bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two Weeks Of Western Diet Disrupts Liver Molecular Markers Of Cholesterol Metabolism In Rat
Authors: St-Amand Roxane , Sock Emilienne T. Ngo , Quinn Samantha , Lavoie Jean-Marc , St-Pierre David H. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that in the liver, excessive fat accumulation impairs cholesterol metabolism mainly by altering the low-density lipoprotein-receptor (LDL-R) pathway. Method: Young male Wistar rats were fed standard (SD), high fat (HFD; 60% kcal) or Western (WD; 40% fat + 35% sucrose (17.5% fructose)) diets for 2 or 6 weeks. Results: Weight gain (~ 40g) was observed only following 6 weeks of the obesogenic diets (P < 0.01). Compared to the 2-week treatment, obesogenic diets tripled fat pad weight (~ 20 vs 7 g) after 6 weeks. Hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels were greater in response to both the WD and HFD compared to the SD (P < 0.01) at 2 and 6 weeks and their concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in WD than HFD at 2 weeks. Plasma total cholesterol levels were higher (P < 0.05) in animals submitted to WD. After 2 and 6 weeks, liver expression of LDL-R, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSKk9) and sterol regulatory element binding protein protein 2 (SREBP2), involved in LDL-cholesterol uptake, was lower in animals submitted to WD than in others treated with HFD or SD (P < 0.01). Similarly, low-density lipoprotein-receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) and acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase-2 (ACAT-2) mRNA levels were lower (P < 0.01) among WD compared to SD-fed rats. Expression of the gene coding the main regulator of endogenous cholesterol synthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCoAR) was reduced in response to WD compared to SD and HFD at 2 (P < 0.001) and 6 (P < 0.05) weeks. Being enriched in fructose, the WD strongly promoted the expression of carbohydrate-response element binding protein (ChREBP) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), two key regulators of de novo lipogenesis. Conclusion: These results show that the WD promptly increased TG levels in the liver by potentiating fat storage. This impaired the pathway of hepatic cholesterol uptake via the LDL-R axis, promoting a rapid increase in plasma total cholesterol levels. These results indicate that liver fat content is a factor involved in the regulation of plasma cholesterol.
Iron metabolism and lymphocyte characterisation during Covid-19 infection in ICU patients: an observational cohort study.
Authors: Bolondi Giuliano , Russo Emanuele , Gamberini Emiliano , Circelli Alessandro , Meca Manlio Cosimo Claudio , Brogi Etrusca , Viola Lorenzo , Bissoni Luca , Poletti Venerino , Agnoletti Vanni 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Iron metabolism and immune response to SARS-CoV-2 have not been described yet in intensive care patients, although they are likely involved in Covid-19 pathogenesis.Methods: We performed an observational study during the peak of pandemic in our intensive care unit, dosing D-dimer, C-reactive protein, Troponin T, Lactate Dehydrogenase, Ferritin, Serum iron, Transferrin, Transferrin Saturation, Transferrin Soluble Receptor, Lymphocyte count and NK, CD3, CD4, CD8, B subgroups of 31 patients during the first two weeks of their ICU stay. Correlation with mortality and severity at the time of admission was tested with Spearman coefficient and Mann-Whitney test. Trends over time were tested with Kruskall-Wallis analysis.Results: Lymphopenia is severe and constant, with a nadir on day 2 of ICU stay (median 0.555 109/L; interquartile range (IQR) 0.450 109/L); all lymphocytic subgroups are dramatically reduced in critically ill patients, while CD4/CD8 ratio remains normal. Neither Ferritin nor lymphocyte count follow significant trends in ICU patients. Transferrin Saturation is extremely reduced at ICU admission (median 9%; IQR 7%), then significantly increases at day 3 to 6 (median 33%, IQR 26.5%, p-value 0.026). The same trend is observed with serum iron levels (median 25.5 µg/L, IQR 69 µg/L at admission; median 73 µg/L, IQR 56 µg/L on day 3 to 6) without reaching statistical significance. Hyperferritinemia is constant during intensive care stay: however, its dosage might be helpful in individuating patients developing hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. D-dimer is elevated and progressively increases from admission (median 1319 µg/L; IQR 1285 µg/L) to day 3 to 6 (median 6820 µg/L; IQR 6619 µg/L), despite not reaching significant results. We describe trends of all the above mentioned parameters during ICU stay.Conclusions: The description of iron metabolism and lymphocyte count in Covid-19 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit provided with this paper might allow a wider understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology.
