bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In Vivo Characterization and Genome-based Approach to Lactobacillus Johnsonii Byun-jo-01 and Its Probiotic Properties
Authors: Kim Dongjun , Cho Mun-ju , Lee Yongjun , Kil Eui-Joon , Byun SungJune , Lee Sukchan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
To develop new antiviral probiotics, bacteria were isolated from the microbiome in a murine intestine. In 16S rDNA sequence analysis, most isolates were identified as Lactobacillus johnsonii. These isolates were further assessed using whole-genome sequencing through the Illumina and PacBio platform, which revealed that the isolates were new strains. A novel probiotic strain, Lactobacillus johnsonii Byun-jo-01, was evaluated to determine its probiotic characteristics of safety, immune modulation, and antiviral efficacy against murine norovirus. Oral administration of L. johnsonii Byun-jo-01 was demonstrated to be safe in mice in terms of body weight, food intake, and bacterial translocation. Additionally, the expression levels of IFN-beta and IFN-gamma induced by L. johnsonii Byun-jo-01 in the small intestines of mice were higher than those in mice fed L. paracasei ATCC 334 and L. reuteri KACC 11452. Among the three different bacterial strains used in this study, L. johnsonii Byun-jo-01 showed the highest antiviral efficacy against murine norovirus, reducing the viral titer in fecal samples by 28 times compared with mice infected with murine norovirus. To support those in vivo experiments, genome-based data mining was performed to investigate which genes related to probiotic-specific markers were highly expressed in this isolate. Specifically, DnaK, GroEL, GroES, and GrpE, which are involved in the acid adaptation required to overcome the harsh in vivo condition, were highly expressed. Taken together, these results suggest that host-originated probiotics can be more effective than bacteria isolated from other sources, such as fermented food.
The Synovium of Human Osteoarthritic Joints Retains Its Chondrogenic Potential Irrespective of Age
Authors: Hunziker Ernst Bruno , Shintani Nahoko , Haspl Miroslav , Lippuner Kurt , Vögelin Esther , Keel Marius JB 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The autologous synovium is a potential tissue source for local induction of chondrogenesis by tissue engineering approaches to repair articular cartilage defects such as they occur in osteoarthritis. It was the aim of the present study to ascertain whether the aging of osteoarthritic patients compromises the chondrogenic potential of their knee-joint synovium.The patients were allocated to one of the following two age categories: 54 - 65 years and 66 - 86 years (n = 7-11 donors per time point and per experimental group). Synovial biopsies were induced in vitro to undergo chondrogenesis by exposing them to either bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) alone, transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) alone, or a combination of the two growth factors for up to 6 weeks. The differentiated explants were evaluated histomorphometrically for the volume fraction of metachromasia (sulfated proteoglycans), immunohistochemically for type-II collagen, and for the gene-expression levels of anabolic chondrogenic markers as well as catabolic factors by a real-time polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.Quantitative metachromasia revealed that chondrogenic differentiation of human synovial explants was induced to the greatest degree by either BMP-2 alone or the BMP-2/TGF-b1 combination, i.e. to a comparable level with each of the two stimulation protocols and within both age categories. The gene-expression levels of the anabolic chondrogenic markers confirmed the superiority of these two stimulation protocols and demonstrated the hyaline-like qualities of the generated cartilaginous matrix. The gene-expression levels of the catabolic markers were extremely low.Our data reveal the chondrogenic potential of the human knee-joint synovium of osteoarthritic patients to be uncompromised by ageing and catabolic processes. The potential of synovium-based clinical engineering (repair) of cartilage tissue using autologous synovium may thus not be reduced by the age of the human patient.
