bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Osteocyte-derived exosomes induced by mechanical strain promote human periodontal ligament stem cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in an inflammatory environment via the miR-181b-5p/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Lv Peiying , Gao Pengfei , Yang Yanyan , Wang Zihui , Sun Lu , Mo Feifei , Tian Guangjie , Kuang Mingjie , Wang Yonglan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: The oral cavity is a complex environment in which periodontal tissue is constantly stimulated by external microorganisms and mechanical forces. Proper mechanical force helps maintain periodontal tissue homeostasis and improper inflammatory response can break the balance. Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells plays crucial roles in responding these challenges and maintaining the homeostasis of periodontal tissue. However, the mechanisms underlying PDL cell property changes induced by inflammatory and mechanical force microenvironments are still unclear. Recent studies have shown that exosomes function as a mean of cell-cell and cell-matrix communication in biological processes. Methods: Human periodontal ligament stem cells (HPDLSCs) were tested by the CCK8 assay, EdU, alizarin red and ALP staining to evaluate the functions of exosomes induced by mechanical strain. MicroRNA sequencing was used to find the discrepancy miRNA in exosomes. In addition, RT-PCR, FISH, luciferase reporter assay and western blotting assay were used to investigated the mechanism of miR-181b-5p regulating proliferation and osteogenic differentiation through the PTEN/AKT pathway. Results: In this study, the exosomes secreted by MLO-Y4 cells exposed to mechanical strain (Exosome-MS) contributed to human periodontal ligament stem cell (HPDLSC) proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. High-throughput miRNA sequencing showed that miR181b-5p was upregulated in Exosome-MS compared to the exosomes derived from MLO-Y4 cells lacking MS. The luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-181b-5p may target Phosphatase tension homolog deletion (PTEN). In addition, PTEN was negatively regulated by overexpressing miR-181b-5p. PCR and western blot analyses verified that miR‐181b-5p enhanced the protein kinase B (AKT) activity and improved downstream factor transcription. Furthermore, miR-181b-5p effectively ameliorated the inhibition of HPDLSC proliferation and osteogenesis induced by inflammation. Conclusions: This study concluded that exosomes induced by mechanical strain promote HPDLSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation via the miR-181b-5p/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway, suggesting a potential mechanism for maintaining periodontal homeostasis.
Health care utilization and HIV clinical outcomes following Affordable Care Act implementation in California: A longitudinal study
Authors: Satre Derek D. , Parthasarathy Sujaya , Silverberg Michael J. , Horberg Michael , Young-Wolff Kelly C. , Williams Emily C. , Volberding Paul , Campbell Cynthia I. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) increased insurance coverage for people with HIV (PWH) in the United States, yet post-ACA health care utilization and HIV outcomes have rarely been examined. Methods: Among PWH newly enrolled in an integrated health care system (Kaiser Permanente Northern California) in 2014 (N=880), we examined use of health care and modeled associations between enrollment mechanisms (enrolled in a Qualified Health Plan through the California Exchange vs. other sources), deductibles (none, $1-$999 and >= $1000), receipt of benefits from the California AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), demographic factors, and three-year patterns of health service utilization (primary care, psychiatry, substance treatment, emergency, inpatient) and HIV outcomes (CD4 counts, viral suppression). Results: Health care use was greatest immediately after enrollment and decreased over three years. Those with high deductibles were less likely to use primary care (OR=0.64, 95% CI=0.49 - 0.83, p < 0.001) or psychiatry OR=0.58, 95% CI=0.36, 0.93, p=0.02) than those with low or no deductibles. Enrollment via the Exchange was associated with fewer psychiatry visits (rate ratio [RR]=0.38, 95% CI=0.17 - 0.83; p=0.02), but ADAP was positively associated with number of psychiatry visits (RR=2.22, 95% CI=1.22 – 4.05 p=0.01). There was no association between enrollment mechanism or deductibles and HIV outcomes, but ADAP enrollment was associated with viral suppression (OR=2.23, 95% CI=1.35 - 3.68, p<0.001). Non-white PWH were less likely to be virally suppressed, (OR=0.47, 95% CI= 0.31 - 0.71, p< 0.001). Conclusions: In this sample of PWH drawn from an integrated health care system in California, findings suggest that enrollment via the Exchange and higher deductibles were negatively associated with some aspects of service utilization but did not impact HIV outcomes; support from ADAP appeared to help patients achieve viral suppression; ethnic disparities remain important to address in post-ACA health services for PWH even among those with access to insurance coverage.
