bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alcohol Consumption and Sports-betting Among Young Male Motorcycle Taxi Bodaboda Riders in Urban Southwestern Uganda
Authors: Nabifo Stella Cheryl , Izudi Jonathan , Bajunirwe Francis 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Introduction: The popularity of sports-betting is growing globally and may be associated with alcohol consumption among young adults. In this study, we examine the relationship between alcohol consumption plus other substances with sports-betting in a group of young adult males in Uganda. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and interviewed male motorcycle taxi bodaboda riders in the southwestern Uganda town of Mbarara. We asked questions about alcohol consumption, smoking and history and frequency of sports-betting.Results: We enrolled 401 riders. The median age was 29.0 years, interquartile range 25-32. Seventy four (18.5%) had engaged in sports-betting in the past 30 days. Among those that reported sports-betting, 16(21.6%) engaged daily or almost daily. Alcohol use was significantly associated with gambling with an adjusted risk ratio (aRR) of 2.08(95% CI 1.36, 3.18) among moderate drinkers compared to low or non-drinkers but not among heavy drinkers. Cigarette smoking was significantly associated with sports-betting with an aRR 1.85(95% CI 1.13, 3.01). Conclusion: Our data show sports-betting is common among these relatively young male motorcycle riders, and is associated with alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. Interventions to regulate sports-betting should be co-packaged with those to reduce alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking among young adult males.
Different Expression Pattern of Human Cytomegalovirus-Encoded microRNAs in Circulation from Virus Latency to Reactivation
Authors: Zhou Wanqing , Wang Cheng , Ding Meng , Bian Yuying , Zhong Yujie , Shen Han , Wang Junjun , Zhang Chen-Yu , Zhang Chunni 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a beta-hersvirinae that has a high latent infection rate worldwide and can cause serious consequences in immunocompromised patients when reactivation; however, the mechanism of how HCMV convert from latent to reactivation has rarely been investigated. In the present study, we aimed to perform a comprehensive analysis of the HCMV-encoded microRNA (miRNA) profile in serum of patients upon HCMV reactivation from latency and to further evaluate its clinical significance for the disease monitoring and preventing usefulness.Methods: Serum samples from 60 viremia patients and 60 age-gender matched controls were enrolled in this study for screening and validation of different expression of HCMV miRNAs. Serum concentrations of 22 known HCMV miRNAs were determined by a hydrolysis probe-based stem-loop quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. HCMV DNA was measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) with the whole blood sample. Serum HCMV IgG and IgM were assessed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Another 47 samples from 5 patients at different time points were collected to evaluate the monitoring effectiveness and disease prediction ability of differential expression HCMV-miRNAs during the antiviral treatment. Results: The RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the serum levels of 16 of the 22 examined HCMV miRNAs were elevated in HCMV viremia patients compared with controls, and a profile of 8 HCMV miRNAs including hcmv-miR-US25-2-3p, hcmv-miR-US4-5p, hcmv-miR-US25-2-5p, hcmv-miR-US25-1-3p, hcmv-miR-US25-1, hcmv-miR-UL36, hcmv-miR-UL148D, hcmv-miR-US29-3p were markedly elevated (fold change > 2, P < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis were performed on the selected HCMV-miRNAs in all of the patients and controls that enrolled in this study, and which ranged from 0.74 to 0.79 in the autoimmune patients. In addition, hcmv-miR-US25-1-3p levels were significantly correlated with HCMV DNA copies (r = 0.297，P = 0.022), and were obviously higher in the reactivation set than the latency set in the autoimmune patients, which could be a predictor for the monitoring of the antiviral treatment.Conclusions: HCMV miRNAs profile showed markedly shift-switch from latency to reactivation in circulation from HCMV infected patients and hcmv-miR-US25-1-3p may be served as a predictor for the switch upon reactivation from latency in patients suffered with autoimmune diseases.
Development and Internal Validation of a Model Predicting Safe, Early Discharge Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with an Infection.
