bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Embryonic stem cell microenvironment enhances proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelium cells by activating the PI3K signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Jiahui , Yang Liu , Wang Xiaoran , Wang Shoubi , Huang Zheqian , Li Chaoyang , Liu Ying , Cheng Yaqi , Liu Chengxiu , Wang Zhichong 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Purpose.
This study aimed to investigate whether the mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) microenvironment improves the stem cell phenotype and proliferation properties of human retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE) cells by regulating the PI3K signaling pathway.
Methods.
Primary hRPE cells were cocultured with either ESCs or human corneal epithelial cells (CECs) for 72 hours, after which their proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and colony formation were assayed to evaluate changes in their biological characteristics. Gene expression was detected by real-time PCR and protein levels were determined by western blotting or immunofluorescence. LY294002, an antagonist of the PI3K signaling pathway, was used to further confirm the mechanism involved.
Results.
In comparison to hRPE cells cultured alone, hRPE cells cocultured with ESCs had an increased proliferative capacity, reduced apoptotic rate, and higher colony-forming efficiency. The expression of the stem cell-associated marker KLF4 and the differentiation marker CRALBP increased and decreased, respectively, in hRPE cells isolated from the ESC coculture. Furthermore, PI3K pathway-related genes were significantly up-regulated in hRPE cells after exposure to ESCs. LY294002 reversed the pro-proliferative effect of ESCs on hRPE cells. In contrast, CECs did not share the ability of ESCs to influence the biological behavior and gene expression of hRPE cells.
Conclusions.
Our findings indicate that the ESC microenvironment enhances stemness and proliferation of hRPE cells, partially via activation of the PI3K signaling pathway. This study may have a significant impact and clinical implication on cell therapy in regenerative medicine, specifically for age-related macular degeneration.
CNN-based Framework using Spatial Dropping for Enhanced Interpretation of Neural Activity in Motor Imagery Classification
Authors: Huertas Diego Fabian Collazos , Meza Andres Marino Alvarez , Dominguez German Castellanos 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Interpretation of brain activity responses using Motor Imagery (MI) paradigms is vital for medical diagnosis and monitoring. Assessed by machine learning techniques, identification of imagined actions is hindered by substantial intra and inter subject variability. Here, we develop an architecture of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) with enhanced interpretation of the spatial brain neural patterns that mainly contribute to the classification of MI tasks. Two methods of 2D-feature extraction from EEG data are contrasted: Power Spectral Density and Continuous Wavelet Transform. For preserving the spatial interpretation of extracting EEG patterns, we project the multi-channel data using a topographic interpolation. Besides, we include a spatial dropping algorithm to remove the learned weights that reflect the localities not engaged with the elicited brain response. Obtained results in a bi-task MI database show that the thresholding strategy in combination with Continuous Wavelet Transform improves the accuracy and enhances the interpretability of CNN architecture, showing that the highest contribution clusters over the sensorimotor cortex with differentiated behavior between μ and β rhythms.
The epidemiological and economic impact of a cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine in an adult population in the US: a dynamic modeling approach
Authors: Nguyen Van Hung , Hilsky Yvonne , Mould-Quevedo Joaquin 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
BackgroundMutations of the H3N2 vaccine strain during the egg-based vaccine manufacturing process seem to partly explain the suboptimal effectiveness of traditional seasonal influenza vaccine. Cell-based influenza vaccines avoid such egg-adaptation, thereby improving antigenic match and vaccine effectiveness. The objective of this study was to evaluate the public health and economic impact of a cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVc) in adult population (18–64 years) compared to the standard egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVe), in the US.MethodsThe impact of QIVc over QIVe in terms of public health and costs outcomes was estimated using a dynamic SEIR transmission model. The model is age-structured and accounts for 4 circulating influenza strains (A/H1N1pdm9, A/H3N2, B(Victoria), and B(Yamagata)). It was calibrated on US attack rate and strain circulation for the seasons 2013–2018. US specific absolute vaccine effectiveness for QIVe, specific hospitalization rate, mortality rate, Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) and costs were extracted from published literature. Relative vaccine effectiveness of QIVc over QIVe for subjects 18–64 years of age was obtained from a US retrospective cohort study. Robustness of the results was assessed in univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.ResultsSwitching from QIVe to QIVc in the 18–64 year-old population may prevent 5.7 M symptomatic cases, 1.8 M outpatient visits; 50K hospitalizations and 5,453 deaths annually. The switch could save 128 K QALYs and US$ 845M in direct costs, resulting in a cost-saving alternative in a 3-year time horizon analysis. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the cost-saving result.ConclusionsThe analysis shows that QIVc is expected to prevent a substantial number of hospitalizations and deaths, and would result in substantial savings in health care costs.
