bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Global Cognitive Function is Associated with Sex, Educational Level, Occupation Type, and the Speech Recognition Rate in Older Chinese Adults: A Single-Center, Prospective, Cross- Sectional Study
Authors: Gu Hailing , Yao Xinyi , Diao Cong , Liu Min , Kong Weili , Liu Haotian , Zheng Yun , Meng Zhaoli 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: The development of cognitive impairment may be delayed if its risk factors are identified, it can be detected, its developmental trend can be predicted, and early intervention can be performed. This study primarily aimed to investigate the association between global cognitive function and hearing loss, educational level, and occupation type, and to determine any differences in such associations according to sex among older Chinese adults. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we prospectively recruited individuals in one ear, nose, and throat outpatient clinic who were above 55 years of age and could write independently, with no diagnosis of severe vision impairment. Audiometric examinations included otoscopy, acoustic immittance, pure-tone audiometry, and speech audiometry for each ear. Cognitive function was evaluated by using the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Univariable linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between each variable and MMSE score. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between variables and MMSE scores after adjusting for independent variables that were statistically significant in the univariable analyses. Results: We enrolled 219 individuals, including 98 men (mean ± standard deviation age, 63.08±6.64 years) and 121 women (62.64±7.17 years). The overall MMSE scores of the normal hearing and mild, moderate, and severe-to-profound hearing loss groups were 24.53±3.10, 24.36±3.92, 23.32±3.88, and 20.92±6.53, respectively. MMSE scores were higher among participants with higher educational levels (p<0.001) and were significantly correlated with occupation type (p<0.001). MMSE scores were significantly higher in men than in women (p<0.001). However, upon analysis of the five subdomains, significant differences were only observed for attention and calculation (p<0.001) and language (p=0.011). We further explored whether educational level is related to the cognitive differences between the sexes by comparing the distribution of educational levels between men and women, with the chi-square test; there was no significant difference in educational level between the sexes (p=0.070). Conclusions: We discovered statistically significant relationships between global cognitive function and sex, educational level, and occupation type. Sex-specific strategies may be required to improve healthcare policies.
Development of Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of Magnaporthe oryzae causing blast in rice
Authors: Lingan Rajendran , Nagaraj Gowrisri , Ayyanar Kamalakannan , Ganesan Malathi Varagur , Subramanian Rajesh , Marimuthu Karthick 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Rice is one of the most important nourishment crops providing a quarter of calories consumption. It alone contributes 23 per cent of calories consumed by people all over the world. Rice blast pathogen is an important ascomycetes fungus which causes severe yield losses up to 100 per cent under favorable climatic conditions. A field survey on rice blast disease revealed that the disease incidence was ranged from 50.1% - 72.46% with the highest disease incidence of 72.46% at Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India. Totally seven isolates of Magnaporthe oryzae were collected and the identity was confirmed through morphological and molecular confirmation. A loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay was developed by targeting Pita 2 gene sequence of M. oryzae. The assay developed was more sensitive as it detected the genomic DNA of M. oryzae up to 10 fg. The specificity of LAMP assay was proved by carrying out the assay with genomic DNA extracted from other fungal pathogens. Therefore, the LAMP assay developed will be helpful in rapid, specific and sensitive detection of rice blast pathogen at field level and will help in mitigating the disease incidence.
Strain-Level Resolution and Pneumococcal Carriage Dynamics by Single Molecule Real Time (SMRT) Sequencing of The Plyncr Marker: A Longitudinal Study In Swiss Infants.
