bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RNA-sequencing Reveal the Molecular Mechanism of Moxibustion on Neutrophil Gene Expression Profile During Breast Cancer Chemotherapy
Authors: JI Yajie , ZHANG Xinyue , LI Siyu , SHA Shanyan , CHEN Weili , LIU Yu , HUANG Yan , XUE Xiaohong , Wu Huangan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundMoxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy that can prevent neutropenia after breast cancer (BC) chemotherapy. We aimed to explore the mechanism of moxibustion for treating BC chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN).MethodsFifty patients with BC undergoing chemotherapy and who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into an intervention (IT) group and control (OC) group. After excluding cases, there were 14 cases in the RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) group and 17 cases in the verification group. Neutrophils were extracted from the peripheral blood of the patients in both groups before and after chemotherapy. RNA-seq and bioinformatics analysis were performed in RNA-seq group. The verification group were verified using real time quantity polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).ResultsRNA-seq screened 1092 DEGs before and after chemotherapy in the OC group, and 571 DEGs in the IT group. Compared with the OC group, the IT group had 707 DEGs after chemotherapy. The effect of moxibustion on the patients’ neutrophil gene expression profiles was related to the cell adhesion, adaptive immune response and metabolic pathways, and leukocyte migration, etc. The co-network results showed that TSC22D1 and TGFB1I1 have core regulatory function. GO and KEGG enrichment pathway analysis suggested a close correlation with the TGFβ1/TSC22D1-mediated cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) pathway. RT-qPCR showed that CD177 in the neutrophils was significantly upregulated after chemotherapy compared with that before chemotherapy (P < 0.05) without moxibustion, while TSC22D1 showed a downward trend (P = 0.094). Moxibustion significantly increased the expression of TSC22D1, ANKFY1, and ITGB3 in the neutrophils (P < 0.05) after BC chemotherapy.ConclusionThe mechanism of moxibustion in improving CIN may be related to the regulation of the TSC22D1 expression profile in neutrophil. We present a novel insight into the mechanism of moxibustion treatment of CIN in patients with BC.Trial registration﻿Chinese Clinical Trial Register, ChiCTR-INR-16009557. Registered 23 October 2016, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=16203.
The Effects of Melatonin Treatment on Oxidative Stress Induced by Ovariohysterectomy in Dogs
Authors: Salavati Sina , Mogheiseh Asghar , Nazifi Saeed , Amiri Atefeh , Nikahval Behrooz 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: As one of the most common surgeries performed in veterinary medicine, ovariohysterectomy (OHE) can induce stress in dogs. The antioxidant properties of melatonin have been confirmed in various studies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin administration on oxidative stress in dogs before and after OHE. In this study, 25 mature female intact dogs were selected and randomly divided into five equal groups: Melatonin, OHE, melatonin+OHE+melatonin, melatonin+anesthesia+melatonin, and control groups. Melatonin (0.3 mg/Kg/day, p.o.) was administrated to the dogs in the melatonin, melatonin+OHE+melatonin, and melatonin+anesthesia+melatonin groups on days -1, 1, 2, and 3 (day 0=OHE). Blood sampling was performed on days -1, 1, 3, and 5 of the study. Blood samples were immediately transferred to the laboratory and sera were separated and stored at -20 °C. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) concentrations were significantly higher in the melatonin and melatonin+anesthesia+melatonin groups compared to those of the control group. Results: The level of antioxidant enzymes significantly decreased in the OHE group compared to that of other groups. The administration of melatonin increased the level of antioxidant enzymes in ovariohysterectomized dogs. OHE significantly increased the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in comparison to that of other groups. Melatonin administration significantly decreased the level of MDA in intact, anesthetized, and ovariohysterectomized dogs. Conclusions: It can be stated that the administration of melatonin one day before and during one week after OHE could control oxidative stress in dogs with increased antioxidant enzymes and decreased MDA levels.
