bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and shear-wave elastography in conjunction with BI-RADS classification for diagnosis of small breast nodules
Authors: Shen Yan , He Jie , Liu Miao , Hu Jiaojiao , Wan Yonglin , Zhang Tingting , Ding Jun , Dong Jiangnan , Fu Xiaohong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

Identification of malignancy in small breast nodules can be difficult using conventional methods, especially in patients with dense breast tissue. Advanced imaging techniques, including contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and shear-wave elastography (SWE), may work in conjunction with Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification to more effectively characterize these nodules. This study aimed to evaluate the use of CEUS and SWE for differentiation of benign from malignant small (≤ 2 cm) breast nodules.
Methods

This retrospective study reviewed the medical records and imaging data of 302 patients who underwent evaluation for 305 small breast nodules from November 2015 to December 2019. BI-RADS classification of nodules and results from CEUS and SWE studies were retrospectively analyzed, and the diagnostic efficacy of these techniques were evaluated by comparison to pathology results. Receiver operating characteristic curves were analyzed based on CEUS patterns and shear wave velocity values of nodules. The sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracies of BI-RADS, CEUS, SWE, and a combination of all methods for identifying benign versus malignant small breast nodules were investigated.
Results

CEUS was effective at diagnosing malignant nodules when at least two out of nine suspicious features were present. Receiver operating curve analysis revealed that the best cut-off value for SWE was 3.7 m/s. The BI-RADS classification of nodules was reduced by one level when both CEUS and SWE diagnosed benign BNs and was unchanged when only CEUS or SWE diagnosed benign BN, with the highest level being category 5 and the lowest level being category 3. Furthermore, when using the combined method, 75.8% (91/120) of small breast nodules with a BI-RADS category 4A classification avoided the need for coarse needle biopsies.
Conclusion

CEUS and SWE can be used as auxiliary methods for clarifying BI-RADS classification of BNs, and a combination of these techniques may provide more diagnostic efficacy for identifying malignancy in small breast nodules.
Antiviral functions of type I and type III interferons in the olfactory epithelium
Authors: Zedan Ahmad , Winters Ashley D. , Yu Wei , Wang Shuangyan , Takeshita Ashley , Gong Qizhi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe olfactory epithelium (OE) is one of the few sites where environmental pathogens can gain direct access to the brain. Despite this vulnerable arrangement, little is known about the protective mechanisms in the OE to prevent viral infection and subsequent entry into the brain.MethodsWe systematically investigated acute responses in the olfactory mucosa (OM) upon exposure to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) by RNA-sEq. VSVs were nasally inoculated into C57BL/6 mice. OM were dissected for gene expression analysis at different time points after viral inoculation. Interferon functions were determined by comparing viral gene expression in interferon (Ifn) receptor knockout (Ifnar1−/− and Ifnlr1−/−) with wildtype OM.ResultsAntiviral responses were observed as early as 24hrs post viral exposure in the OM. Amongst the rapidly upregulated transcripts observed were specific type I as well as type III Ifns and interferon stimulated genes. Genetic analyses demonstrated that both type I and type III IFN signaling are required for the suppression of viral replication in the OM. Nasal IFNb1 or IFNl2 administration effectively reduces viral load in the OM.Conclusions:OE possesses innate ability to respond and suppress viral infection. Type I and type III IFNs actively participate in the OE’s antiviral functions. Nasal IFN application effectively blocks viral replication in the OE suggesting therapeutic potential against viral insult.
Causal Association Between Birth Weight and Atrial Fibrillation: Evidence from a Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Authors: Chen Songzan , Yan Fangkun , Xu Tian , Wang Yao , Zhang Kaijie , Fu Guosheng , Zhang Wenbin 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

Although several observational studies have shown an association between birth weight (BW) and atrial fibrillation (AF), controversy remains. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of elevated BW on the etiology of AF.
