bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gene Expression of the Endocannabinoid System in Endometrium Through Menstrual Cycle
Authors: Tanaka Keisuke , Amoako Akwasi , Mortlock Sally , Rogers Peter , Holdsworth-Carson Sarah , Donoghue Jacqueline , Teh Wan , Montgomery Grant , McKinnon Brett 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Endocannabinoids mediate cellular functions and their activity is controlled by a complex system of enzymes, membrane receptors and transport molecules. Endocannabinoids are present in endometrium, a cyclical regenerative tissue requiring tightly regulated cellular mechanisms for maturation. The objective of this study was to chart the gene expression of key elements involved in the endocannabinoid system across the menstrual cycle. RNA was isolated from endometrial tissue and genome-wide gene expression datasets were generated using RNA-sequencing. An a priori set of 70 genes associated with endocannabinoid system were selected from published literature. Gene expression across the menstrual cycle was analyzed using a moderated t test, corrected for multiple testing with Bonferroni’s method. A total of 40 of the 70 genes were present in >90% of the samples, and significant differential gene expression identified for 29 genes. We identified 4 distinct regulation patterns for synthesizing enzymes, as well as a distinct regulation pattern for degradations and transporting enzymes. This study charts the expression of endometrial endocannabinoid system genes across the menstrual cycle. Altered expression of genes that control endocannabinoid may allow fine control over endocannabinoid concentrations and their influence on cellular function, maturation and differentiation as the endometrium matures through the menstrual cycle.
Novel SOX2 Mutation in Autosomal Dominant Cataract-Microcornea Syndrome
Authors: Lin Zhi-Bo , Li Jin , Sun Hai-Sen , Yu A-Yong , Chen Shi-Hao , Li Fen-Fen 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Congenital cataract-microcornea syndrome (CCMC) is characterized by the association of congenital cataract and microcornea without any other systemic anomaly or dysmorphism. Although several causative genes have been reported in patients with CCMC, the genetic etiology of CCMC is yet to be clearly understood. Purpose: To unravel the genetic cause of autosomal dominant family with CCMC.Methods: All patients and available family members underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic clinical examination in the hospital by expert ophthalmologists and carried out to clinically diagnosis. All the patients were screened by whole-exome sequencing and then validated using co-segregation by Sanger sequencing. Results: Four CCMC patients from a Chinese family, and five unaffected family members were enrolled in this study. Using whole-exome sequencing, missense mutation c.295G>T (p.a99s, NM_003106.4) in the SOX2 gene was identified and validated by segregation analysis. In addition, this missense mutation was predicted to be damaging by multiple predictive tools. Variant p.Ala99Ser was located in a conservation high mobility group (HMG)-box domain in SOX2 protein, with a potential pathogenic impact of p.Ala99Ser on protein level.Conclusions: A novel missense mutation (c.295G>T, p.Ala99Ser) in the SOX2 gene was found in this Han Chinese family with congenital cataract and microcornea. Our study firstly determined that mutations in SOX2 were associated with CCMC, warranting further investigations on the pathogenesis of this disorder. This result expands the mutation spectrum of SOX2 and provides useful information to study the molecular pathogenesis of CCMC.
How to Integrate Palliative Care Within Primary Healthcare- Perspectives of People Living With Serious Illnesses, Their Family Caregivers and Primary Healthcare Professionals in Nigeria
Authors: Afolabi Oladayo A , Nkhoma Kennedy , Soyannwo Olaitan , Aje Akinyemi , Ogunniyi Adesola , Harding Richard , Maddocks Matthew 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Palliative care should be integrated into primary healthcare systems within low- and middle-income countries to achieve Universal Health Coverage goals. We aimed to identify preferences and expectations for primary healthcare support among people living with serious illness and their families in Nigeria, and to determine feasible steps palliative care integration within the health system.
Methods
Qualitative interview study with 48 participants including people living with serious illnesses (n=21) and their family caregivers (n=15) recruited from specialist clinics at a Teaching hospital in Nigeria; and healthcare providers (n=12) recruited from three primary healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results
Three major themes were identified. 1) Balancing patients and families’ expectations and preferences for easily accessible service and opportunities for social interaction and adequate communication with available human resource. 2) Engaging patients requires existing trust and bonds from their current use of primary healthcare and support to develop patients’ agency. 3) Development of healthcare providers is needed to ensure an appropriate clinical response, manage interprofessional trust and ensure clear role delineation.
Conclusions
Palliative care integration within primary healthcare in Nigeria can be achieved through building information and communication skills of healthcare providers, engaging and empowering patients to exercise their agency in care decisions, and adequately delineating healthcare providers’ roles to ensure staff work within their competencies and training.