Determinants of Fairtrade Channel Choice and its Effect on Income of Coffee Farm Households
Authors: Kudama Gezahagn 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
This article attempts to identify factors determining Fairtrade coffee marketing channel choice and its effect on income of coffee farmers in Jimma zone, based on primary data generated from 153 randomly sampled respondents. The Probit model result ascertain that membership of cooperatives, literacy, access to market information and small-scale coffee farm enhances but remoteness from cooperatives reduces the probability of farmer’s participation in Fairtrade coffee market. Furthermore, OLS model result confirms that coffee farming experience, larger coffee farm, and participation in training lead to increase but access to credit lead to decrease income earning of farmers from coffee. The finding also designates that Fairtrade marketing participation yields considerable income over traditional markets. Based on these, policy measures that advance farmers’ capacity via training, physical access to market places, market information services, participation cooperatives and expansion of Fairtrade markets will lead to increase earning of farmers’ from coffee sector.
Distinct efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy in patients with resected pathological Stage IIIA-N2 lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tian Cuimeng , Li Baolan , Liu Guimei , Xu Yongxiang , Xia Guangrong , Zhang Tongmei , Huang Jiaqiang , Jiang Hui , Wang Ji Ming 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background. The beneficial effect of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) on resected pathological IIIA-N2 (pIIIA-N2) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been a subject of interest with controversy. The aim of this study was to distinguish the clinical efficacy of PORT on lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) among pIIIA-N2 NSCLC. Methods. Between October 2010 and September 2016, 288 consecutive patients with resected pIIIA-N2 NSCLC at Beijing Chest Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 194 cases of adenocarcinoma (ADC), 85 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 5 cases of large cell carcinoma, 3 cases of adenosquamous carcinoma, and 1 case of clear cell carcinoma. In pIIIA-N2 LADC and LSCC 42 and 19 cases received PORT, respectively. Life Table was used for univariable analyses of factors affecting the rate of overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate risk factors affecting OS, LRFS and DMFS. Results. In 194 cases of pIIIA-N2 LADC, smoking index (SI) < 400 (p = .000), a lower number of positive nodes (p = .009), a single N2 station (p = .012) and treatment with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (POCT) (p = .006) were independent prognostic factors for OS in multivariable analyses. Other beneficial factors included the use of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors in univariable analyses. PORT failed to show benefit in prolonging the OS of pIIIA-N2 LADC patients. In contrast, in 85 cases of pIIIA-N2 LSCC, PORT alone was a significant positive prognostic factor for OS (p = .027), LRFS (p = .014) and DMFS (p = .030) in multivariable analyses. Stratified analysis revealed older age (≥ 65 years) (p = .031) and lower T stage (p = .042) as predictors of longer OS in PORT group patients of pIIIA-N2 LSCC. Conclusions. Our analysis singled out pIIIA-N2 LSCC as a NSCLC sub population who benefited from PORT, which did not show effect on the OS in pIIIA-N2 LADC. Therefore, pIIIA-N2 LSCC represents a unique cohort among pIIIA-N2 NSCLC and should be considered as an independent patient group with strong indication for PORT.
