bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Posttraumatic midazolam administration does not influence brain damage after experimental traumatic brain injury
Authors: Sebastiani Anne , Bender Simone , Schäfer Michael K.E. , Thal Serge C. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background The benzodiazepine midazolam is a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptor agonist frequently used for sedation or stress control in patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, experimental studies on benzodiazepines have reported divergent results, raising concerns about its widespread use in patients. Some studies indicate that benzodiazepine-mediated potentiation of GABAergic neurotransmission is detrimental in brain-injured animals. However, other experimental investigations demonstrate neuroprotective effects, especially in pretreatment paradigms. This study investigated whether single-bolus midazolam administration influences secondary brain damage post-TBI.Methods Two different midazolam dosages (0.5 and 5 mg/kg BW), a combination of midazolam and its competitive antagonist flumazenil, or vehicle solution (NaCl 0.9%) was injected intravenously to mice 24 h after experimental TBI induced by controlled cortical impact. Mice were evaluated for neurological and motor deficits using a 15-point neuroscore and the rotarod test. Histopathological brain damage and mRNA expression of inflammatory marker genes were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction three days after insult.Results Histological brain damage was not affected by posttraumatic midazolam administration. Midazolam impaired functional recovery, and this effect could not be counteracted by administering the midazolam antagonist flumazenil. An increase in IL-1β mRNA levels due to postinjury application of midazolam was reversible by flumazenil administration. However, other inflammatory parameters were not affected.Conclusions This study merely reports minor effects of a postinjury midazolam application. Further studies focusing on a time-dependent analysis of posttraumatic benzodiazepine administration are required.
Proportion of Neutrophils in the White Blood Cells as a Useful Marker for Predicting Bacteremic Acute Cholangitis
Authors: Yamaguchi Atsushi , Wada Kaoru , Moriuchi Riho , Tao Kanae , Konishi Hirona , Tamaru Yuzuru , Kusunoki Ryusaku , Kuwai Toshio , Kouno Hirotaka , Kohno Hiroshi 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background

A positive hemoculture in acute cholangitis is serious, and accordingly, a predictor for bacteremia at initial diagnosis would be particularly useful. We investigated the association between neutrophil proportion in the white blood cell count (Neut%) and bacteremic acute cholangitis.
Methods

In 166 patients of acute cholangitis diagnosed with Tokyo guideline 2013 from April 2014 to March 2015, ninety-four patients underwent blood culture assessment and were divided into a positive hemoculture (n = 48) and negative hemoculture (n = 46) group and these two group were compared. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive ability of Neut% and other inflammatory markers.
Results

Neut% was significantly higher in the positive hemoculture (91.7 ± 4.0% vs. 82.5 ± 9.0%, P < 0.0001). A cutoff Neut% value of 89.7% was strongly associated with bacteremia (area under the curve 0.86, sensitivity 77%, specificity 80%). A Neut% of ≥ 89.7% was a predictor of positive hemoculture in the univariate (P < 0.0001) and multivariate analyses (P < 0.001). Patients with a Neut% ≥89.7% needed early biliary drainage (30/46, 65.2% vs. 18/48, 37.5%, P = 0.0063).
Conclusions

Neut% is an independent predictor of bacteremia and prognosis in patients with acute cholangitis and may contribute to decision-making of early biliary drainage.
Identification of Industrial Sewage Sludge based on Heavy Metal Profiles: A Case Study of Printing and Dyeing Industry
Authors: Zhang Xufeng , Chen Shuyu , Ai Fangting , Jin Limin , Zhu Ningzheng , Meng Xiang-Zhou 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The illegal disposal of industrial sewage sludge has caused serious environmental pollution. To develop identification techniques of industrial sewage sludge based on the characteristic fingerprints carried by sewage sludge itself is a promising method that is helpful to clarify the responsibility of illegal enterprises. In this study, heavy metal composition and speciation of sewage sludge from industries (including printing and dyeing industry and other industries) and municipal sewage treatment plant located in eastern China were determined and their performance of classification was evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discrimination analysis (LDA). Results showed that heavy metal composition and speciation can be an effective tool for distinguishing sewage sludge between printing and dyeing industry and other industries, with an accuracy rate of 82.9% and 100%, respectively. Antimony (Sb) and zinc (Zn) are two characteristic heavy metals, which can be used to identity sewage sludge in printing and dyeing sub-industries with an accuracy rate of 90%. The combination of these three methods may be a precise and promising tool for identification of sewage sludge between industries and sub-industries. This study developed a potential method for tracing the industrial sources of sewage sludge and establishing the identification database of industrial sewage sludge, and provided technical support for the government to supervise the illegal dumping and disposal of industrial sewage sludge.
