bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pain is a common problem in patients with ILD
Authors: Shen Qinxue , Guo Ting , Song Min , Guo Wei , Zhang Yi , Duan Wang , Peng Yating , Ni Shanshan , Ouyang Xiaoli , Peng Hong 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background

Less is known about the prevalence and characteristics of pain in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients.To determine the characteristics of pain in ILD patients.

Methods

Participants with ILD and age, gender-matched, healthy controls completed short form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and part of the Brief Pain Inventory short form(BPI) to elicit pain characteristics. ILD patients also had assessments of pulmonary function test, six minutes walking test (6MWT), modified medical research council dyspnea scale (mMRC) for state of the illness and measured health-related quality of life(HRQoL) by short form-36(SF-36)and psychological associations by hospital anxiety and depression scale(HADS).

Results

A total of 63 participants with ILD and 63 healthy controls(HC) were recruited in our study. The prevalence of pain was 61.9% in ILDs versus 25.3% in HC (p=0.005) and the median score of pain rank index (PRI) in ILDs was higher than in HC (P=0.014). Chest(46.1%) accounted for the highest of overall pain locations in participants with ILD. Associated clinical factors for pain intensity in ILD patients included younger age (<60 years), exposure history of ILD risk factors, longer distance of 6MWD(≥250m), higher mMRC score(2-4) and lower DLCo, % predicted(≤45%). ILD patients with pain are more likely to suffer impaired HRQoL(P=0.0014) and psychological problems(P=0.0017,P=0.044).

Conclusion

Pain is common in those with ILD and the pain intensity is associated with age, exposure history, 6MWD, mMRC score and DLCo, % predicted. ILD patients with pain have more possible to suffer depression, anxiety and impaired HRQoL.
Assessment of Online Patient Education Materials Designed for People with Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Fortuna Jennifer K , Riddering Anne , Shuster Linda , Lopez-Jeng Cassie 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye condition that leads to permanent vision loss in the central visual field. Difficulty reading is one of the most common complaints from patients with this condition. Reading comprehension may be poorer due to slower reading speed, increased demands of decoding and poorer quality of visual input. The internet has become the most widely accessible source of patient education materials (PEMs). Optical devices improve access to text, but they do not promote processing and understanding of written patient education materials.

Methods

Online PEMs were sourced from websites of national organizations providing patient education materials designed for people with AMD. The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula and the Suitability Assessment of Materials instrument were used to assess the readability and suitability of PEMs. Descriptive statistics were used to compare online PEMs by organization based on national guidelines for readability level (≤ sixth grade) and the recommended suitability score (≥ 70%) for superior material.

Results

One hundred online PEMs were evaluated from websites of 16 professional organizations. The mean readability level was 9.3 (range 5.0-16.6). The mean suitability score was 53% (range 18%-78%). Only six (6%) of PEMs met the recommended readability level and suitability score.

