bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epigenome-wide association study of left-handedness for different tissues and ages
Authors: Odintsova Veronika , Sudermann Matthew , Hagenbeek Fiona , Caramaschi Doretta , Hottenga Jouke-Jan , Pool René , Dolan Conor , Ligthart Lannie , Beijsterveldt Catharina van , Willemsen Gonneke , de Geus Eco , Beck Jeffrey , Ehli Erik , Cuellar-Partida Gabriel , Evans David , Medland Sarah , Relton Caroline , Boomsma Dorret , Dongen Jenny van 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
We report the first epigenome-wide association study of left-handedness, a trait with low heritability for which epigenetic mechanisms have been proposed as an underlying etiological mechanism. A region-based meta-analysis of whole blood genome-wide DNA methylation data from two cohorts (3,914 adults) identified differentially methylated regions annotated to BLCAP (20q11.23), a negative regulator of cell growth involved in apoptosis, NNAT (20q11.23), involved in brain development, and IAH1 (2p25.1), which encodes an acyl esterase. CpGs located in proximity to the SNPs from the largest GWAS of handedness were more strongly associated with left-handedness than other differentially methylated positions. In longitudinal whole blood samples, cord blood, and buccal cells from children (N = 1,967), the association with handedness displayed moderate stability across age, but little consistency across cell types. These findings suggest new candidate loci associated with handedness.
Valeric acid-5-HT-dependent macrophage activation drives intestinal stem cell self-renewal
Authors: Fan Zusen , Zhu Pingping , Lu Tiankun , Wu Jiayi , Zhu Xiaoxiao , Liu Benyu , Wang Yanying , Xiong Zhen , Fan Dongdong , Guo Hui , Du Ying , Liu Feng , Tian Yong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells reside within specialized niches at the crypt base and harbor self-renewal and differentiation capacities. ISCs in the crypt base are sustained by their surrounding niche for precise modulation of self-renewal and differentiation. However, how intestinal cells in the crypt niche and microbiota in enteric cavity regulates ISC stemness remains unclear. Here we show that ISCs are regulated by intestinal nerve cells and macrophage cells in the crypt niche, which are further modulated by microbiota. Enteric serotonergic neurons, along with their secreted neurotransmitter 5-HT, are required for ISC self-renewal. 5-HT activates PGE2 production in macrophages through engagement with its receptors Htr2a/3a, and PGE2 activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling of ISCs via engagement with its receptors Ep1/Ep4. Gut bacterial metabolite valeric acid promotes Tph2 expression through blocking enrichment of NuRD complex onto Tph2 promoter. Our findings reveal the complicated crosstalk between microbiota, intestinal nerve cells, intestinal immune cells and intestinal stem cells, adding a new layer for ISC regulation by niche cells and microbiota.
Ethanol susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 and other enveloped viruses
Authors: Nomura Toshihito , Nazmul Tanuza , Yoshimoto Reiko , Higashiura Akifumi , Oda Kosuke , Sakaguchi Takemasa 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Ethanol is an effective disinfectant against the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. However, its effective concentration has not been shown, and we therefore analyzed the effects of different concentrations of ethanol on SARS-CoV-2. When SARS-CoV-2 was treated with varying ethanol concentrations and examined for changes in infectivity, the ethanol concentration at which 99% of the infectious titers were reduced was 24.1%(w/w) [29.3%(v/v)]. For reference, ethanol susceptibility was also examined with other envelope viruses, including influenza virus, vesicular stomatitis virus in the family Rhabdoviridae, and Newcastle disease virus in the family Paramyxoviridae, and the 99% inhibitory concentrations were found to be 28.8%(w/w) [34.8%(v/v)], 24.0%(w/w) [29.2%(v/v)], and 13.3%(w/w) [16.4%(v/v)], respectively. Some differences from SARS-CoV-2 were observed, but the differences were not significant. It was concluded that ethanol at a concentration of 30%(w/w) [36.2%(v/v)] almost completely inactivates SARS-CoV-2.
