bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the insecticidal activity of new Bacillus thuringiensis X023 by copper ions
Authors: Liu Zhuolin , Xie Junyan , Deng Ziru , Wang Mulan , Dang Dandan , Luo Sha , Wang Yunfeng , Sun Yunjun , Xia Liqiu , Ding Xuezhi 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
A new Bacillus thuringiensis X023 (BtX023) with high insecticidal activity was isolated in Hunan Province, China. The addition of metals (Cu, Fe, Mg and Mn) to the medium could influence the formation of spores and/or insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs). In previous studies, Cu ions considerably increased the synthesis of ICPs by enhancing the synthesis of poly-β-hydroxy butyrate. However, the present study could provide new insights into the function of Cu ions in ICPs.

Results
Bioassay results showed that wild strain BtX023 exhibited high insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella. The addition of 1 × 10−5 M Cu2+ could considerably increase the expression of cry1Ac and vip3Aa, and the insecticidal activity was enhanced. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and proteomic analyses revealed that the upregulated proteins included amino acid synthesis, the glyoxylate pathway, oxidative phosphorylation, and poly-β-hydroxy butyrate synthesis. The Cu ions enhanced energy metabolism and primary amino acid synthesis, will providing abundant raw material accumulation for ICP synthesis.

Conclusion
The new strain BtX023 exerted a strong insecticidal effect on P. xylostella by producing ICPs. The addition of 1 × 10−5 M Cu2+ in the medium could considerably enhance the expression of the cry1Ac and vip3Aa genes, thereby further increasing the toxicity of BtX023 to Helicoverpa armigera and P. xylostella by enhancing energy synthesis, the glyoxylate cycle, and branched-chain amino acids synthesis, but not poly-β-hydroxy butyrate synthesis.
Identification of PKP 2/3 as potential biomarkers of ovarian cancer based on bioinformatics and experiments
Authors: Gao Lingling , Li Xiao , Guo Qian , Nie Xin , Hao Yingying , Liu Qing , Liu Juanjuan , Zhu Liancheng , Yan Limei , Lin Bei 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Plakophilins (PKPs) are widely involved in gene transcription, translation, and signal transduction, playing a crucial role in tumorigenesis and progression. However, the function and potential mechanism of PKP1/2/3 in ovarian cancer (OC) remains unclear. It’s of great value to explore the expression and prognostic values of PKP1/2/3 and their potential mechanisms, immune infiltration in OC.

Methods
The expression levels, prognostic values and genetic variations of PKP1/2/3 in OC were explored by various bioinformatics tools and databases, and PKP2/3 were selected for further analyzing their regulation network and immune infiltration. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways (KEGG) enrichment were also conducted. Finally, the expression and prognosis of PKP2 were validated by immunohistochemistry.

Results
The expression level and prognosis of PKP1 showed little significance in ovarian cancer, and the expression of PKP2/3 mRNA and protein were upregulated in OC, showing significant correlations with poor prognosis of OC. Functional enrichment analysis showed that PKP2/3 and their correlated genes were significantly enriched in adaptive immune response, cytokine receptor activity, organization of cell–cell junction and extracellular matrix; KEGG analysis showed that PKP2/3 and their significantly correlated genes were involved in signaling pathways including cytokine-mediated signaling pathway, receptor signaling pathway and pathways in cancer. Moreover, PKP2/3 were correlated with lymphocytes and immunomodulators. We confirmed that high expression of PKP2 was significantly associated with advanced stage, poor differentiation and poor prognosis of OC patients.

