bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MIXed Plastics Biodegradation and UPcycling Using Microbial Communities: The EU Horizon 2020 Project MIX-UP
Authors: Ballerstedt Hendrik , Tiso Till , Wierckx Nick , Wei Ren , Avérous Luc , Bornscheuer Uwe , O’Connor Kevin , Floehr Tilman , Jupke Andreas , Klankermayer Jürgen , Liu Luo , de Lorenzo Victor , Narancic Tanja , Nogales Juan , Perrin Remi , Pollet Eric , Prieto Auxiliadora , Casey William , Haarmann Thomas , Sarbu Alexandru , Schwaneberg Ulrich , Xin Fengxue , Dong Weiliang , Xing Jianmin , Chen Guo-Qiang , Tan Tianwei , Jiang Min , Blank Lars M 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This article introduces the EU Horizon 2020 research project MIX-UP, “Mixed plastics biodegradation and upcycling using microbial communities”. The project focuses on the ambitious vision to change the traditional linear value chain of plastics to a sustainable, biodegradable based one. In MIX-UP, plastic mixtures containing five of the top six fossil-based recalcitrant plastics (PE, PUR, PP, PET, and PS), along with upcoming biobased and biodegradable plastics (bioplastics) such as PHA and PLA, will be used as feedstock for microbial transformations. The generated new workflow increases recycling quotas and adds value to present poorly recycled plastic waste streams. Consecutive controlled enzymatic and microbial degradation of mechanically pre-treated plastics waste combined with subsequent microbial conversion to polymers and value-added chemicals by mixed cultures. Through optimization of known plastic-degrading enzymes by integrated protein engineering, high specific binding capacities, stability, and catalytic efficacy towards a broad spectrum of plastic polymers under high salt content and temperature conditions will be achieved. Another focus lies in the search and isolation of novel enzymes active on recalcitrant polymers. MIX-UP will also enhance the production of enzymes and formulate enzyme cocktails tailored to specific waste streams. In vivo and in vitro application of these cocktails enables stable, self-sustaining microbiomes to convert the released plastic monomers selectively into value-added products, key building blocks, and biomass. Any of the remaining material recalcitrant to the enzymatic activity will be recirculated into the process by physicochemical treatment. The Chinese-European MIX-UP is a multidisciplinary and industry-participating consortium to address the market need for novel sustainable routes to valorize plastic waste streams. MIX-UP realizes a circular (bio) plastic economy and will contribute where mechanical and chemical plastic recycling show limits.
The Influence of Adjunctive Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy on Survival in Primary Liver Cancer: A Real-world Study Based on EMRs
Authors: Zhao Ruixia , Wang Linlin , Liu Yibing , Shao Mingyi , Yang Wei , Fu Yu , Gao Qilong , Feng Jun'an , Zhao Changpu , Ji Weiguo , Xing Yunfei , Xiang Xinghua , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Rongrong , Zhao Yunxia , Shao Fanlei 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundPrimary liver cancer is a common clinical malignancy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an alternative treatment for primary liver cancer. TCM effectively improves the survival rate and quality of life of patients, but high-level evidence is lacking.Patients and methodsThis study determined whether the combination of TCM and conventional cancer treatment affects the survival of liver cancer patients. Patients were selected from 5 tertiary hospitals in Henan Province. Two thousand and sixty-seven patients with primary liver cancer were included in the study for analysis. Patients who received adjunctive TCM treatment and underwent treatment for more than 1 month were classified as the TCM intervention cohort, i.e., the exposure group. Patients who did not receive adjunctive TCM treatment or who received adjunctive TCM treatment for less than 1 month were classified as the non-TCM intervention cohort, i.e., the non-exposed group. The main outcome indicators were the survival outcome and survival time of primary liver cancer patients. The propensity score inverse probability weighting method was used to balance the differences in the observed characteristics between the groups.ResultsThe primary cohort comprised 2,067 patients with primary liver cancer, including 462 patients who received adjunctive TCM treatment and 1,605 patients who did not receive adjunctive TCM treatment. Multiple logistic (binary) regression analysis results showed that adjunctive TCM treatment may reduce the mortality of primary liver cancer patients (regression coefficient = −0.82, P<0.001). The results of the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that the survival rate and median survival time of the exposure group before and after propensity score weighting were greater than those of the control group (P<0.0001). Multiple Cox regression analysis showed that adjunctive TCM treatment was an independent protective factor for survival in liver cancer patients (regression coefficient = −0.2477, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.7806, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.6311–0.9655]), and cancer embolus was an independent risk factor (regression coefficient = 1.0546, HR = 0.3483, 95% CI [0.2831–0.4286]).ConclusionAdjuvant treatment with TCM has a protective effect on the prognosis of patients with primary liver cancer; it can reduce the mortality of primary liver cancer and prolong the survival time of patients. Cancer embolus is a risk factor that impacts the therapeutic effect of treatment in liver cancer patients.
