bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loneliness among older adults in Latin America, China, and India: prevalence, correlates and association with mortality
Authors: Gao Qian , Prina A. Matthew , Prince Martin , Acosta Daisy , Sosa Ana Luisa , Guerra Mariella , Huang Yueqin , Jimenez-Velazquez Ivonne Z , Rodriguez Juan J. Llibre , Salas Aquiles , Williams Joseph D. , Liu Zhaorui , Castillo Isaac Acosta , Mayston Rosie 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
BackgroundResearch carried out in high income countries suggests that loneliness may be a common experience among older adults living in these settings. Loneliness is correlated with poor socioeconomic status, living alone, being widowed and is associated with adverse health outcomes, including mortality. There is still a lack of evidence about the epidemiology of loneliness among older adults living in low- and middle-income countries. This study was designed to explore prevalence and correlates of self-reported loneliness and to investigate whether loneliness predicts mortality in Latin America, China and India. MethodsThe study investigated population-based cross-sectional (2003-2007) and longitudinal surveys (follow-up 2007-2010) from the 10/66 Dementia Research Group project carried out among 16685 older adults in urban and rural catchment areas in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Peru, Mexico, China and India. Poisson regression and Cox regression analyses were conducted to analyse correlates of loneliness and its association with mortality. ResultsThe standardised prevalence of loneliness varied between 25.3% and 32.4% in Latin America and was 18.3% in India. China showed a low prevalence of loneliness (3.8%). In pooled meta-analyses, there was robust evidence to support an association between loneliness and mortality across Latin America (HR=1.13, 95% CI 1.01-1.26, I2=10.1%) and China (HR=1.58, 95% CI 1.03-2.41), but there were no associations in India. ConclusionsOur findings suggest potential cultural variances may exist in the concept of loneliness in older age. The effect of loneliness upon mortality is consistent across different cultural settings excluding India. Loneliness should therefore be considered as a potential dimension of public health among older populations.
Application of Droplet Digital PCR for the Detection of Vector Copy Number in Clinical CAR/TCR T-Cell Products
Authors: Lu Alex , Liu Hui , Shi Rongye , Cai Yihua , Ma Jinxia , Shao Lipei , Rong Victor , Gkitsas Nikolaos , Lei Hong , Highfill Steven L. , Panch Sandhya , Stroncek David F. , Jin Ping 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background : Genetically engineered T cells have become an important therapy for B-cell malignancies. Measuring the efficiency of vector integration into the T cell genome is important for assessing the potency and safety of these cancer immunotherapies. Methods: A digital droplet polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assay was developed and evaluated for assessing the average number of lenti- and retroviral vectors integrated into Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) and T-Cell Receptor (TCR)-engineered T cells. Results: The ddPCR assay consistently measured the concentration of an empty vector in solution and the average number of CAR and TCR vectors integrated into T cell populations. There was a linear relationship between the average vector copy number per cell measured by ddPCR and the proportion of cells transduced as measured by flow cytometry. Similar vector copy number measurements were obtained by different staff using the ddPCR assay, highlighting the assays reproducibility among technicians. Analysis of fresh and cryopreserved CAR-T and TCR engineered T cells yielded similar results. Conclusions: ddPCR is a robust tool for accurate quantitation of average vector copy number in CAR and TCR engineered T-cells. The assay is also applicable to other types of genetically engineered cells including Natural Killer cells and hematopoietic stem cells.
PLEK2 and SCN7A: novel biomarkers of non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Liu Yongchang , Li Xi , Chang Ruimin , Chen Yufan , Gao Yang 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death globally, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. However, the diagnosis and prognosis of NSCLC remain dim. Our team has focused on identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between NSCLC tissues and adjacent tissues, which may be useful as effective diagnostic markers that can better explain the progression of NSCLC.Methods The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to screen the Gene Expression Omnibus series, which records the information of a large number of patients with primary NSCLC (n > 50). Then, the DEGs were validated using Student’s t -test. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using DAVID. The prognosis information was analyzed separately using data obtained from three databases, Human Protein Atlas, Kaplan–Meier Plotter, and SurvExpress.Results A series of 180 DEGs (33 upregulated and 147 downregulated genes), mainly involving genes associated with extracellular exosomes, focal adhesion, and cell adhesion, were identified via GO analysis. Subsequently, KEGG analysis demonstrated that focal adhesion, cell adhesion molecules, and PPAR signaling pathway were the most enriched pathways. Then, we paid particular attention to pleckstrin 2 (PLEK2) and sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 7 (SCN7A), as they have not been investigated as cancer-related genes previously. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis illustrated that PLEK2 and SCN7A levels were significantly correlated with the prognosis of NSCLC.Conclusions Our research found that, as potential biomarkers, both PLEK2 and SCN7A are related to the development and prognosis of NSCLC. They may be used in disease screening and prognosis. The clinical significance of these two genes deserves further investigation.
