bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum G9‐1 on the gastrointestinal symptoms of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with metformin: An open‐label, single‐arm, exploratory research trial
Authors: Hata Shinnosuke , Nakajima Hanako , Hashimoto Yoshitaka , Miyoshi Tomoki , Hosomi Yukako , Okamura Takuro , Majima Saori , Nakanishi Naoko , Senmaru Takafumi , Osaka Takafumi , Okada Hiroshi , Ushigome Emi , Hamaguchi Masahide , Asano Mai , Yamazaki Masahiro , Fukui Michiaki 
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACTAims/IntroductionMetformin is associated with the risk of gastrointestinal complications, and probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum G9‐1 (BBG9‐1) can improve the symptoms of diarrhea. This study aimed to clarify the effects of probiotic BBG9‐1 on the gastrointestinal symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients using metformin.Materials and methodsIn this open‐label single‐arm exploratory study, 40 patients (mean age 64.0 ± 9.4 years) were given probiotic BBG9‐1 for 10 weeks. Changes in the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale total score, which was the primary end‐point, gastrointestinal symptom rating scale subscale scores, glycated hemoglobin levels and gut microbiota after the administration of probiotic BBG9‐1 were evaluated by the Student's t‐test.ResultsThe gastrointestinal symptom rating scale total score significantly improved (from 2.02 ± 0.51 to 1.59 ± 0.43, change, −0.43 ± 0.49, P < 0.001). Furthermore, all gastrointestinal symptom rating scale subscale scores, including diarrhea (from 2.32 ± 1.14 to 1.89 ± 0.99, change, −0.42 ± 0.95, P = 0.007) and constipation (from 3.00 ± 1.16 to 2.20 ± 1.07, change, −0.80 ± 1.19, P < 0.001), scores also significantly improved. However, the glycated hemoglobin levels did not change (from 7.0 ± 0.7 to 7.0 ± 0.6%, change, 0.0 ± 0.4, P = 0.91). The relative abundance of the genus Sutterella decreased by the use of probiotic BBG9‐1 (from 0.011 ± 0.009 to 0.008 ± 0.006, change, −0.003 ± 0.006, P = 0.002).ConclusionsType 2 diabetes mellitus patients treated with metformin showed significant improvement in all gastrointestinal symptom rating scores after using probiotic BBG9‐1 without changing the glucose control. This study showed the potential usefulness of probiotic BBG9‐1 for improving gastrointestinal symptoms, including constipation and diarrhea, in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients treated with metformin.
Melanoma in children and adolescents: analysis of susceptibility genes in 123 Italian patients
Authors: Pellegrini C. , Raimondi S. , Di Nardo L. , Ghiorzo P. , Menin C. , Manganoni M.A. , Palmieri G. , Guida G. , Quaglino P. , Stanganelli I. , Massi D. , Pastorino L. , Elefanti L. , Tosti G. , Queirolo P. , Leva A. , Maurichi A. , Rodolfo M. , Fargnoli M.C. ,   the Italian Melanoma Intergroup (IMI)
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundA polygenic inheritance involving high, medium and low penetrance genes has been suggested for melanoma susceptibility in adults, but genetic information is scarce for paediatric patients.ObjectiveWe aim to analyse the major high and intermediate melanoma risk genes, CDKN2A, CDK4, POT1, MITF and MC1R, in a large multicentre cohort of Italian children and adolescents in order to explore the genetic context of paediatric melanoma and to reveal potential differences in heritability between children and adolescents.MethodsOne‐hundred‐twenty‐three patients (<21 years) from nine Italian centres were analysed for the CDKN2A, CDK4, POT1, MITF, and MC1R melanoma predisposing genes. The rate of gene variants was compared between sporadic, familial and multiple melanoma patients and between children and adolescents, and their association with clinico‐pathological characteristics was evaluated.ResultsMost patients carried MC1R variants (67%), while CDKN2A pathogenic variants were found in 9% of the cases, the MITF E318K in 2% of patients and none carried CDK4 or the POT1 S270N pathogenic variant. Sporadic melanoma patients significantly differed from familial and multiple cases for the young age at diagnosis, infrequent red hair colour, low number of nevi, low frequency of CDKN2A pathogenic variants and of the MC1R R160W variant. Melanoma in children (≤12 years) had more frequently spitzoid histotype, were located on the head/neck and upper limbs and had higher Breslow thickness. The MC1R V92M variant was more common in children than in adolescents. CDKN2A common polymorphisms and MC1R variants were associated with a high number of nevi.ConclusionOur results confirm the scarce involvement of the major high‐risk susceptibility genes in paediatric melanoma and suggest the implication of MC1R gene variants especially in the children population.
