bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness and safety of regdanvimab in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Heo Jeonghun , Park Susin , Je Nam Kyung , Kim Dong Wan , Park Miran 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Regdanvimab has decreased the time to clinical recovery from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and lowered the rate of oxygen therapy according to the results from Phase 2 randomized controlled trial. More information is needed about the effects and safety of regdanvimab. We analyzed the medical records of patients with high-risk mild or moderate COVID-19 being admitted to Busan Medical Center between December 1, 2020, and April 16, 2021. A propensity score (PS) matched analysis was conducted to compare patients with and without regdanvimab. The primary outcome was in-hospital death or disease aggravation. Among 1,617 selected patients, 970 (60.0%) were indicated for regdanvimab. Among a 1:1 PS-matched cohort of 377 patients each treated with and without regdanvimab, regdanvimab significantly reduced the primary endpoint (odds ratio [OR], 0.194; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.112–0.320; p < 0.001). Regdanvimab was associated with a significantly lower risk of disease aggravation without increasing adverse reactions.
An Analysis of The Application of “WeChat + Micro-Courses” In Different Majors of Medical University Students
Authors: Liu Lu , Yu Qiurun , Tang Qiuqin , Wu Wei 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: WeChat and micro-courses have become important tools for improving medical education. However, most research just focused on one of them, and investigations about “WeChat + micro-courses” teaching mode were still lacking. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate medical students’ use of WeChat and micro-courses and to analyze the possibility of “WeChat + micro-courses” teaching mode.Methods: This investigation was conducted among 534 full-time undergraduates in Nanjing Medical University. A self-reported questionnaire was adopted to collect data. Data were entered and checked with EpiData 3.0 and were analyzed with STATA 13.Results: 534 participants successfully completed the questionnaires. Most students in all specialties used WeChat. More students in preventive medicine subscribed to OAs related to other majors (χ2 = 28.49, P < 0.01). In three majors, almost 80% of students spent less than 10 minutes or 10-30 minutes browsing OA articles every day. As for micro-courses, using frequency in biostatistics was significantly higher than that in preventive medicine and hygienic analysis and detection (χ2 = 16.68, P < 0.01). Plenty of students complained about the lack of interactions while learning with micro-courses.Conclusions: It was promising to apply “WeChat + micro-courses” mode in medical education.
The Value of Dual-Energy CT Imaging In The Clinical Diagnosis of Gout
Authors: GAO Xiulin GAO , GAO Huanling , ZHANG Liyun , ZHANG Liqing 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Objective To explore the clinical diagnostic value of dual-energy CT imaging technology in patients with gout.Methods A total of 83 suspected gout patients admitted from June 2019 to December 2020 were selected as research subjects. Dual-energy CT and gold standard examination were performed on all patients. The detection rates of urate crystals were compared between the two methods. Clinicians performed physical examinations on patients with confirmed gout, and the examination results were compared with the results of urate crystals found by dual-energy CT.Results The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of dual-energy CT imaging in diagnosing gout were 92.31%, 83.33%, 75%, and 95.24%, respectively. The kappa value was 0.73, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.77～0.99, P < 0.01). Compared with clinical physical examinations, the number of urate crystal deposits detected by dual-energy CT imaging was 4.40 times that of the former. The detection rate of urate crystals and bone destruction in patients with chronic intermittent gout by dual-energy CT examination was higher than that in the acute phase. (The χ2 values ​​were 4.912 and 8.018, and the P values were 0.027 and 0.005, respectively.)Conclusion Dual-energy CT imaging technology can clearly and accurately display urate deposition in patients with gout. It demonstrates good reliability and a high clinical application value.
