bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Breeding Practice and Correlation of Conformation Traits With Milk Offtake of Camel in Afar Region
Authors: Gebremariam Birhane Hailay , Hailemicheal Abrha , Gebru Muez , Girmay Shishay , Baragabr Fsahatsion Hailemariam , Tilahun Sisay 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Camel are able to survive and well adapted in harsh environment and reproduce in such environment due to their unique physiology and morphology. It is also serves as source of cash income, milk, meat etc. The study was conducted in four districts of Afar Regional State with the objective of determine the breeding practice and correlation of conformation traits with milk offtake of camel. Method: Purposive random sampling were employed to select districts and target farmers. Milk offtake, body and udder conformation traits were taken from 320 she-camels. All the collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 (SPSS, 2017) and index was computed using weight average. Result: The breeding objective of the farmers in the study area were milk, meat, wealth and social statues. Primordial traits preference for selecting breeding she-camel was based on milk yield, body size and conformation, disease resistance, fast growth and adaptation with an index value of 0.119, 0.105, 0.10, 0.096 and 0.094, respectively. Feed and recurrent drought, disease incidence, poor veterinary service, lack of modern breeding program hinders the productive performance whereas, poor feed quality, long age at first service, calving interval, calve mortality and abortion were the major challenges for reproductive performance of she-camels. District had a significant variation on udder and body conformation traits. The mean value of naval height, naval length, body length, foreleg length, hind leg length, pelvic length, height girth and hump circumference were 2.04±0.06, 2.46±0.06, 145±1.39, 149.24±1.30, 163.78±1.19, 25.33±0.31, 236.05±1.47and 78.51±1.06cm, respectively. The average value of milk yield, distance between fore teat, distance between rear teat, fore teat circumference, fore teat height, udder size circumference, udder size height and udder size length were 837.46±7.66, 7.92±0.36, 7.06±0.06, 6.71±0.11, 5.09±0.08, 45.13±1.34, 6.80±0.27 and 14.30±0.33cm, respectively. The correlation coefficient between body conformation trait and milk offtake were significant positively correlated with height at girth and chest length. Highest correlation coefficient was obtained between milk offtake and hind teat circumference, udder size circumference and udder size length.Conclusion: It was concluded that camel had a conceivable for the multiuse role to produce income for pastoral and agro-pastoral livestock keepers.
Liver involvement by plasma cell myeloma mimicking clear cell carcinoma, a potential pitfall.
Authors: Vagena Fotini-Rosi , Sill Heinz , Beham-Schmid Christine 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Unusual morphological variants of plasma cell myeloma are a diagnostic challenge.Case presentation: A 60 year old woman with low-back pain was diagnosed with a plasma cell myeloma in the bone marrow. Concurrently a tumour was found in the liver. The histological specimen of the liver resembled a clear cell carcinoma, but the immunophenotype revealed plasma cell myeloma.Conclusion: In tumours with an extraordinary morphology and not conclusive immunohistochemical results the use of plasma cell antibodies may lead to the correct diagnosis.
Protective Effects of Ginsenoside Rc Against Acute Cold Exposure Induced Myocardial Injury in Rats
Authors: Xue Yan , Yu Xiao-Feng , Zhang Xiu-Hang , Yu Ping , Li Yuan-Geng , Fu Wen-Wen , Yu Jia-Ao , Sui Da-Yun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Ginsenoside Rc is one of the cardinal bioactive components of Panax ginseng that has been studied for various biological activities. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of ginsenoside Rc against acute cold exposure induced myocardial injury in rats.Methods: The rats were intragastrically administrated with ginsenoside Rc (10, 20 mg/kg) or vehicle daily for 7 days. One hour after the seventh-day administration, 3% pentobarbital sodium was used to anesthetize the rats. Rats of the control group were kept in room temperature (22 ± 1 ℃) and the other groups of rats were exposed to low ambient temperature (-15 ± 1 ℃) in a cold chamber for 6 h. Cardiac function was monitored and recorded as well. To evaluate the protective effects of ginsenoside Rc, we also measured myocardial specific enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase-MB) in plasma, whole blood viscosity (WBV), plasma viscosity (PV), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and hematocrit (HCT). The pathological changes of myocardium were observed through histopathological examination. The mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were by real-time quantitative PCR analysis. And the expressions of silent information regulator1 (SIRT1), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) and Procaspase-3 in heart tissues were measured by Western blot method.Results: Ginsenoside Rc alone had no effect on cardiac function, myocardial enzyme activities and hemorheology in normal rats. Compared with the model group, pretreatment with ginsenoside Rc significantly improved cardiac function, diminished myocardial specific enzymes release and decreased erythrocyte aggregation index. As a result, the pretreatment regulated abnormal hemorheology, attenuated myocardial histological changes and structural abnormalities, reduced the mRNA expression levels of cardiac inflammatory markers. Ginsenoside Rc also resulted in up-regulating SIRT1, Bcl-2 and Procaspase-3 expressions and down-regulating Bax expression.Conclusion: The current study suggests that ginsenoside Rc alleviates acute cold exposure induced myocardial injury in rats by inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis via SIRT1 and reducing inflammatory response.
Establishment of a systemic inflammatory response syndrome model and evaluation of the efficacy of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation
Authors: Ruan Guangping , Yao Xiang , Liu-Gao Mi-yang , Wang Jin-xiang , Cai Xue-min , Li Zi-an , Pang Rong-qing , Pan Xing-hua 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Based on the characteristics of modern weapon injury, a repetitive model of traumatic systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and an evaluation system were established. The models were treated with GFP-labeled tree shrew umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs). Forty out of 50 tree shrews were used to make a unilateral femoral comminuted fracture. LPS was injected intravenously to create a traumatic SIRS model. The other 10 shrews were used as normal controls. After the model was established for 10 days, 20 tree shrews were injected in the veins with GFP-labeled UCMSCs, and 18 tree shrews were not injected as the model control group. The distribution of GFP-labeled cells in vivo was measured at 2 and 10 days after injection. Twenty days after treatment, the model group, the normal control group, and the treatment group were taken to observe the pathological changes in each tissue, and blood samples were taken for the changes in liver function, renal function and heart function. Distribution of GFP-positive cells was observed in all tissues at 2 and 10 days after injection. After treatment, the HE staining results of the treatment group were close to those of the normal group, and the model group had a certain degree of lesions. The results of liver function, renal function and heart function tests in the treatment group were returned to normal, and the results in the model group were abnormally increased. UCMSCs have a certain effect on the treatment of traumatic SIRS and provide a new technical solution for modern weapon trauma treatment.
Linkage between commuting time and sickness absence in the context of China: transmission channels and heterogeneous effects
Authors: wang zicheng , Liu Jiachun , Guo Murong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

