bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence and Clinical Impacts of COVID-19 Infection in Patients with Hemodialysis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 396,062 Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Chen Chun-Yu , Shao Shih-Chieh , Chen Yih-Ting , Hsu Cheng-Kai , Hsu Heng-Jung , Lee Chin-Chan , Sun Chiao-Yin , Chen Yung-Chan , Hung Ming-Jui , WU I-WEN 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Background: Better understanding of incidence and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection in hemodialysis (HD) patients could assist healthcare providers to develop proper preventive strategies and optimal management. However, no published systematic review summarizes current epidemiological evidence regarding COVID-19 infection in HD patients.Methods: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We systematically searched PUBMED and EMBASE for articles published on incidence or mortality of COVID-19 infection in maintenance HD patients until September 2020, and conducted meta-analysis of proportions for incidence and mortality rate. Heterogeneity was measured by Cochran’s Q and I2 statistic. Publication bias was evaluated by Egger’s test. The study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020209134).Results: In total, 29 articles with 3,261 confirmed COVID-19 cases from pooled 396,062 HD patients were identified. Overall COVID-19 incidence in these HD patients was 7.7% (95% CI: 5.0-10.9%), with significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 99.7%, p<0.001) and risk of publication bias (Egger’s test, p<0.001). Overall mortality rate was 22.4% (95% CI: 17.9-27.1%) in HD patients with COVID-19, with significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 87.1%, p<0.001). Reported incidence and mortality varied by geographic area, being higher in non-Asian- than Asian countries.Conclusions: Both incidence and mortality of COVID-19 infection were higher in HD patients. Available data may underestimate the real incidence of infection because screening and diagnosis differ between countries. International collaboration and standardized reporting of future epidemiologic studies is encouraged to improve clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection in HD patients.
Organisational responses to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on healthcare workers: a qualitative case study from Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Turner Simon , Niño Natalia , Segura Carolina , Botero-Tovar Natalia 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Healthcare organisations have undergone organisational change to respond to COVID-19. This pandemic has presented challenges for employee adjustment, with impacts on the availability and coordination of human resources in healthcare. This study aimed to characterise the organisational actions regarding the coordination of human resources in healthcare within Bogotá, Colombia, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
We followed a case study approach to understand the response to the emergency taking into account the narratives of the actors who have been directly involved in the planning of guidelines oriented to face the pandemic or in the implementation of health services for COVID-19. Twenty-two interviews with multiple health system organisations within Bogotá were conducted between May and September 2020 and analysed thematically.
Results
Three themes emerged from the analysis of the interview data: to retain human resources, to implement actions to improve the mental and physical health of the healthcare workers, and to enhance healthcare workers knowledge, skills and availability to respond to COVID-19.
Conclusions
Organisational actions led by hospital managers to retain, protect, and train human health resources in the dynamic context of the COVID-19 pandemic were identified. Other system-wide organisations like scientific associations contributed to the coordination of human resources across hospitals to respond to COVID-19 in Bogotá, Colombia. The actions of hospital managers, and roles of system-wide intermediary organisations, in coordinating human resources need to be explored in other health system contexts facing COVID-19.
