bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transparent polyvinyl-alcohol cryogel as immobilisation matrix for continuous biohydrogen production by phototrophic bacteria
Authors: du Toit Jan-Pierre , Pott Robert W. M. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Phototrophic purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) have gained attention for their ability to produce a valuable clean energy source in the form biohydrogen via photofermentation of a wide variety of organic wastes. For maturation of these phototrophic bioprocesses towards commercial feasibility, development of suitable immobilisation materials is required to allow continuous production from a stable pool of catalytic biomass in which energy is not diverted towards biomass accumulation, and optimal hydrogen production rates are realised. Here, the application of transparent polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) cryogel beads to immobilisation of Rhodopseudomonas palustris for long-term hydrogen production is described. PVA cryogel properties are characterised and demonstrated to be well suited to the purpose of continuous photofermentation. Finally, analysis of the long-term biocompatibility of the material is illustrated.

Results
The addition of glycerol co-solvent induces favourable light transmission properties in normally opaque PVA cryogels, especially well-suited to the near-infrared light requirements of PNSB. Material characterisation showed high mechanical resilience, low resistance to diffusion of substrates and high biocompatibility of the material and immobilisation process. The glycerol co-solvent in transparent cryogels offered additional benefit by reinforcing physical interactions to the extent that only a single freeze–thaw cycle was required to form durable cryogels, extending utility beyond only phototrophic bioprocesses. In contrast, conventional PVA cryogels require multiple cycles which compromise viability of entrapped organisms. Hydrogen production studies of immobilised Rhodopseudomonas palustris in batch photobioreactors showed higher specific hydrogen production rates which continued longer than planktonic cultures. Continuous cultivation yielded hydrogen production for at least 67 days from immobilised bacteria, demonstrating the suitability of PVA cryogel immobilisation for long-term phototrophic bioprocesses. Imaged organisms immobilised in cryogels showed a monolithic structure to PVA cryogels, and demonstrated a living, stable, photofermentative population after long-term immobilisation.

Conclusion
Transparent PVA cryogels offer ideal properties as an immobilisation matrix for phototrophic bacteria and present a low-cost photobioreactor technology for the further advancement of biohydrogen from waste as a sustainable energy source, as well as development of alternative photo-bioprocesses exploiting the unique capabilities of purple non-sulfur bacteria.
The relationship between health life style and spermogram Indicators among infertile men: preliminary data
Authors: Amini Leila , Kahrobaie Mahsa , Amiri-Farahani Leila , Haghani Hamid 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective
Inappropriate life style has destructive effects on sperm quality and, male fertility, so that lifestyle modification may improve spermogram indexes preliminary data. This study aimed to determine the relationship between health life style and spermogram Indicators among infertile men. This analytical descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 199 infertile men. The data were collected through the socio-demographic and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile questionnaires Descriptive statistics independent t-test and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the data through SPSS.

Results
The mean (standard deviation) of total score of the health promoting lifestyle was (2.39 ± 0.39). The highest mean score was in Health Responsibility subscale (2.51 ± 0.52) and the lowest mean score was in the nutrition subscale (2.24 ± 0.44). Stress management showed significantly correlated with sperm morphology (p = 0.025). Also, spiritual growth with the Sperm concentration (p < 0.001), and sperm motility (p = 0.004) were statistically correlated, and health responsibility dimensions were statistically correlated with the Sperm concentration (p = 0.003) and sperm motility (p = 0.002). Considering that the mean of total score of the health promoting lifestyle and its correlation with some of spermogram indicators shows a need for improving lifestyle in infertile men who referred to infertility clinics.
Are patients on oral anticoagulation therapy aware of its effects? A cross-sectional study from Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Zahid Ibrahim , Ul Hassan Syed Wajih , Bhurya Nida Sehar , Alam Sheena Nadeem , Hasan Choudhary Ahmed , Shah Bakht Hussain , Fatima Fasiha Bakhtawar , Ahmed Ayesha , Ul Hassan Syed Sabih , Hayat Javeria , Zulfiqar Aqsa , Sheikh Rija , Aziz Momin , Siddiqi Rabbia , Fatima Kaneez , Khan Muhammad Shahzeb 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectiveOral anticoagulants are one of the most frequently used medications. However, these drugs have a range of side effects including potential life-threatening complications. Little is known regarding the awareness of its side effect profile amongst the patients in Pakistan. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of oral anticoagulant therapy and its side effects among its users.ResultsThe mean age was 48.9 ± 15.2 years. Median scores of the participants for knowledge regarding oral anticoagulants and warfarin were 48.7 (8.3–91.7) and 10.3 (0.0–70.0) respectively. Of 207 patients, most notably, 65.7% did not know what side effects to be wary of or how to reduce their occurrence; and most patients were unaware of the interaction between oral anticoagulant drugs and over-the-counter substances such as aspirin, herbal medicines and alcohol. Knowledge of international normalised ratio (INR) was extremely poor with more than 75% of the population not being aware of the target INR range during warfarin therapy. Higher level of education was significantly associated with better knowledge scores. Overall, knowledge of oral anticoagulant therapy and INR monitoring is extremely poor among oral anticoagulant users.
Draft genome sequence of antimicrobial producing Paenibacillus alvei strain MP1 reveals putative novel antimicrobials
Authors: Pajor Magdalena , Sogin Jonathan , Worobo Randy W. , Szweda Piotr 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective
A Paenibacillus strain isolated in previous research exhibited antimicrobial activity against relevant human pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. In this study, the genome of the aforementioned strain, designated as MP1, was shotgun sequenced. The draft genome of strain MP1 was subject to multiple genomic analyses to taxonomically characterize it and identify the genes potentially responsible for its antimicrobial activity.