Authors: Oyewole Oluwaseun Rume-Abiola , Latzin Philipp , Brugger Silvio D. , Hilty Markus 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Pneumococcal carriage has often been studied from a serotype perspective, however, little is known about strain-specific carriage and inter-strain interactions. Here, we examined strain-level carriage and co-colonization dynamics in a Swiss birth cohort by PacBio single molecule real time (SMRT) sequencing of the plyNCR marker and assessed changes four years after the introduction of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13).Methods: A total of 872 nasal swab (NS) samples were collected biweekly from 47 healthy infants during the first year of life. Pneumococcal carriage was determined based on the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting the lytA gene. The plyNCR marker was amplified from 214 samples having lytA-based carriage for pneumococcal strain resolution. Amplicons were sequenced using SMRT technology and sequences were analyzed with the DADA2 pipeline. In addition, pneumococcal serotypes were determined using conventional, multiplex PCR (cPCR). Results: PCR-based plyNCR amplification demonstrated a 94.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity for S. pneumoniae if compared to lytA qPCR. Overall carriage prevalence was 63.8% and pneumococcal co-colonization (≥2 plyNCR amplicon sequence variants (ASVs)) was detected in 38/213 (17.8%) sequenced samples with the relative proportion of the least abundant strain(s) ranging from 1.1% to 48.8% (median, 17.2%; IQR, 5.8-33.4%). The median age to first acquisition was 147 days and having ≥2 siblings increased the risk of acquisition. Conclusion: The plyNCR amplicon sequencing is species specific and enables pneumococcal strain-resolution. We therefore recommend its application for longitudinal strain-level carriage studies of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles as a Photocatalyst for Water Splitting
Authors: Khalil Marwa , Medhat Mai , Elshaer Ahmed M. , soliman Moataz , Ebrahim Shaker 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Among various photoinduced hydrogen gas production techniques, photochemical catalytic water splitting is promising and an ideal future energy source because of the low cost, stability, and high sustainability of the reaction system features. Aluminum oxide nanoparticles (NPS) as a photocatalyst for the splitting of water into hydrogen gas using solar energy is one of the noble missions of material science. In this work, pure aluminum oxide and L-methionine capped aluminum oxide NPs have been synthesized using the sol-gel method. The pure Al2O3 and capped Al2O3 NPs with L-methionine were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Zeta potential. It was found that the average particle sizes of Al2O3 NPs and capped Al2O3 NPs with L-methionine were 13 and 20 nm, respectively. L-methionine capped Al2O3 NPs had a higher negative charge with a potential of - 24.5 mV. The capping agent slightly improved the production of hydrogen from 44 to 60 ml at 75° C after 30 min under illumination.
Purple Grape Juice Improves Performance of Recreational Runners, But the Effect is Genotype Dependent: A Double Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Sousa Bruno Rafael Virginio , Toscano Lydiane de Lima Tavares , Filho Eder Jackson Bezerra Almeida , Sena Klécia Farias , Costa Matheus Silveira , Cunha Rebeka Correia de Souza , Quintans Jullyana de Souza Siqueira , Heimfarth Luana , Marques Aline Telles Biasoto , Silva Darcilene Fiuza , Campos Luis Felipe Castelli Correia , Persuhn Darlene Camati , Silva Alexandre Sérgio 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: We examined the influence of superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) Arg213Gly and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated α-Receptor (PPARα) 7G/C polymorphisms to a single dose of purple grape juice supplementation on time-to-exhaustion running test, redox balance and muscle damage in recreational runners. Methods: Forty-seven male recreational runners performed a running test until exhaustion after supplementation with grape juice or a control drink. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), plasma nitrite (NO), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured pre and post exercise. Also, polymorphisms were analyzed in DNA extracted from the oral mucosa. Results: Grape juice improved the time-to-exhaustion. When analyzed by genotype, the recreational runners with GG+CG genotypes of the SOD3 gene had greater time-to-exhaustion than the CC genotype, but was no different for the PAPRα gene. A slight difference was noted in TAC, since the CC genotype of the SOD3 gene showed higher TAC values in the post-exercise compared to the baseline and with pre-exercise, but these values did not increase compared to the CG+GG group, respectively. The SOD3 and PPARα genes were similar at all times for the other biochemical variables. Conclusion: The ergogenic effect of grape juice was genotype-dependent for SOD3 Arg213Gly. However, biochemical redox balance markers did not explain this difference.
Long-Term Exposure to Residential Greenness and Neurodegenerative Disease Mortality Among the Elderly: A 13-Year Follow-Up Cohort Study
Authors: Loureiro Lucia Rodriguez , Gadeyne Sylvie , Bauwelinck Mariska , Lefebvre Wouter , Vanpoucke Charlotte , Casas Lidia 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background

Living in greener areas is associated with slower cognitive decline and reduced dementia risk among the elderly, but the evidence with neurodegenerative disease mortality is scarce. We studied the association between residential surrounding greenness and neurodegenerative disease mortality in an elderly population.
Methods

We used data from the 2001 Belgian census linked to mortality register data during 2001-2014. We included individuals aged 60 years or older and residing in the five largest Belgian urban areas at baseline (2001). Exposure to residential surrounding greenness was assessed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) within 500-m from residence. We considered all neurodegenerative diseases and four specific outcomes: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, unspecified dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. We fitted Cox proportional hazard models to obtain hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the associations between one interquartile range (IQR) increment in surrounding greenness and neurodegenerative disease mortality outcomes. Furthermore, we conducted mediation analyses to assess potential mediation by air pollution (PM2.5), and stratification analyses to explore effect modification by sociodemographic characteristics.
