bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visceral adiposity index is closely associated with albuminuria in the Chinese population with prediabetes: results from the REACTION study
Authors: Wang Jie , Zhu Binruo , Jin Xinye , Chen Kang , Yan Wenhua , Wang Anping , Wang Weiqing , Gao Zhengnan , Tang Xulei , Yan Li , Wan Qin , Luo Zuojie , Qin Guijun , Chen Lulu , Mu Yiming 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Visceral obesity is a major health issue and a risk factor for atherogenic state. It has been reported to be a crucial link between albuminuria and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, there is limited available data on the relationship between visceral obesity and albuminuria. Therefore, we aimed to explore the association between visceral obesity and albuminuria in the Chinses population with prediabetes. Methods This cross-sectional study included 24871 prediabetic participants aged over 40 years from seven centers across China. Visceral adiposity index (VAI), which has been confirmed as a simple and reliable indicator of visceral adiposity distribution and dysfunction, is determined based on the measurements of anthropometric indices and lipid parameters. Increased albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR)≥30 mg/g, indicating kidney damage. Propensity score matching was used to reduce the bias and multiple logistic regression model was performed to evaluate the association between visceral obesity and albuminuria in the population with prediabetes. Results Participants with increased UACR had increased VAI, age, blood pressure, triglycerides, poor glycemic control, and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The prevalence of CVD was higher in the increased UACR group. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that VAI quartiles was positively associated with increased risk of albuminuria (Q2: odds rate (OR):1.10, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.96-1.25; Q3: OR:1.16, 95%CI 1.01-1.32; Q4: OR:1.26, 95%CI 1.10-1.44, P for trend=0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the association of VAI level with increased albuminuria risk was also observed in people who were young, women, overweight or obese, with poor control of blood pressure, and eGFR≥ 90 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 . Conclusions Visceral obesity assessed by VAI was significantly associated with increased albuminuria in the Chinese population with prediabetes.
The protection of LingqiHuangban Granule on human retinal endothelial cells against oxidative stress-induced injury by network pharmacology
Authors: Zhang Zhenzhen , Zhou Chuandi , Draga Deji , Thashi lhamo , Zheng Zhi , Qiu Qinghua 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: LingqiHuangban Granule(LQHBG) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula used to manage retinal diseases, as an effective holistic treatment through warming Yang to exert tonifying effects on kidney and invigorating spleen to remove dampness to nourish essence of effect. The study examined protection of LQHBG on oxidative stress-induced injury in human retinal endothelial cells(HRECs) in vitro, determined the potential molecular targets of LQHBG using network pharmacology.Methods: The potential targets of active ingredients in LQHBG were predicted using pharmmapper. Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were carried out using Molecule Annotation System. The protein-protein interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape. LQHBG was administered to rabbits to prepare medicated serum. The apoptosis of HRECs was evaluated by TUNEL and Flow Cytometry(FCM). MDA, SOD, LDH, GSH-Px, and T-AOC were detected. The mRNA expressions of Nrf2, NF-κB and HO-1 were detected, protein expression levels of Nrf2, Bcl-2, NF-κB, HO-1 and caspase-3 were analyzed.Results: TUNEL demonstrated the numbers of apoptotic cells in low-and high-dose LQHBG groups was obviously less than model group(P<0.05). FCM analysis revealed apoptotic rates of HRECs in low-and high-dose LQHBG groups were obviously reduced in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05). The potential mechanism of LQHBG was the NF-κB pathway identified using PharmMapper. LQHBG significantly decreased MDA, LDH levels and enhanced SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC generation. LQHBG inhibited upregulation of NF-κB, caspase-3 and enhanced Bcl-2, Nrf2, and HO-1 expression.Conclusion: LQHBG protected HRECs against oxidative-stress via suppression of apoptosis and elevation of antioxidant ability, which may involve activation of Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 pathway and inhibition of NF-κB pathway.
Economic Dependency and Opportunity Cost of Childbearing: Implications for fertility control in sub-Sahara Africa
Authors: ADEYEMI OLUWAGBEMIGA , Adedokun Olaide Aderonke , Adeniyi Bolajoko Florence , Olowe Kolawole Samuel 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The dynamics in the household income within the marital unions especially with the emergence of female breadwinners in the last decade is gradually changing the demand for children and the need for child spacing. It is in line with this that this study examines the impact of changing spousal roles on the cost of bearing children in three sub-Saharan African countries. Demographic and Health Surveys data were analyzed using three levels of statistical analysis, while at multivariate level, five models were constructed to test the formulated hypotheses. The study identified significant relationship between economic dependency and the control variables (use of modern contraceptives and fertility timing) in the three countries (Pvalue < .0001). The study also affirmed a positive significant relationship between economic dependency and labour force participation of women except in Lesotho (Pvalue < .0001). In addition, higher significant differential was ascertained between labour force participation and fertility in the study area. The three countries also indicate high significant correlation of the effect of women economic dependency on fertility. The study concludes that empowering women and allowing them to involve in paid activities will not only reduce fertility but significantly contribute to poverty reduction in Africa.
Studies on Trueperella Pyogenes Isolated from an Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) and A Royal Python (Python Regius)
Authors: Ahmed Marwa F.E. , Alssahen Mazen , Lämmler Christoph , Eisenberg Tobias , Plötz Madeleine , Abdulmawjood Amir 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background The present study was designed to characterize phenotypically and genotypically two Trueperella pyogenes strains isolated from an okapi (Okapia johnstoni) and a royal python (Python regius), respectively.Results The species identity could be confirmed by phenotypic properties, by MALDI-TOF MS analysis and by detection of T. pyogenes chaperonin-encoding gene cpn60 with a previously developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. Furthermore, sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region (ISR), the target genes rpoB encoding the β-subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase, tuf encoding elongation factor tu and plo encoding the putative virulence factor pyolysin allowed the identification of both T. pyogenes isolates at species level.Conclosion Both strains could be clearly identified as T. pyogenes. The T. pyogenes strain isolated in high number from the vaginal discharge of an okapi seems to be of importance for the infectious process; the T. pyogenes strain from the royal python could be isolated from an apparently non-infectious process. However, both strains represent the first isolation of T. pyogenes from these animal species.
The associations of SNF5 with prognosis and immune responses in bladder cancer
Authors: Ding Hua , Zhang Jingqi , Liu Sha , Wang Liwei , Shi Jiazhong , Huang Yaqin , Zhou Xiaozhou , Yang Jin , Chen Zhiwen 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