Methods

A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was designed to infer the causality. The genetic data on the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with BW and AF were separately obtained from two large-scale genome-wide association study with up to 321,223 and 1,030,836 individuals respectively. SNPs were identified at a genome-wide significant level (p-value < 5 × 10− 8). The inverse variance-weighted (IVW) with fixed effects method was performed to obtain causal estimates as our primary analysis. MR-Egger regression was conducted to assess the pleiotropy and sensitivity analyses with various statistical methods were applied to evaluate the robustness of the results.
Results

In total, 122 SNPs were identified as the genetic instrumental variables. MR analysis revealed a causal effect of elevated BW on AF (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.13–1.29, p-value = 2.39 × 10− 8). The MR-Egger regression suggested no evidence of directional pleiotropy (intercept = 0.00, p-value = 0.62). All the results in sensitivity analyses were consistent with the primary result, which confirmed the causal association between BW and AF.
Conclusions

The findings from the two-sample MR study indicate a causal effect of elevated BW on AF. This suggests a convenient and effective method to ease the burden of AF by reducing the number of newborns with elevated BW.
Assessing Health Care Equity Through Administrative Data-Derived Qquity Indicators and Socio-Economic Determinants of Health in Emergency Care: A Systematic Review
Authors: Morisod Kevin , Luta Xhyljeta , Marti Joachim , Spycher Jacques , Malebranche Mary , Bodenmann Patrick 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Achieving equity in health care remains a challenge for health care systems worldwide and marked inequities in access and quality of care persist. The performance assessment of health care systems is often limited to quality and efficiency indicators. Identifying indicators of health care equity is an important first step in integrating the concept of equity into assessments of health care system performance. Because emergency care serves as the interface between ambulatory and inpatient care, it appears to be a key setting in which to begin this process.Methods: We conducted a systematic review of administrative data-derived health care equity indicators and their association with socio-economic determinants of health (SEDH) in emergency care settings. Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PUBMED and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies using administrative data following PRISMA-equity guidelines. The outcomes of interest were indicators of health care equity and the associated SEDH they examine.Results: Among 29 studies identified, 14 equity indicators were identified and grouped into four categories that reflect the patient emergency care pathway. Total emergency department (ED) visits and ambulatory care sensitive condition-related ED visits were the two most frequently used indicators. The studies analysed equity based on seven SEDH: social deprivation, income, education level, social class, insurance coverage, health literacy and financial and non-financial barriers. Despite some conflicting results, all identified SEDH are associated with inequalities in access to and use of emergency care. Conclusion: The use of administrative data-derived indicators in combination with identified SEDH could improve the measurement of health care equity in emergency care settings across health care systems worldwide. Using a combination of indicators is likely to lead to a more comprehensive, well-rounded analysis of health care equity than using any one indicator in isolation. Though studies analysed focused on emergency care settings, it seems possible to extrapolate these indicators to measure equity in other areas of the health care system. Further studies elucidating root causes of health inequities in and outside the health care system are needed.
Exogenous Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) Promote Changes in Growth, Phospholipid Composition, Membrane Permeability and Virulence Phenotypes in Escherichia Coli
Authors: Herndon Joshua , Peters Rachel , Hofer Rachel , Symes Steven , Giles David 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The utilization of exogenous fatty acids by Gram-negative bacteria has been linked to many cellular processes, including fatty acid oxidation for metabolic gain, assimilation into membrane phospholipids, and control of phenotypes associated with virulence. The expanded fatty acid handling capabilities have been demonstrated in several bacteria of medical importance; however, a survey of the polyunsaturated fatty acid responses in the model organism Escherichia coli has not been performed. The current study examined the impacts of exogenous fatty acids on E. coli.Results: All PUFAs elicited higher overall growth, with several fatty acids supporting growth as sole carbon sources. Most PUFAs were incorporated into membrane phospholipids as determined by thin-layer chromatography and UPLC-mass spectrometry, whereas membrane permeability was variably affected as measured by two separate dye uptake assays. Biofilm formation, swimming motility and antimicrobial peptide resistance were altered in the presence of PUFAs, with arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids eliciting strong alteration to these phenotypes.Conclusions: The findings herein add E. coli to the growing list of Gram-negative bacteria with broader capabilities for utilizing and responding to exogenous fatty acids. Understanding bacterial responses to PUFAs may lead to microbial behavioral control regimens for disease prevention.
