bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Purification and Characterization of a Novel Bacteriocin Pediocin Z-1 Produced by Pediococcus Pentosaceus Z-1 Screened From Jinhua Ham
Authors: Yu Xiaohong , Yang Zhicai , Li Keyue , Liu Rui , Pei Huijie , Xiong Guoyuan , Yu Hai , Wu Mangang , Ge Qingfeng 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can produce bacteriostatic substances, among which bacteriocins attracted wide attention in food preservation for decades. Up to date, nisin (class I bacteriocins) has been considered to be the only bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus lactis strains for commercial use. Moreover, there are many other reports concerning the isolated bacteriocins for potential application in food industry while some exhibited a narrow bactericidal spectrum, thermal stability and low acid-base stability. Jinhua ham is a representative of traditional dry-cured meat product in China. The microbial community structure and diversity was speculated to be responsible for flavor and quality formation of Jinhua ham, protecting from the spoilage microorganisms contamination. However, no studies was performed to investigate the bacteriocin from LAB in Jinhua ham. Thus, the objective of this study was to screen out high-efficiency, safe and non-toxic bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from Jinhua Ham and subsequently perform the purification, identification and characterization of its bacteriocin. Results: The bacteriocin-producing LAB was screened from Jinhua ham and then designated as Pediococcus pentosaceus Z-1 by colony morphology and 16S rDNA sequencing. The bacteriocin was then crudely extracted from the bacterial cell-free supernatant by pH adsorption, and further purified by cellulose DEAE-52 ion exchange and Sephadex G-50 chromatography columns. The tricine-SDS-PAGE electrophoresis showed a highly purified protein band with 8227.35 Da with 60 amino acids identified by MALDI-TOF-MS analysis. The bacteriocin was named as pediocin Z-1 and its antibacterial activity exhibited an acid-base stability between pH 2-10 and a thermal stability at a range of 50-110°C. The pediocin Z-1 was sensitive to proteases and showed an inhibitory effect against Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella potsdam and Escherichia coli. Conclusions: Our data suggest that pediocin Z-1 has a comparable effect of antibacterial activity with nisin and it is promising that pediocin Z-1 has great potential for application prospect in the food industry.
Hypothyroidism and Risks of Cerebrovascular Complications Among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer After Radiotherapy
Authors: Liu Chi-Hung , Chang Joseph Tung-Chieh , Lee Tsong-Hai , Chang Pi-Yueh , Chang Chien-Hung , Wu Hsiu-Chuan , Chang Ting-Yu , Huang Kuo-Lun , Lin Chien-Yu , Fan Kang-Hsing , Chang Yeu-Jhy 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Hypothyroidism (HT) and carotid artery stenosis (CAS) are complications of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). The impact of post-RT HT on CAS progression remains unclear.Methods: Between 2013 and 2014, HNC patients who had ever received RT and were under regular follow-up in our hospital were initially screened. Patients were categorized into euthyroid (EU) and HT groups. Details of RT and HNC were recorded. Total plaque scores and degrees of CAS were measured during annual extracranial duplex follow-up. Patients were monitored for CAS progression to >50% stenosis or ischemic stroke (IS). Cumulative time to CAS progression and IS between the 2 groups were compared. Data were further analyzed based on the use or nonuse of thyroxine of the HT group.Results: 333 HNC patients with RT history were screened. Finally, 216 patients were recruited (94 and 122 patients in the EU and HT groups). Patients of the HT group received higher mean RT doses (HT vs. EU; 7021.55 ± 401.67 vs. 6869.69 ± 425.32 centi-grays, p = 0.02). Multivariate Cox models showed comparable CAS progression (p = 0.24) and IS occurrence (p = 0.51) between the 2 groups. Moreover, no significant difference was observed in time to CAS progression (p = 0.49) or IS (p = 0.31) among patients with EU and HT using and not using thyroxine supplement.Conclusion: Our results did not demonstrate significant effects of HT and thyroxine supplementation on CAS progression and IS incidence in patients with HNC after RT.
Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Surgical Outcome of Synthetic Fiber Conjunctival Granuloma
Authors: Chen Zhang , Wang Tianyang , Pan Qintuo , Zhang Zhaoliang , Zhang Zongduan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Until recently, synthetic fiber conjunctival granuloma (SFCG) is rarely reported and has been poorly understood. Our study was to explore the clinical features, histopathologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, and prognosis of SFCG after surgical excision.
Methods
Retrospective review of clinical findings, histopathological and immunohistochemical studies identified 18 cases of SFCG. Specimens were routinely processed and stained with H&E. Immunohistochemical stains for GMS, PAS, CD68 and CK were also performed.
Results
Eighteen patients with an average age of 9.3 ± 6.6 years had a tender white to red mass on the conjunctiva. All the lesions were completely removed, and none of the patients relapsed. Histologically, all of the specimens revealed inflammatory granulation tissues with a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration and the presence of synthetic fibers. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for CD68, CK, GMS and PAS.
Conclusions
Synthetic fiber conjunctival granuloma is an uncommon lesion with foreign body sensation caused by inoculation of synthetic exogenous materials. SFCGs are mostly unilateral and occur in the inferior conjunctival fornix. These lesions are characterized by a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration and the presence of synthetic fibers. Surgical excision followed by topical corticosteroids has been clinically proven to be effective.
Prevalence of Subclavian Artery Stenosis in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Hashad Assem AbdelAziz , Elagha Abdalla 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background : Atherosclerosis is the most common and serious vascular disease that affects both the brain and the heart .(1) Subclavian stenosis/occlusion is a marker for atherosclerotic disease (eg, carotid, coronary & lower extremity arteries) and future adverse cardiovascular events. (2) In this study, we identified the prevalence of subclavian artery stenosis in patients presented with coronary artery disease (CAD) through changes in the Doppler tracing of vertebral arteries that appear to represent a clue of subclavian artery stenosis.Methods: On the basis of extracranial Doppler ultrasound & supplementary intracranial Doppler ultrasound, we assessed the pattern of Doppler waveform in both carotid & vertebrobasilar systems among 100 consecutive patients who were hospitalized for CAD in the cardiovascular department.Results: Among 100 consecutive CAD patients studied, we identified stenosis and occlusion of subclavian artery in 5 patients (5%). In those patients, subclavian arterial disease was indirectly discovered by changes in Doppler waveforms of vertebral artery. Conclusions: Prevalence of subclavian artery stenosis in patients with CAD is 5%. Changes in the pulse contour of antegrade vertebral artery Doppler waveforms seem to represent a good screening method for subclavian steal phenomena.
Can Pre-Trained Convolutional Neural Networks be used as Feature Extractors for Video-based Neonatal Sleep and Wake Classification?
Authors: Awais Muhammad , Long Xi , Yin Bin , chen Chen , Akbarzadeh Saeed , Abbasi Saadullah Farooq , Irfan Muhammad , Lu Chunmei , Wang Xinhua , Wang Laishuan , Chen Wei 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Objective
In this paper, we propose to evaluate the use of a pre-trained convolutional neural networks (CNN’s) as a features extractor followed by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to find the best discriminant features to perform classification using support vector machine (SVM) algorithm for neonatal sleep and wake states using Fluke® facial video frames. Using pre-trained CNN’s as feature extractor would hugely reduce the effort of collecting new neonatal data for training a neural network which could be computationally very expensive. The features are extracted after fully connected layers (FCL’s), where we compare several pre-trained CNN’s, e.g., VGG16, VGG19, InceptionV3, GoogLeNet, ResNet, and AlexNet.
Results
From around 2-h Fluke® video recording of seven neonate, we achieved a modest classification performance with an accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 65.3%, 69.8%, 61.0%, respectively with AlexNet using Fluke® (RGB) video frames. This indicates that using a pre-trained model as a feature extractor could not fully suffice for highly reliable sleep and wake classification in neonates. Therefore, in future a dedicated neural network trained on neonatal data or a transfer learning approach is required.
