bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The equine gastrointestinal microbiome: Impacts of weight-loss
Authors: Morrison Philippa , Newbold Charles J. , Jones Eleanor , Worgan Hilary J. , Grove-White Dai H. , Dugdale Alexandra H. , Barfoot Clare , Harris Patricia A. , Argo Caroline McG. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background Obesity is an important equine welfare issue. Whilst dietary restriction is the most effective weight-loss tool, individual animals range in their weight-loss propensity. Gastrointestinal-derived bacteria play a fundamental role in host-health and have been associated with obesity and weight-loss in other species. This study evaluated the faecal microbiome (next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA genes) of 15 obese Welsh Mountain pony mares, in the same 11-week period across 2 years (n = 8 Year 1; n = 7 Year 2). Following a 4-week acclimation period (pre-diet phase) during which time individuals were fed the same hay to maintenance (2% body mass (BM) as daily dry matter (DM) intake), animals underwent a 7-week period of dietary restriction (1% BM hay as daily DM intake). Faeces were sampled on the final 3 days of the pre-diet phase and the final 3 days of the dietary restriction phase. Bacterial communities were determined using Next Generation Sequencing of amplified V1-V2 hypervariable regions of bacterial 16S rRNA.Results Losses in body mass ranged from 7.11% to 11.59%. Changes in the faecal microbiome composition following weight-loss included a reduction in the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Tenericutes and a reduction in indices of bacterial diversity. Pre-diet diversity was negatively associated with weight-loss. Pre-diet faecal acetate concentration was a strong predictor of subsequent weight-loss and negatively associated with Sphaerochaeta (Spirochaetes phylum) abundance. When animals were divided into 3 groups (high, mid, low) based overall weight loss, pre-diet bacterial community structure was found to have the greatest divergence between the high and low weight-loss groups (R = 0.67, p < 0.01), following PERMANOVA and ANOSIM analysis.Conclusions Weight-loss in this group of ponies was associated with lower pre-diet faecal bacterial diversity and greater pre-diet acetate concentration. Overall, these data support a role for the faecal microbiome in weight-loss propensity in ponies and provide a baseline for research evaluating elements of the faecal microbiome in predicting weight-loss success in larger cohorts.
Infant and Child health status ahead of implementation of an integrated intervention to improve nutrition and survival: A difference-in-difference quasi-experimental baseline assessment
Authors: Odjidja Emmanuel Nene , Hakizimana Sonia , Gatasi Ghislaine , Masabo Jean-Berchmans , Irakoze Gildas , Muzungu Héritier , Murorunkwere Honorine , Elkasabi Mahmoud 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background Burundi has one of the poorest child health outcomes in the world. With an acute malnutrition rate of 5% and a chronic malnutrition rate of 56%, under five death is 78 per 1000 live births and 47 children in every 1000 children will not celebrate their first birthday. In response, Village Health Works, a Burundian-American organisation has invested in an integrated clinical and community intervention model. Ahead of implementation of this initiative, we conduct a baseline assessment using a difference-in-difference design in an effort to measure incremental effects. Methods A quasi-experimental evaluation design (difference-in-difference) was employed. Adopting the methodology of the DHS, a sample of 952 and 990 households comprising of 2675 and 3311 birth histories respectively in the treatment and control areas were reached. Mortality data were analysed with R package for mortality computation, Complex Samples Module of IBM – SPSS for other outcomes and Emergency Nutrition Assessment software for nutrition data. Logistic regression was used to assess strength of associations and cox regression model for assessing risk of mortality Results The incidence of low birth weight (LBW) was 5.7% at the program area compared to 7.2% at the controlled area with the strongest predictor being malnourished women (OR 1.4 95%CI 1.2 – 7.2 p=0.043). Fever incidence was higher in the program area (50.5%) in comparison to 48.4% in the control. Non-consumption of minimum acceptable diet was significantly associated with fever (OR 1.67 95%CI 1.07 – 2.61). Acute and chronic malnutrition was 7.6% and 45.8% respectively with non-receipt of Vitamin A was significantly associated with chronic malnutrition. Under-five mortality rate was 32.1 per 1000 live births in the program area and 33.6 in the control. Infant mortality rate was 25.7 in program area and 20.4 in the control. Risk of under-five mortality was higher in the neonatal period (HR 20.72 95% 8.64 – 49.65 p=0.001). Conclusion Improving child health status is complex and therefore investing into an integrated intervention yields best results. Given that the risk of all under-five was higher at the neonatal period, strengthening the health system to provide quality care is crucial.
Searching essential proteins in dynamic protein networks based on an improved H-index algorithm
Authors: Dai Caiyan , Ju HE , Kongfa HU , Youwei DING 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The essential proteins in protein networks play an important role in complex cellular functions and their evolution. Therefore, searching essential proteins in protein networks can help to explain the structure, function and dynamics of basic cellular networks. The existing dynamic protein network regards the protein situation at all times as the same, but in fact, the role of proteins varies at different times. In order to improve the accuracy of essential protein searching, an improved H-index algorithm based on attenuation coefficient method is proposed in this paper, which incorporates the neglected node information into consideration to improve the accuracy of essential protein searching. The experiments show that the essential proteins found on the basis of this model are more effective than other similar methods.
Predicting deceased donor kidney transplant outcomes: Comparing KDRI/KDPI with machine learning
Authors: Pahl Eric , Street Nick , Johnson Hans , Reed Alan 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background: Kidney transplantation is a cost-effective treatment for end-stage renal failure patients that provides a significant survival benefit and improves their quality of life compared to other forms of renal replacement. The predominant method used for donor kidney quality assessment is the Cox regression-based, piecewise linear kidney donor risk index (KDRI). A machine learning method (random forest) was compared to KDRI for predicting graft failure at 12, 24, and 36 months after transplantation.

