bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Confining enzyme clusters in supramolecular nanoreactors enhances cofactor-dependent cascade for chiral alcohol synthesis
Authors: Zhang Yan-Qing , Cao Yufei , Zhang Xiao-Yan , Wang Tao , Nina Mario Roque Huanca , Feng Tao-Tao , Wang Li-Cheng , Yu Hui-Lei , Xu Jianhe , Ge Jun , Bai Yunpeng 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Enzymes in living organisms work efficiently in confined environments through spatial organization. Constituting a bio-cascade reaction in nano-confined space in vitro for the efficient synthesis of high-value chiral chemicals is challenging. Herein, we confined a cofactor-dependent cascade in bacteriophage P22 nanoparticles for the synthesis of chiral alcohols. Compared to free enzymes, this supramolecular ensemble, P22-SP-BmGDH-SsCR, exhibited enhanced catalytic efficiency up to 14.5-fold towards various ketones and improved stereoselectivity up to > 99% ee towards 8 substrates, and 10 chiral alcohols with > 96% ee were synthesized. The recycling efficiency of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) was increased by 7.5-fold. We demonstrated that the enhancement in cofactor recycling originates from the higher local concentration of NADPH in the nanoparticles due to the proximity effect of enzymes and confinement of nanoparticles. The preparative synthesis of chiral alcohols showed that the consumption of NADPH can be reduced by one magnitude compared with the conventional free enzyme system.
Patients with infective endocarditis and history of injection drug use –a register-based study of a 10-year period
Authors: Damlin Anna , Westling Katarina 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Patients with injection drug use (IDU) have increased risk of developing infective endocarditis (IE), however data of these patients are scarce and need to be explored further. This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes among patients with IDU-IE.Methods: Data of adults with IDU-IE and non-IDU-IE, treated between 2008-2017 at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm were obtained from the Swedish National Registry of Infective Endocarditis. Clinical characteristics, microbiological results, treatment durations, results from echocardiography and in-hospital mortality were compared between the groups. Results: In total, 165 (32%) of the included patients had IDU-IE. Patients with IDU-IE were younger than the patients with non-IDU-IE (mean age IDU-IE: 41.6 years; non-IDU-IE: 64.3 years; P<0.01). No difference in distribution of genders was observed, 33% women in both groups. History of previous IE (n=49, 30%) and vascular phenomena (n=101, 61%), were more common among patients with IDU-IE while prosthetic heart valves (n=83, 23%) and known valvular disease (n=78, 22%) were more common among patients with non-IDU-IE (P<0.05). Aetiology of Staphylococcus aureus (n=121, 73%) and tricuspid (n=91, 55%) or pulmonary valve (n=7, 4%) vegetations were more common among IDU-IE (P<0.05). The overall incidence of IDU-IE decreased during the study period, while the incidence of definite IE increased (P<0.01). Conclusions: Patients with IDU-IE were younger, frequently presenting with right-sided vegetations and S. aureus aetiology, and were less frequently treated with surgery. Patients with IDU-IE had higher prevalence of vascular phenomena and history of previous IE, aspects that are important for improved management of this population.
Plasmodium and Schistosoma haematobium infections as well as haematological parameters in school-aged children in Muyuka-Cameroon: a cross-sectional study on the influence of nutritional status
Authors: Sumbele Irene , Otia Ofon , Francis Lorraine , Bopda Orelien , Ebai Calvin , Ning Teh , Kimbi Helen , Nkuo-Akenji Theresa 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: School-aged children (SAC) are a high-risk demographic group for infectious diseases and malnutrition. The objective of this study was to assess the burden and the effect of Plasmodium and Schistosoma haematobium infections on the haematological indices in SAC and the confounding influence of malnutrition on the outcomes.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in SAC 4-14 years old living in Ikata, Bafia and Mile 14-Likoko in Muyuka-Cameroon. Anthropometric measures of malnutrition (z-scores < −2 standard deviations below mean) were obtained and blood samples collected were used for detection of malaria parasites by Giemsa-stained blood films using light microscopy and complete blood count analysis using an automated haematology analyser. Urine samples collected were used to detect micro haematuria with the aid of reagent strips and the eggs of S. haematobium by urine filtration technique. Multiple linear regression model was used to examine influence of independent variables on haematological parameters.Results: Out of the 606 SAC examined, the prevalence of single infections with Plasmodium or S. haematobium and co-infection with both parasites was 16.2%, 16.3% and 8.3%, respectively. Overall, malaria parasite (MP), urogenital schistosomiasis, malnutrition, anaemia, haematuria, microcytosis and thrombocytopenia was prevalent in 24.4%, 24.6%, 25.9%, 74.4%, 12.2%, 45.4% and 11.1% of SAC, respectively. A significant linear decline (P = 0.023) in prevalence of P. falciparum infection with the severity of stunting was observed. Factors that significantly (P<0.005) influenced haematological parameters included; haemoglobin: age, stunting and MP; haematocrit: age and MP; white blood cell count: age; red blood cell count; age and MP; lymphocyte counts: stunting; MCV: age; MCH: age and stunting; MCHC: sex, stunting and RDW-CV: sex, age and stunting.Conclusions: Plasmodium and S. haematobium are of public health concern in Muyuka-Cameroon and requires expansion of the existing control measures. Malnutrition, microcytosis and thrombocytopenia are common, and anaemia is a severe public health problem in the community. The interaction between haemoglobin level with malaria parasites, S. haematobium as well as the linear growth index is negative and other interactions indicate systemic inflammation. Hence, the need for regular monitoring to improve the health status of the children.
