bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide Variant-based Study of Genetic Effects with the Largest Neuroanatomic Coverage
Authors: Li Jin , Liu Wenjie , Li Huang , Fang Shiaofen , Chen Feng , Luo Haoran , Bao Peihua , Li Yanzhao , Jiang Hailong , Gao Yue , Liang Hong 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Brain image genetics provides enormous opportunities for examining the effects of genetic variations on the brain. Many studies have shown that the structure, function, and abnormality (e.g., those related to Alzheimer's disease) of the brain are heritable. However, which genetic variations contribute to these phenotypic changes is not completely clear. Advances in neuroimaging and genetics have led us to obtain detailed brain anatomy and genome-wide information. These data offer us new opportunities to identify genetic variations such as single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs ) that affect brain structure. In this paper, we perform a genome-wide variant-based study, and aim to identify top SNPs or SNP sets which have genetic effects with the largest neuroanotomic coverage at both voxel and region-of-interest ( ROI ) levels. Based on the voxelwise genome-wide association study ( GWAS ) results, we used the exhaustive search to find the top SNPs or SNP sets that have the largest voxel -based or ROI -based neuroanatomic coverage. For SNP sets with > 2 SNPs , we proposed an efficient genetic algorithm to identify top SNP sets that can cover all ROIs or a specific ROI . Results: We identified an ensemble of top SNPs , SNP -pairs and SNP -sets, whose effects have the largest neuroanatomic coverage. Experimental results on real imaging genetics data show that the proposed genetic algorithm is superior to the exhaustive search in terms of computational time for identifying top SNP -sets. Conclusions: We proposed and applied an informatics strategy to identify top SNPs , SNP -pairs and SNP -sets that have genetic effects with the largest neuroanatomic coverage. The proposed genetic algorithm offers an efficient solution to accomplish the task, especially for identifying top SNP -sets.
Computational Predictions for Protein Sequences of COVID-19 Virus via Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Afify Heba M. , Zanaty Muhammad S. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The coronavirus infection is increasingly evolving to be an international epidemic in 27 countries as a serious respiratory disease. Therefore, the computational biology carrying this virus that correlated with the human population is urgently needed. In this paper, the classification of the human protein sequences of COVID-19 according to the country is applied by machine learning algorithms. The proposed model is based on the distinguishing of 9238 sequences by three stages including data preprocessing, data labeling, and classification. In the first stage, the function of data preprocessing converts the amino acids of COVID-19 protein sequences to eight groups of numbers based on volume and dipole of the amino acids. In the second stage, there are two methods for data labeling of 27 countries from 0 to 26. The first method is based on the selection of one number for each country according to the code number of countries while the second method is based on binary elements only for each country. The classification algorithms are executed to discover different COVID-19 protein sequences according to their countries. The findings are concluded that the accuracy of 100% performed by country based binary labeling method with Linear Regression (LR) or K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) or Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers. Further, it found that the USA with large data records in infection rate has more priority for correct classification compared to other countries with a low data rate. The unbalanced data for COVID-19 protein sequences is considered a major issue, especially the available data in USA represented 76% from a total of 9238 sequences. As a consequence, this proposed model will help as a diagnostic bioinformatics tool for the COVID-19 protein sequences among different countries.
Asymmetrizing an icosahedral virus capsid by hierarchical assembly of subunits with designed asymmetry
Authors: Zhao Zhongchao , Wang Joseph , Zhang Mi , Lyktey Nicholas , Jarrold Martin , Jacobson Stephen , Zlotnick Adam 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Symmetrical protein complexes are ubiquitous in natural biological systems. Many have been reengineered in vitro for chemical and medical applications. Symmetrical viral capsids and their assembly are frequent platforms for these investigations. Lacking a means to create asymmetric capsids may limit broader applications. Here, starting with the homodimeric Hepatitis B Virus capsid protein, we developed a heterodimer, designed a hierarchical assembly pathway, and produced asymmetric capsids. We showed that the heterodimers assemble into hexamers, and such preformed hexamers can nucleate co-assembly, leading to “Janus” capsids with two discrete patches. We removed the hexamer patches specifically and observed asymmetric holey capsids by cryo-EM reconstruction. The resulting holes can be refilled with new engineered dimers. This programmed assembly pathway provides windows for specific engineering and modification inside and outside of the capsid. This strategy can also be generalized to other capsid assembly systems.
The effect of online multimedia psychoeducational interventions on the perceived stress and resilience of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Shaygan Maryam , Yazdani Zahra , Valibeigi Adib 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
There are evidence suggesting that quarantine might have undesirable psychological impacts on the patients. Therefore, it is important to seek for ways to alleviate the psychological pressure as well as increase the resilience of the patients who are quarantined due to infection with COVID-19. The present study was conducted to examine the effect of an online multimedia psychoeducational intervention on perceived stress and resilience of patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19.
