bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Postoperative Nomogram for predicting Cancer-Specific and Overall Survival Among Patients with Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Chen Li , Wang Yizeng , Zhao Ke , Wang Yuyun , Li Dongyang , He Xianghui 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) accounts for 1% -2% of thyroid cancer in the United States based on the latest Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, this study aimed to construct a comprehensive predictive nomogram based on various clinical variables in MTC patients who undergo total thyroidectomy and neck lymph nodes dissection.Methods Data regarding 1237 MTC patients who undergo total thyroidectomy and neck lymph nodes dissection from 2004 to 2015 were obtained from the SEER database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to screen for meaningful independent predictors. These independent factors were used to construct a nomogram model, a survival prognostication tool for 3- and 5-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival among these MTC patients.Result A total of 1237 patients enrolled from the SEER database were randomly divided into the training group (n = 867) and the test group (n = 370). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify meaningful independent prognostic factors (P <0.05). Tumor size, age, metastasis status, and LNR were selected as independent predictors of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Finally, two nomograms were developed, the predicted C-index of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate in the training group were 0.828 and 0.904, respectively. The predicted C-index of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate in the test group were 0.813 and 0.828.Conclusion Nomograms constructed by using various clinical variables can make more comprehensive and accurate predictions for MTC patients who undergo total thyroidectomy and neck lymph nodes. These predictive nomograms help identify postoperative high-risk MTC patients and facilitate patient counseling on clinical prognosis and follow-up.
Effects of Amino Acids on Olfactory-Related Receptors Regulating Appetite in Silver Pomfret
Authors: Zhang Youyi , Hu Jiabao , Le Qijun , Yang Yang , Kuang Siwen , Zhang Man , Gu Weiwei , Sun Yibo , Jacques Kimran Jean , Li Yaya , Sun Jiachu , Wang Yajun , Zheng Chunjing , Xu Shanliang , Yan Xiaojun 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Amino acids are common components of the natural prey of fishes, and even single amino acid can bind olfactory receptors of fishes and induce appetite, which is regulated by hormones. Silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) is one of the most preferred commercial marine fish species in many Asian countries and performs a significant appetite for jellyfish. Aspartic acid, glycine, and cysteine are high content amino acid in jellyfish, so we investigated the effect of three amino acids (aspartic acid, glycine, and cysteine) on olfactory-related receptors regulating appetite in silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus).Results: The fish showed significant attractant responses to these amino acids in water, which were also observed to improve the ingestion rates of the fish. Next, we conducted transcriptomes of the olfactory epithelium (OE) and identified 34 olfactory-related receptor genes were including olfactory receptors, trace amine-associated receptors and vomeronasal receptors genes, and we examined these genes in the OE and appetite-related genes (GHRL and LEP in gut/stomach and NPY, AgRP, and POMC in brain) by RT-qPCR. The olfactory-related receptor genes were significantly expressed in amino acid groups, and the appetite-related genes were most significantly expressed in aspartic acid group. Conclusions: Thus, olfactory-related receptors induced by amino acids might regulate appetite in silver pomfret through the OE-brain-gut/stomach axis. Using these data, we identified some effective amino acid phagostimulants which could be supplied in silver pomfret diet, and the results improved our understanding of the mechanism of olfactory-related receptors regulating appetite in fish.
