bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic associations with carotid intima-media thickness link to atherosclerosis biology with sex-differences in sub-Saharan Africans
Authors: Boua Palwende , Brandenburg Jean-Tristan , Choudhury Ananyo , Sorgho Hermann , Nonterah Engelbert , Agongo Godfred , Asiki Gershim , Micklesfield Lisa , Choma Solomon , Gómez-Olivé Xavier , Hazelhurst Scott , Tinto Halidou , Crowther Nigel , Mathew Christopher , Ramsay Michele 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Atherosclerosis precedes the onset of many clinical manifestations of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We used carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) to investigate genetic susceptibility to atherosclerosis in 7894 unrelated adults (3963 women, 3931 men) aged 40 to 60 years resident in four sub-Saharan African countries. cIMT was measured by ultrasound and genotyping was performed on the H3Africa SNP Array. Two new African-specific genome-wide significant loci, SIRPA (p=4.7E-08), and FBXL17 (p=2.5E-08), were identified in the combined dataset. Sex-stratified analysis revealed associations with two male-specific loci, SNX29 (p=6.3E-09) and MAP3K7 (p=5.3E-08), and two female-specific loci, LARP6 (p=2.4E-09) and PROK1 (p=1.0E-08). Regional associations were replicated with known risk loci for atherosclerosis and CVDs with different lead SNPs than in Europeans and significant enrichment for oestrogen response genes for female-specific signals were identified. The genes identified showed biological relevance to atherosclerosis and/or CVDs, as well as sex-differences and transferability of signals from non-African studies.
Arabidopsis Sucrose Transporter 4 (AtSUC4) is Involved in Root Response of High Content Sucrose-Growth Via IAA- and ABA- Dependent Manner
Authors: Liu Si-Wen , Zhang Li-Ding , Gao Jia-Yu , Dong Tian-Tian , Zhang Tong , Long Jian-Mei , Peng Chang-Cao 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Source-to-sink transport of sucrose mediated by sucrose transporters (SUCs) is one of the major determinants of plant growth. However, the role of AtSUC4, the only member of Group IV sucrose transporter in Arabidopsis, was undervalued in sink organ during seedling period. In our study, the primary root length of the atsuc4 mutants was significantly longer than that of the wild-type (WT) under exogenous 4% and 6% sucrose treatment. But this phenotype could not be imitated by external application of glucose or mannitol. It means that the atsuc4 mutants were insensitive to high sucrose stress compared with WT. Meanwhile, HPLC-MS/MS results showed that the root of atsuc4 mutants accumulated less sucrose and ABA and more IAA content compared with WT on 4% and 6% sucrose supplementation. Transcriptome analysis showed that many key genes involved in IAA and ABA signals were respective stimulated and repressed in the atsuc4 mutants, respectively. Taken together, we concluded that the deficiency of AtSUC4, not only reducing the transported and uptaked of sucrose, but also as a signal, may be collaborated with IAA and ABA to regulate root growth under high sucrose stress. This study confirmed the new function of AtSUC4, and provided an promising candidate gene for improving tolerance to high sucrose stress.
‘Stolen Time’- Delivering Nursing at The Bottom of A Hierarchy: An Ethnographic Study of Barriers and Facilitators for Evidence-Based Nursing For Patients With Community Acquired Pneumonia.
