bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corneal Hysteresis as A Risk Factor for Optic Nerve Head Surface Depression and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thinning in Glaucoma Patients
Authors: Xu Guihua , Chen Zilin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the role of corneal hysteresis (CH) as a risk factor for progressive ONH surface depression and RNFL thinning measured by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (CSLO) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), respectively in glaucoma patients.Design: Prospective study.Methods: A total of 146 eyes of 90 patients with glaucoma were recruited consecutively. The CH measurements were acquired at baseline and 4-months interval using the Ocular Response Analyzer (Reichert Instruments, Depew, NY). Eyes were imaged by CSLO (Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph [HRT]; Heidelberg Engineering, GmbH, Dossenheim, Germany) and SD-OCT (Cirrus HD-OCT; Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Dublin, CA) at approximately 4-month intervals for measurement of ONH surface topography and RNFL thickness, respectively. Significant ONH surface depression and RNFL thinning were defined with reference to Topographic Change Analysis (TCA) with HRT and Guided Progression Analysis (GPA) with Cirrus HD-OCT, respectively. Multivariate cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate whether CH is a risk factor for ONH surface depression and RNFL progression after adjusting potential confounding factors. Results: All patients with glaucoma were followed for an average of 6.76 years (range, 4.56-7.61 years). Sixty-five glaucomatous eyes (44.5%) of 49 patients showed ONH surface depression, 55 eyes (37.7%) of 43 patients had progressive RNFL thinning and 20 eyes (13.7%) of 17 patients had visual field progression. In the cox proportional hazards model, after adjusting baseline diastolic IOP, CCT, age, baseline disc area and baseline MD, baseline CH was significantly associated with ONH surface depression and visual field progression (HR=0.71, P=0.014 and HR=0.54, P=0.018, respectively), but not with RNFL thinning (HR=1.03, P=0.836). For each 1-mmHg decrease in baseline CH, the hazards for ONH surface depression increase by 29%, and the hazards for visual field progression increase by 46%.Conclusions: The CH measurements were significantly associated with risk of glaucoma progression. Eyes with a lower CH were significantly associated with an increased risk of ONH surface depression and visual field progression in glaucoma patients.
Coronary Tortuosity Overestimate The FFR&nbsp;Measurement In Stenotic Coronary Artery Model
Authors: Liu Jiatong , Zhang Libo , Xu Hongzeng 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: The object of the study is to investigate the effect of coronary tortuosity (CT) on fractional flow reserve (FFR) in stenotic coronary artery.Methods: A three dimensional computational model of simulation of blood flow in stenotic coronary artery with multi-bend CT was constructed with Fluent 16.0 software. Blood was simulated as non-Newtonian fluid with the Carreau model. The simulation of blood flow in coronary artery stenotic model was used by the finite element methods with the condition of CT and no coronary tortuosity (NCT). Coronary artery hemodynamic parameters such as pressure, velocity and physiological diagnostic parameter fractional flow reserve (FFR) were studied in the model with the coronary tortuosity condition.Results: The results showed that the downstream CT impedance condition has significant impacts on numerical simulation. The pressure profile of pre-stenotic is almost identical in the two models. However the pressure in the pre-stenotic and post-stenotic artery domain is much higher in the CT model. The pressure fluctuation range in CT model was much higher than that in the NCT model. In the coronary artey model with 75% stenosis for the CT condition, the FFR was 0.823 while the FFR was 0.767 in the same model with NCT condition.Conclusions: This study provides evidence that FFR value was increased in coronary stenotic artery with the presence of CT. Therefore, it should be taking into account the influence of CT load effect in FFR measurement procedure, otherwise the CAD risk will be underestimated.
