bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics of 134 convalescent patients with COVID-19 in Guizhou, China
Authors: Zhang Siqin , Liu Lin , Yang Bin , Li Rou , Luo Jianhua , Huang Jing , Long Yanjun , Huang Ying , Zhou Jianping , Zha Yan , Zhang Xiangyan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Previous studies have focused on the clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients with the novel 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Limited data are available for convalescent patients. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of discharged COVID-19 patients.Methods: In this retrospective study, we extracted data for 134 convalescent patients with COVID-19 in Guizhou Provincial Staff Hospital from February 15 to March 31, 2020. Cases were analyzed on the basis of demographic, clinical, and laboratory data as well as radiological features. Results: Of 134 convalescent patients with COVID-19, 19 (14.2%) were severe cases, while 115 (85.8%) were non-severe cases. The median patient age was 33 years (IQR, 21.8 to 46.3), and the cohort included 69 men and 65 women. Compared with non-severe cases, severe patients were older and had more chronic comorbidities, especially hypertension, diabetes, and thyroid disease (P<0.05). Leukopenia was present in 32.1% of the convalescent patients and lymphocytopenia was present in 6.7%, both of which were more common in severe patients. 48 (35.8%) of discharged patients had elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase, which was more common in adults than in children (40.2% vs 13.6%, P=0.018). A normal chest CT was found in 61 (45.5%) patients during rehabilitation. Severe patients had more ground-glass opacity, bilateral patchy shadowing, and fibrosis. No significant differences were observed in the positive rate of IgG and/or IgM antibodies between severe and non-severe patients.Conclusion: Leukopenia, lymphopenia, ground-glass opacity, and fibrosis are common in discharged severe COVID-19 patients, and liver injury is common in discharged adult patients. We suggest physicians develop follow-up treatment plans based on the different clinical characteristics of convalescent patients.
Research of insomnia on traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment based on machine learning
Authors: Tang Yuqi , Li Zechen , Yang Dongdong , Fang Yu , Gao Shanshan , Liang Shan , Liu Tao 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Insomnia as one of the dominant diseases of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been extensively studied in recent years. To explore the novel approaches of research on TCM diagnosis and treatment, this paper presents a strategy for the research of insomnia based on machine learning. Methods: First of all, 654 insomnia cases have been collected from an experienced doctor of TCM as sample data. Secondly, in the light of the characteristics of TCM diagnosis and treatment, the contents of research samples have been divided into four parts: the basic information, the four diagnostic methods, the treatment based on syndrome differentiation and the main prescription. And then, these four parts have been analyzed by three analysis methods, including frequency analysis, association rules and hierarchical cluster analysis. Finally, a comprehensive study of the whole four parts has been conducted by random forest. Results: Researches of the above four parts revealed some essential connections. Simultaneously, based on the algorithm model established by the random forest, the accuracy of predicting the main prescription by the combinations of the four diagnostic methods and the treatment based on syndrome differentiation was 0.85. Furthermore, having been extracted features through applying the random forest, the syndrome differentiation of five zang-organs was proven to be the most significant parameter of the TCM diagnosis and treatment.Conclusions: The results indicate that the machine learning methods are worthy of being adopted to study the dominant diseases of TCM for exploring the crucial rules of the diagnosis and treatment.
