bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Parkinson's Disease Patients With Constipation
Authors: Kuai Xiao-yi , Yao Xiao-han , Xu Li-Juan , Zhou Yu-qing , Zhang Li-ping , Liu Yi , Pei Shao-fang , Zhou Chun-li 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and 70–80% of PD patients suffer from gastrointestinal dysfunction such as constipation. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for treating PD related to gastrointestinal dysfunction. We conducted a prospective, single- study. Eleven patients with PD received FMT. Fecal samples were collected before and after FMT and subjected to 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene sequencing. Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) grade, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score, and the Non-Motion Symptom Questionnaire (NMSS) were used to assess improvements in motor and non-motor symptoms. PAC-QOL score and Wexner constipation score were used to assess the patient's constipation symptoms. All patients were tested by the small intestine breath hydrogen test, performed before and after FMT. Community richness (chao) and microbial structure in before-FMT PD patients were significantly different from the after-FMT. We observed an increased abundance of Blautia and Prevotella in PD patients after FMT, while the abundance of Bacteroidetes decreased dramatically. After FMT, the H-Y grade, UPDRS, and NMSS of PD patients decreased significantly. Through the lactulose H2 breath test, the intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in PD patients returned to normal. The PAC-QOL score and Wexner constipation score in after-FMT patients decreased significantly. Our study profiles specific characteristics and microbial dysbiosis in the gut of PD patients. FMT might be a therapeutic potential for reconstructing the gut microbiota of PD patients and improving their motor and non-motor symptoms.
Effect of Different Types of Polymers as Well as Different Preparation Techniques on the In-Vitro Release of Dyphylline Controlled Release Matrix Tablets
Authors: Yassin Heba A. , Sharaf Mohamed A. , El-Ghamry Hanna A. , Abdelaziz Abdelaziz E. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Dyphylline, xanthine derivatives, is used to manage asthma, cardiac dyspnea, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. This work aimed to develop controlled release matrix tablets of Dyphylline using different types of polymers, and different preparation techniques such as direct compression, wet granulation, and hot melt methods. The prepared matrix tablets were evaluated by Infrared spectral analysis, differential thermal analysis, evaluation which included hardness, friability, content uniformity, and the in-vitro drug release. Kinetic analysis of the release profiles was investigated using different kinetic orders. All Dyphylline formulae obey Higuchi’s diffusion model. The diffusion is the mechanism of Dyphylline release from its controlled matrix tablets. IR and DSC revealed no incompatibility between Dyphylline and the polymers used in the prepared formulae. The obtained results revealed that the wet granulation technique using water as the granulating liquid is the best method for the formulation of Dyphylline hydrophilic matrix tablets compared with the other techniques. The high content of polymers led to the high value of T1/2, and a decrease in Dyphylline's extent due to the improvement of the retention of drug release. A synergistic effect was obtained using PVP-K-25 in the hydrophilic matrix tablets, which led to the retention of the drug release.
Knowledge of Nurses About the End of Life Care Towards Terminal Illnesses: a Cross-sectional Design
Authors: Subih Maha , AL-amer Rasmieh , Alomari Domam , Randall Duncan C , Darwish Rima , Mosleh Sultan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The preparedness of nurses in relation to providing palliative care is not always adequate, indeed, it is sometimes unsatisfactory; this may be caused by lack of knowledge and limited experience in end-of-life care. The purposes of the study were to assess the levels of registered nurses' knowledge about end of life care (EOLC), examine the relationships between EOLC knowledge and demographic variables, and explore predictors of EOLC knowledge. A cross-sectional design survey was conducted on Jordanian registered nurses (N =220). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression.The results showed that End-of-Life Professional Caregiver Survey (EPCS) mean total score was moderate to high (72.1 (SD ±13.6), Range 0-112). For EPCS subscales: Patient and family-centered communication, cultural and ethical values were moderately high, while effective care delivery subscale was low. Predictors were attending training in palliative care (p = 0.02), and working in the intensive care unit (p = 0.04). Thus, nurses need palliative care education, more attention is required in palliative care education on clinical skills, as well as weakness of effective care delivery. Also build palliative education into the core nursing curriculum.