Non-Target Screening of Organic Pollutants and Target Analysis of Halogenated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Atmosphere Around Metallurgical Plants by High-Resolution GC/Q-TOF
Authors: Yang Lili , Wu Jiajia , Zheng Minghui , Cao Zhe , Li Cui , Shi Miwei , Liu Guorui 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: The 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) issued by US Environmental protection agency are a major focus of efforts in atmosphere. Besides, much more PAH congeners or their substitutes are also produced during combustion or thermal industrial processes and released into the atmosphere. However, a full screening of various organic pollutants in air surrounding important industrial sources have not been conducted. Identifying and characterizing organic pollutants in air is essential to accurate risk assessment. This study conducted non-target screening of organic pollutants and simultaneous target analysis of emerging contaminants including 8 polychlorinated naphthalenes and 30 higher cyclic halogenated PAHs by high-resolution gas chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight (GC/Q-TOF) mass spectrometry and applied to the air samples collected surrounding metallurgical plants. Emerging chemicals of high toxicity in air were identified.Results: We identified and characterized 187 organic chemicals categorized as PAHs, alkylated polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), heterocyclic PACs, and aliphatic hydrocarbons in atmosphere around industrial sources. Some of these identified chemicals, such as phthalic acid esters, dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, and hydroquinone with alkane substituents are of potential high toxicities and have not been the focus of previous studies of airborne contaminants. Moreover, hydroquinone with alkane substituents may be critical intermediates and precursors of an emerging contaminant- environmentally persistent free radicals. Thus, the presences of those identified highly toxic chemicals in the air merits attention. Moreover, 38 chlorinated and brominated PAHs as target compounds were accurately quantitated by using isotopic dilution method by application of GC/Q-TOF, and the findings were similar to those of high-resolution magnetic mass spectrometry.Conclusion: In this study, both non-target screening of organic pollutants and target analysis of halogenated PAHs in air were achieved by GC/Q-TOF. The method could be irradiative for simultaneous analysis of those trace pollutants containing multiple congeners in future studies. Specific pollutants of potential high toxicity in atmosphere around industrial sources were identified. Those knowledge could be helpful for comprehensively recognizing the organic contaminants in air surrounding metallurgical plants and better understanding their potential health risks.
Restoring pars intermedia dopamine concentrations and tyrosine hydroxylase expression levels with pergolide: evidence from horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction
Authors: Fortin Jessica S , Benskey Matthew J , Lookingland Keith J , Patterson Jon S , Howey Erin B , Goudreau John L , II Harold C Schott 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) develops slowly in aged horses as degeneration of hypothalamic dopaminergic neurons leads to proliferation of pars intermedia (PI) melanotropes through hyperplasia and adenoma formation. Dopamine (DA) concentrations and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity are markedly reduced in PI tissue of PPID-affected equids and treatment with the DA receptor agonist pergolide results in notable clinical improvement. Thus, we hypothesized that pergolide treatment of PPID-affected horses would result in greater DA and TH levels in PI tissue collected from PPID-affected horses versus untreated PPID-affected horses. To test this hypothesis, pituitary glands were removed from 18 horses: four untreated PPID-affected horses, four aged and four young horses without signs of PPID, and six PPID-affected horses that had been treated with pergolide at 2 µg/kg orally once daily for 6 months. DA concentrations and TH expression levels in PI tissues were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection and Western blot analyses, respectively. DA and TH levels were lowest in PI collected from untreated PPID-affected horses while levels in the pergolide treated horses were similar to those of aged horses without signs of PPID. These findings provide evidence of restoration of DA and TH levels following treatment with pergolide. Equine PPID is a potential animal model of dopaminergic neurodegeneration, which could provide insight into human neurodegenerative diseases.
