bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Production, characterization and bioinformatics analysis of l-asparaginase from a new Stenotrophomonas maltophilia EMCC2297 soil isolate
Authors: Abdelrazek Nada A. , Elkhatib Walid F. , Raafat Marwa M. , Aboulwafa Mohammad M. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAn exhaustive screening program was applied for scoring a promising l-asparaginase producing-isolate. The recovered isolate was identified biochemically and molecularly and its l-asparaginase productivity was optimized experimentally and by Response Surface Methodology. The produced enzyme was characterized experimentally for its catalytic properties and by bioinformatics analysis for its immunogenicity. The promising l-asparaginase producing-isolate was selected from 722 recovered isolates and identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and deposited at Microbiological Resources Centre (Cairo Mircen) under the code EMCC2297. This isolate produces both intracellular (type I) and extracellular (type II) l-asparaginases with about 4.7 fold higher extracellular l-asparaginase productivity. Bioinformatics analysis revealed clustering of Stenotrophomonas maltophilial-asparaginase with those of Pseudomonas species and considerable closeness to the two commercially available l-asparaginases of E. coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi. Fourteen antigenic regions are predicted for Stenotrophomonas maltophilial-asparaginase versus 16 and 18 antigenic regions for the Erwinia chrysanthemi and E. colil-asparaginases. Type II l-asparaginase productivity of the test isolate reached 4.7 IU/ml/h and exhibited maximum activity with no metal ion requirement at 37 °C, pH 8.6, 40 mM asparagine concentration and could tolerate NaCl concentration up to 500 mM and retain residual activity of 55% at 70 °C after half an hour treatment period. Application both of random mutation by gamma irradiation and Response Surface Methodology that determined 38.11 °C, 6.89 pH, 19.85 h and 179.15 rpm as optimum process parameters could improve the isolate l-asparaginase productivity. Maximum production of about 8 IU/ml/h was obtained with 0.4% dextrose, 0.1% yeast extract and 10 mM magnesium sulphate. In conclusion l-asparaginase of the recovered Stenotrophomonas maltophilia EMCC2297 isolate has characters enabling it to be used for medical therapeutic application.
Integrated analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling reveal the p53 associated pathways underlying the response to ionizing radiation in HBE cells
Authors: Huang Ruixue , Liu Xiaodan , Li He , Zhou Yao , Zhou Ping-Kun 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundRadiation damage to normal tissues is a serious concern. P53 is a well-known transcription factor which is closely associated with radiation-induced cell damage. Increasing evidence has indicated that regulation of metabolism by p53 represents a reviving mechanism vital to protect cell survival. We aimed to explore the interactions of radiation-induced transcripts with the cellular metabolism regulated by p53.MethodsHuman bronchial epithelial (HBE) cell line was used to knockout p53 using CRISPR/cas9. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted by microarray and metabolomic analysis was conducted by GC–MS. Integrative omics was performed using MetaboAnalyst.Results326 mRNAs showed significantly altered expression in HBE p53-/- cells post-radiation, of which 269 were upregulated and 57 were downregulated. A total of 147 metabolites were altered, including 45 that increased and 102 that decreased. By integrated analysis of both omic data, we found that in response to radiation insult, nitrogen metabolism, glutathione metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and glycolysis or gluconeogenesis may be dysregulated due to p53.ConclusionsOur study provided a pilot comprehensive view of the metabolism regulated by p53 in response to radiation exposure. Detailed evaluation of these important p53-regulated metabolic pathways, including their roles in the response to radiation of cells, is essential to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of radiation-induced damage.
Solution of fuzzy singular integral equation with Abel’s type kernel using a novel hybrid method
Authors: Bushnaq S. , Ullah Z. , Ullah A. , Shah K. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we are applying a novel analytical hybrid method to find the solution of a fuzzy Volterra Abel’s integral equation of the second kind. The fuzzy number is used in its parametric form under which the fuzzy Volterra Abel’s integral equation will be converted into a system of integral equations as in a crisp case. Moreover, to solve the general fuzzy Volterra integral equation with Abel’s type kernel, and to show that the proposed method is efficient, a few accurate and simple examples are given for the demonstration of our results.
Factors associated with postnatal care utilization among postpartum women in Ethiopia: a multi-level analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia demographic and health survey
Authors: Adane Bezawit , Fisseha Girmatsion , Walle Getaw , Yalew Melaku 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Most postpartum women and newborns do not utilize postnatal care due to less emphasis given especially in developing countries. Understanding individual and community-level factors associated with postnatal care will help to design appropriate strategies and policies for improving service utilization. Therefore, this study aimed to assess individual and community-level factors associated with postnatal care utilization in Ethiopia.

