bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of geo-climatic determinants on the distribution of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a recently emerging focus in eastern Iran
Authors: Karamian Mehdi , Ghatee Mohammad Amin , Shayesteh Majid , Taylor Walter Robert , Mohebi-Nejad Saeed , Taheri Ghasem , Jamavar Mohammad Reza 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundCutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has been reported in recent years in South Khorasan Province, a desert region of eastern Iran, where the main species isLeishmania tropica. Little is known of the influence of geography and climate on its distribution, and so this study was conducted to determine geo-climatic factors by using geographic information system.MethodsThe home addresses of patients with CL patients who were diagnosed and notified from 2009 to 2017 were retrieved from the provincial health center and registered on the village/town/city point layer. The effects of mean annual rainfall (MAR) and mean annual humidity (MAH), mean annual temperature (MAT), maximum annual temperature (MaxMAT), minimum annual temperature (MinMAT), mean annual number of high-velocity wind days (MAWD), mean annual frosty days (MAFD) and snowy days (MASD), elevation, soil type and land cover on CL distribution were examined. The geographical analysis was done using ArcMap software, and univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression were applied to determine the factors associated with CL.ResultsA total of 332 CL patients were identified: 197 (59.3%) male and 135 (40.7%) female. Their mean age was 29.3 ± 2.1 years, with age ranging from 10 months to 98 years. CL patients came from a total of 86 villages/towns/cities. By multivariate analysis, the independent factors associated with increased CL were urban setting (OR = 52.102), agricultural land cover (OR = 3.048), and MAWD (OR = 1.004). Elevation was a protective factor only in the univariate analysis (OR = 0.999). Soil type, MAH, MAT, MinMAT, MaxMAT, and MAFD did not influence CL distribution in eastern Iran.ConclusionsThe major risk zones for CL in eastern Iran were urban and agricultural areas with a higher number of windy days at lower altitudes. Control strategies to reduce human vector contact should be focused in these settings.Graphical abstract
bFGF could be a biomarker of malignancy in RS3PE syndrome: an ambispective single-center cohort analysis of 51 patients
Authors: Gan Yuzhou , Sun Yi , Jin Jiayang , Wang Yifan , Chen Jiali , Chung Yukchiu , Li Xue , Ye Hua 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Objectives
Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) is a rare inflammatory arthritis, with a higher incidence of malignancy. The aim of this study is to identify biomarkers for predicting malignancy in RS3PE.

Methods
A total of 51 patients with RS3PE from September 2007 to May 2019 were retrospectively reviewed and followed for up to 5 years, with 15 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 14 patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) as disease controls. Serum levels of angiogenesis cytokines were measured by electrochemiluminescent immunoassay and Luminex Human Magnetic Assay. Clinical data and laboratory parameters were analyzed to identify risk factors for malignancy.

Results
A total of forty-eight RS3PE patients (94.1%) were available with follow-up data; 8 patients (16.7%) were diagnosed with malignancy, of which 6 patients were hematological tumor; and 2 patients were solid tumors. Serum levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were exclusively higher in RS3PE patients with malignancy [14.21 (7.52, 23.18) ng/mL] than RS3PE patients without malignancy [4.32 (2.88, 7.42) ng/mL], OA [3.20 (2.20, 5.30) ng/mL], and EORA [3.20 (2.20, 5.30) ng/mL]. The optimal cut-off value of bFGF for malignancy was 10ng/mL in RS3PE. Logistic regression analysis indicated that elevation of bFGF was a risk factor for malignancy in RS3PE.

Conclusions
This study indicated that bFGF was elevated in RS3PE patients with malignancy and could serve as a biomarker for predicting paraneoplastic RS3PE.
LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 promotes the development of diabetic nephropathy by regulating miR-93-5p/ROCK2 axis
Authors: Zhao Li , Chen Huaqian , Wu Lin , Li Zhengdong , Zhang Ren , Zeng Yan , Yang Tao , Ruan Hualing 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play vital roles in diabetic nephropathy (DN). The aim of this study was to explore the function of mechanism of lncRNA KCNQ1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) in DN.

Methods
DN cell models were established using high glucose (HG) treatment in human glomerular mesangial cells (HGMC) and human renal glomerular endothelial cells (HRGEC). The expression levels of KCNQ1OT1, microRNA-93-5p (miR-93-5p), and Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) mRNA was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry were used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. ROCK2 and apoptosis/fibrosis-related protein levels were examined by western blot. The predicted interaction between miR-93-5p and KCNQ1OT1 or ROCK2 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay.

