bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of heavy metal exposure during pregnancy on birth outcomes
Authors: Zinia Sabrina Shafi , Yang Ki-Hyeok , Lee Eun Ju , Lim Myoung-Nam , Kim Jeeyoung , Kim Woo Jin 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Exposure to heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury poses serious health risks to pregnant women because of their high toxicity. In this study, we investigated the associations of heavy metal exposure with birth outcomes of Korean infants. Data of 5,215 women between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed. This study was part of the Korean Children’s Environmental Health (Ko-CHENS) study. Linear regression and logistic regression analyses were used to examine effects of concentrations of lead, cadmium, and mercury on birth weight, small for gestational age, and large for gestational age after adjusting for maternal age groups, parity, infant sex, education, income, smoking, drinking, body mass index, stillbirth, premature birth, diabetes, hypertension, and gestational diabetes. Besides adjusting for these covariates, each metal was mutually adjusted to estimate birth weight and large for gestational age status. Maternal cadmium concentrations during early pregnancy (95% confidence interval (CI): -63.76, -16.17) and late pregnancy (95%CI: -61.63, -12.84) were significantly associated with birth weight. Cadmium levels during early pregnancy (95%CI: 0.444, 0.912) were also associated with large for gestational age status. Our findings suggest that prenatal cadmium exposure, even at a low level of exposure, is significantly associated with low birth weight.
Molecular characterization of stable QTL and putative candidate genes for grain zinc and iron concentrations in two related wheat populations
Authors: Sun Mengjing , Luo Qiaoling , Zheng Qi , Tong Jingyang , Wang Yue , Song Jie , Zhang Yelun , Pu Zongjun , Zheng Jianmin , Liu Lianzheng , Zhou Anding , Rasheed Awais , Li Ming , Cao Shuanghe , Xia Xianchun , He Zhonghu , Hao Yuanfeng 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Micronutrient malnutrition is one of the most common public health problems in the world. Biofortification the most attractive and sustainable solution to surmount malnutrition requires the development of micronutrient enriched new crop cultivars. In this study, two RIL populations, ZM175/XY60 and ZM175/LX987, were used to identify QTL for grain zinc concentration (GZnC), grain iron concentration (GFeC) and thousand grain weight (TGW). Eight QTL for GZnC, six QTL for GFeC and five QTL for TGW were detected. Three QTL on chromosome arms 2DL and 4BS and chromosome 6A showed pleiotropic effects on all three traits. The 4BS and 6A QTL also increased plant height and might be Rht-B1a and Rht25a, respectively. The 2DL locus within a suppressed recombination region was identified in both RIL populations and the favorable allele simultaneously increasing GZnC, GFeC and TGW was contributed by XY60 and LX987. A QTL on chromosome arm 6DL associated only with GZnC was detected in ZM175/XY60 and was validated in a JD8/AK58 RILs using KASP marker K_AX-110119937. Both the 2DL and 6DL QTL were new loci for GZnC. Based on gene annotations, sequence variations and expression profiles, phytic acid biosynthesis gene TaIPK1-2D and nicotianamine synthase gene TaNAS10-6D were predicted as candidate genes. Their gene-based KASP markers were developed and were validated in a cultivar panel of 343 wheat accessions. This study investigated the genetic basis of GZnC and GFeC, and provided valuable candidate genes and markers for breeding Zn- and Fe-enriched wheat.