Aging exacerbates the brain inflammatory micro-environment contributing to α-synuclein pathology and functional deficits a mouse model of DLB/PD
Authors: Iba Michiyo , McDevitt Ross , Kim Changyoun , Roy Roshni , Sarantopoulou Dimitra , Tommer Ella , Kwon Somin , Siegars Byron , Sallin Michelle , Sen Jyoti , Sen Ranjan , Masliah Eliezer 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
ɑ-synuclein (ɑ-syn) progressively accumulates in age related neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Although ɑ-syn spreading has been extensively investigated, the role of aging in the manifestation of disease remains unclear. Thus, we explored the role of aging in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies in a mouse model of DLB/PD initiated by intrastiatal injection of ɑ-syn preformed fibrils (pff). We found that aged mice showed more extensive accumulation of ɑ-syn and behavioral deficits that was associated with greater infiltration of T cells and microgliosis. Microglial inflammatory gene expression induced by ɑ-syn-pff injection in young mice had hallmarks of aged microglia, indicating that enhanced age-associated pathologies may result from inflammatory synergy between aging and the effects of ɑ-syn aggregation. We propose that aging related inflammation influences outcomes of pathological spreading of ɑ-syn and suggests that targeting immune responses might be important in developing treatments for DLB/PD.
Melatonin Suppresses Iron-Induced Apoptosis by Activating the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway in Osteoblast
Authors: Ma Hongdong , Li Zhiqing , Chu Jiao , Yin Dali 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objective To investigate the effect of melatonin on the apoptosis of hFOB1.19 cells induced by excess iron. Methods The hFOB1.19 cells were treated with ferric ammonium citrate (300 μmol/L) and melatonin (100 μmol/L) for 24 h. The apoptosis rate and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed using flow cytometry. Expression of proteins associated with apoptosis, such as Bax and caspase-3, and those associated with the Nrf-2 signaling pathway such as Nrf2 and HO-1 were analyzed using western blotting. Results The level of ROS and the apoptosis rate increased after intervention with excess iron. The levels of Bax in the mitochondria and cleaved caspase-3 in the cytosol increased. However, after pretreatment with melatonin, the level of ROS, apoptosis rate, and expression of apoptosis-associated proteins decreased, and the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 increased. Conclusion Melatonin inhibits the level of oxidation in osteoblasts via the Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway, resulting in the reduction of apoptosis induced by excess iron.
Epidemiology, Species Distribution, and Outcome of Nosocomial Candida spp. Bloodstream Infection in Shanghai — An 11-year Retrospective Analysis in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: ZHENG Yan-Jun , XIE Ting , WU Lin , LIU Xiao-Ying , ZHU Ling , CHEN Ying , MAO En-Qiang , HAN Li-Zhong , CHEN Er-Zhen , Yang Zhi-Tao 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe incidence of Candida bloodstream infections (BSIs), has increased over time. In this study, we aimed to describe the current epidemiology of Candida BSI in a large tertiary care hospital in Shanghai and to determine the risk factors of 28-day mortality and the impact of antifungal therapy on clinical outcomes. MethodsAll consecutive adult inpatients with Candida BSI at Ruijin Hospital from 2008.1 to 2018.12 were enrolled. Underlying diseases, clinical severity, species distribution, antifungal therapy, and their impact on the outcomes were analyzed. ResultsAmong the 370 inpatients with 393 consecutive episodes of Candida BSI, the incidence of nosocomial Candida BSI was 0.39 episodes/1000 hospitalized patients. Of the 393 cases, 299 (76.1%) were treated with antifungal therapy (247 and 52 were treated with early appropriate and targeted antifungal therapy, respectively). The overall 28-day mortality rate was 28.5%, which was significantly lower in those who received early appropriate (25.5%) or targeted (23.1%) antifungal therapy than in those who did not (39.4%; P=0.012 and P=0.046, respectively). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, age, chronic renal failure, mechanical ventilation, and neutropenia were found to be independent risk factors of 28-day mortality rate. Patients who received antifungal therapy had a lower mortality risk than did those who did not.ConclusionsThe incidence of Candida BSI has increased steadily in the past 11 years at our tertiary care hospital in Shanghai. Antifungal therapy influenced short-term survival, but no significant difference in mortality was observed between those who received early appropriate and targeted antifungal therapy.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 5: A Novel Regulator of Early Osteogenic Differentiation of hMSCs
Authors: Zhang Zhimin , Li Min , Jiang Daolong , Han Zhengyang , Wang Lihua 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) is broadly bioactive, but its role in osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) remains to be clarified. Herein, we determined that IGFBP5 expression was markedly increased during the early osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. We then overexpressed and knocked down this gene in hMSCs and evaluated the impact of the manipulation of IGFBP5 expression on osteogenic differentiation based upon functional assays, ALP staining, and the expression of osteogenic markers. Together, these analyses revealed that IGFBP5 overexpression enhanced early osteogenic differentiation as evidenced by increased ALP staining and osteogenic marker induction, whereas knocking down this gene impaired the osteogenic process. Overexpressing IGFBP5 also markedly bolstered extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation level, while IGFBP5 knockdown suppressed this signaling activity. We additionally compared the impact of simultaneous IGFBP5 overexpression and ERK1/2 inhibitor treatment to the effect of IGFBP5 overexpression alone in these hMSCs, revealing that small molecule-mediated EKR1/2 inhibition was sufficient to impair osteogenic differentiation in the context of elevated IGFBP5 levels. These findings indicated that IGFBP5 drives the early osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs via the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Our results offer value as a foundation for future efforts to study and treat serious bone-related diseases including osteoporosis.
