bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chicken cecal DNA methylome alteration in the response to Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis inoculation
Authors: Wang Yuanmei , Liu Liying , Li Min , Lin Lili , Su Pengcheng , Tang Hui , Fan Xinzhong , LI Xianyao 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) is one of the pathogenic bacteria, which affects poultry production and poses a severe threat to public health. Chicken meat and eggs are the main sources of human salmonellosis. DNA methylation is involved in regulatory processes including gene expression, chromatin structure and genomic imprinting. To understand the methylation regulation in the response to SE inoculation in chicken, the genome-wide DNA methylation profile following SE inoculation was analyzed through whole-genome bisulfite sequencing in the current study.Results: There were 185,362,463 clean reads and 126,098,724 unique reads in the control group, and 180,530,750 clean Reads and 126,782,896 unique reads in the inoculated group. The methylation density in the gene body was higher than that in the upstream and downstream regions of the gene. There were 8,946 differentially methylated genes (3,639 hypo-methylated genes, 5,307 hyper-methylated genes) obtained between inoculated and control groups. Methylated genes were mainly enriched in immune-related Gene Ontology (GO) terms and metabolic process terms. Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, TGF-beta signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway and several metabolism-related pathways were significantly enriched. The density of differentially methylated cytosines in miRNAs was the highest. HOX genes were widely methylated.Conclusions: The genome-wide DNA methylation profile in the response to SE inoculation in chicken was analyzed. SE inoculation promoted the DNA methylation in the chicken cecum and caused methylation alteration in immune- and metabolic- related genes. Wnt signal pathway, miRNAs and HOX gene family may play crucial roles in the methylation regulation of SE inoculation in chicken. The findings herein will deepen the understanding of epigenetic regulation in the response to SE inoculation in chicken.
Melatonin deficiency decreases brown adipose tissue acute thermogenic capacity in rats measured by 18F-FDG PET
Authors: Halpern Bruno , Mancini Marcio C , Mendes Caroline , Machado Camila Maria Longo , Prando Silvana , Sapienza Marcelo Tatit , Buchpiguel Carlos Alberto , Amaral Fernanda Gaspar do , Cipolla-Neto José 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Objective: Melatonin has been shown to increase brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass, which can lead to important metabolic effects, such as bodyweight reduction and glycemic improvement. However, BAT mass can only be measured invasively and. the gold standard for non-invasive measurement of BAT activity is positron emission tomography with 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG PET). There is no study, to our knowledge, that has evaluated if melatonin influences BAT activity, measured by this imaging technique in animals. Methods: Three experimental groups of Wistar rats (control, pinealectomy, and pinealectomy replaced with melatonin) had an 18F-FDG PET performed at room temperature and after acute cold exposure. The ratio of increased BAT activity after cold exposure/room temperature was called “acute thermogenic capacity” (ATC) We also measured UCP-1 mRNA expression to correlate with the 18F-FDG PET results. Results: Pinealectomy led to reduced acute thermogenic capacity, compared with the other groups, as well as reduced UCP1 mRNA expression.Conclusion: Melatonin deficiency impairs BAT response when exposed to acute cold exposure. These results can lead to future studies of the influence of melatonin on BAT, in animals and humans, without needing an invasive evaluation of BAT.