Conclusion

The majority of online PEMs included in this study were written at a reading level considerably higher than the average U.S. adults reading ability. To promote health literacy, the readability of PEMs must match the reading capacity of the target audience. Existing guidelines for promoting health literacy should consider how age and visual impairment create additional barriers to processing and understanding of written health information. Additional research is needed to determine optimal design characteristics of PEMs for people with AMD. Future studies should also explore the effectiveness of PEMs that have been modified based on evidence-based guidelines for patients with low health literacy and low vision.
Parallel analysis of global garlic gene expression and alliin content following leaf wounding
Authors: Yang Xuqin , SU Yiren , wu jiaying , wan wen , chen Huijian , cao Xiaoying , Wang Junjuan , zhang Zhong , wang Youzhi , Ma Deliang , Gloake Gary , Jiang JiHong 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Allium sativum (garlic) is both an important food and medicinal plant of economic significance. This plant is rich in sulfides, especially alliin, which is a precursor for the synthesis of allicin. At present, there are few reports on the determination of alliin content in different parts of garlic under abiotic stress.
Results
Our data determining the accumulation of alliin in different organs showed that the content of alliin in garlic root was the lowest level recorded, while the content of alliin within a garlic bud was the highest level determined. Further, alliin levels decreased in mature leaves following wounding. Further, transcriptomic data generated over time following wounding of mature garlic leaves showed genes integral to the biosynthetic pathways of cysteine (CYS) and serine (SER) formation were significantly up-regulated.
Conclusions
This differential expression could underpin the accumulation of alliin and its precursors in garlic. Thus, our results provide a platform to help elucidate the biosynthetic pathway alliin biosynthesis.
Precision-Cut Bovine Udder Slices (PCBUS) as an in-vitro-model of an early phase of infection of bovine mastitis
Authors: Filor Viviane , Petry Monique , Meißner Jessica , Kietzmann Manfred 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to establish precision-cut bovine udder slices (PCBUS) as an in-vitro-model to investigate pathophysiological processes in the early phase of mastitis in order to have the possibility to investigate new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of such udder inflammation in later studies. Furthermore, this model should contribute to substitute in-vivo-experiments. Bovine mastitis is one of the most common and costly infectious diseases in the dairy industry, which is largely associated with the use of antimicrobial agents. Given this problem of antimicrobial resistance, it is essential to step up research into bacterial infectious diseases. Thus, the transfer of the in-vitro-model of precision-cut tissue slices to the bovine udder enables broad research into new therapeutic approaches in this area and can also be used to address issues in basic research or the characterisation of complex pathophysiological processes.Results: A stimulation with LPS, PGN or the combination of both substances (LPS:PGN) demonstrates the ability of the PCBUS to react with a significant secretion of IL-1ß, TNF-α and PGE2.Conclusion: The slices represent an instrument for investigating pharmacological interactions with udder tissue, which can be useful for studies on pharmacological questions and the understanding of complex pathophysiological processes of infection and inflammation.
Viability, Yield and Expansion Capability of Feline MSCs Obtained from Subcutaneous and Reproductive Organ Adipose Depots
Authors: Wysong Amy , Ortiz Priscilla , Bittel Douglas , Ott Lindsey , Karanu Francis , Filla Michael , Stehno-Bittel Lisa 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The source of multipotent stromal cells (MSC) can have a significant influence on the health and expansion capacity of the cells. As the applications for allogeneic MSCs in the treatment of feline diseases increase, the location of the initial donor tissue must be analyzed. To date, comparisons have only been made between feline MSCs collected from bone marrow or abdominal fat. This is the first report to compare cells obtained from different adipose depots in the cat. The adipose tissue was collected from 32 healthy cats undergoing spaying (fat around the ovaries and uterine horn) or subcutaneous fat collected during surgical procedures. Results: The total tissue yield from the subcutaneous fat was significantly greater than could be obtained from around the reproductive organs, leading to 3 times more total MSCs. However, the density of MSCs obtained from reproductive fat was significantly higher than from subcutaneous fat. In addition, the viability of the MSCs from the reproductive fat was significantly higher than the subcutaneous fat. When sufficient tissue was collected, it was digested either mechanically or enzymatically. Mechanical digestion further decreased the viability and yield of MSCs from subcutaneous fat compared to enzymatic digestion. Biomarkers of stem cell expansion and function were detected using qPCR. Gata6 was detected in all samples similarly regardless of site of harvest or method of digestion. Sox2 and Sox17 were also detected in all samples with higher quantities found in the enzymatically digested subcutaneous fat. Control genes of Gata4 and Pdx1 were detected in very low levels. Negative controls showed no detection prior to 50 cycles. During the first passage there was no statistically significant difference in doubling times or viability. But at P2, MSCs from the enzymatically-digested reproductive fat had the lowest doubling time and a trend towards the highest viability. Conclusion: Feline reproductive adipose tissue is a reasonable source of MSCs for eventual therapeutic applications with superior cell density, viability and expansion
Methods to evaluate the twin formation energy: comparative studies of the atomic simulations and in-situ TEM tensile tests
