bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR induces GLI2 expression through Notch signalling in systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Wasson Christopher W. , Ross Rebecca L. , Wells Rebecca , Corinaldesi Clarissa , Georgiou Ioanna Ch. , Riobo-Del Galdo Natalia A. , Del Galdo Francesco 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectivesSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterised by tissue fibrosis of the major organs of the body including the skin, lungs and heart. We have previously reported that the lncRNA HOTAIR plays a central role in the activation of SSc myofibroblasts, the key cellular elements of fibrosis. HOTAIR induces fibroblast activation through H3K27me3-mediated activation of the Notch signalling pathway. Here we aimed to identify the signalling events downstream of Notch that drive SSc myofibroblast activation.MethodsPatient fibroblasts were obtained from full-thickness forearm skin biopsies of 3 adult patients with SSc of recent onset. The lncRNA HOTAIR was expressed in healthy dermal fibroblasts by lentiviral transduction. Hedgehog signalling pathway was inhibited with GANT61 and GLI2 siRNA. Gamma secretase inhibitors RO4929097 and DAPT were used to block Notch signalling. GSK126 was used to inhibit Enhancer of Zeste 2 (EZH2).ResultsOverexpression of HOTAIR in dermal fibroblasts induced the expression of the Hedgehog pathway transcription factor GLI2. This is mediated by activation of Notch signalling following epigenetic downregulation of miRNA-34a expression. Inhibition of H3K27 methylation and Notch signalling reduced expression of GLI2 in HOTAIR-expressing fibroblasts as well as in SSc dermal fibroblasts. Importantly, the inhibition of GLI2 function using GANT61 or siRNA mitigates the pro-fibrotic phenotype induced by HOTAIR.ConclusionsOur data indicates that GLI2 expression is stably upregulated in SSc myofibroblasts through HOTAIR and that GLI2 mediates the expression of pro-fibrotic markers downstream of Notch.
Comparative genomics of Helicobacter pullorum from different countries
Authors: Zhou Guilan , Liang Hao , Gu Yixin , Ju Changyan , He Lihua , Guo Pengbo , Shao Zhujun , Zhang Jianzhong , Zhang Maojun 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Helicobacter pullorum commonly colonized in the gastrointestinal tract of poultry and caused gastroenteritis. This bacterium could be transmitted to humans through contaminated food and caused colitis and hepatitis. Currently, the genetic characteristics of the H. pullorum were not recognized enough. In this study, the genomes of 23 H. pullorum strains from different counties were comparatively analyzed. Among them, H. pullorum 2013BJHL was the first isolated and reported in China.

Results
The genomes of the studied strains were estimated to vary from 1.55 to 2.03 Mb, with a GC content of ~ 34%. 4064 pan genes and 1267 core genes were obtained from the core-pan genome analysis using the Roary pipeline. Core genome SNPs (cg-SNPs) were obtained using Snippy4 software. Two groups were identified with the phylogenetic analysis based on the cg-SNPs. Some adhesion-related, immune regulation, motility-related, antiphagocytosis-related, toxin-related and quorum sensing related genes were identified as virulence factors. APH(3′)-IIIa, APH(2′’)-If, and AAC(6′)-Ie-APH(2′’)-Ia were identified as antibiotic resistance genes among the H. pullorum genomes. cat, SAT-4 and tetO genes were only identified in 2013BJHL, and tet(C) was identified in MIT98-5489. MIC determination revealed that the 2013BJHL showed acquired resistance to ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, tetracycline, gentamicin, streptomycin and erythromycin, only sensitive to ampicillin. The antibiotic resistance genetic determinants on the 2013BJHL genome correlate well with observed antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. Two types of VI secretion system (T6SS) were identified in 52.2% (12/23) the studied strains.

