bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the wear characteristics of multi-directional die forging and forming dies for a railway wagon bogie adapter
Authors: Ji Hongchao , Song Gang , Song Changzhe , Li Jingsheng , Pei Weichi , Wang Baoyu 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
This paper evaluates the influence of the combined die motion scheme and forging process parameters on the evolution of the wear pattern of forging dies for the railway wagon bogie adapter based on an improved Archard model The simulation results show that the distribution of die wear parts during the hot forging process of the railway wagon bogie adapter is uneven but symmetrical, and the maximum wear parts are mainly distributed in the ring belt part of the top die and the shoulder part of the bottom die, and the maximum wear amount of the top die is about 1.4 times that of the bottom die. In addition, the influence of the initial forging temperature (Tw) and the preheating temperature (Td) on the wear behaviour of the die during the forging and forming of the adapter was investigated, and a combination of high Tw and low Td was found to be more beneficial in reducing the wear of the die. In order to obtain the optimal process parameters, a response surface model of die wear was established and combined with a Genetic Algorithm-Artificial Neural Network (GA-BP) to optimize the forging process parameters and proposed an optimal strategy to reduce die wear.
Association of sarcopenia with endocrine therapy toxicity in patients with early breast cancer
Authors: Aleixo Gabriel , Valente Stephanie A. , Wei Wei , Moore Halle C. F. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
BackgroundEndocrine therapy reduces recurrence risk and improves survival in women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer; however, side effects can decrease quality of life, leading to reduced treatment adherence. Sarcopenia is the loss of skeletal muscle mass that happens with age; it is associated with reduced chemotherapy adherence in patients with breast cancer. The impact of sarcopenia on endocrine therapy tolerance has not been investigated. The current study evaluates the association of sarcopenia with endocrine therapy toxicity and treatment tolerance. Methods Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was measured by bioelectrical impedance spectrometry. Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI) was calculated to assess for sarcopenia: SMI= (SMM kg)/ (patient height, m2). Patients with SMI < 6.75 kg/m2 were considered sarcopenic. A chart review was performed to obtain patient characteristics, endocrine therapy toxicity, and early treatment change or termination. Fisher's exact test was performed to associate patient characteristics and outcomes with sarcopenia status.ResultsFour hundred eighty-two patients with stage I-III breast cancer were prescribed endocrine therapy and had undergone sarcopenia evaluation. The median age was 61 years (29 to 88 years). Sarcopenia was identified in 35% of patients. On multivariable logistic analysis, sarcopenia was independently associated with increased odds of experiencing endocrine-related side effects (p=0.01). In addition, patients with sarcopenia stopped or changed their medication due to side effects more often than those without sarcopenia (p=0.05). Conclusion: The presence of sarcopenia in patients with EBC represents a potentially modifiable risk factor for more significant endocrine therapy side effects and reduced treatment tolerance.