Clinical Profile of Migraine Headache Patients: a Descriptive Study of a Single Tertiary Centre in Malaysia
Authors: Lau Yue Hui , Kurien Jessica K , Lau Keng Ming , Adenan Sufian 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background:Migraine is one of the most common disabling neurological disorder among adult population in Malaysia. Purpose:To evaluate demographic characteristics among the migraine patients.Methods:A total of 73 patients with the complain of headache, who aged 18 to 65 were recruited prospectively at neurology clinic from December 2017 to April 2019 in Kuala Lumpur Hospital. All new patients were mainly referred by primary care clinics. Demographic characteristics such as age and gender, age of onset, clinical phenotypes, trigger factors, rescue therapy, prophylaxis usage, frequency of headache, psychiatric symptoms, marital status and education level were all evaluated. Migraine headaches were coded according to ICHD-III criteria. Statistical analysis was analysed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation were used to evaluate for clinical data.Results:44 out of 73 patients had migraine (60.3%). The mean age of migraine patients was 30 and mean age of onset was 24.8. Majority of the sample were female (36, 81.8%), single (23.52.3%) and with tertiary education level (31, 70.5%). The most frequent symptoms included unilateral headache (36, 81.8%) with throbbing in quality (39, 88.6%). The main trigger factor was stress (23, 52.3%). The most frequently used rescue therapies are sleeping and paracetamol ingestion (18, 40.9%). Most of the patients experienced acute attack 4-14 days in a month (15, 34.1%). 42(95.5%) patients were prophylaxis naïve.Conclusion:Characteristics of the migraine patients in Kuala Lumpur Hospital are comparable with previous studies. A registry of headache patients is crucial to determine the prevalence and local impact of the disease in Malaysia.
Design and Simulation of Ultra low loss Spiral Delay line for Integrated Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Sharma Bhawna , Kishor Kamal , Pal Amrindra , Sharma Sandeep , Makkar Roshan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We report a design of 55 cm long spiral delay line at 850 nm wavelength. Propagation characteristics were simulated and analysed with fully vectorial Eigen Mode Expansion (EME) method. Bending losses were calculated and analysed for the optimization of minimum bending radius for reported structure. We have also simulated and analysed excess loss for a broadband of 200 nm at 850 nm operating wavelength. An excess loss of less than 0.2 dB is reported for the structure over the entire bandwidth range. The structure was further simulated for individual Transverse Electric (TE) and Transverse Magnetic (TM) modes and the analysis showed better results for TM mode. Reported structure is easy to fabricate, ultra-low loss and also broadband over 200 nm with a foot print of only 6×6 sq. mm. So, this design will improvise the reference arm section and will enhance the depth scanning of integrated optics based optical coherence tomography system.
Role of Paired Box 5 (PAX 5) Genetic Variant in the Development and Progression of Leukemia.
Authors: Bhat Amrita , Pandita Monika , Hakeem Supriya , Bhat Gh. Rasool , Verma Sonali , Chander Gresh , Angurana Shabab , Amin Asif , Qadri Raies Ahmed , Shah Ruchi , Kumar Rakesh 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Leukemia is a heterogeneous disorder, characterized by a high proliferation of white blood cells. Various genetic studies have tried to reveal the role of contributory SNPs responsible for the development of leukemia. The expression of this factor is involved in several aspects of B-cell differentiation, including immunoglobulin gene rearrangement, BCR signal transduction, and B-cell survival so that the deletion or inactivating mutations of Pax5 causes cell arrest in the Pro-B-cell stage. The role of the present gene has previously been studied in various population groups; however, the role of this variant in Leukemia within Indian populations is unclear. In the present study, the role of genetic variant of rs3780135 of PAX5 was investigated within leukemia patients from Northern India. The variant was identified by exome sequencing and then genotyped using high throughput real-time based TaqMan assay technology and validated by SSCP and Sanger sequencing. The association of SNP with the disease was evaluated using logistic regression. It was observed that the variant rs3780135 of PAX5 showed significant association with Leukemia in the North Indian Population [OR of 1.94 (95% CI 1.51-2.48), p=1.2x10-6] in real time based TaqMan assay and allelic OR of 1.54 (1.02-2.34), at 95% CI, p=0.002 for sanger sequencing when corrected for age, gender, BMI, smoking, and alcohol. The present study concludes that the variant rs3780135 of PAX5 polymorphism act as a risk factor in the development of leukemia within Northern India population.