Effects of Gancao Nourish Yin Decoration on Liver Metabolic Profiles in hTNF-α Transgenic Arthritic Mouse Model
Authors: Pan RongBin , Cheng Kok Suen , Chen Yanjuan , Zhu Xingwang , Zhao Wenting , Xiao Changhong , Chen Yong 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
BackgroundGancao Nurish Yin (GCNY) decoction has been applied to clinical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and it had shown effectiveness not only in disease activity controlling but also on improving patients’ physical status. However, its mechanism of function has not been investigated. Metabolic perturbations have been associated with RA and targeting the metabolic profile is one of the ways to manage the disease. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of GCNY on metabolic changes of human tumor necrosis factor alpha (hTNF-α) transgenic arthritic mouse model. MethodshTNF-α transgenic arthritic model mice were divided into control and GCNY groups with 6 mice in each group. After 8 weeks of treatment, liver tissues of mice in both groups were obtained for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis. Significantly regulated metabolites by GCNY treatment were first identified, followed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and network analysis.ResultsOf the 126 metabolites detected in the liver, 17 metabolites were with significantly altered between control group mice and mice treated with GCNY. Specifically, thiamine, gamma-L-Glutamyl-L-valine, pantothenic acid, pyridoxal (Vitamin B6), succinic acid, uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronic acid (UDP-D-Glucuronate), uridine, allantoic acid, N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine, nicotinamide ribotide and N2,N2-Dimethylguanosine were down-regulated by GCNY treatment whereas isobutyrylglycine, N-Acetylcadaverine, N-Carbamoyl-L-aspartic acid, L-Anserine, creatinine and cis-4-Hydroxy-D-proline were up-regulated. Six metabolic pathways were significantly altered including the alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, thiamine metabolism, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis and citrate cycle (TCA cycle). Integrative metabolic network analysis suggested the possibility of GCNY having both positive and negative effects on RA through the suppression of angiogenesis and promotion of leukocyte extravasation into the synovium, respectively. ConclusionsGCNY can induce a change in the metabolic profiles of hTNF-α transgenic arthritic mouse model. Further optimization of this decoction may lead to better therapeutic effects on RA patients.
Integrated Study of Transcriptome-wide m6A Methylome Confirms a Potential Mechanism for Transcriptional Regulation During Yak Adipocytes Differentiation
Authors: Zhang Yongfeng , Liang Chunnian , Wu Xiaoyun , Pei Jie , Guo Xian , Chu Min , Ding Xuezhi , Bao Pengjia , Kalwar Qudratullah , Yan Ping 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Yak (Bos grunniens) is considered as an iconic symbol of Tibet and high altitude, but they suffer from malnutrition during the cold season that challenges the metabolism of energy. Adipocytes perform crucial role in maintaining the energy balance and adipocyte differentiation is a complex process involving multiple changes in expression of genes. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays an dynamic role in post-transcription gene expression regulation as the most widespread mRNA modification of the higher eukaryotes. However, currently there is no research existing on the m6A transcriptome-wide map of bovine animals and their potential biological functions in adipocyte differentiation. Results: We performed methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequence (MeRIP-seq) and RNA sequence (RNA-seq) to determine the distinctions in m6A methylation and gene expression during yak adipocyte differentiation. In yak adipocyte and preadipocyte the content of m6A and m6A associated enzymes were substantially different. In the two groups, a total of 14,710 m6A peaks and 13,388 m6A peaks were identified. In the most part, m6A peaks were enriched in stop codons, 3’-untranslated regions and coding regions. The functional enrichment exploration displayed that differentially methylated genes participated in some of the pathways associated with adipogenic metabolism. In addition to that there was a positive association between m6A abundance and levels of gene expression, which displayed that m6A plays vital role in modulating gene expression during yak adipocyte differentiation.Conclusions: In short, it could be concluded that the current study provides a comprehensive explanation of the m6A features in the yak transcriptome, offering in-depth insights into m6A topology and associated molecular mechanisms underlying bovine adipocyte differentiation which might be helpful for further understanding its mechanisms.
