bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Features, Radiological Profiles, Pathological Features and Surgical Outcomes of Pituicytomas: A Report of 16 Cases and a Pooled Analysis of Individual Patient Data
Authors: Cheng Jianhua , Nie Ding , Li Bin , Gui SongBai , Li ChuZhong , Zhang YaZhuo , Cavallo Luigi Maria , Zhao Peng 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Pituicytomas are rare neurogenic tumors of the sellar region.The diagnosis and treatment of pituicytoma needs to be further elucidated.Patients and Methods: This research included 16 patients with pituicytomas that were pathologically diagnosed in Tiantan Hospital from 2012 to 2019. And 68 other previously published cases of pituicytoma to analyze the predictive factors of the results.Results: Our cohort included 7 males (43.75%) and 9 females (56.25%), with a mean age of 49 years. The tumor was located in the suprasellar in 7 cases (43.75%), intrasellar in 6 cases (37.5%), and intrasellar-suprasellar mixed in 3 cases (18.75%). All patients were misdiagnosed with other common tumors in the sellar region before the operation. During the operation, gross total resection (GTR) of the tumor was achieved in 9 cases (56.25%) and subtotal resection (STR) in 7 cases (43.75%). The mean progression-free survival time (PFS) was 34.63 months. Tumor progression after surgical resection occurred in 5 patients (31.25%). Among them, 57.14% of the patients with STR had progression, while 11.11% of the patients with GTR had progression. Combined with 68 cases in the literature, it was found that GTR was an independent risk factor for PFS(P<0.05). Conclusions: Pituicytomas are more common in middle-aged people and the suprasellar region. The clinical manifestations of pituicytomas are different, there are no diagnostic clinical features, and its blood supply is abnormally abundant. Currently, GTR is the best approach for the treatment of pituicytomas.
Effects of Yucca Shidigera Extract and Candida Utilis on Growth Performance and Intestinal Health of Weaned Piglets
Authors: Yang Zhenguo , Wang Yao , He Tianle , Gifty Ziema Bumbie , Sun Zhihong , Sun Weizhong , Tang Zhiru 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BackgroundEconomic benefit is an important goal pursued by animal husbandry industry. The emergence of antibiotics has promoted the development of animal husbandry, but many problems caused by the abuse of antibiotics have caused concerns about the use of antibiotics from all walks of life. Therefore, it is imperative to find alternatives to antibiotics. A large number of studies have shown that plant extracts and probiotics have certain potential in improving animal growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immune function. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of Yucca Shidigera Extract (YSE) and Candida Utilis (CU) on weaned piglets. We compared and evaluated the effects of YSE and CU on weaned piglets from the aspects of growth performance, immunity, antioxidant function, ileal morphology and microflora changes. Forty 28-day-old healthy weaned piglets (Rongchang pig×Landrace×Large white) were randomly divided into 4 treatments: (1) control group (CON); (2) CU; (3) YSE; (4) CU+YSE. ResultsOur results showed that YSE and CU improved the growth performance by significantly increasing final weight, average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05), and there is decreasing trend of feed/gain ratio (P=0.087). The effect of adding YSE or CU alone on growth performance had little difference, and the effect of oral CU was slightly better than that of adding YSE. At the same time, the combination of YSE and CU had a good effect on reducing the diarrhea rate. In addition, both YSE and CU increased the diversity of cecal microflora, and CU increased the diversity more significantly, but did not change the dominant microflora of cecum. We also found that the addition of YSE and CU could maintain the structural integrity of intestinal tissue and regulate intestinal pH, to maintain the level of intestinal-associated immune proteins. At the same time, YSE and CU have certain benefits in regulating intestinal flora. ConclusionYSE and CU can improve the growth performance, reduce the diarrhea rate, improve intestinal health, and increase the diversity and abundance of cecal microflora in weaned piglets. Therefore, they are expected to be used as probiotics in the production of weaned piglets.
