bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may be safe for COVID-19 patients
Authors: Wang Wenjun , Zhao Xiaohui , Wei Wei , Fan Weiwang , Gao Kai , He Shengxiu , Zhuang Xijing 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: To investigate the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) administration to hypertension patients with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced pneumonia.Methods: We recorded the recovery status of 67 inpatients with hypertension and COVID-19 induced pneumonia in the Raytheon Mountain Hospital in Wuhan during February 12, 2020 and March 30, 2020. Patients treated with ACEI or ARBs were categorized in group A (n = 22), while patients who were not administered either ACEI or ARBs were categorized into group B (n = 45). We did a comparative analysis of various parameters such as the pneumonia progression, length-of-stay in the hospital, and the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum creatinine (Cr), and creatine kinase (CK) between the day when these patients were admitted to the hospital and the day when the treatment ended.Results: These 67 hypertension cases counted for 33.17% of the total COVID-19 patients. There was no significant difference in the usage of drug treatment of COVID-19 between groups A and B (p > 0.05). During the treatment, 1 case in group A and 3 cases in group B progressed from mild pneumonia into severe pneumonia. Eventually, all patients were cured and discharged after treatment, and no recurrence of COVID-2019 induced pneumonia occurred after the discharge. The length of stays was shorter in group A as compared with group B, but there was no significant difference (p > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in other general parameters between the patients of the groups A and B on the day of admission to the hospital (p > 0.05). The ALT, CK, and Cr levels did not significantly differ between groups A and B on the day of admission and the day of discharge (p > 0.05). Conclusions: To treat the hypertension patients with COVID-19 caused pneumonia, anti-hypertensive drugs (ACEs and ARBs) may be used according to the relative guidelines. The treatment regimen with these drugs does not need to be altered for the COVID-19 patients.
E-cigarette Use for Smoking Reduction and Cessation in a Four-year Follow-up Study Among Young Swiss Men: Some may Benefit, but they are Few.
Authors: Gmel Gerhard , Wicki Matthias , Marmet Simon , Studer Joseph 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroundRandomised controlled trials have shown some benefits to using e-cigarettes (ECs) to facilitate smoking reduction and cessation, but real-world observational studies have rarely confirmed this. The present study looked at EC use and smoking during a four-year longitudinal study of young men. It compares general population findings with a subgroup of individuals with a good prognosis for quitting smoking. MethodsThe smoking habits of 5353 young men at t1 (average 21.3 years old) were defined as either never-smoker, ex-smoker, initiates, relapsed smoker or persistent smoker. At follow-up (t2), smoking status was analysed using logistic regression, differences in the number of cigarettes smoked by persistent t1/t2 smokers were analysed using mixed linear models and the number of quit attempts was analysed using negative binomial models. ResultsAt the general population level, EC use had no beneficial effects on reducing or ceasing smoking. Non-smokers (never- and ex-) and smokers at t1 were more likely to be smokers at t2 if they had begun to use ECs (e.g. among persistent smokers OR=4.56, 95% CI [2.75, 7.58]), but not-significantly so if they had already used ECs at t1. Among smokers at t1, almost daily EC use at t1 was associated with a non-significant reduction in smoking at t2 (OR=0.74, 95% CI [0.33, 1.65]), but occasional EC use significantly increased smoking at t2 (OR=3.05, 95% CI [2.29, 4.06]). Both daily and occasional EC use increased smoking at t2 among t1 non-smokers. T2 smokers made more attempts to quit when using ECs at t2 (IRR=1.53, 95% CI [1.26, 1.85]). Beneficial effects were found among a subgroup of EC users with a good prognosis for quitting (using nicotine liquids and at least 2nd generation ECs, motivation to quit and daily EC use at t2, but not t1). ConclusionSome smokers may have benefitted from using ECs, but they were few. At the general population level, ECs are not predominantly used in a way, which might optimise reducing or ceasing smoking. Therefore, the public health effect on the general population of using ECs may be questionable, as may policy measures to facilitate EC use.