Results
KCNQ1OT1 was upregulated in DN patients and DN cell models. KCNQ1OT1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and fibrosis and induced apoptosis in DN cell models. MiR-93-5p was a direct target of KCNQ1OT1, and miR-93-5p inhibition restored the KCNQ1OT1 knockdown-mediated effects on cell proliferation, fibrosis and apoptosis in DN cell models. In addition, ROCK2 was identified as a target of miR-93-5p, and miR-93-5p overexpression suppressed cell proliferation and fibrosis and accelerated apoptosis by targeting ROCK2 in DN cell models. Moreover, KCNQ1OT1 regulated ROCK2 expression by binding to miR-93-5p.

Conclusion
KCNQ1OT1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and fibrosis and induced apoptosis in DN by regulating miR-93-5p/ROCK2 axis, providing potential value for the treatment of DN.
Neuromuscular adaptations to experimentally induced pain in the lumbar region: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Devecchi Valter , Falla Deborah , Cabral Hélio V. , Gallina Alessio 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background
Numerous studies report changes in neuromuscular control in people with low back pain (LBP). However, the relationship between pain and altered neuromuscular control is challenging to unravel given the heterogeneity that exists in clinical populations. One approach commonly adopted to overcome this issue is the use of experimental pain models, but it is currently unclear if the effects of experimental pain are consistent between studies. Therefore, this planned study will systematically evaluate and summarise the effect of experimentally induced pain in the lumbar region on neuromuscular control at sites both locally and remote to the low back.

Methods
This protocol has been developed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ZETOC, Web of Science, and grey literature will be searched up to August 31, 2021. Screening processes (title/abstract and full-text), data extraction, and risk of bias assessment will be conducted by two independent reviewers. Studies investigating the effects of exogenous pain models delivered to the low back region on neuromuscular control in healthy individuals will be included. Muscle activity and body kinematics will be the outcomes of interest. The comparisons of interest will be between baseline or control conditions and the experimental pain condition, as well as between the experimental pain and post-pain conditions. Randomised crossover and non-randomised studies of interventions will be included and their risk of bias will be evaluated with the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool or with the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Interventions tool, respectively. A random-effect meta-analysis will be conducted for quantitative synthesis when clinical and methodological consistency is ensured. Quality of evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation guidelines.

Discussion
The current review will provide new insights to understand if and what neuromuscular adaptations are caused by pain experimentally induced in the lumbar region. Our findings will reveal which experimental pain model is able to better reproduce adaptations similar to those identified in people with low back pain, possibly contributing to improving our understanding of motor adaptation to low back pain in the long term.

Systematic review registration
PROSPERO CRD42020220130
First description of migratory behavior of humpback whales from an Antarctic feeding ground to a tropical calving ground
Authors: Modest Michelle , Irvine Ladd , Andrews-Goff Virginia , Gough William , Johnston David , Nowacek Douglas , Pallin Logan , Read Andrew , Moore Reny Tyson , Friedlaender Ari 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundDespite exhibiting one of the longest migrations in the world, half of the humpback whale migratory cycle has remained unexamined. Until now, no study has provided a continuous description of humpback whale migratory behavior from a feeding ground to a calving ground. We present new information on satellite-derived offshore migratory movements of 16 Breeding Stock G humpback whales from Antarctic feeding grounds to South American calving grounds. Satellite locations were used to demonstrate migratory corridors, while the impact of departure date on migration speed was assessed using a linear regression. A Bayesian hierarchical state–space animal movement model (HSSM) was utilized to investigate the presence of Area Restricted Search (ARS) en route.Results35,642 Argos locations from 16 tagged whales from 2012 to 2017 were collected. The 16 whales were tracked for a mean of 38.5 days of migration (range 10–151 days). The length of individually derived tracks ranged from 645 to 6381 km. Humpbacks were widely dispersed geographically during the initial and middle stages of their migration, but convened in two convergence regions near the southernmost point of Chile as well as Peru’s Illescas Peninsula. The state–space model showed almost no instances of ARS along the migratory route. The linear regression assessing whether departure date affected migration speed showed suggestive but inconclusive support for a positive trend between the two variables. Results suggestive of stratification by sex and reproductive status were found for departure date and route choice.ConclusionsThis multi-year study sets a baseline against which the effects of climate change on humpback whales can be studied across years and conditions and provides an excellent starting point for the investigation into humpback whale migration.
White matter injury but not germinal matrix hemorrhage induces elevated osteopontin expression in human preterm brains
Authors: Nilsson Gisela , Baburamani Ana A. , Rutherford Mary A. , Zhu Changlian , Mallard Carina , Hagberg Henrik , Vontell Regina , Wang Xiaoyang 
Published: October 2021

