bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The COVID-19 Pandemic Mental Health Questionnaire (CoPaQ): Psychometric Evaluation and Compliance with Countermeasures in Psychiatric Inpatients and Non-clinical Individuals
Authors: Rek Stephanie V. , Bühner Markus , Reinhard Matthias A. , Freeman Daniel , Keeser Daniel , Adorjan Kristina , Falkai Peter , Padberg Frank 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted people’s lives across a broad spectrum of psychosocial domains. We report the development and psychometric evaluation of the self-report COVID-19 Pandemic Mental Health Questionnaire (CoPaQ), which assesses COVID-19 contamination anxiety, countermeasure necessity and compliance, mental health impact, stressor impact, social media usage, interpersonal conflicts, paranoid ideations, institutional & political trust, conspiracy beliefs, and social cohesion. Further, we illustrate the questionnaire’s utility in an applied example investigating if higher SARS-Cov-2 infection rates in psychiatric patients could be explained by reduced compliance with preventive countermeasures. Methods A group of 511 non-clinical individuals completed an initial pool of 111 CoPaQ items (Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/3evn9/) and additional scales measuring psychological distress, well-being, and paranoia to assess construct validity and lifetime mental health diagnosis for criterion validity. Factor structure was determined by exploratory factor analyses and validated by conducting confirmatory factor analysis in the accompanying longitudinal sample (n=318) and an independent psychiatric inpatient sample primarily admitted for major depressive-, substance abuse-, personality-, and anxiety disorders (n=113). Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach’s Alpha and McDonald's Omega. For the applied research example, Welch t-tests and correlational analyses were conducted. Results Twelve out of 16 extracted subscales were retained in the final questionnaire version, which provided preliminary evidence for adequate psychometric properties in terms of factor structure, internal consistency, and construct and criterion validity. Our applied research example showed that patients exhibited greater support for COVID-19 countermeasures than non-clinical individuals. However, this requires replication in future studies. Conclusions We demonstrate that the CoPaQ is a comprehensive and valid measure of the psychosocial impact of the pandemic and could allow to a degree to disentangle the complex psychosocial phenomena of the pandemic as exemplified by our applied analyses.
Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells derived Exosomes attenuate injury of myocardial infarction by miR-24-3p-promoted M2 macrophage polarization
Authors: Zhu Feng , Chen Yihuan , Li Jingjing , Yang Ziying , Lin Yang , Jiang Boxuan , Shao Lianbo , Hu Shengshou , Shen Zhenya 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background-

Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UMSCs-Exo) were recommended as ideal substitutes for cell-free cardiac regenerative medicine, which had presented encouraging effects in regulating inflammation and attenuating myocardial injury. The phenotype of macrophages resident in myocardium were regulated dynamically in response to environmental cues, which may either protect against injury or promote maladaptive remodeling. However, the underlying mechanisms about UMSCs-Exo regulating macrophage polarization are still not well understood. Herein, we aimed to explore the effects of UMSCs-Exo on macrophage polarization and their roles in cardiac repair after myocardial infarction (MI).
Methods and Results-

Exosomes were isolated from the supernatant of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UMSCs) and transplanted by intramyocardial injection after MI. Our results showed that UMSCs-Exo improved cardiac function by increasing M2 macrophage polarization and reducing excessive inflammation. After depletion of macrophages with clodronate liposomes, the therapeutic effects of UMSCs-Exo were disrupted. Administrated with UMSC-Exo, macrophages are inclined to polarize towards M2 phenotype in inflammatory environment in vitro. The results of RNA-sequencing indicated Plcb3 was a key gene concerned in UMSCs-Exo facilitated M2 macrophage polarization. Further bioinformatics analysis revealed exosomal miR-24-3p as a potential effector mediated Plcb3 down regulation in macrophages. Increasing miR-24-3p expression in macrophages effectively enhanced M2 macrophage polarization by suppressing Plcb3 expression and NF-κB pathway activation in inflammatory environment. Furthermore, diminishing miR-24-3p expression in UMSCs-Exo attenuated the effects of UMSCs-Exo on M2 macrophage polarization.
Conclusions-

Our study demonstrated that macrophages, as important inflammatory regulators, participated in UMSCs-Exo mediated myocardial repair after MI. And the therapeutical effects were at least partially carried out by UMSCs-Exo promoting M2 macrophage polarization in an inflammatory microenvironment. Mechanically, exosomal miR-24-3p inhibits the expression of Plcb3 and NF-κB pathway activation to promote M2 macrophage polarization.
