bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
­Revisit Eosinopenia as a Biomarker for Diagnosis of Sepsis: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lin Yao , Rong Jiabing , Zhang Zhaocai 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
BackgroundSepsis is a life-threatening and time-critical medical emergency, therefore, the early diagnosis of sepsis is essential to timely treatment and favorable outcomes for patients susceptible to sepsis. Eosinopenia has been identified as a potential biomarker of sepsis in the past decade. So, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic efficacy of eosinopenia for sepsis.MethodWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials CENTRAL databases to identify studies that met the inclusion criteria. Two authors performed data extraction independently. The pooled outcomes were calculated by TP (true positive), FP (false positive), FN (false negative), TN (true negative) by using bivariate meta-analysis model in STATA 14.0 software. ResultsSeven studies were included in the present study with a total number of 3842 subjects. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio were 0.66 (95%CI [0.53-0.77]), 0.68 (95%CI [0.56-0.79]), 2.09 (95%CI [1.44-3.02]), 0.49 (95%CI [0.34-0.71]) and 4.23 (95%CI [2.15-8.31]), respectively. The area under the summary receiver operator characteristic curve (SROC) was 0.73 (95%CI [0.68-0.76]). Meta-regression analysis revealed that no single parameter accounted for the heterogeneity of pooled outcomes. For each subgroup of different eosinopenia cutoff values (50, 40, <=25, 100), the sensitivity was 0.61, 0.79, 0.57, 0.54, and the specificity was 0.61, 0.75, 0.83, 0.51, respectively. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that eosinopenia shows no superiority in the diagnosis of sepsis. Further large clinical trials are needed to re-evaluate eosinopenia as a biomarker of sepsis.
Advanced care planning during the COVID-19 pandemic: ceiling of care decisions and their implications for observational data
Authors: Straw Sam , McGinlay Melanie , Drozd Michael , Slater Thomas A , Cowley Alice , Kamalathasan Stephe , Maxwell Nicholas , Bird Rory , Koshy Aaron O , Prica Milos , Patel Peysh A , Relton Samuel D , Gierula John , Cubbon Richard M , Kearney Mark T , Witte Klaus K 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
BackgroundObservational studies investigating risk factors in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have not considered the confounding effects of advanced care planning, such that a valid picture of risk for elderly, frail and multi-morbid patients is unknown. We aimed to report ceiling of care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) decisions and their association with demographic and clinical characteristics as well as outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsRetrospective, observational study conducted between 5th March and 7th May 2020 of all hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Ceiling of care and CPR decisions were documented using the Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) process. Unadjusted and multivariate regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with ceiling of care decisions and death during hospitalisation.ResultsA total of 485 patients were included, of whom 409 (84·3%) had a documented ceiling of care which was level one for 208 (50·9%), level two for 75 (18·3%) and level three for 126 (30·8%). CPR decisions were documented for 451 (93·0%) and 336 (74·5%) were not for resuscitation. Advanced age, frailty, White-European ethnicity, a diagnosis of any co-morbidity and receipt of cardiovascular medications were associated with ceiling of care decisions. In a multivariate model only advanced age (odds 0·89, 0·86-0·93 p<0·001), frailty (odds 0·48, 0·38-0·60, p<0·001) and the cumulative number of co-morbidities (odds 0·72, 0·52-1·0, p=0·048) were independently associated. Death during hospitalisation was independently associated with age, frailty and requirement for level two or three care.ConclusionCeiling of care decisions were made for the majority of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, broadly in line with known predictors of poor outcomes in COVID-19, but with a focus on co-morbidities suggesting ICU admission might not be a reliable end-point for observational studies where advanced care planning is routine.
