bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Organic Mulching Alters the Composition, but not the Diversity, of Rhizosphere Bacterial and Fungal communities
Authors: Sun Xiaodan , Ye Yuqian , Liao Jiahui , Tang Yifan , Wang Dong , Guan Qingwei 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Organic mulching is an effective forest management technique that provides carbon and nutrient sources to soil ecosystems, thereby improving the soil environment and promoting plant growth. Although the importance of rhizosphere microbiomes in plant and soil ecosystem functions has been widely recognised, the effect of organic mulching on rhizosphere microorganisms and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Methods: We performed a field experiment in a 15-year-old Ligustrum lucidum forest of urban green space. The diversity and composition of the rhizosphere bacterial and fungal communities following organic mulching were assessed by combining 16S ribosomal RNA and internal transcribed spacer amplicon sequencing. The correlations between microbial diversity, composition, and fine-root traits, as well as rhizosphere soil properties, were also analysed. Results: Organic mulching did not significantly affect the diversity of the rhizosphere bacterial or fungal communities. Additionally, organic mulching increased the bacterial diversity after 6 months, with a 20-cm-thick mulch layer showing a greater effect than 5- or 10-cm layers. Organic mulching significantly altered the rhizosphere bacterial and fungal community composition; after 6 months of mulching, the community compositions were significantly associated with fine-root traits (specific root length, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentration) and enzyme (urease and dehydrogenase) activity. Moreover, alterations in the bacterial and fungal communities occurred at the order level within each mulching stage. Bacterial diversity is affected by fungal diversity and rhizosphere soil properties (water content and organic carbon) in time-dependent manners. Hence, organic mulching appears to directly affect the fungal composition while indirectly affecting the bacterial composition via influencing rhizosphere soil properties (dissolved organic carbon and peroxidase activity). Conclusions: Organic mulching affects the rhizosphere bacterial and fungal community composition through different pathways; however, the underlying mechanisms, including the effects of time and soil layers, require further exploration combined with multi-index measurements and long-term dynamic monitoring.
A Fast Adaptive ℒ1 Constrained Back-Stepping Controller Using Barrier Lyapunov Function for an Uncertain Submersible Vehicle
Authors: Ahmadian Hossein , Arefi Mehdi , Khayatian Alireza , Montazeri Allahyar 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this paper an ℒ1 adaptive back-stepping controller, using a barrier Lyapunov function (BLF), and considering the position-velocity constraints is investigated. The purpose of this development is to remove the filter C(s) in the design process and reduce the complexity of ℒ1 adaptive method to achieve a fast adaptation and robustness for practical applications. The BLF is also used to constrain the system output. The performance of the proposed controller is evaluated numerically on two robotics scenarios, namely a single-link manipulator, and a 6-DOF remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The results in both scenarios confirm that the tracking and estimation error for both position and velocity output of the ROV outperforms compared to the standard ℒ1 adaptive control method. The results also show the efficacy of the proposed method in removing time-varying disturbances and uncertainties. It also demonstrates a satisfying tracking performance in front of uncertainty on the input gain and unknown nonlinear dynamics.
Translation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Persian Version of Lupus Erythematosus Quality of Life Questionnaire (LEQoL)
Authors: Ahmadi Seyed Majid , Rezaie Zeinab , Ahmadi Seyed Mojtaba , Raisi Sajad , Davoudi Mohammadreza 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Recently a comprehensive and multi-diversionary scale for assessing Quality of Life (QoL) in Patients with Lupus has been developed. This study aimed to evaluation psychometric properties of the Persian version of Lupus Erythematosus Quality of Life Questionnaire (LEQoL) in Iranian patients with Lupus Erythematosus.Method: We used the forward-backward translation, and cognitive interview for linguistic translation. A cross-sectional design was utilized. We recruited a convenience sample of 165 lupus patients aged 19 years or over from the Iranian social media and Tehran city rheumatology clinics. Patients completed the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), The Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R), and the translated LEQoL. The psychometric properties of the LEQoL were examined to establish test-retest reliability, internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha coefficient (COA), divergent-convergent validity, and construct validity. Also, we used Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) for assessing factor structures.Results: The total COA was α = 0.86. All subscales internal consistency ranging from 0.85–0.94. The findings of test-retest reliability for the overall scale was 0.93 and the subscales ranging between 0.82–0.92. The results from a CFA indicated that goodness‐of‐fit are satisfactory (χ2/df = 1.28, RMSEA = 0.042, CFI = 0.975). Also EFA showed that the Persian version of LEQoL with five-factor can explain 73.7% of the variances. For assessing validity, every factor of LEQoL has a correlation with some SF.36 and SCL-90-R subscales. This matrix indicates that the LEQoL subscales are somewhat independent, and this matter is one strength issue. Only depression (SCL-90 subscale) has a significant correlation with all LEQoL subscales.Conclusion: The translated Persian version of the LEQoL is a suitable scale for assessing QoL in Iranian patients with lupus.
