bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hiding in Plain Sight: Gendered Dimensions of Health Worker Migration from ‘Source’ Country Perspectives
Authors: Bourgeault Ivy Lynn , Runnels Vivien , Atanackovic Jelena , Spitzer Denise , Roberts Margaret Walton 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Gender roles affect health worker migration and their migration experiences, but policy responses have rarely considered the gender dimensions of health worker migration. This invisibility and lack of attention can lead to social, health and labour market inequities. Methods: A Canadian-led research team with co-investigators in the Philippines, South Africa, and India studied the international migration of health workers from these ‘source’ countries through documentary, interview and survey data with workers and country-based stakeholder interviews. Our particular focus was to examine the causes, consequences and policy responses to health worker migration. Here we undertake an explicit gender-based analysis highlighting the gender-related influences and implications that emerged from the literature, policy documents and empirical data. Results: Our data from nurses, physicians, and other health workers reveal that gender mediates health workers’ access and participation in health worker training, employment, and migration, and the impact of health worker migration is gendered, depending on country context. Female migrant health workers were “preferred” for “innate” personal characteristics and cultural reasons. Female nurse migration in particular is greatly influenced and linked to personal relationships and social networks including friends in the diaspora. Remittances by female nurses to family back home may play a large role in the decision to migrate. Migration may improve social status of women nurses, but it also exposes them to deskilling, sexism and racialization. Regardless of these apparent differences in migration decision-making and experiences for women and men health workers, gender is rarely considered either as an important contextual influence or analytic category in the policy responses.Conclusion: An explicit gender-based analysis on health worker migration offers useful insights for health workers considering migration and those that ultimately migrate, the workplaces and families they leave behind, and social and health policy of their countries.
Metabolic acclimation supports higher aluminium-induced secretion of citrate and malate in an aluminium-tolerant hybrid clone of Eucalyptus
Authors: Li Wannian , Finnegan Patrick , Dai Qin , Yang Mei 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Eucalyptus is the main timber species, most of which are hybrid clones, and usually grow in aluminized acid soil in China. The exudation of organic acids from roots may contribute to detoxification of Al and lead to the Al-tolerance in Eucalyptus genotypes. To further understand the organic acid response in Al tolerance in Eucalyptus, the Al-tolerant Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla clone GL-9 (marked as “G9”) and the Al-sensitive Eucalyptus urophylla clone GL-4 (marked as “W4”) were used to investigate the secretion and metabolism of citrate and malate in roots.
Results
Eucalyptus seedlings in hydroponics were exposed to the presence or absence of 4.4 mM Al at pH 4.0 for 24 hours. The protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHM) and the anion channel blocker phenylglyoxal (PG) were applied to explore possible pathways involved in organic acid secretion. The Al treatments caused higher Al accumulation in roots of both clones. The secretion of malate and citrate was greater in G9 than in W4, corresponding to the relatively higher tolerance in G9 to Al. The peak Al concentration occurred after 1 h in G9 roots and declined afterward, indicating the activation of detoxification to alleviate Al accumulation. After 6 h of Al exposure, the efflux of citrate dramatically increased in G9 after a substantial lag phase, while both peak Al accumulation in roots and peak malate secretion occurred and there was no induction of citrate secretion in W4. Enhanced activity for citrate synthase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, and reduced activity for NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase, aconitase and NADP-malic enzyme were closely associated with the greater secretion of citrate in G9. Both PG and CHM were effective inhibitors of citrate and malate secretion in both Eucalyptus clones, except the malate secretion in W4 was not affected by CHM.
Conclusions
In two different Al-tolerant Eucalyptus clones, both secretion and internal accumulation of citrate and malate in roots were involved in Al detoxification. An anion channel on the plasma membrane could be an important mode of organic acid secretion. Citrate and relevant metabolizing enzymes led more important role in the response to Al in E. grandis × E. urophylla.
