bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Yixintongmai Inhibits Proliferation, Migration and Promotes Apoptosis of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Cultured with High Glucose
Authors: Guo JingJing , Zhao Di , Dong Pingshuan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of yixintongmai on proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) cultured with high glucose. Methods: VSMCs of the thoracic aorta from 5–8 weeks male Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured with normal (4.5 mM) or high (25 mM) glucose, respectively. The effects of yixintongmai on proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of VSMCs cultured with high glucose were evaluated. The concentration of yixintongmai powder at 360 μg/ml was chosen for this study according to pre-experimental results. Results: Yixintongmai inhibited the proliferation of VSMCs (CCK-8 assay: 0.75 ± 0.04 versus 0.98 ± 0.09 OD, P<0.001; cell counting: 37533 ± 1861 versus 56009 ± 3779 cells/well, P<0.001) and the expression of PCNA (0.74 ± 0.08 folds, P<0.001) as compared with high glucose. Yixintongmai inhibited the migration of VSMCs (transwell assay: 146 ± 16 versus 265 ± 62 cells; P<0.001; scratch wound assay: 2.69 ± 0.22 folds, P<0.001) and the expression of MMP-9 (0.87 ± 0.03 folds, P<0.001) as compared with high glucose. Yixintongmai promoted the apoptosis of VSMCs (0.36 ± 0.12 folds, P<0.001) and inhibited the expression of bcl-2 (0.83 ± 0.07 folds, P<0.01) as compared with high glucose. Yixintongmai inhibited ROS generation (0.58 ± 0.01 folds, P<0.001) and the expression of NF-κB (0.71 ± 0.07 folds, P<0.001) of VSMCs as compared with high glucose. Conclusions: Yixintongmai inhibits the proliferation, migration and promotes the apoptosis of VSMCs cultured with high glucose, which suggests the potential anti-atherosclerotic effects of this traditional Chinese medicine.
Root-associated endophytic bacterial community composition and structure of three medicinal licorices and their changes with the growing year
Authors: Dang Hanli , Zhang Tao , Li Guifang , Mu Yudi , Lv Xinhua , Wang Zhongke , Zhuang Li 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
The dried roots and rhizomes of medicinal licorices are widely used worldwide as a traditional medicinal herb, the activities of which are attributed to a variety of effective components that can be extracted from licorice root. Endophytes and plants form a symbiotic relationship, which is an important source of host secondary metabolites.
Results
In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing technology and high-performance liquid chromatography to explore the composition and structure of the endophytic bacterial community and the content of effective components (glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin and total flavonoids) in different varieties of medicinal licorices (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza glabra L.and Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal.) and in different planting years (1–3 years). Our results showed that the contents of the effective components in the roots of medicinal licorices were not affected by the variety, but were significantly affected by the growing year (1–3) (P < 0.05), and with a trend of stable increase in the contents observed with each growing year. In 27 samples, 73,316 effective sequences with an average length of 372 nucleotides (nt) were obtained after quality control, and 2,432 effective operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained at 97% identity. The phylum Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, and the genera unified-Rhizobiaceae, Pseudomonas, Novosphingobium, and Pantoea were significantly dominant in the 27 samples. Distance-based redundancy analysis (db-RDA) showed that the content of total flavonoids explained the differences in composition and distribution of endophytic bacterial communities in roots of cultivated medicinal liquorices to the greatest extent. Total soil salt was the most important factor that significantly affected the endophytic bacterial community in soil factors, followed by ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen. Among the leaf nutrition factors, leaf water content had the most significant effect on the endophytic bacterial community, followed by total phosphorus and total potassium.