Phenotypic Changes of Detrusor PDGFR Alpha Positive Cells in Spinal Cord Injury-Induced Detrusor Overactivity
Authors: Lee Ken , Park Sang , Choi Pil , Ryoo Seung-Bum , Lee Haeyeong , Peri Lauren , Zhou Tong , Corrigan Robert , Yanez Andrew , Moon Suk B , Perrino Brian , Sanders Kenton , Koh Sang Don 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Volume accommodation occurs via a novel mechanism involving interstitial cells in detrusor muscles. The interstitial cells in the bladder are PDGFRα+ , and they restrain the excitability of smooth muscle at low levels and prevent the development of transient contractions (TCs). A common clinical manifestation of spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced bladder dysfunction is detrusor overactivity (DO). Although a myogenic origin of DO after SCI has been suggested, a mechanism for development of SCI-induced DO has not been determined. In this study we hypothesized that SCI-induced DO is related to loss of function in the regulatory mechanism provided by PDGFRα+ cells. Our results showed that transcriptional expression of Pdgfra and Kcnn3 was decreased after SCI. Proteins encoded by these genes also decreased after SCI, and a reduction in PDGFRα+ cell density was also documented. Loss of PDGFRα + cells was due to apoptosis. TCs in ex vivo bladders during filling increased dramatically after SCI, and this was related to the loss of regulation provided by SK channels, as we observed decreased sensitivity to apamin. These findings show that damage to the mechanism restraining muscle contraction during bladder filling that is provided by PDGFRα + cells is causative in the development of DO after SCI.
A Digital Twin-driven Human-robot Collaborative Assembly-commissioning Method for Complex Products
Authors: Sun Xuemin , Zhang Rong , Liu Shimin , Lv Qibing , Bao Jinsong , Li Jie 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In the process of complex products assembly-commissioning, manual operation is the main reason for low efficiency. The human-robot cooperation (HRC) technology combines the advantages of human and robot, and makes it complete the task in the shared space. It is an effective way to solve the problem by introducing the HRC technology into the complex products of assembly-commissioning. However, the current HRC technology has insufficient perception and cognitive ability of tasks. Therefore, this paper presents a digital twin-driven HRC assembly-commissioning framework. In this framework, a virtual-real mapping environment for HRC is constructed. In order to improve the cognitive ability of robot units to tasks, this paper proposes a method of intention recognition that integrates the features of parts into human joint sequences. In order to improve the adaptability of robot unit to task, the assembly-commissioning task knowledge graph is constructed to quickly extract the implement sequence of robot unit. At the same time, the deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) is used to adaptively adjust the robot unit implement action in the process of assembly-commissioning. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by taking a particular type of automobile generator as a case study product.
Functional Characterization of Melanocortin-3 Receptor In Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss)
Authors: Yu Hui-Xia , Li Yang , Song Wei-Jia , Wang Hui , Mo Hao-Lin , Liu Qiao , Zhang Xin-Miao , Jiang Ze-Bin , Wang Li-Xin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is an important regulator of energy homeostasis and inflammation in mammals. However, its function in teleost fish needs to be further explored. In this study, we characterized rainbow trout MC3R (rtMC3R), which encoded a putative protein of 331 amino acids. Phylogenetic and chromosomal synteny analyses showed that rtMC3R was closely related to bony fishes. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) revealed that the transcripts of rtMC3R were highly expressed in the brain and muscle. The cellular function of rtMC3R was further verified by the signal-pathway-specific luciferase reporter assays. Four agonists such as α-MSH, β-MSH, ACTH (1–24) and NDP-MSH can active rtMC3R, increasing the production of intracellular cAMP and up-regulating MAPK/ERK signals. Moreover, we found that rtMC3R stimulated with α-MSH and NDP-MSH can significantly inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway. This research will be helpful for further studies on the function of MC3R in rainbow trout, especially the role of energy metabolism and immune regulation.
