bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of bacterial community diversity between soil and water of Dongzhai Harbor Mangrove reserve using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomic sequencing
Authors: Rong Xianzi , Zhang Wenfei , Xu Bo , Li Peng , Wu Hongping , Jin Yinghong , Wang Ruiping 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The mangrove ecosystem has rich biological resources and is the fourth highest service value ecosystem in the world. The Dongzhai Harbor Mangroves (DHM) reserve is located in the intertidal zone where the freshwater and seawater are dynamically interlaced, and its unique habitat may hide special microbial resources. In this study, we analyzed and compared bacterial community composition and diversity between the DHM soil and water by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. We found that the dominant species in both soil and water of DHM were Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, while the most differentially abundant species were Chloroflexi and Bacteroidetes. However, shotgun metagenomic sequencing analysis identified more highly abundant species in the water than in the soil, and identified more species with significant differences between the soil and the water (P ≤ 0.0001). Network analysis identified more co-occurring species in the soil and water. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional analysis identified three relatively abundant pathways: metabolism (accounting for more than 50%), genetic information processing, and environment information processing. Our results increase our understanding of bacterial community diversity in the water and soil of the DHM. Additional information that is hidden in the environment may be obtained by shotgun metagenomic sequencing; this technique can be used to mine more microbial resources from various environments.
Improved Swallowing Function after Zinc Supplementation in the Elderly
Authors: Seki Yumika , Ishizawa Kota , Akaishi Tetsuya , Abe Michiaki , Koji Okamoto , Tanaka Junichi , Arita Ryutaro , Takayama Shin , Kikuchi Akiko , Miyazaki Mariko , Harigae Hideo , Hatsugai Kazuaki , Ishii Tadashi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Zinc is an essential micronutrient for maintaining biological activity. The level of zinc in the blood is known to decrease with age, especially in those over 75 years of age. In elderly patients with impaired functional status, aspiration pneumonia based on dysphagia often becomes problematic. However, the relationship between zinc deficiency and swallowing function has not been studied before.Methods: A total of 52 elderly subjects (15 males and 37 females) living in a nursing home were enrolled for this study. At the time of enrollment, data of gender, age, body weight, serum zinc levels, serum albumin levels, and the time in a simple 2-step swallowing provocation test (S-SPT) were collected. In patients with serum zinc levels < 60 μg/dL, we initiated 2 months of oral zinc supplementation therapy with a 34 mg/day zinc load. Those who underwent zinc supplementation were re-evaluated after the treatment period and serum zinc levels and S-SPT time were measured.Results: At the time of enrollment, serum zinc level was significantly correlated with serum albumin levels (Pearson’s R = 0.58, p < 0.0001) and time in the S-SPT (Spearman’s rho = -0.32, p = 0.0219). Twenty-five of the 52 patients had zinc deficiency with a serum zinc level < 60 μg/dL. After 2 months of oral zinc supplementation, both serum zinc levels (p < 0.0001) and time in the S-SPT (p = 0.04) significantly improved. Meanwhile, serum albumin level (p = 0.48) or body weight (p = 0.07) did not significantly change following zinc supplementation. Zinc supplementation significantly improved swallowing function, especially in the elderly who had comorbid dysphagia and zinc deficiency.Conclusions: Zinc deficiency is associated with compromised swallowing function in elderly patients with impaired general functions. Oral zinc supplementation can alleviate dysphagia in elderly patients with zinc deficiency.
