bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association Between Blood Ethylene Oxide Levels and The Prevalence of Hypertension
Authors: Wu Ningtao , Cao Wenya , Wang Yuxing , Liu Xiaoqing 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The relationship of blood ethylene oxide levels with hypertension and blood pressure has not been addressed. A total of 5005 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2016 were enrolled. Hypertension was defined as a mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) of at least 140 mmHg, a mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of at least 90 mmHg, or both, and/or the self-reported use of prescription drugs for diagnosed hypertension. Generalized linear regression models and restricted cubic spline plots were performed to explore the associations of ethylene oxide levels with hypertension and blood pressure. The prevalence of hypertension in the study sample was 27.6%. After adjusting for cofounding factors, compared with the lowest quantile, the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of hypertension across the quantiles of ethylene oxide levels were 0.80 (0.63, 1.03), 0.91 (0.71, 1.16), and 1.39 (1.06, 1.82), respectively (P for trend 0.001). Compared with the lowest quantile, the highest quantile of blood ethylene oxide levels was significantly associated with the worst DBP profile by approximately 2.67 mmHg. Blood ethylene oxide levels showed a strong nonlinear and positive association with DBP, while no significant association was observed between blood ethylene oxide levels and SBP. These results provide epidemiological evidence of elevated blood levels of ethylene oxide in relation to a higher prevalence of hypertension and higher DBP. Further study is warranted to address these issues.
Novel Pathological Predictive Factors for Extranodal Extension in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: a Retrospective Cohort Study Based on Tumor Budding, Desmoplastic Reaction, and Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes
Authors: Noda Yuri , Ishida Mitsuaki , Ueno Yasuhiro , Fujisawa Takuo , Iwai Hiroshi , Tsuta Koji 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background: Extranodal extension (ENE) is a poor prognostic factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Identifying ENE by clinical and/or radiological examination is difficult, thereby leading to unnecessary neck dissections. Currently, no definitive predictors are available for ENE. Thus, we aimed to determine the histological predictors of ENE by routine histopathological examination using biopsy and surgically resected specimens.Methods: This retrospective study included 186 surgically resected OSCC and 83 matched biopsy specimens. Clinical features associated with the tumor microenvironment, including desmoplastic reaction (DR), tumor budding (TB), and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin-stained primary OSCC and neck dissection specimens. These histological features were divided into two groups: DR-immature (DR-I) and DR-mature (DR-M); TB-high (TB-H) and TB-low (TB-L); and TILs-low (TILs-L) and TILs-high (TILs-H). Clinical depth of invasion (cDOI) and pathological DOI (pDOI) were adapted for biopsies and resections, respectively; DOI was evaluated as DOI >10 mm and DOI ≤10 mm. The clinicopathological relationships between these histopathological features and ENE and the independent risk factors for ENE were analyzed. The histological predictors of ENE were evaluated.Results:The histological status of DR, TILs, and TB present in biopsy and resection specimens showed high accuracy with that of ENE. DR-I, TILs-L, and TB-H were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis, cDOI, and pDOI. Bivariate and multivariate analyses revealed that TB-H and pDOI >10 mm in resections were independent factors for the presence of ENE (ENE+). The combination of TB-H/pDOI >10 mm in resection specimens showed high specificity (91%) and accuracy (83%) regarding ENE+. Although there proved to be no independent factors in biopsies, DR-I and TILs-L were significantly associated with ENE+ (p<0.001). The combination of DR-I/TILs-L/cDOI >10 mm in biopsies exhibited high sensitivity and specificity with ENE+ (70% and 77%, respectively, p<0.001). These histological predictors could detect even minor ENE (<2 mm).Conclusions:The tumor microenvironment status in primary OSCC was significantly associated with that of ENE, and TB-H was an independent risk factor for ENE. The histological status of DR-I/TILs-L/cDOI >10 mm in biopsy specimens and TB-H/pDOI >10 mm in resection specimens is a useful predictor of ENE.
