bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact factors for refractory KD and comparison of different treatment protocols
Authors: Wu Ling , Chen Zhengjie , Zhong Shiling , Hu Fangfang , Di Yazhen 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been widely accepted as a standard treatment against Kawasaki disease (KD). About 20% of patients are nonresponsive after the first IVIG treatment.This study was performed to reveal the responsiveness, mechanism of action, and incidence rate of coronary artery lesions in the long-term follow-up visit of action of IVIG combined with glucocorticoids in the treatment of refractory KD.
Method:

A total of 633 pediatric patients with KD (experimental group) and 200 pediatric patients with upper respiratory infection hospitalized during the same period (control group) were retrospective selected. KD was treated with IVIG combined with aspirin.IVIG-nonresponsive group was given the second treatment.Protocol 1 group was administered 1 g/kg IVIG; Protocol 2 group was administered 2 g/kg IVIG; and Protocol 3 group was administered 1 g/kg IVIG + glucocorticoid (GC). Following the second treatment, the responsive group (Group A) and nonresponsive group (Group B) were classified based on whether the temperature was reduced to normal.
Results

IVIG-nonresponsive group had more coronary artery lesions, longer time of first application of IVIG, and higher WBC count, ESR, CRP, and higher serum levels of Meprin A, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, and IP-10. Protocol 3 group was found with faster abatement of fever, higher response rate, and fewer CALs. The serum levels of Meprin A, IL-1β, and IL-17A in Group B were higher, and the incidence rate of CAL after treatment was up to 78.9% .
Conclusions

The levels of Meprin A, IL-17A, and IL-1β may serve as potentially good indexes to predict refractory KD. IVIG combined with GC to treat refractory KD is more advantageous compared with IVIG alone.
Hydroxyurea Regressed Atherosclerosis Plaques in ApoE-/- Mice: A Discovery Based on Clinic
Authors: Tong Qian , Yang Xinyu , Ma Shu-Rong , Zhang Xian-Feng , Wang Yan , Jiang Jian-Dong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: A 58-year-old lady was introduced to the clinic because of acute coronary syndrome combined with essential thrombocythemia. After coronary artery bypass grafting. After treating her with aspirin, statins and hydroxyurea (HU), the plaques in her coronary arteries showed improvement dramatically. Here, we aim to investigate that HU might regress atherosclerosis plaques in ApoE−/− mice and the potential mechanism.Methods: Wild-type (C57BL/6, n = 8) and Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-, n = 40) mice were used in atherosclerosis model and medication groups. The mice were separated into 7 groups, including the normal control group, the atherosclerosis model group, the dual antiplatelet therapy group (aspirin, and clopidogrel bisulfate), the low-dose and high-dose HU therapy groups [aspirin, clopidogrel bisulfate, and HU (10 or 20 mg/kg/day)], the positive medicine group (aspirin, clopidogrel bisulfate, and atorvastatin calcium), and the combined medicine treatment group [aspirin, clopidogrel bisulfate, atorvastatin calcium, and HU (10 mg/kg/day)]. Fasting serum and aortic vessels were obtained after experiment. The aortic oil red O, Hematoxylin-eosin, and full-length oil red O staining was performed to evaluate the HU’s efficacy of anti- atherosclerosis, and the investigation of HU mechanisms was carried out in HepG2 cells for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) level.Results: The oil red O and H&E staining results came out that HU therapy with antiplatelet showed an obvious effect in decreasing atherosclerosis plaques and the effect of HU therapy (10 or 20 mg/kg) was stronger than dual antiplatelet therapy plus statin, without liver and kidney toxicity observed. Furthermore, the combined drugs with HU (10 mg/kg/day), statin and antiplatelet nearly eliminated the plaques. One of the possible mechanisms of HU might be related with the inhibition of PCSK9.Conclusions: A discovery based on clinic reveals that HU regressed atherosclerosis plaques in ApoE-/- mice, which provides us a new insight into anti-atherosclerosis drugs strategy. PCSK9 could be one of the possible mechanisms and further mechanisms need to be explored.
Extraction of high molecular weight abaca DNA suitable for next-generation sequencing
Authors: Koh Rhosener Bhea Lu , Barbosa Cris Francis Cortez , Aquino Vermando Masinsin , Galvez Leny Calano 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

