bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomic Profiling of Rice Reveals Positive Role of OsNCED3 in Rice Resistance Against Brown Planthopper
Authors: Sun Litong , Liu Yongyan , Noman Ali , Chen Lin , Li Jitong , Liu Jinglan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) could improve rice resistance to brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens. The 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) is the rate-limiting enzyme for ABA biosynthesis in higher plants. In rice, OsNCED3 gene promoted ABA synthesis and improved abiotic stress tolerance, but the function of OsNCED3 in regulating rice defense against BPH remains unclear. Results: In this study, the average injury level, functional plant loss index and EPG results of rice conferred that insect-resistance of OE rice lines was significantly higher than that of WT. Then transcriptome analysis of overexpression (OE), RNA interference (RNAi) and wild type (WT) of OsNCED3 in Zhonghua11 rice lines after BPH infestation were performed. Seventeen RNA libraries were obtained from OE, RNAi and WT rice lines at 12 h post BPH infestation. The number of all differential expression genes (DEGs) between OE and WT or RNAi and WT were mostly up-regulated. These accounted for more than 75% of the total number of DEGs for each other. The number of DEGs between RNAi and WT rice lines fed by BPH increased significantly, higher than that between OE and WT, and most of these DEGs were related to the adversity stress and the biosynthesis of JA (jasmonic acid).Conclusions: overexpression of OsNCED3 gene could improve rice resistance to BPH.
A KRT6A Mutation p.Ile462Asn In A Chinese Family With Pachyonychia Congenita, And Identification of Maternal Mosaicism
Authors: Yue Li , Yumeng Wang , Ming Yan , Chaolan Pan , Jia Zhang , Cheng Ni , Qiaoyu Cao , Ming Li , Tianyi Xu 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Pachyonychia congenita (PC, OMIM #167200, #167210, #615726, #615728, and #615735) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by keratin gene mutations in KRT6A, KRT6B, KRT6C, KRT16 or KRT17. It is characterized with nail dystrophy and palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK). The most prominent manifestation is plantar pain. This is the first reported case of maternal mosaicism in PC. Although very rare, germ cell mosaicism should be considered when providing genetic counselling for unaffected parents of a child with PC. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples, hair bulbs, buccal smears and the father’s germ cells. The entire coding and flanking intronic sequences of 5 keratin genes were screened for mutations in every individuals of the family by Sanger sequencing. We used whole exome sequencing (WES) to search for mosaicism in the parents who had no KRT6A mutation identified by Sanger sequencing. Mosaicism was confirmed by SNaPshot sequencing and HiSeq deep sequencing.Results: A previously reported heterozygous mutation, p.Ile462Asn, was identified in KRT6A in the proband and his affected sister. The variant was detected in one sequencing read from 86 sequencing reads from DNA from the mother’s blood by WES. The mutation was not identified in DNA from the father’s blood. Frequency of reads was 47% and 49% in proband and his sister, respectively. SNaPshot sequencing revealed mosaicism at a level of 2.5% and 4.7% in DNA from blood and hair bulbs from the unaffected mother. HiSeq deep sequencing demonstrated low-grade mosaicism in the patient’s younger sister and parents.Conclusion: These findings indicate the ability of WES and SNaPshot sequencing to detect low-frequency mosaic mutations. Although very rare, germinal mosaicism should be considered when genetic counseling is given to families with presumed spontaneous cases of PC.
