bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors that influence the use of community assets by people with physical disabilities: results of participatory mapping in Envigado, Colombia.
Authors: Toro-Hernandez Maria Luisa , Villa-Torres Laura , Mondragón-Barrera Mónica Alejandra , Camelo-Castillo Wendy 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background: Disability is an evolving concept that results from the complex interaction between a person with an impairment and the context in which he/she lives. There is limited understanding on the types, access and use of community assets valuable for people with disabilities, and the role of contextual factors in Colombia. Our goal with this work was to identify the factors at the levels of the socio-ecological framework, and their interaction, that influence the use of community assets among people with physical disabilities and community stakeholders in Envigado, Colombia.
Methods: Using participatory mapping, a community based participatory approach, we carried out an assessment of community assets identified by people with disabilities and rehabilitation professionals. In-depth interviews (n=32) informed the design of two asset mapping activities, one among people with disabilities (n=5)and a second with rehabilitation professionals(n=4). Results were presented in a community forum to receive feedback on the findings.
Results: Main findings indicate a chain of contextual factors that limit access and use of assets stemming from the personal (e.g. financial resources, inaccessible housing), interpersonal level (e.g. lack of a personal assistance or aid), and community levels (e.g. lack of accessible public transportation and inaccessible buildings). In most cases these barriers are heightened by system level barriers (e.g. lack of effective enforcement of the legal framework).
Conclusions: Identifying these contextual factors, and their interactions, calls for stronger enforcement of the existing legal framework through articulated work between different stakeholders, so that people with disabilities can enjoy community assets.
A pair-wise meta-analysis highlights circular RNAs as potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer
Authors: Li Chen , He Xinli , Zhang Lele , Li Lanying , Zhao Wenzhao 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as a special subset of endogenous RNAs that are implicated in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Herein we aim to carry out a meta-analysis to evaluate the clinicopathologic, diagnostic and prognostic significance of circRNA expression in colorectal cancer (CRC).
Methods: A systematic search of online databases was performed for original articles published in English, which investigated the diagnostic accuracy, prognostic utility, and clinicopathologic association of circRNA(s) in CRC. Data were strictly extracted and study bias was judged using the Quality Assessment for Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy II (QUADAS II) and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) checklists.
Results: A total of 13 studies, involving 1430 patients with CRC, were included in the meta-analysis. The clinicopathologic study showed that abnormally expressed circRNAs were correlated with tumor diameter ( P = 0.0350), differentiation ( P = 0.0038), lymphatic metastasis ( P = 0.0119), distant metastasis ( P < 0.0001), TNM stage ( P = 0.0002), and depth of invasion ( P =0.001) in patients with CRC. The summary area under the curve (AUC) of circRNA for the discriminative efficacy between patients with and without CRC was estimated to be 0.79, corresponding to a weighted sensitivity of 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74-0.79], specificity of 0.67 (95%CI: 0.64-0.70), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 7.52 (95%CI: 4.66-12.12). Survival analysis showed that highly expressed circRNAs were correlated with significantly worse overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.66, 95%CI: 2.03-3.50, P = 0.000; X 2 = 4.34, P = 0.740, I 2 = 0.0%], whereas lower expression of circRNAs was associated with prolonged OS (weighted HR=0.30, 95%CI: 0.17-0.53, P = 0.000; X 2 = 1.34, P = 0.909, I 2 = 0.0%). Stratified analysis in circRNA expression status, and test matrix also showed robust results.
Conclusion: Abnormally expressed circRNAs may be auxiliary biomarkers facilitating CRC diagnosis, and promising prognostic biomarkers in predicting the survival of CRC patients.
No relationship between dopamine D3 receptor gene Ser9Gly polymorphism (rs6280) and schizophrenia: a meta-analysis of family-based association studies
Authors: Li Xiao-na , Zheng Ji-long , Wei Xiao-han , Wang Bao-jie , Yao Jun 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background

Ser9Gly (rs6280) is a functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the human dopamine receptor D3 gene (DRD3). It is still controversial that whether Ser9Gly is involved in the occurrence of schizophrenia. Thus, a meta-analysis of family-based studies was performed to explore the role of Ser9Gly in the etiology of schizophrenia.Methods

