bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum BW2013 on The Gut Microbiota in Mice Analyzed by 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
Authors: TONG TONG , NIU XIAOHUI , LI QIAN , LING YUXI , LI ZUMING , LIU JIA , ZHANG MICHAEL , BAI ZHIHUI , XIA RAN , WU ZHICHAO , LIU XIU 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Lactobacillus plantarum BW2013 was isolated from the fermented Chinese cabbage. This study aimed to test the effect of this strain on the gut microbiota in BALB/c mice by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The mice were randomly allocated to the control group and three treatment groups of L. plantarum BW2013 (a low-dose group of 108 CFU/ml, a medium-dose group of 109 CFU/ml, and a high-dose group of 1010 CFU/ml). The weight of mice was recorded once a week, and the fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing after 28 days of continuous treatment. Compared with the control group, the body weight gain in the treatment groups was not significant. The 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing analysis showed that both the Chao1 and ACE indexes increased slightly in the medium-dose group compared to the control group, but the difference was not significant. Based on PCoA results, there was no significant difference in β diversity between the treatment groups. Compared to the control group, the abundance of Bacteroidetes increased in the low-dose group. The abundance of Firmicutes increased in the medium-dose group. At the genus level, the abundance of Alloprevotella increased in the low-dose group compared to the control group. The increased abundance of Ruminococcaceae and decreased abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas was observed in the medium-dose group. Additionally, the abundance of Bacteroides increased, and Alistipes and Candidatus_Saccharimonas decreased in the high-dose group. These results indicated that L. plantarum BW2013 could ameliorate gut microbiota composition, but its effects vary with the dose.
Batalion, Judy. The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos. New York, NY: William Morrow, 2020.
Authors: Weinbaum Batya 
Published: June 2021

Review of Batalion, Judy. The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos. New York, NY: William Morrow, 2020.
Optimizing Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Medicine Course Grading System by Spreadsheet Software
Authors: Aubcherye Pennapa , Aubcherye Narin , Noysang Butsakorn , Woratanarat Patarawan , Laohajaroensombat Sukij 
Published: June 2021

Background: Complex processes in grading system occasionally delay time-to-report and affect the accuracy of the report in Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Medicine Course.
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of spreadsheet software in the grading processes of the Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Medicine Course.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University. Exam scores of the 5th year medical students between 2014 and 2018 were collected. This study included complete summative data and excluded any data from repeated examinations. The effectiveness of grading system using spreadsheet software was evaluated the primary outcome as time-to-report (days) and accuracy of grade reports.
Results: There were 893 students from 5 academic years, median duration of grade reports was 2.5 days (range, 0 - 30). Grade reports were 100% accurate. The analysis showed the longest duration of time-to-report was in 2014 with median 10.5 days (range, 0 - 30), and the shortest duration was in 2018 with median 0 day (range, 0 - 4). During 5 consecutive years, the spreadsheet software can reduce time-to-report significantly (P = .01).
Conclusions: Spreadsheet software is an effective method to reduce time-to-report and reporting errors in grading system.
A Robust Recovery of Ni From Laterite Ore Promoted by Sodium Thiosulfate Through Hydrogen-Thermal Reduction
Authors: Liu Shoujun , Yang Chao , Yang Song , Yu Zhongliang , Wang Zhao , Yan Kang , Li Jin , Liu Xingyang 
Published: June 2021

Laterite ore is one of the important sources of nickel (Ni). However, it is difficult to liberate Ni from ore structure during reduction roasting. This paper provided an effective way for a robust recovery of Ni from laterite ore by H2 reduction using sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) as a promoter. . It was found that a Ni content of 9.97% and a Ni recovery of 99.24% were achieved with 20 wt% Na2S2O3 at 1,100°C. The promoting mechanism of Na2S2O3 in laterite ore reduction by H2 was also investigated. The thermogravimetric results suggested the formation of Na2Mg2SiO7, Na2SO3, Na2SO4, and S during the pyrolysis of laterite with Na2S2O3, among which the alkali metal salts could destroy the structures of nickel-bearing silicate minerals and hence release Ni, while S could participate in the formation of the low-melting-point eutectic phase of FeS-Fe. The formation of low-melting-point phases were further verified by the morphology analysis, which could improve the aggregation of Ni-Fe particles due to the capillary forces of FeS-Fe as well as the enhanced element migration by the liquid phase of sodium silicates during reduction.
Eruption Style, Emplacement Dynamics and Geometry of Peralkaline Ignimbrites: Insights From the Lajes-Angra Ignimbrite Formation, Terceira Island, Azores
Authors: Pimentel Adriano , Self Stephen , Pacheco José M. , Jeffery Adam J. , Gertisser Ralf 
Published: June 2021

