bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal stromal cells as prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease in haplo-identical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients with severe aplastic anemia?—a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Ruonan , Tu Jingke , Zhao Jingyu , Pan Hong , Fang Liwei , Shi Jun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are an emerging prophylaxis option for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in haplo-identical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) recipients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA), but studies have reported inconsistent results. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of MSCs as prophylaxis for GVHD in SAA patients with haplo-HSCT.

Methods
Studies were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, and http://clinicaltrials.gov from establishment to February 2020. Twenty-nine single-arm studies (n = 1456) were included, in which eight (n = 241) studies combined with MSCs and eleven (n = 1215) reports without MSCs in haplo-HSCT for SAA patients. The primary outcomes were the incidences of GVHD. Other outcomes included 2-year overall survival (OS) and the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to compare the results pooled through random or fixed effects models.

Results
Between MSCs and no MSCs groups, no significant differences were found in the pooled incidences of acute GVHD (56.0%, 95% CI 48.6–63.5% vs. 47.2%, 95% CI 29.0–65.4%; OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.91–2.25; p = 0.123), grade II–IV acute GVHD (29.8%, 95% CI 24.1–35.5% vs. 30.6%, 95% CI 26.6–34.6%; OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.70–1.32; p = 0.889), and chronic GVHD (25.4%, 95% CI 19.8–31.0% vs. 30.0%, 95% CI 23.3–36.6%; OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.56–1.11; p = 0.187). Furtherly, there was no obvious difference in 2-year OS (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.60–1.61; p = 1.000) and incidence of CMV infection (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.40–1.92; p = 0.018).

Conclusions
Our meta-analysis indicates that the prophylactic use of MSC co-transplantation is not an effective option for SAA patients undergoing haplo-HSCT. Hence, the general co-transplantation of MSCs for SAA haplo-HSCT recipients may lack evidence-based practice.
Local anesthetics impair the growth and self-renewal of glioblastoma stem cells by inhibiting ZDHHC15-mediated GP130 palmitoylation
Authors: Fan Xiaoqing , Yang Haoran , Zhao Chenggang , Hu Lizhu , Wang Delong , Wang Ruiting , Fang Zhiyou , Chen Xueran 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
A large number of preclinical studies have shown that local anesthetics have a direct inhibitory effect on tumor biological activities, including cell survival, proliferation, migration, and invasion. There are few studies on the role of local anesthetics in cancer stem cells. This study aimed to determine the possible role of local anesthetics in glioblastoma stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods
The effects of local anesthetics in GSCs were investigated through in vitro and in vivo assays (i.e., Cell Counting Kit 8, spheroidal formation assay, double immunofluorescence, western blot, and xenograft model). The acyl-biotin exchange method (ABE) assay was identified proteins that are S-acylated by zinc finger Asp-His-His-Cys-type palmitoyltransferase 15 (ZDHHC15). Western blot, co-immunoprecipitation, and liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer-mass spectrometry assays were used to explore the mechanisms of ZDHHC15 in effects of local anesthetics in GSCs.

Results
In this study, we identified a novel mechanism through which local anesthetics can damage the malignant phenotype of glioma. We found that local anesthetics prilocaine, lidocaine, procaine, and ropivacaine can impair the survival and self-renewal of GSCs, especially the classic glioblastoma subtype. These findings suggest that local anesthetics may weaken ZDHHC15 transcripts and decrease GP130 palmitoylation levels and membrane localization, thus inhibiting the activation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling.

