bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of spousal loss on depression in older adults
Authors: Chen Yong-Hsin , Lee Meng-Chih , Shiau Mei-Huey , Yeh Chih-Jung 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: In addition to increasing the mortality among older adults, spousal death (SD) increases their risk of depression. This study explored the factors affecting depression among widowed older adults to provide health care strategies for successful aging. Methods: A total of 710 adults older than 60 years completed a questionnaire before and after their spouses’ deaths. The survey data included age, sex, ethnic group, education level, financial station socioeconomic status, SD (including time point), smoking status, alcohol consumption, self-rated health status, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score, mobility, and degree of support from relatives and friends. Results: The proportion of participants with depression after SD was 1.7 times that of before SD (P < 0.0001). Worsened mobility (odds ratio [OR] = 1.3, P < 0.01), low self-rated health status (OR = 0.5, P < 0.01), and a high degree of support from relatives and friends (OR = 1.5, P < 0.01) had a significant positive correlation with depression after SD. The proportion of depression that occurred within 6 months after SD was 6.0 times higher than that of depression before SD. Participants who lived alone after losing their spouses who were healthy before their deaths exhibited a significantly increased proportion of depression after their spouses’ deaths. Conclusion: Male sex, spouse’s health, and the period of 6 months after SD are risk factors for depression in older adults. The maintenance of mobility, positive self-rated health status, and a shorter period of depression after a spouse’s death result in more favorable adaptability among women. Social workers or family members should focus on older adults whose spouses died unexpectedly or within the last 6 months. Living with family members after SD can alleviate depression in older adults.
Prognostic Impact of Tumor Length in Esophageal Cancer:A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Zhao Yang , Jiang Yuanzhu , Xiao Wen , Xue Xianbiao , Zhang Xiangwei , Zhang Lin 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: In clinical work, it is increasingly finding that even for patients with the same TNM stage of esophageal cancer (EC), the prognosis of different patients is still very different. Tumor length has been analyzed as a possible independent prognostic factor in many studies, but no unanimous conclusion has been reached. Therefore, this review is expected to use meta-analysis to evaluate the association between tumor length and prognostic significance in EC patients.Methods: A systematic search for relevant articles was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. Hazard ratio and 95% conﬁdence intervals (CIs) will be used as effective measures to estimate the correlation between tumor length and prognostic significance including overall survival, disease-free survival, progression-free survival, disease-specific survival, and cancer-speciﬁc survival. We will use the software STATA 15.0 to perform the meta-analysis to calculate the data synthesis. Results: Finally, 41 articles with 28, 973 patients were included in our study. Comprehensive statistical results showed that long tumor is an independent prognostic parameter associated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR=1.30; 95%CI: 1.21-1.40, p<.001) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR=1.38; 95% CI:1.18-1.61, p<.001) in EC patients. Subgroup analyses also suggested a significant correlation between long tumor and poor OS. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias evaluation confirmed the reliability and stability of these results. Similar results can be obtained in analyses of progress-free survival (PFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis showed that the long tumor was related to the poor OS, DFS, PFS, DSS and CSS in EC patients. It was suggested that tumor length might be an important predictor of prognosis in EC patients，and it can be used as an independent staging index. Further well-designed and large-scale prospective clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A Novel Compound Heterozygous Mutation in the WFS1 Gene (C.1997 G&gt;A and C.2113_2114 ins T) Causes wolfram Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Aishajiang Reyida , Li Cheng , Shen Bo-Tao , Sun Jian , Zhao Wei 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background:Wolfram syndrome (WS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder associated with early-onset diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetes insipidus (DI), optic atrophy (OA) and hearing impairment. Most patients with WS have mutations in the WFS1 gene, which encodes wolframin. This case report describes a patient with a novel heterozygous mutation of WFS1.Case Presentation:The proband was a 27-year-old Chinese male with WS who had developed DM at the age of 2 years, DI in the first decade, OA, neurogenic bladder and urinary tract infections in the second decade, and neurological abnormalities in later life. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested superior sagittal sinus enlargement and atrophy of the medulla and pons. Sequencing showed that the proband’s asymptomatic parents were both carriers: the father carried a heterozygous c.1997G>A mutation that creates a premature stop at codon 666 (W666X) and that the proband’s asymptomatic mother carried a heterozygous c.2113_2114insT mutation that generates a frameshift downstream to codon 705 (K705Ifs*7) and leads to a stop at codon 711. The proband had both the above C-terminal mutations, resulting in the substitution of N-glycosylation sitesthat are associated with the stability of wolframin.Conclusion:We have identified a novel compound heterozygous mutation of WFS1 that is associated with WS. Our findings may facilitate future screening of WS carriers.
