bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decoding the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into mesangial cells at the transcriptomic level
Authors: Wong Chee-Yin , Chang Yao-Ming , Tsai Yu-Shuen , Ng Wailap Victor , Cheong Soon-Keng , Chang Ting-Yu , Chung I-Fang , Lim Yang-Mooi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Mesangial cells play an important role in the glomerulus, providing mechanical support to it, and maintaining efficient ultrafiltration of renal plasma. Loss of mesangial cells due to pathologic conditions may lead to impaired renal function. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can differentiate into many cell types, including mesangial cells. However transcriptomic profiling during MSC differentiation into mesangial cells had not been studied yet. The aim of this study is to examine the pattern of transcriptomic changes during MSC differentiation into mesangial cells as well as to understand the involvement of transcription factor (TF) along the differentiation process, and finally to elucidate the relationship among TF-TF and TF-key gene or biomarkers during the differentiation of MSC into mesangial cells.Results : Several ascending and descending monotonic key genes were identified by Monotonic Feature Selector. The identified descending monotonic key genes are related to stemness or regulation of cell cycle while ascending monotonic key genes are associated with the functions of mesangial cells. The TFs were arranged in a co-expression network in order of time by Time-Ordered Gene Co-expression Network (TO-GCN) analysis. Additionally, not only can TO-GCN analysis classify the differentiation process into three stages: differentiation preparation, differentiation initiation and maturation, but it can also explore TF-TF-key genes regulatory relationships in the muscle contraction process.Conclusions: A systematic analysis for transcriptomic profiling of MSC differentiation into mesangial cells has been established. Key genes or biomarkers, TFs and pathways involved in differentiation of MSC-mesangial cells have been identified and the related biological implications have been discussed. Finally, we further elucidated for the first time the three main stages of mesangial cell differentiation, and the regulatory relationships between TF-TF-key genes existing in the muscle contraction process. Through this study, we have increased fundamental understanding of the gene transcripts as MSC differentiate into mesangial cells.
Developing a roadmap to improve trial delivery for underserved groups: results from a UK multi-stakeholder process
Authors: Witham Miles D , Anderson Eleanor , Carroll Camille , Dark Paul M , Down Kim , Hall Alistair S , Knee Joanna , Maier Rebecca H , Mountain Gail A , Nestor Gary , Oliva Laurie , Prowse Sarah R , Tortice Amanda , Wason James , Rochester Lynn 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background Participants in clinical research studies often do not reflect the populations for which healthcare interventions are needed or will be used. Enhancing representation of underserved groups in clinical research is important to ensure that research findings are widely applicable. We describe a multicomponent workstream project to improve representation of underserved groups in clinical trials. Methods The project comprised three main strands: 1) a targeted scoping review of literature to identify previous work characterising underserved groups and barriers to inclusion; 2) surveys of professional stakeholders and participant representative groups involved in research delivery to refine these initial findings and identify examples of innovation and good practice; 3) a series of workshops bringing together key stakeholders from funding, design, delivery and participant groups to reach consensus on definitions, barriers and a strategic roadmap for future work. The work was commissioned by the UK National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network. Output from these strands was integrated by a steering committee to generate a series of goals, workstream plans, and a strategic roadmap for future development work in this area. Results ‘Underserved groups’ was identified and agreed by the stakeholder group as the preferred term. Three-quarters of stakeholders felt that a clear definition of underserved groups did not currently exist; definition was challenging and context-specific but exemplar groups (e.g. those with language barriers or mental illness) were identified as underserved. Barriers to successful inclusion of underserved groups could be clustered into: communication between research teams and participant groups; how trials are designed and delivered, differing agendas of research teams and participant groups; and lack of trust in the research process. Four key goals for future work were identified: building long-term relationships with underserved groups; developing training resources to improve design and delivery of trials for underserved groups; developing infrastructure and systems to support this work, and working with funders, regulators and other stakeholders to remove barriers to inclusion. Conclusions The work of the INCLUDE group over the next 12 months will build on these findings by generating resources customised for different underserved groups to improve the representativeness of trial populations.
