bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
­­Development and Validation of a Novel HILIC Method for the Quantification of Low-levels of Cuprizone in Cuprizone-containing Chow
Authors: Zheng Fengmei , Lin Yiqing , Boulas Pierre 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Cuprizone is an amide compound that has been wildly used in various animal studies, such as in the investigation of remyelination in mouse model. It is important to control the amount of cuprizone dosed in animals to be consistent as different amounts may lead to different clinical observations. Cuprizone is usually administrated as a minor component (i.e., 0.3%) of a mixture with powdered or pelleted rodent chow. Its low content, combined with the complex nature of chow, represents a significant challenge for the quantification of cuprizone in the mixture. To the best of our knowledge, no method has been reported in the literature so far. In this study, a simple, selective, and sensitive hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatographic method was developed for the quantification of cuprizone in cuprizone pre-clinical formulations. The analytical method comprises a fast ultrasound assisted extraction with acetonitrile/water as a solvent followed by HILIC separation using a Waters Xbridge HILIC column and UV detection. The specificity, linearity, accuracy, repeatability, and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the method were established. This method has been demonstrated to be suitable for its intended use and has been successfully applied to the quantification of low levels of cuprizone in chow formulations. It was found that the cuprizone content in chow could varied significantly between batches and the potential causes of the variability were investigated.
Hereditary Spherocytosis With Liver Transplantation After Cirrhosis: a Case Report
Authors: Yang Xueliang , Wang Wen , Fan Wanhu , Cai Lin , Ye Feng , Lin Shumei , Liu Xiaojing 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: The clinical manifestations of hereditary spherocytosis are similar to those of various hemolytic anemias, which causes hereditary spherocytosis to be difficult to diagnose clinically. Case presentation: In this case, we obtained the peripheral blood of a patient and family members, and through a whole exome test of the 6297 genetic phenotypes confirmed by OMIM, we found a heterozygous nonsense mutation (c.4117C>T, P.Q1373X) in the SPTB gene. Combined with the patient's clinical data, the diagnosis was hereditary spherocytosis. Compared with the public population sequence database, the mutation was found to be unique. Through protein structure prediction analysis and literature studies, we found that the mutation caused SPTB mRNA instability, resulting in insufficient spectral protein synthesis and affecting the integrity and flexibility of the red blood cell membrane skeleton. This case report found that SPTB gene mutations may cause liver dysfunction and cirrhosis in addition to hereditary spherocytosis, and this finding expands the phenotypic spectrum of SPTB. This study confirmed that NGS can be used to diagnose hereditary spherocytosis.Conclusions: Identifying mutated genes can not only accurately treat diseases, but also avoid potential genetic risks and improve prenatal and postnatal care.
An Autophagy-Related Prognostic Signature and Verification that ATIC Inhibits Autophagy Through the AMPK/mTOR Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Hao , Xia Peng , Liu Jie , Wang Xingxing , Chen Zhang , Ma Weijie , Yuan Yufeng 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Autophagy regulates many cell functions related to cancer, ranging from cell proliferation and angiogenesis to metabolism. Due to the close relationship between autophagy and tumors, we investigated the predictive value of autophagy-related genes.Methods: Data from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were obtained from the TCGA and ICGC databases. Regression analysis of differentially expressed genes was performed. Based on a prognostic model, patients were divided into a high-risk or low-risk group. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses of patients in the two groups were conducted. The immune landscapes, as shown by the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), had different patterns in two groups. The prognostic model was verified using the ICGC database and clinical data of patients collected from Zhongnan Hospital. In the results of multivariate COX regression analysis, ATIC has the largest hazard ratio, so we studied the effect of ATIC on autophagy and tumor progression through experiments in vitro and in vivo.Results: Fifty-eight autophagy-related genes were differentially expressed (FDR < 0.05, logFC > 1); 23 genes were related to the prognosis of patients. A prognostic model based on 12 genes (ATG10, ATIC, BIRC5, CAPN10, FKBP1A, GAPDH, HDAC1, PRKCD, RHEB, SPNS1, SQSTM1 and TMEM74) was constructed using the method of multivariate COX regression analysis. For the high-risk group and low-risk group distinguished by the model, there was a significant difference in survival between the two groups (P < 0.001). The model had good predictive power (AUC > 0.7). Risk-related genes were related to the terms type II IFN response, MHC class I (P < 0.001) and HLA (P < 0.05). ATIC was confirmed to inhibit autophagy and promote the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of liver cancer cells through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.Conclusions: The prediction model can effectively predict the survival time of liver cancer patients. The risk score reflects patient immune cell features and immune status. ATIC inhibits autophagy and promotes the progression of liver cancer through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.
