bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Up-Regulated Expression of Pro-Apoptotic Long Noncoding RNA lincRNA-p21 in Lupus Nephritis Patients and an Experimental Mouse Model
Authors: Chen Yi-Cheng , Kuo Pin-Yu , Wu Chao-Liang , Chou Yu-Chi , Chong Hao-Earn , Yang Mei-Lin , Shiau Ai-Li , Wang Chrong-Reen 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Accelerated cell apoptosis is a crucial pathogenic mechanism in lupus nephritis (LN) with dysregulated expression levels of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). The expression of pro-apoptotic lincRNA-p21 and its competing endogenous RNA target miR-181a were studied in LN patients, human kidney cell and T-lymphocyte lines with CRISPR interference-conducted repression and lentiviral vector-mediated overexpression of lincRNA-p21, and a mouse LN model. Methods: Clinical samples were collected from LN patients with higher disease activity and control subjects including lupus patients without renal involvement and age/sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). The expression of lincRNA-p21, H19 (anti-apoptotic lncRNA) and miR-181a were examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) and urine cells, and analyzed for clinical correlation. Cell lines were treated with doxorubicin (Dox) to induce apoptosis and evaluate for the expression of lincRNA-p21, caspase 3 and p21. LincRNA-p21-silened HEK 293T and Jurkat transfectants were examined for apoptosis and miR-181a expression. LincRNA-p21-overexpressed HK-2 cells were examined for apoptosis and p53-related down-stream molecules levels. Female Balb/C mice were injected with pristane to induce LN, and examined for the expression of anti-DNA, proteinuria, lincRNA-p21, caspase 3 and p21 as well as in situ apoptosis. Results: Up-regulated expression of lincRNA-p21 rather than H19 were identified in PBMNCs from LN patients, positively correlated with disease activity and proteinuria amount. Higher lincRNA-p21 levels were identified in LN CD4+T cells than other subpopulations. LN urine cells had greater lincRNA-p21 levels than HCs. There were lower miR-181a levels in PBMNCs from LN patients, negatively correlated with disease activity. Dox-induced apoptotic cell lines had up-regulated levels of lincRNA-p21, caspase 3 and p21, whereas down-regulated miR-181a expression with decreased TCRζchain and IL-2 levels was identified in Jurkat cells. LincRNA-p21-silenced transfectants displayed reduced apoptosis with up-regulated miR-181a expression. LincRNA-p21-overexpressed HK-2 cells revealed enhanced apoptosis with up-regulated expression of downstream PUMA and Bax molecules. LN mice had in situ apoptosis and progressively increased anti-dsDNA, proteinuria and renal lincRNA-p21 levels with up-regulated expression of caspase 3 and p21.Conclusions: By using clinical samples, human cell lines and a mouse model, we demonstrate up-regulated expression of lincRNA-p21 in LN, implicating a potential activity biomarker and therapeutic target.
Mechanism of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis based on network pharmacology
Authors: Shi Xiaoqing , Zhang Haosheng , Hu Yue , Li Xiaochen , Yin Songjiang , Xing Runlin , Zhang Nongshan , Mao Jun , Wang Peimin 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Objective: The molecular mechanism of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (SMRR) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) was analyzed based on network pharmacology.Methods: Active components and potential targets of SMRR were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). KOA targets were obtained from the OMIM, DisGeNET, DrugBank, PharmGKB and GeneCards Databases. The potential targets of SMRR in the treatment of KOA were identified by Venn diagram. A protein-protein interaction network was generated with the STRING database. Visualization of the interactions in a potential pharmacodynamic component-target network was accomplished with Cytoscape software. The DAVID database and R software were used for Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway annotation analyses of common targets. Molecular docking of the potential leading components, as determined by efficacy with the core target molecules, was performed with Discovery Studio.Results: Fifty-seven potential pharmacodynamic components and 58 potential targets of SMRR in the treatment of KOA were found. Bioinformatics analyses showed that the IL-17, HIF-1 and TNF signaling pathways, as well as the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in cases of diabetic complications, are related to the molecular mechanism of SMRR in the treatment of KOA. Molecular docking results showed that luteolin, Tanshinone IIA, Cryptotanshinone and other components of SMRR had strong affinity for MYC, STAT3, CASP3, JUN, CCND1, PTGS2, EGFR, MAPK1, AKT1, VEGFA and other targets.Conclusion: SMRR indirectly regulates IL-17, HIF-1, TNF and other signal transduction pathways by regulating the expression of proteins including PTGS2, MAPK1, EGFR and CASP3, thus playing a role in promoting chondrocyte proliferation, improving microcirculation, eliminating free radicals, and inhibiting inflammatory factors.
