bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
You don’t have the guts: a diverse set of fungi survive passage through Macrotermes bellicosus termite guts
Authors: Bos Nick , Guimaraes Leandro , Palenzuela Romen , Renelies-Hamilton Justinn , Maccario Lorrie , Silue Simon Kolotchèlèma , Koné N.’golo Abdoulaye , Poulsen Michael 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Monoculture farming poses significant disease challenges, but fungus-farming termites are able to successfully keep their monoculture crop free from contamination by other fungi. It has been hypothesised that obligate gut passage of all plant substrate used to manure the fungal symbiont is key to accomplish this. Here we refute this hypothesis in the fungus-farming termite species Macrotermes bellicosus.

Results
We first used ITS amplicon sequencing to show that plant substrate foraged on by termite workers harbour diverse fungal communities, which potentially could challenge the farming symbiosis. Subsequently, we cultivated fungi from dissected sections of termite guts to show that fungal diversity does not decrease during gut passage. Therefore, we investigated if healthy combs harboured these undesirable fungal genera, and whether the presence of workers affected fungal diversity within combs. Removal of workers led to a surge in fungal diversity in combs, implying that termite defences must be responsible for the near-complete absence of other fungi in functioning termite gardens.

Conclusions
The rapid proliferation of some of these fungi when colonies are compromised indicates that some antagonists successfully employ a sit-and-wait strategy that allows them to remain dormant until conditions are favourable. Although this strategy requires potentially many years of waiting, it prevents these fungi from engaging in an evolutionary arms race with the termite host, which employs a series of complementary behavioural and chemical defences that may prove insurmountable.
RBPsuite: RNA-protein binding sites prediction suite based on deep learning
Authors: Pan Xiaoyong , Fang Yi , Li Xianfeng , Yang Yang , Shen Hong-Bin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundRNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play crucial roles in various biological processes. Deep learning-based methods have been demonstrated powerful on predicting RBP sites on RNAs. However, the training of deep learning models is very time-intensive and computationally intensive.ResultsHere we present a deep learning-based RBPsuite, an easy-to-use webserver for predicting RBP binding sites on linear and circular RNAs. For linear RNAs, RBPsuite predicts the RBP binding scores with them using our updated iDeepS. For circular RNAs (circRNAs), RBPsuite predicts the RBP binding scores with them using our developed CRIP. RBPsuite first breaks the input RNA sequence into segments of 101 nucleotides and scores the interaction between the segments and the RBPs. RBPsuite further detects the verified motifs on the binding segments gives the binding scores distribution along the full-length sequence.ConclusionsRBPsuite is an easy-to-use online webserver for predicting RBP binding sites and freely available athttp://www.csbio.sjtu.edu.cn/bioinf/RBPsuite/.
MtNIP5;1, a novel Medicago truncatula boron diffusion facilitator induced under deficiency
Authors: Granado-Rodríguez Sara , Bolaños Luis , Reguera Maria 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Legumes comprise important crops that offer major agronomic benefits, including the capacity of establishing symbiosis with rhizobia, fixing atmospheric N2. It has been proven that legumes are particularly susceptible to boron (B) stress, which leads to important yield penalties. Boron (B) deficiency or toxicity in plants causes the inhibition of growth and an altered development. Under such conditions, the participation of two distinct protein families (the major intrinsic protein family MIP and the Boron transporter family BOR) is required to minimize detrimental effects caused by B stress. However, in legumes, little is known about the transport mechanisms responsible for B uptake and distribution, especially under deficiency.

Results
A Medicago truncatula protein, MtNIP5;1 (Medtr1g097840) (homologous to the Arabidopsis thaliana AtNIP5;1) was identified as a novel legume B transporter involved in B uptake under deficiency. Further analyses revealed that this M. truncatula aquaporin expression was boron-regulated in roots, being induced under deficiency and repressed under toxicity. It localizes at the plasma membrane of root epidermal cells and in nodules, where B plays pivotal roles in symbiosis. Furthermore, the partial complementation of the nip5;1–1 A. thaliana mutant phenotype under B deficiency supports a functional role of MtNIP5;1 as a B transporter in this legume model plant.

