bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Azospirillum Brasilense And Zinc Rates Affecting Fungal Root Colonization and Yield of Cereal Crops in Succession Under Brazilian Cerrado Conditions
Authors: Silva Philippe Solano Toledo , Cassiolato Ana Maria Rodrigues , Galindo Fernando Shintate , Jalal Arshad , Nogueira Thiago Assis Rodrigues , Filho Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Soil and plant beneficial microbes capitalize plant nutrition through successful colonization in roots rhizosphere which could sustainably increase cereal production. Zinc (Zn) is intensively reported a deficient nutrient for maize and wheat production in Brazilian Cerrado, which could be sustainably managed by beneficial microorganisms and their symbiotic association with other microorganisms like arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes (DSE). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Azospirillum brasilense inoculation and residual Zn rates on root colonization and grain yield of maize and wheat in succession under Brazilian Cerrado conditions. These experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with four replications and arranged in a 5x2 factorial scheme. The treatments were consisted of five Zn rates (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 kg ha-1) applied from zinc sulfate in maize and residual on wheat, and without and with seed inoculation of A. brasilense. Both crops were evaluated for root colonization of AMF and DSE, number of spores of AMF, quantification of CO2-C and grain yield. Colonization by AMF and DSE were significantly increased with interaction of Zn rates and inoculation treatments. The inoculation of A. brasilense favored root AMF and DSE colonization while increasing Zn rates by 4 kg ha-1 for maize and while 2 and 4 kg ha-1 Zn in residual for wheat reduced these colonizations. The inoculation did not influence spore production and CO2-C in both crops while maize-wheat yield were increased with Zn rates up to 4 kg ha-1 in edaphoclimatic condition of Brazilian Cerrado.
DALU-Net: Automated Liver Segmentation and Volumetry for Liver Transplantation in Abdominal Computed Tomography Volumes
Authors: Jeong Jin Gyo , Choi Sangtae , Kim Young Jae , Lee Won-Suk , Kim Kwang Gi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Liver transplantation is performed in patients with liver disease, using the liver of a braindead or living donor. In living-donor liver transplantation, the safety of the donor is critical. In addition, the amount that can be resected from the living donor is limited. It is important that accurately measuring the liver volume to avoid graft size mismatch. In this paper, we designed a deep attention convolutional long short-term memory (CLSTM) network architecture for liver segmentation that combines an attention mechanism, deep supervision, and CLSTM. The proposed model can focus on the liver in abdominal CT volume data and can learn inter-slice using CLSTM. Our framework was trained using 133 training cases, 29 validation cases, and 29 test cases of liver donors. We compared livers and volumes manually labeled by a liver transplant surgeon and those obtained by automatic segmentation of livers and volumes. We further evaluated the segmentation and volumetry of the left lobe, right lobe, and caudate lobe, according to the anatomical structure of the liver. Our approach significantly outperformed the 3D U-Net in terms of accuracy. Our approach can be used as an aid in estimating liver volume from CT volume data for living-donor liver transplantation.
Comparison of Immune Response To Human Rhinovirus C And Respiratory Syncytial Virus In Highly Differentiated Human Airway Epithelial Cells
Authors: Yuan Xinhui , Pang Li-li , Yang Jing , Jin Yu 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Human rhinovirus C (HRV-C) accounts for a large proportion of HRV-related illnesses, but the immune response to HRV-C infection has not been elucidated. Our objective was to assess the effect of HRV-C on cytokine secretion in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells grown at air–liquid interface (ALI) and compare it with that of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Methods: HBE cells were differentiated at ALI culture and the full-length cDNA clones of HRV-C651 and HRV-C15, clinical isolates of HRV-C79 and HRV-C101, and two RSV isolates were inoculated in the HBE cells. The effect of HRV-C on cytokine secretion were assessed and compared with that of RSV.Results: HRV-Cs infects and propagates in fully differentiated HBE cells and significantly increased the secretion of IFN-λ1, CCL5, IP10, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1. The virus load positively correlated with the levels of the cytokines. HRV-C induced lower secretion of CCL5 (P=0.048), IL-6 (P=0.016), MCP-1 (P=0.008), and IL-8 (P=0.032), and similar secretion of IP10 (P=0.214) and IFN-λ1 (P=0.214) when compared with RSV. Conclusion: HBE ALI culture system supported HRV-C infection and propagation and HRV-C induced relatively weaker cytokine expression than RSV.
An Accurate Mathematical Epidemiological Model (SEQIJRDS) to Recommend Public Health Interventions Related to COVID-19 in Sri Lanka.
Authors: Wijesekara Patikiri Arachchige Don Shehan Nilmantha 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