The CTRP5 Circulating Levels and the Ratio of CTRP1 to CTRP5 in Plasma are Significant Predictors for Carotid Intima-Media Thickness(cIMT) value in Patients with type 2 diabetes: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Majidi Ziba , Emamgholipour Solaleh , Omidifar Abolfazl , Fard Soheil Rahmani , Poustchi Hossein , Shanaki Mehrnoosh 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: There is growing evidence that the C1qTNF-related protein (CTRP) family has a crucial role in the physiology and pathophysiology of metabolic disorders such as Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and obesity. We sought to identify the association of CTRP1 and CTRP5 circulating levels with various obesity parameters such as visceral adipose tissue (VAT) thickness, visceral adiposity index (VAI), and with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in patients with T2D and healthy subjects.Methods: This preliminary study consisted of men with T2D (n=42) and men without T2D (n=42) . cIMT and VAT thickness measurement was performed using an Accuvix XQ ultrasound. Circulating levels of CTRP1, CTRP5, and adiponectin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: CTRP-1 and CTRP1/CTRP5 ratio were markedly higher in patients with T2D compared to controls (p < 0001 and p = 0004 respectively). Interestingly, binominal logistic regression revealed that a higher circulating level of CTRP1 was associated with the presence of T2D (odds ratio [OR]: 1.009 [95% CI: 1.004-1.015]; P=.001). CTRP1 circulating levels were correlated with WHR, VAT, and HOMA-IR in the whole population study. Also, we observed that the ratio of CTRP1 to CTRP5 in plasma (β = 0.648, P=0.005) and CTRP5 circulating levels (β = 0.444, P=0.049) are significant predictors for cIMT value.Conclusions: Our results indicated that CTRP1 and CTRP5 concentrations were correlated with atherosclerosis in men with T2D and these adipokines might have a causal role for cardiometabolic risk in T2D.However, more studies in large sample sizes are required to clarify the role of CTRPs in T2D pathogenesis.
Cross-cultural adaptation of the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY) into German: a qualitative study in three countries
Authors: Krieger Beate , Schulze Christina , Boyd Jillian , Amann Ruth , Piškur Barbara , Beurskens Anna , Teplicky Rachel , Moser Albine 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Concepts such as participation and environment may differ across cultures. Consequently, to use a measure like the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY) in other than the original English-speaking contexts, cultural adaptation needs to be assured. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally translate and adapt the PEM-CY into German as it is used in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.Methods: Fifteen parents of children and adolescents with disabilities from three German speaking countries participated in three rounds of think-aloud interviews. We followed the procedure of cultural equivalence guidelines including two additional steps. Data was analyzed by content analysis using semantic, idiomatic, experiential and conceptual equivalence.Results: Results show adaptations mainly focused on experiential and conceptual equivalence, with conceptual equivalence being the most challenging to reach. Examples of experiential equivalence included adapting the examples of activities in the PEM-CY to reflect those typical in German speaking countries. Conceptual equivalence mainly addressed aspects of “involvement” and “environment” of children and adolescents and was reached through adaptations such as enhanced instructions and structures, and additional definitions.Conclusion: This study presents a cross-cultural translation and adaptation process to develop a German version of the PEM-CY that is suitable for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Using a modified cultural adaptation process, a culturally adapted version of PEM-CY (German) is now available for research, practice and further validation.
Upregulated Expression of LncRNA Nicotinamide Nucleotide Transhydrogenase Antisense RNA 1 is Correlated with Unfavorable Clinical Outcomes in Cancers
Authors: Zhang Chenghao , Ren Xiaolei , Liu Zhongyue , Tu Chao 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase antisense RNA 1 (NNT-AS1) is a long non-coding RNA aberrantly expressed in human malignancies. We aimed to analyze available data to evaluate the correlation between NNT-AS1 expression and cancer prognosis. Methods: Literature retrieval was performed by systematic searching related databases from inception to April 2, 2020. Studies regarding correlation between NNT-AS1 expression, survival outcomes and clinical characteristics of cancer patients were collected and pooled to calculate the the hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: Ten studies comprising 699 patients were included, all of which were conducted in China according to literature selection criteria. Overexpression of NNT-AS1 had a significant association with unfavorable overall survival (OS) (HR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.84-2.36, P<0.001). Stratified analysis showed that tumor type, sample size, follow-up months, and survival analysis approach did not change the predictive value of NNT-AS1 on OS. Furthermore, elevated NNT-AS1 level had significant association with distant metastasis (DM) (OR=2.45, 95% CI: 1.39-4.30), lymph node metastasis (LNM) (OR=3.92, 95% CI: 1.35-11.41), TNM stage (OR=4.25, 95% CI: 1.71-10.56), and vascular invasion (OR=3.98, 95% CI: 2.06-7.71), but was not associated with age and gender. The TCGA dataset further consistently showed that the NNT-AS1 expression was associated with poor OS and disease-free survival. Conclusions: High expression of NNT-AS1 is associated with unfavorable survival outcomes and poor clinicopathologic characteristics. However, large-cohort data and geographical studies are still needed to further validate the prognostic value of NNT-AS1 in cancers.
