bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fate of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Abandoned Swine Feedlots in China: Seasonal Variation
Authors: Li Na , Chen Jianguo , Liu Chong , Li Binxu , Zhu Changxiong , Li Hongna 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Environmental hygiene concerns are needed to be settled before the reuse of abandoned swine feedlot sites. However, few researchers have focused on the fate of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soil microbiota around abandoned swine feedlots. In this study, we examined the seasonal alterations of ARGs and bacterial community composition in soil using quantitative PCR and high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. Results: The seasonal variation patterns were different for different ARG subtypes and soil sampling sites. The bacterial community composition at the genus level generally showed no significant alteration from winter to summer. Moreover, the co-occurrence network suggested that the bacterial genera host range of ARGs was broader in the summer than in the winter. Conclusion: This study offers further data on ARG transfer risk in soil, emphasizing the necessity of continuous concern before reuse of abandoned feedlots.
Net Zero 2050 As An Eu Priroty – Modeling a System for Efficient Investment in Eco Innovation for Climate Change Mitigation
Authors: Jesic Jelena , Okanovic Andrea , Panic Andrea Andrejevic 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Study background is based on the fact that the EU recovery plan envisages investing 30% of the huge budget in climate change, with the goal of zero gas emission by 2050. This ambitious plan will require (for now indefinitely) investment in research and innovation. The main objective of the study is to check and analyze the existing and propose a new model of effective investment in eco-innovation, on the basis of which a contribution to effective long-term investment policy, climate change impact and mitigation of consequences will be given. Methods:. The basic methodological tools for solution of the problems discussed in this study were correlation analysis, regression analysis and pared sample t-test. All calculations were performed in the statistical software SPSS 20. Time series data of the selected indicators were obtained from the European Innovation Scoreboard 2020. Database used to collect the data for EU member countries and selected third countries for the conducted analysis is the European Innovation Scoreboard 2020. To avoid sample selection bias, we considered all of the available data for all member countries and selected third countries in European Innovation Scoreboard 2020 for period 2012 to 2019.Results: Results of the study are showing the path which developing countries should direct their inevitable and increasing eco-innovation investments, taking into account the arguments of structural differences in financing R&D. According to European Eco-innovation Scoreboard the best eco-innovation performers are Luxembourg, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Austria. While countries catching up with eco-innovations are Lithuania, Greece, Estonia, Malta, Croatia, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Cyprus, Hungary, Bulgaria. Conclusions: Study conclusions are summarized as proposal of appropriate approach of R&D financing model to developing countries with a greater share of eco-innovation and self-sustainable R&D financing for climate preserving products. This study is important as it provides the new evidence on financing R&D investments in leading and developing countries according to Innovation Scoreboards.
Discovery of Endophytic Strains With Excellent Antagonism to Colletotrichum Scovillei in Sweet Pepper and Study on Their Biological Functions
Authors: Wei Lijuan , Yang Chengde , Cui Lingxiao , Jin Mengjun , Osei Richard 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. is a well-known disease that causes severe losses in pepper production which is used as a spice for thousands of households in many parts of China. With the biological control properties of endophytic strains have been developed and used have been of great importance in the prevention and control of anthracnose and environmental protection. Therefore, to control the pathogen Colletotrichum scovillei more safely, 58 endophytic strains were isolated from pepper leaves in this experiment. Plate resistance method was used to screen the antagonistic strains of C. scovillei, and it was found that the inhibition rate of 25 antagonistic strains against C. scovillei was greater than 60%, and the inhibitory rates of L1-7 and L3-5 against it were 79% and 80%, respectively. They were identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus velezensis by culture and morphological identification, combined with 16S rDNA and gyrB gene sequence analysis. The two antagonistic endophytic bacteria also had the ability to fix nitrogen and secrete IAA, and all had high salt tolerance. Controlled pot experiments in the laboratory showed that L1-7 and L3-5 had a good control effect against C. scovillei, with the control efficiency reaching 80.64% and 73.39%, respectively. Thus, B. amyloliquefaciens (L1-7) and B. velezensis (L3-5) could be useful as biological control agents to protect peppers from anthracnose disease caused by C. scovillei. The results of this test provide a basis for the development of pepper endophytic bacterial resources, and also bacterial resources for the biological control of C. scovillei.
