bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 associated bacterial infections in intensive care unit: a case control study
Authors: Kaçmaz Bahar , Keske Şiran , Sişman Uluman , Ateş Sena Tuğana , Güldan Mustafa , Beşli Yeşim , Palaoğlu Erhan , Çakar Nahit , Ergönül Önder 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe described the secondary bacterial infections (SBI) among COVID-19 patients in comparison with non-COVID-19 patients. We performed a retrospective case–control study between January 01, 2020 and April 01, 2022. Including the adult patients, who stayed ≥ 72 h in intensive care unit (ICU). In total 405 patients were included, 135 had (33.3%) COVID-19, with similar age and gender. The length of stay in ICU was not different (11.4 vs 8.2, p = 0.109), however mean intubation days were higher among COVID-19 cases (6.5 vs 3.8, p = 0.005), SBI were more common among COVID-19 cases (34% vs 10.7%, p < 0.001). Among the patients with pneumonia, the rate of gram-positive bacteria was higher in COVID-19 group than the control group (39% vs 5%, p = 0.006). The predictors for SBI were having COVID-19 (OR: 2.3, Cl 1.25–4.32, p = 0.008), days of intubation (OR: 1.05, Cl 1.01–1.10, p = 0.004), and being male (OR: 2, Cl 1.12–3.58, p = 0.018). The predictors of mortality were COVID-19 (OR: 2.38, Cl 1.28–4.42, p = 0.006), days of intubation (OR: 1.06, Cl 1.03–1.09, p < 0.001), active hematologic malignancy (OR: 3.1, Cl: 1.33–7.28, p = 0.09), active solid tumors (OR: 2.44, Cl 1.21–4.91, p = 0.012), and coronary artery diseases (OR: 1.8, Cl 1.01–3.52, p = 0.045). The most common SBI in COVID-19 patients were methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. No carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales related infections were detected in COVID-19 patients.
Nomogram for prognosis of elderly patients with cervical cancer who receive combined radiotherapy
Authors: Chen Wenjuan , Xia Xiaoyi , Xie Xingyun , Wei Yuting , Wu Rongrong , Cai Wenjie , Hong Jinsheng 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis retrospective study identified prognostic factors to help guide the clinical treatment of elderly patients (≥ 65 years) with cervical cancer who had undergone radiotherapy. A personalized model to predict 3- and 5-years survival was developed. A review was conducted of 367 elderly women with cervical cancer (staged II–III) who had undergone radiotherapy in our hospital between January 2012 and December 2016. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for survival analysis that considered age, hemoglobin, squamous cell carcinoma antigen, pathologic type, stage, pelvic lymph node metastasis status, and others. A nomogram was constructed to predict the survival rates. The median follow-up time was 71 months (4–118 months). The 3- (5-) years overall, progression-free, local recurrence-free, and distant metastasis-free survival rates were, respectively, 91.0% (84.4%), 92.3% (85.9%), 99.18% (99.01%), and 99.18% (97.82%). The following were significant independent prognostic factors for overall survival: tumor size, pre-treatment hemoglobin, chemotherapy, and pelvic lymph node metastasis. The C-index of the line chart was 0.699 (95% CI 0.652–0.746). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for 3- and 5-years survival were 0.751 and 0.724. The nomogram was in good concordance with the actual survival rates. The independent prognostic factors for overall survival in elderly patients with cervical cancer after radiotherapy were: tumor size, pre-treatment hemoglobin, chemotherapy, and pelvic lymph node metastasis. The novel prognostic nomogram based on these factors showed good concordance with the actual survival rates and can be used to guide personalized clinical treatment.
