bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardioprotective effects of polydatin against myocardial injury in diabetic rats via inhibition of NADPH oxidase and NF-κB activities
Authors: Tan Ying-Ying , Chen Lei-Xin , Fang Ling , Zhang Qi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundDiabetic cardiomyopathy is a main cause of the increased morbidity in diabetic patients, no effective treatment is available so far. Polydatin, a resveratrol glucoside isolated from thePolygonum cuspidatum, was found by our and others have antioxidant and cardioprotective activities. Therapeutic effects of polydatin on diabetic cardiomyopathy and the possible mechanisms remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the cardioprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of polydatin on myocardial injury induced by hyperglycemia.MethodsDiabetes in rats was made by high-fat diet combined with multiple low doses of streptozotocin, and then treated with polydatin (100 mg·kg-1·day-1, by gavage) for 8 weeks. Cardiac function was examined by echocardiography. Myocardial tissue and blood samples were collected for histology, protein and metabolic characteristics analysis. In cultured H9c2 cells with 30 mM of glucose, the direct effects of polydatin on myocyte injury were also observed.ResultsIn diabetic rats, polydatin administration significantly improved myocardial dysfunction and attenuated histological abnormalities, as evidenced by elevating left ventricular shortening fraction and ejection fraction, as well as reducing cardiac hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis. In cultured H9c2 cells, pretreatment of polydatin dose-dependently inhibited high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte injury. Further observation evidenced that polydatin suppressed the increase in the reactive oxygen species levels, NADPH oxidase activity and inflammatory cytokines production induced by hyperglycemia in vivo and in vitro. Polydatin also prevented the increase expression of NOX4, NOX2 and NF-κB in the high glucose -stimulated H9c2 cells and diabetic hearts.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that the cardioprotective effect of polydatin against hyperglycemia-induced myocardial injury is mediated by inhibition of NADPH oxidase and NF-κB activity. The findings may provide a novel understanding the mechanisms of the polydatin to be a potential treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Exploring nurses’ perception about the care needs of patients with COVID-19: a qualitative study
Authors: Galehdar Nasrin , Toulabi Tahereh , Kamran Aziz , Heydari Heshmatolah 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
COVID-19 is a new disease affecting and killing a large number of people across the world every day. One way to improve health care for these patients is to recognize their needs. Nurses, as a large population of health care staff, can be rich sources of information and experience on patients’ care needs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore nurses’ perception about the care needs of patients with COVID-19.

Methods
The present qualitative research was performed using the conventional content analysis approach in Iran from March to May 2020. The participants of this study included the nurses caring for patients with COVID-19, recruited by the purpose sampling method. The data was collected through 20 telephone interviews and analyzed based on the method proposed by Lundman and Graneheim.

Results
Qualitative data analysis revealed six main categories including need for psychological consulting, need for quality improvement of services, need for upgrading of information, need for improving of social support, need for spiritual care and need for social welfare.

Conclusion
The data showed that patients with COVID-19 were psychologically, physically, socially, economically, and spiritually affected by the disease. Therefore, they should be comprehensively supported by health care staff and other supportive systems.
Engineering the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle and hydrogen utilization pathway of Ralstonia eutropha for improved autotrophic growth and polyhydroxybutyrate production
Authors: Li Zhongkang , Xin Xiuqing , Xiong Bin , Zhao Dongdong , Zhang Xueli , Bi Changhao 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
CO2 is fixed by all living organisms with an autotrophic metabolism, among which the Calvin–Benson–Bassham (CBB) cycle is the most important and widespread carbon fixation pathway. Thus, studying and engineering the CBB cycle with the associated energy providing pathways to increase the CO2 fixation efficiency of cells is an important subject of biological research with significant application potential.

Results
In this work, the autotrophic microbe Ralstonia eutropha (Cupriavidus necator) was selected as a research platform for CBB cycle optimization engineering. By knocking out either CBB operon genes on the operon or mega-plasmid of R. eutropha, we found that both CBB operons were active and contributed almost equally to the carbon fixation process. With similar knock-out experiments, we found both soluble and membrane-bound hydrogenases (SH and MBH), belonging to the energy providing hydrogenase module, were functional during autotrophic growth of R. eutropha. SH played a more significant role. By introducing a heterologous cyanobacterial RuBisCO with the endogenous GroES/EL chaperone system(A quality control systems for proteins consisting of molecular chaperones and proteases, which prevent protein aggregation by either refolding or degrading misfolded proteins) and RbcX(A chaperone in the folding of Rubisco), the culture OD600 of engineered strain increased 89.2% after 72 h of autotrophic growth, although the difference was decreased at 96 h, indicating cyanobacterial RuBisCO with a higher activity was functional in R. eutropha and lead to improved growth in comparison to the host specific enzyme. Meanwhile, expression of hydrogenases was optimized by modulating the expression of MBH and SH, which could further increase the R. eutropha H16 culture OD600 to 93.4% at 72 h. Moreover, the autotrophic yield of its major industrially relevant product, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), was increased by 99.7%.