The published family-based association studies were searched from the relevant literature databases according to the established inclusion criteria. We generated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals in order to determine the strength of the relationship between Ser9Gly SNP and the occurrence of schizophrenia.Results

We finally pooled up 13 family-based association studies between Ser9Gly SNP and schizophrenia. It contained 11 transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) studies with 1219 informative meiosis and 5 haplotype-based haplotype relative risk (HHRR) studies. There were no statistical significance for the heterogeneity in TDT and HHRR studies. Therefore, the fixed effect model was used to measure the pooled effect size. The results showed that neither of the associations between Ser9Gly and the risk of schizophrenia were observed in TDT (1219 samples, OR=1.005, 95% CI = 0.898-1.125, Z-value = 0.086, p = 0.932) and HHRR studies (1704 samples, OR=0.869, 95% CI = 0.713-1.059, Z-value = -1.395, p = 0.163), except for the significantly preferential transmission of DRD3 Ser9 allele in East Asian in TDT studies (204 samples, OR=0.744, 95% CI = 0.564-0.980, Z-value = -2.104, p = 0.035).Conclusions

Our meta-analysis found no association between DRD3 gene Ser9Gly polymorphism and the risk of schizophrenia. However, more effects need to further confirm the function of DRD3 Ser9Gly SNP in the occurrence of schizophrenia.
Relation between quantity and quality of peri-coronary epicardial adipose tissue and its underlying hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis
Authors: Du Yu , Yang Lin , Liu Yan , Yang Bangguo , Lv Sai , Hu Chenping , Zhu Yong , Zhang Hongkai , Ma Qian , Wang Zhijian , Liu Yuyang , Shi Dongmei , Zhao Yingxin , Xu Lei , Zhou Yujie 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background: We aimed to investigate the association of lesion-specific epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and density with the presence of lesion ischemia.
Methods: We enrolled 45 patients (55 lesions) with known or suspected coronary artery disease who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) followed by invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment within 30 days. EAT volume (index) and density in patient-, vessel- and lesion-level were measured on CTA images. Lesion-specific ischemia was defined as a lesion with stenosis diameter >90% or FFR ≤0.80. Multivariate analysis determined the independent association of EAT parameters with lesion ischemia.
Results : Mean age of the patients was 60 years, and 75% were male. Overall, 55.6% of patients had ischemic lesions and a mean FFR baseline value of 0.82±0.10. Total EAT volume index was significantly higher in patients with functionally or anatomically significant stenosis. Specifically, peri-lesion EAT volume index, not the density, was positively correlated with lesion-specific ischemia independent of luminal stenosis and plaque characteristics (hazard ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 1.04–2.33, P=0.032; per 0.1 ml/m 2 increase). Moreover, peri-lesion EAT volume was negatively correlated with lesion FFR values, whereas total EAT volume was positively correlated with fat accumulation and glucose metabolism. In addition, there was no association of EAT volume or density with lesion ischemia in vessel-level analysis.
Conclusions: Lesion-specific EAT volume index, but not density, seems positively and independently associated with lesion ischemia, while its incremental diagnostic value of lesion ischemia should be further investigated.
Understanding the natural organic matter removal mechanism from mine and surface water through the electrocoagulation method
Authors: Snehi Shivam , Singh Hariraj , Priya Tanwi , Mishra Brijesh Kumar 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
In the present study, the concept of ‘Sample alteration of surface water’ has been employed to improve the efficiency of the aluminum-based electrocoagulation (EC) treatment method for the removal of reactive fractions of natural organic matter (NOM) from chlorinated water. The characteristics of surface water have been slightly modified by adding mine water in different ratios. The process has been optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM) considering pH, current density, mix ratio, and contact time as factors. At the optimized condition, the EC method has significantly reduced total organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and UV254 absorbance values up to 24%, 27%, and 80%, respectively. The cumulative impact of sample alteration and EC method has exhibited outstanding coagulant activity in terms of UV254 abs, DOC, turbidity, phenol, and absorbance slope index (ASI) as well. A decrease in ASI values indicated the reduction of trihalomethane's formation in water-containing chlorine. This was validated by reduced chlorine demand. It can be concluded that mixing mine water with surface water can be a feasible and efficient method for treating water with a high NOM content.
Linear model of water movements for large-scale inverted siphon in water distribution system
Authors: Zhonghao Mao , Guanghua Guan , Zhonghua Yang , Ke Zhong 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
This paper proposes a linear model that relates the pressure head variations at the downstream end of an inverted siphon to the flow rate variations at two ends. It divides the pressure head variations in the inverted siphon into low-frequency part and high-frequency part. The two parts are caused by the deformation of the siphon wall and the reflection of acoustic wave, respectively. In order to build a simplified relation between wall deformation and low-frequency pressure head variations, the Preissmann slot method (PSM) is adopted in this paper. The linear model can also be used in other forms of structures, such as pipes and tunnels, where a pressurized flow condition is present. In comparison with simulation results using the finite volume method, the linear model shows an L2 norm of 0.177 for a large-scale inverted siphon and 0.044 for a PVC pipe. To this end, the linear model is adopted to model a large-scale inverted siphon in a virtual water delivery system. Simulation results show that the inverted siphon can reduce water fluctuations. An equation to quantify this effect is proposed based on the linear model.
Streptokinase: An Efficient Enzyme in Cardiac Medicine
Authors: Zia Muhammad A. 
Published: October 2019

