bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical mapping of repetitive oligonucleotides facilitates the establishment of a genome map-based karyotype to identify chromosomal variations in peanut
Authors: Fu Liuyang , Wang Qian , Li Lina , Lang Tao , Guo Junjia , Wang Siyu , Sun Ziqi , Han Suoyi , Huang Bingyan , Dong Wenzhao , Zhang Xinyou , Du Pei 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Chromosomal variants play important roles in crop breeding and genetic research. The development of single-stranded oligonucleotide (oligo) probes simplifies the process of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and facilitates chromosomal identification in many species. Genome sequencing provides rich resources for the development of oligo probes. However, little progress has been made in peanut. Thus, the identification of chromosomal variants in peanut remains a challenge, owing to a lack of efficient chromosomal markers. Results: A total 114 new oligo probes were developed, based on the genome-wide tandem repeats (TRs) identified from the reference sequences of the peanut variety Tifrunner (AABB, 2n = 4x = 40) and the diploid species Arachis ipaensis (BB, 2n = 2x = 20). These oligos were classified into 28 types, based on their positions, and overlapping signals in chromosomes. For each oligo types, a single and representative oligos was selected and modified with 6-carboxyfluorescein (FAM) and 6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA). Based on these 28 probes, a new multiplex #3 cocktail was developed with FAM-modified TIF-439, TIF-185-1, TIF-134-3, and TIF-165-3, and TAMRA-modified Ipa-1162, Ipa-1137, DP-1, and DP-5. This cocktail enabled the establishment of a genome map-based karyotype after sequential FISH/genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and in silico mapping. Furthermore, we identified 14 chromosomal variants of peanut induced by radiation. A total of 28 representative probes were further chromosomally mapped onto the new karyotype. Among the probes, eight were mapped in the secondary constrictions, and intercalary and terminal regions; four were B genome-specific; one was chromosome-specific; and the other 15 were extensively mapped in the pericentric regions of chromosomes. Conclusions: The development of new oligo probes provides effective tools, which can be used to distinguish various chromosomes of peanut. Physical mapping reveals the genomic organization of repetitive oligos in peanut chromosomes by FISH. Following comparisons with their positions in the reference sequences, a genome map-based karyotype was established and used for the identification of chromosome variations in peanut.
“If you are on duty, you may be afraid to come out to attend to a person”: Fear of crime and security challenges in maternal acute care in Nigeria from a realist perspective.
Authors: Etiaba Enyi , Manzano Ana , Agbawodikeizu Uju , Ogu Udochukwu , Ebenso Bassey , Uzochukwu Benjamin , Onwujekwe Obinna , Ezumah Nkoli , Mirzoev Tolib 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroundMaternal and Child Health is a global priority. Access and utilization of facility-based health services remain a challenge in low and middle-income countries. Evidence on barriers to providing and accessing services omits information on the role of security within facilities. This paper explores the role of security in the provision and use of maternal health services in primary healthcare facilities in Nigeria. MethodsStudy was carried out in Anambra state, Nigeria. Qualitative data were initially collected from 35 in-depth interviews and 24 focus groups with purposively identified key informants. Information gathered was used to build a programme theory that was tested with another round of interviews (17) and focus group (4) discussions. Data analysis and reporting were based on the Context-Mechanism-Outcome heuristic of Realist Evaluation methodology.ResultsThe presence of a male security guard in the facility was the most important security factor that facilitated provision and uptake of services. Others include perimeter fencing, lighting and staff accommodation. Lack of these components constrained provision and use of services, by impacting on behaviour of staff and patients. Security concerns of facility staff who did not feel safe to let in people into unguarded facilities, mirrored those of pregnant women who did not utilize health facilities because of fear of not being let in and attended to by facility staff.Conclusion Health facility security should be key consideration in programme planning, to avert staff and women’s fear of crime which currently constrains provision and use of maternal healthcare at health facilities.
