bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel peptide RIFV suppresses human adipocyte differentiation through the inhibition of C/EBP-β expression
Authors: Zhang Wen , Shen Dan , Li Yun , Zhong Hong , Wang Xing , Cui Xian-wei , Shi Chun-Mei , Ji Chen-Bo , Guo Xi-Rong , Chen Ling 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Obesity is a global epidemic disease that increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. However, therapeutic drugs for obesity are still scarce. In recent years, peptides have been identified as new biological regulators. RIFV (R-I-F-V-P-I-K-G-R-P-A-P), a novel active peptide from our peptide database.

Methods
We performed oil red O staining and triglyceride measurement to analyze the influence of RIFV on white preadipocytes differentiation. Then the effects of RIFV on cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle were determined by using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein levels of adipogenesis-related genes were respectively detected by qRT-PCR and western blot. Rescue experiment was conducted to confirm whether RIFV could regulate adipocytes differentiation via targeting C/EBP-β. Finally, the luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to verify the regulation of RIFV on C/EBP-β gene.

Results
RIFV was revealed to inhibit the differentiation of human white adipocytes without affecting their proliferation. Additionally, RIFV could also suppress the differentiation of mouse primary white preadipocytes isolated from inguinal fat tissues. Furthermore, RIFV may have an inhibitory effect on adipogenesis by inhibiting the regulation of the adipogenic gene C/EBP-β.

Conclusions
Our results indicated that RIFV may be a novel essential regulator of adipocyte differentiation and represents a therapeutic strategy for obesity and related complications.
Primary epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma of the stomach: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Wang Yangkun , Guo Pei , Zhang Zhishang , Jiang Runde , Li Zuguo 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare tumor that generally occurs in the bladder, the parotid gland, or the skin of the neck. We describe an unusual case of primary epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma of the stomach and review the literature.

Case presentation
A 64-year-old woman presented with a lesion at the gastroesophageal junction. Histopathological examination showed irregularly sized round cells with low cytoplasmic content and eccentric nuclei. Mitotic figures were present. Fibrovascular septa and areas of necrosis were observed between tumor cells. Tumor cells were strongly positive for MyoD1, desmin, and myogenin, and weakly positive for actin, CD56, and PGP9.5. The ki-67 index was ≥90%.

Conclusions
Primary epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma of the stomach is extremely rare. Better awareness of this entity is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment.
Physical and psychological aspects of anorexia nervosa based on duration of illness: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Takakura Shu , Aso Chie Suzuyama , Toda Kenta , Hata Tomokazu , Yamashita Makoto , Sudo Nobuyuki 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
We evaluated physical and psychological features of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) who differed by duration of illness.

Methods
Data were obtained from 204 female patients with AN, divided into two groups based on illness duration: short-term illness duration (less than 5 years; n = 118); and long-term duration (5 years or more; n = 86). Physical parameters were measured using blood serum testing and psychological aspects were assessed using various instruments.

Results
A significantly higher proportion of restricting type AN was observed in the short-term group while the proportion of binge eating/purging type AN was higher in the long-term group. There was no difference in body mass index (BMI) between the groups. Serum total protein, albumin, potassium, chloride, and calcium in the long-term group were significantly lower than in the short-term group. Overall scores on the Eating Disorder Inventory as well as most of the subscales, except maturity fears, were higher in the long-term group than in the short-term group. The care subscale of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) was lower in the long-term group than in the short-term group, while the overprotection subscale of the PBI was higher in the long-term group than in the short-term group. Results of a multiple regression analysis indicated that the overprotection subscale of the PBI was the only significant predictor of duration of illness.

