bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a graphic blood glucose monitoring chart for glycaemic control in diabetes mellitus: a modified Delphi method study
Authors: Atieno Wagoro Miriam Carole , Sudi Galo William , Rakuom Chris Podo , Oderah Mirereh Joseph , Musee Christine
Published: December 2019

Background

In Kenya 30% of patients admitted with ketoacidosis due to hyperglycaemia die within 48 hours of hospitalisation. Effective monitoring of blood glucose levels is critical for glycaemic control and prevention of mortality. Kenya public hospitals lack a graphic blood glucose monitoring tool.

Aims

To develop a graphic blood glucose monitoring tool.

Methods

Modified Delphi technique was used for consensus-building among nurses on the features of an appropriate blood glucose monitoring tool. A total of 150 nurses selected by purposive sampling participated in the study. Data were collected for 24 months through sequential interactive rounds and workshops using a questionnaire. At every round, consensus was reached if ≥75% of the nurses agreed or disagreed on a feature.

Results

A graphic blood glucose monitoring chart was developed with the following features: time on the x-axis, blood glucose values on the y-axis, colour codes corresponding to blood glucose levels, existing conditions during blood glucose measurement.

Significance

The chart may improve glycaemic control while stimulating further research on its effectiveness.

Conclusion

Modified Delphi method is useful for successive collation of judgments of nurse experts in the development of a graphic blood glucose monitoring chart.
Nickel complexes based on hyperbranched bispyridylamine ligands as catalyst precursors for ethylene oligomerization
Authors: Wang Jun , Liu Jinyi , Chen Liduo , Lan Tianyu , Wang Libo
Published: December 2019

A series of nickel complexes containing bispyridylamine ligands is synthesized and characterized by UV-Vis, FTIR, 1H NMR, ESI-MS, and elemental analysis. All nickel complexes activated with methylaluminoxane exhibited moderate activity for ethylene oligomerization (5.30 × 104 to 2.54 × 105 g/(mol·Ni·h)), producing oligomers in the range C4–C18. The effects of reaction temperature, reaction pressure, Al/Ni molar ratio, and solvent type on the catalytic activity and product selectivity are also investigated. The resulting products are mainly low-carbon olefins (C4 and C6). Under the optimized conditions, the complex with R1 = C4H9 formed by the reaction of the corresponding ligand R1 = C4H9 with NiCl2·6H2O showed a higher catalytic activity of 2.54 × 105 g/(mol·Ni·h) compared to the complex with R2 = C6H13 and R3 = C6H11 using toluene as the solvent. Moreover, the selectivity for the C4 and C6 oligomers can reach up to 82%.
Data as infrastructure? A study of data sharing legal regimes
Authors: Ducuing Charlotte
Published: December 2019

The article discusses the concept of infrastructure in the digital environment, through a study of three data sharing legal regimes: the Public Sector Information Directive (PSI Directive), the discussions on in-vehicle data governance and the freshly adopted data sharing legal regime in the Electricity Directive. While aiming to contribute to the scholarship on data governance, the article deliberately focuses on network industries. Characterised by the existence of physical infrastructure, they have a special relationship to digitisation and ‘platformisation’ and are exposed to specific risks. Adopting an explanatory methodology, the article exposes that these regimes are based on two close but different sources of inspiration, yet intertwined and left unclear. By targeting entities deemed ‘monopolist’ with regard to the data they create and hold, data sharing obligations are inspired from competition law and especially the essential facility doctrine. On the other hand, beneficiaries appear to include both operators in related markets needing data to conduct their business (except for the PSI Directive), and third parties at large to foster innovation. The latter rationale illustrates what is called here a purposive view of data as infrastructure. The underlying understanding of ‘raw’ data (management) as infrastructure for all to use may run counter the ability for the regulated entities to get a fair remuneration for ‘their’ data. Finally, the article pleads for more granularity when mandating data sharing obligations depending upon the purpose. Shifting away from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, the regulation of data could also extend to the ensuing context-specific data governance regime, subject to further research.
Acceptance of cloud computing in the Malaysian public sector: A proposed model
Authors: Amron Mohd Talmizie , Ibrahim Roslina , Bakar Nur Azaliah Abu , Chuprat Suriayati
Published: December 2019

The Malaysian government has initiated a cloud government project as an integration of cloud computing and unified communication-based applications toward the digital and cloud work environment. However, the impact studies have found that the implementation of this project has several weaknesses such as lack of infrastructure support, weak IT knowledge, and lack of awareness among public sector employees causing applications not to be fully utilized. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct a study to measure the acceptance of government cloud project because there has been much investment in the project. This study applied Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Technology Readiness Index (TRI) and several factors to develop the research model which is divided into two main factors: technological and human. The technological factor might determine the likelihood of its acceptance by the public sector and might stimulate them to accept it. The human factor as the characteristics of the people in the public sector that may contribute to creating the need for and ability to accept cloud computing. This proposed model will be used to evaluate the individual acceptance of cloud computing in the Malaysian public sector. For future work, this model needs to be enriched with interview sessions and quantitative surveys to validate the findings.
Multi-objective optimization for simultaneous operating room and nursing unit scheduling
Authors: Chiang An Jen , Jeang Angus , Chiang Po Cheng , Chiang Po Sheng , Chung Chien-Ping
Published: December 2019

