bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact on Quality of Life 3 Years After Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer Patients: An Observational Case-Control Study
Authors: Houédé Nadine , Rébillard Xavier , Bouvet Sophie , Kabani Sarah , Fabbro-Peray Pascale , Trétarre Brigitte , Ménégaux Florence 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Prostate cancer patients are known to suffer from poor sexual and urinary long-term side-effects following treatment, potentially impacting quality of life. The purpose of our study was to compare health-related quality of life at 3 years between prostate cancer patients and healthy controls according to key life-style characteristics. Secondary objectives were to compare urological dysfunction, sexual function, anxiety and depression.Methods Multicentric, case-control, observational prospective, open, follow-up study including 819 prostate cancer patients < 75 years old from the EPICAP cohort newly diagnosed from 1 December 2011 to 31 March 2014 and 879 healthy controls. Participants were excluded if they experienced a relapse. Controls from the same geographical region were age-matched and were excluded if they were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Patients received one of the following treatments: active surveillance (AS), radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), High-intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), chemotherapy (CT), or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) as appropriate. The primary outcome was the quality of life as evaluated by the QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Scores were analyzed by multivariate analysis to adjust for predefined socio-demographic confounding effects.Results In total, 564 participants were included (mean age 67.9 years): 376 patients and 188 controls. Treatment breakdown was: 258 underwent RP, 90 received EBRT, 52 brachytherapy or HIFU, 15 CT, 26 ADT and 61 AS. There was no difference in median global quality of life between patients and controls (94.87 vs 94.15, p = 0.71). Multivariate analysis showed poorer social functioning in patients (24.3% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.0209), more dyspnea (22% vs. 12.4%, p = 0.0078), and yet less current pain (23% vs 33%, p = 0.0151).Conclusions Global health status score at 3 years after diagnosis was similar between patients and controls, though patients showed a significantly worse social functioning. Prostate cancer diagnosis per se does not impact the quality of life of patients. However, the therapeutic option that will be chosen following diagnosis should be carefully discussed with the medical staff in terms of benefit-risk ratios as it could have a long-term impact on urinary or erectile dysfunction.Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02854982. Registered 4 August 2016 – retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02854982
Sectoral output Volatility and Economic growth in Ethiopia
Authors: Abebaw Adisu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
In this study we examined the determinants of economic growth, and the effect of sectoral output volatility on economic growth of Ethiopia using national bank of Ethiopia (NBE) and the World Bank (WB) time series data ranging from 1981 to 2018. We included capital stock, working age population, trade balance and, sectoral output volatility as an explanatory variable. The sectoral output volatility was computed using Exponential General Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (EGARCH) technique. Estimating three different ARDL models, we found long run relationship between economic growth and explanatory variables. From the long run ARDL model economic growth was positively and statistically significantly affected by capital stock—both in the long run and in the short run. In the long run trade balance (which has been negative throughout the study period) was found to have negative and statistically significant effect on economic growth. In the long-run volatility of industrial and service sector output growth was found to have negative and statistically significant effect on economic growth of Ethiopia. However, the study proved that the working age of population had no statistically significant effect on economic growth of Ethiopia. As the economy exhibits structural transformation from the agricultural to modern sectors the relative significance of sectors also change. In recent years the role of agriculture to Ethiopian economy, particularly in terms contribution to the national GDP has been declining—indicating the growing importance of service and industrial sectors. Therefore, smoothening and maintaining the positive sectoral output growth is advisable for the betterment of the economy. In addition, balancing the foreign trade, specially augmenting and diversifying of the export structure, and curbing of unrestricted importation of goods, is recommended as long as economic growth is concerned.
