bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology, Clinical Profile and Treatment Outcomes of Bacterial and Fungal Keratitis
Authors: Mabrouk Nabila , Abdelkader Mohamed , Abdelhakeem Mohamed , Mourad Khaled , Abdelghany Ahmed 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine the microbiological aetiology, epidemiological factors, and clinical profile and treatment outcomes of infective keratitis in Ophthalmology department, Minia University. EgyptMethods:Prospective, non-randomized, observational clinical series of cases, including 150 patients with mean age 30 (range 12 to 85 years), 90 patients (60 %) were males and 60 (40%) were females, clinically diagnosed as infective corneal ulcer, attending the Ophthalmology Department – Faculty of Medicine. Minia University, Minia, Egypt. From 2018 to 2020.Detailed history taking and all clinical findings were collected. Corneal scrapings were obtained from patients and subjected to staining and culture for bacterial and fungal pathogens; Bacterial and fungal growth were identified by standard laboratory procedures.Results:Corneal trauma by a vegetative matter was the commesnest risk factor associated with infective keratitis in 92 cases (61.3%). Smear and Culture was positive in 83 cases (58.4%) of 142 corneal scrapings obtained, of which 60 cases were fungal (72.3%), 21 cases were bacterial (25.3%) and 2 cases were mixed bacterial and fungal (2.4%), Aspergillus species was the commonest fungal species isolated in fungal keratitis. 142 cases (94.67 %) healed completely with scar. Only 6 cases (4%) required evisceration due to aggressive presentation from the start and keratoplasty was performed for 2 cases (1.33%).Conclusions:Fungal keratitis was the commonest type in cases attending to our department. Adequate diagnosis, management and follow up helped in achieving high successful curative outcomes. Clinical Trials.gov ID: NCT04894630. Time of registration 1 December 2018
Mesorectal Excision With Or Without Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection For Mid-Low Rectal Cancer: Efficacy and Prognostic Analysis
Authors: Zhou Sicheng , Jiang Yujuan , Pei Wei , Liang Jianwei , Zhou Zhixiang 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background

The efficacy of lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPND) for mid-low rectal cancer and the prognosis of patients with lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis (LPNM) remain controversial. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of LPND for stage II or III middle-low rectal cancer and investigate the impact of LPNM on survival outcomes.
Methods

Data from 858 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with stage II–III mid-to-low rectal cancer and underwent curative resection were reviewed. After propensity matching, 125 matched pairs were selected and divided into the total mesorectal excision (TME) group and TME + LPND group for evaluation. According to the location of lymph node (LN) metastasis, 250 patients were divided into the N0 group, mesorectal-LN group and LPN group. In addition, the survival data of 100 patients with stage IV rectal cancer who underwent curative resection were also reviewed to compare prognostic differences.
Results

The prognosis of patients in the TME + LPND group did not improve significantly in terms of local recurrence rate (4.8% vs. 4.0%, P = 0.758), distant metastasis rate (18.4% vs. 18.4%, P = 1.000) or 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) (63.1% vs. 66.2%, P = 0.269). Overall, 89 (35.6%), 129 (51.6%), and 22 (8.8%) patients were classified into the N0, mesorectal-LN, and LPN groups, respectively. When the mesorectal LN and LPN groups were subdivided, RFS was not significantly different between the internal LPN and N1 groups (70.8% vs. 62.5%, P = 0.905). There was no significant difference in RFS between the external group and the stage IV group (31.6% vs. 22.5%, P = 0.302), but RFS in the former group was significantly worse than that in the N2 group (31.6% vs. 40.4%, P = 0.044).
Conclusion

No differences were observed regarding any recurrence or RFS between the TME group and TME + LPND group. Although LPNM was an independent poor prognostic factor for RFS, patients limited to internal iliac LN metastasis appeared to achieve a survival benefit from LPND and could be regarded as regional LN metastasis. Patients with LPNM other than the internal iliac LN had a poor prognosis; the prognosis was significantly worse than that of N2 and slightly better than that of stage IV.
