bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the relationship between health status and simulated patient-care scenario performance among experienced paramedics.
Authors: Tremblay Mathieu , Albert Wayne J. , Fischer Steven L. , Beairsto Eric , Johnson Michel J. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is well known that health status of paramedics may be altered by their job demands. However, it is unknown whether health conditions have a negative impact on occupational performance. The goal of this study was to explore whether a paramedic’s health status affects performance during a patient-care simulation. More precisely, this paper aims to identify which health conditions (i.e., cardiovascular diseases (CVD), musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorders (GAD)) could be associated with negative performance. METHODS: Nineteen paramedics aged 38.2 ± 8.6 years old with 15.0 ± 8.7 years of paramedic experience participated in this study. Participants completed two assessments: i) health conditions measurements and ii) patient-care simulation. Heart rate variability (HRV), an indicator of vagal activity was collected during the patient-care simulation. The simulation was used in order to challenge experienced paramedics in a realistic setting. Based on the provincial standard of New Brunswick, an experienced paramedic instructor graded (passed or failed) the patient-care simulation using the provincial standard charts, videos and data from manikin. RESULTS: The current study suggests that only paramedics with self-reported elevated symptoms of PTSD were less likely to successfully complete the simulated patient-care scenario. An inhibition of the vagal activity was noted during the patient-care simulation among individuals identified with PTSD. No link was observed between physical health conditions (CVD, MSD) and simulated patient-care performance. Overall, paramedics who passed the patient-care simulation presented higher vagal activity during the patient assessment. CONCLUSIONS: This research suggests that the presence of self-reported elevated symptoms of PTSD negatively impacts paramedics’ performance during a stressful work task simulation. Therefore, to help paramedics maintain optimal performance, it may be important to ensure that paramedics have access to appropriate resources to monitor and improve their psychosocial health. Future studies should investigate more complex work tasks with larger sample sizes and more complex simulations.
Rotation and torsion of the left ventricle with cardiovascular magnetic resonance tagging: comparison of two analysis software
Authors: Lehmonen Lauri , Jalanko Mikko , Tarkiainen Mika , Kaasalainen Touko , Kuusisto Johanna , Lauerma Kirsi , Savolainen Sauli 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Left ventricle rotation and torsion are fundamental components of myocardial function, several software have been developed for the analysis of these components. Purpose of the study was to compare the suitability of two such software with different technical principles in analyzing rotation and torsion of the left ventricle during systole. Methods A group of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients (N = 14, age 43 ± 11 years), mutation carriers without hypertrophy (N = 10, age 34 ± 13 years) and healthy controls (N = 12, age 43 ± 17 years) underwent a cardiovascular magnetic resonance examination including spatial modulation of magnetization tagging sequences in basal and apical levels of the left ventricle. The tagging images were analyzed offline using a harmonic phase image analysis method with Gabor filtering, and with non-rigid registration based free-form deformation technique. Left-ventricle rotation and torsion scores were obtained from end-diastole to end-systole with both software.Results Analysis was successful in all cases with both software. End-systolic torsion values between the study groups were not statistically different, with either software. End-systolic apical rotation, end-systolic basal rotation, and end-systolic torsion were consistently higher in Segment compared to HPF (p < 0.0001). End-systolic rotation and torsion values had statistically significant correlations between the two software (p < 0.0001), most significant in the apical plane. Conclusions When comparing absolute values of rotation and torsion between different individuals, software specific reference values are required. Harmonic phase flow with Gabor filtering, and non-rigid registration-based analysis methods can both be used reliably in the analysis of systolic rotation and torsion patterns of the left ventricle.
Improving the diagnostic performance of CT image biomarkers in combination with clinical parameters for the common parotid tumors
Authors: Zhang Dan , Li Xiaojiao , Lv Liang , Yu Jiayi , Yang Chao , Xiong Hua , Liao Ruikun , Zhou Bi , Huang Xianlong , Liu Xiaoshuang , tang zhuoyue 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
ObjectiveTo develop and validate diagnostic models of the common parotid tumors based on whole-volume CT textural image biomarkers (IBMs) in combination with clinical parameters at a single institution.Methods The study cohort was composed of 51 pleomorphic adenoma (PA) patients and 42 Warthin tumor (WT) patients. Clinical parameters and conventional image features were scored retrospectively and textural IBMs were extracted from CT images of arterial phase . Independent-samples t test or Chi-square test was used for evaluating the significance of the difference among clinical parameters, conventional CT image features, and textural IBMs. The diagnostic performance of univariate model and multivariate model was evaluated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under ROC curve (AUC).Results Significant differences were found in clinical parameters (age, gender, disease duration, smoking), conventional image features (site, maximum diameter, time-density curve, peripheral vessels