bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative genomic analysis of gene clusters of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that define specific biofilm formation in deciphering target regions for novel treatment options
Authors: Ambutsi Michael , Reva Oleg , Okoth Patrick 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen associated with numerous nosocomial infections that are difficult to treat as a result of natural resistance to various antibiotics, particularly because of biofilm formation. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of biofilm formation genes in sequences of this opportunistic pathogen and their association with different ecological niches. In total, 13 genes responsible for biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa were identified and used in the study. They were clustered into seven categories based on the role they play in the biofilm formation process. The study also analyzed 185 complete genome sequences of P. aeruginosa strains retrieved from the NCBI and IPCD databases. These were classified into 14 categories based on the ecological niches they occupy. Results Phylogenetic analyses of the biofilm formation genes indicated a strong co-evolution of a majority of these genes, n=10 . Exceptions were the genes fliC, algD, and algU which may have been exchanged by horizontal gene transfer or evolved faster than the other genes of this functional group as they are more important in terms of a proper response of the biofilm formation to specific environmental stimuli in different habitats. The BLAST Ring Image Generator (BRIG) analysis was used to visualize the distribution of biofilm formation genes between different strains of P. aeruginosa . Conclusions fliC, algD, and algU genes were identified as potential targets for antibiofilm therapies. These findings could inform the development of antibiofilm therapies that target processes mediated by these genes. Also, this study provides useful information that can guide the direction of future research.
Dairy Cow Culling - Reasons And Risk Factors
Authors: Rilanto Triin , Reimus Kaari , Orro Toomas , Emanuelson Ulf , Viltrop Arvo , Mõtus Kerli 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Culling is a major cost for dairy farms but also an essential part in managing herd productivity. The study aimed to identify the culling rates of Estonian dairy cows, identify the farmers´ stated reasons and risk factors for culling. This observational study used registry data of all cows from herds with ≥20 cow-years in 2013-2015. Cow lactation-level analyses included data of 86,373 primiparous cows and 177,561 lactations of 109,295 multiparous cows. Weibull proportional hazard regression models were used to identify risk factors for culling due to slaughter or death. Results The overall culling rate of Estonian dairy cows was 26.24 (95% CI 26.02; 26.46) per 100 cow-years. The most common farmers´ stated reasons for culling were feet/claw disorders (26.4%), udder disorders (22.6%), metabolic and digestive disorders (18.1%) and fertility problems (12.5%). Animal-level risk factors for culling were Holstein breed, older parity, lower milk yield breeding value, older age at first calving, longer previous calving interval, having assisted calving, stillbirth and birth of twins/triplets. Lower milk yield, somatic cell count over 200,000 cells/ml and fat/protein ratio over 1.5 at first test-milking after calving were associated with greater culling hazard during the lactation. Cows from larger herds, herds with decreasing size and higher milk yields had higher culling probability. Conclusions This study emphasises the need for improved management of hoof health and prevention of mastitis and metabolic diseases. It is essential to ensure easy calving and good health of cows around calving in order to lower the culling hazard.
Analysis of correlation between white matter changes and functional responses in post-stroke depression
Authors: Zhang Xuefei , Huang Shimin , Fan Tao , Wang Kangling , Wu Wen 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
ObjectivePSD is one of the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms with high prevalence, however, the mechanism of brain network in PSD and the relationship between the structural network and functional network remain unclear. This study incorporated multiple structural and functional connectivity metrics into a graph analysis framework in patients with PSD and PSND. MethodForty-five patients with acute ischemic stroke were divided into PSD group and non-PSD group respectively and underwent the magnetic resonance imaging scans. For the structural network, we compared commonly used connectivity metrics, including FA and MD. Moreover, we investigated the relationship between functional and structural connectivity networks. The whole brain network was characterized with graph theoretical metrics and decomposed into modules. Subsequently, the graph metrics and the connectivity within modules were related to depression. ResultsStructural network disturbances in PSD were related to decreased clustering and increased path length compared to PSND, while being less modular.ConclusionSC-FC coupling may serve as a biomarker for post-stroke depression. Some regional characteristics were altered in structural connectivity network, involving attention, sensorimotor, subcortical and default-mode networks. These regions with altered nodal characteristics likely reflect the pathophysiology of PSD. The similarity of structural-functional are associated with cognitive dysfunction, retardation and desperation. Our findings highlighted the distinction in brain structural-functional networks in PSD.