The managerial aspect of providing quality, cost-effective health services to hospital patients is becoming increasingly important. However, merely focusing on cost reduction and quality improvement may jeopardize personnel satisfaction. Therefore, a balanced approach based on multiple considerations is necessary. Operating rooms (ORs) account for almost 33% of a hospital’s budget, and nursing labor costs represent more than 40% of a hospital’s budget. The concerns around health-care quality, personnel motivation, staff satisfaction, patient length of stay, and patient flow rate are greatly influenced by these two units with regard to day-to-day operations management. A possible approach is to look into the related essential problems, such as the nursing staff time scheduling in nursing units, and the doctor time scheduling in ORs. After surgery in the OR, patients stay in the subsequent ward for a period of time. This causes loading interdependency between the anterior OR and the posterior ward nursing unit; as a result, an attempt to schedule these two departments simultaneously is necessary for operation efficiency enhancement, service quality improvement, hospital budget reduction, and personnel satisfaction. In order to achieve the multiple objectives describing the conflicting priorities and differing preferences within nursing units and ORs, a compromise programming is adopted in this study as a balancing tool for multi-objective optimization to realize improved OR and nursing unit scheduling.
Antimicrobial Effects Caused by Aloe barbadensis Miller on Bacteria Associated with Mastitis in Dairy Cattle
Authors: Forno-Bell Natalia , Bucarey Sergio A. , García Diego , Iragüen Daniela , Chacón Oscar , San Martín Betty
Published: December 2019

It is known that the primary etiological agents associated with bovine mastitis show high levels of antimicrobial resistance. In this paper, we studied a possible alternative to antimicrobial treatment, Aloe barbadensis Miller ( A. vera). Our goal was to determine the viability of bacteria upon treatment with a methanolic extract of A. vera gel, rich in anthraquinones such as aloin A, aloin B, and aloe emodin. To this purpose, we used fluorescence spectrometry to study the following bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus uberis, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The results show that treatment with A. vera gel extract disrupted the cell membrane causing lysis in 75% of Staphylococcus aureus, in 88% of E. coli, in 97% of Streptococcus uberis, and in 88% of MRSA cells. Cell membrane disruption is attributed to the presence of anthraquinones. Further study is needed to determine whether other phenolic compounds present in the extract, influencing antimicrobial activity, could be used to develop pharmaceutical formulations to treat bovine mastitis.
The Development of a Science Popularization Venue System and its Impact on Science Culture Dissemination
Authors: Hu Xidan , Zhang Binsheng , Wang Xiaoming
Published: December 2019

Science culture is an important part of the social culture system and has become a major force in shaping modern society. High-quality and sustainable innovation is not possible without a vibrant and engaging science culture. Science popularization (SP) venues serve as a bridge between scientists and the public and constitute an important platform for disseminating science culture. This study explores the organic connection between SP venues and science culture dissemination and the internal mechanisms of those venues by discussing practices of SP venues in China and elsewhere. It concludes that the SP venue system is becoming an important part of science culture dissemination. It offers specific suggestions on how to promote the development of the SP venue system to improve the quality, efficiency, effectiveness and scope of science culture dissemination.
The Influence of the Traditional Chinese Technological Ideal on the Development of Modern Technology
Authors: Wang Qian , Qin Mingli , Xu Linlin
Published: December 2019

The traditional Chinese technological ideal focuses on harmonious relationships among humans; between humans and nature, society and tools; and between the body and the mind in technological activities. These basic characteristics contributed to technological innovations and progress in the era of the natural economy, but, to some extent, they hindered the transformation of technology from the traditional to the modern mode and the progress of modern technology in China. It is necessary to understand the essence of the traditional Chinese technological ideal to reflect on and eliminate its historical limitations, and to better coordinate the relationship between technological development and social life to benefit human survival and prosperity.
Consumer-Grade Headphones for Children: Limited Effectiveness of “Level Limiters” When Used With Portable or Home Media Players
Authors: Stone Michael A. , Harrison Mark , Wilbraham Keith , Lough Melanie
Published: December 2019

Consumer-grade headphones for children are frequently packaged or marketed with labels claiming incorporation of an output-level-limiting function. Six pairs of headphones, sold separately from devices with audio interfaces, were selected either from online recommendations or from “best rated” with a large online retailer, the opinions being expressed in 2018 to early 2019. The acoustic outputs in response to an internationally standardized test signal were measured through the ears of a head-and-torso simulator and referenced to equivalent A-weighted diffuse-field sound pressure levels. The headphones were tested with a variety of music capable sources found in a domestic environment, such as a mobile phone, tablets, laptop computer, and a home “hi-fi” CD player. To maintain likely homogeneity of the audio interface, the computer-based platforms were manufactured by either Apple™ or certified Android devices. One of the two Bluetooth-linked headphones exhibited level limiting with low distortion (i.e., a compression ratio well in excess of unity). None of the devices wired directly to an audio output performed distortionless level limiting: “limiting” was implemented by a reduction of sensitivity or mechanical limitations, so could be called “soft limiting.” When driven by a laptop or CD player, some were still capable of producing output levels well in excess of “safe-listening” levels of 85 dB(A). Packaging labels were frequently ambiguous and imprecise.
Synthesis of Z-scheme Mn-CdS/MoS2/TiO2 ternary photocatalysts for high-efficiency sunlight-driven photocatalysis
Authors: Feng Hui , Zhou Wenhua , Zhang Xiangyang , Zhang Songbai , Liu Bo , Zhen Deshuai
Published: December 2019

