bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Job Preferences of Undergraduate Pharmacy Students in China: A Discrete Choice Experiment
Authors: Liu Ping , Liu Shimeng , Gong Tiantian , Li Quan , Chen Gang , Li Shunping 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Pharmacists are a crucial part of the health workforce and playing important role in achieving universal health coverage. In China, pharmaceutical human resources are in short and the distribution is unequal. This study aimed to identify the key job characteristics that influence the job preferences of undergraduate pharmacy students and to elicit the relative importance of different job characteristics to shed lights on future policy intervention.Methods: A discrete choice experiment was conducted to elicit the job preferences of undergraduate pharmacy students from 6 provinces in mainland China. A face-to-face interview was used to collect data. Conditional logit and mixed logit models were used to analyze data and the final model was chosen according to the model fit statistics. A series of policy simulation was also conducted.Results: In total, 581 respondents completed the questionnaire and 500 respondents who passed the internal consistency test were analyzed. All attributes were statistically significant except for open management. Monthly income and work location were most important to respondents, followed by work unit (which refers to the nature of workplace) and years to promotion. There exists preference heterogeneity among respondents, e.g. male students preferred open management and female students preferred a job in private institutions. Furthermore, students with an urban background or from a single-child family placed higher values on a job in the city as compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: The heterogeneity of attributes showed the complexity of job preferences. Both monetary and non-monetary job characteristics significantly influenced the job preferences of pharmacy students in China. A more effective policy intervention to attact graduates to work in rural areas should consider both incentives on the job itself as well as the background of pharmacy school graduates.
Effect of high frequency oscillatory ventilation combined with pulmonary surfactant in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome after cardiac surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trail
Authors: Zheng Yi-Rong , Lei Yu-Qing , Liu Jian-Feng , Wu Hong-Lin , Xu Ning , Huang Shu-Ting , Cao Hua , Chen Qiang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pulmonary surfactant (PS) combined with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) or conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) in infants with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after congenital cardiac surgery.Method: A total of 61 infants with ARDS were eligible and were randomized to the CMV + PS group (n= 30) or the HFOV + PS group (n= 31) between January 2020 and December 2020. The primary outcomes were the improvement of the arterial blood gas analysis. The incidence of mechanical ventilation duration, length of hospitalization, and the incidence of complications were considered as secondary outcomes.Results: A total of 61 infants completed the study. In HFOV + PS group, the blood gas analysis results were significantly improved (P<0.05), while, duration of mechanical ventilation and length of hospitalization were shorter than CMV + PS group (P<0.05). But the incidences of complications had no statistical significance between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusions: Compared with the CMV + PS group, HFOV + PS significantly improved the ABG variables and shortened the length of hospitalization and mechanical ventilation in infants with ARDS after cardiac surgery.
The Feasibility of Combining Brain Radiation and Fingolimod in Healthy Rodents and in Humans With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma
Authors: Grossman Stuart A. , Piotrowski Anna , Jackson Dvone , Nirschl Thomas , Velarde Esteban , Wong John , Drake Charles , Ye Xiaobu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
PURPOSE: Severe and long-lasting lymphopenia occurs in 40% of patients with malignant gliomas and is associated with inferior survival. Inadvertent irradiation of circulating lymphocytes is a major contributor to this lymphopenia. Fingolimod causes striking but reversible lymphopenia by sequestering circulating lymphocytes in lymphoid tissues. Fingolimod could potentially reduce iatrogenic immunosuppression by decreasing the number of lymphocytes in circulation during radiation. However, combining radiation with fingolimod should result in severe lymphopenia. These pilot studies were conducted to determine the safety of this approach in mice and humans. METHODS: Ten BALB/c mice received focal brain irradiation (4Gy x 10 fractions). Half of the mice received intraperitoneal fingolimod (3mg/kg) before and during the two weeks of radiation. Five patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma were given fingolimod one week prior to and during the six weeks of concurrent radiation and temozolomide. RESULTS: Mice treated with fingolimod and radiation had more severe lymphopenia than those treated with radiation alone. However, lymphocyte counts and weight loss recovered similarly in both treatment cohorts and no added toxicities were noted. Humans receiving fingolimod developed severe lymphopenia which deepened when radiation and temozolomide were initiated. This was well tolerated and no grade III-IV opportunistic infections were noted. CONCLUSIONS: These pilot studies demonstrate the feasibility and safety of combining fingolimod with radiation in mice and humans. This novel approach to reducing the number of circulating lymphocytes exposed to radiation deserves further study given the importance of the host immune system on cancer survival and response to immunologic interventions.
The Potential Beneficial Effect of Levosimendan in Milrinone-treated Advanced Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Milwidsky Assi , Frydman Shir , Laufer-Perl Michal , Sadeh Ben , Sapir Orly , Granot Yoav , Hochstadt Aviram , Korotetski Liuba , Ketchker Liora , Topilsky Yan , Banai Shmuel , Havakuk Ofer 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Routine, short-term use of inotropic agents is still applied in advanced heart failure (HF) patients either as a bridge to definitive treatment or as a mean to improve quality of life, despite the paucity of scientific evidence. Intermittent levosimendan was shown to be efficacious compared to placebo in advanced HF patients, however no prospective data comparing it to other inotropes and in particular, to milrinone are available. We aimed to assess the clinical effects of intermittent levosimendan in a small group of milrinone-treated advanced HF patients.
Methods

