bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Ambient Temperature and FPG, A Series of Cross-Sectional Studies in Guangdong Province, China
Authors: Luo Jiali , He Guanhao , Xu Yanjun , Chen Zihui , Xu Xiaojun , Chen Shaowei , Hu Jianxiong , Ji Guiyuan , Liu Tao , Zeng Weilin , Li Xing , Xiao Jianpeng , Guo Lingchuan , Ma Wenjun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: There existed evidence that the incidence and glycemic control rate of T2DM have seasonal variation, which can be attributed to the effect of temperature on FPG. The present study aimed to examine the associations between short-term ambient temperature exposure and FPG among different populations and calculate temperature-FPG association adjusted prevalence and glycemic control rate of T2DM.Methods: Four cross-sectional health surveys with 26,350 respondents were conducted in Guangdong Province from 2007 to 2015. Multistage cluster sampling was used to recruit study participants. Gaussian generalized additive model was employed to evaluate the associations between daily mean ambient temperature and FPG among different populations (total, non-T2DM, old-T2DM and new-T2DM populations). Prevalence and glycemic control rate of T2DM were calculated based on the exposure-response association between temperature and FPG. Results: The exposure-response curve of temperature and FPG were downward parabola in total, non-T2DM and old-T2DM populations, while the curve was “U”-shaped but not significant in new T2DM population. When temperature increased from 10th percentile to 50th percentile, the FPG significantly decreased 0.14 (95%CI: -0.17, -0.11) mmol/L, 0.11 (95%CI: -0.12, -0.11) and 0.44 (95%CI: -0.80, -0.08) in total, non-T2DM and old-T2DM populations, respectively. When temperature increased from 50th to 90th percentile, the FPG significantly decreased 0.19 (95%CI: -0.22, -0.16) mmol/L, 0.17 (95%CI: -0.17, -0.17) and 0.51 (95%CI: -0.79, -0.23) in total, non-T2DM and old-T2DM populations, respectively. The alteration of rate related to the temperature difference was observed from 5℃ to 30℃, with gently decreases from 10.03% to 9.39% in prevalence of T2DM and greatly increases from 32.1% to 58.6% in glycemic control rate of T2DM, respectively.Conclusion: FPG, the prevalence and glycemic control rate of T2DM are affected by ambient temperature, which suggests temperature and FPG association should be considered and adjusted when estimating T2DM epidemiology and developing clinical management of T2DM.
Forecasting the COVID-19 Outbreak: An Application of Arima and Fuzzy Time Series Models
Authors: Verma Prashant , Khetan Mukti , Dwivedi Shikha , Dixit Shweta 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Purpose: The whole world is surfaced with an inordinate challenge of mankind due to COVID-19, caused by 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). After taking hundreds of thousands of lives, millions of people are still in the substantial grasp of this virus. This virus is highly contagious with reproduction number R0, as high as 6.5 worldwide and between 1.5 to 2.6 in India. So, the number of total infections and the number of deaths will get a day-to-day hike until the curve flattens. Under the current circumstances, it becomes inevitable to develop a model, which can anticipate future morbidities, recoveries, and deaths. Methods: We have developed some models based on ARIMA and FUZZY time series methodology for the forecasting of COVID-19 infections, mortalities and recoveries in India and Maharashtra explicitly, which is the most affected state in India, following the COVID-19 statistics till “Lockdown 3.0” (17th May 2020). Results: Both models suggest that there will be an exponential uplift in COVID-19 cases in the near future. We have forecasted the COVID-19 data set for next seven days. The forecasted values are in good agreement with real ones for all six COVID-19 scenarios for Maharashtra and India as a whole as well.Conclusion: The forecasts for the ARIMA and FUZZY time series models will be useful for the policymakers of the health care systems so that the system and the medical personnel can be prepared to combat the pandemic.
Right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain as determined by speckle tracking echocardiography is a noninvasive predictor of acute cellular rejection in adult heart transplantation
Authors: Cruz Cecília Beatriz Bittencourt Viana , Hajjar Ludhmila A. , Bacal Fernando , Lofrano-Alves Marco S. , Lima Márcio S.M. , Abduch Maria C. , Viera Marcelo L.C. , Chiang Hsu P. , Salviano Juliana B. C. , Costa isabela Bispo Santos da Silva , Fukushima Julia Tizue , Sbano Joao C.N. , Mathias Wilson , Tsutsui Jeane M. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