Combating the melioidosis pathogen using antibiotics in combination with silver nanoparticles
Authors: Malawong Sathit , Thammawithan Saengrawee , Sirithongsuk Pawinee , Nasompag Sawinee , Daduang Sakda , Klaynongsruang Sompong , Wong Pamela T. , Patramanon Rina 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacillus bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei. Due to the emerging resistance of B. pseudomallei to antibiotics, including ceftazidime (CAZ), the development of novel antibiotics and alternative modes of treatment has become an urgent issue. Here, we demonstrate an ability to synergistically increase the efficiency of antibiotics through their combination with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).
Method:

Combinations of four conventional antibiotics, including CAZ, imipenem (IMI), meropenem (MER), or gentamicin sulfate (GENT), with AgNPs were tested for their bactericidal effects against three isolates of B. pseudomallei, including 1026b, H777, and 316c, using the microdilution checkerboard method of antibiotic and AgNPs mixing. Morphological changes in the bacteria after treatment with the combined antibiotic-AgNPs was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Result

The combination of four antibiotics with AgNPs gave fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index values and fractional bactericidal concentration (FBC) index values ranging from 0.312 to 0.75 µg/mL and 0.252 to 0.625 µg/mL, respectively, against the three isolates of B. pseudomallei. SEM imaging revealed damage to the bacterial cell structure at the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and FIC levels, while extreme severe cellular damage was observed at the FBC level. Surprisingly, at the FBC level, the bacteria produced large amounts of fibers that are the components of biofilm.
Conclusion

The study clearly shows that most of the combinatorial treatments exhibited synergistic antimicrobial effects against all three isolates of B. pseudomallei. The highest enhancing effect was observed for GENT with AgNPs. We also found that the combination of these antibiotics with AgNPs restored their bactericidal potency in the bacterial strains previously shown to be resistant to the antibiotic. The observed synergistic activities of conventional antibiotics with AgNPs suggest that it might also be possible to achieve equivalent or higher levels of bacterial cell death with lower concentrations of antibiotics using the combined treatments. These results support the use of the antibiotic/AgNPs combination as an alternative design strategy for new therapeutics to more effectively combat melioidosis.
An oral absorbent, AST-120, Restores Vascular Growth and Blood Flow in Ischemic Muscles in Diabetic Mice via Modulation of Macrophage Transition
Authors: Huang Hsin-Lei , Kuo Chin-Sung , Chang Ting-Yung , Chou Ruey-Hsing , Chen I-Chun , Yang Fu-Chen , Chen Nien-Jung , Tarng Der-Cherng , Lin Shing-Jong , Wu Chih-Cheng , Huang Po-Hsun 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

Diabetes has a pronounced effect on the peripheral vasculature. The accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is regarded as the crucial mechanism responsible for vascular damage in diabetes, but it is not easy to be avoided from food. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of an oral absorbent, AST-120, on the accumulation of AGEs and changes in blood flow recovery in diabetic mice.
Methods

The mice were divided into four groups, wild-type (WT) mice without treatment, WT mice treated with 5% AST-120 mixed into with pulverized chow, streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) mice, and DM mice treated with 5% AST-120. Six weeks after hind-limb ischemia surgery, blood flow reperfusion, histology, plasma AGE, and cytokine were examined. Bone marrow cells were cultured and derived into macrophages to evaluate the effects of AGEs on macrophage polarization.
Results

Plasma AGEs were significantly increased in diabetic mice. AST-120 could bind to AGEs and reduced their plasma concentrations. Histological analysis revealed fewer collateral vessels with corresponding impairment of blood flow recovery in diabetic mice. In these mice, AGE-positive and AGE receptor-positive macrophages were numerous in ischemic limbs when compared with non- diabetic mice. In diabetic mice, macrophages in ischemic tissues demonstrated greater M1 polarization than M2 polarization; this pattern was reversed in the AST-120 treatment group. The change in macrophage polarization was associated with corresponding expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic cytokines in the ischemic tissues. In cell cultures, AGEs triggered the transformation of bone marrow-derived macrophages into M1 phenotype. The alterations in the polarization of macrophages were reversed after treatment with AST-120.