Inhibiting MAPK14 showed anti-prolactinoma effect
Authors: Ding Qiaoyan , Zhang Yu , Ma Li , Chen Yong-gang , Wu Jin-hu , Zhang Hong-feng , Wang Xiong 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background The specific underlying pathogenesis of prolactinoma has not been clarified yet, to the best of our knowledge. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling including p38α MAPK (MAPK14), p38β (MAPK11), p38γ (MAPK12) and p38δ (MAPK13) is associated with the development and progression of several types of cancer.Methods Immunofluorescence analysis was performed on the prolactin (PRL) and MAPK14 expressions of pituitary gland in C57BL/6 mice and human prolactinoma specimen. In the present study, the role of MAPK14 in prolactinoma was determined using estradiol-induced mice and dopamine D2 receptor knockout (DRD2-/-) mice models in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT), MAPK14-/- and DRD2-/-MAPK14+/- mice. GH3 cells were transfected with different sets of MAPK14 small interfering RNA, which to study MAPK14 and PRL expression in GH3 cells.Results Immunofluorescence analysis showed that PRL and MAPK14 expression were colocalized and increased in the pituitary gland of mice and human prolactinoma specimen compared with the control specimen. It was shown that PRL and MAPK14 expression was colocalized and increased significantly in the pituitary gland of estradiol-injected prolactinoma mice compared with the control mice. Knockout of MAPK14 significantly inhibited tumor overgrowth, and PRL expression was decreased in estradiol-induced mice. Furthermore, MAPK14 knockout of DRD2-/-MAPK14+/- mice significantly reduced the overgrowth of pituitary gland and PRL production and secretion compared with DRD2-/- mice. MAPK14 knockout using siRNA inhibited PRL production in GH3 cells.Conclusion These results suggest that MAPK14 serves a promoting role in the formation of prolactinoma, and highlights the potential of MAPK14 as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of prolactinoma.
Energy-efficient hierarchical routing in wireless sensor networks based on Fog Computing
Authors: Abidoye Ademola , Kabaso Boniface 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been recognized as one of the most essential technologies of the 21st century. The applications of WSNs are rapidly increasing in almost every sector because they can be deployed in areas where cable and power supply are difficult to use. In the literature, different methods have been proposed to minimize energy consumption of sensor nodes so as to prolong WSNs utilization. In this article, we propose an efficient routing protocol for data transmission in WSNs; it is called Energy-Efficient Hierarchical routing protocol for wireless sensor networks based on Fog Computing (EEHFC). Fog computing is integrated into the proposed scheme due to its capability to optimize the limited power source of WSNs and its ability to scale up to the requirements of the Internet of Things applications. In addition, we propose an improved ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm that can be used to construct optimal path for efficient data transmission for sensor nodes. The performance of the proposed scheme is evaluated in comparison with P-SEP, EDCF, and RABACO schemes. The results of the simulations show that the proposed approach can minimize sensor nodes’ energy consumption, data packet losses and extends the network lifetime
Emergency department and hospital admissions among people with dementia living at home or in nursing homes: results of the European RightTimePlaceCare project on their frequency, associated factors and costs
Authors: Argilés F. Javier Afonso , Meyer Gabriele , Stephan Astrid , Comas Mercè , Wübker Ansgar , Leino-Kilpi Helena , Lethin Connie , Saks Kai , Soto-Martin Maria , Sutcliffe Caroline , Verbeek Hilde , Zabalegui Adelaida , Renom-Guiteras Anna 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background

Evidence is lacking for differences between hospitalisation of people with dementia living in nursing homes and those living in the community. The objectives of this study were: 1) to describe the frequency of hospital admission among people with dementia in eight European countries living in nursing homes or in the community, 2) to examine the factors associated with hospital admissions in each setting, and 3) to evaluate the costs associated with it.