Genome-wide DNA methylation can identify preterm birth-related genes in maternal blood
Authors: You Young-Ah , Kwon Eun Jin , Hwang Han-Sung , Choi Suk-Joo , Choi Sae Kyung , Kim Young Ju 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Preterm birth is associated with an increased risk of neonatal complications and death, as well as poor health and disease later in life. Epigenetics could contribute to the mechanism underlying preterm birth. Results Genome-wide DNA methylation in whole blood cells from ten women was assessed using Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChips array. We identified 6,755 differentially methylated CpG sites between term and preterm birth. Although no differential methylation of these CpGs were found in correcting for multiple tests, seven VTRNA2-1 CpGs in promotor region of island were detected in top different methylation. We performed pyrosequencing validation with blood samples from the pregnant women. The methylation levels of VTRNA2-1 were either low (hypomethylated, 0–12.2%) or high (hypermethylated, 32.6–50.8%). Hypermethylation of VTRNA2-1 was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth after adjusting for maternal age, delivered season, parity and count of white blood cell. The mRNA expression of VTRNA2-1 was 0.51-fold lower in PTB delivered women compared with women with term deliveries. Conclusion This study suggests that change of VTRNA2-1 methylation is related to PTB in maternal blood. Further elucidate to underlay mechanisms of preterm birth and affect to future systems biology studies to predict preterm birth.
Evaluation of variation in D-dimer levels among COVID-19 and bacterial pneumonia: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Yu Bilian , Li Xin , Chen Jin , Ouyang Mingqi , Zhang Hong , Zhao Xinge , Tang Liang , Luo Qin , Xu Min , Yang Lizhen , Huang Guxiang , Liu Xianling , Tang Jianjun 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background：In the recent outbreak of novel coronavirus infection worldwide, the risk of thrombosis and bleeding should be concerned. Objectives: We aimed to observe the dynamic changes of D-dimer levels during disease progression to evaluate their value for thrombosis. Methods: In this study, we report the clinical and laboratory results of 57 patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and 46 patients with confirmed community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CAP). And their concentrations of D-dimer, infection-related biomarkers, and conventional coagulation were retrospectively analyzed.Results: On admission, both in COVID-19 patients and CAP patients, D-dimer levels were significantly increased, and compared with CAP patients, D-Dimer levels were higher in COVID-19 patients (P<0.05). Besides, we found that in COVID-19 patients, D-dimer were related with markers of inflammation, especially with hsCRP (R=0.426, P<0.05), and after treatments, D-dimer levels decreased which was synchronous with hsCRP levels in patients with good clinical prognosis, but there were still some patients with anomalous increasing D-dimer levels after therapy.Conclusions: Elevated baseline D-dimer levels are associated with inflammation in COVID-19 patients, and the abnormal changes of D-dimer and inflammatory factors suggest that anticoagulant therapy might be needed.
Using CT texture analysis to differentiate between peripheral lung cancer and pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor
Authors: Liu Chenlu , Ma Changsheng , Duan Jinghao , Qiu Qingtao , Guo Yanluan , Zhang Zhenhua , Yin Yong 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor (PIPT) usually presents as solitary peripheral well-defined nodules or masses, and CT features are complex and changeable, which are often confused with peripheral lung cancer. This study is to distinguish peripheral lung cancer and PIPT using CT-radiomics features extracted from PET/CT images.Methods: In this study, the standard 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (18 F-FDG PET/CT) images of 21 patients with pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor (PIPT) and 21 patients with peripheral lung cancer were retrospectively collected. The dataset was used to extract CT-radiomics features from regions of interest (ROI), Using, then, statistical methods to screen CT-radiomics features, which could distinguish peripheral lung cancer and PIPT. And the ability of radiomics features distinguished peripheral lung cancer and PIPT was estimated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and compared by Delong test.Results: A total of 435 radiomics features were extracted, of which 23 could difference between peripheral lung cancer and PIPT. these features were seen in 16 of 330 Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix features, 1 of 49 Intensity Histogram features, 1 of 5 Neighbor Intensity Difference features, 5 of 18 Shape features. area under the curve (AUC) of these features were 0.731 0.075, 0.717, 0.737, 0.748 0.038, respectively. The P values of statistical differences among ROC were 0.0499 (F11, F23), 0.0472 (F12, F13) and 0.0250 (F13, Mean4). The discrimination ability of forming new features(Parent Feature) after averaging the features extracted at different angles and distances was moderate compared to the previous features(Child features).Conclusions: Radiomics features extracted from non-contrast CT based on PET/CT images can help distinguish peripheral lung cancer and PIPT.
Low-frequency vibration analysis of heavy vehicle suspension system under various operating conditions
Authors: Nguyen Vanliem , Le Vanquynh , Jiao Renqiang , Yuan Huan 
Published: March 2020

