bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of subgenome bias using an anchored syntenic approach in Eleusine coracana (finger millet)
Authors: Hall Nathan Daniel , Patel Jinesh D , McElroy Joseph Scott , Goertzen Leslie Richard 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Finger millet (Eleusine coracana 2n=4x=36 ) is a hardy, nutraceutical, climate change tolerant, orphan crop that is consumed throughout eastern Africa and India. Its genome has been sequenced multiple times, but A and B subgenomes could not be separated because no published genome for E. indica existed. The classification of A and B subgenomes is important for understanding the evolution of this crop and provide a means to improve current and future breeding programs. Results: We produced subgenome calls for 704 syntenic blocks and inferred A or B subgenomic identity for 59,377 genes 81% of the annotated genes. Phylogenetic analysis of a super matrix containing 455 genes shows high support for A and B divergence within the Eleusine genus. Synonymous substitution rates between A and B genes support A and B calls. The repetitive content on highly supported B contigs is higher than that on similar A contigs. Analysis of syntenic singletons showed evidence of biased fractionation showed a pattern of A genome dominance, with 61% A , 37% B and 1% unassigned, and was further supported by the pattern of loss observed among cyto-nuclear interacting genes. Examination of expression within the circadian rhythm pathway suggests A subgenomic preference. Conclusion: The evidence of individual gene calls within each syntenic block, provides a powerful tool for inference for subgenome classification. Our results show the utility of a draft genome in resolving A and B subgenomes calls, primarily it allows for the proper polarization of A and B syntenic blocks. There have been multiple calls for the use of phylogenetic inference in subgenome classification, our use of synteny is a practical application in a system that has only one parental genome available.
Developing an Assessment Scale for Long-term Care Reablement Literacy in Home Care Workers in Taiwan Using a Modified Delphi Method
Authors: Yu Hsiao-Wei , Chiu Tzu-Ying , Chen Pin-Yuan , Liao Tai-Hsiang , Chang Wen-Hui , Wang Mei-Wen , Lin Pay-Shin 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Reablement is a philosophy of change in long-term care (LTC). Assessing the knowledge and competence of LTC professionals who provide reablement services is vital in LTC research. This study aimed to develop a scale for the assessment of long-term care reablement literacy (LTCRL) and employ this scale to assess the performance of home care workers in Taiwan. Methods: To develop this scale, we employed the modified Delphi technique based on the theoretical framework of health literacy and the content of service delivery in reablement. Home care workers from northern, central, and southern Taiwan were selected through purposive sampling (N = 119). Participants answered a self-administered questionnaire that included items related to basic demographic characteristics and questions to assess LTCRL. Results: Based on the experts’ consensus on the procedure of the modified Delphi technique, the LTCRL assessment sale consists of 29 questions on four aspects of knowledge acquisition: the abilities to access/obtain, understand, process/appraise, and apply/use. The results revealed that higher education levels and better Chinese language proficiency are associated with higher LTCRL outcomes among home care workers. Conclusions: The LTCRL assessment scale based on a modified Delphi technique is useful and feasible for evaluating LTCRL in home care workers who provide reablement services in Taiwan.