Evaluation of a Collaborative Model for Successful Implementation of a National CD4 Enumeration EQA Program in Cameroon
Authors: Sagnia Bertrand , Adrienne Meyers FA , Margot Plews , DIALLO TAMSIR , Sandra Kiazyk , Martin Sosso Samuel , Georgia Ambada , Nadesh Nji , Paul Sandstrom , Blake Ball T , Godwin Nchinda , Alexis Ndjolo 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Participation in an EQA program is critical to the quality assurance process. Reliable and precise CD4 T-cells enumeration are essential to improve the clinical management of patients by evaluating the disease progression and by monitoring the effectiveness of ART in HIV-patients.Methods: The CIRCB, CD4 reference laboratory, in collaboration with the Canadian QASI-program, recruited sites, distributed and analyzed CD4-panels in 61 sites across the country. A trend and performance analysis in the pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phases was performed. Results: Continuous training and corrective actions carried out from 2014 to 2018 increased the number of participating sites from 15 to 61 sites, the number of unacceptable results decreased from 50% to 10%. Specific challenges included errors in pre analytic (17.5%), analytic (77.0%) and post-analytic (5.5%) phases. Conclusion: This EQA requires the application of good laboratory practices, continuous training, application of specific on-site corrective measures, and timely equipment maintenance in order to avoid repetitive errors and to increase laboratory performance. It could be extended to other HIV-1 testing like viral load and EID point-of-care. Partnership with QASI serve as a model for implementation of a successful EQA model for resource limited countries wanting to implement EQA for HIV testing and monitoring in alignment with 90-90-90 targets.
A Regional Survey of Awareness of Inflammatory Bowel Disease among the Saudi Population
Authors: Meeralam Yaser , Zanabgi Adnan Al , Mahmoud Mosily , Qari Yusuf , Saedi Mona Al , Tashkhandi Abdulaziz , Eliouny Mohmoud , Neyazi Abdulwahab , Alhazmi Ghadeer , Shariff Mohammed Kareemulla 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is common among different age groups worldwide, Including the gulf region. It is categorized into Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis. Early diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease can improve patients' outcomes and reduce the incidence of complications. However, early diagnosis is highly dependent on patients' awareness of the disease to seek medical advice. This study aims to survey the awareness IBD in the general population of the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A self-administered structured questionnaire was translated into Arabic and distributed to the general public above 16 years old. The questionnaire included questions about Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis and their treatment, in addition to the respondents' demographic data. Results: 1304 participants responded to this survey. 29% had not heard or read about Crohn's disease, while 19% of the responders had not heard or read about Ulcerative colitis. The mean awareness level score was 1.72±1.19, with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 3. Females showed a significantly higher average score compared to males (p-value < 0.001). Also, the age group between 31 to 40 had the highest average score (p value=0.002). Moreover, responders, who had a Ph.D., showed significantly higher mean scores than the other educational degrees (p value<0.001). Responders who dealt with Crohn's disease patient or ulcerative colitis patients, showed significantly higher scores than their peers, with p values < 0.001 for bothConclusion: The general population in Saudi Arabia has an unacceptable level of awareness of inflammatory bowel disease. Males, young adults, highly educated individuals who dealt with patients previously had better awareness compared to the rest of the population. National acts are essential to improve public awareness towards the disease.
