bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fruit-specific expression of crtB, HpBHY, CrBKT and SlLCYB triggers hyper-production of carotenoids in tomato fruit
Authors: Lin Yuanyuan , Huang Junchao 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Tomato is a major source of dietary carotenoids that play an important role in human health. The biosynthesis of carotenoids involved in a number of catalytic steps, among which the phytoene synthase (crtB) is the first committed enzyme for carotenoid biosynthesis, and the lycopene β-cyclase (LCYB) catalyzes the synthesis of β-carotene, β-carotene hydroxylase (BHY) or β-carotene ketolase (BKT) plays a vital role in synthesizing xanthophylls. Although there are some studies about improving the carotenoids of tomato fruit, it is still challenged to engineer tomato landraces with good traits for hyper-production of carotenoids, and the effects of vital carotenogenic genes working together remain unclear. The aim of this study is to improve the production of carotenoids in a tomato landrace by fruit-specific expression of four carotenogenic genes. Results A plant expression cassette containing the tomato E8 promotor to drive the four genes ( crtB , HpBHY , CrBKT , and SlLCYB ) in a polycistronic structure was constructed and introduced into a tomato landrace “ Huang Song ”. Three independent lines were confirmed to be putative transformants, which showed similar phenotypes to wild-type (WT) control excepting for the fruit colors. The transgenic fruit exhibited deep red color due to the accumulation of novel ketocarotenoids including astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and ketolutein and much more lycopene. The contents of total carotenoids in transgenic fruit were up to 3.1~6.6 mg/g dry weight (DW), 20~44-fold of that in WT fruit which only accumulated low levels of lutein, lycopene and β-carotene. Furthermore, various generations of the transgenic plants (T0, T1, and T2) exhibited similar growing status and carotenoid profiles, indicating that the transformants were genetically stable. Moreover, most of the endogenous carotenogenic genes were up-regulated in transgenic fruits at mature stage, and more plastoglobules were found in chromoplast, suggested the causes of the enhanced accumulation of carotenoids and antioxidant activity in transgenic plants. Conclusions Fruit-specific expression of crtB , HpBHY , CrBKT and SlLCYB triggers hyper-production of carotenoids and the synthesis of ketocarotenoids in tomato fruit. This study provides insights into metabolic engineering of tomato for enhanced production of value-added carotenoids.
Systematic Analysis and Quality Evaluation for Pharmacoeconomic Studies on Traditional Chinese Medicines
Authors: Yang Nan , Zhang Huihui , Deng Taoyi , Hu Ming 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to describe the current situation of the published Pharmacoeconomic researches on Traditional Chinese Medicine and evaluate the quality of the researches to analyze existing problem and make suggestions for improvement.Methods: We developed a search strategy, set inclusion and exclusion criteria and searched the articles of Pharmacoecnomic studies on Traditional Chinese Medicine from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Sinomed database and Pubmed from their inception to February 2020. Basic information of the literatures was extracted. Then quality of each article was evaluated by using Guidelines for authors and peer reviewers of economic submissions to the BMJ.Results: 430 articles with 433 pharmacoeconomics studies were included. And the information of time of publication, journal, author, funding, diseases, interventions, research design, evaluation methods, cost identification, health outcomes, uncertainty analysis and so on. The overall quality score of the literatures was 0.62 according to the evaluation standard of BMJ guidelines. The highest mark was 0.85 and the lowest mark was 0.38.Conclusions: Quality of pharmacoeconomic studies on traditional Chinese medicines was generally low.There were some problems in the published pharmacoeconomic articles, such as lack of fund support, short research horizon, unclear perspective and research design, misidentification of cost, poor comparability of health outcome and so on. We suggested to develop guidelines for pharmacoeconomic evaluation on Traditional Chinese Medicine to standardize the research procedure and establish reasonable health outcome indicators of Traditional Chinese Medicine to enhance comparability and generalization of studies.
Noise exposure-induced intestinal flora dysbiosis disrupts homeostasis of oxi-inflamm-barrier in the gut–brain axis of APP/PS1 mice: implications for early onset Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Cui Bo , Chi Huimin , Cao Wa , Su Donghong , Yang Honglian , Li Zhe , She Xiaojun , Wang Kun , Gao Xiujie , Ma Kefeng 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Environmental noise exposure and genetic risk factors are thought to be associated with gut microbiome that exacerbates Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. However, the role and mechanism of environmental risk factors in early-onset AD (EOAD) pathogenesis remain unclear. Methods: We established APP/PS1 Tg and C57BL/6 (wild type [WT]) mouse models to evaluate the molecular pathways underlying EOAD pathophysiology following environmental noise exposure. 16S rRNA sequencing analyses were used for intestinal flora measurements and Tax4Fun were used to predict the metagenome content from 16S rRNA sequencing results; and assessment of the flora dysbiosis-triggered dyshomeostasis of oxi-inflamm-barrier and the effects of the CNS end of the gut–brain axis were conducted to explore the underlying pathological mechanisms. Results: Both WT and APP/PS1 mice showed statistically significant relationship between environmental noise and the taxonomic composition of the corresponding gut microbiome. Bacterial-encoded functional categories in noise-exposed WT and APP/PS1 mice included phospholipid and galactose metabolism, oxidative stress, and cell senescence. These alterations corresponded with imbalanced intestinal oxidation and anti-oxidation systems and low-grade systemic inflammation after noise exposure. Mechanistically, axis-series experiments demonstrated that after noise exposure, intestinal and hippocampal tight junction proteins levels reduced, whereas serum levels of inflammatory mediator were elevated. With regard to APP/PS1 overexpression, noise-induced abnormalities in the gut–brain axis may contribute to aggravation of neuropathology in the presymptomatic stage of EOAD mice model. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that noise exposure has deleterious effects on the homeostasis of oxi-inflamm-barrier in the microbiome–gut–brain axis. Therefore, at least in a genetic context, chronic noise may aggravate the progression of EOAD.
