bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pre-and Post-treatment Evaluation of Intestinal Inflammation in Giardia and Blastocystis Infected Children: A Community-based Study&nbsp;
Authors: Ibrahim Heba Said , Salem Aziza Ibrahim , Ahmed Nessma Magdy Abd El-Rahman , El-Taweel Hend Aly 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Giardia intestinalis and Blastocystis hominis cause frequent infections in children in developing countries. However, the role of intestinal inflammation in their pathogenesis is still poorly understood. Faecal calprotectin (FC) level is used as an indicator of intestinal inflammation and neutrophil migration in the intestinal tract. The present study aimed to evaluate intestinal inflammation by measuring FC level among children infected with either G. intestinalis or B. hominis before and after treatment. Stool samples were collected from 282 children inhabiting a rural area in Egypt and examined microscopically for intestinal parasites. FC level was estimated in a group of children infected with G. intestinalis (n=12) or B. hominis (n=12) before and three weeks after receiving nitazoxanide (200 mg twice daily for three days) and compared to a control group (n=18) of parasite-free children. Cases of mixed infection were excluded. Nitazoxanide cure rate was 83% in both infections with a remarkable reduction of infection intensity in uncured children. Both parasites caused non-significant elevation in FC level compared to the uninfected children and the difference between pre and post-treatment estimations was not statistically significant. Elevated levels were observed before treatment in three children (two infected with G. intestinalis and one with B. hominis) who displayed normal post-treatment levels. Although G. intestinalis and B. hominis infections appear to cause no remarkable intestinal inflammation, they may induce abnormally elevated FC levels in a subset of children who may be suspected of having inflammatory bowel disease.
Characterization of Lipopeptides Biosurfactants Produced by a Newly Isolated Strain Bacillus Subtilis ZNI5: Potential Environmental Application
Authors: Inès Mnif , Rajhi Hayfa , Bouallegue Amir , Trabelsi Nour , Ghribi Dhouha 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Strain ZNI5, isolated from a hydrocarbon contaminated soil and identified as Bacillus subtilis after 16s rDNA sequence, grew and produced lipopeptides biosurfactants when cultured on glucose based media. After purification by anionic exchange chromatography and identification Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, the biosurfactant produced by ZNI5 were determined to be cyclic lipopeptides homologues. Four families of lipopeptides were identified by HPLC-MS analysis. They belongs to surfactin isoforms with molecular weights of 979, 993, 1007, 1021 and 1035 Da; iturin isoforms with molecular weights of 1028, 1042 and 1056 Da; Licheniformin with molecular weight of 1410 and newly identified isoforms named Inesfactin with molecular weights of 973 and 987 Da. Functional properties of the ZNI5 biosurfactant were studied. It was characterized as a powerful surface-active agent that decreases the surface tension of water from 72 mN/m to about 32 mN/m with a CMC value of 350 mg/L more efficient than chemical surfactants (Triton X100; CTAB and SDS). It has the capacity to disperse oil to about 80 mm at a concentration of 800 mg/L showing close efficiencies to the listed chemical surfactants. In addition, by studying the surface tension decrease capacity and the oil displacement activity, ZNI5 lipopeptide biosurfactant showed great thermal, pH and salts activity and stability enabling its use in the bioremediation fields and for diverse industrial applications.
Genome-wide Characterization of GRAS&nbsp;Transcription Factors&nbsp;and&nbsp;Their Potential Roles in Development and Drought Resilience in Rose (Rosa chinensis)
Authors: Kumari Priya , Gahlaut Vijay , Kaur Ekjot , Singh Sanatsujat , Kumar Sanjay , Jaiswal Vandana 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In the past few years, plant-specific GRAS transcription factors (TFs) were reported to play an essential role in regulating several biological processes, such as plant growth and development, phytochrome signal, arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis, environmental stress responses. GRAS genes have been thoroughly studied in several plant species, but unexplored in Rosa chinensis (rose). In this study, 59 rose GRAS genes (RcGRAS) were identified. Phylogenetic analyses grouped RcGRAS genes into 17 subfamilies, of which subfamily Rc2 was Rosaceae family-specific. Gene structure analyses showed that most of the RcGRAS genes were intronless and were relatively conserved. Cis-element analyses suggested that RcGRAS genes may involve in distinct biological processes and responsive to diverse abiotic stresses. Most of the genes were localized in the nucleus, except for a few in the cytoplasm. Gene expression analysis was also performed in various tissues, during gibberellin (GA) and drought stress treatment. The expression patterns of RcGRAS genes during GA treatment and in response to drought stresses suggested the potential functions of these genes in regulating stress and hormone responses. In summary, a comprehensive exploration of the rose GRAS gene family was performed, and the generated information can be utilized for further functional-based studies on this family.
