bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential role of liver enzymes for predicting elevated blood glucose levels
Authors: Wu Mengna , Nian Shiyan , feng lei , Bai Xuejing , Ye Dan , Zhang Chunting , Yan Zefeng , Ma Qixin , Shao Cong , Bi Qianye , Luo Beibei 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background

This study was to explore the potential effect of different liver enzymes on elevated blood glucose with the use of a more detailed blood glucose grouping.
Methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled 144,135 participants who had biochemical examinations from 2014–2018. Participants were classified by sex and different blood glucose levels (< 5.0 mmol/L, 5.0-5.5 mmol/L, 5.6–6.2 mmol/L, 6.3–6.9 mmol/L, and ≥ 7.0 mmol/L). The associations between liver function indicators and occurrence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) were analyzed through multivariate linear regression and multiple logistic regression.
Results

There was a significant difference among the biochemical indices between different blood glucose groups in males and females. Liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were independent risk factors for raised blood glucose, and there were gender differences in the predictive performance of each liver enzyme to elevated blood glucose levels. In men, GGT was the most appropriate to predict progressive elevation of blood glucose or T2DM risk, and ALT and ALP may only be applicable to the prediction of impaired fasting glucose (IFG). By contrast, ALT and ALP were the most appropriate enzymes for the prediction of the risk of elevated blood glucose or T2DM in women, and AST and GGT may only be appropriate for the prediction of IFG.
Conclusions

Liver enzymes were independent risk factors for elevated blood glucose. There were gender differences in the role of each liver enzyme for elevated blood glucose. GGT was more suitable as a predictor for dynastic elevated blood glucose in men, whereas for women, ALT and ALP were more suitable.
Increased Resistance of SARS-CoV-2 Variants B.1.351 and B.1.1.7 to Antibody Neutralization
Authors: Ho David , Wang Pengfei , Liu Lihong , Iketani Sho , Luo Yang , Guo Yicheng , Wang Maple , Yu Jian , Zhang Baoshan , Kwong Peter , Graham Barney , Mascola John , Chang Jennifer , Yin Michael , Sobieszczyk Magdalena , Kyratsous Christos , Shapiro Lawrence , Sheng Zizhang , Nair Manoj , Huang Yaoxing 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic has ravaged the globe, and its causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, continues to rage. Prospects of ending this pandemic rest on the development of effective interventions. Two monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapeutics have received emergency use authorization, and more are in the pipeline. Furthermore, multiple vaccine constructs have shown promise, including two with ~95% protective efficacy against Covid-19. However, these interventions were directed toward the initial SARS-CoV-2 that emerged in 2019. Considerable viral evolution has occurred since, including variants with a D614G mutation that have become dominant. Viruses with this mutation alone do not appear to be antigenically distinct, however. Recent emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 in the UK and B.1.351 in South Africa is of concern because of their purported ease of transmission and extensive mutations in the spike protein. We now report that B.1.1.7 is refractory to neutralization by most mAbs to the N-terminal domain (NTD) of spike and relatively resistant to a number of mAbs to the receptor-binding domain (RBD). It is modestly more resistant to convalescent plasma (~3 fold) and vaccinee sera (~2 fold). Findings on B.1.351 are more worrisome in that this variant is not only refractory to neutralization by most NTD mAbs but also by multiple potent mAbs to the receptor-binding motif on RBD, largely due to an E484K mutation. Moreover, B.1.351 is markedly more resistant to neutralization by convalescent plasma (~11-33 fold) and vaccinee sera (~6.5-8.6 fold). B.1.351 and emergent variants with similar spike mutations present new challenges for mAb therapy and threaten the protective efficacy of current vaccines.
HDAC6/FOXP3/HNF4α Axis Promotes Bile Acids Induced Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia
Authors: Wang Na , Wu Siran , Zhang Luyao , Chen Min , Zeng Jiaoxia , Lu Guofang , Zhou Fenli , Wu Qiong , Liu Junye , Shi Yongquan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) is an important precancerous lesion. Our previous study has shown that ectopic expression of HDAC6 promotes the activation of intestinal markers in bile acids (BA) induced gastric IM cells; however, the mechanism underlying how HDAC6-mediated epigenetic modifications regulate intestinal markers is not clear.Methods: RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to detect the molecular changes in GES-1 cells after HDAC6 overexpression. The potential binding sites of FOXP3 with the promoter region of HNF4α were verified by ChIP and luciferase reporter gene assays. The ChIP assay was also used to detect the histone deacetylation. The levels of mucin in gastric or intestinal mucosa were detected by AB-PAS staining. Transgenic mice were used to explore the pro-metaplastic function of DCA and HNF4α in vivo.Results: Deoxycholic acid (DCA) upregulated HDAC6 in gastric cells, which further inhibited the transcription of FOXP3. Then, FOXP3 transcriptionally inhibited HNF4α, which further inhibits the expression of downstream intestinal markers. These molecules have been shown to be clinically relevant, as FOXP3 levels were negatively correlated with HDAC6 and HNF4α in IM tissues. Transgenic mice experiments confirmed that HNF4α overexpression combined with DCA induced gastric mucosa to secrete intestinal mucus and caused an abnormal mucosal structure. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that HDAC6 reduces FOXP3 through epigenetic modification, thus forming HDAC6/FOXP3/HNF4α axis to promote gastric IM. Inhibition of HDAC6 may be a potential approach to prevent gastric IM in patients with bile reflux.
Outcomes in Thoracolumbar and Lumbar Traumatic Fractures: Does Restoration of Unfused Segmental Mobility Correlated to Implant Removal Time？：a retrospective study
Authors: Wu Jian , Zhu Jun , Wang Zhong , Jin Huaijian , Wang Yingbo , Liu Baiyi , Yin Xiang , Du Longbin , Wang Yu , Liu Mingyong , Liu Peng 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background