The Feasibility of Implementing Aerobic Interval Training in Cardiac Rehabilitation Settings: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Way Kimberley , Vidal-Almela Sol , Keast Marja-Leena , Hans Harleen , Pipe Andrew L. , Reed Jennifer L. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Notwithstanding the well-known benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), adherence to CR remains low, particularly in women. Aerobic interval training (AIT) has received specific attention as an emerging exercise-training paradigm that addresses frequently cited barriers to CR (i.e. lack of motivation/enjoyment and time, perceiving exercise regime as tiring/boring) and improves cardiovascular risk factors. Previous studies have examined the safety of AIT in CR settings; there is little evidence on the feasibility of AIT in CR. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of AIT within a CR setting and examine the sex differences regarding the feasibility of such programming. Methods: Patients attended an on-site AIT CR program (10-minute warm-up, 25 minutes of interspersed high [HI - 4 minutes at 85-95% HRpeak] and low [LO - 3 minutes at 60-70% HRpeak] intervals, 10-minute cool-down) twice weekly for 10 weeks. Heart rate (HR) and the Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale were recorded at each session. Feasibility was assessed by: (1) attendance and compliance: the number of sessions attended and the compliance to the prescribed HI and LO HR ranges; (2) the patient experience: patients’ perceived effort, program difficulty, if the program was challenging and satisfying; and, (3) safety. Descriptive statistics were used to report the means and their variations. Mann-Whitney U tests and Chi-square analyses were performed to examine sex-differences. Results: A total of 160 patients (33% women, 67% men, 57.2 ± 9.6 years) attended the AIT program and completed 16±5 classes with a low attrition rate (11.3%). Most patients met or exceeded the prescribed target HR for the HI (80%) and LO (84%) intervals, respectively. Patients reported a “somewhat hard” RPE for HI (14±1) and “very light” for LO (10±2) intervals. All patients were satisfied with the program and found it challenging. Most patients found AIT to be difficult (7±2), yet safe (97%). Three vasovagal episodes occurred and more women dropped-out of the program than men (p<0.01). Conclusions: AIT is a feasible, safe and well-received exercise paradigm in a CR setting.
Patient-specific instrument assisted calcaneal fracture minimally invasive internal fixation is accurate and practical: a retrospective study
Authors: Wang Chenggong , Xu Can , Li Mingqing , Li Hui , Xiao Han , Zhong Da , Liu Hua 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Almost all of the traditional calcaneal fracture minimally invasive internal fixation (MIIF) require a lot of intraoperative fluoroscopy, moreover, the fracture recovery of many patients are not considered ideal. Therefore, we designed a new surgical procedure through the digital surgical simulation and made patient-specific instrument (PSI) for calcaneal fracture patients before surgery, and then we manage the operation through the assistance of PSI during the whole process. The purpose of this study is to verify whether the PSI assisted calcaneal fracture minimally invasive internal fixation is accurate and practical. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the Sanders type III or IV fresh calcaneal fracture patients who had been performed MIIF assisted by the PSI in our hospital during January 2016 to December 2018. We collected and analyzed perioperative data including intraoperative fluoroscopy times, whether the internal fixation actual usage (IFAU) same as preoperative plan, surgical time and situation of complication; and collected and analyzed the data of preoperative actual measurement, preoperative-plan and postoperative actual measurement from X-rays and CT, including Böhler angle, Gissane angle, subtalar joint width, calcaneus valgus angle and calcaneal volume overlapping ratio. All patients had been followed up and their AOFAS score had been recorded. Then we performed statistical analyses. Results: The intraoperative fluoroscopy times was 3.95±1.78, the condition of IFAU in 16 patients was the same as preoperative plan, the surgery time was 28.16±10.70 min, no patients developed complications. The preoperative plan Böhler angle, Gissane angle, subtalar joint width and calcaneus valgus angle were not significant different from the postoperative; the preoperative Böhler angle, Gissane angle, subtalar joint width and calcaneus valgus angle were all significant different from the postoperative. The calcaneal volume overlapping ratio with preoperative design was 91.2±2.3%. The AOFAS score of all patients gradually increased as time goes on, and difference of the AOFAS scores between all time-points were significant. Conclusions: The new PSI can indeed carry out the preoperative plan accurately and quickly, and the PSI assisted calcaneal fracture minimally invasive internal fixation is accurate and practical.
