bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors and Incidence for HAI in Elderly Patients Undergoing Neurosurgery in a Single Center
Authors: Liu Yunyun , Zhou Tian , Ji Yuanyuan , Zhang Hongqi , Wang Jun 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Health care-associated-infection (HAI) is an important issue in neurosurgery department. With the aging population, we are receiving an increasing number of elderly patients who have a higher risks of HAI. AIM: We want to better understand risk factors of HAI and prevent HAI in elderly patients who accept neurosurgeries.Methods: This was a case-control study. We took review of the medical records of patients aged 60 and older who underwent neurosurgical operations from 1 January to 31 December 2016 in a single centre. Patients with infection and intubation before admission were excluded. Risk factors and outcomes were analysed, including age, sex, activities of daily living (ADL) score, smoking history, emergency admission status, ICU stay, ventilator use, ventilation time, diabetes, coronary heart disease, immune system disease, consciousness at admission, albumin decrease, blood sugar, unplanned second operation, indwelling venous catheter, external ventricular drainage (EVD), discharge ADL, length of stay (LOS), and medical costs.Results: A total of 1757 geriatric patients over 60 years underwent neurosurgical procedure were enrolled. Their age ranged from 60 to 93 years, with an average of 67.56 ± 6.16 years, including 1083 males(61.6%)and 674 females(38.4%).Among 1757 patients in 14703 hospital days, 95 cases of infection were diagnosed with HAIs in 78 patients, The HAI rate was 4.4% (78/1757) and HAI case rate was 5.4%(95/1757),incidence of HAI in neurosurgical geriatric patients was 6.5‰. Of these 95 infections, the most common types were pneumonia (65.3%), followed by primary bloodstream infection (13.7%), central nervous system infection (8.4%), urinary tract infection (6.3%), and wound infection (6.3%). Multivariable logistic regression showed that the independent risk factors for HAI in elderly patients were ICU stay, mechanical ventilation, plasma albumin below 35g/L, unplanned reoperation, and venous catheterization.Conclusions: To prevent HAI, we should improve the ICU standards, decrease ventilation time, improve the nutrition supply, and dynamically evaluate the necessity of deep venous catheters and remove them as early as possible. Such measures could not only help reduce HAI and shorten hospital stays for elderly patients, but also decrease medical insurance cost for the government.
On geometry parameterization for simulation-driven design closure of antenna structures
Authors: Koziel Slawomir , Pietrenko-Dabrowska Anna 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Full-wave electromagnetic (EM) simulation tools have become ubiquitous in antenna design, especially final tuning of geometry parameters. From the reliability standpoint, the recommended realization of EM-driven design is through rigorous numerical optimization. It is a challenging endeavor with the major issues related to the high computational cost of the process, but also the necessity of handling several objectives and constraints over often highly-dimensional parameter spaces. From the numerical perspective, making decisions about the formulation of the optimization problem, the approach to handling the design constraints, but also parameterization of the antenna geometry, are all non-trivial. At the same time, these issues are interleaved, and may play an important role in the performance and reliability of the simulation-based design closure process. This paper demonstrates that the approach to arranging the structure parameterization (e.g., the use of absolute or relative parameters) may have a major effect of the optimization outcome. Our investigations are carried out using three broadband monopole antennas optimized under different scenarios and using different parameterizations. In particular, the results indicate that relative parameterization is preferred for optimization of input characteristics, whereas absolute parameterization is more suitable for size reduction.