Authors: Kim Hong-Kyu , Kim Sung-Hoon , Ahn Jae-Pyoung 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Deformation twinning, one of the major deformation modes in a crystalline material, has typically been analyzed using generalized planar fault energy (GPFE) curves. Despite the significance of these curves in understanding the twin nucleation and its effect on the mechanical properties of crystals, their experimental validity is lacking. In this comparative study based on the first-principles calculation, molecular dynamics simulation, and quantitative in-situ tensile testing of Al nanowires inside a transmission electron microscopy system, we present both a theoretical and an experimental approach that enable the measurement of a part of the twin formation energy of the perfect Al crystal. The proposed experimental method is also regarded as an indirect but quantitative means for validating the GPFE theory.
­­Assessment and Treatment of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women: Qualitative Study of Patient Expectations in Secondary Care
Authors: Pat Jorik , Aart Tamar van der , Steffens Martijn , Witte Lambertus , Blanker Marco 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background. To develop a questionnaire to facilitate the inventorying of women’s expectations for the assessment and treatment of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) in secondary care.Methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among women with recurrent UTI referred to our urology department. The interviews were conducted by one interviewer, recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically by two researchers. We first developed 35 questions to identify potential themes, and we then tested them among women with and without recurrent UTI. Changes were made according to the feedback received.Results. Six interviews were conducted before saturation was reached. Thematic analysis identified three themes: patient pathway, personal knowledge, and social implications. All respondents had received multiple antibiotic courses but no prophylactic antibiotic therapy, and although all were aware of some preventive measures, they wanted more information about their disease. However, some women were afraid to access information for fear of what they might learn. Recurrent UTI also significantly affected the daily lives all respondents. Some women expressed fears over frequent antibiotic use, and others felt that there must be something wrong with their body to have so many UTIs. Women expected the urologist to provide an explanation and to start adequate therapy for their recurrent UTI. We created a 32-item questionnaire based on these themesConclusion. This study not only developed a questionnaire for use when assessing patient expectations of recurrent UTI management in secondary care but also provided novel insights into the thoughts, opinions, and expectations of women who are referred.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Corpus Callosum Agenesis in Four Fetuses
Authors: Zheng Jiao , Song Tingting , Li Jia , Xu Ying , Liu Pengfei , Zhang Jianfang , Hong Yang 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The corpus callosum is the main pathway connect the interhemispheric communication. Corpus callosum agenesis from asymptomatic to mild or severe neurodevelopmental disorders. However, few cases have been previously reported in the literature on prenatal diagnosis between corpus callosum agenesis and chromosomes abnormality. The study included prenatal diagnosis of 4 fetuses in whom prenatal ultrasound showed corpus callosum abnormality, isolated or associated with other central nervous lesions.Case presentation: Prenatal diagnoses of four children were summarized in our case. The routine prenatal ultrasound examination showed abnormal morphology of corpus callosum in fetus 1, dysplasia of the corpus callosum in fetus 3, the corpus callosum absence in fetus 2 and fetus 4, and fetus 4 also had cardiac abnormalities. Chromosomal microarray and G-band karyotype analysis were performed to provide genetic analysis of amniotic fluid. The results revealed 4.8M deletion at 1p36.33p36.31 in fetus 1, 3.1M deletion at Xq26.3q27.1 in fetus 2, 6.5M deletion at distal 1q43q44 and a duplication of 8.8M at 7q36.1q36.3 in fetus 3, fetus 4 had a deletion of 9.51M at 1p36.33p36.22 and 14.3M duplication at 6q25.3q27.Conclusion: The genetic mechanism of corpus callosum agenesis is variably complex, and its clinical phenotype may occur either alone or in association with other abnormalities. This study revealed the microabnormalities of multiple chromosomes are related to the corpus callosum abnormality. Combined with ultrasound examination, the application of chromosome microarray analysis will effectively improve the diagnosis of congenital submicroscopic chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses.
Life Satisfaction in Families with A Child in an Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome
Authors: Chadasch Christiane , Kotchoubey Boris 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The article examines life conditions in families living together with a child in an Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (UWS). Such families experience severe stress at financial, logistical, and existential level.Methods: We investigated a large sample of families living with a UWS child (comprising 13% of the total population) and compared these families with families without a chronically ill child. A set of four questionnaires aimed to evaluate life conditions entails a total of 204 items. One of the questionnaires was developed by the corresponding author specifically for this study. The questionnaires were positively accepted by the persons concerned and permitted us to test six specific hypotheses. Results: Life satisfaction (LS) in families with a UWS child was significantly lower than in control families. LS was significantly affected by the positive anamnestic situation (everyday support, home visits, support by a doctor, nursing service, health insurance, etc.). Self-management skills were on average lower in families with a UWS child than in controls. These skills strongly and directly correlated with LS. Further, LS was not significantly related to the acceptance of feelings and negatively correlated with the floods of emotions. The relationship with the own child was equally satisfactory in families with and without a UWS child indicating that the families regard their UWS child as a full family member.Conclusions: The data show that happy life is possible in families living together with a UWS child. They further specify conditions for satisfactory life under multiple highly severe challenges. Personal self-management skills, coping strategies, and resilience, as well as outside social support, appear to be critical factors.
Association of Baseline Concentrations of Liver Function Tests and Full Blood Count Indices with Annual eGFR Decline and Renal Outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: The eGFR Follow- Up Study