Conclusions
This study not only provides information on the composition and distribution of endophytic bacteria in the roots of medicinal licorices, but also reveals the influence of abiotic factors on the community structure of endophytic bacteria and effective components, which provides a reference for improving the quality of licorice.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetal Skeletal Dysplasia Using 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography: A Prospective Study
Authors: Waratani Miyoko , Ito Fumitake , Tanaka Yukiko , Mabuchi Aki , Mori Taisuke , Kitawaki Jo 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Fetal skeletal dysplasia (FSD) comprises a complex group of systemic bone and cartilage disorders. Many FSD phenotypes have indistinct definitions, making definitive prenatal diagnosis difficult. The condition is typically diagnosed using sonography; however, three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) also aids in making a prenatal diagnosis. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of 3D-CT in the prenatal diagnosis of FSD by comparing the diagnostic accuracy of fetal sonography and 3D-CT.
Methods
On suspicion of FSD based on ultrasound examination, we performed 3D-CT prenatally to confirm this diagnosis. In order to minimize exposure of the fetuses to radiation without compromising image quality, we used predetermined 3D-CT settings for volume acquisition.
Results
Sixteen fetuses were suspected to have skeletal dysplasia based on ultrasonography findings. Of these, 15 were diagnosed with FSD using 3D-CT. All 15 fetuses diagnosed with skeletal dysplasia prenatally were confirmed postnatally to have the condition. The definitive postnatal diagnosis (campomelic dysplasia) differed from the prenatal diagnosis (osteogenesis imperfecta) in only one infant. Fourteen cases (93.3%) were diagnosed by an accurate classification. Five infants had lethal skeletal dysplasia; one died in utero, and four died as neonates. We determined the appropriate delivery method for each infant based on the prenatal diagnosis.
Conclusions
3D-CT is a valuable tool to augment ultrasound examination for the diagnosis of FSD because it can provide a more definitive diagnosis of the type of dysplasia, enabling better planning for resuscitation of the infant after birth.
Trial registration:
University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Center trial registration number is UMIN000034744. Registered 1 October, 2018 – Retrospectively registered, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=Roooo39610.
Spontaneous Oesophageal Rupture of The Right Wall After Oral Administration of Sulfate Solution: An Unusual Case Report
Authors: Xu Hao , Huang Ning , Li Lin , Ma Pingchuan , Huang Dongping , He Chiyi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Patients with gastrointestinal stenosis, Barrett's oesophagus, and vomiting during endoscopic preconditioning or after general anaesthesia may develop spontaneous oesophageal rupture in the literature. However, we found an unusual case in which oral sulfate solution triggered oesophageal perforation. Additionally, the oesophageal chasm uncommonly presented at the right wall, while most ruptures are located in the left wall of the oesophagus, and the unexplained and rapidly progressive right-sided pleural effusion in this patient could be associated with this entity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published case of oesophageal rupture of the right wall after oral administration of sulfate solution in the literature.Case presentation: For this patient, he suffered from acute onset of unbearable epigastric pain and compression pain in the right chest, with dyspnea, chest tightness and palpitation, after severe nausea and vomiting following oral administration of sulfate solution, and findings from imaging and gastroscopy eventually confirmed oesophageal rupture. Anti-infective treatments, pleural drainage, rehydration and total parenteral nutrition were administered immediately; subsequently, we used a total of seven titanium clips to close the oesophageal rupture under gastroscopic guidance. Eventually, he demonstrated good evolution after the operation and was discharged after recovery. Conclusions: This case emphasizes the importance of considering BS when dealing with patients with severe vomiting, acute chest pain, or dyspnea, especially after administration of sulfate solution for bowel cleansing.