This was a prospective, un-blinded study. Consecutive ambulatory advanced HF patients intermittently treated with ≥ 4 cycles of once-weekly 6-hours 0.25–0.5 mg/kg/min milrinone at our HF outpatient clinic, were switched to levosimendan. All patients were evaluated using B-natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, echocardiography, cardio-pulmonary exercise test and HF questionnaire before and after 4 weeks of intermittent once-weekly 6-hours therapy with levosimendan 0.1–0.2 mcg/kg/min.
Results

The cohort included 11 patients, 10 men, mean age 76±12 years. After 4 weeks of levosimendan therapy, Vo2 max improved by a mean of 2.28 ml/kg [95% CI -0.22-3.38, p = 0.05], BNP levels decreased from a median of 1015 ng/l [261–1035] to 719 ng/l [294–739], (p < 0.01) and the sum scores of EQ-5D-5L non-significantly improved by a median of 2 points [95% CI -4.17-0.37, p = 0.09]. On echocardiography, tricuspid annulus tissue Doppler increased by an average of 3 cm/s [95% CI 0.16–2.10, p = 0.03]. In addition, HF-related hospitalizations numerically decreased after switching to levosimendan.
Conclusion

In this small-scale, prospective study, we observed improvement in laboratory, echocardiographic and exercise capacity parameters in milrinone-treated advanced HF patients who were switched to levosimendan.
Environmentally Friendly Geopolymer Building Material: Production, Determination of Physical-Mechanical-Radiation Absorption Properties and Mathematical Model Approach
Authors: DOGAN-SAGLAMTIMUR Neslihan , Bilgil Ahmet , Ertürk Sefa , Bozkurt Vakkas , Süzgeç Elif , Akan Arife Gözde , Nas Pervin , Dikkaya Betül , Çetin Hüseyin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Waste ashes and radiation cause important environmental and health problems. Therefore, reduction of their amount is vital. In this study, physical-mechanical and radiation absorption (RA) properties of eco-friendly alkali (NaOH and Na2SiO3) activated geopolymer building material (GPBM) produced by using the industrial solid waste class F fly ashes (FFAs) are determined. The FFAs were supplied from thermal power plants operating in Zonguldak and Adana (Turkey). The sieve analysis, loose/tight unit weight and loss on ignition analysis of the FFAs was conducted. Different FFAs and alkali activator amounts were used for making GPBMs. After thermal curing in a laboratory oven at 70 °C and 100 °C, the produced GPBMs were kept to cool off to room temperature. Afterwards, compressive and flexural strengths, water absorption, porosity tests and RA measurements were performed. Influence of several parameters (FFA types, curing temperature and alkali ratios) on the RA properties of GPBM is discussed in this paper. According to the mathematical model developed in this study, the effect of FFAs supplied from different TPPs onto RA (%) is an important issue. Because FFA quantity causes to increase RA (%) with respect to the composed mathematical model. The FFA-based GPBMs, which have a compressive strength of more than 30 MPa, have higher radiation absorption (>12%) than ordinary Portland cement-based conventional building materials (9.52%). The highest compressive strength and RA percentage were measured as 93.3 MPa and 12.54%, respectively, for the GPBMs that are (properly) suited for the construction sector.
OSM-DSSE: A Searchable Encryption Scheme with Hidden Search Patterns and Access Patterns