Assessing the thermal efficiency and emission reduction potential of alcohol-based fuel curing equipment in tobacco-curing
Authors: Ren Ke , Ji Xinwei , Chen Yi , Luo Huilong , Su Jiaen , Jiang Yonglei 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSo far, coal, petroleum, and natural gas are still the most widely used fuels, and the emissions of SO2, NOX and particulate matter produced from their combustion have a serious influence on the air. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a clean fuel. In this study, the bulk curing barns were equipped with different fuel equipment, Barn A used traditional coal heating equipment; Barn B used biomass briquettes fuel (BBF) integrated heating equipment; Barn C equipped with alcohol-based fuel (ABF) heating equipment. The temperature of the outer surface of the heating equipment, the exhaust gas of the chimney, and the curing heat efficiency and energy consumption were analyzed. Compared with the barn BBF and barn coal, the barn ABF can meet the flue-cured tobacco curing highest temperature requirements of 68 °C, the accuracy of the target dry bulb temperature (DBT) curve during the curing of flue-cured tobacco was 93.4%. At the same time, during ABF combustion, the emissions of CO2 and CO were 40.82% and 0.19%, respectively. However, no emissions of NOX, SO2, and H2S were detected in the chimney exhaust. Compared with the barn BBF and barn coal, the thermal efficiency of barn ABF heating equipment in the barn was increased by 44.78% and 86.28%, respectively. Additionally, the coast per kilogram of dry tobacco was reduced by 19.44% and 45.28%, respectively. Therefore, compared to barn coal and barn BBF, the barn ABF can control temperature changes more accurately, and shows an obvious advantage in environmental protection and heat utilization efficiency.
Estimation of disability free life expectancy in non small cell lung cancer based on real world data
Authors: Lin Shin-Mao , Yang Szu-Chun , Wu Tzu-I. , Wang Jung-Der , Liu Li-Fan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTo quantify the societal impact of disability in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), this study estimated the disability-free life expectancy (DFLE), loss-of-DFLE and explored their associations with quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) and loss-of-QALE. We interlinked national databases and applied a rolling-over algorithm to estimate the lifetime survival function for patients with NSCLC. Using the EuroQOL-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) and Barthel index (BI), we repeatedly measured the quality-of-life and disability functions of NSCLC patients who visited our hospital from 2011 to 2020. Age-, sex-matched referents were simulated from lifetables of the same calendar year of diagnosis. We categorized BI scores ≤ 70 as in need of long-term care and constructed linear mixed models to estimate the utility values and disability scores. We collected 960 cases and 3088 measurements. The proportions of measurements without disability at age 50–64 and in stage I–IIIa, 50–64 and stage IIIb–IV, 65–89 and stage I–IIIa and 65–89 and stage IIIb–IV were 97.3%, 89.3%, 94.8%,78.3%, corresponding to DFLEs of 15.3, 2.4, 6.8, 1.2 years and losses-of-DFLE of 8.1, 20.7, 4.0, 8.6 years, respectively, indicating that advanced stage had a stronger effect than old age. Survivors in advanced stages showed increased demands for assistance in almost all subitems. The DFLEs seemed to be approximate to the QALEs and the latter were shorter than the former due to discomfort and depression. From a societal perspective, future health technology assessment should consider the impact of lifetime duration of functional disability. Early diagnosis of NSCLC may decrease the burden of long-term care.
Assessing demographic and economic vulnerabilities to sea level rise in Bangladesh via a nighttime light-based cellular automata model
Authors: Mitra Bijoy , Rahman Syed Masiur , Uddin Mohammed Sakib , Mahmud Khaled , Islam Md Kamrul , Arifuzzaman Md , Hafizur Rahman MM , Rahman Muhammad Muhitur 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 6th Assessment Report (AR6) forecasts a sea level rise (SLR) of up to 2 m by 2100, which poses significant risks to regional geomorphology. As a country with a rapidly developing economy and substantial population, Bangladesh confronts unique challenges due to its extensive floodplains and 720 km-long Bay of Bengal coastline. This study uses nighttime light data to investigate the demographic repercussions and potential disruptions to economic clusters arising from land inundation attributable to SLR in the Bay of Bengal. By using geographical information system (GIS)-based bathtub modeling, this research scrutinizes potential risk zones under three selected shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios. The analysis anticipates that between 0.8 and 2.8 thousand km2 of land may be inundated according to the present elevation profile, affecting 0.5–2.8 million people in Bangladesh by 2150. Moreover, artificial neural network (ANN)-based cellular automata modeling is used to determine economic clusters at risk from SLR impacts. These findings emphasize the urgency for land planners to incorporate modeling and sea inundation projections to tackle the inherent uncertainty in SLR estimations and devise effective coastal flooding mitigation strategies. This study provides valuable insights for policy development and long-term planning in coastal regions, especially for areas with a limited availability of relevant data.