Effect of N-acetylcysteine on remission maintenance in patients with ulcerative colitis: A Randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Shirazi Kourosh Masnadi , Sotoudeh Simin , Shirazi Arman Masnadi , Moaddab Seyyed-Yaghoub , Nourpanah Zahra , Nikniaz Zeinab 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The use of antioxidant agents is suggested as a complementary therapy in UC patients for prevention of flares. Considering the potent antioxidant activity of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), in the present study we aimed to assess the effect of this supplement on remission maintenance in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: In the present double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, 168 volunteer UC patients who were on high dose corticosteroid for flare-up management, were recruited. The patients received 400 mg NAC or placebo twice daily for 16 weeks. Simultaneously, the prednisolone dose was tapered. The patients were followed up six more weeks post-intervention. The primary efficacy of the treatment was remaining in remission. The secondary outcomes were the endoscopic relapse, serum level of hs-CRP, hemoglobin, and fecal calprotectin level. Results: During 22 weeks follow up, 25 patients experienced relapses, six of them were in the NAC group and 19 of them were in the placebo group. There was a significant difference between the NAC and placebo groups regarding the relapse-free period (P=0.007). Compared with the NAC group, significantly more patients in the placebo group had an endoscopic relapse (p <0.001). At the end of the intervention period (16 weeks) and 6 weeks post-intervention, the mean fecal calprotectin, serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and hs-CRP levels were significantly lower in the NAC group compared with the placebo group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicated that NAC had a significantly more positive effect on the maintenance of remission compared with placebo in UC patients that were in the steroid-tapering phase of therapy.
Public Knowledge of Risk Factors and Warning Signs for Cardiovascular Disease Among Young and Middle-Aged Adults in Rural Tanzania
Authors: Muhihi Alfa , Anaeli Amani , Mpembeni Rose N.M , Sunguya Bruno F. , Leyna Germana , Kakoko Deodatus , Kessy Anna Tengia , Sando Mary Mwanyika , Njelekela Marina , Urassa David P. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Improvement in cardiovascular health requires public knowledge and reduction of modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. This study assessed knowledge of risk factors and warning signs for CVDs in a general population of young and middle-aged adults in rural Morogoro, Tanzania.Methods: We conducted a community-based survey as part of cluster randomized controlled study of community health workers (CHWs) intervention for reduction of blood pressure among young and middle-aged adults in rural Morogoro. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of risk factors and warning signs for CVDs was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Knowledge was assessed using open-ended questions followed by closed-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used to describe knowledge of risk factors and warning signs. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors associated with adequate knowledge of risk factors and warning signs for CVDs.Results: Two-thirds (65.7%) of the participants had heard about CVDs. The main sources of information were mainly relatives/ neighbors (64.8%) and radio (53.0%). Only 28.3% of the participants reported health care providers as source of information about CVDs. More than half of the participants (52.4%) did not mention even one risk factor spontaneously while 55.2% were unable to mention any warning sign. When asked to select from a list, 6.9% were unable to correctly identify any risk factor whereas 11.8% could not correctly identify even a single warning sign. Overall, 25.4% of participants had good knowledge score of risk factors while 17.5% had good knowledge score of warning signs. Residing in Ulanga, having higher education level, having ever checked blood pressure and being overweight/obese predicted adequacy of knowledge score for both risk factors and warning signs.Conclusion: Knowledge of risk factors and warning signs in this rural population of young and middle-aged adults was generally poor. Health care providers were less likely to provide health education regarding risk factors and warning signs for CVDs. Health promotion interventions to increase population knowledge of risk factors and warning signs should be implemented for successful reduction of CVDs in Tanzania.
