bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The clinical application of a scoring protocol to select endarterectomy or stenting for carotid artery stenosis
Authors: Chung Joonho , Kim Jung-Jae , Kim Yong Bae , Suh Sang Hyun , Lee Kyung-Yul 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Our group previously described the protocol-based decision for choosing the proper surgical treatment option for carotid artery stenosis. The objective of this study is to describe our experiences of using this scoring protocol in the selection of endarterectomy or stenting for carotid artery stenosis. Methods Between October 2014 and March 2018, the scoring protocol was applied to a total of 105 consecutive patients. Eighty (76.2%) patients had symptomatic stenosis ≥50%, and 25 (23.8%) patients had asymptomatic stenosis ≥80%. We also speculated about how effectively the protocol worked in the real clinical setting. Results Stenting was performed in 73 patients and endarterectomy in 32 patients. Overall, 98 (93.3%) patients were treated according to the protocol, while the protocol was violated in seven (6.7%) patients. Sixty-one (58.1%) patients received treatments that were decided by the protocol. There were 37 (35.2%) patients who had the same score for both treatment options. Among these patients, 28 patients underwent stenting and nine patients underwent endarterectomy. In the stenting cases, 90.4% of the patients followed the protocol and violations occurred in 9.6%. In the endarterectomy cases, all of the patients followed the protocol. Overall, one patient had a procedure-related complication without morbidity. During the 12-month follow-ups, there were no restenoses or major strokes. Minor strokes were diagnosed in three (2.8%) patients. Conclusion In patients with carotid artery stenosis, stenting and endarterectomy should be considered simultaneously together, not against each other. Our scoring protocol can be used to weigh these options and applied in clinical practice.
Investigation of thermochemical process of coal particle packed bed reactions for the development of UCG
Authors: Sutardi Tata , Wang Linwei , Karimi Nader , Paul Manosh C 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
In this study, a packed bed reactor is developed to investigate the gasification process of coal particles. The effects of coal particle size and heater temperature of reactor are examined to identify the thermochemical processes through the packed bed. Three different coal samples with varying size, named as A, B, and C, are used, and the experimental results show that the coal packed bed with smaller size has higher temperature, reaching 624oC, 582oC, and 569oC for coal A, B, and C respectively. In the case of CO formation, the smaller particle size has greater products in the unit of mole fraction over the area of generation. However, the variation in the porosity of the coal packed bed due to different particle sizes affects the reactions through the oxygen access. Consequently, the CO formation is least from the coal packed bed formed by the smallest particle size A. A second test with the temperature variations shows that the higher heater temperature promotes the chemical reactions, resulting in the increased gas products. The findings indicate the important role of coal seam porosity in UCG (underground coal gasification) application, as well as temperature to promote the syngas productions.
Application Of The Z And Laplace Transforms To Panification Yeast Production Using An Airlift Bioreactor
Authors: Oliveira Arnaldo Silva , Neto Juan C. B. , Santos Igor J. B. , Nucci Edson R. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The Z- and Laplace transforms are mathematical techniques applied to solve difference equations and differential equations, respectively. Mathematical models used to describe cell growth, substrate consumption and product formation in bioprocesses can be represented by these types of equations. Thus, in this work, the fermentation process of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was modeled using different models from the literature, and the Z- and Laplace transforms were applied to solve the equations. Once the equations were solved, the models were represented in state space and simulated in Octave® software. Finally, the models were compared to experimental data from previous studies and to each other. Verhulst was the model that best described the process, with an average error of 4.74% for cell growth and 13.9% for substrate consumption. This work is unprecedented since no works that use the Z transform and discrete models for the representation of fermentation of this yeast were found in the literature. Even more importantly, this work proved that discrete-time models can be applied to bioprocesses with the same precision as continuous-time models.
