bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Minimally Invasive Isolated Tricuspid Valve Repair: the Trend for Redo Tricuspid Valve Surgery
Authors: Dai Xiaoyi , Teng Peng , Miao Sihan , Si Wei , Zheng Qi , Qin Ke , Ma Liang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Tricuspid regurgitation after left-sided valve surgery was associated with terrible outcomes and high perioperative mortality for redo surgical treatment. In current years, minimally invasive redo isolated tricuspid valve repair is increasingly performed in our institution to address tricuspid regurgitation. Methods: Thirty-seven consecutive patients with previous left-sided valve surgery underwent minimally invasive redo isolated tricuspid valve repair in our institution between November 2017 and December 2020. Twenty-nine patients(78.4%) were women and the mean age of patients was 58.4±8.5 years. Follow-up was 100% complete with a mean follow-up time of 16.8±9.4 months.Results: Both the in-hospital and 30-day mortalities were 2.7%. The overall NYHA class had improved significantly during the follow-up(p＜0.001). The grade of TR had decreased before discharge(p＜0.001) and during the follow-up(p＜0.001) compared with the preoperative level although severe TR was recurrent in one patient.Conclusions: Minimally invasive redo isolated tricuspid valve repair has remarkable early and midterm outcomes, may be the preferred surgical option to address tricuspid regurgitation after previous left-sided valve surgery when it is feasible.
The Impact of Knowledge on the Formation of Attitudes Towards Ageing and the Elderly
Authors: Tomić Iris Jerončić , Britvić Mia , Mulić Rosanda , Poljak Nikola Kolja 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: With the global trend towards an increasing aging population, there is a corresponding increase in the health problems associated with elderly population. Older people need more and more health services. According to the fews research, influencing factors on health care practice of the health workers towards the elderly in geriatric hospitals included knowledge, attitude, and gerontological education.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if education in gerontology affects attitude towards ageing and the elderly among students at the University of Split. An additional objective was to determine the extent to which the students’ socio-demographic status (age, sex, domicile), different education and experience of life with the elderly affect their attitude towards ageing and the elderly.Methods: The population included in this study consisted of 301 students of the University of Split, 153 of whom attended the Faculty of Maritime Studies and 148 the School of Medicine. A total of 45 students had attended training in gerontology, while 265 had none. Information was gathered through a questionnaire that consisted of 3 parts: one investigating their socio-demographic characteristics, another looking into their attitudes towards the elderly (the Kogan score scale) and Palmer’s competence test.Results: A difference in attitude has been observed between students who had had training in gerontology compared to those who had none. Socio-demographic factors, different education and the experience of life with the elderly also affect student attitudes. Overall, School of Medicine students had a more positive attitude than those of the Faculty of Maritime Studies.Conclusion: Education in gerontology helps form a more positive attitude towards the elderly among students, meaning that educational programs should be changed with the aim of reducing the stigmatization of the elderly.
A Novel Agarwood Resin Inducement Method Using Mycotoxins of Selected Fungal Species
Authors: Subasinghe Upul , Malithi R.A.P. , Withanage S.W. , Fernando T.H.P.S. , Hettiarachchi D.S. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Agarwood is a dark, fragrant, valuable resinous wood produced in Aquilaria and Gyrinops tree species in the family Thymelaeaceae to protect internal tissues from microbial infections. Aspergillus niger and Fusarium solani are well known to induce agarwood resin formation. This study demonstrated for the first time that agarwood resin formation can be induced by the mycotoxins of A. niger and F. solani. Different volumes of mycotoxins extracted from the ASP-U strain (USJCC-0059) of A. niger and the FUS-U strain (USJCC-0060) of F. solani were inoculated into A. crassna trees at 1 m intervals. The impacts of the inoculations were observed through resin content and constituent analysis at 7 months after inoculation. Resin production due to the mycotoxins of ASP-U and FUS-U was restricted to ±20 cm and ±60 cm, respectively, from the inoculation point. Color of the resinous agarwood varied from yellowish-brown to black. The differences in resin content formation due to the different inoculant volumes of ASP-U and FUS-U were statistically significant, and the average resin contents varied from 0.89%-4.44% and 1.24%-9.20%, respectively. GC-MS analysis detected 27 constituents responsible for the characteristic aroma of agarwood resin. Among them, phenyl butanone, agarofuran, agarospirol, β-caryophyllene, alloaromadendrene oxide and (-)guaiene-1(10),11-diene-15-ol were found in all extracts. These are common in commercially available agarwood induced by fungal species. Hence, we demonstrated that the mycotoxins of specific fungal strains can be used for agarwood production. Therefore, chemically synthesized mycotoxins can be used at commercial-scale, eliminating the difficulties of maintaining live fungal cultures for agarwood production.
