bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Efficacy of Treating Pulmonary Fibrosis and Pulmonary Function Injury in COVID-19 with the Fuzheng Huayu Tablets: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jing Fei , Fan Haina , Zhao Zhimin , Xing Feng , He Yingchun , Liu Chenghai 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Some patients with COVID-19 have been found pulmonary dysfunction and/or fibrosis in the recovery period, especially severe cases, but there are no certain drugs or treatment to cope with this situation. Previous studies proved the efficacy of FZHY on lung fibrosis induced by Bleomycin in animals and improvement of pulmonary function in COPD patients. We design this trial to carry out the clinical study that the effects of FZHY Tablets on pulmonary fibrosis and/or pulmonary function injury in the recovery period of COVID-19 and expect to improve the prognosis.Methods/design: This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter clinical trial. It enrolls 160 patients who had been diagnosed with COVID-19, but currently they are negative for viral testing and have developed pulmonary fibrosis or pulmonary dysfunction. They are randomly divided equally into control group and experimental group. All patients are given basic treatment such as respiratory function rehabilitation training and vitamin C. The control group is given placebo of FZHY, and the experimental group is given FZHY. Each patient will be observed for 24 weeks and followed up for 8 weeks. The primary outcome for the trial is a composite endpoint consisting of lung function and HRCT. Secondary outcomes include clinical symptoms, oxygen saturation and quality of life assessment. Discussion: The trial is designed to test the hypothesis that treating pulmonary fibrosis or pulmonary dysfunction after SARS-CoV-2 infection with FZHY will improve the patient’s lung function or the pathological manifestation of pulmonary fibrosis, and improve the quality of life. Trial registration: Clinical Trials.gov, ID: NCT04279197. Registered on 12 April 2020.
A low-firing melilite ceramic Ba2CuGe2O7 and compositional modulation on microwave dielectric properties through Mg substitution
Authors: Yin Changzhi , Yu Zezong , Shu Longlong , Liu Laijun , Chen Yan , Li Chunchun 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
A melilite Ba2CuGe2O7 ceramic was characterized with low sintering temperature and moderate microwave dielectric properties. Sintered at 960 oC, the Ba2CuGe2O7 ceramic had a high relative density 97%, a low relative permittivity 9.43, and a quality factor of 20,000 GHz. To get a deep understanding of the relationship between composition, structure, and dielectric performances, magnesium substitution for copper in Ba2CuGe2O7 was conducted. Influences of magnesium doping on the sintering behavior, crystal structure, and microwave dielectric properties were studied. Mg doping in Ba2CuGe2O7 caused negligible changes in the macroscopic crystal structure, grain morphology, and size distribution, while induced visible variation in the local structure as revealed by Raman analysis. Microwave dielectric properties exhibit a remarkable dependence on composition. On increasing the magnesium content, the dielectric constant (εr) featured a continuous decrease, while both the quality factor (Q × f) and the temperature coefficient of resonance frequency (τf) increased monotonously. Such variations in dielectric performances were clarified in terms of the polarizability, packing fraction, and band valence theory.
The diagnostic performance of TB-IGRA on HIV infected patients with active tuberculosis is associated with CD4+ T-cell counts
Authors: Wang Mengyan , Zhou Yu , Chen Tongtong , Dong Xiaotian , Yan Jun , Zhang Zhongdong , Shi Jinchuan , Liu Shourong 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

To investigate the factors associated with the diagnostic performance of interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) on HIV infected patients with active tuberculosis (TB).

Methods

We retrospectively collected and analyzed the data of HIV infected patients with active tuberculosis hospitalized in Xixi Hospital of Hangzhou and Ruian people’s hospital of Wenzhou from January 1, 2016 to September 1, 2019. TB-IGRA was performed on all patients. For evaluating the diagnostic performance of TB-IGRA, all patients were divided into TB-IGRA positive group and TB-IGRA negative group.

