bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting Heart Failure Events in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and Impaired Glucose Tolerance: Insights from the Acarbose Cardiovascular Evaluation (ACE) Trial
Authors: Wamil Malgorzata , McMurray John J. V. , Scott Charles A.B. , Coleman Ruth L. , Sun Yihong , Standl Eberhard , Rydén Lars , Holman Rury R 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart failure is a fatal complication of type 2 diabetes but little is known about its incidence in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). We used Acarbose Cardiovascular Evaluation (ACE) trial data to identify predictors of hospitalisation for heart failure (hHF) or cardiovascular (CV) death in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and IGT randomized to acarbose 50mg TID or placebo. METHODS Independent hHF or hHF/CV death risk factors were determined using Cox proportional hazards models, with participants censored at first hHF event, CV death, or end of follow-up. Baseline variables evaluated included age, sex, body mass index, smoking, plasma creatinine, prior CV events, fasting and 2-hour post-load glucose, and HbA1c. Those with nominal univariate associations (P<0.1) were entered into a multivariate model, with P<0.05 required for retention. Recurrent hHF events were analysed using the Andersen-Gill model, a generalisation of the Cox proportional hazards model, and logistic regression was used for death following hHF. RESULTS During median 5 years follow-up, hHF/CV death occurred in 393 (6.0%) ACE participants (triggered by 138 hHF events and 255 CV deaths). Significant hHF/CV death multivariate predictors were higher age and plasma creatinine, as well as prior heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke. Acarbose, compared with placebo, did not reduce hHF/CV death (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89, 95% CI 0.64–1.24, P=0.48) or hHF (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.74–1.10, P=0.32). Forty of the 138 participants who experienced hHF had ³2 admissions, and 58 died. No significant effect of acarbose, compared with placebo, was seen for recurrent hHF (HR 1.19, 95% CI 0.92-1.55, p=0.19), or for all-cause mortality (odds ratio 1.49, 95% CI 0.75-2.95, p=0.25).CONCLUSIONS Patients with CHD and IGT at greater risk of hHF/CV death were older with higher plasma creatinine, and had prior HF, MI, AF or stroke. Addition of acarbose to optimized CV therapy did not reduce the risk of hHF/CV death or hHF. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00829660, and the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number registry, number ISRCTN91899513.
Additive Effect of Low Skeletal Muscle Mass and Abdominal Obesity on Coronary Artery Calcification
Authors: Jun Ji Eun , Kang Mira , Jin Sang-Man , Kim Kyunga , Hwang You-Cheol , Ahn Kyu Jeung , Chung Ho Yeon , Jeong In-Kyung , Kim Jae Hyeon 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Reduced skeletal muscle mass and obesity worsens cardiometabolic risk factors. However, the combined effect of pre-sarcopenia and obesity on overt and subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) has yet to be explored. We aimed to investigate the interaction of reduced skeletal muscle mass and abdominal obesity on coronary artery calcification (CAC). Methods A total of 19,728 adults free of CVD who contemporaneously underwent cardiac tomography for estimating CAC scores and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) at baseline were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. Among them, 5,401 subjects who had one and more follow-up CAC score were included in the longitudinal analysis. Skeletal muscle mass was presented using the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) [SMI (%) = total appendicular muscle mass (kg)/body weight (kg) x 100] according to sex. CAC presence or incidence was defined as CAC score > 0, and CAC progression was defined as the square root-transformed difference between baseline and follow-up CAC scores > 2.5. Pre-sarcopenia was defined as SMI ≤ –1.0 standard deviation of the sex-specific mean of a young reference group (20-39 years). Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference ≥ 90 cm for men and ≥ 85 cm for women. All subjects were further classified into four groups: normal, abdominal obesity alone, pre-sarcopenia alone, and pre-sarcopenic obesity. Results In total subjects, the normal group was the most common at 57.8%, the abdominal obesity group was 20.4%, the pre-sarcopenic obesity group was 14.3%, and the pre-sarcopenia group was the lowest at 7.5%. The pre-sarcopenic obesity group showed the highest adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs) for CAC presence (AHR 2.16, 95% confident interval [CI]: 1.98-2.36, P <0.001) as well as total events of CAC incidence and progression (AHR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.37 – 1.75, P < 0.001), and the risks were significant compared with those of normal subjects. Pre-sarcopenic obesity significantly increased the risk of CAC incidence and progression compared to either pre-sarcopenia or abdominal obesity alone.Conclusions The coexistence of pre-sarcopenia and abdominal obesity was significantly associated with a higher risk of CAC presence and increases the risk of CAC incidence and progression independent of traditional CVD risk factors.
