bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomic analysis of brain tissues identifies a role for CCAAT enhancer binding protein β in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder
Authors: Canchi Saranya , Swinton Mary K. , Rissman Robert A. , Fields Jerel Adam 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) persist in the era of combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) despite reductions in viral load (VL) and overall disease severity. The mechanisms underlying HAND in the ART era are not well understood but are likely multifactorial, involving alterations in common pathways such as inflammation, autophagy, neurogenesis, and mitochondrial function. Newly developed omics approaches hold potential to identify mechanisms driving neuropathogenesis of HIV in the ART era.

Methods
In this study, using 33 postmortem frontal cortex (FC) tissues, neuropathological, molecular, and biochemical analyses were used to determine cellular localization and validate expression levels of the prolific transcription factor (TF), CCAAT enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) β, in brain tissues from HIV+ cognitively normal and HAND cases. RNA sequencing (seq) and transcriptomic analyses were performed on FC tissues including 24 specimens from well-characterized people with HIV that had undergone neurocognitive assessments. In vitro models for brain cells were used to investigate the role of C/EBPβ in mediating gene expression.

Results
The most robust signal for TF dysregulation was observed in cases diagnosed with minor neurocognitive disorder (MND) compared to cognitive normal (CN) cases. Of particular interest, due to its role in inflammation, autophagy and neurogenesis, C/EBPβ was significantly upregulated in MND compared to CN brains. C/EBPβ was increased at the protein level in HAND brains. C/EBPβ levels were significantly reduced in neurons and increased in astroglia in HAND brains compared to CN. Transfection of human astroglial cells with a plasmid expressing C/EBPβ induced expression of multiple targets identified in the transcriptomic analysis of HAND brains, including dynamin-1-like protein (DNM1L) and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1. Recombinant HIV-Tat reduced and increased C/EBPβ levels in neuronal and astroglial cells, respectively.

Conclusions
These findings are the first to present RNAseq-based transcriptomic analyses of HIV+ brain tissues, providing further evidence of altered neuroinflammation, neurogenesis, mitochondrial function, and autophagy in HAND. Interestingly, these studies confirm a role for CEBPβ in regulating inflammation, metabolism, and autophagy in astroglia. Therapeutic strategies aimed at transcriptional regulation of astroglia or downstream pathways may provide relief to HIV+ patients at risk for HAND and other neurological disorders.
Independent and inter-dependent immunoregulatory effects of NCF1 and NOS2 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Zhong Jianghong , Yau Anthony C. Y. , Holmdahl Rikard 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Increasing evidence has suggested that a single nucleotide polymorphism in the Ncf1 gene is associated with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, the mechanisms of NCF1-induced immunoregulatory effects remain poorly understood. In this study, we focus on NCF1 deficiency-mediated effects on EAE in NOS2 dependent and independent ways.

Methods
To determine the effects of NCF1 and NOS2 during EAE development, we have established recombinant mouse strains deficient at NCF1 and/or NOS2 in a crossbreeding system. Different strains allow us to examine the entire course of the disease in the Nos2-null mice bearing a Ncf1 gene that encodes a mutated NCF1, deficient in triggering oxidative burst, after immunization with recombinant myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)79-96 peptides. The peptide-induced innate and adaptive immune responses were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results
NCF1-deficient mice developed a reduced susceptibility to EAE, whereas NCF1-NOS2 double-deficient mice developed an enhanced EAE, as compared with NOS2-deficient mice. Flow cytometry analyses show that double deficiencies resulted in an increase of neutrophils in the spleen, accompanied with higher release of interleukin-1β in neutrophils prior to EAE onset. The additional deficiency in NCF1 had no added effect on either interleukin-17 or interferon-γ secretion of T cells during the priming phase.

