bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modification of food additive titanium dioxide (TiO2 E171) with honey and thyme
Authors: Ahmed Hager Youssef , Ibrahim I. H. , Sallam Abdelsattar M. , Said Alaa Hassan 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a distinguished semiconductor that is used as a coloring agent in many products including paints, plastics, papers, cosmetic creams, and food products. In the food industry TiO2 is Labelled as E171 according to the European Union legislation and it is used in many products such as sugar confectionery, chewing gums, candies, some cheeses and sauces, low-fat products such as skimmed milk, ice creams, and pastries with a percentage up to 3.88 mg of TiO2 per g of product. According to the literature, around 36% of TiO2 E171 particles are nanoparticles (NPs), which can cross the intestinal barrier reach the blood circulation then accumulate in the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lung tissues resulting in serious damage to these organs. The aim of this study is to use honey and thyme as natural coating materials to enhance the biocompatibility of three types of TiO2 E171 (anatase, rutile, and food grade). The physiochemical characteristics and bioactivity of TiO2 E171 before and after modification with honey and thyme were measured. The obtained results demonstrate that the modification of TiO2 E171 with honey and thyme didn’t alter its physicochemical properties and the modified TiO2 E171 showed higher antioxidant activity and lower toxicity.
Xiaoyan Decoction’s Intervention on WISP2/CCN5 gene Knockdown Breast Cancer Transplanted Tumor Growth
Authors: Lv Yan , Zhang Chang , Li Xiao Jiang , Gao Shan , Zheng Xu , Han Yan Yan , Li Chong , Geng Qiang 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Xiaoyan decoction, as a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been widely used for decades of years due to its safety and efficiency in tumor therapy. CCN5, also known as WISP-2(WNT-1 induced secreted protein 2) factor, plays an important role in inducing tumor cell apoptosis and inhibiting tumor proliferation. This study elucidated the mechanisms of inhibiting the WISP2/CCN5 gene knockdown nude mice tumor growth by Xiaoyan decoction. MCF-7 cells transfected by sh-WISP2/CCN5 were transplanted into nude mice and WISP2/CCN5 gene knockdown nude mice model was established. Xiaoyan decoction was orally administered to WISP2/CCN5 gene knockdown nude mice so as to intervene the growth of nude mice tumor model. As a result, the tumor volume of Xiaoyan decoction intervention group was significantly smaller,compared with WISP2/CCN5 gene knockdown group(P = 0.032). Besides, our study demonstrated that Xiaoyan Decoction was effective for raising the mRNA and protein levels of WISP2/CCN5 and p27Kip1, reducing the Skp2 mRNA and protein levels. Quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting were used to evaluated the mRNA and protein levels of WISP2/CCN5, Skp2 and p27Kip1. Increased mRNA and protein levels of WISP2/CCN5 and p27Kip1, decreased Skp2 mRNA and protein levels under the intervention by Xiaoyan decoction was found out in nude nice model. Overall, these results suggested that Xiaoyan decoction was an effective drug in inhibiting the growth of WISP2/CCN5 gene knockdown nude mice tumor, and WISP2/CCN5 might act as a potential anti-breast cancer target of Xiaoyan decoction.
Determinants of quality of life among adolescents in the Małopolska region, Poland
Authors: Magiera Agnieszka , Pac Agnieszka 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
PurposeThe aim of the study was to indicate determinants of the quality of life (QoL) in the fields of demographic, socio-economic factors, general health and lifestyle. Methods The cross-sectional study was carried out in a southern region of Poland among schoolchildren from 5 junior high schools and 5 upper secondary schools. 804 students –393 girls and 411 boys took part in the study. The quality of life was measured using the Polish version of the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire. It covered 10 dimensions of the quality of life. In addition, the author's questionnaire concerning determinants of the adolescents' quality of life (demographic and social-economic data, general health and lifestyle) was used. In the analysis of the quality of life standardized results on the European population (T-score) and categorization on the low, average and high quality of life were taken into account. Defining the possible determinants of the adolescents' quality of life was made by the multivariate logistic regression models.ResultsThe highest prevalence of low QoL was observed in school environment (53.4%) and the psychological well-being (51.6%) dimensions of the KIDSCREEN-52. The factors that increased the risk of the low assessment of the quality of life were inter alia female sex, level of education, dissatisfaction of health state, appearance, bad material standing in family, bad relations with at least one parent/caregiver, not spending free time with friends besides school.ConclusionAmong predictors of low QoL, female sex, level of education, dissatisfaction with appearance had an impact on the majority of dimensions of QoL.