The attenuation of insulin-like growth factor signaling may be responsible for relative reduction in matrix synthesis in degenerated areas of osteoarthritic cartilage
Authors: Tanaka Nobuho , Tsuno Hirotaka , Ohashi Satoru , Iwasawa Mitsuyasu , Furukawa Hiroshi , Kato Tomohiro , Fukui Naoshi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: In osteoarthritis (OA), cartilage matrix is lost gradually despite enhanced matrix synthesis by chondrocytes. This paradox may be explained, at least partly, by reduced chondrocyte anabolism in degenerated area of OA cartilage. However, to date, it is not known why chondrocyte anabolism is suppressed in those areas.Methods: Cartilage was obtained from control knees and end-stage OA knees in macroscopically preserved areas and degenerated areas, and gene expression was analyzed in respective regions of cartilage using laser capture microdissection and qPCR. For the cartilage protein analysis, cartilage was obtained from preserved areas and degenerated areas of OA knees in pairs, and proteins were extracted using urea buffer. Protein concentrations were determined by Luminex and compared between the areas. Cartilage explants prepared from preserved areas and degenerated areas of OA knees were cultured in the presence or absence of an AKT inhibitor, and the gene expression was evaluated by qPCR. Finally, the expression of SP1 was evaluated in OA and control cartilage, and the significance of Sp1 on the expression of IGF1R and IRS1 was investigated in experiments using primary cultured chondrocytes.Results: Within OA cartilage, the expression of IGF-1, IGF-2, IGF1R and IRS1 was reduced in degenerated areas compared to preserved areas, while the expression of all six IGF-binding protein genes examined was enhanced in the former areas. Consistent results were obtained by a protein analysis. In explant culture, the inhibition of AKT signaling abrogated the abundant matrix gene expression in the preserved areas over the degenerated areas, indicating that suppressed matrix synthesis in degenerated areas may be ascribed, at least partly, to attenuated IGF signaling. Within OA cartilage, the expression of Sp1 was considerably reduced in degenerated areas compared to preserved areas, which correlated well with the expression of IGF1R and IRS1. In experiments using primary cultured chondrocytes, the expression of IGF1R and IRS1 was enhanced by the induction of Sp1 expression and reduced by the suppression of Sp1 expression.Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that attenuated IGF signaling may be responsible, at least partly, for the reduced matrix synthesis in degenerated areas of OA cartilage.
A fatality data based on an optimized SEIR Model for Epidemic: A study about the testing and quarantining
Authors: Yang Liwei , Chen Bochuan , Du Siyao , Zhao Lang , Zhang Yu 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), caused by a newly discovered coronavirus, has been announced as a global pandemic by WHO on March 12, 2020. We aimed to provide a more accurate, object-oriented SEIR model for Epidemic as well as a thorough analysis for different intervention strategies and critical parameters. Based on the object-oriented mindset in computer science, we assigned properties to every independent patient, which includes age, likelihood of catching the virus, independent mortality rate, social activeness, awareness of the danger of the virus. We also considered macro level parameters including testing rate, positive rate. Based on the fatality data obtained, we estimated the occurrence time of the first case in China (excluding Hubei), Russia, Germany, and the United States using the model. Eight groups of virus-transmission simulation with different testing rate and quarantine ratio were conducted. The mortality data was found to be an effective and crucial parameter while the number cases can be decisive reflecting the severity of the pandemic.