Survival outcomes for breast conserving surgery verses mastectomy among elderly women with breast cancer
Authors: Xie Weimin , Cao Ming , Zhong Zhen , Huang Zongshuai , Gao Xiaqiu , Li Zicheng 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose Elderly patients have different physical condition and tumor biology of breast cancer. Surgical choices for older patients are complicated and several studies have reported that breast conserving surgery (BCS) had better survival than mastectomy in different patient population. The major object of this study was to compare the efficacy of BCS and mastectomy in the whole elderly cohort in SEER database.Methods Female patients aged over 70 years old and diagnosed with breast cancer between 2010 and 2015 were included from SEER database. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to establish a cohort composing of similar characteristics. We compared the overall survival (OS) among patients undergoing BCS and mastectomy. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional regression model were used to evaluate the associated factors of survival outcome.Results Of 44755 eligible patients, 30375 (67.9%) patients underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS) and 14380 (32.1%) patients underwent mastectomy. After PSM, 7222 patients in each group were analyzed and there was no significant difference between BCS and mastectomy in terms of the overall survival rate (85.8% in BCS group and 85.0% in mastectomy group, p = 0.135). Multivariable analysis also indicated that no significant difference between two surgical procedures after adjusting for covariates both in all patients (HR = 1.074, 95% CI 0.992-1.105, p = 0.098) and matched cohort (HR = 1.062, 95% CI 0.997-1.132, p = 0.063). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy contributed to the survival benefit of BCS compared to mastectomy (p < 0.05).Conclusion For elderly breast cancer patients, BCS and mastectomy had similar overall survival rate. BCS might be a better surgical treatment with or without axillary surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and their risk factors in northwest China: Results from Serial Cross-Sectional Survey Data 2004–18
Authors: Wang Weihua , Sa Rina , Dang Shaonong , Qiu Lin , Liu Feng 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Objective To investigate trends in the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and their demographic determinants in northwest China. Methods Six successive cross-sectional surveys on non-communicable chronic diseases and their risk factors were conducted between 2004 and 2018 in Shaanxi, northwest China. Complex multistage stratified sampling was adopted to select participants. The information was collected through face-to-face interviews and on-site health examinations. Changes in hypertension prevalence and its management across survey years were estimated. Demographics associated with hypertension prevalence and its management was explored by multivariable logistic regression using pooled data from 2004 to 2018. Results The prevalence of hypertension increased from 16.71% in 2004 to 31.96% in 2018 with an estimated increase of 1.09% (95%CI 0.31-1.87) per year. However, the rate of awareness, treatment and control among these with hypertension was unexpectedly low and there were no significant change from 2004 to 2018. The corresponding changes were -0.08% (95%CI -0.85-0.69) per year for awareness, -0.06% (95%CI-1.11-1.00) per year for treatment, and -0.23% (95%CI -0.53-0.07) per year for control, respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed the same trend. Adults who were old, male, divorced/Widowed/Separated, retired were more likely to develop hypertension. Among these with hypertension, those who were more educated and retired were more likely to manage their hypertension compared with their counterparts. Conclusions The overall hypertension prevalence from 2004 to 2018 increased rapidly, while awareness, treatment and control of hypertension remained unexpectedly low. This suggested urgent intervention should be implemented to improve hypertension control in northwest China.
Modification in implementation of the inferior alveolar nerve block technique
Authors: Lasemi Esshagh , Motamedi Mohammad Hosein Kalantar , Qaranizade Kamal , Hassani Zahra , Lasemi Reza 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose: The inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is a necessary and frequent local anesthetic injection in dental practice in which the conventional technique is generally applied. However, multiple studies reported that the failure rate of IANB is high, whereupon our study aimed to assess the modified and conventional IANB techniques, concerning the success rate. Methods: A split-mouth single-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 42 patients (84 cases) as paired analyzing, between 18 to 55 years-old, who needed bilateral IANB for posterior mandibular teeth extraction. To apply the modified technique, the barrel of the syringe was located in the corner of the mouth; while mouth is open wide and the needle-penetrated mucosa exactly lateral (anterior) to the pterygomandibular fold (PMF). The needlepoint was 5–15 mm above the occlusal plane (OP) according to the digital panoramic radiography and parallel to OP. The outcomes were analyzed using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. Results: The success rates were 97.6% in the modified IANB and 83.3% in the conventional technique, evaluating in the first 10 minutes.Conclusion: The clinician can operate IANB by modified technique with fewer anatomical landmarks, clear injection points and the higher success rate upon which the performance will be easy by the beginners. Trial registration IRCT20150924024167N2, on 07.03.2020, was retrospectively registered.
Is small airway dysfunction an abnormality independently associated with aging? A cross-sectional analysis from the ECOPD cohort
Authors: Dai Cuiqiong , Wu Fan , Wang Zihui , Peng Jieqi , Yang Huajing , Zheng Youlan , Lu Lifei , Zhao Ningning , Deng Zhishan , Xiao Shan , Wen Xiang , Xu Jianwu , Zhou Kunning , Wu Xiaohui , Zhou Yumin , Ran Pixin 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Aging has been evidenced to bring about some structural and functional lung changes, especially in COPD. However, whether aging affects SAD, a possible precursor of COPD, has not been well characterized.
