bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between H19 and parameters of ovarian reserve
Authors: Xia Xi , Burn Martina S. , Chen Yong , Karakaya Cengiz , Kallen Amanda 
Published: May 2020

AbstractContextThe H19 long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) belongs to a highly conserved, imprinted gene cluster involved in embryonic development and growth control. We previously described a novel mechanism whereby the Anti-mullerian hormone (Amh)appears to be regulated byH19.However, the relationship between circulatingH19and markers of ovarian reserve including AMH not been investigated.ObjectiveTo determine whetherH19expression is altered in women with decreased ovarian reserve.DesignExperimental study.SettingYale School of Medicine (New Haven, USA) and Gazi University School of Medicine (Ankara, Turkey).Patients or other participantsA total of 141 women undergoing infertility evaluation and treatment.InterventionCollection of discarded blood samples and cumulus cells at the time of baseline infertility evaluation and transvaginal oocyte retrieval, respectively.Main outcome measureSerum and cumulus cellH19expression.ResultsWomen with diminished ovarian reserve (as determined by AMH) had significantly lower serum H19 expression levels as compared to controls (p < 0.01). Serum H19 was moderately positively correlated with serum AMH. H19 expression was increased 3.7-fold in cumulus cells of IVF patients who demonstrated a high response to gonadotropins, compared to low responders (p < 0.05).ConclusionIn this study, we show that downregulation ofH19in serum and cumulus cells is closely associated with decreased ovarian reserve, as measured by decreased AMH levels and reduced oocyte yield at oocyte retrieval. Further study with expanded sample sizes is necessary to determine whetherH19may be of use as a novel biomarker for diminished ovarian reserve.
Association between time-weighted activity space-based exposures to fast food outlets and fast food consumption among young adults in urban Canada
Authors: Liu Bochu , Widener Michael , Burgoine Thomas , Hammond David 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Despite increased attention on retail food environments and fast food consumption, results from previous studies have been inconsistent. Variation in measurement of exposure to retail food environments and the context of the built environment are possible reasons for inconsistencies. The purpose of the current study is to examine the association between exposure to fast food environment and fast food consumption among young adults, and to explore possible associations between built environment and fast food consumption.

Methods
We employed an observational, cross-sectional study design. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2016 and 2017. In a sample of 591 young adults aged 16–30 years in five Canadian cities, we constructed and computed individual-level time-weighted number and ratio of fast food outlets in activity spaces derived from GPS trajectory data. Negative binomial regression models estimated the associations between exposure measures and frequency of fast food consumption (number of times consuming fast food meals in a seven-day period), controlling for built environment characterization and individual-level characteristics.

Results
Significant positive associations were found between time-weighted number of fast food outlets and count of fast food meals consumed per week in models using a radius of 500 m (IRR = 1.078, 95% CI: 0.999, 1.163), 1 km (IRR = 1.135, 95% CI: 1.024, 1.259), or 1.5 km (IRR = 1.138, 95% CI: 1.004, 1.289) around GPS tracks, when generating activity spaces. However, time-weighted ratio of fast food outlets was only significantly associated with count of fast food meals consumed when a radius of 500 m is used (IRR = 1.478, 95% CI: 1.032, 2.123). The time-weighted Active Living Environment Index with Transit measure was significantly negatively related to count of fast food meals consumed across all models.

