bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fowlerstefin, a cysteine protease inhibitor of Naegleria fowleri, induces inflammatory responses in BV-2 microglial cells in vitro
Authors: Thái Thị Lam , Kang Jung-Mi , Lê Hương Giang , Lee Jinyoung , Yoo Won Gi , Shin Ho-Joon , Sohn Woon-Mok , Na Byoung-Kuk 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba that causes an opportunistic fatal infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in humans. Cysteine proteases produced by the amoeba may play critical roles in the pathogenesis of infection. In this study, a novel cysteine protease inhibitor of N. fowleri (fowlerstefin) was characterized to elucidate its biological function as an endogenous cysteine protease inhibitor of the parasite as well as a pathogenic molecule that induces immune responses in microglial cells.

Methods
Recombinant fowlerstefin was expressed in Escherichia coli. The inhibitory activity of fowlerstefin against several cysteine proteases, including human cathepsins B and L, papain and NfCPB-L, was analyzed. Fowlerstefin-induced pro-inflammatory response in BV-2 microglial cells was anayzed by cytokine array assay, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results
Fowlerstefin is a cysteine protease inhibitor with a monomeric structure, and belongs to the stefin family. Recombinant fowlerstefin effectively inhibited diverse cysteine proteases including cathepsin B-like cysteine proteases of N. fowleri (NfCPB-L), human cathepsins B and L, and papain. Expression of fowlerstefin in the amoeba was optimal during the trophozoite stage and gradually decreased in cysts. Fowlerstefin induced an inflammatory response in BV-2 microglial cells. Fowlerstefin induced the expression of several pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines including IL-6 and TNF in BV-2 microglial cells. Fowlerstefin-induced expression of IL-6 and TNF in BV-2 microglial cells was regulated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs). The inflammatory response induced by fowlerstefin in BV-2 microglial cells was downregulated via inhibition of NF-κB and AP-1.

Conclusions
Fowlerstefin is a pathogenic molecule that stimulates BV-2 microglial cells to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines through NF-κB- and AP-1-dependent MAPK signaling pathways. Fowlerstefin-induced inflammatory cytokines exacerbate the inflammatory response in N. fowleri-infected areas and contribute to the pathogenesis of PAM.
Impact of yeast and lactic acid bacteria on mastitis and milk microbiota composition of dairy cows
Authors: Gao Jing , Liu Yu-Chen , Wang Yu , Li Han , Wang Xiang-Ming , Wu Yan , Zhang Ding-Ran , Gao Si , Qi Zhi-li 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on mastitis and milk microbiota composition of dairy cows. Thirty lactating Holstein cows with similar parity, days in milk were randomly assigned to five treatments, including: (1) Health cows with milk SCC < 500,000 cells/mL, no clinical signs of mastitis were found, fed basal total mixed ration (TMR) without supplementation (H); (2) Mastitis cows with milk SCC > 500,000 cells/mL, fed basal TMR without supplementation (M); (3) Mastitis cows fed basal TMR supplemented with 8 g day−1 yeast (M + Y); (4) Mastitis cows fed basal TMR supplemented with 8 g day−1 LAB (M + L); (5) Mastitis cows (milk SCC > 500,000 cells/mL) fed basal TMR supplemented with 4 g day−1 yeast and 4 g day−1 LAB (M + Y + L). Blood and milk sample were collected at day 0, day 20 and day 40. The results showed efficacy of probiotic: On day 20 and day 40, milk SCC in H, M + Y, M + L, M + Y + L was significantly lower than that of M (P < 0.05). Milk concentration of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in M + Y + L were significantly reduced compared with that of M on day 40 (P < 0.05). Milk Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and N-Acetyl-β-d-Glucosaminidase (NAG) activity of M + Y, M + L, M + L + Y were lower than that of M on day 40 (P < 0.05). At genus level, Staphylococcus, Chryseobacterium and Lactococcus were dominant. Supplementation of LAB decreased abundance of Enterococcus and Streptococcus, identified as mastitis-causing pathogen. The results suggested the potential of LAB to prevent mastitis by relieving mammary gland inflammation and regulating milk microorganisms.