Hedyotis diffusa–Sculellaria barbata (HD–SB) suppresses the progression of colorectal cancer cells via the hsa_circ_0039933/hsa-miR-204-5p/wnt11 axis
Authors: Zhu Danye , Yuan Shanmin , Chen Cong 
Published: August 2023

AbstractOur previous study confirmed that the combination ofHedyotis diffusa(HD) andScutellaria barbata(SB) significantly inhibited colorectal cancer cell proliferation and the WNT signaling pathway. However, the exact molecular modulation remains unclear. In this study, colorectal cancer cells (SW620) were treated with 1 mg/mL HD–SB for 24 h, and high-throughput sequencing of circRNAs was performed. The level of hsa_circ_0039933 in three colorectal cancer cell lines (HT-29, SW620, and HCT116) was verified by qPCR. After transfection of hsa_circ_0039933 overexpression plasmids or small interfering RNAs, CCK8, apoptosis, cell migration, and cell invasion were utilized to evaluate the function of hsa_circ_0039933 in the progression of colorectal cancer cells. We identified hsa_circ_0039933, which was downregulated in HD–SB-induced colorectal cancer cells and positively related to colorectal cancer progression. In SW620 cells with relatively high expression of hsa_circ_0039933, interfering with the expression of hsa_circ_0039933 inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of SW620 cells. In HCT116 cells with relatively low expression of hsa_circ_0039933, overexpression of hsa_circ_0039933 promoted the proliferation and invasion and migration ability of HCT116. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0039933 targeted hsa-miR-204-5p to increase the expression of wnt11, leading to the activation of the Wnt pathway, thereby promoting the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. This work revealed the potential molecular mechanism of HD–SB for the treatment of colorectal cancer, which was to inhibit the Wnt signaling pathway through the hsa_circ_0039933/hsa-miR-204-5p/wnt11 axis, then suppressing proliferation, migration, and invasion in the colorectal cancer cell.
The Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum, salivary factors exacerbate the clinical outcome of Heartland virus disease in a small animal model
Authors: Reynolds Erin S. , Wooldridge Jacob T. , Stevenson Heather L. , Thangamani Saravanan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHeartland virus was first isolated in 2009 from two patients in Missouri and is transmitted by the Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum. To understand disease transmission and pathogenesis, it is necessary to develop an animal model which utilizes the natural route of transmission and manifests in a manner similar to documented human cases. Herein we describe our investigations on identifying A129 mice as the most appropriate small animal model for HRTV pathogenesis that mimics human clinical outcomes. We further investigated the impact of tick saliva in enhancing pathogen transmission and clinical outcomes. Our investigations revealed an increase in viral load in the groups of mice that received both virus and tick salivary gland extract (SGE). Spleens of all infected mice showed extramedullary hematopoiesis (EH), depleted white pulp, and absence of germinal centers. This observation mimics the splenomegaly observed in natural human cases. In the group that received both HRTV and tick SGE, the clinical outcome of HRTV infection was exacerbated compared to HRTV only infection. EH scores and the presence of viral antigens in spleen were higher in mice that received both HRTV and tick SGE. In conclusion, we have developed a small animal model that mimics natural human infection and also demonstrated the impact of tick salivary factors in exacerbating the HRTV infection.
Security risk assessment of projects in high-risk areas based on attack-defense game model
Authors: Yao Yifan , Chen Wenjing 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAssessing the security risk of projects in high-risk areas is particularly important. This paper develops a security risk assessment model for projects in high-risk areas based on the target loss probability model and Bayesian game model. This model is modeled from the perspective of attack-defense confrontation and addresses the issue that traditional risk assessment focuses on the analysis of the attacker yet neglects to analyze the defender—the defender’s optimum defensive information is not quantitatively determined. The risk level, optimum defensive resource value, and optimum defensive strategy of the project are determined through the analysis of a project in the high-risk area. This enables the project’s risk manager to adjust the defensive resources reasonably and optimally, confirming the objectivity and feasibility of the model and offering a new benchmark for security risk assessment, which has significant practical implications.