Serum amyloid A1 induces apoptosis and cell survival in hepatocytes following acute liver injury
Authors: Getachew Anteneh , Huang Xinping , Abbas Nasir , Cheng Ziqi , Hussain Muzammal , Tao Jiawang , Chen Yan , Yang Fan , Li Yinxiong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background Acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) is one of abundantly expressed protein in the liver following injury or other traumas. However, the relative contribution during inflammatory response in the liver remains largely elusive. Method SAA1 genetic knockdown was performed by injecting siRNA/invivofectamine3.0 complex in CCl4-treated C57BL/6 mice. Parts of the excised liver were then processed for histological analyses. Primary human hepatocytes were isolated from surgical specimens, and evaluated for cell death, luciferase activity and chemokine production after recombinant human SAA1 treatment. Results In a mild liver injury status, after hepatocyte specific knockdown of SAA1 in mice liver, we observed reduced number of apoptotic hepatocyte at non-necrotic area. In vitro cell death assay revealed that in primary human hepatocytes, SAA1 induced apoptosis and cell survival simultaneously. SAA1 induced activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) - dependent genes, which ultimately led to cell survival. In contrast, blockade of NF-κB revealed hepatotoxic effects of SAA1 with appearance of apoptotic signatures such as caspase-3 and PARP cleavage products. SAA1-induced expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as MCP-1 and RANTES were inhibited when two survival signals NF-κB and PI3K were pharmacologically blocked by treatment with ActD and LY294002, respectively. Conclusion These results indicate that cytokine-like property of SAA1 resembles TNF-α signaling pathway in hepatocytes and triggers apoptosis and cell survival responding to injury.
Absolute Quantification of Bone Scintigraphy for the Longitudinal Monitoring of Vertebral Fractures With a High-speed Whole-body CZT-SPECT/CT System
Authors: BAHLOUL Achraf , VERGER Antoine , BLUM Alain , CHAWKI Mohammad Bilal , PERRIN Mathieu , MELKHI Saifeddine , KARCHER Gilles , MARIE Pierre-Yves , IMBERT Laetitia 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This study aimed to determine whether absolute quantification obtained with a high-speed CZT SPECT/CT system provides consistent results on phantom and in bone scintigraphy-based longitudinal monitoring of patients with vertebral fractures and/or fracture cascades.Materials and Methods. SPECT images were reconstructed as recommended for clinical routine. Both image quality and accuracy of measured activity were evaluated using an IEC body phantom. The optimized reconstruction process was applied to routine ≤ 15 min 99mTc-HDP SPECT spine recordings, which had been previously acquired from 25 patients (74±12 years old) at both early (1.3±1.1 months) and late (5.2±2.3 months) stage assessments of an acute vertebral fracture of a traumatic and/or osteoporotic origin.Results. A SPECT reconstruction with 32 equivalent iterations was used based on high levels of foci detectability in spheres as small as 0.6 mL in volume, and accuracy of measured activity, although the latter was affected by partial volume effect for spheres ≤ 5.8 mL. SUVmax from patients’ intact T1 vertebrae, used as a reference, remained stable between 1st and 2nd SPECT recordings (5.7±1.1 vs. 5.8±1.1, p=0.76). SUVmax from the initially fractured vertebrae were 3-fold higher on 1st SPECT (21.0±8.5, p<0.001 vs. T1 SUVmax) and markedly decreased on 2nd SPECT (11.2±4.2, p<0.001 vs. 1st SPECT). Inverse changes in SUVmax were documented for newly compacted fractures apparent on the 2nd SPECT (1st SPECT: 7.4±2.0 vs. 2nd SPECT: 21.8±10.3, p=0.002) together with an increased bone density on CT (in mean Hounsfield Units: 121±28 vs.190±39, p=0.003). Rate of SUVmax > 7.5 was 98% (56/57) for measurements obtained in vertebrae fractured in the preceding 7-months, whereas this rate was only 4% for the reference intact vertebrae (2/50).Conclusion. High-speed recordings with this CZT-SPECT/CT system provide reliable SUV measurements that may attest to longitudinal changes in vertebral bone metabolism and especially changes related to fracture healing or recurrence.