Trade Agreement as a Model of Development: The Case of the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA)
Authors: Navarrete Al Faithrich , Tatlonghari Virgilio 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) includes comprehensive provisions that aims to foster economic growth. The provision on Tariff Elimination is expected to increase trade between the two countries. A modified Gravity Model was used in order to estimate the impact of Tariff Elimination to Exports of the Philippines to Japan using the weighted average of tariffs imposed by Japan to Philippine Exports. While a Two-Stage Least Squares (TSLS) was utilized to estimate its impact to Economic Development. Using quarterly data from 2001 to 2013, results shows that although the agreement is able to statistically increase exports of the Philippines to Japan, it may not be enough to induce significant Economic Growth to the Philippines.
Integrated analysis of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network and the potential prognosis indicators in sarcomas
Authors: Zhang Ling , Gao Lu , Zhao Yu , Ma Xuelei 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The ceRNA network has been demonstrated to play crucial roles in multiple biological processes and the development of neoplasms, which have the potential to become diagnostic and prognosis markers and therapeutic targets. In this work, we comparing the expression profiles between sarcoma identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), lncRNAs (DELs) and miRNAs (DEMs) in sarcomas and normal tissue samples in GEO datasets. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were applied to investigate the major functions of the overlapping DEGs. Then, lncRNA-miRNA interactions and miRNA-mRNA interactions were predicted, and a ceRNA regulatory network was constructed. In addition, the mRNAs included in ceRNA network were used to construct the protein-protein interactions network, and the survival analysis of sarcomas was performed according to the biomarkers included in the ceRNA network. According to the RNA sequence data from GEO dataset, 1296 DEGs were identified in sarcoma samples by combining the GO and Pathway enrichment analysis, 338 DELs were discovered after re-annotating the probes, and 36 DEGs were ascertained through intersecting two different expression miRNAs sets. Further, 448 miRNA-mRNA interactions and 454 miRNA-lncRNA interactions were obtained through target gene prediction, and then, we constructed a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network containing 9 miRNAs, 69 lncRNAs and 113 mRNAs. PPI network showed that the hub up-regulated nodes include IGF1, PRKCB and GNAI3, and the hub down-regulated nodes include AR, CYCS and PPP1CB. Survival analysis revealed that the expression levels of 12 RNAs involved in the ceRNA network were associated with overall survival of sarcoma patients. Our study showed that the ceRNA network in sarcomas based on that lncRNA could serve as ceRNA and discovered the potential indicators for prognosis of sarcoma patients.
Prevalence, mortality and healthcare economic burden of Tuberous Sclerosis in Hong Kong: a population-based retrospective cohort study (1995-2018)
Authors: Chu William Ching-Yuen , Chiang Lorraine Lok-Wing , Chan Dorothy Chi-Ching , Wong Wilfred Hing-Sang , Chan Godfrey Chi-Fung 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background:We aim to elucidate the disease impact by accounting the prevalence, survival rate, genetics, drug use and direct costs of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in our local setting. TSC patients with documented visits to our local public hospitals in 1995-2018 were identified. The public hospitals captured most if not all local TSC patients. Demographics such as age, sex, death, genetic profiles were retrieved from the central electronic database. Data including prevalence, age distribution and survival rate were analysed. Direct cost was calculated with reference to the drug use and number of visits to various public hospital facilities.Results:We identified 284 surviving TSC patients (55.3% male) in Hong Kong. The age range was from 4.5 months to 89.9 years, with a median age of 27.2 years. Paediatrics (<18 years) to adult (≥18 years) ratio was 1:2.84. The overall prevalence of TSC patients was 3.87 in 100,000 (i.e. 1 in 25,833). Genetically, TSC1:TSC2 ratio is 1:2.7.Thirty seven patients died within the study period. The age of death ranged from 7.6 years to 77.8 years, with a median age of death at 36.6 years (IQR: 24.7-51.1 years). Most patients survived till adulthood. Survival rate at 20 and 50 years follow-up was 98.6% and 79.5% respectively. Forty seven (16.5%) TSC patients were prescribed with mTOR inhibitors within the study period. Healthcare facility utilization was further analysed in the 2008-2018 cohort. In particular, the mean number of specialist out-patient clinic visits per patient-year was 9.23 per patient-year, which was 4.91 times more than that of local general population.Conclusions:Prevalence of local TSC patients is within the range of that reported in the literature. Local TSC patients have fair long term survival, but they require disproportionally high healthcare cost when compared with the general population, particularly in terms of outpatient (OP) visits. Although effective disease-modifying agent (i.e. mTOR inhibitor) is available, it was not widely used yet in Hong Kong. Further research on quality of life and setting up a comprehensive patient registry are necessary for more accurate assessment of cost and benefit.
