bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lung Ultrasound to Quantitatively Evaluate Extravascular Lung Water Content and its Clinical Significance
Authors: Guo Guo , Zhang Xue-Feng , Liu Jing , Zong Hai-Feng 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background:B-line assessment with lung ultrasound (LUS) has recently been proposed as a reliable, noninvasive semiquantitative tool for evaluating extravascular lung water (EVLW). Currently, there has been no easy quantitative method to evaluate EVLW by LUS. To establish a simple, accurate and clinically operable method for quantitative assessment of EVLW using LUS. Methods:Forty-five New Zealand rabbits were randomized into 9 groups (n=5). After anesthesia, each group of rabbits was injected with different amounts of warm sterile NS (0 ml/kg, 2 ml/kg, 4 ml/kg, 6 ml/kg, 8 ml/kg, 10 ml/kg, 15 ml/kg, 20 ml/kg, 30 ml/kg) via the endotracheal tube. Each rabbit was examined by LUS before and after NS injection. At the same time, the spontaneous respiratory rate (RR, breaths per minute), heart rate (HR, bpm) and arterial blood gas (ABG) of the rabbits were recorded. Then, both lungs were dissected to obtain the wet and dry weight and conduct a complete histological examination.Results:Injecting NS into the lungs through a tracheal tube can successfully establish a rabbit model with increased EVLW. When theNS injection volume is 2~6 ml/kg, comet-tail artifacts and B-lines are the main patterns found on LUS; as additional NS is injected into the lungs, the rabbits' RR gradually increases, while their HR gradually decreases. Confluent B-lines grow gradually but significantly, reaching a dominant position when the NS injection volume reaches 6~8 ml/kg and predominating almost entirely when the NS injection volume is 8~15 ml/kg; at that time, rabbits' RRs and HRs decrease sharply, and the ABG indicated type I respiratory failure (RF). Compact B-lines occur and predominate almost entirely when the NS injection volume reaches 10 ml/kg and 15~20 ml/kg, respectively. At that time, rabbits begin to enter cardiac and respiratory arrest, and ABG shows type II RF and metabolic acidosis (MA).Conclusion: LUS can estimate EVLW content based on the type of B-line.We can give clinical treatment depending on the type of LUS B-line.
Inhibitory effect of endostar combined with radiotherapy on gastric cancer animal models
Authors: Qitian Chen , Ran Chen , Youhong Dong 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Inhibitory effect of endostar combined with radiotherapy on gastric cancer (GC) animal models and its effect on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)1 and inter- leukin-10 (IL-10) were evaluated.Methods: Forty mouse models of GC xenograft tumors were prepared and randomly divided into blank control group, endostar group, radiotherapy group and endostar combined with radiotherapy group (combina- tion group). From the 14th day, a vernier caliper was used for measuring the long and short diameters of the xenograft tumors. The formula V = ab2/2 was used for calculating the tumor volume and to obtain its average value. Tumor growth curves were plotted to calculate the tumor inhibition rate. The growth of xenograft tumors and the behavioral changes of mice were observed. ELISA was used for detecting the expression levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1.Results: The tumor growth in the combination group was significantly inhibited, and the tumor volume was finally the smallest compared with the other groups (p<0.05). Compared to the blank control group, the tumor inhibition rate was 11.8% in endostar group, 33.0% in radiotherapy group and 52.1% in combination group (p<0.01). Endostar combined with radiotherapy had an interaction in decreasing the expression levels of TGF-β1 and IL‑10 (F=4.35 and 5.12, p<0.05). Leucocyte count was significantly higher in control and combination groups than that in endostar and radiotherapy groups. The body weight of mice in endostar and radiotherapy groups decreased after treatment (p<0.05). The body weight of mice after treatment in control and combination groups increased, with a statistically significant difference compared to that before treatment (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference among all groups after treatment (F=198.1, p<0.01).Conclusions: Endostar combined with radiotherapy can inhibit tumor growth and downregulate the expression levels of TGF-β1 and IL-10 through synergistic action.
Clinical investigations of percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with intensity-modulated radiotherapy for patients with spinal metastases