Osteoprotegerin And MTHFR Gene Variations In Rheumatoid Arthritis: Association With Disease Susceptibility And Markers of Subclinical Atherosclerosis
Authors: Arida Aikaterini , Nezos Adrianos , Papadaki Ioanna , Sfikakis Petros P. , Mavragani Clio P. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Objective: To explore whether the osteoprotegerin (OPG) rs2073618 gene variant and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs1801131 and rs1801133 polymorphisms contribute to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility and RA related subclinical atherosclerosis.Methods: 283 RA patients and 595 healthy controls (HC) were genotyped for OPG and MTHFR gene variants using PCR based assays. Clinical, laboratory parameters and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis (Carotid/Femoral intima media thickness/plaque formation) along with traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis were assessed in RA patients and 280HC.Results: Increased prevalence of the rs2073618CC genotype was detected in RA patients vs HC (p=0.04), especially in RA patients with high serum titers of rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies compared to HC (p-values:0.0029 and 0.0077, respectively). This genotype was also associated with higher carotid-IMT scores (p=0.01) and marginally with higher rates of carotid plaque formation (p=0.06). MTHFR 1298CC genotype was more prevalent in the anti-CCP positive group compared to HC, with no associations detected with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. Reduced rates of carotid/femoral plaque formation were detected among RA patients harboring the MTHFR 677TT genotype (p=0.009).Conclusion: OPG and MTHFR gene variations seem to increase susceptibility for seropositive RA and potentially contribute to subclinical atherosclerosis linked to RA.
Can Green Finance Optimize Energy Structure: A Spatial Econometric Analysis based on China's Traditional and Renewable Energy Consumption
Authors: Wang Hui , Jiang Lili , Duan Hongjun , Wang Yifeng , Jiang Yichen 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This paper studies the impact of the development of green finance on China’s energy consumption structure. In terms of the construction of the green finance index (GFI), this paper selects 17 basic indexes from the three aspects of economy, finance, and environment, uses the improved entropy weight method to construct the GFI, and studies the spatial spillover effect of the GFI of China's provinces. This paper further studies the impact of green finance on traditional and renewable energy consumption. We first uses panel regression to determine that the development of green finance has a positive effect on the slowdown of traditional energy consumption and acceleration of renewable energy consumption, and then further studies the spatial characteristics of green finance development on energy consumption by using spatial Durbin model. The results show that there is a positive spatial spillover effect in the development of green finance among provinces in China. The development of green finance contributes to the conversion of traditional to renewable energy consumption. The effect of green finance on the transformation of energy consumption structure is mainly reflected in the direct effect. Therefore, the government should support the green finance, reduce traditional energy consumption and increase renewable energy consumption.
Difficult Airway Prediction Score for Intubation in Emergency Departments: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Savatmongkorngul Sorravit , Pitakwong Panrikan , Srichar Pungkava , Yuksen Chaiyaporn , Jenpanitpong Chetsadakon , watcharakitpaisan Sorawich 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Objective: Difficult intubation is associated with an increasing number of endotracheal intubation attempts. Repeated endotracheal intubation attempts are in turn associated with an increased risk of adverse events. Clinical prediction tools to predict difficult airway have limited application in emergency airway situations. This study was performed to develop a new model for predicting difficult intubation in the emergency department.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using an exploratory model at the Emergency Medicine of Ramathibodi Hospital, a university-affiliated super-tertiary care hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. The study was conducted from June 2018 to July 2020. The inclusion criteria were an age of ≥15 years and treatment by emergency intubation in the emergency department. Difficult intubation was defined as a Cormack–Lehane grade III or IV laryngoscopic view. The predictive model and prediction score for detecting difficult intubation were developed by multivariable regression analysis.Results: During the study period, 617 patients met the inclusion criteria; of these, 83 (13.45%) had difficult intubation. Five independent factors were predictive of difficult intubation. The difficult airway assessment score that we developed to predict difficult airway intubation had an accuracy of 89%. A score of >4 increased the likelihood ratio of difficult intubation by 7.62 times.Conclusion: A difficult airway assessment score of >4 was associated with difficult intubation.