Acute cellular rejection (ACR) is a major complication after heart transplantation. Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) remains the gold standard for its diagnosis, but with concerning complications. We evaluated the usefulness of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and the biomarkers for detecting ACR after heart transplantation.
Methods

We prospectively studied 60 transplant patients with normal left and right ventricular systolic function who underwent EMB for surveillance sixth months after transplantation. Sixty age- and sex-matched healthy individuals constituted the control group. Conventional echocardiographic parameters left ventricular global longitudinal, radial and circumferential strain (LV-GLS, LV-GRS and LV-GCS, respectively), left ventricular systolic twist (LV-twist) and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RV-FWLS) were analyzed just before procedure. We also measured biomarkers at the same moment.
Results

Of 60 patients included, 17 (28%) had severe ACR (grade ≥ 2R) and 43 (72%) had no significant ACR (grade 0–1R). Absolute values of LV-GLS, LV-twist and RV-FWLS were lower in transplant patients with ACR degree ≥ 2 R compared with those without ACR (12.5% ± 2.9 vs 14.8% ± 2.3, p = 0.002 ; 13.9° ± 4.8 vs 17.1° ± 3.2, p = 0.048; 21.4%± 3.2 vs 16.6% ± 2.9, p < 0.001; respectively), while no differences were observed in both LV-GRS or LV-GCS. All these parameters were lower in transplant group without ACR than in non-transplant controls, except for LV-twist. Cardiac troponin I levels were significantly higher in patients with significant ACR than in patients without significant ACR [0.19 (0.09–1.31) vs. 0.05 (0.01–0.18), p = 0.007]. In multivariate analysis, RV-FWLS was the only independent predictor of ACR (odds ratio = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.40–0.81; p = 0.02). RV-FWLS < 18.0% had an accuracy of 85% to predict ACR.
Conclusion

