bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preoperative Nutritional Evaluation of Elderly Patients with Prostate Cancer Undergoing Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Wang Shu , Fan Jie , Hu Chunyan , Wu Tao , Liu Yuan , Xu Yan , Zhang Huan , Xie Liang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association and predictive value of geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) in elderly patients with prostate cancer(PCa) undergoing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).
Methods

the clinical data of 72 elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 y) with PCa undergoing LRP in the Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The basic information, laboratory examination indexes, operation conditions, postoperative complications and postoperative recovery indexes of patients were included. Clavien-Dindo Classification System (CDCS) was used to assess the postoperative complications. T-test was used to analyze the grouping variables. ROC curve was drawn to study the predictive value of GNRI for postoperative complications.
Results

The body weight, BMI, preoperative HGB, ALB values of malnutrition group (MNg) and normal nutrition group (NNg) were significantly positively correlated (P༜0.01); the incidence and severity of postoperative complications of MNg were significantly higher than those of NNg (P༜0.05). The average hospitalization costs of MNg was higher, the duration of postanesthesia care unit (PACU), duration of antibiotic use was longer and the duration of indwelling drainage tube were longer than NNg (P༜0.05). The volume of indwelling drainage tube were more than NNg (P༜0.05).
Conclusion

GNRI is an effective and reliable tool to evaluate preoperative nutritional status of prostate cancer, which is closely related to postoperative recovery and complications,and has predictive value.
Heavy Metal Content and Health Risk Assessment of Urban Road Dust from the Historical Center of Havana, Cuba
Authors: Rizo Oscar Diaz , Díaz Amaya Casanova , Ramos Arianna Torres , López Dayron Ramos 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Street road dust samples were collected at 33 stations of the Historical center of Old Havana. Samples were analyzed for the determination of some (Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb) heavy metal concentrations using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrument. The mean concentrations of the elements are Zn (548.7 mg/kg), Pb (60.8 mg/kg), Co (7.0 mg/kg) Ni (60.6 mg/kg) and Cu (73.6 mg/kg) were Zn and Pb showed higher values of the background. The study of the Enrichment Factor (EF), the Pollution Index (IP) and the Integral Pollution Index (IPI), showed some stations with high values of contamination close to construction places. Zn was identified as the major pollutant fallowed by the Pb. Nevertheless, the Hazard Index (HI) and Carcinogenic Risks (CR) values do not show risk of getting non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic diseases associated to the analyzed pollutants.
Circular RNA _0008278 acts as a sponge of miR-378 and promotes proliferation and metastasis in gastric cancer
Authors: Li Xuan , Qian Haisheng , Dong Hao , Dang Yini , Peng Lei , Zhang Guoxin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Circular RNA (circRNA) is rising as an indispensable regulatory molecule in the progression of various kinds of malignant growth. However, little is known about the capacity and instruments of circRNA_0008727 in gastric cancer (GC). Our point was to recognize a novel circRNA-microRNA-mRNA useful system in gastric cancer. Method: CircRNA_0008278 was identified in three paired cancer specimens and adjacent normal tissues by RNA sequencing and genome-wide bioinformatic analysis and verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Knockdown or exogenous expression of circRNA_0008278 combined with in vitro and in vivo assays were performed to prove the functional significance of circRNA_0008278. The molecular mechanism of circRNA_0008278 was demonstrated by searching the CircNet database and confirmed by RNA in vivo precipitation assays, western blotting, luciferase assays and rescue experiments.Results: CircRNA_0008278 was frequently upregulated in GC tissues, and high circRNA_0008278 expression was associated with poor prognosis, lymph node metastasis and poor TNM stage in GC patients. Functionally, circRNA_0008278 overexpression promoted GC cell proliferation and tumourigenicity in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, circRNA_0008278 over-expression enhanced GC cell migration and invasion in vitro and tumour metastasis in vivo. In addition, we demonstrated that circRNA_0008278 could sponge miR-378, thus indirectly regulating theYY1 expression and contributing to GC tumourigenesis.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that circRNA_0008278 functions as a tumour promoter in GC, and a new pathway circRNA_0008278/miR-378/YY1 which may be potential method for gastric cancer treatment.
