bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Near-Infrared intraoperative imaging with indocyanine green is feasible in segmentectomy for patients with chronic lung diseases: A retrospective single-center propensity-score matched analysis
Authors: Liu Zhengcheng , Yang Rusong , Cao Hui 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objective
To investigate whether video-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy using near-infrared fluorescence imaging had better intersegmental plane visualization and peri-operative outcome in patients with chronic lung diseases.
Methods
Data were collected retrospectively from March 2014 and August 2019. A total of 92 patients with pulmonary nodules underwent near-infrared fluorescence guided uni-port thoracoscopic segmentectomy(NIF-VATS), 149 patients underwent thoracoscopic segmentectomy with inflation-deflation method(ID-VATS). After 1:1 propensity matching, perioperative outcomes between NIF-VATS and ID-VATS was compared.
Results
Incision size was 3 cm in both group.Mean operative time was 79 minutes in NIF-VATS group and 96 minutes in ID-VATS group. The intersegmental plane was not clear in 33 cases of ID-VATS group, and no clear boundary was found after prolonged waiting time. Emphysema or pulmonary bullae could be found in chest CT scan in these patients, they all were diagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In NIF-VATS group, the intersegmental plane was not clear in 8 cases. Under the guidance of three-dimensional reconstruction and preoperative positioning, the oncological margin length of both groups met the requirements of surgical quality control. The intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph node resection, showed no statistical difference between the two groups. Postoperative air leakage was more often observed in ID-VATS group. The postoperative drainage duration, postoperative hospitalization time was shorter in ID-VATS group.
Conclusions
Compared with inflation-deflation method, segmentectomy using NIF imaging is feasible for patients with chronic lung diseases with better intersegmental plane, shorter operation time, less complications, it might lead to faster recovery.
The Expansion of the TRB and TRG Genes in Domestic Goats (Capra hircus) is Characteristic of the Ruminant Species
Authors: Giannico Francesco , Massari Serafina , Jambrenghi Anna Caputi , Soriano Adriano , Pala Angela , Linguiti Giovanna , Ciccarese Salvatrice , Antonacci Rachele 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Goats (Capra hircus), one of the first domesticated species, are economically important for milk and meat production, and their broad geographical distribution reflects their successful adaptation to diverse environmental conditions. Despite the relevance of this species, the genetic research on the goat traits is limited compared to other domestic species. Thanks to the latest goat reference genomic sequence (ARS1), which is considered to be one of the most continuous assemblies in livestock, we deduced the genomic structure of the T cell receptor beta (TRB) and gamma (TRG) loci in this ruminant species. Results: Our analyses revealed that although the organization of the goat TRB locus is broadly similar to that of the other artiodactyl species, with three in tandem D-J-C clusters located at the 3’ end, a complex and extensive series of duplications have occurred in the V genes at the 5’ end, leading to a marked expansion in the number of the TRBV genes. This phenomenon appears to be a feature of the ruminant lineage since similar gene expansions have also occurred in sheep and cattle.Likewise, the general organization of the goat TRG genes is typical of ruminant species studied so far, with two paralogous TRG loci, TRG1 and TRG2, located in two distinct and distant positions on the same chromosome as result of a split in the ancestral locus. Each TRG locus consists of reiterated V-J-J-C cassettes, with the goat TRG2 containing an additional cassette relative to the corresponding sheep and cattle loci.Conclusions: Taken together, these findings demonstrate that strong evolutionary pressures in the ruminant lineage have selected for the development of enlarged sets of TRB and TRG genes that contribute to a diverse T cell receptor repertoire. However, differences observed among the goat, sheep and cattle TRB and TRG genes indicate that distinct evolutionary histories, with independent expansions and/or contractions, have also affected each ruminant species.
