bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HIF-1α expression in liver metastasis but not primary colorectal cancer is associated with prognosis of patients with colorectal liver metastasis
Authors: Wada Yuma , Morine Yuji , Imura Satoru , Ikemoto Tetsuya , Saito Yu , Takasu Chie , Yamada Shinichiro , Shimada Mitsuo 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in primary colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) has remained unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate HIF-1α expression and its association with prognosis in patients with CRLM with a focus on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods
Colon cancer cells were cultured in HSC-conditioned medium (CM), and HIF-1α expression and cell migration were analyzed. Seventy-five patients with CRLM who underwent an initial curative hepatectomy were enrolled. We examined HIF-1α expressions and patient prognosis between primary CRCs and the matched liver metastatic specimens.

Results
Activated HSCs induced HIF-1α mRNA and protein expression in colon cancer cells (p < 0.01) and promoted cell migration (p < 0.01). The positive rates of HIF-1α expression in primary CRCs and liver metastases were 68.0 and 72.0%, respectively. There were no differences in overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of HIF-1α expression in primary CRC. However, HIF-1α expression in liver metastasis correlated to poor prognosis in both OS and DFS. Furthermore, patients with HIF-1α positive expression in liver metastasis had poor prognosis.

Conclusion
HIF-1α expression in liver metastasis determines poor prognosis of CRLM patients. HSCs might play a key role in aggressive phenotypes of tumor cells.
Cessation of breastfeeding and associated factors in the era of elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV at Ndejje health center, Uganda: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ngbapai Jackslina Gaaniri , Izudi Jonathan , Okoboi Stephen 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Breastfeeding an infant exposed to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) carries the risk of HIV acquisition whilst not breastfeeding poses a higher risk of death from malnutrition, diarrhea, and pneumonia. In Uganda, mothers living with HIV are encouraged to discontinue breastfeeding at 12 months but data are limited. We examined the frequency and factors associated with cessation of breastfeeding at 1 year among mothers living with HIV at Ndejje Health Center IV, a large peri-urban health facility in Uganda.

Methods
This retrospective cohort study involved all mothers living with HIV and enrolled in HIV care for ≥12 months between June 2014 and June 2018. We abstracted data from registers, held focus group discussions with mothers living with HIV and key informant interviews with healthcare providers. Cessation of breastfeeding was defined as the proportion of mothers living with HIV who had discontinued breastfeeding at 1 year. We summarized quantitative data descriptively, tested differences in outcome using Chi-square and t - tests, and established independently associated factors using modified Poisson regression analysis at 5% statistical significance level. We thematically analyzed qualitative data to enrich and triangulate the quantitative results.

Results
Of 235 participants, 150 (63.8%) had ceased breastfeeding at 1 year and this was independently associated with the infant being male (Adjusted Risk Ratio [aRR] 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04, 1.50), the mother being multiparous (aRR 1.26, 95% CI 1.04–1.53), and the initiation of breastfeeding being on the same-day as birth (aRR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01–0.41). The reasons for ceasing breastfeeding included male infants over breastfeed than females, maternal literacy and knowledge adequacy about breastfeeding, support and reminders from the partner, and boys can bite once they get teeth.

Conclusion
Suboptimal proportion of infants were ceased from breastfeeding at 1 year and this might increase the risk of mother to child transmission of HIV. Cessation of breastfeeding was more likely among male infants and multiparous mothers but less likely when breastfeeding was initiated on the same-day as birth. Interventions to enhance cessation of breastfeeding should target none multiparous mothers and those with female infants.
Does new instrument for Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty improve short-term clinical outcome and component alignment? A meta-analysis
Authors: Sun Xiao Wei , Lu Fei Fan , Zou Kun , Hong Mao , Zhang Qi Dong , Guo Wan Shou 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The Microplasty (MP) instrumentation designed for the Phase III Oxford mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) system is considered a better option to achieve more accurate component positioning and alignment. In the present study, we focused on short-term clinical and radiological outcomes to determine whether the MP instrumentation can reduce the short-term revision rate and occurrence of outliers of metallic components.