"The Natural Reduction of Threat in Selected Systems of Old Buildings Containing Asbestos"
Authors: Obmiński Andrzej 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The aim of the research was measure changes asbestos dust concentration over long period of use in old building systems. Buildings from different systems during their exploitation and after asbestos removal were tested. Asbestos dust concentration decreasing in some building systems is due to air exchange and other phenomena, if there are no new active dust sources. Currently, with proper use of those buildings, average values of dust concentrations did not exceed range 300 - 400 f / m3 with a downward trend to <300 f / m3. The results of these studies were obtained with a modified optical microscopy technique and verified by SEM and TEM methods. The graphical trend of the variability contaminations allows estimate them in the future better then theoretical models. Research proves that a single measurements done in short time as an applicable obligatory immediately after the asbestos removal may not detect the hazard appearing after some time. Monitoring buildings over longer periods of time allows to detect significant changes in their contamination. In many cases the minimal air contamination undermines the desirability of removing asbestos in old buildings
GABAergic basal forebrain projections to the periaqueductal gray promote food consumption, reward and predation
Authors: Roman-Ortiz Ciorana , Guevara Jessica A. , Clem Roger L. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Behaviors central to the procurement and consumption of food are among those most fundamental to survival, but their inappropriate expression can lead to overeating and obesity. Nevertheless, we have a poor understanding of circuits that promote feeding independent of physiological demand. Here we demonstrate that activation of basal forebrain (BF) GABAergic neurons results in consumption of food as well as non-food items in well-fed mice, and performance of fictive eating in the absence of ingestible materials. In addition, stimulation of these cells disrupts defensive threat responses and elicits reward-like motivational effects. Finally, BF GABAergic activity triggers skilled predatory attack of live prey and prey-like objects, but not social targets. These effects were entirely recapitulated by selective stimulation of BF GABAergic projections to the periacqueductual gray (PAG). Our results outline a potent circuit mechanism for increased feeding through recruitment of distinct but synergistic behaviors, and add to growing evidence that PAG is an important integrator of feeding-related activity.
Association of Interleukin-10 Polymorphism (rs1800896, rs1800871, and rs1800872) with Breast Cancer Risk: an Updated Meta-Analysis Based on Different Ethnic Groups
Authors: Li Li-Jun , Cao Memg-Ling , Li Dong-Hua , Xiong Wei , Cao Jiangang 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: There have been various publications stating that IL-10 gene polymorphism is connected with the risk of breast cancer.This study was to further evaluate the association between IL-10 gene polymorphism and breast cancer (BC).Methods: Articles from PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Embase, CNKI databases, China biomedical (CBM), and Google Scholar before March 29, 2020. The data was analyzed by Revman5.3 and Stata 12.0 software, and the strength of the association was identified using the odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: A total of 23 studies (7250 cancer cases and 7675 case-free controls) were eligible for the mate-analysis. The results show that IL-10 gene polymorphisms has no association with BC risk in any genetic model of the general population. However, there is significantly correlated with BC risk based on subgroup analysis by ethnicity: rs1800896 polymorphism are significantly associated with the risk of BC in Asian population based on the four models (G vs. A: OR= 0.78, 95% CI=0.65-0.95, P= 0.01; GG vs. AA: OR=0.51, 95% CI=0.31-0.84, P=0.007; GA vs. AA: OR=0.6, 95% CI=0.44-0.81, P=0.0009; GG+GA vs. AA: OR=0.6, 95% CI=0.45-0.81, P= 0.0007); rs1800871 polymorphism has association with BC risk in Caucasian population based on the Heterozygous model (CT vs. TT: OR=1.8, 95% CI =1.03-3.13, P=0.04). rs1800872 homozygous model was associated with the BC risk in Asians(AA vs CC: OR=0.74, 95%CI =0.55-0.99, P =0.04), and allelic model was associated with BC risk among Asians (A vs C: OR= 0.85, 95% CI =0.74-0.98, P= 0.03) and among Caucasians (A vs C: OR= 0.65, 95% CI 0.43-0.98, P =0.04). Conclusion: IL-10 gene polymorphism rs1800896 and rs1800872 significantly increased the risk of breast cancer in Asians, while rs1800871 was associated with the risk of breast cancer in Caucasians. Therefore, vulnerable individuals can be identified by genotypic characteristics, and the diseases can be prevented through interventions aimed at high-risk groups.
