bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long Non-coding RNAMALAT1 Knockdown Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury of Rats Through Regulating the miR-375/PDE4D Axis
Authors: Zhang Guangjian , Wang Qingdong , Su Daoqing , Xie Yingliang 
Published: January 2021

Objectives: Cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury (CI/RI) is the clinical manifestation of cerebral ischemic stroke, which severely affects the health and life of the patients. We aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) on CI/RI in this study.Methods: The expression of lncRNA MALAT1 and miR-375 was detected by qRT-PCR. MTT was utilized to measure the viability of PC-12 cells. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by LDH assay, SOD assay, and ROS assay, respectively. The apoptosis rate of PC-12 cells was measured by flow cytometry analysis. Through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the levels of NF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were determined. The interactions between miR-375 and MALAT1/PDE4D were predicted by Starbase/Targetscan software and verified by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Western blot assay was performed to determine the protein expression of Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and PDE4D.Results: LncRNA MALAT1 expression was highly upregulated in the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)/reperfusion (R) model of rats. Both MALAT1 downregulation and miR-375 upregulation reversed the inhibitory effect of oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)/R on cell viability and the promoting effects on LDH level, cell apoptosis, and inflammatory factors levels. MALAT1 targeted miR-375, whereas miR-375 targeted PDE4D. Overexpression of miR-375 attenuated OGD/R-induced injury in PC-12 cells by targeting PDE4D. Both the low expression of miR-375 and high expression of PDE4D reversed the promoting effect of MALAT1 knockdown on SOD level and the inhibitory effects on ROS level, inflammatory factor levels, and cell apoptosis.Conclusion: Suppression of MALAT1 alleviates CI/RI of rats through regulating the miR-375/PDE4D axis. This study provides a possible therapeutic strategy for human CI/RI in clinic.
Predictive Value of Prognostic Nutritional Index on COVID-19 Severity
Authors: Wang Zhong-hua , Lin Ying-Wen , Wei Xue-biao , Li Fei , Liao Xiao-Long , Yuan Hui-qing , Huang Dao-zheng , Qin Tie-he , Geng Heng , Wang Shou-hong 
Published: January 2021