The Effects of Erector Spinae Plane Block on Perioperative Opioid Consumption and Rehabilitation in Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery
Authors: Zhang Sen , Han Xiaodan , Zhou Di , Sun Minli , Cang Jing , Miao Changhong , Liang Chao 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background The present study aimed to observe whether the ultrasound-guided continuous erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has an effect on opioid consumption and postoperative rehabilitation in patients who undergo video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).Methods In this prospective study, 120 patients aged 20–70 yrs, undergoing elective VATS, were randomly allocated to one of three groups: Group C (General anaesthesia with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia [PCIA]), Group T (General anaesthesia with patient-controlled epidural analgesia [PCEA]), or Group E (General anaesthesia with continuous ESPB and PCIA). The perioperative opioid consumption; VAS scores; preoperative and postoperative QoR-15 score; and postoperative opioid-related adverse events were all assessed.Results The intraoperative sufentanil consumption in group T and E was significantly lower than that in group C (both P < 0.001), and the postoperative sufentanil consumption in group E was also significantly lower than that of group C (P = 0.001). Compared with group C, the VAS scores at rest or during coughing immediately out of the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), at postoperative 6h, 12h, and 24h, were significantly lower in group T (P < 0.05). However, the VAS scores in group E were lower than those of group C only at rest at postoperative 6h and 12h (P < 0.05), and were significantly higher than those of group T at all study times (P < 0.05).Conclusion Ultrasound-guided continuous ESPB could significantly reduce perioperative opioid consumption in VATS and improve postoperative rehabilitation. However, these effects were inferior to those provided by TEA.Trial registration The present study was prospectively registered at http://www.chictr.org/cn /(Registration number: ChiCTR1900023050); Registration date: May 8,2019
Non-PSEUDO-AntiBiotiCs Score—A Predictor of Bacteraemia Caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A Case-control Study
Authors: Iwami Kaori , Matsuo Takahiro , Hayashi Kuniyoshi , Mori Nobuyoshi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Immoderate use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials could lead to emergence of resistant bacteria. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteraemia and develop an exclusion scoring system to help clinicians select an appropriate antimicrobial treatment. Methods: This single-centre case-control study recruited inpatients and outpatients (age ≥ 20 years) with P. aeruginosa or Escherichia coli bacteraemia at St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo from April 2005 to March 2020. Bivariate associations were assessed using χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, or Mann–Whitney U test, and the relationship between P. aeruginosa bacteraemia and other variables was determined using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 1562 patients (208 patients with P. aeruginosa bacteraemia and 1354 patients with E. coli bacteraemia) were included. Multivariable analysis revealed 11 variables associated with P. aeruginosa bacteraemia: Nosocomial infections, Pneumonia, Sex (males), Exposure to antibiotics within 90 days, Urinary tract infection, Urinary catheterization, abDOminal infection, Age < 77 years, Body mass index < 19, presence of Central venous catheter, and Central line-associated bloodstream infection/peripheral line-associated bloodstream infection; these variables were used to develop the Non-PSEUDO-AntiBiotiCs score. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.89 (95% confidence interval: 0.88–­0.92), and the best cut-off-point was 5; a score of ≥ 5 had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 83%. Conclusion: We developed the Non-PSEUDO-AntiBiotiCs score. This score may allow clinicians to rule out the possibility of P. aeruginosa bacteraemia and prevent the abuse of broad-spectrum antimicrobials.
Estimating Proprioceptive Position Sense of Upper Limbs Using Joint Distance and Joint Angle Symmetries
Authors: Ratnadurai-Giridharan Shivakeshavan , Delfing Dalina , Robert Maxime T , Kitago Tomoko , Gordon Andrew M , Friel Kathleen M 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background Proprioceptive position sense (PPS) plays a critical role in movement and coordination of the upper limbs. It is commonly affected in neurological disorders such as unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP) and stroke. However, UL PPS is often not considered during assessment or treatment in motor rehabilitation programs, in part due to limitations of current methods to quantify PPS. Traditional methods assess the similarity or symmetry of angles of a single joint and may not be sufficiently sensitive nor accurate. Emerging methods such as the use of robotic technology typically are limited to 2D and are also not standardizable as they are not easily available to clinics and research labs. This study aims to introduce a standardized and accessible way to quantify multi-joint PPS using 3D kinematic measures. Methods We developed novel multi-joint angle and distance-based measures of symmetry to assess upper limb PPS. Healthy adults (N = 17) and children with USCP (N=9) participated in this study. Kinematics were extracted during upper limb 3D pose matching tasks using a VICON Nexus system. Brunner-Munzel permutation tests were used for statistical comparisons between groups. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between the different symmetry measures and pose matching tasks. Results We introduced novel angle and distance-based measures of symmetry to estimate PPS. Healthy adults scored higher on both these symmetry measures compared to children with USCP. Angle and distance-based symmetries did correlate with each other. Exploratory factor analysis indicated that both angle symmetry and joint distance symmetry were highly loaded by the latent factor that best explained variance in the data. These results suggest that the two measures of pose symmetry are not redundant. It was also observed that distance symmetry was less sensitive to the different poses while angle symmetry varied across poses. Conclusions Symmetry measures derived from kinematics during upper limb pose matching tasks can estimate multi-joint PPS. Angle and distance-based symmetries together provide information about an individual’s ability to sense joint position. This framework will allow clinicians and researchers to measure PPS of upper limbs only using kinematic acquisition devices.