Outpatient Management of Oligosymptomatic Patients with Respiratory Infection in the Era of SARS-CoV-2. Experience from Rural German General Practitioners
Authors: Wernhart Simon , Förster Tim Henning , Weihe Eberhard 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Covid-19 is causing a pandemic and forces physicians to restructure their work. We want to share our experience in the outpatient management of potentially-infected patients with special consideration of altered national test strategies during the crisis.Methods: We analysed patients with respiratory symptoms reporting to our three rural general practitioner (GP) offices in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, from 27.01-20.04.2020 (n=489 from a total of 6,090 patients). A history of symptoms was taken at the doorstep following a specific questionnaire. Patients with respiratory symptoms were examined in a separated isolation area, while the others were allowed to enter the office. We applied the first recommended algorithm of the German Robert Koch Institute (RKI) to test suspected patients and compared our results with an adapted, more liberal version of the RKI, which is currently applied in Germany.Results: Eighty patients (16.36%, mean age: 47.03 years+-18.08) were sent to a nasopharyngeal smear. Five patients (6.25%) proved to be positive, four of whom had established risk factors for COVID-19. Overall, the most common symptoms were cough (83.75%), sore throat (71.25%), as well as myalgia and fatigue (66.25%). The most common diagnoses were rhinopharyngitis (37.22%) and acute bronchitis (30.27%). A sore throat was more common in positively-tested patients (80% vs. 12%). Applying the first RKI test strategy yielded 6.25% of positive tests (n=80), while the more liberal later RKI recommendation would have achieved 1.36% positive tests from 369 patients. No positive test was missed by applying the conservative strategy. None of our employees called in sick during this period, which emphasises the efficacy and safety of our screening methods. Conclusion: A clinical distinction between ordinary respiratory infections and COVID-19 is not possible in a low-prevalence population. Our model to prevent unprotected physical contact, screen patients in front of the office with protective equipment, and examine respiratory infections in separated areas works in the GP setting without overt health risks for employees. Thus, this approach should be used as a GP standard to uphold patient care without major health risks for the personnel. Large multi-centre studies are necessary to work out the most suitable test strategy.
TLR2 deficiency promotes IgE and inhibits IgG1 class-switching following ovalbumin sensitization
Authors: Li Yuqin , Chen Qiu , Ji Wei , Fan Yujie , Huang Li , Chu Chu , Zhou Wei-fang 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: To explore the roles of Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 in Th2 cytokine production and immunoglobulin (Ig) class switching following ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization.Methods: TLR2-/- and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection with OVA. Lung pathology was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Abundance of interleukin (IL)4, IL5, IL13, and IL21 transcripts in the lungs was quantified by RT-PCR. OVA-specific IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgE and IgM were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 in lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry staining and nuclear factor (NF) κB activation was measured by immunofluorescence staining. STAT3 activation was inhibited using cryptotanshinone (CPT) treatment. Germline transcripts (Iμ-Cμ, Iγ-Cγ, Iα-Cα or Iε-Cε), post-recombination transcripts (Iμ-Cγ, Iμ-Cα or Iμ- Cε) and mature transcripts (VHDJH-Cγ, VHDJH-Cα or VHDJH-Cε) were analyzed from splenic B cells of OVA-sensitized wild-type mice (with or without CPT treatment) and TLR2-/- mice (with or without IL21 treatment). Results: The lungs of TLR2-/- mice showed a lesser degree of inflammation than wild-type mice after OVA sensitization. Following OVA sensitization, levels of IL4, IL13, and IL21, but not IL5, were significantly lower in TLR2-/- compared with wild-type mice. Moreover, OVA-specific IgG1 and IgE titers were markedly lower and higher, respectively, in TLR2-/- mice. TLR2 deficiency inhibited STAT3 activation but not NF-κB p65 activation. CPT treatment reduced IgG1 titers via inhibition of Stat3 phosphorylation. Both TLR2 knockout and CPT treatment reduced the frequencies of Iγ1-Cγ1, Iγ3-Cγ3 and Iα-Cα transcripts, but IL21 treatment compensated for the effects of TLR2 deficiency.Conclusion: These results suggest a role of TLR2 in restricting OVA-sensitized lung inflammation via promotion of IgG1 and inhibition of IgE class switching regulated by IL21 and STAT3.
Genome-wide identification, phylogenetic&nbsp;and expression&nbsp;pattern analysis&nbsp;of GATA&nbsp;family genes in Brassica napus
Authors: Zhu Weizhuo , Guo Yiyi , Chen Yeke , Wu Dezhi , Jiang Lixi 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Transcription factors GATAs are involved in plant developmental processes and respond to environmental stresses through binding DNA regulatory regions to regulate their downstream genes. However, little information on the GATA genes in Brassica napus is available. The release of the reference genome of B. napus provides a good opportunity to perform a genome-wide characterization of GATA family genes in rapeseed. Results: In this study, 96 GATA genes randomly distributing on 19 chromosomes were identified in B. napus , which were classified into four subfamilies based on phylogenetic analysis and their domain structures. The amino acids of BnGATAs were obvious divergence among four subfamilies in terms of their GATA domains, structures and motif compositions. Gene duplication and synteny between the genomes of B. napus and A. thaliana were also analyzed to provide insights into evolutionary characteristics. Moreover, BnGATAs showed different expression patterns in various tissues and under diverse abiotic stresses. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributions of BnGATAs in a core collection germplasm are probably associated with functional disparity under environmental stress condition in different genotypes of B. napus . Conclusion: The present study was investigated genomic structures, evolution features, expression patterns and SNP distributions of 96 BnGATAs. The results enrich our understanding of the GATA genes in rapeseed.
