bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aerobic exercise during exposure to 40Hz light flicker protects against early cognitive impairments in Alzheimer’s disease of 3xTg mice
Authors: Park Sang-Seo , Park Hye-Sang , Kim Chang-Ju , Baek Seung-Soo , Kim Tae-Woon 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative brain disease and the primary cause of dementia. At an early stage, AD is generally characterized by memory impairment involving recent experiences owing to dysfunctions of the cortex and hippocampus. The lesion gradually spreads to the association cortex. Early amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition and tau protein expression result in a loss of synaptic function, mitochondrial damage, and increased cell death via microglia and astrocyte activation, which ultimately lead to cognitive decline. Exercise has been identified as a powerful tool for preventing AD-related neuroinflammation and cognitive decline, and light flickering at 40 Hz light flicker is known to stabilize gamma oscillations and reduce Aβ. Therefore, we investigated whether exercise under 40-Hz light flickering protects against cognitive decline based on analyses of neuroinflammation, mitochondrial function, and neuroplasticity in the hippocampus in a 3xTg AD mouse model.Methods: Using a 3xTg-AD model, 5-month-old mice were subjected to 12 weeks of exercise treatment and 40-Hz light flickering independently and in combination. Various factors, including spatial learning and memory, long-term memory, hippocampal Aβ, tau, neuroinflammation, pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, mitochondrial function, and neuroplasticity, were analyzed.Results: Aβ and tau proteins levels were significantly reduced in the early stage of AD, resulting in protection against cognitive decline by reduced neuroinflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokines, improved mitochondrial function, reduced apoptosis, and increased synapse-related protein expression. In particular, exercise under 40-Hz light flickering was more effective than exercise or 40-Hz light flickering alone, resulting in improvements in parameter values to levels in the non-transgenic aged-match control group.Conclusions: In this study, exercise under a special environment, such as 40-Hz light flickering, may exert a protective effect against cognitive decline. We detected synergistic effects of exercise and 40-Hz light flickering on pathological changes in the hippocampus in the early cognitive impairment of AD.
Cystathionine-β-synthase affects organization of cytoskeleton and modulates carcinogenesis in colorectal carcinoma cells
Authors: Liskova Veronika , Chovancova Barbora , Babula Petr , Rezuchova Ingeborg , Pavlov Kristina Ploth , Matuskova Miroslava , Krizanova Olga 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Cystathionine-b-synthase (CBS), one of three enzymes that endogenously produce hydrogen sulfide, is extensively studied for its relevance also in various tumor’s cell. In our previous work we observed that immunofluorescence pattern of CBS is very similar to that from tubulin and actin. Therefore, we focused on potential interaction of CBS with cytoskeletal proteins b-actin and b-tubulin and functional relevance of the potential interaction of these proteins in colorectal carcinoma cell lines.Methods: To study potential interaction of CBS with cytoskeletal proteins and its functional consequences, CBS-knockout DLD1 (DLDx) cell line was established by using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing method. Interaction of selected cytoskeletal protein with CBS was studied by immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence and proximity ligation assay. Functional consequences were studied by proliferation and migration assays and by generation of xenografts in SCID/bg mice.Results: We have found that CBS, an enzyme that endogenously produces H2S, binds to cytoskeletal b-tubulin and to lesser extent also to b-actin in colorectal carcinoma derived cells. When CBS was knockouted by CRISPR/Cas9 technique (DLDx), we observed de-arranged cytoskeleton compared to unmodified DLD1 cell line. Treatment of these cells with a slow sulfide donor GYY4137 resulted in normal organization of cytoskeleton, thus pointing to the role of CBS in microtubule dynamics. To evaluate the physiological importance of this observation, both DLD1 and DLDx cells were injected into SCID/bg mice and size/mass of developed xenografts was evaluated. Significantly larger tumors developed from DLDx compared to DLD1 cells, which correlated with increased proliferation of these cells. Conclusions: Taken together, in colorectal cancer DLD1 cells, CBS binds to cytoskeleton, modulates microtubule dynamics and thus affects the proliferation and migration in colorectal carcinoma stable cell line.