The exploration of highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts for dye degradation has received great concerns in wastewater treatment. Here, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and cadmium sulfide–manganese (CdS-Mn) were sequentially assembled onto titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube by a simple hydrothermal method coupled with successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction. A zinc sulfide (ZnS) layer was introduced as a potential barrier for performance improvement; the resultant material exhibits prominent visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity in degrading methyl orange (MO) and 9-anthracenecarboxylic acids, which is 3.16-fold, 2.00-fold, and 1.69-fold or 2.86-fold, 1.56-fold, and 1.47-fold of TiO2, MoS2/TiO2, and CdS-Mn/TiO2 systems, respectively. Furthermore, the synthesized ZnS/CdS-Mn/MoS2/TiO2 composite also possesses a high hydrogen production rate of 408.27 mmol/cm2/h out of water under visible light illumination, which is about 30.08 times greater than that of pure TiO2 and 5.18-fold and 2.52-fold of MoS2/TiO2 and CdS-Mn/TiO2, respectively. The enhanced photocatalyst performances are mainly attributed to the synergetic effects of CdS-Mn, MoS2, and TiO2, forming a Z-scheme system in the CdS-Mn/MoS2/TiO2 electrode, which not only accelerates the interfacial charge transfer efficiency but also preserves the strong redox ability of the photogenerated electrons and holes. In addition, the prepared photoelectrode is highly stable and completely recyclable over hydrogen evolution reaction and organic degradation.
Bone marrow oxidative stress and specific antioxidant signatures in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Picou Frederic , Vignon Christine , Debeissat Christelle , Lachot Sébastien , Kosmider Olivier , Gallay Nathalie , Foucault Amelie , Estienne Marie-Hélène , Ravalet Noémie , Bene Marie C. , Domenech Jorge , Gyan Emmanuel , Fontenay Michaela , Herault Olivier
Published: December 2019

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal stem cell disorders with an inherent tendency for transformation in secondary acute myeloid leukemia. This study focused on the redox metabolism of bone marrow (BM) cells from 97 patients compared with 25 healthy controls. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was quantified by flow cytometry in BM cell subsets as well as the expression level of 28 transcripts encoding for major enzymes involved in the antioxidant cellular response. Our results highlight increased ROS levels in BM nonlymphoid cells and especially in primitive CD34posCD38low progenitor cells. Moreover, we identified a specific antioxidant signature, dubbed “antioxidogram,” for the different MDS subgroups or secondary acute myeloblastic leukemia (sAML). Our results suggest that progression from MDS toward sAML could be characterized by 3 successive molecular steps: (1) overexpression of enzymes reducing proteic disulfide bonds (MDS with <5% BM blasts [GLRX family]); (2) increased expression of enzymes detoxifying H2O2 (MDS with 5% to 19% BM blasts [PRDX and GPX families]); and finally (3) decreased expression of these enzymes in sAML. The antioxidant score (AO-Score) defined by logistic regression from the expression levels of transcripts made it possible to stage disease progression and, interestingly, this AO-Score was independent of the revised International Scoring System. Altogether, this study demonstrates that MDS and sAML present an important disturbance of redox metabolism, especially in BM stem and progenitor cells and that the specific molecular antioxidant response parameters (antioxidogram, AO-Score) could be considered as useful biomarkers for disease diagnosis and follow-up.
Non-sleepy obstructive sleep apnoea: to treat or not to treat?
Authors: Altintas Nejat , Riha Renata L.
Published: December 2019

Non-sleepy obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is thought to have a prevalence of around 20–25% in industrialised countries. However, the question of whether it should be routinely treated or not is controversial. This review collates the results from recent randomised controlled trials addressing OSA and examines whether treating the condition leads to improvements in quality of life and reduced cardiometabolic dysfunction, comorbidities generally attributed to untreated obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome.
Comparison of oscillometry devices using active mechanical test loads
Authors: Dandurand Ronald J. , Lavoie Jean-Pierre , Lands Larry C. , Hantos Zoltán ,   the Oscillometry Harmonisation Study Group
Published: December 2019

Noninvasiveness, low cooperation demand and the potential for detailed physiological characterisation have promoted the use of oscillometry in the assessment of lung function. However, concerns have been raised about the comparability of measurement outcomes delivered by the different oscillometry devices. The present study compares the performances of oscillometers in the measurement of mechanical test loads with and without simulated breathing.

