bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internet and private insurance participation
Authors: Liu Zhifeng , Li Wenquan , Zhang Tingting 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSince the Internet is an important information intermediary, this paper examines whether and how the Internet affects private insurance participation. Using national representative household survey data from China, we show that the Internet has a significant positive effect on households' private insurance participation. Then, we use both an instrumental variable analysis and propensity score matching to identify this causal effect. Furthermore, we find that this positive effect of the Internet is mainly driven by positive information on News Portals. In contrast, information regarding insurance on BBSs is usually negative and, thus, has a deterrent effect on insurance participation. Additionally, we examine the role of trust in these impacts. The results show that netizens with a high level of trust are more likely to purchase insurance, indicating that trusting the information received online is an essential factor for participating in private insurance.
Common correlated effect cross‐sectional dependence corrections for nonlinear conditional mean panel models
Authors: Hacıoğlu Hoke Sinem , Kapetanios George 
Published: August 2020

SummaryThis paper provides an approach to estimation and inference for nonlinear conditional mean panel data models, in the presence of cross‐sectional dependence. We modify Pesaran's (Econometrica, 2006, 74(4), 967–1012) common correlated effects correction to filter out the interactive unobserved multifactor structure. The estimation can be carried out using nonlinear least squares, by augmenting the set of explanatory variables with cross‐sectional averages of both linear and nonlinear terms. We propose pooled and mean group estimators, derive their asymptotic distributions, and show the consistency and asymptotic normality of the coefficients of the model. The features of the proposed estimators are investigated through extensive Monte Carlo experiments. We also present two empirical exercises. The first explores the nonlinear relationship between banks' capital ratios and riskiness. The second estimates the nonlinear effect of national savings on national investment in OECD countries depending on countries' openness.
Consistency evaluation of Liferiver, Yaneng, Darui, and the Cobas 4800 test for high‐risk human papillomavirus screening
Authors: Wang Mengmeng , Ji Xiang , Dou Xiaowen , Tang Huamei , Kan Lijuan , Wu Wei , Chen Dayang , Zong Zengyan , Xiong Dan , Zhang Xiuming 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn recent years, several high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) tests have been developed. The assay capabilities need to be systematically reviewed. Here, we compared the clinical sample performance of three novel HR‐HPV assays (Liferiver, Yaneng, and Darui) based on different platforms with the widely adopted cobas4800 test.MethodsA total of 346 cervical swabs from women who were screened for cervical cancer were analyzed for the presence of 14 HR‐HPV genotypes. The distinction between the four assays was investigated by the genotyping and direct sequencing.ResultsThe positive rates of the four assays ranged from 61.56% to 64.16%. The overall concordance was 88.15%. The Yaneng assays displayed the best sensitivity (100%) and specificity (98.43%). The sensitivity (98.17%) and specificity (98.43%) of the Darui assay were superior to those of the cobas4800 test (97.72% and 93.70%, respectively). The Liferiver assay displayed comparable sensitivity with the cobas4800 test (95.89% and 97.72%, respectively). The specificity of the cobas4800 was lower than that of the Liferiver assay (93.70% vs. 97.64%).ConclusionsThe three novel HR‐HPV assays displayed good agreement with the cobas4800 test. The analytical performance of all four fulfilled the requirements of sensitivity and specificity for HR‐HPV detection.
Bedside ultrasound in the management of critically ill patients; Echocardiographic signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary embolism can be very similar, and lung ultrasound can act as a key: A case report
Authors: Yamanoğlu Adnan , Celebi Yamanoğlu Nalan Gokce 
Published: August 2020

AbstractRight‐sided heart failure (RHF) diagnosed at point‐of‐care‐ultrasonography examination of critical patients may reveal an acute disease, such as pulmonary embolism (PE), requiring emergency thrombolytic treatment. However, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and PE leading to acute RHF may exhibit very similar echocardiographic features. We report the case of a 27‐year‐old pregnant woman diagnosed with ARDS due to septic abortion, and in whom ARDS mimicked PE both clinically and on echocardiography. Such similarity may lead to inappropriate administration of thrombolytic therapy and/or delay the correct treatment. Lung ultrasonography may help avoiding this pitfall.
