bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical diagnosis and treatment of common respiratory tract infections in relation to microbiological profiles in rural health facilities in China: implications for antibiotic stewardship
Authors: Shen Xingrong , Shen Jilu , Pan Yaping , Cheng Jing , Chai Jing , Bowker Karen , MacGowan Alasdair , Oliver Isabel , Lambert Helen , Wang Debin 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background This paper tries to describe prevalence and patterns of antibiotics prescription and bacteria detection and sensitivity to antibiotics in rural China and implications for future antibiotic stewardship.Methods The study was implemented in one village clinic and one township health center in each of four rural residential areas in Anhui Province, China. Observations was conducted to record clinical diagnosis and antibiotic prescription. Semi-structured questionnaire survey was used to collected patient’s sociodemographic information and symptoms. Sputum and throat swabs were collected for bacterial culture and susceptibility testing.Results A total of 1068 (51.0% male vs 49.0% female) patients completed the study with diagnosis of respiratory tract infection (326,30.5%), bronchitis/tracheitis (249,23.3%), pharyngitis (119,11.1%) and others (374, 35.0%). They provided 683 sputum and 385 throat swab specimens. Antibiotics were prescribed for 88% of the RTI patients. Of all the specimens tested, 329 (31%) were isolated with bacteria. The most frequently detected bacteria were K. pneumonia (24% in all specimens), H. influenza (16%), H. parainfluenzae (15%), P. aeruginosa (6%), S.aureus (5%), M. catarrhalis (3%) and S. pneumoniae (2%).Conclusions The study establishes the feasibility of conducting microbiological testing outside Tier 2 and 3 hospitals in rural China. It reveals that prescription of antibiotics, especially broad spectrum and combined antibiotics, is still very common and there is a clear need for stewardship programs aimed at both reducing the number of prescriptions and promoting single and narrow-spectrum antibiotics.
The amino acid transporter OsAAP4 contributes to rice tillering and grain yield by regulating neutral amino acid allocation through two splicing variants
Authors: Fang Zhongming , Wu Bowen , Ji Yuanyuan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Amino acids, which are transported by amino acid transporters, are the major forms of organic nitrogen utilized by higher plants. Among the 19 Amino Acid Permease transporters (AAPs) in rice, only a small number of these genes have been reported to influence rice growth and development. However, whether other OsAAPs are responsible for rice growth and development is unclear. Results: In this study, we demonstrate that OsAAP4 promoter sequences are divergent between Indica and Japonica, with higher expression in the former, which produces more tillers and higher grain yield than does Japonica. Overexpression of two different splicing variants of OsAAP4 in Japonica ZH11 significantly increased rice tillering and grain yield as result of enhancing the neutral amino acid concentrations of Val, Pro, Thr and Leu. OsAAP4 RNA interference (RNAi) and mutant lines displayed opposite trends compared with overexpresing (OE) lines. In addition, exogenous Val or Pro at 0.5 mM significantly promoted the bud outgrowth of lines overexpressing an OsAAP4a splicing variant compared with ZH11, and exogenous Val or Pro at 2.0 mM significantly enhanced the bud outgrowth of lines overexpressing splicing variant OsAAP4b compared with ZH11. Of note, the results of a protoplast amino acid-uptake assay showed that Val or Pro at different concentrations was specifically transported and accumulated in these overexpressing lines. Transcriptome analysis further demonstrated that OsAAP4 may affect nitrogen transport and metabolism, and auxin, cytokinin signaling in regulating rice tillering. Conclusion: Our results suggested that OsAAP4 contributes to rice tiller and grain yield by regulating neutral amino acid allocation through two different splicing variants and that OsAAP4 might have potential applications in rice breeding.
Defining muscle-invasive bladder cancer immunotypes by introducing tumor mutation burden, CD8+ T cells, and molecular subtypes
Authors: Chen Zihao , Liu Guojun , Liu Guoqing , Bolkov Mikhail A. , Shinwari Khyber , Tuzankina Irina A. , Chereshnev Valery A. , Wang Zhifeng 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Immunotherapy, especially anti-PD-1, is becoming a pillar of modern muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) treatment. However, the objective response rates (ORR) are relatively low due to the lack of precise biomarkers to select patients. Herein, the molecular subtype, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and CD8+ T cells were calculated by the gene expression and mutation profiles of MIBC patients. MIBC immunotypes were constructed using clustering analysis based on tumor mutation burden, CD8+ T cells, and molecular subtypes. Mutated genes, enriched functional KEGG pathways and GO terms, and co-expressed network-specific hub genes have been identified. We demonstrated that ORR of immunotype A patients identified by molecular subtype, CD8+ T cells, and TMB is about 36% predictable. PIK3CA , RB1 , FGFR3 , KMT2C , MACF1 , RYR2 , and EP300 are differentially mutated among three immunotypes. Pathways such as ECM-receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and TGF-beta signaling pathway are top-ranked in enrichment analysis. Low expression of ACTA2 was associated with the MIBC survival benefit. The current study constructs a model that could identify suitable MIBC patients for immunotherapy, and it is an important step forward to the personalized treatment of bladder cancers.Immunotherapy, especially anti-PD-1, is becoming a pillar of modern muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) treatment. However, the objective response rates (ORR) are relatively low due to the lack of precise biomarkers to select patients. Herein, the molecular subtype, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and CD8+ T cells were calculated by the gene expression and mutation profiles of MIBC patients. MIBC immunotypes were constructed using clustering analysis based on tumor mutation burden, CD8+ T cells, and molecular subtypes. Mutated genes, enriched functional KEGG pathways and GO terms, and co-expressed network-specific hub genes have been identified. We demonstrated that ORR of immunotype A patients identified by molecular subtype, CD8+ T cells, and TMB is about 36% predictable. PIK3CA , RB1 , FGFR3 , KMT2C , MACF1 , RYR2 , and EP300 are differentially mutated among three immunotypes. Pathways such as ECM-receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and TGF-beta signaling pathway are top-ranked in enrichment analysis. Low expression of ACTA2 was associated with the MIBC survival benefit. The current study constructs a model that could identify suitable MIBC patients for immunotherapy, and it is an important step forward to the personalized treatment of bladder cancers.