Assessing the Usability of Complex Psychosocial Interventions: The Intervention Usability Scale
Authors: Lyon Aaron R , Pullmann Michael D. , Jacobson Jedediah , Osterhage Katie , Achkar Morhaf Al , Renn Brenna N. , Munson Sean A. , Areán Patricia A. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Usability – the extent to which an intervention can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction – is a key determinant of implementation success. However, usability is rarely assessed in implementation research and no instruments have been developed to measure the design quality of complex health interventions, such as the evidence-based psychosocial interventions that characterize the majority of effective practices in mental and behavioral health services. This study evaluated the structural validity of the Intervention Usability Scale (IUS), an adapted version of the well-established System Usability Scale for digital technologies, when measuring the usability of complex health interventions. Prior studies of the original System Usability Scale have found both one- and two-factor solutions, both of which were examined in the current study of the IUS. Methods A survey was administered to 205 healthcare professionals working at 11 primary care sites. Surveys collected demographic information, including each participant’s professional role (i.e., medical provider, mental/behavioral health provider, pharmacist), and IUS ratings for one of six common evidence-based psychosocial interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing) that they reported using most regularly. Factor analyses replicated the procedures used in prior research on the System Usability Scale, and a sensitivity analysis using analyses of variance compared IUS scores across different groups of respondents and interventions assessed. Results Analyses indicated that a two-factor solution (with “usable” and “learnable” subscales) in which one item was removed best fit the data. This solution accounted for 52.6% of the variance observed. Inter-item reliabilities for the total score, usable subscale, and learnable subscale were α = .83, α = .82, and α = .63, respectively. Resulting scores indicated that usability ranged from below acceptable standards to good, depending on the intervention. On average, behavioral health providers found the interventions to be more usable that other types of healthcare providers. Conclusions The current study provides evidence for a two-factor IUS structure consistent with some prior research, as well as acceptable reliability and sensitivity to role and intervention. Future directions for implementation research evaluating the usability of complex health interventions are discussed.
Tumor-suppressor miRNA-27b-5p regulates the growth and metastatic behaviors of ovarian carcinoma cells by targeting CXCL1
Authors: Qin Shan Yong , Liu Min Wei 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial functions in the progression of ovarian cancer. MiR-27b has been identified as cancer-associated miRNA. Nevertheless, the expression profile of microRNA-27b-5p (miR-27b-5p) and its functions in ovarian cancer are unexplored. Here, we demonstrated that miR-27b-5p was downregulated in ovarian carcinoma cells and clinical specimens. Higher expression of miR-27b-5p was allied to an unfavorable overall survival in ovarian cancer patient. Upregulation of miR-27b-5p decreased the viability, migration ability and invasion capacity of SKOV3 and A2780 cell. MiR-27b-5p also inhibited the growth of SKOV3 cell in nude mice. Additionally, we verified that C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) was a target of miR-27b-5p in ovarian carcinoma cell. Restoring the expression of CXCL1 abolished the inhibitory impacts of miR-27b-5p in ovarian cancer carcinoma cell. This research revealed that miR-27b-5p restrained the progression of ovarian carcinoma possibly via targeting CXCL1.
