bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a novel type of carbonic anhydrase that acts without metal cofactors
Authors: Hirakawa Yoshihisa , Senda Miki , Fukuda Kodai , Yu Hong Yang , Ishida Masaki , Taira Masafumi , Kinbara Kazushi , Senda Toshiya 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are universal metalloenzymes that catalyze the reversible conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) and bicarbonate (HCO3-). They are involved in various biological processes, including pH control, respiration, and photosynthesis. To date, eight evolutionarily unrelated classes of CA families (α, β, γ, δ, ζ, η, θ, and ι) have been identified. All are characterized by an active site accommodating the binding of a metal cofactor, which is assumed to play a central role in catalysis. This feature is thought to be the result of convergent evolution.

Results
Here, we report that a previously uncharacterized protein group, named “COG4337,” constitutes metal-independent CAs from the newly discovered ι-class. Genes coding for COG4337 proteins are found in various bacteria and photosynthetic eukaryotic algae. Biochemical assays demonstrated that recombinant COG4337 proteins from a cyanobacterium (Anabaena sp. PCC7120) and a chlorarachniophyte alga (Bigelowiella natans) accelerated CO2 hydration. Unexpectedly, these proteins exhibited their activity under metal-free conditions. Based on X-ray crystallography and point mutation analysis, we identified a metal-free active site within the cone-shaped α+β barrel structure. Furthermore, subcellular localization experiments revealed that COG4337 proteins are targeted into plastids and mitochondria of B. natans, implicating their involvement in CO2 metabolism in these organelles.

Conclusions
COG4337 proteins shared a short sequence motif and overall structure with ι-class CAs, whereas they were characterized by metal independence, unlike any known CAs. Therefore, COG4337 proteins could be treated as a variant type of ι-class CAs. Our findings suggested that this novel type of ι-CAs can function even in metal-poor environments (e.g., the open ocean) without competition with other metalloproteins for trace metals. Considering the widespread prevalence of ι-CAs across microalgae, this class of CAs may play a role in the global carbon cycle.
A novel deletion mutation in the LPA gene in a middle-aged woman with ischaemic stroke
Authors: Li Youran , Wang Yizhong , Gong Fan , Yu Xiaofei , Zhang Ting 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Genetic diversity of the human LPA gene locus is associated with high plasma concentrations of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. High Lp(a) concentrations are strongly associated with a high incidence rate of ischaemic stroke.

Case presentation
A 46-year-old female Chinese patient suffered from ischaemic stroke. Upon admission to the hospital, the patient was diagnosed with an elevated level of plasma Lp(a). The patient’s clinical symptoms were alleviated by administration of basilar artery stent thrombectomy, mannitol, and aspirin. A novel compound heterozygous deletion of the region containing exons 3–16 covering kringle IV copy number variation (KIV CNV) domains in the LPA gene was observed in genetic analysis by next-generation sequencing and confirmed by qPCR.

Conclusions
In the current study, we reported a case of a 46-year-old female patient diagnosed with ischaemic stroke. This novel heterozygous deletion mutation in the LPA gene expands the spectrum of LPA mutations. Further study is required to understand the mechanism of LPA mutations in ischaemic stroke.
Optimization of Plasmodium vivax sporozoite production from Anopheles stephensi in South West India
Authors: Mohanty Ajeet Kumar , de Souza Charles , Harjai Deepika , Ghavanalkar Prathamesh , Fernandes Mezia , Almeida Anvily , Walke Jayashri , Manoharan Suresh Kumar , Pereira Ligia , Dash Rashmi , Mascarenhas Anjali , Gomes Edwin , Thita Thanyapit , Chery Laura , Anvikar Anupkumar R. , Kumar Ashwani , Valecha Neena , Rathod Pradipsinh K. , Patrapuvich Rapatbhorn 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Efforts to study the biology of Plasmodium vivax liver stages, particularly the latent hypnozoites, have been hampered by the limited availability of P. vivax sporozoites. Anopheles stephensi is a major urban malaria vector in Goa and elsewhere in South Asia. Using P. vivax patient blood samples, a series of standard membrane-feeding experiments were performed with An. stephensi under the US NIH International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR) for Malaria Evolution in South Asia (MESA). The goal was to understand the dynamics of parasite development in mosquitoes as well as the production of P. vivax sporozoites. To obtain a robust supply of P. vivax sporozoites, mosquito-rearing and mosquito membrane-feeding techniques were optimized, which are described here.

