bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A spatially explicit analysis of chronic diseases in small areas: A case study of diabetes in Santiago, Chile
Authors: Crespo Ricardo , Alvarez Claudio , Hernandez Ignacio , Garcia Christian 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background There is a strong spatial correlation between demographics and chronic diseases in urban areas. Thus, most of the public policies aimed at improving prevention plans and optimizing the allocation of resources in health networks should be designed specifically for socioeconomic reality of the population. One way to tackle this challenge is by exploring the spatial patterns that link the sociodemographic attributes that characterize a community, its risk of suffering chronic diseases, and its accessibility to treatment at a small area geographical level. Due the inherent complexity of cities, advanced clustering methods are needed to find significant spatial patterns. Our main motivation is to provide stakeholders with valuable information to optimize the spatial distributions of health services and the provision of human resources. For the case study, we chose to investigate diabetes in Santiago, Chile. Methods To deal with spatiality, we used two advanced statistical techniques: spatial microsimulation and a self-organizing map (SOM). Spatial microsimulation allows spatial disaggregation of health indicators data to a small area level. In turn, SOM unlike classical clustering methods, incorporate a learning component through neural networks, which makes it more appropriate to model complex adaptive systems, such as cities. Thus, while spatial microsimulation generates the data for the analysis, the SOM method finds the relevant socio-economic clusters. As socioeconomic attributes for the clustering we selected age, sex, educational level and per capita income. We used public surveys as input data. Results Significant spatial patterns of people with low income, low educational level and high diabetes prevalence exhibit a lower density of public health services. This group of people comprises approximately the 62 percent of the whole population of the city and is located toward the periphery of the city. Conclusions Our approach allowed us to understand that the current criteria for locating the health network would be based primarily on population density and/or the number of people reported with diabetes and only, to a lower extent, on the ability of patients to cope with the disease from a sociodemographic perspective. We recommend that allocation of future health services and optimization of the current supply chain should take into account the location of the most vulnerable people. Keywords Chronic diseases, spatial microsimulation, self-organizing maps, supply chain optimization
Mining database for the clinical significance and prognostic value of ESRP1 in skin cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Wang Baihe , Kou Caixia , Sun Jianfang , Xu Xiulian 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background ESRP1 has been described as epithelium-specific splicing regulator involved in many tumors progression. However, the role of ESRP1 in skin cutaneous melanoma is unclear. In the present study, we explored the expression levels of ESRP1 in melanoma and its effect on prognosis and immune infiltration. Methods This study integrated the information from ONCOMINE, GEPIA and UALCAN databases. We explored the genes closely related to ESRP1 using LINKEDIMECS and further analyzed the target kinase, miRNA and transcription factors of ESRP1.GSEA software was used to analyze the changes of GO function enrichment and KEGG pathway after ESRP1 and its related 100 genes changes. Finally, TIMER was used to analyze the relationship between ESRP1 and tumor immune cell infiltration. Results The expression of ESRP1mRNA was significantly downregulated in SKCM patients in comparison with healthy control based on tumor stage and lymph node metastasis status. Low level of ESRP1 expression correlated with better overall survival. ESRP1 is specifically related to tumor-associated kinases CDK1, miRNA138, and transcription factors ETF. Functional network analysis demonstrated that ESRP1 is involved in the regulation of the condensed chromosome, epidermis development, translational initiation, ribosome, drug metabolism, and chemical carcinogenesis. Mechanistically, results suggested that ESRP1 might play an important role in regulating tumor-associated macrophages polarization, DCs infiltration, Treg cells and T cell exhaustion. Conclusion Our study demonstrates ESRP1 expression and its prognostic value and potential regulatory networks in SKCM, shedding light on the clinical significance of ESRP1 and providing a novel biomarker for determining prognosis and immune inﬁltration in SKCM.