IL-1β mediates miR-34a promotes bovine endometritis via LGR4-NF-κB axis
Authors: Ma Xiaofei , Yin Baoyi , Guo Shuai , Umar Talha , Liu Junfeng , Wu Zhimin , Zhou Qingqing , Zahoor Arshad , Deng Ganzhen 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

Persistent endometritis lead by bacterial infections has lethal effects on the reproductive performance of dairy cattle, which not only compromise animal welfare but also delay or prevent pregnancy. MicroRNA (miRNA) miR-34 family plays a pivotal role in the inflammatory process; however, the precise mechanism of miR-34a in endometritis is still not thoroughly revealed.
Methods

In this study, we established bovine endometrial epithelial cell (BENDs) inflammation model and mouse model stimulation with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro and in vivo. CCK-8 was used to assess cell viability. H&E was used to characterize morphology. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR and western blot assays were performed to measure the mRNA or protein expression of related genes. Online database, plasmid construction and dual-luciferase Reporter gene assays were applied to predict and validate the interaction between miR-34a and its target gene LGR4, and mice were injected vaginally with local antagomir to validate the role of miR-34a in murine uterine inflammation.
Results

Here, we report that miR-34a suppresses LGR4 gene expression by targeting its 3'untranslated regions (3'UTR). The miR-34a was up-regulated in cow uterine tissues and bovine endometrial epithelial cell (BENDs) stimulation with LPS. It further induces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α by activating the phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65. Furthermore, we also revealed that IL-1β was responsible for the upregulation of miR-34a transcription and downregulation of LGR4 in an IL-1β-dependent manner.
Conclusions

Taken together, our study confirmed that miR-34a is regulated by IL-1β and suppress the level of LGR4 3’UTR which in turn exacerbates the inflammatory response. Thus knockdown miR-34a might be a new indirection for treatment endometritis.
Functional Connectivity of the Visual Cortex Differentiates Anxiety Comorbidity From Episodic Migraineurs Without Aura
Authors: Wei Heng-Le , Li Jian , Guo Xi , Zhou Gang-Ping , Wang Jin-Jin , Chen Yu-Chen , Yu Yu-Sheng , Yin Xindao , Li Junrong , Zhang Hong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Migraine is a common neurological disease that is often accompanied by psychiatric comorbidities. However, the relationship between abnormal brain function and psychiatric comorbidities in migraine patients remains largely unclear. Therefore, the present study sought to explore the correlations between the resting-state functional deficits and psychiatric comorbidities in migraine without aura (MwoA) patients.Methods: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance images were obtained. In addition, the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) values were obtained. Thereafter regional abnormalities in MwoA patients with and without anxiety (MwoA-A and MwoA-OA) were chosen as seeds to conduct functional connectivity (FC) analysis.Results: Compared to the healthy controls (HCs), the MwoA-A and MwoA-OA patients had abnormal ALFF and ReHo values in the right lingual gyrus (LG). They also had abnormal FC of the right LG with the ipsilateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and middle cingulate cortex (MCC). Additionally, the MwoA-A patients showed higher ReHo values in the left posterior intraparietal sulcus (pIPS) and abnormal FC of the right LG with ipsilateral pIPS and primary visual cortex, compared to the MwoA-OA patients. Moreover, the MwoA-OA patients showed an increase in the FC with the right posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus (PCC/PCUN), left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and left inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) relative to the HCs. Furthermore, the ALFF values of the right LG positively were correlated with anxiety scores in MwoA-A patients. The abnormal LG-related FCs with the PCC/PCUN, MFG and ITG were negatively associated with the frequency of headaches in MwoA-OA patients.Conclusions: This study identified abnormal visual FC along with other core networks differentiating anxiety comorbidity from MwoA. This may therefore enhance the understanding of the neuropsychological basis of psychiatric comorbidities and provide novel insights that may help in the discovery of new marks or even treatment targets.
