bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of factors affecting cognitive function in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5
Authors: Smakotina S. A. , Bokhanov Yu. A. 
Published: October 2021

Objective. Patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease.Study objective. Determination of factors affecting cognitive function in patients with CKD-5.Design and methods. The study included young and middle-aged patients (18 to 60 years old) (n = 40), there is a terminal stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Exclusion criteria: history of diseases of the central nervous system, brain injury, episodes of cerebrovascular accident with severity, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, pregnancy, abuse of alcohol, refusal to participate in the study. In a previous work, patient examination data were obtained on the Status PF hardware complex. Neurodynamic indicators were estimated, including the determination of the time of a simple visual-motor reaction (MTCM) and a complex visual-motor reaction (MPSM), reaction to a moving object (RDO), memory and attention. Using Spearman’s correlation analysis, we evaluated the impact on cognitive functions of a number of factors, presumably related to neurodynamics. The following factors were selected: age, creatinine level, NSE and S100 proteins, hemoglobin level, Beck’s depression points, indicators of personal and situational anxiety.Results. All patients examined on the Status PF software package had mild cognitive impairment in terms of neurodynamics, attention, and memory. The average positive relationship between the level of depression and various indicators of RDO was established: with RDO_average (ρ = 0.405; p = 0.018), with RDO_total delay (ρ = 0.540; p < 0.001), with RDO_average delay (ρ = 0.421; p = 0.007), as well as weak positive – with CEMR average exposure (ρ = 0.358; p = 0.023). An average positive relationship of creatinine level with RDO_O (ρ = 0.438; p = 0.005) is noted. A weak positive relationship between the level of personal anxiety and RDO_total delay (ρ = 0.334; p = 0.035) was revealed. The average negative relationship between hemoglobin level and RDO_total delay (ρ = –0.535; p < 0.001) was revealed. A weak positive relationship between situational anxiety and SEMR is determined by the number of errors (ρ = 0.364; p = 0.021), as well as a weak negative one with the attention volume (ρ = –0.357; p = 0.024). A weak negative relationship of age with visual memory per word was revealed (ρ = –0.362; p = 0.022).Domain of usage. Outpatient and hospital treatment stages of patients with chronic kidney disease case management
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR) Policy in Encouraging Economic Growth and Social Welfare in Central Java Province
Authors: Candratrilaksita Werdha , Purnaweni Hartuti , Kismartini Kismartini 
Published: October 2021

In 2018, Central Java could only absorb 26.22% of KUR distribution in the production sector. The Non-Performing Loan (NPL), released by the Financial Services Authority, presented a lower production sector NPL than the trade sector. The agricultural sector was 1.85%, the manufacturing sector was 3.19%, and the trade sector was 4.45%. In 2017, NPL of KUR Micro and Retail KUR of the agricultural sector amounted to 0.76%, while the trade sector amounted to 1.44%. The problem raised research questions: 1) Did the banks which distributed KUR and the Guarantor Institution experience a conflict of interest - between the public interest (the duty of the state to extend credit to MSMEs) and the interests of corporate entities (the task of seeking profits and avoiding risk), 2) Why was the lending of KUR in the production sector lower than the lending of KUR in the trade sector, and 3) How effective was KUR on economic growth and social welfare. To answer the research questions, researchers used a descriptive qualitative approach. Purposive sampling technique was used in this study. The finding showed dumping pricing policy tended to be misused by the banks which distributed KUR, and there was a conflict of interest and risk transfer in giving KUR. However, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UMKM) entrepreneurs who received KUR admitted that their profit was increased which also meant the improvement of social welfare.
