bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pilates Exercise Impact on Functional Movements, Core Stability and Risk of Injuries in Handball Players
Authors: Šniurevičienė Veronika , Baumann Laura , Žlibinaitė Laura 
Published: May 2022

Background. Handball is a dynamic and physically demanding sport, especially due to the excessive contact of players during the game. The high velocity of the game, high number of matches and the athletic conditioning puts a strain on the musculoskeletal system, leading to a high risk of injury. Prior research substantiates the belief that a better spinal stabilization function due to the application of Pilates exercises would help to achieve better sports results and reduce the risk of injuries.
The aim. To evaluate the impact of a Pilates exercise program on functional movements, core stability and risk of injuries in young handball players.
Methods. 12 professional handball players aged 18.25 ± 0.45 years participated in the study. A Pilates exercise program was applied in addition to the regular handball training. The program lasted for 8 weeks, with the sessions organized on-line, twice a week for 60 minutes. Before and after the program, functional movements were assessed using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) method, core stability was assessed by McGill core muscle isometric endurance tests, dynamic stability and associated injury risk was assessed by modified star excursion balance test.
Results. After the application of the Pilates exercise program, the evaluation of functional movements according to FMS scores significantly improved (p < 0.05). The isometric endurance ratio of the right and left side core muscles significantly improved (p < 0.05), and the isometric strength endurance ratio between the right side and back muscles also improved (p < 0.05). No significant change in either the total index of dynamic stability of the arms or legs, which indicates the risk of injury was found after the Pilates exercise program.
Conclusion. This study illustrates the idea that a Pilates exercise program improved quality of the handball players’ functional movements and the isometric strength of some core-stabilizing muscles, while the risk of injuries did not change.
Keywords: movement quality, static endurance, dynamic stability, athletes, core stabilization exercise.
Effect of “IPPON” and “Judo 9+” Interventions on Balance and Coordination in Young Judo Athletes
Authors: Naudžiūnaitė Eglė , Aleknavičiūtė-Ablonskė Vaida , Bubelis Justinas 
Published: May 2022

Background. One of the most important skills for judo players is coordination. In judo it is standard to focus more on strength and endurance rather than coordination. Recently coordination of judo players has become a popular topic, and the importance of coordination development has been introduced to researchers. There is a lack of research about the effect of coordination training on balance and coordination changes in judo athletes.
The aim. To determine the effect of “IPPON intervention” and “Judo 9+” intervention on balance and coordination.
Methods. Seven (5 boys, 2 girls) judo athletes aged 13.5±1.6 yrs., height 1.6±0.13 m, weighs 57.6±14.6 kg with training experience exceeding 9 months (3.7±2.4 years) were recruited for the intervention. A coordination training program formed out of two programs (“IPPON” intervention and “Judo 9+”) was applied for 4 weeks. Static and dynamic balance, coordination of athletes was tested before and after the intervention.
Results. Statistically significant differences in coordination, static and dynamic balance of judo athletes were not found after 4 weeks of coordination training. While comparing test results before and after coordination training, we found increases (p > 0.05) of posterolateral reach in right leg (4.14 cm), anterior (0.71 cm) and posteromedial (1.14 cm) reach in left leg in a modified star excursion test, an improvement was found in the Harre coordination test (0.72 s).
Conclusion. The four-week IPPON intervention and Judo 9+ exercise program was too short to significantly improve the coordination and dynamic balance of the judo sport.
Keywords: static balance, dynamic balance, coordination
Nano-Sized PtRu/C Electrocatalyst With Separated Phases and High Dispersion Improves Electrochemical Performance of Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Feng Yiling , Han Wei , Wang Tingyu , Chen Qian , Zhang Yan , Sun Yonggang , Zhang Xin , Yang Lin , Chen Song , Xu YuXiang , Tang Hong , Zhang Bing , Wang Hao 
Published: May 2022

