bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
QTL mapping for root traits in wheat under different phosphorus levels in hydroponic culture
Authors: Yang Mengjiao , Wang Cairong , Hassan Muhammad Adeel , Li Faji , Xia Xianchun , Shi Shubing , Xiao Yonggui , He Zhonghu 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Identification of genes for tolerance against phosphorus (P) deficiency is important for wheat production in P-deficient soils. Nine root system architecture (RSA) and root biomass-related traits (RBT) in 198 double haploid lines derived from cross between Yangmai 16/Zhongmai 895 were characterized under zero (control), low, and high P treatments (KH2PO4 contents: 0, 0.005, 0.25 mmol/L, respectively) in hydroponic culture, and the DH lines and parents were genotyped using Wheat 660K SNP array. All traits showed significant variations among the DH lines with high heritabilities (0.76 to 0.91) and high correlations (r =0.59 to 0.98) with each other. Inclusive composite interval mapping using 10,242 markers identified 34 QTLs for all traits in the three P treatments. Of these, 11 QTLs under low P condition on chromosomes 2BL, 4BS (2 QTLs), 4DS (2), 6BL (2), 7AL (2), and 7BL (2) for root length (RL), root tip number (RTN) and ratio of root to shoot dry weight (RRS) explained 4.6 - 20.4% of the phenotypic variances. QRRS.caas-4DS (16.64 - 30.66 Mb) was detected in all three P treatments and accounted for 8.4 to 20.4% of the phenotypic variances. Seven QTLs clusters (C1 to C7) were mapped on chromosomes 3DL, 4BS, 4DS, 6BL, 7AS, 7AL and 7BL, of which five (C3 to C7) were detected under low P condition. Cluster C5 on chromosome 7AS (AX-109955164 - AX-109445593) played the key role in modulating RL, RTN and ROSA, with the favorable allele coming from Zhongmai 895. SNPs closely linked to QTLs and clusters could be used for improving root nutrient-use efficiency traits in future breeding.
De novo Assembly and Transcriptome Analysis of Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce : Detection of Potential Genes Involved in Polysaccharide Synthesis
Authors: zhang shengxiang , shi yuanyuan , huang luqi , wang chenkai , zhao derui , ma kelong , wu jiawen , peng daiyin 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druceis a well-known traditional Chinese herb. Polysaccharide is one of the main bioactive components from Polygonatum odoratum, with broad pharmacological effects, including improving immunity, and is used in the treatment of rheumatic heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Results: This study identifies potential genes and transcription factors (TFs) that regulate polysaccharide synthesis in Polygonatum odoratum by using RNA sequencing data from leaf, stem and rhizome tissues. A total of 112,443 unigenes were de novo assembled, and 76,714 were annotated in public databases. Differentially expressed gene analysis showed that most upregulated and uniquely expressed unigenes were enriched in rhizome tissue compared with leaf or stem tissue. UV-spectrophotometry results showed that polysaccharide content was the greatest in the rhizome tissue. Additionally, 2,865 unigenes relevant to TF families were predicted, including 73 involved in polysaccharide synthesis. A few key enzyme genes were also verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Seven β-fructofuranosidases with different amino acid sequences showed similar spatial structures and all had well-conserved catalytic triads.

Conclusion: This study substantially enlarges the public transcriptome datasets of this species, and provides insight into the detection of novel genes involed polysaccharide and other secondary metabolite synthesis.

Keywords: Polygonatum odoratum, transcriptome , polysaccharide synthesis, Differentially expressed gene, key enzyme genes
Genome-wide analysis of wheat DNA-binding with one finger (Dof) transcription factor genes: evolutionary characteristics and diverse abiotic stress responses
Authors: Liu Yue , Liu Nannan , Deng Xiong , Liu Dongmiao , Li Mengfei , Cui Dada , Hu Yingkao , Yan Yueming 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background

DNA binding with one finger (Dof) transcription factors play important roles in plant growth and abiotic stress responses. Although genome-wide identification and analysis of the DOF transcription factor family has been reported in other species, no relevant studies have emerged in wheat. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolutionary and functional characteristics associated with plant growth and abiotic stress responses by genome-wide analysis of the wheat Dof transcription factor gene family.