A comparative study of workability classes using seven case studies of engineering-geological investigations of sewer systems in Northern Moravia
Authors: Marschalko Marian , Zięba Zofia , Kubáč Jan , Růžičková Kateřina , Matušková Simona , Dąbrowska Jolanta , Sysala David 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWhile the main focus of numerous engineering-geological investigations is to determine load-bearing capacity and settlement in engineering structures, this article aims to point at the specificity of sewer system engineering-geological investigations, which focuses on workability of soils and rocks. The study deals with workability class assessment of seven different sewer system localities. The significance of this research lies in the mutual comparison of workability class assessment of these seven localities in terms of two different workability standards. Each of the standards represents an independent model of assessment and classification of workability. The first standard (CSN 73 1001) classifies soils and rocks into seven workability classes, while the second (EN ISO 14688) comprises only three workability classes. Each of the approaches has its advantages and disadvantages. In comparison to the first one, the second standard permits faster and easier classification of rocks, but may be less fair to investors or developers when considering the real engineering-geological conditions and costs of implementation. Rocks were newly classified into three (easy, medium and difficult) categories of earthwork realization difficulty. In the study, 33 layers were classified in the category of easy realization of earthworks, 8 layers in the category of a medium degree of earthwork realization difficulty, and two layers in the category of a difficult realization of earthworks.
A multi-omics analysis strategy reveals the molecular mechanism of the inhibition of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa and its application
Authors: Deng Haotian , Zhu Jinyan , Li Li , Meng Xianjun 
Published: August 2023

Combination of proteomics and metabolomics reveals the antibacterial mechanism of AMAs against Escherichia coli O157:H7.
Prognostic value and immune landscapes of immunogenic cell death-related lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Wanying , Shu Kexin , Cai Chenxi , Ding Jiatong , Zhang Xin , Zhang Wenxiong , Wang Kang 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background: Both immunogenic cell death (ICD) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are strongly associated with tumor development, but the mechanism of action of ICD-associated lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear.
Methods: We collected data from 365 HCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We formulated a prognostic signature of ICD-associated lncRNAs and a nomogram to predict prognosis. To explore the potential mechanisms and provide clinical guidance, survival analysis, enrichment analysis, tumor microenvironment analysis, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and drug sensitivity prediction were conducted based on the subgroups obtained from the risk score.
Results: A prognostic signature of seven ICD-associated lncRNAs was constructed. Kaplan–Meier (K-M) survival curves showed a more unfavorable outcome in high-risk patients. The nomogram had a higher predictive value than the nomogram constructed without the risk model. Enrichment analysis confirmed that risk lncRNAs were closely associated with cell proliferation and mitosis. Most of the immune checkpoints currently used in therapy (e.g., PDCD1 and CTLA4) appeared to be elevated in high-risk patients. Tumor microenvironment analysis showed differential expression of lymphocytes (including natural killer cells, regulatory T cells, etc.) in the high-risk group. TMB had a higher incidence of mutations in the high-risk group (P=0.004). Chemotherapy drug sensitivity prediction provides effective guidelines for individual therapy. RT-qPCR of human HCC tissues verified the accuracy of the model.
Conclusion: We constructed an effective prognostic signature for patients with HCC using seven ICD-lncRNAs, which provides guidance for the prognostic assessment and personalized treatment of patients.
A novel cogging torque measurement method for multi slot/pole permanent magnet motor
Authors: Zhu Wanwan , Yang Yukai , Song Hongzhou , Liu Yinan , Zheng Zaiping , Chen Yiguang 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe adverse effect on speed ripple and vibration makes it necessary to evaluate the cogging torque. Due to the tolerance of stator and rotor stacks as well as nonuniform magnetization of permanent magnet, the amplitude of cogging torque is unequal in different rotor position. As a result, the verification of theoretical analysis becomes difficult. Therefore, the cogging torque average is used to weigh it. In view of the large least common multiple of multi slot/pole Permanent magnet motor, which means, there are multiple cogging torque cycles per rotor revolution, a cogging torque measurement method is proposed. Through simple devices such as arm, weight, digital gauge, resolver, and so on, the amplitude and period of cogging torque can be accurately measured without site restrictions. The correctness of the method is verified by simulation and experiment, and that can be used as a supplement to cogging torque evaluation for multi slot/pole PMM.
Experimental Evaluation of the Medtronic Maxima Forte Hollow Fiber Membrane Oxygenator
Authors: Mueller Xavier M. , Tevaearai Hendrick T. , Augstburger Monique , Horisberger Judith , von Segesser Ludwig K. 
Published: August 2023

A new hollow fiber membrane oxygenator, the Medtronic Maxima Forté, was tested for gas transfer, blood path resistance and blood handling characteristics in a standardized setting with surviving animals.