Human iPSC-derived Astrocytes Transplanted into the Mouse Brain Display three Morphological Responses to Amyloid-β Plaques
Authors: Preman Pranav , TCW Julia , Calafate Sara , Snellinx An , Alfonso-Triguero Maria , Corthout Nikky , Munck Sebastian , Thal Dietmar Rudolf , Goate Alison , Destrooper Bart , Arranz Amaia M 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Increasing evidence for a direct contribution of astrocytes to neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes causing Alzheimer’s disease comes from molecular studies in rodent models. However, these models may not fully recapitulate human disease as human and rodent astrocytes differ considerably in morphology, functionality, and gene expression. Methods: To address these challenges, we established an approach to study human astroglia within the context of the mouse brain by transplanting human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived glia progenitors into neonatal brains of immunodeficient mice. Results: Xenografted (hiPSC)-derived glia progenitors differentiate into astrocytes that integrate functionally within the mouse host brain and mature in a cell-autonomous way retaining human-specific morphologies, unique features and physiological properties. In Alzheimer´s chimeric brains, transplanted hiPSC-derived astrocytes respond to the presence of amyloid plaques with various morphological changes that seem independent of the APOE allelic background. Conclusion: In sum, this chimeric model has great potential to analyze the role of patient-derived and genetically modified astroglia in Alzheimer’s disease. Keywords: human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), astrocytes, chimeric mouse models, Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid plaques, APOE
Corneal Nerve Fiber Loss Relates to Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Che Ning-Ning , Jiang Qiu-Huan , Ding Guan-Xiao , Chen Si-Yuan , Zhao Zhen-Xiang , Li Xue , Malik Rayaz A , Ma Jian-Jun , Yang Hong-Qi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background Cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD) adversely influences quality of life. There is currently no available biomarker to predict cognitive decline in PD. PD involves both the central and peripheral nervous system and especially small fiber damage occurs in PD. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) has been used as a non-invasive tool for quantifying small nerve fibre damage in PD. The present study investigated whether corneal nerve measures were associated with cognitive function in PD. Methods Patients with PD were classified into those with normal cognitive function (PD-CN), mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), and dementia (PDD). Corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD) and corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) were quantified with CCM and compared with a control group.Results Sixty-five PD patients (44.62% male; mean age 64.60±6.95 years; mean disease duration 4.63±2.53 years) and 30 controls (53.33% male; mean age 62.43±6.16 years) were studied. CNFD was decreased and CNBD was increased in PD patients compared to controls ( P <0.05). CNFD decreased progressively with decline in cognitive function in PD patients. CNBD and CNBD/CNFD ratio was higher in PD-CN compared to controls but decreased with worsening cognitive function in PD-MCI and PDD patients. CNFD correlated with the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score ( r =0.683, P <0.0001), unified Parkinson disease rating scale (UPDRS)-part III ( r =-0.481, P <0.0001) and total UPDRS scores ( r =-0.401, P <0.0001) in PD patients. CNFD, CNBD, CNFL were lower and CNBD/CNFD ratio was higher with increasing Hoehn and Yahr stage. There was no correlation between CNFD and Levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) ( r =0.176, P =0.161). CNFD, CNBD and CNFL could discriminate between PD-MCI and PD-CN with an area under the curve (AUC) of 82.85%, 67.47%, and 78.74%, respectively. CNFD, CNBD and CNFL could discriminate between PDD and PD-CN with an AUC of 96.67%, 90.12% and 84.44%. A combination of all three CCM parameters further increased the AUC value. Conclusions PD patients show evidence of corneal nerve loss compared with controls and corneal nerve parameters are associated with the severity of cognitive and motor dysfunction in PD. CCM could serve as an objective in vivo ophthalmic imaging technique to assess neurodegeneration in PD.
Face-to-Face Intubation in Adults: A Comparison of Video Laryngoscopes Kingvision and Airtraq for Intubation in Morbidly Obese Patients – Series of Cases.