Benzoinum exerts NVU protective effect by inhibiting cell apoptosis in cerebral ischemia rats
Authors: Xie Qian , Ma Rong , Guo Xiaoqing , Chen Hai , Wang Jian 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

Benzoinum (Styraceae) is a traditional Chinese medicine known to treat stroke and other cardio-cerebrovascular diseases for thousands of years. Benzoinum also proved to have diverse pharmacological activity, but the neuroprotection mechanism about apoptosis in ischemic stroke were not found. This study is to investigate the NVU protective effect and mechanisms of benzoinum on cerebral ischemic rats.
Methods

The neuroprotective activity of benzoinum against MCAO induced cerebral ischemic injury. Neurological scores, TTC staining, HE staining were conducted to evaluate neurological damage. Infarction rate and DCI were calculated. The ultrastructure of neuron and BBB was observed by TEM. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to detect the Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase 3 expression. In addition, Claudin 5 also was detected by immunohistochemistry.
Results

The findings shown that benzoinum could significantly improve the neurological function score, reduce the cerebral infarction rate and DCI. Furthermore, benzoinum alleviated pathomorphological change and apoptosis in brain tissue of MCAO rats. The results of TEM and claudin 5 expression of immunohistochemistry showed that benzoinum could play a neuroprotective effect in NVU. Besides, benzoinum enhanced Bcl2, reduced Bax and Bax/Bcl-2, Caspase 3, suggesting benzoinum provided neuroprotective effect by inhibited cell apoptosis.
Conclusion

Benzoinum could play a neuroprotective role and regulate apoptosis to repair and stabilize NVU. Our present findings provide a promising medicine for treatment of ischemic stroke therapy.
Report of a COVID-19 Case Combined with HIV Infection
Authors: Liu Aimei , Wei Jie , Xu Yuanlong , Huang Dayong , Lv Kangyan , Meng Zhihao , Huang Junli , Huang Liling , Wu Guowei 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Confirmed as a familial clustered case, a COVID-19 patient displaying established symptoms was simultaneously diagnosed with an HIV infection, and treated with several antiviral and compassionate drugs.Case presentation: The upper respiratory tract Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) for the novel coronavirus continued to be positive for consecutive 49 days. During the course of treatment, it was observed that the other six cases in the family were non-HIV infected and displaying common Covid-19 symptoms, the familial cluster received parallel treatment along with the aforementioned patient, and the median time for the NAT to present as negative was 29 days. Conclusions: The results of this research indicate that the novel coronavirus attacks T lymphocyte subsets, andfurther studies with larger sample sizes are required to verify how the immune escape mechanism of the new coronavirus interacts with HIV infection.
Antimicrobial-resistant genes among Klebsiella pneumoniae in the Arabian Gulf Countries: A systemic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bindayna Khalid Mubarak , Joji Ronni Mol , Ezzat Hicham , Jahrami Haitham Ali 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Klebsiella is the common pathogen which causes pneumonia, UTI, and bloodstream infections. The vast majority of Klebsiella infections are hospital-acquired. Since the recognition of this as bacteria, it has always been a challenge for the clinicians to find effective treatment against their infections. Several studies are addressing increased antimicrobial resistance rates and different antimicrobial genes in various areas of the Arabian Gulf. Here we aimed to look upon the prevalence of six AMR genes (CTX M, TEM, SHV, NDM, OXA, VIM genes) in this province. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published studies from the Arabian Gulf countries and analysed the antimicrobial resistance genes pattern present in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Materials and methods The present study used the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) as a guideline for reporting findings. An electronic search was conducted in online databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science from December 2017 to February 2019 following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results Of 160 initially searched studies, 28 entries met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to meta-analysis. Critical appraisal of studies or quality assessment revealed mean quality score was 4.2, with an SD of 1.6. The analysis revealed predominant antimicrobial resistance genes were OXA followed by CTX-M, SHV, TEM, NDM, and VIM in the Arabian Gulf region. Conclusion The antibiotic resistance gene prevalences in Klebsiella pneumoniae in countries of the Arabian Gulf have been reviewed in this study. These countries share a high prevalence of OXA, CTX-M followed by SHV, TEM, NDM, and VIM genes. Antimicrobial-resistant in K. pneumoniae is a threat to public health and this needs strong surveillance to curb this threat.