Child maltreatment, cognitive functions and the mediating role of mental health problems among maltreated children and adolescents in Uganda
Authors: Ainamani Herbert E , Rukundo Godfrey Z , Nduhukire Timothy , Ndyareba Eunice , Hecker Tobias 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Child maltreatment poses high risks to the mental health and cognitive functioning of children not only in childhood but also in later life. However, it remains unclear whether child maltreatment is directly associated with impaired cognitive functioning or whether this link is mediated by mental health problems. Our study aimed at examining this research question among children and adolescents in Uganda. Methods: A sample of 232 school-going children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.03 (SD = 3.25) was assessed on multiple forms of maltreatment using the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology Exposure – Pediatric Version (pediMACE). Executive functions were assessed by the Tower of London task and working memory by the Corsi Block Tapping task, while mental health problems were assessed using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for PTSD and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC).Results: In total, 232(100%) of the participant reported to have experienced at least one type of maltreatment in their lifetime ranging from having been intentionally pushed by an authority figure (89.7%, n = 208) to entering an object in the participant’s body (2.6%, n =6). We found a negative association between child maltreatment and executive functions (β = -0.487, p < .001) and working memory (β = -0.242, p = .001). Mental health problems did not mediate this relationship.Conclusions: Child maltreatment seems to be related to lower working memory and executive functioning of affected children and adolescents even after controlling for potential cofounders. Our study indicates that child maltreatment affects children’s cognitive functionality beyond health and well-being.
Antioxidant Potential of Pediococcus Pentosaceus Strains From the Sow Milk Bacterial Collection in Weaned Piglets
Authors: Wang Leli , Liu Qihang , Zhou Diao , Chen Yuwei , Zheng Xinlei , Qi Yining , Dong Yachao , Chen Taohong , Xiao Yue , Zeng Yan , Yao Tingyu , Yang Yimin , Huang Qiuyun , Huang Jialu , Zhai Zongzhao , Long Cimin , Yang Huansheng , Li Jianzhong , Wang Lei , Zhang Gaihua , Liao Peng , Liu Yongxin , Huang Peng , Wang Qiye , Yin Jia , Yin Yulong 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: In modern animal husbandry, the relationship between sow and piglets is closely linked as breeders pay more attention to improving sow nutrition during pregnancy and lactation to favor the growing of neonates. Sow milk is the main food for piglets during their first three weeks of life, which is not only a rich repository of essential nutrients and a broad range of bioactive compounds, but also an indispensable source of commensal bacteria. Maternal milk microorganisms are important sources of commensal bacteria for neonatal gut. Bacteria from hosts’ maternal milk may serve as an additive to confer a health benefit on the composition of the indigenous microbiota of piglets.Methods: We first obtained isolates from the sow milk microbiota by the culturomics methods of continuous culture and interval sampling. Then, identified and grouped them based on a nonredundant set of 16S rDNA gene sequences. After assessing their antimicrobial activity against enteropathogens in vitro, we selected several strains to further conduct assay in Drosophila to evaluate their resistance against oxidative injury. We finally screened out Pediococcus pentosaceus (P. pentosaceus) SMM914 as candidate strain to verify its antioxidant effect in weaned piglets and study its probiotic function by 16S rDNA sequencing, metabolomics, western blotting and enzyme activity analysis.Results: The 1240 isolates were screened out from the sow milk microbiota and grouped into 271 bacterial taxa. We evaluated 80 Pediococcus isolates about their inhibition ability against enteropathogens in vitro and then chose top 10 isolates to further test them in Drosophila. In 80 Pediococcus isolates, P. pentosaceus SMM914 showed best performance by inhibition ability against enteropathogens in vitro andparaquat challenge in Drosophila model. Pretreatment of piglets with SMM914 induces the Nrf2/Keap1 antioxidant signaling pathway and altered the pathways of amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism in plasma. In colon, Lactobacillus was significantly increased in the high dose of SMM914 group compared with the control group.Conclusion: Our study provided useful resources for deeply understanding the relationships between the maternal microbiota and the offspring and supported the theory of Sow and Piglet Integration.