Species detection within the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato complex by novel probe-based Real-Time PCRs
Authors: Maksimov Pavlo , Bergmann Hannes , Wassermann Marion , Romig Thomas , Gottstein Bruno , Casulli Adriano , Conraths Franz J. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Infections with eggs of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) can cause cystic echinococcosis in intermediate host animals and humans. Upon ingestion of viable eggs, oncospheres hatch from the eggs and subsequently develop into fluid-filled larval cysts, most frequently in the liver or the lungs. The slowly growing cysts progressively interfere with organ function. The risk of infection is determined by the host range of the parasite, its pathogenicity and other epidemiologically relevant parameters, which differ significantly among the five species within the E. granulosus s.l. complex. It is therefore essential to diagnose the correct species within E. granulosus s.l. to help understand specific disease epidemiology and to facilitate effective implementation of control measures. For this purpose, simple, fast and cost-effective typing techniques are needed.Methods: Mitochondrial genome sequences from the respective members of E. granulosus s.l. complex were used to identify target regions for the detection and genotyping. The selected primer pairs were first tested in a SYBR-green assay. In the next step, primers discriminating between the genotypes (according to post-amplification melting curves) were tested together with the respective probes in a TaqMan® Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reactions (qPCRs). For the analysis of analytical sensitivity and specificity of the real-time PCRs (SYBR-green and TaqMan), a panel of reference DNAs from various Echinococcus spp. was used.Results: We developed quantitative qPCRs and corresponding sequence-specific hydrolysis DNA probes to target polymorphic regions in the mitochondrial genome of E. granulosus s.l.. In a single-step typing approach, we distinguished E. granulosus s.l. members in four epidemiologically relevant subgroups. These were E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1, G3), E. equinus (G4), E. ortleppi (G5) and the E. canadensis cluster (G6 to G8 and G10). The technique also allowed identification and differentiation of these species from other Echinococcus or Taenia taxa for samples isolated from cysts or faeces. Conclusions: Single-step genotyping techniques for the molecular diagnosis of Echinococcus spp. by qPCRs may not only improve diagnostic performance, but also our knowledge on the epidemiology of the parasites and help controlling the various agents of cystic echinococcosis.
Out-of-Sample Predictability of the Cost Efficiency Measures of US Banks: Evidence of Capital Requirements
Authors: Sakouvogui Kekoura 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
In the evaluation of capital adequacy requirements on the economic efficiency measures of banks, the literature has presented a two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis approach. In the first stage, the efficiency measures are estimated. In the second stage, the relationship between capital adequacy requirements and efficiency measures treated as the dependent variable is evaluated using the classical ordinary least squares (OLS) model. However, determining the out-of-sample predictability of capital adequacy requirements has been lacking. Therefore, this paper contributes to the sparse literature of capital adequacy requirements by applying Support Vector Regressions (SVRs) and the routinely used OLS linear model benchmarks. Using a total of 10,380 December quarterly observations of United States' commercial and domestic banks from 2008 to 2019, we estimate the model parameters of SVRs with Linear, Polynomial and Radial basis function kernels and motivated by h-block cross-validation technique. The results reveal that the SVRs provides better benchmarking insights in the evaluation of financial banks' capital adequacy requirements than the benchmark OLS model.JEL classification: C01, C18, C52, Q11.
“Students in public and private schools—which are at higher risk of drug use?”: A survey from Iran
Authors: Bahramnejad Ali , Iranpour Abedin , Nakhaee Nouzar 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Recent evidence from Western countries suggests that private school students are more prone to drug use. Such an evidence is lacking in Muslim countries. The aim of this study was to examine whether the risk of drug use is higher in private schools than public schools.Methods This cross sectional study was conducted on 650 tenth grade students of Kerman city, the center of largest province of Iran using cluster sampling. Well-validated questionnaires regarding current, lifetime substance use, and perceived use by classmates were utilized. Substances included in the questionnaire were waterpipe, cigarette, alcohol, marijuana, opium, methamphetamine, and Naas. Drug Use Tendency Scale was used to measure the attitudes of students towards drug use.Results The response rate was 93.7%. More than 82% of sample were public school students (n = 504). Current use of cigarette and marijuana was higher in private schools (12.2% and 3.0%, respectively) than public schools (4.4% and 0.5%, respectively) (P < 0.05). Perceived prevalence of cigarette smoking by classmates was higher among private school students.Conclusion Despite the popular belief that private schools are better than public schools regarding the risk of substance use, students who attend private schools may be at a higher risk of turning to some drugs comparing to public schools in Iran.