Objective
We aimed to comprehensively assess the relationship between aging and SAD from computed tomography, impulse oscillometry, and spirometry perspectives in Chinese.
Methods
We included 1859 participants from ECOPD, and used a linear-by-linear association test for evaluating the prevalence of SAD across various age subgroups, multivariate regression models for determining impact of age on the risk and extent of SAD. We then repeated the analyses in these subjects stratified by airflow limitation.
Results
The prevalence of SAD increases over aging regardless of definitional methods. After adjustment for other confounding factors, per 10-yrs increase in age was significantly associated with the risk of CT-defined SAD (OR = 2.57, 95% CI: 2.13 to 3.10) and the increase in the extent of air trapping (β: 2.09, 95% CI: -0.06 to 4.25 for LAA− 856), airway reactance (β: -0.02, 95%CI: -0.04 to -0.01 for X5; β: 0.30, 95%CI: 0.13 to 0.47 for AX; β: 1.75, 95% CI: 0.85 to 2.66 for Fres), as well as the decrease in expiratory flow rates (β: -3.95, 95% CI: -6.19 to -1.71 for MMEF%predicted; β: -5.42, 95% CI: -7.88 to -2.95 for FEF50%predicted) for SAD. All these associations were generally maintained in SAD defined by IOS or spirometry. After stratification of airflow limitation, we further found that the effect of age on LAA− 856 was the most significant among almost all the subgroups .
Conclusions
Aging is independently associated with the prevalence, risk, as well as worse extent of SAD. CT may be a more optimal measure to assess aging-related SAD. The molecular mechanisms for the role of aging in SAD need to be explored in the future.
Trial registration
: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900024643. Registered on 19 July 2019.
Participatory approaches to raise awareness among subsistence farmers in Tanzania about the spread of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors and the possible link to improper agricultural pesticide use
Authors: Matowo Nancy Stephen , Tanner Marcel , Temba Benigni Alfred , Finda Marceline , Mlacha Yeromin Paul , Utzinger Jürg , Okumu Fredros Oketch 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Insecticide resistance is a key barrier to long-term malaria control, and it may be exacerbated by poor agricultural pesticide use. Current practices, however, do not link public health and agricultural pesticide use. We investigated farmer’s awareness, stakeholder perspectives on integrating agricultural and public health measures to address resistance, and the feasibility of participatory workshops to increase subsistence farmers' understanding and participation in pesticide stewardship.
Methods
Five themes were investigated: pesticide awareness, practices, and opinions; insecticide resistance in malaria vectors; the effectiveness of current malaria prevention tools; and the links between agricultural and public health pesticide usage. Participatory workshops and field training were held with entomologists, farmers, and agricultural specialists, focusing on agro-ecosystem practices related to pest control; and local farmers were involved in live-testing for insecticides resistance of local Anopheles
Results
Most farmers (94%) considered pesticides effective, and nearly half of them (n = 198, 46.4%) could identify and name crop pests and diseases, mostly using local names. Three quarters were unaware of mosquito larvae in their fields, and only 7% considered their fields as potential sources of mosquitoes. Two thirds were unaware of any effects that agricultural pesticides may have on mosquitoes, and three quarters had never heard of resistance in malaria mosquitoes. Experts from various sectors acknowledged that agricultural pesticides might impact malaria control through increasing resistance. They did, however, emphasize the importance of crop protection and advocated for the use of pesticides sparingly and non-chemical approaches. Farmers learnt how to discriminate between malaria vectors and non-vectors, identify agricultural pests and diseases, choose and use pesticides effectively, and conduct resistance tests during the participatory workshops.
Conclusion
This study emphasizes the significance of enhancing subsistence farmers' awareness of mosquito ecology as well as merging public health and agricultural pest management measures. Participatory techniques have the potential to raise stakeholder awareness and engagement, resulting in more effective resistance management.