Comparison of complete renal response and mortality in early- and late-onset lupus nephritis: A multicenter retrospective study of a Japanese cohort
Authors: Ichinose Kunihiro , Kitamura Mineaki , Sato Shuntaro , Fujikawa Keita , Horai Yoshiro , Matsuoka Naoki , Tsuboi Masahiko , Nonaka Fumiaki , Shimizu Toshimasa , Sumiyoshi Remi , Koga Tomohiro , Kawashiri Shin-ya , Iwamoto Naoki , Igawa Takashi , Tamai Mami , Nakamura Hideki , Origuchi Tomoki , Nishino Tomoya , Kawakami Atsushi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Most patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) progress to lupus nephritis (LN) within 5 years of their SLE diagnosis, although it is not uncommon for LN to develop at later time points. Here we evaluated the clinical features of early- and late-onset LN.Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 184 of the 201 patients who underwent a renal biopsy at Nagasaki University Hospital and associated community hospitals between 1990 and 2016 and were diagnosed as having LN. Early-onset was defined as the development of LN within the first 5 years after the patient's SLE diagnosis, and late-onset was defined as LN development >5 years post-diagnosis. We analyzed the complete renal response (CR) at 6 and 12 months after induction therapy, the classification of renal pathology, and the mortality of the early- and late-onset LN groups.Results: The mean follow-up duration after renal biopsy was 123±85 months. There were 113 (61.4%) early-onset patients and 71 (38.6%) late-onset patients. A multivariate analysis revealed that the following factors were predictive of CR. At 6 months: female sex (odds ratio [OR] 4.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.66–12.98, p=0.002), proteinuria (OR 0.82, 95%CI 0.70–0.95, p=0.003), index of activity (0–24) (OR 0.85, 95%CI 0.74–0.97, p=0.014), and early-onset LN (OR 2.26, 95%CI 1.11–4.58, p=0.023). At 12 months: female sex (OR 3.95, 95% CI 1.62–9.64, p=0.002), index of activity (0–24) (OR 0.80, 95%CI 0.71–0.91, p<0.001), and early-onset LN (OR 1.98, 95%CI 1.04–3.79, p=0.038). In a Cox proportional hazards model, the early-onset LN group had a significantly better mortality rate than the late-onset LN group (p=0.038).Conclusions: In our cohort, early-onset LN was a better predictor of CR at 6 and 12 months. Our results suggest that early-onset LN patients had lower mortality than late-onset LN patients.
Analysis on correlation between the Earth's Rotation and Earthquakes Preceding the Occurrence of the 2019 M7.1 Ridgecrest Earthquake
Authors: Li Yane , Chen Xuezhong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
For earthquakes ( M ³2.0) occurring in and around the rupture zone of the M 7 .1 Ridgecrest earthquake between January 1990 and June 2019, we analyzed the correlation between the phase of Earth's rotation and the occurrence of earthquakes. The Schuster's test and the two-rate Poisson model were used to statistically examined the correlation between the phase of Earth's rotation and the occurrence of earthquakes. For the Schuster's test,the results were judged based on the P -value. When the P -value is smaller, the correlation is higher. In general, if P £ 5%,the correlation is significant. For the two-rate Poisson model,the results were evaluated by R . When the 95% confidence lower limit on R ( R L ) is over one, earthquakes could be non-random.
We calculated the temporal variation on the P -value for earthquakes that occurred in the study region and found some lower P -values,corresponding significant correlation, for earthquakes (2.0≤ M ≤2.4) occurring before the M 7.1 event. When the P -value reached to the lowest,earthquakes are prone to occur when the Earth's acceleration of rotation is increasing or near the peak acceleration.This correlation is also confirmed by the two-rate Poisson model.
