bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and Metabolic Patterns of Soil Methanogenic Archaea Communities in the High Latitude Natural Wetlands of China
Authors: Wu Di , Zhao Caihong , Bai Hui , Feng Fujuan , Sui Xin , Sun Guangyu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Soil methanogenic microorganisms are one of the primary methane-producing microbes in wetlands. However, we still poorly understand the community characteristic and metabolic patterns of these microorganisms according to vegetation type and seasonal changes. Therefore, to better elucidate the effects of the vegetation type and seasonal factors on the methanogenic community structure and metabolic patterns, we detected the characteristics of the soil methanogenic mcrA gene from three types of natural wetlands in different seasons in the Xiaoxing'an Mountain region, China. Result: The results indicated that the distribution of Methanobacteriaceae (hydrogenotrophic methanogens) was higher in winter, while Methanosarcinaceae and Methanosaetaceae accounted for a higher proportion in summer. Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis was the dominant trophic pattern in each wetland. The results of principal coordinate analysis and cluster analysis showed that the vegetation type considerably influenced the methanogenic community composition. The methanogenic community structure in the Betula platyphylla – Larix gmelinii wetland was relatively different from the structure of the other two wetland types. Indicator species analysis further demonstrated that the corresponding species of indicator operational taxonomic units from the Alnus sibirica wetland and the Betula ovalifolia wetland were closer. Network analysis showed that cooperative and competitive relationships exist both within and between the same or different trophic methanogens. The core methanogens with higher abundance in each wetland were conducive to adaptation to environmental disturbances. Conclusions: This information is crucial for the assessment of metabolic patterns of soil methanogenic archaea and future fluxes in the wetlands of the Xiaoxing'an Mountain region given their vulnerability.
Construction of Hyperuricemia Model Rats with Yeast Extract Combined with Oteracil Potassium
Authors: Xilifu Dilidaer , Kateer Alimu , Rehemu Nijiati , Li Zhao-yong , Jiang jie , Zhou Xin-rong , Wang Bao-zhu , Li Fa-peng , Zhang Jian , Li Yan , Zhu Jia-jun , Maitusong Buamina , Zhang Xiang-yang , Sun Hui-ping 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Hyperuricemia is the most important risk factor for gout, hypertension, coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular diseases. The incidence of hyperuricemia gradually increased in recent years and it is very necessary to explore the medications of the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia using hyperuricemia animal models. Objective: The objective of present study is to explore the optimal dose of yeast extract and oteracil potassium in the establishment of hyperuricemia rat model. Method: Sixty-four male rats were randomly divided into 8 experimental groups. Rats were treated with yeast extract by intraperitoneal injection or yeast extract by intraperitoneal injection combined with various doses of oteracil potassium by intragastric feeding or intraperitoneal injection for 28 days. The serum uric acid, urea nitrogen and creatinine levels of different groups were measured at 0th day, 7th day, 14th day, 21th day and 28th day. Results: The serum levels of uric acid in the groups of intraperitoneal injection with yeast extract alone, yeast extract by intraperitoneal injection combined with 50-200 mg/kg oteracil potassium by intragastric feeding and yeast extract by intraperitoneal injection combined with 50-100 mg/kg oteracil potassium by intraperitoneal injection were higher than that in the control group. But we found no significant effect on rat kidney, heart or artery in the above groups. In the group of yeast extract by intraperitoneal injection combined with 200 mg/kg oteracil potassium by intraperitoneal injection, we observed the significantly high level of serum uric acid and morphological and pathological changes in rat kidney, heart and artery. Conclusion: In the present study, we found that continuously treated with yeast extract combined with oteracil potassium is an effective method to establish rat hyperuricemia model. Intraperitoneal injection of yeast extract combined with 200 mg/kg oteracil potassium is an optimal dosage for the construction of a persistent and stable hyperuricemia animal model.
