bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategic Management in Local Hospital Markets: Service Duplication or Service Differentiation
Authors: Trinh Hanh Q. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study is to assess the influences of market structure on hospitals’ strategic decision to duplicate or differentiate services and to assess the relationship of duplication and differentiation to hospital performance. This study is different from previous research because it examines how a hospital decides which services to be duplicated or differentiated in a dyadic relationship embedded in a complex competitive network. Methods: We use Linear Structural Equations (LISREL) to simultaneously estimate the relationships among market structure, duplicated and differentiated services, and performance. All non-federal, general acute hospitals in urban counties in the United States with more than one hospital are included in the sample (n=1726). Forty-two high-tech services are selected for the study. Data are compiled from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey of Hospitals, Area Resource File, and CMS cost report files. State data from HealthLeaders-InterStudy for 2015 are also used.Results: The findings provide support that hospitals duplicate and differentiate services relative to rivals in a local market. Size asymmetry between hospitals is related to both service duplication (negatively) and service differentiation (positively). With greater size asymmetry, a hospital utilizes its valuable resources for its own advantage to thwart competition from rivals by differentiating more high-tech services and reducing service duplication. Geographic distance is positively related to service duplication, with duplication increasing as distance between hospitals increases. Market competition is associated with lower service duplication. Both service differentiation and service duplication are associated with lower market share, higher costs, and lower profits. Conclusions: The findings underscore the role of market structure as a check and balance on the provision of high-tech services. Hospital management should consider cutting back some services that are oversupplied and/or unprofitable and analyze the supply and demand in the market to avoid overdoing both service duplication and service differentiation.
Analysis of Six Chloroplast Genomes Provides Insight into the Evolution of Chrysosplenium (Saxifragaceae)
Authors: Wu Zhihua , Liao Rui , Yang Tiange , Dong Xiang , Lan Deqing , Qin Rui , Liu Hong 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Chrysosplenium L. (Saxifragaceae) is a genus of plants widely distributed in Northern Hemisphere and usually found in moist, shaded valleys and mountain slopes. This genus is ideal for studying plant adaptation to low light conditions. Although some progress has been made in the systematics and biogeography of Chrysosplenium, its chloroplast genome evolution remains to be investigated. Results: To fill this gap, we sequenced the chloroplast genomes of six Chrysosplenium species and analyzed their genome structure, GC content, and nucleotide diversity. Moreover, we performed a phylogenetic analysis and calculated non-synonymous (Ka) /synonymous (Ks) substitution ratios using the combined protein-coding genes of 29 species within Saxifragales and two additional species as outgroups, as well as a pair-wise estimation for each gene within Chrysosplenium. Compared with the outgroups in Saxifragaceae, the six Chrysosplenium chloroplast genomes had lower GC contents; they also had conserved boundary regions and gene contents, as only the rpl32 gene was lost in four of the Chrysosplenium chloroplast genomes. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that the Chrysosplenium separated to two major clades (the opposite group and the alternate group). The selection pressure estimation (Ka/Ks ratios) of genes in the Chrysosplenium species showed that matK and ycf2 were subjected to positive selection.Conclusion: This study provides genetic resources for exploring the phylogeny of Chrysosplenium and sheds light on plant adaptation to low light conditions. The lower average GC content and the lacking gene of rpl32 indicated selective pressure in their unique habitats. Different from results previously reported, our selective pressure estimation suggested that the genes related to photosynthesis (such as ycf2) were under positive selection at sites in the coding region.
Serum biomarkers of the calcium-deficient rats identified by metabolomics based on UPLC/Q-TOF MS/MS
Authors: Fanyu Meng , Lina Fan , Lin Sun , Qingli Yu , Wang Maoqing , Changhao Sun 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background

We previously identified the urinary biomarkers to diagnose calcium deficiency and nutritional rickets by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF MS/MS).To further confirm these biomarkers in vivo, we performed serum metabolomics analysis of calcium deficiency.

