bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pigmentary Complications after Non-Medical Male Circumcision
Authors: Fahmy Mohamed A Baky , Tirana Radwa , Othman Doa , Gad Dalia , Elsadek Menan 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Objectives: A wide spectrum of complications are reported after male circumcision (MC), the non-aesthetic complications are well known, but the pigmentary complications scale are not reported precisely. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of 550 circumcised boys, who were examined and appropriately investigated for the incidence of pigmentary complications after circumcision. Most diagnoses were clinically, but dermoscopy was done for 17 case and a skin biopsy for 14 cases. Patients with personal or family history of vitiligo, or congenital nevi were excluded. Available hospital records details and parents' statements were revised. The main outcome measures are the incidence of different pigmentary complications and circumcision details; data were analyzed by Fisher’s exact probability test, two tailed, and non-parametric tests including the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: 69 cases had 72 confirmed pigmentary complications discovered at 2 to 36 months after commencement of circumcision (mean 18). 48 cases had pigmentary complications directly related to MC, 11 cases were probably related and 10 unrelated to MC. The most common lesion is the circular hyperpigmented scar (29 cases); liner hyperpigmented scar in 13, spotted exogenous melanosis in 18 cases, melanocytic nevi (7), hypopigmentation diagnosed in 3 cases, but kissing nevus is the rarest finding (2). Topical corticosteroid was tried in 15 cases, surgical excision of pigmented scar were done for 19 cases, local laser used for 4 resistant cases and reassurance with follow up for the rest. Conclusion: Pigmentary complications after male circumcision are not rare and its management is challenging.
miR-15a Targets ABAT Gene to Regulate the Differentiation of Preadipocytes of Yanbian Yellow Cattle
Authors: Bai Jinhui , Xu Hongyan , Fang Jiachen , Zhang Congcong , Song Jixuan , Zhang Xinxin , Hao Beibei , Yin Baozhen , Xia Guangjun 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that cannot be translated into proteins. The length of a mature miRNA is approximately 20-25 nt. Neural regulation, inflammatory response, cell proliferation and apoptosis, fat metabolism, and cell differentiation, among others, have become research hotspots in recent years. In this experiment, dual-luciferase reporter gene detection, qRT-PCR, oil red O staining, western blotting, and other methods were used to select the differentially expressed miR-15a and its target gene, the 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase (ABAT) gene, in the longissimus muscle tissues of cattle bulls and steers. By transfecting Yanbian yellow cattle precursor adipocytes with equal amounts of artificially synthesised miR-15a mimics, mimics NC, miR-15a inhibitor, and inhibitor NC and inducing differentiation, the total RNA and total protein of cells during the induced differentiation process were extracted.The effect of miR-15a on the mRNA and protein expression of adipogenesis-related genes was analysed. ResultsThe results showed that the lipid droplet content and lipid droplet size of the miR-15a mimic group were significantly lower than those of the mimics NC group, and the mRNA levels of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) genes in the miR-15a mimics group were significantly lower than those in the mimics NC group. At the same time, the protein expression of miR-15a mimic group cells was also significantly lower than that of the NC group cells. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of the PPARγ and C/EBPα genes of miR-15a inhibitor group cells were significantly higher than those of the NC group cells, and the protein expression levels were also significantly higher than those of the NC group cells. The luciferase reporter results showed that miR-15a mimics significantly inhibited the activity of the ABAT-3'UTR dual luciferase reporter gene vector, indicating that the miR-15a and ABAT genes have a targeting effect, and that overexpressed miR-15a significantly reduced the expression of the ABAT gene in the cell, inhibited the expression of miR-15a, and significantly increased the expression of the ABAT.ConclusionsIn summary, miR-15a may target the ABAT gene to regulate the differentiation of Yanbian yellow cattle precursor adipocytes.
Research on the Mechanism of Chuanxiong in Treating Diabetic Nephropathy by Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Technique
Authors: Li Changyan , Su Feng , Zhang Le , Liu Fang , Li Zhen , Fan Wenxing , Yang Jing , Mali Niroj 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background