Collagen-Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as a Sustainable Catalyst for Spirooxindole Synthesis
Authors: Ghanbari Shima , Esmkhani Maryam , Javanshir Shahrzad 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this work, a novel magnetic organic-inorganic hybrid catalyst was fabricated by encapsulating magnetite@silica (Fe3O4@SiO2) nanoparticles with Isinglass protein collagen (IGPC) using epichlorohydrin (ECH) as crosslinking agent. Characterization studies of the prepared particles were accomplished by various analytical techniques specifically, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer−Emmett−Teller (BET) analysis. The XRD results showed a crystalline and amorphous phase which contribute to magnetite and isinglass respectively. Moreover, the formation of the core/shell structure had been confirmed by TEM images. The synthesized Fe3O4@SiO2/ECH/IG was applied as bifunctional heterogeneous catalyst in the synthesis of spirooxindole derivatives demonstrating excellent catalytic properties, stability and recyclability.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Produced By The Rhizosphere Actinobacteria Streptomyces Sp. and Amycolatopsis Sp. Strains and Their Antifungal Activity Against Colletotrichum Musae
Authors: de Brito Maria Vieira , Fonseca Wéverson L. , Mafezoli Jair , Barbosa Francisco Geraldo , Nunes Fátima Miranda , de Mattos Marcos Carlos , Santos João E. A. dos , Araujo Francisca S. A. , Vieira Regimara F. B. S. , Magalhães Hilton C. R. , Muniz Celli R. , Garruti Deborah S. , Ootani Marcio A. , Netto José M. S. , Pinto Licarion , Viana Francisco M.P. , de Oliveira Maria da Conceicao Ferreira 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Herein is reported the study on the antifungal potential of VOCs produced by actinobacterial strains from the rhizosphere of Caatinga plants. Twenty strains were screened for their ability to produce VOCs with growth inhibition (GI) potential against the phytopathogen fungus Colletotrichum musae . The most active VOCs were produced by Streptomyces sp. (ACTB-77) and Amycolatopsis sp. (ACTB-290). The effect of VOCs from ACTB-77 and ACTB-290 on the morphological structure of the fungus hyphae was investigated by SEM and revealed significant deformation of the fungal cell filaments, especially in the case of ACTB-290. VOCs produced by these two actinobacteria strains and the fungus under axenic and co-culture conditions were investigated using HS-SPME-GCMS combined approaches, and all data were analyzed by statistical methods. Most of the mVOCs were identified, representing 92-100% of total peaks areas. Linalool (38.53±5.19%) and geosmin (17.25±2.55%) were the major VOCs constituents from ACTB-77, while dimethyl disulfide (48.49±3.48%) and dimethyl trisulfide (21.14±3.50%) were the major VOCs compounds produced by ACTB-290. Statistical analyses of data from co-cultures showed that the VOCs profile of the experiment involving ACTB-77 was more influenced by the fungal VOCs while the experiment with ACTB-290 was more influence by compounds from the actinobacteria.
Cemented versus Uncemented Hemiarthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fractures in Patients with Neuromuscular Diseases: A Minimum of 2 Years Follow-Up Study
Authors: Wang Yuchuan , Wang Zhongzheng , Tian Siyu , Tan Zhanchao , Zhu Yanbin , Chen Wei , Zhang Yingze 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of cemented and uncemented hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fractures in patients with neuromuscular disease.
Methods

We reviewed 156 patients with neuromuscular disease who underwent hemiarthroplasty between 2015 and 2019. Patients were divided into cemented group (n = 105) and uncemented group (n = 51), with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Factors including preoperative features, duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, complications, pain, Harris hip scores (HHS), and quality of life were compared across groups, and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate survival.