Ethnobotanical study of edible wild plants in Ensaro district, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia
Authors: Woldemedhin Asaye Asfaw , Lulekal Ermias , Bekele Tamrat , Debella Asfaw , Debebe Eyob , Tessema Samuel 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Ethiopia is one of the biodiversity-rich countries in Africa. Most rural communities are highly dependent on forest products including edible wild plants. Thus, many plant taxa are under greater threats before they are documented and their nutritional values are evaluated. This study was carried out to document edible wild plants and associated indigenous practices, and the correlations with socio-demographic variables on edible wild plants in Ensaro district, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. It also examined the habitats and major threatening factors of edible wild plants.Methods: The study was conducted from September to December 2020 in Ensaro district, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. Semi-structured interviews was made with 98 community members regarding edible wild plant species, parts used, harvesting and consumption time, preparation methods, supplementary uses, life forms, habitats and threatening factors. The socioeconomics characteristics of the study participants was also documented. Excel and R-package were employed for statistical analysis. Analysis of Variance (P < 0.05) was used to observe the correlation of socio-demographic and socioeconomic characteristics with indigenous knowledge of respondents on edible wild plants.Results: Forty-three edible wild plants recorded in this study area. Fabaceae and Moraceae families were the most popular edible wild plant species in the study area. Shrubs were the dominant life forms of recorded plants (37%). Ripe fruits (72%) were the most commonly used plant parts. Indigenous knowledge of respondent on edible wild plants positively correlated with socio-demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents. There was no knowledge difference between genders. The number of species, genera and families of edible wild plants were higher in mid-land agro-ecology than in lowland and highland agro-ecologies of the study area. The distribution of edible wild plants found to be less in the highland agroecology. Edible wild plants in the study mainly found in shrub land areas which are highly threatened by fuelwood collection.Conclusion: Forty-three edible wild plants recorded in the study area. The community consumes edible wild plants during normal and famine periods. Edible wild plants such as Snowdenia polystachya (Muja), Eleusine coracana (Degelie or wanga), Urtica simensis(Sama) and Medicago polymorpha (Amaqito) are not used during normal period and young people do not know them even how to use them. In addition, edible wild plants are under greater pressure due to farmland expansion in the study area. This has led to the reduction of edible wild plants and associated indigenous knowledge.
