bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of Class III Peroxidases in Betula pendula
Authors: Cai Kewei , Chen Song , Zhao Xiyang , Chen Su 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Class III peroxidases (POD) proteins are widely present in the plant kingdom that are involved in a broad range of physiological processes including stress responses and lignin polymerization throughout the plant life cycle. However, little is known about the POD genes in Betula pendula, although it has been characterized in Arabidopsis, rice and maize. The POD genes remain to be determined in Betula pendula.Results: A total of 90 nonredundant POD genes were identified in Betula pendula. (designated BpPODs). These POD genes were divided into twelve groups based on their phylogenetic relationships. The BpPODs are unevenly distributed on the 14 chromosomes. In addition, some BpPOD genes were located sequentially in tandem on chromosomes, inferred that tandem duplication contributes to the expansion of the POD genes family in Betula pendula. Analysis of the distribution of conserved domains of BpPOD proteins showed that all these proteins contain highly conserved motifs. We also investigated their expression patterns in different tissues, the results show that some BpPOD genes might play significant roles in root, xylem, leaf and flower. Furthermore, under low temperature conditions, some BpPOD genes showed different expression patterns at different times.Conclusions: Comprehensive study of the POD genes suggests that their functional diversity during Betula pendula growth and development. Our findings provide a basis for further functional analysis on POD genes family in Betula pendula.
Transcriptome analysis reveals that multiple metabolic pathways operate in Zea mays roots subjected to graphene
Authors: Chen Zhiwen , Zhao Jianguo , Song Jie , Han Shenghua , Du Yaqin , Qiao Yuying , Liu Zehui , Qiao Jun , Li Weijia , Li Jingwei , Wang Haiyan , Xing Baoyan , Pan Qiliang 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: To explore the effects and molecular mechanism of graphene on the growth and development of Zea mays L., the seeds were randomly divided into the control and experimental groups in this study, the roots of Zea mays L. seedlings were watered by different concentrations (0~100 mg/L) graphene. Results: By evaluating the root growth indices of maize, 50 mg/L graphene increased significantly the total root length, root volume, the number of root tips and root forks of maize seedlings compared with the control group. The contents of nitrogen and potassium in the soil around the roots were elevated after the treatment of 50 mg/L graphene. Then, we compared the transcriptome changes of Zea mays roots in response to 50 mg/L graphene treatment. Transcriptional factor regulation, plant hormone signal transduction, nitrogen and potassium metabolism as well as secondary metabolism in maize roots subjected to graphene showed significant up-regulated expressions, all of which might be related to mechanisms underlying graphene response. Based on qPCR validations, we proposed several candidate genes that might be responded to the graphene treatment in maize roots. Conclusion: The transcriptional profiles presented here provide a foundation for deciphering the mechanism between the graphene and maize roots interaction.
Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Technical Note and Surgical Comparison with Conventional MIS TLIF.
Authors: Gatam Asrafi Rizki , Luthfi Omar , Mahadhipta Harmantya , Gatam Luthfi , Ajiantoro Ajiantoro 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Backgrounds : Minimally invasive surgery develops very extensively in past few decades, not only in the scope of decompression but until fusion surgery. Surgeon has been trying to reduce the damage to the normal anatomical structure. In this study we performed unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (ULIF) as one of the fusion option which is readily available without sophisticated minimal invasive instrument. The purpose of this study is to introduce unilateral biportal endoscopic surgery and comparing the result with conventional minimal invasive lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) Methods : This is a retrospective cohort study of 145 lumbar spondylolisthesis patient underwent conventional MIS-TLIF or ULIF procedure. All patient were followed up until 12 months to evaluate the VAS of back pain and leg pain, ODI, SF-36 and fusion rate. Results : Back pain VAS were a little higher compared with the endoscopic group, but the VAS of leg pain were the same. Both group had improvement in ODI score and SF-36 which shows both of the procedure were quite effective in managing such cases. Conclusion : Full endoscopic fusion offer benefit of minimal invasive surgery with better visualization of decompression and endplate preparation. Long term follow up is still needed to evaluate the result of the procedure.
