bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photosynthetic performance and growth responses of Liriope muscari (Decne.) L.H. Bailey (Asparagaceae) planted within poplar forests having different canopy densities
Authors: Zhang J. J. , Zhu L. , Zhang X. , Zhou J. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Liriope muscari (Decne.) L.H. Bailey is a valuable horticultural and medicinal plant that grows under a range of light intensities, from high to low, in the understories of shrubs. To understand how this species adapts to these various environments, we selected two groups of lilyturf growing under poplar trees at two different spacings. Each group was divided into three types, open field, forest edge and shaded forest with high, medium and low irradiance levels, respectively, and then we examined their photosynthetic characteristics, physiology and biomasses.

Results
Light saturation point, light compensation point and in situ net photosynthetic rate (PN) were highest in lilyturf growing under high light. In contrast, lilyturf growing under low light had a higher apparent quantum yield and Chl a and b contents, indicating that they adapted to low light. Although the leaves of lilyturf growing under low light were small, their root tubers were heavier.

Conclusions
The research demonstrates the eco-physiological basis of lilyturf’s shade adaptation mechanism as indicated by photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll fluorescence, Chl a, Chl b and Car contents when grown under different irradiances. We believe that lilyturf is a shade-tolerant plant suitable for planting in undergrowth, but attention should be paid to the canopy density of the forest when interplanting. The findings presented here advance our understanding of the photosynthetic characteristics of understory plants and may assist in the optimization of irradiances in the future.
Increased mortality of acute respiratory distress syndrome was associated with high levels of plasma phenylalanine
Authors: Xu Jing , Pan Tingting , Qi Xiaoling , Tan Ruoming , Wang Xiaoli , Liu Zhaojun , Tao Zheying , Qu Hongping , Zhang Yi , Chen Hong , Wang Yihui , Zhang Jingjing , Wang Jie , Liu Jialin 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
There is a dearth of drug therapies available for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Certain metabolites play a key role in ARDS and could serve as potential targets for developing therapies against this respiratory disorder. The present study was designed to determine such “functional metabolites” in ARDS using metabolomics and in vivo experiments in a mouse model.

Methods
Metabolomic profiles of blood plasma from 42 ARDS patients and 28 healthy controls were captured using Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) assay. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis were performed on metabolomic profiles from blood plasma of ARDS patients and healthy controls to screen for “functional metabolites”, which were determined by variable importance in projection (VIP) scores and P value. Pathway analysis of all the metabolites was performed. The mouse model of ARDS was established to investigate the role of “functional metabolites” in the lung injury and mortality caused by the respiratory disorder.

Results
The metabolomic profiles of patients with ARDS were significantly different from healthy controls, difference was also observed between metabolomic profiles of the non-survivors and the survivors among the ARDS patient pool. Levels of Phenylalanine, D-Phenylalanine and Phenylacetylglutamine were significantly increased in non-survivors compared to the survivors of ARDS. Phenylalanine metabolism was the most notably altered pathway between the non-survivors and survivors of ARDS patients. In vivo animal experiments demonstrated that high levels of Phenylalanine might be associated with the severer lung injury and increased mortality of ARDS.

Conclusion
Increased mortality of acute respiratory distress syndrome was associated with high levels of plasma Phenylalanine.

Trial registration
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800015930. Registered 29 April 2018, http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=25609&htm=4
CPEB1 deletion is not a common explanation for premature ovarian insufficiency in a Chinese cohort
Authors: Jiao Wenlin , Zhao Shidou , Liu Ran , Guo Ting , Qin Yingying 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), which is characterized by early menopause before the age of 40 years, affects approximately 1–5% of women. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1 (CPEB1) is a post-transcriptional regulatory protein that is highly expressed in germ cells and promotes oocytes maturation, and several studies have found microdeletions of chromosome 15q25.2, which contains the CPEB1 gene, in POI patients. However, the deleted region also includes other plausible genes, and thus the contribution of CPEB1 to POI is uncertain. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between CPEB1 deletion and POI in a Chinese cohort.

Material and methods
Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with primers for exon 4 and exon 11 of CPEB1 was performed to detect the CPEB1 deletion in 323 patients with POI and in 300 healthy controls. Subsequent qPCR with primers for each exon of CPEB1 was performed to precisely localize the deletion locus.

Results
One patient with primary amenorrhea was found to carry a heterozygous deletion of exons 8–12 of the CPEB1 gene.

