bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Research on the Potential Mechanism of Chuanxiong Rhizoma on Treating Diabetic Nephropathy Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Hu Shanshan , Chen Siteng , Li Zhilei , Wang Yuhang , Wang Yong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Chuanxiong Rhizoma is one of the traditional Chinese medicines which have been used for years in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the mechanism of Chuanxiong Rhizoma in DN has not yet been fully understood. Methods: We performed network pharmacology to construct targeted proteins interaction network of Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Active ingredients were acquired from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. DRUGBANK database was used to predict targeted proteins of Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Gene ontology (GO) biological process analyses and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were also performed for functional prediction of the targeted proteins. Molecular docking was applied for evaluating the drug interactions between hub targets and active ingredients. Results: Twenty-eight targets fished by 6 active ingredients of Chuanxiong Rhizoma were obtained in the study. The top 10 significant GO analyses, as well as 6 KEGG pathways, were enriched for genomic analysis. We also acquired 1366 differentially expressed genes associated with DN from GSE30528 dataset, including five targeted genes: KCNH2, NCOA1, KDR, NR3C2 and ADRB2. Molecular docking analysis successfully combined KCNH2, NCOA1, KDR and ADRB2 to Myricanone with docking scores from 4.61 to 6.28. NR3C2 also displayed good binding forces (8.13 and 8.34) with Wallichilide and Sitosterol, revealing good binding forces to active compounds of Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Conclusions: Chuanxiong Rhizoma might take part in the treatment of DN through pathways associated with steroid hormone, estrogen, thyroid hormone and IL-17. KCNH2, NCOA1, KDR, ADRB2 and NR3C2 were proved to be the hub targets closely related to corresponding active ingredients of Chuanxiong Rhizoma.
Expression of MYB transcription factor gene ZmMYB59 affects seed germination in Nicotiana tabacum and Oryza sativa
Authors: Zhai Kaihui , Zhao Guangwu , Jiang Hongye , Sun Caixia , Ren Jingyu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: MYB transcription factors are involved in many biological processes, including metabolism, development and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. In our previous work, a new MYB transcription factor gene, ZmMYB59 was induced by deep sowing and down-regulated during maize seed germination via Real-Time PCR. However, there are few reports on seed germination regulated by MYB proteins and the functions of ZmMYB59 remain unknown.Results: In this study, to examine its functions, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was exploited to generate ZmMYB59 transgenic tobacco and rice. In T2 generation transgenic tobacco, germination rate, germination index, vigor index and hypocotyl length were significantly decreased by 25.0~50.9%, 34.5~54.4%, 57.5~88.3% and 21.9~31.3% compared to wild-type (WT) lines. In T2 generation transgenic rice, germination rate, germination index, vigor index and mesocotyl length were notably reduced by 39.1~53.8%, 51.4~71.4%, 52.5~74.0% and 28.3~41.5%, respectively. On this basis, relative physiological indicators were determined. The activities of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and proline content of transgenic lines were significantly lower than those of WT, suggesting that ZmMYB59 reduced their antioxidant capacity. As well, ZmMYB59 expression extremely inhibited the synthesis of gibberellin A1 (GA1) and cytokinin (CTK), and promoted the synthesis of abscisic acid (ABA) concurrently, which implied that seed germination was repressed by ZmMYB59 in hormone levels. Furthermore, cell length and cell number of hypocotyl/mesocotyl in transgenic tobacco and rice were notably decreased. Conclusions: Taken together, it proposed that ZmMYB59 plays a negative regulatory role during seed germination in tobacco and rice, which also contributes to illuminate the molecular mechanisms regulated by MYB transcription factors.