Cromolyn Inhibits the Secretion of Inflammatory Cytokines by Human Microglia (HMC3)
Authors: Wang Yi-Jun , Monteagudo Alina , Downey Matthew , Ashton-Rickardt Philip , Elmaleh David 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Cromolyn is a known mast cell stabilizer and is approved for treatment of asthma and for other allergic indications. Cromolyn, in a new redesigned dry powder formulation, is being tested in a pivotal clinical trial in combination with low dose ibuprofen to treat early Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) subjects. To better understand the mechanistic effect cromolyn has in slowing down or halting the neuroinflammatory response associated with AD progression, we tested the effect of cromolyn to dampen the inflammatory response in the human HMC3 microglia cell line. The direct effect of cromolyn on HMC3 microglia is on cytokines and chemokines production following their activation by the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Cromolyn and a new fluorinated analog dramatically reduced the secretion of a wide spectrum of inflammatory mediators, which included cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IFN-γ, and chemokines such as CXCL10, CCL2, CCL3 and CCL4. These results bolster our understanding of how our cromolyn platform modulates toxic microglia behavior as a dynamic future treatment option for neurodegenerative disorders.
The Landscape of Glycosyltransferase Gene Signature for Overall Survival Prediction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Cai Qiang , Yu Shizhe , Zhao Jian , Ma Duo , Jiang Long , Zhang Xinyi , Yu Zhiyong 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is heterogeneous disease occurring in the background of chronic liver diseases. The role of glycosyltransferase (GT) genes have recently been the focus of research associating with the development of tumors. However, the prognostic value of GT genes in HCC remains not elucidated. This study aimed to demonstrate the GT genes related to the prognosis of HCC through bioinformatics analysis.Methods: The GT genes signatures were identified from the training set of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset using univariate and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analyses. Then, we analyzed the prognostic value of GT genes signatures related to the overall survival (OS) of HCC patients. A prognostic model was constructed, and the risk score of each patient was calculated as formula, which divided HCC patients into high- and low-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) and Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the OS of HCC patients. The prognostic value of GT genes signatures was further investigated in the validation set of TCGA database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to demonstrate the independent factors on OS. Finally, we utilized the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to annotate the function of these genes between the two risk categories. Results: In this study, we identified and validated 4 GT genes as the prognostic signatures. The K-M analysis showed that the survival rate of the high-risk patients was significantly lower than that of the low-risk patients. The risk score calculated with 4 gene signatures could predict OS for 3-, 5-, and 7-year in patients with HCC, revealing the prognostic ability of these gene signature. In addition, Multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that the risk score was an independent prognostic factor for HCC. Functional analysis further revealed that immune-related pathways were enriched, and immune status in HCC were different between the two risk groups.Conclusion: In conclusion, a novel GT genes signature can be used for prognostic prediction in HCC. Thus, targeting GT genes may be a therapeutic alternative for HCC.
Prognostic Role of DFNA5 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Revealed by Systematic Expression Analysis
Authors: Liu Zhiguo , Liu Hongyan , Dong Qian , Li Hongyu , Zhang Bin , Liu Yufeng , Tang Haikuo 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The gasdermin E gene (GSDME, also known as DFNA5) is mutated in familial aging-related hearing loss. Recent studies have also revealed that the expression of DFNA5 is suppressed in many cancer types; however, little is known about the function of DFNA5 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of DFNA5 and explore its prognostic value in HNSCC. We used a set of bioinformatics tools, including Oncomine, TIMER, TISIDB, cBioPortal, and GEPIA, to analyze the expression of DFNA5 in patients with HNSCC from public databases. Kaplan-Meier plotter was used to evaluate the potential prognostic significance of DFNA5. DFNA5 mRNA levels were significantly higher in HNSCC tissues than in normal tissues, and high DFNA5 expression was correlated with worse survival. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses showed that DFNA5 expression has a strong positive correlation with cell adhesion and the integrin signaling pathway, whereas its expression was negatively correlated with the levels of infiltrating B cells (cor = –0.223, P = 8.57e-07) and CD8 T cells (cor = –0.223, P = 2.99e-07). Overall, this study demonstrates that DFNA5 expression has prognostic value for HNSCC patients. Moreover, these results suggest that regulation of lymphocyte infiltration is the mechanism underlying the function of DFNA5 in HNSCC.