sign) and textural IBMs (mean, uniformity, energy, entropy) between PA group and WT group (P<0.05). ROC analysis showed that clinical parameter (age) and quantitative textural IBMs (mean, energy, entropy) were able to categorize the patients into PA group and WT group, with the AUC of 0.784, 0.902, 0.910, 0.805, respectively. When IBMs were added in clinical model, the multivariate models including age-mean, age-entropy, and age-energy performed significantly better than the univariate models with the improved AUC of 0.940, 0.944, 0.861, respectively (P<0.001).Conclusions Both clinical parameter and CT textural IBMs can be used for the preoperative, noninvasive diagnosis of parotid PA and WT. The diagnostic performance of textural IBM model was obviously better than that of clinical model and conventional image model in this study. While the multivariate model consisted of clinical parameter and textural IBM had the optimal diagnostic performance, which would contribute to the better selection of individualized surgery program.
Value of T1 Mapping on Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for Microvascular Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Rao chenyi , Wang Xinquan , Li Minda , Zhou Guofeng , Gu Hongmei 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: To evaluate the utility of non-invasive parameters driving from T1 mapping on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).Methods: A total of 94 patients with single HCC undergoing partial hepatectomy was included in the retrospective study, who underwent preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI combined with DWI and T1 mapping. Parameters including precontrast, postcontrast and reduction rate of T1 relaxation time and ADC values were measured for differentiating MVI-positive HCCs (n=38) from MVI-negative HCCs (n=56). The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was analyzed to compare the diagnostic performance of the calculated parameters.Results: The mean value of postcontrast T1 relaxation time were significantly higher in MVI-positive HCCs that MVI-negative HCCs (621.0 vs. 536.5, P <0.001). MVI-positive HCCs demonstrated significantly lower reduction rates of T1 relaxation time and lower ADC values than MVI-negative HCCs (39.4% vs 49.9, P<0.001; 1.495×10-3mm2/s vs 1.620×10-3mm2/s, P=0.003, respectively). The area under receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.587, 0.728, 0.824 and 0.690 for precontrast, postcontrast, reduction rate of T1 relaxation time and ADC, respectively. The reduction rate of T1 relaxation time was the most reliable feature with sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the cut-off value (44.9%) of 79.0%, 73.2%, 75.5%, respectively.Conclusions: Reduction rate of T1 relaxation time on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI holds promise for evaluating MVI status of HCC.
Low-cost and easily fabricated ultrasound-guided breast phantom for breast biopsy training
Authors: Ng Si Yen , Kuo Yao-Lung , Lin Chi-Lun 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: We developed an inexpensive and easy-to-fabricate gelatin-based breast biopsy training phantom and evaluated its effectiveness in improving the biopsy skill level and confidence level of residents.Methods: Six residents were requested to evaluate the effectiveness of the double-layered breast phantom, which contained a malignant tumor, two benign tumors, and a cyst. The Young’s modulus and acoustic properties of the gelatin tissue phantom and simulated tumors were investigated.Results: The result showed that 83% (n=5) of the participants agreed that the ultrasound image quality produced by the breast phantom was excellent or good. However, only 17% (n=1) of the participants claimed that there was room of improvement for the haptic feedback they received during the placement of core needle into the breast phantom. The mean pre-instructional score was 17% (SD 33%) for all participants. The mean post-instructional score was 83% (SD 33%), giving an overall improvement of 1.32/2 mean scores. The mean needle biopsy skill and confidence levels of the participants substantially increased through simulation training on our breast phantom.Conclusions: The proposed breast phantom can be easily fabricated by a resident for breast biopsy training. Simulation training using our breast phantom can improve a resident's confidence when performing challenging ultrasound-guided breast biopsy. According to the participants’ feedback, our breast phantom is sufficiently realistic in terms of ultrasound imaging and haptic feedback during needle insertion; thus, the training outcome can be linked to the performance of residents when they perform a live biopsy.
Growth Retardation Caused by Reduced Tonoplast V-ATPase Activity in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Liang Guihong , Liu Dong , Xiao Yan , Tang Tianjiao , Song Haixing , Zhang Zhenhua 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Vacuoles are unique compartments in plant cells. Their multiple functions require massive fluxes of molecules across their limiting membrane, the tonoplast. Transport across the tonoplast is energized by its membrane potential and the proton gradient established by two proton pumps, the vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase), and the vacuolar H+-pyrophosphatase (V-PPase), which play important roles in the growth and development of plants. However, the mechanisms by which they affect plant growth and development, in the absence of tonoplast proton pumps, remain unclear. Results: In this study, we show that the Arabidopsis thaliana double mutant, vha-a2vha-a3, which lacks two tonoplast-localized isoforms of the membrane-integral V-ATPase subunit VHA-a, is viable, but shows a phenotype of inhibited growth and leaf chlorosis. Reduced total nitrogen absorption and increased nitrate assimilation lead to the accumulation of ammonium in the shoot, which results in the growth retardation of vha-a2vha-a3. Concurrently, the distribution and concentration of cations are abnormal in plants when VHA-a2 and VHA-a3 genes are absent, which is another major growth-limiting factor. Interestingly, the growth inhibition of the vha-a2vha-a3 double mutant was alleviated and senescence delayed, while the concentration of total nitrogen increased and that of ammonium decreased, when adding additional potassium. Conclusions: Our results show that plants can be viable without VHA-a2 and VHA-a3 but are affected by multiple factors that result in growth retardation, which can be alleviated by adding additional potassium, which provides a new insight on the relationship between vacuolar H+-ATPase and potassium.
Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) promotes the regeneration of severe endometrial damage in a rat model
Authors: Mei Zhuang , Wuwen Zhang , Dan Liu , Hua Yan , Ge Fang , Chin Heng Boon , Yan Sun , guoqing Tong 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Intrauterine adhesions (IUA) is a common endometrial disease, which is one of the causes of infertility. Transplantation of stem cells may provide a viable solution for endometrial repair and regeneration. We made a model of severe endometrial injury in rats, transplanted hUCMSCs, and studied the effect of hUCMSCs on endometrial regeneration. Methods: Thirty-two female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, injury control group, MSC1 group and MSC2 group. After 15 days of intervention and transplantation, histological analysis was performed and cytokine messenger RNA expression was measured. Results: The HE staining results showed that the endometrial tissue of the injury control group was significantly damaged, and the endometrial tissues of the MSC1 group and the MSC2 group were improved. We did not detect the expression of keratin and vimentin in the injury control group. However, there was the expression of keratin and vimentin in the MSC1 group and the MSC2 group. The results of Real-time PCR showed that the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA in the normal group and MSC1 group was lower than that of the injury control group (P<0.05).The expression levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) mRNA in the normal group and MSC2 group were higher than that of the injury control group (P<0.05). The expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA in the normal group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Transplantation of hUCMSCs promoted the recovery of severe endometrial damage in rats. These findings suggest the effect may be related to the mechanisms of homing and paracrine secretion.
The impact of psychosocial interventions on neonatal and maternal mortality in LMICs: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Riedel Elena M. C. , Turner David T. , Sanz Clara Miguel , Kobeissi Loulou Hassan , Karyotaki Eirini , Say Lale , Cuijpers Pim , Harper-Shehadeh Melissa 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Despite progress in medical and skilled delivery care worldwide, neonatal and maternal mortality is still a major public health problem in resource-limited settings.Objective To determine whether psychosocial interventions (PSI) can reduce neonatal and maternal mortality in low-and middle-income countries, and which approaches are most promising.Methods Randomised controlled trials comparing a PSI with a control condition were identified through systematic searches in seven databases. Effects were pooled as risk ratios in random-effects meta-analyses. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and publication bias was estimated. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to investigate sources of heterogeneity.ResultsOf 22 eligible RCTs (20 cluster randomised trials), the outcomes of 21 were synthesized for the outcome of neonatal mortality and 14 for maternal mortality. PSIs effectively reduced the risk of neonatal mortality by about 15% (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78-0.94). The risk of maternal death was reduced by almost 21% (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.68-0.93) with low levels of heterogeneity. There was low to medium risk of bias and no indication for substantial publication bias.Conclusions Results suggest that PSIs, mainly multi-method and group-based approaches, have the potential to substantially decrease the risk of maternal and neonatal death in low- and middle-income countries. The results of the latter outcome are marked by high heterogeneity and thus to be taken with caution.
Impact of rock alum pretreatment on biosand filter performance in Cambodia
Authors: Curry Kevin D. , Bloch Christopher P. , Hem Vantha 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Alum is often recommended by WASH agencies as a pretreatment flocculent to improve filtration in biosand filters (BSFs) for communities using a turbid drinking water source. Floating villages on the Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia using BSFs encounter severe declines in filtration rates while using alum, resulting in reduced use of the BSF. We tested the effect of rock alum treatment on flow rate and turbidity. The flow rate of all BSFs declined over time, but degradation of flow was more rapid for alum-treated water than untreated water. Rock alum treatments significantly reduced the turbidity of borrow pit source water. Filters switched to untreated river water decreased in turbidity to levels ≤ rock alum-treated river water. Rock alum treatments increased aluminum in source water 4–15 times, but filtration by BSFs decreased levels of aluminum to near 0.05 mg/L. Though rock alum effectively reduces turbidity in source water, we believe it continues its coagulation inside the BSF during pause periods, negatively impacting flow rates.
Gastronomi Temalı Festivaller Üzerine Yapılmış Çalışmaların Bibliyometrik Analizi
Authors: Aktaş Alan Aylin , Şen Özlem 
Published: January 2020

