bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on Quantitative Flow Ratio Measurements in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Lu Wenbin , Zhang Xiaoguo , Wang Dong , Ma Genshan , Chen Lijuan , Dai Qiming 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR) is now a new method for the assessment of the extent of coronary artery stenosis but may be obscured by involvement of the mutated status of anatomical structure and blood flow in the coronary artery when encountering Atrial Fibrillation (AF). In this study, we aimed to expose the effect of mutated status of anatomical structure and blood flow on QFR results in AF patients. Methods and results: We evaluated QFR on 223 patients (112 patients with AF; 111non-AF patients served as control) who had undergone PCI-ES due to severe stenoses in coronary arteries. QFR of the target coronary was determined according to the flow rate of the contrast agent, results showed that AF patients with significantly higher QFR value than control group (0.792 ± 0.011 vs. 0.685 ± 0.016, p＜0.001). Then we further analyzed the local QFR around the stenoses (0.858 ± 0.0287 vs. 0.756 ± 0.014, p=0.002), residual QFR (0.958 ± 0.005 vs. 0.929 ± 0.009, p=0.005), index QFR (0.807 ± 0.010vs. 0.713 ± 0.014, p<0.0001) in these two groups of patients with and without AF. Further analysis revealed that AF patients accompanied with relatively lower blood flow velocity (0.130 ± 0.006 m/s vs. 0.153 ± 0.005 m/s, p=0.003) in the diseased coronary artery as compared to the control. Meanwhile we observed that AF patients with higher minimum lumen area (MLA, mm2) (1.65 ± 0.097 vs. 1.11 ± 0.062, p＜0.001) and decreased maximum lesion distorted angle (28.14°± 1.16°vs. 31.95°± 1.23°, p=0.025) compared to the control.Conclusion: Mutated status of anatomical structure and blood flow in the coronary artery of AF patients may enlarge the value of QFR, this may be ascribed to the lower blood flow velocity and decreased maximum lesion distorted angle in AF patients.
Caesarean Delivery Use in Ethiopia: A Spatial and Hierarchical Bayesian Analysis
Authors: TEGEGNE Teketo Kassaw , Chojenta Catherine , Getachew Theodros , Smith Roger , Loxton Deborah 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Access to emergency obstetric care (EmOC) is very important for reducing maternal mortality. A geographically linked data analysis using population and health facility data is potentially valuable to map caesarean delivery use, and to identify inequalities in service access and provision. Thus, this study aimed to assess the spatial patterns of caesarean delivery use, and to identify associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Method: A secondary data analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey linked with the 2014 Ethiopian Service Provision Assessment was conducted. A hierarchical Bayesian analysis was carried out using the SAS MCMC procedure. A spatial analysis was performed to identify the hot spot areas of caesarean delivery use with ArcGIS. Results: Women who had four or more ANC visits were 4.077 (95% Credible Interval (CrI): 1.909, 8.179) times more likely to use caesarean delivery compared to those who had no ANC visits. Pregnant women living in rural areas were 60% less likely to deliver via caesarean section. About 50% of the variability in the rate of caesarean delivery was accounted for by location. The spatial analysis found that Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and the Harari region had clusters of high caesarean delivery rates. Conclusion: There were significant variations in the use of caesarean delivery services across the different regions of Ethiopia. The findings have important policy implications. The Ethiopian government has to increase the distribution of EmOC facilities and/or to establish a faster transportation system to allow pregnant women to reach EmOC facilities when caesarean delivery is indicated.
SLC17A2 Expression Correlates with Prognosis and Immune Infiltrates in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Zhijian , Chen Xuenuo , Jiang Zheng 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors with a dismal prognosis according to updated statistics. At present, there are many deficiencies in targeted therapy for liver cancer. The solute carrier family 17 member 2 (SLC17A2) has not been studied in liver cancer, therefore, we evaluate the role of SLC17A2 in HCC by bioinformatics analysis.Methods: The expression level of SLC17A2 in HCC, the clinicopathological data were analyzed based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, the SLC17A2 protein expression was validated by immunohistochemical staining. Besides, the Kaplan–Meier plotter database and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to explore the prognostic significance. The biological analyses of SLC17A2 were performed using