bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Numerical Simulation of Stainless Steel Powder Feeding in a Coaxial Nozzle for High Powder Efficiency in Laser Direct Energy Deposition
Authors: Kumar Hemanth , M Manjaiah 
Published: February 2022

Direct energy deposition (DED) is an efficient manufacturing process for the fabrication of complex parts and repair of worn-out turbine blades. In DED, all the injected powder is not going to melt and solidify due to spattering, reflection, ejection, effect of inert gas, and turbulence around the melt pool. In this study, through numerical simulation, the effect of powder size and inert gas flow under coaxial nozzle was analyzed. The number of particle participation in the melt pool by the effect of inert gas and the size of powder particles were analyzed. The powder particle sizes considered for the study were 50–60, 60–70, 70–80, 80–90, 90–100, and 45–90 µm. Argon and helium gases were used as carrier gas and shielding gas, respectively. According to gas–solid multiphase simulation, the convergence distance of the powder flow and powder participation focal point was analyzed through numerical simulation. The simulated results showed that using argon gas as a carrier gas produced high powder efficiency compared to helium gas. The focal point is forming at 11.86 mm, approximately 12 mm from the nozzle exit, which occurred for 60–70-µm particle size. The powder particle participation efficiency obtained was 64.1% using argon gas as carrier gas.
Effects of Health Qigong Exercise on Lower Limb Motor Function in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Li Xiying , Lv Chuanfen , Liu Xiaolei , Qin Xia 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThis study explored the effects of Health Qigong exercise on lower limb motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).Patients and MethodsA total of 40 patients with PD were recruited and randomly allocated into the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group completed an intervention of Health Qigong exercise over 12 weeks, while the control group did not perform any regular physical activity. Data relating to gait, lower-limb joint range of motion, Timed Up and Go, as well as scores for motor function scale from the Unified Parkinson's Comprehensive Rating Scale III (UPCRS III) before and after the intervention were collected for Repeated Measure ANOVA.ResultsCompared to the control group, Health Qigong exercise improved the constant- and high-speed stride length and gait velocity of patients, but not constant- and high-speed stride frequency. Left and right hip flexion and extension range were improved as well as left and right knee flexion range. Finally, Timed Up and Go time became significantly slower and UPCRS III score significantly decreased.ConclusionHealth Qigong exercise can improve walking ability and lower limb joint range of motion in patients with PD, lessen motor difficulties, and improve the quality of life. This non-pharmacological exercise intervention may be a useful adjustment treatment for PD.
A Combined CRISP3 and SPINK1 Prognostic Grade in EPS-Urine and Establishment of Models to Predict Prognosis of Patients With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Chen Lizhu , Zhang Enchong , Guan Johnny , Chen Zhengjie , Ye Jianfeng , Liu Wangmin , He Jieqian , Yin Bo , Song Yongsheng , Zhang Mo 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) is characterized by significant heterogeneity. Thus, novel prognostic indicators are required to improve prognosis and treatment.MethodsCysteine rich secretory protein 3 (CRISP3) and serine peptidase inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) levels in expressed prostatic secretion (EPS)-urine collected during digital rectal examination of 496 patients histologically diagnosed with PCa were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A combined CRISP3 and SPINK1 prognostic grade (CSPG) was defined using cut-off values from receiver operating characteristic curves. Log-rank Kaplan-Meier survival curves investigated differences in prognosis between groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses investigated the CSPG relationship with biochemical recurrence (BCR), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). Three prognostic models were developed and validated.ConclusionsCRISP3 and SPINK1 levels increased with Gleason score progression, pathological T stage, and metastasis status. CSPG in EPS-urine, which was an effective independent prognostic variable, accurately predicted the prognosis of patients with PCa. Three clinical prognostic models using the CSPG for BCR, CSS, and OS were developed and validated.