Degradation of Acrylic Acid/acrylamide Superabsorbent Copolymer
Authors: Bankeeree Wichanee , Samathayanon Chalermkwan , Prasongsuk Sehanat , Lotrakul Pongtharin , Kiatkamjornwong Suda 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Poly(potassium acrylate), P(KA), and poly[acrylamide-co-(potassium acrylate)], P(Am-co-KA), were synthesized and an effective degradation technique of the polymers via chemical and biological processes were pursued. Significant reductions in dry mass and water absorbency were observed after P(KA) (53% and 54%, respectively) and P(Am-co-KA) (43% and 40%, respectively) were buried in the soil for ten weeks. The living fungal culture failed to degrade the polymers, but the enzymatic treatment using crude peroxidase (20 U/g) for 16 h significantly decreased the dry mass (15%; 15.0±0.3 g) and water absorbency (13%; 16.0±1.0 g/g) of P(KA). Chemical oxidation using H2O2 at high temperature with/without peroxidase efficiently degraded P(KA) and P(Am-co-KA). The maximum degradation of P(KA) (99.84% weight loss) was obtained when incubated with 12.8% (v/w) H2O2 at 65 ºC for 7.3 h while 98.43% weight loss was achieved after P(Am-co-KA) was incubated with 14.8% (v/w) H2O2 at 68 ºC for 9.2 h. No significant inhibition was observed in seed germination of mung bean grown on the untreated polymers but sweet corn was slightly inhibited. The effects of degraded products on mung bean germination were not significantly different from the control and untreated polymers. On sweet corn, the degraded products were apparently less toxic than did the untreated polymers. These results suggested that the rapid and efficient degradation of polyacrylate and its copolymer by the thermo-oxidation of H2O2 could be applied for a larger scale of SAP waste management.
Sperm cryopreservation of male cancer patients for fertility preservation : 10-year monocentric experience
Authors: Liu Xiao , Liu Bo , liu shasha , xian yang , zhao wenrui , zhou bin , xiao xiao , zhu xiao fang , wang li , jiang min , li fuping 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Semen cryopreservation is an effective method to preserve fertility, which is very important for male cancer patients. Unfortunately, due to unaware of the opportunities for sperm cryopreservation ﻿for both physicians and cancer patients, not a lot of data on ﻿evaluating the semen parameters and dispositions of the cryopreserved samples ﻿of Chinese cancer population are available in the literature. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed semen parameters as well as the clinical outcomes of ﻿assisted reproductive treatments (ART) of 339 male cancer patients of Chinese population who were referred to our center from 2010 to 2019 for fertility preservation. Results: We first classify the male tumors into six major types according to body regions. The most prevalent cancer patients who came from our cohort for sperm banking were hematological neoplasms patients, and the second cancers were germ cell tumors. Patients with germ cell tumors had the lowest pre- thaw and post-thaw concentration among the six major cancer types. However, we separately compared among testicular tumors, lymphoma and leukemia, it turned out that leukemia had the lowest pre-thaw concentration. Most cancer patients (58%) chose to go on keeping their specimens in storage. The second proportion selected to discard their specimens electively (31%). ﻿Over the years, there were only 13 patients (4%) returned to use their sperm by ART. In the storage samples, germ cell tumors were the most proportion ones (29.3%). Moreover, in the unfrozen samples, the percentage of hematological neoplasms were the most (45.5%).Conclusions: To our knowledge, we had owned the most numbers of male cancers who came to sperm bank for fertility conservation in the southwest of China. ﻿In our study we suggested that sperm quality could decrease even before antineoplastic treatment and sperm banking ﻿prior to treatment should be strongly recommended for male cancer patients. ﻿
Thin Endometrium and Cleavage Embryo Transfer Are Associated With Ectopic Pregnancy After in Vitro Fertilization‑embryo Transfer Cycles: a Matched Case–control Study Using Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Zhao Ying , Liu Dong'e , Liu Nenghui , Li Yumei , Yao Zhongyuan , Tian Fen , Xu Aizhuang , Li Yanping 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the endometrial features (endometrial thickness(EMT), pattern and endometrium growth amplitude and rate) and the embryo stage transferred and ectopic pregnancy after IVF-ET based on the data of 628 matched cases. Methods: This was a 1:1 matched case-control study that enrolled 314 EP patients and 314 matched IUP patients from the ART center of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2014 to April 2020. Univariate analysis and multiple-stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of EP, and a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to predict EP. Results: 1. The EP group had a higher cleavage stage embryo transfer rate(94.57% vs 86.22%), a thinner endometrium on transformation day(the day when progesterone was added in the frozen embryo cycle or the trigger day in the fresh embryo cycle) (9.40(2.60) mm vs 9.80(2.60)mm) compared with IUP group. In fresh embryo cycles, the EP group had a higher endometrium pattern C proportion on transformation day, a smaller endometrium increment, and a slower endometrial growth rate compared with the IUP group. 