Conclusions

Oral administration of AST-120 decreased the serum levels of AGEs in diabetic mice and improved neovascularization of ischemic limbs. This benefit may be due to, at least partially, the alterations in macrophage polarization and the associated changes in inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines.
Factors Affecting Patient Safety Culture in Terms of Compliance With Practices Promoting Prevention of Bloodborne Pathogens Among General Hospital Nurses
Authors: Kim Na young , Moon kyoung ja 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: The present study aims to investigate the effects of patient safety culture on the prevention of transmitting bloodborne pathogens among nurses at a general hospital. Methods: The participants were 284 nurses working at a general hospital located in P city, and the data were collected between April 26 and May 15, 2019. Questionnaires on patient safety culture and prevention of bloodborne pathogens were used, and the data were examined on SPSS version 22.0 using frequency analysis, percentages, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and hierarchical regression analysis. Results: The results showed that the following factors affected the prevention of bloodborne pathogens: experience of needle stick and sharp injuries (β=-0.94), teamwork (β=0.41), knowledge and attitude toward patient safety (β=0.34), leadership (β=0.15), and priority of patient safety (β=0.14). The model's explanatory power was 53% (F=32.26, p=<0.001).Conclusions:In order to increase the compliance of general hospital nurses with the practices that promote prevention of bloodborne pathogens, it is necessary to actively prevent needle stick and sharp injuries.It is also necessary to prioritize patient safety, and to develop and verify the effects of various programs that emphasize factors of patient safety culture, such as leadership, teamwork, knowledge, and attitude.
Vascular NRP2 triggers PNET angiogenesis via activating SSH1-cofilin axis
Authors: luo xi , He Jiang-yi , Xu Jie , Hu Shao-yi , Mo Bang-hui , Shu Qiu-xia , Chen Can , Gong Yu-zhu , Zhao Xiao-long , Xie Gan-feng , Yu Song-tao 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Angiogenesis is a critical step in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (PNET) growth and may be a selective target for PNET therapy. However, PNET is robustly resistant to current antiangiogenic therapies which primarily target the VEGFR pathway. Thus, PNET angiogenesis mechanism was urgently to be clarified.
Methods
Dataset analysis was used to identify PNET angiogenesis related genes. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine relation among Neuropilin 2 (NRP2), VEGFR2 and CD31. Cell proliferation, wound-healing and tube formation assay were investigated to clarify the function of NRP2 in angiogenesis. The mechanism involved in NRP2 inducing angiogenesis was detected by mutant construction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assay. In vivo, mice model was performed to evaluate the effect of NRP2 antibody, and clinical data was recruited to verify association between NRP2 and patients prognosis.
Results
NRP2, a VEGFR2 co-receptor, positively correlated with vascularity rather than with VEGFR2 in PNET tissues. NRP2 promoted PNET cell medium-treated HUVEC cell migration via a VEGF/VEGFR2-independent pathway. Moreover, NRP2 induced F-actin polymerization by activating the actin-binding protein cofilin. Mechanistically, cofilin phosphatase slingshot-1 (SSH1) was highly expressed involved in NRP2-activating cofilin. Silencing SSH1 rescued NRP2-activated HUVEC cell migration and F-actin polymerization. Furthermore, blocking NRP2 in vivo suppressed PNET angiogenesis and tumour growth. High NRP2 expression was associated with poor prognosis in PNET patients.
Conclusion
Vascular NRP2 promotes PNET angiogenesis via activating SSH1/cofilin/actin axis. Our findings demonstrate NRP2 to be an important regulator of angiogenesis and potential therapeutic target of anti-angiogenesis therapy for PNET.