Authors: Eekholm Signe , Samuelsson Karin , Ahlström Gerd , Lindhardt Tove 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

BackgroundResearch continue to report a high prevalence of low quality and missed care for patients with community aquired pneumonia (CAP). Optimised nursing treatment and care will benefit CAP patients and health economy. Hence, there is a need to describe barriers and facilitators at individual, team, and organisational levels influencing registered nurses’ adherence to evidence-based guideline recommendations for nursing care for older patients admitted with community-acquired pneumonia. MethodsTwo semi-structured focus-group interviews (n=6 registered nurses in each group), field observations (n=14), and individual follow-up interviews (n=10) were conducted in three Danish medical units. Data were analysed using qualitative manifest and latent content analysis. ResultsThe data revealed a main theme: ‘Stolen time’- delivering nursing at the bottom of a hierarchy and three themes: 1) ‘Under the dominance of stronger paradigms’, 2) ‘The loss of professional identity’, and 3) ‘The power of leadership. The themes, each comprising two to three sub-themes, illustrated that registered nurses’ adherence to evidence-based guideline recommendations, was strongly influenced by the individual registered nurses’ professionalism and professional identity, contextual barriers including the interdisciplinary team, organisational structure, culture and valuation of nursing care, and the nurse manager’s leadership skills. ConclusionsTime is stolen from hospital nurses worldwide, leading to haphazard and missed care. This study identified central factors that may help registered nurses understand the underlying dynamics and make them better equipped for changing practice to improve patient outcomes. Barriers for evidence-based nursing practice were found at the individual, team, and organisational levels. Implementation strategies for evidence-based nursing should, therefore, target barriers at all three levels and emphasise facilitating leadership.
Phytoplankton Communities of Temporary Ponds Under Different Climate Scenarios: Experiments on Vernal Pool Microcosms
Authors: Celewicz Sofia , Gołdyn Bartłomiej 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Temporary water bodies, especially vernal pools, are the most sensitive to climate change, yet the least studied aquatic environments. Their functioning largely depends on the phytoplankton communities structure. This study aimed to determine how temperature and photoperiod length (simulating inundation in different parts of the year under six climate scenarios) affect the succession and the structure of phytoplankton communities soon after inundation. For longer photoperiods and at lower temperatures in vernal pool microcosms (simulating a cold spring after a warm snowless winter), the phytoplankton community evolved into chlorophytes and cryptophytes. At short photoperiod (inudation in winter, followed by freezing of the water surface) the communities evolved into the euglenoids. Medium temperatures and long photoperiods (late inundation during cool spring) promoted the development of chlorophytes, with high total phytoplankton abundance as well as species richness and diversity. The lack of cyanobacteria dominance, suggests that they will not be the leading group in vernal pools in the temperate zone with progressive global warming. Our study shows that climate change will result in the seasonal shifts of the species abundance or even in their disappearance, and finally in strong changes in the biodiversity and food web of aquatic ecosystems in the future.
Identification of the Signature Associated With m6A RNA Methylation Regulators and m6A-Related Genes and Construction of the Risk Score for Prognostication in Early-Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Guo Bingzhou , Zhang Hongliang , Wang Jinliang , Wu Rilige , Zhang Junyan , Zhang Qiqin , Xu Lu , shen Ming , Zhang Zhibo , Gu Fangyan , Zeng Weiliang , Yin Chengliang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundN6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification play critical roles in tumorigenesis because it can change gene expression and even the function in multiple levels including the regulation of degradation, subcellular localization, splicing and local conformation changes of RNA transcripts. In this study, we aim to conduct comprehensive investigation on m6A RNA methylation regulators and m6A-related genes and their association with prognosis in early-stage Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). MethodsThe relevant datasets which were used to analyze 21 m6A RNA methylation regulators and 887 m6A-related genes in m6Avar were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Univariate cox regression analysis, random survival forest analysis, Kaplan-Meier anylysis, STRING and multivariate cox analysis were carried out on the datasets, and a risk prognostic model based on five feature genes was constructed.ResultsRespectively, we treated GSE31210 (n=226) as training set, GSE50081 (n=128) and TCGA data (n=461) as test set. By performing univariable cox regression and random survival forest algorithm in the training group, five prognosis-related genes including DENND1A, KBTBD6, KIF4A, BMPER, and YTHDC2 were screened out, which could divide LUAD patients into low-risk group and high-risk group (log rank P < 0.001). The predictive efficacy of these genes was confirmed in the test group GSE50081 (log rank P < 0.01) and TCGA datasets (log rank P < 0.001). Cox analysis showed that this five-gene signature was an independent risk factor in LUAD. Further, genes in the signature were also external validated using online database. YTHDC2 played vital role of readers in m6A methylation.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggested that associated with m6A-related genes and m6A RNA methylation regulators, five-gene signature was reliable prognostic indicator for LUAD patients, indicating a clinical application prospect to serve as a potential therapeutic target.
