bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Length and Transport&nbsp;of Entrapped Woody Debris in Coniferous and Broadleaf Forests Based on Mapping Using Ortho-Photographs Acquired by&nbsp;Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Tsunetaka Haruka , Mtibaa Slim , Asano Shiho , Okamoto Takashi , Kurokawa Ushio 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Landslides and debris flows often result in woody debris from initiation and riparian zones, through their runout. Considering that woody debris is one of the main components of watershed ecosystems, the importance of quantifying its properties and transport is evident. However, the low accessibility of disturbed channels after landslides and debris flows generally impedes the accurate and quick investigation of woody debris. The recent advances in photogrammetry techniques and technology may overcome such issues. In this study, we used ortho-photographs acquired by a small uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) for measuring the lengths of woody debris entrapped mainly by closed-type check-dams. We focused on two channels, located in coniferous and broadleaf forests and affected by two different landslides events. The measurement accuracy was analyzed by comparing the lengths derived from the UAV method with direct measurements. When both edges of woody debris were satisfactorily extracted from an ortho-photograph acquired via UAV, the length of the woody debris with respect to coniferous trees can be measured with an accuracy of approximately ±0.5 m. However, some coniferous trees were captured by stand trees in the riparian zone, and the coverage by tree-crowns led to the underestimation by several meters of the extracted length of the entrapped woody debris. For broadleaf trees, most of the extracted lengths were shorter than the directly measured lengths. This is probably caused by the low visibility of both edges due to the complex structures of the root-wad and the tree-crown. Our results showed that there were no significant changes in the lengths and locations of the entrapped woody debris, in both sites, after seven months of the first UAV flight. In the coniferous forests, the rainfall that triggered landslides in 2017 exceeded the 100-year return level, which was obviously an abnormal intense rainfall. Although the 2019 rainfall event that occurred between UAV flights was not as much to the rainfall triggering landslides, rainfall intensities with different durations reached the second-highest value from 1976 to 2019, exceeding the 30-years return period. This suggests that most of the entrapped woody debris rarely migrate even under extreme rainfall.
Ideal Cardiovascular Health at Age 5-6 years and Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Preadolescence
Authors: Westerink Hester Jaspers Faijer - , Stavnsbo Mette , Hutten Barbara A. , Chinapaw Mai , Vrijkotte Tanja GM 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background- The American Heart Association (AHA) developed a definition of ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) based on the presence of both ideal health behaviours (diet, physical activity, weight status and smoking) and ideal health factors (glucose, total cholesterol and blood pressure levels). However, research of ICH in the paediatric population is scarce. We aimed to study ICH at age 5-6 years by extending the original ICH score with the health behaviours: sleep duration, screen time and prenatal smoke exposure, and to evaluate its association with cardiometabolic outcomes at age 11-12.Methods- A total of 1,666 children aged 5-6 years were selected from the prospective ABCD-cohort study. Data on health behaviours and factors were used to calculate the ICH scores (original and extended) by adding the frequency of scoring ‘healthy’ on each indicator, based on international cut-offs. The children were followed up for 6 years and cardiometabolic outcomes (carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), blood pressure, glucose and lipids) were measured. Associations between ICH (both original and extended) and cardiometabolic outcomes were examined using multivariable regression models. Results- At age 5-6 years, 11% scored poor (score 1-5), 56% intermediate (score 6-7) and 33% good (score 8-9) on extended ICH. Healthy diet and normal total cholesterol concentrations were the least prevalent. Neither the original nor the extended ICH scores were associated with CIMT at age 11-12. A higher score on the extended ICH was associated with lower total cholesterol (p for trend <0.001), lower systolic (p for trend=0.012) and diastolic blood pressure (p for trend=0.011), and lower body mass index (BMI) (p<0.001) at age 11-12. The original ICH score was associated with lower total cholesterol (p<0.001) and BMI (p<0.001) only. Conclusion- Our findings suggest that extending the ICH score in young children with additional health behaviours improves prediction of some cardiometabolic outcomes, but not CIMT in preadolescence, compared to the original ICH score. Further research with longer follow-up is needed to find out whether associations persist into adulthood.
