bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the vaginal microbiota of women with premature ovarian insufficiency
Authors: Wen Jingyi , Feng Yanzhi , Yuan Suzhen , Yan Wei , Zhang Jinjin , Luo Aiyue , Wang Shixuan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a complex reproductive endocrine disease that can affect multiple systems. It is highly heterogeneous in etiology and the exact etiology remains unclear. Infectious factors may be related to POI, but researches on the alterations of microbiome in POI patients are scarce.
Results: Vaginal swabs were collected from 52 POI patients (29 for sequencing, 23 for validation) and 46 healthy individuals of comparable age (26 for sequencing, 20 for validation). 16S rRNA gene sequencing targeting the V3-V4 hypervariable regions was performed to evaluate the alterations of vaginal microbiota in POI patients. The relative abundance of Actinobacteria (23.34% vs 10.65%, P=0.017), Atopobium (11.11% vs 0.01%, P﹤0.001), and Gardnerella (8.05% vs 3.14%, P=0.002) were significantly increased in POI patients, while Bifidobacterium (3.95% vs 7.44%, P=0.017) was significantly decreased. Cluster analysis of dominant strains showed that the proportion of POI patients whose predominant bacteria were not Lactobacillus was increased than the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (8/29 vs 2/26, P=0.105). More interestingly, these changes in vaginal microbiota were significantly correlated with declined ovarian function in POI patients, including decreased ovarian reserve, ovarian endocrine disruption, and symptoms of perimenopausal syndrome. Actinobacteria, Atopobium, and Gardnerella appeared to be detrimental to ovarian function, while Bifidobacterium seemed to be benificial.
Conclusions: The present study revealed the correlation between vaginal microbiota and POI, fill the gap in the field of microbial and POI research and provide a new research strategy for POI.
Gut microbiota derived metabolites 3-idoleacetic acid with LPS induces generation of IL-35+B cells
Authors: Yang rongcun , Su Xiaomin , qi Houbao , Zhang Minying , Gao Yunhuan , Yang Yazheng , Yun Huan , Zhang Qianjing , Yang Xiaorong , Zhang Yuan , He Jiangshan , Fan Yaqi , wang Yuxue , Guo Pei , Zhang Chunze 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

IL-35 producing B and Treg cells are critical regulators in worldwide chronic illnesses, which are related to disruptions of gut microbiota composition. Whether gut microbiota regulate these IL-35+ cells maintains elusive. Here we investigated the regulation of gut microbiota in the IL-35+ cells through genetically modified mouse models against obesity.
Results

Here, we first found that gut Reg4 can promote resistance to high-fat diet induced obesity. Using 16S rRNA gene-based microbiota analysis combined with LC-MS (Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry)/MS, we demonstrate that gut Reg4 associated microbiota such as lactobacillus can promote generation of the IL-35+ B cells through producing 3-idoleacetic acid (IAA) in the presence of LPS. HuREG4IECtg mice had accumulation of IL-35+ cells not only in adipose but also in colon after feeding high-fat diet; whereas decreased IL-35+ cells in adipose and colon tissues could be detected in Reg4 knockout (KO) mice. Lower levels of IAA were also detected in the peripheral blood of individuals with obesity. Mechanistically, IAA with LPS mediated IL35+ B cells are through PXR and TLR4. PXR KO or TLR4 KO impaired generation of IL-35+B cells.
Conclusion

IAA with LPS can induce generation of the IL-35+B cells through PXR and TLR4.