A fluorescent enzyme-assited biosensor for analyzing the sperm DNA breakpoints in the freezing process
Authors: Zhou Yue , Zhuo Lifan , Wang Juan , Pei Chengbin , Deng Yukai , Jia Shaotong , Tian Jia , Wang Honghong , Wang Hongyan , Ma Lianghong , Yan Bei 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Improved Overlapping Community Detection in Weighted Complex Social Network Using Hybrid Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering for optical networks
Authors: Divyapushpalakshmi M. , R Ramalakshmi , Ramachandran V. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Community detection in a social network has become a very important step in the recognition of the structure and dynamics of networks in different areas. At present, overlapping community detection methods have become an important and challenging research field, as they have introduced the prospect of vertex connections in more than one community. As a result, many clustering methods have been proposed to discover communities in social networks. Conversely, conventional node clustering and comparatively novel presented link clustering techniques have some disadvantages during overlapping community detection. Existing agglomerative node clustering is insufficient to capture the persistent overlaps owing to the low throughput and unclear description of communities. Therefore, in this paper, a novel hybrid particle-based agglomerative hierarchical (HPAHC) clustering technique is presented for overlapping communities discovered in complex social networks. In the proposed hybrid clustering method, the node’s similar information or behavior and geometric structure (local and global structure) information is extracted from the link topology in social networks. Subsequently, the particle-based agglomerative hierarchical clustering method utilizes the extracted source information for community detection. In social networks, a significant similarity measure can be designed for every pair of objects by considering both the node behavior and geometric structural features. Thus, nodes with high similarity are preserved in a similar community, and our proposed technique will detect communities effectively whose boundaries cannot be simply divided.
WITHDRAWN: Prevalence of personality traits and disorders among KSU medical students. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: a survival mechanism or a prerequisite?
Authors: Al-Jaffer Mohammed , Alghamdi Saleh A , Alanazi Sadeem D , Albdaya Norah A , Zuair Amerah M Bin , Alrasheed Njoud , AlAglan Raghad A 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: A personality disorder (PD) is defined in the DSM-5 as a persistent pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual's culture. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of personality traits/disorders among medical students.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the outpatient clinic, Psychiatry Department, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The data were collected during an interview conducted by trained assessors under the supervising principal investigator, using a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-V (SCID-5, produced by the American Psychiatry Association).Results: The prevalence of PDs among 252 medical students was determined including 44.05% males and 55.95% were females from 1st year to internship year. It was found that following personality disorders prevailed in the medical students; OCPD (21.8%), avoidant (6.7%), paranoid (2.8%), narcissistic, schizoid and borderline (2% each), dependent (0.8%), histrionic and schizotypal (both 0.4%), and antisocial (0%).Conclusion: The prevalence of PDs amongst medical students was remarkable. Approximately one in every five students had OCPD. It is recommended to implement screening tests for PDs in the students’ clinic.