An Unsupervised LLR Estimation with unknown Noise Distribution
Authors: Mestrah Yasser , Savard Anne , Goupil Alban , Gellé Guillaume , Clavier Laurent 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMany decoding schemes rely on the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) whose derivation depends on the knowledge of the noise distribution. In dense and heterogeneous network settings, this knowledge can be difficult to obtain from channel outputs. Besides, when interference exhibits an impulsive behavior, the LLR becomes highly non-linear and, consequently, computationally prohibitive. In this paper, we directly estimate the LLR, without relying on the interference plus noise knowledge. We propose to select the LLR in a parametric family of functions, flexible enough to be able to represent many different communication contexts. It allows limiting the number of parameters to be estimated. Furthermore, we propose an unsupervised estimation approach, avoiding the need of a training sequence. Our estimation method is shown to be efficient in large variety of noises and the receiver exhibits a near-optimal performance.
Band Steering Technology Based on QoE-Oriented Optimization in Wireless Network
Authors: Han Zhifeng , Liao Jianxin , Qi Qi , Sun Haifeng , Wang Jingyu 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn mobile crowd-sensing (MCS) network, it is necessary to reduce the cost of sensing data transformation from mobile devices to the MCS platform in the core of the network. With the widespread deployment of access point (AP), explosive data traffic of the mobile devices is offloaded from cellular base stations to Wi-Fi networks. The congestion of the 2.4 GHz band in dual-band wireless area network makes the lower quality of experience (QoE) of users. To ease the load of 2.4 GHz band, the band-steering technology has been widely used by equipment manufacturers. However, the fixed threshold configuration strategy in band steering technology makes it easy to be exploited by setting up a great number of connection requirements in a short time, which may prevent a normal connection requirement of a user, making it difficult to satisfy the dynamic resource requirements of different services. Moreover, if the threshold is configured too high, it may result in QoE imbalance in dual bands. Besides, when the band (such as 2.4 GHz) resources cannot meet the terminal requirement, the terminal cannot autonomously switch to another band (such as 5 GHz), and this may result in a very poor QoE of users. In this paper, a secure QoE-oriented wireless network optimization framework is proposed to improve the QoE of users in dual-band network. Firstly, to ensure the overall QoE of network and balancing the QoE between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, the framework dynamically adjusts the load threshold of the frequency band based on QoE information during the association of a terminal. Secondly, to meet the basic QoE requirement of each user, the framework preferentially switches the terminals with poor QoE to the idle band after users join the network. The experimental results show that the proposed framework can improve the QoE both before and after the terminal accesses the network. Additionally, it enables the better QoE balance in dual bands.
Bifurcation analysis of a discrete SIR epidemic model with constant recovery
Authors: Cao Hui , Wu Huan , Wang Xiaoqin 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWe state and study a discrete SIR epidemic model with bilinear incidence rate and constant recovery. We obtain conditions for the existence of the disease-free equilibrium and endemic equilibria. Theoretic analysis shows that the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction number is less than unity, and the numerical simulations illustrate that it is asymptotically stable when the number is greater than unity. We also obtain conditions for the stability of the endemic equilibria. More attention is paid to the existence of the saddle-node bifurcation, the flip bifurcation, the $1:1$1:1 resonance, and the Neimark–Sacker bifurcation. We obtain sufficient conditions for those bifurcations. Our numerical simulations demonstrate our theoretical results and the complexity of the model.