Regeneration of Collagen Fibrils at the Papillary Dermis by Reconstructing Basement Membrane at the Dermal-Epidermal Junction
Authors: Iriyama Shunsuke , Ogura Yuki , Nishikawa Saori , Hosoi Junichi , Amano Satoshi 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The epidermal basement membrane deteriorates with aging. We previously reported that basement membrane reconstruction not only serves to maintain epidermal stem/progenitor cells in the epidermis, but also increases collagen fibers in the papillary dermis. Here, we investigated the mechanism of the latter action. Collagen fibrils in the papillary dermis were increased in organotypic human skin culture treated with matrix metalloproteinase and heparinase inhibitors. The expression levels of COL5A1 and COL1A1 genes (encoding collagen type V α 1 chain and collagen type I α 1 chain, respectively) were increased in fibroblasts cultured with conditioned medium from a skin equivalent model cultured with the inhibitors and in keratinocytes cultured on laminin-511 fragment-coated plates. We then examined cytokine expression, and found that the inhibitors increased the expression of PDGF-BB (platelet-derived growth factor consisting of two B subunits) in epidermis. Expression of COL5A1 and COL1A1 genes was increased in cultured fibroblasts stimulated with PDGF-BB. Further, the bifunctional inhibitor hydroxyethyl imidazolidinone (HEI) increased skin elasticity and the thickness of the papillary dermis in the skin equivalent. Taken together, our data suggests that reconstructing the basement membrane promotes secretion of PDGF-BB by epidermal keratinocytes, leading to increased collagen expression at the papillary dermis.
Validity of a Portable Spirometer in the Communities of China
Authors: Xiao Shan , Wu Fan , Wang Zihui , Chen Jianmin , Yang Huajing , Zheng Youlan , Deng Zhishan , Peng Jieqi , Wen Xiang , Huang Peiyu , Dai Cuiqiong , Lu Lifei , Zhao Ningning , Ran Pixin , Zhou Yumin 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: The lack of simple and affordable spirometry has led to the missed and delayed diagnoses of chronic respiratory diseases in communities. The PUS201P is a portable spirometry developed to solve this problem.Objective: We aimed to verify the consistency of the PUS201P spirometer with conventional Jaeger spirometer.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we randomly recruited 202 subjects aged ＞40 years. Testing with the portable spirometry and conventional spirometry were performed on all participants. We compared forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC measured by the PUS201P device with the conventional spirometer. Pearson correlation coefficient and Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were assessed to confirm the consistency of the measures from two instruments. Bland–Altman graph was created to assess the agreement of the measures from two devices.Results: 202 participants were included in this study. The ICC on forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC measured by the portable spirometer and the conventional spirometer were 0.95[95% confidence interval (CI): 0.94-0.96], 0.92(95%CI: 0.90-0.94), 0.93(95%CI: 0.91-0.95), respectively. The Bland-Altman plots showed that the mean difference between the measures from two spirometers are always located in the 95% limits of agreement (LoA). Conclusions: Our results support that the measures from the portable spirometer and the conventional spirometer have a good agreement and reproducibility. And the portable spirometer is a reliable tool to screen and diagnose chronic airway diseases in the primary care settings.
Computational mass spectrometry accelerates C=C position-resolved untargeted lipidomics using oxygen attachment dissociation
Authors: Uchino Haruki , Tsugawa Hiroshi , Takahashi Hidenori , Arita Makoto 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Mass spectrometry-based untargeted lipidomics has revealed the lipidome atlas of living organisms at the molecular species level. Despite the double bond (C=C) position being a crucial factor for enzyme preference, cellular membrane milieu, and biological activity, the C=C defined structures have not yet been characterized. Here, we present a novel approach for C=C position-resolved untargeted lipidomics using a combination of oxygen attachment dissociation and computational mass spectrometry to increase the rate of annotation. We validated the accuracy of our platform as per the authentic standards of 21 lipid subclasses and the biogenic standards of 51 molecules containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from the cultured cells fed with various fatty acid-enriched media. By analyzing human and mice-derived biological samples, we characterized 675 unique lipid structures with the C=C position-resolved level encompassing 22 lipid subclasses defined by LIPID MAPS. Our platform also illuminated the unique profiles of tissue-specific lipids containing n-3 and/or n-6 very long-chain PUFAs (carbon M 28 and double bonds a 4) in the eye, testis, and brain of the mouse.