Three calves (mean body weight: 71±9.6 kg) were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass at a mean flow rate of 50 ml/kg/min for six hours. The circuit included the Maxima Forté oxygenator. The animals were weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass and then from the ventilator. After seven days, the animals were sacrificed electively.
Physiologic blood gas values could be maintained throughout perfusion in all animals. Mean pressure drop through the oxygenator varied between 49 mmHg and 66 mmHg. The respective baseline values for red blood cell count, white blood cell count and platelets were 8.90±1.26 106/mm3, 7.46±3.17 103/mm3 · and 680±216 l03/mm3. Red blood cell and platelet counts dropped slightly to 7.26±1.61 106/mm3 and 400±126 l03/mm3 at the end of the bypass, whereas the white blood cell count increased up to 9.13±5.25 103/mm3. All three cell lines returned to near their baseline values after seven days. Blood trauma evaluated as a function of plasma hemoglobin (plasma Hb) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) showed stable values during all the perfusion time. Both peaked at 24 hours before returning to their baseline values at seven days. LDH showed a statistically significant variation: 3255 ± 693 IU at 24 hours versus 2029 ± 287 IU at baseline (p = 0.04). The variation of plasma Hb was not statistically significant (93.5 ± 7.7 µmol/1 at 24 hours versus 77.3 ± 52.3 µmol/1 at baseline) indicating a weak effect of the perfusion on blood trauma.
The Medtronic Maxima Forté hollow fiber membrane oxygenator offered good gas exchange capabilities, a low pressure drop, and low blood trauma over a prolonged perfusion time of six hours in this evaluation.
Antithrombin III in Cardiac Surgery: An Outcome Study
Authors: Conley James C. , Plunkett Patrick F. 
Published: August 2023

A retrospective study examined the impact, in heparin resistant patients (HRP), of lyophilized antithrombin III (ATIII) upon five patient outcomes: intensive care unit stay (ICU-S), 24 hour chest tube drainage (CTD in ml), blood and blood product usage (BPU), development of post-operative coagulopathy (PO-Coag), and reoperation for bleeding (Re-Op). Data was collected from the medical records of 311 patients admitted to the hospital between 12/15/95 and 10/24/96.
Subjects were divided into three groups based upon heparin resistance and hemostasis medication. Group 1 (n=l09) were HRP treated with increased heparin, Group 2 (n=100) were HRP receiving ATIII, and Group 3 (n=102) were non-HRP and served as controls. Group 2 was also subdivided by use of aminocaproic acid and time of ATIII administration.
No significant differences were found between the groups for PO-Coag. and Re-Op. However, significant reduction in CTD (p=0.05) was seen in the aminocaproic acid patients who were treated with ATIII pre-CPB or within the first 20 minutes of CPB. The CTD in this group was (419.37, ± 72.96) as compared to Group 1 (782.88, ± 360.94) and Group 3 (766.67, ± 407.56). Other Group 2 subgroups showed significant differences in BPU, ICU-S and CTD.
The results of this study support the notion that early identification and treatment of HRP with ATIII and aminocaproic acid may decrease postoperative blood loss.
Experimental Use of an Ultra-Low Prime Neonatal Cardiopulmonary Bypass Circuit Utilizing Vacuum-Assisted Venous Drainage
Authors: Darling Edward , Kaemmer David , Lawson Scott , Smigla Greg , Collins Kevin , Shearer Ian , Jaggers James 
Published: August 2023

In adult cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, vacuum assisted venous drainage has become a popular technique to augment venous return to the bypass circuit. The application of this technique in neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass surgery could be beneficial to the further miniaturization of neonatal circuitry by coupling radical repositioning of the oxygenator and pump console with decreasing line length.
This report communicates the use of an investigational, vacuum assisted venous drainage neonatal circuit that is positioned at patient level utilizing a modified pump console with elevated double head twin roller pumps. The circuit, including the oxygenator, arterial line, venous line, raceway tubing, and a functional level in the venous reservoir has a priming volume of 107 ml. Initial bench and animal tests have demonstrated that this technique may be clinically feasible in CPB applications. With vacuum assisted venous drainage, the goal of asanguinous neonatal cardiac surgery could become a reality. Safety issues must be adequately addressed to ensure that this technique does not impose unacceptable risks.