Identifying the barriers to universal cervical length screening for preterm birth prevention at a tertiary hospital in Thailand (physician perspectives): implementation research
Authors: Chawanpaiboon Saifon , Titapant Vitaya , Anuwutnawin Sanitra , Kanjanapongporn Attapol , Pooliam Julaporn 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: To identify physicians’ perspectives of the barriers to cervical length screening to prevent preterm births.Methods: A prospective, descriptive, implementation study was carried out at the official rooms, tertiary hospitals. Ethics approval was obtained from the Siriraj Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, and the work was registered at the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20190813003). Physicians at 52 tertiary hospitals throughout Thailand were recruited. In Phase I of this prospective descriptive implementation study, 20 physicians were interviewed. Phase II comprised questionnaire development and data validation. The questionnaire was administered to 120 Phase-III participants. Results: Virtually all respondents (118/120 [98.3%]) were obstetricians or gynecologists, with 25/120 (20.8%) specializing in maternal and fetal medicine. The large majority (108 [90.0%]) reported that their tertiary hospitals have action plans to prevent preterm births. Most physicians (99 [82.5%]) participated in the formulation of policies for preterm-birth prevention. Most obstetricians (96 [80.0%]) also have heavy workloads. At most hospitals, the obstetricians (96 [80.0%]) can perform cervical length measurements via vaginal ultrasound without having the related certification. Moreover, at two-thirds of the tertiary hospitals, the obstetricians (73/120 [60.8%]) stated that screening is performed in the absence of clear guidelines for high-risk cases. Ways suggested to reduce the obstacles facing obstetricians are providing then with knowledge, skills, and training (68/120 [56.7%]) and reducing unnecessary workloads (51/120 [42.5%]).Conclusions: From the physicians’ perspectives, the barriers to performing cervical length measurements are heavy workloads and a lack of government funding for hormone-usage programs. High-risk pregnant women threatening preterm deliveries should be considered for screening.Trial registration: the work was registered at the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20190813003), registered 14 August, 2019, http://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/page_user/#.
Efficient Iterative Algorithms for a Class of Nonlinear Systems using the Block Matrix Inversion and Hierarchical Principle
Authors: Liu Siyu , Ding Feng , Yang Erfu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This paper is concerned with the identification of the bilinear systems in the state-space form. The parameters to be identified of the considered system are coupled with the unknown states, which makes the identification problem difficult. To deal with the trouble, the iterative estimation theory is considered to derive the joint parameter and state estimation algorithm. Specifically, a moving data window least squares-based iterative (MDW-LSI) algorithm is derived to estimate the parameters by using the window data. Then, the unknown states are estimated by a bilinear state estimator. Moreover, for the purpose of improving the computational efficiency, a matrix decomposition-based MDW-LSI algorithm and a hierarchical MDW-LSI algorithm are developed according to the block matrix and the hierarchical identification principle. Finally, the computational efficiency is discussed and the numerical simulation is employed to test the proposed approaches.
Living with Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis: Qualitative Research with Nephrologists, Patients, and Caregivers
Authors: Dalessandri-Silva Cynthia , Koochaki Patricia , Shah Selam , Manso-Silván Maria A. , Law Linda , Ogg Carol , Marrel Alexia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Rationale & Objective: Clinical consequences of distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) may include profound dehydration, failure to thrive, growth delay, rickets, hearing impairment/loss, nephrocalcinosis, and nephrolithiasis. Little has been published about patients’ and caregivers’ lived experiences with this rare disease. This study provides context and understanding of patients’ and caregivers’ perspectives as well as the nephrologists’ experiences managing the patient with dRTA.Study Design: Descriptive qualitative study. Setting & Participants: One-on-one, semi-structured, one-hour telephone/WebEx interviews were performed using an interview guide. Four pediatric nephrologists experienced in the treatment of dRTA, two adult patients, a pediatric patient and caregiver pair, and one caregiver of a pediatric patient participated from the United States. Analytical Approach: Thematic analysis of interview transcripts was conducted utilizing a qualitative data analysis software.Results: Three primary themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews: diagnostic challenges, burden of disease, and burden of treatment. Nephrologists provided complete insights into the diagnostic and clinical challenges associated with dRTA and its management, including previous misdiagnosis, and poor adherence to medication regimen. Patients and caregivers added to understanding the significant physical, social, emotional, educational/professional, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impacts of the disease. Patients, caregivers, and nephrologists were aligned on the significant unmet needs associated with current medicinal standard of care (SoC) due to high dosing frequency, low palatability, and tolerability of available treatments.Limitations: Due to rare disease recruitment challenges, the sample size was small and lacked geographic diversity. Conclusion: Interview findings bridge the gap in knowledge regarding patient and caregiver lived experience with dRTA and support the need for increased recognition of the disease and the use of algorithms to improve the diagnostic challenges. Key findings included frequent alkali dosing is a barrier to medication adherence and the need for improved social/emotional support for patients and caregivers.
Pharmacists in Advanced Clinical Practice Roles in Emergency Departments (PARED)
Authors: Terry David , Ganasan Shalini , Aiello Matthew , Huynh Chi , Wilkie Veronica , Hughes Elizabeth 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Following evidence published in the Pharmacists in Emergency Departments (PIED 2016) study Health Education England funded novel advanced clinical practitioner training for pharmacists (ACP-p), to support service delivery.
