bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Molecular Evidence of Theileria Lestoquardi in Small Ruminants in Northern Iran
Authors: Haghi Seyed Mousa Motavalli , Fakhar Mahdi , Sharbatkhori Mitra , Paghe Abdol Sattar 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Ovine theileriosis as a critical agent in small ruminant production, can cause lethal infections. Different species of Theileria have been reported in various parts of the world, and each species causes different diseases in the host. This is the first molecular study to investigate the prevalence of ovine theileriosis and identify the dominant Theileria species in northern Iran. A number of 220 small ruminants, including sheep and goats, were randomly sampled from 22 flocks. Peripheral blood smears are stained by the Giemsa staining method. As well as for species identification, all samples were examined by molecular method. From 220 samples, 160 and 60 were sheep and goat, respectively. By the Giemsa staining method, Theileria parasite was observed in 20 (9%) samples. But by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, 30 (13.6%) samples were positive for Theileria species. Theileria lestoquardi was the most common species found in these animals. The high prevalence of theileriosis in small ruminants demonstrates the emergence of ovine theileriosis in Mazandaran and Golestan provinces in northern Iran.
Suitability Analysis for Scaling Chickpea Improved Varieties in Ethiopia
Authors: Mulugeta Wondafrash , Nigussie Demeke Nigussiea , Molla Adamu , Bishaw Zewdie , Biradar Chandrashekhar 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Appropriate decision-making on crop production will reduce various risk factors associated with unsustainable land management. The limited available arable land be taken for granted which may turn from ‘best’ to ‘worst’ irrespective of the kind of land use and management practice without understanding its special requirements and potential use. GIS has contributed to the speed and efficiency of the overall planning process in agricultural land use suitability, since it enables quick and efficient access to large amounts of information, exhibiting relationships, patterns, and trends that are useful in monitoring land use potential and suitability evaluation. As crop’s environmental requirements vary from variety to variety, it is recommended to undertake variety specific analysis and mapping for better understand the extent of scaling-up the specific crop technologyResults: GIS-based land suitability map for chickpea was generated for each variety under consideration mapped showing their percentage area coverage of suitability for each regional states in Ethiopia. Based on, the suitability analysis desi chickpea varieties Mastewal, Naatolii, Teketay and Arerti, Habru, Kasech, and Yelbey kabuli chickpea varieties classified as highly suitable that cover 0.67, 0.71, 1.4, 2.3, 1.3, 2.4 and 1.2 million ha of the country respectively. While moderately suitable areas for the same varieties cover 25.2, 11.3, 25.9, 26.4, 26.6, 9.6, 17.1 million ha.Conclusion: The suitability analysis results show that the currently available improved varieties of chickpea can be targeted for scaling out in the identified land suitability classes in Ethiopia with some caution. Amhara, Oromia, SNNP and Tigray remain the major regions with suitable areas for production of available varieties of chickpea compared to Afar, Benishangul Gumuz, Gambella, and Somali regions. However, the highly suitable areas are limited compared to moderately suitable areas, which are higher across the regions.
Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing of Circulating Tumor DNA Mutations among Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Sun Minying , Lin Fangqin , Chen Lujia , Li Hong , Lin Weiquan , Du Hongyan , Yang Xuexi , Li Ming 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Background Liquid biopsy through the detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has potential advantages in cancer monitoring and prediction. However, most previous studies in this area were performed with a few hotspot genes, single time point detection, or insufficient sequencing depth.Methods In this study, we performed targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) with a customized panel in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. Fifty-four plasma samples were taken before chemotherapy and after the third course of treatment for detection and analysis. Paired lymphocytes were also included to eliminate clonal hematopoiesis (CH)-related alternatives.Results A total of 1182 nonsynonymous mutations on 419 genes were identified. More ctDNA mutations were detected in patients with tumors> 3cm (P = 0.035) and HER2(−) patients (P = 0.029). For a single gene, the distribution of ctDNA mutations was also correlated with clinical characteristics. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that HER2 status was significantly associated with mutation burden (OR 0.02, 95% CI 0–0.62, P = 0.025). The profiles of ctDNA mutations exhibited marked discrepancies between two time points, and baseline ctDNA was more sensitive and specific than that after chemotherapy. Finally, elevated ctDNA mutation level was positively correlated with poor survival (P < 0.001).Conclusion Mutations in ctDNA could serve as a potential biomarker for the evaluation and prediction, and guide the clinical management of MBC patients with chemotherapy.