Results
Here we report the draft genome sequence of an antimicrobial producing Paenibacillus strain, MP1. Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) analysis established strain MP1 as a new strain of the previously characterized Paenibacillus alvei. The genomic analysis identified several putative secondary metabolite clusters including seven Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase clusters (NRPS) (> 10,000 nt), one bacteriocin or other unspecified Ribosomally Synthesized and Post-Translationally modified Peptide Product (RiPP), one lanthipeptide, and six hybrid clusters (NRPS-Type I Polyketide synthase (T1PKS) and NRPS-trans Amino Transferase Polyketide Synthase (AT-PKS)).
Can the anatomy of abnormal flowers elucidate relationships of the androecial members in the ginger (Zingiberaceae)?
Authors: Li Xiumei , Fan Tian , Zou Pu , Zhang Wenhu , Wu Xiuju , Zhang Yixin , Liao Jingping 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundInterpretation of the floral structure of Zingiberaceae has long concentrated on the relationships of the androecial members. It suggested that labellum is composed of two structures rather than three or five, and glands are interpreted either as gynoecial part or as androecial members.MethodsSerial sections were used to observe the vasculature of normal and two-staminate flowers inAlpinia intermedia‘shengzhen’. Floral diagrams were drawn to interpret the morphological category of the floral organs and the relationships of the androecial members. Androecial vascular bundles were associated with carpellary dorsal bundles (CDBs) and parietal bundles (PBs) in a Zingiberales phylogeny setting using ancestral state reconstruction.ResultsAnatomical observations demonstrate that the fertile stamen(s) incorporate parietal bundles both in normal and two-staminate flowers. The three appendages represent the three members of the outer whorl of the androecium, while the labellum represents the inner whorl of the androecium in the two-staminate flower. Reconstruction of the origin of the vascular system in the androecium suggests that the outer whorl of androecium receives its vascular supply from the CDBs, and the inner whorl of androecium receives from the PBs in both the basal banana group and the more derived ginger clade.ConclusionsThe present study adds to a growing body of literature suggesting that the anatomy of abnormal flowers may not provide enough evidence for elucidating the relationships of the androecial members, and help us to better understand how the vascular system is constructed during the androecial petaloidy evolution.
Short report on implications of Covid-19 and emerging zoonotic infectious diseases for pastoralists and Africa
Authors: Egeru Anthony , Dejene Sintayehu W. , Siya Aggrey 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMany emerging and re-emerging zoonotic infectious diseases occur in Africa. These are projected to increase as human–animal host contact increases owing to increasing environmental degradation that shrinks nature habitats for wildlife over the continent. The current outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for causing coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) has reinvigorated discourse on the disruptiveness of the zoonotic emerging infectious diseases, owing to their transboundary character. Even as the world focuses on the COVID-19 sweeping pandemic, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS)-CoV re-emerged in Saudi Arabia infecting 18 people with five deaths; this has barely received any attention. This outbreak is particularly of concern to the pastoralists in the Horn of Africa, a region that has in recent past seen an increase in camel trade with the Gulf States, especially Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic infectious diseases are complex, depend on human–animal–environment interaction and pose a strain on public health systems. There is a need to address these diseases dynamically through a synergistic approach, drawing on expertise from diverse sectors. One Health approach has distinguished itself as an integrative action able to bring together multiple actors on a global, national and local scale to advance the attainment of optimal health outcomes for people, animals and the environment. One Health works by strengthening the preparedness, response, mitigation and monitoring of zoonotic infectious disease risks collaboratively. We opine that as zoonotic emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases continue to rise over pastoral Africa, comprehensive implementation of the One Health approach will be urgently required.
Challenges regarding the control of environmental sources of contamination in healthcare settings in low-and middle-income countries - a narrative review
Authors: Ogunsola Folasade T. , Mehtar Shaheen 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) especially outbreaks of multi-drug-resistant organisms within hospitals are recognized as a major contributor to morbidity and mortality of hospitalized patients. The healthcare environment can act as an amplifier of HAI during outbreaks. The risk of acquiring HAI are 20 times higher in Low-and-middle-income countries.
The purpose of this article is to review the challenges associated with controlling environmental contamination in low and lower-middle income countries (LMIC), highlighting possible solutions.