Participatory analysis of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) cropping system and production constraints in Burkina Faso
Authors: Boubacar Sinare , Miningou Amos , Nebie Baloua , Eleblu John , Kwadwo Ofori , Traore Appolinaire , Zagre Bertin , Desmae Haile 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Groundnut is one of the major legume crops grown as food and cash crop across the different agroecological zones of Burkina Faso. It is ranked the 2nd important legume crop for household food, nutrition and income generation for both rural and urban zones, contributing significantly to food supply and economy of the country. Despite its importance and breeding efforts to develop improved varieties, groundnut productivity remains low. Assessing and describing the present groundnut cropping system and production constraints as well as gender dynamics in the main production areas will help in defining the groundnut breeding priorities. Methods: A Participatory Rural Appraisal study was conducted in three groundnut production regions (Central-Eastern, Central-Northern and Central-Western). In each region, 4 villages were selected with a total of 124 farmers interviewed to collect data on socio-demographics, farming systems, cropping practices and production constraints. Data analysis was carried out for qualitative and quantitative variables using STATA 14. Analysis of variance was conducted across regions and gender, and also between and within regions. Kendall's coefficients were determined for qualitative variables across regions for the constraints using the pairwise rank. Pearson's correlation was carried out to assess the relationship between variables, and the chi-square test was used to assess the difference in farmer preferences. Results: The study revealed a cropping system of groundnut in an environment largely affected by climate change and in a subsistence and extensive agriculture. There is a variation in the groundnut cropping system across the regions. Gender plays a key role in the production of the groundnut and 48.39% of women are engaged in groundnut cropping with less access to land and production resources. A yield gap between men and women was observed with men achieving more yield than women. There was a strong correlation between the use of improved varieties and technical assistance. A strong correlation was observed between farm size and production, and farm size and sex denoting an extensive production. Production constraints, although similar, were perceived and ranked differently between regions. The lack of improved varieties, absence of agricultural credit, lack of production tools, the high price of seeds, the high price of fertilizer, drought and disease are some of the important constraints affecting groundnut productivity. Conclusion: This study provides a recent view of groundnut cropping, allowing a good understanding of the farmers’ situation. The result will contribute to the refining of breeding priorities and guide further activities in groundnut breeding in Burkina Faso.
Injury Mechanism Affects the Stability of Suture-Button Syndesmosis Fixation.
Authors: Chen Kuan Hao , Chen Chih Hwa , Huang Yu Min , Lee Hsieh Hsing , Tsuang Yang Hwei 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Ankle syndesmosis injury is a common condition, and the injury mechanism can be sorted into pure-syndesmosis injury, Weber-B and Weber-C type fractures. This study aims to evaluate the treatment outcomes and stability of suture-button fixation for syndesmosis injury with different injury mechanisms. We hypothesized that injury mechanisms would alter the stability of suture-button fixation.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 63 patients with ankle syndesmosis injury underwent surgery with TightRope (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA) from April 2014 to February 2019. The stability of suture-button fixation with TightRope were evaluated by comparing the preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up measurements of tibiofibular clear space (TFCS), tibiofibular overlap (TFO), and medial clear space (MCS). A subgroup analysis for each demographic group and injury type including pure-syndesmosis injury, Weber-B and Weber-C type fractures were performed.Results: Syndesmosis was effectively reduced using TightRope. After the index surgery, the tibiofibular clear space was reduced from 7.73 mm to 4.04 mm, the tibiofibular overlap was increased from 3.05 mm to 6.44 mm, and the medial clear space was reduced from 8.12 mm to 3.54 mm. However, syndesmosis widening was noted at the final follow-up, especially in Weber-C type fractures (TFCS: 3.82 to 4.45 mm, p < 0.01 and TFO: 6.86 to 6.29 mm, p = 0.04). Though widened, the final follow-up values of tibiofibular clear space and tibiofibular overlap were in the acceptable range. Postoperatively and at the final follow-up, medial clear space was found to be significantly larger in the Weber-C group than in the pure syndesmosis and Weber-B groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Suture-button fixation can offer anatomic reduction and dynamic fixation in syndesmosis injuries. However, when using this modality for Weber-C type fractures, more attention should be focused on the accuracy of reduction, especially of medial clear space, and rediastasis should be carefully monitored.Trial registration: This trial was retrospectively approved by TMU-JIRB. Registration number N202004122, and the date of approval was May 06, 2020.Level of evidence: III