Spatial Ecological and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Surface Soils From Lagos Lagoon Wetlands, Nigeria
Authors: Adesuyi Adeola Alex , Njoku Kelechi L. , Akinola Modupe O. , Olayinka Dupe N. , Jimoh Olalekan A. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Wetlands quality and spatial distribution are being threatened by anthropogenic drivers in addition to the emerging threats of climate change. In this study, selected heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in soils from Lagos lagoon wetlands were investigated to assess spatial distribution, ecological and health risks. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using GraphPad 7.0 and SPSS 22.0. Spatial distribution mapping of heavy metals was performed using ArcGIS10.0 (ESRI, Redlands, CA, USA) with Kriging interpolation. Results showed that heavy metals in the soil varied significantly (p<0.05). The contamination factors (CF) were generally low with the values for Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn very low (<1). The CF values for some of the sampling points showed that the soils are generally moderately contaminated by Pb, Cd and Cu. The modified degree of contamination of Pb (2.35) indicates a moderate degree of contamination while that of Cd (12.60) indicates a high degree of contamination of these wetland soils. The potential ecological risk index (RI) of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn were 70.40, 2264.40, 0.68, 1.55, 13.65, and 2.29, respectively. The RI for Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn were less than 100, hence, low, while the RI value of Cd was a very high risk (RI ≥ 400). Soils from this wetland’s areas show serious significant potential ecological risk due to Cd. Additionally, children were more susceptible to the potential health risk irrespective of the carcinogenic or non – carcinogenic risk. There were no significant carcinogenic and non – carcinogenic risks for adults and children. This wetland assessment provided important information for policymaking to reduce the potential effects of soil contamination on humans and the eco-environment.
Universal Fragment of mtDNA for Cervidae and Other Ungulate Species Identification
Authors: Filip Ewa , Strzała Tomasz , Stępień Edyta , Pizoń Klaudia 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
ObjectiveThe abundance of literature and many studies aimed at the identification of free-living animal species has helped to identify specific nucleotide marker sequences. In many cases, the best marker to distinguish species is the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) or one of its fragments. In molecular analyses of Cervidae, biological material such as blood or muscle is easily obtained, as nearly all of these species are gaming animals.ResultsIn our research, we present the case study of successful species identification based on degraded samples of bone, with the use of short mtDNA fragments. We obtained a partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) gene for Capreolus capreolus, Dama dama, and Cervus elaphus, that can be used for species affiliation. The proposed methodology is helpful as a routine identification procedure for a variety of tissue sources, even in cases where the samples are degraded. The new sequences have been deposited in GenBank, enriching the existing Cervidae mtDNA base.
Deviations in the Gut Microbiota of Neonates Affected by Maternal Group B Streptococcus Infection
Authors: Li Yue-feng , Gong Xue-lei , Chen Su-xiang , Wang Ke-jian , Jiang Yan-hua 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection is the leading cause of septicemia, meningitis, and pneumonia in neonates. Aberrant gut colonization in early life may predispose children to various diseases in adulthood. However, the associations between gut microbial changes and GBS infection is still unclear.Methods: We adopted a new microarray-based technique on neonatal meconium samples collected from 13 participants with mother’s GBS infection/colonization in vaginas and 73 uninfected controls.Results: The composition and diversity of meconium microbiota in GBS group were similar to that of healthy controls. However, we identified several specific taxa that were differentially abundant between the two groups (linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe): p<0.05, LDA>2.0). Particularly, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus paracasei was significantly reduced, indicating a role in GBS infection.Conclusions: Our study presented a series of bacterial species affected by GBS, thus providing novel evidence in support of initial intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in the neonates with mother’s GBS infection/colonization.
