bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of hub genes and pathways in psoriasis through bioinformatics and validation by RT-qPCR
Authors: Zou Ling Ai , Jian Qichao 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Although several studies have attempted to investigate the aetiology and mechanism of psoriasis, the precise molecular mechanism remains unclear. Our study aimed to identify the hub genes and associated pathways that promote its pathogenesis in psoriasis, which would be helpful for the discovery of diagnostic and therapeutic markers.
Methods

GSE30999, GSE34248, GSE41662, and GSE50790 datasets were extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The GEO profiles were integrated to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using the affy package in R software, with |logFC|> 1.5 and adjusted P < 0.05. The DEGs were utilised for Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses. Hub genes were identified using Cytoscape and enriched for analysis in www.bioinformatics.com.cn. These hub genes were validated in the four aforementioned datasets and M5-induced HaCaT cells using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
Results

A total of 359 DEGs were identified, which were mostly associated with responses to bacterium, defence responses to other organism, and antimicrobial humoral response. These DEGs were mostly enriched in the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. PPI network analysis indicated seven genes (CXCL1, ISG15, CXCL10, STAT1, OASL, IFIT1, and IFIT3) as the probable hub genes of psoriasis; CXCL10 had a positive correlation with the other six hub genes. The chord plot results further supported the GO and KEGG analysis results of the 359 DEGs. Seven predicted hub genes were validated to be upregulated in four datasets and M5-induced HaCaT cells using RT-qPCR.
Conclusions

The pathogenesis of psoriasis may be associated with seven hub genes (CXCL1, ISG15, CXCL10, STAT1, OASL, IFIT1, and IFIT3) and pathways, such as the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. These hub genes, especially CXCL10, can be used as potential biomarkers in psoriasis.
Cell-Free Synthetic Biosensors Based on CRISPR/Cas Mediated Cascade Signal Amplification for Precise RNA Detection
Authors: Zhang Chao , Zhang Penghui , Ren Hui , Jia Pengpeng , Ji Jingcheng , Cao Lei , Yang Peiwei , Li Yuxin , Liu Jie , Li Zedong , You Minli , Duan Xiaoman , Hu Jie , Xu Feng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Synthetic biology has been harnessed to create new diagnostic technologies. However, most synthetic biosensors involve error-prone amplification steps and limitations of accuracy in RNA detection. Here, we report a cell-free synthetic biosensing platform, termed as SHARK (Synthetic Enzyme Shift RNA Signal Amplifier Related Cas13a Knockdown Reaction), to efficiently and accurately amplify RNA signal by leveraging the collateral cleavage of activated Cas13a to regulate cell-free enzyme synthesis. Based on cascade amplification and customized enzyme output, SHARK behaves a broad compatibility in different scenarios. Using a personal glucose meter, we detected 50 copies/μl SARS-CoV-2 on a SHARK-loaded paper. In addition, when combined with machine learning, SHARK can perform bio-computations and thus provide miRNA patterns for cancer diagnosis and staging. SHARK shows characteristics of precise recognition, cascade amplification and customizable signal outputting in one pot comparisons with established assays based on 64 clinical samples, presenting great potential in developing next-generation RNA detection technology.
Proteomic Analysis of Virulence Profiles in Clinical Strains of Shigella flexneri in Manaus – Amazon State
Authors: Batalha Fernanda , Cordeiro Isabelle B. , Taquita Paula , Verçosa João Victor , Cavalcante Alessandra , Santos Ivanildes , Figueiredo Daniel , Souza Ruth Moura , Dantas Paloma , Orlandi Patrícia 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Shigella is a Gram-negative bacterium and belongs to Enterobacteriaceae family. These bacteria have been described as responsible for many diarrheic infections around the world and affects children as 5 years old. As a striking feature of these bacteria, we can say about the invasive capacity and the severe damage in the intestine of the host. Epidemiological studies conducted during 2007 to 2009 by our research group, Diagnosis and Control of Infectious Diseases of the Amazon - DCDIA, identified Shigella as the 4th most frequent bacterial pathogen in children with diarrhea treated in public hospitals in Manaus - AM. To understand the mechanisms of pathogenesis of these clinical strains, and to describe the mechanisms of cellular invasion, this study proposes the identification of the proteome of two isolates, through the mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography. The clinical strains were submitted to experimental conditions that mimic the epithelial cellular contact in the host, using the inductor Congo Red, in order to investigate which proteins are being produced by this pathogen.