Study of arsenic genotoxicity in a freshwater fish (Channa punctatus) using RAPD as molecular marker
Authors: Jha Deepak K , Yashvardhini Niti , Bhattacharya Saurav , Sayrav Kumar , Kumar Amod , Khan Parimal 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Arsenic, the proven genotoxic carcinogen in humans, is a groundwater contaminant of global concern. The present work investigates the applicability of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) as molecular marker to demonstrate arsenic genotoxicity in the freshwater fish, Channa punctatus. Fish specimens, segregated into three groups, were exposed to 10, 50 and 500 µgL− 1 of arsenic respectively for 20 consecutive days. DNA extracted from same specimens of each group before and after exposure was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using single arbitrary primers. Marked changes in RAPD profiles of fish DNA were observed upon exposure to arsenic compare to RAPD profiles of their pre-exposure state, resulting from loss or gain of certain bands. Altogether a total of 41 loci were amplified with 37–41 bands in each group. Band 1 of pre-exposure state was lost in all post-exposure samples while bands 4, 6 and 7 appeared as new bands after exposure to arsenic. The changes in the RAPD banding patterns upon exposure to arsenic reflect alterations in fish DNA. The RAPD bands, therefore, appeared as potential markers, capable of revealing the genotoxicity induced by arsenic in this piscine model.
Clinical Significance of Metastasis or Micrometastasis to the Lymph Node Along Superior Mesenteric Vein in Gastric Carcinoma: a Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Xu Xing , Zheng Guoliang , Zhang Tao , Zhao Yan , Zheng Zhichao 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The validity of lymphadenectomy of the lymph node along the superior mesenteric vein (LN14v) in gastric cancer remains controversial. The study investigated the characteristics and prognosis of gastric cancer with metastasis or micrometastasis to LN14v.Methods: A retrospective study of 626 patients receiving radical gastrectomy in our center from January 2003 to December 2015 was analyzed. Totally, 303 patients receiving lymphadenectomy of 14v and lymph node micrometastasis was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratinnodes CK8/18. Logistic regression model was applied to confirm the predictive factors of micrometastasis. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of micrometastasis or metastasis on prognosis.Results: The metastastic rate of No.14v lymph node was 15.8% and the micrometastatic rate was 3.9%. Multivariate analysis showed site, Borrmann classification, postoperative lymph node metastasis (pN), the metastasis of LN6 and LN9 were predictive factors of LN14v micrometastasis or metastaticsis (P<0.05). The 5-year survival rate of positive group (14v micrometastasis or metastasis) was 12.4%. The prognosis of patients without micrometastatic 14v lymph node was better than positive group. While the difference between group of LN14v micrometastasis and LN14v metastasis was not obvious. In matched analysis, patients with gastric cancer of stage Ⅲ, U/M area, pN2-3 and LN 6(+) underwent lymphadenectomy of 14v suffered better survival than those without lymphadenectomy of 14v. Conclusion: Lymph node micrometastasis could provide accurate prognostic information for patients with GC. Thus, lymphadenectomy of LN14v should be recommended for patients with gastric cancer of stage Ⅲ, U/M area, pN2-3 and LN 6(+).
QPhAR – Quantitative Pharmacophore Activity Relationship: Method and Validation
Authors: Kohlbacher Stefan M. , Langer Thierry , Seidel Thomas 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
QSAR methods are widely applied in the drug discovery process, both in the hit‑to‑lead and lead optimization phase, as well as in the drug-approval process. Most QSAR algorithms are limited to using molecules as input and disregard pharmacophores or pharmacophoric features entirely. However, due to the high level of abstraction, pharmacophore representations provide some advantageous properties for building quantitative SAR models. The abstract depiction of molecular interactions avoids a bias towards overrepresented functional groups in small datasets. Furthermore, a well‑crafted quantitative pharmacophore model can generalise to underrepresented or even missing molecular features in the training set by using pharmacophoric interaction patterns only. This paper presents a novel method to construct quantitative pharmacophore models and demonstrates its applicability and robustness on more than 250 diverse datasets. 5‑fold cross-validation on these datasets with default settings yielded an average RMSE of 0.62, with an average standard deviation of 0.18. Additional cross-validation studies on datasets with 15-20 training samples showed that robust quantitative pharmacophore models could be obtained. These low requirements for dataset sizes renders quantitative pharmacophores a viable go-to method for medicinal chemists, especially in the lead-optimisation stage of drug discovery projects.
