bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The neuroregenerative effects of topical decorin on the injured mouse cornea
Authors: Wu Mengliang , Downie Laura E. , Grover Liam M. , Moakes Richard J. A. , Rauz Saaeha , Logan Ann , Jiao Haihan , Hill Lisa J. , Chinnery Holly R. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
The cornea is innervated with a rich supply of sensory nerves that play important roles in ocular surface health. Any injury or pathology of the corneal nerves increases the risk of dry eye disease and infection. This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of topical decorin to improve corneal nerve regeneration in a mouse model of sterile epithelial abrasion injury.

Methods
Bilateral central corneal epithelial abrasions (2-mm, Alger Brush) were performed on young C57BL/6 J mice to remove the corneal sensory nerves. Decorin, or vehicle, was applied topically, three times per day for 1 week or every 2 h for 6 h. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was performed to measure the abrasion area and corneal thickness. Wholemount immunofluorescence staining was used to assess sensory nerve regeneration (β-tubulin III) and immune cell density (CD45, Iba1, CD11c). To investigate the specific role of dendritic cells (DCs), Cx3cr1gfp/gfp mice, which spontaneously lack resident corneal epithelial DCs, were also investigated. The effect of prophylactic topical administration of recombinant human decorin (applied prior to the abrasion) was also investigated. Nerve tracing (NeuronJ software) was performed to compare recovery of basal nerve axons and superficial nerve terminals in the central and peripheral cornea.

Results
At 6 h after injury, topical decorin application was associated with greater intraepithelial DC recruitment but no change in re-epithelialisation or corneal thickness, compared to the vehicle control. One week after injury, sub-basal nerve plexus and superficial nerve terminal density were significantly higher in the central cornea in the decorin-treated eyes. The density of corneal stromal macrophages in the decorin-treated eyes and their contralateral eyes was significantly lower compared to saline-treated corneas. No significant improvement in corneal nerve regeneration was observed in Cx3cr1gfp/gfp mice treated with decorin.

Conclusions
Decorin promotes corneal epithelial nerve regeneration after injury. The neuroregenerative effect of topical decorin was associated with a higher corneal DC density during the acute phase, and fewer macrophages at the study endpoint. The corneal neuroregenerative effects of decorin were absent in mice lacking intraepithelial DCs. Together, these findings support a role for decorin in DC-mediated neuroregeneration following corneal abrasion injury.
Axl receptor tyrosine kinase is a regulator of apolipoprotein E
Authors: Zhao Wenchen , Fan Jianjia , Kulic Iva , Koh Cheryl , Clark Amanda , Meuller Johan , Engkvist Ola , Barichievy Samantha , Raynoschek Carina , Hicks Ryan , Maresca Marcello , Wang Qi , Brown Dean G. , Lok Alvin , Parro Cameron , Robert Jerome , Chou Hsien-Ya , Zuhl Andrea M. , Wood Michael W. , Brandon Nicholas J. , Wellington Cheryl L. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, is a chronic neurodegenerative disease. Apolipoprotein E (apoE), which carries lipids in the brain in the form of lipoproteins, plays an undisputed role in AD pathophysiology. A high-throughput phenotypic screen was conducted using a CCF-STTG1 human astrocytoma cell line to identify small molecules that could upregulate apoE secretion. AZ7235, a previously discovered Axl kinase inhibitor, was identified to have robust apoE activity in brain microglia, astrocytes and pericytes. AZ7235 also increased expression of ATP-binding cassette protein A1 (ABCA1), which is involved in the lipidation and secretion of apoE. Moreover, AZ7235 did not exhibit Liver-X-Receptor (LXR) activity and stimulated apoE and ABCA1 expression in the absence of LXR. Target validation studies using AXL−/− CCF-STTG1 cells showed that Axl is required to mediate AZ7235 upregulation of apoE and ABCA1. Intriguingly, apoE expression and secretion was significantly attenuated in AXL-deficient CCF-STTG1 cells and reconstitution of Axl or kinase-dead Axl significantly restored apoE baseline levels, demonstrating that Axl also plays a role in maintaining apoE homeostasis in astrocytes independent of its kinase activity. Lastly, these effects may require human apoE regulatory sequences, as AZ7235 exhibited little stimulatory activity toward apoE and ABCA1 in primary murine glia derived from neonatal human APOE3 targeted-replacement mice. Collectively, we identified a small molecule that exhibits robust apoE and ABCA1 activity independent of the LXR pathway in human cells and elucidated a novel relationship between Axl and apoE homeostasis in human astrocytes.
Structural equation modeling the “control of gut overgrowth” in the prevention of ICU-acquired Gram-negative infection
Authors: Hurley James C. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Conceptually, the “control of gut overgrowth” (COGO) is key in mediating prevention against infection with Gram-negative bacilli by topical antibiotic prophylaxis, a common constituent of selective digestive decontamination (SDD) regimens. However, the relative importance of the other SDD components, enteral and protocolized parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis, versus other methods of infection prevention and versus other contextual exposures cannot be resolved within individual studies.

