bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elective Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience from Taiwan
Authors: Salonga Darwin , Parmar Chetan , Hsin Ming-Che , Liu Chia-Chia , Chen Yen-Chou , Huang Chih-Kun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: This study review the impact of an evolving pandemic on our elective operations, the timely and necessary precautions made by our government and institution to prevent and contain its spread.Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all Elective Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery done at our center from 1st January to 30th April 2020 compared to the same time period last year. A summary of the pathway for patients presenting to the hospital and healthcare worker surveillance was done.Results: Total of 99 patients underwent elective operations from 1st January - 30th April 2020. There were 59 females and 40 males with an average BMI of 35.20 kg/m2 and 40.68 kg/m2 respectively. Compared from the same period last year with a total 117 patients, a decline of 18 elective operations (-15.38%) was noted. All patients were properly screened for COVID-19. There was no reported case of post-operative fever of unknown etiology and/or upper respiratory infections developing COVID-19. There were no reported mortality. No surgeons or any healthcare worker in our center reported with COVID-19. We continue to do and offer elective operations, offer online and telephone consultation and follow up.Conclusion: Elective operations do not need to be postponed if you have early mitigation measures of a pandemic spread, prompt implementation of protocols and strict adherence to these measures.
Open Stented Elephant Trunk for Complicated Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Tie Hongtao , Kong Lingwen , Tu Zhengjie , Zheng Delai , Chen Dan , Wu Qingchen , Li Qiang 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Open stented elephant trunk (SET) or SET with left subclavian artery to left common carotid artery bypass (LSCA-LCCA) is proven to a potentially alternative treatment for complex Stanford type B aortic dissection (TBAD). In the current study, we reported our experience with 10 consecutive patients who underwent open SET or with LSCA-LCCA bypass for patients.Methods: Patients with complicated TBAD underwent open SET for treatment from May 2016 to November 2018 in our institution were included. Patients’ clinical data were obtained from the electronic medical record system, and long-term clinical outcomes were collected by telephone interviews or outpatient interviews.Results: The average age of the 10 patients, including nine males and one female, was 47.3 (31–65) years. Increased D 2dimer and fibrinogen degradation products were observed in all patients at admission, and two patients had renal insufficiency. The average postoperative mechanical ventilation time, length of stay in intensive care unit and postoperative hospital length of stay were 46.9 (6.7-151.2) hours, 7.7 (4–17) days, and 15.7 (10–26) days. No postoperative death occurred. Acute kidney injury and other complications were observed, and they were all cured well when discharge. In long-term follow-up, computed tomography angiography indicated that aortas were completely well remodeled blood supply of the brachiocephalic trunks was normal without anastomotic complications, and all patients lived well.Conclusion: SET or SET with LSCA-LCCA bypass shows satisfactory clinical outcomes, and it could be considered as an alternative treatment. Well-designed, large-scale studies with long-term follow-up are still needed.
The role of lateral neck multi-level fine-needle aspiration in predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with cN1b papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Song Yuntao , Xu Guohui , Wang Tianxiao , Yu Hao , Zhang Bin 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective:To assess the accuracy of preoperative ultrasound (US)-guided multilevel fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in mapping metastatic levels in the lateral neck, and its potentiality as a predictor of superselective neck dissection.Methods: Patients with PTC metastasizing to the lateral neck who were initially treated at Peking University Cancer Hospital from June 2018 to January 2020 were included. FNA was performed preoperatively; cytological examination (FNA-C) and thyroglobulin measurement of the needle washout fluid (FNA-Tg) were combined to determine metastatic neck levels.Results: In total, 91 patients underwent 103 LNDs. The best cutoff value of FNA-Tg for the diagnosis of metastatic level was 1.0 ng/ml. In 52/103 (50.5%) cases, the involved levels diagnosed by FNA were consistent with that diagnosed by postoperative pathology. By univariate analysis, in patients with three or more positive levels diagnosed by FNA, the rate of level ⅡB and VB metastasis was significantly higher (P<0.05).Conclusion: Multilevel FNA has limited accuracy in predicting the extent of metastasis in the lateral neck of PTC patients. However, if three or more levels are positive in the preoperative FNA-C or FNA-Tg, the LND should encompass levels ⅡB and ⅤB.
