bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Foot Length and Gestational Age in Pakistan
Authors: Tikmani Shiyam Sunder , Roujani Sana , Azam Syed Iqbal , Yasmin Haleema , Bano Khadija , Jessani Saleem , Reza Sayyeda , McClure Elizabeth M , Goldenberg Robert L , Saleem Sarah 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Preterm births have a high risk of mortality. Therefore, knowledge of the gestational age (GA) at birth is crucial to guide the appropriate management of a newborn. Common methods for estimating GA such as the last menstrual period, ultrasonography, and post-natal Ballard scoring have some limitations and are often unavailable in low-resource areas. This study aimed to determine the relationship between foot length and GA in order to develop an equation for predicting GA of the neonates born in Pakistan, a region with high rates of preterm birth and newborn mortality.Methods: We conducted a prospective study in a large obstetric hospital in Pakistan. Data for this analysis were extracted from the hospital files of eligible women by trained study midwives. Midwives were also trained in performing the Ballard examination and taking foot length using a disposable measuring tape within an hour of the birth. The GA was calculated using an android-based GA calculator, which used a report of last menstrual period, ultrasound examination, and Ballard examination. Simple and multiple linear regression were used to construct predicting equations for GA.Results: Both the foot length and GA were available for 1,542 cases. The median GA was 34.5 weeks with an interquartile range (IQR 4.7) and the median foot length was 7 cm (IQR 1.4). There was a positive linear relationship between foot length and GA (r2 81.7%, p-value < 0.001). Stratified analysis showed an r2 of 81.7% for males and 81.6% for females. The r2 for stillbirths was 84.1% and, 82.3% for live births. The r2 for macerated stillbirths was 88.6% and 90.6% for fresh stillbirths.Conclusion: In resource poor settings, the use of foot length can estimate GA in both live births and stillbirths and can easily identify preterm infants. This tool could facilitate early management of preterm births in low-resource settings.
Genomic Regions Associated With Stripe Rust Resistance Against the Egyptian Race Revealed by Genome-Wide Association Study
Authors: Mohamed Abou-Zeid A. , Mourad Amira M. I. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Wheat stripe rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. Tritici), is a major disease that causes huge yield damage. New pathogen races appeared in the last few years and caused a broke down in the resistant genotypes. In Egypt, some of the resistant genotypes began to be susceptible to stripe rust in recent years. This situation increases the need to produce new genotypes with durable resistance. Besides, looking for a new resistant source from the available wheat genotypes all over the world help in enhancing the breeding programs. Results: In the recent study, a set of 103-spring wheat genotypes from different fourteen countries were evaluated to their field resistant to stripe rust for two years. These genotypes included 17 Egyptian genotypes from the old and new cultivars. The 103-spring wheat genotypes were reported to be well adapted to the Egyptian environmental conditions. Out of the tested genotypes, eight genotypes from four different countries were found to be resistant in both years. Genotyping was carried out using genotyping-by-sequencing and a set of 26,703 SNPs were used in the genome-wide association study. Five SNP markers, located on chromosomes 2A and 4A, were found to be significantly associated with the resistance in both years. Three gene models associated with disease resistance and underlying these significant SNPs were identified. One immune Iranian genotype, with the highest number of different alleles from the most resistant Egyptian genotypes, was detected. Conclusion: the high variation among the tested genotypes in their resistance to the Egyptian stripe rust race confirming the possible improvement of stripe rust resistance in the Egyptian wheat genotypes. The identified five SNP markers are stable and could be used in marker-assisted selection after validation in different genetic backgrounds. Crossing between the immune Iranian genotype and the Egyptian genotypes will improve stripe rust resistance in Egypt.
