bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of ustekinumab trough levels during induction and maintenance therapy with regard to disease activity status in difficult to treat Crohn Disease patients
Authors: Mechie Nicolae-Catalin , Burmester Merle , Mavropoulou Eirini , Pilavakis Yiannis , Kunsch Steffen , Ellenrieder Volker , Amanzada Ahmad 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Ustekinumab (UST) is approved for the therapy of moderate and severe Crohn disease (CD). Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) helps to monitor the therapeutic effect of biologics. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of UST treated CD patients and to determine UST trough level (USTTL) with clinical and corticosteroid-free remission.Methods This retrospective study of CD included patients with moderate and severe active disease treated with a weight adapted induction dose of UST intravenously. The maintenance therapy consisted of 90 mg UST subcutaneously at week 8 and thereafter every 8 or 12 weeks depending on the clinical response. Clinical and corticosteroid-free remission, Harvey-Bradshaw-Index (HBI), USTTL and further laboratory parameters were measured just before the injection of UST at each follow-up evaluation until week 40.Results 37CD patients with a median HBI of 9 at week 0 were included. Starting from 24% at the beginning of the monitoring period and 38% of patients at the end of it, were treated with an 8-week interval (p = 0.18). There was a significant improvement of clinical (p = 0.0004) and corticosteroid-free remission (p = 0.03) as well as in HBI (p < 0.0001) from week 0 until the end of the observation period, respectively.The serum USTTL decreased significantly from 2.0 at week 8 to 0.3 in the maintenance therapy and 0.4 µg/mL at the end of it (p < 0.0001), respectively. Neither USTTL nor levels of CRP or faecal calprotectin were associated with disease outcome. Concomitant immunomodulator therapy did not appear to affect the USTTL or the clinical course.Conclusions UST is an effective treatment option in difficult to treat CD patients. USTTL may not be associated with treatment efficacy or predict treatment outcomes in CD patients. Further prospective randomized trials should be conducted to evaluate if USTTL is associated with treatment outcomes in CD patients.
Fuelwood Use and Carbon Emission Reduction of Improved Biomass Cook Stoves; Evidence from Kitchen Performance Test in Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Manaye Ashenafi , Amaha Selemawit , Gufi Yirga , Tesfamariam Berihu , Worku Adefires , Abrha Haftu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
In Ethiopia, biomass is the main form of fuel approximately for 92% of the population. Currently, several strategies were designed to reduce fuelwood consumption and greenhouse gases (GHG) emission by implementing improved cooking stoves (ICS). Nevertheless, the adoption of ICSs has been very slow. Therefore, this study were conducted to assess the performance of ICS (“Mirt” and Tikikil”) on fuelwood consumption and greenhouse gas emission (GHG) in the kitchens of real households using kitchen performance test (KPT) methods. To select the study households (HH), both cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs were used. The study indicated that there were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the use of improved and traditional cooking stoves in total and per capita wood consumption. The use of “Mirt” and “Tikikil” than the traditional stove reduced the household wood consumption by 35 % (438 kg/ year) and 18% (185 kg/ year), respectively. Likewise, adopting of these ICS stoves lead to decrease of 0.65 and 0.27 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2 e) per stove per year. This finding may have implication on adoption of ICS technology is important on reducing CO2 emission, forest degradation and household workloads.
