bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An anthropometry-based nomogram for predicting metabolic syndrome in the working population
Authors: Wang Saibin , Wang Sujiao , Jiang Shuzhen , Ye Qian 
Published: September 2019

Background: Early detection of metabolic syndrome is highly desirable for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate an anthropometry-based nomogram for predicting metabolic syndrome in a working population. Methods: The present study was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study. A total of 60,799 workers in Spain were enrolled between 2012 and 2016, of which 50% were randomly assigned to the derivation cohort and the remainder to the validation cohort. Participants’ demographics and anthropometric variables were entered into least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression for the selection of variables. Subsequently, multivariable logistic regression was performed to develop the predictive model and a nomogram. The discrimination ability, calibration curve analysis and decision curve analysis of the nomogram was evaluated. Internal validation of the model was also performed. Results: There were 2725 (9.0%) participants diagnosed with metabolic syndrome in the derivation cohort and 2762 (9.1%) participants in the validation cohort. Six variables (age, smoking, body fat percentage, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were included in the nomogram. The area under the curve was 0.901 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.895–0.906) and 0.899 (95% CI 0.894–0.905) for the predictive and internal validation, respectively. Furthermore, decision curve analysis showed that if the threshold probability of metabolic syndrome is less than 72.0%, application of this nomogram can benefit more than either the treat-all or treat-none strategies. Conclusions: An anthropometry-based nomogram for predicting metabolic syndrome in a working population was developed that incorporates reliable non-invasive anthropometric features to facilitate health counselling and self-risk assessment of developing metabolic syndrome.
Extended anticoagulation after venous thromboembolism: should it be done?
Authors: Fernandes Caio J. , Calderaro Daniela , Piloto Bruna , Hoette Susana , Jardim Carlos Vianna Poyares , Souza Rogério 
Published: September 2019

Most physicians understand venous thromboembolism (VTE) to be an acute and time-limited disease. However, pathophysiological and epidemiological data suggest that in most patients VTE recurrence risk is not resolved after the first 6 months of anticoagulation. Recurrence rates are high and potentially life-threatening. In these cases, it would make sense to prolong anticoagulation for an undetermined length of time. However, what about the bleeding rates, induced by prolonged anticoagulation? Would they not outweigh the benefit of reducing the VTE recurrent risk? How long should anticoagulation be continued, and should all patients suffering from VTE be provided with extended anticoagulation? This review will address the most recent data concerning extended anticoagulation in VTE secondary prophylaxis. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplementary material section.
First-line systemic therapy for advanced gastric cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Cheng Ji , Cai Ming , Shuai Xiaoming , Gao Jinbo , Wang Guobin , Tao Kaixiong 
Published: September 2019

Background: Systemic therapy is the standard treatment against advanced gastric cancer. Fluoropyrimidine plus platinum doublet has been recommended as the preferred first-line strategy. However, there is still a lack of a comprehensive and hierarchical evidence that compares all eligible literature simultaneously. Methods: Record retrieval was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, ASCO, and ESMO meeting library from inception to October 2018. Randomized controlled trials featuring comparisons between different first-line systemic treatments against advanced gastric cancer were eligible. Overall survival was utilized as the primary endpoint. Pairwise and network calculations were based on a random-effects model and the hierarchical ranking was numerically indicated by P-score. All procedures were conducted according to Cochrane Handbook 5.1 and PRISMA for Network Meta-analysis (Registration identifier: CRD42018084951). Results: A total of 119 studies were eligible for our pooled analysis. Concerning general analysis, ‘fluoropyrimidine plus platinum-based triplet’ topped the overall survival hierarchy (HR 0.91 [0.83–0.99], P-score = 0.903, p = 0.04) while it ranked in second place for progression-free survival and objective response rate. However, it displayed worse tolerability against ‘fluoropyrimidine plus platinum doublet’. More specifically, ‘Capecitabine plus cisplatin-based triplet plus targeted medication’ topped the ranking among all fluoropyrimidine plus platinum-based regimens in additional analysis. Nevertheless, it did not reach statistical advantage against fluoropyrimidine plus oxaliplatin doublet in terms of survival benefits, while still displaying significantly worse safety profile. Conclusions: Taken together, fluoropyrimidine plus oxaliplatin doublet (especially capecitabine or S-1) should still be considered as the preferred first-line regimen owing to its comparable survival benefits and lower toxicity.
Methadone and a Clinical Pathway in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery: A Historically Controlled Study
Authors: Tams Carl , Dooley F. Cole , Sangari Taranjit S. , Gonzalez-Rodriguez Sandra N. , Stoker Robert E. , Phillips Sarah A. , Koenig Megan , Wishin Judith M. , Molinari Sarah C. , Blakemore Laurel C. , Seubert Christoph N. 
Published: September 2019