To evaluate the acceleration-frequency characteristics of the suspension system of the heavy vehicles, a nonlinear dynamic model of two-axle heavy vehicles is established. A calculation method based on the complex domain is applied to solve the vibration equations of the heavy vehicle in the frequency domain instead of the traditional time domain. Matlab software is then used to calculate the vibration equations under various operating conditions. The research results show that the resonant frequency of the suspension system is not affected by the vehicle speed and the road surface, while it is clearly influenced by the weight of the vehicle and the stiffness of the suspension system. However, the acceleration-frequency characteristics of the vertical vehicle body, pitching vehicle body, and vertical front/read axles are greatly influenced under various operating conditions, especially at the high speed 30 m.s-1, a wavelength of the road surface 6 m, and 80 % of the vehicle load.
On the method of risk synthesis in the safety management of structurally complex systems
Authors: Bochkov A. V. 
Published: March 2020

The Aim of the paper is to show that the risk to critical infrastructure facilities (CIF) of structurally complex systems (SCS) should be considered as a multicomponent vector, whose set of parameters is subject to changes. Real safety estimation using the risk-oriented approach is impossible without a sufficient base of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of risk factors, as well as data on the status of facilities and processes that are exposed to such risk factors. Risk assessment always aims to estimate its quantitative indicators, which allows it to be used not only to assess industrial safety, but also to substantiate the economic efficiency of taken measures, conduct economic calculations of the required relief or compensation of lost health of workers and environmental damage.Method. The author suggests a method of risk synthesis (with game definition of the problem of countering possible external effects of various nature on CIF SCS) as one of the foundations of the design of advanced systems for monitoring safety threats to SCS. A special attention must be given to the effect of risk factors on the system of balanced safety and risk indicators, as prediction based on single indicators does not create a holistic image of the systems’ status and development trends.Result. Key methodological premises were formulated: from general problem definition of safety management through the synthesis the model of a controlled facility and its external and internal connections, solution to the problem of selection of priority protection facilities in terms of assuring efficient operation and general safety of SCS. As the basis of advanced systems for monitoring safety threats and risks, the paper suggests the concept of risk management aiming to create the mechanism, method and tools for the synthesis, analysis and prediction of emergency risks.Conclusion. The proposed method can be applied to a wide range of tasks of primary analysis, synthesis and quantitative estimation of the CIF-related risks and safety management of SCS of various purpose.
<b>ACESSIBILIDADE COMUNICACIONAL</b>: a produção do Núcleo de Tecnologia Assistiva do IFAM em obras didáticas e paradidáticas
Authors: Oliveira Lucas Silva , Souza Dalmir Pacheco 
Published: March 2020

