bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic value of hysterosalpingography: A retrospective data analysis.
Authors: Schramm Dominik , Kaltwasser Petra , Seliger Gregor , Knörgen Manfred , Wohlgemuth Walter Alexander , Wagner Sabine , Böttcher Sophie-Isabell 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Purpose Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a contrast-enhanced, radiographic examination method of the internal female reproductive organs, which is used in the context of infertility diagnostics for the clarification of uterine malformations. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of HSG as a diagnostic method in reproductive medicine.Methods The results of HSG examinations conducted in 293 patients from the Clinic of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology between 2006 and 2020 were investigated retrospectively. Results A comparison of HSG findings with those from initial baseline diagnostics (gynecologic manual examination, sonography, etc.) revealed a correlation of findings in 105 cases (35.84%) and divergence of findings in 79 cases (26.96%). With the assistance of the HSG findings, further specification of the previously collected findings was achieved in 27 cases (9.22%). The diagnostic significance of HSG in reproductive medicine was demonstrated by the fact that findings were obtained and could not be detected in the preliminary examinations. In addition, basic diagnostic findings were confirmed by HSG, and, conversely, previously obtained findings could be further specified with the help of HSG. Conclusion HSG is a method of radiologic examination that can be used to diagnose and specify uterine malformations.
Does procalcitonin play a role as a predictor of in-hospital mortality among Covid-19 patients admitted to intensive care unit?
Authors: zakeri Anahita , Faraone Antonio , matin somaieh 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Introduction: Inflammatory response plays a key role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as it has been shown that the resulting cytokine storm increases its severity. Aim: To investigate the role of procalcitonin (PCT) as a predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with severe to critical COVID-19. Design and methods: Retrospective cohort study. For the purpose of this research, 150 patients with severe to critical COVID-19 consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were investigated. Patients’ demographics, clinical and laboratory findings, and PCT level were collected upon their admission to the hospital and from the disease outcome data. Findings: Of the 150 patients who entered the study, 77 were discharged alive from the hospital. The mean age of the patients was 60.9 ±16.3 years and 51.3% of them were male. The mean PCT level was significantly higher in the deceased patients than in survivors (2.4 ±3.4 vs 0.7±1.3, p<0.005). The logistic regression analysis indicated that PCT, creatinine and urea levels were independently associated with in-hospital mortality.Conclusion: Serum PCT levels are associated with in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU and could be used as a simple tool to predict adverse outcomes and expedite timely and appropriate interventions.
Mesocosm Evaluation of the Safety in the Use of Reclaimed Water Regarding Emerging Pollutants in Murcia, Spain
Authors: Martínez-Alcalá Isabel , Bernal María Pilar , Clemente Rafael , Pellicer-Martínez Francisco , Lahora Agustín 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The increasing shortage of conventional water for crop irrigation in arid and semiarid regions is encouraging the use of non-conventional resources. Nevertheless, concern about the presence and possible negative effects of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in reclaimed waters can put in danger the possible use of this water source. To clarify the guarantees that reclaimed water offers, a mesocosm study was carried out. Pots with a lettuce were watered with three different types of water (distilled, reclaimed and spiked with CECs). The results showed a low concentration of these compounds in leachates and in plant tissues when reclaimed water was used. However, their concentrations were high when pots were watered with spiked water, mainly for carbamazepine (CBZ), reaching a maximum of 2982 ng L− 1 in leachates and 45.2 ng g− 1 in plant roots. In lettuces watered with spiked water, CBZ was found in edible part at very low concentrations that did not imply any human risk. Finally, an acute toxicity test was performed with the leachates, which resulted only slightly toxic for spiked water. This work confirms that, with the current technical improvements of active sludge water treatment, reclaimed water can be used for irrigation without risk for CECs contamination.
High Performance Voltage Differencing Inverting Buffered Amplifier and its application as Universal filter
Authors: Srivast Richa 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
This paper presents high performance Voltage Differencing Inverting Buffered Amplifier (VDIBA). The input stage of conventional VDIBA has been modified which results in higher transconductance and wider bandwidth along with low voltage low power operation. The operating frequency of the proposed VDIBA is improved by using the resistive compensation method in the input stage of the block. Bandwidth of the input stage increases from 3.16 GHz to 4.13 GHz by using resistive compensation method of bandwidth extension. Further, the Proposed VDIBA is used to realize a mixed mode biquad filter. Proposed biquad realizes all the filter function in voltage mode and two filter functions in current and Transimpedance mode. Its parameters namely pole frequency and bandwidth are orthogonally controlled. Corner analysis has been done to show the robustness of the circuit at different process corners. Moreover, post layout simulation has also been presented for the proposed circuit. Performance of the proposed circuit is verified at ± 0.7 V in TSMC 0.18 µm CMOS, BSIM3 and Level 49 technology by using Cadence Spectre simulator.
