bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bronchiolitis obliterans after severe adenovirus pneumonia:a review of 46 cases
Authors: Lan Yuan-Mei , Yang Yun-Gang , Lin Xiao-Liang , Chen Qi-Hong 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background:This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of bronchiolitis obliterans caused by severe adenovirus pneumonia. Methods: The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University in January, 2019 was collected The clinical data of 229 children with severe adenovirus pneumonia from January to January 2020 were divided into obliterative bronchiolitis group (BO group) and non obstructive bronchiolitis group (non BO group) according to the follow-up clinical manifestations and imaging data. The clinical data, laboratory examination and imaging data of the children were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among 229 children with severe adenovirus pneumonia, 46 cases were in BO group. The number of days of hospitalization, oxygen consumption time, LDH, IL-6, AST, D-dimer and hypoxemia in BO group were significantly higher than those in non BO group; The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that there were significant differences in the blood routine neutrophil ratio, platelet level, Oxygen supply time, hospitalization days, AST level, whether there was hypoxemia, timing of using hormone, more than two bacterial feelings were found in the two groups, levels of LDH, albumin and Scope of lung imaging (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The related risk factors of BO caused by severe adenovirus pneumonia were long hospitalization days and oxygen consumption time, elevated platelet levels, AST and LDH levels in laboratory tests, and more than two kinds of bacterial infections, double lung involvement, and hypoxemia. Early use of glucocorticoid had a significant effect on reducing the formation of BO.
Tracking the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2 in coastal Kenya
Authors: Githinji George , de Laurent Zaydah , Mohamed Khadija , Omuoyo Donwilliams , Macharia Peter , Morobe John , Otieno Edward , Kinyanjui Sam , Agweyu Ambrose , Maitha Eric , Kitole Ben , Suleiman Thani , Mwakinangu Mohamed , Nyambu John , Otieno John , Salim Barke , Kasera Kadondi , Kiiru John , Aman Rashid , Barasa Edwine , Warimwe George , Bejon Philip , Tsofa Benjamin , Ochola-Oyier Lynette Isabella , Nokes D James , Agoti Charles 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
We generated 274 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from samples collected during the early phase of the Kenyan pandemic. Phylogenetic analysis identified 8 global lineages and at least 76 independent SARS-CoV-2 introductions into Kenyan coast. The dominant B.1 lineage (European origin) accounted for 82.1% of the cases. Lineages A, B and B.4 were detected from screened individuals at the Kenya-Tanzania border or returning travellers but did not lead to established transmission. Though multiple lineages were introduced in coastal Kenya within three months following the initial confirmed case, none showed extensive local expansion other than cases characterised by lineage B.1, which accounted for 45 of the 76 introductions. We conclude that the international points of entry were important conduits of SARS-CoV-2 importations. We speculate that early public health responses prevented many introductions leading to established transmission, but nevertheless a few undetected introductions were sufficient to give rise to an established epidemic.