In-situ Synthesis and Immobilization of Copper Oxide-Titanium Oxide Nanocomposite (CuO@TiO 2 NCs) onto L-methionine Modified Cotton Fabrics and Investigation of its Antibacterial Activity and UV-protection
Authors: Bayisa Tariku , Edossa Gemechu D. , Feyissa Zerihun , Inki Leta Guta 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Evaluation of impedance characteristics of CVD-grown graphene and effect of turning of electrical properties of graphene up to 50 GHz
Authors: Okuda Ryota , Niwano Kazuhiko , Hatada Kaname , Kokubu Kei , Suga Ryosuke , Watanabe Takeshi , Koh Shinji 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Graphene has been investigated as a transparent conductive film for use in a variety of devices, and in recent years it has shown promise for use in millimeter-wave devices as 5G technology. In this study, we applied single-layer (SL), triple-layer (3L), and p-type doped 3L graphene to coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission lines of practical sizes and obtained transmission characteristics from 1 to 50 GHz, which covered the 5G band. Furthermore, an equivalent circuit model of the CPW used in the measurements was constructed, and simulations were performed, which showed good agreement with the measured results. The results validated the transmission properties of the graphene and the contact impedance with electrodes and the graphene in CPW circuits. In addition, by comparing the transmission loss of various types of graphene, the parameters for improving the transmission characteristics were clarified.
Validation of the Six-Minute Walking Distance Measured by FeetMe® Insoles
Authors: Mostovov Andrey , Jacobs Damien , Farid Leila , Dhellin Paul , Baille Guillaume 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is widely used to assess functional capacity in patients with various diseases. Use of wearable devices can make this test more accurate and easier to administer, and may even enhance it by providing additional information. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of FeetMe® insoles for assessing the total six-minute walking distance (6MWD) by comparing the FeetMe® estimates to those obtained by a rater and to the ground truth measured with a surveyor’s wheel. Data were analyzed from healthy volunteers who performed the 6MWT on 10-m and 30-m tracks while wearing FeetMe® insoles (n = 32), and being simultaneously assessed by a rater (n = 33) and followed by an investigator with a surveyor’s wheel. The mean average error (MAE) of the estimates was below 13 m on both tracks for FeetMe®, whereas it ranged from 16.24 m to 38.88 m on the 30-m and 10-m tracks for the rater. Thus, the FeetMe® insoles provided a more precise estimate than the rater, and the precision of the FeetMe® estimates did not vary according to the track length. We conclude that the FeetMe insoles are a reliable and accurate solution for measuring the 6MWD.
Chronic Hyperpalatable Diet Impairs Hippocampal-dependent Memories by Disrupting Glutamatergic and Fractalkine Axis Signaling
Authors: Ribeiro Roberta , Silva Emanuele Guimarães , Moreira Felipe Caixeta , Gomes Giovanni Freitas , Cussat Gabriela Reis , Silva Barbara Stehling Ramos , Silva Maria Carolina Machado , Fernandes Heliana Barros , Oliveira Carolina Sena , Guarnieri Leonardo Oliveira , Lopes Victoria , Ferreira Cláudia Natália , Faria Ana Maria Caetano , Maioli Tatiani Uceli , Ribeiro Fabíola Mara , Miranda Aline Silva , Moraes Grace Schenatto Pereira , Oliveira Antônio Carlos Pinheiro , Vieira Luciene Bruno 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Chronic consumption of hyperpalatable and hypercaloric foods has been pointed out as a factor associated with cognitive decline and memory impairment in obesity. In this context, the integration between peripheral and central inflammation may play a significant role in the negative effects of an obesogenic environment on memory. However, little is known about how obesity-related peripheral inflammation affects specific neurotransmission systems involved with memory regulation. Here, we test the hypothesis that chronic exposure to a highly palatable diet may cause neuroinflammation, glutamatergic dysfunction, and memory impairment. For that, we exposed C57BL/6J mice to a high sugar and butter diet (HSB) for 12 weeks, and we investigated its effects on behavior, glial activation, blood-brain barrier permeability, pro-inflammatory features, glutamatergic alterations, plasticity, and fractalkine-CX3CR1 axis. Our results revealed that HSB diet induced a decrease in memory reconsolidation and extinction, as well as an increase in hippocampal glutamate levels. Although our data indicated a peripheral pro-inflammatory profile, we did not observe hippocampal neuroinflammatory features. Furthermore, we also observed that the HSB diet increased hippocampal fractalkine levels, a key chemokine associated with neuroprotection and inflammatory regulation. Then, we hypothesized that the elevation on glutamate levels may saturate synaptic communication, partially limiting plasticity, whereas fractalkine levels increase as a strategy to decrease glutamatergic damage.