The spacial distribution of the P -values for earthquakes (2.0≤ M ≤2.4) occurring from Jul. 2013 to Jun. 2019 shows that areas of low P -value were located mainly in and around the northwest segment of the rupture zone of the M 7.1 Ridgecrest earthquake.
The lower P -value obtained in this study uncovers the Earth's rotation-triggered earthquakes in and around the rupture zone prior to the M 7 .1 Ridgecrest earthquake,is possible to be considered as one of its precursors.
Socio-Cultural and Religious Influences During Menstruation Among University Students
Authors: Chew Keng Sheng , Wong Shirly Siew Ling , Hassan Ahmad Khairi , Po Kian Ee , Zulkhairi Norizzati , Yusman Nurul Ammiera Lyieanna 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
BackgroundAlthough menstruation is a physiological process it is shrouded with layers of religious and socio-cultural beliefs. The extent to which these socio-cultural and religious beliefs may impact the quality of life of a female university student in our Asian setting has yet to be explored.MethodsThis study was divided into 3 stages. In the first stage 1, a preliminary list of items measuring socio-cultural and religious beliefs during menstruation was generated. In the second stage, exploratory factor analysis was performed using the preliminary list generated. In the third stage, confirmatory factor analysis using reflective measurement model and structural modelling was performed using partial least squares. Practices of these beliefs were included in structural modelling as beliefs without practices may not affect quality of life. Biological symptoms of menstruation were added in as well as another factor that may affect quality of life.ResultsA preliminary list of 22 items was generated based on personal interviews and input from female lecturers. In the second stage, the exploratory factor analysis identified six factors with eigenvalue>1. From the confirmatory factor analysis in third stage, two factors were iteratively removed due to poor factor loadings. The four factors retained were: i) “religious beliefs”; ii) “unpleasant (or dirty) nature of menstruation”; iii) “personal restrictions (dietary and behavior)”; and iv) “restrictions of interactions with male gender”. In structural equation modelling, only 2 factors, i.e., personal restrictions (dietary and behavioral)” (path coefficient 0.74, t-statistics 18.18) and restriction of interactions with males (path coefficient 0.12, t-statistis 3.00) have significant effect on the practices of menstruation beliefs. Biological symptoms (path coefficient -0.34; t-statistics 7.29) and practices of these socio-cultural and religious beliefs (path coefficient -0.17; t-statistics 3.67) in turn, have significant negative effect on quality of life.ConclusionAlthough four factors of socio-cultural and religious beliefs have been identified in this study, only beliefs related to personal dietary and behavioral restrictions and beliefs on restrictions of social interactions with the male gender are significantly practiced, of which, negatively impact quality of life.
Antimalarial activity of Curcuma caesia against 3D7 and K1 strains of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Chaturvedi Monika , Rani Reena , Sharma Dushyant , Yadav Jaya Parkash 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Malaria is one of the severe tropical disease and majority of deaths occurred due to Plasmodium falciparum. Lack of a vaccine and the widespread resistance to antimalarial drugs have resulted in emphasis on novel antimalarial drugs development. The purpose of the study was to evaluate in vitro and in-silico antiplasmodial potential of Curcuma caesia extracts against P. falciparum.Methods: Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of C. caesia were prepared and analysed for their antiplasmodial activity against Chloroquine sensitive (3D7) and resistant (K1) strains of P. falciparum using fluorescence-based SYBR Green assay. The cytotoxicity tests were carried out using the vero cell lines by MTT assay. The phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase enzyme ((PfPMT) essential for growth of P. falciparum was used as protein target for in-silico study. Result: C. caesia ethyl acetate extracts showed the potent antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values of 3.37 µg/ml and 1.53 µg/ml against 3D7 and K1 strain respectively. The IC50 values of methanol extract were reported, 8.57 µg/ml against 3D7 and 18.29 µg/ml against K1 strains The cytotoxicity assay revealed that the extracts were not toxic against vero cell lines as the CC50 values were less than IC50. Docking results show that β-selinenol an oxygenized sesquiterpene present in C. caesia had the free binding energy of -6.76 Kcal/mol.Conclusion: The compounds β-selinenol, α-eudesmol, α –acorenol, boldione and xanthinin present in the C. caesia extract possess antimalarial potential being inhibitor of PfPMT. The present findings, however preliminary in nature. Further studies are needed to identify the active compounds and in vivo mechanism to prove the antimalarial efficacy of C. caesia in the development of antimalarial drugs.