Heart transplant patients have altered left ventricular dynamics compared with non-transplant individuals. RV-FWLS was the only independent predictor of ACR after heart transplantation and should be considered a valuable noninvasive screening parameter for its detection.
Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Reduction in Patients’ Waiting Time for Outpatient Procedures: A Matched Case–Control Study
Authors: Li Xiaoqing , Tian Dan , Li Weihua , Dong Bin , Wang Hansong , Yuan Jiajun , Li Biru , Shi Lei , Lin Xulin , Zhao Liebin , Liu Shijian 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Many studies indicate that patient satisfaction is significantly negatively correlated with waiting time. A well-designed healthcare system should not keep patients waiting too long for appointment and consultation. However, in China, patients spend considerable time waiting, and the actual time spent on diagnosis and treatment in the consulting room is comparatively less.Methods: We developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted module that is embedded in hospital information systems. Through its use, outpatients were automatically recommended an imaging examination or a laboratory test based on their symptoms and chief complaint. Thus, they could get examined or tested before they went to see the doctor. People who saw a doctor in the traditional way were assigned to the conventional group, and those who used the AI-assisted system were assigned to the AI-assisted group. We conducted a 1:1 case–control study that applied propensity score matching to pair the data from patients in a pediatric tertiary hospital between August 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020. Waiting time was defined as the time from registration to preparation for a laboratory test or an imaging examination. The total cost included the registration fee, test fee, examination fee, and drug fee. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare the differences in time and cost between the AI-assisted group and the conventional group. The statistical significance level was set at 0.05 for two sides.Results: A total of 12,342 visits were recruited for this study, consisting of 6,171 visits in the conventional group and 6,171 visits in the AI-assisted group. The median waiting time was 0.38 (inter-quartile range: 0.20, 1.33) hours for the AI-assisted group compared with 1.97 (0.76, 3.48) hours for the conventional group (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Using AI can significantly reduce the waiting time of patients for outpatient procedures, and thus, enhance the outpatient process of hospitals.
Detection of Deep Low-frequency Earthquakes in the Nankai Subduction Zoneover 11 Years Usingamatched Filter Technique
Authors: Kato Aitaro , Nakagawa Shigeki 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
To improve our understanding of the long-term behavior of low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs) along the tremor belt of the Nankai subduction zone, we applied a matched filter technique to continuous seismic data recorded by a dense and highly sensitive seismic network over an 11year window, April 2004 to August 2015. We detected a total of ~510,000 LFEs, or ~23× the number of LFEs in the JMA catalog for the same period. During long-term slow slip events (SSEs) in the Bungo Channel, a series of migrating LFEbursts intermittently occurred along the fault-strike direction, with slow hypocenter propagation. Elastic energy released by long-term SSEs appears to control the extent of LFE activity. We identify slowlymigrating fronts of LFEs during major episodic tremor and slip (ETS)events, which extend over distances of up to 100 km and follow diffusion-like patterns of spatial evolution with a diffusion coefficient of ~104 m2/s. This migration pattern closely matches the spatio-temporal evolution of tectonictremors reported by previous studies. At shorter distances, up to 15 km, we discovered rapid diffusion-like migrationof LFEs with a coefficient of ~105 m2/s. We also recognize that rapid migration of LFEs occurred intermittently in many streaks during major ETS episodes. These observations suggest that slow slip transients contain a multitude of smaller, temporally clustered fault slip events whose evolution is controlled by a diffusional process.
Dietary Branched-chain Amino Acid Evaluation Through Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Kidd Michael T. , Poernama F. , Wibowo T. , Maynard C. W. , Liu S. Y. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background:Valine and isoleucine are similar in chemical structure and their limitation in broiler chicken diets. To evaluate their limitation and interactive effects, multivariate assessment nutrition studies for the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are needed. A three level (-1, 0, +1), three-factor Box-Behnken design study was conducted to assess BCAA ratios to lysine of 65, 75, and 85 for valine, 58, 66, and 74 for isoleucine, and 110, 130, and 150 for leucine in male and female Lohman Indian River broilers from 22 to 35 d of age.Results:Live performance of male broilers was not affected by BCAA level. However, male broilers fed increasing isoleucine had improved (P = 0.07) carcass yield as leucine and valine were reduced. Female broilers had improved body weight gain (P = 0.05) and feed conversion (P = 0.003) when leucine and isoleucine were at their lowest levels, but increasing leucine impaired live performance and warranted concomitant increases in isoleucine to restore responses. Increasing dietary isoleucine and valine in female broilers increased breast meat yield (P = 0.05), but increasing leucine tended to diminish the response.Conclusion:The female Lohman Indian River broiler is more sensitive to BCAA diet manipulation than that of males. Specifically, as dietary leucine is increased in female broilers, dietary isoleucine increases were needed to offset the negative effects. Both valine and isoleucine improved breast meat yield in female broilers, but only when birds were fed the lowest dietary leucine.
Super-spreaders: detection and culling in the control of bovine besnoitiosis.
Authors: Grisez Christelle , Bottari Leslie , Prévot Françoise , Alzieu Jean-Pierre , Liénard Emmanuel , Corbière Fabien , Rameil Marie , Desclaux Xavier , Lacz Christophe , Boulon Christian , Petermann Julie , Mével Jeanne Le , Vilardell Carine , Jacquiet Philippe 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Bovine besnoitiosis is an emerging vector-borne disease in Europe caused by the Apicomplexa Besnoitia besnoiti. The mechanical transmission from infected to naïve hosts is permitted by horse flies and stable flies. Bovine besnoitiosis is difficult to control due to the complexity of its diagnosis in the acute stage of the disease, poor treatment success and chronically asymptomatic cattle acting as parasite reservoirs. When serological prevalence is low, detection and specific culling of seropositive cattle is feasible; however, economic considerations preclude this approach when serological prevalence is high. The aims of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of detection of super-spreaders in highly infected herds and to test their selective elimination as a new control strategy for bovine besnoitiosis.
Methods
Real-time PCR analyses performed on skin tissues from 160 asymptomatic animals sampled at slaughterhouses showed that the tail base was the best location to evaluate the dermal parasite DNA load. All seropositive animals (N = 518) from eight dairy or beef cattle farms facing a high serological prevalence of besnoitiosis were sampled and their skin analysed by real-time PCR. A recommendation of rapid and selective culling of super-spreaders was formulated and provided to the cattle breeders. Subsequent serological monitoring of naïve animals was used to evaluate the interest of this control strategy over time.
Results
Among the 518 seropositive animals, a low proportion of individuals (13%) showed Ct values below 36, 17% had doubtful results (36 < Ct ≤ 40) and 70% had negative PCR results. These proportions were grossly similar on the eight farms, regardless of their production type (beef or dairy cattle), size, geographic location or history of besnoitiosis. Within two weeks of the biopsy, the rapid culling of super-spreaders was implemented on only three farms. The numbers of newly infected animals were lower on these farms compared to those where super-spreaders were maintained in the herd.
Conclusions
Real-time PCR analyses performed on skin biopsies of seropositive cattle showed huge individual variabilities in parasite DNA load. The rapid culling of individuals considered as super-spreaders seems to be a new and encouraging strategy for bovine besnoitiosis control.
Oxidovanadium(IV) Complex Disrupts Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and Induces Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Kowalski Szymon , Tesmar Aleksandra , Sikorski Artur , Inkielewicz-Stępniak Iwona 
Published: June 2020