D-dimer is Valuable for Predicting the Extension of Isolated Distal Deep Vein Thrombosis of the Lower Limb in Neurocritical Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Tang Rui , Gao Zhi , Du Min , Liu Haiyan , Yang Yanyan , Ji Zongsu , Zhou Min 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Isolated distal deep vein thrombosis (IDDVT) of the lower limb and its extension to the proximal deep veins have high incidence rates in patients with acute brain injury (ABI). The objective of the study was to determine the value of dynamic changes in coagulation function in predicting the occurrence and extension of IDDVT.Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, ABI patients during the perioperative period in a neurocritical care unit (NICU) of a university hospital were identified from September 2019 to September 2020. Complete compression ultrasound was used by a senior sonographer to diagnose the occurrence and extension of IDDVT. Coagulation function was recorded at a series of time points during the perioperative period.Results: A total of 245 ABI patients were identified, including 46 acute traumatic brain injury patients, 117 acute hemorrhagic stroke patients, 36 acute ischemic stroke patients and 46 acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. Most of the patients were elderly and male, and most had severe cases. The rates of IDDVT occurrence and extension were 62% and 21%, respectively. Age, GCS score at admission, NICU length of stay were risk factors for IDDVT occurrence. None of coagulation indices was a sensitive predictor of IDDVT occurrence. The elevation of D-dimer on days 5-7 was the most valuable predictor of IDDVT extension (the area under the ROC was 0.89, with a 95% CI of 0.82-0.95, and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.86 and 0.81, respectively with the cutoff of 8.9 mg/L).Conclusions: The occurrence and extension of IDDVT are common in ABI patients during the perioperative period, particularly in elderly patients with severe cases. D-dimer level on days 5-7 is the most valuable predictor of IDDVT extension in ABI patients.
Hamiltonian Monte Carlo with application to train-track-bridge coupled interactions subjected to seismic excitation with uncertainties
Authors: Arnaud Wandji Zoumb Patrick 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Numerical models of train running over the bridge are prone to errors and random excitation sources, which inevitably influence the capacity of such models to accurately predict the observed behaviour. Finite element (FE) updating method can be employed to fit the numerical models through the observed model. This paper proposes a new method to predict the random vibration of train-track-bridge system under earthquakes based on Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) method. The system identification is performed based on data recorded in situ. FE model is calibrated by minimizing the difference between the FE results and the natural frequencies of a real train-bridge coupled system. Naïve stochastic gradient descent is introduced to optimize the fitting process, avoiding over fitting and under fitting performance. The correlation matrix is built to calculate the correlation score between the measured and the HMC models. Based on above framework, results show that the HMC method has great effectiveness and accuracy with comparisons to the Monte Carlo method (MCM) and the popular probability density evolution method (PDEM). Moreover, the roles of bridge random parameters, track irregularities, and the seismic actions on the random responses are comprehensively investigated. Finally, the updating coefficients reduce the errors to less than 10%.
Repurposing NASVAC, a hepatitis B therapeutic vaccine, for pre- and postexposure prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Akbar Sheikh Mohammad Fazle , Mahtab Mamun Al , Aguilar Julio Cesar , Uddin Mohammad Helal , Khan Sakirul Islam , Yoshida Osamu , Penton Eduardo , Gerardo Guillen Nieto , Hiasa Yoichi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the subsequent coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) have led to tens of millions of cases and millions of deaths around the world. Although more than a year has passed since the emergence of COVID-19, more waves of the pandemic, with new variants of the deadly virus, have been reported. It seems that the virus will continue to infect people for years or decades to come and thus lead to more illnesses and deaths. The experiences last year regarding limiting the transmission of the virus indicate that one or more traditional methods of containment may not be effective; further, even vaccination may not give immunity to society. On the other hand, eliminating the virus using drugs capable of eradicating SARS-CoV-2 from the infected host may not be an achievable goal. Based on these realities and after exploring the mechanism underlying the acquisition of the virus and pathogenesis of COVID-19, we assumed that immune therapy may be a practical option for the containment of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we repurposed an immune modulator containing two antigens of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) (termed NASVAC, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, CIGB, Havana, Cuba), to gain insight into its role against SARS-CoV-2. NASVAC induced cytokines of innate immunity following nasal administration and prevented all 20 volunteers from being diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 during the two weeks of usage. Four volunteers were infected with SARS-CoV-2 two weeks after the end of NASVAC administration; three of them showed almost no symptoms and recovered without any intervention, and one with several comorbidities attended a hospital for four days and recovered completely. In conclusion, the administration of NASVAC to subjects at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection was safe. The pattern of cytokine responses and absence of infection or mild COVID-19 infection of the subjects involved in the study are preliminary evidence indicating that this product may prevent or suppress SARS-CoV-2 infection at the initial stages of SARS-CoV-2 acquisition and/or replication and deserve further exploratory trials to confirm the capacity of NASVAC as pre/postexposure prophylaxis or pre-emptive therapy in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A Case of Insulin Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Peng Sun Choon , Chun Yee Min 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A 24-year-old man with type 1 diabetes, presented with neuropathic pain and severe postural hypotension, was diagnosed with insulin-induced peripheral neuropathy which mimicking diabetic peripheral neuropathy following a rapid improvement in glycaemic control. HbA1c was reduced from 17.5% to 7.4 % within two months. A decrease in insulin dosage with a relaxing glycaemic target improved his condition. In conclusion, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion of this condition in a patient presenting with neuropathic pain and autonomic dysfunction following rigorous glycaemic control.
