bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clarithromycin Prevents the Progression of Dissected Aortic Aneurysm in the Experimental Study
Authors: Uchida Wataru , Narita Yuji , Yamawaki-Ogata Aika , Ito Hideki , Terazawa Sachie , Tokuda Yoshiyuki , Fujimoto Kazuro Lee , Mutsuga Masato , Usui Akihiko 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background The cause of enlarged aortic dissection (AD) is associated with increased inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6. Clarithromycin (CAM) has been reported to inhibit inflammatory cytokines via suppressing NF-κB. we investigated whether or not CAM could prevent the enlargement of dissected aortic aneurysm. Methods Male wild type mice (12 weeks of age) were infused with Angiotensin II and 3-aminopropinonitrile for two weeks for AD development. After two weeks, CAM (10 mg/kg/day) or saline was administered orally to the mice every day (CAM group: n=10, SAL group: n=10) with infusing Angiotensin II for more two weeks. After four weeks, the aortic diameter, macrophage infiltration, collagen and elastin quantities, and levels of inflammation related cytokines, were assessed. Results The aortic diameter was significantly suppressed in the CAM group (P < 0.01). No rupture death was observed in the CAM group in contrast to 3 (30%) in the SAL group (P = 0.07). Clarithromycin significantly increased the infiltration of anti-inflammatory macrophages (20.8% vs. 2.8%, P < 0.05). Compared with the controls, the levels of IL-1β (332 pg/mL vs. 800 pg/mL, P < 0.01) and IL-6 (344 pg/mL vs. 727 pg/mL: p < 0.05) were significantly decreased, and the levels of IL-4 (2519 pg/mL vs. 1397 pg/mL, P < 0.05) and TGF-β (1649 pg/mL vs. 1134 pg/mL, P < 0.05) was significantly increased in the CAM group. The collagen area was increased (10.1% vs. 4.2%, P < 0.05) and expression of α-SMA (9.5% vs. 2.8%, P < 0.05) and α-actinin (16.3% vs. 4.0%, P < 0.01) were increased in the CAM group compared with the SAL group. Conclusions CAM suppressed the progression of dissected aortic aneurysm through the anti-inflammatory and the existence of abundant collagen secreted including α-SMA, α-actinin positive cells.
Effect of Geobacillus toebii addition on composition transformations and microbial community in thermophilic bean dreg composting
Authors: Chen Xiaojia , Wu Chengjian , Wang Chenyang , Li Qinyu , Zhou Peng , Wei Dong , Shi Jiping , Zhao Zhijun 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
A thermophilic bacterium, Geobacillus toebii GT-02, was successfully isolated from horse dung. The effectiveness of Geobacillus toebii GT-02 addition on composition transformations and the microbial community in bean dreg composting at 70°C for 5 days was investigated (T1), and the control consisted of bean dreg compost without GT-02 (CK). After 5 days, T1 presented higher total nitrogen contents (2.77%) and lower carbon-to-nitrogen ratios (14.4) than CK (2.34% and 16.9, respectively). The germination index (GI) of T1 was 135%, which was 56% higher than that of CK (86%). The dry matter loss in T1 was 54.16% (26.82% higher than the CK value (42.82%)). The mean microbial number in T1 was 4.94x107 CFUs/g dry matter, which was 5.37 times that in CK. 16S rDNA sequencing identified Bacillus, Geobacillus and Thermobacillus as dominant in CK, while Bacillus, Ammoniibacillus and Geobacillus were dominant in T1. A canonical correspondence analysis showed that Geobacillus and Ammoniibacillus were positively correlated with the GI. Thus, composting with GT-02 can promote the maturity of bean dregs, and GT-02 has potential commercial application in thermophilic composting.