Assessing microRNA-375 Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) Patients and T2DM Patients Having First-Degree Relatives With T2DM&nbsp;
Authors: Xu Wu , Yashan Li , Baohua Man , Dexuan Li 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background:The pancreatic islet specific microRNA-375 (miR-375) is reported to be upregulated in diabetes patients suppressing the glucose-induced insulin secretion. In this clinical study we aimed to assess the significance of miR-375 among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and their first-degree relatives with normal glucose tolerance (FD-NGT) and those with T2DM (FD-T2DM).Methods:We included 56 Han Chinese individuals who received medical health check-ups from January 2018 to September 2018 in the Outpatient Department of Endocrinology, The Third Hospital of Yunnan Province, China. They were categorized as normal glucose tolerance (NGT), T2DM, FD-NGT and FD-T2DM. OGTT, C-Peptide and Insulin tests were performed to confirm the diagnosis. The miR-375 levels were determined by Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR).Results:The OGTT test showed a significant difference in T2DM and FD-T2DM groups compared with NGT and FD-NGT (p＜0.05). Similar results were observed during C-Peptide and insulin tests. Interestingly, the 2-hour insulin test showed FD-NGT group having a significantly higher mean ± standard error of (64.240±12.775) compared to NGT (28.836±10.875). Assessment of miR-375 expression levels in 4 groups showed a significant up-regulation in T2DM and FD-T2DM compared with NGT and FD-NGT group. A slight increase in miRNA expression was observed in FD-NGT compared with NGT group but was not statistically significant.Conclusion: A significantly higher miR-375 expression was observed in T2DM and FD-T2DM groups compared with NGT and FD-NGT and thus, miR-375 may serve as a stable biomarker for the early prediction of T2DM among high-risk individuals.
Six-long Non-coding RNA Signature to Predict the Prognosis of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Yang , Hu Chengping 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play essential roles in tumorigenesis and cancers prognosis, and they can be a potential cancer prognostic markers. However, in lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD), how lncRNA signatures predict the survival of patients is poorly understood. Our study aims to explore lncRNA signatures and prognostic function in LUAD.Methods: The expression and prognosis data of lncRNAs in LUAD patients was collected from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. All analyses were performed using the R package (version 3.6.2). Metascape, STRING and Cytoscape were used for enrichment analysis and function prediction of the lncRNA co-expressed protein-coding genes.Results: We have collected lncRNA expression data in 466 LUAD tumors, and a six-lncRNA signature(RP11-79H23.3, RP11-309M7.1, CTD-2357A8.3, RP11-108P20.4, U47924.29, LHFPL3-AS2) has been shown to be significantly related to LUAD patients’ overall survival. According to the lncRNA signatures, the high-risk and low-risk groups were divided in LUAD patients with different survival rates. Further multivariable cox regression analysis showed that the prognostic value of this signature was independent of clinical factors. The potential functional roles and hub co-expressed protein-coding genes in the six prognostic lncRNAs are shown in the functional enrichment analysis.Conclusions: These results showed that these six lncRNAs could be independent predicted prognostic biomarkers in LUAD patients.
Quantifying the adhesive strength between the SARS-CoV-2 S-proteins and human receptor and its effect in therapeutics
Authors: Torre Mauricio Ponga de la 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The binding affinity and adhesive strength between the spike (S) glycoproteins of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor is computed using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The calculations indicate that the binding affinity is e RS = 12.6 ± 1 kCal∙mol-1 with a maximum adhesive force of ~102 pN. Our analysis suggests that only 27 (13 in S-protein, 14 in ACE2) residues are active during the initial fusion process between the S-protein and ACE2 receptor. With these insights, we investigated the effect of possible therapeutics in the size and wrapping time of virus particles by reducing the binding energy. Our analysis indicates that this energy has to be reduced significantly, around 50% or more, to block SARS-CoV-2 particles with radius in the order of R≤60 nm. Our study provides concise target residues and target binding energy reduction between S-proteins and receptors for the development of new therapeutics treatments for COVID-19 guided by computational design.