Little Akaki River Sediment Enrichment with Heavy Metals, Pollution Load and Potential Ecological Risks in Downstream, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Mekuria Deshu Mamo , Kassegne Alemnew Berhanu Berhanu , Asfaw Seyoum Leta Leta 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Little Akaki River (LAR) passes through Addis Ababa City, receives inorganic and organic pollutants from various sources. The objective of this study was to investigate the pollution level of LAR by selected heavy metals and evaluate sediment quality using contamination indices.Methods: sediment samples were collected from 10 stations along LAR, processed, digested and heavy metal content was analyzed using ICP-OES. Enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), ecological risk index (RI) were determined. Comparison was made with standard sediment qualities (SQGs) to evaluate ecological and toxicological implication.Results: the mean concentrations of heavy metals in LAR sediment were: Zn (78.96-235.2 mg / kg); Cr (2.19-440.8 mg / kg); Cd (2.09-4.16 mg / kg) and Pb (30.92-596.4 mg / kg). EF values indicated that LAR sediments were moderate to significant enrichment with Zn and Cr; moderate to very high enrichment with Pb, and very high enrichment in all sampled sites with Cd. Igeo and CF values indicated that the sediments were moderate to very high contamination with toxic Cd and Pb.PLI and hierarchal cluster analysis revealed that highest pollution load occurred at sampling site (S9), in lower course of the river mainly due to anthropogenic metals inputs from industrial wastes, municipal wastewater treatment plant and agrochemical wastes; hence, its quality was deteriorated and depicted polluted site. The decreasing order of PLI in downstream was: (S9) > (S4) > (S8) > (S3)> (S6) > (S10) > (S5) > (S2)> (S7) > (S1). Pearson correlation indicated that Zn and Cd were generated from common sources of pollution. The ecological risk (RI =350.62) suggested that the contaminated LAR sediment can pose considerable ecological risks of pollution.Conclusions: The concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cd and Pb in LAR sediment were surpassed sediment quality guidelines (USEPA) and eco-toxicological guideline limit values of USEPA (TEC) and CMME (ISQGs). Thus, the contaminated sediments can occasionally pose adverse biological effects on sediment dwelling organisms and impairs the quality of river water. Thus, monitoring and addressing sediment contamination becomes necessary to sustain beneficial uses of river water for various development purposes.
C-C Chemokine Receptor Type 5 Links COVID-19, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Hydroxychloroquine
Authors: HACHIM Mahmood Yaseen , Hachim Ibrahim Y. , Naeem Kashif , Hannawi Haifa , Salmi Issa Al , Hannawi Suad 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represent one of the fragile patient groups that might be susceptible to coronavirus disease -19 (COVID-19) and its severe form. On the other side, RA patients have been found not to have an increased risk of COVID19 infection. Moreover, some of the Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDS) commonly used to treat rheumatic diseases like Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) were proposed as a potential therapy for COVID19 with a lack of full understanding of their molecular mechanisms. This highlights the need for the discovery of common pathways that may link both diseases at the molecular side Methods: We used the in silico approach to investigate the transcriptomic profile of RA synovium compared to osteoarthritis and healthy controls to identify RA specific molecular pathways shared with that of severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus-2 (SARS-COV-2) infected lung tissue. Results: Our results showed upregulation of chemotactic factors, including CCL4, CCL8, and CCL11, that all shared CCR5 as their receptor, as a common derangement observed in both diseases; RA and COVID-19. Moreover, our results also highlighted that HCQ might interfere with the COVID-19 infection through its ability to upregulate specific immune cell populations like activated natural killer (NK) cells, besides blocking CCR5 rich immune cell recruitment to the SARS-COV-2 infected lungs Conclusion: Our results might explain some of the reports that showed beneficial effects and indicate the need for proper patients stratification on their immune profile before selecting the therapeutic protocol or clinical trial enrollment. Keyword COVID-19, SARS-COV-2, Hydroxychloroquine, rheumatoid arthritis
Inference of Molecular Subtypes of Uterine Corpus Endometrioid Carcinoma with Different Survival Based on Cancer Hallmarks-associated Long Non-Coding RNAs and Gene Modules
Authors: Lv Nan , Zhao Shuyu , Li Yan , Liu Tianyi , Chu Xiaodan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Uterine corpus endometrioid carcinoma (UCEC), a common gynecological malignancy with high incidence, affects the mental and physical health of women. It is increasingly evident that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have causative roles in cancers including UCEC. However, very little is known about the cancer hallmark-related risks for UCEC based on lncRNAs and genes. Methods: In this study, a computational integrated pipeline was development to evaluate cancer hallmark-related risk for each UCEC patient based on gene and lncRNA expression. Results: Some UCEC-specific cancer hallmark-related genes and lncRNAs were identified. Core modules were extracted from co-expressed UCEC-specific lncRNAs and genes networks for each cancer hallmark. Some core modules showed specific features and functions. Follow a multi-dimensional rank approach and core modules, each UCEC sample was given an integrated cancer hallmark-related risk score. We divided all the UCEC patients to diverse hallmark risk groups including multi-hallmark, media-hallmark and single-hallmark groups and they showed different prognosis. We also identified some key lncRNAs which participated in multiple kinds of cancer hallmarks. These key lncRNAs were associated with some essential pathways such as estrogen receptor signaling. Conclusions: In conclusion, the present study provide novel insights to the classification and treatment of UCEC.