Conclusions
These studies show that NCF1 and NOS2 interact to regulate peptide-induced EAE.
Aggravated brain injury after neonatal hypoxic ischemia in microglia-depleted mice
Authors: Tsuji Shunichiro , Di Martino Elena , Mukai Takeo , Tsuji Shoko , Murakami Takashi , Harris Robert A. , Blomgren Klas , Åden Ulrika 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundNeuroinflammation plays an important role in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Although microglia are largely responsible for injury-induced inflammatory response, they play beneficial roles in both normal and disease states. However, the effects of microglial depletion on neonatal HIE remain unclear.MethodsTamoxifen was administered to Cx3cr1CreER/+Rosa26DTA/+(microglia-depleted model) and Cx3cr1CreER/+Rosa26DTA/−(control) mice at P8 and P9 to assess the effect of microglial depletion. The density of microglia was quantified using Iba-1 staining. Moreover, the proportion of resident microglia after the HI insult was analyzed using flow cytometric analysis. At P10, the HI insult was conducted using the Rice-Vannucci procedure at P10. The infarct size and apoptotic cells were analyzed at P13. Cytokine analyses were performed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at P13.ResultsAt P10, tamoxifen administration induced > 99% microglial depletion in DTA+mice. Following HI insult, there was persisted microglial depletion over 97% at P13. Compared to male DTA−mice, male DTA+mice exhibited significantly larger infarct volumes; however, there were no significant differences among females. Moreover, compared to male DTA−mice, male DTA+mice had a significantly higher density of TUNEL+cells in the caudoputamen, cerebral cortex, and thalamus. Moreover, compared to female DTA−mice, female DTA+mice showed a significantly greater number of TUNEL+cells in the hippocampus and thalamus. Compared to DTA−mice, ELISA revealed significantly lower IL-10 and TGF-β levels in both male and female DTA+mice under both normal conditions and after HI (more pronounced).ConclusionWe established a microglial depletion model that aggravated neuronal damage and apoptosis after the HI insult, which was predominantly observed in males.
Investigation of a thermostable multi-domain xylanase-glucuronoyl esterase enzyme from Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii incorporating multiple carbohydrate-binding modules
Authors: Krska Daniel , Larsbrink Johan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundEfficient degradation of lignocellulosic biomass has become a major bottleneck in industrial processes which attempt to use biomass as a carbon source for the production of biofuels and materials. To make the most effective use of the source material, both the hemicellulosic as well as cellulosic parts of the biomass should be targeted, and as such both hemicellulases and cellulases are important enzymes in biorefinery processes. Using thermostable versions of these enzymes can also prove beneficial in biomass degradation, as they can be expected to act faster than mesophilic enzymes and the process can also be improved by lower viscosities at higher temperatures, as well as prevent the introduction of microbial contamination.ResultsThis study presents the investigation of the thermostable, dual-function xylanase-glucuronoyl esterase enzymeCkXyn10C-GE15A from the hyperthermophilic bacteriumCaldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii. Biochemical characterization of the enzyme was performed, including assays for establishing the melting points for the different protein domains, activity assays for the two catalytic domains, as well as binding assays for the multiple carbohydrate-binding domains present inCkXyn10C-GE15A. Although the enzyme domains are naturally linked together, when added separately to biomass, the expected boosting of the xylanase action was not seen. This lack of intramolecular synergy might suggest, together with previous data, that increased xylose release is not the main beneficial trait given by glucuronoyl esterases.ConclusionsDue to its thermostability,CkXyn10C-GE15A is a promising candidate for industrial processes, with both catalytic domains exhibiting melting temperatures over 70 °C. Of particular interest is the glucuronoyl esterase domain, as it represents the first studied thermostable enzyme displaying this activity.
Simple, rapid, and accurate malaria diagnostic platform using microfluidic-based immunoassay of Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase
Authors: Lee Wang Sik , Kang Taejoon , Kwak Kyung Jin , Park Kyoungsook , Yi So Yeon , Lee Ui Jin , Shin Yong Beom , Jeong Jinyoung 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis work reports on a rapid diagnostic platform for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH), a representative malaria biomarker, using a microfluidic microplate-based immunoassay. In this study, the microfluidic microplate made it possible to diagnose PfLDH with a small volume of sample (only 5 μL) and short time (< 90 min) compared to conventional immunoassays such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, the diagnostic performance of PfLDH showed high sensitivity, specificity, and selectivity (i.e., 0.025 pg/μL in phosphate-buffered saline and 1 pg/μL in human serum). The microfluidic-based microplate sensing platform has the potential to adapt simple, rapid, and accurate diagnoses to the practical detection of malaria.
Random walk model simulates the increased drowsiness of children with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Guo Shu , Dvir Hila , Havlin Shlomo , Li Daqing , Kang Rui , Bartsch Ronny P. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder, which is particularly harmful to children as it may lead to learning deficits, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and growth retardation. Furthermore, OSA alters the dynamics of sleep-stage transitions and in particular increases the transition time from being awake to falling asleep (“drowsiness”). In this letter, we show that sleep bout durations during this transient state can be described by an exponential distribution with a longer characteristic time scale for OSA compared to healthy children. This finding can be simulated and better understood by using a random walk model of the integrated neuronal voltage of wake-promoting neurons, and by introducing a new concept of a light sleep threshold parameter L that distinguishes between drowsiness and deeper forms of light sleep. Our analysis also shows that the value of L correlates well with OSA severity. Moreover, we find that after OSA treatment, the parameter L returns to normal values similar to those we detected for healthy children. We anticipate that our methodology can help in better understanding and modeling sleep dynamics, and may improve diagnostics and treatment monitoring of OSA.
Organisational empowerment and assertive communication behaviours: a survey of Jordanian newly qualified nurses
Authors: Darawad Muhammad W , Mansour Mansour , Al-Niarat Tahany 
Published: April 2020