Live Birth After an Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Ovarian In Vitro Activation and Bone Marrow Stem Cells Transplantation in a Premature Ovarian Failure Case Report
Authors: Ljubić Aleksandar , Božanović Tatjana , Pirkovic-Cabarkapa Andrea , Perovic Andjela , Ljubić Dušica , Djuric Emilija , Štefik Debora , Abazović Džihan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Patients with premature ovarian failure (POF) exhibit a diminished ovarian reserve and hormonal dysfunction. Case presentation: We aimed to restore normal hormonal function and folliculogenesis in a 31-year-old patient with POF, who had been amenorrheic for two years. We designed and performed three different ovarian regeneration procedures for three consecutive years, from 2015 to 2017: 1) intraovarian injection of activated autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP); 2) activated autologous PRP and bone marrow-derived stem cell injection into the ovaries (SEGO); 3) ovarian cortical tissue resection and fragmentation; and in vitro ovarian tissue activation with autologous PRP and bone marrow stem cell retransplantation into the ovaries (the SEGOVA). The patient exhibited no improvement following the PRP treatment. The patient regained regular menstrual cycles after the SEGO procedure, although no follicular growth was observed yet. One month after the SEGOVA procedure, follicular growth was detected, and the patient underwent several stimulation protocols without obtaining oocytes. Eight months after the SEGOVA, the patient underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) in a spontaneous cycle, when an oocyte of good quality was retrieved. Following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the oocyte failed to be fertilized. Eleven months after the SEGOVA, the patient reported a spontaneous pregnancy via natural conception. Pregnancy resulted in birth at term by uncomplicated vaginal delivery. After three different ovarian rejuvenation procedures, normal hormonal function and follicular growth were restored in the patient with POF, and the patient had a successful natural pregnancy following the last SEGOVA procedure. Although no ovarian function was detected after the first two procedures, they may have contributed to the outcomes from the SEGOVA procedure, a treatment that showed promising results in recovering ovarian function in patients with POF. Conclusions: It cannot be ruled out that ovarian rejuvenation with bone marrow‑derived stem cells and autologous growth factors, together with ovarian tissue fragmentation, took time to exhibit its effects and contributed to the final result – a successful natural conception and pregnancy.
A Qualitative Study of Grief among Family Members of Missing Persons in Southern Sri Lanka
Authors: Isuru Amila , Bandumithra Padmakumara , Williams Shehan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
IntroductionThe psychological and social issues experienced by family members of missing persons are different from normal grief following the death of a loved one. The term “Ambiguous loss” describes this psychological phenomenon. “Ambiguous loss” acts as a barrier to adjusting to grief, leading to symptoms of depression and intra and interpersonal relational conflicts. An in-depth understanding of this subjective experience is important.MethodA qualitative study was conducted among close family members of persons who had gone missing during the civil conflict and the 2004 tsunami in southern Sri Lanka. Purposive and snowballing sampling methods were used to recruit the participants. In-depth interviews were recorded with the help of a semi-structured guide, after informed consent. The recordings were transcribed and thematically analyzed by three independent investigators. The investigators met to code the themes and ground them through reflexivity. The triangulation process involved cross-checking with the interviewees. ResultsTheoretical sample saturation was achieved with 24 family members of missing persons. Responders were mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, and siblings of missing individuals. Six predominant themes were identified. They lacked closure, hope, guilt, helplessness, perpetual suffering, and effects due to gender roles. ConclusionThe close family member of the missing person has prolonged vacillating grief characterized by hope, guilt, helplessness, and perpetual suffering due to lack of closure. The effects are more pronounced in women through the interplay of socio-cultural factors. The surviving loved one is ‘locked in grief’ indefinitely.
Effect of Diameter, Length, and Chirality on the Properties of Silicon Nanotubes
Authors: Motamedi Mohsen , Safdari Erphan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The mechanical properties of nanostructures are a researcher's favorite topics. In the meantime, the mechanical and physical properties of the two dimensional structures and the nanotubes have attracted greater attention due to their wide application. Si (Si) nanotubes are structures consisting of Si atoms that are aligned as honeycombs (hexagonal). This structure has created some special properties in Si nanotubes. In this paper, Young’s modulus values and stress strain diagrams of Si nanotubes are investigated using molecular dynamics method and the Tersoff potential. Then, the changes effect of size and dimension was investigated for a closer look. For this purpose, the effect of nanotube diameter, length, and chirality shift from zigzag to armchair were studied. The results showed that the fracture stress of nanotube decreased with increasing the length of Si nanotube. It was also shown that the armchair structure was stronger than the zigzag. The effect of diameter change on the mechanical properties was also investigated and it was observed that no specific order could be found between the diameter changes with the Si nanotube strength. The results were in good agreement with other studies.