Adjustment of Original DRASTIC model by means of Lineament Density to Map Groundwater Vulnerability: Case Study in Rania Basin, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Authors: Salih Ata Omer , Al-Manmi Diary Ali 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Groundwater has never been heavily relied on as a water source in Northern Iraq as it has been in the last two decades due to the rapid and often unplanned urbanization, industrial and agricultural projects. This paper attempts to present a concise groundwater vulnerability assessment of Rania basin to the local and regional planning authorities to ensure a more sustainable development in the area. The focus of the study is the Rania basin, which is a part of Dokan sub-basin in North East Iraq. The initial groundwater vulnerability assessment is mapped with standard DRASTIC model. It is then modified by adding “Lineament Density Index” to the original seven DRASTIC parameters due to the previously established close relationship between flow and yield of groundwater with lineament. The area is categorized into five vulnerability index zones of; very low (26%), low (32%), medium (31%), high (11%) and very high (0.012%). The modified model offeres a slightly different vulnerability classification of; very low (16.61%), low (35.45%), medium (30.32), high (17.57) and very high (0.05%). Measured Nitrate concentration is used to validate the assessment results. A progressive increase in nitrate concentration somehow reflects the different vulnerability zones identified by the DRASTIC models in the area. Samples of wet season show 15.96 mg/l, 17.68 mg/l and 20.1 mg/l for very low vulnerability, low vulnerability and medium vulnerability zones when classified by modified DRASTIC model.
Short Health Scale: a Valid and Reliable Quality of Life Scale for Chinese Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Hou Jiang-tao , Peng Bin , Zhang Shi-jing , Luo Yong-xin , Chen Yi-ming , Cai Jia-zhong , Wen Yi , Mi Hong , Luo Jian-feng , Zheng Xiao-mei , Pan Si-min , Liu Shi-ying , Chen Xin-lin , Chen Bin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The aim of our study was to translate and validate the Chinese version of the Short Health Scale (SHS), a disease-specific quality of life (QoL) scale for the patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Methods: The SHS was translated and validated according to the standard process: a translation and back-translation procedure, culture adaptation and a validation study. Patients with IBD were enrolled, and their QoL were assessed using the SHS and the short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (SIBDQ). Reliability (internal consistency reliability, split-half reliability and test-retest reliability) and validity (content validity, construct validity, criterion validity and discriminant validity) analysis were performed to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the SHS.Results: A total of 95 patients with IBD (62 ulcerative colitis and 33 Crohn’s disease) completed the Chinese version of the SHS, and 40 patients completed the SHS within 1-4 weeks once again. Cronbach's alpha value of the SHS was 0.91, and its split-half coefficient was 0.83. Intraclass correlation coefficients of four items ranged from 0.55 to 0.75. All four items of the SHS were significantly associated with the corresponding domains of the SIBDQ, with correlation coefficients ranging from -0.47 to -0.63 (P < 0.001). Exploratory factor analysis showed that the cumulative contribution rate of variance reached 68%, and the factor loading of all the items were greater than 0.8. The scores of four items were significantly different for the patients of different Bristol stool form scale (P < 0.001). The scores of function, worry and general well-being were significantly different among the patients with different smoking status (P < 0.05).Conclusions: The SHS is a simple and quick scale. The SHS had good validity and reliability, and was suitable to evaluate the QoL of patients with IBD in Chinese.
