bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combining transcriptomics and metabolomics to characterize ergosterol biosynthesis in Flammulina velutipes during the fruiting process
Authors: Wang Ruihong , Ma Pengda , Li Chen , Xiao Lingang , Liang Zongsuo , Dong Juane 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background:
Flammulina velutipes (F. velutipes) is one of the most important mushrooms in Japan and China because of its potential medicinal and nutritional value. Ergosterol is an important precursor of vitamin D2, progesterone, hydrocortisone, brassinolide, and novel anticancer and anti-HIV drugs. One of the main methods for obtaining ergosterol is extraction of its natural products from fungi. However, because of the low production of ergosterol due to its inefficient biosynthesis, its approach cannot meet human needs. Therefore, increasing the ergosterol level in fungi is an important goal to be pursued. Although genes encoding key enzymes in the biosynthesis pathway of ergosterol have been identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the mechanism and regulation of ergosterol biosynthesis in F. velutipes remain unclear, and are the focus of this study.
Results:
In this work, nine cDNA libraries produced from the three stages of F. velutipes were sequenced by using the Illumina HiSeqTM 4000 platform, resulting in at least 6.63 Gb of clean reads from each library. De novo sequence assemblers were used to generate 220,523 transcripts and 28,330 unigenes, which were annotated according to seven protein databases. Here, we combined transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches to investigate the biosynthesis of bioactive ergosterol from F. velutipes. The contents of 16 intermediates or metabolites from different stages (young fruiting body stage and mycelium stage) were found to be significantly different. Then, transcriptional profiling of the genes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis was carried out, and the transcripts of key genes involved in the metabolism were analysed. A total of 51 key unigenes (12 upregulated unigenes and 39 downregulated unigenes) were identified as differentially expressed. Furthermore, four genes (i.e., ERG10s, ERG1s, ERG11s and ERG26s) were identified as the most important genes that played roles in the regulation of the pathway flux towards ergosterol synthesis in F. velutipes. Combining transcriptomics and metabolomics, we explored the regulatory relationship between ergosterol biosynthesis genes and metabolites in F. velutipes.
Conclusions:
The data obtained in this work provide useful information for understanding the biosynthesis, metabolism and regulation of sterols in F. velutipes and for channelling the metabolic flux towards ergosterol at different growth stages.
Disaster preparedness among Thai elderly emergency department patients: A survey of patients’ perspective
Authors: Sri Jiraporn , Vanichkulbodee Alissara , Sinsuwan Natchapon , Rojsaengroeng Rapeeporn , Kamsom Anucha , Liu Shan Woo 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: In disaster situations, the elderly are considered to be a particularly vulnerable population. Preparedness is the key to reduce post-disaster damage. There is limited research in middle-income countries on how well elderly emergency department (ED) patients are prepared for disaster situations. The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes and behavior of elderly ED patients toward disaster preparedness.
Methods: This study was a cross-sectional face-to-face survey at one urban teaching hospital in Bangkok, Thailand between August 1st and September 30th, 2016. Patients aged 60 and older who presented to the ED were included to this study. We excluded patients who had severe dementia [defined as Short Portable Mental State Questionnaires (SPMSQ) > 8], were unable to speak Thai, had severe trauma and/or needed immediate resuscitation. The survey instruction was adapted from previous disaster surveys. This study was approved by the Vajira Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Results: A total of 243 patients were enrolled. Most of them were female [154 patients (63.4%)]. The median age was 72 [Interquartile range (IQR) 66-81] years and the most common underlying diseases were hypertension [148 patients (60.9%)] and diabetes [108 patients (44.4%)]. The majority of patients [172 patients (72.4%)] reported that they had had some teaching about disaster knowledge from a healthcare provider and had experienced a disaster [138 patients (56.8%)]. While 175/197 (81.8%) patients who had underlying diseases reported that they had a medication supply for disaster situations, only 61 (25.1%) patients had an emergency toolbox for disasters. Most patients (159, 65.4%) did not know the emergency telephone number, and 133 (54.7%) patients reported transportation limitations.
Conclusions: While most Thai elderly ED patients reported having a medication supply for disaster situations, many lacked comprehensive plans for a disaster situation. Work needs to be done to improve the quality of preparedness in disaster situations among elderly patients. Future research should focus on preparedness knowledge regarding evacuation, and shelter/residence for older patients.
Influence of Preoperative Serum Creatinine Level and Intraoperative Volume of Contrast Medium on the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury After Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Miura Daisuke , Yamada Yasutaka , Kusaba Shinichiro , Nogami Eijiro , Yunoki Junji , Sakamoto Yoshiko , Hikichi Yutaka , Node Koichi , Sakaguchi Yoshiro 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Objective:
This study aimed to determine if contrast medium volume (CMV) is a risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) via a transfemoral approach performed without major complications. All TAVI procedures performed at our institution between March 2014 and March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. AKI was diagnosed using the Acute Kidney Injury Network classification based on the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 definition. Procedures performed via a transapical approach and those in which circulatory dynamics failed intraoperatively were excluded.
Results:
Eighty-one (96.4%) of 100 patients scheduled for TAVI were enrolled; seven (8.6%) developed AKI and 74 (91.4%) did not. The serum creatinine (SCr) level was significantly higher (p<0.05) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in the AKI group (p<0.05). The CMV was significantly higher in the AKI group (103ml vs 84ml, p<0.05), as was the CMV × SCr/BW value (3.34 vs 1.49, p<0.01). The area under the curve for CMV × SCr/BW was 0.9228 and the cutoff value was 2.99. The CMV, SCr, and estimated glomerular filtration rate affect the likelihood of AKI after transfemoral TAVI and a CMV × SCr/BW value > 2.99 accurately predicts AKI.
Knowledge and practice of immediate new-born care among midwives in central zone public health Facilities, Tigray, Ethiopia: cross sectional study.
Authors: Gebru Tesfay Tsegay , Murugan Rajalakshmi , Abrha Alem Gebremariam , Goyteom Mekonnen Haftom 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Objective

