bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing EU environmental standards for the food, drink and milk industries: key environmental issues and data collection
Authors: Santonja German Giner , Karlis Panagiotis 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: The European Commission organised the review of the Best Available Techniques Reference Document for the Food, Drink and Milk Industries according to the provisions of the Industrial Emissions Directive (Directive 2010/75/EU). Under this policy, an exchange of information between Member States, industrial organisations, non-governmental organisations promoting the protection of the environment and the European Commission took place. Results: A crucial part of developing these EU environmental standards was the systematic determination of the key environmental issues of the food, drink and milk sector. Key environmental issues were defined for emissions to air and water, and for energy and water consumption. The key environmental issues were systematically determined using four criteria proposed by the European Commission. Moreover, a data collection procedure was designed and real-plant emissions and consumption data were obtained for the first time from a representative variety of food, drink and milk installations across the European Union. Conclusions: The development of the EU environmental standards for the food, drink and milk sector are based on a systematic determination of the key environmental issues and on a representative data collection for this sector. This paper also highlights the main normative, organisational and procedural factors addressed during the environmental policy integration carried out to develop these standards.
The inhibitory effect of curcumin via fascin suppression through JAK/STAT3 pathway on metastasis and recurrence of ovary cancer cells.
Authors: Kim Mi Ju 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: fascin is an actin-binding protein and highly expressed in ovarian cancer cells. It is associated with metastasis of cancer and may be a useful prognostic factor. Anticancer activity of curcumin is related to its effect on several signaling mechanisms. Although there have been many reports regarding the anticancer properties of curcumin, its inhibitory effects on migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells, particularly in the context of fascin expression, have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on fascin expression in ovarian cancer cells and to propose a possible mechanism for the anticancer activity of curcumin through reduced fascin expression. Methods: SKOV3, human epithelial ovary cancer cell line, was cultured with curcumin at various dose and duration. The fascin was quantified using cell viability test and Western blot. To determine the effect of curcumin on the upstream pathway of fascin expression, the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was analyzed by sandwich-ELISA. Attachment assay, migration assay and invasion assay were analyzed to approve the change of cellular invasiveness of ovary cancer after curcumin. To determine the morphological changes of ovarian cancer cells by curcumin, immunofluorescence was performed. Results: MTS assays showed that cell viability was different at various concentration of curcumin, and as concentration increased, cell viability tended to decrease. Curcumin appears to suppress fascin expression, even with a minimal concentration and short exposure time. Also, curcumin may suppress fascin expression in ovarian cancer cells through STAT3 downregulation. The attachment assay, migration assay and invasion assay of the ovarian cancer cells exhibited a statistically significant decrease. Immunofluorescence revealed a change of cell shape from a typical form of uninfluenced cells to a more polygonal appearance, with a significant reduction in filopodia formation. Conclusions: Curcumin reduces fascin expression through JAK/STAT3 pathway inhibition, which interferes with the cellular interactions essential for the metastasis and recurrence of ovarian cancer cells. Higher curcumin concentrations and longer exposure times concomitantly decreased fascin expression.