Timing, Distribution and Predictors of Mortality Following a Road Traffic Injury in Northwest Ethiopia: A Hospital-Based Prospective Follow up Study
Authors: Denu Zewditu Abdissa , Yassin Mensur Osman , Azale Telake , Biks Gashaw Andargie , Gelaye Kassahun Alemu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundRoad traffic injury-related mortality continues to increase from time to time globally, but its burden is more than three times higher in low-income countries. This discrepancy is mainly due to poor trauma care system both at the pre-hospital and in-hospital. The analysis of injury patterns and time to mortality is crucial for the development and improvement of trauma care systems. This study aimed to identify patterns of RTI , and predictors of mortality following a RTI. MethodsA prospective hospital-based follow up study was conducted among road traffic injury victims admitted to Gondar University Hospital between May 2019 and February 2020. The total follow-up time was 30 days. Injury severity was determined using revised trauma score (RTS). A Cox regression model was used to identify the time to death and predictors of mortality. Hazard ratios (HR), attributable risks (AR) and population attributable percent (PAR) were computed to estimate the effect size and public health impacts of road traffic injuries.ResultsA total of 454 victims were followed for 275,534 person-hours. There were 80 deaths with an overall incidence of 2.90 deaths per 10,000 person-hours of observation (95% CI: 2.77, 3.03). The significant predictors of time to death were being a driver (AHR=2.26; 95% CI: 1.09, 4.65, AR=14.8), accident at inter urban roads (AHR=1.98; 95% CI: 1.02, 3.82, AR=21%), hospital arrival time (AHR=0.41; 95% CI: .16, 0.63; AR= 3%), SBP on admission (AHR= 3.66; 95% CI: 2.14, 6.26; AR=57%), GCS of <8 (AHR= 7.39; 95% CI, 3.0819 17.74464;AR=75.7%), head injury with polytrauma (AHR= 2.32 (1.12774 4.79; AR=37%) and interaction of distance from hospital with pre-hospital care.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that trauma deaths follow the classical tri-modal pattern in low resource settings. Interventions on pre hospital care, and advancing the hospital trauma care system is required to reduce preventable deaths caused by road traffic injuries. We recommend further study that assess capability of primary hospitals in the area in providing primary trauma care.
Related Factors For Preterm Birth in Twins After Single Intrauterine Death：a case control study
Authors: Liu Jingyi , Li Na , Shin Na , Liu Sishi , Liu Caixia , Na Quan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background Single intrauterine death in twin pregnancy has become a relatively frequent complication of twin pregnancy. Preterm delivery is one of the complications with high incidence, and is closely related to the prognosis of the surviving fetus. However, studies about preterm delivery related to single intrauterine death are limited. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors associated with preterm birth in twins after single intrauterine death.Methods This was a case-control study of single intrauterine death in twins delivered at Shengjing Hospital over a 12-year period, from January 1, 2008, to November 30, 2020. We classified these cases into the preterm birth group and full-term birth group according to gestational age at birth. We selected age, gestational age at Single intrauterine death, and parity, etc, as related factors of the preterm birth group. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the relevance and importance of related factors and their association with preterm birth. We divided the preterm birth group into four smaller groups according to gestational age at single intrauterine death (14-19 weeks, 20-24 weeks, 25-30 weeks, and 31-36 weeks) and compared them. To exclude human intervention, we analyzed the spontaneous delivery cases as well.Results The analysis included 175 twins (mean [SD] gestational age at single intrauterine death, 27.0 [5.8] weeks; mean [SD] gestational age at birth, 33.8 [3.2] weeks ) with single intrauterine death. A total of 139 (79.4%) were cases of preterm birth. A significant risk factor associated with preterm birth was gestational age at single intrauterine death (odds ratio [OR], 2.89; 95% CI, 1.90-4.39). We found that the 14- to 19-week age group had the oldest gestational age at birth (37.25 [1.29]weeks ). The length of gestation in 14-19 weeks group, 20-24 weeks group, 25-30 weeks group and 31-36 weeks group were 20.5 weeks, 11.0 weeks, 4.77 weeks and 1.12 weeks respectivelyConclusion The fetus’ gestational age at single intrauterine death was a risk factor for preterm birth in their twin. The length of gestation was inversely proportional to increasing gestational age at single intrauterine death.