Anastomosis technique for pancreatojejunostomy and early removal of drainage tubes may reduce postoperative pancreatic fistula
Authors: Kawaida Hiromichi , Kono Hiroshi , Amemiya Hidetake , Hosomura Naohiro , Watanabe Mitsuaki , Saito Ryo , Nakata Yuuki , Shoda Katsutoshi , Shimizu Hiroki , Furuya Shinji , Akaike Hidenori , Kawaguchi Yoshihiko , Sudo Makoto , Matsuda Masanori , Itakura Jun , Fujii Hideki , Ichikawa Daisuke 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is one of the most serious complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Various factors have been reported as POPF risks, but the most serious of these is soft pancreas. To reduce POPF occurrences, many changes to the PD process have been proposed. This study evaluates short-term results of anastomosis technique for PD.Methods: In total, 120 patients with soft pancreases who had undergone PD at Yamanashi University between January 2012 and August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. We divided these patients into two groups depending on the time PD was performed: a conventional group (n=67) and a modified group (n = 56).Results: The rate of clinically relevant POPF was significantly lower in the modified group than that in the conventional group (5.4% vs 22.4%, p-value < 0.001), with there being only one case of POPF in the modified group. There were no cases of POPF-related hemorrhaging in the modified group. On the third day after the operation, the amylase levels in the drainage fluid for the modified group became less than half (1696 vs 650 U/L). Multivariate analysis showed that the modified method was the independent predictors to prevent clinical POPF (p-value = 0.002).Conclusions: Our novel anastomosis technique for pancreatojejunostomy reduced POPF in PD, especially in cases where the patient had a soft pancreas.
Human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote osteogenic differentiation of lipopolysaccharide-induced human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via ANRIL/miR-125a/APC axis
Authors: Wang Yuli , Lv Fengyi , Huang Lintong , Zhang Hengwei , Li Bing , Zhou Weina , Li Xuan , Du Yifei , Pan Yongchu , Wang Ruixia 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background and aim: Periodontitis is a chronic inﬂammatory disease inducing the absorption of alveolar bone and leading to tooth loss. Human amnion–derived mesenchymal stem cells (HAMSCs) have been used for studying inﬂammatory processes. This study aimed to explore the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) antisense noncoding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) in HAMSC-driven osteogenesis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (HBMSCs). Methods: The cells were incubated with a co-culture system. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were used to detect the oxidative stress level. Flow cytometry was performed to determine cell proliferation. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, Alizarin red assay, cell transfection, and rat mandibular defect model were used to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the molecular mechanisms.Results: This study showed that HAMSCs promoted the osteogenesis of LPS-induced HBMSCs, while the ANRIL level in HBMSCs decreased during co-culture. ANRIL had no significant influence on the proliferation of LPS-induced HBMSCs. However, its overexpression inhibited the HAMSC-driven osteogenesis in vivo and in vitro, whereas its knockdown reversed these effects. Mechanistically, this study found that downregulating ANRIL led to the overexpression of microRNA-125a (miR-125a), and further contributed to the competitive binding of miR-125a and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), thus significantly activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Conclusion: The study indicated that HAMSCs promoted the osteogenic differentiation of LPS-induced HBMSCs via the ANRIL/miR-125a/APC axis, and offered a novel approach for periodontitis therapy.
Working condition and health status of 6,317 front line public health workers during the COVID-19 epidemic across 5 provinces in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Jinghua , Xu Jingdong , Zhou Huan , You Hua , Wang Xiaohui , Li Yan , Liang Yuan , Li Shan , Ma Lina , Zeng Jing , Cai Huanle , Xie Jinzhao , Pan Chenghao , Hao Chun , Gilmour Stuart , Lau Joseph Tak-fai , Hao Yuantao , Xu Dong Roman , Gu Jing 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Public health workers at Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) and primary health care institutes (PHI) constitute one of the main workforces for implementing prevention and control measures to contain the COVID-19 epidemic, but their efforts and health status have not been well documented. We aimed to investigate the working conditions and health status of frontline public health workers in China during the epidemic.Methods: Between February 18 to March 1, 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 2,313 CDC workers and 4,004 PHI workers in five provinces across China experiencing different scales of COVID-19 epidemic. We interviewed all participants about their work conditions, roles, burdens, perceptions, mental health, and self-rated health using a self-constructed questionnaire and standardized measurements (i.e., Patient Health Questionnaire and General Anxiety Disorder scale). To examine the independent associations between working conditions and health outcomes, we used multivariate regression models controlling for potential confounders. Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and poor self-rated health was 21.3%, 19.0%, and 9.8%, respectively, among public health workers (27.1%, 20.6% and 15.0% among CDC workers; and 17.5%, 17.9% and 6.8% among PHI workers). The majority (71.6%) participated in both field and non-field work and gave immense efforts. Nearly 20.0% have worked all night for more than 3 days and 45.3% had worked during the whole period of Chinese New Year. Three risk factors and two protective factors were found independently associated with all three health outcomes in our final multivariate models, including working all night for >3 days (ORm=1.67~1.75, p<0.001), concerns about being infected at work (ORm=1.46~1.89, p<0.001), perceived troubles at work (ORm=1.10~1.28, p<0.001), starting COVID-19 prevention work after January 23 (ORm=0.78~0.82, p=0.002~0.008), and capability to persist for more than 1 month at the current work intensity (ORm=0.44~0.55, p<0.001).Conclusions: Chinese public health workers gave immense efforts and personal sacrifices to curb the COVID-19 epidemic and were exposed to risk of mental health problems. Efforts should be taken to improve the working condition and health status of public health workers to maintain the morale and effectiveness of public health workers in the fight against the epidemic.
