bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of readily detected amyloid blood clots in ‘unclotted’ Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and COVID-19 plasma
Authors: Pretorius Etheresia , Venter Chantelle , Laubscher Gert Jacobus , Lourens Petrus Johannes , Steenkamp Janami , Kell Douglas B 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a well-known comorbidity to COVID-19 and coagulopathies are a common accompaniment to both T2DM and COVID-19. In addition, patients with COVID-19 are known to develop micro-clots within the lungs. The rapid detection of COVID-19 uses genotypic testing for the presence of SARS-Cov-2 virus in nasopharyngeal swabs, but it can have a poor sensitivity. A rapid, host-based physiological test that indicated clotting severity and the extent of clotting pathologies in the individual who was infected or not would be highly desirable.
Methods
We show here that microclots can be detected in the native plasma of COVID-19, as well as T2DM patients, without the addition of any clotting agent, and in particular that such clots are amyloid in nature as judged by a standard fluorogenic stain.
Results
In COVID-19 plasma these microclots are significantly increased when compared to the levels in T2DM.
Conclusions
This fluorogenic test may provide a rapid and convenient test with 100% sensitivity (P < 0.0001), and is consistent with the recognition that the early detection and prevention of such clotting can have an important role in therapy.
Behavioral changes before lockdown and decreased retail and recreation mobility during lockdown contributed most to controlling COVID-19 in Western countries
Authors: Deforche Koen , Vercauteren Jurgen , Müller Viktor , Vandamme Anne-Mieke 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a lockdown in many countries to control the exponential spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, hereby reducing the time-varying basic reproduction number ( R t ) to below one. Governments are looking for evidence to balance the demand of their citizens to ease some of the restriction, against the fear of a second peak in infections. More details on the specific circumstances that promote exponential spread (i.e. R t > 1) are needed.MethodsIncidence data of cases and deaths from the first wave of infections for 35 Western countries (32 European, plus Israel, USA and Canada) were analyzed using epidemiological compartment models in a Bayesian framework. Mobility data was used to estimate the timing of changes associated with a lockdown, and was correlated with estimated reductions of R t .ResultsAcross all countries, the initial median estimate for R t was 3.6 (95% IQR 2.4 – 5.2), and it was reduced to 0.78 (95% IQR 0.58 – 1.01) during lockdown. 48% (18% – 65%) of the reduction occurred already in the week before lockdown, with lockdown itself causing the remaining drop in transmission. A lower R t during lockdown was independently associated with an increased time spent at home (0.21 per 10% more time, p < 0.007), and decreased mobility related to retail and recreation (0.07 per 10% less mobility, p < 0.008).ConclusionsIn a Western population unaware of the risk, SARS-CoV-2 can be highly contagious with a reproduction number R 0 > 5. Our results are consistent with evidence that recreational activities (including restaurant and bar visits) enable super-spreading events. Exiting from lockdown therefore requires continued physical distancing and tight control on this kind of activities.
Denoising Large-Scale Biological Data Using Network Filters
Authors: Kavran Andrew J , Clauset Aaron 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Large-scale biological data sets, e.g., transcriptomic, proteomic, or ecological, are often contaminated by noise, which can impede accurate inferences about underlying processes. Such measurement noise can arise from endogenous biological factors like cell cycle and life history variation, and from exogenous technical factors like sample preparation and instrument variation. Results: We describe a general method for automatically reducing noise in large-scale biological data sets. This method uses an interaction network to identify groups of correlated or anti-correlated measurements that can be combined or “filtered” to better recover an underlying biological signal. Similar to the process of denoising an image, a single network filter may be applied to an entire system, or the system may be first decomposed into distinct modules and a different filter applied to each. Applied to synthetic data with known network structure and signal, network filters accurately reduce noise across a wide range of noise levels and structures. Applied to a machine learning task of predicting changes in human protein expression in healthy and cancerous tissues, network filtering prior to training increases accuracy up to 58% compared to using unfiltered data. Conclusions: Network filters are a general way to denoise biological data and can account for both correlation and anti-correlation between different measurements. Furthermore, we find that partitioning a network prior to filtering can significantly reduce errors in networks with heterogenous data and correlation patterns, andthis approach outperforms existing diffusion based methods. Our results on proteomics data indicate the broad potential utility of network filters to applications in systems biology.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diastolic dysfunction, and impaired myocardial glucose uptake in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Lee Minyoung , Kim Kwang Joon , Chung Tae Ha , Bae Jaehyun , Lee Yong-ho , Lee Byung-Wan , Cha Bong-Soo , Yun Mijin , Kang Eun Seok 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes and is associated with cardiovascular risk. We investigated whether the degree of NAFLD was associated with myocardial dysfunction related to impaired myocardial glucose uptake in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods

In total, 131 patients with type 2 diabetes from a tertiary care hospital were included. Myocardial glucose uptake was assessed using [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography. Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were determined using transient liver elastography. Echocardiography was performed to evaluate cardiac structure and function.
Results

Patients with NAFLD revealed cardiac diastolic dysfunction with higher left ventricular filling pressure (E/e’ ratio) and left atrial volume index (LAVI) than patients without NAFLD (all p < 0.05). Hepatic steatosis correlated with E/e’ ratio and LAVI, and hepatic fibrosis also correlated with E/e’ ratio (all p < 0.05). In linear regression analyses, a higher degree of hepatic steatosis (r2 = 0.409; p = 0.041) and a higher degree of fibrosis (r2 = 0.423; p = 0.009) were independent determinants for a higher E/e’ ratio even after adjusting for confounding factors. Decreased myocardial glucose uptake was associated with a higher degree of steatosis (p for trend = 0.084) and fibrosis (p for trend = 0.012). In addition, decreased myocardial glucose uptake was an independent determinant factor for a higher E/e’ ratio (r2 = 0.409; p = 0.04).
Conclusions

Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis are significantly associated with diastolic heart dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes coupled with impaired myocardial glucose uptake.
National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) and 3-level Triage Scale as Risk Predictors in Frail Older Adults in the Emergency Department
Authors: Kemp Kirsi , Alakare Janne , Harjola Veli-Pekka , Strandberg Timo , Tolonen Jukka , Lehtonen Lasse , Castren Maaret 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the emergency department (ED) triage is to recognize critically ill patients and to allocate resources. No strong evidence for accuracy of the current triage instruments, especially for the older adults, exists. We evaluated the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) and a 3-level triage assessment as risk predictors for frail older adults visiting the ED.MethodsThis prospective, observational study was performed in a Finnish ED. The data were collected in a six-month period and included were ≥75-year-old residents with Clinical Frailty Scale score of at least four. We analyzed the predictive values of NEWS2 and the three-level triage scale for 30-day mortality, hospital admission, high dependency unit (HDU) and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, a count of 72-hour and 30-day revisits, and ED length-of-stay (LOS). Results A total of 1711 ED visits were included. Median for age, CFS, LOS and NEWS2 were 85 years, 6 points, 6.2 hours and 1 point, respectively. 30-day mortality was 96/1711. At triage, 69, 356 and 1278 of patients were assessed as red, yellow and green, respectively. There were 1103 admissions, of them 31 to an HDU facility, none to ICU.With NEWS2 and triage score, AUCs for 30-day mortality prediction were 0.70 (0.64-0.76) and 0.62 (0.56-0.68); for hospital admission prediction 0.62 (0.60-0.65) and 0.55 (0.52-0.56), and for HDU admission 0.72 (0.61-0.83) and 0.80 (0.70-0.90), respectively.The NEWS2 divided into risk groups of low, medium and high did not predict the ED LOS (p=0.095). There was a difference in ED LOS between the red/yellow and as red/green patient groups (p<0.001) but not between the yellow/green groups (p=0.59).There were 48 and 351 revisits within 72 hours and 30 days, respectively. With NEWS2 AUCs for 72-hour and 30-day revisit prediction were 0.48 (95% CI 0.40-0.56) and 0.47 (0.44-0.51), respectively; with triage score 0.48 (0.40-0.56) and 0.49 (0.46-0.52), respectively. ConclusionsThe NEWS2 and a local 3-level triage scale are statistically significant in predicting 30-day mortality, and HDU admission but not ED LOS or revisit rates for frail older adults. NEWS2 also seems to predict hospital admission
Phage JS02, A Putative Temperate Phage, A Novel Biofilm-Degrading Agent for Staphylococcus Aureus
Authors: Zhang Lili , Ding Huiyan , Shahin Khashayar , Soleimani-Delfan Abbas , Wang Heye , He Tao , Sun Lichang , Wei Ruicheng , Wang Ran 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a biofilm-producing organism that is frequently isolated from various environments worldwide. Because of the natural resistance of S. aureus biofilm to antibiotics, bacteriophages are considered as a promising alternative for its removal. Results: The bacteriophage vB_SauS_JS02 was isolated from livestock wastewater and showed activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. aureus. The phage vB_SauS_JS02 was morphologically classified as Siphoviridae; it had a broad host range (45 out of 81 strains, 55.6%) and high burst size (52 plaque-forming unit (PFU)/infected cell) and could survive in a pH range of 4 to 11 and a temperature range of 40 ºC to 50 ºC. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the phage genome contained a long double-stranded linear DNA genome of 46,435 base pairs with a G＋C content of 33.1% and had 66 putative open reading frames (ORFs). The predicted protein products of the ORFs were clustered functionally into five groups as follows: replication/regulation, DNA packaging, structure/morphogenesis, lysis, and lysogeny. The phage vB_SauS_JS02 was a temperate phage with a higher inhibiting and degrading activity against planktonic cells (~86% reduction) and S. aureus biofilm (∼68% reduction in biofilm formation). Moreover, the removal activity of the phage vB_SauS_JS02 against both planktonic cells and S. aureus biofilms was even better than that of the antibiotic (ceftazidime). Conclusion: In summary, the present study introduced the phage vB_SauS_JS02 as a potential biocontrol agent against biofilm-producing S. aureus.
Linagliptin, a xanthine-based dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, ameliorates experimental autoimmune myocarditis by suppressing cathepsin-G activity
Authors: Shiheido-Watanabe Yuka , Maejima Yasuhiro , Nakagama Shun , Tamura Natsuko , Kasama Takeshi , Sasano Tetsuo 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background