Diversification of leech proboscis structure according to prey ingestion behavior
Authors: Kwak Hee-Jin , Kim Jung-Hyeuk , Kim Joo-Young , Jeon Donggu , Lee Doo-Hyung , Yoo Shinja , Kim Jung , Eyun Seong-il , Park Soon Cheol , Cho Sung-Jin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Adaptive radiation is a phenomenon in which various organs are diversified morphologically or functionally as animals adapt to environmental inputs such as diet and circumstance. Although previous studies have addressed changes caused by various external pressures, the evidence for variation in invertebrates is not well known. Leeches comprise a carnivorous or ectoparasitic group of animals that feed on a wide range of prey. They exhibit a corresponding variety of ingestion behaviors and morphological diversity of mouthparts and gut specializations. However, research on the diversity of ingestion behaviors and the internal structure of feeding organs in leeches is little known. In this study, we use histological analyses, fluorescent labeling and immunohistochemistry to reveal the detailed proboscis structure in the family Glossiphoniidae, while also suggesting the diversification of proboscises.Results We identified the feeding behavior of rhynchobdellid leeches, which have the proboscises. Alboglossiphonia sp. swallows prey whole using its proboscis, whereas other leeches exhibit typical fluid-sucking behavior. Glossiphoniid leeches exhibit fluid ingestion behavior along with clear arrangement of longitudinal muscles, circular muscles surrounding the lumen, and radial muscles, while Alboglossiphonia sp., which displays macrophagous ingestion like salifid Barbronia sp., has a partial circular muscle distribution and spacious lumen that extends to longitudinal muscle layer. To address whether the different feeding behaviors are intrinsic, we investigated the behavioral patterns and muscle arrangements in the earlier developmental stage of glossiphoniid leeches. Juvenile Glossiphoniidae including the Alboglossiphonia sp. exhibit the fluid ingestion behavior and have the proboscis with the compartmentalized muscle layers.Conclusions Genetic, morphological and behavioral differences between juvenile and adult stages of Alboglossiphonia sp. suggest their adult feeding biology has diverged from ancestral glossiphoniid leeches, while retaining developmental vestiges of the typical juvenile feeding morphology currently observed across Glossiphoniidae. This study provides the characteristics of leeches with specific ingestion behaviors, and a comparison of structural differences that serves as the first evidence of the proboscis diversification.
Genome-wide interrogation of gene functions through base editor screens empowered by barcoded sgRNAs
Authors: Xu Ping , Liu Zhiheng , Liu Ying , Ma Huazheng , Xu Yiyuan , Bao Ying , Zhu Shiyou , Cao Zhongzheng , Zhou Zhuo , Wei Wensheng 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Canonical CRISPR screens rely on Cas9-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) to generate targeted gene knockouts. These DSB-dependent methodologies may yield false-positive results by mistakenly assuming targeted loci as essential for cell viability, especially when high-copy-number sites are targeted. Here, we use CRISPR cytosine base editors for genome-scale knockout screens by perturbing gene start codons or splice sites, or by introducing premature termination codons (PTCs). Combining with iBAR strategy we have previously established, we realized an iBARed cytosine Base Editing-mediated gene KnockOut (BARBEKO) screening strategy at a genome-scale (targeting 17,501 genes) in multiple human cell lines. By constructing such a cell library through lentiviral infection at a high MOI (up to 10), we significantly reduced starting cells while producing screening results with improved efficiency and accuracy. More importantly, in comparison with Cas9-mediated cell fitness screens, BARBEKO screens are no longer affected by DNA-cleavage induced cytotoxicity in HeLa, K562, or DSB-sensitive RPE1 cells. We anticipate that BARBEKO offers a valuable tool to complement the current CRISPR screens in various settings.
