bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of group A streptococcus recovered from patients in Beijing, China
Authors: Li Hongxin , Zhou Lin , Zhao Yong , Ma Lijuan , Liu Xiaoyan , Hu Jin 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Group A streptococcus (GAS) is an important human pathogen responsible for a broad range of infections. Epidemiological surveillance has been crucial to detect changes in the geographical and temporal variation of the disease pattern. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of GAS isolates from patients in Children’s Hospital in Beijing.
Methods: From 2016 to 2017, pharyngeal swab samples were collected from the outpatients in Children’s Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, who were diagnosed with scarlet fever. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed according to the distribution of conventional antibiotics and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendations. The distribution of the macrolide-resistance genes (ermB, ermA, mefA), emm (M protein-coding gene) typing, and superantigens (SAg) gene profiling were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: A total of 297 GAS isolates were collected. The susceptibility of the isolates to penicillin, ceftriaxone, and levofloxacin was 100%. The resistance rate to erythromycin and clindamycin was 98.3% and 96.6%, respectively. The dominant emm types were emm12 (65.32%), emm1 (27.61%), emm75 (2.69%), and emm89 (1.35%). Of the 297 isolates, 290 (97.64%) carried the ermB gene, and 5 (1.68%) carried the mefA gene, while none carried the ermA gene. The most common superantigen genes identified from GAS isolates were smeZ (96.97%), speC (92.59%), speG (91.58%), ssa (85.52%), speI (54.55%), speH (52.19%), and speA (34.34%). Isolates with the genotype emm1 possessed speA, speC, speG, speJ, speM, ssa, and smeZ, while emm12 possessed speC, speG, speH, speI, speM, ssa, and smeZ superantigens.
Conclusions: The prevalent strain of GAS isolates in Beijing has a high resistance rate to macrolides; however, penicillin can still be the preferred antibiotic for treatment. Erythromycin resistance was predominantly mediated by ermB. The common emm types were emm12 and emm1. There was a correlation between emm and the superantigen gene. Thus, long-term monitoring and investigation of the emm types and superantigen genes of GAS prevalence are imperative.
Mutations in domain V of Mycoplasma pneumoniae 23S rRNA are not associated with clinical characteristics of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in children: a case control study
Authors: Deng Huan , Zhu Yifan , Zhang Jiamin , Rong Qiangquan , Quan Yao , Tang Heng , Zhao Deyu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a common agent of community-acquired pneumonia in children and young adults that can lead to refractory or persistent Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). Macrolide-resistant MP harbors point mutations in domain V of 23S ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid (rRNA) with substitutions detected at positions 2063, 2064, 2067 and 2617. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of mutations in domain V of MP 23S rRNA.
Methods
We sequenced the 23S rRNA domain V of MP strains collected from children with MPP. Clinical and laboratory data were also obtained, including gender, age, duration of fever, duration of fever after the start of macrolide therapy, MP-Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) load at enrollment, leukocyte count, neutrophil, and lymphocyte count, immunomodulators treatment and pulmonary complications.
Results
Of 276 strains, 255 (92.39 %) harbored A to G transition at the position 2063 (A2063G), and 21 (7.61 %) were not mutated. There were no significant differences in gender, age, duration of fever, duration of fever after the start of macrolide therapy, MP-DNA load at enrollment, hospitalization days, lymphocyte count and pulmonary complications when patients were stratified based on the presence or absence of domain V mutations. We also found that children with refractory MPP experienced higher MP-DNA load than the non-refractory MPP, but the prevalence of domain V mutations was no statistical difference.
Conclusions
We found that clinical MP strains harbored very high mutation rate in 23S rRNA domain V, especially A2063G mutation. However, these mutations were not associated with clinical symptoms, laboratory results, pulmonary complications and development of refractory MPP. Instead, MP-DNA load was significantly different between refractory and non-refractory MPP.
Evaluation on prognostic ability of serum uric acid for very old acute coronary syndrome patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Jiao Yang , Wang Jihang , Xi Qing , Yang Xia , Shen Mingzhi , Xue Hao , Guo Jun , Dong Wei , Chen Yundai , Fu Zhenhong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background and aims

This study sought to evaluate the prognostic power of serum uric acid (UA) in predicting adverse events of very old acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Patients and methods

This analysis involved 718 ACS patients >80 years old who were collected general clinical data and baseline blood biochemical indicators prospectively from January 2006 to December 2012, and these patients were classified into two groups based on DM, then followed up after discharge. Kaplan–Meier method was performed for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rates and all-cause mortality. Multivariate Cox regression was performed to analyze the relationship between UA level and long-term clinical prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was analyzed to predict the cutoff value of UA of the very old ACS patients with DM.