Relationship Between Symptoms and Stage of Change in Both Adopting a Healthy Life Style and Quality of Life in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lee Myung Kyung , CHUNG Woo Jin 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Previous studies of patients with liver cirrhosis have not considered the broad range of symptoms or the association between healthy behavior and quality of life. The purposes of this study were to examine the association between symptoms and adopting exercise and consuming fruits and vegetables and to identify factors associated with quality of life in patients with liver cirrhosis.Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 91 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis in one tertiary general hospital in South Korea between February 2016 and January 2017. Each study participant completed a self-administered questionnaire that measured symptom, stage of change in engaging in exercise and consumption of fruits and vegetables, and the Korean version of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis and multiple regression models was used, respectively, to examine the association between each symptom with stage of change in engaging in exercise and consumption of fruits and vegetables and to evaluate factors affecting quality of life.Results: Experiencing nausea was associated with a higher stage of change in engaging in exercise, but experiencing shortness of breath was associated with a lower stage of change in engaging in exercise. Experiencing right upper quadrant pain was associated with a higher stage of change in engaging in consumption of fruits and vegetables. Muscle cramps, anorexia, right upper quadrant pain and body pain, itching, ascites or edema, bruising, and change in appearance negatively affected quality of life.Conclusions: The results suggest that the types of symptoms experienced by a patient with liver cirrhosis hinder or promote the patient’s adoption of exercise and dietary behavior. Experiencing symptoms may negatively affect quality of life. Caregivers should provide supportive care to patients with liver cirrhosis, which includes assessing and managing symptoms to improve quality of life.
The miR-204-5p/FOXC1/GDF7 axis regulates the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells via the AKT and p38 signalling pathways
Authors: Zhou You , Liu Siyu , Wang Wei , Sun Qiang , Lv Mengzhu , Yang Shude , Tong Shuang , Guo Shu 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are stem cells with the potential to differentiate in multiple directions. MiR-204-5p is expressed at low levels during the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs, and its specific regulatory mechanism remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the function and possible molecular mechanism of miR-204-5p in the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs.Methods: The expression patterns of miR-204-5p, Runx2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) and growth differentiation factor 7 (GDF7) in hADSCs during osteogenesis were detected by qRT-PCR. Then, ALP and alizarin red staining (ARS) were used to detect osteoblast activities and mineral deposition. Western blotting was conducted to confirm the protein levels. The regulatory relationship among miR-204-5p, FOXC1 and GDF7 was verified by dual-luciferase activity and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays.Results: MiR-204-5p expression was downregulated in hADSC osteogenesis, and overexpression of miR-204-5p suppressed osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, the levels of FOXC1 and GDF7 were decreased in the miR-204-5p mimics group, which indicates that miR-204-5p overexpression suppresses the expression of FOXC1 and GDF7 by binding to their 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs). Overexpression of FOXC1 or GDF7 improved the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs induced by the miR-204-5p mimics. Moreover, FOXC1 was found to bind to the promoter of miR-204-5p and GDF7, promote the deacetylation of miR-204-5p and reduce the expression of miR-204-5p, thus promoting the expression of GDF7 during osteogenic differentiation. GDF7 induced hADSC osteogenesis differentiation by activating the AKT and P38 signalling pathways.Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that the miR-204-5p/FOXC1/GDF7 axis regulates the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs via the AKT and p38 signalling pathways. This study further revealed the regulatory mechanism of hADSC differentiation from the perspective of miRNA regulation.
Cryomilled Ni-Co-Se Enables Water Oxidation Electrocatalysts Durable at High Current Densities
Authors: Abed Jehad , Ahmadi Shideh , Laverdure Laura , Abdellah Ahmed , O'Brien Colin , Sobrino Pedro , Sinton David , Higgins Drew , Mosey Nicholas , Thorpe Steven J. , Sargent Edward 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) limits electrocatalysis due to the high overpotential incurred by the poor reaction kinetics; this problem worsens over time if the performance of the OER electrocatalyst diminishes during operation. Here, we report the synthesis of immiscible Ni-Co-Se nanoparticles (<10 nm) for alkaline OER using milling at a cryogenic temperature. Milling at such low temperatures promotes thermodynamically stable nanocrystalline intermetallics with a high density of coordinatively unsaturated active sites. Using operando synchrotron spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and density functional theory we found that during the OER, Se ions leaches out of the nanocrystalline structure activating the electrocatalyst by hydrating and transforming defective Ni and Co sites into active and stable oxyhydroxides. Activated (NiCo)3Se4 electrocatalyst required only an overpotential of 279 mV at 0.5 A.cm-2 and 329 mV at 1 A.cm-2 for 500 hours in 1M KOH. Using anion exchange membrane, we report the lowest cell voltage for an alkaline water electrolyser delivering 2 A.cm-2 at 2 V.
Vitamin D: A Pleiotropic Hormone with Possible Psychotropic Activities
Authors: Marazziti Donatella , Parra Elisabetta , Palermo Stefania , Barberi Filippo Maria , Buccianelli Beatrice , Ricciardulli Sara , Cappelli Andrea , Mucci Federico , Dell’Osso Liliana 
Published: December 2020