P-value and Bayesian Analysis in Randomized-controlled Trials in Child health Research Published Over Ten Years, 2007 to 2017: A Review Protocol
Authors: Aregbesola Alex , Gates Allison , Coyle Amanda , Sim Shannon , Vandermeer Ben , Skakum Megan , Contopoulos-Ioannidis Despina , Heath Anna , Hartling Lisa , Klassen Terry 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: There is an unresolved debate about the reliability of the interpretation of P-value. Some investigators have suggested that an alternative Bayesian method is preferred in conducting health research. As randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) are important in generating research evidence, we decided to investigate the extent, if any, the inferential statistical framework in published RCTs in child health research have changed over 10 years. We aim to examine the change in P-value and Bayesian analysis in RCTs in child health research papers published from 2007 to 2017. Methods: We will search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Wiley) to identify relevant citations. We will leverage a pre-existing sample of child health RCTs published in 2007 (n=300) used in our previous study of reporting quality of pediatric RCTs. Using the same strategy and study selection methods, we will identify a comparable random sample of child health RCTs published in 2017 (n=300). Eligible studies will include RCTs in health research among individuals aged 21 years and below. One reviewer will select studies for inclusion and extract the data and another reviewer will verify these. Disagreements will be resolved by a discussion between reviewers or by involving another reviewer. We will perform a descriptive analysis of 2007 and 2017 samples and analyze the results using both the frequentist and Bayesian methods. Discussion: We will present specific characteristics of the clinical trials from 2007 and 2017 in tabular and graphical forms. We will report the difference in the proportion of P-value and Bayesian analysis between 2007 and 2017 to assess the 10-year change. Clustering around P-values of significance, if observed, will be reported. This review has the potential to help inform the need for a change in the methodological approach from the null hypothesis significance test to Bayesian methods.Systematic review registration: Open Science Framework https://osf.io/aj2df
Induction of labour in mid-trimester pregnancy using double-balloon catheter placement within 12 hours versus within 12-24 hours
Authors: Peng Jing , Li Ruobing , Du Shuguo , Yin Heng , Li Min , Zheng Xuan , Wu Shiyao , Zhao Yun 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the induction of labour in mid-trimester pregnancy using double-balloon catheter (DBC) within 12 hours versus within 12–24 hours.
Methods
In this retrospective study, a total of 58 pregnant women with gestation age of 14 + 0 weeks to 27 + 6 weeks were enrolled as research objects, and they underwent intended termination of pregnancy at our birth center from January 1, 2017, to June 31, 2019. Based on the duration time of DBC, the cases were divided into two groups (DBC group within 12 hours and DBC group within 12–24 hours).
Results
All of the 58 cases were successful vaginal delivery and no one chose cesarean section. The success rate of induction (successful abortion of fetus and placenta without the implementation of dilatation and evacuation) was higher in the DBC group within 12–24 hours (96.3%, 29/31) than that in DBC group within 12 hours (71.0%, 18/27) (p < 0.05). At the same time, the time from DBC removal to delivery in 12–24 hours DBC group was significantly shorter than that in DBC group within 12 hours (3.0 h versus 17.8 h) (p < 0.05), the degree of cervical dilation after DBC removal in DBC group within 12–24 hours was larger than that in DBC group within 12 hours (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
In the clinic, the placement time of DBC is generally lasting for about 12 hours. However, considering the cervical condition is immature in the mid-trimester, properly extending the placement time of DBC to 24 hours will benefit for cervical ripening and lead to reduce chance of dilatation and evacuation.
Could the Ambient Higher Temperature Decrease the Transmissibility of COVID-19 in China?
Authors: Wang Qingan , Zhao Yu , Zhang Yajuan , Qiu Jiangwei , Li Juan , Yan Ni , Li Nan , Zhang Jiaxing , Tian Di , Sha Xiaolan , Jing Jinyun , Yang Chan , Wang Kairong , Xu Rongbin , Zhang Yuhong , Yang Huifang , Zhao Shi , Zhao Yi 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Existing literatures demonstrated that meteorological factors could be of importance in affecting the spread patterns of the respiratory infectious diseases. However, how ambient temperature may influence the transmissibility of COVID-19 remains unclear.Objectives: We explore the association between ambient temperature and transmissibility of COVID-19 in different regions across China.Methods: The surveillance data on COVID-19 and meteorological factors were collected from 28 provincial level regions in China, and estimated the instantaneous reproductive number ( Rt). The generalized additive model was used to assess the relationship between mean temperature and Rt.Results: There were 12745 COVID-19 cases collected in the study areas. We report the effect of temperature on R t is not of statistical significance, which holds for most of included regions except for those in North China. Conclusions: We found little statistical evidence for that the higher temperature may reduce the transmissibility of COVID-19.
