bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of shade stress on turfgrasses morphophysiology and rhizosphere soil bacterial communities
Authors: Fu Juanjuan , Luo Yilan , Sun Pengyue , Gao Jinzhu , Zhao Donghao , Yang Peizhi , Hu Tianming 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: The shade represents one of the major environmental limitations for turfgrass growth. Shade influences plant growth and alters plant metabolism, yet little is known about how shade affects the structure of rhizosphere soil microbial communities and the role of soil microorganisms in plant shade responses. In this study, a glasshouse experiment was conducted to examine the impact of shade on the growth and photosynthetic capacity of two contrasting shade-tolerant turfgrasses, shade-tolerant dwarf lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus, OJ) and shade-intolerant perennial turf-type ryegrass (Lolium perenne, LP). We also examined soil-plant feedback effects on shade tolerance in the two turfgrass genotypes. The composition of the soil bacterial community was assayed using high-throughput sequencing.
Results: OJ maintained higher photosynthetic capacity and root growth than LP under shade stress, thus OJ was found to be more shade-tolerant than LP. Shade-intolerant LP responded better to both shade and soil microbes than shade-tolerant OJ. The shade and live soil decreased LP growth, but increased biomass allocation to shoots in the live soil. The plant shade response index of LP is higher in live soil than sterile soil, driven by weakened soil-plant feedback under shade stress. In contrast, there was no difference in these values for OJ under similar shade and soil treatments. Shade stress had little impact on the diversity of the OJ and the LP bacterial communities, but instead impacted their composition. The OJ soil bacterial communities were mostly composed of Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria. Further pairwise fitting analysis showed that a positive correlation of shade-tolerance in two turfgrasses and their bacterial community compositions. Several soil properties (NO3--N, NH4+-N, AK) showed a tight coupling with several major bacterial communities under shade stress. Moreover, OJ shared core bacterial taxa known to promote plant growth and confer tolerance to shade stress, which suggests common principles underpinning OJ-microbe interactions.
Conclusion: Soil microorganisms mediate plant responses to shade stress via plant-soil feedback and shade-induced change in the rhizosphere soil bacterial community structure for OJ and LP plants. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding plant-soil interactions and their role in the mechanisms underlying shade tolerance in shade-tolerant turfgrasses.
Genome-wide identification of diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGAT) family genes influencing milk production traits in buffalo
Authors: Liu Jiajia , Wang Zhiquan , Li Jun , Li Hui , Yang Liguo 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: The diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGAT) are a vital group of enzymes in catalyzing triacylglycerol biosynthesis. DGAT genes like DGAT1 and DGAT2 , have been identified as two functional candidate genes affecting milk production traits, especially for fat content in milk. Buffalo milk is famous for its excellent quality, which is rich in fat and protein content. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize DGAT family genes in buffalo and to find candidate markers or DGAT genes influencing lactation performance.
Results: We performed a genome-wide study and identified eight DGAT genes in buffalo. All the DGAT genes classified into two distinct clades (DGAT1 and DGAT2 subfamily) based on their phylogenetic relationships and structural features. Chromosome localization displayed eight buffalo DGAT genes distributed on five chromosomes. Collinearity analysis revealed that the DGAT family genes were extensive homologous between buffalo and cattle. Afterward, we discovered genetic variants loci within the genomic regions that DGAT genes located in buffalo. Seven haplotype blocks were constructed and were associated with buffalo milk production traits. Single marker association analyses revealed four most significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) mainly affecting milk protein percentage or milk fat yield in buffalo. Genes functional analysis indicated that these DGAT family genes could influence lactation performance in the mammal through regulating lipid metabolism.
Conclusion: In the present study, we performed a comprehensive analysis for the DGAT family genes in buffalo, which including identification, structural characterization, phylogenetic classification, chromosomal distribution, collinearity analysis, association analysis, and functional analysis. These findings provide useful information for an in-depth study to determine the role of DGAT family gens play in the regulation of milk production and milk quality improvement in buffalo.