2.The ROC curves were used to analyze the cut-off values of the EMT on transformation day, the endometrial growth amplitude and rate in fresh cycles, the results were 9.35mm, 4.90mm and 0.491 mm/d, respectively. The incidence of EP was significantly different between groups according to cut-off values. 3.The transferred embryo stage and EMT on transformation day were independent factors affecting outcome in the general population. The area under the curve(AUC) of the EMT and the stage of embryos transferred for EP prediction was 0.604, sensitivity was 0.702, and specificity was 0.465. The EMT on trigger day was an independent factor affecting outcome in the fresh cycles. The AUC of the EMT for EP prediction in fresh cycles was 0.605, sensitivity was 0.805, and specificity was 0.420. Conclusions: 1. Transferring cleavage stage embryo, and thin EMT on the transformation day were risk factors for EP. 2. Thin EMT and pattern C on transformation day may be related to abnormal endometrial receptivity and endometrial peristaltic waves. 3.The combined indicator of EMT and embryonic development stage could not well predict the occurrence of EP after ET.
Salvia Miltiorrhiza Extract Prevents Atherosclerosis Development via TLR4/ NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Wang Jiangli , Xu Hongjun , Zhao Wei , Cui Qingzhuo , Zhou Luyang , Zhou Yongjie , An Shengjun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Aim of the Study Aqueous extract from Salvia Miltiorrhiza has been traditionally used to treat cardiovasulcar diseases. This study aims to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanisms underlying attenuation of atherosclerosis development by aqueous extract from Salvia Miltiorrhiza. Materials and methods Male ApoE-/- mice were randomly allocated into the model, the SABP, and the rosuvastatin calcium groups (RC). After 8-wk-treatment, the lipid profiles in serum, the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) in heart tissue were measured and the morphology alterations of thoracic aorta and heart were assessed. The protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), TGF beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the heart tissue were determined by western blotting analysis. The serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels were increased and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was decreased in ApoE-/- mice. Results SABP significantly decreased the serum lipid levels and improved histopathology in the thoracic aorta. In addition, SABP treatment reduced the expression of TLR4, TAK1, NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α, and inhibited the expression and activation of NF-κB in the heart of ApoE-/- mice. The LDH and CK in the heart did not differ significantly among different groups, and the heart did not have obvious pathological changes. Conclusions These findings indicated that SABP may exert an anti-atherosclerotic effect by lowering blood lipids and inhibiting inflammatory response via TLR4/ NF-κB signaling pathway.
Extremity Risk Factors of Sepsis for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Authors: Chan Yi-Chia , Chen Chao-Long , Wang Chih-Chi , Lin Chih-Che , Yong Chee-Chien , Chiu King-Wah , Wu Keng-Liang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is performed to survey malignancy before living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). However, sepsis may occur following elective endoscopy. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 642 cirrhotic recipients who underwent endoscopy from 2008 to 2016. We analyzed the incidence and risk factors of post-endoscopy sepsis during 2008-2012 (experience cohort). Our protocol changed after 2013 (validation cohort) to include antibiotic prophylaxis.Results: In experience cohort, 36 cases (10.5%) of the 342 LDLT candidates experienced sepsis within 48 hours after endoscopy. The sepsis rate was significantly higher in patients with hepatic decompensation than patients without (22.2% vs. 9.6% vs. 2.6% in Child C/B/A groups respectively; x2= 20.97, P <0.001). Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, the factors related to post-endoscopy sepsis were the Child score (OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.24-1.71), Child classes B and C (OR 3.80 and 14.13; 95% CI 1.04-13.95 and 3.97-50.23, respectively), hepatic hydrothorax (OR 4.85; 95% CI 1.37-17.20), and antibiotic prophylaxis (OR 0.08; 95% CI 0.01-0.64). In validation cohort, antibiotics were given routinely, and all cases of hepatic hydrothorax (n=10) were drained. Consequently, 4 (1.3%) episodes of sepsis occurred among 300 LDLT candidates, and the incidence was significantly lower than before (1.3% vs. 10.5%, P <0.001).Conclusions: Patients with decompensated cirrhosis and hepatic hydrothorax have higher risk of sepsis following endoscopy. In advanced cirrhotic patients, antibiotic prophylaxis and drainage of hydrothorax may be required to prevent sepsis before elective GI endoscopy.