bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Stunting Among Children 6-59 Months in Pastoralist Communities of Southeast Ethiopia
Authors: Tefera Tomas , Belda Semere Sileshi , Alemayehu Mulusew Teshome , Hussein Mohammedawel Abduku , Haile Mekonnen Tegegne , Ganfure Gemechu 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: In Ethiopia, stunting is one of the most important public health problems. It affects human capital and productivity in several dimensions like impairing learning potential, increased economic costs to health systems and families. Hence, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with stunting among children 6-59months in pastoralist communities of Bale Zone, south-east Ethiopia. Methods: A community- based cross-sectional study design was executed involving 657 children paired with their mothers. A structured questionnaire was administered. Anthropometry was conducted on children following standard procedures. A stepwise logistic regression with backward elimination method was used to identify factors associated stunting. Adjusted odd ratios with 95% confidence interval and p-value of ≤ 0.05 were used to assess level of significance. Results: prevalence of stunting was 43.2 (95% CI: 39.9–47.5). Male children (AOR=3.5, 95%CI, 1.59 -7.71), mothers with primary education level (AOR=8.8 ,95%CI, 7.36 -9.19), and bottle feeding practice (AOR: 3.7, 95%CI, 1.74 -7.69) were positively associated with child stunting, whereas colostrum’s feeding practice(AOR:0.14, 95% CI, 0.06 -0.32),improved source of drinking water(AOR=0.3, 95%CI: 0.11-0.71), exclusively breast feeding (AOR: 0.4 [95%CI, 0.20 -0.92), timely of complimentary feeding initiation(AOR: 0.04, 95%CI 0.00, 0.01), growth monitoring follow up (AOR=0.3 [95%CI, 0.13 -0.59), were showed negative association. Conclusion: Prevalence of stunting was high. Therefore, due attention has to be given on child nutritional education, safe drinking water supply, and promotion of community-based growth monitoring in order to in order to end stunting in children by 2030.
Biodegradation and Metabolic Pathway of Sulfamethoxazole by Sphingobacterium Mizutaii
Authors: Song Jinlong , Hao Guijie , Liu Lu , Zhang Hongyu , Zhao Dongxue , Li Xingyang , Yang Zhen , Xu Jinhua , Ruan Zhiyong , Mu Yingchun 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is the most commonly used antibiotics in China for inhibiting aquatic animal diseases. However, the residues of SMX are difficult to eliminate and may enter the food chain, leading to considerable threats on human health. The bacterial strain Sphingobacterium mizutaii LLE5 was isolated from activated sludge. This strain could utilize SMX as its sole carbon source and degrade it efficiently. Under optimal degradation conditions (30.8 °C, pH 7.2, and inoculum amount of 3.5 × 107 cfu/mL), S. mizutaii LLE5 could degrade 93.87% of 50 mg/L SMX within 7 days. Four intermediate products from the degradation of SMX were identified: sulfanilamide, 4-aminothiophenol, 5-amino-3-methylisoxazole, and aniline, suggesting a possible degradation pathway based on these findings. This report is the first to confirm that Sphingobacteriumi could degrade SMX. Furthermore, S. mizutaii LLE5 could also degrade other sulfonamides. The degradation efficiencies of strain LLE5 for sulfadiazine, sulfaguanidine, sulfamisoxazole, and sulfadimidine were 59.85%, 51.68%, 46.95%, and 37.42%, respectively.