Chuanxiong hort. It has been used in the clinic, but its main active components and drug mechanism are unknown.
Objective

To explore the mechanism of diabetic nephropathy (DN) treated with chuanxiong hort.
Methods

the active components and targets of chuanxiong Hort. were collected by TCPSP database, the DN gene expression data were collected by NCBI database, DN related genes were obtained by differential analysis. Furthermore, String and Cytoscape tools were used to construct the regulatory network of chuanxiong and the main active components for DN treatment. At the same time, PPI network interaction analysis was performed for core genes and GO. KEGG analysis was performed, prediction of molecular docking using Auto Dock Tools for critical genes.
Results

eight active components of chuanxiong Hort. were screened out, and one was recorded repeatedly. They were Angelica lactone A, ligusticum chuanxiong naphthofurolactone, Myricetin, 1-palmitic acid-2-linoleic acid-3-olein and ferulic acid ester of conifer. In addition, the active components interact with 15 disease targets, namely PGR, NR3C1, NCOA1, NCOA2, NR3C2, PTGS1, F2, F7, ESR1, AR, PPARG, ESR2, DPP4, HSP90AA1 and PRKACA. Besides, GO analysis of target genes, involved in the regulation of DN by chuanxiong Hort., were the regulation of cellular response to steroid hormone stimulation, the binding of nuclear receptors to steroid hormone receptors and the principle of cAMP-dependent protein kinase complexes. What's more, results of KEGG analysis showed that estrogen signalling pathway, endocrine and other factors-regulated calcium reabsorption and adipocyte adipogenesis played a role in the regulation of DN. Further molecular docking showed that NCOA1 and NCOA2 could interact with Angelica lactone A, Myricetin, Chrysophanol, chuanxiong naphthalize and Chrysophanol.
Conclusion

the active components of chuanxiong Hort., including Angelica Lactone A, Myricetin, Chrysophanol, chuanxiong naphthafunolide and Chrysophanol, can affect the regulation of estrogen signalling pathway, endocrine and other factors regulating calcium reabsorption and adipogenesis of adipocytes through the regulation of steroid hormone stimulation and regulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase complex, and then play a therapeutic role on DN.
Simvastatin boosts neutrophil apoptosis and ameliorates secondary brain injury following intracerebral hemorrhage via LXA4/FPR2/p38 MAPK pathway
Authors: Chen Qianwei 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Statins, in addition to their well-known lipid-lowering effects, have also shown a wide range of neuroprotective effects in recent years. We previously found that simvastatin effectively attenuated intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced secondary brain injury in rats. This study aims to elucidate the underlying mechanism. The animal model was established in adult male Sprague–Dawley rats by an injection of autologous blood, then randomly treated with simvastatin or vehicle. Then, a series of experiments were conducted to investigate the involvement of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) / formyl-peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) / p38 MAPK signaling pathway in simvastatin-triggered neutrophil apoptosis. Results show that simvastatin