bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What are the minimum requirements to establish proficiency in lung ultrasound training for quantifying B‐lines?
Authors: Russell Frances M. , Ferre Robinson , Ehrman Robert R. , Noble Vicki , Gargani Luna , Collins Sean P. , Levy Phillip D. , Fabre Katarina L. , Eckert George J. , Pang Peter S. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimsThe goal of this study was to determine the number of scans needed for novice learners to attain proficiency in B‐line quantification compared with expert interpretation.Methods and resultsThis was a prospective, multicentre observational study of novice learners, physicians and non‐physicians from three academic institutions. Learners received a 2 h lung ultrasound (LUS) training session on B‐line assessment, including lecture, video review to practice counting and hands‐on patient scanning. Learners quantified B‐lines using an eight‐zone scanning protocol in patients with suspected acute heart failure. Ultrasound (US) machine settings were standardized to a depth of 18 cm and clip length of 6 s, and tissue harmonics and multibeam former were deactivated. For quantification, the intercostal space with the greatest number of B‐lines within each zone was used for scoring. Each zone was given a score of 0–20 based on the maximum number of B‐lines counted during one respiratory cycle. The B‐line score was determined by multiplying the percentage of the intercostal space filled with B‐lines by 20. We compared learner B‐line counts with a blinded expert reviewer (five US fellowship‐trained faculty with > 5 years of clinical experience) for each lung zone scanned; proficiency was defined as an intraclass correlation of > 0.7. Learning curves for each learner were constructed using cumulative sum method for statistical analysis. The Wilcoxon rank‐sum test was used to compare the number of scans required to reach proficiency between different learner types.Twenty‐nine learners (21 research associates, 5 residents and 3 non‐US‐trained emergency medicine faculty) scanned 2629 lung zones with acute pulmonary oedema. After a mean of 10.8 (standard deviation 14.0) LUS zones scanned, learners reached the predefined proficiency standard. The number of scanned zones required to reach proficiency was not significantly different between physicians and non‐physicians (P = 0.26), learners with no prior US experience vs. > 25 prior patient scans (P = 0.64) and no prior vs. some prior LUS experience (P = 0.59). The overall intraclass correlation for agreement between learners and experts was 0.74 and 0.80 between experts.ConclusionsOur results show that after a short, structured training, novice learners are able to achieve proficiency for quantifying B‐lines on LUS after scanning 11 zones. These findings support the use of LUS for B‐line quantification by non‐physicians in clinical and research applications.
The detrimental effect of COVID‐19 nationwide quarantine on accelerometer‐assessed physical activity of heart failure patients
Authors: Vetrovsky Tomas , Frybova Tereza , Gant Iulian , Semerad Miroslav , Cimler Richard , Bunc Vaclav , Siranec Michal , Miklikova Marie , Vesely Jiri , Griva Martin , Precek Jan , Pelouch Radek , Parenica Jiri , Belohlavek Jan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimsA reduction of habitual physical activity due to prolonged COVID‐19 quarantine can have serious consequences for patients with cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure. This study aimed to explore the effect of COVID‐19 nationwide quarantine on accelerometer‐assessed physical activity of heart failure patients.Methods and resultsWe analysed the daily number of steps in 26 heart failure patients during a 6‐week period that included 3 weeks immediately preceding the onset of the quarantine and the first 3 weeks of the quarantine. The daily number of steps was assessed using a wrist‐worn accelerometer worn by the patients as part of an ongoing randomized controlled trial. Multilevel modelling was used to explore the effect of the quarantine on the daily step count adjusted for weather conditions. As compared with the 3 weeks before the onset of the quarantine, the step count was significantly lower during each of the first 3 weeks of the quarantine (P < 0.05). When the daily step count was averaged across the 3 weeks before and during the quarantine, the decrease amounted to 1134 (SE 189) steps per day (P < 0.001), which translated to a 16.2% decrease.ConclusionsThe introduction of the nationwide quarantine due to COVID‐19 had a detrimental effect on the level of habitual physical activity in heart failure patients, leading to an abrupt decrease of daily step count that lasted for at least the 3‐week study period. Staying active and maintaining sufficient levels of physical activity during the COVID‐19 pandemic are essential despite the unfavourable circumstances of quarantine.