Evaluation of the Initial 12 Months of a Routine Cryptococcal Antigen Screening Program in Reduction of HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis in Uganda
Authors: Enock Kagimu , Julius Kiwanuka , Griffith Bridget C , Abila Derrick Bary , Rutakingirwa Morris K , Kasibante John , Kandole Kiiza Tadeo , Kwizera Richard , Semeere Aggrey , Meya David B 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Asymptomatic Cryptococcal Antigenemia (CrAg) patients develop meningitis within a month of testing positive. Pre-emptive antifungal therapy can prevent progression to Cryptococcal meningitis(CM). In April 2016, a national CrAg screening program was initiated in 206 high-volume health facilities that provide antiretroviral therapy in Uganda. We report the evaluation of the CrAg screening cascade focusing on linkage to care, fluconazole therapy for 10 weeks, and ART initiation in a subset of facilities.Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional survey of patients with CD4<100 at seven urban and seven rural facilities after one year of program implementation. We quantified the number of patients who transitioned through the steps of the CrAg screening cascade over six-months follow-up. We defined cascade completion as a prophylactic fluconazole prescription. We conducted semi-structured interviews with lab personnel and clinic staff to assess functionality of the CrAg screening program. Data was collected using REDCap.Results:We evaluated 359 patient records; the majority (358/359, 99.7%) were from government owned health facilities and just over half (193/359, 53.8%) had a median baseline CD4 cell count of <50 cell/µL. Overall, CrAg screening had been performed in 255/359 (71.0%, 95% CI, 66.0-75.7) of patients’ records reviewed, with a higher proportion among urban facilities (170/209 (81.3%, 95% CI, 75.4-86.4)) than rural facilities (85/150 (56.7%, 95% CI, 48.3-64.7)). Among those who were CrAg screened, 56/255 (22.0%, 95% CI, 17.0-27.5%) had cryptococcal antigenemia, of whom 47/56 (83.9%, 95% CI, 71.7-92.4%) were initiated on pre-emptive therapy with fluconazole and 8/47 (17.0%, 95% CI, 7.6-30.8%) of these were still receiving antifungal therapy at 6 months follow up. Atleast one CNS symptom was present in 70% (39/56) of those with antigenemia. In patients who had started ART, almost 40% initiated ART prior to CrAg screening. Inadequacy of equipment/supplies was reported by 15/26 (58%) of personnel as a program barrier, while 13/26 (50%) reported a need for training about CM and CrAg screening.Conclusion:There was a critical gap in the follow-up of patients after initiation on fluconazole therapy. ART had been initiated in almost 40% of patients prior to CrAg screening, which predisposes them to unmasking Cryptococcal IRIS. Higher antigenemia patients presenting with CNS symptoms could be related to late presentation. There is need to address these gaps after a more thorough evaluation.
Homologous and Mitochondrial Targeting Synergistic Induction of Apoptosis and Ferroptosis Enhanced PDT Performance Against Osteosarcoma HOS
Authors: Wang Yang , Zhang Liang , Zhao Guosheng , Zhang Yuan , Zhan Fangbiao , Chen Zhiyu , He Tao , Cao Yang , Hao Lan , Wang Zhigang , Quan Zhengxue , Ou Yunsheng 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: There have been no prominent advancements in osteosarcoma (OS) treatment in the past 20 years. Although photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging technique for cancer therapy, its lack of targeting in OS treatment severely limits its applications.Methods: In this study, we constructed a potential theranostic nanoplatform by using (poly (ethylene glycol) polylactic-co-Glycolic acid (PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) wrapping IR780 into the core (PEG-PLGA-IR780 NPs), which was further camouflaged with human OS cell membranes from the HOS cell line (MH-PEG-PLGA-IR780 NPs) to show homologous and mitochondrial targeting capacities. In addition, the potential underlying anticancer mechanisms of MH-PEG-PLGA-IR780 NPs-mediated PDT was investigated.Results: We demonstrated that the MH-PEG-PLGA-IR780 NPs had excellent tumor/mitochondrial targeting with the help of homologous targeting to HOS cell line. Moreover, the excellent photoacoustic (PA)/fluorescence (FL) imaging ability of MH-PEG-PLGA-IR780 NPs laid a foundation for further applications. Under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, we demonstrated that dual-targeting NPs-mediated PDT could significantly induce HOS cell apoptosis and ferroptosis, and further explored apoptosis was triggered by cytochrome c-activated mitochondrial apoptosis (endogenous apoptosis), and the specific molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis is the activation of NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy and the passivation of GPX4 in vitro, synergistically leading to the excessive accumulation of ROS. In addition, MH-PEG-PLGA-IR780 NPs-induced PDT also showed an obvious inhibitory effect on tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion: These results suggest the dual-targeting-based theranostic nanoplatform provides an effective method to improve PDT performance in OS and paves a new and promising way for OS therapy.
