bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Dynamics and Starvation Impact on the Gut Microbiome of Urochordate Ascidian Halocynthia roretzi
Authors: Wei Jiankai , Gao Hongwei , Yang Yang , Liu Haiming , Yu Haiyan , Chen Zigui , Dong Bo 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Gut microbiota plays important roles in host animal metabolism, homeostasis and environmental adaptation. However, the interplay between the gut microbiome and urochordate ascidian, the most closet relative of vertebrate, remains less explored. In this study, we characterized the gut microbial communities of urochordate ascidian ( Halocynthia roretzi ) across the changes of season and starvation stress using a comprehensive set of omic approaches including 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, metabolomic profiling, and transcriptome sequencing. Results The 16S rRNA gene amplicon profiling revealed that ascidians harbor indigenous gut microbiota distinctly different to the marine microbial community and significant variations in composition and abundance of gut bacteria, with predominant bacterial orders representing each season. Depressed alpha-diversities of gut microbiota were observed across starvation stress when compared to the communities in aquafarm condition. Synechococcales involving photosynthesis and its related biosynthesis was reduced in abundance while the enrichments of Xanthomonadales and Legionellales may facilitate bile acid biosynthesis during starvation. Metabolomics analysis found that long chain fatty acids, linolenic acid,cyanoamino acid, and pigments derived from gut bacteria were upregulated, suggesting a beneficial contribution of the gut microbiome to the ascidian under starvation stress. Conclusions Our findings revealed seasonal variation of ascidian gut microbiota. Defense and energy-associated metabolites derived from gut microbiome may provide an adaptive interplay between gut microbiome and ascidian host that maintains a beneficial metabolic system across season and starvation stress. The diversity-generating metabolisms from both microbiota and host might lead to the co-evolution and environmental adaptation.
Postseismic Deformation Following the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake Detected by ALOS-2/PALSAR-2
Authors: Hashimoto Manabu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
I have been conducting a study of postseismic deformation following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake using ALOS-2/PALSAR-2 acquired till 2018. I apply ionospheric correction to interferograms of ALOS-2/PALSAR-2. L-band SAR gives us high coherence enough to reveal surface deformation even in vegetated or mountainous area for pairs of images acquired more than 2 years. Postseismic deformation following the Kumamoto earthquake exceeds 10 cm during two years at some spots in and around Kumamoto city and Aso caldera. Westward motion of ~6 cm/yr was dominant on the southeast side of the Hinagu fault, while westward shift was detected on both side of the Futagawa fault. The area of latter deformation seems to have correlation with distribution of pyroclastic flow deposits. Significant uplift was found around the eastern Futagawa fault and on the southwestern frank of Aso caldera, whose rate reaches 4 cm/yr. There are sharp changes across several coseismic surface ruptures such as Futagawa, Hinagu, and Idenokuchi faults. Rapid subsidence between Futagawa and Idenokuchi faults also found. It is confirmed that local subsidence continued along the Suizenji fault, which newly appeared during the mainshock in Kumamoto City. Subsidence with westward shift of up to 4 cm/yr was also found in Aso caldera. Time constant of postseismic decay ranges from 1 month to 600 days at selected points, but that postseismic deformation during the first epochs or two are dominant at point in the Kumamoto Plain. This result suggests multiple source of deformation. Westward motion around the Hinagu fault may be explained with right lateral afterslip on the shallow part of this fault. Subsidence along the Suizenji fault can be attributed to normal faulting on dipping westward. Deformation around the Hinagu and Idenokuchi faults cannot be explained with right-lateral afterslip of Futagawa fault, which requires other sources. Deformation in northern part of Aso caldera might be the result of right lateral afterslip on a possible buried fault.
