bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variable intake manifold geometry influence on volumetric efficiency enhancement at gaseous engine starting speeds
Authors: Jemni Mohamed Ali , HadjKacem Sahar , Ammar Mariem , Saaidia Rafaa , Brayek Mohamed , Abid Mohamed Salah 
Published: November 2020

This paper studied the effect of variable intake length manifold on filling and volumetric efficiency at starting engine speeds using numerical and experimental process. The investigation is based on acoustic supercharging phenomenon. For this purpose, 1-D engine gas-flow model was developed and optimum intake lengths for several low engine speeds were determined using acoustic theory based-resolution. Using the method of characteristics, pressure waves were predicted at the end of intake line length (intake valve level) in order to test the dynamic inertial supercharging phenomena. The quarter-wave resonator technique was taken into consideration to explore the inlet pressure pulsations. Simulations of pressure wave propagation were achieved during intake stroke and intake valve closed phase. Simulation predictions confirmed the analytically calculated optimum intake length. Numerical investigations were carried out on five in-cylinder flow moving through intake system; air, air-gasoline, air-LPG, air-H2 and air-LPG-H2 blend. The percentages of supplied hydrogen with LPG were 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% in volume. To experimentally validate the analytical founded lengths, an instrumented cold-flow four cylinder Ford SI engine test bench was prepared. Flow through variable intake length manifold was analyzed. Geometry variation was performed on the plenum length. Three engine low speeds are tested; 500 rpm, 750 rpm and 1000 rpm. The experiment results showed an in-cylinder velocity increase by about 60%, 58% and 48% using the optimal intake length at 500 rpm, 750 rpm and 1000 rpm respectively. Furthermore, the collected data proves that varying intake pipe length continuously with the engine speed leads to an average of 39.7% improvement in volumetric efficiency from the original engine configuration at 1000 rpm.
Effect of Disease Severity on Respiratory Impedance in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Sampath Meghashree , Srivastava Achal Kumar , Goyal Vinay , Jaryal Ashok Kumar , Deepak Kishore Kumar , Talwar Anjana 
Published: November 2020

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. PD has been traditionally perceived as a motor disorder. However, it is frequently associated with pulmonary dysfunction which has been assessed by Spirometry, an effort-dependent technique. Purpose: To evaluate in patients with PD the effect of disease severity on respiratory impedance using Impulse Oscillometry (IOS) and to correlate with Spirometry. Methods: The study was conducted on 30 patients diagnosed with PD. Pulmonary function was assessed by IOS and spirometer. IOS is an effort-independent technique that uses sound waves of different frequencies to measure airway resistance. Spirometer measures the lung volume and generates flow–volume and volume–time relationship. Results: The mean age of patients was 60.1±9.45. Resistance at 5 Hz (R5) was found to be negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in the first second of the FVC manoeuver (FEV1) ( r = –0.628, P = .002), FEV1/FVC (forced vital capacity) ( r = –0.487, P = .025), and PEF ( r = –0.599, P = .004), and resistance at 20 Hz (R20) with FEV1 ( r = –0.474, P = .029) and PEF ( r = –0.522, P = .015). There was significant increase in R5 (0.32(0.36–0.28) vs 0.47(0.60–0.36); P = .04) and R20 (0.25(0.28–0.20) vs 0.30(0.40–0.25); P = .04) in stage II as compared to stage I of Hoehn–Yahr scale. Conclusion: IOS might be a promising tool for diagnosis of respiratory dysfunction in addition to Spirometry, especially in cases where patients are not able to perform forced manoeuvers.
Species-Specific Immunoassay Aids Identification of Pathogen and Tracks Infectivity in Foot Infection
Authors: Hao Stephanie P. , Masters Elysia A. , Ninomiya Mark J. , Beck Christopher A. , Schwarz Edward M. , Daiss John L. , Oh Irvin 
Published: November 2020