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition, Molecular Docking and ADME Prediction Studies of New Dihydrofuran-Piperazine Hybrid Compounds
Authors: SARI Sait , YILMAZ Mehmet 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Novel acrylamide and methacryloyl carrying piperazine-dihydrofuran derivatives ( 3a-p ) were designed and obtained from radical cyclizations of unsaturated piperazine derivatives ( 1a-f ) with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds ( 2a-c ) mediated by Mn(OAc) 3 . Structures of obtained compounds were confirmed with 1 H NMR (proton nuclear magnetic resonance), 13 C NMR (Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance), HRMS (High resolution mass spectrometry), FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and melting point analysis. Inhibitory activites of all piperazine-dihydrofuran compounds were evaluated against AChE (Acetylcholinesterase) by Ellman method and test results showed that 3a , 3c , 3j and 3l are most active AChEI’s (AChE inhibitors) of our work with IC 50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) values of 2.62, 5.29, 1.17 and 3.90 µM, respectively. Furthermore, ligand-protein interactions and inhibitory activity mechanisms of 3a and 3j were investigated by molecular docking. Finally, in silico molecular property and ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) of potential AChEI’s (AChE inhibitor) were predicted by PreADMET and Molinspiration webservers. It can be concluded that the lead compound 3j show excellent inhibiton and satisfactory druglike characteristics.
Evidence of Co-Circulation of Multiples Arbovirus Transmitted by Aedes Sp. Based on Laboratorial Syndromic Surveillance At Health Unit in Slum Area of Federal District, Brazil
Authors: Rufalco-Moutinho Paulo , de Noronha Lorena Aparecida Gonçalves , Quintão Tatyane de Souza Cardoso , Nobre Tayane Ferreira , Cardoso Ana Paula Sampaio , Cilião-Alves Daiani Cristina , Júnior Marco Aurélio Bellocchio , von Glehn Mateus de Paula , Haddad Rodrigo , Romero Gustavo Adolfo Sierra , de Araújo Wildo Navegantes 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Mosquito-borne disease, especially arbovirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, must be priority of Brazilian public health policies, mainly with others infectious agents in circulation. Laboratorial syndromic surveillance for fever or/and exanthematic acute syndrome was performed at health unit in slum area of Federal District. Methods: between June/2019 and March/2020, stopped by COVID-19 pandemic, 131 valid participants were identified and tested by RT-PCR for dengue (by serotype), chikungunya and Zika virus; and by serological IgM for dengue and chikungunya virus, with serologic assay performed when the participant did not present respiratory symptoms (cough or/and coryza). Results: 3 DENV-1 (2.3%), 4 DENV-2 (3%) and 1 CHIKV (0.7%) was lab-confirmed, showing evidence of hiperendemicity area even with the laboratorial syndromic surveillance not reaching the months of historical peak of dengue in Federal District (April-May). When compared the results of laboratorial syndromic surveillance with traditional epidemiologic surveillance data, is verified significant discrepancy between probable cases (from traditional surveillance) and lab-confirmed cases (from laboratorial syndromic surveillance). Conclusions: beyond the risks of local population are exposed, the socio-environment profile can be an able potential area to spread arbovirus, according to Aedes sp. dynamics and human mobility of the Federal District. Also, traditional surveillance may be misreporting probable cases for dengue infection, and underreporting confirmed cases for other arbovirus in the Federal District.