Global Functional Connectivity Analysis Indicating Dysconnectivity of the Hate Circuit in Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Pan Pan , Wang Lu , Wu Chujun , Jin Kun , Cao Song , Qiu Yan , Teng Ziwei , Li Sujuan , Shao Tiannan , Huang Jing , Wu Haishan , Xiang Hui , Chen Jindong , Liu Feng , Tang Hui , Guo Wenbin 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundAbnormalities of functional connectivity (FC) in certain brain regions are closely related to the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Findings are inconsistent with different presuppositions in regions of interest. Our research focused on voxel-wise brain-wide FC changes in patients with MDD in an unbiased manner.MethodWe examined resting-state functional MRI in 23 patients with MDD and 26 healthy controls. Imaging data were analyzed by using global-brain FC (GFC) and used to explore the correlation of abnormal GFC values with clinical variables.ResultsIncreased GFC values in the left medial superior frontal gyrus (SFGmed) and decreased GFC values in the right supplementary motor area (SMA) were observed in the patients with MDD compared with the controls. The decreased GFC values in the right SMA had a positive correlation with vitamin D and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) scores.ConclusionAbnormal GFC in the hate circuit, particularly increased GFC in the left SFGmed and decreased GFC in the right SMA, appears to be a new sight for comprehending the pathological alterations in MDD.
A Meta-Analysis of Rupture Risk for Intracranial Aneurysms 10 mm or Less in Size Selected for Conservative Management Without Repair
Authors: Chandra Ronil V. , Maingard Julian , Slater Lee-Anne , Cheung Nicholas K. , Lai Leon T. , Gall Seana L. , Thrift Amanda G. , Phan Thanh G. 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundSmall unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) are considered to have low risk of rupture. The proportion of UIAs measuring 10 mm or less in size that rupture when selected for conservative management without repair is not well known. The aim of this study is to determine the proportion of UIAs that rupture by size threshold from ≤10 to ≤3 mm when selected for management without repair and to determine the level of precision and sources of heterogeneity in the rupture risk estimate.MethodsThis study was prospectively registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42019121522). The Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched (inception to August 2020). Studies with longitudinal follow-up of patients with UIAs ( ≤10 mm to ≤3 mm) without endovascular or neurosurgical repair were eligible. We included studies, which provided details of aneurysm size and in which UIA rupture was reported as an outcome. The primary outcome of the pooled proportion of UIA rupture during follow-up was synthesized with random-effects meta-analysis; heterogeneity was explored using meta-regression.ResultsA total of 31 studies that included 13,800 UIAs ≤10 mm in size were eligible for data synthesis. The pooled proportion of ≤10 mm UIAs that ruptured when managed without repair was 1.1% (95% CI 0.8–1.5; I2 = 52.9%) over 3.7 years. Findings were consistent in sensitivity analyses at all the size stratified thresholds including ≤5 and ≤3 mm; rupture occurred in 1.0% (95% CI 0.8–1.3; I2 = 0%) of 7,280 ≤5 mm UIAs and 0.8% (95% CI 0.4–1.5; I2 = 0%) of 1,228 ≤3 mm UIAs managed without repair. In higher quality studies with lower risk of bias, rupture occurred in 1.8% (95% CI 1.5–2.0; I2 = 0%) over 3.9 years. In meta-regression, aneurysm size, shape, anatomical location, and exposure to prior subarachnoid hemorrhage were not identified as sources of heterogeneity.ConclusionFor every 1,000 UIAs that are 10 mm or less in size and selected for conservative management without repair, between 8 and 15 UIAs are estimated to rupture over 3.7 years. When stratified by size, these pooled rupture risk estimates are consistent and clinically applicable for ≤5 mm UIAs selected for management without repair.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42019121522.