Potential of Megathrust Earthquakes Along the Southern Ryukyu Trench Inferred from GNSS Data
Authors: Kano Masayuki , Ikeuchi Aoi , Nishimura Takuya , Miyazaki Shin'ichi , Matsushima Takeshi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The southern part of the Ryukyu subduction zone has recorded tsunami events with a recurrence interval of several hundred years. Although their source is controversial, one model suggested that the last 1771 Yaeyama tsunami was caused by a shallow megathrust earthquake with a magnitude of 8. However, the current knowledge on interplate coupling based on recent geodetic data is limited. This study analyzed a time series of Global Navigation Satellite System data from January 2010 to February 2021, including newly installed stations by Kyoto and Kyushu Universities to obtain the distance changes between stations and vertical secular velocities. The distance changes ranged 2.4 mm/yr in contraction and 4.7 mm/yr in extension, and the vertical velocities exhibited no clear uplift or subsidence of -2.4 to 1.1 mm/yr. The back slip inversion results indicated the slip deficit of 16–54 mm/yr in the south of the Yaeyama Islands. The large slip deficit area is complementarily intervened between the shallower source area of low-frequency earthquakes and the deeper slow slip region, suggesting the spatial heterogeneity of frictional properties along the plate interface. If the large slip deficit area accumulates stress in the same rate since the last 1771 earthquake, it could result in a megathrust event of at least greater than a moment magnitude of 7.7. Because the limited onshore data cannot resolve the slip deficit on the shallow plate interface, seafloor geodetic observations are essential to clarify the detailed spatial distribution of slip deficit and discuss its earthquake and tsunami potential.
Genome-wide Identification and Characterization of G-type lectin in Fragaria Vesca
Authors: Ma Lijing , Negrini Francesca , Haile Zeraye Mehari , Baraldi Elena 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Lectins make up a large and diverse group of proteins in plants. G-type lectins are important type of lectins involved in plant development and defense process. However, studies about G-type lectins are limited to lectin receptor kinases.Results: In this study, genome-wide identification was carried out on G-type lectin gene family in Fragaria vesca. A total of 133 genes were found belonging to this family and they were classified into four groups: G-type lectin receptor kinases, G-type lectin kinases, G-type lectin receptor proteins and G-type lectin proteins, according to their domain organizations. Their chromosome localization, phylogenetic and evolutionary relationship were also analyzed. The results showed that tandem and dispersed duplication occurred frequently, which led to the expansion of G-type lectin gene family in F. vesca and may have increased the types of domain arrangement. The expression profile of G-type lectin genes at different developmental stages of F. vesca and under various biotic/abiotic stresses was inferred from the available databases. G-type lectin genes are actively expressed during F. vesca development and respond to multiple biotic/abiotic stresses. Additionally, to comprehend the functions of G-type lectins, we predicted strawberry genes that may co-express with these G-type lectin genes. Conclusions: G-type lectin gene family is a large gene family in F. vesca. Domain organization and expression analysis imply their functions under biotic/abiotic stresses.
Upregulation of CD271 Transcriptome in Breast Cancer Promotes Cell Survival via NFκB Pathway
Authors: Shahid Ramla , Bashir Nabiha , Ishfaq Mehreen , Mazhar Kehkashan , Khan Jahangir Sarwar 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
BackgroundBiological treatment of many cancers currently targets membrane bound receptors located on a cell surface. We are in a great to need identify novel membrane proteins associated with migration and metastasis of breast cancer cells. CD271, a single transmembrane protein belongs to tumor necrosis factor receptor acts and play its role in proliferation of cancer cell. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of CD271 in breast cancer. Methods and ResultsIn this study we analyzed the expression of CD271 in breast tumor tissue, breast cancer cell line MCF7 and isolated cancer stem cells (MCF7-CSCs) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). CD271 was upregulated among breast cancer patients in all age groups. Within the promoter region of CD271, there is a binding site for NF-κB1 which overlaps a putative quadraplex forming sequence. While CD271 also activates NF-κB pathway, down regulation of CD271 through quadraplex targeting resulted in inhibition of NF-κB and its downstream targets Nanog and Sox2ConclusionIn conclusion, CD271 and NF-κB are interrelated to each other. Upon CD271 inhibition, the NF-κB expression also reduces which then effected the cell proliferation and migration. These results suggest that NF-κB is regulated by CD271 is playing a crucial role in cancer development and could be a potential therapeutic target.