Circ-Epc1 in Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Exosomes Can Improve Cognition by Shifting Microglial M1/M2 Polarization in Alzheimer’s Disease Mice Model
Authors: Liu Haining , Jin Mingming , Ji Minxiu , Zhang Wei , Liu An , Wang Tao 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most major dementia in the globe. More evidence informs that exosomes from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) could therapeutically affect cognitive function in AD-associated pathophysiology. However, their role and regulatory mechanism remain largely unknown. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was used to identify differentially expressed exosomal circRNAs from ADSCs or hypoxia pretreated ADSCs. Luciferase reporter assays and RT-qPCR were used to investigate the relationships between circ-Epc1, miR-770-3p, and TREM2. APP/PS1 double transgenic AD model mice were then utilized to study therapeutic effect regarding circ-Epc1 in ADSCs exosomes. BV2 cells were used to understand the regulatory relationship between circ-Epc1, miR-770-3p, and TREM2 and how these interactions modulated phenotypic transformation and inflammatory cytokine expression in microglia. The result show that exosomes from hypoxia pretreatment ADSCs had a greater therapeutic effect at improving cognitive function by decreasing neuronal damage in the hippocampus. Results: High-throughput sequencing found that circ-Epc1 played an important role in hypoxia pretreated ADSC exosomes regarding their ability to improve cognitive function. Luciferase reporter assays showed that TREM2 and miR-770-3p were downstream targets of circ-Epc1. Overexpressing miR-770-3p or downregulating TREM2 reversed the effects of circ-Epc1 on M2 microglia under LPS treatment. In vivo experiments showed that circ-Epc1-containing ADSC exosomes increased the therapeutic effect of exosome at improving cognitive function by decreasing neuronal damage and shifting hippocampal microglia from M1 to M2 polarization. Conclusion: Taken together, the data found that circ-Epc1 was highly expressed in ADSC exosomes and improved cognition by shifting microglial M1/M2 polarization in AD mouse model.
Influence of CO2 migration from geological storage on the chemical composition of groundwater and monitoring indicators
Authors: Li Lian , Wu Yahong , Chong Shan , Wen Qingzhi , Lin Qianguo , Shuo Zhang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In the process of CO2 geological sequestration, there is a risk that CO2 will migrate to and dissolve in groundwater, resulting in a series of physical and chemical reactions, with influence on chemical compositions of groundwater. In this paper, numerical simulations are conducted to study the influence of CO2 migration on the chemical composition of groundwater. The modeling results show that when CO2 migrates to the groundwater, gaseous CO2 will migrate upward and diffuse laterally under the effect of buoyancy. The acidity of groundwater is enhanced and the pH is significantly reduced, leading to dissolution of calcite, illite, oligoclase, K-feldspar, chlorite and hematite, and precipitation of quartz, kaolinite, smectite-Na, siderite and smectite-Ca. The porosity of the formation increases. The concentrations of K+ and Fe2+ in groundwater gradually increase, the concentrations of Ca2+ and HCO3− basically remain unchanged after increasing to a certain value, the concentrations of Mg2+ and AlO2− first increase and then decrease, and the concentrations of Na+, Cl− and SO42− first decrease slightly and then gradually increase, but the change in concentration is small. Therefore, Fe2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, K+ and pH can be used as important monitoring indicators of whether CO2 migrates to groundwater during geological storage.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of microRNAs for Environmental Exposure to Asbestiform Fibers Causing the Malignant Mesothelioma
Authors: Filetti Veronica , Loreto Carla , Falzone Luca , Lombardo Claudia L , Cannizzaro Emanuele , Castorina Sergio , Ledda Caterina , Rapisarda Venerando 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundFluoro-edenite (FE) is an asbestiform fiber identified in the lavic products of Monte Calvario from stone quarries located in the southeast of Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy). Environmental exposure to this silicate has been associated with a higher incidence of Malignant Mesothelioma (MM), highly aggressive cancer that affects the pleural tissue. Median survival for MM was 9.8 months, with 5% of patients surviving at 5 years. At present, several diagnostic biomarkers have been evaluated for MM and many studies demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) have the potential to be considered as good non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for cancer.A set of miRNAs involved in MM was previously identified after a careful in silico selection. Starting from these preliminary data, this study aimed to validate the predicted diagnostic significance of hsa-miR-323a-3p, hsa-miR-101-3p, and hsa-miR-20b-5p on a subset of MM patients exposed to FE and matched healthy controls. For this purpose, MM tissues vs. nonmalignant pleura tissues were analyzed through droplet digital PCR to evaluate differences in the expression levels of these miRNAs and their MM diagnostic potential. In addition, computational analysis have been performed to establish the correlation of these miRNAs with the online available asbestos exposure data and clinic-pathological parameters to verify a potential role of these miRNAs as prognostic tools. The interaction between these miRNAs and the main genes mutated and altered in MM was evaluated.ResultsDroplet digital PCR results showed that the three analyzed miRNAs were significantly down-regulated in MM cases vs. controls. ROC analysis revealed high specificity and sensitivity rates for both hsa-miR-323a-3p, and hsa-miR-20b-5p, which thus acquire a diagnostic value for MM. In silico results showed a potential prognostic role of hsa-miR-101-3p due to a significant association of its higher expression and increased Overall Survivor of MM patients. Finally, the computational analysis have showed that these miRNAs can target and modulate both oncogene and tumor suppressor genes.ConclusionsThese miRNAs should be further evaluated not only as diagnostic tools, but also as prognostic predictors. Furthermore, the validation of their targets and regulators would clarify how miRNAs induce or repress critical pathways involved in the carcinogenesis triggered by carcinogenic fibers exposure.