Wearable Hip-assist Robot Modulates Cortical Activation during Gait in Stroke Patients: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study
Authors: Lee Su-Hyun , Lee Hwang-Jae , Shim Youngbo , Chang Won Hyuk , Choi Byung-Ok , Ryu Gyu-Ha , Kim Yun-Hee 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
BackgroundGait dysfunction is common in post-stroke patients as a result of impairment in cerebral gait mechanism. Powered robotic exoskeletons are promising tools to maximize neural recovery by delivering repetitive walking practice.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the modulating effect of the Gait Enhancing and Motivating System-Hip (GEMS-H) on cortical activation during gait in patients with chronic stroke. Methods. Twenty chronic stroke patients performed treadmill walking at a self-selected speed either with assistance of GEMS-H (GEMS-H) or without assistance of GEMS-H (NoGEMS-H). Changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb) concentration in the bilateral primary sensorimotor cortex (SMC), premotor cortices (PMC), supplemental motor areas (SMA), and prefrontal cortices (PFC) were recorded using functional near infrared spectroscopy.ResultsWalking with the GEMS-H promoted symmetrical SMC activation, with more activation in the affected hemisphere than in NoGEMS-H conditions. GEMS-H also decreased oxyHb concentration in the late phase over the ipsilesional SMC and bilateral SMA.ConclusionsThe results of the present study reveal that the GEMS-H promoted more SMC activation and a balanced activation pattern that helped to restore gait function. Less activation in the late phase over SMC and SMA during gait with GEMS-H indicates that GEMS-H reduces the cortical participation of stroke gait by producing rhythmic hip flexion and extension movement and allows a more coordinate and efficient gait patterns.Clinical trial registration: NCT03048968. Registered 09 February 2017
Radiological Features on HRCT and RT-PCR Testing for the Diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China: A Comparative Study of 78 Cases in Pregnant Women
Authors: Deng Ming , Sun Wenbo , Hu Jinxiang , Mei Liejun , Weng Dinghu , Liu Bo , Xu Haibo 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
BackgroundIn the past four months, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health threat. In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, pneumonia is a critical disease that threatens the health of pregnant women and fetuses. We aimed to evaluate the quantitative parameters of CT scans performed on pregnant women with COVID-19 who had different reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results.MethodsPregnant women with suspected cases of COVID-19 pneumonia (confirmed by next-generation sequencing or RT-PCR) who underwent high-resolution lung CT scans were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were grouped based on the results of the RT-PCR and the first CT scan: group 1 (double positive patients; positive RT-PCR and CT scan) and group 2 (negative RT-PCR and positive CT scan). The imaging features and their distributions were extracted and compared between the two groups.ResultsSeventy-eight patients were admitted to the hospital between Dec 20, 2019, and Feb 29, 2020. The mean age of the patients was 31.82 years (SD 4.1, ranged from 21 to 46 years). The cohort included 14 (17.95%) patients with a positive RT-PCR test and 64 (82.05%) with a negative RT-PCR test, there were 37 (47.44%) patients with a positive CT scan, and 41 (52.56%) patients with a negative CT scan. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of CT-based diagnosis of COVID-19 were 85.71%, 60.94%, 32.40%, 95.12% and 65.38%, respectively. COVID-19 pneumonia mainly involved the right lower lobe of the lung. There were 53 semi-quantitative and 59 quantitative parameters, which were compared between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the quantitative parameters. However, the Hellinger distance was significantly different between the two groups, albeit with a limited diagnostic value (AUC = 0.63).ConclusionsPregnant women with pneumonia usually present with typical abnormal signs on CT. Although multidimensional CT quantitative parameters are somewhat different between groups of patients with different RT-PCR results, it is still impossible to accurately predict whether the RT-PCR will be positive, which would allow for the earlier detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Protective Role of Panax Notoginseng Saponins in Hydrocortisone-Induced Injury in HBMECs by Promoting APOA1 Expression
Authors: Jin Zejian , Yan Fei , Song Hetian , Wang Yonggang , Bai Shun , Lan Zhongyu , Liu Bin , Miao Lei 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background

To evaluate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on hydrocortisone (HC)-induced injury in human bone microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs).HBMECs were isolated from femoral heads resected in total hip arthroplasty and identified by morphology and immunofluorescence.
Methods

HBMECs were injured by hydrocortisone (HC), treated with PNS in different concentrations, and transfected with APOA1 or siAPOA1 to explore the role of APOA1 in the process where PNS protected HC-injured HBMECs. The viability and apoptotic rate were determined by CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The migration and tube length of HBMECs were evaluated by wound healing and tube formation assays, respectively. The mRNA expression of APOA1 was determined by qRT-PCR. The proteins levels of APOA1, Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 were determined by Western blot.
Results

HBMECs exhibited spindle-shaped morphology. CD31 and vWF served as positive control and CD133 served as negative control. The viability of HBMCS inhibited by HC was balanced with the lower mRNA expression of APOA1 in a dose-dependent manner. PNS reversed the inhibitory effect of HC on the mRNA expression of APOP1, cell viability, migration, tube length, and the stimulative effect of HC on apoptosis of HBMECs. APOA1 overexpression further promoted the protective effect of PNS on HC-inhibited cell viability, migration and tube length, and HC-promoted apoptosis, whereas APOA1 silencing inhibited the protective effect of PNS and further promoted the adverse effect of HC on HBMECs.
Conclusion

PNS can efficiently suppress HC-induced injury in HBMECs, which may be associated with over-expressed APOA1.