Conclusions
In conclusion, our work emphasizes that ZDHHC15 is a candidate therapeutic target, and local anesthetics are potential therapeutic options for glioblastoma.
STAT3 activation by catalpol promotes osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling, thus accelerating osteoporotic bone repair
Authors: Chen Liang , Zhang Ri-Yan , Xie Jun , Yang Jia-Yi , Fang Kang-Hao , Hong Chen-Xuan , Yang Rong-Bo , Bsoul Najeeb , Yang Lei 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundBone fracture repair has gained a lot of attention due to the high incidence of delayed union or even nonunion especially in osteoporotic patients, resulting in a dreadful impact on the quality of life. However, current therapies involve the costly expense and hence become unaffordable strategies for fracture recovery. Herein, developing new strategies for better bone repair is essential and urgent. Catalpol treatment has been reported to attenuate bone loss and promote bone formation. However, the mechanisms underlying its effects remain unraveled.MethodsRat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated from rat femurs. BMSC osteogenic ability was assessed using ALP and ARS staining, immunofluorescence, and western blot analysis. BMSC-mediated angiogenic potentials were determined using the western blot analysis, ELISA testing, scratch wound assay, transwell migration assay, and tube formation assay. To investigate the molecular mechanism, the lentivirus transfection was used. Ovariectomized and sham-operated rats with calvaria defect were analyzed using micro-CT, H&E staining, Masson’s trichrome staining, microfil perfusion, sequential fluorescent labeling, and immunohistochemistry assessment after administrated with/without catalpol.ResultsOur results manifested that catalpol enhanced BMSC osteoblastic differentiation and promoted BMSC-mediated angiogenesis in vitro. More importantly, this was conducted via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, as knockdown of STAT3 partially abolished beneficial effects in BMSCs. Besides, catalpol administration facilitated bone regeneration as well as vessel formation in an OVX-induced osteoporosis calvarial defect rat model.ConclusionsThe data above showed that catalpol could promote osteogenic ability of BMSC and BMSC-dependent angiogenesis through activation of the JAK2/STAT3 axis, suggesting it may be an ideal therapeutic agent for clinical medication of osteoporotic bone fracture.
ASFP (Artificial Intelligence based Scoring Function Platform): a web server for the development of customized scoring functions
Authors: Zhang Xujun , Shen Chao , Guo Xueying , Wang Zhe , Weng Gaoqi , Ye Qing , Wang Gaoang , He Qiaojun , Yang Bo , Cao Dongsheng , Hou Tingjun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractVirtual screening (VS) based on molecular docking has emerged as one of the mainstream technologies of drug discovery due to its low cost and high efficiency. However, the scoring functions (SFs) implemented in most docking programs are not always accurate enough and how to improve their prediction accuracy is still a big challenge. Here, we propose an integrated platform called ASFP, a web server for the development of customized SFs for structure-based VS. There are three main modules in ASFP: (1) the descriptor generation module that can generate up to 3437 descriptors for the modelling of protein–ligand interactions; (2) the AI-based SF construction module that can establish target-specific SFs based on the pre-generated descriptors through three machine learning (ML) techniques; (3) the online prediction module that provides some well-constructed target-specific SFs for VS and an additional generic SF for binding affinity prediction. Our methodology has been validated on several benchmark datasets. The target-specific SFs can achieve an average ROC AUC of 0.973 towards 32 targets and the generic SF can achieve the Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.81 on the PDBbind version 2016 core set. To sum up, the ASFP server is a powerful tool for structure-based VS.
Inverse ray mapping in phase space for two-dimensional reflective optical systems
Authors: Filosa Carmela , ten Thije Boonkkamp Jan , IJzerman Wilbert 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA new method to compute the target photometric variables of non-imaging optical systems is presented. The method is based on the phase space representation of each surface that forms the optical system. All surfaces can be modeled as detectors of the incident light and emitters of the reflected light. Moreover, we assume that the source can only emit light and the target can only receive light. Therefore, one phase space is taken into account for the source and one for the target. For the other surfaces both the source and target phase spaces are considered. The output intensity is computed from the rays that leave the source and hit the target. We implement the method for two-dimensional optical systems, and we compare the new method with Monte Carlo (MC) ray tracing. This paper is a proof of principle. Therefore, we present the results for systems formed by straight lines which are all located in the same medium. Numerical results show that the intensity found with the ray mapping method equals the exact intensity. Accuracy and speed advantages of several orders are observed with the new method.
Pulse radar randomly interrupted transmitting and receiving optimization based on genetic algorithm in radio frequency simulation
Authors: Liu Xiaobin , Zhao Feng , Ai Xiaofeng , Wu Qihua 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe interrupted transmitting and receiving (ITR) can be used in anechoic chamber to solve the coupling between the transmitted and reflected signals. When the ITR periods are random, the fake peaks in high-resolution range profile (HRRP) of ITR echo can be reduced. Then, by utilizing the piecewise sparse property of ITR echo, the HRRP is reconstructed based on compressive sensing (CS). However, the periods of ITR determine the restricted isometry property (RIP) condition and the HRRP reconstruction performance. In order to improve the HRRP reconstruction performance, the ITR period sequence optimization method based on a genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed in this paper. The correlation coefficient of the sensing matrix columns is minimized after optimization so that the RIP of the sensing matrix can be well satisfied. Simulation and comparison results illustrate that the optimization method converges fast and the HRRP reconstruction performance is improved with the optimized ITR periods.
Mean-square stability of Riemann–Liouville fractional Hopfield’s graded response neural networks with random impulses