The C Allele of the Reactive Oxygen Species Modulator 1 (ROMO1) Polymorphism Rs6060566 is a Biomarker Predicting Coronary Artery Stenosis in Slovenian Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Tibaut Miha , Ramuš Sara Mankoč , Petrovic Daniel 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: We aimed to examine the role of the rs6060566 polymorphism of the reactive oxygen species modulator 1 (ROMO1) gene in the development of myocardial infarction (MI) in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Methods: A total of 1072 subjects with T2DM were enrolled in this cross-sectional case-control study: 335 subjects with MI and 737 subjects without clinical signs of coronary artery disease (CAD). The genetic analysis of the rs6060566 polymorphism was performed in all subjects. To assess the degree of coronary artery obstruction, a subpopulation of 128 subjects with T2DM underwent coronary computed tomography angiography. Next, endarterectomy samples were obtained during myocardial revascularization from diffusely diseased coronary arteries in 40 cases, which were analysed for ROMO1 expression according to their genotype.Results: There were no statistically significant associations between different genotypes or alleles of the rs6060566 polymorphism and MI in subjects with T2DM. The carriers of the C allele of the ROMO1 rs6060566 had a threefold increased likelihood of having 50%-75% coronary artery stenosis (Adjusted OR= 3.27, 95% CI 1.16 – 9.20). Subjects with two affected coronary arteries had a 3.72 fold higher prevalence of MI (OR= 3.72, 95% CI 1.27 – 10.84). With CAD in LMCA or LAD, MI prevalence was about 3.5-fold higher (p=0.07 for LMCA and p=0.01 for LAD). Furthermore, the carriers of the rs6060566 C allele showed higher number of positive cells for ROMO1 expression in endarterectomy samples of coronary arteries.Conclusions: According to our study, the rs6060566 polymorphism of the ROMO1 gene is not a risk factor for MI in Caucasians with T2DM. However, we found that subjects carrying the C allele were at a 3.27-fold increased risk of developing severe CAD compared with those who had non-obstructive CAD. Moreover, C allele carriers showed a statistically higher number of cells positive for ROMO1 compared with T allele carriers in coronary endarterectomy samples.
Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes Associated With Precocious Puberty by Suppression Subtractive Hybridization in Goat Pituitary Tissues
Authors: Liu Yufang , Cao Guiling , Xie Yujing , Chu Mingxing 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background Our study aimed to identify genes related to precocious puberty expressed in the pituitary of different growth stages goats using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) screening. Pituitary tissues at 30 day and 90 day and 180 day growth stages of Jining gray goats and Liaoning cashmere goats were used in this study. To identify differentially expressed genes in the pituitary tissues, mRNA from these tissues was extracted and SSH libraries were constructed for screening (API, EPI and BPI groups). ResultsA total of 60, 49 and 58 differently expression genes were annotation in the database. 222 Gene Ontology (GO) terms and 75 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were matched to those genes. Most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to the GO terms “structural constituent of ribosome”, “translation” and “GTP binding” were significantly enriched while numerous DEGs related to the Jak-STAT signaling and oocyte meiosis pathways were also significantly enriched. Candidate genes to be involved in precocious puberty and sexual development were retrieved from the SSH libraries. These related genes were discussed taking into account whether they were expressed in different growth stages of pituitary tissues, and of which them influenced the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. ConclusionsInteresting findings about precocious puberty related genes from an evolutionary perspective (such as PRLP0, EIF5A and YWHAH) and for putative future goats breeding applications are reported here. We provide a valuable dataset that will facilitate further research into the reproductive biology of goats.
Overtreatment in Nonmalignant Lesions Detected in a Colorectal Cancer Screening Program: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.
