bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Control of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Urban Populations: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Prevalence Survey in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Ji Le-Cai , Yin Jin-Feng , Lu Chun-Rong , Guan Hong-Yun , Tan Wei-Guo , Wang Ling-Wei , Jiang Qi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Lower is the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among urban populations, but still high is the total burden. Limited evidence on the patients’ characteristics has been offered to guide the control of the disease in city settings.
Methods
We conducted a prevalence cross-sectional survey of COPD among residents aged ≥ 40 years in an emerging city Shenzhen, China. The multi-stage stratified random sampling method was applied to enroll eligible participants from September, 2018 to June, 2019. Tested by spirometry, individuals were diagnosed with COPD if the post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio was less than 0.7. Patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as estimates of the exposure to air pollutants, were included in the univariable and multivariable logistic regression models to assess the risk factors for COPD.
Results
A total of 4157 individuals were invited to participate in this survey and 3591 who had available spirometry results and epidemiological data were enrolled in the final analysis. The estimated standardized prevalence of COPD among residents over 40 years old in Shenzhen was 5.92% (95% confidential intervals 4.05–8.34). Risk factors for COPD included elder age (adjusted odds ratio 1.206, 95% CI 1.120–1.299 per 10-year increase), smoking over 20 pack-years (1.968, 1.367–2.832), history of chronic bronchitis (1.733, 1.036-2.900) or asthma (4.920, 2.425–9.982), and exposure to higher annual minimum concentrations of ambient SO2 (1.156, 1.053–1.270 per 1-µg/m3 increase). Among 280 spirometry-diagnosed patients, most (221, 78.93%) patients were classified as mild COPD (GOLD stage I). The COPD assessment tests showed 24.7% (58/235) patients had severe symptoms with a total score ≥ 10, and 82.6% (194/235) were clinically symptomatic with a total score ≥ 2.
Conclusions
This survey found a low prevalence of COPD in Shenzhen and most patients had mild symptoms, thus recommended screening using spirometry in primary health care to detect early-stage COPD. Increased risk from the exposure to air pollutants also indicated the urgent need for environmental improvement in city settings.
Optimization of Sodium Hydroxide Pretreatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Wheat Straw Powder by Cellulases and Xylanases From Aspergillus Niger&nbsp;HQ-1 Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Zhang Hui , Wu Junhui 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
To maximize fermentable sugars production, response surface methodology (RSM) was adopted to optimize pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of wheat straw powder (WSP) using the crude cellulases preparation containing xylanases from Aspergillus niger HQ-1. Factors of pretreatment including sodium hydroxide concentration, pretreatment time and temperature were found to have significant effects on sugars production. Results indicated that WSP with particle size 0.3 mm should be pretreated using 1.8% (w/v) sodium hydroxide solution with 25.0% (w/v) of solid loading at 94.0°C for 46.0 min and the optimized pretreatment conditions could result in 90.9% of cellulose recovery, 54.6% of hemicellulose recovery and 72.7% of lignin removal, respectively. Furthermore, variables of enzymatic hydrolysis including enzyme loading, biomass loading and reaction time were proved to have significant effects on sugars yields. After hydrolysis at 50°C for 44.8 h with 7.1% (w/v) of biomass loading, 8.1 FPU/g of enzyme loading and 0.2% (w/v) of Tween-80, maximum yields of reducing sugar (632.92 mg/g) and xylose (149.83 mg/g) could be obtained, respectively. In addition, holocellulose and hemicellulose conversion were 81.6% and 80.0%, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about systematic optimization of sodium hydroxide pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of WSP using RSM.