COVID-19 has been causing negative impacts on various sectors in Sri Lanka as a result of the public health interventions that government had to implement in order to reduce the spreading of the disease. Equivalent work carried out in this context is outdated and close to ideal models. This research is carried out in a crucial time which the daily deaths are rapidly increasing which arise the requirement for an accurate and practical model to predict the mortality in order to take decisions regarding public health interventions. This paper presents a mathematical epidemiological model called SEQIJRDS to predict on COVID-19. The model has been validated for the COVID 19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. The results show that the model outstands many of the state-of-the-art SEIR epidemiological models such as Imperial, IHME once properly parameterized. At the end; this work recommends public health interventions at this crucial time to save people's lives based on the predictions of the proposed model. Specifically, 3 recommendations called minimal, sub-optimal and optimal recommendations are provided for public health interventions.
Effects of Soil Amendment with Chinese Herbal Medicine on Cassava Growth and Rhizosphere Microbial Diversity
Authors: wu jinshan , zhang yijie , ha jingwen , tan longyan , wang honggang , jia yingxue , wang ruoyan , chen Yinhua 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effects of different dosages of Chinese herbal compound soil amendment on cassava growth and rhizosphere microbial diversity. In this study, Cassava SC8 growth was determined under four treatments. The growth was promoted by the application of the Chinese herbal compound soil amendment powder and agent. After 240 days of treatment, we measure its height, diameter of the stem, maximum perimeter of cassava, tuber number, weight of single tuber, yield per hectare, the mineral elements in cassava, the ash content in starch and the microbial diversity in the soil. Compared with the control group, the height, diameter of the stem, maximum perimeter of cassava, tuber number, the weight of a single tuber, yield per hectare in the treatment groups all show increase, and the application of 1200 kg of Chinese herbal compound soil amendment per hm2 (T2) had the strongest positive effect on the cassava growth. As for the water content of tubers, that of T2 decreased by 5.96% compared with T4, while no substantial difference among other groups. The Fe content in T2 decreased by 29.46%, and Zn in T3 increased by 39.48%, while the content of other metal ions in four treatments showed no substantial difference. At the same time, the experiment also found that, as bacterial abundance in soil, Streptophyta dominated in T2, and Fimbriimonas is a unique genera of T2. In addition, the abundances of Nocardioides and unclassfied_Spartobacteria in the T2 were greatly considerable than other treatment groups. As fungal abundance in soil, after treated with different concentrations, the composition of soil fungi differed greatly among the groups, and the samples at different concentrations contained more than 20 species of unique bacteria. At the genus level, compared with the control group, the relative abundance of unclassfied_Chaetomiaceae in the treatment group was considerably reduced, and the relative abundance of Psathyrella in the T1 increase substantially. We speculates that these advantages and the existence of bacteria and fungi can affect rhizosphere soil microorganisms, further improve soil effective nutrients and enzyme activities, thereby affecting the growth and physiological indicators of cassava plants.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Kangaroo Mother Care Among Postnatal Women in Ethiopia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Author
Authors: Gebeyehu Natnael Atnafu , Gelaw Kelemu Abebe , Azeze Gedion Asnake , Admass Biruk Adie , Lake Eyasu Alem , Adela Getachew Asmare 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Kangaroo mother care could be a key procedure to decrease neonatal mortality and morbidity of preterm and low-birth-weight neonates. However, in Ethiopia, preterm birth and low-birth-weight neonatal death still exist. This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of knowledge, Attitude, and practice of kangaroo mother care among postnatal women in Ethiopia.Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EMBASE, manual search, and Ethiopian University online library were searched. The data were extracted by using Microsoft excel and analyzed by STATA version 11 statistical software. The Publication bias was checked by funnel and more objectively through Egger's test and Begg’s test with P < 0.05 considered being a potential publication for bias. I2 was used to check for the presence of heterogeneity of the studies. Overall estimated analysis was done. Subgroup analysis was done by region, study setting, publications, gestational age, birth weight, and the component of kangaroo care. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to see the effect of a single study on the pooled estimation.Results: A total of 5 studies with 1,232 respondents for knowledge, five studies with 1,232 respondents for attitude, and 16 studies with 12,475 respondents for practice were used to estimate the pooled level of good knowledge, positive attitude, and poor practice of kangaroo mother care among postnatal women. The pooled estimate of good knowledge, positive attitude and poor practice of kangaroo mother care was found to be 64.62% (95% CI: 47.15%-82.09%; I2 = 97.8%), 61.55 % (49.73-73.38%; I2 =94.8%) and 45.7% (95%CI: 37.297-54.092%; I2 = 98.5%) respectively.Conclusion: Findings showed significant gaps in kangaroo mother care-related knowledge, attitude, and practice compared with reported results of developed countries of the demographic health survey. Therefore, it is better to have periodic training and counseling on kangaroo mother care for postnatal women.
Erythropoietin as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker Correlated With Immune Infiltration in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Huange , Zhang Yanping , Yin Jiafeng , Lu Jie , Liu Hailong , Zhang Ting , Geng Yan 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with poor prognosis. Immune checkpoint genes are considered novel tumor immunotherapy targets for many cancer types. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a protein secreted mainly in the liver and kidneys; in several cancer types, EPO expression stimulates tumor growth and corelates with patient survival. The study aimed to identify EPO as a prognostic biomarker correlated with immune infiltration in HCC. Methods. We investigated the correlation between EPO expression and HCC patient clinical characteristics using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The relationship between EPO expression and HCC patient survival was investigated using Kaplan–Meier analysis. We also used R (v.3.6.3) to analyze the correlation between EPO expression and immune infiltration in HCC. Results. We found that EPO expression was downregulated in HCC. Notably, EPO was upregulated in advanced-stage HCC and had a diagnostic value of 0.83 (p < 0.001) in HCC diagnosis. HCC patients with increased EPO expression had poor prognoses. Furthermore, altered EPO expression was associated with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint gene expression in HCC. Conclusions. EPO expression was positively correlated with hepatocellular carcinoma stage, and negatively correlated with patient prognosis, with influening HCC immune cell infiltration and checkpoint gene expression. EPO can be as both a potential prognostic biomarker and a novel potential treatment target for HCC.Our work is not a clinical trial, but preclinical basic study.
Potential of a Fucoidan-Rich Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract to Reduce Salmonella Shedding and Improve Gastrointestinal Health in Weaned Pigs Naturally Infected with Salmonella
Authors: Venardou Brigkita , O’Doherty John V. , Maher Shane , Ryan Marion T. , Gath Vivian , Ravindran Rajeev , Kiely Claire , Rajauria Gaurav , Garcia-Vaquero Marco , Sweeney Torres 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background

