bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative vector competence of North American Lyme disease vectors
Authors: Couper Lisa I. , Yang Youyun , Yang Xiaofeng Frank , Swei Andrea 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundUnderstanding the drivers of Lyme disease incidence at broad spatial scales is critical for predicting and mitigating human disease risk. Previous studies have identified vector phenology and behavior, host community composition, and landscape features as drivers of variable Lyme disease risk. However, while the Lyme disease transmission cycles in the eastern and western USA involve different vector species (Ixodes scapularisandIxodes pacificus, respectively), the role of vector-specific differences in transmission efficiency has not been directly examined. By comparing the performance of traits involved in vector competence between these two species, this study aims to identify how vector competence contributes to variable Lyme disease risk.MethodsWe used a suite of laboratory experiments to compare the performance of traits related to vector competence for the two USA Lyme disease vectors. For each species, we measured the rate of attachment to a common rodent host, the engorgement weight, and the efficiency of pathogen acquisition (host to tick) and pathogen transmission (tick to host) from laboratory mice. In measuring pathogen acquisition and transmission, we used two different pathogen strains, one sympatric withI. scapularisand one sympatric withI. pacificus, to assess the importance of vector-pathogen coevolutionary history in transmission dynamics.ResultsWe foundI. pacificushad significantly higher host attachment success and engorgement weights, but significantly lower pathogen transmission efficiency relative toI. scapularis. Molting success and pathogen acquisition did not differ between these two species. However, pathogen acquisition efficiency was significantly higher for both sympatric vector and pathogen strains than the allopatric pairings.ConclusionsThis study identified species-specific vector traits as a potential driver of broad scale variation in Lyme disease risk in the USA. In particular, the exceedingly low rates of pathogen transmission from tick to host observed forI. pacificusmay limit Lyme disease transmission efficiency in the western USA. Further, observed variation in pathogen acquisition between sympatric and allopatric vector-pathogen strains indicate that vector-pathogen coevolutionary history may play a key role in transmission dynamics. These findings underscore the need to consider vector traits and vector-pathogen coevolution as important factors governing regional Lyme disease risk.
Changes of serum retinol-binding protein 4 associated with improved insulin resistance after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in Chinese obese patients
Authors: Wang Xingchun , Huang Yueye , Gao Jingyang , Sun Hang , Jayachandran Muthukumaran , Qu Shen 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundSerum retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) plays a critical role in insulin resistance. The mechanism behind the impact of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on glucose metabolism is unclear. Hence, we aimed to investigate the triangle relationship between the RBP4, glucose metabolism, and LSG in patients of Chinese ethnicity.MethodsThe study enrolled eighty-two obese patients. Glucose-lipid metabolic index, uric acid (UA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxin (FT4) and thyrotropin (TSH) were measured. RBP4 levels were detected by enzyme-link immunosorbent assay. 30 obese patients underwent LSG were studied. All these markers were measured again at a time interval of 3 and 6 months after surgery.Results(1) Circulating RBP4 levels were positively associated with body mass index(BMI), blood glucose in 0 min (BG0), BG30, BG120, BG180, fasting inulin(FINS), fasting C peptide(FCP), homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), SOD, TSH and negatively associated with Matsuda index in obesity with a significant difference (P < 0.05). RBP4 levels in the patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia were significantly higher than the patients without IFG, insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia (P = 0.035,P = 0.001, andP = 0.007). (2) LSG resulted in significantly decreased FBG, FINS, FCP and HOMA-IR at 3, 6 months after surgery (allP < 0.05). The RBP4 levels were significantly decreased after surgery (allP < 0.05) with no gender difference. (3) The change in RBP4 levels was significantly associated with the change in FINS, FCP, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β at 6 months and the change in TSH at 3 months after surgery in males (allP < 0.05). The change in RBP4 levels were significantly associated with the change in FINS, FCP, HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, and TCH at 3 months after surgery in females (allP < 0.05).ConclusionsOverall, our results interpret the significant correlations between RBP4, glucose-lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and thyroid function in obese patients. Further, the LSG brings a decline in RBP4 levels and that may contribute partly to the improved insulin resistance in obese Chinese patients.
Long-term effects of a cluster randomized controlled kindergarten-based intervention trial on vegetable intake among Norwegian 3–5-year-olds: the BRA-study
Authors: Kristiansen Anne Lene , Medin Anine Christine , Bjelland Mona , Himberg-Sundet Anne , Lien Nanna , Holst René , Andersen Lene Frost 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo report on long-term effects of a cluster randomized controlled kindergarten-based intervention trial, which aimed to increase vegetable intake among Norwegian preschool children (3–5 years at baseline). The effects of the intervention at follow-up 1 (immediately post-intervention) have previously been published. This paper presents the effects of the intervention from baseline to follow-up 2 (12 months post-intervention).ResultsParental consents were obtained for 633 out of 1631 eligible children (response rate 38.8%). The effects of the intervention from baseline to follow-up 2 were assessed by mixed-model analyses taking the clustering effect of kindergartens into account. Children’s vegetable intake was reported by the parents at baseline (spring 2015), at follow-up 1 (spring 2016) and at follow-up 2 (spring 2017). No significant long-term effects in child vegetable intake were found. A mean difference of − 0.1 times per day (95% CI − 0.5, 0.2) (P = 0.44) was found for the daily frequency of vegetable intake. A mean difference of – 0.2 different kinds of vegetables eaten over a month (95% CI − 1.0, 0.7) (P = 0.70) was found and for daily amount of vegetables a mean difference of − 15.0 g vegetables (95% CI − 38.0, 8.0) (P = 0.19) was found.Trial registrationInternational Standard Randomised Controlled Trials ISRCTN51962956 (http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN51962956). Registered 21 June 2016 (retrospectively registered)
Effects of gene mutation and disease progression on representative neural circuits in familial Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Quan Meina , Zhao Tan , Tang Yi , Luo Ping , Wang Wei , Qin Qi , Li Tingting , Wang Qigeng , Fang Jiliang , Jia Jianping 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Although structural and functional changes of the striatum and hippocampus are present in familial Alzheimer’s disease, little is known about the effects of specific gene mutation or disease progression on their related neural circuits. This study was to evaluate the effects of known pathogenic gene mutation and disease progression on the striatum- and hippocampus-related neural circuits, including frontostriatal and hippocampus-posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) pathways.