Augmented Efficacy of Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation on the Virtual Reality-based Cycling Training for Upper Limb Function in Patients With Stroke
Authors: Chen Yu-Hsin , Chen Chia-Ling , Huang Ying-Zu , Chen Hsieh-Ching , Chen Chung-Yao , Wu Ching-Yi , Lin Keh-Chung 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Virtual reality and arm cycling have been reported as effective treatment to improve upper limb motor recovery in patients with stroke. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) can increase ipsilesional cortical excitability, and has been increasingly used in patients with stroke. However, few studies examined the augmented effect of iTBS on neurorehabilitation program. In this study, we investigated the augmented effect of iTBS on virtual reality-based cycling training (VCT) for upper limb motor function in patients with stroke.Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 23 patients with stroke were recruited. Each patient received either 15 sessions of iTBS or sham stimulation in addition to VCT on the same day. Outcome measures, including Modified Ashworth Scale Upper Extremity (MAS-UE), Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) for body function, Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT), Box and Block Test (BBT) and Motor Activity Log (MAL) for activity and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) for participation were assessed before and after the intervention. Paired t test was performed to evaluate the effectiveness after the intervention and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to compare the therapeutic effects between two groups.Results: At post-treatment, both groups showed significant improvement in FMA-UE and ARAT, while only the iTBS group demonstrated significant improvement in MAS-UE, BBT, NHPT, MAL and SIS. ANCOVA revealed that the iTBS group presented greater improvement than the sham group significantly in MAS-UE, NHPT and SIS, and with borderline significance in ARAT, BBT and MAL. There was no significant difference in FMA-UE between groups.Conclusions: Intermittent TBS showed augmented efficacy on VCT for reducing spasticity, improving gross motor function and manual dexterity, and increasing participation in daily life in stroke patients. This study provided an integrated innovative intervention, which may be a promising therapy to improve upper limb motor function recovery, especially manual dexterity, in stroke rehabilitation. However, this study has a small sample size, and thus a further larger-scale study is warranted to confirm the treatment efficacy.Trial registration: This trial was registered under ClinicalTrials.gov ID No. NCT03350087, retrospectively registered, on November 22, 2017.