Results

Among 184 patients, 133 patients were TB-IGRA positive and 51 patients were TB-IGRA negative. Performed by logistic regression analysis, we found that CD4+ T cell counts were an independent risk factor for false negative of TB-IGRA (OR=1.006, 95%CI 1.003-1.010, P<0.001). Additionally, the false negative rates of TB-IGRA were 68.75%, 27.77%, 20.58% and 14.63%, respectively, in the four groups whose CD4+ T cell counts were <20/μL (group 1, n=32), 20-50/μL (group 2, n=36), 51-100/μL (group 3, n=34) and >100/μL (group 4, n=82). The group 1 had the highest false negative rate, compared with other groups (P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference of the false negative rate between group 2 and 3 (P=0.483), group 3 and 4 (P=0.623).

Conclusions

The low level of CD4+ T cell counts could increase the false negative rate of TB-IGRA in HIV infected patients with active tuberculosis. And TB-IGRA may have unreliable diagnostic performance on HIV patients with active tuberculosis, especially when CD4+ T cell counts were <20/μL.
Synthesis and Characterization of BaCe0.4Zr0.4Pr0.2O3−δ Mixed Conductor Perovskite
Authors: Basbus Juan , Arce M. , Prado F. , Troiani H. , Serquis A. , Mogni L. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Compounds based on barium cerates and zirconates Ba(Ce,Zr)O3−δ are oxides able to transport protons through their crystal lattice by proton hopping between oxygen sites. This feature makes them potential candidates as hydrogen sensors, membranes for hydrogen purification and isotopic exchange, and electrolyte for Proton Conducting Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (PC-SOFC) and Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cells (PC-SOEC). Pr-doping on these family compounds decreases sintering temperature and introduces electronic conductivity. This work presents a systematic study of the high temperature properties of the BaCe0.4Zr0.4Pr0.2O3−δ (BCZP) perovskite in view of its potential use for these applications. At room temperature, BCZP presents rhombohedral structure, which transforms reversibly to cubic at 550 °C in dry air. Electrochemical measurements under dry air, wet air with water vapor (~ 2% H2O) and heavy water vapor (~ 2% D2O) were employed to describe bulk ionic and electronic transport above 200 °C. The total conductivity data exhibit behavior changes between 400 and 600 °C which could be associated to a crystal structure transition. Below 600 ºC BCZP presents low total conductivity, which limits its applications as single phase cathode material for electrochemical applications. However, the material has good thermomechanical compatibility with electrolytes (~ 11 × 10− 6 K− 1) and high CO2 tolerance (T > 900 ºC). These properties suggest that this compound could be used as oxide support for composite or impregnated electrodes, buffer layer to improve the performance of another cathode material or gas separation co-ionic membranes.
Berberine Improves High-Fat Diet Induced Atherosclerosis and Hepatic Steatosis in Apoe-/-Mice by Down-Regulating PCSK9 via ERK1/2 Pathway
Authors: Ma Chun-Yan , Shi Xiao-Yun , Wu Ya-Ru , Zhang Yue , Qu Hui-Lin , Guo Yuan-Lin , Tang Yi-Da , xu ruixia , Li Jian-Jun 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background:Berberine (BBR) is a kind of alkaloid derived from Chinese herbal medicine, which has multiple pharmacological activities including anti-atherosclerosis (AS). However, the mechanism underlying the role of BBR in modulating lipid metabolic disorders is not fully clear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the beneficial effects of BBR on AS in ApoE-/- mice and its potential mechanisms.Methods: Eight-week old ApoE-/- mice with high-fat diet (HFD) and wild type mice were administered eitherBBR (50mg/kg/d and 100mg/kg/d, respectively) or equivoluminal saline. After the 16-week treatment, the blood was collected for lipid evaluation, and aorta and liver were obtained from the mice for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, oil red O staining and Western blotting. HepG2 Cells were treated by BBR (0, 5, 25, and 50 μg/ml) for 24 hours. Real-time PCR or Western blotting was used to examine the expression levels of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), LDL