An Ambient-temperature Collection and Stabilization Device Performs Comparably to Flash-frozen Collection for Stool Metabolomics in Infants
Authors: Ramamoorthy Sivapriya , Levy Shira , Mohamed Masouma , Abdelghani Alaa , Evans Anne M , Miller Luke AD , Mehta Lopa , Moore Sean , Freinkman Elizaveta , Hourigan Suchitra K 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Stool metabolites provide essential insights into the function of the gut microbiome. The current gold standard for collection and storage of stool samples for metabolomics is flash-freezing at -80°C which can be inconvenient and expensive. Ambient temperature collection of stool is more practical, however no available methodologies adequately preserve the metabolomic profile of stool. A novel sampling kit (OMNImet.GUT; DNA Genotek, Inc.) was introduced for ambient temperature collection and stabilization of feces for metabolomics; we aimed to test the performance of this kit vs. flash-freezing.Methods: Stool collected from an infant’s diaper was divided into two aliquots: 1) flash-frozen and 2) stored in an OMNImet.GUT tube at ambient temperature for 3-4 days. Samples from the same infant were collected at 2 different time points to assess metabolite changes over time. Subsequently, all samples underwent metabolomic analysis by liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results: Paired fecal samples (flash-frozen and ambient temperature) from 16 infants were collected at 2 time points (n= 64 samples). Similar numbers of metabolites were detected in both the frozen and ambient temperature samples (1126 in frozen, 1107 in ambient temperature, 1064 shared between sample types). Metabolite abundances were strongly correlated between collection methods (median Spearman correlation Rs=0.785 across metabolites). Hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis showed that samples from the same individuals at a given time point clustered closely, regardless of the collection method. Repeat samples from the same individual were compared by paired t-test, separately for the frozen and OMNImet.GUT. The number of metabolites in each biochemical class that significantly changed (p<0.05) at timepoint 2 relative to timepoint 1 was similar in flash-frozen versus ambient temperature collection. Changes in microbiota modified metabolites over time were also consistent across both methodologies. Conclusion: Ambient temperature collection and stabilization of stool in the OMNImet.GUT device yielded comparable metabolomic results to flash freezing in terms of 1) the identity and abundance of detected biochemicals 2) the distinct metabolomic profiles of subjects and 3) the biochemical signature of microbiome development over time. This method potentially provides a more convenient, less expensive home collection option for stool metabolomic analysis.
Thermo-responsive Polymer Encapsulated Gold Nanorods for Single Continuous Wave Laser-induced Photodynamic/photothermal Tumour Therapy
Authors: Li Wei , Gong Beilei , Shen Yuanbing , Li Huiyan , Li Xiaojun , Huan Xia , Zhou Jihong , Chen Yuqing , Wu Jian 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Owing to strong and tunable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect and good biocompatibility, gold nanoparticles have been suggested to be a versatile platform for a broad range of biomedical applications. In this study, a new nanoplatform of thermo-responsive polymer encapsulated gold nanorods incorporating indocyanin green (ICG) was designed to couple the photothermal properties of gold nanorods (AuNRs) and the photodynamic properties of ICG to enhanc the photodynamic/photothermal combination therapy (PDT/PTT). in addition to the significantly increased payload and enhancing photostability of ICG , the polymer shell in the nanoplatform also has thermo-responsive characteristics that can control the release of drugs at tumour sites upon the laser irradiation. On the basis of these improvements, the nanoplatform strongly increased drug aggregation at the tumour site and improved the photothermal/photodynamic therapeutic efficacy. These results suggest that this nanoplatform would be a great potential system for tumour imaging and antitumour therapy.
Applicability of Commercial Clinical Chemistry Test Kits for Horse Serum
Authors: Megerssa Yoseph Cherinet , Gari Fikru Regassa , Woldemariyam Fanos Tadesse 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Objective: Validation of a test method is critical for conﬁrming that the test can generate accurate and precise data. Although commercial biochemical test kits exist there is no specific and validated commercial clinical chemistry test kits designed for horse. The aim of this study was to validate commercial clinical chemistry test kits designed for human serum for use in horses. Result: Blood samples were collected from 29 apparently healthy adult horses and pooled serum was prepared. Validation comprises replication and recovery experiments. Total observable error (TEo%), Sigma metrics and quality goal index (QGI) were used to support the validation studies. Intra- and inter-assay variability was 2.05% and 2.08%, 2.26% and 1.89%, 2.4% and 1.63%, for total cholesterol urea and total protein for respectively; recovery was 99.46%, 97.32% and 100.1% for total cholesterol urea and total protein for respectively. TEo% for the specified analytes was within the allowable error. All the three anaytes satisfied the recommended requirement (>3 sigma values). The QGI for urea, as it had below 6σ was 0.95 indicating imprecision and inaccuracy. The results endorse the suitability of the studied commercial test kits and illustrated the acceptance criteria for serum collected from horse.