Effect of APOE ε4 Genotype on Amyloid-β and Tau Accumulation in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Baek Min Seok , Cho Hanna , Lee Hye Sun , Lee Jae Hoon , Ryu Young Hoon , Lyoo Chul Hyoung 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
To assess effects of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4 genotype on Aβ and tau burden and their longitudinal changes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) spectrum.
Methods
Among 272 individuals who underwent PET scans (18F-florbetaben for Aβ and 18F-flortaucipir for tau) and ApoE genotyping, 187 individuals completed 2-year follow-up PET scans. After correcting for partial-volume effect, we compared the standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) for Aβ and tau burden between the ε4 + and ε4- groups. By using a linear mixed-effect model, we measured changes in SUVR in the ApoE ε4 + and ε4- groups.
Results
The ε4 + group showed greater baseline Aβ burden in the diffuse cortical regions and greater tau burden in the lateral, and medial temporal, cingulate, and insula cortices. Tau accumulation rate was higher in the parietal, occipital, lateral, and medial temporal cortices in the ε4 + group. In Aβ + individuals, baseline tau burden was greater in the medial temporal cortex, while Aβ burden was conversely greater in the ε4- group. Tau accumulation rate was higher in the ε4 + group in a small region in the lateral temporal cortex. The effect of ApoE ε4 on enhanced tau accumulation persisted even after adjusting for the global cortical Aβ burden.
Conclusions
Progressive tau accumulation may be more prominent in ε4 carriers, particularly in the medial and lateral temporal cortices. ApoE ε4 allele has differential effects on Aβ burden depending on the existing amyloidosis and enhances vulnerability to progressive tau accumulation in the AD spectrum independent of Aβ.
A Patient-guided Measure of Functional Status Following Traumatic Brain Injury: The Bob Brown Scale
Authors: Carney Nancy Ann , Stillwell Molly , Coudray Hugo du 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: While technology for treating traumatic brain injury (TBI) continues to improve, unexplained variation in outcomes persists. A growing body of literature provides evidence for the influence of subjective experience on objective physiological processes. We worked with TBI survivors and their family/caregivers to develop a model of recovery that incorporates patients’ subjective experience with objective measures of functional status (FS) to investigate factors that foster recovery. We then developed a measure of FS that reflects the priorities and perspectives of the patient population. The purpose of this report is to present our process for establishing the reliability and validity of the FS measure.Methods: Through an iterative process we elicited from TBI survivors their priorities for evaluation and measurement of FS. We assembled their responses into an 18-item measure and administered the pilot survey to 68 people with TBI from support groups in Oregon. Final administration was a survey mailed to 837 TBI survivors. Reliability analyses were conducted to evaluate internal consistency. A Cronbach’s Alpha was calculated for each sub-construct of the scale. A Difficulty Function was calculated to compare patient responses to family responses within each construct. Content validity analysis was conducted comparing constructs and items from the measure to those of 11 established, validated TBI outcome measures. an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was conducted to investigate the relationship between survivors’ FS scores and their post-trauma socio-economic status.Results: There were 248 complete cases in the sample. Reliability analysis provided adequate inter-item correlations. Difficulty functions ranged from .69 to .47. Construct validity was established with 11 validated instruments used to evaluate TBI. The ANOVA revealed a significant difference between FS scores and post-trauma SES; survivors with lower FS scores experienced lower post-trauma SES.Conclusions: Our goal was to develop a measure of functional status following TBI using the advice and assistance of survivors of TBI and their families. In this paper we present our process for developing and assessing the reliability and validity of the Functional Status measure of the Bob Brown Scale. Future research will be use of the BBS in a prospective sample of TBI survivors.