Methods: Random forest was trained and evaluated with the same deceased donor kidney transplant data (n=70242) initially used to develop KDRI (1995-2005) and included four readily available recipient variables from the estimated post-transplant survival score.

Results: When comparing type II error rates of 10%, random forests predicted an additional 2,148 successful grafts at 36 months after transplant (126%) than KDRI. Many high-KDRI kidneys, at risk for discard, were correctly predicted for successful transplantation with random forests. Random forest performed significantly better than KDRI for graft Kaplan-Meier survival analysis from 0-240 months (log-rank test p<0.00).

Conclusions: Machine learning methods can provide a significant improvement over KDRI for the assessment of kidney offers. This work lays the foundation for the use of machine learning methodologies in transplantation and describes the steps to measure, analyze, and validate future models.
Analysis of the role of TpUB05 antigen from Theileria parva in immune responses to malaria in humans compared to its homologue in Plasmodium falciparum; UB05 antigen
Authors: Dinga Jerome Nyhalah , Gamua Stanley Dobgima , Njimoh Dieudonné Lemuh , Chuma Francis N. G. , Djikeng Apollinaire , Pelle Roger , Titanji Vincent P. K. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Despite the amount of resources deployed and technological advancements in Molecular Biology, vaccinology, immunology, genetics, and biotechnology, there is still no effective vaccines against malaria. Immunity to either malaria or East Coast fever is usually seen as species- and/or strain-specific. But there is growing body of evidence suggesting the possibility of the existence of cross strain, cross species and cross genus immune responses in apicomplexans. The principle of gene conservations indicates that homologues play similar role in closely related organisms. UB05 antigen (XP_001347656.2) from Plasmodium falciparum is part of chimeric UB05-09 antigen; a potential vaccine candidate has been demonstrated to be a marker of protective immunity in malaria. The homologue of UB05 in Theileria parva is TpUB05 (XP_763711.1) which was also tested and shown to be a potential marker of protective immunity in ECF as well. In a bid to identify potent markers of protective immunity to aid malaria vaccine development, TpUB05 was tested in malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum .
UB05 antigen was tested in malaria using ELISpot, ELISA, and Growth Inhibition assays with samples from a malaria endemic region, and published. During these same experiments, TpUB05 antigen was tested alongside UB05, in separate wells but on the same plates and exposed to the same experimental conditions and the result presented here. Here we compare the performance of TpUB05 to that of UB05 in terms of the type and magnitude of immune responses provoked in malaria.
It was observed that TpUB05 provoked stronger immune responses in malaria compared to UB05 antigen ex-vivo . This suggests that TpUB05 from Theileria parva is a better marker of protective immunity in malaria compared to its homologue UB05 from Plasmodium falciparum .
Individualized procedures for splenic artery dissection during laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy.
Authors: Wada Yusuke , Aoki Takeshi , Murakami Masahiko , Fujimori Akira , Koizumi Tomotake , Kusano Tomokazu , Matsuda Kazuhiro , Nogaki Koji , Hakozaki Tomoki , Shibata Hideki , Tomioka Kodai 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
[Background] There are no established standard criteria for choosing the most appropriate procedure of splenic artery dissection during laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP); thus, the choice of procedure varies across surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical benefits of individualized procedures for splenic artery dissection during LDP based on the variations in arterial structure visualized on preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). [Methods] Patients who underwent LDP following 3D-CT at a single center were retrospectively evaluated. 3D-CT images were used to construct virtual 3D laparoscopic images for surgical planning. The splenic artery was classified into two major anatomic types: type V that curves and runs ventral to the pancreas and type D that runs straight and dorsal to the pancreas. Splenic artery dissection was planned according to these two variations, with type V dissected using an approach ventral to the pancreas and type D using a dorsal approach. [Results] Type-specific dissection was applied for 30 patients: 25 (83%) with type V and 5 (17%) with type D splenic artery anatomies. The splenic artery was successfully dissected using the planned surgical procedure that was simulated preoperatively. [Conclusion] The individualized procedures for splenic artery dissection according to anatomic variations visualized on 3D-CT images can help improve the success and safety of LDP.
Submicromolar copper (II) ions stimulate transretinal signaling in the isolated retina from wild type but not from Cav2.3-deficient mice