Using Integrated Assessment Approach to Prioritise Performance Indicators for Sustainable Construction and Development of Secondary&nbsp;Campuses
Authors: Zhang ChaoYang , Wang TsungJuang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Sustainable development is a global trend, prompting the development of green school buildings. Green building and low-carbon campus promotion in junior high schools and elementary schools were researched in this study to facilitate improved environmental protection, energy saving, and carbon reduction as well as the construction of green, low-carbon campuses. Methods: A review of green building certification approvals was used to establish a green campus assessment system with suitable sustainability factors. Relevant indicators were constructed using the Fuzzy Delphi Method and the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Questionnaires were administered to various types of experts regarding the decision sequence for constructing a green, low-carbon campus in junior high schools and elementary schools. Results: The decision most highly prioritized by all experts was related to lifestyle education and policy management. A healthy campus environment was assigned second place. Energy- and carbon-saving planning and the ecoenvironment were ranked lower. The results provide a reference for architectural planning and implementation, for schools, and for researchers. Conclusion: The government can use them to inform appropriate policies and to establish priorities and indicator weights for promoting green, low-carbon school campuses. Education resources can thereby be reasonably allocated, green building quality on campuses enhanced, and energy-saving and carbon-saving measures implemented.
Experimental observation of hydrodynamic-like behavior in 3D topological semimetal ZrTe5
Authors: Cho Chang-woo , Wang Peipei , Tang Fangdong , Park Sungkyun , He Mingquan , Lortz Rolf , Gu Genda , Zhang Liyuan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Hydrodynamic fluidity in condensed matter physics has been experimentally demonstrated only in a limited number of compounds because of the stringent conditions that must be satisfied. Herein, we demonstrate the existence of hydrodynamic-like properties driven by the collective excitation of the Dirac fluid in the three-dimensional topological semimetal ZrTe5. By measuring the electrical and thermal properties in a wide temperature range, we find a regime satisfying phononic hydrodynamic-like characteristics with two representative experimental evidences: a faster evolution of the thermal conductivity than in the ballistic regime and the existence of a local maximum of the effective mean free path. In contrast to phononic hydrodynamics, the Wiedemann-Franz law is violated by about a factor of 100. Moreover, phonon-dragged anomalies are observed, which serve as a signature of the Dirac fluidity in this system.
Bayesian Analysis of the Joint Risk of Malaria and Anemia Among Under-age Ve Children in Nigeria
Authors: Egbon Osafu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
-BackgroundA life-threatening malaria parasites are known to have a substantial causative effect with the occurrences of frequent episodes of other diseases causing rapid progression to death. The parasites feed on iron molecules present in the red blood cells, therefore, resulting in low functional hemoglobin concentration causing anemia in children, and preventing rapid recovery. This study quantifies the impact of malaria on under-age five anemic children in Nigeria.-MethodThe joint risk and disease specific risks factors of malaria and anemia were estimated using a generalized linear mixed model in a Bayesian framework and a Besag-York-Mollie spatial prior model to account for spatial heterogeneity. Data were sourced from the Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the National Population Commission.-ResultsMalaria significantly places anemic children at a higher risk, which signifies a significant correlation between these diseases with regards to risk factors such as the place or region of residence, family wealth index, and use of a mosquito-preventive net. -ConclusionA high proportion of parents that live in the rural region is non-educated and low-income earners engaging in subsistence farming places children at severe risk of malaria and anemia.