Low Eosinophil Count : A Predictor of Inhospital Mortality in a Cohort of Cirrhosis Patients With Sepsis
Authors: KV Anoop , varghese jijo , devadas krishnadas 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background and Aims:Eosinopenia has recently been associated with sepsis. Thus, eosinopenia can be used as a marker of the severity of sepsis and high mortality, which helps in early identification of high risk patients, so better management can be offered to such patients. Aim of the study was to assess whether Absolute Esoinophil Count (AEC) at the time of ICU admission can be used as a predictor of inhospital mortality in cirrhotics.Materials and Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. The study population included cirrhosis patients admitted in ICU and High Dependency Unit with sepsis and their absolute eosinophil counts were assessed on the day of hospital admission.Results: A total of 105 patients were enrolled in the study. Among the various parameters analyzed, MELD score, CTP score, Albumin levels, Total count, CRP, ESR, ALT, Bilirubin, Creatinine, Urea, SIRS and Absolute Eosinophil Count(AEC) were statistically significant in predicting the mortality. AUROC of AEC for predicting mortality was 0.881. Cutoff of AEC by Youden’s index was 110 cells/cumm (sensitivity 91.3%, specificity 89%, positive predictive value 87.5% and negative predictive value 93%) in predicting inhospital mortality. MELD AUROC was 0.78 with cut off of > 24 (sensitivity 89%, specificity 74.6%, positive predictive value 73% and negative predictive value 89%) to predict mortality. Conclusion:In critically ill cirrhosis patients, absolute eosinophil count less than 110 cells/cumm can predict inhospital mortality.
Regional Flood Frequency Modeling for a Large Basin in India
Authors: Jaiswal Rahul , Nayak T. R. , Lohani A. K. , Galkate R. V. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The computation of flood magnitude and its likely occurrence to design different hydraulic structures are major challenges to the research community. The present study has been carried out to identify the homogeneous regions in the Mahanadi basin in Chhattisgarh part (data from 26 gauge/discharge sites) of India using conventional and clustering-based homogeneity tests and then computation and identification of probability weighted moment and L-moment based best regional distributions for different regions. Different simple to complex distributions like Extreme Value-I, Generalized Extreme Value, Logistic, Generalized Logistic, Generalized Pareto, Normal and Log-normal, Wakeby-4, and Wakeby-5 was used in the analysis through standardizing procedure to compute regional distributions. The best-fit distribution selected by simulating several series and compute L-kurtosis along with the L-moment ratio diagram. The homogeneity analysis confirmed that this basin can broadly be divided into two different homogeneous regions with 15 and 11 stations in the first (Region-1) and second (Region-2) regions respectively. The GEV distribution was found best suited for Region-1 while the Generalized Pareto worked well for Region-2. To make results more convenient for field application, catchment area-based equations were converted in the form of Dicken’s or Ryve’s formulae for these regions to estimate flood quantiles of any return period.
Application of Prechop Technique in Phacoemulsification for Cataract Patients with Highly Liquefied Vitreous: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Zhao Jing , Li Zhouyue , Liu Yu , Han Xiaotong , Huang Shengsong 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
Phacoemulsification using phaco-chop technique has many challenging features in cataract patients with highly liquefied vitreous. This study aimed to compare the intraoperative parameters and safety between prechop technique and traditional phaco-chop in phacoemulsification for these patients.
Methods
A total of 54 eyes of 54 patients with high myopia-related or post-vitrectomy cataract that underwent phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation were included in this retrospective study. Of them, 25 eyes that received manual prechop were included in the prechop group, and 29 eyes with best match of age, axial length and nuclear opalescence (NO) that received standardized phaco-chop were included as the control group. The intraoperative complications and surgery parameters were compared between groups.