Alloys and core-shell nanoparticles have recently received enormous attention which opened up new avenues for highly active catalysts. Despite considerable advances in this field, the majority of proposed approaches suffer from either complicated procedures or unstable structures, severely hindering their practical applications. Here, we successfully synthesized alloy electrocatalyst with separated phases, PtRu alloy nanoparticles robustly supported by carbon matrix (PtRu/C), using a convenient two-step solvothermal method. The constructed PtRu/C at different NaOH contents (0–1.25 mmol) were compared and electrochemical activity were evaluated by the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). In contrast, the homogeneous distribution and minimum average size of Ru and Pt nanoparticles on carbon, appeared at approximately 4 nm, proving that PtRu/C-0.75 possessed abundant accessible active sites. The catalytic activities and the reaction mechanism were studied via electrochemical techniques. PtRu/C-0.75 has excellent activity due to its unique electronic structure and efficient charge transfer, with the largest j0 value of 3.68 mA cm−2 in the HOR.
Synthesis and Bioactivities of Novel Piperonylic Acid Derivatives Containing a Sulfonic Acid Ester Moiety
Authors: Xie Dandan , Hu Xin , Ren Xiaoli , Yang Zaiping 
Published: May 2022

The crop loss caused by bacteria has increased year by year due to the lack of effective control agents. In order to develop efficient, broad-spectrum, and structurally simple agricultural bactericide, the structure of piperonylic acid was modified and a series of novel piperonylic acid derivatives containing a sulfonic acid ester moiety was synthesized. Bioassay results indicated the compounds exhibited significantly antibacterial activities. Among them, compound 41 exhibited excellent antibacterial activities against Pseudomonas syringae pv. Actinidiae (Psa), with inhibitory value 99 and 85% at 100 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml, respectively, which was higher than that of thiodiazole-copper (84 and 77%) and bismerthiazol (96 and 78%). In addition, some compounds also showed moderate insecticidal activity against Spodoptera frugiperda. The abovementioned results confirm the broadening of the application of piperonylic acid, with reliable support for the development of novel agrochemical bactericide.
Influence of Water Saturation Time on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Jointed Limestone
Authors: Li Huigui , Wang Jun , Wang Xiaohe , Liang Wanliang , Xu Guosheng , Kang Yingchun 
Published: May 2022

In order to study the influence of water saturation time on the mechanical properties of jointed limestone, the joint limestone samples with a crack length of 20 mm and a crack angle of 30° are saturated with water for 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 days and tested with the RMT-150C mechanical test machine. The results show that the water saturation time has a significant effect on the stress-strain curve, peak strength, elastic modulus, crack development and failure characteristics of the jointed limestone. There is a step rise or fall phenomenon near the peak stress. The peak strength and elastic modulus of the joint limestone are significantly negatively correlated with the saturated time. Compared with that of the saturated 0-day sample, the peak compressive strength of the saturated 1-day, 3-day, 5-day and 7-day samples was decreased by 16.5%, 24.7%, 43.6%, and 47.7%, respectively, and the elastic modulus decreased by 11.0%, 32.0%, 45.0%, and 67.9%, respectively. Saturated water cracks the skeleton particles of the limestone samples, and the length of the microscopic pores and fissures increased gradually. The phenomenon that the number and length of cracks increase with the increase of the water saturation time will weaken the mechanical properties of the jointed limestone. The physical and chemical reactions, lubrication, and pore water pressure produced by water-saturated water-rock interactions make it easier for the Mohr stress circle to reach the limit equilibrium state. Saturated water reduces the degree of fragmentation of the sample, and the integrity of the fracture surface is higher after failure. The findings in this paper are helpful to further reveal the mechanism of the crushing of supports and the frequent occurrence of water gushing accidents at the working face in the Xinhua region of northwestern Guizhou.
Intermittent Scanning Glucose Monitoring or Predicted Low Suspend Pump Treatment: Does It Impact Time in Glucose Target and Treatment Preference? The QUEST Randomized Crossover Study
Authors: Schierloh Ulrike , Aguayo Gloria A. , Schritz Anna , Fichelle Muriel , De Melo Dias Cindy , Vaillant Michel T. , Cohen Ohad , Gies Inge , de Beaufort Carine 
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveTo compare glycemic control and treatment preference in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using sensor augmented pump (SAP) with predictive low glucose suspend (SmartGuard®) or pump with independent intermittent scanning continuous glucose monitoring (iscCGM, Freestyle libre ®).MethodsIn this open label, cross-over study, children 6 to 14 years of age, treated with insulin pump for at least 6 months, were randomized to insulin pump and iscCGM (A) or SAP with SmartGuard® (B) for 5 weeks followed by 5 additional weeks. The difference in percentages of time in glucose target (TIT), (3.9 – 8.0 mmol/l), &lt;3 mmol/l, &gt; 8 and 10 mmol/l, were analyzed using linear mixed models during the final week of each arm and were measured by blinded CGM (IPro2®).Results31 children (15 girls) finished the study. With sensor compliance &gt; 60%, no difference in TIT was found, TIT: A 37.86%; 95% CI [33.21; 42.51]; B 37.20%; 95% CI [32.59; 41.82]; &lt; 3 mmol/l A 2.27% 95% CI [0.71; 3.84] B 1.42% 95% CI [-0.13; 2.97]; &gt; 8 mmol/l A 0.60% 95% CI [0.56, 0.67]; B 0.63% [0.56; 0.70]. One year after the study all participants were on CGM compared to 80.7% prior to the study, with a shift of 13/25 participants from iscCGM to SAP.ConclusionsIn this study, no significant difference in glycemic control was found whether treated with SAP (SmartGuard®) or pump with iscCGM. The decision of all families to continue with CGM after the study suggests a positive impact, with preference for SmartGuard®.Clinical Trial Registration[clinicaltrials.gov], identifier NCT03103867.
Gender-Specific Association Between Sleep Duration and Body Mass Index in Rural China
Authors: Ren Lin , Chang Li , Kang Yijun , Zhao Yaling , Chen Fangyao , Pei Leilei 
Published: May 2022