Comparison of prognostic impact of anatomic location of the pancreas on postoperative pancreatic fistula in laparoscopic and open gastrectomy
Authors: Kinoshita Jun , Yamaguchi Takahisa , Saito Hiroto , Moriyama Hideki , Shimada Mari , Terai Shiro , Okamoto Koichi , Nakanuma Shinichi , Makino Isamu , Nakamura Keishi , Tajima Hidehiro , Ninomiya Itasu , Fushida Sachio 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a serious complication after gastric cancer surgery. The current study aimed to investigate the significance of the anatomic location of the pancreas as a predictor for POPF in both laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) and open gastrectomy (OG). Methods: In total, 233 patients with gastric cancer were assessed retrospectively. We measured the maximum vertical (P-L height; PLH) and horizontal length (P-L depth; PLD) between the upper border of pancreas and the root of left gastric artery on a preoperative CT in the sagittal direction. The maximum length of the vertical line between the surface of the pancreas and the aorta (P-A length), previously reported as prognostic factor of POPF, was also measured. We investigated the correlations between these parameters and the incidence of POPF in LG and OG groups. Results: Among the patients in this study, 118 underwent OG and 115 underwent LG. In LG, the median PLH and P-A length in patients with POPF were significantly longer compared with those without POPF (p=0.026, 0.034, respectively), but not in OG. There was no significant difference in the median PLD between the patients with or without POPF in both LG and OG. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that PLH (odds ratio [OR] 4.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.57–11.3, P=0.004) and P-A length (OR 4.06, 95%CI 1.05–15.7, P=0.042] were independent factors for predicting POPF in LG. However, intraoperative blood loss (OR 2.55, 95%CI 1.05–6.18, P=0.038) was extracted as an independent factor in OG. The median amylase level in the drained fluid (D-Amy) were significantly higher in patients with high PLH(≥12.4 mm) or high P-A length (≥45 mm) compared with those with low PLH or low P-A length in LG. However, there were no differences in the D-Amy levels by PLH or P-A length in OG patients. Conclusions: The anatomic location of the pancreas is a specific and independent predictor of POPF in LG but not in OG. PLH is a simple parameter that can evaluate the anatomic position of the pancreas, and it may be useful for preventing POPF after LG.
Can social capital play a role in contracting services of family doctors in China? Reflections based on an integrative review.
Authors: Xu Xinglong , Antwi Henry Asante , Zhou Lulin , Mustafa Tehzeeb , Boafo-Arthur Ama 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The family doctors’ contract service problem is not about government management alone, but an interaction of a complex social environment. Consequently, the effect of contracted services of family doctors not only depends on policy incentives but also needs to win the participation, acknowledgement, and confidence of community residents. The purpose of this integrative review is to examine whether there is any significant evidence that social capital in the form of social networking groups and other forms of social groups have any positive impact on the acceptance and the effectiveness of family doctors' contractual services.Method: Research on qualitative, quantitative and hybrid methods published in peer-reviewed journals on the social capital role in the process of contract service of family doctors were eligible for inclusion. In view of the increasing attention paid to the contract service effect of family doctors during this period, a 10-year time scale was selected to ensure full coverage of relevant literature in the same period. In total, 809 articles were determined in the database retrieval results which were downloaded and transferred to the Mendeley reference application software.Results: Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria for this integrative review and the quality of the included studies were assessed using the published criteria for the critical appraisal of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Majority of the articles assessed reported that there was evidence of a positive link between social support, especially a sense of belonging and the presence of regular family doctors. The influencing factors of patients' contract behavior of studies conducted in China were social interaction of social capital, acceptance of the first contact in the community, year of investigation, and exposure to the public. Conclusion: The family doctor system should take the community as the carrier, integrate various social resources, improve the doctor-patient relationship, cultivate social network groups in the community, and accelerate the development of community construction, social capital (social network groups) can guide residents to use family doctor services to maintain health. Social capital can also help residents have a regular and reliable family doctor.
