bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EMS utilization predictors in a Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Peralta Luis Mauricio Pinet , Sanna Evan , Frankel Brian , Lindqvist Ernest , Glos Lukas 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background. The provision of unnecessary Emergency Medical Services (EMS) care remains a challenge throughout the US and contributes to ER overcrowding, delayed services and lower quality of care. New EMS models of care have shown promise in improving access to health services for patients who do not need urgent care. The goals of this study were 1) to identify factors associated with EMS utilization (911) and 2) their effects on total EMS calls and transports in an MIH program. Methods. The study sample included 110 MIH patients referred to the program or considered high-users of EMS services between November 2016-September 2018. The study employed descriptive statistics and Poisson regression to estimate the effects of covariates on total EMS calls and transports. Results. The typical enrollee is a 60-year old single African-American male living with two other individuals. He has a PCP, takes 12 medications and is compliant with his treatment. The likelihood of calling and/or being transported by EMS was higher for males, patients at high risk for falls, patients with asthma/COPD, psychiatric or behavioral illnesses, and longer travel times to a PCP. Each prescribed medication increased the risk for EMS calls or transports by 4%. Conclusions. This study shows that age, marital status, high fall risk scores, the number of medications, psychiatric/behavioral illness, asthma/COPD, CHF, CVA/stroke and medication compliance may be good predictors of EMS use in an MIH setting. MIH programs can help control utilization of EMS care and reduce both EMS calls and transports.
Size measurements of hepatocellular carcinoma: comparisons between contrast and two-dimensional ultrasound
Authors: Chen Fei , Wang Fei , Zhu Mei , Sun Si , Liu Zheng 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Ultrasound (US) imaging is known to underestimate tumor size in clinical. This study is aimed to compare the size measurements of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in three US imaging modalities, i.e. two-dimensional (2D) imaging, the arterial phase (AP) and the late phase (LP) imaging of contrast-enhanced US (CEUS).
Methods
Fifty-eight clinically proved HCC patients were included. The 2D and CEUS imaging were performed with Siemens S2000, Philips iu22 and BioSound Twice. 2.5 mL of SonoVue® was injected for every CEUS performance. Two physicians measured the maximal longitudinal and the transverse diameters of the tumors in 2D, the AP and the LP of CEUS from one image section. The three measurements were compared by paired t test.
Results
The mean longitudinal diameter of HCC appeared to be maximal in the AP (4.73 ± 2.04 cm) of CEUS and minimal in the LP (3.98 ± 1.99 cm) of CEUS. The 2D diameter (4.26 ± 2.07 cm) was in the middle between two CEUS measurements. There were significant differences between any two measurements.
Conclusion
There is size difference between the three kinds of HCC measurement. It appeared to be maximal in the AP of CEUS and minimal in the LP. The 2D diameter was in the middle.
Short- and long-term outcomes after colonic self-expandable metal stent placement for malignant large-bowel obstruction as a bridge to surgery
Authors: Tajima Jesse Yu , Matsuhashi Nobuhisa , Takahashi Takao , Mizutani Chika , Iwata Yoshinori , Kiyama Shigeru , Kubota Masaya , Ibuka Takashi , Araki Hiroshi , Shimizu Masahito , Doi Kiyoshi , Yoshida Kazuhiro 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Purpose Malignant large-bowel obstruction (MLBO) is a highly urgent condition in colorectal cancer with high complication rates. Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement in MLBO is a new decompression treatment in Japan. Preoperative stent placement (bridge to surgery: BTS) avoids emergency surgery, but oncological influences of stent placement and post-BTS surgical approach remain unclear. We examined short- and long-term results of surgery for MLBO after SEMS placement in our hospital.Methods We retrospectively reviewed 75 patients with MLBO who underwent resection after SEMS placement at our hospital from June 2013 to December 2018. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were evaluated by comparison with the surgical approach.Results Tumor location was significantly higher in the left-side colon and rectum (n=59, 78.7%) than right-side colon (n=16, 21.3%). Technical and clinical success rates for SEMS placement were 97.3% and 96.0%, respectively. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 54 patients (69.0%), and one-stage anastomosis was performed in 73 (97.3%). Postoperative complications were similar in the open surgery (Open) group (n=5, 23.8%) and laparoscopic surgery (Lap) group (n=7, 13.0%), with no severe complications requiring reoperation. Three-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) rates were not significantly different in the Lap vs Open group (67.5% vs 66.4%; 82.2% vs 62.5%).Conclusion Preoperative stent treatment avoids stoma construction but allows anastomosis. One-time surgery was performed safely contributing to minimally invasive treatment and acceptable short- and long-term results.