Effects of Ceramic Fillers on the Mechanical and Thermal Transport Properties of Butyl Rubber in the Presence of Carbon Black
Authors: Shiva Mehdi , Esmaeli Elham , Zivdar Mortaza 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Design of experiment was conducted to study the effect of alumina micro particles as a ceramic filler alone or along with two other ceramic fillers, boehmite and silicon carbide, on curing characteristics as well as the mechanical and thermo-physical properties of carbon black filled butyl rubber-based curing tire bladder composite. The effect of using silane coupling agent, X50S as well as increasing the polarity and stiffness of the polymer matrix by replacing the butyl rubber with chlorobutyl were also investigated. Examination of rheometry curing behavior of rubber compounds showed that alumina has a slight reduction effect on curing rate and maximum torque, which improves with the presence of the modifier, X50S. Boehmite showed a reducing effect on curing rate and maximum torque while the performance of silicon carbide was similar to that alumina. Also, the hardness of the composite increased with the presence of alumina similar to that SiC and decreased with the presence of boehmite and the resilience of the composites remained unchanged in the presence of ceramic fillers. A slight decrease in the tensile strength of the carbon black-filled butyl composites was observed in the presence of ceramic fillers both individually and as a blend. However, the study of the thermo-physical properties showed that the heat transfer coefficients of the butyl composites increase in the presence of alumina in the optimal amount of its use and are similar to the effects of SiC. However, it was not possible to further increase the heat transfer coefficients by further increasing the amount of alumina even in alloy conditions with SiC and boehmite, which was attributed to the reduction of filler dispersion in the polymer matrix that validated through optical dispergrader and FESEM/MAP analysis. The use of modifier along with alumina had only a small effect on improving the heat conductivity of butyl rubber. Also, changing the polarity and stiffness of the rubber matrix by completely replacing the butyl rubber with chlorobutyl did not show an effect on improving the thermal conductivity of the rubber in the presence of large amounts of alumina. It was concluded that alumina micro particles have the ability to be used in bladder rubber formula along with carbon black to improve the thermal conductivity of the rubber composite only to a limited extent.
Follow-Up Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of Non-surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy for Acute Herniated Intervertebral Disc: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study
Authors: Gil Ho Young , Choi Eunjoo , Jiyoun Ju , Han Woong Ki , Nahm Francis Sahngun , Lee Pyung-Bok 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundNon-surgical spinal decompression therapy has been used for treating the lumbosacral herniated intervertebral disc as one of the conservative treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy in acute lumbosacral herniated intervertebral disc through magnetic resonance imaging.MethodsProspective, randomized, controlled study. Sixty patients with acute lumbar herniated intervertebral disc were randomized into either the decompression group (n = 30) or non-decompression group (n = 30). In the decompression group, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy was performed ten times in eight weeks. In the non-decompression group, pseudo-decompression therapy (no force) was performed with the same protocol. The change in the lumbosacral disc herniation index was evaluated through follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at three months after the therapy.ResultsThe change in herniation index after the therapy was −27.6 ± 27.5 (%) in the decompression group and −7.1 ± 24.9 (%) in the non-decompression group, with significant difference (P = 0.017). Approximately 26.9% of patients in decompression group and no patients in the non-decompression group showed over 50% reduction in herniation index (P = 0.031).ConclusionNon-surgical spinal decompression therapy can be a good treatment option for conservative treatment of acute lumbosacral herniated intervertebral disc.Trial registrationKorean Clinical Research Information Service (https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01_en.jsp?seq=5355&ltype=&rtype=), Registration No. KCT0002614. Registered 26 December, 2017.