Preoperative Surgical Risk Assessment by Evaluation of Tumor Blood Flow Using Perfusion Imaging by Computed Tomography in Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Adenoma
Authors: Hayashi Nakamasa , Mitsuya Koichi , Deguchi Shoichi , Urikura Atsushi , Endo Masahiro 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Complete removal of large and giant pituitary adenomas (PAs) with suprasellar extension by transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is sometimes difficult. Swelling and bleeding of a residual suprasellar tumor after incomplete removal via TSS can compress the surrounding neurovascular structures, resulting in postoperative complications. We measured PA blood flow by perfusion computed tomography (PCT) and assessed its usefulness in the preoperative prediction of postoperative hemorrhagic complications after TSS.Method: We performed PCT in 28 patients with PAs with suprasellar extension before TSS. Perfusion studies were performed with a 320-row multidetector computed tomography system. We measured cerebral blood volume (CBV) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the tumor (CBVt and CBFt) and normal-appearing white matter (CBVw and CBFw).Results: In all patients, CBVt was greater than CBVw. There was a statistically significant difference between CBFt and CBFw (p < 0.0001). The patients were divided into 2 groups according to CBFt: high CBF (CBFt> mean value) and low CBF (CBFt< mean value). There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of gender, age, maximum tumor diameter, suprasellar extension grade, and extent of resection. Two of the 7 patients in the high CBF group suffered from visual acuity deterioration and visual field stenosis due to postoperative hemorrhage, while no patients in the low CBF group did (p = 0.014).Conclusions: PCT may be useful in the preoperative prediction of postoperative residual tumor hemorrhage, which can be a hazardous postoperative complication after TSS for large and giant PAs.
Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorder in children and adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis – a Norwegian cross sectional multicenter study
Authors: Fischer Johannes , Skeie Marit Slåttelid , Rosendahl Karen , Tylleskär Karin , Lie Stein Atle , Shi Xieqi , Gil Elisabeth Grut , Cetrelli Lena , Halbig Josefine , Marti Larissa von Wangenheim , Rygg Marite , Frid Paula , Stoustrup Peter , Rosén Annika 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background. Children and adolescents with JIA may suffer pain from temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and routines for the assessment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain for the health and dental care are lacking. The aims were to examine the prevalence of TMD in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) as compared to their healthy peers and to examine potential associations between JIA and TMD.Methods. This comparative cross-sectional study is part of a longitudinal multicenter study performed during 2015 - 2020, including 228 children and adolescents aged 4-16 years, with a diagnosis of JIA according to the ILAR criteria. This sub-study draws on a subset of data from the first study visit, including assessments of TMD as part of a broader oral health examination. Participants with JIA were matched with healthy controls according to gender, age, and center site. Calibrated examiners performed the clinical oral examinations according to a standardized protocol, including shortened versions of diagnostic criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) and the former EuroTMJoint Recommendations for Clinical TMJ Assessment in Patients Diagnosed with JIA. Symptoms were recorded and followed by a clinical examination assessing the masticatory muscles and TMJ`s.Results. In our cohort of 221 participants with JIA and corresponding controls, 88 participants with JIA (39.8%) and 25 (11.3%) controls revealed TMD based on symptoms and clinical signs. Painful TMD during the last 30 days was reported in 59 (26.7%) participants with JIA vs. 10 (5.0%) of the healthy controls (p<0.001). Vertical unassisted jaw movement was lower in JIA than in controls; mean 46.2 mm vs. 49.0 mm, respectively (p <0.001). Among participants with JIA, a higher proportion of those using synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic-drugs (sDMARDs) and biologic (bDMARDs) presented with painful masticatory muscle and TMJs at palpation.Conclusion. Symptoms or clinical signs of TMD were seen in approximately half of the JIA patients compared to about one fourth of their healthy peers. Painful palpation to masticatory muscles and decreased vertical unassisted jaw movement were more frequent in participants with JIA than among healthy controls and should be part of both medical and dental routine examinations in JIA.
