bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No evidence of a synergistic effect of HIV infection and diabetes mellitus type 2 on fat distribution, plasma adiponectin or inflammatory markers.
Authors: Hove-Skovsgaard Malene , Abildgaard Julie , Gelpi Marco , Gaardbo Julie , Kolte Lilian , Ullum Henrik , Trøseid Marius , Lindegaard Birgitte , Nielsen Susanne Dam 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
BackgroundAltered fat distribution and chronic inflammation are found in both persons living with HIV (PLWH) and persons with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and are known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We aimed to investigate if a synergistic effect of HIV infection and DM2 was found on fat distribution and inflammation.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed including PLWH with HIV RNA <200 copies/mL (18 with DM2 (HIV + DM2+), 18 without DM2 (HIV + DM2-)) and controls (19 with DM2 (controls with DM2) and 25 without DM2 (healthy controls). We measured fat distribution using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Plasma concentrations of adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF- α) and soluble CD14 (sCD14) was measured using snap-frozen plasma. ResultsHIV+DM2+ and HIV+DM2- had comparable trunk/limb fat ratio. In contrast, HIV+DM2+ had a higher trunk/ limb fat ratio than controls with DM2 and healthy controls (p=0.013 and p<0.001, respectively). However, HIV+DM2+ and controls with DM2 had comparable amount of trunk fat mass (kg) (p=0.254). A lower concentration of plasma adiponectin and higher concentration of IL-6 was found in HIV+DM2+ than in HIV+DM2-(p=0.037 and p=0.039) and in healthy controls (p=0.001 and p=0.012). In contrast, plasma adiponectin and IL-6 concentrations were comparable in HIV+DM2+ and controls with DM2 (p=0.345 and p=0.825). Concentration of sCD14 was comparable in HIV+DM2+ and HIV+DM2–(p=0.850), but elevated in HIV+DM2+ compared to controls with DM2 (p<0.001) and healthy controls (p=0.007). No statistical interactions were found between HIV infection and DM2 for any of the depending variables. ConclusionA synergistic effect of HIV and DM2 was not found for any of the outcomes. However, HIV+DM2+ had features related to both HIV infection and DM2 with a high trunk/limb ratio, high trunk fat mass, low concentration of plasma adiponectin and elevated concentrations of IL-6 and sCD14. This could contribute to elevated risk of CVD.
Protocol for the development and validation of a risk prediction model for stillbirths from 35 weeks gestation in Australia
Authors: Sexton Jessica , Coory Michael , Kumar Sailesh , Smith Gordon , Gordon Adrienne , Chambers Georgina , Pereira Gavin , Raynes-Greenow Camille , Hilder Lisa , Middleton Philippa , Bowman Anneka , Lieske Scott , Warrilow Kara , Morris Jonathan , Ellwood David , Flenady Vicki 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Despite advances in the care of women and their babies in the past century, an estimated 1.7 million babies are born still each year throughout the world. A robust method to estimate a pregnant woman’s individualized risk of late-pregnancy stillbirth may inform decision-making around timing of birth to reduce the risk of stillbirth from 35 weeks gestation in Australia, a high-resource setting.Methods: This is a protocol for a cross-sectional study of all late-pregnancy births in Australia (2005-2015) from 35 weeks gestation including 5,188 stillbirths among 3.1 million births at an estimated rate of 1.7 stillbirths per 1000 births. A multivariable logistic regression model will be developed in line with current Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) guidelines to estimate the gestation-specific probability of stillbirth with prediction intervals. Candidate predictors were identified from systematic reviews and clinical consultation and will be assessed through univariable regression analysis. To generate a final model, elimination by backward stepwise multivariable logistic regression will be performed. The model will be internally validated using bootstrapping with 1000 repetitions and externally validated using a temporally unique dataset. Overall model performance will be assessed with R2, calibration, and discrimination. Calibration will be reported using a calibration plot with 95% confidence intervals (α=0.05). Discrimination will be measured by the C-statistic and area underneath the receiver-operator curves. Clinical usefulness will be reported as positive and negative predictive values and a decision curve analysis will be considered. Discussion: A robust method to predict a pregnant woman’s individualized risk of late-pregnancy stillbirth may inform timely, appropriate care to reduce stillbirth. Among existing prediction models designed for maternity use, few have been subject to internal and external validation and many fail to meet recommended reporting standards. In developing a risk prediction model for late-gestation stillbirth with both providers and pregnant women in mind, we endeavor to develop a validated model for clinical use in Australia that meets current reporting standards.