Developing the APS-SE: Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the Abbey Pain Scale (APS) to A Swedish Care Context.
Authors: Tegenborg Sussi , Fransson Per , Martinsson Lisa 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: The Abbey Pain Scale (APS) is an Australian observational scale for assessing pain in nursing home residents with end-stage dementia. The APS is widely used both in nursing homes and by other caregivers in Sweden for people with various diseases. No validated peer-reviewed translation to Swedish is available. The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the APS for persons with end-stage dementia in Sweden.Methods: After an initial discussion of concepts, the APS was translated into Swedish and back into English to check for accuracy. The resulting Swedish version was then revised and culturally adapted through a series of interviews with nursing assistants, nurses, and physicians (n = 11) to develop the final Swedish version – the APS-SE.Results: The interviews emphasized the need to adapt the scale not only to the Swedish culture, but also to the educational and linguistic differences among the various staff members using it in different care contexts.Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of introducing new staff members carefully to the instrument, the APS-SE, to ensure understanding of all words and items.
The Case Series of 34 Patients with COVID-19 Diagnosed with HIV Infection from Central and Eastern European Countries – Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group Data
Authors: Skrzat-Klapaczyńska Agata , Kase Kerstin , Vassilenko Anna , Harxhi Arjan , Lakatos Botond , Lukić Gordana Dragović , Jilich David , Verhaz Antonija , Yancheva Nina , Dumitrescu Florentina , Matulionyte Raimonda , Horban Andrzej , Kowalska Justyna D. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: A novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was detected at the end of 2019 in China. There are many COVID-19 studies in progress however, little is known about the course of COVID-19 in people living with HIV (PLWH). The aim of our study was to describe epidemiology and clinical characteristics of PLWH diagnosed with COVID-19 reported form Central and Eastern European Countries.Methods: On-line survey was sent to Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe (ECEE) Network Group. Analysis included all confirmed COVID-19 cases between March 11 and June 26 2020 among PLWH in 12 countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland , Romania, Russia, and Serbia.Results: In total 34 cases were reported. The mean age of those patients was 42.7 years (IQR=35.8-48.5) and most of the patients were male (70.6% vs 29.4%). The mean CD4+ T-cell count prior COVID-19 diagnosis was 558 cells/mm3 (IQR=312-719) and HIV RNA viral load (VL) was undetectable in 18 of 34 (53%) cases, the data about most recent HIV RNA VL was not available in three cases (8,8%). Comorbidities were observed in 19 (55.9%) patients, mostly cardiovascular disease (27,8%), and in 10 (29.4%) patients had coinfection, mostly chronic hepatitis C (87.5%). The clinical course of COVID-19 was asymptomatic in 4 (12%) cases, mild disease without hospitalization was reported in 11 (32%) cases. Stable patients with respiratory and/or systemic symptoms have been documented in 14 (41%) cases; 5 (15%) patients were clinically unstable with respiratory failure. Full recovery was reported in 31 (91%) cases, two patients died. In one case the data was not available.Conclusion: This study from 12 countries in Central and Eastern Europe region indicates no alarming signals of increased morbidity or mortality from COVID-19 among HIV-positive persons there is a need for further research.
Estimating the Impact of Donor Programs on Child Mortality in Low- and Middle-income Countries: A Synthetic Control Analysis of Child Health Programs Funded by the United States Agency for International Development
Authors: Weiss William , Piya Bhumika , Althea Andrus , Cohen Robert 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BackgroundSignificant levels of funding have been provided to low- and middle-income countries for development assistance for health, with most funds coming through direct bilateral investment led by the United States and the United Kingdom. Direct attribution of impact to large scale programs funded by donors remains elusive due the difficulty of knowing what would have happened without those programs, and the lack of detailed contextual information to support causal interpretation of changes. MethodsThis study uses the synthetic control analysis method to estimate the impact of one donor’s funding (United States Agency for International Development, USAID) on under-five mortality across several low- and middle-income countries that received above average levels of USAID funding for maternal and child health programs between 2000 and 2016. ResultsIn the study period (2000-16), countries with above average USAID funding had an under-fiver mortality rate lower than the synthetic control by an average of 29 deaths per 1,000 live births (year to year range of 2 – 38). This finding was stable across several sensitivity analyses. ConclusionsThe synthetic control method is a valuable addition to the range of approaches for quantifying the impact of large-scale health programs in low- and middle-income countries. The findings suggest that adequately funded donor programs (in this case USAID) help countries to reduce child mortality to significantly lower rates than would have occurred without those investments.