Treatment with Zinc is Associated with Reduced In-Hospital Mortality Among COVID-19 Patients: A Multi-Center Cohort Study
Authors: frontera Jennifer A. , Rahimian Joseph O. , Yaghi Shadi , Liu Mengling , Lewis Ariane , Havenon Adam de , Mainali Shraddha , Huang Joshua , Scher Erica , Wisniewski Thomas , Troxel Andrea B. , Meropol Sharon , Balcer Laura J. , Galetta Steven L. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Zinc impairs replication of RNA viruses such as SARS-CoV-1, and may be effective against SARS-CoV-2. However, to achieve adequate intracellular zinc levels, administration with an ionophore, which increases intracellular zinc levels, may be necessary. We evaluated the impact of zinc with an ionophore (Zn+ionophore) on COVID-19 in-hospital mortality rates.Methods: A multicenter cohort study was conducted of 3,473 adult hospitalized patients with reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) positive SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to four New York City hospitals between March 10 through May 20, 2020. Exclusion criteria were: death or discharge within 24h, comfort-care status, clinical trial enrollment, treatment with an IL-6 inhibitor or remdesivir. Patients who received Zn+ionophore were compared to patients who did not using multivariable time-dependent cox proportional hazards models for time to in-hospital death adjusting for confounders including age, sex, race, BMI, diabetes, week of admission, hospital location, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, intubation, acute renal failure, neurological events, treatment with corticosteroids, azithromycin or lopinavir/ritonavir and the propensity score of receiving Zn+ionophore. A sensitivity analysis was performed using a propensity score-matched cohort of patients who did or did not receive Zn+ionophore matched by age, sex and ventilator status.Results: Among 3,473 patients (median age 64, 1947 [56%] male, 522 [15%] ventilated, 545[16%] died), 1,006 (29%) received Zn+ionophore. Zn+ionophore was associated with a 24% reduced risk of in-hospital mortality (12% of those who received Zn+ionophore died versus 17% who did not; adjusted Hazard Ratio [aHR] 0.76, 95% CI 0.60-0.96, P=0.023). More patients who received Zn+ionophore were discharged home (72% Zn+ionophore vs 67% no Zn+ionophore, P=0.003) Neither Zn nor the ionophore alone were associated with decreased mortality rates. Propensity score-matched sensitivity analysis (N=1356) validated these results (Zn+ionophore aHR for mortality 0.63, 95%CI 0.44-0.91, P=0.015). There were no significant interactions for Zn+ionophore with other COVID-19 specific medications.Conclusions: Zinc with an ionophore was associated with increased rates of discharge home and a 24% reduced risk of in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients, while neither zinc alone nor the ionophore alone reduced mortality. Further randomized trials are warranted.
Upregulation of KLK8 Predicts Poor Prognosis in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Hua Qing , Li Tianjiao , Liu Yixuan , Shen Xuefang , Zhu Xiaoyan , Xu Pingbo 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a growing cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Kallikrein-related peptidase 8 (KLK8) has potential clinical values in many cancers. However, the clinicopathological significances of KLK8 in PDAC remain unknown. Methods: The relationship of KLK8 to clinicopathological features of PDAC was investigated based on public databases. KLK8 expression was examined in human PDAC tissues. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated in KLK8-overexpressed human pancreatic cancer cell lines Mia-paca-2 and Panc-1. The related signaling pathways of KLK8 involved in pancreatic cancer progression were analyzed by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and further verified in in vitro studies. Results: KLK8 was up-regulated in tumor tissues in the TCGA-PAAD cohort, and was an independent prognostic factor for both overall survival and disease-free survival of PDAC. KLK8 mRNA and protein expressions were increased in PDAC tissues compared with para-cancerous pancreas. KLK8 overexpression exerted pro-proliferation and anti-apoptotic functions in Mia-paca-2 and Panc-1 cells. GSEA analysis showed that KLK8 was positively associated with PI3K-Akt-mTOR and Notch pathways. KLK8-induced pro-proliferation and anti-apoptotic effects in Mia-paca-2 and Panc-1 cells were attenuated by inhibitors for PI3K, Akt, and mTOR, but not by inhibitor for Notch.Conclusion: KLK8 overexpression exerts pro-proliferation and anti-apoptotic functions in pancreatic cancer cells via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Upregulated KLK8 in PDAC predicts poor prognosis and may be a potential therapeutic target for PDAC.