The association between Thyroid Dysfunction and Vitiligo: A two-sample Mendelian Randomization study in the European population
Authors: Chen Yue , Gao Aili 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background Thyroid dysfunction have been demonstrated to be associated with vitiligo through observational studies. However, the causal relationship between thyroid disorders and vitiligo remains uncertain. In this study, we utilized Mendelian Randomization (MR) to assess the potential contribution of thyroid dysfunction to the development of vitiligo.Methods Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data for vitiligo, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism were sourced from the IEU GWAS database, while free thyroxine (FT4) and thyrotropin (TSH) GWAS summary data were extracted from the ThyroidOmics Consortium. The two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses using inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median methods was employed to estimate the causal relationships between thyroid functions, as measured by the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and blood levels of FT4 and TSH. Sensitivity analyses, including Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger regression, and the leave-one-out test, were conducted to evaluate the robustness of our findings. Additionally, we performed the MR-pleiotropy test to examine potential pleiotropic effects.Results Our results demonstrated that hypothyroidism was significantly associated with an increased risk of vitiligo (OR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.002–1.007; p < 0.001). However, no significant relationship was observed between hyperthyroidism, FT4, TSH, and vitiligo. Sensitivity analyses did not show significant horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity in the study.Conclusions Our study revealed that individuals with hypothyroidism exhibit a higher susceptibility to developing vitiligo. This finding carries significant implications for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of vitiligo.
Risk factors for granulomatous mastitis and establishment and validation of a clinical prediction model (Nomogram)
Authors: Zeng Yifei , Zhang Dongxiao , Fu Na , Zhao Wenjie , Huang Qiao , Cui Jianchun , Chen Yunru , Liu Zhaolan , Zhang Xiaojun , Zhang Shiyun , Mansoor Khattak Mazher 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to explore the risk factors and clinical characteristics of granulomatous mastitis (GM) through a case-control study and establish and validate a clinical prediction model (Nomogram).
Method: This retrospective study was conducted at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Guang’ anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from June 2017 to December 2021. In the design of the case-control study, a total of 1634 GM patients and 186 healthy women during the same time period were included and randomly divided into the modeling group and validation group with a 7:3 ratio. To identify the independent risk factors of GM, univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were conducted and used to develop a Nomogram . The prediction model was internally and externally validated using the Bootstrap technique and validation cohort. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the calibration curve were used to evaluate the discrimination and calibration of the prediction model. Decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact curve (CIC) were utilized to evaluate the clinical significance of the model.
Result: The average age of GM patients was 33.14 (mainly 20 to 40). The incidence was high within five years after delivery. It mainly occurs in the unilateral breast. Majority of the patients exhibited local skin alterations, while some also presented with systemic symptoms. Univariate analysis showed GM was relevant to gestation history, menopause, nipple discharge and invagination, high prolactin level, sex hormone intake, thyroid function, SDS score, breast trauma and diet preference (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed ages (20-40 years old), high prolactin level, sex hormone intake, breast trauma, nipple discharge or invagination and high SDS score were independent risk factors for GM. The mean area under the curve (AUC) in the modeling group was 0.899, and the AUC in the validation group was 0.889. The internal and external validation demonstrated the model's predictive ability and clinical value.
Conclusion: The lactation-related factors are the main risk factors of GM, which could lead to milk siltation or ductal secretion increasing. Meanwhile, hormone disorders could affect the secretion and the expansion of mammary ducts. They all can obstruct or injure the duct, inducing inflammatory reactions and immune responses. Blunt trauma, depressed mood and diet preference can accelerate the process. The Nomogram can effectively predict the risk of GM's occurrence.