“Screening and Optimization of Agro-industrial wastes for glycoprotein biosurfactant production from Sphingobacterium thalpophilum DP9”
Authors: SOLANKI JYOTI , Patel Dhaval , Ingale Snehal , Nataraj M 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

Commercialization of biosurfactant production is a big challenge due to high production cost. Biosurfactant production can be made economic by using low cost agro-industrial wastes or byproducts as media supplement. It also solves the problem of environmental pollution through waste management. In the present study attempt was made to produce biosurfactant from Sphingobacterium thalpophilum DP9 using various agro-industrial wastes or byproducts at optimum fermentation conditions evaluated by traditional and statistical methods. Partial characterization of biosurfactant was also carried out through qualitative chromatographic techniques; quantitative spectroscopic method and functional group identification by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Results

One factor at a time optimization experimentation showed highest emulsification in media supplemented with potato peel powder (43.12 ± 3.41%), urea (46.00 ± 3.09%), pH 7 (41.74 ± 1.15%) at 40% aeration (47.41 ± 1.62%). 1% Inoculum (O.D.600=1.00) size favored highest emulsification (26.39 ± 1.60%). Plackett-Burman design experimentation showed carbon source (potato peel powder), nitrogen source (urea) and temperature significantly affect on biosurfactant production. Response surface experimentation by central composite design showed interaction between nitrogen source and temperature significantly influenced on biosurfactant production. Validation of model was showed increase in emulsification from 43.62 ± 2.55% to 86.11 ± 3.47% on fourth day of incubation. Partial characterization showed biosurfactant contains 439.58 ± 0.0129 µg/ml carbohydrate and 507.41 ± 0.0064 µg/ml of protein. Lipid was absent in it. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy chromatogram showed peaks at 1652.17 cm− 1, 1541.01 cm− 1, 1463.71 cm− 1 and 722.32 cm− 1 which indicated presence of peptide bond, peptide moiety, carbohydrate protons and primary as well as secondary amines.
Conclusion

Potato peel powder, urea and temperature have significant influence on biosurfactant production from Sphingobacterium thalpophilum DP9. When potato peel powder and urea supplied at optimum level, biosurfactant production was increased by two fold. Biosurfactant produced by S. thalpophilum DP9 was belongs to glycoprotein class and as per our best knowledge, this is the first report on glycoprotein biosurfactant produced from Sphingobacterium genus.
SARS-CoV-2 T-cell epitopes define heterologous and COVID-19-induced T-cell recognition
Authors: Nelde Annika , Bilich Tatjana , Heitmann Jonas S. , Maringer Yacine , Salih Helmut R. , Roerden Malte , Lübke Maren , Bauer Jens , Rieth Jonas , Wacker Marcel , Peter Andreas , Hörber Sebastian , Traenkle Bjoern , Kaiser Philipp D. , Rothbauer Ulrich , Becker Matthias , Junker Daniel , Krause Gérard , Strengert Monika , Schneiderhan-Marra Nicole , Templin Markus F. , Joos Thomas O. , Kowalewski Daniel J. , Stos-Zweifel Vlatka , Fehr Michael , Graf Michael , Gruber Lena-Christin , Rachfalski David , Preuß Beate , Hagelstein Ilona , Märklin Melanie , Bakchoul Tamam , Gouttefangeas Cécile , Kohlbacher Oliver , Klein Reinhild , Stevanović Stefan , Rammensee Hans-Georg , Walz Juliane S. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic calls for the rapid development of diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic approaches. CD4+ and CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity is central for control of and protection from viral infections[1-3]. A prerequisite to characterize T-cell immunity, but also for the development of vaccines and immunotherapies, is the identification of the exact viral T-cell epitopes presented on human leukocyte antigens (HLA)[2-8]. This is the first work identifying and characterizing SARS-CoV-2-specific and cross-reactive HLA class I and HLA-DR T-cell epitopes in SARS-CoV-2 convalescents (n = 180) as well as unexposed individuals (n = 185) and confirming their relevance for immunity and COVID-19 disease course. SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell epitopes enabled detection of post-infectious T-cell immunity, even in seronegative convalescents. Cross-reactive SARS-CoV-2 T-cell epitopes revealed preexisting T-cell responses in 81% of unexposed individuals, and