Mental Health Problems and Related Factors in Chinese University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Zhou Shuang-Jiang , Qi Meng , Wang Lei-Lei , Yang Xing-Jie , Zhang Li-Gang , Yang Rui , Chen Jing-Xu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a serious threat to global public health, including a wide range of metal health problems. Current research focuses mainly on mental health status and related factors among Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Data from 11133 participants was obtained through an online survey of university students in mainland China. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), respectively.Results: In total, 37.0% of the subjects were experiencing depressive symptoms, 24.9% anxiety symptoms, 20.9% comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms, and 7.3% suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed an increased presence of mental health problems in female students, graduate students, and those with personal COVID-19 exposure. Living with family and awareness of COVID-19 were protective factors against depressive and anxiety symptoms. In addition, male, depressive and anxiety symptoms were risk factors for suicidal ideation. Living with family, graduate students, prevention and control measures and projections of COVID-19 trends were protective factors against suicidal ideation.Conclusions: The findings underlined that the mental health of university students should be monitored, and provided important information for healthcare planning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Study of the corrosion resistance on nano-ZrO2 doped MgO ceramic composites by copper slag.
Authors: García-Quiñonez L.V. , Verdeja L.F. , Fernández-González D. , Castro-Soto E. , Castillo-Rodríguez G.A. , Rodíguez-Castellanos E.A. , Guzmán-Hernández A.M. , Gómez-Rodríguez C. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
This study investigated the corrosion mechanism on 100 wt. % MgO and 95 wt. % MgO with 5 wt. % nano-ZrO2 ceramic composites. First, MgO powder and powder mixtures (MgO + nano ZrO2) were uniaxially and isostatically pressed and, then, they were sintered at 1650 °C. Corrosion by copper slag was studied with sintered samples. Physical properties, microstructure and penetration of the slag in the refractory were studied. Results reveal that ZrO2 nanoparticles enhanced the densification of the samples, promoting grain growth due to diffusion of vacancies during sintering process. Additionally, magnesia bricks were severely corroded, if compared with those doped with nano-ZrO2, due to the dissolution of MgO grains during the chemical attack by copper slag.
Construction of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome&nbsp;Related&nbsp;lncRNA-mRNA Network&nbsp;Based on ceRNA to Identify Functional lncRNAs&nbsp;in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Authors: Ma Yue , Zhai Jun 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder in women of childbearing age. Recent studies have shown that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) played a vital role in the development of the PCOS. Competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), a novel interacting mechanism, in which lncRNA could interact with micro-RNAs (miRNA) and indirectly interact with mRNAs through competing interactions. However, the mechanism of ceRNA regulated by lncRNA in the PCOS was unclear.
Results

We constructed the global background network based on the assumed lncRNA-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA pairs, which were obtained from lncRNASNP, miRTarBase and StarBase database. Then we calculated differentially expressed genes of PCOS using the data of GSE95728. PCOS related lncRNA-mRNA network (PCLMN) was constructed by hypergeometric test, including 41 mRNA nodes, 41 lncRNA nodes and 203 edges. Topological analyses was performed to determine the crucial lncRNAs with the highest centroid. We further identified the subcellular localization, performed functional module analyses and identified putative transfer factors of the key lncRNAs. Functional enrichment analyses were performed by GO classification and KEGG pathway analyses. Finally, 3 key lncRNAs(LINC00667, H19, AC073172.1) and their ceRNA sub-networks, which were involved in NF-kB signaling pathway, inflammatory, apoptotic and immune-related processes, had been found as the potential PCOS related disease genes.
Conclusions

Based on the result above, we speculate that LINC00667, H19, AC073172.1 and their ceRNA sub-networks played an crucial role in PCOS. All these results can help us discover the molecular mechanism and offer new predictive biomarkers for PCOS.