Results: The proteomic profile of Shigella strain 201 reveals 386 intracellular proteins cultivated in LB medium and 189 intracellular proteins cultivated using the Congo Red inductor. For the M90T strain, a total of 470 intracellular proteins were detected in LB medium and 383 intracellular proteins cultivated with Congo Red. The findings reveal that proteins exclusively induced by Congo Red in the clinical strain are related to virulence processes, such as IpaC and IpaD proteins, which have already been extensively investigated in the literature.
Conclusions: However, new target proteins are pointed out, such as Hmp, YkfE, AepA, MobC, MetK, OsmY, LptA and LuxS which are classified as proteins predicted as pathogenic, based on our analyses. Although such proteins are involved in the virulence of enteric pathogens, their functions are still little explored or inexistent for the Shigella genus, mainly in the northern region of Brazil. We expected this work to reveal the mechanisms underlying the isolated clinical strains and elucidate new effectors and how they modulate the pathogenesis of these bacteria.
Gensini Score as a Predictor for in-Stent Restenosis in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Authors: Yan Shi-Qi , Gai Min-Tao , Wang Meng-Meng , Chen Bang-Dang , Ma Yi-Tong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Despite Drug-eluting stent (DES) have considerably reduced the rates of in-stent restenosis (ISR). ISR is still the most common limitation of percutaneous coronary intervention（PCI). The aim of this study was to investigate potential predictors on ISR in patients with DES implantation for Coronary heart disease (CAD).Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted. A total of 916 patients who underwented DESs implantations and angiography follow-up within one year at the First Affiliated hospital of Xinjiang medical University, between September, 2013, and September, 2016, were included. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, ISR (n=315) and non-ISR (n=601), ISR was defined as a diameter stenosis of ≥50% located within a coronary stent or up to 5 mm beyond the stent edges. Clinical data and angiographic characteristics were collected. CAD severity was evaluated by calculating the Gensini score. The logistic regression and ROC analysis were pereformed to screen out efficient predictors.Results: Comparation between the ISR group and the non-ISR group, Gensini Score, diastolic pressure, waist, blood glucose, left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVED), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVES) levels were higher in ISR group, and ApoA1, ejection fraction (EF%), and accidence of myocardial infarction (MI) were lower in the ISR group. Comparation of angiographic characteristics between the groups, the results showed the occurrence of stenosis in vessels of left main coronary artery (LM), left anterior descending artery(LAD), or right coronary artery (RCA) have more vulnerability to ISR. Patients in the ISR group have been implanted more stents. In univariate regression analysis, diastolic pressure, waist, history of MI, ApoA1, number of implanted stents, and Gensini Score were associated with ISR. After multiple logistic regression analysis, Gensini score was screen out to be an independent risk factor of ISR. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified that the Gensini score was a reliable predictor for ISR, area under curve (AUC): 0.80 (0.78-0.83), Sensitivity and specificity were 73.33% and 72.33%, respectively.Conclusions: Gensini score was independently associated with ISR, and was a good predictor for ISR in patients with DES implantaion.
The short infectious period of COVID-19 indicates the efficiency of fast switching periodic protocols
Authors: Lippiello Eugenio , de Arcangelis Lucilla , Petrillo Giuseppe 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The Covid-19 disease pandemic is showing the importance of an accurate quantification of transmissibility in order to design and tune public health responses. Transmissibility is usually quantified in terms of the reproduction number Rt, the average number of secondary cases caused by an infected individual. Here we show the central role also played by w(z), the distribution of generation times z, namely the time between successive infections in a transmission chain. We obtain an accurate estimate of w(z) by means of a novel method which allows us to simultaneously obtain its evaluation together with the measure of Rt, over the course of an epidemic, and the number of exogenous infected cases. We use one year of data from COVID-19 officially reported cases in the 21 Italian regions, since the first confirmed case on February 2020. We find that w(z) is a distribution very peaked around its average value z ≃ 6 days with a standard deviation σ smaller than one day. This estimate of σ is much smaller than previous ones obtained by means of contact tracing from the distribution of serial intervals. We perform extended numerical simulations to demonstrate that, because of the small value of σ, post-lockdown mitigation policies such as fast periodic switching and/or alternating quarantine can be extremely efficient.