AbstractOsteopontin (OPN) is a matricellular protein that mediates various physiological functions and is implicated in neuroinflammation, myelination, and perinatal brain injury. However, its expression in association with brain injury in preterm infants is unexplored. Here we examined the expression of OPN in postmortem brains of preterm infants and explored how this expression is affected in brain injury. We analyzed brain sections from cases with white matter injury (WMI) and cases with germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH) and compared them to control cases having no brain injury. WMI cases displayed moderate to severe tissue injury in the periventricular and deep white matter that was accompanied by an increase of microglia with amoeboid morphology. Apart from visible hemorrhage in the germinal matrix, GMH cases displayed diffuse white matter injury in the periventricular and deep white matter. In non-injured preterm brains, OPN was expressed at low levels in microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. OPN expression was significantly increased in regions with white matter injury in both WMI cases and GMH cases. The main cellular source of OPN in white matter injury areas was amoeboid microglia, although a significant increase was also observed in astrocytes in WMI cases. OPN was not expressed in the germinal matrix of any case, regardless of whether there was hemorrhage. In conclusion, preterm brain injury induces elevated OPN expression in microglia and astrocytes, and this increase is found in sites closely related to injury in the white matter regions but not with the hemorrhage site in the germinal matrix. Thus, it appears that OPN takes part in the inflammatory process in white matter injury in preterm infants, and these findings facilitate our understanding of OPN’s role under both physiological and pathological conditions in the human brain that may lead to greater elucidation of disease mechanisms and potentially better treatment strategies.
Efficacy of probiotics in the prevention of diarrhea in ventilated critically ill ICU patients: meta-analysis of randomized control trials
Authors: Shimizu Kentaro , Hirose Tomoya , Ogura Hiroshi 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe comment on the study by Batra et al. on the efficacy of probiotics in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill ICU patients. They also reported that probiotics administration was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of diarrhea (OR 0.59; CI 0.34, 1.03; P = 0.06; I2 = 38%). However, their meta-analysis missed one RCT, and when we repeated the analysis including this RCT, we found that probiotics administration significantly reduced the incidence of diarrhea (OR 0.51; CI 0.28, 0.92; P = 0.02; I2 = 45.6%). We thus believe that probiotics administration is effective in reducing the incidence of diarrhea in ventilated critically ill ICU patients.
A convolutional neural network-based classification of local earthquakes and tectonic tremors in Sanriku-oki, Japan, using S-net data
Authors: Takahashi Hidenobu , Tateiwa Kazuya , Yano Keisuke , Kano Masayuki 
Published: October 2021

AbstractLow-frequency tremors have been widely detected in many tectonic zones, and are often located adjacent to megathrust zones, indicating that their spatiotemporal evolution provides important insights into megathrust events. The envelope correlation method (ECM) is commonly used to detect tremors. However, the ECM also detects regular earthquakes, which requires the separation of these two signals after the initial detection. In addition, signals of tremors are weak, so classifying tremors from noises is also an essential problem. We develop a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based method using a single S-net station located off Sanriku region, Northeast Japan, to classify local earthquakes, tremors, and noise. Along the Japan Trench, especially in a region focused in this study, local earthquakes and tremors occurred in coexistence within a small region, so detection, location, and discrimination of these events are the key to understand the relationship between slow and regular earthquakes. The spectrograms of the three-component velocity waveforms that were recorded during 16 August 2016 to 14 August 2018 are used as the training and test datasets for the CNN. The CNN successfully classified 100%, 96%, and 98% of the earthquakes, tremors, and noise, respectively. We also showed a successful application of our method to continuous waveform data including a tremor to explore the feasibility of the proposed method in classifying tremors and noise in continuous streaming data. The output probabilities for the true classifications decrease with increasing epicentral distance and/or decreasing event magnitude. This highlights the need to train the CNN using tremors proximal to the seismic stations for detecting tremors using multiple stations.
Study of environmental data from vehicle’s sensors and its aplicability to complement climate mapping from automatic meteorological stations and assess covid-19 impact
Authors: Lopes Philippe Cedraz , da Silva Juliana Carla Santos , Guarieiro Lílian Lefol Nani , Moreira Davidson Martins 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAn evolution of smart and connected cars allows the advancement of smart cities and new business models for automakers. The main objective of this article was to understand the capability of Brazilian vehicles to collect meteorological data, through an observational approach of vehicle technologies and an applied study of automatic weather stations. In 2020, when the world was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, many studies were conducted in order to find a possible relationship between these meteorological data and the incidence of the novel coronavirus. Through this study, meteorological variables that are collected by the stations, as well as vehicles, were compared in order to evaluate the potential of data combination, in addition to the analysis of the influence of these variables in pandemic cases like COVID-19. In this context, it was understood the vehicle’s advancement as a mobile sensor and the usage of vehicle’s data as a tool for a better understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Factors Influencing Patient Preferences for Telehealth Cancer Genetic Counseling During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Breen Kelsey E. , Tuman Malwina , Bertelsen Corinna E. , Sheehan Margaret , Wylie David , Fleischut Megan Harlan , Offit Kenneth , Stadler Zsofia K. , Salo-Mullen Erin E. , Hamilton Jada G. 
Published: October 2021

