bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Causal Relationship Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Bi-Directional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Zhang Xueer , Zhuang Zhenhuang , Du Jie , Wang Wenxiu , Yang Ruotong , Liu Zhonghua , Huang Tao 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Objective: Observational studies have shown that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was associated with a higher risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and vice versa. However, if such associations reflect causality remains unclear. We aimed to examine the bidirectional causal associations of RA with IBD, ulcerative colitis (UC), and Crohn’s disease (CD).Method: A Bi-directional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and Linkage Disequilibrium Score regression (LDSC) were used to investigate the causality between RA and IBD subtypes. Summary data was extracted from the Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium International for Immunochip (RACI) consortium and the Genetics and Allied research in Rheumatic diseases Networking (GARNET) consortium (29,880 cases of RA and 73,758 controls); and the International IBD Genetics Consortium (38,155 cases of IBD and 48,485 controls; 17,647 cases of UC and 47,179 controls; 20,550 cases of CD and 41,642 controls). Results: Genetically predicted RA was associated with higher risks of IBD (per 1-unit higher log odds: odds ratio: 1.13; 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.21; P=0.002) and UC (1.16; 1.07-1.25; P=1.5 × 10−4) after a Bonferroni correction (P<0.05/3). In addition, the weighted median method showed a suggestive association of RA with a higher risk of CD (1.16; 1.05-1.28; P=0.003). However, there was no evidence showing a causal relation of IBD, UC or CD with RA risk. Conclusion: Our findings provide novel evidence supporting a significant causality of RA with IBD or UC, whereas IBD is unlikely to increase the risk of RA, indicating the importance of keeping gut microbiota composition healthy for RA patients to prevent IBD.
A Mechanistic Insight into Doxorubicin Adsorption on N-isopropyl Acrylamide Grafted Nanotube: Optimization Study of Loading Temperature
Authors: Maleki Reza , Dahri Mohammad , Ghasemy Ebrahim , Akbarialiabad Hossein 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: The drug development process is costly and time-consuming; hence, nowadays, enormous efforts have been established through computational studies for finding appropriate strategies, methods and solutions for enhancing the drug production and administration procedures. Hydrogels that undertake deformation upon pertinent changes in temperature have significant aptitude as drug delivery systems. These biomaterials have made a substantial impact on the development of drugs for critical diseases, especially cancer therapy. Drug loading and uptake are primary and fundamental steps of the drug development and discovery process. N-isopropyl acrylamide is a common and well-known thermo-sensitive and injectable hydrogel for the drug uptake under the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). In the current study, carbon nanotube (CNT) as a nanocarrier was modified via N-isopropyl acrylamide. On the other hand, Doxorubicin as an anti-cancer drug applied on mentionted systems to develop drug packing at three different temperatures. Results: After computational parametrization of the system via bioinformatics software and databases, Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was run. To this end, the detailed simulations were carried out to reveal the interaction energy, numbers of hydrogen bonds, the gyration radius, mean square displacement, and radial distribution function as well as Gibss free energy. Besides, the optimal loading temperature for doxorubicin was determined. The results achieved from simulating the polymer demonstrated a decrease in the gyration radius at a higher temperature. A decrease of gyration radius resulted in more concentrated aggregation with stronger bonds.Conclusions: Therefore, at the higher temperature, the more stable polymer interaction and better doxorubicin loading were acquired. The smart absorption of doxorubicin onto the CNT modified via N-iso-propyl acrylamide (NIPA) give a significant and valuable view on the future studies regarding the drug development and novel, biocompatible, and biodegradable stimuli-sensitive drug delivery system.
