bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In situ pilot application of nZVI embedded in activated carbon for remediation of chlorinated ethene-contaminated groundwater: effect on microbial communities
Authors: Czinnerova Marie , Nguyen Nhung H. A. , Nemecek Jan , Mackenzie Katrin , Boothman Christopher , Lloyd Jonathan , Laszlo Tamas , Spanek Roman , Cernik Miroslav , Sevcu Alena 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) is commonly used for remediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated ethenes (CEs); however, its long-term reactivity and subsurface transport are limited. A novel nZVI–AC material, consisting of colloidal activated carbon (AC) with embedded nZVI clusters, was developed with the aim of overcoming the limitations of nZVI alone.

Results
Application of a limited amount of nZVI–AC to an oxic, nitrate-rich, highly permeable quaternary aquifer triggered time-limited transformation of CEs, with noticeable involvement of reductive dechlorination. Reductive dechlorination of CEs was dominantly abiotic, as an increase in the concentration of vinyl chloride (VC) and ethene did not coincide with an increase in the abundance of reductive biomarkers for complete dechlorination of CEs (Dehalococcoides, Dehalogenimonas, VC reductase genes vcrA and bvcA). Application of nZVI–AC under unfavourable hydrochemical conditions resulted in no dramatic change in the microbial community, the reducing effect resulting in temporal proliferation of nitrate and iron reducers only. At a later stage, generation of reduced iron induced an increase in iron-oxidizing bacteria. High concentrations and a continuous mass influx of competing electron acceptors (nitrate and dissolved oxygen) created unfavourable conditions for sulphate-reducers and organohalide-respiring bacteria, though it allowed the survival of aerobic microorganisms of the genera Pseudomonas, Polaromonas and Rhodoferax, known for their ability to assimilate VC or cis-1,2-dichloroethene. A potential for aerobic oxidative degradation of CE metabolites was also indicated by detection of the ethenotroph functional gene etnE.

Conclusions
This pilot study, based on the application of nZVI–AC, failed to provide a sustainable effect on CE contamination; however, it provided valuable insights into induced hydrogeochemical and microbial processes that could help in designing full-scale applications.
Preventing relapse in non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye – evaluating the 0.2 μg/day fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant (ILUVIEN®)
Authors: Bodaghi Bahram , Nguyen Quan Dong , Jaffe Glenn , Khoramnia Ramin , Pavesio Carlos 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
The current article is a short review of an Alimera Sciences-sponsored symposium held during The 15th International Ocular Inflammation Society Congress in Taiwan on the 14th November 2019 entitled, ‘Preventing relapse of non-infectious uveitis effecting the posterior segment of the eye – evaluating the 0.2 μg/day fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant.’

Main text
The fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant was approved in Europe for the prevention of relapse in recurrent non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye and offers a systemic therapy-sparing treatment option by providing low daily dose of corticosteroid into the vitreous for up to 3 years. In the symposium, the presenters reported clinical outcomes from patients with non-infectious uveitis effecting the posterior segment of the eye to support the effectiveness and safety of the implant for up to 3 years in both randomised controlled trials and real-world practices.

Conclusions
Data showed that over a 36 month period, treatment with the fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant was associated with significantly fewer episodes of uveitic recurrence, a significantly longer time to uveitic recurrence, greater improvement in visual acuity, a lower need for adjunctive therapy, and an acceptable safety profile.
A novel in vitro Caenorhabditis elegans transcription system
Authors: Wibisono Phillip , Liu Yiyong , Sun Jingru 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundCaenorhabditis elegansis an excellent model organism for biological research, but its contributions to biochemical elucidation of eukaryotic transcription mechanisms have been limited. One of the biggest obstacles forC. elegansbiochemical studies is the high difficulty of obtaining functionally active nuclear extract due to its thick surrounding cuticle. AC. elegansin vitro transcription system was once developed by Lichtsteiner and Tjian in the 1990s, but it has not become widely used, most likely because the transcription reactions were re-constituted with nuclear extract from embryos, not from larval or adult worms, and the method of Dounce homogenization used to prepare the nuclear extract could lead to protein instability. Besides Dounce homogenization, several other techniques were developed to break worms, but no transcription reactions were re-constituted following worm disruption using these approaches. AC. eleganstranscription system with effective preparation of functionally active nuclear extract from larval or adult worms has yet to be established. Additionally, non-radioactive methods for detecting transcription as alternatives to the conventional radioactive detection also need to be adapted into such an in vitro system.ResultsBy employing Balch homogenization, we achieved effective disruption of larval and adult worms and obtained functionally active nuclear extract through subcellular fractionation. In vitro transcription reactions were successfully re-constituted using such nuclear extract. Furthermore, a PCR-based non-radioactive detection method was adapted into our system to either qualitatively or quantitatively detect transcription. Using this system to assess how pathogen infection affectsC. eleganstranscription revealed thatPseudomonas aeruginosainfection changes transcription activity in a promoter- or gene-specific manner.ConclusionsIn this study, we developed an in vitroC. eleganstranscription system that re-constitutes transcription reactions with nuclear extract of larval or adult worms and can both qualitatively and quantitatively detect transcription activity using non-radioactive approaches. This in vitro system is useful for biochemically studyingC. eleganstranscription mechanisms and gene expression regulation. The effective preparation of functionally active nuclear extract in our system fills a technical gap in biochemical studies ofC. elegansand will expand the usefulness of this model organism in addressing many biological questions beyond transcription.
Clinical characteristics on admission predict in-hospital fatal outcome in patients aged ≥75 years with novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yu Zhihua , Ke Yuhe , Xie Jiang , Yu Hao , Zhu Wei , He Liqun , Zheng Qiongli , Li Chuanwei , Lu Jingya , Li Songnan , Wen Songnan , Wei Sheng , Liu Nian , Wei Li , Bai Rong 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a worldwide pandemic and precise fatality data by age group is needed urgently. This study to delineate the clinical characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 patients aged ≥75 years and identify the risk factors of in-hospital death.