Tc17 biology and function: Novel concepts
Authors: Lückel Christina , Picard Felix. S. R. , Huber Magdalena 
Published: July 2020

AbstractResearch over the past years has provided increasing understanding about IL‐17‐producing CD8+ T cells termed Tc17 or IL‐17+CD8+ T cells, their distribution and role in a range of diverse immune processes. These comprise resistance to pathogens and tissue homeostasis, but also contribution to autoimmunity and cancer, as well as involvement in gut inflammation, lung diseases and graft‐versus‐host‐disease. Tc17 cells are regulated by unique differentiation mechanisms distinguishing them from other IL‐17‐producing T cells, including Th17, mucosal‐associated invariant T cells, and γδ17 T cells, thus ensuring their specific function in immune responses. Here, we review recent advances in understanding Tc17 cell differentiation and function, and highlight experimental evidence from human studies on patients suffering from organ‐specific autoimmunity including psoriasis, spondyloarthritis and MS as well as from ulcerative colitis and gastrointestinal tract‐associated cancers. We also discuss mouse models analyzing Tc17 characteristics and indicate mechanisms of cross‐talk between Tc17 cells and immune or nonimmune cells, enabling their effector function in both protective as well as pathologic immune responses.
Practical investigation of usage of nano bottom in the production of fresh water from brackish wastewater in a closed shallow solar basin
Authors: Farahbod Farshad 
Published: July 2020

AbstractLack of fresh water is a concern for the future of human because commonly used technologies for producing drinking water from saline water, such as reverse osmosis, electrolysis has been expensive to produce and or, like flash techniques and multi‐stage distillation, are dependent on the fossil energies. In this study, the shallow solar basin has been proposed to simply collect and store solar thermal energy to produce drinking water from salt water. Also, the use of nano particles increases the rate of evaporation in the shallow solar basin. In this way, the experiments have been conducted to optimize the efficient factors in the operation of a shallow solar basin equipped with a nano plate at the bottom of the pool. This shallow solar basin is concentrated in saline water and produces distilled water as the main processing stage for distillation of zero discharge. In this way, concentrated saline water prepares the inflow for evaporation units. The main parameters such as insolation rate, values of produced drinkable water and average temperature of shallow solar basin layers are investigated in this study. The comparison between evaporation rate values in a shallow solar basin equipped with nano plates and conventional solar basin shows an increase of 20%. The results show better performance of the proposed shallow solar basin than the simple shallow solar basin. The test results show the maximum and minimum evaporation rates of 5 and 2 L in June and January 2019, respectively.
