bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitotic arrest affects clustering of tumor cells
Authors: Bonnet Julia , Rigal Lise , Mondesert Odile , Morin Renaud , Corsaut Gaelle , Vigneau Mathieu , Ducommun Bernard , Lobjois Valerie 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundCancer cell aggregation is a key process involved in the formation of tumor cell clusters. It has recently been shown that clusters of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have an increased metastatic potential compared to isolated circulating tumor cells. Several widely used chemotherapeutic agents that target the cytoskeleton microtubules and cause cell cycle arrest at mitosis have been reported to modulate CTC number or the size of CTC clusters.ResultsIn this study, we investigated in vitro the impact of mitotic arrest on the ability of breast tumor cells to form clusters. By using live imaging and quantitative image analysis, we found that MCF-7 cancer cell aggregation is compromised upon incubation with paclitaxel or vinorelbine, two chemotherapeutic drugs that target microtubules. In line with these results, we observed that MCF-7 breast cancer cells experimentally synchronized and blocked in metaphase aggregated poorly and formed loose clusters. To monitor clustering at the single-cell scale, we next developed and validated an in vitro assay based on live video-microscopy and custom-designed micro-devices. The study of cluster formation from MCF-7 cells that express the fluorescent marker LifeAct-mCherry using this new assay allowed showing that substrate anchorage-independent clustering of MCF-7 cells was associated with the formation of actin-dependent highly dynamic cell protrusions. Metaphase-synchronized and blocked cells did not display such protrusions, and formed very loose clusters that failed to compact.ConclusionsAltogether, our results suggest that mitotic arrest induced by microtubule-targeting anticancer drugs prevents cancer cell clustering and therefore, could reduce the metastatic potential of circulating tumor cells.
Study on Suitable&nbsp;Analysis&nbsp;Method for&nbsp;HIV-1&nbsp;Non-catalytic Integrase Inhibitor
Authors: Park Ki Hoon , Kim Minjee , Bae Seoung Eun , Lee Hee Jung , Kim Kyung-Chang , Choi Byeong Sun , Kim Young Bong 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Integrase (IN) is an essential protein for HIV replication that catalyzes insertion of the reverse-transcribed viral genome into the host chromosome during the early steps of viral infection. Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) is a HIV/AIDS treatment method that combines three or more antiviral drugs often formulated from compounds that inhibit the activities of viral reverse transcriptase and protease enzymes. Early IN inhibitors (INIs) mainly serve as integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) that disrupt strand transfer by binding the catalytic core domain (CCD) of IN. However, mutations of IN can confer resistance to INSTI. Therefore, non-catalytic integrase inhibitors (NCINI) have been developed as next-generation INIs. Methods: In this study, we evaluated and compared the activity of INSTI and NCINI according to the analysis method. Antiviral activity was compared using p24 ELISA with MT2 cell and TZM-bl luciferase system with TZM-bl cell. Each drug was serially diluted and treated to MT2 and TZM-b1 cells, infected with HIV-1 AD8 strain and incubated for 5 and 2 days, respectively. Additionally, to analyze properties of INSTI and NCINI, transfer inhibition assay and 3'-processing inhibition assay were performed. Results: During screening of INIs using the p24 ELISA and TZM-bl luciferase systems, we found an inconsistent result with INSTI and NCINI drugs. Following infection of MT2 and TZM-bl cells with T-tropic HIV-1 strain, both INSTI and NCINI treatments induced significant p24 reduction in MT2 cells. However, NCINI showed no antiviral activity in the TZM-bl luciferase system, indicating that this widely used and convenient antiretroviral assay is not suitable for screening of NCINI compounds that target the second round of HIV-1 replication. Conclusion: Accordingly, we recommend application of other assay procedures, such as p24 ELISA or reverse transcription activity, in lieu of the TZM-bl luciferase system for preliminary NCINI drug screening. Utilization of appropriate analytical methods based on underlying mechanisms is necessary for accurate assessment of drug efficacy.
Sleep quality and athletic performance according to chronotype
Authors: Lim Seung-Taek , Kim Do-Yoon , Kwon Hyeong-Tae , Lee Eunjae 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: When studying the quality of sleep in relation to athletic performance, the athlete's chronotype and habitual time consider important factors. We aim to investigate the sleep quality and athletes’ performance according to chronotype in elite athletes.Methods: Three hundred forty elite athletes (males = 261, females = 79) were recruited for the present study. All participants were screening for chronotype by the Korean versions of the Morningness - Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ-K). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) were measurement after screening.Results: PSQI global score, PSQI sleep quality, PSQI sleep onset latency, PSQI sleep disturbance, and PSQI daytime dysfunction were significant differences among the groups. WAnT mean power (W), mean power (W/kg), peak power (W), and peak power (W/kg) were significant differences among the groups. A negative correlation coefficient was found between PSQI score and WAnT mean power (W) (r= -0.256, p <0.01), mean power (W/kg) (r= -0.270, p <0.01), peak power (W) (r= -0.220, p <0.01), and peak power (W/kg) (r= -0.248, p <0.01).Conclusions: This study indicates that related poor sleep quality and late-type chronotype may reduce the athletes’ performance in elite athletes. In addition, the sleep quality is much higher in the early-type chronotype than in the late-type chronotype. Moreover, it also the athletic performance was better in the early-type chronotype than in the late-type chronotype.