Background: Conventional bacterial cultures frequently fail to identify the dominant pathogen in polymicrobial foot infections, in which Staphylococcus aureus is the most common infecting pathogen. Previous work has shown that species-specific immunoassays may be able to identify the main pathogen in musculoskeletal infections. We sought to investigate the clinical applicability of a S. aureus immunoassay to accurately identify the infecting pathogen and monitor its infectivity longitudinally in foot infection. We hypothesized that this species-specific immunoassay could aid in the diagnosis of S. aureus and track the therapeutic response in foot infections. Methods: From July 2015 to July 2019, 83 infected foot ulcer patients undergoing surgical intervention (debridement or amputation) were recruited and blood was drawn at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Whole blood was analyzed for S. aureus–specific serum antibodies (mix of historic and new antibodies) and plasmablasts were isolated and cultured to quantify titers of newly synthesized antibodies (NSAs). Anti– S. aureus antibody titers were compared with culture results to assess their concordance in identifying S. aureus as the pathogen. The NSA titer changes at follow-ups were compared with wound healing status to evaluate concordance between evolving host immune response and clinically resolving or relapsing infection. Results: Analysis of serum for anti– S. aureus antibodies showed significantly increased titers of 3 different anti– S. aureus antibodies, IsdH ( P = .037), ClfB ( P = .025), and SCIN ( P = .005), in S. aureus culture-positive patients compared with culture-negative patients. Comparative analysis of combining antigens for S. aureus infection diagnosis increased the concordance further. During follow-up, changes of NSA titers against a single or combination of S. aureus antigens significantly correlated with clinically resolving or recurring infection represented by wound healing status. Conclusion: In the management of foot infection, the use of S. aureus–specific immunoassay may aid in diagnosis of the dominant pathogen and monitoring of the host immune response against a specific pathogen in response to treatment. Importantly, this immunoassay could detect recurrent foot infection, which may guide a surgeon’s decision to intervene. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective comparative study.
Increased risk of 2-year death in patients who discontinued their use of statins
Authors: Seaman Karla , Sanfilippo Frank , Bulsara Max , Roughead Elizabeth , Kemp-Casey Anna , Bulsara Caroline , Watts Gerald F , Preen David 
Published: November 2020

Objective This study examined the association between statin usage (discontinued, reduced or continued) and two-year death following a 21% increase in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) consumer co-payment in Western Australia. Methods A retrospective observational study in Western Australia using linked administrative Commonwealth PBS data and State hospital inpatient and death data (n = 207,066) was undertaken. We explored the two-year all-cause and ischemic heart disease(IHD)/stroke-specific-death in individuals who discontinued, reduced or continued statin medication following the January 2005 PBS co-payment increase, overall, by beneficiary status (general population vs. social security recipients) and by a history of admission for ischemic heart disease or stroke. Non-cardiovascular (CVD)-related death was also considered. Results In the first six months of 2005, 3.3% discontinued, 12.5% reduced and 84.2% continued statin therapy. We found those who discontinued statins were also likely to discontinue at least two other medicines compared to those who continued therapy. There were 4,607 all-cause deaths. For IHD/stroke-specific death, there were 1,317. For all non-CVD-related death, there were 2,808 deaths during the 2-year follow-up period. Cox regression models, adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics, showed a 39%-61% increase in the risk of all-cause death for individuals who reduced or discontinued statin medication compared to those who continued their statin medication (Discontinued: Adj HR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.40–1.85; Reduced: Adj HR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.28–1.51). For IHD/stroke-specific death, there was an increased risk of death by 28–76% (Discontinued: Adj sHR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.37–2.27; Reduced: Adj sHR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.10–1.49), and for non-CVD-related death, there was an increased risk of death by 44–57% (Discontinued: Adj sHR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.31–1.88; Reduced: Adj sHR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.30–1.60), for individuals who discontinued or reduced their statin medication compared to those who continued. Conclusions Patients who discontinued their statin therapy had a significantly increased risk of IHD and stroke death. Health professionals should be aware that large co-payment changes may be associated with patients discontinuing or reducing medicines to their health detriment. Factors that lead to such changes in patient medication-taking behaviour need to be considered and addressed at the clinical and policy levels.
Genetic variation in CARD8, a gene coding for an NLRP3 inflammasome-associated protein, alters the genetic risk for diabetic nephropathy in the context of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tsetsos Fotis , Roumeliotis Athanasios , Tsekmekidou Xanthippi , Alexouda Sophia , Roumeliotis Stefanos , Theodoridis Marios , Thodis Elias , Panagoutsos Stylianos , Papanas Nikolaos , Papazoglou Dimitrios , Kotsa Kalliopi , Yovos John G , Maltezos Efstratios , Passadakis Ploumis , Paschou Peristera , Georgitsi Marianthi 
Published: November 2020

