bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of thermal stratification and storms on acoustic telemetry detection efficiency: a year-long test in the US Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight
Authors: O'Brien Michael Henry Patrick , Secor David Hallock 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The detection efficiency of ultrasonic transmitters is seasonally variable, requiring long-term studies to evaluate key environmental features that mask, alter speed, bend, or reflect transmissions. The US Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight shelf is characterized by a strong summer thermocline capping remnant winter water, known as the Cold Pool, and a well-mixed water column in other seasons. To investigate the effects of interactions between temperature stratification and storm-induced noise on transmission detectability, we conducted a year-long range test in the bottom waters of the US Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight. We used generalized additive models and cross-validation to develop and evaluate a predictive model of detection efficiency and visualize variability in detection distance throughout the year of deployment.Results: The most-predictive model utilized the interaction between temperature stratification and ambient noise, predicting that stratification results in a 54% increase in detectability and 56% increase in detection distance. The model had an overall error rate of 16.3% and an 18.7% error at a distance of 800 m, predicting 9% detectability when the water column was not stratified and 63% when the difference between surface and bottom temperatures was greater than 4.6 °C. The distance at 50% detectability increased with the formation of the Cold Pool during spring, shifting from 559 ± 149 m to 872 ± 81 m over 3 days. All seasons were associated with storm-induced reductions in overall detectability and distance at 50% detectability.Conclusion: Thermal stratification within the Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight increases bottom water ultrasonic transmitter detection distance and reduces the impact of surface noise associated with large storms. This effect leads to a seasonal increase in detection distance from the late-spring through the summer. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report and quantify an increase in detection range as a result of temperature stratification, likely due to placing transmitters and receivers on the same side of a strong thermocline.
New oral anticoagulants combined with antiplatelet therapy in the treatment of coronary heart disease: an updated meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Leiling , Hu Jiahui , Wang Yating , Lei Hao , Xu Danyan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Objective New oral anticoagulants (NOACs) combined with antiplatelet therapy for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may reduce ischemic events, but there is no consensus on bleeding risk. Moreover, the effect of NOACs on stable coronary artery disease (CAD) needs to be elucidated. We conducted a meta-analysis, to summarize the efficacy and safety of NOACs combined with antiplatelet therapy in the treatment of stable CAD and ACS.Methods We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, then performed a systematic review of all 17 randomized controlled trials.Results For patients with stable CAD, rivaroxaban combined with antiplatelet therapy significantly reduced the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) (risk ratio; 95% confidence interval: 0.88; 0.81–0.95) and ischemic stroke (0.62; 0.50–0.77), with a relatively low risk of major bleeding (1.72; 1.42–2.07). For patients with ACS, the combination of NOACs could reduce the risk of MACEs (0.91; 0.85–0.97), myocardial infarction (MI) (0.90; 0.83–0.98) and ischemic stroke (0.75; 0.58–0.97), accompanied by increased non–fatal bleeding events and intracranial hemorrhage (3.42; 1.76–6.65). Results were similar when restricting the analysis to phase III studies except for the rate of stroke in patients with ACS.Conclusions Combination therapy can reduce the incidence of MI in ACS patients, but the risk of bleeding from intracranial hemorrhaging outweighs the benefit of MACEs driven by MI. That is due to combination therapy having no positive impact on mortality, thus the benefit-risk balance may be more favorable with patients with stable CAD.
