bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular Risk is Elevated in Lean Subjects With Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Kim Yuna , Han Eugene , Lee Jae Seung , Lee Hye Won , Kim Beom Kyung , Kim Mi Kyung , Kim Hye Soon , Park Jun Yong , Kim Do Young , Ahn Sang Hoon , Lee Byung-Wan , Kang Eun Seok , Cha Bong-Soo , Lee Yong-ho , Kim Seung Up 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BackgroundNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and obesity are independently associated with increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the leading cause of mortality in patients with NAFLD. Many NAFLD patients are lean, but their ASCVD risk compared to obese subjects with NAFLD is unclear.MethodsData from the 2008–2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys database were analysed (n = 4,786). NAFLD was defined as a comprehensive NAFLD score of ≥40 or a liver fat score of ≥–0.640. ASCVD risk was evaluated using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines. A high probability of ASCVD was defined as an ASCVD risk of >10%.ResultsThe frequency of subjects without NAFLD, with obese NAFLD, and with lean NAFLD was 62.4% (n = 2,987), 26.6% (n = 1,274), and 11.0% (n = 525), respectively. Subjects with lean NAFLD had a significantly higher ASCVD score and prevalence of a high ASCVD risk (mean 15.6 ± 14.0 and 51.6%) than those with obese NAFLD and without NAFLD (mean 11.2 ± 11.4 and 39.8%; 7.9 ± 10.9 and 25.5%, all P < 0.001). Subjects with lean NAFLD and significant liver fibrosis showed a significantly higher odds ratio for a high risk for ASCVD than those with obese NAFLD with or without significant liver fibrosis (odds ratio = 2.60 vs. 1.93; P = 0.023).ConclusionsDespite a more favourable metabolic profile, subjects with lean NAFLD had a significantly higher ASCVD score and prevalence of high ASCVD risk than those with obese NAFLD. Similarly, lean subjects with significant liver fibrosis had a higher probability of ASCVD than obese subjects in the subpopulation with NAFLD.
Effect of Acute Heat Stress on Protein Expression and Histone Modification in The Adrenal Gland of Male Layer-Type Country Chickens
Authors: Zheng Hao-Teng , Zhuang Zi-Xuan , Chen Chao-Jung , Liao Hsin-Yi , Chen Hung-Lin , Hsueh Huang-Chun , Chen Chih-Feng , Chen Shuen-Ei , Huang San-Yuan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
The adrenal gland responds to heat stress by epinephrine and glucocorticoid release to alleviate the adverse effects. This study investigated the effect of acute heat stress on the protein profile and histone modification in the adrenal gland of layer-type country chickens. A total of 192 30-week-old roosters were subject to acute heat stress. A resistant group and a susceptible group were identified according to body temperature change after heat stress. Adrenal glands were collected for global protein expression and histone modification analysis. The results indicated that fatty acid amide hydrolase and parathymosin were downregulated, whereas somatostatin, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, hydroxy-δ-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3 beta- and steroid δ-isomerase 1, and prostaglandin E synthase 3 were upregulated in the resistant group. Histone modification analysis identified 115 histone markers. The tri-methylation state of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) was significantly more abundant in the susceptible group and showed positive crosstalk with K36me and K37me in the H3 tails. Roosters in the heat-resistant group exhibited lower hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis activity but higher reactivity to maintain body temperature homeostasis. Alteration of adrenal H3K27me3 level was associated with the endocrine function of adrenal H3K27me3 and may have contributed to the thermotolerance of chickens.