Association between deficient cesarean delivery scar and cesarean scar syndrome
Authors: Dosedla Erik , Gál Peter , Calda Pavel 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of our study was to compare long‐term morbidity after elective and emergency cesarean delivery (CD).MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted in 200 women delivered by CD. Ultrasound examinations were performed transvaginally at 6 weeks and 18 months after CD. Clinical data were collected at the time of CD and after 18 months.ResultsIn the group of 200 women, 29% underwent emergency and 71% elective CD. Then, 6 weeks and 18 months after CD, a severe scar defect was present in 7% and 5%, respectively (P = .4). After 18 months of CD, 17% (34/200) of women had evidence of adhesions of the vesicouterine pouch.Severe CD scar defects were significant predictors for adhesion formation in vesicouterine pouch (OR 3.14, 95% CI, 1.54‐4.74), pelvic pain (OR 1.68, 95% CI, 0.22‐3.14), dysmenorrhea (OR 2.12, 95% CI, 0.74‐3.50), and dyspareunia (OR 1.38, 95% CI, 0.09‐2.67).Uterine scar defects detected at 6 weeks after elective CD were detectable at 18 months in only 40% of cases, whereas uterine scar defects after emergency CD were still detectable in 87% of cases.ConclusionUterine scar defects are more frequent at 18 weeks after emergency CD, than after elective CD (40% vs 87%). Women with severe scar defects have higher risk of adhesion formation, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain.
Conceptualization of dental caries by dental students is related to their preventive oral care routine
Authors: Fernández Constanza E. , Chanin Marisa , Appice Gabriella M. , Culver Ashley M. , Stein Amy 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectiveWhether the understanding of dental caries influences how future dentists manage the disease themselves has not been previously studied. Thus, this study evaluated whether the conceptualization (understanding) of dental caries by dental students is related to their own preventive oral care routine.MethodsDental students at a U.S. dental school (n = 517) were invited to voluntarily respond to an anonymous electronic survey in spring 2018. Demographic characteristics, caries conceptualization (CC), dental care habits, and self‐caries risk determination were asked. Discursive responses to CC were analyzed by content analysis technique, and categories [c] were created. Chi‐square and Fisher's exact tests were used for analysis.ResultsOverall response rate was 54.5% (n = 282, 48.2% female). Three researchers independently analyzed discursive answers and classified them into 1 of 6 caries concept categories [c]: [c1] only signs of the disease (10.3%), [c2] bacterial disease‐not specifying bacterial metabolism (38.3%), [c3] bacterial byproducts‐not specifying substrate (13.8%), [c4] biological or multifactorial concept (24.8%), [c5] comprehensive multifactorial disease (8.2%), or [c6] other (4.6%). Only 33% completely defined dental caries according to the modern understanding of the disease (c4−c5). Statistical differences were found between: CC and diet modification, CC and rinsing after brushing, year of school (YS) and self‐determined caries‐risk, YS and brushing at school, and YS and rinsing after brushing (P < 0.05).ConclusionOur data suggest that the students’ understanding of the disease can influence how they will manage the disease in terms of diet modification and behavior after brushing. Moreover, self‐caries risk determination influenced students’ brushing behavior.