Gut Microbiota Changes During Helicobacter Pylori Eradication with Vonoprazan-Containing Triple Therapy Among Adolescents: A Prospective Multicenter Study in Japan
Authors: kakiuchi Toshihiko , Yamamoto Kentaroh , Imamura Ichiro , Hashiguchi Kazutoshi , Kawakubo Hiroharu , Yamaguchi Daisuke , Fujioka Yasuhiko , Nakayama Aiko , Okuda Masumi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Whether the screening and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection are safe for children is debated in Japan. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy by examining long-term changes in the gut microbiota during therapy among children.Methods: Children with anti-Helicobacter pylori antibody in the urine and Helicobacter pylori antigen in the feces were enrolled in this study. Their stool samples were collected at three time points, which were as follows: prior to treatment, 1–2 days after treatment, and time of judgment of eradication therapy. After treatment, the relative abundance, alpha-diversity, and beta-diversity of the gut microbiota were assessed.Results: In 16 students finally included in the study, the number of Actinobacteria isolated decreased immediately after eradication therapy, and it returned to pretreatment condition at the judgment point. There was no change at the genus level. The alpha-diversity was lost immediately after eradication therapy. However, it recovered at the time of eradication judgment, and it was restored before eradication therapy. Meanwhile, there was no change in beta-diversity, and none of the participants experienced serious adverse events.Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy is safe even for children in the view point of gut microbiota. Thus, further long-term evaluations of changes in the gut microbiota after eradication therapy and an assessment of healthy children without Helicobacter pylori must be performed. These will in turn promote screening and treatment among adolescents to prevent gastric cancer.Trial registration: This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (no. UMIN000028726, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000032873) on 18 August 2017.
Characteristics of Secondary-Ruptured Faults in The Aso Caldera Triggered by The 2016 Mw 7.0 Kumamoto Earthquake
Authors: Fukushima Yo , Ishimura Daisuke 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The 16 April 2016 Mw 7.0 Kumamoto earthquake caused prominent fault displacements and crustal deformation, not only around the main rupture faults but also around numerous secondary-ruptured faults. The physics and characteristics of such secondary faulting have not yet been studied in detail. We investigated a set of two secondary faults that appeared at the timing of the Mw 7.0 quake in the Aso Caldera by mainly using synthetic aperture radar interferometry and fault slip modeling. The two faults were found to be associated with surface slip of several centimeters or more, in the oblique sense of right-lateral and vertical. Fault slip inversions found that the slip was dominantly in normal sense with smaller contribution from the right-lateral component. The deeper limit of the slips was estimated to be around 1.3¥,km, which may coincide with the boundary between the superficial sediment layer and the basement rock. The shallowness of the slip and the difference in the dip angles of the main secondary fault and the Mw 7.0 seismogenic fault suggest separation of the two fault systems, although the fault strike and sense of motions were similar. The amount of slip on the two secondary faults was larger than that expected from the scaling law derived from seismogenic faults, which may indicate the difference in the physics of seismogenic and secondary faultings.
Study on the Dynamic Characteristics of Subway Tunnel Billboard Under Wind and Vibration Loads
Authors: Sun Yong-hang , Luo Zhong , Wang Yu , Wei Kai , Han Gui-xin 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
In order to avoid the damage of billboards in the subway tunnel, the dynamic characteristic of them subjected to the wind load, the train-induced vibration load and both of them (multi-load) were analyzed. First, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to simulate unsteady airflow when a train runs in tunnel. Second, the train-induced vibration load is obtained by the fitting formula. Finally, a finite element model of Shenyang Metro was built and the response of the billboard under different loads were obtained. The result shows that the structural response of the billboard under multi-load is severer than each single load. For the wind load, it has a greater influence on the equivalent stress of the billboard, while for the vibration load, it has a greater influence on the acceleration of the billboard. The response under multiple loads includes the characteristics of two loads acting separately. This study reveals the dynamic characteristic of billboards under different loads, which will help to improve the stability and safety life of them.