There is a compelling need for establishing effective therapy for autoimmune myocarditis which primarily manifest as chest pain, heart failure or sudden death. Although our group have previously shown that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) aggravates experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM), the detailed underlying mechanism remains to be unelucidated.
Methods

The effects of linagliptin, a xanthine-based dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, on cardiac function were investigated by treating mouse EAM models and elucidated the role of DPP-4 on EAM using proteomic approaches.
Results

Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that the number of Th17 cells expressing high level of DPP-4 infiltrated to EAM myocardium was significantly attenuated by linagliptin treatment. MS/MS-based analyses demonstrated that DPP-4 binds to cathepsin-G in EAM hearts. DPP-4 also protects cathepsin-G activity by inhibiting the activity of SerpinA3N, a protease inhibitor that catalyzes cathepsin-G. The activity of cathepsin-G and the level of Angiotensin II were markedly elevated in EAM myocardium; this effect was reversed by linagliptin treatment. Furthermore, we found that linagliptin suppresses oxidative stress in EAM hearts.
Conclusions

DPP-4 physically interacts with cathepsin-G, which, in turn, suppresses SerpinA3N; this promotes angiotensin II accumulation in EAM hearts. Thus, DPP-4 derived from Th17 cells could aggravate cardiac dysfunction during EAM.
Emergency Department Use by Patients With End-stage Renal Disease in the United States
Authors: Wang Ningyuan , Pei Jiao , Fan Hui , Ali Yaseen , Zhao Jian , Zhang Xingyu 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: We sought to describe the national characteristics of ED visits by patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States in order to improve the emergency treatment and screening of ESRD patients. Methods: We analyzed data from 2014-2016 ED visits provided by the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. We sampled adult (age ≥ 18 years) ED patients with ESRD. By proportion or means of weighted sample variables, we quantified annual ED visits by patients with ESRD. We investigated demographics, ED resource utilization, clinical characteristics, and disposition of patients with ESRD vs. those without ESRD. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between these characteristics and ESRD ED visits. Results: Approximately 722,692 (7.78%) out of 92,899,685 annual ED visits were ESRD patients. ED patients with ESRD were mostly non-Hispanic whites (51.5%) and males were more likely to be ESRD patients than females (aOR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.47–1.48). ED patients with ESRD were more likely to be admitted to the hospital (aOR: 2.22; 95% CI: 2.21–2.22) and intensive care unit (ICU) (aOR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.52–1.54) than patients without ESRD. ED patients with ESRD were more likely to receive blood tests, get medical imaging tests.Conclusion: We described the unique demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics of ED patients with ESRD, using the most comprehensive, nationally representative study to date. These patients’ higher hospital and ICU admission rates indicate that patients with ESRD require a higher level of emergency care.
A Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Study on the Effects of SZL&nbsp;on Patients With Mild to Moderate Depressive Disorder With Comparison to Fluoxetine
