bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in Retinal Multilayer Thickness and Vascular Network of Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Mei Xi , Zou Chenjun , Qiu Conglong , Chen Zhongming , Chen Yang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Retinal biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were largely investigated during last decades. Brain conditions could be reflected by retinal nervous and vascular parameters. It can be used to enhance the accuracy of early diagnosis of AD.Objective: Our study aimed to evaluate the difference of retinal neuro-layer thickness and vascular parameters between AD patients and health control (HC) subjects.Methods: Non-invasive technology of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were adopted to acquire the combination thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL), as well as the full retinal thickness (FRT). Vascular branch (VB), vascular curvature (VC), and vascular density (VD) were also collected in AD and HC groups. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was adopted to evaluate the cognitive levels of all subjects. After obtaining all the parameters, we used Mann-Whitney U test to compare the mean values of all retinal regions parameters between ADs and HCs. Pearson's correlation was used to test the association between retinal parameters and MMSE score, and vascular parameters.Results: Compared with HCs, the RNFL+GCL thickness of inferior quadrant, FRT of inferior and temporal quadrant, and retinal VD of patients with AD were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The retinal thickness had significant correlations with MMSE scores (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the retinal VD was significantly correlated with the average RNFL+GCL thickness (p < 0.05, r = 0.5956).Conclusion: In conclusion, our study suggested that AD patients had significant reduced RNFL+GCL thickness and vascular density compared with the age-matched HCs. Meanwhile, these reductions correlated with the cognitive level of the subjects. Trial registration number: ChiCTR2000035243Date of registration: Aug., 5, 2020URL of trial registry record: http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx
Labor Migration Is Associated With Lower Rates of Underweight and Higher Rates of Obesity Among Left-behind Wives in Rural Bangladesh: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Sznajder Kristin , Wander Katherine , Mattison Siobhan , Medina Elizabeth Araceli , Alam Nurul , Raqib Rubhana , Kumar Anjan , Haque Farjana , Blumenfield Tami , Shenk Mary K. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundAmong Bangladeshi men, international labor migration has increased ten-fold since 1990 and rural to urban labor migration rates have steadily increased. Labor migration of husbands has increased household wealth and redefined women’s roles, which have both positively and negatively impacted the health of wives “left behind”. We examined the direct and indirect effects of husband labor migration on chronic disease indicators and outcomes among wives of labor migrants.MethodsWe collected survey, anthropometric, and biomarker data from a random sample of women in Matlab, Bangladesh, in 2018. We assessed associations between husband’s migration and indicators of adiposity and chronic disease. We used structural equation modeling to assess the direct effect of labor migration on chronic disease, undernutrition, and adiposity, and the mediating roles of income, food security, and proportion of food purchased from the bazaar. Qualitative interviews and participant observation were used to help provide context for the associations we found in our quantitative results.FindingsAmong study participants, 9.0% were underweight, 50.9% were iron deficient, 48.3% were anemic, 39.6% were obese, 27.3% had a waist circumference over 35 inches, 33.1% had a high whole-body fat percentage, 32.8% were diabetic, and 32.9% had hypertension. Slightly more women in the sample (55.3%) had a husband who never migrated than had a husband who had ever migrated (44.9%). Of those whose husband had ever migrated, 25.8% had a husband who was a current international migrant. Wives of migrants were less likely to be underweight, and more likely to have indicators of excess adiposity, than wives of non-migrants. Protection against undernutrition was attributable primarily to increased food security among wives of migrants, while increased adiposity was attributable primarily to purchasing a higher proportion of food from the bazaar; however, there was a separate path through income, which qualitative findings suggest may be related to reduced physical activity.ConclusionsLabor migration, and particularly international labor migration, intensifies the nutrition transition in Bangladesh through increasing wealth, changing how foods are purchased, and reducing physical activity, which both decreases risk for undernutrition and increases risk for excess adiposity.