Clustering of patient comorbidities within electronic medical records enables high-precision COVID-19 mortality prediction
Authors: Faisal Aldo , Lannou Erwann Le , Post Benjamin , Haar Shlomi , Brett Stephen , Kadirvelu Balasundaram 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
We present an explainable AI framework to predict mortality after a positive COVID-19 diagnosis based solely on data routinely collected in electronic healthcare records (EHRs) obtained prior to diagnosis. We grounded our analysis on the ½ Million people UK Biobank and linked NHS COVID-19 records. We developed a method to capture the complexities and large variety of clinical codes present in EHRs and we show that these have a larger impact on risk than all other patient data but age. We use a form of clustering for natural language processing of the clinical codes, specifically, topic modelling by Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), to generate a succinct digital fingerprint of a patient’s full secondary care clinical history, i.e. their comorbidities and past interventions. These digital comorbidity fingerprints offer immediately interpretable clinical descriptions that are meaningful, e.g. grouping cardiovascular disorders with common risk factors but also novel groupings that are not obvious. The comorbidity fingerprints differ in both their breadth and depth from existing observational disease associations in the COVID-19 literature. Taking this data-driven approach allows us to avoid human-induction bias and confirmation bias during selection of what are important potential predictors of COVID-19 mortality. Together with age these digital fingerprints are the single most important factor in our predictor. This holds the potential for improving individual risk profiling for clinical decisions and the identification of groups for public health interventions such as vaccine programmes. Combining our digital precondition fingerprints with demographic characteristics allow us to match or exceed the performance of existing state-of-the-art COVID-19 mortality predictors (EHCF) which have been developed through expert consensus. Our precondition fingerprinting and entire mortality prediction analytics pipeline are designed so as to be rapidly redeployable, e.g. for COVID-19 variants or other pre-existing diseases.
Type 1 Diabetes in Pregnancy Is Associated With Distinct Changes in the Composition and Function of the Gut Microbiome
Authors: Roth-Schulze Alexandra J. , Penno Megan A. S. , Ngui Katrina M. , Oakey Helena , Bandala-Sanchez Esther , Smith Alannah D. , Allnutt Theo R. , Thomson Rebecca L. , Vuillermin Peter J. , Craig Maria E , Rawlinson William D , Davis Elizabeth A , Harris Mark , Soldatos Georgia , Colman Peter G , Wentworth John M , Haynes Aveni , Morahan Grant , Bediaga Naiara G. , Smyth Gordon K , Papenfuss Anthony T. , Couper Jennifer J. , Harrison Leonard 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe gut microbiome changes in response to a range of environmental conditions, life events and disease states. Pregnancy is a natural life event that involves major physiological adaptation yet studies of the microbiome in pregnancy are limited and their findings inconsistent. Pregnancy with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with increased maternal and fetal risks but the gut microbiome in this context has not been characterized. By whole metagenome sequencing (WMS) we defined the taxonomic composition and function of the gut bacterial microbiome across 70 pregnancies, 36 in women with T1D. ResultsWomen with and without T1D exhibited compositional and functional changes in the gut microbiome across pregnancy. Profiles in women with T1D were distinct, with an increase in bacteria that produce lipopolysaccharides and a decrease in those that produce short chain fatty acids, especially in the third trimester. In addition, women with T1D had elevated concentrations of fecal calprotectin, a marker of intestinal inflammation, and serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), a marker of intestinal epithelial damage.Conclusions﻿Women with T1D exhibit a shift towards a more pro-inflammatory gut microbiome during pregnancy, associated with evidence of intestinal inflammation. These changes could contribute to the increased risk of pregnancy complications in women with T1D and are potentially modifiable by dietary means.