Conclusion
Our study is the first to search for CPEB1 deletions in POI patients using a simple qPCR method, and we show that CPEB1 deletion is not a common cause for POI in a Chinese cohort.
The anti-neoplastic effect of doxycycline in osteosarcoma as a metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor: a systematic review
Authors: Hadjimichael Argyris C. , Foukas Athanasios F. , Savvidou Olga D. , Mavrogenis Andreas F. , Psyrri Amanda K. , Papagelopoulos Panayiotis J. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Osteosarcoma is a very aggressive primary bone tumour, affecting mainly young populations. Most cases diagnosed have distant macro- and micro-metastases at the time of diagnosis. Surgical resection with neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies improves the overall and disease-free survival of patients. Doxycycline, a synthetic tetracycline, has been found to act either as an antibiotic drug or as a chemotherapeutic agent. Its anti-neoplastic role has been found to be significant, in vitro and in vivo laboratory trials, in various types of cancer, such as prostate, intestinal, central neural system cancers and osteosarcoma. Inhibition of metalloproteinases (MMPs) in different stages of tumour expansion is the most well-understood mechanism. MMPs are secreted molecules from various normal cells, such as fibroblasts, leucocytes and vascular smooth muscles, as well as from cells with high proliferative potential, such as tumour cells. In osteosarcoma, MMPs have been found to be overexpressed. MMPs help osteosarcoma cells survive, grow and produce metastases in distant sites, mainly in the lungs. Doxycycline blocks extracellular matrix and basic membrane degradation by suppressing MMP function. As a consequence, osteosarcoma cells lose their ability to invade and metastasize. Additionally, doxycycline eliminates the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and deprives the supply of circulating nutrients by its anti-angiogenesis action. The aim of this review is to evaluate doxycycline’s action against osteosarcoma cells as an MMP-inhibitor and interpret its usage as a chemotherapeutic agent.

Methods
We checked PubMed and Google Scholar for recently published data, on the tumour-supportive role of MMPs and VEGF in osteosarcoma cells. We further studied published experimental trials on the role of doxycycline as a tumour-suppressive agent via MMPs and VEGF inhibition.

Results
MMPs and VEGF have been found to play a fundamental role in osteosarcoma cells survival and high aggressiveness by in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials. Nevertheless, doxycycline has proved its tumour-suppressive effect by in vivo experimental trials in various cancers but not yet in osteosarcoma.

Conclusion
Doxycycline remains a promising chemotherapeutic agent against osteosarcoma via MMP inhibition, showing the need for further in vivo and clinical trials to be carried out in the future.
Gait modification for improving walking stability of exoskeleton assisted paraplegic patient
Authors: Li Mengze , Aoyama Tadayoshi , Hasegawa Yasuhisa 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe currently available exoskeleton for assisting the paraplegic patient in walking usually adapts a pre-programmed gait that involves the patient following an exoskeleton lead. The system allows the patient to hold a pair of canes in order to keep balance, and does not contribute to keeping balance without the patient’s action. This paper proposes an algorithm based on the zero moment point (ZMP) to modify the gait generated through human walking synergy for paraplegic patients who make use of the exoskeleton system and hold their canes. The proposed ZMP will enable the paraplegic patient to keep balance during walking and also reduce the burden in maintaining balance. First, a pair of cane is used as an interface to control the user’s walking and then, the synergy between legs and canes is used to synchronize the user’s walking intention during the exoskeleton movement. The walking synergy is extracted from the able-bodied subject walking with a pair of canes and analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). In order to improve the walking stability, the hip joint angle on stance leg during walking was modified based on ZMP. Furthermore, a nonlinear inverted pendulum (NIP) model was utilized in order to generate a gait with a fully stretched knee joint angle that is similar to human gait. The proposed method was verified via the Gazebo simulation using a walking robot to simulate a patient wearing an exoskeleton. The experiment results show that the walking stability was highly improved after gait modification.
Impact of physician−pharmacist collaborative protocol-based pharmacotherapy management for HIV outpatients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Urano Kimihiko , Ishibashi Miki , Matsumoto Takeshi , Ohishi Kohshi , Muraki Yuichi , Iwamoto Takuya , Kunimasa Junichi , Okuda Masahiro 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Effective treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection requires close cooperation among healthcare professionals. This is because maintaining continuity with treatment regimens is important in anti-HIV therapy. In addition, explaining medication use is more important than that for other diseases. Since 2010, pharmacists at the Mie University Hospital have been interviewing patients, selecting drugs, and formulating medication plans for HIV-positive patients. In August 2011, we established the physician and pharmacist-led collaborative Protocol-based Pharmacotherapy Management (PBPM) to increase the efficacy and safety of treatment, while reducing the burden on physicians. In the present study, we evaluated the outcomes associated with PBPM for HIV pharmacotherapy.

Methods
We prepared protocols for drug selection, timing of interventions, and methods of intervention according to various guidelines. This study included 40 HIV-positive patients receiving outpatient care between January 2009 and February 2017. Of these patients, 17 received treatment before implementing PBPM and 23 patients received treatment afterward. We compared the intervention parameters between before and after the implementation of PBPM.