Method
This is a narrative review. A literature search was carried out in Google scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, EBSCOHOST, CENGAGE, Scopus, ProQuest, Clinical Key and African journals online using the key words - Health care Associated Infections (HCAIs) in LMICs, Challenges of HAIs in LMIC, Challenges of Prevention and Control of HAIs in LMICs, Environment of care and infection transmission, Contaminated environment and HAIs.

Results
From the accessed databases, 1872 articles related to environmental sources of contamination in healthcare settings were found. Of these, only 530 articles focused on LMICs. However, only 186 articles met the inclusion criteria studies published in English, conducted between 2000 and 2019 and exploring environmental sources of contamination in LMIC healthcare settings). The sources of environmental contamination in healthcare are numerous and commonly associated with poor governance, Inadequate infrastructure, human capacity and inadequate funding. Low awareness exists at all levels as to the role of the environment in healthcare outcomes and may explain in part the low priority given for funding.

Conclusion
Leadership and trained personnel, both Infection prevention and control practitioners and cleaners are crucial to drive and sustain the process to reduce environmental contamination in healthcare environments.
Depth-related variability in viral communities in highly stratified sulfidic mine tailings
Authors: Gao Shao-Ming , Schippers Axel , Chen Nan , Yuan Yang , Zhang Miao-Miao , Li Qi , Liao Bin , Shu Wen-Sheng , Huang Li-Nan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Recent studies have significantly expanded our knowledge of viral diversity and functions in the environment. Exploring the ecological relationships between viruses, hosts, and the environment is a crucial first step towards a deeper understanding of the complex and dynamic interplays among them.

Results
Here, we obtained extensive 16S rRNA gene amplicon, metagenomics sequencing, and geochemical datasets from different depths of two highly stratified sulfidic mine tailings cores with steep geochemical gradients especially pH, and explored how variations in viral community composition and functions were coupled to the co-existing prokaryotic assemblages and the varying environmental conditions. Our data showed that many viruses in the mine tailings represented novel genera, based on gene-sharing networks. Siphoviridae, Podoviridae, and Myoviridae dominated the classified viruses in the surface tailings and deeper layers. Both viral richness and normalized coverage increased with depth in the tailings cores and were significantly correlated with geochemical properties, for example, pH. Viral richness was also coupled to prokaryotic richness (Pearson’s r = 0.65, P = 0.032). The enrichment of prophages in the surface mine tailings suggested a preference of lysogenic viral lifestyle in more acidic conditions. Community-wide comparative analyses clearly showed that viruses in the surface tailings encoded genes mostly with unknown functions while viruses in the deeper layers contained genes mainly annotated as conventional functions related to metabolism and structure. Notably, significantly abundant assimilatory sulfate reduction genes were identified from the deeper tailings layers and they were widespread in viruses predicted to infect diverse bacterial phyla.

Conclusions
Overall, our results revealed a depth-related distribution of viral populations in the extreme and heterogeneous tailings system. The viruses may interact with diverse hosts and dynamic environmental conditions and likely play a role in the functioning of microbial community and modulate sulfur cycles in situ.
Modulating pyrimidine ribonucleotide levels for the treatment of cancer
Authors: Mollick Tanzina , Laín Sonia 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBy providing the necessary building blocks for nucleic acids and precursors for cell membrane synthesis, pyrimidine ribonucleotides are essential for cell growth and proliferation. Therefore, depleting pyrimidine ribonucleotide pools has long been considered as a strategy to reduce cancer cell growth. Here, we review the pharmacological approaches that have been employed to modulate pyrimidine ribonucleotide synthesis and degradation routes and discuss their potential use in cancer therapy. New developments in the treatment of myeloid malignancies with inhibitors of pyrimidine ribonucleotide synthesis justify revisiting the literature as well as discussing whether targeting this metabolic pathway can be effective and sufficiently selective for cancer cells to warrant an acceptable therapeutic index in patients.
Pro-inflammatory cytokine ratios determine the clinical course of febrile neutropenia in children receiving chemotherapy
Authors: Siegmund Mira , Pagel Julia , Scholz Tasja , Rupp Jan , Härtel Christoph , Lauten Melchior 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Febrile neutropenia is a common and serious complication during treatment of childhood cancer. Empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics are usually administered until neutrophil cell count recovery. It was the aim of this study to investigate cytokine profiles as potential biomarkers using in-vitro sepsis models to differentiate between distinct clinical courses of febrile neutropenia (FN).

