bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Predictive Value of Serum Procalcitonin for Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation in the Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Liu Linlin , Luan Ying , Xiao Ling , Wang Ning , Wang Jing , Cui Chaobo 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to estimate the value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) for non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) prediction in the patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).Methods: A total of 220 AECOPD patients were divided into NIPPV group (n=121) and control group (routine treatment, n=99) based on the routine standards and physicians’ experience. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent factors for NIPPV treatment. Additionally, the predictive values of the factors were measured through receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve.Results: NIPPV group and control group showed significant differences in respiratory rate (RR), PaO2, PaCO2, pH, oxygenation index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), neutrophil, CRP (C-reaction protein), and PCT (P<0.05 for all). PCT, CRP, PaCO2, RR, and neutrophil were independently correlated with NIPPV treatment in AECOPD. ROC curve showed that PCT had superior predictive value, with AUC of 0.899, the sensitivity of 86%, and the specificity of 91.9%. The cut-off value of serum PCT for NIPPV prediction was 88.50 ng/l.Conclusion: AECOPD patients who require NIPPV treatment frequently have high levels of PCT, CRP, PaCO2, RR and neutrophil. Serum PCT may be employed as an indicator for NIPPV treatment in AECOPD patients.
Mineralogical and Physico-chemical Properties of Halloysite-bearing Slip Surface Material From a Landslide During the 2018 Eastern Iburi Earthquake, Hokkaido
Authors: Kameda Jun 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Destructive landslides were triggered by the 6.7 Mw Eastern Iburi earthquake that struck southern Hokkaido, Japan on 6 September 2018. Heavy rainfall on 4 September in addition to intermittent rainfall around the Iburi Tobu area saturated and weakened altered volcanoclastic soils containing halloysite minerals, making them susceptible to failure because of the earthquake’s strong ground motion. The landslides exhibited laminar flow behavior, with long runouts along gentle hill slopes. This study investigated the mineralogical and physicochemical properties of the halloysite-bearing slip surface material with the aim of understanding weakening and post-failure behaviors during the landslides. Halloysite in the slip surface had irregular-to-hollow-spherical morphology with higher mesopore volumes than tubular halloysite, which is related to a high capacity for water retention after rainfall. To reproduce possible chemical changes in the slip surface during rainfall, the sample was immersed in varying amounts of rainwater; solution pH increased and ionic strength decreased with increasing water content. These findings, alongside electrophoretic analysis, suggest that rainwater infiltration could have increased the absolute zeta potential value of the slip surface material. It is suggested that rainfall before the earthquake enhanced the colloidal stability of halloysite particles within the slip surface, owing to an increase in electrostatic repulsion. This decreased the material’s cohesive strength, which might have led to destabilization of the slope during ground shaking generated by the earthquake, and subsequent high-mobility flow after failure.
The Occurrence of Coronary Artery Lesions in Kawasaki Disease Based on C-reactive Protein Levels: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: An Hyo Soon , Kim Gi-Beom , Song Mi Kyoung , Lee Sang Yun , Kwon Hye Won , Lee Joo Won , Bae Eun Jung 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the occurrence of coronary artery lesions (CAL) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) according to serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. MethodsThis retrospective analysis was based on the nationwide survey of KD conducted in the Republic of Korea between 2015 and 2017. We enrolled 9131 patients and defined low (<3 mg/dL) and high (≥3 mg/dL) CRP groups. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, z-scores, and scores based on the Japanese criteria for CAL were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify CAL risk factors.ResultsThe low CRP group accounted for 23% of patients. A significant difference was observed for the mean age at diagnosis (high vs. low CRP, 34.4 ± 24.9 vs. 31.7 ± 24.8 months, p<0.001) and fever duration (high vs. low CRP, 6.6 ± 2.2 vs. 6.3 ± 2.5 days, p<0.001). A non-response to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment was found in 1377 patients (20.1%) and 225 patients (11.7%) in the high and low CRP groups, respectively (p<0.001). CAL were found in 12.9% and 18.3% of the high and low CRP patients, respectively (p<0.001), based on z-scores; and in 9.9% and 12.5%, respectively (p = 0.001), based on the Japanese criteria in the acute phase. The giant coronary artery aneurysm occurrence ratio was similar between groups (p=1.0).ConclusionsCAL occurred in patients with both high and low CRP. Therefore, patients with KD should be carefully monitored regardless of their CRP levels.