EGFR‐vIII downregulated H2AZK4/7AC though the PI3K/AKT‐HDAC2 axis to regulate cell cycle progression
Authors: Zhao Hongyu , Wang Yunfei , Yang Chao , Zhou Junhu , Wang Lin , Yi Kaikai , Li Yansheng , wang Qixue , Shi Jin , Kang Chunsheng , Zeng Liang 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe EGFR‐vIII mutation is the most common malignant event in GBM. Epigenetic reprogramming in EGFR‐activated GBM has recently been suggested to downregulate the expression of tumour suppressor genes. Histone acetylation is important for chromatin structure and function. However, the role and biological function of H2AZK4/7AC in tumours have not yet been clarified.ResultsIn our study, we found that EGFR‐vIII negatively regulated H2AZK4/7AC expression though the PI3K/AKT‐HDAC2 axis. Because HDAC1 and HDAC2 are highly homologous enzymes that usually form multi‐protein complexes for transcriptional regulation and epigenetic landscaping, we simultaneously knocked out HDAC1 and HDAC2 and found that H2AZK4/7AC and H3K27AC were upregulated, which partially released EGFR‐vIII‐mediated inhibition of USP11, negative regulator of cell cycle. In addition, we demonstrated in vitro and in vivo that FK228 induced G1/S transition arrest in GBM with EGFR‐vIII mutation. FK228 could enhance anti‐tumour activity by upregulating expression of the tumour suppressor USP11 in GBM cells.ConclusionsEGFR‐vIII mutation downregulates H2AZK4/7AC and H3K27AC, inhibiting USP11 expression though the PI3K/AKT‐HDAC1/2 axis. FK228 is an effective and promising treatment for GBM with EGFR‐vIII mutation.
The Persian version of the revised dyadic adjustment scale (RDAS): a validation study in infertile patients
Authors: Maroufizadeh Saman , Omani-Samani Reza , Hosseini Mostafa , Almasi-Hashiani Amir , Sepidarkish Mahdi , Amini Payam 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundInfertility can have a powerful impact on marital quality. The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS) is a widely used measure of marital quality. This scale has not been validated in infertile patients. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the RDAS in a sample of infertile patients.MethodsThe sample of this methodological study consisted of 254 infertile patients referring to a referral infertility clinic in Tehran, Iran. A battery of questionnaires was administered to the participants, including a demographic/fertility questionnaire, the RDAS, the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS), the Couples Satisfaction Index- 4 Item (CSI-4), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Perceived Stress Scale-4 Item (PSS-4). Internal consistency of the scale was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha, construct validity was investigated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and convergent validity was examined by correlating the RDAS with RAS, KMSS, CSI-4, HADS, and PSS-4 instruments.ResultsThe mean total RDAS score was 49.26 ± 9.34, and 100 patients (39.4%) had marital distress based on the cut-off value of < 48. The second-order three-factor model of the RDAS exhibited an excellent fit to the data, as indicated by χ2/df = 2.26; CFI = 0.96; GFI = 0.91; NFI = 0.93; IFI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.071 and SRMR = 0.050. The RDAS and its subscales revealed satisfactory internal consistency that ranged from 0.664 to 0.847. Convergent validity was confirmed by strong correlations between RDAS scores and scores on the RAS, KMSS, and CSI-4. These correlations also tended to be larger than correlations with measures of HADS-anxiety, HADS-depression, and PSS-4. Among demographic/fertility variables, only infertility duration was found to be correlated to the RDAS.ConclusionThe RDAS is a reliable and valid inventory for measuring marital quality in infertile patients. Further validation studies are needed to generalize the underlying structure of the scale in various populations.