Dietary supplementation with a fucoidan-rich Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE), possessing an in vitro anti-Salmonella Typhimurium activity could be a promising on-farm strategy to control Salmonella infection in pigs. The objectives of this study were to: 1) evaluate the anti-S. Typhimurium activity of ANE (≈ 47% fucoidan) in vitro, and; 2) compare the effects of dietary supplementation with ANE and zinc oxide (ZnO) on growth performance, Salmonella shedding and selected gut parameters in naturally infected pigs. This was established post-weaning (newly weaned pig experiment) and following regrouping of post-weaned pigs and experimental re-infection with S. Typhimurium (challenge experiment).
Results

In the in vitro assay, increasing ANE concentrations led to a linear reduction in S. Typhimurium counts (P < 0.05). In the newly weaned pig experiment (12 replicates/treatment), high ANE supplementation increased growth to feed ratio, similar to ZnO supplementation, and reduced faecal Salmonella counts on day 21 compared to the low ANE and control groups (P < 0.05). The challenge experiment included thirty-six pigs from the previous experiment that remained on their original dietary treatments (control and high ANE groups with the latter being renamed to ANE group) apart from the ZnO group which transitioned onto a control diet on day 21 (ZnO-residual group). These dietary treatments had no effect on performance, faecal scores, Salmonella shedding or colonic and caecal Salmonella counts (P > 0.05). ANE supplementation decreased the Enterobacteriaceae counts compared to the control. Enterobacteriaceae counts were also reduced in the ZnO-residual group compared to the control (P < 0.05). ANE supplementation decreased the expression of interleukin 22 and transforming growth factor beta 1 in the ileum compared to the control (P < 0.05).
Conclusions