The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and practice of immediate newborn care among midwives in governmental health facilities of central zone of Tigray regional state, 2016.

Results

The mean age of the study participants was 34.1 years. Majority of the participants (83%) were diploma midwives. The score of knowledge of participants on immediate newborn care was 17.7% good and 25.2% poor. More than half (52.4%) of midwives practiced immediate newborn care. Midwives working in health center have 82% lower odds of newborn care compared to those working in hospital (p=0.000, OR=0.18 (0.07, 0.43).
Association among cytokine profiles of innate and adaptive immune responses and clinical-virological features in untreated patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Gu Yurong , Lian Yifan , Zheng Qiaolan , Huang Zexuan , Gu Lin , Bi Yanhua , Li Jing , Huang Yanlin , Wu Yuankai , Huang Yuehua 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background

Complete clearance of intracellular viruses depends on effector cells of innate and adaptive immune system. This study aimed to identify the relationship between antiviral cytokines produced by natural killer (NK) and T cells and clinical-virological characteristics in untreated chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

Methods

We measured antiviral cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) produced by T, NK and natural killer T (NKT) cells in a cohort of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (CHB). We also correlated these cytokines with clinical-virological characteristics using a linear regression model.

Results

IFN-γ+ and TNF-α+ by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were significantly higher in immune active (IA) than other phases. Immune tolerant (IT) patients showed the least expression of IFN-γ+ by NK and NKT cells, and TNF-α+ by NK cells. IFN-γ+, TNF-α+ and IL-2+ by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were comparable between IA and gray zones (GZ) phases. Principal component analysis based on cytokines confirmed that most IT patients significantly differ from inactive carriers (IC) and IA patients, while GZ patients were widely scattered. Multivariate analysis showed both T and NK cells producing IFN-γ+ and TNF-α+, but not IL-2+, had significant association with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Moreover, IFN-γ+ by NKT cells was associated with HBV DNA, while IFN-γ+ by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells had correlation with age.