Safely reducing haemodialysis frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lodge Michelle da Silva , Abeygunaratne Thilini , Alderson Helen , Ali Ibrahim , Brown Nina , Chrysochou Constantina , Donne Rosie , Erekosima Ibi , Evans Philip , Flanagan Emma , Gray Simon , Green Darren , Hegarty Janet , Hyde Audrey , Kalra Philip A , Lamerton Elizabeth , Lewis David , Middleton Rachel , New David , Nipah Robert , O’Donoghue Donal , O’Riordan Edmond , Poulikakos Dimitrios , Rainone Francesco , Raman Maharajan , Ritchie James , Sinha Smeeta , Wood Grahame , Tollitt James 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) are at higher risk of developing worse outcomes if they contract COVID-19. In our renal service we reduced HD frequency from thrice to twice-weekly in selected patients with the primary aim of reducing COVID 19 exposure and transmission between HD patients. Methods: Dialysis unit nephrologists identified 166 suitable patients (38.4% of our HD population) to temporarily convert to twice-weekly haemodialysis immediately prior to the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in our area. Changes in pre-dialysis weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and biochemistry were recorded weekly throughout the 4-week project. Hyperkalaemic patients (serum potassium > 6.0mmol/L) were treated with a potassium binder, sodium bicarbonate and received responsive dietary advice. Results: There were 12 deaths (5 due to COVID-19) in the HD population, 6 of which were in the twice weekly HD group; no deaths were associated with change of dialysis protocol. A further 19 patients were either hospitalised and/or developed COVID-19 and thus transferred back to thrice weekly dialysis as per protocol. Of 141 eligible patients 113 (80.1%) were still receiving twice-weekly HD by the end of the 4-week project. Indications for transfer back to thrice weekly were; fluid overload (19), persistent hyperkalaemia (4), patient request (4) and compliance (1). There were statistically significant increases in SBP and pre-dialysis potassium during the project. Conclusions: Short term conversion of a large but selected HD population to twice-weekly dialysis sessions was possible and safe. This approach could help mitigate COVID-19 transmission amongst dialysis patients in centres with similar organisational pressures.
The McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire-Revised (MQOL-R). Psychometric properties and validation of a Brazilian version on palliative care patients: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Serrano Paul Vicuña , Serrano Gerardo Beltran , Torres Iraci Lucena da Silva , Graudner Roberta Rossi , Caumo Wolne , Caumo W 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: To assess the psychometric properties, including internal consistency, construct validity, criterion validity, criterion-group validity, and responsiveness, the Reviewed McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQOL-R), into Brazilian Portuguese-(BrP). Also, to analyze the relationship of the BrP-MQOL-R with the scores on the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) and on the Numerical Pain Scale (NPS 0-10).Methods: The BrP-MQOL-R was administered to a sample of 146 adults (men = 78). A team of experts translated the MQOL-R according to international guidelines. Convergent validity and Conﬁrmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed. Results: The BrP-MQOL-R Cronbach´s alfa was 0.85. CFA supported the original four-factor structure, with the following revised model fit-indices: PCLOSE = 0.131, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) rho2= 0.918, incremental fit index (IFI) delta 2 = 0.936. The convergence validity is supported by a significant correlation between BrP-MQOL-R total scores and their subscales with KPS and with the single item related to the quality of life. And by a converse correlation with the pain scores in the NPS (0-10). Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis showed subjects with KPS equal to or lower than 30% could be discriminated from those with scores on KPS higher than 30% by an area under the curve (AUC) = 0.71, sensitivity = 97%, and specificity = 92%). Conclusion: The BrP-MQOL-R proves to be a reliable instrument for assessing the quality of life (QOL) in palliative care (PC), with primary evidence of validity. BrP-MQOL-R presented adequate discriminate properties to identify distinct conditions that impact the QOL in PC.
Interpersonal relationships and drug use over time among homeless people: a qualitative study.
Authors: de Espíndola Marília Ignácio , Bedendo André , Silva Eroy Aparecida da , Noto Ana Regina 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Homelessness is one of the most severe forms of social exclusion and is an important public health issue. It is characterized by processes of weakening of interpersonal bonds. The objective of this study was, therefore, to elucidate how interpersonal relationships change over the life cycle of homeless drug and alcohol users.METHOD: We used a qualitative methodology. The participants were adults who had a history of homelessness and use of alcohol and other drugs. The interviews were semi structured and used a timeline instrument. All interview were audio recorded, transcribed, and submitted to thematic analysis.RESULTS: Twenty individuals participated in the study. Reports on social exclusion over time stood out in respect of four main themes and their respective subthemes: Theme 1 – Childhood: instability upbringing, abuse, violence, and an absent or not very present father figure; Theme 2 – Adolescence: school dropout and failure; acceptance of gender and sexual orientation; birth of first child, living with a partner or getting married: Theme 3 – Adulthood: estrangement or conflicting relationship with family; health problems; drug trafficking and prostitution; Theme 4 – Cross-cutting factors: death of relatives and substance use.CONCLUSION: The results suggest that interpersonal relationships are permeated by successive breakups, conflicts and other events that start in childhood and can have a cumulative effect in later stages of life, and cross the subsequent phases. Substance abuse and dependence are mentioned as cross-cutting factors that intensify social exclusion in all stages of life.