Background: Approximately one third of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cases present with diabetic nephropathy (DN), the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Inflammation plays an important role in T2DM disease and DN pathogenesis. NLRP3 inflammasomes are complexes that regulate interleukin-1B (IL-1B) and IL-18 secretion, both involved in inflammatory responses. Activation of NLRP3 is associated with DN onset and progression. Here, we explore whether DN is associated with variants in genes encoding key members of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Methods: Using genome-wide association data, we performed a pilot case-control association study, between 101 DN-T2DM and 185 non-DN-T2DM cases from the Hellenic population across six NLRP3 inflammasome pathway genes. Results: Three common CARD8 variants confer decreased risk for DN, namely rs11665831 (OR = 0.62, p = 0.016), rs11083925 (OR = 0.65, p = 0.021), and rs2043211 (OR = 0.66, p = 0.026), independent of sex or co-inheritance with an IL-1B variant. Conclusion: CARD8 acts as an NLRP3, NF-κB and caspase-1 inhibitor; perhaps, alterations in the cross-talk between CARD8, NF-κB, and NLRP3, which could affect the pro-inflammatory environment in T2DM, render diabetic carriers of certain common CARD8 variants potentially less likely to develop T2DM-related pro-inflammatory responses followed by DN. These preliminary, yet novel, observations will require validation in larger cohorts from several ethnic groups.
Cerebellar Theta-Burst Stimulation Combined With Physiotherapy in Subacute and Chronic Stroke Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Liao Ling-Yi , Xie Yun-Juan , Chen Yi , Gao Qiang 
Published: November 2020

Background Intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) has been suggested to improve poststroke rehabilitation. The cerebellum is considered crucial for motor control. However, the effects of cerebellar iTBS with routine physical therapy on balance and motor recovery in subacute and chronic stroke patients have not been explored. Objective To measure the short-term effects of cerebellar iTBS with physiotherapy on the balance and functional outcomes in subacute and chronic stroke patients with hemiparesis. Methods Thirty hemiparetic patients were recruited for this randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled trial, and randomized into either the treatment or sham group. Both groups participated in physiotherapy 5 times per week for 2 weeks, and cerebellar iTBS or sham iTBS was performed daily, immediately before physiotherapy. The primary outcome was the Berg balance scale (BBS) score. Secondary outcomes included the trunk impairment scale (TIS) score, Fugl-Meyer assessment scale score for lower extremities (FMA-LE), Barthel index (BI), and corticospinal excitability, as measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation. The outcomes were measured before and 1 week and 2 weeks after the intervention. Results Compared with those at baseline, significant increases were identified in all clinical scores (BBS, TIS, FMA-LE, and BI) in both groups after the 2-week intervention. The BBS and TIS scores improved more in the iTBS group than in the sham group. Conclusions Cerebellar iTBS with physiotherapy promotes balance and motor recovery in poststroke patients. Therefore, this method can be used in low-cost, fast, and efficient protocols for stroke rehabilitation (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900026450).
Added Value of QEEG for the Differential Diagnosis of Common Forms of Dementia
Authors: Livinț Popa Livia , Dragoș Hanna-Maria , Strilciuc Ștefan , Pantelemon Cristina , Mureșanu Ioana , Dina Constantin , Văcăraș Vitalie , Mureșanu Dafin 
Published: November 2020