Authors: Agarwal R. , Hristova S. , O’Regan D. , Kopanov P. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this paper a model of Hopfield’s graded response neural network is investigated. A network whose neurons are subject to a certain impulsive state displacement at random times is considered. The model is set up and studied. The presence of random moments of impulses in the model leads to a change of the solutions to stochastic processes. Also, we use the Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative to model adequately the long-term memory and the nonlocality in the neural networks. We set up in an appropriate way both the initial conditions and the impulsive conditions at random moments. The application of the Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative leads to a new definition of the equilibrium point. We define mean-square Mittag-Leffler stability in time of the equilibrium point of the model and study this type of stability. Some sufficient conditions for this type of stability are obtained. The general case with time varying self-regulating parameters of all units and time varying functions of the connection between two neurons is studied.
Efficacy of a coordinated strategy for containment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria carriage in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the context of an active surveillance program
Authors: Saporito Laura , Graziano Giorgio , Mescolo Federica , Amodio Emanuele , Insinga Vincenzo , Rinaudo Grazia , Aleo Aurora , Bonura Celestino , Vitaliti Marcello , Corsello Giovanni , Vitale Francesco , Maida Carmelo Massimo , Giuffrè Mario 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundAntimicrobial resistance in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients is a threat, due to the frequent use of antimicrobial treatment and invasive devices in fragile babies. Since 2014 an active surveillance program of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) carriage has been in place in the five NICUs of Palermo, Italy. In 2017 an increase in the prevalence of MDR-GNB, and in particular of extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producingKlebsiella pneumoniae(ESBL-KP), was observed in “Civico” hospital NICU.AimTo assess the impact of a coordinated intervention strategy in achieving long-lasting reduction of MDR-GNB prevalence in the NICU.MethodsRectal swabs were obtained monthly and processed to detect MDR-GNB using standard methods. MDR-GNB were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Since November 2017 the following intervention measures were applied: (a) two-months intensification of sample collection; (b) stakeholders meetings; (c) improvement of prevention measures and antimicrobial policies.FindingsDuring the intensified microbiological surveillance MDR-GNB and ESBL-KP were detected in rectal swabs (34.8%; 23.2%), nasal swabs (24.6%; 14.5%), oral swabs (14.5%; 5.4%), milk samples (32.1%; 17.9%), pacifiers swabs (30.8%; 17.9%) and from sub-intensive room surfaces. Thirteen ESBL-KP strains isolated from clinical and environmental samples showed identical PFGE patterns. The prevalence of MDR-GNB and ESBL-KP carriage significantly decreased in the year after intervention compared to the previous year (20.6% vs 62.2%;p < 0.001 and 11.1% vs 57.8%;p < 0.001). MDR-GNB were not detected at all for three months and ESBL-KP for five months. Multivariate analysis of the principal exposure variables showed that admission in the post-intervention period significantly reduced the risk of MDR-GNB carriage (adj-OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.076–0.629;p < 0.001).ConclusionsMDR-GNB broadly circulate in NICU setting, they can colonize different body sites and spread through various vehicles. A coordinated strategy of multiple interventions with active cooperation between epidemiologists and clinicians in the NICU can effectively reduce their circulation and in particular the carriage of the most dangerous ESBL-KP strains.
Sustainable genomic research for food security in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Aryee Sethlina Naa Dodua , Owusu-Adjei Dennis , Osei-Amponsah Richard , Skinner Benjamin , Sowatey Emmanuel , Sargent Carole Anne 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAlthough traditional selective breeding has had a tremendous impact on both livestock and crop production in Africa, this has not kept pace with the high demand for animal and plant products on account of increasing urbanization, improved livelihoods and a rapidly growing human population. These challenges justify the need for more innovative and sustainable ways of improving animal and crop production to meet this demand. Over the last two decades the potential of genomics as a key tool to achieve improvement in desirable phenotypic traits has revolutionized the field of applied animal and plant biology. However, well informed use of such techniques has yet to be fully exploited within the context of local resources and capacity-building. The objective of this review is to highlight the rich agricultural biodiversity of sub-Saharan Africa, the potential of genomics in their sustainable use for food security, the challenges of genomic research and the strategies that can be adopted to overcome them in the implementation of agricultural genomic research in Africa. The lack of state-of-the-art laboratory research facilities, skilled human resources, poor funding and non-availability of scientific research resources, paucity of collaborative links between African researchers and a lack of engagement between key stakeholders in the agricultural value chain were identified as major barriers that affect agricultural genomic research in Africa. Finally, the recommended strategies to overcome these challenges will guide policy-makers, researchers, development partners and key stakeholders in the smooth advancement of sustainable agricultural genomic research for improved food security in Africa.
Estimating a Seismic Wave Velocity for Exciting the Greatest Anticipated Vertical Deck Displacement of a Cable-Stayed Bridge Subjected to Asynchronous Excitation
Authors: Hariri Bashar , Lin Lan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the seismic wave velocity on vertical displacement of a cable-stayed bridge’s deck under asynchronous excitation. The Quincy Bayview Bridge located in Illinois, USA, and four other generic bridges are selected for the study. Ten records obtained from earthquakes in US, Japan, and Taiwan are used as input for the seismic excitation in the time-history analysis. Two equations are proposed in this study to determine a critical seismic wave velocity that would produce the greatest vertical deck displacement. The critical wave velocity depends on the total length of the bridge, the fundamental period of the bridge, and the C-factor. The C-factor in this study is 0.72, which is based on analyzed results from the five selected bridges. The two equations and the C-factor are verified through application on two 3-span cable-stayed bridges studied previously by Nazmy and Abdel-Ghaffar. The proposed C-factor of 0.72 is recommended for use for typical 3-span cable-stayed bridges with a side-to-main span ratio of about 0.48. The methodology developed in the study, however, can be applied to any specific bridge to examine the excitation of the deck vertical displacement under the longitudinal seismic ground motion.
Low expression of ZHX1 and ZHX2 impacts on the prognosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Maciel Natália Ioseph Gladistone , Filiú-Braga Luma Dayane Carvalho , Neves Francisco Assis Rocha , Rego Eduardo Magalhaes , Lucena-Araujo Antonio Roberto , Saldanha-Araujo Felipe 
Published: February 2021