Assessment of HER2+ Breast Cancer Management at Instituto Oncológico Nacional, Panama
Authors: Castillo-Fernandez Omar , Pico Javier , Campos Martiza , Garita Maureen 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundCancer is a disease with high mortality. New treatments require high levels of investment that must be carefully considered by healthcare systems. In this setting, we describe a methodology for supporting decision-making and analyzing the clinical and economic impact of new innovative targeted therapies in the current management landscape. MethodsAn MS Excel multivariate model was constructed to assess the clinical and economic impact of current disease management and the estimated impact of potential new targeted therapies. ResultsThe Instituto Oncológico Nacional (ION) of Panama currently spends $6m annually on the management of 135 new patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, achieving a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 89%, 86% and 18% in adjuvant, neoadjuvant and metastatic disease, respectively. Currently, targeted therapies other than trastuzumab are funded for metastatic stage disease progression and for initial treatment in the neoadjuvant stage. Investment in adjuvant treatments for adjuvant and neoadjuvant disease, and in the metastatic stage would increase 5-year OS to 90%, 86% and 25% respectively (absolute increase of 1%, 0.5% and 7%, respectively). ConclusionsThe 5-year OS at the ION is close to international standards for early-stage disease. However, there are opportunity areas in metastatic disease, if the use of available innovative targeted therapies increased. Although early-stage patients have the highest cure possibilities and defined costs, investment in first-line treatment of metastatic disease delays disease progression and offers a high clinical impact in overall survival, both in relative and absolute terms.
Soil-Cement Bricks Development Using Polymeric Waste
Authors: Metzker Stefânia Lima Oliveira , Sabino Ticyane Pereira Freire , Mendes Juliana Farinassi , Ribeiro André Geraldo Cornélio , Mendes Rafael Farinassi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This research aimed to evaluate the effect of adding different polymeric waste percentages and types on the physical, mechanical, thermal and durability properties of soil-cement bricks. Tire and PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) waste were evaluated at 1.5 and 3.0% percentages. The soil was characterized in terms of shrinkage, compaction, consistency limits, particle size and chemical analyses, whereas the waste particles were submitted to morphological characterization. The bricks were produced in an automatic press with a 90: 10 (m/m) soil: cement ratio. The soil-cement bricks were characterized by density, moisture, water absorption, loss of mass by immersion, compressive strength, thermal conductivity and microstructural analysis. PET waste stood out for its use as reinforcement in soil-cement bricks. The best performance was obtained for bricks reinforced with 1.5% PET, which showed a significant compressive strength improvement, meeting the marketing standards criteria, even after the durability test, as well as obtaining the lowest thermal conductivity values. The percentage increase from 1.5% to 3.0% fostered a significant water absorption and loss of mass increase, as well as a significant compressive strength reduction of the bricks.