Short-Wave Enhances MSC Recruitment in Fracture Healing from Increasing HIF-1 in Callus
Authors: Ye Dongmei , Chen Chen , Wang Qiwen , Zhang Qi , Li Sha , Liu Hongwei 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: As a type of high-frequency electrotherapy, a Short-Wave can promote the fracture healing process; yet, its underlying therapeutic mechanisms still remain unclear.Purpose: To observe the effect of Short-Wave therapy on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) homing and relative mechanisms associated with fracture healing. Materials and Methods: For in vivo study, the effect of Short-Wave therapy in relation to fracture healing was examined in stabilized femur fractures model of 40 SD rats. Radiography was used to analyze the morphology and micro-architecture of the callus. Additionally, fluorescence assays were used to analyze the GFP-labeled MSC homing after treatment in 20 nude mice with a femoral fracture. For in vitro study, osteoblast from newborn rats simulated fracture site was first irradiated by the Short-Wave; siRNA targeting HIF-1 was used to investigate the role of HIF-1. Osteoblast culture medium was then collected as chemotaxis content of MSC, and the migration of MSC from rats was evaluated using wound healing assay and trans-well chamber test. The expression of HIF-1 and its related factors were quantified by q RT-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot.Results: Our in vivo experiment indicated that Short-Wave therapy could promote MSC migration, increase local and serum HIF-1 and SDF-1 levels, induce changes in callus formation, and improve callus microarchitecture and mechanical properties, thus speeding up the healing process of the fracture site. Moreover, the in vitro results further indicated that Short-Waves therapy upregulated HIF-1 and SDF-1 expression in osteoblast and in the medium, as well as the expression of CXCR-4, β-catenin, F-actin and phosphorylation levels of FAK in MSC. On the other hand, the inhibition of HIF-1α was significantly restrained by the inhibition of HIF-1α in osteoblast, and it partially inhibited the migration of MSC.Conclusions: These results suggested that Short-Wave therapy could increase HIF-1 in callus, which is one of the crucial mechanisms of chemotaxis MSC homing in fracture healing.
Phone-based audience response system as an adjunct in orthodontic teaching of undergraduate dental students: a cross-over randomised controlled trial
Authors: Alharbi Fahad , Alazmi Khulud , Momani Bashar R. El , Al-Muzian Lubna , Wertheimer Mark , Almukhtar Anas , Almuzian Mohammed 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The advent of electronic teaching facilities improved tutor-student communication. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of Phone-Based Audience Response System (PB-ARS), as an adjunctive and interactive model to traditional pedagogy, on the retention of information by undergraduate dental students and to explore the students’ perception and acceptance of PB-ARS. Methods: This cross-over clustered randomised control trial was conducted with 34 final year undergraduate dental students, who were allocated to one of two event groups (G1 and G2) using computer-generated randomisation. Both groups simultaneously attended two different traditional lectures a week apart (L 1 and L2). During L1, PB-ARS was used as an adjunct to conventional presentation to teach G1 participants (PB-ARS group). In contrast, G2’s participants acted as a control group (CG), and they were taught using the traditional presentation. In the second week (L2), the interventions were crossed. Participants from both groups completed pre- and post-lecture multiple-choice questions (MCQ) to assess short-term retention of information. They also filled post-lecture questionaries' to determine their perceptions of teaching delivery. Their performance in the final MCQ exam (10 weeks following L2) were used assess the long-term recall of the obtained knowledge. Results: 29 and 31 participants from the CG and PB-ARS group completed this trial, respectively. Although 87.5% of students in PB-ARS group showed an improvement in their post-lecture scores compared to 79.3% for CG, it was statistically insignificant. Similarly, the intervention showed an insignificant effect on the long-term retention of the knowledge.There was a mildly favourable attitude of students to the PB-ARS system; however, the difference in the overall rate of the level of satisfaction in both was statistically insignificant.Conclusion: PB-ARS system has a minimal insignificant effect on short- and long term retention of knowledge of the undergraduate dental students, though it was a slightly more preferred adjunct to conventional classroom teaching. Due to the limitation of this trial, a long-term randomised controlled trial with a larger sample size is recommended.