Nitric Oxide in Occurrence, Progress and Therapy of Lung Cancer: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Hongbin , Chen Zhewen , Chen Ying , Li Jiuke , Ye Sa 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in lung cancer. However, the results of previous studies about NO in the occurrence, progress and therapy were not consistent. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between NO and lung cancer.Method: We carried out comprehensive search in the databases, and collected related studies. The data of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) or blood NO in different populations (lung cancer patients and control subjects) and different time points (before therapy and after therapy) were extracted by two investigators. A random effect model was applied to analyze the differences of FeNO and blood NO in different populations and different time points. To further compare NO level of each subgroup with different pathological types and different stages, a network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed.Results: 50 studies including 2551 cases and 1691 controls were adopted in this meta-analysis. The FeNO (SMD 3.01, 95% CI 1.89-4.13, p < 0.00001) and blood NO (SMD 1.34, 95% CI 0.84-1.85, p < 0.00001) level in lung cancer patients was much higher than that in control subjects. NMA model indicated blood NO level in each cancer type except SCLC was higher than that in control patients. There was no significant difference of blood NO level among four kinds of lung cancer patients. Blood NO level in LCC patients (SUCRA=83.5%) was the highest. Blood NO level in advanced stage but not early stage was higher than that in control subjects. Patients in advanced stage (SUCRA=95.5%) had the highest blood NO level. No significant difference of FeNO (SMD -0.04, 95% CI -0.46-0.38, p > 0.05) and blood NO level (SMD -0.36, 95% CI -1.08-0.36, p > 0.05) was observed between pretreatment and posttreatment in all patients. However, FeNO level elevated (SMD 0.28, 95% CI 0.04-0.51, p = 0.02) and blood NO level decreased in NSCLC patients (SMD -0.95, 95% CI -1.89-0.00, p = 0.05) after therapy. Conclusion: FeNO and blood NO level would contribute to diagnosis of lung cancer and evaluation of therapy effect, especially for NSCLC patients.
Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Potential of Crude Extracts from Culturable Fungal Endophytes Associated with the Mangrove Species Rhizophora stylosa and R. mucronata in the South China Sea
Authors: Xu Jing , Zhou Jing 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Our research evaluated the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of crude extracts of endophytic fungi from R. stylosa and R. mucronate. 46 fungal isolates were cultured on the four different mediums, namely Dextrose Agar (PDA), Czapek’s Agar (CZA), Rice Medium (RM) and Grain Medium (GM), and harvested by ethyl acetate solvent at 40 days. The extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity by the microdilution method against Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomons adaceae (PA), Gram-positive bacteria Enterococcus faecalis (EF), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and pathogenic fungus Monilia albican (MA). Cytotoxic activity of the extracts was evaluated by MTT assay using human lung cancer cells A549, human cervical carcinoma cells Hela, and human hepatocellular cells HepG2. The results showed that rice medium could promote the secretion of antimicrobial and anti-tumor secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi in comparison with the other cultivation media. 17 strains (68%) from R. stylosa exhibited inhibition effects on indicators, especially N. protearum HHL46 which could inhibit the growth of four microbes with the MIC values reaching 0.0625 mg/mL. 15 strains (71.4%) from R. mucronata displayed activities against human pathogenic microbes, especially Pestalotiopsis sp. HQD6 and N. protearum HQD5 which could resist the growth of four microbial with MIC values ranging from 0.015 to 1 mg/mL. In cytotoxic assay, the extracts of 10 strains (40%), 9 strains (40%) and 13 strains (52%) from R. stylosa and 13 strains (61.9%), 10 stains (47.6%) and 10 stains (47.6%) in R. mucronata displayed the cytotoxicity against A549, Hela and HepG2 cancer cells with cells viability value ≤50%, respectively. Neopestalotiopsis protearum HHL46, Phomopsis longicolla HHL50, Botryosphaeria fusispora HQD83, Fusarium verticillioides HQD48 and Pestalotiopsis sp. HQD6 displayed significant antitumor activity with IC50 values below the 20 μg/mL. These results highlighted the antimicrobial and anti-tumor potential of endophytic fungi from R. stylosa and R. mucronata and the possibility to be exploited for their antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents.
Automated Detection and Segmentation of Grain Spikes in Greenhouse Images Using Shallow and Deep Learning Neural Networks: A Comparison of Six Methods
Authors: Ullah Sajid , Henke Michael , Narisetti Narendra , Hejatko Jan , Gladilin Evgeny 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Image-based plant phenotyping is the major approach to quantitative assessment of important plant properties. For automated analysis of a large amount of image data from high-throughput greenhouse measurements, efficient techniques for image segmentation are required. However, conventional approaches to whole plant and plant organ segmentation are hampered by high variability of plant and background illumination, and naturally occurring changes in geometry and colors of growing plants. Consequently, application of advanced machine learning techniques for automated image segmentation is required. Here, we investigate six advanced neural network (NN) methods for detection and segmentation of grain spikes in RGB images including three detection deep NNs (SSD, Faster-RCNN, YOLOv3/v4), two deep (U-Net, DeepLabv3+) and one shallow segmentation NNs. Our experimental results show superior performance of deep learning NNs that achieve in average more than 90% accuracy by detection and segmentation of wheat as well as barley and rye spikes. However, different methods demonstrate different performance on matured, emergent and occluded spikes. In addition to comprehensive comparison of six NN methods, a GUI-based tool (SpikeApp) provided with this work demonstrates the application of detection and segmentation NNs to fully automated spike phenotyping. Further improvements of evaluated NN approaches are discussed.