Methods
We conducted an observational study in FN episodes of pediatric oncology patients. Courses of neutropenia were defined as severe in case of proven blood stream infection or clinical evidence of complicated infection. We collected blood samples at various time points from the onset of FN and stimulated ex vivo with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) for 24 h. Twenty-seven cytokine levels were measured in the whole blood culture supernatants by a multiplex immunoassay system.

Results
Forty-seven FN episodes from 33 children were investigated. IL-8, IL-1β, and MCP-1 expression increased significantly over time. IL-8, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, MCP-1, and TNF-α showed significantly lower concentration in patients with a clinically severe course of the FN.

Conclusions
Distinct patterns of cytokine profiles seem to be able to determine infectious FN and to predict the severity of its clinical course. If these data can be verified in a multi-centre setting, this may finally lead to an individualized treatment strategy facilitating antibiotic stewardship in these patients.
DNA methylation profiling demonstrates superior diagnostic classification to RNA-sequencing in a case of metastatic meningioma
Authors: Vasudevan Harish N. , Castro Maria R. H. , Lee Julieann C. , Villanueva-Meyer Javier E. , Bush Nancy Ann Oberheim , McDermott Michael W. , Solomon David A. , Perry Arie , Magill Stephen T. , Raleigh David R. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMeningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors, but meningioma metastases are rare. Accordingly, the clinical workup, diagnostic testing, and molecular classification of metastatic meningioma is incompletely understood. Here, we present a case report of multiply recurrent meningioma complicated by liver metastasis. We discuss the patient presentation, imaging findings, and conventional histopathologic characterization of both the intracranial lesion and the metastatic focus. Further, we perform multiplatform molecular profiling, comprised of DNA methylation arrays and RNA-sequencing, of six stereotactically-guided samples from the intracranial meningioma and a single ultrasound-guided liver metastasis biopsy. Our results show that DNA methylation clusters distinguish the liver metastasis from the intracranial meningioma samples, and identify a small focus of hepatocyte contamination with the liver biopsy. Nonetheless, DNA methylation-based classification accurately identifies the liver metastasis as a meningioma with high confidence. We also find that clustering of RNA-sequencing results distinguishes the liver metastasis from the intracranial meningiomas samples, but that differential gene expression classification is confounded by hepatocyte-specific gene expression programs in the liver metastasis. In sum, this case report sheds light on the comparative biology of intracranial and metastatic meningioma. Furthermore, our results support methylation-based classification as a robust method of diagnosing metastatic lesions, underscore the broad utility of DNA methylation array profiling in diagnostic pathology, and caution against the routine use of bulk RNA-sequencing for identifying tumor signatures in heterogeneous metastatic lesions.
Transplantation of induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) into chronically demyelinated corpus callosum ameliorates motor deficits
Authors: Sullivan Genevieve M. , Knutsen Andrew K. , Peruzzotti-Jametti Luca , Korotcov Alexandru , Bosomtwi Asamoah , Dardzinski Bernard J. , Bernstock Joshua D. , Rizzi Sandra , Edenhofer Frank , Pluchino Stefano , Armstrong Regina C. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMultiple Sclerosis (MS) causes neurologic disability due to inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration. Immunosuppressive treatments can modify the disease course but do not effectively promote remyelination or prevent long term neurodegeneration. As a novel approach to mitigate chronic stage pathology, we tested transplantation of mouse induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) into the chronically demyelinated corpus callosum (CC) in adult mice. Male C57BL/6 mice fed 0.3% cuprizone for 12 weeks exhibited CC atrophy with chronic demyelination, astrogliosis, and microglial activation. Syngeneic iNSCs were transplanted into the CC after ending cuprizone and perfused for neuropathology 2 weeks later. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences for magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), diffusion-weighted imaging (T2), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) quantified CC pathology in live mice before and after iNSC transplantation. Each MRI technique detected progressive CC pathology. Mice that received iNSCs had normalized DTI radial diffusivity, and reduced astrogliosis post-imaging. A motor skill task that engages the CC is Miss-step wheel running, which demonstrated functional deficits from cuprizone demyelination. Transplantation of iNSCs resulted in marked recovery of running velocity. Neuropathology after wheel running showed that iNSC grafts significantly increased host oligodendrocytes and proliferating oligodendrocyte progenitors, while modulating axon damage. Transplanted iNSCs differentiated along astrocyte and oligodendrocyte lineages, without myelinating, and many remained neural stem cells. Our findings demonstrate the applicability of neuroimaging and functional assessments for pre-clinical interventional trials during chronic demyelination and detect improved function from iNSC transplantation. Directly reprogramming fibroblasts into iNSCs facilitates the future translation towards exogenous autologous cell therapies.