Proposal of selective wedge instillation of pulmonary surfactant for COVID-19 pneumonia based on computational fluid dynamics simulation
Authors: Kitaoka Hiroko , Kobayashi Hisato , Takimoto Takayuki , Kijima Takashi 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The most important target cell of SARS-CoV-2 is Type II pneumocyte which produces and secretes pulmonary surfactant (PS) that prevents alveolar collapse. PS instillation therapy is dramatically effective for infant respiratory distress syndrome but has been clinically ineffective for ARDS. Nowadays, ARDS is regarded as non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema with vascular hyper-permeability regardless of direct relation to PS dysfunction. However, there is a possibility that the ineffectiveness of PS instillation for ARDS is due to insufficient delivery. Then, we performed PS instillation simulation with realistic human airway models by the use of computational fluid dynamics, and investigated how instilled PS would move in the liquid layer covering the airway wall and reach to alveolar regions.Methods: Two types of 3D human airway model were prepared: One was from the trachea to lobular bronchi and the other was from a sub-segmental bronchus to respiratory bronchioles. Thickness of the liquid layer covering the airway was assigned as 14 % of the inner radius of the airway segment. Initially existing liquid layer was assumed to be replaced by instilled PS. Flow rate of instilled PS was assigned a constant value, which was determined by the total amount and instillation time in clinical use. The PS concentration of the liquid layer during instillation was computed by solving advective-diffusion equation.Results: The driving pressure from the trachea to respiratory bronchioles was calculated at 317 cmH2O, which is about 20 times of a standard value in conventional PS instillation method where the driving pressure is given by difference between inspiratory and end-expiratory pressures of a ventilator. It means that almost all PS would not reach alveolar regions but move to and fro within the airway according to the change of ventilator pressure. On the other hand, the driving pressure from sub-segmental bronchus was calculated at 273 cm H2O, that is clinically possible by wedge instillation under bronchoscopic observation. Conclusions: The simulation study has revealed that selective wedge instillation under bronchoscopic observation should be tried for COVID-19 pneumonia even before ARDS. It will be also useful for preventing secondary lung fibrosis.
Mining Google and Apple mobility data:Temporal Anatomy for COVID-19 Social Distancing
Authors: Cot Corentin , Cacciapaglia Giacomo , Sannino Francesco 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
We employ the Google and Apple mobility data to identify, quantify and clas- sify different degrees of social distancing and characterise their imprint on the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe and in the United States. We identify the period of enacted social distancing via Google and Apple data, in- dependently from the political decisions. Interestingly we observe a general decrease in the infection rate occurring two to five weeks after the onset of mobility reduction for the European countries and the American states.
Implementation of clinical practice changes in the PICU: a qualitative study using and refining the iPARIHS framework
Authors: Steffen Katherine M. , Holdsworth Laura M , Ford Mackenzie , Lee Grace M. , Asch Steven M. , Proctor Enola K. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Like in many settings, implementation of evidence-based practices often fall short in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU). Very few prior studies have applied implementation science frameworks to understand how best to improve practices in this unique environment. We used the relatively new integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (iPARIHS) framework to assess practice improvement in the PICU, and to explore the utility of the framework itself for that purpose.Methods: We used the iPARIHS framework to guide development of a semi-structured interview tool to examine barriers, facilitators, and the process of change in the PICU. A framework approach to qualitative analysis, developed around iPARIHS constructs and subconstructs, helped identify patterns and themes in provider interviews. We assessed the utility of iPARIHS to inform PICU practice change. Results: Fifty multi-professional providers working in 8 U.S. PICUs completed interviews. iPARIHS constructs shaped development of a process model for change that consisted of phases that include planning, a decision to adopt change, implementation and facilitation, and sustainability; the PICU environment shaped each phase. Large, complex multi-professional teams, and high-stakes work at near-capacity impaired receptivity to change. While unit leaders made decisions to pursue change, providers’ willingness to accept change was based on the evidence for the change, and provider’s experiences, beliefs, and capacity to integrate change into a demanding workflow. Limited analytic structures and resources frustrated attempts to monitor changes’ impacts. Variable provider engagement, time allocated to work on changes, and limited collaboration impacted facilitation. iPARIHS constructs were useful in exploring implementation, however we identified inter-relation of subconstructs, unique concepts not captured by the framework, and a need for subconstructs to further describe facilitation. Conclusions: The PICU environment significantly shaped implementation. The described process model for implementation may be useful to guide efforts to integrate changes and select implementation strategies. iPARIHS was adequate to identify barriers and facilitators of change, however further elaboration of subconstructs for facilitation would be helpful to operationalize the framework. Trial registration: not applicable, as no health care intervention was performed.