Association Between Hypomagnesemia and Severity of Primary Hyperparathyroidism: a Retrospective Study
Authors: Na Ding , Tao Guo , Liu Shu-Ying , Qin-Yi Wang , Xiao-Li Qu , Li Yong-Fang , Yang-Na Ou , Zhi-Feng Sheng , Yan-Yi Yang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: The occurrence of hypomagnesemia in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has been noted previously; however, the association of hypomagnesemia and severity of primary hyperparathyroidism remains unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the association of hypomagnesemia with biochemical and clinical manifestations in patients with PHPT.Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary hospital. We obtained data from 307 patients with PHPT from January 2010 through August 2020. Data on demographics, history, laboratory findings, bone densitometry findings, and clinical presentation and complications were collected and were compared in normal magnesium group vs hypomagnesemia group.Results: Among the 307 patients with PHPT included in our study, 77 patients (33/102 [32.4%] males and 44/205 [21.5%] females) had hypomagnesemia. Mean hemoglobin levels in the hypomagnesemia group were significantly lower than those in the normal magnesium group in both males and females. In contrast, patients with hypomagnesemia had a higher mean serum calcium and parathyroid hormone than individuals with normal magnesium. The typical symptoms of PHPT, such as nephrolithiasis, bone pain/fractures, polyuria, or polydipsia, were more common in the hypomagnesemia group. In addition, patients with hypomagnesemia had a higher prevalence of osteoporosis, anemia, and hypercalcemic crisis. Even after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and parathyroid hormone levels, these associations remained essentially unchanged. Conclusion: Biochemical and clinical evidence indicates that patients with PHPT with hypomagnesemia have more severe hyperparathyroidism than those without hypomagnesemia. Hypomagnesemia is a risk factor for osteoporosis, anemia, and hypercalcemic crisis and may be used as a predictive marker for severity of primary hyperparathyroidism.
A Prospective Study of the Quality of Life of Patients With Stress Incontinence Before and After a Transobturator Tape (TOT) Procedure
Authors: Zalewski Maciej , Kołodyńska Gabriela , Mucha Anna , Andrzejewski Waldemar 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a significant social problem. The latest figures show that it affects as many as 17%–60% of the female population, and it is one of the most common chronic diseases. Incontinence substantially decreases the quality of patients’ lives. The transobturator tape (TOT) procedure is the gold standard in surgical treatment due to its high effectiveness and a small percentage of complications. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) of patients with stress incontinence before and after the TOT procedure.Method: The study involved 57 patients diagnosed with stress incontinence on the basis of an ultrasound scan and an interview. The QoL before and after surgery was measured using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) and the Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) standardized questionnaires. Results: The IIQ-7 results for each question were higher (signifying worse) before surgery than after it. The results for almost all domains were statistically significant. The I-QOL results also showed that, in most cases, the quality of patients’ lives improved after surgery. Statistically significant changes were observed in all three questionnaire domains of avoidance/limiting behavior, psychosocial impact, and social embarrassment.Conclusion: Surgical treatment of stress incontinence using the TOT procedure causes bothersome symptoms to subside in the majority of patients, leading to an improvement in their living comfort.
