bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma CRP level is positively associated with the severity of COVID-19
Authors: Chen Wei , Zheng Kenneth I. , Liu Saiduo , Yan Zhihan , Xu Chongyong , Qiao Zengpei 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Aims
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized as highly contagious and deadly; however there is no credible and convenient biomarker to predict the severity of the disease. The aim of the present study was to estimate whether the CRP level is able to act as a marker in indicating the severity of COVID-19.

Methods
Patients who complained cough or chest pain with or without fever were enrolled after laboratory confirmed of SARS-CoV-2 viral nucleic acid via qRT-PCR. Chest computed tomography (CT) was then performed to classify the patients into mild, moderate and severe pneumonia groups according to the interim management guideline. Then linear regression models were applied to analyze the association between c-reactive protein (CRP) levels and severity of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Results
When compared to mild pneumonia, the adjusted-Odds Ratio were 11.46, p = 0.029 and 23.40, p = 0.025 in moderate and severe pneumonia, respectively. The area under receiver operation curve was 0.898 (95% CI 0.835, 0.962, p < 0.001). Higher plasma CRP level indicated severe COVID-19 pneumonia and longer inpatients duration.

Conclusions
The level of plasma CRP was positively correlated to the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia. Our findings could assist to discern patients of moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia from the mild ones. Our findings may be useful as an earlier indicator for severe illness and help physicians to stratify patients for intense care unit transfer.
Graphene oxide nanofilm and the addition of l-glutamine can promote development of embryonic muscle cells
Authors: Zielińska-Górska Marlena , Hotowy Anna , Wierzbicki Mateusz , Bałaban Jaśmina , Sosnowska Malwina , Jaworski Sławomir , Strojny Barbara , Chwalibog André , Sawosz Ewa 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Formation of muscular pseudo-tissue depends on muscle precursor cells, the extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking structure and factors stimulating cell differentiation. These three things cooperate and can create a tissue-like structure, however, their interrelationships are relatively unknown. The objective was to study the interaction between surface properties, culture medium composition and heterogeneous cell culture. We would like to demonstrate that changing the surface properties by coating with graphene oxide nanofilm (nGO) can affect cell behaviour and especially their need for the key amino acid l-glutamine (L-Glu).

Results
Chicken embryo muscle cells and their precursors, cultured in vitro, were used as the experimental model. The mesenchymal stem cell, collected from the hind limb of the chicken embryo at day 8 were divided into 4 groups; the control group and groups treated with nGO, L-Glu and nGO supplied with L-Glu (nGOxL-Glu). The roughness of the surface of the plastic plate covered with nGO was much lower than a standard plate. The test of nGO biocompatibility demonstrated that the cells were willing to settle on the nGO without any toxic effects. Moreover, nGO by increasing hydrophilicity and reducing roughness and presumably through chemical bonds available on the GO surface stimulated the colonisation of primary stromal cells that promote embryonic satellite cells. The viability significantly increased in cells cultured on nGOxL-Glu. Observations of cell morphology showed that the most mature state of myogenesis was characteristic for the group nGOxL-Glu. This result was confirmed by increasing the expression of MYF5 genes at mRNA and protein levels. nGO also increased the expression of MYF5 and also very strongly the expression of PAX7 at mRNA and protein levels. However, when analysing the expression of PAX7, a positive link was observed between the nGO surface and the addition of L-Glu.

Conclusions
The use of nGO and L-Glu supplement may improve myogenesis and also the myogenic potential of myocytes and their precursors by promoting the formation of satellite cells. Studies have, for the first time, demonstrated positive cooperation between surface properties nGO and L-Glu supplementation to the culture medium regarding the myogenic potential of cells involved in muscle formation.
Exploring why global health needs are unmet by research efforts: the potential influences of geography, industry and publication incentives
Authors: Yegros-Yegros Alfredo , van de Klippe Wouter , Abad-Garcia Maria Francisca , Rafols Ismael 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
It has been well established that research is not addressing health needs in a balanced way — much more research is conducted on diseases with more burden in high-income countries than on those with more burden in lower-income countries. In this study, we explore whether these imbalances persist and inquire about the possible influence of three factors, namely geography, industry and publication incentives.

Methods
We use WHO data on the Global Burden of Disease as a proxy measure of health needs and bibliometric information as a proxy for research efforts. Scientific publications on diseases were collected from MEDLINE using MeSH terms to identify relevant publications. We used Web of Science to collect author affiliations and citation data. We developed a correspondence table between WHO ICD-10 and MeSH descriptors to compare global health needs and research efforts. This correspondence table is available as supplementary material.