Comparative Evaluation of Metformin and Liraglutide Cardioprotective Effect in Rats With Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Authors: Simanenkova Anna , Minasian Sarkis , Karonova Tatiana , Vlasov Timur , Timkina Natalya , Shpilevaya Oksana , Khalzova Aleksandra , Shimshilashvili Anzhelika , Timofeeva Valeria , Samsonov Daniil , Borshchev Yury , Galagudza Michael 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) increases cardiovascular risk and can enlarge myocardial infarction (MI) incidence and severity. There is lack of information about cardioprotective potential of glucose-lowering drugs in IGT. We aimed to evaluate the sustainability of myocardium to ischemia-reperfusion injury in diabetic and IGT rats and to study cardioprotective action of metformin and liraglutide. Methods: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and IGT were modelled in Wistar rats by high-fat diet and streptozotocin+nicotinamide. 4 weeks after rats were divided into 4 groups: DM (without treatment), IGT (without treatment), IGT+MET (metformin 200 mg/kg per os once daily 8 weeks), IGT+LIRA (liraglutide 0.06 mg/kg s.c. once daily for 8 weeks). Control and high-fat diet groups were made for comparison. After 8 weeks ischemia-reperfusion injury of isolated hearts was performed. Hemodynamic parameters were evaluated and MI size was measured by staining of myocardium slices in triphenyltetrazolium chloride solution. Blood glucose level was measured during the study.Results: Both IGT and DM led to similar worsening of hemodynamic parameters during ischemia-reperfusion period, in comparison with control group. MI size in IGT (56.76 (51.58; 69.07) %) and DM (57.26 (45.51; 70.08) %) groups was significantly large than in control group (42.98 (33.26; 61.84) %) and did not differ between each other. MI size in high-diet group (56.98 (47.11; 62.83) %) was similarly large as in IGT and DM groups (p>0.05). MI size in IGT+MET (42.11 (38.08; 71.96) %) and IGT+LIRA (42.50 (31.37; 60.40) %) was smaller than in both DM and IGT groups (p<0.05 for multiple comparison). Myocardium damage size did not differ in IGT+MET and IGT+LIRA groups (p>0.05). Only LIRA, but not MET administration to IGT rats led to ischemic contracture reduction. Glycemic control was similar satisfactory in IGT, IGT+MET, IGT+LIRA groups. Conclusions: IGT and DM have similarly pronounced negative influence on hemodynamics and MI size in transient global rat ischemia ex vivo. Obesity development also has negative impact on the myocardial infarct size. Both MET and LIRA have infarct-limiting effect independent on their influence on glucose level. LIRA, but not MET, diminishes ischemic contracture in IGT rats.
Development of Standard Formulations for Porcelain Production from Ohiya Clay
Authors: Imagwuike Ibeh M. , Nduka Nwankwojike B. , Anthony Obi I. , Princewill Nwadinobi Chibundo , Augustine Lewachi A. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Optimal products design for producing standard ceramic porcelain products from Ohiya clay was determined in this study using desirability function analysis. Results revealed that the alumino-silicate constitutes 91% of the total mineralogical composition of Ohiya clay and 42:32:20 at a firing temperature of 1250/1300 oC; 42:33:17 at a firing temperature of 1300 oC; 41:32:27 at a firing temperature of 1000 oC as the optimal mix of the clay, feldspar and silica for producing standard low/high voltage insulators, tiles and tablewares respectively. The production of the 11 kV electric insulator, 400 × 400 mm tile, serving dish at optimal settings are respectively six hundred and twenty-five naira (₦625), three hundred and twenty-two naira (₦322), three hundred and four seven (₦347) against the market prices of one thousand naira (₦1000), three hundred and fifty naira (₦350), four hundred and twenty naira (₦420) respectively. This translates to 60%, 9% and 21% in profit for these products. Hence, adoption of the optimal mixing ratio as well as exploitation of this natural resource is highly recommended.
The effect of Sr and Mg substitutions on the mechanical properties and solubility of the fluorapatite ceramics for biomedical applications
Authors: Ghaemi M. Hossein , Sayenko Sergiy Y. , Shkuropatenko Volodymyr , Zykova Anna , Ulybkina Kateryna , Bereznyak Olena , Krupa Andrzej , Sawczak Mirosław 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The ionic substitutions play important role in the modifications of the biological apatites. Recently, the attention has been focused on the co-doping effects of additives on the functional properties of apatite based biomaterials. Under a research work for which the results are presented here, the dense samples of fluorapatites: Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 F 2 and Ca 8 MgSr(PO 4 ) 6 F 2 were produced after sintering at a temperature of 1250 °C for 6 hours in air. The XRD, IR and Raman spectrometry results show a high crystallinity of the fluorapatite and strontium-magnesium-doped fluorapatites. The results demonstrate the stability of structural and mechanical properties of fluorapatites after immersion tests in saline and buffer solutions. The durability of mechanical properties and biocompatibility of Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 F 2 and Ca 8 MgSr(PO 4 ) 6 F 2 fluorapatites make these materials highly attractive for biomedical application.