Soil Carbon Sequestration, CO2 Emission, and Soil Quality under Smallholder Farmers’ Fields in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Laekemariam Fanuel 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
BackgroundSoil organic carbon (SOC) is key indicator of soil quality and health. It has quite a lot of benefits to the ecosystem. Information on the magnitude of carbon pool under field scale of subsistence farms is scanty. This study was aimed to assess SOC storage, CO2 emissions and soil quality, under different fields in smallholder farms of southern Ethiopia. Five fields within a farm were investigated viz. coffee (Coffea arabica L.), enset (Ensete ventricosum), root and tuber crop field (RTC), cereal and pulse field (main field) and fallow land. For each field, eight representative farms that make a total of 40 farms were randomly selected. Surface soil samples were collected, and analyzed to determine soil physico-chemical properties. SOC stock (t ha-1), C-sequestration, and CO2 emission were also computed.ResultsThe result showed that the field that sequestered more OC and emitted less CO2 was Coffee > Enset > RTC > main field > fallow land. C-stock and sequestration (t/ha) magnitude was being: coffee (81.4, 298.5), enset (75.5, 277.0), RTC (68.8, 252.6), main field (57.5, 211.0) and fallow (43.3, 159). Using coffee field as least CO2 emitter and as the base value for comparison, the percentage increment in CO2 emission out of the sequestered carbon was 7.2% (enset), 15.4% (RTC), 29.3% (main field) and 46.7% (Fallow).The result regarding soil quality further revealed significant differences in almost all of investigated parameters. The minimum and maximum values being recorded in all fields were: bulk density (BD) (1.05, 1.29 gm cm-3), pH (6.1, 7.0), SOC (1.1, 2.48%), TN (0.09-0.19%), available P (1.1, 70.9 mg/kg), total exchangeable bases (9.5, 20.5 Cmolc/kg), K/Mg (0.37,1.02), B (0.4, 1.2 mg/kg) Cu (0.32, 0.91 mg/kg), Zn (5, 20.5 mg/kg), Fe (105.5, 133.8 mg/kg) and CEC (18.6, 27.5 mg/kg). Fields in the backyard (enset and coffee) showed lowest BD and maximum values of soil chemical properties. On contrary, highest BD and lowest values of chemical parameter were observed in main and fallow fields. Soil deterioration index (%) relative to coffee field for OC, N, P, and K in their order was as follows: enset [-2.8, 0, 254.5, 23.1], RTC [-17.7, -31.6, -59.5, -34.6], main field [-35, -47.4,-79, -46] and fallow [-55.7, -52.6, -94.5,and -76.9].ConclusionDifferent fields within smallholder farms exhibited significant variation in amount of carbon sequestered, CO2 emission, soil degradation and soil quality. Thus, climate smart soil management practices that would enhance SOC and simultaneously increasing soil quality is suggested e.g., integrated nutrient management.
Forced exercise activates the NrF2 pathway in the striatum and ameliorates motor and behavioral manifestations of Parkinson's disease in rotenone-treated rats
Authors: Monir Dina , Mahmoud Motamed , Galal Omyma , Rehan Ibrahim , Abdelrahman Amany 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons leading to dopamine depletion and problems of movement, emotions and cognition. While the pathogenesis of PD is not clear, damage of dopaminergic neurons by oxygen-derived free radicals is considered an important contributing mechanism.This study aimed to evaluate the role of treadmill exercise in male Wister rats as a single treatment and as an aid-therapy with L-dopa for rotenone-induced PD. To study the role of NRF2-ARE pathway as a mechanism involved in exercise associated improvement in rotenone rat model of PD.Method: Animals were divided into 5 groups, (Control, rotenone, rotenone\exercise, rotenone\L-dopa, and rotenone\exercise\L-dopa (combination) groups). After the PD induction, rats in the rotenone\exercise and combination groups were daily treadmill exercised for 4 weeks.Results: Treadmill exercise significantly improved behavioral and motor aspects of rotenone model of PD. When treadmill exercise introduced as a single intervention, it amended most behavioral aspects of PD, gait fully corrected, short-term memory, and motor coordination. Where L-dopa corrected locomotor activity and motor co-ordination but failed to improve short-term memory and only partially corrected the gait of rotenone-treated rats. When treadmill exercise was combined with L-dopa, all features of PD were corrected. It was found that exercise upregulated some of its associative genes to NRF2 pathways such as TFAM, NRF2, Noq.1 mRNA expression.Conclusion: This study suggests that forced exercise improved parkinsonian like features by activating NRF2 pathway.