Breeding and Characterization of The World’s First Practical Rice Variety With Resistance to Brown Spot (Bipolaris Oryzae)
Authors: Matsumoto Kengo , Ota Yuya , Yamakawa Tomohiro , Ono Teppei , Seta Satomi , Honda Yuto , Mizobuchi Ritsuko , Sato Hiroyuki 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Brown spot (BS) caused by Bipolaris oryzae is a serious disease of rice and decreases grain yield. Breeding for BS resistance is an economical solution but has not hitherto been achieved.Results: To develop a practical BS-resistant variety, we introduced a chromosomal segment including a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for BS resistance, qBSfR11, derived from the BS-resistant local resource ‘Tadukan’, into the genetic background of the high-yielding but susceptible ‘Mienoyume’. Resistance is controlled by a single recessive gene in a 1.3-Mbp region. We named this gene bsr1 (brown spot resistance 1). The near-isogenic line bsr1-NIL had a greater yield with larger grain width than Mienoyume but similar other agronomic traits in fields where BS was mild; it had a significantly lower BS disease score and a 28.8% higher yield in fields where BS was more severe, and it showed resistance to multiple isolates of BS fungus. It showed stable resistance to BS and had excellent agricultural traits in the presence of BS.Conclusions: We developed the bsr1-NIL with resistance to BS and applied it for variety registration to Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan as ‘Mienoyume BSL’. It is the world’s first practical breeding variety with resistance to BS.
Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Perceived Social Support Scale in Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
Authors: Chen Yaoxin , Han Yan , Wang Xiang , Zhou Huan , Liu Yao , Li Lingyan , Wang Yuping , Fan Jie , Soondrum Tamini , ZHU Xiongzhao 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The perceived social support of breast cancer patients has a great effect on regulating their negative emotions such as anxiety and depression, which is helpful to improve their mental health level. The Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) is a frequently used instrument designed to assess the degree of perceived social support. However, the psychometric properties of PSSS in breast cancer patients have not been adequately studied. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the factor structure of PSSS and examine its measurement invariance across different demographic variables in a sample of breast cancer patients.Method: This study involved 989 female patients diagnosed with breast cancer, aged from 25 to 72 years old (Mean age = 47.67 years, SD = 8.87). The single-group confirmatory factor analysis was administrated to examine the factor structure of PSSS. The multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to demonstrate the measurement invariance of PSSS across different sociodemographic variables. Results: The PSSS had satisfactory reliability and validity in current sample. The three-factor model fit well in the overall sample and population subgroups. Configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariances were all supported by the data of breast cancer samples across different age, places of residence and educational levels.Conclusion: This study examined the factor structure and measurement invariance of PSSS across different demographic variables in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Our results proved that PSSS is suitable for use among breast cancer patients.