Fibroblasts direct differentiation of human breast epithelial progenitors
Authors: Morsing Mikkel , Kim Jiyoung , Villadsen René , Goldhammer Nadine , Jafari Abbas , Kassem Moustapha , Petersen Ole William , Ronnov-Jessen Lone 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background Breast cancer arises within specific regions in the human breast referred to as the terminal duct lobular units (TDLUs). These are relatively dynamic structures characterized by sex hormone driven cyclic epithelial turnover. TDLUs consist of unique parenchymal entities embedded within a fibroblast-rich lobular stroma. Here, we established and characterized a new human breast lobular fibroblast cell line against its interlobular counterpart with a view to assessing the role of region-specific stromal cues in the control of TDLU dynamics. Methods Primary lobular- and interlobular fibroblasts were transduced to express human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Differentiation of the established cell lines along lobular- and interlobular pathways was determined by immunocytochemical staining and genome-wide RNA sequencing. Their functional properties were further characterized by analysis of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation repertoire in culture and in vivo. The cells´ physiological relevance for parenchymal differentiation was examined in heterotypic co-culture with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-purified normal breast primary luminal- or myoepithelial progenitors. The co-cultures were immunostained for quantitative assessment of epithelial branching morphogenesis, polarization, growth and luminal epithelial maturation. In extension, myoepithelial progenitors were tested for luminal differentiation capacity in culture and in mouse xenografts. To unravel the significance of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-b)-mediated crosstalk in TDLU-like morphogenesis and differentiation, fibroblasts were incubated with the TGF-b inhibitor, SB431542, prior to heterotypic co-culture with luminal cells.Results hTERT immortalized fibroblast cell lines retained critical phenotypic traits in culture and linked to primary fibroblasts. Cell culture assays and transplantation to mice showed that the origin of fibroblasts determines TDLU-like and ductal-like differentiation of epithelial progenitors. Whereas lobular fibroblasts supported a high level of branching morphogenesis by luminal cells, interlobular fibroblasts supported ductal-like myoepithelial characteristics. TDLU-like morphogenesis, at least in part, relied on intact TGF-b signaling. Conclusions The significance of the most prominent cell type in normal breast stroma, the fibroblast, in directing epithelial differentiation is largely unknown. Through establishment of lobular and interlobular fibroblast cell lines we here demonstrate that epithelial progenitors are submitted to stromal cues for site-specific differentiation. Our findings lend credence to considering stromal subtleties of crucial importance in the development of normal breast and, in turn, breast cancer.
TLR7 promotes smoke-induced lung damage through the activity of mast cell tryptase
Authors: Haw Tatt Jhong , Starkey Malcolm , Pavlidis Stelios , Tam Sheena , Nair Prema M. , Liu Gang , Gomez Henry M. , Hanish Irwan , Hsu Alan , Kim Richard , Fukui Ryutaro , Murakami Yusuke , Horvat Jay , Foster Paul , Oliver Brian , Wark Peter , Adcock Ian , Miyake Kensuke , Sin Don , Hansbro Philip 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The authors have withdrawn this preprint due to erroneous posting.
Fracture Liaison Service to Reduce Postoperative Complications and Improve the Activity of Patients With Hip Fracture: A 24-month Follow-up Survey
Authors: Imai Norio , Endo Naoto , Suda Ken , Suzuki Hayato 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Many models of fracture liaison services (FLS) following hip fracture have been introduced in the United Kingdom and Japan, resulting in a reduction in medical complications and secondary fractures. This study investigated improvements in time to surgery, daily activity, and the rate of medical complications and secondary hip fractures following the introduction of FLS.Methods: Patients who were over 50 years old and experienced fragility hip fractures, including femoral neck and trochanteric fractures, between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017, were enrolled in the study. We divided patients into a control group without FLS (94 patients; mean age: 83.8 years; 21 men and 73 women) and an FLS group (373 patients; mean age: 83.3 years; 69 men and 304 women).Results: The time from injury to surgery decreased significantly from 2.42 days to 1.83 days following the introduction of FLS (p = 0.003). The proportion of patients who were able to undergo surgery within 36 hours of injury also increased significantly in the FLS group (p = 0.014). In the FLS group, a significant decrease was observed in the total number of cases with complications, including cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and cerebrovascular disease, after admission (p = 0.009, 0.010, 0.043, respectively). Significantly more patients with a Barthel index (BI) of ≥80 were observed in the FLS group at 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months following injury (p = 0.046, 0.018, and 0.048, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that BI at the time of injury, surgery within 36 hours of injury, and postoperative complications were associated with death within 12 or 24 months after the injury.Conclusions: Our results indicate that FLS contributed to earlier recovery and rehabilitation following surgery, and accelerated rehabilitation of medical complications following admission. Our FLS is expected to improve patient activity and decrease secondary hip fracture in patients who have undergone hip surgery. Trial registration: University Hospital Medical Information Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000041206. Registered 24th July 2020, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-in/ctr/ctr_view_reg.cgi?recptno=R000047054