Results

Using the recently released wheat genome database (IWGSC RefSeq v1.1), we identified 96 wheat Dof gene family members, which were phylogenetically clustered into five distinct subfamilies. Members of the same gene subfamily had similar exon-intron structures, while members of different subfamilies had obvious differences. Functional divergence analysis indicated that type-II functional divergence played a major role in the differentiation of the TaDof gene family. Positive selection analysis revealed that the Dof gene family experienced different degrees of positive selection pressure during the process of evolution, and five significant positive selection sites (30A, 31T, 33A, 102G and 104S) were identified. Additionally, nine groups of coevolving amino acid sites, which may play a key role in maintaining the structural and functional stability of Dof proteins, were identified. The results from the RNA-seq data and RT-qPCR analysis revealed that TaDof genes exhibited obvious expression preference or specificity in different organs and developmental stages, as well as in diverse abiotic stress responses. Most TaDof genes were significantly upregulated by heat, PEG and heavy metal stresses.

Conclusions

The genome-wide analysis and identification of wheat DOF transcription factor family and the discovery of important amino acid sites are expected to provide new insights into the structure, evolution and function of the plant Dof gene family.
Low psoas muscle index is a poor prognostic factor for lower gastrointestinal perforation: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kayano Hajime , Nomura Eiji , Abe Rin , Ueda Yasuhiko , Machida Takashi , Fujita Chikara , Uchiyama Shohei , Endo Kazuyuki , Murakami Katsuki , Mukai Masaya , Makuuchi Hiroyasu 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background Various body composition indices have been reported as prognostic factors for different cancers. However, whether body composition affects prognosis after lower gastrointestinal tract perforation requiring emergency surgery and multidisciplinary treatment has not been clarified. This study examined whether body composition evaluations that can be measured easily and quickly from computed tomography (CT) are useful for predicting prognosis. Methods Subjects comprised 64 patients diagnosed with perforation at final diagnosis after emergency surgery for a preoperative diagnosis of lower gastrointestinal tract perforation and penetration. They were divided into a survival group and a non-survival (in-hospital mortality) group and compared. Body composition indices (psoas muscle index (PMI); psoas muscle attenuation (PMA); subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI); visceral adipose tissue index (VATI); visceral-to-subcutaneous fat area ratio (VSR)) were measured from preoperative CT. Cross-sectional psoas muscle area at the level of the 3rd lumbar vertebra was quantified. Optimal cut-off values were calculated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Poor prognostic factors were investigated from multivariate logistic regression analyses that included patient factors, perioperative factors, intraoperative factors, and body composition indices as explanatory variables. Results The cause of perforation was malignant disease in 12 cases (18.7%), and benign disease in 52 cases (81.2%). The most common cause was diverticulum of the large intestine. Emergency surgery for the 64 patients led to survival in 52 patients and death in 12 patients. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of poor prognosis were Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (odds ratio 1.908; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.235–3.681; P =0.0020) and PMI (odds ratio 13.478; 95%CI 1.342–332.690; P =0.0252). The cut-off PMI was 4.75 cm 2 /m 2 for males and 2.89 cm 2 /m 2 for females. Among survivors, duration of hospitalization was significantly longer in the low PMI group (29 days) than in the high PMI group (22 days, p=0.0257). Conclusions PMI is easily determined from CT and allows rapid evaluation of prognosis following lower gastrointestinal perforation.
Factors associated with permanent hypothyroidism in infants with congenital hypothyroidism
Authors: Park Eun Sil , Yoon Ju Young 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is one of the most common endocrine diseases in childhood. A significant proportion of CH cases are transient, but the risk factors for permanent CH (PCH) are not yet well established. The current guidelines suggest using levothyroxine until the age of 3 years, but some studies suggest the possibility of earlier discontinuation. However, few, if any, studies have followed up on the results of early discontinuation. This study aimed to identify predictive factors of transient CH among infants with CH. We also investigated the results in patients who underwent a trial of early discontinuation. Methods We gathered data regarding infants with CH born between July 2005 and July 2014 by retrospective chart review. Among them, early discontinuation subgroup was defined as those who discontinued levothyroxine before 30 months of age. Results From the 80 infants (40 males, 40 females) enrolled in this study, 51 were preterm. Nine (11.3%) were diagnosed with PCH. Compared with transient cases, those with PCH were on higher levothyroxine dose at discontinuation (4.3 vs 2.9 µg/kg, P < 0.001). There was no difference in the proportion of permanent cases between preterm and full-term groups. In preterm group,infants with PCH required higher levothyroxine dose at discontinuation than those with transient CH(3.8 vs 2.5 µg/kg, P = 0.018). Levothyroxine discontinuation at a dose of 2.86 µg/kg could suggest PCH (sensitivity, 88.9%; specificity, 71.0%). Among the 9 patients who underwent a trial of early discontinuation, 8 successfully discontinued levothyroxine. Conclusion The majority of CH patients discontinued levothyroxine successfully, including those who underwent a trial of early discontinuation. Higher levothyroxine dose at the time of discontinuation was found to be a predictive factor for PCH.
The disease stage-associated imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg in uterine cervical cancer patients and their recovery with the reduction of tumor burden
Authors: Lin Wei , Zhang Hua-ling , Niu Zhao-yuan , Wang Zhen , Kong Yan , Yang Xing-sheng , Yuan Fang 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background