Real-time determination of earthquake focal mechanism via deep learning
Authors: Kuang Wenhuan , Yuan Congcong , Zhang Jie 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
An immediate report of the source focal mechanism with full automation after a destructive earthquake is crucial for timely characterizing the faulting geometry, evaluating the stress perturbation, and assessing the aftershock patterns. Advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been introduced to solve various problems in real-time seismology, but the real-time source focal mechanism is still a challenge. Here we propose a novel deep learning method namely Focal Mechanism Network (FMNet) to address this problem. The FMNet trained with 787,320 synthetic samples successfully estimates the focal mechanisms of four 2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes with magnitude larger than Mw 5.4. The network learns the global waveform characteristics from theoretical data, thereby allowing the extensive applications of the proposed method to regions of potential seismic hazards with or without historical earthquake data. After receiving data, the network takes less than two hundred milliseconds for predicting the source focal mechanism reliably on a single CPU.
Across kingdom biased CYP-mediated metabolism via small-molecule ligands docking on P450 oxidoreductase
Authors: Jensen Simon , Thodberg Sara , Parween Shaheena , Moses Matias , hansen Cecilie , Thomsen Johannes , Sletfjerding Magnus , knudsen Camilla , Giudice Rita , Lund Philip , castano patricia , Bustamante Yanet , Jørgensen Flemming , Pandey Amit , Laursen Tomas , Møller Birger , Hatzakis Nikos 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Metabolic control is mediated by the dynamic assemblies and function of multiple redox enzymes. A key element in these assemblies, the P450 oxidoreductase (POR), donates electrons and selectively activates numerous (>50 in humans and >300 in plants) cytochromes P450 (CYPs) controlling metabolism of drugs, steroids and xenobiotics in humans and natural product biosynthesis in plants. The mechanisms underlying POR-mediated CYP metabolism remain poorly understood and to date no ligand binding has been described to regulate the specificity of POR. Here, using a combination of computational modeling and functional assays, we identified ligands that dock on POR and bias its specificity towards CYP redox partners. Single molecule FRET studies revealed ligand docking to alter POR conformational sampling, which resulted in biased activation of metabolic cascades in whole cell assays. We propose the model of biased metabolism, a mechanism akin to biased signaling of GPCRs, where ligand docking on POR stabilizes different conformational states that are linked to distinct metabolic outcomes. Biased metabolism may allow designing pathway-specific therapeutics or personalized food suppressing undesired, disease related, metabolic pathways.
From Anaerobic to Aerobic Treatment: Upcycling of Digestate as a Moisturizing Agent for in-vessel Composting Process
Authors: Chaher Nour El houda , Hemidat Safwat , Chakchouk Mehrez , Nassour Abdallah , Hamdi Moktar , Nelles Michael 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
In Tunisia, there are crucial challenges facing both urban and rural areas, the most prominent of which are the production of organic waste, the need for waste treatment, the demand for water and energy and the need for a circular economy. To this end, the study was designed to develop a technical concept on closed cycle ‘biowaste to bioenergy’ treating, basically food waste (FW) through combined biological processes. In this approach, the generated digestate from FW anaerobic reactors was used successfully as a moisturizing agent for FW in vessel-composting. Four types of digestate were examined to be used as moisturizing agent (MA). The selection of the appropriate MA was achieved based on technical criteria ; moisture content (MC), C : N ratio and heavy metals concentrations. The findings showed that the digestate obtained from anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and wheat straw (D1) was the most efficient AD-effluent to be added. In terms of composting process performance, the thermophilic phase of the amended reactor (A1) lasted 16 days and reached higher temperatures of about 72°C, while the unamended one (A1) was characterized by a thermophilic temperature of around 66°C indicating that the end-products were of a pathogen-free compost. When it comes to the physico-chemical factors examined demonstrating that the biological conditions were sufficiently developed. The findings showed overall decreasing profiles during the composting period for moisture, C : N ratio as well as nitrification index (NI). From the quality-point of view, it was found that heavy metal concentrations had lower limits than those values set by German standards. Moreover, all the compost samples appeared to be stable and classified as class IV and V end-product.