receptor (LDLR), ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1), ATP-binding cassette transporter G1(ABCG1) and scavenger receptor class B type I(SR-BI).Results: BBR significantly decreased serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level in ApoE-/- mice fed with HFD. Moreover, BBR markedly reduced aorta atheroscleroticplaque, ameliorated lipid deposition in the liver in vivo. BBR could also promote intracellular cholesterol efflux and regulate LDLR and PCSK9 expression via the ERK1/2 pathway in HepG2 cells.Conclusions: BBR could improve lipid metabolism, decrease aorta AS and hepatic lipid accumulation in ApoE-/- mice fed with HFD, which was associated with down-regulation of PCSK9 through ERK1/2 pathway.
An Efficient QoS-aware Services Selection in IoT using A Reputation Improved- Social Spider Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Abu-safe Aghabi Nabil , Elrofai Salah Elfaki 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Internet of Things (IoT) has been grown rapidly over the last years to connect a considerable number of spatially distributed objects or actuators. The connected objects create new functionality and provide various services to enhance and satisfy End-users daily lives. The issue is to provide the End-users with optimal services based on their requirements. The critical challenge is to select the optimal service from similar services functionally and various services non-functionality requirements (Quality of services). To achieve this challenge, this paper proposed a services selection model under QoS constraints in the IoT environment. The introduced model implements a meta-heuristic optimization algorithm with a friendly Likert scale measurement method. It aims to improve the performance of bio-inspired optimizing algorithms, called a Social Spider Optimization (SSO) Algorithm, by adding a reputation value to member's weight. The proposed model used a Likert scale measurement to evaluate the reputation of the services from the End-users. In the experiments, a comparative study was done between an original SSO and the proposed RI-SSO model. The results show the efficiency of the proposed RI-SSO model against the original SSO, in both maximization and minimization problems. It obtains a better outperform in terms of fitness values. ​​
Novel Insight: CUEDC2 Expression of Potential Prognostic Value in Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer
Authors: Xiao Jun-bo , Wu Rong , Peng Xuemei , Chen Bin , Zhang Yan-qiu , Wen Zhen , He Jian , Ye Guan-nan , Leng Ai-min 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) poses serious threats to human life. Hence, the search for effective bio-markers to predict the occurrence and development of ESCC is of emerging significance.Methods We used immunohistochemistry to semi-quantitatively detect CUEDC2 expression in 50 ESCC cases and 20 adjacent tissues, analyzing the relationship with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis outcomes. Additionally, investigating the differences between CUEDC2 and CD68 in ESCC.Result CUEDC2 expression was higher in 9 ESCC tissues and lower in 41 ESCC tissues. Whereas, CUEDC2 expression was higher in 11 adjacent tissues and lower of the rest 9 cases, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).CUEDC2 and ESCC clinicopathological characteristics exerted no significant difference (P>0.05). Via the Kaplan-Meier method, CUEDC2 and tumor grade demonstrated an impact on ESCC prognosis ( P<0.05). By double-immunofluorescence, there was an expression difference between CD68 and CUEDC2, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There showed co-localization of CUEDC2 and CD68 fluorescence.Conclusion CUEDC2 was relatively lower expressed in ESCC and higher in adjacent tissues. There was no significant difference between CUEDC2 and ESCC clinicopathological characteristics.CUEDC2 and tumor grade presented an impact on ESCC prognosis. There might be an interaction between CD68 and CUEDC2.
Comparison between endoscopic treatment and surgery for elderly population with early gastric cancer
Authors: Tang Yafen , Luo Liang , He Xingkang , Chen Haotian 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objective

