bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil Physicochemical and Macrobiota Diversity Dynamics Under Enclosed Areas of Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia
Authors: Gebre Getachew Demie , Abera Getachew Birhanu , Shiferaw Solomon , Adaramola Samuel 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Area enclosures have been implemented for many decades to restore degraded areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate its contribution to the enhancement of soil physicochemical and macrobiata diversity.Results Among the soil physicochemical parameters, the overall mean BD (0.002*), soil-MC (0.000*), % sand (0.011*), % clay (0.038*), pH (p = 0.022*), SOM (p = 0.005*), and Exch. Ca (p = 0.000*), and exch. K (p = 0.000*) exhibited a significant mean difference across the different land-use while % silt, EC, ava. K, ava. P, TN, CEC, and exch. Mg was insignificant at α-0.05. Although the whole study area was dominated by sandy, the result of ANOVA indicated that there was a significant mean difference in %sand (p = 0.011*) fraction across the land uses. The SOM also varied significantly and it is very high in the CA1, followed by CA2, PA, and OA, respectively. Though the result of Tukey's HSDa and homogeneity test showed that there is no statistically significant mean difference in the amount of available soil nutrients across the study sites, there was a slight variation in their magnitude, and PA was characterized by having high ava. P (9.70 ± 3.261a) and TN (0.28 ± 0.064a) while ava. K is very low (1062.29 ± 110.018a) compared to other land uses. In terms of the soil macrofauna, the CA1 had higher species diversity (1.90), abundance (32.69%), and richness (30.95%), and the species were evenly distributed. Followed by CA1, PA has a good species diversity (1.30), richness (26.19%), and abundance (24.16%), although the soil macrofauna was less evenly distributed compared to other land uses.Conclusion Generally, the enclosed area contributed to the improvement of soil physicochemical and biological components, and hence, expanding such measures in consultation with concerned bodies of the study area and proper follow-up mechanisms have a crucial role in rehabilitating degraded areas.
Innovative Value Addition in Tea Industry: Sri Lanka vs. Japan
Authors: Pilapitiya Herath Mudiyanselage Chamila Gayani , Silva Saliya De , Miyazaki Hideo 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Sri Lanka is the third largest tea exporter in the world but nearly 60% of its exports are comprised of bulk tea. Bulk tea secures the lowest prices in world tea market. Sri Lanka earned an average value of US$4.83 per kilogram from 2014 to 2018 for its tea exports, compared to US$24.24 per kilogram in Japan, a highly innovative tea-producing country. The objective of this study is to examine the root causes of product innovation in Sri Lanka, as compared to Japan, by conducting a historical analysis of literature followed by field surveys in Sri Lanka and Ureshino, Japan. About 98% of the tea produced in Sri Lanka is black tea and has mainly focused on incremental innovations in blending, flavoring and packaging than radical innovations. Japan produces a large number of innovative beverage and non-beverage products from tea. Having a large number of small and medium processing factories (4698), Japan’s product innovation capabilities are mainly attributed to firm-level factors and support services. This study recommends that Sri Lanka should link together farmer organizations, processing factories, research institutes and universities to make its tea industry more innovative.
Effect of gut microbiota from Henoch-Schönlein Purpura patients on acid-sensitive ion channel 3 expression and intestinal motility in Germ-free rats
Authors: zhao jun-mei , yan bo , li wen ya , yuan li-ping 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
It has been proven that intestinal microbiota alterations and acid-sensing ion channels are associated with the development of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) and that the brain-gut axis, which involves the gut microbiota, plays important roles in many diseases. However, there have been no reports published on changes in ASIC3 expression caused by gut microbial composition and its impact on the development of HSP. This study was to investigate the impact of the intestinal microbiota in children with abdominal HSP on ASIC3 expression and interactions between the microbiota and ASIC3 expression on the development of HSP.
Methods
Feces collected from HSP children and healthy children at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were made into fecal microbial solutions. Germ-free rats were randomly assigned to either the control or HSP groups. The HSP group of rats were administered the fecal microbiota solution of HSP children, while the control group rats were administered the fecal microbiota solution of healthy children. Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) and intestinal propulsion rate of the rats were used to determine visceral sensitivity. Composition of the gut microbiota of HSP children was determined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. ASIC3 expression in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was ascertained through real-time PCR as well as western blotting analysis.