Optimal L2 -decay of solutions to a Schrödinger equation with sub-critical dissipative nonlinearity in higher space dimension
Authors: Sato Takuya , Kita Naoyasu 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
This paper treats the optimality of decay estimate of solutions to the initial value problem of nonlinear Schrodinger equations with a sub-critical dissipative power nonlinearity. Our aim is to obtain two results. One asserts that, for the spatial dimension n=1,2,3, if a global solution decays more rapidly than t-d with d=1/(p-1) -n/2 > 0 in L2, then it must be a trivial solution. The other one shows that, for n=2, there exists a solution decaying just at the rate of t-d in L2.
2010 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 35Q55; Secondary 35B40.
Clinicopathological Characteristics and Typing of Multilocular Cystic Renal Neoplasm of Low Malignant Potential (MCRNLMP): a patients’ management report of 76 cases
Authors: Gao Wenlong , Yu Jianpeng , Zhang Mingpeng , Wang Guixin , Li Gang , niu yuanjie 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background The association between computed tomography (CT) imaging characteristics and clinical growth rate of multilocular cystic renal neoplasm of low malignant potential (MCRNLMP) have not been reported. Our study focused on the correlation of CT imaging and growth rate to investigate the distinguished characteristics in MCRNLMP versus renal cysts, and explore the optimized management.Methods Data regarding 1520 patients including 1,444 patients with renal cysts and 76 patients with MCRNLMP who underwent renal cyst decompression, radical nephrectomy, or nephron sparing surgery due to renal cystic disease between Jan 2013 and Dec 2021 in our institution were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Bosniak classification for imaging modality and the 2016 WHO criteria for clinic pathology were used for detection of MCRNLMP.Results In our study, MCRNLMP accounted for 1.48% of patients with “simple renal cysts”, 5.26% of the patients with “complex renal cysts”, and 12.11% of the patients with “renal tumors combined with renal cysts” (P < 0.001); MCRNLMP accounted for 22.37% and 0.66% of patients with cysts’ growth rate ≥ 2.0 cm/year and < 2.0 cm/year, repectively. Of 76 MCRNLMP cases, after renal cyst de-topping decompression, no recurrence or metastasis was found in 9 patients who underwent nephron-sparing surgery or radical nephrectomy again, while only 1 suspicious recurrence was found by CT of 67 patients underwent actively monitored in postoperative 3-year follow-up.Conclusions MCRNLMP can be slightly identified and divided into three types through the potential predictors of Computed tomography (CT) scanning and growth rate. For MCRNLMP, partial nephrectomy is the first choice and radical nephrectomy should be avoided as much as possible, in addition, active monitoring can also be adopted after surgery to avoid unnecessary nephrectomy.
Sodium Hyaluronate Combined with Pranolprofen Improve Visual Function and Reduce Inflammation in Patients with Dry eye
Authors: Yin Jian , Wu Zhihang 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical application of sodium hyaluronate combined with pranoprofen in patients with dry eye.Methods This study’s subjects were 117 patients with dry eye who were diagnosed and treated at our hospital between March 2020 and May 2022. They were divided into three groups based on the therapy methods: sodium hyaluronate (SH) group (N = 39, treated with SH), pranoprofen group (N = 39, treated with pranoprofen), and joint group (N = 39, treated with SH combined with pranoprofen). The clinical efficacy of different treatment methods on patients was evaluated. The symptoms (Ocular Surface Disease Index scale), tear film stability (tear film rupture time, tear film secretion volume, and corneal fluorescein staining), and visual function (visual contrast sensitivity) of patients were assessed among the groups. The levels of tear inflammatory factors, including C-reactive protein (CPR), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results The effective rates of dry eye in the SH group, the pranoprofen group and the joint group were 79.49%, 74.36% and 94.87%, respectively, with the joint group showing a significantly higher rate than the other groups (P < 0.05). After treatment, the tear film rupture time and tear film secretion of the three groups were prominently increased than those before treatment (P < 0.05), and the joint group was significantly higher than that of the SH group (P < 0.05) and the pranoprofen group (P < 0.05). The corneal fluorescein staining and dry eye symptom scores of the three groups after treatment were dramatically lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05), and the joint group showed significant lower scores than the other groups (P < 0.001). After treatment, the visual contrast sensitivity (12c/d, 18c/d and 24c/d) of the three groups were sensibly higher than before treatment (P < 0.05), and the joint group exhibited higher visual contrast sensitivity compared with other groups (P < 0.001). The CPR, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-1β levels of the three groups were notably decreased after treatment (P < 0.05), and the levels of these factors in joint group were dramatically decreased compared with other groups (P < 0.001). The three groups displayed reduced levels of CPR, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-1β after treatment (P < 0.05), and the joint group showed significant lower levels compared with other groups (P < 0.001).Conclusion SH combined with pranoprofen demonstrated obvious clinical efficacy in the treatment of dry eye, and the curative effect was superior to single drug use. It significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear film stability, and visual function, as well as reducing patients’ inflammatory response, which had a high clinical promotion value.