Conclusions
Duration of illness may be associated with physical and psychological features of AN; thus, adapting therapeutic approaches to illness duration might be necessary.
Association between hydroxocobalamin administration and acute kidney injury after smoke inhalation: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Dépret François , Hoffmann Clément , Daoud Laura , Thieffry Camille , Monplaisir Laure , Creveaux Jules , Annane Djillali , Parmentier Erika , Mathieu Daniel , Wiramus Sandrine , Demeure DIt Latte Dominique , Kpodji Aubin , Textoris Julien , Robin Florian , Klouche Kada , Pontis Emmanuel , Schnell Guillaume , Barbier François , Constantin Jean-Michel , Clavier Thomas , du Cheyron Damien , Terzi Nicolas , Sauneuf Bertrand , Guerot Emmanuel , Lafon Thomas , Herbland Alexandre , Megarbane Bruno , Leclerc Thomas , Mallet Vincent , Pirracchio Romain , Legrand Matthieu 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
The use of hydroxocobalamin has long been advocated for treating suspected cyanide poisoning after smoke inhalation. Intravenous hydroxocobalamin has however been shown to cause oxalate nephropathy in a single-center study. The impact of hydroxocobalamin on the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and survival after smoke inhalation in a multicenter setting remains unexplored.

Methods
We conducted a multicenter retrospective study in 21 intensive care units (ICUs) in France. We included patients admitted to an ICU for smoke inhalation between January 2011 and December 2017. We excluded patients discharged at home alive within 24 h of admission. We assessed the risk of AKI (primary endpoint), severe AKI, major adverse kidney (MAKE) events, and survival (secondary endpoints) after administration of hydroxocobalamin using logistic regression models.

Results
Among 854 patients screened, 739 patients were included. Three hundred six and 386 (55.2%) patients received hydroxocobalamin. Mortality in ICU was 32.9% (n = 243). Two hundred eighty-eight (39%) patients developed AKI, including 186 (25.2%) who developed severe AKI during the first week. Patients who received hydroxocobalamin were more severe and had higher mortality (38.1% vs 27.2%, p = 0.0022). The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of AKI after intravenous hydroxocobalamin was 1.597 (1.055, 2.419) and 1.772 (1.137, 2.762) for severe AKI; intravenous hydroxocobalamin was not associated with survival or MAKE with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.114 (0.691, 1.797) and 0.784 (0.456, 1.349) respectively.

Conclusion
Hydroxocobalamin was associated with an increased risk of AKI and severe AKI but was not associated with survival after smoke inhalation.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03558646
tmap: an integrative framework based on topological data analysis for population-scale microbiome stratification and association studies
Authors: Liao Tianhua , Wei Yuchen , Luo Mingjing , Zhao Guo-Ping , Zhou Haokui 
Published: December 2019

