bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rural-urban inequalities in poor self-rated health, functional disabilities and depression among Chinese older adults: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2011 and 2015
Authors: Jiang Haiting , Burström Bo , Chen Jiaying , Burström Kristina 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: The demand for healthcare and social services increases with the aging of the population and functional disabilities among older adults. Rural-urban inequalities in health have not been extensively studied previously from the national perspective, especially after classifying the effects of Hukou (household registration system in China) and residence. This study investigates rural-urban inequalities in prevalence of poor self-rated health, functional disabilities and self-reported depression among Chinese older adults and analyses determinants of rural-urban inequalities in self-reported health outcomes. Methods: The data originate from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), which started in 2011 and collects data every two years, a representative sample in 28 provinces in China. Older adults aged 60 years and above in CHARLS 2011 and CHARLS 2015 were studied. Sociodemographic factors were studied, including age, sex, marital status, living arrangement, living near children, educational level and income. Self-Rated Health (SRH) was assessed with a single question. Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) were used to measure self-reported functional abilities. The 10-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used to measure self-reported depression. Results: Rural respondents had poor socioeconomic status and higher prevalence of poor SRH, functional disabilities and depression than urban respondents. The levels of functional disabilities, both BADLs and IADLs, were similar in 2011 and 2015, while the prevalence of poor SRH and self-reported depression were lower in 2015, both among rural and urban respondents. Impairments increased with age, and appeared at younger age among rural respondents compared to urban respondents. Being female, unmarried, with low educational level and low income increased the odds ratios of reporting poor SRH, functional disabilities and depression. Living arrangement and living near children did not have significant impacts on health outcomes. Conclusions: Rural-urban inequalities in poor SRH, functional disabilities and depression were mainly related to educational level and income.
Downregulation of Dual-specificity phosphatase 9 promotes tumor progression and contributes to poor prognosis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Qiu Zhaoyan , Liang Ning , Sun Tao , Xue Hongyuan , Xie Tianyu , Wang Xinxin , Wang Qian 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background Dual-specificity phosphatase 9 (DUSP9) belongs to the dual-specificity protein phosphatase subfamily. Recently, increasing attention has been paid on the role of DUSP9 in a variety of cancers. However, its functional role in tumor development is still unclear, especially in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods The functional role of DUSP9 in inhibiting the progression of CRC was verified both in vivo and in vitro using colony formation assay, EdU incorporation assay, wound healing assay, nude mice xenograft model, and et al. RNA-seq was performed to assess the gene expression profiling in SW480 cells with DUSP9 stable knockdown and shControl cells. Bisulfite sequencing (BSE) was performed to reveal methylation status of CpG island in promoter of DUSP9. Results DUSP9 was significantly down regulated in tumor tissues compared with peritumor tissues. Moreover, low DUSP9 expression in CRC was closely associated with tumor size, depth of invasion and advanced TNM stage, indicating that DUSP9 may be involved in the progression of CRC. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with low expression of DUSP9 were significantly shorter than that of patients with high expression of DUSP9. Functional study revealed that DUSP9 inhibited tumor migration, invasion and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo . Mechanistically, low expression of DUSP9 in CRC was caused by the upregulation of miR-1246 and hypermethylation status of CpG island in promoter of DUSP9. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that DUSP9 plays a critical role in the progression of CRC and therapeutic intervention to increase the expression or activity of DUSP9 may be a potential target for CRC treatment in the future.
Cloacal swabs are unreliable sources for estimating lower gastro-intestinal tract microbiota in chicken
Authors: Williams Travis John , Athrey Giridhar N 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe gastrointestinal microbiota in chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) has a central role in health and performance. The ceca are a vital site of functional activity, but assessing cecal microbiota in longitudinal studies remains a challenge. The cecal communities are broadly similar to large intestine samples. Cloacal sampling, due to their proximity to the large intestine, is an alternative, non-invasive method used for assaying and monitoring disease-causing agents, and maybe a viable option for longitudinal studies.ResultsWe collected paired cecal content, and cloacal swab samples from twenty randomly selected commercial broilers raised on two dietary treatments. The microbiota of each sample was assessed using 16S rRNA V4 hypervariable region sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform and analyzed using the MOTHUR pipeline. Analysis of fourteen paired samples resulted in 1603 OTU’s assigned to 82 Families. Eleven families were shared between the cecal and cloacal samples, with seven and eleven families unique to cecal content and cloacal swabs, respectively. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test showed significant differences in the Chao1 index between the cecal content and cloacal swabs (p-value = 0.000845 and p-value = 0.001397, respectively). However, the Inverse Simpson species diversity estimator was not different using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test (p-value = 0.3258) and a paired t-test (p-value = 0.3864). β-diversity between the cloacal swabs and cecal microbiota also showed significant differences based on PERMANOVA (p-value = <0.001), HOMOVA (p-value <0.001), and Weighted Unifrac (WSig = <0.001) testing.ConclusionsCloacal swabs do not approximate either the α or β diversity of cecal samples, based on a paired sample analysis. The high variability of cloacal microbiota has been reported previously, and this study provides additional evidence of the randomness of cloacal microbiota in contrast to cecal microbiota. Our findings indicate that cloacal samples are not suitable for longitudinal studies of gut microbiota patterns. High inter-individual variation of cloacal swab data warrants further assessment of their reliability as a targeted diagnostic method.
