bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Association Between Anemia of Chronic Inflammation and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
Authors: Andreev Alexander , Erdinc Burak , Shivaraj Kiran , Schmutz Julia , Levochkina Olga , Bhowmik Dhrity , Farag Fady , Money Kelli M. , Primavera Louis H. , Gotlieb Vladimir , Sahni Sonu 
Published: September 2020

Background: Dementia is a spectrum of neurological diseases characterized by memory impairment and cognitive decline with the pathogenesis and effective management remaining elusive. Several studies have identified a correlation between anemia and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD); however, anemia subtypes and association with ADRD have yet to be studied conclusively. Objective: To study an association between ADRD and anemia of chronic inflammation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study of the patients, diagnosed with ADRD at Brookdale Hospital. Pair-wise comparisons between means of controls and cases in terms of iron studies and laboratory results were performed using a Mann–Whitney U test. Pair-wise comparisons between anemia subgroups (moderate and severe) were performed using a Two Sample proportion Z-Test, where for each couple of normally distributed population. Results: There was a total of 4,517 (1,274 ADRD group; 3,243 Control group) patients. There was significant difference in hemoglobin 10.15 versus 11.04 [ p-value <0.001]. Iron studies showed a significant difference in ferritin 395±488.18 versus 263±1023.4 [ p < 0.001], total iron binding capacity 225±84.08 versus 266±82.30 [ p < 0.001] and serum iron level 64±39.34 versus 53±41.83 [ p < 0.001]. Folic acid and vitamin B12 levels were normal in both groups. Severe and moderate anemia in the ADRD group were respectively 6.2% [95% CI: 4.2–8.4] and 13% [95% CI: 9.8–16.2] higher. Overall, incidence of moderate-to-severe anemia was found to be 19% higher in ADRD group [95% CI: 15.8–22.1]. Conclusion: We demonstrated an association between ADRD and anemia of chronic inflammation independent of age, renal function, and HgbA1C levels.
Immune-Related Hub Genes and the Competitive Endogenous RNA Network in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Xu Hui , Jia Jianping 
Published: September 2020

Background: The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves various immune-related phenomena; however, the mechanisms underlying these immune phenomena and the potential hub genes involved therein are unclear. An understanding of AD-related immune hub genes and regulatory mechanisms would help develop new immunotherapeutic targets. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the hub genes and the mechanisms underlying the regulation of competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in immune-related phenomena in AD pathogenesis. Methods: We used the GSE48350 data set from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and identified AD immune-related differentially expressed RNAs (DERNAs). We constructed protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks for differentially expressed mRNAs and determined the degree for screening hub genes. By determining Pearson’s correlation coefficient and using StarBase, DIANA-LncBase, and Human MicroRNA Disease Database (HMDD), the AD immune-related ceRNA network was generated. Furthermore, we assessed the upregulated and downregulated ceRNA subnetworks to identify key lncRNAs. Results: In total, 552 AD immune-related DERNAs were obtained. Twenty hub genes, including PIK3R1, B2M, HLA-DPB1, HLA-DQB1, PIK3CA, APP, CDC42, PPBP, C3AR1, HRAS, PTAFR, RAB37, FYN, PSMD1, ACTR10, HLA-E, ARRB2, GGH, ALDOA, and VAMP2 were identified on PPI network analysis. Furthermore, upon microRNAs (miRNAs) inhibition, we identified LINC00836 and DCTN1-AS1 as key lncRNAs regulating the aforementioned hub genes. Conclusion: AD-related immune hub genes include B2M, FYN, PIK3R1, and PIK3CA, and lncRNAs LINC00836 and DCTN1-AS1 potentially contribute to AD immune-related phenomena by regulating AD-related hub genes.
Real-World Treatment Patterns and Characteristics Among Patients with Agitation and Dementia in the United States: Findings from a Large, Observational, Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Aigbogun Myrlene Sanon , Cloutier Martin , Gauthier-Loiselle Marjolaine , Guerin Annie , Ladouceur Martin , Baker Ross A. , Grundman Michael , Duffy Ruth A. , Hartry Ann , Gwin Keva , Fillit Howard 
Published: September 2020