Methods
Membrane-feeding experiments were conducted using both wild and laboratory-colonized An. stephensi mosquitoes and patient-derived P. vivax collected at the Goa Medical College and Hospital. Parasite development to midgut oocysts and salivary gland sporozoites was assessed on days 7 and 14 post-feeding, respectively. The optimal conditions for mosquito rearing and feeding were evaluated to produce high-quality mosquitoes and to yield a high sporozoite rate, respectively.

Results
Laboratory-colonized mosquitoes could be starved for a shorter time before successful blood feeding compared with wild-caught mosquitoes. Optimizing the mosquito-rearing methods significantly increased mosquito survival. For mosquito feeding, replacing patient plasma with naïve serum increased sporozoite production > two-fold. With these changes, the sporozoite infection rate was high (> 85%) and resulted in an average of ~ 22,000 sporozoites per mosquito. Some mosquitoes reached up to 73,000 sporozoites. Sporozoite production could not be predicted from gametocyte density but could be predicted by measuring oocyst infection and oocyst load.

Conclusions
Optimized conditions for the production of high-quality P. vivax sporozoite-infected An. stephensi were established at a field site in South West India. This report describes techniques for producing a ready resource of P. vivax sporozoites. The improved protocols can help in future research on the biology of P. vivax liver stages, including hypnozoites, in India, as well as the development of anti-relapse interventions for vivax malaria.
COVID-19: breaking down a global health crisis
Authors: Mallah Saad I. , Ghorab Omar K. , Al-Salmi Sabrina , Abdellatif Omar S. , Tharmaratnam Tharmegan , Iskandar Mina Amin , Sefen Jessica Atef Nassef , Sidhu Pardeep , Atallah Bassam , El-Lababidi Rania , Al-Qahtani Manaf 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the second pandemic of the twenty-first century, with over one-hundred million infections and over two million deaths to date. It is a novel strain from theCoronaviridaefamily, named Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2); the 7th known member of the coronavirus family to cause disease in humans, notably following the Middle East Respiratory syndrome (MERS), and Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (SARS). The most characteristic feature of this single-stranded RNA molecule includes the spike glycoprotein on its surface. Most patients with COVID-19, of which the elderly and immunocompromised are most at risk, complain of flu-like symptoms, including dry cough and headache. The most common complications include pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and cardiovascular manifestations. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is mainly via respiratory droplets, either directly from the air when an infected patient coughs or sneezes, or in the form of fomites on surfaces. Maintaining hand-hygiene, social distancing, and personal protective equipment (i.e., masks) remain the most effective precautions. Patient management includes supportive care and anticoagulative measures, with a focus on maintaining respiratory function. Therapy with dexamethasone, remdesivir, and tocilizumab appear to be most promising to date, with hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, ritonavir, and interferons falling out of favour. Additionally, accelerated vaccination efforts have taken place internationally, with several promising vaccinations being mass deployed. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, countries and stakeholders have taken varying precautions to combat and contain the spread of the virus and dampen its collateral economic damage. This review paper aims to synthesize the impact of the virus on a global, micro to macro scale.
Psychometric evaluation of the PROMIS social function short forms in Chinese patients with breast cancer
Authors: Cai Tingting , Huang Qingmei , Wu Fulei , Yuan Changrong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe diagnosis of breast cancer and the subsequent treatment undermine patients’ participation in social activities. This study aimed to carry out a cross-cultural adaption and analysis of the construct validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the PROMIS social function short forms in patients with breast cancer.MethodsThis study utilized a cross-sectional research design, and was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000035439). After a standardized cross-cultural adaption process, a psychometric evaluation was performed of the Chinese version of the PROMIS social function short forms. Using convenience sampling, eligible patients with breast cancer from tertiary hospitals in China were enrolled from January 2019 to July 2020. Participants completed the sociodemographic information questionnaire, the PROMIS social function short forms, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast, the PROMIS emotional support short form and the PROMIS anxiety short form.ResultsData were collected from a sample of 633 patients whose mean age was 48.1 years. The measures showed an absence of floor and ceiling effects. Regarding construct validity, the results of confirmatory factor analysis supported the original two-factor structure of the PROMIS social function short forms. In addition, the measures were found to have acceptable known-group validity, measurement invariance, and convergent and discriminate validity. Regarding reliability, the Cronbach’s α was high for all items (> 0.70).ConclusionThe Chinese version of the PROMIS social function short forms was demonstrated to be a valid and reliable measure for the assessment of social function in Chinese patients with breast cancer. Additional psychometric evaluation is needed to draw firm conclusions.
Pathological features of lymph nodes around inferior mesenteric artery in rectal cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Jiang Chunhui , Liu Ye , Xu Chunjie , Shen Yanying , Xu Qing , Gu Lei 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to explore the pathological characteristics of lymph nodes around inferior mesenteric artery in rectal cancer and its risk factors and its impact on tumor staging.