Locking Compression Plate Distal Ulna Hook Plates as Alternative Fixation for Avulsion Fractures of the Tip of the Lateral Malleolus
Authors: Shui Wei , Luo Gang , Yang Youyin , Qiao Bo , Ni Weidong , Guo Shuquan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Because of the fragment size and inferior location of the fracture lines, options are lacking for internal fixation to treat avulsion fractures of the tip of the lateral malleolus. Because the anatomical architecture of the distal malleolus is similar to that of the distal ulna metaphysis, the purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of 2.0-mm locking compression plate distal ulna hook plates in treating avulsion fractures of the tip of the lateral malleolus.Methods: Given the characteristics of the 2.0-mm locking compression plate distal ulna hook plate, cases in which the distance between the fracture lines and the distal end of the tip of the lateral malleolus was less than 6 mm were excluded. Seventeen patients (AO Foundation/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) 44A fractures, 13 males, 4 females, median age 41 years range 18-73 years) with avulsion fractures of the tip of the lateral malleolus were included. All patients were treated with fixation of the fragment to the fibula using a 2.0-mm locking compression plate distal ulna hook plate. Clinical and radiological follow-up visits were conducted at 6 weeks and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after the operation. Results: The mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot score of the patients was 97.06±1.92 (range 94 to 100) at the 12-month postoperative follow-up and 97.71±1.54 (range 96 to 100) at the 24-month postoperative follow-up. The mean Karlsson score was 94.18±3.88 (range 90 to 100) at the 12-month postoperative follow-up and 96.43±2.34 (range 95 to 100) at the 24-month postoperative follow-up. Nonunion was not noted; 6 patients complained of lateral malleolar discomfort and foreign body sensation, and 3 of these patients underwent a hardware removal operation at 12 months postoperatively. All patients were clinically and radiographically stable.Conclusion: A 2.0-mm locking compression plate distal ulna hook plate achieved stable and anatomically suitable fixation and should be considered as an alternative treatment for avulsion fractures of the tip of the lateral malleolus.
Pore Texture Analysis in Automated 3D Breast Ultrasound Images for Implanted Lightweight Hernia Mesh Identification: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Yang Jiting , Li Haiyan , Wu Jun , Sun Liang , Xu Dan , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhang Yufeng , Chen Yue , Chen Lin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Precise visualization of meshes and their position would greatly aid in mesh shrinkage evaluation, hernia recurrence risk assessment, and the preoperative planning of salvage repair. Lightweight (LW) meshes are able to preserve abdominal wall compliance by generating less post-implant fibrosis and rigidity. However, conventional 3D imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cannot visualize the LW meshes. Patients sometimes have to undergo a second-look operation for visualizing the mesh implants. The goal of this work is to investigate the potential advantages of Automated 3D breast ultrasound (ABUS) pore texture analysis for implanted LW hernia mesh identification.Methods: In vitro, the appearances of four different flat meshes in both ABUS and 2D hand-held ultrasound (HHUS) images were evaluated and compared. In vivo, pore texture patterns of 87 hernia regions were analyzed both in ABUS images and their corresponding HHUS images.Results: In vitro studies, the imaging results of ABUS for implanted LW meshes are much more visualized and effective in comparison to HHUS. In vivo, the inter-class distance of 40 texture features was calculated. The texture features of 2D sectional plans (axial and sagittal plane) have no significant contribution to implanted LW mesh identification. Significant contribution was observed in coronal plane. However, since the mesh may have spatial variation such as shrinkage after implant surgery, the inter-class distance of 3D coronal plane pore texture features are bigger than 2D coronal plane, so the contribution of 3D coronal plane pore texture features are more valuable than 2D coronal plane for implanted LW mesh identification. The use of 3D pore texture features significantly improved the robustness of the identification method in distinguishing the LW mesh and fascia.Conclusions: An innovative new automated 3D breast ultrasound (ABUS) provides additional pore texture visualization, by separating the LW mesh from the fascia tissues. Therefore, ABUS having the potential to provide more accurate features to characterize pore texture patterns, and ultimately provide more accurate measures for implanted LW mesh identification.