Load Balancing Strategy for SDN Multi-controller ClustersBased on Load Prediction
Authors: Xiao Junbi , Pan Xingjian , Liu Jianhang , Wang Jian , Zhang Peiying , Abualigah Laith 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Software-defined networking (SDN) separates the control layer from the data layer, and decisions tomanage the network are issued through a controller. The distributed SDN architecture is an effectivesolution addressing modern WAN SDN architectures and allows multiple controllers to managedifferent parts of the network to ensure efficient and stable operation. To solve the problems of highswitch migration cost, load imbalance, and inefficient load balancing in SDN multi-controller environments,we propose a deep learning-based controller load prediction switch migration (LPSM) strategythat uses a migration switch selection algorithm, target controller selection algorithm, and switchmigration decision algorithm. Then, we propose a load balancing algorithm based on this decisionalgorithm. The final experimental results show that the LPSM reduces the migration cost by 16%and 8%, respectively, compared with time-sharing switch migration (TSSM) and distributed decisionmigration (DDM) strategies, reduces load variance from 0.02 to 0.004 compared with the DDMstrategy, and improves load balancing efficiency by 27.6% compared with the TSSM strategy.
Factors predicting adherent periadrenal fat in laparoscopic adrenalectomy
Authors: Olcucuoglu Erkan , Senel Samet , Uzun Emre , Ceviz Kazim , Gultekin Huseyin , Arabaci Hasan Batuhan , Koudonas Antonios , Aydin Cevdet 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background Adrenalectomy require the anatomic preparation of the adrenal gland in the fat-rich retroperitoneal space. In the literature, it was shown that the retroperitoneal fat area affects surgical outcomes in laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA). Besides the quantity of retroperitoneal fat, its qualitative properties play hypothetically a significant role in the safety profile and perioperative parameters of LA. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the factors associated with adherent periadrenal fat.Methods The prospectively obtained demographic, preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data of 44 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy in our clinic were analyzed retrospectively. The patients was divided into two groups as adherent periadrenal fat (APAF) and non-APAF group. Periadrenal fat tissue was defined as adherent or non-adherent by the attending surgeon according to the difficulty in dissection of adrenal gland from the surrounding fat tissue during the operation.Results The rate of female gender and presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) was higher in the APAF group (respectively, p = 0.038 and p = 0.001). A ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off point was − 97 HU for APAF. On multivariable analysis using stepwise regression model, we identified presence of DM (OR = 5.073; 95% Cl = 2.192–12.387; p = 0.006) and ARFD > -97 HU (OR = 3.727; 95% Cl = 1.898–11.454; p = 0.008) as independent predictor of APAF.Conclusion APAF seems to affect the perioperative outcomes of LA in terms of operation duration but not perioperative complications.