Analysis on Health-related Quality of Life of 180 Chinese Patients with Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Authors: Zhang Lina , Gao Chen , Wang Yuan , Zhou Wei , Xiao Kang , Chen Cao , Shi Qi , Dong Xiao-Ping 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Aims Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) heavily affects the patient’s motor, cognitive, and psychological functions with 100% fatality rate. Yet, there are few studies focusing on the impact of sCJD on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the patients with validated instrument. We examined physical and mental conditions of those sCJD patients in China for the first time. Methods With EQ-5D-3L instrument, a telephone-based cross-sectional study was conducted in order to obtain health statuses of 180 probable Chinese sCJD cases diagnosed in the National Center for CJD surveillance from January 2017 to July 2018. Besides, a visual analogue score (VAS) was performed to evaluate the health status of the sCJD patients from the family members and relatives who nursing the patients. Results Nearly all of 180 sCJD patients showed the apparent problems in the demission of mobility, usual activities and self-care. More than 1/3 of patients (38.33%) recalled the moderate and severe problems in the demission of pain/uncomfortable. 47.78% of them had the problems in the demission of anxiety/depression. The health utility of sCJD patients was low, with the median of 0.206. Meanwhile, the EQ-VAS score of those sCJD patients was also extremely low, with the median of 0. Conclusion Compared with the published data of several other diseases, the quality of life of Chinese sCJD patients was extremely poor as demonstrated by the results of the generic EQ-5D-3L. More social attentions need to be paid to reduce the healthy and economic burdens for sCJD patients and their families.
Visualizing Local Electrical Properties of Composite Electrodes in Sulfide All-Solid-State Batteries by Scanning Probe Microscopy
Authors: Otoyama Misae , Yamaoka Takehiro , Ito Hiroyuki , Inagi Yuki , Sakuda Atsushi , Tatsumisago Masahiro , Hayashi Akitoshi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Studies on local conduction paths in composite electrodes are essential to the realization of high-performance sulfide all-solid-state lithium batteries. Here, we directly evaluate the electrical properties of individual LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (NMC) electrode active material particles in composite positive electrodes by scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and scanning spreading resistance microscopy (SSRM) were combined. The results indicated that all NMC particles exhibit a charged state with increasing potential, but low electronic conduction paths exist at point contacts of some NMC particles. Furthermore, the I-V characteristics measured by conductive-atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) suggest that these specific NMC particles show low charge-discharge reactivity. The results of the SPM techniques indicate that poor conduction locally limits the charge-discharge reactivity of electrode active materials, leading to the degradation of battery performance. Such SPM combination accelerates the morphological optimization of composite electrodes by facilitating the investigation of the intrinsic electrical properties of the electrodes.
The Interaction between Population Age Structure and Policy Interventions on the Spread of COVID-19
Authors: Liu Zhu , Yin Hao , Kammen Daniel 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented public health crisis and economic shock to the global economy. After months of worldwide pause, countries and cities are facing growing pressure to lift restrictions on economic activity. The optimal reopening strategy may vary significantly between cities depending on their demographics and social mixing. In this study, we explore the interaction between population age structure and various containment interventions in four cities with different age distributions that have been or are currently local epicenters of the epidemic. Our model quantifies that earlier interventions avoided an additional 13%, 58%, 70% and 86% of the infections in Los Angeles, New York, Daegu and Nairobi, respectively, compared to what has been observed in the four cities. Critically, we find that not only can social-distancing policies exhibit strong age-differential effects, but that even age-targeted interventions can have significant spillovers. Specifically, 50% reduction in the contact rates of population under 20 and older than 60 avoids 5%, 11%, 11% and 28% of infection among the elderly than the policy targeting the older adults alone in New York, Daegu, Los Angeles and Nairobi, respectively. In particular, to protect the elderly, it is essential to increase social distancing among the younger population, especially those under 20 years old. An older population structure results in a higher fatality risk while might decrease the infection risk. This is particularly critical as colleges and universities, in both cities and small towns, plan for on-campus activities with students drawn from a globalized pool. An older population structure results in a higher fatality risk while might slightly decrease the infection risk. A higher basic reproduction number exacerbates the influence of an old population structure on the fatality risk of the elderly. The significant differences in susceptibility and severity by demographic characteristics calls for targeted interventions to suppress the spread of COVID-19.
