bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Research on the improvement of allergic rhinitis in asthmatic children after reducing dust mite exposure: a randomized, double-blind, cross-placebo study protocol
Authors: Chen Ming , Wu YuFen , Yuan Shuhua , Chen Jiande , Li Luanluan , Wu Jinhong , Zhang Jing , Yin Yong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) in children has become a major respiratory inflammatory disease with a high incidence that is increasing yearly. In China, 54.93% of children with asthma have AR, which often requires synchronous treatment. House dust mites (HDMs) are common allergens that often cause attacks of AR and asthma. Reducing allergen exposure is one of the most important measures to control and treat AR and asthma attacks. Hestelia Mite Bait, containing 0.1% emamectin, is a new tool for trapping and killing dust mites that can reduce the number of dust mites on mattresses, thereby potentially reducing stimulation by allergens and ultimately improving asthma and rhinitis symptoms. This single-centre, randomized double-blind crossa-placebo trial will explore the improvement of allergic rhinitis in asthmatic children after reducing dust mite exposure.Methods: We will recruit 60 children (aged 3-12 years) who have been diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and asthma and are allergic to dust mites as confirmed by a serum allergen test. Participants will randomly receive the Hestelia Mite Bait intervention for 8 weeks and the placebo intervention for 8 weeks. There will be a 4-week washout period between the two interventions. The primary outcome is the visual analogue scale (VAS) score of AR symptoms; the secondary outcomes include the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT) score, Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) score, changes in the dust mite level, drug usage for asthma and AR, Asthma Control Questionnaire-5 (ACQ-5) score, and frequencies of acute asthma attacks, emergency visits, and hospitalization.Discussion: This study will scientifically and objectively evaluate the improvement effects on rhinitis and asthma after reducing dust mite exposure and will provide a convenient means for the prevention and treatment of children's airway allergic diseases in the future.Trial registration: ChiCTR1900024688 (www.chictr.org.cn) registration date: July 21, 2019
Mixed Methods Research on Satisfaction with Basic Medical Insurance for Urban and Rural Residents in China
Authors: Liu Xiaofang , Yang Fang , Cheng Wenwei , Wu Yanyan , Cheng Jin , Sun Weichu , Yan Xiaofang , Luo Mingming , Mo Xiankun , Hu Mi , Lin Qian , Shi Jingcheng 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: There are few studies on satisfaction with integrated basic medical insurance for urban and rural residents (URRBMI), and satisfaction with URRBMI is not very high due to the complexity of its policies and differences among the insured. The aim of the present study was to explore the factors that influence satisfaction with URRBMI in China and to provide scientific suggestions for the government to effectively manage and improve the policy.Methods: An explanatory sequential design in mixed method research was used. Quantitative study adopted a three-stage stratified cluster sampling method to randomly select the guardians of pupils who had participated in the URRBMI (n=1335). A quantitative study was conducted to calculate latent variables’ score and path coefficient between latent variables by SmartPLS3. 0. With public trust, public satisfaction and perceived quality as the target variables, the important-performance analysis (IPA) was used to explore the important but insufficient performance factors, which were the key elements to improve satisfaction of URRBMI. A purposeful sampling strategy was used to get qualitative research subjects from quantitative research subjects according to satisfaction level. A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and the thematic analysis method was used to summarize the interview data.Results: Perceived quality to public satisfaction with a total effect of 0.737 (t=41.270, P<0.001), perceived quality to perceived value with a total effect of 0.676 (t=31.964, P<0.001), and public satisfaction to public trust with a total effect of 0.634 (t=31.305, P<0.001) were three strongest paths. IPA showed that public satisfaction and perceived quality were key factors for public trust and that perceived quality was of high importance and low performance for public satisfaction. The policy quality was a determining factor for perceived quality. Qualitative research showed that the most unsatisfactory aspect for the insured was the policy quality. Conclusions: This study found that improving quality is key to improving public satisfaction and public trust of URRBMI. The government should improve the compensation level by broadening the channel of financing for URRBMI fund, rationally formulating reimbursement standards and broadening the scope of the drug catalogue and the medical treatment projects. The government should establish a stable financing growth mechanism and effective ways of health education so as to improve public satisfaction and public trust.