Conclusion

HBV clinical phases are characterized by distinct cytokines signatures, which showed little relationship to viral features at a single time point in these untreated CHB patients.
Pattern of nucleotide variants of TP53 and their correlation with the expression of p53 and its downstream proteins in a Sri Lankan cohort of breast and colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Manoharan Vahinipriya , Karunanayake Eric Hamilton , Tennekoon Kamani Hemamala , De Silva Sumadee , Imthikab Ahamed Ilyas Ahamed , De Silva Kanishka , Angunawela Preethika , Lunec John 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background
Breast cancer (BC) is known to be the most common malignancy in females whereas colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence also higher in both genders in Sri Lanka. TP53 is an important tumour suppressor gene and its somatic mutations are reported in approximately 27% of BC and 43% of CRC cases. Analysis of TP53 gene variants not only provides clues for the aetiology of the tumour formation, but also has an impact on treatment efficacy. The current study was conducted to investigate the pattern of TP53 variants in patients with BC and CRC from Sri Lanka.

Methods
30 patients with BC, 21 patients with CRC and an equal number of healthy controls were screened for mutational status of TP53 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by direct sequencing. In addition, a subset of these samples were analysed for the protein expression of p53 and comparison made with the mutational status of TP53. We also analysed the protein expression of p21 and MDM2 as potential indicators of p53 functional status and compared it with the protein expression of p53. Additionally, hotspot codons of the KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA genes were also analysed in a subset of CRC patients.
Results
Twenty seven sequence variants, including several novel variants in the TP53 gene were found. Nine BC and seven CRC tumour samples carried pathogenic TP53 variants. Pathogenic point missense variants were associated with strong and diffuse positive staining for p53 by immunohistochemistry (IHC), whereas, wild type TP53 showed complete absence of positive IHC staining or rare positive cells, regardless of the type of cancer. There was no direct correlation between p21 or MDM2 expression and p53 expression in either BCs or CRCs. Four of the CRC patients had pathogenic hotspot variants in KRAS; three of them were on codon 12 and one was on codon 61.
Conclusion
The prevalence of pathogenic somatic TP53 variants was 31% and 33.33% in the studied BC and CRC cohorts respectively. All of them were located in exons 5 – 8 and the pathogenic missense variants were associated with strong immuno-positive staining for p53.
IL-17 affects progression, metastasis, and recurrence of laryngeal cancer via the inhibition of apoptosis through activation of the PI3K/AKT/FAS/FASL pathways
Authors: Song Yang , Yang Ming , Zhang Jianhong , Sun Yan , Tao Ye , Li Huihui , Zhang Jing , Li Yuncheng , Yang Jianming 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background. Cytokines play important roles in development and prognosis of laryngeal cancer (LC). Interleukin-17 (IL-17) from a distinct subset of CD4 + T-cells may significantly induce cancer-elicited inflammation to prevent cancer cells from immune surveillance. Methods. The expression levels of IL-17 were examined among 60 patients with LC. Immunofluorescence co-localization experiments were performed to verify the localization of IL-17 and FAS/FASL in Hep-2 and Tu212 cells. IL-17 was silenced for expression in LC cell lines by siRNA techniques for determination of the role of IL-17 in LC. Results. In our LC patients, cytokines were dysregulated in LC tissues compared with normal tissues. We found that IL-17 was overexpressed in a cohort of 60 LC tumors paired with non-tumor tissues. Moreover, high IL-17 expression was significantly associated with advanced T category, late clinical stage, differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and disease recurrence. In addition, the time-course expression of FAS and FASL was observed after stimulation and treatment with IL-17 stimulator. Finally, in vitro experiments demonstrated that IL-17 functioned as an oncogene by inhibiting the apoptosis of LC cells via the PI3K/AKT/FAS/FASL pathways. Conclusions. Taken together, our findings for the first time demonstrate the role of IL-17 as a tumor promoter and a pro-metastatic factor in LC, indicating that IL-17 may have an oncogenic role and serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in LC.
Prevalence of diabetes among homeless and slum dwellers in Accra, Ghana: A survey study