Na incessante busca a contribuir com a discussão acerca do tema inclusão, aqui exposto de forma tácita, bem como de nossas experiências na formação continuada de professores em Educação Especial na Perspectiva da Educação Inclusiva, esta produção versa sobre a produção de materiais didáticos adaptados em Libras, narração, audiodescrição e legenda, por meio do Núcleo de Tecnologia Assistiva do Instituto Federal do Amazonas (APOEMA/ IFAM). A pesquisa deu-se por uma investigação qualitativa e descritiva, baseada teoricamente nos estudos de Galvão Filho (2009), Manzini (2014), Pacheco (2014) e Batista (2015), bem como da definição de acessibilidade, disposto no Decreto Federal Nº 5.296, de 02 de dezembro de 2004.Palavras-chave: Acessibilidade. Adaptação. Materiais Didáticos.
Transtornos alimentares e as contribuições da Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental para o tratamento
Authors: Pires Juliene Avila , Jordão Laport Tamires 
Published: March 2020

A Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental (TCC) tem sido amplamente utilizada como tratamento para os transtornos alimentares, principalmente para a anorexia nervosa (AN) e a bulimia nervosa (BN). O presente artigo tem por objetivo discutir sobre os transtornos alimentares sob a ótica do tratamento cognitivo-comportamental. Para uma incursão a estes campos de investigação, a metodologia desse estudo foi uma revisão narrativa da literatura. A TCC tem se mostrado eficaz tanto para o tratamento da AN quanto da BN, principalmente em relação à modificação do sistema de crenças e dos pensamentos associados à alimentação, à imagem corporal, na melhoria da autoestima e no desenvolvimento das habilidades sociais, além de promover o aumento da adesão ao tratamento nutricional e clínico. Tendo em vista que a utilização da TCC como tratamento para os transtornos alimentares ainda é relativamente recente no Brasil se faz necessário mais estudos sobre a temática.
Palavras-chave: transtornos alimentares; anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa; terapia cognitivo-comportamental.
A romantização da maternidade e a culpabilização da mulher
Authors: Bernardes Ruane , Freitas Loures Amanda , Batista Silveira Andrade Barbara 
Published: March 2020

Resumo
Este artigo busca apresentar uma revisão narrativa da literatura acerca da romantização da maternidade e seus reflexos num processo de culpabilização da mulher, através do qual a mesma passa a apresentar sentimentos ambíguos com relação à maternidade, uma vez que, por diversos motivos, sente-se dividida entre sua profissão, suas escolhas pessoais e a necessidade de oferecer cuidados integrais a seu filho, uma vez que este discurso é reforçado pela sociedade e pela mídia. Por outro lado, a mulher-mãe passa por um luto ao ter que abrir mão de parte da sua vida para cuidar da criança, que ocupará parte de seu espaço.Destaca-se, ainda, a naturalização da maternidade e a construção de uma representação do "instinto materno" que recai fortemente sobre as mulheres que não desejam ser mães.
Palavras-chave: Maternidade; Romantização; Culpabilização
Effects of Drugs, Phytoestrogens, Nutrients and Probiotics on Endothelial Dysfunction in the Estrogen-Deficient State
Authors: Oliveira Phablo Wendell C. , Couto Mariana R. , de Sousa Glauciene J. , Peixoto Pollyana , Moraes Flávia S.A. , de Andrade Tadeu U. , Bissoli Nazaré S. 
Published: March 2020