Results
No surgical complications were observed in the prechop group, while 2 eyes of posterior capsular rupture and 1 eye with a broken ciliary zonule (10.3%) were found in the control group. There was no significant difference in phaco time, average energy, and cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) between groups (all P > 0.05), but for hard nuclear cataract with NO grading ≥ 5, prechop group had less phaco time (P = 0.008) and CDE (P = 0.029). The correlations between phaco time vs. NO (r = 0.762 vs. 0.581, both P < 0.005) and CDE vs. NO (r = 0.717 vs. 0.668, both P < 0.001) seemed to be weaker in the prechop group as compared to the control group.
Conclusions
The prechop technique which seemed to have less intraoperative complications, reduced phaco time and CDE compared to standardized phaco-chop might be a good alternative for cataract patients with highly liquefied or vitrectomized vitreous, especially those with hard nuclear cataract.
Dissemination and Characteristics of High-Level Erythromycin-Resistant Enterococcus Faecalis From Bulk Tank Milk of Dairy Companies in Korea
Authors: Lee Yu Jin , Kim Koeun , Lee Young Ju 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Enterococci are environmental pathogens that can cause bovine mastitis and macrolides are widely used for the treatment of bovine mastitis caused by staphylococci and streptococci/enterococci. The aim of this study was performed to compare the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of high-level erythromycin-resistant (HLER) Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) collected from bulk tank milk of four dairy companies (A, B, C, and D) in Korea. Results: Although isolates from company D showed the highest prevalence of E. faecalis, the prevalence of HLER E. faecalis in company A (73.1%) and C (57.0%) was significantly higher than company D (33.9%) (P < 0.05). A total of 149 HLER E. faecalis isolates showed high rates of resistance to tetracycline (93.3%), followed by doxycycline (70.0%), and chloramphenicol (48.3%). In the distribution of macrolides resistance genes, 147 (98.7%) isolates carried ermB gene alone, and two isolates carried both ermA and ermB genes. No isolates carried ermC, msrA, msrC, or mef genes. In the distribution of other resistance genes, 72 (48.3%) and 60 (40.3%) isolates carried both tetM and tetL genes, and tetM gene alone, respectively, and 38 (25.5%) isolates carried optrA gene. For aminoglycosides resistance genes, the prevalence of both aac(6′)Ie-aph(2″)-la and ant(6′)-Ia genes (43.0%) was the highest. Moreover, 104 (70.0%) isolates harbored Int-Tn gene carrying the Tn916/1545-like transposon. Although the distribution of ermB gene showed no significant difference between the dairy companies, the prevalence of other resistance genes and transposons showed a significant difference between the dairy companies (P < 0.05). Virulence genes, such as ace (99.3%), cad1 and efaA (each 98.7%), and gelE (83.9%), were also highly conserved in the 149 HLER E. faecalis isolates. Conclusions: Our results indicated that HLER E. faecalis isolates from bulk tank milk showed significant differences in phenotypic and genotypic characteristics between the dairy companies. In addition, the prevalence of resistance genes and virulence factors was also high in HLER E. faecalis isolates.
Four-channel sEMG for Elbow Load Recognition
Authors: Cai Jiabin , Song Junjun , Long Yuanqiang 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
In order to help patients after surgery to carry out reasonable rehabilitation training, avoid joint adhesions and movement disorders, the relationship between surface electromyograph (sEMG) signal changes and the size of the patient ' s joint force in the process of rehabilitation exercise was studied, hoping to use the relationship between them to redesign the control mode of the rehabilitation robot, and a method was proposed to identify the size of the elbow load based on wavelet packet. Firstly, s EMG signals of human elbow joint during stretching and bending under different loads were collected by 4-channel surface electromyography. Then, the wavelet packet decomposition method was used to obtain the feature vector composed of energy(E), variance(VAR) and mean absolute value(MAV) of wavelet packet coefficient. Finally, the improved support vector machine ( ISVM), BP neural network and RBF neural network were used for pattern recognition of three different forces. The experimental results show that the change of sEMG signal is indeed related to the size of joint force. It is feasible to identify the load of s EMG signal.
