bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbial Interventions to Control And Reduce Blood Pressure In Australia (Microbia): Rationale And Design of A Double-Blinded Randomised Cross-Over Placebo Controlled Trial
Authors: Rhys-Jones Dakota , Climie Rachel , Jama Hamdi , Gill Paul , Head Geoffrey , Gibson Peter , Kaye David , Muir Jane , Mackay Charles , Marques Francine 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Hypertension is a prevalent chronic disease worldwide that remains poorly controlled. Recent studies support the concept that the gut microbiota is involved in the development of hypertension, and that dietary fibre intake may act through the gut microbiota to lower blood pressure (BP). Resistant starch is a type of prebiotic fibre which is metabolized by commensal bacteria in the colon to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Previous work in pre-clinical models provide strong evidence that both prebiotic fibre as well as SCFAs (i.e. postbiotics) can prevent the development of hypertension. The aim of this clinical trial is to determine if acetylated and butyrylated modified resistant starch can decrease BP of hypertensive individuals via the modulation of the gut microbiota and release of high levels of SCFAs. Methods: This is a phase IIa double-blinded, randomised, cross-over, placebo controlled trial. Participants are randomly allocated to receive either a diet containing 40g/day of the modified resistant starch or placebo (corn starch or regular flour) for three weeks on each diet, with a three week washout period between the two diets. BP is measured in the office, at home, and using a 24 hour ambulatory device. Arterial stiffness is measured using carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity. Our primary endpoint is a reduction in ambulatory daytime systolic BP. Secondary endpoints include changes to circulating cytokines, immune markers, and modulation to the gut microbiome. Discussion: The findings of this study will provide the first evidence for the use of a combination of pre- and postbiotics to lower BP in humans. The results are expected at the end of 2021.Trial registration: Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12619000916145, registered on 1/07/2019.
Metagenomic and Metabolic Analyses of Poly-Extreme Microbiome from an Active Crater Volcano Lake
Authors: Peña-Ocaña Betsy Anaid , Tamames Javier , Servín-Garcidueñas Luis Eduardo , González-Toril Elena , Ovando-Ovando Cesar Iván , Gutiérrez-Sarmiento Wilbert , Jasso-Chávez Ricardo , Ruíz-Valdiviezo Víctor Manuel 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: El Chichón volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico. Previous studies have described the poly-extreme conditions of the lake crater but its bacterial composition and the functional features of the complete microbiome have not been characterized yet. Methods: This study integrated two approaches to explain the microbiology diversity and abundance, one focused on the environmental genomic potential by metagenomics approach, and other culturomics of enrichment of bacteria and archaea. The microbial diversity of the anaerobic consortia cultivated in was carried out by metabarcoding analysis, the metabolic capacity by metabolomics fluxes of carbon and enzymologic techniques for the analysis of sulfate reduction in laboratory-grown prokaryotic cells. Results: This work provides new information on the taxonomic and functional diversity of the Archea representative phyla Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota as well as the phyla Thermotogales and Aquificae for Bacteria. Through the analysis of microbial consortia cultivation and the genetic information collected from the natural environment sampling, metabolic interactions were identified between the microorganisms that support the life of the microbiome under multi-extreme conditions. A close relationship is proposed between the cycles of carbon and sulfur in an active volcano. Conclusions: This research contributes to the understanding of microbial metabolism under extreme conditions and potential knowledge of "microbial dark matter" that can be applied in biotechnological processes and evolutionary studies.
Renal transplantation outcomes in obese patients: a French cohort-based study
Authors: Foucher Yohann , Lorent Marine , Albano Laetitia , Roux Solène , Quintrec Moglie Le , Vincent Pernin , Legendre Christophe , Buron Fanny , Morelon Emmanuel , Girerd Sophie , Ladrière Marc , Glotz Denis , Lefaucher Carmen , Kerleau Clarisse , Dantal Jacques , Branchereau Julien , Giral Magali 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background. Whilst there are a number of publications comparing the relationship between body mass index (BMI) of kidney transplant recipients and graft/patient survival, no study has assessed this for a French patient cohort. Methods. In this study, cause-specific Cox models were used to study patient and graft survival and several other time-to-event measures. Logistic regressions were performed to study surgical complications at 30 days post-transplantation as well as delayed graft function. Results. Among the 4691 included patients, 747 patients were considered obese with a BMI level greater than 30 kg/m². We observed a higher mortality for obese recipients (HR=1.37, p=0.0086) and higher risks of serious bacterial infections (HR=1.24, p=0.0006) and cardiac complications (HR=1.45, p<0.0001). We observed a trend towards death censored graft survival (HR=1.22, p=0.0666) and no significant increased risk of early surgical complications. Conclusions. We showed that obesity increased the risk of death and serious bacterial infections and cardiac complications in obese French kidney transplant recipients. Further epidemiologic studies aiming to compare obese recipients versus obese candidates remaining on dialysis are needed to improve the guidelines for obese patient transplant allocation.
