bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microcirculatory effects of norepinephrine in patients with septic shock: a microdialysis study
Authors: Fatnassi Amira , Romdhani Chihebeddine , Kaabi Widd , Labbene Iheb , Hajjej Zied , Sellami Walid , Ferjani Mustapha 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: The management of septic shock requires the administration of an alpha-adrenergic drug such as norepinephrine, after optimization of the patient’s preload, to maintain adequate mean arterial pressure. Nevertheless, with optimal macrocirculatory parameters, alterations of tissue perfusion can occur. This study aimed to investigate the effect of norepinephrine dosage on microcirculation parameters, studied by microdialysis, in patients with septic shock. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study. We included all patients aged over 16 years in septic shock. We studied three groups (levosimendan, dobutamine, and control group). We administrated norepinephrine before inclusion, at stable flow for more than an hour. We performed hemodynamic monitoring of macrocirculation by echocardiography. We analyzed microcirculation parameters (lactate, pyruvate, and lactate/pyruvate ratio) every six hours during the first three days, by muscle microdialysis (CMA 600, CMA microdialysis AB, Stockholm, Sweden). We studied correlations between microcirculation parameters and norepinephrine doses.Results: We included thirty patients in the study (ten patients in each group). Demographic characteristics and mortality were comparable across the three groups. In total, we analyzed 390 samples of interstitial muscle fluid. We did not find any correlation between norepinephrine doses and the lactate concentration in the muscle, as well as the ratio of lactate/ pyruvate concentration in the muscle (p > 0.05) for all groups. We found a weak inverse correlation between norepinephrine doses and muscle pyruvate levels (p < 0.05) for the dobutamine group and the control group and but not for the levosimendan group.Conclusions: Noradrenaline dose has little effect on microcirculation when administered for hemodynamic optimization, as recommended by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign.
Pathogenic factors of Cognitive Dysfunction after liver transplantation: An observational study
Authors: Zhou Yongpeng , Huang Jun , Si Zhongzhou , Luo Sumei , Zhou Qin , Li Liwen 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Neurocognitive complications seriously affect long-term health-related quality of life in patients after liver transplantation, but what was it like during the transplant? There has been little related research,so it is very necessary to understand the changes in cognition during the perioperative period. Methods This observational study included patients with end-stage liver disease who are waiting for liver transplantation in our center. We performed the individual cognitive function investigation before and one week after successful surgery,then analyze the changes between them and further explore possible ones that cause perioperative cognitive dysfunction among several factors. Results From December 2018 to November 2019, there are 70 patients completed all the investgation. Compared with preoperative cognitive performance, 29 patients experienced deterioration, 14 patients showed significant improvement, and 27 patients remained unchanged. Multi-factor analysis results showed that, a mean arterial pressure <80 mmHg (p=0.035) during the reperfusion phase, sufentanil dosage <1.5 µg kg -1 (p=0.027), and blood transfusion volume >70 ml kg -1 (p=0.047) were closely related to early postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Conclusions The incidences of deterioration, maintenance, and improvement in cognitive function were 41.6%, 38.4%, and 20%, respectively. Massive blood transfusion, hypotension during the reperfusion phase, insufficient intra-operative analgesia, and lower anesthesia depth may be the independent pathogenic factors for deteriorated cognitive function.
Learning Curve for Minimally Invasive Oesophagectomy of Esophageal Cancer and contrast with Open Oesophagectomy
Authors: Zhao Yunpeng , Zeng Fanshuo , Mou Zongbao , Liang Xuefeng , Cong Bo , Peng Chuanliang , Zhao Xiaogang 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Purpose: Minimally invasive oesophagectomy is a technically demanding procedure; thus, the learning curve of this procedure should be explored. Then the relatively mature minimally invasive oesophagectomy procedure should be contrasted with the open procedure.
Methods: 214 consecutive patients underwent minimally invasive oesophagectomy were retrospectively reviewed. To evaluate the development of thoracoscopic-laparoscopic oesophagectomy and compare the mature minimally invasive oesophagectomy and open oesophagectomy (OE), we comprehensively studied the clinical and surgical parameters. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) plot was used to study the learning curve for systemic lymphadenectomy. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical factors affecting survival.
Results: The bleeding volume, operation time, and postoperative mortality within 3 months significantly decreased after 20 patients. The rise point for the lymph nodes dissection number was visually determined to be at patient 57 in the CUSUM plots. Patients who underwent relatively mature thoracoscopic-laparoscopic oesophagectomy had better surgical data and short-term benefits than patients who underwent an open procedure. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the maximum diameter of the tumour cross-sectional area and the number of positive nodes had a significant influence on survival.