Catastrophic Health Expenditures for Children with Disabilities in Iran: A National Survey
Authors: Moradi Ghobad , Bolbanabad Amjad Mohamadi , Abdullah Farman Zahir , Safari Hossein , Rezaei Satar , Aghaei Abbas , Hematpour Siros , Farshadi Salahaddin , Naleini Nima , Piroozi Bakhtiar 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Higher health costs and financial burden are imposed on people with disabilities due to their health status associated with their disability. Measuring the incidence of catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) can provide good evidence for health policymakers to assess the current state of financial protection of the health system. The aim of this study was to investigate the percentage of households with disabled children aged 0 to 8 years who had faced CHE due to the health costs of these children in Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 2000 households with disabled children aged 0 to 8 years in five provinces of Iran in 2020. Data were collected using the World Health Survey questionnaire and face-to-face interview. Households whose health expenditures for disabled members in the family were more than 40% of the household payment capacity were included in the group of households with CHE. Determinants of CHE were identified using regression analysis.Findings: 32.7% of households with disabled children had faced CHE. Head of household being female, poor economic status of the household, lack of supplementary insurance by a child with disabilities, having a child with mental disability and type of basic health insurance significantly increased the chances of facing CHE.Conclusion: A significant percentage of households with disabled children had faced CHE because of their disabled child's health costs. More financial protection of these households against health costs should be on the agenda of health policy makers. Implementation of payment exemption programs, direct and indirect financial support programs and having prepaid mechanisms are suggested to reduce out-of-pocket payments for health services.
Pharmacological Activation of RXR-α Promotes Hematoma Absorption in a PPAR-γ-Dependent Pathway After Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Xu Chaoran , Chen Huaijun , Zhou Shengjun , Sun Chenjun , Xia Xiaolong , Peng Yucong , Zhuang Jianfeng , Fu Xiongjie , Zeng Hanhai , Zhou Hang , Li Jianru , Cao Yang , Yu Qian , Li Yin , Zhou Guoyang , Huang Peiyu , Yan Feng , Chen Gao 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Endogenously eliminating the hematoma is a favorable strategy in addressing intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This study sought to determine the role of retinoid X receptor-α (RXR-α) in the context of hematoma absorption after ICH.Methods: ICH mouse models were established by the stereotactic injection of autologous arterial blood into the right basal ganglia. The selective RXR-α agonist bexarotene and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) antagonist GW9662 were administered intraperitoneally at 1 h after ICH. Post-ICH assessments were in the form of magnetic resonance imaging scans, neurological tests, Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and immunofluorescence. Results: Pharmacologically activating RXR-α with bexarotene significantly accelerated hematoma clearance and alleviated neurological dysfunction after ICH. RXR-α was expressed in the microglia/macrophages, neurons, and astrocytes. Mechanically, bexarotene promoted the nuclear translocation of RXR-α and PPAR-γ, alongside reducing neuroinflammation by modulating microglia/macrophages reprograming into the M2 phenotype from M1 phenotype. However, all the beneficial effects of RXR-α in ICH were reversed by the PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662.Conclusion: The pharmacological activation of RXR-α conferred robust neuroprotection against ICH by accelerating hematoma clearance and repolarizing microglia/macrophages towards the M2 phenotype through PPAR-γ-related mechanisms. Our data support the notion that RXR-α might be a promising therapeutic target for ICH.