Leveraging Family Dynamics to Increase the Effectiveness of Incentives for Physical Activity: The FIT-FAM Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Finkelstein Eric , Lim Robyn Su May , Ward Dianne Stanton , Evenson Kelly R. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Insufficient physical activity is a global public health concern. Research indicates incentives can increase physical activity levels of children but has not tested whether incentives targeted at children can be leveraged to increase physical activity levels of their parents. This study evaluates whether a novel incentive design linking children’s incentives to both their and their parent’s physical activity levels can increase parent’s physical activity.Methods: We conducted a two-arm, parallel, open-labelled randomized controlled trial in Singapore where parent-child dyads were randomly assigned to either (1) rewards to child contingent on child’s physical activity (child-based) or (2) rewards to child contingent on both child’s and parent’s physical activity (family-based). Parents had to be English-speaking, computer-literate, non-pregnant, full-time employees, aged 25–65 years, and with a participating child aged 7–11 years. Parent-child dyads were randomized within strata (self-reported low vs high weekly physical activity) into study arms in a 1:1 ratio. Participants were given activity trackers to assess daily steps. The outcome of interest was the between-arm difference in the change from baseline in parent’s mean steps/day measured by accelerometry at months 6 and 12 (primary endpoint).Results: Overall, 159 and 157 parent-child dyads were randomized to the child-based or family-based arms, respectively. Outcomes were evaluated on an intent-to-treat basis. At month 6, there was a 613 steps/day (95% CI: 54–1171) differential in favour of family-based parents. At month 12, our primary endpoint, the differential was reduced to 369 steps/day (95% CI: -88–1114) and was no longer statistically significant.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that novel incentive designs that take advantage of group dynamics may be effective. However, in this design, the effectiveness of the family-based incentive to increase parent’s physical activity was not sustained through one year.Trial registration: NCT02516345 (ClinicalTrials.gov) registered on August 5, 2015
Predictors for the development of preoperative oxygenation impairment in acute aortic dissection in hypertensive patients
Authors: Zhao Xuemin , Bie Mengjun 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is an acute life-threatening cardiovascular disease, which is frequently complicated with oxygenation impairment (OI). We aim to investigate predictors of the development of OI in the patients with AAD.Methods We retrospectively collected clinical data of AAD in hypertensive patients from July 2012 to March 2020. The patients included in this study were divided into OI (+) group (oxygenation index≤200) and OI (-) group (oxygenation index>200). Both groups were compared according to demographic and clinical characteristics, and laboratory findings. Characteristics of hypertension in the patients with AAD were described. Predictors for the development of OI were assessed. And cutoff values were determined by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve.Results A total of 208 patients were included in this study and the incidence of OI was 32.2%. In OI (+) group, patients had significantly higher peak body temperature (37.85±0.60 vs 37.64±0.44℃, P= .005), higher levels of CRP (42.70±28.27 vs 13.90±18.70mg/L, P= .000) and procalcitonin (1.07±3.92 vs 0.31±0.77ug/L, P= .027), and lower levels of albumin (34.21±5.65 vs 37.73±4.70g/L, P= .000). Spearman’s rank correlation test showed that the minimum oxygenation index was positively correlated with albumin, and was negatively correlated with the peak body temperature, serum CRP, procalcitonin, BNP and troponin. The stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that the peak body temperature, serum CRP and albumin were independently associated with development of OI. An optimal cutoff value for CRP for predicting OI was ≥9.20 mg/L, with a sensitivity of 91.0% and a specificity of 61.0%.Conclusions The peak body temperature, serum CRP and albumin were independent predictors of OI development in the patients with AAD. The serum CRP on admission≥9.20 mg/L might be a valuable and reliable indicator in predicting the development of OI.
Association of smoking behavior among Chinese expectant fathers and smoking abstinence after their partner becomes pregnant: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Xia Wei , Li William Ho Cheung , Cai Wenzhi , Song Peige , Ho Laurie Long Kwan , Cheung Ankie Tan , Luo Yuanhui , Zeng Chunxian , He Li , Gao Chao , Ho Ka Yan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) during pregnancy can cause pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes. About 40% of Chinese expectant fathers are smokers and they rarely attempt to quit. There is a paucity of effective smoking cessation services targeting this population. In this study, we assessed the smoking behavior of Chinese expectant fathers and examined its association with smoking abstinence after their partner became pregnant, which is an essential prerequisite for designing effective smoking cessation interventions. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in the obstetrics and gynecology clinic of three tertiary hospitals in China. Expectant fathers who smoked at least one cigarette per day for 1 month within the past 12 months were invited to participate in this study. The participants were asked to complete a structured questionnaire that assessed their smoking behaviors before and after their partner became pregnant. Results: From December 2017 to March 2018, we recruited a total of 466 eligible expectant fathers, among whom 323 (69.3%) were identified as current smokers and 143 (30.7%) were ex-smokers. Using lasso regression, 19 features were selected from among 27 independent variables. The results of the selected multivariable logistic regression model showed that knowledge about the health hazards of smoking among smokers (odds ratio (OR) 1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24 to 1.58; p<0.001), knowledge about the health hazards of SHS to pregnant women (OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.97; p<0.001), knowledge about harm to the fetus and newborn (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.25 to 2.03; p<0.001), and being a first-time expectant father (OR 2.08; 95% CI 1.02 to 3.85; p=0.046) were significantly positively associated with smoking abstinence among expectant fathers after their partner became pregnant. Significantly negative associations were found for severe dysfunctionality in terms of family support (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.95; p=0.036) and smoking only outside the home (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.98; p<0.001). Conclusions: In this study, we identified several factors associated with smoking abstinence among expectant fathers after their partner became pregnant. These findings can guide the development of effective interventions targeting expectant fathers, to help them quit smoking.