The comparison of curcumin and nanocurcumin effects on the expression of E6 and E7 human papilloma virus oncogenes and P53 and pRb factors in HeLa and fibroblast cell lines
Authors: Sadeghi Rezvaneh Vahedian , Parsania Masoud , Sadeghizadeh Majid , Haghighat Setareh , Farsani Seyedeh Sahar Mortazavi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Cervical cancer is a common cancer in women around the world. Human papillomavirus infection is main cause of this cancer. Currently treatment methods include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. These methods usually cause severe reactions and drug resistance in the patients, so finding a safe natural drug for treatment can be very helpful. Curcumin is a compound derived from the root of the Curcuma longa plant and is the active ingredient in a food spice. Various studies have confirmed the anti-cancer, chemoprotective and genes and proteins regulatory effects of this component. Insolubility, low cellular uptake and low bioavailability are common limitations of curcumin use. To overcome these limitations, a nano-formulation of curcumin has been developed in our laboratory. In this study, the effect of nanocurcumin on cellular apoptosis induction of Hela cancer cells was compared with curcumin. It has demonstrated that nanocurcumin function is three time more effective than curcumin in same concentration. This nano-formulation of curcumin in 15µM concentration was able to reduce the expression of E6 and E7 oncogenes, and increase P53 and Rb tumor suppressors in HeLa cancerous cells with p-value = 0.001 − 0.0001, whereas curcumin altered these genes expression in 50µM concentration with p-value = 0.05 − 0.01. Nanocurcumin has no significant effect on the viability of normal fibroblast cells. Therefore, this compound has no effect on normal cells. These findings are consistent with the results of previous studies about nanocurcurcumin in other types of cancer. Therefore, nanocurcumin may be a suitable option to consider for cervical cancer treatment.
Combustion and Performance Analysis of a Dual-fuel Diesel Engine Using Producer Gas
Authors: Dash Pradipta Kumar , Jena Shakti Prakash , Das Harish Chandra 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The researchers around the globe are trying to overcome energy crisis by developing suitable alternative energy source. In this work, combustion and performance analysis of a diesel engine was studied running in dual-fuel mode using producer gas. The experiment shows lower engine performance like brake thermal efficiency, increased brake specific fuel consumption and exhaust gas temperature in dual-fuel run as compared to diesel alone run. Combustion characteristics like cylinder pressure, mass fraction burned, mean combustion temperature and net heat release were also found to be deteriorated in presence of producer gas. The peak value of cylinder pressure and net heat release were noticed slightly away from the top dead center. The experimentation indicates that combustion improving techniques should be employed to enhance the performance of the dual-fuel engine to run with producer gas.
Observational evaluation of outdoor cooling potential of air-source heat pump water heaters
Authors: Yamaguchi Kazuki , Ihara Tomohiko , Kikegawa Yukihiro 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Heat pump water heaters are highly efficient hot water supply systems that effectively utilize the heat of outdoor air via heat pump technology. Many studies have been conducted to optimize the design and operation of heat pump water heaters from the perspective of climate change mitigation. Air-source heat pump water heaters, which absorb heat from the outdoor air and emit cold exhaust, can also be expected to alleviate the urban heat island effect; however, this has not been studied extensively. To estimate the impact of cold exhaust on building-scale climate, we conducted a multipoint measurement of the outdoor thermal environment around a low-rise apartment building equipped with air-source heat pump water heaters, in both summer and winter. Observations showed a substantial cooling effect that decreased air temperatures by 1°C within the site boundary on summer nights when multiple heat pump water heaters operated concurrently. The analysis revealed that the sensitivity of the ambient temperatures to cold exhaust depends strongly on local atmospheric conditions. The most influential factor was the wind direction: the sensitivity increased significantly when the exhaust outlet location was at the lee side of the building. Naturally, the wind speed also affected the sensitivity, which tended to be higher when the wind speed was lower. The convective stability near the ground surface, however, showed no significant influence over the sensitivity.
Cotton Fabric Incorporated with β-Cyclodextrin/Ketoconazole/Ag-NPs Generating Outstanding Antifungal and Antibacterial Performances
Authors: Hedayati Nafiseh , Montazer Majid , Mahmoudirad Mahnaz , Toliyat Tayebeh 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The influence of Ketoconazole and β-CD/Ketoconazole was previously reported on cotton fabric as fungal skincare; however, the impact of nanosilver on the antifungal and antibacterial properties of the same products is unknown. Here, silver NPs were synthesized on β-CD/KZ composites and then attached to the cotton using a cross-linking agent. The nanocomposites and treated fabrics were analyzed by UV-vis, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta-potential and FE-SEM. The drug delivery and cytotoxicity of the products were also studied. The nanocomposites antimicrobial efficiency was examined on Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger as fungi and E. coli & S. aureus as bacteria. The synthesis of Ag-NPs on the β-CD/KZ amplifies both antifungal and antibacterial efficiencies. This also extends the drug regular release time for medical and drug delivery purposes. Having tremendous antimicrobial activities without cytotoxicity effects and regular release time of drug with excellent washing durability of treated samples make it suitable for medical applications likewise wound dressings and sportswear designed for sensitive skin.