Allosteric targeting of the FFA2 receptor (GPR43) restores responsiveness of desensitized human neutrophils
Authors: Frei Robert , Nordlohne Johannes , Hüser Ulrike , Hild Seda , Schmidt Johannes , Eitner Frank , Grundmann Manuel 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The G protein-coupled free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2R) is highly expressed on neutrophils and was previously described to regulate neutrophil activation. Allosteric targeting of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is increasingly explored to create distinct pharmacology compared to endogenous, orthosteric ligands. The consequence of allosteric versus orthosteric FFA2R activation for neutrophil response, however, is currently largely elusive. Here, different FFA2R desensitization profiles in human neutrophils following allosteric or orthosteric activation are reported. Using a set of neutrophil functional assays to measure calcium flux, pERK1/2, chemotaxis, cellular degranulation, and oxidative burst together with holistic and pathway-unbiased whole cell sensing based on dynamic mass redistribution, it is found that the synthetic positive allosteric modulator agonist 4-CMTB potently activates neutrophils and simultaneously alters FFA2R responsiveness toward the endogenous, orthosteric agonist propionic acid (C3) after homologous and heterologous receptor desensitization. Stimulation with C3 or the hierarchically superior chemokine receptor activator IL-8 led to strong FFA2R desensitization and rendered neutrophils unresponsive toward repeated stimulation with C3. In contrast, stimulation with allosteric 4-CMTB engaged a distinct composition of signaling pathways as compared to orthosteric receptor activation and was able to activate neutrophils that underwent homologous and heterologous desensitization with C3 and IL-8, respectively. Moreover, allosteric FFA2R activation could re-sensitize FFA2 toward the endogenous agonist C3 after homologous and heterologous desensitization. Given the fact that receptor desensitization is critical in neutrophils to sense and adapt to their current environment, these findings are expected to be useful for the discovery of novel pharmacological mechanisms to modulate neutrophil responsiveness therapeutically.
Effectiveness of remdesivir for the treatment of hospitalized COVID‐19 persons: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Jiang Yawen , Chen Daqin , Cai Dan , Yi Yao , Jiang Shan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSeveral randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that investigated the effectiveness of remdesivir for the treatment of coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) have generated inconsistent evidence. The present study aimed to synthesize available RCT evidence using network meta‐analyses (NMAs). Both blinded and open‐label RCTs in PubMed database from inception to 7 June 2020 that contained “remdesivir”, “Covid‐19”, and “trial” in the abstracts conducted on hospitalized COVID‐19 persons were identified and screened. The studies must have at least one remdesivir arm and evaluated one of the pre‐specified outcomes. The outcomes were clinical improvement between days 10 to 15 after randomization and clinical recovery during the follow‐up period. The identified literature was supplemented with relatively recent studies that were known to the researchers if not already included. Frequentist NMAs with random effects were conducted. Both 10‐day and 5‐day remdesivir regimens were associated with higher odds of clinical improvement (odds ratio [OR] of 10‐day regimen: 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09‐1.67); OR of 5‐day regimen: 1.81, 95% CI, 1.32‐2.45, and higher probabilities of clinical recovery (relative risk [RR] of 10‐day regimen: 1.24, 95% CI, 1.07‐1.43; RR of 5‐day regimen: 1.47, 95% CI, 1.16‐1.87 compared with placebo. Remdesivir may have clinical benefits among hospitalized COVID‐19 persons.
Assessing the serum chymase level as an early predictor of dengue severity
Authors: Sahu Ankit Kumar , Aggarwal Praveen , Ekka Meera , Nayer Jamshed , Bhoi Sanjeev , Kumar Akshay , Luthra Kalpana 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe conducted a prospective, observational study to assess the serum chymase level, a mast cell derived protease, as a predictor of dengue severity. NS1‐positive non‐severe dengue patients of age ≥14 years with duration of fever ≤4 days were included in the study. At the time of admission, the serum sample was taken for chymase estimation. Patients were followed up to four days after they became afebrile to find out the final diagnosis. Total of 338 non‐severe dengue patients were recruited (mean age: 29.15 years; male: 66%). On follow‐up, 26 patients (7.8%) developed severe dengue. Only chymase level (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.787; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.309–2.440) and platelet count at admission (aOR: 0.981; 95% CI: 0.968–0.993) were able to predict the severity after adjustment for all variables. But, for prediction of severe dengue, the area under receiver′s operating curve of chymase was 0.835 (95% CI: 0.765–0.905), which was significantly higher than that of the platelet count at admission (0.760, 95% CI: 0.650–0.870) (p < .001). Patients who developed severe dengue in due course of illness had significantly higher serum chymase level at admission as compared with the rest of the patients. Similar findings were noted across all age‐groups. At an optimum cut‐off value of 1.35 ng/ml, chymase had a positive likelihood ratio (LR) of 3.5 and a negative LR of 0.15, for predicting severe dengue. This study demonstrated the potential ability of serum chymase levels at admission, as a biomarker for prediction of severe dengue in due course of illness.