Changes in Lipid Composition associated with Electronic Cigarette Use
Authors: Middlekauff Holly , Williams Kevin , Su Baolong , Haptonstall Kacey , Araujo Jesus , Wu Xiaohui , Kim Jason , Sallam Tamer 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background-Electronic cigarette use is on the rise despite a number of reports linking electronic cigarettes with adverse health outcomes. Recent studies have suggested that alterations in lipid signaling may be one mechanism by which electronic cigarettes contribute to lung pulmonary function. Vitamin E acetate, for example, is synthetic form of Vitamin E transported via lipids, found to be associated with electronic cigarette associated lung injury. Lipids are absolutely critical for normal lung physiology and perturbations in a number of lipid pathways have been associated with respiratory illness. Is it conceivable that electronic cigarette use even in seemingly healthy cohorts are associated with alterations in lipid pathways? Methods- To investigate quantitative alterations in the plasma lipidome associated with electronic cigarette use in healthy we obtained plasma samples from 119 male and female participants with who were either: 1) chronic tobacco cigarette (TC) smokers (>12 months of self-reported TC use), 2) chronic Electronic cigarette (EC) users (>12 months of self-reported EC use), or 3) non-users. We measured quantitative lipid species across different lipid sub-classes from plasma samples using the Sciex Lipidyzer.Results-We found that male and female tobacco and electronic cigarette users had distinct lipidome signatures across a number of lipid species although the vast majority of lipids were unchanged when compared to non-users. Intriguingly, we found that female but not male electronic cigarette users had lower levels of plasmalogens, critical glycerophospholipids secreted by alveoli and required for normal surfactant function.Conclusions- In summary, our study does not reveal striking changes associated with electronic cigarette use but we observed sex-specific changes in lipids known to be critical for lung function.
Impact of Robinia pseudoacacia stand conversion on soil bacterial communities composition and soil properties in Mount Tai, China
Authors: li kun , han xu , ni ruiqiang , shi ge , de-Miguel Sergio , li chuanrong , shen weixing , zhang yikun , Zhang xingzhong 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Robinia pseudoacacia is a widely planted pioneer tree species in reforestations on barren mountains in northern China. Because of its nitrogen-fixing ability, it can play a positive role in soil and forest restoration. After clear-cutting of planted stands, R. pseudoacacia stands become coppice plantations. The impacts of shifting from seedling to coppice plantations on soil bacterial community and soil properties have not been well described. This study aims to quantify how soil properties and bacterial community composition vary between planted seedling versus coppice stands.Methods: Three 20×20 m plots were randomly selected in each seedling and coppice stand. The bulk soil and rhizosphere soil were sampled in the nine above-mentioned sample plots in the summer of 2017. Bulk soil was sampled at 10 cm from the soil surface using a soil auger. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected by brush. The soil samples were transported to the laboratory for chemical analysis and bacterial community composition and diversity was obtanied through DNA extraction, 16S rRNA gene amplification and high throughput sequencing.Results: The results showed that, compared to seedling plantations, soil quality decreased significantly in coppice stands, but without affecting soil exchangeable Mg2+ and K+. Total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) were lower in the rhizosphere than in bulk soil, whereas nutrient availability showed an opposite trend. The conversion from seedling to coppice plantations was also related to significant differences in soil bacterial community structure and to the reduction of soil bacterial α-diversity. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that, bacterial community composition was similar in both bulk and rhizosphere soils in second generation coppice plantations. Specially, the conversion from seedling to coppice increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Rhizobium, but reduced that of Actinobacteria, which may result in a decline of soil nutrient availability. Mantel tests revealed that C, N, Soil organic matter (SOM), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) and available phosphorus positively correlated with bacterial community composition, while a variation partition analysis (VPA) showed that NO3--N explained a relatively greater proportion of bacterial distribution (15.12%), compared with C and SOM. Surprinsingly, N showed no relationship with bacterial community composition, which may be related to nitrogen transportation. Conclusions: The conversion from seedling to coppice stands reduced soil quality and led to spatial-temporal homogenization of the soil bacterial community structure in both the rhizosphere and bulk soils. Such imbalance in microbial structure can accelerate the decline of R. pseudoacacia. This may affect the role of R. pseudoacacia coppice stands in soil and forest restoration of barren lands in mountain areas.
Factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender difference - a population-based study
Authors: Viertiö Satu , Kiviruusu Olli , Piirtola Maarit , Kaprio Jaakko , Korhonen Tellervo , Marttunen Mauri , Suvisaari Jaana 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Purpose Psychological distress refers to non-specific symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, and it is more common in women. Our aim was to investigate factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender differences. Methods We used questionnaire data from the nationally representative Finnish Regional Health and Well-being Study collected in 2012–2016 (target population participants aged 20 +, n=96 668, response rate 53%), restricting the current analysis to those persons who were working full-time and under 65 years (n=34 468). Psychological distress was assessed using the Mental Health Index (cut-off value <=52). We studied the following factors potentially associated with psychological distress: sociodemographic factors, living alone, having minor children, lifestyle-related factors, social support, helping others outside of the home and work-related factors. Results Women reported more psychological distress than men (11.0% vs. 8.8%, respectively, p<0.0001). Loneliness, job dissatisfaction and family-work conflict were associated with the largest risk of psychological distress. Having children, active participation, being able to successfully combine work and family roles, and social support were found to be protective factors. A significant interaction with gender was found in only two variables: ignoring family due to being absorbed in one’s work was associated with distress in women (OR 1.30 (95% CI 1.00–1.70), and mental strain of work in men (OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.66–4.41). Conclusion Satisfying work, family life and being able to successfully combine the two are important sources of psychological well-being for both genders in the working population.
