bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of acupuncture for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Zang Xiaoming , Sun Mi , Xian Jin , Yu Huijuan , Zhang Xin , Zhang Changyun , Tan Qiwen 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background:
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multisystem disease, which may develop gradually into nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis. As a classical method of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been used to treat NAFLD in clinical practice. However, there is no systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture on NAFLD. There is an urgent need to evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for NAFLD.

Methods:
We will perform a comprehensive retrieval in the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science), Epistemonikos, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), and other databases from their inception to October 2020. We will select the qualified studies for data extraction and assess the quality and risk of bias, independently. The meta-analyses will be conducted by using the RevMan 5.3.

Results:
This study will provide a reliable basis for the treatment of NAFLD with acupuncture.

Conclusion:
The findings will be an available reference to evaluate whether acupuncture is an effective intervention for patient with NAFLD.

OSF registration number:
10.17605/OSF.IO/VFYXH.
The effect of meditative movement on the quality of life in patients recovering from COVID-19
Authors: Wang Yanhong , Luo Gongwen , Shen Mou , Ge Xin , Huang Yanyan , Wei Tian , Chen Xianchuan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background:
The outbreak of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)-infected pneumonia is currently ongoing all over the world. The treatment scheme is generally isolation treatment and symptomatic support treatment. While the majority of patients recover from this disease through methods above, COVID-19 Infection severely affect the physical and mental health of rehabilitation patients, as well as their living quality. Thus, meditative movement is needed to improve outcome of COVID-19 patients in recovery period.

Methods:
We will conduct systematic searches to identify all relevant studies without any language limitation from the following electronic databases from inception to October 2020: Medline, Ovid, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System and Wan fang Database. At the same time, we will search the following Clinical trial registries to identify records of on-going or completed but not yet published trials, including WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), Trials Register of Promoting Health Interventions (TRoPHI) and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR). No limits will be placed on language. The article will study the effect of meditative movement on the quality of life of convalescent patients. The main outcome will be the effect of meditative movement on the quality of life of patients in recovery period. The secondary results will select accompanying symptoms (including myalgia, cough, sputum, runny nose, pharyngalgia, anhelation, chest distress, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea), disappearance rate, negative COVID-19 results rate on 2 consecutive occasions (not on the same day), the quality of life improved, CT image improvement, average hospitalization time, occurrence rate of common type to severe form, clinical cure rate, and mortality. Data collection and management 3 authors will independently carry out data from eligible studies in a pretested and standardized Microsoft Excel sheet, with reciprocal validation of data extraction results. Data analysis and quantitative data synthesis will be performed using RevMan software (V.5.3).

Results:
The findings of the study will provide new and relatively high-quality evidence in meditative movement treatment for COVID-19.

Conclusion:
The conclusion of systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether meditative movement is an effective intervention for patient with COVID-19 in recovery period.

PROSPERO registration number:
CRD42020210256.
Acupuncture for diabetic neuropathic pain
Authors: Wang Liqin , Gao Zhaohong , Niu Xiangru , Yuan Meiqi , Li Yan , Wang Fei , Guo Chuang , Ren Zhen 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background:
Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, it severely affects the quality of life of Diabetic patients. Acupuncture is proofed to have favorable effects in treating DNP, however, evidence needs to be gathered and interpreted. We will make a comprehensive review of clinical trials concerning acupuncture in treating DNP and do meta-analysis if possible.

Method:
The following databases will be searched from the inception to September 2020: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan-Fang Database, and Chinese Scientific Journal Database. RCTs that evaluated acupuncture for patients with DNP will be included. The primary outcome will be patient-reported pain intensity using validated scales or verbal reporting. The secondary outcomes including the Toronto clinical scoring system, Sensory Nerve Conduction Velocity, Motor Nerve Conduction Velocity, and quality of life. The study selection, data extraction, and study quality evaluation will be performed independently by 2 researchers. A meta-analysis will be performed using RevMan V5.3 statistical software if possible; otherwise, descriptive analysis or subgroup analysis will be conducted. The quality of evidence for outcomes will be assessed with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Results:
This study will evaluate the effect and safety of acupuncture in treating DNP.

Conclusions:
The evidence we generated from the present study will provide more options for DNP management in clinical practice.

Systematic review registration:
INPLASY202090043.
Diagnosis and differentiation of mature cystic teratoma of pancreas from its mimics
Authors: Zhou Xin he , Ma Ji Kong , Valluru Bimbadhar , Sharma Kalyan , Liu Ling , Hu Jin Bo 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Introduction:
Mature cystic teratoma originating in the pancreas is very unusual, often observed as an incidental finding during routine examinations or recognized perioperatively as the patients present with very unspecific clinical symptoms. The confirmatory diagnosis of a pancreatic cystic teratoma is generally made by histopathology after surgical excision. So, the preoperative diagnosis is very challenging, especially differentiation from the other pancreatic pathologies.