Objective
To explore experiences and clinical activity of trainee ACP-p, and opinions and recommendations of both trainees and clinical supervisors.
Setting and participants
Five Urgent/Emergency Care Departments in London UK. Registered UK pharmacists appointed as trainee ACP-p.
Method
Longitudinal mixed-methods study in three phases. Phase 1 – early semi-structured interviews and focus group using an experiences, opinions and recommendations (EOR) framework, Phase 2 – recording of trainee clinical activity using bespoke spreadsheet, Phase 3 – as Phase 1 but at conclusion of training.
Main outcome measure
Experiences, clinical activity, opinions and recommendations of study participants.
Results
Twelve (92%) eligible trainee ACP-p and five supervisors were recruited. Identified themes include: trainee personality, educational components, length of programme, support/supervision, career transition, university and placement training alignment, recommendations. Success was dependent on effective support and supervision. Clinical supervisors should be allocated supervision time. Trainees, their supervisors and emergency department staff should be given a clear brief. Study participants agreed that the programme could be successful. Trainee ACP-p reported that they could manage 82% of 713 reported cases. Additional training needs include: ECGs, Xrays and CT scans.
Conclusion
Pharmacists can successfully train as ACP-p in this setting over a two-year period. This career transition needs careful management and clear structures. Training ACP-p is a useful way of enhancing skills and supporting clinical services to large numbers of patients.
Development of a Snowdrift Model with the Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Tanji Seika , Inatsu Masaru , Okaze Tsubasa 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study developed a new snowdrift model to evaluate the snowdrift height around a snow fence, often installed along a road in a snowy and windy environment. The model consisted of the conventional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver by the Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and a module for snow particles’ motion and accumulation. The calculation domain was a half channel with a flat free-slip boundary on the top and a non-slip boundary on the bottom, imposing an inflow with artificially generated turbulence from one side to the other outlet side. Besides the reference experiment with no fence, the experiment was set up with a two-dimensional and a three-dimensional fences normal to the dominant wind direction in the channel center. The estimated wind flow over the two-dimensional fence was characterized by a swirling eddy in the cross-section, whereas the wind flow in the three-dimensional fence experiment was horizontally diffluent with a dipole vortex pair in the leeward of the fence. As a result, almost all of snowdrift was formed in the windward of the two-dimensional and three-dimensional fences, but it was also formed as the split streak in the leeward of the three-dimensional fence. The result suggested that the fence should be as long as possible to avoid the snowdrift on roads.
α-Linolenic Acid Induces Breast Cancer Cell Apoptosis by Down-Regulating Human Fatty Acid Synthase
Authors: Huang Wenyuan , Guo Xing , Fan Huijin , Alzhan Amantay , Liu Zhengan , Ma Xiaofeng , Shu Qingyan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background/Aims: Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a multi-enzyme complex that synthesizes endogenous fatty acids. The overexpression of FASN has been reported in variety of cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostrate, and colon cancers, which strongly indicates the involvement of FASN in cancer progression. α-Linolenic acid (ALA) has many biological activities, including anti-cancer effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of ALA on fatty acid synthesis pathway and apoptosis of human breast cancer cells. Methods: Cytotoxicity of ALA in human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells) was assessed by MTT assay. Changes in protein expression were detected by immunoblot analysis. Cell migration was detected by wound healing and cell transwell assay. Apoptotic effects, mitochondrial membrane potential and cell cycle analysis were detected by flow cytometry. Molecular docking was carried out with the AutoDockTools program suite to analyze the binding abilities of ALA on thioesterase (TE) domain of FASN. Results: We found that the expression levels of FASN decreased significantly in ALA treated breast cancer cells. Compared with palmitic acid (PA), ALA reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. ALA showed a higher affinity with the TE domain than PA. ALA induced breast cancer cells apoptosis, which effects were similar with the knockdown of FASN. In addition, ALA inhibited the invasion and metastasis, and arrested cell cycle in breast cancer cells. Conclusion: We propose a hypothesis that ALA could contribute to the treatment of human breast cancer by inhibiting FASN.