Results
The results showed a reduction in the number of species and abundance in the intestinal microbiota of children with HSP. Visceral sensitivity and intestinal propulsion rate of HSP group rats increased significantly, compared with the control group. ASIC3 mRNA and protein levels in the DRG of the spinal cord of rats in the HSP group were found to be upregulated.
Conclusions
The microbiota dysbiosis of HSP patients could stimulate ASIC3 expression in the DRG of the spinal cord, which in turn affected intestinal motility. These results suggested that regulation of the brain-gut axis may show potential for the development of therapies that can prevent or treat HSP children, especially patients with severe gastrointestinal manifestations.
Risk Factors for Early Weight Loss in Breastfed, Early Term and Term Newborns
Authors: Eren Tijen , Kural Bahar , Gokcay Gulbin 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Infants lose some of their birth weight before hospital discharge. This loss, which is accepted as “physiological” up to a certain level (5-7%), is supplemented with food in early period for infants with over 7% of loss. While food supplementation does not have the benefits of mother’s milk, it may cause low breastfeeding success in the long run. In newborns, the identification of risk factors affecting weight loss in a few days following birth will increase exclusive breastfeeding success. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors that cause weight loss in newborns before hospital discharge. Methods: Weight loss in infants born in a private trust hospital of Koc University American Hospital between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014 was evaluated. The hospital records of 3812 babies who completed the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The variables giving meaningful results in binary tables were evaluated with “Multivariate Logistic Regression”.Results: The increase in maternal age, Caesarean section birth, primiparity, female gender and being early term were statistically significant risk factors for early weight loss in newborns.
Poly-tobacco product use among a representative sample of Chinese current smokers: a population survey
Authors: Chau Siu Long , Wang Man Ping , Wu Yongda , Cheung Yee Tak , Kwong Cho-shing , Lai Vienna , Lam Tai Hing , Ho Sai Yin 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
BackgroundPoly-tobacco product use is increasingly popular, but little is known about the patterns, trends of concomitant use, and risk factors particularly in non-western countries.MethodA representative sample of 1139 current cigarette smokers aged 15+ (84.1% male) were telephone interviewed in Tobacco Control Policy-related Surveys in 2015-2017. Information collected included poly-tobacco use (PTU), smoking and socio-demographic characteristics. Associations of current PTU with related risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression with adjustment for confounders. Prevalence was weighted by age and sex of current cigarette users in the general population.Results 15.9% (95% CI 13.4-18.6%) were current poly-users, 12.3% (10.2-14.8%) used one tobacco product and 2.52% (1.59-3.97%) used two tobacco products in addition to cigarette. The co-use of cigarette with cigar was more common and the least co-use product was e-cigarette with cigarette. By age group, proportion of co-use of cigarette with waterpipe was highest in young poly-users, older age used more cigar and self-rolling cigarette in addition to cigarette. Prevalence of two products use with cigarette was low. Trends of concomitant use were varied. Current PTU was associated with being male (AOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.12-3.61), younger age (AORs range from 1.34-4.65, P for trend < .001) and less ready to quit (2.08, 1.09-3.97). ConclusionsPrevalence of PTU increased slowly by year, co-use of one tobacco product with cigarette was more common. Being male, younger and less ready to quit were associated with current PTU. [236/250 words]
The efficacy and safety of intrathecal dexmedetomidine for parturients undergoing cesarean section: a double-blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Xiao-xiao , Li Yu-mei , Lv Xue-li , Wang Xing-he , Liu Su 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
The efficacy and safety of spinal anesthesia by intrathecal dexmedetomidine (DEX) for parturients undergoing cesarean section are still lack of evidence. This aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intrathecal DEX for parturients undergoing cesarean section to provide more data evidence for intrathecal applications.