Results

From 1,134,502 individuals included at baseline, 6.1% died from neurodegenerative diseases during follow-up. After full adjustment, one IQR (0.22) increment of surrounding greenness was associated with a 4-5% reduction in premature mortality from neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular and unspecified dementia [e.g., for Alzheimer’s disease mortality: HR 0.95 (95%CI: 0.93, 0.98)]. No association was found with Parkinson’s disease mortality. Reductions in air pollution concentrations could potentially mediate 58% (95%CI: 31.7%, 95.7%) of the observed effect with all neurodegenerative disease mortality. Associations were strongest in the lower educated and residents from most deprived neighbourhoods.
Conclusions

Living near greener spaces may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease mortality among the elderly, partly mediated by a reduction in air pollution concentrations. Socioeconomically disadvantaged groups may experience the greatest beneficial effect.
Formulation of Curcumin in Folate Functionalized Polymeric Coated Fe3O4@Au Core-Shell Nanosystem for Targeting Breast Cancer Therapy
Authors: J.Haider Adawiya , Al-Musawi Sharafaldin , Haider Mohammed J. , Al-Shibaany Zeyad Yousif Abdoon 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
This research aims to design and synthesize a drug contained nanocomposite papered with a new combination of chitosan (CS)-coated magnetic-gold core-shell (Fe3O4@Au) as curcumin (CU) delivery to treat breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and normal (MCF10A) cell lines. The CU drug was encapsulated in this nanosystem. Folate (Fol) functionalization of this nanosystem for targeting therapy purposes led to the construction of the final Fe3O4@Au-CS-CU-Fol nanoformulation. The SPION@Au was achieved using Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid (PLAL) procedure by the 530 nm wavelength with various laser fluence (1.8, 2.3, and 2.6) J/cm2. The polymeric coating, drug encapsulation, and Fol functionalization processes were performed due to reverse microemulsion methods. This nanosystem was characterized by a dynamic light scattering (DLS) Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), UV-Visible spectrophotometer, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). A new type of CU-loaded nanocarrier was synthesized, and its anti-tumor properties were evaluated against breast cancer cell lines in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The obtained mean size of Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles (NPs) was 52.37, 60.24, and 72.45 nm at 1.8, 2.3, and 2.6 J/cm2, respectively. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay of drug-loaded NPs on the MDA-MB-231 cell line proved that the CU cytotoxicity effect could enhance when encapsulated in Fe3O4@Au-CS-Fol nanocarrier compared with void CU. On the other hand, the flow cytometry charts presented that this nanoformulation can enhance the remedial properties of CU due to apoptosis stimulation in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis confirmed the activation of apoptosis in the cells treated with the Fe3O4@Au-CS-CU-Fol. The in vivo evaluation of the Fe3O4@Au-CS-CU-Fol nanosystem proved that the tumor volume reduces in a certain time. Close inspection of results confirmed that Fe3O4@Au-CS-CU-Fol exerts a significant chemo-preventive effect on breast cancer through cell viability index, apoptosis stimulation, and anti-tumor activity.
Impact of Maternal Body Mass Index on the Accuracy of Third Trimester Sonographic Estimation of Fetal Weight
Authors: Martins Juliana , Kawakita Tetsuya , Jain Priyanka , Gurganus Margot , Baraki Dana , Barake Carole , Sinkovskaya Elena , Abuhamad Alfred 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Objectives: Determine whether maternal body mass index (BMI) can affect the accuracy of sonographic estimation of fetal weight (EFW) in the third trimester when compared to neonatal birthweight (BW). Methods: Secondary analysis from our original prospective cohort of pregnant women beyond 34 weeks, distributed in 4 groups according to their BMI: normal, overweight, obese and morbid obese. Fetal biometry and fluid measurements were obtained by two experienced sonographers, blinded for patient’s clinical information and to each other’s measurements. Average EFW and neonatal BW were converted into gestational specific Z-scores. Interobserver correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's reliability coefficient (CRC) were calculated. Bland-Altman (BA) plots were constructed to assess the level of accuracy.Results: 100 women were enrolled (800 measurements obtained by 17 sonographers): 17 had normal BMI (17%), 27 were overweight (27%), 29 were obese (29%) and 27 were morbidly obese (27%). There was no statistical difference for GA at delivery (p=0.74), EFW (p=0.05) or BW (p=0.09) between groups (Table 1). Mean Z-score for EFW was -0.17 (SD 0.81) and for neonatal BW was -0.25 (SD 0.74). ICC was 0.69 (95% CI 0.57, 0.78) and CRC was 0.82. Mean Z-score difference was small (Table 2). When stratifying according to BMI categories, the ICC ranged from 0.49 to 0.76. Reliability indices ranged from 0.66 to 0.86. The Z-scores differences were overall small with no statistical difference (Table 3). BA showed evenly distributed interobserver differences (Figure 1). Conclusions: When performed by trained sonographers, fetal weight estimation in the third trimester is accurate when compared to neonatal birthweight at increasing BMI categories.