Rapid Detection of Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J by Cross-priming Amplification
Authors: Xiang Yong , Li Lizhen , Liu Peng , Yan Ling , Jiang Zeng , Yu Yun , Li Yu , Chen Xiaoyan , Cao Weisheng 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) causes oncogenic disease in chickens in China, resulting in great harm to poultry production. Herein, we employed a cross-priming amplification (CPA) approach and a nucleic acid detection device to establish a visual rapid detection method for ALV-J. When the amplification reaction was carried out at 60°C for just 60 min, the sensitivity of CPA was 10 times higher than conventional PCR, with high specificity, based on detection of 123 clinical plasma samples. The coincidence rate with real-time PCR was 97.3% (71/73). CPA detection of ALV-J does not require an expensive PCR instrument; a simple water bath or incubator is sufficient for complete DNA amplification, and the closed nucleic acid detection device avoids aerosol pollution, making judgment of results more intuitive and objective. The CPA assay would be a promising simple, rapid and sensitive method for identification of ALV-J.
Factors that affect social health insurance enrollment and retention of the informal sector in the Philippines: a qualitative study
Authors: Sales Reneepearl Kim , Reyes Gladys Kaye , Ting Timothy , Salvador Dante 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background. The primary goal of providing social protection to informal sector workers is to guarantee a minimum level of income and dignity that allows for better protection against income shocks and other vulnerabilities. With the passage of the Universal Health Care Act in the Philippines, the determination of factors affecting enrollment and retention into social health insurance among informal sector workers in the Philippines is crucial to design appropriate policies and programs fit to their needs. Methods. This study aimed to identify factors that affect social health insurance enrollment and retention of the informal sector in the Philippines through qualitative research methods of face-to-face, semi-structured focus group discussion and key informant interviews. Results. The analysis identified five broad themes that affect informal sector enrollment and retention in social health insurance: 1) overlaps in categorization, 2) insufficient or inappropriate social health insurance initiatives for the informal sector, 3) awareness and understanding of social health insurance, 4) supply side factors, and 5) convenience and amount of premium payment. Conclusion. Informal workers are individuals who are not covered by protective labor laws and tend to not belong or contribute to a national health insurance scheme. In the case of the Philippines, the diversity of informal work and dynamic nature of the sector works against an ideal one-size-fits-all solution to increasing informal sector enrollment and retention to social health insurance.
Geospatial-Temporal, Explanatory, Demand, and Financial Models for Heart Failure
Authors: Kruse Clemens Scott , Beauvais Bradley M. , Brooks Matthew S. , Mileski Michael , Fulton Lawrence 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background About 5.7 million individuals in the United States have heart failure, and the disease was estimated to cost about $42.9 billion in 2020. This research provides geospatial-temporal incidence models of this disease in the U.S. and explanatory models to account for hospitals’ number of heart failure DRGs using technical, workload, financial, and geospatial-temporal variables. The research also provides updated financial and demand estimates based on inflationary pressures and disease rate increases. Understanding patterns is important to both policymakers and health administrators alike for cost control and planning. Methods Geographical Information Systems maps of heart failure diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) from 2016 through 2018 depicted areas of high incidence as well as changes. Simple expenditure forecasts were calculated for 2016 through 2018. Linear, lasso, ridge, and Elastic Net models as well as ensembled tree regressors including were built on an 80% training set and evaluated on a 20% test set. Results The incidence of heart failure has increased over time with highest intensities in the East and center of the country; however, several Northern states (e.g., Minnesota) have seen large increases in rates from 2016. The best traditional regression model explained 75% of the variability in the number of DRGs experienced by hospital using a small subset of variables including discharges, DRG type, percent Medicare reimbursement, hospital type, and medical school affiliation. The best ensembled tree models achieved R2 over .97 on the blinded test set and identified discharges, percent Medicare reimbursement, hospital acute days, affiliated physicians, staffed beds, employees, hospital type, emergency room visits, medical school affiliation, geographical location, and the number of surgeries as highly important predictors. Conclusions Overall, the total cost of the three DRGs in the study has increased approximately $61 billion from 2016 through 2018 (average of two estimates). The increase in the more expensive DRG (DRG 291) has outpaced others with an associated increase of $92 billion in expenditures. With the increase in demand (linked to obesity and other factors) as well as the relatively steady-state supply of cardiologists over time, the costs are likely to balloon over the next decade.