Porin protein could be a vaccine candidate against Riemerella anatipestifer for ducks
Authors: Yang Hui , Zhang Haiwen , Liao Chenghong , Zhao Jianguo , Wang Jinhua , Wu Kebang , Han Qian , guan qingfeng 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
such as domestic ducks and geese. Young birds have a high mortality rate after infection. The resistance caused by the abuse of antibiotics is also getting worse. Since there are 25 serotypes of RA, and the cross-immunization between serotypes is weak, it is necessary to find a vaccine that has cross-immunization against multiple serotypes of RA. In this article, the bioinformatics analysis of RA Proin protein was conducted, and it was speculated that it has the potential of a subunit vaccine. The protein was recombinantly expressed and purified, and immunized with Cherry Valley Duck. The results show that the serum antibodies of the Porin protein immunized group were positive at 1:24300 for the porin protein and RA strains CH1. The serum could improve the killing effect of complement and phagocytic cells on RA. After the challenge, the survival rate of Cherry Valley Duck can be increased by 80%.
Exploration of the Methods of Establishing the Minimum Clinical Important Difference Based on Anchor and Its Application in the Quality of Life Measurement Scale QLICP-ES (V2.0) for Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Ren Dandan , Wu Ting , Wan chonghua , Li Gaofeng , Qi Yanbo , Fang Yujing , Zhong Jiudi 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The development of the minimum clinical important difference (MCID) can make it easier for researchers or doctors to judge the significance of research results and the effect of intervention measures, and improve the evaluation system of efficacy. This paper is aimed to calculate the MCID based on anchor and to develop MCID for esophageal cancer scale (QLICP-ES). Methods: Q29 of EORTC QLQ-C30 was used as the subjective anchor to calculate the score difference between each domain at discharge and admission. MCID was established according to two standards, "one grade difference"(A) and "at least one grade difference"(B), and developed by three methods: anchor-based method, ROC curve method and multiple linear regression model. Results: Most of the correlation coefficients of Q29 and various domains of the QLICP-ES were higher than 0.30. The rank of MCID values determined by different methods and standards were as follows: standard B> standard A, anchor-based method >ROC curve method > multiple linear regression model. The recommended MCID values of physical domain, psychological domain, social domain, common symptom and side-effects domain, the specific domain and the overall of the QLICP-ES were 7.8, 9.7, 4.7, 3.6, 4.3, 2.3 and 2.9, respectively. Conclusion: Different methods have their own advantages and disadvantages, and also different definitions and standards can be adopted according to research purposes and methods. A lot of different MCID values were presented in this paper so that it can be easy and convenient to select by users.
Development and Evaluation of Duplex TaqMan Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection and Differentiation of Wide-Type and MGF505 Gene-Deleted African Swine Fever Viruses
Authors: Guo Zhenhua , Li Kunpeng , Qiao Songlin , Chen Xinxin , Deng Ruiguang , Zhang Gaiping 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: African swine fever (ASF) is the most important disease to the pigs and cause serious economic losses to the countries with large-scale swine production. Vaccines are recognized as the most useful tool to prevent and control ASF virus (ASFV) infection. Currently, the MGF505 and MGF360 gene-deleted ASFVs or combined with CD2v deletion were confirmed to be the most promising vaccine candidates. Thus, it is essential to develop a diagnosis method to discriminate wide-type strain from the vaccines used. Results: In this study, we established a duplex TaqMan real-time PCR based on the B646L gene and MGF505-2R gene. The sequence alignment showed that the targeted regions of primers and probes are highly conserved in the genotype II ASFVs. The duplex real-time assay can specifically detect B646L and MGF505-2R gene single or simultaneously without cross-reaction with other porcine viruses tested. The limit of detection was 5.8 copies and 3.0 copies for the standard plasmids containing B646L and MGF505-2R genes, respectively. Clinical samples were tested in parallel by duplex real-time PCR and a commercial ASFV detection kit. The detection results of these two assays against B646L gene were well consistent. Conclusion: We successfully developed and evaluated a duplex TaqMan real-time PCR method which can effectively distinguish the wide type and MGF505 gene-deleted ASFVs. It would be a useful tool for the clinical diagnosis and control of ASF.