Method:
Participants in this fully online trial were 50 consecutive patients who were hospitalized in 2 hospitals in Shiraz, after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Before the start of intervention, four inpatient wards of two hospitals were randomly assigned to either experimental or control condition. All eligible participants in wards allocated to the intervention condition received online multimedia psychoeducational interventions during 2 weeks, whilst patients in wards allocated to the control condition only received face-to-face or telephone based psychological counseling in case of need. Psychoeducational interventions mainly included cognitive–behavioural techniques, mindfulness-based stress reduction and positive psychotherapy. Patients were assessed on perceived stress and resilience at baseline and 2 weeks later.
Results
Compared with the control group, patients who used online multimedia psychoeducational interventions reported fewer perceived stress and greater resilience after 2 weeks.
Discussion
The findings of the present study provide a successful first attempt at implementing online multimedia psychoeducational interventions to promote resilience and mitigate stress of patients who are hospitalized due to infection with COVID-19. The present results could help mental health professionals to determine which psychological techniques should be emphasized to promote patients' resilience in the context of COVID-19 disease.
Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Yemen: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Al-Naggar Redhwan , Almaktari Lutfi , Madram Salem , Al-shaikhli Hisham 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
In Yemen, the first COVID-19 confirmed case was reported on 10 April 2020. The OBJECTIVE of this study is to identify the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients in Yemen. METHODOLOGY: From May 20 to 31, 2020, the data were obtained from the National Center of Public Health Laboratories, Ministry of Health and population, Aden, Yemen. A retrospective study used to determine the epidemiological characteristics of the first 53 confirmed cases of patients with COVID-19. This data includes the date of diagnosis, gender, age, governorates, and clinical symptoms. Data analyzed using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: A total number of 53 confirmed cases were obtained from the National Center of Public Health Laboratories, Ministry of Health and population, Aden, Yemen. The majority of the participants were male (72%), their age were less than 39 years (40%) and from Aden governorate (43%). The commonest symptoms reported among the participants were fever (%), sore throat and cough. Conclusion: Male, less than 39 years old and from Aden is the trend of COVID-19 in Yemen. The findings of this study may help provide guidance for frontline medical staff in the clinical management of the outbreak.
Study of the derived based catalysts from Theobroma cacao pod husks for the conversion of Beef Tallow blend with Waste used vegetable oil for fatty acid ethyl ester synthesis: Burnt, Submerged fermented, Calcination, Hybrid Design, Catalyst refining and reusability
Authors: FOLORUNSHO Adepoju TUNDE , Mayen Ibeh A , O Babatunde E , Jackson Asuquo A , C Eloboka 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Billions of dollars paid by industries on catalysts used as feedstocks to obtain their end products are increasing at a geometrical rate, the report revealed that the global market size was estimated at USD 26.1 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 34.0 billion in 2025. To salvage the world from extravagance spending, there is an urgent need for biomass wastes consideration and utilization. In this paper, three novel CaO-based catalysts derived from Theobroma cacao pod husks were tested based on efficacy for the synthesis of fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) from the blend of beef tallow-waste use oil in the ratio of 5:95 (BTO5),10:90 (BTO10),15:85 (BTO15), 20:80 (BTO20),….., 95:5 (BTO95), respectively. Process optimization of the transesterification reaction was carried out using a hybrid design to determine the effects of catalyst on the FAEE yield. The efficiencies of the catalyst were tested via the refining and reusability test. Results revealed the oil blend ratio of BTO60: WUO40 sufficiently produced low viscous oil that was easily converted to biodiesel. Catalysts' characterization revealed the three catalysts produced high CaO-based of 68.20, 81.46, and 87.65 (wt.%), which accounted for the high yield of FAEEs. Mathematical optimization showed that the catalyst amount (F-value between 14159.69-3063.24 with P-value between 0.0053–0.0115), played the most significant role in oil conversion to biodiesel among the constraint factors considered (reaction time, catalyst amount, reaction temperature, and EtOH/OMR). Based on Box-Cox transformation, the values of the lambda obtained indicated a normal data results with an inverse function of Y2 and Y3 and normal function of Y3 for polynomial model accuracy. Optimum validated FAEEs yields of 92.81, 93.02, and 99.64 (%wt.), respectively, with high R2. The qualities of the FAEEs were within the standard specification and the produced catalysts can serve as feedstocks for industrial application.