Environmental quality mediates the ecological dominance of cooperatively breeding birds
Authors: Shen Sheng-Feng , Lin Yu-Heng , Chen Ying-Yu , Rubenstein Dustin , Liu Mark 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Species as diverse as humans and ants are among the most abundant organisms on Earth, partly because of their ability to form cooperative societies1-3. Yet, animals form groups for many reasons4,5, and how these differences affect their ‘social conquests’2 remains unknown. Here we use a theoretical model to demonstrate that the different fitness benefits that animals receive by forming groups4,6 depend on the quality of their environment, which in turn impacts their ecological dominance and resilience to global change. Our model predicts species that group because of environmental hardships will have wider ecological niches, larger geographic ranges, and higher abundances than non-social species, whereas those that group because of intraspecific resource competition will not. As predicted, an analysis of >1500 avian species finds that cooperative breeders occurring in harsh and fluctuating environments have larger ranges and higher abundances than non-cooperative breeders, whereas cooperative breeders occurring in benign and stable environments do not. These results are consistent with our model predictions showing that species cooperating in harsh or fluctuating environments will be less vulnerable to climate change than non-social species and those cooperating against intra-specific competitors in benign or stable environments. Ultimately, by combining macroecological and sociobiological perspectives, our study helps understand and predict the past, present, and future state of social species, including our own.
E-index Method for Identifying Dynamic Growth Traits of Poplar
Authors: Wang Luman , Wang Jianxin , Qi Huiying 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
To detect the mechanism of growth, volume is important to uncover the genetic basis of dynamic complex quantitative traits. Unfortunately, it is difficult to construct the unique simple growth curve to accurately describe the growth process of all trees by the conventional GWAS based on the functional mapping method, which reduces the power of statistics for the growth model. To address this issue, this work adopted a novel approach about the Earliness degree index (E-index). First, it adopted the method of spline interpolation to fit the growth data to acquire the growth curves for each tree. Second, an innovative calculation model based on E-index was used to measure the earliness degree for each growth curve and to identify the potential relationship between QTL effects and traits by a series of hypothesis tests. Besides, a permutation test could be used to estimate the threshold for p values and to screen out significant QTLs from SNPs related to the growth process. To verify the validity and practicability of our model, we applied this method on the data about the volumes of 64 poplar trees chosen randomly from the progeny of two poplar species I-69 and I-45 with 156362 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Through the E-index method, 13 significant markers were identified for testcross and 10 for intercross related to the growth process. Overall, this study could help elucidate the underlying genetic mechanisms of complex dynamic traits and perform marker-assisted selection in poplar.
Determination and Dietary Intake Risk Assessment of 35 Pesticide Residues in Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L. Walp) from Hainan Province, China
Authors: Zhang Qun , Ma Chen , Duan Yun , Wu Xiaopeng , Lv Daizhu , Luo Jinhui 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The presence of pesticide residues in cowpea raises serious health concerns. In this study, a novel, sensitive, high-performance method was developed to simultaneously analyse the residues of 35 pesticides in cowpea samples from growing areas in Hainan provinces of China, from November in 2018 and June in 2021, using modified QuEChERS sample pretreatment coupled with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) values of 35 pesticides in the cowpea matrix ranged from 0.3 µg/kg to 2.5 µg/kg and 1.0 µg/kg to 8.0 µg/kg, respectively. Twenty-seven different pesticides were detected, and twelve of them were banned pesticides on legumes in China. Residues for ten pesticides in 17.1% of the samples exceeded their MRLs with the highest exceedance of 380%, 80.8% of samples contained one or more pesticide residues, and the most frequently detected pesticide was chlorfenapyr with a detection rate of 46.3%. In addition, the pesticide triazophos was detected through different years and regions. Furthermore, the chronic dietary exposure risk (%ADI) of the detected pesticides showed less than 100% in Chinese people of different age groups, which was evaluated by the national estimated acceptable daily intake.