Preconceptional and Prenatal Exposure to Diurnal Temperature Variation Increase the Risk of Childhood Pneumonia
Authors: Zheng Xiangrong , Kuang Jian , Lu Chan , Wu Haiyu , Murithi Rachael Gakii , Johnson McSherry Brownel , Peng Wang , Wu Maolan 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Pneumonia is the leading cause of death and hospitalization among young children worldwide, but its risk factors are not clear. Objective: To examine the effect of maternal exposure to diurnal temperature variation (DTV) during preconceptional and prenatal periods on childhood pneumonia.Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted for pneumonia (N=699) and normal (N=811) children under age of 14 who were enrolled in the Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. Demographic data (gender, age, birth season, gestational weeks, parity, mode of delivery, and parental atopy) were collected from the hospital's electronic medical records system. We calculated the individual DTV exposure during different time windows. The relationship between maternal exposure to outdoor DTV and pneumonia in children was analyzed by logic regression models.Results: Pneumonia in children was linked to outdoor DTV exposure during one year before conception (adjusted OR=2.53, 95% CI:1.56-4.10), during entire pregnancy (adjusted OR =1.85, 95% CI:1.24-2.76), and the first and second trimesters, with statistical significance. Sensitivity analysis showed that boys exposure to outdoor DTV during prenatal period were at higher pneumonia risk than girls.Conclusions: Preconceptional and prenatal exposure to DTV plays an important role in the development of childhood pneumonia, the first and second trimesters were the key exposure timing-windows.
Convalescent Plasma as a Treatment for Severe Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report
Authors: Yong Chaoying , Deng Xinyu , Song Yuyan , Tian Wenguang , Qi Di , Wang Daoxin 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic, affecting the lives of millions of people around the world.Although research including hydroxychloroquine, antiviral drugs and vaccines is under way, there is still no effective therapy applied for COVID-19.Case presentation: Here, we reported five cases of severe COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure treatment with supportable care and ABO-compatible convalescent plasma (CP).All the patients’ clinical conditions, laboratory results, viral nucleic acid results, and chest CT images, were improved. Meanwhile, all the patients recovered and no severe adverse reactions were found. We also followed up the antibody levels of some patients within 2 months after onset, but our study did not show the inherent relationship between CP treatment and changes in antibody levels due to small samples.Conclusions: Although short of evidence of randomized controlled trials, convalescent plasma therapy probably was a potentially safe and effective treatment for COVID-19.
Enhancing Hydrolysis and Syntropy Simultaneously in Solid State Anaerobic Digestion: A GRA – Taguchi Based Study and Techno-Economic Assessment for Austainable Bioeconomy
Authors: Paritosh Kunwar , Mathur Sanjay , Pareek Nidhi , Vivekanand Vivekanand 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Solid-state anaerobic digestion of agricultural stubble is attractive technology for energy and bioeconomy as well as it may lead to transitioning towards greenhouse gas neutrality; yet hydrolysis and syntropy affects the process and makes it economically nonviable. In this regard, present study investigates the effect of alkali and biochar addition for simultaneous increment of hydrolysis and syntropy for higher methane yield from pearl millet straw. Further, taguchi based design of experiment was coupled with grey relation analysis for multiple output evaluation and detailed techno-economic assessment was performed. Results: Study showed that 0.5 g/100g pearl millet straw of alkali and 10 g/L of biochar was the optimised dosing along with 20% total solid concentration and 4 as feedstock/inoculum ratio. Statistically, contribution of biochar and alkali was 48 and 21% respectively on the multiple output. The confirmation test revealed that hydrolysis rate constant, k for reactor having optimised conditions was 0.0521 d-1 while for control, it was 0.0595 d-1. Cumulative methane yield was also increased by 1.8-fold for optimised condition. Techno-economic assessment showed that capital cost and electrical efficiency of combined heat and power unit have dominant effect on the investment. Solid state anaerobic digestion of pearl millet straw with alkali and biochar showed US$ 25652 of net present value and showed to have payback time of 8.2 years with 11% of internal rate of return.Conclusion: The simultaneous increment of hydrolysis rate and syntrophic activity in optimized condition helped to achieve higher methane yield. Techno-economic assessment showed that shorter payback time and higher internal rate of return, making large scale project profitable and viable which may endorse sustainable bioeconomy with lower greenhouse gases.