Study Design: Historically controlled clinical trial. Objectives: Patients presenting for correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by posterior spinal fusion may benefit from structured clinical pathways. We studied the effects of implementing a published clinical pathway for the perioperative care of patients with AIS that required intraoperative use of methadone at our institution. Methods: We performed a historically controlled clinical trial of patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for AIS by comparing a retrospectively collected control group of 25 patients with a prospective experimental group of 14 patients receiving methadone, gabapentin, propofol, and remifentanil as part of a new clinical pathway. Results: Use of the pathway decreased average pain scores evaluated by the Numeric Rating Scale in the 24 hours following surgery (4.8 [4-6] to 3.4 [2-4], P = .03 [−2.6 to −0.2; t = −2.3]) and postoperative opioid consumption by 76% (41 [29-51] mg to 10 [4-17] mg, P < .001 [−45 to −15; Welch’s t = 4.9]) during the same period. Improved analgesia and reduced reliance on opioids facilitated other postoperative elements of the clinical pathway and shortened the average hospital length of stay by 1 day (4 [3-6] days to 3 [3-5] days, P = .001 [−2 to −1; U = 67, Z = −3.3]). Conclusions: Multimodal analgesia and a clinical pathway add value in the perioperative care of patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for AIS by improving analgesia and shortening hospitalization. The prospective arm of the trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov under NCT02481570.
SNP-based mate allocation strategies to maximize total genetic value in pigs
Authors: González-Diéguez David , Tusell Llibertat , Carillier-Jacquin Céline , Bouquet Alban , Vitezica Zulma G. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundMate allocation strategies that account for non-additive genetic effects can be used to maximize the overall genetic merit of future offspring. Accounting for dominance effects in genetic evaluations is easier in a genomic context, than in a classical pedigree-based context because the combinations of alleles at loci are known. The objective of our study was two-fold. First, dominance variance components were estimated for age at 100 kg (AGE), backfat depth (BD) at 140 days, and for average piglet weight at birth within litter (APWL). Second, the efficiency of mate allocation strategies that account for dominance and inbreeding depression to maximize the overall genetic merit of future offspring was explored.ResultsGenetic variance components were estimated using genomic models that included inbreeding depression with and without non-additive genetic effects (dominance). Models that included dominance effects did not fit the data better than the genomic additive model. Estimates of dominance variances, expressed as a percentage of additive genetic variance, were 20, 11, and 12% for AGE, BD, and APWL, respectively. Estimates of additive and dominance single nucleotide polymorphism effects were retrieved from the genetic variance component estimates and used to predict the outcome of matings in terms of total genetic and breeding values. Maximizing total genetic values instead of breeding values in matings gave the progeny an average advantage of − 0.79 days, − 0.04 mm, and 11.3 g for AGE, BD and APWL, respectively, but slightly reduced the expected additive genetic gain, e.g. by 1.8% for AGE.ConclusionsGenomic mate allocation accounting for non-additive genetic effects is a feasible and potential strategy to improve the performance of the offspring without dramatically compromising additive genetic gain.
TLR4-RelA-miR-30a signal pathway regulates Th17 differentiation during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis development
Authors: Qu Xuebin , Han Jingjing , Zhang Ying , Wang Xingqi , Fan Hongbin , Hua Fang , Yao Ruiqin 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is well known for activating the innate immune system; however, it is also highly expressed in adaptive immune cells, such as CD4+ T-helper 17 (Th17) cells, which play a key role in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology. However, the function and governing mechanism of TLR4 in Th17 remain unclear.

Methods
The changes of TLR4 in CD4+ T cells from MS patients and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice were tested. TLR4-deficient (TLR4−/−) naïve T cells were induced in vitro and transferred into Rag1−/− mice to measure Th17 differentiation and EAE pathology. DNA sequence analyses combining with deletion fragments and mutation analyses, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) were used to explore the mechanism of TLR4 signaling pathway in regulating Th17 differentiation.

Results
The levels of TLR4 were increased in CD4+ Th17 cells both from MS patients and EAE mice, as well as during Th17 differentiation in vitro. TLR4−/− CD4+ naïve T cells inhibited their differentiation into Th17, and transfer of TLR4−/− CD4+ naïve T cells into Rag1−/− mice was defective in promoting EAE, characterized by less demyelination and Th17 infiltration in the spinal cord. TLR4 signal enhanced Th17 differentiation by activating RelA, downregulating the expression of miR-30a, a negative regulator of Th17 differentiation. Inhibition of RelA activity increased miR-30a level, but decreased Th17 differentiation rate. Furthermore, RelA directly regulated the expression of miR-30a via specific binding to a conserved element of miR-30a gene.