BNIP3 relieves the LPS-induced inflammation and apoptosis of chondrocytes by promoting the development of autophagy
Authors: Ma Zetao , Wang Deli , Weng Jian , Zhang Sheng , Zhang Yuanshi 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Inflammation and apoptosis of chondrocytes are the pathological basis of osteoarthritis. Autophagy could alleviate the symptoms of inflammation and apoptosis. Previous study has shown that BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa protein-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) could induce the occurrence and development of autophagy. However, it is unknown whether autophagy induced by BNIP could alleviate the inflammation and apoptosis of chondrocytes. Methods: We used the lentivirus to construct the overexpression BNIP3 chondrocytes. Next, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to stimulate these cells to simulate the physiological environment of osteoarthritis. After that, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were performed to determine the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the flow cytometry was performed to detect the apoptosis rates of chondrocytes. At last, the expression of autophagy related proteins was detected with the western blotting. Results: The expression of BNIP3 was suppressed after the stimulation of LPS. However, overexpression of BNIP3 inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and relieved the apoptosis of chondrocytes. Furthermore, overexpression of BNIP3 led to the upregulation of autophagy related proteins including little computer 3 (LC3), autophagy-related protein 7 (ATG7) and Beclin-1. Application of autophagy inhibitor recovered the expression of proinflammatory factors and apoptosis rates of chondrocytes. Conclusions: BNIP3 alleviated the LPS induced inflammation and apoptosis of chondrocytes by activating the autophagy.
An Intelligent Parallel Method for Automatic Production of the Human Bronchial Tree Fulfilling Bronchopulmonary Segmental Isolation Based on Stochastic Parametric L-system
Authors: Abbasi Zeinab , Boozarjomehry Ramin Bozorgmehry 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
In the human lung, air is transported from the environment to the respiratory zone by conducting airways containing ~60000 airways with different scales. An accurate model of this complicated structure is crucial for studying transport phenomena in the human lung. In the present study, the parametric Lindenmayer System (L-System) has been used to produce the human bronchial tree in the bronchopulmonary segments whose shapes have been obtained based on the medical image processing techniques. The airways propagate into the host segments simultaneously similar to what happens in real life using multi-threads parallelism method. Each module in rewriting rules of the formulated L-System plays the role of an airway with its characteristic properties that have been found almost independently based on an intelligent procedure. This feature enables the method to be less sensitive to change in the host shape and size of the lungs. In addition, the stochastic behavior of the proposed procedure generates slightly different structures with the same statistical properties. Furthermore, the dimensions of the terminal branches are functions of age, which make the proposed method capable of generating the tree structure for the subjects with various ages fulfilling almost all anatomical and physiological requirements. The morphometric characteristics of the generated structure are in good agreement with the corresponding experimental data reported in the literature. The results show that the proposed method outperforms the previously reported models. The accurate three-dimensional model proposed by this study can be used for simulation of fluid distribution, mass and heat transfer, drug delivery, and particle deposition in the human respiratory system.
A Meta-Analysis of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Hip Fracture Surgery: Prevalence and Risk Factors
Authors: Zhang Yan-Li , Pu Yan-Chuang , Wang Jin , Li Zi-Cai , Wang Hu-Lin 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Objective: Acute kidney injury(AKI) was a frequent complication following hip fracture surgery, but recent studies reported inconsistent findings. The purpose of our study was to systematically clarify the prevalence and risk factors of AKI after hip fracture surgery. Methods: Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from the inception to March 2020 to identify observational studies investigating the prevalence and risk factors of AKI in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Pooled prevalence and odds ratios(ORs) with 95% confidence intervals(CIs) were estimated using random-effect model. Publication bias was evaluated with a funnel plot and statistical test. All the statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 12.0. Results: A total of 11 studies with 16,421 patients were included in the current meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of AKI in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery was 17%(95%CI, 14%-21%). Postoperative serum albumin(OR 1.80; 95%CI, 1.38–2.36) was a significant predictor for AKI. Age(OR 1.01; 95%CI, 0.95–1.07) and ACE inhibitors(OR 1.38; 95%CI, 0.92–2.07) were also associated with increased risk of AKI, but the results were not statistically significant. No significant publication bias was identified through statistical tests(Egger’s test, p = 0.258 and Begg’s test, p = 0.087). Conclusions: The pooled AKI following hip fracture surgery was approximately 17%. Postoperative serum albumin was a potential significant risk factor for AKI.