Impaired Fasting Plasma Glucose is a Risk indicator of Interventricular Septum Thickening among Non-Diabetic Subjects with Obesity
Authors: Zupo Roberta , Castellana Fabio , Sardone Rodolfo , Scicchitano Pietro , Lampignano Luisa , Ciccone Marco Matteo , Triggiani Vincenzo , Giannelli Gianluigi , De Pergola Giovanni 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Alterations of glucose metabolism have a detrimental effect on cardiovascular risk parameters, even before overt diabetes, especially in obesity contexts. We aimed to evaluate whether progressively higher fasting plasma glucose (FPG) is associated to thickening of the interventricular septum (IVS) among non-diabetic subjects with obesity.
Methods
We studied 227 consecutive non diabetic patients (155 women and 72 men, age range 18–72 years) with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 25 Kg/m2), taking no medication or supplement. Hormonal, metabolic and routine laboratory parameters were collected. Echocardiography and ultrasonography echo-color Doppler of intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (IMT-CCA) were performed to evaluate intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (IVST) and early signs of atherosclerosis, respectively, in all enrolled subjects.
Results
Of the 227 subjects, 48.9% had higher IVST values. Age (p 0.04), waist circumference (p 0.01), systolic (p < 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.01), FPG (p < 0.01), insulin (p 0.04), HOMA IR (p = 0.01), uric acid (p < 0.01) serum levels, IMT-CCA (p < 0.01), and left atrial diameter (LAD) (p < 0.01) were significantly higher in subjects with pathological IVST. Logistic regression models demonstrated an independent relation of FPG to IVST, both in semi and fully adjusted models (ORs 1.045 and 1.039, respectively). Moreover, graph presentation of the ORs and 95% CIs by FPG quintiles showed a positive risk trend for pathological IVST.
Conclusions
Higher FPG levels represent an independent sensitive predictor of IVS thickening in subjects with obesity, even before overt diabetes. These results emphasize the importance of preventive management of the diabetes risk in obesity.
Effect of intestinal flora on the formation of endometritis of sow
Authors: Zhang Ling , Wang Linkang , Dai Yimin , Tao Tianyu , Wang Jingqi , Wu Yunzheng , Zeng Xiu , Zhang Jinhua 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Aberration of birth canal microbiota is one of the most important factors in the etiology of sow endomentritis. Nevertheless, reports about the structure and composition of birth canal microbiota in endomentritis sow and their relationship with intestinal microbes is limited. Therefore, understanding the relationship between birth canal microbiota and intestinal microbiota of the host has become exceedingly crucial.
Results

In this study, 4 healthy and 4 endomentritis sows were selected basing on whether the sow had endometritis or not in a farm of China. The microflora of their birth canal secretions and fresh feces were analyzed via sequencing the V3 + V4 region of bacterial 16S rDNA gene. The results showed that the significant difference between endometritis and healthy sows birth canal flora in the composition and abundance. Sow endomentritis was associated with increasing in the relative abundance of Porphyromonas, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Streptococcus, Ezakiella, Fusobacterium, Actinobacillus, Bacteroides, and Prevotella as well as Anaerococcus. On the contrary, the majority of beneficial bacteria that belonging to Firmicutes phylum (e.g., Lactobacillus and Enterococcus ) declined in endomentritis sow. The increased relative abundance of Porphyromonas in the vaginal secretions might correlate with the decrease of Lactobacillusin the feces of endometritis sows. Moreover, the experimental result also found that some intestinal bacteria (such as Escherichia-Shigella and Bacteroides) may be bound up with the onset of sow endometritis.
Conclusion

Sow endometritis is closely related to the microbiota of birth canal, and that some intestinal bacteria may promote the onset of endometritis. The above results can supply a theoretical basis to research the pathogenesis of endometritis and the microbiota of sow's birth canal and gut.
Consistent Independent Low-Rank Matrix Analysis for Determined Blind Source Separation
Authors: Kitamura Daichi , Yatabe Kohei 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Independent low-rank matrix analysis (ILRMA) is the state-of-the-art algorithm for blind source separation (BSS) in the determined situation (the number of microphones is greater than or equal to that of source signals). ILRMA achieves a great separation performance by modeling the power spectrograms of the source signals via the nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF). Such highly developed source model can eﬀectively solve the permutation problem of the frequency-domain BSS, which should be the reason of the excellence of ILRMA. In this paper, we further improve the separation performance of ILRMA by additionally considering the general structure of spectrogram called consistency, and hence we call the proposed method Consistent ILRMA. Since a spectrogram is calculated by an overlapping window (and a window function induces spectral smearing called main- and side-lobes), the time-frequency bins depend on each other. In other words, the time-frequency components are related each other via the uncertainty principle. Such co-occurrence among the spectral components can be an assistant for solving the permutation problem, which has been demonstrated by a recent study. Based on these facts, we propose an algorithm for realizing Consistent ILRMA by slightly modifying the original algorithm. Its performance was extensively studied through the experiments performed with various window lengths and shift lengths. The results indicated several tendencies of the original and proposed ILRMA which include some topics have not discussed well in the literature. For example, the proposed Consistent ILRMA tends to outperform the original ILRMA when the window length is suﬃciently long compared to the reverberation time of the mixing system.