Subcutaneous injection of IFN alpha-2b for COVID-19: an observational study
Authors: Wang Bo , Li Diandian , Liu Tao , Wang Haohua , Luo Fengming , Liu Yanbin 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background The global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is ongoing and associated with high mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous injection of interferon alpha-2b (IFN alpha-2b) combined with lopinavir/ritonavir ( LPV/r ) in the treatment of COVID-19 infection, compared with that of using LPV/r alone.
Methods Patients diagnosed with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection in Wuhan Red Cross hospital during the period from January 23, 2020 to March 19, 2020 were included. The length of stay, the time to viral clearance and adverse reactions during hospitalization were compared between patients using oral LPV/r and combined therapy of LPV/r and subcutaneous injection of IFN alpha-2b .
Results A total of 22 patients were treated with LPV/r alone and 19 with combined therapy with subcutaneous injection of IFN alpha-2b. The average length of hospitalization in the combination group was shorter than that of LPV/r group (16±9.7 vs 23±10.5 days; P =0.028). Moreover, the days of hospitalization in early intervention group decreased from 25±8.5 days to 10±2.9 days compared with delayed intervention group ( P =0.001). Combined therapy with IFN alpha-2b also significantly reduced the duration of detectable virus in the upper respiratory tract. No patient in each group was transferred to intensive care unit (ICU) or died during the treatment. There was no significant difference in the adverse effect composition between two groups.
Conclusions Subcutaneous injection of IFN alpha-2b combined with LPV/r shortened the length of hospitalization and accelerated viral clearance in COVID-19 patients, which deserves further investigation in clinical practice.
Green light reduces elongation when partially replacing sole blue light independently from cryptochrome 1a
Authors: Zhang Xue , bisbis Mehdi , Heuvelink Ep , Jiang Weijie , Marcelis Leo F. M 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Although green light is often neglected it can have several effects on plant growth and development. Green light is probably sensed by cryptochromes (crys), one of the blue light photoreceptor families. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible interaction between green and blue light and the involvement of crys in the green light response of plant photomorphogenesis. We hypothesize that green light effects on morphology only occur when crys are activated by the presence of blue light. Wild-type Moneymaker (MM), cry1a mutant (cry1a) and two CRY2 overexpressing transgenic lines (CRY2-OX3 and CRY2-OX8) of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) were grown in a climate chamber without or with green light (30 µmol m− 2 s− 1) on backgrounds of sole red, sole blue and red/blue mixture, with all treatments having the same photosynthetic photon flux density of 150 µmol m− 2 s− 1. Green light showed no significant effect on biomass accumulation, nor on leaf photosynthesis and leaf characteristics such as leaf area, specific leaf area, and chlorophyll content. However, in all genotypes, green light significantly decreased stem length on a sole blue background, whereas green light did not affect stem length on sole red and red/blue mixture background. MM, cry1a and CRY2-OX3/8 plants all exhibited similar responses of stem elongation to green light, indicating that cry1a, and probably cry2, is not involved in this green light effect. We conclude that partially replacing blue light by green light reduces elongation and that this is independent of cry1a.
The efficacy, safety, and tolerability of levofloxacin quadruple therapy for helicobacter pylori eradication: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial
Authors: Mansour-Ghanaei Fariborz , Masihypour Behnam , Fathalipour Mohammad , Hassanipour Soheil , Sokhanvar Homayoon , Mansour-Ghanaei Alireza , Asgharnezhad Mehrnaz , Joukar Farahnaz 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe incidence of microbial resistance is increasing, and new rescue regimens are needed in order to treat Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of levofloxacin based quadruple therapies in the eradication of H. pylori.MethodsIn a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 220 patients with dyspepsia and H. pylori infection were randomly assigned to receive either bismuth subcitrate 240 mg, pantoprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg twice a day, and levofloxacin 500 mg daily for seven days (BPAL-7), or ten days (BPAL-10). The eradication of H. pylori was evaluated two months after the end of treatment, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were assessed during the intervention.ResultsAccording to intention-to-treat and per-protocol, the eradication rate was significantly lower in the BPAL-7 regimen 49.1% (95% CI: 39.3–57.8) and 47.6% (95% CI: 39.7–58.4), respectively compared to the BPAL- 10 regimen 62.7% (95% CI: 53.6–72.8) and 62.4% (95% CI: 55.1–72.8), respectively. The incidence of ADRs was not statistically significant between BPAL-7 (33.6%) and BPAL-10 (36.7%) groups.ConclusionAlthough the ADRs were negligible in both groups, these regimens could not be an ideal alternative therapy for H. pylori because of low eradication rates compared to standard regimens.Trial registration: The study reviewed and approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT201406141155N19). This trial was retrospectively registered on July 10, 2015.