Clinical significance of D-dimer level in refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia
Authors: Huang Xia , Li Dan , Liu Feng , Zhao Deyu , Zhu Yifan , Tang Heng 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: The levels of serum D-dimer (D-D) in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) were assessed to explore the clinical significance of D-D levels in refractory MPP (RMPP).Method: A total of 430 patients with MPP were enrolled between January 2015 and December 2015 and divided into a general MPP (GMPP) group (n=306) and a RMPP group (n=124). Clinical data, D-D level, white blood cell (WBC) count, proportion of neutrophils (N%), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of RMPP.Results: (1) Hospitalization time, preadmission fever duration, total fever duration, WBC, N %, CRP, LDH, ESR, ALT, AST, and D-D were significantly higher in the RMPP group than those in the GMPP group, (all P<0.05). (2) Correlation analysis showed that D-D was positively correlated with WBC, CRP, ESR, and LDH, and could be used to jointly evaluate the severity of the disease. (3) Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified preadmission fever duration, CRP, LDH and DD as independent risk factors for RMPP (all P<0. 05). D-D had the highest predictive power for RMPP (P<0.01).. The D-D level also had a good ability to predict pleural effusion and liver injury (all P<0.01). Conclusion: Serum D-D levels were significantly increased in patients with RMPP, indicating that excessive inflammatory response and vascular endothelial injury with prolonged duration existed in this patient population. Increased levels of serum D-D may be used as an early predictor of RMPP and the occurrence of complications. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis of RMPP, early intervention and excessive inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of mycoplasma.
Extraction socket grafting using Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 -Clinical implications and histological observations.
Authors: Durge Khushboo Jeevan , Baliga Vidya Sudhindra , Srid Shilpa Banglore , Dhadse Prasad Vijayrao , Ragit Gayatri Chandrakant 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Objectives –The main indication for preserving osseous structures following tooth extraction has been the rehabilitation of edentulous ridges to facilitate the placement of dental implants. Recombinant Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2(rhBMP-2) is exploited for bone augmentation due to its osteoinductive capacity. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of bone induction for implant placement by rhBMP-2 delivered on beta-tricalcium phosphate graft (β-TCP) and PRF following tooth extraction.Results- At three months following socket grafting, minimal changes in the crestal bone width compared to baseline values were seen. A bone loss of 0.6 ± 0.13 mm and 0.5 ± 0.13 mm at the mesiodistal and buccolingual aspects, respectively, was seen. While drilling before the implant placement, the bone's clinical hardness evaluated through tactile was analogous to drilling into spruce or white pine wood. Complete radiographic bone fill was seen in 3 months, and there was no need for any additional augmentation during implant placement. Besides, histology revealed no residual bone particulate graft. Therefore, the data from this study demonstrated that the novel combination of rhBMP-2 +β-TCP mixed with PRF has an effect on de novo bone formation and can be recommended for socket grafting before implant placement.