Mechanisms of lateral and linear extension of gullies (dongas) in a subhumid grassland of South Africa
Authors: Podwojewski Pascal , Janeau Jean Louis , Caquineau Sandrine , Hughes Jeffrey 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe formation of deep gullies (called ‘dongas’ locally) in rangeland in KwaZulu‐Natal Province in South Africa is a natural phenomenon. These U‐shaped, very wide gullies have considerable lateral expansion due to the episodic collapse of sidewalls.The dongas have developed in duplex soils such as Luvisols and Lixisols formed on Permian sedimentary rocks or unconsolidated Quaternary colluvium. This study combined morphological, mineralogical and chemical characterization with measurements of grain‐size content, structural stability and the complete shrinkage curve to detect changes in soil properties of the different horizons located in the gully banks.The different soil horizons present clear and sharp differences in physical and mineralogical properties. The topsoil with complete grass cover is very resistant to soil detachment. However, the leached E horizon and the BC horizon have low structural stability. The soil profile down to and including the Bt horizon contains exclusively illite in the clay fraction, while the BC colluvial layer and the C horizon (mudstone) contain expandable interstratified illite–smectite. The Bt horizon has a high water content at saturation and high shrinkage, while the BC and C horizons have a high residual shrinkage and a very low water content at saturation.Because this type of gully expansion is not significantly linked to slope value or the stream power index (SPI) at the gully head, to land‐use change, high rainfall intensities or the threshold of concentrated runoff being exceeded at the gully head, other causes were investigated. It was concluded that the heterogeneity between horizons with different mineralogical properties and structural stabilities, soil types and parent material, anisotropic water‐saturation and shrink‐swell properties are of major importance. This heterogeneity between different soil horizon morphologies and their physical properties can explain why the relationship between the critical slope and the drainage area for gully initiation showed a threshold for gullying much lower than that found elsewhere. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Migrating Schwann cells direct axon regeneration within the peripheral nerve bridge
Authors: Min Qing , Parkinson David B. , Dun Xin‐Peng 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSchwann cells within the peripheral nervous system possess a remarkable regenerative potential. Current research shows that peripheral nerve‐associated Schwann cells possess the capacity to promote repair of multiple tissues including peripheral nerve gap bridging, skin wound healing, digit tip repair as well as tooth regeneration. One of the key features of the specialized repair Schwann cells is that they become highly motile. They not only migrate into the area of damaged tissue and become a key component of regenerating tissue but also secrete signaling molecules to attract macrophages, support neuronal survival, promote axonal regrowth, activate local mesenchymal stem cells, and interact with other cell types. Currently, the importance of migratory Schwann cells in tissue regeneration is most evident in the case of a peripheral nerve transection injury. Following nerve transection, Schwann cells from both proximal and distal nerve stumps migrate into the nerve bridge and form Schwann cell cords to guide axon regeneration. The formation of Schwann cell cords in the nerve bridge is key to successful peripheral nerve repair following transection injury. In this review, we first examine nerve bridge formation and the behavior of Schwann cell migration in the nerve bridge, and then discuss how migrating Schwann cells direct regenerating axons into the distal nerve. We also review the current understanding of signals that could activate Schwann cell migration and signals that Schwann cells utilize to direct axon regeneration. Understanding the molecular mechanism of Schwann cell migration could potentially offer new therapeutic strategies for peripheral nerve repair.
Study of turbulent natural convection coupled with thermal radiation in a vertical cavity having a large form factor
Authors: Rahmoune Imène , Bougoul Saadi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this study, a numerical simulation study of turbulent natural convection coupled with thermal radiation in a vertical cavity differentially heated and filled with air assumed as a transparent fluid was carried out. The cavity has a variable form factor which can reach large values. The vertical walls are subjected to constant temperatures (Tc and Tf), whereas the horizontal walls are assumed adiabatic. The flow inside the cavity is turbulent and turbulence was modeled by using the model, and to take into account of the radiative transfer, the discrete ordinate model (DO) was introduced. To solve the different equations, Ansys‐Fluent software based on the finite volume method was used. Some numerical results obtained for the Rayleigh number value of 1011 have been validated by some existing results in the theory. It is found that the thermal radiation has a significant influence on the flow structure and temperature variation where the flow becomes reinforced. It accelerates the airflow inside the cavity and gives the formation of significant velocity and temperature gradients along the walls of the cavity. Taking into account of the surface, thermal radiation is essential in the correct evaluation of temperature in the cavity.