Results

There were 242 and 476 patients in groups DM and non-DM(NDM) and the follow-up time after discharge was 40-120 months (median: 63 months; interquartile range: 51–74 months). The differences in all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality and MACE rates in DM and NDM patients between the control group were statistically significant (P=0.001). All-cause mortality, cardiac mortality and MACE incidence in DM patients with moderate and high UA level were significantly higher than those in control group (P=0.001). There were statistically significant differences in long-term survival rates among the ACS groups (P=0.001), and long-term survival rates decreased significantly with the increase of UA level. UA (OR=2.106, 95%CI=1.244-3.568, P=0.006) was found to be an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality and MACE in very old ACS patients with DM. The cutoff value of UA was 353.6μmol/L (sensitivity: 67.4%; specificity: 65.7%). The elevation of serum UA level play an important role in predicting the development of all-cause mortality in elderly ACS patients with DM.

Conclusion

Serum UA level is a strong independent predictor of long-term all-cause death and MACE in very old ACS patients with DM.
Plasma omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and tocopherol statuses and their relationships with aging-related diseases
Authors: Liu Wenwen , Liu Meilin , Chen Xiahuan , Huang Bo , Ou Weimei 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: The beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and tocopherols remain controversial. This study was conducted to examine the plasma levels of different analogues of omega-3 PUFAs and tocopherols, and to evaluate their relationships with aging-related diseases. Methods: 136 consecutive men with the median age of 70 (ranging from 50 to 97) years old were recruited. Plasma eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol were measured by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Results: Plasma omega-3 PUFAs were positively correlated with α- and γ-tocopherol (p<0.01), while the relationships between omega-3 PUFAs and δ-tocopherol were not significant (p>0.05). Increasing age was the most profound risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), carotid atherosclerosis (CAS), hypertension and these comorbidities (p<0.01). Age had positive associations with certain atherosclerotic parameters, including carotid intima-media thickness (p=0.046), carotid artery plague area (p<0.001) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (p<0.001). In these observed isoforms, only γ-tocopherol had a mild inverse correlation with age (p=0.002). High plasma α-tocopherol concentration served as a potential protective factor for CAD (odds ratio [OR] 0.65; 95% CI 0.48-0.89; p=0.006), and was inversely associated with maximum systolic internal carotid artery (ICA) velocity (p=0.011). Plasma DHA concentration was negatively associated with carotid artery plague area (p=0.028) and ICA velocity (p=0.006), while its correlations with atherosclerosis diseases, including CAD and CAS, were not significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: Age is positively correlated with atherosclerosis, hypertension and comorbidities. Alpha-tocopherol may be a protective factor for atherosclerosis, while the correlations between omega-3 PUFAs and atherosclerosis were not significant.
Market orientations, product innovation and organizational performance: A case study on selected beer factories found in Ethiopia
Authors: Fentaw Nigist Kelemu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Overview was led to explore the relationship between advertise direction, creation process, item execution, authoritative execution and budgetary execution. The motivation behind this overview was to research connections among showcase direction, dispatch technique, item execution, hierarchical execution, gainfulness and budgetary execution. Target populaces were representatives of chose Ethiopian lager processing plants BGI Ethiopia who are as of now devouring the item; from which test was resolved through critical inspecting strategy. Asked information was gathered by means of study poll, direct relapse examination was led to check the relationship among driving variable. At last it was discovered that organizations' gainfulness and money related execution are being impacted by advertise direction, dispatch technique, item execution and hierarchical execution. Firms are prescribed to concentrate on improving business sector direction, dispatch system, item execution and hierarchical execution to support productivity and budgetary execution.
