bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High hsa_circ_0001944 Expression Predicts Unfavorable Prognoses in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Jin Mingming , Lu Shengjie , Wu Yue , Yang Chen , Shi Chunzi , Huang Gang 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Bladder cancer (BC) is a common genitourinary malignancy worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in the cancer developments, including BC; thus, roles of circRNAs in this process have attracted significant attention. Methods: In this study, high-throughput sequencing was used for circRNA expression profiles analysis in BC tissues. We performed RT-qPCR to determine hsa_circ_0001944 expression regarding BC tissues. We used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to detect hsa_circ_0001944 expression and hsa_circ_0001944 subcellular localization in BC tissues. hsa_circ_0001944 expression in BC cells was selectively regulated. We employed CCK8, transwell, and wound healing assays to monitor the cell proliferation and invasion, respectively. We employed dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pulldown assays to verify the relationship among hsa_circ_0001944, miR-548, and PROK2. We examined the hsa_circ_0001944 effects on BC cell metastasis and proliferation in vivo through a subcutaneous xenograft model as well as an intravenous tail injection model of nude mice. Results: The result show that hsa_circ_0001944 expression increased significantly in BC samples. Furthermore, high hsa_circ_0001944 expression predicted unfavorable prognoses in BC. Functional assays validated that downregulating hsa_circ_0001944 decreased BC invasion and proliferation in vivo and in vitro. Further studies showed that hsa_circ_0001944 expression promoted BC progression via sponging miR-548 and enhancing PROK2 expression. Luciferase reporter experiments validated the interactions between hsa_circ_0001944, miR-548, and PROK2. This study also found that downregulating miR-548 or overexpressing PROK2 restored BC cell invasion and proliferation after silencing hsa_circ_0001944. Conclusions: Taken together, we found hsa_circ_0001944 is a tumor-promoting circRNA in BC that functions like a competing endogenous RNA to regulate PROK2 expression via sponging miR-548.
Process Based Modeling of Energy Consumption for Multi-material FDM 3D Printing
Authors: Liu Yu , Chen Jinghua , Shang Erwei , Chen Yanqiu 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is one most cost-effective 3D printing technique for forming complex 3D components based on thermoplastic materials. The energy consumption analysis is one criterion to determine the capacity and sustainability of the FDM. In this paper, the energy consumption of a dual- extruder FDM is studied by differentiating the whole multi-material printing process into independent operation modes, which characterize the thermal behaviors of the printing parameters. By investigating the execution instruction which describe the tooling plan of the FDM, the nozzle temperature distributions with different filament materials are measured and simulated. The energy consumption details can be accurately captured in our work and therefore we are able to predicate the power demand changes with different working processes of the multi-material FDM 3D printing. This work will be beneficial for optimization of 3D printer design and manufacturing sustainability in next.
Survey of the Status Quo and Work Situation of Chinese Hospital Infection Control Professionals During the Epidemic of COVID-19