Conclusions
Our study demonstrated associations of time-weighted activity space-based exposure to fast food outlets and fast food consumption frequency in a sample of young adults in urban Canada, and provides evidence of the association between context of built environment and fast food consumption, furthering discussion on the utility of individual-level, activity space-based data and methods in food environment research. These results imply that both food retail composition and activity spaces in urban areas are important factors to consider when studying diets.
Neighbourhood fast food exposure and consumption: the mediating role of neighbourhood social norms
Authors: van Rongen Sofie , Poelman Maartje P. , Thornton Lukar , Abbott Gavin , Lu Meng , Kamphuis Carlijn B. M. , Verkooijen Kirsten , de Vet Emely 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe association between the residential fast food environment and diet has gained growing attention. However, why the food environment affects food consumption is under-examined. This study aimed to investigate neighbourhood social norms with respect to fast food consumption as a potential mediating pathway between residential fast food outlet exposure and residents’ fast food consumption.MethodsA correlational study was conducted in which a nationwide sample of 1038 respondents living across The Netherlands completed a survey. Respondents reported their fast food consumption (amount/week) as well as perceived descriptive and injunctive norms regarding fast food consumption in their neighbourhood. Fast food outlet exposure was measured by the average count of fast food outlets within a 400 m walking distance buffer around the zip-codes of the respondents, using a retail outlet database. Regression models were used to assess associations between residential fast food outlet exposure, fast food consumption, and social norm perceptions, and a bootstrapping procedure was used to test the indirect -mediation- effect. Separate analyses were performed for descriptive norms and injunctive norms.ResultsThere was no overall or direct association between residential fast food outlet exposure and residents’ fast food consumption. However, fast food outlet exposure was positively associated with neighbourhood social norms (descriptive and injunctive) regarding fast food consumption, which in turn were positively associated with the odds of consuming fast food. Moreover, results of the bootstrapped analysis provided evidence of indirect effects of fast food outlet exposure on fast food consumption, via descriptive norms and injunctive norms.ConclusionsIn neighbourhoods with more fast food outlets, residents were more likely to perceive fast food consumption in the neighbourhood as more common and appropriate. In turn, stronger neighbourhood social norms were associated with higher fast food consumption. Acknowledging the correlational design, this study is the first that implies that neighbourhood social norms may be a mediating pathway in the relation between the residential fast food environment and fast food consumption. Future research may examine the role of neighbourhood social norms in other contexts and explore how the changing food environment may shift our consumption norms.
Modelling the effect of a dengue vaccine on reducing the evolution of resistance against antibiotic due to misuse in dengue cases
Authors: Kurauchi Ana , Struchiner Claudio Jose , Wilder-Smith Annelies , Massad Eduardo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis paper intends to check whether and how a hypothetical dengue vaccine could contribute to issue of evolution of bacteria resistance against antibiotics by reducing the number of patients that would inappropriately being treated with antibiotics.MethodsWe use a new mathematical model that combines, in a novel way, two previously published papers, one on the evolution of resistance against antibiotics and one classical Ross-Macdonald model for dengue transmission.ResultsThe model is simulated numerically and reproduces a real case of evolution of resistance against antibiotics. In addition the model shows that the use of a hypothetical dengue vaccine could help to curb the evolution of resistance against an antibiotic inappropriately used in dengue patients. Both the increase in the proportion of resistant bacteria due to the misuse of antibiotics in dengue cases as a function of the fraction of treated patients and the reduction of that proportion as a function of vaccination coverage occur in a highly non-linear fashion.ConclusionThe use of a dengue vaccine is helpful in reducing the rate of evolution of antibiotic resistance in a scenario of misuse of the antibiotics in dengue patients.
Exploiting upper-limb functional principal components for human-like motion generation of anthropomorphic robots
Authors: Averta Giuseppe , Della Santina Cosimo , Valenza Gaetano , Bicchi Antonio , Bianchi Matteo 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Human-likeliness of robot movements is a key component to enable a safe and effective human-robot interaction, since it contributes to increase acceptance and motion predictability of robots that have to closely interact with people, e.g. for assistance and rehabilitation purposes. Several parameters have been used to quantify how much a robot behaves like a human, which encompass aspects related to both the robot appearance and motion. The latter point is fundamental to allow the operator to interpret robotic actions, and plan a meaningful reactions. While different approaches have been presented in literature, which aim at devising bio-aware control guidelines, a direct implementation of human actions for robot planning is not straightforward, still representing an open issue in robotics.

Methods
We propose to embed a synergistic representation of human movements for robot motion generation. To do this, we recorded human upper-limb motions during daily living activities. We used functional Principal Component Analysis (fPCA) to extract principal motion patterns. We then formulated the planning problem by optimizing the weights of a reduced set of these components. For free-motions, our planning method results into a closed form solution which uses only one principal component. In case of obstacles, a numerical routine is proposed, incrementally enrolling principal components until the problem is solved with a suitable precision.

Results
Results of fPCA show that more than 80% of the observed variance can be explained by only three functional components. The application of our method to different meaningful movements, with and without obstacles, show that our approach is able to generate complex motions with a very reduced number of functional components. We show that the first synergy alone accounts for the 96% of cost reduction and that three components are able to achieve a satisfactory motion reconstruction in all the considered cases.

Conclusions
In this work we moved from the analysis of human movements via fPCA characterization to the design of a novel human-like motion generation algorithm able to generate, efficiently and with a reduced set of basis elements, several complex movements in free space, both in free motion and in case of obstacle avoidance tasks.
High fat-induced inflammation in vascular endothelium can be improved by Abelmoschus esculentus and metformin via increasing the expressions of miR-146a and miR-155
Authors: Gou Luoning , Liu Geng , Ma Rong , Regmi Anita , Zeng Tianshu , Zheng Juan , Zhong Xueyu , Chen Lulu 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation, which contributes to cardiovascular diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are reported to be involved in vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. Abelmoschus esculentus (AE) and metformin have been suggested to improve inflammation in vascular system. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether miRNAs are involved in high fat induced endothelial inflammation, and whether AE and metformin improve endothelial inflammation by regulating miRNAs.