Methods
The literature in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was searched up to May 2020. Studies were scrutinized by two independent authors, and the revision rate, complication spectrum, and radiological assessment with outlier rates were specifically analyzed. RevMan 5.3 was used for the statistical analysis.

Results
Seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. Four studies reported both clinical and radiological outcomes, two reported only radiological outcomes, and one reported only clinical outcomes. The pooled analysis showed that the revision rate in the MP instrumentation group was 0.866 per 100 component years, while that in the control group was 1.124 (odds ratio, 0.77; p < 0.05). The subgroup analysis of the bearing dislocation rate showed a significantly greater reduction in the Korean population than in the populations of other countries (p < 0.05). The radiological assessment showed that the alignment of the femoral component was significantly improved (p < 0.05), while that of the tibial component was not (p > 0.05).

Conclusion
The newly developed MP instrumentation for Oxford UKA significantly reduced the revision rate of this treatment. The positioning of the femoral component was also proven to be better by radiological assessments.
A large deletion in the COL2A1 gene expands the spectrum of pathogenic variants causing bulldog calf syndrome in cattle
Authors: Jacinto Joana Gonçalves Pontes , Häfliger Irene Monika , Letko Anna , Drögemüller Cord , Agerholm Jørgen Steen 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Congenital bovine chondrodysplasia, also known as bulldog calf syndrome, is characterized by disproportionate growth of bones resulting in a shortened and compressed body, mainly due to reduced length of the spine and the long bones of the limbs. In addition, severe facial dysmorphisms including palatoschisis and shortening of the viscerocranium are present. Abnormalities in the gene collagen type II alpha 1 chain (COL2A1) have been associated with some cases of the bulldog calf syndrome. Until now, six pathogenic single-nucleotide variants have been found in COL2A1. Here we present a novel variant in COL2A1 of a Holstein calf and provide an overview of the phenotypic and allelic heterogeneity of the COL2A1-related bulldog calf syndrome in cattle.

Case presentation
The calf was aborted at gestation day 264 and showed generalized disproportionate dwarfism, with a shortened compressed body and limbs, and dysplasia of the viscerocranium; a phenotype resembling bulldog calf syndrome due to an abnormality in COL2A1. Whole-genome sequence (WGS) data was obtained and revealed a heterozygous 3513 base pair deletion encompassing 10 of the 54 coding exons of COL2A1. Polymerase chain reaction analysis and Sanger sequencing confirmed the breakpoints of the deletion and its absence in the genomes of both parents.

Conclusions
The pathological and genetic findings were consistent with a case of “bulldog calf syndrome”. The identified variant causing the syndrome was the result of a de novo mutation event that either occurred post-zygotically in the developing embryo or was inherited because of low-level mosaicism in one of the parents. The identified loss-of-function variant is pathogenic due to COL2A1 haploinsufficiency and represents the first structural variant causing bulldog calf syndrome in cattle. Furthermore, this case report highlights the utility of WGS-based precise diagnostics for understanding congenital disorders in cattle and the need for continued surveillance for genetic disorders in cattle.
Development of canine C-reactive protein assays
Authors: Waritani Takaki , Cutler Dawn , Chang Jessica 
Published: September 2020