Rational approaches to discover SARS-CoV-2/ACE2 interaction inhibitors: from pharmacophore-based virtual screening to molecular dynamics
Authors: Yazdani Mohsen , Jafari Ameneh , Mahdian Soodeh , Gharaghani Sajjad 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The lack of effective treatment remains the biggest bottleneck in combating the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Drug discovery is a complex and time-consuming process, while various in silico methods dramatically reduce the time and cost of this process. The infection begins with the binding of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of Spike (S) glycoprotein from SARS-CoV-2 to the host angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) receptor. We, therefore, present computational screening methods aimed to identify inhibitors potentially able to target RBD. For this purpose, pharmacophore mapping, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to screen potential candidates against ACE2/SARS-CoV-2. In particular, pharmacophore-based virtual screening used over a hundred million compounds to construct protein-protein interactions (PPIs) inhibitor library. In conclusion, PubChem-84280085 compound is suggested as a potential PPIs inhibitor for preventing SARS-CoV-2 RBD/ACE2 interactions.
Force Model of Freeform Surface Multi-axis Machining With Fillet End Mill Based on Analytical Contact Analysis
Authors: Guo Minglong , Wei Zhaocheng , Li Shiquan , Wang Minjie , Gao Hang , Zhao Zhiwei , Liu Shengxian 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In the multi-axis machining of freeform surface, compared with ball end mill, the fillet end mill has higher machining efficiency under the same residual height and has been widely used. As the most important physical quantity in machining process, milling force has always been the focus of research. In this paper, the geometry contact between fillet end mill and freeform surface is analyzed by analytical method, and then the milling force prediction model of multi-axis machining is established. Based on differential discretization, the cutter location of multi-axis machining of freeform surface is approximate to multi-axis machining of oblique plane, which simplifies the research object. The inclination angle is defined to describe the relationship among cutter axis, feed and workpiece in cutter coordinate system. The space range of the cutting edge element participating in material cutting is constructed by the swept surface of previous tool path, the to-be machined surface and the feed direction surface, and the in cut cutting edge is determined by judging the cutting edge element one by one. Considering cutter run-out, the element cutting forces on the cylindrical and fillet surfaces of the fillet end mill are derived, and all the element forces within in cut cutting edge are summed by vector to obtain the overall milling force of fillet end mill. Simulation results show that, compared with the solid method, this contact analysis method between cutter and workpiece can take both efficiency and accuracy into account. In the machining experiment, the measured force and predicted force along tool path are consistent in trend and amplitude, which verifies the effectiveness of the milling force prediction model.
Exploring potential benefits of communication training with standardised patients for medical students
Authors: Isaksson Johan , Krabbe Julia , Ramklint Mia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Physicians’ communication skills (CS) are important for improving patient-centred care. The aim of this study was to evaluate simulation training in difficult consultations with actors as standardised patients (SPs) for training CS with medical students, as regards both student satisfaction and effects on CS used. Methods: In this mixed-method study, quantitative data from student evaluations (N = 93) and results from practical examinations (N = 73) were compared between medical students who practiced CS in challenging situations through simulation training with SPs with students from previous term when SPs were not used in the training. The number of CS used during each included video-taped practical examination was counted. Differences in number of CS behaviours (active listening, empathy and motivational efforts) were examined using a MANCOVA. Further, 23 students were interviewed in focus groups about their experiences of simulation training using SPs; interviews were analysed with content analysis. Results: Students who participated in simulation training with SPs were more content with the course. There was no between-group difference in the number of CS used in practical examinations. In the focus groups, students reported that actors as SPs made the simulations more realistic. Elements such as actor flexibility in changing behaviours during roleplay and being exposed to different difficult consultations and emotions were regarded as valuable. Conclusion: Implementing actors as SPs in the medicine programme was appreciated and seemed to add elements to the learning process of CS. No firm conclusions can be drawn regarding the lack of effect of SPs on CS, considering the absence of baseline levels of CS use. Future research should use a randomised control design.