Exploring the Effects of Genetic Variation on Gene Regulation in Cancer in the Context of 3D Genome Structure
Authors: Osman Noha , Shawky Abd-El-Monsif , Brylinski Michal 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Numerous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted to date revealed genetic variants associated with various diseases, including breast and prostate cancers. Despite the availability of these large-scale data, relatively few variants have been functionally characterized, mainly because the majority of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) map to the non-coding regions of the human genome. The functional characterization of these non-coding variants and the identification of their target genes remain challenging.Results: In this communication, we explore the potential functional mechanisms of non-coding SNPs by integrating GWAS with the high-resolution chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data for breast and prostate cancers. We show that more genetic variants map to regulatory elements through the 3D genome structure than the 1D linear genome lacking physical chromatin interactions. Importantly, the association of enhancers, transcription factors, and their target genes with breast and prostate cancers tends to be higher when these regulatory elements are mapped to high-risk SNPs through spatial interactions compared to simply using a linear proximity. Finally, we demonstrate that topologically associating domains (TADs) carrying high-risk SNPs also contain gene regulatory elements whose association with cancer is generally higher than those belonging to control TADs containing no high-risk variants.Conclusions: Our results suggest that many SNPs may contribute to the cancer development by affecting the expression of certain tumor-related genes through long-range chromatin interactions with gene regulatory elements. Integrating large-scale genetic datasets with the 3D genome structure offers an attractive and unique approach to systematically investigate the functional mechanisms of genetic variants in disease risk and progression.
Neuroprotective Potential of Sodium Orthovanadate in a Mouse Model of Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress.
Authors: Joshi Angel , Akhtar Ansab , Kuhad Anurag , Sah Sangeeta Pilkhwal 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Depression is a psychiatric disorder characterized by low-esteem, anhedonia, social deficit, and lack of interest. Decreased BDNF and impaired TrKB signaling have been found to be associated in depression. Moreover, oxidative stress in the brain and subsequent reduction of BDNF have a prominent role in psychiatric disorders. In our study, depressive-like behavior was induced in mice by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model. Further, sodium orthovanadate (SOV), a protein tyrosine phospahatase was used as a test drug as it is reported to stimulate BDNF levels. Sodium orthovanadate (SOV-5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) were given to mice orally for 21 days prior 30 minutes of stress induction. Various behavioral studies like tail suspension test (TST), open field test (OFT), and sucrose preference test (SPT); biochemical analyses for corticosterone, reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO) and ELISA for BDNF were performed. Body weight was measured on a weekly basis. The behavioral tests reflected depressive-like behavior in CUMS, which was attenuated by SOV and fluoxetine. SOV (10 mg/kg) significantly decreased malondialdehyde levels, NO, whereas increased GSH and SOD in both the cortex and hippocampus. Besides, ELISA revealed the elevation of BDNF levels in the treatment groups compared with the disease group (CUMS). Therefore, the treatment with SOV appeared to reverse both oxidative and nitrosative stress. Elevated BDNF level was associated with attenuation of depressive-like behaviors and serum corticosterone levels. The findings of this preliminary study indicates that SOV has potential to restore mood and social interaction in depression and so further molecular mechanisms will be warranted for clinical translation.
The extract of Acanthopanacis Cortex relieves the depression-like behavior and modulates IL-17 signaling in chronic mild stress-induced depressive mice
Authors: Yan Lu , Qian Yiyun , Liu Chuhan , Liu Zhanzhan , Song Pingping , Wang Tao , Wei Min 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Acanthopanacis Cortex (AC) is a valuable Chinese herbal medicine in Eleutherococcus Maxim., which has the effects of immune inflammatory modulation, anti-stress, anti-fatigue, sedation and analgesia. The functions of herbs from Eleutherococcus Maxim. involve neuroactivity, anti-fatigue, anti-stress and immune inflammatory modulation, and the peripheral functions of which are consistent with AC. However, the central nervous system function of AC has not been clearly illustrated. Since immune inflammatory modulation plays a critical role in the treatment of depression. In this study, we investigated the effect of AC against depression through immune inflammatory modulation.Methods: Chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced depressive mice were used to evaluate the effect of AC against depression. Behavior study and detection of neurotransmitters, neurotrophic factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines were carried out in the study. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling cascade was involved to further study the underlying mechanism of AC against depression.Results: AC had a beneficial effect on CMS-induced depressive mice, including improvement in depressive behavior and modulation of the levels of neurotransmitters, neurotrophic factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, AC was able to suppress IL-17-midiated signaling cascade and thereby alleviating neuroinflammation and depression.Conclusions: Our results revealed that AC showed great effects on anti-depression through immune inflammatory modulation. These findings provide an insight into anti-depression therapy, which will be useful for the development of clinical application of AC.
Evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of e- OSCE in the COVID- 19 era
Authors: Shorbagi Sarra , Sulaiman Nabil , Hasswan Ahmad , Kaouas Mujtaba , Al-Dijani Mona M. , El-hussein Rania Adil , Daghistani Mada Talal , Nugud Shumoos , Guraya Salman Yousuf 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its quick progress to a global pandemic has urged medical schools to shift from didactic to distance learning and assessment approaches. The quality of clinical training and assessment have been jeopardized due to the regulatory restrictions and potential hazards to human lives. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an electronic Objective Structured Clinical Examination (e-OSCE), which attempted to transform the format of a face-to-face OSCE to an e-OSCE.Methods: We conducted three end of clerkship e-OSCEs for final year medical students in Surgery, Medicine and Family Medicine using teleconferencing application of Microsoft Teams (MST). The e-OSCE blueprint included the assessment of all clinical skills except physical examination and procedural skills. Examiners supervised e-OSCE from the college campus while all students were remotely assessed through the MST channels. During the exam, the students stayed in their specified MST channels, examiners rotated across all students. The feasibility and effectiveness of e-OSCE was evaluated using a self-administered questionnaire to students, examiners and e-OSCE team. Results: The data analysis showed that 93.4% students and 92.2% examiners agreed with the quality and process of e-OSCE. Similarly, 83.6% students and 98% examiners agreed with the fairness, smoothness and organization of e-OSCE. As many as 45.9% students and 74.5% examiners agreed that e-OSCE was close to real life practice. Approximately one fifth of students and one third of examiners preferred e-OSCE over the face-to-face OSCE. The analysis of qualitative data generated themes of e-OSCE structure and technology. While majority of participants were satisfied with e-OSCE, students were concerned about examiners’ training and e-OSCE contents. Examiners and e-OSCE team recognized the paper-less, tech-savy, fast and reliable e-OSCE format. Conclusion: During and beyond COVID- 19 era, e-OSCE is a feasible and effective modality for assessing clinical competence except for physical examination and procedural skills. The planning and implementation of e-OSCE reflects an ingenuity in assessment of clinical competencies of medical students.
A Retrospective Analysis of the Efficacy and Safety of Anlotinib in the Treatment of Advanced Sarcoma
Authors: Yan Qiang , Du Xinhui , Guo Liangyu , Yao Weitao 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Patients with advanced sarcomas have a dismal prognosis with few effective therapies. Previous research has demonstrated the efficacy of anlotinib in the treatment of advanced sarcomas. However, there are few relevant clinical studies, and the efficacy of anlotinib varies among sarcomas of different subtypes. Therefore, more clinical studies are needed to explore the efficacy of anlotinib in different subtypes of sarcomas. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of anlotinib monotherapy in the treatment of advanced sarcoma. Methods: Data from 45 advanced sarcoma patients who received anlotinib monotherapy at Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University between June 2018 and February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 5 cases of osteosarcoma and 40 cases of soft tissue sarcoma(STS). According to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) Version 1.1, we evaluated objective response rates (ORR) and disease control rates (DCR) at 3 months, as well as overall ORR and DCR, and calculated progression-free survival(PFS), and then evaluated treatment-related adverse events (AEs). Results: 44 patients were evaluated for efficacy and 45 for treatment-related AES. The ORR and DCR after 3 months were 6.82% and 81.82% respectively. At the end of follow-up, the overall ORR was 2.27%, the total DCR was 27.27%, and the median progression-free survival (m-PFS) was 5.71 months. Among them, the m-PFS of alveolar soft tissue sarcoma (ASPS) was 8.07 months, which was significantly longer than that of other subtypes of sarcoma (P=0.025). The most common adverse events were hypothyroidism (increased TSH) (17.8%), anemia (15.6%), fatigue (11.1%), loss of appetite (11.1%), decreased liver function (11.1%), leukopenia (8.9%) and hand-foot syndrome (8.9%). After treatment, 5 patients developed grade 3 AES, including decreased liver function (4.4%), hypertension (2.2%), proteinuria (2.2%), fatigue (2.2%), and loss of appetite (2.2%). One patient had severe myelosuppression and a significant decrease in white blood cells and platelets. It is worth noting that the PFS of patients with hand-foot syndrome after treatment was significantly longer than that of patients without hand-foot syndrome (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Anlotinib is effective in the treatment of sarcoma, especially in ASPS, Synovial sarcoma (SS) and Fibrosarcoma (FS), and its toxicity is controllable. In addition, the occurrence of hand-foot syndrome after treatment may be related to a good prognosis. However, large sample and prospective studies are needed to confirm it.