Psychiatric Morbidity among Internally Displaced People in Ethiopia
Authors: Eba Yaregal Fufa , Shifa Jemal Ebrahim 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Mental health problems in internally displaced people (IDP) can be triggered by either collective effect or individual effect of traumas experienced during Preflight, Flight, and Resettlement time. Higher level of depression and anxiety has been reported among IDPs globally while little is known in Ethiopia.Aims: To assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety among internally displaced people in Gedeo zone, Ethiopia, 2019.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among internally displaced communities settled in Gedeo Zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Regional states (SNNPR) among randomly selected 421 displaced individuals. Data were collected using standard and structured tools and entered into Epi info version 7 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 for analysis and descriptive statistics have been used to report the magnitude of the outcome. Logistic regression was considered to evaluate association between variables. Results: A total of 421 displaced persons completed the survey constituting a 99.5% response rate, of which 232 (55.1%) were males. Age of the study subjects ranged between 19 and 80 years, with a median of 33 years and ±11.8 SD. Higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders were found: depression 18.5% ((95% CI: (15.0, 22.3)), and anxiety 59.1% ((95% CI: (54.6, 63.9)). Tobacco use, female gender and age range from 19-30 years had statistically significant effect on the mental health outcomes of IDPs in the current study. Respondents’ marital condition, educational status, occupation, current living condition, social support status, as well as exposure status to physical and sexual violence were not significantly associated with both depression and anxiety. Conclusions: This assessment identified that the prevalence of depression and anxiety was high among internally displaced populations in the Gedeo zone. Clinical and psychosocial intervention is required.
Layered double hydroxide membrane with high hydroxide conductivity and ion selectivity for energy storage device
Authors: Hu Jing , Tang Xiaomin , Dai Qing , Liu Zhiqiang , Zhang Huamin , Zheng Anmin , Yuan Zhizhang , Li Xianfeng 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Membranes with fast and selective ions transport are highly demanded for energy storage devices. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), bearing uniform interlayer galleries and abundant hydroxyl groups covalently bonded within two-dimensional (2D) host layers, make them superb candidates for high-performance membranes. However, related research on LDHs for ions separation is quite rare, especially the deep-going study on ions transport behavior in LDHs. Here, we report a LDHs-based composite membrane with fast and selective ions transport for flow battery application. The hydroxide ions transport through LDHs via vehicular (standard diffusion) & Grotthuss (proton hopping) mechanisms is uncovered. The LDHs-based membrane enables an alkaline zinc-based flow battery to operate at 200 mA cm− 2, along with an energy efficiency of 82.36% for 400 cycles, which is among the highest efficiencies for zinc-based flow batteries. This study offers an in-depth understanding of ions transport in LDHs and further inspires their applications in other energy-related devices.
Activation of Interferon-Stimulated Transcriptomes and ACE2 Isoforms in Human Airway Epithelium Is Curbed by Janus Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Lee Hye Kyung , Jung Olive , Hennighausen Lothar 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection of human airway epithelium activates genetic programs that lead to progressive hyperinflammation in COVID-19 patients. Here we report on genetic programs activated by interferons and the suppression by Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and deciphering its regulation is paramount for understanding the cell tropism of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We identified candidate regulatory elements in the ACE2 locus in human primary airway cells and lung tissue. Activating histone and promoter marks and Pol II loading characterize the intronic dACE2 and define novel candidate enhancers distal to the genuine ACE2 promoter and within additional introns. dACE2, and to a lesser extent ACE2, RNA levels increased in primary cells treated with interferons and this induction was mitigated by JAK inhibitors that are used therapeutically in COVID-19 patients. Our analyses provide insight into ACE2 regulatory elements and highlight JAK inhibitors as suitable tools to suppress interferon-activated genetic programs in bronchial cells.
Effect of a Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2-derived peptide on the expression of tumor marker ZNF217 in osteoblasts and MCF-7 cells
Authors: Mantsou Aglaia , Lamprou Paraskevas , Karoulias Stylianos Zafeirios , Papi Rigini , Choli-Papadopoulou Theodora 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Zinc Finger Protein 217 (ZNF217), a transcription factor and oncogene product, has been found to dysregulate Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling and induce invasion in breast tumors. In this study, the effect of BMP-2 or an active BMP-2 peptide, AISMLYLDEN, on the expression of ZNF217, BMP4 and CDK-inhibitor p21 gene, CDKN1A, was investigated in DPSCs during osteogenic differentiation and in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. BMP-2 peptide reduced the expression of ZNF217 during the first two weeks of osteogenesis and increased the expression of CDKN1A after three weeks. BMP-2 and BMP-2 peptide increased the expression of BMP4 during the first week. The same genes were monitored in MCF-7 after treatment with BMP-2 or different concentrations of BMP-2 peptide. CDKN1A mRNA levels were 10-, 8- and 6-fold higher respectively in MCF-7 cells treated with BMP-2 (100 ng/ml) or BMP-2 peptide (45.2 and 22.6 ng/ml) than in untreated MCF-7. BMP-2 peptide, at a concentration of 22.6 ng/ml reduced ZNF217 expression after 6 h and 12 h. BMP-2 reduced BMP4 expression to undetected levels within 24 h. At appropriate concentrations, BMP-2 and the peptide AISMLYLDEN can be considered as a possible novel therapeutic method in breast tumors with a metastatic tendency to the bones.