Optimizing The Diagnosis and Management of Dementia Within Primary Care: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Fernandes Brooklynn , Goodarzi Zahra , Holroyd-Leduc Jayna 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: To understand how best to approach dementia care within primary care and its challenges, we examined the evidence related to diagnosing and managing dementia within primary care.Methods: Databases searched include: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from inception to 11 May 2020. English-language systematic reviews were included if they described interventions involving the diagnosis, treatment and/or management of dementia within primary care/family medicine and outcome data was available. The risk of bias was assessed using AMSTAR 2. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and is registered with Open Science Framework.Results: Twenty-one articles are included. The Mini-Cog and the MMSE were the most widely studied cognitive screening tools. The Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) achieved high sensitivity (100%, 95% CI: 70%-100%) and specificity (82%, 95% CI: 72%-90%) within the shortest amount of time (3.16 to 5 minutes) within primary care. Five of six studies found that family physicians had an increased likelihood of suspecting dementia after attending an educational seminar. Case management improved behavioural symptoms, while decreasing hospitalization and emergency visits. The primary care educational intervention, Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health (Department of Veterans Affairs), was successful at increasing carer ability to manage problem behaviours and improving outcomes for caregivers.Conclusions: There are clear tools to help identify cognitive impairment in primary care, but strategies for management require further research. The findings from this systematic review will inform family physicians on how to improve dementia diagnosis and management within their primary care practice.
Characterising the Bacterial Gut Microbiome of Probiotic-supplemented Very Preterm Infants&nbsp;
Authors: Westaway Jacob , Huerlimann Roger , Kandasamy Yoga , Miller Catherine , Norton Robert , Staunton Kyran , Watson David , Rudd Donna 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background:The gut microbiome plays a critical role in the healthy development, immunity and metabolism of infants. Preterm birth disrupts microbiome development and can contribute to acute and chronic disease. To promote microbial and infant development, and to mitigate the risk of disease, premature infants may be treated with probiotics. Here we used 16S rRNA high throughout sequencing to characterize the bacterial microbiome of probiotic-supplemented premature infants. The study aimed to identify and understand variation in bacterial gut flora, including changes from admission to discharge, and the effect of several clinical variables using a combination of univariate and mixed effects analyses.Results: Infants born <32 weeks gestation and <1500 g were recruited in North Queensland, Australia, with faecal samples collected at admission (n = 71) and at discharge (n = 63). Our research builds on previous research and supports significant changes over time in the preterm infant microbiome, and in response to several variables. Univariate analysis showed admission and discharge samples had significantly different microbial populations, with Staphylococcus enriched at admission and Enterobacter, Lactobacillus, Colstridium sensu stricto 1 and Veillonella at discharge. From the mixed effects modeling we observed significantly lower alpha diversity in infants diagnosed with either sepsis or retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and those that only received formula milk. Chorioamnionitis, preeclampsia, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis and ROP were also all associated with differential abundance of several taxa.Conclusions:Our study builds on previous research and supports significant changes in the preterm microbiome over time and in association with several factors. The fact that several associations were observed, and some in ways that counter previous work, highlights the complexity of microbiome ecology.
A Study on Liner-Reaction Speed based on the Aging of a Curing System
Authors: Park Sungjun , Choi Sunghan , Park Jungho 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In this study, the hardening reaction speed of a rocket motor liner based on the aging of a curing system comprised of a hardener and hardening catalyst was observed. It was indicated that as the aging time of the curing system increased, the liner viscosity build-up was accelerated. The raw material having the biggest impact on the hardening reaction of the curing system’s liner was triphenylbismuth (TPB). Stirring isophorone diisocyanate and TPB forms activated complex, and the activated complex facilitates urethane reaction. If TPB is ligand bound with isocyanate, it forms TPB-isocyanate complex. This is a type of TPB’s oxide, and the formation of activated complex through changes in its color. In addition, lining hardening time can be adjusted by the aging period of the curing system through this study, and adhesive strength with the liner and propellant can be improved.