FRET Dyes Significantly Affect SAXS Intensities of Proteins
Authors: Reinartz Ines , Weiel Marie , Schug Alexander 
Published: July 2020

AbstractStructural analyses in biophysics aim at revealing a relationship between a molecule's dynamic structure and its physiological function. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) are complementary experimental approaches to this. Their concomitant application in combined studies has recently opened a lively debate on how to interpret FRET measurements in the light of SAXS data with the popular example of the radius of gyration, commonly derived from both FRET and SAXS. There still is a lack of understanding in how to mutually relate and interpret quantities equally obtained from FRET or SAXS, and to what extent FRET dyes affect SAXS intensities in combined applications. In the present work, we examine the interplay of FRET and SAXS from a computational simulation perspective. Molecular simulations are a valuable complement to experimental approaches and supply instructive information on dynamics. As FRET depends not only on the mutual separation but also on the relative orientations, the dynamics, and therefore also the shapes of the dyes, we utilize a novel method for simulating FRET‐dye‐labeled proteins to investigate these aspects in atomic detail. We perform structure‐based simulations of four different proteins with and without dyes in both folded and unfolded conformations. In‐silico derived radii of gyration are different with and without dyes and depend on the chosen dye pair. The dyes apparently influence the dynamics of unfolded systems. We find that FRET dyes attached to a protein have a significant impact on theoretical SAXS intensities calculated from simulated structures, especially for small proteins. Radii of gyration from FRET and SAXS deviate systematically, which points to further underlying mechanisms beyond prevalent explanation approaches.
Market discipline in South Asia: Evidence from commercial banking sector
Authors: Afzal Ayesha , Mirza Nawazish , Arshad Fatima 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe paper investigates the presence of market discipline in the banking sectors of India and Pakistan, using the CAMEL approach and the stringent calculations of liquidity and capital as per Basel II. It employs a fixed effects model to market discipline as reflected in the capital adequacy, asset quality profitability, management and liquidity of banks, with bank size and changes and GDP as control variables, for the years 2008 to 2017. The results show varying degrees of market discipline in both India and Pakistan, which manifest through different variables.
Relevance of size in predicting bank failures
Authors: Alzugaiby Basim , Gupta Jairaj , Mullineux Andrew , Ahmed Rizwan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractEmploying a statistical model‐building strategy, this study aims to analyse the United States' bank failures across different size categories (small, medium, and large). Our results suggest that factors associated with bank failures vary across respective size categories, and the average marginal effects (AMEs) of mutually significant covariates also exhibit significant variability across different size classes of banks. The results are robust to up‐to 3 years of lagged regression estimates, various control variables, interaction between bank size and bank charter, alternative bank size classifications, and macroeconomic crisis periods.
Is it safe to perform amnioinfusion in the presence of suspected intraamniotic infection?
Authors: Meyer Raanan , Rottenstreich Amihai , Tsur Abraham , Shai Daniel , Yoeli Rakefet , Levin Gabriel 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo study the effect of amnioinfusion in the presence of suspected intra‐amniotic infections (SII) on maternal outcomes among women delivering at term.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary medical center. All consecutive singleton term deliveries with SII during 2011–2019 were included. Cases where amnioinfusion was performed after the diagnosis of SII were compared to cases without amnioinfusion, matched by cervical dilation at diagnosis of SII. Maternal and obstetric adverse outcomes were compared.ResultsAfter matching for cervical dilation at diagnosis of SII, the study cohort included 786 women: 62 (7.9%) women in the amnioinfusion group and 724 (92.1%) in the control group. A composite of adverse maternal outcomes occurred in 106 (13.5%) deliveries. There were no significant differences in the rates of maternal adverse outcomes between the amnioinfusion and control groups (11.0% vs 13.7%, respectively; P=0.59), including postpartum endometritis (5.0% vs 3.3%, respectively; P=0.46) and febrile morbidity (10.0% vs 6.5%, respectively; P=0.42). Neonatal blood gas outcomes and Apgar scores did not differ between groups.ConclusionThe use of amnioinfusion for alleviating non‐reassuring fetal heart rate in the presence of SII is safe and does not increase the rate of maternal adverse outcome.