Establishing a Comprehensive Anti-aging Research Center: Experiences and Challenges
Authors: Chen Xin , Ge Jianli , Huang Jiaoling , Geng Shasha , Li Qingqing , Zhu Yingqian , Yuan Huixiao , Wang Zhaoxin , Jiang Hua 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Introduction: Age-related diseases have become the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Anti-aging researches both at the population and individual levels are still urgently needed. Establishing comprehensive anti-aging research centers is crucial to advancing anti-aging researches. However, few studies have shown guidelines for establishing a comprehensive anti-aging research center. We aim to describe the establishment of a comprehensive anti-aging center, summarize the initial experiences, and discuss limitations, strengths and challenges. Methods: The establishment contains three phases (from October, 2017 to January, 2020), the first phase is assessing the need for anti-aging research by reviewing relevant literatures and investigating the elderly population. The second phase is interpreting the aging-related policies by searching and analyzing China's aging-related policies in recent years on government websites. The third phase is completing the protocol of establishing the center, raising funds for the establishment of the center and selecting the adequate equipment. Results: In phase one, we find improving strategies at the population and individual levels are still needed. Through establishing elderly cohort, we find that many elderly people are with high risk factors of aging. In phase two, we find many age-related policies have been unveiled. In phase three, we complete the protocol of establishing the center based on the results of phase one and two. We also have raised funds and selected equipment for the center. Conclusion: With limited guideline for establishing a comprehensive anti-aging research center, the experience in this paper might help other institutions to build anti-aging research center or program. KEY WORDS: anti-aging; research center; establishing; experience; challenge
Poor Eating Habits and Predictors of Weight Gain During the COVID-19 Quarantine Measures in Kuwait: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: ALMughamis Nouf S , AlAsfour Shaimaa , Mehmood Shariq 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Objective Despite the public health importance of documenting the burden of physical inactivity and weight gain, there is a paucity of such data in Kuwait during the lockdown for Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, this survey was designed to estimate: the burden of poor eating habits particularly binge eating habits, fluctuations in weight and its predictors among the Kuwaiti public. Results There was a total of 522 valid respondents, with a mean age of 41.78 (11.75) years. There was a significant increase in weight of respondents during the quarantine (mean difference= -1.13, SD 5.39, t= -4.52, p < 0.001). Those with reporting unhealthy diets were 4.5 times more likely to report an increase in weight. Those reporting having anxiety throughout the day were 2.45 times more likely and those consuming snacks excessively were associated with 3.27 times higher odds of increase in weight than those not consuming it.
An observational study of initial HIV RNA decay following initiation of combination antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy
Authors: Alagaratnam Jasmini , Peters Helen , Francis Kate , Kay Natasha , Gilleece Yvonne , Finnerty Fionnuala P , Grimes Rosanna E , Parry Sarah , Portman Mags , Wait Brenton C , Shah Rimi , Roedling Sherie , Hawkins David A , Chitty Sarah , Sarner Liat , Marcus Rebecca , Hartley Anna , Nori Achyuta V , Rosenvinge Melanie , Taylor Graham P 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
In pregnancy, reduction of HIV plasma viral load (pVL) for the prevention of vertical transmission is time-constrained. The study primary objective is to investigate factors associated with faster initial HIV RNA half-life decay when combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) is initiated in pregnancy.
Methods
This was a multicentre, retrospective, observational study, conducted in south England, United Kingdom, between August 2001–February 2018. Data were extracted from case notes of eligible women initiating cART during the index pregnancy. Anonymised data were collated and analysed centrally. Regression analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with faster HIV RNA half-life decay in the first 14 days after commencing cART (first-phase), and with achieving an undetectable maternal pVL by 36 weeks’ gestation. We then assessed whether HIV- and obstetric- related parameters differed by antiretroviral third agent class and whether the proportions of women with undetectable pVL at 36 weeks’ gestation and at delivery differed by antiretroviral third agent class.
Results
Baseline pVL was the only independent factor associated with faster first-phase HIV RNA half-life decay on commencing cART. Lower pVL on day 14 after starting cART was associated with an increased likelihood of achieving an undetectable pVL by 36 weeks’ gestation. Integrase inhibitor-based cART was associated with a faster first-phase HIV RNA half-life decay on commencing cART. Overall, 73% and 85% of women had an undetectable pVL at 36 weeks’ gestation and at delivery respectively, with no significant difference by antiretroviral third agent class.