One Health Perspective on Infections in Nephrology: A Parallel Survey on Carbapenem- and Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in High-risk Renal Patients and Farm Animals in Italy
Authors: Bonardi Silvia , Fiaccadori Enrico , Parisi Antonio , Manfreda Gerardo , Cavirani Sandro , Cabassi Clotilde Silvia , D’Errico Michele Luca , Pupillo Giovanni , Sabatino Alice , Spadini Costanza , Crippa Cecilia , Pizzin Gisella , Ruocco Ferdinando , Pasquali Frédérique 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
One Health is a multisectorial approach to achieve optimal health and well-being outcomes, recognizing the interconnections between people, animals, plants, and their environment. A relevant application is represented by antimicrobial resistance. Noteworthy, intensive farming has been frequently associated with abuse of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance is common among microorganisms from food-producing animals, whose transmission to humans cannot be excluded. In our survey, prevalence of carbapenem- and multidrug resistant K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa in renal patients and pigs in northern Italy was evaluated. During 2017–2018, 300 urine samples were collected from 187 high risk patients with kidney disease (mainly Acute Kidney Injury, 59/187, 31.5%; or kidney transplant, 90/187, 48.1%) at the Parma University Hospital. Additionally, 300 faecal samples were collected from slaughtered pigs. Carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae was detected in 4.8% of patients (9/187). Specifically, ST554 blaKPC−3 (61.5%), ST37 blaVIM−1 (15.4%), ST 258 blaKPC−2 (15.4%) and ST4525 blaVIM−1 (7.7%) were found. To our knowledge, ST4525 is a novel ST-type and ST37 blaVIM−1 was never reported before. ESBL genes (blaSHV, blaTEM, blaoxa and blaCTX) were differently distributed among isolates, as well as several AMR genes. Carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae was not detected in pigs. Carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa was detected in 1.1% patients (2/187) and in 1.3% pigs (4/300). Interestingly, P. aeruginosa ST938 blaPAO blaOXA396 was isolated from one patient (83 years old male with Acute Kidney Injury) and one pig. Although no direct epidemiological link was demonstrable, SNP calling suggested a close genetic relationship of the isolates (only 41 SNPs difference).
Does Microbial Diversity of Cave Ecosystems Differ from Outside? The Case of the Azé Show Cave (France)
Authors: Alaoui-Sosse Badr , Ozaki Shinji , Barriquand Lionel , De Luca Daniele , Cennamo Paola , Vallot Benoit , Alaoui-Sosse Laurence , Bourgeade Pascale , Bousta Faisl , Aleya Lotfi , Pfendler Stéphane 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In recent decades, the Azé cave has begun to suffer from microorganism proliferation due to artificial lighting installations for touristic activity. The present work aims at understanding the origin of the Lampenflora and bacterial community populating inside the cave. We performed high throughput sequencing of the communities populating the outside, the entrance and the inside of the Azé cave. Our results indicated that 68.2–74.5% of the phototrophic community was represented by Eukaryotes, and 25.5 to 31.8% by cyanobacteria regardless of the sampled area. We observed a decrease of bacterial and phototroph species richness from the outside to the bottom of the cave. The phototrophic communities were significantly different in term of specific OTU richness but not in term of composition. For photosynthetic organisms, only 4 OTU were specific to the inside of the cave, representing less than 0.1% of the total OTUs. On the contrary, more than 400 bacterial OTUs were specific to the inside of the cave. These metabarcoding-based findings in the Azé cave revealed a complex community structure that is similar but less diverse in comparison to the outside.
Efficacy of Bedaquiline in the Treatment of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Ming-Gui , Wu Shou-Quan , He Jian-qing 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) remains a major public health concern around the world. Bedaquiline, a novel diarylquinoline, was added into WHO recommended all-oral regimen for patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of bedaquiline on tuberculosis treatment outcomes.Methods: We searched for relevant studies in the PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE database for relevant studies published up to 12 Mar 2021. Stata version 16.0 (Stata Corp., College Station, Texas, USA) was used to analyze results of meta-analysis. For randomized controlled trials, were assessed for quality using the Jadad scale, and cohort studies, using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale.Results: Eight studies including 2 randomized clinical trial and 6 cohort studies involving 21, 836 subjects were included. When compared with control, bedaquiline treatment was associated with higher rates of culture conversion (Risk Ratio (RR) :1.272 (1.165-1.389), P < 0.001). We found substantial evidence that there was significant reduction in all-cause deaths with relative RR = 1.272 (95%CI: 1.165-1.389, P < 0.001) in bedaquiline treatment group. There was no significant reduction in treatment success with RR = 0.980 (90% CI: 0.948-1.013, P = 0.234). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the use of bedaquiline has the potential to achieve higher culture conversion rate and lower death risk among drug-resistant tuberculosis cases when compared with controls.