miR-181a-2-3p Stimulates Gastric Cancer Progression via Targeting MYLK
Authors: Li Jianjie , Xu Xiaoyue , Liu Chunhui , Xi Xiaoxue , Wang Yang , Wu Xiaotang , Li Hua 
Published: October 2021

Background: The abnormal expression of miRNAs facilitates tumorigenesis and development. miR-181a-2-3p is up-regulated in various cancers, yet its mechanism in gastric cancer (GC) remains elusive.Objective: To understand mechanism of miR-181a-2-3p stimulating GC cell progression via targeting Myosin Light Chain Kinase (MYLK) expression.Methods: Downstream genes of miRNA of interest were predicted in TargetScan and miRTarBase. qRT-PCR and western blot were applied to assess miR-181a-2-3p and MYLK expression in GC cells and normal cells. Dual-luciferase and RIP assays were completed to assess binding of miR-181a-2-3p and MYLK. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was conducted for detecting viability of AGS and SNU-1 cells, while Transwell tested migratory and invasive abilities of cells. Nude mouse transplantation tumor experiment was performed to assay tumor growth in vivo.Results: miR-181a-2-3p was notably increased in human GC cell lines, while MYLK was remarkably down-regulated. RIP and dual-luciferase assay disclosed that miR-181a-2-3p targeted MYLK and repressed MYLK. Forced miR-181a-2-3p expression fostered GC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and fostered tumor growth in vivo. Promoting effect of miR-181a-2-3p on GC cells was reversed when miR-181a-2-3p and MYLK were simultaneously overexpressed.Conclusion: miR-181a-2-3p facilitated GC cell progression by targeting MYLK, and it may be a pivotal prognostic biomarker in investigating molecular mechanism of GC.
Magnetic Nanoparticles and Magnetic Field Exposure Enhances Chondrogenesis of Human Adipose Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells But Not of Wharton Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Labusca Luminita , Herea Dumitru-Daniel , Emanuela Minuti Anca , Stavila Cristina , Danceanu Camelia , Plamadeala Petru , Chiriac Horia , Lupu Nicoleta 
Published: October 2021

Purpose: Iron oxide based magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) are versatile tools in biology and medicine. Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC) and Wharton Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSC) are currently tested in different strategies for regenerative regenerative medicine (RM) purposes. Their superiority compared to other mesenchymal stem cell consists in larger availability, and superior proliferative and differentiation potential. Magnetic field (MF) exposure of MNP-loaded ADSC has been proposed as a method to deliver mechanical stimulation for increasing conversion to musculoskeletal lineages. In this study, we investigated comparatively chondrogenic conversion of ADSC-MNP and WJMSC with or without MF exposure in order to identify the most appropriate cell source and differentiation protocol for future cartilage engineering strategies.Methods: Human primary ADSC and WJMSC from various donors were loaded with proprietary uncoated MNP. The in vitro effect on proliferation and cellular senescence (beta galactosidase assay) in long term culture was assessed. In vitro chondrogenic differentiation in pellet culture system, with or without MF exposure, was assessed using pellet histology (Safranin O staining) as well as quantitative evaluation of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) deposition per cell.Results: ADSC-MNP complexes displayed superior proliferative capability and decreased senescence after long term (28 days) culture in vitro compared to non-loaded ADSC and to WJMSC-MNP. Significant increase in chondrogenesis conversion in terms of GAG/cell ratio could be observed in ADSC-MNP. MF exposure increased glycosaminoglycan deposition in MNP-loaded ADSC, but not in WJMSC.Conclusion: ADSC-MNP display decreased cellular senescence and superior chondrogenic capability in vitro compared to non-loaded cells as well as to WJMSC-MNP. MF exposure further increases ADSC-MNP chondrogenesis in ADSC, but not in WJMSC. Loading ADSC with MNP can derive a successful procedure for obtaining improved chondrogenesis in ADSC. Further in vivo studies are needed to confirm the utility of ADSC-MNP complexes for cartilage engineering.
Assessing the Biodegradation of Vulcanised Rubber Particles by Fungi Using Genetic, Molecular and Surface Analysis
Authors: Andler R. , D’Afonseca V. , Pino J. , Valdés C. , Salazar-Viedma M. 