Integrative analysis of multi-omics data reveals the heterogeneity and signatures of immune therapy for small cell lung cancer
Authors: Chen Yabin , Fang Zhaoyuan , Tang Ying , Jin Yujuan , Guo Chenchen , Hu Liang , Xu Yang , Gao Jie , Xie Mei , Zang Xuelai , Ma Xi , Liu Sanhong , Chen Haiquan , Xue Xinying , Ji Hongbin , Chen Luonan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is highly invasive and lethal. Genomic studies are beginning to characterize its genetic determinants and heterogeneity. Here we performed RNA-Seq and whoe exome sequencing (WES) in 19 Chinese SCLC clinical tumor specimens. Integration with other two public cohorts (n = 129 for RNA-seq, n = 171 for WES), we carried out gene co-expression network analysis and classified into four subgroups: ASCL1-high, NEUROD1-high, a novel variant subtype with CCSP/CC10-high, and a fourth subtype with high expression of NOTCH family and inflammatory genes. We further found that this fourth subtype was characterized by overexpression of immune-related pathways and immunosuppressive factors, referred to as immune subtype. In addition to transcriptomic signatures, specific genomic alterations were also significantly enriched in each subtype. We successfully built a machine learning model to predict the subtypes of newly coming specimens based on transcriptomic data. In particular, we found that POU2F3 protein was effective in distinguishing immunotherapy patients, i.e. the immune subtype, which was further validated by an independent data of chemo-resistant patients received 2nd -line immunotherapy. Collectively, our work systematically studied the transcriptomic and genomic heterogeneity of SCLC, and characterized an immune subtype that displayed features of sensitivity to immune checkpoint-based therapies.
A descriptive analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on Emergency Department attendance and visit characteristics in Singapore
Authors: Lim Mei Qiu , Siddiqui Fahad Javaid , Liu Nan , Saffari Seyed Ehsan , Lian Sherman Wei Qiang , Tan Boon Kiat Kenneth , Sim Nicole Simin , Shen Yuzhen , Ong Marcus Eng Hock 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Introduction: It is yet to be understood how COVID-19 impacted utilisation of Emergency Department (ED) services in Singapore. This study aimed to describe the changes in attendance of a single ED and corresponding patient visit characteristics and outcomes before and during the COVID-19 period.Methods: In a single-centre retrospective cohort study, we used descriptive statistics to compare ED attendance, patient demographics and visit characteristics during the COVID-19 period (1 January – 28 June 2020) and its corresponding historical period in 2019 (2 January – 30 June 2019).Results: Mean ED attendance decreased from 342 visits/day in the pre-COVID-19 period, to 297 visits/day in the COVID-19 period. This was accompanied by reductions in P1 visits and presentations in nearly every ICD-10-CM diagnosis category except for respiratory-related diseases. We also noted a shift in ED patient case-mix from ‘Non-fever’ cases to ‘Fever’ cases, likely giving rise to two distinct trough-to-peak visit patterns during the pre-Circuit Breaker and Circuit Breaker period. Average ED admission rate during the Circuit Breaker period (48.3%) was higher as compared to pre-Circuit Breaker period (40.7%), however average daily admission remained stable.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a reduction in SGH ED attendances amongst patients with low-acuity conditions and those with highest priority for emergency care. This raises concern about treatment-seeking delays and possible impact on health outcomes. Our data provides insights that may be useful for ED crowd management planning in the post-COVID-19 era. There should be cautious use of ED admission rate as a metric in evaluating ED performance during an outbreak.
A Simple, Low-Cost and Reusable Microfluidic Gradient Strategy and Its Application in Modeling Cancer Invasion
Authors: Samandari Mohamadmahdi , Rafiee Laleh , Alipanah Fatemeh , Sanati-Nezhad Amir , Javanmard Shaghayegh Haghjooy 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Microfluidic chemical gradient generators enable precise spatiotemporal control of chemotactic signals to study cellular behavior with high resolution and reliability. However, time and cost consuming preparation steps for cell adhesion in microchannels as well as the requirement of pumping facilities usually complicate the application of the microfluidic assays. Here, we introduce a simple strategy for the preparation of a reusable and stand-alone microfluidic gradient generator to study cellular behavior. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was directly mounted on the commercial polystyrene-based cell culture surfaces by manipulating the PDMS curing time to optimize bonding strength. The stand-alone strategy not only offers a pumpless application of this microfluidic device but also ensures minimal fluidic pressure and consequently a leakage-free system. Elimination of any surface treatment or coating significantly facilitates the preparation of the microfluidic assay and offers a detachable PDMS microchip that can be reused following a simple cleaning and sterilization step. The chemotactic signal in our microchip is further characterized using numerical and experimental evaluations and it is demonstrated that the device can generate both linear and polynomial signals. Finally, the feasibility of the strategy in deciphering cellular behavior is demonstrated by exploring cancer cell migration and invasion in response to chemical stimuli. The introduced strategy can significantly decrease the complexity of the microfluidic chemotaxis assays and increase their throughput for various cellular and molecular studies.