Results
Research output is heavily concentrated in high-income countries and is mainly focused on their health needs, resulting in a relative lack of attention to diseases in lower income countries. A new finding is that diseases with a similar burden in high- and middle-income countries are also under-researched, both globally and in relation to disease burden in high- and middle-income countries. Global industrial R&D is found to be very similar to the focus of public research. Diseases more prevalent in high-income countries generate ten-fold more research attention than those in low-income countries. We find no discernible preference towards diseases of high-income countries versus those of low-income countries in the top 25% most prestigious journals. However, in middle-income countries, citation rates are substantially lower for diseases most prevalent in low- and middle-income countries.

Conclusions
From a global perspective, the imbalance between research needs and research efforts persists as most of the research effort concentrates on diseases affecting high-income countries. Both pharmaceutical companies and the public sector also tend to focus on diseases with more burden in high-income countries. Our findings indicate that researchers in middle-income countries receive more citations when researching diseases more prevalent in high-income countries, and this may divert the attention of researchers in these countries from diseases more prevalent in their contexts.
Comparison of skin biopsy sample processing and storage methods on high dimensional immune gene expression using the Nanostring nCounter system
Authors: Vider Jelena , Croaker Andrew , Cox Amanda J. , Raymond Emma , Rogers Rebecca , Adamson Stuart , Doyle Michael , O’Brien Blake , Cripps Allan W. , West Nicholas P. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Digital multiplex gene expression profiling is overcoming the limitations of many tissue-processing and RNA extraction techniques for the reproducible and quantitative molecular classification of disease. We assessed the effect of different skin biopsy collection/storage conditions on mRNA quality and quantity and the NanoString nCounter™ System’s ability to reproducibly quantify the expression of 730 immune genes from skin biopsies.

Methods
Healthy human skin punch biopsies (n = 6) obtained from skin sections from four patients undergoing routine abdominoplasty were subject to one of several collection/storage protocols, including: i) snap freezing in liquid nitrogen and transportation on dry ice; ii) RNAlater (ThermoFisher) for 24 h at room temperature then stored at − 80 °C; iii) formalin fixation with further processing for FFPE blocks; iv) DNA/RNA shield (Zymo) stored and shipped at room temperature; v) placed in TRIzol then stored at − 80 °C; vi) saline without RNAse for 24 h at room temperature then stored at − 80 °C. RNA yield and integrity was assessed following extraction via NanoDrop, QuantiFluor with RNA specific dye and a Bioanalyser (LabChip24, PerkinElmer). Immune gene expression was analysed using the NanoString Pancancer Immune Profiling Panel containing 730 genes.

Results
Except for saline, all protocols yielded total RNA in quantities/qualities that could be analysed by NanoString nCounter technology, although the quality of the extracted RNA varied widely. Mean RNA integrity was highest from samples that were placed in RNALater (RQS 8.2 ± 1.15), with integrity lowest from the saline stored sample (RQS < 2). There was a high degree of reproducibility in the expression of immune genes between all samples with the exception of saline, with the number of detected genes at counts < 100, between 100 and 1000 and > 10,000 similar across extraction protocols.

Conclusions
A variety of processing methods can be used for digital immune gene expression profiling in mRNA extracted from skin that are comparable to snap frozen skin specimens, providing skin cancer clinicians greater opportunity to supply skin specimens to tissue banks. NanoString nCounter technology can determine gene expression in skin biopsy specimens with a high degree of sensitivity despite lower RNA yields and processing methods that may generate poorer quality RNA. The increased sensitivity of digital gene expression profiling continues to expand molecular pathology profiling of disease.
Clinical and functional significance of tumor/stromal ATR expression in breast cancer patients
Authors: Al-Ansari Mysoon M. , Al-Saif Maher , Arafah Maria , Eldali Abdelmonneim M. , Tulbah Asma , Al-Tweigeri Taher , Semlali Abdelhabib , Khabar Khalid S. , Aboussekhra Abdelilah 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Most breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are active and important cancer-promoting cells, with significant impact on patient prognosis. Therefore, we investigated here the role of the protein kinase ATR in breast stromal fibroblasts in the prognosis of locally advanced breast cancer patients.

Methods
We have used immunohistochemistry to assess the level of ATR in breast cancer tissues and their adjacent normal tissues. Immunoblotting as well as quantitative RT-PCR were utilized to show the role of breast cancer cells and IL-6 as well as AUF-1 in downregulating ATR in breast stromal fibroblasts. Engineered human breast tissue model was also used to show that ATR-deficient breast stromal fibroblasts enhance the growth of breast cancer cells.