Authors: Xie Xiaoqi , Xin Chen , Hong Zhang , Zhengying Liao , Feng Wang 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to explore the use of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) plus radiotherapy in patients with bone metastases. However, percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) combined with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has been rarely reported in the treatment of spinal metastases.Methods: The effectiveness and feasibility of this procedure were initially observed in this paper. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of 7 patients with spinal metastasis. They were all treated with PVP, followed by IMRT (6 MV-X linear at a dose of 40-60 Gy) for 4-6 weeks. All patients achieved technical success with PVP, and all successfully completed the IMRT program without serious complications or discomfort.Results: After the initial exploration of PVP combined with IMRT in our tumor center, the patients' pain was alleviated, and no pain aggravation or fracture was found. The short-term effect was significant.Conclusions: PVP combined with IMRT seems to be an effective way to improve the quality of life of patients with spinal metastasis of tumor, and the curative effect is definite, which can be further popularized in clinical practice.
Total neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (consolidation chemotherapy during the interval after chemoradiotherapy) for distal rectal cancer increases the rates of complete response
Authors: Zhai Zhiwei , Zhang Kunning , Wang Chen , Han Jiagang , Zhang Tian , Wang Lixia , Yao Jiannan , Wang Zhenjun 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Objective To compare the safety and efficacy between neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and total neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (TNT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Methods Patients with cT3/T4 or TxN+M0 rectal cancer were randomized to receive CRT/TNT. In CRT group, we planned pelvic radiotherapy (50.0Gy in 25 fractions) with two cycles of concurrent CAPOX followed by total mesorectal excision (TME). In TNT group, 3 cycles of CAPOX were administered 2 weeks after the completion of CRT before TME. The primary endpoints of my study were pathological complete response (pCR) rates in the two cohorts. Results A total of 197 patients were included in our study. Eighty-one patients received CRT while one hundred and sixteen patients received TNT (consolidation chemotherapy). Nine patients did not undergo surgery because of the distant metastases (1 patient (1.2%) in CRT group, 2 patients (1.7%) in TNT group) or clinical complete response (cCR) (2 patients in CRT group, 4 patients in TNT group). The rate of pathological complete response in TNT was significantly higher than the rate in CRT (32.7% vs12.8%, P =0.002). No grade 4 or serious adverse events were observed. There was no statistically significant difference in the grade 3 acute toxicities of neoadjuvant treatment and surgical complications between the two groups (all P >0.05). Conclusions Our data suggests that total neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (consolidation chemotherapy) is effective and safe for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer and is associated with high rates of pathological complete response. The long-term follow-up and survival outcomes for patients are necessary to be evaluated in future prospective randomized trial.
Therapeutic benefits of music for three types of neurological disorders: an fNIRS study protocol for controlled trial in Dalian, China, Part 1 – Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Pu Lanlan , Qureshi Nauman Khalid , Ly Joanne , Zhang Bingwei , Cong Fengyu , Tang William C. , Liang Zhanhua 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Music therapy improves neuronal activity and connectivity of healthy persons and patients with clinical symptoms of neurological diseases like Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Major Depression. Despite the plethora of publications that have reported the positive effects of music interventions, little is known about how music improves neuronal activity and connectivity in afflicted patients. In this three-part series of studies, each of the three neurological disorders – (1) Parkinson’s Disease, (2) Alzheimer’s Disease, and (3) Major Depression – will be treated individually in detail. Methods: For patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease (PD), we propose a daily 25-minute music-based synchronous finger tapping (SFT) intervention for 8-weeks. Participants will be each split into two groups: an intervention group and a control arm. Assessment of finger tapping performances, the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), an n-back test, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), as well as oxygenated- (HbO 2 ), deoxygenated- hemoglobin (HbR), and total hemoglobin activation collected by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) will be measured at baseline, week 4 (during), week 8 (post), and week 12 (retention) of the study. Data collected from the two PD groups will be compared to baseline performances from healthy controls.Discussion: The trial study investigates the cortical neuronal activity and therapeutic effects associated with an auditory external cue used to induce automatic and implicit synchronous finger tapping in patients diagnosed with PD. The extent to which the intervention is effective may be dependent on the severity of the disease.