Authors: Li Cheng , Xiang Qian , Zheng Chunmei , Zhang Shuhua , Chen Liping , Liu Yongfang 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly worldwide, bringing great challenges to infection control professionals (ICPs). The study aims to understand the status quo and the situation of work and physical and mental health of Chinese infection control professionals (ICPs) during the epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in order to complete hospital infection control work and respond to public health emergencies better.[1]Methods:The questionnaire was designed to conduct anonymous investigations onChinese ICPs relying on the questionnaire star applet during the epidemic of COVID-19.Results:A total of 1652 ICPs from 1265 hospitals were surveyed. 84.32% ICPs’ professional background was nursing; 33.9% could not be promoted in professional title; 62.65% ICPs’ daily income was lower than similar staff at the same level in the hospital; 98% thought that the hospital infection control discipline should be set up.During the epidemic, the ICPs did a lot of work, and most heads of the infectioncontrol department believed that the infection control department had a great role in this epidemic. During this epidemic, 90.47% ICPs worked more than 9 hours a day; the highest psychological stress score was 10 points(out of 10), accounting for 32.14%; 79.3% had worse sleep than usual. Most ICPs felt tired, frustrated and powerless frequently, but only 20.40% complained frequently or consistently. Conclusions:Chinese ICPs are facing difficulties in promotion of professional title, poor salary, high work intensity and high psychological pressure currently.They has undertaken a lot of work and played an important role in the prevention and control of COVID-19.
Sex Differences in an Italian Pediatric Population Covid-19 Positive
Authors: Straface Elisabetta , De Jacobis Isabella Tarissi , Vona Rosa , Cittadini Camilla , Marchesi Alessandra , Cursi Laura , Gambardella Lucrezia , Villani Alberto 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Since December 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan and spread rapidly worldwide. Despite the high number of people affected, data on clinical features and prognostic factors in children and adolescents are limited. We propose a retrospective study aimed to identify sex differences in a pediatric population with COVI-19.Methods: A pediatric population admitted with COVID-19 to Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital of Rome (Italy) in the period from March to May 2020 has been studied taking into account sex differences. Medical history, comorbidities, symptoms and laboratory findings were obtained from patients' electronic medical records. Results: In 37 patients (19 males and 18 females) we found that: i) fever and cough were the dominant symptoms, while gastrointestinal symptoms were rare; and ii) all ages of childhood were susceptible to COVID-19. Moreover, we found that females with COVID-19 were older than males (p < 0.01); required more days of hospitalization (p < 0.04); needed of treatment with multiple drugs; and had higher serum lactate dehydrogenase values (p < 0.04) than males. Conversely, males had, although not significant, higher values of C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate than females.Conclusions: Based on the data listed above sex differences were detected in an Italian pediatric population. Compared to the adults we found that COVID-19 infection in children is a non-severe inflammatory disease in both males and females. In any case, many detailed studies should be conducted.
Risk factors for illness severity in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Nannan , Zhang Hairong , Tang Yanhua , Zhang Hao , Ma Aiying , Xu Fang , Sun Yu , Shan Fangzhen , Jiang Luning 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Although COVID-19 pneumonia is spreading internationally, knowledge regarding the factors associated with the illness severity of patients remains limited. We aimed to identify the factors associated with the disease severity of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia induced by a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Methods