Fracture strength of zirconia and lithium disilicate restorations following endodontic access
Authors: Lucas Thomas J. , Lawson Nathaniel C. , Englert Brandon , Goldstein Ken , Goldstein Ronald 
Published: October 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo compare the fracture load of zirconia and lithium disilicate crowns prepared with endodontic access with fine and coarse diamond instruments.Materials and methods0.8 mm (3Y zirconia) or 1 mm (lithium disilicate) crowns were luted to resin composite dies with resin‐modified glass ionomer (zirconia) or self‐adhesive resin (lithium disilicate) cement. A 2.5 mm endodontic access hole was placed in each crown with fine (8369DF.31.025FOOTBALL) or coarse (6379 DC.31.023FOOTBALL) diamond instruments and restored with composite. A control group was prepared without access holes. Crowns were thermocycled for 10,000 cycles (5–55°C) and tested in compression with a steel indenter until failure (n = 8/group). A one‐way ANOVA and Dunnett 2‐sided test (alpha = 0.05) compared differences in fracture load between groups.ResultsFor zirconia, there was no statistical difference between the control group (2335 ± 160 N) and coarse diamond group (2345 ± 246 N); however, the fine diamond group (2077 ± 216 N) was significantly lower. For lithium disilicate, there was no statistical difference between the control group (2113 ± 183 N) and the fine (2049 ± 105 N) or coarse (2240 ± 118 N) groups.Conclusions3Y zirconia crowns became weaker when accessed with a fine diamond instrument. There was no negative effect of the endodontic access with bonded lithium disilicate crowns.Clinical significanceConservative endodontic access openings in high‐strength ceramic restorations do not have a negative effect on their static fracture load. The coarse zirconia‐cutting diamond rotary instrument is more efficient and has a less detrimental effect on the strength of the crowns than a fine diamond rotary instrument.
Mast cells and histamine are involved in the neuronal damage observed in a quinolinic acid‐induced model of Huntington's disease
Authors: Martínez‐Gopar Pablo Eliasib , Pérez‐Rodríguez Marian Jesabel , Rodríguez‐Manzo Gabriela , Garduño‐Gutierrez René , Tristán‐López Luis , Angeles‐López Quetzalli Denisse , González‐Espinosa Claudia , Pérez‐Severiano Francisca 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHuntington´s disease (HD) is a pathological condition that can be studied in mice by the administration of quinolinic acid (QUIN), an agonist of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) that induces NMDAR‐mediated cytotoxicity and neuroinflammation. Mast cells (MCs) participate in numerous inflammatory processes through the release of important amounts of histamine (HA). In this study, we aimed to characterize the participation of MCs and HA in the establishment of neural and oxidative damage in the QUIN‐induced model of HD. C57BL6/J mice (WT), MC‐deficient c‐KitW‐sh/W‐sh (Wsh) mice and Wsh mice reconstituted by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of 5 × 105 bone marrow‐derived mast cells (BMMCs), or i.c.v. administered with HA (5 µg) were used. All groups of animals were intrastriatally injected with 1 µL QUIN (30 nmol/µL) and 3 days later, apomorphine‐induced circling behavior, striatal GABA levels and the number of Fluoro‐Jade positive cells, as indicators of neuronal damage, were determined. Also, lipid peroxidation (LP) and reactive oxygen species production (ROS), as markers of oxidative damage, were analyzed. Wsh mice showed less QUIN‐induced neuronal and oxidative damage than WT and Wsh‐MC reconstituted animals. Histamine administration restored the QUIN‐induced neuronal and oxidative damage in the non‐reconstituted Wsh mice to levels equivalent or superior to those observed in WT mice. Our results demonstrate that MCs and HA participate in the neuronal and oxidative damages observed in mice subjected to the QUIN ‐induced model of Huntington's disease.
