bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishing a deeper understanding of the osteogenic differentiation of monolayer cultured human pluripotent stem cells using novel and detailed analyses
Authors: Zhou Ping , Shi Jia-Min , Song Jing-E , Han Yu , Li Hong-Jiao , Song Ya-Meng , Feng Fang , Wang Jian-Lin , Zhang Rui , Lan Feng 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Derivation of osteoblast-like cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is a popular topic in bone tissue engineering. Although many improvements have been achieved, the low induction efficiency because of spontaneous differentiation hampers their applications. To solve this problem, a detailed understanding of the osteogenic differentiation process of hPSCs is urgently needed.Methods: Monolayer cultured human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells were differentiated in commonly applied serum-containing osteogenic medium for 35 days. In addition to traditional assays such as cell viability detection, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence, and alizarin red staining, we also applied studies of cell counting, cell telomerase activity, and flow cytometry as essential indicators to analyse the cell type changes in each week.Results: The population of differentiated cells was quite heterogeneous throughout the 35 days of induction. Then, cell telomerase activity and cell cycle analyses have value in evaluating the cell type and tumourigenicity of the obtained cells. Finally, a dynamic map was made to integrated the analysis of these results during osteogenic differentiation of hPSCs, and the cell types at defined stages were concluded.Conclusions: Our results lay the foundation to improve the in vitro osteogenic differentiation efficiency of hPSCs by supplementing with functional compounds at the desired stage, and then establishing a step-wise induction system in the future.
Long-term oncological outcomes of low anterior resection for rectal cancer with and without preservation of the left colic artery: A retrospective cohort study.
Authors: Luo Yuwen , Li Rongjiang , Wu Deqing , Zeng Jun , Wang Junjiang , Chen Xianzhe , Huang Chengzhi , Li Yong , Yao Xueqing 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThere is uncertainty in the literature about the best surgical approach for low anterior resection of rectal cancer to deal with the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), that is to preserve left colic artery or not. We analyzed the effect of preserving the left colic artery (LCA) on long-term oncological outcomes. MethodsWe retrospectively collected clinicopathological and follow-up details of patients who underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancer in the General Surgery Department of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, from January 2014 to December 2015. Cases were divided into low ligation (LL) or high ligation (HL) of the IMA The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were compared between the two groups. ResultsAltogether, there were 221 cases in the LL group (LCA preserved) and 295 cases in the HL group (LCA not preserved). Postoperative 30-day mortality was 0.9% in the LL group and 1.4% in the HL group. Early complications occurred in 41.2% patients in the LL group and 38.3% in the HL group. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 8.6% of patients in the LL group and in 13.2% in the HL group. The numbers of lymph nodes harvested were 18.8 ± 9.6 in the LL group and 17.0 ± 6.6 in the HL group. The median follow-up periods were 51.4 (7–61) months in the LL group and 51.2 (8–61) months in the HL group. During follow-up, the percentages of patients who died, had local recurrence, or had metastases were 39.8%, 7.7%, and 38.5%, respectively, in the LL group and 39%, 8.5%, and 40%, respectively, in the HL group; these differences were not significant (all P ＞ 0.05). The 5-year OS and DFS were 69.6% and 59.6% in the LL group, respectively, and 60.1% and 56.2% in the HL group, respectively; these differences were not significant (all P ＞ 0.05). After stratification by tumor-node-metastasis stage, the difference between the 5-year OS and DFS for stages I, II, and III cancer were not significant (all P ＞ 0.05). ConclusionsThe long-term oncological outcomes of low anterior resection for rectal cancer with preservation of the LCA are comparable with those of ligation at the IMA origin.
Effects of Whole Body Vibration exercise on Lumbar-Abdominal Muscles Activation for patients with chronic low back pain
Authors: dong yulin , wang huifang , Zhu Yan , Chen Binlin , Zheng Yili , liu xiaochen , qiao jun , wang xueqiang 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Whole body vibration (WBV) training as an intervention method can cure chronic low back pain (CLBP). Different WBV parameters exert different effects on lumbar-abdominal muscle performance. Currently, there is a lack of study researched the influence of WBV training on patients with CLBP by lumbar–abdominal muscle activity. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how WBV and exercise and their interactions influence lumbar-abdominal muscle activity in patients with CLBP.Methods: a group of ambulatory patients with chronic low back pain. Muscle activities of the multifidus (MF), erector spinae (ES), abdominal oblique externus muscle (AOE) and the rectus abdominis muscle (RA) were measured by surface electromyography, whereas participants performed 4 different exercises (single bridge, plank, side stay and V crunch) during three whole body vibration conditions and a no-vibration condition in a single experimental session. Results: Compared with the same exercises without whole body vibration, muscle activity increased when whole body vibration was added to the exercises. MF；the WBV frequency (P=0.002,) and exercise (P<0.001) presented significant effects on the root mean square of MF, whereas exercise * frequency (P=0.044) also resulted in significant interaction effects. ES: the significant differences were detected at WBV frequency (P<0.001), exercise (P<0.001), the interaction effect of exercise and frequency (P=0.225) was no significant. RA: the significant difference was detected at WBV frequency (P=0.018), the effect of exercise (P=0.590) and the exercise * frequency interaction (P=0.572) were no significant. AOE: the significant difference was detected at WBV frequency (P<0.001), the effect of exercise (P=0.152) and the exercise * frequency interaction (P=0.380) were no significant.Conclusion: Adding whole body vibration to exercise could increase muscle activation of lumbar–abdominal muscle in patients with CLBP. The optimum frequency for lumbar–abdominal muscles is 15 Hz. The best exercises include plank for multifidus and erector spinae, V crunch for rectus abdominis and single bridge for abdominal oblique externus.