significantly elevated the level of LXA4 (an endogenous FPR2 agonist) in plasm in early stage of ICH. Exogenous LXA4 administration effectively promoted circulating neutrophil apoptosis, reduced the neutrophil count in both peripheral blood and perihematomal area, as well as ameliorated neuroinflammation and brain injury after ICH, which in line with the effect of simvastatin. Moreover, similar to simvastatin, the exogenous LXA4 markedly down-regulated the phosphorylation level of p38 and the Mcl-1/Bax ratio (the decreased ratio represents pro-apoptosis) in circulating neutrophils of ICH rat. Notably, all above effects of simvastatin on ICH were significantly abolished by Boc-2, a selective antagonist for FPR2. Moreover, simvastatin led to a similar reduction of Mcl-1/Bax ratio as SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor), but it was abolished by P79350 (p38 MAPK agonist). Collectively, these results suggest that simvastatin boosts neutrophils apoptosis and alleviates subsequent neuroinflammation following ICH may via upregulating LXA4 in plasma through the FPR2/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Influence of Epichloë bromicola endophytic fungi on secondary metabolites following alkali tolerance improvement in host, Hordeum bogdanii
Authors: Han Dan , Wang Kai , Long Feng , Zhang Wangbing , Yao Xiang , Chen Shuihong 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate how endophytic fungi affect secondary metabolites of H. bogdanii under alkaline stress at different concentrations. It is currently unclear whether the mechanism via which endophytic fungi improve the alkali tolerance of Hordeum bogdanii affects secondary metabolites. Unveiling this knowledge is crucial for understanding the tolerance mechanism of H. bogdanii to alkaline stress.
Methods: Endophyte-infected (E+) and endophyte-free (E-) individuals of H. bogdanii were used as materials in this study. Vermiculite was used for plant cultivation and was carried out in the laboratory. After mixed alkali stress treatment, the roots, stems, and leaves of the plants were collected to measure the indicators related to secondary metabolites.
Results: The results showed that endophytic fungi significantly increased the contents of phosphorus, polyphenols, and alkaloids, and the activities of polyphenol oxidase and acid phosphatase, and significantly reduced flavonoid content. The content of polyphenols and alkaloids in stems, polyphenol oxidase activity in stems and leaves, and acid phosphatase activity in leaves were significantly affected. In general, endophytic fungi improved the alkali resistance of H. bogdanii by improving the related indicators of secondary metabolites.
Conclusions: The findings of this study may aid in amplifying the alkali resistance mechanism of endophytic fungi to H. bogdanii as well as provide insights into improving the alkali resistance of other plants.
Seroprevalence of Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Healthcare Workers at a Tertiary Hospital in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mushcab Hayat , Al-Tawfiq Jaffar , Ghamdi Mohammed , Babgi Amani , Amir Abdulrazack , Sheikh Salwa , Darwisheh Adel , Alobaid Abrar , Jebakumar Arulananatham , Qahtani Saeed , Sagheir Ahmed Al 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background