Person-centered, non-pharmacological intervention in reducing psychotropic medication use among residents with dementia in Australian rural aged care homes
Authors: Parajuli Daya Ram , Kuot Abraham , Hamiduzzaman Mohammad , Gladman Justin , Isaac Vivian 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
BackgroundHigh rates of psychotropic medications are prescribed in aged care homes despite their limited effectiveness and associated adverse effects. We aim to evaluate the changes in prescription patterns for elderly residents with advanced dementia in the ‘Harmony in the Bush Dementia Study’. Harmony in the Bush is a person-centered model of dementia care in nursing homes, based on the principles of Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) and person-centered music intervention.MethodsOur larger study was a quasi-experimental design conducted in five rural nursing homes in Queensland and South Australia. Medication charts (n = 31) were collected retrospectively from three Australian rural aged care facilities through contacting the facility managers before the intervention and after 6 months. Fifty-three staff participated in 31 semi-structured interviews and 8 focus group at post-intervention, and at 1-month and 3-months follow up.ResultsThe median age of the participants was 83 years, and 68% of them were female. Polypharmacy was measured in 87% of the participants. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and the Alzheimer’s disease were the major comorbidities identified in residents. None of the residents received more than the maximum dose of psychotropic medications recommended by the guidelines. There was a reduction of 22.4% in the use of at least any psychotropic medication, 19.6% reduction in antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, and 6.5% reduction in antidementia medicines prescription from baseline to at post-intervention, however, these were not statistically significant. There was a decreasing trend in the use of inappropriate use of medications. Psychotropic medications were prescribed up to 43% and antidementia in 45% of participants for more than 6 months. Major themes extracted from qualitative data were reduced/decreased/cessation of medication use, introducing a rest period and the music intervention combined was an alternative approach for medications use, and less behaviors, and ultimately the less use of medications.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that the Harmony in the Bush model as a non-pharmacological approach reduces the prescription of psychotropic medications and inappropriate medications in rural nursing homes as supported by findings from both quantitative and qualitative data.Trial registration: ANZCTR, ACTRN12618000263291. Registered on 20th February 2018. http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12618000263291p.aspx).
A Machine Learning Study to Improve Surgical Case Duration Prediction
Authors: Huang Ching-Chieh , Lai Jesyin , Cho Der-Yang , Yu Jiaxin 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Since the emergence of COVID-19, many hospitals have encountered challenges in performing efficient scheduling and good resource management to ensure the quality of healthcare provided to patients is not compromised. Operating room (OR) scheduling is one of the issues that has gained our attention because it is related to workflow efficiency and critical care of hospitals. Automatic scheduling and high predictive accuracy of surgical case duration have a critical role in improving OR utilization. To estimate surgical case duration, many hospitals rely on historic averages based on a specific surgeon or a specific procedure type obtained from electronic medical record (EMR) scheduling systems. However, the low predictive accuracy with EMR data leads to negative impacts on patients and hospitals, such as rescheduling of surgeries and cancellation. In this study, we aim to improve the prediction of surgical case duration with advanced machine learning (ML) algorithms. We obtained a large data set containing 170,748 surgical cases (from Jan 2017 to Dec 2019) from a hospital. The data covered a broad variety of details on patients, surgeries, specialties and surgical teams. In addition, a more recent data set with 8,672 cases (from Mar to Apr 2020) was available to be used for external evaluation. We computed historic averages from the EMR data for surgeon- or procedure-specific cases, and they were used as baseline models for comparison. Subsequently, we developed our models using linear regression, random forest and extreme gradient boosting (XGB) algorithms. All models were evaluated with R-square (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and percentage overage (actual duration longer than prediction), underage (shorter than prediction) and within (within prediction). The XGB model was superior to the other models, achieving a higher R2 (85 %) and percentage within (48 %) as well as a lower MAE (30.2 min). The total prediction errors computed for all models showed that the XGB model had the lowest inaccurate percentage (23.7 %). Overall, this study applied ML techniques in the field of OR scheduling to reduce the medical and financial burden for healthcare management. The results revealed the importance of surgery and surgeon factors in surgical case duration prediction. This study also demonstrated the importance of performing an external evaluation to better validate the performance of ML models.
Increased Inclusion of Dietary Methionine Sources Improves Pork Quality in Association with the Regulation of Energy and Protein Metabolism and Muscle’s Fiber Profile
Authors: Yuan Peiqiang , Lin Sen , Peng Jiyong , Li Yunxia , Liu Yunhan , Wang Peng , Zhong Hejv , Yang Xiaomin , Che Lianqiang , Feng Bin , Alavo Dolores Batonon , Mercier Yves , Zhang Xiaoling , Lin Yan , Xu Shengyu , Li Jian , Zhuo Yong , Jiang Xuemei , Wu De , Fang Zhengfeng 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Intensive selection for faster growth rate and higher lean percentage led to increase in protein deposition but deterioration in meat quality of pigs, thus there is growing interest in exploring the nutritional strategies to improve meat quality. Methionine has been shown to activate mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 protein kinase that plays pivotal roles in the regulation of protein and lipid synthesis. However, few study reports are available regarding the effects of dietary methionine supplementation at levels beyond growth requirements on lipid and protein metabolism and thus on pork quality. The objective of this study was to assess whether pork quality was improved by increasing dietary digestible sulfur amino acids (SAA) levels, with pigs fed the control (100% SAA), DL-Methionine (125% SAA)- or OH-Methionine (125% SAA)-supplemented diets during 11–110 kg period.