Value of AFP and PIVKA-II in Diagnosis of Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Prediction of Vascular Invasion and Tumor Differentiation
Authors: Si Yuan-quan , Wang Xiu-Qin , Fan Gang , Wang Chang-Yin , Zheng Yuan-Wen , Song Xie , Pan Cui-Cui , Chu Fu-Lu , Liu Zhan-Feng , Lu Bing-Ru , Lu Zhi-Ming 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: To explore the value of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) in diagnosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their relationship with vascular invasion, tumor differentiation and size. Methods: A total of 433 participants were enrolled in this study including 266 cases with HCC, 87 cases with liver cirrhosis and 80 healthy individuals. Then we explored the correlation between AFP, PIVKA-II serum level and several pathological features such as vascular invasion, tumor differentiation and size. The value of these two markers used singly or jointly in diagnosing HCC was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The ROC curve was also plotted to identify AFP, PIVKA-II serum cut-off values that would best distinguish HCC patients with and without vascular invasion.Results: The level of AFP and PIVKA-II in HCC group was significantly higher (Z was 7.428, 11.243 respectively, all P<0.01). When AFP and PIVKA-II were used as the individual tumor marker, the areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of HCC diagnosis were 0.765 (95% CI, 0.713～0.8170) for AFP, 0.901 (95% CI, 0.868～0.935) for PIVKA-II, and 0.917 (95% CI, 0.886～0.948) for AFP and PIVKA-II simultaneously. The serum levels of AFP and PIVKA-II were positively correlated with tumor differentiation and size. High AFP and PIVKA-II expression was signiﬁcantly associated with the presence of vascular invasion (P was 0.007 and 0.014 respectively). The AFP level >64.4ng/ml or PIVKA-II level >957.61mAU/ml was the best critical value to predict the presence of vascular invasion. Conclusion: Our results validate that AFP and PIVKA-II play a significant role in the diagnosis of HCC. The diagnostic value of AFP and PIVKA-II combined detection or single assay of PIVKA-II is higher than that of separate assay of AFP. Moreover, their concentration has important clinical value in judging tumor size, tumor cell differentiation and vascular invasion.
The impact of fluid status and decremental PEEP strategy on cardiac function and lung and kidney damage in mild-moderate experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Authors: Rocha Nazareth N. , Samary Cynthia S. , Antunes Mariana A. , Oliveira Milena V. , Hemerly Matheus R. , Santos Patrine S. , Capelozzi Vera L. , Cruz Fernanda F. , Marini John J. , Silva Pedro L. , Pelosi Paolo , Rocco Patricia R. M. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background

We evaluated the effects of abrupt versus gradual positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) decrease, combined with standard versus high-volume fluid administration, on lung, heart, and kidney damage in an established model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Methods

Thirty-five Wistar rats received endotoxin intratracheally. After 24 h, they were treated with Ringer´s lactate [standard (10 mL/kg/h) or high (30 mL/kg/h) fluids]. For 30 min, all animals were mechanically ventilated with tidal volume = 6 mL/kg and PEEP = 9 cmH2O (to keep alveoli open), then randomized to undergo abrupt or gradual (0.2 cmH2O/min for 30 min) PEEP decrease, from 9 to 3 cmH2O. After this period, animals were further ventilated for 10 minutes at PEEP = 3 cmH2O, euthanized, and then lungs and kidney removed for molecular biology analysis.
Results

At the end of the experiment, left and right ventricular end-diastolic areas were greater in animals treated with high compared to standard fluid administration, regardless of PEEP decrease rate. The PAT (pulmonary acceleration time)/PET (pulmonary ejection time) ratio was lower in abrupt compared to gradual PEEP decrease, independent of fluid status, suggesting higher pulmonary arterial pressure in rats undergo abrupt PEEP decrease. Animals treated with high fluids and abrupt PEEP decrease exhibited greater diffuse alveolar damage and higher expression of interleukin-6 (pro-inflammatory marker) and vascular endothelial growth factor (endothelial cell damage marker) compared to the other groups. Standard fluid administration associated with gradual PEEP decrease increased zonula occludens-1 expression, suggesting epithelial cell preservation. Club cell-16 protein expression, an alveolar epithelial cell damage marker, was higher in abrupt compared to gradual PEEP decrease, regardless of fluid status. Acute kidney injury score and gene expression of kidney injury molecule-1 was higher in high compared to standard fluid administration, independent of PEEP strategy.