Spatial Distribution and Predictive Factors of Antenatal Care in Burundi
Authors: BARANKANIRA Emmanuel , Iradukunda arnaud , NTAKABURIMVO Nestor , AHISHAKIYE Willy , NSAVYIMANA Jean Claude 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: The use of obstetric care by pregnant women enables them to receive antenatal and postnatal care. This care includes counseling, health instructions, examinations and tests to avoid pregnancy-related complications or death during childbirth. To avoid these complications, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least four antenatal visits. This study deals with the spatial analysis of antenatal care (ANC) among women aged 15 to 49 with a doctor and associated factors in Burundi.Methods: Data were obtained from the second Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) carried out in 2010. A spatial analysis of the prevalence of ANC made it possible to map this prevalence by region and province, and to interpolate the cluster-based ANC prevalence at unsampled data points using the kernel method with an adaptive window. The dependent variable is the antenatal care (yes / no) with a doctor and the explanatory variables are place of residence, age, level of education, religion, marital status of the woman, the quintile of economic well-being of the household and place of birth of the woman. Factors associated with ANC were assessed using binary mixed logistic regression. Data were analyzed using R software, version 3.5.0.Results: The findings of this study clearly show that ANC prevalence varies from 0 to 16.2% with a median of 0.5%. A pocket of prevalence was observed at the junction between Muyinga and Kirundo provinces. Low prevalence was observed in several locations in all regions of the provinces. They also show that woman’s education level and place of delivery are significantly associated with antenatal care.Conclusion: Prevalence of ANC is not the same across the country. It varies between regions and provinces. Besides, there is intra-regional or intra-provincial heterogeneity in the prevalence of ANC.
Is It Possible to Implement a Rare Disease Case-finding Tool in Primary Care? A UK-based Pilot Study
Authors: Buendia Orlando , Shankar Sneha , Mahon Hadley , Toal Connor , Menzies Lara , Ravichandran Pradeep , Benfredj Rudy , Evans William 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Introduction:This study implemented MendelScan, a primary care rare disease case-finding tool, into a UK NHS population. Rare disease diagnosis is challenging due to disease complexity and low physician awareness. The 2021 UK Rare Diseases Framework highlights a global need for faster diagnosis to improve clinical outcomes as a key priority.Methods & Results:A UK primary care locality with 68,705 patients was examined. MendelScan encodes diagnostic/screening criteria for multiple rare diseases, mapping clinical terms to appropriate SNOMED CT codes (UK primary care standardised clinical terminology) to create digital algorithms. These algorithms were applied to a pseudo-anonymised structured data extract of the electronic health records (EHR) in this locality to "flag" at-risk patients who may require further evaluation. All flagged patients then underwent internal clinical review; for those that passed this review, a report was returned to their GP. 55 of 76 disease criteria flagged at least one patient. 227 (0.33% of the total population) patients were flagged; 18 EHR were already diagnosed with the disease. 75/227 (33%) passed our internal review. Thirty-six reports were returned to the GP. Feedback was available for 28/36 of the reports sent. GP categorised nine reports as "Reasonable possible diagnosis" (advance for investigation), six reports as "diagnosis has already been excluded", ten reports as "patient has a clear alternative aetiology", and three reports as "Other" (patient left study locality, unable to reidentify accurately). All the 9 cases considered as "reasonable possible diagnosis" had a further actionable evaluation.Conclusions:This pilot demonstrates that implementing such a tool is feasible at a population level in an ethical, technical and efficient manner. The case-finding tool identified credible cases which were subsequently referred for further investigation. Future work includes performance-based validation studies of diagnostic algorithms and the scalability of the tool.
Odonata Diversity in Thadiyankudisai, Palni Hills of Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu
Authors: MANIKANDAN KR , MUTHUSWAMI M , CHITRA N , ANANTHAN M 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
A total of 419 individuals under 5 families, 8 genera and 10 species of Odonata were recorded in the present study. Among them family Libellulidae had 6 species followed by Chlorocyphidae (2 species), and Coenagrionidae and Euphaeidae had1 species. The dominance order of Odonata was Pantala flavescens (44.40%) > Diplacodes trivialis (22.70%) > Orthetrum chrysis (7.40%) while rest of the fauna ranged from (1.40 to 6.90%). Pantala flavescens was maximum during NEM (50.0%) followed by summer and winter (43.8% each) and minimum during SWM (38.5%). Margalef Index of Species Richness was highest (2.00) during winter. Simpson Index of Diversity was highest (0.75) during SWM while Shannon-Wiener Index of Dominance was highest (1.75) during summer. The species were evenly distributed during summer with Pielou’s Evenness Index value of 0.76. The community change was 80.00 per cent change during January, 2018 and had a steep fall in February and April, 2018 and reached a peak of 66.67 per cent during March and November, 2018.