Methods

A calcium-deficient rat model was established with a low-calcium diet for 12 weeks. Serum-metabolomics-based UPLC/Q-TOF MS/MS and multivariate statistical analysis was performed to identify the alterations in metabolites associated with calcium deficiency in rats.

Results

Bone mineral density, serum parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase were significantly decreased in the low-calcium diet group (LCG) compared to the normal calcium diet group (NCG). Serum metabolic-profiling analysis could definitively distinguish between the LCG and NCG andidentified25 calcium-deficient biomarkers. Three metabolites (indoxyl sulfate, phosphate, and taurine) of the 25 biomarkers were found in our previous urinary metabolomics study of rats with a calcium deficiency and nutritional rickets. The areas under the curve (AUCs) of these three biomarkers were greater than 0.8, and the combination of any two biomarkers was higher than 0.95.

Conclusion

Dietary calcium deficiency induced the alterations of metabolites in the serum of rats, and the three identified biomarkers had relatively high diagnostic values for calcium deficiency in rats.
Serum SP-A and KL-6 levels can predict the improvement and deterioration of patients with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features
Authors: Wang jingxian , Zheng Peiyan , Huang Zhifeng , Huang Huimin , Xue Mingshan , Liao Chenxi , Zhong Nanshan , Sun Baoqing 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Some patients with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) showed a progressive course despite therapy. This study aimed to evaluate whether serial changes in the serum levels of surfactant protein-A (SP-A) and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) can predict disease progression. Methods: Sixty-four patients with IPAF and 41 patients with non-fibrotic lung disease (non-FLD) were examined. Based on long-term changes in lung function, 36 IPAF patients who were followed up for more than 3 months were divided into a progressive group (n=9), an improvement group (n=13), and a stable group (n=14). Serum KL-6 and SP-A levels were measured. The sensitivity, specificity, cut-off value, and area under the curve (AUC) value for each of the indices were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The expression differences in these biomarkers and their correlation with disease severity were analyzed. Results: Compared with non-FLD patients, serum SP-A and KL-6 levels in IPAF patients were increased significantly [SP-A: (p < 0.001); KL-6: (p < 0.001)] and negatively correlated with DLCO (SP-A: rS = -0.323, p = 0.018; KL-6: rS = -0.348, p = 0.0011). In patients with progressive disease, the posttreatment serum SP-A and KL-6 levels were increased significantly compared with pretreatment levels [SP-A: (p = 0.021); KL-6: (p = 0.008)]. In patients showing improvement, the levels were decreased significantly [SP-A (p = 0.007) and KL-6 (p = 0.002)]. Changes in serum biomarkers (Delta SP-A and Delta KL-6) were significantly negatively correlated with changes in lung function (Delta FVC, Delta DLCO and Delta FEV1) (rS = 0.482, p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between Delta SP-A and Delta KL-6 (rS = 0.482, p < 0.001).Conclusions: Serum SP-A and KL-6 offer high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of IPAF. The decrease in serum SP-A and/or KL-6 levels in patients with IPAF is related to the improvement in pulmonary function. SP-A and KL-6 may be important biomarkers for predicting disease progression in patients with IPAF.