AbstractC-reactive protein (CRP), which is released during tissue damage and inflammation, is a useful nonspecific inflammatory marker in both human and veterinary clinical practice. Veterinarians have often used human CRP assays to analyze samples from canine patients, but cross-reactivities between the species affect assay sensitivity and reliability, leading to inaccurate inflammation assessment. To improve the efficiency of inflammation assessment, we developed a canine CRP detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantitative analysis and an immunochromatography assay (ICA) for semiquantitative point-of-care (POC) analysis. The ELISA demonstrated an assay detection limit of 0.5 ng/mL, quantitative linear assay range of 1.6–100 ng/mL, and intra- and inter-assay coefficient of variations of 0.7 to 10.0% and 6.0 to 9.0%, respectively; the recovery rates of samples spiked with purified canine CRP were 105 to 109%, and the parallelism assessments were 82.7 to 104.4%. The correlation between the CRP level results obtained with the ELISA and those of a currently available quantitative POC assay was 0.907 with the regression formula of y = 0.55x + 0.05. In addition, the ICA requires only 5 μL samples and a 10-min assay time, and clearly distinguished positive, weak positive, and negative samples (P < 0.001) at an approximately 5–10 µg/mL cut-off value. The developed canine CRP ELISA and ICA showed reliable assay results and a high correlation with a commercially available POC assay in clinical use. The ICA can be a useful canine CRP screening test for diagnostic purposes in veterinary clinics.
Visualization of activity-regulated BDNF expression in the living mouse brain using non-invasive near-infrared bioluminescence imaging
Authors: Fukuchi Mamoru , Saito Ryohei , Maki Shojiro , Hagiwara Nami , Nakajima Yumena , Mitazaki Satoru , Izumi Hironori , Mori Hisashi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAltered levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been reported in neurologically diseased human brains. Therefore, it is important to understand how the expression of BDNF is controlled under pathophysiological as well as physiological conditions. Here, we report a method to visualize changes in BDNF expression in the living mouse brain using bioluminescence imaging (BLI). We previously generated a novel transgenic mouse strain, Bdnf-Luciferase (Luc), to monitor changes in Bdnf expression; however, it was difficult to detect brain-derived signals in the strain using BLI with d-luciferin, probably because of incomplete substrate distribution and light penetration. We demonstrate that TokeOni, which uniformly distributes throughout the whole mouse body after systematic injection and produces a near-infrared bioluminescence light, was suitable for detecting signals from the brain of the Bdnf-Luc mouse. We clearly detected brain-derived bioluminescence signals that crossed the skin and skull after intraperitoneal injection of TokeOni. However, repeated BLI using TokeOni should be limited, because repeated injection of TokeOni on the same day reduced the bioluminescence signal, presumably by product inhibition. We successfully visualized kainic acid-induced Bdnf expression in the hippocampus and sensory stimulation-induced Bdnf expression in the visual cortex. Taken together, non-invasive near-infrared BLI using Bdnf-Luc mice with TokeOni allowed us to evaluate alterations in BDNF levels in the living mouse brain. This will enable better understanding of the involvement of BDNF expression in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of neurological diseases.
A nicotine-induced positive feedback loop between HIF1A and YAP1 contributes to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ben Qiwen , An Wei , Sun Yunwei , Qian Aihua , Liu Jun , Zou Duowu , Yuan Yaozong 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Nicotine, an active ingredient in tobacco, can promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes that enhance the aggressiveness of a number of human cancers. In the present study, we investigated whether cigarette smoke/nicotine drives EMT in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods
Quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence assays were used to evaluate Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) expression associated with cigarette smoking in human PDAC tissue samples and with nicotine exposure in PDAC cell lines. Bioinformatics, loss- and gain- of- function experiments, luciferase reporter assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and murine tumor xenograft models were performed to examine the function of YAP1 in PDAC and to identify potential mechanisms of action.

Results
Exposure to smoking or nicotine promoted EMT and tumor growth in PDAC cells and in xenograft tumors. Functional studies revealed that YAP1 might drive nicotine-stimulated EMT and oncogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. In human PDAC tissues, upregulation of YAP1 was associated with “ever smoking” status and poor overall survival. In term of mechanism, hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)1A promoted YAP1 nuclear localization and YAP1 transactivation by directly binding to the hypoxia responsive elements of the YAP1 promoter upon nicotine treatment. Nicotine stimulated HIF1A and YAP1 expression by activating cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha7 (CHRNA7). In addition, YAP1 increased and sustained the protein stability of HIF1A.