Conclusion
In this study, we obtained the genetic characteristics of H. pullorum from different sources in the world. The comprehensive genetic characteristics of H. pullorum were first described. H. pullorum showed highly genetic diversity and two sub-types of T6SSs were first identified in H. pullorum. 2013BJHL was found to be multidrug resistant as it was resistant to at least three different antibiotic classes.
Mathematical modeling of the immune-chemotherapeutic treatment of breast cancer under some control parameters
Authors: Yousef Ali , Bozkurt Fatma , Abdeljawad Thabet 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe consider a system of fractional-order differential equations to analyze breast cancer growth in the immune-chemotherapeutic treatment process under some control parameters: ketogenic diet, immune booster, and anti-cancer drugs. The established model assumes the growth of the tumor density under chemotherapy treatment and the immune response during the interaction between the normal cells and tumor cells. For the local stability of the critical points (tumor-free critical point, dead critical point, and co-existing critical point), we used the Routh-Hurwitz criteria to show the necessary effect of the immune booster; moreover, we addressed the ketogenic rate in the treatment process. Our theoretical and numerical studies pointed out that on early detection of the tumor density (with weak Allee effect) the treatment should be supported by ketogenic nutrition. Several examples are shown to present our theoretical findings.
Evaluation of intra- and interobserver reliability in the assessment of the ‘critical trochanter angle’
Authors: Serong Sebastian , Schutzbach Moritz , Zovko Ivica , Jäger Marcus , Landgraeber Stefan , Haversath Marcel 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
The recently described ‘critical trochanter angle’ (CTA) is a novel parameter in the preoperative risk assessment of stem malalignment in total hip arthroplasty. As its reproducibility needs to be evaluated, the given study aims to investigate intra- and interobserver reliability. It is hypothesized that both analyses justify the clinical use of the CTA.

Methods
A total of 100 pelvic radiographs obtained prior to total hip arthroplasty were retrospectively reviewed by four observers with different levels of clinical experience. The CTA was measured twice by each observer at different occasions in the previously described technique. Intra- and interobserver reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with confidence intervals (CI) and the Bland–Altman approach.

Results
The mean CTA in both measuring sequences was 20.58° and 20.78°. The observers’ means ranged from 17.76° to 25.23°. Intraobserver reliability showed a mean difference of less than 0.5° for all four observers (95% limit of agreement: − 7.70–6.70). Intraobserver ICCs ranged from 0.92 to 0.99 (CI 0.88–0.99). For interobserver variation analysis, ICCs of 0.83 (CI 0.67–0.90) and 0.85 (CI 0.68–0.92) were calculated.

Conclusion
Analyses concerning intra- and interobserver reliability in the assessment of the CTA showed ‘very good’ and ‘good’ results, respectively. In view of these findings, the use of the CTA as an additional preoperative parameter to assess the risk of intraoperative stem malalignment seems to be justified.
Electromagnetic-guided versus endoscopic placement of post-pyloric feeding tubes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Wei Yaping , Jin Zheng , Zhu Ying , Hu Wei 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Current evidence supporting the utility of electromagnetic (EM)-guided method as the preferred technique for post-pyloric feeding tube placement is limited. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the performance of EM-guided versus endoscopic placement.

Methods
We searched several databases for all randomised controlled trials evaluating the EM-guided vs. endoscopic placement of post-pyloric feeding tubes up to 28 July 2020. Primary outcome was procedure success rate. Secondary outcomes included reinsertion rate, number of attempts, placement-related complications, tube-related complications, insertion time, total procedure time, patient discomfort, recommendation scores, length of hospital stay, mortality, and total costs.

Results
Four trials involving 536 patients were qualified for the final analysis. There was no difference between the two groups in procedure success rate (RR 0.97; 95% CI 0.91–1.03), reinsertion rate (RR 0.84; 95% CI 0.59–1.20), number of attempts (WMD − 0.23; 95% CI − 0.99–0.53), placement-related complications (RR 0.78; 95% CI 0.41–1.49), tube-related complications (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.82–1.44), total procedure time (WMD − 18.09 min; 95% CI − 38.66–2.47), length of hospital stay (WMD 1.57 days; 95% CI − 0.33–3.47), ICU mortality (RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.50–1.29), in-hospital mortality (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.59–1.28), and total costs (SMD − 1.80; 95% CI − 3.96–0.36). The EM group was associated with longer insertion time (WMD 4.3 min; 95% CI 0.2–8.39), higher patient discomfort level (WMD 1.28; 95% CI 0.46–2.1), and higher recommendation scores (WMD 1.67; 95% CI 0.24–3.10).