Corporate Carbon Disclosure, Financing Structure and Total Factor Productivity: Evidence from Chinese Heavy Polluting Listed Corporates
Authors: Yuan Sai , Pan Xiongfeng 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Low-carbon economy has become the current global economic development trend, and Corporate carbon disclosure has attracted more and more attention from scholars and investors. This paper creatively explores the mechanism of corporate carbon disclosure quality on total factor productivity with financing structure as a mediating variable. The content analysis method is used to construct a carbon disclosure evaluation index system that is suitable for Chinese companies. Through the mediating effect model and Sobel test, the internal mechanism of carbon disclosure quality affecting total factor productivity is analyzed, with Chinese heavy polluting listed corporates from 2015 to 2018 as research samples. The empirical results show that, Firstly, the Quality of carbon disclosure has a positive effect on the improvement of total factor productivity. The effect of monetary carbon disclosure quality on the improvement of total factor productivity is higher than that of non-monetary carbon disclosure quality. Secondly, the financing structure has a mediating effect on the quality of carbon disclosure and total factor productivity, and the mediating effect of internal financing capabilities is better than those of external financing costs. Finally, external financing costs and internal financing capabilities have mediating effects in both heterogeneous carbon disclosure quality and total factor productivity. The mediating effect of internal financing capabilities is significantly higher than the mediating effect of external financing costs. Meanwhile, the effect of monetary carbon disclosure quality on total factor productivity indirectly through internal financing capabilities is higher than that of non-monetary carbon disclosure quality.
An osmium-peroxo complex for photoactive therapy of hypoxic tumors
Authors: Lu Nong , Deng Zhihong , Gao Jing , Liang Chao , Xia Haiping , Zhang Pingyu 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Its limited therapeutic effect on hypoxic and refractory solid tumors has hindered the practical application of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Herein, we report our investigation of an osmium-peroxo complex (Os2), which is inactive in the dark, but upon light irradiation, can release a peroxo ligand O2•−, and is transformed into a cytotoxic osmium complex (Os1). The osmium-peroxo complex Os2 produces O2•− under light irradiation even in the absence of oxygen, and retains its phototoxicity in hypoxic tumors. Os1 is cytotoxic in the presence or absence of irradiation, behaves as a chemotherapeutic drug. The light-activated Os2 induces distinct ferroptosis, which is mediated by GSH degradation, lipid peroxide accumulation and down-regulation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). In addition, Os2 causes photocatalytic oxidation of endogenous 1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) in living cancer cells, leading to ferroptosis. In vivo studies have confirmed that the Os2 can effectively inhibit the growth of solid hypoxic tumors in mice. A new strategy is proposed for the treatment of hypoxic tumors with metal-based drugs.
Development of Epoxy Resin-Based Elastomeric Microfluidic Devices Using CO2 Laser Ablation for DNA-Amplification Point-Of-Care (POC) Applications: Assessment of Microchannels' Dimensions and Quality
Authors: Mansour Heba , El-Bab Ahmed M.R. Fath , Soliman Emad A. , Abdel-Mawgood Ahmed L. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Microfluidic devices are a rising technology to automatize chemical and biological operations. In this context, laser ablation has significant potential for polymer-based microfluidic platforms' fast and economical manufacturing. Nevertheless, the manufacturing of epoxy-based microfluidic chips is considered highly cost full due to demand for cleanroom facilities that utilize expensive equipment and lengthy processes. Therefore, this study targeted investigating the feasibility of epoxy resins to be fabricated as a lab-on-chip using carbon dioxide laser ablation. The chemical structural properties and thermal stability of the plain epoxy resins were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, a specific migration test was performed to quantify potential migrants by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to prove that the cured epoxy resin would not release unreacted monomers to the biological solution test, which caused inhibition of the sensitive biological reactions. By investigating the impact of this process on microchannels' dimensions and quality, a laser technique using CO2 laser was used in vector mode to engrave into a transparent epoxy resin chip. The resulting microchannels were characterized using 3D Laser microscopy. The outcomes of this study showed considerable potential for laser ablation in machining the epoxy-based chips, whereas the microchannels were produced with minor bulges' height (0.027 µm) with no clogging. Moreover, a reasonable depth of 99.31 µm with roughness (Ra) of 14.52 µm was obtained at a laser speed of 5 mm/s and laser power of 1.8 W. This process can produce epoxy resin-based microfluidic chips without the need for cleanroom facilities that require expensive equipment and lengthy process.
The position of geochemical variables as causal co-factors of diseases of unknown aetiology
Authors: Davies Theophilus Clavell 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The term diseases of unknown aetiology (DUA) or idiopathic diseases refers to diseases that are of uncertain or unknown cause or origin. Among plausible geoenvironmental (co-)factors in causation of DUA, this article focusses on the entry of trace elements, including metals and metalloids into biological systems, and their involvement in humoral and cellular immune responses, representing potentially toxic agents with implications as co-factors for certain DUA. Several trace elements/metals/metalloids (micronutrients) play vital roles as cofactors for essential enzymes and antioxidant molecules, thus, conferring protection against disease. However, inborn errors of trace element/metal/metalloid metabolisms can occur to produce toxicity, such as when there are basic defects in the element transport mechanism. Ultimately, it is the amount of trace element, metal or metalloid that is taken up, its mode of accumulation in human tissues, and related geomedical attributes such as the chemical form and bioavailability that decisively determine whether the exerted effects are toxic or beneficial. Several case descriptions of DUA that are common worldwide are given to illustrate our knowledge so far of how trace element/metal/metalloid interactions in the immune system may engender its dysregulation and be implicated as causal co-factors of DUA.