Correlation of Resting Heart Rate with Anthropometric Factors and Serum Biomarkers in a Population-based Study: Fasa PERSIAN Cohort Study
Authors: Goorakani Yashar , Rahimabadi Massih Sedigh , Dehghan Azizallah , Kazemi Maryam , Chijan Mahsa Rostami , Asl Mostafa Bizhani , Shahraki Hadi Raeisi , Davoodi Ali , Farjam Mojtaba , Homayounfar Reza 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThere is a positive association between raised resting heart rate (RHR), and all causes of mortality and shorter life expectancy. Several serum biomarkers and some anthropometric factors can affect the resting heart rate. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of resting heart rate in a large random sample of the Iranian population.Material and MethodsIt is a standardized, retrospective study and the subjects were chosen from the baseline survey of the Prospective Epidemiological Research Study in IrAN (PERSIAN) Fasa non-communicable disease cohort study. It was conducted from winter 2014 to summer 2019 and after obtaining informed consent from a random sample, all the eligible subjects were enrolled. All anthropometric factors and biologic laboratory factors were collected and analyzed by implement smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) linear regression and SCAD quantile regression. The comparisons between males and females were done via independent T-test.Results & ConclusionA total number of 9975 persons were included. The overall median resting heart rate was 74 (interquartile range:66-80). Mean age has no important difference between males and females (P=0.79) but, resting heart rate was significantly higher in females (76.6 versus 71.4, P<0.001). All anthropometric factors except wrist circumference were higher in females (P<0.05). Age has an adverse effect on resting heart rate and also, there was direct association between resting heart rate and systolic blood pressure and blood glucose. Alpha-blockers (coefficient=5.2) and Beta1-blockers (coefficient=-2.2) were the most effective drugs with positive and negative effects on resting heart rate respectively. Lower hemoglobin, obesity and more body mass index, and more low-density lipoprotein were associated with more resting heart rate.Continuing the monitoring of this sample via our cohort study and put to action multinational prospective researches with large sample sizes and long follow-ups can lead to more precise results and better scientific judgments.
Resistance to Antihypertensive Drugs Targeting Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System in Cancer patients: A Case Series
Authors: GOEL Mishita , Varandani Rajiv , Okwuosa Tochukwu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Hypertension impacts overall prognosis in cancer patients. There are no specific recommendations for its management in these patients. We report a case series of 5 cancer patients with suboptimal BP lowering and even worsening BP with ACEi or ARBs that improved to normal upon discontinuation of these drugs.
Long noncoding RNA MAPKAPK5-AS1 promotes colorectal carcinogenesis by cis-regulating the nearby gene MK5 and acting as a let-7f-1-3p sponge
Authors: Yang Ting , Chen Wei-Cong , Shi Pei-Cong , Liu Man-Ru , Jiang Tao , Song Hu , Wang Jia-Qi , Fan Rui-Zhi , Pei Dong-Sheng , Song Jun 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are considered critical regulators in cancers; however, the clinical significance and mechanisms of MAPKAPK5-AS1 (MK5-AS1) in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain mostly unknown.Methods: In this study, quantitative real-time PCR ( qPCR ) and western blotting were utilized to detect the levels of MK5-AS1, let-7f-1-3p and MK5 (MAPK activated protein kinase 5) in CRC tissues and cell lines. The biological functions of MK5-AS1, let-7f-1-3p and MK5 in CRC cells were explored using Cell Counting Kit-8 ( CCK8 ), colony formation and transwell assays. The potential mechanisms of MK5-AS1 were evaluated by RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation ( RIP ), dual luciferase reporter assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation ( CHIP ) and bioinformatics analysis. The effects of MK5-AS1 and MK5 on CRC were investigated by a xenotransplantation model. Results : We confirmed that MK5-AS1 was significantly increased in CRC tissues. Knockdown of MK5-AS1 suppressed cell migration and invasion in vitro and inhibited lung metastasis in mice. Mechanistically, MK5-AS1 regulated SNAI1 expression by sponging let-7f-1-3p and cis -regulated the adjacent gene MK5. Moreover, MK5-AS1 recruited RBM4 and eIF4A1 to promote the translation of MK5. Our study verified that MK5 promoted the phosphorylation of c-Jun, which activated the transcription of SNAI1 by directly binding to its promoter.Conclusions : MK5-AS1 cis -regulated the nearby gene MK5 and acted as a let-7f-1-3p sponge, playing a vital role in CRC tumorigenesis. This study could provide novel insights into molecular therapeutic targets of CRC.