Corticosteroids treatment in severe patients with COVID-19: a propensity score matching study
Authors: Chen Qian , Song Yang , Wang Lu , Han Lu , Zhang Yipeng , Liu Jingru , Yang Mengyu , Ma Jingdong , Wang Tao 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Objectives Explore the efficacy of corticosteroid treatment in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and the association between corticosteroid use and patient mortality.Methods A retrospective investigation was made on the medical records of the patients with severe and critical patients with COVID-19 pneumonia from January to February 2020. First, the patients who received corticosteroid treatment were compared with patients without given corticosteroid treatment. Then a propensity score matching method was used to control confounding factors. Cox survival regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of corticosteroid therapy on the mortality of severe and critical patients with COVID-19.Results A total of 371 severe and critical patients were enrolled in our statistics. 209 patients were treated with corticosteroid therapy. Most of them were treated with methylprednisolone (197[94.3%]). The median corticosteroid therapy was applied 3(IQR 2–6) days after admission, 13(IQR 10–17) days after symptoms appeared. Temperature on admission(OR = 1.255,[95%CI 1.021–1.547],p = 0.032), ventilation(OR = 1.926,[95%CI 1.148–3.269],p = 0.014) and ICU admission(OR = 3.713, [95%CI 1.776–8.277],p < 0.001) were significantly associated with corticosteroids use. After PS matching, the cox regression survival analysis showed that corticosteroid use was significantly associated with a lower mortality rate (HR = 0.592, [95%CI 0.406–0.862], p = 0.006).Conclusion Corticosteroid therapy use in severe and critical patients with COVID-19 pneumonia leads to lower mortality but may cause other side effects. Corticosteroid therapy should be used carefully.
Transcranial Doppler combined with quantitative electroencephalography brain function monitoring for estimating the prognosis of patients with posterior circulation cerebral infarction
Authors: Cao Yanting , Song Xiaonan , Wang Lijuan , Qi Yajie , Chen Ying , Xing Yingqi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Posterior circulation cerebral infarction (PCCI) leads to decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF) and metabolism. Neural activity is closely related to regional CBF both spatially and temporally. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) combined with quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) can evaluate neurovascular coupling and involves synergy between the metabolic and vascular systems. This study aimed to monitor brain function using TCD-QEEG and estimate its efficacy in predicting the prognosis of patients with PCCI.Methods: We used TCD-QEEG to perform quantitative brain function monitoring; we recorded the related clinical variables simultaneously. The data were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the cut-off for the diastolic flow velocity (VD) and (delta+theta)/(alpha+beta) ratio (DTABR). The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was calculated to assess the predictive validity of the study variables. Results: Forty patients (aged 63.7±9.9 years; 30 men) were assessed. Mortality at 90 days was 40%. The TCD indicators of VD (hazards ratio [HR] 0.168, confidence interval [CI] 0.047–0.597, p=0.006), and QEEG indicators of DTABR (HR 12.527, CI 1.637–95.846, p=0.015) were the independent predictors of the clinical outcomes. The AUROC after the combination of VD and DTABR was 0.896 and showed better predictive accuracy than the Glasgow Coma Scale score (0.75), VD (0.76), and DTABR (0.781; all p<0.05).Conclusion: TCD-QEEG provides a good understanding of the coupling mechanisms in the brain and can improve our ability to predict the prognosis of patients with PCCI.