Assessment of Cardiac Amyloidosis With 99MTC-pyrophosphate (PYP) Quantitative Spect
Authors: Ren Chao , Ren Jingyun , Tian Zhuang , Du Yanrong , Hao Zhixin , Zhang Zongyao , Fang Wei , Li Fang , Zhang Shuyang , Hsu Bailing , Huo Li 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: 99mTc-PYP scintigraphy provides differential diagnosis of ATTR cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) from lightchain cardiac amyloidosis and other myocardial disorders without biopsy. This study was aimed to assess the diagnostic feasibility and the operator reproducibility of 99mTc-PYP quantitative SPECT.Method:Thirty-seven consecutive patients underwent a99mTc-PYP thorax planar scan followed by SPECT and CT scans to diagnose suspected ATTR-CM were enrolled. For the quantitative SPECT, phantom studies were initially performed to determine the image conversion factor (ICF) and partial volume correction (PVC) factor to recover 99mTc-PYP activity concentration in myocardium for calculating the standardized uptake value (SUV) (unit: g/ml). SUVmaxwas compared among groups of ATTR-CM, ALcardiac amyloidosisand other pathogens (Others), and among categories of Perugini visual scores (Grade: 0-3).The intra- and inter-operator reproducibility of quantitative SPECT was verified, and the corresponded repeatability coefficient (RPC) was calculated. Results: The ICF was 79,327 Bq/mlto convert count rate in pixelto 99mTc activity concentration. PVC factor as a function of the measured activity concentration ratio in myocardium and blood-pool was [y=1.424*(1-exp(-0.759*x))+0.104]. SUVmax of ATTR-CM (7.50±2.68) was significantly higher than those of AL (1.96±0.35) and Others (2.00±0.74) (all p<0.05).SUVmax of Grade 3 (8.95±1.89) and Grade 2 (4.71±0.23) were also significantly higher than those of Grade 1 (1.92±0.31) and Grade 0 (1.59±0.39) (all p <0.05). Correlation coefficient(R2) of SUVmaxreached 0.966 to 0.978 with only small systematic difference (intra=-0.14; inter=-0.23) between two repeated measurements. Intra- and inter-operator RPCs were 0.688and 0.877.Conclusions:99mTc-PYPquantitative SPECT is a reliable method to quantitatively and objectively assess the burden of cardiac amyloidosis for diagnosis of ATTR-CM.
Protective effects of Schisandrin C on chondrocyte damage by inhibiting MAPK and NF-κB signal pathways
Authors: Li Ruipeng 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disorder that affects the elderly population. The pathogenesis of OA is related to cartilage degradation and inflammatory response. Schisandrin C (Sch C), a dibenzocyclooctadiene derivative of Schisandra chinensis, has been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory effect in various inflammation diseases. However, the effect of Sch C on OA remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate its action on chondrocytes and explore the mechanism associated with the inflammatory response. Methods: In this study, we chose rabbits and SW1353 cells as in vivo/in vitro models. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP3), Nitric oxide (NO), IL-1β and TNF-α were detected by ELISA kits. The expression of MAPK/NF-κB related signaling molecules were determined by western blot. Results: In vitro, Sch C suppressed the IL-1β-induced production of NO and PGE2. Additionally, Sch C significantly decreased IL-1β-induced p65 phosphorylation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, as evidenced by the reduced phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK). Moreover, Sch C prevented cartilage damage in rabbit OA model with lower Mankin’s score than the model group. Sch C also inhibited the level of inflammatory cytokines in the articular cavity flushing fluid in rabbit OA model. Conclusions: Our study suggested that Sch C inhibited the IL-1β-induced inflammation and cartilage degradation through suppressing the MAPK and NF-κB signal pathways, indicating a potential in OA treatment.