AbstractExperimental evidence points to the role of Zinc fingers and homeoboxes protein 1 and 2 (ZHX1 and ZHX2) in the development and progression of several types of cancer, including hematological malignancies. Here, we determined whether the altered expression of ZHX1 and ZHX2 has clinical implications in patients with CLL. Interestingly, CLL patients with low expression ZHX1 and ZHX2 presented higher WBC counts. Importantly, our data showed that CLL patients with cytogenetic alterations presented reduced transcriptional levels of ZHX1 and ZHX2 in comparison with patients with normal karyotype. Moreover, when stratifying CLL patients according to the karyotype prognosis value, we observed that the expression of ZHX1 and ZHX2 was significantly reduced in CLL patients presenting adverse karyotypes. Finally, we stratified patients according to the number of chromosomal aberrations and observed a negative association between ZHX1 and ZHX2 expression and the accumulation of chromosomal abnormalities in CLL patients. Our data showed that the low expression of ZHX1 and ZHX2 is associated with a worse prognosis in CLL, followed by a greater number of leukemic cells and unfavorable cytogenetics findings in the diagnosis. Further studies will be important to confirm the prognostic value of ZHX1 and ZHX2 in independent CLL cohorts.
Article 4: Impact assessment of supervision performance assessment and recognition strategy (SPARS) to improve supply chain management in health facilities in Uganda: a national pre and post study
Authors: Ladwar Denis Okidi , Sembatya Moses Nixon , Amony Nancy Miriam , Seru Morries , Ross-Degnan Dennis , Garabedian Laura , Trap Birna 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
To strengthen medicines management capacity, including supply chain management, at public sector health facilities in Uganda, the Ministry of Health introduced a multipronged supervision, performance assessment, and recognition strategy (SPARS). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of SPARS on improving supply chain management. A series of four papers on SPARS described the SPARS concept, its impact on overall and domain practices and appropriate medicines use, and now in the fourth paper describing the effect on supply chain management.