Results

In the uncemented group, the mean duration of surgery was 16.0 minutes shorter (p = 0.001) and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 71.1 mL less (p = 0.01). Visual analog scales (VAS), HHS and European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scores were not different between the groups. Despite a few potential trends, we did not observe a difference in complications such as periprosthetic fractures and dislocations. The rates of mortality were similar between groups (p=0.821).
Conclusions

Both arthroplasties may be used with good medium-term results in the treatment of femoral neck fractures in patients with neuromuscular diseases.
Metabolomic fingerprinting of pig seminal plasma identifies in vivo fertility biomarkers
Authors: Mateo-Otero Yentel , Fernández-López Pol , Delgado-Bermúdez Ariadna , Nolis Pau , Roca Jordi , Miró Jordi , Barranco Isabel , Yeste Marc 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Metabolomic approaches, which include the study of low molecular weight molecules, is an emerging -omics technology useful for the identification of biomarkers. In this field, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy approach has already been used to uncover (in)fertility biomarkers in the seminal plasma (SP) of several mammalian species. However, NMR studies profiling SP metabolome to uncover in vivo fertility biomarkers are yet to be carried out in pigs. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the putative relationship between the presence/concentration of SP-metabolites and in vivo fertility outcomes. To this end, 24 entire ejaculates (three ejaculates per boar) were collected from artificial insemination (AI)-boars throughout a year (one ejaculate every four months). Immediately after collection, ejaculates were centrifuged (1,500×g for 10 min twice) to obtain SP-samples and were stored (− 80°C) for subsequent metabolomic analysis by NMR spectroscopy. Fertility outcomes from 1,525 inseminations were recorded over a year, including farrowing rate, litter size, stillbirths per litter and the duration of pregnancy. These data were corrected to isolate the direct boar effect on each in vivo fertility parameter using a multivariate statistical model.
Results
A total of 24 metabolites were identified and quantified in all SP-samples. ROC curve analysis showed that lactate levels in SP had discriminative capacity for farrowing rate (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.764; P < 0.05) while carnitine (AUC = 0.847), hypotaurine (AUC = 0.819), sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (AUC = 0.833), glutamate (AUC = 0.799) and glucose (AUC = 0.750) had it for litter size (P < 0.05). Similarly, citrate (AUC = 0.743), creatine (AUC = 0.812), phenylalanine (AUC = 0.750), tyrosine (AUC = 0.753) and malonate (AUC = 0.868) levels had discriminative capacity for stillbirths per litter (P < 0.05); and malonate (AUC = 0.767) and fumarate (AUC = 0.868) concentrations for gestation length (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Considering these results, the assessment of selected SP-metabolites in ejaculates through NMR spectroscopy could be considered as a promising non-invasive tool to predict in vivo fertility outcomes in pigs. Moreover, supplementing AI-doses with specific metabolites should also be contemplated as a way to improve their fertility potential.
FBXO18/Circrna211/Mir-431/CSF1 Axis Regulates the Establishment of Endometrial Receptivity Though Activating MAPK and CSF1R/PI3K/AKT/Mtor Pathways in Dairy Goats
Authors: Yang Lichun , Liu Xiaorui , Zhang Lei , Li Danni , Li Guili , Cui Jiuzeng , An Xiaopeng , Cao Binyun , Song Yu-Xuan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Endometrial epithelial cells proliferation and secretion of various cytokines have a strong impact on the formation of receptive endometrium, which is known as a physiological status that allows an activated embryo to attach to the endometrium for a limited time. Circular RNAs and miRNAs can be involved in the dynamic physiological changes of endometrium by regulating relevant functional target genes in the uterus. Our work presented here with the ultimate purpose of revealing the latent molecular mechanism of FBXO18/circRNA211/miR-431/CSF1 axis in the establishment of endometrial receptivity of dairy goats.Results: In vitro, we found a regulatory network of FBXO18/circRNA211/miR-431/CSF1 in goat endometrial epithelial cells that circRNA211 severed as a sponge for miR-431, resulting in weakening the inhibition of miR-431 on target genes CSF1 and FBXO18. FBXO18/circRNA211/miR-431/CSF1 axis promoted the proliferation through regulating the key proteins of Ras, Raf, MEK, ERK in MAPK pathway via CCK-8, EdU, flow cytometry and Western blot assays. Furthermore, FBXO18/circRNA211/miR-431/CSF1 axis activated the phosphorylation of key proteins PI3K, AKT and mTOR in PI3K-mTOR pathway by CSF1R, thereby promoting the establishment of endometrial receptivity. In vivo models, mice injected with miR-431 agomir showed that the endometrial thickness and the number of pinopodes were significantly decreased by HE staining and scanning electron microscope. Immunohistochemistry results showed that VEGF and OPN proteins were down-regulated and MUC1 protein was up-regulated under the treatment of miR-431 agomir. Further study demonstrated that miR-431 inhibited embryo implantation by impeding the establishment of endometrial receptivity.Conclusion: Ultimately, our study revealed a regulatory mechanism of FBXO18/circRNA211/miR-431/CSF1 axis in goat endometrial epithelial cells. This circRNA/miRNA/mRNA regulatory network presented here in vitro and in vivo models may provide a novel insight into the potentially regulating endometrium biological functions and promoting the formation of endometrium receptivity.