Conclusions
Only high baseline pVL independently contributed to a faster rate of first-phase viral half-life decay. pVL at 14 days after initiating cART allows early identification of treatment failure. In the first 14 days after initiating cART in pregnancy, integrase inhibitor-based cART reduced maternal pVL faster than protease inhibitor- and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase-based cART. While our study findings support INSTI use when initiated in pregnancy especially when initiated at later gestations and in those with higher baseline pVL, other non-INSTI based cART with more data on safety in pregnancy also performed well.
PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay in respiratory specimens for rapid detection and differentiation of mycobacteria in HIV-negative population
Authors: Zhang Qing , Xiao He-ping , Yan Liping 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Objective: Rapid identification of pathogenic Mycobacterium species is critical for a successful treatment. However, traditional method is time-consuming and cannot discriminate isolated NTM to species level. In the retrospective study, we evaluated the clinical applicability of PCR-reverse blot hybridization assay (PCR-REBA) with clinical specimens for rapid detection and differentiation of mycobacterial species. Methods: A total of 334 sputum and 362 bronchial alveolar lavage fluids (BALF) from 696 patients with mycobacterium pulmonary disease and 210 patients with non-mycobacterium pulmonary disease used as controls were analyzed. Sputum samples or BALF were obtained for MGIT 960 and PCR-REBA. To confirm mycobacterium species inconsistently identified by the two different assays, high resolution melting (HRM) analysis was performed. Results: A total of 334 sputum and 362 BALF specimens from 696 patients with mycobacterium pulmonary disease (292 MTB and 404 NTM) were eventually analyzed. In total, 292 MTBC and 436 NTM isolates (co-infection of two species in 32 specimens) across 10 Mycobacterium species were identified. The most frequently isolated NTM species were M. intracellulare (n=236, 54.1%), M. abscessus (n=106, 24.3%), M. kansasii (n=46, 10.6%), M. avium (n=36, 8.3%). Twenty-two cases had mixed infection with both M. intracellulare and M. abscessus and ten cases had mixed infection with both M. avium and M. abscessus. A high level of agreement (n=696; 94.5%) was found between MGIT 960 and PCR-REBA (k = 0.845, P = 0.000). PCR-REBA had the higher AUC than MGIT 960 for both MTBC and NTM. Conclusion: PCR-REBA is helpful for rapid mycobacterial species identification with low cost and simplicity and therefore recommending its routine use.
Immune profiles of male giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) during breeding season
Authors: shen haibo , Li Caiwu , He Ming , Huang Yan , Wang Jing , Wang Minglei , Yue Bisong , Zhang Xiuyue 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), regarded as the flagship species of conservation, is a most threatened species endemic to China. Life history theory proposes that reproduction and immunity can be mutually constraining and interrelated. The immunity changes of male giant pandas during reproduction is not clear.
Results
Here, we did research on peripheral blood gene expression profiles associated with immunity. 13 giant pandas with ages ranging from 9 to 11 years old were divided into two groups depending on whether or not they were in breeding season. We identified 318 up-regulated DEGs and 43 down-regulated DEGs, which were enriched in 87 GO terms and 6 KEGG pathways. What’s more, we obtained 45 immune-related genes with altered expression, mostly up-regulated, and identified four hub genes HSPA4, SUGT1, SOD1 and IL1B in PPI analysis. These genes were related to pattern recognition receptors, autophagy, peroxisome, proteasome, natural killer cell, antigen processing and presentation. Our results suggest that most immune-related genes were up-regulated and more related to innate immune than adaptive immune.
Conclusions
Male giant pandas presented an immunoenhancement in innate immunity, enhanced antigen presentation and processing in cellular immunity, and a low humoral immunity during breeding season. This study will provide a foundation for further studies of immunity and reproduction in giant pandas.