Hyaluronic acid modified covalent organic polymers for efficient targeted and oxygen-evolved phototherapy
Authors: Shu Fangpeng , Yang Taowei , Zhang Xuefeng , Chen Wenbin , Wu Kaihui , Luo Junqi , Zhou Xumin , Liu Guochang , Lu Jianming , Mao Xiangming 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
The integration of multiple functions with organic polymers-based nanoagent holds great potential to potentiate its therapeutic efficacy, but still remains challenges. In the present study, we design and prepare an organic nanoagent with oxygen-evolved and targeted ability for improved phototherapeutic efficacy. The iron ions doped poly diaminopyridine (FeD) is prepared by oxidize polymerization and modified with hyaluronic acid (HA). The obtained FeDH appears uniform morphology and size. Its excellent colloidal stability and biocompatibility are demonstrated. Specifically, the FeDH exhibits catalase-like activity in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. After loading of photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG), the ICG@FeDH not only demonstrates favorable photothermal effect, but also shows improved generation ability of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under near-infrared laser irradiation. Moreover, the targeted uptake of ICG@FeDH in tumor cells is directly observed. As consequence, the superior phototherapeutic efficacy of the targeted ICG@FeDH over non-targeted counterparts is also confirmed in vitro and in vivo. Hence, the results demonstrate that the developed nanoagent rationally integrates the targeted ability, oxygen-evolved capacity and combined therapy in one system, offering a new paradigm of polymer-based nanomedicine for tumor therapy.
Incidence and Time-Varying Predictors of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Male Sex Workers in Mexico City
Authors: Ganley Karla , Wilson-Barthes Marta , Zullo Andrew R. , Sosa-Rubí Sandra G. , Conde-Glez Carlos J. , García-Cisneros Santa , Lurie Mark N. , Marshall Brandon D.L. , Operario Don , Mayer Kenneth H. , Galarraga Omar 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Introduction: Male sex workers are at high-risk for acquisition of sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus. We quantified incidence rates of sexually transmitted infections and identified their time-varying predictors among male sex workers in Mexico City.  Methods: Male sex workers recruited from the largest human immunodeficiency virus clinic and community sites in Mexico City were tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis, and human immunodeficiency virus at baseline, 6-months, and 12-months. Incidence rates with 95% bootstrapped confidence limits were calculated. We examined potential time-varying predictors using generalized estimating equations for a population averaged model. Results and Discussion: Among 227 male sex workers, median age was 24 and baseline human immunodeficiency virus prevalence was 32%. Incidence rates (per 100 person-years) were as follows: human immunodeficiency virus (5.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.15, 10.31), chlamydia (5.15; 95% CI: 2.58, 9.34), gonorrhea (3.93; 95% CI: 1.88, 7.83), syphilis (13.04; 95% CI: 8.24, 19.94), hepatitis B (2.11; 95% CI: 0.53, 4.89), hepatitis C (0.95; 95% CI: 0.00, 3.16), any sexually transmitted infection except human immunodeficiency virus (30.99; 95% CI: 21.73, 40.26), and any sexually transmitted infection including human immunodeficiency virus (50.08; 95% CI: 37.60, 62.55). In the multivariable-adjusted model, incident sexually transmitted infections (excluding human immunodeficiency virus) were lower among those who reported consistently using condoms during anal and vaginal intercourse (odds ratio = 0.03, 95% 0.00, 0.68) compared to those who reported inconsistently using condoms during anal and vaginal intercourse. Conclusions: Incidence of sexually transmitted infections is high among male sex workers in Mexico City. Consistent condom use is an important protective factor for sexually transmitted infections, and should be an important component of interventions to prevent incident infections.