The Epidemiology and Management of 10,486 Children With Fractures in Shenzhen: Experience and Lessons to be Learnt
Authors: Qiu Xin , Deng Hansheng , Su Qiru , Zeng Shuaidan , Han Shuai , Li Shicheng , Cui Zhiwen , Zhu Tianfeng , Tang Gen , Xiong Zhu , Tang Shengping 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To explore and analyze the causes and related influencing factors of pediatric fractures, and provide theoretical basis for reducing the incidence and adverse effects of pediatric fractures.Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of fractures in children aged ≤18 years old who were admitted to the our hospital between July 2015 and February 2020.Results: A total of 10486 pediatric patients were included in the study, of whom 6,961 (66.38%) were boys, and 3,525 (33.62%) were girls. For the fracture incidence, age group of the 3-6 years reached the peak. 5,584 (60.76%) children were operated upon within 12 h after admission. The top three types of fractures were the distal humerus (3,843 sites, 27.49%), distal ulna (1,740 sites, 12.44%), and distal radius (1,587 sites, 11.35%). The top three causes of injury were falls (7,106 cases, 82.10%), car accidents (650 cases, 65.72%), and pinch injuries (465 cases, 5.37%). Fractures predominantly occurred between July and November (4,664 cases, 48.87%) and on Saturdays and Sundays (3,172 cases, 33.24%). The highest number of hospital visits occurred between 20:00 and 00:00 (4,339 cases, 45.46%).Conclusion: We should strengthen preschool children health and safety education and increase protective measures. It is necessary to allocate medical resources in a targeted manner, to establish a closed-loop regional pediatric trauma treatment system centered on trauma centers that links together regional trauma centers, and to establish substantively operating comprehensive pediatric trauma treatment teams that follow a multidisciplinary treatment model.
Influence of Plant Roots On Slope Stabilization: A Geotechnical Investigation
Authors: Singh Thounaojam Joyraj , Ibotombi Soibam , Singh Maisnam Pradipchandra 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Direct shear tests conducted on soil samples reveal that soils with plant roots show an increase in cohesive factor but increase in frictional angle is insignificant. Displacement and shear strength graphs, however, indicate that soil with plant roots can withstand more shear stresses. Among the three plant species selected for the present study, Chimonobambusa sp. has the highest shear strength increment, ∆C = 5.0 KN/m2 followed by Cymbopogon sp., and Pseudosasa japonica with 4.5KN/m2 and 1.0KN/m2 shear strength increments respectively. An increase in shear strength is also observed in the reinforced soils with increase in number of roots of these plant species. Cymbopogon sp. has higher root density near the surface but decreases with increasing depth and absent at 320mm depth, Pseudosasa japonica has the lowest root density but penetrates deeper up to 530mm while Chimonobambusa sp. penetrates deepest at 700mm with lateral branches extending up to 650mm. Cymbopogon sp., and Pseudosasa japonica may be useful as a bioengineering tool to mitigate soil erosion while Chimonobambusa sp. to mitigate both erosion and shallow landslides.
Germplasm Conservation of Economically Important Medicinal Plant Nyctanthes Arbor-Tristis L. Through Encapsulation Technique and Maintenance Under Slow Growth Condition
Authors: Mishra Awadhesh Kumar , Tiwari Kavindra Nath , Mishra Pallavi , Mishra Sunil Kumar , Tiwari Shailesh Kumar 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
An efficient encapsulation and germplasm conservation protocol were developed for Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. In this study the gel matrix containing three percent sodium alginate (SA) and 100 mM calcium chloride (CaCl2. 2H2O) was found best for the formation of encapsulated seeds from node explant of this economically valuable species. The viability of encapsulated seeds and shoot sprouting potential was optimized. Encapsulated seeds stored at 4ºC and 24 ºC maintained its viability up to 90 days and showed sprouting potential 42.89±6.04 and 33.53±7.15 percent respectively. Node explant maintain under slow growth condition up to 180 days on one-eighth (1/8th) strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 percent sucrose found suitable to maintain high span viability percent (40.28±2.04) with average number of shoots/ node (1.61±0.28) and shoots length (1.12±0.32 cm) respectively. One-eighth (1/8th) strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 percent sucrose and enriched with 0.5 mg/l abscisic acid (ABA) prolonged the viability up to 40.36±1.01 percent of explant. The best rooting response was achieved on half (½) strength MS medium enriched with 4 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The rooted plant shows 65 percent survivability in open field condition. The true-to-type clonal fidelity assessment of tissue culture recovered acclimated plants with start codon targeted (SCoT) primer profile shows same banding mobility patterns as with source parent mother plant. The maximum banding profile is monomorphic and consistent. Hence on this basis it confirmed the true-to-type clonal stability among them. The protocols display the novel method for conservation of this species under in-vitro condition and facilitate easy exchange of plant germplasm.