Methods
We established high fat treated rats and human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). AE and metformin were added to explore their effects on endothelial inflammation induced by high fat and the possible mechanism.

Results
The vascular inflammatory genes were increased in rats treated with high fat diet. The decreased miR-146a and miR-155 were involved in endothelial inflammation induced by high fat through targeting IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65), respectively. While AE and metformin could ameliorate the endothelial inflammation by increasing miR-146a and miR-155.

Conclusions
These results indicate that miR-146a and miR-155 play roles in the high fat induced endothelial inflammation, which could be potential therapeutic targets. AE and metformin can attenuate endothelial inflammation through regulating miR-146a and miR-155.
Chiropractic students call for action against unsubstantiated claims
Authors: Plener Joshua , Csiernik Ben , Bejarano Geronimo , Hjertstrand Jesper , Goodall Benjamin 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
The 2019 coronavirus pandemic is a current global health crisis. Many chiropractic institutions, associations, and researchers have stepped up at a time of need. However, a subset of the chiropractic profession has claimed that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is clinically effective in improving one’s immunity, despite the lack of supporting scientific evidence. These unsubstantiated claims contradict official public health policy reflecting poorly on the profession. The aim of this commentary is to provide our perspective on the claims regarding SMT and clinically relevant immunity enhancement, drawing attention to the damaging ramifications these claims might have on our profession’s reputation.

Main text
The World Federation of Chiropractic released a rapid review demonstrating the lack of clinically relevant evidence regarding SMT and immunity enhancement. The current claims contradicting this review carry significant potential risk to patients. Furthermore, as a result of these misleading claims, significant media attention and public critiques of the profession are being made. We believe inaction by regulatory bodies will lead to confusion among the public and other healthcare providers, unfortunately damaging the profession’s reputation. The resulting effect on the reputation of the profession is greatly concerning to us, as students.

Conclusion
It is our hope that all regulatory bodies will protect the public by taking appropriate action against chiropractors making unfounded claims contradicting public health policy. We believe it is the responsibility of all stakeholders in the chiropractic profession to ensure this is carried out and the standard of care is raised. We call on current chiropractors to ensure a viable profession exists moving forward.
Non-destructive estimation of field maize biomass using terrestrial lidar: an evaluation from plot level to individual leaf level
Authors: Jin Shichao , Su Yanjun , Song Shilin , Xu Kexin , Hu Tianyu , Yang Qiuli , Wu Fangfang , Xu Guangcai , Ma Qin , Guan Hongcan , Pang Shuxin , Li Yumei , Guo Qinghua 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Precision agriculture is an emerging research field that relies on monitoring and managing field variability in phenotypic traits. An important phenotypic trait is biomass, a comprehensive indicator that can reflect crop yields. However, non-destructive biomass estimation at fine levels is unknown and challenging due to the lack of accurate and high-throughput phenotypic data and algorithms.

Results
In this study, we evaluated the capability of terrestrial light detection and ranging (lidar) data in estimating field maize biomass at the plot, individual plant, leaf group, and individual organ (i.e., individual leaf or stem) levels. The terrestrial lidar data of 59 maize plots with more than 1000 maize plants were collected and used to calculate phenotypes through a deep learning-based pipeline, which were then used to predict maize biomass through simple regression (SR), stepwise multiple regression (SMR), artificial neural network (ANN), and random forest (RF). The results showed that terrestrial lidar data were useful for estimating maize biomass at all levels (at each level, R2 was greater than 0.80), and biomass estimation at leaf group level was the most precise (R2 = 0.97, RMSE = 2.22 g) among all four levels. All four regression techniques performed similarly at all levels. However, considering the transferability and interpretability of the model itself, SR is the suggested method for estimating maize biomass from terrestrial lidar-derived phenotypes. Moreover, height-related variables showed to be the most important and robust variables for predicting maize biomass from terrestrial lidar at all levels, and some two-dimensional variables (e.g., leaf area) and three-dimensional variables (e.g., volume) showed great potential as well.

Conclusion
We believe that this study is a unique effort on evaluating the capability of terrestrial lidar on estimating maize biomass at difference levels, and can provide a useful resource for the selection of the phenotypes and models required to estimate maize biomass in precision agriculture practices.
Atlas-based auto-segmentation for postoperative radiotherapy planning in endometrial and cervical cancers
Authors: Kim Nalee , Chang Jee Suk , Kim Yong Bae , Kim Jin Sung 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Since intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has become popular for the treatment of gynecologic cancers, the contouring process has become more critical. This study evaluated the feasibility of atlas-based auto-segmentation (ABAS) for contouring in patients with endometrial and cervical cancers.