Dietary Energy Levels from Middle to Late Gestation of Guangdong Small-Ear Spotted Pig: Effects on Body Weight, Muscle Development, and Glucose Metabolism of its Newborn Piglets
Authors: Hu Chengjun , Yang Yunyu , Chen Minxia , Hao Xiangyu , Wang Shuqi , Yang Linfang , Zhang Shihai , Tan Chengquan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Guangdong Small-ear Spotted pigs are Chinese indigenous pig that have the characteristic of desired meat quality and resistance to coarse feeding. However, no study has elucidated the effects of dietary energy levels on body weight, muscle development and glucose metabolism of its newborn piglets. Therefore, a total of 66 pregnant gilts with an average body weight of 80.6±6.6 kg at day 60 of gestation were randomly divided into two groups: control group (CON group; 11.50 MJ/kg digestible energy), and high-energy diet group (HE group; 13.42 MJ/kg digestible energy). Results: The results showed that the maternal HE diet was shown to decrease the birth weight of piglets that from the gilts with total or alive litter size of 12 to 13. Additionally, the HE diet group were shown to impair the glucose tolerance of newborn piglets, as evidenced by the glucose tolerance test and the inhibition of insulin signaling pathway in liver and soleus muscle. Despite no significant change in the muscle weight in the two groups, the maternal HE diet was shown to downregulate the protein level of slow-twitch fiber myosin heavy chain I (MyHC I), and upregulate the protein levels of fast-twitch fiber myosin heavy chain IIb (MyHC IIb) and IIx (MyHC IIx) in soleus muscle of their progeny. Furthermore, the newborn piglets in HE group were showed a decrease in mitochondrial biogenesis in liver and soleus muscle when compared to that in CON group. Conclusions: Maternal high-energy diet from middle to late gestation decreases the birth weight of piglets that from the gilts with total or alive litter size of 12 to 13, induces the formation of glycolytic muscle fibers, and impairs glucose tolerance of their newborn piglets.
A method for constructing a longitudinal sample of Medicare patients with application to diabetes outcomes research
Authors: McMurry Timothy , Lobo Jennifer , Kim Soyoun , Kang Hyojung , Sohn Min-Woong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
BackgroundWe present a method of randomly drawing a longitudinal sample of Medicare patients to 1) conduct longitudinal analysis of care use and outcomes over a ten-year follow-up; 2) provide a representative cross-sectional sample in each year during this time period; and 3) provide adequate precision for estimates in comparisons that involve minority patients at the county level. This method was applied to patients with diabetes in the Diabetes Belt (a region in the Appalachian and southern US with higher rates of diabetes) and surrounding counties.MethodsWe used the Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary Files (A/B/C/D and Chronic Conditions segments) to identify eligible patients for each year. We targeted a sample of just under 900,000 patients per year. The 2006 sample is stratified by county and white/minority status, and targeted at least 250 patients in each stratum with the remaining sample allocated proportional to county size with oversampling of the minority population. Patients who were alive, did not move between counties, and stayed enrolled in Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) were retained in the sample for subsequent years. Non-retained patients were replaced with a sample of patients in their first year of Medicare FFS (e.g., new enrollees) or patients who moved into a sampled county during the previous year.ResultsThe resulting sample contains an average of 899,266 patients each year and closely matches population demographics and chronic conditions. For all years in the sample, the weighted sample average age and the population age differ by < 0.01 years; the proportion white is within 0.01%; and the proportion female is within 0.08%. No difference was statistically significant at the α = 0.05 level.ConclusionsThis carefully constructed survey sample will allow us to to perform longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis on healthcare utilization and outcomes. This sampling strategy can be easily adapted to other projects that require random samples of Medicare beneficiaries for longitudinal follow-up with possible oversampling of some sub-populations.
