bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of substantial improvement in physical function six months after lumbar surgery: is early post-operative walking important? A prospective cohort study
Authors: Gilmore Sarah J. , Hahne Andrew J. , Davidson Megan , McClelland Jodie A. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Resuming walking after lumbar surgery is a common focus of early post-operative rehabilitation, however there is no knowledge about whether increased walking is associated with better functional outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether time spent walking in the week after lumbar surgery, along with co-morbidities, pre-operative pain duration, pre-operative physical activity or function, or surgical variables predict substantial improvement in physical function six months after lumbar surgery.

Methods
A prospective cohort study design was utilized. Participants undergoing lumbar surgery (discectomy, decompression, fusion) were recruited between April and November 2016. Predictor variables were collected pre-operatively (age, sex, smoking status, obesity, diabetes, depression, anxiety, pre-operative pain duration, neurological deficit, physical activity levels, mobility restriction, function) and early post-operatively (post-operative walking time, surgical procedure, single/multi-level surgery). Outcome variables (physical function, back pain and leg pain severity) were measured pre-operatively and six-months post-operatively. Logistic regression analysis was used to establish prediction of substantial improvement in outcome at six months.

Results
Participants (N = 233; 50% female; age 61 (SD = 14) years) who walked more in the first post-operative week were more likely to have substantially improved function on the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire at six months (OR 1.18, 95%CI 1.02–1.37), as were participants with < 12 months pre-operative pain (OR 2.71, 95%CI 1.28–5.74), and those with lower pre-operative function (OR 4.02, 95%CI 2.33–6.93). Age < 65 years (OR 2.36, 95%CI 1.14–4.85), and < 12 months pre-operative pain (OR 3.52 95%CI 1.69–7.33) predicted substantial improvement on the SF-36 Physical Component Summary. There were no significant predictors for substantial improvement in either leg or back pain.

Conclusions
Walking time in the week after lumbar surgery is one of several predictors of substantial improvement in function at six months. Further research is required to determine whether intervention designed to increase walking early after lumbar surgery results in improved longer-term recovery of function.

Trial registration
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), registration number 12616000747426. Retrospectively registered on the 7th of June 2016.
Estrogen receptors genotypes and canine mammary neoplasia
Authors: Canadas-Sousa Ana , Santos Marta , Leal Bárbara , Medeiros Rui , Dias-Pereira Patrícia 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundEstrogens are essential for the development and proper function of several hormone-dependent organs. There are, however, several lines of evidence associating estrogens with mammary carcinogenesis. A marked individual genetic variability concerning estrogens biosynthesis, metabolism and mechanism of action was recognized and associated with human breast cancer susceptibility, clinical features and progression. Although some genetic variations in canineESR1 genewere reported, their influence in clinicopathological features and progression of canine mammary tumors has not been fully evaluated. This study aims to assess the influence of SNPs inESR1 gene(rs397512133, rs397510462, rs851327560, rs397510612, rs852887655, rs852684753 and rs852398698) in canine mammary tumors characteristics and progression. A group of 155 non-neutered bitches with mammary tumors was included in the study. Follow-up information was assessed 24 months after surgery.ResultsGenetic profiles associated with a later onset of mammary tumors and less aggressive clinicopathological features, namely smaller tumor size (≤ 3 cm) with extensive tubular differentiation and low canine-adapted prognostic index (vet-NPI), were identified in this study.ConclusionsOur data suggest that theESR1genetic profile may help on the decision regarding the selection of individual tailored preventive measures against canine mammary tumors development, such as early neutering.
13C metabolic flux analysis on roles of malate transporter in lipid accumulation of Mucor circinelloides
Authors: Wang Lu , Zhang Huaiyuan , Zhang Yao , Song Yuanda 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Mitochondrial and cytoplasmic malate transporter proteins are responsible for transmembrane transport of malate, thereby linking malate metabolism in various subcellular regions of the cell. These transporters play an important role in fatty acid biosynthesis of oleaginous microorganisms. Our previous studies have found that lipid content of the recombinant Mucor circinelloides (M. circinelloides) strain with mitochondrial malate transporter (mt) gene overexpression was increased by 70%, while that of strain with mt gene knockout was decreased by 27%. However, the mechanism of malate transporter promoting the transport of mitochondrial malate and citrate related to lipid accumulation is not clear. Therefore, 13C-labeled glucose metabolic flux analysis was carried out to identify the metabolic network topology and estimate intracellular fluxes of genetically engineered M. circinelloides strains for the purpose of better understanding the roles of malate transporters in citrate transport systems and lipid accumulation.