Non-local means based Rician noise filtering for diffusion tensor and kurtosis imaging in human brain and spinal cord
Authors: Zhang Zhongping , Vernekar Dhanashree , Qian Wenshu , Kim Mina 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
To investigate the effect of using an Rician nonlocal means (NLM) filter on quantification of diffusion tensor (DT)- and diffusion kurtosis (DK)-derived metrics in various anatomical regions of the human brain and the spinal cord, when combined with a constrained linear least squares (CLLS) approach.
Methods
Prospective brain data from 9 healthy subjects and retrospective spinal cord data from 5 healthy subjects from a 3T MRI scanner were included in the study. Prior to tensor estimation, registered diffusion weighted images were denoised by an optimized blockwise NLM filter with CLLS. Mean kurtosis (MK), radial kurtosis (RK), axial kurtosis (AK), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), axial diffusivity (AD) and fractional anisotropy (FA), were determined in anatomical structures of the brain and the spinal cord. DTI and DKI metrics, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and Chi-square values were quantified in distinct anatomical regions for all subjects, with and without Rician denoising.
Results
The averaged SNR significantly increased with Rician denoising by a factor of 2 while the averaged Chi-square values significantly decreased up to 61% in the brain and up to 43% in the spinal cord after Rician NLM filtering. In the brain, the mean MK varied from 0.70 (putamen) to 1.27 (internal capsule) while AK and RK varied from 0.58 (corpus callosum) to 0.92 (cingulum) and from 0.70 (putamen) to 1.98 (corpus callosum), respectively. In the spinal cord, FA varied from 0.78 in lateral column to 0.81 in dorsal column while MD varied from 0.91 × 10− 3 mm2/s (lateral) to 0.93 × 10− 3 mm2/s (dorsal). RD varied from 0.34 × 10− 3 mm2/s (dorsal) to 0.38 × 10− 3 mm2/s (lateral) and AD varied from 1.96 × 10− 3 mm2/s (lateral) to 2.11 × 10− 3 mm2/s (dorsal).
Conclusions
Our results show Rician denoising NLM filter incorporated with CLLS significantly increases SNR and reduces estimation errors of DT- and KT-derived metrics, providing the reliable metrics estimation with adequate SNR levels.
Involvement of intestinal hypoperfusion related with Indoleamine 2,3-peroxidase activation and 5-HT metabolism abnormality in intestinal dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction
Authors: lu xiaofang , ZHOU PINGPING , WANG YANGANG , WANG YUEFEN 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

To investigate the intestinal dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and discuss the underlying mechanism.
Methods

Rats were divided into three groups randomly, including AMI group, Sham group and Normal (N) group. An AMI model was established with ligating the left anterior descending artery (LAD) without ventilator assisted. The body surface electrocardiogram (ECG), HE staining of myocardial tissues and echocardiogram were used to evaluate whether the model was established successfully. The HE staining for ileum tissue was applied to evaluate the structure of the ileum, the intestinal propulsive rate were conducted to investigate the intestinal dysfunction, and laser speckle technique was developed in order to measure the mesenteric blood flow. immunohistochemical method was used to determined the expression of Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) in ileum, high-performance liquid chromatography was used to detected 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) metabolism in rats plasma and ileum.