Intranasal Immunization With O-2′-Hydroxypropyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded With Newcastle Disease Virus DNA Vaccine Enhance Mucosal Immune Response in Chickens
Authors: zhao kai , Sun Beini , Shi Ci , Sun Yanwei , Jin Zheng , Hu Gaowei 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: There is a great interest to develop strategies for enhancing antigen delivery to mucosal immune system as well as to identify mucosal active immunostimulating agents. To elevate the potential of O -2′-Hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (O-2′-HACC) nanoparticles as adjuvant and mucosal immune delivery carrier for DNA vaccine, we prepared the O-2′-HACC nanoparticles loaded with Newcastle disease virus F gene plasmid DNA with C3d6 molecular adjuvant (O-2′-HACC/pFDNA). Results: The O-2′-HACC/pFDNA had regular spherical morphology with a particle size of 202.3±0.52 nm, zeta potential of 50.8±8.21 mV, encapsulation efficiency of 90.74±1.10 %, and loading capacity of 49.84±1.20 %. The plasmid DNA could be sustainably released from the O-2′-HACC/pFDNA after an initial burst release. Intranasal vaccination of chickens immunized with O-2′-HACC/pFDNA not only induced higher anti-NDV IgG and sIgA antibody titers, but also significantly promoted lymphocyte proliferation and produced the higher levels of IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes than the NDV commercial attenuated live vaccine. Intranasal delivery of the O-2′-HACC/pFDNA enhanced humoral, cellular and mucosal immune responses, and protected chickens from the infection of highly virulent NDV than intramuscular delivery. Conclusions: This study indicated that the O-2′-HACC nanoparticles could be used as vaccine adjuvant and delivery system for mucosal immunity and have an immense application promise.
Sidedness Determines Clinical Characteristics and Survival Outcomes in Medullary Adenocarcinoma of the Colon
Authors: Blakely Andrew M. , Nelson Rebecca A. , Hamilton Stanley A. , Lai Lily L. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Colon medullary adenocarcinoma (MAC) is a rare histologic subtype. Clinical presentation and cancer outcomes of MAC, compared to colon adenocarcinoma (AC), remain incompletely described.Methods: Annual age-adjusted incidence rates were computed using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (2002–2017). A cohort analysis using the National Cancer Database (2010–2016) compared patient characteristics in an unmatched dataset and prognostic characteristics in a 1:1 matched subset. Results: Reported annual age-adjusted incidence of MAC has significantly increased, with an average annual percent change (APC) increase of 23.8% (95% CI: 19.2–28.6); concurrent AC incidence declined (APC: -2.8, 95% CI: -3.1– -2.8). Analyses of 1,018 MAC and 210,784 AC unmatched patients showed that MAC patients were more often older, female, and white, with higher disease stage, poorly-differentiated tumors, right-sided laterality, and lymphovascular invasion (all p<0.0001). Among those with known microsatellite status, instability was more prevalent among MAC than AC patients (82% vs. 24%, p<0.0001). Multivariate analyses of the matched dataset revealed that MAC histology was not independently associated with overall survival. However, when stratifying by laterality, left-sided MAC was associated with shorter survival when compared to right-sided MAC (HR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.13–2.32) and right-sided AC (HR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.12–2.11).Conclusions: The reported incidence of MAC is increasing, in contrast to the declining incidence of AC. MAC clinical and molecular features are distinct from AC and likely account for outcome differences. Overall, left-sided MAC was associated with the shortest OS. Molecular profiling may improve treatment guidelines for MAC.
