bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations between individual perceptions of PM2.5 pollution and pulmonary function in Chinese middle-aged and elderly residents
Authors: Chen Qi , Zhang Jiayao , Xu Yan , Sun Hong , Ding Zhen 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: PM2.5 pollution has become a major public health concern in urban China. Understanding the residents’ individual perceptions toward haze pollution is critical for policymaking and risk communication. However, the perceptions of middle-aged and elderly residents, who particularly vulnerable to haze pollution, are poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to explore their risk perceptions of haze pollution and investigate its relationship with health status and pulmonary function parameters.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 400 randomly sampled individuals (aged 40 to 90 years) was conducted in Wuxi, a typical PM2.5-polluted city in Jiangsu Province, China (during 2015-2017, daily average concentration of PM2.5 was 52.7 μg/m3). Each participant’s demographic and health information, individual perception and pulmonary function outcomes were collected to explore the relationships between perception factors and personal characteristics and pulmonary function parameters, using linear models.Results: We found that the mean values for controllability (5 ± 2.8) and dread of risk to oneself (levels of fear for haze-related harm to oneself) (6.9 ± 2.5) were the lowest and the highest values, respectively, in our study. Education and average family income were positively related with all individual perception factors, while age was negatively associated. A history of respiratory disease was positively associated with all individual perception factors except controllability. Significant positive associations were observed between PEF (coefficients ranged from 0.18 to 0.22) and FEF75% (coefficients ranged from 0.18 to 0.29) with a variety of individual perception factors.Conclusions: There were a lack of concern and knowledge, weak self-protection consciousness and a strong dread of PM2.5 pollution among the middle-aged and elderly residents in Wuxi. Their individual perceptions were associated with age, education levels, average family income, history of respiratory disease, PEF and FEF75%. Our findings may help policymakers develop effective policies and communication strategies to mitigate the hazards of haze among older residents.
Clinical features in primary care electronic records before diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis: a nested case-control study.
Authors: Bashir Mohammed Talha , Iversen Lisa , Burton Christopher 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) often has a long period from first symptom presentation to diagnosis. We examined the occurrence of symptoms, prescriptions and diagnostic tests in primary care electronic records over time prior to a diagnosis of AS.Methods Nested case-control study using anonymised primary care electronic health records from Scotland. Cases were 74 adults with a first diagnosis of AS between 2000 and 2010. Controls were matched for age, sex and GP practice: (a) 296 randomly selected adults (b) 169 adults whose records contained codes indicating spinal conditions or symptoms. We extracted clinical features (symptoms, AS-related disorders, prescriptions and diagnostic tests). Conditional logistic regression was used to examine the association between clinical features (both individually and in combinations) and diagnosis of AS. We examined the associations between clinical features and diagnosis over time prior to diagnosis.Results Several new composite pointers were predictive of AS: including distinct episodes of axial pain separated by more than 6 months (OR 12.7, 95% CI 4.7 to 34.6); the occurrence of axial pain with and tendon symptoms within the same year (OR 21.7, 95% CI 2.6 to 181.5); and the co-occurrence (within 30 days) of axial pain and a prescription for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (OR 10.4, 95%CI 4.9 to 22.1). Coded episodes of axial pain increased steadily over the three years before diagnosis. In contrast, large joint symptoms and enthesopathy showed little or no time trend prior to diagnosis. Conclusions We identified novel composite pointers to a diagnosis of AS in GP records. These may represent valuable targets for diagnostic support systems.