The Upper Bound of Multi-source DOA Information in Sensor Array and Its Application in Performance Evaluation
Authors: Tu Weilin , Xu Dazhuan , Zhou Ying , Shi Chao 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Direction of arrival (DOA) estimation has been discussed extensively in the array signal processing field. In this paper, the authors focus on the multi-source DOA information which is defined as the mutual information between the DOA and the received signal contaminated by complex additive white Gaussian noise. A theoretical expression of DOA information with multiple sources is derived for the uniform linear array. At high SNRs and under the sparse-source assumption obtained is the upper bound of DOA information contained in K sparse sources which can be regarded as the sum of all single-source information minus the uncertainty of sources' order logK!. Moreover, because of the uncertainty of multi-sources' order, the posteriori probability distribution of DOA no longer obeys single peak Gaussian distribution so that the mean square error is unsuitable in evaluating the performance of multi dimensional parameter estimation. Consequently, entropy error(EE) is used as a new performance evaluation metric, whose relationship with DOA information is given.
Impact on Quality of Life 3 Years After Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer Patients Below 75 At Diagnosis: An Observational Case-Control Study
Authors: Houédé Nadine , Rébillard Xavier , Bouvet Sophie , Kabani Sarah , Fabbro-Peray Pascale , Trétarre Brigitte , Ménégaux Florence 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Prostate cancer patients are known to suffer from poor sexual and urinary long-term side-effects following treatment, potentially impacting quality of life. The purpose of our study was to compare health-related quality of life at 3 years between prostate cancer patients and healthy controls according to key life-style characteristics. Secondary objectives were to compare urological dysfunction, sexual function, anxiety and depression. Methods: Multicentric, case-control, observational prospective, open, follow-up study including 819 prostate cancer patients < 75 years old from the EPICAP cohort, newly diagnosed from 1 December 2011 to 31 March 2014 and 879 healthy controls. Participants were excluded if they experienced a relapse. Controls from the same geographical region were age-matched and were excluded if they were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Patients received one of the following treatments: active surveillance (AS), radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), High-intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), chemotherapy (CT), or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) as appropriate. The primary outcome was the quality of life as evaluated by the QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Scores were analyzed by multivariate analysis to adjust for predefined socio-demographic confounding effects. Results: In total, 564 participants were included (mean age 67.9 years): 376 patients and 188 controls. Treatment breakdown was: 258 underwent RP, 90 received EBRT, 52 brachytherapy or HIFU, 15 CT, 26 ADT and 61 AS. There was no difference in median global quality of life between patients and controls (94.87 vs 94.15, p=0.71). Multivariate analysis showed poorer social functioning in patients (24.3% vs. 16.3%, p=0.0209), more dyspnea (22% vs. 12.4%, p=0.0078), and yet less current pain (23% vs 33%, p=0.0151). Conclusions: Global health status score at 3 years after diagnosis was similar between patients and controls, though patients showed a significantly worse social functioning. Prostate cancer diagnosis per se does not seem to impact the quality of life of patients <75 years at diagnosis. However, the therapeutic option that will be chosen following diagnosis should be carefully discussed with the medical staff in terms of benefit-risk ratios as it could have a long-term impact on urinary or erectile dysfunction.Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02854982. Registered 4 August 2016, retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02854982
Clinical characteristics and manifestations in older patients with COVID-19
Authors: Wei Chenchen , Liu Ya , Liu Yapeng , Zhang Kai , Su Dezhen , Zhong Ming , Meng Xiao 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: To investigate the clinical characteristics and manifestations of older patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods: In this retrospective study, 566 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled and the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, complications and outcome data were collected and analyzed.Results: Among the 566 patients (median age, 61.5 years) with COVID-19, 267 (47.2%) patients were male and 307 (54.2%) were elderly. Compared with younger patients, older patients had more underlying comorbidities and laboratory abnormalities. A higher rate of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute cardiac injury and heart failure was observed in the older group as compared with younger and middle-aged groups, particularly those oldest-old patients (>75 years) had more multi-organ damage. Older patients with COVID-19 were more likely to suffer from acute cardiac injury in cases with preexistenting cardiovascular diseases, while there was no difference among the three groups when patients had no history of cardiovascular diseases. Older patients present more severe with the mortality of 18.6%, which was higher than that in younger and middle-aged patients (P<0.05). Multivariable analysis showed that age, lymphopenia, ARDS, acute cardiac injury, heart failure and skeletal muscle injury were associated with death in older patients, while glucocorticoids may be harmful.Conclusions: Older patients, especially the oldest-old patients were more likely to exhibit significant systemic inflammation, pulmonary and extrapulmonary organ damage and a higher mortality. Advanced age, lymphopenia, ARDS, acute cardiac injury, heart failure and skeletal muscle injury were independent predictors of death in older patients with COVID19 and glucocorticoids should be carefully administered in older patients.