Genome-wide analysis of NAAT, DMAS, TOM, and ENA gene families in maize reveals their roles in regulating iron homeostasis
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhou Xiaojin , Li Suzhen , Huang Jiaxing , Pang Sen , Chen Rumei 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Nicotianamine (NA) serves as not only the major chelator for iron transport but also the intermediate for synthesizing mugineic acid family phytosiderophores (MAs) which are secreted by graminaceous plants for Fe uptake. Therefore, the production and secretion of MAs are key steps for maintaining iron homeostasis in plants. Nicotianamine aminotransferase (NAAT), 2’-deoxymugineic acid synthase (DMAS), MAs efflux transporter (TOM), and efflux transporter of NA (ENA) were identified to be involved in these processes in rice and barley, whereas little systematic study has been performed in maize (Zea mays.L). Results: Here, we identified five ZmNAAT, nine ZmDMAS, eleven ZmTOM, and two ZmENA genes in maize by genome mining. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that the expression of these genes exhibited diverse tissue specificity and different responses to environmental iron conditions. Moreover, the expression patterns were related to their evolution relationships. In particular, the ZmNAAT family can be classified into two subgroups, with one group showed inhibited expression in root under iron excess status and another subclass were repressed in shoot under both iron deficiency and excess. Likewise, the expression of ZmDMAS1 was stimulated under iron deficiency, while the remaining genes fell into two sub-clades with different expression patterns. Significant up-regulation of ZmTOM1, ZmTOM3 and ZmENA1 were observed under iron starvation, while ZmTOM2 was induced under both iron-excess and deficiency. These results reflect changing demands for the synthesis and secretion of NA/MAs to balance iron homeostasis under fluctuating conditions. All the examined ZmNAAT and ZmDMAS proteins localized in cytoplasm, while plasma and tonoplast membrane, endomembrane, and vesicle localization were observed for ZmTOM and ZmENA proteins. These results indicate that ZmTOM and ZmENA proteins may contribute to not only intercellular export but also intracellular sequestration of NA and MAs to facilitate iron homeostasis. Conclusions: Our results suggest that different gene expression profiles and subcellular localization of ZmNAAT, ZmDMAS, ZmTOM, and ZmENA members may enable dedicate regulation of NA and phytosiderophores (PS) metabolism, shedding light on the understanding of iron-homeostasis in maize. Additionally, we also provided candidate genes for breeding iron-rich maize varieties.
Impact of HIV-1 Vpr manipulation of the DNA repair enzyme UNG2 on B lymphocyte class switch recombination
Authors: Eldin Patrick , Péron Sophie , Galashevskaya Anastasia , Denis-Lagache Nicolas , Cogné Michel , Slupphaug Geir , Briant Laurence 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
HIV-1 Vpr encodes a 14 kDa protein that has been implicated in viral pathogenesis through modulation of several host cell functions. In addition to pro-apoptotic and cytostatic properties, Vpr can redirect cellular E3 ubiquitin ligases (such as DCAF1-Cul4A E3 ligase complex) to target many host proteins and interfere with their functions. Among them, Vpr binds the uracil DNA glycosylase UNG2, which controls genome uracilation, and induces its specific degradation leading to loss of uracil removal activity in infected cells. Considering the essential role of UNG2 in antibody diversification in B cells, we evaluated the impact of Vpr on UNG2 fate in B lymphocytes and examined the functional consequences of UNG2 modulations on class switch recombination (CSR).
Methods
The impact of Vpr-induced UNG2 deregulation on CSR proficiency was evaluated by using virus-like particles able to deliver Vpr protein to target cells including the murine model CSR B-cell line CH12F3 and mouse primary B-cells. Co-culture experiments were used to re-examine the ability of Vpr to be released by HIV-1 infected cells and to effectively accumulate in bystander B cells. Vpr-mediated UNG2 modulations were monitored by following UNG2 protein abundance and uracil removal enzymatic activity.
Results
In this study we report the ability of Vpr to reduce immunoglobulin class switch recombination (CSR) in immortalized and primary mouse B cells through the degradation of UNG2. We also emphasize that Vpr is released by producing cells and penetrates bystander B lymphocytes.
Conclusions
This work therefore opens up new perspectives to study alterations of the B-cell response by using Vpr as a specific CSR blocking tool. Moreover, our results raise the question of whether extracellular HIV-1 Vpr detected in some patients may manipulate the antibody diversification process that engineers an adapted response against pathogenic intruders.
The comparison of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy versus portal vein embolization in postoperative outcomes and complications for the treatment of liver cancer with insufficient future liver remnant: a Meta analysis and systematic review
Authors: Zhou Quanyu , Xia Yuxiao , Lei Zehua 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: This study evaluated the feasibility, safety and effectiveness in patients treated with associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) and portal vein embolization (PVE) for the treatment of liver malignant tumors with insufficient future liver remnant (FIR). Method: We performed a computer search on the PubMed databases to retrieve the RCT or clinical trials comparing ALPPS and PVE published from January 2010 to January 2020. The quality of the included trials was assessed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria by two researchers independently. The RevMan 5.3 and STATA 12.0 software were used to extract and analyze the data. Result: A total of 11 retroprospective clinical trial articles comprising 867 patients were included in the study. The number of patients who underwent ALPPS were 247 and 620 for PVE. There were significant differences (P <0.05) in the second stage hepatectomy［OR=11.25, 95%CI: 5.64~22.43, Z=6.87, P＜0.001］, the sufficient FLR growth［MD=46.85, 95% CI:4~89.70, Z=2.41, P=0.03］, the time to stage II operation (MD=-22.85, 95% CI:-33.87~-11.84, Z=4.07, P＜0.001) and rate of R0 resection［OR=2.29, 95%CI: 1.07~4.90, Z=2.13, P=0.03］between the two groups. However, no significant differences were observed between ALPPS and PVE in terms of mortality within 90 days of perioperative period, overall postoperative complication rate, incidence of postoperative liver failure and postoperative hospital stay (P＞0. 05). Conclusion: Compared with PVE, The ALPPS procedure was associated with good postoperative outcomes with insufficient FLR. However, the clinical application of ALPPS and PVE has some limitations. Large, multicenter prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these findings.