Dynamic Conversion of Cell Sorting Patterns in Aggregates of Embryonic Stem Cells with Differential Adhesive Affinity
Authors: Tse Jeffrey D , Moore Robert , Meng Yue , Tao Wensi , Smith Elizabetg R , Xu Mike Xiang-Xi 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Mammalian early development comprises the proliferation, differentiation, and self-assembly of the embryonic cells. The classic experiment undertaken by Townes and Holtfreter demonstrated the ability of dissociated embryonic cells to sort and self-organize spontaneously into the original tissue patterns. Here, we further explored the principles and mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of spontaneous tissue organization by studying aggregation and sorting of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells with differential adhesive affinity in culture. Results As observed previously, in aggregates of wild-type and E-cadherin-deficient ES cells, the cell assemblies exhibited an initial sorting pattern showing wild-type cells engulfed by less adhesive E-cadherin-deficient ES cells, which fits the pattern predicted by the differential adhesive hypothesis proposed by Malcom Steinberg. However, in further study of more mature cell aggregates, the initial sorting pattern reversed, with the highly adhesive wild-type ES cells forming an outer shell enveloping the less adhesive E-cadherin-deficient cells, contradicting Steinberg’s sorting principle. The outer wild-type cells of the more mature aggregates did not differentiate into endoderm, which is known to be able to sort to the exterior from previous studies. In contrast to the naive aggregates, the mature aggregates presented polarized highly adhesive cells at the outer layer. The surface polarity was observed as an actin cap contiguously spanning across apical surface of multiple adjacent cells, though independent of the formation of tight junctions. Conclusions Our experimental findings suggest that the force of differential adhesive affinity can be overcome by even subtle polarity generated from strong bilateral ligation of highly adhesive cells in determining cell sorting patterns.
Transcriptome analysis reveals ethylene-mediated defense responses to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum infection in Cucumis sativus
Authors: Dong Jingping , Wang Yuean , Xian Qianqian , Chen Xuehao , Xu Jun 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (Foc), is a severe disease affecting cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production worldwide, but the molecular mechanisms underlying Fusarium wilt resistance in cucumber remain unknown. To gain an improved understanding of the defense mechanisms elicited in response to Foc inoculation, RNA sequencing-based transcriptomic profiling of responses of the Fusarium wilt-resistant cucumber line ‘Rijiecheng’ at 0, 24, 48, 96, and 192 h after Foc inoculation was performed.Results: We identified 4116 genes that were differentially expressed between 0 h and other time points after inoculation. All ethylene-related and pathogenesis-related genes from among the differentially expressed genes were filtered out. Real-time PCR analysis showed that ethylene-related genes were induced in response to Foc infection. Importantly, after Foc infection and exogenous application of ethephon, a donor of ethylene, these genes were highly expressed. In response to exogenous ethephon treatment in conjunction with Foc inoculation, the infection resistance of cucumber seedlings was enhanced and endogenous ethylene biosynthesis increased dramatically. Conclusion: Collectively, ethylene signaling pathways play a positive role in regulating the defense response of cucumber to Foc infection. The results provide insight into the cucumber Fusarium wilt defense mechanisms and provide valuable information for breeding new cucumber cultivars with enhanced Fusarium wilt tolerance.
Cytokine profile and nitric oxide levels in peritoneal macrophages of BALB/c mice exposed to Fucose-Mannose Ligand of Leishmania infantum combined with Glycyrrhizin
Authors: Hasan Namdar Ahmadabad , shafiei reza , Reza Hatam Gholam , Reza Zolfaghari Emameh , Ashok Aspatwar 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: The Fucose-Mannose Ligand (FML) of Leishmania infantum is a complex glycoprotein which does not elicit adequate immunogenicity in human. In recent years, adjuvant compounds derived from plants have been used for improving the immunogenicity of the vaccines. Glycyrrhizin (GL) is a natural triterpenoid saponin that has known immunomodulatory activities. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a co-treatment with FML and GL on the production of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) by macrophages, in vitro. Methods: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages were treated with FML (5 μg/ml) of Leishmania infantum and various concentrations of GL (1 μg/ml, or 10 μg/ml or 20 μg/ml). After 48h of treatment, cell culture supernatants were recovered and the levels of TNF-α, IL-10, IL-12p70, and IP-10 were measured by sandwich ELISA and NO concentration by Griess reaction. Results: Our results indicated that the treatment of activated macrophages with FML plus GL leads to enhanced production of NO, TNF-α, IL-12p70, and reduction of IL-10 levels in comparison with FML treatment alone. Conclusions: We, therefore, concluded that GL can improve the immunostimulatory effect of FML on macrophages and leads to polarization of them toward an M1-like phenotype.