Iron Accumulation in Macrophages Promotes the Formation of Foam Cells and Development of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Cai Jing , Zhang Meng , Liu Yutong , Li Huihui , Shang Longcheng , Xu Tianze , Chen Zhipeng , Wang Fudi , Qiao Tong , Li Kuanyu 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background Macrophages that accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques contribute to progression of the lesions to more advanced and complex plaques. Although iron deposition was found in human atherosclerotic plaques, clinical and pre-clinical studies showed controversial results. Several epidemiological studies did not show the positive correlation between a systemic iron status and an incidence of cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that the iron involvement occurs locally, rather than systemically.Results To determine the direct in vivo effect of iron accumulation in macrophages on the progression of atherosclerosis, we generated Apoe-/- mice with a macrophage-specific ferroportin (Fpn1) deficiency (Apoe-/-Fpn1LysM/LysM). Fpn1 deficiency in macrophages dramatically accelerated the progression of atherosclerosis in mice. Pathophysiological evidence showed elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, aggravated systemic inflammation, and altered plaque-lipid composition. Moreover, Fpn1 deficiency in macrophages significantly inhibited the expression of ABC transporters (ABCA1 and ABCG1) by decreasing the expression of the transcription factor LXRα, which reduced cholesterol efflux and therefore promoted foam cell formation and enhanced plaque formation. Iron chelation relieved the symptoms moderately in vivo, but drastically ex vivo.Conclusions Macrophage iron content in plaques is a critical factor in progression of atherosclerosis. The interaction of iron and lipid metabolism takes place in macrophage-rich atherosclerotic plaques. And we also suggest that altering intracellular iron levels in macrophages by systemic iron chelation or dietary iron restriction may be a potential supplementary strategy to limit or even regress the progression of atherosclerosis.
Serum proteins potentiate therapeutic efficacy of lysocin E against S. aureus
Authors: Sekimizu Kazuhisa , Hamamoto Hiroshi , Panthee Suresh , Paudel Atmika , Ishii Kenichi , Yasukawa Jyunichiro , Jie Su , Itoh Hiroaki , Tokumoto Kotaro , Inoue Masayuki 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
The development of antimicrobials that exert therapeutic efficacy by novel mechanisms is crucial toward combatting multidrug-resistant bacteria. We previously reported a novel antibiotic, lysocin E, that is effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)1. Lysocin E exhibits more prominent therapeutic effects against S. aureus in a mouse systemic infection model compared with its basal antibacterial activity in vitro, but the detailed mechanism underlying this discrepancy was unclear. Here we show that serum or plasma from various species, including humans, increases the antimicrobial activity of lysocin E, and identified apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) as an enhancing factor in the serum. Using gene knockout mice, we further revealed that ApoA-I contributes to the therapeutic effects of lysocin E. The binding capacity of lysocin E to ApoA-I was enhanced by lipid II, an intermediate component of S. aureus cell wall synthesis in the membrane, and ApoA-I enhanced the membrane-damaging activity of lysocin E at a sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC). Our results are the first to demonstrate that antimicrobial activity can be potentiated through interactions of host serum proteins with microbial components to enhance the therapeutic effect, which broadens the strategies for developing antimicrobials by taking advantage of host-microbe interactions.
Automation and real-time control of urban wastewater systems: a review of the move towards sustainability
Authors: Ashagre Biniam B. , Fu Guangtao , Butler David 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Automation and real-time control have long been used in urban wastewater systems. However, there is a critical need to review how real-time control contributes to sustainable water management. This review provides a systematic review of the role of real-time control towards creating a sustainable wastewater system. This review identifies the social, economic and environmental pillars of sustainability that can be achieved using automation and control systems, considering individual systems and different scales of integration. Results obtained from a systematic literature review show that previous research on automation and control related to sustainability in the water sector focuses on addressing economic issues (mainly operational cost reduction) and improving the quality of the water environment, while the social pillar of sustainability is not addressed to a significant degree. Integrated control is identified as a promising approach to address the three pillars of sustainability. Future research on automaton and real-time control in the water and wastewater system needs to explicitly demonstrate the contribution of control strategies towards the attributes of sustainability. To this end, regulatory bodies should focus on creating an overarching sustainability framework with indicators of sustainability clearly defined. Further, addressing three pillars of sustainability requires an integrated approach at a catchment scale where upstream and downstream processes are considered.
Tracing the past: an insight on flood risk management strategies in the development instruments of Bangladesh and Dhaka city
Authors: Fatemi Md. Nawrose , Rahman Tahmina , Kita Michihiro 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Confronting devastating floods regularly is a critical challenge for Bangladesh. Dhaka, the capital and a megacity at the forefront of rapid, unplanned urbanization, has been experiencing consistent challenges and threats of flood since 1954. Since then, to ensure flood protection and control, the city authorities have adapted diverse flood risk management strategies (FRMS). Regardless of the overall progress in flood risk management policies in the national development agenda, the inertness of their implementation means the city remains vulnerable. Along with that, several divergences from the development plans, for instance, the new town development in flood flow zone, the declaration to convert a residential zone into a retention area, illegal acquisition of wetlands for property development have also been observed. Therefore, the objective is to review the diversification of FRMS at the national level and to identify the convergence or divergence on the development plans at the sub-national level, in this case, Dhaka Metropolitan Area. This study provides a commentary to support policy-makers and researchers in integrating FRMS with the development plans at the local level.