Regression Models for Interval Censored Data Using Parametric Pseudo-Observations
Authors: Johansen Martin Nygård , Lundbye-Christensen Søren , Larsen Jacob Moesgaard , Parner Erik Thorlund 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Time-to-event data that is subject to interval censoring is common in the practice of medical research and versatile statistical methods for estimating associations in such settings have been limited. For right censored data, non-parametric pseudo-observations have been proposed as a basis for regression modeling with the possibility to use different association measures. In this article, we propose a method for calculating pseudo-observations for interval censored data. Methods: We develop an extension of a recently developed set of parametric pseudo-observations based on a spline-based flexible parametric estimator. The inherent competing risk issue with an interval censored event of interest necessitates the use of an illness-death model, and we formulate our method within this framework. To evaluate the empirical properties of the proposed method, we perform a simulation study and calculate pseudo-observations based on our method as well as alternative approaches. We also present an analysis of a real dataset on patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators who are monitored for the occurrence of a particular type of device failures by routine follow-up examinations. In this dataset, we have information on exact event times as well as the interval censored data, so we can compare analyses of pseudo-observations based on the interval censored data to those obtained using the non-parametric pseudo-observations for right censored data. Results: Our simulations show that the proposed method for calculating pseudo-observations provides unbiased estimates of the cumulative incidence function as well as associations with exposure variables with appropriate coverage probabilities. The analysis of the real dataset also suggests that our method provides estimates which are in agreement with estimates obtained from the right censored data. Conclusions: The proposed method for calculating pseudo-observations based on the flexible parametric approach provides a versatile solution to the specific challenges that arise with interval censored data. This solution allows regression modeling using a range of different association measures.
Synapsin-caveolin-1 Mitigates Cognitive Deficits and Neurodegeneration in PSAPP Mice
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Leem Joseph , Podvin Sonia , Hook Vivian , Kleschevnikov Natalia , Savchenko Paul , Dhanani Mehul , Zhou Kimberly , Kelly Isabella , Zhang Tong , Miyanohara Atsushi , Kleschevnikov Alexander , Wagner Steve , Trojanowski John , Roth David , Patel Hemal , Patel Piyush , Head Brian 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: AD presents with severe neurodegeneration which leads to cognitive deficits and dementia. While many previous approaches focused on targeting amyloid and/or tau, we identified a novel molecular and cellular target that attenuates neurodegeneration in AD which may be exploited as therapeutic targets.Methods: Using immunoblot, microscopic immunofluorescence and proteomic analysis, the current study revealed that PSAPP transgenic mice exhibit decreased hippocampal caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a membrane/lipid raft (MLR) scaffolding protein that organizes synaptic signaling components. Subcellularly, Cav-1 and full length (fl)-TrkB were significantly decreased in hippocampal MLRs. We thus used viral vector that contains a neuronal-targeted Cav-1 construct using the synapsin promoter (SynCav1) to re-express Cav-1 in PSAPP mice. Effects of SynCav1 on cognition function, hippocampal neuron morphology and ultrastructure were examined at 9 (presymptomatic stage) and 11 month (symptomatic stage) respectively.Results: While PSAPP mice showed significant learning and memory deficits at 9 and 11 months, PSAPP mice that received hippocampal SynCav1 (PSAPP-SynCav1) maintained normal learning and memory at 9 and 11 months respectively. Furthermore, PSAPP-SynCav1 mice showed preserved hippocampal MLR-localized fl-TrkB, synaptic ultrastructure, dendritic arborization and axonal myelin content, all of which occurred independent of reducing amyloid deposit and astrogliosis.Conclusions: While transgenic PSAPP mice exhibit decreased hippocampal expression of the MLR scaffolding protein Cav-1 in the early stage of disease, SynCav1 mitigated neuropathology and cognitive deficits in PSAPP mice. Irrespective of amyloid, our approach targeted neuronal degeneration pathways that may be downstream of amyloid species and/or tau in AD but also other forms of neurodegeneration of different or unknown etiology.