Effects of Litchi on Systemic Low-Grade Inflammation and the Structure and Function of Gut Microbiota in HFA Mice
Authors: Sun Dongfang , Wang Chen , Sun Lijun , Hu Lianhua , Wang Yaling , Liu Ying , Fang Zhijia , Deng Qi , Xu Defeng , Zhao Jian 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Certain foods are known as “heating” foods in Chinese medicine as over consumption of them can lead to symptoms known as “heating up”, which have been shown to be symptoms of systemic low-grade inflammation. However, the mechanism by which these foods cause inflammation is not clear. In this study, we investigated dysbacteriosis of gut microbiota as a possible cause of inflammation by litchi, a typical “heating” food. Human flora-associated (HFA) mice model was constructed by first sterilizing their guts by oral administration of antibiotics, and then transplantation of fecal microbial suspension from a healthy human adult. After gavaging the mice with litchi powder suspension at low, medium and high doses (400, 800, 1600 mg/kg·d-1 respectively) for 7 days, the serum level of inflammatory cytokines, gut microbiota and the integrity of intestinal mucosal barrier were measured.Result: The intervention of litchi significantly increased the diversity of mice gut flora. The ratio of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes and the abundance of Actinobacteria increased significantly. At the genus level, the abundance of Phascolarctobacterium, Akkermansia, Megasomonas and Lactobacillus generally decreased, while the abundance of Prevotella and Bacteroides increased significantly, especially in the high litchi dose group. The abundance of Bilophila increased significantly only in high dose group. litchi intervention caused serum TNF-α level to increase by more than two times and LPS level to double, but a decrease in IL-1β and IL-6 levels. Medium and high dose litchi intervention caused a widening of intestinal epithelial cell junction complex, and general weakening of the intestinal mucosal barrier as well as reduced efficiency of gut microbiota in energy conversion. Conclusion: This study confirmed the notion in Chinese medicine that as a “heating” food, litchi when consumed excessively can lead to low degree systematic inflammation and demonstrated that this is linked to its ability to cause dysbacteriosis of the gut microbiota and weakening of the intestinal mucosal tissues.
Model-based reproduction and validation of the total spectrum of solar flare and their impact on the global environment at the X9.3 event of September 6, 2017
Authors: Watanabe Kyoko , Jin Hidekatsu , Nishimoto Shohei , Imada Shinsuke , Kawai Toshiki , Kawate Tomoko , Otsuka Yuichi , Shinbori Atsuki , Tsugawa Takuya , Nishioka Michi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
We tried to reproduce the total electron content (TEC) variation in the Earth's atmosphere from the temporal variation of the solar flare spectrum of the X9.3 flare on September 6, 2017. The flare spectrum of the Flare Irradiance Spectral Model (FISM) which is most widely used and the flare spectrum from the 1D hydrodynamic model which considers the physics of plasma in the flare loop are used in the GAIA model which is a simulation model of the Earth's whole atmosphere and ionosphere, and calculate the difference of TEC. And then, we compared these results with the observed TEC. When we used the FISM flare spectrum, difference of TEC from the background was in a good agreement with the observation. On the other hand, when the flare spectrum of the 1D-hydro model was used, the result varied depending on the presence or absence of the background. This difference which depends on the models is thought to represent which EUV radiation is primarily responsible for increasing TEC. From the flare spectrum obtained from these models and the calculation result of TEC fluctuation using GAIA, it is considered that the enhancement in EUV emission about 15 to 35 nm is mainly contributes to increasing TEC rather than that of X-ray emission that has been thought to be mainly responsible for sudden ionospheric disturbance (SID). Also, from the altitude/wavelength distribution of the ionization rate of Earth's atmosphere by GAIA, it was found that EUV radiation of about 15–35 nm affects a wide altitude range of 120–300 km, and TEC enhancement is mainly caused by ionization of nitrogen molecules. (265 words)
Long Non-coding RNA PTPRG-AS1 Promotes Cell Tumorigenicity in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer by Decoying microRNA-545-3p and Consequently Enhancing HDAC4 Expression
Authors: Shi Juanjuan , Xu Xijian , Zhang Dan , Zhang Jiuyan , Yang Hui , Li Chang , Li Rui , Wei Xuan , Luan Wenqing , Liu Peishu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Long non-coding RNA PTPRG antisense RNA 1 (PTPRG-AS1) deregulation has been reported in various human malignancies and identified as an important modulator of cancer development. Few reports have focused on the detailed role of PTPRG-AS1 in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and its underlying mechanism. This study aimed to determine the physiological function of PTPRG-AS1 in EOC. A series of experiments were also done to identify the mechanisms through which PTPRG-AS1 exerts its function in EOC.Methods: Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine PTPRG-AS1 expression in EOC tissues and cell lines. PTPRG-AS1 was silenced in EOC cells and studied with respect to cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion in vitro, and tumor growth in vivo. The putative miRNAs that target PTPRG-AS1 were predicted using bioinformatics analysis and further confirmed in luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays.Results: Our data verified the upregulation of PTPRG-AS1 in EOC tissues and cell lines. High PTPRG-AS1 expression was associated with shorter overall survival in patients with EOC. Functionally, EOC cell proliferation, migration, invasion in vitro and tumor growth in vivo were suppressed by PTPRG-AS1 silencing. In contrast, cell apoptosis was promoted by loss of PTPRG-AS1. For the mechanism part, PTPRG-AS1 could serve as a competing endogenous RNA in EOC cells by decoying microRNA-545-3p (miR-545-3p), thereby elevating histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) expression. Furthermore, rescue experiments revealed that PTPRG-AS1 knockdown-mediated effects on EOC cells were, in part, counteracted by the inhibition of miR-545-3p or restoration of HDAC4.Conclusions: PTPRG-AS1 functioned as an oncogenic lncRNA that aggravated the malignancy of EOC through the miR-545-3p/HDAC4 ceRNA network. Thus, targeting the PTPRG-AS1/miR-545-3p/HDAC4 pathway may be a novel strategy for EOC anticancer therapy.