Molecular characterization of Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major from stray dogs and patients in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alanazi Abdullah D , Alouffi Abdulazi S Alouffi S , Alyousif Mohamed S Alyousif S , Rahi Abdulsadah A , Ali Magda A , Brayner Fabio A , Mendoza-Roldan Jairo Alfonso , Otranto Domenico 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica cause cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans and dogs in several parts of the world, with a large number of cases recorded in the Middle East. However, when occurring in sympatry, the role of each species of Leishmania in the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is not clear. Methods: To determine the prevalence and to identify the species of Leishmania that infects humans and stray dogs in Riyadh and Al-Qassim (Saudi Arabia), 311 stray dogs and 27 human patients, suspected for Leishmania, were examined for CL by a nested PCR (nPCR). Results: Nested PCR (nPCR) detected seven patients (25.9%) positive for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Five patients from Riyadh were infected by L. major and two from Al-Qassim by L. tropica. In addition, five dogs (1.6%) were infected by L. tropica . Conclusions: This is one of the first molecular studies of leishmaniasis from Saudi Arabia. The relationship between the sand fly vectors and the reservoirs of both Leishmania spp. is still scarcely known in this region, and further epidemiological investigations of domestic and wild canids infected with L. major and L. tropica are needed towards a control and prevention of the infection in canine and human populations.
Molecular analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from four teaching hospitals in Iran: The emergence of novel MRSA clones
Authors: Firoozeh Farzaneh , Omidi Mitra , Saffari Mahmood , Sedaghat Hossein , Zibaei Mohammad 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The global spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections necessitates the use of validated methods for the identification and typing of this bacterium. This study aimed to determine the distribution of main molecular types of MRSA strain circulating among hospitalized patients in teaching hospitals in Isfahan and Kashan. Methods: A total of 146 Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated from patients in four teaching hospitals in Isfahan and Kashan during June 2017 to September 2018. The antimicrobial resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus strains were performed by disc diffusion method. The MRSA strains were identified phenotypically and confirmed by PCR assay. The prevalence of microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs) genes among MRSA strains was evaluated by multiplex PCR. The genotypes of MRSA strains were determined by multilocus sequence typing and SCCmec typing. Results: Of 146 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 24 (16.4%) isolates were identified as MRSA strains. According to antimicrobial susceptibility testing the highest resistance rates were seen for tetracycline, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. All of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were susceptible to vancomycin whereas 3 (2.1%) isolates were resistant to linezolid. Three different SCCmec types were obtained among MRSA strains including 16 (66.7%) SCCmec type V, 3 (12.5%) SCCmec type III and 5 (20.8%) SCCmec type II. Of 24 MRSA isolates 20 (83.3%) carried MSCRAMMs genes including eno (70.8%), fib (54.1%), cna (25.0%), fnbB (16.6%), ebps 5 (20.8%), and the fnbA, bbp and clfA genes were not detected in any MRSA isolate. MLST analysis revealed 11 sequence types among MRSA isolates as follows: ST239, ST291, ST22, ST861, ST889, ST8, ST59, ST343, ST772, ST6 and ST1465. Also seven MLST-based clonal complexes (CCs) were identified among MRSA strains including: CC8, CC7, CC398, CC59, CC22, CC1 and CC5. Conclusions: A relatively high diversity was found in MRSA genotypes in Kashan and Isfahan hospitals, and seven clonal complexes were identified. Pandemic MRSA clones including CC8 and CC22 were the most prevalent clones and the novel ST types including ST1465, ST861, ST 889 and ST772 are reported for the first time in Iran in the present study. In addition the high prevalence of MSCRAMMs genes in MRSA isolates demonstrates the high potential of these strains for pathogenicity.
Effects of physical exercise on cognitively impaired older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials
Authors: Sontakova Lenka , Bartova Alzbeta , Dadova Klara , Holmerova Iva , Steffl Michal 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objectives: The main aim of this study was to compare the effects of different physical activities on cognitive functions in older adults divided according to cognitive impairment levels.Methods: We searched Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed for randomized control trials (RCT). A standardized mean difference (SMD) of the pre-post intervention score of global cognitive function tests was calculated by the random model in the Cochrane meta-analyses for people with cognitive impairment generally and across three levels - borderline intact, mild, and moderate cognitive impairment separately. Additionally, an unstandardized coefficient beta (B) was calculated in generalized linear models to estimate the effects of exercise, cognitive impairment severity, age, female ratio, duration and frequency of exercise program on the global cognitive function.Results: Data from 40 studies involving 1,780 participants from intervention groups and 1,508 participants from control groups were analyzed. After sensitivity analysis, physical exercise had a positive effect on cognitive functions in people across all levels of cognitive impairments, SMD (95 % confidence interval [CI]) = 0.41 (0.29 - 1.54). All the activities were significantly associated with better results in global cognitive functions when compared to active control (B = 0.538 in aerobic, 0.999 in resistance, 0.640 in combined exercise and 0.746 in Tai Chi). Age was significantly associated with global cognitive functions decreasing and a higher number of female participants in intervention groups had a statistically significant effect on the global cognitive function (B = 0.021).Conclusions: Physical exercise was associated with cognitive function improvement in older people with cognitive impairments. Cognitive impairment severity was not associated with cognitive functions changes after exercise interventions.