Piperine Exhibits Promising Antibiofilm Activity Against Staphylococcus Aureus by Accumulating Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)
Authors: Das Sharmistha , Paul Payel , Chatterjee Sudipta , Chakraborty Poulomi , Sarker Ranojit K. , Das Amlan , Maiti Debasish , Tribedi Prosun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Biofilm, an aggregated form of microbial existence has been a major area of concern in the healthcare units. These sessile microbes not only protect themselves from the host immune system but also exhibit high resistance against several antimicrobials. One such widely reported Gram-positive pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus. This human commensal is known to cause severe harmful diseases like bacteremia, sepsis, pneumonia, etc. Thus, strategies need to be undertaken to deal with such biofilm challenges. In this respect, we aimed to inhibit microbial biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus under the influence of a natural compound, piperine. Our study revealed that the higher concentrations of piperine exhibited considerable antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Hence, lower concentrations of piperine were tested to examine its antibiofilm activity. Several experiments like crystal violet (CV) assay, total biofilm protein assay, and fluorescence microscopy observation established that lower concentrations (8 µg/mL and 16 µg/mL) of piperine showed efficient antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus. It was also noticed that the lower concentrations of piperine did not compromise the microbial growth of Staphylococcus aureus while exhibiting antibiofilm activity. In this connection, we also noticed that the lower concentrations of piperine showed a considerable reduction in microbial metabolic activity. Furthermore, we observed that the compound was found to accumulate reactive oxygen species in the bacterial cells that could play an important role in the inhibition of biofilm formation. Thus, piperine could be considered as a potential antibiofilm agent against the biofilm formation caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
Exploration of More Effective Incentives for General Practitioners: Finding From a Cross-sectional Study in Jiangsu Province
Authors: Liu Weinan , Zhan Yiyang , Tang Dalong , Zhang Xi , Zhu Binhai 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background With the increasing demand for public health, the Chinese government attaches great importance to the important role of general practitioners in primary health care. The purpose of this study is to find out the factors that affect the incentive effect of general practitioners in Jiangsu province and evaluate the incentive effect reasonably. Methods From April to May 2020, 910 primary-level general practitioners were investigated in 130 primary medical institutions in Jiangsu province.837 effective questionnaires were collected. The questionnaire is divided into two parts: general practitioner characteristics and motivational effect scale. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors influencing the incentive effect of general practitioners. Results The results showed that age, weekly working hours and daily sleeping duration affected job satisfaction. Factors influencing 4 willingness to work hard including: weekly working hours, daily sleeping duration, and physical exercise frequency. Age, weekly working hours and daily sleeping duration were the factors influencing turnover tendency Factors influencing incentive effects including: weekly working hours, average monthly income and years of working as a general practitioner. Conclusions The study found that the turnover intention of general practitioners in primary medical institutions would be significantly reduced, the job satisfaction, willingness to work hard and overall incentive effect would be significantly increased, especially if the working hours per week were reduced, the sleeping hours per day were increased, and the frequency of physical exercise was increased. Helping general practitioners to develop good living habits could be a key incentive for future generations.