bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A meta-analysis reveals the effectiveness of probiotics and prebiotics against respiratory viral infection
Authors: Wang Fangyan , Pan Binhui , Xu Sheng , Xu Zhihua , Zhang Tiaotiao , Zhang Qihao , Bao Yifan , Wang Yingwei , Zhang Jiamin , Xu Changlong , Xue Xiangyang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Experimental experience suggests that microbial agents including probiotics and prebiotics (representative microbial agents) play a critical role in defending against respiratory virus infection. We aim to systematically examine these agents’ effect on respiratory viral infection and encourage research into clinical applications. An electronic literature search was conducted from published data with a combination of a microbial agents search component containing synonyms for microbial agents-related terms and a customized search component for respiratory virus infection. Hazard ratio (HR), risk ratio (RR) and standard deviation (SD) were employed as effect estimates. In 45 preclinical studies, the mortality rates decreased in the respiratory viral infection models that included prebiotics or prebiotics as interventions (HR: 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56–0.87; P=0.002). There was a significant decrease in viral load due to improved gut microbiota (SD: −1.22; 95% CI: −1.50 to −0.94; P&lt;0.001). Concentrations of interferon (IFN)-α (SD: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.33–1.77; P=0.004), IFN-γ (SD: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.01–1.65; P=0.05) and interleukin (IL)-12 (SD: 2.42; 95% CI: 0.32–4.52; P=0.02), IL-1β (SD: 0.01; 95% CI: −0.37 to 0.40; P=0.94) increased, whereas those of TNF-α (SD: −0.58; 95% CI: −1.59 to 0.43; P=0.26) and IL-6 (SD: −0.59; 95% CI: −1.24 to 0.07; P=0.08) decreased. Six clinical studies had lower symptom scores (SD: −0.09; 95% CI: −0.44 to 0.26; P=0.61) and less incidence of infection (RR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.64–1.01; P=0.06). Our research indicates that probiotics and prebiotics pose a defensive possibility on respiratory viral infection and may encourage the clinical application.
Platelets: the peripheral donor of mitochondria for diabetes-induced cognitive impairment
Authors: Amin Shaimaa Nasr 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This commentary highlights the research entitled: Transplantation of platelet-derived mitochondria alleviates cognitive impairment and mitochondrial dysfunction in db/db mice, presented by Ma et al. appearing in Clinical Science (2020) 134(16), https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20200530. The authors evaluated the effect of xenograft transplantation of mitochondria isolated from peripheral blood platelets in an animal model of type II diabetes and evaluated the effects of transplantation on diabetes-associated cognitive impairment (DACI). They showed cognitive and molecular improvement in response to mitochondrial transplantation to db/db mice brains. Besides, they showed better internalization of the transplanted mitochondria into the diseased animals’ hippocampal cells compared with the healthy normal control.
RETRACTED: A viability study using conceptual models for last mile drone logistics operations in populated urban cities of India
Authors: Gabani Parth Rameshbhai , Gala Umang Bipin , Narwane Vaibhav S. , Raut Rakesh D. , Govindarajan Usharani Hareesh , Narkhede Balkrishna E. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEmerging Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technologies have been under spotlight worldwide due to a promising spectrum of applications. Despite interesting use‐cases receiving worldwide media attention, drones are expected to have their most significant impact on supply chain and logistics systems in highly populated urban cities once the regulations for commercial purposes are lifted. This article proposes two models of drone‐delivery technology that can serve as a potential replacement in the Indian truck‐delivery system. First, a drone–truck hybrid delivery model is proposed with trucks carrying multiple drones. Second, a stand‐alone drone‐delivery model is proposed with separate charging infrastructural facilities at specific points. The two proposed models' findings present the advantages of significantly reducing carbon emissions, delivery costs, and time compared to truck‐based delivery. The hybrid drone–truck model eliminates the need for separate charging facilities saving initial infrastructural costs. In contrast, the stand‐alone drone model utilizes the current warehouse location facilities with charging stations on specific points for ease of adoption. This research presents initial viability suggesting that the drone technology can solve the current operational challenges in India's urban cities. Furthermore, vital factors are discussed to enable stakeholders to select a model for drone logistics systems planning and experimentations.
Meeting IEC and ER G4/5 harmonic standards in nine‐level cascaded H‐bridge inverters using an improved SHM‐PAM scheme
Authors: Kundu Sourabh , Banerjee Subrata , Ronanki Deepak , Williamson Sheldon S. 