Authors: Nowak-Tim Justyna , Gaszynski Tomasz 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Backgroud: Traditional endotracheal intubation demands unlimited access to the patient and possibility to stand behind his head. However, in case of difficult conditions in emergency settings we can use an alternative method. Face-to-face intubation can be performed in patients in semi-erect position, prone position and in the situation of difficult access to the head. Method: After obtaining an approval from the Local Ethics Committee Nr RNN/62/20/KE and written informed consent from the patients, we performed 8 procedures of face-to-face intubations in 8 patients who were scheduled for planned operations, using Kingvision and Airtraq video laryngoscopes chosen in random way. Results: The intubation time was comparable between devices: 9.25 ±2.217 s vs 8 ±2.3 s (p=0.2322) in Kingvision and Airtraq videolaryngscopes respectively. Both devices appeared to deliver an optimal view of the larynx inlet and enable the operator to intubate with face-to-face method without any complications. Conclusions: There were no significant difference in effectiveness between Kingvision and Airtraq video laryngoscopes during face-to-face intubation. Utilisation of these devices allowed the anesthetist to stand in front of the patient during endotracheal intubation and ensured an excellent view of larynx entrance. We assume that in case of difficult access to the patient’s head or untypical position, the usage of examined video laryngoscopes, should be considered.
Association of Expression Levels of Clock Genes and Autophagy-Related Genes under Abnormal Light/Dark Cycle Stimulation in NAFLD Mice
Authors: Zhu Zhu , Wang Zhengyang , Qin Bo , Zhao Songfeng , Wang Huafei , He Lulu , Xie Jin , Qiu Long , Wang Yanran , Wang Li , Chen Bing , Liu Peipei , Liu Jinlin , Tian Xin 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Environmental disorders of the circadian rhythms can lead to metabolism-related diseases or exacerbate pathological conditions. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged with a growing occurrence. In the present study, we attempted to indicate whether circadian clock may influence lipid deposition and the expression levels of autophagy-related genes in liver of mice. Methods: High-fat diet and abnormal light/dark cycles were employed to induce a mouse model of NAFLD with circadian rhythm sleep disorder. Herein, liver samples were obtained at ZT0, ZT4, ZT8, ZT12, ZT16, and ZT20 time-point to detect the rhythmic expressions of circadian genes, autophagy-related genes, and Rev-erbα. Results: Abnormal exposure to light aggravated lipid deposition in liver of mice and exacerbated disorders related to 24-h expression levels of clock genes, autophagy-related genes, and Rev-erbα. Besides, Rev-erbα could transcriptionally control the expression levels of autophagy-related genes. Conclusions: The long-term high-fat diet combined with abnormal light/dark cycle stimulation aggravated the development of NAFLD and disturbed the expressions levels of autophagy-related genes. An abnormal circadian expression may lead to NAFLD aggression. Besides, the abnormal expression levels of clock genes may create an association between circadian rhythm sleep disorder and autophagy.
Non-HDL-C is more stable than LDL-C in assessing the percent attainment of non-fasting lipid for coronary heart disease patients
Authors: Guo Li-ling , Chen Yan-qiao , Lin Qiu-zhen , Tian Feng , Zhu Li-yuan , Xiang Qun-yan , Xu Jin , Wen Tie , Liu Ling 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to compare the percentage attainment of fasting and non-fasting LDL-C and non-HDL-C target levels in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients receiving short-term statin therapy.Methods: This study enrolled 397 inpatients with CHD. Of these, 197 patients took statins for < 1 month (m) or did not take any statin before admission (CHD1 group), while 204 patients took statins for ≥ 1 m before admission (CHD2 group). Blood lipid levels were measured at 0 h, 2 h, and 4 h after a daily breakfast.Results: Non-fasting LDL-C and non-HDL-C levels significantly decreased after a daily meal (P < 0.05). Both fasting and non-fasting LDL-C or non-HDL-C levels were significantly lower in the CHD2 group. The percentage attainment of LDL-C < 1.4 mmol/L at 2 h and 4 h after a daily breakfast was significantly higher than that during fasting (P < 0.05), but the percent attainment of non-fasting non-HDL-C < 2.2 mmol/L was close to its fasting value (P > 0.05). Analysis of c-statistic showed that non-fasting cut-off points for LDL-C and non-HDL-C were 1.19 mmol/L and 2.11 mmol/L, corresponding to their fasting goal levels of 1.4 mmol/L and 2.2 mmol/L, respectively. When postprandial LDL-C and non-HDL-C goal attainments were re-evaluated using non-fasting cut-off points, there were no significant differences in percentage attainment between fasting and non-fasting states.Conclusions: Non-HDL-C is more stable than LDL-C in assessing the percent attainment of non-fasting lipid for coronary heart disease patients. If we want to use LDL-C to assess the percent attainment of postprandial blood lipids, we may need to determine a lower non-fasting cut-off point.