Introduction Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) has been documented as a helpful tool in the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with common forms of dementia. The main objective of the study was to assess the role of QEEG in AD differential diagnosis with other forms of dementia: Lewy body dementia (LBD), Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and vascular dementia (VaD). Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, and PsycNET, for articles in English published in peer-reviewed journals from January 1, 1980 to April 23, 2019 using adapted search strategies containing keywords quantitative EEG and Alzheimer. The risk of bias was assessed by applying the QUADAS tool. The systematic review was conducted in line with the PRISMA methodology. Results We identified 10 articles showcasing QEEG features used in diagnosing dementia, EEG slowing phenomena in AD and PDD, coherence changes in AD and VaD, the role of LORETA in dementia, and the controversial QEEG pattern in FTD. Results vary significantly in terms of sociodemographic features of the studied population, neuropsychological assessment, signal acquisition and processing, and methods of analysis. Discussion This article provides a comparative synthesis of existing evidence on the role of QEEG in diagnosing dementia, highlighting some specific features for different types of dementia (eg, the slow-wave activity has been remarked in both AD and PDD, but more pronounced in PDD patients, a diminution in anterior and posterior alpha coherence was noticed in AD, and a lower alpha coherence in the left temporal-parietal-occipital regions was observed in VaD). Conclusion QEEG may be a useful investigation for settling the diagnosis of common forms of dementia. Further research of quantitative analyses is warranted, particularly on the association between QEEG, neuropsychological, and imaging features. In conjunction, these methods may provide superior diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of dementia.
A genetic modifier of venous thrombosis in zebrafish reveals a functional role for fibrinogen AαE in early hemostasis
Authors: Freire Cristina , Fish Richard J. , Vilar Rui , Di Sanza Corinne , Grzegorski Steven J. , Richter Catherine E. , Shavit Jordan A. , Neerman-Arbez Marguerite 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPlasma fibrinogen molecules comprise 2 copies of Aα, Bβ, and γ chains folded into a hexameric protein. A minor fibrinogen isoform with an extended Aα chain (AαE) is more abundant in newborn human blood than in adults. Larval zebrafish produce predominantly AαE-containing fibrinogen, but its functional significance is unclear. In 3-day-old zebrafish, when hemostasis is reliant on fibrinogen and erythrocyte-rich clotting but is largely thrombocyte-independent, we measured the time to occlusion (TTO) in a laser-induced venous thrombosis assay in 3 zebrafish strains (AB, TU, and AB × TL hybrids). AB larvae showed delayed TTO compared with the TU and AB × TL strains. Mating AB with TU or TL produced larvae with a TU-like TTO. In contrast to TU, AB larvae failed to produce fibrinogen AαE, due to a mutation in the AαE-specific coding region of fibrinogen α-chain gene (fga). We investigated whether the lack of AαE explained the delayed AB TTO. Transgenic expression of AαE, but not Aα, shortened the AB TTO to that of TU. AαE rescued venous occlusion in fibrinogen mutants or larvae with morpholino-targeted fibrinogen α-chain messenger RNA, but Aα was less effective. In 5-day-old larvae, circulating thrombocytes contribute to hemostasis, as visualized in Tg(itga2b:EGFP) transgenics. Laser-induced venous thrombocyte adhesion and aggregation is reduced in fibrinogen mutants, but transgenic expression of Aα or AαE restored similar thrombocyte accumulation at the injury site. Our data demonstrate a genetic modifier of venous thrombosis and a role for fibrinogen AαE in early developmental blood coagulation, and suggest a link between differentially expressed fibrinogen isoforms and the cell types available for clotting.
Secondary CNL after SAA reveals insights in leukemic transformation of bone marrow failure syndromes
Authors: Schmied Laurent , Olofsen Patricia A. , Lundberg Pontus , Tzankov Alexandar , Kleber Martina , Halter Jörg , Uhr Mario , Valk Peter J. M. , Touw Ivo P. , Passweg Jakob , Drexler Beatrice 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Acquired aplastic anemia and severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) are bone marrow (BM) failure syndromes of different origin, however, they share a common risk for secondary leukemic transformation. Here, we present a patient with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) evolving to secondary chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL; SAA-CNL). We show that SAA-CNL shares multiple somatic driver mutations in CSF3R, RUNX1, and EZH2/SUZ12 with cases of SCN that transformed to myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This molecular connection between SAA-CNL and SCN progressing to AML (SCN-AML) prompted us to perform a comparative transcriptome analysis on nonleukemic CD34high hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, which showed transcriptional profiles that resemble indicative of interferon-driven proinflammatory responses. These findings provide further insights in the mechanisms underlying leukemic transformation in BM failure syndromes.
Processing methods and storage duration impact extracellular vesicle counts in red blood cell units
Authors: Gamonet Clementine , Desmarets Maxime , Mourey Guillaume , Biichle Sabeha , Aupet Sophie , Laheurte Caroline , François Anne , Resch Eric , Bigey Frédéric , Binda Delphine , Bardiaux Laurent , Naegelen Christian , Marpaux Nadine , Delettre Fanny Angelot , Saas Philippe , Morel Pascal , Tiberghien Pierre , Lacroix Jacques , Capellier Gilles , Vidal Chrystelle , Garnache-Ottou Francine 
Published: November 2020