Estimates of Genetic Parameters for Economic Traits of Holstein Friesian Dairy Cattle in Tropics: A multi-trait animal model
Authors: Ayalew Wondossen , Worku Destaw 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: In any genetic improvement program, multi-trait estimates of genetic parameters and breeding values of economically important traits are essential to facilitate total merit index selection objectives.Method: Data comprising 4,263 lactation records of 1,223 cows calved in the years between 1992 and 2017 were used to estimate genetic parameters and breeding values of lactation milk yield (LMY) and lactation length (LL) and fertility (age at first calving, AFC; calving interval, CI; and days open DO) traits. Preliminary analysis of fixed effects used in the mixed model analysis was tested for their significance using lm package of R software. C(o)variance components and resulting parameters were estimated by fitting single and multi-trait repeatability animal models using BLUPF90 software packages.Results: The heritability estimates of LMY and LL were 0.21±0.04 and 0.13±0.02, respectively. Heritabilities for AFC, CI, and DO were 0.53, 0.12, and 0.14±0.04, respectively. Repeatability estimates of production and fertility traits were low to moderate. The genetic correlation between LMY and LL was high (0.53) whilst, among fertility traits, the estimates were ranged from 0.09±0.03 (between AFC and CI) to 0.99±0.01 (between CI and DO). Genetic correlations of productive traits with fertility traits were ranged from -0.01 to 0.99. The phenotypic correlations between production and fertility traits ranged from 0.06±0.02 for LL and AFC to 0.43±0.02 for LL and DO. The genetic trends for LMY and LL were positive and genetically improved by 15.80 kg year−1 and 0.92 days year−1, respectively. Regarding fertility traits, favorable trends of -0.56 and -0.65 days year-1 were observed for CI and DO, respectively. However, unfavorable trends of 0.04 month year−1 were obtained for AFC.Conclusion: With this small herd size, the study highlighted that a high response to selection for LMY and AFC would be expected in this population. Furthermore, aggregate selection of both production and fertility traits should take into account their antagonistic genetic correlations in future improvement programs.
Dual Targeting of Integrin αvβ3 and VEGF Receptor Improves PET Imaging of Breast Cancer
Authors: Yao Lanlin , Li Yesen , Chen Haojun , Wen Xuejun , Pang Yizheng , Chen Zijun , Guo Zhide , Zhang Xianzhong , Wu Hua , Guo Wei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) and integrin αvβ3 receptors are both overexpressed in breast cancer. Methods: We developed and synthesized a heterodimeric tracer consisting of Arg−Gly−Asp (RGD) and Ala-Thr-Trp-Leu-Pro-Pro-Arg (ATWLPPR) peptides that simultaneously targets integrin αvβ3 and NRP-1. We then investigated the diagnostic efficacy of RGD-ATWLPPR heterodimeric peptides in MCF-7 xenograft models in mice. DOTA-conjugated RGD-ATWLPPR peptides were then radiolabeled with 68Ga, and the receptor-binding characteristics and tumor-targeting efficacy of 68Ga-DOTA-RGD-ATWLPPR were investigated in vitro and in vivo. We also detected integrin αvβ3 and NRP-1 expression in MCF-7 cells and tumor tissues. Results: The peptide showed high stability in vitro. Static PET/CT imaging studies showed that MCF-7 tumors were clearly visible 30 min and 60 min after 68Ga-DOTA-RGD-ATWLPPR injection. Further, the heterodimer showed higher tumor uptake than 68Ga-DOTA-RGD or 68Ga-DOTA-ATWLPPR alone. High specificity was shown in blocking studies using RGD and ATWLPPR peptides. MicroPET/CT and biodistribution studies using 68Ga-DOTA-RGD-ATWLPPR showed that the tracer specifically targets NRP-1 and integrin ανβ3 receptors. Conclusions: Compared with 68Ga-DOTA-RGD and 68Ga-DOTA-ATWLPPR, 68Ga-DOTA-RGD-ATWLPPR has higher binding affinity, better targeting efficiency, and longer tumor retention time. It therefore has potential as an imaging probe for breast cancer detection.