Interleukin 17-producing γδ T cell induced demyelination of brain during Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection
Authors: Feng Ying , Zhou Zongpu , Zheng Cunjing , Feng Feng , Xie Fukang , Wu Zhongdao 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection is one typical reason of eosinophilic encephalitis (EM), which has been reported to induce serious damage in the central nervous system. Both parasite and host factors contribute to the onset of EM, but the related immune-inflammation pathogenesis remain poorly characterized.Methods: A. cantonensis infection model was generated through infecting mice by gavage. TEM and IF were used to assess the pathologic changes of brain. The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors was tested by qRT-PCR. Combining flow cytometry with western blotting to evaluate the alteration of inflammatory cells and related cytokines. Critical role of IL-17 was found, to evaluate the function of IL-17A, we injected IL-17A mAb to naive and A. cantonensis infected mice. Results: A. cantonensis larvae altered immune homeostasis in the brain, led to the destruction of myelin shealth and activation of microglia. IL-17A accumulation was observed, IL-17RA was expressed on oligodendrocyte and microglia during the infection. More important, γδ T cells are the source of IL-17A induced by parasite. After IL-17A neutralizing antibody was applied, alterations of microglia state and myelination were discorved, mice neurobehavioral test also improved.Conclusion: Our study reveals a previously unrecognized impact of the IL-17+ γδ T cells in parasitic encephalopathy and emphasizes that blocking IL17A signaling can attenuate microglia activation, thus reducing CNS demyelination and ameliorate behavioral deficit in A. cantonensis infected mice.
Profiling Circulating Inflammation and Microbial Translocation Biomarkers Associated with Advanced Liver Fibrosis in HIV/HCV Coinfected Persons
Authors: Chen Xiaochen , Liu Xing , Duan Song , Tang Renhai , Zhou Sujuan , Ye Runhua , Yang Yuecheng , Wang Jibao , Yao Shitang , He Na 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: HIV/HCV coinfection leads to accelerated liver fibrosis, in which microbial translocation and systemic inflammation might play important roles. This study aimed to provide an extensive profile of plasma microbial translocation and inflammation biomarkers associated with advanced liver fibrosis among HIV/HCV coinfected patients.Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited 343 HIV/HCV coinfected patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) from a rural prefecture of Yunnan province in Southwest China. Plasma concentrations of sCD14 and 27 cytokines/chemokines were assayed, and were compared against advanced or mild levels of liver fibrosis.Results: Of the 343 HIV/HCV coinfected patients, 188 (54.8%) had severe or advanced liver fibrosis (FIB-4 >3.25). Patients with advanced liver fibrosis (FIB-4 >3.25 vs. FIB-4 ≤3.25) had higher plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-7, IL-9, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, FGF-basic and MCP-1. Multivariable logistic regression models showed that advanced liver fibrosis was associated with increased plasma level of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12, IL-17, GM- CSF, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL -10, MCP-1, Eotaxin and FGF-basic, with FGF-basic remained to be positively and significantly associated with advanced liver fibrosis after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (aOR=1.82; 95%CI: 1.26-2.66; p=0.002). Plasma sCD14 was also significantly associated with advanced liver fibrosis (aOR=1.14; 95%CI: 1.01-1.30; p=0.048).Conclusions: HIV/HCV coinfected patients are living with high prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis which coexists with a mixture of elevated plasma inflammation and microbial translocation biomarkers. The significant associations of advanced liver fibrosis with FGF-basic and sCD14 may reveal pathogenic mechanisms and potential clinical intervention targets of liver fibrosis in HCV/HIV coinfection.
Design, Analysis And Experimental Study Of Worm And Worm Gear Pair For Plug Valve Application
Authors: Shah Abhijeet P , Jadhav Yuvraj 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The design procedure, load capacity, mathematical model, analysis of worm and worm gear for plug valve has not been investigated, which is a great barrier for the users. This research focuses on addressing these issues by design of gear, developing mathematical model, dynamic analysis of gear and experimental study to find out efficiency of worm gear for plug valve application.
Management of Hemorrhoidal Disease in Special Conditions: A Word of Caution
Authors: Salusso Paola , Testa Valentina , Mochet Sylvie , Arezzo Alberto , Allaix Marco Ettore , Salzano Antonio , Morino Mario , Mistrangelo Massimiliano 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Hemorrhoids are a common disease that is often considered an easy
problem to solve. Unfortunately, some particular clinical conditions, including Inflammatory Bowel
Diseases (IBD), pregnancy, immunosuppression, coagulopathy, cirrhosis with portal hypertension,
and proctitis after radiotherapy, challenge hemorrhoids management and the outcomes.