Conclusions
No significant difference was found between the two groups in efficacy, safety, and costs. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Systematic review registration
PROSPERO (CRD42020172427)
Falling bacterial communities from the atmosphere
Authors: Woo Cheolwoon , Yamamoto Naomichi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundBacteria emitted into the atmosphere eventually settle to the pedosphere via sedimentation (dry deposition) or precipitation (wet deposition), constituting a part of the global cycling of substances on Earth, including the water cycle. In this study, we aim to investigate the taxonomic compositions and flux densities of bacterial deposition, for which little is known regarding the relative contributions of each mode of atmospheric deposition, the taxonomic structures and memberships, and the aerodynamic properties in the atmosphere.ResultsPrecipitation was found to dominate atmospheric bacterial deposition, contributing to 95% of the total flux density at our sampling site in Korea, while bacterial communities in precipitation were significantly different from those in sedimentation, in terms of both their structures and memberships. Large aerodynamic diameters of atmospheric bacteria were observed, with an annual mean of 8.84 μm, which appears to be related to their large sedimentation velocities, with an annual mean of 1.72 cm s− 1for all bacterial taxa combined. The observed mean sedimentation velocity for atmospheric bacteria was larger than the previously reported mean sedimentation velocities for fungi and plants.ConclusionsLarge aerodynamic diameters of atmospheric bacteria, which are likely due to the aggregation and/or attachment to other larger particles, are thought to contribute to large sedimentation velocities, high efficiencies as cloud nuclei, and large amounts of precipitation of atmospheric bacteria. Moreover, the different microbiotas between precipitation and sedimentation might indicate specific bacterial involvement and/or selective bacterial growth in clouds. Overall, our findings add novel insight into how bacteria participate in atmospheric processes and material circulations, including hydrological circulation, on Earth.
Effect of switching from cinacalcet to etelcalcetide on secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients undergoing hemodialysis: an ESCORT trial
Authors: Kurokawa Yuka , Kaida Yusuke , Hazama Takuma , Nakayama Yosuke , Otome Takaomi , Shibata Ryo , Ito Sakuya , Kodama Goh , Nakamura Nao , Kambe Takatoshi , Moriyama Tomofumi , Nagata Akiko , Minami Aki , Ando Ryotaro , Wada Yoshifumi , Sugiyama Miki , Usui Michiaki , Chiba Michio , Moriyama Atsuo , Ohara Atsuko , Miyazaki Hiroshi , Kakuma Tatsuyuki , Fukami Kei 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Etelcalcetide is the first intravenously administered calcimimetic agent used to manage secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of replacing cinacalcet with etelcalcetide in HD patients.

Methods
One hundred and thirty-three patients HD on cinacalcet were screened, and 93 patients with serum-intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level of ≥ 60 pg/mL and serum albumin-corrected calcium (cCa) level of ≥ 8.4 mg/dL were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups based on the dose of cinacalcet (i.e., 25, 50, and ≥ 75 mg) and switched to etelcalcetide. Etelcalcetide was administered three times per week for 24 weeks. The primary and secondary endpoints were etelcalcetide conversion dose and etelcalcetide effectiveness for iPTH levels (target range: 60–240 pg/mL), respectively.

Results
Of the 68 patients whose iPTH level was within the management target at screening, 60 patients maintained the target level at the end of the study. Among patients whose iPTH level exceeded 240 pg/mL at screening, it decreased from 401 ± 246 pg/mL to 220 ± 209 pg/mL (p < 0.001) at the end of the study. Among 22 patients with the iPTH level of ≥ 240 pg/mL, 17 achieved the target level. The mean dose of cinacalcet was 41.4 ± 22.2 mg/day and that of etelcalcetide at the end of the study was 6.4 ± 3.7 mg/session in all patients. In 45 patients whose iPTH level was within the management target throughout the study and active vitamin D agent and calcium-based phosphate binder doses were constant, the mean dose of cinacalcet was 45.0 ± 22.4 mg/day and that of etelcalcetide at the end of the study was 6.1 ± 3.1 mg/session. The spKt/V might affect the ratio of etelcalcetide per session to oral cinacalcet per day (45 patients, p = 0.087; 90 patients, p < 0.05) in the generalized linear model. Etelcalcetide-induced severe adverse events were not observed.

