bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parametric Investigation of an Injection-Jet Self-Powered Fontan Circulation
Authors: Prather Ray , Das Arka , Farias Michael , Divo Eduardo , Kassab Alain , DeCampli William 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Rationale: Approximately 1/2500 babies are born with only one functioning ventricle and the Fontan is the third and, ideally final staged palliative operation for these patients. This altered circulation is prone to failure with survival rates below 50% into adulthood in some series. Chronically elevated inferior vena cava (IVC) pressure is implicated as one cause of the mortality and morbidity in this population.Objective: An injection jet shunt (IJS) drawing blood-flow directly from the aortic arch to significantly lower IVC pressure is proposed.Methods and Results: A computer-generated 3D model of a 2–4 year old patient with a fenestrated Fontan and a cardiac output of 2.3L/min was generated. The detailed 3D pulsatile hemodynamics are resolved in a zero-dimensional lumped parameter network tightly-coupled to a 3D computational fluid dynamics model accounting for non-Newtonian blood rheology and resolving turbulence using large eddy simulation. IVC pressure and systemic oxygen saturation were tracked for various IJS-assisted Fontan configurations, altering design parameters such as shunt and fenestration diameters and locations.A baseline “failing” Fontan with 4mm fenestration was tuned to elevated IVC pressure (\(+17.8mmHg\)). Enlargement of the fenestration to 8mm resulted in a 3mmHg IVC pressure drop but an unacceptable reduction in systemic oxygen saturation below 80%. Addition of an IJS with a 2mm nozzle and minor volume load to the ventricle improved the IVC pressure drop to 3.2mmHg while increasing systemic oxygen saturation above 80%.Conclusions: The salutary effects of the IJS to effectively lower IVC pressure while retaining acceptable levels of oxygen saturation are successfully demonstrated.
Effects of Calcium Propionate on Milk Performance and Serum Metabolome of Dairy Cows in Early Lactation
Authors: Zhang Fan , Zhao Yiguang , Wang Yue , Wang Hui , Guo Yuming , Xiong Benhai 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Most of the dairy cows in early lactation suffer from a period of negative energy balance (NEB) and hypocalcemia metabolic disorders. Calcium propionate is a source of energy and calcium for alleviating NEB and hypocalcemia. The objective of the study was to investigate the changes of milk compositions and blood metabolites of postpartum dairy cows fed with calcium propionate for 5 weeks.Methods:Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows after calving were randomly allocated to control (CON), low calcium propionate (LCaP), medium calcium propionate (MCaP) and high calcium propionate (HCaP) groups with 8 cows per group balanced with parity, milk yield and body weight. The dairy cows in the four groups were oral drenching with 0, 200, 350, 500 g/d calcium propionate per cow from calving to d 35 in early lactation, respectively.Results:The results showed that the milk yield in MCaP group was significantly higher than those in the other groups. At d 35, the somatic cell count (SCC) in MCaP group tended to be lower than those in other groups. Compared with the CON group, serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) in MCaP and HCaP groups tended to decrease. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration in MCaP group was lowest among the four groups. The concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in HCaP group was significantly higher than the other groups. Feeding calcium propionate had no significant effect on serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations. The serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) in HCaP group tended to decrease. The calcium propionate treatments significantly decreased the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level. The MCaP treatment significantly decreased serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, while increased the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) when compared with the other groups. The metabolomic results showed that calcium propionate significantly affected the bile acid compositions. Conclusions: It was concluded that the 350 g/d calcium propionate feeding level could significantly improve milk performance, alleviate body fat mobilization and bone calcium utilization, however decrease antioxidant capacity of dairy cows as well. The effect of calcium propionate on milk performance and serum metabolites in early lactation cows may be regulated through the serum bile acids metabolism.
Safety and Efficacy of Therapeutic Taping in Primary Dysmenorrhea: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: EMIA Bandara , WNI Kularathne , Brain K , I Weerasekara 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common gynecological complaint among adolescents and adult women. Various pharmacological and alternative therapies such as therapeutic taping have been used as a treatment of PD. Although several studies have been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of therapeutic taping in PD, these studies have not provided adequate level of evidence related to the safety and efficacy of therapeutic taping in PD. Hence, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of therapeutic taping in PD. The following databases; Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, PEDro, CINAHL and any other gray literature sources were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used therapeutic taping to treat PD from inception to June 2021 with the language restricted to English. Independently screened articles by two reviewers were extracted according to the study objectives. A total of nine studies were included in the systematic review, involving 577 participants. Three studies were eligible for meta-analysis to find the pooled effect of taping on pain intensity. The review indicates that therapeutic taping is an effective measure in improving pain, anxiety and quality of life of women with PD. Meta-analysis conducted to compare the effect of elastic therapeutic taping (ETT) to sham taping showed that the ETT is an effective measure in improving pain among women with PD (MD = -3.12 (95% CI -5.64, -0.60); p=0.02; I2=95 %). The quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale and the included RCTs indicated a fair to good level of quality. Our systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that therapeutic taping is an effective intervention for PD. However, RCTs with higher quality and larger sample sizes are necessary to verify the current results of the review.