Bladder cancer (BC) is the second most common malignancy in the urinary system. Improving survival has been hampered by high heterogeneity and drug resistance. SNF5, a subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex, is commonly lost or inactivated in multiple malignancies. The role of SNF5 in bladder cancer has not yet been elucidated. This is the first exploration into the associations of SNF5 with prognosis and its functions in BC.
Methods

Using datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas projects and our institution, we investigated the predictive value of SNF5 in bladder cancer, as well as the relationships with clinical characteristics. The differential genes expression analysis, gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) were performed to investigate the functions of SNF5. The Immune Cell Abundance Identifier (ImmuCellAI) algorithm was used to infer the fractions of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Next, we conducted gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) algorithm to assess the effects of SNF5 on antitumor response and sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB).
Results

SNF5 had the potential to predict bladder cancer and a negative correlation with survival. SNF5 was involved in immune response. Low expression of SNF5 promoted infiltration of immune cells into tumor, enhanced the abilities to process and present antigens by activating the MHC-T cell receptor activation pathway. Moreover, decreased SNF5 activated CTLA-4 pathway, upregulating CTLA-4 expression, but SNF5 did not modify the expression of PD-1 or PD-L1. A higher TIDE score was generated in the low-expression group, which indicated that patients with low expression might derive greater benefit from ICB.
Conclusions

Our findings indicated that SNF5 was not only a good biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of BC, but a potential new target in the immunotherapy for BC.
The tumor environment immune phenotype of LUSC by genome-wide analysis
Authors: Zheng Yuansheng , Bi Guoshu , Bian Yunyi , Li Ming , Huang Yiwei , Zhao Mengnan , Chen Zhencong , Zhan Cheng , Jiang Wei 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

To compare the landscape of tumor microenvironment (TME) of lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC) in different immune pattern and explore potential factors on immune therapy and prognosis
Method and Materials:

We have obtained the LUSC data from TCGA, GEO, and our department and classified them into 2 TME clusters by random forest model based on the infiltration pattern of 24 immune cell populations. Then we systemically compared the genomic significance, clinical characteristic and immune infiltration pattern in 2 TME clusters.
Results

Samples were divided into 2 TME clusters based on the relative abundance of 24 immune cells and a random forest classifier model was constructed. TME cluster B was a higher immune infiltration group with lower mutation load, richer co-infiltrate immune cells, up-regulated immune-related cytokines including immune checkpoint molecules, and higher active immune cells. TME cluster was also an independent predictor in prognosis (B vs A, p < 0.05) in patients from TCGA, GEO and our department.
Conclusions