Conclusions
To our best knowledge, this is the first report of successfully engineering the CBB pathway and hydrogenases of R. eutropha for improved activity, and is one of only a few cases where the efficiency of CO2 assimilation pathway was improved. Our work demonstrates that R. eutropha is a useful platform for studying and engineering the CBB for applications.
Predictors of oral health-related quality of life in 2–5 year-old children in the South of Iran
Authors: Abbasi-Shavazi Masoumeh , Mansoorian Elham , Jambarsang Sara , Hosseini-Yekani Amene , Rahmanian Vahid 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Dental and oral diseases can have negative impacts on children’s quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in the children aged 2–5 years old.

Materials and methods
A total number of 288 children aged between 2 and 5 years were selected and stratified by gender from three community health centres located in the city of Jahrom, south of Fars Province, Iran. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability was confirmed. The questionnaire was completed by parents/caregivers of the children. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed with quality of life as the dependent variable and, based on covariance structural analysis, evaluated the goodness of fit of the resulting structural equations models.

Results
The results showed that predisposing factors with a coefficient of 0.0457 (p = 0.015) and reinforcing factors ones with a coefficient of 0.2748 (p < 0.001) were correlated with the oral health behaviours. Moreover, there was a relationship between such behaviours with a coefficient of 0.1612 (p < 0.001) and oral health status and the given status with a coefficient − 0.9714 was correlated with OHRQoL (p < 0.001). Based on the covariance structural analysis, the resulting model was found to exhibit a reasonable goodness of fit.

Conclusion
The predictors of the children’s OHRQoL included predisposing, strengthening, oral health behaviours and oral health status. Therefore, planning to enhance supportive family behaviours and to boost predisposing factors including knowledge, attitudes, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy in parents and their oral health behaviours is recommended.
Phase I trial of dose-escalated stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) boost for unfavorable locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Vempati Prashant , Halthore Aditya N. , Teckie Sewit , Rana Zaker , Gogineni Emile , Antone Jeffrey , Zhang Honglai , Marrero Mihaela , Beadle Kristin , Frank Douglas K. , Aziz Mohamed , Paul Doru , Ghaly Maged 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background and purpose
Patients with locally advanced oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma have suboptimal outcomes with standard chemoradiation. Here, we evaluated toxicity and oncologic outcomes of dose escalation using radiosurgical boost for patients with unfavorable oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials and methods
Between 2010–2017, Thirty four patients with intermediate- or high-risk oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled onto this prospective phase I trial. Each patient received concurrent cisplatin and fractionated radiotherapy totaling 60 Gy or 66 Gy followed by radiosurgery boost to areas of residual gross tumor: single fraction of 8 Gy or 10 Gy, or two fractions of 5 Gy each. Primary endpoint was treatment toxicity. Secondary endpoints were local, regional, and distant disease control.

Results
Eleven, sixteen and seven patients received radiosurgery boost with 8 Gy in 1 fraction, 10 Gy in 1 fraction, and 10 Gy in 2 fractions respectively. Acute toxicities include 4 patients with tumor necrosis causing grade 3 dysphagia, of which 3 developed grade 4 pharyngeal hemorrhage requiring surgical intervention. At 24 months after treatment, 7%, 9%, and 15% had grade 2 dysgeusia, xerostomia, and dysphagia, respectively, and two patients remained feeding tube dependent. No grade 5 toxicities occurred secondary to treatment. Local, regional, and distant control at a median follow up of 4.2 years were 85.3%, 85.3% and 88.2%, respectively. Five patients died resulting in overall survival of 85.3%.

Conclusions
This study is the first to report the use of radiosurgery boost dose escalation in patients with unfavorable oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma. Longer follow-up, larger cohorts, and further refinement of boost methodology are needed prior to implementation in routine clinical practice.
Trial Registration: Northwell Health Protocol #09-309A (NCT02703493) (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02703493)
Impact of treatment delay due to the pandemic of COVID-19 on the efficacy of immunotherapy in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Chen Gaili , Wu Qiuji , Jiang Huangang , Li Zheng , Hua Xinying , Hu Xiaoyan , Yu Haijun , Xie Conghua , Zhong Yahua 
Published: December 2020