Uncovering fungal community composition in natural habitat of Ophiocordyceps sinensis using high-throughput sequencing and culture-dependent approaches
Authors: Zhang Chuanbo , Ren Chao-Hui , Wang Yan-Li , Wang Qi-Qi , Wang Yun-Sheng , Weng Qing-Bei 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The fungal communities inhabiting natural Ophiocordyceps sinensis play critical ecological roles in alpine meadow ecosystem, contribute to infect host insect, influence the occurrence of O. sinensis, and are repertoire of potential novel metabolites discovery. However, a comprehensive understanding of fungal communities of O. sinensis remain elusive. Therefore, the present study aimed to unravel fungal communities of natural O. sinensis using combination of high-throughput sequencing and culture-dependent approaches. Results: A total of 280,519 high-quality sequences, belonging to 5 fungal phyla, 15 classes, 41 orders, 79 families, 112 genera, and 352 putative operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained from natural O. sinensis using high-throughput sequencing. Among of which, 43 genera were identified in external mycelial cortices (EMC), Ophiocordyceps, Sebacinia, Archaeorhizomyces were predominant genera with the abundance of 95.86%, 1.14%, 0.85%, respectively. A total of 66 genera were identified from soil microhabitat (Soil), Inocybe, Archaeorhizomyces, unclassified Thelephoraceae, Tomentella, Thelephora, Sebacina, unclassified Ascomycota, unclassified Fungi were predominant genera with an average abundance of 53.32%, 8.69%, 8.12%, 8.12%, 7.21%, 4.6%, 3.08% and 3.05%, respectively. The fungal communities in external mycelial cortices were significantly distinct from the soil microhabitat. Meanwhile, seven types of culture media were used to isolate culturable fungi at 16°C, resulted in 77 fungal strains isolated by rDNA ITS sequence analysis, belonging to 33 genera, including Ophiocordyceps, Trichoderma, Cytospora, Truncatella, Dactylonectria, Isaria, Cephalosporium, Fusarium, Cosmospora and Paecilomyces, etc.. Among all culturable fungi, Mortierella and Trichoderma were predominant genera. Conclusions: The significantly differences and overlap in fungal community structure between two approaches highlight that the integration of high-throughput sequencing and culture-dependent approaches would generate more information. Our result reveal a comprehensive understanding of fungal community structure of natural O. sinensis, provide new insight into O. sinensis associated fungi, and support that microbiota of natural O. sinensis is an untapped source for novel bioactive metabolites discovery.
A qualitative analysis of vaccine decision-makers’ conceptualization and fostering of ‘community engagement’ in India
Authors: Dutta Tapati , Meyerson Beth , Agley Jon , Barnes Priscilla , Sherwood-Laughlin Catherine , Nicholson-Crotty Jill 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Globally, and in India, the research literature on vaccination highlights importance of community engagement in achieving national vaccination goals. However, community engagement, and “community” itself, are not well-defined and remains underutilized approach to realize health equity in this context. There is also paucity of literature on community engagement’s effectiveness in achieving vaccination outcomes. To address that gap, this study interviewed influential Indian vaccination decisionmakers to derive a shared understanding of the evolving conceptualization of community engagement, and how it has been fostered during India’s Decade of Vaccines (2010-2020).Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 purposefully sampled national-level vaccine decisionmakers in India, including policymakers, immunization program heads, and vaccine technical committee leads. Participants were identified by their ‘elite’ status among decisionmakers in the Indian vaccination space. Using Schutz’ Social Phenomenological theory, an a priori framework derived from the Social Ecological Model was used to guide coders’ conceptualizations of communities, community engagement, and related themes. Inter-rater reliability was computed for a subsample of coded interviews, and findings were validated in a one-day member check-in meeting with study participants and teams. Results: Interpretation of the data elucidated commonly-held understanding of terminology and engagement interventions by elite vaccine decisionmakers. Participants conceptualized ‘communities’ as vaccine-eligible children, their parents, frontline healthcare workers, and vaccination influencers. Engagement with those communities was understood to mean vaccine outreach, capacity-building of healthcare workers, and information dissemination. However, participants indicated that there were neither explicit policy guidelines defining community engagement nor pertinent evaluation metrics, despite awareness that community engagement is complex and under-researched. Examples of different approaches to community engagement ranged from vaccine imposition to empowered community vaccination decision-making. Finally, participants proposed an operational definition of community engagement and discussed concerns related to implementing it.Conclusions: Although decisionmakers had different perceptions about what constitutes a community, and how community engagement optimally should function, the combined group articulated its importance and reiterated the need for concerted political-will to build trust with communities. At the same time, work remains to be done both in terms of research on community engagement as well as development of appropriate implementation and outcome metrics.