Patients with polyclonal hepatocellular carcinoma are at a high risk of early recurrence and have a poor recurrence-free survival period
Authors: Kaibori Masaki , Sakai Kazuko , Matsushima Hideyuki , Kosaka Hisashi , Matsui Kosuke , Sekimoto Mitsugu , Nishio Kazuto 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background/purpose of the study
Tumor heterogeneity based on copy number variations is associated with the evolution of cancer and its clinical grade. Clonal composition (CC) represents the number of clones based on the distribution of B-allele frequency (BAF) obtained from a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. A higher CC number represents a high degree of heterogeneity. We hypothesized and evaluated that the CC number in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues might be associated with the clinical outcomes of patients.
Methods
Somatic mutation, whole transcriptome, and copy number variations of 36 frozen tissue samples of operably resected HCC tissues by targeted deepsequencing, RNAseq and SNP array.
Results
The samples were classified the heterogeneous tumors as poly-CC (n = 26) and the homogeneous tumors as mono-CC (n = 8). The patients with poly-CC had a higher rate of early recurrence and a significantly shorter recurrence-free survival period than the mono-CC patients (7.0 vs. not reached, p = 0.0084). No differences in pathogenic non-synonymous mutations, such as TP53, were observed between the two groups when targeted deep sequencing was applied. A transcriptome analysis showed that cell cycle-related pathways were enriched in the poly-CC tumors, compared with the mono-CC tumors. poly-CC HCC is highly proliferative and has a high risk of early recurrence.
Conclusion
CC is a candidate biomarker for predicting the risk of early postoperative recurrence and warrants further investigation.
Functional Transcriptome Analysis of Bladder Cancer Cell Lines Persistently Infected with Oncolytic Newcastle Disease Virus
Authors: Ahmad Umar , Thirumorthy Arcana , Abdullah Syahril , Chau De Ming , Chia Suet Lin , Yusoff Khatijah , Chan Soon Choy , Ong Teng Aik , Razack Azad Hassan , Veerakumarasivam Abhi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has been identified as an attractive virotherapeutic agent that targets various type of human cancers while leaving normal cells unharmed. Wild-type NDV strain AF2240 has been found to persistently infect a subpopulation of cancer cells in vitro, making the cells less susceptible to NDV-mediated oncolysis. It is proposed that transcriptome profiling of NDV persistently infected bladder cancer cell lines will provide insights to understand such occurrence by identifying specific pathways associated with NDV persistent infection due to transcriptomic dysregulation.
Results

Transcriptome profiling revealed a total of 63 and 134 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from NDV persistently infected TCCSUPPi and EJ28Pi bladder cancer cells relative to their uninfected controls, respectively. Of the 63 DEGs identified for TCCSUPPi cells, 25 DEGs were upregulated (log2 fold-change ≥ 0) and 38 DEGs were downregulated (log2 fold-change ≤ 0). These genes were significantly enriched in the molecular function of calcium binding (GO:0005509) and DNA-binding transcription repressor activity, RNA polymerase II-specific (GO:0001227) and the enriched important upregulated pathways were mainly heme metabolism, TGF-beta signaling and spermatogenesis. As for EJ28Pi, 55 DEGs were upregulated (log2 fold-change ≥ 0) and 79 DEGs were downregulated (log2 fold-change ≤ 0). These DEGs resulted in significantly enriched molecular function such as protein domain specific binding (GO:0019904) and RNA polymerase II regulatory region sequence-specific DNA binding (GO:0000977). The enriched important upregulated pathways were allograft rejection, KRAS signaling up and interferon gamma response. Other important pathways that were downregulated in both the NDV-persistently infected cell lines were angiogenesis, apoptosis, and xenobiotic metabolism.
Conclusion

The transcriptome profiles (RNA-Seq) of these cell lines suggest that evasion of apoptosis and increase in TGF-beta signaling and interferon gamma response activities are crucial for establishment of NDV persistent infection in bladder cancer cells. Findings from this study provide the molecular basis that warrant further study on how bladder cancer cells acquired NDV persistent infection. Resolving the mechanism of persistent infection will facilitate the application of NDV for more effective treatment of bladder cancer.