Assessing the impact of long-term exposure to nine outdoor air pollutants on spatial spread of Covid-19: evidence from 107 Italian provinces
Authors: Perone Gaetano 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically changed every aspect of people’s lives around the world over the past year and a half. Although the global vaccination campaign is progressing worldwide, new variants of COVID-19 have emerged, driving many countries into a fourth wave of COVID-19 contagion. This paper investigates the air quality in 107 Italian provinces in the period 2014–2019 and the association between long-term exposure to nine outdoor air pollutants and the prevalence of COVID-19 in the same areas. The methods used were negative binomial (NB) regressions, ordinary least squares (OLS) models, and spatial autoregressive models with autoregressive disturbances (SARAR). The air pollutants examined were common air pollutants (NO2, O3, PM2.5, PM10), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (benzene and BaP), and heavy metals (As, Cd, and Ni). The results showed that i) common air pollutants were generally highly and positively correlated with density of large firms, energy and gas consumption, public transport, and the livestock sector; and ii) long-term exposure to NO2, PM2.5, PM10, benzene, BaP, and Cd was positively and significantly correlated with the spread of COVID-19, even after controlling for cofactors and spatial effects. This outcome seems of interest and relevance because PAHs and heavy metals have not been considered at all in recent literature. It also seems to suggest the need for a national strategy to drive down air pollutant concentrations in order to cope better with possible future pandemics.
Alterations in Gamma-Delta T Cells in Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Authors: Chen Sha , Lv Tingting , Sun Guangyong , Li Shuxiang , Duan Weijia , Zhang Chunpan , Jin Hua , Tian Dan , Li Mingyang , Shan Shan , Ma Hong , Ou Xiaojuan , You Hong , Zhang Dong , Jia Jidong 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background & Aims

Gamma-delta (γδ) T cells are involved in the development of diverse liver and autoimmune diseases, whereas the role of γδ T cells in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) remains unclear.
Methods

We analyzed the number, phenotypes, and functional molecules of γδ T cells in PBC patients (n = 74) and sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs) (n = 74) by flow cytometric analysis.
Results

We identified two distinct functional subsets of circulating γδ T cells according to the CD3/TCRγδ complex: the TCRγδhigh and TCRγδlow subsets. Approximately three-quarters of cells in the TCRγδhigh subset were Vδ1 T cells, while Vδ2 T cells were enriched in the TCRγδlow subset in HCs. The frequency and absolute number of circulating TCRγδlow cells was significantly decreased in PBC patients compared with HCs (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the frequency of TCRγδlow cells was negatively correlated with disease severity and positively correlated with the ursodeoxycholic acid response. TCRγδlow cells exhibited a similar apoptotic and proliferative phenotype but enhanced liver-homing chemokine receptor (CXCR6) expression in PBC patients compared with HCs. In addition, both TCRγδhigh and TCRγδlow subsets were more activated in PBC compared with HCs, characterized by elevated expression levels of CD69 and HLA-DR. Finally, we found an increased granzyme B (GZMB) production and similar IFN-γ and TNF-α production of TCRγδlow cells in PBC patients compared with HCs.
Conclusion

The TCRγδlow subset might be a potential marker for disease progression and treatment response in PBC, which may play a crucial role in liver injury through increased CXCR6 expression and GZMB production.
Investigating The Effects of Rainy Season On Open Cast Mining Operation: The Case of Wescoal Khanyisa Colliery
Authors: Tlhatlhetji Mashudu , Kolapo Peter 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of rainy season in open cast mining and possible factors that could contribute to production loses during these rainy periods. The major issue at Wescoal’s Khanyisa Colliery is the impact that rainfall has on the coal extraction process during the rainy season. The opencast mine operation loses a significant amount of time that is supposed to be used to run the mining value chain by trying to deal with the effects of the rainfall. This study made use of acquired data from Khanyisa Colliery between the period of December 2019 and January 2020 rainy months in South Africa. This data includes, the amount of daily and weekly rainfall, the water pumping rate, frequency of breakdowns and success rate of load and haul. The average weekly rainfall was found to be 69 mm over the 8 weeks of the summer season. However, the adopted method of managing the mine water was not efficient enough as a result of a low capacity pump and their pumping rate in comparison to the volume of water in the pit. This has affected some sections in the mine as productivity dropped due to reduction in loading and hauling activities from the pit to the stockpiles. In order to improve the productivity, the authors made some suggestions than can enhance production during rainy seasons.