Nurses’ attunement to patients’ meaning in life – A qualitative study of experiences of Dutch adults ageing in place
Authors: Hupkens Susan , Goumans Marleen , Derkx Peter , Machielse Anja 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Meaning in life (MiL) is considered to be an important part of health and is associated with many positive outcomes in older adults, such as quality of life and longevity. As health promotors, nurses may take patients’ MiL into account in the care process. There is a knowledge gap in terms of what constitutes good care in relation to older patients’ MiL, and what the benefits may be for patients when nursing is attuned to this aspect. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of home nursing older adults in relation to nurses’ attunement to MiL. Methods Gadamerian hermeneutic phenomenological design with semi-structured interviews. Participants were 24 aged home nursing patients. A framework of care ethical evaluation was used in the analysis. Multiple dialogues enhanced understanding. Results Patients did not expect nurses’ regard for their MiL. They rather expected ‘normal contact’ and adequate physical care. Nurses showed that they were open to patients’ MiL by being interested in the patient as a person and by being attentive to specific and hidden needs. Participants explained that the nurse’s behaviour upon arrival set the tone: they knew immediately if there was room for MiL or not. All participants had positive and negative experiences with nurses’ behaviour in relation to MiL. Valued nursing care included maintaining a long, kind and reciprocal relationship; doing what was needed; and skilled personalised care. Participants mentioned ‘special ones’: nurses attuned to them in a special way who did more than expected. Benefits of care that was attuned to patients’ MiL were experiencing a cheerful moment, feeling secure, feeling like a valuable person and having a good day. Older adults also stressed that consideration for MiL helps identify what is important in healthcare. Conclusion Aged homecare patients value nurses’ attunement to their MiL positively. Although patients regard MiL mostly as their own quest, nurses play a modest yet important role. Managers and educators should support nurses’ investment in reciprocal nurse-patient relationships.
Risk factors for acute kidney injury among patients with rhabdomyolysis
Authors: Yang Jia , Zhou Jiaojiao , Wang Xin , Wang Siwen , Tang Yi , Yang Lichuan 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a life-threatening complication of rhabdomyolysis (RM). The aim of the present study was to assess patients at high risk for the occurrence of AKI defined by the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria and in-hospital mortality. Methods We performed a retrospective study of patients with creatine kinase levels >1000 U/L, who were admitted to the West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 2011 and March 2019. The sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data of these patients were obtained from an electronic medical records database, and univariate and multivariate regression analyses were subsequently conducted. Results For the 329 patients included in our study, the incidence of AKI was 61.4%, and the overall mortality rate was 19.8%; furthermore, patients with AKI tended to have higher mortality rates than those without AKI (24.8% vs. 11.8%; P<0.01). The clinical conditions most frequently associated with RM were trauma (28.3%), sepsis (14.6%), bee sting (12.8%), thoracic and abdominal surgery (11.2%) and exercise (7.0%). Furthermore, patients with RM resulting from sepsis, bee sting and acute alcoholism were more susceptible to AKI. The risk factors for the occurrence of AKI among RM patients included age ≥60 years (OR=3.070), chronic alcoholism (OR=3.256), hypertension (OR=4.252), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS; OR=7.244), high levels of white blood cell count (OR=1.047) and elevated serum phosphorus (OR=5.526). Age ≥60 years (OR=3.188), MODS (OR=2.262), diabetes (OR=2.746) and elevated prothrombin time (OR=1.079) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in RM patients with AKI. Conclusions AKI is independently associated with mortality in patients with RM, and several risk factors were found to be associated with the occurrence of AKI and in-hospital mortality. These findings suggest that, to improve the quality of medical care, the early prevention of AKI should focus on high-risk patients and more effective management.
Effect of different restorative crown design and materials on stress distribution in endodontically treated molars: A finite element analysis study
Authors: Lin Jie , Lin Zhenxiang , Zheng Zhiqiang 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background