Echinococcus Multilocularis and other Cestodes in Red Foxes (Vulpes Vulpes) of Northeast Italy, 2012-2018
Authors: CITTERIO CARLO , OBBER FEDERICA , Trevisiol Karin , DELLAMARIA DEBORA , CELVA ROBERTO , BREGOLI MARCO , ORMELLI SILVIA , SGUBIN SOFIA , BONATO PAOLA , ROLD GRAZIANA DA , DANESI PATRIZIA , RAVAGNAN SILVIA , VENDRAMI STEFANO , RIGHETTI DAVIDE , AGREITER ANDREAS , ASSON DANIELE , CADAMURO ANDREA , IANNIELLO MARCO , CAPELLI GIOIA 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Echinococcus multilocularis is a small tapeworm affecting wild and domestic carnivores and voles in a typical prey-predator life cycle. In Italy, a focus of E. multilocularis has been in existence since 1997 in the northern Italian Alps, later confirmed in foxes collected from 2001 to 2005. In this study, we report the results of seven years of monitoring on E. multilocularis and other cestodes and describe the changes occurred over time and among areas showing different environmental and ecological features (eco-regions).
Methods
Eggs of cestodes were isolated from faeces of 2,872 foxes with a sedimentation/filtration technique. The cestode species was determined through multiplex PCR, targeting and sequencing ND1 and 12S genes.
Results
Overall, 217 (7.55%) samples resulted positive for cestode eggs at coproscopy, with differences of prevalence according to year and sampling area. Eight species of cestodes were identified, with Taenia crassiceps (2.6%), Taenia polyacantha (2%) and E. multilocularis (1%) as the species most represented. The other species, Mesocestoides litteratus, Taenia krabbei, T. serialis, T. taeniaeformis and Dipylidium caninum, accounted for less than 1% altogether. Echinococcus multilocularis was identified in foxes from two out of six eco-regions, in 30 faecal samples, accounting for 1.4% within the cestode positives at coproscopy. All E. multilocularis isolates came from Bolzano province. Prevalence of cestodes, both collectively and for each of the three most represented species (T. crassiceps, T. polyacantha and E. multilocularis) varied based on the sampling year, and for E. multilocularis an apparent increasing trend across the last few years was evidenced.
Conclusions
Our study confirms the presence of a low prevalence focus of E. multilocularis in red foxes of northeast Italy. Although this focus seems still spatially limited, given its persistence and apparent increasing prevalence through the years, we recommend that future work deepen the ecological factors allowing persistence of this zoonotic species at a smaller scale. On the same scale, we recommend an informative campaign on how to behave to avoid contamination, targeted at people living in the area, especially hunters, dog owners, forestry workers and other categories at risk.
Alfalfa saponins plays protective roles in oxidative stress-induced apoptotic cells
Authors: Cui Yalei , Liu Boshuai , Sun Xiao , Li Zidan , Chen Yanyan , Guo Zhiguo , Liu Hua , Li Defeng , Wang Chengzhang , Zhu Xiaoyan , Shi Yinghua 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background:
As is known, alfalfa saponin can be used as a feed additive in the pig’s diet. And the addition of alfalfa saponin to the pig’s diet could improve animal antioxidant capacity. However, the mechanism by which alfalfa saponins exerts their antioxidant effects has not been studied. To address this issue, H2O2-induced rat intestinal epithelial cell was used to explore the protective mechanism of alfalfa saponins in this study.
Results:
Alfalfa saponin could rescue the cell proliferation activity, elevate the amount of antioxidant enzymes and downregulate the release of MDA and LDH in H2O2-induced cells. The results indicated that the antioxidant activity of alfalfa saponin was achieved by restoring GSH homeostasis. Further results demonstrated that alfalfa saponin could inhibit cell apoptosis through activating MAPK signaling pathway.