Authors: Schneider Toni , Lüke Jan Niklas , Neumaier Felix , Alpdogan Serdar , Hescheler Jürgen , Albanna Walid , Akhtar-Schäfer Isha 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background: So far, only indirect evidence exists for the pharmacoresistant R-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGCC) to be involved in transretinal signaling by triggering GABA-release onto ON-bipolar neurons. This release of inhibitory neurotransmitters was deduced from the sensitivity of the b-wave to stimulation by Ni2+ , Zn2+ and Cu2+ . To further confirm the interpretation of these findings, we compared the effects of Cu2+ application and chelation on the neural retina from wildtype and Cav2.3-deficient mice. Furthermore, the effect of kainic acid (KA) on the ERG b-wave modulation was assessed. Methods: Transretinal signaling was recorded as an ERG from the superfused murine retina isolated from wildtype and Cav2.3-deficient mice Results: In mice, the stimulating effect of 100 nM CuCl2 is absent in the retinae from Cav2.3-deficient mice, but prominent in Cav2.3-competent mice. Application of up to 3 mM tricine does not affect the murine b-wave in both genotypes, most likely because of chelating amino acids present in the murine nutrient solution. Application of 27 µM KA significantly increased the b-wave amplitude in wild type and Cav2.3 (-|-) mice. This effect can most likely be explained by the stimulation of endogenous KA-receptors described in horizontal, OFF-bipolar, amacrine or ganglion cells, which could not be fully blocked in the present study. Conclusion: Cu2+ dependent modulation of transretinal signaling only occurs in the murine retina from Cav2.3 competent mice, supporting the ideas derived from previous work in the bovine retina that R-type Ca2+ channels are involved in shaping transretinal responses during light perception.
Preoperative clinical factors and visual outcomes following orbital decompression with dysthyroid optic neuropathy
Authors: Tagami Mizuki , Honda Shigeru , Azumi Atsushi 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Purpose: To investigate preoperative clinical factors and visual outcomes of Japanese patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) after urgent orbital decompression. Methods: This retrospective, observational case series study investigated 44 patients who exhibited several preoperative clinical factors that might be associated with the need for urgent orbital decompression due to DON. Additionally, the visual acuity of DON patients was compared between the patients preoperatively and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively. Results: All 44 patients received steroid and radiation therapy, with 27 patients able to avoid undergoing urgent surgery. However, the remaining 17 patients required urgent orbital decompression following a lack of response to the therapy. None of the patients who initially avoided surgery required additional surgery for DON. Factors significantly associated with the need for urgent orbital decompression surgery included: female gender, older age, long disease duration, unilateral significant DON, history of resistance to pulsed steroid therapy, unstable thyroid function, poor visual acuity, presence of central diplopia, and presence of corneal problems ( P <0.05 each). The results also showed that postoperative visual outcomes of surgery for DON were acceptable. Conclusion: This study revealed several preoperative clinical factors for DON that appear to be associated with the need for urgent orbital decompression surgery in Japanese patients.
Clozapine Re-Challenge and Initiation Despite Neutropenia and Outcomes from 14 Patients
Authors: Silva Edward , Higgins Melanie , Hammer Barbara , Stephenson Paul 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Objective: Clozapine remains the most effective intervention for treatment resistant schizophrenia. But its use is limited because of the risk of neutropenia and agranulocytosis. In the absence of effective alternatives its use after blood dyscrasias is possible.
Methods: A case series of 14 male patients with treatment resistant schizophrenia treated with clozapine despite previous episodes of neutropenia between 2006 and 2015 is presented. Data were collected during 2015 and 2019. Using routinely collected clinical data we describe the patient characteristics, causes of neutropenia, the strategies used and outcomes.
Results: Previous neutropaenia was due to varying aetiologies: benign ethnic neutropaenia; clozapine induced; other medication; autoimmune. A range of risk mitigation strategies were used to prevent neutropaenia on clozapine rechallenge: G-CSF; lithium; watch and wait. There were no serious adverse events associated with clozapine or risk mitigation treatments. At follow up during 2019, half of the original 14 patients had improved sufficiently to transfer to conditions of lesser security.
Conclusion: With careful planning and monitoring, taking into account what is known about neutrophil biology, clozapine can be successfully reinitiated following CIN or in the face of preexisting neutropenia resulting in significant benefits for patients.
Virtual Screening of Potential Anti-fatigue Mechanism of Polygonati Rhizoma Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Wang Ze-Feng , Hu Ye-Qing , Wu Qi-Guo , Zhang Rui 
Published: November 2019