Factors influencing the length of hospital stays during the intensive phase of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment at Amhara Regional State hospitals, Ethiopia: A retrospective follow up study
Authors: Tamirat koku Sisay , Andargie Gashaw , Babel Yaregal Animut 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The length of hospital stay is the duration of hospitalization and reflects disease severity and resource utilization indirectly. Generally, tuberculosis considered as an ambulatory disease able to be treated at DOTs clinics, however, hospitalization remains an important component for clinical stabilization of patients. Hence, this study aimed to identify factors influencing the length of hospital stay during the intensive phase of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment at Amhara Regional State hospitals, Ethiopia.Methods: An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted at three hospitals, namely the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized, Borumeda, and Debremarkos referral from September 2010 to December 2016 (n=432). Data were extracted from hospital admission/discharge logbooks and individual patient medical charts. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with longer hospital stays during the intensive phase of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment.Result: Most patients (93.5%) had a pulmonary form of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and 26.2% had /TB/HIV co-infections. The median length of hospital stay was 62 (interquartile range 36 to 100) days. The pulmonary form of tuberculosis (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.31 to 9.16), functional status of bedridden (AOR= 2.88, 95%CI; 1.29 to 6.43), and reported adverse drug effects (AOR=2.11, 95%CI; 1.35 to 3.30) were significant predictors of extended hospital stays.Conclusion: The study revealed that the length of hospital-stay differed significantly between the hospitals. The pulmonary form of tuberculosis decreased functional status at admission and reported adverse drug reactions were determinants of longer hospital stays. This underscores the importance of early case detection and prompt treatment of adverse drug effects.
The most stable pinning configurations in transverse supracondylar humerus fracture fixation in children: A novel three-dimensional finite element analysis of a pediatric bone model
Authors: Kamara Allieu , Ji Xianglu , Liu Chuang , Liu Tianjing , Wang Enbo 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aimed at finding out the effect of exit height of pins, pin trajectory and pin number on the stability of cross and lateral pinning configurations used in the fixation of extension-type supracondylar humerus fracture (SHF) in children, through finite element analysis of a novel pediatric humerus bone model. Methods: Distal humerus model consisting of the ossific nucleus of the capitellum (ONC) and distal cartilage of a 6-year-old boy was developed via three-dimensional finite modeling. Various cross and lateral pinning fixation models with either two or three pins were simulated on an extension-type, transverse SHF and tested in six loading directions. Results: Two-cross pins and 2-lateral pins were respectively more stable in rotation and compression loadings, while 3-cross pins were the most stable in all loading directions. The cross pins exiting at the upper border of the distal metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction (MDJ) had the best stiffness among the 2-cross pins, while the lateral pins with a mid-ONC distal pin provided the best stiffness among the 2-lateral pins. A third pin however, going through the olecranon fossa led to improved stability of the 2-lateral pins in flexion, extension, internal and external rotations. Conclusion: In the fixation of extension-type, transverse supracondylar humerus fractures, 2-cross pins are only superior to 2-divergent lateral pins in rotational loadings. Two-cross pins exiting at the upper border of the MDJ provides the best stability, whereas 2-lateral pins with a distal pin going through the middle third of the ONC provides the best stability against compression forces for these fractures. Three-cross pins however offer the best stability against both compression and rotation forces. This study offers important clues in the preoperative evaluation and management of extension-type supracondylar fractures in children.
Article Functional MYB transcription factor gene HtMYB2 is associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis in Helianthus tuberosus L.
Authors: Gao Jieming , Sun Xuemei , Zong Yuan , Yang Shipeng , Wang Lihui , Liu Baolong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Tuber color is an important trait for Helianthus tuberosus L. (Jerusalem artichoke). Usually, purple tubers with high anthocyanin content are more nutritious than white tuber. But, the molecular mechanism underlying it is unknown. Results: In the current study, high-throughput RNA-sequencing was used to compare the transcriptomes between plants with tubers with red or white epidermis. Compared with the white-skinned tubers of cultivar QY3, anthocyanin biosynthesis structural genes had greater expression in the red-skinned tubers of cultivar QY1, indicating that the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway was activated in ‘QY1’; quantitative PCR confirmed this difference in expression. HtMYB2 (Unigene44371_All) was the only MYB transcription factor，homologous to the MYB transcription factor regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis, expressed in the red tuber epidermis of ‘QY1’. The anthocyanin concentration in the root, stem, leaf, flower, and tuber epidermis of ‘QY1’ was higher than in ‘QY3’, especially tuber epidermis. Correspondingly, HtMYB2 had greater expression in these tissues of ‘QY1’ than in ‘QY3’. The expression of HtMYB2 was associated with anthocyanin accumulation in the different tissues. Overexpression of HtMYB2 activated the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway, accumulating the pigment in leaves of transgenic tobacco, supporting the model that HtMYB2 regulated anthocyanin biosynthesis. Further experiments found that HtMYB2 had the same coding sequence and genomic sequence in ‘QY1’ and ‘QY3’, but that there were several single nucleotide polymorphisms and one insertion–deletion (indel) mutation of 21 nucleotides in the promoter region between the two alleles. The deletion of three nucleotides “AAA” made the promoter of ‘QY1’ predicted to contain one more possible promoter region. A specific primer, based on the indel, could differentiate between cultivars with red or white tuber epidermis. The genetic variation in HtMYB2 was associated with the tuber skin color in a natural population.Conclusions: RNA-seq can successfully isolate the candidate gene (HTMYB2) controlling anthocyanin biosynthesis in purple epidermis of Jerusalem artichoke tuber. HTMYB2 can regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in plants and is closely related to the formation of purple phenotype in tubers. This study should be useful in understanding the genetic mechanism underlying different tuber skin colors and in breeding new H. tuberosus cultivars with different tuber skin colors.
