bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender-based Inequalities in Health literacy among an Iranian Kurd Population: Results of a Community Survey
Authors: Mahmoodi Hassan , Moradzadeh Rahmatollah , Iranpour Abedin , Shahi Fatemeh , Azimi Somayeh , Saqqezi Pershang Sharifi , Keshavarzian Khadijeh , Shirzadi Shayesteh , Hosking Sarah , Nadrian Haidar 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background : Health literacy, as a social determinant of health, has a decisive role in providing different populations with healthcare services in an equal manner. Our aim in this study was to investigate the contribution of socio-demographic factors to functional health literacy (FHL) in a population of Iranian adults and identify differences in the contribution of these factors across genders. Methods : This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 to 2016 in Sanandaj, Iran. Multistage cluster sampling was employed to recruit 1000 people older than 18 (response rate = 89.2%) from 35 urban and 10 rural health care centers. Test of functional health literacy in adults (TOFHLA) was used to assess FHL. In order to measure inequality in FHL, concentration index decomposition was used. Results: In total, 869 respondents (response rate: 86.9%) with a mean age (standard deviation; SD) of 33.68 (13.0) completed TOFHLA questionnaire. More than half of participants were women (57.5%). Participants demonstrated an average TOFHLA score of 51.9. Women demonstrated slightly higher TOFHLA scores (52.2 [SD: 0.46]) compared to men (50.7 [SD: 0.4]). However, the concentration index for gender was 10.9% suggesting gender contributed only moderately to TOFHLA scores. Comparatively, 54.3% of TOFHLA differences were attributed to geographic location. Among women, place of residence, monthly income, age, education level and being head of household contributed to 43%, 32%, 13%, 11.5% and 11% of FHL inequality, respectively. Among men, however, place of residence (45.2%), size of household (15.1%) and monthly income (13.5%) contributed most to inequality in FHL. Conclusions: Although gender was not the strongest contributing factor for FHL inequalities, poor FHL was mostly concentrated among men. Different factors were attributed to FHL inequality by gender, as discussed inside. Understanding these differences may assist in identifying and targeting interventions towards men and women with low levels of FHL. Our findings shed light the critical role of social determinants of health (SDH) in promoting the health literacy of populations, particularly in developing countries like Iran.
A Ring Model for Understanding How Interfacial Interaction Dictates the Structures of Protection Motifs and Gold Cores in Thiolate-Protected Gold Nanoclusters
Authors: Xu Wen , Zheng Mengke , Han Wenhua , Liu Pengye , Zeng Xiao Cheng 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Understanding the role of interfacial interactions between the protection motifs SR[Au(SR)]x (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, ...) and gold cores on the stabilities of the thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters is still a challenging task. Although several theoretical models, including the superatom complex, super valence bond, and superatom network, have provided insights into the stabilities of either the overall structures or the gold cores, a model that can illuminate how the interfacial interaction dictates the unique structures of the protection motifs and gold cores is still lacking. Herein, we present a ring model, on the basis of comprehensive analyses of all 95 previous experimentally crystallized and theoretically predicted thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters, to offer a deeper insight into the structure-interaction relationship for this class of clusters. In the ring model, all the thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters can be generically viewed as fusion or interlocking of several [Aum(SR)n] (m = 4 - 8, 10, 12, and 0 ≤ n ≤ m) rings. The aurophilic interactions among these rings are expected to play a key role in the stabilization of the thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters. Guided by the ring model and the grand unified model (for understanding the structures of gold cores), a new Au42(SR)26 isomer is predicted, whose total energy is even lower than those of two previously crystallized isomers, thereby giving credence to the predictability of the ring model. The ring model provides not only a mechanistic understanding of the interactions between the protection ligands and gold cores in the thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters, but also a practical guidance on predicting new thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters for experimental synthesis and confirmation.