Assessment of the Environmental Significance of Heavy Metals Pollution in Surficial Sediments of South Brittany Waters, France: An Ecological Risk Assessment Approach
Authors: ONG MENG CHUAN , Pan Hui-Juan , Shazili Noor Azhar Mohamed , Menier David , Dupont Virginie , Révillon Sidonie , Coynel Alexandra 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Distribution patterns of selected heavy metals content in sediments from the Bay of Quiberon and Gulf of Morbihan were studied to understand the current heavy metals contamination due to urbanization and mariculture activities in the coastal area. Therefore, a survey was conducted and 196 sediments collected were characterized for heavy metals content using Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS) after mix acid digestion process. The distribution maps of the concentrations of the heavy metals studied were produced as an isopleth map based on data interpolation by the ArcGIS software application. The association with the adverse effects to on aquatic organisms were was determined by the classification of the sediment according to the sediment quality guidelines. Therefore, two approaches were employed namely; direct comparison with Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) by USEPA and comparison with other numerical SQGs, threshold effect level/probable effect level, and effect range low /effect range medium. In order to estimate the effect of multiple contaminations of heavy metals, the mean–ERM–quotient was calculated at each sampling points.
Automatic Machine-Learning Classification of the Mode of Invasion of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Digital Microscopic Images: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Yoshizawa Kunio , Ando Hidetoshi , Kimura Yujiro , Kawashiri Shuichi , Moroi Akinori , Ueki Koichiro 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The Yamamoto-Kohama criteria (YK), which are used to classify the morphology of the infiltrating protrusions of an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), are clinically useful for determining the mode of tumor invasion, especially in Japan. However, evaluations of the mode of OSCC invasion are based on subjective visual observations, and this approach has created considerable inter-evaluator and inter-facility differences. In this retrospective study, we aimed to develop an automatic method of determining the mode of invasion of OSCC based on the processing of digital medical images of the invasion front. Methods: Using 101 digitized photographic images of anonymized stained specimen slides from consecutive patients with OSCC at Kanazawa University, we created a classifier that allowed clinicians to introduce feature values and subjected the cases to machine learning using a random forest approach. We then compared the YK grades (1, 2, 3, 4C, 4D) determined by a human oral and maxillofacial surgeon with those determined using the machine learning approach. Results: The input of multiple test images into the newly created classifier yielded an overall F-measure value of 87%, (Grade 1: 93%, Grade 2: 67%, Grade 3: 89%, Grade 4C: 83%, Grade 4D: 94%). These results suggest that the output of the classifier was very similar to the judgments of the clinician. Conclusions: We successfully developed an automatic machine-learning method for discriminating the mode of invasion of OSCC. Our results suggest that a medical diagnostic imaging system could feasibly be used to provide an accurate determination of the mode of OSCC invasion.