Predictors and One-year Outcomes of Patients with Delayed Graft Function after Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Chen Rao , Wang Haifeng , Hou Jianfei , Dai Helong , Peng Longkai 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Objective:Delayed graft function (DGF) is closely associated with the use of marginal donated kidneys due to deficits during transplantation and in recipients. We aimed to predict the incidence of DGF and evaluate its effect on graft survival.Methods:This retrospective study on kidney transplantation was conducted from January 1, 2018, to May 31, 2019, in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. We classified recipients into training and validation cohorts and used data from the training cohort to analyze the predictors of DGF. A nomogram was then constructed to predict the likelihood of DGF based on these predictors.Results:The incidence rate of DGF is 24.73%. Binary logistic regression analysis showed correlations between the incidence of DGF and cold ischemic time (CIT), warm ischemic time (WIT), donor body mass index (BMI), duration of pretransplant dialysis, diabetic donor, primary cause of donor death, and terminal serum creatinine concentration. The internal accuracy of the nomogram was 85.78%. One-year graft survival rates were 100% and 94.74%, respectively, for the groups with and without DGF (P<0.05).Conclusion:The nomogram established in this study showed good accuracy in predicting DGF after deceased donor kidney transplantation; additionally, DGF decreased one-year graft survival.
Lowest wealth quintiles predispose under-five children to stunting in Ethiopia: Updates of systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kassaw Mesfin Wudu , Afework Aschalew , Digssie Alemayehu , Fentahun Netsanet , Açık Murat , Awoke Taddesse 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Malnutrition remains as a major public health problem in the world, particularly in developing countries such as Ethiopia. The prevalence of stunting in Ethiopia has been decreased considerably from 58% in 2000 to 44% in 2011 and 38% in 2016. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the prevalence of stunting and its associations with wealth index among under-five children in Ethiopia. Methodology: The databases screened were PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, HINARI and grey literatures. The studies’ qualities were assessed by two reviewers independently, and any controversy was handled by other reviewers using the JBI critical appraisal checklist. In the statistical analysis, the funnel plot, Egger’s test, and Begg’s test were used to assess publication bias. The I2 statistic, forest plot, and Cochran’s Q test were used to deal with heterogeneity. Results: The pooled prevalence of stunting was 41.5% among under-five children, despite its considerable heterogeneity (I2=97.6%, p<0.001). However, the included studies had no publication bias in calculating the pooled prevalence (Egger’s test p=0.26; Begg’s test p=0.87). Children from households with a medium or low/poor wealth index had higher odds of stunting (AOR 1.33, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.65 or AOR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.46, 2.54, respectively) compared to children from households with a high/rich wealth index. Conclusions: The pooled prevalence of stunting is great. In the subgroup analysis, the Amhara region, followed by the Oromia region and then the Tigray region had the highest prevalence of stunting
Genetic Polymorphism Analysis of&nbsp;Mitochondrial DNA from&nbsp;Chinese Guangdong&nbsp;Liannan Yao ethnic group
Authors: Sun Shiyu , Chen Jinpeng , Zhang Mingqi , Huang Huang , Lin Xihong , Du Weian , Sun Huilin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Genetic polymorphism and haplotype distribution characteristics analysis of mitochondrial DNA in Chinese Guangdong Liannan Yao group was conducted in this study, to provide genetic basis for tracing the origin and historical migration of Liannan Yao people.Results 46 mutation sites were found, and among which single nucleotide transition was the most commonly observed variant (86.17%). Multiple (sub)haplogroups were detected in Liannan Yao ethnic group, among which haplogroup D was the most common haplogroup (29.80%), and the least were C and Y(0.48% respectively). Conclusions The Liannan Yao population had the commonalities of the ethnic groups in southern China, but it was significantly different from other Chinese ethnic populations. The present results revealed that Liannan Yao ethnic group was genetically closer related to Fujian She ethnic population, Yunnan Yao population, and Hunnan Miao population. The data enriched the Chinese mtDNA database and provided a reference for forensic identification and screening for potential pathogenic mutations.