Methods
District-based health workers trained as supervisors build facility-level capacity in medicines management using an indicator-based performance assessment followed by targeted supervisory visits. From 2010 to 2013, 1222 SPARS visits were implemented, and the SPARS performance indicator scores determined. This article assesses impact on 13 indicators in three of the five SPARS domains—stock management, storage management, and ordering and reporting quality—using a pre–post design. We also explored factors that may have influenced these outcomes.

Results
Between the first and last visit within one year of SPARS implementation, we found an average improvement of 16 percentage points (p < 0.001) in supply chain management measures across all levels of care. The improvement in scores for stock management, storage management, and ordering and reporting was 22 (ns), 16 (p < 0.001), and 11 (p = 0.032) percentage points, respectively. The study identified the key predictors of positive change as a low initial indicator score, frequent supervisory visits, and engagement of the district health officer.

Conclusions
The multipronged SPARS approach was effective in building supply chain management capacity in lower-level health care facilities with statistically significant improvements in supply chain management overall and in almost all stock and storage- management and ordering and reporting measures after one year of implementation. We recommend broad dissemination of the SPARS approach as an effective strategy to strengthen supply chain management in low-income countries.
Trial registration: The study did not involve or use human participants or identifiable personal data, human tissue, or animals and thus did not require ethical approval or a waiver. It is a study implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and does not require trial registration.
Synthetic analysis of the efficacy of the S-net system in tsunami forecasting
Authors: Mulia Iyan E. , Satake Kenji 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe Seafloor Observation Network for Earthquakes and Tsunamis along the Japan Trench (S-net) is presently the world’s largest network of ocean bottom pressure sensors for real-time tsunami monitoring. This paper analyzes the efficacy of such a vast system in tsunami forecasting through exhaustive synthetic experiments. We consider 1500 hypothetical tsunami scenarios from megathrust earthquakes with magnitudes ranging fromMw 7.7–9.1. We employ a stochastic slip model to emulate heterogeneous slip patterns on specified 240 subfaults over the plate interface of the Japan Trench subduction zone and its vicinity. Subsequently, the associated tsunamis in terms of maximum coastal tsunami heights are evaluated along the 50-m isobath by means of a Green’s function summation. To produce tsunami forecasts, we utilize a tsunami inversion from virtually observed waveforms at the S-net stations. Remarkably, forecasts accuracy of approximately 99% can be achieved using tsunami data within an interval of 3 to 5 min after the earthquake (2-min length), owing to the exceedingly dense observation points. Additionally, we apply an optimization technique to determine the optimal combination of stations with respect to earthquake magnitudes. The results show that the minimum requisite number of stations to maintain the accuracy attained by the existing network configuration decreases from 130 to 90 when the earthquake size increases fromMw 7.7 to 9.1.