Background:Newly qualified nurses (NQNs) face several challenges in their early years of practice. Being empowered and able to speak up against unsafe practice are two important pillars for practising nursing safely and competently. Little research has examined the potential correlation between those two dimensions in the context of NQNs in Jordan.Aims:To investigate the correlation between NQNs' perceived structural empowerment in their work setting and their willingness to challenge unsafe practice in some hypothetical clinical scenarios.Methods:A cross-sectional survey involved 233 NQNs, who completed a self-administered questionnaire between January and March 2016.Findings:Participants reported moderate levels of both perceived structural empowerment and willingness to speak up against unsafe practice. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the total structural empowerment score and the mean score for speaking up against unsafe practice.Conclusion:The findings highlight the impact of peer, managerial and overall organisational support on enabling NQNs to become more empowered and assertive. Concrete, collaborative and organisation-wide efforts must be considered to foster greater empowerment of NQNs, but also revisiting work priorities to include supporting and advocating assertive communication skills among the more vulnerable of the newly qualified cohort.
Traditional and complementary medicine in a nephrology department: practitioner knowledge and advice
Authors: Pedreira-Robles Guillermo , Vasco-Gómez Ana , Martínez-Delgado Yaiza , Herrera-Morales Cristina , Junyent-Iglesias Ernestina 
Published: April 2020

Background: Knowledge of traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) and its use by patients are essential for patient safety. Aims: To examine knowledge of TCM among practitioners in a nephrology unit and their advice to patients. Methods: This was a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic data were collected and an ad hoc closed response survey was used. Findings: This study included 62 practitioners, of whom: 32.26% had been trained in TCM, with no significant differences between professional groups; 41.93% used TCM and 67.74% recommended TCM to patients, with no significant difference between personal use and training received. The majority (62.90%) approved of TCM being included in clinical practice, 77.42% were in favour of it being included in formal health teaching programmes, 27.42% said patients had requested information on TCM and 50% knew it could interact with conventional treatment. Conclusion: Although the majority of practitioners had not been trained in TCM, they were interested in including such treatments in clinical practice. They recommended TCM to patients, but neither training nor personal experience were significant factors in relation to these recommendations. Training in TCM is required to ensure advice is safe.
An exploration of pre-operative fasting practices in adult patients having elective surgery
Authors: Denkyi Lovejoy 
Published: April 2020

Background: Patients fast routinely before elective surgery in order to reduce gastric volume and acidity. The standard fasting time is ‘nil by mouth’ from midnight before surgery. In recent years, new guidelines have recommended that patients remain nil by mouth from clear fluids for 2 hours and from solids for 6 hours. This literature review explored preoperative fasting practices in adult patients from an international perspective. Methods: A literature search was undertaken of databases, including CINAHL Plus, PubMed, Medline, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Science Direct, Sage Journals and Embase. Results: Anaesthetists were found to possess greater knowledge of reduced preoperative fasting than other health professionals including nurses. Conclusion: Actual fasting time was found to be relatively longer than prescribed fasting times.
Unna boot therapy impact on wellbeing, hope and spirituality in venous leg ulcer patients: a prospective clinical trial
Authors: Faria Elaine Cristina , Loiola Tatiana , Salomé Geraldo Magela , Ferreira Lydia Masako 
Published: April 2020

Objective:To assess the impact of Unna boot therapy on subjective wellbeing, hope and spirituality in patients with venous leg ulcers (VLU).Method:This was a prospective, descriptive, analytical, multicentre clinical trial conducted in a nursing care and education centre, an outpatient wound care clinic and a primary health care unit in Brazil. Adult patients with VLUs took part in the study. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers and mixed ulcers were excluded. A questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and religious characteristics of patients, the Subjective Wellbeing Scale, the Spirituality Self-Rating Scale (SSRS), and the Herth Hope Index (HHI) were administered to all patients.Results:A total of 60 patients (63.3% female; 86.7% aged ≥60 years) participated. Before Unna boot therapy, 65%, 66.7% and 65% of patients reported a score of one on positive affect, negative affect and life satisfaction, respectively, indicating poor subjective wellbeing. After one month of compression therapy, 66.7%, 50.0%, and 80.0% of patients reported a score of three for each element positive affect, negative affect and life satisfaction, respectively, showing a significant improvement in subjective wellbeing (p=0.029). A significant increase in total SSRS scores (p=0.017) was found between baseline (mean: 9.77) and one month of treatment (mean: 25.47), indicating a significant increase in a sense of spirituality. There was also a significant increase in total HHI values (p=0.009) between baseline (mean: 15.68) and one month of compression therapy (mean: 39.38), suggesting a significant increase in hope among patients.Conclusion:Patients with VLUs treated with Unna boot therapy in this study showed significant improvement in subjective wellbeing, spirituality and hope for cure.
Cost-effectiveness of superabsorbent wound dressing versus standard of care in patients with moderate-to-highly exuding leg ulcers
Authors: Veličković Vladica M. , Chadwick Paul , Rippon Mark G. , Ilić Ivana , McGlone Emma Rose , Gebreslassie Mihretab , Csernus Mariann , Streit Iris , Bordeanu Adriana , Kaspar Daniela , Linder Jörg , Smola Hans 
Published: April 2020