Methods
Seven candidate generalized structural equation models founded on COGO concepts were confronted with Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter bacteremia as well as ventilator-associated pneumonia data derived from > 200 infection prevention studies. The following group-level exposures were included in the models: use and mode of antibiotic prophylaxis, anti-septic and non-decontamination methods of infection prevention; proportion receiving mechanical ventilation; trauma ICU; mean length of ICU stay; and concurrency versus non-concurrency of topical antibiotic prophylaxis study control groups.

Results
In modeling Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter gut overgrowth as latent variables, anti-septic interventions had the strongest negative effect against Pseudomonas gut overgrowth but no intervention was significantly negative against Acinetobacter gut overgrowth. Strikingly, protocolized parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis and concurrency each have positive effects in the model, enteral antibiotic prophylaxis is neutral, and Acinetobacter bacteremia incidences are high within topical antibiotic prophylaxis studies, moreso with protocolized parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis exposure. Paradoxically, topical antibiotic prophylaxis (moreso with protocolized parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis) appears to provide the strongest summary prevention effects against overall bacteremia and overall VAP.

Conclusions
Structural equation modeling of published Gram-negative bacillus infection data enables a test of the COGO concept. Paradoxically, Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas bacteremia incidences are unusually high among studies of topical antibiotic prophylaxis.
Evaluation of a ketogenic diet for improvement of neurological recovery in individuals with acute spinal cord injury: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Demirel Aynur , Li Jia , Morrow Casey , Barnes Stephen , Jansen Jan , Gower Barbara , Kirksey Keneshia , Redden David , Yarar-Fisher Ceren 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Therapies that significantly improve the neurological and functional recovery of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are still urgently needed. The ketogenic diet (KD) has been shown to improve forelimb motor function in an SCI rat model, likely by reducing inflammation and cell death in the spinal cord. Furthermore, our recent pilot study in patients with SCI showed that, compared with a standard hospital diet (SD), 5 weeks of KD started during acute care improved upper extremity motor function and reduced serum levels of a neuroinflammatory blood protein. The primary goals of the current study are to: 1) show the safety and feasibility of administering a KD during acute care for SCI; 2) determine if consuming 5 weeks of a KD significantly improves motor and sensory functions, functional independence and glycemic control; and 3) quantify serum biomarkers that are linked to improvements in neurological recovery and functional independence via targeted proteomics.

Methods/design
In a single-masked, longitudinal, randomized, parallel-controlled study, a total of 60 eligible, acutely traumatic spinal cord injured (cervical 5 to thoracic 12) participants ranging in age from 18 to 60 years with American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale (AIS) grades A–C (AIS-A, sensorimotor complete; AIS-B, sensory incomplete/motor complete; and AIS-C, nonfunctional motor incomplete) are being enrolled. Neurological and functional examinations, resting energy expenditure, blood, urine, and stool collections, and protein analyses related to neurological recovery will be performed within 72 h of injury (baseline measure) and repeated after 5 weeks of KD or SD (discharge measure). We anticipate a completion rate of 80% with a total of 48 participants.