Prevalence of antibodies against a cyclic peptide mimicking the FG loop of the human papillomavirus type 16 capsid among Tunisian women
Authors: Hassen Elham , Bansal Devendra , Ghdira Randa , Chaieb Anouar , Khairi Hedi , Zakhama Abdelfatteh , Remadi Sami , Hoebeke Johan , Sultan Ali A , Chouchane Lotfi 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background In the past decades, several studies have identified cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide and leading causes of death in developing countries. High-risk types of human papillomavirus (HR-HPV), mainly type 16, are the sexually transmitted agents etiologically linked to cervical cancer. The present epidemiological study aimed to investigate the efficacy of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and assessed host humoral immune response against the oncogenic HPV-16 infection using the cyclic synthetic peptide mimicking the FG loop of the major L1 capsid protein of the HPV-16 among Tunisian women. Methods The antibody responses against synthetic peptides mimicking the FG loop of the HPV l6 major capsid protein L1 in sera and cervical secretions among 179 Tunisian women were assessed by ELISA. HPV infection was examined by a polymerase chain reaction-based method. Results The frequency of systemic antibodies, in contrast to HPV-16 DNA prevalence, was higher in women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LGSIL) than in women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HGSIL) (43.7% versus 14.8%; P=0.04). Compared to women from the general population, systemic IgG response frequency was significantly higher among legal sex workers (25.5%; P=0.002) and women with LGSIL (43.7%; P=0.001). In addition, systemic IgA and local IgG responses were higher, only among legal sex workers (P=0.002 and P=0.001 respectively). Conclusions Overall, the frequency of HPV DNA detection was significantly higher among women with HGSIL. We did not observe a positive IgG response in women with a positive HPV-16 infection, suggesting that the anti-peptide antibodies are protective and confirm that the FG loop contains neutralizing epitopes. This could have implications for future monitoring of women to predict clinical outcome and for the design of synthetic peptide-based vaccine.
Prognostic significance of MYCN related genes in pediatric neuroblastoma: a study based on TARGET and GEO datasets
Authors: Wang Haiwei , Wang Xinrui , Xu Liangpu , Zhang Ji , Cao Hua 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Neuroblastoma patients with MYCN amplification are associated with poor prognosis. However, the prognostic relevance of MYCN associated genes in neuroblastoma is unclear.
Methods
The expression profiles of MYCN associated genes were identified from Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. The enriched transcription factors and signaling pathways were determined using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The Kaplan-Meier plotter was used to identify the prognostic relevance of MYCN associated genes. Multivariate cox regression and Spearman’s correlation were used to determine the correlation efficiency of MYCN associated genes.
Results
In TARGET and GSE85047 datasets, neuroblastoma patients with MYCN amplification were associated with worse prognosis. Transcription factor MYC was positively associated with MYCN amplification in GSEA assay. We identified 13 MYC target genes which were increased in neuroblastoma patients with MYCN amplification in TARGET, GSE19274 and GSE85047 datasets. Moreover, six out of the 13 MYC target genes ARMC6, DCTPP1, EIF4G1, ELOVL6, FBL and PRMT1 were associated with bad prognosis of neuroblastoma in TARGET and GSE85047 datasets. Transcription factor E2F1 was regulated by MYCN amplification and associated with the poor prognosis of neuroblastoma. Furthermore, RPS19 in ribosome signaling pathway was also associated with MYCN amplification and correlated with the poor prognosis of neuroblastoma. At last, we showed that most of MYCN target genes were correlated with each other. However, EIF4G1 was an independent prognostic marker. And the prognostic effects of the combination of MYCN amplification and EIF4G1 expression was more significant than MYCN or EIF4G1 alone.
Conclusions
MYCN target genes ARMC6, DCTPP1, EIF4G1, ELOVL6, FBL, PRMT1, E2F1 and RPS19 had significant prognostic effects in pediatric neuroblastoma patients.
Digital Restoration and 3D Printing of Porcelain
Authors: Lv Jie , Fu Jingjing 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Porcelain is a precious historical and cultural heritage of China and the world as a whole,as well as a treasure inherited from ancient Chinese art. Nevertheless, due to human activities, environmental changes and other factors, a multitude of porcelain cultural relics are undergoing destroy. Therefore, how to use modern science and technology to effectively inherit and protect this precious cultural heritage has become a major concern in human society. Digital protection of porcelain has attracted a board attention with the progress of 3D scanning modeling and 3D printing technology. Double-ear clashing color vase with lotus design is an elaborate Qing Dynasty porcelain unearthed in Anqing City, Anhui Province. Unfortunately, the bottleneck is defective, but its artistic value can be restored via 3D modeling, digital repair and 3D printing. This study attempts to display more historical information on this double-ear clashing color vase by 3D modeling and 3D printing technology, and to unveil the historical connotation behind this cultural relic.
Sigesbeckia glabrescens Makino extract attenuated the collagen-induced arthritis through inhibiting the synovial hyperplasia and inflammation
Authors: Ma Qiu Shuo , Linghu Ke-Gang , Zhang Tian , Zhao Guan Ding , Xiong Wei , Xiong Shi Hang , Zhao Ming Ming , XU Wei , Yu Juan , Wang Yitao , Yu Hua 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Sigesbeckia glabrescens Makino (SG) has been traditionally used for rheumatism and joint protection. However, the anti-arthritic effects and underling mechanisms of SG have not been demonstrated. In this study, we investigated the anti-arthritic effects and mechanisms of SG extract (SGE) on collagen-induced arthritic rats and interleukin (IL)- 1β-stimulated human synovial SW982 cells.