Our study has described the microenvironment landscape of LUSC in different immune infiltration patterns and systemically analyzed genomic and clinical characteristics with distinct immunophenotypes, thus partly revealed the interaction between tumors and immune microenvironment, which may guide a more precise and personalized immune therapeutic strategy for LUSC patients.
Women’s Status and Empowerment within the Household as a Determinant of Adequate Antenatal Care Visits in Malawi. A Population-Based Study
Authors: Ntenda Peter Austin Morton 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Research has linked women status and empowerment to an improved health status of the general population. However, there is a deficiency of pragmatic data to support how females’ position within the household may impact adequate antenatal care (ANC) visits in Malawi. Therefore, this study explored whether the women’s status and empowerment influence adequate ANC visits in Malawi.Methods The current study sampled and analyzed ever-married women of reproductive age from the 2010 and 2015–16 Malawi Demographic and Health Surveys (MDHS). The two-level multilevel multivariable analyses were performed by means of the generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) to investigate the relationships between the women’s status and empowerment within the household and adequate ANC visits while controlling for covariates.Results About 46% and slightly over 50% of participants had adequate ANC visits in 2010 and 2015–16 respectively. The GLMMs shows that women with no formal education (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.54–0.94) and primary education (aOR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.53–0.80) had reduced odds of achieving adequate ANC visits. Additionally, younger women, women from the poorest households, women who did not have access to media and women who resided in the northern region had reduced odds of achieving adequate ANC visits. The GLMMs also revealed variations in the communities with respect to the odds of achieving adequate ANC visits.Conclusion The association of women’s education on adequate ANC visits underscores the need for policymakers’ to think through incorporating education sector in ANC settings to increase health-related knowledge among women of reproductive age in order to inform them of the importance of achieving adequate ANC visits.
Investigation of the effect of Delayed Auditory Feedback and transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (DAF-tDCS) treatment for the enhancement of speech fluency in adults who stutter: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Moein Narges , Mohamadi Reyhane , Rostami Reza , Nitsche Michael , Zomorrodi Reza , Ostadi Amir , Keshtkar Abbasali 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: With a population prevalence of one percent, stuttering is among the main speech pathology-related topics of research. Adults who stutter may benefit from transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as an adjunctive intervention for enhancing speech fluency. In this study, Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) was combined with tDCS applied over the superior temporal gyrus. It was anticipated that intervention caused improvements of speech fluency become more stable.Methods: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of intervention in enhancing speech fluency. Fifty participants were randomly allocated the intervention or control group. In the intervention group, participants received DAF combined with anodal tDCS, while the control group was exposed to sham tDCS simultaneously with DAF. Each subject participated in six intervention sessions. Speech fluency was assessed before intervention as baseline, as well as immediately, one week and six weeks after intervention.Results: In the intervention group, the percentage of stuttered syllables was significantly reduced immediately, one week and six weeks after the intervention, as compared with the control group. The scores of the Stuttering Severity Instrument, also showed a significant reduction in the intervention group compared with the control group. No significant difference was found in the Overall Assessment of the Speaker’s Experience of Stuttering questionnaire scores between the two patient two groups after intervention.Conclusion: The results of this study propose anodal tDCS as an adjunctive method to increase speech fluency in stuttering for a prolonged time course after intervention, when combined with fluency therapy.Trial registration: This trial was registered in ClinicalTrial.gov before recruiting the subjects. The registration number is NCT03990168 and the date of registration is June 18, 2019. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03990168
The effects of sex disparities on clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of 3937 Chinese patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxu , Chen Zhiqiang , Chen Ping , Zhang Qinghua , Yu Jia , Cao Juan , Wang Wenfan , Zhao Dan , Zhang Qian , Wu Jing , Ruan Jigang , Yang Wenjun 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effects of sex disparities on clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of 3937 Chinese gastric cancer (GC) patients.Materials and methods: A total of 3937 Chinese patients, including 3098 males (78.7%) and 839 females (21.3%), diagnosed with GC at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University of China were selected through inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the prognosis of the patients was followed up. Clinicopathological features were assessed, and univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed.Results: The ratio of male to female was approximately 3.7:1. Compared to females, male patients were relatively older and had more cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption history, higher percentage of late-stage GC, more proximal tumors, and better differentiation of cancer (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the male and female patient groups in terms of the cumulative overall survival rate (62.1% vs. 64.8%), 1-year survival rate (69.7% vs. 71.6%), 3-year survival rate (46.6% vs. 48.5%)and 5-year survival rate (20.8% vs. 15.8%). Female patients with cigarette smoking history and male patients in stage IV or without treatment had a poorer prognosis (p<0.05). Age, clinical differentiation, pathologic T stage, pathologic N stage, clinical stage, and surgery type were significantly independent prognostic factors (p<0.05).Conclusion: Sex disparities play an important role in clinicopathological features and prognosis of GC. Considering that the effect of sexual dimorphism in the development and prognosis of GC is complex, further research is warranted.