Results

After AMI in rats, the ECG shows ST segment elevation in lead Ⅱ for more than 30 minutes and pathological Q wave appeared at 4 weeks after surgery. HE staining showed at 4 weeks after AMI, the ventricular wall of the infarcted area of the rats became thin and white. Echocardiogram showed Left ventricular internal diameters of systole(LVIDs) and Left ventricular internal diameters of diastole(LVIDd) in the AMI group increased significantly, and Interventricular septal thickness at end diastole(IVSd) decreased significantly. Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and Fractional shortening(FS) values in the AMI group were significantly decreased. HE staining showed intestinal mucosa was hyperemia, edema, and it was infiltrated by a large number of neutrophils. The intestinal propulsive rate was increased in AMI group. Laser speckle technique shows the mesenteric blood flow was decreased in AMI group. Immunohistochemistry showed the expression of IDO was increased in AMI group. High-performance liquid chromatography showed the 5-HT content in the plasma was increased, and the content of 5-HT and 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA) in the ileum was increased in AMI group.
Conclusion

Intestinal dysfunction after AMI may be achieved by decreased intestinal blood perfusion, IDO-related inflammation and the dysfunction of 5-HT metabolic pathway.
Management of Periorbital and Orbital Cellulitis at the Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Lahmini Widad , bourrous mounir 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background : Orbital cellulitis is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency, jeopardizing the vital and functional prognosis. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, therapeutic and evolutional aspects of orbital cellulitis cases treated at the pediatric emergency unit. Patients and methods: retrospective study including all the children aged between 1 month and 15 years treated for orbital cellulitis at the pediatric emergency unit of the Mohamed VI University Hospital of Marrakech over a period of 9 years (1st January 2010-31st December 2018). Results: 129 cases of orbital cellulitis were gathered. Age varied between 1 month and 15 years with a median of age of 4.3 years. Feminine predominance (54%) was noted (sex ratio of 0.84). Preseptal cellulitis had the lead with 101 cases (78.2%). It mainly breaks through sinuses (24%). Fever was present in 101 patients (78.2%). Palpebral edema was constant. Exophthalmia was noted in 18 patients (13.9%), chemosis in 29 cases (22.4%) while ptosis was found in one patient. Bacteriological study conducted in 12 cases was positive in 7 cases. An orbital CT scan was performed in all cases of our study, showing preseptal cellulitis in 101 patients (78.2%), orbital cellulitis in 11 cases (8.5%), subperiosteal abscess in 15 cases (11.6%) and orbital abscess in 2 cases (1.5%). The medical treatment consisted of ceftriaxone, metronidazole and aminoside or amoxicilline clavulanic acid. Surgical treatment was indicated in 8 patients : 3 cases of orbital abscess, 2 cases of periosteal abscess, and 3 cases of abscessed collection of the soft tissues. The evolution was beneficial in all our patients. Conclusion: The majority of our cases had a positive evolution highlighting the advantage of an early diagnosis, and adapted antibiotic and a multidisciplinary patient care making the need for surgery rarely necessary.
Numerical Analysis of a Sliding frictional contact problem with Normal Compliance and Unilateral Contact
Authors: Souleiman Yahyeh , Barboteu Mikael 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
This paper represents a continuation of [15] and [18]. Here, we consider the numerical analysis of a non trivial frictional contact problen in a form of a system of evolution nonlinear partial differential equations. The model describes the equilibrium of a viscoelastic body in sliding contact with a moving foundation. The contact is modeled with a multivalued normal compliance condition with memory term restricted by a unilateral constraint, and is associated to a sliding version of Coulomb's law of dry friction. After a description of the model and some assumptions, we derive a variational formulation of the problem, which consists of a system coupling a variational inequality for the displacement field and a nonlinear equation for the stress field. Then, we introduce a fully discrete scheme for the numerical approximation of the sliding contact problem. Under certain solution regularity assumptions, we derive an optimal order error estimate and we provide numerical validation of this result by considering some numerical simulations in the study of a two-dimensional problem.
Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection: a meta-analysis
Authors: Oscanoa Teodoro J. , Vidal Xavier , Carvajal Alfonso , Romero-Ortuno Roman 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Introduction The mechanism of entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the human host cell is through the ACE2 receptor. During the pandemic, a hypothesis has been proposed that Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) could be risk factors for the development of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Objective To conduct a meta-analysis of the association between ACEi or ARB use and SARS-CoV-2 infection severity or mortality.Data Sources We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Google scholar and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for observational studies published between December 2019 and April 24, 2020Study Selection: Studies were included if they contained data on ACEi or ARB use and SARS-CoV-2 infection severity or mortality. Effect statistics were pooled using random-effects models. The quality of included studies was assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Data ExtractionData on study design, study location, year of publication, study design, number of participants, sex, age at baseline, outcome definition, exposure definition, follow-up, effect estimates and 95% Cis.Results Thirteen observational studies were identified for inclusion, combining to a total sample of 14364 participants. Mean age was 59.2 (SD 7.3) years and 53.5% were men. Mean follow-up was 28.3 (14.2) days. The mean NOS score of included studies was 7.8 (range: 7-9). Results suggested that ACEi or ARB use did not increase the risk of severe disease or mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR=0.72, 95% CI 0.47-1.11, p= 0.138).ConclusionsAt present, the limited evidence available does not support the hypothesis of increased SARS-CoV-2 risk with ACEi or ARB drugs. However, more evidence needs to accumulate before this controversy can be resolved.
Revisiting the Link between Trade Openness and Economic Growth Using Panel Methods
Authors: Jalil Abdul , Bibi Nazia 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The link between trade openness and economic growth remains an open question due to the inconclusive findings provided by empirical studies. We argue that the primary reasons for such inconclusive findings are the differences between previous studies regarding their methodologies, samples of countries, measures of trade openness, and duration of analyses. Based on this argument, we reinvestigate the trade-growth nexus through newly developed methodologies for five different subsamples from 1960 to 2017. This study also integrates a robust sample of 82 countries and employs different measures of trade openness. The econometric results support the idea that trade openness induces economic growth. These findings emerge after applying a variety of panel data specifications to the data, including a common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG) estimator and a generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator, which allows for endogeneity between trade and growth. The findings of the study challenge previous empirical results that indicate that trade restrictions promote economic growth. Based on our findings, we can safely claim that trade openness may contribute to economic growth.
Gene networks and canonical pathways associated with a favorable blood pressure response after CPAP treatment: the HIPARCO score post hoc analysis
Authors: Zapater Andrea , Santamaria-Martos Fernando , Targa Adriano , Pinilla Lucía , Sánchez-de-la-Torre Alicia , Benitez Ivan , Martinez Miguel Angel , Barbé Ferran , Sánchez-De-La-Torre Manuel 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Several studies report an association between microRNAs (miRNAs) and hypertension or cardiovascular disease. In a previous study, we observed a cluster of three miRNAs (miR-378a-3p, miR-100-5p, and miR-486-5p) functionally associated with the cardiovascular system that predicted a favorable blood pressure response to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in patients with resistant hypertension (RH) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (HIPARCO score). However, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying this. Thus, the aim of the present study was to perform a post hoc analysis to investigate the genes, functions and pathways related to the previously found HIPARCO-score miRNAs. Methods: We performed an enrichment analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. The genes potentially associated with the miRNAs were filtered based on their confidence level. Particularly for cardiovascular disease, only the genes regulated by at least two of the miRNAs were studied. Results: We observed that the miRNAs studied regulate 200-249 molecules associated with several functions and diseases, including extracranial solid tumors and abdominal neoplasms, among others. The cardiac hypertrophy and NF-kB signaling pathways were identified as the cardiovascular pathways most influenced by these three miRNAs. Conclusions: Considering this, the mechanisms by which CPAP treatment decreases the blood pressure in OSA patients with RH could be related to these pathways. Further investigations will be necessary to confirm these findings, contributing to the elucidation of new therapeutic targets in patients that do not respond to CPAP treatment.