In Vitro Hypoxia Responsiveness of [18F]FDG and [18F]FAZA Retention: Influence of Shaking Versus Stagnant Conditions, Glass Versus Polystyrene Substrata and Cell Number Down-Scaling
Authors: Busk Morten , Horsman Michael R , Overgaard Jens , Jakobsen Steen 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background. In vitro experiments using radiolabeled molecules is fundamental for Positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) tracer development and various metabolic assays, but no consensus on appropriate incubation conditions exists. Specifically, the use of shaking versus non-shaking conditions, cell number to medium volume and the choice of cell plating material may unintentionally influence cellular oxygenation and medium composition. This is problematic when testing the oxygen-dependence of tracers including 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) and hypoxia-selective 2-nitroimidazoles (e.g., 18F-fluoroazomycin-arabinoside, [18F]FAZA) or when doing prolonged experiments. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of various experimental conditions on tracer retention. Methods. Tumor cells were seeded in a) Glass or standard Polystyrene Petri dishes or as b) discrete droplets in polystyrene Petri dishes or on 9 mm glass coverslips positioned in glass Petri dishes. When confluent, cells were pre-equilibrated for 2h to 21%, 0.5% or 0% O2 and [18F]FDG or [18F]FAZA was added, followed by cell harvest and analysis of radioactivity 1h ([18F]FDG) or 3h ([18F]FAZA) after. Experiments were conducted with/without orbital shaking. Results. The influence of hypoxia on tracer retention varied widely among cell lines, but shaking-induced convection did not influence uptake. In contrast, hypoxia-driven [18F]FAZA, and to some extent [18F]FDG, retention was much lower in cells grown on polyethylene than glass. Scaling-down the number of cells did not compromise accuracy. Conclusions. Tracer retention was similar under stagnant and forced convection conditions suggesting that the former approach may be appropriate even when accurate control of oxygen and tracer availability is required. In contrast, conventional plasticware should be used with caution when studying tracers and drugs that are metabolized and retained or activated at low O2 levels. Downscaling of cell number, by reducing the effective growth area, was feasible, without compromising accuracy.
A knowledge-based intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment planning technique for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy
Authors: Bai Penggang , Weng Xing , Quan Kerun , Chen Jihong , Dai Yitao , Xu Yuanji , Lin Fasheng , Zhong Jing , Wu Tianming , Chen Chuanben 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
BackgroundTo investigate the feasibility of a knowledge-based automated intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning technique for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) radiotherapy.Methods140 NPC patients treated with definitive radiation therapy with the step-and-shoot IMRT techniques were retrospectively selected and seperated into a knowledge library (n=115) and a test library (n=25). For each case, in the knowledge library, the patient’s overlap volume histogram (OVH), target volume histogram (TVH) and dose objectives were extracted from the manually generated plan to train a 3-layer neural network (NN) machine learning model. For patients in the test library, their OVH and TVH were then used by the trained model to predict a corresponding set of dose objectives, which were subsequently used to generate automated plans (APs) in Pinnacle planning system via an in-house developed automated scripting system. All APs were obtained after a single step of optimization. Manual plans (MPs) of the same test patients were generated by an experienced medical physicist strictly following the established clinical protocols. The qualities of the APs and MPs were evaluated by an attending radiation oncologist. The dosimetric parameters for planning target volume (PTV) coverage and the organs-at-risk (OAR) sparing were also quantitatively measured and compared.ResultsAPs and MPs had the same rating for more than 80% of the patients (19 out of 25) in the test group. For greater than 80% of the patients, both AP and MP achieved PTV coverage criteria. For each OAR, the number of APs achieving its criterion was similar to that in the MPs. The AP approach significantly improved planning efficiency by reducing the planning duration to about 17% of the MP (9.73±1.80 min vs. 57.10±6.35 min, P<0.001). ConclusionA robust and effective knowledge-based IMRT treatment planning technique for locally advanced NPC is developed. Patient specific dose objectives can be predicted by a trained NN model based on the individual’s OVH and clinical TVH goals. The automated planning scripts can use these dose objectives to efficiently generate APs with largely shortened planning time. These APs had comparable dosimetric qualities when compared to our clinic’s manual plans.