Comparison of Statistical Methods for Estimating Continuous Paediatric Reference Intervals: A Simulation Study
Authors: Hoq Monsurul , Donath Susan , Monagle Paul , Carlin John 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Reference intervals (RIs), which are used as an assessment tool in laboratory medicine, change with age for most biomarkers in children. Addressing this, RIs that vary continuously with age have been developed using a range of curve-fitting approaches. The choice of statistical method may be important as different methods may produce substantially different RIs. Hence, we developed a simulation study to investigate the performance of statistical methods for estimating continuous paediatric RIs.Methods: We compared four methods for estimating age-varying RIs. These were Cole’s LMS, the Generalised Additive Model for Location Scale and Shape (GAMLSS), Royston’s method based on fractional polynomials and exponential transformation, and a new method applying quantile regression using power variables in age selected by fractional polynomial regression for the mean. Data were generated using hypothetical true curves based on five biomarkers with varying complexity of association with age, i.e. linear or nonlinear, constant or nonconstant variation across age, and for four sample sizes (100, 200, 400 and 1000). Root mean square error (RMSE) was used as the primary performance measure for comparison. Results: Regression-based parametric methods performed better in most scenarios. Royston’s and the new method performed consistently well in all scenarios for sample sizes of at least 400, while the new method had the smallest average RMSE in scenarios with nonconstant variation across age. Conclusions: We recommend methods based on flexible parametric models for estimating continuous paediatric RIs, irrespective of the complexity of the association between biomarkers and age, for at least 400 samples.
A Method of Calculating the Bearing Capacity of Sand Pile Composite Foundations in a Mucky Soil Layer Considering Consolidation
Authors: Chen Peishuai , Luo Huiwu , Li Dejie , Liu Enlong , Yang Benliang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In engineering practice, the measured bearing capacity of a sand pile composite foundation in a mucky soil layer is much larger than the design value. Based on the sand pile construction and the load application process, a method of calculating the bearing capacity of the foundation based on the effective stress was proposed. Cavity diameter expansion in sand pile construction was simplified into a planar problem, and the cavity expansion theory was used to establish the expression of the rate of displacement and the horizontal stress increase. Based on the e–p curve and the calculation of the degree of consolidation, the relationships between the horizontal and vertical effective stress and the void ratio were obtained. According to the close relationship between the bearing capacity of the foundation in a mucky soil layer and the water content, an expression describing the relationships between the bearing capacity of the foundation, effective stress, void ratio, and water content was established. For the temporary engineering foundation treatment project, which needs a high bearing capacity but allows large foundation deformation, the design of sand pile composite foundations uses these relationships to take the consolidation effect of mucky soil into consideration, thereby reducing the replacement rate and lowering the construction cost.
A Qualitative Study of Home Care Client and Caregiver Experiences With a Complex Cardio-respiratory Management Model
Authors: Schumacher Connie , Dash Darly , Mowbray Fabrice , Klea Lindsay , Costa Andrew 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundHome care clients are typically older and have some degree of medical, physical, cognitive or social conditions that require formal or informal support to promote healthy aging in the community. Home care clients contribute a significant proportion of health service use, including emergency department visits. The DIVERT-CARE trial introduced a cardio-respiratory management model to improve patient motivation, symptoms and rates of unwarranted health service use. Our objective was to explore the perceptions and experiences of individuals who participated in the DIVERT-CARE self-management support and education intervention.MethodsA qualitative study was nested within a pragmatic randomized control trial and conducted following a 15-week multicomponent cardio-respiratory intervention. A phenomenological descriptive design was employed using thematic analysis. Post-intervention, clients and their caregivers were invited to participate in a semi-structured telephone interview. Interview questions were designed to elicit the experience with the intervention components.ResultsA total of 29 interviews were completed from June 2018 to March 2020 from participants in Ontario, Newfoundland, and British Columbia. Five themes were identified; self-care trajectory and responsibility, learning and behaviour change, pre-emptive connection to care providers, connection to information and the health system, and connection through therapeutic relationships.ConclusionsHome care clients experience unique challenges in managing chronic disease. Home-based interventions fostered a therapeutic relationship of connectedness while equipping clients with necessary knowledge and skills. These results inform recommendations for community nursing, and home-based self-management supports for older community-residing individuals.