Benchmark examination of blood amino acids patterns in phenylketonuric neonates and young children on phenylalanine-restricted dietary treatment
Authors: Wan Zhihui , Rosenbaum Eric , Liu Wei , Song Boyan , Yue Xiaofei , Kong Yuanyuan , Li Tianhe , Zhai Yanhong , Ma Zhijun , Cao Zheng 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

Phe-restricted diets have been the basis of therapy for phenylketonurics; however, little is known how this treatment effects homeostasis of other important amino acids. This study aimed to describe blood amino acid patterns in neonates with phenylketonuria (PKU) and identify any effects of Phe restriction on these patterns in young children.
Methods

Neonate group (age 0–4 weeks): 45 PKU patients, 45 age-/sex-matched controls without PKU; 1–4 year-old group: 27 diet-treated PKU patients, 27 age-/sex-matched children without PKU. Concentrations of 11 amino acids were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) performed on dried blood spots.
Results

Elevated blood phenylalanine (Phe), arginine (Arg), citrulline (Cit), valine (Val) and methionine (Met) concentrations were observed in PKU neonates relative to controls (Phe, Arg, Cit, Val: P < 0.001; Met: P < 0.05), of which Phe, Arg, and Met levels could be either partially or completely restored with dietary intervention. Diet had no effect on elevated Cit and Val. Decreased blood tyrosine (Tyr) and proline (Pro) concentrations were observed in PKU neonates compared to controls (P < 0.001). Both amino acids could be near completely restored to normal with dietary treatment. No significant differences in alanine (Ala), leucine (Leu), ornithine (Orn) and glycine (Gly) concentrations were found in the PKU neonates and 1–4 year-old groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusions

Blood amino acid homeostasis is disrupted in neonates and young children with PKU. Although dietary intervention adjusts amino acid homeostasis in the direction of a healthy equilibrium, complete restoration is not achieved. This persistent disruption may represent a clinically significant barrier to achieving the best possible therapy for those with PKU. Use of laboratory technologies such as LC-MS/MS enable characterization of persistent blood amino acid disequilibrium in the treated phenylketonuric. Testing of this kind presents opportunity for customized treatment feedback that may allow even greater optimization of therapy for neonates and children with PKU.
Long-lasting Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among households in Bonzola Health Zone in Mbuji-Mayi.
Authors: Kaniki Chrys Promesse Kabuya 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Malaria is the most widespread parasitic disease in the world. It is a major risk of morbidity and mortality for more than two billion human beings worldwide. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it is one of the three leading causes of death among the most vulnerable groups - children under five and pregnant women. The impregnated mosquito net is currently one of the best ways to prevent malaria.The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of households related to the use of long-lasting insecticide-treated net in Bonzola Health Zone in the City of Mbuji-Mayi .This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted with 360 households. Our statistical unit was the household. The interview technique was used to collect data that were encoded, processed and analyzed using Excel 2007 software. In our statistical analyses, we used the calculation of frequencies, mean, standard deviation and proportions. The Chi-square test was used for association research.Overall, 93.83% of respondents have a good knowledge of the long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLITN) and its benefits, 96.94% have a positive attitude towards its use and only 61.39% have good practices. The LLITN use rate the night before the survey is 90.28% and the availability rate of LLITNs in households is estimated at 94.44%.Certain factors limit the effective use of LLINs by households. Although population knowledge and attitude are good enough, the utilization of LLITNs did not much progress comparing to the proportion of pregnant women sleeping under an ITN (60%) revealed in the 2013 MICS-DRC Report.These results reflect what the last free distribution of LLITNs carried out in August 2015 by the Government (through the National Malaria Control Programme, in partnership with ASF/PSI) has largely produced as impact to the beneficiary population.