Water prices: persistence, mean reversion and trends
Authors: Monge Manuel , Gil-Alana Luis A. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Time series referring to water prices at different regions all over the world are examined in this paper by using fractionally integrated methods. We look at series corresponding to the following regions: Asia Pacific and Russia, Europe, United States and Latin America as well as global data. The results indicate large degrees of persistence, with the values of the differencing parameter being close to one in all cases and higher under the assumption of uncorrelated errors. If autocorrelation is permitted, a small degree of mean reversion is found in all except the Latin American series. The possibility of structural breaks is also investigated and the results indicate the presence of multiple breaks in the data: three in the case of Latin America and global data; four in Europe and USA and five for the Asian Pacific and Russia. Nevertheless, we do not observe a significant change in the degree of persistence across subsamples and once more mean reversion is found if autocorrelation is permitted.
Energy audit in water supply systems: a proposal of integrated approach towards energy efficiency
Authors: da Silveira Ana Paula Pereira , Mata-Lima Herlander 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
An integrated procedure has been designed to identify and rank the opportunity for energy efficiency in water supply systems (WSS). The main objective is to help WSS managers to identify key issues to be treated as nonconformity and develop a program for continual improvement of energy efficiency. The procedure was built in collaboration with practitioners and implemented in a company. One of the concerns during the development of the procedure was to provide companies with a fast and user-friendly tool. Complementarily, it also complies with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and European Committee for Standardization (CEN) standards, and is of great relevance for any company of the sector of water utility. Recommendations for enhancing the energy management in WSS are also addressed in the audit procedure. The findings derived from the evaluation of the state-of-the-art and applications have led to the identification of key issues for energy saving. The success of energy management programs will be based on energy audit and on the top managements' engagement, workers' attitude and qualification, and the financial resources available.
A regulation-allocation coupling approach for agricultural water resources management based on water quantity orientation
Authors: Liu Siyuan , Wang Ni , Xie Jiancang , Jiang Rengui , Zhao Menglong 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
In water-scarce areas with low grain yields, people have to expand the farmland scale to gain more food. Rapid expansion of agricultural scale may lead to a higher risk of re-abandonment of wasteland due to waterless irrigation in water-deficient areas. Against this background, this study proposed a water resources regulation-allocation coupling model. The ‘regulation’ is to control the water consumption of agriculture and regulate the utilized scale with water resources as the main constraint; the ‘allocation’ is to optimize the water resources allocation among crops and arrange the crop planting system according to the water quota for different crops and the economic, social and ecological benefits brought by crops, so as to control the water resources among crops. Afterwards, taking an agro-pastoral ecotone in Northwest China as the study case, schemes of feasible agricultural scale and planting structure suitable for local conditions were obtained. Lastly, the matching patterns of land and water resources were raised gradually from ‘poor’ into ‘good’ degree from 2015 to 2030. This study is expected to provide a reference for controlling the ordered and balanced development of land and water resources of agriculture as well as effectively improving the sustainable development ability in water-deficient areas.
Modeling phosphorus adsorption onto polyaluminium chloride water treatment residuals
Authors: Duan Runbin , Fedler Clifford B. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Beneficial reuse and appropriate disposal of water treatment residuals (WTRs) are of great concern for sustainable drinking water treatment. Using WTRs to remove phosphorus (P) is widely regarded as a feasible approach. However, the information is still limited on air-dried WTRs containing polyaluminium chloride (PAC) and anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) used to adsorb P. The objectives of this study were to construct artificial neural network (ANN) models for P adsorption onto WTRs from distilled de-ionized (DDI) water solution and stormwater, to investigate the performance of ANN in predicting phosphorous adsorption, and to model isotherm adsorption, kinetics, and thermodynamics by using the index of model performance. Batch experiments were performed with different WTRs dosage, pH, initial P concentration, temperature, and time. ANN models accurately predicted the P concentration at equilibrium. Non-linearized Langmuir model fitted the isotherm data best. Pseudo second-order kinetic model provided a better fit to experimental data. The adsorption process may be at least simultaneously controlled by surface adsorption and intraparticle diffusion. The P adsorption is a homogenous monolayer adsorption that is spontaneous, endothermic, and entropy production process. WTRs were found to be favorable and effective in removing P, but the P removals had significant differences in both solutions.