Analytical model of workpiece temperature in axial ultrasonic vibration-assisted milling in-situ TiB2/7050Al MMCs
Authors: Liu Xiaofen , Wang Wenhu , Jiang Ruisong , Xiong Yifeng , Lin Kunyang , Li Junchen , Shan Chenwei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
As a new method developed for machining difficult-to-cut materials, ultrasonic vibration-assisted machining technology has received increasing attention due to its superior properties in reducing cutting temperature in recent years. However, analytical models revealing the mechanism and predicting the cutting temperature for ultrasonic vibration-assisted machining are still needed to be developed. In this paper, an analytical model was established to predict the workpiece temperature for ultrasonic vibration-assisted milling of in-situ TiB2/Al-MMCs. The heat intensity would be directly determined by the cutting force which was significantly influenced by the ultrasonic vibration motion. Meanwhile, the moving heat source theory was applied for calculating dynamic heat flux and partition ratio. Besides, material properties, tool geometry, cutting parameters and vibration parameters were taken into account for workpiece temperature modeling. Finally, the developed analytical temperature model was validated by milling experiments with and without ultrasonic vibration on in-situ TiB2/7050Al metal matrix composites. The relative errors between model prediction results and experiments were smaller than 17%, indicating that the proposed model could provide workpiece temperature prediction reliability and accuracy. Furthermore, the established-analytical model could be used not only in ultrasonic vibration-assisted milling but also in conventional milling for the metal matrix composites.
PIMREG expression level predicts glioblastoma patient survival and affects temozolomide resistance and DNA damage response
Authors: Serafim Rodolfo Bortolozo , Cardoso Cibele , Arfelli Vanessa , Valente Valeria , Archangelo Leticia Fröhlich 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
PIMREG expression strongly correlates with cellular proliferation in both malignant and normal cells. Throughout embryo development, PIMREG expression is prominent at the central nervous system. Recent studies have described high levels of PIMREG transcripts in different types of tumors and correlated with patient survival and tumor aggressiveness. Given the emerging significance of PIMREG in carcinogenesis and its putative role in the context of the nervous system, we investigated the expression and function of PIMREG in gliomas, the most common primary brain tumors. We performed an extensive analysis of PIMREG expression in tumors samples of glioma patients, assessed the effects of PIMREG silencing and overexpression on the sensitivity of glioblastoma cell lines treated with genotoxic agents commonly used for treating patients and assessed for treatment response, proliferation and migration. We show that glioblastoma exhibits the highest levels of PIMREG expression among all cancers analyzed and that elevated PIMREG expression is a biomarker for glioma progression and patient outcome. Moreover, PIMREG is induced by genotoxic agents and its silencing renders glioblastoma cells sensitive to temozolomide treatment and affects ATR- and ATM-dependent signaling. Our data demonstrate that PIMREG plays a role in DNA damage response and temozolomide resistance of glioblastoma cells and further support the PIMREG role in tumorigenesis.
A Model-Agnostic Approach for Understanding Heart Failure Risk Factors
Authors: Miran Seyed M. , Nelson Stuart J. , Zeng-Treitler Qing 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objective: Understanding the risk factors for developing heart failure among patients with type 2 diabetes can contribute to preventing deterioration of quality of life for those persons. Electronic health records (EHR) provide an opportunity to use sophisticated machine learning models to understand and compare the effect of different risk factors for developing HF. As the complexity of the model increases, however, the transparency of the model often decreases. To interpret the results, we aimed to develop a model-agnostic approach to shed light on complex models and interpret the effect of features on developing heart failure. Using the HealthFacts EHR database of the Cerner EHR, we extracted the records of 723 patients with type 2 diabetes (with at least 6 yeas of follow up), and 134 of them developed heart failure. Using age and comorbidities as the features and heart failure as the outcome, we trained logistic regression, random forest, XGBoost, neural network, and then applied our proposed approach to rank the effect of each factor on developing heart failure.Results: Comparing with “importance score” built-in function from XGBoost, our proposed approach was more accurate in ranking the effect of the different risk factors on developing heart failure.