Microbiome insights into the perforated duodenal ulcer via metagenomic sequencing
Authors: Author) Xue Huang(Former Corresponding , Ma Shaying , Niu Jingjing , Li Jiang , Wang Xiaoyu , Duan Xiangke , Yan Shuangquan , Author) Jianping Xie(New Corresponding 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: As a part of the digestive duct, duodenum, populates abundant commensal microbes, of which Helicobacter pylori was considered as the most widely and only recognized causative agent, especially in perforated duodenal ulcer patients. Although the most researches have been performed between duodenal ulcer diseases and the invader H. pylori , the relationship between perforated duodenal ulcer and the associated microbiome remained to be explored. Results: Metagenomic sequencing were used to profile the microbes underlying duodenal ulcer. The metagenome results of 6 duodenal ulcer samples (3 ulcer foci and3 sites around the ulcer foci) were obtained and compared. Ulcer foci and (healthy control (3 sites around the ulcer foci) were found to exist distinct microbial distributions. And interestingly, Streptococcus mitis was highly enriched in duodenal ulcer foci. Conclusion: The dysbiosis of microbiomes might underlie duodenal ulcer diseases, while the increased abundance of S. mitis is a novel finding. Whether there is causal link between S. mitis and duodenal ulcer remains to be determined. This represents the first report on the gut microbiome of duodenum or duodenal ulcer, that revealed that gut microbiota dysbiosis, especially S. mitis , might play an unexpected role in the disease. The S. mitis and microbiome dysbiosis can be new direction in the duodenal ulcer study.
Effects of Group Logo therapy Training on Self-Esteem, Communication Skills, and impact of event scale-revised (IES-R) in Elderly
Authors: Soroush Ali , Ziapour Arash , Sharma Manoj , Jahanbin Iran , Andayeshgar Bahare , Moradi Farideh , Najafi Sahar , Cheraghpouran Elham 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: To evaluate the effects of group logotherapy training on the Self-Esteem, communication skills, and dealing with event in elderly. Methods: The sample of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) includes 30 elderly individuals with unstable and weak self-esteem in an Daily Center for the elderly. The Samples are selected by convenience method and divided into two equal groups, i.e. the cases and controls. The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI), Weiss and Marmar’s Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and Barton’s Communication Skills Questionnaire were instruments for data collection. After evaluating the baseline, the case group attended ten sessions of group logotherapy. During this period, the controls were only using the conventional programs of the center. At the end of the program, the baseline sessions were completed by all participants at 1 and 3-month follow-up. The collected data were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures, independent t-test, and chi-square. Results: The results show that group logotherapy significantly is effect on the improvement of self-esteem, communication skills, and dealing with events in the elderly (P<0.001). However, a decrease in the effects of the trainings over time was observed in the follow-ups one and three months after the program. Conclusions: It can be concluded that group logotherapy training can be used for boosting the self-esteem, improving the communication skills, and improving proper responses to stressful events among the elderly. The durability of the benefits of these trainings requires reevaluation of this program in the long term.
Does the Medical Insurance System Play a Real Role in Reducing Catastrophic Economic Burden in Elderly Patients with Cardiovascular Disease in China? Implication for Accurately Targeting Vulnerable Characteristics.
Authors: Ma Meiyan , Li Ye , Wang Nianshi , Qunhong Wu , Jiao Mingli , Shan Linghan , Sun Tao , Li Heng , Gao Han , Fu Xuelian , Tian Wanxin , Xia Qi , Hao Yanhua , Shi Baoguo 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background:The vulnerability of cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients’ health abilities, combined with the severity of the disease and the overlapping risk factors, can cause such people to bear the economic burden of the disease due to the use of medical services.We estimated the economic burden of patients with CVD，and identified the weak link in the design of the medical insurance. Methods:Data from 5,610 middle-aged and elderly with CVD were drawn from the 2015 wave of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The recommended method of the World Health Organization (WHO) was adopted to calculate catastrophic health expenditure (CHE), impoverishment by medical expenses (IME), and applied the treatment-effect model to analyze the determinants of CHE.Results:The incidence of CHE was 19.9% of the CVD, compared to 7.6% of the sample households trapped in IME. The incidence of CHE in CVD participating in medical insurance was 2.6% higher than for uninsured families (16.3%).Family size, health satisfaction,combine with other chronic diseases, having hospitalization and disabled members, and participating in insurance were found to be significantly associated with the likelihood of CHE. Conclusions:Elderly with physical vulnerabilities were more prone to CHE. The medical insurance only reduced barriers to accessing health resources for elderly with CVD, but lacked policy inclination for high-utilization populations,and had poorly accurate identification of vulnerable characteristics of CVD,which in turn affects the economic protection ability of the medical insurance. The dispersion between the multiple medical security systems leads to the existence of blind spots in the economic risk protection of individuals and families. Keywords:cardiovascular disease, catastrophic health expenditure, impoverishment by medical expense, medical insurance, elderly households,China
Factors affecting beneficiary attendance in a community youth mental health promotion program in Karnataka, India.