Is Novel Corona Virus Truly a Trigger for Kawasaki Disease in Infants?– Reporting the First Asian Case&nbsp;
Authors: Acharyya Bhaswati C , Acharyya Saumyabrata , Das Dhritabrata 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
SARSCov2 pandemic has hit the world this year with alarming consequences in most of the continents. There are relatively few reported cases of COVID-19 infection in children, compared to the total number of cases in the general population. Children are battling the infection more positively unless they have pre-existing morbidity. Interestingly an inflammatory condition is being reported from western world in this COVID 19 era with increased risk of mortality. We report the first Asian infant with florid features of Kawasaki Disease who eventually tested positive for Novel Corona virus.
Expression, purification and characterization of α-synuclein fibrillar specific scFv from inclusion bodies
Authors: Gupta Vijay , Sudhakaran Indulekha P. , Islam Zeyaul , Vaikath Nishant N. , Hmila Issam , Lukacsovich Tamas , Kolatkar Prasanna R. , El-Agnaf Omar 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) has been implicated in multiple neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), collectively grouped as synucleinopathies. Recently, recombinant antibody fragments (Fab, scFvs and diabodies) against α-syn have emerged as an alternative to the traditional full-length antibody in immunotherapeutic approaches owing to their advantages including smaller size and higher stability, specificity and affinity. However, most of the recombinant antibody fragments tend to be expressed as inclusion bodies (IBs) making its purification extremely challenging.
Results: In the current study, a single-chain variable fragment (scFv-F) antibody, targeting the pathogenic α-syn fibrils, was engineered and expressed in E.coli. Majority of the expressed scFv-F accumulated in insoluble aggregates as IBs. A variety of mild and harsh solubilizing conditions were tested to solubilize IBs containing scFv-F to obtain the active protein. To preserve secondary structure and bioactivity, a mild solubilizing protocol involving 100 mM Tris, pH 12.5 with 2 M urea was chosen to dissolve IBs. Slow on-column refolding method was employed to subsequently remove urea and obtain active scFv-F. A three-dimensional (3D) model was built using homology modeling and subjected to molecular docking with the known α-syn structure. Structural alignment was performed to delineate the potential binding pocket.
Conclusion: The scFv-F thus purified demonstrated high specificity towards α-syn fibrils compared to monomers. Molecular modeling studies suggest that scFv-F shares the same structural topology with other known scFvs. We present evidence through structural docking and alignment that scFv-F binds to α-syn C-terminal region. In conclusion, mild solubilization followed by slow on-column refolding can be utilized as a generalized and efficient method for hard to purify disease relevant insoluble proteins and/or antibody molecules from IBs.
&nbsp;A Simulation Approach to Predict the Transmission of COVID-19in Bangladesh&nbsp;&nbsp;
Authors: Muka Abul Mukid Md. , Sannyal Mridul 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first identiﬁed in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since then, it has been affecting 212 countries and territories around the world. First detected on March 8, 2020, as of April 30, there are 7,667 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh, including 130 patients who have recovered and 168 related deaths. We identify the facts of COVID-19 and government’s preventive actions taken in Bangladesh and examine the transmission parameters, infection rate, fatality rate, and recovered rate using the publicly available data until April 30. We estimated the transmission parameters using the susceptible-exposed-infected-cured-dead (SEICD) model and linear regression. Based on these parameters, we then predicted the growth of the infection, cure, and deaths and compared them with reported data. The number of patients infected as of April 30 in Bangladesh closely follows an exponential trend. If this trend continues for fewer weeks, there will be around 50,000 infected patients if necessary steps are not seriously taken by the government. There is now breakneck concern regarding the capacity to respond to needs of infected patients effectively and to prevent this pandemic from further spreading in Bangladesh, one of the densest countries in the world. Health authorities might assimilate this analysis into their disease prevention and control decision-making process.
An adapted ODE model to study the Dynamics of SARS-Cov-2 Infection (COVID-19): different scenarios for Brazil and other countries
Authors: González Ramón E. R. , M. Miguel A. Zorro , Estupiñán-López C. , Morales Carlos Andrés Collazos 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
A mathematical model to calculate the transmissibility of SARS-Cov-2 in Wuhan City was developed and published recently by Tian-Mu Chen et al. The present work generalizes this model to study the effect of different scenarios that include actions to contain the pandemic, such as the isolation and quarantine of infected and at-risk people. Comparisons made between the different scenarios show that the progress of the infection depends heavily on the measures taken in each case. The particular case of some countries, was studied, showing the dynamics of infection in comparison with the different scenarios contained in the model. Real data from different countries, such as Brazil, was used for the validation of the model. This study shows that the model reproduce adequately the dynamic of infection for all studied countries. The relative evolution of the number of new infections and reported cases was used to estimate a pandemic containment date. The progression of the epidemic was analyzed using the system’s phase diagram, which shows the "path" followed by the epidemic in each scenario. Finally, the basic values of the number of reproduction R0 were estimated for each scenario, ranging from 4.04 to 1.12.