Seroprevalences of Classical Swine Fever Virus and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus in Pigs in Hunan Province, China
Authors: Yu Haoyang , Zhang Luhua , Cai Yunfeng , Peng Tao , Liu Lei , Wang Naidong , Wang Guiping , Deng Zhibang , Zhan Yang 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Several infectious diseases including classical swine fever (CSF) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) are responsible for major economic losses and represent a threat to the swine industry worldwide. Hunan is a province in south-central China, serological statistics will have certain effect on local breeding industry.The present study investigated the seroprevalences of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in pigs from eight cities of Hunan province from 2017 to 2019. The samples were divided into two groups based on whether the hosts were immunized or not, and analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: The seropositivity of CSFV and PRRSV between different parts of Hunan province in China was statistically significant. In unvaccinated group, our findings showed CSFV antibody in piglets' sera decreases gradually with increase of piglets' age whereas PRRSV-specific antibodies may appear in various growth stages. In immunized group, the average seropositive rate of CSFV antibody was 82.2%, while the rate of PRRSV antibody was relatively higher (84.4%).Conclusions: Results from this study suggested that a serological investigation on these two major infectious diseases (CSF and PRRS) among various growth stages of pigs will provide a basis for further development of more effective preventions and control measures.
Blood levels of matrix metalloproteinase generated C-reactive protein metabolite (CRPM) are a sensitive measure of chronic inflammation in OA
Authors: Bay-Jensen Anne-Christine , Bihlet Asger , Byrjalsen Inger , Andersen Jeppe R , Riis Bente J , Christiansen Claus , Michealis Martin , Guehring Hans , Ladel Christoph , Karsdal Morten A 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe heterogeneous nature of osteoarthritis (OA) and the need to subtype patients is widely accepted. The biomarker CRPM, a metabolite of C-reactive protein (CRP), is released to the circulation during inflammation. Blood CRPM levels have shown to be associated with disease activity and response to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We hypothesized that circulating levels of CRPMs could be used to identify OA patients with an inflammatory phenotype. We investigated the level and the prognostic effect of CRPM using combined data from two phase III OA and two RA studies (N = 1591). The association between serum CRPM levels and radiographic progression was investigated in knees of OA patients without radiographic OA in contra-lateral knee at baseline by dividing the patients into cases (knees with two-year radiographic progression) and controls (knees without radiographic progression). ResultsThe mean CRPM levels were significantly lower in OA (8.5 [95% CI 8.3-8.8] ng/mL) compared to the RA patients (15.6 [9.5-21.6] ng/mL); however, a significant subset of OA patients (31%) had CRPM levels ≥ 9ng/mL, as 75% of patients with early RA. Furthermore, OA patients with CRPM levels ≥ 9ng/mL were more likely to progress on X-ray over a two-year follow-up period; CRPM was prognostic for contralateral incidence knee OA with an odds ratio of 2.2 [1.0 - 4.7]. ConclusionA subset of OA patients, approximately 30%, appear to have tissue inflammation comparable to that of RA patients, reflected by the level of CRPM. Furthermore, high CRPM levels were prognostic of incident knee OA. These data suggest that CRPM is a blood-based biochemical marker for early identification OA patients with an inflammatory phenotype.
Systems-wide effects of short-term feed deprivation in obese mice
Authors: Andersen Daniel , Roager Henrik Munch , Zhang Li , Moll Janne Marie , Frandsen Henrik Lauritz , Danneskiold-Samsøe Niels Banhos , Hansen Axel Kornerup , Kristiansen Karsten , Licht Tine Rask , Brix Susanne 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: While prolonged fasting induces significant metabolic changes in humans and mice, less is known about systems-wide metabolic changes in response to short-term feed deprivation, which traditionally has been used in experimental animal studies prior to metabolic challenge tests. Methods: We here performed a systems biology-based investigation of connections between gut bacterial composition and function, inflammatory and metabolic parameters in the intestine, liver, visceral adipose tissue, blood and urine in obese mice that were feed deprived for varying durations up to 12 hours. Results: Our analysis revealed that increased duration of feed deprivation linked to enhanced intestinal butyric acid production and expression of the gene encoding the pro-thermogenic uncoupling protein UCP1 in visceral adipose tissue of obese mice. Ucp1 expression was also positively associated with Il33 expression in ileum, colon and adipose tissue as well as with the abundance of colonic Porphyromonadaceae, the latter also correlating to cecal butyric acid levels. Conclusions: The data highlighted presence of a three-tiered system of inter-tissue communication involving intestinal, immune and metabolic functions which is affected by the duration of feed deprivation in obese mice.