Functional Connectivity in Parkinson's Disease Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Wang Qingguang , He Wei , Liu Dinghua , Han Bojun , Jiang Qitao , Niu Jiali , Ding Yunlong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: To explore the alteration of pattens of anatomical and functional connectivity (FC) of posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with cognitive dysfunction and the relationship between the connection strengths and cognitive state．Methods: We prospectively enrolled 20 PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), 13 PD patients with normal cognition (PD-NC) and 13 healthy controls (HCs). All subjects underwent clinical evaluations and MRI scans. By collecting, preprocessing and FC analyzing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data, we extracted default mode network (DMN) patterns, compared the differences in DMN between the three groups and the analyzed the correlation between FC value with the commonly used neuropsychological testing.Results: There were not significant differences with regard to demographic data among the three groups. The PD-MCI showed significant worse performances in general cognition, and PD-NC and HCs showed comparable performances of cognitive function. Cognitive-related differences in DMN were detected in the bilateral precuneus (BPcu). Compared with the HCs, PD-NC and PD-MCI showed significantly decreased FC within BPcu (both P < 0.001). For PD-MCI, the rho of the the Fisher’s Z-transformed FC (zFC) value within BPcu with the TMTA, DSST and CFT-20min were − 0.50, 0.66 and 0.47, respectively. For PD-NC, the rho of the zFC value within BPcu with the MMSE was 0.58.Conclusions: Our research found that BPcu was the cognitive related region in DMN. As cognition declines, FC within BPcu weaken. For PD-MCI, the higher the FC values within BPcu were related to the better the performances of TMTA, DSST and CFT-20 min DR. For PD patients with normal cognition, the FC within BPcu were positively correlated with scores of MMSE.
Candida prevalence and oral hygiene due to orthodontic therapy with conventional brackets
Authors: Grzegocka Kinga , Krzyściak Paweł , Talaga-Ćwiertnia Katarzyna , Loster Bartłomiej W. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Conventional brackets are often used during orthodontic therapy patients with malocclusion. Nevertheless, their complicated construction greatly inhibits oral hygiene, which predisposes to the increased carriage of the microbiota. It seems that orthodontic brackets could be a reservoir of yeast and predisposing to develop oral candidosis. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess changes in Candida species prevalence and periodontal parameters after orthodontic brackets placement in patients who received oral hygiene instruction; to determine role of elastic ligatures in those changes; to characterize isolated yeasts according to their ability to biofilm formation. Patients/Methods 17 participants (average age 17±7 years) have been monitored by taking oral rinses, elastomeric ligatures samples and evaluation of API and GBI Indexes before and after placement of orthodontic conventional brackets for 12 weeks. Isolated yeasts was counted and used to the biofilm formation assay. Results 116 samples (67 oral rinses and 49 orthodontic elastomers) were collected. 51% of patients were carriers of Candida in which C. albicans was the most common species. The average number of colonies (CFU/ml) obtained from oral rinses showed an upward trend depending on duration of the study and some correlation with periodontal indexes (API, GBI) was found. One third of the analysed strains have shown ability to form greater biofilm than control strain. Conclusions Orthodontic ligatures surface permit biofilms creation and orthodontic brackets change dynamic oral microbiota. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is crucial for every orthodontic patient.
Identification and characterization of QTLs for blush, soluble solids concentration (SSC), and titratable acidity (TA) in peach through a multi-family approach
Authors: Rawandoozi Zena , Hartmann Timothy P , Carpenedo Silvia , Gasic Ksenija , Linge Cassia da Silva , de Weg Eric Van , Byrne David H 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Fruit quality traits have a significant effect on consumer acceptance and subsequently on peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) consumption. Determining the genetic bases of key fruit quality traits is essential for industry to improve fruit quality and increase consumption. A Bayesian approach embedded in the FlexQTL software increases the accuracy of QTL mapping and the probability of identifying new and validating known QTLs across a wide range of genetic backgrounds.Results: Phenotypic data of seven F1 low to medium chill full-sib families were collected over two years at two locations and genotyped using the 9K SNP Illumina array. One major QTL for fruit blush was found on linkage group 4 (LG4) at 40–46 cM that explained from 20 to 32% of the total phenotypic variance and showed three QTL alleles of different effects. For SSC, one QTL was mapped on LG5 at 60-72cM and explained from 17 to 39% of the phenotypic variance. A major QTL for TA that co-localized with the major locus for low-acid fruit (D-locus) was mapped at the proximal end of LG5 and explained 35 to 80% of the phenotypic variance. The new QTL for TA on the distal end of LG5 explained 14 to 22% of the phenotypic variance. This QTL co-localized with the QTL for SSC and affected TA only when the first QTL is homozygous for high acidity (epistasis). Haplotype analyses revealed SNP haplotypes and predictive SNP marker(s) associated with desired QTL alleles.Conclusions: A multi-family-based QTL discovery approach enhanced the ability to discover a new TA QTL and validated other QTLs which were reported in previous studies. Identified predictive SNPs and their original sources will facilitate the selection of parents and/or seedlings that have desired haplotype alleles. Our findings will help peach breeders develop new predictive, DNA-based molecular marker tests for routine use in marker-assisted breeding (MAB).