Discussion
Intervention with a more neuroprotective diet during acute care of SCI can be implemented anywhere in the world at low cost and without major regulatory hurdles. Better functional recovery will lead to a better quality of life and long-term health outcomes in individuals with SCI. While this study targets SCI, if successful it has the potential to improve neurological outcomes for individuals with various traumatic injuries.

Trial registration
NCT03509571 Registered on April 28, 2018.
Recovery and purification of cellulolytic enzymes from Aspergillus fumigatus CCT 7873 using an aqueous two-phase micellar system
Authors: de Oliveira Júnior Sérgio Dantas , de Araújo Padilha Carlos Eduardo , de Asevedo Estefani Alves , de Macedo Gorete Ribeiro , dos Santos Everaldo Silvino 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Purpose
In this study, an aqueous two-phase micellar system (ATPMS), formed by the non-ionic surfactant Triton X-114, was used to investigate the partitioning of cellulolytic enzymes produced by the filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus CCT 7873.

Methods
Performance of the ATPMS on the partitioning of CMCase (activity on carboxymethyl cellulose) and FPase (activity on filter paper) was investigated by varying the temperature (35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, and 65 °C), enzyme crude extract concentration (20, 40, 60, and 80% w/w), and Triton X-114 concentration (2, 4, 6, and 8% w/w) and by adding different inorganic salts (NaCl, CaCl2, MgSO4, and MnSO4) in the system.

Results
An ATPMS formed with 8% (w/w) Triton X-114 and 40% (w/w) enzymatic crude extract at a system temperature of 55 °C was most favorable for partitioning the tested enzymes. Under these conditions, a purification factor for CMCase and FPase of 10.89 and 0.65 was reached, respectively. The addition of inorganic salts changed the distribution of enzymes. Of these, CaCl2 contributed to a higher distribution coefficient (50.0), whereas for FPase, the presence of MnSO4 in the system improved the purification factor to 3.94.

Conclusion
The highest values obtained for the yield and purification factors demonstrate that ATPMS is an interesting option for recovering and purifying cellulolytic enzymes.
Mesenchymal stem cells as a potential therapy for COVID-19
Authors: Liu Shan , Peng Danyi , Qiu Huijun , Yang Ke , Fu Zhou , Zou Lin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) worldwide is becoming rapidly a major concern. The number of severe cases has increased dramatically worldwide, while specific treatment options are scarce. The main pathologic features of severe or critical COVID-19 were consistent with acute lung injure (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), characterized by cellular fibromyxoid exudates, extensive pulmonary inflammation, pulmonary edema, and hyaline membrane formation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can balance the inflammatory response and has been mentioned to be effective on ALI/ARDS from both infectious and noninfectious causes previously, presenting an important opportunity to be applied to COVID-19. In this commentary, we summarize the clinical trials of MSCs treatments on ALI/ARDS and raise MSCs as a hopefully alternative therapy for severe or critical COVID-19.
Historic tobacco legislation in Israel: a moment to celebrate
Authors: Rosen L. , Kislev S. , Bar-Zeev Y. , Levine H. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Israel was once a leader in tobacco control, but fell behind other countries, particularly during the past decade, as smoking rates stagnated.

Text
Landmark tobacco control legislation, which banned advertising (with the exception of the print press) and limited marketing, was passed in Israel on Dec. 31rst, 2018. The changes occurred following years of attempts which culminated in successful last-minute efforts to promote the legislation just before the early disbanding of the 20th Knesset (Israeli Parliament). Regulations concerning marketing and advertising were substantially strengthened to address all tobacco, nicotine and smoking products. Digital media was included for the first time. Electronic cigarettes, which were previously largely unregulated, now fall under existing tobacco legislation. The changes overcame intense opposition from the tobacco lobby, and occurred despite the fact that the basic elements for prevention policy postulated by the Richmond model were not in place.