:
An imbalance in oxygen supply to cardiac tissues or formation of thrombus leads to
deleterious results like pulmonary embolism, coronary heart disease and acute cardiac failure. The
formation of thrombus requires clinical encounter with fibrinolytic agents including streptokinase,
urokinase or tissue plasminogen activator. Irrespective to urokinase and tissue plasminogen
activator, streptokinase is still a significant agent in treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Streptokinase, being so economical, has an important value in treating cardiac diseases in
developing countries. This review paper will provide the maximum information to enlighten all the
pros and cons of streptokinase up till now. It has been concluded that recent advances in
structural/synthetic biology improved SK with enhanced half-life and least antigenicity. Such
enzyme preparations would be the best thrombolytic agents.
Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Fruit Extracts on Diet-Induced Obesity in Rodents: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ballard Cíntia R. , Galvão Tais F. , Cazarin Cinthia B.B. , Maróstica Mário R. 
Published: October 2019

Background::Obesity is a complex condition of high prevalence and cost to the public health system. Recent research has demonstrated the potential of natural products, such as polyphenol-rich fruit extracts, for use in the treatment of obesity. The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the metabolic effects of polyphenol-rich fruit extracts on diet-induced obesity (DIO) in rodents.Methods:We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to identify preclinical studies that assessed polyphenol-rich fruit extracts compared to placebo on DIO in rodents in December 2018. Two researchers selected the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of studies. Meta-analyses of standardized mean difference (SMD) of outcomes were calculated in Stata 11, and causes of heterogeneity were assessed by meta-regression.Results:We included 14 studies in the systematic review and 13 studies with 21 matched groups in the metaanalysis. Polyphenol-rich fruit extracts reduced the total body weight gain (SMD = -1.48; confidence interval: - 1.95, -1.01), energy intake (SMD = -0.42; -0.67, -0.17), visceral adipose tissue (SMD = -0.96; -1.25, -0.66), triglycerides (SMD = -1.00; -1.39, -0.62), cholesterol (SMD = -1.18, -1.66, -0.69), LDL- c (SMD = -1.15; -1.65, - 0.65), fasting glucose (SMD = -1.05; -1.65, -0.46), and fasting insulin (SMD = -1.40; -1.80, -1.00) when compared to vehicle.Conclusion:Polyphenol-rich fruit extract had positive effects on weight gain, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance at different doses, and fruit source in male mice.
Current Approaches to Drug Discovery for Chagas Disease: Methodological Advances
Authors: Scarim Cauê B. , Chin Chung M. 
Published: October 2019

Background:
In recent years, there has been an improvement in the in vitro and in vivo
methodology for the screening of anti-chagasic compounds. Millions of compounds can now have
their activity evaluated (in large compound libraries) by means of high throughput in vitro
screening assays.

Objective:
Current approaches to drug discovery for Chagas disease.