Slow Life History Leaves Endangered Snake Vulnerable to Illegal Poaching
Authors: Jolly Chris , von Takach Brenton , Webb Jonathan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Global wildlife trade is a multibillion-dollar industry and a significant driver of vertebrate extinction risk. Yet, few studies have quantified the impact of wild harvesting for the illicit pet trade on populations. Long-lived species, by virtue of their slow life history characteristics, may be unable to sustain even low levels of harvesting. Here, we assessed the impact of illegal poaching on a metapopulation of endangered broad-headed snakes (Hoplocephalus bungaroides) at gated (protected) and ungated (unprotected) populations. Because broad-headed snakes are long-lived, grow slowly and reproduce infrequently, populations are likely vulnerable to increases in adult mortality. Long-term data revealed that annual survival rates of snakes were significantly lower in the ungated population than the gated population, consistent with the hypothesis of human removal of snakes for the pet trade. Population viability analysis showed that the ungated population has a strongly negative population growth rate and is only prevented from ultimate extinction by dispersal of small numbers of individuals from the gated population. Sensitivity analyses showed that the removal of a small number of adult females was sufficient to impose negative population growth and suggests that threatened species with slow life histories are likely to be especially vulnerable to illegal poaching.
Relationship between the density of tatami stores and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in Japan
Authors: Iwasaki Soshi , Kigawa Yoshiyasu , Takahashi Kazunobu , Yamakage Michiaki 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Although the primary mechanism for the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is through respiratory droplets (1), the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on smooth surfaces (e.g., stainless steel, plastic, glass) for days at low temperatures (2). Surface transmission represents a possible route of infection, as unwashed hands that touch a contaminated surface can transfer the virus to mucous membranes (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth) (3). However, it is difficult to observe disease transmission directly. Therefore, the Japanese Cluster Countermeasures team has identified the “Three Cs”—Closed spaces with poor ventilation, Crowded places, and Close-contact settings—as factors to avoid to prevent COVID-19 clusters. Identifying other environmental factors that increase or decrease the number of infections would be useful to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a shoe-related transmission model and enhance COVID-19 transmission route precautions by investigating the associations between the prevalence of COVID-19 and both population density and the distribution of tatami stores in each prefecture in Japan. As a result, a significant negative relationship was observed between the number of tatami stores per 100,000 population and the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Surgery for Craniovertebral Junction Pathologies: Minimally Invasive Anterior Submandibular Retropharyngeal Key-Hole Approach
Authors: Viola Árpád , Kozma István , Süvegh Dávid 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BackgroundOur objective was to develop a new, minimally invasive surgical technique for the resolution of craniovertebral junction pathologies, which can eliminate the complications of the previous methods, like liquor-leakage, velopharyngeal insufficiency and wound-dehiscence associated with the transoral or lateral approaches.MethodsDuring the first stage of the operation, three patients underwent occipito-cervical dorsal fusion, while the fourth patient received C1-C2 fusion according to Harms. C1-C2 decompressive laminectomy was performed in all four cases. Ventral C1-C2 decompression with microscope assisted minimally invasive anterior submandibular retropharyngeal key-hole approach (MIS ASR) method was performed in the second stage. The MIS ASR similarly to the traditional anterior retropharyngeal surgery – preserves the hard and soft palates, yet can be performed through a 25 mm wide incision with the use of only one retractor.ResultsThe MIS ASR approach was a success in all four cases, there were no intra- and postoperative complications. This method, compared to the transoral approach, provided on average 23% (4.56 cm2 / 6.05 cm2) smaller dural decompression area; nonetheless, the entire pathology could be removed in all cases. After the surgery, all patients have shown significant neurological improvement.ConclusionBased on the outcome of these four cases we think that the MIS ASR approach is a safe alternative to the traditional methods while improving patient safety by reducing the risks of complications.