Background: The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) has been described as a simple risk-stratified tool for several diseases. We explored the predictive role of the PNI on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity.Methods: A total of 101 patients with COVID-19 were included in this retrospective study from January 2020 to March 2020. They were divided into two groups according to COVID-19 severity: non-critical (n = 56) and critical (n = 45). The PNI was calculated upon hospital admission: 10 × serum albumin (g/dL) + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count (/mm3). Critical COVID-19 was defined as having one of the following features: respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation; shock; organ dysfunction necessitating admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). The correlation between the PNI with COVID-19 severity was analyzed.Results: The PNI was significantly lower in critically ill than that in non-critically ill patients (P &lt; 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that the PNI was a good discrimination factor for identifying COVID-19 severity (P &lt; 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the PNI to be an independent risk factor for critical illness due to COVID-19 (P = 0.002).Conclusions: The PNI is a valuable biomarker that could be used to discriminate COVID-19 severity.
Operative and Oncological Outcomes Comparing Sentinel Node Mapping and Systematic Lymphadenectomy in Endometrial Cancer Staging: Meta-Analysis With Trial Sequential Analysis
Authors: Gu Yu , Cheng Hongyan , Zong Liju , Kong Yujia , Xiang Yang 
Published: January 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate the utility of sentinel lymph node mapping (SLN) in endometrial cancer (EC) patients in comparison with lymphadenectomy (LND).MethodsComprehensive search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, OVID, Web of science databases, and three clinical trials registration websites, from the database inception to September 2020. The primary outcomes covered operative outcomes, nodal assessment, and oncological outcomes. Software Revman 5.3 was used. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) were performed.ResultsOverall, 5,820 EC patients from 15 studies were pooled in the meta-analysis: SLN group (N = 2,152, 37.0%), LND group (N = 3,668, 63.0%). In meta-analysis of blood loss, SLN offered advantage over LND in reducing operation bleeding (I2 = 74%, P&lt;0.01). Z-curve of blood loss crossed trial sequential monitoring boundaries though did not reach TSA sample size. There was no difference between SLN and LND in intra-operative complications (I2 = 7%, P = 0.12). SLN was superior to LND in detecting positive pelvic nodes (P-LN) (I2 = 36%, P&lt;0.001), even in high risk patients (I2 = 36%, P = 0.001). While no difference was observed in detection of positive para-aortic nodes (PA-LN) (I2 = 47%, P = 0.76), even in high risk patients (I2 = 62%, P = 0.34). Analysis showed no difference between two groups in the number of resected pelvic nodes (I2 = 99%, P = 0.26). SLN was not associated with a statistically significant overall survival (I2 = 79%, P = 0.94). There was no difference in progression-free survival between SLN and LND (I2 = 52%, P = 0.31). No difference was observed in recurrence. Based on the GRADE assessment, we considered the quality of current evidence to be moderate for P-LN biopsy, low for items like blood loss, PA-LN positive.ConclusionThe present meta-analysis underlines that SLN is capable of reducing blood loss during operation in regardless of surgical approach with firm evidence from TSA. SLN mapping is more targeted for less node dissection and more detection of positive lymph nodes even in high risk patients with conclusive evidence from TSA. Utility of SLN yields no survival detriment in EC patients.
Case Report: Primary Peritonitis as the Onset of Pediatric Ménétrier's Disease
Authors: Barrés-Fernández Ana , Piolatti-Luna Andrés , Bretón-Martínez José Rafael , Crehuá-Gaudiza Elena , Quiñones-Torrelo Carmen , Moscardó-Navarro Anaïs , Fuertes-Latasa Cristina , Martínez-Costa Cecilia 
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Primary peritonitis (PP) and Ménétrier's Disease (MD) are both rare conditions among pediatric population. Although about 150 MD cases have been described in the scientific literature to date, its onset with a PP is an unusual condition.Case Presentation: We present a case of an 11-year-old boy who was admitted to our unit because of abdominal pain and distension. Complementary tests showed ascites, bilateral pleural effusion, leukocytosis, increased acute phase reactants and hypoproteinemia with hypoalbuminemia. Laparoscopy ruled out appendicitis or visceral perforations and exposed purulent peritoneal fluid, compatible with PP. Biochemical stool analysis showed increased clearance of alpha-1-antitrypsin, which was consistent with a protein-losing enteropathy. Gastroscopy findings were compatible with MD. The clinical course was favorable and he had no recurrence after 12 months of follow-up.Conclusion: PP can be the first clinical manifestation of pediatric MD. Knowledge of MD and its generally benign nature in children is important in order to avoid excessive testing and unnecessary treatment.
A New Score for Predicting Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients Administered Oral Antiplatelet Drugs
Authors: Lv Meina , Zheng Xiaochun , Wu Tingting , Chen Wenjun , Jiang Shaojun , Zhang Hongqin , Xu Fangda , Zhang Jinhua 
Published: January 2021

Antiplatelet drugs may increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Currently, there is no specific score for predicting the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding caused by oral antiplatelet drugs. In this study, the gastrointestinal bleeding risk score was established and compared with the CRUSADE score in order to reduce the occurrence of clinical gastrointestinal bleeding events. Our study included 4052 patients who received oral antiplatelet drugs. Data were obtained from the patient medical records inpatient system. Cases of acute gastrointestinal bleeding and mortality were recorded. The bleeding score was established by logistic regression, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the Hosmer–Lemeshow test. Finally, 171 patients had acute gastrointestinal bleeding. The mortality rates of patients in the bleeding and nonbleeding groups were 24.6 and 4.7%, respectively. A multivariate analysis revealed that an age of &gt;65 years, anemia, recent major bleeding, a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, combined oral anticoagulants, and dual antiplatelet therapy are risk factors, and combined proton pump inhibitors are protective factors for acute gastrointestinal bleeding. We used these risk factors to establish a score for predicting acute gastrointestinal bleeding, named (ABC)2D score. The area under the curve for (ABC)2D score was 0.857 (p &lt; 0.001), higher than the CRUSADE score of 0.693 (p &lt; 0.001). The Hosmer–Lemeshow p value was 0.324. We developed the (ABC)2D score based on seven risk factors (i.e., age, anemia, recent major bleeding, a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, no-proton pump inhibitors use, combined oral anticoagulants, and dual antiplatelet therapy). (ABC)2D score was superior to the CRUSADE score. This new risk-scoring model may help to identify patients at a significant risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Protective Effects of 1,8-Cineole Microcapsules Against Inflammation and Gut Microbiota Imbalance Associated Weight Loss Induced by Heat Stress in Broiler Chicken
Authors: Jiang Zhihui , Luo Maojun , Ma Wentao , Ma Shengming , Wang Yao , Zhang Kunpeng 
Published: January 2021