Association between anti-complement factor H antibodies and renal outcome in primary membranous nephropathy
Authors: Kagaya Yu , Hayashi Norifumi , Fujimoto Keiji , Adachi Hiroki , Furuichi Kengo , Yokoyama Hitoshi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The complement factor H (CFH) regulates activation of the alternative complement pathway. Autoantibodies against CFH are involved in progressive renal dysfunction in cases with primary membranous nephropathy (MN). However, the prevalence and roles of anti-CFH antibodies in the clinical outcome of MN patients remain unclear.Methods: We retrospectively investigated data of 36 Japanese patients with primary MN (23 men, 13 women; mean age: 64.5 [59-72] years) and 18 healthy normal controls (8 men, 10 women; mean age: 31 [27-38] years). Serum anti-CFH antibody titers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: Anti-CFH antibody titers were significantly higher in MN patients than in normal controls (4.69 [3.69-6.38] AU/mL vs. 0 [0-0] AU/mL, p<0.001). The patients were divided into groups: anti-CFH antibody positive group (n=28) and anti-CFH antibody negative group (n=8). No significant difference was observed in the remission rate of proteinuria and the incidence of 30% reduction of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or 50% elevation of serum creatinine (Cr) levels between both groups. Anti-CFH antibody titer was selected as an independent unfavorable predictor of renal dysfunction by Cox proportional hazards analysis adjusted by age, gender, serum Cr levels, proteinuria (g/gCr), anti-CFH antibody titer, and immunosuppressive therapy (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.344, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.038 to 1.741, p=0.025 for 30% reduction of eGFR; adjusted HR 1.930, 95% CI 1.108 to 3.363, p=0.020 for 50% elevation of serum Cr).Conclusions: These data suggest that anti-CFH antibodies may be involved in the deterioration of renal function in primary MN.
Association of polymorphisms in CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Chinese population
Authors: Jin Li , Huang Yan , Li Yangyang , Xu Bo , Hu Cheng , Zhang Rong 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 are cytochrome P450 epoxygenases that metabolize arachidonic acid into epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). EETs are important lipid mediators with many beneficial effects in type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 variants with type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population. Methods: We genotyped 9 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP2C8 and 10 tag SNPs in CYP2C9 based on HapMap Chinese and Japanese data. Then, we genotyped the SNPs in a Chinese population that included 3410 type 2 diabetes patients and 3401 normal controls. The association between the SNPs and type 2 diabetes was analysed. Results: In the study population, we found that rs1819173 in the CYP2C9 gene region was associated with type 2 diabetes and the A allele was protective against type 2 diabetes (odds ratio: 0.840, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.780-0.904, P=3.04×10-6). Haplotypes GT and AT (rs2071426-rs6583967) in CYP2C8 were associated with type 2 diabetes (P=0.049 and 0.038, respectively). On the other hand, an interaction effect between rs1819173 in CYP2C9 and rs12766752 in CYP2C8 on type 2 diabetes was found (P=0.003). What’s more, rs1819173 showed significant association with HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol).Conclusions: Our results suggested that common SNPs in the CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 regions were associated with T2DM in a Chinese Han population.
Genetic Population Structure of Sus scrofa in Lithuania before the African Swine Fever Outbreak
Authors: Griciuvienė Loreta , Janeliūnas Žygimantas , Jurgelevičius Vaclovas , Paulauskas Algimantas 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a widely distributed ungulate whose success can be attributed to a variety of ecological features. The genetic variation and population structure of wild boar population in Lithuania before the spread of African swine fever has not yet been thoroughly studied. To characterize the amount of genetic variation and population structure of wild boar in Lithuania before the African swine fever outbreak, we genotyped and analyzed microsatellite loci for a total of 96 wild boar specimens from nine locations. Results: In the present study, individuals were genetically typed at fifteen microsatellite loci using multiplex PCR amplification. Our data showed that that 85% of the genetic variation originated from individuals, indicating a high gene exchange between the nine subpopulations of wild boar in Lithuania. Bayesian-based clustering analysis in STRUCTURE identified two inferred genetic clusters and each of the 9 subpopulations had more than 1 cluster. A factorial correspondence analysis confirmed homogeneity and no genetic differentiation between subpopulations of S.scrofa in Lithuania.Conclusions: Our results reveal that wild boar subpopulations of Lithuania before the African swine fever outbreak were still not distinguished and admixed. This study highlights the potential contribution for the future study understanding the detailed structure of wild boar population in Lithuania after African swine fever outbreak.