Transplantation of Neuregulin1-Overexpressing Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Cells Accelerates Motor Functional Recovery by Facilitating Neurite Outgrowth and Reducing Cell Apoptosis in Rat after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Wu Geng , Liu Herui , Zhu Mei , Wu Yang , Bai Yunlong , Liu Yan , Wang Jinfeng , Yu Jianbo , Zhao Fusheng 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation offers an attractive strategy for treating multiply neurological diseases. Neuregulin1 (NRG1) plays fundamental roles in nervous system development and nerve repair. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether transplantation of NRG1-overexpressing BMSCs could alleviate spinal cord injury (SCI), and to explore the possible underling mechanisms. Methods: In vitro, NRG1-overexpressing BMSCs were constructed via plasmid transfection, and co-cultured with PC12 cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Neurite outgrowth, cell viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells were evaluated. In vivo, BMSCs, empty-vector BMSCs and NRG1-overexpressing BMSCs were transplanted respectively into rats with SCI. Rat locomotor functions, neuronal chromatolysis, neurite outgrowth and cell apoptosis were assessed respectively. Results: The results showed that NRG1-overexpressing BMSCs in vitro significantly expedited neurite growth, elevated growth-associated protein 43 expression, enhanced cell viability and rescued ODG-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. In vivo, transplantation of NRG1-overexpressing BMSCs notably accelerated rat motor functional recovery, attenuated neuronal chromatolysis, promoted neurite outgrowth and reduced cell apoptosis after SCI. Moreover, NRG1-overexpressing BMSCs were also able to regulate apoptosis-related proteins expression after SCI. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that NRG1-overexpressing BMSCs can accelerate motor functional recovery by facilitating neurite outgrowth and reducing cell apoptosis after SCI, suggesting that NRG1-overexpressing BMSCs may be a promising candidate for the treatment of SCI.
Multivariate Analysis of COVID-19 on Stock, Commodity &amp; Purchase Manager Indices: A Global Perspective
Authors: Sharma Nonita , Yadav Sourabh , Mangla Monika , Mohanty Anee , Mohanty Sachi Nandan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The whole world is going through an unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 leading to huge economy disruption across the globe. Moreover, the alarming pace of COVID-19 is quite upsetting to the leading financial stakeholders as it has resulted in the fleeing away of the customers, investors, and foreign trading partners. Resultantly, global markets succumbed leading to erosion of more than the US $6 trillion within just one week in February 2020. During the same week, alone S&P 500 index also experienced a loss of more than $5 trillion value in the US. This manuscript attempts to perform multivariate analysis of the global economy during the COVID-19 period. An empirical evaluation of the effect of containment policies on financial activity, stock market indices, purchasing manager index and commodity prices are also carried out. The obtained results reveal that the number of lockdown days, overseas travel ban and fiscal stimulus significantly influence the economic activity.
Role of ASM/Cer/TXNIP Signaling Module in the NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation
Authors: Jiang Jianjun , Yang Jin , Shi Yining , Cao Jiyu , Lu Youjin , Sun Gengyun 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The NLRP3 inflammasome serves as a crucial component in an array of inflammatory conditions by boosting the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines: IL-1β and IL-18. Hence, a thorough investigation of the underlying mechanism of NLRP3 activation could ascertain the requisite directionality to the ongoing studies, along with the identification of the novel drug targets for the management of inflammatory diseases. Previous studies have established the vital role of the Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM)/Ceramide (Cer) pathway in the functional outcome of cells, with a particular emphasis on the inflammatory processes. ASM mediates the ceramide production by sphingomyelin hydrolysis. Furthermore, the participation of the ASM/Cer in NLRP3 activation remains ambiguous. Methods: We employed lipopoysaccharide (LPS)/Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in J774A.1 cells as an in vitro inflammatory model. Results: We observed that imipramine, a well-known inhibitor of ASM, significantly inhibited ASM activity & increased ceramide accumulation, which indicates ASM activation. Besides, it also suppressed the LPS/ATP-induced expression of proteins and mRNA: Thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP), NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18. Interestingly verapamil, a TXNIP inhibitor, suppressed LPS/ATP-induced TXNIP/NLRP3 inflammasome activation; however, it did not affect LPS/ATP-induced ASM activity and ceramide production. Further examination showed that the exogenous C2-ceramide-treated J774A.1 cells induce the overexpression of TXNIP, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18. Furthermore, verapamil inhibited C2-Ceramide mediated TXNIP overexpression and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These findings infer that TXNIP overexpression leads to Cer mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Conclusion: Our study validated the crucial role of the ASM/Cer/TXNIP signaling pathway in NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