Naive Bayesian Machine Learning to Diagnose Breast Cancer
Authors: Hooshmand Arash 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
A novel MLAC (Machine Learning Against Cancer) method to distinguish between cancerous and noncancerous RNA genomic data is developed and tested with 100\% accuracy on all healthy and cancerous Breast tissue samples. A Naive Bayesian ML (Machine Learning) system is trained using WES (Whole Exome Sequencing) data in a high-level i.e. normalized quantification of RNAs obtained from 1091 breast cancer samples’ WES files from the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and 179 healthy samples’ WES data from the GTEx (Genotype-Tissue Expression) project. We could show that both sensitivity and specificity of the method in classification of cancerous and noncancerous cells is perfectly 100%.
The Effects of Risk Factors on Recovery of Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation After Non-cardiac Surgery
Authors: zhang kai , Wei Xin 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background and Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias in clinical practice. However, no literature has reported the correlation between the quality of recovery of AF patients after non-cardiac surgery and their preoperative basic and intraoperative conditions. The present study aimed to screen factors that affect recovery of AF patients after non-cardiac surgery.Methods: 120 patients with AF who aged ≥ 60 years old and scheduled to undergo non-cardiac surgery were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to the score of quality of recovery-15 (QoR-15) at 120 h after surgery, which were 122-150 points (satisfactory recovery, group A) and 0-121 points (poor recovery, group B). Their preoperative basic conditions (age, co-existing disease, mean ventricular rate, anticoagulant therapy, etc.), intraoperative conditions (the anesthesia satisfaction scale), and the QoR-15 scores after the surgery were recorded. Besides, the levels of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn), and presepsin (soluble cluster-of-differentiation 14 subtype [sCD14-ST]) before and after surgery were measured. The data were analyzed to screen factors, influencing the postoperative recovery of patients with AF after non-cardiac surgery. Results: The independent risk factors for elderly patients with AF after non-cardiac surgery were mean ventricular rate (odds ratio (OR): 1.085; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.040-1.131; P<0.001), high-risk surgery (OR: 0.185; 95% CI: 0.043-0.798; P=0.024), and anesthesia satisfaction scale score (OR: 2.392; 95% CI: 1.524-3.753; P<0.001). In the anesthesia satisfaction scale, hypotension (P=0.005), tachycardia/bradycardia (P=0.021), blood transfusion (P=0.047), and RASS score (P=0.041) were also found as risk factors for recovery. The levels of BNP and hs-cTn can be helpful to predict the prognosis in patients with AF.Conclusion: Poorly controlled ventricular rate, high-risk surgery, and high score of anesthesia satisfaction scale can affect the prognosis in elderly patients with AF undergoing non-cardiac surgery. The levels of BNP and hs-cTn may correlate with early recovery of such patients.