Patient concerns:
A 23-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of mild grade periumbilical abdominal pain. A pancreatic mass was revealed on a preliminary abdominal ultrasound examination. Her medical history was unremarkable with no long-standing illness or malignancy.

Diagnosis:
Mature cystic teratoma in the head of the pancreas.

Interventions:
Roux-enY choledochojejunostomy with gastrojejunostomy was performed, excising the tumor from the pancreatic head.

Outcomes:
The postoperative course was uneventful; the patient was asymptomatic and has no evidence of recurrence on a 2-year follow up.

Conclusions:
Pancreatic cystic teratoma is a benign, well-differentiated, and extremely rare congenital tumor. MRI is the choice of imaging modality and phase-GRE or fat suppression is the best technique for pre-operative diagnosis.
Association of elevated inflammatory markers and severe COVID-19
Authors: Ji Pan , Zhu Jieyun , Zhong Zhimei , Li Hongyuan , Pang Jielong , Li Bocheng , Zhang Jianfeng 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Our study aimed to assess the existing evidence on whether severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with elevated inflammatory markers.
The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, and China Science and Technology Journal databases were searched to identify studies published between January 1 and April 21, 2020 that assayed inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients. Three reviewers independently examined the literature, extracted relevant data, and assessed the risk of publication bias before including the meta-analysis studies.
Fifty-six studies involving 8719 COVID-19 patients were identified. Meta-analysis showed that patients with severe disease showed elevated levels of white blood cell count (WMD: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.78–1.52), C-reactive protein (WMD: 38.85, 95% CI: 31.19–46.52), procalcitonin (WMD: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.06–0.11), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (WMD: 10.15, 95% CI: 5.03–15.46), interleukin-6 (WMD: 23.87, 95% CI: 15.95–31.78), and interleukin-10 (WMD: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.97–2.28). Similarly, COVID-19 patients who died during follow-up showed significantly higher levels of white blood cell count (WMD: 4.11, 95% CI: 3.25–4.97), C-reactive protein (WMD: 74.18, 95% CI: 56.63–91.73), procalcitonin (WMD: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.11–0.42), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (WMD: 10.94, 95% CI: 4.79–17.09), and interleukin-6 (WMD: 59.88, 95% CI: 19.46–100.30) than survivors.
Severe COVID-19 is associated with higher levels of inflammatory markers than a mild disease, so tracking these markers may allow early identification or even prediction of disease progression.
Predicting a rapid response to adalimumab treatment and favorable short-term outcomes through the high platelet count in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Sakemi Ryosuke , Miyakawa Maki , Tanaka Hiroki , Nasuno Masanao , Motoya Satoshi , Tanuma Tokuma , Ishii Manabu , Yanagisawa Hideyuki , Yamashita Masaki , Toita Nariaki , Suzuki Ryo , Kobayashi Toshihisa , Nojima Masanori , So Suketo 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the short-term effectiveness of adalimumab therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), especially its rapid response.
This retrospective, multicenter, cohort study involved 7 institutes in Japan, compiling data from patients with UC who had received at least 1 induction dose of 160 mg of adalimumab between June 2013 and May 2017. Patients should have a Lichtiger clinical activity index score of ≥5 at the initial adalimumab administration. Remission was defined as clinical activity index score of ≤4, whereas response was defined as a reduction of ≥50% from the baseline value. Rapid responders are defined as patients who achieved response at 2 weeks.
A total of 91 patients were included in this study: 37.4% and 45.1% achieved clinical response at 2 and 8 weeks, respectively, whereas clinical remission rates 12 weeks were 45.1%. Among the rapid responders, 82.4% achieved clinical remission at 12 weeks. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified a higher platelet count as an independent prognostic factor for a higher rate of rapid response. Receiver operating characteristic curve showed that a platelet counts cutoff value of ≥312 × 109/L was associated with a rapid response.
Approximately 40% of patients with UC showed a rapid response to adalimumab therapy after 2 weeks. Up to 80% of the rapid responders also achieved remission at 12 weeks. A higher platelet count was identified as an independent prognostic factor for a higher rapid response rate.
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Jilin, China
Authors: Liu Han , Gao Jinying , Wang Yangyang , Jie Jing , Luo Jingjing , Xu You , Sun Hongying , Song Lei , Li Dan , Peng Liping , Hua Shucheng 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic. To add to the scarce information on this disease, here, we investigated the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 93 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Jilin, China from January 22 to March 15, 2020.