Method
This study used the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data of 2016. A total of 4489 women who gave birth 2 years before the survey were included. Two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique was used. The analysis was done using Stata version 14.0 after checking for basic assumptions of multilevel logistic regression. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression was used to identify determinants of postnatal care utilization. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to show the strength and direction of the association.

Results
Husband with secondary education [AOR = 0.17, 95% CI = (0.04, 0.68)], four or more antenatal care visit [AOR = 10.77, 95% CI = (2.65, 43.70)], middle wealth quintile [AOR = 3.10, 95% CI = (1.12, 8.58)] were individual level factors. Community level education [AOR = 2.53, 95% CI = (1.06, 6.06)] and community level of health service utilization [AOR = 2.32, 95% CI = (1.14, 4.73)] were the predictors at community level.

Conclusion
Wealth index, number of antenatal care visits, husband education, community level of education and health service utilization were significantly associated with PNC service utilization. Provision of quality antenatal care, improvement of the educational status of women and husband involvement in PNC are important strategies to increase PNC service utilization.
Freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease: pathophysiology, risk factors and treatments
Authors: Gao Chao , Liu Jun , Tan Yuyan , Chen Shengdi 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common, disabling symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD), but the mechanisms and treatments of FOG remain great challenges for clinicians and researchers. The main focus of this review is to summarize the possible mechanisms underlying FOG, the risk factors for screening and predicting the onset of FOG, and the clinical trials involving various therapeutic strategies. In addition, the limitations and recommendations for future research design are also discussed.

Main body
In the mechanism section, we briefly introduced the physiological process of gait control and hypotheses about the mechanism of FOG. In the risk factor section, gait disorders, PIGD phenotype, lower striatal DAT uptake were found to be independent risk factors of FOG with consistent evidence. In the treatment section, we summarized the clinical trials of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. Despite the limited effectiveness of current medications for FOG, especially levodopa resistant FOG, there were some drugs that showed promise such as istradefylline and rasagiline. Non-pharmacological treatments encompass invasive brain and spinal cord stimulation, noninvasive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and physiotherapeutic approaches including cues and other training strategies. Several novel therapeutic strategies seem to be effective, such as rTMS over supplementary motor area (SMA), dual-site DBS, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and VNS. Of physiotherapy, wearable cueing devices seem to be generally effective and promising.

Conclusion
FOG model hypotheses are helpful for better understanding and characterizing FOG and they provide clues for further research exploration. Several risk factors of FOG have been identified, but need combinatorial optimization for predicting FOG more precisely. Although firm conclusions cannot be drawn on therapeutic efficacy, the literature suggested that some therapeutic strategies showed promise.
Identification of two divergent swine Noroviruses detected at the slaughterhouse in North East Italy
Authors: Laconi Andrea , Cavicchio Lara , Tassoni Luca , Cunial Giovanni , Milani Adelaide , Ustulin Martina , Di Martino Guido , Forzan Mario , Campalto Mery , Monne Isabella , Beato Maria Serena 
Published: April 2020