Methods
A total of 141 consecutive patients aged ≥75 years who were admitted to the hospital between 12th and 19th February 2020. In-hospital death, clinical characteristics and laboratory findings on admission were obtained from medical records. The final follow-up observation was on the 31st March 2020.

Results
The median age was 81 years (84 female, 59.6%). Thirty-eight (27%) patients were classified as severe or critical cases. 18 (12.8%) patients had died in hospital and the remaining 123 were discharged. Patients who died were more likely to present with fever (38.9% vs. 7.3%); low percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) (55.6% vs. 7.3%); reduced lymphocytes (72.2% vs. 35.8%) and platelets (27.8% vs. 4.1%); and increased D-dimer (94.4% vs. 42.3%), creatinine (50.0% vs. 22.0%), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) (77.8% vs. 30.1%), high sensitivity troponin I (hs-TnI) (72.2% vs. 14.6%), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (72.2% vs. 6.5%; all P < 0.05) than patients who recovered. Male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 13.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1 to 160.1, P = 0.044), body temperature > 37.3 °C (OR = 80.5, 95% CI 4.6 to 1407.6, P = 0.003), SpO2 ≤ 90% (OR = 70.1, 95% CI 4.6 to 1060.4, P = 0.002), and NT-proBNP> 1800 ng/L (OR = 273.5, 95% CI 14.7 to 5104.8, P < 0.0001) were independent risk factors of in-hospital death.

Conclusions
In-hospital fatality among elderly COVID-19 patients can be estimated by sex and on-admission measurements of body temperature, SpO2, and NT-proBNP.
Socioeconomic and demographic factors determining the underweight prevalence among children under-five in Punjab
Authors: Farooq Rizwan , Khan Hina , Khan Masood Amjad , Aslam Muhammad 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Underweight prevalence continues to be major public health challenge worldwide, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan. This study is focused on socio-economic and demographic aspects of underweight prevalence among children under-five in Punjab.

Methods
In this study, several socioeconomic and demographic factors are considered using MICS-4 data-set. Only those variables which are usually described in the nutritional studies of children were picked. Covariates include: the age of children, sex of the children, age of mother, total number of children born to women, family wealth index quintile, source of drinking water, type of sanitation, place of residence, parents’ education and occupation. All Categorical variables are effect coded. The child’s age and the mother’s age are assumed to be nonlinear, geographical region is spatial effect, while other variables are parametric in nature.
Since, the response is binary, covariate comprises linear terms, nonlinear effects of continues covariates and geographic effects, so we have use Geo-additive models (based on Fully Bayesian approach) with binomial family under logit link. Statistical analysis is performed on Statistical package R using Bayes X and R2 Bayes X Libraries.

Results
Underweight status of children was found to be positively associated with number of under-five children in household, total number of children ever born to women and age of mother when the child was born. Whereas, it negatively associated with place of residence, parent’s education and family wealth index quintile. On the regional effect, the Southern Punjab has higher prevalence of underweight compared to Central and Northern Punjab.