Methods
A total of 75 sets of planning CT images from 75 patients were collected. Contours for the pelvic nodal clinical target volume (CTV), femur, and bladder were carefully generated by two skilled radiation oncologists. Of 75 patients, 60 were randomly registered in three different atlas libraries for ABAS in groups of 20, 40, or 60. ABAS was conducted in 15 patients, followed by manual correction (ABASc). The time required to generate all contours was recorded, and the accuracy of segmentation was assessed using Dice’s coefficient (DC) and the Hausdorff distance (HD) and compared to those of manually delineated contours.

Results
For ABAS-CTV, the best results were achieved with groups of 60 patients (DC, 0.79; HD, 19.7 mm) and the worst results with groups of 20 patients (DC, 0.75; p = 0.012; HD, 21.3 mm; p = 0.002). ABASc-CTV performed better than ABAS-CTV in terms of both HD and DC (ABASc [n = 60]; DC, 0.84; HD, 15.6 mm; all p < 0.017). ABAS required an average of 45.1 s, whereas ABASc required 191.1 s; both methods required less time than the manual methods (p < 0.001). Both ABAS-Femur and simultaneous ABAS-Bilateral-femurs showed satisfactory performance, regardless of the atlas library used (DC > 0.9 and HD ≤10.0 mm), with significant time reduction compared to that needed for manual delineation (p < 0.001). However, ABAS-Bladder did not prove to be feasible, with inferior results regardless of library size (DC < 0.6 and HD > 40 mm). Furthermore, ABASc-Bladder required a longer processing time than manual contouring to achieve the same accuracy.

Conclusions
ABAS could help physicians to delineate the CTV and organs-at-risk (e.g., femurs) in IMRT planning considering its consistency, efficacy, and accuracy.
Perigraft abscess after DeBakey type-1 aortic dissection: a case report
Authors: Xu Lingling , Lin Shan , Yang Yali 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Perigraft abscess is a rare condition which constitutes a small proportion of aortic graft infection (AGI). Early diagnosis is very important for timely intervention and improving the survival rate of patients because of its significant morbidity and mortality.

Case presentation
A 24-year-old young male patient with a history of complicated total arch replacement using elephant trunk technique for acute DeBakey type-1 aortic dissection 6 months before visited our hospital with the chief complaint of persistent fever. Antibiotic treatment in local hospital was ineffective. Echocardiography showed liquid dark area around the aortic graft, and a computerized tomography angiography (CTA) was done for further evaluation of periaortic fluid collection which showed findings to suggest perigraft abscess. The patient underwent surgical debridement of the abscess and was found to have an abscess around the aortic graft which was drained followed by antibiotic treatment. The patient was discharged to his local hospital and recovered well at 2 month follow-up appointment.

Conclusion
This is a very rare case of aortic abscess around the graft that could successfully be managed by graft-conserving surgery, and it emphasizes the significance of early diagnosis of perigraft abscess in patients with aortic dissection surgery.
Suitability evaluation on material specifications and edible methods of Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis based on holistic polysaccharide marker
Authors: Cao Zi-Jun , Yip Ka-Man , Jiang Yi-Guo , Ji Shi-Liang , Ruan Jian-Qing , Wang Cheng , Chen Hu-Biao 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundDendrobii Officinalis Caulis (DC) is a well-known tonic herbal medicine worldwide and has favorable immunomodulatory activity. Various material specifications of DC are available in herbal markets, and DC is ingested by different edible methods. However, whether these specifications and edible methods are suitable or not remains unknown.MethodsIn this study, we evaluated the suitability of four material specifications (fresh stem, dried stem,fengdouand powder) and three edible methods (making tea, soup and medicinal liquor) based on holistic polysaccharide marker (HPM), the major polysaccharide components in DC. First, the HPMs were extracted from the four specifications of DC by the three edible methods in different conditions. Second, qualitative and quantitative characterization of the extracted HPMs was performed using high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC). Third, immunomodulatory activities of the extracted HPMs were evaluated in vivo.ResultsThe results showed that the HPMs were found to be quantitatively different from various specification of DC and edible methods. In vivo analysis indicated that the HPMs exerted positive effects on innate immune responses by increment in proliferation of splenocytes, secretion of IL-2 and cytotoxicity activity of NK cells. Moreover, the dosage amount of HPM should be defined as a certain range, but not the larger the better, for exerting strong immunological activities.ConclusionAccording to the both chemical and biological results,fengdouby boiling with water for 4 h is the most recommended specification and edible method for DC.