Genetic investigation of 211 Chinese families expands the mutational and phenotypical spectrum in hereditary retinopathy genes through targeted sequencing technology
Authors: Bai Zhouxian , Bai Zhouxian , Xie Yanchuan , Liu Lina , Shao Jingzhi , Liu Yuying , Kong Xiangdong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Hereditary retinopathy is a significant cause of blindness worldwide. Despite the discovery of many mutations in various retinopathies, a large part of patients remain undiagnosed genetically. Targeted next generation sequencing of the human genome is a suitable approach for retinopathy molecular diagnosis.Methods: We describe a cohort of 211 families from central China with various forms of retinopathy investigated using a NGS multi-gene panel as well as Sanger sequencing. We validated the candidate variants by PCR-based Sanger sequencing. We have made comprehensive analysis of the cases through sequencing data and ophthalmologic examination information.Results: The potentially causal mutation was identified in majority of the families with retinopathy (57.9% of 95 families) and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) (21.6% of 116 families). The identified mutations (68mutations, 37 of which are novel) of the 95 families spanned 31 known disease genes, about half have not been reported relation to hereditary retinopathy. This study, the NGS panel solution provides 45.3% potential diagnostic rate of the retinopathy families and another 12.6% families receive candidate gene mutations with undefined pathogenicity.Conclusion: Our study showed novel mutations and phenotypic aspects of retinopathy, and demonstrated genetic and clinical heterogeneity of the conditions. Our results illustrated the significance of molecular genetic testing for patients with hereditary retinopathy.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteome Evaluation in Major Depressive Disorder by Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Franzen Avery , Lam TuKiet T. , Williams Kenneth R. , Nairn Angus , Duman Ronald S. , Sathyanesan Monica , Kumar Vikas , Carpenter Linda L. , Sathyanesan Samuel 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Introduction: Depression affects approximately 7.1% of the United States population every year and has an economic burden of over $210 billion dollars annually. Several recent studies have attempted to investigate the pathophysiology of depression utilizing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum analysis. Inflammation and metabolic dysfunction have been strongly implicated as potential etiological factors. Inflammatory proteins such as IL-12, TNF, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-9, IL-17A, and IL-10 have been found to be significantly correlated with depression. Methods: CSF samples were obtained from patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder and matched for age and gender with non-psychiatric controls. CSF protein profiles were obtained using quantitative mass spectrometry. The data were analyzed by Progenesis QI proteomics software to identify significantly dysregulated proteins. The results were subjected to bioinformatics analysis using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis suite to obtain mechanistic insight into biologically relevant interactions and pathways. Results: Several dysregulated proteins were identified. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the potential disorder/disease pathways include inflammatory response, metabolic disease, and organismal injury and abnormalities. Molecular and cellular functions that were affected are cellular compromise, cell-to-cell signaling & interaction, cellular movement, protein synthesis, and cellular development. The major canonical pathway that was regulated was acute phase response signaling. Endogenous upstream regulators that may influence depression are interleukin-6 (IL-6), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), oncostatin M, PR domain zinc finger protein 1 (PRDM1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PPARGC1A). Conclusions: The proteome profiling data in this report identifies several potential biological functions that may be disrupted in major depressive disorder’s pathophysiology. Future research into how the differential expression of these proteins is involved in the etiology and severity of depression will be important.