Methods::
Research and online contents related to hemorrhoids’ treatment in special conditions are
reviewed in order to help colorectal surgeons in daily practice.

Results:
There are very limited data about the outcomes of hemorrhoids treatment in these subgroups
of patients. Patients in pregnancy can be effectively treated with medical therapy, reserving
surgical intervention in highly selected and urgent cases. In case of thrombosed haemorrhoids, the
excision allows a fast symptoms’ resolution, with a low incidence of recurrence and a long remission
interval. In case of immunosuppressed patients, there is no consensus for the best treatment,
even in most HIV positive patients, a surgical procedure can be safely proposed when indicated.
There is no sufficient data in the literature related to transplanted patients. The surgical treatment
of hemorrhoids in patients with IBD, especially Crohn’s Disease, can be unsafe, although there is a
paucity of literature on this topic. In case of previous pelvic radiotherapy, it must always be considered
that severe complications, like abscesses and fistulas with subsequent pelvic and retroperitoneal
sepsis, can occur after surgical treatment of hemorrhoids, so a conservative treatment is advocated.
Moreover, caution is recommended in treating patients with coagulopathy, considering
possible complications (mostly bleeding) also after outpatient treatments. In case of portal hypertension
and cirrhosis, a ‘conservative treatment’ is recommended. Bleeding hemorrhoids can be treated
with hemorrhoidectomy when they do not respond to other treatments.

Conclusion:
International literature is very scant about the treatment of patients affected by hemorrhoids
in particular situations. A word of caution and concern even about the indication for minor
outpatient procedures must be expressed in these patients, in order to avoid possible life-threatening
complications. The first-line treatment is the conservative medical approach associated with the
treatment of the primary disease.
Mining the Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients in China: Analysis of Social Media Posts (Preprint)
Authors: Huang Chunmei , Xu Xinjie , Cai Yuyang , Ge Qinmin , Zeng Guangwang , Li Xiaopan , Zhang Weide , Ji Chen , Yang Ling 
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

In December 2019, pneumonia cases of unknown origin were reported in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Identified as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the number of cases grew rapidly by human-to-human transmission in Wuhan. Social media, especially Sina Weibo (a major Chinese microblogging social media site), has become an important platform for the public to obtain information and seek help.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to analyze the characteristics of suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients who asked for help on Sina Weibo.