CD71+erythroid cells expansion in adult sepsis: potential causes and role in prognosis and nosocomial infection prediction
Authors: Zhao Guangju , Jiang Danwei , Cai Wenchao , Chen Xiaoyan , Dong Wei , Chen Longwang , Hong Guangliang , Wu Bin , Yao Yongming , LU Zhong-qiu 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
BackgroundImmune suppression contributes to nosocomial infections (NI) and poor prognosis in sepsis. Recent studies revealed CD71+ erythroid cells had unappreciated immunosuppressive functions. This study aimed to investigate the values of CD71+ erythroid cells in predicting NIs and prognosis among adult septic patients. The potential factors associated with the expansion of CECs were also explored.MethodsIn total, 112 septic patients and 32 critically ill controls were enrolled. The frequencies of CD71+cells, CD71+CD235a+ cells (CECs) and CD45+ CECs were measured by flow cytometry. The associations between CECs and NIs and 30-day mortality were assessed by ROC curve analysis, Cox and competing-risk regression model. Factors associated with the frequency of CECs were identified by linear regression analysis.ResultsThe percentage of CD71+cells, CECs, CD45+CECs were higher in septic patients than critically ill controls. In septic patients, the percentage of CD71+cells, CECs and CD45+CECs were associated with NI development, while CD71+cells and CECs were independently associated with 30-day mortality. Linear regression analysis showed that the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and interferon (IFN)-γwere positively associated with the frequencies of CD71+cells, CECs and CD45+CECs, while IL-10 was negatively associated with them. Additionally, the levels of red blood cells (RBCs) were negatively associated with the percentage of CD45+ CECs.ConclusionsCECs were expanded in sepsis and can serve as independent predictors of the development of NI and 30-day mortality. Low levels of RBCs and high levels of IL-6 and IFN-γmay contribute to the expansion of CECs in sepsis.Trial registration: ChiCTR, ChiCTR1900024887. Registered 2 Augest 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=38645
A Green Protocol for the Electrochemical Synthesis of a Fluorescent Dye with Antibacterial Activity from Imipramine Oxidation
Authors: Souri Zahra , Khoram Mahmood Masoudi , Nematollahi Davood , Mazloum-Ardakani Mohammad , Alizadeh Hojjat 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Electrochemical oxidation of imipramine (IMP) has been studied in aqueous solutions by cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry techniques. Our voltammetric results show a complex behavior for oxidation of IMP at different pH values. In this study, we focused our attention on the electrochemical oxidation of IMP at a pH of about 5. Under these conditions, our results show that the oxidation of IMP leads to the formation of a unique dimer of IMP (DIMP). The structure of synthesized dimer is fully characterized by UV-visible, FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectrometry techniques. It seems that the first step in the oxidation of IMP is the cleavage of the alkyl group (formation of IMPH). After this, a domino oxidation-hydroxylation-dimerization-oxidation reaction, converts IMPH to (E)-10,10',11,11'-tetrahydro-[2,2'-bidibenzo[b,f]azepinylidene]-1,1'(5H,5'H)-dione (DIMP). The synthesis of DIMP is performed in an aqueous solution under mild conditions, without the need for any catalyst or oxidant. Based on our electrochemical findings as well as the identification of the final product, a possible reaction mechanism for IMP oxidation has been proposed. Conjugated double bonds in the DIMP structure cause the compound to become colored with sufficient fluorescence activity (excitation wave-length 535 nm and emission wave-length 625 nm). Moreover, DIMP has been evaluated for in vitro antibacterial. The antibacterial tests indicated that DIMP showed good antibacterial performance against all examined gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Shigella sonnei).