Association between dietary patterns and handgrip strength: analysis of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data between 2014 and 2017
Authors: Kang Yunkoo , Kim Jieun , Kim Do-Yeon , Kim Seung , Park Sowon , Lim Hyunjung , Koh Hong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Non-invasive anthropometric measurement methods such as those for measuring height and weight are crucial in pediatric patients. However, research focusing on the association between the type of dietary pattern and handgrip strength and handgrip-to-weight ratio in adolescents has not been carried out yet. Methods The current work aims to investigate the association between handgrip strength and dietary patterns in Korean adolescents. This cross-sectional analyses of the 2014-2017 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey assessed 2,327 adolescent (aged 10-18 years) who had measured handgrip strength and analyzed association between dietary pattern. The mean of three handgrip strength measurements, per hand, was used in the analysis. Handgrip-to-weight ratio was calculated by the following equation: Handgrip strength/body weight (kg)×100). The overall food intake data were subcategorized into 25 food groups from the Korean Nutrient Database. The clusters were examined for nutritional values, and the ready-to-eat , balanced, and western-style fast-food clusters were ultimately generated. The association between handgrip strength, handgrip-to-weight ratio, and dietary intake was analyzed. Results Overall, 85.6% of the participants were assigned to a ready-to-eat dietary pattern, 9.3% to a western-style fast-food dietary pattern, and 5.1% to a balanced dietary pattern. Compared with the participants following a balanced dietary pattern, those following a ready-to-eat dietary pattern were shown to have significantly lower handgrip strength and handgrip-to-weight ratio. However, no significant association was found between handgrip strength or handgrip-to-weight ratio when the western-style fast-food dietary pattern was compared to the balanced dietary pattern. Conclusions Decreased handgrip strength and handgrip-to-weight ratio value in participants following ready-to-eat dietary patterns indicate a diffuse problem in adolescents’ health and possibly imply an association between reduced muscle quality and dietary pattern. Moreover, the overall environmental factors potentially inducing such unhealthy dietary preferences should be investigated, and appropriate lifestyle changes in Korean adolescents should be encouraged.
Analyzing environmental parameters for drying of neem and moringa leaves in solar greenhouse dryer regions of southern India
Authors: K Rajesh , N Shenbaga Vinayaga Moorthi , E Sivakumar 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The green foliage of plants plays a vital role in the Traditional Medical System(TMS). Especially neem and moringa contains rich nutrients and hence used for medicinal purpose, preserving and drying of these leaves are found to be most important. Using a solar greenhouse dryer(GHD) for this purpose reduces the cost of energy and maintains herbal’s own multifarious spectrum of constituent substances.Drying of these herbals in solar greenhouse dryer depends on the duration of sunshine hours in a particular day, atmospheric pressure, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, rainfall, turbidity parameters and transmission coefficients. In the above parameters, finding the longest duration sun shine hours and the best intensity rate of the sunshine are considered to be important to get better performance from the dryer. This communication throws light on the (1) Best time to start the drying process in a particular day ,month and year in GPS co-ordinates (12.2253° N, 79.0747° E) of Tiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu (2) Fabrication of the experimental setup of solar greenhouse dryer (3) Conducting the test for reduction of moisture up to safe limit of moisture content (4) Experimental results are to be validated with the theoretical results.