Delay in treatment initiation and its association with clinical severity and infectiousness among new adult pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Tedla kiros , Medhin Girmay , Berhe Gebretsadik , Mulugeta Afework , Berhe Nega 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Delayed treatment initiation of tuberculosis (TB) increases disease progression and development of complications which may lead to a higher level of infectiousness, clinical severity and increased mortality. But published evidences that investigated the effect of delayed initiation of treatment on clinical severity and level of infectiousness of pulmonary tuberculosis patients is scarce in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Objective: To investigate the association of delayed treatment initiation of new adult Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients with clinical severity and level of infectiousness. Methods: In this cross-sectional study design, a total of 875 newly diagnosed adult pulmonary tuberculosis patients were recruited from 21 health facilities from October 2018 to October 2019. Health facilities and study participants were selected by a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using questionnaires through face-to-face interviews of patients within the first 2 weeks of treatment initiation. Clinical severity was assessed by Bandim tuberculosis score and level of infectiousness was assessed by smear positivity or lung cavitations. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 software program. Logistic regression analysis was used to ascertain the association of delay with clinical severity and level of infectiousness. P-value of less than 0.05 was reported as being statistically significant.Results: Those who had initiated treatment without delay and those who have initiated treatment after a medium delay of 31 to 60 days were significantly associated with decreased clinical score compared to those who initiated treatment after a delay of more than two months. Compared with patients who have initiated treatment within one month, the level of infectiousness was greater for delay of 30-60 days and above 60 days. Patients having more than 3 family members have higher level of infectiousness as compared to those who have a maximum of 3 family members. Whereas, patients having at least two rooms and being HIV negative had lower levels of infectiousness compared to their counter patients. Conclusion: Narrowing the gap between their initial occurrence of TB symptoms and treatment initiation is the way forward to improve clinical courses of TB patients and to reduce the level of infectiousness of TB to other people from these patients.
Slip surface layer estimation of shallow landslides on Aso volcanic mountains in Japan based on tephra layer-soil properties
Authors: Istiyanti Mega Lia , Goto Satoshi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Shallow landslides are known to appear frequently on the Aso volcanic mountains. The soil material on the Aso volcanic mountains consists of tephra layers obtained from volcanic activities. This study is aimed at determining the soil property factors that correlate with the slip surface of a shallow landslide on the volcanic mountain area. Tephra layers consist of kuroboku and scoria layers and the differences between these layers have been determined using soil property tests. This study determined that the plasticity index and the fine fraction content can be used as factors showing the slip surface indication in the Aso volcanic area.
Efficacy and safety of cinepazide maleate injection in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Ni Jun , Chen Huisheng , Chen Guofang , Ji Yong , Yi Fei , Zhang Zhuobo , Yang Yi , Wu Jin , Cai Xueli , Shao Bei , Wang Jianfeng , Liu Yafang , Geng Deqin , Qu Xinhui , Li Xiaohong , Wei Yan , Ding Jianping , Lu Hua , Huang Yining , Huang Yonghua , Xiao Bo , Gong Tao , Cui Liying 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Thrombolytic therapy improves disability and survival rates; however, to be effective, it must be given within 4.5 hours of onset. Moreover, thrombolytic therapy is frequently contraindicated. Therefore, alternative therapeutic options are required. In China, cinepazide maleate injection has been shown to improve the cerebral collateral circulation and further reduce disability in stroke patients; however, very few studies investigating this therapy have been conducted to date. Therefore, this study aimed to further confirm the efficacy and safety of cinepazide maleate injection in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke were administered an intravenous infusion of 320 mg cinepazide maleate or placebo once daily for 14 days. All patients were also administered basic therapy (citicoline sodium). The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with a modified Rankin scale (mRS) ≤2 on day 90. Secondary efficacy endpoints included Barthel Index ≥95. Safety was evaluated by recording all adverse events (AEs), monitoring laboratory parameters and vital signs, and electrocardiogram.Results: In total, 937 patients with an acute ischemic stroke were included, with a mean (standard deviation, SD) National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 8.8 (2.4) and a mean (SD) stroke onset of 30.9 (11.4) hours prior. Following treatment for 90 days, the proportion of patients with an mRS score ≤2 was significantly higher in the cinepazide maleate group than in the control group (60.9% vs. 50.1%; p=0.0004). Moreover, the proportion of patients with a Barthel Index of ≥95 on day 90 was also significantly higher in the cinepazide maleate group than in the control group (53.4% vs. 46.7%; p=0.0230). There were no statistically significant differences in safety parameters between the cinepazide maleate and control groups.Conclusions: The results of this study show that cinepazide maleate injection is superior to placebo in improving neurological function and activities of daily living, reducing disability, and promoting functional recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Cinepazide maleate injection was safe and well tolerated with no unexpected AEs reported.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry CTR20160292 and ChiCTR1900023827. Retrospectively registered June 13, 2019.