Numerical Simulation of Coal Wall Cutting and Lump Coal Formation in a Fully Mechanized Mining Face
Authors: Yuan Yong , Wang Shengzhi , Wang Wenmiao , Zhu Cheng 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
It is difficult to accurately calculate the lump coal rate in a fully mechanized mining face. Therefore, a numerical simulation of the coal wall cutting process, which revealed the crack expansion, development, evolution in the coal body and the corresponding lump coal formation mechanism, was performed in PFC. Moreover, a correlation was established between the cutting force and lump coal formation, and a statistical analysis method was proposed to determine the lump coal rate. The following conclusions were drawn from the results. (1) Based on a soft ball model, a coal wall cutting model was established. By setting the roller parameters based on linear bonding and simulating the roller cutting process of the coal body, the coal wall cutting process was effectively simulated, and accurate lump coal rate statistics were provided. (2) Under the cutting stress, the coal body in the working face underwent three stages—microfracture generation, fracture expansion, and fracture penetration—to form lump coal, in which the fracture direction was orthogonal to the cutting pressure chain. Within a certain range from the roller, as the cutting depth of the roller increased, the number of new fractures in the coal body first increased and then stabilized. (3) Under the cutting stress, the fractured coal body was locally compressed, thereby forming a compact core. The formation and destruction of the compact core caused fluctuations in the cutting force. The fluctuation amplitude was positively related to the coal mass. (4) Because the simulation did not consider secondary damage in the coal, the simulated lump coal rate was larger than the actual lump coal rate in the working face; this deviation was mainly concentrated in large lump coal with a diameter greater than 300 mm.
Rapid establishment of a national surveillance of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Belgium
Authors: Goethem Nina Van , Vilain Aline , Wyndham-Thomas Chloé , Deblonde Jessika , Bossuyt Nathalie , Lernout Tinne , Gonzalez Javiera Rebolledo , Quoilin Sophie , Melis Vincent , Beckhoven Dominique Van 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, caused by a novel coronavirus, it was of great importance to rapidly collect as much accurate information as possible in order to characterize the public health threat and support the health authorities in its management. Hospital-based surveillance is paramount to monitor the severity of a disease in the population.Methods: Two separate surveillance systems, a Surge Capacity survey and a Clinical survey, were set up to collect complementary data on COVID-19 from Belgium’s hospitals. The Surge Capacity survey collects aggregated data to monitor the hospital capacity through occupancy rates of beds and medical devices, and to follow a set of key epidemiological indicators over time. Participation is mandatory and the daily data collection includes prevalence and incidence figures on the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital. The Clinical survey is strongly recommended by health authorities, focusses on specific patient characteristics and relies on individual patient data provided by the hospitals at admission and discharge.Conclusions: This national double-level hospital surveillance was implemented very rapidly after the first COVID-19 patients were hospitalized and revealed to be crucial to monitor hospital capacity over time and to better understand the disease in terms of risk groups and outcomes. The two approaches are complementary and serve different needs.
GWAS Provides Biological Insights into Mechanisms of the Parasitic Plant (Striga) Resistance in Sorghum
Authors: Kavuluko Jacinta , Kibe Magdaline , Sugut Irine , Kibet Willy , Masanga Joel , Mutinda Sylvia , Wamalwa Mark , Magomere Titus , Odeny Damaris , Runo Steven Maina 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Sorghum yields in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are greatly reduced by parasitic plants of the genus Striga (witchweed). Vast global sorghum genetic diversity collections, as well as the availability of modern sequencing technologies, can be potentially harnessed to effectively manage the parasite. Results: We used laboratory assays – rhizotrons to screen a global sorghum diversity panel to identify new sources of resistance to Striga; determine mechanisms of resistance, and elucidate genetic loci underlying the resistance using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). New Striga resistant sorghum determined by the number, size and biomass of parasite attahements were identified. In total 13 sorghum genotypes had higher or comparable resistance levels as IS9830 and N13 used as resistance checks. Resistance was by; i) mechanical barriers that blocked parasite entry, ii) elicitation of a hypersensitive reaction that interfered with parasite development, and iii) the inability of the parasite to develop vascular connections with hosts. Resistance genes underpinning the resistance corresponded with the resistance mechanisms and included pleiotropic drug resistance proteins that transport resistance molecules; xylanase inhibitors involved in cell wall fortification and hormonal regulators of resistance response, Ethylene Response Factors. Conclusions: Our findings are of fundamental importance to developing durable and broad-spectrum resistance against Striga and have far-reaching applications in many SSA countries where Striga threatens the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers that rely on sorghum as a food staple.