Smad3 Regulates Smooth Muscle Cell Fate and Governs Adverse Remodeling and Calcification of Atherosclerotic Plaque
Authors: Cheng Paul , Wirka Robert , Kim Juyong , Nguyen Trieu , Kundu Ramendra , Zhao Quanyi , Sharma Disha , Pedroza Albert , Nagao Manabu , Iyer Dharini , Fischbein Michael , Quertermous Thomas 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaques consist mostly of smooth muscle cells (SMC), and genes that influence SMC biology can modulate coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Allelic variation at 15q22.33 has been identified by genome-wide association studies to modify the risk of CAD, and is associated with expression of SMAD3 in SMC, but the mechanism by which this gene modifies CAD risk remains poorly understood. SMC-specific deletion of Smad3 in a murine atherosclerosis model resulted in greater plaque burden, more positive remodeling, and increased vascular calcification. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses revealed that loss of Smad3 altered SMC transition cell state toward two fates: a novel SMC phenotype that governs both vascular remodeling and recruitment of inflammatory cells, as well as a chondromyocyte fate. The remodeling population was marked by uniquely high Mmp3 and Cxcl12 expression, and its appearance correlated with higher risk plaque features such as increased positive remodeling and macrophage content. Further, investigation of transcriptional mechanisms by which Smad3 alters SMC cell fate revealed novel roles for Hox and Sox transcription factors whose direct interaction with Smad3 regulate an extensive transcriptional program balancing remodeling and vascular extracellular matrix with significant implications for atherosclerotic and Mendelian aortic aneurysmal diseases. Together, these data suggest that Smad3 expression in SMC inhibits the emergence of specific SMC phenotypic transition cells that mediate adverse plaque features, including positive remodeling, monocyte recruitment, and vascular calcification.
Non-high-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol May Predict the Cardio-cerebrovascular Risk in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis
Authors: Luo Denggui , Luo Yueming , Zou Yanhong , Xu Yuanzhao , Fu Bo , Yang Dong , Yang Jun , Xu Cai , Ling Shuyi , Li Shunmin , Qi Airong 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
BackgroundNon-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) may be an independent risk factor for cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CVD); however, the cutoff level in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) is unknown. MethodsWe performed a multicenter retrospective study of MHD patients treated at 10 dialysis centers in Guangdong Province from July 1, 2016, to April 1, 2017. We collected laboratory test data and recorded CVD complications and outcomes. ResultsA total of 1,288 patients were enrolled; the non-HDL-C interquartile range was 2.76 (2.24–3.45) mmol/L. Over a median follow-up time of 23 months, 142 patients developed CVD. The non-HDL-C level was a principal risk factor for such events (P < 0.05; area under the curve 0.822, 95% confidence interval 0.800–0.842). The maximum Youden index was 0.549 and the best cutoff > 3.39 mmol/L. ConclusionHigher baseline non-HDL-C levels are associated with an increased risk of CVD in MHD patients. Thus, non-HDL-C effectively predicts CVD.
Increasing SOC sequestration and closing N cycle during post-agricultural restoration in karst region, Southwest China
Authors: Liu Man , Han Guilin , Zhang Qian 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Purpose

Post-agricultural restoration affects soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and ecosystem nitrogen (N) cycle. However, the control mechanism of SOC sequestration and alteration of ecosystem N status following post-agricultural restoration are not well understood in karst regions.
Methods

Croplands, abandoned croplands, and native vegetation forests were selected to represent three stages following post-agricultural restoration using a space for time substitution approach in a karst critical zone in Guizhou province, Southwest China. The variations of soil aggregate associated SOC and relationships between soil Ca and SOC were analyzed to identify SOC sequestration potential. Foliar δ15N composition and soil to plant 15N enrichment factor (EF = δ15Nlitter − δ15Nsoil) were analyzed to determine ecosystem N status.