Quantitative Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 Inactivation Using a Deep Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diode
Authors: Minamikawa Takeo , Koma Takaaki , Suzuki Akihiro , Mizuno Takahiko , Nagamatsu Kentaro , Arimochi Hideki , Tsuchiya Koichiro , Matsuoka Kaoru , Yasui Takeshi , Yasutomo Koji , Nomaguchi Masako 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Inactivation technology for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is certainly a critical measure to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode (DUV-LED) would be a promising candidate to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, based on the well-known antiviral effects of DUV on microorganisms and viruses. However, due to variations in the inactivation effects across different viruses, quantitative evaluations of the inactivation profile of SARS-CoV-2 by DUV-LED irradiation need to be performed. In the present study, we quantify the irradiation dose of DUV-LED necessary to inactivate SARS-CoV-2. For this purpose, we determined the culture media suitable for the irradiation of SARS-CoV-2 and optimized the irradiation apparatus using commercially available DUV-LEDs that operate at a center wavelength of 265, 280, or 300 nm. Under these conditions, we successfully analyzed the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and the irradiation dose of the DUV-LEDs at each wavelength without irrelevant biological effects. In conclusion, total doses of 1.8 mJ/cm2 for 265 nm, 3.0 mJ/cm2 for 280 nm, and 23 mJ/cm2 for 300 nm are required to inactivate 99.9% of SARS-CoV-2. Our results provide quantitative antiviral effects of DUV irradiation on SARS-CoV-2, serving as basic knowledge of inactivation technologies against SARS-CoV-2.
Enabling Visibility of the Clinician-scientists’ Knowledge Broker role in Linking Research with Clinical Practice: A Participatory Design Research in the Dutch Nursing-home Sector
Authors: Barry Margot , Kuijer Wietske , Persoon Anke , Nieuwenhuis Loek , Scherpbier Nynke 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Twelve clinician-scientists were employed in a Dutch academic network, which is a collaboration between fifteen nursing-homes and an academic medical research institute. The clinician-scientists were tasked with linking research and clinical practice by catalysing both care-informed research and evidence-informed implementation initiatives. The clinician-scientists and their manager experienced difficulties in clearly defining the knowledge broker role of the clinician-scientists, a difficulty also reported in literature. They found no tools and methods suitable for make their knowledge broker role visible. Clarifying role expectations and accountability for funding these knowledge broker positions was difficult. They aimed to design a theory-informed performance appraisal tool that allowed clinician-scientists to explicate and develop their knowledge broker role in collaboration with management.Methods: A participatory design research was conducted over a 21 month period with a design group consisting of an external independent researcher, clinician-scientists and their managers from within the academic network. Results: A tool (the SP-tool) was developed in MS Excel. This allowed clinician-scientists to log their knowledge broker activities as distinct from their clinical work and research related activities. The tool contributed to their ability to make their knowledge broker role visible to themselves and their stakeholders. The theoretic contribution of the design research is a conceptual model of professionalisation of the clinician scientists knowledge broker role. This model presents the relationship between work visibility and the clarification of functions of the clinician-scientist’s knowledge broker role. In the professionalisation of knowledge-intensive work, visibility contributes to the definition of CS broker functions, which is an element necessary for the professionalisation of an occupation.Conclusions: The CSs knowledge broker role is a knowledge-intensive role and work-tasks associated with this role are not automatically visible. The SP-tool contributes to creating work visibility of the clinician-scientists’ knowledge broker role. This in turn could contribute to the professionalisation of this role, which is not well described in literature at the day-to-day professional level.