KCTD15 Gene Expression Regulates Adipocyte Differentiation and Is Associated with Obesity in Humans
Authors: Xu Zihui , Xu Jing , Zhao Xu , Yang Ying , Zhang Kebin , Wang Min 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background It has been substantiated by Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that genetic disparity influences the fat levels and obesity risk in various populations. Objective A meta-analysis of 15 genome-wide association studies identified regularly-used obesity-related variables at eight gene loci, inclusive of FTO, MC4R, TMEM18, KCTD15, GNPDA2, SH2B1, MTCH2 and NEGR1. However, the expression profiles of eight obesity-related genes remain largely unknown. Design, Patients, Measurements Based on the fundamental propositions specified in the Declaration of Helsinki, adipose tissue specimens were collected from 23 obese and 16 normal weight subjects, and the expression profiles of eight obesity-related genes identified by GWAS were examined in these white adipose tissues (WAT). The effects of KCTD15 gene on adipocyte differentiation in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were assessed. Results Among those obesity-related genes identified by GWAS, SH2B1, FTO, TMEM18 and KCTD15 are expressed at lower level in WAT of obese subjects compared to normal weight subjects, while NEGR1 shows higher expression level in the obese subjects. No changes were detected for MTCH2, GNPDA2 and MC4R. The expression of KCTD15 was negatively correlated with Body mass index (BMI) and abdominal circumference. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of KCTD15 significantly suppressed cellular lipid accumulation during adipocyte differentiation. Conclusion This is the first study to identify the expression patterns of eight obesity-related genes bearing association with being obese in white adipose tissue of overweight people in China. Our study demonstrates that the expression of KCTD15 is associated with obesity in humans. Meanwhile, KCTD15 plays a critical role in the regulation of adipogenesis.
Ranibizumab prevents Müller cell edema by decreasing VEGF-A in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Wang Tianqin , Zhang Chaoyang , Xie Hai , Yi Qiuxue , Liu Dandan , Peng Qing , Li Weiye , Tian Haibin , Lu Lixia , Xu Jing-Ying , Xu Guo-Tong , Liu Lin , Zhang Jingfa 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most common cause of vision loss in patients with diabetic retinopathy. The efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy has been well demonstrated and become the standard of care in the management of DME. The present study is to explore the possible mechanism(s) of ranibizumab in protecting Müller cells from cellular edema in experimental diabetic retinopathy. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were rendered diabetes with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Intravitreal injection of ranibizumab was performed 8 weeks after diabetes onset. Four weeks later, the rats were killed and the retinas were harvested for examination. rMC-1 cells (rat Müller cell line) were treated with glyoxal for 24 hours, with or without ranibizumab. Cell viability was detected with CCK-8 assay. The expressions of inwardly rectifying K + channel 4.1 (Kir4.1), aquaporin 4 (AQP4), Dystrophin 71 (Dp71), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), glutamine synthetase (GS) and sodium-potassium-ATPase (Na + -K + -ATPase) were examined with Western blot. VEGF-A in the supernatant of cell culture was detected with ELISA. The intracellular potassium and sodium levels were detected with specific indicators. Results: Compared to the normal control, the protein expressions of Kir4.1, AQP4 and Dp71 were down-regulated significantly in diabetic rat retinas, which were prevented by ranibizumab. The above changes were recapitulated in vitro . As compared with the control, the intracellular potassium level in glyoxal-treated rMC-1 cells was increased, while the intracellular sodium level and Na + -K + -ATPase protein level remained unchanged. However, ranibizumab treatment increased Na + -K + -ATPase protein expression and decreased intracellular sodium, but not potassium level. Conclusion: Ranibizumab protected Müller cells from intracellular edema through up-regulation of Kir4.1, AQP4, and Dp71 by directly binding VEGF-A. It also increased the expression of Na + -K + -ATPase, contributing to reduction of the intracellular osmotic pressure.
Analyses of the relation between internal carotid artery siphon and non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy
Authors: fu zhiyong , Li Hongyang , Wang Yanling 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Purpose To compare the differences of internal carotid artery siphon(ICAS) and ophthalmic artery (OA) in patients with unilateral non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and age-matched controls.