Predictors of Mortality in COVID-19 Patients at Kinshasa Medical Center and A Survival Analysis: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: NLANDU Yannick MAYAMBA , Mafuta Danny , Sakaji Junior , Brecknell Melinda , Engole Yannick , Abatha Jessy , Nkumu Jean-Robert , Nkodila Aliocha , Mboliassa Marie-France , Tuyinama Olivier , Bena Dauphin , Mboloko Yves , Kobo Patrick , Boloko Patrick , Tshangu Joseph , Azika Philippe , Kanku Jean-Pierre , Mafuta Pally , Atantama Magloire , Mavungu Jean-Michel , Kitenge Rosita , Sehli Asma , Eckout Karel Van , Mukuku Cathy , Bergeret Léo , Benchetritt David , Kalifa Golan , Rodolphe Ahmed , Bukabau Justine 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundDespite it being a global pandemic, there is little research examining the clinical features of severe COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to identify predictors of mortality in COVID-19 patients in an African setting.MethodsIn this retrospective, observational, cohort study carried out at the Kinshasa Medical Centre (KMC) between March 10, 2020 and July 10, 2020, we included all adult inpatients (≥18 years old) with a laboratory diagnosis by PCR of COVID-19. The end point of the study was survival to discharge (time-to-death).The study population was dichotomized into survivors and non-survivors group. Kaplan-Meier plot was used for survival analyses. The Log-Rank test was employed to compare the survival curves. Predictors of mortality were identified by Cox regression models. The significance level of P value was set at 0.05.Results106 patients (mean age 55.6±13.2 years old, 80.2% were male), were included in this study, of whom 34 (32 %) died during their hospitalisation. The main Complications of the patients included ARDS in 59/66 (89.4%) patients, coagulopathy in 35/93 (37.6%) patients, acute cardiac injury in 24/98 (24.5%) patients, AKI in 15/74 (20.3%) patients and secondary infection in 12/81 (14.8%) patients. The independent predictors of mortality were found to be age ≥ 65 years [aHR 2.49; 95% CI: 1.53-5.69], AKI stage 3 [aHR 2.51; 95% CI: 1.33-6.80], proteinuria [aHR 2.60; 95% CI: 1.40-6.42], CRP >150 mg/L [aHR 2.75; 95% CI: 1.29-3.68] and procalcitonin (PCT) > 0.5 ng/ml [aHR 3.20; 95% CI: 1.70-7.49].The median survival time of the entire group was 12 days. The cumulative survival rate of COVID-19 patients was 86.9%, 65.0% and 19.9% respectively at 5, 10 and 20 days. Levels of creatinine (p= 0.012), were clearly elevated in non-survivors compared with survivors throughout the clinical course and increased deterioration.ConclusionThe results from this study demonstrated that an advanced age, proteinuria, AKI and raised CRP and PCT offered a worse prognosis in COVID-19 patients. In addition, serum levels of creatinine significantly rose during admission in the non-survivor group compared with those who survived to discharge.
Clinical Characteristics in Patients With Hospital-acquired Pneumonia Caused by Extensively Drug-resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii, a Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Li Yujun , Huang Xiaomei , Wang Yuyao , Pan Chuzhi , Mo Zexun , Huang Muchao , Fang Changquan , Guo Penghao , Chen Huiling , Zhao Zhuxiang , Zhao Ziwen , Wei Shuquan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background Extremely drug-resistant （XDR） Acinetobacter baumannii （A. baumannii）has been of a great concern. The relationship between XDR and patient outcomes remains unclear. We investigated the clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes of Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)caused by XDR A. baumannii. Methods A multicenter retrospective case-control study was performed to determine factors associated with XDR A. baumannii pneumonia from 5 teaching hospitals in Guangzhou, China. Results 76 patients were enrolled in the study. XDR A. baumannii pneumonia patients were tend to be smoker (11.9% vs 3.9%, P = 0.130) and older (76.5±11.2 vs 70.3±16.4, P = 0.007) and had more comorbid diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (48.7% vs 21.1%, P = 0.001) and renal failure (21.1% vs 3.9%, P = 0.002) and had higher APACHE II score (65.8% vs 47.4%, P = 0.033). Invasive procedures including insertion of urinary catheter, nasogastric tube, central venous/arterial catheter, bronchoscopy and mechanical ventilation along with using β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor and carbapenem were also risk factors for XDR A. baumannii pneumonia. Multivariate analysis showed the APACHE II score >=20 (OR, 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1–4.1, P = 0.023), COPD (OR, 9.6; 95% CI: 2.0–45.5, P = 0.004), central venous/arterial catheter placement (OR,11.5; 95% CI: 1.1-117.8, P = 0.040), low albumin levels (OR, 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1-1.4, P = 0.001) and using β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor (OR,15.9; 95% CI: 2.7-94.2, P = 0.002) were independent risk factors for XDR A. baumannii pneumonia. Compared with the non-XDR A. baumannii patients, the XDR A. baumannii pneumonia increased length of mechanical ventilation (11.1±12.3 vs 5.1±5.6, P = 0.000), hospital stay (42.2±24.3 vs 34.8±18.0, P = 0.036) and ICU (Intensive Care Unit) stay (27.5±19.0 vs 20.0±20.5, P = 0.020), but it did not increase in-hospital mortality (47.4% vs 32.9%, P = 0.137). Conclusions XDR A. baumannii pneumonia was strongly related to systemic illnesses, invasive procedure, low albumin levels and the APACHE II score and increasing the length of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay. But it did not increase in-hospital mortality.
Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Glioblastoma Promote Proliferation and Migration of Neural Progenitor Cells via PI3K-Akt Pathway
Authors: Pan Jiabin , Sheng Shiyang , Ye Ling , Ma Yizhao , Qiu Lisha , Fan Zhaohuan , Wang Yi , Xia Xiaohuan , Huang Yunlong , Zheng Jialin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundGlioblastomas are lethal brain tumors under the current combinatorial therapeutic strategy that includes surgery, chemo- and radio-therapies. Extensive changes in the tumor microenvironment is a key reason for resistance to chemo- or radio-therapy and frequent tumor recurrences. Understanding the tumor-nontumor cell interaction in TME is critical for developing new therapy. Glioblastomas are known to recruit normal cells in their environs to sustain growth and encroachment into other regions. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) have been noted to migrate towards the site of glioblastomas, however, the detailed mechanisms underlying glioblastoma-mediated NPCs’ alteration remain unkown. MethodsWe utilized two classic glioblastoma cell lines, U87- and A172, and collected EVs in the culture medium of those two lines. Mouse NPCs (mNPCs) were co-cultured with U87- or A172-derived EVs. EVs-treated mNPCs’ prolifeartion and migration were examined. Proteomic analysis and western-blot were utilized to identify the underlying mechanisms of glioblastoma EVs-induced alterations in mNPCs.ResultsWe show that glioblastoma cell lines U87- and A172-derived EVs dramatically promoted NPCs proliferation and migration. Mechanistic studies identify that EVs achieve their functions via activating PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway in recipient cells. Inhibiting PI3K-Akt reversed the elevated prolfieration and migration of glioblastoma EVs-treated mNPCs. ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that EVs play a key role in intercellular communication in tumor microenvironment. Inhibition of the tumorgenic EVs-mediated PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway activation might be a novel strategy to shed light on glioblastoma therapy.
Effect Price on Expansion of Rice Production and Traditional Wetland Management in Fogera Wetlands, South Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Desta Mare , Zeleke Gete , Payne William A. , Kindu Mengistie 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThis study aims to investigate the impact of rice price on expansion of rice production and traditional wetland management in Fogera Wetlands, on the eastern shore of Lake Tana, northern Ethiopia. Although rice is becoming a major cash crop in the area, it has not been given due attention for sustainability of wetland which has been traditionally integrated with different indigenous agricultural activities such as, livestock rearing, cultivation different crops. The major instruments implemented in data collection were questionnaire, key informant interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) of sampled farmers as well as GIS and Remote Sensing. Survey questionnaire was administered to 385 rice-producing sampled farmers. ResultsThe result shows that 87% of the respondents confirm that increases in prices of rice encouraged them to shift from cultivation of conventional crops to rice farming. Subsequently, between the years 1973 and 2014, wetland areas has been reduced from 3114ha to 1060ha. Major activities being pursued in the wetlands of the study site do not consider their environmental impacts. Natural resource management and conservation policies and strategies implemented in the area didn't consider local people and their knowledge. It needs consideration to create sense of ownership of wetland resources to reduce abusive utilization of the wetland resources. Conclusion Therefore, the of policies, strategies and development activities implementation have to consider environmental issues togerther with rice production.