Patterns of sucker development in cuttlefishes
Authors: Kimbara Ryosuke , Nakamura Mayuko , Oguchi Kohei , Kohtsuka Hisanori , Miura Toru 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background : Morphological novelties have been acquired through evolutionary processes in relation to the acquisition of new life-history strategies together with novel functions of bodyparts. Cephalopod molluscs such as octopuses, squids and cuttlefishes possess novel morphological characteristics such as their overall bodyplans and numerous arms. Among those novel morphologies, in particular, suckers arranged along the oral side of each arm possess multiple functions, such as capturing prey and locomotion, so that the sucker morphology is diversified among species, depending on their ecological niche. However, the detailed developmental process of sucker formation has remained unclear, although it is known that new suckers are formed or added throughout their life-time, including during both embryonic and postembryonic development. In the present study, therefore, focusing on two cuttlefish species, Sepia esculenta and S. lycidas ,in which the sucker morphology is relatively simple, morphological and histological observations were carried out during embryonic and postembryonic development to elucidate the developmental process of sucker formation. Results : The observations in both species clearly showed that the newly formed suckers were added on the oral side of the most distal tip of each arm during embryonic and postembryonic development. On the oral side of the arm tip, the epithelial tissue became swollen to form a ridge along the proximal-distal axis (distal sucker ridge). Next to the distal ridge, there were small dome-shaped bulges that are presumed to be the sucker primordia. Toward the proximal direction, the primordia became functional suckers, in which the inner tissues differentiated to form the complex sucker structures. During postembryonic development, on both sides of the distal sucker ridge, epithelial tissues extended to form a sheath, covering the ridge for protection of undifferentiated suckers. Conclusions : The developmental process of sucker formation, in which sucker primordia are generated from a ridge structure (distal sucker ridge) on the oral side at the distal-most arm tip, was shared in both cuttlefish species.
Omission of Chemotherapy in HR+/HER2- Early Invasive Breast Cancer Based on Combined 6-IHC Score?
Authors: Lin Jiaman , Guo Zihe , Wang Shuo , Zheng Xinyu 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Previous randomized studies have assessed the possibility of omission of chemotherapy in some hormone receptor (HR)-positive and HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancers (BC) based on gene profiling test, e.g., Oncotype DX. The goal of this study was to evaluate if combination of six proliferation related biomarkers by immunohistochemistry (6-IHC) could be a cost-effective option in determining the necessity of adjuvant chemotherapy in HR+/HER2- BC.Methods: A retrospective analysis of HR+/HER2- BC patients was conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from 2010 to 2016. The expression of 6 BC-related proliferation and invasion genes (Cathepsin L2, MMP11, CyclinB1, Aurora A, Survivin and Ki67) from Oncotype DX were analyzed through IHC (designated as 6-IHC). All the included patients were divided randomly at a 7:3 ratio into training and testing cohorts. The cutoff prognosis index (PI) of 6-IHC was determined by multivariate Cox risk regression analysis after calculating the PI of each patient in training cohort and confirmed in testing cohort. The patients were classified into “Low” and “High” risk groups based on the PI value. Kaplan-Meier (KM) method was used to analyze Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). 6-IHC score and other factors associated with survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy were compared with Ki67 index.Results: A total of 330 patients were included and divided into training cohort (n = 231) and validation cohort (n = 99). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the patients can be divided into 6-IHC score “High” and “Low” risk groups using the cut-off PI of 2.16. The 8-year DFS and OS were 54.6% and 69.2%, respectively in the 6-IHC score “High” risk group; 85.5% and 92.5%, respectively in the 6-IHC score “Low” risk group. The 8-year DFS and OS were 70.8% and 80.9%, respectively in the Ki67 “High” risk group, 77.7% and 87.6%, respectively in the Ki67 “Low” risk group. The KM curves showed that chemotherapy did not significantly improve the DFS in the 6-IHC score “Low” risk group (p = 0.830), but significantly improved the DFS in the 6-IHC score “High” risk group (P = 0.012).Conclusions: Combined 6-IHC score could be a reliable tool in predicting cancer-specific recurrences and survival in HR+/HER2- BC patients and identifying patients who could benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy regardless of the involvement of axillary lymph node (ALN).
