bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genomic Regions Involved in Differences in Eating and Cooking Quality Other than Wx and Alk Genes between indica and japonica Rice Cultivars
Authors: Hori Kiyosumi , Suzuki Keitaro , Ishikawa Haruka , Nonoue Yasunori , Nagata Kazufumi , Fukuoka Shuichi , Tanaka Junichi 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
In temperate rice cultivation regions, japonica rice cultivars are grown preferentially because consumers deem them to have good eating quality, whereas indica rice cultivars have high grain yields and strong heat tolerance but are considered to have poor eating quality. To mitigate the effects of global warming on rice production, it is important to develop novel rice cultivars with both desirable eating quality and resilience to high temperatures. Eating quality and agronomic traits were evaluated in a reciprocal set of chromosome segment substitution lines derived from crosses between a japonica rice cultivar ‘Koshihikari’ and an indica rice cultivar ‘Takanari’.

Results
We detected 112 QTLs for amylose and protein contents, whiteness, stickiness, hardness and eating quality of cooked rice grains. Almost of ‘Koshihikari’ chromosome segments consistently improved eating quality. Among detected QTLs, six QTLs on chromosomes 1–5 and 11 were detected that increased whiteness and stickiness of cooked grains or decreased their hardness for 3 years. The QTLs on chromosomes 2–4 were not associated with differences in amylose or protein contents. QTLs on chromosomes 1–5 did not coincide with QTLs for agronomic traits such as heading date, culm length, panicle length, spikelet fertility and grain yield. Genetic effects of the detected QTLs were confirmed in substitution lines carrying chromosome segments from five other indica cultivars in the ‘Koshihikari’ genetic background.

Conclusion
The detected QTLs were associated with differences in eating quality between indica and japonica rice cultivars. These QTLs appear to be widely distributed among indica cultivars and to be novel genetic factors for eating quality traits because their chromosome regions differed from those of the GBSSI (Wx) and SSIIa (Alk) genes. The detected QTLs would be very useful for improvement of eating quality of indica rice cultivars in breeding programs.
Exploring Natural Allelic Variations of the β-Triketone Herbicide Resistance Gene HIS1 for Application in indica Rice and Particularly in Two-Line Hybrid Rice
Authors: Lv Qiming , Zhang Xiuli , Yuan Dingyang , Huang Zhiyuan , Peng Rui , Peng Jiming , Li Zuren , Tang Li , Liu Ducai , Zhou Xiaomao , Wang Lifeng , Pan Lang , Shao Ye , Mao Bigang , Xin Yeyun , Zhu Lihuang , Zhao Bingran , Bai Lianyang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Benzobicyclon (BBC) is a β-triketone herbicide (bTH) used in rice paddy fields. It has the advantages of high efficiency, low toxicity, high crop safety, and good environmental compatibility, and shows efficacy against paddy weeds resistant to other types of herbicides. However, as some important indica rice varieties are susceptible to BBC, BBC is currently only registered and applied in japonica rice cultivation areas.

Results
By analyzing haplotypes of the bTHs broad-spectrum resistance gene HIS1 and phenotypes for BBC in 493 major indica rice accessions in China, we identified a novel non-functional allelic variant of HIS1 in addition to the previously reported 28-bp deletion. Through detection with markers specific to the two non-functional mutations, it was clear that 25.4% of indica conventional varieties, 59.9% of fertility restorers, and 15.9% of sterile lines were susceptible to BBC. In addition, due to natural allelic variations of the HIS1 gene in the sterile and restorer lines, some two-line hybrid sterile lines were sensitive to bTHs, and the corresponding restorers were resistant. We showed the potential effectiveness of using bTHs to address the issue of two-line hybrid rice seed purity stemming from the self-crossing of sterile lines during hybrid rice seed production. Finally, allelic variations of the HIS1 gene may also play an important role in the mechanized seed production of hybrid rice.