Background: Few studies have examined patient characteristics and treatment patterns among patients with dementia and agitation in the United States (US). Objective: To examine real-world treatment patterns and characteristics of patients with agitation related to dementia who were treated with antipsychotics in US residential care and community-based settings. Methods: This retrospective chart review collected US physician-level data from patients 55 to 90 years old initiated on an antipsychotic medication for the treatment of agitation related to dementia from January 2018 to May 2018. Clinical characteristics and treatment patterns were assessed overall and stratified by residential care and community-based settings. Results: A total of 313 participating physicians, 59.5% of whom were primary care physicians, abstracted 801 patient charts (residential care: n = 312; community-based: n = 489). Of patients with agitation who were initiated on an antipsychotic, most patients (74.5%) were initiated within 3 months of the onset of their studied agitation episode, and 62.8% experienced multiple agitation episodes before initiation. While non-pharmacological therapies are recommended first-line approach for agitation in dementia, use of non-pharmacological therapy before initiation of antipsychotics was reported for only 37.8% of patients in residential care and 21.3% in community-based settings. Conclusion: Most patients were initiated on an antipsychotic treatment after multiple episodes of agitation and largely without initial non-pharmacological therapy, suggesting that current treatment guideline recommendations for first-line non-pharmacological intervention may not be adequately followed in clinical practice. Understanding the clinical burden and treatment patterns among dementia patients with agitation is imperative for effective disease management.
Traumatic Injury Reduces Amyloid Plaque Burden in the Transgenic 5xFAD Alzheimer’s Mouse Spinal Cord
Authors: Chu Tak-Ho , Cummins Karen , Stys Peter K. 
Published: September 2020

Background: Axonal injury has been implicated in the development of amyloid-β in experimental brain injuries and clinical cases. The anatomy of the spinal cord provides a tractable model for examining the effects of trauma on amyloid deposition. Objective: Our goal was to examine the effects of axonal injury on plaque formation and clearance using wild type and 5xFAD transgenic Alzheimer’s disease mice. Methods: We contused the spinal cord at the T12 spinal level at 10 weeks, an age at which no amyloid plaques spontaneously accumulate in 5xFAD mice. We then explored plaque clearance by impacting spinal cords in 27-week-old 5xFAD mice where amyloid deposition is already well established. We also examined the cellular expression of one of the most prominent amyloid-β degradation enzymes, neprilysin, at the lesion site. Results: No plaques were found in wild type animals at any time points examined. Injury in 5xFAD prevented plaque deposition rostral and caudal to the lesion when the cords were examined at 2 and 4 months after the impact, whereas age-matched naïve 5xFAD mice showed extensive amyloid plaque deposition. A massive reduction in the number of plaques around the lesion was found as early as 7 days after the impact, preceded by neprilysin upregulation in astrocytes at 3 days after injury. At 7 days after injury, the majority of amyloid was found inside microglia/macrophages. Conclusion: These observations suggest that the efficient amyloid clearance after injury in the cord may be driven by the orchestrated efforts of astroglial and immune cells.
Cognitive Impairment and Associated Factors in Rural Elderly in North China
Authors: Wang Jing , Xiao Lily Dongxia , Wang Kai , Luo Yan , Li Xiaomei 
Published: September 2020