Bone Mineral Density and its Influencing Factors in Chinese Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy types 2 and 3
Authors: Peng Xiaoyin , Qu Yujin , Li Xiaohui , Liu Junting , Shan Xinying , Wang Jia , Song Fang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are at risk of decreased bone mineral density (BMD). The bone status of Chinese patients with SMA has been poorly studied. We aimed to describe bone health of children with SMA types 2 and 3 in mainland China and to investigate the associated factors that influence BMD. Methods: Forty patients with a mean age of 5.5 years affected by SMA types 2 and 3 (n = 22 and n = 18, respectively) were enrolled between September 2017 and May 2019. Total body less head (TBLH) BMD, lumbar spine (LS) BMD, and body composition were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum bone metabolism markers and complete spinal radiographs were assessed. We utilized a linear regression model to explore the correlations between BMD and its related factors. Results: A total of 67.5% (27/40) patients were diagnosed with low BMD, 2.5% (1/40) were diagnosed with osteoporosis, and 5.0% (2/40) had low-trauma fractures. The mean Z-score was -3.0 ± 1.8 for TBLH BMD and -1.3 ± 1.4 for LS BMD. The TBLH BMD and LS BMD Z-scores in children with SMA type 2 were significantly lower than those with SMA type 3 (t = 3.344, P = 0.002; t = 3.266, P = 0.002, respectively). Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was found in 37.5% (15/40) of the patients. Phenotype and serum parathormone (PTH) levels were the factors associated with the TBLH BMD Z-scores (t = 2.847，P = 0.008; t = 2.572, P = 0.015, respectively), and the phenotype severity was the factor associated with the LS BMD Z-scores (t = 2.762, P = 0.009).Conclusions: Low BMD was highly prevalent in mainland Chinese children with SMA type 2 or 3. Phenotype and serum PTH levels were the factors associated with BMD. More than one-third of our patients also had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, which indirectly affected BMD despite their serum PTH levels being normal. We consider it to be necessary to carry out bone health screening in this population.
Potential Local Adaptation of Corals at Acidified and Warmed Nikko Bay, Palau
Authors: Kurihara Haruko , Watanabe Atsushi , Tsugi Asami , Mimura Izumi , Hongo Chuki , Kawai Takashi , Reimer James , Kimoto Katsunori , Gouezo Marine , Golbuu Yimnang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Ocean warming and acidification caused by the increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide are now thought to be major threats to coral reefs on a global scale. Here we evaluated the environmental conditions and benthic community structures in semi-closed Nikko Bay at the inner reef area in Palau, which has high pCO2 and seawater temperature conditions with high zooxanthellate coral coverage. This bay is a highly sheltered system with organisms showing low connectivity with surrounding environments, making this bay a unique site for evaluating adaptation and acclimatization responses of organisms to warmed and acidified environments. Seawater pCO2/Ωarag showed strong graduation ranging from 380 to 982 µatm (Ωarag: 1.79-3.66) and benthic coverage, including soft corals and turf algae, changed along with Ωarag while hard coral coverage did not. In contrast to previous studies, net calcification was maintained in Nikko Bay even under very low mean Ωarag (2.44). Reciprocal transplantation of the dominant coral Porites cylindrica showed that the calcification rate of corals from Nikko Bay did not change when transplanted to a reference site, while calcification of reference site corals decreased when transplanted to Nikko Bay. Corals transplanted out of their origin sites also showed the highest interactive respiration (R) and lower photosynthesis (P) to respiration (P:R). The results of this study give important insights about the potential local acclimatization and adaptation capacity of corals to different environmental conditions including pCO2 and temperature.