The Truth Behind Hematuria
Authors: Yan Hai-bo , Li Yu-mei 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is an autoimmune disease involving multiple systems with various clinical manifestations,renal involvement is common, but intracardiac thrombus is rarely reported as a complication of antiphospholipid syndrome. Drug anticoagulation is the first choice, and surgical treatment is performed in severe cases, we report the case to improve clinicians' understanding of disease diagnosis.Case presentation: A 8-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital because of left costal pain, hematuria and fever.She had obvious edema, urinary protein 3+and occult blood 3+,urinary protein 3.2g/24h, albumin 17.6g/L, total cholesterol 7.21mmol/L, consistent with diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome. Continued to track the etiology of nephrotic syndrome and performed a renal biopsy, dsDNA 1:10 positive,low C3, low platelets and hemoglobin, anti-cardiolipin IgM 12U/ml, anti-β2-glycoprotein I 223R/ml, renal pathology suggested lupus nephritis, finally diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus, secondary anticardiolipin syndrome, lupus nephritis. The patient was treated with hormone and immunosuppressant. Sixteen weeks later, urinary protein 1+,the quantity of urine protein was less than 0.5g/d. Echocardiography showed that the mass in the right atrium was thrombosis. Heparin anticoagulant therapy is effective.Conclusion: Systemic lupus erythematosus can involve multiple systems,various complications, it is rare to have thrombus in the right atrium as a complication of antiphospholipid syndrome, early diagnosis and treatment is the key to improve the prognosis of children.
Arginine Promotes Testicular Development in Boars through Nitric Oxide and Putrescine
Authors: Wei Dongqin , Wu De , Zeng Wenxian , Che Lianqiang , Xu Shengyu , Fang Zhengfeng , Feng Bin , Li Jian , Zhuo Yong , Wu Caimei , Zhang Junjie , Lin Yan 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: The present work aimed to explore the influence of arginine on testicular development in boars and the underlying mechanism. Methods: To this end, thirty 30-day-old male Duroc piglets (7.00 ± 0.30 kg) were randomly sorted into two groups maintained on either a basal diet (CON, n = 15) or a diet supplemented with 0.8% arginine (ARG, n = 15). The average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and testicular volume were determined periodically, and serum samples were collected once every 30 days. The amino acid composition and arginine metabolite levels were estimated in testes samples, collected by castration of three 150-day-old boars randomly selected from each group. Boars semen was collected at 240 days of age to estimate sperm production and quality. Results: The results showed that dietary supplementation of arginine had no effect on boar growth performance (P > 0.05) but increased the testicular volume and weight of 120- and 150-day-old boars, respectively (P < 0.05). Quantitative analysis of testicular histology showed a higher value for the number of spermatogonia and height of the seminiferous epithelium in the ARG group (P < 0.05). The sperm density, total number of sperm, and effective number of sperm of the boars in the ARG group increased significantly compared with the CON group (P < 0.05). Although arginine supplementation did not affect plasma amino acid levels, the testicular arginine levels in 150-day-old boars showed a significant increase (P < 0.05). The level of serum nitric oxide (NO) and activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) also increased in 150-day-old boars in the ARG group (P < 0.05). Interestingly, dietary supplementation of arginine increased the testicular levels of putrescine in 150-day-old boars (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results indicate that arginine supplementation increases serum NO levels and testicular arginine and putrescine levels, thereby improving testicular development and semen quality in boars.
Chemical Imaging of Microstructure of Chickpea Seed Tissue within a Cellular Dimension using Synchrotron Infrared Microspectroscopy: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Feng Xin , Liu Na , Yu Peiqiang 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Synchrotron radiation-based infrared microspectroscopy (SR-IMS) is a non-destructive bioanalytical technique with a high signal to noise ratio and high ultra-spatial resolution (3-10µm). It is capable to explore the microstructures of plant tissues in a chemical sense and provide information on the composition, structure, and distribution of chemical compounds/ functional groups. The objective of this study was to illustrate how the SR-IMS can be used to image the internal microstructures of chickpea seed tissue on a cellular level.Methods: Chickpea seeds (CDC Cory) were collected from the Crop Development Center (University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK). The seed samples were frozen at -20ºC on the object disks in a cryostatic microtome and then were cut into thin cross sections (ca. 8 μm thick). The experiment was carried out on the Mid-Infrared beamline (01B1-1) at the Canadian Light Source (Saskatoon, SK). Results: We obtained the ultra-spatial images of chickpea tissue with pixel-sized increments of imaging steps. The results showed that with the extremely bright synchrotron light, spectra with high signal to noise ratios can be obtained from area as small as 3.3 µm allowing us to observe the seed tissue within a cellular level. Chemical distribution of chickpea such as lipids, protein, and carbohydrates could be mapped, revealing the chemical information of chickpea internal microstructure.Conclusions: In conclusion, SR-IMS can rapidly characterize molecular structure of protein, carbohydrates, and lipids at ultra-spatial resolution.