LncRNA MALAT1 aggravates high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial injury via activating LIN28A and the Nox4/AMPK/mTOR signaling axis
Authors: Song Panai , Liu Zhiwen , Chen Yinyin , Liu Hong , Xiao Li , Sun Lin , Wei Jiali , He Liyu 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious complication among patients with diabetes. Elucidating its pathogenesis is crucial for identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for DN.
Methods
DN tissues were harvested for examining MALAT1, LIN28A and Nox4. Human kidney-2 (HK-2) cells were treated with high glucose (HG) for establishing a cell model of DN. Cell viability was examined by MTT assay. HG-induced cell apoptosis and secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 were analyzed by TUNEL and ELISA assays, respectively. RIP and RNA pull-down assays were applied to analyze the interaction between MALAT1, LIN28A and Nox4 in HK-2 and human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK-293T) cells. A rat model of DN was established to determine the role of MALAT1 in DN in vivo.
Results
MALAT1, LIN28A and Nox4 were upregulated in DN tissues and HG-treated HK-2 cells. Overexpression of MALAT1, LIN28A or Nox4 reduced cell viability and enhanced cell apoptosis, ROS generation and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in HG-treated HK-2 cells, whereas knockdown of MALAT1, LIN28A or Nox4 exerted opposite effects. Furthermore, MALAT1 directly interacted with LIN28A. Moreover, MALAT1 facilitated the interaction between LIN28A and Nox4 to increase Nox4 stability. Knockdown of Nox4 relieved HG-induced injury by suppressing the AMPK/mTOR signaling in HK-2 cells. Knockdown of MALAT1 alleviated renal tubular epithelial injury by suppressing LIN28A and the Nox4/AMPK/TOR signaling in DN.
Conclusion
MALAT1 activates the AMPK/mTOR signaling via interacting with LIN28A to stabilize Nox4 mRNA, thereby aggravating high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial injury. Our findings provide potential therapeutic targets for DN.
Obesity affects pulmonary function in Japanese adult patients with asthma, but not those without asthma
Authors: Tashiro Hiroki , Takahashi Koichiro , Kurihara Yuki , Sadamatsu Hironori , Kuwahara Yuki , Tajiri Ryo , Kimura Shinya , Sueoka-Aragane Naoko 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Obesity is a factor associated with the severity of asthma, which is characterized by airway obstruction. Pulmonary function testing is one of the important examinations for evaluating airway obstruction. However, the impact of obesity on pulmonary function in patients with asthma is not fully understood.
Methods
A total of 193 patients with asthma and 2,159 patients without asthma who visited Saga University Hospital were investigated retrospectively. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2. Pulmonary functions including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were compared between patients with asthma and those without asthma, focusing especially on obesity.
Results
%FVC, FEV1, and %FEV1, but not FVC were significantly lower in patients with asthma than in those without asthma (p < 0.01, < 0.01, < 0.01, 0.25, respectively). In patients with asthma, FVC, %FVC, FEV1, and %FEV1 were significantly lower in patients with obesity than in those without obesity (all p < 0.01). In addition, BMI was negatively correlated with FEV1 (r = − 0.21, p = 0.003) and FVC (r = -0.15, p = 0.04). On multivariate analysis in patients with asthma, FVC (β [95% confidence interval] 0.11 [0.01–0.02], p = 0.02) and FEV1 (0.13 [0.05–0.21], p < 0.01) were still significant between patients with obesity versus patients without obesity. However, those obesity-associated differences were not observed in patients without asthma.
Conclusion
Obesity reduces pulmonary function including FVC and FEV1 in patients with asthma but not in those without asthma.
Association between pre-diabetes or diabetes and cognitive impairment in a -community dwelling older population: Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program
Authors: Farkhani Sara , Payab Moloud , Sharifi Farshad , Sharifi Yasaman , Mohammadi Sammy , Shadman Zhaleh , Fahimfar Noushin , Heshmat Ramin , Hadizadeh Alireza , Shafiee Gita , Nabipour Iraj , Larijani Bagher , ebrahimpur mahbube , ostovar Afshin 
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Background
Uncontrolled hyperglycemia is one of the risk factors for cognitive disorders. By this finding, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may predispose to cognitive impairment in poorly controlled cases. The current large-scale study is aimed at cognitive impairments in diabetic and non-diabetic older adults separately.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study from phase 2 of the Bushehr elderly health program (BEHP). Mini-cog and categorical verbal fluency tests (CFTs) were used to assess cognitive function. Patients were classified as non-diabetics, pre-diabetics, or diabetics based on the diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus (DM). To compare the means of the two groups, we used the t-test or the Mann-Whitney test. Multivariable logistic regression models were also used to determine the association between pre-diabetes or DM and cognitive impairment.