Thymoquinone Improves Motility, Plasma Membrane and DNA Integrity of Frozen‐Thawed Ram Semen
Authors: Inanc Muhammed Enes , Güngör Şükrü , Avdatek Fatih , Yeni Deniz , Gülhan Mehmet Fuat , Olğaç Kemal Tuna , Denk Barış , Tasdemir Umut 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
This study aimed to determine the protective effects of Thymoquinone (TQ), which is the most essential active compound of Nigella sativa, on the spermatological parameters of frozen‐thawed ram semen. Ejaculates were collected from five Sonmez rams. Ejaculates were extended with control (0 µg/mL TQ), 10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL TQ supplemented Tris-based extender. Then extended semen samples were equilibrated in a +4 °C cold cabinet for 2 h. After 2 h the samples loaded into 0.25 mL French straws. The straws were then frozen by liquid nitrogen vapour and stored in a liquid nitrogen container (-196 °C). For analyses, frozen samples were thawed in a water bath (37 oC for 30 s) and evaluated in terms of motility characteristics, plasma membrane acrosome integrity (PMAI), mitochondrial reactive oxygen spices level (MITOSOX+), lipid peroxidation level (BODIPY+), DNA damage and biochemical alterations (oxidative stress index, malondialdehide and glutathione). TQ 100 had higher total and progressive motility compared to control (P˂0.05). According to motility characteristics there were significant differences between the groups on curvilinear velocity (VCL), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and linearity (LIN; P˂0.05). The highest DNA damage was detected in control groups (P˂0.05). TQ50 had higher PMAI compared to control and TQ25 (P˂0.05). The lowest MITOSOX+ level was detected in TQ50 and TQ100 groups (P˂0.05). There were no significant differences on BODIPY+, oxidative stress index, malondialdehide and glutathione (P>0.05). According to results, it could be concluded that, supplementing 50 and 100µg/mL TQ to Tris extender that was used for ram semen cryopreservation, showed a positive effect on motility, PMAI and also decreased DNA damage and MITOSOX+.
Distinct Gut Microbiota Structure and Function of Children With Idiopathic Central and Peripheral Precocious Puberty
Authors: Huang Congfu , Liu Haiying , Yang Wei , Li Yinhu , Wu Bin , Chen Junru , Yang Zhenyu , Liao Cuifang , Liu Limei , Zhang Xiaowei 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
BackgroundPrecocious puberty (PP) is one of the most common endocrine diseases in children, and the pathogenesis is currently unknown. Recent studies on the gut-brain axis have shown that there is a correlation between childhood endocrine diseases and the gut microbiota (GM). However, whether there is a correlation between children’s GM with different types of PP remains unclear.ResultsTo explore the GM characteristics of children with different types of PP, we recruited 27 idiopathic central precocious puberty children (ICPP group), 18 peripheral precocious puberty children (PPP group) and 23 healthy children of the same age (HC group). Their stool samples were subjected to 16S rDNA sequencing. In this study, we found that the OTUs numbers, the annotated genera and α-diversity of GM of ICPP and PPP group were all significantly higher than that in HC group (P < 0.05). The abundance of butyrate acid producing bacteria, such as Prevotella, Lachnospiracea incertae sedis, Roseburia, Ruminococcus and Alistipes, were significantly higher in ICPP and PPP group, while Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium were significantly higher in HC group. The GM symbiosis network showed that both Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium were negatively correlated with these butyrate-acid producing bacteria. The abundances of most significantly changed genera were gradually increased from HC to PPP, and to ICPP group, while only Bacteroides was gradually decreased. After the prediction of the metabolic pathways of the GM, cell motility, signal transduction and environmental adaptation were significantly enriched in the ICPP and PPP groups (P < 0.05), while the carbohydrate metabolism pathway were significantly decreased (P < 0.001). ConclusionsOverall, this study showed that the GM composition and functional pattern of children with ICPP and PPP are different from healthy children, and PPP may be a transitional stage between ICPP and HC children, which provide a theoretical basis for clinical intervention based on GM in the treatment of PP.