AbstractNorovirus (NoV) has emerged as one of the major causative agents of non-bacterial, food- and water-borne gastroenteritis in humans, with the main genogroup involved in human outbreaks (GII), which has been detected worldwide in different animal species including swine. A four-month investigation at the slaughterhouse aiming to examine the presence of NoV in the swine in North-Eastern Italy, enabled the detection of two divergent Noroviruses (NoVs) (GII.P11) in two swine farms. This represents the first study in the swine population of North-Eastern Italy, which has paved the way for future integrated virological and epidemiological investigations on swine NoVs.
Cellular and molecular aspects of oocyte maturation and fertilization: a perspective from the actin cytoskeleton
Authors: Santella Luigia , Limatola Nunzia , Chun Jong Tai 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMuch of the scientific knowledge on oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryonic development has come from the experiments using gametes of marine organisms that reproduce by external fertilization. In particular, echinoderm eggs have enabled the study of structural and biochemical changes related to meiotic maturation and fertilization owing to the abundant availability of large and transparent oocytes and eggs. Thus, in vitro studies of oocyte maturation and sperm-induced egg activation in starfish are carried out under experimental conditions that resemble those occurring in nature. During the maturation process, immature oocytes of starfish are released from the prophase of the first meiotic division, and acquire the competence to be fertilized through a highly programmed sequence of morphological and physiological changes at the oocyte surface. In addition, the changes in the cortical and nuclear regions are essential for normal and monospermic fertilization. This review summarizes the current state of research on the cortical actin cytoskeleton in mediating structural and physiological changes during oocyte maturation and sperm and egg activation in starfish and sea urchin. The common denominator in these studies with echinoderms is that exquisite rearrangements of the egg cortical actin filaments play pivotal roles in gamete interactions, Ca2+signaling, exocytosis of cortical granules, and control of monospermic fertilization. In this review, we also compare findings from studies using invertebrate eggs with what is known about the contributions made by the actin cytoskeleton in mammalian eggs. Since the cortical actin cytoskeleton affects microvillar morphology, movement, and positioning of organelles and vesicles, and the topography of the egg surface, these changes have impacts on the fertilization process, as has been suggested by recent morphological studies on starfish oocytes and eggs using scanning electron microscopy. Drawing the parallelism between vitelline layer of echinoderm eggs and the zona pellucida of mammalian eggs, we also discuss the importance of the egg surface in mediating monospermic fertilization.Graphical abstract
Interaction between retanning agents and wet white tanned by a novel bimetal complex tanning agent
Authors: Huang Wanli , Song Ying , Yu Yue , Wang Ya-nan , Shi Bi 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
A promising and practical chrome-free tanning system has been developed based on a novel Al–Zr bimetal complex tanning agent. However, to achieve satisfactory resultant leather, the retanning process that is compatible with this emerging tannage needs to be investigated systematically. This paper aims to explore the interaction between the bimetal complex tanned wet white and retanning agents. The isoelectric point (pI) of wet white was 7.2, which was nearly the same as wet blue. The electropositivity of wet white was even higher than that of wet blue during post-tanning processes, resulting in higher uptake rate of retanning agents. The distribution of various retanning agents in wet white was analyzed by pI measurement of layered leather and fluorescent tracing technique. The retanning agents were unevenly distributed throughout the cross-section, which might be an important restriction factor in obtaining satisfactory organoleptic properties of the crust leather. This fact is mainly due to the strong electrostatic interaction between anionic retanning agents and wet white. Applying a high dosage of multiple retanning agents in a proper sequence of addition benefited the full penetration of retanning agents in leather matrix and thus improved the organoleptic properties of crust leather. This work provides guidance for optimizing retanning process of the wet white leather.

Graphical abstract
Role of QRS fragmentation in 12-lead surface ECG in prediction of isolated epicardial coronary artery ectasia and its anatomical distribution in patients without acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Kamal Diaa , Hashem Moataz 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a form of abnormal coronary artery lumen dilatation associated with epicardial flow disturbances and microvascular dysfunction. QRS complex fragmentation (fQRS) in surface ECG is caused by abnormal depolarization due to myocardial ischemia and scarring. It has been proved in different studies to be positively correlated with adverse cardiac events. This study aimed to assess the role of fQRS as a non-invasive predictor of CAE and its anatomical distribution. A total of 100 patients referred for elective coronary angiography were included and divided into 2 groups: 50 patients with isolated CAE (group A) and 50 patients with angiographically normal coronaries (group B, control group). Both groups were compared regarding clinical, echocardiographic, and ECG characteristics.

