bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of the COVID Pandemic Lockdown Measures on Surgical Emergencies: Experience and Lessons Learned from A Greek Tertiary Hospital.
Authors: Pikoulis Emmanouil , Koliakos Nikolaos , Papaconstantinou Dimitrios , Pararas Nikolaos , Pikoulis Andreas , Fotios-Christos Stavratis , Nastos Constantinos , Bagias Georgios , Boutati Eleni , Coccolini Federico , Catena Fausto 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a rise in healthcare demands and has necessitated a significant restructuring of hospital Emergency Departments.The present study aims to determine the pandemic lockdown's impact on the number of patients seeking assessment in the Surgical Emergency Department (SED) with General Surgery emergencies. Methods: Since the start of the Covid pandemic in Greece (1 March, 2020) and up to 15 December 2020, the charts of all patients arriving at the SED of the third surgical department of the “Attikon” University Hospital (a tertiary referral center for surgical and COVID-19 cases) were retrospectively reviewed and broken down in four periods reflecting two nationwide lockdown (period A; 1/3/2020 to 30/4/2020 and period D; 16/10/2020 to 15/12/2020) and two interim (period B; 1/5/2020 to 15/6/2020 and period C; 15/9/2020 to 30/10/2020) periods. Demographic and clinical data were compared to those obtained from the same time periods of the year 2019.Results:The total number of patients attending the SED decreased by 35.9% during the pandemic (from 2839 total patients in 2020 to 1819 in 2019). During the first lockdown, there was a statistically significant reduction of motor vehicle accidents (p=0.04) and torso injuries (p=0.01). A rise in the rate of traumatic brain injuries (p<0.001), abdominal pain (p=0.04) and hospital admissions (p=0.002) was also evident. During the second lockdown, there was a reduction in the number of perianal abscess cases (p=0.04) and hernia-related problems (p=0.001). An increase in the rate of fall injuries was also demonstrable (p=0.02).Conclusion: The burden of the new COVID-19 disease has left a noticeable imprint in the function of emergency departments worldwide. In Greece, implemented lockdown measures significantly impacted the SED attendance rates, the clinical characteristics of the attending patients and the overall hospital admission rate. The long-term effects on national health systems remain to be seen.
Abdominal Obesity Phenotype Predicts COVID-19 Chest X-Ray Severity Score better than General Obesity
Authors: Malavazos Alexis Elias , Secchi Francesco , Basilico Sara , Capitanio Gloria , Boveri Sara , Milani Valentina , Dubini Carola , Schiaffino Simone , Morricone Lelio , Foschini Chiara , Gobbo Giulia , Piccinni Rosangela , Saibene Alessandro , Sardanelli Francesco , Menicanti Lorenzo , Guazzi Marco , Dong Chuanhui , Romanelli Massimiliano Marco Corsi , Carruba Michele , Iacobellis Gianluca 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
PurposeChest x-ray (CXR) severity score and general obesity are predictive risk factors for COVID-19 hospital admission. However, the relationship between abdominal obesity and CXR severity score has not yet been fully explored.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed the association of different adiposity indexes, including waist circumference and body mass index (BMI), with CXR severity score in 215 hospitalized patients with COVID-19.ResultsPatients with abdominal obesity had significantly higher CXR severity scores and higher rates of these scores than those without abdominal obesity (P<0.001; P=0.001, respectively). While, there were no significant differences between BMI classes (P=0.104; P=0.271, respectively). Waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) correlated more closely with CXR severity score than BMI (r=0.43, P<0.001; r=0.41, P<0.001; r=0.17, P=0.012, respectively). The area under the curves (AUCs) for waist circumference and WHtR were significantly higher than those for BMI for distinguishing a high CXR severity score (≥8) (0.68 [0.60-0.75] and 0.67 [0.60-0.74] vs 0.58 [0.51-0.66], P=0.001). Multivariable analysis indicated abdominal obesity (risk ratio: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.25-2.45, P<0.001), bronchial asthma (risk ratio: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.07-2.81, P=0.026) and oxygen saturation at admission (risk ratio: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.97, P<0.001) as the only independent predictors of a high CXR severity score. ConclusionAbdominal obesity might predict a high CXR severity score better than general obesity in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Therefore, when performing clinical hospital practices, waist circumference should be assessed, and patients with abdominal obesity should be monitored closely when hospitalized.