Virtual Screening of Heterocyclic Molecules to Identify Potential SARS-COV2 virus Mpro Protease Inhibitors&nbsp;for Further Medicinal Chemistry design
Authors: Sobeh Mansour , Mrid Reda Ben , Yasri Abdelaziz 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
In this work, we aimed to identify potential SARS-COV2 virus Mpro protease inhibitors using molecular docking. As a validation step of our docking approach, we used 7 known Mpro inhibitors and predicted their binding energies. We found a very good correlation (R = -0.86) between the binding energies and the pIC50 (-LogIC50) values. We then undertook virtual screening of 50753 heterocyclic molecules from the PubChem Database. The screened molecules were first filtered out using Lipinski, Veber and Ghose rules resulting in 21 142 which was submitted to the docking phase. The docked compounds were ranked according to their predicted binding energy to the protease and a threshold of -9.0 Kcal/mol was applied resulting in a set of 2711 hits. These hits were split into different groups according to their chemical class using a rule-based classification approach. The best compound from each of the most populated classes were subjected to binding mode analysis which led to ligand-receptor interaction maps and suggested some medicinal chemistry-oriented modifications to further optimize the potency of the obtained hits. Predicted IC50 of the hit molecules ranged from 0.85 to 0.43 µM against SARS-COV2 virus Mpro protease.
Systemic Elucidate The Potential Bioactive Compounds and Hypoglycemic Mechanism of Polygonum Multiflorum Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Song Yunfei , Yang Jianbo , Jing Wenguang , Wang Qi , Liu Yue , Cheng Xianlong , Wei Feng , Ma Shuangcheng 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Diabetes is a complex metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, plaguing the whole world. However, the action mode of multi-component and multi-target for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could be a promising treatment of diabetes mellitus. According to the previous research, the TCM of polygonum multiflorum (PM) showed noteworthy hypoglycemic effect. Up to now, its hypoglycemic active ingredients and mechanism of action are not yet clear. In this study, network pharmacology was employed to elucidate the potential bioactive compounds and hypoglycemic mechanism of Polygonum multiflorum (PM).Methods: First, the compounds with good pharmacokinetic properties were screened from the self-established library of PM, and the targets of these compounds were predicted and collected through database. Relevant targets of diabetes were summarized by searching database. The intersection targets of compound-targets and disease-targets were obtained soon. Secondly, the interaction net between the compounds and the filtered targets was established. These key targets were enriched and analyzed by PPI analysis, molecular docking verification. Finally, the key genes were used to find the biologic pathway and explain the therapeutic mechanism by GO and KEGG analysis. Results: In this study, 29 hypoglycemic components and 63 hypoglycemic targets of PM were filtrated based on online network database. Then the component-target interaction network was constructed and five key components resveratrol, apigenin, kaempferol, quercetin and luteolin were further obtained. Sequential studies turned out, AKT1, EGFR, ESR1, PTGS2, MMP9, MAPK14, and KDR were the common key targets. Docking studies indicated that the bioactive compounds could stably bind the pockets of target proteins. There were 38 metabolic pathways, including regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, prolactin signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway, linoleic acid metabolism, Rap1 signaling pathway, arachidonic acid metabolism, and osteoclast differentiation closely connected with the hypoglycemic mechanism of PM.Conclusion: In summary, the study used systems pharmacology to elucidate the main hypoglycemic components and mechanism of PM. The work provided a scientific basis for the further hypoglycemic effect research of PM and its monomer components, but also provided a reference for the secondary development of PM.