Most of employees in urban China have experienced a heavy commuting burden,which has become an urgent issue that should be solved in the process of new urbanization strategy. However, not only has the exploration of relationship between the commuting and sickness absence been still scant in China, but also there is no discussion made to analyze the mechanism linking the commuting time and sickness absence. To address these gaps, this study firstly investigates the commuting-absence effect as well as the potential transmission channel between them.
Methods

Using a unique dataset of 2013 Matched Employer-Employee Survey (CMEES) in China, we apply the zero-inflated negative binomial model to explore the nexus between the commuting and sickness absence. To discuss the potential mechanism linking commuting and sickness absence in the context of China, the estimations of the commuting on health-related outcomes and work efforts are performed by the OLS and Logit regression to discuss the mechanism.
Results

The empirical results reveal that the commute has a positive effect on sickness absence, while it is still robust against several specifications. More importantly, the commuting-absence effect is mainly transmitted through health-related outcomes of employees, whereas we find no clear evidence supporting the shirking behaviors. Additionally, the heterogeneous effects of commuting-absence are differentiated across the Hukou status, gender, transportation modes, scale of cities and types of enterprises.
Conclusion

The longer commute induces to lower productivities through the sickness absence, that is, the longer journey from home to work is positively related with the increasing sickness absence, which keeps in consistency with previous studies. And the potential effect of commute-sickness absence is mainly transmitted through their health-related outcomes. Additionally, the impacts of commute time on sickness absence are differentiated across the Hukou status, gender, transportation modes, scale of cities and types of enterprise.
What is the role of locoregional anesthesia in breast surgery? A systematic literature review focused on pain intensity, opioid consumption, adverse events, and patient satisfaction.
Authors: Sansone Pasquale , Giaccari Luca Gregorio , Faenza Mario , Costanzo Pasquale Di , Izzo Sara , Aurilio Caterina , Coppolino Francesco , Passavanti Maria Beatrice , Pota Vincenzo , Pace Maria Caterina 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background : Breast surgery in the United States is common. Pain affects up to 50% of women undergoing breast surgery and can interfere with postoperative outcomes. General anesthesia is the conventional, most frequently used anaesthetic technique. Various locoregional anesthetic techniques are also used for breast surgeries. A systematic review of the use of locoregional anesthesia for postoperative pain in breast surgery is needed to clarify its role in pain management . The aim of this study was t o establish the efficacy and the safety of locoregional anesthesia used in the treatment of pain after breast surgery.Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central Trials Register were systematically searched in Mars 2020 for studies examining locoregional anesthesia for manag e ment of pain in adult after breast surgery . The methodological quality of the studies and their results were appraised using the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist and specific measurement properties criteria, respectively.Results: Nineteen studies evaluating locoregional anesthesia were included: 1058 patients underwent lumpectomy/mastectomy, 142 breast augmentation and 79 breast reduction. Locoregional anesthesia provides effective anesthesia and analgesia in the perioperative setting. After mastectomy, the use of locoregional anesthesia techniques seems to reduce pain, especially in the first hour after the end of the surgery. Other potentially beneficial effects of locoregional anesthesia emerged from our review include decreased need for opioids, decreased postoperative nausea and vomiting, fewer complications and increased patient satisfaction. All this improves postoperative recovery and shortens hospitalization stay.Conclusion: T he results of this study support the technique of locoregional anesthesia for breast surgery.
Self-similar stochastic slip distributions on a non-planar fault for tsunami scenarios for megathrust earthquakes