The Clinical Application of Novel Mini Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy to Avoid Numbness and Pain in Patients with Thyroidectomy
Authors: Ruan Jian , Ning Xiaojie , He Fan , Yuan Yuan , Li Bin , Zhao Jianguo 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy has been gaining popularity as it allows patients to avoid a visible scar in the neck. However, there are still exiting disadvantages of traditional transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy，including numbness in the lower jaw or excessive edema. Therefore, we designed and applied a novel Mini transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy on patients requiring for thyroidectomy.Patients and Methods: A total of 55 patients requiring for unilateral thyroidectomy who underwent novel Mini transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy (Mini group) were identified from August 2019 to December 2019. As a comparison, a matched cohort of 55 patients requiring for conventional transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy was also identified. The two groups were analyzed in terms of clinical characteristics, perioperative/operative clinical date and post-operative complications. Results: The hospitalization time of patients in the Mini group was obviously less than that in traditional group. Furthermore, the numbness of the lower jaw, nylon wire examination score, pressure needle puncture examination score, or numbness VAS score indicated that the degree of numbness of the jaw in Mini group is significantly better than the traditional group. Moreover, the pain of the axillary incision using the pain VAS score method also showed that Mini group is significantly better than the traditional group. The results of pain of the axillary incision using the VAS score method also showed that novel Mini group was significantly better than that in the traditional group. Furthermore, dysfunction of mandibular muscles was observed in six of fifty-five patients in the traditional group, whereas no dysfunction of mandibular muscles observed in Mini group. At last, the degree of postoperative mandibular edema in Mini group was markedly slighter than that in traditional group. The post-operation infection rate was markedly lower in Mini group.Conclusion: The new novel Mini transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy is safe and feasible, and reduces the damage to the functional muscles such as the mandibular diaphragm and lower lip muscles, which significantly reduces the numbness and edema of the mandible after surgery. Our novel Mini transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy is a feasible and safe advancement, which can be a viable alternative protecting patients from insufferable numbness and pain.
Integrating Hepatitis B Care and Treatment with Existing HIV Services is Possible: A Cost Minimization Analysis from a Low Resource Setting.
Authors: Ejalu David Livingstone , Mutyoba Joan Nankya , Wandera Claude , Seremba Emmanuel , Kambugu Andrew , Easterbrook Philippa , Amandua Jacinto , Muganzi Alex , Rachel Beyagira , Mugagga Kaggwa , Ocama Ponsiano 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: In recent years there has been growing interest in exploring methods by which the care pathways for people with comorbid physical and health problems may be integrated. The success of such an integration however would depend on several factors including feasibility, acceptability and costs involved. Therefore, this report presents estimated provider costs associated with managing an integrated HBV and HIV clinical pathway for patients on life-long treatment in low resource setting in Uganda.Methods: A cost minimisation analysis from the providers perspective was done by considering financial costs as a measure of the amount of money spent on resources used in the clinical pathways. The annual cost per patient was simulated based on total amount of resources spent for all the patient visits to the facility for HBV or HIV care per year.Results: Findings showed that drugs and laboratory tests were the main drivers of costs in the pathways. A high-volume facility (Arua regional referral hospital- ARRH) had a higher cost per patient in both clinics than did the low volume facility (Koboko District Hospital- KDH). Variations occurred due to differences in the carders of health workers, the infrastructure, the amounts of consumables used in the facilities. Cost per HBV patient was $163.59 in ARRH and $145.76 in K DH while the cost per HIV patient was $176.52 in ARRH and $173.23 in KDH. The integration resulted into total saving of $36.73 per patient per year in Arua RRH and $17.5 in Koboko DH. The cost saving accrued from savings from personnel, fixed costs, consumables and utilities incurred in running the standalone Hepatitis B clinic and the reduction in per HIV patient costs from sharing of resources in the integrated pathway. Conclusion: This analysis showed that the application of the integrated Pathway in HIV and HBV patient management could improve hospital cost efficiency compared to operating stand-alone clinics. This could further improve adherence to treatment by Hepatitis B patients and improve patient outcomes as HBV patients get access to counselling services.
Immune-related genes of the larval Holotrichia parallela in response to entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis beicherriana LF
Authors: Li Ertao , Qin Jianhui , Feng Honglin , Li Jinqiao , Li Xiaofeng , Nyamwasaa Innocent , Cao Yazhong , Ruan Weibin , Li Kebin , Yin Jiao 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) emerge as compatible alternatives to conventional insecticides in controlling Holotrichia parallela larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). However, the immune responses of H. parallela against EPNs infection remain unclear.