Background and Objective:A large number of people are facing the danger of fatigue due to the fast-paced lifestyle. Fatigue is common in some diseases, such as cancer. The mechanism of fatigue is not definite. Traditional Chinese medicine is often used for fatigue, but the potential mechanism of Polygonati Rhizoma (PR) is still not clear. This study attempts to explore the potential anti-fatigue mechanism of Polygonati Rhizoma through virtual screening based on network pharmacology.Methods:The candidate compounds of PR and the known targets of fatigue are obtained from multiple professional databases. PharmMapper Server is designed to identify potential targets for the candidate compounds. We developed a Herbal medicine-Compound-Disease-Target network and analyzed the interactions. Protein-protein interaction network is developed through the Cytoscape software and analyzed by topological methods. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment are carried out by DAVID Database. Finally, we develop Compound-Target-Pathway network to illustrate the anti-fatigue mechanism of PR.Results:This approach identified 12 active compounds and 156 candidate targets of PR. The top 10 annotation terms for GO and KEGG were obtained by enrichment analysis with 35 key targets. The interaction between E2F1 and PI3K-AKT plays a vital role in the anti-fatigue effect of PR due to this study.Conclusions:This study demonstrates that PR has multi-component, multi-target and multipathway effects.
The Regulation of Target Genes by Co-occupancy of Transcription Factors, c-Myc and Mxi1 with Max in the Mouse Cell Line
Authors: Wang Hui , Liu Yuan , Guan Hua , Fan Guo-Liang 
Published: November 2019

Background:
The regulatory function of transcription factors on genes is not only related
to the location of binding genes and its related functions, but is also related to the methods of
binding.

Objective:
It is necessary to study the regulation effects in different binding methods on target genes.

Methods:
In this study, we provided a reliable theoretical basis for studying gene expression
regulation of co-binding transcription factors and further revealed the specific regulation of
transcription factor co-binding in cancer cells.

Results:
Transcription factors tend to combine with other transcription factors in the regulatory
region to form a competitive or synergistic relationship to regulate target genes accurately.