Methods
485 rectal cancer patients underwent proctectomy surgery were collected in this study. Clinical features of patients, including gender, age, BMI, tumor size, pathological type, differentiation, nerve invasion, lymph nodes, tumor marker, and pathological examinations, were analyzed.

Results
A total of 485 cases were included in this study. There were 29 cases with IMA-LN metastasis; the metastasis rate was 5.98% (29/485). Positive IMA-LNs were associated with distance from anal verge, CEA, pathological type, differentiation, nerve invasion, T stage, and N stage. Multivariate analysis showed that distance from anal verge, CEA level, differentiation, and T stage were independent risk factors for positive IMA-LNs.

Conclusion
Distance from anal verge, CEA level, differentiation, and T stage were independent risk factors for positive IMA-LNs. No skip metastasis occurred in IMA-LNs. We should choose the appropriate surgical methods to achieve better oncological results and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications.
The fecal microbiota of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and autoimmune pancreatitis characterized by metagenomic sequencing
Authors: Zhou Wenli , Zhang De , Li Zhengpeng , Jiang Huiqing , Li Jingnan , Ren Rongrong , Gao Xuefeng , Li Jianfeng , Wang Xin , Wang Weifeng , Yang Yunsheng 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
The fecal microbiota in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and in autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) patients remains largely unknown. We aimed to characterize the fecal microbiota in patients with PDAC and AIP, and explore the possibility of fecal microbial biomarkers for distinguishing PDAC and AIP.

Methods
32 patients with PDAC, 32 patients with AIP and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited and the fecal microbiotas were analyzed through high-throughput metagenomic sequencing. Alterations of fecal short-chain fatty acids were measured using gas chromatographic method.

Results
Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed that microbial compositions differed significantly between PDAC and HC samples; whereas, AIP and HC individuals tended to cluster together. Significant reduction of phylum Firmicutes (especially butyrate-producing bacteria, including Eubacterium rectale, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Roseburia intestinalis) and significant increase of phylum Proteobacteria (especially Gammaproteobacteria) were observed only among PDAC samples. At species level, when compared with HC samples, we revealed 24 and 12 differently enriched bacteria in PDAC and AIP, respectively. Functional analysis showed a depletion of short-chain fatty acids synthesis associated KO modules (e.g. Wood-Ljungdahl pathway) and an increase of KO modules associated with bacterial virulence (e.g. type II general secretion pathway). Consistent with the downregulation of butyrate-producing bacteria, gas chromatographic analysis showed fecal butyrate content was significantly decreased in PDAC group. Eubacterium rectale, Eubacterium ventrisum and Odoribacter splanchnicus were among the most important biomarkers in distinguishing PDAC from HC and from AIP individuals. Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis showed areas under the curve of 90.74% (95% confidence interval [CI] 86.47–100%), 88.89% (95% CI 73.49–100%), and 76.54% (95% CI 52.5–100%) for PDAC/HC, PDAC/AIP and AIP/HC, respectively.

Conclusions
In conclusion, alterations in fecal microbiota and butyrate of patients with PDAC suggest an underlying role of gut microbiota for the pathogenesis of PDAC. Fecal microbial and butyrate as potential biomarkers may facilitate to distinguish patients with PDAC from patients with AIP and HCs which worth further validation.
Juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome: A Review- Treatment and Prognosis
Authors: Coles Maya Levy , Uziel Yosef 
Published: May 2021

AbstractJuvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome (JPFS) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome affecting children and adolescents. In part one of this review, we discussed the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of JPFS. Part two focuses on the treatment and prognosis of JPFS. Early intervention is important. The standard of care is multidisciplinary, combining various modalities—most importantly, exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy. Prognosis varies and symptoms may persist into adulthood.
The influence of social and cultural practices on maternal mortality: a qualitative study from South Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Omer Sonia , Zakar Rubeena , Zakar Muhammad Zakria , Fischer Florian 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
A disproportionately high rate of maternal deaths is reported in developing and underdeveloped regions of the world. Much of this is associated with social and cultural factors, which form barriers to women utilizing appropriate maternal healthcare. A huge body of research is available on maternal mortality in developing countries. Nevertheless, there is a lack of literature on the socio-cultural factors leading to maternal mortality within the context of the Three Delays Model. The current study aims to explore socio-cultural factors leading to a delay in seeking care in maternal healthcare in South Punjab, Pakistan.

