. Interestingly, D7 and D8, with higher hyperpolarizabilities, are predicted to be potent candidates for NLO-devices while D5 and D8 molecules are expected to be promising candidates for luminescent materials and good hole-transport materials for organic light emitting diodes.
Unmet Need for Postpartum Family Planning in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Findings from a cross-sectional study
Authors: Al-Mohaisen Samaher , Bawazir Amen 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: The use of contraceptives in the postpartum period is usually neglected by women, which results in an unmet need for postpartum family planning, and unintended or closely spaced pregnancies. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the magnitude as well as related factors of unmet need for postpartum family planning among Saudi women in Riyadh.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Riyadh between August 1st and October 1st, 2018. All women who were less than 12 months postpartum period at the time of the study and residents of Riyadh were included in the study. The study used the systematic random sampling technique to collect data from 400 participants. The research tool consisted of a structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the factors of unmet need.Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.6 years and the mean age at the time of marriage was 22.1 years. The proportion of unmet need for postpartum family planning among women was found to be 20.5%. Around half (55.8 %) of the participants reported that they had used family planning methods in the past. About 62% of the participants reported using modern contraceptive methods. Our findings reveal that women with a university-level education were 2 times more likely to become pregnant than those with basic education (OR: 2.321, CI: 1.06-5.07, P=0.035). Women who have 3 or more kids 2.51 times likely to experience unwanted pregnancies when compared to women who have a fewer number of kids (OR: 2.55, CI: 1.17-5.56, p = 0.018).Conclusion: The unmet need for postpartum family planning is almost double the global level of unmet need, and higher than many Arab countries. There is a need to educate women about the dangers of unintended pregnancies and increase access to contraceptives in the kingdom.
Hypoxia-induced Response in Mitochondria DNA Biogenesis in Retinal Organoids Derived from Pluripotent Stem Cells from Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Ueda Kaori , Onishi Akishi , Takahashi Masayo , Nakamura Makoto 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This study evaluated the impact of hypoxia on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) biogenesis in retinal organoids of patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) with an mtDNA G11778A mutation. The induced pluripotent stem cells derived from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of LHON patients and a healthy individual were differentiated into three-dimensional retinal organoids with confirmed morphology and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) markers. The retinal organoids were cultured in alternating hypoxic and normoxic states. The ratio of the mtDNA copy number in an organoid to the mtDNA copy number in the white blood cells was calculated. Under both conditions, the control and LHON organoids had similar morphology and RGC marker patterns. Under the normoxic condition, the LHON organoids had a smaller but similar mtDNA copy number ratio as the controls. Hypoxic exposure significantly reduced the mtDNA copy number ratio in both groups. However, the magnitude of reduction was significantly smaller in LHON organoids than in the controls. One LHON patient had a similar and relative mtDNA copy number in the white blood cells to the controls, but the other patient had a much higher number. Therefore, the hypoxic response of retinal mtDNA biogenesis was reduced in LHON patients.