Prediction of deep vein thrombosis by ultrasonography and D-dimer in Asian patients with ischemic stroke
Authors: Ha Sang Hee , Kim Yeon-Jung , Heo Sung Hyuk , Chang Dae-il , Kim Bum joon 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is an important complication of ischemic stroke, although the incidence of DVT is regarded as being lower in Asian than in non-Asian patients. Here, we investigated the incidence and factors associated with DVT in Asian patients with ischemic stroke.Methods: Acute ischemic stroke patients received lower extremity ultrasonography (LEUS) to diagnose the presence of DVT. Clinical characteristics and laboratory results, including D-dimer level, were compared between patients with and without DVT. Independent risk factors for DVT were investigated using multivariable analysis. Similar analysis was performed to identify factors associated with elevated D-dimer level (>0.5 mg/dl) in acute ischemic stroke patients.Results: During the study period, 289 patients were enrolled, and 38 (13.1%) showed DVT. Female sex (OR=2.579, 95% CI=1.224–5.432; p=0.013) and a high National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (OR=1.191 95% CI=1.095–1.294; p=0.005) were independently associated with the presence of DVT, although D-dimer level was not. Stroke mechanism, especially cardioembolic stroke (OR=3.777, 95% CI=1.532–9.313; p=0.004; reference: large artery atherosclerosis), NIHSS score (OR=1.087, 95% CI=1.002–1.179; p=0.001) and thrombolysis (OR=12.360, 95% CI 2.456-62.213; p=0.002) were independently associated with elevated abnormal D-dimer levels.Conclusion: The severity of ischemic stroke, but not the D-dimer level, was associated with the presence of DVT in Asian ischemic stroke patients. D-dimer level was influenced by the stroke mechanism. LEUS in patients with severe neurological deficit, rather than screening with D-dimer, may be more beneficial for diagnosing DVT in Asian patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Bioassay and molecular monitoring of insecticide resistance status in Aedes albopictus populations from Greece, to support evidence-based vector control
Authors: Balaska Sofia , Fotakis Emmanouil Alexandros , Kioulos Ilias , Grigoraki Linda , Mpellou Spyridoula , Chaskopoulou Alexandra , Vontas John 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Aedes albopictus has a well-established presence in southern European countries, associated with recent disease outbreaks (e.g. Chikungunya). Development of insecticide resistance in the vector is a major concern as its control mainly relies on the use of biocides. Data on the species’ resistance status is essential for efficient and sustainable control. To date the insecticide resistance status of Ae. albopictus populations from Greece against major insecticides used in vector control remains largely unknown.Methods: We investigated the insecticide resistance status of nineteen Ae. albopictus populations from eleven regions of Greece. Bioassays were performed against diflubenzuron (DFB), B. thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti), deltamethrin and malathion. Known insecticide resistance loci were molecularly analysed, i.e. voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) mutations associated with pyrethroid resistance; presence and frequency of carboxylesterases 3 (CCEae3a) and 6 (CCEae6a) gene amplification associated with organophosphate (OP) resistance and; chitin synthase-1 (CHS-1) for the possible presence of DFB resistance mutations. Results: Bioassays showed full susceptibility to DFB, Bti and deltamethrin, but resistance against the OP malathion (range of mortality: 55.30-91.40%). VGSC analysis revealed a widespread distribution of the mutations F1534C (in all populations, with allelic frequencies between 6.6% - 68.3%), and I1532T (in 6 populations; allelic frequencies below 22.70%), but absence of V1016G. CCE gene amplifications were recorded in 8 out of 11 populations (overall frequency: 33%). Co-presence of the F1534C mutation and CCEae3a amplification was reported in 39 of the 156 samples analysed by both assays. No mutations at the CHS-1 I1043 locus were detected.Conclusions: The results indicate: (i) the suitability of larvicides DFB and Bti for Ae. albopictus control in Greece, (ii) possible incipient pyrethroid resistance due to the presence of kdr mutations and (iii) possible reduced efficacy of OPs, in a scenario of re-introducing them for vector control. The study highlights the need for systematic resistance monitoring for developing and implementing appropriate evidence-based control programs.Key words: diagnostic, bioassay, arbovirus, vector control, mosquito tiger, insecticide resistance, kdr, Bti, gene amplification