Relationship Between Glycemic Intraday Variations Evaluated in Continuous Glucose Monitoring and HbA1c Variability in Type 2 Diabetes: Pilot Study
Authors: Tokutsu Akemi , Okada Yosuke , Torimoto Keiichi , Tanaka Yoshiya 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: HbA1c variability is independent of mean HbA1c, and associated with mortality due to vascular complications. However, the significance of HbA1c variability is unknown at present. In this study, we used flash glucose monitoring (FGM) and evaluated glycemic intraday variations, and then examined the association with HbA1c variability.Methods: We conducted a retrospective pilot study of 26 patients treated at the Outpatient department for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and evaluated the following items associated with blood glucose levels and their changes/variations using FGM. The primary endpoint was factor(s) associated with Standard deviation (SD) HbA1c over a six-month period. Results: There were significant correlations between mean HbA1c and each of glucose management indicator, maximum, percent time at glucose >180 mg/d, mean of daily difference of blood glucose, and high blood glucose index. SD HbA1c correlated significantly with percent time at glucose <70 mg/dL and low blood glucose index. We estimated the regression coefficient of SD HbA1c using multivariate linear regression analysis, and noted that the presence of hypoglycemia affected SD HbA1c (β=0.132, SE=0.055, P=0.026). Hypoglycemia was noted in 17 patients, and SD HbA1c was significantly higher (p<0.001) in the hypoglycemic group (0.24±0.13%), compared with the non-hypoglycemic group (0.09±0.06%). The cut-off value of SD HbA1c was 0.126% in the hypoglycemic group.Conclusions: The results showed that HbA1c variability is associated with hypoglycemia. HbA1c variability reflects the risk of hypoglycemia, suggesting a possible association with the risk of cardiovascular mortality. For patients with high HbA1c variability, we recommend evaluation for the presence of hypoglycemia and reconsideration of their treatment regimen including their glucose-lowering medications.Trial registration: The study protocol and opt-out method of informed consent were approved by the ethics committees of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health (Trial registration: H27-186, Registered 25 Dec 2015).
Risk Factors of Symptomatic Anastomotic Leakage and its Impacts on Long Term&nbsp;Survival after Laparoscopic Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer:&nbsp;A Retrospective Single Center Study
Authors: Qi Xinyu , Liu Maoxing , Xu Kai , Gao Pin , Tan Fei , Yao Zhendan , Zhang Nan , Yang Hong , Zhang Chenghai , Xing Jiadi , Cui Ming , Su Xiangqian 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Postoperative symptomatic anastomotic leakage (AL) is a serious complication after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer. AL can potentially affect short-term patient outcomes and long-term prognosis. This study aimed to explore the risk factors and long-term survival of symptomatic AL after laparoscopic LAR for rectal cancer.Methods: From May 2009 to May 2015, 298 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic LAR for rectal cancer with or without a defunctioning stoma were included in this study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore independent risk factors for symptomatic AL. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier curves, and log-rank tests were used for group comparisons.Results: Among the 298 patients enrolled in this study, symptomatic AL occurred in eight patients (2.7%). The univariate analyses showed that the age≤65 (P = 0.048), neoadjuvant therapy (P = 0.095), distance from the anal verge (P = 0.078), duration of operation (P = 0.001), and pathological tumor (T) category (P = 0.004) were associated with symptomatic AL. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that only the duration of operation (P = 0.010) was an independent risk factor for symptomatic AL after laparoscopic LAR for rectal cancer. In the survival analysis, no statistically significant differences in the 3-year (P = 0.785) and 5-year (P = 0.979) overall survival rates were observed.Conclusions: A prolonged duration of operation increased the risk of symptomatic AL after laparoscopic LAR for rectal cancer. An impact of symptomatic AL on long-term survival was not observed in this study, but it needs to be studied more.Trial registration: This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000033413).