Integration of protein context improves protein- based COVID-19 patient stratification
Authors: Gao Jinlong , He Jiale , Zhang Fangfei , Xiao Qi , Cai Xue , Yi Xiao , Zheng Siqi , Zhang Ying , Wang Donglian , Zhu Guangjun , Wang Jing , Shen Bo , Ralser Markus , Guo Tiannan , Zhu Yi 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Classification of disease severity is crucial for the management of COVID-19. Several studies have shown that individual proteins can be used to classify the severity of COVID-19. Here, we aimed to investigate whether integrating the four types of protein context data, namely, protein complexes, stoichiometric ratios, pathways and network degrees will improve the severity classification of COVID-19. Methods: A SWATH-based proteomic data set of 54 sera samples from 40 COVID-19 patients was employed as the training cohort. Results: Machine learning prioritized two complexes, one stoichiometric ratio, five pathways, twelve proteins and five network degrees. A model based on these 25 features led to effective classification of severe cases with an AUC of 0.965, outperforming the models with proteins only. Complement component C9, transthyretin (TTR) and TTR-RBP complex, the stoichiometric ratio of SAA2/ YLPM1, and the network extent of SIRT7 and A2M were highlighted in this classifier. This classifier was further validated with a TMT-based proteomic data set from the same cohort and an independent SWATH-based proteomic data set from Germany, reaching an AUC of 0.900 and 0.908, respectively. Machine learning models integrating protein context information achieved higher AUCs than models with only one feature type. Conclusion: Our results show that the integration of protein context including protein complexes, stoichiometric ratios, pathways, network degrees, and proteins improves phenotype prediction.
An Entropy-View Secure Multi-Party Computation Protocol Based on Semi-honest Model
Authors: Luo Yun , chen Yuling , Li Tao , Wang Yilei , Yang Yixian , Yu Xiaomei 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Secure multi-party computation(SMPC) is an important research area in cryptography with many application scenarios, but there are still many problems to be solved. Aiming at security and fairness issues in SMPC, we consider that semi-honest participants are able to execute the protocol according to the specification, but there would be some additional malicious operations such as collusion and refuse to exchange information in the process of information interaction, which leads to deviations in the security and fairness of the protocol. To solve the above problems, we combine information entropy and mutual information to propose an n-round information exchange protocol, in which each participant broadcasts a relevant information value in each round without revealing additional information. The uncertainty of the correct result value is fuzzed by the interactive information in each round, and each participant cannot determine the correct result value until the end of the protocol, which effectively prevents malicious behavior and ensures the correct execution of the protocol. Security analysis and fairness analysis show that under the semi-honest model, our protocol guarantees the security and relative fairness of the output obtained by the participants after completing the protocol.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Post-Operative Neurorehabilitation in Neuro-Oncology: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions
Authors: Einstein Evan Hy , Dadario Nicholas B. , Khilji Hamza , Silverstein Justin W. , Sughrue Michael E. , D’Amico Randy S. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Introduction: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a neuromodulation technology capable of targeted stimulation and inhibition of cortical areas. Repetitive TMS (rTMS) has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of several neuropsychiatric disorders, and novel uses of rTMS for neurorehabilitation in patients with acute and chronic neurologic deficits are being investigated. However, studies to date have primarily focused on neurorehabilitation in stroke patients, with little data supporting its use for neurorehabilitation in brain tumor patients. Methods: We performed a review of the current available literature regarding uses of rTMS for neurorehabilitation in post-operative neuro-oncologic patients. Results: Data have demonstrated that rTMS is safe in the post-operative neuro-oncologic patient population, with minimal adverse effects and no documented seizures. The current evidence also demonstrates potential effectiveness in terms of neurorehabilitation of motor and language deficits. Conclusions: Although data are overall limited, both safety and effectiveness have been demonstrated for the use of rTMS for neurorehabilitation in the neuro-oncologic population. More randomized controlled trials and specific comparisons of contralateral versus ipsilateral rTMS protocols should be explored. Further work may also focus on individualized, patient-specific TMS treatment protocols for optimal functional recovery.
Bosutinib therapy through the TGF-ß1 signaling pathway activity can increase apoptosis of BCR-ABL oncogene positive cells
Authors: Bakhshayesh Masoome , Golab Fereshteh , Bakhshayesh Hanie , Gohari Ladan Hosseini , Vahabzade Gelareh 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.