bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lower-dose corticosteroid therapy in severe immune thrombocytopenia during pregnancy: The comparable efficacy and lower incidence of maternal complications
Authors: Xu Xue , Liang Mei-Ying , Wang Yi-Lin , Wang Jian-Liu , Zhang Xiao-Hui 
Published: October 2022

Background: This study assessed the clinical efficacy of oral prednisone at low dose (LD) versus the previous high-dose (HD) study in patients with severe immune thrombocytopenia during pregnancy and its side effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes.Study design: Pregnant patients with ITP were enrolled in the study (platelet count &lt;30×109/L) between January 2015 and 2019. A total of 43 patients received LD oral prednisone (0.25–0.5 mg/kg) as the initial treatment and were compared retrospectively with the 31 patients in the HD (1 mg/kg) study. The primary clinical endpoint was the response rate, and the secondary endpoint was maternal hemorrhagic events, complications, and neonatal outcomes.Results: In total, 35% of patients responded (15/43) to the LD cortico-therapy, including four patients with a complete response which was no less than HD therapy (35.5%). The bleeding symptoms of 10 (30%) patients were ameliorated after 14 days of LD prednisone treatment. Preeclampsia occurred in three cases (7% of total) of which the incidence was obviously lower than that of the previous study at HD (18%). No stillbirth or miscarriage occurred in the LD group, and neonatal outcomes had no significant differences between the two studies.Conclusion: LD prednisone therapy for severe ITP patients during pregnancy had equal efficacy to HD treatment. In addition, the decrease in dosage significantly reduced the incidence of hypertension.
Untargeted metabolomics analysis of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex identified the neuroprotective mechanisms of Bushen Tiansui formula in an aβ25-35-induced rat model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Li Hongli , Tan Yejun , Cheng Xin , Zhang Zheyu , Huang Jianhua , Hui Shan , Zhu Lemei , Liu Yuqing , Zhao Di , Liu Zhao , Peng Weijun 
Published: October 2022

Background: Bushen Tiansui Formula (BSTSF) is a traditional formulation of Chinese medicine that has been used to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD) for decades; however, the underlying mechanisms by which this formula achieves such therapeutic effects have yet to be elucidated.Prupose: To investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of BSTSF against AD by analyzing metabolite profiles in the hippocampus and cortex of AD rats.Methods: The rat models of AD were established by the injection of Aβ25–35. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed to evaluate the effect of BSTSF treatment on cognitive dysfunction. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of BSTSF on typical AD pathologies. Underlying mechanisms were investigated using LC-MS/MS-based untargeted metabolomics analysis of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.Results: BSTSF significantly improved memory deficits and the typical histopathological changes of AD rats. Untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that 145 and 184 endogenous metabolites in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, respectively, were significantly different in the BSTSF group when compared with the AD group. The differential metabolites in the cerebral cortex were primarily involved in cysteine and methionine metabolism, while those in the hippocampus were mainly involved in d-Glutamine and d-glutamate metabolism.Conclusion: In the present study, we confirmed the neuroprotective effects of BSTSF treatment against AD using a rat model. Our findings indicate that the BSTSF-mediated protective effects were associated with amelioration of metabolic disorders in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex.
Impact of hydration with beverages containing free sugars or xylitol on metabolic and acute kidney injury markers after physical exercise
Authors: Wołyniec Wojciech , Szwarc Andrzej , Kasprowicz Katarzyna , Zorena Katarzyna , Jaskulak Marta , Renke Marcin , Naczyk Marta , Ratkowski Wojciech 
Published: October 2022

The proper fluid and carbohydrates intake is essential before and during physical exercise, and for this reason most athletes drink beverages containing a high amount of free sugars. Sweetened soft drinks are also commonly consumed by those not doing any sport, and this habit seems to be both unhealthy and also the cause of metabolic problems. Recently, several sweeteners have been proposed to replace sugars in popular beverages. To examine the impact of free sugars and the popular sweetener xylitol on metabolic profile and the markers of kidney function and injury after exercise the present study was conducted with semi-professional football players. All participants were healthy, with a mean age of 21.91 years. Their sports skills were on the level of the 4th-5th division of the league. The subjects took part in four football training sessions. During each session they drank a 7% solution of sugar (sucrose, fructose, glucose) or xylitol. The tolerability of these beverages and well-being during exercise was monitored. Before and after each training session, blood and urine were collected. The markers of kidney function and injury, uric acid, electrolytes, complete blood count, CRP, serum albumin, serum glucose and the lipid profile were analyzed. The main finding of this study was that the xylitol beverage is the least tolerated during exercise and 38.89% of participants experienced diarrhea after training and xylitol intake. Xylitol also led to unfavorable metabolic changes and a large increase in uric acid and creatinine levels. A mean increase of 1.8 mg/dl in the uric acid level was observed after xylitol intake. Increases in acute kidney injury markers were observed after all experiments, but changes in urine albumin and cystatin C were highest after xylitol. The other three beverages (containing “free sugars” - glucose, fructose and sucrose) had a similar impact on the variables studied, although the glucose solution seems to have some advantages over other beverages. The conclusion is that sweeteners are not a good alternative to sugars, especially during exercise. Pure water without sweeteners should be drunk by those who need to limit their calorie consumption.Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, (NCT04310514)
Numerical and experimental methods used to evaluate active drag in swimming: A systematic narrative review
Authors: Lopes Tiago J. , Morais Jorge E. , Pinto Mafalda P. , Marinho Daniel A. 
Published: October 2022