Serum Creatine, Not Neurofilament Light, Is Elevated in CHCHD10-Linked Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Järvilehto Julius , Harjuhaahto Sandra , Palu Edouard , Auranen Mari , Kvist Jouni , Zetterberg Henrik , Koskivuori Johanna , Lehtonen Marko , Saukkonen Anna Maija , Jokela Manu , Ylikallio Emil , Tyynismaa Henna 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveTo characterize serum biomarkers in mitochondrial CHCHD10-linked spinal muscular atrophy Jokela (SMAJ) type for disease monitoring and for the understanding of pathogenic mechanisms.MethodsWe collected serum samples from a cohort of 49 patients with SMAJ, all carriers of the heterozygous c.197G&gt;T p.G66V variant in CHCHD10. As controls, we used age- and sex-matched serum samples obtained from Helsinki Biobank. Creatine kinase and creatinine were measured by standard methods. Neurofilament light (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were measured with single molecule array (Simoa), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For non-targeted plasma metabolite profiling, samples were analyzed with liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry. Disease severity was evaluated retrospectively by calculating a symptom-based score.ResultsAxon degeneration marker, NfL, was unexpectedly not altered in the serum of patients with SMAJ, whereas astrocytic activation marker, GFAP, was slightly decreased. Creatine kinase was elevated in most patients, particularly men. We identified six metabolites that were significantly altered in serum of patients with SMAJ in comparison to controls: increased creatine and pyruvate, and decreased creatinine, taurine, N-acetyl-carnosine, and succinate. Creatine correlated with disease severity. Altered pyruvate and succinate indicated a metabolic response to mitochondrial dysfunction; however, lactate or mitochondrial myopathy markers FGF-21 or GDF-15 was not changed.ConclusionsBiomarkers of muscle mass and damage are altered in SMAJ serum, indicating a role for skeletal muscle in disease pathogenesis in addition to neurogenic damage. Despite the minimal mitochondrial pathology in skeletal muscle, signs of a metabolic shift can be detected.
Prognostic Value of Body Mass Index Stratified by Alcohol Drinking Status in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Shao-bin , Liu Di-tian , Chen Yu-ping 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of body mass index (BMI) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) when stratified by alcohol drinking status.MethodsA total of 620 patients with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy were analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to set the appropriate cutoff point for BMI. Alcohol drinking was divided into ever and never. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to investigate the association between clinicopathological factors and survival.ResultsThe cutoff point was 18.75 kg/m2 for BMI. Two hundred and twenty-nine patients were ever drinkers, while the other 391 patients were never drinkers. The ever drinker group was found to have more males, longer tumor lengths, advanced pT category disease, advanced pN category disease, and lower tumor locations. However, no significant difference in BMI was found between ever drinkers and never drinkers. For ever drinkers, low BMI was significantly correlated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.690; P=0.035) and cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio = 1.763; P=0.024) than high BMI after adjusting for other factors. However, BMI was not a prognostic factor in univariate and multivariate analyses for never drinkers.ConclusionsBMI is a prognostic factor only in ever drinkers with ESCC but not in never drinkers. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism underlying the effect of the interaction between BMI and alcohol consumption on the prognosis of patients with ESCC.
Early Alpha-Fetoprotein Response Is Associated With Survival in Patients With HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Lenvatinib
Authors: Liu Bo , Shang Xiao , Shi Jin-Yu , Cui Guo-Zhen , Li Xi , Wang Nan-Ya 
Published: February 2022

Background/PurposeLenvatinib is a first-line treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). We assessed the value of early alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response for predicting clinical outcomes with lenvatinib treatment in patients with HBV-related uHCC and elevated AFP levels.MethodsThis retrospective analysis included patients with HBV-related uHCC and baseline AFP levels ≥20 ng/ml who received lenvatinib for &gt;1 month between November 2018 and May 2021. Early AFP response was defined as a &gt;20% decrease in AFP serum level from baseline after 4 weeks of lenvatinib treatment. Radiological response (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1), progression-free survival, and overall survival were assessed in AFP responders and non-responders.ResultsOf the 46 patients analyzed, 30 (65.2%) were early AFP responders and 16 (34.8%) were non-responders. Compared to the non-responders, early AFP responders had a significantly higher objective response rate (34.5% vs 6.3%, p=0.0349), disease control rate (82.8% vs 50.0%; p=0.0203) and longer median progression-free survival (13.0 vs 7.0 months; HR, 0.464; 95% CI, 0.222-0.967; p=0.028). A subsequent multivariate analysis confirmed that early AFP response (HR, 0.387; 95% CI, 0.183-0.992; p=0.0154), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status of 0 (HR, 0.890; 95% CI, 0.811-0.976; p=0.0132) and Albumin-Bilirubin grade 1 (HR, 0.457; 95% CI, 0.269-0.963; p=0.0327) were independent prognostic factors for longer progression-free survival.ConclusionAFP is an important prognostic factor and a predictive biomarker for survival benefit with lenvatinib treatment in patients with HBV-related uHCC.