Conclusions
The results here presented support a functional role of MtNIP5;1 in B uptake under deficiency and provides new insights into B transport mechanisms in legume species.
The novel E-subgroup pentatricopeptide repeat protein DEK55 is responsible for RNA editing at multiple sites and for the splicing of nad1 and nad4 in maize
Authors: Ren Ru Chang , Yan Xu Wei , Zhao Ya Jie , Wei Yi Ming , Lu Xiaoduo , Zang Jie , Wu Jia Wen , Zheng Guang Ming , Ding Xin Hua , Zhang Xian Sheng , Zhao Xiang Yu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundPentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins compose a large protein family whose members are involved in both RNA processing in organelles and plant growth. Previous reports have shown that E-subgroup PPR proteins are involved in RNA editing. However, the additional functions and roles of the E-subgroup PPR proteins are unknown.ResultsIn this study, we developed and identified a new maize kernel mutant with arrested embryo and endosperm development, i.e.,defective kernel(dek)55(dek55). Genetic and molecular evidence suggested that the defective kernels resulted from a mononucleotide alteration (C to T) at + 449 bp within the open reading frame (ORF) of Zm00001d014471 (hereafter referred to asDEK55).DEK55encodes an E-subgroup PPR protein within the mitochondria. Molecular analyses showed that the editing percentage of 24 RNA editing sites decreased and that of seven RNA editing sites increased indek55kernels, the sites of which were distributed across 14 mitochondrial gene transcripts. Moreover, the splicing efficiency ofnad1introns 1 and 4 andnad4intron 1 significantly decreased indek55compared with the wild type (WT). These results indicate that DEK55 plays a crucial role in RNA editing at multiple sites as well as in the splicing ofnad1andnad4introns. Mutation in theDEK55gene led to the dysfunction of mitochondrial complex I. Moreover, yeast two-hybrid assays showed that DEK55 interacts with two multiple organellar RNA-editing factors (MORFs), i.e., ZmMORF1 (Zm00001d049043) and ZmMORF8 (Zm00001d048291).ConclusionsOur results demonstrated that a mutation in theDEK55gene affects the mitochondrial function essential for maize kernel development. Our results also provide novel insight into the molecular functions of E-subgroup PPR proteins involved in plant organellar RNA processing.
Acceptance and self-reported use of a dementia care toolbox by general practice personal: results from an intervention study in German practices
Authors: Filbert Anna-Liesa , Jäger Sabine Christine , Weltermann Birgitta 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Dementia is an age-related syndrome that is estimated to affect 46.8 million people worldwide (2015). In ageing populations, the prevalence of dementia is expected to increase. General practitioners (GPs) are often the first to be contacted when signs of dementia appear. This cluster-randomised trial (CRT) investigates the effects of a dementia care toolbox mailed to GP practices to facilitate dementia care. It contained patient brochures and posters for the waiting room in three languages, information cards for professionals and practical tools in three languages. The GPs’ and practice assistants’ (PrAs) use of and opinion about the toolbox is reported here.

Methods
Three months after receiving the toolbox, participating GPs and PrAs were sent a standardised, self-administered questionnaire asking about the use and helpfulness of the various toolbox items by mail.

Results
A total of 50 GPs and PrAs (14 GPs and 36 PrAs) from 15 practices completed the questionnaire. Of the participants, 82.0% reported using at least one of the tools, while 18.0% had used none. In descending order, the patient brochures (70.0%), the information card (58.0%) and the poster (40.0%) were used. In general, the brochures (52.1%), the information card (44.9%) as well as the poster (28.6%) were perceived as helpful.

Conclusion
Overall, the dementia toolbox was widely accepted by both professional groups. Future research should investigate long-term effects of information strategies for GP practice settings.