Results
The metabolic flux distribution analysis suggested that tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle flux ratio of mt-overexpression strains was decreased compared to that of the control strain, but in contrast, glyoxylic acid (GOX) cycle flux ratio was increased. Accordingly, the mt-knockout strain showed an opposite phenomenon with a higher TCA cycle flux ratio and a lower GOX cycle flux ratio than the control strain. GOX cycle might be more effective than TCA cycle in producing malate and oxaloacetate replenishment. Moreover, a relatively higher flux ratio of the pentose phosphate (PP) pathway was obtained in mt-overexpression strains, but no significant difference in the malic enzyme flux between recombinant strains and the control strain. Our results confirmed that PP pathway might play an important role for supplying NADPH and malic enzyme is not a limiting factor for fatty acid synthesis in oleaginous fungus M. circinelloides strains.

Conclusion
Intracellular metabolic flux information suggested that mt-overexpression strains had higher flux in PP pathway and GOX cycle, lower flux in TCA cycle, and no difference in malic enzyme cycle. Together, the role of malate transporter was assumed to further participate in transporting cycle of acetyl-CoA and drive PP pathway to supply NADPH required for lipid accumulation in recombinant M. circinelloides strains.
Cell-type specific concentration regulation of the basal transcription factor TFIIH in XPBy/y mice model
Authors: Donnio Lise-Marie , Miquel Catherine , Vermeulen Wim , Giglia-Mari Giuseppina , Mari Pierre-Olivier 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
The basal transcription/repair factor TFIIH is a ten sub-unit complex essential for RNA polymerase II (RNAP2) transcription initiation and DNA repair. In both these processes TFIIH acts as a DNA helix opener, required for promoter escape of RNAP2 in transcription initiation, and to set the stage for strand incision within the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway.

Methods
We used a knock-in mouse model that we generated and that endogenously expresses a fluorescent version of XPB (XPB-YFP). Using different microscopy, cellular biology and biochemistry approaches we quantified the steady state levels of this protein in different cells, and cells imbedded in tissues.

Results
Here we demonstrate, via confocal imaging of ex vivo tissues and cells derived from this mouse model, that TFIIH steady state levels are tightly regulated at the single cell level, thus keeping nuclear TFIIH concentrations remarkably constant in a cell type dependent manner. Moreover, we show that individual cellular TFIIH levels are proportional to the speed of mRNA production, hence to a cell’s transcriptional activity, which we can correlate to proliferation status. Importantly, cancer tissue presents a higher TFIIH than normal healthy tissues.

Conclusion
This study shows that TFIIH cellular concentration can be used as a bona-fide quantitative marker of transcriptional activity and cellular proliferation.
How does lesion size affect the pooled effect of traction-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection on procedure time? A meta-regression
Authors: Cheng Sheng-Wei , Chang Chun-Chao , Su Ying-Fong , Kang Yi-No 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The purpose of this letter was to explore how lesion size affects the pooled effect of traction-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection on procedure time. Our meta-regression showed that lesion size negatively associated with the effect of traction-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection on procedure time (estimate point = − 1.02; 95% confidence interval, from − 1.58 to − 0.46). We also confirmed this result in different statistical models including fixed effect regression and two mixed effects regression models.
Combination of electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy-guided biopsy with a novel staining for peripheral pulmonary lesions
Authors: Qian Kai , Deng Yi , Shen Cheng , Feng Yong-Geng , Deng Bo , Tan Qun-You 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
The diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) is a challenging task for pulmonologists, especially for small PPLs. Conventional localization of these small PPLs, which are > 1 cm away from the visceral pleura in operation, is quite difficult. Currently used methods inevitably damage the visceral pleura and may cause a series of complications, such as pneumothorax and hemothorax. Hence, the present study aimed to find out an intraoperative localization method with no damage to the visceral pleura.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 21 patients with PLLs who underwent electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB)-guided biopsy plus a new methylene blue staining with the help of massage (Massage Staining) in our department between August 2017 and December 2018.

Results
The median age of these 21 patients was 51.3 ± 2.1 years. The diameter of the PPLs was 8.2 ± 2.3 mm. The rate of successful biopsy was 76.2%, and the rate of excellent or satisfactory of Massage Staining was 81.0%, while all lesions of these 21 cases were included in the range of staining, and the median distance from the edge of the stained site to the edge of the lesion was 29 ± 18 mm. The duration of ENB-guided biopsy plus Massage Staining was 26.7 ± 5.3 min, and the intraoperative blood loss was 3.3 ± 1.5 ml. No pneumothorax, hemorrhage, and tracheal injury occurred intraoperatively.