Risk Factors of Malaria Events among Pregnant Women in East Sumba Regency, Indonesia
Authors: Agustine Uly , Endang Maria , Kale Era , Akoit Emilia 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
East Nusa Tengga (NTT) province is a malaria endemic area in Indonesia, according to API data (Annual Paracite Incidence) 2017; NTT province had highest cases of malaria at 5.76% per 1,000 populations. These morbidity rates include pregnant women. Data from the Health Service Office of East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT) in 2014, malaria reported cases were 13.69% per 1,000 population, in 2015, it decreased to 7.06% per 1,000 population, in 2016, it decreased to 5.78‰ per 1,000 population and in 2017, it decreased to 3.77‰ per 1,000 population. Malaria cases in East Sumba Regency in 2016 were 3964 cases, in 2017, there were 7621 cases and in 2018, there were 1649 cases and 23 cases of malaria in pregnant women. East Sumba has 22 districts, 11 of which had cases of pregnant women with 1.40% positive malaria. The overall objective was to explore possibilities of preventing malaria among pregnant women by testing the correlation among eight variables that are relevant among pregnant women. Analytical research with case control design approach has been used in this study which is an analytical study concerning how risk factors are studied using a retrospective approach. In can be concluded that from 12 variables factors, there are five variables that have a correlation with the incidence of malaria in pregnant women, namely malaria medicine, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, health workers, family support and infrastructure. Between these five factors, the health worker factor is the one that simultaneously influences the incidence of malaria in pregnant women.
Extension of Flow Behaviour and Damage Models for Cast Iron Alloys with Strain Rate Effect
Authors: Liu Chuang , Sun Dongzhi , Zhang Xianfeng , Andrieux Florence , Gerster Tobias 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Cast iron alloys with low production cost and quite good mechanical properties are widely used in the automotive industry. To study the mechanical behavior of a typical ductile cast iron (GJS-450) with nodular graphite, uni-axial quasi-static and dynamic tensile tests at strain rates of 10− 4, 1, 10, 100, and 250 s− 1 were carried out. In order to investigate the effects of stress state, specimens with various geometries were used in the experiments. Stress–strain curves and fracture strains of the GJS-450 alloy in the strain-rate range of 10− 4 to 250 s− 1 were obtained. A strain rate-dependent plastic flow law based on the Voce model is proposed to describe the mechanical behavior in the corresponding strain-rate range. The deformation behavior at various strain rates is observed and analyzed through simulations with the proposed strain rate-dependent constitutive model. The available damage model from Bai and Wierzbicki is extended to take the strain rate into account and calibrated based on the analysis of local fracture strains. The validity of the proposed constitutive model including the damage model was verified by the corresponding experimental results. The results show that the strain rate has obviously nonlinear effects on the yield stress and fracture strain of GJS-450 alloys. The predictions with the proposed constitutive model and damage models at various strain rates agree well with the experimental results, which illustrates that the rate-dependent flow rule and damage models can be used to describe the mechanical behavior of cast iron alloys at elevated strain rates.