The purposes of this simulation study were to evaluate the stresses in the roots of endodontically treated molars with extensive coronal tissue loss which were restored by endocrowns (all-in-one core and crown) and traditional crowns with post-cores, during masticatory simulation using finite element analysis.

Methods

A mesio-distal cross-section of a lower right first molar was digitized and used to create 2-dimensional models of the teeth and supporting tissue; different crown designs, viz ., endocrown with 2 mm occlusal clearance, endocrown with 4 mm occlusal clearance and post-core crown; different crown materials, viz ., zirconia (Zr) and lithia-disilicate reinforced glass ceramic (LDRGC), and different post and core materials, viz. , glass fiber (GF), stainless steel (SS) and metal cast (MC). An axial load of 600 N was applied to the central fossa of occlusal surface.

Results

The stress distributions were similar between Zr and LDRGC for periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. The root canal inner wall maximum principal stresses of SS post (70.8 MPa) and MC post (71.4 MPa) were higher than that of GF post (36.0 MPa) and endocrown (2.4 MPa).

Conclusion

The endocrowns reduced stress concentration for the root canal inner wall in comparison with the conventional post-core crown. Molars restored with endocrowns are less prone to root fracture than those with posts.
Evaluation of resistance to powdery mildew and identification of resistance genes in wheat cultivars
Authors: Wu Xian Xin , Gao Yue , Bian Qiang , Sun Qian , Ni Xin Yu , Sun Yan Qiu , Xu Xiao Feng , Cao Yuan Yin , Li Tian Ya 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Wheat powdery mildew, caused by the biotrophic fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici ( Bgt ), is a serious disease of wheat worldwide that can cause significant yield losses. Growing resistant cultivars is the most cost-effective and eco-soundly strategy to manage the disease. Therefore, a high breeding priority is to identify genes that can be readily used either singly or in combination for effective resistance to powdery mildew and alos in combination with genes for resistance to other diseases. Yunnan Province, with complex and diverse ecological environments and climates, is one of the main wheat growing regions in China. This region provides initial inoculum for starting epidemics of wheat powdery mildew in the region and other regions and thus, plays a key role in the regional and large-scale epidemics of the disease throughout China. The objectives of this study were to evaluate seedling resistance of 69 main wheat cultivars to powdery mildew and to determine the presence of resistance genes Pm3 , Pm8 , Pm13 , Pm16 , and Pm21 in these cultivars using gene specific DNA markers. Results: Evaluation of 69 wheat cultivars with six Bgt isolates showed that only four cultivars were resistant to all tested isolates, indicating that the overall level of powdery mildew resistance of Yunnan wheat cultivars is inadequate. The molecular marker results showed that 27 cultivars likely have at least one of these genes. Six cultivars were found likely to have Pm3 , 18 likely to have Pm8 , 5 likely to have Pm16 , and 3 likely to have Pm21 . No cultivar was found to carry Pm13 . Conclusion: The information on the presence of the Pm resistance genes in Yunnan wheat cultivars can be used in future wheat disease breeding programs. In particular, cultivars carrying Pm21 , which is effective against all Bgt races in China, should be pyramided with other effective genes to developing new cultivars with durable resistance to powdery mildew. Keywords: Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici , Pm gene, molecular markers, wheat
The Devil in its Details: Unravelling the Epitopes in COVID-19 Surface Glycoprotein with the potential for Vaccination and Antibody Synthesis
Authors: Baig Abdul Mannan 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
With over 75762 patients infected and 2130 deaths been reported, the mortality and morbidity caused by the recent outbreak COVID-19 infections are proving colossal when compared to similar epidemics caused by SARS and MERS variant of coronavirus in the past. It was aimed to identify a receptor-binding domain (RBD) in surface glycoprotein (sGP) of COVID-19 and predict epitopes that are capable of interacting with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alleles to evoke antibody production in vivo. Bioinformatic computational tools were used to analyze the well-studied sGP and the RBD in SARS-CoV and compare it with their homologs in COVID-19. In silico methods that predict epitopes capable of binding MHC allele were used to identify sequences in RDB of sGP in COVID-19 with the intention of discovering sequences that can be used for vaccination and production of monoclonal antibody (mAbs) against COVID-19. The results indicate that COVID-19 has a conserved RBD in the sGP with differences in its sequences that can be exploited for vaccination and manufacturing of specific antibodies against this variant of coronavirus. Reported are 10 sequences of epitopes that are predicted to bind the MHC class I and class II alleles and that do not cross-react with human proteins. Testing in vitro and in animal models can accelerate the translational utility of vaccinating and efficacy of mAbs against the COVID-19 virus.
Clinical and radiological features of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Haikou, China
Authors: Chen Hui Juan , Qiu Jie , Wu Biao , Wang Zhen Ping , Chen Yang , Chen Feng 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
To describe the clinical and radiological findings of patients confirmed with 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection in Haikou, China. A total of 67 patients confirmed with COVID-19 infection were included in this study. 50 were imported cases. Most infected patients presented with fever and cough. The typical CT findings of lung lesions were bilateral, multifocal lung lesions (52[78%]), with subpleural distribution, and more than two lobes involved (51[78%]). 54 (81%) patients of COVID-19 pneumonia had ground glass opacities. Consolidation was in 30 (45%) patients, crazy paving pattern or interlobular thickening in 17 (25%), adjacent pleura thickening in 23 (34%) patients. Additionally, baseline chest CT did not reveal positive CT findings in 7 patients (23%), but 3 patients presented unilateral ground glass opacities at follow-up. Importantly, the follow-up CT findings were fitted well with the clinical outcomes.
Effects of 15 years sludge application on cropland
Authors: Mantovi P. , Baldoni G. , Dal Re L. , Piccinini S. , Rossi L. 
Published: March 2020