Increased MAGEC2 Expression Renders Resistance to Apoptotic Death Through Sustained Activation of STAT3 in Suspension Cultured Tumor Cells
Authors: Park Doyeon , Han Sora , Joo Hyun Jeong , Ka Hye In , Soh Su Jung , Park Ji Young , Yang Young 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Melanoma-associated antigen C2 (MAGEC2) is an oncogene associated with various cancer types. However, the biological function of MAGEC2 in circulating tumor cells is unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of MAGEC2 using adapted suspension cells (ASCs), which were previously developed to study circulating tumor cells (CTCs).Methods Differential gene expression between adherent cells (ADs) and ASCs was examined using RNA-seq analysis. MAGEC2 expression was assessed using RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, and ChIP-seq analysis. Depletion of MAGEC2 expression was carried out using siRNA. MAGEC2-depleted ADs and ASCs were used to investigate the change in proliferation rate and cell cycle. Then, the protein levels of STAT3, phosphorylated STAT3, and downstream of STAT3 were measured using control and MAGEC2-depleted ADs and ASCs. The direct effect of active STAT3 inhibition with Stattic in ASCs was also assessed in terms of proliferation and apoptosis. Finally, an Annexin V/7-AAD assay was performed to determine the percentage of apoptotic cells in Stattic-treated cells. Results MAGEC2 was highly expressed in ASCs compared to ADs. Depletion of MAGEC2 reduced the proliferation rate and viability of ASCs. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, the level of STAT3 was examined because of its oncogenic properties. Tyrosine-phosphorylated active STAT3 was highly expressed in ASCs and decreased in MAGEC2-depleted ASCs. In addition, when ASCs were treated with Stattic, an active STAT3 inhibitor, they were more sensitive to intrinsic pathway-mediated apoptosis.Conclusions High expression of MAGEC2 may play an important role in the survival of ASCs by maintaining the expression of activated STAT3 to prevent apoptotic cell death.
Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) as Potential Biomarkers of Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance in Gastric Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li Yiding , Wu Guiling , Yang Wanli , Wang Xiaoqian , Duan Lili , Niu Liaoran , Zhang Yujie , Zhou Wei , Hong Liu , Fan Daiming 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common highly recurrent malignant tumor that is associated with poor prognosis. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have drawn much attention because of their diagnostic value in diverse cancers, including GC. This study aimed to assess the relevance of CTCs in predicting the clinicopathological parameters and prognostic significance of GC. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Medline and Web of Science for relevant studies. Each database was searched from its date of inception through January 22, 2020. The odds ratios (ORs), hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated as effect values using the random-effects model. Results: In total, 52 articles that reported 68 studies comprising 4158 GC patients were included. The pooled results on TNM stage indicated that the III/IV group had a notably higher CTCs positivity rate than the I/II group (OR=2.73, 95% CI (1.95,3.82), I2=65%). The poorly differentiated group had a significantly higher CTCs positivity rate than the well/moderately differentiated group (overall: OR=1.91, 95% CI (0.77,4.71)), as well as the Lauren classification diffuse/hybrid type group and the intestinal group (overall: OR=1.77, 95% CI (0.70,4.44)). The bulk of analysis revealed that CTC positivity detected in GC patients was correlated with worse overall survival (OS) (HR =1.94, 95% CI (1.64,2.30), P≤0.001), progression-free survival (PFS) (HR =2.45, 95% CI (1.65,3.64), P≤0.001), and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR =2.78, 95% CI (1.89,4.10), P≤0.001). Then, we extracted data and analyzed the DCR of chemotherapy in patients with GC, and the pooled analysis demonstrated that the DCR of the CTC positivity was lower than that of the CTC negativity (RR =0.63, 95% CI (0.44,0.91))Conclusions: In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the CTCs positivity was correlated with the poor OS, PFS and DFS in GC patients and provided a scientific foundation for gastric cancer staging.