Conclusions
Our findings offer guidance for the application of BBC in indica rice areas and provide a non-transgenic approach to address the seed purity issue of two-line hybrid rice.
Deep insights into urinary tract infections and effective natural remedies
Authors: Fazly Bazzaz Bibi Sedigheh , Darvishi Fork Sareh , Ahmadi Reza , Khameneh Bahman 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common occurrence in females, during pregnancy, and in peri- and postmenopausal women.
UTIs are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and they affect the quality of life of the affected patients. Antibiotic therapy is an effective approach and reduces the duration of symptoms. Development of resistance, adverse effects of antibiotics, and other associated problems lead to establishing the research framework to find out the alternative approaches in controlling UTIs. Natural approaches have been extensively used for the management of various diseases to improve symptoms and also improve general health.

Main body
Different databases were employed to identify studies reporting on natural options including herbal medicines, vitamins, trace elementals, sugars, and probiotics without time limitations.

Conclusion
Herbal medicines can be effective at the first sign of the infection and also for short-term prophylaxis. Using vitamins, trace elementals, and/or sugars is an effective approach in preventing UTIs, and a combination of them with other antibacterial agents shows positive results. Probiotics have great potential for the threat of antibiotic over-usage and the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. This study may be of use in developing the efficient formulation of treatment of UTI.
Comparative analysis of powdery mildew resistant and susceptible cultivated cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) varieties to reveal the metabolic responses to Sphaerotheca fuliginea infection
Authors: Zhang Peng , Zhu Yuqiang , Zhou Shengjun 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a widely planted vegetable crop that suffers from various pathogen infections. Powdery mildew (PM) is typical disease caused by Sphaerotheca fuliginea infection and destroys the production of cucumber. However, the metabolic responses to S. fuliginea infection are largely unknown.

Results
In our study, a PM resistant variety ‘BK2’ and a susceptible variety ‘H136’ were used to screen differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under S. fuliginea infection. Most of DEGs and DAMs were enriched in several primary and secondary metabolic pathways, including flavonoid, hormone, fatty acid and diterpenoid metabolisms. Our data showed that many flavonoid-related metabolites were significantly accumulated in BK2 rather than H136, suggesting an essential role of flavonoids in formation of resistant quality. Changes in expression of CYP73A, CYP81E1, CHS, F3H, HCT and F3’M genes provided a probable explanation for the differential accumulation of flavonoid-related metabolites. Interestingly, more hormone-related DEGs were detected in BK2 compared to H136, suggesting a violent response of hormone signaling pathways in the PM-resistant variety. The number of fatty acid metabolism-related DAMs in H136 was larger than that in BK2, indicating an active fatty acid metabolism in the PM-susceptible variety.

Conclusions
Many differentially expressed transcription factor genes were identified under S. fuliginea infection, providing some potential regulators for the improvement of PM resistance. PM resistance of cucumber was controlled by a complex network consisting of various hormonal and metabolic pathways.
Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction promotes myocardial angiogenesis and functional improvements in rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Zhang Xijun , Tian Xinqiao , Li Peng , Zhu Haohui , Zhou Nanqian , Fang Zhixin , Yang Yuping , Jing Yun , Yuan Jianjun 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundMicrovascular insufficiency plays an important role in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), therapeutic angiogenesis has been mainly used for the treatment of ischemic diseases. This study sought to verify the preclinical performance of SonoVue microbubbles (MB) combined ultrasound (US) treatment on myocardial angiogenesis in the rat model of DCM and investigate the optimal ultrasonic parameters.MethodsThe male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were induced DCM by streptozotocin through intraperitoneal injecting and fed with high-fat diet. After the DCM model was established, the rats were divided into the normal group, DCM model group, and US + MB group, while the US + MB group was divided into four subsets according to different pulse lengths (PL) (8 cycles;18 cycle;26 cycle; 36 cycle). After all interventions, all rats underwent conventional echocardiography to examine the cardiac function. The rats were sacrificed and myocardial tissue was examined by histology and morphometry evaluations to detect the myocardial protective effect of SonoVue MBs using US techniques.ResultsFrom morphologic observation and echocardiography, the DCM rats had a series of structural abnormalities of cardiac myocardium compared to the normal rats. The US-MB groups exerted cardioprotective effect in DCM rats, improved reparative neovascularization and increased cardiac perfusion, while the 26 cycle group showed significant therapeutic effects on the cardiac functions in DCM rats.ConclusionThis strategy using SonoVue MB and US can improve the efficacy of angiogenesis, even reverse the progress of cardiac dysfunction and pathological abnormalities, especially using the 26 cycle parameters. Under further study, this combined strategy might provide a novel approach for early intervention of DCM in diabetic patients.
Direct detection of Corynebacterium striatum, Corynebacterium propinquum, and Corynebacterium simulans in sputum samples by high-resolution melt curve analysis
Authors: Xu Shuai , Qiu Xiaotong , Hou Xuexin , Zhou Haijian , Chen Dongke , Wang Xuebing , Han Lichao , Li Dan , Sun Lina , Ji Xingzhao , Li Minghui , Zhang Jingshan , Li Mengtong , Li Zhenjun 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Pulmonary infections caused by non-diphtheriae corynebacteria are increasing. However, rapid identification of Corynebacterium species poses a challenge due to the low genetic variation within the genus.