AbstractUntangling the complex variations of microbiome associated with large-scale host phenotypes or environment types challenges the currently available analytic methods. Here, we presenttmap, an integrative framework based on topological data analysis for population-scale microbiome stratification and association studies. The performance oftmapin detecting nonlinear patterns is validated by different scenarios of simulation, which clearly demonstrate its superiority over the most commonly used methods. Application oftmapto several population-scale microbiomes extensively demonstrates its strength in revealing microbiome-associated host or environmental features and in understanding the systematic interrelations among their association patterns.tmapis available athttps://github.com/GPZ-Bioinfo/tmap.
Normalization and variance stabilization of single-cell RNA-seq data using regularized negative binomial regression
Authors: Hafemeister Christoph , Satija Rahul 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSingle-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data exhibits significant cell-to-cell variation due to technical factors, including the number of molecules detected in each cell, which can confound biological heterogeneity with technical effects. To address this, we present a modeling framework for the normalization and variance stabilization of molecular count data from scRNA-seq experiments. We propose that the Pearson residuals from “regularized negative binomial regression,” where cellular sequencing depth is utilized as a covariate in a generalized linear model, successfully remove the influence of technical characteristics from downstream analyses while preserving biological heterogeneity. Importantly, we show that an unconstrained negative binomial model may overfit scRNA-seq data, and overcome this by pooling information across genes with similar abundances to obtain stable parameter estimates. Our procedure omits the need for heuristic steps including pseudocount addition or log-transformation and improves common downstream analytical tasks such as variable gene selection, dimensional reduction, and differential expression. Our approach can be applied to any UMI-based scRNA-seq dataset and is freely available as part of the R package , with a direct interface to our single-cell toolkit .
Design and rationale for a pragmatic cluster randomized trial of the Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP) for social housing residents in Ontario and Quebec, Canada
Authors: Agarwal Gina , Girard Magali , Angeles Ricardo , Pirrie Melissa , Lussier Marie-Thérèse , Marzanek Francine , Dolovich Lisa , Paterson J. Michael , Thabane Lehana , Kaczorowski Janusz 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP) uses volunteers to provide cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes screening in a community setting, referrals to primary care providers, and locally available programs targeting lifestyle modification. CHAP has been adapted to target older adults residing in social housing, a vulnerable segment of the population. Older adults living in social housing report poorer health status and have a higher burden of a multitude of chronic illnesses, such as CVD and diabetes. The study objective is to evaluate whether there is a reduction in unplanned CVD-related Emergency Department (ED) visits and hospital admissions among residents of social seniors’ housing buildings receiving the CHAP program for 1 year compared to residents in matched buildings not receiving the program.Methods/designThis is a pragmatic, cluster randomized controlled trial in community-based social (subsidized) housing buildings in Ontario and Quebec. All residents of 14 matched pairs (intervention/control) of apartment buildings will be included. Buildings with 50–200 apartment units with the majority of residents aged 55+ and a unique postal code are included. All individuals residing within the buildings at the start of the intervention period are included (intention to treat, open cohort). The intervention instrument consists of CHAP screens for high blood pressure using automated blood pressure monitors and for diabetes using the Canadian Diabetes Risk (CANRISK) assessment tool. Monthly drop-in sessions for screening/monitoring are held within a common area of the building. Group health education sessions are also held monthly. Reports are sent to family doctors, and attendees are encouraged to visit their family doctor. The primary outcome measure is monthly CVD-related ED visits and hospitalizations over a 1-year period post randomization. Secondary outcomes are all ED visits, hospitalizations, quality of life, cost-effectiveness, and participant experience.DiscussionIt is anticipated that CVD-related ED visits and hospitalizations will decrease in the intervention buildings. Using the volunteer-led CHAP program, there is significant opportunity to improve the health of older adults in social housing.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov,NCT03549845. Registered on 15 May 2018. Updated on 21 May 2019.
Does cranberry extract reduce antibiotic use for symptoms of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (CUTI)? Protocol for a feasibility study
Authors: Gbinigie Oghenekome , Allen Julie , Boylan Anne-Marie , Hay Alastair , Heneghan Carl , Moore Michael , Williams Nicola , Butler Chris 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundConsultations in primary care for symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common and patients are frequently treated with antibiotics. Given increasing antimicrobial resistance, there has been interest in non-antibiotic treatment options for common infections. One such option is the use of cranberry extract to treat symptoms attributable to UTIs.MethodsA target of 45 women consulting in primary care, with symptoms suggestive of an uncomplicated UTI for whom the practitioner would normally prescribe antibiotics, will be randomised to receive one of three treatment approaches: (1) immediate prescription for antibiotics; (2) immediate prescription for antibiotics plus a 7-day course of cranberry capsules and (3) cranberry capsules plus a delayed prescription for antibiotics to be used in case their symptoms do not get better, or get worse. Follow-up will be by daily rating of symptoms and recording of treatments used for 2 weeks in an