Dietary Contamination With Neonicotinoid (Clothianidin) Gradient Triggers Specific Dysbiosis Signatures of Microbiota Activity Along the Honeybee (Apis Mellifera) Digestive Tract
Authors: Khoury Sarah El , Gauthier Jeff , Bouslama Sidki , Cheiab Bachar , Giovenazzo Pierre , Derome Nicolas 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

BackgroundHoneybees (Apis mellifera) are facing a number of interacting stress factors affecting their general health as well as their nervous and immune systems. Recent evidence proposed the clothianidin neonicotinoid as a potential disrupting factor for the microbiota-immunity axis. In this research, we conducted in vivo experiments to measure the impact of three sublethal clothianidin concentrations (0.1, 1 and 10 ppb) on honeybee survival, syrup consumption and the honeybee gut microbiota dysbiosis. Results Clothianidin exposure significantly increased mortality in the three concentrations compared to controls. Interestingly, the lowest clothianidin concentration was associated to the highest food intake and the highest mortality. Clothianidin exposure significantly induced variation in the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiota. The co-abundance network analysis reveals local dysbiosis signatures specific to each gut cohorts (midgut, ileum and rectum) driven by specific taxa.Conclusions Our findings confirm that clothianidin exposure triggers a disruption of the honeybee’s symbiotic defense systems such as resistance to colonization, translating into a surge of potentially pathogenic taxa. Furthermore, the importance of low activity taxa with weak transcriptional activity in maintaining a stable honeybee gut microbiota. Finally, the early detection of gut dysbiosis in honeybee is an early promising alarming signal towards a microbiome approach in hive management the impact for assessing the impact of sublethal xenobiotics exposure.
Tittle Exploring the Mechanism of Resveratrol on Traumatic Brain Injury by Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Authors: Liu Feifei , Han Lijun , Li Yujian , Bao Guangming 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
[Background] Resveratrol is a polyphenol present abundantly in lots of traditional Chinese medicines, which has been shown to have beneficial effects on neurological diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms of resveratrol on traumatic brain injury have not been systematically studied yet. In this study, we elucidated the pharmacological mechanisms of resveratrol in treating traumatic brain injury by using a network pharmacology method. [Methods] The pharmacokinetics properties of resveratrol were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP). The putative targets of resveratrol were obtained from TCMSP, BATMAN-TCM, SuperPred, PharmMapper, SwissTargetPrediction, DrugBank, and a literature search. The targets related to traumatic brain injury were obtained from TTD, DrugBank, CTD, GeneCards, OMIM, MalaCards, and a literature search. The STRING database and the Cytoscape 3.8.0 software were used to build the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The Metascape database was used to obtain the gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment information. Finally, The AutoDockTools 1.5.6 and PyMOL 2.4.0 software were employed for molecular docking analyses, and Discovery Studio 2020 was used for interaction analyses. [Results] A total of 165 overlapping targets involved in resveratrol intervention in traumatic brain injury were determined. The GO function analysis indicated that the targets are including the positive regulation of transferase activity, the positive regulation of cell migration, reactive oxygen species metabolism, the wound response, and so on. The KEGG pathway analysis identified the following enriched pathways: the AGE-RAGE signalling pathway, the FoxO signalling pathway, insulin resistance, complement and coagulation cascades, the HIF-1 signalling pathway, and so on. According to the PPI network analysis, INS, IGF1, TNF, TP53, ALB, IL6, SRC, STAT3, VEGFA, and MMP9 were identified as hub target genes, in which IL6, MMP9, INS, and SRC showed a good binding affinity with resveratrol in molecular docking. [Conclusions] Resveratrol may target multiple genes and multiple pathways to reduce brain damage after traumatic brain injury.
A Multisource Approach to Verify a Forest as a Reference of Natural Conditions in an Intensively Used Rural Landscape (Uckermark, Ne Germany)
Authors: Wulf Monika , Kaiser Knut , Mrotzek Almut , Geiges-Erzgräber Lina , Schulz Lars , Stockmann Irina , Schneider Thomas , Kappler Christoph , Bens Oliver 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe sharp decline in near-natural areas worldwide is undisputed, but the consequences of this decline, apart from the loss of biodiversity, cannot be fully assessed. Biotic components of a landscape are usually more easily assessed than the abiotic components, since biotic components are often more easily detectable. A forest of (semi)natural stocking was selected in the northeastern part of Brandenburg (northeast Germany) to check whether it can serve as reference site for near-natural conditions or not. Analyses of archival sources and historic maps as well as field investigations were combined to reconstruct the dynamics of vegetation and soil as far back in time as possible.ResultsPalynological data from nearby sites provide evidence that the investigated area has been forested for several thousands of years and has hardly been structurally influenced by humans in the last 450 years. This evidence together with historical maps of tree species composition allows us to infer that the specific forest has been very close to a natural state for at least 250 years. Soil investigations support this conclusion, since a soil inventory, field studies on two catenas and corings at selected depressions rarely show signs of anthropogenic erosion and related colluviation. Parts of the area were cleared in prehistory, but near-natural soils have been preserved in other parts. ConclusionsThe area with these undisturbed parts is regarded as an ideal reference site. With this study, we show that using a multi-source approach it is possible to find potential reference sites and that such an approach is applicable in other regions.