Periplaneta Americana Extract may Attenuate 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid-Induced Intestinal Fibrosis by Inhibiting TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Jing , Lv Pin , Rao Xiang , Wang Jiajia 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
PurposeIntestinal fibrosis is an incurable digestive disease accompanied by stricture formation, and it has an increasing incidence in recent years. Periplaneta americana is one of the medicinal insects with a long history. There are few reports on the effect of intestinal fibrosis. This study aims to evaluate the inhibitory effect of PA treatment on intestinal fibrosis. MethodsTNBS was used to establish intestinal fibrosis model by enema in BALB/c mice. The mice were treated with PA (50, 100, 200 mg/kg body weight) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) (40mg/kg) by gavage once a day for 6 weeks. At the end of the last week, the mice were sacrificed. Colon samples were collected for H&E and Masson staining. The mRNA and protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I and the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) / Smad signaling pathway were conducted by real-time PCR and western blot analysis. In vitro, TGF-β1 was used to induce intestinal fibrosis at human colon fibroblasts (CCD-18Co). And using real-time PCR and western blot methods to detect the expression of α-SMA and collagen I. ResultsPA inhibited the expression of α-SMA and collagen I in vivo and in vitro. But the difference was that PA inhibited the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in vivo, and the same results had not been obtained in vitro. Conclusion: PA may attenuate intestinal fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, but more experiments were needed to prove it in vitro. Conclusions﻿PA has potential pharmacological effects in inhibiting intestinal fibrosis, and the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway seemed promising.
Betacellulin Regulates Peripheral Nerve Regeneration by Affecting Schwann Cell Migration and Axon Elongation
Authors: Wang Yaxian , Zhang Fuchao , Zhang Yunsong , Shan Qi , Liu Wei , Zhang Fengyuan , Zhang Feiyu , Yi Sheng 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background Growth factors execute essential biological functions and affect various physiological and pathological processes, including peripheral nerve injury and regeneration. Our previous sequencing analysis found that betacellulin (Btc), an epidermal growth factor protein family member, showed elevated mRNA expressions in the nerve segment after rat peripheral nerve injury, implying the potential involvement of Btc during peripheral nerve repair. Methods Expression of Btc was examined in Schwann cells. The role of Btc in regulating Schwann cells was investigated by transfecting cultured cells with siRNA segment against Btc or exposed cultured cells with Btc recombinant protein, respectively. The biological functions of Schwann cell-secreted Btc on neurons were also determined. Moreover, the in vivo effect of Btc on Schwann cell migration and axon elongation after rat sciatic nerve injury were further evaluated.Results Immunostaining images and ELISA readings showed Btc was present in and secreted by Schwann cells. Transwell migration and wound healing observations showed that siRNA against Btc impeded Schwann cell migration while exogenous Btc advanced Schwann cell migration. Besides the regulating effect on Schwann cell phenotype, Btc secreted by Schwann cells might influence neuron behavior and affect axon length. In vivo evidence showed that Btc enhanced axonal regrowth and nerve regeneration after both rat sciatic nerve crush injury and transection injury. Conclusion Our findings demonstrated Btc-mediated Schwann cell-axon interactions, revealed the essential roles of Btc on Schwann cell migration and axon elongation, and implied the potential application of Btc as a regenerative strategy for treating peripheral nerve injury.