Evaluation of Convalescent Plasma Versus Standard of Care for the Treatment of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients: study protocol for a phase 2 randomized, open-label, controlled, multicenter trial
Authors: Diago-Sempere Elena , Sancho-López Aranzazu , Bueno Jose Luis , Múñez-Rubio Elena , Torres Ferran , de Molina Rosa Malo , Fernández-Cruz Ana , de Diego Isabel Salcedo , Velasco-Iglesias Ana , Payares-Herrera Concepción , Casas-Flecha Inmaculada , Avendaño-Solá Cristina , Palomino Rafael Duarte , Ramos-Martínez Antonio , Ruiz-Antorán Belén 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and causes substantial morbidity and mortality. At the time this clinical trial was planned, there were no available vaccine or therapeutic agents with proven efficacy, but the severity of the condition prompted the use of several pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. It has long been hypothesized that the use of convalescent plasma (CP) from infected patients who have developed an effective immune response is likely to be an option for the treatment of patients with a variety of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) of viral etiology. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma in adult patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods/Design: The ConPlas-19 study is a multicenter, randomized, open-label controlled trial. The study has been planned to include 278 adult patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 infection not requiring mechanical ventilation (invasive or non-invasive). Subjects are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio (139 per treatment arm), stratified by center, to receive intravenously administered CP (single infusion) plus SOC or SOC alone, and are to be followed for 30 days. The primary endpoint of the study is the proportion of patients that progress to categories 5, 6 or 7 (on the 7-point ordinal scale proposed by the WHO) at day 15. Interim analyses for efficacy and/or futility will be conducted once 20%, 40%, and 60% of the planned sample size are enrolled and complete D15 assessment.Discussion: This clinical trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of passive immunotherapy with convalescent plasma for the treatment of adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The results of this study are expected to contribute to establishing the potential place of CP in the therapeutics for a new viral disease. Trial registration: Trial registration at clinicaltrials.gov; Registration Number: NCT04345523; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04345523; Registered on 30 March, 2020. First posted date: April 14, 2020.
The Clinical Value of Ficolin-3 Gene Polymorphism in Rheumatic Heart Disease. An Egyptian Adolescents Study
Authors: Gomaa Maher H. , Khidr Emad Gamil , Elshafei Ahmed , Hamza Hala S. , Fattouh Aya M. , El-Husseiny Ahmed A. , Aglan Ahmed , Eldeib Mahmoud Gomaa 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objective: Ficolin-3 is one of the innate immunity molecules that was thought to play a pivotal role in Streptococcus pyogenes autoimmunity and its complications; rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). We aimed to disclose if there is an association between ficolin-3 (FCN3) gene polymorphisms (rs4494157 and rs10794501) and RF with or without RHD for the first time in Egyptian adolescents. Results: Serum ficolin-3 level was significantly elevated in patients suffering from RF with and without RHD in comparison with control. Regarding FCN3 gene (rs4494157) polymorphism, a significant correlation was found between the A allele and the susceptibility to RF with or without RHD (OR=2.93, P=0.0002 and OR=2.23, P=0.008 respectively). Besides, AA homozygous genotype showed a significant association with RHD risk (OR=3.47, P=0.026). Patients carrying the A allele (CA+AA) had significantly higher serum ficolin-3 than those carrying the CC genotype (P˂ 0.0001). While the frequency of (rs10794501) polymorphism revealed no significant differences between the controls and RF patients with or without RHD (OR=1.43, P=0.261 and OR=1.48, P=0.208 respectively).