Towards a holistic approach of patients with Asthma and COPD: implementing a diagnostic care pathway
Authors: Witte Jan A. , Birnie Erwin , Braunstahl Gert-Jan , Akker Edmée van den , Litsenburg Walter J.M. van , Chavannes Niels H. , Mölken Maureen P.M.H. Rutten - Van , Veen Johannes C.C.M. in 't 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Objective

To evaluate implementation of recent guidelines in day-to-day clinical practice in patients with Obstructive Lung Disease (OLD).
Methods

Guidelines recommend attention for four important domains (Physiological impairments, Symptoms, Functional Limitations and Quality of life) as they give important clues for evaluation of treatment outcomes and for developing new treatments. A new diagnostic care pathway was developed to attain a holistic characterization of patients with OLD. Here, we assessed the implementation of this pathway at our outpatient clinic in secondary care in a controlled, cohort study, by comparing the diagnostic items in patients with OLD before (2013) and after (2015) implementation. Results were compared with reference data (2016) from two control hospitals.
Results

The diagnostic care pathway provided a significant increase in overall attention for aforementioned domains from 52% (median; IQR 44%-59%) to 81% (median; IQR 74%-85%). Especially the domains Quality of Life and Functional Limitation benefitted from the diagnostic care pathway by improving from 0–100% and 0 to 67% (median; IQR 100%-100% and 67%-83%) respectively. Approximately 65% of the patients failed to complete the 2-day assessment; they received usual care. Nonetheless, attention for the four-domain approach also improved in these patients receiving usual care (median, IQR; 52% (44–59) vs 69% (59–74). Additionally, 14% of new referrals for diagnosis and treatment of OLD did not have asthma or COPD after thorough assessment in secondary care.
Conclusion

The implementation of current guidelines in daily practice can achieve a culture change among healthcare professionals. However, implementing a care pathway in a real-live population proved difficult. Therefore, we should strive to successfully implement existing guidelines rather than primarily creating new guidelines, as implementation is one of the most challenging aspects of new pathways and protocols.
Comparison of rhizosphere soil microbial diversity of different introduced alfalfa varieties
Authors: Ma Chunhui , Qi Jiangjiao , Yu Xue , Su Lihe , He Tingting , Wang Xuzhe , Zhang Fanfan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage legume in farming and animal husbandry systems. In this study, MiSeq high-throughput sequencing was applied to assess the relationship between bacterial and fungal community structures and alfalfa growth characteristics and soil physical and chemical properties induced by different cultivars alfalfa (Victoria, Kangsai, Aohan) in the grey desert soil. The results showed that the diversity of bacterial and fungal in Victoria was higher, and the bacterial diversity was significantly lower for alfalfa with Aohan than for the others, and the fungal diversity was lower for alfalfa with Kangsai than for the others. Heatmap showed that total nitrogen, fresh weight, pH and organic have significantly affect fungal community structure, whereas pH and organic carbon also significant effects on bacterial community structure. LefSe analysis showed that the growth adaptability of introduced alfalfa is mainly related to fungal and bacterial species, and the beneficial microorganisms with significant differences and relative high abundance are significantly enriched in Victoria. Pathogens with high relative abundance are mainly concentrated in Aohan alfalfa soil. Based on our findings, Victoria is the high-yield alfalfa suitable for planting in gray desert soil, while planting Kangsai and Aohan alfalfa needs probiotic for adjuvant.
Maternal Time Poverty Drives Suboptimal Complementary Feeding Practices in the El Niño Affected Eastern Ethiopia Community
Authors: Irenso Asnake Ararsa , Letta Shiferaw , Sebsibe Addisu , Asfaw Abiyot , Egata Gudina , Aseffa Nega , Campbell Karen J , Laws Rachel 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Projecting the impacts of climate change on streamflow in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River basin
Authors: Gao Danyang , Chen Ting , Yang Kebi , Zhou Jiye , Ao Tianqi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The study of climate change impacts on streamflow in small-middle basins within the Upper Yangtze River Basin (UYRB) is not paid enough attention. This paper projected future streamflow changes in the Laixi River basin (LRB), a small-middle basin in the UYRB, during 2041–2100 under RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 by coupling SDSM and SWAT. The results indicate that the temperature and precipitation in the LRB show a fluctuating upward trend, and the change is most severe under RCP8.5. The increase of maximum temperature is larger than that of minimum temperature. The precipitation changes in May to September are relatively greater than in other months, while temperature is the opposite. More importantly, the streamflow is projected to rise gradually during the whole period. Under RCP2.6, increases of streamflow in the 2050s are greater than in the 2080s, while it is the opposite under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The increase in high flow from May to August is expected to be significantly higher than the low flow from September to April. Although the study is focused on the LRB, the results gained can provide a reference for other small-middle basins in the UYRB and all basins experiencing subtropical monsoon humid climate.