Authors: Banandur Pradeep , Garady Lavanya , Arelingaiah Mutharaju , Gopalkrishna Gururaj , Koujageri Jyoti M , Sajjanar Sateesh L , Hadapad Basavaraj , K Srinivas 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Yuva Spandana is a unique community based Youth Mental Health Promotion program implemented across Karnataka. This program provides mental health promotion services like guidance and referral services for any issues related to youth. These services are provided through Youth Guidance centres established within every district stadium across Karnataka. We assessed factors affecting beneficiary attendance to these guidance centres across Karnataka. Methods: A conceptual framework was developed to understand the factors affecting beneficiary attendance through stakeholder consultation. First time beneficiaries attending guidance centres between 1st January 2017 and 31st December 2018 across 30 districts of Karnataka were considered study subjects. Requisite data were drawn from the computerized management information system (CMIS) specifically developed for the program. Multivariate Linear Regression was performed with factors affecting beneficiary attendance as outcome and a host of hypothesized variables within the conceptual framework as potential exposures that contribute towards beneficiary attendance. All variables significantly associated with outcome (p<0.10) in univariate and which changed the β-coefficient of atleast one preceding variable by 10% was retained in the multivariate model. Results: For every sensitization program where more than one issue was addressed, the beneficiary attendance increased by 84% (β =0.84; 95% CI=0.53-1.15). Reaching out to parent beneficiaries through sensitisation programs, increased beneficiary attendance at YSK by 79% (β =0.79; 95% CI=0.20-1.37). Referring clients to resource mapped organisations, significantly increased beneficiary attendance by 81% (β =0.81; 95% CI=0.34-1.28). For every percentage increase in reminder calls made to probable beneficiaries who sought support following a sensitization programme, beneficiary attendance increased by 2.18 times (β =2.18; 95% CI=0.52-3.83). Availability of internet connectivity at these guidance centres in 2017, increased beneficiary attendance by 18 times (β =18.00; 95% CI=5.86-30.13). Conclusions: This study provides important inputs towards increasing beneficiary attendance towards large scale youth mental health promotion programs. Addressing more than one issue during sensitisation programs among beneficiaries; conducting sensitization programs among parent groups; making reminder calls to beneficiaries who requested support through feedback forms to fix appointment at guidance centres; providing referrals to beneficiaries to seek services at resource mapped individuals/organizations and ensuring availability of internet in guidance centres increases beneficiary attendance.
Comparative population genetic structure of two Ixodidae ticks (Ixodes ovatus and Haemaphysalis flava) in Niigata Prefecture, Japan&nbsp;
Authors: Regilme Maria Angenica Fulo , Sato Megumi , Tamura Tsutomu , Arai Reiko , Sato Marcello Otake , Ikeda Sumire , Doi Masaya , Tanaka Kohki , Gamboa Maribet , Monaghan Michael T. , Watanabe Kozo 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background Ixodid tick species such as Ixodes ovatus and Haemaphysalis flava function as important vectors of tick-borne diseases in Japan. The study of the genetic patterns of tick populations can reveal information regarding the spread of tick-borne disease. We hypothesized that I. ovatus and H. flava have different population genetic structure because of their host mobility in different tick life stages despite sharing of hosts. Methods Samples (n = 1 to 77) were collected in 29 (I. ovatus) and 17 (H. flava) sampling locations across Niigata. In this study, we used genetic structure at two mitochondrial loci (cox1, 16S rRNA gene) to infer gene flow patterns of I. ovatus and H. flava from Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Results For I. ovatus, pairwise FST and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) analyses of cox1 sequences indicated significant among-population differentiation. This was in contrast to H. flava, for which there were only two cases of significant pairwise differentiation and no overall structure. A Mantel test revealed isolation by distance and there was positive spatial autocorrelation of haplotypes in I. ovatus cox1 and 16S sequences, but non-significant results were observed in H. flava in both markers. We found three genetic groups (China 1, China 2 and Japan) in the cox1 I. ovatus tree. Newly sampled I. ovatus grouped together with a published I. ovatus sequence from northern Japan and were distinct from two other I. ovatus groups that were reported from southern China. Conclusions The three genetic groups in our data set suggest the potential for cryptic species within the lineage. While many factors can potentially account for the observed differences in genetic structure, including population persistence and large-scale patterns of range expansion, we propose that differences in the mobility of hosts of tick immature stages (small mammals in I. ovatus; birds in H. flava) may be driving the observed patterns.