Ignimbrites are relatively uncommon on ocean island volcanoes and yet they constitute a significant portion of the stratigraphy of Terceira Island (Azores). The Lajes-Angra Ignimbrite Formation (ca. 25 cal ka BP) contains the youngest ignimbrites on Terceira and records two ignimbrite-forming eruptions of Pico Alto volcano that occurred closely spaced in time. Here, we present the first detailed lithofacies analysis and architecture of the Angra and Lajes ignimbrites, complemented by petrographic, mineral chemical, whole rock and groundmass glass geochemical data. The two ignimbrites have the same comenditic trachyte composition, but show considerable variability in trace element and groundmass glass compositions, revealing complex petrogenetic processes in the Pico Alto magma reservoir prior to eruption. The Angra Ignimbrite has a high-aspect ratio and is massive throughout its thickness. It was formed by a small-volume but sustained pyroclastic density current (PDC) fed by a short-lived, low pyroclastic fountain. Overall, the PDC had high particle concentration, granular fluid-based flow conditions and was mostly channelled into a valley on the south part of Terceira. By contrast, the Lajes Ignimbrite has a low-aspect ratio and shows vertical and lateral lithofacies variations. It was formed by a sustained quasi-steady PDC generated from vigorous and prolonged pyroclastic fountaining. The ignimbrite architecture reveals that depositional conditions of the parent PDC evolved as the eruption waxed. The dilute front of the current rapidly changed to a high particle concentration, granular fluid-based PDC that extended to the north and south coasts, with limited capacity to surmount topographic highs. Contrary to what is commonly assumed, the low-aspect ratio of the Lajes Ignimbrite is interpreted to result from deposition of a relatively low velocity PDC over a generally flat topography. This work highlights that the geometry (aspect ratio) of ignimbrites does not necessarily reflect the kinetic energy of PDCs and thus should not be used as a proxy for PDC emplacement dynamics. Although the probability of an ignimbrite-forming eruption on Terceira is relatively low, such a scenario should not be underestimated, as a future event would have devastating consequences for the island’s 55,000 inhabitants.
Case Report: Malignant Pheochromocytoma Without Hypertension Accompanied by Increment of Serum VEGF Level and Catecholamine Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kaneto Hideaki , Kamei Shinji , Tatsumi Fuminori , Shimoda Masashi , Kimura Tomohiko , Nakanishi Shuhei , Miyaji Yoshiyuki , Nagai Atsushi , Kaku Kohei , Mune Tomoatsu 
Published: June 2021

IntroductionPheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-producing tumor in the adrenal medulla and is often accompanied by hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypermetabolism, headache, and hyperhidrosis, and it is classified as benign and malignant pheochromocytoma. In addition, persistent hypertension is often observed in subjects with malignant pheochromocytoma.Case PresentationA 52-year-old Japanese male was referred and hospitalized in our institution. He had a health check every year and no abnormalities had been pointed out. In addition, he had no past history of hypertension. In endocrinology markers, noradrenaline level was as high as 7,693 pg/ml, whereas adrenaline level was within normal range. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a 50-mm hyper-vascularized tumor with calcification in the right adrenal gland and multiple hyper-vascularized tumors in the liver. In 131I MIBG scintigraphy, there was high accumulation in the right adrenal gland and multiple accumulation in the liver and bone. In echocardiography, left ventricular ejection fraction was as low as 14.3%. In coronary angiography, however, there was no significant stenosis in the coronary arteries. Based on these findings, we finally diagnosed him as malignant pheochromocytoma accompanied by multiple liver and bone metastases and catecholamine cardiomyopathy. However, blood pressure was continuously within normal range without any anti-hypertensive drugs. Right adrenal tumor resection was performed together with left hepatic lobectomy and cholecystectomy. Furthermore, serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and parathyroid (PTH)-related protein were very high before the operation but they were markedly reduced after the operation.ConclusionsThis is the first report showing the time course of serum VEGF level in a subject with malignant pheochromocytoma, clearly showing that malignant pheochromocytoma actually secreted VEGF. In addition, this case report clearly shows that we should bear in mind once again that malignant pheochromocytoma is not necessarily accompanied by hypertension.
Association of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Genes With Myopia: A Longitudinal Study of Chinese Children
Authors: Xiao Haishao , Lin Shudan , Jiang Dandan , Lin Yaoyao , Liu Linjie , Zhang Qiqi , He Juan , Chen Yanyan 
Published: June 2021

Graphical AbstractThe genes in the miRNA-target gene network represent the intersection of the target genes and the genes from String that had direct or indirect interaction relationships with significant genes.
Circulating and Synovial Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) Expression Levels Correlate With Rheumatoid Arthritis Severity and Tissue Infiltration Independently of Conventional Treatments Response
Authors: Boutet Marie-Astrid , Nerviani Alessandra , Lliso-Ribera Gloria , Leone Roberto , Sironi Marina , Hands Rebecca , Rivellese Felice , Del Prete Annalisa , Goldmann Katriona , Lewis Myles J. , Mantovani Alberto , Bottazzi Barbara , Pitzalis Costantino 
Published: June 2021

AimsTo determine the relationship between PTX3 systemic and synovial levels and the clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a cohort of early, treatment naïve patients and to explore the relevance of PTX3 expression in predicting response to conventional-synthetic (cs) Disease-Modifying-Anti-Rheumatic-Drugs (DMARDs) treatment.MethodsPTX3 expression was analyzed in 119 baseline serum samples from early naïve RA patients, 95 paired samples obtained 6-months following the initiation of cs-DMARDs treatment and 43 healthy donors. RNA-sequencing analysis and immunohistochemistry for PTX3 were performed on a subpopulation of 79 and 58 synovial samples, respectively, to assess PTX3 gene and protein expression. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to characterize PTX3 expressing cells within the synovium.ResultsCirculating levels of PTX3 were significantly higher in early RA compared to healthy donors and correlated with disease activity at baseline and with the degree of structural damages at 12-months. Six-months after commencing cs-DMARDs, a high level of PTX3, proportional to the baseline value, was still detectable in the serum of patients, regardless of their response status. RNA-seq analysis confirmed that synovial transcript levels of PTX3 correlated with disease activity and the presence of mediators of inflammation, tissue remodeling and bone destruction at baseline. PTX3 expression in the synovium was strongly linked to the degree of immune cell infiltration, the presence of ectopic lymphoid structures and seropositivity for autoantibodies. Accordingly, PTX3 was found to be expressed by numerous synovial cell types such as plasma cells, fibroblasts, vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. The percentage of PTX3-positive synovial cells, although significantly reduced at 6-months post-treatment as a result of global decreased cellularity, was similar in cs-DMARDs responders and non-responders.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that, early in the disease and prior to treatment modification, the level of circulating PTX3 is a reliable marker of RA activity and predicts a high degree of structural damages at 12-months. In the joint, PTX3 associates with immune cell infiltration and the presence of ectopic lymphoid structures. High synovial and peripheral blood levels of PTX3 are associated with chronic inflammation characteristic of RA. Additional studies to determine the mechanistic link are required.
Characterization of Hypoxia-Related Molecular Subtypes in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma to Aid Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy via Multi-Omics Analysis
Authors: Zhong Weimin , Zhong Hongbin , Zhang Fengling , Huang Chaoqun , Lin Yao , Huang Jiyi 
Published: June 2021