Central nervous system‐infiltrated immune cells induce calcium increase in astrocytes via astroglial purinergic signaling
Authors: Bijelić Dunja D. , Milićević Katarina D. , Lazarević Milica N. , Miljković Djordje M. , Bogdanović Pristov Jelena J. , Savić Danijela Z. , Petković Branka B. , Andjus Pavle R. , Momčilović Miljana B. , Nikolić Ljiljana M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractInteraction between autoreactive immune cells and astroglia is an important part of the pathologic processes that fuel neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis. In this inflammatory disease, immune cells enter into the central nervous system (CNS) and they spread through CNS parenchyma, but the impact of these autoreactive immune cells on the activity pattern of astrocytes has not been defined. By exploiting naïve astrocytes in culture and CNS‐infiltrated immune cells (CNS IICs) isolated from rat with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), here we demonstrate previously unrecognized properties of immune cell–astrocyte interaction. We show that CNS IICs but not the peripheral immune cell application, evokes a rapid and vigorous intracellular Ca2+ increase in astrocytes by promoting glial release of ATP. ATP propagated Ca2+ elevation through glial purinergic P2X7 receptor activation by the hemichannel‐dependent nucleotide release mechanism. Astrocyte Ca2+ increase is specifically triggered by the autoreactive CD4+ T‐cell application and these two cell types exhibit close spatial interaction in EAE. Therefore, Ca2+ signals may mediate a rapid astroglial response to the autoreactive immune cells in their local environment. This property of immune cell–astrocyte interaction may be important to consider in studies interrogating CNS autoimmune disease.
Mean storms: Composites of radar reflectivity images during two decades of severe thunderstorm events
Authors: Haberlie Alex M. , Ashley Walker S. , Karpinski Marisa R. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis research quantifies the spatiotemporal statistics of composite radar reflectivity in the vicinity of severe thunderstorm reports. By using over 20 years (1996–2017) of data and 500,000 severe thunderstorm reports, this study presents the most comprehensive analysis of the mesoscale presentation of radar reflectivity composites during severe weather events to date. We first present probability matched mean composites of approximately 5,000 radar images centred on tornado reports that contain one of three types of manually‐labelled convective storm modes—namely, (a) quasi‐linear convective system (QLCS); (b) cellular; or (c) tropical system. Next, we generate composites for tornado report data stratified by EF‐scale and for four temporal periods during which notable severe weather events took place. The data are then stratified by hazard, region, season, and time of day. The results show marked spatiotemporal and intra‐hazard variability in radar presentation. In general, cellular convection is favoured in the Great Plains of the United States, whereas QLCS convection is favoured in the Southeast United States. Night and cool‐season subsets showed a preference for QLCS convection, whereas day and warm‐season subsets showed a preference for cellular convection. These results agree well with the existing literature and suggest that the data extraction and organization approach is sound. Because of this, these data will be useful for future image classification studies in climate and atmospheric sciences—particularly those involving storm mode classification.
North Atlantic centers of action and seasonal to subseasonal temperature variability in Europe and eastern North America
Authors: Osman Mahmoud , Zaitchik Benjamin , Badr Hamada , Hameed Sultan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is one of the most prominent patterns of atmospheric circulation variability in the Northern Hemisphere. Its climate impacts have been identified for regions extending from North America to northern Asia and the Middle East, with implications for sub‐seasonal variability and, in some cases, meteorological trends over multiple years to decades. The NAO itself, however, is the combined expression of two pressure centers: the Icelandic Low and the Azores High. Previous work has shown that when these “centers of action” (CoA) are separated out and studied they can often provide better insight and explanatory power than the NAO does on its own. Here, we analyse the influence that the CoA have on daily minimum air temperature in winter and daily maximum temperature in summer in eastern North America and Europe. The paper has two goals: (a) to characterize CoA associations with temperature on a range of timescales, including sub‐seasonal analyses that reflect short‐term dynamics of the CoA and that are frequently ignored in NAO teleconnection studies, and (b) to evaluate NAO and CoA influence on temperature across seasons (winter and summer) and in upstream and downstream regions (eastern North America and Europe) using a consistent combination of datasets and methods, in order to contextualize results from prior studies that targeted a single region or season. We find that associations with summertime daily maximum and wintertime daily minimum temperatures are strongest for seasonal averages, but select CoA indices inform explanation of temperature variability at subseasonal timescales. The strength of the Icelandic Low and the location of both CoA show strong associations in winter, while in summer the locations of the CoA show temperature associations that are distinct from and sometimes stronger than those found for CoA strength or NAO indices.