Slope Mass Rating-based Analysis to Assess Rockfall Hazard on Yogyakarta Southern Mountain, Indonesia
Authors: Triana Karlina , Hermawan Koko 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
In the Parangtritis Beach tourism area located in the Southern Mountain of Yogyakarta, karst hills were excavated to build the main accessing road and produce some of long and very steep slopes along the sides of the road. But still, there was none of the slope reinforcement installed along the road. Meanwhile, at several nearby locations within Southern Mountain, rockfall incidents have occurred many times even caused casualties. The potential of rockfall hazard could also occur in the main road of Parangtritis Beach as the study area. The purpose of this study is to determine the rockfall hazard assessment along the main road using Slope Mass Rating (SMR) analysis with the additional parameter of the slope height and the rock block size. The necessary data obtained by direct measurement and laboratory test. Geomechanics analysis, stereographic projection analysis, and hazard parameters weighting were carried out to produce the Rockfall Hazard Zonation Map of the study area. Based on 17 measurement stations, there are 4 (four) rockfall hazard classes in the study area, i.e. very low, low, intermediate, and high. The very low class, which also included road segments without slope, has the largest percentage of 83.83%, followed by the classes of intermediate, low, and high with the percentage of 7.16%, 4.28%, and 4,19%, respectively. SMR was assumed as the most significant parameter that influences the rockfall hazard zonation. To validate the predicted hazard zones, historical rockfall points were overlaid over the Rockfall Hazard Zonation Map. Since 91.23% of the rockfall occurred in the intermediate and high hazard classes, the zonation can be considered reliable to predict future rockfall. This study also identified several landslide potential zones and provides the recommendation of slope reinforcement to be installed in the study area.
Anopheles funestus mosquitoes from rural south-eastern Tanzania may have stronger resistance to pyrethroids than the other malaria vector, Anopheles arabiensis
Authors: Pinda Polius Gerazi , Eichenberger Claudia , Ngowo Halfan S , Msaky Dickson S , Abbasi Said , Kihonda Japhet , Bwanaly Hamis , Okumu Fredros O 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) have greatly reduced malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa, but are threatened by insecticide resistance. In south-eastern Tanzania, pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles funestus are now implicated in > 80% of malaria infections, even in villages where the species occurs at lower densities than the other vector species, Anopheles arabiensis. This study compared the intensities of resistance between the two malaria vectors, so as to improve options for control. Methods: The study used WHO assays with 1×, 5× and 10× insecticide doses to assess levels of resistance, followed by synergist bioassays to understand possible mechanisms of the observed resistance phenotypes. The tests involved adult mosquitoes collected from villages across two districts in south-eastern Tanzania and identified using morphological and molecular approaches.Findings: At baseline doses (1×), both species were resistant to the two pyrethroids (permethrin and deltamethrin) but susceptible to the organophosphate (pirimiphos-methyl). An. funestus, but not An. arabiensis was also resistant to the carbamate (bendiocarb) at baseline doses. Both species were generally resistant to DDT, except An.arabiensis from one village. An. funestus showed strong resistance to pyrethroids, surviving the 5× and 10× doses except in one village. Pre-exposure to the synergist, piperonyl butoxide (PBO), enhanced the potency of pyrethroid in both An. arabiensis and An. funestus achieving mortalities >98%, except for An. funestus from two villages for which permethrin-associated mortalities exceeded 90% but not 98%. Conclusions: In these communities where An. funestus dominates malaria transmission, this study may suggest that the species also have much stronger resistance to pyrethroids than its counterpart, An. arabiensis and can survive more classes of insecticides, including carbamates. The pyrethroid resistance in both species appears to be mostly metabolic and may be temporarily addressed using synergists, e.g. PBO. These findings may explain the continued persistence and dominance of An. funestus despite widespread use of pyrethroid-treated LLINs, and inform new choices of interventions to tackle malaria transmission in such settings. These may include PBO-based LLINs or improved IRS with compounds to which the vectors are susceptible. Additional field validation of these indications will be necessary using age-synchronized mosquitoes.