online symptom diary. Interviews will be conducted with around 10–15 study participants, as well as with around 10–15 women who have experienced a UTI but have not been approached to take part in the study. Both groups will be asked about their experience of having a UTI, their thoughts on non-antibiotic treatments for UTIs and their thoughts on, or experience of, the feasibility trial. The primary objective is to assess the feasibility of undertaking a full trial in primary care of the effectiveness of cranberry extract to reduce antibiotic use for symptoms of acute uncomplicated UTI. The secondary objective is to conduct a preliminary assessment of the extent to which cranberry might reduce antibiotic use and symptom burden.DiscussionThis feasibility study with embedded interviews will inform the planning and sample size calculation of an adequately powered trial to definitively determine whether cranberry helps to alleviate the symptoms of acute uncomplicated UTIs in women and whether it can safely reduce antibiotic use.Trial registrationISRCTN registry, ID:10399299. Registered on 24 January 2019.
Comparing the effect of auricular acupressure and body acupressure on pain and duration of the first stage of labor: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Alimoradi Zainab , Kazemi Farideh , Valiani Mahboubeh , Gorji Maryam 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundLabor pain is one of the leading causes of fear of childbirth. Acupressure is a non-pharmacological pain relief method that has shown promising results in relieving this pain. The present study is designed to compare the effects of body acupressure at multiple points and auricular acupressure on the pain and duration of labor.Methods/designIn a randomized controlled trial, 90 primigravida women who attend for childbirth will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (intervention groups of either body acupressure or auricular acupressure; control, consisting of routine care). Computer-generated six-block randomization techniques will be used to determine the allocation sequence with a 1:1:1 ratio. To hide the allocation, the type of intervention will be written according to the generated sequence and put in opaque envelopes; these as well as questionnaires will be encoded. The pain score for all participants will be measured at the peak uterine contraction at 4-cm cervical dilation and at 10-cm dilation based on a visual analog scale (VAS). The duration of the active phase of labor in these groups will be recorded too. Data will be imported into SPSS-16 software. First, normality of the data distribution will be investigated. To compare labor duration among the research groups, ANOVA will be used, which will be followed, in case of significance, by the Scheffe post hoc test. Furthermore, Chi-squared test will be used to compare the categorized demographic variables and ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis tests will be used to compare the quantitative variables in the studied groups. A significance level of 0.05 is considered significant.DiscussionIn this study the effect of auricular acupressure and body acupressure on pain and duration of first stage of labor will be compared.Trial registrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trials,IRCT20180218038789N1. Registered 2018-03-04; pre result.
Conferring extracellular matrix affinity enhances local therapeutic efficacy of anti-TNF-α antibody in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Katsumata Kiyomitsu , Ishihara Jun , Fukunaga Kazuto , Ishihara Ako , Yuba Eiji , Budina Erica , Hubbell Jeffrey A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundAlthough disease in a majority of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is often initially limited to one or a few joints, currently approved medications including anti-tumor necrosis factor-α antibody (α-TNF) are injected systemically. Given that α-TNF systemic injection typically does not cure RA and involves risk of treatment-related adverse events, one possible approach to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce α-TNF systemic exposure is to retain the antibodies in arthritic joints after local administration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the approach of conferring extracellular matrix (ECM) binding affinity to α-TNF antibodies in a RA model.Methodsα-TNF was chemically conjugated with a promiscuous ECM-binding peptide derived from placenta growth factor 2 (PlGF-2123-144). The binding activity of PlGF-2123-144-conjugated α-TNF (PlGF-2123-144-α-TNF) against ECM proteins was assessed by ELISA and by immunostaining on human cartilage specimens. The effect of conjugation on antibody function was assessed as a neutralizing activity against osteoclast differentiation. Retention at the injection site and therapeutic efficacy of PlGF-2123-144-α-TNF were tested in a collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) model in the mouse.ResultsPlGF-2123-144peptide conjugation conferred α-TNF with affinity to ECM proteins without impairment of antigen recognition. PlGF-2123-144-α-TNF locally injected at a paw in the CAIA model was retained for at least 96 h at the injection site, whereas unmodified α-TNF was dispersed rapidly after injection. Local treatment with unmodified α-TNF did not suppress the arthritis score relative to isotype controls. By contrast, local administration of PlGF-2123-144-α-TNF suppressed arthritis development almost completely in the treated paw even at a 1000× lower dose.ConclusionThese data demonstrate that retention of α-TNF in arthritic joints can suppress arthritis development and enhance therapeutic efficacy. This simple bioengineering approach of ECM-binding peptide conjugation offers a powerful and clinically translational approach to treat RA.
Digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis: their epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and associated clinical and economic burden
Authors: Morrisroe Kathleen , Stevens Wendy , Sahhar Joanne , Ngian Gene-Siew , Ferdowsi Nava , Hill Catherine L. , Roddy Janet , Walker Jennifer , Proudman Susanna , Nikpour Mandana 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
To determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of systemic sclerosis-related digital ulcers, and associated direct health care costs, quality of life, and survival.