Differential Lung Proteome Profiles Upon Pulmonary Exposure to Traffic-related Particulate Matter
Authors: Jheng Yu-Teng , Putri Denise Utami , Chuang Hsiao-Chi , Lee Kang-Yun , Chou Hsiu-Chu , Wang San-Yuan , Han Chia-Li 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Exposure to particulate matter (PM) pollution has direct impacts on the respiratory organs, yet the molecular alterations underlying PM-induced pulmonary injury remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of PM on lung tissues from our previously reported rat model with whole-body exposure to traffic-related PM1 pollutants and compared it with rats exposed to high-efficiency particulate air-filtered gaseous pollutants and clean air control for 3 and 6 months. Lung function and histological examinations as well as quantitative proteomics analysis and functional validation were performed. Results: The rats in 6-month PM1-exposed group showed significant decline in lung function by decreased forced expiratory flow and forced expiratory volume, but the histological analysis revealed an earlier lung damage evidenced by increased congestion and macrophage infiltration in 3-month PM1-exposed rat lungs. The lung tissue proteomics analysis identified 2,673 proteins which highlighted dysregulations on proteins involved in oxidative stress, cellular metabolisms, calcium signaling, inflammatory responses, and actin dynamics. The presence of fine particles specifically enhanced the oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions under sub-chronic exposure of traffic-related PM1 and suppressed the glucose metabolism and actin cytoskeleton signaling which might lead to repair failure and thus lung function decline after chronic exposure of traffic-related PM1. A detailed pathogenic mechanism was proposed to depict the temporal and dynamic molecular regulations associated with PM1-induced lung injury.Conclusion: Our study explored the earlier lung injury prior to lung function decline and proposed several proteins as potential molecular features for traffic-related PM1-induced lung injury.
Emergency Service Experience following the Terrorist Attack in Mogadishu, 14 October 2017
Authors: Demirel Mustafa Enes , Ali Ibrahim Hussein , Bogan Mustafa 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: To evaluate the trauma patients presenting at the Emergency Department (ED) of Mogadishu Somalia Turkish Training and Research Hospital following the explosion caused by a suicide bomber with a truck loaded with explosives in the Somalian capital, Mogadishu.Methods: The data of patients presenting at the hospital following the severe explosion on 14 October 2017 were accessed from the hospital information management system, patient examination forms and patient records and were retrospectively examined. Results: The patients comprised 188 (74.6%) males and mean age of 30.94±12.23 years (range, 1-80 years). 86 (34.1%) patients were marked with red code, 138 (54.8%) patients had superficial injuries. 173 (68.7%) patients were managed in the ED and 7 (2.8%) patients died on first admission in the ED. Multiple trauma injuries were detected in 43 (17.1%) patients, and 31 (12.3%) patients were admitted to Orthopedics departmentConclusion: Disaster management in a terrorist event requires rapid transport, appropriate triage, effective surgical approaches and specific postoperative care. Such a form of disaster management can be effective in reducing mortality of the injured who can be saved.
Pollution, Economic Growth and COVID-19 Deaths in India: Machine Learning Evidence
Authors: Mele Marco , Magazzino Cosimo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
This study used two different approaches to demonstrate the relationship between pollution emissions, economic growth and COVID-19 deaths in India. Using a time series method and annual data for the years from 1980 to 2018, stationarity and Toda-Yamamoto tests were completed. The results from our analysis highlight unidirectional causality between economic growth and pollution variables. We then used a D2C algorithm on proportion-based causality, implementing the Oryx 2.0.8 protocol in Apache. The underlying hypothesis was that a predetermined pollution concentration, caused by economic growth, could foster COVID-19, by making the respiratory system more susceptible to infection. We used data (29th January to 18th May 2020) on confirmed deaths (total and daily) and air pollution concentration levels for 25 major Indian cities. We verified an ML causal link between PM2.5, CO2, NO2 and COVID-19 deaths. The implications require careful policy design.