Published: October 2021

Millions of tonnes of tyre waste are discarded annually and are considered one of the most difficult solid wastes to recycle. A sustainable alternative for the treatment of vulcanised rubber is the use of microorganisms that can biotransform polymers and aromatic compounds and then assimilate and mineralise some of the degradation products. However, vulcanised rubber materials present great resistance to biodegradation due to the presence of highly hydrophobic cross-linked structures that are provided by the additives they contain and the vulcanisation process itself. In this work, the biodegradation capabilities of 10 fungal strains cultivated in PDA and EM solid medium were studied over a period of 4 weeks. The growth of the strains, the mass loss of the vulcanised rubber particles and the surface structure were analysed after the incubation period. With the white rot fungi Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus, biodegradation percentages of 7.5 and 6.1%, respectively, were achieved. The FTIR and SEM-EDS analyses confirmed a modification of the abundance of functional groups and elements arranged on the rubber surface, such as C, O, S, Si, and Zn, due to the biological treatment employed. The availability of genomic sequences of P. ostreatus and T. versicolor in public repositories allowed the analysis of the genetic content, genomic characteristics and specific components of both fungal species, determining some similarities between both species and their relationship with rubber biodegradation. Both fungi presented a higher number of sequences for laccases and manganese peroxidases, two extracellular enzymes responsible for many of the oxidative reactions reported in the literature. This was confirmed by measuring the laccase and peroxidase activity in cultures of T. versicolor and P. ostreatus with rubber particles, reaching between 2.8 and 3.3-times higher enzyme activity than in the absence of rubber. The integrative analysis of the results, supported by genetic and bioinformatics tools, allowed a deeper analysis of the biodegradation processes of vulcanised rubber. It is expected that this type of analysis can be used to find more efficient biotechnological solutions in the future.
Ultrastructural Adaptation of the Cardiomyocyte to Chronic Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Corporan Daniella , Segura Ana , Padala Muralidhar 
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Mitral regurgitation (MR) imposes volume overload on the left ventricle (LV) and elevates wall stress, triggering its adverse remodeling. Pronounced LV dilation, minimal wall thinning, and a gradual decline in cardiac ejection fraction (EF) are observed. The structural changes in the myocardium that define these gross, organ level remodeling are not known. Cardiomyocyte elongation and slippage have both been hypothesized, but neither are confirmed, nor are the changes to the cardiomyocyte structure known. Using a rodent model of MR, we used immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to describe the ultrastructural remodeling of the cardiomyocyte.Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats (350–400 g) were assigned to two groups: group (1) rats induced with severe MR (n = 18) and group (2) control rats that were healthy and age and weight matched (n = 6). MR was induced in the beating heart using a 23-G ultrasound-guided, transapical needle to perforate the anterior mitral leaflet, and the rats were followed to 2, 10, and 20 weeks (n = 6/time-point). Echocardiography was performed to quantify MR severity and to measure LV volume and function at each time-point. Explanted myocardial tissue were examined with TEM and immunohistochemistry to investigate the ultrastructural changes.Results: MR induced rapid and significant increase in end-diastolic volume (EDV), with a 50% increase by 2 weeks, compared with control. Rise in end-systolic volume (ESV) was more gradual; however, by 20 weeks, both EDV and ESV in MR rats were increased by 126% compared with control. A significant decline in EF was measured at 10 weeks of MR. At the ultrastructural level, as early as 2 weeks after MR, cardiomyocyte elongation and increase in cross-sectional area were observed. TEM depicted sarcomere shortening, with loss of Z-line and I-band. Desmin, a cytoskeletal protein that is uniformly distributed along the length of the cardiomyocyte, was disorganized and localized to the intercalated disc, in the rats induced with MR and not in the controls. In the rats with MR, the linear registry of the mitochondrial arrangement along the sarcomeres was lost, with mitochondrial fragmentation, aggregation around the nucleus, and irregularities in the cristae.Discussion: In the setting of chronic mitral regurgitation, LV dilatation occured by cardiomyocyte elongation, which manifests at the subcellular level as distinct ultrastructural alterations of the sarcomere, cytoskeleton, and mitochondria. Since the cytoskeleton not only provides tensegrity but has functional consequences on myocyte function, further investigation into the impact of cytoskeletal remodeling on progressive heart failure or recovery of function upon correcting the valve lesion are needed.