Conclusions:
The mechanism by which alfalfa saponins exerts their antioxidant effects was elucidated. Therefore, alfalfa saponin could function as cellular oxidative damage inhibitor, green feed additive or potential drug candidate, providing new strategy for inhibiting cell apoptosis induced by oxidative stress in monogastric animals.
Lavandula Angustifolia Essential Oil Loaded in Liposomal Nano-Carriers Regulate the HER2 and CASP3 Genes in MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 Cell-Lines
Authors: Mohammadpanah Monireh , Mojodi Elham , Haghiralsadat Fatemeh , Sabbagh Seyed Kazem , Rajabi Mahya 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Cancer drug delivery has recently focused on using novel carrier systems due to their high drug-loading capacity, release rate properties, and minimum side effects. Finding novel chemotherapeutic agents would be essential for the improvement of integrated treatment planning. In this study, the effect of constructed nano-liposomal particles of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil (LAEO) was evaluated on cell toxicity and the expression of HER-2 and Caspase-3 genes in two MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 cell lines. Our results showed a high entrapment efficiency (50 ± 3.34), and a low average size (68.3 ± 7.28 nm) of nano-liposomes under suitable conditions. The surface charge of particles was at a range of -2 to -4.5 mV. The release rate of nanoparticles was estimated to be 63.98% (37 °C; pH = 7) and 87.63% (42 °C; pH = 5) in MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 cell lines after 48 hours, respectively. The stability of nanoparticles without a great increase in particle sizes and spherical shape was observed using force atomic microscopy. The degree of cell growth in response to nanoliposomal LAEO was significantly decreased in comparison with free essential oil (p-value < 0.01) when assayed on both cell lines. The analysis of gene expression showed that the treatment of cancer cell lines with nanoliposomal LAEO significantly elevated the relative expression of the caspase-3 gene while reducing the expression of HER-2 (P < 0.05). Based on the obtained results, it seems that LAEO in the form of nanoparticles could have more efficiency on the growth inhibition of cancer cell lines in comparison with the free form of the essential oil. Further studies are required to assess the in vivo effects of LAEO nanoliposomes with refined formulations against various types of cancer (Fig. 1).
Health-related Quality of Life and Its Influencing Factors for Middle and Old Aged Patients with Hypertension: Evidence from Rural Shandong Province, China
Authors: Liu Xiaohan , Bai Guannan , Li Hui , Li Shunping 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Abstract:
Purpose: Hypertension is a growing public health problem in China; however, little is known about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) especially health state utility (HSU) of patients with hypertension in rural China. This study aimed to examine the HSU as measured by SF-6D and to investigate its associated factors among middle and old aged patients with hypertension in rural China.
Methods: Data were collected from twelve villages in Shandong Province in 2016. SF-36 was administrated to measure HRQoL of middle and old aged patients with hypertension and was converted to the SF-6D values using Hong Kong’s tariff. Descriptive analyses, including demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, and utility, were stratified by hypertension classification. Multiple linear regression models were applied to assess the associated factors of HSU.
Results: A total of 933 old adults participated in the study. The mean age of the respondents was 69.1 (SD=8.2) years old and about 40% were male. Almost one-third of respondents were classified as normotensive and around 45% were in stage I, 26.4% were above the stage II. The mean score of SF-6D utility score was 0.743 (SD: 0.14, range: 0.32-1.00, median: 0.756, Interquartile range:0.634-0.859). The influencing factors of utility for hypertension patients in China included gender, age, marital status, education, household income, health expenditure, and comorbid diseases.
Conclusion: Our study presented the utility values of SF-6D among patients with hypertension in a large, representative sample in rural areas, China. We found gender, occupation, health expenditure, household income, comorbidities, and hypertension stage were associated with higher/lower health utilities. SF-6D is capable to measure the quality of life of hypertensive patients in a community sample in China.
Keywords: Health utility; Hypertension; Preference-based measure Quality of life; SF-6D