Methods
Three reference strains and 99 clinical isolates were used in this study. A qPCR followed by high-resolution melting (HRM) targeting ssrA was performed to simultaneously identify C. striatum, C. propinquum and C. simulans. To further evaluate this assay’s performance, 88 clinical sputum samples were tested by HRM and the detection results were compared with those of the traditional culture method and multiple cross-displacement amplification (MCDA) assay.

Results
The melting curve produced by a pair of universal primers generated species-specific HRM curve profiles and could distinguish the three target species from other related bacteria. The limit of detection of HRM assay for DNA from the three purified Corynebacterium species was 100 fg. Compared with the culture method, HRM detected 22 additional positive specimens, representing a 23.9% relative increase in detection rate. The HRM assay had 98.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.5–99.9%) sensitivity and 100% (95% CI, 82.8–100%) specificity. Additionally, 95.5% concordance between HRM and MCDA (κ = 0.89 [95% CI, 0.79–0.99]) was noted.

Conclusions
The HRM assay was a simple, rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnostic tool for detecting C. striatum, C. propinquum, and C. simulans, with the potential to contribute to early diagnosis, epidemiological surveillance, and rapid response to outbreak.
Serological diagnosis and prevalence of HIV-1 infection in Russian metropolitan areas
Authors: Kireev D. E. , Chulanov V. P. , Shipulin G. A. , Semenov A. V. , Tivanova E. V. , Kolyasnikova N. M. , Zueva E. B. , Pokrovskiy V. V. , Galli C. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
HIV infection is a major health problem in Russia. We aimed to assess HIV prevalence in different population groups and to compare the characteristics of 4th generation immunoassays from Abbott, Bio-Rad, Vector-Best, Diagnostic Systems, and Medical Biological Unit.

Methods
The study included 4452 individuals from the general population (GP), 391 subjects at high risk of HIV infection (HR) and 699 with potentially interfering conditions. HIV positivity was confirmed by immunoblot and by HIV RNA, seroconversion and virus diversity panels were also used. HIV avidity was employed to assess recent infections.

Results
The prevalence in GP was 0.40%, higher in males (0.62%) and in people aged < 40 years (0.58%). Patients attending dermo-venereal centers and drug users had a high prevalence (34.1 and 58.8%). Recent infections were diagnosed in 20% of GP and in 4.2% of HR. Assay sensitivity was 100% except for one false negative (99,54%, MBU). Specificity was 99.58–99.89% overall, but as low as 93.26% on HR (Vector-Best). Small differences on early seroconversion were recorded. Only the Abbott assay detected all samples on the viral diversity panel.