Background: China has the largest population living with dementia globally and urban-rural differences are significant in prevalence, risk factors, and health resources. Epidemiologic studies on cognitive impairment in rural areas are limited in China and other low- and middle-income countries. Objective: This study investigated cognitive impairment and associated factors in rural elderly aged 65 years and over in China. Methods: In total, 1,250 participants from ten villages in North China were recruited from June to September, 2017. Face-to-face structured interviews were conducted for data collection. The interviews included socio-demographic information, health status, and psychological assessments. Cognitive function was assessed using the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. A multivariate logistic regression model with backward method was employed to identify factors associated with cognitive impairment. Results: The positive rate of cognitive impairment among rural Chinese elderly aged 65 years and older was 42.9% (95% CI, 40.1–45.6). No significant differences were found in cognitive impairment by age or gender before the age of 75 years. Older age, lack of formal school education, reliance on the basic living allowance as the only income source, poor hearing and vision function, diabetes, and activities of daily living dependence were associated with higher rate of cognitive impairment, while tea consumption and fatty liver disease were associated with lower cognitive impairment rate. Conclusion: A very high percentage of rural elderly in China had cognitive impairment. Education programs and prevention interventions targeting modifiable risk factors among high-risk populations should be developed through collective efforts involving all stakeholders.
Increased Cerebrospinal Fluid Concentration of ZnT3 Is Associated with Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Enache Daniela , Pereira Joana B. , Jelic Vesna , Winblad Bengt , Nilsson Per , Aarsland Dag , Bereczki Erika 
Published: September 2020

Background: Cognitive deficits arising in the course of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and Parkinson’s disease with dementia (PDD) are directly linked to synaptic loss. Postmortem studies suggest that zinc transporter protein 3 (ZnT3), AMPA glutamate receptor 3 (GluA3), and Dynamin1 are associated with cognitive decline in AD and Lewy body dementia patients. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of ZnT3, GluA3, and Dynamin 1 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with dementia due to AD, DLB, and PDD compared to cognitively normal subjective cognitive decline (SCD) patients in a retrospective study. In addition, we assessed the relationship between synaptic markers and age, sex, cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms as well as CSF amyloid, phosphorylated tau (p-tau), and total tau (T-tau). Methods: Commercially available ELISA immunoassay was used to measure the levels of proteins in a total of 97 CSF samples from AD (N = 24), PDD (N = 18), DLB (N = 27), and SCD (N = 28) patients. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results: We found a significant increase in the concentrations of ZnT3, GluA3, and Dynamin1 in AD ( p = 0.002) and of ZnT3 and Dynamin 1 in DLB ( p = 0.001, p = 0.002) when compared to SCD patients. Changes in ZnT3 concentrations correlated with MMSE scores in AD ( p = 0.011), and with depressive symptoms in SCD ( p = 0.041). Conclusion: We found alteration of CSF levels of synaptic proteins in AD, PDD, and DLB. Our results reveal distinct changes in CSF concentrations of ZnT3 that could reflect cognitive impairment in AD with implications for future prognostic and diagnostic marker development.
Scanning induction thermography for subsurface defect orientation detection and depth quantification
Authors: Xia Hui , Li Erlong , Wu Jianbo , Qiu Qiao , Wang Jie , Luo Jiqing , He Sha 
Published: September 2020

Pulsed eddy current thermography (PECT) and eddy current lock-in thermography (ECLIT) are non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques of high promising and interest in subsurface defect detection. In the previous researches, the induction coil was set above the defect region and it always parallel to the defect orientation. However, the location and orientation of subsurface defects cannot be determined before detection. Therefore, the scanning induction thermography (SIT) based on dynamic thermography is proposed by some researchers to localize and distinguish the subsurface defects. Still, the main challenges of SIT are how to detect the subsurface defect orientation and quantify the depth. So that, the quantitative analysis in SIT with the new feature extraction methods was investigated and improved to detect the subsurface defect orientation and quantify the defect depth within 5 mm by using experimental studies.
Assessing the clinical significance of echocardiograms in determining treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in neonates
Authors: Youssef D. , Flores M.N. , Ebrahim E. , Eshak K. , Westerink J. , Chaudhuri D. , Balakrishnan N. , Mukerji A. , Mondal T. 
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the utility of echocardiogram (ECHO) in detection and treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and hemodynamically significant PDA (hsPDA) in preterm neonates. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study of all preterm infants born or admitted to the level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in McMaster Children’s Hospital from January 2009 to January 2013. These cases were further classified into the following sub-groups: group A) hsPDA confirmed on ECHO; and the control, group B) PDA (but not hemodynamically significant) confirmed on ECHO. Patients without an ECHO were excluded from all analyses. The primary outcome was incidence of treatment for PDA. RESULTS: PDA treatment was administered in 83.3% and 11.2% of patients in groups A and B respectively ( P < 0.05). Among patients with a hsPDA within group A, 17% did not receive treatment, while 11% of patients with non-hemodynamically significant PDA received treatment for the PDA. Within the cohort of patients who received treatment for a hsPDA, gestational age below 35 weeks as well as murmurs heard on auscultation were both found to be predictors of treatment. CONCLUSION: While the ECHO remains the gold standard for detecting pathological PDA, there is evidence that other traditional clinical measures continue to guide clinical practice and treatment decisions. Further research is required to gain an understanding of how clinical measures and ECHO may be used in conjunction to optimize resource utilization.
Risk factors for postoperative hyperglycemia in neonates
Authors: Bischoff Adrianne R. , Grass Beate , Fan Chun-Po Steve , Tomlinson Christopher , Lee Kyong-Soon 
Published: September 2020