Authors: Liu Hong , Li Xueqin , Guo Erchuan , Xiao Yunpeng , Li Tun 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Dynamic searchable encryption methods allow a client to perform searches and updates over encrypted data stored in the cloud. However, existing researches show that the general dynamic searchable symmetric encryption (DSSE) scheme is vulnerable to statistical attacks due to the leakage of search patterns and access patterns, which is detrimental to protecting the users’ privacy. Although the traditional Oblivious Random Access Machine (ORAM) can hide the access pattern, it also incurs significant communication overhead and cannot hide the search pattern. These limitations make it difficult to deploy the ORAM method in real cloud environments. To overcome this limitation, a DSSE scheme called obliviously shuffled incidence matrix DSSE (OSM-DSSE) is proposed in this paper to access the encrypted data obliviously. The OSM-DSSE scheme realizes efficient search and update operations based on an incidence matrix. In particular, a shuffling algorithm using Paillier encryption is combined with 1-out-of-n obliviously transfer (OT) protocol and local differential privacy to obfuscate the search targets. Besides, a formalized security analysis and performance analysis on the proposed scheme is provided, which indicates that the OSM-DSSE scheme achieves high security, efficient searches, and low storage overhead. Also, this scheme not only completely hides the search and access patterns but also provides adaptive security against malicious attacks by adversaries. Furthermore, experimental results show that the OSM-DSSE scheme obtains 3-4x better execution efficiency than the state-of-art solutions.
Co-production of biopolymers and quinone via no-sugar fermentation--a case by Methylobacterium sp. XJLM
Authors: Cui Peiwu , Shao Yunhai , Wang Yanxin , Zhao Rui , Zhan Huihui , Zhong Weihong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose

To explore a competitive PHB producing fermentation process, this study evaluated the potential for Methylobacterium sp. XJLW to produce simultaneously PHB and coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10 ) using cheap and abundant methanol as sole carbon and energy source.

Methods

The metabolic pathways of PHB and CoQ 10 biosynthesis in XJLW strain were first mined based on the genomic and comparative transcriptomics information. Then, Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was employed for comparing the expression level of important genes involved in PHB and CoQ10 synthesis pathways response to methanol and glucose. Transmission electron microscope (TEM), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transformation infrared spectrum (FT-IR), and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods, were used to elucidate the yield and structure of PHB and CoQ 10 , respectively. PHB and CoQ 10 productivity of XJLW strain were evaluated in flasks for medium optimization, and in a 5-L bioreactor for methanol fed-batch strategy according to dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH control.

Results

Comparative genomics and transcriptomics analysis showed that the PHB and CoQ 10 biosynthesis pathways coexist in XJLW strain, and the transcription level of key genes in both pathways response to methanol was significantly higher than that response to glucose. Correspondingly, strain XJLW can produce PHB and CoQ 10 simultaneously with higher yield using cheap and abundant methanol than using glucose as sole carbon and energy source. The isolated products showed the structure characteristics same to that of standard PHB and CoQ 10 . The optimal medium and cultural conditions for PHB and CoQ 10 co-production by XJLW strain was in M3 medium containing 1% (v/v) of methanol, 0.5 g/L of ammonium sulfate, 0.1% (v/v) of Tween 80, and 1.0 g/L of sodium chloride, under 30°C and pH 7.0. In a 5-L bioreactor coupled with methanol fed-batch process, a maximum DCW value (46.31 g/L) with the highest yields of PHB and CoQ 10 , reaching 6.94 g/L and 22.28 mg/L, respectively.