Published: February 2021

This study introduces a new switching scheme for nine‐level cascaded H‐bridge (CHB) inverter to comply with the harmonic standards (IEC 61000‐2‐12, IEC 61000‐3‐6, and ER G4/5) using an improved selective harmonic minimisation pulse amplitude modulation (SHM‐PAM) scheme. In this scheme, the optimised switching instances and variable DC‐link voltages are determined by solving some new constraints based cost functions using particle swarm optimisation (PSO) technique. The theoretical analysis and optimisation results of the proposed modulation scheme are validated through MATLAB simulations and experimentally on a laboratory‐scale prototype of CHB inverter. The proposed modulation scheme utilises a minimal number of switching instances in a fundamental period and optimisation variables in the problem formulation in comparison to conventional SHE‐PWM and SHE‐PAM schemes. The key performance of the proposed scheme in terms of harmonic and loss analysis is evaluated over the wide range of the power factors and modulation index. Finally, the suitability of the proposed scheme is tested for the closed‐loop speed control of a 5 hp, 415 V three‐phase induction motor.
A dual‐attention V‐network for pulmonary lobe segmentation in CT scans
Authors: Zheng Shaohua , Nie Weiyu , Pan Lin , Zheng Bin , Shen Zhiqiang , Huang Liqin , Pei Chenhao , She Yuhang , Chen Liuqing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe reliable and automatic segmentation of pulmonary lobes in computed tomography scans is an important pre‐condition for the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of lung diseases. However, due to the incomplete lobar structures and morphological changes caused by diseases, the lobe segmentation still encounters great challenges. Recently, convolution neural network has exerted a tremendous impact on medical image analysis. Nevertheless, the basic convolution operations mainly obtain local features that are insufficient for accurate lobe segmentation. The idea that the global features are equally crucial especially when lesions appear is considered. Here, a dual‐attention V‐network named DAV‐Net for pulmonary lobe segmentation is proposed. First, a novel dual‐attention module to capture global contextual information and model the semantic dependencies in spatial and channel dimensions is introduced. Second, a progressive output scheme is used to avoid the vanishing gradient phenomenon and obtain relatively effective features in hidden layers. Finally, an improved combo loss is devised to address input and output lobe imbalance problem during training and inference. In the evaluation using the LUNA16 dataset and our in‐house dataset, the proposed DAV‐Net obtains Dice similarity coefficients of 0.947 and 0.934, respectively; these values are superior to those obtained by existing methods.
Medical image fusion and noise suppression with fractional‐order total variation and multi‐scale decomposition
Authors: Zhang Xuefeng , Yan Hui 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFusion and noise suppression of medical images are becoming increasingly difficult to be ignored in image processing, and this technique provides abundant information for the clinical diagnosis and treatment. This paper proposes a medical image fusion and noise suppression model in pixel level. This model decomposes the original image into a noiseless base layer, a large‐scale noiseless detail layer and a small‐scale detail layer which contains details and noise information. The fractional‐order derivative and saliency detection are used to construct the weight functions to fuse the base layers. The proposed total variation model combines the fractional‐order derivative to fuse the small‐scale detail layers. The mathematical properties and time complexity of the total variation model are also analysed. And choose‐max method is used to fuse the large‐scale detail medical layers simply. Our approach is based on fractional‐order derivative, which enables keep more information and decrease blocky effects more effectively compared with the integer‐order derivative. To verify the validity, the proposed method is compared with some fusion methods in the subjective and objective aspects. Experiments show that the proposed model fuses the source information fully and decreases noise cleanly.
Integrated multifunctional properties of polypropylene composites by employing three‐dimensional flower‐like MgO with hierarchical surface morphology
Authors: Zha Jun‐Wei , Cheng Qi , Zhai Jin‐Tao , Bian Xingming , Chen George , Dang Zhi‐Min 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPolymer nanocomposites have attracted increased attention for use in the field of high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) cable insulation. To study the use of polymer nanocomposites for this purpose, 3D flower‐like MgO (flower‐MgO) particles with hierarchical surface morphology are first synthesised. Polypropylene (PP) was simultaneously mixed with styrene‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS) and flower‐MgO to obtain PP/SEBS/flower‐MgO composites. The microstructural, thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of the obtained nanocomposites were then studied in detail. The results showed that flower‐MgO particles loaded at low concentration were well dispersed in the PP/SEBS matrix. The incorporation of flower‐MgO particles has been found to significantly suppress the injection of homocharges and strengthen the ability to release the charge, thus containing accumulation of the space charge. The DC breakdown strength of PP/SEBS/flower‐MgO composites was increased to 323 MV/m. Meanwhile, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the obtained composites was improved by loading 0.5 phr flower‐MgO because of the synergistic toughening effects of SEBS and MgO. The investigation demonstrates the immense potential to replace nonrecyclable cross‐linked polyethylene as an HVDC cable insulating material.