Metagenomic reveals succession in the bacterial community and predicts changes in raw milk during refrigeration
Authors: Rong Guo , Ju Ning , Wang Yuanyuan , Gou Meng , Li Puyu , Luo Yulong 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
In this study, metagenomics was used to analyze microbial succession and predict changes in raw milk during 6 days of storage at 4 ºC, aimed at determining how microorganisms drive the deterioration of refrigerated raw milk. The microbial community in raw milk changed significantly with an extension of refrigeration time (P < 0.01). The dominant bacterial genera gradually evolved from Acinetobacter, Streptococcus, and Anaplasma to Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Lactococcus. KEGG annotation results indicated that the main role of the bacterial community included amino acid biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and functioning as an ABC transporter. Additionally, lipid, amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism pathways were significantly expressed at the beginning, middle, and end of refrigeration, respectively. Refrigeration time is an important factor affecting the composition of the microbial flora in raw milk. The results of this study illustrate the role of microorganisms in the deterioration of refrigerated raw milk.
Surgical treatment of a pre-tracheal thyroid gland with a symptom in a patient with dual ectopic thyroid. A case report
Authors: Saito Masayuki , Banno Hirona , Ito Yukie , Ido Mirai , Goto Manami , Ando Takahito , Kousaka Junko , Mouri Yukako , Fujii Kimihito , Imai Tsuneo , Nakano Shogo , Tsuzuki Toyonori 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Dual ectopic thyroid, a very rare condition, is defined as the simultaneous presence of ectopic thyroid tissue in two abnormal locations. Here, we report the surgical treatment of a patient with dual ectopic thyroid.Case presentation: The patient was a 12-year-old boy with right para-midline swelling for 2 months. On physical examination of the upper anterior neck, there was a 4 cm × 3 cm mass that was soft, mobile, smooth, and painless. Blood examination showed euthyroidism. Neck ultrasonography showed a well-circumscribed multilocular cyst. We followed up by observation only because the patient had no local symptoms or malignancy. After 2 years, the mass gradually enlarged, so we performed surgery to improve cosmetic outcomes. Preoperative neck CT revealed both a high-density solid mass at the base of the tongue and a central low-density region surrounded by a high-density area at the pre-tracheal region below the hyoid. The infrahyoid mass was surgically removed, and the sublingual mass was left intact. Pathological findings showed the growth of multiple-size follicles, leading to a diagnosis of adenomatous goiter. Postoperative 123-I scintigraphy showed radioactive iodine uptake in the sublingual lesion but none in the normal thyroid bed despite the extirpation of thyroid tissue. Postoperative thyroid hormone replacement was started for subclinical hypothyroidism. One year postoperatively, the patient became euthyroid.Conclusion: Surgical excision was used to manage a symptomatic cervical infrahyoid mass related to dual ectopic thyroid. Postoperatively, thyroid hormone replacement was required both to prevent enlargement of the remaining sublingual thyroid and to maintain adequate thyroid hormone levels.
Histogram-based analysis of diffusion-weighted imaging for predicting aggressiveness in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Wei Ran , Zhuang Yuzhong , Wang Lanyun , Sun Xilin , Dai Zedong , Ge Yaqiong , Wang Hao , Song Bin 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: To assess whole-tumor histogram-based analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map for its potential in predicting aggressiveness in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).Methods: Totally 88 patients administered neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with PTC confirmed by pathology were enrolled in the current retrospective study. Whole-lesion histogram features were extracted from ADC maps. The aggressive and non-aggressive groups were compared for histogram features by Mann-Whitney U test. Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis was carried out for identifying independent predictive factors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was implemented to evaluate the performances of factors showing significance, and an optimal predictive model for PTC aggressiveness was developed.Results: The aggressive and non-aggressive groups comprised 67 (44.03±13.99 years old) and 21 (43.86±12.16 years old) patients, respectively. Six histogram features were included into the final predictive model. ADC_firstorder_Maximum had the best performance (area under the curve [AUC]=0.83). The final combined model showed an optimal performance, with AUC and accuracy of 0.88 and 0.82, respectively. Conclusions: Whole-lesion histogram analysis based on ADC maps could be utilized for evaluating aggressiveness in PTC, with satisfactory accuracy.
Where Do Environmental Benefits from Repurposing Office Buildings into Apartments Come from?