Despite of the declining incidence of gastric cancer, the number of elder patients with gastric cancer is increasing because of aging society. The appropriate treatment strategies for elderly patients have not yet been well defined. The aim of this study is sought to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes after different therapies for early gastric cancers in elderly populations.
Methods

We identified elderly patients aged ≥ 60 years with early gastric cancer (T1 stage) from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database during1998 to 2010. We compared clinic features between different treatment groups and evaluated 1-year, 3-year and 5-year cancer-specific survival outcomes.
Results

Totally 5639 elderly patients with early gastric cancer were identified from the SEER database (1998–2010). Among them, 2997 patients underwent surgical resection and 328 patients received endoscopic treatment (ET). In a Cox regression model, either surgery or endoscopic resection were associated with improved survival. The short- and long term survival for patients who underwent surgical or endoscopic resection were similar (one-year survival rate (SR) for surgery vs. ET, 89.3% vs. 89.9%, P > 0.05; five-year SR, 77.1% vs. 78.3%, P > 0.05).
Conclusions

In elderly patients with early gastric cancer, short- and long term survival outcomes were similar between ET and the surgical groups, which indicated that endoscopic therapy is an appropriate and alternative approach for early gastric cancers in older western populations.
Simulation and Experimental Analyses of Nitrate Absorption for Indicator Utilization in Soilless Culture
Authors: Ahn Tae In , Park Soo Hyun , Yang Jung-Seok , Lee Ju Young 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Under intensive fertilization systems such as soilless cultures, a surplus nutrient supply could result in the excessive discharge of fertilizers. However, very few studies have developed nitrate absorption indicators for plants that can be used for decision-making under these systems. This study was conducted to develop indicators related to the absorption of nitrate that can be applied in online systems utilizing the monitored irrigation and drainage amount data, electrical conductivity (EC), and the nutrient analysis data of irrigation and drainage. Results: In the simulation, a stochastic change was generated for the nutrient absorption rate. The theoretical prediction was verified by the cultivation experiment and a higher correlation of tomato yield with the nitrate absorption indicator was confirmed than with the nitrate supply amount. Conclusions: The results of the simulation and cultivation experiments showed that the indicators related to nitrate absorption provide useful information regarding decision-making for efficient resource management through online monitoring.
Are radiopharmaceuticals self-sterilizing? Radiation effect of gallium-68 and lutetium-177 on bacillus pumilus and staphylococcus succinus
Authors: Poetzsch Simon , Brenner Winfried , Spreckelmeyer Sarah 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

For radiopharmaceuticals, aseptic preparation in combination with filtration is the most chosen sterilizing method. In general, the production of radiopharmaceuticals needs to fulfil the requirements of good manufacturing practice. In the scope of this work, we focused on the positron emitter gallium-68 and on the therapeutically used beta- and gamma-emitter lutetium-177, as they are routinely used for in-house synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine departments. Our hypothesis is, that radiopharmaceuticals might be self-sterilizing due to a high radioactivity concentration and high-energy radionuclides in the preparation for intravenous injections.
Results

Incubation with gallium-68 and lutetium-177 for both 30 minutes and 5 hours post-dispensing did not cause any significant effect on bacteria growth. As the theoretical dose is only 0.1–0.6% of the Ph. Eur. recommended dose of 25 kGy, we conclude that the beta and positron energy of lutetium-177 and gallium-68 as used for standard radiopharmaceutical in-house production is not sufficient to decrease the number of colony forming units compared to the control values.
Conclusions