Rainfall Determines Shallow Soil Seepage in a Piedmont Summer Pasture of Alpine Meadow on the Northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Li Hongqin , Yang Yongsheng , Zhang Fawei , Guo Xiaowei , Li Yikang , Lin Li , Li Yingnian , Cao Guangmin , Zhou Huakun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

The soil seepage is an important component for quantifying hydrological processes while remains unclear in high-altitude alpine meadows. The shallow soil seepage was continuously measured by an auto-logged micro-lysimeter (diameter = 30 cm, depth = 30 cm) from July 2018 to June 2019 in a piedmont summer pasture of alpine meadow on the Northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The results showed that all the shallow soil seepage events occurred during the non-frozen period from April to September and the accumulative amount was 106.8 mm, which consumed about 1/5 annual precipitation. The maximum and minimum monthly soil seepage was 30.7 mm in September and 1.0 mm in April, respectively. The binary Logistic model revealed that daily half-hour rainfall frequency (R2 = 0.37, individual explanatory power) and amount played significant roles in the daily soil seepage odds (R2 = 0.50). The best subsets regression analysis showed that the same-day rainfall amount (R2 = 0.59), the first 3-day rainfall frequency, and the first 4-day solar radiation accounted for 73% of variations in the daily soil seepage amount. Monthly soil seepage correlated with monthly rainfall frequency significantly (R2 = 0.74, p = 0.005). Our results highlighted that precipitation, including its amount and frequency, was the key determinant of the probability and amount of the shallow soil seepage in the piedmont summer pasture of alpine meadow. These findings would be helpful for improving predictions of the water budgets of piedmont alpine meadows.
Disintegration Mechanism and Hydrogeochemical Processes of Red-Bed Soft Rock Under Drying-Wetting Cycle
Authors: Huang Kai , Kang Bo , Zha Fusheng , Li Yunfeng , Zhang Qing , Chu Chengfu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Red-bed soft rock in the drawdown area on bank slopes of landslide easily disintegrates upon exposure to water, and its properties experience comprehensive deterioration, which will cause bank slope instability. To better study disintegration mechanism of the red-bed soft rock, a series of laboratory tests were conducted in this paper to investigate the disintegration characteristics, durability and hydrogeochemical process of red-bed argillaceous siltstone under drying-wetting cyclic conditions. Experimental results showed that, with increasing number of drying-wetting cycles, red-bed argillaceous siltstone gradually disintegrated, from initial appearing the cracks on the surface of the samples to large particles gradually breaking up into small fragments. Significant changes in grain size distribution, and the durability index of the samples progressively decreased. Microstructural analysis showed that the size and distribution of pores and cracks in the sample surface significantly increased, such that the sample surface became disordered and complicated. Notable changed in concentrations of ions in the soaking solutions indicated continuous mineral dissolution and loss during the cyclic drying-wetting. Based on the results obtained from the experiment, it is concluded that the disintegration of samples undergoing drying-wetting cycles was the result of the synergistic action of water and temperature. To be specific, the dissolution of calcite, albite, gypsum, montmorillonite and kaolinite during the wetting procedure, which promotes the decrease in mineral content and increases in pores and cracks. The increases in temperature and the dehydration shrinkage of sample during the drying procedure accelerated the disintegration of the samples.