Design of a Body-Powered Finger Prosthesis from Medical Images and Kinematic Analysis
Authors: Tasdemirci Cagatay , OZKAN Arif 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
With the advancement of technology, many prosthesis were developed to improve the life standard of a person who lost one or more limb. One of the most common limb loss is finger lose. Many finger prosthesis were developed to imitate the functionality of natural human fingers. But most of them are not personalised (does not fit perfectly to the user) and/or not easy to apply. Some finger prosthesis needs surgical operation to apply. The aim of this study is to design and manufacture accessible and sustainable finger prosthesis that is easy to apply and personalised. In this study, hand skeleton structure was modelled from computerized tomography images. Distal and middle phalanx bones were removed to show finger loss. Personalised finger prosthesis that fits perfectly to the user was designed on the hand skeleton structure. By using kinematic analysis, finger prosthesis movement capabilities are determined and general mathematic model was developed to be used in other patients. Before production, newly designed finger prosthesis movement was analysed and model was optimised with the result of the analysis. Finally, the gripping ability of the prosthesis that was produced and its similarity to the natural finger mechanical structure were confirmed by experiments and measurements.
Design of Linear Functional Noncircular Gear with High Contact Ratio Used in Continuously Variable Transmission
Authors: Hu Ya-Nan , Lin Chao , He Chun-Jiang , Yu Yong-Quan , Cai Zhi-Qin 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Continuously variable transmission (CVT) of noncircular gears has the technical advantages of large bearing capacity and high transmission efficiency. This paper focuses on the linear functional noncircular gear pair to realize continuously variable transmission. According to the required working section transmission ratio of noncircular gear pair, the transmission ratio function in the non-working section, was constructed by using polynomial, and then the influence of pitch curve parameters in working section on which in non-working section was also analyzed. Furthermore, the pitch curve of the linear functional noncircular gear pair, which are suitable for transmission, were obtained. In order to improve the stability and bearing capacity of gear transmission, the noncircular gear pair transmission with high contact ratio was designed, and an indirect method to verify the contact ratio by detecting the contact length error of tooth profile was proposed. The error was calculated by comparing the actual contact tooth profile length obtained from the rolling experiment with the accurate value of contact tooth profile length based on the principle of gear and the property of involute profile, and the noncircular gear transmission with high contact ratio was verified.
Delineating Patterns of Sexualized Substance use and its Association with Sexual and Mental Health Outcomes Among Young Gay, Bisexual and Queer Men in Singapore: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Tan Rayner Kay Jin , O’Hara Caitlin Alsandria , Koh Wee Ling , Le Daniel , Tan Avin , Tyler Adrian , Tan Calvin , Kwok Chronos , Banerjee Sumita , Wong Mee Lian 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YMSM) are vulnerable to the risks associated with sexualized substance use. This is a novel study in Singapore that aims to classify patterns of sexualized substance use among YMSM, and investigate its association with sexual and mental health outcomes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study among 570 YMSM aged 18 to 25 years old, latent class analysis (LCA) conducted to identify classes with similar patterns of sexualized substance use, across which measures of inconsistent condom use, recent STI diagnoses, past suicide ideation and depression severity were compared. Results: LCA revealed three classes of YMSM based on types of substances ever used in sexualized contexts, which we labelled as ‘substance-naïve’, ‘substance-novice’, and ‘chemsex’. Substance-naïve participants (n=404) had only ever used alcohol, while substance-novice participants (n=143) were primarily amyl nitrite users with a small proportion who reported using chemsex-related drugs. Chemsex partiipants (n=23) comprised individuals who had mostly used such drugs. Those in the chemsex group were more likely to report recent unprotected anal sex with casual partners, depression severity and a history of suicide ideation.Conclusions: Findings of this study highlight how the use of varying substances in sexualized contexts may be classified and characterized by different sexual and mental health outcomes. Health promotion efforts should be differentiated accordingly to address the risks associated with sexualized substance use among YMSM.