Results

Increasing SAA above requirements did not significantly affect growth performance, whereas improved pork quality as indicated by the decreased drip loss and a tendency towards decrease in shear force of longissimus lumborum muscle. Moreover, fresh muscle from barrows fed OH-Methionine showed a higher lightness value compared with the control and DL-Methionine treatments. The relatively lower shear force might be explained by the decrease in crude protein and increase in glycolytic potential, while the decreased drip loss was associated with down-regulation of genes (like fast glycolytic IIx) regulating fiber types. The increased lightness value of fresh muscle from barrows fed OH-Met diets appeared to be associated with the increased lactate level, which can be further explained by the increased plasma short-chain fatty acids concentrations, up-regulated G-protein coupled receptor 43 activation and enhanced glucagon-like peptide 1 secretion.
Conclusion

Increased SAA consumption appeared to improve pork water-holding capacity and tenderness likely through regulation of energy and protein metabolism and muscle’s fiber profile, which provides new insights into the nutritional strategies to improve meat quality.
The Effects of Scapulothoracic Mobilization in Patients with Neck Pain and Scapular Dyskinesis: A Single-Blind, Randomized, Clinical Trial
Authors: Alshami Ali M. , AlSadiq Abrar I. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: No studies are available on the effects of scapulothoracic mobilization with neck movement (MWM) on patients with neck pain and scapular dyskinesis. Objective: To investigate the effects of scapulothoracic MWM on neck pain, range of motion (ROM), and function in patients with neck pain who demonstrated scapular dyskinesis.Methods: This was a single-blind, randomized, clinical trial. Forty participants with neck pain and scapular dyskinesis were randomly assigned to one of two 2-week regimens: experimental (scapulothoracic MWM + corrective exercises + tape) or comparison (corrective exercises + tape). The visual analog scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), cervical and scapular ROM, and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were measured at baseline, after the third session, and after the sixth session.Results: Pain decreased after the sixth session in both the experimental [mean difference: 3.1; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1-4.1] and comparison groups (1.8; 95%CI: 0.81-2.8). PPT and scapular ROM did not change in either group at any session. After the sixth session, the ROM of neck extension, right rotation, and right and left side bending improved significantly (p£ 0.031) in both groups, but did not reach the minimal detectable change. The NDI improved in both the experimental (7.2-10.6; 95%CI: 2.5-15.7) and comparison groups (5.9-10.3; 95%CI: 1.2-15.4). There were no significant differences between the groups in any outcome measure at any session. Conclusions: Adding scapulothoracic MWM to corrective exercises and tape over a 2-week period did not seem to add benefit for pain and function in patients with neck pain with scapular dyskinesis.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03046160. Registered 8 February 2017 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0304616
Sex differences in short-and long-term survival among critically ill patients with sepsis: a real-world study using propensity scoring methods
Authors: Lin Shan , Ge Shanhui , He Wanmei , Bai Lihong , Zeng Mian 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

At present, there have been studies showing a correlation between sex differences and prognosis. Nevertheless, the evidence of short- and long-term survival of sex-based differences among critically ill patients with sepsis is still limited and controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sex on the short- and long-term survival of critically ill patients with sepsis.
Methods

We used the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database. Cox proportional hazards models were conducted to determine the relationship of 28-day and 1-year mortality rates with a different sex. Interaction and stratified analyses were conducted to test whether the effect of sex differed across various subgroups.
Results

A total of 12,321 patients were enrolled in this study. After adjustments, the 28-day and 1-year mortality rates for female patients were reduced by 12% and 10%, respectively (HR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.81–0.96 and HR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.85–0.95) when compared to male patients. The effects of the association between sex and 28-day and 1-year mortality were broadly consistent for all subgroup variables. Only a significant interaction of age was observed in 1-year mortality (P = 0.0091). Compared with male patients, female patients (< 50 years) had better long-term survival advantages (HR 0.76 95% CI 0.62–0.94, P = 0.0124); on the contrary, for older patients (≥ 50 years), we did not find sex-based differences in long-term survival (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.97–1.09, P = 0.3678).
Conclusions

In the current retrospective large database review, female patients had a significantly lower 28-day and 1-year mortality rates than did males among critically ill patients with sepsis. Of concern, there was an interaction between age and sex, and whether to suggest that female-associated hormones affect clinical outcomes needs to be further researched.