Extended Adverse Effects of Cyclophosphamide on Mouse Ovarian Function
Authors: Kim Jihyun , You Sooseong 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Purpose: Most patients with cancer undergo multiple administrations of anticancer drugs during treatment, resulting in chronic impairment of their reproductive health. As improved treatment options increase cancer survival, it has become increasingly important to address fertility issues in cancer survivors. In this study, we examined the pathophysiological effects of multiple exposures to cyclophosphamide (Cy) on the ovaries of mice and their underlying molecular mechanism.Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with 100 mg/kg Cy six times over 2 weeks; 4 weeks later, the mice were sacrificed and their ovaries, sera, and oocytes were collected for histological observation, measurement of anti-Müllerian hormone levels, and assessment of oocyte quantity and quality in response to hormonal stimulation. Gene expression changes in Cy-treated ovaries were examined by microarray and bioinformatics analyses.Results: After repeated Cy exposure, the anti-Müllerian hormone level was decreased, and follicle loss and impairments in the quality of oocyte were irreversible. The expression levels of genes involved in folliculogenesis, oogenesis, and zona pellucida glycoprotein transcription displayed sustained alterations in Cy-exposed ovaries even after 4 weeks.Conclusion: The adverse effects of Cy on ovarian function and oocytes remained even after chemotherapy was complete. Therefore, strategies to prevent ovarian damage or restore ovarian function after treatment are required to safeguard the fertility of young cancer survivors.
H2V: a database of human genes and proteins that respond to SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV infection
Authors: Zhou Nan , Bao Jinku , Ning Yuping 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus first discovered at the end of 2019. It has led to more than 50 million confirmed cases and more than 1 million deaths across 219 countries as of 11 November 2020, according to WHO statistics. SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV are similar. They are highly pathogenic and threaten public health, impair the economy, and inflict long-term impacts on society. No drug or vaccine has been approved as a treatment for these viruses. Efforts to develop antiviral measures have been hampered by the insufficient understanding of how the human body responds to viral infections at the cellular and molecular levels.ResultsIn this study, journal articles and transcriptomic and proteomic data surveying coronavirus infections were collected. Response genes and proteins were then identified by differential analyses comparing gene/protein levels between infected and control samples. Finally, the H2V database was created to contain the human genes and proteins that respond to SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV infection.ConclusionsH2V provides molecular information about the human response to infection. It can be a powerful tool to discover cellular pathways and processes relevant for viral pathogenesis to identify potential drug targets. It is expected to accelerate the process of antiviral agent development and to inform preparations for potential future coronavirus-related emergencies. The database is available at: http://www.zhounan.org/h2v.
Rhizosphere community selection reveals bacteria associated with reduced root disease
Authors: Yin Chuntao , Vargas Juan M. Casa , Schlatter Daniel C. , Hagerty Christina H. , Hulbert Scot H. , Paulitz Timothy 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Microbes benefit plants by increasing nutrient availability, producing plant growth hormones, and protecting against pathogens. However, it is largely unknown how plants change root microbial communities.Results: In this study, we used a multi-cycle selection system and infection by the soilborne fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani AG8 (hereafter AG8) to examine how plants impact the rhizosphere bacterial community and recruit beneficial microorganisms to suppress soilborne fungal pathogens and promote plant growth. Successive plantings dramatically enhanced disease suppression on susceptible wheat cultivars to AG8 in the greenhouse. Accordingly, analysis of the rhizosphere soil microbial community using deep sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed distinct bacterial community profiles assembled over successive wheat plantings. Moreover, the cluster of bacterial communities formed from the AG8-infected rhizosphere was distinct from those without AG8 infection. Interestingly, the bacterial communities from the rhizosphere with the lowest wheat root disease gradually separated from those with the worst wheat root disease over planting cycles. Successive monocultures and application of AG8 increased the abundance of some bacterial genera which have potential antagonistic activities, such as Chitinophaga, Pseudomonas, Chryseobacterium, and Flavobacterium, and a group of plant growth-promoting (PGP) and nitrogen-fixing microbes, including Pedobacter, Variovorax, and Rhizobium. Furthermore, 47 bacteria isolates belong to 35 species were isolated. Among them, eleven and five exhibited antagonistic activities to AG8 and Rhizoctonia oryzae in vitro, respectively. Notably, Janthinobacterium displayed broad antagonism against the soilborne pathogens Pythium ultimum, AG8, and R. oryzae in vitro, and disease suppressive activity to AG8 in soil.Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that successive wheat plantings and pathogen infection can shape the rhizosphere microbial communities and specifically accumulate a group of beneficial microbes. Our findings suggest that soil community selection may offer the potential for addressing agronomic concerns associated with plant diseases and crop productivity.
