bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of postprandial very-low-density lipoprotein in the development of atrial remodeling in metabolic syndrome
Authors: Lee Hsiang-Chun , Shin Shyi-Jang , Huang Jih-Kai , Lin Ming-Yen , Lin Yu-Hsun , Ke Liang-Yin , Jiang He-Jiun , Tsai Wei-Chung , Chao Min-Fang , Lin Yi-Hsiung 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Negatively charged very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-χ) in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients exerts cytotoxic effects on endothelial cells and atrial myocytes. Atrial cardiomyopathy, manifested by atrial remodeling with a dilated diameter, contributes to atrial fibrillation pathogenesis and predicts atrial fibrillation development. The correlation of VLDL-χ with atrial remodeling is unknown. This study investigated the association between VLDL-χ and remodeling of left atrium.

Methods
Consecutively, 87 MetS and 80 non-MetS individuals between 23 and 74 years old (50.6% men) without overt cardiovascular diseases were included in the prospective cohort study. Blood samples were collected while fasting and postprandially (at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after a unified meal). VLDL was isolated by ultracentrifugation; the percentile concentration of VLDL-χ (%) was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. The correlations of left atrium diameter (LAD) with variables including VLDL-χ, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, glucose, and blood pressure, were analyzed by multiple linear regression models. A hierarchical linear model was conducted to test the independencies of each variable’s correlation with LAD.

Results
The mean LAD was 3.4 ± 0.5 cm in non-MetS subjects and 3.9 ± 0.5 cm in MetS patients (P < 0.01). None of the fasting lipid profiles were associated with LAD. VLDL-χ, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and blood pressure were positively correlated with LAD (all P < 0.05) after adjustment for age and sex. Significant interactions between VLDL-χ and blood pressure, waist circumference, and hip circumference were observed. When adjusted for obesity- and blood pressure-related variables, 2-h postprandial VLDL-χ (mean 1.30 ± 0.61%) showed a positive correlation with LAD in MetS patients. Each 1% VLDL-χ increase was estimated to increase LAD by 0.23 cm.

Conclusions
Postprandial VLDL-χ is associated with atrial remodeling particularly in the MetS group. VLDL-χ is a novel biomarker and may be a therapeutic target for atrial cardiomyopathy in MetS patients.

Trial registration
ISRCTN 69295295. Retrospectively registered 9 June 2020.
Assessment of the quality of end-of-life care: translation and validation of the German version of the “Care of the Dying Evaluation” (CODE-GER) - a questionnaire for bereaved relatives
Authors: Vogt Annika , Stiel Stephanie , Heckel Maria , Goebel Swantje , Mai Sandra Stephanie , Seifert Andreas , Gerlach Christina , Ostgathe Christoph , Weber Martin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundInternational studies indicate deficits in end-of-life care that can lead to distress for patients and their next-of-kin.The aim of the study was to translate and validate the “Care of the Dying Evaluation” (CODE) into German (CODE-GER).MethodsTranslation according to EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) guidelines was followed by data collection to evaluate psychometric properties of CODE-GER. Participants were next-of-kin of patients who had died an expected death in two hospitals. They were invited to participate at least eight, but not later than 16 weeks after the patient’s death. To calculate construct validity, the Palliative care Outcome Scale (POS) was assessed. Difficulty and perceived strain of answering the questionnaire were assessed by a numeric scale (0–10).ResultsOut of 1137 next-of-kin eligible, 317 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 27.9%). Data from 237 main sample participants, 38 interraters and 55 next-of-kin who participated for repeated measurement were analysed. Overall internal consistency, α = 0.86, interrater reliability, ICC (1) = 0.79, and retest-reliability, ICC (1, 2) = 0.85, were good. Convergent validity between POS and CODE-GER, r = −.46, was satisfactory. A principal component analysis with varimax rotation showed a 7-factor solution. Difficulty, M = 2.2; SD ± 2.4, and perceived strain, M = 4.1; SD ± 3.0, of completing the questionnaire were rather low.ConclusionThe results from the present study confirm CODE-GER as a reliable and valid instrument to assess the quality of care of the dying person. More over our study adds value to the original questionnaire by proposing a deepened analysis of obtained data. The development of seven subscales increases its potential for further surveys and research.Trial registrationThis study was registered retrospectively on the 25th of January 2018 at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00013916).
Long-term outcomes and safety of radical transmediastinal esophagectomy with preoperative docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil combination chemotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus
Authors: Yamagata Yukinori , Saito Kazuyuki , Hirano Kosuke , Oya Masatoshi 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
It is unknown whether transmediastinal esophagectomy (TME) is an acceptable surgical procedure for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Therefore, we investigated the feasibility of long-term survival after TME with neoadjuvant docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil combination chemotherapy (DCF therapy).