Results
Six hundred and ninety-three (45.2%) out of 1533 participants were ascertained to be cognitively impaired. The average hemoglobin A1C was higher in diabetic patients with cognitive impairment compared to those without cognitive impairment. (5.8 ± 1.6% vs. 5.5 ± 1.4%, P = 0.004). Besides, the mean blood glucose levels were found to be more elevated in cognitively impaired cases (108.0 ± 47.4 mg/dL vs. 102.1 ± 0.35 mg/dL, P = 0.002). After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index(BMI), waist circumference, amount of physical activity, and smoking, the multivariable logistic regression model, declared an association between diabetes and cognitive impairment (OR = 1.48, P = 0.003). Older patients, females, widows, and patients with elevated LDL-Cs and blood pressure are also more vulnerable to cognitive impairment.
Conclusion
In the BEHP, there is a positive association between cognitive impairment and DM, notably in long-term, poorly controlled cases, whereas no association was found among pre-diabetics in our elderly study populations.
Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Exercise on Muscular Endurance and Cardiopulmonary Endurance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xiong Feng , Feng Jie , Mu Panyun , Deng Qiulin , Guo Hairui , Zhang Wenbin , Sun Haoran , Hu Yimei 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
In recent years, blood flow restriction (BFR) training, which can improve body function with lower intensity exercise, has attracted more and more attention. However, there are inadequate systematic evaluation and high-quality evidence to search the impact of BFR on muscular endurance and cardiopulmonary endurance, so the target of the study is to evaluate whether BFR training can promote physical endurance.
Methods
A systematic review and meta-analysis had been conducted. Literature was retrieved from original to 2022-01-18 in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library databases, Embase, CNKI (China National Knowledge Internet), CBM (China Biology Medicine disc).
Results
The results showed that aerobic exercise combined with BFR (AE-BFR) and moderate to low intensity exercise with BFR (ML-BFR) significantly improved participants' aerobic endurance, compared with non-BFR exercise. However, low-load resistance training with BFR (LBFR-RT) didn’t have significant difference compared with low-load resistance training (LL-RT) or high-load resistance training (HL-RT) on muscle endurance, and the same with between anaerobic exercise with BFR (ANA-BFR) and anaerobic exercise (ANA-E).
Conclusion
Based on current data, the results need to be interpreted cautiously and conservatively. BFR training is a very promising method to improve endurance for the elderly, patients with chronic diseases, musculoskeletal injury or postoperative rehabilitation, and athletes looking to improve exercise ability. For people who cannot tolerate high-intensity exercise, in order to improve the aerobic endurance, using moderate to low intensity exercise with BFR may be a better choice than only moderate to low intensity exercise. The benefits of BFR for muscular endurance and the value of using high-intensity BFR training still need further study.
The Effects of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria and Test of Cure Urine Cultures on Pregnancy Outcomes
Authors: Smith Gabrielle , Grogman Grace , Urban Amanda , Chisholm Christian , Whitham Megan 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: Current management recommendations for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) in pregnancy is based primarily on expert opinion and requires further study. We examined the role of screening urine cultures and “test of cure” urine cultures (TOC) on pregnancy outcomes in women with ABU.Methods: This retrospective case-control study examined pregnancy outcomes of patients who received prenatal care and delivered in 2018-2019 in a tertiary-care academic center. Women with ABU (n=174) were defined as having a positive screening urine culture during their pregnancy (>100,000 CFU/mL of one organism or >10,000 CFU/mL for Group B Streptococcus). These cases were compared with matched controls with negative screening urine cultures (n=348) in a 1:2 ratio. We further investigated the difference in pregnancy outcomes noted in groups of patients with a positive TOC versus those who cleared ABU, with a documented negative TOC. Analysis was performed with Chi-square, one-way ANOVA, and Independent Sample T-Tests for categorical variables, between-group variability, and continuous variables, respectively. Odds ratios are reported for case-control comparison of dichotomous outcomes.Results: Pregnant patients with ABU had significantly higher rates of symptomatic cystitis than controls, and pyelonephritis only occurred in patients diagnosed with ABU. 118 patients (67.8%) with ABU had TOC performed after treatment with antibiotics and 28 (23.7%) had persistently (+)TOCs. This group had significantly higher rates of antepartum admission, delivery at <37 weeks, and preeclampsia with severe features than those with (-) TOC.Conclusions: During pregnancy, ABU is associated with higher rates of maternal complications. Despite treatment, positive TOCs were common, and associated with higher complication rates. This supports continued use of screening UCs at prenatal visits and TOCs to evaluate treatment response and identify patients at increased risk for complications
Successional shifts of phototrophic community composition in biological soil crusts on coastal and inland dunes
Authors: Kammann Sandra , Schiefelbein Ulf , Dolnik Christian , Mikhailyuk Tatiana , Demchenko Eduard , Karsten Ulf , Glaser Karin 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Aim
Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are autonomous ecosystems consisting of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms growing on the topsoil. They colonize global climatic zones, including temperate dunes. This study examines changes in the community structure of biocrust phototrophic organisms along a dune chronosequence at the Baltic Sea compared to an inland dune in Northern Germany.