Variation in Use of Damage Control Laparotomy for Trauma By Trauma Centers in the United States, Canada, and Australasia
Authors: Roberts Derek J. , Faris Peter D. , Ball Chad G. , Kirkpatrick Andrew W. , Moore Ernest E. , Feliciano David V. , Rhee Peter , D’Amours Scott , Stelfox Henry T. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: It is unknown how frequently damage control (DC) laparotomy is used across trauma centers in different countries. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of trauma centers in the United States, Canada, and Australasia to study variations in use of the procedure and predictors of more frequent use of DC laparotomy.Methods: A self-administered, electronic, cross-sectional survey of trauma centers in the United States, Canada, and Australasia was conducted. The survey collected information about trauma center and program characteristics. It also asked how often the trauma program director estimated DC laparotomy was performed on injured patients at that center on average over the last year. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of a higher reported frequency of use of DC laparotomy.Results: Of the 366 potentially eligible trauma centers sent the survey, 199 (51.8%) trauma program directors or leaders responded [United States=156 (78.4%), Canada=26 (13.1%), and Australasia=17 (8.5%)]. The reported frequency of use of DC laparotomy was highly variable across trauma centers. DC laparotomy was used more frequently in level-1 than level-2 or -3 trauma centers. Further, high-volume level-1 centers used DC laparotomy significantly more often than lower volume level-1 centers (p=0.02). Nearly half (48.4%) of high-volume volume level-1 trauma centers reported using the procedure at least once weekly. Significant adjusted predictors of more frequent use of DC laparotomy included country of origin [odds ratio (OR) for the United States vs. Canada=7.49; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.39-40.27], level-1 verification status (OR=6.02; 95% CI=2.01-18.06), and the assessment of a higher number of severely injured (Injury Severity Scale score >15) patients (OR per-100 patients=1.62; 95% CI=1.20-2.18) and patients with penetrating injuries (OR per-5% increase=1.27; 95% CI=1.01-1.58) in the last year.Conclusions: The reported frequency of use of DC laparotomy was highly variable across trauma centers. Those centers that most need to evaluate the benefit-to-risk ratio of using DC laparotomy in different scenarios may include high-volume, level-1 trauma centers, particularly those that often manage penetrating injuries.
Identification of de novo mutations in the Chinese ASD cohort via whole-exome sequencing unveils brain regions implicated in autism
Authors: Yuan Bo , Wang Mengdi , Wu Xinran , Cheng Peipei , Zhang Ran , Zhang Ran , Yu Shunying , Zhang Jie , Du Yasong , Wang Xiaoqun , Qiu Zilong 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interactions and repetitive behaviors. Although hundreds of ASD risk genes, implicated in synaptic formation and transcriptional regulation, have been identified through human genetic studies, the East Asian ASD cohorts is still under-represented in the genome-wide genetic studies. Here we performed whole-exome sequencing on 369 ASD trios including probands and unaffected parents of Chinese origin. Using a joint-calling analytical pipeline based on GATK toolkits, we identified numerous de novo mutations including 55 high-impact variants and 165 moderate-impact variants, as well as de novo copy number variations containing known ASD-related genes. Importantly, combining with single-cell sequencing data from the developing human brain, we found that expression of genes with de novo mutations were specifically enriched in pre-, post-central gyrus (PRC, PC) and banks of superior temporal (BST) regions in the human brain. By further analyzing the brain imaging data with ASD and health controls, we found that the gray volume of the right BST in ASD patients significantly decreased comparing to health controls, suggesting the potential structural deficits associated with ASD. Finally, we found that there was decrease in the seed-based functional connectivity (FC) between BST/PC/PRC and sensory areas, insula, as well as frontal lobes in ASD patients. This work indicated that the combinatorial analysis with genome-wide screening, single-cell sequencing and brain imaging data would reveal brain regions contributing to etiology of ASD.