A New Sequential Optimality Condition of Cardinality-Constrained Optimization Problem and Application
Authors: Pang Liping , Xue Menglong , Xu Na 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we consider the cardinality-constrained optimization problem and propose a new sequential optimality condition for the continuous relaxation reformulation which is popular recently. It is stronger than the existing results and is still a first-order necessity condition for the cardinality constraint problem without any additional assumptions. Meanwhile, we provide a problem-tailored weaker constraint qualification, which can guarantee that new sequential conditions are Mordukhovich-type stationary points. On the other hand, we improve the theoretical results of the augmented Lagrangian algorithm. Under the same condition as the existing results, we prove that any feasible accumulation point of the iterative sequence generated by the algorithm satisfies the new sequence optimality condition. Furthermore, the algorithm can converge to the Mordukhovich-type (essentially strong) stationary point if the problem-tailored constraint qualification is satisfied.
Polysaccharide From Laminaria Japonica Attenuates Radiation-Induced Xerostomia In Mice Via Activation of Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Siqin , Chen Shaoyong , ao Pian , Cai Rong , Xu Yang , Chen Chen , Nong Xiaolin , Wei Li 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background：Xerostomia is one of the most common complications during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer patients that seriously affects their quality of life. However, optimal treatment for radiation-induced xerostomia is currently unavailable. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Laminaria Japonica Polysaccharide (LJP) on radiation-induced xerostomia and decipher its underlying mechanism in mice.Methods：Male eight-week-old mice were randomly divided into four groups：normal control group, LJP control group, irradiation group, and irradiation with LJP treatment group. LJP (40mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected at 1 day before irradiation once daily for consecutive 5 days．The mice irradiated received a single radiation dose of 15Gy. Body weight, daily food and water intake were measured at 28 days post irradiation. Oxidative stress parameters (ROS and MDA) and antioxidant enzyme (MnSOD) in submandibular glands (SMG) were also assessed post irradiation. In addition, histopathology, function and weight of SMG were detected after irradiation. The expressions of Nrf2 pathway-related genes (Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1) were measured using immunofluorescence or immunohistochemical staining and real-time PCR method. Results：Compared with the control group, irradiated mice showed increases in the levels of oxidative stress parameters (ROS and MDA), water intake and expression levels of Nrf2 pathway-related genes (Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1), and decreases in body weight, food intake, saliva flow. Nevertheless, LJP treatment significantly increased body weights, food intake, and saliva flow in irradiated mice, markedly downregulated oxidative stress levels, improved the morphology and structure of SMG, and further promote expressions of Nrf2 pathway-related genes.Conclusion: LJP treatment alleviated radiation-induced SMG oxidative stress injury through activating Nrf2 signaling pathway, implying that LJP might be a novel agent for treating radioactive xerostomia in the future.
Factors Affecting the Emotional Wellbeing of Women and Men Who Experience Miscarriage in Hospital Settings: A Scoping Review
Authors: Martina Galeotti , Gary Mitchell , Mark Tomlinson , Áine Aventin 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background - Miscarriage can be a devastating event for women and men that can lead to short- and long-term mental illness. Studies have reported associations between miscarriage and depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder in women. Men can also experience intense grief and sadness following their partner’s miscarriage. While numerous studies have reported hospital-related factors impacting the emotional wellbeing of parents experiencing miscarriage, there is a lack of review evidence which synthesises the findings of current research. Aims- The aim of this review was to synthesise the findings of studies of emotional distress and wellbeing among women and men experiencing miscarriage in hospital settings.Methods – A systematic search of the literature was conducted in October 2020 across three different databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsycInfo) and relevant charity organisation websites, Google, and OpenGray. A Mixed Methods appraisal tool (MMAT) and AACODS checklist were used to assess the quality of primary studies.Results- Thirty studies were included in this review representing qualitative (N=21), quantitative (N=7), and mixed-methods (N=2) research from eleven countries. Findings indicated that women and men’s emotional wellbeing is influenced by interactions with health professionals, provision of information, and the hospital environment. Parents’ experiences in hospitals were characterised by a perceived lack of understanding among healthcare professionals of the significance of their loss and emotional support required. Parents reported that their distress was exacerbated by a lack of information, support, and feelings of isolation in the aftermath of miscarriage. Further, concerns were expressed about the hospital environment, in particular the lack of privacy. Conclusion –Women and men are dissatisfied with the emotional support received in hospital settings and describe a number of hospital-related factors as exacerbators of emotional distress. Implications for practice- This review highlights the need for hospitals to take evidence-informed action to improve emotional support services for people experiencing miscarriage within their services.