Authors: Cubiella Joaquin , González Antía , Almazán Raquel , Rodríguez-Camacho Elena , Zubizarreta Raquel , Lorenzo Isabel Peña-Rey 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Although colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs reduce CRC incidence and mortality, they are associated with risks in healthy subjects. However, the risk of overtreatment and overdiagnosis has not been determined yet. The aim of this study is to report the surgery rates in patients with nonmalignant lesions detected within the first round of a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) based CRC screening program and the factors associated with it. Methods: We included in this analysis all patients with nonmalignant lesions detected between May 2013 and June 2019. We calculated surgery rate according to demographic variables, the risk classification according to the colonoscopy findings (European guidelines for quality assurance), the endoscopist’s adenoma detection rate (ADR) classified into quartiles and the hospital’s complexity level. We determined which variables were independently associated with surgery rate and expressed the association as Odds Ratio and its 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: We included 15,707 patients in the analysis with high (19.3%), intermediate (25.1%) low risk (21.7%) adenomas and normal colonoscopy (27.8%) detected in the analyzed period. Colorectal surgery was performed in 162 (10.3‰, 95% CI 8.7-11.9), due to colonoscopy complications (0.2‰, 95% CI 0.005-0.5) and resection of colorectal benign lesions (10.0‰, 95% CI 8.5-11.6). Median hospital stay was 6 days with 17.3% patients developing minor complications, 7.4% major complications, one death. After discharge, complications developed in 18.4% patients. In benign lesions, an endoscopic resection was performed in 25.4% and a residual premalignant lesion was detected in 89.9%. The variables independently associated with surgery in the multivariable analysis were age (≥60 years= 1.57, 95% CI 1.11-2.23), sex (female= 2.10, 95% CI 1.52-2.91), the European guidelines classification (high risk= 67.94, 95% CI 24.87-185.59; intermediate risk= 5.63, 95% CI 1.89-16.80; low risk= 1.43; 95% CI 0.36-5.75), the endoscopist’s ADR (Q4= 0.44, 95% CI 0.28-0.68; Q3= 0.44, 95% CI 0.27-0.71; Q2= 0.71, 95% CI 0.44-1.14) and the hospital (third level= 0.54, 95% CI 0.38-0.79). Conclusions: In a CRC screening program, the surgery rate and the associated complications in patients with nonmalignant lesions are acceptable and related to age, sex, endoscopic findings, endoscopist’s ADR and the hospital’s complexity.
Ultrawide 3D Phononic Bandgap Metastructures as Broadband Low Frequency Filter
Authors: Muhammad  , Lim C.W. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This present study reports a novel model for the study on three-dimensional phononic metastructures endued with ultrawide three-dimensional complete bandgaps. The phononic structure is made of a unique material without composite material composition. Based on the principal of mode separation and global and local modal masses participation, the well-engineered structural configurations give extremely wide bandgaps with the gap-to-mid gap ratio of 157.6% and 160.1% for two proposed prototypes that produce the widest three-dimensional bandgaps ever reported. The band structures are explained by a modal analysis and the findings are further corroborated by developing an analytical model based on monoatomic mass-spring chain and further verified with well-established FEM numerical simulations. Thanks to additive manufacturing, the prototypes are developed by using 3D printing technology and low amplitude vibration test is performed to access the real-time vibration mitigation characteristics. An excellent agreement is obtained between analytical, numerical and experimental results. The effects of material damping on transmission response is also taken into consideration that eventually merge the separated bandgaps to form a broadband vibration attenuation zone. The results reported are scale independent and the proposed strategy may pave the way for developing novel meta-devices to control the noise and vibration, and underwater acoustic waves at a wide frequency band in all directions.
Synthesis of Silicon Nanoparticles in a Novel CO2&nbsp;Laser Pyrolysis Reactor With an Elongated Reaction Zone
Authors: Maeng Seok-Ho , Lee Hakju , Kim Seongbeom 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
We demonstrated silicon nanoparticle synthesis using a novel CO2 laser pyrolysis reactor. The reactor was designed to have an elongated reaction zone more than 10 times longer than conventional laser pyrolysis systems. Such elongation was achieved by aligning the laser beam and precursor gas stream. SiH4 gas was used to synthesize the silicon nanoparticles. The yield of the nanoparticles was 40.9%, as calculated by comparing the masses of the synthesized nanoparticles and precursor gas used. Silicon nanoparticles synthesized by using a typical reactor with identical gas flow rate conditions and without a focusing lens had a nanoparticle yield of 1.7%, which was far smaller than for the new reactor. The average diameter of as-synthesized silicon nanoparticles was 26.7 nm. Considering that high power CO2 lasers are often used for large scale nanoparticle production by laser pyrolysis, our proposed reactor serves as a proof of concept that demonstrates its potential for large scale nanoparticle synthesis.