We prospectively enrolled a single-center case series of adult patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Infectious Disease Hospital of Jining, Jining City, Shandong Province, China, from January 24 to March 1, 2020. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and laboratory findings were compared to investigate the risk factors related with the disease severity of COVID-19 pneumonia patients.

Results

We included a total of 78 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, of whom 6 had the severe type. As compared to a moderately ill cohort, our analysis showed that shortness of breath, fatigue, neutrophil percentages > 70%, neutrophil counts > 6.3 × 10 9 /L, lymphocyte percentages < 20%, lymphocyte counts < 1.0 × 10 9 /L, platelet < 100 × 10 9 /L, C-reactive protein (CRP) > 10 mg/L, neutrophil to platelet ratio (NPR) > 2.3, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) > 3.9, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 40 U/L, albumin < 40 g/L, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) > 245 U/L, and glucose > 6.1 mmol/L were predictors of disease severity in COVID-19 pneumonia. In the sex-, age-, and comorbid illness-matched case-control study, neutrophil percentages > 70%, neutrophil counts > 6.3 × 10 9 /L, lymphocyte percentages < 20%, NPR > 2.3, NLR > 3.9, albumin < 40 g/L, and LDH > 245 U/L remained associated with the early detection and identification of severe patients.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that neutrophil percentages > 70%, neutrophil counts > 6.3×10 9 /L, lymphocyte percentages < 20%, NPR > 2.3, NLR > 3.9, albumin < 40 g/L, and LDH > 245 U/L might predict the severity of illness in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.
Overexpressed circ-CEP128, a potential new circular RNA biomarker, promotes cisplatin resistance of bladder cancer cells by regulating necroptosis
Authors: Sun Ming , Zhao Wenyan , Zhang Bin , Geng Donghua , Li Shuqiang , Bu Renge , Liu Xuefeng 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy of urinary system and cisplatin (DDP) remains the only chemotherapy option for treatment of BC at the advanced stage. The critical molecules involved in the regulation of cisplatin resistance are still largely unknown. CircRNAs has been demonstrated to be involved in tumorigenesis and development and drug resistance of various cancer cells. CircCEP128 contributed to BC progression by regulating miR-145-5p/MYD88/MAKP axis. However, functions and molecular mechanisms of circCEP128 in DDP resistance of bladder cancer cells still remain largely unclear.
Methods