METHODS

We conducted data mining on Sina Weibo and extracted the data of 485 patients who presented with clinical symptoms and imaging descriptions of suspected or laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19. In total, 9878 posts seeking help on Sina Weibo from February 3 to 20, 2020 were analyzed. We used a descriptive research methodology to describe the distribution and other epidemiological characteristics of patients with suspected or laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection. The distance between patients’ home and the nearest designated hospital was calculated using the geographic information system ArcGIS.

RESULTS

All patients included in this study who sought help on Sina Weibo lived in Wuhan, with a median age of 63.0 years (IQR 55.0-71.0). Fever (408/485, 84.12%) was the most common symptom. Ground-glass opacity (237/314, 75.48%) was the most common pattern on chest computed tomography; 39.67% (167/421) of families had suspected and/or laboratory-confirmed family members; 36.58% (154/421) of families had 1 or 2 suspected and/or laboratory-confirmed members; and 70.52% (232/329) of patients needed to rely on their relatives for help. The median time from illness onset to real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing was 8 days (IQR 5.0-10.0), and the median time from illness onset to online help was 10 days (IQR 6.0-12.0). Of 481 patients, 32.22% (n=155) lived more than 3 kilometers away from the nearest designated hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that patients seeking help on Sina Weibo lived in Wuhan and most were elderly. Most patients had fever symptoms, and ground-glass opacities were noted in chest computed tomography. The onset of the disease was characterized by family clustering and most families lived far from the designated hospital. Therefore, we recommend the following: (1) the most stringent centralized medical observation measures should be taken to avoid transmission in family clusters; and (2) social media can help these patients get early attention during Wuhan’s lockdown. These findings can help the government and the health department identify high-risk patients and accelerate emergency responses following public demands for help.
Attraction of Yellow Stem Borer (Scirpophaga incertulas Walker) to Different Colored Light-emitting Diodes
Authors: Arialistya Yhone , Suputa Suputa , Trisyono Y. Andi , Firmansyah Eka 
Published: April 2020

The yellow rice stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas Walker) is a major pests on rice. Light traps have been used for monitoring and controlling S. incertulas with white and ultraviolet color light sources. The purpose of this research was to invent trap which uses an effective color that attracts S. incertulas. This research begins by sampling female S. incertulas pre-oviposition from the field then tested in the laboratory. The experiment was designed with factorial randomized block design with light colors and light intencity as factors. Light-emitting diodes used in this research, consisted of normal red, normal yellow, normal green, superbright red, superbright yellow, superbright green, superbright blue, UV, and white. LED white, UV, and superbright blue were attractive colors to S. incertulas when exposure time was 15 minutes. Effective light intencity to attract S. incertulas was 1000 lux.
Morphological and Molecular Characteristics of Pratylenchus coffeae from the Origin of Robusta Coffee Plantation in Malang, East Java
Authors: Budiman Aris , Supramana Supramana , Giyanto Giyanto 
Published: April 2020