Stand Feature Associating With Climate Seasonality Determinate Root-Shoot Ratios of Forest Ecosystems in China
Authors: Kang Feng-Feng , Yu Ai-Hua , Guo Mingchun , Wang Qi , Jiang Ze-Ping , Xiao Wen-Fa , Liu Jian-Feng 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Forest ecosystems play a crucial role in global carbon cycle. Identifying bio- or abio- drivers on forest biomass allocation pattern could improve our understanding in forest carbon sink, stock and cycle across various spatio-temporal scales. Through compiling a dataset (n=1931) of the root-shoot ratio from previous studies, here we implemented the Random Forest algorithm (RF) to elucidate main driven factors on the root-shoot ratio across China forest ecosystems. Results: (1) Forest age and forest density were both contributed mostly to root-shoot ratio variations regardless of forest origins (natural or planted forests). The relative important values (% increase in MSE) for forest density and forest age on the root-shoot ratio were 54.42% and 51.05% in the natural forests, and 74.61% and 117.27% in the planted forests, respectively; (2) Compared to soil variables (soil texture and nutrient status), climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) showed stronger effects on the root-shoot ratio; (3) Partial dependent analysis further demonstrated that root-shoot ratio initially decreased with forest age, but afterwards increased to a relative stable level (the turning point, e.g., ca. 150 yr for natural forests and ca.30 yr for planted forests); (4)The root-shoot ratio increased nonlinearly with an increase of forest density in both forest types. Forest density and precipitation seasonality exerted positively direct effects, while forest age together with temperature seasonality, mean temperature of wettest quarter and precipitation of warmest quarter had negatively effects on the root-shoot ratio of two forest types. Conclusions: The forest age, forest density and climate seasonality contributed mostly to variations of root-shoot ratios in China forest ecosystems. These results would improve our understanding of environmental drivers on forest biomass allocation over a large spatial scale, and to some extent provide a generally practical significance in forest management (e.g., time for timber harvest), although species-specific root-shoot ratio associated with ontogeny should be further investigated in the future.
Association of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor-associated protein with prognosis in patients after radical pancreatic cancer treatment
Authors: Zhang Chao , Tang Wenhao , Tu Yanyuan , Yuan Zurong , Wang Wei , Wu Zhaokun , Xiao Li , Gu Yan , Wang Weiyi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Purpose: To discuss the value and possible causes of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) expression and multiple clinicopathological factors in the prognosis of patients after radical pancreatic cancer treatment.Methods: The pancreatic tissues of 76 pancreatic cancer patients after R0 resection were screened according to the criteria, and the expression levels of GABARAP were determined by using immunohistochemistry (MaxVision) to label the pancreatic cancer tissues and normal pancreatic tissues at the peri-cancer level in these two types of specimens, and the relationship between GABARAP and other factors and the disease-free and overall survival of patients after radical pancreatic cancer treatment was evaluated by single factor survival analysis and Cox regression analysis.Results：The expression ratio of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer tissue was 55.26% (42/76), which was drastically higher than that in normal pancreatic tissue adjacent to cancer (21.42% (12/76). In 76 patients, the middle relapse-free survival time after radical operation for pancreatic cancer was 12.8 months, and the middle overall survival time was 17.8 months. Forty-one patients found relapse on CT, and the recurrence site: local recurrence accounted for 17.1% (7/41) Distant metastasis accounted for 78.0% (32/41), and local recurrence with distant metastasis accounted for 4.9% (2/41). Among the three recurrence methods, there was no drastical difference in survival time from relapse to death (P> 0.05). Cox regression model evaluation showed that GABARAP (P = 0.044) and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.038) were the overall survival of patients after radical pancreatic cancer Period independent prognostic indicators and both are protective factors for the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. Further data analysis found that postoperative chemotherapy had no drastical effect on the relapse-free survival and overall survival of 42 GABARAP-positive patients with cancer tissue, while in 34 GABARAP-negative patients, postoperative chemotherapy drastically increased the total patient Survival period (P = 0.041) but had no drastical effect on the patient's relapse-free survival periodConclusion: The expression of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer tissues was drastically up-regulated, and patients with high expression of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer tissues had better prognosis, but had no drastical effect on the relapse-free survival of patients after radical operation of pancreatic cancer. The expression of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer tissues and Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is an independent indicator of patients' prognosis after radical pancreatic cancer resection. Both are protective factors. The high expression of GABARAP in pancreatic cancer may indicate that the adjuvant chemotherapy is low benefit.