A novel sizing inherits allocation strategy of renewable distributed generations using crow search combined with particle swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: Farh Hassan M. H. , Eltamaly Ali M. , Al‐Shaalan Abdullah M. , Al‐Shamma'a Abdullrahman A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn
this study, a new distributed generation sizing that inherits the allocation
strategy for the IEEE 30‐bus benchmark system is proposed. The hybrid crow
search‐particle swarm optimization technique would select the optimal buses
through the automatic cancelation of the unfeasible load buses. Additionally,
it performs sizing that inherits allocation for minimum costs and transmission
losses. Also, it selects the best distributed generation technology among wind turbines
and photovoltaic energy systems based on the minimum total capital cost. The
proposed strategy outperformed others in terms of total cost alleviation, power
losses reduction, voltage profile improvement, and lines loading mitigation.
L‐band depolarised radar back scattering from Martian topographic surface: A numerical study
Authors: Yang Ying , Liu Yu , Chen Kun‐Shan , Li Jingwen 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe interaction of radar signals with a planetary surface is critical for the utility of radar data. Herein, a power‐law roughness spectrum is used to model the roughness and an inhomogeneous vertical permittivity to describe the dielectrics from the surface of Mars. Numerical simulations of depolarised radar backscattering are then conducted. To gain a more complete picture of depolarised characteristics, a wide range of surface roughness is considered. Results reveal that the depolarised backscattering is sensitive to the dielectric profiles with –10 dB is observed. The polarization conversion ratio, the ratio of depolarisation to total polarization backscattering, is a sensitive indicator of dielectric profiles and roughness, and thus is useful in retrieving dielectric profile.
Successful Regression in Patients with Progressive Keratoconus by Corneal Crosslinking
Authors: Röck Tobias , Konrad Eva-Maria , Röck Daniel , Bramkamp Matthias , Blumenstock Gunnar , Bartz-Schmidt Karl Ulrich 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background Since 2019, corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) is included in the catalog of procedures covered by statutory health insurance in Germany. CXL is an established ophthalmological procedure for the last 20 years. The aim of this investigation was the measurement of progression before and after CXL.
Material und Methods 65 consecutive eyes with progressive keratoconus from 53 patients were included in the retrospective study, which were observed at the University Eye Hospital Tübingen at least two years before and at least two years after CXL. The time of observation took place from October 2009 until March 2018. Parameters of interest had been the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the keratometric values from the elevation maps measured by a Scheimpflug camera.
Results 65 eyes of 53 patients had been documented. The study population included 46 (86.8%) male and 7 (13.2%) female subjects. The mean age was 24 ± 8 years. The averaged observation time between the primary consultation and CXL showed 25 ± 15 months. Preoperatively the mean BCVA pointed out in a significant increase (0.13 ± 0.17 [first visit] vs. 0.23 ± 0.22 [preOP], p < 0.0001) while the mean Kmax resulted in a statistically significant increase (46.34 ± 3.33 dpt [first visit] vs. 48.78 ± 4.17 dpt [preOP], p < 0.0001). The mean thinnest point of the cornea showed a significant decrease (490.48 ± 34.23 µm [first visit] vs. 468.62 ± 29.84 µm [preop], p < 0.0001). Postoperatively the mean BCVA resulted in a significant improvement at the 12th postoperative month in comparison to the preoperative measurement (0.23 ± 0.22 [preOP] vs. 0.16 ± 0.14 [12 months], p = 0.04 respectively 0.17 ± 0.17 [24 months], p = 0.0006). The mean Kmax demonstrated in the 12th
postoperative month a significant reduction (48.78 ± 4.17 dpt [preOP] vs. 47.91 ± 3.41 dpt [12 months], p = 0.0009 respectively 48 ± 4.56 dpt [24 months], p = 0.0051). The mean thinnest point of the cornea indicated a decrease at the 12th postoperative month (468.62 ± 29.84 µm [preOP] vs. 459.82 ± 35.88 µm [12 months], p = 0.0078 respectively 453.47 ± 43.39 µm [24 months], p = 0.0227).