Methods
We used a qualitative method and performed three types of data collection with different target groups: (1) 60 key informant interviews with gynaecologists, (2) four focus group discussions with Lady Health Workers (LHWs), and (3) ten case studies among family members of deceased mothers. The study was conducted in Dera Ghazi Khan, situated in South Punjab, Pakistan. The data was analysed with the help of thematic analysis.

Results
The study identified that delay in seeking care—and the potentially resulting maternal mortality—is more likely to occur in Pakistan due to certain social and cultural factors. Poor socioeconomic status, limited knowledge about maternal care, and financial constraints among rural people were the main barriers to seeking care. The low status of women and male domination keeps women less empowered. The preference for traditional birth attendants results in maternal deaths. In addition, early marriages and lack of family planning, which are deeply entrenched in cultural values, religion and traditions—e.g., the influence of traditional or spiritual healers—prevented young girls from obtaining maternal healthcare.

Conclusion
The prevalence of high maternal mortality is deeply alarming in Pakistan. The uphill struggle to reduce deaths among pregnant women is firmly rooted in addressing certain socio-cultural practices, which create constraints for women seeking maternal care. The focus on poverty reduction and enhancing decision-making power is essential for supporting women’s right to medical care.
Distinct behavioral traits and associated brain regions in mouse models for obsessive–compulsive disorder
Authors: Chen Xiao , Yue Jihui , Luo Yuchong , Huang Lianyan , Li Boxing , Wen Shenglin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundObsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disease with heterogeneous behavioral phenotypes, including repetitive behaviors, anxiety, and impairments in cognitive functions. The brain regions related to the behavioral heterogeneity, however, are unknown.MethodsWe systematically examined the behavioral phenotypes of three OCD mouse models induced by pharmacological reagents [RU24969, 8-hydroxy-DPAT hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT), and 1-(3-chlorophenyl) piperazine hydrochloride-99% (MCPP)], and compared the activated brain regions in each model, respectively.ResultsWe found that the mouse models presented distinct OCD-like behavioral traits. RU24969-treated mice exhibited repetitive circling, anxiety, and impairments in recognition memory. 8-OH-DPAT-treated mice exhibited excessive spray-induced grooming as well as impairments in recognition memory. MCPP-treated mice showed only excessive self-grooming. To determine the brain regions related to these distinct behavioral traits, we examined c-fos expression to indicate the neuronal activation in the brain. Our results showed that RU24969-treated mice exhibited increased c-fos expression in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), prelimbic cortex (PrL), infralimbic cortex (IL), nucleus accumbens (NAc), hypothalamus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, lateral division, intermediate part (BSTLD), and interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure, lateral part (IPACL), whereas in 8-OH-DPAT-treated mice showed increased c-fos expression in the ACC, PrL, IL, OFC, NAc shell, and hypothalamus. By contrast, MCPP did not induce higher c-fos expression in the cortex than control groups.ConclusionOur results indicate that different OCD mouse models exhibited distinct behavioral traits, which may be mediated by the activation of different brain regions.
The change of coagulation profile in two-staged arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection patients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Li Hao , Li Rui , Li L. L. , Chai Wei , Xu Chi , Chen Jiying 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Aims
Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication of total joint arthroplasty. We performed a retrospective cohort study to evaluate (1) the change of coagulation profile in two-staged arthroplasty patients and (2) the relationship between coagulation profile and the outcomes of reimplantation.

Method
Between January 2011 and December 2018, a total of 202 PJI patients who were operated on with two-staged arthroplasty were included in this study initially. This study continued for 2 years and the corresponding medical records were scrutinized to establish the diagnosis of PJI based on the 2014 MSIS criteria. The coagulation profile was recorded at two designed points, (1) preresection and (2) preimplantation. The difference of coagulation profile between preresection and preimplantation was evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the coagulation profile and change of coagulation profile for predicting persistent infection before reimplantation.

Results
The levels of APTT, INR, platelet count, PT, TT, and plasma fibrinogen before spacer implantation were significantly higher than before reimplantation. No significant difference was detected in the levels of D-dimer, ACT, and AT3 between the two groups. The AUC of the combined coagulation profile and the change of combined coagulation profile for predicting persistent infection before reimplantation was 0.667 (95% CI 0.511, 0.823) and 0.667 (95% CI 0.526, 0.808), respectively.

Conclusion
The coagulation profile before preresection is different from before preimplantation in two-staged arthroplasty and the coagulation markers may play a role in predicting infection eradication before reimplantation when two-stage arthroplasty is performed.

Level of evidence
Level III, diagnostic study.