Evaluation of antibody response to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in patients affected by immune-mediated inflammatory diseases up to 5 months after vaccination
Authors: Firinu Davide , Perra Andrea , Campagna Marcello , Littera Roberto , Fenu Giuseppe , Meloni Federico , Cipri Selene , Sedda Francesca , Conti Maria , Miglianti Michela , Costanzo Giulia , Secci Marta , Usai Gianmario , Carta Mauro Giovanni , Cappai Riccardo , Orrù Germano , Giacco Stefano Del , Coghe Ferdinando , Chessa Luchino 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with mRNA product BNT162b2 elicited high immunogenicity in healthy subjects in trials. This study aims to better understand the factors that influence the humoral immune response to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). We enrolled patients and healthy healthcare workers control group (HCW) that underwent mRNA BNT162b2 vaccination and measured the serum IgG anti-S-RBD response at booster dose (T1), one month after booster dose (T2) and up to 5 months (T3). Demographic, disease-specific and vaccination data were recorded. Vaccination response of 551 participants naïve to SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in HCW and 102 in the IMID group, analyzing separately those on anti-CD20. At T2 all naïve HCW developed anti-S-RBD-IgG, while 94% of IMID responded (p < 0.001). IMID patients had a significantly different level of IgG than HCW at both T1 (p = 0.031), T2 (p < 0.001), while there was no significant difference at T3. There were no statistically significant differences according to the IMID type or to ongoing treatment with immunosuppressants, corticosteroids or biological drugs other than anti-CD20. The proportion and magnitude of response was significantly lower in IMID treated with anti-CD20 drugs. There was a correlation with age at T1 and at T2 but not at T3, stronger in patients than in HCW. Immune response close after BNT162b2 vaccination is reduced in patients with IMID, but there is no difference at 5 months. The measured reduction is related to age and the disease itself rather than treatments, with the exception of anti-CD20 drugs
Extracting Potential New Targets for Treatment of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Using Bioinformatic Methods
Authors: Pordanjani Tayebeh Forooghi , Dabirmanesh Bahareh , Choopanian Peyman , Mirzaie Mehdi , Mohebbi Saleh , Khajeh Khosro 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a slow-growing malignancy that most often occurs in the salivary glands. Although reasonable local control is usually achieved by tumor surgery and subsequent radiation therapy, recurrence at the same or distant site is the cause of treatment failure. Currently, no FDA-approved therapeutic target or diagnostic biomarker has been identified for this cancer. To find the therapeutic and diagnostic targets for ACC, we extracted the gene expression information from two GEO datasets. Different expression genes (DEGs) between ACC and normal samples were extracted and used to explore the biochemical pathways involved in ACC and create a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network.After analyzing the PPI network, 20 hub genes were introduced that have potential as diagnostic and therapeutic target. Among them, PLCG1 and EZH2 were introduced as new biomarkers in ACC that might have a high value in the diagnosis and treatment of ACC. Furthermore, by studying the roles of the hub genes in the enriched biochemical pathways, we found that most likely, IGF-1R/IR and PPARG pathways play a critical role in tumorigenesis and drug resistance in the ACC and have a high potential for selection as a therapeutic target in future studies.
New Integrated Hydrologic Approach for the Assessment of Rivers Environmental Flows Into the Urmia Lake
Authors: Mobadersani Ali , Dalir Ali Hosseinzadeh , Yasi Mehdi , Arvanaghi Hadi , Kennard Mark 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
In the conducted researches recently the greatest focus has been on the environmental water supplement of rivers individually and independently. However, in closed basins leading to lakes and wetlands, a comprehensive and integrated view of all rivers in the basin is required simultaneously. This has affected Lake Urmia, which is the second largest saltwater lake in the world. This lake has been in danger of drying up in recent years as a result of not allocating the required environmental flow due to the increase in water resources consumption in the agricultural sector and climate change. In this study, a method derived from the flow duration curve (FDC) shifting method is presented in addition to the possibility of providing the environmental flow of rivers leading to the lake that can make the least amount of change in the hydrological characteristics of rivers to provide the volume of required water by the ecosystem of lakes or downstream wetlands. This method is based on daily data of hydrometric stations and, unlike the conventional method, which presents the results on a monthly basis, it can calculate the amount of environmental requirement of rivers in real-time according to the upstream inlet of the river. This method has been used in the Urmia Lake basin and according to the results, it can provide the environmental requirement of lake by allocating 70.5% of the annual flow of rivers and save the lake and the ecosystem of the region from the current critical conditions.