Association of Temporary Environmental Protection Agency Regulation Suspension With Industrial Economic Viability and Local Air Quality in California, United States
Authors: Chang Emily , Zhang Kenneth , Paczkowski Margaret , Kohler Sara , Ribeiro Marco 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThis study seeks to answer two questions about the impacts of the 2020 Environmental Protection Agency’s enforcement regulation rollbacks: is this suspension bolstering the economic viability of industries as oil and manufacturing executives claim they will and are these regulations upholding the agency’s mission of protecting the environment?ResultsTo answer the former question, we utilized employment levels as a method of gauging the economic health of agency-regulated industries. By implementing a machine learning model to predict employment values weekly and a t-test to indicate any significant changes in employment, we found that most industries, including oil, are economically worse off following California's state-issued stay-at-home order and the agency’s regulation suspension.To answer the latter question, we used PM2.5 levels as a metric for local air quality and isolated the impact of regulation rollbacks from the impacts of the state lockdown with treatment-control county pairs. Using the agency’s database to collect data and performing a t-test to determine whether treatment-control county pairs experienced a significant change in PM2.5 levels, we found that counties with oil refineries continued to experience the same air pollution levels as before, despite the statewide lockdown.ConclusionsFrom our findings, we can conclude that industries are not witnessing economic growth with these guidelines and state shutdown in place. Additionally, counties with oil refineries could be taking advantage of these rollbacks to continue emitting the same amount of PM2.5, in spite of state lockdowns. For these reasons, we ask international policymakers to reconsider the legislation of similar regulations as these policies do not fulfill their expectations.
SEC61G&nbsp;Overexpression and DNA&nbsp;Amplification Correlates With Prognosis and Immune Cell Infiltration in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lu Tianzhu , Chen Yiping , Gong Xiaochang , Guo Qiaojuan , Lin Canyang , Luo Qingfeng , Tu Ziwei , Li Jingao , Pan Jianji 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe SEC61 translocon gamma subunit (SEC61G) is a component of the SEC61 complex, which import protein into the endoplasmic reticulum. However, the correlation between SEC61G and disease prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unclear. MethodsSEC61G expression was analyzed using publicly-available datasets. The association between SEC61G and disease prognosis was evaluated. SEC61G methylation and copy number variation were investigated and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and gene ontology (GO) analyses identified SEC61G-associated functions. We also investigated the correlation between SEC61G and immune cell infiltration. Finally, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect SEC61G expression in oropharyngeal carcinoma. ResultsSEC61G was overexpressed in pan-cancers, including HNSCC, and negatively correlated with overall survival (p<0.001 for TCGA-HNSCC and p=0.019 for GSE65858). Moreover, SEC61G was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) in TCGA and GSE65858 [hazard ratio (HR)=1.80, 95% CI: 1.35-2.39, p<0.001; HR＝1.87, 95% CI: 1.14-3.07, p=0.013, respectively). SEC61G DNA amplification (9.66% of patients) was significantly associated with poor OS (p=0.034). SEC61G overexpression and DNA amplification negatively correlated with B cell, CD8+ T cell, CD4+ T cell, macrophage, neutrophil, and dendritic cell infiltration (all p<0.05). Among patients with metastatic urothelial cancer received atezolizumab, patients with high SEC61G expression had an inferior OS (p=0.006). Furthermore, SEC61G protein expression was also an independent prognostic factor of OS (HR=2.49, 95% CI: 1.15-5.30, p=0.020) and progression-free survival (HR=2.82, 95% CI: 1.36-5.84, p=0.005) for oropharyngeal cancer. ConclusionsSEC61G is overexpressed in HNSCC and is an independent prognostic factor for OS. SEC61G DNA amplification contributes to overexpression and poor outcome. Interestingly, SEC61G correlates with immune cell infiltration in HNSCC. These findings suggest that SEC61G is a potential broad-spectrum biomarker for prognosis in HNSCC.