Results

Macro-aggregate proportions and their SOC concentrations significantly increased following post-agricultural restoration. Soil Ca concentrations non-linearly increased with increasing SOC concentrations of bulk soils and aggregates. Foliar δ15N values and EF values significantly decreased following post-agricultural restoration, mainly attributed to the increasing plant uptake of 15N-depleted inorganic N, which was produced from soil organic nitrogen (SON) mineralization and nitrification. During post-agricultural restoration, the increasing plant biomass and slow SON mineralization led to more inorganic N uptake and less N loss, i.e., a more closed N cycle.
Conclusion

Soil aggregates and Ca play important roles in promoting SOC sequestration, and ecosystem N cycles are towards closed during post-agricultural restoration in the karst ecosystem.
Validity of Resting Strain/strain Rate in Prediction of Myocardial Viability
Authors: Hanafy Amr , Ibrahim Soliman Ghareb , Mansour Hossam Eldein Mohamed Mohamed , Soliman Aml Mohamed , Salama Mohamed Kamal 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
PurposeTo evaluate the validity of the resting strain/strain rate measurements in predicting myocardial viability taking delayed enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging as the gold standard. Methods: A cohort of 60 patients at three months followed up after acute myocardial infarction were recruited for this study. Resting echocardiography with offline analysis of deformation indices and gadolinium contrast enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were applied for all patients. ResultsFor the final assessment, 268 segments with significant resting wall motion abnormalities were presented. Resting longitudinal strain was significantly (p<0.05) higher in viable, compared with non-viable segments in all the studied individual myocardial segments (apical inferior, mid antro-lateral, mid-inferolateral, mid infero-septum, and all other segments). Likewise, resting longitudinal strain rate was significantly (p<0.05) higher in viable, compared with non-viable segments in almost all studied individual myocardial segments apart from apical inferior, mid inferolateral and basal antro-septum (p=0.245, p=0.098, p=0.097 respectively). ConclusionResting Strain and Resting Strain rate could be used as accurate predictors of myocardia viability following acute myocardial infarction.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome Ameliorates Hyperalgesia in a Post-operative Pain Model
Authors: Maoudis Chrysostomos Constantine , McKinnirey Flyn , Vesey Graham , Blaber Sinead , Hutchinson Mark 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe treatment and management of post-operative pain remain a significant challenge. There is a significant unmet need that requires novel therapeutics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the mesenchymal stem cell secretome (MSC-S) in a rat incisional post-operative pain model. MethodsA post-operative pain model in rats was used to assess the human adipose-derived MSC-S therapeutic benefits. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (n=40) underwent surgery whereby a 1 cm longitudinal incision was made over the plantar surface of the right hind paw where the plantaris muscle was incised longitudinally. The incision was closed with two stitches. At 1-hour post-surgery, test and control articles were administered topically for 15 minutes to the incision site. Von Frey and hotplate testing were conducted to assess mechanical and thermal pain responses, respectively. Statistical analysis of thermal and mechanical withdrawal thresholds was undertaken using an ordinary 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) utilising uncorrected Fishers LSD test with individual variances computed for each comparison.ResultsA statistically significant increase in thermal nociceptive threshold (analgesia) was observed in the high dose MSC-S group when compared to vehicle at 1.5 hours (p<0.0001) and 3 hours post-surgery (p<0.0001). High dose MSC-S had a more potent analgesic effect than low dose MSC-S. A statistically higher analgesic effect was observed in the high dose MSC-S group compared to morphine at the 3 hours post-surgery hot plate assessment (p<0.002). Morphine (10mg/kg) administration resulted in a significant increase in hot plate withdrawal threshold compared to vehicle at 1.5 hours (p<0.0001) and 3hours (p<0.008) post-surgery. Animals that received morphine displayed significantly less allodynia than vehicle control animals at 1.5 hours post-surgery (p<0.0001).ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated that the MSC-S topically administered in a rat post-operative pain model significantly improved thermal nociceptive thresholds. The MSC-S has potential as a non-opioid based therapy for the treatment of acute post-operative pain.