Authors: Majoni Sandawana William , Barzi Federica , Hoy Wendy , MacIsaac Richard J. , Cass Alan , Maple-Brown Louise , Hughes Jaquelyne T 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Determination of risks for progression in chronic kidney disease (CKD) would improve strategies to reduce progression to ESKD. The eGFR study recruited and followed a cohort of adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Indigenous Australians) from Northern Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia, with the aim to address the heavy CKD burden experienced within these communities.Methods: Using data from the eGFR study, we explored the association of baseline liver function tests (LFTs) (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), bilirubin and albumin) and full blood count (FBC) indices (white blood cell and red blood cell counts and haemoglobin) with annual eGFR decline and renal outcomes (first of 30% decline in eGFR with a follow-up eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, initiation of renal replacement therapy, or renal death). Comparisons of baseline variables across eGFR categories were calculated using analysis of variance and logistic regression as appropriate. Linear and multivariable regression models were used to estimate the annual change in eGFR for changes in FBC indices and LFTs. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratio for developing renal outcome for changes in baseline FBC indices and LFTs.Results: Of 547 participants, 540 had at least one baseline measure of LFTs and FBC indices. The mean age was 46.1 (14.7) years and 63.6% were female. The median follow-up was 3.1 (IQR 2.8-3.6) years. Annual decline in eGFR was associated with low serum albumin (p<0.001) and haemoglobin (p=0.007). After adjustment for age, gender, urine albumin/creatinine ratio, diabetes and cardiometabolic markers, low serum albumin (p<0.001), haemoglobin (p=0.012) and bilirubin (p=0.011) were associated with annual decline in eGFRRenal outcomes were inversely associated with serum albumin (p<0.001), bilirubin (p=0.012) and haemoglobin (p<0.001) and directly with GGT (p=0.007) and ALP (p<0.001). Other FBC indices and LFTs were not associated with annual decline in eGFR or renal outcomes.Conclusions: GGT, ALP, bilirubin, albumin and haemoglobin independently associate with renal outcomes. Contrary to findings from other studies, no association was found between renal outcomes and other FBC indices. These findings may help focus strategies to prevent disease progression in this high-risk population.
Using Exosomal miRNAs Extracted from Follicular Fluid to Investigate Their Role in Porcine Oocyte Development
Authors: Hu Junhe , Dong Jinyi , Zeng Zhi , Wu Juan , Tan Xiansheng , Tang Tao , Yan Jiao , Jin Chenzhong 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Follicular development is crucial to normal oocyte maturation, with follicular size closely related to oocyte maturation. To better understand the molecular mechanisms behind porcine oocyte maturation, we obtained exosomal miRNA from porcine follicular fluid (PFF). These miRNA samples were then sequenced and analyzed regarding their different follicular sizes, as described in the methods section. First, these results showed that this process successfully isolated PFF exosomes. Nearly all valid reads from the PFF exosomal sequencing data were successfully mapped to the porcine genome database. Second, we used hierarchical clustering methods to determine that significantly expressed miRNAs were clustered into A, B, C, and D groups in our heatmap according to different follicle sizes. These results allowed for the targeting of potential mRNAs genes related to porcine oocyte development. Third, we chose ten, significantly expressed miRNAs and predicted their target genes for further GO analysis. These results showed that the expression levels of neurotransmitter secretion genes were greatly changed, as were many target genes involved in the regulation of FSH secretion. Notably, these are genes that are very closely related to oocyte maturation in growing follicles. We then used pathway analysis for these targeted genes based on the originally selected ten miRNAs. Results indicated that the pathways were mainly related to the biosynthesis of TGF-beta and its signaling pathway, which are very closely related to reproductive system functions. Finally, these exosomal miRNAs obtained from PFF may provide a valuable addition to our understanding of the mechanism of porcine oocyte maturation. It is also likely that these exosomal miRNAs could function as molecular biomarkers to choose high-quality oocytes and allow for in vitro porcine embryo production.
rSodC is a potential antigen to diagnose Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis by enzyme-linked immunoassay
Authors: de Farias Antonio Pedro Fróes , Filho José Tadeu Raynal Rocha , Marchioro Silvana Beutinger , Moreira Luan Santana , Marques Andressa Souza , de Sá Maria da Conceição Aquino , Oliveira Antonio Anderson dos Santos , Alcântara Maria Emília , Mariutti Ricardos Barros , Arni Raghuvir Krishnaswamy , Trindade Soraya Castro , Meyer Roberto 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Caseous lymphadenitis (CL) is a chronic infectious disease that affects sheep and goats. Many serological tests have been developed to detect the disease; one of the most widely used is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), due to its advantages. ELISA formulations using recombinant proteins can exhibit significant sensitivity and specificity when using a single purified antigen. DTxR, Trx, TrxR, LexA, SodC, SpaC, NanH, and PknG recombinant proteins can be considered target proteins for ELISA development. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the antigenic reactivity of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis recombinant proteins in goat and sheep serum. Of eight proteins evaluated, rSodC was selected for validation assays with small ruminant serum samples from the semiarid region of the state of Bahia, Brazil. Validation assays with goat serum samples showed that rSodC presented sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 94%, respectively. Validation assays with sheep serum showed that recombinant SodC exhibited sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 98%, respectively. Analysis of 756 field serum samples showed that rSodC identified 95 positive samples (23%) in goats and 75 positive samples (21%) in sheep. The ELISA with recombinant SodC protein developed in this study discriminated positive and negative serum samples with high levels of sensitivity and specificity. This formulation is promising for epidemiological surveys and CL control programs.