Results
The proportion of patients receiving prescription proposals from pharmacists was markedly higher after introducing PBPM (6 out of 17 patients vs. 23 out of 23 patients). All prescription proposals were accepted by physicians before and after PBPM. The number of interviews before antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation (median [range]) decreased from 2 [1–5] to 1 [1–3] after PBPM introduction, suggesting the time to introduction of treatment has been shortened. Before the introduction of PBPM, nine patients required a change in their ART prescriptions and four patients were hospitalized (one patient was hospitalized due to an error in the self-administration of anti-HIV medicines, two patients were hospitalized due to interruptions in medication, and one patient was hospitalized for the treatment of other diseases). Only one patient was hospitalized after PBPM, and was unrelated to drug adherence. The proportion of patients with a reduced HIV-RNA load increased from 71 to 100%. Furthermore, the proportion of patients who maintained levels below the limit of quantitation increased from 59 to 91% after implementing PBPM.

Conclusion
The implementation of PBPM for HIV outpatients improves the efficacy and safety of HIV pharmacotherapy.
The giant devil ray Mobula mobular (Bonnaterre, 1788) is not giant, but it is the only spinetail devil ray
Authors: Notarbartolo di Sciara Giuseppe , Stevens Guy , Fernando Daniel 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMobula mobular, a mobulid species once considered a Mediterranean Sea endemic, has received its common name “giant devil ray” based on repeated misidentifications of oceanic manta rays, Mobula birostris, that had strayed into the Mediterranean, where they had never been reported from before. Based on the maximum known size (350 cm disc width) of M. mobular, when compared to some of its congenerics, the giant devil ray is not giant at all. A recent revision of the phylogeny and taxonomy of genus Mobula, which included, amongst other things, the decision to consider the circumtropical spinetail devil ray M. japanica a junior synonym of M. mobular, has caused the latter species to become circumglobal, and the only known mobulid with a tail spine. As a consequence, it is here recommended that the common name of M. mobular be “spinetail devil ray”.
Hemocytic studies on the synergistic effect of the entomopathogenic nematode species, Steinernema carpocapsae and gamma radiation on the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.) larvae
Authors: Salem H. M. , Hussein M. A. , Hafez S. El. , Hussein M. A. , Sayed R. M. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractCombined effect of substerilizing doses of gamma radiation (40 and 100 Gy) and different concentrations of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae BA2 (20 and 40 IJs/ml) on the hemocyte count of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.) larvae was studied. Eight types of hemocytes were described in the hemolymph of the normal larvae of G. mellonella. Prohemocytes were the predominant type, while the cystocytes were the rare ones. Morphological malformations and changes in the number of each hemocyte type were observed in F1 larvae (of irradiated male parent pupae with 40 or 100 Gy) or larvae treated with different concentrations of the S. carpocapsae BA2 (normal or F1 larvae); these alterations were increased by increasing the radiation dose or the nematode concentration that led to increase the susceptibility of the larvae to the nematode. Therefore, it could be concluded that integration of entomopathogenic nematodes and gamma radiation may serve as integrated control program for G. mellonella.
PPP models and performances from single- to quad-frequency BDS observations
Authors: Jin Shuanggen , Su Ke 
Published: April 2020

AbstractNowadays, China BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has been developed well and provided global services with highly precise positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) as well as unique short-message communication, particularly global system (BDS-3) with higher precision multi-frequency signals. The precise point positioning (PPP) can provide the precise position, receiver clock, and zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD) with a stand-alone receiver compared to the traditional double differenced relative positioning mode, which has been widely used in PNT, geodesy, meteorology and so on. However, it has a lot of challenges for multi-frequency BDS PPP with different strategies and more unknown parameters. In this paper, the detailed PPP models using the single-, dual-, triple-, and quad-frequency BDS observations are presented and evaluated. Firstly, BDS system and PPP method are introduced. Secondly, the stochastic models of time delay bias in BDS-2/BDS-3 PPP including the neglection, random constant, random walk and white noise are presented. Then, three single-frequency, four dual-frequency, four triple-frequency and four quad-frequency BDS PPP models are provided. Finally, the BDS PPP models progress and performances including theoretical comparison of the models, positioning performances, precise time and frequency transfer, ZTD, inter-frequency bias (IFB) and differential code bias (DCB) are presented and evaluated as well as future challenges. The results show that the multi-frequency BDS observations will greatly improve the PPP performances.
Temporal Trends in Cardiovascular Complications in People With or Without Type 2 Diabetes: The Fremantle Diabetes Study
Authors: Davis Wendy A , Gregg Edward W , Davis Timothy M E 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Context
There is evidence that diabetes-related complications are declining but most data sources have limitations.

Objective
To characterize temporal changes in incidence rates (IRs) of chronic complications and mortality in well-characterized, community-based Australians.

Design
Longitudinal observational study.

Setting
Urban population.