Methods

The present study is a secondary data analysis of the RightTimePlaceCare European project. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with data collected from people with dementia living at home or who had been admitted to a nursing home in the last three months, as well as from their caregivers. Data on hospital admissions, cognitive, functional and nutritional status, neuropsychiatric symptoms, comorbidity, polypharmacy, caregiver burden and falls were assessed using validated instruments. Multivariate regression models were used to investigate the factors associated with hospitalisation for each setting. Costs were estimated by multiplying quantities of resources used with the unit cost of each resource and inflated to the year 2019.

Results

The study sample comprised 1,700 people with dementia living in the community and nursing homes. Within three months, 13.8% and 18.5% of people living in nursing homes and home care, respectively, experienced ≥1 hospital admission. People living in nursing homes, the chance of hospital admission was higher among those with polypharmacy, while for those living at home, the chance was higher for those with unintentional weight loss, polypharmacy, falls, and those whose caregiver suffered from more severe burden. Globally, the estimated costs per person with dementia/year among participants living in a nursing home were lower than those receiving home care.

Conclusion

Admission to hospital is frequent among people with dementia, especially among those living in the community, and seems to impose a remarkable economic burden. The identification and establishment of an individualised care plan of those people with dementia with polypharmacy in nursing homes, and those with involuntary weight loss, accidental falls, polypharmacy and higher caregiver burden in the home care setting, might help preventing unnecessary hospital admissions.
Utilizing an Automated Tool Analysis to Evaluate EFL Students’ Writing Performances
Authors: Petchprasert Anongnad 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Recently, the integration of linguistics and technology has been promoted and widely used in the field of linguistics and English writing research for several purposes. One of those purposes is to evaluate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) writing ability by using electronic assessment tools. In the current study, an automated writing evaluation tool (Coh-Metrix) was used to indicate English-major students’ writing performances based on the discourse components of the texts. The English texts generated for each writing task on two different topics were collected. The corpus analyses gathered from Coh-Metrix identified linguistic and discourse features that were interpreted to determine the 40 EFL undergraduate students’ English writing abilities. The students wrote and revised their essays in hand-written essays in class and resubmitted their essays in digital forms with corrections made. The results showed that these students demonstrated linguistic flexibility across writing assignments that they produced. The analyses also indicated that the length of the texts and the uses of the word concreteness, and the referential and deep cohesion had impacts on the students’ writing performances across the writing tasks. Besides, the findings suggest practical value in using an automated text analysis to support teachers’ instructional decisions that could help to identify improvement of students’ writing skill.
Relationship between formulaic breast volume and risk of breast cancer based on linear measurement
Authors: li xiaoxia , Zhou Chunlan , Wu Yanni , Chen Xiaohong 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Whether breast volume is a risk factor for breast cancer is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether a significant association between breast volume and risk of breast cancer, based on linear measurements,was present by applying propensity score matching (PSM).Methods: The study was designed as a hospital-based case-control study. Between March 2018 and May 2019, 208 cases and 340 controls were retrospectively reviewed. Information on menarche, smoking, feeding mode, oral contraceptives, reproductive history and family history was obtained through a structured questionnaire. Breast volume was calculated using a formula based on linear measurements of breast parameters. Cox regression and PSM were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for breast cancer using risk factors adjusted for potential confounders. Results: There was a significant difference in breast volume between the two groups before propensity score matching(P = 0.014) . Binary logistic regression showed that the risk of breast cancer was slightly higher in the case group with larger breast volumes than in the control group（P = 0.009, OR = 1.002， 95%CI：1.000~1.003). However, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups using an independent sample Mann-Whitney U test (P = 0.438) or conditional logistic regression (P = 0.446). Conclusions: After PSM for potential confounding factors, the breast volume of cases did not differ from that of controls. The risk of breast cancer may not be related to breast volume in Chinese women.