Results
Univariate analysis showed a significant correlation between male sex, smoking, diabetes mellitus, increased systolic blood pressure, fQRS, echocardiographic evidence of diastolic dysfunction, and CAE (P values of 0.005, 0.002, 0.016, 0.027, 0.0001, and 0.04, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis showed that fQRS is the most important independent predictor for the presence of CAE (P < 0.00001) with sensitivity 94%, specificity 88%, PPV 88.7%, and NPV 93.6%. We also found a significant correlation between fQRS distribution in surface ECG and anatomical distribution of CAE [increased territories with multivessel affection (P = 0.00001), anterior leads with LAD affection (P = 0.00001), lateral and inferior leads with LCX affection (P = 0.003 and 0.04, respectively), inferior leads with RCA affection (P = 0.00001)].

Conclusion
fQRS in surface ECG can potentially be used as an effective non-invasive method to predict isolated CAE and its anatomical distribution.
Characterization of analog and digital control loops for bidirectional buck–boost converter using PID/PIDN algorithms
Authors: Viswanatha V. , Reddy R. Venkata Siva , Rajeswari  
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis article presents the characterization of analog and digital control loops using PID/PIDN control algorithms for bidirectional buck–boost converter (BBC). Control loops of BBC are designed and implemented in MATLAB code using transfer functions in time domain with unit step response and in frequency domain with bode plots and pole-zero plots. These transfer functions are obtained by average large signal modeling of BBC. Actions of analog and digital control loops are characterized in order to ensure stability and dynamic response of BBC which is a bottleneck in renewable energy applications. Improvement in dynamic response and stability of BBC with PIDN control algorithm is demonstrated using bode plots, pole-zero plots, and step response. Control loop gain due to transfer functions of power stage and controllers is demonstrated, and it is found stable in both analog and digital control loops. PIDN compensator is proposed to maintain a healthy balance between the stability and transient behavior since both are indirectly proportional. BBC is modeled using average large signal modeling technique, simulated using MATLAB tool, and analysis of dynamic and stability response is done through unit step input, bode plot, and pole-zero plot. Hardware is designed and implemented using TMS320F28335 controller.
Demographic, Clinical, and Pathologic Features of Patients With Cutaneous Melanoma: Final Analysis of the Brazilian Melanoma Group Database
Authors: Wainstein Alberto Julius Alves , Duprat Neto João Pedreira , Enokihara Mauro Yoshiaki , Brechtbühl Eduard René , Riccardi Felice , Landman Gilles , de Melo Andreia Cristina , de Lima Vazquez Vinicius , Munhoz Rodrigo Ramella , Dunshee De Abranches Oliveira Santos Filho Ivan , Bertolli Eduardo , Drummond-Lage Ana Paula , Costa Soares de Sá Bianca , Botelho Luciane , Higino Steck Jose , Belfort Francisco Aparecido , Maia Marcus , Bakos Renato Marchiori , Gomes Elimar Elias , Schmerling Rafael , Cavarsan Flavio 
Published: April 2020

PURPOSE National epidemiologic data on melanoma are scarce in Brazil. The current work presents final demographic, clinical, and pathologic results from the Brazilian Melanoma Group database to detail how patients with melanoma present at diagnosis. METHODS The online database includes patients diagnosed between 1982 and 2015 and evaluated at their centers of origin between 2001 and 2016. The primary objective was to describe the demographic, clinical, and pathologic characteristics of the patients, and secondary objectives were to investigate the association between clinical and pathologic variables of interest. RESULTS A total of 1,596 patients were included. Median age was 52 years, 57% were women, and the majority were identified as white. Invasive melanoma was diagnosed in 1,297 patients, mostly localized, whereas 299 (19%) had in situ disease (TisN0M0). Only 165 patients had initial lymph node involvement. Fitzpatrick skin types I or II were slightly more frequent with in situ melanoma (73%) than with invasive disease (67%; P = .054). The median Breslow thickness was 0.95 mm, Clark levels 2 and 3 comprised nearly 70% of cases, and ulceration was present in 18% of patients. The mitotic rate was significantly associated with the presence of ulceration and both vascular and perineural invasion but not with margin positivity, whereas histologic regression was associated with both intratumoral and peritumoral inflammatory infiltrates. CONCLUSION Despite the limitations of an observational, registry-based study, the current results provide a general profile of patients with cutaneous melanoma in Brazil at the time of diagnosis.
The Prevalence of the Chimeric TNXA/TNXB Gene and Clinical Symptoms of Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome with 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency
Authors: Gao Yinjie , Lu Lin , Yu Bingqing , Mao Jiangfeng , Wang Xi , Nie Min , Wu Xueyan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Purpose
Defects in both CYP21A2 and TNXB genes can cause congenital adrenal hyperplasia combined with hypermobility-type Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS), which has recently been named CAH-X syndrome. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of the chimeric TNXA/TNXB gene and clinical symptoms in a Chinese cohort with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD).