Pilot Randomised Evaluation of Singing in Dementia (PRESIDE): protocol for a two-arm, parallel group randomised controlled feasibility study with waiting-list control
Authors: Dowson Becky , Schneider Justine , Guo Boliang , Bath Philip M , McDermott Orii , Haywood Lee J , Orrell Martin 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
BackgroundAs the number of people living with dementia grows, so does the need to provide them with adequate psychosocial support. Many people with dementia live at home with family carers, who also require social and emotional support to cope with their role. Community group singing has received attention for its potential to support people with dementia and their carers. It is postulated that singing can improve cognitive function, strengthen the bonds between care partners, and help to establish social support networks. However, there is a lack of rigorous evidence of singing’s benefits for this population. This study aims to test the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of community singing in dementia, to pave the way for a larger, conclusive study.MethodsThe PRESIDE study is designed as a two-arm, parallel group randomised trial with a waiting list control. Dyads consisting of a person with dementia (n=80) and their carer (n=80) will be recruited. Each dyad will be randomised either to attend 10 weeks of community group singing sessions straight away, or to wait for three months before attending the sessions. The singing sessions will be led by experienced professional musicians and will last about 90 minutes, including time for socialising. The primary outcome of this study is the attainment of feasibility criteria around recruitment, retention and the acceptability of the waiting list control. Secondary outcomes include the quality of life, mood, cognition, and musical engagement of the person with dementia, and quality of life, mood, and experiences/challenges of the carer. These data will be collected during home visits at baseline, and three and six months post-baseline. DiscussionDespite growing public interest in the positive effects of singing, and encouraging findings from qualitative and non-randomised quantitative studies, there is a lack of rigorous evidence. This is the first randomised controlled trial of community group singing for people with dementia in Europe, to our knowledge. If the results favour a full trial, conclusively demonstrating the effectiveness of group singing could positively affect the opportunities available to community-dwelling people with dementia and their carers.Trial RegistrationUnique identification number in ISRCTN registry: ISRCTN10201482 https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN10201482. Date registered: 12/05/2020
Physical Fitness and Cardiometabolic Risk in Seven to Nine Years Old&nbsp;Children
Authors: Weisstaub Gerardo , Gonzalez Maria Angelica , Hermoso Antonio Garcia , Salazar Gabriela 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Obesity and lower physical fitness levels in children are related to the development of cardiometabolic risk. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship of cardio-metabolic risk and physical fitness in school children from Santiago de Chile.Methods: Physical fitness was assessed as cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength. Fitness was measured using the six-minute-walk-test and muscle strength was assessed by hand grip and standing lung jump. Overweight (≥ 1 SD) and obesity (≥ 2 SD) were determined by body mass index. A cross sectional study was done in 452 children (185 boys and 267 girls), age range (7-9 years). Cardio-metabolic-risk (serum glucose, triglycerides, HDL, insulin) and waist for height ratio was expressed as z score. Data was analyzed using bivariate analysis and multiple and logistic regression.Results: A 21% were obese and 27% overweight. Children with high body fat and low cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength had an OR of 6.8-fold (IC 95% 3.4 to 13.9) cardiometabolic risk z-score, compared to those most fit.Conclusion: School children with higher body fat and lower physical fitness had increased cardio-metabolic-risk-score. No significant difference in cardio-metabolic risk in the non-obese children was found independent of their physical fitness.