We retrospectively investigated the demographic information, recent exposure history, clinical symptoms or signs, comorbidity, chest computed tomographic (CT) scan or X-ray results, laboratory test results, diagnostic classification, treatment, length of hospitalization, complications, and outcomes.
Of the 93 patients, 54 were male and 39 female. More than half of these patients had a history of exposure to infected patients. The mean incubation period was 10.4 days in 87 patients, where the data was available. The 5 most common symptoms of illness onset were fever, cough, expectoration, fatigue, and dyspnea. One patient was asymptomatic. The imaging results were abnormal in majority of the patients. Almost one-third of the patients had lymphopenia. All patients received antiviral therapy, 84 patients were treated with antibiotics and 54 received different doses of the hormone for methylprednisolone. In addition, 72 patients used traditional Chinese medicine. Oxygen therapy, high nasal flow oxygen, non-invasive ventilator, invasive ventilator and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) were used symptomatically in different patients. Except 1 patient who died during treatment, all others were discharged.
The average incubation time is prolonged in the present analysis, as compared to that in other reports. A few patients symptoms improved but CT exacerbated. Therefore, we suggest that close follow-up observation is still required after discharge.
Venice: A New Algorithm for Finding Marker Genes in Single-Cell Transcriptomic Data
Authors: Vuong Hy , Truong Thao , Phan Tan , Pham Son 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMost widely used tools for finding marker genes in single cell data (SeuratT/NegBinom/Poisson, CellRanger, EdgeR, limmatrend) use a conventional definition ofdifferentially expressed genes: genes with different mean expression values. However, in single-cell data, a cell population can be a mixture of many cell types/cell states, hence the mean expression of genes cannot represent the whole population. In addition, these tools assume that gene expression of a population belongs to a specific family of distribution. This assumption is often violated in single-cell data. In this work, we define marker genes of a cell population as genes that can be used to distinguish cells in the population from cells in other populations. Besides log-fold change, we devise a new metric to classify genes into up-regulated, down-regulated, and transitional states. In a benchmark for finding up-regulated and down-regulated genes, our tool outperforms all compared methods, including Seurat, ROTS, scDD, edgeR, MAST, limma, normal t-test, Wilcoxon and Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Our method is much faster than all compared methods, therefore, enables interactive analysis for large single-cell data sets in BioTuring Browser. Venice algorithm is available within Signac package:https://github.com/bioturing/signac1).
Enzyme specific isotope effects of the Nap and Nar nitrate reductases
Authors: Asamoto Ciara K. , Rempfert Kaitlin R. , Luu Victoria H. , Younkin Adam D. , Kopf Sebastian H. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDissimilatory nitrate reduction (DNR) to nitrite is the first step in denitrification, the main process through which bioavailable nitrogen is removed from ecosystems. DNR fractionates the stable isotopes of nitrogen (14N,15N) and oxygen (16O,18O) and thus imparts an isotopic signature on residual pools of nitrate in many environments. Data on the relationship between the resulting isotopic pattern in oxygen versus nitrogen isotopes (18ε /15ε) suggests systematic differences exist between marine and terrestrial ecosystems that are not fully understood. DNR can be catalyzed by both cytosolic (Nar) and periplasmic (Nap) nitrate reductases, and previous work has revealed differences in their18ε /15ε isotopic signatures. In this study, we thus examine the18ε /15ε of six different nitrate-reducing microorganisms that encode Nar, Nap or both enzymes, as well gene deletion mutants of the enzymes’ catalytic subunits (NarG and NapA) to test the hypothesis that enzymatic differences alone could explain the environmental observations. We find that the distribution of the18ε /15ε fractionation ratios of all examined nitrate reductases form two distinct, non-overlapping peaks centered around a18ε /15ε proportionality of 0.55 and a18ε /15ε proportionality of 0.91, respectively. All Nap reductases studied to date cluster around the lower proportionality (0.55) and none exceed a18ε /15ε proportionality of 0.68. Almost all Nar reductases, on the contrary, cluster tightly around the higher proportionality (0.91) with no values below a18ε /15ε proportionality of 0.84 with the notable exception of the Nar reductases from the genusBacilluswhich fall around 0.62 and thus closely resemble the isotopic fingerprints of the Nap reductases. Our findings confirm the existence of two remarkably distinct isotopic end-members in the dissimilatory nitrate reductases that could indeed explain differences in coupled N and O isotope fractionation between marine and terrestrial systems, and almost but not fully match reductase phylogeny.
COVID-19 and India: what next?
Authors: Behl Ramesh , Mishra Manit 
Published: November 2020