Methods
This retrospective, observational study included locally advanced resectable ESCC. All patients received two cycles of preoperative DCF therapy (60 mg/m2 of docetaxel and cisplatin on day 1 and 700 mg/m2/day of 5-FU on days 1–5 in each cycle) followed by radical TME. The main outcomes were survival and the rate of adverse events of chemotherapy and surgery.

Results
Sixteen patients were included in this study. All patients received two cycles of DCF therapy, followed by surgery. The median follow-up duration of the 16 patients was 35.4 months. The 2-year overall survival (OS) was 93.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 61.3–99.0), and the 3-year OS was 78.8% (95% CI, 47.3–92.7). The 2-year and 3-year relapse-free survivals were both 73.3% (95% CI, 43.6–89.1). Leukopenia and neutropenia occurred in most patients; however, they were controllable. Fifteen patients completed TME, and one was converted to open transthoracic esophagectomy because of tracheal injury. Three-field dissection was performed for 12 of 16 patients (75%), and R0 resection was achieved in 15 of 16 patients (93.8%). Three cases of grade IIIb chylothorax were observed. There was no mortality in this study.

Conclusion
Combined neoadjuvant DCF and TME for locally advanced ESCC was safe and less invasive than traditional therapies and had a satisfactory long-term prognosis.
Cardiac radiation dose predicts survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated by definitive concurrent chemotherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Pao Tzu-Hui , Chang Wei-Lun , Chiang Nai-Jung , Chang Jeffrey Shu-Ming , Lin Chia-Ying , Lai Wu-Wei , Tseng Yau-Lin , Yen Yi-Ting , Chung Ta-Jung , Lin Forn-Chia 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The prognostic significance of cardiac radiation dose in esophageal cancer after definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) remains largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between cardiac dose-volume parameters and overall survival (OS) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after definitive CCRT.

Methods
One hundred and twenty-one ESCC patients undergoing definitive CCRT with intensity modulated radiotherapy technique between 2008 and 2018 were reviewed. Cardiac dose-volume parameters were calculated. Survival of patients and cumulative incidence of adverse events were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared between groups by the log-rank test. The prognostic significance of cardiac dose-volume parameters was determined with multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

Results
Median follow-up was 16.2 months (range, 4.3–109.3). Median OS was 18.4 months. Heart V5, V10, and V20 were independent prognostic factors of OS. Median OS was longer for patients with heart V5 ≤ 94.3% (24.7 vs. 16.3 months, p = 0.0025), heart V10 ≤ 86.4% (24.8 vs. 16.9 months, p = 0.0041), and heart V20 ≤ 76.9% (20.0 vs. 17.2 months, p = 0.047). Lower cumulative incidence of symptomatic cardiac adverse events was observed among patients with heart V5 ≤ 94.3% (p = 0.017), heart V10 ≤ 86.4% (p = 0.02), and heart V20 ≤ 76.9% (p = 0.0057). Patients without symptomatic cardiac adverse events had a higher 3-year OS rate (33.8% vs. 0%, p = 0.03).