Mediation Role of Health Service Use and Depression on Multimorbidity and Self-rated Health in Home-based Long-term Care Residents: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Yan Huosheng , Peng Wenjia , Li Mengying , Li Xinghui , Yang Tingting , Wang Zijing , Li Cancan , Jia Xianjie , Hu Zhi , Wang Ying 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Multimorbidity is common among older people and a major cause of reduced quality of life. The study aim was to investigate the relationship between multimorbidity and self-rated health and its mediators in home-based long-term care residents.Methods: Participants were 1067 home-based long-term care residents covered by long-term care insurance in Shanghai. Stratified sampling was used to select participants from six Shanghai districts. Data were collected using face-to-face interviews. Multimorbidity was defined as co-occurrence of ≥2 chronic diseases in the same person. The 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.Results: The findings showed that 59.4% of participants had multimorbidity and 67.7% reported depressive symptoms. The mean self-rated health score was 1.97 (standard deviation [SD] = 0.861) and mean health service use frequency was 1.61 (SD = 3.406) per month. Compared with participants with no multimorbidity, those with multimorbidity were more likely to report low self-rated health (β = −0.141, p<0.001), more severe depressive symptoms (β = 0.100, p<0.001), and more health service use (β = 0.121, p<0.001). Low self-rated health may be caused by depression and health service use (β = −0.280, p<0.001). The effect of multimorbidity on self-rated health was significantly mediated by depression (β = −0.024, p<0.001) and health service use (β = −0.034, p<0.001).Conclusion: Multimorbidity is associated with self-rated health, and depression and health service use mediate this association. Prevention and proper management of multimorbidity and depression in long-term care residents may help to maintain and improve quality of life.
Will Extended Adjuvant Temozolomide Treatment Confer a Survival Advantage As Compared to The Standard Six Cycles for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme Patients?
Authors: Attia Alia M. Attia , Eltybe Hanan A. Eltybe , Abdelgawad Marwa I. Abdelgawad , Sedik Mayada F. Sedik , Essa Abdelhakeem A. Essa , El-Barody Mohamed M. El-Brody , Attia Noha Mohamed Attia 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Although concurrent radio-chemotherapy and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) treatment for six cycles has been established as a standard of care for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients, the recommended duration of adjuvant TMZ remains a matter of debate. Methods: We conducted this historical cohort study to evaluate the survival benefit and toxicity profile of administration of 12 cycles of adjuvant TMZ in patients with newly diagnosed histologically confirmed GBM and compared this data with that of patients who completed the standard 6 cycles without disease progression. After concurrent radio-chemotherapy, TMZ was administered for 6 cycles (group 1) and for 12 cycles (group 2). Univariate and multivariate analysis (using the Cox proportional hazards model) were performed to identify factors affecting progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Between June 2016 and February 2018, 55 patients were eligible. Patients in Group 1 (n=29) had a median PFS of 15 months (95% CI: 10.215-19.785), while those in Group 2 (n=26) had a median PFS of 18 months (95% CI: 16.611-19.389). After a median follow up duration of 20 months (range: 12-41), the median OS was 18 months (95% CI: 13.420-22.580) in Group 1 and 22 months (95% CI: 18.777-25.223) in Group 2. There was no statistically significant correlation between the number of chemotherapy cycles and PFS (P = 0.513) or OS (P = 0.867). The extent of surgical resection was the only independent prognostic factor for both PFS (P = 0.015) and OS (P = 0.028) by multivariate analysis. Three grade ≥3 hematologic toxicity were encountered in three patients. One in the six-cycle group (neutropenia), and two in the 12-cycle group (one had neutropenia and the other one developed thrombocytopenia). No statistically significant difference in the toxicity profile between both groups.Conclusions: Although extending adjuvant TMZ to 12 cycles was not associated with increased toxicities, it did not significantly improve PFS or OS. So we do not recommend any modifications in the six months protocol until further studies are performed. It should be weighed against the compromised quality of life and the cost to the health care system.