Authors: Gursel Aysegul , Shehabi Arman , Horvath Arpad 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Quantitative studies of environmental benefits of repurposing, or adaptively reusing, buildings are very rare. It is generally believed that the structure can be saved in repurposing, but much of the façade and interior materials are often replaced. A life-cycle assessment of the materials needed to repurpose a mid-size 5-storey office building (of which there are about 155,000 in the United States alone, some in excess of market needs) into apartments reveals that 51% of energy, 57% of greenhouse gas emissions, and 75% of generated waste can be avoided when compared to constructing a new apartment building. The key materials driving the embodied energy and emissions are concrete, steel, and façade and interior materials. Replacements of materials and service assemblies in the maintenance phase more than double the embodied energy of initial construction and increase embodied greenhouse gas emissions by 60–77%, while adding just 6–7% to the mass of the buildings.
Potential therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease and their association with Helicobacter pylori were analyzed based on the data of H. pylori-positive miRNA and Alzheimer's disease mRNA chips in the database
Authors: Wu Mei jun , Chen bin , Gao yue 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Although H. pylori infection has previously been reported to be linked with Alzheimer’s disease(AD), the pathogenesis between the two is unclear. Dysregulation of miRNA in AD in Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection have been implicated in the development and progression of AD. The purpose of this study is to analyze and screen the relevant and promising molecular markers between H. pylori infection and AD. Method：In the present study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in AD samples (gray matter) of GSE37263 dataset and in H pylori-positive of GSE19769 collected by NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were analyzed utilizing the bioinformatics approach (R software and related packages), The MiRNA target gene was predicted by miRDB. Then intersected them and common genes were obtained,The interaction between genes was analyzed by STRING.WebGestalt was used for GO and KEGG analysis. Moreover, the MCODE of Cytoscape software was employed to uncover the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and the matching hub gene. Result:The gene set of H. pylori infection was crossed with that of AD acquired from GEO to obtain 48 common genes. Among them, 13 genes were interacted with each other and were key genes in AD regulatory network. After the establishment of PPI network, 9 pivot genes related to AD were retrieved, among which the most critical genes were GAD2, GABRG2, SLC32A1 and GABRA1，which are regulated by mirNA-650, mirNA-206, mirNA-142-3p and mirNA326. To reveal functional enrichment assessment of 13 cross genes, which were abundant in biological regulation and cell communication, and participates in nervous system regulation and neurotransmitter transmission. KEGG cascade analysis revealed three main pathways，KEGG cascade analysis revealed five pathways associated with the Key genes: GABA A receptor activation, GABA synthesis, release, Nicotine addictio, GABAergic synapse, and Neurotransmitter release cycle. Conclusion: The establishment of these candidate key genes and their enriched signal transduction cascades provide promising molecular markers for H. pylori infection associated AD, which may contribute to the diagnosis and future treatment of patients with AD.
Divergent response of shrub growth to climate warming along a latitude gradient
Authors: Yang Jingwen , Zhang Qiuliang , Song Wenqi , Zhang Xu , Wang Xiaochun 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Understanding the response of shrub growth to climate changes is crucial to accurately predict the dynamic changes of the boreal forest ecosystem. A shrub-ring network base on 12 sites was established to explore the response of Pinus pumila growth to climate change along a latitudinal gradient from 44.10° to 52.58° N in northeastern China. The results showed significant differences in the growth trend of P. pumila at different latitudes in recent decades. Shrub growth was faster from 1950 to 1980 in the south and central. From 1981 to 2014, P. pumila growth increased in the north while slowed in the south and the central regions. The temperature of the previous winter and current spring were the main limiting factors for the growth of P. pumila in the north and south. In the central and southern, shrub growth was negatively correlated with precipitation in the previous and current summer. With the increase of latitude, summer temperature inhibits P. pumila growth, while summer precipitation positively impacts from 1981 to 2014. At the individual level, it can be better verified that the growth of P. pumila is promoted by both water and temperature. The prediction of the model shows that the radial growth trend of the northern shrub is decreasing under warming. Unexpectedly, P. pumila growth in the south will benefit from warming under the RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5 scenarios. Therefore, shrubs might not expand northward in the future under the background of climate warming.
