bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PLGA/COL I Composite Scaffold Printed by a Low-temperature Deposition Manufacturing Technique for Application to Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Authors: Peng Liangquan , He Yong , Zhu Weimin , Lu Wei , Huang Yong , Long Lujue , Deng Zhenhan , Xiao Wenfeng , Wang Daping 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

Composite scaffolds of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and PLGA/COL I were developed by a low-temperature deposition manufacturing (LDM) technique using three-dimensional printing technology. Their physical properties were tested, and the scaffolds were then used as cell culture platforms to prepare an ideal scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.
Methods

The LDM technique was used to fabricate PLGA and PLGA/COL I composite scaffolds. The macrostructure, micromorphology, porosity, hydrophobicity, mechanical properties, and chemical structure of these scaffolds were examined. Primary chondrocytes were isolated and identified, second-passage cells were seeded onto the two scaffolds, and the adhesion and proliferation of the cells were determined.
Results

Both the PLGA and PLGA/COL I scaffolds prepared by LDM displayed a regular three-dimensional structure with high porosity. The PLGA scaffold had better mechanical properties than the PLGA/COL I scaffold, while the latter had significantly higher hydrophilicity than the former. The PLGA/COL I scaffold cultured with chondrocytes exhibited a higher adhesion rate and proliferation rate than the PLGA/COL I scaffold.
Conclusion