Predicting the Incidence of Brucellosis in Western Iran using Markov switching model
Authors: Mohammadian-Khoshnoud Maryam , Sadeghifar Majid , Cheraghi Zahra , Hosseinkhani Zahra 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
ObjectiveBrucellosis is a zoonosis almost chronic disease. Brucellosis bacteria can remain in the environment for a long time. Thus, climate irregularities could pave the way for the survival of the bacterium Brucellosis. Brucellosis is more common in men 25 to 29 years of age, in the western provinces, and in the spring months. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of climatic factors as well as predicting the incidence of Brucellosis in Qazvin province using the Markov switching model (MSM). This study is a secondary study of data collected from 2010 to 2019 in Qazvin province. The data include Brucellosis cases and climatic parameters. Two state MSM with time lags of 0, 1 and 2 was fitted to the data. The Bayesian information criterion (BIC) was used to evaluate the models.ResultsAccording to the BIC, the two-state MSM with a one-month lag is a suitable model. The month, the average-wind-speed, the minimum-temperature have a positive effect on the number of brucellosis, the age and rainfall have a negative effect. The results show that the probability of an outbreak for the third month of 2019 is 0.30%.
The effect of hearing protection devices on speech intelligibility of Persian employees
Authors: Karami Mina , Aliabadi Mohsen , Golmohammadi Rostam , Nahrani Morteza Hamidi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of hearing protection devices (HPDs) on speech intelligibility in Persian work environments. Three current earmuffs and three earplugs and one of the prototypes of molded earplug were tested on 15 male subjects which were randomly selected. The noise reduction of HPDs was measured based on the Real Ear Attenuation at Threshold (REAT) method. Speech intelligibility during using HPDs was determined based on the speech discrimination score (SDS) at two signal to noise (S/N) ratios (0 and +5). Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.Results: The actual to nominal noise reduction rating values were from 47% to 84% for HPDs. At two S/N ratios, no significant differences were observed in speech intelligibility using HPDs (p >0.05). At S/N ratio=0, the speech intelligibility descriptively has been only improved by using common earmuffs up to 9.07 %. There was a significant difference up to 21.27% in speech intelligibility for proposed molded earplugs at S/N ratio=0 (p <0.05). Increasing the HPDs' noise attenuation values led to an increase in speech interference (p <0.05). The HPDs with the minimum required noise attenuation while maintaining acceptable speech intelligibility should be worn by employees exposed to medium noise levels.
In silico analysis of epitope-based CadF vaccine design against&nbsp;Campylobacter&nbsp;jejuni
Authors: Naseri Mona Moballegh , Shams Saeed , Naseri Mohammad Moballegh , Bakhshi Bita 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Objective: Vaccination is an important strategy for the eradication of infectious diseases. CadF protein of Campylobacter jejuni is one of the important factors in the pathogenesis of this bacterium. The purpose of this work was to perform a bioinformatics study to identify an epitope-based CadF vaccine, as a subunit vaccine. Full protein sequences of CadF were extracted from the NCBI and UniProt databases and subjected to in silico evaluations, including sequence analysis, allergenicity, antigenicity, epitope conservancy, and molecular docking assessments done by different servers. Results: The results showed that CadF was a highly conserved protein belonging to the outer member proteins superfamily. Among the evaluated epitopes, LSDSLALRL was identified as an antigenic and non-allergenic peptide with a suitable structure for vaccine development. It was also able to stimulate both T and B cells. This 9-mer peptide was located in 136-144 segment of CadF protein and interacted with both HLA-A 0101 and HLA-DRB1 0101 alleles. Overall, the obtained theoretical results showed that CadF protein could be used for designing and evaluating a new effective vaccine against C. jejuni.