Co-construction of the Family-Focused Support Conversation: A Participatory Learning and Action Research Study to implement support for family members whose relatives are being discharged for end of life care at home or in a nursing home
Authors: Duke Susan , Campling Natasha , May Carl , Lund Susi , Lunt Neil , Richardson Alison 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Many people move in and out of hospital in the last few weeks of life. These care transitions can be distressing for family members because they signify the deterioration and impending death of their ill relative and forthcoming family bereavement. Whilst there is evidence about psycho-social support for family members providing end of life care at home, there is limited evidence about how this can be provided in acute hospitals during care transitions. Consequently, family members report a lack of support from hospital-based healthcare professionals. Methods The aim of the study was to implement research evidence for family support at the end of life into acute hospital care. Informed by Participatory Learning and Action Research and Normalization Process Theory (NPT) we co-designed a context-specific intervention, the Family-Focused Support Conversation, from a detailed review of research evidence. We undertook a pilot implementation in three acute hospital Trusts to assess the potential for the intervention to be used in clinical practice. Pilot implementation was undertaken during a three-month period by seven clinical co-researchers - nurses and occupational therapists in hospital specialist palliative care services. Implementation was evaluated by data comprised of reflective records of intervention delivery (n=22), in-depth records of telephone implementation support meetings, between research team members and co-researchers (n=3) and in-depth evaluation meetings (n=2). Data were qualitatively analysed using an NPT framework designed for intervention evaluation. Results Clinical co-researchers readily incorporated the Family-Focused Support Conversation into their everyday work. The key disruption to practice was a change in interactional practice, from being patient-focused, providing information about patient needs, to family-focused, identifying family concerns and facilitating family-focused solutions. Co-researchers reported an increase in family members’ involvement in discharge decisions and end of life care planning. Conclusion The Family-Focused Support Conversation is a novel, evidenced-based and context specific intervention. Pilot implementation demonstrated the potential for the intervention to be used in acute hospitals to support family members during end of life care transitions. This informed a larger scale implementation study, reported in a respective paper.
Cognitive correlates of ADHD subtypes and its association with self-esteem: A quantitative difference
Authors: Molavi Parviz , Nadermohammadi Mehriar , Ghojehbeiglou Habibeh Salvat , Vicario Carmelo M. , Nitsche Michael A. , Salehinejad Mohammad Ali 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background : Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a major neurodevelopmental disorder with heterogeneous symptoms, subtypes and cognitive deficits. Cognitive deficits are central to ADHD pathophysiology and one potential source of heterogeneity in ADHD. Subtype-specific cognitive correlates are not, however, well-studied. We explored cognitive correlates of ADHD subtypes based on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) scores. We also assessed subtype-specific self-esteem ratings and its association with subtype-specific cognitive correlates. Methods : 139 ADHD children (80.6% boy, 19.4% girl) were categorized into the predominantly “hyperactive (ADHD-H)”, “inattentive (ADHD-I)” and “combined (ADHD-C)” subtype based on their symptoms and scores on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS-PL) and Conners Parent-Rating Scale (CPRS-RS). They were then individually administrated the WISC-IV and completed a self-esteem inventory. Group differences in the WISC-IV indices and their predictability in discriminating ADHD subtypes were analyzed. Results : We found a quantitative differentiation of cognitive abilities among ADHD subtypes with “working memory” as the most compromised cognitive domain. ADHD-I had the poorest cognitive profile while ADHD-H scored highest in all cognitive domains. Importantly, cognitive abilities were negatively correlated with inattention and positively correlated with hyperactive symptoms. Moreover, self-esteem ratings were positively correlated with the cognitive domains and were rated differently based on the subtype. ADHD-H, with the highest cognitive strength, reported the highest level of self-esteem among all subtypes. Conclusions : ADHD subtype-specific symptoms, cognitive deficits, and social functioning should be considered for precise diagnosis and effective treatment. Our findings have implications for diagnosis precision and personalized intervention in ADHD. Cognitive interventions might be more compatible with and effective in inattentive and combined subtypes of ADHD. Working memory improving-based interventions can benefit all ADHD subtypes.