Greater trochanteric bone flap grafting with vascular pedicles for the treatment of femoral head osteonecrosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A retrospective study
Authors: Yang Qiang , Zhou Jixue , Li Lei , Guo Zhaopeng , Tian Xiaolei 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus,that affect the patient's quality of life seriously.This article reviewed the radiographs of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and assessed the effect of using the greater trochanteric bone flap grafting with vascular pedicles.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 17 patients (26 hips) with systemic lupus erythematosus who underwent the greater trochanteric bone flap grafting with vascular pedicles for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. According to Ficat and Arlet classification, 16 hips were in stage II; 10 hips were in stage III. All patients were followed up for a mean of 32 months (ranging 12~48 months) and were assessed clinically and radiologically according to Harris scoring.Results: No hips were treated with total hip arthroplasty in the follow-up. The mean HHS was improved from preoperative 69.1 points (ranging 52–83 points) to postoperative 89.4 points (ranging 56–100 points). At the latest follow-up, of 26 hips, radiographically 21 hips (80.77%) were improved, 3 hips (11.54%) were unchanged and just 2 hips (7.69%) were worse.Conclusion: The greater trochanteric bone flap grafting with vascular pedicles was successful in maintaining joint function and in delaying the need for joint replacement procedure.
Application of artificial intelligence image-assisted diagnosis system in chest CT examination of COVID-19
Authors: Zhang Mengqi , Wang Yangyang , Ding Qianyun , Li Haiwen , Dai Fu , Chao Huimin , Chao Huimin 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the application efficiency of artificial intelligence (AI) image-assisted diagnosis system in chest CT examination of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods A total of 33 cases of COVID-19 patients who underwent chest CT in Hefei Binhu Hospital between January 2020 and March 2020 were retrospectively included. All patients were tested positive for novel coronavirus nucleic acid by fluorescent reverse transcription-polymerasechain reaction (RT-PCR). The pneumonia screening function of the AI image-assisted diagnosis system was employed for the 103 chest CT examinations of the 33 cases. The diagnosis of four senior radiologists were used as the standard for synchronous under blind state. The sensitivity, specificity, misdiagnosis rate, missed diagnosis rate and other evaluation indexes of the COVID-19 performed by the AI image-assisted diagnosis system were analyzed, and an dynamic evaluation on the CT reexamination was conducted. Results Out of the 103 chest CT examinations, there were 88 cases of true positive, 1 case of false positive, 12 cases of true negative and 2 cases of false negative. The sensitivity was 97.78% (88/90); the specificity was 92.31% (12/13); the positive predictive value was 98.88% (88/89); the negative predictive value was 85.71% (12/14); the accuracy was 97.09% (100/103); the Youden index was 90.09%; the positive likelihood ratio was 12.711 and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.024. There were 790 identified lesions in these CT examinations in total, of which 569 were true positive and 221 were false positive. There were also 64 missed diagnosis markers. The detection rate of all lesions was 89.89% and the rate of false positives was 27.97%. In the last CT scan, the lesion size were smaller and the percentage of lesions in total lung volume along with the mean density of lesions was lower than that of the first CT scan. Conclusion The AI image-assisted diagnosis system has certain clinical application value in the early diagnosis and follow-up evaluation of chest CT examination of COVID-19.