Study on cement based composite board of wire mesh and straw fibers in severe cold area of Northeast China
Authors: Liu Jie , Lv Chun 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
There is a large amount of residual straw fibers resources in Northeast China. Rice straw fibers was chosen to make steel-wire-net mortar roof-board composed of straw fibers in different sizes. Cold-drawn and low-carbon steel-wire-nets, whose diameter was 3mm and whose size of mesh opening was 60mm×60mm ,were set on both upper and lower sides. Vertical tied cold-drawn low-carbon wires were set between the upper and lower cold-drawn and low-carbon steel-wire-lath for spot welding. The distance between two vertical tied steel wires was 120mm. After the mortar was squirted on the steel-wire-nets, outbound alkali resistance fiber glass mesh and thin floated finish make the alkali resistance fiber glass mesh and thin plastering mortar and horizontal wire mesh mortar and compressed straw fibers slab straw fibersboard work together. The deformation characteristics that studies roof-board composed of straw fibers boards; the fracture distribution and the feature of crack developing that studies the boards; the strain distribution and its change law were summarized, the loading mechanism of roof-board composed of straw fibers boards had been studied; by observing the failure form and destruction feature of test specimen, the factors affecting the flexural property of roof-board composed of straw fibers boards had been studied, preparation points of roof-board composed of straw fibers boards had been put forward. The advantages of grass steel-wire-net thin plastering roof-board composed of straw fibers boards reside in cheap materials, moderate carrying capacity and it was easy to be applied.
Endometrial Polyps Effect on Pregnancy Outcomes in Infertile Women with Minimal/Mild Endometriosis: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Xiang Yingchun , Zhu Huili , Long Ying , Huang Xin , Ouyang Yunwei , Huang Wei 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: The infertile patients with endometriosis had a higher prevalence of endometrial polyps. The effect of endometrial polyps on pregnancy outcomes in endometriosis-associated infertility patients is unclear. This study assessed the pregnancy outcomes and associated influencing factors of pregnancy after hysteroscopy combined with laparoscopy treatment in infertile patients with minimal/mild endometriosis. Methods: We enrolled 898 infertile women who underwent both hysteroscopy and laparoscopy treatment. Based on the existence of endometrial polyps confirmed by hysteroscopy and pathologic examination, patients were divided into polyps group and non-polyps group, and their pregnancy outcomes were compared. Results: After removal of 136 subjects who were lost to follow-up, underwent assisted reproduction techniques, or postponed plans to become pregnant. A total of 271 women were included in polyps group and 491 in non-polyps group. The pregnancy rate of polyps group was not statistically significant compared with non-polyp group (60.15% VS. 58.25%). The pregnancy rate was higher among patients with polyps ≥ 1 cm (76.06%, 54/71) than patients with polyps < 1 cm (54.50%, 109/200) or patients without polyps (58.25%, 286/491) (p = 0.006). The pregnancy rate was higher for patients with multiple polyps (67.86%, 95/140) than for patients with single polyp (51.91%, 68/131) or without polyps (p = 0.025). Conclusions: Compared with those without endometrial polyps, single polyp, and size of polyp < 1 cm, hysteroscopic polypectomy did significantly increase fertility in infertile patients with multiple polyps or size of polyp ≥ 1cm. The size and number of polyps were independently associated with the reproductive ability of women with minimal/mild endometriosis.
Data Augmentation Using Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) For GAN-Based Detection Of Pneumonia And COVID-19 In Chest X-Ray Images
Authors: Motamed Saman , Rogalla Patrik , Khalvati Farzad 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Successful training of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) requires a substantial amount of data. With small datasets networks generalize poorly. Data Augmentation techniques improve the generalizability of neural networks by using existing training data more effectively. Standard data augmentation methods, however, produce limited plausible alternative data. Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) have been utilized to generate new data and improve the performance of CNNs. Nevertheless, data augmentation techniques for training GANs are under-explored compared to CNNs. In this work, we propose a new GAN architecture for augmentation of chest X-rays for semi-supervised detection of pneumonia and COVID-19 using generative models. We show that the proposed GAN can be used to effectively augment data and improve classification accuracy of disease in chest X-rays for pneumonia and COVID-19. We compare our augmentation GAN model with Deep Convolutional GAN and traditional augmentation methods (rotate, zoom, etc) on two different X-ray datasets and show our GAN-based augmentation method surpasses other augmentation methods for training a GAN in detecting anomalies in X-ray images.