Reliability study of Visual Infusion Phlebitis Score Portuguese European version
Authors: Ventura David Rafael Pereira , Freitas José Alberto Silva , Lindo João Filipe Fernandes 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Phlebitis is the most frequent complication associated with the use of Short Peripheral Catheters. The Visual Infusion Phlebitis Scale is a tool used to access the catheter insertions site and surrounding area, providing a score. The goal of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the VIP scale to European Portuguese in order to achieve a reliability score. Intra and inter-observer reliability studies were performed. The study was conducted at one Portuguese Hospital in a sample of 23 participants. The reliability score was assessed using Kendall's Tau = 0.925, Spearman's Rho = 0.926 and Cohen Kappa = 0.918.
Lenvatinib Inhibits Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Growth via Gadd45a-Mediated Cell Cycle Arrest
Authors: Yan Xia , Wang Dan , Zhuang Liping , Wang Peng , Meng Zhiqiang , Ning Zhouyu 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary liver cancer, and its 5-year survival rate is less than 10%. Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) changes have been observed in 6%-50% of ICC patients, and patients with FGFR mutations have been shown to have more inert tumour biological activity than patients with wild-type FGFRs. Thus, as a pan-FGFR inhibitor, lenvatinib is supposed to play an anti-tumour role in ICC. However, no relevant experiments have been reported.Methods: Patients derived xenograft (PDX) model and cell line derived xenograft (CDX) model were both used for the in vivo study. For in vivo work, ICC cell lines were applied to analyse the effect of Lenvatinib on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and the molecular mechanism.Reaults: In the present study, we found that lenvatinib dramatically hindered in vivo tumor growth in ICC patient-derived xenograft models. In addition, by using in vitro experiments in ICC cell lines, we found that lenvatinib dose- and time-dependently inhibited the proliferation of ICC cells and induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Transcriptional profiling analysis further applied indicated that lenvatinib might inhibit cell proliferation through the induction of cell-cycle arrestment via activating of Gadd45a, it was evidenced by that the knockout of Gadd45a significantly attenuated the cycle arrest induced by lenvatinib, as well as the inhibitory effect of lenvatinib on ICC.Conclusion: Our work firstly found that lenvatinib exerted excellent antitumor effect on ICC, mainly via inducing Gadd45a mediated cell cycle arrest. Our work provides evidence and a rationale for the future use of lenvatinib in the treatment of ICC.
Integrated Multi-Omics Analysis of Colorectal Cancer Reveals Mir-20a as a Regulator of Fatty Acid Metabolism in Consensus Molecular Subtype 3
Authors: Song Kai , Liu Chao , Zhang Jiashuai , Yao Yang , Xiao Huiting , Yuan Rongqiang , Li Keru , Yang Jia , Zhao Wenyuan , Zhang Yanqiao 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
BackgroundmicroRNAs (miRNAs) serve important roles in metabolism. The consensus molecular subtype (CMS) 3 of colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by activated fatty acid (FA) metabolism. We aimed to identify essential miRNAs of CMS3-CRC and analyze the regulatory role in the FA metabolism. MethodsThe RobustRankAggreg method by integrating multi-omics data including genome, epigenome, transcriptome and interactome, was applied to filter out functional genes (Fgenes). The backward derivation approach based on Fgenes and miRNA-gene interactions was further applied to identify functional miRNAs (Fmirs). Nine human CRC cell lines with different CMSs were investigated. RT-qPCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed to examine the effect of miR-20a on FA synthesis and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. The effect of miR-20a on cell proliferation and metastasis were studied by clone-formation, EdU assay, wound healing and transwell assay.ResultsWe identified 12 Fmirs by integrating multi-omics features in CMS3-CRC. These Fmirs exhibited significantly enriched CRC driver miRNAs and significant impacts on CMS3-CRC cell growth. Beyond the findings, miR-20a was significantly correlated with Wnt/β-catenin signaling and participated in FA metabolism subpathway. In vitro assays combined with bioinformatics analyses demonstrated that elevated miR-20a up-regulated FA synthesis enzymes FASN, ACAC and ACLY via Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and finally promoted proliferative and migration of CMS3-CRC cells. ConclusionsOverall, our study revealed that miR-20a promoted progression of CMS3-CRC by regulating FA metabolism and served as a potential target for preventing tumor metastasis.