Conclusions
This study reports the conversion dose of etelcalcetide and demonstrates its safety and efficacy in HD patients with SHPT previously treated with cinacalcet.

Trial registration
UMIN, UMIN000027637; Registered on June 5, 2017.
A rare presentation of Takayasu’s arteritis- unilateral finger clubbing – case report
Authors: Gunasekera Shania Niromi , Madurapperuma Chirath , Weerasooriya Nilusha , Karunathilake Harindra , Jayanaga Ananda 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a granulomatous, large vessel vasculitis with a preponderance for young women. The inflammation results in disruption of the arterial endothelium causing stenosis, endoluminal thrombosis and aneurismal dilatation. Early disease presentation is with nonspecific general symptoms, and in such instances, the diagnosis can be missed. Unilateral clubbing is a manifestation of myriad of diseases, but is not a common sign of TA. In medical literature, only three such cases have been reported.

Case presentation
We present a 24-year-old female who presented with multiple constitutional symptoms such as arthralgia, malaise, poor appetite and two episodes of syncope over 3 months’ duration. On examination, unilateral finger clubbing was observed in the right hand, with very low volume radial, ulnar and brachial artery pulses on the ipsilateral side. Her blood pressure measured on the unaffected arm, was normal. Inflammatory markers were elevated and magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) confirmed TA.

Conclusion
Although rare, unilateral clubbing may be a manifestation of TA. Therefore, detection of unilateral clubbing should raise a strong clinical suspicion of TA and prompt early diagnosis and initiation of treatment.
Modeling of the effect of temperature on developmental rate of common green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)
Authors: Ranjbar Aghdam Hossein , Nemati Zahra 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
The common green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a polyphagous and efficient predatory species commonly found in a wide range of agricultural habitats. It plays an important role in biological control of pests.

Main body
The effect of temperature on developmental rate of the predator C. carnea was studied at 7 constant temperatures, 15, 20, 25, 27, 30, 32, and 35 °C, 50 ± 10% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 h (L:D). Six nonlinear models were evaluated to determine the trend of developmental rate of the predator in examined temperatures and to estimate thermal thresholds of development. Nonlinear models were evaluated based on coefficient of determination (R2), adjusted coefficient of determination (R2adj), residual sum of squares (RSS), and Akaike information criterion (AIC), beside biological significance of the estimated values for the model parameters. Among evaluated nonlinear models, Lactin-2 for all immature stages was the best-fitted model on observations, considering statistical criteria and biological significance of the estimations. The values of the lower temperature threshold by using Lacin-2 were 9.90, 10.90, 11.90, 11.40, 11.11, 11.61, and 11.30 °C for incubation period, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd larval instars, overall larval period, and pupal and total immature stages, respectively. The values of the upper temperature threshold for the mentioned developmental stages were 33.82, 37.66, 33.14, 34.04, 33.58, 32.14, and 32.18 °C, respectively. Estimated values for the optimal temperature for incubation period, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd larval instars, overall larval period, and pupal and total immature stages were 30.69, 30.22, 30.90, 30.34, 30.90, 31.75, and 31.72 °C, respectively.

Short conclusion
The results, in addition to determine thermal tolerance for the development of C. carnea, provided advantage information for better use of C. carnea in biological control programs.
Complicated gastric duplication cyst presenting as cystic intraperitoneal collection: a case report
Authors: Mirza Muhammad Bilal , Shahzad Asim , Mahmood Nasir , Imran Ahmed , Hussain Mahvish , Fayyaz Zafar , Talat Nabila 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Alimentary tract duplications are rare anomalies and any delay in the diagnosis may develop various complications. Infection, hemorrhage, or perforation of the duplication cyst may lead to an acute presentation. Occasionally, it may lead to a diagnostic and management dilemma. Herein, we report an unusual complication of gastric duplication cyst.

Case presentation
A 2.5-year-old girl presented with recurrent abdominal distension, fever, and abdominal pain. The imaging workup revealed a huge intraperitoneal collection. Intraoperatively, a huge pseudocyst was encountered communicating with the gastric duplication cyst. The gastric duplication cyst was sharing a common wall with the greater curvature of the stomach but was not communicating with the gastric lumen. Pseudocyst along with gastric duplication cyst was completely excised. The resultant seromuscular defect of the stomach was also closed. The postoperative period was uneventful.