The Meta-Memory Ratio: A new cohort-independent way to measure cognitive awareness in asymptomatic individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Gagliardi Geoffroy Pierre , Houot Marion , Cacciamani Federica , Habert Marie-Odile , Dubois Bruno , Epelbaum Stéphane 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background Lack of Awareness for Cognitive Decline (ACD) has been described at the preclinical and prodromal stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we introduced a meta-memory ratio (MMR), and explored how it is associated with neuroimaging AD biomarkers in asymptomatic individuals at risk for AD. Method 448 cognitively healthy participants from two cohorts of subjective memory complainers (INSIGHT-PreAD and ADNI) were included. Regression models were used to assess the impact of AD biomarkers on the MMR. Result In both cohorts, there was a significant quadratic effect of cerebral amyloidosis on the MMR value. In particular, participants had a high ACD up to the amyloid positivity threshold, above which a decrease of ACD was eventually observed as the amyloid load increased. Conclusion This nonlinear evolution of ACD in very early AD must be taken into account in clinical care and for trial enrollment as well.
Early Patellofemoral Articular Cartilage Degeneration In a Rat Model of Patellar Instability associated with activation of NF-κB Signal Pathway
Authors: Lin Wei , Dai Yike , Yang Guangmin , Niu Jinghui , Li Ming , Wang Fei 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background Patellar instability (PI) often increases the possibility of lateral patellar dislocation and early osteoarthritis. The early articular cartilage degeneration of patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) in molecular mechanism still needs further investigation. It is commonly known that NF-κB signal pathway plays an important part in articular cartilage degeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between NF-κB signaling pathway and degeneration of patellofemoral joint cartilage. Methods We established a model of PFOA caused by patellar instability in SD rats. 120 female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 4 weeks were randomly divided into two groups: patellar instability(PI, n=60) group and control group (n=60). The cartilage of the PI model group and the control group were separated at the stages of 4, 8, 12 weeks for comparison. The morphological structure of the trochlear cartilage and subchondral bone were evaluated by micro-computed tomographic (Micro-CT) and histological staining. The expression of NF-κB, Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, Collagen X and TNF-a were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Micro-CT and histological staining showed that subchondral bone loss was found from 8 weeks after surgery in PI model group. Compared with the control group, the protein and mRNA expression of NF-κB, TNF-a were remarkably increased in PI model group at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. In addition, the markers of cartilage degeneration MMP-13 and Collagen X were found higher in PI model group at different stages after surgery. Conclusion This study proved that early patellofemoral joint cartilage degeneration can be caused by PI in growing rats, accompanied by significant subchondral bone loss. In addition, the degeneration of articular cartilage might associated with the activation of NF-κB signal pathway and become aggravated with time in PI model group.