Anastomotic Leakage Following Colorectal Cancer Surgery: Comparison Between Conservative and Surgical Treatment
Authors: Ishiyama Yasuhiro , Oneyama Masaki , Tomizawa Yuki , Amiki Manabu , Ito Shingo , Hara Yoshiaki , Narita Kazuhiro , Goto Manabu , Sekikawa Koji , Fujino Shozo , Tachimori Yuji 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Backgrounds
Anastomotic leakage following colorectal cancer is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, whether the choice of the treatment for anastomotic leakage may affect the oncological outcomes is under debate. We evaluated the oncological outcomes after colorectal cancer surgery for anastomotic leakage between conservative and surgical treatment.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed data for patients with colorectal cancer who underwent curative colectomy from April 2010 to January 2020.
Results
A total 1039 patients underwent surgery colorectal cancer in our hospital. After exclusion, a total of 915 patients underwent a low anastomosis with diverting stoma for colorectal cancer of which 92 (10.0%) anastomotic leakage occurred. After stage Ⅳ and emergency surgery case were excluded, a total of 75 patients were included for the analysis. The surgical treatment group was 25 cases. The conservative treatment group was 50 cases. Early anastomotic leakage was more than in surgical treatment compared to conservative treatment (84% vs 54%, P =0.008). The 5-year overall survival rates and the 5-year disease free survival did not differ significantly between the two groups. The recurrence location of liver metastasis was more than in surgical treatment compared to conservative treatment (20% vs 2 %, P=0.02). On a multivariable analysis, anastomotic leak did not impact overall survival and disease free survival.
Conclusion
We found that the treatment for anastomotic leakage was not depended on increased local, distance recurrence, overall survival, and disease free survival. Our findings may help surgeons determine which AL treatment is most appropriate, when the decision is unclear.
Characterization of resistance mechanisms of Enterobacter cloacae Complex Co-resistant to Carbapenem and Colistin
Authors: Zhou Tieli , Liu Shixing , Fang Renchi , Zhang Ying , Chen Lijiang , Huang Na , Yu Kaihang , Zhou Cui , Cao Jianming 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The emergence of carbapenem-resistant and colistin-resistant ECC pose a huge challenge to infection control. The purpose of this study was to clarify the mechanism of the carbapenems and colistin co-resistance in Enterobacter cloacae Complex (ECC) strains.Methods: Nineteen ECC isolates co-resistant to carbapenems and colistin were collected from a regional medical center in China. Carbapenemase gene, extended-spectrum β-lactamase gene, AmpC cephalosporinase gene ampC, mcr series genes, and ecr gene were detected by PCR. Expression levels of outer membrane protein OmpC/OmpF and efflux pump protein AcrA/AcrB were investigated. And the structural modification of lipid A of 19 ECC strains was analyzed.Results: This study showed that the mechanisms of carbapenem resistance in this study are: 1. Generating carbapenemase (7 of 19); 2. The production of AmpC or ESBLs combined with decreased expression of out membrane protein (12 of 19). And the mechanism of colistin resistance is increaseing expression of acrA in the efflux pump AcrAB-TolC alone (5 of 19) or accompanied by a decrease of affinity between colistin and outer membrane caused by the modification of lipid A (14 of 19). Moreover, an ECC strain co-harboring plasmid-mediated mcr-4.3 and blaNDM-1 has been found.Conclusions: This study suggested that there is no overlap between the resistance mechanism of co-resistant ECC strains to carbapenem and colistin. However, the emergence of strain co-harboring plasmid-mediated resistance genes indicated that ECC is a potential carrier for the horizontal spread of carbapenems and colistin resistance.