A feasibility randomised trial comparing therapeutic thoracentesis to chest tube insertion for the management of pleural infection: results from the ACTion trial
Authors: Arnold David , Tucker Emma , Morley Anna , Milne Alice , Stadon Louise , Patole Sonia , Nava George , Walker Steven , Maskell Nick 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
BackgroundPleural infection is a complex condition with a considerable healthcare burden. The average hospital stay for pleural infection is 14 days. Current standard of care defaults to chest tube insertion and intravenous antibiotics. There have been no randomised trials on the use of therapeutic thoracentesis (TT) for pleural fluid drainage in pleural infection. Aims and ObjectivesTo assess the feasibility of a full-scale trial of chest tube vs TT for pleural infection in a single UK centre. The primary outcome was defined as the acceptability of randomisation to patients.MethodsAdult patients admitted with a pleural effusion felt to be related to infection and meeting criteria for drainage (based on international guidelines) were eligible for randomisation. Participants were randomised (1:1) to chest tube insertion or TT with daily review assessing need for further drainages or other therapies. Neither participant nor clinician were blinded to treatment allocation. Patients were followed up at 90 days post-randomisation.ResultsFrom September 2019 to June 2021, 51 patients were diagnosed with pleural infection (complex parapneumonic effusion/empyema). Eleven patients met the inclusion criteria for trial and 10 patients were randomised (91%). The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on recruitment. Data completeness was high in both groups with no protocol deviations.Patients randomised to TT had a significantly shorter overall mean hospital stay (5.4 days, SD 5.1) compared to the chest tube control group (13 days, SD 6.0), p=0.04. Total number of pleural procedures required per patient were similar, 1.2 in chest tube group and 1.4 in TT group. No patient required a surgical referral. Adverse events were similar between the groups with no readmissions related to pleural infection.ConclusionsThe ACTion trial met its pre-specified feasibility criteria for patient acceptability but other issues around feasibility of a full-scale trial remain. From the results available the hypothesis that TT can reduce length of stay in pleural infection should be explored further.Trial registrationISRCTN: 84674413 (registered 29/04/2019)
Factors Associated with Women’s Timing of first Antenatal Care visit during their last pregnancy: Evidence from 2016 Uganda Demographic Health Survey.
Authors: Towongo Moses Festo , Ngome Enock , Navaneetham Kannan , Gobopamang Letamo 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Utilization of antenatal care services (ANC) during pregnancy has been recognized as a major public health intervention to abate maternal morbidity and mortality. Uganda has experienced high levels of maternal morbidity and mortality over the past two decades. This could be partly attributed to the lower proportion of women who initiated their first antenatal care visit during the first trimester of their gestation period. This study aimed at investigating the factors associated with timing of first ANC visit by women in Uganda.Method: This study used secondary data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS). The study population comprises of women aged 15-49 who reported to have given their last birth during the five years preceding the 2016 UDHS survey. The outcome variable for this study was the timing of first ANC visit. Univariate, bivariate, and multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with the utilization of timing of first ANC visit. Results: Findings show that only 30.3% of women utilized ANC during the first trimester. Women with secondary or higher education, women who were affiliated to Islamic religion, who reside in rural areas, and large family size were less likely to utilize ANC during the first trimester. Meanwhile women who formerly married were more likely to utilize ANC during the first trimester. Women who resided in communities with high socioeconomic status, and high media saturation were more likely to utilize ANC during the first trimester. Women who reside in communities with good access to health facility were more likely to utilize ANC during the first trimester as compared to women residing in communities inaccessible to health facility.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that contextual factors are important predictors of utilization of ANC during the first trimester apart from individual, factors. It is thus important for maternal health programme interventions to consider both individual and contextual factors when encouraging women to utilize ANC services during the first trimester.