Results
We have shown that the protein kinase ATR is downregulated in cancer cells and their neighboring CAFs in breast cancer tissues as compared to their respective adjacent normal tissues. The implication of cancer cells in ATR knockdown in CAFs has been proven in vitro by showing that breast cancer cells downregulate ATR in breast fibroblasts in an IL-6/STAT3-dependent manner and via AUF-1. In another cohort of 103 tumors from locally advanced breast cancer patients, we have shown that absence or reduced ATR expression in tumoral cells and their adjacent stromal fibroblasts is correlated with poor overall survival as well as disease-free survival. Furthermore, ATR expression in CAFs was inversely correlated with tumor recurrence and progression.

Conclusion
ATR downregulation in breast CAFs is frequent, procarcinogenic, and correlated with poor patient survival.
The promise, perceptions, and pitfalls of immunoassays for autoantibody testing in myositis
Authors:   on behalf of the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies (IMACS) Group Myositis Autoantibody Scientific Interest Group, Tansley Sarah L. , Snowball Julia , Pauling John D. , Lissina Anya , Kuwana Masataka , Rider Lisa G. , Rönnelid Johan , McHugh Neil J. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
A myositis-specific autoantibody can now be identified in the majority of patients with myositis. They identify homogeneous patient subgroups and are key tools in developing a personalized approach to disease management. There is substantial clinical interest in exploiting myositis autoantibodies as biomarkers, and consequently, a large number of commercial assays have been developed for their detection. These assays are already in widespread clinical use. In order to better understand perceived concerns from the international myositis community in relation to the reliability of these assays and how they are being used, we conducted a survey of international myositis experts, all of whom were members of the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies group.

Results
We collected data on the types of assay used, manufacturers, and the nature of the report provided by different laboratories and received 111 complete responses. Respondents also provided information on how they used the different assays, their confidence in the results, and how this influenced their clinical practice. Enzyme immunoassay/ELISA was the most popular assay method used worldwide followed by line blot. Line blot was the most popular method used in Europe. Despite concerns from over 80% of respondents regarding false-positive and false-negative results with the assay used by their laboratory, over 80% reported that the identification of a myositis autoantibody influenced their diagnostic confidence, the information they provided to a patient, and their recommended treatment.

Conclusions
In spite of ongoing concerns from the majority of users regarding the reliability of the results, myositis-specific autoantibody testing, using commercial immunoassays, is being used globally to inform clinical decision-making. These findings highlight the need for urgent guidance on the use of myositis autoantibody testing and on the interpretation of results. Knowledge of the reliability of currently available assays is essential given the importance already placed on myositis-specific autoantibodies as clinical decision-making tools.
Generation of gene-corrected functional osteoclasts from osteopetrotic induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Xian Xiaojie , Moraghebi Roksana , Löfvall Henrik , Fasth Anders , Henriksen Kim , Richter Johan , Woods Niels-Bjarne , Moscatelli Ilana 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Infantile malignant osteopetrosis (IMO) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by non-functional osteoclasts and a fatal outcome early in childhood. About 50% of patients have mutations in the TCIRG1 gene.

Methods
IMO iPSCs were generated from a patient carrying a homozygous c.11279G>A (IVS18+1) mutation in TCIRG1 and transduced with a lentiviral vector expressing human TCIRG1. Embryoid bodies were generated and differentiated into monocytes. Non-adherent cells were harvested and further differentiated into osteoclasts on bovine bone slices.

Results
Release of the bone resorption biomarker CTX-I into the media of gene-corrected osteoclasts was 5-fold higher than that of the uncorrected osteoclasts and 35% of that of control osteoclasts. Bone resorption potential was confirmed by the presence of pits on the bones cultured with gene-corrected osteoclasts, absent in the uncorrected IMO osteoclasts.