Maternal Mortality Trends in Spain During the 2000-2018 Period: The Role of Maternal Origin
Authors: Larroca Santiago García-Tizón , Serrano Juan Arevalo , Minaya Maria Ruiz , Martinez Pilar Paya , Pacheco Ricardo Perez Fernandez , Bonelli Santiago Lizarraga , Luis Juan De Leon 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Backround: The available literature indicates that there are significant differences in maternal mortality according to maternal origin in high income countries. The aim of this study was to examine the trend in the maternal mortality rate and its most common causes in Spain in recent years and to analyse its relationship with maternal origin.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of all live births as well as those resulting in maternal death in Spain during the period between 2000 and 2018. A descriptive analysis of the maternal mortality rate by cause, region of birth, maternal age, marital status, human development index and continent of maternal origin was performed. The risk of maternal death was calculated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, with adjustment for certain variables included in the descriptive analysis.Results: There was a total of 293 maternal deaths and 8,439,324 live births during the study period. The most common cause of maternal death was hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The average maternal death rate was 3.47 per 100,000 live births. The risk of suffering from this complication was higher for immigrant women from less developed countries; therefore, a decrease of 0.01 in the maternal human development index score significantly increased the risk of this complication by 2.4%.Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that there are inequalities in maternal mortality according to maternal origin in Spain. The human development index of the country of maternal origin could be a useful tool when estimating the risk of this complication, taking into account the origin of the pregnant woman.
Non-cationic RGD-containing protein carrier for tumor-targeted siRNA delivery
Authors: Yu Xiaolin , Xue Lu , Zhao Jingjing , Zhao Shuhua , Wu Daqing , Liu Hong Yan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Despite the recent successes in siRNA therapeutics, targeted delivery beyond the liver remains the major hurdle for the widespread application of siRNA in vivo. Current cationic liposome or polymer-based delivery agents are restricted to the liver and suffer from off-target effect, poor clearance, low serum stability, and high toxicity. In this study, we have genetically engineered a non-cationic tumor-targeted universal siRNA nanocarrier. This protein nanocarrier consists of three function domains: dsRNA binding domain (dsRBD) (from human protein kinase R) for any siRNA binding, 18-histidines for endosome escape, and two RGD peptides at N-and C-termini for targeting tumor and tumor neovasculature. We showed that cloned dual-RGD-dsRBD-18his (dual-RGD) protein protects siRNA against RNases, induces effective siRNA endosomal escape, specific targets on integrin αvβ3 expressing cells in vitro, and homes siRNA to tumor in vivo. The delivered siRNA leads target gene knockdown in the cell lines and tumor xenografts with low toxicity. This multifunctional, biomimetic, charge-neutral siRNA carrier is biodegradable, low toxic, suitable for mass production by fermentation, and serum stable, holding great potential to provide a widely applicable siRNA carrier for tumor-targeted siRNA delivery.
Are Emergency Providers’ Knowledge and Perceptions of HIV and Hepatitis C Guidelines Influencing Their Practice? A Pilot Study in Appalachia
Authors: Maier Hannah R. , Nolan Levi A. , Sharon Melinda J. , Burrell Carmen N. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: There is increasing concern of unidentified infectious diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), due to the recent opioid epidemic. The purpose of this study was to assess emergency physicians’, advanced practice providers’ (APPs), and registered nurses’ (RNs) knowledge and perceptions of the current Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) HIV and HCV screening guidelines and how it may affect their routine practice habits. Methods: A 25-item electronic survey was distributed to emergency physicians, APPs, and RNs from two emergency departments in West Virginia. Data were analyzed descriptively across all variables. Results: In October 2018, 47 providers completed the survey. Of those, 29 (62%) selected the correct HCV screening protocols, and 67% (31) reported they currently suggest HCV screenings to their patients. Although only six (13%) providers selected the correct HIV protocols, a larger proportion of 73% (34) suggest HIV screenings during their patient encounters. Reasons listed for not conducting these screenings while on shift included “not an emergency” and “not my role as an EM doc.” However, reasons that would make providers more likely to screen included “free screening for patients” and “results available faster.” Conclusions: This pilot study was the first to assess knowledge and perceptions of HCV and HIV screenings among a variety of Appalachian emergency providers. Our results suggest that all categories of providers surveyed lack appropriate knowledge of the current CDC screening guidelines and have varying attitudes toward screening behaviors, which could affect consistent practice to identify new infection.