Effects of Brewers’ Spent Grain Protein Hydrolysates on Gas Production, Ruminal Fermentation Characteristics, Microbial Protein Synthesis and Microbial Community in an Artificial Rumen Fed a High Grain Diet
Authors: Ran Tao , Jin Long , Abeynayake Ranithri , Saleem Atef Moohanmed , Zhang Xiumin , Niu Dongyan , Chen Lingyun , Yang Wenzhu 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) contains 20 ~ 29% protein with high amount of glutamine, proline and hydrophobic and non-polar amino acid residues, making it an ideal material for producing value-added products like bioactive peptides. Protein were extracted from BSG, hydrolyzed with 1% alcalase and flavourzyme, and the generated protein hydrolysates (AlcH and FlaH) showed antioxidant activities. This study was conducted to evaluate effects of AlcH and FlaH on gas production, fermentation characteristics, nutrient disappearance, microbial protein synthesis and microbial community using an artificial rumen system (RUSITEC) fed a high-grain diet.Results: Supplementation of FlaH decreased (P < 0.01) disappearances of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and starch, without affecting fibre disappearances; while AlcH had no effect on nutrient disappearance. Neither AlcH nor FlaH affected gas production and VFA profiles, except they enhanced (P < 0.01) NH3-N but decreased (P < 0.01) H2 production. Supplementation of FlaH decreased (P < 0.01) percentage of CH4 in total gas and dCH4 in dissolved gas. Addition of monensin reduced (P < 0.01) nutrient disappearances, improved fermentation efficiency and reduced CH4 and H2 emission. Total microbial nitrogen production decreased (P < 0.05) but proportion of feed particle associated (FPA) bacteria increased with FlaH and monensin. Numbers of OTUs or Shannon diversity indices of FPA microbial community were unaffected by AlcH and FlaH; whereas both indices were reduced (P < 0.05) by monensin. Taxonomic analysis revealed no effect of AlcH and FlaH on the relative abundance (RA) of bacteria at phylum level; monensin reduced (P < 0.05) the RA of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and enhanced Proteobacteria. The FlaH enhanced (P < 0.05) the RA of genus Prevotella, reduced Selenomonas, Shuttleworthia, Bifidobacterium and Dialister as compared to control; monensin reduced (P < 0.05) RA of genus Prevotella but enhaced Succinivibrio.Conclusions: Inclusion of FlaH in high-grain diet may potentially protect CP and starch from ruminally degradation, without adversely affecting fibre degradation and VFA profiles. The FlaH also showed promising effects on reducing CH4 production by suppressing H2 generation. Protein enzymatic hydrolysates from BSG using flavourzyme showed potential application to high value-added bio-products.
MIR-141 is Negatively Correlated With TLR4 in Neonatal Sepsis and Regulates LPS-induced Inflammatory Responses in Monocytes
Authors: Lin Xinyu , Wang Yaohui 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Neonatal sepsis is an inflammatory system syndrome caused by bacteria or viruses, which is the main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. But currently there is a lack of an ideal biomarker to meet the standard. The abnormally expression of miRNAs may be a group of potential diagnostic biomarkers in neonatal sepsis.Methods: First, qRT-PCR was used to calculate the expression of miR-141 in the serum of neonatal with sepsis and control. The diagnostic value of PCT and serum miR-141 was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Second, the relationship between miR-141 and TLR4 was verified using luciferase report assay. An inflammation model was established using monocytes with the LPS treatment. Elisa analyzed the relationship between miR-141 and inflammatory factors.Results: qRT-PCR found that the expression of miR-141 in neonatal sepsis was significantly lower than healthy controls. ROC curve shows that miR-141 has high diagnostic accuracy. LPS stimulation in monocytes also led to a decrease in the expression of miR-141. Luciferase report assay proves that miR-141 can target and regulate TLR4 expression. ELISA proved that overexpression of miR-141 has the effect of inhibiting the LPS-induced inflammation in monocytes.Conclusion: In conclusion, miR-141 serves as a candidate diagnostic biomarker and is involved in the regulation of inflammatory response in the development of neonatal sepsis. Overexpression of miR-141 inhibits LPS-induced inflammation by targeting TLR4. Therefore, miR-141 is expected to be a potential diagnostic biomarker and a therapeutic target in neonatal sepsis.