Background:
At the present time, there is a growing interest in metal-based anticancer agents. Metal
complexes exhibit many valuable clinical properties, however, due to toxicity, only a few clinically useful complexes
have been discovered. It has been demonstrated that synthetic vanadium complexes exhibit many biological
activities, including anti-cancer properties, however, cellular and molecular mechanisms still are not
fully understood.

Objective:
This investigation examined the potential effects of three newly synthesized oxidovanadium(IV)
complexes with 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine against pancreatic cancer cells.

Methods:
We measured cytotoxicity by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide,
antiproliferative activity by bromodeoxyuridine assay and necrosis as well as late apoptosis by lactate dehydrogenase
assay. Reactive oxygen species generation, apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential were determined
by a flow cytometry technique. Cell morphology was evaluated by using a transmission electron microscope.

Results:
The results showed that oxidovanadium(IV) complexes were cytotoxic on pancreatic cancer cells
(PANC-1 and MIA PaCa2) over the concentration range of 12.5-200μM, following 48h incubation. Additionally,
the cellular mechanism of cytotoxic activity of [2-NH2-3-OH(py)H]4[V2O2(pmida)2]·6H2O (V3) complex
was dependent on ROS generation, induction apoptosis with simultaneous disruption of mitochondrial membrane
potential.

Conclusion:
We have proven that oxidovanadium (IV) complexes show therapeutic potential in pancreatic
cancer therapy. The results of our research will help to understand the cellular mechanisms of the cytotoxic
activity of the vanadium complexes and will allow a more effective design structure of new vanadium-based
compounds in the future.
Hematological Impacts of the Traffic Emissions in Sulaymaniyah Governorate
Authors: Bapir Dunya Hars , Hama Salih Ahmed 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The current study was achieved to evaluate the essential hematologic impacts of traffic emission. Ninety-six cases were studied included both exposures and controls. The focal point was on Raparin District in Sulaimani Governorates. A questioner form was depended for collecting information about each case. Fresh venous blood (5ml) were collected aseptically from both exposures and controls. Hematologic Autoanalyzer (Coulter) was used for hematologic investigations. It appeared that the mean leukocyte counts were higher among exposures in comparison to controls; the period of exposure and smoking were significantly effective on total white cells. Lymphocyte counts were significantly declined among exposures. It appeared that the distance from the emission gas sources, smoking, and period of exposure was significantly effective on the total lymphocyte counts (p<0.05). No valuable effects of traffic emission were noticed on granulocytes in general (p>0.05), although the neutrophil counts were significantly higher among exposure. It was concluded that traffic emission has no significant effects on Red cell profiles, including red cell numbers, Hb, HCT, RDW, MCH in general (p>0.05). The current study revealed that there were no noticeable effects of traffic emission, generally on the total platelet counts between exposures and controls. It has concluded that the distance from the emission sources was significantly effective on platelet counts among exposures themselves (p<0.05).
Understanding the Attitudes of Clinicians and Patients Toward a Self-Management eHealth Tool for Atrial Fibrillation: Qualitative Study
Authors: Cher Boon Piang , Kembhavi Gayatri , Toh Kai Yee , Audimulam Jananie , Chia Wei-Yan Aloysius , Vrijhoef Hubertus JM , Lim Yee Wei , Lim Toon Wei 
Published: June 2020

Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder and poses a growing disease burden worldwide because of an aging population. A multidisciplinary approach with an emphasis on patient education and self-management has been demonstrated to improve outcomes for AF through the engagement of patients in their own care. Although electronic tools (e-tools) such as apps have been proposed to provide patient education and facilitate self-management, there have been few studies to guide the development of these tools for patients with AF.

Objective
This study aims to explore the perceptions of patients and health care providers (HCPs) and their attitudes toward the use of e-tools for the self-management of AF. It also seeks to elicit the factors that contribute to these attitudes.

Methods
Semistructured qualitative interviews with HCPs and patients were conducted to understand the interpretations and expectations of an e-tool that would be used for the self-management of AF. Interview data were analyzed using an exploratory thematic analysis approach to uncover emergent themes and infer ideas of preferred features in a device. A modified technology acceptance model was developed as a framework to help interpret these findings. Data from the HCPs and patients were compared and contrasted.

Results
Both patients and HCPs thought that an e-tool would be useful in the self-management of AF. Although both groups favored educational content and monitoring of blood pressure, patients expressed more passivity toward self-care and an ambivalence toward the use of technology to monitor their medical condition. This appears to be related to factors such as a patient’s age, social support, and their attitudes toward technology. Instead, they favored using the app to contact their HCPs.

Conclusions
This study provides insights into significant differences in the attitudes of patients and HCPs toward the use of e-tools for self-care against their priorities. Understanding patients’ motivations and their needs are key to ensuring higher acceptance of such tools.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Patient Experiences in the United States: 4-Year Content Analysis of Twitter
Authors: Hswen Yulin , Hawkins Jared B , Sewalk Kara , Tuli Gaurav , Williams David R , Viswanath K , Subramanian S V , Brownstein John S 
Published: June 2020

Background
Racial and ethnic minority groups often face worse patient experiences compared with the general population, which is directly related to poorer health outcomes within these minority populations. Evaluation of patient experience among racial and ethnic minority groups has been difficult due to lack of representation in traditional health care surveys.

Objective
This study aims to assess the feasibility of Twitter for identifying racial and ethnic disparities in patient experience across the United States from 2013 to 2016.

Methods
In total, 851,973 patient experience tweets with geographic location information from the United States were collected from 2013 to 2016. Patient experience tweets included discussions related to care received in a hospital, urgent care, or any other health institution. Ordinary least squares multiple regression was used to model patient experience sentiment and racial and ethnic groups over the 2013 to 2016 period and in relation to the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014.

Results
Racial and ethnic distribution of users on Twitter was highly correlated with population estimates from the United States Census Bureau’s 5-year survey from 2016 (r2=0.99; P<.001). From 2013 to 2016, the average patient experience sentiment was highest for White patients, followed by Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian/Alaska Native patients. A reduction in negative patient experience sentiment on Twitter for all racial and ethnic groups was seen from 2013 to 2016. Twitter users who identified as Hispanic/Latino showed the greatest improvement in patient experience, with a 1.5 times greater increase (P<.001) than Twitter users who identified as White. Twitter users who identified as Black had the highest increase in patient experience postimplementation of the ACA (2014-2016) compared with preimplementation of the ACA (2013), and this change was 2.2 times (P<.001) greater than Twitter users who identified as White.

Conclusions
The ACA mandated the implementation of the measurement of patient experience of care delivery. Considering that quality assessment of care is required, Twitter may offer the ability to monitor patient experiences across diverse racial and ethnic groups and inform the evaluation of health policies like the ACA.