The Effect of Furanone on Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli (ETEC) O139 Transcriptome Was Analyzed Using RNA-seq
Authors: Li Jing-He , Yu Jia-Lin , An Qiang , Zhang Chun-Lei , Yi Peng-Fei 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: In recent years, the effective ingredients of some medicine play an anti-infection role in inhibiting the formation of bacterial virulence factors and biofilm without affecting the growth of bacteria, which can reduce the survival pressure of bacteria and is not easy to develop drug resistance. It is considered to be a better way to control the infection of pathogenic microorganisms. Bacteria can produce signal molecules called auto-inducers (AIs) which can sense the bacteria density change. When auto-inducers accumulate to the threshold, they will regulate the bacteria biological behavior to adapt the changes of environment, including the formation of biofilm, virulence factors and bioluminescence. This is quorum sensing (QS).4-Hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (HDMF) is a non-halogenated furanone found in strawberries, pineapples and other fruits and widely used as a safe food additive in beverages, ice cream and cigarettes. At present, there are lots of studies about furanone. Previous studies have shown that this kind of compound can compete with Acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) in binding with its receptors, which inhibits the initiation of quorum sensing system. Results: In recent years, few studies about the transcriptome analysis of the furanone interacting with Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) were reported. Therefore, we analyzed the effect of furanone on ETEC O139 transcriptome by RNA-seq. The result show that genes related to QS did not change after the interaction of 10μg/ml furanone and ETEC O139, while the expression of some genes related to the pathogenicity of ETEC O139 increased, such as flagellum assembly, biofilm formation and adhesion and so on.Conclusions: 10μg/ml furanone have no influence on QS system, but could contribute to adhesion, invasion, flagellum assembly and biofilm formation of ETEC O139.
Coalescence of Molecular Filaments
Authors: Kumar Nanda , Arzoumanian Doris , Men'shchikov Alexander , Palmeirim Pedro , Inutsuka Shu-Ichiro 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Star-forming molecular filaments are found to display a spectrum of line-masses (mass per unit length)1. This spectrum is thought to influence key observational parameters of star formation2 including the core and stellar initial mass function1. The exact mechanism producing the wide-range of line-masses is unknown, even though, higher surface densities are often observed at the intersection of filaments in hub-filament systems3. Here we show that cascades of lower density filaments coalescing to form higher density filaments and eventually hubs. By performing a multi-scale decomposition of surface density maps of the MonR2 star-forming region, which displays a spiral-shaped hub-filament system4, the coalescence effect is detected in two consecutive cascading steps (the surface density jumps by an order of magnitude at each step) before merging at the central hub which is found to be a dense network of short high-density filaments (as opposed to its view as a massive clump). The radial density structure of the dense-gas component of the hub-filament system shows a power-law dependence of NH2 ∝ r−2 over the scale of ∼5 pc, a feature previously found only at scales of 0.1 pc in star-forming cores5. It appears that the hub-filament system is mimicking the radial profile of an isothermal sphere, at parsec scales, a feature not known until now. This behavior is not seen for the diffuse cloud (NH2 ∝ r−0.5) which holds nearly equal mass. The filamentary nature of the hub implies that only some (embedded in the filaments), and not all, stellar seeds within the hub can become massive stars.
Molecular Epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. in an Agricultural Area of Northern Vietnam: A Community Survey
Authors: Iwashita Hanako , Takemura Taichiro , Tokizawa Asako , Sugamoto Tetsuhiro , VU DINH THIEM , Nguyen Hai Tuan , PHAM Duc_Tho , Quynh Anh Pham Hong , Thi Hang Doan , Tran Na Ly , Yamashiro Tetsu 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundCryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan parasite with worldwide distribution that causes cryptosporidiosis in humans and other animals. In the countryside of northern Vietnam, where free-roaming livestock are widespread, cryptosporidiosis is an important zoonotic disease. However, there have been few studies of cryptosporidiosis in Southeast Asia from the perspective of zoonotic disease epidemiology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection in both humans and animals and to gain an awareness of the potential threat posed by this zoonotic infection in northern Vietnam.Methods We conducted a community survey to collect information about cases of diarrhea in an agricultural area of northern Vietnam. For this study, a total of 2715 samples (2120 human diarrheal samples, 471 non-diarrheal human samples, and 124 animal stool samples) were collected. A direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) was used to detect Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in concentrated stool samples by observation under a fluorescent microscope. DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the three genes (COWP, SSU-rRNA, and GP60), and sequencing analysis were performed to identify Cryptosporidium spp.Results Of 2715 samples, 15 samples (10 diarrheal samples, 2 non-diarrheal samples, and 3 animal stool samples) tested positive by PCR for the COWP gene. Three species of Cryptosporidium spp. were detected; C. canis (from six human diarrheal samples, two human non-diarrheal samples, and one dog sample); C. hominis (from four human diarrheal samples); and C. suis (from two pig samples). In terms of C. hominis, the GP60 subtype IeA12G3T3 was detected in all four human diarrheal samples.Conclusions Although the number of positive samples was very small, our epidemiological data showed that the emerging pattern of each of the three species (C. canis, C. hominis, and C. suis) was different at this study site. For example, zoonotic transmission of C. canis, between dogs and humans was suspected. Further studies are needed to assess the risk of oocyst contamination in the wider environment, including water, in this study area.