validation of similarity to common cold human coronaviruses provided a functional basis for postulated heterologous immunity[9] in SARS-CoV-2 infection[10,11]. Intensity of T-cell responses and recognition rate of T-cell epitopes was significantly higher in the convalescent donors compared to unexposed individuals, suggesting that not only expansion, but also diversity spread of SARS-CoV-2 T-cell responses occur upon active infection. Whereas anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels were associated with severity of symptoms in our SARS-CoV-2 donors, intensity of T-cell responses did not negatively affect COVID-19 severity. Rather, diversity of SARS-CoV-2 T-cell responses was increased in case of mild symptoms of COVID-19, providing evidence that development of immunity requires recognition of multiple SARS-CoV-2 epitopes. Together, the specific and cross-reactive SARS-CoV-2 T-cell epitopes identified in this work enable the identification of heterologous and post-infectious T-cell immunity and facilitate the development of diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic measures for COVID-19.
Production of Virus Free Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) through Meristem Culture and Chemotherapy
Authors: Jemal Neja , Feyissa Tileye 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) ranks the seventh most important crop in the world. As it is propagated vegetatively, viruses accumulate from generation to generation and seriously affect its yield and quality. Currently virus diseases especially double infections are the major constraints of sweetpotato production. Meristem culture, chemotherapy and thermotherapy methods are suggested as the methods of choice to produce virus free planting materials although the success varies among different reports. The objective of this study was to produce virus free sweet potato planting materials through meristem culture and chemotherapy. The micropropagated plants were tested for the viruses. Results: All of the stock plants of the four varieties of sweet potato tested for 10 different viruses using Nitrocellulose Membranes Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (NCM-ELISA) were found to be infected with Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV). In addition, Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV) was detected in ‘Ogensegen’ variety. Among the four varieties of sweet potato, ‘Beletech’ showed best performance resulting in 90% shoot initiation from meristem on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/l 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP), 2.0 mg/l Gibberellin (GA3) and 0.01 mg/l a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). In addition, the highest mean shoot number per explant (8.0 ± 6.2) was obtained from the same variety on shoot multiplication medium containing 2.0 mg/l BAP. This variety showed 100% rooting and 4.2±2.0 mean root number on growth regulator free medium. After acclimatization, 91.4% of plants survived. All in vitro propagated plants from meristem culture and shoots cultured on medium containing 20 mg/l and 30 mg/l ribavirin were virus free. Conclusions: This protocol can be used to produce virus free planting materials of sweet potato and distribute to the farmers to overcome the current serious sweet potato virus diseases in East Africa.
Flipped Classroom: estrategias de aprendizaje y rendimiento en ciencias
Authors: Torrecilla Manresa Sofía , García García Mercedes 
Published: June 2020

La presente investigación se centra en analizar la eficacia diferencial del modelo pedagógico Flipped Classroom en el aprendizaje de ciencias en Educación Primaria. Por medio de un diseño de Interacción Aptitud-Tratamiento, se contrasta el efecto de las estrategias de aprendizaje de los estudiantes en la eficacia del modelo Flipped Classroom en comparación con un modelo expositivo en el rendimiento en ciencias. La muestra está formada por 54 estudiantes de 4º curso de Educación Primaria de un centro de la Comunidad de Madrid. Un grupo utiliza por primera vez el modelo Flipped en el aula, mientras que el otro grupo continua aprendiendo por el modelo expositivo utilizado en el centro. La conclusión final del estudio señala el beneficio significativo del Flipped Classroom en el rendimiento medio de los estudiantes en ciencias y, una tendencia a considerar que es el alumnado con bajo dominio de estrategias de aprendizaje puede mejorar su rendimiento en ciencias con el Flipped Classroom.