Efficacy of Transcutaneous Bilirubinometry as Compared to Serum Bilirubin in Preterm Newborn During Phototherapy
Authors: Gothwal Sunil , Singh Neelam , Sitaraman Sadasivam , Choudhary Ramesh , Meena Kailash Kumar , Bairwa Ghan Shyam , Bairwa Mohan , Jeevan Amrit 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Transcutaneous measurement of bilirubin is being used for neonatal jaundice. Its utility during phototherapy in preterm babies is not established. Objective of our study was to assess the efficacy of transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurement in comparison to total serum bilirubin in preterm newborns at admission and during phototherapy at covered skin area (glabella). It was a prospective observational study and conducted at neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital from January 2017 to January 2019. One hundred eligible preterm neonates were enrolled. Babies who were very sick, with poor peripheral circulation, edematous, having conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, with major congenital malformations, already received phototherapy or exchange transfusion were excluded. Paired total serum bilirubin and transcutaneous bilirubin were measured at admission, at 6 hours and 24 hours during phototherapy. TcB was measured from area (glabella) covered by eye protector during phototherapy. Sample for TsB was taken within 10 minutes of TcB measurement. The mean difference between TsB and TcB values at admission, 6 hours and 24 hours of phototherapy were -0.005 (0.353), --0.350 (0.611), and -0.592 (0.353) respectively. At admission or before starting of phototherapy the difference (TsB-TcB) was statistically not significant (p=.125), while the difference in these values were statistically significant at 6 hours and 24 hours of phototherapy. Conclusion: TcB measurements from covered skin area in jaundiced preterm infants during phototherapy were not correlated with TsB and cannot be used as an alternate of serum bilirubin levels.
Output-Feedback Control for Path Following of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles via Singular Perturbation Technique
Authors: Lei Ming , Li Ye , Pang Shuo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Autonomous underwater vehicles are needed in many applications such as underwater monitoring and surveillance, marine biology, rescue and search, undersea oil detection. In reality, the unknown external disturbances, and model uncertainties make the motion control of autonomous underwater vehicles a challenging task. With these issues, this paper presents an output-feedback singular perturbation control scheme for the path following of autonomous underwater vehicles, in term of the time scale decomposition method. As illustration, an extended state observer is first devised based on the singular perturbation theory. Then the stabilizing controller is developed by using the time scale decomposition method, in order to obtain a simple, easy-to-implement control law. And the stability analysis of stabilizing control system is conducted by constructing a composite Lyapunov function, which allows to provide mathematical bounds on the design parameters. Finally, simulation results are presented to prove the efficacy of the proposed controller for path following of autonomous underwater vehicles subject to internal and external disturbances.
Comparison Studies Between Machine Learning Optimisation Technique on Predicting Concrete Compressive Strength
Authors: Rathakrishnan Vimal , Beddu Salmia , Ahmed Ali Najah 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this research, a comparison study of the machine learning (ML) optimisation technique to predict the compressive strength of concrete is discussed. In previous studies, researchers focused on identifying the machine learning model by comparing, ensemble, bagging, and fusion methods in predicting the concrete strength. In this research, an ML model hyper-parameter optimisation is used to improve the prediction accuracy and performance of the model. Extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) is used as the base model to perform the prediction, as the XGBoost has a built-in model ensemble, bagging, and boosting algorithms. Grid Search, Random Search, and Bayesian Optimisation are selected and used to optimise the hyperparameters of the XGBoost model. For this particular prediction study, the optimised models based on Random Search performed better than other optimisation methods. The Random Search optimisation method showed substantial improvements in prediction accuracy, modelling error and computation time.
Comparison of Manipulative Indicators of Students and Therapists Using a Robotic Arm
Authors: Yuji KOIKE , Akihisa OKINO , Kazuhisa TAKEDA , Yasuhiro TAKANAMI , Hamaguchi Toyohiro 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to clarify the motion therapy elements necessary for the education of students through comparison of the therapeutic motion techniques of therapists and students using an educational arm robot (Samothrace: SAMO) set with varying degrees of muscle tone pathology.Methods: The participants included eight therapists with more than five years of clinical experience and 25 fourth-year students from occupational therapy training schools who had completed their clinical practice. The therapeutic motion therapy task was a reciprocating exercise in which the elbow joint of SAMO was flexed from an extended position and then re-extended. This was performed three times for each of the three types of muscle tone intensities (mild, moderate, and severe), for a total of nine repetitions. The peak velocity, peak angle ratio, peak velocity time, and movement time were recorded using SAMO while the subjects performed the therapeutic motion therapy task. These data were compared using analysis of covariance. Results: The SAMO elbow joint kinematic data generated by therapists were significantly different than those of students for different muscle tones. It was clear from multiple comparisons that the therapeutic motion techniques of students were associated with higher peak velocity, smaller peak angle ratio, and shorter peak velocity time and movement time than those of therapists. Conclusion: The therapeutic motion techniques applied by the students in response to the muscle tone condition of the arm robot were different from those applied by therapists, suggesting that the students were not able to perform the therapeutic motion techniques in response to the degree of the muscle tone intensity in the same way that an expert could. Based on the results, when students learn therapeutic motion techniques, they should be taught to 1) deal with multiple muscle tone intensities and 2) reduce the speed of joint movement applied to the patient, extend the exercise time, and ensure maximum range of joint movement. These were the suggested guiding factors.