Comparison of Accuracy of Intraocular Lens Power calculation for Eyes with an Axial Length Greater Than 29.0 mm
Authors: Guo Chengyao , Yin Shengjie , Qiu Kunliang , Zhang Mingzhi 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
PurposeTo evaluate and compare the accuracy of six different formulas (EVO 2.0, Kane, SRK/T, Barrett Universal II, Haigis and Olsen) in intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation for extremely long eyes.MethodsRetrospective case-series. 73 eyes with axial length (AL) ≥ 29.0 mm and 920H IOL implantation were included. Prediction errors (PE) were calculated and compared between different formulas. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate factors associated with the PE.ResultsThe Kane formula had mean prediction error close to zero (-0.01 D, P = 0.841), whereas the EVO 2.0, SRK/T, Barrett Universal II, Haigis and Olsen formulas produced hyperopic outcomes (all P < 0.001). The median absolute error produced by the EVO 2.0, Kane, Barrett Universal II and Olsen formulas showed no significant difference (0.33 D, 0.30 D, 0.29 D, 0.34 D, respectively, pairwise comparison P > 0.05), but was significantly lower than that of the SRK/T and Haigis formulas (0.85 D, 0.80 D, respectively, pairwise comparison P＜ 0.001). The accuracy of the SRK/T formula in extremely myopic eyes was affected by the AL, suggesting that a longer AL was always associated with a hyperopic surprise and a shorter AL was always associated with a myopic surprise, whereas the accuracy of other formulas was less affected by the AL.Conclusions﻿For cataract patients with axial length greater than 29.0 mm, the accuracy of the EVO 2.0, Kane, Barrett Universal II and Olsen formulas is comparable and significantly better than that of the SRK/T and Haigis formulas.
Dasabuvir Suppresses Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Growth As a Novel ROCK1 Inhibitor
Authors: Liu Xinning , Jiang Yanan , Zhou Hao , Li Mingzhu , Bao Zhuo , Wang Zitong , Zhang Chenyang , Xie Zhenliang , Zhao Jimin , Dong Zigang , Guo Zhiping , Liu Kangdong 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a high recurrence rate of upper-digestive cancer with a low 5-year survival rate. Therefore, there is an urgent need for effective chemopreventive drugs that can extend the survival rate of patients. Through screening of FDA-approved drugs, dasabuvir was found to suppress ESCC proliferation. Methods: Cell number count assay was used to screen for drugs with inhibitory effect on ESCC cells and detect the inhibitory effect of dasabuvir on proliferation of ESCC cells KYSE150 and KYE450. Phosphoproteomics and proteomics were used to investigate the mechanism of dasabuvir inhibiting ESCC. In vitro kinase assay was used to verify the inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation by ROCK1 by dasabuvir. The PDX model was used to test the inhibitory effect of dasabuvir on ESCC in vivo.Results: In this study, we found that dasabuvir is a novel inhibitor of Rho-associated protein kinase 1 (ROCK1). Dasabuvir inhibited the growth of the KYSE150 and KYSE450 ESCC cell lines in a time and dose-dependent manner and arrested cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. The antitumor activity was validated in vivo using a patient-derived xenograft tumor model in mice. Dasabuvir inhibited the activation of ERK1/2 by ROCK1 and downregulated cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and cyclin D1 expression. Conclusions: These results provide the first evidence that dasabuvir serves as a ROCK1 inhibitor, suppresses ESCC growth in vivo and in vitro, and arrests the cell cycle through the ROCK1/ERK signaling pathway.