Cardiac Function After Cardiotoxic Treatments for Childhood Cancer—Left Ventricular Longitudinal Strain in Screening
Authors: Niemelä Jussi , Ylänen Kaisa , Suominen Anu , Pushparajah Kuberan , Mathur Sujeev , Sarkola Taisto , Jahnukainen Kirsi , Eerola Anneli , Poutanen Tuija , Vettenranta Kim , Ojala Tiina 
Published: October 2021

Background: The majority of childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) have been exposed to cardiotoxic treatments and often present with modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Our aim was to evaluate the value of left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain for increasing the sensitivity of cardiac dysfunction detection among CCSs.Methods: We combined two national cohorts: neuroblastoma and other childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracyclines. The final data consisted of 90 long-term CCSs exposed to anthracyclines and/or high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue and followed up for &gt; 5 years and their controls (n = 86). LV longitudinal strain was assessed with speckle tracking (Qlab) and LV ejection fraction (EF) by three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE).Results: Of the CCSs, 11% (10/90) had abnormal LV longitudinal strain (i.e., &lt; -17.5%); of those, 70% (7/10) had normal 3DE LV EF. Multivariable linear model analysis demonstrated that follow-up time (p = 0.027), sex (p = 0.020), and BMI (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with LV longitudinal strain. Conversely, cardiac risk group, hypertension, age, cumulative anthracycline dose or exposure to chest radiation were not.Conclusion: LV longitudinal strain is a more sensitive method than LV EF for the detection of cardiac dysfunction among CCSs. Therefore, LV longitudinal strain should be added to the screening panel, especially for those with modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.
Predicting All-Cause Mortality Risk in Atrial Fibrillation Patients: A Novel LASSO-Cox Model Generated From a Prospective Dataset
Authors: Chen Yu , Wu Shiwan , Ye Jianfeng , Wu Muli , Xiao Zhongbo , Ni Xiaobin , Wang Bin , Chen Chang , Chen Yequn , Tan Xuerui , Liu Ruisheng 
Published: October 2021

Background: Although mortality remains high in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), there have been limited studies exploring machine learning (ML) models on mortality risk prediction in patients with AF.Objectives: This study sought to develop an ML model that captures important variables in order to predict all-cause mortality in AF patients.Methods: In this single center prospective study, an ML-based mortality prediction model was developed and validated using a dataset of 2,012 patients who experienced AF from November 2018 to February 2020 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College. The dataset was randomly divided into a training set (70%, n = 1,223) and a validation set (30%, n = 552). A total of 122 features were collected for variable selection. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and random forest (RF) algorithms were used for variable selection. Ten ML models were developed using variables selected by LASSO or RF. The best model was selected and compared with conventional risk scores. A nomogram and user-friendly online tool were developed to facilitate the mortality predictions and management recommendations.Results: Thirteen features were selected by the LASSO regression algorithm. The LASSO-Cox model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.842 in the training dataset, and 0.854 in the validation dataset. A nomogram based on eight independent features was developed for the prediction of survival at 30, 180, and 365 days following discharge. Both the time dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and decision curve analysis (DCA) showed better performances of the nomogram compared to the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED models.Conclusions: The LASSO-Cox mortality predictive model shows potential benefits in death risk evaluation for AF patients over the 365-day period following discharge. This novel ML approach may also provide physicians with personalized management recommendations.