Potential Biomarkers of Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis
Authors: Chen Yang , Xiao Kangli , Shi Ningjie , Yang Fengying , Cui Zhenhai , Zhang Jiaoyue , Li Huiqing 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the serious complications of diabetes. However, there is no unified and clear understanding of the pathogenesis of DKD at present. The evidence suggests that genetic predispositions play a significant role in an individual’s susceptibility to DKD. WGCNA analysis may provide a new way to search for genes closely related to DKD. Methods: In this study we analysed key genes and pathways involved in DKD from RNA-seq count results using 23 peripheral blood samples from patients with DKD. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed with the WGCNA package.Results: We found turquoise and purple module were characterized as having the highest correlation with large proteinuria stage in DKD. Furthermore, the key genes, including DCN, F2R, LTBP2, B2M, PSMB8, and NLRC5, were evaluated through a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network combined with a co-expression network, which were expected to be potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets of DKD. Conclusions: These signalling pathways and hub genes will provide effective targets and ideas for further study of the pathogenesis of DKD and are expected to have roles in the prevention of, early screening for, and the treatment of DKD.
PCR-based Genotyping Assays to Detect Germline APC mutations Associated with Hereditary Gastrointestinal Polyposis in Jack Russell Terriers
Authors: Yoshizaki Kyoko , Hirata Akihiro , Matsushita Hiroyuki , Nishii Naohito , Kawabe Mifumi , Mori Takashi , Sakai Hiroki 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: The prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) neoplastic polyps in Jack Russell Terriers (JRTs) has increased in Japan since the late 2000s. Recently, we demonstrated that JRTs with GI polyps harbor identical germline mutations in the APC gene (c.[462A>T; 463A>T]) in the heterozygous state. Thus, this disease is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder. Although the affected JRTs have distinct features, such as the development of multiple GI polyps and an early age of disease onset, genetic testing is indispensable for a definitive diagnosis. Here, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays capable of detecting germline APC mutations were designed and validated using synthetic wild-type and mutant DNAs and genomic DNAs from carrier and non-carrier dogs.Result: First, the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay was developed by taking advantage of the germline APC mutations creating a new restriction site for MseI. In the PCR-RFLP assay, the 156-bp region containing the mutation site was amplified by PCR and subsequently digested with MseI, yielding diagnostic 51 and 58 bp fragments from the mutant allele and allowing determination of the APC genotypes. It was possible to determine the genotypes using genomic DNA extracted from the peripheral blood, buccal swab, or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Next, a TaqMan duplex real-time PCR assay was developed, where a 78-bp region flanking the mutation was amplified in the presence of wild-type allele- and mutant allele-specific fluorescent probes. Using blood-derived DNA, altogether 40 cycles of PCR amplification determined the APC genotypes of all examined samples by measuring the fluorescence intensities. Importantly, false-positive and false-negative errors were never detected in both assays. Conclusion: In this study, we developed highly reliable genetic tests for hereditary GI polyposis in JRTs, providing accurate assessment of the presence of the causative germline APC mutations. The genotyping assays could contribute to the diagnosis and prevention of hereditary GI polyposis in dogs.
First Report of Spirocerca Lupi Larva in Dung Beetles (Scarabaeus Armeniacus) in Iran: A Morphological and Molecular Identification
Authors: Mohtasebi Sina , Teimouri Aref , Afshar Mohammad Javad Abbaszadeh , Mobedi Iraj , Abbasian Hamed , Totonchian Niloofar , Mohtasebi Alireza , Allahmoradi Mahya , Mowlavi Gholamreza 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Dung beetles are detritivores insects. They naturally use feces of vertebrates as foods and reproduction beds. This leads to frequent contacts between dung beetles and parasitic helminths. The current study was carried out to assess infections of dung beetles with larval stages of helminths in rural areas of Taleqan County, Alborz Province, Iran. In total, 200 dung beetles were randomly collected in June 2017 from the highlands of Taleqan County. Beetles were dissected in normal saline and carefully studied using stereomicroscopy. Morphological characteristics of the recovered larvae were drawn using camera lucida equipped microscope at 400× magnification. Furthermore, genomic DNAs of the recovered larvae were extracted and PCR amplifications of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) genes were carried out and the amplicons were sequenced. Results: All collected dung beetles were identified as Scarabaeus armeniacus from Scarabaeidae family (55.5% were male and 44.5% female). Three females of the beetles were infected with nematode larva, morphologically identified as the third-stage of Spirocerca lupi larvae. The average length and width of the larvae were 2.95 (2.81–3.15; CI 95%) and 0.12 (0.1–0.15; CI 95%) mm, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis showed that S. lupi belonged to a clade within Spirocercidae family, well separated from Onchocercidae family. Conclusions: In the current study, S. armeniacus was introduced as a potentially biological vector for the transmission of S. lupi to vertebrates in the region. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported on larval stages of S. lupi in S. armeniacus.