Development of calcium stabilized nitrogen rich alpha-sialon ceramics along the Si3N4-1/2Ca3N2:3AlN line using spark plasma sintering
Authors: Ahmed Bilal Anjum , Hakeem Abbas Saeed , Laoui Tahar 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Calcium stabilized nitrogen rich sialon ceramics having a general formula of CaxSi12-2xAl2xN16 with x value in the range of 0.2-2.2 for compositions lying along the Si3N4-1/2Ca3N2:3AlN line were synthesized using nano/submicron size starting powder precursors and spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The development of calcium stabilized nitrogen rich sialon ceramics at a significantly low sintering temperature of 1500oC (typically reported temperature of 1700oC or greater) remains to be the highlight of the present study. The SPS processed sialons were characterized for their microstructure, phase and compositional analysis, physical and mechanical properties. Furthermore, a correlation was developed between the lattice parameters and the content (x) of alkaline metal cation in the alpha-sialon phase. Well densified single-phase nitrogen rich alpha-sialon ceramics were achieved in the range of 0.4 < x < 1.6. A nitrogen rich alpha-sialon sample possessing a maximum hardness of 22.4 GPa and fracture toughness of 6.1 MPa.m1/2 was developed.
COVID-19, SARS, MERS and Ebola: a comparative analysis registration of intervention clinical trials
Authors: Xiang Yuxia , Zhang Zeyu , Zeng Chan , Hu Zhanqing , Liu Yaxin , Chen Wenjing , Huang Zhijun , Wang Xiaomin , Yang Guoping 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
BackgroundCOVID-19 is a novel and highly virulent virus, which caused a rapid and massive onset of clinical trials in a short period of time.With the aim to obtain suggestions in the guidance on performing emergency clinical trials, and control this virus in China and other countries and for the prevention of the onset of other infectious viruses in the future.MethodsCOVID-19, SARS, MERS and Ebola clinical trials registered in the Chinese clinical trial registry and clinical trials.gov were collected and analyzed and intervention protocols were compared, focusing on the analysis and comparison of the drug used. The search period ended on February 24, 2020.ResultsThe number of the registered COVID-19 clinical trials was 295. Among 203 intervention trials, 78.3% (159) were drug clinical trials, in which 46.3% (94) used chemical drugs and biological agents, 32.0% (65) were performed using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine.The 159 COVID-19 trials were designed and analyzed with the highest proportion of blank randomized controls [45.9% (73)], and placebo randomized trials [14.5% (23)]. The drug mostly used was Lopinavir/Ritonavir (15.1%). The sample size ranged from 10 to 100 in 52.8% (84) trials. The number of the registered SARS was 6, MERS 15, and Ebola 97. Among 3 MERS and 19 Ebola drug intervention clinical trials, MERS and Ebola were randomized, blind, and placebo-controlled drug clinical trials accounting for 100% (3) and 31.6% (6), respectively, while SARS were vaccine trials, without drug intervention clinical trials registered.ConclusionsCompared with the SARS in 2003, the awareness and capability of clinical research in China greatly improved. However, some of the COVID-19 clinical trials and drug selection performed are somewhat disordered, requiring greater attention to the needs, science assumptions, ethics and quality management of the clinical research. Thus, during the epidemic period, the country should deliver guidance on how to perform appropriate emergency clinical trials, design a scientifically based clinical trial program and focus on researching drugs or vaccines that have great potential.