Conclusions
Cardiac radiation dose inversely correlated with survival in ESCC after definitive CCRT. Radiation dose to the heart should be minimized.
The prognosis and prevention measures for mental health in COVID-19 patients: through the experience of SARS
Authors: Mo Guo Heng , Wang Zi Xuan , Chen Xiao Si , Jiang Qunguang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDue to the high pathogenicity and mortality, the COVID-19 disaster caused global panic and anxiety. At present, diagnosis and treatment are of great concern. As time progresses, however, the sequelae caused by many other organ system complications and treatments will become increasingly obvious, and psychosomatic symptoms are one of these changes with great potential impact. Studies have shown that symptoms like poor sleep quality, anxiety and even delirium are not uncommon in patients during isolation. By summarizing the follow-up study on mental and psychological health of SARS in the past 10 years, and combining the characteristics of the existing cases of COVID-19, we will provide suggestions for the prevention and treatment of psychological diseases in clinical practice.
Effects of a mental health promotion intervention on mental health of Iranian female adolescents: a school-based study
Authors: Heizomi Haleh , Allahverdipour Hamid , Jafarabadi Mohammad Asghari , Bhalla Devender , Nadrian Haidar 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Poor mental health is common among adolescents. Given the increasing burden of poor mental health among adolescents in developing countries, it seems necessary to identify the effective interventions. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a school-based mental health promotion program (SMHPP) on mental health parameters among female adolescents in Tabriz, Iran.

Method
In this experimental study, a random sample of female high-school students of grade nine was recruited. The subjects were then randomly allocated to intervention (n = 145) and control (n = 139) groups. The three-stage SMHPP was designed based on the shortages and unmet needs of the students as reported in the pretest stage. All subjects in the intervention group were provided with a stress management skill training program of six sessions using McNamara Model. Coincided with making environmental changes, a joyful intervention program was carried out. After 2 months, post-test data were collected.

Results
A total of 284 students completed their participation in the study. The groups did not differ in none of socio-demographic characteristics and mental health parameters, at baseline. The number of subjects reporting medium-level of happiness was increased by 32.6% among intervention group. Moreover, upon sign test and pre-post comparison, the group-wise distribution changed between the intervention and control groups for the parameters of life satisfaction (p ≤ 0.001) and psychological well-being (p ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion
The implementation of SMHPP as a low-cost, needs-based and multifaceted program, showed promise in promoting adolescents’ mental health, particularly in the parameters of happiness, life satisfaction and psychological well-being. This was an important evidence for the development and implementation of interventions and policies in the field of mental health promotion among adolescents. Our work provided means for reducing burden of poor mental health among adolescents in a non-western cultural context. Further larger studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of such school-based mental health promotion interventions in students.
Universal NicE-seq for high-resolution accessible chromatin profiling for formaldehyde-fixed and FFPE tissues
Authors: Chin Hang Gyeong , Sun Zhiyi , Vishnu Udayakumar S. , Hao Pengying , Cejas Paloma , Spracklin George , Estève Pierre-Olivier , Xu Shuang-yong , Long Henry W. , Pradhan Sriharsa 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAccessible chromatin plays a central role in gene expression and chromatin architecture. Current accessible chromatin approaches depend on limited digestion/cutting and pasting adaptors at the accessible DNA, thus requiring additional materials and time for optimization. Universal NicE-seq (UniNicE-seq) is an improved accessible chromatin profiling method that negates the optimization step and is suited to a variety of mammalian cells and tissues. Addition of 5-methyldeoxycytidine triphosphate during accessible chromatin labeling and an on-bead library making step substantially improved the signal to noise ratio while protecting the accessible regions from repeated nicking in cell lines, mouse T cells, mouse kidney, and human frozen tissue sections. We also demonstrate one tube UniNicE-seq for the FFPE tissue section for direct NGS library preparation without sonication and DNA purification steps. These refinements allowed reliable mapping of accessible chromatin for high-resolution genomic feature studies.
Age and APOE genotype affect the relationship between objectively measured physical activity and power in the alpha band, a marker of brain disease
Authors: de Frutos-Lucas Jaisalmer , Cuesta Pablo , Ramírez-Toraño Federico , Nebreda Alberto , Cuadrado-Soto Esther , Peral-Suárez África , Lopez-Sanz David , Bruña Ricardo , Marcos-de Pedro Silvia , Delgado-Losada María Luisa , López-Sobaler Ana María , Concepción Rodríguez-Rojo Inmaculada , Barabash Ana , Serrano Rodriguez Juan Manuel , Laws Simon M. , Dolado Alberto Marcos , López-Higes Ramón , Brown Belinda M. , Maestú Fernando 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Electrophysiological studies show that reductions in power within the alpha band are associated with the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continuum. Physical activity (PA) is a protective factor that has proved to reduce AD risk and pathological brain burden. Previous research has confirmed that exercise increases power in the alpha range. However, little is known regarding whether other non-modifiable risk factors for AD, such as increased age or APOE ε4 carriage, alter the association between PA and power in the alpha band.