Posterior fixation without fusion can treat thoracolumbar and lumbar traumatic fractures effectively. However, whether patients benefit from implant removal, as well as the correlation between the range of motion (ROM) of the involved segments and the removal time, has not been determined.
Methods

Fifty consecutive cases with thoracolumbar traumatic fractures that had undergone implant removal at different times were enrolled. We found 17 patients (Group A), 21 patients (Group B), and 12 patients (Group C) underwent implant removal following the index surgery within 12 months, between 12 to 24 months, and over 24 months, respectively. Clinical and radiological outcomes, including visual analog scale (VAS) for back pain, patient satisfaction, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) for quality of life and segmental ROM were analyzed.
Results

The average follow-up time was 9.1 ± 5.7 months after implant removal. There were no significant differences in VAS and patient satisfaction among the three groups at the same observation time points. Patients of group A gained the lowest ODI and highest EQ-5D scores after removal and at final follow-up than those in group B and C. The best ROM was obtained in Group A followed by Group B and C (11.5 ± 6.2°, 5.5 ± 1.6° and 2.4 ± 0.6°, respectively).
Conclusions

Immobilization of the involved segments over 24 months may lead to ankylosis. Regained segmental ROM is correlated negatively with implant removal time. Patients have implant removal within 12 months can gain a better quality of life.
Synovial fluid IL-1β appears useful for the diagnosis of chronic periprosthetic joint infection
Authors: Wang Hai , Qin LeiLei , Wang Jiawei , Huang Wei 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of synovial fluid interleukin (IL)-1β in diagnosing chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and to identify the optimal threshold of synovial fluid IL-1β for differentiating chronic PJI from aseptic failure after knee and hip arthroplasties.Methods Between January 2019 and December 2019, we prospectively included patients scheduled to have a revision surgery for chronic PJI or aseptic failure after total joint arthroplasty. Then synovial IL-1β was additionally measured along with routine preoperative diagnostic serum and synovial biomarkers. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) were analyzed for each biomarker to determine diagnostic efficacy.Results Of the 93 patients included, their demographic data were not found to be statistically significant. The median synovial IL-1β levels were significantly higher in the chronic PJI group than in the aseptic group (894.73 pg/mL vs. 34.49 pg/mL, P<0.01). The AUC for synovial fluid IL-1β was 0.991, which was higher than serum ESR (0.627) and CRP (0.712). The optimal threshold value for detecting chronic PJI of synovial IL-1β was 312.7 pg/mL, with a sensitivity of 97.3% and a specificity of 94.64%. And the combined measurement of synovial fluid IL-1β and synovial fluid PMN% can led to a specificity of 1, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 1.Conclusions The present study demonstrated that synovial fluid IL-1β is a valuable biomarker for detection of chronic PJI. The combination of synovial fluid IL-1β and PMN% led to an improvement in specificity compared with evaluation of each single index.
Bacterial profile, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and associated factors of community and hospital acquired urinary tract infection at Dessie referral hospital, Dessie, Northeast Ethiopia
Authors: Adugna Berhanu , Sharew Bekele , Jemal Mohabaw 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Back ground:

Urinary tract infection are one of the most common bacterial infections in the community and in the hospital. Nowadays, little is known about the status of community and hospital acquired urinary tract infection, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and associated factors among urinary tract infection patients in Ethiopia, particularly in our study area.
Methods

A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out in Dessie referral hospital. A total of 422 urine samples were enrolled using systematic random sampling technique. All isolates were identified by standard microbiological techniques and their antibiotic susceptibility was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Data was entered using Epi data version 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS software version 20. P- Value < 0.05 at 95% CI was considered as statistically significant.
Result