Six devices (five were commercially available and one was custom made) were tested with mechanical test loads combining resistors (R), gas compliances (C) and a tube inertance (L), to mimic respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) spectra encountered in clinical practice. A ventilator was used to simulate breathing at tidal volumes of 300 and 700 mL at frequencies of 30 and 15 min−1, respectively. Measurements were evaluated in terms ofR,C,L, resonance frequency (fres), reactance area (AX) and resistance change between 5 and 20 or 19 Hz (R5–20(19)).

Increasing test loads caused progressive deviations inRrsandXrsfrom calculated values at various degrees in the different oscillometers. While mean values ofRrswere recovered acceptably, some devices exhibited serious distortions in the frequency dependences ofRrsandXrs, leading to large errors inC,L,fres,AXandR5–20(19). The results were largely independent of the simulated breathing.

Simplistic calibration procedures and mouthpiece corrections, in addition to unknown instrumental and signal processing factors, may be responsible for the large differences in oscillometry measures. Rigorous testing and ongoing harmonisation efforts are necessary to better exploit the diagnostic and scientific potential of oscillometry.
Systemic biomarkers in electronic cigarette users: implications for noninvasive assessment of vaping-associated pulmonary injuries
Authors: Singh Kameshwar P. , Lawyer Gina , Muthumalage Thivanka , Maremanda Krishna P. , Khan Naushad Ahmad , McDonough Samantha R. , Ye Dongxia , McIntosh Scott , Rahman Irfan
Published: December 2019

Background

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) were introduced as electronic nicotine delivery systems, and have become very popular in the USA and globally. There is a paucity of data on systemic injury biomarkers of vaping in e-cig users that can be used as a noninvasive assessment of vaping-associated lung injuries. We hypothesised that characterisation of systemic biomarkers of inflammation, anti-inflammatory, oxidative stress, vascular and lipid mediators, growth factors, and extracellular matrix breakdown may provide information regarding the toxicity of vaping in e-cig users.

Methods

We collected various biological fluids,i.e.plasma, urine, saliva and exhaled breath condensate (EBC), measured pulmonary function and vaping characteristics, and assessed various biomarkers in e-cig users and nonusers.

Results

The plasma samples of e-cig users showed a significant increase in biomarkers of inflammation (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, interferon (IFN)-γ, matrix metalloproteinase-9, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1) and extracellular matrix breakdown (desmosine), and decreased pro-resolving lipid mediators (resolvin D1and resolvin D2). There was a significant increase in growth factor (endothelial growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, β-nerve growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor-AA, stem cell factor, hepatocyte growth factor and placental growth factor) levels in plasma of e-cig usersversusnonusers. E-cig users showed a significant increase in levels of inflammatory biomarker IFN-γ, oxidative stress biomarker 8-isoprostane and oxidative DNA damage biomarker 8-oxo-dG in urine samples, and of inflammatory biomarker IL-1β in saliva samples. EBC showed a slight increase in levels of triglycerides and 8-isoprostane in e-cig users compared with normal nonusers.

Conclusion

E-cig users have increased levels of biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress, reduced pro-resolving anti-inflammatory mediators, and endothelial dysfunction, which may act as risk factors for increasing susceptibility to systemic diseases. The identified noninvasive biomarkers can be used for determining e-cig vaping-associated lung injuries, and for regulatory and diagnostic aspects of vaping in humans.
The effect of wood particle size distribution on the mechanical properties of wood–plastic composite
Authors: Delviawan Arif , Kojima Yoichi , Kobori Hikaru , Suzuki Shigehiko , Aoki Kenji , Ogoe Shinji
Published: December 2019

Commercial wood flour of pine (Pinus densiflora) was used as an experimental material. It was milled with different milling times 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 120 min to investigate the effect of their particle size distribution on the mechanical properties of the wood–plastic composite. Two kinds of drying conditions, 7 days of freeze-drying at a temperature of −45 °C and heat drying (80 °C) for 24 h were applied. Polypropylene and maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene were used as a matrix and the compatibilizer of the wood–plastic composite compound, respectively. Particle size analysis showed that an increase in the time of ball milling decreased the wood flour size. However, an excessive milling period of time longer than 40 min corresponded to an increase in the amount of aggregation. Scanning electron microscope images showed the existence of aggregation for the wood flour with 120 min of wet milling time. As the particle size decreased, mechanical properties of wood–plastic composite increased for up to 30 min of wet milling time and then slightly decreased. This behavior might be due to aggregation. The optimum mechanical property was obtained at 30 min of wet milling time under freeze-drying conditions.
Efficient Optical Reflection Modulation by Coupling Interband Transition of Graphene to Magnetic Resonance in Metamaterials
Authors: Ji Yiqun , Yan Zhendong , Tang Chaojun , Chen Jing , Gu Ping , Liu Bo , Liu Zhengqi
Published: December 2019