The associations of physical activity and the risk of CVD among Chinese population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Chong , Lu Shurong , Ding Ganling , Wang Jiaqi , Qin Yu , Wang Zengwu , Wang Xin , Zhang Zhiyong , Xiang Quanyong 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Previous studies in Western suggest the association between physical activity (PA) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, limited evidence is available among Chinese adults. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between PA and the risk of CVD among Chinese adults.Methods: A total of 3568 adults were recruited from seven counties and districts in Jiangsu Province of China using a stratified multistage cluster sampling method. Information of PA, anthropometric measurements and laboratory indices were collected according to standard protocols. Three latent classes of PA were identified using the latent class analysis (LCA) method, and the risk of CVD in the next 10-year was calculated by the Framingham risk score (FRS).Results: Three latent classes of PA were identified: CLASS1 represented participants with high occupational and low sedentary PA (32.1% of male, 26.5% of female), ClASS2 consistently engaged in low occupational and high leisure-time PA (27.0% of male, 14.2% of female). CLASS3 had low leisure-time and high sedentary PA (40.9% of male, 59.3% of female). The FRS in male were higher than that in female across three Latent Classes. CLASS1 (OR=0.694, 95%CI: 0.553-0.869) and CLASS2 (OR=0.748, 95%CI: 0.573 -0.976) were both the protective factors for CVD in males, however, such association was not observed among females.Conclusion: Higher occupational or leisure-time PA were associated with decreased risk of CVD, whilst more sedentary behaviour may increase the risk of CVD among Chinese adults.
An Analysis of the Quality of Maternity Services in Nampula, Mozambique.
Authors: Pires Paulo Das Das Neves , Mupueleque Martins , Mucufo Jaibo , Siemens Ronald , Belo Celso 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BackgroundMaternity service quality is essential to reduce maternal and new-born morbidity and mortality (extremely high in Africa, including Mozambique). In Mozambique, maternal mortality rate is 451.6 maternal deaths per 100000 live births (2017). The reasons for this are complex, but one important factor to reduce this burden is ensuring the quality of maternity services, with the availability of efficient care, to improve institutional deliveries. To contribute to reduce maternal and new-born mortality rates in Natikiri, Nampula, the Lúrio University and the University of Saskatchewan, carried out an implementation research, including training activities for health professionals in maternal and child health care. We planned a mid-project evaluation, to assess the impact of the trainings, on the quality of services at Marrere Hospital Maternity.MethodsQuantitative pre-post study, applying two cross-sectional surveys about maternity service quality, one of the surveys being conducted after five health professionals’ trainings and the other after six more trainings. The two surveys included samples of post-partum women in the maternity, calculated with a 10% margin error and 90% confidence interval for the first survey, and with a 7% margin error and 95% confidence interval for the second. The surveys were entered into REDCap and analysed to assess frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. This research was approved by the Institutional Committees of Bioethics at Lúrio University and at the University of Saskatchewan.Results116 post-partum women were surveyed at the maternity, assessing standards of patient centred care during delivery labour. Most areas showed no improvement. Some positive improvements were: delivering women were given the option to have a person of their choice to accompany them during labour (75%), notably a traditional birth attendant (34%), and they had continuous support from an health professional (68%). But many shortcomings persisted in areas of privacy (33%), and confidentiality (57%). ConclusionThe quality of patient centred care at Marrere General Hospital Maternity, did not improve with health professionals training. Decreasing the large turnover rate, and reviewing health professionals learning styles, promoting continuous professional capacity building, would be the next steps to improve quality of patient centred care.Trial registrationThis study was not registered in any data base.