Conclusions
TLR4−/− CD4+ naïve T cells are inadequate in differentiating to Th17 cells both in vitro and in vivo. TLR4-RelA-miR-30a signal pathway regulates Th17 differentiation via direct binding of RelA to the regulatory element of miR-30a gene. Our results indicate modulating TLR4-RelA-miR-30a signal in Th17 may be a therapeutic target for Th17-mediated neurodegeneration in neuroinflammatory diseases.
Effects of Xinjiaxiangruyin on the TLR7 pathway in influenza virus-infected lungs of mice housed in a hygrothermal environment
Authors: Fu Ying-Jie , Yan Yu-Qi , Zheng Xiao , Shi Shan-Shan , Wu Sha , Jiang Zhen-You 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate the effects and immunological mechanisms of the traditional Chinese medicine Xinjiaxiangruyin on controlling influenza virus (FM1 strain) infection in mice housed in a hygrothermal environment.MethodsMice were housed in normal and hygrothermal environments, and intranasally infected with influenza virus (FM1). A high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint of Xinjiaxiangruyin was used to provide an analytical method for quality control. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to measure messenger RNA expression of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in the TLR7 signaling pathway and virus replication in the lungs. Western blotting was used to measure the expression levels of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 proteins. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Th17/T-regulatory cells.ResultsXinjiaxiangruyin effectively alleviated lung inflammation in C57BL/6 mice in hot and humid environments. Guizhimahuanggebantang significantly reduced lung inflammation in C57BL/6 mice. The expression of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 mRNA in lung tissue of WT mice in the normal environment, GZMHGBT group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05). In WT mice exposed to the hot and humid environment, the expression levels of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 mRNA in the XJXRY group were significantly different from those in the virus group. The expression levels of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 protein in lung tissue of WT mice exposed to the normal environment, GZMHGBT group was significantly lower than those in the model group. In WT mice exposed to hot and humid environments, the expression levels of TLR7, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 protein in XJXRY group were significantly different from those in the virus group.ConclusionGuizhimahuanggebantang demonstrated a satisfactory therapeutic effect on mice infected with the influenza A virus (FM1 strain) in a normal environment, and Xinjiaxiangruyin demonstrated a clear therapeutic effect in damp and hot environments and may play a protective role against influenza through downregulation of the TLR7 signal pathway.
Dual delivery of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and basic fibroblast growth factor from nanohydroxyapatite/collagen for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Hu Yuqian , Zheng Linlin , Zhang Jinhui , Lin Lijuan , Shen Yue , Zhang Xiaoyan , Wu Buling 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundIn bone tissue engineering, the fabrication and biocompatibility of scaffold are crucial. Among many scaffold materials, nanohydroxyapatite (nHAP) and collagen (COL) are chosen as building materials of scaffold. At the same time, growth factors were also used to modify the scaffolds.MethodsIn this study, blending and freeze drying methods were adopted together in order to build basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-nHAP/COL scaffolds. ELISA was applied to test the release of bFGF and BMP-2 on the scaffold. The flow cytometry was used to identify bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Scanning electron microscope was adopted to observe scaffolds and cells morphology. BMSCs were seeded on the scaffolds to test the biological compatibility in vitro. Cells were counted to detect early cell adhesion. Cell counting kit-8 assay was adopted to detect cell proliferation and alkalinephosphatase assay was applied to detect cell activity.ResultsThe characterization of bFGF-BMP-2-nHAP/COL scaffolds meets the requirements of ideal bone tissue engineering scaffolds. BMSCs that were isolated, purified and passaged satisfied the needs of further experiments. The growth status of cells on bFGF-BMP-2-nHAP/COL scaffolds was satisfactory. Cell adhesion was the highest in the bFGF-BMP-2-nHAP/COL scaffolds group. The cell viability and ALP activity of bFGF-BMP-2-nHAP/COL scaffolds group were the highest.ConclusionTaken together, bFGF-BMP-2-nHAP/COL scaffolds have good biocompatibility in vitro and promote adhesion, proliferation, differentiation of BMSCs.
P6V2G: a privacy-preserving V2G scheme for two-way payments and reputation
Authors: Schwerdt Rebecca , Nagel Matthias , Fetzer Valerie , Gräf Tobias , Rupp Andy 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe number of electric vehicles (EVs) is steadily growing. This provides a promising opportunity for balancing the smart grid of the future, because vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems can utilize the batteries of plugged-in EVs as much needed distributed energy storage: In times of high production and low demand the excess energy in the grid is stored in the EVs’ batteries, while peaks in demand are mitigated by EVs feeding electricity back to the grid. But the data needed for managing individual V2G charging sessions as well as for billing and rewards is of a highly personal and therefore sensitive nature. This causes V2G systems to pose a significant threat to the privacy of their users. Existing cryptographic protocols for this scenario either do not offer adequate privacy protection or fail to provide key features necessary to obtain a practical system.Based on the recent cryptographic toll collection framework P4TC, this work introduces a privacy-preserving but efficient V2G payment and reward system called P6V2G. Our system facilitates two-way transactions in a semi online and post-payment setting. It provides double-spending detection, an integrated reputation system, contingency traceability and blacklisting features, and is portable between EVs. The aforementioned properties are holistically captured within an established cryptographic security framework. In contrast to existing protocols, this formal model of a V2G payment and reward system allows us to assert all properties through a comprehensive formal proof.
State-based load profile generation for modeling energetic flexibility
Authors: Förderer Kevin , Schmeck Hartmut 
Published: September 2019