Designing powerful electromagnetic wave modulators is required for the advancement of optical communication technology. In this work, we study how to efficiently modulate the amplitude of electromagnetic waves in near-infrared region, by the interactions between the interband transition of graphene and the magnetic dipole resonance in metamaterials. The reflection spectra of metamaterials could be significantly reduced in the wavelength range below the interband transition, because the enhanced electromagnetic fields from the magnetic dipole resonance greatly increase the light absorption in graphene. The maximum modulation depth of reflection spectra can reach to about 40% near the resonance wavelength of magnetic dipole, for the interband transition to approach the magnetic dipole resonance, when an external voltage is applied to change the Fermi energy of graphene.
Authoritarian leadership and task performance: the effects of leader-member exchange and dependence on leader
Authors: Wang Zhen , Liu Yuan , Liu Songbo
Published: December 2019

This study examines how and when authoritarian leadership affects subordinates’ task performance. Using social exchange theory and power dependence theory, this study proposes that authoritarian leadership negatively influences task performance through leader-member exchange (LMX). This study further proposes that the effect of authoritarian leadership on LMX is stronger when a subordinate has less dependence on a leader. A two-wave survey was conducted in a large electronics and information enterprise group in China. These hypotheses are supported by results based on 219 supervisor-subordinate dyads. The results reveal that authoritarian leadership negatively affects subordinates’ task performance via LMX. Dependence on leader buffers the negative effect of authoritarian leadership on LMX and mitigates the indirect effect of authoritarian leadership on employee task performance through LMX. Theoretical contributions and practical implications are discussed.
Rice Stress-Resistant SNP Database
Authors: Tareke Woldegiorgis Samuel , Wang Shaobo , He Yiruo , Xu Zhenhua , Chen Lijuan , Tao Huan , Zhang Yu , Zou Yang , Harrison Andrew , Zhang Lina , Ai Yufang , Liu Wei , He Huaqin
Published: December 2019

Background

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield is limited inherently by environmental stresses, including biotic and abiotic stresses. Thus, it is of great importance to perform in-depth explorations on the genes that are closely associated with the stress-resistant traits in rice. The existing rice SNP databases have made considerable contributions to rice genomic variation information but none of them have a particular focus on integrating stress-resistant variation and related phenotype data into one web resource.

Results

Rice Stress-Resistant SNP database (http://bioinformatics.fafu.edu.cn/RSRS) mainly focuses on SNPs specific to biotic and abiotic stress-resistant ability in rice, and presents them in a unified web resource platform. The Rice Stress-Resistant SNP (RSRS) database contains over 9.5 million stress-resistant SNPs and 797 stress-resistant candidate genes in rice, which were detected from more than 400 stress-resistant rice varieties. We incorporated the SNPs function, genome annotation and phenotype information into this database. Besides, the database has a user-friendly web interface for users to query, browse and visualize a specific SNP efficiently. RSRS database allows users to query the SNP information and their relevant annotations for individual variety or more varieties. The search results can be visualized graphically in a genome browser or displayed in formatted tables. Users can also align SNPs between two or more rice accessions.

Conclusion

RSRS database shows great utility for scientists to further characterize the function of variants related to environmental stress-resistant ability in rice.
Machine learning-based identification and rule-based normalization of adverse drug reactions in drug labels
Authors: Tiftikci Mert , Özgür Arzucan , He Yongqun , Hur Junguk
Published: December 2019

Background

Use of medication can cause adverse drug reactions (ADRs), unwanted or unexpected events, which are a major safety concern. Drug labels, or prescribing information or package inserts, describe ADRs. Therefore, systematically identifying ADR information from drug labels is critical in multiple aspects; however, this task is challenging due to the nature of the natural language of drug labels.

Results

In this paper, we present a machine learning- and rule-based system for the identification of ADR entity mentions in the text of drug labels and their normalization through the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) dictionary. The machine learning approach is based on a recently proposed deep learning architecture, which integrates bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and Conditional Random Fields (CRF) for entity recognition. The rule-based approach, used for normalizing the identified ADR mentions to MedDRA terms, is based on an extension of our in-house text-mining system, SciMiner. We evaluated our system on the Text Analysis Conference (TAC) Adverse Drug Reaction 2017 challenge test data set, consisting of 200 manually curated US FDA drug labels. Our ML-based system achieved 77.0% F1 score on the task of ADR mention recognition and 82.6% micro-averaged F1 score on the task of ADR normalization, while rule-based system achieved 67.4 and 77.6% F1 scores, respectively.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that a system composed of a deep learning architecture for entity recognition and a rule-based model for entity normalization is a promising approach for ADR extraction from drug labels.
Genomewide analysis of circular RNA in pituitaries of normal and heat-stressed sows
Authors: Zhang Haojie , Hu Baoyu , Xiong Jiali , Chen Ting , Xi Qianyun , Luo Junyi , Jiang Qingyan , Sun Jiajie , Zhang Yongliang
Published: December 2019

Background

As a newly characterized type of noncoding RNA, circular RNA (circRNA) has been shown to have functions in diverse biological processes of animals. It has been reported that several noncoding RNAs may regulate animals’ response to heat stress which can be easily induced by hyperthermia in summer. However, the expression and functions of circRNAs in the pituitary of sows and whether they participate in heat stress adaption are still unclear.