Background:Endothelial dysfunction is commonly present in estrogen-deficient states, e.g., after menopause. In the search for alternatives to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), treatments based on phytoestrogens or in non-hormonal mechanisms have been under evaluation.Objective:Here we aim to present an overview of innovative potential treatments for endothelial dysfunction in estrogen-deficient states, introducing our own preliminary data about the probiotic kefir.Methods:We conducted a review based on a PubMed database search for keywords of interest (Menopause, Ovariectomy, Vascular dysfunction, Hot flashes, Metformin, Statins, Phytoestrogens, Omega-3, Vitamin D, Probiotics).Results:Vascular parameters were found to be improved by both metformin and statins through pleiotropic effects, being related to a decrease in oxidative stress and restoration of the nitric oxide pathway. Phytoestrogens such as genistein and resveratrol have also been shown to improve vascular dysfunction, which seems to involve their estrogenic-like actions. Omega-3, vitamin D and its analogues, as well as probiotics, have shown similar vascular beneficial effects in both postmenopausal women and an animal model of ovariectomy (OVX), which could be related to antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, our preliminary data on the probiotic kefir treatment in OVX rats suggested a vascular antioxidant effect. In particular, some evidence points to statins and vitamin D having anti-atherogenic effects.Conclusion:Pleiotropic effects of common medications and natural compounds could have therapeutic potential for endothelial dysfunction in estrogen-deficient states. They could, therefore, work as future complementary or alternative treatments to HRT.
Disposal Practices of Unused Medications Among Patients in Public Health Centers of Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Kassahun Haile , Tesfaye Dugessa 
Published: March 2020

Background:
Disposal of pharmaceutical waste among patients is a global challenge especially
in developing countries like Ethiopia. Improper medication disposal can lead to health
problems and environmental contaminations. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess disposal
practices of unused medications among patients in public health centers of Dessie town, Northeast
Ethiopia.

Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 263 patients in four public
health centers of Dessie town, Ethiopia from March to June, 2019. Face-to-face interviews using
structured questionnaires were used to collect data from each study subject.

Results:
The majority of the respondents, 224 (85.17%) had unused medications at their home during
the study period. The most commonly reported disposal method in the present study was flushing
down into a toilet 66 (25.09%). None of the respondents practiced returning unused medications
to Pharmacy. Moreover, 85 (32.31%) of the respondents reported never disposing their medications
and believed that it is acceptable to store medications at home for future use.

Conclusion:
In the present study, there was a high practice of keeping medications at home and
most of the disposal practices were not recommended methods. In addition, most of the respondents
did not get advice from pharmacists and other health care professionals on how to dispose off unused
medications. Hence, there is a need for proper education and guidance of patients regarding
disposal practices of unused medications.
In Vitro Inhibitory Effect of Recombinant Human Calprotectin on Nalm6 Leukemia Cell Line
Authors: Charkhizadeh Samira , Imani Mehdi , Gheibi Nematollah , Shabaani Fateme , Nikpajouh Akbar , Rezvany Mohammad R. 
Published: March 2020

Background & Purpose:In evaluating new drugs for the treatment of various types of cancer, investigations have been made to discover a variety of anti-tumor compounds with less side effects on normal cells. Investigations have shown that the heterodimers S100A8 and S100A9 inhibit the enzyme casein kinase 2 and then prevent the activation of the E7 oncoprotein. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of calprotectin as an antitumor compound on the Nalm6 (B cell precursor leukemia cell line).Material & Methods:Transformation of genes encoding S100A8 and S100A9 human, designed in the pQE32 plasmid, was performed by the thermal shock method into E. coli M15 bacteria. After bacterial growth in LB medium, the expression of two S100A8 and S100A9 subunits, the solubility of the protein by SDS-PAGE method was determined. Finally, the S100A8 / A9 complex was equally placed in the microtube. In the next step, the cytotoxic effects of calprotectin produced on the Nalm6 cell line were evaluated using the wst1 test. Then, the apoptosis in these cells was measured using flow cytometry methods with Annexin-V coloration.Results:In the current study, the results showed that the cytotoxic effects of Calprotectin are time and concentration- dependent. Therefore, it can reduce the tumor expression and had a beneficial effect by induced apoptosis in Nalm6 cell line.Conclusion:Calprotectin has an anti-tumor effect on the Nalm6 cell line by increasing apoptosis.