Conclusion
Members of plakophilins family showed various degrees of abnormal expressions and prognostic values in ovarian cancer. PKP2/3 played crucial roles in tumorigenesis, aggressiveness, malignant biological behavior and immune infiltration of OC, and can be regarded as potential biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis evaluation in OC.
Evaluation of the malaria reporting system supported by the District Health Information System 2 in Solomon Islands
Authors: Wangdi Kinley , Sarma Haribondu , Leaburi John , McBryde Emma , Clements Archie C. A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundDistrict Health Information Systems 2 (DHIS2) is used for supporting health information management in 67 countries, including Solomon Islands. However, there have been few published evaluations of the performance of DHIS2-enhanced disease reporting systems, in particular for monitoring infectious diseases such as malaria. The aim of this study was to evaluate DHIS2 supported malaria reporting in Solomon Islands and to develop recommendations for improving the system.MethodsThe evaluation was conducted in three administrative areas of Solomon Islands: Honoria City Council, and Malaita and Guadalcanal Provinces. Records of nine malaria indicators including report submission date, total malaria cases,Plasmodium falciparumcase record,Plasmodium vivaxcase record, clinical malaria, malaria diagnosed with microscopy, malaria diagnosed with (rapid diagnostic test) (RDT), record of drug stocks and records of RDT stocks from 1st January to 31st December 2016 were extracted from the DHIS2 database. The indicators permitted assessment in four core areas: availability, completeness, timeliness and reliability. To explore perceptions and point of view of the stakeholders on the performance of the malaria case reporting system, focus group discussions were conducted with health centre nurses, whilst in-depth interviews were conducted with stakeholder representatives from government (province and national) staff and World Health Organization officials who were users of DHIS2.ResultsData were extracted from nine health centres in Honoria City Council and 64 health centres in Malaita Province. The completeness and timeliness from the two provinces of all nine indicators were 28.2% and 5.1%, respectively. The most reliable indicator in DHIS2 was ‘clinical malaria’ (i.e. numbers of clinically diagnosed malaria cases) with 62.4% reliability. Challenges to completeness were a lack of supervision, limited feedback, high workload, and a lack of training and refresher courses. Health centres located in geographically remote areas, a lack of regular transport, high workload and too many variables in the reporting forms led to delays in timely reporting. Reliability of reports was impacted by a lack of technical professionals such as statisticians and unavailability of tally sheets and reporting forms.ConclusionThe availability, completeness, timeliness and reliability of nine malaria indicators collected in DHIS2 were variable within the study area, but generally low. Continued onsite support, supervision, feedback and additional enhancements, such as electronic reporting will be required to further improve the malaria reporting system.
Multivariate Bayesian meta-analysis: joint modelling of multiple cancer types using summary statistics
Authors: Jahan Farzana , Duncan Earl W. , Cramb Susana M. , Baade Peter D. , Mengersen Kerrie L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundCancer atlases often provide estimates of cancer incidence, mortality or survival across small areas of a region or country. A recent example of a cancer atlas is the Australian cancer atlas (ACA), that provides interactive maps to visualise spatially smoothed estimates of cancer incidence and survival for 20 different cancer types over 2148 small areas across Australia.MethodsThe present study proposes a multivariate Bayesian meta-analysis model, which can model multiple cancers jointly using summary measures without requiring access to the unit record data. This new approach is illustrated by modelling the publicly available spatially smoothed standardised incidence ratios for multiple cancers in the ACA divided into three groups: common, rare/less common and smoking-related. The multivariate Bayesian meta-analysis models are fitted to each group in order to explore any possible association between the cancers in three remoteness regions: major cities, regional and remote areas across Australia. The correlation between the pairs of cancers included in each multivariate model for a group was examined by computing the posterior correlation matrix for each cancer group in each region. The posterior correlation matrices in different remoteness regions were compared using Jennrich’s test of equality of correlation matrices (Jennrich in J Am Stat Assoc. 1970;65(330):904–12.10.1080/01621459.1970.10481133).ResultsSubstantive correlation was observed among some cancer types. There was evidence that the magnitude of this correlation varied according to remoteness of a region. For example, there has been significant negative correlation between prostate and lung cancer in major cities, but zero correlation found in regional and remote areas for the same pair of cancer types. High risk areas for specific combinations of cancer types were identified and visualised from the proposed model.ConclusionsPublicly available spatially smoothed disease estimates can be used to explore additional research questions by modelling multiple cancer types jointly. These proposed multivariate meta-analysis models could be useful when unit record data are unavailable because of privacy and confidentiality requirements.
A non-invasive ultrasound imaging method to measure acute radiation-induced bladder wall thickening in rats
Authors: Spinelli Antonello E. , Bresolin Andrea , Zuppone Stefania , Perani Laura , Fallara Giuseppe , Di Muzio Nadia , Vago Riccardo , Fiorino Claudio , Cozzarini Cesare 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Methods for the non-invasive quantification of changes in bladder wall thickness as potential predictors of radiation cystitis in pre-clinical research would be desirable. The use of ultrasound for this aim seems promising, but is still relatively unexplored. A method using ultrasound for bladder wall thickness quantification in rats was developed and applied to measure early radiation-induced bladder wall thickness changes.