Conclusion CXL is a successful procedure for the therapy of progressive keratoconus.
Säure-Basen-Haushalt und Gelenkerkrankungen
Authors: Vormann Jürgen , Werner Tanja 
Published: February 2021

ZusammenfassungDer pH-Wert des gesunden Menschen ist immens wichtig. Schon geringe Abweichungen führen zu massiven Störungen im Stoffwechsel, die unter Umständen lebensbedrohlich sind. Für den korrekten Ablauf biologischer Funktionen ist es wichtig, ein konstantes Verhältnis zwischen Säuren und Basen aufrechtzuerhalten. Ändert sich die Säurekonzentration, so hat das massive Auswirkungen auf die Aktivität von Enzymen oder die Struktur von Zellmembranen. Das Risiko für eine Schmerzentstehung ist insbesondere dann gegeben, wenn eine ernährungsbedingte Säurebelastung mit einer erhöhten Säureproduktion im Stoffwechsel zusammenkommt. Insgesamt gesehen belegen die Ergebnisse verschiedenster Untersuchungen die Bedeutung eines ausgeglichenen Säure-Basen-Haushalts auch bei Problemen im Gelenkbereich. Die Behebung einer alimentären Azidose durch ausreichende Basenzufuhr sollte Teil einer erfolgreichen Behandlung von Gelenkproblemen sein.
Rückenschmerz: Schmerztherapie nach Liebscher & Bracht
Authors: Bracht Petra , Liebscher-Bracht Roland 
Published: February 2021

ZusammenfassungBei etwa 80–99 % aller auftretenden Rückenschmerzen kann keine strukturelle Ursache gefunden werden. Die konventionelle Therapie besteht aus der Gabe von Analgetika sowie Physio- und Psychotherapie, bei strukturellen Ursachen auch operativen Verfahren. Die Therapieerfolge sind oft mäßig.Eine Ursache im Erklärungsmodell der Schmerztherapie nach Liebscher & Bracht liegt u. a. in einer Fehlspannung des Psoas, u. a. durch langes Sitzen und Stehen. Die Therapie beruht auf 2 Säulen: der Osteopressur, um Spannungen zu lösen, und speziellen Übungen zur Engpassdehnung, um die Muskulatur zu dehnen und zu kräftigen. Im Beitrag werden die wichtigsten Übungen bei Rückenschmerzen vorgestellt.
Rate of detection of serrated lesions at colonoscopy in an average-risk population: a meta-analysis of 129,001 individuals
Authors: Huang Junjie , Chan Paul S.F. , Pang Tiffany W.Y. , Choi Peter , Chen Xiao , Lok Veeleah , Zheng Zhi-Jie , Wong Martin C.S. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background and study aims Serrated lesions are precursors of approximately one-third of colorectal cancers (CRCs). Information on their detection rate was lacking as an important reference for CRC screening. This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the overall detection rate for serrated lesions and their subtypes in average-risk populations undergoing CRC screening with colonoscopy.
Patient and methods MEDLINE and Embase were searched to identify population-based studies that reported the detection rate for serrated lesions. Studies on average-risk populations using colonoscopy as a screening tool were included. Metaprop was applied to model within-study variability by binomial distribution, and Freeman-Tukey Double Arcsine Transformation was adopted to stabilise the variances. The detection rate was presented in proportions using random-effects models.
Results In total, 17 studies involving 129,001 average-risk individuals were included. The overall detection rates for serrated lesions (19.0 %, 95 % CI = 15.3 %–23.0 %), sessile serrated polyps (2.5 %, 95 % CI = 1.5 %–3.8 %), and traditional serrated adenomas (0.3 %, 95 % CI = 0.1 %–0.8 %) were estimated. Subgroup analysis indicated a higher detection rate for serrated lesions among males (22.0 %) than females (14.0 %), and Caucasians (25.9 %) than Asians (14.6 %). The detection rate for sessile serrated polyps was also higher among Caucasians (2.9 %) than Asians (0.7 %).