The novel PLGA/COL I composite scaffold printed by the LDM technique exhibited favourable biocompatibility and biomechanical characteristics and could be a good candidate for cartilage tissue engineering.
Targeting tumor microenvironment: Metformin suppresses IL-22 induced hepatocellular carcinoma by upregulating Hippo signaling pathway
Authors: Zhao Dong , Zhou Tao , Luo Yi , Wang Chenchen , Xu Dongwei , Zhong Chengpeng , Zhang Jianjun , Xia Qiang 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
BackgroundEpidemiological studies have shown direct associations between type 2 diabetes and the risk of cancers. Accumulating evidence indicates that metformin is profoundly implicated in preventing tumor development. However, the exact mechanism underlying the anti-tumor effects of metformin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still not clear. MethodsIn this study, we investigated the effects of metformin on a mouse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model and interleukin-22 (IL-22)-associated carcinogenesis in vitro.ResultsWe found that metformin significantly suppressed the incidence and tumor burden of HCC in the diethyl-nitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC mouse model. As expected, expression of IL-22, an important factor involved in HCC progression, was markedly reduced by metformin. Treatment of HCC cells with metformin inhibited IL-22 induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis. Furthermore, ectopic expression of IL-22 makes HCC more aggressive whereas metformin largely compromised it in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the whole transcriptome analysis and functional analysis revealed that Hippo signaling pathway was involved in the anti-tumor ability of metformin. Consistent with this, metformin directly activated Mst1/2, phosphorylated YAP1 in vitro. After blocking Hippo pathway by XMU-MP-1, the inhibitor of MST1/2, the inhibitory effects by metformin were dramatically attenuated as shown by in vitro study.ConclusionsCollectively, our findings illuminate a new regulatory mechanism, metformin activates Hippo signaling pathway to regulate IL-22 mediated HCC progression and provide new insights into its tumor-suppressive roles.
Haptoglobin 1-1 is Associated with Larger Carotid Plaque Volume Among Elderly with Type 2 Diabetes: The IDCD Study.
Authors: Botvin Chen , Haratz Salo , Ravona-Springer Ramit , Heymann Anthony , Levy Andrew , Beeri Michal Schnaider , Tanne David 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background and aims: The haptoglobin (Hp) genotype (Hp 1-1, 1-2, or 2-2) is associated with type 2 diabetes complications. The Hp2-2 genotype has been linked to elevated CHD risk while the 1-1 genotype has been recently related to cerebral small vessel disease. This study investigated whether Hp phenotype is associated with carotid atherosclerotic structure and function among type 2 diabetes elderly patients participating in the Israel Diabetes and Cognitive Decline (IDCD) study. Methods: IDCD participants (n=472) underwent a battery of carotid atherosclerosis ultrasound assessments with measurements of carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), distensibility, elastography, and carotid plaque volume. Ordinal regression models adjusting for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors assessed the associations of categorical measures of carotid plaque volume with Hp phenotype . Logistic regression models were used to assess the association of Hp phenotype with impaired cIMT, carotid distensibility and elastography. Results: Participants averaged 76.4±4.4 years old, 42% were female, mean HbA1c was 6.7±0.7% (50±7.7 mmol/mol). Hp phenotype distribution was 46 (10.4%) Hp 1-1, 186 (40.7%) Hp 2-1 and 209 (45.7%) Hp 2-2 carriers. Carotid plaque volume was categorized into 4 groups: including no plaque (n=128) and tertiles of plaque volume: small plaque (volume ≤122 mm3, n=110), medium plaque (volume 122-273 mm3, n=106) and large plaque (volume≥274 mm3, n=104). The prevalence of Hp 1-1 phenotype increased with greater carotid plaque volume (6.5%, 10.6%, 8.8% and 16.5% in the no, small, medium, and large plaque groups respectively; p=0.027). Compared to Hp-1 carriers, non-carriers (i.e. Hp 2-1 and Hp 2-2) had approximately 30% lower risk for large carotid plaque volume, as estimated using ordinal regression (OR: 0.713 [0.496, 1.03], 0.694 [0.484, 0.997] for Hp 2-1, Hp 2-2 respectively). No associations were found between Hp phenotype and level of carotid stenosis, cIMT, carotid distensibility and carotid elastography.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that among non-demented elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, the Haptoglobin 1-1 phenotype is associated with greater carotid atherosclerosis. These findings add evidence for the involvement of the Hp 1-1 phenotype in the pathophysiology of cerebrovascular disease.
Association of Common Available Blood cell indices With Rapid Kidney Function Decline in General Population
Authors: Cheng Yichun , He Meian , Zhang Nanhui , Xu Gang , Ge Shuwang 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Blood cell morphology analysis is commonly used in clinic practice. The association of common available blood cell indices with rapid kidney function decline in general population is unknown. Methods: Participants with complete data of blood cell indices and eGFR≥60 ml/min/1.73m2 from Dongfeng-Tongji cohort were enrolled. Rapid kidney function decline was defined as a ≥25% decrease in eGFR from baseline. 16 common available blood cell indices were included and logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders was used to assess if these blood cell indices were related to rapid kidney function decline.Results: A total of 9026 participants were enrolled in our study, 345 (3.8%) participants experienced a ≥25% eGFR decrease from baseline after 5 years follow-up. High red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, monocyte count tended to be related to low kidney function at baseline. After adjustment for a set of potential confounders, low hemoglobin, high platelet count and high monocyte count were significantly associated with rapid kidney function decline.Conclusions: we presented low hemoglobin, high monocyte and high platelet count as predictors of rapid kidney function decline in general population. Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanism.
Role of Socio-demographic, Lifestyle, Psychological and Anthropometric Parameters on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among Mashad Cohort Study Population
Authors: Asadi Zahra , Ghazizadeh Hamideh , Yaghooti Mahdieh , Bijari Moniba , Khedmatgozar Hamed , Dabagh Ali Ebrahimi , Mohammadi Mohammad Amin , Fazl Mohammad Reza , Kadkhoda-Ahmadi Shadi , Moazedi Sara , Rastegar-Moghadam Arezoo , Zare-Feyzabadi Reza , Sadabadi Fatemeh , Darroudi Susan , Esmaily Habibollah , Tayefi Maryam , Moohebati Mohsen , Heidari-Bakavoli Alireza , Ferns Gordon A. , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Introduction:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and one of the main challenges for health systems worldwide. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of socio-demographic, lifestyle, psychological factors, anthropometric measurements, and presence of underlying diseases in CVD progression among a subpopulation of Iranian adults.
Methods