Rapid mental health screening in conflict zones: a translation and cross-cultural adaptation into Arabic of the shortened Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-25)
Authors: Perkins Jon , Alos Julieta 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
BackgroundDuring conflict, children and adolescents are at increased threat of mental health pathology and in particular, anxiety and depression. However, mental health screening in conflict settings is problematic and carries risk making the need for fast, easy-to-administer, screening instruments paramount. The shortened version of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-25) is one method of rapidly assessing anxiety and depressive symptoms in youths. This self-report questionnaire demonstrates good internal consistency and diagnostic capacity in clinical and non-clinical populations. Nevertheless, few studies have tested the psychometric properties of translated versions of the RCADS-25 limiting its applicability worldwide.ObjectivesTo expand the reach and utility of the RCADS-25, the present study sought to develop an Arabic version of the instrument (RCADS25-Arabic) and to explore its reliability and underlying factor structure. In light of changes to DSM classification, the effects of removing indicator variables for obsessive-compulsive disorder on the psychometrics of the RCADS25-Arabic were also explored.MethodThe scale was back translated into Modern Standard Arabic and administered to 250 Arabic speaking schoolchildren between 8-15 years of age. Mean and standard deviation were used to characterise the sample and summarize scores. The reliability and factor structure of the RCADS25-Arabic was explored using confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsFemales were 127 and mean age was 12.11 ± SD 2.35. Males scored lower on anxiety (M 15.05 SD ± 8.0, t(248) = -3.15, p = .003, d = 0.39) and internalizing factors (M 26.1 SD ± 13.1, t(248) = -2.36, p = .0160, d = 0.31) with no statistical gender difference recorded for depression (t(248) = -1.27, p = .202). Fit statistics were good for two- and one-factor solutions (χ2/df =1.65, RMSEA 0.051, CFI .91, TLI .90 and χ2/df =1.64 and RMSEA 0.051, CFI .91 and TLI .89 respectively). DIFFTEST showed no significant difference between models (χ2diff (1)=0.03, p<0.86) indicating a one-factor (internalizing) solution was preferable. No improvement in scale integrity was found after deleting obsessive-compulsive disorder items.ConclusionThe RCADS25-Arabic is useful for rapid screening of depression and anxiety but is better used to identify a one-factor internalizing construct. Obsessive-compulsive disorder items should be retained in the RCADS-25.
Oxidation of Cr3Si-Cr7C3/SiC/SiC Coated C/SiC Composite in Wet Air
Authors: Liang Jinlian , Wu Shoujun , Ma Shaojun , Dong Ning 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Oxidation behavior of a Cr3Si-Cr7C3/SiC/SiC coated C/SiC composite was investigated in wet air at 700, 900 and 1300 ºC under 1 atm with a gas velocity of 3.0 cm s-1, and compared with that of a SiC/SiC/SiC coated C/SiC composite. The wet oxidation produced phases on the Cr3Si-Cr7C3/SiC/SiC coating were Cr2O3 at 700 and 900 ºC, and Cr2O3 and SiO2 at 1300 ºC. The Cr3Si-Cr7C3/SiC/SiC coating showed enhanced protection against wet oxidation compared to the SiC/SiC/SiC coating. After oxidation for 10 h, the Cr3Si-Cr7C3/SiC/SiC coated composites showed nearly the same failure behavior and residual flexural strength as the as-received composites.