Prevalence and social determinants of psychological distress among people who use drugs in Cambodia
Authors: Saing Chan Hang , Prem Kiesha , Uk Ponha , Chann Navy , Chhoun Pheak , Mun Phalkun , Tuot Sovannary , Yi Siyan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: People who use drugs are at a disproportionately higher risk of mental disorders due to prolonged exposure to psychosocial challenges. However, studies on mental health among people who use drugs in resource-constrained countries are scarce. This study sheds light on the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress among people who use drugs in Cambodia.Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study in the capital city and 11 provinces in 2017. The Respondent Driven Sampling method was adapted to recruit 1677 people who used drugs for face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Psychological distress was measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A total score of GHQ-12>2 indicated high psychological distress. We performed a multiple logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with psychological distress. Results: We included 1598 participants in the analyses, with a mean age of 28.6 years (SD= 7.8). Of the total, 42% had high psychological distress – 50% in women and 37% in men. The adjusted odds of having high psychological distress were significantly higher among participants who were 25-34 years old and 35 years and above, had been to a drug rehabilitation center, had been insulted by family members, and had been sexually harassed/abused by someone when they were growing up. The odds of having high psychological distress were significantly lower among participants who were male, lived in their own dwelling, reported injecting as the mode of the first drug use, and had someone taking care of them when they got sick.Conclusions: This study documents a high prevalence of psychological distress among people who use drugs in Cambodia. Intervention programs that attempt to address mental health problems among people who use drugs in resource-limited settings should be gender- and age-sensitive and target more marginalized subpopulations. Mental health services can be integrated into HIV and harm-reduction programs for people who use drugs.
Assessment of Cardiac Amyloidosis with 99mTc-Pyrophosphate (PYP) Quantitative SPECT
Authors: Ren Chao , Ren Jingyun , Tian Zhuang , Du Yanrong , Hao Zhixin , Zhang Zongyao , Fang Wei , Li Fang , Zhang Shuyang , Hsu Bailing , Huo Li 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: 99mTc-PYP scintigraphy provides differential diagnosis of ATTR cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) from light chain cardiac amyloidosis and other myocardial disorders without biopsy. This study was aimed to assess the diagnostic feasibility and the operator reproducibility of 99mTc-PYP quantitative SPECT.Method: Thirty-seven consecutive patients underwent a 99mTc-PYP thorax planar scan followed by SPECT and CT scans to diagnose suspected ATTR-CM were enrolled. For the quantitative SPECT, phantom studies were initially performed to determine the image conversion factor (ICF) and partial volume correction (PVC) factor to recover 99mTc-PYP activity concentration in myocardium for calculating the standardized uptake value (SUV) (unit: g/ml). SUVmax was compared among groups of ATTR-CM, AL cardiac amyloidosis and other pathogens (Others), and among categories of Perugini visual scores (Grade: 0-3). The intra- and inter-operator reproducibility of quantitative SPECT was verified, and the corresponded repeatability coefficient (RPC) was calculated.Results: The ICF was 79,327 Bq/ml to convert count rate in pixel to 99mTc activity concentration. PVC factor as a function of the measured activity concentration ratio in myocardium and blood-pool was [y=1.424*(1-exp(-0.759*x)) +0.104]. SUVmax of ATTR-CM (7.50±2.68) was significantly higher than those of AL (1.96±0.35) and Others (2.00±0.74) (all p<0.05). SUVmax of Grade 3 (8.95±1.89) and Grade 2 (4.71±0.23) were also significantly higher than those of Grade 1 (1.92±0.31) and Grade 0 (1.59±0.39) (all p <0.05). Correlation coefficient (R2) of SUVmax reached 0.966 to 0.978 with only small systematic difference (intra=-0.14; inter=-0.23) between two repeated measurements. Intra- and inter-operator RPCs were 0.688 and 0.877.Conclusions: 99mTc-PYP quantitative SPECT integrated with adjustable PVC factors is feasible to quantitatively and objectively assess the burden of cardiac amyloidosis for diagnosis of ATTR-CM.