Trophectoderm Biopsy of Blastocysts for a Preimplantation Genetic Test does not Affect Serum β-hCG Levels in Early Pregnancy: A Study using Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Wu Yixuan , Ying Ying , Liu Jianqiao , Liu Haiying 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Although preimplantation genetic test (PGT) has been used worldwide, few studies investigated the effect of trophectoderm biopsy of the blastocysts on early embryo development. This study aimed to investigate whether trophectoderm (TE) biopsy of blastocysts for a PGT affected serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels 14 days after transfer.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. The study population comprised pregnant women who underwent the transfer of single vitrified-warmed blastocysts after PGT between January 1, 2018, and July 30, 2020. The control group had non-PGT cycles with other inclusion criteria identical to those for the study group. Propensity score matching was used to screen a group of patients so that the baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. Serum β-hCG levels were compared between the PGT and non-PGT cycles. Multiple linear regression was applied to analyze the influence of PGT on serum β-hCG levels, while receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC curves) were plotted to predict pregnancy outcomes using serum β-hCG levels. Results: Serum β-hCG levels were comparable between the PGT and non-PGT patients: live birth: 2478 ± 1675 mIU/mL vs 2303 ± 1300 mIU/mL (P = 0.361); clinical pregnancy: 2244 ± 1537 mIU/mL vs 2270 ± 1387 mIU/mL (P = 0.634); and ongoing pregnancy: 2391 ± 1600 mIU/mL vs 2360 ± 1372 mIU/mL (P = 0.852) respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated no impact of PGT on the serum β-hCG level (standardized coefficients = –0.016, P = 0.756). For clinical pregnancy, the cutoff value was 482 mIU/mL and 277 mIU/mL for PGT and non-PGT patients, respectively. The threshold to predict live birth was 1345 mIU/mL and 1113 mIU/mL in the PGT and non-PGT cycles, respectively.Conclusion: Trophectoderm biopsy of blastocysts for PGT did not affect the serum β-hCG level 14 days after transfer.
Identification the Synergistic Effect of Immune-Related lncRNA KIAA0125 and Vitamin D Metabolism Related Gene CYP24A1 in Periodontitis
Authors: Li Yang , Li Ruixue , Wu Ying , Gong Chan-Juan , Ding XiaoJun 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease characterized by gingival inflammation and progressive destruction of alveolar bone. The interaction of periodontal plaque microorganisms and host immune response affects the process and progression of periodontitis. However, the specific mechanisms and biomarkers involved in periodontitis remain to be further studied. Methods: In the present research, we explored the expression profile data of differentially expressed lncRNAs and immune-related mRNAs and constructed the competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) network. The CIBERSORT analysis was used to infer the composition of 22 immune cells in periodontitis. The genes in ceRNA network were further screened by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), transcriptomic sequencing and PCR. Results: Our results indicated that a total of 1 lncRNA (KIAA0125), 3 miRNAs (miR-449c-5p, miR-125a-5p and miR-125b-5p) and 2 mRNAs (CYP24A1, BTG2) were involved in establishing the ceRNA network for periodontitis. The expression of KIAA0125 was highly correlated with plasma cells and B cells markers. The WGCNA and transcriptomic sequencing screened out the key gene as the vitamin D metabolic enzyme CYP24A1. The experimental results showed both KIAA0125 and CYP24A1 were highly expressed in the periodontitis gingival tissues. In vitro experiments, the expression of KIAA0125 in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) were increased after the treatment of lipopolysaccharide and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D) (P < 0.05). In addition, we found that 1,25D could alleviate the inflammation of LPS-induced hPDLCs, while the increased expression of KIAA0125 and CYP24A1 would antagonize the anti-inflammatory effect. Conclusion: In conclusion, immune-related lncRNA KIAA0125 and vitamin D metabolism related gene CYP24A1 can be used as potential diagnostic indicators of periodontitis.