The Infant Gut Resistome is Associated with E. coli and Early-life Exposures
Authors: Lebeaux Rebecca M. , Coker Modupe O. , Dade Erika F. , Palys Thomas J. , Morrison Hilary G. , Ross Benjamin D. , Baker Emily R. , Karagas Margaret R. , Madan Juliette C. , Hoen Anne G. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Antibiotic resistance is an increasing threat to human health. The human gut microbiome harbors a collection of bacterial antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) known as the resistome. The factors associated with establishment of the resistome in early life are not well understood and clarifying these factors would inform strategies to decrease antibiotic resistance. We investigated the early-life exposures and taxonomic signatures associated with resistome development over the first year of life in a large, prospective cohort in the United States. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to profile both microbial composition and ARGs in stool samples collected at 6 weeks and 1 year of age from infants enrolled in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study. Negative binomial regression and statistical modeling was used to examine infant factors such as sex, delivery mode, feeding method, gestational age, antibiotic exposure, and infant gut microbiome composition in relation to the diversity and relative abundance of ARGs.Results: Metagenomic sequencing was performed on paired samples from 195 full term (at least 37 weeks’ gestation) and 15 late preterm (33-36 weeks’ gestation) infants. 6-week samples compared to 1-year samples had 4.37 times (95% CI: 3.54-5.39) the rate of harboring ARGs. The majority of ARGs that were at a greater relative abundance at 6 weeks (chi-squared p < 0.01) worked through the mechanism of antibiotic efflux (i.e., by pumping antibiotics out of the cell). The overall relative abundance of the resistome was strongly correlated with Proteobacteria (Spearman correlation = 78.9%) and specifically E. coli (62.2%) relative abundance in the gut microbiome. Among infant characteristics, delivery mode was most strongly associated with the diversity and relative abundance of ARGs. Infants born via cesarean delivery had a higher risk of harboring unique ARGs [relative risk = 1.12 (95% CI: 0.97 – 1.29)] as well as a having an increased risk for overall ARG relative abundance [relative risk = 1.43 (95% CI: 1.12 – 1.84)] at 1 year compared to infants born vaginally. Additionally, 6 specific ARGs were at a greater relative abundance in infants delivered by cesarean section compared to vaginally delivered infants across both time points. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the developing infant gut resistome may be alterable by early-life exposures. Establishing the extent to which infant characteristics and early-life exposures impact the resistome can ultimately lead to interventions that decrease the transmission of ARGs and thus the possibility of antibiotic resistant life threatening infections.
Assessing Traumatic Experiences of Justice-Involved Latinx Youth A Systematic Review
Authors: Hoskins David 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Traumatic experiences have been linked to the unmet behavioral health needs of justice-involved youth. Unmet behavioral health needs are some of the most salient predictors of initial justice involvement and recidivism. Latinx youth are one of the most overrepresented ethnic and racial minority groups in the Juvenile Justice System in the United States. The primary aim of this systematic review was focused on justice-involved, Latinx youth in order to compare traumatic experiences and PTSD rates by race/ethnicity and gender. Methods: To ensure methodological rigor and reduce bias, a protocol was developed to outline criteria for study inclusion and to identify relevant data for extraction. For inclusion in this systematic review, studies had to be (a) observational or randomized controlled trials, (b) assess either trauma exposure or symptoms of justice-involved Latinx youth 13 to 18 years of age, (c) sample detained youth in the juvenile justice system, and (d) compare Latinx trauma experience or symptoms by gender and/or by ethnicity/race. A librarian at the University of California, San Francisco assisted to identify seminal articles in the field of juvenile justice and to identify subject headings and keyword terms from titles and abstracts. Results: Seven peer-reviewed articles were collected from PsycINFO, PubMed, and EMBASE, analyzed, and summarized. Themes from the literature were organized into the following sections: (a) participant characteristics, (b) measurement of trauma experience and PTSD, (c) types of studies, (d) trauma rates, (e) trauma exposure by race/ethnicity and Latinx gender, and (f) PTSD by race/ethnicity and gender. There were differences in the number and types of traumatic experiences that the youth were asked about, which precluded allowing direct data comparisons across studies. Most of the studies varied in their measurement of PTSD. Trauma exposure rates by race/ethnicity and Latinx gender was mixed. Latinx youth disclosed PTSD symptoms at a statistically significant higher rate than did White and Black youth. Conclusion: Trauma rate differences varied by study, presumably related to a lack of construct equivalence and variability in the number and types of traumatic experiences assessed by the measures. Further research is needed to inform appropriate assessment and treatment of justice-involved Latinx youth.