Conclusion

Methylobacterium sp. XJLW is potential for efficiently co-producing PHB and CoQ 10 employing methanol as sole carbon and energy source. However, it is still necessary to further optimize fermentation process, and genetically modify strain pathway, for enhanced production of PHB and CoQ 10 simultaneously by XJLW. It also suggests a potential strategy to develop efficiently co-producing other high value metabolites using methanol-based bio-process.
Differential inflammation-mediated function of prokineticin 2 in the synovial fibroblasts of patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to osteoarthritis
Authors: Noda Kentaro , Dufner Bianca , Ito Haruyasu , Yoshida Ken , Balboni Gianfranco , Straub Rainer 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Prokineticin 2 (PK2) is a secreted protein involved in several pathological and physiological processes, including the regulation of inflammation, sickness behaviors, and the circadian rhythm. Recently, it was reported that PK2 is associated with the pathogenesis of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. However, whether PK2 influences the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA) remains unknown. In this study, we collected synovial tissue, plasma, synovial fluid, and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from RA and OA patients to analyze the role of PK2 using immunohistochemistry, ELISAs, and tissue superfusion studies. PK2 and its receptors prokineticin receptor (PKR) 1 and 2 were expressed in RA and OA synovial tissues. PKR1 expression in RA synovial tissue was downregulated compared with OA synovial tissue. The PK2 concentration was higher in RA synovial fluid than in OA synovial fluid but similar between RA and OA plasma. PK2 suppressed the production of IL-6 from TNFα-prestimulated OA-FLS, and this effect was attenuated in TNFα-prestimulated RA-FLS. This phenomenon was accompanied by the upregulation of PKR1 in OA-FLS and the downregulation of PK2 and PKR1 in RA-FLS. This study provides a new model to explain some aspects underlying the chronicity of inflammation in RA.
Exploring Traditional Veterinary Practices from Gujjar and Bakarwal Tribes of District Poonch, Jammu &amp; Kashmir: A Boon for Animals from Our Ancestors
Authors: Dutta Abhishek , Singh Kanwaljeet , Singh Bikarma , Sharma Yash Pal 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Gujjar and Bakarwal tribal communities are a treasure trove of traditional veterinary knowledge as they have been using plants to keep their livestock healthy and free from diseases. However, this knowledge is getting diminished day by day due to several factors. The present study was aimed to survey and document the medicinal plants used traditionally by the tribal communities of Gujjar and Bakarwal in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India to treat various livestock ailments.Methods: A systematic and extensive ethnobotanical survey was conducted in 12 villages of district Poonch between July 2018-March 2020. Data was gathered from the tribals using semi-structured questionnaires and analysed quantitatively using use-value(UV), relative frequency of citation (RFC), informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL).Results: A total of 31 medicinal plant species belonging to 24 families of 30 genera with herbs as the dominantly used plant species (70.97%). The most commonly used plant part in the herbal preparations was root (35.14%) and leaf (32.43%) with oral administration as the mode. Consensus methodology has been used as a statistical tool to identify the most potentially effective medicinal plant species. Use-value and Relative frequency of citation were reported to be in the range of 0.03-0.72 and 0.03-0.48 respectively. Based on values, Rumex nepalensis was found to be the most important and dominant species used by the tribes. The reported Informant consensus factor value was found to be very high (0.81-1.00) thereby establishing more authenticity of the study. Maximum number of plant species (10 spp.) were used to treat the gynaecological/ andrological problems.Conclusion: In the present study, novel ethnoveterinary use for seven plant species viz., Aconitum violaceum, Arisaema jacquemontii, Bistorta amplexicaulis, Clematis grata, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ulmus villosa and Viburnum grandiflorum were recorded. The reported information can be used to standardize active principles which can further lead to the development of more efficient veterinary medicines.