Screening and Verification of Key Proteins in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Intervention of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Zhang Ying , Liu Jian , Jiang Hui , Wan Lei , Xin Ling 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to simultaneously and quantitatively assess the expression levels of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) proteins in serum, and explore the intervention mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine. Methods: The differences between patients and controls were investigated by Raybiotech cytokine antibody microarray. Differentially expressed proteins between two groups were then used to build receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. The subsequent validation with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was widened to a larger number of RA (n=40) and healthy controls (n=10).Changes of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), rheumatoid factors (RF) and anti-citrullinated peptide autoantibodies (anti-CCP) in patients were statistically analyzed. Results: Six proteins interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-5 (IL-5), interleukin-11 (IL-11), interleukin-17 (IL-17), tumor necrosis factor-β (TNF-β), cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen (CTLA)-4 were significantly up-regulated in RA compared with controls, while interleukin-8 (IL-8), programmed death-ligand 2 (PD-L2) and B7-2 were significantly down-regulated. ELISA was performed to verify the three proteins with the most significant differences, and the results consistent with the antibody chip results. The highest diagnostic accuracy using a ROC curve was observed for IL-11 with an area under the curve of 1.00. Further, after treatment, IL-11, IL-17 and PD-L2 levels regulated, and compared with the herbs group (TC), xinfeng capsule (XFC) combination with herbs (UC) more regulated. The association rule results showed that the combination of XFC with herbs significantly improved IL-11, IL-17, PD-L2 and hs-CRP. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of antibody arrays to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. IL-11, IL-17 and PD-L2 regulated by XFC combined with herbs.
Design a Haptic-Combined Virtual Reality System to Improve Box and Block Test (BBT) for Upper Extremity Function Assessment
Authors: Dong Ying , Liu Xiaoyu , Tang Min , Huo Hongqiang , Chen Duo , Wu Zhixin , An Ran , Fan Yubo 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The Box and Block Test (BBT) has been widely used to assess gross upper extremity (UE) motor function. We designed a haptic-combined virtual reality (VR) system, named VBBT, to improve BBT with kinematic parameters for more specific assessments.Methods: According to the block-transfer task in BBT, we designed a VBBT system with a haptic device to provide a sense of the grasping force and block's gravity during task performance for UE function assessment. Besides the number of transferred blocks (N-TB), some kinematic parameters were also collected in VBBT for more specific assessment, including the number of zero-crossings of moving acceleration (NZC-ACC), the number of zero-crossings of derivative of releasing force (NZC-DRF), the ratio of path length and linear length (PLR) and the distance between barrier partition and drop position (DDP). 16 post-stroke patients and 113 healthy subjects were recruited to examine quantitative performances, concurrent validity, test-retest reliability and subjective preference between the BBT and VBBT.Results: Based on the measurements of 95% healthy subjects, the normative ranges of quantitative performances were established for BBT and VBBT. Deficiencies in patients’ UE function could be identified when their measurements fell outsides. A moderate correlation was found in the N-TBs between the VBBT and BBT (r = 0.42). The measurements in VBBT presented a stronger age-related correlation than that in BBT (R2 = 0.57 and R2 = 0.16). The N-TBs in both BBT and VBBT were strongly correlated to the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) (|r| = 0.84 and 0.83), and the NZC-ACC and NZC-DRF in VBBT also showed significant correlations. (|r| = 0.76 and 0.79). The N-TB, NZC-ACC and NZC-DRF in VBBT showed a good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.75, 0.78 and 0.80) while a moderate reliability was found in BBT (ICC = 0.62). For the patient preference, VBBT was given a higher score than the BBT (p < 0.05) for its enjoyment and completion effort performing.Conclusion: The VBBT improved a gross manual assessment in BBT, which can provide clinically validated, reliable and motivative assessment with kinematic parameters for specific UE motor functions of post-stroke patients.
Dynamic Analysis of Bevel Gear System in Main Retarder
Authors: Wang Xinbo , Zhu Xuebin , Song Xiaobo , Wang Di , Liu Qing , Cheng Kaihua 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The main retarder of vehicle is gear rotor system, its vibration property is complex. The whole transfer matrix method is a new algorithm to study, relationship of the displacements and forces are established considering gyroscopic moment and coupling vibration. The meshing point between rotors is treated as coupling element, balance equations are estalished on deformation compatibility condition. The globe status vectors including forces and displacements of all shafts were integrated into a whole transfer matrix. So it can be programming and has high numerical stability and accuracy. The influence of the meshing effect on vibration of the system can be systematically studied. The status vectors such as displacements, deflection angles, torsion angles, shearing forces, bending moments and torques are no longer independent. The vibration property of the geared rotor system was calculated and analyzed. The numerical results revealed that many coupling critical rational speeds of the system are derived. vibration of main retarder can be improved.