ANE supplementation promoted a healthier composition in the colonic microbiota, reduced Salmonella shedding, and the expression of inflammatory genes associated with persistent Salmonella infection.
Annexin A2 Promotes Angiogenesis After Ischemic Stroke Via Annexin A2 Receptor - AKT/ERK Pathways
Authors: Li Wenlu , Lin Haoran , Shen Zexu , Bei Yun , Wei Taofeng , Yu Zhanyang , Dai Yunjian , Dai Haibin 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Promoting angiogenesis to restore circulation to the ischemic tissue is still an important therapeutic target in stroke. Here, we ask whether the Ca2+-regulated, phospholipid-and membrane-binding protein-Annexin A2 (ANXA2) may regulate angiogenesis after stroke.Compared with wild type (WT) mice, the density of microvessels in brain and the number of new vessels sprouting from aortic ring were significantly increased in Anxa2 knock-in (ANXA2+/+) mice. After focal cerebral ischemia, proliferation of brain endothelial cells in ANXA2+/+ mice was significantly elevated at 7 days post-stroke, which further improved behavioral recovery. To assess the pro-angiogenic mechanisms of ANXA2, we used brain endothelial cells cultures to investigate its effects on cell tube-formation and migration. Recombinant ANXA2 increased tube-formation and migration of brain endothelial cells either under normal condition or after OGD injury. These protective effects of recombinant ANXA2 were regulated by interaction with ANXA2 receptor (A2R), and the ability of ANXA2-A2R to activate AKT/ERK pathways. Taken together, our study indicates that ANXA2 might be involved in angiogenesis after ischemic stroke. Further investigation of ANXA2-A2R will provide a new therapeutic target for stroke.
Relationship Between Fasting and Postprandial Glucose Levels and the Gut Microbiota
Authors: Mineshita Yui , Sasaki Hiroyuki , Kim Hyeon-ki , Shibata Shigenobu 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Postprandial hyperglycemia increases the risk of mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, the gut microbiota and type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are known to be correlated. Currently, fasting blood glucose is the primary index for the clinical diagnosis of diabetes; however, postprandial blood glucose is associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and mortality. Therefore, the dynamic change in blood glucose levels under free-living conditions is considered an important and better marker than fasting glucose levels, to study the relationship between glucose levels and microbiota. Here, we investigated the relationship between fasting and postprandial glucose levels and microbiota under free-living conditions, for one week in the older adults. The results revealed a significant correlation between peak glucose levels after dinner and the gut bacteria, particularly, Bacteroides, Clostridiales Clostridiaceae group, Anaerostipes, Clostridiales [Mogibacteriaceae] group, Holdemania, and Bilophila. Together, these findings suggest that the glucose levels after dinner are a better predictor of microbiota conditions than fasting glucose levels.
Dietary calcium requirements of broilers fed a conventional corn-soybean meal diet from 1 to 21 d of age
Authors: Bai Shingping , Yang Yunfeng , Ma Xuelian , Liao Xiudong , Wang Runlian , Zhang Liyang , Li Sufen , Luo Xugang , Lu Lin 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background

The current calcium (Ca) recommendation for broilers is primarily based on studies conducted more than 30 years ago with birds of markedly different productive potentials from those which exist today. And the response indicators in these studies are mainly growth performance and bone ash percentage. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary Ca level on growth performance, serum parameters, bone characteristics and Ca metabolism-related gene expressions, so as to estimate dietary Ca requirements of broilers fed a conventional corn-soybean meal diet from 1 to 21 d of age.
Methods

A total of 420 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly assigned to 1 of 7 treatments with 6 replicates (10 birds per cage) and fed the corn-soybean meal diets containing 0.60, 0.70, 0.80, 0.90, 1.00, 1.10 or 1.20% Ca for 21days. Each diet contained the constant non-phytate phosphorus content of about 0.39%.
Results

The average daily gain decreased linearly (P < 0.001) as dietary Ca level increased. The serum and tibia alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, tibia bone mineral density (BMD), middle toe BMD, tibia ash percentage, tibia breaking strength, and tibia ALP protein expression level were affected (P < 0.05) by dietary Ca level, and showed significant quadratic responses (P < 0.02) to dietary Ca levels. The estimates of dietary Ca requirements were 0.80 to 1.00% based on the best fitted broken-line or quadratic models (P < 0.03) of the above serum and bone parameters, respectively.
Conclusions

The results from the present study indicate that the Ca requirements would be about 0.60% to obtain the best growth rate, and 1.00% to meet all of the Ca metabolisms and bone development of broilers fed a conventional corn-soybean meal diet from 1 to 21 days of age.
Finding Appropriate Nickel-Titanium Instruments for Lingual Canals in Mandibular First Premolars with Two Canals: A Micro-CT Study
Authors: Wang Yunqin , Lu Yaqian , Gu Yongchun , Xiong Yuhua , Cai Yixin , Geng Nan , Wang Xuerong , Ji Yingying , Li Jin 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: To find appropriate Nickel-Titanium instruments for lingual canals in mandibular first premolars with two canals.Methods: A total of 42 extracted mandibular first premolars with two canals were selected after micro-CT scanning. The teeth were matched and divided into three groups, and three types of Nickel-Titanium instruments (M3, HyFlex CM and XP-endo Shaper) were used to prepare the lingual canals of the sample teeth. After instrumentation, micro-CT scanning was used again to reconstruct the three-dimensional (3D) teeth model, and then it was geometrically aligned with the original model before instrumentation. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional parameters of teeth models were measured to evaluate the ability of cleaning and maintaining the original canal shape by the three different instruments. Results: Compared with HyFlex CM and XP-endo Shaper, the apical transportation of M3 was significantly greater within the apical 3 mm (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between HyFlex CM and XP-endo Shaper (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in centering ability among three types of instruments (P > 0.05). In general, HCM group and XPS group performed better than M3 group in the 2D and 3D analysis (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Preparation of the lingual canal in mandibular first premolar was more challenging than that of the main buccal canal. All the three nickel-titanium instruments are safe for canal preparation, and generally, the HyFlex CM and XP-endo Shaper performed better than the M3.