Occurrence, Distribution, Sources And Bioaccumulation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) of Multi Environmental Media In Estuaries And Coast of The Beibu Gulf, China: A Health Risk Assessment Through Seafood Consumption
Authors: Han Minwei , Liu Fang , Kang Yaru , Zhang Ruijie , Yu Kefu , Wang Yinghui , Wang Ruixuan 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The coastal zone is the crucial transitional zone between the ocean and the land. Under the influence of global climate change and human activities, the coastal zone is suffering from huge environmental pressure. It is necessary to pay close attention to the pollution of PAHs to coastal ecological environment and the risk to human health. Taking the Beibu Gulf coastal zone as an example, we investigated the pollution status of PAHs in various environmental media. Results showed the total concentration of 16 PAHs (Σ16PAHs) in winter were significantly higher than that in summer. Compared with the coastal area, the pollution of PAHs in the estuarine area is more serious: the Σ16PAHs in estuarine waters (summer: 71.4 ± 9.58 ng/L; winter: 96.8 ± 24.7 ng/L) > coastal waters (summer: 50.4 ± 9.65 ng/L; winter: 91.7 ± 18.9 ng/L); estuarine sediment (146 ± 116 ng/g) > coastal zone (76.9 ± 108 ng/g). The source apportionment results indicated that spilled oil, biomass and coal burning were the main sources of PAHs in water, whereas the primary sources were spilled oil, fossil fuel burning and vehicle emissions in sedment. Shellfish showed the highest average PAHs concentration, followed by fish, shrimp, and crabs. The calculated bioaccumulation factor indicates that the seafood has a low bioaccumulation capacity for PAHs in the ambient environment. Human health risk assessment shows that accidental ingestion of PAHs through the consumption of seafood generally does not pose a health risk, but children should properly control the intake of shellfishes.
Direct Comparison Between Second-Generation Cryoballoon Ablation Versus Contact Force-Sensing Radiofrequency Ablation in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study
Authors: Waranugraha Yoga , Rizal Ardian , Yuniadi Yoga 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the main ablation approach for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). The superiority of the second-generation cryoballoon (2G-CB) ablation over contact force-sensing radiofrequency (CF-RF) ablation is unclear. Therefore, we sought to investigate the superiority of 2G-CB ablation over CF-RF ablation in paroxysmal AF patients.
Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted. We included 12 studies involving 1419 patients. The overall effects were quantified using pooled odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) for categorical or continuous variables.
Results

Freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATAs) (OR = 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.68 to 1.15; p = 0.35), freedom from AF (OR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.64 to 1.34; p = 0.7), and acute PVI (OR = 1.00; 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.00; p = 0.99) between 2G-CB ablation and CF-RF ablation were not different. The 2G-CB ablation took shorter procedure time (MD = -18.78 minutes; 95% CI = -27.72 to -9.85 minutes; p < 0.01) and relative similar fluoroscopy time (MD = 2.66 minutes; 95% CI = -0.52 to 5.83 minutes; p = 0.10). Phrenic nerve paralysis was higher in 2G-CB ablation group (OR = 7.25; 95% CI = 2.37 to 22.16; p = < 0.005).
Conclusion

The 2G-CB ablation was not superior to CF-RF ablation in paroxysmal AF in terms of acute PVI, freedom from ATAs, and freedom from AF. The 2G-CB ablation procedure can be performed faster than CF-RF ablation, although correlated with a higher phrenic nerve paralysis.