Conclusion
HIV infection rate in the high-risk groups suggests that awareness and screening campaigns should be enhanced. Fourth generation assays are adequate but performance differences must be considered.
Analysis of the status of drug treatment in 746 inpatients with early-onset schizophrenia in China: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Jiuping , Cheng Xin , Zhang Huihui , Xu Ping , Jin Peiying , Ke Xiaoyan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
There is limited evidence on the use of antipsychotics in patients with early-onset schizophrenia, which lags significantly behind the studies on adult patients’ medication and has a large disparity from actual clinical needs. Hence, this study aims to analyse the status of the drug use and its changes for patients with early-onset schizophrenia in our ward and to provide references on clinical medications for children and adolescents with schizophrenia.

Methods
The distribution of antipsychotics on the day of discharge and their changes over time were retrospectively analysed in our inpatient department from March 2012 to July 2019. Descriptive statistical methods and χ2 tests were carried out.

Results
A total of 746 inpatients with early-onset schizophrenia were included. Among them, 99.3% of patients were prescribed atypical antipsychotic drugs, with 5.5% of patients prescribed typical antipsychotic drugs. The top five most commonly used antipsychotics were aripiprazole, olanzapine, risperidone, paliperidone and clozapine. Olanzapine and risperidone were used more frequently in men (P < 0.01), whereas aripiprazole was used less frequently (P < 0.01). Olanzapine and paliperidone were used more frequently in patients with adolescent-onset schizophrenia (AOS) (P < 0.05), and risperidone was used more frequently in patients with child-onset schizophrenia (COS) (P < 0.01). Multiple antipsychotics during hospitalization were prescribed in 23.1% of patients. The combination of aripiprazole and olanzapine was the most common in the AOS group, and the combination of risperidone and clozapine was the most common in the COS group. Before and after approval by the competent Chinese authorities, the use of paliperidone and aripiprazole tended to be stable.

Conclusion
Atypical antipsychotics have been increasingly valued and used clinically. The consideration of medications for patients with early-onset schizophrenia needs to include factors such as age, sex, and severity of illness, metabolism and cognitive function at baseline.
A cross-sectional study on the association of serum uric acid levels with depressive and anxiety symptoms in people with epilepsy
Authors: Zhong Rui , Chen Qingling , Li Mengmeng , Li Nan , Chu Chaojia , Li Jing , Zhang Xinyue , Lin Weihong 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
High serum uric acid (SUA) levels may provide protection against depression and anxiety through its defensive role in oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis of the independent associations of lower SUA levels with depressive and anxiety symptoms among patients with epilepsy (PWE).

Methods
A cross-sectional study was performed among 320 PWE aged ≥18 years old in Northeast China. The Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E; Chinese version) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7; Chinese version) were used as screening tools for depressive and anxiety symptoms for PWE. Serum uric acid levels were measured. The associations of SUA levels with depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed by using binary logistic regression models, with adjustment for the related risk factors (P< 0.05).

Results
Lower SUA tertiles were significantly associated with higher C-NDDI-E and GAD-7 scores compared with the higher two tertiles (p=0.001, and p= 0.002). Patients with depressive symptoms exhibited significantly lower SUA levels compared to those without depressive symptoms (p< 0.001). SUA levels of patients with anxiety symptoms were significantly lower than those of patients without anxiety symptoms (p< 0.001). The first and second SUA tertiles were associated with depressive symptoms, with the third tertile group as the reference group, after adjusting for confounders (first tertile: OR = 4.694, 95% CI = 1.643~ 13.413, P = 0.004; second tertile: OR = 3.440, 95% CI = 1.278~9.256, P = 0.014). However, The first and second SUA tertiles were not associated with the risk of anxiety symptoms compared with the third tertile in the adjusted logistic regression model (First tertile: OR = 1.556, 95% CI = 0.699~3.464, P = 0.279; second tertile: OR = 1.265, 95% CI = 0.607~2.635, P = 0.530).

Conclusion
We found that lower SUA levels were independently associated with depressive symptoms but not with anxiety symptoms among PWE. Further well-designed prospective cohort studies are required to determine the causality of the associations and to further clarify the mechanisms of SUA in depressive symptoms.
Psychosocial beliefs related to intention to use HIV testing and counselling services among suspected tuberculosis patients in Kassala state, Sudan
Authors: Idris Almutaz M. , Crutzen Rik , Van den Borne H. W. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
There is limited information about the psychosocial sub-determinants regarding the use of HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC) services among suspected Tuberculosis (TB) patients in Sudan. This study aimed to assess the association between psychosocial beliefs and the intention to use HTC services and to establish the relevance of these beliefs for developing behaviour change interventions among suspected TB patients.