Imaginary Companions in Childhood: What Can Prospective Longitudinal Research Tell Us About Their Fate by Adolescence?
Authors: McAnally Helena M. , Forsyth Bridget J. , Taylor Marjorie , Reese Elaine 
Published: August 2020

AbstractDo adolescents remember imaginary companions (ICs) from early childhood? Researchers interviewed 46 adolescent participants in a prospective longitudinal study about their ICs from early childhood (age 5½). The existence of one or more ICs was documented in early childhood for 48% of children (G. Trionfi & E. Reese, 2009). At age 16, most adolescents had forgotten their early childhood ICs: Only 5 of the 23 participants who had early childhood ICs recalled those ICs later. Eight participants who had forgotten their early childhood ICs recalled a later IC, and four participants who did not have an IC at age 5 ½ reported one by age 16. Ten of the 23 participants who had early childhood ICs claimed never to have had an IC. Girls were more likely to recall their early childhood ICs. Retrospective reports of ICs in adolescence or later life may be unreliable for investigating differences between those with and without imaginary companions. Those with ICs may not be a homogenous group, with some creating ICs throughout childhood and some desisting from this behavior in early childhood. Findings indicate that both the remembering and forgetting of ICs has potential to illuminate cognitive and creative processes surrounding both memory and imagination.
Challenges of Maintaining Optimal Nutrition Status in COVID‐19 Patients in Intensive Care Settings
Authors: Minnelli Nicole , Gibbs Lisa , Larrivee Jennifer , Sahu Kamal Kant 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has threatened patients, healthcare systems, and all countries across the globe with unprecedented challenges and uncertainties. According to the latest literature, most patients with COVID‐19 have mild symptoms that do not require hospital admissions, and only a small percentage of those hospitalized require intensive care. In the intensive care unit (ICU), a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) assists the critical care team by formulating, executing, and monitoring the nutrition strategies and interventions to meet the unique requirements of extremely sick patients. However, because of the novelty of COVID‐19, the situation is fluid and guidelines continue to be developed and updated. This article discusses the interim guidelines available for the nutrition support of ICU COVID‐19 patients and the challenges the critical care team and RDN may face from a nutrition standpoint.
Auxiliary differential diagnosis of schizophrenia and phases of bipolar disorder based on the blood serum Raman spectra
Authors: Ogruc Ildiz Gulce , Bayari Sevgi , Aksoy Umut M. , Yorguner Nese , Bulut Huseyin , Yilmaz Sultan S. , Halimoglu Gokhan , Kabuk Hayrunnisa Nur , Yavuz Gizem , Fausto Rui 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSchizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BP) are severe psychiatric disorders that are characterized by an extensive spectrum of symptoms and affect approximately 2% of the world population. BP exhibits three well‐distinct phases, which are classified as manic and depressive episodes and euthymic phase. These disorders are of difficult differential clinical diagnosis due to the similarity of their symptoms. Diagnostic approaches for SZ and BP are based on constructed patient interviews and subjective evaluations of clinical symptoms, and there are still no molecular‐based auxiliary diagnostic tools to support the clinical diagnosis. In this study, an analytical model for auxiliary differential diagnosis of SZ and BP, based on the analysis of patients' blood serum Raman spectra, is developed, which is able to account for the different BP phases and can also differentiate SZ and BP patients from healthy individuals. The model is based on a hierarchical sequence of four two‐class PLS‐DA steps where the Raman spectra are the X‐predictor variables. It is concluded that the full 400–3,100 cm−1 Raman spectroscopic range is a sensitive probe for the disorders, thus working as a general spectroscopic biomarker for the illnesses. The proposed methodology is reliable, fast, cheap, essentially minimal‐invasive, and might be implemented easily in the clinical environment.