Intestinal microbiota dysregulation is considered the primary trigger of low-grade inflammation responsible for weight loss due to heat stress. 1,8-Cineole is the major bacteriostatic agent in eucalypt and possesses remarkable anti-inflammatory properties. However, the mechanisms of its effect on intestinal microbiota remain unclear. In this study, 1,8-cineole was prepared into microcapsules prior to use as feed supplement in chickens. The microencapsulation efficiency and chemical stability of 1,8-cineole microcapsules were evaluated. The chicken treatment with 1,8-cineole microcapsules (1 or 3%) for 45 days, in the presence or absence of heat stress for fifteen days, commenced on Day 31, with or without an antibiotics mix (Abx) for three days on Day 27. Performance parameters were measured once a week from Day 30 through Day 45. Surface and entrapped concentration of 1,8-cineole was estimated as 7.89 g/100 g powder in the microcapsules. The time to maximal concentration (Tmax), terminal half-life (T1/2), and the area under plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-t) of the encapsulated 1,8-cineole were higher than those of the nonencapsulated in treated chickens, although the maximal concentrations (Cmax) were similar. Chickens treated under higher temperatures with 1,8-cineole microcapsules exhibited lower levels of grade inflammation and higher body weight gain. Dietary 1,8-cineole microcapsules recovered the normal structure of upper ileum and altered the ratio of gut microbiota under heat stress and increased the ratio of Lactobacillus and Escherichia, whereas the proportion of Salmonella decreased based on 16S rRNA analysis of the upper ileum microbiota. In vitro, 1,8-cineole effectively inhibited the growth of Salmonella as demonstrated by inhibition zone assay. In summary, our findings elucidated the interaction between 1,8-cineole and intestinal microbiota as a new mechanism for the anti-heat stress effect of 1,8-cineole in preventing low-grade inflammation and weight loss. The results suggest that 1,8-cineole microcapsules may be a good feed supplement to protect against heat stress injury.
Anticoagulation Quality of Warfarin and the Role of Physician–Pharmacist Collaborative Clinics in the Treatment of Patients Receiving Warfarin: A Retrospective, Observational, Single-Center Study
Authors: Qiu Sha , Wang Na , Zhang Chi , Gu Zhi-Chun , Qian Yan 
Published: January 2021

