ahmedabdelwahed/Medical_papers_title_and_abstract_NLP_dataset huggingface dataset:
Epidemiologic Trends, Social Determinants, and Brain Health: The Role of Life Course Inequalities

Brain health as expressed in our mental health and occurrence of specific disorders such as dementia and stroke is vitally important to quality of life, functional independence, and risk of institutionalization. Maintaining brain health is, therefore, a societal imperative, and public health challenge, from prevention of acquisition of brain disorders, through protection and risk reduction to supporting those with such disorders through effective societal and system approaches. To identify possible mechanisms that explain the differential effect of potentially modifiable risk factors, and factors that may mitigate risk, a life course approach is needed. This is key to understanding how poor health can accumulate from the earliest life stages. It also allows us to integrate and investigate key material, behavioral, and psychological factors that generate health inequalities within and across communities and societies. This review provides a narrative on how brain health is intimately linked to wider health determinants, thus importance for clinicians and societies alike. There is compelling evidence accumulated from research over decades that socioeconomic status, higher education, and healthy lifestyle extend life and compress major morbidities into later life. Brain health is part of this, but collective action has been limited, partly because of the separation of disciplines and focus on highly reductionist approaches in that clinicians and associated research have focused more on mitigation and early detection of specific diseases. However, clinicians could be part of the drive for better brain health for all society to support life courses that have more protection and less risk. There is evidence of change in such risks for conditions such as stroke and dementia across generations. The evidence points to the importance of starting with parental health and life course inequalities as a central focus.
Mould growth in energy efficient buildings: Causes, health implications and strategies to mitigate the risk

Today, buildings still account for almost half of the global energy consumption and carbon emission. This highlights the necessity to increase energy efficiency requirements worldwide in a common effort to reduce the construction sector's impacts on the environment. The current energy policies are driving toward a design that relies on airtight and highly insulated envelopes. As a consequence, energy efficient houses are found to have insufficient indoor air change rates, impacting on the indoor air quality and resulting in higher latent loads. The increased indoor humidity, coupled with the rising trend to use bio-based construction materials, can easily support mould growth and facilitate indoor organic proliferation. It has been estimated that the proportion of buildings damaged by mould is 45% in Europe, 40% in the USA, 30% in Canada and 50% in Australia, highlighting the extent of this issue. Beyond the economic loss due to the remediation works needed to rectify a buildings degradation due to fungi, mould also has significant adverse health effects on the building occupants. Data show that the occurrence of asthmatic symptoms is higher in new energy efficient buildings with low ventilation rate. This paper investigates the effects of building sustainably on the indoor environment in relation to the risk of mould growth. Favourable conditions for growth, causes of growth, effects on health as well as possible solutions are addressed. The conclusions are a step forward toward a more precise and detailed comprehension of mould growth to support policymakers and promote sustainable housing standards.
Quality Management of Prehospital Pediatric Respiratory Distress and Airway Programs: An NAEMSP Position Statement and Resource Document

The unique challenges of pediatric respiratory and airway emergencies require the development and maintenance of a prehospital quality management program that includes pediatric-focused medical oversight and clinical care expertise, data collection, operational considerations, focused education, and clinician competency evaluation.NAEMSP recommends:Medical director oversight must include a focus on pediatric airway and respiratory management and integrate pediatric-specific elements in guideline development, competency assessment, and skills maintenance efforts.EMS agencies are encouraged to collaborate with medical professionals who have expertise in pediatric emergency care to provide support for quality management initiatives in pediatric respiratory distress and airway management.EMS agencies should define quality indicators for pediatric-specific elements in respiratory distress and airway management and benchmark performance based on regional and national standards.EMS agencies should implement both quantitative (objective) and qualitative (subjective) measures of performance to assess competency in pediatric respiratory distress and airway management.EMS agencies choosing to incorporate pediatric endotracheal intubation or supraglottic airway insertion must use pediatric-specific quality management benchmarks and perform focused review of advanced airway management.
Financial development, income inequality and carbon emissions in sub-Saharan African countries: A panel data analysis

This paper examines the dynamic relationship between financial development, income inequality and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in a step-wise fashion, using data from 39 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries during the period 2004-2014. The study uses three income inequality indicators - the Gini coefficient, the Atkinson index and the Palma ratio - to examine these linkages. The study employs the generalised method of moments as the estimation technique. The empirical findings show that financial development unconditionally reduces CO(2)emissions in SSA countries. The findings also show that there are threshold levels of income inequality that should not be exceeded in order for the negative impact of financial development on CO(2)emissions to be sustained. Specifically, the study finds that the negative impact of financial development on CO(2)emissions is likely to change to positive if the following inequality levels are exceeded: 0.591, 0.662 and 5.59, respectively, for the Gini coefficient, the Atkinson index and the Palma ratio. The findings of this study have far-reaching policy implications not only for SSA countries but also for developing countries as a whole. Policy implications are discussed.
Exposure to acute noxious heat evokes a cardiorespiratory shock response in humans