A Study on the Relationship Between Smoking Reasons Evaluation and Smoking Cessation Attempt of Smokers -- Based on a Cross-sectional Survey in Beijing's Community
Authors: Liu Han , Qi Xinran , Jin Qianying , Ma Hanqiao , Li Xingming 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background：The reason for smoking causes people to smoke in their daily life. It is the main factor hindering the success of quitting smoking. This study analyzed the differences and characteristics of tobacco dependence patients with different smoking causes in their past smoking cessation behaviors, to understand the relationship between smoking cessation behaviors and smoking causes, and provide a reference for the innovation of the tobacco dependence management model.Methods：Based on a cross-sectional epidemiological study, a total of tobacco dependence patients over 18 years old to quit smoking were recruited from various communities in Beijing. The survey included basic demographic information, tobacco use, attempts to quit, reasons for smoking, etc. Analysis of variance and dichotomous Logistic Regression was used to investigate the relationship between smoking causes and smoking cessation behaviors and their duration.Results：A total of 673 participants were recruited, including 611 males (90.8%), 428 smokers (63.6%) and 245 males (36.4%) who tried to quit smoking. ANOVA was used to find that the attempts to quit smoking were statistically correlated with scores of sedation, stimulation, smoking addiction, and automatism (all p<0.05). Sedation (OR=1.111, 95%CI: 1.011-1.220), smoking addiction, (OR=1.152, 95%CI: 1.034-1.282) and automatism (OR=1.119, 95%CI: 1.000~1.251) were found statistically related the attempts to quit smoking by the Logistic regression model. The mean scores of hand and mouth activity, hedonic sedation, stimulation, smoking addiction, and auxiliary factors were statistically significant in different smoking cessation duration groups (all p<0.05), and sedative factors were negatively related factors for smoking cessation duration (OR=0.911, 95%CI: 0.827-1.002).Conclusion：Most residents try to quit smoking only when they are heavily physiologically dependent or even physically unwell. The success or failure of smoking cessation is closely related to social psychology and physical dependence. Most smokers only try to quit by their own will without professional help. Lack of a supportive environment and other people's understanding is a major cause of smoking cessation failure. Creating a smoke-free supportive environment should be an important part of community tobacco control and smoking cessation efforts.Fund program: Supported by the Foundation of National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFC1309400)
Low-concentration sevoflurane inhalation in treating MK801-induced schizophrenia like disease in mice and a feasibility study of schizophrenia patients
Authors: Zhao Tianyun , Ziwen Shi , Ling Nongxi , Xu Ying , Qin Jingwen , Zhou Quancai , Wu Lingzhi , Wang Yuansheng , Wei Wei , Lin Chuansong , Ma Daqing , Song Xingrong 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
GABAergic deficits have been considered to associate with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and hence GABA receptor subtype A (GABAARs) modulators may have therapeutic values for schizophrenia. Sevoflurane, a commonly used volatile anesthetic, enhances GABAergic neurotransmission through the GABAAR. The present study aims to investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of low-concentration sevoflurane in MK801-induced schizophrenia-like mice and amongst schizophrenia patients in a single arm trial. Three weeks after administration of MK801 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p. twice a day) for five days, mice were exposed to 1% sevoflurane for 1 hr/day for 5 days. One week after treatment, they were subjected to behavioral tests, and then sacrificed for immunohistochemical stain, western blot assay and electrophysiology recordings in the prefrontal cortex. Ten schizophrenia patients received 5-hr sevoflurane (0.5–1.2%) for 6 days, and were assessed with the PANSS and the BPRS-18 in the 1st and 2nd week after the treatments. MK801 induced hypolocomotion and social deficits, downregulated the expression of NMDARs subunits, and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), reduced parvalbumin- and GAD67-positive neurons, and changed the amplitude and frequency of mEPSC and mIPSC and evenly increased the excitation/inhibition (E/I) ratio. All these changes induced by MK-801 were attenuated by sevoflurane administration. Schizophrenia symptoms assessed with the scales were significantly improved in the 1st and 2nd week after treatments. Low-concentration sevoflurane inhalation effectively reversed MK801-induced schizophrenia-like disease in mice and alleviated schizophrenia patients’ symptoms. Our work suggested that sevoflurane may be a valuable therapeutic strategy for treating schizophrenia patients.