A Mobile Robot Combination Autonomous Behavior Strategy Inspects Hazardous Gases in Relatively Narrow Man-Machine environment
Authors: GAO Xueshan , Zhang Qingfang , Lan Bingqing , Fu XiaoLong , Li Jingye 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Compared with the public inspection places like airports, squares, and waiting halls, places such as laboratories, warehouses are generally relatively narrow, and humans may suddenly appear in the passages. Once a hazardous or toxic gas leak occurs in such spaces, it will cause a wide range of casualties and immeasurable economic losses. To ensure the safety of personal and property, realize real-time monitoring in unattended or dangerous situations, a robot moving mechanism with an effective and practical autonomous behavior strategy is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a mobile robot equipped with a hazardous gases detector and a high-definition (HD) industrial camera is designed, which can be controlled remotely or work autonomously. Next, a fixed-point and a fixed-trajectory method is adopted to avoidance: establish the social force model; study the human's (interfering object's) typical behavior patterns; based on Fuzzy thinking, a dynamic obstacle avoidance strategy is presented, and combine the dynamic obstacle avoidance strategy, a combination autonomous behavior strategy with a Fuzzy-PID controller is proposed. Finally, the crossing pattern and encountering pattern simulations and experiments results show that the robot can realize the dynamic obstacle avoidance in a relatively narrow man-machine environment smoothly and always maintain a sufficient safety distance to reduce the "sense of crisis" humans towards the robot. The trajectory experiments in such spaces verify that when the robot deviates from the predetermined position during inspection operations, the combination autonomous behavior strategy can help the robot return to the target trajectory. Furthermore, compared with the PID control method, the robot position error up to 0.098m, the angle error up to 0.088rad, the Fuzzy-PID controller is more stable, accurate, and fast, which draws the stability and reliability of the strategy.
Lignocellulosic Materials as Soil-cement Bricks Reinforcement
Authors: Sabino Ticyane Pereira Freire , Coelho Nayane Pereira Freire , Andrade Nayhara Camila , Metzker Stefânia Lima Oliveira , Viana Queilla Santos , Mendes Juliana Farinassi , Mendes Rafael Farinassi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The need for environmental preservation requires civil engineering to reach new concepts and technical solutions aiming at the sustainability of its activities and products. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of using different types and percentages of vegetable particles on the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of soil-cement bricks. Bamboo, rice husk and coffee husk particles at 1.5 and 3% percentages and a control treatment not using the particle were evaluated. The chemical properties, shrinkage, compaction, consistency limits and grain size were characterized for the soil; and the anatomical, chemical and physical properties for the lignocellulosic particles. The bricks were produced using an automatic press and characterized after the curing process for density, water absorption, porosity, loss of mass by immersion, compressive strength, durability and thermal conductivity. The increase in the lignocellulosic waste percentage caused a mechanical strength decrease and bricks` porosity and water absorption increase. However, it caused a decrease in density and an enhancement in loss of mass and thermal insulation properties. The bricks produced with rice husk obtained the best results in terms of mechanical and thermal properties, and were still among the best treatments for physical properties, standing out among the lignocellulosic waste as an alternative raw material source for soil-cement bricks production.
Integrated Decision Support Models for Sustainable Groundwater Management in Crystalline Hard Rocks: Implications for Sugarcane Agriculture
Authors: Mizan Syed Adil , Sonkamble Sahebrao , Sharadha Adarshya , Wajihuddin Md. , Roy Sumit , Dhar Murli 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
India is second largest sugarcane producing nation with water foot prints ~ 104 BCM/year of which 80% met from groundwater of deep-wells. The large-scale groundwater management practices were found mostly untenable affecting the sugarcane agrarian and associated sectors. We developed a cell-level (2km x 2km) decision support tool (DST) employing the integrated hydro-geophysical investigations in sugarcane agro-watershed (399 sq.km) beset over granitic aquifer systems of Tattihalla River watershed, Southern India. The refined hydrogeological conceptual model derived from electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and groundwater level (head) has been accounted into the numerical modelling. The model was run on transient mode for four stress periods during 2015–2017 and validated with calculated and observed heads. The normalized RMS error 7.57% of the validated model conveys its robustness and estimates groundwater budget at the demarcated 77 cells. The theoretical scenarios for water level projections against the increased groundwater pumping rates of 10%, 25% and 50% were generated. It showed declining trend of water level for projected 10 years period with varied magnitude and vulnerability for drought conditions. The different time periods of water level touching the basement (i.e. dry borewell), infers a distinct hydrogeological property of an individual cell advocating to adapt a cell level management plan. In this article, we explained two cells (Nos. 12 & 60) in detail to show the varying characteristic of aquifer against the different pumping rates.