Authors: Mulders Merijn , Maaten Jan Ter , Boekhoud Lisanne , Olgers Tycho , Bouma Hjalmar R. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Prolonged hospitalization is associated with high costs and mortality, and increases the chance of adverse events. This study aimed to identify predictors of safe, early discharge in patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with an infection. Methods: This prospective observational study was performed in the ED of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Adult non-trauma patients with suspected infection and at least two Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) criteria were included. Exclusion criteria were intensive care unit admission and transfer to another hospital. Safe, early discharge was defined as hospital-discharge within 24 hours without disease-related death or readmission to our hospital during the first 7 days. A prediction model for safe, early discharge was created using a multivariate logistic regression analysis and validated with k-fold cross-validation. Results: 1381 patients were included, of whom 354 (25.6%) met the safe, early discharge criteria. Parameters associated with safe, early discharge were younger age, absence of co-morbidities, living independently, yellow or green triage urgency, absence of ambulance transport, absence of general practitioner referral, normal clinical impression, (q)SOFA, PIRO, MEDS, NEWS and SIRS scores, absence of abnormal vital sign measurements and absence of kidney and respiratory failure. A prediction model for safe, early discharge was developed with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.824. Internal validation generated a minimal drop in performance, indicating a good fit. Conclusion: By identifying predictors of clinical improvement and combining several readily available parameters in the ED setting, a model for safe, early discharge with good prognostic performance was created.
Monitoring Forest Fire using Geo-Spatial Information Techniques and Spatial Statistics: One Case Study of Forest fire in Margalla Hills, Islamabad, Pakistan
Authors: Tariq Aqil , Shu Hong , Siddiqui Saima 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Understanding the spatial patterns of forest ﬁres is of key importance for ﬁre risk management with ecological implications. Fire occurrence, which may result from the presence of an ignition source and the conditions necessary for a fire to spread, is an essential component of fire risk assessment. Methods The aim of this research was to develop a methodology for analyzing spatial patterns of forest ﬁre danger with a case study of tropical forest fire at Margalla Hills, Islamabad, Pakistan. A geospatial technique was applied to explore inﬂuencing factors including climate, vegetation, topography, human activities, and 299 ﬁre locations. We investigated the spatial extent of burned areas using Landsat data and determined how these factors inﬂuenced the severity rating of ﬁres in these forests. The importance of these factors on forest ﬁres was analyzed and assessed using logistic and stepwise regression methods. Results The findings showed that as the number of total days since the start of fire has increased, the burned areas increased at a rate of 25.848 ha / day (R 2 = 0.98). The average quarterly mean wind speed, forest density, distance to roads and average quarterly maximum temperature were highly correlated to the daily severity rating of forest fires. Only the average quarterly maximum temperature and forest density affected the size of the burnt areas. Fire maps indicate that 22% of forests are at the high and very high level (> 0.65), 25% at the low level (0.45-0.65), and 53% at the very low level (0.25 – 0.45). Conclusion Through spatial analysis, it is found that most forest fires happened in less populated areas and at a long distance from roads, but some climatic and human activities could have influenced fire growth. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that geospatial information technique is useful for exploring forest fire and their spatial distribution.
Diagnostic Value of miR-106a-5p in Patients with Psoriasis and its Regulatory Role in Inflammatory Responses
Authors: Miao Xiaolin , Tong Xinyun , Hu Jingsang , Wang Juan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Psoriasis is a multifactorial, recurring, and chronic inflammatory skin disease. This study was designed to explore the potential role of microRNA-106a-5p (miR-106a-5p) in psoriasis.Methods: The expression levels of miR-106a-5p in the serum of psoriasis patients and healthy individuals were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The diagnostic value of miR-106a-5p in serum was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC). The levels of interleukin-22 (IL-22), interleukin-17A (IL-17A), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: The serum expression of miR-106a-5p was found to be up-regulated in psoriasis patients. ROC curve showed that miR-106a-5p had high specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of psoriasis. The correlation between the serum expression level of miR-106a-5p and PASI was positive. The relative expression levels of IL-17A, IL-22 and TNF-alpha in serum of psoriasis patients were significantly upregulated compared with that in healthy control, and showed positive association with serum miR-106a-5p levels. Cell experiments demonstrated that upregulation of miR-106a-5p could promote cell proliferation, and the levels of IL-22, IL-17A and TNF-alpha were upregulated significantly in M5-induced HaCaT cells.Conclusion: Considering the novel and vital role in psoriasis progression, miR-106a-5p is expected to be a new potent target for treatment of psoriasis. MiR-106-5p was expected to use for more immunity diseases research and therapy.