ROR2 Promotes EMT and Necrosis by Hyperactivating ERK in Melanoma
Authors: Castro María Victoria , Barbero Gastón , Villanueva María Belen , Nsengimana Jérémie , Newton-Bishop Julia , Illescas Edith , Quezada María Josefina , Lopez-Bergami Pablo 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
PurposeReceptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2) has been shown to play opposite roles in the progression of different tumor types. In melanoma, ROR2 was shown to associate with a more invasive phenotype and to contribute to experimental lung colonization. However, the underlying mechanisms regulated by ROR2 have not been elucidated. More importantly, it has not been established whether ROR2 is just a marker or a driver of melanoma aggressiveness. MethodsGain and loss-of-function experiments were applied to study the biological function of ROR2 in melanoma. Transwell assays and Western blots were used to evaluate cell migration and both expression and activation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) markers and signaling proteins. The role of ROR2 in vivo was assessed in xenotransplantation experiments.ResultsWe describe that ROR2 promotes EMT by inducing cadherin switch and the upregulation of the transcription factors ZEB1, Twist, Slug, Snail, and HIF1A, together with a mesenchymal phenotype and increased migration. ROR2 association with EMT is also observed in melanoma samples. ROR2 exerts these effects by hyperactivating the MAPK/ERK pathway far above the typical high constitutive activity observed in melanoma. ROR2 also promoted EMT, invasion, and necrosis in xenotransplanted mice. This important role of ROR2 translates into melanoma patient’s prognosis since patients with lymph node metastasis displaying elevated ROR2 levels have reduced overall survival and distant metastasis-free survival.Conclusions These results demonstrate that ROR2 contributes to melanoma progression by hyperactivating ERK and inducing EMT and necrosis. Thus, ROR2 can be an attractive therapeutic target for metastatic melanoma.
Hydrochemical Characteristics of Surface Waters and Their Relationships to the Kashin–Beck Disease in Longzi County, Tibet
Authors: Tian Yuan , Xiao Jianyu , Zha Xinjie , Yu Chengqun 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Although previous studies have been reported between the Kashin–Beck Disease (KBD) epidemic and the hydrochemical characteristics of surface waters, the etiology of the disease remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between the KBD and the environment by comprehensively examining the hydrochemical characteristics of surface waters in Longzi County, Tibet, and the spatial incidence of the disease. Results show that, the pH (mean = 7.27±0.30), TH (mean = 57.08±45.74 mg L–1), and TDS (mean = 67.56±44.00 mg L–1) of surface waters in KBD endemic areas are lower than for those in the non-KBD endemic areas (means of pH = 7.49±0.30; TH = 262.06±123.29 mg L–1; TDS = 253.25±100.39 mg L–1). These results suggest that long-term consumption of low TDS, essential trace elements (e.g., nickel, cobalt, iron, selenium, zinc, molybdenum, and iodine) deficient, and potential toxic elements (such as arsenic) enriched waters by humans likely causes the KBD. Environmental factors such as the geology and geomorphology may produce biogeochemical imbalance, geomorphic, vegetation types and local climatic conditions may have significant impact on food fungi toxin poisoning and water organic compound poisoning, and these are also important in the KBD occurrence.
New White Light-Emitting Halochromic Stilbenes with Remarkable Quantum Yields and Aggregation-Induced Emission
Authors: Panahi Farhad , Mahmoodi Ali , Ghodrati Sajjad , Ashtiani Ali , Eshghi Fazlolah 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Highly efficient single-component white light emitters (SWLEs), are attractive candidates for the simple and cost-effective fabrication of high-performance lighting devices. This study introduced a donor–π–acceptor and a donor–π–donor stilbene-based chromophores, representing pH-responsive fluorescence. The emitters showed yellow and green fluorescence in their neutral form. At the same time, protonation of the chromophores caused blue fluorescence color with a strong hypsochromic shift. The white light emission (WLE) for these chromophores was observed at approximately pH=3 due to the simultaneous presence of the neutral and protonated forms of the chromophores, covering almost all the emission spectra in the visible region (400-700 nm). These chromophores presented exceptional white light quantum yields (Φ) between 31-54%, which was desirable for producing white light-emitting devices. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent (TD)-DFT were applied to study the structural and electronic properties of the chromophores.