Beliefs about medication as predictors of medication adherence in a prospective cohort study among persons with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Neter Efrat , Glass-Marmor Lea , Wolkowitz Anat , Lavi Idit , Miller Ariel 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Though adherence to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) among persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) varies and is often below 80%, only few prospective studies on adherence examined predictors beyond demographic and clinical characteristics. Objectives: Identify antecedents to adherence and persistence to DMT in a prospective design among PwMS.Methods: PwMS (n=186) were prospectively assessed at three time points: baseline, 6 (Time 1) and 12 months later (Time 2). Clinical, demographic information and patient-reported medication beliefs, illness perceptions, medication habits, perceived health and affect were surveyed in-person. Adherence and persistence were assessed by a combination of self-reports and retrospective review of medication claims. Findings: PwMS were 69.9% (Time 1) and 71% (Time 2) adherent to their DMTs and 64.5.9% were persistent. Beliefs about Medications were consistently predictive at both time points (baseline to Time 1 and Time 1 to Time 2) of medication adherence and persistence whereas other perceptions were predictive in some analyses; clinical and demographic characteristics were mostly not predictive of adherence nor persistence. The prospective association of beliefs about medication with adherence held also in multivariate analyses (OR=0.88, 95% CI 0.78 – 0.99, p=0.029).Conclusions: Adherence and persistence are predicted by medication beliefs of PwMS. As medication beliefs are modifiable, they should be assessed periodically and targeted as a focus of tailored interventions aimed to improve adherence and consequently health outcomes in PwMS.
Age-related impairment of navigation and strategy in virtual reality star maze
Authors: Zhang Jiaxin , Wang Lin , Hou Haiyan , Yue Chunlin , Wang Liang , Li Huijie 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Although it is well known that aging impairs navigation performance, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Egocentric strategy requires navigators to remember a series of body-turns without relying on the relationship between environmental cues. Previous study suggested that the egocentric strategy, compared with non-egocentric strategy, was relatively unimpaired during aging. In this study, we aimed to examine strategy use during virtual navigation task and the underlying cognitive supporting mechanisms in older adults.Methods: Thirty young adults and thirty-one older adults were recruited from the local community. This study adapted star maze paradigm using non-immersive virtual environment. Participants moved freely in a star maze with adequate landmarks, and were requested to find a fixed destination. After 9 learning trials, participants were probed in the same virtual star maze but with no salient landmarks. Participants were classified as egocentric or non-egocentric strategy group according to their response in the probe trial. Results: The results revealed that older adults adopting egocentric strategy completed the navigation task as accurate as young adults, whereas older adults using non-egocentric strategy completed the navigation task with more detours and lower accuracy. The relatively well-maintained egocentric strategy in older adults was related to better visuo-spatial ability.Conclusions: Visuo-spatial ability might play an important role in navigation accuracy and navigation strategy of older adults. This study demonstrated the potential value of the virtual star maze in evaluating navigation strategy and visuo-spatial ability in older adults.
Epigenomic response of red blood cells to a stress challenge in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.)
Authors: KRICK Madoka V. , DESMARAIS Erick , SAMARAS Athanasios , GUERET Elise , DIMITROGLOU Arkadios , PAVLIDIS Michalis , TSIGENOPOULOS Costas S , GUINAND Bruno 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: In fish, minimally invasive blood sampling is widely used to monitor physiological stress with blood plasma biomarkers. As fish blood cells are nucleated, they might be a source a potential new markers derived from ‘omics technologies. We modified the epiGBS (epiGenotyping By Sequencing) technique to explore changes in genome-wide cytosine methylation to a repeated acute stress challenge in the red blood cells (RBCs) of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), species is widely studied in both natural and farmed environments.Results: We retrieved 501,108,033 sequencing reads after trimming, with a mean mapping efficiency of 73.0% (unique best hits). Minor changes in RBC methylome appeared to manifest after the challenge test and a family-effect was detected. Fifty-seven differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs) close to 51 distinct genes distributed on 17 of 24 linkage groups (LGs) were detected between RBCs of pre- and post-challenge individuals. Thirty-seven of these genes were previously reported as differentially expressed in the brain of zebrafish, most of them involved in stress coping differences. While further investigation remains necessary, few DMC-related genes associated to the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor, a protein that favors stress adaptation and fear memory, appear relevant to integrate a centrally produced stress response in RBCs.Conclusion: Our modified epiGBS protocol was powerful to analyze patterns of cytosine methylation in RBCs of D. labrax and to evaluate the impact of a stress challenge using minimally invasive blood samples. This study is the first approximation to identify epigenetic biomarkers of exposure to stress in fish.