MiR-124 and small molecules synergistically regulate the direct generation of neuronal cells from rat cortical reactive astrocytes
Authors: Zheng Yangyang , Huang Zhehao , Xu Jinying , Hou Kun , Yu Yifei , Lv Shuang , Chen Lin , Li Yulin , Quan Chengshi , Chi Guangfan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background：Irreversible neuron loss caused by central nervous system injuries usually lead to persistent neurological dysfunction. Reactive astrocytes, because of their high proliferative capacity, proximity to neuronal lineage, and significant involvement in glial scarring, are ideal starting cells for neuronal regeneration. Having previously identified several small molecules as important regulators of astrocyte-to-neuron reprogramming, our aim in this study was to explore whether other small molecules and miR-124, a key neural differentiation mediator, could co-regulate reactive astrocyte-to-neuron conversion.Methods: MiR-124, ruxolitinib, SB203580, and forskolin were used to induce postnatal rat cortex reactive astrocytes, and the neuronal phenotype of the induced cells was characterised. To understand the genetic changes, RNA-sequencing analyses were performed on reactive astrocytes, induced neurons, and rat neurons, and the mechanisms underlying the regulatory role of miR-124 during the neuronal conversion was explored.Results：MiR-124, ruxolitinib, SB203580, and forskolin could co-convert rat cortical reactive astrocytes into neurons. The induced cells had reduced astroglial properties, displayed typical neuronal morphologies, and expressed neuronal markers, reflecting 25.9% of cholinergic neurons. Gene analysis revealed that induced neuron gene expression patterns were more similar to that of primary neurons than of initial reactive astrocytes. On the molecular level, miR-124-driven neuronal differentiation of reactive astrocytes was via targeting of the SOX9-NFIA-HES1 axis to inhibit HES1 expression.Conclusions：Providing a novel approach for inducing endogenous rat cortical reactive astrocytes into neurons by co-regulation involving miR-124 and three small molecules, our research has potential implications for inhibiting glial scar formation and promoting neuronal regeneration after central nervous system injury or disease.
Both Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Ameliorate Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Even in the Absence of Weight Reduction in High-fat Diet-induced Obese Mice
Authors: Bae Ju Yong 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aimed at analyzing how aerobic and resistance exercise without dietary restriction could affect fat accumulation in the liver of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice.Methods: Mice, divided into normal (CO) and high-fat diet (HF) groups, were fed normal or 60 % HFD diets for 8 weeks, respectively. The HF group was then subdivided into HFD + sedentary (HF), HFD + aerobic training (HFAT), and HFD + resistance training (HFRT) groups. The mice in the training groups underwent treadmill or ladder climbing training for 8 weeks.Results: Although the HFAT and HFRT group body weight did not decrease, fat mass significantly decreased in the training groups than that in the HF group. Liver triglyceride levels in the HF group significantly increased compared to the CO group while no significant difference was detected in the training groups. HFD significantly induced an increase of liver cannabinoid-1 receptor, Sterol-regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1), and fatty acid synthase. Both aerobic and resistance training significantly induced the increase of liver carnitine palmitoyltransferase1, phosphor AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), and p-AMPK/AMPK while inducing a decrease of liver SREBP-1. However, the type of exercise did not cause any significant difference.Conclusions: Both aerobic and resistance exercise effectively improved fat mass and NAFLD even without weight reduction in HFD-induced obese mice. Therefore, a selected sustainable type of exercise based on the fitness level, type of disease, musculoskeletal disorders status, and preference of subjects, would be the best exercise intervention for alleviating NAFLD.