Research on the Correlation Mechanism of Psychological Contract Violation and Physicians’ Behaviour Options (EVLN) in Tertiary Public Hospitals: An Empirical Study in Beijing, China
Authors: Hu Lujia , Zhu Junli , Zhang Yao , Chen Yun , Jia Yufei 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: With the continuous deepening of the new medical reform, the hospital management system has changed, and there have been corresponding changes at the organisational and individual levels. As the main body of medical services, how to effectively motivate physicians is an important issue for hospital management. Purpose: the purpose of this research was to investigate the correlation mechanism between psychological contract violation and the EVLN behavior of physicians in tertiary public hospitals and explore new ideas for encouraging physicians, and provides governance and intervention strategies for management in hospitals. Methodology: Based on related theories such as psychological contract, this research used the stratified cluster sampling method to survey a total of 321 physicians in four public hospitals in Beijing, established an Excel database, and used Stata15.0 to construct regression models to analyse the correlation mechanism between psychological contract violation and the EVLN behavior of physicians in tertiary public hospitals. Findings: Psychological contract violation has a positive effect on exit behavior and neglect behavior, and a negative effect on voice behavior and loyalty behavior. Organisational justice has a mediating effect on the direct correlation mechanism models. Practice Implications: Our results suggest that it is necessary to pay attention to the psychological contract violation of physicians, build a good psychological contract relationship between public hospitals and physicians, and make full use of the role of organisational justice to promote positive behaviors of physicians, and moreover to prevent and curb negative behaviors of physicians.
[6]-Paradol Suppresses Proliferation and Metastases of Pancreatic Cancer by Decreasing EGFR and Inactivating PI3K/AKT Signaling
Authors: Jiang Xueyi , Wang Jie , Chen Peng , He Zhiwei , Xu Jian , Chen Yankun , Liu Xinyuan , Jiang Jianxin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: The underlying mechanism behind the tumorigenesis and progression of pancreatic cancer is not clear, and treatment failure is generally caused by early metastasis, recurrence, drug resistance and vascular invasion. Exploring novel therapeutic regimens is necessary to overcome drug resistance and improve patients outcomes.Methods: Functional assays were performed to investigated the role of 6-Paradol in proliferation and metastasis in vitro and vivo. The interaction between EGFR and 6-P was tested by KEGG enrichment analysis and molecular docking analysis. qRT-PCR was performed to detected the mRNA expression of EGFR in 6-P treated groups. Involvement of the PI3K/AKT pathway was measured by western blotting.Results: 6-P significantly suppressed pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. KEGG enrichment analysis and molecular docking analysis suggested that there was an interaction between EGFR and 6-P. In addition, 6-P obviously decreased EGFR protein expression levels but did not change the mRNA of EGFR. 6-P could induce degradation of EGFR through decreasing the protein stability of EGFR and enhancing the ubiquitin-mediated proteasome-dependent degradation,6-P-mediated EGFR degradation led to inactivating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. However, Ectopic expression of EGFR protein resulted in resistance to 6-P-mediated inactivity of PI3K/AKT signaling and inhibition of malignant phenotype. Inversely, erlotinib could enhance the 6-P-mediated anticancer activity. Conclusion: Our data indicated that 6-P/EGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling axis might become one of the supplemental therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
Risk Factors associated with Fetal and Pregnancy Complications in Palestine
Authors: Al-Aqqad Sana ’ , Al-Natour Nihal , Al-Tell Mariam 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Complications observed during pregnancy affect both mother and fetus, and are more commonly observed among pregnant women from developing countries. The study aims to identify the most common pregnancy and fetal complications during pregnancy, and associated risk factors with these complications. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted from September 2017 to July 2018 among pregnant women attending and registering in primary health care clinics of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Nablus city. Data were collected through interviews and by reviewing medical records. Women were followed up during their regular visits to the primary health care clinics. Any complication affecting either the fetus or the mother during the pregnancy period was recorded. Binary logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for pregnancy and fetal complications. Results: A total of 380 pregnant women were included in the study. The most common complications seen among women during pregnancy were preterm labor (PTL) (11.3%), followed by an equal number of gestational diabetes (GDM) and pregnancies induce hypertension (PIH), i.e. (7.9%). Large for gestational age (LGA) (11.6 %) and small for gestational age (SGA) (10.5%) were the most commonly observed fetal complications. Pregnant women living in camps (O.R 2.35, 95% [CI] 1.02- 5.45), nulliparity (O.R 14.9, 95% [CI] 1.09-202.5) and low parity women (O.R 16.8, 95% [CI] 1.47- 192.5) were at higher risk of having pregnancy complications. However, lower risk was noticed between women with gravida 4 (O.R 0.11, 95% [CI] 0.03-0.47) compared to women having more than 6 pregnancies. Age younger than 41 years was a protective factor against fetal complications, while parity (≤ 6 parities) especially 4 to 6 parities (OR 36.17; 95% CI 4.88-268) and active smoking mothers (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.0-3.07) were identified as risk factors that are associated with an increased risk of fetal complications. Conclusions: Fetal and pregnancy-related complications are prevalent among Palestinian pregnant women. Increasing the awareness and improving the understanding of the identified risk factors related to these complications among the public, and specifically, females may help to reduce the prevalence of these conditions and the associated risk of these complications.