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are active components of red blood cell (RBC) concentrates and may be associated with beneficial and adverse effects of transfusion. Elucidating controllable factors associated with EV release in RBC products is thus important to better manage the quality and properties of RBC units. Erythrocyte-derived EVs (EEVs) and platelet-derived EVs (PEVs) were counted in 1226 RBC units (administered to 280 patients) using a standardized cytometry-based method. EV size and CD47 and annexin V expression were also measured. The effects of donor characteristics, processing methods, and storage duration on EV counts were analyzed by using standard comparison tests, and analysis of covariance was used to determine factors independently associated with EV counts. PEV as well as EEV counts were higher in whole-blood–filtered RBC units compared with RBC-filtered units; PEV counts were associated with filter type (higher with filters associated with higher residual platelets), and CD47 expression was higher on EEVs in RBC units stored longer. Multivariate analysis showed that EEV counts were strongly associated with filter type (P &lt; .0001), preparation, and storage time (+25.4 EEV/µL per day [P = .01] and +42.4 EEV/µL per day [P &lt; .0001], respectively). The only independent factor associated with PEV counts was the residual platelet count in the unit (+67.1 PEV/µL; P &lt; .0001). Overall, processing methods have an impact on EV counts and characteristics, leading to large variations in EV quantities transfused into patients. RBC unit processing methods might be standardized to control the EV content of RBC units if any impacts on patient outcomes can be confirmed. The IMIB (Impact of Microparticles in Blood) study is ancillary to the French ABLE (Age of Transfused Blood in Critically Ill Adults) trial (ISRCTN44878718).
DeepCryoPicker: fully automated deep neural network for single protein particle picking in cryo-EM
Authors: Al-Azzawi Adil , Ouadou Anes , Max Highsmith , Duan Ye , Tanner John J. , Cheng Jianlin 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) is widely used in the determination of the three-dimensional (3D) structures of macromolecules. Particle picking from 2D micrographs remains a challenging early step in the Cryo-EM pipeline due to the diversity of particle shapes and the extremely low signal-to-noise ratio of micrographs. Because of these issues, significant human intervention is often required to generate a high-quality set of particles for input to the downstream structure determination steps.

Results
Here we propose a fully automated approach (DeepCryoPicker) for single particle picking based on deep learning. It first uses automated unsupervised learning to generate particle training datasets. Then it trains a deep neural network to classify particles automatically. Results indicate that the DeepCryoPicker compares favorably with semi-automated methods such as DeepEM, DeepPicker, and RELION, with the significant advantage of not requiring human intervention.

Conclusions
Our framework combing supervised deep learning classification with automated un-supervised clustering for generating training data provides an effective approach to pick particles in cryo-EM images automatically and accurately.