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Professional profile and work conditions of nurses working in intensive care units: A multicentre study
Authors: Achury Saldaña Diana Marcela , Achury Beltrán Luisa Fernanda , Rodríguez Colmenares Sandra Mónica , Alvarado Romero Herly Ruth , Cavallo Edhit , Ulloa Ana Cristina , Merino Virginia , da Silva Barreto Mayckel , Andrade Fonseca David , Muñoz Acuña Doraly , Betancur Manrique Yanier , Rodríguez Marín Jorge Eliecer , González Gómez Ana Angelica , Herrera Corpas Katerine , Andrade Méndez Brayant , Vargas Toloza Ruby Elizabeth , Martínez Rojas Sandra Milena , De las Salas Martínez Roxana Patricia 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAimTo determine the professional profile and the work conditions of nurses working in intensive care units (ICU) in Colombia, Argentina, Peru and Brazil.BackgroundICUs require a differentiated professional profile to provide quality care, and appropriate working conditions, leading to a transformation of care and management practices.DesignDescriptive multicentre cross‐sectional observational study.MethodsAn online survey was applied to identify both the characteristics of the professional profile and the working conditions. 1,427 ICU nursing professionals were included. RStudio statistical software was used for the analysis of the information. Descriptive statistics were used for the presentation of the results. The STROBE checklist for cross‐sectional studies was used in this study.ResultsOnly 33.6% of the professionals had a specialisation degree in intensive care. The skills that were most frequently put into practice were communication (68.5%) and care management (78.5%). The most predominant nurse‐to‐patient ratios were 1:2, and greater than 1:6. 59.1% of the nurses had an indefinite term contract, 38.8% worked 48 hours per week and 49.8% had rotating shifts. Only 50.4% of them received incentives. The average salary ranged between 348 and 1,500 USD. 64.5% of the participants were satisfied with their job.ConclusionIt is necessary to strengthen nurses’ professional profile by promoting both postgraduate education and the development of troubleshooting and teamwork skills. It is necessary to standardise the nurse‐to‐patient ratio, improve wages and increase incentives to achieve greater job satisfaction.Relevance to practiceThe knowledge and the improvement of both the professional profile and the work conditions of nurses working in intensive care units will improve the quality of the care given to critical patients and, therefore, the quality of health outcomes.
The effect of ultrasonographically measured fetal adipose tissue components on labor
Authors: Akselim Burak , Karaşin Süleyman Serkan , Altekin Yasin , Toksoy Karaşin Zeynep 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAimTo investigate whether increased fetal adiposity diagnosed ultrasonographical is associated with labor dystocia, and increased risk of operative delivery.MethodThis was a prospective study and included 400 pregnant women between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation. In addition to standard ultrasonographic measurements, we evaluated fetal soft tissue thickness before delivery. We also recorded data on delivery method, shoulder dystocia, fetal birthweight and labor duration. We considered the period between 6 and 10 cm cervical opening as the active phase, and the period from full dilation to birth as the second stage.ResultsWhile the vaginal delivery rate was 77.3%, a cesarean was performed in 22.7% of pregnant women. We found a positive correlation between fetal adipose tissue components and durations of the active phase and second‐stage labor and the baby's birthweight. Also, we examined and determined that cesarean section and labor dystocia increased as the fetus adipose tissue thickness increased. We investigated the effect of parameters on the study results with logistic regression analysis and possible threshold values with receiver operating characteristics analysis.ConclusionOur study evaluated the fetal adipose tissue complex during delivery was significant in terms of labor dystocia and operative delivery. We think it may be a guide for future studies in the literature.
LncRNA LINC00152 promotes oral squamous cell carcinoma growth via enhancing Upstream Transcription Factor 1 mediated Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein L52 transcription
Authors: Zou Xiuhe , Hu Xiaokun , He Fenghui , Zhang Ming , Kong Xiangyu , Rui Shu , Liu Yang , Wang Liying , Zheng Xun , Liu Jiaye , Li Zhihui , Luo Han 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundLINC00152 (long intergenic non‐protein coding RNA 152) was identified as an oncogenic lncRNA in multiple cancers. In the current study, we aimed to explore the transcriptional profile of LINC00152 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its regulations at the transcriptional level.MethodsBioinformatic analysis was performed by extracting the OSCC subset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)‐Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSC). LINC00152 subcellular localization and its interacting transcriptional factors (TFs) were explored. Dual‐luciferase assay and ChIP‐qPCR were applied to study transcriptional regulation. In vitro and in vivo tumor cell growth models were used for functional assays.ResultsNR_024206.2 was the dominant isoform that accounts for 80% of all transcripts of LINC00152. LINC00152 upregulation was associated with unfavorable survival of patients with OSCC. LINC00152 knockdown significantly impaired OSCC cell growth in vitro and in vivo. RNA FISH assay confirmed nuclear and cytoplasmic distribution of LINC00152. It physically interacted with Upstream Transcription Factor 1 (USF1), a common transcription factor in mammalian cells. USF1 could bind to the promoter region of MRPL52 (Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein L52) and activate its transcription. LINC00152 could enhance the binding, thereby indirectly elevating MRPL52 expression. USF1 or MRPL52 knockdown slowed the proliferation of OSCC cells and partly canceled LINC00152‐mediated growth‐promoting effects.ConclusionThis study revealed a novel LINC00152‐USF1/MRPL52 axis promoting OSCC tumor growth.