Authors: hu yuan , wang yichen , chen chao , yang wenshan , zhu weiyu , liu ping 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Objective: Kaixinsan (KXS) decoction, as an ancient’s herbal formula, has been demonstrated to be active in various animal models resembling human depression with multi-target effects. This very first study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of Shen Zhi Ling (SZL) tables (KXS preparation), compared with fluoxetine (FLX, positive comparator), in patients with mild to moderate depressive disorder.Methods: In this randomized double-blind parallel-group study, 156 patients with mild to moderate depression without taken any antidepressants in the past 6 months or 4 straight weeks were randomized to receive either 3.2g/d SZL plus 20mg/d FLX placebo (SZL group) or 20mg/d FLX plus 3.2g/d SZL placebo (FLX group), for 8 weeks. Their clinical presentations and some metabolic indexes were assessed during the 8 weeks visiting period.Results: Patients in SZL group showed a statistically significant improvement after 8 weeks of treatment in HAMD-17 score (18.79±2.09 to 4.43±4.71, p<0.001) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) score (58.49±8.89 to 39.84±12.09, p<0.001), but not in N-back total respond time (1145.55±608.26 to 1128.47±387.49, p>0.05). In addition, no significant difference at 8 weeks of treatment was found between SZL and FLX groups in SDS score (39.84±12.09 vs. 36.63±12.44) and N-back respond time (1128.47±387.49 vs. 1089.43±352.08) as well as reduction of HAMD-17 score (14.79±4.88 vs. 15.24±4.29) (p>0.05 for all). However, the serum APOB, APOC3 and ALB levels and HDL-C/LDL-C ratio decreased significantly in patients after SZL treatment, while only APOB/APOA1 ratio decreased significantly in FLX group. Other metabolic indexes did not alter significantly after treated with SZL or FLX.Conclusion: The efficacy and safety profile of SZL are comparable to that of fluoxetine in patients with mild to moderate depression. The beneficial effect of SZL is probably associated with improvement of lipid metabolic balance.
The Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1 as a Potential Indicator for SARS-CoV-2 Infected Mild COVID-19 Patients&nbsp;
Authors: xi xueyan , Guo Yang , Zhu Min , Wei Yuhui , Li Gang , Du Boyu , Wang Yunfu 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The level of chemokine was markedly elevated in severe COVID-19 patients. But the role of chemokine in mild COVID-19 patients has not yet established. However, most of the COVID-19 patients in Shiyan City, China had mild cases. Methods: In this study, the level of chemokine in the serum for COVID-19 patients in Shiyan City was detected by ELISA. The expression of receptor of chemokine and other signal molecular was detected by real-time PCR. Results: We first demonstrated that COVID-19 patients are characterized by higher levels of chemokine. In particular, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) has shown higher expression in patients with mild cases of COVID-19. The receptor of MCP-1, CCR2 was then found higher expression in the same mild COVID-19 patients. Finally, the higher expression of MCP-1 in mild COVID-19 patients is correlated with the inhibition of IFN signaling. Conclusion: These findings add to our understanding of the immune-pathologic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and provide potential therapeutic targets and strategies. MCP-1 may be an effective indicator in mild patients, and early use of interferon has a good antiviral therapeutic effect.
Effect modification of the association between plasma glucose and diabetic kidney disease by hypersensitive C-reactive protein in patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yao Zhi , li kuibao , Li Chuang , Fu Yuan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background