Motion Blur Image Restoration by Multi-Scale Residual Neural Network
Authors: Hexin Xu , Li Zhao , Yan Jiao 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Blind deblurring is a basic subject of computer vision and image processing. Motion image deblurring is divided into non blind deblurring and blind deblurring by whether to estimate the blur kernel. Blind deblurring is easy to produce motion artifacts because of the inaccurate estimation of the blur kernel. Non blind deblurring is the best choice for the current blurred image processing. The purpose of this paper is to further improve the definition of blurred image, restore the edge information of contour, and strengthen the repair of texture details. Based on the multi-scale convolution neural network, a multi-scale residual network is proposed, which can comprehensively extract image features, enhance image feature fusion, and constrain image generation by combining multi-scale loss function with anti loss function. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated by testing the peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) structure similarity and restoration time of the generated image relative to the clear image. This algorithm improves the average PSNR on GOPRO testset, and reduces the recovery time accordingly. It can successfully recover the detail information lost due to motion blur. This algorithm has simple network structure, strong robustness and good restoration effect, and is suitable for dealing with various image degradation problems caused by motion blur.
Drought resistance of English roses varieties in the conditions of the Right-bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine
Authors: Gordienko D. S. , Rubtsova O. L. , Buidina T. O. , Chizhankova V. I. , Rozhok O. F. , Sokolova O. A. 
Published: April 2021

Purpose. To study the drought resistance of plants of English roses varieties.
Methods. Field, anatomical, biometric. The drought resistance of plants in the field was assessed according to S. S. Pyatnitsky 6-point scale (1961). The number of stomata per unit area of the leaf blade was determined using a JSM-6700F scanning electron microscope (JEOL, Tokyo, Japan).
Results. The drought resistance of plants of English rose varieties was investigated both in the field and laboratory conditions. According to visual observations, during periods with a low level of moisture supply, leaf turgor did not decrease; therefore, the field drought resistance of all varieties was estimated at 5 points. According to the parameters of stomatal density per unit of leaf area, varieties that have the maximum and minimum values of this indicator were identified.
Conclusions. It was found that all studied varieties of English roses from the collection of the State Dendrological Park “Alexandria” of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine are quite drought-resistant in the field. But they differed significantly in the density of stomata per unit area. The largest average number of stomata per 0.5 mm2 (163.67±7.93 pcs.) was recorded in the variety ‘Alan Titchmarsh’, the lowest (47.67±1.94) – in ‘Charles Austin’. Comparison of data on leaf morphology of English roses and stomata density showed that varieties with smaller leaf sizes (‘Cottage Rose’, ‘Fisherman Friend’, ‘Noble Antony’, ‘Crocus Rose’) have a greater number of stomata per unit area, which indicates their high drought resistance. The data obtained from field and laboratory studies will be taken into account in the formation of recommendations on the use of roses for landscaping urban areas, where plants may find themselves in more extreme conditions than in an arboretum.