Short- and medium-term clinical outcomes of culture-negative and culture-positive periprosthetic joint infection
Authors: Xu Zhiyang , Cai Yuanqing , Mei Jian , Fang Xinyu , Huang Zida , Zhang Chaofan , Li WenBo , Zhang Wenming 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background:Periprosthetic joint infection(PJI)，as a complication of Total joint arthroplasty, is not uncommon nowdays.There are many treatments and the basic one is the application of antibiotics according to the culture results of synovial fluid or tissue specimens.Though many reasearchs have been done about the results of those treatments，but the differences of the effectiveness between culture-negative periprosthetic infection(CN PJI) and culture-positive periprosthetic infection(CP PJI) still remain unknow.So we conduct this study to compare the clinical outcomes of CN PJI with CP PJI.Methods: The clinical data of 77 patients with prosthetic infections were collected retrospectively. The mean follow-up time was 29.2 months (12-76 months). The remission rates of CN PJI and CP PJI were compared. The effects of the culture results on the curative effect were further compared by survival analysis. The correlations between sex, age, underlying diseases, sinus, disease course, joint involvement, surgical strategy, culture results and clinical outcomes were further analyzed by logistic regression.Results: In total, there were 24 cases of CN PJI, with an incidence of 29.63%. The overall success rate of CN PJI was 86.4% (19/22)，and overall success rate of CP PJI was 87.5% (42/48). There was no significant difference in the success rate between CN PJI and CP PJI. The incidence of antibiotic-related complications for CN PJI was significant higher than that for CP PJI, with 58.3% for CN PJI and 11.3% for CP PJI, respectively.Conclusion: CN PJI was treated according to the strict standards for the diagnosis and treatment, and the success rate of treatment for CN PJI was similar to that for CP PJI. The incidence of antibiotic-related complications from CN PJI was higher than that from CP PJI.
Effects of canola or olive oil on plasma lipids, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and inflammatory cytokines in patients referred to coronary angiography
Authors: Khandouzi Nafiseh , Zahedmehr Ali , Nasrollahzadeh Javad 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The potential cardioprotective benefits of olive oil (OO) and canola oil (CO) consumption have been shown in some studies. The present study was conducted to compare the effects of CO and OO on plasma lipids, some inflammatory cytokines, and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) mass and activity in patients undergoing coronary angiography.Methods: A randomized, controlled, parallel-arm, clinical trial involving 48 patients (44 men and 4 women, aged 57.63 ± 6.34 years) with at least one classic cardiovascular risk factor (hypertension, dyslipidemia, or diabetes) who referred to coronary angiography was performed. Patients were randomly divided into two groups and received 25 mL/day refined olive oil (n=24) or canola oil (n=24) for 6 weeks. Plasma lipids, some selected inflammatory markers, and Lp-PLA2 levels were measured at the baseline and after the intervention.Results: CO consumption produced a significant reduction in plasma Lp-PLA2 mass (-0.97 ± 1.84 vs 0.34 ± 1.57 ng/mL, p = 0.008 for CO and OO, respectively), whereas the mean changes of IL-6 concentration were significantly lower after OO consumption compared with CO (-9.46 ± 9.46 vs -0.90 ± 6.80 pg/mL, p = 0.008 for OO and CO, respectively). After 6 weeks of intervention, no significant changes were observed in plasma Lp-PLA2 activity, complement C3, C4, and lipid profile in two intervention groups.Conclusions: Daily consumption of either of the refined olive or canola oils during a relatively short time could improve one of the inflammatory CVD risk factors.Trial registration: IRCT20160702028742N5 at www.irct.ir (04/19/2019)