The abaca (Musa textilis Née) is a fiber crop native to the Philippines with high economic value because of its fiber - the Manila hemp, known to be the strongest of all the natural fibers. DNA extraction in abaca is difficult due to its fibrous nature, high cellulose content and polyphenol compounds. Thus an optimized DNA extraction method is required for extracting high quality abaca DNA for next-generation sequencing applications.
Results

In this study, we have compared five different methods for the extraction of high molecular weight DNA from abaca leaves. The methods are the traditional CTAB method (Protocol 1), the CTAB with PVP method (Protocol 2), the CTAB with 0.3% β-mercaptoethanol method (Protocol 3), SDS-method (Protocol 4) and CTAB with Triton X-100 and PVP method (Protocol 5). Out of the five methods tested, traditional CTAB-method (Protocol 1), CTAB with 0.3% β-mercaptoethanol method (Protocol 3) and SDS-method (Protocol 4) have shown to be the most consistent in giving high molecular weight DNA with good yield and purity based on A260/A280 and A260/A230 absorption values. TissueLyserII was also utilized for homogenization for the three extraction protocols for applications in high-throughput DNA extraction. DNA from two abaca varieties were extracted using the CTAB with 0.3% β-mercaptoethanol method (Protocol 3) and were sent for NGS based on Illumina HiSeq platform having both passed the quality control for library preparation.
Conclusion

The CTAB with 0.3% β-mercaptoethanol method (Protocol 3) was found to be the simplest and most consistent method for extracting average yield DNA with high quality for NGS applications. The SDS-method (Protocol 4) was determined to have the shortest processing time and together with TissueLyserII is the most appropriate method for high-throughput extraction of abaca samples which will be useful for genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) studies.
Hydroxychloroquine Efficacy for the Treatment of Patients with COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Viana Nayara Izabel , Pimenta Ruan , Gonçalves Guilherme Lopes , Gomes Thaynara Faria , Guimarães Vanessa Ribeiro , Sro Victor , Sro Miguel , Leite Katia R. , Reis Sabrina T. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background and Purpose: COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease - 2019) represents a public health emergency because of the elevated transmission rates and associated mortality. There is an urgent need to limit the spread of the virus and to develop an effective antiviral treatment for the patients harboring such disease. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the results of the existing randomized clinical trials assessing the use of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to treat COVID-19.Methods: A systematic review was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) recommendations. Information from randomized controlled trials (RCT) was retrieved and included in a meta-analysis.Results: Among 214 studies that were found, 3 were included for in the meta‐ analysis. Patients treated with HCQ had a faster clearance of virus or pneumonia improvement than those that received standard treatment (OR = 7.08, 95% CI 2.79 to 4.12; P = 0.001). Only minor side effects were reported.Conclusions: Although this meta-analysis has found favorable evidence for the use of HCQ in the treatment of COVID-19, the literature does not yet present well-designed clinical studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of this medication. We believe that clinical trials coordinated by standardized guidelines, with complete and quality information, must be carried out worldwide and are urgently needed.
Biological Risk Factors Predict Transfer to Intensive Care Units and Death in Covid-19 Patients
Authors: Sauzay Chloé , Guyader Maïlys Le , Evrard Ophélie , Nyga Rémy , Caulier Alexis , Schmit Jean-Luc , Andréjak Claire , Galmiche Antoine , François Catherine , Castelain Sandrine , Maizel Julien , Garçon Loïc , Brochot Etienne , Boyer Thomas 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), causing the COVID-19, has been declared as pandemic by the World Health Organization. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 have been largely reported but biological risk factors have not yet been well described. In this retrospective and monocentric study, we explored 35 hematological and biochemical parameters, routinely measured at the Amiens University Hospital laboratory, between February 21, 2020 and March 30, 2020 for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. 154 patients were included in this study. We compared biological parameters collected at hospital admission between patients who survived or not after hospitalization. Non survivor patients displayed lower hemoglobin (p=0.02) and bicarbonate concentrations (p=0.03) and higher potassium concentration (p=0.03) compared to the survivors. We then compared these biological parameters between patients hospitalized in conventional care units and patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICU). Numerous biological examinations had significant variations, including lymphocyte and neutrophil counts, bicarbonate, calcium and C Reactive Protein concentrations. In multivariate Cox analysis, risk factors for aggravation (defined as ICU admission or death) included low bicarbonate levels and hyponatremia. A significant worse overall survival was associated with hyponatremia, hyperkaliemia and prothrombin time > 16.8 seconds. We then proposed a prognostic score, to be validated in a future prospective study. Thus, these biological parameters, easily available, could help clinicians to identify high risk patients at an early stage of infection.
Asymmetry of foreign trade turnover between Ukraine and Poland
Authors: Motoryn Ruslan , Prykhodko Kateryna , Ślusarczyk Bogusław 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The article identifies the determinants of the asymmetry of foreign trade turnover between Ukraine and Poland based on an analysis of competitiveness indicators of the studied countries in the period 2003–2017. The emphasis is on calculation of the comparative advantages of particular commodity headings in Polish exports in the domestic market of Ukraine. Potential directions of the intensification of bilateral trade were evaluated.
Tanshinone IIA Suppresses Hypoxia-induced Apoptosis in Medial Vestibular Nucleus Cells Via a Skp2/BKCa Axis
Authors: Zhu Jing-Jing , Wu Shu-Hui , Chen Xiang , Jiang Ting-Ting , Li Xin-Qian , Li Jing-Min , Yan Yong , Wu Xue-Jun , Liu Yu-Ying , Dong Pin 
Published: June 2020