A psychometric evaluation of the 12-item EPQ-R neuroticism scale in 502,591 UK Biobank participants using item response theory (IRT)
Authors: Bauermeister Sarah , Gallacher John 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background Neuroticism has been described as a broad and pervasive personality dimension or ‘heterogeneous’ trait measuring components of mood instability such as worry; anxiety; irritability; moodiness; self-consciousness; sadness and irritabililty. Consistent with depression and anxiety-related disorders, increased neuroticism places an individual vulnerable for other unipolar and bipolar mood disorders. However, the measurement of neuroticism remains a challenge. Our aim was to identify psychometrically efficient items and inform the inclusion of redundant items across the 12-item EPQ-R Neuroticism scale using Item Response Theory (IRT). Methods The 12-item binary EPQ-R Neuroticism scale was evaluated by estimating a two-parameter (2-PL) IRT model on data from 502,591 UK Biobank participants aged 37 to 73 years (M = 56.53 years; SD = 8.05), 54% female. Models were run listwise (n= 401,648) and post-estimation mathematical assumptions were computed. All analyses were conducted in STATA 16 SE on the Dementias Platform UK (DPUK) Data Portal. Results A plot of θ values (Item Information functions) showed that most items clustered around the mid-range where discrimination values ranged from 1.34 to 2.28. Difficulty values for individual item θ scores ranged from -0.13 to 1.41. A Mokken analysis suggested a weak to medium level of monotonicity between the items, no items reach strong scalability (H=0.35-0.47). Systematic item deletions and rescaling found that an 7-item scale is more efficient and with information (discrimination) ranging from 1.56 to 2.57 and stronger range of scalability (H=0.47-0.52). A 3-item scale is highly discriminatory but offers a narrow range of person ability (difficulty). A logistic regression differential item function (DIF) analysis exposed significant gender item bias functioning uniformly across all versions of the scale. Conclusions Across 401,648 UK Biobank participants, the 12-item EPQ-R neuroticism scale exhibited psychometric inefficiency with poor discrimination at the extremes of the scale-range. High and low scores are relatively poorly represented and uninformative suggesting that high neuroticism scores derived from the EPQ-R are a function of cumulative mid-range values. The scale also shows evidence of gender item bias and future scale development should consider the former along with item deletions.
Identifying and managing pathways of AI transmission by wild birds on meat chicken farms in eastern Australia
Authors: Atzeni Michael G , Fielder Darren P , Dunlop Mark W , Mayer David G 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Conjecture surrounds the reservoir and bridge species potentially involved in introducing, maintaining and transmitting avian influenza (AI) on Australian meat chicken farms. This is mainly due to a lack of AI prevalence data and in-depth understanding of wild bird ecology on farms and across regions. For risk assessment purposes, we identified candidate species likely to be involved in AI maintenance and transmission during 68 bird surveys conducted across ten commercial meat chicken farms from Winter 2016 to Summer 2018 in southeastern Queensland. Using an AI-risk classification processes described in this paper, we speculate that 57 of the 139 species recorded in and around production facilities and nearby water bodies pose a medium to high risk, particularly on free range farms. On the farms with permanent waterbodies, resident and semi-resident dabbling ducks (Genus Anas ) could maintain AI indefinitely on-site, creating opportunities for these species and several bridge species to potentially infect poultry by being a vector between the dam/water habitat and poultry facilities. We suggest that other types of wild birds that may be involved in AI transmission including nomadic waterfowl, grazing ducks (Australian Wood Ducks and Plumed Whistling-duck), Waterhens, Lapwings, resident scavengers (corvids, ibis), birds of prey and mud nests builders (e.g. Fairy Martins). Disrupting AI maintenance cycles on farm dams would reduce the chances of transmission of environmental AI by potential bridge species. This may be achievable by proactively preventing higher risk waterfowl becoming resident and habituated on farms and deterring potential bridge species from accessing poultry houses. Targeted AI surveillance of suspected bridge species is required to determine the real risk. Ideally, this should occur on non-commercial poultry farms where AI transmission to poultry can be objectively investigated.
Screening prognosis-related lncRNAs based on WGCNA to establish a new risk score for predicting prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Xueliang , Dou Mengmeng , Liu Zaoqu , Jiao Dechao , Li Zhaonan , Chen Jianjian , Yao Yuan , Li Lifeng , han xinwei 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains an important cause of cancer death. The molecular mechanism of hepatocarcinogenesis and prognostic factors of HCC have not been completely uncovered. Methods: In this study, we screened out differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE lncRNAs), miRNAs (DE miRNAs), and mRNAs (DE mRNAs) by comparing the gene expression of HCC and normal tissue in the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. DE mRNAs were used to perform gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Then, the miRNA and lncRNA/mRNA modules that were most closely related to the survival time of patients with HCC were screened to construct a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Moreover, univariable Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier curve analyses of DE lncRNAs and DE mRNAs were conducted. Finally, the lasso‐penalized Cox regression analysis and nomogram model were used to establish new risk scoring system and predict the prognosis of patients with liver cancer. Results: A total of 1896 DEmRNAs, 330 DElncRNAs, and 76 DEmiRNAs were identified in HCC and normal tissue samples. Then, the turquoise miRNA and turquoise lncRNA/mRNA modules that were most closely related to the survival time of patients with HCC were screened to construct a ceRNA network by WGCNA. In this ceRNA network, there were 566 lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory pairs, including 30 upregulated lncRNAs, 16 downregulated miRNAs and 75 upregulated mRNAs. Moreover, we screened out 19 lncRNAs and 14 hub mRNAs related to prognosis from this ceRNA network by univariable Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier curve analyses. Finally, a new risk scoring system was established by selecting the optimal risk lncRNAs from the 19 prognosis-related lncRNAs through lasso‐penalized Cox regression analysis. In addition, we established a nomogram model consisting of independent prognostic factors to predict the survival rate of HCC patients. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results may provide potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for HCC, and the establishment of new risk scoring system and nomogram model provide the new perspective for predicting the prognosis of HCC.