Trial registration
German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00014632. Registered 02 August 2018. Clinical register of the study coordination office of the University hospital of Bonn. Registered 05 September 2017.
Evidence-based medicine and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Thalassemia
Authors: Mancuso Andrea 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma as a complication is linked to improved outcomes of thalassemia.Main bodyPublished data suggest an incidence of HCC in thalassemia of about 2%. However, since thalassemia is endemic in many under-developed countries where patients have not probably been screened for HCC yet, the burden of the disease could be higher. Prevention of HCV infection through blood transfusion, HCV treatment and adequate iron chelation are all tools to prevent HCC in thalassemia. In presence of risk factors, HCC screening seems appropriate for thalassemia. Management of HCC should not be different from that indicated for non thalassemics. However, liver transplantation can be challenging and should be reserved to highly selected cases, due to coexistence of relevant comorbidities. Decisions in the management of HCC in thalassemia should follow a multidisciplinary effort. Moreover, due to the paucity of published data about the issue, future multicenter international studies will be helpful.Short conclusionIn BMC Gastroenterology results of a commendable effort to guidelines for the management of HCC in thalassemia are reported by an Italian panel of experts. However, due to the paucity of published data about the topic, some conclusions rely on grey areas and are reason of debate.
Genistein attenuated gastric inflammation and apoptosis in Helicobacter pylori-induced gastropathy in rats
Authors: Siriviriyakul Prasong , Werawatganon Duangporn , Phetnoo Nisarat , Somanawat Kanjana , Chatsuwan Tanittha , Klaikeaw Naruemon , Chayanupatkul Maneerat 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection is a major cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer diseases and cancer. Genistein (4′,5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone), a tyrosine-specific-protein kinase inhibitor, has been shown to exert an anti-inflammatory property.The aim of this study was to examine the treatment effects of genistein and its mechanisms in rats withH. pyloriinfection.MethodsEighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (6 rats per group): (1) control group (Con); (2)H. pyloriinfected group (HP): the rats were inoculated withH. pylori(108− 1010 CFU/mL; 1 mL/rat.) for 3 consecutive days; and (3) HP + genistein group (HP + Gen): the rats were inoculated withH. pylorias above. Then, they were gavaged with genistein (16 mg/kg BW) for 14 days. Gastric tissue was used for the determination of nuclear factor (NF)-κB expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC), degree of apoptosis by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferasemediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) reaction, and histopathology. Serum samples were used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1).ResultsRats in the HP group had significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, NF-κB expression and apoptotic cells when compared with the Con group, and these markers significantly decreased in HP + Gen group when compared with the HP group. The histopathology of HP group showed moderate gastric inflammation and many HP colonization. Gastric pathology in HP + Gen group demonstrated the attenuation of inflammatory cell infiltration andH. pyloricolonization.ConclusionGenistein exerted its gastroprotective effects through the reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators, nuclear receptor NF-κB expression and gastric mucosal apoptosis in rats withH. pylori-induced gastropathy.
Antimicrobial therapy and assessing therapeutic response in culture-negative pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis: a retrospective comparative study with culture-positive pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis
Authors: Yu Dongwoo , Kim Sang Woo , Jeon Ikchan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
There are still controversies regarding the treatment and outcomes in culture-negative pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (PVO). The purpose of this study is to investigate the antimicrobial therapy, assessment of therapeutic response, and outcome of culture-negative PVO compared to culture-positive PVO.