Reduced expression of transmembrane protein 43 during cardiac hypertrophy leading to deteriorating heart failure in mice
Authors: Gu Yang , Ding Ying , Hu Xiao , Wang Jing , Zhang Xi-Wen 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Transmembrane protein 43 (TMEM43), a member of the transmembrane protein subfamily, was found to be associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. But it’s role in cardiac hypertrophy have not been elucidated. Here we used a pressure over load induced cardiac hypertrophy model to explore the role of TMEM43 on heart failure. Mice were subjected to aortic banding (AB) to induce cardiac hypertrophy. Mice were also randomly received injection of adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-shTMEM43 or control AAV9 (ScRNA) to knockdown TMEM43 in cardiomyocytes. Four weeds after AB, mice were subjected to echocardiography to evaluate cardiac function. Neonatal rat cardiomyoctes (NRCMs) were stimulated with phenylephrine (PE) and transfected with adenovirus to overexpress TEME43. As a result, we found that TMEM43 was down-regulated in mice heart and cardiomyocytes post stimulus. Mice with TMEM43 knockdown showed deteriorated heart failure 4 weeks post AB with deteriorating cardiac function and aggregated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. While, NRCMs with TMEM43 overexpression revealed ameliorated hypertrophy response. Moreover, we found that TMEM43 deficiency increased NF-κB activation in mice heart post AB, while TMEM43 overexpression reduced NF-κB activation in cardiomyocytes upon PE stimuli. Thus, we conclude that reduced expression of TMEM43 during cardiac hypertrophy leading to deteriorating heart failure in mice.
MiR-195-5p targets CDK1 to regulate new DNA synthesis and inhibit the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Zhou Chunhui , Zhu Sujuan , Li Haiping 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
CDK1 is critical for cell viability and plays an important role in biological events. MiR-195 is pivotal in pathogenesis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). But the association between CDK1 and miR-195 in HCC is underexplored.
Methods
Gene expression was assayed via qRT-PCR, and corresponding protein levels were assessed via Western blot. Cell cycle was assayed through flow cytometry. DNA replication was detected by EDU staining. Cell proliferation was determined via plate colony formation assay. Targeting relationship between miR-195-5p and CDK1 was analyzed by bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase gene assay. DNA damage was marked by immunofluorescence staining.
Results
CDK1 was overexpressed in HCC tissues and cells. Silencing CDK1 modulated cell cycle of HCC cells and inhibited DNA replication and proliferation. In HCC cells, miR-195-5p reduced CDK1 level, inhibited the G1 phase-to-S phase transition, induced DNA damage response, and inhibited DNA replication and proliferation.
Conclusion
MiR-195-5p targeted CDK1 and repressed synthesis of new DNA in HCC cells, thus restraining HCC cell proliferation.