Absence of Stress Hyperglycemia Indicates the Most Severe Form of Blunt Liver Trauma (AAST V) – A Register Analysis
Authors: Kreutziger Janett , Fodor Margot , Morell-Hofert Dagmar , Primavesi Florian , Stättner Stefan , Gassner Eva-Maria , Schmid Stefan , Rugg Christopher 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Stress hyperglycemia is common in trauma patients. Increasing injury severity and hemorrhage is known to trigger hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis and also peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance. Consequently, we expect glucose levels to rise with injury severity in liver, kidney and spleen injuries. In contrast, we hypothesized that in the most severe form of blunt liver injury, stress hyperglycemia may be absent despite critical injury and hemorrhage.Methods: All patients with documented liver, kidney or spleen injuries, treated at a single, university hospital in Austria between 2000 and 2020 were charted in a register. Besides demographic, laboratory, radiological, surgical and other data were analyzed.Results: A total of 772 patients were included. In liver (n=456), spleen (n=375) and kidney (n=152) trauma, an increasing injury severity past moderate to severe (AAST III-IV) was associated with a concomitant rise in blood glucose levels independent of the affected organ. While this stress induced hyperglycemia was even more pronounced in the most severe forms (AAST V) of spleen (median 10.7 mmol/L, p<0.0001) and kidney injuries (median 10.6 mmol/L, p=0.004), it was absent in AAST V liver injuries, where median blood glucose level even fell (5.6 mmol/L, p<0.0001). Conclusions: Absence of stress hyperglycemia is a sign of most severe liver injury (AAST V) and should prompt fundamental diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Blood glucose should be considered as an additional diagnostic criterion in liver injury.
The Same Combined Adjuvant NE+Rg1&nbsp;Shows Different Immune Effects on Different Pathogen Antigens&nbsp;
Authors: Shan Pu , Wang Zhibiao , Li Jilai , Wei Duoqian , Zhang Zhuan , Hao Shaojie , Hou Yibo , Wang Yunyang , Li Shuxiang , Xu Jing 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background New recombinant protein vaccines with high purity, clear ingredients and good safety are gradually replacing attenuated and inactivated vaccines in clinical practice. However, one of the main issues with use of these new vaccines is the need for adjuvants to enhance their immune effect. Aluminium salts (hydroxide and phosphate) were the first approved adjuvants used in human vaccines, but these salts have some limitations, such as their induction of primarily humoural immunity with weaker induction of cell-mediated immunity and the failure to clear intracellular viral infections. Therefore, there is a growing need for novel adjuvants. Combined adjuvants or adjuvant systems are increasingly being used to meet the need for adjuvant development for vaccines. Different pathogen antigens also need specific adjuvants to enhance the immune response and protection. Methods The present study evaluated the synergistic immunological effect of a combined nano emulsion (NE) with Ginsenoside Rg1, i.e. NE+Rg1, for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or H1N1 haemagglutinin (HA) of an inactivated influenza vaccine (split virion) in mice and the vaccine stability and safety. Non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney test) and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analyses. Tests were considered significant when P < 0.05.ResultsThe combined adjuvant NE+Rg1 showed high stability, a mean diameter of 168.1 nm, and a zeta potential of -22.8 mV. When combined with HBsAg, it produced a similar or higher anti-HB and IgG1/IgG2a titre and elevated IL-2 and IFN-γ expression in spot forming cells (SFCs) compared with NE alone and higher IFN-γ and IL-2 expression in CD8+ T cells than aluminium hydroxide. However, when combined with HA, HA+NE+Rg1 resulted in a comparable haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) titre as HA+NE compared to that in mice immunized with HA alone or HA+Rg1 and an even lower protection rate than HA+NE after PR/8/34 virus strain challenge in mice. Conclusions This research demonstrated that the same combined adjuvant NE+Rg1 had different immune effects on different antigens and suggests that the research and development of adjuvants must consider specific pathogens and should be studied on a case-by-case basis.