Association of Elevated Serum Soluble Cd226 Levels With the Disease Activity and Flares of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Nakano Miki , Ayano Masahiro , Kushimoto Kazuo , Kawano Shotaro , Higashioka Kazuhiko , Inokuchi Shoichiro , Mitoma Hiroki , Kimoto Yasutaka , Akahoshi Mitsuteru , Ono Nobuyuki , Arinobu Yojiro , Akashi Koichi , Horiuchi Takahiko , Niiro Hiroaki 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: CD226 is an activating receptor expressed on the cell surface of natural killer cells and T cells. A soluble form of CD226 (sCD226) is known to be shed from the membrane type of CD226 (mCD226). Although CD226 polymorphism and mCD226 are known to be involved in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the involvement of sCD226 in SLE is still unknown. Therefore, we aimed to reveal the association of sCD226 with SLE.Methods: We measured serum sCD226 levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 58 SLE patients and 33 healthy controls (HCs) and evaluated their associations with SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), clinical manifestations, and laboratory data. We defined the maximum values of sCD226 in HCs as a cut-off level and compared the cumulative probability of flare for patients with high and low sCD226 levels. Results: Serum sCD226 levels showed no significant differences between SLE patients and HCs. However, sCD226 levels were significantly elevated in active SLE patients with a SLEDAI-2K score of ≥20 compared with HCs. In SLE patients, sCD226 levels were significantly correlated with SLEDAI-2K scores and anti-dsDNA antibody titers. Moreover, the cumulative probability of flare was markedly higher in patients with high sCD226 than in those with low sCD226. In patients with neuropsychiatric involvement, sCD226 levels were elevated and reflected neuropsychiatric disease activity. Conclusion: Serum sCD226 levels were associated with disease activity and flares of SLE. Thus, it may be a useful biomarker for SLE, and its monitoring allows for more precise SLE management.
Virulence Factors and Azole-Resistant Mechanism of Candida Tropicalis Isolated From Candidemia
Authors: Sasani Elahe , Khodavaisy Sadegh , Rezaie Sassan , Salehi Mohammadreza , Getso Muhammad , Yadegari Mohammad Hossein 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Virulence factors intensify the pathogenicity of Candida species in candidemia. Limited knowledge exists regarding the azole-resistant mechanism and virulence factors of Candida tropicalis. Consequently, we aimed to evaluate the virulence factors and the molecular mechanisms of azole resistance among C. tropicalis isolated from bloodstream infection.
Materials and methods
Forty-five C. tropicalis isolates recovered from candidemia patients were evaluated for virulence factors, including extracellular enzymatic activities, cell surface hydrophobicity (CHS), and biofilm formation. Antifungal susceptibility pattern and expression level of ERG11, UPC2, MDR1, and CDR1 genes of eight azole resistance C. tropicalis isolates were assessed.
Results
The isolates expressed different frequencies of virulence determinants as follows: coagulase 4 (8.9%), phospholipase 4 (8.9 %), proteinase 31 (68.9 %), CSH 43 (95.6 %), esterase 43 (95.6 %), hemolysin 44 (97.8%), and biofilm formation 45 (100%). All the isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B and showed the highest resistance to voriconazole. The high expression of ERG11 and UPC2 genes in fluconazole-resistant C. tropicalis isolates were observed.
Conclusion
C. tropicalis isolated from candidemia patients extensively displayed capacities for biofilm formation, hemolysis, esterase activity, and hydrophobicity. In addition, the overexpression of ERG11 and UPC2 genes can be considered as one of the possible mechanisms of azole resistance.
The mechanics of sawing granite with diamond wire
Authors: Konstanty Janusz Stefan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A theoretical model of sawing granite by means of a diamond wire saw, composed of a multitude of diamond-impregnated beads mounted onto a steel rope, is presented. The wire sawing process has been contrasted with circular sawing with respect to diamond loading conditions. The analytical treatments have been supported by industrial quantitative assessments and qualitative observations. The evaluation of cutting forces as well as identification of system characteristics affecting wire vibration and wire rotation are instrumental in both machine design and tool formulation. This knowledge is also useful to diagnose and prevent problems inherent in diamond wire sawing of granite, such as the high incidence of wire breakage, unsatisfactory tool life and cutting capability, eccentric bead wear, etc.