How would Widespread Community Transmission of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka look like? A Population-based Prediction
Authors: N.W.A.N.Y.Wijesekara  , Herath H.D.B. , Kodithuwakku K.A.L.C. , H.M.M.N.K.Herath  , Bulathsinhala B.A.M.P. , Magedaragamage C.C. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Covid-19 is a viral disease which has briskly invaded the globe, Sri Lanka being no exception. If community transmission of Covid-19 occurs, it will have serious demands on Sri Lanka’s free health care system. Objective of this study was to simulate the widespread community transmission of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka. We used the Susceptibility, Infected and Removed (SIR) model through the Penn State University CHIME Model incorporated to ArcGIS Pro. We simulated introduction of one case of Covid-19 to each of the 26 health districts and ran the model for 365 days. During simulated scenario, the number patients requiring admissions, ICU care and mechanical ventilation will peak at 1942, 583 and 388 per day respectively around 213 days from the onset of widespread community transmission. The cumulative number of cases needing admission, ICU care and ventilation will be 245,916, 73,775 and 49,183 after 365 days. Colombo and Gampaha districts will report the highest number of daily total numbers of hospitalized cases, each which will be over 1680. Health authorities must be ready for the worst-case scenarios of the Covid-19 outbreak to sustain public health response to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Apatinib Suppresses Gastric Cancer Stem Cells Properties by Inhibiting Sonic Hedgehog Pathway
Authors: Cao Wanshuang , Li Yuan , Sun Hongliang , Zhu Jianyun , Xie Chunfeng , Li Xiaoting , Wu Jieshu , Geng Shanshan , Wang Lu , Sun Liangfei , Geng Guozhu , Han Hongyu , Zhong Caiyun 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background Gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) are considered as the basis of gastric carcinoma onset. Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway plays a crucial role in maintaining GCSCs characteristics. Apatinib, a highly selective vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) inhibitor, has been approved in China for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer after the failure of second-line therapy. To data, the effects of apatinib on GCSCs and the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated yet.Methods Tumorsphere formation assay was used to enrich GCSCs from BGC-823 and SGC-7901 cells and the number of CD133-positive cells was examined by flow cytometry. Western blotting, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays were used to determine protein expression. Cell proliferation and apoptosis of GCSCs after apatinib treatment were evaluated by CCK8, colony formation, flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 assays. Transient transfection assay was used to upregulate Gli1 expression in GCSCs. Nude mouse xenograft was used to investigate the suppressive effects of apatinib in vivo. Results We revealed that the levels of GCSCs markers and the number of CD133-positive cells were significantly elevated in the sphere-forming cells. We further illustrated that apatinib efficiently abolished GCSCs traits, as manifested by inhibition of tumorsphere formation, decreased expression of GCSCs markers, reduced number of CD133-positive cells, drug resistance protein suppression as well as proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction. Furthermore, we found that apatinib downregulated the activation of SHH pathway, while upregulation of SHH pathway attenuated the inhibitory effects of apatinib on GCSCs. Furthermore, apatinib treatment significantly delayed tumor growth and inhibited GCSCs characteristics in xenograft model. Conclusions Taken together, our data suggested that apatinib exhibited its inhibitory effects on GCSCs via suppression of SHH pathway. These findings could provide new insights into the therapeutic application of apatinib in GCSCs suppression and advanced gastric cancer treatment.