Methods
A total of 102 healthy mutation non-carriers, 40 presymptomatic mutation carriers (PMC), and 30 symptomatic mutation carriers (SMC) of amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PS1), or presenilin 2 gene, with T1 structural MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and resting-state functional MRI were included. Representative neural circuits and their key nodes were obtained, including bilateral caudate-rostral middle frontal gyrus (rMFG), putamen-rMFG, and hippocampus-PCC. Volumes, diffusion indices, and functional connectivity of circuits were compared between groups and correlated with neuropsychological and clinical measures.

Results
In PMC, APP gene mutation carriers showed impaired diffusion indices of caudate-rMFG and putamen-rMFG circuits; PS1 gene mutation carriers showed increased fiber numbers of putamen-rMFG circuit. SMC showed increased diffusivity of the left hippocampus-PCC circuit and volume reduction of all regions as compared with PMC. Imaging measures especially axial diffusivity of the representative circuits were correlated with neuropsychological measures.

Conclusions
APP and PS1 gene mutations affect frontostriatal circuits in a different manner in familial Alzheimer’s disease; disease progression primarily affects the structure of hippocampus-PCC circuit. The structural connectivity of both frontostriatal and hippocampus-PCC circuits is associated with general cognitive function. Such findings may provide further information about the imaging biomarkers for early identification and prognosis of familial Alzheimer’s disease, and pave the way for early diagnosis, gene- or circuit-targeted treatment, and even prevention.
Gut microbiota of red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii in integrated crayfish-rice cultivation model
Authors: Shui Yan , Guan Zheng-Bing , Liu Guo-Feng , Fan Li-Min 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIncreasing evidences suggest that intestinal microbiota balance closely correlated with host’s health status could affected by external environment. Integrated crayfish-rice cultivation model is a highly efficient artificial ecosystem widely practiced in subtropical China. Less information is available to estimate the influence response to the micro-ecology of crayfish intestine and so as to influence the biological processes. Thus, 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing approach was employed to investigate the composition diversity and functions of bacterial community in the intestines ofProcambarus clarkiifarmed within this model. Results exhibited the highly diversity of microflora with dominant phylaActinobacteria,Proteobacteria,Tenericutes,FirmicutesandBacteroidetes. The genera ofCandidatus BacilloplasmaandOrnithinibacterwere presented as predominant population much exceeds in richness comparing to that of other genus. Despite the highly diversity in the bacterial community, the predicted functions indicated relative consistent in biological processing pathway. Collectively, significant richness of genes was observed involved in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism and membrane transport processing. This study would contribute to the understanding of the impact of growth conditions on host–microbiota relation especially in aquatic animals.
Using location semantics to realize personalized road network location privacy protection
Authors: Kuang Li , Wang Yin , Zheng Xiaosen , Huang Lan , Sheng Yu 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWith the rapid development of location-based services in the field of mobile network applications, users enjoy the convenience of location-based services on one side, and they are exposed to the risk of privacy disclosure on the other side. Attackers may attack based on the semantic of the user’s location and user’s query location. A few of existing works on location privacy protection consider to protect the user’s location and his query location simultaneously, while the query location may reflect his requirement. In this paper, based on the existing location privacy protection framework, we first generate sensitive weight documents based on the user’s sensitivity to different location semantics automatically, then obtain the best collaborative segment for k-anonymity of the user’s location by using the reinforcement learning algorithm, and finally, the bidirectional k-disturbance of the user’s location and query location is performed based on the location semantics in real road network environment. The experiment verifies the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Energy-efficient privacy-preserving data aggregation protocols based on slicing