Synergistic regenerative therapy of thin endometrium by human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells encapsulated within hyaluronic acid hydrogels
Authors: Lin Yifeng , Dong Shunni , Ye Xiaohang , Liu Juan , Li Jiaqun , Zhang Yanye , Tu Mixue , Wang Siwen , Ying Yanyun , Chen Ruixue , Wang Feixia , Ni Feida , Chen Jianpeng , Du Binyang , Dan Zhang 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Endometrial injury is one of the major causes of thin endometrium and subfertility. Stem cell-based therapies have made strides towards further efficacious treatment of injured endometrium. However, reported therapeutic stem cells that can be used for thin endometrium are difficult to acquire for large-scale clinical application. The human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HP-MSCs) are emerging alternative sources of MSCs for their robuster expansion ability, lower immunogenicity as well as extensive sources. To maximize their retention inside the uterus, we loaded HP-MSCs with cross-linked hyaluronic acid hydrogel (HA hydrogel) to investigate their therapeutic efficacy and ﻿possible underlying mechanisms.﻿Methods: The murine endometrial injury model was established by ethanol (95%) perfusion, with further intrauterine instillation of treating materials. The retention time of HP-MSCs ﻿was detected by in vivo imaging and ex vivo frozen section. Functional restoration of the uterus was assessed by testing embryo implantation rates. The endometrial morphological alteration was observed by H&E staining, Masson staining, and immunohistochemistry (Ki67). The stromal and glandular cells were isolated from the human endometrium to determine proliferation, migration, signaling pathway changes via EdU assay, transwell migration assay, and western blot respectively. Results: Instilled HP-MSCs with HA hydrogel (HP-MSCs-HA) exhibited a prolonged retention time in mouse uteri compared with normal HP-MSCs. ﻿In vitro data showed that the HP-MSCs-HA could significantly increase the gland number and endometrial thickness, decrease fibrous area, promote the proliferation of endometrial cells, and improve the embryo implantation rate. In vitro assays indicated that HP-MSCs-HA could not only promote the proliferation and migration of human endometrial stromal via the JNK/Erk1/2-Stat3-VEGF pathway but also promote the proliferation of glandular cells via Jak2-Stat5 and c-Fos-VEGF pathway. Conclusion: Our study suggested the potential therapeutic effects and the underlying mechanisms of HP-MSCs-HA on treating thin endometrium. HA hydrogel could be a preferable delivery method for HP-MSCs and the strategy represents a promising therapeutic approach against endometrial injury in clinical settings.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Renal Cell Carcinoma as First and Second Primary Cancers
Authors: Chen Jinchao , Lou Jianmin , He Yedie , Zhu Zhenjie , Zhu Shaoxing 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background Renal cell carcinoma may be a first primary cancer (first primary RCC, 1st RCC), or it can occur as a second primary RCC (2nd RCC) in patients with a previous history of malignancy. However, the studies of comparison between 2nd RCC and 1st RCC are rare.Methods Patients with localized RCC were retrospectively collected. They were classified as 2nd RCC or 1st RCC according to a previously diagnosed cancer, including 113 cases of 2nd RCC and 749 cases of 1st RCC. ResultsThe most common types of extrarenal malignancies in patients with 2nd RCC include lung, colorectal, breast, gynecological, and gastric cancers. The age and smoking rate of 2nd RCC patients were significantly higher than those of 1st RCC patients. Fewer 2nd RCC patients had clinical symptoms and a large renal mass. One hundred and eight (95.6%) patients with 2nd RCC received surgical interventions. All patients with 1st RCC underwent renal surgery. More patients with 2nd RCC underwent partial nephrectomy. Pathologically, there was no significant difference in postoperative pathological types between the 2nd and 1st RCCs. However, the 2nd RCCs commonly occurred in the early stages. The median overall survival (OS) of 2nd RCC patients was 117 months, which was shorter than that of 1st RCC patients. ConclusionsPatients with 2nd RCC are not uncommon. More attention should be paid to screening for 2nd RCC in cancer survivors. There are some differences between patients with 2nd and 1st RCCs that should be viewed separately.