Analysis of the Economy of Beekeeping and Honey Supply in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Ababulgu Nasir , Abajobir Nugusa , Tizazu Habtamu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The study focused analyzing the determinants of honey supply, to analyze the economy of beekeeping, honey marketing and income generating activities undertaken in Horo Guduru wollega zone of Oromia Region, Ethipia. About 121 honey producers (110 male & 11 female) were selected randomly from a list of 536 honey producers found in 5 purposively selected ‘kebeles’. The data were generated by individual interview and group discussions using pre-tested semi structured questionnaires and checklists. Secondary data were collected from different published and unpublished sources. The data collected were analyzed with the help of descriptive statistics and econometric model (multiple linear regression model). The results obtained from econometric analysis indicates that colony size, type of beehives used, beekeeping equipment, market information, current honey price, frequency of extension contact per year and trainings were positively and significantly affected honey supply. Of course, some opportunities have also been indicated like availability of bee colony, favorable environment, and annual flora and farmers’ experiences. To boost the economy of beekeeping and honey marketing which in turn increase producers income from honey supply, all concerned bodies need to focus on building farmers capacity via training on improving honey production and supply, increasing access to improved beehives and its accessories, availing extension facilities, improving road facility, organizing honey producers to increase the volume, access to marketing and price setting, and establishing honey market center are recommended for policy intervention.
The Role of Market Linkage for Growth of Micro and Small Scale Enterprises: the Case of Ambo Town, Ethiopia
Authors: Tulu Daniel Tadesse , Gudeta Obsa Ensermu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The research aims to investigate the roles of market linkage for the growth of MSE in Ambo town. The Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. A stratified sampling technique is used to select among the seven business sectors. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study elicited five major that affects the growth of MSE which include financial capacity, government support, entrepreneurial competency, marketing information, and types of business sectors. The findings from correlation and regression further indicate that there exists a positive and significant relationship between MSEs Growth and, financial capacity, government support, entrepreneurial competency, marketing information, and types of business sectors. The concerned bodies should facilitate market linkage enhancement between MSE and the market. MSEs on their part are expected to improve financial capacity and competence. Furthermore, adequate market information has to be collected continuously to improve the linkage. JEL classification: M1, M3
Low Temperature Curable Polyaniline/Bio-based polybenzoxazine Coated Cotton Fabric with Superior UV shielding and Oil-water Separation behaviours
Authors: P Prabunathan , Alagar M. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The present work detailsabout the low temperature curingbehaviour of bio-benzoxazine (C-ddm) prepared using cardanol and diaminodiphenylmethane (ddm)in the presence of polyaniline (PANI). Interestingly, it was found that the curing temperature (Tp) of the benzoxazine monomer (C-ddm) has significantly reduced to 227 ºC from 271 ºC with the incorporation of 2wt% of PANI. The plausible curing mechanism of benzoxazine ring catalysed by PANI was also discussed. Further, the resulted PANI/poly(C-ddm) matrices possessa marginally improvedvalues of glass transisition temperature and char yield. Further, PANI/poly(C-ddm) coated cotton fabric was studied for its UV shielding and surface properties. Furthermore, the UV shielding and surface behaviours of PANI/poly(C-ddm) coated cotton fabrics were explored. The PANI/poly(C-ddm) coated cotton fabric delivered UPF rating as high as 50 + and water contact angle value of162°. In addition, the PANI/poly(C-ddm) coated cotton fabric wasverified for its oil-water separation behavior. It was observed that the PANI/poly(C-ddm) coated cotton fabric offered97.5 % separation efficiency with enhanced flux value of about 6450 L/m2h flux.Thus, the obtained results suggest that the PANI/poly(C-ddm) can be used some of the industrial and environmental surface protection applications.
A method of value measurement based on probability theory in economics
Authors: Xi Gang , Yang Xiaoyi , Xi Ming 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Value is one of the most fundamental concepts in economics. The existing main definitions of value have certain limitations and are difficult to be unified and quantified. Thus, this article presents a method of quantifying value based on the conditional probability theory; we set value as a random variable, a price is the value of the good in terms of money, according to the price’s historical records, quantitative statistics and human experiences, and thus uses conditional probability distribution to measure value. Furthermore, the mean and variance of random variables are used to describe the weighted average of the possible values and the dispersion of values distribution. This method provides a new perspective for the measurement of value.