Authors: BAWAH AHMED TIJANI , Yawson Albert Abaka , Seini Mohammed Mustapha , Yeboah Francis Agyemang , Ngala Robert Amadu 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Objective: This study aimed at determining diabetes status of homeless people in Nima and Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana and to evaluate the association between socio-demographic characteristics and diabetes prevalence.
Results: A total of 130 homeless and slum dwellers took part in the study out of which 7 (5.4%) participants were diagnosed with diabetes while 13 (10 %) were considered as having prediabetes. This is slightly lower than what had been reported two decades ago but similar to overall estimates of diabetes prevalence in Africa (5.7%). Diagnosis of normoglycemia, prediabetes and diabetes was based on individual’s hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level: ≤5.9%, 6.4–6.0%, and ≥6.5%, respectively. There was no significant association between prevalence of diabetes or prediabetes and the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. The slightly lower diabetes prevalence among the homeless and slum dwellers compared to the general population may be due to constant movement of these people in the streets, a practice that could serve as a form of exercise for them. Intensive social support aimed at preventing and managing diabetes is crucial if we are to further reduce the incidence of diabetes in homeless people.
Keywords: Homeless, Diabetes mellitus, Hemoglobin A1c, Head porters
Glutathione imparts stress tolerance against Alternaria brassicicola infection via miRNA mediated gene regulation
Authors: Datta Riddhi , Boro Priyanka , Mandal Kajal , Sultana Asma , Chattopadhyay Sharmila 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Objective: Glutathione (GSH) is well-known to play a crucial role in imparting resistance against various pathogen invasions. Nevertheless, the role of GSH in regulating miRNA mediated defence response is yet to be explored. Results: To decipher the GSH mediated regulation of miRNA expression during necrotrophic infected Arabidopsis thaliana, wild-type Col-0 and AtECS1, the transgenic line exhibiting enhanced GSH content, was infected with necrotrophic pathogen Alternaria brassicicola. AtECS1 plants exhibited enhanced resistance as compared to wild-type. MiRNA next generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to compare the miRNA expression in Col-0 and AtECS1 leaves. Under control condition, differentially expressed 96 known miRNAs and 17 novel miRNAs viz. ath-miR8167f, ath-miR1886.3, ath-miR3932b-5p, etc were identified. Whereas, under infected condition, 73 known and 43 novel differentially expressed miRNAs viz. ath-miR5652, ath-miR160b, ath-miR865-5p, etc. were identified. Functional annotation and enrichment analysis revealed that several miRNAs that target defence-related genes like leucine rich repeat protein kinase, MYB transcription factors, TCP8, etc. were down regulated in the AtECS1 line which, in turn, relieves the repression of their target gene expression leading to resistance against infection.Together, the present investigation suggests that GSH plays a decisive role in modulating the miRNA mediated regulation of defence related genes during pathogen invasion.
Shu-mu point Catgut embedding therapy for abdominal obesity: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Feng Jialei , Ren Yulan , Jin Yuhao , Meng Jiangqiong , Yang Qiming , Zhong Yuan , Xing Chonghui , Guo Taipin 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background Obesity has become a multifactorial epidemic, affecting individuals, families, societies and countries. Abdominal obesity (AO) is the most harmful kind in obesity. Acupoint catgut embedding (ACE), one of an acupuncture therapy, has been widely used in China although it’s efficiency has not been tested by randomized controlled trial (RCT). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the ACE on AO. Methods This is a blinding, RCT. A total of ninety-two patients who met the inclusion criteria for this trial will be enrolled from two independent hospitals and randomly assigned to shu-mu point group and non-acupoint group. ACE will be conducted once every two weeks, three times for one course. There will be a total of two courses in the whole treatment, and a follow-up will be performed in the fourth week after the end of treatment. The primary outcomes are weight and waist circumference (WC). The secondary outcomes are body mass index (BMI), hip circumference (HC), Quality of Life Scale (SF-36), Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Discussion The results of this study will be obtained by RCT, and the outcomes will be analyzed to prove that ACE is effective and safe for AO. The results of this study will be derived from RCT. We expect that this experiment will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ACE for AO, and will also observe the changes in the physical conditions of patients before and after the treatment from the two groups.