Methods
Two groups (n = 9 each) of female Fischer rats were treated with a single radiation dose of 25–30 and 35–40 Gy respectively, using an image-guided micro-irradiator; six untreated rats were monitored as a control group. Empty, half-filled and fully-filled bladder volumes were determined for four non-irradiated rats by measuring axes from ultrasound 3D-images and applying the ellipsoid formula. Mean bladder wall thickness was estimated for both ventral and dorsal bladder sides through the measurement of the bladder wall area along a segment of 4 mm in the central sagittal scan, in order to minimize operator-dependence on the measurement position. Ultrasound acquisitions of all fully-filled rat bladders were also acquired immediately before, and 4 and 28 days after irradiation. Mean bladder wall thickness normalized to the baseline value and corrected for filling were then used to evaluate acute bladder wall thickening and to quantify the dose–effect.

Results
The relationship between mean bladder wall thickness and volume in unirradiated rats showed that for a bladder volume > 1.5 mL the bladder wall thickness is almost constant and equal to 0.30 mm with variations within ± 15%. The average ratios between post and pre irradiation showed a dose–effect relationship. Bladder wall thickening was observed for the 25–30 Gy and 35–40 Gy groups in 2/9 (22%) and 5/9 (56%) cases at day 4 and in 4/9 (44%) and 8/9 (89%) cases at day 28, respectively. The two groups showed significantly different bladder wall thickness both relative to the control group (p < 0.0001) and between them (p = 0.022). The bladder wall thickness increment was on average 1.32 ± 0.41, and was 1.30 ± 0.21 after 25–30 Gy and 1.47 ± 0.29 and 1.90 ± 0.83 after 35–40 Gy at days 4 and 28 respectively.

Conclusions
The feasibility of using ultrasound on a preclinical rat model to detect bladder wall thickness changes after bladder irradiation was demonstrated, and a clear dose–effect relationship was quantified. Although preliminary, these results are promising in addressing the potential role of this non-invasive approach in quantifying radiation cystitis.
A case report of aortic root repair using a pericardial autograft for type A aortic dissection
Authors: Chang Yi , Guo Hongwei , Qian Xiangyang , Fang Fang 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Acute type A aortic dissection with a dissection flap extending into the sinus segment often involves the commissures and the coronary ostia. In most cases, the intimal flap must be retained in order to restore aortic valve competence and reconstruct the coronary ostia. Residual dissection flap has the potential risks of proximal bleeding and adverse effects on long-term durability. We established a novel technique to reconstruct the aortic root using a pericardial autograft and significantly reduce remnant dissection tissues.

Case presentation
A 50-year-old female was admitted to our center with acute anterior chest pain and backache lasting about 10 h. Computed tomographic (CT) scans showed type A aortic dissection, with both coronary ostia being involved. Doppler echocardiography showed moderate aortic insufficiency. The dissection intimal flap was removed to the normal aorta wall near the annulus at the noncoronary sinus, leaving a 5 mm rim of intimal flap near the commissures and coronary ostia. Using a pericardial patch as a new aortic wall to reconstruct the root while preserving the aortic adventitia to fix and strengthen the new pericardial aortic wall. Ascending aorta and total arch replacement combined with frozen elephant trunk procedure was performed at the same time. The patient got an uneventful postoperative course.