NUF2 Correlates with&nbsp;Poor Prognosis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Multi-Omics Analysis
Authors: Chen Mengqing , Zhang Yue , Liang Yuling , Luo Dan , Wang Wenjun 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors and the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. As a component of the nuclear division cycle 80 complex, NUF2 is a part of the conserved protein complex related to the centromere. Although the high expression of NUF2 has been reported in many different types of human cancers, no studies have conducted systematic multi-omics analysis on NUF2 in non-small cell lung cancer.Methods: In this analysis, NUF2 difference analysis in non-small cell lung cancer were evaluated in GEO, TCGA, Oncomine, UALCAN databases, and a prognosis analysis of NUF2 based on Kaplan-Meier was performed. R language was used to analyze the differential expression genes, functional Annotation and protein-protein interaction. GSEA analysis of differential expression genes were also carried out. Mechanism analysis about exploring the characteristic of NUF2, multi-omics and correlation analysis were carried out using UALCAN, cBioportal, GEPIA and TIMER.Results: The expression of NUF2 in tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. The analysis of TCGA and UALCAN database samples proved that NUF2 expression was connected with stage, TNM stage and smoking habits. Meanwhile, the overall survival curve also validated that high expression of NUF2 indicated poor prognosis. Furthermore, immune infiltration analysis showed NUF2 had correlation with immune cells and NUF2 altered group had a poor prognosis than unaltered group in non-small cell lung cancer.Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that data mining efficiently reveals NUF2 expression and potential regulatory mechanism in non-small cell lung cancer, laying a foundation for further study of the role of NUF2 in diagnosis and treatment in non-small cell lung cancer.
Therapeutic approach to Sars-COV-2 in early treatment of patient not-hospitalized: a case report.
Authors: Marasco Daniela , Prete Salvatore Del , Sabetta Rosalaura , Caruso Arturo Armone , Capaldi Roberto , Prete Antonio Del 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Sars-CoV-2 induces a massive inflammatory response mediated by macrophages, activated thanks to IFNγ secreted by T lymphocytes. Viral H1N1 pneumonia has been reported that h could have the same inflammatory mechanism that we can observe in COVID-19 patients 16). We tested this theory on a 55-year-old male patient, Sars-COV-2 positive.Case presentation: We treated our patient using clinical data and therapeutic approaches from a team of Chinese researchers, established during the beginning of the epidemic in December 2019. The new member of the human coronavirus, officially called SARS - CoV - 2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) is a new RNA virus strain that has not been previously identified in humans (1). This patient showed a Sars Cov-2 infection and was treated early with glucocorticoids. The patient immediately showed a regression of fever and an improvement of symptoms. Conclusions: We hypothesize that the initial stages of the infection can be treated with glucocorticoid therapy.