BackgroundThis study aimed at investigating the association of sleep duration with body mass index (BMI) by gender among adult residents in rural Hanzhong of Shaanxi province, Northwest China.MethodsA two-level stratified random cluster sampling method was used to select adult residents between the ages of 18 and 80 years. All information including sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyles was collected by face-to-face interview with a structured questionnaire. According to standard methods, trained staff were responsible for anthropometric measurements using calibrated instruments in an empty room. By gender, both ordinary least square regression (OLS) and quantile regression (QR) were used to analyze the relationship between sleep time and BMI controlling for other confounders. The restricted cubic splines with five knots were further used to express the potentially non-linear association between sleep time and BMI.ResultsA total of 3,017 eligible participants were included in the study. After controlling for confounding factors including sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyles, OLS regression did not indicate any significant association of sleep duration with BMI among men and women. Among men, it was clear that there is an inverse U-shaped relationship between sleep time and BMI beyond the 66.0th percentile (BMI ≥24). Among women, quantile regression presented a significant U-shaped relationship between BMI and sleep duration. According to the restricted cubic splines, the women who sleep for approximately 9 h had the lowest BMI, and when sleep duration approached approximately 7 h among men, their BMI would be the highest.ConclusionsThe U-shaped and inverse U-shaped relationships between sleep duration and BMI were clearly observed for women and men, respectively, in our study. The identification of potentially relevant modifiable risk factors may provide better preventive approaches to obesity.
ANXA1: An Important Independent Prognostic Factor and Molecular Target in Glioma
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Wang Wenyan , Zhou Huandi , Su Linlin , Han Xuetao , Zhang Xinyuan , Han Wei , Wang Yu , Xue Xiaoying 
Published: May 2022

Objective: The expression, prognosis, and related mechanisms of ANXA1 are investigated in glioma, with the objective to find potential therapeutic molecular targets for glioma.Methods: We analyzed the gene expression of ANXA1 using glioma-related databases, including the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) database, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Moreover, we collected the sample tissues and corresponding paracancerous tissues of 23 glioma patients and then conducted a Western blot experiment to verify the expression and correlate survival of ANXA1. Moreover, we generated survival ROC curves, performing univariate and multivariate Cox analyses and the construction of the nomogram. Differential expression analysis was conducted by high and low grouping based on the median of the ANXA1 gene expression values. We conducted Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) to explore possible mechanisms, and gene co-expression analysis was also performed.Results: The results showed that the ANXA1 expression level was higher in gliomas than in normal tissues, and a high expression level of ANXA1 in gliomas was associated with poorer prognosis. The independent prognosis analysis showed that the ANXA1 gene was an independent prognostic factor of glioma. In the analysis of KEGG and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), it is shown that ANXA1 may play an important role in glioma patients by affecting extracellular matrix (ECM)–receptor interaction and the focal adhesion signal pathway. The core genes, including COL1A1, COL1A2, FN1, ITGA1, and ITGB1, were screened for gene correlation and prognosis analysis. The expression level of the five genes was verified by qPCR in glioma. We concluded that these five core genes and ANXA1 could play a synergistic role in gliomas.Conclusion: The results indicated that a high expression level of ANXA1 leads to worse prognosis and ANXA1 is an independent prognostic factor and a potentially important target for the treatment of gliomas.
Nordic Blue Carbon Ecosystems: Status and Outlook
Authors: Krause-Jensen Dorte , Gundersen Hege , Björk Mats , Gullström Martin , Dahl Martin , Asplund Maria E. , Boström Christoffer , Holmer Marianne , Banta Gary T. , Graversen Anna Elizabeth Løvgren , Pedersen Morten Foldager , Bekkby Trine , Frigstad Helene , Skjellum Solrun Figenschau , Thormar Jonas , Gyldenkærne Steen , Howard Jennifer , Pidgeon Emily , Ragnarsdóttir Sunna Björk , Mols-Mortensen Agnes , Hancke Kasper 
Published: May 2022