Method:
This review article examines the contribution of these methodological advances in
medicinal chemistry in the last four years, focusing on Trypanosoma cruzi infection, obtained from
the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases.

Results:
Here, we have shown that the promise is increasing each year for more lead compounds
for the development of a new drug against Chagas disease.

Conclusion:
There is increased optimism among those working with the objective to find new drug
candidates for optimal treatments against Chagas disease.
Neutrophilic Asthma and Potentially Related Target Therapies
Authors: Nair Pranav , Prabhavalkar Kedar S. 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Neutrophilic asthma is generally associated with the absence of eosinophils
and activation of non- predominant type 2 immunological pathways. It involves bronchial inflammation
followed by different degrees of airway remodeling. Neutrophilic inflammation activates specific
cellular and molecular pathways due to inhalation of environmental trigger factors such as exhaust
fumes, cigarette smoke, occupation-related agents, and infections.

Objective:
This review discusses the involvement of neutrophils in asthma and potentially related target
therapies.

Results:
Corticosteroid resistance is the hallmark of neutrophilic asthma which increases disease severity
and leads to difficult-to-control asthma. Patients with neutrophil-dominant asthma are characterized
by low levels of (or absence of) Th2 cytokines. Due to the shortage of effective treatments for
neutrophilic asthma newer biologics are being developed that target type 2 asthma symptoms and phenotypes.
Understanding different biomarkers, inflammatory pathways and treatment strategies involved
in neutrophilic asthma will help to decrease adverse effects related to corticosteroid insensitivity.
Better insight of targets involved in neutrophilic inflammation can lead to improved therapies.

Conclusion:
Further evaluation and clinical trials of emerging biologics involved in neutrophilic
asthma needs to be performed before bringing them into clinical practice.
The Computational Analysis Conducted on miRNA Target Sites in Association with SNPs at 3’UTR of ADHD-implicated Genes
Authors: Abdi Adel , Zafarpiran Mina , Farsani Zeinab S. 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a frequent chronic
neuropsychiatric disorder in which different factors including environmental, genetic, and epigenetic
factors play an important role in its pathogenesis. One of the effective epigenetic factors is
recognized as MicroRNAs (miRNAs). On the other hand, it has been indicated that the single nucleotide
polymorphism (SNPs) present within 3'UTR (3' untranslated region) of mRNAs can influence
the regulation of miRNA-mediated gene and susceptibility to a diversity of human diseases.

Methods:
The purpose of this study was to analyze the SNPs within the 3'UTR of miRNA target
genes associated with ADHD. 3'UTR genetic variants were identified in all genes associated with
ADHD using DisGeNET, dbGaP, Ovid, DAVID, Web of knowledge, and SNPs databases.
miRNA's target prediction databases were applied in order to predict the miRNA binding sites.
124 SNPs with MAF>0.05 were identified located in the binding site of the miRNA of 35 genes
amongst 51 genes associated with ADHD.

Results:
Bioinformatics analysis predicted 81 MRE (miRNA recognition elements)-creating
SNPs, 101 MRE-breaking SNPs, 61 MRE-enhancing SNPs, and finally predicted 41 MREdecreasing
SNPs in the 3'UTR of ADHD-implicated genes. These candidate SNPs within these
genes miRNA binding sites can alter the miRNAs binding, and consequently, lead to mRNA gene
regulation.

Conclusion:
Therefore, these miRNA and MRE-SNPs may play important roles in ADHD, and
because of that, they would be valuable for further investigation in the field of functional verification.
Polymorphism of Secretary PLA2G2A Gene Associated with Its Serum Level in Type2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Northern Iran
Authors: Khajeniazi Safoura , Marjani Abdoljalal , Shakeri Raheleh , Hakimi Safoura 
Published: October 2019