Overview of Statistical and Machine Learning&nbsp;Techniques for Determining Causes of Death from&nbsp;Verbal Autopsies: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Mapundu Michael Tonderai , Kabudula Chodziwadziwa , Musenge Eustasius , Celik Turgay 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: The process of determining causes of death in areas where there is limited clinical services using verbal autopsies has become a key issue in terms of accuracy on cause of death (prone to errors and subjective), quality of data among many drawbacks. This is mainly because there is no proper standard available in performing verbal autopsy, even though it is important for civil registration systems and strengthening of health priorities. Physician diagnosis is the only gold standard in reviewing verbal autopsy narratives. In practice, conventional statistical methods are used to perform verbal autopsies due to their simplicity and transparency. However, in literature complex machine learning models can be found that can replace the traditional statistical methods. There has not been much application of machine learning techniques in verbal autopsy to determine cause of death, despite the advances in technology. As such, there is a need for a thorough survey of recent literature on statistical and machine learning approaches applied in verbal autopsy to determine cause of death. Methods: A systematic review was conducted and included a search from six databases. Our study only included scientiﬁc articles published in last decade that reported on verbal autopsy and: (1) algorithms; (2) statistical techniques; (3) machine learning and (4) deep learning. The search yielded 110 articles, after meta analysis, we identiﬁed 85 articles as being relevant and discarded the other 25. We investigated and compared the most commonly used statistical and machine learning techniques in VAs, identiﬁed limitations of each of these techniques, proposed a guiding machine learning framework and pointed to future directions. Results: Eighty ﬁve studies met the inclusion criteria. Apart from physician diagnosis, statistical methods are the most currently applied tools to determine cause of death from verbal autopsies. However, there has been little application of traditional machine learning and emerging techniques, even though they have shown promising results in other domains. Conclusions: Technological application of machine learning to determine cause of death, should focus on effective ideal strategies of pre-processing, transparency, robust feature engineering techniques and data balancing in order to attain optimal model performance.
Association Between Heart Rate-corrected QT Interval and Severe Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Foot Ulcers:Aa Case Control Study
Authors: Hong Jing , Liu Wen-Yue , Hu Xiang , Jiang Fei-Fei , Xu Ze-Ru , Li Fang , Shen Fei-Xia , Zhu Hong 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Half of patients with diabetes and foot ulcers (DFUs) have co-existing peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Prolonged heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval was found to be associated with PAD in a general population. The goal of the present study was to investigate the relationship between QTc interval and PAD in patients with DFUs.Methods: The present multi-center cross-sectional study enrolled 281 patients with DFUs. Severity of PAD was classified as no-severe PAD group (no obvious abnormality or plaques) and severe PAD group (stenosis or occlusion) according to duplex ultrasonography. QTc was calculated according to the Bazett formula. The study population was divided into subgroups based on the QTc tertiles. Results: The patients with severe PAD had longer QTc interval (P = 0.004) and higher prevalence of prolonged QTc (P = 0.042) than those with no-severe PAD. After adjustment for gender and age, partial correlation analysis revealed positive relationship of QTc with prevalence of severe DFUs (r = 0.194, P = 0.001) and severe PAD (r = 0.118, P = 0.048). Univariate logistic analysis showed that the QTc was positively associated with severe PAD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.010, P = 0.014). Compared to those in lowest tertile of QTc, the ORs for severe PAD were increased significantly and independently for those in upper tertiles of QTc (both P < 0.05). Conclusions: Prolonged QTc interval was independently associated with severe PAD in patients with DFUs, which might indicate the worse progression of peripheral atherosclerosis in early stage for this population.