Background: Noxious acute cold stimuli cause cold shock via the sympathetic nervous system. However, no studies have investigated respiratory "heat shock" in response to noxious acute heat stimuli (≥ 42 °C).Methods: In the present study, we examined whether short-duration whole-body immersion (for 5 min) in noxious hot water (45 °C) is a sufficient stimulus to induce a respiratory acute shock response.Results and conclusion: Our results indicate that short-duration whole-body immersion in noxious 45 °C water produces a significantly greater body temperature, heart rate, and perceptual and respiratory strain than immersion in innocuous warm 37 °C water (p < .05). The initial first minute of hot water immersion (HWI) at 45 °C (vs. immersion at 37 °C) caused a cardiorespiratory shock response, which manifested as acute hyperventilation, and increased ventilatory tidal volume, respiratory exchange ratio, and heart rate (p < .05). Adjustment to this initial respiratory heat shock response within the first minute of immersion was observed as compared with remaining HWI time (1-5 min). Intriguingly, the time-course kinetics of breathing frequency, oxygen uptake, and carbon dioxide washout did not differ between whole-body immersion at 37 °C and immersion at 45 °C, but were higher than in control thermoneutral conditions of an empty bath (p < .05). This may be because of events initiated not only by the water temperature but also by the change in the hydrostatic pressure acting upon the body when immersed in the water bath.
The role of E2A in ATPR-induced cell differentiation and cycle arrest in acute myeloid leukaemia cells

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a biologically heterogeneous disease with an overall poor prognosis; thus, novel therapeutic approaches are needed. Our previous studies showed that 4-amino-2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl retinate (ATPR), a new derivative of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), could induce AML cell differentiation and cycle arrest. The current study aimed to determine the potential pharmacological mechanisms of ATPR therapies against AML. Our findings showed that E2A was overexpressed in AML specimens and cell lines, and mediate AML development by inactivating the P53 pathway. The findings indicated that E2A expression and activity decreased with ATPR treatment. Furthermore, we determined that E2A inhibition could enhance the effect of ATPR-induced AML cell differentiation and cycle arrest, whereas E2A overexpression could reverse this effect, suggesting that the E2A gene plays a crucial role in AML. We identified P53 and c-Myc were downstream pathways and targets for silencing E2A cells using RNA sequencing, which are involved in the progression of AML. Taken together, these results confirmed that ATPR inhibited the expression of E2A/c-Myc, which led to the activation of the P53 pathway, and induced cell differentiation and cycle arrest in AML.
Novel cost-efficient protein-based membrane system for cells cocultivation and modeling the intercellular communication

In vitro systems serve as compact and manipulate models to investigate interactions between different cell types. A homogeneous population of cells predictably and uniformly responds to external factors. In a heterogeneous cell population, the effect of external growth factors is perceived in the context of intercellular interactions. Indirect cell cocultivation allows one to observe the paracrine effects of cells and separately analyze cell populations. The article describes an application of custom-made cell cocultivation systems based on protein membranes separated from the bottom of the vessel by the 3D printed holder or kept afloat by a magnetic field. Using the proposed cocultivation system, we analyzed the interaction of A549 cells and fibroblasts, in the presence and absence of growth factors. During cocultivation of cells, the expression of genes of the activation for epithelial and mesenchymal transitions decreases. The article proposes the application of a newly available system for the cocultivation of different cell types.
Linking international trade and foreign direct investment to CO2 emissions: Any differences between developed and developing countries?

International trade, together with foreign direct investment (FDI), promotes economic integration with complex global supply value chains, which is now recognized as a crucial factor in determining CO2 emissions. Production reallocation across countries, often associated with FDI, promotes cross-border trade of emission-embodied products. By applying panel pooled mean group-autoregressive distributive lag (PMG-ARDL) models, this study discusses the long-run relevance among CO2 emissions, international trade, and FDI inflows with the consideration of the short-run dynamics over 52 countries during the period from 1991 to 2014. Focusing on possible differences between developed and the developing countries, this study reveals that CO2 emissions have a negative long-run relationship with trade exclusively for developed countries, while they have a positive long-run relationship with FDI inflows solely for developing countries. The recent trend of increased trade and FDI would promote the transfer of high emission-intensive production units from developed countries to developing countries, causing developed countries to achieve emission reduction at the expense of developing countries. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Carbon emissions, the industrial structure and economic growth: Evidence from heterogeneous industries in China