Methods
300 parturients undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia from two centers were randomly assigned into 3 groups : group B: 9.0 mg (1.2 ml) of bupivacaine 0.75% with saline (1 ml) ; group FB: 9.0 mg (1.2 ml) of bupivacaine 0.75% with 20 µg of fentanyl (1 ml) ; group DB : 9.0 mg (1.2 ml) of bupivacaine 0.75% with 5 µg of DEX (1 ml). Intraoperative block characteristics, parturients’ postoperative quality of recovery, maternal and neonatal outcomes and the plasma concentration of DEX were measured. All parturients were followed up for 30 days to determine whether nerve injury occurred.
Results
Compared with group B, the duration of sensory block in group FB and group DB were significantly prolonged (108.4 min [95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 104.6-112.3] in group B, and 122.0 min [95% CI = 116.8-127.3] in group FB, 148.2 min [95% CI = 145.3-151.1] in group DB). The overall score of quality recovery in group DB (71.6 [95% CI = 71.0-72.2]) was significantly higher than that in group FB (61.5 [95% CI = 60.8–62.2]) and group B (61.7 [95% CI = 61.0-62.4]). There were no statistically significant among the 3 groups for PH, PaO2, and PaCO2 in the umbilical artery and umbilical vein blood of newborn. The concentration of DEX in umbilical artery and umbilical vein was too low to be detected. The 30-days follow-up of parturients did not show any new onset of back, buttock or leg pain or paresthesia.
Conclusion
DEX is a potential local anesthetics adjuvant and the combination of 5 µg of DEX can exhibit a facilitatory effect when administered intrathecally as part of spinal anesthesia. However, large sample clinical studies to support the safety of intrathecal DEX use in the clinical setting are still needed.
Trial registration :
Chinese Clinical Trail Registry (Registration number # ChiCTR1900022019; Date of Registration on March 20th, 2019).
Uncovering fungal community composition in natural habitat of Ophiocordyceps sinensis using high-throughput sequencing and culture-dependent approaches
Authors: Zhang Chuanbo , Ren Chao-Hui , Wang Yan-Li , Wang Qi-Qi , Wang Yun-Sheng , Weng Qing-Bei 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
The fungal communities inhabiting natural Ophiocordyceps sinensis play critical ecological roles in alpine meadow ecosystem, contribute to infect host insect, influence the occurrence of O. sinensis, and are repertoire of potential novel metabolites discovery. However, a comprehensive understanding of fungal communities of O. sinensis remain elusive. Therefore, the present study aimed to unravel fungal communities of natural O. sinensis using combination of high-throughput sequencing and culture-dependent approach.
Results
A total of 280,519 high-quality sequences, belonging to 5 fungal phyla, 15 classes, 41 orders, 79 families, 112 genera, and 352 putative operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained from natural O. sinensis using high-throughput sequencing. Among of which, 43 genera were identified in external mycelial cortices (EMC), Ophiocordyceps, Sebacinia, Archaeorhizomyces were predominant genera with the abundance of 95.86%, 1.14%, 0.85%, respectively. Total 66 genera were identified from soil microhabitat, Inocybe, Archaeorhizomyces, Unclassified Thelephoraceae, Tomentella, Thelephora, Sebacina, Unclassified Ascomycota, Unclassified Fungi were predominant genera with an average abundance of 53.32%, 8.69%, 8.12%, 8.12%, 7.21%, 4.6%, 3.08% and 3.05%, respectively. The fungal communities in external mycelial cortices (EMC) were significantly distinct from the soil microhabitat (Soil). Meanwhile, seven culture media that benefit for the growth of O. sinensis were used to isolate culturable fungi at 16 °C, resulted in 77 fungal strains isolated for rDNA ITS sequence analysis, belonging to 33 genera, including Ophiocordyceps, Trichoderma, Cytospora, Truncatella, Dactylonectria, Isaria, Cephalosporium, Fusarium, Cosmospora, Paecilomyces, etc.. Among all culturable fungi, Mortierella and Trichoderma were predominant genera of total isolates.
Conclusions
The significantly distinction and overlap in fungal community structure between two approaches highlight that integration of approaches would generate more information than either of them. Our finding is the first investigation of fungal community structure of natural O. sinensis by two approachs, provide new insight into O. sinensis associated fungi, and support that microbiota of O. sinensis is an untapped source for novel bioactive metabolites discovery.