YWHAE Influences the Malignant Behaviour of Ovarian Cancer by Regulating the PI3K/AKT and MAPK Pathways Via HE4
Authors: Li Xiao , Wang Caixia , Wang Shuang , Hu Yuexin , Jin Shan , Liu Ouxuan , Gou Rui , Nie Xin , Liu Juanjuan , Lin Bei 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Malignant tumours of the female reproductive system threaten the lives and health of women worldwide, with ovarian cancer having the highest mortality rate among all malignant tumours. Based on previous work, this study analysed the expression and role of YWHAE in ovarian epithelial tumours. Methods: The interaction between YWHAE and HE4 was evaluated by immunoprecipitation, western blot analysis, and cellular immunofluorescence. Immunohistochemistry was used to address the relationship between YWHAE expression and clinicopathological parameters and patient prognosis. Changes in cell invasion, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, migration, proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis before and after differential expression of YWHAE were also explored in ovarian cancer cell lines and in vivo experiments. Results: YWHAE was found to directly interact with HE4, and its expression was positively correlated with HE4 expression. Moreover, YWHAE higher levels were associated with advanced ovarian cancer cases and with poorer patient outcome. YWHAE was found to enhance the invasion, migration, proliferation, and inhibition of apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. These biological effects were found to be meditated by the activity of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signalling pathways.Conclusions: Altogether, this study demonstrates that YWHAE is significantly increased in ovarian cancer tissues, representing a risk factor for the prognosis of ovarian cancer that is positively correlated with HE4 expression. Furthermore, YWHAE and its downstream signals may represent new therapeutic targets to tackle ovarian cancer.
Glut10 is a Novel Immune Regulator Involved in Lung Cancer Immune Cell Infiltration and Predicts Worse Survival When Transcriptionally Down-Regulated
Authors: Jian Lijuan , Zhang Min , Wu Qi , Min Xinping , Li Bowen , Wu Zhiyong , Hu Xiaoping , Ren Zongli , Wang Zhiwei , Hu Zhipeng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: GLUT10 is encoded by SLC2A10 gene. Recent investigations have shown that GLUT10 is not only involved in glucose metabolism, but also involved in the body's immune response to cancer cells. However, the correlations between GLUT10 expression and prognosis, immune cells infiltrating of different cancers remain unclear.Methods: We Knocked down SLC2A10 and performed transcriptome sequencing to analyze the biological function of GLUT10. The SLC2A10 expression level was analyzed by the Oncomine databases and Tumor immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) site. We evaluated the prognostic potential of SLC2A10 in different cancers using the Kaplan-Meier plotter database and the PrognoScan online software. The correlations between SLC2A10 expression and immune infiltrates were analyzed by TIMER. In addition, correlations between SLC2A10 expression and gene marker sets of immune infiltrates were analyzed by TIMER and GEPIA.Results: Knocking down of SLC2A10 widely activated immune and inflammatory signaling. SLC2A10 was abnormally expressed in several tumors. The expression level of SLC2A10 was closely correlated with cancer prognosis. Low SLC2A10 expression was related to poorer prognosis and increased malignancy of lung cancer. Lung cancer patients with low expression of SLC2A10 have a much shorter median survival time than patients with high expression of SLC2A10. SLC2A10 expression is closely related to different types of immune cell infiltration, particularly with macrophages.Conclusions: By using various databases and analysis software, we found that GLUT10 is involved in tumor immunity and is expected to serve as a therapeutic target in the future. Down-regulation of SLC2A10 expression predicts poor prognosis of lung cancer. GLUT10 may be a new important immune regulating molecular thus worth further focusing.