A comprehensive understanding of the relationships among carbon emissions, the industrial structure and economic growth holds great significance for China's transition to a low-carbon economy, industrial structure optimization, and achievement of energy conservation and emission reduction targets. We selected six major industrial sectors (agriculture, industry, construction, transportation, retail and accommodation and other industries) as research objects, introduced the extended STIRPAT decomposition model, Tapio decoupling model and the grey relation analysis to discuss the relationship among the three. Results showed that (i) since 2000, the proportions of value added of agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation are negatively correlated with carbon emissions, while those of construction, retail and accommodation, and other industries are positively correlated with carbon emissions. (ii) The overall economic growth and carbon emissions of these six major industries have experienced the process of decoupling-coupling-decoupling-coupling-decoupling. (iii) The relevance of these six industries to GDP is ranked as follows: transportation > manufacturing > retail andaccommodation > agriculture > construction > other industries. Additionally, accelerating the achievement of a clean energy structure, strengthening the strength and speed of industrial structure adjustment and reducing the dependence on fossil energy are the key steps for China to reach carbon emissions peak goal. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Neurologic Complications in Pediatric Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: Analysis of Risk Factors and Outcome

Neurologic complications following stem cell transplantation are of utmost importance owing to their high morbimortality. Although many studies have been performed in the adult population, reports in children are scarce. Our objective was to determine the most common neurologic complications in a pediatric population and to analyze possible risk factors for their development. We performed an exploratory retrospective study of neurologic complications in pediatric patients who had allogeneic stem cell transplantation over the last 18 years. We identified 66 neurologic complications in 178 allogeneic stem cell transplantations. The most frequent neurologic complications were those involving the peripheral nervous system and those related to drug toxicity. Survival decreased significantly in the presence of neurologic complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that independent risk factors for developing neurologic complications were development of chronic extensive graft-vs-host disease requiring treatment, cytomegalovirus reactivation, and central nervous system radiation. Prompt diagnosis and preemptive treatment, if possible, are necessary to avoid long-term sequelae or mortality.
Recent advances in lipid extraction using green solvents

Green solvents are a new class of solvents mostly known for being environmentally friendly. The main green solvents besides water are organic-based solvents, some ionic liquids (including deep eutectic solvents) and CO2, which is typically used in supercritical conditions (SC-CO2). Recently, organic-based solvents and ionic liquids have been subjected to laboratory testing to estimate their potential as substitutes for fossil solvents in the process of lipid extraction. In the last decade, different pure or combined green solvents and different methodologies have been studied and compared with the standard methodology. Cell disruption of animal, vegetable or microbial samples, dry or wet, is a previous step that has been studied many times in association with extraction efficiency. Combined techniques of rupture and extraction using ultrasound, microwaves or maceration were also employed in the extraction process with green solvents. Other techniques such as pressurized liquid extraction and simultaneous distillation and extraction were also applied, sometimes not only with the objective of extracting more, but also of purifying the obtained product. Lipid extraction was performed mainly with the organic solvents cyclopentyl methyl ether and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, while ionic liquid extractions were performed mainly with imidazolium-based ionic liquids. The advances obtained in this decade in lipid extraction using these three classes of green solvents were studied and evaluated in this review. Economic viability and future challenges were also analyzed with a view to using these solvents in extraction processes on an industrial scale rather than restricted to the extraction of products with high biological value.
Preparation of a new low-cost substrate prepared from drinking water treatment sludge (DWTS)/bentonite/zeolite/fly ash for rapid phosphorus removal in constructed wetlands

With the increase of tap water demand and treatment volume, the by-product of the water supply plant-drinking water treatment sludge (DWTS) is increasing, and its final disposal urgently needs to be reasonably resolved. Therefore, the reuse of DWTS can not only solve the "waste" problem but also generate favorable economic benefits. This is the first study to use DWTS to prepare a regular, industrialized and efficient DWTS composite substrate (DWTSCS) for phosphorus removal in constructed wetlands by using DWTS as the main material and bentonite, zeolite and fly ash as the additive. The optimal weight ratio of DWTSCS was determined by combining orthogonal test and mixture design experiments: cement = 22.32%, DWTS = 51.62%, bentonite = 13.03%, zeolite = 4.34%, fly ash = 8.69%. The microstructure and phase analysis were performed using SEM and XRD. The static adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption behavior of DWTSCS to phosphorus conforms to a quasi-second-order kinetic model and the adsorption process can be simulated using Langmuir and Freundlich models. The maximum adsorption capacity of phosphorus by DWTSCS was calculated as 40 mg/g, and the adsorption of phosphorus with the DWTSCS was a spontaneous exothermic process. Under acidic conditions, it was favorable for DWTSCS to adsorbed phosphorus. The concentration of adsorbed phosphorus with the DWTSCS ranged from 0.5 mg/L to 0.2 mg/L. This research provides a basis for the application of DWTSCSs in constructed wetlands. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
How much is too much? Quantifying pesticide overuse in vegetable production in Southeast Asia