Bladder cancer tissue and the corresponding adjacent normal tissue as well as serum samples were obtained from a total of 60 BC patients who received the same cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The expression level of circCEP128 in tissues and serums was measured using qRT-PCR. WB was utilized to detect expression level of PCNA, Cyclin D1, RIPK3, p-RIPK3, MLKL or p-MLKL. Functionally, BC cell viability and proliferation are measured through relevant experiments, including CCK8 assay and cell colony formation assay.
Results

In the current study, we demonstrated that circCEP128 expression was distinctly elevated in the BC tissues and serums, especially in the chemoresistant BC tissues or cell lines, correlated with poor prognosis of BC patients. In addition, ROC curve suggested that circCEP128 might serve as an effective diagnostic biomarker for BC and treatment. Furthermore, cell function assays showed that circCEP128 silencing by siRNA could reverse the drug-resistance of BC cells to cisplatin by inducing necroptosis through regulation of RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway.
Conclusions

Our findings indicated that circCEP128 may serve as a valuable diagnostic biomarker in BC and contribute to cisplatin resistance of bladder cancer cells by repressing necroptosis through RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway. These findings provide novel insights into the role of circCEP128 as a biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment target of BC.
The experiences of adult patients receiving treatment for femoral shaft fractures at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Malawi: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Agarwal-Harding Kiran Jay , Atadja Louise , Chokotho Linda , Banza Leonard Ngoie , Mkandawire Nyengo , Katz Jeffrey Neil 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: There is a growing burden of musculoskeletal trauma in Malawi, and a lack of surgical capacity to manage common, debilitating injuries like femoral shaft fractures (FSFs). Non-operative treatment with skeletal traction remains the standard of care, with surgery available only at central hospitals. Patients experience myriad barriers to care, which can result in delayed treatment and complications. We sought to understand how patients navigate the Malawian health system and the barriers they face while seeking care. Methods: We performed in-depth, semi-structured interviews of 15 adults with closed FSFs during their inpatient hospitalization at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), a public referral hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. We additionally interviewed one patient who left KCH to seek care at a private hospital. An English-speaking study investigator performed all interviews accompanied by a Chichewa-speaking medical interpreter. Interviews focused on patients’ pathways from injury to present treatment (health system navigation); impressions of the hospital and care received; and the effects of injury/treatment on patients and their families. Interviews were audio-recorded, translated, and transcribed in English. We coded the transcripts and performed a thematic analysis. Results: We identified 6 themes: high variability in health system navigation; frustrations with the biopsychosocial effects of hospitalization; lack of participation in decision-making and uncertainty about treatment course; preference for surgery (vs. traction) based on patients’ own experiences and observations; frustrations with the inequitable provision of surgery ; and patients’ resignation, acceptance, and resilience in the face of hardship. Many patients receiving non-operative treatment described the devastating financial burden imposed upon them and their families by their injury and prolonged hospitalization. They felt they were receiving inferior treatment compared to surgery and suspected that richer patients were receiving more timely care. Conclusion: This qualitative study suggests a need to standardize care for FSF in Malawi, increase availability and timeliness of surgery, and increase transparency and communication between providers and patients. These remedies should focus on improving quality of care and achieving equity in access to care.
Patient flow dynamics in hospital systems during times of COVID-19: Cox proportional hazard regression analysis.
Authors: Bhandari Sudhir , Tak Amit , Singhal Sanjay , Shukla Jyotsna , Patel Bhoopendra , Shaktawat Ajit Singh , Gupta Jitendra , Kakkar Shivankan , Dube Amitabh , Dia Sunita , Dia Mahendra , Wehner Todd C 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objectives: The present study is aimed at estimating patient flow dynamical parameters and requirement of hospital beds. Secondly, the effects of age and gender on parameters were evaluated. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 987 COVID-19 patients were enrolled from SMS Medical College, Jaipur (Rajasthan, India). The survival analysis was carried out from 29 Feb to 19 May 2020 for two hazards – ‘Hazard 1’ was hospital discharge and ‘Hazard 2’ was hospital death. The starting point for survival analysis of the two hazards was considered to be hospital admission . The survival curves were estimated and additional effects of age and gender were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Results: The Kaplan Meier estimates of lengths of hospital stay (Median =10 days, IQR =10 days) and median survival rate ( more than 60 days due to large amount of censored data) were obtained. The Cox Model for ‘Hazard 1’ showed no significant effect of age and gender on duration of hospital stay. Similarly, the Cox Model 2 showed no significant difference of gender on survival rate. The case fatality rate 8.1 % , recovery rate 78.8% , mortality rate 0.10 per 100 person--days and hospital admission rate 0.35 per 105 person-days were estimated.Conclusion : The study estimates hospital bed requirement based on patient flow dynamic parameters. Furthermore, study concludes that average length of hospital stay were similar for patients of both genders and all age groups.
Treatment of direct carotid cavernous fistula with Willis covered stent with midterm follow-up
Authors: Liu Qinglin , Qi Changjing , Wang Yunyan , Su Wandong , Li Gang , Wang Donghai 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Willis covered stent is the first stent designed exclusively for intracranial vasculature and its application in carotid cavernous fistula is limited. The aim is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of this device in treating direct carotid cavernous fistula.
Methods