Bacterial Atlas of Mouse Gut Microbiota
Authors: Chu Mengqi , Zhang Xiaobo 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Mouse model is one of of the most widely used animal models for exploring the roles of human gut microbiota, a complex system involving in human immunity and metabolism. However, the structure of mouse gut bacterial community has not been explored at a large scale. To address this concern, the diversity and composition of the gut bacteria of 600 mice was characterized in this study. Results: The results showed that the bacteria belonging to 8 genera were found in the gut microbiota of all mouse individuals, indicating that the 8 bacteria were the core bacteria of mouse gut microbiota. The dominant genera of the mouse gut bacteria contained 15 bacterial genera. It was found that the bacteria in the gut microbiota were mainly involved in host’s metabolisms via the collaborations between the gut bacteria. The further analysis demonstrated that the composition of mouse gut microbiota was similar to that of human gut microbiota. Conclusion: Our study presented a bacterial atlas of mouse gut microbiota, providing a solid basis for investing the bacterial communities of mouse gut microbiota.
Intraspecific Variation Promotes Coexistence Under Competition For Essential Resources
Authors: Holdridge Erica , Vasseur David A. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Intraspecific variation may be key to coexistence in diverse communities, with some even suggesting it is necessary for large numbers of competitors to coexist. However, theory provides little support for this argument, instead finding that intraspecific variation generally makes it more difficult for species to coexist. Here we present a model of competition where two species compete for two essential resources and individuals within populations vary in their ability to take up different resources. We found a range of cases where intraspecific variation expands the range of conditions under which coexistence can occur, which provides a mechanism that allows the ecologically neutral evolutionary stable strategy (ESS) to become ecologically stable. We demonstrate that this result relies on nonlinearity in the function that describes how traits map onto ecological function. A sigmoid mapping function is necessary in order to model essential resources because it allows for variation in a unbounded trait while maintaining biologically realistic boundaries on uptake rates, and differs from other kinds of nonlinearity, which only unidirectionally increase or decrease ecological function. The sigmoid function’s nonlinearity spreads individuals unevenly along the growth function, which allows positive growth contributions from some individuals to compensate for growth loses from others, leading to coexistence. We discuss empirical systems beyond competition for essential resources in which discontinuous functions are important.
­­­Quorum Sensing-Based Interaction Network Construction for Drugs, Microbes, and Diseases
Authors: Wu Shengbo , Yang Shujuan , Wang Manman , Wu Hao , Liu Chunjiang , Li Yanni , Guo Fei , Qiao Jianjun 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background:Various diseases and health are closely related to different gut microbes, which own complex interactions with diverse drugs, while the detailed targets for drug-microbe interactions are still limited and investigated separately. Quorum sensing (QS), a potential target for dealing with drug resistant, are yet to be further explored systematically for drug-microbe interactions. Furthermore, many existing studies have reported diverse casual associations among drugs, gut microbes, and diseases, which call for a systematic framework and repository to reveal their intricate interactions.Results:In this study, interactions between microbes and more than 8000 drugs have been systematically studied targeting on microbial quorum sensing receptors (LuxR, LasR, TraR, CviR, PqsR, QscR, YenR, SdiA, LsrB, LuxP, CckA) combined docking-based virtual screening technique and in vitro experimental validation. We have also illustrated the potential drug-microbe interaction network based on the predicted docking-based results to to have a more comprehensive illustration for the drug-microbe interactions, along with obtaining 14 possible potential broad-spectrum drugs for all of the 11 QS receptors. Furthermore, we have constructed a systematic framework including various connections for drugs, receptors, microbes, and diseases to form a comprehensive repository and network, which can give the QS-based underlying mechanisms for the reported causal associations between drugs and microbes at the phenotypic level. The framework, repository, and network will promote the understanding on personalized medicine and developing potential therapies for diverse diseases. Conclusions: Taken together, we curated and predicted various interactions carefully for drugs, receptors, microbes, and diseases to form a comprehensive framework, repository, and network for QS-based drug-microbe-disease interactions. This work contributes to the paradigm for the construction of the more comprehensive molecule-receptor-microbe-disease interaction network for human health that may form one of the key knowledge maps of the precision medicine in the future.