The relative importance of work-related and non-work-related stressors and perceived social support on perceived stress in a cross-sectional population-based sample
Authors: Sørensen Jes , Lasgaard Mathias , Willert Morten , Larsen Finn 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: High levels of perceived stress have a negative bearing on health and well-being, and stress is a major public health issue. According to the Stress Process Model, stressors are socially patterned and combine to produce strain. Despite this, most studies on stress have focused on work-related stressors leaving non-work determinants underinvestigated. The aim of the present study was to determine the relative importance of work-related and non-work-related stressors and perceived social support for the perceived stress level.Methods: Self-reported data were drawn from the 2017 population-based health survey "How are you?" conducted in the Central Denmark Region (N=32,417). Data were linked with data drawn from national administrative registers. Work- and non-work-related stressors assessed included major life events, chronic stressors and daily hassles. Perceived social support was assessed using a single question. Perceived stress was assessed by the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. We conducted dominance analyses based on a multiple linear regression model to determine the most important contributors to perceived stress. Analyses were weighted and adjusted.Results: Work- and non-work-related stressors along with perceived social support explained 42.5% of the total variance (R2) in perceived stress. The most important predictors were disease, perceived social support and work situation. The stratified analyses produced slightly varying predictor profiles of perceived stress between subgroups. Work situation was the most important predictor in the employed group. However, adding non-work-related predictors to the analysis tripled the explained variance.Conclusions: Level of perceived stress is affected by a combination of work- and non-work-related stressors and perceived social support both at population level and in subgroups. The most important predictors of perceived stress are disease, perceived social support and work situation. Results indicate that public health strategies aiming to reduce stress should take a holistic approach and address a variety of stressor domains rather than focus on a single domain.Trial registration: The study was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (r. no. 2012-58-0006) and Central Denmark Region (r. no. 1-16-02-593-16).
Novel mitochondrial genes and gene reannotation: conservation of gene arrangements among available astigmatid mites
Authors: Fang Yu , Xu Jiaoyang , Zhan Xuebing , Fang Weixi , Dong Fangyuan , Su Xuan , Chu Lingmiao , Feng Rui , Fang Ying , Zuo Zetao , Liu Fei , Xia Xingquan , Zhou Shulin , Sun Entao 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background

Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of metazoans typically contain 37 genes, comprising 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes. To date, complete mitogenome sequences of 15 species of Astigmatina are available, and they present variation in a number of features, such as gene arrangements, tRNA unconventional secondary structures, and the number and internal structures of control regions. Furthermore, 11 astigmatid mites from six superfamilies share the same gene arrangement. Two available species from the genus Histiostoma reportedly have different mitochondrial (mt) tRNA gene arrangements.
Results

We sequenced the mitogenomes of Lepidoglyphus destructor and Gohieria fusca, both from the superfamily Glycyphagoidea (Astigmatina). In total, 37 mt genes were identified in the two Glycyphagoidea species. Based on AT content and stem-loop structures, we divided the largest non-coding regions (LNRs) in L. destructor and G. fusca into two domains, respectively. The novel feature of two domains for the LNR was also found in Acalvolia sp. (Astigmatina, Hemisarcoptoidea). Using MITOS 2, tRNAScan, ARWEN, and manual approaches, we reannotated the mitogenomes of Histiostoma blomquisti, H. feroniarum, and Trouessartia rubecula. We reannotated six tRNA genes in H. blomquisti and four tRNA genes in H. feroniarum. We were able to identify all of the mt tRNA genes that were reported as lost in Tr. rubecula. The phylogenetic relationships found in our study were fairly consistent with previous studies of astigmatid mites phylogeny. Within Astigmatina, Glycyphagoidea was recovered as a monophyletic group.
Conclusions

A novel feature of the LNR was found in L. destructor, G. fusca and Acalvolia sp. (Astigmatina, Hemisarcoptoidea). This feature was not found in other available Astigmatina mitochondrial sequences. In the current study, most available astigmatid mitochondrial genomes shared the same consistent gene arrangement that could be the potential ancestral pattern in Astigmatina.