Prior studies showed activation inflammatory biomarkers, e.g., hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), were associated with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) susceptibility; inflammatory gene expression profiles in the diabetic mice might be critical features determining susceptibility of DKD. The aim of this investigation was to explore effect modification of hs-CRP on the association between hyperglycemia and DKD in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods

We consecutively collected 812 patients with T2DM in a cross-sectional study. Multivariable logistic regression models was used to estimate odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals of plasma glucose for DKD, with adjustment for the potential confounders. Interaction between plasma glucose and hs-CRP was tested by likelihood ratio tests.
Results

The median age of the participants was 54 years (interquartile: 46–63), 58% were male and 26.2% experienced DKD. There seemed to be a nonlinear effect modification on the association between fast plasma glucose (FPG) and DKD by hs-CRP (P for linear interaction = 0.052). For participants with hs-CRP value lower than 3 mg/L, there no existed an interaction effect (P interaction = 0.3). In contrast, a significant interaction effect was noted among individuals with hs-CRP value higher than 3 mg/L (P interaction = 0.003).The marginal effect, i.e., log (odds), of FPG on DKD linearly rose with hs-CRP level increasing among these subjects. In terms of effect modification on the relationship between 2-hour plasma glucose (2 h-PG) and DKD by hs-CRP, it appeared to be linear. The higher the hs-CRP value, the stronger the strength of their associations. Johnson-Neyman plot showed when hs-CRP level was lower than 2.4 mg/L the marginal effect of 2 h-PG on DKD was nonsignificant (boundary of 95% confidence interval included zero) and it became significant as hs-CRP level higher than 2.4 mg/L (boundary of 95% confidence interval excluded zero) .
Conclusions

The associations of 2 h-PG as well as FPG with DKD were modified by hs-CRP in individuals with T2DM. It appeared when hs-CRP level was higher than 3 mg/L in these patients, the association strength of both FPG and 2 h-PG with DKD linearly rose with hs-CRP level increasing. A prospective study is warranted to confirm this finding.
Pattern of Locoregional Recurrence After Radical Surgery in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and The Design of Target Volume of Postoperative Prophylactic Radiotherapy
Authors: Qiu Xiangnan , Jing Shenghua , Jiang Changchen , Shen Zetian , Zhu XiXu , Li Aomei , Yao Yuanhu , Wang Zhen 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Objective The study was undertaken to evaluate preferred sites for locoregional recurrence after radical surgery for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and to confirm the target volume of postoperative prophylactic radiotherapy.Methods 139 patients with locoregional recurrent ESCC after radical esophagectomy without postoperative radiotherapy were registered in this study. The sites of locoregional recurrence for these patients were collected and influence factors of locoregional recurrence were analyzed.Results The 1, 2, and 3-year progression-free survival rates were 48.2%, 18.0% and 8.6%, respectively. Mediastinum lymph node (LN) recurrence (74.2%) was the most frequent site of recurrence, following the anastomotic site (28.1%), supraclavicular LN (19.4%) and abdominal LN (15.1%) (P=0.000). The upper mediastinum (72.7%) was one of the most common recurrence occurred in mediastinal LN. Compared with upper and middle segment of ESCC, lower segment had the highest recurrence rate of upper abdominal LN (P=0.001). The predictive factors of anastomotic recurrence were the stage of pT3 or pT4, presence of nerve or vessel invasion, removed LN NO.≤ 17, presence of invasion or adhesion and without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, the risk factors of abdominal LN recurrence in patients with middle segment ESCC included the stage of pT3 or pT4, smoking history and without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.Conclusion For thoracic ESCC, supraclavicular, upper mediastinum, subcarinal LNs and anastomosis should be incorporated within target volume of postoperative prophylactic radiotherapy. Regarding to lower segment ESCC, target volume should include upper abdominal LNs. And it need cautious evaluated about upper abdominal LNs when presence of clinicopathologic factor in middle segment ESCC.