Risk factors and haemato-biochemical parameters associated with Theileria equi infection in Central Italy
Authors: Nardini Roberto , Iacoponi Francesca , Cersini Antonella , Rosone Francesca , Scaramozzino Paola , Lai Olga , Barlozzari Giulia , Viola Maria Rita , Altigeri Alessia , Scicluna Maria Teresa 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Equine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease affecting equids caused by protozoa Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, causing losses in the horse industry for impaired performance and constraint to the international movement. In endemic areas, clinical diagnosis is difficult because the most frequent form is the asymptomatic carrier status and even in symptomatic cases, signs are not pathognomonic. Laboratory analyses are required to confirm the diagnosis and assess therapy.Methods: A total of 438 horse and donkey samples were collected by practitioners during their routine activities and for clinical suspicion of piroplasmosis. The anamnestic information as signs, individual data and management practises were collected by a standardized form. The samples were screened for piroplasmosis and other infectious diseases in differential diagnosis and haemato-biochemical parameters, and thus assigned to three groups: confirmed cases, unconfirmed suspects and controls. Univariate logistic regressions were performed using groups as outcome and anamnestic data as independent variables. Differences in haemato-biochemical parameters among groups were evaluated by Kruskal-Wallis H-test, followed, when significant (P < 0,05), by Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Results: Nineteen confirmed T. equi cases and one B. caballi were detected, thus the study was focused only on the former parasite. Among anamnestic variables, only age (> 6 years) increases the probability of infection compared to the controls, while ectoparasiticide treatments seem to have a protective effect. A decrease in platelet count was the only haemato-biochemical parameter associated with T. equi infection. Comparing with healthy subjects, total and direct bilirubin, monocytes, basophils, MCH and gamma protein fraction showed higher values whereas CK, eosinophils, RBC, HGB, HCT, RDW, albumin and A/G ratio showed lower values, despite being mostly within physiological range. These findings resulted common to T. equi and other affections with similar signs. Conclusions: This study confirms the diagnosis of T. equi infection as an issue, for similarities regarding anamnesis and laboratory findings with other diseases; but still providing the practitioners with data useful for the laboratory results interpretation. Moreover, it focuses the attention on prevention measures, as external antiparasitic treatments and good management practices that, with regular laboratory checks, can reduce the spread of the disease.
Adjuvant treatment of Grade IV Glioma, outcomes at a UK tertiary centre
Authors: Price Louise , Ziff Charlotte , Elmasry Abdelfattah , Giridharan Selvaraj 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
PurposeThe 5 year overall survival (OS) for Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains low.Our cohort had a lower percentage completing adjuvant treatment than those reported in trials. We assess those not completing planned 6 cycles of adjuvant treatment.We assess survival data for those who had Gliadel wafer insertion at the time of primary surgery. We go on to assess the combination of these factors on survival.MethodsCohort of 110 patients who had undergone neurosurgery followed by chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) 60 Gray in 30 fractions and adjuvant Temazolomide (TMZ) from 2007 to 2016. ResultsOS was 16 months and progression free survival (PFS) 11.9 months.57% of patients completed 4-6 cycles of adjuvant TMZ 43% received 3 or less cycles of TMZ. Those unable to complete planned adjuvant TMZ had a poorer OS (10 vs 20 months, Cox analysis P-value 0.0003).Those who had maximal safe debulking plus Gliadel wafer insertion, median OS was improved, 19.5 months P=0.06. The group with the combination of significant factors, median OS was 2 months greater than those that did not receive Gliadel wafers and could not complete 4 cycles of adjuvant TMZ.ConclusionsSurvival outcomes were improved with Gliadel wafer insertion, completing 4-6 cycles of TMZ. Consequently the combination of these factors led to improved outcomes. Second-line chemotherapy improved OS at relapse regardless of second line surgery.
Obliv-DB Framework: Secure Query Processing on Cloud-based Database Systems using Distributed Oblivious Access
Authors: Samaraweera G. Dumindu , Chang J. Morris 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

The explosion of big data along with cloud computing architecture has empowered cloud-based database infrastructures to efficiently manage large and distributed data volumes in the cloud by facilitating numerous data-driven applications. Recently, different systems have been proposed that can additionally protect the privacy of these data by keeping them encrypted at the database level, and enabling them to make trusted query executions over encrypted data. This approach has given the potential and much safer means to outsource private information to untrusted and distributed cloud platforms. However, regardless of their proficiency towards handling a large volume of private information , these techniques are exposed to different access pattern attacks. Oblivious Random Access Machine (ORAM) is a security primitive well known for mitigating such attacks; however, direct integration of ORAM into cloud-based database systems is much more challenging due to high-performance penalties and minimal query functionalities. In this paper, we propose a novel data processing framework for database systems in the cloud using distributed ORAM techniques and oblivious data structures, making database queries resilient to access pattern attacks. We implemented our framework on a practical database setup and evaluated the performance based on different industrial metrics. The experimental results demonstrate that our distributed approach has significant benefits for cloud-based database systems compared to the direct integration of ORAM primitives at the database level.