Conclusion
Aortic root repair with a pericardial autograft is a safe and effective technique to treat acute type A dissection involving the sinus. Using this technique, residual dissection tissues could be significantly reduced, which subsequently decreases the risk of proximal bleeding and hence increases long-term durability.
LINC01094/miR-577 axis regulates the progression of ovarian cancer
Authors: Xu Jing , Zhang Ping , Sun Huajun , Liu Yang 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Long intergenic non-coding RNA 01094 (LINC01094) is probably a novel regulator in cancer biology. This study aimed to probe into the function and mechanism of LINC01094 in ovarian cancer (OC).

Methods
Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was utilized to measure LINC01094 and miR-577 expressions in OC tissues and cell lines. Western blot was used to examine the expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins, β-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays were used to detect the proliferation, migration and invasion of SKOV3 and 3AO cells, respectively. Eventually, dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was employed to detect the regulatory relationship between miR-577 and LINC01094.

Results
LINC01094 expression was elevated in OC tissues and cell lines. High LINC01094 expression was associated with higher FIGO stage, lymph node metastasis and the shorter overall survival rate in patients with OC. Meanwhile, LINC01094 knockdown inhibited OC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT. In addition, miR-577 was demonstrated to be a direct downstream target of LINC01094 in OC and inhibition of miR-577 reversed the biological effects of LINC01094 knockdown on OC cells. Additionally, LINC01094 / miR-577 axis regulated the expressions of β-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1 in OC cells.

Conclusion
LINC01094 promotes the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of OC cells by adsorbing miR-577.
Species diversity and insecticide resistance within the Anopheles hyrcanus group in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand
Authors: Sumarnrote Anchana , Overgaard Hans J. , Corbel Vincent , Thanispong Kanutcharee , Chareonviriyaphap Theeraphap , Manguin Sylvie 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Members of the Anopheles hyrcanus group have been incriminated as important malaria vectors. This study aims to identify the species and explore the insecticide susceptibility profile within the Anopheles hyrcanus group in Ubon Ratchathani Province, northeastern Thailand where increasing numbers of malaria cases were reported in 2014.

Methods
Between 2013 and 2015, five rounds of mosquito collections were conducted using human landing and cattle bait techniques during both the rainy and dry seasons. Anopheles mosquitoes were morphologically identified and their insecticide susceptibility status was investigated. Synergist bioassays were carried out with An. hyrcanus (s.l.) due to their resistance to all insecticides. An ITS2-PCR assay was conducted to identify to species the Hyrcanus group specimens.

Results
Out of 10,361 Anopheles females collected, representing 18 taxa in 2 subgenera, 71.8% were morphologically identified as belonging to the Hyrcanus Group (subgenus Anopheles), followed by An. barbirostris group (7.9%), An. nivipes (6.5%), An. philippinensis (5.9%) and the other 14 Anopheles species. Specimens of the Hyrcanus Group were more prevalent during the rainy season and were found to be highly zoophilic. Anopheles hyrcanus (s.l.) was active throughout the night, with an early peak of activity between 18:00 h and 21:00 h. ITS2-PCR assay conducted on 603 DNA samples from specimens within the Hyrcanus Group showed the presence of five sisters species. Anopheles peditaeniatus was the most abundant species (90.5%, n = 546), followed by An. nitidus (4.5%, n = 27), An. nigerrimus (4.3%, n = 26), An. argyropus (0.5%, n = 3), and An. sinensis (0.2%, n = 1). All An. hyrcanus (s.l.) specimens that were found resistant to insecticides (deltamethrin 0.05%, permethrin 0.75% and DDT 4% and synergist tests) belonged to An. peditaeniatus. The degree of resistance in An. peditaeniatus to each of these three insecticides was approximately 50%. Addition of PBO (Piperonyl butoxide), but not DEF (S.S.S-tributyl phosphotritioate), seemed to restore susceptibility, indicating a potential role of oxidases as a detoxifying enzyme resistance mechanism.