Experimental Infection of Domestic Cats with Feline Herpesvirus-1 Strain CH-B Isolated from British Shorthair Cat
Authors: Niu Jiangting , Zhao Han , Zhang Shuang , Guo Yanbing , Zhang Qian , Bao Di , Dong Hao , Meng Fanxing , Zhao Yanli , Huang Hailong , Wang Junzheng , Wang Kai , Hu Guixue , Yi Shu-Shuai 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) is a most common virus that cause viral rhinotracheitis and ocular diseases in domestic cats and wild felids. As other alpha-herpesviruses, acute FHV-1 infection is responsible for severe upper respiratory tract and ocular disease, followed by lifelong latency that persist the limited virus in sensory neuronal cells. While latency reactivation can result in recrudescence, leading sever ocular lesions. Hence, FHV-1 infection in cats can be considered as a good natural host model to study alpha-herpesvirus pathogenesis. Results: In this study, the FHV-1 CH-B was isolated from nasal discharge collected from a British shorthair cat in China, and was further identified via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and genome analysis. Experimental infection of domestic cats with different dose of isolate CH-B, ranging from 104 to 107 TCID50, showed that cats inoculated with 105 TCID50 not only showed typical upper respiratory track and ocular symptoms, but also could copy the progress of disease development. Therefore, the FHV-1 infection model was established by intranasally inoculated with 105 TCID50 of FHV-1 isolate CH-B. Infected cats began to show clinical signs at days 5 post inoculated (dpi), developed severe upper respiratory tract and ocular symptoms at 10-15 dpi, began to recover at 20 dpi, and recovered almost completely by 25 dpi. During acute infection period, virus mainly replicates in turbinate, conjunctiva, cornea and sensory neuronal cells, while virus only persists in trigeminal ganglia (TG) at lifelong latency. Viremia and viral infections in lungs do not appear in FHV-1 CH-B infected cats, with only one exception. We also demonstrate that FHV-1 CH-B infection can induce severe inflammatory responses and lung, trachea, and tonsils tissues damage in cats. In addition, we found that FHV-1 infected cats can shed virus via nasal and ocular discharge, resulting FHV-1 infection in in-contact cats. Conclusions: This natural host model of FHV-1 infection will be valuable for the screen and assessment of antiviral drugs and vaccines, as well as the studies of the pathogenesis of alpha-herpesvirus infection in animals and humans.
Autonomic Nervous System Activity and the Risk of Nosocomial Infection in Critically Ill Patients With Brain Injury
Authors: Wirtz Mathijs , Moekotte Jiri , Balvers Kirsten , Admiraal Marjolein , Pittet Jean-Francois , Colombo Joe , Wagener Brant , Goslings Carel , Juffermans Nicole 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Purpose: Nosocomial infection contributes to adverse outcome after brain injury. This study investigates whether autonomic nervous system activity is associated with a decreased host immune response in patients following stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods: A prospective study was performed in adult patients with TBI or stroke who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of our tertiary university hospital between 2013 and 2016. Heart rate variability (HRV) was recorded daily and assessed for autonomic nervous system activity. Outcomes were nosocomial infections and immunosuppression, which was assessed ex vivo using whole blood stimulations with plasma of patients with infections, matched not-infected patients and healthy controls.Results: Out of 64 brain injured patients, 23 (36%) developed an infection during their hospital stay. The ability of brain injured patients to generate a host response to LPS was diminished compared to healthy controls. Patients who developed an infection yielded significantly lower TNF-α and higher IL-10 values following ex vivo whole blood stimulations when compared to patients not developing an infection. This decreased host immune response was associated with altered admission HRV values. Brain-injured patients who developed an infection showed increased normalized high frequency power compared to patients not developing an infection, whereas normalized low frequency power was lower in infected patients.Conclusion: Brain injured patients developing a nosocomial infection show parasympathetic predominance in the acute phase following brain injury, reflected by alterations in HRV, which parallels a decreased ability to generate an immune response to stimulation with LPS.