Establishment of a Highly Sensitive Analytical Method For Measurement of Monoamine Neurotransmitters Using Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Hirai Anri , Yamazaki Ryo , Kobayashi Atsushi , Kimura Takashi , Nomiyama Kei , Shimma Shuichi , Nakayama Shouta M.M. , Ishizuka Mayumi , Ikenaka Yoshinori 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Monoamine neurotransmitters (MAs), including dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT), regulate brain functions such as behavior, memory, and learning. Neonicotinoids are pesticides that are being used more frequently. Neonicotinoid exposure has been observed to produce neurological symptoms, such as altered spontaneous movements and anxiety-like behaviors, which are suspected to be caused by altered MA levels. However, current neurotoxicity tests are not sufficiently sensitive to make these determinations. In this study, we performed some behavior tests and developed a sensitive and accurate analytical method using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to clarify the effects of neonicotinoid administration on MAs in the brain.We orally administered the neonicotinoid imidacloprid (0, 10, and 50 mg/kg body weight) to C57BL/6NCrSlc mice. In behavior tests, the decrease of activity was observed. The LC-MS/MS quantification of MAs in various brain regions by tetrafluoroborate salt of 2,4-diphenyl-pyranylium (DPP) derivatization, which was newly developed in this study, showed a decrease in some MA levels in the olfactory bulb and the striatum.Thus, in this study, we developed a new method for the sensitive detection of MAs by LC/MS using DPP derivatization. In addition, we showed that this sensitive MA quantification is effective in clarifying the neurotoxicity caused by chemical substances.
Complement C3a Activates Astrocytes to Promote Medulloblastoma Progression through TNF -α
Authors: Gong Biao , Guo Duancheng , Zheng Chaonan , Ma Zhen , Zhang Jie , Qu Yanghui , Li Xinhua , Li Gen , Zhang Li , Wang Yuan 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Approximately one third of MB patients remain incurable. Understanding the molecular mechanism of MB tumorigenesis is therefore critical for developing specific and effective treatment strategies. Our previous work demonstrated that astrocytes constitute tumor microenvironment (TME) of MB and play an indispensable role in MB progression. However, the underlying mechanisms for how astrocytes are regulated and activated to promote MB remain elusive. Methods: By taking advantage of Math1-Cre/Ptch1 loxp/loxp mice which spontaneously develop MB, primary MB cells and astrocytes were isolated then underwent administration and coculture in vitro . Immunohistochemistry was utilized to determine C3a presence in MB sections. MB cell proliferation was evaluated by immunofluorescent staing. GFAP and cytokines expression in C3a stimulated astrocytes was assessed by immunofluorescent staining, western blotting, q-PCR and ELISA method. C3a receptor and TNF-α receptor expression was determined by PCR. p38 MAPK pathway was detected by western blotting. Transplanted MB mice were treated with C3a receptor or TNF-α receptor antagonist to investigate their role in MB progression in vivo . Results: We found that complement C3a, a fragment released from intact complement C3 following complement activation, was enriched in both human and murine MB tumor tissue, and its receptor was highly expressed on tumor-associated astrocytes (TAAs). We demonstrated that C3a activated astrocytes and promoted MB cell proliferation via p38 MAPK pathway. Moreover, we discovered that C3a upregulated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in astrocytes. Application of the conditioned medium of C3a-stimulated astrocytes promoted MB cell proliferation, which was abolished by preincubation with TNF-α receptor antagonist, indicating a TNF-α -dependent event. Indeed, we further demonstrated that administration of selective C3a receptor or TNF-α receptor antagonist to subcutaneous transplantation MB mice suppressed tumor progression in vivo . Conclusions: C3a was released during MB development. C3a triggered astrocytes activation and TNF-α production via p38 pathway, which promoted MB cell proliferation. Our findings revealed the novel role of C3a-mediated TNF-α production by astrocytes in MB progression. The findings imply that targeting to C3a and TNF-α may represent a potential novel therapeutic approach for human MB.