Reveal the Heterogeneity in the Tumor Microenvironment of Pancreatic Cancer and Analyze the Differences in Prognosis and Immunotherapy Responses of Distinct Immune Subtypes
Authors: Wang Xiaoqin , Li Lifang , Yang Yang , Fan Linlin , Ma Ying , Mao Feifei 
Published: February 2022

PurposeThe current clinical classification of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cannot well predict the patient’s possible response to the treatment plan, nor can it predict the patient’s prognosis. We use the gene expression patterns of PDAC patients to reveal the heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer and analyze the differences in the prognosis and immunotherapy response of different immune subtypes.MethodsFirstly, use ICGC’s PACA-AU PDAC expression profile data, combined with the ssGSEA algorithm, to analyze the immune enrichment of the patient’s tumor microenvironment. Subsequently, the spectral clustering algorithm was used to extract different classifications, the PDAC cohort was divided into four subtypes, and the correlation between immune subtypes and clinical characteristics and survival prognosis was established. The patient’s risk index is obtained through the prognostic prediction model, and the correlation between the risk index and immune cells is prompted.ResultsWe can divide the PDAC cohort into four subtypes: immune cell and stromal cell enrichment (Immune-enrich-Stroma), non-immune enrichment but stromal cell enrichment (Non-immune-Stroma), immune-enriched Collective but non-matrix enrichment (Immune-enrich-non-Stroma) and non-immune enrichment and non-stromal cell enrichment (Non-immune-non-Stroma). The five-year survival rate of immune-enrich-Stroma and non-immune-Stroma of PACA-CA is quite different. TCGA-PAAD’s immune-enrich-Stroma and immune-enrich-non-Stroma groups have a large difference in productivity in one year. The results of the correlation analysis between the risk index and immune cells show that the patient’s disease risk is significantly related to epithelial cells, megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor (MEP), and Th2 cells.ConclusionThe tumor gene expression characteristics of pancreatic cancer patients are related to immune response, leading to morphologically recognizable PDAC subtypes with prognostic/predictive significance.
Incidence, Clinical Characteristics, and Genotype Distribution of Rotavirus in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 5 Years After Introducing Rotavirus Vaccine
Authors: Yoon Hye Sun , Lim Jiseun , Sohn Yong-Hak , Kim Seung Yeon 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundRotavirus (RV) is a common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children worldwide. We aimed to investigate the incidence, symptoms, and genotype of RV infection in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in South Korea 5 years after the introduction of RV vaccination to evaluate its effect on newborn infants.MethodsA total of 431 fecal specimens were collected from patients admitted to NICU between April 20, 2012 and September 10, 2013. Enzyme-linked immunoassays were used to detect RV antigen. Nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used for genotyping.ResultsThe overall incidence of RV infection was 43.9% and was significantly higher in preterm infants, infants born in the study hospital, low birth weight infants, and cesarean births (P &lt; 0.05). Symptoms of diarrhea, poor feeding, abdominal distension, and apnea were significantly higher in infants with RV infection than those without infection. RV infection gradually increased depending on infant care at home, postpartum clinic, or hospital (26.0, 45.1, and 60.2%, respectively; P = 0.000). The dominant RV genotype in the NICU was G4P[6] at 95.4%.ConclusionCurrent RV vaccines did not affect the incidence of RV infection in newborn and preterm infants in the NICU. Most RV-positive patients in the NICU had symptoms, and the incidence of RV infection was relatively higher in hospitals and postpartum clinics with group life than home. The dominant RV genotype was G4P[6] across study groups.
A Low-Profile Broadband Metasurface Antenna With Polarization Conversion Based on Characteristic Mode Analysis
Authors: Dong Jian , Wu Rigeng , Pan Yaxi 
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a low-profile, broadband metasurface antenna for polarization conversion is proposed based on characteristic mode analysis (CMA). A new type of metasurface unit with a partially chamfered symmetrical triangular structure is designed. The inherent physical characteristics of the antenna are analyzed based on CMA, and the expected characteristic modes are selected for excitation at a suitable position. Slot-coupled feeding via microstrip line realizes the performance of wide impedance bandwidth and axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW). The measured -10 dB impedance bandwidth of 36.3% (4.38–6.32 GHz) and the 3 dB ARBW of 20.1% (5.41–6.62 GHz) are achieved. The left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) is realized, and the measured highest gain in the working frequency band is 6.05 dBic. The overall size of the designed and fabricated metasurface antenna is 0.58 λ0 × 0.58 λ0 × 0.07 λ0at 5 GHz. The proposed metasurface antenna can be well used in C-band satellite communications due to its low profile, broadband, and circular polarization.
The Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Exercise on Angiogenesis-Related Factors in Skeletal Muscle Among Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li Shuoqi , Li Shiming , Wang Lifeng , Quan Helong , Yu Wenbing , Li Ting , Li Wei 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundBlood flow restriction (BFR) exercise may be a potential exercise program to promote angiogenesis. This review aims to compare the effects of exercise with and without BFR on angiogenesis-related factors in skeletal muscle among healthy adults.MethodologySearches were made in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and EBSCO databases from January 2001 to June 2021. Studies were screened, quality was evaluated, and data were extracted. The review protocol was registered at PROSPERO (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021261367). Standardized mean differences (SMD) of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγcoactivator-1α (PGC-1α) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were analyzed using Revman 5.4 software with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI).ResultsTen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria with a total of 75 participants for BFR group and 77 for CON group. BFR exercise elicits greater expression of VEGF (heterogeneity test, P = 0.09, I2 = 44%; SMD, 0.93 [0.38, 1.48], P &lt; 0.05), VEGFR-2 (heterogeneity test, P = 0.81, I2 = 0%; SMD, 0.64 [0.08, 1.21], P &lt; 0.05), HIF-1α (heterogeneity test, P = 0.67, I2 = 0%; SMD, 0.43 [0.03, 0.82], P &lt; 0.05), PGC-1α (heterogeneity test, P = 0.02, I2 = 54%; SMD, 0.74 [0.21, 1.28], P &lt; 0.05) and eNOS (heterogeneity test, P = 0.88, I2 = 0%; SMD, 0.60 [0.04, 1.17], P &lt; 0.05) mRNA than non-BFR exercise. In the sub-group analysis, resistance exercise with BFR elicits greater expression of VEGF (heterogeneity test, P = 0.36, I2 = 6%; SMD, 1.66 [0.97, 2.35], P &lt; 0.05) and HIF-1α (heterogeneity test, P = 0.56, I2 = 0%; SMD, 0.51 [0.01, 1.02], P &lt; 0.05) mRNA than aerobic exercise with BFR.ConclusionExercise with BFR elicited more angiogenesis-related factors mRNA expression than exercise without BFR, but not VEGF and PGC-1α protein expression. Therefore, BFR training may be a potential training program to improve vascular function.Systematic Review Registration[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42021261367].
Mobile Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Improves Autonomic Activation and Subjective Sleep Quality of Healthy Adults – A Pilot Study
Authors: Herhaus Benedict , Kalin Adrian , Gouveris Haralampos , Petrowski Katja 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveRestorative sleep is associated with increased autonomous parasympathetic nervous system activity that might be improved by heart rate variability-biofeedback (HRV-BF) training. Hence the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a four-week mobile HRV-BF intervention on the sleep quality and HRV of healthy adults.MethodsIn a prospective study, 26 healthy participants (11 females; mean age: 26.04 ± 4.52 years; mean body mass index: 23.76 ± 3.91 kg/m2) performed mobile HRV-BF training with 0.1 Hz breathing over four weeks, while sleep quality, actigraphy and HRV were measured before and after the intervention.ResultsMobile HRV-BF training with 0.1 Hz breathing improved the subjective sleep quality in healthy adults [t(24) = 4.9127, p ≤ 0.001, d = 0.99] as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. In addition, mobile HRV-BF training with 0.1 Hz breathing was associated with an increase in the time and frequency domain parameters SDNN, Total Power and LF after four weeks of intervention. No effect was found on actigraphy metrics.ConclusionsMobile HRV-BF intervention with 0.1 Hz breathing increased the reported subjective sleep quality and may enhance the vagal activity in healthy young adults. HRV-BF training emerges as a promising tool for improving sleep quality and sleep-related symptom severity by means of normalizing an impaired autonomic imbalance during sleep.