Screening, Assessment and Management of Perioperative Malnutrition: A Survey of UK Practice
Authors: Matthews Lewis , Wootton Stephen , Davies Sarah , Levett Denny 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
BackgroundPerioperative malnutrition is common and is associated with increased mortality, complications and healthcare costs. Patients having surgery for cancer and gastro-intestinal disease are at particular risk. It is a modifiable pre-operative risk factor and perioperative clinicians are well placed to identify those at risk and instigate interventions shown to improve outcome. Thus, we conducted a survey of Perioperative Medicine Leads with the aim of assessing the current provision of nutritional screening and intervention pathways in the United Kingdom.MethodsPerioperative Medicine Leads registered with the Royal College of Anaesthetists were asked to complete an online survey exploring current practice in screening, assessment and management of malnutrition in the perioperative period. The survey included a mixture of open and closed questions, graded response questions and options for free text. Where a response was not received departments were phoned directly and e-mails sent to non-responders.Results121 completed questionnaires were received from 167 Perioperative Medicine Leads (response rate of 72.5%). Seventy respondents (57.9%) reported using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool to screen patients, however only 61 (50.4%) referred patients at nutritional risk onto a dietitian. Sixty (49.6%) lacked confidence in local ability to identify and manage malnutrition perioperatively, with 28 (23.1%) reporting having a structured pathway for managing malnourished patients. 111 respondents (91.7%) agreed that malnutrition impacts on quality of life after surgery and 105 (86.8%) felt adopting a standard protocol would improve outcomes for patients. Those reporting a lack of confidence in dealing with malnutrition perioperatively cited a lack of organisational support, patients being seen too close to surgery and lack of clarity around responsibility as key reasons for difficulties in managing this group of patients.ConclusionsMalnutrition in the perioperative period is a modifiable risk factor which is common and results in increased morbidity for patients and increased cost to healthcare systems. This survey highlights areas of practice where perioperative clinicians can improve the assessment and management of patients at nutritional risk prior to elective surgery.Trial registrationNot applicable.
The Immune Imbalance of Treg/Th17&nbsp;in Otitis Media of Effusion Patients May Be Related to PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Activation in the Middle Ear Mucosa
Authors: Tang Zhiyuan , Zeng Xianhai , Li Juanjuan , Zhang Hua , Wu Hancheng , Zhuang Suqing , Zheng Yiqing 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Objective: To assess whether secretory otitis media may be caused by immune imbalance of Treg/Th17 mediated by PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, so as to find new therapeutic target.Methods: IL-17, TGF- and IL-6, IL-10 and Th17 cytokines were detected in peripheral blood of OME patients (PC group) and healthy people (NC group) by ELISA. The expression of ROR t mRNA and Foxp3mRNA in PBMC was detected by RT-PCR. OME rat model was established and the changes of lymphocytes in middle ear mucosa and spleen and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in middle ear mucosa were detected by HE staining, IHC, WB and flow cytometry.Results: The immune imbalance of Treg/Th17 in secretory otitis media (OME) was confirmed by the expression of cytokines in OME serum and analysis of ROR T and Foxp3 mRNA which was Th17 and Treg specific transcription respectively. OME rat model further confirmed that Treg/Th17 imbalance could lead to OME as demonstrated by staining of MIDDLE ear mucosa and expression of ROR T and Foxp3. PI3K, Akt, and mTOR proteins were expressed in the MIDDLE ear mucosa of OME group and CON group, respectively. Compared with CON group, the expression of P-MTOR and P-PI3K proteins in the middle ear mucosa of OME group was significantly increased.Conclusions: Treg/Th17 imbalances are found in OME patients and OME animal model and the pathogenic mechanism may be due to systemic abnormal immune response, activated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, abnormal T cell differentiation, leading to middle ear mucosal hyperemia, edema and subsequent occurrence of OME.