Microbial Distribution and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bloodstream Infections in Different Intensive Care
Authors: Duan Nan , Li Haixia , Sun Liying , Huang Chenwei 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Bloodstream infection (BSI) is an increasing public health concern worldwide, representing a serious infection with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in children and elderly. The predominant microbial distribution and antibiotic susceptibility were investigated among BSIs in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), surgical intensive care unit (SICU), cardiac intensive care unit (CICU), respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) and geriatric intensive care unit (GICU) in order to achieve more efficient and appropriate therapies for patients in various ICUs.Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 516 positive cultures out of 6597 （positive rate 7.82%）blood specimens among BSIs in the five ICUs from 2017 to 2020 were analyzed for pathogen incidence and drug-susceptibility.Results: The incidence of BSIs was the highest in the RICU (9.48%) followed by the PICU (8.36%). The total prevalence of Gram-positive (G+) bacterial strains (especially Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp.) in the PICU (44.55%), SICU (57.58%), CICU (55.00%) and GICU (49.06%) was higher than Gram-negative (G-) bacteria. The major bacterial strain was Acinetobacter baumannii (G-) in the PICU (21.82%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (G-) in the SICU (12.88%), CICU (30.00%) and RICU (30.39%), and Escherichia coli (G-) in GICU (20.75%). Staphylococcus hominis of BSIs remained highly susceptible (>70%) to gentamicin, linezolid, daptomycin, teicoplanin, vancomycin, tigecycline and rifampicin in all the ICUs. Its antibiotic sensitivity to levofloxacin was moderate in the PICU and CICU, but mild (<30%) in the SICU, RICU and GICU. K. pneumoniae was highly susceptible to doxycycline, minocycline, tigecycline in all the ICUs except RICU, and its antibiotic sensitivity to imipenem, meropenem, amikacin, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin in the GICU was high/moderate in PICU, CICU and GICU, but mild in the SICU and RICU.Conclusions: The current study demonstrated the distribution of prevalent microorganisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility exhibited a high divergence among BSIs in PICU, SICU, CICU, RICU and GICU from a tertiary hospital in Beijing. Therefore, different antibiotic therapies for various wards and distinct age groups (especially between pediatric and elderly patients) should be considered to control the emergence and spread of highly antibiotic-resistant infections.
Effects of Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation Pulsed at 40 Hz on Aβ Plaques and Brain Rhythms in 5XFAD Mice
Authors: Park Mincheol , Hoang Gia Minh , Nguyen Thien , Lee Eunkyung , Jung Hyun Jin , Choe Youngshik , Kim Jae Gwan , Kim Tae 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and tauopathy. Reducing Aβ has been considered a major AD treatment strategy in pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. The impairment in the gamma oscillations, which play an important role in perception and cognitive function, has been shown in mouse AD models and human patients. Recently the therapeutic effect of gamma entrainment treatment on the AD mouse model was reported. Given that ultrasound is an emerging modality of neuromodulation, we investigated the effect of ultrasound stimulation pulsed at gamma frequency (40Hz) on an AD mouse model. MethodsWe implanted electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes and a piezo-ceramic disc ultrasound transducer on the skull surface of 6-months-old 5XFAD and wild-type control mice (n=12 and 6, respectively). Six 5XFAD mice were treated with daily two-hour ultrasound stimulation at 40Hz for two weeks, and the other six mice received sham treatment. Soluble and insoluble Aβ levels in the brain were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Spontaneous EEG gamma power was computed by wavelet analysis, and the brain connectivity was examined with phase-locking value and cross-frequency phase-amplitude coupling. ResultsWe found that total Aβ 42 and 40 levels, especially insoluble, in the treatment group decreased compared to that of the sham treatment group. The reduction in the number of Aβ plaques in PIL also has been shown. In addition, spontaneous gamma power was increased, and brain connectivity was improved. ConclusionsThese results suggest that the transcranial ultrasound-based gamma-band entrainment technique can be an effective therapy for AD by reducing the Aβ load and improving brain connectivity
The Anomalous Weather Parameters that Lead to the Extreme Rainfall of Kerala in August 2018
Authors: Sreedha Suneela , Mathew Basil , Sivanpillai Sureshkumar 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Extremely heavy rainfall has been occurred over Kerala, southwest coast of India, during mid-August 2018. The meteorological conditions during this period are analysed, and it is found that a combination of many rain favouring conditions prevailed at that time. The positive phase of Madden Julian Oscillation coupled with a monsoon depression in the Bay of Bengal and a weak trough in the south-eastern Arabian Sea strengthened the Monsoon Low Level Jet bringing moisture-laden winds over Kerala. The rising limb of Walker and Hadley circulations was also found over Kerala, which gave favourable updraft for cloud formation. In addition, the core of the Tropical Easterly Jet was found over the Kerala and Karnataka region. The cyclonic circulation in the mid-troposphere observed around the monsoon depression extended up to the west coast of India. Simultaneous occurrences of all these could have contributed to the extreme rainfall events and severe floods over Kerala.