The Anti-Adhesive Effect of Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor on an Abdominal Adhesion Model in Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors: Park In-Hwa , Song Yi-Sun , Joo Hyun-Woo , Shen Guang-Yin , Seong Jin-Hee , Shin Na-Kyoung , Lee A-Hyeon , Kim Hyuck , Kim Kyung-Soo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Intra-abdominal adhesions are among the most common complications following abdominal surgery. In this study, using an abdominal adhesion rat model, we investigated the anti-adhesive effect of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on intra-abdominal adhesions. Methods: All rats were laparotomized with 3 ischemic peritoneal buttons developed to cause adhesions. The experimental rats were divided randomly into 3 groups (n=8/group): control, pluronic gel, and G-CSF groups. Fourteen days after surgery, all rats were sacrificed, and intra-abdominal adhesions were assessed. The percentage of adhesions, adhesion severity scale and density of adhesion formation were evaluated. Real-time PCR was conducted to assess the cytokine mRNA levels of substance P (SP), neurokinin 1 receptor (NK-1R), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1).Results: The severity scores of intra-abdominal adhesions of, and the degree of adhesion formation in, rats treated with G-CSF were significantly lower than those in case of rats from other groups. Additionally, in the G-CSF group, the number of ischemic buttons with developed adhesions was significantly lower than that in the other groups. In adhesion samples of the G-CSF group, the expression level of SP was significantly lower than that in the other groups.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that G-CSF treatment decreases the formation of intra-abdominal adhesion after surgery by reducing inflammatory reactions in adhesion tissues.
Interferon-bèta Enhances Sensitivity to Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Blaauboer Amber , Booy Stephanie , Koetsveld Peter M. van , Karels Bas , Dogan Fadime , Zwienen Suzanne van , Eijck Casper H.J. van , Hofland Leo J. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Adjuvant gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer has limited efficacy. Impaired drug metabolism is associated with treatment resistance. We aimed to evaluate the chemosensitising effect of interferon-bèta (IFN-β).
Methods
BxPC-3, CFPAC-1, and Panc-1 cells were pre-treated with IFN-β followed by gemcitabine monotherapy. The effect on cell growth, colony formation, and cell cycle was determined. RT-qPCR was used to measure gene expression. BxPC-3 cells were used in a heterotopic subcutaneous mouse model.
Results
IFN-β increased sensitivity to gemcitabine (4-, 7.7-, and 1.7-fold EC50 decrease in BxPC-3, CFPAC-1, and Panc-1, respectively; all P < 0.001). Findings were confirmed when assessing colony formation. The percentage of cells in the S-phase was significantly increased after IFN-β treatment only in BxPC-3 and CFPAC-1 by 12% and 7%, respectively (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). Thereby, IFN-β upregulated expression of the drug transporters SLC28A1 in BxPC-3 (252%) and SLC28A3 in BxPC-3 (127%) and CFPAC-1 (223%) (all p < 0.001). In vivo, combination therapy reduced tumor volume with 45% (P = 0.01). Both ex vivo and in vivo data demonstrate a significant reduction in the number of proliferating cells, whereas apoptosis was increased.
Conclusions
For the first time, we validated the chemosensitizing effects of IFN-β when combined with gemcitabine in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. Thereby, we show the interaction between IFN-β and genes involving intracellular uptake of gemcitabine. The use of IFN-β as adjuvant treatment seems promising and need to be further explored.
Association of Clinical and Para-clinical Factors With the Occurrence of Febrile Neutropenia Following Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation in Patients With Lymphoma
Authors: Nejati Babak , Kourehpaz Zohreh , Dolatkhah Roya , Varshochi mojtaba , Farmani Maryam 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Purpose: Promising results have been achieved by the administration of autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in patients with lymphoma. However, infectious complications limit its positive outcomes. Therefore, better identification of related factors to the occurrence of febrile neutropenia may lead to improved management of these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and associated factors with the occurrence of febrile neutropenia in following BMT in patients with lymphoma Method: In this prospective study, 45 patients with a definite diagnosis of lymphoma who were candidates for BMT were consecutively included. Demographic characteristics, lymphoma type, and medical history, as well as the results of selected laboratory tests, were recorded. After BMT, neutrophil count and body temperature were evaluated. Results: Febrile neutropenia occurred in 28 patients (62.5 %). No statistically significant difference was seen between those with febrile neutropenia and those without, in terms of age, gender, BMI, type of lymphoma, blood group, and the number of radiotherapy or chemotherapy courses (p>0.05 for all). Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant positive relationship between the number of administered units of platelet and serum uric acid and development of febrile neutropenia. Conclusion: The results of our study showed that the incidence of febrile neutropenia is significantly high in lymphoma patients who receive BMT. Moreover, the number of administered units of platelet and uric acid before BMT are significantly associated with febrile neutropenia.