the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Finally, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) databases were used to explore the relationship between immune cell infiltration, immune cell markers and SLC17A2 in HCC.Results: The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that SLC17A2 expression was low in HCC (P < 0.05), and closely related to the clinical stage of HCC. Besides, SLC17A2 had certain prognostic and diagnostic value in HCC according to ROC curve analysis. Further biological analyses showed that SLC17A2 can regulate fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism and cytochrome P450-related metabolism and is closely related to the peroxisome pathway. Notably, we found that SLC17A2 expression was positively correlated with the infiltration levels of CD4 + T cells, naive CD8+ T cells, naive B cells, negatively associated with the levels of regulatory T cells and closely correlated with most immune cell markers in HCC.Conclusion: SLC17A2 expression is low in HCC and correlates with immune infiltration; thus, it could serve as an independent prognostic factor for HCC.
Trauma and Orthopedics in COVID-19 Pandemic: an Epidemiological Study in a Tertiary Center, South of Iran
Authors: Tahami Seyed Mohammad , Hashemi Seyed Ali , Akbarzadeh Armin , Gerami Mohammad Hadi , Aminian Amir , Mesbahi Amirreza , Zarrabi Amin , Safari Rasool 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Introduction: The novel COVID-19 disease was presented at first in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. During COVID-19 pandemic, approaching trauma patients, whom could have COVID-19, is a challenging issue required special consideration and healthcare setting.Methods and materials: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Emtiaz hospital, the main trauma center of the south of Iran, between March 2020 and August 2020 from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trauma-related data such as the mechanism of trauma, injury pattern, and surgical intervention procedure of all the suspicious COVID-19 patients were documented. ICU admission and mortality rate were investigated as outcome variables.Results: During six months of the pandemic period, 9248 patients were referred to our referral trauma center, with 222 patients suspicious of having COVID-19 infection. Among sixty-four cases, whom were confirmed to be positive, 33 orthopedic injured patients were observed. The mortality rate of COVID-19 positive cases was 15.6 % (10 patients out of 64) and COVID-19 negative ones was 10.1 % (16 patients out of 158) which was not statistically significant (p.value:0.25). Multivariate analysis of the effect of the baseline and trauma related factors on mortality rate, showed that older age (p. value: 0.001), COVID-19 infection (p. value: 0.033), and surgical procedure (p.value:0.038) are the poor prognostic factors associated with mortality rate.Conclusion: The mortality rate of trauma patients with COVID-19 positive infection was 15.6 % (10 patients). Older age, COVID-19 infection, and surgical procedure were observed as the statistically significant prognostic factors leading to more mortality rate.Level of Evidence: III
miRNAs Associated with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: New Prognostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Jiayuan Xu , Xianhui Li , Chuansai Zhu , Lucheng Fang , Wen Wang , Sen Lin 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Most of the studies included in this analysis highlighted miRNAsrole in the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Our aim in this bioinformatics study was to synthesize relevant data associated with NPC to identify new prognostic markers. Methods: miRNA and mRNA data related to NPC were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. A variety of online analytical tools (starBase, TargetScanHuman7.2, Metascape, Cytoscape_v3.6.0, and GEPIA) were used to analyze the downloaded data to identify biomarkers with extremely high sensitivity and further research value. Results: Changes in the expression levels of 13 miRNAs played crucial roles in the overall survival of NPC patients (miR-375 was down-regulated, miR-96-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-320a, miR-378a-3p, miR-15b-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-25-3p, miR-93-5p, miR-493-3p, miR-493-5p, miR-494-3p, and let-7i-5p were up-regulated). Additionally, eight central genes (CDK1, CCNB1, CCNA2, TOP2A, AURKA, MAD2L1, CDC6, and CHEK1) were identified as target genes for further NPC therapy. Conclusions: Our findings further elucidate the underlying relationship between miRNAs and prognosis in NPC. The identified miRNAs are closely related to NPC prognosis and have extremely high research value for future medical treatment.