Methods
A retrospective study was performed with non-surgical lumbar PVO patients. The patients were divided into two groups based on the causative bacterial identification (CN group with culture-negative PVO and CP group with culture-positive PVO). The clinical features, use of antibiotics, laboratory data, and outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results
Seventy-three patients with 41 (56.2%) of the CN group and 32 (43.8%) of the CP group were enrolled. The CN group showed a shorter duration of parenteral antibiotics (45.88 ± 16.14 vs. 57.31 ± 24.39, p = 0.019) but a tendency of prolonged duration of total (parenteral + oral) antibiotics (101.17 ± 52.84 vs. 84.19 ± 50.29 days, p = 0.168). When parenteral antibiotics were discontinued or switched to oral antibiotics, the mean erythrocyte segmentation rate (ESR, normal range: < 25 mm/h), C-reactive protein (CRP, normal range: < 0.5 mg/dL) level, and visual analog scale (VAS) score of back pain were 42.86 ± 24.05 mm/h, 0.91 ± 1.18 mg/dL, and 4.05 ± 1.07, respectively, with no significant differences between the two groups. The recurrence rates of CN and CP groups were 7.3% (3/41) and 6.3% (2/32), respectively (p = 1.000). The presence of epidural abscess was the most significant factor for the identification of causative bacteria (p = 0.002), and there was no significant relationship between the use of empirical antibiotics before tissue culture and the causative bacterial identification (p = 0.194).

Conclusions
The CN group required a shorter duration of parenteral antibiotics than the CP group. Discontinuation of parenteral antibiotics or changing the administration route can be considered based on the values of ESR, CRP, and VAS score of back pain. The presence of epidural abscess was the most significant factor for the identification of causative bacteria.
The preliminary comparative results between Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients in Western China
Authors: Li Yanzi , Li Hongxia , Han Jianfeng , Yang Lin 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
This study aims to investigate the comparative clinical characteristics of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients.

Methods
Fifteen Covid-19 and 93 non-Covid-19 patients were included in RNA testing. All epidemiological and clinical data were collected and analyzed, and then comparative results were carried out.

Results
Covid-19 patients were older (46.40 ± 18.21 years vs 34.43 ± 18.80 years) and had a higher body weight (70.27 ± 10.67 kg vs 60.54 ± 12.33 kg, P < 0.05). The main symptoms that were similar between Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients, and Covid-19 patients showed a lower incidence of sputum production (6.67% vs 45.16%, P < 0.01) and a lower white-cell count (4.83 × 109/L vs 7.43 × 109/L) and lymphocyte count (0.90 × 109/L vs 1.57 × 109/L, P < 0.01). Although there were no differences, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 were elevated in Covid-19 patients. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of CT images were 0.87 and 0.97, respectively. Covid-19 patients showed a higher contact history of Wuhan residents (80% vs 30.11%) and higher familial clustering (53.33% vs 8.60%, P < 0.001). Covid-19 patients showed a higher major adverse events (ARDS, 13.33%; death, 6.67%; P < 0.05).

Conclusion
Our results suggested that Covid-19patients had a significant history of exposure and familial clustering and a higher rate of severe status; biochemical indicators showed lymphocyte depletion.
Heart rhythm complexity as predictors for the prognosis of end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Liu Hongyun , Zhan Ping , Shi Jinlong , Hu Minlu , Wang Guojing , Wang Weidong 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Heart rhythm complexity, a measure of heart rate dynamics and a risk predictor in various clinical diseases, has not been systematically studied in patients with end-stage renal disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the heart rhythm complexity and its prognostic value for mortality in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods
To assess heart rhythm complexity and conventional heart rate variability measures, 4-h continuous electrocardiography for a retrospective cohort of 202 ostensibly healthy control subjects and 51 hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease were analyzed. Heart rhythm complexity was quantified by the complexity index from the measurement of the multiscale entropy profile.

Results
During a follow-up of 13 months, 8 people died in the patient group. Values of either traditional heart rate variability measurements or complexity indices were found significantly lower in patients than those in healthy controls. In addition, the complexity indices (Area 1–5, Area 6–15 and Area 6–20) in the mortality group were significantly lower than those in the survival group, while there were no significant differences in traditional heart rate variability parameters between the two groups. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, Area 6–20 (AUC = 0.895, p < 0.001) showed the strongest predictive power between mortality and survival groups.