iSuc-ChiDT: A Computational Method for Identifying Succinylation Sites using Statistical Difference Table Encoding and the Chi-Square Decision Table Classifier
Authors: Zeng Ying , Chen Yuan , Yuan Zheming 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundLysine succinylation is a type of protein post-translational modification which is widely involved in cell differentiation, cell metabolism and other important physiological activities. To study the molecular mechanism of succinylation in depth, succinylation sites need to be accurately identified, and because experimental approaches are costly and time-consuming, there is a great demand for reliable computational methods. Feature extraction is a key step in building succinylation site prediction models, and the development of effective new features improves predictive accuracy. Because the number of false succinylation sites far exceeds that of true sites, traditional classifiers perform poorly, and designing a classifier to effectively handle highly imbalanced datasets has always been a challenge.ResultsWe propose a new computational method, iSuc-ChiDT, to identify succinylation sites in proteins. In iSuc-ChiDT, chi-square statistical difference table encoding is developed to extract positional features, and has the highest predictive accuracy and fewest features compared to binary encoding and physicochemical property encoding. The chi-square decision table (ChiDT) classifier is designed to implement imbalanced pattern classification. With a training set of 4748:50,551(true: false sites), independent tests showed that ChiDT significantly outperformed traditional classifiers (including random forest, artificial neural network and relaxed variable kernel density estimator) in predictive accuracy and only taking 17s. Using an independent testing set of experimentally identified succinylation sites, iSuc-ChiDT achieved sensitivity of 70.47%, specificity of 66.27%, Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.205, and a global accuracy index Q9 of 0.683, showing a significant improvement in sensitivity and overall accuracy compared to PSuccE, Success, SuccinSite and other existing succinylation site predictors. ConclusionsiSuc-ChiDT shows great promise in predicting succinylation sites and is expected to facilitate further experimental investigation of protein succinylation.
A Spatial Analysis of Lime Resources and their Potential for Improving Soil Magnesium Concentrations and pH in Grassland Areas of England and Wales
Authors: Bide T. , Ander E. L. , Broadley M. R. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Magnesium (Mg) is essential for animal health. Low Mg status (hypomagnesaemia) can be potentially fatal in ruminants, like cattle and sheep, and is widespread in Europe with economic impacts on farming. The application of Mg-rich agricultural lime products can help to ensure pasture forage consumed by animals contains sufficient Mg and, in areas of low pH, has the dual benefit of reducing soil acidity to levels best suited for grass production. This aim of this study was to determine if Mg-rich lime products could be used in a more effective manner in agricultural production systems. Potential resources of carbonate rocks (limestone, dolostone and chalk) in the UK, and their Mg:Ca status were identified, using datasets from the British Geological Survey (BGS). These data were combined with the locations of agricultural lime quarries, and areas where soils are likely to be deficient in Mg and/or require liming.Areas of potential demand for Mg-rich agricultural lime include areas in south east Wales, the Midlands and North East England. Although, areas where this may be an effective solution to low soil Mg values are restricted by the availability of suitable products. Conversely, areas of low soil pH in England and Wales are often found close to quarries with the ability to supply high Ca limes, suggesting that the low rates of lime use and liming is not due to supply factors.This study provides information that can help to guide on-farm decision making for use of Mg-rich and other lime resources. This could be used in conjunction with other options to reduce risks of Mg deficiency in livestock, and improve soil pH.
Risk Factors, Prognosis and A New Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival Among Lung Cancer Patients with Brain Metastasis: A Retrospective Study Based on SEER
Authors: Zhang Guihong , Liu Yue Jiao , De Ji Ming 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose: A comprehensive population-based study on risk and prognostic factors of lung cancer with brain metastasis is lacking. Methods: 95191 patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 2010 and 2017 were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Patients were stratified by different variables. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression were applied to analyze the risk and prognostic factors of brain metastasis among lung cancer patients, respectively. The Fine and Gray’s competing risk regression model was performed to obtain prognostic factors associated with cancer-specific mortality.Results: Among the 95191 patients diagnosed with lung cancer, 10765 patients have brain metastasis, with a metastatic incidence of 11.31%. The primary site of tumor, residence type, age, histological type, race and extracranial metastasis were all independent risk factors of brain metastasis. Compared with other histological types, small cell lung cancer displayed a highest incidence of brain metastasis (16.62%). The median overall survival (OS) among lung cancer patients with brain metastasis was only 6.05 months. The primary site of tumor, median household income, age, histological type, race, gender and extracranial metastasis were all associated with the prognosis of brain metastasis. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma had the worst prognosis, the median OS was only 3.68 months. And our established new nomogram showed a good discriminative ability on predicting the probability of cancer-specific survival among patients with brain metastasis, the C-index was 0.61.Conclusion: Our study provided a deeper insight into the risk factors and prognosis of brain metastasis among lung cancer patients.