Results
In present research, RNA-Seq was firstly performed. A total of 89427 and 85741 unigenes were achieved from the midgut of H. parallela larvae treated with Heterorhabditis beicherriana LF for 24 and 72 h, respectively; 2545 and 3156 unigenes were differentially regulated, respectively. Among those differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 74 were identified potentially related to the immune response. Notably, some immune-related genes, such as peptidoglycan recognition protein SC1 (PGRP-SC1), pro-phenoloxidase activating enzyme-I (PPAE-I) and glutathione s-transferase (GST), were induced at both treatment points. Bioinformatics analysis showed that PGRP-SC1, PPAE-I and GST were all involved in anti-parasitic immune process. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) results showed that the three immune-related genes were expressed in all developmental stages; PGRP-SC1 and PPAE-I had higher expressions in midgut and fat body, respectively, while GST exhibited high expression in both of them. Moreover, in vivo silencing of them resulted in increased susceptibility of H. parallela larvae to H. beicherriana LF.
Conclusion
These results suggest that PGRP-SC1, PPAE-I and GST could be used as target genes to disturb the immune system of H. parallela. This study provides the first comprehensive transcriptome resource of H. parallela exposure to nematode challenge that will help to support further comparative studies on host-EPN interactions.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Molecular Mechanism and Regulatory Network of Rosa Chinensis ‘Old Blush’ Leaves in Response to Drought Stress
Authors: Jia Xin , Feng Hui , Bu Yanhua , Lu Yingmin , Ji Naizhe , Zhao Shiwei 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Rose is one of the most important ornamental crops, but drought limits its yield and quality seriously. Although serval abiotic stress related genes have been identified, the molecular mechanism during rose’s responding to drought stress is still limited. In this study, the transcriptomes of leaves of two-year-old cutting seedlings of Rosa chinensis ’Old Blush’ from three continuous droughted stages (30, 60, 90 days after full watering) and rewatering were analyzed using RNA sequencing. Meanwhile, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct a co-expression network associated with the physiological traits of drought response to discover the hub transcription factors involved in drought response.Results: More than 45 million high-quality clean reads were generated from samples and used for comparison with the rose reference genome. A total of 46433 differentially expressed genes were identified. Gene ontology (GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that drought stress caused significant changes in signal transduction, plant hormones, primary and secondary metabolism, and a certain degree of recovery after rewatering. Gene co-expression analysis identified 18 modules, in which four modules have highly degree of correlation with physiological traits. In addition, twenty-two transcription factors including members of NACs, WRKYs, MYBs, ERFs, ARFs and bHLHs with high connectivity in these four modules were screened. Conclusions: The results of this study provided the first transcriptome sequencing report of the drought stress in R.chinensis, and also provided candidate transcription factors in response to drought stress, providing clues for improving the drought tolerance of the rose through molecular breeding in the future.
TAD Cliques Predict Key Features of Chromatin Organization
Authors: Ali Tharvesh M Liyakat , Brunet Annael , Paulsen Jonas , Collas Philippe 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Processes underlying genome 3D organization and domain formation in the mammalian nucleus are not completely understood. Multiple processes such as transcriptional compartmentalization, DNA loop extrusion and interactions with the nuclear lamina dynamically act on chromatin at multiple levels. Here, we explore long-range interaction patterns between topologically associated domains (TADs) in several cell types.Results: We find that this is connected to many key features of chromatin organization, including open and closed compartments, compaction and loop extrusion processes. We find that domains that form large TAD cliques tend to be repressive across cell types, when comparing gene expression, LINE/SINE repeat content and chromatin subcompartments. Further, TADs in large cliques are larger in genomic size, less dense and depleted of convergent CTCF motifs, in contrast to smaller and denser TADs formed by a loop extrusion processes.Conclusion: Our results shed light on the organizational principles that govern repressive and active domains in the human genome.