A transcriptional landscape of 28 porcine tissues obtained by Super deepSAGE sequencing
Authors: Huang Tinghua , Yang Min , Dong Kaihui , Xu Mingjiang , Liu Jinhui , Chen Zhi , Zhu Shijia , Chen Wang , Yin Jun , Jin Kai , Deng Yu , Guan Zhou , Huang Xiali , Yang Jun , Han Rongxun , Yao Min 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Gene expression regulators identified in transcriptome profiling experiments may serve as ideal targets for genetic manipulations in farm animals. Results: In this study, we developed a gene expression profile of 76,000+ unique transcripts for 224 porcine samples from 28 tissues collected from 32 animals using Super deepSAGE technology. Excellent sequencing depth was achieved for each multiplexed library, and replicated samples from the same tissues clustered together, demonstrating the high quality of Super deepSAGE data. Comparison with previous research indicated that our results not only have good reproducibility but also have greatly extended the coverage of the sample types as well as the number of genes. Clustering analysis revealed ten groups of genes showing distinct expression patterns among these samples. Our analysis of over-represented binding motifs identified 41 regulators, and we demonstrated a potential application of this dataset in infectious diseases and immune biology research by identifying an LPS-dependent transcription factor, runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1), in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The selected genes are specifically responsible for the transcription of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK), and vav1 oncogene (VAV1), which belong to the T and B cell signaling pathways.Conclusions: The Super deepSAGE technology and tissue-differential expression profiles are valuable resources for investigating the porcine gene expression regulation. The identified RUNX1 target genes belong to the T and B cell signaling pathways, making them novel potential targets for the diagnosis and therapy of bacterial infections and other immune disorders.
Blood eosinophil levels and prognosis of hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Yu Songsong , Zhang Jie , Fang Qiuhong , Tong Zhaohui 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Studies about the clinical significance of high eosinophil levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are conflicting, and it has been less studied in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD).This study was to examine blood eosinophil levels in relation to the prognosis of hospitalized patients with AECOPD.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with AECOPD as their primary diagnosis and admitted to Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 2010 to December 2016. The patients were assigned according to the proportion and count of eosinophil in peripheral blood at their first hospitalization. Patients were grouped as ≤100, 100-300, and ≥300 eosinophils/µL of peripheral blood. The use of glucocorticoids, duration of hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, and re-hospitalization were examined.Results: Compared with the 100-300 eosinophils/µL group, the ≤100 eosinophils/µL group showed higher frequencies of fever, respiratory failure, and the use of systemic glucocorticoids. Eosinophil counts were not associated with in-hospital mortality and duration of hospitalization. The multivariable analysis showed that GOLD3/4 (odds ratio (OR)=2.04, 95%CI: 1.20-3.44, P=0.008), neutrophil count (OR=1.21, 95%CI: 1.03-1.41, P=0.019), systemic glucocorticoids (OR=1.84, 95%CI: 1.41-2.98, P=0.012), mechanical ventilation (OR=2.66, 95%CI: 1.36-5.18, P=0.004), and acute exacerbation in the past year before hospitalization (OR=2.03, 95%CI: 1.27-3.23, P=0.003) were independently associated with acute exacerbation within 1 year after discharge. Eosinophil count was not associated with acute exacerbation within 1 year after discharge.Conclusion: Peripheral blood eosinophil counts are not associated with the 1-year AECOPD prognosis.