The Analysis of Fertility Quality of Life and the Influencing Factors of Patients with Repeated Implantation Failure
Authors: Ni Ying , Tong Chenye , Huang Limin , Zhou Wenjie , Zhang Aijun 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroundAt present, the incidence of RIF reaches 5% -10% during IVF/ICSI assisted pregnancy treatment. RIF causes heavy financial burden and mental stress on patients and families and affects the quality of their lives. This study is aimed to investigate the current status of fertility quality of life (feritility QOL) and explore the factors influencing in patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF), thereby providing scientific basis for effective clinic interventional measures and helping to improve the feritility QOL of RIF patients.MethodsRIF patients were selected from the Reproductive Medical Center of Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from January 2019 to December 2019. The General information questionnaire, FertiQoL scale, perceived social support scale (PSSS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to analyze the feritility QOL and related factors of RIF patients. ResultsThe total score of feritility QOL of RIF patients is (60.44 ± 11.60). The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that residence, financial difficulties, male infertility, BMI index, depression, family social support are the main factors that influence the feritility QOL of RIF patients (adjusted R2 = 0.762). ConclusionAmong the factors influencing the feritility QOL of RIF patients, residence, financial difficulties, male infertility, BMI index, depression and family social support are the main factors. Therefore, medical practioners should take specific interventional measures to improve the RIF patients’ feritility QOL.
Exploration of the Effect of Oil and Non-Oil Export on Economic Growth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Khan Uzma , Khan Aarif Mohammad , Alam Md. Shabbir 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The tactical master plan for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aims to resolve the Kingdom's economy from its reliance on oil revenues by diversifying its economy. Therefore, this research explores the impact of oil and non-oil export revenue on economic growth. Unit root test analysis illustrates that the series becomes stationary when level and first difference is considering and having a one lag length. Johansen co-integration test indicates the presence of both periods among the models. The outcomes indicate a short-run causal effect from both oil and non-oil export to economic growth. Additionally, Impulse Response Function and Variance Decomposition also indicated that non-oil export revenue could act better than the revenue generated by oil export. However, the granger causality test indicates no causal relationship among any parameters. Policies recommend that by promoting the non-oil export will enhance the economic progress.
MicroRNA miR-29a inhibits colon cancer progression by downregulating B7-H3 expression: potential molecular targets for colon cancer therapy
Authors: Wang Jin , Chen Xiaojuan , Xie Chen , Sun Mingbing , Hu Chenrui , Zhang Zhe , Luan Lipeng , Zhou Jin , Zhou Jian , Zhu Xinguo , Ouyang Jun , Dong Xiaoqiang , Li Dechun , Zhang Jianglei , Zhao Xin 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroudMiR-29a belongs to one of the subtypes of miRNAs known as non-coding single-stranded RNAs, and is preferentially expressed in normal tissues. B7-H3, a member of the B7/CD28 immunoglobulin superfamily, was shown to be overexpressed in several solid malignant tumors, including colon cancer. In addition, it is associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis.MethodsWe used immunohistochemical and western blotting to assess B7-H3 protein expression levels in colon cancer and adjacent normal tissues, and then compared their relationships with clinicopathological factors. Quantitative real time reverse transcription PCR was used to assess B7-H3 and miRNA-29a mRNA expression levels, and then their relationship and clinical significance were evaluated. In addition, colon cancer Caco-2 cells, which constitutively overexpress B7-H3, were transfected with lentivirus particles for miR-29a upregulation. Invasion and migration assays were carried out in vitro along with the establishment of a subcutaneous xenograft model in vivo to determine the role of miRNA-29a in colon cancer progression.ResultsThe B7-H3 protein showed elevated expression in colon carcinoma, and was relevant to TNM staging, lymph node metastasis and reduced survival. Meanwhile, miR-29a was preferentially expressed in normal colon tissues while B7-H3 transcript levels had no marked differences between tumor and normal tissue specimens. In vitro, miR-29a upregulation resulted in reduced B7-H3 expression. Furthermore, miR-29a upregulation reduced the invasive and migratory abilities of colon carcinoma cells. In animal models, upregulation of miR-29a slowed down the growth of subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumors, and resulted in prolonged survival time.ConclusionMiR-29a downregulates B7-H3 expression and accordingly inhibits colon cancer progression, invasion and migration, indicating miR-29a and B7-H3 might represent novel molecular targets for advanced immunotherapy in colon cancer.