Bu
çalışmada, bibliyometrik analiz yardımıyla etkinlik turizmi çerçevesinde gastronomik
etkinlik içerikli çalışmalara yönelik eğilim ve trendler belirlenmeye
çalışılmıştır. Bu amaçla Web of Science Core Collection veri tabanında 6 farklı
anahtar kelime ile 1975 yılından 2019 yılına
kadar taramalar yapılmıştır. Taramalar sonucunda elde edilen 420 makalenin
künye ve kaynakça bilgileri kullanılmıştır. Çalışmalar; yıllara göre yayın ve
atıf sayıları, kavram ve konu yönelimleri, ülke işbirliktelikleri ve ortak atıf
ağları açısından incelenmiştir. Analiz sonuçlarına göre, hem yayın hem de atıf
sayıları bağlamında alana olan ilginin 2008 yılından sonra çarpıcı bir şekilde
arttığı söylenebilir. ABD’nin ülke işbirlikteliklerinde kilit rol oynadığı, en
fazla atıf alan derginin Journal of Business Research, çalışmanın ise Lee,
Yong-Ki ve diğerlerine ait olan “Festivalscapes and Patrons' Emotions,
Satisfaction, and Loyalty” olduğu bulgulanmıştır. Ayrıca gastronomik etkinlik
temasının davranışsal niyet, motivasyon, turizm,
festival ve deneyim konuları ile güçlü bağları olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Etkinlik
alan tasarımı konusunun araştırılması gereken bir konu olduğu bulgulanmıştır.
Current Perspectives on Delivery Systems Using Extracellular Vesicles in Neurological Disease
Authors: Tran Phuong H.L. , Duan Wei , Lee Beom-Jin , Tran Thao T.D. 
Published: January 2020