Percutaneous Mastoid Electrical Stimulator Improves Poststroke Depression and Cognitive F unction in Patients with Ischaemic Stroke: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, and Sham-controlled Study
Authors: Lu Taoli , He Lanying , Zhang Bei , Wang Jian , Zhang Lili , Dong WeiWei , Yang Hao 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background : Poststroke depression can lead to functional dependence, cognitive impairment and reduced quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a percutaneous mastoid electrical stimulator (PMES) plus antidepressants on poststroke depression and cognitive function. Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, and sham-controlled study . A total of 258 clinically depressed ischaemic stroke patients within 14 days of index stroke were randomly assigned to the PMES plus antidepressant (PMES group, N=125) and sham plus antidepressant (sham group, N=133) groups. All patients underwent the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) test at 2 weeks (baseline), and 6 months(M6) after ischaemic stroke. Primary outcomes were the percentage of patients showing a treatment response (≥50% reduction in HRSD score) and depression remission (HRSD score≤9) at 6 months. The secondary outcome was the percentage of patients with a MoCA score <26 . Results: The percentages of patients showing a treatment response and depression remission were significantly higher in the PMES group than in the sham group (57.60% vs 41.35%, P=0.009; 44.00% vs 29.32%, P=0.014 respectively). The mean value of the HRSD score change [M(month)6-baseline] was significantly higher in the PMES group than in the sham group at 6 months (-11.93 ±5.32 vs -10.48 ± 6.10, P = 0.036, respectively). The percentage of patients with MoCA scores <26 was lower in the PEMS group than in the sham group(12.0% vs 24.06%, P=0.012,respectively), and the mean value of the MoCA score change (M6-baseline) was higher in the PMES group than in the sham group (3.50±2.55 vs 2.72±2.52, P=0.005,respectively). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that PMES adjunctive to antidepressant therapy is effective in reducing depression, achieving remission in the short term, and improving cognition. Trial registration: This trial was retrospectively registered (registration number: ChiCTR1800016463) on 03 June 2018
Telomere Length in Patients with Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia
Authors: Nanthatanti Nithita , Tantiworawit Adisak , Piriyakhuntorn Pokpong , Rattanathammethee Thanawat , Hantrakool Sasinee , Chai-Adisaksopha Chatree , Rattarittamrong Eakarat , Norasetthada Lalita , Tuntiwechapikul Wirote , Fanhchaksai Kanda , Charoenkwan Pimlak , Kumfu Sirinart , Chattipakorn Nipon 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Thalassemia is a hereditary hemolytic anemia with a severity ranging from mild, non-transfusion dependent to severe chronic anemia requiring lifelong transfusion. Transfusional iron overload is a major complication in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT). Telomeres are sequences of nucleotides forming the end caps of chromosomes that act as a DNA repair system. Iron overload in thalassemia can cause increased oxidative stress which leads to cellular damage and senescence. This may result in telomere length shortening. The degree of telomere length shortening may reflect the severity of thalassemia. Methods: This research aimed to study the leukocyte telomere length in patients with TDT in comparison to non-thalassemic individuals and to identify the clinical and laboratory parameters that are associated with telomere length. We conducted a cross-sectional study in patients with TDT aged ≥18 years. Leukocyte telomere length was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Results: Sixty-five patients with TDT were enrolled onto the study. There were 37 female patients (54.4%). The median age was 27 (18-57) years, and mean pre-transfusion hemoglobin level was 7.1±1.07 g/dL. The mean telomere to single copy gene (T/S) ratios of patients with TDT and the controls were 0.72±0.18 and 0.99±0.25, respectively (p <0.0001). There was a significant correlation between the T/S ratio and age (p = 0.0002), and hemoglobin level (p = 0.044). There was no correlation between telomere length and other factors. Conclusions: Our study showed that TDT patients had shorter leukocyte telomere length compared with controls. Leukocyte telomere shortening in TDT was an aging-dependent process and associated with lower hemoglobin level.
Prdx1 Promotes the Loss of Primary Cilia in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Qiongzhen , Li Jinmeng , Yang Xiaoning , Ma Junfeng , Gong Fanghua , Liu Yu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Loss of primary cilia is frequently observed in tumor cells, suggesting that the absence of this organelle may promote tumorigenesis through aberrant signal transduction, the inability to exit the cell cycle, and promotion of tumor cell invasion. Primary cilia loss also occurs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells, but the molecular mechanisms that explain how ESCC cells lose primary cilia remain poorly understood.Methods: Inhibiting the expression of Prdx1 in the ESCC cells to detect the up-regulated genes related to cilium regeneration and down-regulated genes related to cilium disassembly by Gene chip. And, mice and cell experiments were carried to confirm the role of the HEF1-Aurora A-HDAC6 signaling axis in ESCC.Results: In this study, we found that silencing Peroxiredoxin 1 (Prdx1) restores primary cilia formation, and over-expressing Prdx1 induces primary cilia loss in ESCC cells. We also showed that the expression of Prdx1 regulates the action of the HEF1-Aurora A-HDAC6 signaling axis to promote the disassembly of primary cilia, and suppression of Prdx1 results in decreased tumor formation and tumor mass volume in vivo.Conclusions: These results suggest that Prdx1 is a novel regulator of primary cilia formation in ESCC cells.
Efficient identification of patients eligible for clinical studies using case-based reasoning on Scottish Health Research Register (SHARE).