Standardized Post-Resuscitation Damage Assessment of Two Mechanical Chest Compression Devices: A Prospective Randomized Large Animal Trial
Authors: Ruemmler Robert , Stein Jakob , Duenges Bastian , Renz Miriam , Hartmann Erik Kristoffer 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Mechanical chest compression devices are accepted alternatives for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) under specific circumstances. Current devices lack prospective and comparative data on their specific cardiovascular effects and potential for severe thoracic injuries.
Objectives

To compare CPR effectiveness and thoracic injuries of two mechanical chest compression devices in pigs.
Study design:
Prospective randomised trial
Animals:
18 male German landrace pigs
Methods

Ventricular fibrillation was induced in anaesthetised and instrumented pigs and the animals were randomised into two intervention groups. Mechanical CPR was initiated by means of LUCAS™ 2 (mCCD1) or Corpuls™ cpr (mCCD2) device. Advanced life support was applied for a maximum of 10 cycles and animals achieving ROSC were monitored for 8 hours. Ventilation/perfusion measurements were performed and blood gas analyses were taken. Thoracic injuries were assessed via a standardised damage score.
Results

Five animals of the mCCD1 group and one animal of the mCCD2 group achieved ROSC (p = 0.048). Only the mCCD1 animals survived until the end of the monitoring period (p < 0.01). MCCD1 animals showed less pulmonary shunt (p = 0.025) and higher normal V/Q (p = 0.017) during CPR. MCCD2 animals showed significantly more severe thoracic injuries (p = 0.046).
Conclusion

The LUCAS 2 device shows superior resuscitation outcomes and less thoracic injuries compared to Corpuls cpr when used for experimental CPR in juvenile pigs. Researchers should be aware that different mCCDs for experimental studies may significantly influence the respective outcome of resuscitation studies and affect comparability of different trials. Controlled human and animal CPR studies and a standardised post-resuscitation injury evaluation could help to confirm potential hazards.
Do Population Density, Socio-Economic Ranking and Gini Index of Cities Influence Infection Rates from Coronavirus? Israel as a case Study
Authors: Arbel Yuval , Fialkoff Chaim , Kerner Amichai , Kerner Miryam 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
A prominent characteristic of the COVID-19 pandemic is the marked geographic variation in COVID-19 prevalence. The objective of the current study is assess the influence of population density and socio-economic measures (socio-economic ranking and the Gini index) across cities on coronavirus infection rates. Israel provides an interesting case study based on the highly non-uniform distribution of urban populations, the existence of one of the most densely populated cities in the world and diversified populations. The outcomes of our study show that ceteris paribus, projected probabilities to be infected from coronavirus rise with higher population density and Gini coefficients and drop with higher socio-economic ranking of the city. Moreover, when measured by identical units of standard deviations, the contribution of the socio-economic measure is the highest. Findings thus provide a tool to city and public health planners in an effort to address the spatial and socio-economic aspects of the pandemic. Compared with wealthier cities, poorer and denser cities should employ more pre-emptive measures to better enable the early identification of the incidence of COVID-19 in these cities. Finally, from a public health perspective, a densly populated city with a low socio-economic ranking and high income inequality requires immediate intervention in order to mitigate the dissemination of the virus.
Numerical and experimental study on air thrust foil bearing performance with improved structural model based on real-time taper inlet height
Authors: Xu Fangcheng , Hou Liukai , Wu Bin , Dong Zeda , Wang Yongliang 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Air thrust foil bearings are key bearings of micro turbo-machinery (such as micro gas turbines, turbo blowers, and air compressors). The bearing load capacity is affected by many factors, and the taper inlet height of bearing structure is closely related to the load capacity. In many previous literature the taper inlet height, as a constant value, was used to calculate film thickness distribution. However, the reality is that the foil will be squeezed by the pressure generated between runner disk and top foil, which makes taper inlet height change during iteration. Therefore, the actual bearing taper inlet height should be chosen properly instead of the constant taper inlet height when iterating. In this paper, an improved computational model of film thickness for adjusting the taper inlet height in real-time is proposed. The relationship between the maximum bearing load capacity and taper inlet height at different rotor speeds of two models is obtained through numerical simulation. It is found that the optimal taper inlet height of the new model is larger than that of the old model. Three types of bearings with different taper inlet height (20μm, 70μm, 114μm) had been tested and the maximum load capacity at different rotor speeds had been obtained. Finally, test data and the simulation results of the two models are compared. It is found that the simulation results of the two models are quite different when the taper inlet height is near the optimal taper inlet height, and the new model is more agree well with the test data.