Redox-sensitive Polymeric Micelles With Aggregation-induced Emission for Bioimaging and Delivery of Anticancer Drugs
Authors: Sun Changzhen , Lu Ji , Wang Jun , Hao Ping , Li Chunhong , Qi Lu , Yang Lin , He Bin , Zhong Zhirong , Hao Na 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Nano-drug delivery systems show considerable promise for effective cancer therapy. Polymeric micelles have attracted extensive attention as practical nanocarriers for target drug delivery and controlled drug delivery system, however, the distribution of micelles and the release of the drug are difficult to trace in cancer cells. Therefore, the construction of a redox-sensitive multifunctional drug delivery system for intelligent release of anticancer drugs and simultaneous diagnostic imaging and therapy remains an attractive research subject.Results: To construct a smart drug delivery system for simultaneous imaging and cancer chemotherapy, mPEG-ss-Tripp was prepared and self-assembled into redox-sensitive polymeric micelles with a diameter of 105 nm that were easily detected within cells using confocal laser scanning microscopy based on aggregation-induced emission. Doxorubicin-loaded micelles rapidly released the drug intracellularly when GSH reduced the disulfide bond. The drug-loaded micelles inhibited tumor xenografts in mice, while this efficacy was lower without the GSH-responsive disulfide bridge. These results establish an innovative multi-functional polymeric micelle for intracellular imaging and redox-triggered drug deliver to cancer cells.Conclusions: A novel redox-sensitive drug delivery system with AIE property was constructed for simultaneous cellular imaging and intelligent drug delivery and release. This smart drug delivery system opens up new possibilities for multifunctional drug delivery systems.
Artificial Intelligence Algorithm for Predicting Cardiac Arrest Using Electrocardiography
Authors: Kwon Joon-myoung , Kim Kyung-Hee , Jeon Ki-Hyun , Lee Soo Youn , Park Jinsik , Oh Byung-Hee 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: In-hospital cardiac arrest is a major burden in health care. Although several track-and-trigger systems are used to predict cardiac arrest, they often have unsatisfactory performances. We hypothesized that a deep-learning-based artificial intelligence algorithm (DLA) could effectively predict cardiac arrest using electrocardiography (ECG). We developed and validated a DLA for predicting cardiac arrest using ECG. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study that included 47,505 ECGs of 25,672 adult patients admitted to two hospitals, who underwent at least one ECG from October 2016 to September 2019. The endpoint was occurrence of cardiac arrest within 24 hours from ECG. Using subgroup analyses in patients who were initially classified as non-event, we confirmed the delayed occurrence of cardiac arrest and unexpected intensive care unit transfer over 14 days.Results: We used 32,294 ECGs of 10,461 patients and 4,483 ECGs of 4,483 patients from a hospital were used as development and internal validation data, respectively. Additionally, 10,728 ECGs of 10,728 patients from another hospital were used as external validation data, which confirmed the robustness of the developed DLA. During internal and external validation, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the DLA in predicting cardiac arrest within 24 hours were 0.913 and 0.948, respectively. The high risk group of the DLA showed a significantly higher hazard for delayed cardiac arrest (5.74% vs. 0.33%, P < 0.001) and unexpected intensive care unit transfer (4.23% vs. 0.82%, P < 0.001). A sensitivity map of the DLA displayed the ECG regions used to predict cardiac arrest, with the DLA focused most on the QRS complex. Conclusions: Our DLA successfully predicted cardiac arrest using diverse formats of ECG. The results indicate that cardiac arrest could be screened and predicted not only with a conventional 12-lead ECG, but also with a single-lead ECG using a wearable device that employs our DLA.