Comparative Clinical Characteristics Among Different Age Group of Adult COVID-19 Patients
Authors: peng yating , Zhou Aiyuan , Liao Xin , Deng Dingding , Huang Peng , Liu Wenlong , Jiang Mingyan , Xiang Xudong , Shuang Qingcui , Cai Shan , Chen Ping , Liao Xucai 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global infectious disease with a large burden of illness and high healthcare costs.Objectives: This study aimed to compare clinical features among adult COVID-19 patients in different age groups.Methods: Laboratory-confirmed adult COVID-19 infection cases between Dec 31, 2019 to March 8, 2020obtained from Neighboring Cities. Patients weredivided into five age groups:age＜30, 30-40, 40-50, 50-65, ≥65 y (elderly). Age, sex, history of chronic disease and epidemiology, symptoms, laboratory tests, and outcomes were compared among different agegroups. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate associated factors for severe or critical type.Results:We studied 299 cases. Median (IQR) age was 44(34,54) and 158 (53%) were male. Percent of bilateral involvement on chest radiographs was increased significantly with older age (p=0.005). 53.3% of 30-40 years, 50% of 40-50 years, 36.6% of ＜30 years and 36.2% of 50-60 years were imported case, none of the elderly were imported case. Among all the observed symptoms, only symptom of dyspnea was significantly different between the elderly group and other groups (p < 0.001).Proportion of severe or critical type was 2.4%, 5.3%, 9.5%, 14.5%, and 35%in patients with age＜30, 30-40, 40-50, 50-65, ≥65 (p < 0.001), respectively. At this point, ICU admissionrate, ARDSand shock rate and on medical treatment rate was increased especially in patients ≥65 years. 285 patients (95.3%) were curedand discharged, 12 patients (4.0%) were still on medical treatment in hospital. There were 2 (0.67%) deaths; these occurred among persons ≥65 y (p < 0.001). Old age, high HR on admission,high respiratory rate on admission, and history of chronic heart diseasewere independently associated with severe or critical .Conclusions:Proportion of severe or critical type increased with old age groups. Adults with old ageand high HR, R rate in admission and history of chronic heart disease were associated withsevere or criticaltype in COVID-19.
Spatial Pattern Analysis on Dengue Cases in Bangi district, Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Majid Nuriah Abd , Rainis Ruslan , Sahani Mazrura , Mohamed Ahmad Fariz , Aziz Sarah Aziz Abdul Ghani , Nazi Nurafiqah Muhamad 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Dengue outbreak has proliferated around the developing countries, including Malaysia, in recent decades. Thus, understanding the distribution pattern is essential for urbanization livelihood. Method: The objective of this study is to determine the trend of dengue cases reported from year 2014 to 2018 and the spatial pattern for dengue spread with reference to weather elements in Bangi town. Results: Spatial statistical analyses conducted found that the distribution pattern and spatial mean center for dengue cases was clustered at the east of Bangi region. Directional distribution observed that the elongated polygon of dengue cluster stretched from the northeast to the southwest of Bangi district. Standard distance for dengue cases was the smallest for the year 2014 (0.017 m), and the largest was in the year 2016 (0.019 m), whereas dengue cases in year 2015, 2017, and 2018 were measured at 0.018 m. The average nearest neighbor analysis also observed clustered patterns for dengue cases in Bangi district. Pearson’s correlation analysis found that temperature (r = -0.269) was negatively correlated with dengue cases for year 2014 and 2018; however, rainfall amount (r = 0.286) and rain days (r = 0.250) were positively correlated with dengue cases in year 2018.Conclusions: The three spatial statistical analyses (spatial mean center, standard distance, and directional distribution) findings illustrated that the dengue cases from the year 2014 to 2018 are clustered on the northeast to the southwest of the study region. The rainfall element is found to be a significant positive factor correlated for most study years compared to temperature element.