Methods
Rats were induced to arthritis by collagen for 15 days and then received SGE treatment for 35 days. The body weight and arthritis severity score of the rats were monitored weekly. At the end of the experiment, the radiographic and histological changes of rats’ hind paw were obtained; the cytokines expression in serum and joint muscles were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and the level of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the spleen was detected using flow cytometry. In addition, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and scratch wound healing assay were used to evaluate the proliferation of SW982 synovial cells. ELISA, western blot and immunofluorescence staining were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of SGE on IL-1β-induced SW982 cells.
Results
SGE attenuated the collagen-induced hind paw swelling, cartilage damage and bone erosion. SGE inhibited the synovial hyperplasia to the articular cavity in the toe joint and ankle. Moreover, SGE decreased the production of C-reactive protein in serum and the expression of IL-6 and IL-1β in the joint muscle. SGE also recovered the decreased Tregs. Results from the in vitro experiments showed that SGE not only inhibited the proliferation and migration of human synovial cell but also inhibited the IL-1β-induced expression of IL-6 and IL-8. Besides, SGE inhibited the activation of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2.
Conclusions
SGE attenuated the collagen-induced arthritis through inhibiting the synovial hyperplasia and inflammation.
Novel domain expansion methods to improve the computational efficiency of the solution of Chemical Master Equation for large biological networks.
Authors: Kosarwal Rahul , Kulasiri Don , Samarasinghe Sandhya 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Numerical solutions of the chemical master equation (CME) are important to understand the stochasticity of biochemical systems. However, solving CMEs is a formidable task due to the nonlinear nature of the reactions and size of the networks that result in different realisations and, most importantly, the exponential growth of the size of the state-space with respect to the number of different species in the system. When the size of the biochemical system is very large in terms of the number of variables, the solution to the CME becomes intractable. Therefore, we introduce the intelligent state projection (𝐼𝑆𝑃) method to use in the stochastic analysis of these systems. For any biochemical reaction network, it is important to capture more than one moment to describe the dynamic behaviour of the system. 𝐼𝑆𝑃 is based on a state-space search and the data structure standards of artificial intelligence (𝐴𝐼) to explore and update the states of a biochemical system. To support the expansion in 𝐼𝑆𝑃, we also develop a Bayesian likelihood node projection (𝐵𝐿𝑁𝑃) function to predict the likelihood of the states. Results: To show the acceptability and effectiveness of our method, we apply the 𝐼𝑆𝑃 to several biological models previously discussed in the literature. According to the results of our computational experiments, we show that 𝐼𝑆𝑃 is effective in terms of speed and accuracy of the expansion, accuracy of the solution, and provides a better understanding of the state-space of the system in terms of blueprint patterns. Conclusions: The 𝐼𝑆𝑃 is the de-novo method to address the accuracy as well as the performance problems for the solution of the CME. It systematically expands the projection space based on predefined inputs, which are useful in providing accuracy in the approximation and an exact analytical solution at the time of interest. The 𝐼𝑆𝑃 was more effective in terms of predicting the behaviour of the state-space of the system and in performance management, which is a vital step towards modelling large biochemical systems.
Direct comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and pathological shrinkage patterns of triple-negative breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Yoshikawa Katsuhiro , Ishida Mitsuaki , Kan Naoki , Yanai Hirotsugu , Tsuta Koji , Sekimoto Mitsugu , Sugie Tomoharu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background We aimed to investigate the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathological shrinkage patterns to formulate a predictive equation for estimating residual tumor size after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients.Methods We enrolled 34 TNBC patients who underwent MRI before and after NAC. The MRI and histopathological shrinkage patterns were analyzed and classified into five categories—types I and II (concentric shrinkage without or with surrounding lesions, respectively), type III (shrinkage with residual multinodular lesions), type IV (diffuse contrast enhancement in the entire quadrant), and non-visualization. The residual tumor sizes following MRI and histopathological examination were also compared.Results The most common MRI and histopathological shrinkage pattern was type I (41.2% and 38.2%, respectively), followed by non-visualization (26.5% and 32.4%, respectively); the concordance rate between MRI and histopathological shrinkage patterns was 41.2%. There was a strong correlation between MRI tumor size and pathological tumor size (r = 0.89). Based on these findings, a predictive equation for pathological tumor size was formulated as follows: pathological tumor size \left(mm\right) = 1.1502 \times \left(MRI tumor size \right[mm\left]\right) + 8.4277.Conclusions Our equation may aid accurate preoperative assessment. Further studies are needed to determine its predictive value and applicability.