A total of 235 CVD patients were enrolled. The control group also included healthy and non-symptomatic individuals (n = 8405). Health and lifestyle questionnaires, the Beck’s anxiety inventory (BAI), Beck’s depression inventory (BDI) and the James and Schofield human energy requirements equations were completed for all participants. Anthropometric measurements were also evaluated in all subjects.
Results

After six years of follow-up, we found that there were significant positive correlations between CVD risk and age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), diabetes mellitus (DM) and family history (FH) of CVD in both genders; though, there was a significant negative correlation between physical activity level (PAL) and risk of CVD among men and women. Also hypertension (HTN), metabolic syndrome (MS), depression and anxiety were positively and higher education level was negatively associated with CVD events only in females. While, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was an independent predictor of CVD among males.
Conclusion

There are several modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that were independently considered as CVD predictors among the MASHAD study population. It is recommended that the lifestyle modifications, development of local risk calculators and gender-related stratified strategies should be prioritized in order to prevent and manage CVD among the Iranian population.
A Survey On The Health of Vietnamese Individuals Living in Japan Under a Declared State of Emergency Due to COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Ito Tomoo 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
BackgroundWith the outbreak of COVID-19, Japan declared a state of emergency on April 7, 2020, and certain social measures were taken, including requests for store closures. In recent years, before the outbreak, Japan has been implementing policies to expand the acceptance of foreign students and technical interns from overseas, mainly from middle-income countries to meet the challenges of a declining birthrate, an aging society, and a declining population. Because of said policies, the number of Vietnamese nationalities living in Japan has surged to more than 400,000. However, some reports mentioned the hardships experienced by these individuals in Japanese society. It is not clear what their health-related situation and living conditions are actually like under the COVID-19 epidemic. MethodThe application Facebook, which is frequently used by Vietnamese people, was used to solicit research participants and obtain their responses on a structured questionnaire asking about their present health-related situations changes in the living environment in COVID-19 via Google Form.Result196 Vietnamese residents in Japan responded to the survey. The 25.4% of respondents have some kind of health problem, of which 14.2% have a mental problem and 5.6% have Symptoms of suspected COVID-19 infection were present. The 50% of these respondents chose a counseling center to deal with the symptoms of suspected COVID-19, which follows the Japanese policy direction. In fact, more than 80% of respondents said that they feel difficulty in visiting a medical institution in Japan, with problems being anxiously of medical cost and the language barrier given that most of the individuals are students and apprentices with short tenures in Japan. Furthermore, 65.8% is dissatisfied with Japanese measures against COVID-19. A total of 53.5% experienced income reduction and 27.0% experienced housing environment deterioration after COVID-19 epidemic. ConclusionIt is necessary to grasp the current situation of Vietnamese people living in Japan, since they are considered to be a vulnerable group in an emergency environment, and to take appropriate measures to aid in their predicament as soon as possible.
Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma in inguinal region:a case report and literature review
Authors: Wang Lei , Yuan Maoling , Zhang Feng , Wang Haitao , Lu Qicheng , Jiang Yong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare fibrous tumor in soft tissues. Case presentation: A 25-year-old patient was admitted to our hospital for "more than two years with a mass in the left inguinal region". During the operation, rapid pathological examination and frozen section microscopy supported that the mass may be a low-grade mesenchymal tumor. Therefore, the surrounding tissues were resected correspondingly, Pathological diagnosis: low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma in the inguinal region.Conclusions: Combined with literature analysis, the diagnosis of LGFMS mainly depends on pathological diagnosis, and surgical resection is the most effective treatment.
Development of new technology for coal gasification purification and research on the formation mechanism of pollutants
Authors: Zheng Shu , Shi Yixiang , Wang Zhiqi , Liu Gang , Zhou Huaichun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Coal-fired power generation is the main source of CO2 emission in China. To solve the problem of efficiency decline and cost increase caused by CO2 capture of coal-fired power generation, Prof. Peng (Peng and Han 2009) proposed an integrated gasification fuel cell (IGFC) power generation technology. The interaction mechanism of coal gasification purification, fuel cell and other components need to be further study in the IGFC. To develop new technology for coal gasification and purification, we studied gasification reaction characteristics of ultrafine coal particles, ash melting characteristics and effects on coal gasification reaction, the formation mechanism of pollutants and developed an elevated temperature pressure swing adsorption rig for H2S and CO2 simultaneous removal. The results show that the Miura-Maki model appropriate to perform gasification kinetics of Shenhua bituminous coal and the predicted DTG curves fit the experimental data well. The designed 8-6-1 cycle procedure can effectively remove CO2 and H2S simultaneously, and the removal rate is over 99.9%. In addition, the transition metal oxides used as mercury removal adsorbents in coal gasification syngas has great potential. The technique presented in this paper can improve the gasification efficiency and reduce the formation of pollutants for IGFC.