The YAP/HIF-1α/miR-182/EGR2 Axis is Implicated in Asthma Severity by Control of Th17 Cell Differentiation
Authors: Zhou Jing , Zhang Ning , Zhang Wei , Lu Caiju , Xu Fei 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Asthma is a heterogeneous chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, with reversible airflow limitations and airway remodeling. T helper 17 (Th17) cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. However, there is hitherto little data about signaling pathways controlling Th17 cell differentiation in asthma. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether the YAP/HIF-1α/miR-182/EGR2 axis underpins Th17 cell differentiation and asthma severity.Methods: The study included 29 pediatric patients with asthma, 22 healthy volunteers, ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthma models, and mouse naive CD4+ T. The subpopulation of Th17 cells was examined by flow cytometry. The level of IL-17A was determined by ELISA method. ChIP-qPCR assay and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay were performed to examine interaction between HIF-1α and miR-182, miR-182 and EGR2.Results: YAP, HIF-1α, and miR-182 were found to be up-regulated but EGR2 was down-regulated in human and mouse peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in the context of asthma. Abundant expression of YAP and HIF-1α promoted miR-182 expression and then inhibited EGR2, a target of miR-182, thus enhancing Th17 differentiation and deteriorating asthma and lipid metabolism dysfunction. In addition, in vivo findings revealed that over-expression of EGR2 undermined the promoting effect of the YAP/HIF-1α/miR-182 axis on asthma and lipid metabolism dysfunction.Conclusion: These results shed light on that the activation of the YAP/HIF-1α/miR-182/EGR2 axis may promote Th17 cell differentiation, exacerbate asthma development, and aggravate lipid metabolism dysfunction, providing a potential therapeutic target in asthma.
Probiotics Mixture Reinforces Barrier Function to Ameliorate Necrotizing Enterocolitis by Regulating PXR-JNK Pathway
Authors: Zhao Xiuhao , Zhou Jin , Liang Wenhua , Sheng Qingfeng , Lu Li , Chen Tong , Chen Jianglong , Tan Kezhe , lv Zhibao 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Intestinal dysbiosis is believed to be one of the factors inducing neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Probiotics have been employed to treat NEC in a number of animal experiments and clinical trials, and some significant benefits of utilizing probiotics for the prevention or alleviation of NEC have been confirmed. However, the mechanism underlying the efficacy of probiotics in treating NEC has not been elucidated.Results: Impairment of the intestinal barrier, which was characterized by the decreased expression of tight junction components, was observed in the pathogenesis of NEC. The probiotic mixture alleviated this intestinal damage by enhancing the function of the barrier. Meanwhile, the probiotics remodeled the composition of the intestinal microbiota in NEC mice. Furthermore, increased expression of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) was observed after treatment with the probiotic mixture, and PXR overexpression in Caco-2 cells protected the barrier from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) damage. Further research showed that PXR could inhibit the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and could increase the expression of tight junction components.Conclusions: Our study confirmed that probiotics could ameliorate intestinal lesions by enhancing the function of the mucosal barrier. Specifically, probiotics may target PXR, which may subsequently enhance the expression of tight junction components by inhibiting the phosphorylation of JNK and enhancing the function of the barrier.