Background: The management of patients receiving warfarin is complicated. This study evaluated the anticoagulation quality of warfarin, explored potential predictors associated with poor anticoagulation quality, and elucidated the role of clinical pharmacists in the management of warfarin treatment.Methods: We retrospectively collected data on patients who either initially received warfarin or returned to warfarin after withdrawal between January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2020. The primary outcome was time in therapeutic range (TTR), and a TTR of ≥60% was considered as good anticoagulation quality. The secondary outcomes included thromboembolic and bleeding events during the follow-up. We assessed the TTR of each participant and investigated the potential predictors of poor anticoagulation quality (TTR &lt; 60%) using logistic regression analysis. Additionally, we compared the warfarin anticoagulant quality and the incidence of clinical adverse events between atrial fibrillation patients in physician–pharmacist collaborative clinics (PPCCs) and general clinics.Results: Totally, 378 patients were included. The mean TTR of patients was 42.6 ± 29.8%, with only 32% of patients having achieved good anticoagulation quality. During a mean follow-up period of 192 ± 92 days, we found no significant differences in the incidences of thromboembolic events (5.0% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.967) and bleeding events (1.7% vs. 4.7%, p = 0.241) between patients with good and those with poor anticoagulation quality. The presence of PPCCs (odds ratio [OR]: 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25–0.90, p = 0.022) was an independent protective factor of poor anticoagulation quality, while the presence of more than four comorbidities (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.22–3.24, p = 0.006) and an average interval of international normalized ratio monitoring of &gt;30 days (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.10–2.76, p = 0.019) were independent risk factors of poor anticoagulation quality. Compared with atrial fibrillation patients in general clinics, patients in PPCCs were found to have a significantly increased mean TTR level (48.4% ± 25.7% vs. 38.0% ± 27.6%, p = 0.014).Conclusion: The anticoagulation quality of warfarin was relatively low at our institution. The presence of more than four comorbidities and an average interval of international normalized ratio monitoring of &gt;30 days independently contributed to poor anticoagulation quality. Meanwhile, the use of PPCC model improved the anticoagulation quality of warfarin.
Physicochemical Properties of Pure Water Treated by Pure Argon Plasma Jet Generated by Microwave Discharge in Opened Atmosphere
Authors: Sergeichev Konstantin F. , Lukina Natalya A. , Sarimov Ruslan M. , Smirnov Igor G. , Simakin Alexander V. , Dorokhov Aleksey S. , Gudkov Sergey V. 
Published: January 2021

The physicochemical properties of water activated by high-purity low-temperature argon plasma of electrodeless microwave discharge at atmospheric pressure are investigated. Such parameters of activated water as electrical conductivity, redox potential, hydrogen index (pH), the concentrations of dissolved molecular oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, OH-radicals, nitrate and nitrite anions depending on the plasma jet distance above the water surface and duration of activation were studied. Under irradiation conditions close to optimum, it was shown that the generation rate in the absence of impurities are 200 μM/min for H2O2; 800 μM/min for •OH and 2 mM/min for NOx−. The use of plasma activated water (PAW) in agriculture has been tested. It was shown that strawberry seeds treated with a surfactant solution grow much faster than control seeds. The mechanisms of the chemical composition formation of activated water and its biological properties are discussed.
Mental Health Outcomes Amongst Health Care Workers During COVID 19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al Ammari Maha , Sultana Khizra , Thomas Abin , Al Swaidan Lolowa , Al Harthi Nouf 
Published: January 2021

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the mental health outcomes and associated factors among health care workers during COVID 19 in Saudi Arabia.Design, Setting, and Participants: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of health care workers from tertiary care and ministry of health Centers across the Central, Eastern, and Western regions of Saudi Arabia. There were 1,130 participants in the survey, and we collected demographic and mental health measurements from the participants.Primary Outcomes and Measures: The magnitude of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia was measured using the original version of 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), the 7-item generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7), and 7-item insomnia severity index (ISI). We use the multiple logistic regression analysis to identify the associated risk factors of individual outcomes.Results: The scores on the PHQ-9 showed that the largest proportion of health care workers (76.93%) experienced only normal to mild depression (50.83 and 26.1%, respectively). The scores on the GAD-7 showed that the largest proportion of health care workers (78.88%) experienced minimal to mild anxiety (50.41 and 28.47%, respectively). The scores on the ISI showed that the largest proportion of health care workers (85.83%) experienced absence to subthreshold insomnia (57.08 and 28.75%, respectively). The risk factors for depression in health care workers were Saudi, living with family, working from an isolated room at home and frontline worker. For anxiety, being female was risk factor and for insomnia, being frontline worker was risk factor.Conclusion: It was observed that the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia were reported in a lower proportion of health care workers in our study. The participants who were female, frontline workers, Saudi, living with family, and working from home in isolated rooms were predisposed to developing psychological disorders.
Aperture Averaged Scintillation of Gaussian Beam in Strong Oceanic Turbulence
Authors: GÖKÇE Muhsin Caner 
Published: January 2021