Authors: Shi Wen , Kelsey Tom , Sullivan Frank 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Trials often struggle to achieve their target sample size with only half doing so. Some researchers have turned to Electronic Health Records (EHRs), seeking a more efficient way of recruitment. The Scottish Health Research Register (SHARE) obtained patients’ consent for their EHRs to be used as a searching base from which researchers can find potential participants. However, due to the fact that EHR data is not complete, sufficient or accurate, a database search strategy may not generate the best case-finding result. The current study aims to evaluate the performance of a case-based reasoning method in identifying participants for population-based clinical studies recruiting through SHARE, and assess the difference between its resultant cohort and the original one deriving from searching EHRs. Methods: A case-based reasoning framework was applied to 119 participants in nine projects using two-fold cross-validation, with records from a further 86,292 individuals used for testing. A prediction score for study participation was derived from the diagnosis, procedure, pharmaceutical prescription, and laboratory test results attributes of each participant. Evaluation was conducted by calculating Area Under the ROC Curve and information retrieval metrics for the ranking list of the test set by prediction score. We compared the most likely participants as identified by searching a database to those ranked highest by our model. Results: The average ROCAUC for nine projects was 81% indicating strong predictive ability for these data. However, the derived ranking lists showed lower predictive performance, with only 21% of the persons ranked within top 50 positions being the same as identified by searching databases. Conclusions: Case-based reasoning is may be more effective than a database search strategy for participant identification for clinical studies using population EHRs. The lower performance of ranking lists derived from case-based reasoning means that patients identified as highly suitable for study participation may still not be recruited. This suggests that further study is needed into improvements in the collection and curation of population EHRs, such as use of free text data to aid reliable identification of people more likely to be recruited to clinical trials.
Endowments or Returns to Endowments or Both? Deciphering Disparities in Childhood Stunting in Bihar, India
Authors: Ghosh Saswata , Sharma Santosh Kumar , Bhattacharya Debarshi 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Unacceptably high rate of childhood stunting for decades remained a puzzle in the eastern Indian state of Bihar. Despite various programmatic interventions, nearly half of the under-five children (numerically about 10 million) are still stunted in this resource-constrained state. Data and Methods Using four successive rounds of National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data spread over more than two decades and by employing quantile regressions and counterfactual decomposition (QR-CD), the present study aims to assess effects of various endowments as well as returns to those endowments in disparities in childhood stunting over the period. Results The results show that although child’s height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) disparity was largely accounted for differing levels of endowments during earlier decade, in the later periods, inadequate access to the benefits from various development programmes was also found responsible for HAZ disparities. Moreover, effects of endowments and their returns vary across quantiles. We argue that apart from equalizing endowments, ensuring adequate access to different nutrition-centric programmes are essential to lessen the burden of childhood stunting. Conclusion The state must focus on intersectoral convergence of different schemes in the form of state nutrition mission, and, strengthen nutrition-centric policy processes and their political underpinnings to harness better dividend.
Transcriptomic and physiological analyses of rice seedlings under different nitrogen supplies provide insight into the regulation involved in axillary bud outgrowth
Authors: Wang Rongna , Qian Junjie , Fang Zhongming , Tang Jihua 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: N is an important macronutrient required for plant development and significantly influences axillary bud outgrowth, which affects tillering and grain yields of rice. However, how different N concentrations affect axillary bud growth at the molecular and transcriptional levels remains unclear. Results: In this study, morphological changes in the axillary bud growth of rice seedlings under different N concentrations ranging from low to high levels were systematically observed. To investigate the expression of N-induced genes involved in axillary bud growth, we used RNA-seq technology to generate mRNA transcriptomic data from two tissue types, basal parts and axillary buds, of plants grown under six different N concentrations. In total, 10,221 and 12,180 DEGs induced by LN or HN supplies were identified in the basal parts and axillary buds, respectively, via comparisons to expression levels under NN level. Analysis of the coexpression modules from the DEGs of the basal parts and axillary buds revealed an abundance of related biological processes underlying the axillary bud growth of plants under N treatments. Among these processes, the activity of cell division and expansion was positively correlated with the growth rate of axillary buds of plants grown under different N supplies. Additionally, TFs and phytohormones were shown to play crucial roles in determining the axillary bud growth of plants grown under different N concentrations. Further validation of OsGS1;2 and OsGS2 , the rice mutants of which presented altered tiller numbers, validated our transcriptomic data. Conclusion: These results indicate that different N concentrations affect the axillary bud growth rate, and our study revealed comprehensive expression profiles of genes that respond to different N concentrations, providing an important resource for future studies attempting to determine how axillary bud growth is controlled by different N supplies.