Conclusion
The results suggest that heart rhythm complexity is impaired for patients with end-stage renal disease. Furthermore, the complexity index of heart rate variability quantified by multiscale entropy may be a powerful independent predictor of mortality in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Occult foreign body aspirations in pediatric patients: 20-years of experience
Authors: Liu Bo , Ding Fengxia , An Yong , Li Yonggang , Pan Zhengxia , Wang Gang , Dai Jiangtao , Li Hongbo , Wu Chun 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
The purpose of our study was to assess the frequency of occult foreign body aspiration (FBA) and to evaluate the diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic methods for these patients.

Methods
Between May 2000 and May 2020, 3557 patients with the diagnosis of FBA were treated in our department. Thirty-five patients with occult FBA were included in this study. A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed.

Results
Twenty-three male patients (65.7%) and 12 female patients (34.3%) were hospitalized due to occult FBA. The average age was 3.60 years (range 9 months-12 years). Most of the patients were younger than 3 years old (n = 25, 71.4%). Coughing (n = 35, 100%) and wheezing (n = 18, 51.4%) were the main symptoms and signs. All the patients were found to have a FBA under the fiberoptic bronchoscope. The most common organic foreign bodies were peanuts (n = 10) and the most common inorganic foreign bodies were pen caps (n = 5). The extraction of foreign bodies under rigid bronchoscopy was applied successfully in 34 patients. Only one patient needed a surgical intervention.

Conclusions
Occult FBA should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic or recurrent respiratory diseases that are poorly explained, even in the absence of a previous history of aspiration.
Rapidly progressive respiratory failure with multiple halo signs on computed tomography in a patient with primary cardiac angiosarcoma derived from the right atrium: a case report
Authors: Saito Masaoki , Saraya Takeshi , Oda Miku , Minamishima Toshinori , Kongoji Ken , Isomura Aya , Fujiwara Masachika , Soejima Kyoko , Ishii Haruyuki 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundPrimary cardiac neoplasms are extremely rare, with an autopsy incidence of 0.0001–0.003%. Primary cardiac sarcoma is usually derived from the right atrium and it manifests as chest pain, arrhythmia, hemoptysis, dyspnea, and fatigue. The most common target organ for metastasis of primary angiosarcoma is the lungs, but the radiological-pathological correlation has been rarely reported.Case presentationA 38-year-old healthy Japanese man was admitted to our hospital with persistent hemoptysis, exaggerated dyspnea, and two episodes of loss of consciousness in the past 3 months. Non-enhanced thoracic computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple scattered nodules with halo signs. Contrast-enhanced thoracic CT revealed a filling defect in the right atrium, which corresponded to the inhomogeneously enhancing tumor in the right atrium on enhanced electrocardiogram-gated cardiac CT. On day 2, acute respiratory failure occurred, and the patient was placed on mechanical ventilation. The patient was diagnosed with primary cardiac angiosarcoma based on the urgent transcatheter biopsied specimen of the right atrium mass and was treated with intravenous administration of doxorubicin. However, his respiratory status rapidly deteriorated, and he died on day 20. Postmortem biopsy showed that the multiple lung nodules with the halo signs corresponded to the intratumoral hemorrhagic necrosis and peripheral parenchymal hemorrhage in their background, suggesting the fragility of the lung tissue where the tumor had invaded, which caused hemoptysis. Furthermore, two episodes of loss of consciousness occurred probably due to a decreased cardiac output because of a massive tumor occupying the right atrium, recognized as an inhomogeneous centripetal enhancement on enhanced electrocardiogram-gated cardiac CT.ConclusionsThis case clearly demonstrated that primary cardiac angiosarcoma could expand in the right atrial cavity, which led to a decreased cardiac output resulting in repeated syncope, together with the fragility of lung tissue by tumor invasion, thereby generating a halo sign on thoracic CT.