This paper quantifies the extent of pesticide overuse in vegetable production systems in Southeast Asia. Pesticide overuse was defined as levels of use in excess of an economic (profit-maximizing) optimum. A production function with an exponential damage abatement term was estimated. Data come from a representative sample of 1000 farmers producing leaf mustard and yard-long bean in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. The results show that 100% of the sampled farmers in Vietnam, 73% in Cambodia and 59% in Laos overused pesticides. Pesticide expenditure in excess of the economic optimum was 96% for Vietnam, 92% for Cambodia, and 42% for Laos. Pesticide overuse was positively associated with men in charge of pest management decisions, farmers seeking advice from pesticide sellers and a strong belief that pesticides are effective. It was negatively associated with the use of non-chemical methods of pest control. These results imply that farmers in Southeast Asia are spraying excessively and inefficiently and could increase their profits by applying fewer pesticides. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Revisiting China's provincial energy efficiency and its influencing factors

Improving the energy efficiency is a fundamental way to ensure energy security and sustainable development, and is also the requirement of supply-side structural reform of China's energy. This paper uses the DEA-BCC model to estimate China's energy efficiency at the provincial level, analyzes its regional differences from 2006 to 2016, and applies a panel data model to analyze the influencing factors of energy efficiency. It selects labor, capital stock and total energy consumption as inputs and takes real GDP and comprehensive index of environmental pollution as desirable and undesirable outputs, respectively. The results show that (1) energy efficiency when undesirable output is included is generally lower than when undesirable output is excluded; (2) There is a considerable difference in energy efficiency among provinces, and China's energy efficiency, by and large, shows a trend of declining. The energy efficiency of four major regions demonstrates obvious regional differences: coastal region>northeastern region> middle region >western region; (3) The economic development level, technological progress, energy price and urbanization level are positively associated with energy efficiency, while the proportion of secondary industry and the energy consumption structure dominated by coal and oil are negatively correlated with energy efficiency. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Comparative Proteomic Analysis of the Mycoplasma gallisepticum Nucleoid Fraction before and after Infection

Mycoplasma gallisepticum belongs to the class Mollicutes and induces severe chronic respiratory disease in chickens. It lacks the cell wall and contains a very small genome and, accordingly, a reduced set of regulatory proteins. It is assumed that one of the regulatory mechanisms in mycoplasmas may be the dynamics of the spatial organization of the chromosome. M. gallisepticum has only two known nucleoid-associated (NAP) histone-like proteins (Hup_1 and Hup_2). To search for new potential NAP that may play a role in the infection process, we isolated nucleoid fractions from M. gallisepticum cells before and after infection of HD3 chicken erythroblast cell line and performed a comparative proteomic analysis of these fractions. We identified several potential NAP that included the components of the terminal organelle and adhesion, VlhA antigen, NADH oxidase, and PykF pyruvate kinase.
COP21 Roadmap: Do innovation, financial development, and transportation infrastructure matter for environmental sustainability in China?

The purpose of the present study is to explain the long-run and causal effects of innovation, financial development, and transportation infrastructure on CO2 emissions using the combined cointegration and wavelet coherence approaches over the period from 1971 to 2018, while using economic growth as a control variable in the model. The outcomes of the Bayer-Hanck cointegration test show that there is an important cointegration equation among CO2 emissions, innovation, financial development, transportation infrastructure, and real GDP. Moreover, the findings from a wavelet power spectrum reveal that there is a significant vulnerability in innovation, financial development, transportation infrastructure, and CO2 emissions at different time frames and frequencies. Furthermore, the outcomes of wavelet coherence approach reveal that (i) Innovation is observed as a significant predictor of CO2 emissions over the period from 2007 to 2013; (ii) In the long run, there are negative correlations between CO2 emissions and financial development; (iii) Over the periods from 2000 to 2015, and from 1985 to 1989, transportation significantly causes CO2 emissions. Our findings have substantial policy implications that suggest there is a need to strengthen innovation and transportation infrastructure to achieve environmental sustainability targets.