Suppression of Tumorigenicity 5 Ameliorates Tumor Characteristics of Invasive Breast Cancer Cells via Integrating ERK/JNK Pathway
Authors: Cheng Jianghong , Li Mingli , Tzeng Chi-Meng , Gou Xingchun , Chen Shuai 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Suppression of tumorigenicity 5 (ST5) has been considered as a tumor suppressor gene in HeLa tumor cells. However, there is no report of ST5 expression or function in the progression of breast cancer.Methods: ST5 expression in different subtypes and pathological stages of breast cancer was determined by Oncomine database, Breast Cancer Gene-Expression Miner v4.4 (bc-GenExMiner v4.4) analysis and immunohistochemistry. Cell viability was measured by CCK8 assay and metastatic behavior was assessed using scratch wound model and Transwell. Flow cytometry was employed for cell cycle and apoptosis detection, and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used to detect methylation level.Results: ST5 was expressed at low level in different subtypes of breast cancer specimens compared to normal breast and there was a negative association between ST5 status and pathological stages of breast cancer patients. Additionally, ST5 was lower in cases of recurrent and invasive breast cancer than that in non-recurrent and non-invasive patients. In in vitro experiment, ST5 status was also negatively associated with the invasive capability of breast cancer cells, showing lower in MDA-MB-231 and SKBR3 cell lines than that in MCF-7 cells. ST5-downregulation promoted, while ST5-upregulation inhibited the tumour characteristics of MDA-MB-231 cells including cell viability, cell cycle and migration. And exogenous ST5 also elevated, but ST5 depletion limited the proportion of apoptotic cells in MDA-MB-231 cells. However, the alteration of ST5, no matter upregulation or downregulation, had no impact on tumour behaviors of MCF-7 cells. Mechanistically, ST5 protein ablation activated, while ST5-upregulation repressed the activities of phosphorylated JNK and ERK1/2, and subsequently the expression of c-Myc. Of note, low level of ST5 in breast cancer cells was possibly related with the aberrant methylation of ST5 promoter region.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that ST5 potentially acts as a tumor suppressor gene in invasive breast cancer through regulating ERK/JNK signaling pathway and provide a novel insight for breast cancer treatment.
When the Labs Closed: Graduate Students’ and Postdoctoral Fellows’ Experiences of Disrupted Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Suart Celeste , Suart Theresa Nowlan , Graham Katherine , Truant Ray 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Physical distancing measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in widespread laboratory closures. This study aimed to examine the impact of this disruption on graduate students and postdoctoral fellows completing laboratory-based research in Canada. We used an anonymous online survey and semi-structured interviews to document the experiences of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows during laboratory closures and following the transition to working from home. We employed mixed-method analysis of survey and interview data to identify shared experiences, feelings, concerns, and supports.Respondents’ emotions reported from different points during the COVID-19 laboratory closures align with previously described Kübler-Ross model of grief following change. Respondents describe closure processes as chaotic and confusing, primarily due to inconsistent communication between graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, supervisors, and administration. Respondents reported increased anxiety during closures, however, those who experienced uniform laboratory closures also developed a sense of solidarity and safety while those with staggered shutdowns did not. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows reported increased indications of distress while working from home. Four key barriers to working from home were described; technical issues, domestic distractions, decreased motivation, and poor mental health. Five key supports while working at home were also identified, including financial security, social connections, establishing and maintaining routines, mental health support, and support from supervisors and administration. Respondents had concerns of how COVID-19 might impact them, including decreasing competitiveness applicants while limiting future employment opportunities. Finally, we outline five types of supports which can be implemented by supervisors and administrators to support graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to return to the laboratory, including; personal protective equipment and protocols, understanding and empathy, guidance and direction, timeline support, and financial support. Overall, we document shared experiences of respondents during the COVID-19 laboratory shutdown and identify areas of improvement in the event widespread laboratory closures occur in the future.