A new anabolic compound, LLP2A-Ale, reserves periodontal bone loss in mice through augmentation of bone formation
Authors: Jiang Min , Liu Lixian , Liu Ruiwu , lam Kit S , Lane Nancy E , Yao Wei 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background. Currently, there are no effective medications that reverse periodontal disease (PD)-induced bone loss. The objective of this study was to test a new anabolic compound, LLP2A-Ale, or with the combination treatment of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC), in the treatment of bone loss secondary to PD. Methods. PD was induced in mice by placing a ligature around the second right molar. At one week after disease induction, the mice were treated with placebo, LLP2A-Ale, MSCs, or combination of LLP2A-Ale + MSCs, and euthanized at week 4. Results. We found that PD induced alveolar bone loss that was associated with reduced bone formation. LLP2A alone and in combination with MSCs sustained alveolar bone formation and reversed alveolar bone loss. Additionally, PD alone caused systemic inflammation and increased the circulating levels of G-CSF, IP-10, MIP-1a, and MIP2, which were suppressed by LLP2A-Ale +/- MSCs. LLP2A-Ale +/- MSCs increased bone formation at the peripheral skeletal site (distal femur), which was otherwise suppressed by PD. Conclusion. Our findings indicated that LLP2A-Ale treatment rescued alveolar bone loss caused by PD, primarily by increasing bone formation. LLP2A-Ale also attenuated the circulating levels of a series of inflammatory cytokines and reversed the PD-induced suppression of systemic bone formation.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Anthrax in Northern Ethiopia: a mixed approach study
Authors: Romha Gebremedhin , Girmay Weldemelak 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Anthrax is the second most highly prioritized zoonotic disease in Ethiopia due to its negative impact at the household level, causing disease and production losses in livestock and severe disease in humans. This study seeks to assess the knowledge of, attitudes towards, and practices addressing (KAPs) anthrax in the communities of Eastern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Methods : A cross-sectional survey was conducted concurrently with focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) between May 2019 and April 2020. A total of 862 respondents participated in the questionnaire survey. Of these, 800 were local community members, while 62 were professionals working at health service institutions. In addition, qualitative data were collected using six FGDs and 11 KIIs. Results : Sixty-two percent (496/800) of the community respondents said that they were aware of anthrax while 38% (304/800) of them did not. Only 9.3% (74/800) of the respondents reported that the causative agent of anthrax is germs/microbial. About 56.5% (35/62) of professional respondents said that it is bacterial. More than sixty percent (64.1%, 513/800) of the respondents did not know that whether the disease was zoonotic or not. Regarding clinical signs, 26.3 (210/800) and 36.8% (294/800) of the respondents could identify at least one in animals and humans, respectively, while 21.3 (170/800) and 20.1% (161/800) knew one or more transmission routes in animals and humans, respectively. Moreover, 43.4% (347/800) and 45.6% (365/800) of the respondents mentioned one or more control/prevention method(s) in animals and humans, respectively. Regarding qualitative results, some of the participants knew the disease (in animals) by their local names: Lalish and Tafia (splenomegaly), and Gulbus (abdominal cramps and shivering). Some reported that anthrax was exclusively a human disease while others recognized its zoonotic potential after the clinical signs in both animals and humans were listed. Conclusion : The KAP of the participants regarding anthrax was low. There was no consistent understanding of the disease among the participants. The study also revealed that the participants did not receive consistent, adequate, and continuous education regarding the disease.