Gallbladder cancer-associated fibroblasts promote vasculogenic mimicry formation and tumor growth of gallbladder cancers via upregulating the expression of NOX4, a poor prognosis factor, through activating IL-6-JAK-STAT3 signal pathway
Authors: Pan Musu , Wang Hui , Ansari Kamar Hasan , Li Xin-Ping , Sun Wei , Fan Yue-Zu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) play important roles in the occurrence and development of tumors. However, the relationship between CAFs and VM formation, especially in gallbladder cancer (GBC) has not been clarified. In this study, we investigated whether gallbladder CAFs (GCAFs) can promote VM formation and tumor growth and explored the underlying molecular mechanism.Methods A co-culture system of human GBC cells and fibroblasts or HUVECs was established. VM formation, proliferation, invasion, migration, tube formation assays, CD31-PAS double staining, optic/electron microscopy and tumor xenograft assay were used to detect VM formation and malignant phenotypes of 3-D co-culture matrices in vitro, as well as the VM formation and tumor growth of xenografts in vivo, respectively. Microarray analysis was used to analyze gene expression profile in GCAFs/NFs and VM (+)/VM (-) in vitro. QRT-PCR, western blotting, IHC and CIF were used to detected NOX4 expression in GCAFs/NFs, 3-D culture/co-culture matrices in vitro, the xenografts in vivo and human gallbladder tissue/stroma samples. The correlation between NOX4 expression and clinicopathological and prognostic factors of GBC patients was analyzed. And, the underlying molecular mechanism of GCAFs promoting VM formation and tumor growth in GBC was explored.Results GCAFs promote VM formation and tumor growth in GBC; and the finding was confirmed by facts that GCAFs induced proliferation, invasion, migration and tube formation of GBC cells in vitro, and promoted VM formation and tumor growth of xenografts in vivo. NOX4 is highly expressed in GBC and its stroma, which is the key gene for VM formation, and is correlated with tumor aggression and survival of GBC patients. The GBC patients with high NOX4 expression in tumor cells and stroma have a poor prognosis. The underlying molecular mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of NOX4 expression through paracrine IL-6 mediated IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway.Conclusions GCAFs promote VM formation and tumor growth in GBC via upregulating NOX4 expression through the activation of IL-6-JAK-STAT3 signal pathway. NOX4, as a VM-related gene in GBC, is over-expressed in GBC cells and GCAFs, which is related to aggression and unfavorable prognosis of GBC patients.
Chest X-ray image analysis and classification for COVID-19 pneumonia detection using Deep CNN
Authors: Gao Terry , Wang Grace 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
To speed up the discovery of COVID-19 disease mechanisms, this research developed a new diagnosis platform using a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) that is able to assist radiologists with diagnosis by distinguishing COVID-19 pneumonia from non-COVID-19 pneumonia in patients at Middlemore Hospital based on chest X-ray classification and analysis. Such a tool can save time in interpreting chest X-rays and increase the accuracy and thereby enhance our medical capacity for the detection and diagnosis of COVID-19. The research idea is that a set of X-ray medical lung images (which include normal, infected by bacteria, infected by virus including COVID-19) were used to train a deep CNN that can distinguish between the noise and the useful information and then uses this training to interpret new images by recognizing patterns that indicate certain diseases such as coronavirus infection in the individual images. The supervised learning method is used as the process of learning from the training dataset and can be thought of as a doctor supervising the learning process. It becomes more accurate as the number of analyzed images grows. In this way, it imitates the training for a doctor, but the theory is that since it is capable of learning from a far larger set of images than any human, it can have the potential of being more accurate.
Proteomic Analysis of the Protective Effect of Early Heat Exposure Against Chronic Heat Stress in Broilers
Authors: Kang Darae , Shim Kwan Seob 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

BackgroundThe increasing trend of global warming has affected the livestock industry through the heat stress caused to the animals. Among them, poultry are the most susceptible to heat stress, which results in serious production problems. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms related to the thermal reactions and thermal resistance in poultry would be helpful toward resolving the production issues. In this study, whole proteome analysis was carried out to identify differentially expressed proteins in the liver tissue of broilers under chronic heat stress (35℃/24 h, each day between the broiler ages of 21–35 days). Additionally, the effect of early heat exposure (40℃/24 h, for 1 day only on chicks at 5 days of age) was determined.ResultsIn total, 277 differentially expressed proteins due to chronic heat stress were identified (132 downregulated and 145 upregulated). Of those, 95 proteins were regulated by early heat exposure (42 downregulated and 53 upregulated during chronic heat stress). Of the 95 proteins, 8 were related to actin metabolism. According to the KEGG analysis, the proteins were mainly involved in pathways for carbon metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism. Under chronic heat stress, the proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism were expressed in such a way as to promote the metabolism of carbohydrates, which is the natural means to reduce body temperature but may well induce cell damage.ConclusionEarly heat exposure reduced the heat stress-induced expression changes of select proteins, indicating the adaptability of the animal to chronic heat stress. The determination of the differentially expressed proteins in the liver proteome under chronic heat stress and early heat exposure suggests that the liver of broilers has various physiological mechanisms for regulating homeostasis to aid heat resistance.