Sewage sludge effects to cropland have been evaluated in a long-term field experiment which started in 1988 and is still underway in the eastern part of the Po Valley (Italy), on a silty-loam soil. Each autumn municipal-industrial wastewater sludge has been applied at 5 and 10 Mg DM ha-1 yr-1 as anaerobically digested slurry (liquid), belt filtered material (dewatered) and composted with wheat straw, on a winter wheat - maize - sugar beet rotation.
The 15 years continuous application of sludge significantly increased organic matter, total N, Olsen P, Cu and Zn content in the topsoil, with greater effects at the highest rate. Composted sludge favoured the highest OM topsoil increase. Sludge spreading improved soil fertility and crop yields, but it was associated with possible negative environmental effects: on water, due to increased phosphorus availability, and on soil ecology, due to zinc build up in the topsoil.
The results confirmed that compulsory application rates based on real crop nitrogen requirements and matching Nitrate EU Directive, undoubtedly can guarantee a sound sustainability in sewage sludge recycling on cropland in the long run.
Enhanced biological treatment of a residual oil processing plant wastewater by a membrane-bioreactor for effluent quality improvement in a Hungarian refinery
Authors: Keresztényi I. , Kicsi G. , Dobolyi Cs. , Isaák Gy. 
Published: March 2020

A 160-day-long preliminary laboratory scale MBR treatment study and the performance test of a new 480 m3/day capacity full scale plant for quality improvement of effluent from a bitumen plant off-gas scrubbing followed by dissolved air flotation were conducted. Two testing periods were distinguished during the laboratory study, specifically the first with 100 days SRT and the second with 50 days SRT. To evaluate the possibility of the organic matter removal enhancement at the end of each testing period powdered activated carbon (PAC) treatment was carried out.
The COD and oil & grease removal efficiency of the well acclimated MBR sludge was greater than 90% and 98%, respectively. The COD content of the treated wastewater during the full scale performance test period was reduced below 100 mg·L−1. To ensure an optimal treatment process, the organic loading rate should be kept in 1.5 – 3 kg COD m−3 d−1 range. and optimal biomass concentration of 10-15 g·L−1 should be ensured to reduce the cleaning frequency of the membrane ultrafilters. To avoid exceedance of compliance with respect to the discharge criteria, further treatment step(s) should be considered prior to any treated wastewater reuse.