Association of Sibling Presence with Language Development from Infancy to Early School Age Among Children with Developmental Difficulties: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Lu Hsin-Hui , Che Wei-Chun , Lin Yu-Ju , Liang Jao-Shwann 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundSiblings are crucial familial-ecological factors in children’s language development. However, it is unclear whether sibling presence is associated with language development among young children with developmental difficulties. The aim of this study was to assess the association between sibling presence and changes in language trajectories of children with developmental delay before early school age. MethodsWe performed a retrospective longitudinal cohort study from December 2008 through February 2016. The medical records of the participants were collected from an official institution designated by Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare for assessing and identifying young children with developmental difficulties. A total of 174 participants who had developmental difficulties and at least three-waves of evaluations were included in the analysis. Participants’ age ranged from 10 to 90 months. The primary outcomes were receptive and expressive language delays evaluated by board-certified speech-language pathologists. ResultsOf the 174 participants (131 boys; at the first evaluation: mean [standard deviation (SD)] age, 31.74 [10.15] months) enrolled, 64.94% (n=113) had siblings and 35.06% (n=61) did not. At the age of approximately 10 months, the probability of receptive and expressive language delays was lower in participants with siblings than in those without (adjusted odds ratios, 0.19, 0.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06-0.64, 0.04-0.80; P=0.006, 0.024, respectively). However, at 10–90 months old, this probability of language delay became gradually higher in participants with siblings than in those without, exceeding that of participants without siblings (adjusted odds ratios, 1.04, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07, 1.01-1.07; P=0.014, 0.020, respectively)ConclusionsHaving siblings does not necessarily have a positive association on the language development of children with developmental difficulties. Clinicians should consider the association of sibling presence with language development for these children in a broader familial-ecological context.
Estimation of Effect on Gross Domestic Product of Production Factors Using CES and Translog Production Functions: An Application to China Economy
Authors: ÖNALAN Ömer , BAŞEĞMEZ Hülya 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the effect on economic growth (GDP) for China’s economy with capital, labor and energy input factors by using CES production function and Translog production function. The empirical findings of the study showed that CES, consisting of capital and labor factors, is less efficient than the Translog function consisting of capital, labor and energy input factors for GDP estimation.The Ridge regression method is used to the parameter estimation of Translog production function using historical data because there is collinearity between variables. Then, based on the fitted Translog production model including capital, labor and energy input factors, the results of the output elasticities for each of the factors and the substitution elasticities between input factors have been dynamically estimated. To predict the future economic growth of the China economy, the inputs of Translog production model are predicted by using Holt-Winter’s method. The elasticities of the output of all input factors are positive. According to degrees of the effect on GDP, we can list the factors as labor, capital and energy, respectively. This situation represents the China economy is labor and capital intensive.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of castleman disease patients in a Chinese hospital: paraneoplastic pemphigus is an independent risk factor
Authors: Hua Yibo , Liang Chao , Yang Jie , Wang Luyang , Xi Lei , Xu Aimin , Wang Shangqian , Wang Zengjun 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background Castleman disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder that has had limited clinical research. This study aims to detect the clinical manifestations, pathological features, and prognostic factors of this disease.Methods This study retrospectively analyzed the information of 54 patients with CD hospitalized in a single centre. A Cox regression model was employed to perform univariate analysis and multivariate analysis in order to identify independent prognostic factors for survival.Results Based on clinical classification, 26 patients (55.6%) had unicentric CD (UCD) and 28 patients (44.4%) had multicentric CD (MCD). Moreover, pathological classification identified 32 cases (59.3%) with hyaline vascular variant (HV), 3 (5.6%) with mixed cellular variant (Mix), and 19 (35.2%) with plasmacytic variant (PC). The MCD patients commonly exhibited clinical signs and symptoms, including fever, splenomegaly, and pleural effusion and/or ascites. Several clinical complications, such as liver injury, anemia, and polyradiculoneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal plasma cell disorder, skin changes syndrome (POEMS) were more common in MCD patients. Univariate analysis showed that presence of paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) were unfavorable factors relating to CD patient survival. Multivariate analysis identified the presence of PNP as an independent prognostic factor in patients with CD.Conclusions This study provided a panoramic elaboration of CD cases and showed the presence of PNP was an independent unfavorable factor.