AbstractCommunicating the energetic flexibility of distributed energy resources (DERs) is a key requirement for enabling explicit and targeted requests to steer their behavior. The approach presented in this paper allows the generation of load profiles that are likely to be feasible, which means the load profiles can be reproduced by the respective DERs. It also allows to conduct a targeted search for specific load profiles. Aside from load profiles for individual DERs, load profiles for aggregates of multiple DERs can be generated. We evaluate the approach by training and testing artificial neural networks (ANNs) for three configurations of DERs. Even for aggregates of multiple DERs, ratios of feasible load profiles to the total number of generated load profiles of over 99% can be achieved. The trained ANNs act as surrogate models for the represented DERs. Using these models, a demand side manager is able to determine beneficial load profiles. The resulting load profiles can then be used as target schedules which the respective DERs must follow.
Distributed multi-objective scheduling of power consumption for smart buildings
Authors: Nebel-Wenner Marvin , Reinhold Christian , Wille Farina , Nieße Astrid , Sonnenschein Michael 
Published: September 2019

AbstractLoad management of electrical devices in residential buildings can be applied with different goals in the power grid, such as the cost optimization regarding variable electricity prices, peak load reduction or the minimization of behavioral efforts for users due to load shifting. A cooperative multi-objective optimization of consumers and generators of power has the potential to solve the simultaneity problem of power consumption and optimize the power supply from the superposed grid regarding different goals. In this paper, we present a multi-criteria extension of a distributed cooperative load management technique in smart grids based on a multi-agent framework. As a data basis, we use feasible power consumption and production schedules of buildings, which have been derived from simulations of a building model and have already been optimized with regard to self-consumption. We show that the flexibilities of smart buildings can be used to pursue different targets and display the advantage of integrating various goals into one optimization process.
Designing an integrated socio-technical behaviour change system for energy saving
Authors: Koroleva Ksenia , Melenhorst Mark , Novak Jasminko , Herrera Gonzalez Sergio Luis , Fraternali Piero , Rizzoli Andrea E. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractStimulating households to save energy with behaviour change support systems is a challenge and an opportunity to support efforts towards more sustainable energy consumption. The approaches developed so far, often either; do not consider the underlying behaviour change process in a systematic way, or do not provide a systematic linking of design elements to findings from behaviour change literature and the design of persuasive systems. This paper discusses the design and evaluation of a holistic socio-technical behaviour change system for energy saving that combines insights from behavioural theories and the persuasive system design in a systematic way. The findings from these two streams of research are combined into an integrated socio-technical model for informing the design of a behaviour change system for energy saving, which is then implemented in a concrete system design. The developed system combines smart meter data with interactive visualisations of energy consumption and energy saving impact, gamified incentive mechanisms, energy saving recommendations and attention triggers. The system design distinguishes between a version with non-personalized energy saving tips and a version with personalized recommendations that are deployed and evaluated separately. In this paper, we present the design and evaluation results of the non-personalized system in a real-world pilot. Obtained results indicate reduced energy consumption compared to a control group and a positive change in energy knowledge in the treatment group using the system, as well as positive user feedback about the suitability of the designed system to encourage energy saving.
Trust-less electricity consumption optimization in local energy communities
Authors: Knirsch Fabian , Langthaler Oliver , Engel Dominik 
Published: September 2019

AbstractOptimizing energy consumption in local energy communities is one of the key contributions to the so-calledsmart grid. Such communities are equipped with rooftop photovoltaic power plants or other forms of small power plants for local energy production. In addition, a number of appliances allow for shiftable energy consumption, e.g., heat pumps or electric vehicle charging stations. The ability to shift is, however, dependent on customer preferences. In this paper, we present a trust-less approach for optimizing the electricity consumption in a local energy community given forecasts of energy production and customer demands, along with constraints for shiftable loads. In larger communities, appointing a single party for managing load curtailment requires a high level of trust. In the proposed trust-less approach, all parties can independently propose optimal solutions for this optimization problem and then globally agree one one solution that meets the defined requirements to the greatest extent.