Background:
The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of Tanshinone IIA
(Tan IIA) on hypoxia-induced injury in the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) cells.

Methods:
An in vitro hypoxia model was established using MVN cells exposed to hypoxia. The hypoxia-induced
cell damage was confirmed by assessing cell viability, apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-associated proteins.
Oxidative stress and related indicators were also measured following hypoxia modeling and Tan IIA treatment,
and the genes potentially involved in the response were predicted using multiple GEO datasets.

Results:
The results of the present study showed that Tan IIA significantly increased cell viability, decreased cell
apoptosis and decreased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in hypoxia treated cells. In addition, hypoxia treatment increased
oxidative stress in MVN cells, and treatment with Tan IIA reduced the oxidative stress. The expression of SPhase
Kinase Associated Protein 2 (SKP2) was upregulated in hypoxia treated cells, and Tan IIA treatment reduced
the expression of SKP2. Mechanistically, SKP2 interacted with large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels
(BKCa), regulating its expression, and BKCa knockdown alleviated the protective effects of Tan IIA on
hypoxia induced cell apoptosis.

Conclusion:
The results of the present study suggested that Tan IIA had a protective effect on hypoxia-induced
cell damage through its anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative activity via an SKP2/BKCa axis. These findings suggest
that Tan IIA may be a potential therapeutic for the treatment of hypoxia-induced vertigo.
Experience of Palestinian Women After Hysterectomy Using a Descriptive Phenomenological Study
Authors: Alshawish Eman , Qadous Miss Shurouq , Yamani Miss Ala'a 
Published: June 2020

Background:
Universally, hysterectomy is considered as the second most frequent surgery after cesarean section performed on women in the reproductive age. After a hysterectomy, women no longer have menstrual periods, so they cannot become pregnant. Like most other countries, hysterectomy is the most common major gynecological operation in Palestine. However, the psychological, physical, and sexual consequences of hysterectomy are conflicting, and the findings are mixed. While some studies report that patients experience more significant improvement in their mental health, sexual desire, and overall satisfaction, other studies show that patients report various adverse outcomes, with detrimental effects on sexual functioning being the main concern.

Objective:
This study aimed to describe women's experiences of hysterectomy and identify their fears, concerns, and what coping mechanisms do they adopt to enhance the quality of their lives.