Identification and Characterization of Verticillium Nonalfalfae-responsive Micrornas in the Roots of Resistant and Susceptible Hop Cultivars
Authors: Kunej Urban , Jakše Jernej , Radišek Sebastjan , Štajner Nataša 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

BackgroundMicro RNAs are 21- to 24-nucleotide-long, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. They can modulate various biochemical and physiological processes, including plant response and resistance to fungal pathogens, by regulating the expression of numerous genes. Hops are grown for use in the brewing industry and have recently attracted the attention of the pharmaceutical industry. Severe Verticillium wilt disease caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Verticillium nonalfalfae is the main factor in yield loss in many crops, including hops (Humulus lupulus L.). ResultsIn our study, we identified miRNAs in hops and their expression patterns in the roots of susceptible and resistant hop cultivars in the early stages of infection with the fungus V. nonalfalfae. In total 56 known and 43 novel miRNAs were predicted. In response to infection with V. nonalfalfae, we found five known and two novel miRNAs that are differentially expressed in the susceptible cultivar and six known miRNAs in the resistant cultivar. Differentially expressed miRNAs target 49 transcripts and their gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that the susceptible cultivar responds by modulating the processes of protein localization and pigment synthesis, whereas the resistant cultivar responds by modulating transcription factors and hormone signalling.ConclusionThe results of our study suggest that the susceptible and the resistant cultivar respond differently at the miRNA level to infection with V. nonalfalfae and that miRNAs may contribute to the successful defence of the resistant cultivar.
Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST): Validity and Reliability in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Gustemps Laura Gisbert , Marín Jorge Lugo , Ramos Imanol Setien , Martín Gemma Español , Vieta Eduard , Bonnín Caterina Mar , Quiroga Josep Antoni Ramos 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: The assessment of functional impairment is crucial both for the diagnosis and the therapeutic approach to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether the FAST is a reliable and valid tool to assess functional impairment in adults with Level 1 ASD and to study the differences in psychosocial functioning between younger and older adults with ASD.Methods: A case–control study was carried out in a sample of 150 participants, 71 adults with Level 1 ASD, and 79 adults without psychiatric history records.Results: Results showed good psychometric properties in terms of validity and reliability. Cronbach’s alpha for the total scale was .91 and the area under the curve was .98. The study also showed that adults with ASD present different profiles of functional impairment depending on their age: while younger patients present greater impairment in autonomy, older patients show more difficulties in interpersonal relationships Conclusions: Our results support the use of the FAST in the evaluation of adaptive functioning in adults with Level 1 ASD.
Interleukin-1 Beta Regulates Lysophosphatidic Acid-accelerated Skin Wound Healing
Authors: Ge Delong , Mou Xiaoxiao , Liu Liying , Li Yanwei , Jiang Hui , Xie Jinjing , Guan Qingyan , Dai Gong , Yang Xiao , Gao Yuanyuan , Yang Xiaoyun 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) is considered to be a mediator of infectious, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and the kinetics of its production is relevant to understanding the pathogenesis of these diseases. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), the structurally simplest bioactive phospholipid, is necessary for homeostasis in various physiological and pathophysiological processes and plays a pivotal role in wound healing. Skin trauma can not only weaken the barrier function, but also cause pain and infection. Chronic wounds are characterized by impaired healing and uncontrolled inflammation that damages the protection of the immune system. The aim of this study is to investigate whether inflammatory factor IL-1β has an effect on LPA in the wound healing model. Results: In this study, the kinetics of IL-1β gene expression was studied in vivo and in vitro with a wound healing model by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) through LPA treatment. As a result, we found that LPA up-regulated inflammatory factor IL-1β in HaCaT cell and skin wound healing. The pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β mRNA had higher expression in LPA-treated mice group 3 days after the treatment. In vitro, after the treatment with LPA (20 μM) for 6, 12, and 24 hours, IL-1β mRNA expression increased by 61.16%, 129.39%, and 117.07%, respectively. Conclusion: These results strongly suggest that IL-1β may regulate LPA-accelerated skin wound healing. IL-1β has significant efficacy, and our observations are of interest to the development of drugs targeting LPA in skin therapy.