Factors associated with the mental health of adolescent university students during COVID-19 quarantine in Japan
Authors: Hirano Yuko , Aramaki Koichi , Ota Sayuka 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: University students in Japan have been quarantined during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The resulting social avoidance may increase students’ anxiety about the pandemic and adversely affect their mental health. To obtain basic data for a university health policy, we investigated factors associated with the mental health status of 570 students of a national university in Japan during quarantine. Methods: Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing respondent characteristics (gender, age, department, domicile status), subjective sense of anxiety about COVID-19, and number of social supports. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12 was used as a marker for mental health status, and sense of coherence (SOC) was used as a marker for stress resistance. Chi-square tests, t-tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis were conducted to identify factors associated with GHQ score. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to identify the interaction between anxiety score and SOC scores. Results: Females showed significantly more adverse mental health than males. Regardless of gender, the strongest factor associated with GHQ score was anxiety about COVID-19, which impaired mental health status, followed by SOC score, which improved mental health status. The ANOVA results showed a significant interaction effect on GHQ scores between anxiety and SOC score in males. High SOC scores mitigated the negative effect of anxiety on mental health more than did low SOC scores, especially in males with low to medium levels of anxiety.Conclusions: The results indicate that fear of COVID-19 impaired mental health status, but SOC worked as a buffer to mitigate the negative effect of anxiety on mental health, especially among male students. Given the health risks associated with gender, universities should provide psychological care to encourage students to maintain a confident daily routine and to foster higher SOC, especially for male students.
Development of an automated water management system in orchards in southern Thailand
Authors: Musik Panjit 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Traditional agriculture-based orchards often encounter quality problems that do not meet the market demand. Technology development is required for increasing the quality of the production and reducing the production costs. The objective of this research is to develop an automated water management system to improve production in orchards and implementing them in the field. The proposed water management system contains the equipment for water supply systems, automatic measurement, and control systems. The system was developed first inside a demonstration fruit garden. Afterward, a set of water management systems was installed in the mangosteen and durian gardens of farmers, and the system was controlled via mobile phones. The results are promising and showed that the proposed system might be useful for reducing production costs by reducing labor, water, and electricity costs. Moreover, the farmers were able to produce a higher amount of quality products in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
Effective transformation-based variable selection under two-fold subarea models in small area estimation
Authors: Cai Song , Rao J. N. K. , Dumitrescu Laura , Chatrchi Golshid 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
We present a simple yet effective variable selection method for the two-fold nested subarea model, which generalizes the widely-used Fay-Herriot area model. The twofold subarea model consists of a sampling model and a linking model, which has a nested-error model structure but with unobserved responses. To select variables under the two-fold subarea model, we first transform the linking model into a model with the structure of a regular regression model and unobserved responses. We then estimate an information criterion based on the transformed linking model and use the estimated information criterion for variable selection. The proposed method is motivated by the variable selection method of Lahiri and Suntornchost (2015) for the Fay-Herriot model and the variable selection method of Li and Lahiri (2019) for the unit-level nested-error regression model. Simulation results show that the proposed variable selection method performs significantly better than some naive competitors, especially when the variance of the area-level random effect in the linking model is large.
A comparison of area level and unit level small area models in the presence of linkage errors
Authors: Consiglio Loredana Di , Tuoto Tiziana 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
In Official Statistics, interest in data integration has grown enormously, but the effect of integration procedures on statistical analysis has not yet been sufficiently developed. Data integration is not an error-free procedure and linkage errors, as false links and missed links can invalidate standard estimates. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to the effect of linkage errors on the statistical analyses and on statistical predictions.
Recently, methods to adjust the unit level small area estimators for linkage errors have been proposed when the domains are correctly specified. In this paper we compare the na¨ıve and the adjusted unit level estimators with the area level estimators that are not affected by the linkage errors. The comparison encourages the use of the adjusted unit level estimator.