Analysis of neurodegenerative disease-causing genes in dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Orme Tatiana , Hernandez Dena , Ross Owen A. , Kun-Rodrigues Celia , Darwent Lee , Shepherd Claire E. , Parkkinen Laura , Ansorge Olaf , Clark Lorraine , Honig Lawrence S. , Marder Karen , Lemstra Afina , Rogaeva Ekaterina , St. George-Hyslop Peter , Londos Elisabet , Zetterberg Henrik , Morgan Kevin , Troakes Claire , Al-Sarraj Safa , Lashley Tammaryn , Holton Janice , Compta Yaroslau , Van Deerlin Vivianna , Trojanowski John Q. , Serrano Geidy E. , Beach Thomas G. , Lesage Suzanne , Galasko Douglas , Masliah Eliezer , Santana Isabel , Pastor Pau , Tienari Pentti J. , Myllykangas Liisa , Oinas Minna , Revesz Tamas , Lees Andrew , Boeve Brad F. , Petersen Ronald C. , Ferman Tanis J. , Escott-Price Valentina , Graff-Radford Neill , Cairns Nigel J. , Morris John C. , Pickering-Brown Stuart , Mann David , Halliday Glenda , Stone David J. , Dickson Dennis W. , Hardy John , Singleton Andrew , Guerreiro Rita , Bras Jose 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a clinically heterogeneous disorder with a substantial burden on healthcare. Despite this, the genetic basis of the disorder is not well defined and its boundaries with other neurodegenerative diseases are unclear. Here, we performed whole exome sequencing of a cohort of 1118 Caucasian DLB patients, and focused on genes causative of monogenic neurodegenerative diseases. We analyzed variants in 60 genes implicated in DLB, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and atypical parkinsonian or dementia disorders, in order to determine their frequency in DLB. We focused on variants that have previously been reported as pathogenic, and also describe variants reported as pathogenic which remain of unknown clinical significance, as well as variants associated with strong risk. Rare missense variants of unknown significance were found in APP, CHCHD2, DCTN1, GRN, MAPT, NOTCH3, SQSTM1, TBK1 and TIA1. Additionally, we identified a pathogenic GRN p.Arg493* mutation, potentially adding to the diversity of phenotypes associated with this mutation. The rarity of previously reported pathogenic mutations in this cohort suggests that the genetic overlap of other neurodegenerative diseases with DLB is not substantial. Since it is now clear that genetics plays a role in DLB, these data suggest that other genetic loci play a role in this disease.
Ancient mural restoration based on a modified generative adversarial network
Authors: Cao Jianfang , Zhang Zibang , Zhao Aidi , Cui Hongyan , Zhang Qi 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
How to effectively protect ancient murals has become an urgent and important problem. Digital image processing developments have made it possible to repair damaged murals to a certain extent. This study proposes a consistency-enhanced generative adversarial network (GAN) model to repair missing mural areas. First, the convolutional layer from a fully convolutional network (FCN) is used to extract deep image features; then, through deconvolution, the features are mapped to the size of the original image and the repaired image is output, thereby completing the regenerative network. Next, global and local discriminant networks are applied to determine whether the repaired mural image is “authentic” in terms of both the modified and unmodified areas. In adversarial learning, the generative and discriminant network models are optimized to better complete the mural repair. The network introduces a dilated convolution that increases the convolution kernel’s receptive field. Each network convolutional layer joins in the batch standardization (BN) process to accelerate network convergence and increase the number of network layers and adopts a residual module to avoid the vanishing gradient problem and further optimizing the network. Compared with existing mural restoration algorithms, the proposed algorithm increases the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) by an average of 6–8 dB and increases the structural similarity (SSIM) index by 0.08–0.12. From a visual perspective, this algorithm successfully complements mural images with complex textures and large missing areas; thus, it may contribute to digital restorations of ancient murals.
Impact of gelatin, lemongrass oil and peppermint oil on storability and fruit quality of Samany date palm under cold storage
Authors: EL-Gioushy S. F. , Baiea M. H. M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis study was carried out during two successive 2016 and 2017 seasons in the postharvest laboratory of the Agricultural Development System (ADS) project in the Faculty of Agric, Cairo University, Giza Governorate, Egypt, to study the efficiency of using some natural substances i.e., gelatin at 1, 2, and 4%, lemongrass oil at 0.25 and 0.5%, and peppermint oil at 5 and 10%, beside untreated fruits as control on storability of Samany date palm fruits and their quality under cold storage at 0.0 °C ± 2 and 90–95% R.H.ResultsThe results obtained from this study showed that it was evident that those two conflicted trends were detected with the advancement of storage duration during both seasons. Hence, the percentage of fruit weight loss, decay, fruit juice total soluble solids, total sugars, and total phenolic content were increased. Moreover, flesh firmness, total acidity%, and total protein content were relatively reduced. Moreover, not only is the response of different Samany fruit measurements to various investigated dipping treatments varied from one treatment to another, but also each characteristic reflected its trend.ConclusionIt could be generally concluded that all dipping treatments significantly decreased the percentage of both fruit weight loss and decay below control (water dipping), whereas 0.50% lemongrass oil treatment was superior, while 1% gelatin ranked last. On the other hand, fruit juice total acidity was slightly responded by different treatments, and the difference was more pronounced particularly with both 0.25 and 0.50% lemongrass oil during two seasons. Besides, fruit flesh firmness and fruit juice total sugars did not significantly respond to various treatments. Meanwhile, fruit juice total soluble solids percentage, total protein content, and total phenolic content showed considerable different influence to most investigated treatments in both seasons of study.