An Evaluation of Muscle Repair Techniques: Implications in Musculoskeletal Healing and Corollaries in Oral-Facial Clefting
Authors: Kim Jaehoon , Choi Jaehoon , Kim Junhyung , Jo Taehee , Hwang Il Sun , Han Kihwan , Jeong Woonhyeok 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We performed an animal study to identify the techniques associated with the best muscle healing outcomes in cleft lip/palate surgery. The right triceps of thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were cut and repaired by three different suture techniques: simple (n=10), overlapping (n=10), and splitting sutures (n=10). Muscle tissues were isolated from 5 rats per group 1 and 8 weeks postoperation. The inflammatory response and muscle fiber healing were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, western blotting, immunohistochemistry for TNF-α and IL-1β, and immunofluorescence for laminin and MyoD. Grip strength (N/100 g) and spatial gait symmetry were evaluated before surgery and 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks postoperation. Eight weeks postoperation, grip force per weight was significantly higher in the simple suture (median, 3.49; IQR, 3.28-3.66) and overlapping groups (median, 3.3; IQR, 3.17-3.47) than the splitting group (median, 2.91; IQR, 2.76-3.05). There was no significant difference in range of motion between groups. The simple group exhibited significant remission of inflammation by H&E staining and lower expression of TNF-α and IL-1β than the other groups by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Immunofluorescence revealed stronger expression of MyoD and weaker expression of laminin in the splitting group than in the other groups at week 8, indicating prolonged inflammation and healing followed by poor muscle fiber remodeling. Simple interrupted sutures and overlapping sutures showed similar muscle healing in this study. Therefore, there was some limitation to reconstructing the philtral column using overlapping sutures alone, and additional procedures could be needed.
Selective Mediation of Ovarian Cancer Cell Death by Pristine Carbon Quantum Dots/Cu2O Composite Through Targeting Matrix Metalloproteinases, Angiogenic Cytokines and Cytoskeleton
Authors: Chen Daomei , Li Bin , Nie Minfang , Yang Yepeng , Congjia Xie , Lei Tao , He Zijuan , Wang Jiaqiang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
It was shown that some nanomaterials may have anticancer properties, but lack of selectivity is one of challenges, let alone selective suppression of cancer growth by regulating the cellular microenvironment. Herein, we demonstrated for the first time that carbon quantum dots/Cu2O composite (CQDs/Cu2O) selectively inhibited ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells by targeting cellular microenvironment, such as matrix metalloproteinases, angiogenic cytokines and cytoskeleton. The result was showed CQDs/Cu2O possessed anticancer properties against SKOV3 cells with IC50 = 0.85 μg mL−1, which was approximately 3-fold lower than that in normal mouse embryonic fibroblasts BABL-3T3 cells. Compared with popular anticancer drugs, the IC50 of CQDs/Cu2O was approximately 114-fold and 75-fold lower than the IC50 of commercial artesunate (ART) and oxaliplatin (OXA). Furthermore, CQDs/Cu2O possessed the ability to decrease the expression of MMP-2/9 and induced alterations in the cytoskeleton of SKOV3 cells by disruption of F-actin. It also exhibited stronger antiangiogenic effects than commercial antiangiogenic inhibitor (SU5416) through down-regulating the expression of VEGFR2. In addition, CQDs/Cu2O has a vital function on transcriptional regulation of multiple genes in SKOV3 cells, where 495 genes were up-regulated and 756 genes were down-regulated. It is worth noting that CQDs/Cu2O also regulated angiogenesis-related genes in SKOV3 cells, such as Maspin and TSP1 gene, to suppress angiogenesis. Therefore, CQDs/Cu2O selectively mediated of ovarian cancer cells death mainly through decreasing the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, F-actin, and VEGFR2, meanwhile CQDs/Cu2O caused apoptosis of SKOV3 via S phase cell cycle arrest. These findings reveal a new application for the use of CQDs/Cu2O composite as potential therapeutic interventions in ovarian cancer.