Fusobacterium Nucleatum Predicts a Risk for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Shi Chao , Li Zhen , Zheng Jiawen , Kong Weimin , Fan Taibing , Jian Dongdong , Cheng Xiaolei , Zhao Huan , Ma Jie , Tang Hao , Guo Yongjun 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the major type of esophageal cancer in China. The role of the bacteria present in Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissue in neoplastic progression has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to uncover different bacterial communities in ESCC tissues and examine the correlation between the abundance of the esophageal flora and clinical characteristics of ESCC.Method: Samples from total of 111 ESCC patients were collected, and 21 pairs of ESCC samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. qPCR was used to verify the abundances of specific bacteria. Gene Ontology and protein domain analyses were used to analyze the whole-exome sequencing data of ESCC specimens to analyze the relationship between the abundance of the esophageal flora and signaling pathways.Results: Microorganisms in tumors and normal tissues showed obvious clustering characteristics. The abundance of Fusobacterium (P=0.0052) was increased in tumor tissues. The high level of Fusobacterium nucleatum was significantly associated with pT stage (P=0.039) and clinical stage (P=0.0039). The WES data showed that COL22A1, TRBV10-1, CSMD3, SCN7A and PSG11 were present in only the F. nucleatum-positive ESCC samples. GO and protein domain enrichment results suggested that epidermal growth factor might be involved in the regulation of cell apoptosis in F. nucleatum-positive ESCC. Both a higher mutational burden and F. nucleatum-positive was observed in tumors with metastasis than in tumors without metastasis.Conclusion: F. nucleatum is closely related to the pT stage and clinical stage of ESCC. The abundance of F. nucleatum and tumor mutation burden may be used in combination as a marker to predict metastasis in ESCC.
Preventive&nbsp;Antibiotic&nbsp;Treatment&nbsp;Increases&nbsp;Susceptibility&nbsp;of&nbsp;Neonatal&nbsp;chicks&nbsp;to&nbsp;Salmonella&nbsp;Infection&nbsp;via&nbsp;Disrupting&nbsp;Gut&nbsp;Microbiota&nbsp;and&nbsp;Linoleic&nbsp;Acid&nbsp;Metabolis
Authors: Mei Xueran , Ma Boheng , Zhai Xiwen , Zhang Anyun , Lei Changwei , Zuo Lei , Yang Xin , Tang Yizhi , Gao Yufeng , Zhou Changyu , Wang Hongning 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Antibiotics are widely employed in animal husbandry to prevent and treat diseases. Increasing evidence suggests they may alter the animals’ natural microbiota and increase their susceptibility to pathogen. However, the mechanisms linking the gut microbiota and pathogen colonization in poultry have not yet been full elucidated. Herein, we used metagenomic and metabonomic approaches to investigate the effects of florfenicol (FFC) pre-treatment on Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) colonization in the intestines of neonatal chicks in terms of host response, microbiota composition and metabolism. Results: We determined that FFC pre-treatment significantly alters the cecal microbiota and metabolome, and also increases the intestinal permeability and promotes a pro-inflammatory gene expression profile in the host. Host physiological changes were concordant with significantly increased susceptibility to S. Enteritidis infection in chicks with FFC pre-treatment relative to without pre-treatment chicks. Prior to Salmonella infection, FFC pre-treatment significantly reduced the abundance of Lactobacillus, and significantly affected linoleic acid metabolism, including significantly reducing the levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and significantly elevating the abundance of 12,13-EpOME and 12,13-diHOME in cecum. After infection with S. Enteritidis, the abundance of Proteobacteria were significantly increased and host inflammatory responses and intestinal permeability were significantly aggravated relative to without FFC pre-treatment chicks, suggestive of a profound exacerbating of the host response influenced by infection in the context of FFC pre-treatment. The linoleic acid metabolism was still significantly different pathway after Salmonella infection, and we screened CLA and 12,13-diHOME as the target metabolites using a multi-omics technique. Supplementation with CLA maintained intestinal integrity, reduced intestinal inflammation, and accelerated Salmonella clearance from the gut and remission of enteropathy. Whereas, treatment with 12,13-diHOME promoted intestinal inflammation and disrupted the intestinal barrier function to sustain Salmonella infection. Therefore, florfenicol reduces production of CLA by inhibiting Lactobacillus growth, increases 12,13-diHOME level of intestine, thereby reducing colonization resistance of neonatal chicks to Salmonella infection.Conclusion: This study reveals the potential health impact of antibiotics on gut microbiota and linoleic acid metabolism and contributing factors influencing Salmonella colonization in neonatal chicks, and provides mechanistic understanding into the role of the antibiotics promote the colonization of pathogens.