Methods
The community composition and their shift between different successional stages of dune development were related to physico-chemical sediment properties. A vegetation survey followed by species determination and sediment analyses were conducted.
Results
The findings highlighted a varying phototrophic community composition regarding the different dune successional stages. In both study sites, a shift from algae-dominated biocrusts in younger to lichen- and moss-dominated biocrusts in later successional dune types was observed. This underlined a zonation from young to mature biocrusts along a dune chronosequence. The algae community of the two study sites shared 50% of the identified species while the moss and lichen community shared less than 15%. This indicates a more generalized occurrence of the algal species along both dune chronosequences. The mosses and lichens showed a habitat-specific species community. Moreover, an increase in the organic matter and moisture content with advanced biocrust development was detected. The enrichment of phosphorus in the different biocrust types showed a similar relationship.
Conclusion
This relation is explainable by biomass growth and potential phosphorus mobilization from the underlying sediment by microorganisms. The observed biocrust development supported nutrient enrichment and biomass accumulation and potentially maintained in turn soil formation.
Efficacy of inhaled tiotropium add-on to budesonide/formoterol in patients with bronchiolitis obliterans developing after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation Running Title: Tiotropium in bronchiolitis obliterans after HSCT
Authors: Lim Jeong Uk , Park Silvia , Yoon Jae-Ho , Lee Sung-Eun , Cho Byung-Sik , Kim Yoo-Jin , Lee Seok , Kim Hee-Je , Rhee Chin Kook 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is the lung manifestation of chronic graft-versus-host disease, and a noninfectious pulmonary sequela of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Despite the combination regimen including budesonide/formoterol that was previously shown as effective, a significant proportion of patients are unresponsive. We assessed whether inhaled tiotropium add-on to the combination regimen improve pulmonary function and the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT) scores in patients with BOS.Methods: Post-HSCT patients with significant respiratory symptoms or poor pulmonary function referred to the pulmonology department of the HSCT Center of Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, were reviewed retrospectively. Patients defined as BOS and treated with budesonide/formoterol/tiotropium combination therapy after budesonide/formoterol therapy from January 2011 to June 2019 were enrolled. Results: Total of 86 patients were evaluated. After tiotropium add-on, the absolute FEV1 increased significantly from 1.47 ± 0.49 to 1.53 ± 0.57 L (p = 0.023) and the % predicted FEV1 from 45.0 ± 12.8 to 46.8 ± 14.5% (p = 0.031). The % predicted DLCO increased significantly after tiotropium add-on (from 61.6 ± 16.7 to 64.3 ± 16.3%, p = 0.028). Among 56 patients with complete CAT scores, no significant change was present in total CAT scores. In all, 30 of the 72 patients (41.7%) evidenced FEV1 increases > 100 mL, and 20 of 56 patients (35.7%) had CAT score decreases of ≥ 2 points. When the FEV1 and CAT scores were combined, the overall response rate to tiotropium add-on was 56.2% (41/73). The response group evidenced a significantly greater FVC increase (both absolute (p < 0.001) and % predicted (p < 0.001)), and a significant decrease in the RV/TLC ratio compared to the no-response group (p = 0.006).Conclusions: Inhaled tiotropium add-on to combination budesonide/formoterol significantly improved lung function, but not respiratory symptoms, in patients with post-HSCT BOS.
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from methanolic extract of Plantago amplexicaulis and its biological evaluations
Authors: Ahmed Mushtaq , Ayub Qasim , Mushtaq Nadia , Sher Naila , Khan Rahmat Ali 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Nanotechnology is one of the modern techniques of material science which have received much importance in the last many years. Nanotechnology is concerned with the production of nanoparticles (NPs) with restricted sizes and shapes through a facile, straightforward, and medicinally active phytochemical route. In this work silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using the Dried fruits of Plantago amplexicaulis (P. amplexicaulis) plant. The synthesized AgNPs was confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy which showed a characteristic Surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 416 nm. Moreover, the AgNPs were further confirmed by FT-IR, SEM, and EDX analysis. FT-IR spectra contained the major groups which act as reducing and stabilizing agents for the formation of AgNPs. SEM results revealed that AgNPs has sphere-shaped, monodispersed with density high particles. The average size of 55 nm was calculated using four major peaks 33˚, 39.4˚, 55˚, and 65.7˚ of XRD analysis. These synthesized AgNPs were then tested for anti-microbial and antioxidant activity. Excellent antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities were shown by AgNPs as compared to plant extract. From the present project, it is concluded that AgNPs showed enhanced properties as compared to the plant crude extract.