Evaluating the predictive performance of Malaria antibodies and FCGR3B Gene Polymorphisms on Plasmodium falciparum infection outcome: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Dwomoh Duah , Adu Bright , Dodoo Daniel , Theisen Michael , Iddi Samuel , Gerds Thomas A. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background Malaria antigen-specific antibodies and polymorphisms in host receptors involved in antibody functionality have been associated with different outcomes of Plasmodium falciparum infections. Thus, to identify key prospective malaria antigens for vaccine development, there is the need to evaluate the associations between malaria antibodies and antibody dependent host factors with more rigorous statistical methods. In this study, we employ suitable statistical models to evaluate the predictive performance of malaria-specific antibodies and host gene polymorphisms on P. falciparum infection in a longitudinal cohort study involving Ghanaian children.Methods Models with different functional forms were built using known predictors (age, sickle cell status, blood group status, parasite density, and mosquito bed net use) and malaria antigen-specific antibodies and FCGR3B polymorphisms shown to mediate antibody-dependent neutrophil function. The models were evaluated through visualization and assessment of differences between the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve and Brier Score estimated by suitable internal cross-validation designs.Results This study has found that the FCGR3B-c.233C>A genotype and IgG against AMA1 were relatively better compared to the other antibodies and FCGR3B genotypes in classifying or predicting malaria risk among children.Conclusions Apical Membrane Antigen 1 could be a key potential vaccine antigen while FCGR3B-c.233C>A under the additive and dominant models of inheritance could be an important modifier of the effect of malaria protective antibodies.
Assessment of Chlorhexidine use for cord care at Kangundo level 4 Hospital
Authors: Ambale Clarice , Ngatia Brian , Nthusi Jonathan 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Sepsis continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. One of the most important portals of entry for infections is the umbilical cord. Proper care of the cord can prevent many of these cases of sepsis and hence reduce neonatal mortality rates. In Kenya, the use of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) gel was introduced to scale in 2016 and received with mixed reactions in some hospitals with reports of medication errors and ineffectiveness being received. This study sought to find out the knowledge, practices and attitude on its use in Kangundo Level 4 hospital. Methodology: The study was carried out at Kangundo level 4 hospital between June and August 2019. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study with both quantitative and qualitative components. A questionnaire was used for the quantitative data collection while focus group discussions were held for the qualitative data collection. Ethical approval was sought prior to commencement of data collection. Results: A total of 19 clients and 24 healthcare workers were interviewed and two focus group discussions held. All the 19 clients had delivered in the hospital and only three were first-time mothers. Education on how to use chlorhexidine (CHX) was given to 16/19 (84%) of the clients interviewed. Duration of application varied among clients; 4 days 5/19(26%), 7 days, 12/19 (64%) and until the stump falls off, 2/19 (10%). Twenty of the 24 HCWs (83%) interviewed advised the patients on cleaning the cord prior to application of CHX, frequency of application varied from OD 15/24 ( 62%), BD 3/24 (13%) and TID 6/24( 25%). Two FGDs were held for HCW; lack of training and clear instructions on how to use the gel as major contributors to ineffectiveness of CHX. Conclusion and recommendation: There was poor understanding on the use of CHX among both clients and HCWs at Kangundo level 4 hospital. Cleaning of the stump prior to gel application is important to prevent accumulation of the dry gel and allow contact with the wound. There is need for training and development of a standard operating procedure on use of CHX.
Characterization of Gut Microbiota Associated with Clinical Parameters in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnant Patients
Authors: Li Rong , chen xuehai , Liu Zhongzhen , Chen Yan , Liu Chuan , Ye Lingfei , Xiao Liang , Yang Zhenjun , He Jian , Wang Wen-Jing , Qi Hongbo 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
BackgroundIntrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a liver disease that specifically occurs during pregnancy. Pregnant women with ICP biochemically reflect elevated liver functions and increases in serum bilirubin levels, while clinically individuals can display symptoms of itching and have elevated risks of preterm delivery and stillbirths. We hypothesized that there linkages between gut microbiota and ICP progression exist and could be scientifically characterized. MethodsIn total, 27 patients with ICP and 31 unafflicted control patients were recruited in this study. We performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing on gut microbiota from individual fecal samples. Sequencing data was analyzed and the correlations between components of microbiota and patient ICP status were tested. Relative abundances, related metabolic pathways, and significantly different OTUs between ICP and control patients were identified.ResultsBiochemical indices including measures for bile, ALT, AST, Dbil, and Tbil, and these were found to at higher levels in ICP versus control patients. Gut microbiota in pregnant women was dominated by four major phyla and 27 core genera. PCoA analysis results indicated that there was marginal significant clustering in unweighted Unifrac distance matrices. A moderate correlation coefficient was observed between specific OTUs and measured clinical parameters of patients. When comparing relatively rare microbiota taxa, the abundance of Butyricimonas was lower, while Citrobacter, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, and Weissella were higher in ICP patients than in control patients. No significant differences in the pathways between ICP and control patients were identified.ConclusionsOur research indicated that patients with ICP have altered phylogenetic gut microbiota profiles compared to control patients without ICP, and that the composition was associated with measurements of patient clinical parameters. These alterations may be correlated with variations of the levels of patient enteric bile acids, and may play a role in the progression of ICP.