Objective:To determine the cost-effectiveness/utility of a superabsorbent wound dressing (Zetuvit Plus Silicone) versus the current standard of care (SoC) dressings, from the NHS perspective in England, in patients with moderate-to-high exudating leg ulcers.Method:A model-based economic evaluation was conducted to analyse the cost-effectiveness/utility of a new intervention. We used a microsimulation state-transition model with a time horizon of six months and a cycle length of one week. The model uses a combination of incidence base and risk prediction approach to inform transition probabilities. All clinical efficiency, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), cost and resource use inputs were informed by conducting a systematic review of UK specific literature.Results:Treatment with the superabsorbent dressing leads to a total expected cost per patient for a six month period of £2887, associated with 15.933 expected quality adjusted life weeks and 10.9% healing rate. When treated with SoC, the total expected cost per patient for a six month period is £3109, 15.852 expected quality adjusted life weeks and 8% healing rate. Therefore, the superabsorbent dressing leads to an increase in quality-adjusted life weeks, an increase in healing rate by 2.9% and a cost-saving of £222 per single average patient over six months. Results of several scenario analyses, one-way deterministic sensitivity analysis, and probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of base-case results. The probabilistic analysis confirmed that, in any combination of variable values, the superabsorbent dressing leads to cost saving results.Conclusion:According to the model prediction, the superabsorbent dressing leads to an increase in health benefits and a decrease in associated costs of treatment.
Benefits of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation in the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds: a case series
Authors: Latouche Valérie , Devillers Hervé 
Published: April 2020

Objective: Impaired wound healing can lead to hard-to-heal wounds, which impact on patients, clinicians and healthcare systems. Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) was developed to manage wounds through early-stage cleansing. This study describes the use of NPWTi-d to help manage hard-to-heal wounds in patients with risk factors for impaired wound healing. Method: In this case series, patients were treated between October 2015 and March 2018 at a community hospital in western France. Normal saline solution was instilled into wounds with a dwell time of 10 minutes, followed by the application of negative pressure at −75 mmHg to −125 mmHg for 2–3 hours. If needed, patients were given appropriate oral or intravenous antibiotic treatment in conjunction with NPWTi-d and subsequent wound therapies. Results: A total of 15 patients participated in the study. Mean age was 81±13 years, and 12 (80%) patients were malnourished with blood albumin levels of 30.1±5.7g/l, and 12 (80%) patients were given antibiotic therapy. The mean duration of NPWTi-d was 19.4±20.8 days, with a mean number of dressing changes of 6.6±6.8; the duration of NPWTi-d and the number of dressing changes for pressure ulcers was three times that of the other wound types. The mean cost of NPWTi-d in this study was €1643.40±€1709.13. Overall, NPWTi-d provided early-stage wound cleansing and helped achieve adequate granulation tissue formation and progression to the next phase of wound healing. Conclusion: In these cases, NPWTi-d was a beneficial and effective method of treating hard-to-heal wounds that were resistant to traditional treatments, yielding favourable clinical outcomes.
Surgical wound assessment in Vietnam: a think-aloud technique and interview analysis
Authors: Do Hien Thi Thu , Finlayson Kathleen , Edwards Helen 
Published: April 2020

Objective:To identify the key components of a surgical wound assessment tool that nurses in Vietnam could use when conducting a surgical wound assessment. The study also explored Vietnamese nurses' perceptions of current practices in surgical wound assessment and assessed their requirements for a surgical wound assessment tool.Method:Registered nurses from surgical wards in a Vietnamese hospital were invited to participate in this descriptive, qualitative study. A combination of the think-aloud technique and semi-structured interviews was undertaken. Transcribed responses were analysed using inductive content analysis to indicate how Vietnamese nurses undertook wound assessment and the data they collected.Results:A total of 13 nurses took part. Data from both the think-aloud process and interviews indicated that nurses evaluated surgical wounds based on their experience and observation without using standard guidelines. Some components, such as wound edge, periwound skin, exudate volume and signs of infection, were identified by the nurses. Other wound characteristics, such as wound site, wound bed, exudate and pain, and risk factors were less frequently collected. Nurses expressed their need for a tool with comprehensive content, precise terms, user-friendly language and a scoring system to facilitate their wound assessment.Conclusion:Hospitals in Vietnam need a standard tool to help nurses improve surgical wound assessment in daily nursing practice, and to enhance multidisciplinary communication and patient care.