Management of Scabies in a Dog: A case Report
Authors: Subedi Anil 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious skin disease found in the dogs, caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite and the disease is characterized by intense itching, crust formation, skin rash and alopecia. A 3 years old male dog named happy was presented in Jhandibazar, Paklihawa with a history of pruritis, normal appetite and lethargy for one week. Clinical examination revealed normal temperature (101.4 F), pale mucous membrane, red patches, alopecia and wound around the abdomen, neck, and chest and pinnal pedal scratch reflex. Skin scraping was done from the affected site and the sample was dissolved in 10% KOH for the microscopic diagnosis where sarcoptic mange var canis was found. Treatment was initiated with ivermectin @ 0.5 ml s/c once, chlopheniramine maleate @ 1 ml once for 5 days. There were no adverse effect reactions and the dog showed clinical improvement after a week of treatment.
Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Rearrangement and TP53 Co-mutation Treated Successfully with Ensartinib: A Case Report
Authors: Lv Dong-lai , Hu Xin , Fei Yu-chen , Chen Kai-xun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Detection of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements is an important step in the selection of effective therapies for patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. However, there have been few reports of ALK‐positive lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and, even more rarely, LSCC with ALK rearrangement and TP53 co-mutation. Thus, it remains unclear whether ALK and TP53 co-mutant LSCC responds to ALK inhibitor treatment. Ensartinib is a novel ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Case presentation: A 73-year-old female nonsmoker was diagnosed with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the right lung (grade 3, cT4N3M1c, stage IVB). Targeted next-generation sequencing indicated that the cancer cells harbored both the EML4-ALK variant 1 rearrangement (E13;A20) and TP53 exon10 p.L348S (c.1043T>C) mutation, accounted for 70.04%. After only one cycle of ensartinib therapy, the patient exhibited a good partial response in most target lesions, and her performance status improved from 4 to 2. Conclusions: This result strongly suggests that ensartinib, a novel second-generation ALK inhibitor, may be an effective and rapid treatment for patients with this rare subtype of squamous cell carcinoma. Routine molecular analysis of ALK status in patients with LSCC is recommended. Results of the present study may provide some insight into treatment strategies for patients with ALK- and TP53-positive LSCC.
Imaging biomarkers of intrahepatic macrovascular tumour thrombus necrosis after combined therapies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A downstaging indicator for radical surgery
Authors: Cao Junning , Wang Zhanbo , Hu Bingyang , Zhang Wenwen , Han Jun , Wan Tao , Lu Shichun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: As novel downstaging therapies are rising and the prevalence of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) with intrahepatic macrovascular tumour thrombus (IMTT) is high, accurate assessment of complete IMTT necrosis after these therapies could lead to an opportunity for subsequent radical surgery. Our preliminary study aimed to analyse the diagnostic accuracy of imaging biomarkers for complete IMTT necrosis after combined therapies for patients with aHCC. Methods: Consecutive patients who were diagnosed with aHCC combined with IMTT at our single institute were treated with combined therapies (immune checkpoint inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or transarterial chemoembolization) and underwent radical surgery. Before and after combined therapies, contrast-enhanced or diffusion-weighted imaging was performed to assess complete IMTT necrosis. Image qualitative biomarkers, including disappearance of arterial enhancement and no diffusion restriction, were analysed. The percentage of IMTT enhancement (IMTTE%) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed for IMTTE% and ADC values. Complete IMTT necrosis was confirmed by pathologic analysis. Differences were statistically significant when P < 0.05. Results: There were 27 consecutive patients received combined therapies and underwent surgery. Eighteen patients with images from 36 examinations were included. Disappearance of arterial enhancement and no diffusion restriction yielded 88.9%/77.8% sensitivity, 83.3%/80.0% specificity, an 84.2%/82.4% positive predictive value, an 88.2%/75.0% negative predictive value, and 86.1%/78.8% diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing complete IMTT necrosis. The area under curve (AUC) of the IMTTE% values for the diagnosis of viable IMTT was 0.94, with an optimal cut-off value of 145.5% resulting in a sensitivity/specificity of 88.9%/88.9%. The AUC of ADC values for the diagnosis of complete IMTT necrosis was 0.79, with an optimal cut-off value of 1.3×10-3 mm2/s resulting in a sensitivity/specificity of 88.9%/80.0%. Conclusions: Contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted imaging biomarkers show good diagnostic performance in the differentiation of complete IMTT necrosis after combined therapies for patients with aHCC.