Response to first line chemotherapy regimen is associated with efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapies in Patients with Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Tural Deniz , Selçukbiricik Fatih , Ölmez Ömer Fatih , Sümbül Ahmet Taner , Erman Mustafa , Coşkun Hasan Şenol , Artaç Mehmet , Kılıçkap Saadettin 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
Atezolizumab (ATZ) has demonstrated antitumor activity in the previous studies in patients with metastatic platinum-resistant urothelial carcinoma. However, the response rate of ATZ was modest. Therefore, finding biologic or clinical biomarkers that could help to select patients who respond to the immune checkpoint blockade remains important.
Patients and Methods
In this study, we present the retrospective analysis of 105 patients with urothelial cancer treated with ATZ after progression on first-line chemotherapy. Data of patients were obtained from patient files and hospital records. The association between response to first-line chemotherapy and ATZ was using Fisher’s exact test. Median follow-up was calculated using the reverse Kaplan-Meier method. OS was estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Results
The median follow-up time was 23.5 months. Forty (74.1%) of patients who experienced clinical benefit after firs-line chemotherapy also had clinical benefit after atezolizumab, while only 14 (25.9%) of patients with initial PD after first-line chemotherapy subsequently experience clinical benefit with ATZ (p = 0.001). The median OS on ATZ of 14.8 and 3.4 months for patients with clinical benefit and progressive disease in response to first-line chemotherapy, respectively (p = 0.001). Three of the adverse prognostic factors according to the Bellmunt criteria were independent factors of short survival: liver metastases (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.9; p = 0.04), ECOG PS ≥ 1 (HR = 2.7; p = 0.001), and Hemoglobin level below 10 mg/dl (HR = 2.8; p < 0.001). In addition, patients with clinical benefit from first-line chemotherapy (HR = 0.39; p < 0.001) maintained a significant association with OS in multivariate analysis.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrated that clinical benefit from first-line chemotherapy was independent prognostic factors on OS in patients' use of ATZ as second-line treatment in metastatic bladder cancer. Furthermore, these findings are important for stratification factors for future immunotherapy study design in patients with bladder cancer who have progressed after first-line chemotherapy
Surface Roughness Effect on Fatigue Strength of Aluminum Alloy Using Revised Stress Field Intensity Approach
Authors: Zhao Bingfeng , Song Jiaxin , Xie Liyang , Hu Zhiyong , Chen Jianpeng 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The fatigue strength of component is known to highly depend on its surface quality and it is very necessary to develop a reliable appropriate mathematical model for fatigue strength assessment considering the effect of surface roughness. In this paper, different underlying physical mechanisms of roughness effect at different regions of specimen were studied by the fatigue test of 7N01 aluminium alloy. For quantitative analysis of the surface roughness effect, a revised stress field intensity approach for fatigue strength assessment of micro-size notch was proposed as the theoretical support. In the new model, a new form of weight function was built to adapt the characteristics of micro-size notch. In addition, the effect of the field radius is weakened fundamentally on solution of the stress field intensity and the difficulty of fatigue failure region definition in traditional method is overcome correspondingly in the proposed model, which makes the calculated field strength accurate and objective. Finally, to demonstrate the validity of the revised approach quantitatively, specimens with notches in conventional size have been subjected to stress field intensity calculation. The results show that the revised approach has a satisfactory accuracy compared with the other two traditional approaches from the perspective of quantitative analysis.
Pinpointing a disastrous limitation of Special Relativity and Proposing a new explanation for Light Speed’s constancy
Authors: ASOKAN SEBASTIN 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
This paper pinpoints a severe infirmity of the Lorentz Transformation in the Special Theory of Relativity. Even if it were true, its ambit is very much limited. Out of infinite events happening in the universe, it covers only the events of detecting light signals at the spatial points lying on a straight line in the direction of the relative velocity between the two inertial frames. This paper points out that the slowing down of moving clocks is not a prediction of Lorentz Transformation and hints at the possibility of attributing the observed slowing down of fast-moving clocks to the Relativistic Variation of Mass with Velocity. This paper concludes that from the fact that the same Reality is perceived differently by the observers in different inertial frames, we can draw a straightforward explanation for the constancy of light's speed in all inertial frames without any need for bringing in narrow-scoped and unrealistic Lorentz Transformation.