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative hyperglycemia has been shown to be associated with higher morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. Data on risk factors for neonatal patients is limited. The objective of this study was to identify pre- and intraoperative risk factors associated with postoperative glucose in neonates. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of neonates after surgical procedures between January and December 2016 in a quaternary neonatal intensive care unit. The primary outcome was hyperglycemia defined as serum glucose ≥8.3 mmol/L during the first 4 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included death and length of stay. We assessed the association of risk factors with the postoperative glucose. RESULTS: In total, 206 surgical procedures (171 patients) were evaluated, among which 178 had serum glucose values during the first 4 hours postoperatively available. The incidence of hyperglycemia was 54% ( n = 96). The median (IQR) glucose during the first 4 hours in NICU was 8.4 (6.52–10.65) mmol/L. Risk factors for postoperative hyperglycemia were intraoperative glucose infusion rate (GIR) and gestational age. There was a non-linear relationship between gestational age and postoperative hyperglycemia. Mortality occurred in 6 (7%) in the no-hyperglycemia group and 3 (3%) in the hyperglycemia group ( p = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Among the risk factors, intraoperative GIR was identified as a modifiable factor that can reduce postoperative hyperglycemia. A non-linear relationship of gestational age with postoperative glucose provides new insights that may help advance our understanding of the complex mechanisms of glucose homeostasis in neonates.
RDF graph validation using rule-based reasoning
Authors: De Meester Ben , Heyvaert Pieter , Arndt Dörthe , Dimou Anastasia , Verborgh Ruben 
Published: September 2020

The correct functioning of Semantic Web applications requires that given RDF graphs adhere to an expected shape. This shape depends on the RDF graph and the application’s supported entailments of that graph. During validation, RDF graphs are assessed against sets of constraints, and found violations help refining the RDF graphs. However, existing validation approaches cannot always explain the root causes of violations (inhibiting refinement), and cannot fully match the entailments supported during validation with those supported by the application. These approaches cannot accurately validate RDF graphs, or combine multiple systems, deteriorating the validator’s performance. In this paper, we present an alternative validation approach using rule-based reasoning, capable of fully customizing the used inferencing steps. We compare to existing approaches, and present a formal ground and practical implementation “Validatrr”, based on N3Logic and the EYE reasoner. Our approach – supporting an equivalent number of constraint types compared to the state of the art – better explains the root cause of the violations due to the reasoner’s generated logical proof, and returns an accurate number of violations due to the customizable inferencing rule set. Performance evaluation shows that Validatrr is performant for smaller datasets, and scales linearly w.r.t. the RDF graph size. The detailed root cause explanations can guide future validation report description specifications, and the fine-grained level of configuration can be employed to support different constraint languages. This foundation allows further research into handling recursion, validating RDF graphs based on their generation description, and providing automatic refinement suggestions.
Application of texture analysis based on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images in discriminating Gleason scores of prostate cancer
Authors: Pan Ruigen , Yang Xueli , Shu Zhenyu , Gu Yifeng , Weng Lihua , Jia Yuezhu , Feng Jianju 
Published: September 2020