LncRNA MONC suppresses the malignant phenotype of Endometrial Cancer Stem Cells and Endometrial Carcinoma Cells by regulating the MiR-636/GLCE axis
Authors: Li Yibing , Huo Jianing , He Junjian , Ma xiaoxin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background

Emerging evidence shows that abnormal expression of long non-coding RNA is involved in the occurrence and development of various tumors. LncRNA MONC is abnormally expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and acute megakaryocytic leukemia, but the biological function and potential regulatory mechanism of MONC in endometrial cancer stem cells (ECSCs) and endometrial cancer cells (ECCs) have not been studied.

Methods

We used qRT-PCR to detect the expression of MONC, miR-636 and GLCE in normal human endometrial tissues and endometrial carcinoma tissues. Luciferase assay was used to verify the binding sites between MONC and miR-636 and between miR-636 and GLCE. The double fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to locate MONC and miR-636 in cells. Endometrial cancer stem cells were obtained by Flow cytometry sorting assay. Sphere formation assay, CCK-8 assay, transwell invasion assay, cell cycle analysis and apoptosis assay were used to detect the effects of MONC/miR-636/GLCE axis on the malignant biological behavior of ECSCs and endometrial carcinoma cells (ECCs). The effect of MONC on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process was detected using western blot. Finally, we conducted in vivo verification through Tumor xenografts in nude mice.

Results

In this study, we aimed to explore the tumor suppressive effect and mechanism of MONC in regulating ECSCs and ECCs. We found MONC is low expression in endometrial carcinoma (EC), MONC and miR-636 are relatively co-localized in the cytoplasm. MONC directly inhibits the malignant biological behavior of ECSCs and ECCs by directly inhibiting miR-636. Simultaneously, miR-636 may indirectly reduce the expression of MONC. Down-regulation of miR-636 may promote GLCE expression by targeting the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the downstream gene GLCE, thereby inhibiting the progression of ECSCs. MONC combined with miR-636 inhibited tumor epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In addition, we verified the tumor suppressive effect of MONC in nude mice, miR-636 can rescue the tumor suppressive effect of overexpressing MONC.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this study shows that MONC inhibits the malignant phenotypes of ECSCs and ECCs by regulating the miR-636/GLCE axis. The MONC/miR-636/GLCE axis may provide novel treatment avenues for human EC.
Screening of Tree Species For Fuelwood Production in The Mid-Altitudes of North Shewa, Ethiopia
Authors: Nigussie Melese Bekele , Habteyohannes Lemma Habteyohannes , Reta Getabalew Teshome , Wudinehe Damtew Ababu , Fenta Mesafint Minale , Tesideke Reta Eshetu , Tedila Abeje Tedila , Fisiha Hailemariam Fisiha , Wolie Haile Shiferaw 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The source of energy at household level in Ethiopia mostly comes from wood biomass. The increasing population and shrinkage of natural forests resulted in shortage of wood supply for energy. Hence, looking for fast-growing with better fuel wood characteristics is required to access wood and for the supply of fuelwood consumption. This study aims to select tree species with better biomass and good fuel wood characteristics. Seven tree species: Acacia polyacantha, Acacia abyssinica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Albizia lophantha, Acacia melanoxylon, Acacia decurrens, and Eucalyptus globulus were selected to study the growth performance, biomass and fuel wood characteristics. Six trees per species were randomly selected and harvested for fuel wood property (wood moisture, ash content and fiber content) analysis. Acacia abyssinica, Acacia polyacantha and Eucalyptus camaldunesis showed better survival rates than other species. The better height performance was recorded from Acacia .decurrens, Acacia polyacantha, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Eucalyptus globules. A. polyacantha and A.decurrens provided the highest biomass. A. decurrens showed the lowest wood moisture (31.1%) and wood density (0.76 g/cm3), and the lowest ash content (2.2%). Hence, A. decurrens and A. polyacantha are recommended for fuel wood due to high density, low moisture, and low ash content and good biomass production.