Conclusions
A better understanding of mosquito diversity related to host preference, biting activity and insecticide resistance status will facilitate the implementation of locally adapted vector control strategies.
Aß40 displays amyloidogenic properties in the non-transgenic mouse brain but does not exacerbate Aß42 toxicity in Drosophila
Authors: De Mena Lorena , Smith Michael A. , Martin Jason , Dunton Katie L. , Ceballos-Diaz Carolina , Jansen-West Karen R. , Cruz Pedro E. , Dillon Kristy D. , Rincon-Limas Diego E. , Golde Todd E. , Moore Brenda D. , Levites Yona 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Self-assembly of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide into aggregates, from small oligomers to amyloid fibrils, is fundamentally linked with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, it is clear that not all forms of Aβ are equally harmful and that linking a specific aggregate to toxicity also depends on the assays and model systems used (Haass et al., J Biol. Chem 269:17741–17748, 1994; Borchelt et al., Neuron 17:1005–1013, 1996). Though a central postulate of the amyloid cascade hypothesis, there remain many gaps in our understanding regarding the links between Aβ deposition and neurodegeneration.

Methods
In this study, we examined familial mutations of Aβ that increase aggregation and oligomerization, E22G and ΔE22, and induce cerebral amyloid angiopathy, E22Q and D23N. We also investigated synthetic mutations that stabilize dimerization, S26C, and a phospho-mimetic, S8E, and non-phospho-mimetic, S8A. To that end, we utilized BRI2-Aβ fusion technology and rAAV2/1-based somatic brain transgenesis in mice to selectively express individual mutant Aβ species in vivo. In parallel, we generated PhiC31-based transgenic Drosophila melanogaster expressing wild-type (WT) and Aβ40 and Aβ42 mutants, fused to the Argos signal peptide to assess the extent of Aβ42-induced toxicity as well as to interrogate the combined effect of different Aβ40 and Aβ42 species.

Results
When expressed in the mouse brain for 6 months, Aβ42 E22G, Aβ42 E22Q/D23N, and Aβ42WT formed amyloid aggregates consisting of some diffuse material as well as cored plaques, whereas other mutants formed predominantly diffuse amyloid deposits. Moreover, while Aβ40WT showed no distinctive phenotype, Aβ40 E22G and E22Q/D23N formed unique aggregates that accumulated in mouse brains. This is the first evidence that mutant Aβ40 overexpression leads to deposition under certain conditions. Interestingly, we found that mutant Aβ42 E22G, E22Q, and S26C, but not Aβ40, were toxic to the eye of Drosophila. In contrast, flies expressing a copy of Aβ40 (WT or mutants), in addition to Aβ42WT, showed improved phenotypes, suggesting possible protective qualities for Aβ40.

Conclusions
These studies suggest that while some Aβ40 mutants form unique amyloid aggregates in mouse brains, they do not exacerbate Aβ42 toxicity in Drosophila, which highlights the significance of using different systems for a better understanding of AD pathogenicity and more accurate screening for new potential therapies.
Object detection in real time based on improved single shot multi-box detector algorithm
Authors: Kumar Ashwani , Zhang Zuopeng Justin , Lyu Hongbo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn today’s scenario, the fastest algorithm which uses a single layer of convolutional network to detect the objects from the image is single shot multi-box detector (SSD) algorithm. This paper studies object detection techniques to detect objects in real time on any device running the proposed model in any environment. In this paper, we have increased the classification accuracy of detecting objects by improving the SSD algorithm while keeping the speed constant. These improvements have been done in their convolutional layers, by using depth-wise separable convolution along with spatial separable convolutions generally called multilayer convolutional neural networks. The proposed method uses these multilayer convolutional neural networks to develop a system model which consists of multilayers to classify the given objects into any of the defined classes. The schemes then use multiple images and detect the objects from these images, labeling them with their respective class label. To speed up the computational performance, the proposed algorithm is applied along with the multilayer convolutional neural network which uses a larger number of default boxes and results in more accurate detection. The accuracy in detecting the objects is checked by different parameters such as loss function, frames per second (FPS), mean average precision (mAP), and aspect ratio. Experimental results confirm that our proposed improved SSD algorithm has high accuracy.