The nature of the healthcare workers' jobs standing at the frontline against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) puts them at a higher risk of unknowingly contracting the disease and potentially contributing to the spread. This study aims to assess the overall positive seroconversion prevalence of SARS-CoV-2.
Methods

This is a longitudinal cohort study of healthcare workers at a tertiary hospital serving patients in several districts in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Participants were recruited between June - December 2020. Each participant had a serology blood test and completed the World Health Organization's risk factors assessment questionnaire.
Results

This study included 682 participants working in any capacity at a tertiary hospital, representing 15.7% of our population. Only 87 participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, a prevalence of 12.7% of all participants. Of the 87 participants, 17 participants never tested positive for COVID-19 rt-PCR before the study, a prevalence of 2.9%. Moreover, the improper technique of using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water after the risk of body fluid exposure and wearing personal protective equipment when indicated were found to be statistically significant to having positive SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay with P=0.02, P=0.03, and CI: 95% respectively.
Conclusion

Positive seroconversion rate was considerably low during the first wave of COVID-19 amongst our healthcare workers and similar to other healthcare organizations in Saudi Arabia. Seropositivity correlated significantly with adherence to infection prevention and control recommendations.
Deep Residual Feature Quantization for 3D Face Recognition
Authors: Hariri walid , Zaabi Marwa 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
3D face recognition (FR) has been successfully applied using Convolutional neural networks (CNN) which have demonstrated stunning results in diverse computer vision and image classification tasks. Learning CNNs, however, need to estimate millions of parameters that expect high-performance computing capacity and storage. To deal with this issue, we propose an efficient method based on the quantization of residual features extracted from ResNet-50 pre-trained model. The method starts by describing each 3D face using a convolutional feature extraction block, and then apply the Bag-of-Features (BoF) paradigm to learn deep neural networks (we call it Deep BoF). To do so, we apply Radial Basis Function (RBF) neurons to quantize the deep features extracted from the last convolutional layers. An SVM classifier is then applied to classify faces according to their quantized term vectors. The obtained model is lightweight compared to classical CNN and it allows classifying arbitrary-sized images. The experimental results on the FRGCv2 and Bosphorus datasets show the powerful of our method compared to state of the art methods.
Phenomic Data-Facilitated Rust and Senescence Prediction in Maize Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: DeSalvio Aaron J. , Adak Alper , Murray Seth C. , Wilde Scott C. , Isakeit Thomas 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Current methods in measuring maize (Zea mays L.) southern rust (Puccinia polyspora Underw.) and subsequent crop senescence require expert observation which are resource-intensive and prone to subjectivity. In this study, unoccupied aerial system (UAS) field-based high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) was employed to collect high-resolution aerial imagery of elite maize hybrids planted in the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons, with 13 UAS flights obtained from 2020 and 17 from 2021. Vegetation indices (VIs) were extracted from mosaicked aerial images that served as temporal phenomic predictors for southern rust scored in the field and senescence as scored using UAS-acquired mosaic images. Temporal best linear unbiased predictors (TBLUPs) were calculated using a nested model that treated the pedigree performances as nested within flights in terms of rust and senescence. All eight machine learning regressions tested (ridge, lasso, elastic net, random forest, support vector machine with radial and linear kernels, partial least squares, and k-nearest neighbors) outperformed a general linear model with both higher prediction accuracies (92-98%) and lower root mean squared error (RMSE) for rust and senescence scores. UAS-acquired VIs enabled the discovery of novel early quantitative phenotypic indicators of maize senescence and southern rust before being detectable by expert annotation and revealed positive correlations between grain filling time and yield (0.22 and 0.44 in 2020 and 2021), with practical implications for precision agricultural practices.
Antibodies and antigen kinetics in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Zhou Mi , Li Qingfeng , Zheng YongLi , Cong Xue , Li Guoqing , Liu Dafeng , Wang Yuanfang , Dong Ke , Luo Ruocheng , Wu Kunpeng , Zhao Xing , Li Dongdong , Zuo Haojiang 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
The antigen and antibody kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients remains unclear, and the clinical values of the serological test have not been completely elucidated. A total of 154 serum samples from 13 patients with COVID-19 infection were collected at about three-day intervals during hospitalization. Samples were screened for SARS-CoV-2-specific total antibodies (TAb), IgA, IgM, IgG, and antigen (Ag) using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays (CMIA). The overall seroconversion and/or four-fold increase rates of TAb, IgA, IgM, and IgG during hospitalization were 92.31%, 92.31%, 84.62%, and 92.31%, respectively. However, within a week of onset, antibodies were present in <50% of the patients. The combination of “Ag and/or TAb” maintained the positive rate at 81.82% during the first three days after symptom onset and quickly enhanced to 92.31% during 4–6 days after the symptom onset. The seropositive median day of Ag was two days after symptom onset. Among patients who underwent IgM and IgG seroconversion, the seroconversion median days of IgA, TAb, IgM, and IgG were 9.5 days, 10 days, 11 days, and 11.5 days after the symptom onset, respectively. Serological testing, especially virus-specific antigen testing, may be helpful for early identification of suspected patients and asymptomatic infections.
Adaptive multistep model predictive control for tubular grid-connected solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Yin Linfei , Liu Dongduan , Mo Mingshan 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