Conclusions
This legislation represents an important and long-awaited change in Israeli tobacco control policy. Many deficiencies in existing tobacco control regulation were overcome, and some measures went beyond current international regulations. The cohesive partnership between legislators, public health organizations and professionals, advocacy groups, academia, and leading journalists was critical to this success. The progress was lauded by the World Health Organization with its highest award for tobacco control, which was presented to Smoke Free Israel. This case study provides important lessons for up-to-date tobacco control policy, in the age of rapid global changes in the tobacco, vaping and nicotine landscape.
Validation of the wearable acceptability range scale for smart apparel
Authors: Nam Changhyun , Lee Young-A 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe wearable acceptability range (WEAR) Scale has been a useful tool used in consumer behaviour and product development research to better identify the social acceptance of wearable devices. In this study, we aimed to introduce an extended WEAR Scale to the apparel field by (a) refining existing measurement items and (b) validating this scale for use with smart apparel. Using a quantitative research method, an online survey was conducted with a convenience sample of US consumers aged 18 years old and over. Total 663 usable data were obtained and used for the data analysis. NVivo, SPSS, and AMOS programs were used to perform (a) a content analysis of the open-ended questions to identify recurring phrases, (b) basic descriptive statistics, and (c) a structural equation model testing, here validating the WEAR Scale, respectively. A 4-factor, 15-item WEAR Scale validated for examining consumers’ acceptance of smart apparel. The four WEAR dimensions are smart apparel in relation to: (a) design and aesthetics (four items), (b) self-expression (four items), (c) consequences (three items), and (d) reflection (four items). The findings of this study show the importance of these dimensions for the social acceptance of smart apparel. Therefore, this scale will be useful for the practical application in the apparel industry by providing better understanding of various aspects that smart apparel should consider during the product design and development stage. The scale can also be integrated with other consumer behavioural concepts to develop an emerging theoretical framework for the studies on smart apparel. Limitations and implications for future research were also discussed.
A descriptive study of pain treatment and its follow-up in primary care of elderly patients after orthopaedic care
Authors: Caleres Gabriella , Midlöv Patrik , Bondesson Åsa , Modig Sara 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Pain treatment post orthopaedic care in the elderly is complicated and requires careful follow-up. Current guidelines state all patients prescribed opioids should have a plan for gradual reduction, with the treatment progressively reduced and ended if any pain remains after more than three months. How this works in primary care remains to be explored.
The aim was to describe pain treatment and its follow-up in primary care of elderly patients after orthopaedic care.

Methods
In this descriptive study, medical case histories were collected for patients ≥ 75 years, which were enrolled at two rural primary care units in southern Sweden, and were discharged from orthopaedic care. Pain medication follow-up plans were noted, as well as current pain medication at discharge as well as two, six and twelve weeks later.

Results
We included a total of 49 community-dwelling patients with medication aid from nurses in municipality care and nursing home residents, ≥ 75 years, discharged from orthopaedic care. The proportion of patients prescribed paracetamol increased from 28/49 (57%) prior to admission, to 38/44 (82%) after 12 weeks. The proportion of patients prescribed opioids increased from 5/49 (10%) to 18/44 (41%). Primary care pain medication follow-up plans were noted for 16/49 patients (33%).