Impact on Awake Mapping on Overall Survival and Extent of Resection in Patients With Adult Diffuse Gliomas Within or Near Eloquent Areas: A Retrospective Propensity Score-matched Analysis of Awake Craniotomy Vs. General Anesthesia
Authors: Fukui Atsushi , Muragaki Yoshihiro , Saito Taiichi , Nitta Masayuki , Tsuzuki Shunsuke , Asano Hidetsugu , Kwamata Takakazu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Awake craniotomy (AC) with intraoperative mapping is the best approach to preserve neurological function for glioma surgery in eloquent or near eloquent areas, but whether AC improves the extent of resection (EOR) is controversial. Furthermore, there is less evidence of improved overall survival (OS) in glioma patients. This study aimed to compare the long-term clinical outcomes of glioma resection under AC with those under general anesthesia (GA).Methods: Data of 335 patients who underwent surgery with intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging for newly diagnosed gliomas of World Health Organization (WHO) grades II-IV between 2000 and 2013 were reviewed. EOR and OS were quantitatively compared between the AC and GA groups after 1:1 propensity score matching. The two groups were matched for age, preoperative Karnofsky performance status, tumor location, and pathology based on the WHO 2007 classification.Results: After propensity score matching, 91 pairs were obtained. The median EOR were 96.1% (interquartile range [IQR] 7.3) and 97.4% (IQR 14.4) in the AC and GA groups, respectively (p=0.31). The median survival times were 163.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 77.9-248.7) and 143.5 months (95% CI 94.4-192.7) in the AC and GA groups, respectively (p=0.585).Conclusions: Even if the glioma was within or close to the eloquent area, AC was comparable with GA in terms of EOR and OS. In case of difficulties in randomizing patients with eloquent or near eloquent glioma, our propensity score-matched analysis provides retrospective evidence that AC can obtain EOR and OS equivalent to removing glioma under GA.
A New Approach To Produce [18F]MC225 Via One-Step Synthesis, A PET Radiotracer For Measuring P-gp Function.
Authors: Varela Lara Garcia , Attia Khaled , Sembrano John Carlo , Jacquet Olivier , antunes Inês farinha , Kwizera Chantal , Visser Ton J. , Dierckx Rudi A.J.O. , Elsinga Philip H. , Luurtsema Gert 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: [18F]MC225 is a radiotracer for imaging P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function at the blood-brain barrier. The P-gp function can be altered due to different factors, for instance, decreased P-gp function has been described in patients with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's Disease. The current applied radiosynthesis of [18F]MC225 involves 2 steps, including the distillation of [18F]fluoroethylbromide intermediate. To develop a more robust synthetic procedure, it is of interest to produce the radiotracer via 1-step synthesis. The present study describes a new synthetic approach to produce [18F]MC225 via direct 18F-fluorination. Moreover, we also provide the appropriate conditions for the automation of the synthesis. A mesylate precursor was developed via a multi-step synthetic route and used for the radiolabeling. The nucleophilic substitution of the mesylate group by [18F]Fluoride was automated in two different synthesis modules: IBA Synthera and Eckert and Ziegler (E&Z).Results: The mesylate precursor was synthesized in 7 steps starting with 5-hydroxy-1-tetralone (commercially available) in practical yields. The stability of the precursor was improved via mesylate salt formation method. The radiolabeling was done by adding the mesylate precursor dissolved in DMF to the dried [18F]KF/Kryptofix222 complex and heating at 140°C for 30 min. Quality control by UPLC confirmed the production of [18F]MC225 with a molar activity (Am) higher than 20000 GBq/mmol. The synthesis time in Synthera was 106 min and the product was obtained with a radiochemical purity higher than 95% and RCY of 6.5%, while the production in E&Z lasted 120 min and the product had a lower radiochemical purity (91%) and RCY (3.8%).Conclusions: [18F]MC225 was successfully produced via a 1-step reaction. The procedure is suitable for automation using commercially available synthesis modules. The automation of the radiosynthesis in the Synthera module allows the production of the [18F]MC225 by a reliable and simple method.
Maternal IgA2 Association with Colostrum Microbiota Contributes to Bacteria Establishment During Intestinal Colonization in the Neonate.