Qualitative Evaluation of the General Practitioner Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Training Programme
Authors: Zhang Chunyu , Fang Fang , Peng Mingqiang , Zhao Ying , Liu Ruixue , Jia Cunbo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: In China, general practitioners have limited ability to provide care for common chronic non-communicable diseases because they lack postgraduate training. In an attempt to improve general practitioners’ skills in this regard, the present authors previously launched the Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Training Programme. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this programme.Methods: Thirty-nine trainee general practitioners who participated in the programme underwent semi-structured interviews, which explored how they performed the training, what they achieved from the programme, and their suggestions for future programmes. The interview data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach.Results: Under the guidance of supervisors, the thirty-nine trainee general practitioners completed the structured but individualised training plan, which comprised a four-day basic theory class, three months practicing in a ward, and six months assisting in an outpatient clinic. They reported an improvement in their ability to provide care for chronic non-communicable diseases and perform two-way referral, as well as their communication with patients. They also reported that, since returning to their communities, they had become more confident, were building better relationships with their patients, and had changed their clinic behaviours from copying prescriptions to making medical decisions independently. Their principal suggestion for the training programme was to alter the order of the training, as they preferred to practice in the ward before assisting in the outpatient clinic.Conclusion: The course comprised a learner-centred, practice- and apprenticeship-based, general-practitioner training programme. Given the participants’ progress and the beneficial effects of the programme reported in the interview data, it appears to be worthwhile to extend the General Practitioner Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Training Programme.
Enolase 1 Regulates Stem Cell-Like Properties in Gastric Cancer Cells by Stimulating Glycolysis
Authors: Yang Ting , Shu Xiong , Zhang Hui-Wen , Sun Li-Xin , Yu Long , Liu Jun , Sun Li-Chao , Yang Zhi-Hua , Ran Yu-Liang 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that gastric cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare sub-group of gastric cancer (GC) cells and play an important role in promoting the tumor growth and progression of GC. In the present study, we demonstrated that the glycolytic enzyme Enolase 1 (ENO1) was involved in the regulation of the stem cell-like characteristics of GC cells.Methods: Self-renewal, Chemosensitivity and invasion of GC cells were evaluated by sphere formation, Chemosensitivity assay and invasion assay respectively. Glycolysis level was examined by the Seahorse XFe/XF Analyzer. ENO1 expression was determined in 83 GC specimens by immunohistochemistry. Results: The expression of ENO1 in sphere cells markedly increased as compared to the parental cell lines PAMC-82 and SNU16. We then observed that ENO1 could enhance stem cell-like characteristics, including self-renewal capacity, cell invasion and migration, chemoresistance, and even the tumorigenicity of GC cells. ENO1 is known as an enzyme that is involved in glycolysis, and our results showed that ENO1 could markedly promote the glycolytic activity of cells. Furthermore, inhibiting glycolysis activity using 2-Deoxy-D-glucose treatment significantly reduced the stemness of GC cells. Therefore, ENO1 could improve the stemness of CSCs by enhancing the cells’ glycolysis. Subsequently, to further confirm our results, we found that the inhibition of ENO1 using AP-III-a4 (ENOblock) could reduce the stemness of GC cells to a similar extent as the knockdown of ENO1 by shRNA. Finally, increased expression of ENO1 was related with poor prognosis in GC patients. Conclusion: Taken together, our results demonstrated that ENO1 is a significant biomarker associated with the stemness of GC cells.
Model Estimates of Hospitalization Discharge Rates for Norovirus Gastroenteritis in Europe, 2004-2015
Authors: Calduch Elsa Negro , Cattaert Tom , Verstraeten Thomas 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Norovirus is an important cause of acute gastroenteritis globally. However, norovirus is rarely laboratory confirmed or recorded explicitly as a cause of hospitalization. In recent years, there has been an interest in using medical databases and indirect modelling methods to estimate the incidence of norovirus gastroenteritis. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of hospitalizations for norovirus gastroenteritis in Europe (2004- 2015) using nationwide in-patient discharge records from different European countries.Methods: National hospital discharge registers in all 28 European Union countries (at that time) and all 4 European Free Trade Association countries were contacted and invited to participate in the study. Discharges with ICD9/ICD10 codes for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) as first-listed (principal) diagnosis were extracted to assess hospitalization rates for AGE and norovirus gastroenteritis (NGE), overall, by age group, country, month, and seasonal year. To estimate NGE hospital discharge rates, a statistical model, based on the temporal patterns of occurrence of AGE, was used. Results: Data were available from 15 countries, representing 68% of the total population in Europe. Only 24.4% of all AGE discharges were coded as cause-specified. We estimated that between 2004 and 2015, the overall rate of NGE hospital discharges in Europe was 3.9 per 10,000 person-years, ranging from 1.2 (Portugal) to 10.7 (Lithuania). Norovirus was predicted to be responsible for 17% of all AGE hospital discharges in Europe in this period. Norovirus affects individuals of all ages, but NGE discharge rates were highest in children <5 years (24.8 per 10,000 person-years), and adults aged ≥80 years (10.7 per 10,000 person-years). Conclusion: We estimated that 1 in 400 hospitalizations in Europe can be attributed to Norovirus. In the absence of routine norovirus testing and recording in hospital settings, modelling methods are useful resources to estimate the incidence of norovirus gastroenteritis.