Determinants of Under-five Child Mortality: Evidence from Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019
Authors: Islam Md. Momin , Noor Farha Musharrat , Hasan Md. Rokibul , Udddin Mohammad Ahsan 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Every year millions of under-five children die due to different causes and some of those death could be prevented by proper awareness or taking steps. Though under-five child mortality rate has reduced by a remarkable rate for last decade in Bangladesh, the rate is still high to reach the expected level of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Methods: The main aim of this study was to find out the socioeconomic and demographic determinants of under-five child mortality in Bangladesh. Nationally representative cross-sectional secondary data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019, Bangladesh had been used in this study. Outcome variable was under-five child survival status (alive or dead). Kaplan–Meier log-rank test and Cox Proportional Hazard (PH) model with 95% confidence interval (CI) were fitted to identify associated risk factors for under-five child mortality. This analysis was performed by using STATA version 16.Results: The study showed that among 5112 under-five children, 170 (3.3%) were dead. Cox proportional hazard model revealed that mother’s education [secondary (HR: 0.53, 95%CI: (0.30, 0.94), p=0.03), higher (HR: 0.41, 95% CI: (0.21, 0.81), p=0.01)], higher birth order [HR: 1.43, 95% CI: (1.13, 1.89), p=0.007], size of child at birth [HR: 2.28, 95% CI: (1.22, 4.26), p=0.009], taking antenatal care [HR: 0.77, 95% CI: (0.52, 1.15), p= 0.091] had a significant effect on child mortality. Under-five child mortality rate was varied among division and highest mortality rate was found in Sylhet [HR: 2.13, 95% CI: (0.99, 4.55), p=0.054]. Conclusions: This study identified potential risk factors for under-five child mortality, which would help the policy makers to take proper steps as community-based educational programs for mother’s and public health interventions focused on birth to reduce under-five child mortality rate in Bangladesh.
Associations of streptococci and fungi amounts in the oral cavity with nutritional and oral health status in institutionalized elders: a cross sectional study
Authors: Sato Hanako , Yano Akira , Shimoyama Yu , Sato Toshiro , Sugiyama Yukiko , Kishi Mitsuo 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background:Disruption of the indigenous microflora is likely to relate with frailty caused by undernutrition. However, relationship between undernutrition and oral flora, especially normal indigenous bacteria, is not obvious. The aim of this study was to elucidate the associations of nutritional and oral health conditions with bacteria and fungi prevalence in oral cavity of older individuals.Methods:Forty-one institutionalized older individuals with an average age ± standard deviation of 84.6 ± 8.3 years were enrolled in this study. Body mass index (BMI) and Oral health assessment tool (OHAT) were used to represent nutritional and oral health status. Amounts of total bacteria, streptococci, and fungi in oral specimens collected from the tongue dorsum were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay results. Results:There found a significant correlation between BMI and streptococcal amount (ρ=0.526, p<0.001). In addition, the undernutrition group (BMI <20) showed a significantly lower average number of oral streptococci (p=0.003). In logistic regression models, streptococcal amount was the significant variable accounting for “not undernutrition” [odds ratio 5.68 and 95% confidential interval (CI) was 1.64-19.7 (p=0.06)]. On the other hand, participants with poor oral health condition (OHAT ≥5) harbored significantly higher level of fungi (p=0.028). Conclusion:Oral streptococci were associated with systemic nutritional condition and oral fungi were associated with oral health condition. Thus, it is necessary to examine oral indigenous bacteria as well as etiological microorganisms in order to understand the relationship of frailty with oral microflora in older individuals.
Natural Compound Library Screening Identifies Sanguinarine Chloride For The Treatment of SCLC By Upregulating CDKN1A
Authors: Zhong Mingtian , Zhao Fengyun , Huang Yanni , Li Xun , Long Yihao , Chen Kaizhao , Li Fugui , Ji Mingfang , Tian Xuemei , Ma Xiaodong , Liu Ming 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is notorious for aggressive malignancy without effective treatment, and most patients eventually develop tumor progression with a poor prognosis. There is an urgent need for discovering novel antitumor agents or therapeutic strategies for SCLC. Drug discovery from natural compounds has been proved to be an effective and innovative approach. Here, we performed a screening method with a natural compound library to identify the potential SCLC inhibitors. Methods: In this study, we performed a screening method based on CCK-8 assay to screen 640 natural compounds for SCLC. The effects of Sanguinarine chloride on SCLC cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration and invasion were determined. RNA-seq and bioinformatics analysis was performed to investigate the anti-SCLC mechanism of Sanguinarine chloride. Publicly available datasets and samples were analyzed to investigate the expression level of CDKN1A and its clinical significance. Loss of functional cancer cell models were constructed by shRNA-mediated silencing. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure gene and protein expression. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed to detect the expression of CDKN1A, Ki67, and Cleaved caspase 3 in xenograft tissues. Results: We identified Sanguinarine chloride as a potential inhibitor of SCLC, which inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle, cell migration and invasion, and promoted apoptosis of SCLC cells. Sanguinarine chloride played an important role in anti-SCLC by upregulating the expression of CDKN1A. Furthermore, Sanguinarine chloride in combination with panobinostat, or THZ1, or gemcitabine, or (+)-JQ-1 increased the anti-SCLC effect compared with either agent alone treatment. Conclusions: Our findings identified Sanguinarine chloride as a potential inhibitor of SCLC by upregulating the expression of CDKN1A. Sanguinarine chloride in combination with chemotherapy compounds exhibited strong synergism anti-SCLC properties, which could be further clinically explored for the treatment of SCLC.