Purpose
The study aims to carry out predictive modeling based on publicly available COVID-19 data for the duration April 01, 2020 to June 20, 2020 pertaining to India and five of its most infected states: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Design/methodology/approach
The study leverages the susceptible, infected, recovered and dead (SIRD) epidemiological framework for predictive modeling. The basic reproduction number R0 is derived by an exponential growth method using RStudio package R0. The differential equations reflecting the SIRD model have been solved using Python 3.7.4 on the Jupyter Notebook platform. For visualization, Python Matplotlib 3.2.1 package is used.

Findings
The study offers insights on peak-date, peak number of COVID-19 infections and end-date pertaining to India and five of its states.

Practical implications
The results subtly indicate toward the amount of effort required to completely eliminate the infection. It could be leveraged by the political leadership and industry doyens for economic policy planning and execution.

Originality/value
The emergence of a clear picture about COVID-19 lifecycle is impossible without integrating data science algorithms and epidemiology theoretical framework. This study amalgamates these two disciplines to undertake predictive modeling based on COVID-19 data from India and five of its states. Population-specific granular and objective assessment of key parameters such as reproduction number (R0), susceptible population (S), effective contact rate (ß) and case-fatality rate (s) have been used to generate a visualization of COVID-19 lifecycle pattern for a critically affected population.
Service integration for improved diabetic and dental care: exploring an effective model for optimising health outcomes
Authors: Obeng Isaac S. , Ogamba Ikedinachi K. 
Published: November 2020

PurposeThis study identifies and synthesizes existing literature on the integration of diabetic and dental services and explores a service integration model for optimising diabetic patient health outcomes and improving healthcare systems in low and middle-income countries.Design/methodology/approachPeer-reviewed literature that analysed the integration of health services regarding dental and medical services were reviewed. The articles were identified using the Academic Search Complete, Business Source Complete, CINAHL Complete, Google Scholar and MEDLINE databases and screened using the PRISMA guidelines.FindingsA total of 40 full-text articles were examined for eligibility out of which 26 were selected for analysis. Diabetes was shown to contribute significantly to the global disease burden and this is also reflected in most low and middle-income countries. It is found that the integration of medical and dental services could help alleviate this burden. Hence, locally adapted Rainbow-Modified Integrated Care model is proposed to fill this integration gap.OriginalityThe integration of dental and medical services has been proven to be useful in improving diabetic patient outcomes. Hence, the need to facilitate cross-professional collaboration between dentists and physicians cannot be overemphasised and this can be extended and locally adapted by different health systems across the world.Practice ImplicationsThe integration of dental and diabetic services using models such as the Rainbow Model of Integrated Care is recommended to optimise health outcomes of diabetic patients and enhancing service delivery, especially in resource-poor healthcare systems.
Committee strength in parliamentary democracies: A new index
Authors: ZUBEK RADOSLAW 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMuch recent research on coalitions and policy‐making in parliamentary democracies requires high‐quality data on the strength of legislative institutions. In this article, I introduce a new index of committee policing strength which improves on existing measures in important ways. I specify key index parameters using a binary rooted tree model and engage human coders to score formal rules. I obtain a novel time series of committee policing strength in 17 western and eastern European democracies since 1945. I validate the new estimates through convergent validation and discuss ways in which the new index contributes to future work.
Counter‐terrorism policies in the Middle East: Why democracy has failed to reduce terrorism in the Middle East and why protecting human rights might be more successful
Authors: Morris Nancy A. , LaFree Gary , Karlidag Eray 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMost quantitative research examining predictors of country‐level terrorism have used worldwide samples which potentially obscures regional or country‐specific effects. This may be especially problematic for regions in which common predictors of political violence differ from what is expected based on worldwide patterns. In this paper we explore the possibility that this situation exists for several key predictors of terrorism in the Middle East since the 1980s. For much of the past thirty years US policy has focused on the promotion of democracy and reduction of state‐based human rights violations in the Middle East, yet very few studies have quantitatively examined the effects of these variables on terrorism among Middle Eastern countries. Using Global Terrorism Data for 18 Middle Eastern countries from 1980 to 2016, we find annual increases in state‐based human rights violations and increasing democratization are both related to increases in terrorist attacks.Policy ImplicationsOur results suggest that counter‐terrorism policies that discourage state‐based acts of repression, and foster state‐based legitimacy hold more promise for reducing terrorism than policies that focus on the promotion of democracy in Middle Eastern countries.