Introduction:After the recognition of the efficacy of cod–liver oil in rickets at the end of the eighteenth century, and the isolation and synthesis of the liposoluble vitamin D in 1931, its mode of actions and functions were deeply explored. Biochemical studies permitted to identify five forms of vitamin D, called D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5, differing in ultrastructural conformation and origin, with vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol) representing the active forms. In the last decades especially, a constantly increasing bulk of data highlighted how vitamin D could regulate several activities and processes.Aims:The aim of the present paper was to review and comment on the literature on vitamin D, with a focus on its possible role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders.Discussion:vailable literature indicates that vitamin D regulates a variety of processes in humans and in the central nervous system. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an enhanced pro-inflammatory state, and formation of Aβ oligomers that might contribute to the cognitive decline typical of the elderly age and, perhaps, dementia. More in general, vitamin D is supposed to play a crucial role in neuroinflammation processes that are currently hypothesized to be involved in the pathophysiology of different psychiatric disorders, such as major depression, bipolar disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and psychosis.Conclusions:It is conceivable that vitamin D supplementation might pave the way towards “natural” treatments of a broad range of neuropsychiatric disorders, or at least be useful to boost response to psychotropic drugs in resistant cases.
Imidazole Derivatives and their Antibacterial Activity - A Mini-Review
Authors: Andrei Gâz Șerban , Andrei Boda Francisc , Roxana Pop Rahela 
Published: December 2020