Vegetated coastal and marine habitats in the Nordic region include salt marshes, eelgrass meadows and, in particular, brown macroalgae (kelp forests and rockweed beds). Such habitats contribute to storage of organic carbon (Blue Carbon – BC) and support coastal protection, biodiversity and water quality. Protection and restoration of these habitats therefore have the potential to deliver climate change mitigation and co-benefits. Here we present the existing knowledge on Nordic BC habitats in terms of habitat area, C-stocks and sequestration rates, co-benefits, policies and management status to inspire a coherent Nordic BC roadmap. The area extent of BC habitats in the region is incompletely assessed, but available information sums up to 1,440 km2 salt marshes, 1,861 (potentially 2,735) km2 seagrass meadows, and 16,532 km2 (potentially 130,735 km2, including coarse Greenland estimates) brown macroalgae, yielding a total of 19,833 (potentially 134,910) km2. Saltmarshes and seagrass meadows have experienced major declines over the past century, while macroalgal trends are more diverse. Based on limited salt marsh data, sediment C-stocks average 3,311 g Corg m-2 (top 40-100 cm) and sequestration rates average 142 g Corg m-2 yr-1. Eelgrass C-stocks average 2,414 g Corg m-2 (top 25 cm) and initial data for sequestration rates range 5-33 g Corg m-2, quantified for one Greenland site and one short term restoration. For Nordic brown macroalgae, peer-reviewed estimates of sediment C-stock and sequestration are lacking. Overall, the review reveals substantial Nordic BC-stocks, but highlights that evidence is still insufficient to provide a robust estimate of all Nordic BC-stocks and sequestration rates. Needed are better quantification of habitat area, C-stocks and fluxes, particularly for macroalgae, as well as identification of target areas for BC management. The review also points to directives and regulations protecting Nordic marine vegetation, and local restoration initiatives with potential to increase C-sequestration but underlines that increased coordination at national and Nordic scales and across sectors is needed. We propose a Nordic BC roadmap for science and management to maximize the potential of BC habitats to mitigate climate change and support coastal protection, biodiversity and additional ecosystem functions.
A Machine Learning-Based System for Real-Time Polyp Detection (DeFrame): A Retrospective Study
Authors: Chen Shuijiao , Lu Shuang , Tang Yingxin , Wang Dechun , Sun Xinzi , Yi Jun , Liu Benyuan , Cao Yu , Chen Yongheng , Liu Xiaowei 
Published: May 2022