AbstractImmunotherapy has been a new standard for recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancers (R/M HNC). One of the prominent characteristics of cancer immunotherapy is the induction of immune memory followed by endured treatment response. However, whether and how a treatment delay would impact on the efficacy of immunotherapy has not been well determined. During the outbreak of COVID-19, a number of cancer patients in Wuhan, the epicenter of the pandemic in China, had experienced long-lasting city lockdown and delay of immunotherapies. Here, we retrospectively analyzed 24 HNC patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in our cancer institute prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 who were re-evaluated after the restoration of regular medical care. Of these 24 patients, 10 patients had achieved complete response (CR) or partial response (PR), 12 patients had achieved stable disease (SD), and 2 patients had received just one cycle treatment without efficacy evaluation before treatment delay. The median delay was 3.75 months (range 1.73–8.17 months). Re-evaluation after treatment delay revealed that ten patients (10/10) who achieved CR or PR, two patients (2/2) who received just one cycle treatment without efficacy evaluation and seven patients (7/12) who achieved SD before outbreak of COVID-19 maintained tumor response after treatment delay. Among the rest five patients who had achieved SD, four patients were re-evaluated as progressive disease (PD) due to treatment delay and one patient died after treatment interruption without re-evaluation. Our results from a small cohort of R/M HNC patients showed that treatment delay of three to four months might have mild, if any, impact on the efficacy of immunotherapy for patients with controlled disease.
Reproductive technologies, female infertility, and the risk of imprinting-related disorders
Authors: Fauque Patricia , De Mouzon Jacques , Devaux Aviva , Epelboin Sylvie , Gervoise-Boyer Marie-José , Levy Rachel , Valentin Morgane , Viot Géraldine , Bergère Arianne , De Vienne Claire , Jonveaux Philippe , Pessione Fabienne 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Epidemiological studies suggest that singletons born from assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have a high risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, specifically for imprinting disorders. Because ART processes take place at times when epigenetic reprogramming/imprinting are occurring, there is concern that ART can affect genomic imprints. However, little is currently known about the risk of imprinting defects according to the type of ART or the type of underlying female infertility.

From the French national health database, a cohort of 3,501,495 singletons born over a 5-year period (2013–2017) following fresh embryo or frozen embryo transfers (fresh-ET or FET from in vitro fertilization), intrauterine insemination, or natural conception was followed up to early childhood. Based on clinical features, several syndromes/diseases involving imprinted genes were monitored. The effects of ART conception and the underlying cause of female infertility were assessed.

Results
Compared with infants conceived naturally, children born after fresh-ET had a higher prevalence of imprinting-related diseases, with an aOR of 1.43 [95% CI 1.13–1.81, p = 0.003]. Namely, we observed an increased risk of neonatal diabetes mellitus (1.96 aOR [95% CI 1.43–2.70], p < 0.001). There was an overall independent increase in risk of imprinting diseases for children with mothers diagnosed with endometriosis (1.38 aOR [95% CI 1.06–1.80], p = 0.02). Young and advanced maternal age, primiparity, obesity, smoking, and history of high blood pressure or diabetes were also associated with high global risk.