The treatment and prophylaxis usage profile of intravenous vancomycin medication in orthopedics
Authors: Wang Liang , Qi Lei , Jiang Yunpeng , Li Mu 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

Despite vancomycin has been widely used in orthopedics, the details of vancomycin usage in orthopedics remains unknown. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the usage profile of intravenous vancomycin medication in orthopedics.
Methods

The medical records of inpatients receiving intravenous vancomycin medication from January 2015 to December 2019 in a single center of orthopedics department were retrospectively reviewed. The gender, age, diagnosis, surgical information, microbiological data, duration of vancomycin medication were collected. The related data were analyzed and compared between subgroups.
Results

A total of 258 cases receiving intravenous vancomycin medication (≥ 3 days) were enrolled. The mean age was 57.3 years. There were 141 cases in treatment and 117 in Prophylaxis group. The mean duration of vancomycin medication was 11.2 days. The duration was longer in Treatment than Prophylaxis group (14.8 versus 6.9 days, P < 0.05). The main reasons for treatment were PJI after TKA (46.7%) and THA (18.2%) in Joint subgroup and SSI after spine surgery (51.5%) for Spine subgroup. For prophylaxis usage, the main reasons were postoperative clinical suspicious infection. The bacteria responsible for infections in Treatment group were S. epidermidis (34.6%), S. aureus (31.8%), other Staphylococcus (12.1%), MRSA (7.5%), Streptococcus (7.5%), Enterococcus faecalis (3.7%) and Bacillus (2.8%).
Conclusion

Taken together, our research firstly revealed the treatment and prophylaxis usage profile of intravenous vancomycin medication in orthopedics. It provides the different purposes, main causes, bacteriological data and medication duration for treatment and prophylaxis vancomycin usage in orthopedics.
Gut Dysbiosis Is Related With Activity And Remission Phases Of Ulcerative Colitis And Healthy Condition
Authors: Maldonado-Arriaga Brenda , Sandoval-Jimenez Sergio , Rodríguez-Silverio Juan Rodríguez-Silverio , Alcaráz-Estrada Sofía Lizeth , Cortés-Espinosa Tomás , Vaca Rebeca Pérez-Cabeza de , Licona-Cassani Cuauhtémoc , Gámez-Valdez July Stephany , Shaw Jonathan , Mondragón-Terán Paul , Hernández-Cortez Cecilia , Suárez-Cuenca Juan Antonio , CASTRO-ESCARPULLI GRACIELA 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background. Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a frequent type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation. Gut dysbiosis may influence pathophysiology and clinical response in UC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether gut microbiota is related to the active and remission phases of UC compared to healthy subjects. Results. Cross-sectional study. Fecal samples from 18 patients with UC (clinically characterized as active (n=9), remission (n=9)) and 15 healthy subjects were collected. After fecal DNA extraction, the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced (Illumina MiSeq platform), operational taxonomic units were analyzed with the QIIME (Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology) software. Alpha and beta diversities were compared between clinical settings, as well as the relation between most frequent genus with UC severity indicators. Gut microbiota composition revealed higher abundance of the phyla Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria in active UC, as compared with remission UC and healthy subjects. Likewise, marked abundance of the genus Bilophila and Fusobacteria were present in active UC, as compared with the other groups, whereas higher abundance of Faecalibacterium characterized both remission UC and healthy subjects. Microbial community’s richness and diversity in active UC were significantly different from the other groups. Relative abundance of Fecalibacterium and Roseburia showed higher correlation with fecal calprotectin, while relative abundance of Bilophila and Fusobacterium showed AUCs (Area under the curve) 0.917 and 0.988 for active vs remission UC, respectively. Conclusion. Gut dysbiosis is related to clinically relevant phases of UC and healthy controls. Particularly, Fecalibacterium, Roseburia, Bilophila, and Fusobacterium were identified as genus highly related with clinical phases of UC.