Immune Response and Hemolymph Microbiota of Apis Mellifera and Apis Cerana After the Challenge With Recombinant Varroa Toxic Protein
Authors: Balakrishnan Balachandar , Wu Hua , Cao Li , Zhang Yi , Li Wenfeng , Han Richou 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The honeybee is a significant crop pollinator and key model insect for understanding social behavior, disease transmission, and development. The ectoparasitic Varroa destructor mite put threats on the honeybee industry. A Varroa toxic protein (VTP) from the saliva of Varroa mites contributes to the toxicity toward Apis cerana and the DWV elevation in Apis mellifera. However, the immune response and hemolymph microbiota of honeybee species after the injection of recombinant VTP has not yet been reported.Methods: In this study, both A. cerana and A. mellifera worker larvae were injected with the recombinant VTP. Then the expressions of the honeybee immune genes abaecin, defensin and domeless at three time points were determined by qRT-PCR, and hemolymph microbial community were analyzed by culture-dependent method, after recombinant VTP injection. Results: The mortality rates of A. cerana larvae were much higher than those of A. mellifera larvae after VTP challenge. VTP injection induced the up-regulation of defensin gene expression in A. mellifera larvae, and higher levels of abaecin and domeless mRNAs response in A. cerana larvae, compared with the control (without any injection). PBS injection also upregulated the expression levels of abaecin, defensin, and domeless in A. mellifera and A. cerana larvae. Three bacterial species (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus cohnii and Bacillus cereus) were isolated from the hemolymph of A. cerana larvae after VTP injection and at 48 h after PBS injections. Two bacterial species (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Staphylococcus aureus) were isolated from A. mellifera larvae after VTP challenge. No bacterial colonies were detected from the larval hemolymph of both honeybee species treated by injection only and the control. Conclusion: The result indicates that abaecin, defensin, and domeless genes and hemolymph microbiota respond to the VTP challenge. VTP injection might induce the dramatic growth of different bacterial species in the hemolymph of the injected larvae of A. mellifera and A. cerana, which provide cues for further studying the interactions among the honeybee, VTP and hemolymph bacteria.
A Deep Neural Network for Gait Classification Based on Inertial Sensors in Post-Stroke Patients
Authors: Wang Fu-Cheng , Lin Chin-Hsien , Yuan Wei , Li You-Chi , Kuo Tien-Yun , Chen Po-Yin , Fu Li-Chen 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Stroke survivors usually experience partial disability, due to abnormal gaits, which vary widely and require tailored rehabilitation programs. However, most gait classifications are based mainly on clinical assessments, which can be influenced by the therapist’s experience. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are devices that combine accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect movement. IMUs have been successfully used for assessing gait characteristics. Here, we aimed to develop a Deep Neural Network (DNN) model that incorporated information from a motion capture system and multi-labeling IMUs information. This DNN was developed to recognize individual gait patterns in patients affected by stroke to facilitate the design of suitable rehabilitation strategies and promote functional recovery.Methods: We recruited ten patients, aged 20–75 years, with a first-ever, unilateral, ischemic stroke, which caused mild to moderate leg paresis 4 weeks after stroke and ten neurologically normal healthy controls. We applied a motion capture system integrated with multi-label IMUs to acquire the gait information. The motion capture system measured gait information by detecting movement of LED markers attached to each participant. In addition, the IMUs were attached to each participant’s lower limbs to measure kinematic data. These measurements were then applied to the development of a DNN model that could recognize gait characteristics in patients after a stroke and in normal controls.Results: The DNN model achieved an average accuracy of 98.28% in differentiating the stroke gait from the normal gait. Among patients with stroke, the DNN model had an average accuracy of 96.86% in classifying the gait abnormality as either a drop-foot gait or a circumduction gait. We also applied a publicly available dataset, the Physical Activity Monitoring Data Set, which contained IMU information from another independent set of participants to validate our DNN model. We found an average accuracy of 98.60%.Conclusions: We developed a DNN model based on integrated information from a motion capture system and multi-label IMU inputs. This model might assist clinicians and therapists in identifying abnormal gaits more accurately and in applying suitable training programs within the “golden time window” of rehabilitation, after the onset of stroke.
Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Ti3SiC2/Al2O3 and Ti3SiC2-TiC/Al2O3 Composite Ceramics by Modifying Al2O3 Content Via in-situ Synthesized
Authors: Ji Jun , Wang Xuye , Yu Jinman , Li Qinggang , Wang Zhi , Shi Guopu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Ti3SiC2/Al2O3 and Ti3SiC2-TiC/Al2O3 composite ceramics with various Al2O3 fractions were prepared by Ti, Si, Al, TiC and Al2O3 powers via in-situ reaction. Al2O3 contents in raw materials could influence the reaction process of Ti3SiC2 generated. It would lead to react completely when the Al2O3 volume percentage between 50% to 70%, otherwise TiC as an impurity would be found. Finally the Ti3SiC2/Al2O3 composites with 54.4 wt% Ti3SiC2, and Ti3SiC2-TiC/Al2O3 composites with 54.7 wt% Ti3SiC2 and 9.2 wt% TiC were fabricated successfully. There were two types of TiC existed in composites, called intragranular and intergranular particles. The Ti3SiC2-TiC/Al2O3 composite ceramics with 9.2 wt% TiC showed the higher mechanical properties than Ti3SiC2/Al2O3 composite. From the analyzing of microcrack propagation paths, the dispersed TiC particles as reinforcement agents would cause significant crack deflection, improving the flexural strength and fracture toughness up to 492 MPa and 7.8 MPa.m1/2 respectively.
Deworming Women of Reproductive Age During Adolescence and Pregnancy: What is the Impact on Morbidity From Soil-transmitted Helminths Infection?
Authors: Vegvari Carolin , Giardina Federica , Bajaj Sumali , Malizia Veronica , Hardwick Robert J. , Truscott James , Montresor Antonio , de Vlas Sake , Coffeng Luc , Anderson Roy 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are a major cause of poor health in low- and middle-income countries. In particular, hookworm is known to cause anaemia in children and women of reproductive age (WRA). One goal of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 roadmap for neglected tropical diseases is to reduce STH-related morbidity in WRA. As a minimal intervention the WHO recommends deworming adolescent girls annually during human papilloma virus vaccination programmes and women of reproductive age (WRA) during pregnancy and lactation. These routine interventions are low cost can be implemented even from the most basic health services in endemic countries. In this study we use a cohort model to investigate the potential impact on STH-related morbidity in WRA.Results: We find that annual deworming of adolescent girls reduces morbidity in a similar way treatment programmes for pre-school-age and school-age children (pSAC and SAC). Treatment of WRA during pregnancy and lactation on its own has a small but significant effect on morbidity although it does not achieve the morbidity target (<2% moderate-to-high intensity infections) in this age group. However, depending on the age-intensity profile of infection, which may vary geographically, and assumptions on the density-dependence of egg production by fertilised female worms, continued school-based treatment may be able to reduce the force of infection acting on WRA, both through an indirect effect on the overall population based force of infection and via reducing the burden of infection as children age and move into the WRA age classes. As a result, morbidity in WRA may be eliminated.Conclusion: While deworming during pregnancy and lactation does not achieve the morbidity target in WRA and its efficacy may vary by setting, it is still expected to be beneficial for maternity and child health. Monitoring of any WRA-based intervention is recommended to evaluate its effectiveness.