Conclusions
The ENB-guided biopsy combined with Massage Staining is an innovative one-stop strategy designed to enhance the precision of thoracic surgery. The Massage Staining avoids damage to the visceral pleura, causes the low incidence of complications, but yields precise localization of PPLs.
White matter abnormalities of corpus callosum in patients with bipolar disorder and suicidal ideation
Authors: Zhang Ran , Jiang Xiaowei , Chang Miao , Wei Shengnan , Tang Yanqing , Wang Fei 
Published: September 2019

AbstractObjectiveAlthough many studies have shown that the corpus callosum (CC) may play an important role in bipolar disorder (BD) and suicide, the pathophysiological mechanism of BD underlying suicidal behavior is still unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the CC, and BD and suicidal ideation using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).MethodA total of 203 participants (47 BD patients with suicidal ideation, 59 with BD without suicidal ideation, and 97 healthy controls [HC]) underwent DTI scanning at a single site. We examined the white matter integrity of the CC in the three groups.ResultsA comparison among groups showed that BD patients with suicidal ideation had significant lower fractional anisotropy (FA) values than those of BD without suicidal ideation and HCs in the body and genu of the CC, and FA values of BD without suicidal ideation were significantly lower than those of HCs. However, in the splenium of corpus callosum, no difference was found between BD without suicidal ideation and HCs.ConclusionsOur findings add to the evidence suggesting that the CC plays a key role in BD with suicidal ideation, especially with respect to the role of the genu and body of the CC subserving emotion regulation.
Zero balance ultrafiltration using dialysate during nationwide bicarbonate shortage: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Mullane Ryan , Fristoe Lance , Markin Nicholas W. , Brakke Tara R. , Merritt-Genore Helen Mari , Siddique Aleem , Miles Clifford D. , Plumb Troy J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundZero balance ultrafiltration (Z-BUF) utilizing injectable 8.4% sodium bicarbonate is utilized to treat hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis associated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The nationwide shortage of injectable 8.4% sodium bicarbonate in 2017 created a predicament for the care of cardiac surgery patients. Given the uncertainty of availability of sodium bicarbonate solutions, our center pro-actively sought a solution to the sodium bicarbonate shortage by performing Z-BUF with dialysate (Z-BUF-D) replacement fluid for patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.MethodsSingle-center, retrospective observational evaluation of the first 46 patients at an academic medical center who underwent Z-BUF using dialysate over a period of 150 days with comparison of these findings to a historical group of 39 patients who underwent Z-BUF with sodium chloride (Z-BUF-S) over the preceding 150 days. The primary outcome was the change in whole blood potassium levels pre- and post-Z-BUF-D. Secondary outcomes included changes in pre- and post-Z-BUF-D serum bicarbonate levels and the amount of serum bicarbonate used in each Z-BUF cohort (Z-BUF-D and Z-BUF-S).ResultsZ-BUF-D and Z-BUF-S both significantly reduced potassium levels during CPB. However, Z-BUF-D resulted in a significantly decreased need for supplemental 8.4% sodium bicarbonate administration during CPB (52 mEq ± 48 vs. 159 mEq ± 85,P < 0.01). There were no complications directly attributed to the Z-BUF procedure.ConclusionZ-BUF with dialysate appears to be analternative to Z-BUF with sodium chloride with marked lower utilization of intravenous sodium bicarbonate.
The potential role of P.gingivalis in gastrointestinal cancer: a mini review
Authors: Liu Xiao-bo , Gao Zi-ye , Sun Chuan-tao , Wen Hui , Gao Bo , Li Sheng-bao , Tong Qiang 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Bacterial infection may be involved in the entire process of tissue carcinogenesis by directly or indirectly affecting the occurrence and development of tumors. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.gingivalis) is an important pathogen causing periodontitis. Periodontitis may promote the occurrence of various tumors. Gastrointestinal tumors are common malignant tumors with high morbidity, high mortality, and low early diagnosis rate. With the rapid development of molecularbiotechnology, the role of P.gingivalis in digestive tract tumors has been increasingly explored. This article reviews the correlation between P.gingivalis and gastrointestinal cancer and the pathogenesis of the latter. The relationship among P.gingivalis, periodontal disease, and digestive tract tumors must be clarifiedthrough a multi-center, prospective, large-scale study.
Three year survival among patients with aids-related Kaposi sarcoma treated with chemotherapy and combination antiretroviral therapy at Moi teaching and referral hospital, Kenya
Authors: Busakhala Naftali , Kigen Gabriel , Waako Paul , Strother R. Matthew , Chite Fredrick , Loehrer Patrick 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma (AIDS-KS), a common malignancy in Kenya is associated with high morbidity and mortality. AIDS-KS is treated using bleomycin and vincristine (BV) plus or minus doxorubicin in most low resource settings, with response rates ranging from 24.8 to 87%. Survival in low resource settings has not been well documented. We report the three-year survival in a cohort of seventy patients referred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).