Methodology:
Qualitative descriptive phenomenological research design was used in this study. The study aims to gain insight into the experiences of fifteen patients after hysterectomy using semi-structured in-depth interviews. The interview was conducted in both private and governmental hospitals using purposeful sampling.

Results:
Giorgi's phenomenological analysis process was used as a tool for analyzing data. Analysis of the interview transcripts led to five themes, including a total of eighteen subthemes. The first theme is physical change that has pain, insomnia, eating habits, and immobility as subthemes. The second theme is psychological changes with depression, de-socialization, anxiety, and aggressiveness as its subthemes. The third theme is defense mechanisms with praying, listening to music, reciting the Holy Quran, walking, and sports as subthemes. The fourth theme is self-esteem and body image with confidence, appearance, and concerns as subthemes. Lastly, the fifth them is sexuality with excitement and sexual pattern as subthemes.

Conclusion:
The results of this study demonstrated that hysterectomy had significant adverse effects on patients' body image, and self-esteem. Moreover, the study identified common meanings and themes associated with hysterectomy stressors. These are difficulties or limitations in physical and psychological aspects perceived by patients after hysterectomy. The health care provider must be aware of these potentially problematic issues to provide competent health care.
Measuring the Reliability of Methods and Algorithms for Route Choice Set Generation: Empirical Evidence from a Survey in the Naples Metropolitan Area
Authors: Simonelli Fulvio , Tinessa Fiore , Buonocore Ciro , Pagliara Francesca 
Published: June 2020

Background:
Route choice set definition is a very sensitive phase of the route choice simulation. Several heuristics, generally based on shortest path algorithm repetition, give as output choice sets that are very large, lading to questions about their behavioural consistency.

Objective:
This paper proposes a comparison of the main route choice set generation methods, contrasting the results of the commonly implemented heuristics with the revealed choice sets of a sample of employees and students moving within the Metropolitan Area of Naples.

Methods:
We described the data collection process and provided a statistical analysis of the sample data. In addition, since coverage measures and performance indicators, usually applied in the literature, do not take into account any possible biases related to the generated choice set cardinality. The current work proposes an analysis of the coverage of routes that are generated by the heuristics towards the revealed routes.

Results:
We observed that when the heuristics did not provide overlapped routes, although giving higher network coverage, they introduced a higher number of links not belonging to any observed route. In general, this may cause significant network loading errors. Therefore, the quality of a method for choice set generation should be measured as a function of the trade-off amongst network coverage and network loading bias due to excessive cardinality of the generated choice-sets.

Conclusion:
We found the randomization method, which is also less computational demanding, provided the best trade-off amongst network coverage and network loading bias
Prediction of Shear Strength of Soil Using Direct Shear Test and Support Vector Machine Model
Authors: Ly Hai-Bang , Pham Binh Thai 
Published: June 2020

Background:Shear strength of soil, the magnitude of shear stress that a soil can maintain, is an important factor in geotechnical engineering.Objective:The main objective of this study is dedicated to the development of a machine learning algorithm, namely Support Vector Machine (SVM) to predict the shear strength of soil based on 6 input variables such as clay content, moisture content, specific gravity, void ratio, liquid limit and plastic limit.Methods:An important number of experimental measurements, including more than 500 samples was gathered from the Long Phu 1 power plant project’s technical reports. The accuracy of the proposed SVM was evaluated using statistical indicators such as the coefficient of correlation (R), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE) over a number of 200 simulations taking into account the random sampling effect. Finally, the most accurate SVM model was used to interpret the prediction results due to Partial Dependence Plots (PDP).Results:Validation results showed that SVM model performed well for prediction of soil shear strength (R = 0.9 to 0.95), and the moisture content, liquid limit and plastic limit were found as the three most affecting features to the prediction of soil shear strength.Conclusion:This study might help in quick and accurate prediction of soil shear strength for practical purposes in civil engineering.
The Utility of New Biomarker-based Predictive Model for Clinical Outcomes Among ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Petyunina Olga V. , Kopytsya Mykola P. , Berezin Alexander E. 
Published: June 2020

Aim:

To determine the discriminative potency of score to prognosticate poor clinical outcomes in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients.