Background:
The development of drug resistance by bacterial strains is a public health issue, being the main
cause for the decrease in effectiveness of numerous antibiotics. In this context, it is essential to find new drugs with better
antibacterial activity.

Objective:
The authors proposed to cover relevant literature, published following the review article written by Rani et al.,
illustrating chemical structures and antibacterial activity of some imidazole derivatives.

Method:
Approximately 100 scientific articles, presenting more than 150 compounds have been reviewed. The most
relevant data have been extracted and systematically arranged in figures and tables.

Results:
The reviewed studies used a broad number of bacterial strains, however Staphylococcus aureus as Gram-positive,
and Escherichia coli as Gram-negative bacterial strains were most frequently used to assess the activity of these compounds.

Conclusion:
Some of the compounds showed promising results against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial
strains, thus further analysis should be performed in terms of toxicity, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Additional
screening of these imidazole derivatives could lead to useful compounds with potential broad-spectrum antibacterial activity
against resistant pathogens.
Stable Loading and Delivery of Icaritin Using PEG-PCL Micelles for Effective Treatment of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yang Jian-Guang , Zhang Jing , Chen Xiao-Jie , Zhou Gang 
Published: December 2020

Background:
Icaritin can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in Oral Squamous
Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). However, low solubility limits its clinical usage.

Objectives:
To improve the efficacy of icaritin treatment, a micelle system was designed for targeted
delivery of drugs to OSCC cells.

Methods:
In the present study, the micelles loaded with icaritin were self-assembled from the amphipathic
polymer via film dispersion. Nanoparticles were characterized with the transmission electron
microscope and dynamic light scattering. The cytotoxicity of icaritin nanoparticles was analyzed
by CCK-8, and in vitro target-selective intracellular uptake behaviors were observed using a
laser confocal microscope.

Results:
The micelles were spherical with the mean diameter of 121.2 nm. in vitro studies revealed
that icaritin was stablely and slowly released from micelles. Cytotoxicity analysis demonstrated
that icartin-loaded micelles exhibited better therapeutic efficacy compared with free icaritin. Cellular
uptake and intracellular release results revealed that micelles efficiently delivered icaritin into
OSCC cells.

Conclusion:
These results suggest that encapsulated icaritin in polycaprolactone - polyethylene glycol
(PCL-PEG) micelles may provide safe and effective drug delivery in OSCC treatments.