Introduction: In swimming, it is necessary to understand and identify the main factors that are important to reduce active drag and, consequently, improve the performance of swimmers. However, there is no up-to-date review in the literature clarifying this topic. Thus, a systematic narrative review was performed to update the body of knowledge on active drag in swimming through numerical and experimental methods.Methods: To determine and identify the most relevant studies for this review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach was used.Results: 75 studies related to active drag in swimming and the methodologies applied to study them were analyzed and kept for synthesis. The included studies showed a high-quality score by the Delphi scale (mean score was 5.85 ± 0.38). Active drag was included in seven studies through numerical methods and 68 through experimental methods. In both methods used by the authors to determine the drag, it can be concluded that the frontal surface area plays a fundamental role. Additionally, the technique seems to be a determining factor in reducing the drag force and increasing the propulsive force. Drag tends to increase with speed and frontal surface area, being greater in adults than in children due to body density factors and high levels of speed. However, the coefficient of drag decreases as the technical efficiency of swimming increases (i.e., the best swimmers (the fastest or most efficient) are those with the best drag and swimming hydrodynamics efficiency).Conclusion: Active drag was studied through numerical and experimental methods. There are significantly fewer numerical studies than experimental ones. This is because active drag, as a dynamical phenomenon, is too complex to be studied numerically. Drag is greater in adults than in children and greater in men than in women across all age groups. The study of drag is increasingly essential to collaborate with coaches in the process of understanding the fundamental patterns of movement biomechanics to achieve the best performance in swimming. Although most agree with these findings, there is disagreement in some studies, especially when it is difficult to define competitive level and age. The disagreement concerns three main aspects: 1) period of the studies and improvement of methodologies; 2) discrimination of methodologies between factors observed in numerical vs. experimental methods; 3) evidence that drag tends to be non-linear and depends on personal, technical, and stylistic factors. Based on the complexity of active drag, the study of this phenomenon must continue to improve swimming performance.
Sugar and acid profile of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), enzymes assay and expression profiling of their metabolism-related genes as influenced by exogenously applied boron
Authors: Ali Muhammad Moaaz , Anwar Raheel , Rehman Rana Naveed Ur , Ejaz Shaghef , Ali Sajid , Yousef Ahmed F. , Ercisli Sezai , Hu Xiaobo , Hou Youming , Chen Faxing 
Published: October 2022

Soluble sugars and organic acids are the most abundant components in ripe fruits, and they play critical roles in the development of fruit flavor and taste. Some loquat cultivars have high acid content which seriously affect the quality of fruit and reduce the value of commodity. Consequently, studying the physiological mechanism of sugar-acid metabolism in loquat can clarify the mechanism of their formation, accumulation and degradation in the fruit. Minerals application has been reported as a promising way to improve sugar-acid balance of the fruits. In this study, loquat trees were foliar sprayed with 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% borax, and changes in soluble sugars and organic acids were recorded. The contents of soluble sugars and organic acids were determined using HPLC-RID and UPLC-MS, respectively. The activities of enzymes responsible for the metabolism of sugars and acids were quantified and expressions of related genes were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. The results revealed that 0.2% borax was a promising treatment among other B applications for the increased levels of soluble sugars and decreased acid contents in loquats. Correlation analysis showed that the enzymes i.e., SPS, SS, FK, and HK were may be involved in the regulation of fructose and glucose metabolism in the fruit pulp of loquat. While the activity of NADP-ME showed negative and NAD-MDH showed a positive correlation with malic acid content. Meanwhile, EjSPS1, EjSPS3, EjSS3, EjHK1, EjHK3, EjFK1, EjFK2, EjFK5, and EjFK6 may play an important role in soluble sugars metabolism in fruit pulp of loquat. Similarly, EjPEPC2, EjPEPC3, EjNAD-ME1, EjNAD-MDH1, EjNAD-MDH5-8, EjNAD-MDH10, and EjNAD-MDH13 may have a vital contribution to malic acid biosynthesis in loquat fruits. This study provides new insights for future elucidation of key mechanisms regulating soluble sugars and malic acid biosynthesis in loquats.
Coupling life cycle assessment and global sensitivity analysis to evaluate the uncertainty and key processes associated with carbon footprint of rice production in Eastern China
Authors: Xu Qiang , Li Jingyong , Liang Hao , Ding Zhao , Shi Xinrui , Chen Yinglong , Dou Zhi , Dai Qigen , Gao Hui 
Published: October 2022