Mining influential genes based on deep learning
Authors: Kong Lingpeng , Chen Yuanyuan , Pian Cong , Xu Mingmin , Li Zutan , Fang Jingya , Zhang Liangyun 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Currently, large-scale gene expression profiling has been successfully applied to the discovery of functional connections among diseases, genetic perturbation, and drug action. To address the cost of an ever-expanding gene expression profile, a new, low-cost, high-throughput reduced representation expression profiling method called L1000 was proposed, with which one million profiles were produced. Although a set of ~ 1,000 carefully chosen landmark genes that can capture ~ 80% of information from the whole genome has been identified for use in L1000, the robustness of using these landmark genes to infer target genes is not satisfactory. Therefore, more efficient computational methods are still needed to deep mine the influential genes in the genome.Results: Here, we propose a computational framework based on deep learning to mine a subset of genes that can cover more genomic information. Specifically, an AutoEncoder framework is first constructed to learn the non-linear relationship between genes, and then DeepLIFT is applied to calculate gene importance scores. Using this data-driven approach, we have re-obtained a landmark gene set. The result shows that our landmark genes can predict target genes more accurately and robustly than that of L1000 based on two metrics (mean absolute error (MAE) and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC)). This reveals that the landmark genes detected by our method contain more genomic information.Conclusions: We believe that our proposed framework is very suitable for the analysis of biological big data to reveal the mysteries of life. Furthermore, the landmark genes inferred from this study can be used for the explosive amplification of gene expression profiles to facilitate research into functional connections.
Comparison of carbon footprint and net ecosystem carbon budget under organic materials retention combined with reduced mineral fertilizer
Authors: Liu Ying , Tang Haiying , Smith Pete , Zhong Chuan , Huang Guoqin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Excessive application of chemical fertilizer has resulted in lower nitrogen uptake and utilization of crops, decreasing soil fertility, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and worse environment pollution and organic fertilizer materials retention is regard as the key to solve these problems. Whether the retention of Astragalus sinicus L. (Chinese milk vetch) and rice straw would induce lower greenhouse gas emissions and higher carbon sink remains unclear. The objective of this study is to conduct an assessment of carbon budget under Astragalus sinicus L. and rice straw retention combined with reduced mineral fertilizer based on the two years field experiment in a paddy field in southern China. Four treatments were designed: control CK (winter follow, 120 kg ha-1 N fertilizer for each rice season) and three treatments with Astragalus sinicus L. and rice straw retention named RA, RB and RC (reduced N fertilizer 15%, 27.5% and 40% in turn during each rice season).Results: Treatments RA, RB and RC increased GHG emissions by 9.30%~101.25%, among which CH4 accounted for more than 60%; Carbon input of crops from Treatments RA, RB and RC increased by 2.25%~12.10% compared with control CK over the two years. Though treatments RA, RB and RC enhanced CO2 emission, however, treatment RB decreased carbon footprint and became C sink.Conclusions: The results of this study reveal that treatment RB is better in reducing chemical fertilizer amount, increasing crop yield and C balance, which is more conductive to sustainable development of agriculture.
Acculturation and adaptation issues among International students: Experiences from the largest Public University of Bangladesh
Authors: Parray Ateeb Ahmad , Sohely Sonia , Mallick Susmita , Zahura Fatema Tuz , Mistry Bijoynee , Sharkar Probir , Nahar Jibun , Sumi Kazi , Islam Akhi , Khan Mohammad Shahin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
This qualitative study surfaces the kinds of acculturation and adaptation related problems that international students faced while they studied at the largest public university in Bangladesh. Qualitative data was collected and analyzed through face-to-face interviews with 82 international students. Findings show that in terms of acculturation, students faced homesickness, language barriers, socio-cultural issues and academic reactions to their new life. In terms of adaptation related issues, students faced psychological distress, practical issues like financial constraints, perceived discrimination and social exclusion. Considering these findings, it can be inferred that host language, social engagement, academic environment and hostel life play an important role in the acculturation experiences of international students. This study highlights the importance of host language in determining the friendships and overall adaptation of the international students.