Microorganisms Photocatalytic Inactivation on Ag3PO4 Sub-microcrystals Under WLEDs Light Source
Authors: Cruz-Filho João F , Costa Tadeu M.S. , Lima Maciel S , Nolêto Luis F.G. , Bandeira Carla C. S. , Lima Francisca L , Júnior Geraldo Eduardo da Luz 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this article, we report the silver orthophosphate (Ag3PO4) photocatalytic inactivation properties on strains Gram-positive Saprophyte B. subtilis, a diploid fungus Candida albicans and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, using as irradiation source white-light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) with luminous flux (Φ v) of 1.3 x 103 Lumens and relative power density of 15 mW m− 2. Microorganisms death curves and the kinetic constants (Kd) indicated that the inhibitory effect of the Ag3PO4 under WLEDs irradiation is well pronounced to C. albicans (6.6 x 10− 2 min− 1) in relation to P. augenosas (4.6 x 10− 2 min− 1) and B. subitilis (2.5 x 10− 2 min− 1). Decimal reduction time (Dt) were 34.4 min to C. albicans, 50.1 min P. augenosas and 92.1 min to B.subitilis The micrographs obtained by scanning electron microscopy with field emission gun (SEM-FEG) demonstrated that there was cell wall permeability and consequently total rupture in the C. albicans, suggesting the lipid peroxidation phenomenon and protein oxidation promoted by the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, it was observed the Ag3PO4 when irradiated by WLEDs demonstrates important sporicidal activity in related to B. subtilis, promoting the endospore wall rupture.
How Home Anterior Self-collected Nasal Swab Simplifies SARS-CoV2 Testing: New Surveillance Horizons in Public Health and Beyond.
Authors: Ricci Silvia , Lodi Lorenzo , Citera Francesco , Nieddu Francesco , Moriondo Maria , Guarnieri Valentina , Giovannini Mattia , Indolfi Giuseppe , Resti Massimo , Zanobini Alberto , Azzari Chiara 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The sample collection procedure for SARS-Co-V2 identification has a strong impact on diagnostic capability, contact tracing approach, ultimately affecting the infection containment performance. This study demonstrates that self-collected nasal-swab has shown to be a valid and well tolerated procedure to Sars-CoV-2 surveillance in a healthcare system. More significantly, no performance adequacy difference was detected in self-administered swabs between HCW and non-HCW which allows to speculate that this procedure could be successfully extended to the entire population for mass screening.
High Efficiency Electrochemiluminescence for Copper(II) and Cadmium(II) Pyrazolate Polymers
Authors: Hua Feng-Zhen , Feng Chao , Xie Wei-Nan , Luo Yi-Ni , Zhang Ling-Mei , Zhao Hong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Two new coordination polymers, namely, [Cu2(L)2(4,4′-bpy)]n (1) and [Cd(HL)Cl(1,10′-phen)]n (2) (H2L = 1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 1,10′-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized via solvothermal method and were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, elemental analysis and PXRD. The two complexes are both infinite 1D chain structures, in complex 1 the H2L ligands are completely deprotonated and chelating the metal centers, while in complex 2, H2L ligands play a role in chelating-bridging the metal centers. What’s more, the two complexes further extended to 3D supramolecular networks by hydrogen bonds and weak C–H⋯π interactions. The weak intermolecular interactions existed in the complexes structures were further studied by Hirshfeld surface analysis and 2D fingerprint plots. In addition, these two transition mental complexes exhibit high intense electrochemiluminescence (ECL) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and after ten circulations the ECL intensity still remains stable, which can be a useful guide for the construct of new polymers ECL materials.