Nearly all uterine cervical cancer (UCC) cases result from human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. After high-risk HPV infection, most HPV infections are naturally cleared by humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Thus, cervical lesions of only few patients progress into cervical cancer via cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and lead to persistent oncogenic HPV infection. This suggests that immunoregulation plays an instrumental role in the carcinogenesis. However, there was a rare study on the relation between the immunologic dissonance and clinical characteristics of UCC patients.Method

We examined the related immune cells (Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells) by flow cytometric analysis and analyzed their relations with UCC stages, tumor size, differentiation, histology type, lymph node metastases, and vasoinvasion. Next, we quantified the Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells before and after the operation both in UCC and CIN patients.Results

When compared with stage I patients, decreased levels of circulating Th1 cells and elevated levels of Th2, Th17, and Treg cells were detected in stage II patients. In addition, the imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells was related to the tumor size, lymph node metastases, and vasoinvasion. We found that immunological cell levels normalized after the operations. In general, immunological cell levels in CIN patients normalized sooner than in UCC patients.Conclusions

Our findings suggested that peripheral immunological cell levels reflect the patient’s condition.
How do urban slum women manage excessive vaginal discharge? A community based cross sectional study
Authors: Ilankoon IMPS , Goonewardena CSE , Fernandopulle RC , Perera PPR 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background:
Early detection of gnaecological morbidities is an important factor in treating and managing the underline disease. Abnormal vaginal discharge, which is a recurring problem for most of the women at reproductive age is a good predictor for many gynaeclogical morbidities. Many women constantly neglect abnormal vaginal discharge because of the prevailing “culture of silence”. Women who live in urban slum are vulnerable for many unhealthy practices and lifestyles and having a high prevalence of reproductive tract infection especially sexually transmitted infections. Hence, this study was aimed to describe urban slum women’ understanding, attitudes and related practices for abnormal vaginal discharge.
Methods: This community based cross sectional study was conducted among 550 women living in urban slum in the Colombo Municipal Council area, Colombo District, Sri Lanka during September- March 2016. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used. A validated, pretested Interviewer Administered Questionnaire was used to collect information from females. Data were analysed using descriptive and relevant inferential statistics (Chi square test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results: The majority of women (89.5%) was unemployed and were married (92%). The mean age of the women was 32.51 (SD±7.94) years. Mean knowledge score was 29.18 (SD± 8.68). Most of the women (97.1%) had inadequate level of knowledge (<50%). A significant association was observed between the knowledge score levels with the participants’ educational level (p=0.00). Major areas of knowledge deficit include causes for pathological vaginal discharge and reproductive tract infections. Majority (95.9%) agreed that abnormal vaginal discharge should be taken seriously but from the women who accepted (78.2%) that vaginal discharge has ever been a concern to them, only 59% had consulted a general practitioner. There was a significant relationship with having accompanying symptoms such as burning sensation and lower abdominal pain and consulting a general practitioner (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of the study imply the importance of health education to improve the health seeking behaviours. The culture specific health education intervention measures need to be targeted in order to improve their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards vaginal discharge as well as disease prevention and health promotion.