Authors: Nakano Masaru , Murphy Shane , Agata Ryoichiro , Igarashi Yasuhiko , Okada Masato , Hori Takane 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Megathrust earthquakes that occur repeatedly along the plate interface of subduction zones can cause severe damage due to strong ground motion and the destructive tsunamis they can generate. We developed a set of scenario earthquakes to evaluate tsunami hazards and tsunami early warning systems for such devastating earthquakes. Although it is known that the slip distribution on a fault strongly affects the tsunami height distribution in near-field coastal areas, the slip distribution of future earthquakes cannot be exactly predicted. One way to resolve this difficulty is to create a set of scenario earthquakes in which a set of heterogeneous slip distributions on the source fault is stochastically generated based on a given slip probability density function (SPDF). The slip distributions generated in this manner differ from event to event, but their average over a large ensemble of models converges to a predefined SPDF resembling the long-term average of ruptures on the target fault zone. We created a set of SPDF-based scenario earthquakes for an expected future Mw 8.2 Tonankai earthquake in the eastern half of the Nankai trough, off southwest Japan, and computed the ensuing tsunamis. We found that the estimated peak coastal amplitudes among the ensemble of tsunamis along the near-field coast differed by factors of 3 to 9 and the earliest and latest arrivals at each observation site differed by 400 to 700 s. The variations in both peak tsunami amplitude and arrival time at each site were well approximated by a Gaussian distribution. For cases in which the slip distribution is unknown, the average and standard deviation of these scenario datasets can provide first approximations of forecast tsunami height and arrival time and their uncertainties, respectively. At most coastal observation sites, tsunamis modelled similarly but using a uniform slip distribution underpredicted tsunami amplitudes but gave earlier arrival times than those modeled with a heterogeneous slip distribution. Use of these earlier arrival times may be useful for providing conservative early warnings of tsunami arrivals. Therefore, tsunami computations for both heterogeneous and uniform slip distributions are important for tsunami disaster mitigation.
Can corticosteroids improve the outcomes of patients with Covid-19? A retrospective cohort study of patients within and outside the epicentre
Authors: Yu He , Li Pei-Jun , Wang Ting , Yao Rong , Ni Zhong , Yang Huan , Liang Bin-Miao , Liu Dan , Luo Feng-Ming , Chen Hong , Liang Zongan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has been a worldwide pandemic with more than 300,000 deaths. Corticosteroids have been used in some patients with severe Covid-19 in order to control the systemic inflammation or cytokine storm, however, their effects and safety have not yet been elucidated.
Methods

Patients with confirmed Covid-19 were retrospectively included from both the epicentre and out of the epicentre. Patients were classified into two groups according to the use of systemic corticosteroids, and the mortality and the rate of virus clearance were compared between the two groups. In addition, independent factors associated with death after corticosteroids treatment were also identified.
Results

A total of 775 patients were included in our final analysis, of which 238 (30.7%) patients received systemic corticosteroids treatment. Compared with patients without corticosteroids treatment, patients with corticosteroids treatment had significantly higher mortality (19.3% vs. 3.7%, P < 0.001) and lower rate of virus clearance (43.2% vs. 66.7%, P < 0.001) although along with increase of SpO2/FiO2 and blood lymphocytes in patients with severe Covid-19. Corticosteroids treatment was associated with longer hospital length of stays and delayed virus clearance time. In patients with corticosteroids treatment, blood lymphocytes (odds ratio (OR) 0.792, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.672–0.932, P = 0.005) and creatine kinase (CK) (OR 1.006, 95%CI 1.000-1.012, P = 0.038) were independent risk factors associated with death, with a sensitivity of 90.91% and 44.44% and a specificity of 70.75% and 94.05%, respectively.
Conclusions