Based on these findings, gallium-68 and lutetium-177 labeled radiopharmaceuticals are not self-sterilizing under the tested conditions with respect to bacillus pumilus and staphylococcus succinus. Consequently, strict aseptic preparation conditions in addition to end-sterilization of the radiopharmaceutical e.g. through membrane filtration are strongly advised for in-house productions.
Effects of Huoxue Xiaoyi Decoction on Apoptosis of Granulosa Cells in Endometriosis Rats
Authors: Shi Guang , Liu Yong , Zhao Ruihua , Sun Weiwei , Han Qian , Zhang Yongjia , Qu Jinhao , Yang Xinchun , Xiong Ting 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Endometriosis(EM) is a common disease that occurs in reproductive age. 50% endometriosis patients is suffering from infertility. Follicular development is the main cause of endometriosis-associated infertility. Here the study based on apoptosis of granulosa cells during follicular development will explore the effect and the possible mechanism of Huoxue Xiaoyi Decoction (HXXYD) on apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in endometriosis model rats. Methods: Thirty 8-week-old female SD rats were divided into four groups: blank group, sham-operation group, model group and HXXYD group. Blank group, sham-operation group and model group were given double-distilled water, while HXXYD group were given HXXYD for 15 days. After intragastric administration, blood samples from abdominal aorta of rats were collected to detect oxidative and antioxidative indexes including ROS, T-SOD, CAT. The morphology of follicles were observed by H&E staining and every stage of follicles were calculated. The location of granulosa cells and apoptosis related factors including Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 were stained by immunohistochemistry staining. The apoptosis of granulosa cells were stained by TUNEL staining and the rate of apoptosis were calculated. Apoptosis related proteins including p-JNK, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. Results: The level of serum ROS decreased, and the levels of serum T-SOD and CAT increased in the HXXYD group. The number of secondary follicles increased in HXXYD group. The expression of Bax, caspase-3 in ovarian granulosa cells decreased and the expression of Bcl-2 increased in the HXXYD group with immunochemical staining. The apoptosis rate of ovarian granulosa cells in the HXXYD group decreased. The expression of p-JNK, Bax and caspase-3 protein decreased, the expression of Bcl-2 increased in the HXXYD group.Conclusions: These results indicate that HXXYD may improve the oxidative stress state, decrease the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells, and improve the development of follicles in endometriosis model rats through ROS-JNK signaling pathway.
Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Motor Dysfunction via Inhibiting p66Shc-Associated Oxidative Stress and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Zhao Fusheng , Wu Geng , Wu Yang , Bai Yunlong , Qiu Yongjia , Lei Wen , Guan Yanzhong 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological disorder for which there is currently no effective treatment. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a type of traditional acupuncture combined with modern electrotherapy, which has been widely used and verified to have neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of EA stimulation on the repair of SCI and to investigate the possible mechanisms. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham, sham+EA, SCI and SCI+EA four groups. Rat motor function was assessed by the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale, inclined plane test and footprint analysis. Histological alterations of spinal cords were examined with hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) levels. The changes in p66Shc expression and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) were detected to explore the involved mechanisms.Results: EA stimulation significantly improved rat motor functional recovery, reduced spinal cord lesion cavity and neuronal chromatolysis after SCI. Concomitantly, EA stimulation alleviated oxidative stress, as indicated by suppression of ROS production, increase in GSH and T-AOC levels and reduction of 3-NT and 4-HNE expression. Further, EA stimulation markedly eliminated the aberrant increase of p66Shc due to SCI in rats. More notably, EA stimulation was also able to attenuate ERS via down-regulation of glucose-regulated protein 78, activating transcription factor 4, C/EBP homologous protein, X-box binding protein 1 and activating transcription factor 6 expression in rat spinal cord tissues after SCI. Conclusions: These findings suggest that EA is a potential strategy for treatment of SCI, and the mechanism might be, at least in part, associated with mitigation of p66Shc-associated oxidative stress and ERS in rats.
Using protein microarray reveals clinical correlation between self-perception of patient and the apoptosis-related proteins in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Wen Jian-ting , Liu Jian , Jiang Hui , Wan Lei , Xin Ling , Sun Yue , Sun Yan-qiu , Zhang Ying , Du Xin-lei , Wang Xin , Wang Jie 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: The most severe effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are loss of physical function, which may have a significant impact on self-perception of patient (SPP). However, the inherent relationship between SPP and the key proteins is not clear. The aim of this study was to get an insight into SPP of RA in connection with the the apoptosis-related proteins. Methods: We set out to investigate changes of the apoptosis-related proteins expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of RA. Additionally, we aimed to correlate the apoptosis-related proteins expression profiles with SPP and clinical indexes. To this end, we employed antibody microarrays of the the apoptosis-related proteins in PBMCs from four RA patients and seven healthy controls. We used bioinformatics to screen several the apoptosis-related proteins. To validate key protein candidates, we performed Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on 30 RA patients and 30 healthy controls. Results: We found the expression of ten the apoptosis-related proteins (caspase3, CD40, SMAC, HSP27, HTRA, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-6, sTNF-R1, sTNF-R2, TRAILR-3) were significantly altered in PBMCs of RA patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that these ten the apoptosis-related proteins are potential biomarkers of RA. Spearman Correlation analysis and Logistic-regression analysis revealed that the 10 selected the apoptosis-related proteins correlated with SPP and clinical indexes. Conclusion: Therefore, we highlight some the apoptosis-related proteins may serve as potential biomarkers in prediction of SPP for RA patients, although the underlying mechanisms need to be further explored.