Ante Mortem Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of Calsyntenin-1 and Neurexin-2a Reflect Post-Mortem TDP-43 Pathology in a Pathological Cohort of Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration
Authors: Cervantes-González Alba , Irwin David J , Alcolea Daniel , McMillan Corey T , Chen-Plotkin Alice , Wolk David , Sirisi Sònia , Dols-Icardo Oriol , Querol-Vilaseca Marta , Illán-Gala Ignacio , Santos-Santos Miguel Angel , Fortea Juan , Lee Edward B , Trojanowski John Q , Grossman Murray , Lleó Alberto , Belbin Olivia 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) clinical diagnosis is challenged by the variable correspondence between the clinical syndrome and underlying neuropathological changes, the phenotypic overlap with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the lack of pathophysiologic diagnostic biomarkers. As synapse degeneration is an early event in pathological frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), a surrogate marker of synapse loss could be used to monitor early pathologic changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of antemortem cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of 9 synaptic proteins with postmortem global tau and TDP-43 burden in a neuropathological FTLD cohort. Methods. We included patients with a neuropathological confirmation of FTLD-Tau (n=24, mean age-at-CSF 67 years+/-11), FTLD-TDP (n=25, 66 years+/-9) or AD (n=25, 73 years+/-6) as well as cognitively normal controls (n=35, 69 years+/-7) from the Penn FTD Center and ADRC. A subset of 39 FTLD patients presented without AD comorbidity (neurofibrillary tangle score of B0/B1 according to the NIA-AA classification) and 18 AD patients presented without TDP-43 comorbidity. We quantified the synaptic panel in antemortem CSF by targeted mass spectrometry using isotopically-labeled peptides as internal standards. We used a semi-quantitative measure of tau and TDP-43 inclusions to quantify pathological burden across 16 brain regions. Statistical methods included Spearman rank correlations, one-way analysis of covariance (controlling for sex and age-at-CSF), linear regression (controlling for age-at-death) and receiver-operating characteristic curves. Result. CSF calsyntenin-1 and neurexin-2a were correlated in all patient groups (rs=.55 to .88). In FTLD-TDP, we observed low antemortem CSF levels of calsyntenin-1 and neurexin-2a compared to AD (.72-fold, p=.001, .77-fold, p=.04, respectively) and controls (.80-fold, p=.02, .78-fold, p=.02, respectively), which were inversely associated with post-mortem global TDP-43 burden (regression r2=.36, p=.04 and r2=.35, p=.04, respectively). Neurexin-2a showed 75.0% (95% CI 60-88) accuracy to discriminate FTLD-TDP from controls. Calsyntenin-1 showed 75.1% (95% CI 62-87) accuracy to discriminate FTLD-TDP from AD. None of the synaptic proteins were altered in FTLD-Tau compared to controls (0.79 to 1.12-fold, p>.12) or associated with post-mortem global tau burden (r2=.12, p=.36). Comorbidity had a limited effect on these findings. Conclusion. CSF calsyntenin-1 and neurexin-2a have potential as objective measures of TDP-43-mediated degeneration in FTLD.