Comparison of Effectiveness Using Different Dual Broncho- dilator Agents in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treatment
Authors: Cheng Shih-Lung 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe efficacy and safety of fixed dual long-acting bronchodilators for chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD) patients has been well established; however, there is a paucity of clinical effectiveness comparison in patients with COPD treatment. The aim of the current study was to compare the efficacy of three once daily dual bronchodilator agents in patients with COPD.MethodsPatients with diagnosed COPD and treated with a long-acting beta agonist (LABA) + long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) fixed-dose combination therapy (UME/VIL [umeclidinium and vilanterol inhalation powder], IND/GLY [indacaterol and glycopyrronium], and TIO/OLO [tiotoprium and olodaterol]) were enrolled in this retrospective study over a period of 12 months. Effectiveness assessments were evaluated using a COPD assessment test (CAT) and lung function parameters. Besides, times for acute exacerbation were also assessed.ResultsThe enrolled patients’ number was 77 in IND/GLY, 76 in UME/VIL and 83 in TIO/OLO. Lung function measurements with FEV1 had significantly improved for patients using TIO/OLO (98.7 ml) compared to those of IND/GLY (65.2 ml) and UMEC/VIL (64.4 ml) (p<0.001). CAT scores were also significantly decreased in patients treated with TIO/OLO (CAT down 5.6) than those with IND/GLY (3.8) and UMEC/VIL (3.9) (p=0.03). Acute exacerbation was also reduced in patients using TIO/OLO (4.8%) compared with those using IND/GLY (10.4%) and UMEC/VIL (10.5%) (p=0.01).ConclusionSignificant improvement in pulmonary function, symptoms were demonstrated after 12 months of LABA+LAMA fixed-dose combination therapy with 3 different treatment options. TIO/OLO demonstrated higher therapeutic effects compared with UME/VIL or IND/GLY. Determining clinical relevance will require a well-designed randomized controlled trial.Key Words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dual bronchodilator, LABA/LAMA
How does Multimorbidity affect Middle-Aged Adults? A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Singapore Primary Healthcare Setting.
Authors: Sim Sai Zhen - , Koh Hui Li , Lee Sabrina Poay Sian , Young Doris Yee Ling , Lee Eng Sing 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background Multimorbidity is of increasing prevalence and importance. It has been associated with poorer health-related quality of life (HrQoL) especially in the elderly population. Despite substantial multimorbidity at midlife, defined as those between 40-64 years old, there is a paucity of research investigating the impact of multimorbidity in this population. This study aimed to investigate the association between multimorbidity and HrQoL in the middle-aged primary care population in Singapore. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 40-64 year old participants was conducted at a primary care centre in Singapore. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data regarding the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, chronic conditions, and HrQoL, as measured by the EuroQol 5 dimensions 3-levels questionnaire (EQ5D-3L). The associations between multimorbidity and the components of the EQ5D were assessed using multivariable regression analyses. Results The study included 297 participants, aged 40-64 years, of which 124 (42.7%) had multimorbidity. Participants with multimorbidity had lower mean EQ5D Utilities Index (UI) and mean Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores (UI = 0.804 ±0.251, VAS = 64.9 ±16.8) compared to those without multimorbidity (UI = 0.871 ±0.198, VAS = 68.5 ±16.0). After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, those with multimorbidity had significantly lower EQ5D UI, (β-coefficient = -0.064 (C.I -0.125, -0.003), p = 0.04), but not significantly lower EQ5D VAS, (β-coefficient = -0.045 (C.I 0.102, 0.012), p = 0.12). Additionally, participants with multimorbidity had higher odds (OR = 2.41, p = 0.01) of reporting problems due to pain/discomfort. Conclusion Multimorbidity was not significantly associated with the overall health state, as measured by the EQ5D VAS, in middle-aged primary care patients. However, it was associated with the EQ5D UI which is a composite measure of five specific domains of HrQoL. Specifically, there was a significant association between multimorbidity and the pain domain. Further studies are required to understand the relationship between multimorbidity and pain to enable physicians to better manage pain and HrQoL in this population.