The Effect of Beta-Blockers on Hemodynamic Parameters in Patient-Specific Blood Flow Simulations of Type-B Aortic Dissection: An Virtual Study
Authors: Abazari Mohammad Amin , Rafieianzab Deniz , Soltani M. , Alimohammadi Mona 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Type-B aortic dissection (AD) is one of the greatest complex and fatal conditions with co-occurring disorders, challenging to treat. The initial treatment for patients presenting with AD is medical intervention to stabilize the condition. In the present study, a patient-specific geometry of type-B AD is generated from computed tomography images, and a three-element Windkessel lumped parameter model is implemented at the outlets to realistic boundary conditions. According to the physiological response of the antihypertensive drugs in the reduction of aortic blood flow and heart rate, three case studies with different heart rates have been created. Hemodynamic distributions including wall shear stress indicators, velocity and pressure are investigated and compared in each model. Results show that there is a considerable reduction in pressure furthermore, time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) values decreased by 25% and 30%, respectively. Main goal is to critically analysis the use of biomechanical and computational simulation tools to measure hemodynamic parameters in the absence and presence of antihypertensive drugs. It would be of significant use to clinicians to improve diagnostic and treatment planning.
Relationship between the Japanese-style diet, gut microbiota, and dementia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Saji Naoki , Tsuduki Tsuyoshi , Murotani Kenta , Hisada Takayoshi , Sugimoto Taiki , Kimura Ai , Niida Shumpei , Toba Kenji , Sakurai Takashi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Previous studies have shown associations between the gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, and cognitive decline. However, the effect of the dietary composition on such associations has not been fully investigated.
Methods
We performed a cross-sectional sub-analysis of data from our prospective hospital-based cohort study (the Gimlet study) to evaluate the relationships between dietary composition, cognitive decline, and the gut microbiota. All the participants of the Gimlet study had been provided with information regarding this sub-study in 2018. Patients were excluded if they were unable to provide sufficient data in the questionnaire regarding their dietary composition. We assessed their demographics, dietary composition, risk factors, cognitive function, results of brain imaging, gut microbiome, and microbial metabolites. On the basis of previous studies, a nine-component traditional Japanese diet index (JDI9), a 12-component modern JDI (JDI12), and a 12-component revised JDI (rJDI12), were defined. Higher JDI scores indicated greater conformity to the traditional Japanese diet. We then evaluated the relationships between the JDI scores, cognitive function, and the gut microbiome and microbial metabolites using multivariable logistic regression analyses.
Results
We analyzed data from 85 eligible patients (61% women; mean age: 74.6 ± 7.4 years; mean Mini-Mental State Examination score: 24 ± 5). Compared with participants with dementia, those without dementia were more likely to consume foods in the JDI12, including fish and shellfish (64.5% vs. 39.1%, P = 0.048), mushrooms (61.3% vs. 30.4%, P = 0.015), soybeans and soybean-derived foods (62.9% vs. 30.4%, P = 0.013), and coffee (71.0% vs. 43.5%, P = 0.024). There were non-significant trends towards lower fecal concentrations of gut microbial metabolites in participants with a more traditional Japanese diet. Participants with dementia had lower JDI9, JDI12, and rJDI12 scores than participants without dementia (dementia vs. non-dementia, median JDI9 score: 5 vs. 7, P = 0.049; JDI12: 7 vs. 8, P = 0.017; and rJDI12: 7 vs. 9, P = 0.006, respectively).
Conclusions
Adherence to a traditional Japanese diet was found to be inversely associated with cognitive decline and tended to be associated with lower concentrations of gut microbial metabolites.
Trial registration:
UMIN000031851.