Radiating Isotropic Homogeneous f(R,G) Gravity Model with Quark and Strange Quark Matter
Authors: SHEKH Md. Salim , Ghaderi K 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Present analysis devoted to the dynamical investigation of radiating quark and strange quark matter in the framework of f(R, G) theory of gravity towards spatially homogeneous isotropic Friedman-Robertson-Walker line element filled with isotropic fluid. We govern the features of the derived cosmological model by considering the well known relation between Hubble parameter H and scale factor. Some kinematical and physical parameters for quark and strange quark matter towards isotropic model is discussed in detail.
AFLP-based assessment of genetic variation in Indian elite cultivars of Cymbopogon species
Authors: Adhikari Sinchan , Biswas Arijit , Saha Soumen , Bandyopadhyay Tapas Kumar , Ghosh Parthadeb 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Cymbopogon, one of the major aromatic genera of Poaceae family, is mainly cultivated for its essential oils that hold promising medicinal and commercial value. In India, several improved cultivars of Cymbopogon species are developed for commercial cultivation and conceded by means of agronomic and chemotypic traits. Information on genetic variability in these commercial cultivars is still limited which poses a problem in further improvement of oil grasses. The present study aimed to investigate the genetic variation among certain improved Indian cultivars of three commercially important Cymbopogon sp. i.e., C. flexuosus, C. winterianus and C. martinii using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. A total of 94 robust loci were amplified using 8 AFLP primer combinations. Among the total amplified fragments, 72 were polymorphic which showed 76.59% polymorphism across all the germplasm. Polymorphic information content (PIC) and marker index (MI) values showed significant positive correlation (r2 =0.94, p< 0.005) in determining the discriminatory power of the AFLP primer combinations. A higher effective multiplex ratio (EMR) and MI values were recorded for the primer combinations that generated higher polymorphism across the genotypes. To obtain the genetic information at the intra-and inter species level, genetic diversity indices were calculated. Genetic heterogeneity was noticed in the order C. martinii>C. flexuosus>C. winterianus. UPGMA-phenogram and principal coordinate analysis (PCA) separated all the cultivars as per the chemotaxonomic series with a few exceptions. Molecular diversity explained and diagnostic fragments developed through AFLP markers in this study could provide a detailed cataloguing of Cymbopogon cultivars for genetic conservation purpose and also useful for exploration and improvement of diverse set of germplasm.
Color based genotypic differences effect the techno-functional and bioactive properties of common bean (Phaseoulus vulgaris L.) protein concentrates
Authors: Karaman Kevser , Kaplan Mahmut , Çiftci Beyza , Yürürdurmaz Cengiz 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this study, technofunctional and bioactive properties of protein concentrates from different common bean genotypes were investigated. Protein extraction conditions depending on pH and salt level were optimized by response surface methodology. The highest protein content for the concentrates (77.7%) was determined for pH 11 and 0.4% of salt. The protein content of the common bean flour and their protein concentrates were in the range of 22-26.96% and 72.97–77.99%, respectively. For bioactive properties, total phenolic content ranged between 578.9-1355.9 and 313.6-1219.1 mg GAE/kg, for flours and concentrates respectively. Two genotypes (G7 and G8) were the samples showing the superior biofunctional properties. Principal component analysis showed that G2 had different characteristics in terms of technofunctional parameters while G7 and G8 were differed from the other genotypes in terms of bioactivity. The results revealed that the proteins of common beans could be evaluated as good source for the enrichment of food formulations.