Conclusions: The short-term benefits of thoracoscopic-laparoscopic oesophagectomy were suggested. There was no evidence that it is associated with a significantly better prognosis for patients with oesophageal cancer.
MicroRNA-1271-5p inhibits the tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer through targeting E2F5 and negatively regulates the mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Li Qin , Shi Junyu , Xu Xiaoli 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: MicroRNA-1271-5p (miR-1271-5p) has been reported to participate in the progression of many human cancers. However, the role of miR-1271-5p still remains unclear in ovarian cancer (OC). Therefore, we explored the effect of miR-1271-5p on the development of OC in present study. Methods: We measured the miR-1271-5p expression via the qRT-PCR assay. Then the function of miR-1271-5p was analyzed through MTT and Transwell assays. The relationship among miR-1271-5p and E2F5 was verified by dual luciferase assay. The protein expression levels were examined through western blot.Results: MiR-1271-5p was downregulated in OC tissues which predicted poor prognosis of OC patients. Moreover, E2F5 was a direct target of miR-1271-5p in OC. And miR-1271-5p suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion in OC through targeting E2F5. Furthermore, E2F5 was upregulated in OC tissues which predicted poor prognosis of OC patients. Besides that, miR-1271-5p suppressed EMT and mTOR pathway in OC. Conclusion: MiR-1271-5p inhibited the tumorigenesis of OC through targeting E2F5 and negatively regulated the mTOR signaling pathway.
Extracellular vesicles produced by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells attenuate renal fibrosis, in part by inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK pathway, in a UUO rat model
Authors: Shi Zhengzhou , Wang Qi , Zhang Youbo , Jiang Dapeng 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Renal interstitial fibrosis is a critical symptom of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that is associated with high incidence. Extracellular vesicles produced by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC-EVs) can play important roles in the repair of injured tissues. However, no reports have investigated the role and mechanism of BMSC-EVs in renal fibrosis. Thus, we hypothesized that BMSC-EVs containing milk fat globule-EGF factor-8 (MFG-E8) could attenuate renal fibrosis by inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK pathway.Methods We investigated whether BMSC-EVs have antifibrotic effects in a rat model of renal fibrosis-rats subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) - as well as in cultured HK2 cells. In vivo, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: Sham group, Sham + EVs group, UUO group, UUO + EVs group, UUO + EVs Ctrl group, and UUO + EVs shMFGE8 group. In vitro, extracellular vesicles from BMSCs were collected and co-cultured with HK2 cells during transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) treatment. Besides, HK2 cells co-cultured with TGF-β1 were also treated with the ROCK inhibitor, Y-27632. Results Compared with the Sham group, UUO rats displayed fibrotic abnormalities, accompanied by increased expression of α-SMA and Fibronectin, and decreased expression of E-cadherin. Both molecular and pathological changes suggested an increased inflammation in damaged kidneys. Oxidative stress, as evidenced by decreased levels of SOD1 and Catalase, was also observed in UUO kidneys. In addition, activation of cleaved caspase-3 and PARP1 and increased apoptosis in the proximal tubules confirmed tubular cell apoptosis in the UUO group. All of these phenotypes exhibited by UUO rats were suppressed by treatment with BMSC-EVs. However, the protective effect of BMSC-EVs was completely abolished by inhibition of MFG-E8. Consistent with the in vivo results, treatment with BMSC-EVs reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and fibrosis in HK-2 cells stimulated with TGF-β1 in vitro . Interestingly, treatment with Y-27632, a ROCK inhibitor, protected HK-2 cells against inflammation and fibrosis, although oxidative stress and apoptosis were unchanged. Conclusions In summary, our results show that BMSC-EVs containing MFG-E8 attenuate renal fibrosis, partly through RhoA/ROCK pathway inhibition.
Relationship between Social Capital and Job Performance among Faculty Members of a Medical University: The Moderating Role of Entrepreneurship Behavior
Authors: Kalhor Roohollah , Neysari Nadia , Shahsavari Saeed , Rafiei Sima 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Job performance is an important organizational factor that plays a significant role in the success of organizations. This study aims to investigate the moderating role of entrepreneurial behavior in the relationship between social capital and job performance among faculty members of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Methods This is a descriptive-analytical study which has been conducted through a structural equation modeling among all university faculty members working in different faculties of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2017. To evaluate the causal relationships between study variables, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on AMOS software, with the significant level of 0.05 was used. Results Findings indicated that entrepreneurial behaviors and social capital could predict job performance. The direct effect of social capital on job performance (path coefficient: 0.17) and its indirect effect with the moderating role of entrepreneurial behavior (path coefficient: 0.39) were confirmed (P< 0.05). Furthermore, Sobel test affirmed the indirect associations between variables (P< 0.05). Conclusions Strengthening social capital and promoting entrepreneurial behavior can lead to higher levels of performance. Building trust among organizational members and designing new incentive methods which use entrepreneurial indicators for performance evaluation can improve social capital. Therefore, managers can contribute to the improvement of job performance through developing entrepreneurial behavior among their employees.