Authors: Liu Xiaowu , Yu Jiguo , Zhang Xiaowei , Zhang Qiang , Fu Can 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWireless sensor networks (WSNs) have become one of the most vigorous techniques in the network domain. However, the sensor nodes of WSNs tend to become the target of attackers due to the broadcast communication mode and the unattended deployment nature. Although it can prevent the sensitive data from being compromised, Slice-Mix-AggRegaTe (SMART) needs to exchange messages frequently in a network, which put tremendous overhead on the sensor nodes with limited resources. Faced with these issues, this paper proposes an energy-efficient privacy-preserving data aggregation protocol based on slicing (EPPA) where a novel slicing mode is adopted to reduce the numbers of slices, which can significantly prevent the data from being compromised and decrease the communication overhead. Meanwhile, an enhanced scheme based on EPPA, called multi-function privacy-preserving data aggregation protocol (MPPA), is presented and it supports multiple functions in the process of data aggregation, such as max/min, count, and mean. The theoretical analysis and the simulation evaluation show that the proposed aggregation protocols demonstrate a better performance in the privacy preserving and the communication efficiency.
Two inequalities for the associated Pollaczek polynomials
Authors: Luo Min-Jie , Raina Ravinder Krishna 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we prove two concise inequalities for the associated Pollaczek polynomials. The first one is obtained by using Askey’s theorem (SIAM J. Math. Anal. 2:340–346, 1971) on orthogonal expansions with positive coefficients. The second one is proved by using a triple integral representation due to the authors (Integral Transforms Spec. Funct. 30:893–919, 2019). In the concluding section, we briefly point out some useful variations and known cases of our inequalities.
Experimental Study and Numerical Simulation of Precast Shear Wall with Rabbet-Unbonded Horizontal Connection
Authors: Sun Chong-fang , Liang Shu-ting , Zhu Xiao-jun , Li Hu , Guo Jian-min , Li Gang , Song Ya-min , Wu Dong-yue 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis paper reports the results of a seismic performance study of a precast shear wall with a new horizontal connection. The new connection is the rabbet-unbonded horizontal connection, which is composed of rabbets and unbonded rebar segments. The rabbets are used to improve the shear capacity and prevent slippage of the connection, and the unbonded rebar segments are used to improve the ductility and energy dissipation. Three specimens were tested with different parameters under cyclic quasi-static loading. The test results showed that the specimen with a larger unbonded level had a richer hysteresis curve, larger ductility, larger energy dissipation, and slightly smaller bearing capacity. Moreover, in relation to the stiffness degradation, in the initial stage, the specimen with a larger unbonded level had a smaller stiffness, whereas in the last stage, the stiffnesses were similar regardless of the unbonded level. A parameter analysis using a finite element model proved that the ductility and energy dissipation of a shear wall with the rabbet-unbonded horizontal connection increased with the unbonded length and level. In addition, when the axial compression ratio increased, the bearing capacity increased, but the load–displacement curves decreased more rapidly. It was concluded that the unbonded length and unbonded level could effectively improve the ductility and energy dissipation of a shear wall. However, they should not be too large under high pressure, and the design suggestions for the new connection need further research considering other factors.
Comparison of NEMA characterizations for Discovery MI and Discovery MI-DR TOF PET/CT systems at different sites and with other commercial PET/CT systems
Authors: Chicheportiche Alexandre , Marciano Rami , Orevi Marina 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
This article compares the physical performance of the 4-ring digital Discovery MI (DMI) and PMT-based Discovery MI-DR (DMI-DR) PET/CT systems. Physical performance was assessed according to the NEMA NU 2-2012 standards. Performance measures included spatial resolution, image quality, scatter fraction and count rate performance, and sensitivity. Energy and timing resolutions were also measured. Published DMI and DMI-DR performance studies from other centers are reviewed and compared.