Conclusion

In experimental mild-moderate ARDS, decreasing PEEP abruptly increased pulmonary arterial hypertension, independent of fluid status. The combination of abrupt PEEP decrease and high fluid administration led to greater lung and kidney damage. This information adds to the growing body of evidence that supports gradual transitioning of ventilatory patterns and warrants directing additional investigative effort into vascular and deflation issues that impact lung protection.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection for treatment of stromal tumor of descending duodenum in association with postoperative perforation and retroperitoneal abscess: a case report
Authors: Wei Wei , Gong Hang , Huang Zhong , Wang Tingyu , Chen Xinlian 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: With the development of endoscopic technology, the clinical detection rates of duodenal lesions have been significantly increased. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been increasingly applied to the minimally invasive treatment of duodenal space-occupying lesions and has similar therapeutic effects as surgery. However, postoperative complications such as perforation and bleeding easily occur after ESD, but there were few reports about it. We report a case, which we designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ESD treatment for stromal tumor in descending duodenum. Case presentation: A 64-year-old woman suffered from duodenal fistula and retroperitoneal abscess after ESD for stromal tumor in descending duodenum. The purse-string suture therapy of the wound was not very effective for the patient during the operation. Thus, the patient underwent a series of treatment measures successfully, such as endoscopic jejunum feeding tube placement, anti-infection, endoscopic closure of duodenal fistula, etc, and without evidence of perforation of duodenum. Follow-up was done for 6 months without recurrence. Conclusions: ESD is a efficient and promising strategy for treating of stromal tumor in descending duodenum, while the ESD of security needs to be further evaluated.
Smaller Pineal Gland is Associated With Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Park Jeongbin , Suh Seung Wan , Kim Grace Eun , Lee Subin , Kim Jun Sung , Kim Hye Sung , Byun Seonjeong , Bae Jong Bin , Kim Jae Hyoung , Kim Sang Eun , Han Ji Won , Kim Ki Woong 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: To investigate the association between pineal gland volume and symptoms of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients without any feature of dementia with Lewy bodies.Methods: We enrolled 296 community-dwelling probable AD patients who did not meet the diagnostic criteria for possible or probable dementia with Lewy bodies. Among them, 93 were amyloid beta (Aβ) positive on 18F-florbetaben amyloid brain positron emission tomography. We measured RBD symptoms using the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ) and defined probable RBD (pRBD) as the RBDSQ of 5 or higher. We manually segmented pineal gland on 3T structural T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging.Results: The participants with pRBD had smaller pineal parenchyma volume (VPP) than those without pRBD (p < 0.001). The smaller the VPP, the more severe the RBD symptoms (p < 0.001). VPP was inversely associated with risk of prevalent pRBD (odds ratio = 0.909, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.878–0.942, p < 0.001). Area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for pRBD of VPP was 0.80 (95% CI = 0.750–0.844, p < 0.0001). These results were not changed when we analyzed the 93 participants with Aβ-positive AD separately.Conclusion: In AD patients, reduced pineal gland volume may be associated with RBD.
MRI-Based Alzheimer’s Disease-Resemblance Atrophy Index in the Detection of Preclinical and Prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Liu Wanting , Au Lisa Wing Chi , Abrigo Jill , Luo Yishan , Wong Adrian , Lam Bonnie Yin Ka , Fan Xiang , Kwan Pauline Wing Lam , Ma Hon Wing , Ng Anthea Yee Tung , Chen Sirong , Leung Eric Yim Lung , Ho Chi Lai , Wong Simon Ho Man , Chu Winnie CW , Ko Ho , Lau Alexander Yuk Lun , Shi Lin , Mok Vincent Chung Tong 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: We aimed to validate the performance of an MRI-based machine learning derived Alzheimer’s Disease-resemblance atrophy index (AD-RAI) in detecting preclinical and prodromal AD. Methods: A total of 62 subjects (mild cognitive impairment [MCI]=25, cognitively unimpaired [CU]=37) underwent MRI, 11C- PIB, and 18F-T807 PET. We investigated the performance of AD-RAI at the pre-specified cutoff of ≥ 0.5 in detecting preclinical and prodromal AD and compared its performance with that of visual and volumetric hippocampal measures. Results: AD-RAI achieved the best metrics among all subjects (sensitivity 0.73, specificity 0.91, accuracy 87.10%) and among MCI subgroup (sensitivity 0.91, specificity 0.79, accuracy 84.00%) in detecting A+T+ subjects over other measures. Among CU subgroup, hippocampal volume (sensitivity 0.75, specificity 0.88, accuracy 86.49%) achieved a higher sensitivity than AD-RAI (sensitivity 0.25, specificity 0.97, accuracy 89.19%) in detecting preclinical AD.Conclusions: AD-RAI aids the detection of early AD, in particular at the prodromal stage.