Methods
Digital ulcers (DUs) were defined as an area with a visually discernible depth and a loss of continuity of epithelial coverage. DU severity was calculated based on the physician reported highest number of new DUs at clinical review (mild = 1–5 DUs, moderate 6–10 DUs, severe > 10 DUs). Healthcare use was captured through data linkage, wherein SSc clinical data captured prospectively in a dedicated clinical database were linked with health services databases to capture hospital admissions, emergency department (ED) presentations and ambulatory care (MBS) utilization and cost for the period 2008–2015. Healthcare cost determinants were estimated using logistic regression.

Results
Among 1085 SSc patients, 48.6% experienced a DU over a mean follow-up of 5.2 ± 2.5 years. Those who developed DUs were more likely to have diffuse disease subtype (34.9% vs 18.2%, p < 0.001), anti-Scl-70 antibody (18.9% vs 9.3%, p < 0.001), and a younger age at SSc onset (43.6 ± 13.9 vs 48.8 ± 14.0 years, p < 0.001) in addition to reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured by the SF-36 but without a significant impact on survival. SSc patients with a history of a DU utilized significantly more healthcare resources per annum than those without a DU, including hospitalizations, ED presentation, and ambulatory care services. Total healthcare services, excluding medications, were associated with an annual excess cost per DU patient of AUD$12,474 (8574-25,677), p < 0.001, driven by hospital admission and ED presentation costs.

Conclusion
DUs place a large burden on the patient and healthcare system through reduced HRQoL and increased healthcare resource utilization and associated cost.
Stroke secondary prevention, a non-surgical and non-pharmacological consensus definition: results of a Delphi study
Authors: Lawrence Maggie , Asaba Eric , Duncan Elaine , Elf Marie , Eriksson Gunilla , Faulkner James , Guidetti Susanne , Johansson Birgitta , Kruuse Christina , Lambrick Danielle , Longman Caitlin , von Koch Lena , Wang Xu , Lennon Olive 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveEvidence supporting lifestyle modification in vascular risk reduction is limited, drawn largely from primary prevention studies. To advance the evidence base for non-pharmacological and non-surgical stroke secondary prevention (SSP), empirical research is needed, informed by a consensus-derived definition of SSP. To date, no such definition has been published. We used Delphi methods to generate an evidence-based definition of non-pharmacological and non-surgical SSP.ResultsThe 16 participants were members of INSsPiRE (International Network of Stroke Secondary Prevention Researchers), a multidisciplinary group of trialists, academics and clinicians. The Elicitation stage identified 49 key elements, grouped into 3 overarching domains: Risk factors, Education, and Theory before being subjected to iterative stages of elicitation, ranking, discussion, and anonymous voting. In the Action stage, following an experience-based engagement with key stakeholders, a consensus-derived definition, complementing current pharmacological and surgical SSP pathways, was finalised: Non-pharmacological and non-surgical stroke secondary prevention supports and improves long-term health and well-being in everyday life and reduces the risk of another stroke, by drawing from a spectrum of theoretically informed interventions and educational strategies. Interventions to self-manage modifiable lifestyle risk factors are contextualized and individualized to the capacities, needs, and personally meaningful priorities of individuals with stroke and their families.