Association of Comorbidities with Survival in Elderly Patients with Metastatic Bladder Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy
Authors: Kim Ki Hyang 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
IntroductionBladder cancer has a high incidence in elderly patients who have complex comorbidities. There are no data on the association between the comorbidities and overall survival (OS) of elderly patients with metastatic bladder cancer treated with chemotherapy; therefore, we evaluated the comorbidities of these patients.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the data of stage IV bladder cancer patients > 65 years of age who underwent chemotherapy at the Busan Paik Hospital between 2008 and 2018. The comorbidities were assessed using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric.ResultsWe retrospectively reviewed the data of 22 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 71.5 years. The most common comorbidities were genitourinary and hematopoietic diseases. The median OS of all patients was 23.9 months (95% confidence interval: 4.9–42.8). Based on the univariate and multivariate analyses of the prognostic factors associated with OS, no comorbidity categories were found to be associated with OS.ConclusionsAlthough this was a small, retrospective, single-center study, no comorbidity categories were associated with OS. We should not hesitate to treat elderly patients with metastatic bladder cancer, and we should always evaluate their comorbidities in clinical practice.
Cloning, Expression and Biochemical Characterization of a new Carboxypeptidase from Aspergillus Niger
Authors: Song Peng , Xu Wei , Zhang Yang , Wang Fei , Zhou Xiuling , Shi Haiying , feng wei 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
A new serine carboxypeptidase gene, capA, was identified in Aspergillus niger CBS 513.88 by reading genomic information and performing sequence alignment, and then, the gene was cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris. In a shake-flask, the enzyme activity of the recombinant strain GS115 (pPIC9K-capA) reached 109.7 U/mL. The optimum temperature and pH for enzyme activity were determined to be 45°C and 6.0, respectively. After incubation at 40°C-50°C or at pH 4.0–8.0 for 1 h, the enzyme retained more than 80% or 60% of its initial activity. Mg2+ enhanced the activity of CapA, whereas Cu2+, Fe2+, Co2+ and PMSF inhibited its activity. Among the six substrates tested, five could be hydrolyzed by CapA. CapA had a broad substrate specificity and preferred the hydrophobic amino acids Leu and Lys in the C-terminus of proteins, and CBZ-Phe-Leu was the preferred substrate for CapA. The good thermostability, pH stability and hydrolysis characteristics provide a solid foundation for the application of CapA in the food and biotechnology fields.
Discrimination between Small Earthquakes and Local Quarry Blasts Using Committee Machine
Authors: Lethy Ahmed , Othman Adel , ElGabry Mohamed , Hussein Hesham , El-Qady Gad 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
A combination of multiple discrimination artificial neural networks using different seismic source parameters is suggested using a committee machine. In this work, a committee machine was used to combine supervised and unsupervised artificial neural networks to discriminate between earthquakes and quarry blasts using data from the Egyptian National Seismological Network (ENSN). The unsupervised network is used as a measure of accuracy for the results of the supervised neural network. The unsupervised Self-Organized Map (SOM) and the k-means clustering algorithms are used to estimate support and confidence measures for the results. Meanwhile, the supervised neural network is used to discriminate between earthquakes and explosions. The artificial neural networks are trained using different input parameters which are the P wave spectrum corner frequency (PcF), S wave corner frequency (ScF), and the ratio (Rcf) of PcF to Scf. The combined approach succeeds to discriminate between earthquakes and quarry blasts in Northern Egypt. The method provides the results with a measure of confidence which eliminates false discrimination. The current paper represents an idea to implement artificial intelligence to assist experts in decision-making situations. The committee machine could identify the nature of a particular event, using the aid of several discrimination methods. The proposed committee machine could combine the results of several algorithms and expert opinions to form one single output with a confidence measure.
COVID-19 related healthcare wastes management practices among Bangladeshi medical professionals
Authors: Rahman Md. Mostafizur , Shammi Mashura , Ali Md. Liakath , Khan Abu Sadat Moniruzzaman , Siddique Md. Abu Bakar , Ashadudzaman Md , Bodrud-Doza Md. , Alam G M Mostafizul , Tareq Shafi M 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose

Amidst the one year of COVID-19 the amount of healthcare waste generation manifolds in Bangladesh. This article aims to rapidly assess the knowledge, attitude, practice, and perception (KAPP) towards COVID-19 related healthcare wastes among Bangladeshi healthcare professionals.
Methods

This research was conducted following a multi-stage methodological approaches to achieve the desired objectives. A total of 300 (= 300) responses were collected from the healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and relevant staff from the public and private medical hospitals and clinics.
Results

It was found that most of the respondents (83.7%) know about the concerning issues of medical wastes and their types. Almost 90.0% (n = 270) respondents agreed with the statement KS3, mentioned as ‘medical waste of COVID-19 patients can be considered as infectious waste’ and they are aware about the potential threat from the waste. It was also found that nearly 76.0% (n = 228) of the respondents know about color coding for the segregation of medical waste. However, interestingly, 68.3% and 43.6% professionals have knowledge about the guidelines of medical waste management. Surprisingly, around 57.0% (n = 171) respondents think that medical waste management adds an extra burden to their work. T-test indicates that demographic characteristics e.g., respondents’ gender, age, occupation/job responsibility, work experience, and level of education, have a significant effect on the safe handling and disposal of biomedical waste.
Conclusion

Despite of having good knowledge about importance of safe handling and management of healthcare wastes Bangladeshi medical professionls have negative attitude and practices in the management of healthcare wastes.
Symbiosis of radio-emitting winds and a jet in a super-Eddington active galactic nucleus
Authors: Yang Xiaolong , Wang Ailing , Yao Su , An Tao , Yang Jun , Ho Luis , Gu Minfeng , Baan Willem , Wang Ran , Liu Xiang , Hong Xiaoyu , Wu Xue-Bing , Zhang Yingkang , Zhao Wei 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Super-critical accretion is the most powerful episode in nursing the black hole growth and works in several types of objects. Given that the inverse correlation between radio loudness and Eddington ratio, the super-Eddington active galactic nuclei (AGNs) hold the extremely radio-quiet end of AGNs. Regarding the existence of jet in super-Eddington or radio-quiet AGNs, it’s still unclear. Years of studies indicate nearly all types of super-Eddington accreting systems can launch a jet with one exception: no clear evidence to show jet in super-Eddington AGNs. Observations and theoretical works suggest that super-Eddington accretion can drive high-speed wind-like outflows, therefore produce radio emission through synchrotron (shocked wind) and bremsstrahlung mechanisms. However, such a radio-emitting wind has not been observed in super-Eddington systems except for the Galactic micro-quasar SS 433. In principle, high resolution very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observation can directly map the inner structure of super-Eddington AGNs. Here, we report the discovery of the coupling of jet and radio-emitting winds in a nearby super-Eddington AGN, I Zw1. Its parsec-scale jet exhibits a wiggling, we interpret this as a jet precession. All the features make IZw1 act as a scaled-up version of SS 433. The observations favour that jet can be launched in extremely radio-quiet AGNs and ubiquitous in super-Eddington accreting systems. The jet wiggling or precession can produce a large aperture-angle shock, which emphasises the jet’s contribution to gas feedback. As the jet precession was also discovered in other super-Eddington systems such as SS 433 and V404 Cygni, it is possible that there is a correlation with each other.
Prognosis and functional role of EIF4G1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Bai Baoxin , Wang Lingwei , Huang Zhiyuan , Zhang Zhiwen , Lu Ying , Xu Zengguang , Liu Yali 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose

To study the functional role and prognosis of EIF4G1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).
Methods

The clinical relevance of EIF4G1 in LSCC was investigated following detection of the expression levels of EIF4G1 by immunohistochemical staining (IHC). The expression levels of EIF4G1, AKT2, p-AKT, mTOR, cyclin D1 and β-actin were detected by western blot analysis. The cell proliferation and colony formation assays were used to detect the cell proliferative ability; flow-cytometry was used to assess the cell cycle; an invasion assay was used to detect cell invasive ability and the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) assay was used to assess the expression levels of EIF4G1 and β-actin. The role of EIF4G1 was verified by xenograft models. These experimental methods were employed to assess the functional role of EIF4G1 in LSCC pathogenesis.
Results

EIF4G1 was overexpressed in LSCC tumor tissues (P < 0.05) compared with the corresponding expression noted in paired adjacent tissues and cells. The expression levels of EIF4G1 were dependent on age (P = 0.002) and clinical stage (I vs II vs III + IV) (P < 0.001). High expression of EIF4G1 (P = 0.008, HR = 2.277, 95% CI = 1.250–4.145) could be used to predict the overall survival of LSCC patients as determined by the Cox’s proportional hazard model. High expression of EIF4G1 exhibited a lower survival (LogRank = 7.167, P = 0.007) in LSCC. Downregulation of EIF4G1 significantly inhibited LSCC proliferation, invasion and cell cycle progression.
Conclusion

EIF4G1 promotes LSCC cell proliferation and may represent an indicator of prognosis in LSCC.
Dysphagia Therapy in Adults with a Tracheostomy: A Scoping Review Protocol
Authors: Kadri Waiza , Halfpenny Rhiannon , Whiten Breege , Smith Christina , Mulkerrin Siofra 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background

Swallowing impairment (dysphagia) and tracheostomy coexist. Research in this area has often provided an overview of dysphagia management as a whole, but there is limited information pertaining to specific dysphagia therapy in the tracheostomy population. The aim of this scoping review is to provide detailed exploration of the literature with regards to dysphagia therapeutic interventions in adults with a tracheostomy. The scoping review will describe current evidence and thus facilitate future discussions to guide clinical practice.
Methods

A scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guideline will be used. Ten electronic databases from inception to July 2021and grey literature will be searched. From identified texts forward and backward citation chasing will be completed. Data extraction will compose of population demographics, aetiology and dysphagia therapy (type, design, dose and intensity). Number of citations and papers included into the scoping review will be presented visually.
Discussion

The scoping review aims to expand upon the existing literature in this field. A detailed description of the evidence is required to facilitate clinical discussions and develop therapeutic protocols in a tracheostomised population. The results of this scoping review will support future research in dysphagia therapy and provide the basis for development of best practice guidelines.
A method of joining piecewise functions to produce continuous functions of difficult data
Authors: Orszulik Stefan T 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
This article describes a method of modelling data that involves splitting the curve into two (or more) and creating separate piecewise functions for each part; these functions are then concatenated via a linking function to create one overall continuous function that better describes the original data than is otherwise achievable. The linking function is able to do this by separating the original two (or more) subfunctions so that they are each active in only the relevant portion of the overall curve without the use of dummy variables. The final result is a continuous function in which it is straightforward to smooth the transition at the knot between the piecewise subfunctions. In addition, the piecewise subfunctions do not need to align at the knot since the degree of smoothing is very readily controlled. All types of functions may be concatenated so that the method is flexible and relatively simple to apply.