Effects of Intermittent Compared With Continuous Energy Restriction on Blood Pressure Control in Overweight and Obese Patients With Hypertension
Authors: He Chao-Jie , Fei Ye-Ping , Zhu Chun-Yan , Yao Ming , Qian Gang , Hu Hui-Lin , Zhai Chang-Lin 
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims: Weight-loss diets reduce body weight and improve blood pressure control in hypertensive patients. Intermittent energy restriction (IER) is an alternative to continuous energy restriction (CER) for weight reduction. We aimed to compare the effects of IER with those of CER on blood pressure control and weight loss in overweight and obese patients with hypertension during a 6-month period.Methods: Two hundred and five overweight or obese participants (BMI 28.7 kg/m2) with hypertension were randomized to IER (5:2 diet, a very-low-calorie diet for 2 days per week, 500 kcal/day for women and 600 kcal/day for men, along with 5 days of a habitual diet) compared to a moderate CER diet (1,000 kcal/day for women and 1,200 kcal/day for men) for 6 months. The primary outcomes of this study were changes in blood pressure and weight, and the secondary outcomes were changes in body composition, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and blood lipids.Results: Of the 205 randomized participants (118 women and 87 men; mean [SD] age, 50.2 [8.9] years; mean [SD] body mass index, 28.7 [2.6]; mean [SD] systolic blood pressure, 143 [10] mmHg; and mean [SD] diastolic blood pressure, 91 [9] mmHg), 173 completed the study. The intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated that IER and CER are equally effective for weight loss and blood pressure control: the mean (SEM) weight change with IER was −7.0 [0.6] kg vs. −6.8 [0.6] kg with CER, the mean (SEM) systolic blood pressure with IER was −7 [0.7] mmHg vs. −7 [0.6] mmHg with CER, and the mean (SEM) diastolic blood pressure with IER was −6 [0.5] mmHg vs. −5 [0.5] mmHg with CER, (diet by time P = 0.62, 0.39, and 0.41, respectively). There were favorable improvements in body composition, HbA1c, and blood lipid levels, with no differences between groups. Effects did not differ according to completer analysis. No severe hypoglycemia occurred in either group during the trial.Conclusions: Intermittent energy restriction is an effective alternative diet strategy for weight loss and blood pressure control and is comparable to CER in overweight and obese patients with hypertension.Clinical Trial Registration:http://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier: ChiCTR2000040468.
Aliased Flow Signal Planimetry by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Grading Aortic Stenosis Severity: A Prospective Pilot Study
Authors: Mantini Cesare , Khanji Mohammed Y. , D'Ugo Emilia , Olivieri Marzia , Caputi Cristiano Giovanni , Bufano Gabriella , Mastrodicasa Domenico , Calvo Garcia Darien , Rotondo Domenico , Candeloro Matteo , Tana Claudio , Cademartiri Filippo , Ionescu Adrian , Caulo Massimo , Gallina Sabina , Ricci Fabrizio 
Published: October 2021

Objectives: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the standard technique for assessing aortic stenosis (AS), with effective orifice area (EOA) recommended for grading severity. EOA is operator-dependent, influenced by a number of pitfalls and requires multiple measurements introducing independent and random sources of error. We tested the diagnostic accuracy and precision of aliased orifice area planimetry (AOAcmr), a new, simple, non-invasive technique for grading of AS severity by low-VENC phase-contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.Methods: Twenty-two consecutive patients with mild, moderate, or severe AS and six age- and sex-matched healthy controls had TTE and CMR examinations on the same day. We performed analysis of agreement and correlation among (i) AOAcmr; (ii) geometric orifice area (GOAcmr) by direct CMR planimetry; (iii) EOAecho by TTE-continuity equation; and (iv) the “gold standard” multimodality EOA (EOAhybrid) obtained by substituting CMR LVOT area into Doppler continuity equation.Results: There was excellent pairwise positive linear correlation among AOAcmr, EOAhybrid, GOAcmr, and EOAecho (p &lt; 0.001); AOAcmr had the highest correlation with EOAhybrid (R2 = 0.985, p &lt; 0.001). There was good agreement between methods, with the lowest bias (0.019) for the comparison between AOAcmr and EOAhybrid. AOAcmr yielded excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.997 and 0.998, respectively).Conclusions: Aliased orifice area planimetry by 2D phase contrast imaging is a simple, reproducible, accurate “one-stop shop” CMR method for grading AS, potentially useful when echocardiographic severity assessment is inconclusive or discordant. Larger studies are warranted to confirm and validate these promising preliminary results.