Methods
The relationship between PA and alpha band power was examined in a sample of 113 healthy adults using magnetoencephalography. Additionally, we explored whether ε4 carriage and age modulate this association. The correlations between alpha power and gray matter volumes and cognition were also investigated.

Results
We detected a parieto-occipital cluster in which PA positively correlated with alpha power. The association between PA and alpha power remained following stratification of the cohort by genotype. Younger and older adults were investigated separately, and only younger adults exhibited a positive relationship between PA and alpha power. Interestingly, when four groups were created based on age (younger-older adult) and APOE (E3/E3-E3/E4), only younger E3/E3 (least predicted risk) and older E3/E4 (greatest predicted risk) had associations between greater alpha power and higher PA. Among older E3/E4, greater alpha power in these regions was associated with improved memory and preserved brain structure.

Conclusion
PA could protect against the slowing of brain activity that characterizes the AD continuum, where it is of benefit for all individuals, especially E3/E4 older adults.
Noise power spectral density scaled SNR response estimation with restricted range search for sound source localisation using unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Yen Benjamin , Hioka Yusuke 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA method to locate sound sources using an audio recording system mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is proposed. The method introduces extension algorithms to apply on top of a baseline approach, which performs localisation by estimating the peak signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) response in the time-frequency and angular spectra with the time difference of arrival information. The proposed extensions include a noise reduction and a post-processing algorithm to address the challenges in a UAV setting. The noise reduction algorithm reduces influences of UAV rotor noise on localisation performance, by scaling the SNR response using power spectral density of the UAV rotor noise, estimated using a denoising autoencoder. For the source tracking problem, an angular spectral range restricted peak search and link post-processing algorithm is also proposed to filter out incorrect location estimates along the localisation path. Experimental results show the proposed extensions yielded improvements in locating the target sound source correctly, with a 0.0064–0.175 decrease in mean haversine distance error across various UAV operating scenarios. The proposed method also shows a reduction in unexpected location estimations, with a 0.0037–0.185 decrease in the 0.75 quartile haversine distance error.
Low PAPR reference signal transceiver design for 3GPP 5G NR uplink
Authors: Khan M Sibgath Ali , Rao Koteswara , Amuru Saidhiraj , Kuchi Kiran 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLow peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) transmissions significantly improve the cell coverage as they enable high power transmissions without saturating the power amplifier. To support the low PAPR transmissions, π/2-BPSK-based data and DMRS are introduced in the latest version of 5G NR specifications. In addition to that, the spatial multiplexing support is also extended to π/2-BPSK data transmissions. The DMRS sequences corresponding to these spatial streams (users) are frequency division multiplexed (FDM). However, the spectrum shaping process employed in the generation of π/2-BPSK waveforms is frequency selective and hence results in asymmetric spectrum shaping effect on DMRS sequences, when they are frequency multiplexed. This subsequently results in a non-uniform block error (BLER) and PAPR performances across the spatial users, which in turn may result in inter user interference across the spatial users. In this paper, we propose two transmitter architectures, namely method 1 and method 2, to generate low PAPR π/2-BPSK-based DMRS waveforms. The proposed architectures ensure that the spectrum shaping effect is uniform across all the spatial streams. We corroborate through simulations that the proposed architectures will result in identical block error and PAPR performances across all the spatial streams.