BMP4 overexpression induces upregulation of APP/TAU and memory deficits in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqing , Li Juan , Ma Li , Xu Hui , Cao Yun , Liang Wei , Ma Jia , Wang Peter zhiwei , Li Yuyun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic progressive degenerative disease of the nervous system. Its pathogenesis is complex, which is related to abnormal expression of the amyloid b-protein (Ab), APP, and TAU protein. Evidence has demonstrated that bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is highly expressed in transgenic mouse models of AD, and endogenous level of BMP4 mainly affects hippocampal function.Methods: To determine whether BMP4 participates in AD development, transgenic mice were constructed with overexpression of BMP4 under control of the neuron-specific enolase (NSE) promoter. We also performed MTT, FACS, Transfection, TUNEL and Western blotting assay to define the role of BMP4 in cells.Results: We found that middle-aged BMP4 transgenic mice exhibited memory disorder via Morris water maze experiment. Moreover, the hippocampal tissues have high expression of AD related proteins including APP, Ab, PSEN-1, TAU, P-TAU (Thr181), and P-TAU (Thr231) proteins. Furthermore, in multiple cell lines, overexpression of BMP4 increased the expression of AD related proteins, whereas downregulation of BMP4 demonstrated opposed effects. Consistently, BMP4 modulation participated in cell apoptosis via regulation of BAX and Bcl-2 expression in cells. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that BMP4 overexpression might be a potential factor to induce AD.
Fast Hypothermia Induced by Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Alleviates Renal and Intestinal Injury after Cardiac Arrest in Swine
Authors: Xu Jiefeng , Shi Lin , Wang Jiangang , Wu Chunshuang , Chen Qijiang , Jin Xiaohong , Zhang Jungen , Zhang Mao 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Renal and intestinal damage lead to multiple organ dysfunction and death after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and can be partly mitigated by therapeutic hypothermia. Currently, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was demonstrated to be an effective way to induce hypothermia. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the influence of CRRT cooling on renal and intestinal damage after CPR based on a porcine model.Methods: 32 swine were subjected to ventricular fibrillation for 8 min, while defibrillation was performed at 5 min of CPR. All pigs were randomly allocated to receive CRRT (n = 9), surface cooling (SC, n = 9), normothermia (NT, n = 9) or sham control (Control, n = 5) at 5 min post resuscitation. In the CRRT group, the pigs were cooled by the combination of 8-hr CRRT and 16-hr SC, a rate of 180 ml/min of blood flow was initially set with the infusion line submerged in 4 °C of ice water. In the SC group, pigs were cooled by the 24-hr SC. As to the NT and Control groups, the temperatures were maintained at a normal range. The levels of creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) and diamine oxidase (DAO) in serum were measured at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 30h post resuscitation. Additionally, tissues of kidney and intestine were harvested, from which the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the apoptosis levels were analyzed. Results: After resuscitation, the blood temperature decreased significantly more rapidly in the CRRT group than in the SC group (9.8 ± 1.6 vs. 1.5 ± 0.4 ℃/h, P < 0.01). The levels of Cr, BUN, IFABP and DAO after resuscitation were significantly lower in the two hypothermic groups compared with the NT group. Furthermore, from pathological evidence, cooling induced by CRRT alleviated post-resuscitation renal and intestinal injury compared to SC.Conclusion: Fast hypothermia induced by continuous renal replacement therapy was superior to surface cooling in mitigating renal and intestinal injury post resuscitation.
Measles outbreak in a migrant laborer population in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic: Kathmandu, Nepal, 2020
Authors: Adhikari Biplov , Karki Sauharda Singh , Devkota Amrit , Thakur Rahul , Karki Nabina , Budhathoki Shyam Sundar 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
We describe a measles outbreak in migrant laborers working in a carpet factory in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The outbreak occurred during the nationwide lockdown enforced to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and 2 weeks after the Supplmentary Immunization Activities done for measles elimination. We included all the patients from the factory presenting to Mulpani Primary Health Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal with acute febrile rash illness. Recovered patients with history of fever and rash within the defined outbreak period with a clear epidemiological linkage were also included. Laboratory confirmation was done by detection of immunoglobulin M (IgM) in serum samples against the measles virus via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We compared attack rates (ARs) between those less than 5 years and 5 years or older. We identified 11 case patients ranging from 7 months to 27 years of age (3 below 5years of age); rash onsets were from 28 March-20 April 2020. All case-patients were laborers who had immigrated to Kathmandu from rural parts of the country. We sent serum samples of 7 patients for laboratory confirmation; 5 patients tested positive. The remaining four patients had a clear epidemiological linkage. The average attack rate was 30.5% with no significant difference between attack rates among the <5 years and the ≥5 years reported as 37.5 and 28.5 respectively. Migrant population from rural regions with poor outreach of essential health services like vaccination can act as pockets of measles susceptible individuals if not measles reservoirs. The squalid conditions in which the migrant laborers live-in can also compound the risk of outbreak in such populations. It is prudent to address the vaccination status of such population and timely correct their vaccine status if unvaccinated in order to meet the goal of measles elimination by 2023.
Sachet water consumption as a risk factor for cholera in urban settings: findings and implications from a case control study in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 2017-2018 outbreak
Authors: Mbala-Kingebeni Placide , Vogt Florian , Miwanda Berthe , Sundika Tresor , Mbula Nancy , Pankwa Isaac , Lubula Leopold , Vanlerberghe Veerle , Magazani Alain , Afoumbom Mildred , Muyembe-Tamfum Jean-Jacques 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Cholera is endemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Starting in 2016, a cholera epidemic swept through the country and in November 2017 reached the capital of Kinshasa, which had not experienced a cholera outbreak for nearly a decade. Behavioural risk factors for cholera are well established in rural and semi-urban contexts but not in densely populated mega-cities from Sub-Saharan Africa. Such information is crucial to guide context-specific control measures. We seized the outbreak in Kinshasa as an opportunity to investigate context-specific risk factors for cholera in this urban setting among a mobile population that is not frequently exposed to cholera.