Conclusions
Many patients still used pain medication 12 weeks after discharge, and follow-up plans were quite uncommon, which may reflect upon lacking follow-up of these patients in primary care.
ggroups: an R package for pedigree and genetic groups data
Authors: Nilforooshan Mohammad Ali , Saavedra-Jiménez Luis Antonio 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundR is a multi-platform statistical software and an object oriented programming language. The package archive network for R provides CRAN repository that features over 15,000 free open source packages, at the time of writing this article (https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages, accessed in October 2019). The package is introduced in this article. The purpose of this package is providing functions for checking and processing the pedigree, calculation of the additive genetic relationship matrix and its inverse, which are used to study the population structure and predicting the genetic merit of animals. Calculation of the dominance relationship matrix and its inverse are also covered. A concept in animal breeding is genetic groups, which is about the inequality of the average genetic merits for groups of unknown parents. The package provides functions for the calculation of the matrix of genetic group contributions (Q). CalculatingQis computationally demanding, and depending on the size of the pedigree and the number of genetic groups, it might not be feasible using personal computers. Therefore, a computationally optimised function and its parallel processing alternative are provided in the package.ResultsUsing sample data, outputs from different functions of the package were presented to illustrate a real experience of working with the package.ConclusionsThe presented R package is a free and open source tool mainly for quantitative geneticists and ecologists, who deal with pedigree data. It provides numerous functions for handling pedigree data, and calculating various pedigree-based matrices. Some of the functions are computationally optimised for large-scale data.
Improving online video lectures: learning challenges created by media
Authors: Lange Christopher , Costley Jamie 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe use of media within online university courses has been shown to aid the learning process with the delivery of information through various formats. However, issues that inhibit learning have been found when media are used inappropriately. Based on an examination of extant media research, this study arranges common media delivery problems into five main categories: pace, intelligibility, quality, media diversity, and congruence. Students taking online courses were asked to comment on the media used in their classes. Each of their comments was paired with one of the five categories with justification provided for the categorizations. Through analysis of these learner comments, this study examines the extent to which media delivery problems occur among a specific sample of online university learners in South Korea. The underlying pedagogy that explains the issues caused by inadequate delivery of media is also discussed, followed by recommended solutions that can address such pedagogical concerns. The results not only highlight existing solutions to these types of media problems but also build on them by suggesting other techniques in which media can be delivered so that the overall online learning experience may be enhanced.
Enhancement effects of ethanolic extract of Fagonia cretica on Bisphenol A (BPA)-induced genotoxicity and biochemical changes in rats
Authors: Abd-El-Moneim Omaima Mohamed , Abd El-Rahim Abeer Hamdy , Mohamed Amira Abd El Raouf , Farag Ibrahim Mohamed , Mohamed Abdalla Aboelfetoh 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundFagonia cretica L. was considered to be a medical plant that was used for the treatment of different diseases, so the current study was designed to clarify whetherFagonia creticaextract (FCE) can avoid Bisphenol A (BPA)-induced genotoxicity and biochemical alterations in rats. Sixty-three male rats were used in this experiment. These animals were distributed into nine groups (seven rats each): negative control, control of corn oil, positive control that were administrated BPA in corn oil (10 mg/kg. b.w.) for 3 weeks, three protection groups received the same dose of BPA in corn oil at the same period together with FCE (3.3, 4.2 and 5.0 g/kg) daily for 3 weeks, and three therapeutic groups received FCE alone at the same doses for 10 days after cessation of BPA treatment. Genetic and biochemical studies were conducted. Genetic studies involved DNA comet assay, micronucleus test, chromosome examination, and mitotic index analysis. Biochemical studies involved liver function (AST, ALT, ALph, and Bilirubin), kidney function (urea and creatinine contents), protein profile, MDA, and endogenous antioxidative system (SOD, CAT, and ACHE) as well as nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) contents in the liver, kidney, and brain tissues.ResultsThe results demonstrated that the treatment with BPA induced a significant elevation in genetic abnormalities and deleterious effects in biochemical parameters in relation to untreated control. FCE treatment was found to be significantly diminished the massive damage in the genetic constituents and dangerous alterations in biochemical parameters with respect to BPA treatment alone. These enhancements were increased by increasing the dose level of FCE. Moreover, better results were clarified by utilizing FCE as a protective agent than its utilization as a therapeutic agent especially by using the high dose (5.0 g/kg), in which mostly genetic and biochemical alterations were observed to be restored towards natural levels.ConclusionsThese findings clarified a new insight into the protective effect of FCE in minimizing BPA-induced genotoxicity and biochemical changes in rats detecting the capability of such medicinal plant for alleviating the adverse effect of BPA.