Green–Haar wavelets method for generalized fractional differential equations
Authors: ur Rehman Mujeeb , Baleanu Dumitru , Alzabut Jehad , Ismail Muhammad , Saeed Umer 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to present two numerical techniques for solving generalized fractional differential equations. We develop Haar wavelets operational matrices to approximate the solution of generalized Caputo–Katugampola fractional differential equations. Moreover, we introduce Green–Haar approach for a family of generalized fractional boundary value problems and compare the method with the classical Haar wavelets technique. In the context of error analysis, an upper bound for error is established to show the convergence of the method. Results of numerical experiments have been documented in a tabular and graphical format to elaborate the accuracy and efficiency of addressed methods. Further, we conclude that accuracy-wise Green–Haar approach is better than the conventional Haar wavelets approach as it takes less computational time compared to the Haar wavelet method.
Numerical simulation for fractional-order differential system of a Glioblastoma Multiforme and Immune system
Authors: Al-Shomrani M. M. , Abdelkawy M. A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we present a numerical simulation to study a fractional-order differential system of a glioblastoma multiforme and immune system. This numerical simulation is based on spectral collocation method for tackling the fractional-order differential system of a glioblastoma multiforme and immune system. We introduce new shifted fractional-order Legendre orthogonal functions outputted by Legendre polynomials. Also, we state and derive some corollaries and theorems related to the new shifted fractional order Legendre orthogonal functions. The shifted fractional-order Legendre–Gauss–Radau collocation method is developed to approximate the fractional-order differential system of a glioblastoma multiforme and immune system. The basis of the shifted fractional-order Legendre orthogonal functions is adapted for temporal discretization. The solution of such an equation is approximated as a truncated series of shifted fractional-order Legendre orthogonal functions for temporal variable, and then we evaluate the residuals of the mentioned problem at the shifted fractionalorder Legendre–Gauss–Radau quadrature points. The accuracy of the novel method is demonstrated with several test problems.
Reversible data hiding with segmented secrets and smoothed samples in various audio genres
Authors: Ahmad Tohari , Samudra Yoga 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this age, information technology has grown significantly. Computer networks, which connect a device to others, have made it easier for people to transfer data than before. Moreover, smart devices have the capability of supporting this data transmission, including those in the cloud that may contain massive data. However, the security factor can be a severe issue if sensitive big data, such as military and medical data, do not have enough protection. Furthermore, an attacker may be able to disclose such data. Some algorithms have been introduced to solve that problem, one of which is the data hiding method. Nevertheless, some factors are still challenging, concerning the capacity of the secret data and the quality of the generated data, which are represented by bit and Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), respectively. Besides, some techniques are not reversible, which means that they cannot reconstruct the carrier (cover). In this research, we investigate those problems by taking audio as the carrier. It is done by sampling the audio file before being interpolated to present spaces for accommodating the secret. Meanwhile, the secret is segmented before the embedding. Later, the embedded audio is smoothed according to the required level. The experimental result is obtained by using a public data set containing various audio genres and instruments, and 11 secret sizes, from 1 to 100 kb. It shows that the proposed method outperforms the others. This higher PSNR value means that the proposed method can generate more similar stego data; it also implies that at a certain quality level, the number of bits that can be hidden in the audio cover is higher than that of others.