Objective: Tumor hypoxia is a key factor in resistance to anti-cancer treatment. Herein, this study aimed to characterize hypoxia-related molecular subtypes and assess their correlations with immunotherapy and targeted therapy in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).Materials: We comprehensively analyzed copy number variation (CNV), somatic mutation, transcriptome expression profile and clinical information for ccRCC from TCGA and ICGC databases. Based on 98 prognosis-related hypoxia genes, samples were clustered using unsupervized non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) analysis. We characterized the differences between subtypes concerning prognosis, CNV, somatic mutations, pathways, immune cell infiltrations, stromal/immune scores, tumor purity, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), response to immunotherapy and targeted therapy and CXC chemokines. Based on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between subtypes, a prognostic signature was built by LASSO Cox regression analysis, followed by construction of a nomogram incorporating the signature and clinical features.Results: Two hypoxia-related molecular subtypes (C1 and C2) were constructed for ccRCC. Differential CNV, somatic mutations and pathways were found between subtypes. C2 exhibited poorer prognosis, higher immune/stromal scores, and lower tumor purity than C1. Furthermore, C2 had more sensitivity to immunotherapy and targeted therapy than C1. The levels of CXCL1/2/3/5/6/8 chemokines in C2 were distinctly higher than in C1. Consistently, DEGs between subtypes were significantly enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and immune responses. This subtype-specific signature can independently predict patients’ prognosis. Following verification, the nomogram could be utilized for personalized prediction of the survival probability.Conclusion: Our findings characterized two hypoxia-related molecular subtypes for ccRCC, which can assist in identifying high-risk patients with poor clinical outcomes and patients who can benefit from immunotherapy or targeted therapy.
Impairment of Cardiac Autonomic Nerve Function in Pre-school Children With Intractable Epilepsy
Authors: Yang Zhao , Cheng Tung-Yang , Deng Jin , Wang Zhiyan , Qin Xiaoya , Fang Xi , Yuan Yuan , Hao Hongwei , Jiang Yuwu , Liao Jianxiang , Yin Fei , Chen Yanhui , Zou Liping , Li Baomin , Gao Yuxing , Shu Xiaomei , Huang Shaoping , Gao Feng , Liang Jianmin , Li Luming 
Published: June 2021