Venom-gland Transcriptomic, Venomic, and Antivenomic Profiles of the Spine-bellied Sea Snake (Hydrophis curtus) from the South China Sea
Authors: Zhao Hong-Yan , Wen Lin , Miao Yu-Feng , Du Yu , Sun Yan , Yin Yin , Lin Chi-Xian , Lin Long-Hui , Ji Xiang , Gao Jian-Fang 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: A comprehensive evaluation of the -omic profiles of venom is important for understanding the potential function and evolution of snake venom. Here, we conducted an integrated multi-omics-analysis to unveil the venom-transcriptomic and venomic profiles in a same group of spine-bellied sea snakes (Hydrophis curtus) from the South China Sea, where the snake is a widespread species and might generate regionally-specific venom potentially harmful to human activities. The capacity of two heterologous antivenoms to immunocapture the H. curtus venom was determined for an in-depth evaluation of their rationality in treatment of H. curtus envenomation. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis by maximum likelihood was used to detect the adaptive molecular evolution of full-length toxin-coding unigenes.Results: A total of 90,909,384 pairs of clean reads were generated via Illumina sequencing from a pooled cDNA library of six specimens, and yielding 148,121 unigenes through de novo assembly. Sequence similarity searching harvested 63,845 valid annotations, including 63,789 non-toxin-coding and 56 toxin-coding unigenes belonging to 22 protein families. Three protein families, three-finger toxins (3-FTx), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and cysteine-rich secretory protein, were detected in the venom proteome. 3-FTx (27.15% in the transcriptome/41.94% in the proteome) and PLA2 (59.71%/49.36%) were identified as the most abundant families in the venom-gland transcriptome and venom proteome. In addition, 24 unigenes from 11 protein families were shown to have experienced positive selection in their evolutionary history, whereas four were relatively conserved throughout evolution. Commercial Naja atra antivenom exhibited a stronger capacity than Bungarus multicinctus antivenom to immunocapture H. curtus venom components, especially short neurotoxins, with the capacity of both antivenoms to immunocapture short neurotoxins being weaker than that for PLA2s.Conclusions: Our study clarified the venom-gland transcriptomic and venomic profiles along with the within-group divergence of a H. curtus population from the South China Sea. Adaptive evolution of most venom components driven by natural selection appeared to occur rapidly during evolutionary history. Notably, the utility of commercial N. atra and B. multicinctus antivenoms against H. curtus toxins was not comprehensive; thus, the development of species-specific antivenom is urgently needed.
The MEP-pathway genes are polyphyletic origin and evolutionary conserved
Authors: Zeng Liping , Dehesh Katayoon 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BackgroundIsoprenoids are amongst the most ancient and essential class of metabolites produced in all organisms, either via mevalonate (MVA)-and/or methylerythritol dicyclophosphate (MEP)-pathways. The MEP-pathway is present in all plastid-bearing organisms and most eubacteria. However, no comprehensive study reveals the origination and evolutionary characteristics of MEP-pathway genes in eukaryotes.ResultsHere, detailed bioinformatics analyses of the MEP-pathway provide an in-depth understanding the evolutionary history of this indispensable biochemical route, and offer a basis for the co-existence of the cytosolic MVA- and plastidial MEP-pathway in plants given the established exchange of the end products between the two isoprenoid-biosynthesis pathways. Here, phylogenetic analyses establish the contributions of both cyanobacteria and Chlamydiae sequences to the plant’s MEP-pathway genes. Moreover, Phylogenetic and inter-species syntenic block analyses demonstrate that six of the seven MEP-pathway genes have predominantly remained as single-copy in land plants in spite of multiple whole-genome duplication events (WGDs). Substitution rate and domain studies display the evolutionary conservation of these genes, reinforced by their high expression levels. Distinct phenotypic variation among plants with reduced expression levels of individual MEP-pathway genes confirm the indispensable function of each nuclear-encoded plastid-targeted MEP-pathway enzyme in plant growth and development. ConclusionCollectively, these findings reveal the polyphyletic origin and restrict conservation of MEP-pathway genes, and reinforce the potential function of the individual enzymes beyond production of the isoprenoids intermediates.