MRI-based radiomics nomogram to predict intraoperative hemorrhage of placenta previa
Authors: Hou Shunyu , Song Ye , Li Yongmei , Chen Dali , Xi Qi , Wang Yun , Zhou Liping , Gu Yidong , Qu Yun , Yue Yongfei 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Placenta previa is associated with higher percentage of intraoperative and postpartum hemorrhage , increased obstetric hysterectomy, significant maternal morbidity and mortality. We aimed to develop and validate a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based nomogram to preoperative prediction of intraoperative hemorrhage (IPH) for placenta previa, which might contribute to adequate assessment and preoperative preparation for the obstetricians. Methods: Between May 2015 and December 2019, a total of 125 placenta previa pregnant women were divided into a training set (n = 80) and a validation set (n = 45). Radiomics features were extracted from MRI images of each patient. A MRI-based model comprising seven features was built for the classification of patients into IPH and non-IPH groups in a training set and validation set. Multivariate nomograms based on logistic regression analyses were built according to radiomics features. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the model. Predictive accuracy of nomogram were assessed by calibration plots and decision curve analysis. Results: In multivariate analysis, placenta position, placenta thickness, cervical blood sinus and placental signals in the cervix were signifcantly independent predictors for IPH (all p < 0.05). The MRI-based nomogram showed favorable discrimination between IPH and non-IPH groups. The calibration curve showed good agreement between the estimated and the actual probability of IPH. Decision curve analysis also showed a high clinical benefit across a wide range of probability thresholds. The AUC was 0.918 ( 95% CI, 0.857-0.979 ) in the training set and 0.866( 95% CI, 0.748-0.985 ) in the validation set by the combination of four MRI features. Conclusions: The MRI-based nomograms might be a useful tool for the preoperative prediction of IPH outcomes for placenta previa. Our study enables obstetricians to perform adequate preoperative evaluation to minimize blood loss and reduce the rate of caesarean hysterectomy.
Diabetic Retinopathy in Greece: Prevalence and Risk Factors Studied in the Medical Retina Clinic of a Greek Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Syriga Maria , Ioannou Zina , Pitsas Christos , Dagalaki Ioanna , Karampelas Michael 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) in a cohort of Greek diabetic patients and identify possible risk factors. Methods: Population-based, non-interventional, cross-sectional study of 300 diabetic Greek patients attending the medical retina clinics of a tertiary hospital. Clinical and imaging data were recorded and statistical analysis was performed. Confidence intervals (CI) at 95% and statistically significant p values ≤0.05 were set.Results: A total of 300 diabetic patients were included. Of these patients, 21 (7%) were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) type I and 279 (93%) with DM type II. The average duration of diabetes was 15 ± 9.4 years (95% CI, 13.9-16.1) and the mean level of HbA1c was 7.2 ± 1.3 (95% CI, 7.1-7.4) overall. Prevalence of DR was 38.7% (116 patients), only 15 patients (5%) had proliferative DR and diabetic macular edema (DME) was detected in 19 patients (6.3%). In DM type I patients, 52.4% had DR and 9.5% had DME, while in the DM type II group, 37.6% had DR and 6.1% had DME. Binary logistic regression analysis identified duration of diabetes, increased HbA1c and hypertriglyceridemia as potential risk factors.Conclusions: This study is the first one to present the extent and severity of DR and DME in a Greek cohort of diabetic patients and also identify risk factors associated with these entities. Our findings highlight the significance of a properly organized national screening program for the early detection and management of the vision threatening complications of DR.