HIGHLIGHTS It is the first study to project climate impacts on streamflow in the Laixi River basin (LRB). We do not focus on the whole Upper Yangtze River Basin (UYRB) (1,000,000 km2) but pay attention to a small-middle basin (3,240 km2) within it. We focus on streamflow response in a subtropical monsoon humid climate basin. This paper coupled SDSM and SWAT. Comparative analysis of differences between the LRB and the UYRB were discussed.
Climatic analysis of effective jet streams frequency on extreme precipitations in west of Iran
Authors: Shaffie Shahab , Mozaffari GholamAli , Khosravi Younes 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In this study, the frequency of effective jet streams was analyzed in extreme and widespread precipitations in the west of Iran. For this purpose, the daily precipitation of 69 synoptic and climatic stations over 18,624 days (1961–2010) were selected. Then, 119 days of extreme and widespread precipitation in the study area were chosen based on generalized distribution for conducting related reviews and analyses. The frequency of jet streams in the geographical location from 0° to 120°E and −10° to 80°N were reviewed at four levels (250, 300, 400 and 500 hPa). Due to the large volume of information, only the highest and lowest levels (250 and 500 hPa) in relation to the surface were considered. According to the results, the highest frequency of jet stream was observed at 250 hPa. The second quarter of the jet stream core lay over the west of Iran (which is associated with increasing positive vorticity as well as upper-level divergence and lower-level convergence of the atmosphere). In general, the extension of jet stream up to 500 hPa indicated an unstable layer thickness, which can cause extreme and widespread precipitation in the west of Iran. The results of selected days based on cluster analysis and Lund correlation revealed that in rainy days, the wind speed was more than 50 m/s and the subtropical jet stream speed was over 40 m/s, leading to extreme precipitation in the west of Iran.
Climate variability, land cover change and soil erosion risk implications for water quality of a humid tropical river basin in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Inam Edu , Ekpenyong Robert , Offiong Nnanake-Abasi , Udotong Uduak , Benjamin Mboto , William Nyetiobong 
Published: December 2020

AbstractClimate variability land cover/use and soil erosion risk are important contributors to surface water quality. In this work, their implications for surface water quality of a humid tropical river in sub-Saharan Africa (the Ikpa River Basin) was assessed. The results revealed that rainfall is the most important climatic parameter to assess the climate variability trend in the region and the most important contributor to surface water quality. The region has tended to record colder weather regimes in recent years. The soil erosion risk assessment revealed that because of land cover change, between 1986 and 2018, more than half of the area with high erosion risk potential was experiencing high actual erosion risk. This has contributed to the poor quality of surface water in the basin.
Soil nematodes in the field and fallow - density and diversity
Authors: Ilieva-Makulec Krassimira , Franczak Renata , Makulec Grzegorz 
Published: December 2020

The results presented here concern the study, which was carried out in the spring of 2009 on an arable field and a fallow. Following parameters were analysed: density, taxonomic composition, trophic and dominance structure of soil nematode communities. Shannon-Weaver diversity index, Sørensen’s index of similarity and Maturity index were also calculated. The results show that the nematode community in the soil of arable field differed from that on the fallow in respect of density and trophic structure. Nematode density was higher in the arable soil than in the fallow. The group of bacterial-feeding nematodes was the most numerous among five trophic groups recorded in the study. The higher density of that group in the arable soil than in the fallow indicates the positive response of bacterial-feeding nematodes to the higher nutrient supply after the manure applying. The results show that in three years of fallow nematode communities became more mature and diverse than in the arable soil. The study confirms the indicative value of some nematode community parameters and indices for the assessment of the varying human intervention on the functional state of the soil.