Conclusions
This prospective epidemiological study showed that the risk of clinically diagnosed imprinting-related diseases is increased in children conceived after fresh embryo transfers or from mothers with endometriosis. The increased perturbations in genomic imprinting could be caused by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and potentially endometriosis through the impairment of endometrial receptivity and placentation, leading to epigenetic feto-placental changes. Further studies are now needed to improve understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms (i.e. genetic or epigenetic causes).
Global DNA methylation pattern involved in the modulation of differentiation potential of adipogenic and myogenic precursors in skeletal muscle of pigs
Authors: Zhang Xin , Sun Wenjuan , He Linjuan , Wang Liqi , Qiu Kai , Yin Jingdong 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundSkeletal muscle is a complex and heterogeneous tissue accounting for approximately 40% of body weight. Excessive ectopic lipid accumulation in the muscle fascicle would undermine the integrity of skeletal muscle in humans but endow muscle with marbling-related characteristics in farm animals. Therefore, the balance of myogenesis and adipogenesis is of great significance for skeletal muscle homeostasis. Significant DNA methylation occurs during myogenesis and adipogenesis; however, DNA methylation pattern of myogenic and adipogenic precursors derived from skeletal muscle remains unknown yet.MethodsIn this study, reduced representation bisulfite sequencing was performed to analyze genome-wide DNA methylation of adipogenic and myogenic precursors derived from the skeletal muscle of neonatal pigs. Integrated analysis of DNA methylation and transcription profiles was further conducted. Based on the results of pathway enrichment analysis, myogenic precursors were transfected with CACNA2D2-overexpression plasmids to explore the function of CACNA2D2 in myogenic differentiation.ResultsAs a result, 11,361 differentially methylated regions mainly located in intergenic region and introns were identified. Furthermore, 153 genes with different DNA methylation and gene expression level between adipogenic and myogenic precursors were characterized. Subsequently, pathway enrichment analysis revealed that DNA methylation programing was involved in the regulation of adipogenic and myogenic differentiation potential through mediating the crosstalk among pathways including focal adhesion, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, MAPK signaling pathway, and calcium signaling pathway. In particular, we characterized a new role of CACNA2D2 in inhibiting myogenic differentiation by suppressing JNK/MAPK signaling pathway.ConclusionsThis study depicted a comprehensive landmark of DNA methylome of skeletal muscle-derived myogenic and adipogenic precursors, highlighted the critical role of CACNA2D2 in regulating myogenic differentiation, and illustrated the possible regulatory ways of DNA methylation on cell fate commitment and skeletal muscle homeostasis.
Post-translational modifications of EZH2 in cancer
Authors: Li Zhongwei , Li Minle , Wang Diandian , Hou Pingfu , Chen Xintian , Chu Sufang , Chai Dafei , Zheng Junnian , Bai Jin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEnhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), as a main component of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2, catalyzes histone H3K27me3 to silence its target gene expression. EZH2 upregulation results in cancer development and poor prognosis of cancer patients. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are important biological events in cancer progression. PTMs regulate protein conformation and diversity functions. Recently, mounting studies have demonstrated that EZH2 stability, histone methyltransferase activity, localization, and binding partners can be regulated by PTMs, including phosphorylation,O-GlcNAcylation, acetylation, methylation and ubiquitination. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of the EZH2-PTMs and whether other types of PTMs occur in EZH2 remain largely unclear. This review presents an overview of different roles of EZH2 modification and EZH2-PTMs crosstalk during tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis. We also discussed the therapeutic potential of targeting EZH2 modifications for cancer therapy.
Looking through the African lenses: a critical exploration of the CSR activities of Chinese International Construction Companies (CICCs) in Africa
Authors: Seriki Oluwasegun Oluwaseyi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe importance of Chinese International Construction Companies (CICCs) within the construction sector in Africa can no longer be ignored, as these firms hold a considerable amount of market share within the African continent. The construction industry is of high importance to African economic renaissance, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming a key issue in business processes on the developing continent. Narratives around the implementation of CSR within construction in African economies have been largely one-sided, viewed from foreign perspectives and outsider anecdotes, without engaging locals in evaluating these initiatives. As a result, this paper explores CSR as a critical component of the continued penetration and dominance of Chinese contractors in the highly competitive African construction markets. The paper adopts a quantitative survey to explore the areas of implementation of CSR by CICCs, how they line up against current local and international counterparts and the future of these firms in Africa using CSR as a metric. Residents of Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria, who have Chinese-led projects ongoing in their communities, were surveyed for the study, and the findings used to propose solutions for future CSR policy-making in local African communities where Chinese contractors carry out business. The study found that in terms of CSR strategy implementation, CICCs were ranked highly on quality of construction and respect for local laws and customs, but ranked low in perception of employee welfare and environmental protection. The study highlighted that African governments taking responsible leadership by formulating a CSR policy for all international contractors might stem the tide of increasing anti-Chinese rhetoric within the construction sector on the African continent.
Limited not lazy: a quasi-experimental secondary analysis of evidence quality evaluations by those who hold implausible beliefs
Authors: Martire Kristy A. , Growns Bethany , Bali Agnes S. , Montgomery-Farrer Bronte , Summersby Stephanie , Younan Mariam 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPast research suggests that an uncritical or ‘lazy’ style of evaluating evidence may play a role in the development and maintenance of implausible beliefs. We examine this possibility by using a quasi-experimental design to compare how low- and high-quality evidence is evaluated by those who do and do not endorse implausible claims. Seven studies conducted during 2019–2020 provided the data for this analysis (N = 746). Each of the seven primary studies presented participants with high- and/or low-quality evidence and measured implausible claim endorsement and evaluations of evidence persuasiveness (via credibility, value, and/or weight). A linear mixed-effect model was used to predict persuasiveness from the interaction between implausible claim endorsement and evidence quality. Our results showed that endorsers were significantly more persuaded by the evidence than non-endorsers, but both groups were significantly more persuaded by high-quality than low-quality evidence. The interaction between endorsement and evidence quality was not significant. These results suggest that the formation and maintenance of implausible beliefs by endorsers may result from less critical evidence evaluations rather than a failure to analyse. This is consistent with a limited rather than a lazy approach and suggests that interventions to develop analytical skill may be useful for minimising the effects of implausible claims.