Investigation on the Drag Coefficient of the Steady and Unsteady Flow Conditions in Coarse Porous Media
Authors: Norouzi Hadi , Bazargan Jalal , Azhang Faezah , Nasiri Rana 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The study of the steady and unsteady flow through porous media and the interactions between fluids and particles is of utmost importance. In the present study, binomial and trinomial equations to calculate the changes in hydraulic gradient (i) in terms of flow velocity (V) were studied in the steady and unsteady flow conditions, respectively. According to previous studies, the calculation of drag coefficient (Cd) and consequently, drag force (Fd) is a function of coefficient of friction (f). Using Darcy-Weisbach equations in pipes, the hydraulic gradient equations in terms of flow velocity in the steady and unsteady flow conditions, and the analytical equations proposed by Ahmed and Sunada in calculation of the coefficients a and b of the binomial equation and the friction coefficient (f) equation in terms of the Reynolds number (Re) in the porous media, equations were presented for calculation of the friction coefficient in terms of the Reynolds number in the steady and unsteady flow conditions in 1D (one-dimensional) confined porous media. Comparison of experimental results with the results of the proposed equation in estimation of the drag coefficient in the present study confirmed the high accuracy and efficiency of the equations. The mean relative error (MRE) between the computational (using the proposed equations in the present study) and observational (direct use of experimental data) friction coefficient for small, medium and large grading in the steady flow conditions was equal to 1.913, 3.614 and 3.322%, respectively. In the unsteady flow condition, the corresponding values of 7.806, 14.106 and 10.506 % were obtained, respectively.
Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals genetic mechanisms of phenotypic differences between Landsberg erecta-0 and Columbia-0 ecotypes in Arabidopsis
Authors: Wu Zhenjiang , Liu Yaqiong , Li Bingbing , Xie Chaohui , Zhu Tao , Li Wenjian , Feng Ruliang , Han Shiming 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
As common ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana, obvious phenotypic differences have been observed between Landsberg erecta-0 (Ler-0) and Columbia-0 (Col-0). However, it is unlikely to explain a phenotypic trait from each single-gene mutant. In this study, a genotype to phenotype prediction using comparative transcriptome analysis was established to study multigene regulation in biological processes. Analyses of RNA sequencing data of Ler-0 and Col-0 revealed that the differences on gene expression in different organs were larger than those in different ecotypes. Among the 671 differential expressed genes between Ler-0 and Col-0, 273 genes were up-regulated and 398 genes were down-regulated in Ler-0. Gene Ontology (GO) analyses were performed by using these genes, and 43, 31 and 58 genes were enriched in response to cold, response to cold and response to hormone stimulus respectively. Due to these datas, we then tested the sensitivity of Col-0 and Ler-0 to cold and abscisic acid (ABA) stress, and Col-0 ecotype exhibited more tolerance to cold stress and ABA. We also quantified the cell and leaf length of Col-0 and Ler-0, and these different growth phenotypes may be partly caused by the genes which enriched in response to hormone stimulus. The differential expressed genes identified through the mRNA transcriptome provide a revealing insight into guiding phenotyping of organisms and providing genotype to phenotype relations for better understanding of plant growth, development and response to environments. This approach could also be applied to genetic mutants for discovery of novel phenotypes thus better understanding of the mutant gene functions.