Psychiatric Disorders in Female Psychosexual Disorders—A Nationwide, Cohort Study in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Iau-Jin , Tzeng Nian-Sheng , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Wu-chien Chien 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We aimed to investigate whether females with psychosexual disorders were associated with the risk of affective and other psychiatric disorders. A total of 2,240 enrolled individuals, with 560 patients with psychosexual disorders and 1,680 subjects without psychosexual disorders (1:3) matched for age and index year, from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database, retrieved from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), between 2000-2015 in Taiwan. The multivariate Cox regression model was used to compare the risk of developing psychiatric disorders during the 15 years of follow-up. There were 98 in the cohort with psychosexual disorders (736.07 per 100,000 person-year) and 119 in the non-cohort without psychosexual disorders (736.07 per 100,000 person-year) that developed psychiatric disorders. The multivariate Cox regression model revealed that the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 9.848 (95% CI= 7.298 — 13.291, p < 0.001), after the adjustment of age, monthly income, urbanization level, geographic region, and comorbidities. Female patients with psychosexual disorders were associated with the risk of psychiatric disorders. This finding could be a reminder for clinicians about the mental health problems in patients with psychosexual disorders.
The Effect Of Salinity On Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei Infection in Penaeus vannamei Under Experimental Conditions
Authors: Aranguren Luis Fernando , Alghamdi Faris , De Belder Katrien , Lin J. , Mai Hung N. , Millabas Jasmine , Alrehaili Y. , Alazwari Anwer , Algetham Saif , Dhar Arun K. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) is an enteric pathogen that affects Penaeus vannamei and Penaeus monodon shrimp in many SE Asian countries. In the western hemisphere, EHP was reported for the first time in 2016 in farmed P. vannamei in Venezuela. Anecdotal evidence suggests that EHP is more prevalent in grow-out ponds where the salinity is high (>15 parts per thousand (ppt)) compared to grow-out ponds with low salinities (<5 ppt). Considering that P. vannamei is an euryhaline species, we were interested in knowing if EHP can propagate in P. vannamei in low salinities. Results: In this study, we described an experimental infection using fecal strings as a source inoculum. Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) P. vannamei were maintained at three different salinities (2 ppt, 15 ppt, and 30 ppt) while continuously challenged using feces from known EHP-infected P. vannamei over a period of three weeks. The fecal strings, used as a source of EHP inocula in the challenges, was sufficient to elicit an infection in shrimp maintained at the three salinities. The infectivity of EHP in shrimp reared at 2 ppt, 15 ppt, and 30 ppt salinities was confirmed by PCR and histopathology. The prevalence and the severity of the EHP infection was higher at 30 ppt than at 2 ppt and 15 ppt. Conclusion: The data suggests that fecal strings are a reliable source of EHP inoculum to conduct experimental challenges via the fecal-oral route. An EHP infection can occur at a salinity as low as 2 ppt, however, the prevalence and the severity of the EHP infection is higher at a salinity of 30 ppt.
Total knee arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, severe osteoporosis, and genu valgum
Authors: Zhang Tao , Zhou Yong , Zhang Rui , Li Mi , Zhang Dapeng , Hu Naiwu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by symmetric, relapsing, and chronic destructive synovitis. This retrospective study aimed to assess the clinical benefits of TKA in patients with RA, severe osteoporosis, and moderate genu valgum.Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with RA, osteoporosis, and genu valgus treated using TKA at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between 05/2016 and 05/2019. Posterior stable prostheses were used in all patients. The Knee Society Scoring System (KSS) was used to assess surgical outcomes.Results: There were eight males (10 knees) and 24 females (34 knees). Healing by the first intention was achieved in all patients. All patients were followed for a mean of 2.9 (range, 1-4) years. At the last follow-up, the KSS clinical score improved from 32.1±9.8 to 82.0±5.8 (P<0.001). The KSS functional score of the patients improved from 38.3±9.3 to 88.1±10.7 (P<0.001). The flexion-extension range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint improved from 81.8°±27.9° to 105.8°±17.0° (P<0.001). The femorotibial angle (FTA) changed from 23.1°±2.8° to 6.8°±1.9° (P<0.001). Common peroneal nerve paralysis and periarticular infection each occurred in one patient.Conclusion: TKA by the medial parapatellar approach with proper osteotomy and soft tissue balancing can restore knee function in patients with RA, severe osteoporosis, and genu valgum.