Predictive value of pentraxin-3 on disease severity and prognosis in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome
Authors: Du Hong , Hu Haifeng , Wang Pingzhong , Wang Xiaoyan , Zhang Ying , Jiang Hong , Li Jing , Bai Xuefan , Lian Jianqi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Pentraxin-3 is an acute-phase protein involved in the processes of inflammation and infection. This study aimed to analyze the changes of plasma pentraxin-3 prospectively and evaluate its predictive value on disease severity and prognosis in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).Methods: A total of 105 HFRS patients were enrolled in this study and were grouped according to the clinical classification criteria for HFRS, and 27 healthy volunteers served as controls. The levels of plasma pentraxin-3 were detected using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and which were compared among the acute and convalescent phases in different types of patients, as well as the control group. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between pentraxin-3 and conventional laboratory indexes. The predictive effectiveness for prognosis of pentraxin-3 was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Results: There was no significant difference in gender and age distribution between all types of patients and control group (P>0.05). In all types of patients, the levels of pentraxin-3 in acute phase were significantly higher than that of control group and convalescent phase of the same type (P<0.05). The levels of pentraxin-3 increased with the aggravation of the disease, and showed the highest expression in critical-type patients (P<0.05). Pentraxin-3 was positively correlated with WBC, AST and APTT, and negatively correlated with PLT, ALB and Fib (|rs|>0.500, P<0.001). Pentraxin-3 showed significant predictive value for the prognosis of HFRS patients, with the area under ROC curve (AUC) of 0.753 (95%CI: 0.593~0.914, P=0.003).Conclusions: The detection of plasma pentraxin-3 can be beneficial to the evaluation of disease severity and prognosis in patients with HFRS.
Cotton N rate could be reduced further under the planting model of late sowing and high-density in Yangtze River Valley
Authors: song xinghu , Huang Ying , Yuan Yuan , Tung Shahbaz Atta , Souliyanonh Biangkham , Yang Guozheng 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: An optimal N rate is one of the basic determinants for high cotton yield. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal N rate on a new cotton cropping pattern with late-sowing, high density and one-time fertilization at first flower in Yangtze River Valley China. A 2-year experiment was conducted in 2015 and 2016 with a randomized complete blocks design, and cotton growth process, yield and biomass accumulation were examined. Results: The results showed that N rate had no effect on cotton growing progress or periods. Cotton yield was increased with N rate increasing from 120-180 kg·hm-2, while the yield was not increased when N was beyond 180 kg·hm-2, or even decreased (9-29%). Cotton had the highest biomass at N180 due to its highest accumulation speed during the fast accumulation period (FAP). Conclusions: The result suggests that cotton N rate could be reduced further to be 180 kg·hm-2 under the new cropping pattern in Yangtze River Valley China.