Lifestyle Exercise Attenuates Immunosenescence; Flow Cytometry Analysis
Authors: Tylutka Anna , Morawin Barbara , Gramacki Artur , Zembron-Lacny Agnieszka 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Interaction of physical activity and the immune response is very complex and depends on the intensity, duration and frequency of undertaken physical activity, the exposure to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and the age-related changes in the immune system. The daily physical activity, which particularly influences immunity, declines dramatically with age. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explain whether physical activity sustained throughout life can attenuate or reverse immunosenescenceMethods: Ninety-nine older adults (60-90 years) from the University of the Third Age were recruited for the study. According to the 6-min walk test (6WMT), the Åstrand-Ryhming bike test (VO2max) and Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire, the individuals were classified as physically active (n=34) and inactive (n=20) groups. The analysis of T lymphocytes between active vs. inactive was performed using eight-parameter CyFlow. Results: Analysis of the baseline peripheral naïve and memory T cells showed a significant relationship of lifestyle exercise with immunity risk profile (IRP) expressed by the CD4/CD8 ratio. Above 50% of physically active subjects demonstrated IRP ≥1 or ≤2.5 contrary to the inactive group who had IRP <1. The elderly with the result of 6WMT >1.3 m/s and VO2max >35 mL/kg/min had a significantly higher of CD4+ naïve T lymphocyte count and also a higher ratio of CD4+naïve/CD4+ memory. Interestingly, in active older adults with IgG CMV+ (n=30) the percentage of CD4+naïve T lymphocytes was higher than in the inactive group with IgG CMV+ (n=20).Conclusion: Based on the cytometry flow analysis, we concluded that lifestyle exercise could lead to rejuvenation of the immune system by increasing the naïve T cells count or by reducing the tendency of the inverse CD4/CD8 ratio.
Transformer-based deep neural network language models for Alzheimer’s disease detection from targeted speech
Authors: Roshanzamir Alireza , Aghajan Hamid , Baghshah Mahdieh Soleymani 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: We developed transformer-based deep learning models based on natural language processing for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease from the picture description test.Methods: The lack of large datasets poses the most important limitation for using complex models that do not require feature engineering. Transformer-based pre-trained deep language models have recently made a large leap in NLP research and application. These models are pre-trained on available large datasets to understand natural language texts appropriately, and are shown to subsequently perform well on classification tasks with small training sets. The overall classification model is a simple classifier on top of the pre-trained deep language model.Results: The models are evaluated on picture description test transcripts of the Pitt corpus, which contains data of 170 AD patients with 257 interviews and 99 healthy controls with 243 interviews. The large bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERTLarge) embedding with logistic regression classifier achieves classification accuracy of 88.08%, which improves thestate-of-the-art by 2.48%.Conclusions: Using pre-trained language models can improve AD prediction. This not only solves the problem of lack of sufficiently large datasets, but also reduces the need for expert-defined features.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with non-opticospinal manifestations as initial symptoms: A long-term observational study
Authors: Li Rui , Lu Danli , Li Hao , Wang Yuge , Shu Yaqing , Chang Yanyu , Sun Xiaobo , Lu Zhengqi , Qiu Wei , Yang Zhi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Early stage neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) with non-opticospinal manifestations as initial symptoms are easily misdiagnosed; however, data on the full symptom profile are limited. Moreover, the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of these patients remain unknown. We sought to analyze the clinical characteristics, imaging features, and long-term outcomes of NMOSD with non-opticospinal manifestations as initial symptoms.Methods: We retrospectively included relevant patients from our center. Clinical, demographic, magnetic resonance imaging, treatment, and outcome data were compared according to the non-opticospinal vs. opticospinal initial symptoms. Results: We identified 43 (9.13%) patients with non-opticospinal initial symptoms among 471 patients with NMOSD. Of these, 88.37% developed optic neuritis/myelitis during an average follow-up period of 6.33 years. All the non-opticospinal symptoms were brain/brainstem symptoms. Most of the symptoms and associated brain lesions were reversible. These patients had a younger onset age (P < 0.001), lower serum aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody titers (P = 0.030), and a lower Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score at onset (P < 0.001) and follow-up (P = 0.041) than did NMOSD patients with opticospinal initial symptoms. In addition, EDSS scores reached 3.0 (indicating moderate disability) later than in patients with opticospinal initial symptoms (P = 0.028).Conclusions: Patients with NMOSD with non-opticospinal initial symptoms have a younger onset age, lower serum AQP4 antibody titers, and better clinical outcomes.