Retrospective Analysis of the Clinical and Image Presentation of Eight Primary Benign Mediastinal Schwannomas
Authors: Sandoval-Macias Ramiro , Ortiz-Sanchez Irving Daniel , Remirez-Castellanos Ana Lilia , Hernandez Luis Mora , Uscanga Candelaria Cordova , Morales Alejandra Mantilla , Galindo-García Tania Alejandra , Gamboa-Dominguez Armando , Candanedo-Gonzalez Fernando 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objective: Mediastinal schwannomas sometimes can be confused with other neoplasms in the initial radiological studies, especially when there is a history of cancer in another site and that require a more accurate analysis by computed tomography (CT) or even magnetic resonance (MRI). Our study was aimed to perform a retrospective analysis of the clinical and imaging features in a series of patients with mediastinal schwannomas that were confirmed by histology and immunohistochemistry.Results: We found eight patients, five man and three women with an average age of 51 years. The main signs and symptoms at time of diagnosis were chest pain, dyspnea, cough and dysphagia. CT showed that the tumor was located in the posterior compartment of the chest in 7/8 cases. Tumors >10 cm were more heterogeneous and showed cystic changes. All cases underwent posterolateral thoracotomy and radiological follow-up showed no evidence of recurrence. Histological analysis was the gold standard to confirm diagnosis in addition to at least one neurogenic IHC marker. In conclusion, mediastinal schwannomas are benign encapsulated tumors. By CT, schwannomas >10 cm showed cystic degeneration more frequently. Posterolateral thoracotomy allows complete resection and is considered the surgical approach of choice.
Association of Serum Myonectin Concentrations With the Presence of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Wang Chun , Luo Ye , Qiu Liangxian , Li Xiaosu , Huang Qianwen , Chen Xiongbiao 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objective: Myonectin, a recently found myokine, has a role of inhibiting inflammation. The aim of this research is to see if myonectin levels are linked to the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods: We examined serum myonectin in a population of 194 patients with AF who were then classified into three subgroups: paroxysmal AF, persistent AF, and permanent AF. Atrial remolding was assessed using left atrial diameter (LAD). Results: Serum myonectin was significantly lower in AF group compared with healthy controls. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that serum myonectin concentrations were correlated with a decreased risk of AF. Patients with permanent AF displayed decreased serum myonectin than in persistent and paroxysmal AF groups. Serum myonectin was lower in persistent AF group than in paroxysmal AF group. Serum myonectin concentrations in AF patients were negatively associated with body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and LAD. BMI and LAD stayed to be correlated with serum myonectin according to multiple stepwise regression analysis. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a correlation between serum myonectin and AF.
The Genetic Diversity of Wild Grapes in Mexico
Authors: Huerta-Acosta Karla G. , Riaz Summaira , Franco-Mora Omar , Cruz-Castillo Juan , Walker M. Andrew 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This is the first report evaluating the genetic diversity of Mexican grape species utilizing DNA-based markers to understand the distribution of grape species and patterns of hybridization. The study utilized accessions maintained in three collections in Mexico, one in the USA and recently collected germplasm. Fifteen SSR markers were used to develop a fingerprint database to identify unique germplasm. Two different clustering analyses without prior population assignment, were used to identify groups that were verified by a Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components and a Principal Coordinate Analysis. Genetic diversity estimates were made across and within groups to validate the results obtained from the clustering analyses. Multiple clustering analyses and diversity parameters supported six genetic groups representing different geographic regions. The Northeastern group was the most diverse with a geographic range extending to Eastern and Central Mexico, while the Coahuila group was the least diverse. Vitis arizonica Engelm. and V. cinerea Engelm. ex Millardet were the most abundant species with many hybrid forms. We provide evidence that wild grape species in Mexico follow the physical barriers of mountain ranges like the Sierra Madre Oriental with an east-west divide and the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt as a corridor for gene flow among different grape species. Additional collections are required to fully understand the extent of hybridization and to clarify hybrid zones.