Incidence and detection of negative‐stranded RNA viruses infecting apple and pear trees in California
Authors: Diaz‐Lara Alfredo , Wunderlich Lynn , Nouri Mohamed T. , Golino Deborah , Al Rwahnih Maher 
Published: October 2021

AbstractNovel negative‐stranded RNA (nsRNA) viruses have been recently identified in multiple agronomic crops, including pome fruit trees. Citrus concave gum‐associated virus (CCGaV), citrus virus A (CiVA) and apple rubbery wood viruses 1 and 2 (ARWV1 and 2) are examples of such viruses. Given the novelty and lack of information about these pathogens in Californian orchards, in this study, real‐time RT‐PCR assays for CCGaV, CiVA, ARWV1 and 2 were developed and employed in a field survey. Initially, the new assays were challenged against a comprehensive set of positive and negative samples, previously analysed by high‐throughput sequencing (HTS), to determine specificity. Aiming to investigate the presence of nsRNA viruses in California apple and pear orchards, 186 samples were collected from 21 different locations. As a result, 79 (42%) samples were found to be infected by these viruses in single or mixed infections. The incidence of each virus in relation to the total number of samples was 36%, 15%, 11% and 0% for ARWV2, CCGaV, ARWV1 and CiVA respectively. Overall, not considering the no detected CiVA, the other three nsRNA viruses were widely distributed among sampled orchards. To further validate the reliability of the new real‐time RT‐PCR assays, six samples tested positive during the survey were screened by previously described detection assays and HTS. This is the first detection of these nsRNA viruses in California, which may represent an issue in apple and pear production.
PdeA is required for the rod shape morphology of Brucella abortus
Authors: Reboul Angéline , Carlier Elodie , Stubbe François‐Xavier , Barbieux Emeline , Demars Aurore , Ong Phuong Thi Anh , Gerodez Antoine , Muraille Eric , De Bolle Xavier 
Published: October 2021

AbstractCyclic‐di‐GMP plays crucial role in the cell cycle regulation of the α‐Proteobacterium Caulobacter crescentus. Here we investigated its role in the α‐Proteobacterium Brucella abortus, a zoonotic intracellular pathogen. Surprisingly, deletion of all predicted cyclic‐di‐GMP synthesizing or degrading enzymes did not drastically impair the growth of B. abortus, nor its ability to grow inside cell lines. As other Rhizobiales, B. abortus displays unipolar growth from the new cell pole generated by cell division. We found that the phosphodiesterase PdeA, the ortholog of the essential polar growth factor RgsP of the Rhizobiale Sinorhizobium meliloti, is required for rod shape integrity but is not essential for B. abortus growth. Indeed, the radius of the pole is increased by 31 ± 1.7% in a ΔpdeA mutant, generating a coccoid morphology. A mutation in the cyclic‐di‐GMP phosphodiesterase catalytic site of PdeA does not generate the coccoid morphology and the ΔpdeA mutant kept the ability to recruit markers of new and old poles. However, the presence of PdeA is required in an intra‐nasal mouse model of infection. In conclusion, we propose that PdeA contributes to bacterial morphology and virulence in B. abortus, but it is not crucial for polarity and asymmetric growth.
Spontaneous conus medullary infarction in the absence of cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Gummadi Bavica , Ahmed Jaffer , Rajagopalan Swarna 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSpinal cord infarction (SCI) is a rare but devastating disease that occurs in association with trauma or predisposing cardiovascular risk factors. Since clinical presentation is variable, it remains a diagnostic challenge in patients without risk factors, often mistaken for other diseases. Delay in diagnosis of SCI can result in missed treatment opportunities and contributes to the high case fatality rate. This case report examines the case of a 42‐year‐old man with no significant past medical history who presented with clinical symptoms of spinal cord compression secondary to acute SCI in the setting of heavy lifting.