Meal Replacement in Dietary Management of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Scoping Review Protocol
Authors: Chen Lew Leong , Ludin Arimi Fitri Mat , Shahar Suzana , Manaf Zahara Abdul , Tauhid Noorlaili Mohd 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been increasing globally. Without proper management, T2DM can develop into serious complications and even death. Diet modification is one of the most effective tool in managing T2DM patients but it requires knowledge and compliance from the patients. Thus, meal replacement (MR) has gained its popularity as a tool for diet modification to improve glycemic control and also reducing weight in T2DM patients. There are several existing meal replacement studies but not much is known on the general scope and effect of these existing MRs. Hence, this review is aimed to provide an overview of the existing evidences regarding the application of meal replacement on T2DM patients and identify the gaps or limitation in the studies.Methodology: The scoping review will be carried out in six stages. (1) identifying the research question, (2) identifying relevant studies through electronic databases (ie. Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane Reviews, Google Scholar, EBSCOHOST, Science Direct) and also grey literature, (3) selection of studies to be included based on inclusion criteria. Search and initial screening of studies to be included will be conducted by two independent reviewers. Discrepancies will then be solved through discussion with other reviewers, (4) Chart and categorize extracted data in a pretested data extraction form, (5) collating, summarising and reporting the results and lastly, (6) conducting consultation with stakeholders and experts in diabetes.Discussion: This scoping review protocol is aimed to provide a framework enabling us to map and summarize the findings from existing studies involving meal replacement. It will help researchers to identify research gap and provide recommendations for future meal replacement studies. The results from this scoping review will be useful to various stakeholders in healthcare. It is also part of a research project in which the information obtained will be utilized in clinical trial of a developed meal replacement plan. Dissemination of knowledge will also be done through presentations at T2DM related conferences.
JAK inhibitors impair GM-CSF-mediated signaling in innate immune cells
Authors: Fujita Yuya , Matsuoka Naoki , Temmoku Jumpei , Furuya Makiko Yashiro , Asano Tomoyuki , Sato Shuzo , Matsumoto Haruki , Watanabe Hiroshi , Kozuru Hideko , Yatsuhashi Hiroshi , Kawakami Atsushi , Migita Kiyoshi 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Innate immune cells play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) via release of cytokines. Small-molecule inhibitors of Janus kinases (JAKi) are clinically efficacious in patients with RA. However, the isoform-specific action of each JAKi is difficult to assess, since JAKs form heterodimeric complexes with cytokine receptors. We assessed the effects of several JAKi on GM-CSF-primed human innate immune cells.Results: Treatment with JAKi (tofacitinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib) prevented GM-CSF-induced JAK2/STAT5 phosphorylation at higher concentrations (400nM) in THP-1 cells. Whereas compared with barcitinib or upadacitinib, the inhibitory effects of tofacitinib on the GM-CSF-induced JAK2/STAT5 phosphorylation were weak at lower concentrations ( < 100nM). All JAKi inhibited GM-CSF-induced IL-1b production by human neutrophils. However, the inhibitory effects of baricitinib on IL-1b production were larger compared to those of tofacitinib or upadacitinib at lower concentrations ( < 100nM). Similarly, all JAKi inhibited GM-CSF-induced caspase-1(p20) production by human neutrophils.Conclusion: We conclude that incubation with JAKi prevents GM-CSF-mediated JAK2/STAT5 activation in human innate immune cells. Although baricitinib and upadacitinib almost completely blocked GM-CSF-mediated JAK2/STAT5 signaling, the inhibitory effects of tofacitinib were weaker at lower concentrations suggesting that variation exists among these JAKi. in the inhibition of JAK2 signaling pathways.
Fecal microbiota transplantation as an effective treatment for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in a renal transplant patient
Authors: Wang Junpeng , Li Xin , Wu Xiaoqiang , Wang Zhiwei , Wu Xuan , Jin Gaopeng , Wang Donghao , Yan Tianzhong 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: In renal transplant recipients, carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infection is common, and usually associated with severe clinical outcomes due to a lack of effective therapeutics.Case presentation: A 37-year-old female had a CRKP infection one month after the kidney transplantation. Since the effect of the antibiotic therapy was limited, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was performed. FMT resulted in increased richness and diversity of gut microbiota and reduced relative abundance of Klebsiella. After FMT, the infection of the patient caused by CRKP was well controlled without inducing adverse effects.Conclusion: This study demonstrated the therapeutic effect of FMT on CRKP infection, and may shine some light on the treatment of the infections caused by CRKP for the patients after transplantation.