Biomarkers in Diagnosis of Sepsis and Systemic Infection in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review and Bayesian&nbsp;Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lan Hao-Min , Wu Chin‐Chieh , Liu Su-Hsun , Li Chih-Huang , Tu Yu-Kang , Chen Kuan-Fu 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background Sepsis is estimated to affect over 30 million people worldwide and to result in six million deaths every year. The definition of sepsis has been heavily revised in recent years, resulting in the need for a comprehensive comparison for clinicians to choose among the current biomarkers for sepsis. PurposeWe conducted a systematic review and synthesized both direct and indirect evidence by using network meta-analyses with bivariate hierarchical random-effects arm-based model in a Bayesian framework. We applied the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 criteria to assess the risk of bias, investigated heterogeneity using Bayesian network meta-regression models, and estimated optimal adjusted cutoff values for each included biomarker. Data sources PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus from their inception to May 2019 Study Selection, Data ExtractionStudies assessing the diagnostic performance of biomarkers in adult patients with suspected infection were included. We excluded studies not detecting systemic infection or sepsis, only including burns patients, or with non-systemic inflammatory response syndrome patients as the reference group.Data SynthesisWe identified 336 unique studies and included 134 studies representing 20,564 patients for evidence synthesis. Among the seven most-studied biomarkers, presepsin displayed the significantly better pooled sensitivities than procalcitonin to detect systemic infection and sepsis (0.85 and 0.83; 95% credible interval [CrI]: 0.79-0.89 and 0.77-0.88; relative sensitivity 1.13 and 1.10, 95% CrI: 1.04-1.20 and 1.01-1.18). However, CD64 showed the significantly better pooled specificities than presepsin in detecting systemic infection and sepsis (0.87 and 0.99; 95% CrI: 0.81-0.92 and 0.92-1.00, relative specificity 1.19 and 1.49, 95% CrI: 1.07-1.34 and 1.31-1.70). After adjusting for study quality, study populations, types of specimens, year of the study conducted and sponsorship, CD64 showed the best-pooled sensitivities and specificities. However, owing to the lack of a unifiable measuring unit, we cannot provide optimal cutoffs for CD64.ConclusionsCD64 performed the best in detecting both systemic infection and sepsis in adult patients. Further investigations will be needed to assess the potential risks of biases and the use of post-hoc cutoffs.RegistrationPROSPERO number: CRD42018086545
The Impact of Viremia on Organ Failure, Biomarkers and Mortality in a Swedish Cohort of Critically ill COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Järhult Josef D. , Hultström Michael , Bergqvist Anders , Frithiof Robert , Lipcsey Miklos 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe spread of virus via the blood stream has been suggested to contribute to extra pulmonary organ failure in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We assessed SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia (RNAemia) and the association between RNAemia and inflammation, organ failure and mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients.MethodsIn a tertiary center we included all patients with PCR verified COVID-19 and consent admitted to ICU. SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies above 1000/ml measured by PCR in plasma was defined as RNAemia and used as surrogate for viremia.ResultsOf the 92 patients RNAemia was found in 31 (34%) and RNA in plasma was detected in 63 (58%). Hypertension and corticosteroid treatment was more common in patients with RNAemia . RNAemia levels were higher in patients with RAAS-inhibitor treatment or corticosteroid treatment than those without. Extra-pulmonary organ failure biomarkers and the extent of organ failure were similar in patients with and without RNAemia, but the former group had more renal replacement therapy and higher mortality (26 vs 16%; 35 vs 16%, respectively, p=0.04). RNAemia was not an independent predictor of death at 30 days after adjustment for age. ConclusionSARS-CoV2 RNA copies in plasma is a common finding in ICU patients with COVID-19. Although viremia was not associated with extra pulmonary organ failure it was more common in patients who did not survive to 30 days after ICU admission.Trial registrationClinicalTrials NCT04316884
Development and Validation of a Novel Sepsis Biomarker based on Amino acid Profiling
Authors: Ahn Sunyoung , Lee Su Hwan , Chung Kyung Soo , Ku Nam Su , Hyun Young-Min , Chun Sail , Park Moo Suk , Lee Sang-Guk 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition influenced by pathogens and host factors. However, the current sepsis biomarkers, such as white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin levels, show unsatisfactory performance in terms of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in clinical practice. Thus, we developed and validated a new sepsis biomarker using amino acid profiling. Methods We used two independent groups. The training and validation groups included 161 and 22 healthy controls, 123 and 50 patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and 115 and 45 patients with sepsis, respectively. We measured and analyzed the serum amino acid levels using mass spectrometry to select candidate amino acids that could differentiate sepsis from other conditions. Then, several possible multivariate indexes were developed by generating a formula with different combinations of candidate amino acids. The formula showing the best performance was selected and validated further.Results Kynurenine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and glutamine were selected as candidate amino acids. Ten possible formulae were generated, and that with the highest diagnostic performance was selected. In the validation group, the area under the receiving operating characteristic curve of the selected multivariate index (0.931) was similar to that of procalcitonin (0.945). Moreover, the generated multivariate index showed potential as a prognostic marker. Conclusions Amino acid composition in patients with sepsis differs significantly from that in healthy individuals and in patients with only inflammation. The newly developed multivariate index is expected to be feasible as a sepsis biomarker in clinical practice in the near future.