Results

In this study, we found that high temperature over the thermoneutral zone of sows during the summer increased the serum heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) level, decreased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) vitality and prolactin (PRL) concentration, and induced heat stress in sows. Then, we explored circRNA in the pituitary of heat-stressed and normal sows using RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. In total, 12,035 circRNAs were detected, with 59 circRNAs differentially expressed, including 42 up-regulated and 17 down-regulated circRNAs in pituitaries of the heat-stressed sows. Six randomly selected circRNAs were identified through reverse transcription PCR followed by DNA sequencing and other 7 randomly selected differentially expressed circRNAs were verified by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The predicted target genes regulated by circRNAs through sponging microRNAs (miRNAs) were enriched in metabolic pathway. Furthermore, the predicted circRNA–miRNA–mRNA interactions showed that some circRNAs might sponge miRNAs to regulate pituitary-specific genes and heat shock protein family members, indicating circRNA’s roles in pituitary hormone secretion and heat stress response.

Conclusions

Our results provided a meaningful reference to understand the functions of circRNA in the porcine pituitary and the mechanisms by which circRNA may participate in animals’ response to heat stress.
An improved catalogue of putative synaptic genes defined exclusively by temporal transcription profiles through an ensemble machine learning approach
Authors: Pazos Obregón Flavio , Palazzo Martín , Soto Pablo , Guerberoff Gustavo , Yankilevich Patricio , Cantera Rafael
Published: December 2019

Background

Assembly and function of neuronal synapses require the coordinated expression of a yet undetermined set of genes. Previously, we had trained an ensemble machine learning model to assign a probability of having synaptic function to every protein-coding gene inDrosophila melanogaster. This approach resulted in the publication of a catalogue of 893 genes which we postulated to be very enriched in genes with a still undocumented synaptic function. Since then, the scientific community has experimentally identified 79 new synaptic genes. Here we use these new empirical data to evaluate our original prediction. We also implement a series of changes to the training scheme of our model and using the new data we demonstrate that this improves its predictive power. Finally, we added the new synaptic genes to the training set and trained a new model, obtaining a new, enhanced catalogue of putative synaptic genes.

Results

The retrospective analysis demonstrate that our original catalogue was significantly enriched in new synaptic genes. When the changes to the training scheme were implemented using the original training set we obtained even higher enrichment. Finally, applying the new training scheme with a training set including the 79 new synaptic genes, resulted in an enhanced catalogue of putative synaptic genes. Here we present this new catalogue and announce that a regularly updated version will be available online at:http://synapticgenes.bnd.edu.uy

Conclusions

We show that training an ensemble of machine learning classifiers solely with the whole-body temporal transcription profiles of known synaptic genes resulted in a catalogue with a significant enrichment in undiscovered synaptic genes. Using new empirical data provided by the scientific community, we validated our original approach, improved our model an obtained an arguably more precise prediction. This approach reduces the number of genes to be tested through hypothesis-driven experimentation and will facilitate our understanding of neuronal function.

Availability

http://synapticgenes.bnd.edu.uy
Genomic dissection of the most prevalent Listeria monocytogenes clone, sequence type ST87, in China
Authors: Wang Yan , Luo Lijuan , Li Qun , Wang Hong , Wang Yiqian , Sun Hui , Xu Jianguo , Lan Ruiting , Ye Changyun
Published: December 2019

Background

Listeria monocytogenes consists of four lineages that occupy a wide variety of ecological niches. Sequence type (ST) 87 (serotype 1/2b), belonging to lineage I, is one of the most common STs isolated from food products, food associated environments and sporadic listeriosis in China. Here, we performed a comparative genomic analysis of the L. monocytogenes ST87 clone by sequencing 71 strains representing a diverse range of sources, different geographical locations and isolation years.

Results

The core genome and pan genome of ST87 contained 2667 genes and 3687 genes respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on core genome SNPs divided the 71 strains into 10 clades. The clinical strains were distributed among multiple clades. Four clades contained strains from multiple geographic regions and showed high genetic diversity. The major gene content variation of ST87 genomes was due to putative prophages, with eleven hotspots of the genome that harbor prophages. All strains carry an intact CRISRP/Cas system. Two major CRISPR spacer profiles were found which were not clustered phylogenetically. A large plasmid of about 90 Kb, which carried heavy metal resistance genes, was found in 32.4% (23/71) of the strains. All ST87 strains harbored the Listeria pathogenicity island (LIPI)-4 and a unique 10-open read frame (ORF) genomic island containing a novel restriction-modification system.

Conclusion

Whole genome sequence analysis of L. monocytogenes ST87 enabled a clearer understanding of the population structure and the evolutionary history of ST87 L. monocytogenes in China. The novel genetic elements identified may contribute to its virulence and adaptation to different environmental niches. Our findings will be useful for the development of effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of listeriosis caused by this prevalent clone.
Targeting the DPP-4-GLP-1 pathway improves exercise tolerance in heart failure patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Chengcong , Huang Ying , Zeng Yongmei , Lu Xiyan , Dong Guoqing
Published: December 2019

Background

The most significant manifestation of heart failure is exercise intolerance. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to investigate whether dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), widely used anti-diabetic drugs, could improve exercise tolerance in heart failure patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

An electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library was carried out through March 8th, 2019, for eligible trials. Only randomized controlled studies were included. The primary outcome was exercise tolerance [6-min walk test (6MWT) and peak O2 consumption], and the secondary outcomes included quality of life (QoL), adverse events (AEs) and all-cause death.