10 consecutive patients with direct carotid cavernous fistula were treated in our institution with Willis covered stents from September 2013 to December 2015. The characteristics of these patients and the immediate and follow-up results were retrospectively reviewed.
Results

Of the 10 patients, 8 were treated for the first time, and 2 had been treated elsewhere. Willis covered stents were successfully released in 9 patients. Abnormal arteriovenous shunt disappeared in 6 cases immediately after stent deployment and endoleak occurred in 3 cases. Endoleak disappeared at 6-month angiography follow-up in one case and was sealed with coils through a pre-set microcatheter in another case. Parent artery was sacrificed as endoleak remained despite repeated balloon dilation and a second stent deployment in the third case. All patients got clinical follow-up for at least 24 months and 7 patients received angiographic follow-up. Symptoms relieved gradually in all cases except for slight oculomotor paralysis and visual acuity in one case, respectively. In-stent stenosis was found in 1 case and no recurrence was observed.
Conclusions

Willis covered stent is feasible for direct carotid cavernous fistula.
Lung ultrasound and computed tomography to monitor COVID-19 pneumonia in critically ill patients: a two-center prospective cohort study
Authors: Heldeweg Micah , Matta Jorge A. Lopez , Haaksma Mark E. , Smit Jasper M. , Kraemer Carlos V. Elzo , de Grooth Harm-Jan S. , de Jonge E. , Meijboom L.J. , Heunks Leo M.A. , Westerloo David J. van , Tuinman Pieter Roel 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Lung ultrasound can adequately monitor disease severity in pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. We hypothesize lung ultrasound can adequately monitor COVID-19 pneumonia in critically ill patients. Methods: Adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to the intensive care unit of two academic hospitals who underwent a 12-zone lung ultrasound and a chest CT examination were included. Baseline characteristics, and outcomes including composite endpoint death or ICU stay >30 days were recorded. Lung ultrasound and CT images were quantified as a Lung Ultrasound Score Involvement index (LUSI) and CT Severity Involvement index (CTSI). Primary outcome was the correlation, agreement, and concordance between LUSI and CTSI. Secondary outcome was the association of LUSI and CTSI with the composite endpoints.Results: We included 55 ultrasound examinations in 34 patients, which were 88% were male, with a mean age of 63 years and mean P/F ratio of 151. The correlation between LUSI and CTSI was strong (r=0.795), with an overall 15% bias, and limits of agreement ranging -40 to 9.7. Concordance between changes in sequentially measured LUSI and CTSI was 81%. In the univariate model, high involvement on LUSI and CTSI were associated with a composite endpoint. In the multivariate model, LUSI was the only remaining independent predictor.Conclusions: Lung ultrasound can be used as an alternative for chest CT in monitoring COVID-19 pneumonia in critically ill patients as it can quantify pulmonary involvement, register changes over the course of the disease, and predict death or ICU stay >30 days.Trial registration: NTR, NL8584. registered 01 May 2020 - retrospectively registered, https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8584
Factors Affecting Birthweight Decline in Recent Japan Based on Birth Certificates
Authors: Kato Noriko , Sauvaget Catherine , Yoshida Honami , Yokoyama Tetsuji , Yoshiike Nobuo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background:Birthweight is declining consistently for more than 30 years in Japan. Rapid rise in low birth weight infant counts one of the worst among OECD countries.Objective: To add new information for clarifying the factors associated with the decline in birthweight in Japan.Methods: Government vital statistics records were used under permission. 40,968,266 birth records born between 1980 and 2004 were analyzed. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to examine whether the decline in the birthweight could be explained by obstetrical variables such as gestational age and plurality.Results: From 1980 to 2004, we observed a decline in mean birthweight with yearly effect of -8.07g, which got steeper after 1985 and persisted until 1999, and plateaued thereafter. After adjustment for gestational age, neonatal gender, birth order, plurality, father age, yearly effect became -5.13g, between 1980 and 2004. Conclusion：Recent decreases in birthweight among Japanese neonates were not fully explained by trends of gestational age, sex, birth order, plurality and father age. We should consider additional factors such as pre-pregnant maternal BMI and maternal diet.
Structural and Functional Brain Alterations in Post-Chemotherapy Cognitive Impairment in Gastric Cancer: A Longitudinal Multimodal Neuroimaging Study
Authors: Ahn Jaeun , Lee DeokJong , Jung Young-Chul , KIM KYUNG RAN 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Backgrounds: Despite clinical significance of chemobrain, no longitudinal study has been made on change in cognitive function related to chemotherapy in gastric cancer. The aim of this study is to define structural and functional changes in brains of gastric cancer patients caused by chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment after adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: 13 gastric cancer patients with adjuvant chemotherapy (CTx+ group), 9 gastric patients without adjuvant chemotherapy (CTx- group), and 10 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled for this study. We performed self-report questionnaires, neurocognitive tests, voxel-based morphometry (VBM), hippocampus-seeded resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis twice at before and 3 months after chemotherapy. Results: Compared to CTx- group, CTx+ group exhibited statistically significant decrease in attention and executive function over time, and also exhibited dysfunction in delayed recognition performance. Results in resting state functional connectivity analysis show significant group-by-time interaction in left hippocampus-anterior thalamus. In addition, DTI analysis had interesting results that showed reduced fractional anisotropy (FA), and increased mean diffusivity (MD) in left hippocampus. However, results from VBM analysis confirms that chemotherapy does not cause structural changes in brain. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal neuroimaging study on the effect of chemotherapy in gastric cancer patients. Based on the results of this study, we suggest that neuropathological processes and clinical presentation of chemobrain is ultimately similar disease as age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Results of this study help in viewing underlying basis of chemobrain at a new angle and puts emphasis in importance of continuous assessment and intervention.