Role for ovarian hormones in purinoceptor-dependent natriuresis
Authors: Gohar Eman , Kasztan Malgorzata , Zhang Shali , Inscho Edward W , Pollock David M 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Premenopausal women have a lower risk of hypertension compared to age-matched men and postmenopausal women. P2Y 2 and P2Y 4 purinoceptor can be considered potential contributors to hypertension due to their emerging roles in regulating renal tubular Na + transport. Activation of these receptors inhibits epithelial Na + channel activity (ENaC) via a phospholipase C (PLC)-dependent pathway resulting in natriuresis. We recently reported that activation of P2Y 2 and P2Y 4 receptors in the renal medulla by UTP promotes natriuresis in male and ovariectomized (OVX) rats, but not in ovary-intact females. This led us to hypothesize that ovary-intact females have greater basal renal medullary activity of P2 (P2Y 2 and P2Y 4 ) receptors regulating Na + excretion compared to male and OVX rats. Methods: To test our hypothesis, we determined (i) the effect of inhibiting medullary P2 receptors by suramin (750 μg/kg/min) on urinary Na + excretion in anesthetized male, ovary-intact female and OVX Sprague Dawley rats, (ii) mRNA expression and protein abundance of P2Y 2 and P2Y 4 receptors and (iii) mRNA expression of their downstream effectors (PLC-1d and ENaCa) in renal inner medullary tissues obtained from these three groups. We also subjectedcultured mouse inner medullary collecting duct cells (segment 3, mIMCD3) to different concentrations of 17ß-estradiol(E 2 , 0, 10, 100 and 1000 nM) to test whether E 2 increases mRNA expression of P2Y 2 and P2Y 4 receptors. Results: Acute P2 inhibition attenuated urinary Na + excretion in ovary-intact females, but not in male or OVX rats.We found that P2Y 2 and P2Y 4 mRNA expression was higher in the inner medulla from females compared to males or OVX. Inner medullary lysates showed that ovary-intact females have higher P2Y 2 receptor protein abundance, compared to males, however, OVX did not eliminate this sex difference. We also found that E 2 dose-dependently upregulated P2Y 2 and P2Y 4 mRNA expression in mIMCD3. Conclusion: These data suggest that females have enhanced P2Y 2 and P2Y 4 -dependent regulation of Na + handling in the renal medulla, compared to male and OVX rats. We speculate that the P2 pathway contributes to facilitated renal Na + handling in premenopausal females.
Plasma metabolic profiling of the patients with silicosis and asbestosis: a case-control study
Authors: Zhou Mi , Xue Changjiang , Fan Yali , Wu Na , Ma Jing , Ye Qiao 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Silicosis and asbestosis are types of pneumoconiosis with distinct clinical characteristics and underlying metabolisms, induced by inhalation of silica and asbestos, respectively. However, metabolic profiling involved in the diseases is still unknown. The plasma metabolic profiling was compared among silicosis, asbestosis and healthy controls.Methods In a case-control study, plasma was collected from 30 patients with silicosis, 30 patients with asbestosis and 20 healthy controls. Metabolic profiling was carried out using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Metabolic networks and the biological relevances of the identified metabolic derangements were identified using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database.Results Compared with the healthy controls, 37and 39 metabolites were detected in the plasma of patients with silicosis and asbestosis, respectively, of which 22 metabolites were present in both silicosis and asbestosis. These metabolites were mainly lipid, amino acid and carnitine. The plasma metabolites in silicosis included 23 lipids, 6 amino acids and 8 carnitines, of which 13 lipids, 4 amino acids and 7 carnitines were up-regulated, respectively. Similarly, 11 out of 13 lipids, 11 out of 14 amino acids, and 12 out of 12 differentially expressed carnitines were up-regulated in asbestosis patients. The expression levels of 22 metabolites differed significantly between the patients with silicosis and asbestosis. Three major common pathways were identified among the three groups, including arginine and proline metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, and alanine, aspartateand glutamate metabolism.The KEGG database identified arginine and proline metabolism as the most closely related metabolic pathway.Conclusions Metabolic profiling of silicosis and asbestosis identified lipids, aminoacids and carnitines that were common to both groups, but the types and quantities of the up-regulated substances differed between the groups. Pathways inducing lung inflammation and fibrosis are common in both diseases, while pathways related to oxidative stress and tumorigenic are different between silicosis and asbestosis.