In patients with Covid-19, corticosteroids treatment is associated with increased mortality and reduced rate of virus clearance.
Fermentation of Danggui Buxue Tang, an ancient Chinese herbal mixture, together with Lactobacillus plantarum enhances the anti-diabetic functions of herbal product
Authors: Guo Rui , Guo Shuchen , Gao Xiong , Wang Huaiyou , Hu Weihui , Duan Ran , Dong Tina T. X. , Tsim Karl W. K. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), an ancient Chinese herbal decoction containing Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix at a ratio of 5: 1, is prescribed for menopausal women. Flavonoids and its flavonoid glycosides are considered as the major active ingredients within the herbal decoction; however, their amount is not controllable during the preparation. Besides, the aglycons within DBT are believed to have better gut absorption and pharmacological efficacy.
Methods
In order to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of DBT, the herbal extract was fermented together with Lactobacillus plantarum, a Gram-positive Lactobacillus commonly found in fermented food products.
Results
The fermentation of DBT with L. plantarum drove a completed conversion of calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside and ononin to calycosin and formononetin, respectively, as determined by UPLC-MS/MS analysis. The chemical transformation could be probably mediated by β-glycosidase within the fermented product. Several in vitro assays corresponding to anti-diabetic functions were compared between parental DBT against its fermented product, which included the activities against α-glucosidase, α-amylase and lipase, as well as anti-oxidation (e.g. DPPH radical-scavenging and total antioxidant capacities) and anti-glycation (e.g. BSA-methylglyoxal, BSA-fructose and arginine-methylglyoxal models). The fermented DBT showed increased activities in inhibiting α-glycosidase, suppressing DPPH radical-scavenging and anti-glycation, as compared to the original herbal product.
Conclusion
The results supported the possible application of L. plantarum or other Lactobacillus in fermenting herbal extract, as such to increase the yield and efficacy of the final products.
An Anti-CD6 Monoclonal Antibody (Itolizumab) Reduces Circulating IL-6 in Severe Covid-19 Elderly Patients
Authors: Saavedra Danay , Añé-Kourí Ana Laura , Sánchez Naivy , Filgueira Lázaro Manuel , Betancourt Julio , Herrera Carlos , Manso Leniel , Chavez Elibet , Caballero Armando , Hidalgo Carlos , Lorenzo Geydi , Cepeda Meylan , Valenzuela Carmen , Ramos Mayra , León Kalet , Mazorra Zaima , Crombet Tania 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Since the COVID-19 outbreak an unprecedented challenge for healthcare systems around the world has been placed. In Cuba, the first case of COVID-19 was reported on March 11. Elderly with multiple comorbidities have been the most risky population. Although most patients present a mild to moderate disease, some have developed severe symptoms. One of the possible mechanisms underlying rapid disease progression is a cytokine storm, in which interleukin (IL) -6 seems to be a major mediator. Itolizumabis a humanized recombinant anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody(MAb), with the ability of reducingserum interferon gamma(INF-γ), tumournecrosis factor alpha(TNFα) and IL-6. Based on these previous results in patients with psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, an expanded access clinical trial was approved by the Cuban regulatory agency for COVID-19 critically, severely and moderately ill patients. Results: We show here a short kinetic of IL-6 serum concentration in the first 24 COVID-19 patients treated with itolizumab. Most of patients were elderly with multiple comorbidities.We found that with one itolizumabdose, the circulating IL-6 decreased in critically and severely ill patients, whereas in moderately ill patients the values didn’trise as compared to theirlow baseline levels.Conclusion: These findings suggest that itolizumabcould be an attractive therapeutic option to decrease the negative outcome of the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients.Trial registration: CECMED IIC RD-EC 179, RPCEC00000311. Registered 4May 2020 - Retrospectively registered, http://rpcec.sld.cu/ensayos/RPCEC00000311-Sp or http://rpcec.sld.cu/trials/RPCEC00000311-En
Numerical Investigations on the Influence of Innovative Hub Geometry Design for Augmented Performance in a Low Speed Centrifugal Fan
Authors: N Madhwesh , Karanth K Vasudeva , SHARMA N YAGNESH 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Inlet region of a centrifugal fan is considered as one of the important flow domains which provides air into the impeller with adequate flow incidence. There is a dire need for flow guidance for incoming air in order to minimize induced swirl losses in the vicinity of eye of the impeller. An extrusion type of structure, commonly termed hub, is attached to the impeller of turbo machineswhich is used to reduce inlet turning losses and thereby enhancing the performance of the machine in terms of overall static pressure rise. It is seen from a careful literature survey that there has not been significant research on the effect of hub of various shapes and sizeson performance improvement. Analytical tool like computational fluid dynamics (CFD) capture the physics of flow losses encountered especially at the inlet region. This research work attempts to explore numerically the contributions of hub of hemi-spherical and ellipsoidal shapes and parametrically varied sizes on overall performance of the fan. The analysis shows that amongst hemi-spherical and ellipsoidal hub configurations considered in this work, an optimized ellipsoidal hub configuration is found to yield a significant contribution of about 8.4 % for head coefficient and 8.6 % in relative theoretical efficiency over the hub-less base configuration. Finally correlations are developed for the optimized hub shape configurations.