An accurate and objective evaluation of the carbon footprint of rice production is crucial for mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from global food production. Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of the carbon footprint evaluation model can help improve the efficiency and credibility of the evaluation. In this study, we combined a farm-scaled model consisting of widely used carbon footprint evaluation methods with a typical East Asian rice production system comprising two fertilization strategies. Furthermore, we used Morris and Sobol’ global sensitivity analysis methods to evaluate the sensitivity and uncertainty of the carbon footprint model. Results showed that the carbon footprint evaluation model exhibits a certain nonlinearity, and it is the most sensitive to model parameters related to CH4 emission estimation, including EFc (baseline emission factor for continuously flooded fields without organic amendments), SFw (scaling factor to account for the differences in water regime during the cultivation period), and t (cultivation period of rice), but is not sensitive to activity data and its emission factors. The main sensitivity parameters of the model obtained using the two global sensitivity methods were essentially identical. Uncertainty analysis showed that the carbon footprint of organic rice production was 1271.7 ± 388.5 kg CO2eq t–1 year–1 (95% confidence interval was 663.9–2175.8 kg CO2eq t–1 year–1), which was significantly higher than that of conventional rice production (926.0 ± 213.6 kg CO2eq t–1 year–1, 95% confidence interval 582.5-1429.7 kg CO2eq t–1 year–1) (p&lt;0.0001). The carbon footprint for organic rice had a wider range and greater uncertainty, mainly due to the greater impact of CH4 emissions (79.8% for organic rice versus 53.8% for conventional rice). EFc, t, Y, and SFw contributed the most to the uncertainty of carbon footprint of the two rice production modes, wherein their correlation coefficients were between 0.34 and 0.55 (p&lt;0.01). The analytical framework presented in this study provides insights into future on-farm advice related to GHG mitigation of rice production.
Counter hegemony, popular education, and resistances: A systematic literature review on the squatters’ movement
Authors: Ballesteros-Quilez Julia , Rivera-Vargas Pablo , Jacovkis Judith 
Published: October 2022

The squatting movement is a social movement that seeks to use unoccupied land or temporarily or permanently abandoned buildings as farmland, housing, meeting places, or centers for social and cultural purposes. Its main motivation is to denounce and at the same time respond to the economic difficulties that activists believe exist to realize the right to housing. Much of what we know about this movement comes from the informational and journalistic literature generated by actors that are close or even belong to the movement. However, there is also a significant diversity of knowledge and scientific evidence on the squatters’ movement that is being produced by academia and that is worth knowing and grouping together. With the aim of defining and understanding how the squatters’ movement is constituted and organized, and how it acts, this research analyzes what the scientific literature affirms about it. Through qualitative research based on the systematic literature review (SLR) method, information was sought in the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases. The initial universe of 262 articles was finally reduced to a sample of 32 articles. These have been analyzed by means of a categorized classification content analysis. The results obtained allow us to establish the state of the art on the squatting movement, placing special emphasis on its dynamics of resistance, its process of political subjectivation and its mechanisms of action and self-management. The study suggests that the movement is understood based on collective actions with a political role of resistance to neoliberalism and the inequalities it generates, and of response to the basic and social needs of the communities through self-management.Systematic review registration[doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7179670], identifier [7179670].
Early pregnancies among middle school students: Attribution of blame and the feelings of responsibility among teachers and parents
Authors: Fute Antony , Sun Binghai , Oubibi Mohamed 
Published: October 2022