Serial Measurements of Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) Activity in Horses with Experimentally Induced Endotoxemia
Authors: Scavone Donatella , Sgorbini Micaela , Borges Alexandre Secorun , de Oliveira-Filho Josè Paes , Vitale Valentina , Paltrinieri Saverio 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is an antioxidant enzyme, whose activity decreases during the acute phase response in many species. Little is known about PON-1 and its role as a negative acute phase protein during septic inflammation in horses, but promising findings about its utility in diagnosing SIRS and predicting the outcome in diseased horses, were recently highlighted. The objective of the study was to investigate the behaviour of PON-1 in horses after experimentally induced endotoxemia. To this aim, PON-1 activity was measured on 66 plasma samples collected from six clinically healthy mares, previously included in another study, before and at multiple time points between 12 and 240 hours after intravenous infusion of Escherichia coli O55:B5 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results: compared with baseline values, a progressive transient decrease of PON-1 activity was observed starting from 24 hours post-infusion, with lowest values observed between 3 to 7 days post-infusion, followed by a normalisation to pre-infusion levels the tenth day. Conclusions: the results of this study suggest that measurement and monitoring of PON-1 activity might be useful to evaluate progression and recovery from endotoxemia in horses. Further studies in horses with naturally occurring sepsis are warranted.
Development and Validation of the Peptic Ulcer Scale Under the System of Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases Based on Classical Test Theory and Generalizability Theory
Authors: wan chonghua , Chen Ying , Gao Li , Zhang Qingqing , Quan Peng , Sun Xiaoyuan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Quality of life (QOL) for patients with Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is of interest worldwide and disease-specific instruments are needed for clinical research and practice. This paper focus on the development and validation of the PUD scale under the system of Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases (QLICD-PU) by the modular approach and both classical test theory and Generalizability Theory. Methods: QLICD-PU is developed based on programmatic decision-making procedures, including multiple nominal and focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and quantitative statistical procedures. Based on the data of 153 PUD inpatients, G and D studies using correlation analysis, factor analysis, t-test, and generalized theoretical analysis were used to assess the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the scale.Results: When SF-36 was used as the standard, correlation and factor analysis confirmed good structural validity and standard-related validity of QLICD-PU. Except for the social domain (0.62), the internal consistency α of all domains is higher than 0.70. The overall score and the retest reliability coefficients (Pearson r and intra-class correlation ICC) in all domains are higher than 0.80 (0.77 in the social domain). After treatment, the overall scores and scores of all domains have statistically significant changes (P <0.01), except for social impact and sexual function scores. The SRM of field-level scores ranges from 0.34 to 1.03. The G coefficient and reliability index (Ф coefficient) further confirm the reliability of the scale through more accurate variance components and decision-making information about changes in the number of items.Conclusions: QLICD-PU can be used as a useful measurement to assess the quality of life of PUD patients with good psychometric characteristics and multiple advantages.
Polymorphisms&nbsp;of&nbsp;TGF-β1&nbsp;and&nbsp;TGF-β3&nbsp;in Chinese Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Xu Yinglei , Wei Chunlian , Wu Cuijiao , Han Mengmeng , Wang Jingli , Hou Huabin , Zhang Lu , Liu Shiguo , Chen Ying 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy-specific carbohydrate intolerance Which can cause a large number of perinatal and postpartum complications. The members of Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily play key roles in the homeostasis of pancreatic β-cell and may involve in the development of GDM. This study aimed to explore the association between the polymorphisms of TGF-β1 , TGF-β3 and the risk to GDM in Chinese women.Methods: This study included 919 GDM patients(464 with preeclampsia and 455 without preeclampsia) and 1177 healthy pregnant women. TaqMan allelic discrimination real-Time PCR was used to genotyped the TGF-β1 (rs4803455) and TGF-β3 (rs2284792 and rs3917201) were by, The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was evaluated by chi-square test.Results: An increased frequency of TGF-β3 rs2284792 AA and AG genotype carriers was founded in GDM patients (AA vs. AG+GG: χ²=6.314, P=0.012, OR=1.270, 95%CI 1.054-1.530; AG vs. GG+AA: χ²=8.545, P=0.003, OR=0.773, 95%CI 0.650-0.919). But there were no significant differences in the distribution of TGF-β1 rs4803455 and TGF-β3 rs3917201 between GDM and healthy women. And no significant differences were found in allele and genotype frequencies among GDM patients with preeclampsia (PE). Conclusions: The AA and AG genotype of TGF-β3 rs2284792 polymorphism may be significantly associated with increased risk of GDM in Chinese population.