Role of PIWI‐interacting RNAs on cell survival: Proliferation, apoptosis, and cycle
Authors: Zeng Qian , Wan Hengquan , Zhao Simin , Xu Haiqiang , Tang Tingting , Oware Kwabena Agyare , Qu Shunlin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPIWI‐interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a kind of non‐coding small RNAs, which play a biological role by specifically binding to PIWI proteins. Studies have demonstrated that piRNAs play a significant role in germline cell growth by repressing transposable elements, especially in the regulation of DNA methylation. Recently increasing evidence revealed that piRNAs involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cycle; however, the mechanism of piRNAs is unclear. This review summarizes the research progress regarding the roles of piRNAs in the cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cycle.
Prevalence of dengue virus serotypes in the 2017 outbreak in Peshawar, KP, Pakistan
Authors: Khan Najeeb Ullah , Danish Lubna , Khan Hydayat Ullah , Shah Maryam , Ismail Muhammad , Ali Ijaz , Petruzziello Arnolfo , Sabatino Rocco , Guzzo Annunziata , Botti Gerardo , Iqbal Aqib 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundDengue is a viral disease, transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus female mosquitoes. Worldwide, 96 million infections were estimated in 2010. The dengue virus comprises four distinct serotypes (DENV‐1, DENV‐2, DENV‐3, and DENV‐4) which belong to the genus Flavivirus. Determining the serotypes during dengue outbreaks is crucial for its effective management in terms of diagnostics improvement and polyvalent vaccine development. The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence rate of dengue virus serotypes in the samples collected from patients during the 2017 outbreak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.MethodsA total of 800 ELISA‐positive samples were collected, of which 513 (290 males, 223 females) samples were confirmed positive by PCR.ResultsOut of 513, 25 were found serotype 1 (5%), 196 were serotype 2 (38%), 192 were serotype 3 (37%), 56 were serotype 4 (11%), and 44 (8%) were found to have mix serotypes.ConclusionWe can conclude that serotypes 2 and 3 of dengue virus were the predominated serotypes of dengue virus in the 2017 outbreak in Peshawar, capital city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Relationship of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism with sarcopenia and muscle traits based on propensity score matching
Authors: Yao Xuemei , Yang Lei , Li Meiyan , Xiao Hui 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundVitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism is reported to be associated with muscle mass and muscle strength. Loss of skeletal muscle mass and decreased muscle strength are the main characteristics of sarcopenia. In this study, the relationship of VDR gene polymorphism with muscle traits (muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance) and sarcopenia were studied in Xinjiang, China.MethodsTotally, 205 sarcopenia patients were enrolled. Propensity score method was used to match control group. FokI and BsmI polymorphisms were genotyped using improved multiplex ligation detection reaction (iMLDR).ResultsFok1, but not Bsm1, polymorphism was significantly associated with sarcopenia. Patients with Fok1 GG genotype were more likely to have sarcopenia. Both Bsm1 and Fok1 polymorphism were related to muscle traits. Patients with Bsm1 CT genotype had lower gait speed (GS) but higher skeletal mass index. Patients with Fok1 GG genotype had lower GS, and female subjects with the Fok1 GG genotype had lower handgrip strength (HS). GS was decreased in Bsm1 CT genotype than CC carriers. HS and GS were decreased in Fok1 GG genotype than AA carriers.ConclusionFok1, but not Bsm1, polymorphism is associated with sarcopenia. Both Bsm1 and Fok1 polymorphism affect both HS and GS.
Determinants of depression in women with chronic disease: Evidence from a sample of poor loan takers from Pakistan
Authors: Jafree Sara Rizvi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDepression is one of the most common mental health problems in Pakistani women, with prevalence rates estimated to be above 30%. Identification of the determinants of depression in chronically ill, poor, and debt‐ridden women of the country is a neglected area. A quantitative survey using standardized tools was used to sample women from across Pakistan. It was found that women had higher odds of depression when they (a) perceived unfavorable self‐health, (b) had less health decision‐making power, (c) encountered difficulties in healthcare services, and (d) faced food insecurity. Key reforms are recommended to improve state protection policies, mental healthcare services, and cultural support for disadvantaged women in the country.