After‐hours connectivity management strategies in academic work
Authors: Aljabr Njod , Chamakiotis Petros , Petrakaki Dimitra , Newell Sue 
Published: October 2021

AbstractEmerging literature has identified a range of strategies that professionals develop in order to manage after‐hours connectivity to work, but it has largely treated those strategies as being independent from each other. Existing research has not captured the dynamic nature of connectivity or how this may facilitate the redrawing of boundaries in practice. Here, we focus on academics as an occupational group that experiences connectivity to work, given their discretion to decide (to a degree) when to work outside their teaching duties. Drawing on two case studies, we first elicit three connectivity management strategies—segmentation, prioritisation and distancing—and illustrate the practices that support them and their intertwining relationship, as academics try to maintain their professional identity. Second, we argue that technology does not necessarily contribute to a blurring of boundaries between work and nonwork, but it can also be used as a ‘boundary object’ that separates the two domains.
The validity of point of care tear film osmometers in the diagnosis of dry eye
Authors: Tavakoli Azadeh , Markoulli Maria , Flanagan Judith , Papas Eric 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPurposeTo determine the repeatability of TearLab and I‐PEN osmometers in vivo and their accuracy in vitro.DesignProspective, single‐visit study.MethodsThe tear osmolarity of 28 participants was evaluated with TearLab and I‐PEN on two occasions in random order, over a 2‐h period. Both eyes were measured in a randomised order. Coefficients of repeatability (CoR) were determined for each device, together with the bias and limits of agreement between them. For the in vitro experiment, the osmolarity was measured by both osmometers in five solutions (290, 297, 342, 338 and 383 mOsm/L) at two different temperatures (22 and 37°C) with a total of four consecutive measures.ResultsThe CoRs for the TearLab and I‐PEN in the right and left eyes were 26.2, 21.3, 33.6 and 28.3 mOsm/L, respectively. Across the first and second repeats, TearLab showed consistency of diagnosis for 50% of participants with 29% as dry eye positive, while I‐PEN indicated 68% consistency of diagnosis with 57% dry eye positive. The instruments agreed on the diagnosis in 46.5% of cases. In vitro comparison showed that the average measurement errors for TearLab and I‐PEN were −10 ± 13 and 31 ± 39 mOsm/L at 22°C, and 4 ± 13 and 20 ± 51 mOsm/L at 37°C.ConclusionsIn vitro, both instruments showed reasonable accuracy and repeatability at mid‐range osmolarities, but repeatability generally declined at higher and lower levels. While TearLab accuracy remained consistent across the osmolarity range, measurement errors for I‐PEN noticeably increased outside the mid‐range. In vivo, both instruments displayed poor repeatability. This casts doubt on the value of utilising either instrument to establish osmolarity as a factor in the diagnosis of dry‐eye, according to currently recommended diagnostic guidelines (TFOS DEWS II), if only a single measurement is taken from each eye.
Characteristics and proposed mechanisms of QRS morphology observed during the left bundle branch pacing procedure
Authors: Shimeno Kenji , Tamura Shota , Nakatsuji Kenichi , Hayashi Yusuke , Abe Yukio , Naruko Takahiko 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn performing left bundle branch pacing (LBBP), various QRS morphologies are observed as the lead penetrates the ventricular septum (VS). This study aimed to evaluate these characteristics and infer the mechanism underlying each QRS morphology.MethodsIn 19 patients who met the strict criteria for LBB capture, we classified the QRS morphologies observed during the LBBP procedure into seven patterns, the first five of which were determined by the depth of penetration: right ventricular septal pacing (RVSP), intraventricular septal pacing (IVSP1 and IVSP2), endocardial side of left ventricular septal pacing (LVSeP), nonselective LBBP (NS‐LBBP), selective LBBP (S‐LBBP), and NS‐LBBP with anodal capture. The parameters of the QRS morphologies in these seven patterns were evaluated.ResultsAmong the first five patterns, stimulus‐QRSend duration (s‐QRSend) was the narrowest in IVSP1 rather than in NS‐LBBP, and stimulus‐to‐peak of R wave in V6 (s‐LVAT) was significantly shortened in two steps, from RVSP to IVSP1 (96 ± 11; 82 ± 8 ms, p < .01) and from LVSeP to NS‐LBBP (76 ± 7; 60 ± 4 ms, p < .01). The late‐R duration in V1 was significantly prolonged in the order of LVSeP, NS‐LBBP, and S‐LBBP (45 ± 7; 53 ± 10; 71 ± 15 ms, respectively, p < .01).Conclusionss‐QRSend was the narrowest in IVSP1 rather than in NS‐LBBP among the QRS morphologies observed during lead penetration through the VS. The prolonged late‐R duration in V1 and abrupt shortening of the s‐LVAT in V6 may help determine LBB capture during lead penetration.