Estrogen receptor α phosphorylated at Ser216 confers inflammatory function to mouse microglia
Authors: Shindo Sawako , Chen Shih-Heng , Gotoh Saki , Yokobori Kosuke , Hu Hao , Ray Manas , Moore Rick , Nagata Kiyoshi , Martinez Jennifer , Hong Jau-Shyong , Negishi Masahiko 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Estrogen receptor α (ERα) has been suggested to regulate anti-inflammatory signaling in brain microglia, the only resident immune cells in the brain. ERα conserves the phosphorylation motif at Ser216 within the DNA binding domain. Previously, Ser216 was found to be phosphorylated in neutrophils infiltrating into the mouse uterus and to enable ERα to regulate migration. Given the implication of this phosphorylation in immune regulation, ERα was examined in mouse microglia to determine if Ser216 is phosphorylated and regulates microglia’s inflammation. It was found that Ser216 was constitutively phosphorylated in microglia and demonstrated that in the absence of phosphorylated ERα in ERα KI brains microglia inflamed, confirming that phosphorylation confers ERα with anti-inflammatory capability. ERα KI mice were obese and weakened motor ability. Methods Mixed glia cells were prepared from brains of 2-days-old neonates and cultured to mature and isolate microglia. An antibody against an anti-phospho-S216 peptide of ERα (αP-S216) was used to detect phosphorylated ERα in double immunofluorescence staining with ERα antibodies and a microglia maker Iba-1 antibody. A knock-in (KI) mouse line bearing the phosphorylation-blocked ERα S216A mutation (ERα KI) was generated to examine inflammation-regulating functions of phosphorylated ERα in microglia. RT-PCR, antibody array, ELISA and FACS assays were employed to measure expressions of pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines at their mRNA and protein levels. Rotarod tests were performed to examine motor connection ability.Results Double immune staining of mixed glia cells showed that ERα is phosphorylated at Ser216 in microglia, but not astrocytes. Immunohistochemistry with an anti-Iba-1 antibody showed that microglia cells were swollen and shortened branches in the substantial nigra (SN) of ERα KI brains, indicating the spontaneous activation of microglia as observed with those of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated ERα WT brains. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were up-regulated in the brain of ERα KI brains as well as cultured microglia, whereas anti-inflammatory cytokines were down-regulated. FACS analysis showed that the number of IL-6 producing and apoptotic microglia increased in those prepared from ERα KI brains. Times of ERα KI mice on rod were shortened in Rotarod tests. Conclusions Blocking of Ser216 phosphorylation aggravated microglia activation and inflammation of mouse brain, thus confirming that phosphorylated ERα exerts anti-inflammatory functions. ERα KI mice enable us to further investigate the mechanism by which phosphorylated ERα regulates brain immunity and inflammation and brain diseases.
Characterization of tumor microenvironment and Immune infiltration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: wu zenghong , niu xun , Xiao Xi-Yue , chen xiong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a malignant tumor of the head and neck. Although it one of the most prevalent heterogeneous diseases, the role of tumor-related immune cells in HNSCC is not well understood, particularly in the current immunotherapy. Method: We explored TME, TMB in HNSCC to evaluate 22 subsets of TIICs, using GEO and TCGA database, to deduce the relationship of immune subpopulation, survival of patients, function and expression difference to reveal potential targets and biomarkers for immunotherapy. Results: GSE6631 database containing 22 HNSCC samples and 22 normal samples and TCGA database containing 111 HNSCC and 12 normal tissues were downloaded. M0 macrophages and resting memory CD4 +T cells were differentially expressed between tumor and normal cells, and therefore may plays an important role in regulating progression of cancer (P<0.05). Missense mutation was the most common alteration in the tumors, while SNP was the most common type of DNA polymorphism. The most common single nucleotide variation was C>T. There were on average 78 Variation per HNSCC tumor. Top 10 mutated genes related to TMB were TP53, TTN, FAT1, MUC16, CDKN2A, CSMD3, SYNE1, LRP1B, NOTCH1 and PIK3CA. Conclusion: There is an intricate connection between TIIC, TMB and genomic alterations. Our findings offer the basis for future research on enhanced tumor immunotherapy.
Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and the risk of the type 1 diabetes: a meta-analysis based on 40 case–control studies
Authors: Zhai Na , Bidares Ramtin , Makoui Masoud Hassanzadeh , Aslani Saeed , Mohammadi Payam , Razi Bahman , Imani Danyal , Yazdchi Mohammad , Mikaeili Haleh 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: The association between the vitamin D receptor ( VDR ) gene polymorphisms and the risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been evaluated in several studies. However, the findings were inconclusive. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the effect of VDR gene polymorphisms on the risk of T1DM. Methods: All relevant studies reporting the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to T1DM published up to March 2020 were identified by comprehensive systematic database search in ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed/MEDLINE. Strength of association were assessed by calculating of pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The methodological quality of each study was assessed according to the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity was also conducted. Results: A total of 40 case–control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results of overall population rejected any significant association between VDR gene polymorphisms and T1DM risk. However, the pooled results of subgroup analysis revealed significant negative and positive associations between FokI and BsmI polymorphisms and T1DM in African and American populations, respectively. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggested a significant association between VDR gene polymorphism and T1DM susceptibility in ethnic-specific analysis.