First Report of X-Linked Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia with a Hemizygous c.1142G &gt;C in the EDA Gene: Variant of Uncertain Significance or New Pathogenic Variant?
Authors: Tumminello Mario , Gangemi Antonella , Matina Federico , Guardino Melania , Giuffrè Bianca Lea , Corsello Giovanni 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundHypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (HED) is a genetic disorder which affects structures of ectodermal origin. X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED) is the most common form of disease. XLHED Is characterized by hypotrichosis, hypohydrosis and hypodontia. The cardinal features of classic HED become obvious during childhood. Identification of a hemizygous EDA pathogenic variant in an affected male confirms the diagnosis. Case PresentationWe report on a male newborn with the main clinical characteristics of the X-linked HED including hypotrichosis, hypodontia and hypohidrosis. Gene panel sequencing identified a new hemizygous missense variant of uncertain significance (VUS) c.1142G >C (p.Gly318A1a) in the EDA gene, located on the X chromosome and inherited from the healthy mother. ConclusionDespite the potential functional impact of VUS remains uncharacterized, our goal is to evaluate the clinical potential consequences of missense VUS on EDA gene. Given the proband’s phenotype compatibility with classic HED, it is reasonable to attribute a causative role to the variant found in hemizygosis in the gene EDA. The present case demonstrates that this novel VUS could broaden the spectrum of genes mutations involved in the HED phenotype.
Autophagy R Educes B Acterial T Ranslocation&nbsp;by Attenuating&nbsp;Oxidative Stress&nbsp;in&nbsp;Hypervirulent Klebsiella&nbsp;Pneumoniae-Caused Liver Abscesses&nbsp;Mice
Authors: Lu Xing , Wang Xianlong , Xu Jie , Yin Chengfen , Zhang Peng , Mao Daqing , Xu Lei , Wang Fengmei 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background Translocation of intestinal flora can cause liver abscesses.The epidemiological data were mainly Kebsiella pneumoniae infection.It is usually associated with changes in mucosal autophagy and oxidative stress.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between autophagy and oxidative stress on the intestinal mucosal barrier of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae-caused liver abscesses(hvKp-cla) mice model. And the genes that might be involved.Methods C57BL/6J mice were used as study subjects to induce liver abscesses model by hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae gavage. Bacterial translocation (BT) was detected by 16S rDNA sequencing analysis.Morphological alterations in the liver and gut were assessed by hematoxylin–eosin staining.Oxidative stress status was determined by measuring the level of intestinal malondialdehyde (MDA),superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).In situ hybridization was used to determine whether the bacteria had migrated to the liver.Western blot, RT-PCR,and immunofuorescent staining were preformed to analyze the expression of tight junction and autophagy proteins. The ultrastructural changes of liver were examined by electron microscopy.RNA-seq was used to detect the possible involved genes. Results According to the sequencing analysis, mice were divided into BT (+) group (n = 7) and BT (-) group(n = 7).The damage of intestinal mucosa and liver in BT(+) group was more serious than that in BT(-) group. The translocated Klebsiella pneumoniae was observed in the intestinal mucosa lamina propria and liver.The content of MDA was clearly elevated, and SOD as well as GPx activities were decreased in BT (+) group as compared with BT (-) group.The expression of LC3II and Beclin1 in BT (-) group was higher than that observed in BT (+). In contrast, BT (+)group had a lower level of Zonulin-1 (ZO-1) and claudin-2. RNA-seq found 1912 genes were up-regulated and 1,911 genes down-regulated. Those genes of mTOR,Atg4b and SERPINA3 were involved. Conclusion Autophagy reduces intestinal hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae translocation by reducing oxidative stress levels. Those genes of mTOR,Atg4b and SERPINA3 were involved.