Result

After the literature was screened by two reviewers independently, four trials (659 patients) conducted with heart failure patients with or without type 2 diabetes met the eligibility criteria. The results suggested that targeting the DPP-4-GLP-1 pathway can improve exercise tolerance in heart failure patients [MD 24.88 (95% CI 5.45, 44.31), P = 0.01] without decreasing QoL [SMD -0.51 (95% CI -1.13, 0.10), P = 0.10]; additionally, targeting the DPP-4-GLP-1 pathway did not show signs of increasing the incidence of serious AEs or mortality.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that DPP-4 inhibitors or GLP-1 RAs improve exercise tolerance in heart failure patients. Although the use of these drugs for heart failure has not been approved by any organization, they may be a better choice for type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with heart failure. Furthermore, as this pathway contributes to the improvement of exercise tolerance, it may be worth further investigation in exercise-intolerant patients with other diseases.
Old subjects with sepsis in the emergency department: trend analysis of case fatality rate
Authors: Fabbri Andrea , Marchesini Giulio , Benazzi Barbara , Morelli Alice , Montesi Danilo , Bini Cesare , Rizzo Stefano Giovanni
Published: December 2019

Background

The burden of sepsis represents a global health care problem. We aimed to assess the case fatality rate (CFR) and its predictors in subjects with sepsis admitted to a general Italian hospital from 2009 to 2016, stratified by risk score.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all sepsis-related hospitalizations after Emergency Department (ED) visit in a public Italian hospital in an 8-year period. A risk score to predict CFR was computed by logistic regression analysis of selected variables in a training set (2009–2012), and then confirmed in the whole study population. A trend analysis of CFR during the study period was performed dividing patient as high-risk (upper tertile of risk score) or low-risk.

Results

Two thousand four hundred ninety-two subjects were included. Over time the incidental admission rate (no. of sepsis-related admissions per 100 total admissions) increased from 4.1% (2009–2010) to 5.4% (2015–2016); P < 0.001, accompanied by a reduced CFR (from 38.0 to 18.4%; P < 0.001). A group of 10 variables (admission to intensive care unit, cardio-vascular dysfunction, HIV infection, diabetes, age ≥ 80 years, respiratory diseases, number of organ dysfunction, digestive diseases, dementia and cancer) were selected by the logistic model to predict CFR with good accuracy: AUC 0.873 [0.009]. Along the years CFR decreased from 31.8% (2009–2010) to 25.0% (2015–2016); P = 0.007. The relative proportion of subjects ≥80 years (overall, 52.9% of cases) and classified as high-risk did not change along the years. CFR decreased only in low-risk subjects (from 13.3 to 5.2%; P < 0.001), and particularly in those aged ≥80 (from 18.2 to 6.6%; P = 0.003), but not in high-risk individuals (from 69.9 to 64.2%; P = 0.713).

Conclusion

Between 2009 and 2016 the incidence of sepsis-related hospitalization increased in a general Italian hospital, with a downward trend in CFR, only limited to low-risk patients and particularly to subjects ≥80 years.
Meaning in life and health care use: findings from a nationally representative study of older adults in Germany
Authors: Hajek André , König Hans-Helmut
Published: December 2019

Background

There is a lack of studies examining the link between meaning in life and health care use. Meaning in life refers to a sense of comprehension and significance in life. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between meaning in life and health care use.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from the German Ageing Survey, a nationally representative sample of older adults, was used for this study (in the analytical sample: n = 3850; year 2002). The frequency of GP and specialist visits in the past 12 months were used as outcome measures. Meaning in life was assessed using a single item measure. Based on Andersen’s model, covariates were selected. Sex, age, family status, occupational status, income, self-rated health, physical functioning, depressive symptoms, and the number of physical illnesses were adjusted for in a multiple regression analysis.

Results

After adjusting for various potential confounders, there was a positive association between meaning in life and GP (IRR: 1.04, 95%-CI: 1.01–1.08) as well as specialist visits (IRR: 1.07, 95%-CI: 1.02–1.12) in a multiple regression analysis. With the exception of employment status (retired vs. employed), income and need factors, no covariates were consistently associated with both outcome measures.

Conclusions

This study highlighted the association between meaning in life and health care use. Our results indicate that there are other factors that are associated with health care use, beyond need-variables. This might help to identify individuals at risk for under- or overuse of health care services.
Validating a screening agar for linezolid-resistant enterococci
Authors: Werner Guido , Fleige Carola , Klare Ingo , Weber Robert E. , Bender Jennifer K.
Published: December 2019

Background

Linezolid is an alternative treatment option for infections with multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria including vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Some countries report an increasing number of isolates with resistance to linezolid. The recent publication of the Commission for Hospital Hygiene in Germany on enterococci/VRE recommends screening for linezolid-resistant enterococci (LRE). However, a suitable selective medium or a genetic test is not available. Our aim was to establish a selective screening agar for LRE detection and validate its application with a comprehensive collection of clinical LRE and linezolid-susceptible enterococci.