Exploring the role of transtibial prosthetic use in deep tissue injury development: a scoping review
Authors: Graser Marisa , Day Sarah , Buis Arjan 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
The soft tissue of the residual limb in transtibial prosthetic users encounters unique biomechanical challenges. Although not intended to tolerate high loads and deformation, it becomes a weight-bearing structure within the residuum-prosthesis-complex. Consequently, deep soft tissue layers may be damaged, resulting in Deep Tissue Injury (DTI). Whilst considerable effort has gone into DTI research on immobilised individuals, only little is known about the aetiology and population-specific risk factors in amputees. This scoping review maps out and critically appraises existing research on DTI in lower-limb prosthetic users according to (1) the population-specific aetiology, (2) risk factors, and (3) methodologies to investigate both.

Results
A systematic search within the databases Pubmed, Ovid Excerpta Medica, and Scopus identified 16 English-language studies. The results indicate that prosthetic users may be at risk for DTI during various loading scenarios. This is influenced by individual surgical, morphological, and physiological determinants, as well as the choice of prosthetic componentry. However, methodological limitations, high inter-patient variability, and small sample sizes complicate the interpretation of outcome measures. Additionally, fundamental research on cell and tissue reactions to dynamic loading and on prosthesis-induced alterations of the vascular and lymphatic supply is missing.

Conclusion
We therefore recommend increased interdisciplinary research endeavours with a focus on prosthesis-related experimental design to widen our understanding of DTI. The results have the potential to initiate much-needed clinical advances in surgical and prosthetic practice and inform future pressure ulcer classifications and guidelines.
Typology of modifications to peer support work for adults with mental health problems: systematic review
Authors: Charles Ashleigh , Thompson Dean , Nixdorf Rebecca , Ryan Grace , Shamba Donat , Kalha Jasmine , Moran Galia , Hiltensperger Ramona , Mahlke Candelaria , Puschner Bernd , Repper Julie , Slade Mike , Mpango Richard 
Published: January 2020

BackgroundPeer support work roles are being implemented internationally, and increasingly in lower-resource settings. However, there is no framework to inform what types of modifications are needed to address local contextual and cultural aspects.AimsTo conduct a systematic review identifying a typology of modifications to peer support work for adults with mental health problems.MethodWe systematically reviewed the peer support literature following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews (registered on PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) on 24 July 2018: CRD42018094832). All study designs were eligible and studies were selected according to the stated eligibility criteria and analysed with standardised critical appraisal tools. A narrative synthesis was conducted to identify types of, and rationales for modifications.ResultsA total of 15 300 unique studies were identified, from which 39 studies were included with only one from a low-resource setting. Six types of modifications were identified: role expectations; initial training; type of contact; role extension; workplace support for peer support workers; and recruitment. Five rationales for modifications were identified: to provide best possible peer support; to best meet service user needs; to meet organisational needs, to maximise role clarity; and to address socioeconomic issues.ConclusionsPeer support work is modified in both pre-planned and unplanned ways when implemented. Considering each identified modification as a candidate change will lead to a more systematic consideration of whether and how to modify peer support in different settings. Future evaluative research of modifiable versus non-modifiable components of peer support work is needed to understand the modifications needed for implementation among different mental health systems and cultural settings.