Synthesis, Characterisation and Cytotoxicity of Gold Nanowires for Ultra-Sensitive Biosensor Development
Authors: Lah Nurul Akmal Che , Gray Robert , Trigueros Sonia 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
With the long-term goal of developing an ultra-sensitive microcantilever-based nano biosensor for versatile biomarker detection, new controlled bioreceptor-analytes systems are being explored to overcome the disadvantages of conventional ones. Gold nanowires (AuNWs) have been used as a probe to overcome the tolerance problem that occurs in response to changes in environmental conditions. However, the cytotoxicity of AuNWs is still unclear. Here, we examined the cytotoxicity of AuNWs systems using both commercial and as-synthesised AuNWs. In vitro experiments show that commercial AuNWs with an average quoted length of 6 µm are highly toxic against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) at 50 µg/ml. However, this toxicity is due to the presence of CTAB surfactant not by the nanostructure. Conversely, the as-synthesised AuNWs with an average length of 9.5 µm show non-cytotoxicity even at the maximum viable concentration (330µg/ml). These findings may lead to the development of potentially life-saving cytotoxicity -free nano biosensors for an early diagnostic of potential diseases.
Broncho-alveolar inflammation in COVID-19 patients: a correlation with clinical outcome&nbsp;
Authors: pandolfi laura , Tommaso Fossali , Vanessa Frangipane , Sara Bozzini , Monica Morosini , Maura D’Amato , Sara Lettieri , Mario Urtis , Alessandro Di Toro , Laura Saracino , Elena Percivalle , Stefano Tomaselli , Lorenzo Cavagna , Emanuela Cova , Francesco Mojoli , Paola Bergomi , Davide Ottolina , Daniele Lilleri , Guido Corsico Angelo , Eloisa Arbustini , Riccardo Colombo , Federica Meloni 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) rapidly reached pandemic proportions. Given that the main target of SARS-CoV-2 are lungs leading to severe pneumonia with hyperactivation of the inflammatory cascade, we conducted a prospective study to assess alveolar inflammatory status in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. Methods: Diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in 33 adult patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection by real-time PCR on nasopharyngeal swab admitted to the Intensive care unit (ICU) (n=28) and to the Intermediate Medicine Ward (IMW) (n=5). We analyze the differential cell count, ultrastructure of cells and Interleukin(IL)6, 8 and 10 levels.Results: ICU patients showed a marked increase in neutrophils (1.24 x 105 ml-1 , 0.85-2.07), lower lymphocyte (0.97 x 105 ml-1, 0.024-0.34) and macrophages fractions (0.43 x 105 ml-1, 0.34-1.62) compared to IMW patients (0.095 x 105 ml-1, 0.05-0.73; 0.47 x 105 ml-1, 0.28-1.01 and 2.14 x 105 ml-1, 1.17-3.01, respectively) (p<0.01). Study of ICU patients BAL by electron transmission microscopy showed viral particles inside mononuclear cells confirmed by immunostaining with anti-viral capsid and spike antibodies. IL6 and IL8 were significantly higher in ICU patients than in IMW (IL6 p<0.01, IL8 p<0.0001), and also in patients who did not survive (IL6 p < 0.05, IL8 p = 0.05 vs. survivors). IL10 did not show a significant variation between groups. Dividing patients by treatment received, lower BAL concentrations of IL6 were found in patients treated with steroids as compared to those treated with tocilizumab (p<0.1) or antivirals (p<0.05). Conclusions: Alveolitis, associated with COVID-19, is mainly sustained by innate effectors which showed features of extensive activation. The burden of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL6 and IL8 in the broncho-alveolar environment is associated with clinical outcome.