Economic impact of political ties in Vietnam: Evidence from northern rural households
Authors: To Nguyen The , Nguyen Tuan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
This paper focuses on investigating the impacts of political connections on households’ income and their agricultural investment in mountainous areas of Vietnam by employing several matching methodologies. Propensity score matching (PSM) is an increasingly well-known approach for evaluation studies in agricultural economics. Additionally, this study attempts to verify the significance of political connection in rural economics. To conduct the empirical approach, the article uses surveyed data of 550 households from three provinces in the north of Vietnam. The findings indicate that political connection has a significantly positive impact on households’ total income and farming behaviour, but has a very negative impact on households’ agricultural investment. The difference between the income of the connected and non-connected group of households is estimated at approximately 30 million VND (US$ 1,304) per year. However, the total income of the connected households is not heavily based on agricultural production, their non-agricultural activities account for a larger share of their total income. Another important outcome is to confirm the privileges of politically connected households in terms of receiving extension courses that substantially increase the inequality between rural households in survey areas because the distribution of government subsidy is distorted to target the necessities.
Research on Accurate Modeling and Control for Pneumatic Electric Braking System of Commercial Vehicle Based on Multi-Dynamic Parameters Measurement
Authors: Zhao Yongtao , Yang Yiyong , Wu Xiuheng , Tao Xingjun 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Accurate pressure control and fast dynamic response are vital to the pneumatic electric braking system (PEBS) for that commercial vehicles require higher regulation precision of braking force on four wheels when braking force distribution is carried out under some conditions. Due to the lagging information acquisition, most feedback-based control algorithms are difficult to further improve the dynamic response of PEBS. Meanwhile, feedforward-based control algorithms like predictive control perform well in improving dynamic performance. but because of the large amount of computation and complexity of this kind of control algorithm, it cannot be applied in real-time on single-chip microcomputer, and it is still in the stage of theoretical research at present. To address this issue and for the sake of engineering reliability, this article presents a logic threshold control scheme combining analogous model predictive control (AMPC) and proportional control. In addition, an experimental device for real-time measuring PEBS multi-dynamic parameters is built. After correcting the key parameters, the precise model is determined and the influence of switching solenoid valve on its dynamic response characteristics is studied. For the control scheme, numerical and physical validation are executed to demonstrate the feasibility of the strategy and for the performance of the controller design. The experimental results show that the dynamic model of PEBS can accurately reflect its pressure characteristics. Furthermore, under different air source pressures, the designed controller can stably control the pressure output of PEBS and ensure that the error is within 8KPa. Compared with the traditional control algorithm, the rapidity is improved by 32.5%.
Atomically resolved tomographic reconstruction of nanoparticles from Single Projection: influence of amorphous carbon support
Authors: Banerjee Pritam , Roy Chiranjit , De Subhra Kanti , Santos Antonio J. , Morales Francisco M. , Bhattacharyya Somnath 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Nanoparticles have a wide range of applications due to their unique geometry and arrangement of atoms. For a precise structure-property correlation, information regarding atomically resolved 3D structures of nanoparticles is utmost beneficial. Though modern aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopes can resolve atoms with sub-angstrom resolution, an atomic-scale 3D reconstruction of nanoparticle is a challenge using tilt series tomography due to high radiation damage. Instead, inline 3D holography based tomographic reconstructions from single projection registered at low electron doses are more suitable for defining atoms dispositions at nanostructures. Nanoparticles are generally supported on amorphous carbon film for TEM experiments. However, neglecting the influence of carbon film on the tomographic reconstruction of the nanoparticle may lead to ambiguity. In order to address this issue, the effect of amorphous carbon support was quantitatively studied using simulations and experiments.