Efficacy of combination-chemotherapy with pirarubicin, ifosfamide, and etoposide for soft tissue sarcoma: A single-institution retrospective analysis
Authors: Saito Shiro , Aiba Hisaki , Yamada Satoshi , Okamoto Hideki , Hayashi Katsuhiro , Kimura Hiroaki , Miwa Shinji , Otsuka Takanobu , Murakami Hideki 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The standard chemotherapy regimens for soft tissue sarcoma are doxorubicin-based. This retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of pirarubicin, ifosfamide, and etoposide combination therapy for patients with this disease.Methods: Between 2008 and 2017, 25 patients with soft tissue sarcoma were treated with pirarubicin (30 mg/m2, 2 days), ifosfamide (2 g/m2, 5 days), and etoposide (100 mg/m2, 3 days) every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was overall response, and the secondary endpoint was adverse events of this regimen. Results: Responses to this regimen according to RECIST criteria were partial response (n = 9, 36%), stable disease (n = 9, 36%) and progressive disease (n = 7, 28%). During the treatment phase, frequent grade 3 or worse adverse events were hematological toxicities including white blood cell decreases (96%), febrile neutropenia (68%), anemia (68%), and platelet count decreases (48%). No long-term adverse events were reported during the study period.Conclusion: This regimen was comparable to previously published doxorubicin-based combination chemotherapy in terms of response rate. Although there were no long-lasting adverse events, based on our results, severe hematological toxicity should be considered.
Gender, reproductive output covariation and their role on gene diversity of Pinus koraiensis seed orchard crops
Authors: Park Ji-Min , Kang Hye-In , Yeom Da-Bin , Kang Kyu-Suk , El-Kassaby Yousry A. , Lee Kyung-Mi 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Gender and fertility variation have an impact on mating dynamics in a population because they affect the gene exchange among parental members and the genetic composition of the resultant seed crops. Fertility is the proportional gametic contribution of parents to their progeny. An effective number of parents, derivative of effective population size, is the probability that two alleles randomly chosen from the gamete gene pool originated from the same parent. The effective number of parents is directly related to the fertility variation among parents, which should be monitored for manipulating gene diversity of seed crops. We formulated a fundamental equation of estimating the effective number of parents and applied it to a seed production population.Results: Effective number of parents (Np) was derived from fertility variation (Y) considering covariance (correlation coefficient, r) between maternal and paternal fertility. The Y was calculated from the coefficient of variation in reproductive outputs and divided into female (yf) and male (ym) fertility variation in the population under study. The Np was estimated from the parental Y estimated by the fertility variation of maternal (yf) and paternal (ym) parents. The gene diversity of seed crops was monitored by Y and Np. in a 1.5 generation Pinus koraiensis seed orchard as a case of monoecious species. A large variation of female and male strobili production was observed among the studied 52 parents over four consecutive years, showing statistically significant differences across all studied years. Parental balance curve showed greater distortion in paternal than maternal parents. The Y ranged from 1.879 to 4.035 with greater ym than yf, and the Np varied from 14.8 to 36.8. When pooled, the relative effective number of parents was improved as 80.0% of the census number.Conclusions: We recommend the use of fertility variation (i.e., CV, Y), Person’s product-moment correlation (r), and effective number of parents (Np) as tools for gauging gene diversity of seed crops in production populations. For increasing Np and gene diversity, additional management options such as mixing seed-lots, equal cone harvest and application of supplemental-mass-pollination are recommended.