Does it pay to be green? Environmental performance and firm financing during COVID-19 outbreaks
Authors: Wellalage Nirosha Hewa , Kumar Vijay 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
This paper examines the effect of firm environmental performance on firm financing during the COVID-19 outbreak. Crises in multiple forms curtail Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) stability and the livelihood of hundreds of millions of people who derive their living from these activities. The way in which MSMEs deal with crises and the extent to which environmental performance is beneficial when the market suffers a negative shock is relatively unexplored in the literature. We consider three aspects of financing -- firm level liquidity, bank credit and bankruptcy probabilities -- and argue that it pays for firms to show commitment to environmental responsibilities in a global pandemic. Through an examination of 3,356 MSMEs, we find that firms with better environmental performance reduce their probability of bankruptcies and their liquidities decreasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, analysis shows that the impact of a firm’s environmental performance is more pronounced in sensitive industries (hospitality and retail). The results are robust based on a series of robustness checks, including propensity score matching and the Heckman two-stage sample selection model. Our study suggests that the trust between a firm and its stakeholders, if it is grounded on environmental performance, pays off when the overall level of trust in markets suffers a negative shock. JEL Classification: F64; G01; Q14
Microplastic pollution in seawater and marine organisms across the Tropical Eastern Pacific and Galápagos
Authors: Alfaro-Núñez Alonzo , Astorga Diana , Cáceres-Farías Lenin , Bastidas Lisandra , Villegas Cynthia Soto , Macay Kewrin Choez , Christensen Jan H. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
It is not surprising anymore the detection of plastic debris degrading into micro and nanoplastics across all oceanic environments and in marine organisms, which now appears as one of the world’s main concerns. To determine the levels of microplastic pollution at sea, water samples were collected across a 4000 km-trajectory in the Tropical Eastern Pacific and the Galápagos archipelago, covering an area of 453,000 square kilometres. Furthermore, 240 specimens of 16 different species of fish, squid, and shrimp, all of human consumption, were collected along the continental coast. Microplastic particles were found in 100% of the water samples and marine organisms. Microplastic particles from 150 – 500 µm were the most predominant. This is one of the first reports simultaneously detecting and quantifying microplastic particles abundance in the Eastern Tropical Pacific region, the Galápagos archipelago and inside marine organisms.
Low-noise X-ray PIN photodiodes made of perovskite single crystals by Solution-processed doped epitaxial growth
Authors: Wang Xin , Xu Yubing , Pan Yuzhu , Li Yuwei , Xu Ji , Chen Jing , Wu Jun , Li Qing , Zhang Xiaobing , Zhao Zhiwei , Elemike Elias , Onwudiwe Damian , Akram Javed , Lei Wei 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
X-ray photodiodes made of metal halide perovskites (MHPs) which directly convert X-ray photons into electron-hole pairs have shown advantages in low-cost and high X-ray detection sensitivity. However, devices fabricated by spin-coating and evaporation methods suffer from high traps density near poor interfacial layers (n-type/intrinsic and p-type/intrinsic) which lead to high dark current and noise current under large reverse bias. In this work, solution-processed doped epitaxial growth is employed to limit these traps through epitaxially growing n-type MHPs (bismuth-doped) and p-type MHPs (silver-doped) on opposite faces of intrinsic CH3NH3PbBr2.5Cl0.5 MHP single crystals. Through energy structure design, effective electron/hole blocking layers could decrease the noise and dark current, these X-ray PIN photodiodes work under a large external electrical field, which enables a state-of-art response speed (fall) of 750 ns and a lowest detectable dose rate of 17.7 nGys-1(40 kVp). This work will motivate new strategies to fabricate high-performance devices based on perovskites using solution-processed methods. These founding also explore a new generation of low dose and high dynamic X-ray detectors based on MHPs.