Background and AimsRecent studies have shown that artificial intelligence-based computer-aided detection systems possess great potential in reducing the heterogeneous performance of doctors during endoscopy. However, most existing studies are based on high-quality static images available in open-source databases with relatively small data volumes, and, hence, are not applicable for routine clinical practice. This research aims to integrate multiple deep learning algorithms and develop a system (DeFrame) that can be used to accurately detect intestinal polyps in real time during clinical endoscopy.MethodsA total of 681 colonoscopy videos were collected for retrospective analysis at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from June 2019 to June 2020. To train the machine learning (ML)-based system, 6,833 images were extracted from 48 collected videos, and 1,544 images were collected from public datasets. The DeFrame system was further validated with two datasets, consisting of 24,486 images extracted from 176 collected videos and 12,283 images extracted from 259 collected videos. The remaining 198 collected full-length videos were used for the final test of the system. The measurement metrics were sensitivity and specificity in validation dataset 1, precision, recall and F1 score in validation dataset 2, and the overall performance when tested in the complete video perspective.ResultsA sensitivity and specificity of 79.54 and 95.83%, respectively, was obtained for the DeFrame system for detecting intestinal polyps. The recall and precision of the system for polyp detection were determined to be 95.43 and 92.12%, respectively. When tested using full colonoscopy videos, the system achieved a recall of 100% and precision of 80.80%.ConclusionWe have developed a fast, accurate, and reliable DeFrame system for detecting polyps, which, to some extent, is feasible for use in routine clinical practice.
Epstein–Barr Virus and Human Cytomegalovirus Infection in Intestinal Mucosa of Chinese Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Wang Wei , Chen Xin , Pan Jie , Zhang Xianhui , Zhang Liyun 
Published: May 2022

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the frequency of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) in mucosa and blood of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in China and evaluate their correlation with the clinical disease activities.MethodsPeripheral blood and endoscopic fresh colonic mucosal samples were collected from a cohort of 287 IBD patients and 50 controls. Viral DNA load was analyzed through quantitative real-time PCR. The clinical disease activity of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) was assessed by the Mayo Clinic Score and Crohn’s disease activity index, respectively.ResultsAmong 287 IBD patients, 228 (79.4%) were positive for EBV and 99 (34.5%) were positive for CMV. EBV and CMV infection rates are significantly higher than those in the control group (28.0%, p &lt; 0.05; 4.0%, p &lt; 0.05). In addition, EBV/CMV prevalence increases as clinical activities progress [For EBV infection, the prevalence was 53.93% (48/89) in the mild group, 87.00% (87/100) in the moderate group, and 94.90% (93/98) in the severe group; and for CMV infection, the prevalence was 3.37% (3/89) in the mild group, 27.00% (27/100) in the moderate group, and 70.41% (69/98) in the severe group]. EBV and CMV loads are related to clinical disease activities (p &lt; 0.05). In addition, viral load in the intestinal mucosa of patients with acute exacerbation of IBD is higher than that of patients in remission.ConclusionHigh prevalence of EBV and CMV is found in patients with IBD, and their prevalence is related to clinical disease activities. In addition, the viral load in the intestinal mucosa is associated with the status of mucosa in the same patients (active phase versus remission phase). Detection of viral load on mucosal specimens with quantitative real-time PCR is a feasible method to monitor EBV and CMV infection in IBD patients.
Cell-Target-Specific Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Empagliflozin: In Vitro Evidence in Human Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Giannattasio Silvia , Citarella Anna , Trocchianesi Sofia , Filardi Tiziana , Morano Susanna , Lenzi Andrea , Ferretti Elisabetta , Crescioli Clara 
Published: May 2022

The antidiabetic sodium–glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) empagliflozin efficiently reduces heart failure (HF) hospitalization and cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Empagliflozin-cardioprotection likely includes anti-inflammatory effects, regardless glucose lowering, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Inflammation is a primary event in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and HF development. The interferon (IFN)γ-induced 10-kDa protein (IP-10/CXCL10), a T helper 1 (Th1)-type chemokine, promotes cardiac inflammation, fibrosis, and diseases, including DCM, ideally representing a therapeutic target. This preliminary study aims to explore whether empagliflozin directly affects Th1-challenged human cardiomyocytes, in terms of CXCL10 targeting. To this purpose, empagliflozin dose–response curves were performed in cultured human cardiomyocytes maintained within a Th1-dominant inflammatory microenvironment (IFNγ/TNFα), and CXCL10 release with the intracellular IFNγ-dependent signaling pathway (Stat-1) was investigated. To verify possible drug–cell-target specificity, the same assays were run in human skeletal muscle cells. Empagliflozin dose dependently inhibited CXCL10 secretion (IC50 = 76,14 × 10-9 M) in association with Stat-1 pathway impairment only in Th1-induced human cardiomyocytes, suggesting drug-selective cell-type-targeting. As CXCL10 plays multifaceted functions in cardiac remodeling toward HF and currently there is no effective method to prevent it, these preliminary data might be hypothesis generating to open new scenarios in the translational approach to SGLT2i-dependent cardioprotection.