Establishment of in-hospital clinical network for patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 in Nagoya University Hospital
Authors: Nishida Yoshihiro , Ikuta Kunihiro , Natsume Atsushi , Ishihara Naoko , Morikawa Maki , Kidokoro Hiroyuki , Muramatsu Yukako , Nonobe Norie , Ishizuka Kanako , Takeichi Takuya , Kanbe Miki , Mizuno Seiji , Imagama Shiro , Ozaki Norio 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic multisystem disorder. Clinicians must be aware of the diverse clinical features of this disorder in order to provide optimal care for it. We have set up an NF1 in-hospital medical care network of specialists regardless of patient age, launching a multidisciplinary approach to the disease for the first time in Japan.Results: From January 2014 to December 2020, 246 patients were enrolled in the NF1 patient list and medical records. Mean age was 26.0 years ranging from 3 months to 80 years. The age distribution at the first visit was wider as the age was lower. There were 107 males (41%) and 139 females. After 2011, the number of patients has increased since the year when the medical care network was started. Regarding orthopedic signs, scoliosis was present in 60 cases (26%), and bone abnormalities in the upper arm, forearm, and tibia in 8 cases (3.5%). Neurofibromas other than cutaneous neurofibromas were present in 90 cases (39%), and MPNST in 17 cases (7.4%).Conclusions: We launched a multidisciplinary NF1 clinic system for the first time in Japan. For patients with NF1, which is a hereditary and systemic disease associated with a high incidence of malignant tumors, it will be of great benefit when the number of such clinics in Japan and the rest of Asia is increased.
Motherhood and Empathy: Increased Activation in Empathy Areas in Response to Other's in Pain
Authors: Plank Irene Sophia , Attar Catherine Hindi , Kunas Stefanie , Dziobek Isabel , Bermpohl Felix 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Empathy as the capacity to feel with others is a vital human response. It is especially important in the context of parenting. To date, little is known about differences in empathy responses of parents and non-parents to children and adults. Therefore, in this study functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to shed further light on the interaction of motherhood and behavioural as well as neural responses to stimuli depicting adults and children in pain. Despite similar ratings on the imagined painfulness of the stimuli, mothers showed higher activation in the bilateral anterior insula, key regions of empathy for pain. Additionally, mothers increasingly activated other areas associated with social affect and cognition, including the inferior frontal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus and the medial superior frontal gyrus. Differences between adult and child stimuli were only found in occipital areas. This suggests that mothers have a stronger empathy response than non-mothers regardless of whether the target of their empathy is a child or an adult. This generalised difference in empathy indicates that motherhood might influence overall affective social understanding rather than specifically shape child-related empathy responses.
Repeated measurements are not better than initial measurement of Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology-II for prediction of in-hospital mortality in severely septic preterm neonates
Authors: Anne Rajendra Prasad , Sundaram Venkataseshan , Kumar Praveen 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The ability of serial versus single time application of ‘Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology, version II’ (SNAP-II) to predict mortality at day 14 in preterm neonates < 34 weeks with severe sepsis was studied prospectively over 1-year in a tertiary care neonatal unit. SNAP-II scores were recorded at the onset of severe sepsis (T0) and serially at 24 (T1), 48 (T2) and 72 (T3) hours later. Delta scores (Δ SNAP-II) were derived from the difference between any two SNAP-II scores. Seventy-one preterm neonates were enrolled. Baseline characteristics were similar in survivors (n = 53) and non-survivors (n = 18). Median SNAP-II scores at all the four time points were significantly higher in non-survivors (p < 0.001). The Δ SNAP-II (T0 – T2) score was significantly different between non-survivors and survivors (mean difference: -14.7; 95% CI: -29, -0.9; p = 0.02), while the difference was not significant between T0 – T1 and T0 – T3. Initial SNAP-II score had a significantly better discriminating ability for day 14 mortality (AUC (95% C.I): 0.83 (0.70–0.93)) than Δ SNAP-II scores at various time points (AUC (95% C.I): 0.59 (0.41–0.75) for T0 – T1, 0.70 (0.50–0.87) for T0 – T2 and 0.64 (0.38–0.89) for T0 – T3). Conclusion: Initial SNAP-II is better than Δ SNAP-II scores in predicting 14-day mortality in severely septic preterm neonates. Non-survivors had a significantly higher serial SNAP-II scores compared to survivors. Serial SNAP-II score do not have additional value in predicting mortality of preterm neonates with severe sepsis.