Knowledge and Risk Perception of Vulnerable Women on Zika Virus Infection at Primary Health Care Level in Brazil
Authors: Osorio-de-Castro Claudia Garcia Serpa , Santos-Pinto Cláudia Du Bocage , de Lima Clarice Antunes , Miranda Elaine Silva 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe ZIKV infection outbreak in Brazil surged from late 2014, peaking in 2015. Vulnerable low-income groups, with inadequate housing conditions or sanitation were most affected by ZIKV-related neurologic syndrome. We aim to detect basal knowledge and beliefs, as well as knowledge gaps among vulnerable women.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in two low-income urban community settings: a small municipality in the Center West with few ZIKV infection cases and a large municipality in the Southeast hard-hit by the epidemic. We developed an open-ended data collection instrument centered on awareness of ZIKV infection, sources of information, possible causes, symptoms, risk perception and consequences for pregnant women, and applied it to vulnerable women after informed consent. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and content coded for thematic analysis.ResultsSeventy-nine women responded. The majority had some knowledge of the disease, its causes and consequences but distanced themselves from ZIKV infection. Health services in both communities did not respond adequately and did not contribute to communicate risk for women and children. ConclusionsIn an uncertain future scenario as to reemergence of disease, we propose that awareness will be diminished and acquired knowledge lost. This is a great public health challenge that must be overcome to prepare both vulnerable groups and the health system for public health emergencies.
Outpatient Care in Acute and Prehospital Emergency Medicine by Emergency Medical and Patient Transport Service Over a 10-year Period: A Retrospective Study Based on Dispatch Data From a German Emergency Medical Control Center (OFF-RESCUE)
Authors: Schehadat Marc S. , Scherer Guido , Groneberg David A. , Kaps Manfred , Bendels Michael H.K. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background The number of operations by the German emergency medical service almost doubled between 1994 and 2016. The associated expenses increased by 380 % in a similar period. Operations with treatment on-site, which retrospectively proved to be misallocated (OFF-Missions), have a substantial proportion of the assignment of the emergency medical service (EMS). Besides OFF-Missions, operations with patient transport play a dominant role (named as ON-Missions). The aim of this study is to work out the medical and economic relevance of both operation types.Methods This analysis examined N=819,780 missions of the EMS and patient transport service (PTS) in the catchment area of the emergency medical control center (EMCC) Bad Kreuznach over the period from 01/01/2007 to 12/31/2016 in terms of triage and disposition, urban-rural distribution, duration of operations and economic relevance (p<.01).Results 53.4 % of ON-Missions are triaged with the indication non-life-threatening patient transport; however, 63.7 % are processed by the devices of the EMS. Within the OFF-Mission cohort, 78.2 % and 85.8 % are triaged or dispatched for the EMS. 74 % of all ON-Missions are located in urban areas, 26 % in rural areas; 81.3 % of rural operations are performed by the EMS. 66 % of OFF-Missions are in cities. 93.2 % of the remaining 34 % of operations in rural locations are also performed by the EMS. The odds for both ON- and OFF-Missions in rural areas are significantly higher than for PTS (ORON 3.6, 95 % CI 3.21-3.30; OROFF 3.18, 95 % CI 3.04-3.32). OFF-Missions last 47.2 minutes (SD 42.3; CI 46.9-47.4), while ON-Missions are processed after 79.7 minutes on average (SD 47.6; CI 79.6-79.9). ON-Missions generated a turnover of more than € 114 million, while OFF-Missions made a loss of almost € 13 million.Conclusions This study particularly highlights the increasing utilization of emergency devices; especially in OFF-Missions, the resources of the EMS have a higher number of operations than PTS. OFF-Missions cause immensely high costs due to misallocations from an economic point of view. Appropriate patient management appears necessary from both medical and economic perspective, which requires multiple solution approaches.