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of texture analysis in magnetic resonance images for the evaluation of Gleason scores (GS) of prostate cancer. METHODS: Sixty-six prostate cancer patients are retrospective enrolled, which are divided into five groups namely, GS = 6, 3 + 4, 4 + 3, 8 and 9–10 according to postoperative pathological results. Extraction and analysis of texture features in T2-weighted MR imaging defined tumor region based on pathological specimen after operation are performed by texture software OmniKinetics. The values of texture are analyzed by single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Spearman correlation analysis is used to study the correlation between the value of texture and Gleason classification. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is then used to assess the ability of applying texture parameters to predict Gleason score of prostate cancer. RESULTS: Entropy value increases and energy value decreases as the elevation of Gleason score, both with statistical difference among five groups (F = 10.826, F = 2.796, P < 0.05). Energy value of group GS = 6 is significantly higher than that of groups GS = 8 and 9–10 ( P < 0.005), which is similar between three groups (GS = 3 + 4, 8 and 9–10). The entropy and energy values correlate with GS ( r = 0.767, r = –0.692, P < 0.05). Areas under ROC curves (AUC) of combination of entropy and energy are greater than that of using energy alone between groups GS = 6 and ≥7. Analogously, AUC of combination of entropy and energy are significantly higher than that of using entropy alone between groups GS≤3 + 4 and ≥4 + 3, as well as between groups GS≤4 + 3 and ≥8. CONCLUSION: Texture analysis on T2-weighted images of prostate cancer can evaluate Gleason score, especially using the combination of entropy and energy rendering better diagnostic efficiency.
Right to use mother language among the International Conventions and Iraqi Laws- Kurdish Language as a sample
Authors: Omar Saman Fawzi , Ismail Karwan Awrahman 
Published: September 2020

يتناول هذا البحث الموسوم ب(الحق في اللغة الأم بين المواثيق الدولية والقوانين العراقية- اللغة الكردية نموذجا) الحق في اللغة باعتباره أحد الحقوق الأساسية للانسان، وقد أكدت أكثرية المعاهدات والاعلانات الدولية بضرورة السماح بممارسة لغة الأمم والاعتراف به في القوانين الداخلية. ذلك لأن لغة الأم من العناصر الأساسية لبقاء وتقوية الشعوب والقوميات. ومن هنا حاولنا في بحثنا هذا أن نبين مكانة هذا الحق في المواثيق الدولية ومدى انعكاسه في القوانين العراقية، لكي نعرف هل ان هذا الحق في اللغة الأم قد نظم بصورة مطلوبة في القوانين العراقية، والى أي حد طبق النصوص القانونية على أرض الواقع.
The impact of events in the Middle East on the formation of the international system The Syrian War (2011-2019) as a model
Authors: Saeed Al Nasser Duraid , Rahim Luqman Hakim 
Published: September 2020

كان الشرق الأوسط وما زال. جزء رئيسي في تشكيل النظام الدولي. بسبب موقعها الجغرافي السياسي وأهميتها سياسيا واقتصاديا. ومنذ الحرب العالمية الثانية ، أصبح الشرق الأوسط مكانًا أساسيًا في النظام الدولي
والآن أصبحت الحرب الأهلية السورية حدثاً مهمًا للغاية في تأسيس نظام ما بعد القطب الواحد، فقامت الدراسة بإعادة تعريف موقع الشرق الأوسط في السياسات العالمية ، كما ناقشت التهديدات النابعة من حالة السيولة في الشرق الأوسط، واستشرفت الدراسة أن الشرق الأوسط يقف في لحظة فارقة، وكما يقول ريتشارد هاس نحن امام عصر التكويني الخامس من عصورالشرق الأوسط.