Conclusion
Perforation of the gastric duplication cyst should be kept in differentials of intraperitoneal collection not amenable to multiple aspirations. Huge intraperitoneal collection secondary to perforation of gastric duplication is exceedingly rare and scarcely reported in the literature.
Ethno-cultural disparities in mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study on the impact of exposure to the virus and COVID-19-related discrimination and stigma on mental health across ethno-cultural groups in Quebec (Canada)
Authors: Miconi Diana , Li Zhi Yin , Frounfelker Rochelle L. , Santavicca Tara , Cénat Jude Mary , Venkatesh Vivek , Rousseau Cécile 
Published: December 2020

Background
Although social and structural inequalities associated with COVID-19 have been documented since the start of the pandemic, few studies have explored the association between pandemic-specific risk factors and the mental health of minority populations.

Aims
We investigated the association of exposure to the virus, COVID-19-related discrimination and stigma with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a culturally diverse sample of adults in Quebec (Canada).

Method
A total of 3273 residents of the province of Quebec (49% aged 18–39 years, 57% women, 51% belonging to a minority ethno-cultural group) completed an online survey. We used linear and ordinal logistic regression to identify the relationship between COVID-19 experiences and mental health, and the moderating role of ethno-cultural identity.

Results
Mental health varied significantly based on socioeconomic status and ethno-cultural group, with those with lower incomes and Arab participants reporting higher psychological distress. Exposure to the virus, COVID-19-related discrimination, and stigma were associated with poorer mental health. Associations with mental health varied across ethno-cultural groups, with exposed and discriminated Black participants reporting higher mental distress.

Conclusions
Findings indicate sociocultural inequalities in mental health related to COVID-19 in the Canadian context. COVID-19-related risk factors, including exposure, discrimination and stigma, jeopardise mental health. This burden is most noteworthy for the Black community. There is an urgent need for public health authorities and health professionals to advocate against the discrimination of racialised minorities, and ensure that mental health services are accessible and culturally sensitive during and in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Using Machine Learning to Evaluate Attending Feedback on Resident Performance
Authors: Neves Sara E. , Chen Michael J. , Ku Cindy M. , Karan Suzanne , DiLorenzo Amy N. , Schell Randall M. , Lee Daniel E. , Diachun Carol Ann B. , Jones Stephanie B. , Mitchell John D. 
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND:
High-quality and high-utility feedback allows for the development of improvement plans for trainees. The current manual assessment of the quality of this feedback is time consuming and subjective. We propose the use of machine learning to rapidly distinguish the quality of attending feedback on resident performance.

METHODS:
Using a preexisting databank of 1925 manually reviewed feedback comments from 4 anesthesiology residency programs, we trained machine learning models to predict whether comments contained 6 predefined feedback traits (actionable, behavior focused, detailed, negative feedback, professionalism/communication, and specific) and predict the utility score of the comment on a scale of 1–5. Comments with ≥4 feedback traits were classified as high-quality and comments with ≥4 utility scores were classified as high-utility; otherwise comments were considered low-quality or low-utility, respectively. We used RapidMiner Studio (RapidMiner, Inc, Boston, MA), a data science platform, to train, validate, and score performance of models.

RESULTS:
Models for predicting the presence of feedback traits had accuracies of 74.4%–82.2%. Predictions on utility category were 82.1% accurate, with 89.2% sensitivity, and 89.8% class precision for low-utility predictions. Predictions on quality category were 78.5% accurate, with 86.1% sensitivity, and 85.0% class precision for low-quality predictions. Fifteen to 20 hours were spent by a research assistant with no prior experience in machine learning to become familiar with software, create models, and review performance on predictions made. The program read data, applied models, and generated predictions within minutes. In contrast, a recent manual feedback scoring effort by an author took 15 hours to manually collate and score 200 comments during the course of 2 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS:
Harnessing the potential of machine learning allows for rapid assessment of attending feedback on resident performance. Using predictive models to rapidly screen for low-quality and low-utility feedback can aid programs in improving feedback provision, both globally and by individual faculty.