Neurocognitive robot-assisted rehabilitation of hand function: a randomized control trial on motor recovery in subacute stroke
Authors: Ranzani Raffaele , Lambercy Olivier , Metzger Jean-Claude , Califfi Antonella , Regazzi Stefania , Dinacci Daria , Petrillo Claudio , Rossi Paolo , Conti Fabio M. , Gassert Roger 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Hand function is often impaired after stroke, strongly affecting the ability to perform daily activities. Upper limb robotic devices have been developed to complement rehabilitation therapy offered to persons who suffered a stroke, but they rarely focus on the training of hand sensorimotor function. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate whether robot-assisted therapy of hand function following a neurocognitive approach (i.e., combining motor training with somatosensory and cognitive tasks) produces an equivalent decrease in upper limb motor impairment compared to dose-matched conventional neurocognitive therapy, when embedded in the rehabilitation program of inpatients in the subacute stage after stroke. Methods: A parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted on subjects with subacute stroke receiving either conventional or robot-assisted neurocognitive hand therapy using a haptic device. Therapy was provided for 15, 45-minute sessions over four weeks, nested within the standard therapy program. Primary outcome was the change from baseline in the upper extremity part of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE) after the intervention, which was compared between groups using equivalence testing. Secondary outcome measures included upper limb motor, sensory and cognitive assessments, delivered therapy dose, as well as questionnaires on user technology acceptance. Results: 33 participants with stroke were enrolled. 14 subjects in the robot-assisted and 13 subjects in the conventional therapy group completed the study. At the end of intervention, week 8 and week 32, the robot-assisted/conventional therapy group improved by 7.14/6.85, 7.79/7.31, and 8.64/8.08 points on the FMA-UE, respectively, establishing that motor recovery in the robot-assisted group is non-inferior to that in the control group. Conclusions: Neurocognitive robot-assisted therapy of hand function allows for a non-inferior motor recovery compared to conventional dose-matched neurocognitive therapy when performed during inpatient rehabilitation in the subacute stage. This allows the early familiarization of subjects with stroke to the use of such technologies, as a first step towards minimal therapist supervision in the clinic, or directly at home after hospital discharge, to help increase the dose of hand therapy for persons with stroke. Trial registration: EUDAMED database (CIV-13-02-009921), clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02096445). Registered 26 March 2014 – Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02096445
Application of advanced molecular techniques to detect vector borne pathogens from stray dogs and cats in two different climatic zones of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alanazi Abdullah D , Šlapeta Jan , Alouffi Abulaziz , Calvani Nichola , Alyousif Mohamed , Alshahrani Mohammad , Alanazi Ibrahim 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Vector-borne diseases have been increasing worldwide and reported in many animals including dogs and cats. Limited or no data are currently available regarding canine and feline vector-borne diseases in Saudi Arabia and limited information is available from other Middle Eastern countries. The aim of this study was to compare vector-borne disease prevalence between two bio-climatically distinct regions of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh province that is arid positioned at low elevation and Asir province that is humid at high elevation. Methods: Blood samples from 74d ogs from Riyadh province and 70 dogs and 44 cats from Asirprovince were collected and examined for the presence of genomic DNA of Babesias pp, Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichias pp., Bartonella spp., Mycoplasma spp., and Hepatozoon spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Multiplex-tandem PCR (MT-PCR) and Sanger sequencing.Results: Seventy four dogs were tested from Riyadh province and found be negative of any pathogen. Of the 70 dogs examined from Asir province 45(64.3%) were positive. Specifically, 40 (57.1%) dogs were positive for A.platys, 20 (28.5%) for B.vogeli, 11(15.7%) for My.Haemocanis, two (2.85%) for Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum and one (1.4%) for Br.henselae. Fourteen out of 44 cats (31.8%) were positive for one of the detected vector-borne pathogens. Six cats (13.6%) were positive for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum and My.haemofelis, respectively, four cats (9.2%) were positive for Br.Henselae, two (4.54%) for Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum and one (2.27%) for A. platys. Conclusions: The results of this study report the occurrence of A. platys, B. vogeli, Br. henselae, and My. haemocanis in dogs and of A. platys, Br. henselae, My.haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum in cats from Asir province Further molecular investigations are strongly recommended in order to reduce the risk of dogs and cats acquiring vector-borne diseases in Saudi Arabia.