Participants
Participants with type 2 diabetes from the Fremantle Diabetes Study phases I (FDS1; n = 1291 recruited 1993-1996) and II (FDS2; n = 1509 recruited 2008-2011) age-, sex,- and ZIP code-matched 1:4 to people without diabetes.

Main outcome measures
First hospitalizations for/with myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, heart failure (HF), lower extremity amputation, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. Five-year IRs, IR ratios for those with versus without diabetes in FDS1 and FDS2, and IR differences (IRDs), were calculated.

Results
The 13,995 participants had a mean age of 64.8 years and 50.4% were males. There were lower IR ratios for MI, stroke, HF, and CVD death in FDS2 versus FDS1. IRDs for people with versus without type 2 diabetes had reduced by &gt;50% between phases for MI, stroke, HF, lower extremity amputation, and CVD death, with no change in IRD for all-cause mortality. Within the pooled type 2 diabetes cohort, FDS2 versus FDS1 participation was an independent inverse predictor of stroke, HF, CVD death, and all-cause mortality after adjustment in Cox proportional hazards models.

Conclusions
Cardiovascular outcomes in Australians have improved since the 1990s, especially in type 2 diabetes. The difference in all-cause mortality between those with and without type 2 diabetes has persisted despite longer survival.
UM ESPECTRO RONDA O MUNDO – BOAVENTURA DE SOUZA SANTOS E AS PRIMEIRAS LIÇÕES DA PANDEMIA / A spectre is haunting the world – Boaventura de Sousa Santos and the first lessons from the pandemic
Authors: Oliveira Marcia Lisbôa Costa de 
Published: April 2020

Resenha do E-Book A cruel pedagogia do vírus, lançado em abril de 2020, publicação, no qual Boaventura de Souza Santos organiza em cinco capítulos uma breve e profunda reflexão sobre a crise decorrente da pandemia provocada pelo coronavírus que emergiu em dezembro de 2019, classificado cientificamente como SARS-COV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2).Para Santos, a pandemia provocada pelo novo coronavírus agravará da forma como o colonialismo, o patriarcado e o capitalismo neoliberal forjaram as relações socioeconômicas que levaram ao quadro de desigualdade global que temos testemunhado.Para Santos, será preciso construir um novo pacto social e “A nova articulação pressupõe uma viragem epistemológica, cultural e ideológica que sustente as soluções políticas, económicas e sociais que garantam a continuidade da vida humana digna no planeta.” (2020, p. 31)
Posture-focused self-management programme improves pain and function in older people with chronic low back pain: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Rios Julia Catarina Sebba , Hua Feng Yu , Safons Marisete Peralta 
Published: April 2020

Background/aims Chronic non-specific low back pain is one of the most prevalent and therapeutically challenging conditions that affect older people. The aim of this study was to verify the effects of a posture-focused self-management programme in pain and disability in older people in the community living with chronic non-specific low back pain. Methods Attendees of two community centres for older people were selected and randomised into an experimental group (n=42) and a control group (n=31). The experimental group received a posture-focused self-management programme. The control group received simple advice with a self-care leaflet. Dependent variables were: pain intensity, functional capacity related to low back pain, and frequency of medication use for low back pain. Results For intergroup analysis, a significant difference was observed for all variables (P≤0.001) with large effect size for pain intensity and functional capacity related to low back pain (effect size=0.65) and moderate effect for frequency of medication use for low back pain (effect size=0.46). Conclusions The results of the posture-focused self-management programme demonstrate efficacy in reducing pain and disability in older people with chronic non-specific low back pain.
Predictive validity of multiple mini interview scores for future academic and clinical placement performance in physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy programmes
Authors: Kale Swati , Kamble Meghana Wadnerkar , Spalding Nicola 
Published: April 2020

Background/aims Limited research exists on the predictive validity of multiple mini interviews when used during the selection process for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy programmes. Traditional interviews were replaced by multiple mini interviews in the selection process for these three undergraduate programmes in one UK university. The purpose of secondary data analysis was to determine whether multiple mini interviews can predict academic and clinical placement performance during the first and second year of study. Methods Secondary data analysis was performed using the admissions data from 169 students. Data analysed comprised predictors (entry tariff, age and multiple mini interview scores) and outcomes (academic and placement achievement in years 1 and 2 over a period of 2 years from 2014 to 2016). Results Multiple standard regression analyses revealed that, overall, multiple mini interview score was not a significant predictor of academic achievement or clinical placement performance in years 1 and 2 for any of the three professions. Pearson's correlations indicated that age and entry tariff were frequently and significantly correlated with academic achievements for all cohorts. Conclusions Performance in the multiple mini interview is not a predictor of academic achievement or clinical placement performance in this specific cohort of students. Entry tariff showed a significant correlation with academic achievement. Additional studies with larger cohorts are recommended.