Biodegradation of binary mixtures of octane with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene or xylene (BTEX): insights on the potential of Burkholderia, Ralstonia, Pseudomonas, and Cupriavidus isolates
Authors: Bacosa Hernando P. , Mabuhay-Omar Jhonamie Abiner , Balisco Rodulf Anthony T. , Omar Dawin M. , Inoue Chihiro 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The contamination of the environment by crude oil and its by-products, which mainly composed of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, is a widespread problem. Biodegradation by bacteria is one of the processes responsible for the removal of these pollutants. This study was conducted to determine the abilities of Burkholderia sp. B5, Ralstonia sp. B1, Pseudomonas sp. T1, and Cupriavidus sp. X5 to degrade binary mixtures of octane (representing aliphatic hydrocarbons) with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, or xylene (BTEX as aromatic hydrocarbons) at a final concentration of 100 ppm under aerobic conditions. These strains were isolated from an enriched bacterial consortium (Yabase or Y consortium) that prefer to degrade aromatic hydrocarbon over aliphatic hydrocarbons. We found that B5 degraded all BTEX compounds more rapidly than octane. In contrast, B1, T1 and X5 utilized more of octane over BTX compounds. B5 also preferred to use benzene over octane with varying concentrations of up to 200 mg/l. B5 possesses alkane hydroxylase (alkB) and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase (C23D) genes, which are responsible for the degradation of alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons, respectively. This study strongly supports our notion that Burkholderia played a key role in the preferential degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons over aliphatic hydrocarbons in the previously characterized Y consortium. The preferential degradation of more toxic aromatic hydrocarbons over aliphatics is crucial in risk-based bioremediation.
Defervescence of enteric fever in children treated with ceftriaxone: A hospital-based study in Nepal
Authors: Lhadon Tenzin , Basnet Srijana , Gami Fakir Chandra 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Enteric fever (EF) continuous to be a serious health threat in Nepal and children are mostly affected from this systemic illness with gruesome complications if left untreated. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial therapy still remain a challenge here. Though ceftriaxone is used as the drug of choice in hospitalized patients, there are concerns on emerging cephalosporin resistance in adults, though not reported in children yet. The objectives of this study were to assess the defervescence time and outcomes of children hospitalized with EF treated with ceftriaxone.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at Kathmandu tertiary hospital, Nepal for 12 consecutive months. Children (5-16 years) diagnosed with enteric fever using WHO or validated clinical diagnostic criteria were eligible for recruitment. After taking written informed consent, enrolled children were treated as per the institutional treatment protocol with a same brand of ceftriaxone of standard daily dose and duration of 7 days for uncomplicated and 10 days for complicated. Data on defervescence time, treatment outcomes and their clinical and laboratory profile were collected in the predesigned proforma and analyzed.Results: Of 106 enrolled children, the predominant manifestations were headache (95.3%), loss of appetite (94.3%) and abdominal pain (90.6%). The main laboratory findings were positive Widal test (74%) and thrombocytopenia (50%). Nine children (8.5%) showed blood culture positivity. Salmonella typhi with nalidixic acid resistant strains and Salmonella paratyphi A were isolated (2:1) and were sensitive to ceftriaxone (100%). The defervescence mean time was 3.94 days (± 0.96 SD). Children with positive blood culture had significantly longer defervescence time than those with negative culture (4.56 versus 3.89 days; p=0.04). One child developed complication (pneumonia). No children died or encountered treatment failure. Thrombophlebitis (38.7%) was the only adverse effect of ceftriaxone. Conclusion: Ceftriaxone of once daily dosing regimen exhibited safe and satisfactory treatment outcomes with approximate four days to defervescence. Ceftriaxone can still be drug of choice for the treatment of EF in hospitalized children. Further studies with a greater number of isolates for the classical clinical profile of EF and cephalosporin susceptibility in children may confirm or refute these findings.