Diabetes Medication Use and Cancer Risk: Protocol for a Systematic Review
Authors: Chen Yixian , Mushashi Fidela , Son Surim , Murphy Rachel A 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Cancer is a growing public health challenge. Innovative approaches to prevent the future burden of cancer are needed. Diabetes medications may help to decrease the risk of cancers, however, a better understanding of relationships by cancer site and diabetes medication class are essential to guide future clinical trials. However, there is not adequate knowledge synthesis on different types of diabetes medications and cancer types. We aim to provide an integrated view of diabetes medications’ role and site-specific cancers.Methods: This systematic review will include observational studies (cohort, nested case-control, case-cohort, and case-control) and randomized controlled trials in human adults in which the effect of diabetes medication use on breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, liver, and pancreatic cancers was evaluated. The former four are among the most common cancer types, while liver and pancreatic cancer are of interest due to the biological roles of the liver and pancreas in blood glucose regulation. MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane CENTRAL will be searched using a comprehensive and sensitive search strategy. The reference list of identified studies and relevant systematic reviews will be manually screened. Two reviewers will independently screen studies, extract data, and assess quality. Random-effect models will be employed to obtain overall pooled estimates of associations and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). This systematic review and meta-analyses will be reported following the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Results will be reported as specified by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.Discussion: Findings of this review will help to clarify relationships between diabetes medication and cancer, which is critical for future efforts to improve cancer prevention. Further, challenges and limitations identified in this review will foster opportunities to refine design and analysis procedures in future studies. Systematic review registration: The systematic review protocol was registered on Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/frg5z) and on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42021239348).
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the AT-hook Motif Nuclear Localized&nbsp;gene family in soybean
Authors: Wang Min , Chen Bowei , Zhou Wei , Xie Linan , Wang Lishan , Zhang Yonglan , Zhang Qingzhu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Soybean is an important legume crop and has significant agricultural and economic value. Previous research has shown that the AT-Hook Motif Nuclear Localized (AHL) gene family is highly conserved in land plants, playing a crucial role in plant growth and development. To date, however, the AHL gene family has not been studied in soybean. Results: To investigate the roles played by the AHL gene family in soybean, genome-wide identification, expression patterns and gene structures were performed to analyze. We identified a total of 63 AT-hook motif genes, which were characterized by the presence of the AT-hook motif and PPC domain in soybean. The AT-hook motif genes were distributed on 18 chromosomes and formed two distinct clades (A and B), as shown by phylogenetic analysis. All the AHL proteins were further classified into three types (I,II and III) based on the AT-hook motif. Type-I was belonged to Clade-A, while Type-II and Type-III were belonged to Clade-B. Our results also showed that the main type of duplication in the soybean AHL gene family was segmented duplication event. To discern whether the AHL gene family was involved in stress response in soybean, we performed cis-acting elements analysis and found that AHL genes were associated with light responsiveness, anaerobic induction, MYB and gibberellin-responsiveness elements. This suggest that AHL genes may participate in plant development and mediate stress response. Moreover, a co-expression network analysis showed that the AHL genes were also involved in energy transduction, and the associated with the gibberellin pathway and nuclear entry signal pathways in soybean. Transcription analysis revealed that AHL genes in Jack and Williams82 have a common expression pattern and are mostly expressed in roots, showing greater sensitivity under drought and submergence stress. Hence, the AHL gene family mainly reacts on mediating stress responses in the roots and provide comprehensive information for further understanding of the AT-hook motif gene family-mediated stress response in soybean.Conclusion: 63 AT-hook motif genes were identified in the soybean genome. These genes formed into two distinct phylogenetic clades and belonged to three different types. Cis-acting elements and co-expression network analyses suggested that AHL genes participated in significant biological processes. This work provides important theoretical basis for the understanding of AHL biological functions in soybean.