Community Assembly as the Basis for Species Selection for Tropical Forest Restoration in Global Change Scenario
Authors: Meira-Neto João Augusto Alves , Oliveira-Júnior Neil Damas de , Silva Nathália , Oliveira-Filho Ary Teixeira de , Bueno Marcelo Leandro , Pontara Vanessa , Gastauer Markus 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Tropical forests hold high biodiversity, which challenges the selection of species for forest restoration. For a site-specific restoration is required the understanding of the main influences ruling the assemblages. We aimed to answer three questions. 1) how do environmental variables influence taxonomic, phylogenetic diversities, and the phylogenetic structure in the of Rio Doce Basin (TFRD)? 2) How do environmental variables, phylogenetic structure and the main types of seed dispersal relate to each other? 3) Which information of the TFRD assemblages can be used for ecological restoration and conservation in global change scenario? We used 78 sites with their checklists to calculate taxonomic, and phylogenetic diversities, phylogenetic structures, and dispersal proportions. Then, we related the diversities of the sites to their bioclimatic variables and built GLM models.Results Species richness was influenced negatively by water excess duration, by water deficit duration, and positively by maximum temperature, and temperature seasonality. Water regime drives diversity and phylogenetic community structure in the TFRD more than other variables. Annual precipitation and maximum temperature presented the clearer influences on diversity and phylogenetic structure. Zoochory was positively, and anemochory, autochory were negatively related to sesMPD. Conclusions By choosing the lineages with high fitness for each site, the functioning and the stability of ecosystems should increase. The addition of species with anemochory and autochory increases functional and phylogenetic diversity in areas with extreme water excess or water deficit, important in a global change scenario. A high proportion of zoochory allows the communities to function conserving dispersers, biodiversity, and services.
A Clearance Period After Soluble Lead Nanoparticle Inhalation did not Ameliorate the Negative Effects on Target Tissues Due to Decreased Immune Response
Authors: Dumkova Jana , Smutná Tereza , Vrlikova Lucie , Docekal Bohumil , Kristekova Daniela , Vecera Zbynek , Husakova Zuzana , Jakesova Veronika , Jedlickova Adriena , Mikuska Pavel , Capka Lukas , Coufalik Pavel , Tvrdonova Michaela , Krumal Kamil , Vaculovic Tomas , Kanicky Viktor , Hampl Ales , Buchtova Marcela 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background: The inhalation of metal (including lead) nanoparticles poses a real health issue to people and animals living in polluted and/or industrial areas. In this study, we exposed mice to lead(II) nitrate nanoparticles [Pb(NO3)2 NPs], which represent a highly soluble form of lead, by inhalation. We aimed to uncover possible differences in the effects of lead exposure on individual target organs and to reveal potential variability in the clearance of lead from organs after inhalation of soluble and insoluble lead particles. Mice were exposed to Pb(NO3)2 NPs in whole-body inhalation chambers for up to 11 weeks. We examined (i) lead biodistribution in target organs using laser ablation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), (ii) lead effect on histopathological changes and immune cells response in secondary target organs and (iii) the clearance ability of target organs (lung, liver, kidney, spleen, bone and blood). Results: After exposure to Pb(NO3)2 NPs, the lead concentration was the highest in femur at all designated time points with the exception of 3-day inhalation. In contrast to other organs, the ability to clear the lead from the femur was very low. In the lungs, Pb(NO3)2 NP inhalation induced serious structural changes; lung damage was present even after a 5-week clearance period despite the lead being almost completely eliminated from the lung tissue. Furthermore, in secondary target organs (kidney and liver), Pb(NO3)2 NPs induced several morphological defects, with alterations that remained visible after the clearance period even though the tissue lead concentrations decreased to minimal values. The numbers of lung and liver macrophages were significantly decreased after 11-week Pb(NO3)2 NP inhalation; conversely, abundance of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive cells, which are responsible for augmented collagen production, was increased in both tissues. Moreover, the expression of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and selected cytokines (tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], transforming growth factor beta 1 [TGFβ1], interleukin 6 [IL-6], IL-1α and IL-1β) displayed a tissue-specific response to lead exposure. Conclusions: Taken together, diminished inflammatory response in lung and liver after Pb(NO3)2 NPs inhalation was associated with prolonged negative effect of lead on tissues, as demonstrated by enhanced pathological changes in target organs, even after a 5-week clearance period that contrasts to the stronger effect observed previously after the clearance of insoluble lead nanoparticles.