Conclusions This study determined the overall detection rate for serrated lesions and their different subtypes. The pooled detection rate estimates can be used as a reference for establishing CRC screening programs. Future studies may evaluate the independent factors associated with the presence of serrated lesions during colonoscopy to enhance their rate of detection.
Long-term clinical results of per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia: First report of more than 10-year patient experience as assessed with a questionnaire-based survey
Authors: Onimaru Manabu , Inoue Haruhiro , Fujiyoshi Yusuke , Abad Mary Raina Angeli , Nishikawa Yohei , Toshimori Akiko , Shimamura Yuto , Tanabe Mayo , Sumi Kazuya , Ikeda Haruo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background and study aims Since per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) was introduced in 2010, it has become accepted as one of the standard treatments for esophageal achalasia worldwide. This study aimed to present long-term clinical results of POEM over 10 years and evaluate the technique and outcomes at the institution where it was first used in clinical settings.
Patients and methods Questionnaire-based surveys were sent to patients who received POEM in our institution from September 2008 to May 2010. Patient demographics and procedural outcomes and open-ended questions were posed about the postoperative courses, including symptom improvement and recurrence, additional treatments, and post-POEM gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. Achalasia symptoms and post-POEM GERD symptoms were evaluated with Eckhardt scores and GerdQ systems, respectively.
Results Thirty-six consecutive POEMs were performed in that period and 10-year follow-up data were obtained from 15 patients (41.7 %). Although four cases (26.7 %) required additional pneumatic balloon dilatation (PBD), reduction in post-Eckardt scores were observed in 14 cases (93.3 %). GerdQ score was positive in one patient (6.7 %). Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) were taken by four patients (26.7 %) and their symptoms were well-controlled.
Conclusions Clinical results of POEM over 10 years were favorable regardless of various factors. Symptoms improved even in patients who required additional treatments, suggesting that POEM plays a significant role in treatment of achalasia.
Nachweis verbesserter Patientensicherheit in Deutschland
Authors: Bauer Susanne Helene , Gronemeyer Stefan 
Published: February 2021

ZusammenfassungDas Thema „Patientensicherheit“ wurde bei der Qualitätssicherung im deutschen Gesundheitswesen lange vernachlässigt. Erst 2015 wird der Forderung nach Datentransparenz mit dem Beschluss zur Veröffentlichung strukturierter Qualitätsberichte der zugelassenen Krankenhäuser entsprochen. Ein wesentliches Patienteninteresse, nämlich das an der Behandlungssicherheit, spielt bislang in der Berichterstattung eine untergeordnete Rolle.Daher untersucht die vorliegende Arbeit, welche Beispiele zum Nachweis verbesserter Patientensicherheit in Deutschland in den letzten 10 Jahren publiziert wurden. Im Rahmen einer systematischen Literaturrecherche wurden dazu 16 Studien identifiziert, die den Erfolg entsprechender Interventionen in 13 Initiativen auch quantitativ nachweisen konnten.
Padded Headgear does not Reduce the Incidence of Match Concussions in
Professional Men’s Rugby Union: A Case-control Study of 417
Cases
Authors: Stokes Keith A. , Cross Matthew , Williams Sean , McKay Carly , Hagel Brent E. , West Stephen W. , Roberts Simon Paul , Sant’Anna Ricardo T. , Morrison Edward , Kemp Simon 
Published: February 2021

AbstractConcussion is the most common match injury in rugby union. Some players wear
padded headgear, but whether this protects against concussion is unclear. In
professional male rugby union players, we examined: (i) the association
between the use of headgear and match concussion injury incidence, and (ii)
whether wearing headgear influenced time to return to play following
concussion. Using a nested case-control within a cohort study, four seasons
(2013–2017) of injury data from 1117 players at the highest level of
rugby union in England were included. Cases were physician-diagnosed
concussion injuries. Controls were other contact injuries (excluding all
head injuries). We determined headgear use by viewing video footage. Sixteen
percent of cases and controls wore headgear. Headgear use had no significant
effect on concussion injury incidence (adjusted odds ratio=1.05,
95% CI: 0.71–1.56). Median number of days absent for
concussion whilst wearing headgear was 8 days, compared with 7 days without
headgear. Having sustained a concussion in the current or previous season
increased the odds of concussion more than four-fold (odds
ratio=4.55, 95% CI: 3.77–5.49). Wearing headgear was
not associated with lower odds of concussions or a reduced number of
days' absence following a concussion.