15q26 Deletion in a Patient with Congenital Heart Defect, Growth Restriction and Intellectual Disability: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: BENBOUCHTA Yahya , de Leeuw Nicole , Amasdl Saadia , Sbiti Aziza , Smeets Dominique , Sefiani Abdelaziz , Sadki Khalid 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background 15q26 deletion is a relatively rare chromosomal disorder described in only few cases. Patients with this aberration display numerous symptoms particularly, pre- and postnatal growth restriction, microcephaly, intellectual disability, dysmorphic gestalt and various congenital malformations. Case presentation We report on a girl, four years old, of consanguineous parents, with a de novo 15q26 deletion. Clinical manifestations included failure to thrive, microcephaly, dysmorphic facies with broad forehead, hypertelorism, narrowed eyelid slits and protruding columella. The patient also showed skeletal abnormalities, especially clinodactyly of the 5th finger, varus equine right foot and left club foot. Additionally, she had teething delay and divergent strabismus. Heart ultrasound displayed a left-to-right shunt, two atrial septal defects, enlarging the right heart cavities. Routine cytogenetic analysis revealed a shortened 15 chromosome with an abnormally short ened long (q) arm. Subsequent array analysis disclosed a terminal 9.15 Mb deletions detected in band 15q26.1-q26.3. Five candidate genes associated with 15q26 deletion phenotype were within the deleted region, i.e. IGF1R, NR2F2, MEF2A, MCTP2, and CHD2.Conclusion 15q26 monosomy should be considered when growth retardation is associated with ear anomaly, clinodactyly and/or abnormal toe, heart defect mainly atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs) and/or aortic arch anomaly (AAA).
Kinetic Analysis of Dominant Intraprostatic Lesion of Prostate Cancer Using Quantitative Dynamic [18F]DCFPyL-PET: Comparison to [18F]fluorocholine-PET
Authors: Yang Dae-Myoung , Li Fiona , Bauman Glenn , Chin Joseph , Pautler Stephen , Moussa Madeleine , Rachinsky Irina , Valliant John , Lee Ting-Yim 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Purpose Identification of the dominant intraprostatic lesion(s) (DILs) can facilitate diagnosis and treatment by targeting biologically significant intra-prostatic foci. A PSMA ligand, [18F]DCFPyL (2-(3-{1-carboxy-5-[(6-[18F]fluoro-pyridine-3-carbonyl)-amino]-pentyl}-ureido)-pentanedioic acid), is better than choline-based [18F]FCH (Fluorocholine) in detecting and localizing DIL because of higher tumour contrast, particularly when imaging is delayed to one hour post injection. The goal of this study was to investigate whether the different imaging performance of [18F]FCH and [18F]DCFPyL can be explained by their kinetic behaviour in prostate cancer (PCa) and to evaluate whether DIL can be accurately detected and localized using a short duration dynamic positron emission tomography (PET).Methods 19 and 23 PCa patients were evaluated with dynamic [18F]DCFPyL and [18F]FCH PET, respectively. The dynamic imaging protocol with each tracer had a total imaging time of 22 mins and consisted of multiple frames with acquisition times from 10-180 s. Tumour and benign tissue regions identified by sextant biopsy were compared using standardized uptake value (SUV) and tracer kinetic parameters from kinetic analysis of time-activity curves.Results For [18F]DCFPyL, logistic regression identified Ki and k4 as the optimal model to discriminate tumour from benign tissue (84.2% sensitivity and 94.7% specificity) while only SUV was predictive for [18F]FCH (82.6% sensitivity and 87.0% specificity) The higher k3 (binding) of [18F]FCH than [18F]DCFPyL explains why [18F]FCH SUV can differentiate tumour from benign tissue within minutes of injection. Superior [18F]DCFPyL tumour contrast was due to the higher k4/k3 (more rapid washout) in benign tissue compared to tumour tissue.Conclusions DIL was detected with good sensitivity and specificity using 22-min dynamic [18F]DCFPyL PET and avoids the need for delayed post-injection imaging timepoints. The dissimilar in-vivo kinetic behaviour of [18F]DCFPyL and [18F]FCH could explain their different SUV images.