Development of an inducible T7 expression system in Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051a for production of α-L-arabinofuranosidase
Authors: Ji Minghua , Li Sijie , Liu Yunhui , Wu Haiying , Chen Qiao , Shi Jiping , Blamey Jenny , Sun Junsong 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Xylan is the second most abundant polysaccharide biomass on the earth, the polymers have a backbone of β-1,4-linked xylose residues with various side-chain substitutions, such as arabinose, acetic acid, glucuronic acid, and other esterified groups, thus, the removal of arabinose side groups by α-L-arabinofuranosidases is helpful in various industrial processes involving xylan treatment. Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051a is known for its excellent capacity of secretory production of recombinant peptides, however, poor experience in genetic manipulation and lack of universal expression elements impede this strain for wider application.Results: Xylose inducible comK was integrated into the genome of B. subtilis ATCC 6051a, and the transformation efficiency of the engineered strain B. subtilis 164S was increased by more than 1000 folds. B. subtilis 164S was further modified to generate B. subtilis 164T7P which incorporates a D-xylose inducible T7 RNA polymerase. The recombinant GFP expressed by 164T7P is more than thirteen times that achieved by P43 promoter, representing the most efficient expression system that had been ever reported in B. subtilis . Subsequently, abfA1 , encoding a glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 51 enzyme was cloned and overexpressed in 164T7P. The activity of recombinant α-L-arabinofuranosidase (AbfA1) reached 90.6±2.0 U mL -1 in the fermentation broth. Using p NPA as a substrate, kinetic parameters of the crude enzyme were Km of 1.4±0.1 mM and kcat of 139.4 s −1 . The optimum temperature and pH of the recombinant AbfA1 towards p NPA were observed to be 45 °C and pH 6.5, respectively.Conclusion: With enhanced cellular competence and introduction of T7 RNA polymerase, B. subtilis ATCC 6051a was engineered as a versatile cell tool for recombinant production of heterologous peptides employing T7 promoter. The novel expression kit demonstrated a very low level of leaky expression of target genes. The efficiency and applicability of the system were demonstrated by high-level production of a bacterial type α-L-arabinofuranosidase.
Inter-basin water transfer green supply chain coordination with partial backlogging under random precipitation
Authors: Chen Zhisong , Wang Huimin 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Water demand backlogging and delivery loss have important impacts on the operational decisions and efficiency of the inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) green supply chain. This paper formulates, analyzes, and compares three IBWT green supply chain coordination decision models considering water delivery loss with lost sales, fully backlogging and partial backlogging under random precipitation, conducts the corresponding numerical and sensitivity analyses, and summarizes the corresponding managerial insights and policy implications. The research results show that: first, a two-part tariff contract can effectively coordinate the IBWT green supply chain and improve operational performance; second, the fully/partial backlogging strategy can effectively improve the operational performance of the IBWT green supply chain; third, fully backlogging is the first-best strategy and partial backlogging is the second-best strategy for the IBWT green supply chain.
Local climate impacts of dipole-like sea surface temperature oscillations in the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Oh Jeseung , Jung Yong 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Dipole phenomena in ocean-atmospheric variability such as the Indian Ocean Dipole have been recognized as important factors that greatly affect local climates. This study presents evidence of two dipole modes in sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) over high latitude Southern Hemisphere (one in South Pacific and one in South Indian Ocean), identified using empirical orthogonal functions and cross-correlation analysis. These dipole modes have interannual periodicity, which is also explored for their seasonal variability and modes. Herein, a dipole mode is defined as a quasi-periodic oscillation between positive and negative phases in the various climate proxies, though predominantly in SST, which is supported by the signal's synchronized relationship with atmospheric variability (as recorded by pressure and wind records). In addition, the dipole modes have a clear synchronization relationship to local precipitation records, which is described in this paper. For this purpose, an index to represent the time-dependent evolution of each dipole mode and to better define and understand the teleconnections of the dipole modes with other climate variables was defined. The findings described here provide a more precise and unique understanding of the globally distributed SSTA teleconnections and climate's synchronized dynamics than that has currently been studied.