Self-financing for Conservation Based on Global Experiences – Case Study Preserving the Architectural Heritage of Historical Tripoli, Lebanon
Authors: El-Daghar Khaled 
Published: February 2020

Funding has always been important for the continuity of any conservation project and the achievement of the desired results. Its impact is particularly evident in the projects regarding the heritage domains; it clearly shows the importance of having multiple participating bodies/entities and diverse self-funding sources without relying solely on governmental agencies or governmental funding, particularly in the developing countries where there is a clear deficiency in the countries' potential ability to meet the developmental needs of these heritage areas. The study aims to illustrate the relationship between continuity of financing operations and the sustainability of conservation projects. Financing and its efficiency equally affect all the phases of the project: the pre-implementation stage, the implementation stage, and the post-implementation/operation stage (maintenance and follow-up). This is due to the fact that financing operations do not only affect the possibility of implementing a project, but also affect the quality level of the preservation, whereby buildings lose their values both tangible and intangible. This is due to the inaccuracy of studies, lack of precise equipment for work or lack of analyzing the different possibilities that might lead to the destruction or damage of buildings. In this context, light will be shed on different cases and models of global conservation projects in several countries by investigating and analysing its financial aspects to establish the different circumstances surrounding each project, such as goals and stages, and identifying the positive and negative points of each project. This will be done through several axes, legal, managerial, financial, and popular participation, the most important of which is the self-financing aspect. Each case will be discussed and evaluated separately at the level of the building, urbanization and society as an integrated system to demonstrate their characteristics, namely successful architecture, historical gatherings, and surrounding community life. The paper proposes some methods for dealing with historic buildings as part of the urban and architectural heritage, where the legal, managerial, financial and community participation, especially the self-financing level, are considered in order to conserve these buildings.
Chemical modification of carbon particles to enhance the electrosorption of capacitive deionization process
Authors: Dou Chen , Zhai Shengyong , Liu Yiyang , Chen Peng , Yin Di , Huang Guangtuan , Zhang Lehua 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Activated carbon particle electrodes modified by oxygen or nitrogen groups could be promising electrode candidates for capacitive deionization (CDI) processes. In this work, activated carbon particle electrodes were modified by phosphoric acid, nitric acid, urea, melamine, and zinc chloride to enhance desalination of an aqueous electrolytic solution. The modified activated carbon particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements and electrochemical scanning. The electrodes with oxygen or nitrogen groups on the surface exhibited a much higher desalination capacity and charge efficiency than those without any surface modification. Particularly, the activated carbon particle electrode modified by phosphoric acid exhibited a desalination capacity of 15.52 mg/g at 1.4 V in 500 mg/L NaCl solution, which was approximately eight times that of the unmodified electrode (2.46 mg/g). The enhancement was attributed to a higher specific capacitance, a lower electrochemical impedance and an increase in oxygen or nitrogen-containing groups on the surface.
Teologia pedagogiczna Heleny Słotwińskiej
Authors: Nalaskowski Aleksander 
Published: February 2020

Recenzja książki: H. Słotwińska. (2019). Wychowanie chrześcijańskie szansą integralnego rozwoju człowieka. Studium z pedagogiki religii. Kraków: Oficyna Wydawnicza „Impuls”, 626 s.
Ethical and Moral Arguments. Insights into a Validation Study of the ETiK-Test
Authors: Ritzer Georg 
Published: February 2020

Prezentowany artykuł dotyczy wzorców etyczno-moralnych uobecniających się w argumentacjach uczniów wypełniających test ETiK. Główne pytanie dotyczy tego, czy odpowiedzi uczniów korelują z teoretycznymi rozważaniami konstruktorów tego testu. Jak wiadomo, test ETiK ma umożliwiać mierzenie kompetencji etyczno-moralnych uczniów na podstawie wiedzy etycznej uzyskanej przez nich na lekcjach etyki. Najpierw omówiono teoretyczną koncepcję testu ETiK. Następnie autor przedstawia empiryczną metodę jakościową, którą zastosował w badaniu walidacyjnym. Na dwóch przykładach wyjaśnia procedurę badawczą. Po czym dokonuje przeglądu sposobów uzasadniania i form argumentacyjnych zastosowanych przez uczniów w odpowiedziach. W badaniu wykazano, że główne założenia teoretyczne przyświecające twórcom testu ETiK odzwierciedlają się w przemyśliwaniach uczniów. Dla niektórych jednak form argumentacyjnych nie da się wskazać odpowiedników w koncepcji testu. Wskutek tego może się zdarzyć, że nieprawidłowe rozumowania moralne mogą być źródłem poprawnych odpowiedzi testowych i vice versa– prawidłowe rozumowania błędnych odpowiedzi.