Conclusions
These data demonstrate that YAP1 enhances nicotine-stimulated EMT and tumor progression of PDAC through a HIF1A/YAP1 positive feedback loop. Developing inhibitors that specifically target YAP1 may provide a novel therapeutic approach to suppress PDAC growth, especially in PDAC patients who have a history of smoking.
The U2AF2 /circRNA ARF1/miR-342–3p/ISL2 feedback loop regulates angiogenesis in glioma stem cells
Authors: Jiang Yang , Zhou Jinpeng , Zhao Junshuang , Zhang Haiying , Li Long , Li Hao , Chen Lian , Hu Jiangfeng , Zheng Wei , Jing Zhitao 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundGlioma is the most common and lethal primary brain tumor in adults, and angiogenesis is one of the key factors contributing to its proliferation, aggressiveness, and malignant transformation. However, the discovery of novel oncogenes and the study of its molecular regulating mechanism based on circular RNAs (circRNAs) may provide a promising treatment target in glioma.MethodsBioinformatics analysis, qPCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels ofISL2, miR-342–3p, circRNA ARF1 (cARF1),U2AF2, andVEGFA. Patient-derived glioma stem cells (GSCs) were established for the molecular experiments. Lentiviral-based infection was used to regulate the expression of these molecules in GSCs. The MTS, EDU, Transwell, and tube formation assays were used to detect the proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of human brain microvessel endothelial cells (hBMECs). RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation, RNA pull-down, dual-luciferase reporter, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to detect the direct regulation mechanisms among these molecules.ResultsWe first identified a novel transcription factor related to neural development.ISL2was overexpressed in glioma and correlated with poor patient survival.ISL2transcriptionally regulatedVEGFAexpression in GSCs and promoted the proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of hBMECs viaVEGFA-mediatedERKsignaling. Regarding its mechanism of action, cARF1 upregulatedISL2expression in GSCs via miR-342–3p sponging. Furthermore,U2AF2bound to and promoted the stability and expression of cARF1, whileISL2induced the expression ofU2AF2, which formed a feedback loop in GSCs. We also showed that bothU2AF2and cARF1 had an oncogenic effect, were overexpressed in glioma, and correlated with poor patient survival.ConclusionsOur study identified a novel feedback loop amongU2AF2, cARF1, miR-342–3p, andISL2in GSCs. This feedback loop promoted glioma angiogenesis, and could provide an effective biomarker for glioma diagnosis and prognostic evaluation, as well as possibly being used for targeted therapy.
Maternal factors associated with low birth weight in public hospitals of Mekelle city, Ethiopia: a case-control study
Authors: Desta Sielu Alemayehu , Damte Ashenafi , Hailu Tsehay 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Mothers in low socio-economic conditions frequently have low birth weight infants. Inaddition Physically demanding work during pregnancy also contributes to poor fetal growth. During gestation a woman needs balanced nutrition for a healthy outcome. Women with inadequate nutritional status at conception are at greater risk of aquiring disease; their health usually depends on the availability and consumption of balanced diet, and therefore they are unlikely to be able to resist with their high nutrient needs during pregnancy. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to assess the maternal risk factors associated low birth weight in public hospitals of Mekelle city, Tigray North Ethiopia, 2017/2018.

Methods
Un-matched case-control study design was conducted among women who delivered in public hospitals of Mekelle city. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire through interview, direct physical assessment and medical record review of mothers. Sample size was calculated by Epi-info version 7.0 to get a final sample size of 381(cases = 127 and controls = 254). SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of the independent variables on birth weight. Presence of significant association was determined using OR with its 95%CI. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance. Table, graphs and texts were used to present the data.

Result
Most of the mothers (70.1% cases and 43.7% controls) were housewives. This study showed that maternal age ≤ 20 years (AOR = 6.42(95% CI = (1.93–21.42)), ANC follow up (AOR = 3.73(95%CI (1.5–9.24)), History of medical illness (AOR = 14.56(95% CI (3.69–57.45), Iron folate intake (AOR = 21.56(95%CI (6.54–71.14)), Maternal height less than 150 cm (AOR = 9.27(95%CI 3.45–24.89)) and Pregnancy weight gain (AOR = 4.93(95%CI = 1.8–13.48) were significant predictors of low birth weight.