COVID-19 Case Prediction and Outbreak Control of Navy Cluster in Sri Lanka: Effectiveness of SIR Model
Authors: Wijesekara N.W.A.N.Y. , Herath Nayomi , Kodituwakku K.A.L.C. , Herath H.D.B. , Ginige Samitha , Ruwanpathirana Thilanga , Kariyawasam Manjula , Samaraweera Sudath , Herath Anuruddha , Jayawardena Senarupa , Gamge Deepa 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Introduction: Infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can spread contagiously fast in semi-confined places, which demand prompt public health interventions such as isolation and quarantine for their effective control. An outbreak of COVID-19 was reported within a cluster of Navy personnel in the Western Province of Sri Lanka commencing from 22nd April 2020. In response, an aggressive outbreak management program was launched by the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health supported by the Sri Lanka Navy. The objective of this research was to predict possible number of cases within the susceptible population in Sri Lanka Navy. Methods: COVID-19 Hospital Impact Model for Epidemics (CHIME) developed by Predictive Health Care Team at Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, USA, which was a Susceptibility, Infected and Removed (SIR) model was used. The model was run on 20.05.2020 for a susceptible population of 10400, with number of hospitalized patients on the day of running the model being 357, first case hospitalized on 22.04.2020 and social distancing being implemented on 26.04.2020. Social distancing scenarios of 0, 25, 50 and 74% were run with 10 days of infectious period and 30 days of projection period. Results: With increasing social distancing measures, the peak number of infected persons decreased, and the duration of the curve extended. With increasing social distancing from 0% to 74%, the date on which the peak number of infected cases was reported increased from 49th day to the 54th day, the doubling time increased from 3.1 days to 4.1 days, the Ro decreased from 3.54 to 2.83, and expected daily growth rate decreased from 25.38% to 18.53%. The number of COVID-19 cases prevented as per the model ranged from 2.3 – 21.1 %, compared to the base line prediction of no social distancing. When comparing the observed number of cases with the baseline model with no social distancing, a 90.3% reduction was observed. Conclusion: The research demonstrated the practical use of a prediction model made readily available through an online open-source platform for the operational aspects of controlling outbreaks such as COVID-19 in a closed community. Predictive modelling is a useful tool for outbreak management.
Streptomyces and Bacillus Keratinases: Properties and Uses
Authors: Dmitrieva Anastasia , Alexeyenko Andrey , Belova Daria , Piskaeva Nina , Tereshchuk Lyubovʼ 
Published: December 2020

Introduction. Feather waste is a promising source of feed protein. Its chemical composition is a valuable source of nutrients and can become an important component of feed additives. The research objective was to screen bacteria with a high keratinolytic activity and develop a bio-product based on a bacterial consortium in order to recycle complex organic poultry waste, thus reducing the anthropogenic load on the ecosystem.
Study objects and methods. The research featured lyophilized strains of microorganisms provided by State Research Institute “Gosniigenetika” and feather waste provided by Kuzbass Broiler LLC (Russia, Novokuznetsk district). The study involved such advanced bioinformatic methods of data processing as phylogenetic identification of enzymes and InParanoid 8 algorithm for searching orthologous genes. The standard biotechnological methods included an electrophoretic analysis in polyacrylamide gel, an analysis of amino acid composition, a microscopy, and a high-performance liquid chromatography.
Results and discussion. Keratinolytic strains were screened using protein sequence databases. The homologous keratinase strains with homology of more than 98% appeared to belong to the genera Streptomyces and Bacillus. The research helped to identify groups of enzymes that are potentially involved in keratin degradation. The selected enzymes were subjected to a phylogenetic identification based on InParanoid 8, a specialized algorithm of orthologous genes search.
Conclusion. The experiment made it possible to select four strains of microorganisms with maximum enzymatic activity in relation to keratin. These strains included bacteria of the genus Bacillus, namely Bacillus licheniformis B-740, Bacillus pumilus B-508 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051, and the bacterium Streptomyces albidoflavus ATCC 25422. These strains were used to create a biocompatible consortium for processing feather waste into a feed additive. The research confirmed the presence of biologically valuable substances in the obtained hydrolysates, as well as the possibility of their use as a high-protein component of feed additives for farm animals.
A Life-cycle Cost-benefit Analysis for Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems in Lightweight Steel-structured Industrial Buildings
Authors: Hu Xinyi , Hu Junyu , Zhang Hong 
Published: December 2020

There is a widespread consensus that energy efficiency of buildings is an essential component of sustainable development and several kinds of renewable energy technologies have been widely used to achieve this sustainable goal. As a rapidly developing country, China’s manufacturing industry still occupies a prominent position, with a large number of industrial buildings that are also a crucial part of urban planning. Compared with multi-story and high-rise commercial buildings, large industrial sheds have a much more usable roof area, where rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems are increasingly used. However, due to the small structural margins of the lightweight steel-structured (LSS) industrial buildings and the large initial investment of the thin-film PV system, few case studies are available for this kind of industrial buildings. In this research, three representative cities in China, with varying levels of solar radiation availability, are selected as typical external design factors. Taking a typical LSS industrial building with an added thin-film rooftop PV system as an example, a life-cycle cost-benefit analysis is conducted from environmental and economic aspects. The results of the analysis demonstrate the effectiveness of the rooftop thin-film PV system as a means to increase the energy efficiency of the LSS industrial buildings.