Conclusion:
We found that up-regulated genes in cancer cells were involved in the regulation of
their own immune system related to the normal cells.
Evaluation of Antipsychotic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Dhatryadi Ghrita on Wistar Rats
Authors: Pal Rashmi S. , Mishra Amrita 
Published: November 2019

Objective:
Herbal formulations based on plants are effective against psychosis.
The effects of Dhatryadi Ghrita on Wistar rats against psychosis were investigated.

Background:
An increased preference nowadays is obvious towards the use of herbal
drugs in the treatment of chronic ailments. Treatment of psychiatric diseases has become
easier, but the extrapyramidal motor disorders are the major adverse effect exists with most
of the antipsychotic drugs.

Methods:
For the assessment of neuroleptic activity of the ethanolic extract of Dhatryadi
Ghrita, prepared with different antipsychotic animal models, three doses of the extract
(100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) were used for the study with different animal models.

Result:
A significant reduction of amphetamine-induced stereotype and conditioned
avoidance response was observed in the extract-treated animals compared to control. Minor
signs of catalepsy were visible in the extract-treated group as compared to the control group.

Conclusion:
The study revealed that the extract may be possessing the property to alleviate
the positive symptoms of Psychosis.
Composición, estructura y diversidad florística del bosque seco en el Valle de Agalta, Honduras
Authors: Ferrufino-Acosta Lilian , Cruz Saby Y. , Mejía-Ordóñez Thelma , Rodríguez Fabiola , Escoto Dorian , Sarmiento Elia , Larkin Jeffery L. 
Published: November 2019

Los bosques secos se consideran uno de los ecosistemas más amenazados en el trópico por las actividades antrópicas que han fragmentado y reducido el hábitat. Este estudio documentó la composición florística del bosque seco del Valle de Agalta en Honduras, con énfasis en los sitios donde habita el colibrí esmeralda (Amazilia luciae), un ave endémica y en peligro de extinción. Se colectaron datos de la estructura y composición vegetal de 265 parcelas en 35 sitios. Se identificaron 316 especies distribuidas en 76 familias y 222 géneros, que incluyen 79% eudicotiledóneas, 15% monocotiledóneas, 8% monilófitas y 1% gimnospermas. Las distribuciones vertical y horizontal indican que el bosque está dominado por individuos jóvenes. Las asociaciones vegetales más dominantes, según el índice de valor de importancia, fueron Acacia picachensis (Fabaceae), Eugenia hondurensis (Myrtaceae) y Lysiloma acapulcense (Fabaceae). Se concluye que el Valle de Agalta aún posee bosque seco, que representa un hábitat único y es el refugio de muchas especies nativas, raras y endémicas, enlistándose algunas especies de alta prioridad de conservación.
Pengembangan Buku Ajar Konsep Dasar IPA Untuk Meningkatkan Keterampilan Proses Sains Mahasiswa
Authors: Hayati Dwi Kurnia 
Published: November 2019

Abstrak.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan buku ajar matakuliah Konsep Dasar IPA.Jenis penelitian ini merupakan penelitian pengembangan. Model pengembangan yang digunakan adalah model pengembangan Plomp, yang tahapannya meliputi: (1) penelitian awal dengan tahapan: (a) analisis kebutuhan, (b) analisis mahasiswa, (c) analisis kurikulum; (2) tahap pengembangan yang terdiri dari (a) pengembangan buku ajar, (b) pengembangan instrumen; dan (3) tahap penilaian yang terdiri dari (a) validasi ahli, (b) analisis kevalidan dan revisi I, (c) uji coba kelompok kecil, (d) analisis dan revisi II, (e) uji coba kelompok besar, dan (f) analisis keefektifan. Subjek penelitian sebanyak 42 mahasiswa semester I Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar FKIP UNJA. Adapun instrumen yang digunakan adalah instrumen validasi ahli, angket tanggapan mahasiswa, lembar observasi dan rubrik keterampilan proses sains. Hasil validasi ahli menunjukkan bahwa buku ajar Konsep Dasar IPA yang dikembangkan termasuk dalam kategori layak untuk digunakan. Berdasarkan hasil pengamatan pada dua kali perkuliahan, buku ajar yang dikembangkan dapat meningkatkan keterampilan proses sains mahasiswa dari 60,3% pada pertemuan pertama menjadi 66,9% pada pertemuan kedua.

Kata Kunci: buku ajar, Konsep Dasar IPA, keterampilan proses sains