Of 422 urine samples processed 100 (23.7%) yielded bacterial isolates. About50(30.7%) and 50(19.3%) samples from hospitalized and community showed significant bacteriuria respectively. E. coli 44/103(42.7%), predominated across the two groups followed by S. aureus 25/103(24.3%), CONs,14/103(13.5%), Klebsiella spps 7/103(6.78), proteus spps 3/103(2.91), and Entrococcus spps 3/103 (2.91%). Pseudomonas spps 3/103 (2.91), Citrobacter spps 2/103(1.94%) and Acinetobacter Spp 1/103(0.999), which were isolated from only the hospitalized samples. Meropenem susceptibly was 100% in both study groups and Ampicillin resistance was documented as 83.3–100% and 76.9–100% in hospitalized and community acquired respectively. Among risk factors previous use of antibiotics, female gender, Age, Diabetics, catheterization were associated with the infection.
Conclusion

The present study revealed that slightly high prevalence of urinary tract infection. High antimicrobial resistance was observed to most antimicrobial drugs tested. Meropenem and Nitrofurantoin were the most active drugs for urinary tract infection. Empirical selection of antimicrobial agents should be based on antibiotic sensitivity pattern of uropathogens that prevalent in that area. Female sex, age, previous use of antibiotics, catheterization and diabetics were at risk of urinary tract infection.
Free congruence: an exploration of expanded similarity measures for time series data
Authors: Jacaruso Lucas Cassiel 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Time series similarity measures are highly relevant in a wide range of emerging applications including training machine learning models, classification, and predictive modeling. Standard similarity measures for time series most often involve point-to-point distance measures including Euclidean distance and Dynamic Time Warping. Such similarity measures fundamentally require the fluctuation of values in the time series being compared to follow a corresponding order or cadence for similarity to be established. Other existing approaches use local statistical tests to detect structural changes in time series. This paper is spurred by the exploration of a broader definition of similarity, namely one that takes into account the sheer numerical resemblance between sets of statistical properties for time series segments irrespectively of value labeling. Further, the presence of common pattern components between time series segments was examined even if they occur in a permuted order, which would not necessarily satisfy the criteria of more conventional point-to-point distance measures. The newly defined similarity measures were tested on time series data representing over 20 years of cooperation intent expressed in global media sentiment. Tests determined whether the newly defined similarity measures would accurately identify stronger resemblance, on average, for pairings of similar time series segments (exhibiting overall decline) than pairings of differing segments (exhibiting overall decline and overall rise). The ability to identify patterns other than the obvious overall rise or decline that can accurately relate samples is regarded as a first step towards assessing the value of the newly explored similarity measures for classification or prediction. Results were compared with those of Dynamic Time Warping on the same data for context. Surprisingly, the test for numerical resemblance between sets of statistical properties established stronger resemblance for pairings of decline years with greater statistical significance than Dynamic Time Warping on the particular data and sample size used.
Initial experience of preoperative short-course radiotherapy followed by oxaliplatin-based consolidation chemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Song Seung Ho , Park Jun Seok , Kang Min Kyu , Choi Gyu-Seog , Park Soo Yeun , Kim Hye Jin , Kim Jong Gwang , Kang Byung Woog , Baek Jin Ho , Baek Dong Won , Kim Jae-Chul , Park Shin-Hyung , Cho Seung Hyun , Seo An Na 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Purpose: We analyzed the safety and feasibility of preoperative short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) followed by consolidation chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).Methods: From April 2018 to May 2019, 19 patients with LACR were treated with SCRT followed by three cycles of consolidation chemotherapy with leucovorin, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX6) before surgery. Adjuvant chemotherapy relied on oxaliplatin. Tumor response, patient compliance, and toxicities were analyzed.Results: The median age was 60 years (range 44–71), and 16 of the patients were male. The median tumor height was 5 cm (range 0–9) from anal verge. All patients received a total dose of 25 Gy in five fractions. The number of cycles of FOLFOX6 before surgery was three in 17, four in one, five in one. Five patients required dose reductions in consolidation chemotherapy. The median interval between initiation of SCRT and surgery was 10.6 weeks (range 8.6–16.4). A pathologic complete response was seen in two patients (11%). Grade III toxicities to the preoperative treatment were seen in five patients (26%): diarrhea in two, a decreased white blood cell count in one, and anemia in two. Postoperative complications arising within 30 days developed in five patients (26%). During the median follow-up period of 20.4 months, there was no tumor recurrence. Conclusion: Preoperative SCRT followed by oxaliplatin-based consolidation chemotherapy showed acceptable toxicity and feasibility in patients with LARC. Prospective randomized trials are warranted to verify the efficacy and safety of this treatment strategy compared with conventional long-course concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