Pratylenchus coffeae is the most important plant-parasitic nematode in Robusta coffee plantations. Information regarding morphology, morphometric and molecular characters of P. coffeae has not been reported in Indonesia. This study is aimed to describe those characters of P. coffeae that attack Robusta coffee. Root samples were taken from Robusta coffee plantation in Malang, East Java. Nematode extractions was conducted using a mist chamber method. Morphology and morphometric characters were observed from the permanent nematode slides. Single nematode DNA extract was amplified at the D2D3 segment of 28S rRNA and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rRNA with universal primers. Amplicon was sequenced and analysed for phylogenetic tree relationships. Female morphological key character of P. coffeae observed are: lip with two annulations, four lateral lines, esophageal overlap with intestine ventrally, monodelphic, and truncated tail shape. Male spicules curved ventrally. Female morphometrics are: n=26, L = 556.4 μm, DGO = 2.4 μm, anterior gonad = 174.8 μm, a = 28.5, b = 6.1, b’ = 4.1, c = 20.1, c’ = 2.3, V = 81.7. A Male is smaller than a female with n=24, L = 505.9 μm, a = 32.3, b = 5.5, b '= 3.9, c = 15.3, c' = 2.8 and T = 40.6. The molecular characters of P. coffeae were investigated for two isolates, namely SA1 and SA2. Based on the D2D3 and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 regions, isolate SA1 has similarity level of 99% and 97% to the P. coffeae from NCBI. Similar result was shown by Isolate SA2 with similarity of 100% and 100% respectively. Phylogenetic tree analysis using Maximum Likelihood at the D2D3 segment of 28S rRNA and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 regions showed that P. coffeae in this study was included in one clade with P. coffeae from several countries.
The Effect of Increasing the Air Flow Pressure on the Properties of Coatings During the Arc Spraying of Cored Wires
Authors: Mykhailo Student , Volodymyr Gvozdetsky , Oleksandra Student , Olegas Prentkovskis , Pavlo Maruschak , Olena Olenyuk , Liudmyla Titova 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The melting conditions of the electrode wires and the structure of coatings, obtained by the electric arc spraying method depending on the pressure of the spraying air flow, are analysed in the current paper. The effect of air pressure on the spraying angle of the flow of melted metal droplets is demonstrated. It is established that due to the decrease in this spraying angle, the temperature of the droplets increases. In addition, high-speed airflow is more easily captured by smaller molten metal droplets and during the contact with the substrate surface their deformations were more strongly. Due to such phenomenon, the porosity of the coatings was reduced and the number of lamellae, welded to each other, increased. With the increasing pressure of the air flow, the thicknesses of the lamellae were decreased, however, the amount of the oxide phase in the coatings has increased. As a result, the hardness, wear resistance and cohesive strength of the coatings, obtained at a higher pressure of the air flow, have increased, and the level of residual stresses of the first kind in them decreased.
Results of Percutaneous Computed Tomography-Guided Biopsy of Adrenal Lesions and Spectrum of Computed Tomography Findings
Authors: Gunna Sriharsha , Neyaz Zafar , Bhatia Eesh , Marak Rungmei S , Mishra Richa , Verma Ritu 
Published: April 2020

Objective:
Adrenal enlargement occurs in various conditions such as infections, benign, and malignant neoplasms. Percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided adrenal biopsy is a safe method for obtaining tissue specimen in cases where diagnosis cannot be established on imaging and biochemical grounds. The study aims to evaluate diagnostic yield, accuracy, and complications of percutaneous CT-guided adrenal biopsies. Furthermore, CT findings of various adrenal lesions have been described.

Materials and Methods:
Data of CT-guided adrenal biopsies performed from September 2009 to May 2019 were analyzed. Biopsies were performed on a 64-slice or a 128-slice multidetector CT scanner using a coaxial technique. Pathological and microbiological reports were retrieved from the hospital information system. Clinical details were obtained from clinical case records.

Results:
CT-guided adrenal biopsies were performed in 48 patients, 37 males and 11 females. Adrenal insufficiency was present in 31 (64%) cases and bilateral adrenal glands were affected in 35 (73%). Biopsy yielded a diagnosis in 35 cases (72.9%). The final diagnosis was achieved in 43 (90%) cases. Combined accuracy of CT-guided biopsy for identifying malignancy and infection was 88.3%. Adrenal histoplasmosis (AH) was the most common entity diagnosed (44%). After combining histopathology and microbiology results, the sensitivity for diagnosing AH was 100%. One (2%) patient had a major complication in the form of intra-abdominal hemorrhage requiring transfusion. Local hematoma and mild stable pneumothorax were noted in one patient each.

Conclusion:
Percutaneous CT-guided biopsy is a safe procedure for the diagnosis of adrenal lesions. It has good accuracy for diagnosing adrenal conditions such as infections and malignancies. However, the specific diagnosis of benign adrenal lesions was difficult to make. AH, tuberculosis, and metastasis have overlapping imaging findings.