Predictors Of Time To Obstetric Fistula Repair; A Case Study Of Fistula Survivors In Kitovu Mission Hospital (Masaka), Uganda
Authors: Bomboka John Bosco , Nakilembe Jennifer 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Obstetrical fistula (OF) is a public health challenge that is among the previously neglected components of maternal health in the developing world. The condition, which in the recent past has increasingly drawn more attention from the public, has a devastating impact on the health and wellbeing of both women and girls worldwide. The most common cause of obstetric fistula in developing countries is prolonged obstructed labor affecting approximately 2 million women and girls across Africa and Asia.
The objective of this study was to examine the predictors of time to obstetric fistula repair among women who successfully received fistula treatment in Kitovu Mission Hospital.
Methods: Hospital records of 149 obstetric fistula survivors from Kitovu Mission Hospital which is located in Masaka district were analysed.
Results: Out of 149 participants, 68(45.6%) women were aged 18-24 years and only 28(18.8%) had attained education beyond primary school level. About 72(48.3%) of the survivors received fistula treatment within the first three years of its occurrence. There was a significant relationship among married women (RR = 0.28, p = 0.044), women below 18 years of age (RR = 0.16, p = 0.038), and primiparous mothers (RR = 13.58, p = 0.013) observed at a time to surgery of above 7 years relative to a time to surgery of less than 4 years.
Conclusion: In addition to advocacy for a national or community-based health insurance schemes to reduce of the cost for health care, there is need to incorporate campaigns against GBV and increase community sensitization on the importance of ANC among other public health issues on top of fistula.
Vitamin D3 reduced helicobacter pylori infection of gastric cells by strengthening liver lipid metabolism, blocking gastric JAK-STAT3 and NF-ĸB signalling pathways and inhibiting gastric mucosal inflammation
Authors: Xu Wenjiao , Kang Min , Zhong Xiaolin , lü Muhan , Shi Lei , Li Ping Chang 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background:
Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is a unipolar, multi-flagellate, spiral,Gram-negative bacterium that is the only stomach bacterium found in humans.Hp is the leading cause of digestive tract disease and can cause stomach diseases, such as chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoma. Clinical studies have shown that Hp infection rates are significantly higher in patients with hyperlipidaemia than they are in non-hyperlipidaemic patients. In addition,many studies have shown that the serum vitamin D3 levelsare reduced in patients with obesity and hyperlipidaemia.Lower serum vitamin D3 levels diminish the role of fat cells in storing fat;as a result,fat is released into the bloodstream,leading to elevated blood lipid levels.However, a specificmechanism has not been proposed to explain how VD3 can reduce HP
infection in patients with hyperlipidaemia by lowering blood lipids.
Methods
real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of gastrin in VDR, insign-2 and gastric tissues of mice in each group. The expression of jak, stat 3, cox2 and lkba protein in gastric tissue of mice was detected by western blotting. We also detected the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in the gastric tissue of mice by Elisa method. The liver tissues of each group were stained with HE to observe the balloon-like changes of liver tissue, and the gastric tissues of mice in each group were stained by HE. The degree of gastritis in each group of mice.