WITHDRAWN: Alkalizing properties of new calcium-silicate endodontic biomaterials
Authors: Kot Katarzyna , Kucharski Łukasz , Marek Ewa , Safranow Krzysztof , Lipski Mariusz 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Calcium silicate-based cements (CSC), are self-setting hydraulic biomaterials widely used for reparative procedures in dentistry and endodontics. These materials possess bio-properties like biocompatibility, biointeractivity (release calcium (Ca2+ ) and hydroxyl (OH-) ions), and bioactivity (apatite-forming ability in contact with body fluids). Methods: Six calcium silicate-based materials were selected for this study: TheraCal LC (Bisco Inc. Schamburg, IL, USA), MTA Plus (Prevest Denpro, Jammu, India Avalon Biomed Inc, Bradenton, FL, USA), Biodentine (Septodont, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France), RetroMTA (BioMTA, Seoul, Korea), MTA Flow (Ultradent Products, Inc., South Jordan UT, USA), and OrthoMTA (BioMTA, Seoul, Korea). The pH was analysed immediately after immersion (baseline) and after 1 hour, 3 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 1 year with a pH meter, previously calibrated with solutions of known pH. To analyze the change in pH levels of the materials at each time point, 1- and 2-way analysis of variance, ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Analysis of the tested materials showed statistically significant differences in terms of pH changes as a function of time showed a gradual rise in the pH of all materials. Conclusion: All tested materials exhibited continuous hydroxyl ion release resulting in a rise in pH until the end of time of experience. Because of the highly alkaline pH values of these materials, they possess biointeractivity properties.
Measles Outbreak Investigation in Artuma Fursi Woreda, Oromia Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2018: A case control study
Authors: Tariku Mengistie Kassahun , Misikir Sewnet Wongiel 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Abstract
Objective: To confirm the existence of Outbreak, describe cases in person, place and time, and identify determinants of the outbreak. Unmatched case control study in the ratio of 1:4 (38 cases and 152 controls) was conducted in Artuma fursi woreda from July 13- August 1 /2018. Data were collected with standard questionnaires. Collected data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and exported to Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 23 for analysis.
Results: A total of 38 cases and 1 death with attack rate and case fatality rate 11.8/100,000 and 2.6% respectively. All study participants had not vaccination history. Females and age group 5-15 were more affected. Being 5-15 years old [adjusted odd ratio (AOR) =3.53; 95% CI; 1.52-8.45)], contact with cases AOR=2.78; 95% CI; 1.23-8.67] and travel history 7-18 days prior onset of illness [AOR= 2.53; 95% CI; 1.31-7.24] were significantly associated with contracting measles.Routine and supplement immunization should be strengthened to reduce future occurrence of outbreak.
Keywords: Measles, outbreak, Artuma fursi woreda
Transcription factors involved in stem cell maintenance are downstream of Slug/Snail2 and repressed by TGF-β in bronchial epithelial progenitors from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Grange Pierre de la , Jolly Ariane , Courageux Charlotte , Brahim Chamseddine Ben , LEROY Pascale 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Objectives: Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have a bronchial epithelium with many anomalies and basal/progenitor cells showing a decrease of self-renewal and differentiation potential. The objective of this study was to identify deregulations in the genetic program of COPD bronchial progenitors that could account for their exhaustion. The transcription factor Slug/Snail2 is highly expressed in bronchial progenitors and we aimed at identifying genes downstream of Slug whose expression is deregulated in COPD progenitors. Results: We knocked down Slug in primary basal cells from COPD subjects and, since COPD subjects have higher levels of Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β Slug is regulated by TGF-β, we selected genes downstream of Slug involved in differentiation that respond to TGF-β. We identified transcription factors involved in stem cell maintenance downstream of Slug and repressed by TGF-β in COPD but not normal progenitors. We found that the effect of TGF-β on the expression of these genes is correlated to Slug knockdown effect. We also found a correlation between the mRNA levels of Slug and these genes only in presence of TGF-β. These results reveal that stem cell maintenance genes are deregulated in COPD bronchial progenitors, Slug and TGF-β being involved in that deregulation.