Background:Inflammation may occur in Type2 diabetes mellitus. sPLA2 is among the factors that contribute to the activation of pathways involved in inflammation. Several agents affect serum sPLA2 level, one of which is genetic diversity.Objective:The current study was performed to determine whether there is a relationship between sPLA2 gene (−763C > G) polymorphism and circulating sPLA2 level in patients with Type 2 diabetes.Methods:DNA was extracted from blood samples and used for the amplification of sPLA2 gene using ARMS-PCR.Results:A statistical analysis using SPSS (version 16) revealed a significant correlation between −763C > G sPLA2 gene polymorphisms and the disease incidence in patients with T2DM. Among the three possible genotypes (GG, CC, and CG), CG genotype was found to have a higher frequency(53%) in T2DM patients. GG and CC genotypes frequencies were 20 and 27%, respectively. In healthy individuals, the frequencies of CC, GG, and GC genotypes were 77, 9.8% and 13.2%, respectively). Patients with genotype GG had the highest level of sPLA2. We showed that C>G polymorphism at position– 763 is associated with a high level of sPLA2 in both T2DM patients and healthy individuals. The average of sPLA2 circulating level was (170.48± 84.90), (106.62 ± 74.31), in patients and normal individuals, respectively.Conclusion:Our findings show that sPLA2 serum level is significantly higher in patients with T2DM disease than that in healthy individuals.
A Review on the Effects of New Anti-Diabetic Drugs on Platelet Function
Authors: Yaribeygi Habib , Atkin Stephen L. , Jamialahmadi Tannaz , Sahebkar Amirhossein 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Cardiovascular complications account for the majority of deaths caused by
diabetes mellitus. Platelet hyperactivity has been shown to increase the risk of thrombotic events and is
a therapeutic target for their prevention in diabetes. Modulation of platelet function by diabetes agents
in addition to their hypoglycemic effects would contribute to cardiovascular protection. Newly
introduced antidiabetic drugs of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), glucagon like
peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors may have anti-platelet
effects, and in the case of SGLT2i and GLP-1RA may contribute to their proven cardiovascular benefit
that has been shown clinically.

Objective:
Here, we reviewed the potential effects of these agents on platelet function in diabetes.

Results and Conclusion:
GLP-1RA and DPP-4i drugs have antiplatelet properties beyond their primary
hypoglycemic effects. Whilst we have little direct evidence for the antiplatelet effects of SGLT2
inhibitors, some studies have shown that these agents may inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce the
risk of thrombotic events in diabetes.
Study of Antifungal Susceptibility, Virulence Genes and Biofilm Formation in Candida albicans
Authors: Shrief Raghdaa , Zaki Maysaa El Sayed , El-Sehsah Eman Mousa , Ghaleb Sara , Mofreh Mohamed 
Published: October 2019

Background:

Candida albicans has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen. The morbidity and mortality associated with this pathogen are related to the presence of virulence genes and antifungal resistance. The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of antifungal resistance, biofilm formation and some virulence genes such as ALS1, PLB1, INT1, SAP1 and HWP1, among clinical isolates of Candida albicans recovered from immunocompromised patients.

Methods:
The study included one hundred C. albicans isolates identified phenotypically and by a molecular technique using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The identified C. albicans was further subjected to antifungal study by the microdilution method, biofilm study and molecular study for virulence genes by PCR.

Results:
The resistance to antifungal drugs, fluconazole, caspofungin and itraconazole was 8% for each of them and for amphotericin B, it was 9%. The prevalence of the studied virulence genes was HWP1 77%, INT1 72%, ALS1 65%, SAP1 65% and PLB1 52%. The biofilm capacity was identified by the microplate method in 58% of C. albicans. The OD was intense in 20 isolates, moderate in 21 isolates and mild in 17 isolates. There was a statistically significant increase in the prevalence of the studied virulence genes INT1, ALS1, HWP1, SAP1 and PLB1 among biofilm forming C. albicans as compared to non-biofilm forming isolates (P=0.0001). Additionally, the resistance to fluconazole, itraconazole and caspofungin was statistically, significantly higher in C. albicans with the capacity to form biofilm as compared to non-biofilm forming C. albicans.

Conclusion:

The present study highlights the prevalence of resistance to antifungal drugs among C. albicans which are not uncommon. Moreover, there was a high prevalence of INT1, ALS1, HWP1, SAP1 and PLB1 genes in C. albicans. The resistance to antifungal drugs was common among isolates with the capacity to form the biofilm. There was an association between the biofilm formation and virulence genes.