Conclusions
In this article, we conducted animal experiments using VD3 as an intervention in hp-infected mice and then examined molecular changes in the VDR/Insig-2/SREBP-2 pathways in the mouse liver, the serum cholesterol levels, and the JAK-STAT3 and NF-ĸB pathways.Vitamin D3 further reduced the gastric mucosa cholesterol level,destroyed lipid rafts,and reduced assembly of IL-6 receptor subunits by lowering the circulating cholesterol levels, thereby blocking the JAK-STAT3 signalling pathway. Infection of the gastric mucosa by CagA-positive Helicobacter pylori reduced gastrin secretion and inhibited COX2 expression. Moreover, NF-κB activation and inflammatory cytokine expression were inhibited by blocking the JAK-STAT3 signalling pathway. Furthermore, the degree of infection of the gastric mucosal tissue was reduced.
Development of an interactive, web-based shared care plan to facilitate the follow-up care of colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Taggart Jane , Chin Melvin , Liauw Winston , Lewis John , Dolezal Alex , Plahn John , Harris Mark Fort 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Introduction
A shared model of care between cancer services and primary health care is safe and acceptable and can address the increasing demands on cancer services for long term follow-up. This paper describes the challenges developing an interactive shared care plan for colorectal cancer follow-up care.

Methods
A systematic literature review identified the use, functionality, and impact of web-based shared care plans to support cancer follow-up. Workshops with key stakeholders and consultations with clinicians, consumers and information service providers were conducted to agree on a model of care and technology options to interactively share a care plan.

Results
Seventeen papers reported five web-based shared care plan systems for cancer follow-up. These systems supported the creation and/or access to view or share the care plans using email or by downloading and printing a copy.
The challenges we found included issues with the security, privacy and sharing of patient information between public health services and primary health care and poor integration of clinical information systems. We selected a primary care practitioners’ care planning system as it was interactive, integrated with primary care practitioner’ clinical information systems, was relatively inexpensive and addressed the sharing of clinical information with external clinicians to the public health system.

Conclusion
Primary care shared care planning systems seem a suitable option for sharing clinical information between a cancer service and primary care practitioners. We plan to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of this interactive shared care plan to support shared cancer follow-up care.
Prevalence and factors associated with frailty in hospitalized older Patients
Authors: HAMMAMI sonia , Zarrouk Amira , Piron Cecile , Almas Ioana , Sakly Nabil , Latteur Veronique 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background

Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome that leads to an increase of an age-related disorder of several physiological systems, and cognitive abilities decline. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of frailty among older persons in Belgium and we examined the factors associated with frailty with a principal focus en cognitive, dietary status, and inflammatory parameters

Methods

A total of 124 participants (90 women, 34 men; age: mean ± SD: 85.9 ± 5.5 years) were studied, recruited from the Geriatrics department, Belgium. Nutritional, cognitive status and physical activity were assessed using MNA, MMSE, and Katz score, respectively. Frailty syndrome was evaluated using SEGA score. Medication and medical history were recorded. Analyzed biochemical parameters included C-reactive protein (CRP), complete blood count, blood creatinine, vitamin D level, and serum protein electrophoresis. According to SEGA score, participants were divided into non-frail (n=19), frail (n=25) and severely frail patients (n= 80).

Results

The SEGA score was inversely correlated with MMSE, MNA and Katz score. SEGA score was negatively correlated to albumin levels (r=-0.30; p<0.001) and positively correlated to CRP, polypharmacy and age. Logistic regression showed a strong association between frailty, Katz score, dementia, polypharmacy and living in nursing home.

Conclusion

Our results provide useful information for understanding mechanisms of frailty. This will help to develop preventive strategies for the elderly at the pre-frailty stage.