Carriage of ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacteria by houseflies captured in a hospital and its suburban surroundings in Ethiopia
Authors: Tufa Tafese B , Fuchs Andre , Wienemann Tobias , Eggers Yannik , Abdissa Sileshi , Schneider Marlen , Jensen Björn-Erik Ole , Bode Johannes G. , Pfeffer Klaus , Häussinger Dieter , Mackenzie Colin , Orth Hans Martin , Feldt Torsten 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Local data from the Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital in the town of Asella, Ethiopia reveal a high prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase- (ESBL) producing Gram-negative bacteria in clinical isolates. To investigate a possible route of transmission, we determined the colonization rate of houseflies with ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacteria in the hospital compound and in the town of Asella. Methods: Houseflies were collected in August 2019 from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the orthopedic ward, the hospital’s waste disposal area, and from a butchery situated 1.5 km from the hospital. After trapping, the flies were macerated and suspended in sterile normal saline. The suspensions were inoculated on MacConkey agar and incubated overnight. Species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed using Vitek®-MS and VITEK® 2. Results: In total, 103 bacterial isolates were obtained from 85 flies (NICU: 11 isolates from 20 flies, orthopedic ward: 10 isolates from 20 flies, waste disposal area: 37 isolates from 26 flies, butchery: 45 isolates from 27 flies). The prevalence of ESBL-producing bacteria in collected flies was 82%, 90%, and 57% in NICU, orthopedic ward and the waste disposal area, respectively and 2% (1/45) in the butchery. The difference between flies trapped inside and outside the hospital compound was statistically significant (p≤0.001). The frequency of ESBL was 67% (6/9) in Raoultella spp. 67% (4/6) in Kluyvera spp., 56% (5/9) in Enterobacter spp., 50% (5/10) in E. coli and Citrobacter spp., and 44% (8/18) in Klebsiella spp.. Of the 40 ESBL-genes detected, 85% were CTX-M-like, 83% TEM-like, 23% SHV-like, and 2% CTX-M-2-like. ESBL-producing bacteria showed higher rates of antimicrobial resistance against ciprofloxacin (66% vs. 5%), gentamicin (68% vs. 3%), piperacillin-tazobactam (78% vs. 5%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (88% vs. 16%), compared to non-ESBL-producing bacteria. Conclusion: A high proportion of the hospital’s housefly population were colonized with pathogenic ESBL-producing bacteria, but not houseflies collected at a distance of 1.5 km from the hospital. Houseflies can be potential vectors for transmission of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria within hospitals. Further studies are needed to determine the source of MDR colonization in houseflies and possible impact of the high rate of MDR for nosocomial infections.
Platelet-rich plasma enhanced MSCs repair for glycerin-induced acute kidney injury via AKT/Rab27 paracrine pathway
Authors: Ji Cheng , Zhang Jiahui , Zhou Zixuan , Shi Hui , Liu wanzhu , Sun Fengtian , Zhang Chenxiao , Zhang Leilei , Sun Zixun , Qian Hui 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) was defined by rapid deterioration of renal function, as a common complication in hospitalized patients. Among the recent therapeutic options, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were considered a promising therapeutic strategy for damaged tissues repair. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) regulates stromal cells to repair tissue damage through the release of growth factors. Here we proposed a possible therapeutic use of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells stimulated by platelet-rich plasma (PRP-MSCs) in glycerin-induced acute kidney injury murine model.Methods: In vivo, we constructed glycerin-induced acute kidney injury rat models. On day 1 post injury, rat received a tail vein injection of 1×106 MSCs and 1×106 PRP-MSCs. All animals were sacrificed at Day 3 after glycerin injection. In vitro, NRK-52E cells were damaged by 20% glycerol for 12 hours, after that NRK-52E incubated with MSCs and PRP-MSCs for 24 hours in transwell co-culture system, DMEM as a negative control. NRK-52E cells were harvested for apoptosis assay, Western blot, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Then the number of MSCs exosomes stimulated by PRP was detected by confocal microscopy and Nanosight tracking analysis (NTA), PRP-MSCs-Ex (10mg/kg) and MSCs-Ex (10mg/kg) were injected intravenously, saline as control. The therapeutic effect of PRP-MSCs was evaluated by analyzing renal function (serum BUN, Creatinine), histopathological structure changes and apoptosis and proliferation of renal tubular cells. Results: In vivo and vitro studies confirmed that the PRP induced YAP nucleus expression to promoting the proliferation and reinforces the stemness of MSCs, and PRP could promoted the paracrine secretion of exosomes by MSCs to repair AKI though AKT/Rab27 pathway.Conclusions: Our results revealed that PRP stimulated MSCs paracrine pathway could effectively alleviate glycerin-induced acute kidney injury. Therefore, RPP pretreatment may be a new method to improve the therapeutic effect of MSCs.