Purification of a Clinical Grade Recombinant Thy1-Single-Chain Variable Fragment for Molecular Imaging of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: JUGNIOT Natacha , Bam Rakesh , Paulmurugan Ramasamy 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Molecular imaging using single chain variable fragments (scFv) of antibodies targeting cancer specific antigens have been considered a non-immunogenic approach for early diagnosis in the clinic. Usually, production of proteins is performed within Escherichia coli. Recombinant proteins are either expressed in E. coli cytoplasm as insoluble inclusion bodies that often need cumbersome denaturation and refolding processes, or secreted toward the periplasm as soluble proteins that highly reduce the overall yield. However, production of active scFvs in their native form without any heterologous fusion is required for clinical applications. In this study, we expressed Thy1-scFv as a fusion protein with a N-terminal sequence including 3 hexa-histidines as purification tags together with a Trx-tag and a Stag for enhanced-solubility. Our strategy allowed to recover ∼35% of Thy1-scFv in the soluble cytoplasmic fraction. An enterokinase cleavage site in between Thy1-scFv and the upstream tags was used to regenerate the native protein with 97.7 ± 2.3 % purity without any tags. Finally, Thy1-scFv showed functionality towards its target on flow cytometry assays. In vivo molecular imaging using Thy1-scFv conjugated to an ultrasound contrast agent (MBThy1-scFv) demonstrated signal enhancement on a transgenic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) model (3.1 ± 1.2 a.u.) compared to control (0.4 ± 0.4 a.u.) suggesting potential for PDAC diagnosis. Overall, our strategy facilitates the expression and purification of a clinically translatable Thy1-scFv while introducing its ability for diagnostic molecular imaging of pancreatic cancer. The presented methodology could be expanded to other important eukaryotic proteins for various applications, including but not limited to molecular imaging.
ATR-FTIR Spectrum Analysis of Saliva Samples from COVID-19 Positive Patients
Authors: Martinez-Cuazitl Adriana , Vazquez-Zapien Gustavo , Sanchez-Brito Miguel , Limon-Pacheco Jorge , Guerrero-Ruiz Melissa , Garibay-Gonzalez Francisco , Delgado-Macuil Raul , de Jesus Maria Garcia , Corona-Perezgrovas Miguel , Pereyra-Talamantes Armando , Mata-Miranda Monica Maribel 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the latest biological hazard for the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Numerous diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 have been used, which are expensive and require specialized personal. So, new diagnosis strategies are being developed, looking for less expensive methods which could be used as screening for better spread control. Many researchers have described the use of saliva as a potential indicator of COVID-19, and even the same patient could carry out its collection. In this sense, this study aimed to establish specific salivary vibrational modes analyzed by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy to detect COVID-19 biological fingerprints that allow the discrimination between COVID-19 and healthy patients. Previous written informed consent, clinical dates, laboratories, and saliva samples of COVID-19 patients (n = 255) and healthy persons (n = 1209) were obtained and analyzed through ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Then, a multivariate linear regression model (MLRM) was developed. The COVID-19 patients showed low SaO2, cough, dyspnea, headache, and fever principally. Obesity was the main comorbidity. Various laboratory blood tests were altered. In the FTIR spectra analysis, changes in amide I and immunoglobulin regions were evidenced, and the MLRM showed clear discrimination between both groups. Specific salivary vibrational modes employing ATR-FTIR spectroscopy were established; moreover, the COVID-19 biological fingerprint in saliva was characterized, allowing the detection for COVID-19 using an MLRM, once it helps to reduce the number of variables, which could be helpful in the future development of diagnostic devices in a faster and cheaper way.