Results
4-ring DMI spatial resolution at 1-cm radial offset in the radial, tangential and axial directions was 4.62, 4.18 and 4.57 mm, respectively, compared with the DMI-DR system values of 4.58, 4.52, and 5.31 mm. Measured sensitivity was 13.3 kcps/MBq at the center of the FOV and 13.4 kcps/MBq 10 cm off-center for the SiPM-based DMI system. DMI-DR system sensitivity was 6.3 kcps/MBq at the center of the FOV and 6.8 kcps/MBq at 10 cm off-center. DMI measured noise equivalent count rate peak was 175.6 kcps at 20.1 kBq/ml; DMI-DR was 146.7 kcps at 31.7 kBq/ml. Scatter fraction was 40.5% and 36.6%, respectively. DMI image contrast recovery (CR) values ranged from 73.2% (10 mm sphere) to 91.0% (37 mm sphere); DMI-DR, values ranged from 68.4% to 91.4%. DMI background variability (BV) was 1.8%–6.5%; DMI-DR was 2.3%–9.1%. The Q.Clear algorithm improved image quality, increasing CR and decreasing BV in both systems. The photopeak energy resolution was 9.63% and 12.19% for DMI and DMI-DR, respectively. The time-of-flight (TOF) resolution was 377.26 ps and 552.71 ps, respectively. Compared with measurements in other centers, results were similar and showed an absolute mean relative deviation of 6% for DMI and 7% for DMI-DR overall performance results.

Conclusions
Performance measures were higher for the 4-ring DMI than the DMI-DR system. The biggest advantages of the 4-ring DMI vs DMI-DR are improved sensitivity and count rate performance. This should allow a better image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the same acquisition times or, similar SNR with lower acquisition times or injected activity. In its 3-ring configuration, the DMI showed worse performance results than the PMT-based system in terms of count rate scatter fraction and image quality (for similar axial FOV).
Bioassessment of flaxseed powder and extract against hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia using Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Afzal Umair , Butt Masood Sadiq , Ashfaq Faiza , Bilal Ahmad , Suleria Hafiz Ansar Rasul 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Flaxseed has emerged as a potential source of bioactive components that can be utilized in routine diet to address lifestyle disorders.

Methods
In this context, three studies were carried out on the basis of induction therapies i.e. Study I (Normal diet), Study II (Hyperglycemic diet; 40% sucrose) and Study III (Hypercholesterolemic diet; 1.5% cholesterol) using Sprague Dawley rats. Each study was further split into three groups based on diets; Control (free from flaxseed powder or extract), Functional diet (incorporation of flaxseed powder; 10%) and Nutraceutical diet (inclusion of ethanolic extract of flaxseed; 5%). During experimental period, hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic parameters were evaluated alongside, alterations in hematological aspects were also assessed.

Results
Feed intake and body weight demonstrated significant response (p < 0.05) of diets and study intervals however, water intake was substantially influenced by study intervals. In study II (hyperglycemic rats), maximum decline in glucose level was recorded (9.02%) in rats administered with extract based diet. In the same group, maximum increase in insulin (5.90%) was noted. Regarding lipid profile, the bioevaluation trials revealed maximum reduction in serum cholesterol (13.10%) in study III (hypercholesterolemic rats) on the provision of flaxseed extract (nutraceutical diet) followed by flaxseed powder (functional diet) i.e. 7.85%. Further, maximum decrease in low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) was reported i.e. 14.28% on supplementation of flaxseed extract to hypercholesterolemic rats.

Conclusions
Thus, flaxseed extract based intervention has shown higher bioefficacy to address hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia in comparison to flaxseed powder.
Intravitreal ziv-aflibercept in diabetic vitreous hemorrhage
Authors: Mansour Ahmad M. , Ashraf Mohammed , El Jawhari Khalil M. , Farah Michel , Souka Ahmed , Sarvaiya Chintan , Singh Sumit Randhir , Banker Alay , Chhablani Jay 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal ziv-aflibercept (IVZ) in the management of vitreous hemorrhage (VH) in eyes with previously lasered proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods
In a prospective multicenter study, previously lasered eyes who had dense VH from PDR underwent intravitreal injection of ziv-aflibercept (IVZ) (1.25 mg aflibercept). Demographic characteristics of the patients, baseline and final logMar visual acuity, number of injections, VH clearance time, and need for vitrectomy were recorded.

Results
Twenty-seven eyes of 21 patients were included in the study. Mean age of study patients was 61.3 ± 14.1 years with mean duration of diabetes mellitus of 22.6 ± 7.8 years. Mean logMAR BCVA at baseline was 1.41 ± 1.26 (Snellen equivalent 20/514) and at the last visit 0.55 ± 0.61 (Snellen equivalent 20/70) with a mean gain of 0.86 EDTRS line (paired student t test = 5.1; p ≤ 0.001). Mean number of IVZ 2.4 ± 1.6 (range 1–6). The mean follow-up time was 11.7 ± 11.1 months (range 1–34). Mean time for visual recovery and/or VH clearance was 5.7 ± 3.3 weeks. Eyes, which required multiple injections, the interval period between injections for recurrent VH was 6.4 ± 5.2 months. No subject required vitrectomy. No ocular or systemic adverse effects were noted.

Conclusions
IVZ injections had good short-term safety and efficacy for the therapy of new or recurrent VH in previously lasered eyes with PDR reducing somewhat the need for vitrectomy.
Trial registration: NCT02486484