Conclusion
Similarity of our results with several other studies demonstrate that the Geo-additive models are an ideal substitute of other statistical models to analyze the underweight prevalence among children. Moreover, our findings suggest the Punjab Government, to introduce target-oriented programs such as poverty reduction and enhancement of education and health facilities for poor population and disadvantaged regions, especially Southern Punjab.
Influence of diabetes on short-term outcome after major hepatectomy: an underestimated risk?
Authors: Fischer Alexander , Fuchs Juri , Stravodimos Christos , Hinz Ulf , Billeter Adrian , Büchler Markus W. , Mehrabi Arianeb , Hoffmann Katrin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundPatient-related risk factors such as diabetes mellitus and obesity are increasing in western countries. At the same time the indications for liver resection in both benign and malignant diseases have been significantly extended in recent years. Major liver resection is performed more frequently in a patient population of old age, comorbidity and high rates of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether diabetes mellitus, obesity and overweight are risk factors for the short-term post-operative outcome after major liver resection.MethodsFour hundred seventeen major liver resections (≥ 3 segments) were selected from a prospective database. Exclusion criteria were prior liver resection in patient’s history and synchronous major intra-abdominal procedures. Overweight was defined as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2and < 30 kg/m2and obesity as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Primary end point was 90-day mortality and logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Secondary end points included morbidity, complications according to Clavien–Dindo classification, unplanned readmission, bile leakage, and liver failure. Morbidity was defined as occurrence of a post-operative complication during hospital stay or within 90 days postoperatively.ResultsFifty-nine patients had diabetes mellitus (14.1%), 48 were obese (11.6%) and 147 were overweight (35.5%). There were no statistically significant differences in mortality rates between the groups. In the multivariate analysis, diabetes was an independent predictor of morbidity (OR = 2.44, p = 0.02), Clavien–Dindo grade IV complications (OR = 3.6, p = 0.004), unplanned readmission (OR = 2.44, p = 0.04) and bile leakage (OR = 2.06, p = 0.046). Obese and overweight patients did not have an impaired post-operative outcome compared patients with normal weight.ConclusionsDiabetes has direct influence on the short-term postoperative outcome with an increased risk of morbidity but not mortality. Preoperative identification of high-risk patients will potentially decrease complication rates and allow for individual patient counseling as part of a shared decision-making process. For obese and overweight patients, major liver resection is a safe procedure.
Letter to the Editor in response to Chen et al. 2020
Authors: Ponnampalam Jaya , Seligmann George , Gandhi Tanaya , Parmar Dilen 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe would like to comment on the article entitled “Association between cytokine profiles and lung injury in COVID-19 pneumonia” by Li-Da Chen and colleagues, with respect to emerging data regarding the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19. Chen et al. demonstrated the relevance of IL-2R, IL-6 and TNF-α in the cytokine storm and IL-6 as an independent predictor for COVID-19 severity. Del Valle et al. corroborated these findings with regard to IL-6 and disease severity, however, they also showed IL-8 to be of significance. This may be explained by the varying techniques used by the two studies to determine severity. Further studies including critically ill patients and the analysis of mortality rates in this patient cohort would greatly enhance the clinical relevance of these findings. As speculated by Chen et al., early studies on the use of tocilizumab in COVID-19 patients were promising, however, full results from ongoing trials are required to confirm a survival benefit in patients treated with tocilizumab. Moreover, investigating the roles of other pro-inflammatory cytokines and their impact on disease severity could potentially inform novel therapeutic targets.
The fibronectin type-III (FNIII) domain of ATF7IP contributes to efficient transcriptional silencing mediated by the SETDB1 complex
Authors: Tsusaka Takeshi , Fukuda Kei , Shimura Chikako , Kato Masaki , Shinkai Yoichi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
The histone methyltransferase SETDB1 (also known as ESET) represses genes and various types of transposable elements, such as endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and integrated exogenous retroviruses, through a deposition of trimethylation on lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9me3) in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). ATF7IP (also known as MCAF1 or AM), a binding partner of SETDB1, regulates the nuclear localization and enzymatic activities of SETDB1 and plays a crucial role in SETDB1-mediated transcriptional silencing. In this study, we further dissected the ATF7IP function with its truncated mutants in Atf7ip knockout (KO) mESCs.

Results
We demonstrated that the SETDB1-interaction region within ATF7IP is essential for ATF7IP-dependent SETDB1 nuclear localization and silencing of both ERVs and integrated retroviral transgenes, whereas its C-terminal fibronectin type-III (FNIII) domain is dispensable for both these functions; rather, it has a role in efficient silencing mediated by the SETDB1 complex. Proteomic analysis identified a number of FNIII domain-interacting proteins, some of which have a consensus binding motif. We showed that one of the FNIII domain-binding proteins, ZMYM2, was involved in the efficient silencing of a transgene by ATF7IP. RNA-seq analysis of Atf7ip KO and WT or the FNIII domain mutant of ATF7IP-rescued Atf7ip KO mESCs showed that the FNIII domain mutant re-silenced most de-repressed SETDB1/ATF7IP-targeted ERVs compared to the WT. However, the silencing activity of the FNIII domain mutant was weaker than that of the ATF7IP WT, and some of the de-repressed germ cell-related genes in Atf7ip KO mESCs were not silenced by the FNIII domain mutant. Such germ cell-related genes are targeted and silenced by the MAX/MGA complex, and MGA was also identified as another potential binding molecule of the ATF7IP FNIII domain in the proteomic analysis. This suggests that the FNIII domain of ATF7IP acts as a binding hub of ATF7IP-interacting molecules possessing a specific interacting motif we named FAM and contributes to one layer of the SETDB1/ATF7IP complex-mediated silencing mechanisms.