A Novel lncRNA loc339803 acts as CeRNA of miR-30a-5p to promote the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: xue cailin , zhang xudong , gao peng , yu weiwei , cui xiaohan , zhu chunfu , qin xihu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors, and has an unfavorable clinical outcome. Emerging evidences have demonstrated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in the carcinogenesis and progression of HCC. However, the clinical significances, the biological roles of most lncRNAs in HCC remain poorly understood.
Methods
The expression levels of lncRNA loc339803 in HCC tissues and cell lines were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) assay. The cellular sublocalization of loc339803 were determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization and nuclear & cytoplasmic RNA isolation assay. Western blot, CCK-8, Edu, colony formation, migration and invasion assays were used to investigate the roles of loc339803 in progression of HCC in vitro. A mouse model for lung metastasis was constructed to evaluate the role of loc339803 in HCC development in vivo. The correlations among loc339803, miR-30a-5p and SNAIL1 were validated by qRT-PCR and a dual- luciferase reporter assay.
Results
The expression of loc339803 was upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines, and positively correlated with tumor size, advanced tumor stage, higher serum AFP level and poor prognosis of HCC patients. loc339803 can promote the migration and invasion of HCC cells in vivo and in vitro. Further studies demonstrated the loc339803 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by directly binding to miR-30a-5p, thus up-regulating the expression of snai1, a target gene of miR-30a-5p. Moreover, miR-30a-5p upregulation blocked the enhancement of migration and invasion of HCC cells induced by loc339803 overexpression.
Conclusions
Loc339803 may be oncogenic in HCC and associated with poor clinical outcomes. LncRNA loc339803 might promote the invasion and migration of HCC cells through regulating miR-30a-5p/ SNAIL1 axis.
Screening of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) Extracellular Domain for Potential Epitopes by Using Immuno-informatics Tools.
Authors: Odhar Hasanain Abdulhameed , Ahjel Salam Waheed , Odhar Zanan Abdulhameed , Humadi Suhad Sami , Rayshan Ali Mahmood , Hashim Ahmed Fadhil 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a well-studied oncoprotein that is overexpressed in a considerable proportion of breast cancer patients. The increased expression of this tyrosine kinase receptor is usually associated with poor clinical prognosis in female patients with breast cancer. In these patients, specific response of immune system against HER2 had been observed. This suggests that immunotherapy approaches can be employed for enhancing the response of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes against HER2 in susceptible tumor microenvironment. In this regard, peptide vaccines are considered one of the most affordable immunotherapy modalities due to their low production cost and long-term effect. For this purpose, we have screened the extracellular domain of HER2 crystal for potential B-cells and T-cells epitopes by using different immuno-informatics tools. The output peptides were then refined and filtered according to their antigenicity, allergenicity and vulnerability to selected proteases. Here, we present multiple B-cells and T-cells epitope candidates against HER2 extracellular domain with high antigenicity, low allergenicity and good resistance for selected proteolytic enzymes. These filtered epitopes can be used for design and construction of anti-HER2 peptide vaccine for potential use in HER2 positive breast cancer patients. Additionally, the sequence of linear B-cells epitopes can be used for the design of monoclonal antibody variable region against HER2 extracellular domain.