In the research of renewable energy power generation, tubular grid-connected solid oxide fuel cells with the apparent advantage in voltage regulation have been widely applied in power systems. Recently, a model predictive control has been applied to consider the nonlinear constraints of tubular grid-connected solid oxide fuel cells, which cannot be considered by a proportional-integral-derivative controller. While both model predictive control and proportional-integral-derivative controller achieve only 80% fuel efficiency, which should be improved. An adaptive multistep model predictive control (AMMPC) is proposed to improve the fuel efficiency of tubular grid-connected solid oxide fuel cells and simultaneously consider systemic thermodynamics and electrochemistry constraints. The AMMPC contains the advantages of adaptive control and multistep model predictive control. Both adaptive two-step model predictive control and three-step model predictive control are designed for tubular grid-connected solid oxide fuel cells. With the more accurate prediction ability, the AMMPC improves the fuel efficiency of tubular grid-connected solid oxide fuel cells with higher fuel efficiency (86.5%) than model predictive control (80%) and proportional-integral-derivative (80%). Both feasibility and effectiveness of the AMMPC are verified with high fuel efficiency under both simple and complex power demands cases.
Specific Reprogramming of Alpha Cells to Insulin-Producing Cells by Short Glucagon Promoter-Driven Pdx1 and MafA
Authors: Guo Ping , Zhang Ting , Lu Aiping , Shiota Chiyo , Huard Matthieu , Whitney Kaitlyn , Huard Johnny 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Endogenous reprogramming of pancreas-derived non-beta cells into insulin-producing cells is a promising approach to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D). One strategy that has yet to be explored is the specific delivery of insulin-producing essential genes, Pdx1 and MafA, to pancreatic alpha cells to reprogram the cells into insulin-producing cells in an adult pancreas. In this study, we utilized an alpha cell-specific glucagon (GCG) promoter to drive Pdx1 and MafA transcription factors to reprogram alpha cells to insulin-producing cells in chemically induced and autoimmune diabetic mice. Our results showed that a combination of a short glucagon-specific promoter with AAV serotype 8 can be used to successfully deliver Pdx1 and MafA into alpha cells in the mouse pancreas. Pdx1 and MafA expression specifically in alpha cells was also able to correct hyperglycemia in both induced and autoimmune diabetic mice. With this technology, targeted gene specificity and reprogramming were accomplished with an alpha-specific promotor combined with an AAV-specific serotype and provide an initial basis to develop a novel therapy for the treatment of T1D.
Design and Simulation of GaAsN Based Solar Cell with AlGaAs Blocking Layer for Harvesting Visible To Near-Infrared Light
Authors: Haque Md Dulal , Ali Md Hasan , Halim Md Abdul , Islam A. Z. M. Touhidul , Hossain Md Mahabub , Hossain M. Ismail 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
In the present study, the performance parameters of GaAsN dilute nitride-based semiconductor solar cell with and without AlGaAs blocking layers have been investigated in detail by Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator in one dimensional software program (SCAPS-1D). The thickness of absorber, buffer, and blocking layers are varied to achieve the improvement of open circuit voltage, short circuit current, fill factor, efficiency and also to optimize the device structure. The impact of doping and defect densities on the solar cell performance parameters have been analyzed minutely inside the absorber, buffer, and blocking layers. The solar cell thermal stability parameters are also investigated in the temperature region from 273K to 373K. The efficiency of 43.90% and 40.05% are obtained from the proposed solar cells with and without AlGaAs blocking layer, respectively. The present findings may provide insightful approach for fabricating feasible, cost effective, and efficient dilute nitride solar cell.
Development and Analysis of a New Cylindrical Lithium-ion Battery Thermal Management System
Authors: Sun Yasong , Bai Ruihuai 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
With the development of modern technology and the economy, environmental protection and sustainable development have become the focus of global attention. In this paper, the promotion and development of electric vehicles have bright prospects, and they are also facing many challenges. Under different operating conditions, various safety problems of electric vehicles emerge one after another, especially the potential safety hazards caused by battery overheating that threaten electric vehicles' development process. In this paper, a new indirect liquid cooling system is designed and optimized for cylindrical lithium-ion batteries. A variety of design schemes for different cooling channel structures and cooling liquid inlet direction are proposed, and the corresponding solid-fluid coupling model is established. COMSOL Multiphysics simulation software models, simulates and analyses cooling systems. An approximate model is constructed using the Kriging method，and it is considered to optimize the battery cooling system and improve the optimization results. Sensitivity parameter analysis and system structure optimization design are also carried out on the influencing factors of the battery thermal management. The results indicate it effectively balances and reduces the maximum core temperature and temperature difference of the battery pack. Compared with the original design, from the optimized design of these factors, which based on method of the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II), there is an excellent ability on the optimized thermal management system to dissipate thermal energy and keep the overall cooling uniformity of the battery and thermal management system. Furthermore, under thermal abuse conditions, the optimized system can also prevent thermal runaway propagation. In summary, this research is expected to provide some practical suggestions and ideas for the engineering and production applications and structural optimization design carried by electric vehicles.