IntroductionGlobally, 15% of adolescents give birth before turning 18, leading to considerable personal, social, and medical impacts on adolescents and to the general society.ObjectiveThis study aimed at exploring and comparing three psychological attributes (i.e., empathetic concern, feelings of responsibility, and attribution of blame) between parents and teachers for the phenomena.Method672 teachers (54% females) and 690 parents (53% female) participated in the study.ResultsThe results indicated a significant mean difference between parents and teachers on empathy (t = 5.735, p &lt; 0.001), attribution of blame (t = 6.902, p &lt; 0.001), and feelings of responsibility (t = 1.727, p &lt; 0.001). Except for attribution of blame, parents’ mean scores of other variables were higher than that of teachers.DiscussionTeachers’ higher attribution of blame to pregnant adolescents and lower empathetic concern raises a prominent concern over students’ healthy environment at school.ConclusionUnderstanding social feelings about responsibilities over adolescents’ general health is very essential, especially for fighting against the problem of early pregnancy.
Association between neuropeptide Y gene polymorphism and antipsychotics effect
Authors: Zhang Qian , Wan Yajie , Du Xinzhe , Gao Yao , Wang Xiao , Wu Kewen , Zheng Xiaohu , Wang Yu , Zhao Cheng , Li Li , Guo Xianju , Li Xinrong , Liu Sha , Xu Yong 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveThe pathogenesis of schizophrenia is associated with neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene polymorphism to explore the relationship between rs16141, rs16145, and rs5573 polymorphisms in the NPY gene and antipsychotics response in the Chinese population.MethodsThe unrelated 228 Chinese Han patients with schizophrenia were enrolled in the present study. Genotypisation within NPY gene was performed using the KASP genotyping assays. Before treatment and on the weekends of the 2nd, 4th, and 8th weeks after treatment, the medication status of the patients was recorded and the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) was used to evaluate the clinical effect. A reduction in total PANSS scores ≥50% were classified as good responders, while others were poor responders. We evaluated the association between NPY gene and antipsychotic efficacy by comparing allele and genotype distribution, correlation analysis, linkage imbalance, and five genetic models between the two groups.ResultsNo significant associations were found in the rs16141, rs16145, and rs5573 of NPY and antipsychotic treatment response (all p &gt; 0.05). There was no significant relationship between the three SNPs polymorphisms in the NPY gene and the changes of positive, negative and general psychopathology subscales scores at each stage (all p &gt; 0.05). The distribution of genotype and allele frequencies of locus rs16141 was not statistically difference between good responders and poor responders (genotype: χ2 =4.088, p=0.043, p-correction = 0.129; allele: χ2 = 4.088, p = 0.027, p-correction = 0.081). The allele distribution of rs5573 was significantly different between groups, yet the difference was disappeared after correcting (χ2 = 4.136, p = 0.042, p-correction =0.126). The distribution frequencies of TA/TG and GG haplotypes constituted by rs16141 and rs5573 showed no statistical difference between the two groups (p &gt; 0.05). In recessive inheritance mode, NPYrs5573 was found to be associated with antipsychotic drug response (G/G vs. A/A +A/G: p = 0.028, AIC = 197.2, BIC = 210.9).ConclusionsThis study didn't found association between polymorphisms in the NPY gene locus (rs16141, rs16145, and rs5573) and the response to antipsychotics after Bonferroni correction. The polymorphism of NPY gene and the efficacy of antipsychotic drugs in patients with schizophrenia need further study.
Vigorous physical activity and self-rated health during adolescence: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Wang Yongkang , She Weizhong , Chi Guijun , Wang Junsheng 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundDespite the positive relationship between self-rated health and general physical activity, very little research has touched upon the relationship between self-rated health and vigorous physical activity. Such research will help to promote self-rated health among adolescents by addressing the close relationship between self-rated health and the components of physical activity.PurposeIn this study, the relationship between self-rated health and vigorous physical activity among Chinese adolescents were analyzed.MethodsThe current study was based on a collaborative survey conducted by the WHO in several nations, and the data generated by Health Behavior in School-aged Children every 4 years on health behavior were adopted. The school class was taken as a basic unit for sampling. Cluster sampling was performed systematically, and the possibility was proportional to the population. The sampling was conducted to collect typical cases. The class teachers were informed of the sampling activities, and they were to collect data on the students by distributing the questionnaires.ResultsThe research included 116,828 respondents from 36 countries. Among them, 51.82% were girls and 48.18% were boys. A total of 98.54% of the respondents considered their health status as fair or above when completing the questionnaire, while 1.46% believed that their health status was poor. Moreover, more than 86% of the respondents participated in vigorous exercise more than weekly, and better self-health ratings were found among respondents who exercised more than weekly (once a week: OR = 1.95, CI: 1.86–2.04; two or three times a week: OR = 1.69, CIL: 1.63–1.76; four or six times a week: OR = 1.30, CI: 1.25–1.35). Certain respondents reported better results for self-rated health (4–6 h every week: OR = 1.36, CI: 1.30–1.43; 2 or 3 h every week: OR = 1.48, CI: 1.42–1.55; 1 h every week: OR = 1.64, CI: 1.57–1.72).ConclusionIn this study, empirical evidence is provided for the relationship between self-rated health and vigorous physical activity among adolescents. From the results, it can be observed that there is a positive relationship between self-rated health and vigorous physical activity among adolescents.