Impact of Frailty On 5-Year Survival In Patients Older Than 70 Years Undergoing Colorectal Surgery for Cancer
Authors: Artiles-Armas Manuel , Roque-Castellano Cristina , Fariña-Castro Roberto , Conde-Martel Alicia , Acosta-Mérida María Asunción , Marchena-Gomez Joaquin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Frailty has been shown to be a good predictor of post-operative complications and death in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences between frail and non-frail patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery, as well as the impact of frailty on long-term survival in these patients.Methods: A cohort of 149 patients aged 70 years and older who underwent elective surgery for colorectal cancer was followed-up for at least 5 years. The sample was divided into two groups: frail and non-frail patients. The Canadian Study of Health and Aging-Clinical Frailty Scale (CSHA-CSF) was used to detect frailty. The two groups were compared with regard to demographic data, comorbidities, functional and cognitive statuses, surgical risk, surgical variables, tumour extent, and post-operative outcomes, which were mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 1 year after the procedure. Univariate and multivariate analyses were also performed to determine which of the predictive variables were related to 5-year survival.Results: Out of the 149 patients, 96 (64.4%) were men and 53 (35.6) were women, with a median age of 75 years (IQR: 72-80). According to the CSHA-CSF scale, 59 patients (39.6%) were frail, and 90 patients (60.4%) were not frail. Frail patients were significantly older and had more impaired cognitive status, worse functional status, more comorbidities, more operative mortality, and more serious complications than non-frail patients. Comorbidities, as measured by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (p=0.001); the Lawton-Brody Index (p=0.011); failure to perform an anastomosis (p=0.024); nodal involvement (p=0.005); distant metastases (p<0.001); high TNM stage (p=0.004); and anastomosis dehiscence (p=0.013) were significant univariate predictors of a poor prognosis in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis (Cox regression) of long-term survival, with adjustment for age, frailty, comorbidities and TNM stage, showed that comorbidities (p=0.002; HR:1.30; 95% CI:1.10–1.54) and TNM stage (p=0.014; HR:2.06; 95% CI:1.16-3.67) were the only independent risk factors for survival at five years.Conclusions: Frailty is associated with poor short-term post-operative outcomes, but it does not seem to affect long-term survival in patients with colorectal cancer. Instead, comorbidities and tumour stage are good predictors of long-term survival.
Epistemic uncertainty of probabilistic building exposure compositions in scenario-based earthquake loss models
Authors: Gomez-Zapata Juan Camilo , Pittore Massimiliano , Cotton Fabrice , Lilienkamp Henning , Shinde Simantini , Aguirre Paula , Maria Hernan Santa 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In seismic risk assessment the sources of uncertainty associated to building exposure modelling have not received as much attention as other components related to hazard and vulnerability. We are introducing that the degree of knowledge of a building portfolio can be described within a Bayesian probabilistic approach to acknowledge the epistemic uncertainty of its composition (i.e. proportions per building class). We are investigating the impact of such uncertainty on earthquake loss models through a novel approach based on an exposure-oriented logic tree arrangement and scenario-based seismic risk simulations. We have found that the building class reconnaissance either from prior assumptions by desktop studies with aggregated data (top-down approach) or from building-by-building data collection (bottom-up approach), plays a fundamental role in statistical modelling of exposure. We successively show that the selection of the basic set of building classes is a major contribution to the uncertainties in the loss estimations given their dependence on specific fragility functions. If the set of fragility functions handle multiple spectral periods, cross-correlated ground motion fields are required for the vulnerability assessment which ultimately control the variability of the losses. When the exposure composition is poorly known due to, for instance, simplifications and assumptions over aggregated data, its absolute contribution to the loss uncertainties has been found to be larger than the one imposed by the spatially distributed cross-correlated ground motion fields. This work invites to redesign desktop exposure studies, while it also highlights the importance of a standardized iterative approach to exposure data collection and modelling.
Biogenic Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles from Living sources with Special Emphasis on Their Biomedical Applications
Authors: Rather Gulzar Ahmed , Nanda Anima , Chakravorty Arghya , Hamid Saima , Khan Johra , Rather Mohd Asharaf , Bhattacharya Tanima , Rahman Md. Habibur 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Nanobiotechnology has been achieved great significance in terms of nanomedicine & many others. But the first challenge in nanobiotechnology science is the preparation of stable nanoparticles. Presently, many preparation methods have been developed like different chemical & physical processes, but the main drawbacks of these processes are required hazardous chemicals, environmental impact, and ultimately expenses a lot. To overcome these challenges another advanced technology has been developed, which is termed green or biogenic synthesis. This review is discussing the modern approaches of the eco-friendly and cost-effective methodology of green synthesis of nanoparticles by using different eukaryotic & prokaryotic agents like plants, human cell lines, diatoms, algae, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other organisms. Also, this review gives a clear idea of the different applications of those nanoparticles in drug delivery, dentistry, labeling, diagnostics & sensors.