Developing an implementation strategy for a praziquantel mass drug administration for children aged five years and below: A conceptual framework
Authors: Ncube Mhlengi Vella , Mindu Tafadzwa , Chimbari Moses John 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Children aged five years and below in schistosomiasis endemic areas spend several years living with the schistosome infections before they can be treated as they are excluded from school based mass drug administration programs. The WHO has recommended that these children be included in schistosomiasis preventive chemotherapy in endemic areas. Including these children in schistosomiasis control mass drug administration programs is a complicated task involving translating clinical studies into clinical practice processes, contextualizing clinical practice processes to the resources that are available in the community and economic evaluations. Methodology: We conducted a scoping search on google scholar and the concepts we searched for included implementation strategies, contextualization strategies, resource planning and economic evaluations in health care, risk and quality assessments. We then developed a conceptual framework and explained how the conceptual framework could be used to develop an implementation strategy for a mass drug administration for children aged five year and belowResults: The most common methods/frameworks that were identified in our search for health care implementation strategy development include the following: Donabedian framework, scoping review, FMEA, scenario planning, resource planning and economic evaluation of healthcare interventions and cost-effectiveness analysis.Conclusion: We concluded that the Donabedian framework can be modified and used in conjunction with scoping reviews, FMEA, scenario planning and economic evaluations to develop an implementation strategy for a schistosomiasis control MDA program for children aged five years old and below.
Fifty years of change in the lower tree line in an arid coniferous forest in the Qilian Mountains, northwestern China
Authors: Fang Shu , He Zhibin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Tree-line areas exhibit significant changes in response to climate change, including upward migration. Lower tree line dynamics are rarely studied, but as unique features in arid and semi-arid areas, they may influence forest distribution. Here, 8 lower tree-line plots in Picea crassifolia Kom. (Qinghai spruce) forest in the arid and semi-arid Qilian Mountains of northwestern China were used to determine changes in tree line location, landscape pattern, and relationships with meteorological factors during 1968-2018. Results: The results showed that the lower tree line descended by an average of 9.82 m during 1968 to 2018, and exhibited almost no change after 2008. The change in pattern was mainly related to the age of trees in which small trees were dense and clustered, and large trees became more scattered and evenly distributed. Tree regeneration rates changes in the lower tree line were highly positively correlated with temperature, and also positively related to annual precipitation. Conclusions: In the past 50 years, the lower tree line in arid areas exhibited a downward trend but it is unclear whether the downward trend of the lower tree line will stabilize or even reverse due to the weakening of climate warming degree.
Predicting the Development Trend of the Second Wave of COVID-19&nbsp;in Five European Countries
Authors: Chen Zuobing , Lei Jiali , Li Mengyuan , Zhang Tianfang , Wang Xiaosheng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Because the COVID-19 pandemic has made comprehensive and profound impacts on the world, an accurate prediction of its development trend is significant. In particular, the second wave of COVID-19 is rampant to cause a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths globally. Methods: Using the Eureqa algorithm, we predicted the development trend of the second wave of COVID-19 in five European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and UK. We first built models to predict daily numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths based on the data of the first wave of COVID-19 in these countries. Based on these models, we built new models to predict the development trend of the second wave of COVID-19. Results: We predicted that the second wave of COVID-19 would have peaked around on November 16, 2020, January 10, 2021, December 1, 2020, March 1, 2021, and January 10, 2021 in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and UK, respectively. It will be basically under control on April 26, 2021, September 20, 2021, August 1, 2021, September 15, 2021, August 10, 2021 in these countries, respectively. Their total number of COVID-19 cases will reach around 4,745,000, 7,890,000, 6,852,000, 8,071,000, and 10,198,000, respectively, and total number of COVID-19 deaths will be around 262,000, 262,000, 231,000, 253,000, and 350,000 during the second wave of COVID-19. The COVID-19 mortality rate in the second wave of COVID-19 is expected to be about 3.4%, 3.5%, 3.4%, 3.4%, and 3.1% in France, Spain, Germany, France, and UK, respectively. Conclusions: the second wave of COVID-19 is expected to cause many more cases and deaths, last for much longer time, and have lower COVID-19 mortality rate than the first wave.
Ancient Gypsum Mortars from Ornaments of Seyyed Shams al-Din Mausoleum(Yazd, Iran) Characterization; Identification of Technology of Making
Authors: Hamzavi Yaser , Goharbin Behnood 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Gypsum mortar in mausoleum of Seyed Shams al-Din in Yazd, shows incomparable reliefs and molded ornaments. A notable instance of these is the partially damaged gypsum inscription that adorns the iwan of the mausoleum and extends over three sides of it. Apposite conservation of this valuable inscription would call for a structural and technological analysis before its structure-related damages and erosion process could be precisely and systematically examined and documented. Samples were obtained from both the surface and deeper layers of the inscription in question as well as the molded gypsum ornament and the fine coat underlying the latter. The samples were then evaluated using XRD, XRF, and SEM-EDS analyses before the mortars were compared. The results revealed that the interior and surface of this inscription vary structurally, which is partly related to the processing of the mortar and executing the inscription and is partly a function of the mortar erosion process. Erosion and structural alterations in the inner inscription are far more extensive than in the surface, leading to the reduced strength, a main reason for it being the permeation of moisture and soluble salts from the retaining wall to the deeper layers of the gypsum inscription.