Multi-task offloading scheme for UAV-Enabled Fog Computing networks
Authors: LI Xujie , Zhou Lingjie , Sun Ying 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
In UAV-enabled fog Computing networks, how to efficiently offload multiple tasks to the computing nodes is a challenge combinatorial optimization problem. In this paper, in order to optimize the total delay for the UVA-Enabled Fog Computing networks, a simple scheduling algorithm and a multi-task offloading scheme based on fireworks algorithm (FWA) are proposed. First, the system model of multiple tasks offloading in UVA-Enabled fog computing networks is described in detail. Then, a simple scheduling algorithm is proposed to optimize the delay of the tasks allocated to a single node. Based on the scheduling algorithm, a multi-task offloading scheme for all tasks and all computing nodes is presented. Finally, simulation results show that the performance of proposed scheduling algorithm and offloading strategy outperform than that of genetic algorithm and random algorithm. This result can provide an effective optimization for multi-task offloading in UVA-Enabled Fog Computing networks.
Disruption of gray matter microstructure in Alzheimer’s disease continuum using fiber orientation
Authors: Lee Peter , Kim Hang-Rai , Jeong Yong 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
There have been several MR imaging biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) for early diagnosis. Cortical mean diffusivity (MD) is one of them for the study of the cortical microstructural change in AD. However, several factors may overshadow the feasibility of MD as AD biomarker. Thus, current study investigated feasible gray matter microstructure biomarker with higher sensitivity for early AD detection. With the aim of facilitating the early detection of AD, the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) proposed two stages based on the memory performance: early mild cognitive impairment (EMCI) and late mild cognitive impairment (LMCI). We propose single shell DTI measure, ‘ radiality ’, for early AD biomarker. It is a dot product between cortical surface normal vector and primary diffusion direction, which presumably reflects the fiber orientation within the cortical column.
Here, we gathered images from ADNI phase 2 & 3; 78 cognitive normal, 51 EMCI, 34 LMCI, and 39 AD patients. Then, we evaluated cortical thickness (CTh), MD, amount of amyloid and tau accumulations using PET, which are conventional AD biomarkers. Radiality was projected on gray matter surface to compare and validate the changes along other neuroimage biomarkers.
Results showed decreased radiality primarily in entorhinal, insula, frontal and temporal cortex as disease progress onward. Especially, radiality could delineate the difference between cognitive normal and EMCI group while other biomarkers could not. We looked into the relationship between the radiality and other biomarkers to validate its pathological evidence in AD. Overall, radiality showed high association with conventional biomarkers. Additional ROI analysis exhibit dynamics of AD related changes as stages onward.
In conclusion, radiality in cortical gray matter showed AD specific changes and relevance with other conventional AD biomarkers with higher sensitivity. Besides, it could show group differences in early AD changes from EMCI which show advantage for early diagnosis than using conventional biomarkers. We provide the evidence of structure changes with cognitive impairment and suggest radiality as a sensitive biomarker for early diagnose and progress monitor AD.
Household means of transportation and place of child delivery in Nigeria
Authors: Solanke Lukman Bola , Oluwatope Omolayo Bukola , Adebayo Yinusa Rasheed , Oyeleye Olaoye James , Ilesanmi Benjamin Bukky , Oni Tosin Olajide 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background The means of transportation available to pregnant women in households may serve either as a driver or deterrent of institutional delivery. However, how household means of transportation associates with place of delivery has been less explored in Nigeria. Methods This study was based on pooled data of 2008-2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. The study analysed a weighted sample size of 6,540 women. The multilevel logistic regression model was applied using STATA 14. Results The study revealed 37% institutional delivery among women in Nigeria. Women whose household mode of transport were cars were twice more likely to have institutional delivery compared to women who had no viable household means of transportation (AOR=2.044, p<0.01; CI=1.781-2.345). Women who live in communities with high proportions of households with no means of transportation were 12.8% less likely to have institutional delivery (AOR=0.872, p=0.01; CI: 0.788-0.967). Women who live in communities with high proportions of household who owned motorcycle compared to those in communities with low proportion were 31.9% more likely to have institutional delivery (AOR=1.319, p<0.05; CI: 1.071-1.625). Women who live in communities with high proportions of households who owned cars compared to those in communities with low proportion were more than three times more likely to have institutional delivery (AOR=3.146, p<0.01; CI: 2.621-3.777).Conclusion Means of transportation significantly explains choice of place of child delivery in urban Nigeria. A public-private transport support programme to reduce transportation burden among pregnant women is imperative in the country.