Authors: Argumedo Leopoldo Santos , Sánchez-Salguero Erick , Guzmán-Aquino Héctor , Borbolla-Cruz María Fernanda de la , Contreras-Vargas Víctor , Corona-Cervantes Karina , Piña-Escobedo Alberto , García-Mena Jaime 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Microbiota colonization during labor and through the first meals contributes to immune maturation and development of the newborn. Mother provides probiotics and prebiotics factors through colostrum and maternal milk to shape the first neonatal microbiota. Previous works have reported that immunoglobulin A (IgA) secreted in colostrum is coating a fraction of maternal microbiota. Methods: Thus, to better characterize the IgA-associated microbiota, we used flow cytometry coupled with 16S rDNA gene sequencing (IgA-Seq) in human colostrum and neonatal feces. We identified IgA-bound bacteria (IgA+) and characterized its diversity to elucidate possible role of IgA subclasses during neonatal bacterial colonization of the colon.Results: We found that IgA2 in the colostrum has an active role during microbiota colonization. Colostrum IgA2 is mainly associated with Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Bacteroidetes genera. This association seems to give these bacteria an advantage during their establishment since metabolic pathways related to epithelial adhesion and carbohydrate consumption are enriched within fecal IgA2+ microbiota. Association with specific bacteria could be explained since IgA2 recognizes common antigens expressed on surfaces among bacteria genera.Conclusions: Our data suggest a specific targeting of commensal bacteria by IgA2 revealing a specialized function of IgA microbiota association during neonatal intestinal colonization during the first days of life.
Risk Factors for Adverse One-year Prognosis in Patients With Low Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction After Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Lebedeva Nataliya B. , Chesnokova L. Yu. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundRecent studies have reported the correlation between left ventricular dysfunction and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis So, we aimed to determine the predictors of poor long-term survival in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction after MI and chronic cerebral ischemia. Methods182 patients with left ventricular failure and chronic cerebral ischemia presented with Q-wave MI were recruited in a observational study. Of them, 149 (81.9%) were men and 33 (18.1%) were women. Their median age was 60.4 (53; 69) years. All patients underwent echocardiography, coronary angiography, carotid color duplex scanning, and were consulted by an interventional neurologist at the acute phase of MI. One year after MI, the hard endpoints were collected. Univariate and multivariate regression analyzes were performed.ResultsCerebral arteriopathy was confirmed in all patients from the study group. The thickness of the intima-media was over 1.0 mm. The mean carotid intima-media thickness was 1.8±06 mm. The majority of patients had mild to moderate encephalopathy. Carotid atherosclerotic plaques were found in 37.4% of patients. The degree of stenosis did not exceed 50% in all cases. One-year after MI, 77 (46.1%) patients reached hard endpoints. The multivariate regression model showed that previous stroke (RR 7.33 [95% CI 1.97-27.32], p = 0.003) was the most unfavorable predictor of mortality, whereas the most unfavorable predictors of endpoints were prior stroke (RR = 1.92 [95% CI 1.09-3.38], p = 0.025) and the presence of carotid atherosclerotic plaque (RR = 2.12 [95% CI 1.34-3.37], p = 0.001). ConclusionThe presence of carotid atherosclerotic plaques and previous stroke affect the one-year prognosis in patients with myocardial infarction, complicated by heart failure and chronic cerebral ischemia.
A Method of Welding Path Planning of Steel Mesh Based on Point Cloud for Welding Robot
Authors: Geng Yusen , Zhang Yuankai , Tian Xincheng , Shi Xiaorui , Wang Xiujing , Cui Yigang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
At present, the operators needs to carry out complicated teaching and programming work on the welding path planning for the welding robot before welding the steel mesh. In this work, an automatic welding path planning method of steel mesh based on point cloud is proposed to simplify the complicated teaching and programming work in welding path planning. The point cloud model of steel mesh is obtained by three-dimensional vision structured light camera. Then we use the relevant point cloud processing algorithm to calculate the welding path of the steel mesh, and obtainthe 3D information of the welding path for the welding localization of the robot welding process. Experimental results show that the method can accurately realize the welding path planning of the steel mesh and accomplish the welding task without teaching and programming before welding, which improves the production efficiency.