Methods
A total of 424 patients with 21-OHD who were genetically diagnosed were recruited for this study. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and sequencing were used to identify the CAH-X genotype. Clinical features of joints, skin, and other systems were evaluated in 125 patients.

Results
Ninety-four of the 424 patients had a deletion on at least 1 allele of CYP21A2 and 59 of them harbored the heterozygotic TNXA/TNXB chimera. Frequencies of CAH-X CH-1, CH-2, and CH-3 were 8.2%, 3.1%, and 2.6%, respectively. The incidences of clinical features of EDS were 71.0% and 26.6% in patients with the chimeric TNXA/TNXB genes or without (P &lt; .001). There were statistically significant differences in manifestations among articular (P &lt; .001 in generalized hypermobility) and dermatologic features (P &lt; .001 in hyperextensible skin, P = .015 in velvety skin and P = .033 in poor wound healing). The prevalence of generalized hypermobility was more common in CAH-X CH-2 or CH-3 than CH-1 patients (60% vs 20%, P = .028).

Conclusions
In summary, about 14% of patients with 21-OHD may have chimeric TNXA/TNXB gene mutations in our study and most of them showed EDS-related clinical symptoms. The correlation between CAH-X genotypes and clinical features in connective tissue, like joint or skin, needs to be further investigated.
Juan Gallardo: A Native American Buccaneer
Authors: Bialuschewski Arne 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
In 1665 a native man named Juan Gallardo joined a raiding gang near Granada, Nicaragua, and remained for the next five years among the most notorious English, Dutch, and French freebooters. He stayed in the raiding bases of Port Royal and Tortuga, he sailed with Henry Morgan and François L'Olonnais, and he took part in a remarkable series of assaults on Spanish targets. Gallardo's life during these five years provides a unique insight into cross-cultural relations involving multinational outlaw gangs at the height of Caribbean raiding. This article shifts the focus from a Eurocentric, often-romanticized image of the age of buccaneers to the contributions of indigenous people, not only as voluntary and forced participants in violent raids but also as defenders of Spanish colonies and, above all, as defenseless victims.
Efecto de los factores protectores sobre los estilos de vida saludable en pacientes con riesgo cardiovascular: un análisis de ruta
Authors: Guerrero Alcedo Jesús Manuel , Sánchez Angulo Johanna Gabriela , López Guerra Víctor Manuel 
Published: April 2020

El objetivo de la presente investigación fue verificar la influencia de factores individuales como la edad, el sexo, el nivel socioeconómico, y factores protectores como la resiliencia, la autoeficacia generalizada y el apoyo social percibido sobre los estilos de vida saludable, en personas con riesgo cardiovascular, además de sus posibles interacciones. Se utilizó una muestra de 290 personas, compuesta por 140 hombres y 150 mujeres, con edades comprendidas entre 35 y 65 años. A través de un análisis de ruta, se obtuvo que las variables con mayor predicción sobre el estilo de vida saludable fueron el apoyo social percibido, específicamente de amigos, y la resiliencia. Así mismo, se encontró que la autoeficacia influye significativamente sobre la resiliencia, y el apoyo social percibido es un predictor relevante para la primera. En conclusión, el estilo de vida saludable se puede predecir en gran medida por variables de contenido psicológico, de forma directa e indirecta. Además, puede verse diferenciado dependiendo de la dimensión específica de la variable predicha y el número de variables que se relacionen en conjunto.