Distinct Triglyceride-Glucose Trajectories are associated with Different Risks of Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Normal-Weight Adults
Authors: Wang Anxin , Tian Xue , Zuo Yingting , Chen Shuohua , Meng Xia , Chen Pan , Wu Shouling , Luo Yanxia , Wang Yongjun 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundRisk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increased in metabolically obese normal weight adults. However, we have limited knowledge of how to prevent CVD in normal-weight people. The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) has been considered as a contributor of CVD, while long-term patterns of the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) and their effects on CVD among normal-weight adults are poorly characterized. Therefore, this study aimed to identify TyG index trajectories in normal-weight adults and to determine their association with the risk of incident CVD.MethodsThis prospective cohort study included 40,473 normal-weight participants who were free of stroke and myocardial infarction prior to or in 2012. The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglyceride (mg/dL)×fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2], and the TyG index trajectories during 2006-2012 were identified by latent mixture modeling. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the associations between TyG index trajectories and incident CVD.Results We identified five distinct TyG index trajectories according to TyG index range and changing pattern over time: low-stable (n=9,806; mean TyG index 7.84-7.93), moderate-stable (n=22,066; mean TyG index 8.43-8.52), elevated-decreasing (n=1,469; mean TyG index 9.83-8.75), moderate-increasing (n=5,842; mean TyG index 8.98-9.26), and elevated-stable (n=1,290; mean TyG index 9.91-10.07). During 6.74 years of follow-up, we documented 1,577 incident CVD events. Compared with the low-stable pattern, the highest risk of CVD was observed in the elevated-stable pattern (hazard ratio [HR], 2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.73-2.90), followed by the moderate-increasing pattern (HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.43-2.04), the elevated-decreasing pattern (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.11-1.89), and the moderate-stable pattern (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.08-1.44). Similar results were also observed for stroke and myocardial infarction. Consistently, annual increment of the TyG index during 2006-2012 also predicted future risk of CVD.ConclusionsDistinct TyG index trajectories were significantly associated differently subsequent risk of CVD in normal-weight individuals. These observations suggested that long-term trajectories of TyG index may be useful for predicting CVD among normal-weight adults.
Papillitis and Neuroretinitis as Atypical Presentations of Ocular Toxoplasmosis
Authors: Kabedi Nelly , Mwanza Jean-Claude 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
We report three cases of optic nerve toxoplasmisis, an unusual form of ocular toxoplasmosis. In one patient the optic nerve involvement occurred in an eye with a toxoplasmic chorioretinal scar and choroidal neovessels in the supramacular area, subretinal fibrosis, and pigment epitheium detachment. The other two patients had papilledema without healed or active chorioretinal lesions, but both had retinal hemorrhage and macular involvement. The diagnosis was based on clinical examination and elavated serum toxoplama antibodies. Optical coherence tomography helped uncover the structural chorioretinal changes. All three patients were treated with a combination of oral antitoxoplasmic drugs, oral prednisone, and intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. Visual acuity improved in all of them. Optic nerve involvement in ocular toxoplasmosis must be considered when papilledema occurs both in isolation and in the presence of an active or scarred chorioretinal lesion.
An Investigation on Machining General Size Cylindrical Parts Using WEDM with Contour Approximation Method
Authors: Ma Huliang , Wang Yanqing , Lv Ming , Yang Shengqiang 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The application of wire EDM to the machining of cylindrical parts is an emerging research topic. The current research is mainly focused on the machining of micro-cylindrical parts, and there is little research on the general-sized parts. This paper proposes to apply the principle of contour approximation method to the machining of cylindrical parts of general size. First, the basic principle of the contour approximation method is introduced, and the machining process is divided into three parts: roughing, semi-finishing and finishing. Roughing corresponds to polygon cutting. Second, the various indicators of polygon cutting are analyzed. The influence of the number of polygonal sides on the residual height and residual area is analyzed. Two methods are proposed for polygon cutting: sequential cutting and multiple edge cutting. The calculation formulas for the processing volume of the two methods are deduced. By comparing the two methods, it is found that different methods are applicable to different part sizes. At last, machining experiments were carried out. The selection of residual variables and the determination of polygon machining methods are detailed. The process parameters and machining time of each stage are listed. In addition, the measurement results of each stage of the machining are also analyzed.