Traditional Chinese Medicine for Stroke Treatment Inhibits Abnormal Amyloid Precursor Processing in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Tan Yan , Xu Zihui , Zhang Jiani , Yang Ke , He Fang , Sun Ping , Zhang Ce , Gu Ruoxi , Zhang Yali , Wang Yalei , Wang Xu , Liu Tonghua , Hua Qian 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history in oriental countries for its therapeutic benefits with stroke therapy, and improves cognitive deficits in those patients, but the potential impact on Alzheimer’s disease therapy remains unknown. Objective: To address this issue, in vitro, we have examined the effects of four types of TCMs selected from the ginsenoside family of drugs that are currently used in clinical stroke therapy on APP processing, DengZhanXiXin (D1), TongLuoJiuNao (T2), QingKaiLing (Q3) and HuangQinGan (H4). Materials and methods: APP, BACE1 and C99 stable transfected cells have been used to test the APP processing. The Aβ production, BACE1, NEP and γ-secretase activity were assessed by ELISA, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Results: In this study, D1 increases Aβ production but reduces the ratio of Aβ42/Aβ40 by up-regulating BACE1 activity; T2 reduces Aβ production and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio by down-regulating BACE1 activity and modulating γ-secretase expression; Q3 reduces Aβ production by down-regulating BACE1 activity; H4 does not change Aβ production by the compromising effects on down-regulating BACE1 and NEP activity. Conclusion: These studies suggest that these four anti-stroke TCMs show different mechanisms on APP processing, and have the potential to be used in Aβ clearance; particularly, T2 with relatively simple components and evident effects in APP processing may be a promising candidate for the treatment of AD.
Enhanced cadmium removal from water by hydroxyapatite subjected to different thermal treatments
Authors: Aouay R. , Jebri S. , Rebelo A. , Ferreira J. M. F. , Khattech I. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHydroxyapatite powders were synthesized according to a wet precipitation route and then subjected to heat treatments within the temperature range of 200–800 °C. The prepared samples were tested as sorbents for cadmium in an aqueous medium. The best performances were obtained with the material treated at 200 °C (HAp200), as the relevant sorbent textural features (SBET – specific surface area and Vp – total volume of pores) were least affected at this low calcination temperature. The maximum adsorption capacity at standard ambient temperature and pressure was 216.6 mg g−1, which increased to 240.7 mg g−1 by increasing the temperature from 25 to 40 °C, suggesting an endothermic nature of the adsorption process. Moreover, these data indicated that a thermal treatment at 200 °C enhanced the ability of the material in Cd2+ uptake by more than 100% compared to other similar studies. The adsorption kinetic process was better described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Kaganer–Radushkevich isotherms were applied to describe the sorption behaviour of Cd2+ ions onto the best adsorbent. Furthermore, a thermodynamic study was also performed to determine ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG° of the sorption process of this adsorbent. The adsorption mechanisms were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy-transmission electron microscopy (SEM-TEM) observations.
Influences of riverbed siltation on redox zonation during bank filtration: a case study of Liao River, Northeast China
Authors: Wang Jiamei , Yan Yumeng , Bai Jing , Su Xiaosi 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The upper part of riverbed sediment is one of the key interfaces between surface water and groundwater, and biogeochemical process in this interface has a profound influence on the chemistry of infiltrated water. The lithology and permeability of bed sediment is mainly controlled by variation in river hydrodynamic conditions. However, there have been few studies of the effect of riverbed siltation on the hydrochemistry and redox reactions of infiltrated water due to the high variability in these processes and challenges associated with sampling. This study selected and examined a river channel near a site of riverbank filtration by drilling on the floating platform and conducting microelectrode testing and high-resolution sampling. The hydrodynamic and chemical characteristics of pore water in and lithologic characteristics of riverbed sediment, the siltation, and redox zone were examined and compared. Differences in hydrodynamic conditions changed the lithology of riverbed sediment, consequently affecting redox reactions during the process of river water infiltration. Variations in siltation changed the residence time of pore water and organic matter content, which ultimately resulted in differences in extension range and intensity of redox reactions. This study provides a valuable reference for understanding the effect of riverbed siltation on water quality of riverbank infiltration.