:
Extracellular vesicles have an excellent ability to transfer their contents to cells. Extracellular vesicles
can also be engineered to deliver therapeutic molecules to target cells. Although a number of studies have exploited
synthesized nanoparticles in the treatment of neurological disease in the past few years, extracellular vesicles
have been investigated and shown tremendous promise for clinical applications because they are safe and
have strong targeting specificity. Different types of extracellular vesicles have been studied and modified for
delivering therapeutic factors in neurological disease, including extracellular vesicles loaded with natural therapeutic
factors and therapeutic molecules. In this review, we discuss delivery systems using extracellular vesicles
containing molecules of interest and then focus on main strategies used for EV loading and surface modification.
Discussing these important issues will support and facilitate the design and development of promising techniques
and products for neurological therapy.
Blending of PLGA-PEG-PLGA for Improving the Erosion and Drug Release Profile of PCL Microspheres
Authors: Wang Siyuan , Feng Xiaobo , Liu Ping , Wei Youxiu , Xiao Baojun 
Published: January 2020

Background:
PCL has a long history as an industrialized biomaterial for preparing microspheres,
but its hydrophobic property and slow degradation rate often cause drug degeneration, quite
slow drug release rate and undesirable tri-phasic release profile.

Materials and Methods:
In this study, we used the blending material of PLGA-PEG-PLGA and PCL
to prepare microspheres. The microspheres degradation and drug release behaviors were evaluated
through their molecular weight reduction rate, mass loss rate, morphology erosion and drug release
profile. The hydrophilic PLGA-PEG-PLGA is expected to improve the degradation and drug release
behaviors of PCL microspheres.

Results:
Microspheres in blending materials exhibited faster erosion rates than pure PCL microspheres,
forming holes much quickly on the particle’s surface for the drug to diffuse out. A higher proportion
of PLGA-PEG-PLGA caused faster degradation and erosion rates. The blending microspheres
showed much faster drug release rates than pure PCL microspheres.

Conclusion:
With blending of 25wt% PLGA-PEG-PLGA, the release rate of microspheres speeded up
significantly, while, with a further increase of PLGA-PEG-PLGA proportion (50%, 75%, 100%), it accelerated
a little. The microspheres with PCL/PLGA-PEG-PLGA of 1/1 exhibited a linear-like drug
release profile. The results could be a guideline for preparing microspheres based on blending materials
to obtain a desirable release.
The Application of HL60-IL-6 Assay for in vitro Pyrogen Detection of CAR-T Cells Products
Authors: Wang Can , Wang Mingren , Li Gaomin , Wang Ziqiang , Shao Hong , Chen Gang 
Published: January 2020

Objective:
To detect the pyrogen in CAR-T cells product employing the HL60-IL-6 assay.

Method:
The HL60 cells were incubated with CAR-T cells injection or endotoxin standard for 48
hours. After then, the secreted cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) from HL60 cells was determined by ELISA.
According to the four-parameter logistic curve fitted by Optical Density (OD) value corresponding
to IL-6 and endotoxin standard concentration, the endotoxin equivalents of pyrogen content in the
CAR-T cells products can be measured. Then, the method was validated, including the limit of detection
(LOD), limit of quantitation, the recovery rate and the comparison of the determined results by
HL60-IL-6 assay with that by the conventional pyrogen test, the Rabbit Pyrogen Test (RPT).

Results:
The HL60-IL-6 assay applied to pyrogen test in CAR-T cells products has been established
and validated, The LOD was 0.03 EU/mL while the LOQ was 0.07 EU/mL, the recovery rates were
121.4% and 94.5% respectively. The results determined by HL60-IL-6 assay were consistent with that
by the RPT.

Conclusion:
The HL60-IL-6 assay can be employed in CAR-T cell products in vitro pyrogen test.