Conclusion
The study suggests that inadequate ANC follow-up, preterm birth and history of chronic medical illness, maternal height, pregnancy weight gain, and Iron intake were. Were significant predictors of low birth weight. Health professionals should screen and consulate pregnant mothers who are at risk of having infants with LBW and ensure that women have access to essential health information on the causes of low birth weight.
Drivers of molecular and morphometric variation in Triatoma brasiliensis (Hemiptera: Triatominae): the resolution of geometric morphometrics for populational structuring on a microgeographical scale
Authors: Kamimura Edgard H. , Viana Maria Carolina , Lilioso Maurício , Fontes Fernanda H. M. , Pires-Silva Dayane , Valença-Barbosa Carolina , Carbajal-de-la-Fuente Ana L. , Folly-Ramos Elaine , Solferin Vera N. , Thyssen Patricia J. , Costa Jane , Almeida Carlos E. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi circulates in semiarid areas of northeastern Brazil in distinct ecotopes (sylvatic, peridomestic and domestic) where Triatoma brasiliensis Neiva, 1911 is the most important Chagas disease vector. In this study, we analyzed microevolutionary and demographic aspects of T. brasiliensis populations at the ecotypic, micro and macro-geographic scales by combining morphometrics and molecular results. Additionally, we aimed to address the resolution of both markers for delimiting populations in distinct scales.

Methods
We sampled populations of T. brasiliensis from distinct ecotypic and geographic sites in the states Rio Grande do Norte (RN) and Paraíba (PB). The geometric morphometry was carried out with 13 landmarks on the right wings (n = 698) and the genetic structure was assessed by sequencing a region of cytochrome b mitochondrial gene (n = 221). Mahalanobis distance (MD) and coefficient of molecular differentiation (ΦST) were calculated among all pairs of populations. The results of comparisons generated MD and ΦST dendrograms, and graphics of canonical variate analysis (CVA).

Results
Little structure was observed for both markers for macro-geographic scales. Mantel tests comparing geographic, morphometric and genetic matrices showed low correlation (all R2 < 0.35). The factorial graphics built with the CVA evidenced population delimitation for the morphometric data at micro-geographic scales.

Conclusions
We believe that T. brasiliensis carries in its genotype a source of information to allow the phenotypical plasticity across its whole distribution for shaping populations, which may have caused a lack of population delimitation for CVAs in morphometric analysis for macro-geographic scale analysis. On the other hand, the pattern of morphometric results in micro-geographic scales showed well-defined groups, highlighting the potential of this tool to inferences on the source for infestation.
An assessment of serial co-cultivation approach for generating novel Zymomonas mobilis strains
Authors: Fuchino Katsuya , Bruheim Per 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Objective
The alphaproteobacterium Zymomonas mobilis is an efficient ethanol producer, and Z. mobilis-based biorefinery shows great potential for biofuel production. Serial co-cultivation is an emerging approach that promotes inter-species interactions which can improve or rewire the metabolic features in industrially useful microorganisms by inducing frequent mutations. We applied this method to assess if it improves or rewires the desirable physiological features of Z. mobilis, especially ethanol production.

Results
We performed serial co-culture of Z. mobilis with the baker’s yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We observed filamentation of Z. mobilis cells in the co-culture, indicating that the Z. mobilis cells were exposed to stress due to the presence of a competitor. After 50 times of serial transfers, we characterized the generated Z. mobilis strains, showing that long term co-culture did not drive significant changes in either the growth or profile of excreted metabolites in the generated strains. In line with this, whole genome sequencing of the generated Z. mobilis strains revealed only minor genetic variations from the parental strain. 50 generations of Z. mobilis monoculture did not induce morphological changes or any significant genetic variations. The result indicates that the method needs to be carefully optimized for Z. mobilis strain improvement.