Quantitative DCE-MRI : An efficient diagnostic technique for evaluating early micro-environment permeability changes in ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Yang Hui , Jiang Ling , Li Jiang , Zheng Xiuzhu , Yao Qianqian , Li Changqin , Zhu Jianzhong , Qin Jian 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: In the management of early inflammatory joint of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), there is a need for reliable noninvasive quantitative monitoring biomarker to closely assess status of synovitis progression. Cognizant to this studies geared on improving techniques for quantitative evaluation of micro-environment permeability of the joint space are necessary. Such improved techniques may provide tissue perfusion as important biological parameters and can further help in understanding the origin of early changes associated with AS.Aims: To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance and determine longitudinal relationships of early micro-environment active in the joint space of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) with a rat model by using quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI).Methods: Thirty wistar male rats were randomly assigned to the model (n= 15) or control (n = 15) group. All rats underwent DCE-MRI of SIJ region at fixed time points(12, 17 and 22 weeks),between September 2018 and October 2019. Differences in permeability parameters between the two groups at the same time point were compared by using an independent samples t test. Spearman correlations of DCE-MRI parameters with different time points in model group were analyzed. All statistical analyses were performed with software.Results: At 12 weeks, the Ktrans,Kep and Ve values in the model group were slightly lower than those in control group, but all the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05).Compared with control group, the transfer constant (Ktrans)values increased significantly at 17 weeks and 22 weeks in model group, while the rate constant (Kep) and volume of extravascular extracellular space(Ve) significantly increased only at 22 weeks(p<0.05).The Ktrans,Kep and Ve were positively correlated with increasing time points (r=0.946, P＜0.01 for Ktrans; r=0.945, P＜0.01 for Kep; and r= 0.832, P＜0.01 for Ve).Conclusions: Quantitative DCE-MRI parameters are valuable for evaluating the early longitudinal relationship of micro-environment permeability changes in the joint space of SIJ.
Expanded circulating follicular dendritic cells facilitate immune responses in chronic HBV infection
Authors: Li Xiaoyi , Zhang Qifan , Zhang Wanyue , Ye Guofu , Ma Yanchen , Wen Chunhua , Gu Shuqin , Tang Libo , Li Yongyin 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: The restoration of host hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific antiviral immunity is an effective strategy for hepatitis B recovery. Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) play a crucial role in immune regulation. The goal of the present study was to investigate the characteristics and functions of FDCs in chronic HBV infection. Methods: The frequencies of FDCs in peripheral blood, liver, and spleen were measured in patients with chronic HBV infection. Isolated FDCs from splenic tissues of HBV-related liver cirrhosis-induced hypersplenism patients were cultured with autologous intrasplenic CD4 + T cells and CD19 + B cells.Results: We found that patients with chronic HBV infection had a significantly increased frequency of circulating FDCs compared with that of healthy controls. Additionally, the frequency of circulating FDCs was positively correlated with that of intrahepatic and intrasplenic counterparts. Moreover, a positive correlation between the frequency of circulating FDCs and plasmablast and memory B cells, as well as C-X-C motif chemokine receptor type 5 (CXCR5) + CD4 + T cells and CXCR5 + CD8 + T cells was also observed. Notably, in vitro experiments demonstrated that FDCs derived from splenic tissues of chronic HBV patients facilitated interferon-γ and interleukin-21 production from autologous intrasplenic CD4 + T cells and promoted the proliferation of autologous intrasplenic CD19 + B cells. Conclusions: Expanded FDCs in patients with chronic HBV infection may favor the host immune responses against HBV. The identification of this unique population may contribute to a better understanding of the immune regulatory mechanisms and provide a potential immunotherapeutic target in chronic HBV infection.