Methods

We decided to combine the selective power of an enterococcal screening agar with a supplementation of linezolid. Several rounds of analyses with reference, control and test strains and under varying linezolid concentrations of a wider and a smaller range were investigated and assessed. The collection of linezolid-resistant enterococcal control strains included isolates with different resistance mechanisms (23S rDNA mutations,cfr(B),optrA,poxtA). Finally, we validated our LRE screening agar with 400 samples sent to our National Reference Centre in 2019.

Results

Several rounds of pre-tests and confirmatory analyses favored Enterococcosel® Agar supplemented with a concentration of 2 mg/L linezolid. A 48 h incubation period was essential for accurate identification of LRE strains. Performance of the LRE screening agar revealed a sensitivity of 96.6% and a specificity of 94.4%.

Conclusions

Here we describe preparation of a suitable screening agar and a procedure to identify LRE isolates with high accuracy.
Typing of hereditary renal amyloidosis presenting with isolated glomerular amyloid deposition
Authors: Li Danyang , Liu Dan , Xu Hui , Yu Xiao-juan , Zhou Fu-de , Zhao Ming-hui , Wang Su-xia
Published: December 2019

Background

The commonly used methods for amyloid typing include immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry (IHC), which sometimes may come with diagnostic pitfalls. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics has been recognized as a reliable technique in amyloid typing.

Case presentation

We reported two middle-aged patients who presented with proteinuria, hypertension and normal renal function, and both had a family history of renal diseases. The renal biopsies of both patients revealed renal amyloidosis with the similar pattern by massive exclusively glomerular amyloid deposition. The IHC was performed by using a panel of antibodies against the common types of systemic amyloidosis, and demonstrated co-deposition of fibrinogen Aα chain and apolipoprotein A-I in the glomerular amyloid deposits of each patient. Then the MS on amyloid deposits captured by laser microdissection (LMD/MS) and genetic study of gene mutations were investigated. The large spectra corresponding to ApoA-I in case 1, and fibrinogen Aα chain in case 2 were identified by LMD/MS respectively. Further analysis of genomic DNA mutations demonstrated a heterozygous mutation of p. Trp74Arg in ApoA-I in case 1, and a heterozygous mutation of p. Arg547GlyfsTer21 in fibrinogen Aα chain in case 2.

Conclusions

The current study revealed that IHC was not reliable for accurate amyloid typing, and that MS-based proteomics and genetic analysis were essential for typing of hereditary amyloidosis.
Reducing intrapartum fetal deaths through low-dose high frequency clinical mentorship in a rural hospital in Western Kenya: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Shikuku Duncan N. , Mukosa Rita , Peru Taphroze , Yaite Alice , Ambuchi Janerose , Sisimwo Kenneth
Published: December 2019

Background

Intrapartum fetal mortality can be prevented by quality emergency obstetrics and newborn care (EmONC) during pregnancy and childbirth. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a low-dose high-frequency onsite clinical mentorship in EmONC on the overall reduction in intrapartum fetal deaths in a busy hospital providing midwife-led maternity services in rural Kenya.

Methods

A quasi-experimental (nonequivalent control group pretest – posttest) design in a midwife-led maternity care hospitals. Clinical mentorship and structured supportive supervision on EmONC signal functions was conducted during intervention. Maternity data at two similar time points: Oct 2015 to July 2016 (pre) and August 2016 to May 2017 (post) reviewed. Indicators of interest at Kirkpatrick’s levels 3 and 4 focusing on change in practice and health outcomes between the two time periods were evaluated and compared through a two-sample test of proportions. Proportions andp-values were reported to test the strength of the evidence after the intervention.

Results

Spontaneous vaginal delivery was the commonest route of delivery between the two periods in both hospitals. At the intervention hospital, assisted vaginal deliveries (vacuum extractions) increased 13 times (0.2 to 2.5%,P < 0.0001), proportion of babies born with low APGAR scores requiring newborn resuscitation doubled (1.7 to 3.7%,P = 0.0021), proportion of fresh stillbirths decreased 5 times (0.5 to 0.1%,P = 0.0491) and referred cases for comprehensive emergency obstetric care doubled (3.0 to 6.5%,P < 0.0001) with no changes observed in the control hospital. The proportion of live births reduced (98 to 97%,P = 0.0547) at the control hospital. Proportion of macerated stillbirths tripled at the control hospital (0.4 to 1.4%,P = 0.0039) with no change at the intervention hospital.

Conclusion

Targeted mentorship improves the competencies of nurse/midwives to identify, manage and/or refer pregnancy and childbirth cases and/or complications contributing to a reduction in intrapartum fetal deaths. Scale up of this training approach will improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.