Myocarditis: a Whole Heart Involvement Revealed by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Mapping. A Case-control Study
Authors: Pereira Tiago Bartzen , Balk Maurício , Pereira Gabriela Bartzen , Ramos Victória Schmidt , Giordani Luciano , Schvartzman Paulo Roberto , Beck-da-Silva Luis 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To ascertain if differences in T1 and T2 mapping exist between ventricular wall segments with and without late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in patients with myocarditis, and to compare these findings to those of control subjects.Methods: In a case-control design, 22 patients with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) evidence of myocarditis and 18 controls with normal CMR were assessed. The workup included: (1) T1 mapping (ShMOLLI); (2) LGE; (3) T2 mapping (SSFP); and (4) the T2 signal intensity of the myocardium divided by that of skeletal muscle (T2 ratio). T1 and T2 mapping of affected (LGE+) and unaffected (LGE-) ventricular segments of cases were compared, as were those of controls versus cases.Results: On within-group comparison, ventricular segments with evidence of late enhancement (LGE+) in cases showed a mean T1 value significantly different from that of unaffected (LGE-) ventricular walls (1057±30 vs. 1028±48; p=0.0001). On between-group comparison, the mean T1 value of LGE- segments in cases was significantly different from the mean of the corresponding walls in controls (1028±48 vs. 996±10; p<0.0001). The mean T2 maps of LGE- walls in cases were not statistically different from those of controls (49±4 vs. 49±1; p=0.9229).Conclusions: This case-control study suggests that T1 mapping demonstrates significant alterations in the myocardium of patients with myocarditis even in the absence of late gadolinium enhancement. Specifically, T1 mapping revealed diffuse myocardial involvement not evidenced by LGE imaging. T2 mapping was noncontributory.
Puerarin Restore Impairment of Intestinal and Adipose Immunity Response to Influenza Infection in Mice
Authors: xu peiping , Zeng Mao-Seng , Yu Wen-Di , Wang Hui-Xian , Liu Jin-Yuan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Influenza is an acute viral respiratory disease, which can also cause gastroenteritis like symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Immune dysfunction of adipose tissue is involved in the occurrence and prognosis of influenza viral pneumonia. In this study, we analyzed the intestinal and adipose immune responses in mice contracted with influenza virus and found that the impairment of intestinal and adipose immunity response to influenza infection in mice can be restored by puerarin, which is isolated from Gegen (Chinese name).Here, we report that the lung, small intestines(duodenum, ileum, jejunum) and large intestines(colon and rectum) show obvious inflammatory lesions in mice following virus infection, with significantly increased levels of viral load, inflammatory cytokines[interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17,and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a],Toll 3, 4 and 9, integrin avb3 and a4, decreased sIgA level compared to that of NC group (P<0.05~0.001). Influenza virus could infect mesenteric lymph nodes and adipose tissue of mice, and the adipokines (e.g., leptin, visfatin, chemokine and adiponectin) of lung and mesenteric adipose tissue are disordered. Puerarin improved the impairment of the intestinal and adipose immune responses in mice infected with influenza virus. Our findings suggest that influenza virus infection can infect adipose tissue and lead to intestinal adipose immune dysfunction in normal-weight mice. The impairment of intestinal and adipose immunity response to influenza infection in mice could be restored by puerarin.
A Genetic Resource for Rice Improvement：introgression Library of Agronomic Traits for All AA&nbsp;Genome Species in Genus Oryza
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhou Jiawu , Peng Xu , Li Jing , Deng Xianneng , Deng Wei , Yang Ying , Yu Yanqiong , Tao Dayun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Rice improvement depends on the availability of genetic variation, and AA genome Oryza species are the natural reservoir of favorable genes which are useful for rice breeding. Developing the introgression library using multiple AA genome species was rarely reported.Results: In this study, to systematically evaluate and utilize potentially valuable QTLs/genes or allelic variations, based on the evaluation and selection of agronomic traits, 6372 introgression lines (ILs) were raised by crossing 330 accessions of 7 AA genome species as the donor parents, with three elite cultivars of O. sativa, Dianjingyou 1, Yundao 1 and RD23 as the recurrent parents, respectively. Further, twenty-six, twenty-six and nineteen loci were detected in the multiple donors using 1,401 ILs in the Dianjingyou 1 background for grain length, grain width, and the ratio of grain length to grain width, respectively. Interestingly, ten loci had opposite effect on grain length in the different donors, so did grain width. Moreover, one locus for grain width, qGW3.1, was validated using the segregation population derived from the donor of O. glumaepatula. Conclusions: This introgression library provided the powerful resource for future rice improvement and genetic dissection of allelic variations. Selections of favorable alleles that are present in wild relatives proceed the driving force of the rice domestication.