Objective: Intractable epilepsy and uncontrolled seizures could affect cardiac function and the autonomic nerve system with a negative impact on children's growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the variability and complexity of cardiac autonomic function in pre-school children with pediatric intractable epilepsy (PIE).Methods: Twenty four-hour Holter electrocardiograms (ECGs) from 93 patients and 46 healthy control subjects aged 3–6 years were analyzed by the methods of traditional heart rate variability (HRV), multiscale entropy (MSE), and Kurths–Wessel symbolization entropy (KWSE). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to estimate the overall discrimination ability. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) models were also analyzed.Results: Pre-school children with PIE had significantly lower HRV measurements than healthy controls in time (Mean_RR, SDRR, RMSSD, pNN50) and frequency (VLF, LF, HF, LF/HF, TP) domains. For the MSE analysis, area 1_5 in awake state was lower, and areas 6_15 and 6_20 in sleep state were higher in PIE with a significant statistical difference. KWSE in the PIE group was also inferior to that in healthy controls. In ROC curve analysis, pNN50 had the greatest discriminatory power for PIE. Based on both NRI and IDI models, the combination of MSE indices (wake: area1_5 and sleep: area6_20) and KWSE (m = 2, τ = 1, α = 0.16) with traditional HRV measures had greater discriminatory power than any of the single HRV measures.Significance: Impaired HRV and complexity were found in pre-school children with PIE. HRV, MSE, and KWSE could discriminate patients with PIE from subjects with normal cardiac complexity. These findings suggested that the MSE and KWSE methods may be helpful for assessing and understanding heart rate dynamics in younger children with epilepsy.
Disease and Patient Characteristics Contributing to Diagnostic Delays in Patients With Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Authors: Pathikonda Chakrapani , Katyal Nakul , Narula Naureen , Govindarajan Raghav 
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Diagnosis of Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) is often made clinically. Certain patient and disease characteristics can cause delays in diagnosis and management.Methods: Observational retrospective study of forty-four patients diagnosed with GBS either clinically, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and/or by electro-diagnostic criteria at a teaching hospital (University of Missouri Hospital) in Columbia, Mid-Missouri between 2011 and 2017.Results: Patients with coexisting neurological conditions had statistically significant delay in diagnosis of GBS [Mean (SD); 13 ± 5 vs. 9.39 ± 4.7; p = 0.03]. Patients presenting with motor + symptoms (sensory and/or autonomic, in addition to motor), compared to those with only motor symptoms had statistically significant delay in diagnosis of GBS [Mean (SD); 11.90 ± 5 vs. 8.58 ± 4; p = 0.04].Discussion: Presence of co-existing neurological conditions, and motor + symptoms can delay timely diagnosis and management of GBS.
Policies to Encourage the Use of Biosimilars in European Countries and Their Potential Impact on Pharmaceutical Expenditure
Authors: Vogler Sabine , Schneider Peter , Zuba Martin , Busse Reinhard , Panteli Dimitra 
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Biosimilar medicines are considered promising alternatives to new biologicals with high price tags. The extent of savings resulting from biosimilar use depends on their price and uptake, which are largely shaped by pricing, reimbursement, and demand-side policies. This article informs about different policy measures employed by European countries to design the biologicals market and explores potential savings from the increased use of biosimilar medicines in Germany.Methods: Policy measures that target the price and uptake of biosimilar medicines were identified based on a prefilled questionnaire survey with public authorities in 16 European countries, who were the members of the Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Information network (July 2020). Potential savings that could have been generated in Germany if different measures identified in the surveyed countries had been implemented were calculated for six publicly funded biological molecules. Price data of the Pharma Price Information service and German consumption data for 2018 were used for the calculation of five scenarios.Results: Several countries use a price link policy, setting the biosimilar price as a percentage of the price of the reference biological. Also lowering the price of the reference biological upon market entry of a biosimilar is less frequently used. While tendering of biosimilar medicines in the inpatient setting is the norm, it is rarely employed for biosimilars in outpatient use. Reference price systems and INN prescribing of medicines are the commonly used policy measures in the off-patent market, but some countries define exemptions for biologicals. Substituting biosimilars at the pharmacy level is rather an exception. Potential savings in Germany ranged from 5% (simple price link) to 55% (prices at the level of other countries) for the six studied molecules.Conclusion: Despite some differences, there are discernible tendencies across European countries with regard to their applications of certain policy measures targeting the price and uptake of biosimilar medicines. The potential for savings of some of these policies was clearly demonstrated. Monitoring and evaluation of these rather recent measures is key for obtaining a more comprehensive picture of their impact.
The Use of Oseltamivir as Adjunctive Therapy for the Treatment of Hand-Food-and-Mouth Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Zhao Yijing , Sun Yangyang , Alolga Raphael N. , Ma Gaoxiang , Wang Fan 
Published: June 2021

Background: Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a common childhood illness caused by enteroviruses. Oseltamivir (OS), a neuraminidase inhibitor, has been frequently used as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of HFMD. Solid evidence, however, is lacking regarding the efficacy of such adjunctive therapy. This work is to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy of oseltamivir for HFMD in children.Methods: Eligible studies from inception to October 10, 2020 were identified by searching six databases (PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP database). Quality of evidence was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool.Results: Of a total of 91 entries, 11 RCTs involving 977 HFMD children were included in the final analysis. The results showed that the therapy combined with oseltamivir was more effective, with higher effective rate (RR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.80 to 0.87; p &lt; 0.01), shorter fever clearance time (days) (SMD, −0.74; 95% CI, −1.12 to −0.35; p &lt; 0.01), shorter rash regression time (days) (MD, −0.89; 95% CI, −1.05 to −0.72; p &lt; 0.01) and shorter clinical cure time (SMD, −1.08; 95% CI, −1.55 to −0.61; p &lt; 0.01). No significant difference was observed in the risk of adverse reactions between the groups with and without oseltamivir.Conclusion: The use of oseltamivir as adjunctive therapy shows effectiveness and no increased risk of adverse reactions for the treatment of HFMD in children.