Methods:
From the entire population of STEMI (n=268), we enrolled 177 individuals with acute STEMI who underwent complete revascularization with primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Clinical assessment, echocardiography, Doppler, and biomarkers’ measure were performed at baseline.

Results:
Combined endpoint (Major Cardiovascular Events - MACEs [composite of cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction, newly diagnosed Heart Failure] and hospitalization) was determined in 75 patients with acute STEMI population (40.6%). Newly onset heart failure (HF) was reported in 46 patients (26.0%), Cardiovascular (CV) death occurred in 12 patients (6.8%), MACEs were determined in 58 patients (32.8%), and recurrent hospitalization due to CV reasons was found in 17 (9.6%). The conventional risk predictive models were engineered by a combination of TIMI risk score +acute HF Killip class ≥ II + the levels of NT-pro brain natriuretic peptide > 300 pg / mL and troponin >0.05 ng/mL. We developed a new predictive model based on the presentation of T786С genotype of endothelial NO syntase gene (rs 2070744), А1166С in angiotensin-ІІ receptor-1 gene (rs5186) and serum levels of soluble suppressor tumorigenicity ≥35 pg/mL, vascular endothelial growth factor ≤172 pg/mL and macrophage inhibitory factor ≥2792.7 pg/mL. STEMI patients who had >5 score points demonstrated significantly worse prognosis than those who had ≤5 score points.

Conclusion:
Here we have reported that a new original predictive model is better than a conventional model in discriminative ability to predict combined clinical outcome in STEMI patients.
Understanding Mass Persuasion and Propaganda in Malaysian Newspaper Crime Images using the Model of Jowet and Donnell Model
Authors: Zahari Farihan , Alias Aidah , Azahari Mustaffa Halabi 
Published: June 2020

Propaganda and persuasion are synonymous with media at present, a form of communication that used and found in the media: television, internet, radio, newspapers, magazines, and so on. This research focuses on Crime Image in Malaysian Primetime Newspaper. This paper's objective is to understand the Mass Persuasion and propaganda in Malaysian Newspaper: Crime images by using the Jowett and Donnell models as a guideline. Persuasion and propaganda are two essential elements in a criminal image that is displayed in the newspaper as can to attract the attention and interest of society and its general readers. In conclusion; this paper is to gather information and to understand the Mass Persuasion and propaganda in Malaysian Newspaper: Crime images by using the Jowett and Donnell models as a guideline.
Keywords: Mass Persuasion, Propaganda, Crime Image, Jowett and Donnell Model.
eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5iSI1.2310
Pemantauan gizi dengan SMS reminder efektif meningkatkan kepatuhan diet pasien hemodialisis
Authors: Widiany Fery Lusviana , Afriani Yuni 
Published: June 2020

Nutritional monitoring with SMS reminder is effective to increase the dietary compliance of hemodialysis patientsBackground: Patients with routine hemodialysis are at risk of malnutrition, inadequate intake of protein, hypoalbuminemia, gastrointestinal disorders. One of the factors affecting dietary compliance is knowledge so that the education and nutrition monitoring on an ongoing basis is necessary. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of nutrition monitoring with SMS reminders on dietary compliance of hemodialysis patients.Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study that involved 30 regular hemodialysis patients, divided into two groups. The inclusion criteria were aged >18 years, willing to become respondent and following the procedure, have a handphone, able to read and write. Patients with anasarca edema and complications of malignancy disease were excluded. The independent variable is nutritional monitoring with SMS reminders, while the dependent variable is dietary compliance. Data were statistically analyzed using the Chi-Square test and multiple logistic regression test. Results: Statistical analysis showed that nutritional monitoring with SMS reminder effectively influences the compliance on the consumption of energy (p=0.011, RR=2.750), fluid (p=0.014, RR=2.000), and potassium (p=0.011, RR=2.750). The compliance on the consumption of fluid is the most dominant factor affected by nutrition monitoring with SMS reminders given (B=3.676, p=0.02).Conclusions: Nutritional monitoring with SMS reminders is effective to increase the dietary compliance of hemodialysis patients.