LGR5 promotes invasion and migration by regulating YAP activity in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Zhu Zijia , Yu Shuyuan , Wen Jihong , Wang Ping 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background High leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) expression caused by an inflammatory microenvironment was reported to promote tumor proliferation and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in various malignant tumors, but those effects have not been studied in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) and the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Additionally, YAP/TAZ, an upstream or downstream factor of multiple signaling pathways, can promote tumor proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis. Our study was aimed to determine whether YAP/TAZ is involved in the regulation of LGR5 expression in the inflammatory microenvironment.Methods We stimulated FaDu cells, a hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma cell line, with inflammatory medium. The expression levels of EMT-related proteins, LGR5, and p-YAP were detected by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunofluorescence.Results The results showed that LGR5 expression and the EMT process were significantly enhanced. The expression of EMT-related proteins was up-regulated, while that of p-YAP was decreased. After inhibiting the high LGR5 expression with short interfering RNA, the expression of EMT-related proteins was also down-regulated, while that of p-YAP was significantly increased. The use of verteporfin (VP), an inhibitor of YAP activity that promotes YAP phosphorylation, did not affect LGR5 expression.Conclusions Our findings suggest that the inflammatory microenvironment leads to high LGR5 expression, up-regulating the expression of EMT-related proteins by inhibiting the YAP phosphorylation.
Clinical Spectrum Of CACNA1C Variants, Revisited
Authors: Baban Anwar , Corica Bernadette , Gnazzo Maria , Calì Federica , Cantarutti Nicoletta , Righi Daniela , Mambro Corrado Di , Silvetti Massimo Stefano , Dallapiccola Bruno , Novelli Antonio , Amin Ahmad S. , Drago Fabrizio 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background CACNA1C is a gene encoding the CaV1.2 calcium channel and several cardiac conditions are potentially associated with pathogenic variants in this gene. The aim of this study is to explore genotype-phenotype correlations related to CACNA1C ever described variants and vast phenotypic spectrum.MethodsWe analyzed 102 patients with CACNA1C variants (CACNA1Cv) (9 our cohort and 93 from literature). We studied the association between CACNA1Cv and clinical parameters: arrhythmias, structural heart defects, cardiomyopathy and survival. We followed the American College Medical Genetics (ACMG) scoring system to grade variants’ pathogenicity and their domains.Results CACNA1Cvwith high ACMG scores were associated with higher mortality than variants with lower scores (p < 0.001). CACNA1Cv in Cytoplasmic and Transmembrane domains were associated with higher mortality than other domains (p = 0.005). Multivariate analysis for higher ACMG scores, indicates cardiomyopathy and a lesser extent domain, as independent risk factor for mortality (p = 0.031 and p = 0.04). Cytoplasmic domain variants were frequently associated with long-QT syndrome; C-terminal variants were often linked to Brugada syndrome. Parental mosaicism was relatively high (4–5%) and must not be overlooked in parents’ phenotypic analysis and in calculation of disease recurrence riskConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study trying to create genotype-phenotype correlation and better risk stratification in CACNA1Cv in relation to survival and long-term results.
A fraction of Prunella vulgaris spike extract inhibited neutrophil elastase and protected mice against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Yu Huang-Ping , Cheng Chieh-Lun , Chong Kowit-Yu , Huang Yu-Ling , Chen Kung-Ju , Chen Yu-Li , Hsieh Pei-Wen 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is an abundantly expressed neutrophil serine protease that promotes neutrophil invasion and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, thereby mediating lung tissue destruction and enhancing pulmonary inflammation in acute lung injury (ALI). Chemical agents that target HNE and manipulate HNE level homeostasis are desired to prevent or treat ALI.
Methods

In a search for HNE inhibitors, traditional Chinese medicines were evaluated, leading to the identification of the water extract of spikes of Prunella vulgaris as an inhibitor of HNE activity. Using bioactivity-guided fractionation, a bioactive fraction (PVAP) that inhibited NHE activity was prepared, and its effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI were studied.
Results

The results suggested that PVAP elicited protective effects against LPS-induced ALI by inhibiting HNE activity, thereby reducing neutrophil invasion, pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and NET formation.
Conclusions

These findings illustrated the utility of PVAP as an agent for preventing ALI.