Effect of Bacillus velezensis substituting for feed antibiotics on the production, blood biochemistry and egg quality indices of laying hens
Authors: Ye Miao , Wei Chunjie , Khalid Anam , Hu Qian , Yang Ru , Dai Binghong , Cheng Hengwei , Wang Zaigui 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background The excessive use of antibiotics in livestock feed industry caused inevitable side effect of microbial resistance. Beside this residual antibiotics in animal derived food stuff imposed serious health problems for humans. So this study aimed to investigate the potential use of Bacillus velezensis to substitute antibiotics for poultry production. A total of 468, 49-week-old Hy-Line Brown chickens, were randomly divided into four groups as control group (regular diet), experiment group I (0.1% B. veleznesis), experiment group II (0.2% B. veleznesis), and antibiotic group (50 mg/kg flavomycin), with three replicates per group and trial period consisted on 42 days.Results The results showed that, compared with control group, the average egg production rate and daily feed intake of experimental groups I and II increased significantly (P < 0.05), while the average egg weight was increased in experimental group II as compared to I. (P < 0.01). The feed conversion ratio was decreased (P > 0.05) in group II. Egg quality parameters such as yolk weight of the experiment group II was increased, but that of the antibiotic group and experiment group I was decreased, neither significant (P > 0.05). Moreover, the eggshell strength, yolk color, albumen height and Haugh unit were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, probiotic groups can increase the progesterone and motilin (P > 0.05) but decrease the secretin and cholecystokinin in the blood plasma (P > 0.05).Conclusion This study suggested that B. velezensis can substitute in-feed-antibiotics and improved most of the study parameters significantly. Which suggested that B. velezensis has potential future application value to replace the feed antibiotics.
The Association Between Plasma Furin and Cardiovascular Events After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Liu Zhi-wei , Ma Qiang , Liu Jie , Li Jing-Wei , Chen Yun-Dai 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Furin is the key enzyme to cleave pro-BNP, and plays a critical role in the cardiovascular system through its involvement in the lipid metabolism, blood pressure and formation of atheromatous plaques. NT-proBNP and recently corin, which is also a key enzyme to cleave pro-BNP, have been approved as predictors of prognosis after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We here conducted this prospective cohort study to investigate the relationship between plasma furin and the prognosis outcome in patients after AMI. Methods: We enrolled 1100 AMI patients and measured their plasma furin concentration. The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of cardiovascular (CV) death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke. The association of plasma furin concentration with AMI outcomes was explored by using Kaplan–Meier curve and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results: Our results showed that slight increase of mean cTNT in patients with higher furin concentration (P=0.016). Over a median follow-up of 31 months, multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that plasma furin was not associated with MACE (HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.93-1.06; P=0.807) after adjustment for potential conventional risk factors. However, plasma furin was associated with non-fatal MI (HR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01-1.17; P=0.022) after fully adjustment. Subgroup analysis indicated no relationship between plasma furin and MACE in different subgroup populations.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that plasma furin was not associated with risk of MACE and may not be used as a predictor of poor prognosis after AMI. But higher levels of plasma furin may be associated with higher risk of non-fatal MI, future studies are needed to verify this.
Loss of Skeletal Muscle Mass Affects the Incidence of Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Case Control Study
Authors: Tateyama Masakuni , Naoe Hideaki , Tanaka Motohiko , Tanaka Kentaro , Narahara Satoshi , Tokunaga Takayuki , Kawasaki Takeshi , Yoshimaru Yoko , Nagaoka Katsuya , Watanabe Takehisa , Setoyama Hiroko , Sasaki Yutaka , Tanaka Yasuhito 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by progressive and systemic decreases in skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength. The influence or prognosis of various liver diseases in this condition have been widely investigated, but little is known about whether sarcopenia and/or muscle mass loss are related to minimal hepatic encephalopathy.Methods: To clarify the relationship between minimal hepatic encephalopathy and sarcopenia and/or muscle mass loss in patients with liver cirrhosis. Ninety-nine patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled. Minimal hepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed by a neuropsychiatric test. Skeletal mass index was calculated by dividing muscle area at the third lumbar vertebra by the square of height in meters.Results: MHE was detected in 48 cases (48.5%) and sarcopenia in 6 cases (6.1%). Patients were divided into two groups, with or without MHE. Comparing groups, no significant differences were seen in serum ammonia concentration or rate of sarcopenia. Skeletal muscle index was smaller in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (46.4 cm2/m2) than in those without (51.2 cm2/m2, P = 0.027). Skeletal muscle index represented a predictive factor related to minimal hepatic encephalopathy (<50 cm2/m2; odds ratio 0.300, P = 0.002).Conclusions: Muscle mass loss was related to minimal hepatic encephalopathy, although sarcopenia was not. Measurement of muscle mass loss might be useful to predict MHE.