Conclusions
Our findings contributed to further understanding the function of ATF7IP in the SETDB1 complex, revealed the role of the FNIII domain of ATF7IP in transcriptional silencing, and suggested a potential underlying molecular mechanism for it.
ER stress arm XBP1s plays a pivotal role in proteasome inhibition-induced bone formation
Authors: Zhang Dan , De Veirman Kim , Fan Rong , Jian Qiang , Zhang Yuchen , Lei Li , Evans Holly , Wang Yanmeng , Lei Lei , Wang Baiyan , Williamson Ramone A. , Chantry Andrew , He Pengcheng , Li Ang , De Raeve Hendrik , Vanderkerken Karin , He Aili , Hu Jinsong 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Bone destruction is a hallmark of multiple myeloma (MM). It has been reported that proteasome inhibitors (PIs) can reduce bone resorption and increase bone formation in MM patients, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were treated with various doses of PIs, and the effects of bortezomib or carfilzomib on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling pathways were analyzed by western blotting and real-time PCR. Alizarin red S (ARS) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining were used to determine the osteogenic differentiation in vitro. Specific inhibitors targeting different ER stress signaling and a Tet-on inducible overexpressing system were used to validate the roles of key ER stress components in regulating osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was used to evaluate transcription factor-promoter interaction. MicroCT was applied to measure the microarchitecture of bone in model mice in vivo.

Results
We found that both PERK-ATF4 and IRE1α-XBP1s ER stress branches are activated during PI-induced osteogenic differentiation. Inhibition of ATF4 or XBP1s signaling can significantly impair PI-induced osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that XBP1s can transcriptionally upregulate ATF4 expression and overexpressing XBP1s can induce the expression of ATF4 and other osteogenic differentiation-related genes and therefore drive osteoblast differentiation. MicroCT analysis further demonstrated that inhibition of XBP1s can strikingly abolish bortezomib-induced bone formation in mouse.

Conclusions
These results demonstrated that XBP1s is a master regulator of PI-induced osteoblast differentiation. Activation of IRE1α-XBP1s ER stress signaling can promote osteogenesis, thus providing a novel strategy for the treatment of myeloma bone disease.
The effect of bed-to-nurse ratio on hospital mortality of critically ill children on mechanical ventilation: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Jung Minyoung , Park Hyejeong , Kang Danbee , Park Esther , Jeon Kyeongman , Chung Chi Ryang , Yang Jeong Hoon , Suh Gee Young , Guallar Eliseo , Cho Juhee , Cho Joongbum 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundDespite the high workload of mechanical ventilation, there has been a lack of studies on the association between nurse workforce and mortality in mechanically ventilated patients. We evaluated the association of the bed-to-nurse ratio with mortality in ventilated pediatric patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU).MethodsWe conducted a nationwide retrospective analysis by using the Korean National Health Insurance database, which categorizes the bed-to-nurse ratio into 9 grades according to the number of beds divided by the number of full-time equivalent registered nurses in a unit. Patients of ages between 28 days and 18 years were enrolled. Multiple admissions and transfers from other hospitals were excluded. We evaluated the odds ratios (ORs) of in-hospital mortality using 4 groups (Grade 1: bed-to-nurse < 0.50, Grade 2: < 0.63, Grade 3: < 0.77, Grade 4 or above > 0.77) with adjustment of patient factors, hospital factors, and treatment requirements.ResultsOf the 27,849 patients admitted to ICU, 11,628 (41.8%) were on mechanical ventilation. The overall in-hospital mortality rates in Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, and Grade 4 or above group were 4.5%, 6.8%, 6.9%, and 4.7%, respectively. The adjusted ORs (95% CI) for in-hospital mortality of mechanically ventilated patients in the Grade 2, Grade 3, and Grade 4 or above compared to those in Grade 1 were 2.73 (95% CI 1.51–4.95), 4.02 (95% CI 2.23–7.26), and 7.83 (4.07–15.07), respectively. However, for patients without mechanical ventilation, the adjusted ORs of in-hospital mortality were not statistically significant.ConclusionIn mechanically ventilated patients, the adjusted mortality rate increased significantly, as the bed-to-nurse ratio of the ICU increased. Policies that limit the number of ventilated patients per nurse should be considered.Trial registrationretrospectively registered