GPER/β-Alanine Positive Interaction in The Dorsal Root Ganglion Uncovers Potential Mechanisms: Mediating Continuous Neuronal Sensitisation and Neuroinflammation Responses in Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Xu Zhenzhen , Xie Wanli , Feng Yiqi , Wang Yanting , He Yuyao , Chen Lu , Xiong Yue , Li Xia , Liu Jie , Liu Guoyang , Wu Qingping 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: The pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and the reasons for the prolonged unhealing are still unknown. Increasing evidence suggests that estrogen sex differences play a role in pain sensitivity, but few studies focused on the role of estrogen receptor which maybe an important molecular component contributing to peripheral pain transduction. We aimed to investigate the impact of oestrogen receptors in nociceptive neuronal response in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal dorsal horn using a spared nerve injury (SNI) rat model of chronic pain. Methods: We used a class of estrogen receptors antagonists and agonists intrathecal (i.t.) administrated to male rats with SNI or normal rats to identify the main receptor. Moreover, we applied genes identified through genomic metabolic analysis to determine the key metabolism point and elucidate potential mechanisms mediating continuous neuronal sensitisation and neuroinflammation responses in neuropathic pain. The excitability of DRG neurons was detected using the patch clamp technique. Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, qPCR and behavioral testing were used to assess the expressions, cellular distributions, and actions of main receptor and its related signaling molecules.Results: Increasing the expression and function of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), but not estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and estrogen receptor-β (ERβ), in the DRG, but not the dorsal spinal cord, contributed to SNI-induced neuronal sensitisation. Inhibiting GPER expression in the DRG alleviated SNI-induced pain behaviours and neuroinflammation by downregulating IL-1β and IL-6 expression as well as restoring GABAα2 expression simultaneously. Additionally, the positive interaction between GPER and β-alanine, β-alanine accumulation enhances pain sensation and promotes chronic pain development. Conclusion: GPER activation in the DRG causes a positive interaction of β-alanine with IL-1β and IL-6 expression and represses GABAα2 involved in post-SNI neuropathic pain development. Blocking GPER and eliminating β-alanine in the DRG may prevent neuropathic pain development.
Rare Disease Curative Care Expenditure- Financing Scheme-Health Provider- Beneficiary Group Analysis — An Empirical Study in Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Li Jia , Yang Lian , Zhang Yitong , Liao Hailun , Ma Yuan , Sun Qun 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Rare diseases impose heavy economic burdens on patients’ families and society worldwide. This study has used the samples from Sichuan Province of China to estimate the curative care expenditure(CCE) of ten rare diseases to provide reference and support for the prioritization of rare disease health policies. Methods: The multi-stage cluster sampling method was adopted to conduct a survey of 9714 rare disease patients from 1,556 medical institutions in Sichuan Province in 2018. Based on System of Health Accounts 2011, the study estimated the total curative care expenditure on rare diseases and identified financing sources and their allocation among different health institutions and the patient population. Results: In 2018, the total CCE of the ten rare diseases in Sichuan Province was 19.001 million US dollars; the top three rare diseases in terms of CCE were Hemophilia ($4.3786 million), Young-onset Parkinson Disease ($2.9627 million) , and Systemic Sclerosis ($2.4457 million); household out-of-pocket expenditure (86.00% for outpatients, 41.60% for inpatients) and social health insurance (7.85% for outpatients; 39.58% for inpatients) were the main sources of financing. The out-of-pocket expenditures for patients with Young-onset Parkinson Disease, Congenital Scoliosis, Autoimmune accounted for more than 60% of the total CCE. More than 80% of the rare disease CCE was incurred in general hospitals. The 40-59 age group consumed the highest percentage of CCE (38.70%) while men spent slightly more (55.37%) than women (44.64%). Conclusions: Since rare disease treatment is costly and household out-of-pocket expenditure is high, we suggest taking steps to include rare disease drugs in the National Reimbursement Drug List, scientifically design insurance coverage range. It is also necessary to explore a multi-tiered Healthcare Security System to pay for the CCE of rare diseases and to reduce the economic burdens of patients.