Following the outbreak: preliminary findings on the landscape effect on Dasineura oleae and its parasitoids in Central Italy
Authors: Picchi Malayka Samantha , Tondini Elena , Albertarelli Nicola , Monteforti Gaia , Petacchi Ruggero 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Dasineura oleae (Angelini, 1831) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), the olive leaf gall midge, is a pest of olive crops that has never been problematic in Italy since 2016, when a massive infestation of this pest was reported in a small region of Central Italy. We selected infested olive orchards through farmers’ reports aiming at quantifying the pest infestation level and the parasitism rate in each site. Also, we aimed at exploring the landscape effect in both pest and parasitoids, using proportion of olive crops and semi-natural habitats, as well as the Shannon index as a measurement of the landscape diversity, estimated at four different scales (250m, 500m, 750m and 1000m buffers around the sampling points). Results showed different landscape effect depending on the organism and on the scale. We underlined a small-scale effect on the parasitism rate and a large-scale effect on the olive leaf midge mediated by the Shannon Index. Moreover, some preliminary results showed that the parasitism rate was high in sites where plants associated with D. oleae parasitoids were present in the adjacent semi-natural habitat. Further study should deepen and validate our findings on the effect of landscape and of the vegetation on natural enemies of D.oleae. These results should stimulate new approaches in the studying of the olive gall leaf midge as well as new suppression strategies.
Role of open cerclage wires used in patients with comminuted fractures of femoral shaft treated with intramedullary nails
Authors: Wang Tzu-Hao , Chuang Hao-Chun , Kuan Fa-Chuan , Hong Chih-Kai , Yeh Ming-Long , Su Wei-Ren , Hsu Kai-Lan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
IntroductionThe role of open cerclage wiring in comminuted femoral shaft fracture treatment with intramedullary nails remains unclear. Here, we analyzed the effect of open cerclage wiring and the risk factors for nonunion after interlocking nailing in comminuted femoral shaft fracture treatment. We hypothesize that open cerclage wiring is applicable to patients with severe comminuted femoral shaft fractures without affecting bone healing.Patients and MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used data of consecutive patients who underwent interlocking nail fixation of a comminuted femoral shaft fracture between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2016. First, eligible patients were divided into wire and no wire groups according to the surgical technique used and their union rate was recorded. The patients were then divided into union and nonunion groups and their perioperative data were analyzed.ResultsIn total, 71 comminuted femoral shaft fractures treated with interlocking nail fixation were included: 38 fractures (53.5%) augmented with the open wiring technique and 33 reduced with closed or mini–open wound without wiring. The wire group demonstrated significant improvements in fracture reduction compared with the no wire group, whereas no significant difference was observed in the union rate between the wire and no wire groups (p = 0.180). Moreover, 46 (65%) of 71 fractures united smoothly, and no significant difference was observed in any perioperative data between union and nonunion groups.DiscussionAugmented open cerclage wiring is indicated for comminuted femoral shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nails, even when the fragments are large or far displaced. Thus, open cerclage wiring can be used for fracture treatment, without decreasing the union rate.
Effect of groundwater forced seepage on heat transfer characteristics of borehole heat exchangers
Authors: Ma Jiuchen , Jiang Qian , Zhang Qiuli , Xie Yacheng , Wang Yahui , Yi Feiyu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
A borehole heat exchangers (BHEs) combined with pumping-injection well is established in areas where the groundwater is shallow and the seepage velocity is weak. The pumping and injection wells are set on both sides of the BHEs. According to the three-dimensional unsteady heat transfer model in aquifer, the convection-dispersion analytical solution of excess temperature is derived that considers groundwater forced seepage and thermal dispersion effects and axial effect of the BHEs. Then, the dimensional analysis method and similarity criteria we used to build a controllable forced seepage sandbox. The software FEFLOW 7.1 is adopted and the simulation results are validated by the theoretical analysis and the indoor experiment test. On this basis, the numerical simulation calculation is used to explore the influence of different pumping-injection flow volume on the Darcy flow velocity of the aquifer where the BHEs are located, the average heat transfer efficiency and the heat transfer rates with borehole depth. The results show that when the pumping flow volume increases from 200 m3∙d-1 to 1200 m3∙d-1, the Darcy velocity correspondingly increases to about 10 times. The average heat efficiency coefficient of the BHEs is increased by 11.5% in cooling stage, and by 7.5% in heating stage. When the pumping-injection flow volume is 400~600 m3∙d-1, the increment of heat transfer rates of the BHEs reaches 12.8~17.9 W∙m-1 and 3.6~4.2 W∙m-1 per unit of borehole depth during the cooling stage and heating stage respectively, and then decreases as the flow volume increases gradually.