Oceanic turbulence caused by salinity and temperature fluctuations underwater affects the characteristics of a transmit laser beam resulting in turbulence-induced intensity fluctuations (i.e., scintillation) at the receiver. Oceanic optical wireless communication (OOWC) systems employ a receiver lens of aperture to focus the collected light onto a photodetector. This way, aperture averaging takes place and the scintillation on the detector is reduced. Using the modified Rytov theory, aperture averaged scintillation of the Gaussian beam passing through strong oceanic turbulence is examined in this study. Effects of Gaussian beam parameters and the turbulence parameters on the aperture averaged scintillation and the aperture averaging factor are illustrated. The scintillation behaviors of the limiting cases of a spherical wave and a plane wave are also reported. Results show that aperture averaged scintillation decreases with increasing the size of the receiver aperture for any turbulence level. The effect of Gaussian size on the aperture averaged scintillation varies depends on the turbulence level. It is also shown that there is a close match between the point scintillation index values obtained from the modified Rytov theory and the conventional Rytov theory in low levels of turbulence.
Optimization of Endo-Pectinase and Pectin Lyase Production from Wheat Bran by Bacillus pumilus using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: TEPE Özlem , DURSUN Arzu Yadigar 
Published: January 2021

Wheat bran is one of the most used agricultural residues for enzyme synthesis. It has a high organic content; thus, it causes environmental pollution. In this study, wheat bran was selected as a carbon source and it was supplemented with yeast extract and ammonium sulphate. Endopectinase and pectin lyase production by Bacillus pumilus was performed in a batch system. RSM was applied to examine the effects of the wheat bran, yeast extract and ammonium sulphate concentrations on the synthesis of enzymes and the dosages of these nutrients were optimized. According to the model design, the optimum conditions were 4.74% w/v wheat bran, 0.12% ammonium sulphate and 0.12% yeast extract. The high values of R2 and R2 adj indicated that the fitted model showed good agreement with the predicted and actual values. In conclusion, these studies revealed that wheat bran can be used for the production of endo-pectinase and pectin lyase enzymes based on high enzyme activities.
Projekt wieczystego pokoju. Polityczne marzenie wielkiego filozofa
Authors: Surzyn Jacek 
Published: January 2021

CEL BADAWCZY: Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie projektu wiecznego pokoju Immanuela Kanta pod kątem jego filozoficznych i politycznych założeń.
PROBLEM I METODY BADAWCZE: Głównym problemem analizowa‑ nym w tym tekście jest ukazanie roli myślenia teoretycznego i jego politycznych implikacji. Filozofia krytyczna Kanta wyznaczyła nową drogę refleksji filozoficz‑ nej. Zasadniczo filozofowanie po Kancie okazało się niemożliwe bez odniesienia do jego myśli (czy to w sensie pozytywnym, czy też negatywnym). W ramach myśli filozofa pojawiła się także refleksja polityczna. Ważnym miejscem w tej refleksji wydaje się określenie ogólnego celu ludzkości, którym, według Kanta, jest dążenie do wiecznego pokoju.
PROCES ARGUMENTACJI: Artykuł próbuje opisać projekt wiecznego pokoju Kanta z punktu widzenia problemu jego wykonalności. Ta kwestia ujawnia podstawowy problem refleksji nad polityką, czyli powiązania teorii z praktyką.
WYNIKI BADAŃ: Filozofia jest czysto intelektualną spekulacją, której idee odnoszą się jednak do praktyki politycznej. W tym kontekście można zastano‑ wić się, czy „sny” filozofów­-teoretyków mają zastosowanie w praktycznym (realnym) świecie.
WNIOSKI, INNOWACJE I ZALECENIA: We wnioskach próbuje się wy‑ kazać pierwszeństwo namysłu teoretycznego nad praktycznym wdrażaniem koncepcji politycznych w życiu społecznym. Kant – jako filozof – pokazuje, że idee i różne teoretycznie ustalone cele, które stanowią wyzwanie dla człowieka i społeczeństwa, mają sens jedynie jako postulaty a priori, a te dopiero wdrażane w praktyce stają się właściwymi celami do osiągnięcia.