Father's experiences during the stay of the premature baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): a systematic review protocol
Authors: Garnica-Torres ZulyKatherine , Dias Greicyani Brarymi , Pedroso Janari da Silva 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: This systematic review aims to understand the father's experience in the neonatal ICU while accompanying his premature baby. Prematurity rates are increasing; every year, millions of parents faced having their premature baby hospitalized in neonatal ICU without being prepared to face this situation. It is relevant to talk about how fathers feel with the experience of being parents of premature babies. The father-baby attachment is affected by prematurity, thus performing the kangaroo care method with the active participation of the father is vital to promote the attachment between the dyad. Method: The authors will include original father-centered research articles, with measurements made in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Databases included articles from 2010 to 2020, are APA PsycNet, BVS, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. CENTRAL). Two researchers will extract the data and evaluate the quality of each study through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and references will be managed in the Mendeley software. This review will not perform a meta-analysis, results will be presented in a qualitative narrative synthesis that includes all the data found.Discussion: This review will contribute to the construction of evidence about the father's experience in the neonatal intensive care unit, as well as how attachment develops between the baby and the father in this field and how the kangaroo care method promotes attachment in this dyad. Ethics and dissemination: This is a protocol for a systematic review, therefore, no approval from an ethics committee is required. We will submit the article to a peer-reviewed health journal, and the results will be published in congresses focused on neonatal, child, and psychological health.PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019142086
Most Root-derived Carbon Inputs Do Not Contribute to the Global Bulk Soil Carbon Pool
Authors: Luo Zhongkui , Wang Guocheng , Xiao Liujun , Mao Xiali , Guo Xiaowei , Cowie Annette , Zhang Shuai , Wang Mingming , Chen Songchao , Zhang Ganlin , Shi Zhou 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Plant root-derived carbon (C) inputs (Iroot) are the primary source of C in mineral bulk soil. However, a fraction of Iroot may lose directly (Iloss, e.g., via rhizosphere microbial respiration, leaching and fauna feeding) without contributing to bulk soil C pool. This loss has never been quantified, particularly at global scale, inhibiting reliable estimation of soil C dynamics. Here we integrate three observational global datasets including radiocarbon content, allocation of photosynthetically assimilated C, and root biomass distribution in 2,034 soil profiles to quantify Iroot and its contribution to the bulk soil C pool. We show that global average Iroot in the 0-200 cm soil profile is 3.5 Mg ha-1 yr-1, ~80% of which (i.e., Iloss) is lost rather than entering bulk soil. If ignoring Iloss, bulk soil C turnover will be incorrectly estimated to be four times faster. This can explain why Earth system models (in which all Iroot enters bulk soil C pools) predict much faster soil C turnover than radiocarbon-constrained estimates. Iroot decreases exponentially with soil depth, and the top 20 cm soil contains >60% of total Iroot. Actual C input to bulk soil (i.e., Iroot – Iloss) shows a similar depth distribution to Iroot. We also map Iloss and its depth distribution across the globe. Our results demonstrate the global significance of direct C losses which limit the contribution of Iroot to bulk soil C storage; and provide spatially explicit data to facilitate reliable soil C predictions via separating direct C losses from total root-derived C inputs.
A Critical Discourse Analysis of Personal Pronouns in Greta Thunberg's Speeches
Authors: Suryaningsih Yuli 
Published: January 2021

Although the study of personal pronouns in speeches is very popular, only a few studies are conducted to analyze non-political speeches. In spite of Greta Thunberg’s famous and bold speaking manners, none of the researchers are interested to look deeper at speeches delivered by the young activist. In this study, I employ Fairclough’s model of Critical Discourse Analysis to examine the use of 102 first-and-second person personal pronouns in her speeches. Forty-seven percent of the pronouns are you and twenty-five percent of the pronouns are we. Furthermore, the high percentage of the occurrence towards you and we shows the characterization of her speeches. It shows both othering strategy and personalization strategy between the speaker and the audience. In addition, the pronouns act both as inclusive and exclusive. The variation of inclusiveness and exclusiveness is highly affected by who the audience is. These findings propound that the use of the same pronouns by the same person acts differently depending on who the audience is.
Aportes a una Nueva Visión del Mundo: la Dimensión Ecológica en el Derecho Ambiental Argentino
Authors: Martínez Adriana Norma , Porcelli Adriana Margarita 
Published: January 2021

El presente trabajo forma parte de un proyecto de investigación que tiene por objeto el desarrollo de las diferentes posturas filosóficas, éticas y científicas que consideran a la naturaleza y a todos los seres vivientes como poblaciones o entidades con vida propia rescatando su valor intrínseco y en consecuencia, dan fundamento a concepciones jurídicas que los categorizan como sujeto de derechos y el análisis de las legislaciones y jurisprudencias nacionales e internacionales que la han receptado. Dada su complejidad, la temática se expuso en varias partes y el presente artículo tiene por objeto el desarrollo de una postura alternativa que propugna la ecologización del derecho ambiental y la integración de la justicia ecológica con la ambiental en Argentina.