Dynamic changes of D-Dimer and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Count Ratio as prognostic biomarkers in COVID-19
Authors: Ye Wenjing , Chen Guoxi , Li Xiaopan , Lan Xing , Ji Chen , Hou Min , Zhang Di , Zeng Guangwang , Wang Yaling , Xu Cheng , Lu Weiwei , Cui Ruolin , Cai Yuyang , Huang Hai , Yang Ling 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Since December 2019, the outbreak of COVID-19 caused a large number of hospital admissions in China. Many patients with COVID-19 have symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome, even are in danger of death. This is the first study to evaluate dynamic changes of D-Dimer and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Count Ratio (NLR) as a prognostic utility in patients with COVID-19 for clinical use.Methods In a retrospective study, we collected data from 349 hospitalized patients who diagnosed as the infection of the COVID-19 in Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital. We used ROC curves and Cox regression analysis to explore critical value (optimal cut-off point associated with Youden index) and prognostic role of dynamic changes of D-Dimer and NLR.Results 349 participants were enrolled in this study and the mortality rate of the patients with laboratory diagnosed COVID-19 was 14.9%. The initial and peak value of D-Dimer and NLR in deceased patients were higher statistically compared with survivors (P<0.001). There was a more significant upward trend of D-Dimer and NLR during hospitalization in the deceased patients, initial D-Dimer and NLR were lower than the peak tests (MD) -25.23, 95% CI:-31.81- -18.64, P <0.001; (MD) -43.73, 95% CI:-59.28- -31.17, P <0.001. The test showed a stronger correlation between hospitalization days, PCT and peak D-Dimer than initial D-Dimer. The areas under the ROC curves of peak D-Dimer and peak NLR tests were higher than the initial tests (0.94(95%CI: 0.90-0.98) vs. 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73-0.87); 0.93 (95%CI:0.90-0.96) vs. 0.86 (95%CI:0.82-0.91). The critical value of initial D-Dimer, peak D-Dimer, initial NLR and peak NLR was 0.73 mg/L, 3.78 mg/L,7.13 and 14.31 respectively. The multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that age (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.07, P=0.01), the peak D-Dimer (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.04, P<0.001) were prognostic factors for COVID-19 patients’ death.Conclusions To dynamically observe the ratio of D-Dimer and NLR was more valuable during the prognosis of COVID-19. The rising trend in D-Dimer and NLR, or the test results higher than the critical values may indicate a risk of death for participants with COVID-19.
Left Atrial Spontaneous Echo Contrast Occurring in Patients with Low CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASc Scores
Authors: Akamatsu Kanako , Ito Takahide , Ozeki Michishige , Miyamura Masatoshi , Sohmiya Koichi , Hoshiga Masaaki 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LASEC) is common in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), although scarce information exists regarding LASEC occurring in AF patients with low thromboembolic risk scores. We investigated prevalence and determinants of LASEC under low CHADS 2 or CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores. Methods: Among 713 patients with nonvalvular AF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography, 361 with a CHADS 2 score <2 (CHADS 2 group) and 227 with a CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score <2 (CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc group) were separately examined for clinical and echocardiographic findings. Results: LASEC was found in 80 patients of CHADS 2 group (22%) and in 44 of CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc group (19%). With multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusted for non-paroxysmal AF, renal dysfunction, LA diameter ≥50 mm, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction <50%, LV hypertrophy, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) ≥200 pg/mL, it was demonstrated that for CHADS 2 group, “non-paroxysmal AF” (OR 5.86, 95%CI 3.21-10.7, P <0.001), BNP ≥200 pg/mL (Odds ratio 3.22, 95%CI 1.25-8.28, P = 0.015), and LV hypertrophy (Odds ratio 2.16, 95%CI 1.11-4.20, P = 0.024) were significant independent determinants of LASEC, and that for CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc group, “non-paroxysmal AF” (Odds ratio 3.42, 95%CI 1.53-7.65, P = 0.002) was a significant independent determinant of LASEC. Conclusions: LASEC was present in a considerable proportion of patients who had low CHADS 2 or CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc scores. Information on chronicity of AF, BNP, and LV hypertrophy may help identify patients at risk for thromboembolism.