Investigation of mechanical and micro structural properties of ST14 steel sheet joints by friction stir welding process
Authors: Afshari Mahmoud , Rad Ehsan Salahshour , Foroushani Hossein Norozi , Far Iraj Sattari 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
High strength and ductility are some of reasons that make ST14 steel one of the most widely used steels in automotive and aerospace industries. FSW is one of the new methods of solid-state welding that is proposed as a method with desirable mechanical properties.In this study, mechanical and microstructural properties of 1.5mm thick ST14 steel sheets were investigated in the friction stir welding process. The results showed that the welded specimen with rotational speed of 800 rpm and linear motion speed of 80 mm/min had the highest tensile strength of 305MPa. In addition, results of metallographic test showed that the sample with 1000 rpm rotational speed and 50 mm/min linear motion speed had the highest heat input to the piece, and therefore the tungsten carbide particles were separated from the instrument and entered the stirred zone. Also the results of micro hardness test showed that in the welded specimen with rotational speed of 1000 rpm and linear motion speed of 50 mm/min, hardness increased to 115H1 HV in the stirred zone, which is higher than hardness of other samples in same region. It can be claimed that tungsten carbide particles are present in this area.
The Extended Lipid Panel Assay: A Clinically-Deployed High-Throughput Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Method for the Simultaneous Measurement of Lipids and Apolipoprotein B
Authors: Garcia Erwin , Bennett Dennis W. , Connelly Margery A. , Jeyarajah Elias J. , Warf Franklin C. , Shalaurova Irina , Matyus Steven P. , Wolak-Dinsmore Justyna , Oskardmay David N. , Young Randolph M. , Sampson Maureen , Remaley Alan T. , Otvos James Dorian 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
BackgroundStandard lipid panel assays employing chemical/enzymatic methods measure total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), from which are calculated estimates of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). These lipid measures are used universally to guide management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. Apolipoprotein B (apoB) is generally acknowledged to be superior to LDL-C for lipid-lowering therapeutic decision-making, but apoB immunoassays are performed relatively infrequently due to the added analytic cost. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the performance of a rapid, high-throughput, reagent-less assay producing an “Extended Lipid Panel” (ELP) that includes apoB, using the Vantera® nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyzer platform already deployed clinically for lipoprotein particle and other testing.MethodsPartial least squares regression models, using as input a defined region of proton NMR spectra of plasma or serum, were created to simultaneously quantify TC, TG, HDL-C, and apoB. Large training sets (n >~1,000) of patient sera analyzed independently for lipids and apoB by chemical methods were employed to ensure prediction models reflect the wide lipid compositional diversity of the population. The analytical performance of the NMR ELP assay was comprehensively evaluated.ResultsExcellent agreement was demonstrated between chemically-measured and ELP assay values of TC, TG, HDL-C and apoB with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.980 to 0.997. Within-run precision studies measured using low, medium, and high level serum pools gave coefficients of variation for the 4 analytes ranging from 1.0 to 3.8% for the low, 1.0 to 1.7% for the medium, and 0.9 to 1.3% for the high pools. Corresponding values for within-lab precision over 20 days were 1.4 to 3.6%, 1.2 to 2.3%, and 1.0 to 1.9%, respectively. Independent testing at three sites over 5 days produced highly consistent assay results. No major interference was observed from 38 endogenous or exogenous substances tested.Conclusions﻿Extensive assay performance evaluations validate that the NMR ELP assay is efficient, robust, and substantially equivalent to standard chemistry assays for the clinical measurement of lipids and apoB. Routine reporting of apoB alongside standard lipid measures could facilitate more widespread utilization of apoB for clinical decision-making.