Methods
Suspected TB patients (N = 383) from four separate TB facilities completed a cross-sectional questionnaire which was based on the Reasoned Action Approach theory. Eligibility criteria included attending Tuberculosis Management Units in Kassala State as suspected TB patients and aged 18–64 years. A Confidence Interval Based Estimation of Relevance (CIBER) analysis approach was employed to investigate the association of the beliefs with the intention to use HTC services and to establish their relevance to be targeted in behaviour change interventions.

Results
The CIBER results showed the beliefs included in the study accounted for 59 to 70% of the variance in intention to use HTC services. The belief “My friends think I have to use HTC services” was positively associated with the intent to use HTC, and it is highly relevant for intervention development. The belief “I would fear to be stigmatized if I get a HIV positive result” was negatively related to the intention to use HTC services and was considered a highly relevant belief. The belief “If I use HTC services, health care providers will keep my HIV test result confidential” was strongly associated with the intention to use HTC services. However, the relevance of this belief as a target for future interventions development was relatively low. Past experience with HTC services was weakly associated with the intention to use HTC services.

Conclusion
The intention to use HTC was a function of psychosocial beliefs. The beliefs investigated varied in their relevance for interventions designed to encourage the use of HTC services. Interventions to promote intention to use HIV testing and counselling services should address the most relevant beliefs (sub-determinants). Further study is needed to establish the relevance of sub-determinants of the intention to use HTC services for interventions development.
Promoting social capital, self-management and health literacy in older adults through a group-based intervention delivered in low-income urban areas: results of the randomized trial AEQUALIS
Authors: Blancafort Alias Sergi , Monteserín Nadal Rosa , Moral Irene , Roqué Fígols Marta , Rojano i Luque Xavier , Coll-Planas Laura 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Evidence is scarce on how to promote health and decrease cumulative inequalities for disadvantaged older people. Downstream complex interventions focusing on intermediate factors (self-management, health literacy and social capital) may have the potential to mitigate the inequitable impacts of social determinants in health. The aim of the AEQUALIS study was to assess the effectiveness of a group-based intervention to improve self-perceived health as indicator of health inequality.

Methods
Pragmatic randomised clinical trial addressed to older adults (≥ 60 years) living in urban disadvantaged areas with low self-perceived health. The intervention was delivered in primary care settings and community assets between 2015 and 2017 and consisted in 12 weekly sessions. The primary outcome was self-perceived health assessed in two ways: with the first item of the SF-12 questionnaire, and with the EQ-5D visual analog scale. Secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life, social capital, self-management, mental health and use of health services. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post intervention and follow-up at 9 months after the end of the intervention.

Results
390 people were allocated to the intervention group (IG) or the control group (CG) and 194 participants and 164 were included in the data analysis, respectively. Self perceived health as primary outcome assessed with SF-12-1 was not specifically affected by the intervention, but with the EQ-5D visual analog scale showed a significant increase at one-year follow-up only in the IG (MD=4.80, 95%CI [1.09, 8.52]). IG group improved health literacy in terms of a better understanding of medical information (− 0.62 [− 1.10, − 0.13]). The mental component of SF-12 improved (3.77 [1.82, 5.73]), and depressive symptoms decreased at post-intervention (− 1.26 [− 1.90, − 0.63]), and at follow-up (− 0.95 [− 1.62, − 0.27]). The use of antidepressants increased in CG at the follow-up (1.59 [0.33, 2.86]), while it remained stable in the IG.

Conclusions
This study indicates that a group intervention with a strong social component, conducted in primary health care and community assets, shows promising effects on mental health and can be used as a strategy for health promotion among older adults in urban disadvantaged areas.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02733523. Registered 11 April 2016 - Retrospectively registered