Conclusions
The disease phenotype was partially corrected in vitro, providing a valuable resource for therapy development for this form of severe osteopetrosis.
Characterization and antimicrobial activity of lectins purified from three Egyptian leguminous seeds
Authors: El-Araby Magda M. , El-Shatoury Einas H. , Soliman Mervat M. , Shaaban Hanan F. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractLectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that play vital roles in many biological processes. In this study, lectins from three Egyptian cultivars (fava bean, lentil, and pea) were isolated by precipitation with different concentrations of ammonium sulfate. The purification process was performed by affinity chromatography using mannose agarose. The highest concentration of purified lectins (1.48 mg/g) was recorded in pea at 90% saturation. SDS-PAGE of the purified lectins revealed bands of low molecular weights (14 to 18 kDa). The complete amino acid sequences of purified lectins were assessed using mass spectrometry (MS), which indicated the presence of the peptides favin, p54, and psl in fava bean, lentil, and pea, respectively. The lectins showed antimicrobial activity. The highest inhibition zone (35 mm) was measured with lectin purified from lentil against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, followed by pea lectin (33.4 mm) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145. To the best of our knowledge, the legume lectins in this study are the first lectins to exhibit antifungal activity against Candida albicans, with the maximum inhibition zone (25.1 mm) observed with purified lectins of fava bean. Additionally, the first scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showing agglutination and clumping of microbial cells exposed to tested lectins are provided. These findings proved that Egyptian legume lectins are distinct from other lectins reported in previous studies and demonstrated their potential as antimicrobial agents against human pathogenic microorganisms.
Rich production media as a platform for CHO cell line development
Authors: Kim Yong Jae , Han Sang Kyul , Yoon Seongtae , Kim Chan Wha 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRecent cell culture media for mammalian cells can be abundantly formulated with nutrients supporting production, but such media can be limited to use in host cell culture, transfection, cell cloning, and cell growth under the low cell density conditions. In many cases, appropriate platform media are used for cell line development, and then replaced with rich media for production. In this study, we demonstrate rich chemically defined media for Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that are suitable as basal media both for cell line development and for final production of culture process. Set up for transfection, semi-solid media optimization, mini-pool screening, and single cell cloning media development were performed, and final clones were obtained with higher productivity in fed-batch culture mode using rich formulated media comparing with lean formulated media. Developed methods may remove the requirements for cell adaptation to production media after cell line development, and relieve the clonality issues associated with changing the culture media. Furthermore, established methods have advantages over traditional approaches, including saving resources and decreasing the time and the effort required to optimize the production process.
Vitamin B—Can it prevent cognitive decline? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Behrens Annika , Graessel Elmar , Pendergrass Anna , Donath Carolin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundDevelopment of cognitive decline represents substantial issues in today’s society, steadily gaining importance with increasing life expectancy. One potential approach to preventing cognitive decline is to lower homocysteine by administering vitamin B. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we address this topic and investigate whether oral supplementation of vitamin B can successfully prevent cognitive decline in cognitively unimpaired individuals.MethodsA computerized systematic literature search was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Eligibility criteria included oral supplementation with vitamin B (B1, B6, folic acid, and B12) and the absence of cognitive impairment. A meta-analysis was conducted with “global cognition” as the primary outcome of this review. Secondary outcomes were changes in cognitive function in other cognitive domains reported in the included studies. Risk of bias was assessed according to the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the GRADE approach to establish the overall certainty of the evidence.ResultsThe meta-analysis did not yield a significant overall effect of supplementation with vitamin B on cognitive function (Z= 0.87;p= 0.39; SMD, 0.02; 95% CI, − 0.034, 0.08). A sensitivity analysis focusing on specific risk factors did not alter this result. Some studies reported isolated significant effects of the intervention on secondary outcomes. However, these findings were outnumbered by the number of cognitive tests that did not yield significant effects.DiscussionWe found no overall evidence that oral vitamin B supplementation prevented cognitive decline. The isolated significant effects that were reported could be attributed to methodological issues. The results of this review do not provide evidence that population groups with certain risk factors would profit more from the intervention than others. Our findings do not apply to forms of administration other than oral supplementation nor do they offer information regarding the treatment of cognitively impaired individuals via the administration of vitamin B.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42017071692
Study of impulsive fractional differential equation under Robin boundary conditions by topological degree method
Authors: Ullah Atta , Shah Kamal , Abdeljawad Thabet , Khan Rahmat Ali , Mahariq Ibrahim 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis research work is dedicated to investigating a class of impulsive fractional order differential equations under the Robin boundary conditions via the application of topological degree theory (TDT). We establish some adequate results for the existence of at most one solution for the consider problem. Further, the whole analysis is illustrated by providing a pertinent example. We keep in mind that the conditions we develop by using TDT are much weaker than using ordinary fixed point theory. Hence TDT can be used as powerful tool for the theoretical analysis of many linear and nonlinear problems.
Some new hybrid power mean formulae of trigonometric sums
Authors: Chen Li , Chen Zhuoyu 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe apply the analytic method and the properties of the classical Gauss sums to study the computational problem of a certain hybrid power mean of the trigonometric sums and to prove several new mean value formulae for them. At the same time, we also obtain a new recurrence formula involving the Gauss sums and two-term exponential sums.
Random attractors for non-autonomous stochastic wave equations with nonlinear damping and white noise
Authors: Yao Huazhen , Zhang Jianwen 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis paper is concerned with the asymptotic behavior of solutions to a non-autonomous stochastic wave equation with additive white noise, for which the nonlinear damping has a critical cubic growth rate. By showing the pullback asymptotic compactness of the stochastic dynamic systems, we prove the existence of a random attractor in $H_{0}^{1}\times L^{2}$H01×L2.