Methods: We recruited 390 participants into a 1:1 age-matched case control study from three affected health zones of Kinshasa between 1 and 28 February 2018. Cases were identified from cholera treatment centre admission records, while controls were recruited from the neighbourhood of the cases’ place of residence. We collected data on socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors using standardized case report forms. We used augmented backward elimination in a conditional logistic regression model to identify risk factors, using a p-values of 0.05 as cut-off to define statistical significance.

Results: The consumption of sachet water was significantly associated with the risk of being a cholera case (p-value 0.019), which increased with increasing frequency of consumption from rarely [OR 2.223, 95% CI 0.944-5.235] to often [OR 4.031, 95% CI 1.642-9.891] to very often [OR 4.144, 95% CI 1.029-16.653]. Overall, more than 80% of all participants reported consumption of this type of drinking water. Funeral attendance and recent contact with someone suffering from diarrhoea were borderline insignificant risk factors (p-value 0.09 and 0.08, respectively). No socio-demographic characteristics were associated with the risk of cholera.

Conclusions: Drinking water consumption from sachets, which are sold informally on the streets in most Sub-Saharan African cities, should be considered as a potential route of infection during future cholera outbreaks in similar urban settings. Outbreak investigation and response need to acknowledge context-specific risk factors to remain a valuable tool in the efforts to achieve national and regional targets to reduce the burden of cholera in Africa.