PURPOSE: With onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth became the primary modality for health care appointments. This study examined patient experiences with and preferences for telehealth at a cancer genetic counseling clinic throughout the first 6 months of the pandemic (March-August 2020). METHODS: An anonymous survey assessed patient demographics; usage and prior experience with technology; emotional responses, technical experiences, and satisfaction with the telehealth appointment (via the Genetic Counseling Satisfaction Scale and Visit-Specific Satisfaction Questionnaire); preference for future telehealth; and recommendation of telehealth to others. RESULTS: Among 380 respondents, most were highly satisfied with the telehealth appointment (with 65.6% and 66.4% of participants completing the Genetic Counseling Satisfaction Scale and Visit-Specific Satisfaction Questionnaire, respectively). Multivariable analyses indicated several notable findings. Adjusting for relevant covariates, participants with less education felt significantly more concerned about telehealth than those with highest educational attainment. Participants age 40-69 years were generally more comfortable, relieved, and grateful that their appointment was scheduled as telehealth than were those older than 70 years. Women were marginally more relieved and grateful for telehealth appointments than men. As the pandemic progressed, significantly more participants were highly satisfied with their telehealth appointment and participants trended toward having greater preferences for future telehealth use. Most participants (78.6%) would recommend telehealth to others, although 50.8% preferred future in-person appointments. CONCLUSION: As the pandemic progressed, patients expressed increasing preferences for and satisfaction with telehealth. Service delivery models that incorporate individual patient preferences should be developed with special consideration to factors such as age, sex, and education level.
Understanding Quality Paradigm Shifts in the Evolving Pharmaceutical Landscape: Perspectives from the USP Quality Advisory Group
Authors: Weitzel Jane , Pappa Horacio , Banik Gregory M. , Barker Amy R. , Bladen Elizabeth , Chirmule Narendra , DeFeo Joseph , Devine Jennifer , Emrick Steven , Hout Taha Kass , Levy Michael S. , Mahlangu Gugu N. , Rellahan Barbara , Venema Jaap , Workman Wesley 
Published: October 2021

AbstractRecent changes in the pharmaceutical industry have led to significant paradigm shifts in the pharmaceutical quality environment. Globalization of the pharmaceutical
industry, increasingly rapid development of novel therapies, and adoption of new manufacturing techniques have presented numerous challenges for the established regulatory framework and quality environment and are impacting the approaches utilized to ensure the quality of pharmaceutical products. Regulators, industry, and standards-setting organizations have begun to recognize the need to rely more on integrated risk-based approaches and to create more nimble and flexible standards to complement these efforts. They also increasingly have recognized that quality needs to be built into systems and processes throughout the lifecycle of the product. Moreover, the recent COVID-19 crisis has emphasized the need to adopt practices that better promote global supply chain resilience. In this paper, the USP Quality Advisory Group explores the various paradigm shifts currently impacting pharmaceutical quality and the approaches that are being taken to adapt to this new environment. Broad adoption of the Analytical Procedure Lifecycle approach, improved data management, and utilization of digital technologies are identified as potential solutions that can help meet the challenges of these quality paradigm shifts. Further discussion and collaboration among stakeholders are needed to pursue these and other solutions that can ensure a continued focus on quality while facilitating pharmaceutical innovation and development.
Characterization of primary models of human trophoblast
Authors: Sheridan Megan A. , Zhao Xiaohui , Fernando Ridma C. , Gardner Lucy , Perez-Garcia Vicente , Li Qian , Marsh Steven G. E. , Hamilton Russell , Moffett Ashley , Turco Margherita Y. 
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACTTwo recently developed models, trophoblast organoids and trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), are useful tools to further the understanding of human placental development. Both differentiate from villous cytotrophoblast (VCT) to either extravillous trophoblast (EVT) or syncytiotrophoblast (SCT). Here, we compare the transcriptomes and miRNA profiles of these models to identify which trophoblast they resemble in vivo. Our findings indicate that TSCs do not readily undergo SCT differentiation and closely resemble cells at the base of the cell columns from where EVT derives. In contrast, organoids are similar to VCT and undergo spontaneous SCT differentiation. A defining feature of human trophoblast is that VCT and SCT are human leukocyte antigen (HLA) null, whereas EVT expresses HLA-C, -G and -E molecules. We find that trophoblast organoids retain these in vivo characteristics. In contrast, TSCs express classical HLA-A and HLA-B molecules, and maintain their expression after EVT differentiation, with upregulation of HLA-G. Furthermore, HLA expression in TSCs differs when grown in 3D rather than in 2D, suggesting that mechanical cues are important. Our results can be used to select the most suitable model for the study of trophoblast development, function and pathology.