Methods
Study participants are part of a randomized phase IIA trial on the use of gemcitabine compared to bleomycin plus vincristine for the treatment of Kaposi sarcoma after combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in Western Kenya. All patients were followed for three years in MTRH. Survival was determined by three monthly physical examination and analysed using Kaplan-Meier method, while possible determinants of survival such as baseline characteristics, type of chemotherapy, initial CD4 counts, age at enrolment, gender and early response to chemotherapy were analysed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression.

Results
Participants were aged between 19 and 70 years with 56% being male. The median CD4 count was 224 cells/μl, median duration of HIV diagnosis was 12.0 months and median duration of KS lesions after histology diagnosis before initiating chemotherapy was 4.8 weeks. At three years, 60 (85.7%) patients were alive. Six of those who died were under treatment with BV while four with gemcitabine. There was no difference in the probability of survival between the patients on either treatment arm (HR = 0.573 [95% C. I 0.143, 2.292; p = 0.4311]). Additionally, the hazard ratio (HR) for response after six weeks, age at enrolment and gender indicated that they were not significant determinants of survival. Patients with normal CD4 cell counts (> = 500/μl), had a HR of 0.401(0.05,3.23; p = 0.391), suggesting better survival.

Conclusions
Patients with AIDS-KS treated with combined antiretroviral drugs had excellent three-year survival regardless of whether they were treated with BV or gemcitabine as first line therapy. An initial CD4 cell count of > = 500/μl appeared to improve survival while gender, age and early response to chemotherapy were not predictors of survival after three years.

Trial registration
Number PACTR201510001.
Identification of candidate genes controlling oil content by combination of genome-wide association and transcriptome analysis in the oilseed crop Brassica napus
Authors: Xiao Zhongchun , Zhang Chao , Tang Fang , Yang Bo , Zhang Liyuan , Liu Jingsen , Huo Qiang , Wang Shufeng , Li Shengting , Wei Lijuan , Du Hai , Qu Cunmin , Lu Kun , Li Jiana , Li Nannan 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundIncreasing seed oil content is one of the most important targets for rapeseed (Brassica napus) breeding. However, genetic mechanisms of mature seed oil content inBrassica napus(B. napus) remain little known. To identify oil content-related genes, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using 588 accessions.ResultsHigh-throughput genome resequencing resulted in 385,692 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) with a minor allele frequency (MAF) > 0.05. We identified 17 loci that were significantly associated with seed oil content, among which 12 SNPs were distributed on the A3 (11 loci) and A1 (one loci) chromosomes, and five novel significant SNPs on the C5 (one loci) and C7 (four loci) chromosomes, respectively. Subsequently, we characterized differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the seeds and silique pericarps on main florescences and primary branches of extremely high- and low-oil content accessions (HO and LO). A total of 64 lipid metabolism-related DEGs were identified, 14 of which are involved in triacylglycerols (TAGs) biosynthesis and assembly. Additionally, we analyzed differences in transcription levels of key genes involved in de novo fatty acid biosynthesis in the plastid, TAGs assembly and lipid droplet packaging in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) between high- and low-oil contentB. napusaccessions.ConclusionsThe combination of GWAS and transcriptome analyses revealed seven candidate genes located within the confidence intervals of significant SNPs. Current findings provide valuable information for facilitating marker-based breeding for higher seed oil content inB. napus.
Introducing low-quality feedstocks in bioethanol production: efficient conversion of the lignocellulose fraction of animal bedding through steam pretreatment
Authors: Sanchis-Sebastiá Miguel , Erdei Borbála , Kovacs Krisztina , Galbe Mats , Wallberg Ola 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundAnimal bedding remains an underutilized source of raw material for bioethanol production, despite the economic and environmental benefits of its use. Further research concerning the optimization of the production process is needed, as previously tested pretreatment methods have not increased the conversion efficiency to the levels necessary for commercialization of the process.ResultsWe propose steam pretreatment of animal bedding, consisting of a mixture of straw and cow manure, to deliver higher ethanol yields. The temperature, residence time and pH were optimized through response-surface modeling, where pretreatment was evaluated based on the ethanol yield obtained through simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of the whole pretreated slurry. The results show that the best conditions for steam pretreatment are 200 °C, for 5 min at pH 2, at which an ethanol yield of about 70% was obtained. Moreover, the model also showed that the pH had the greatest influence on the ethanol yield, followed by the temperature and then the residence time.ConclusionsBased on these results, it appears that steam pretreatment could unlock the potential of animal bedding, as the same conversion efficiencies were achieved as for higher-quality feedstocks such as wheat straw.
Better safe than sorry: a vehicular traffic re-routing based on traffic conditions and public safety issues
Authors: de Souza Allan M. , Braun Torsten , Botega Leonardo C. , Cabral Raquel , Garcia Islene C. , Villas Leandro A. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractVehicular traffic re-routing is the key to provide better traffic mobility. However, taking into account just traffic-related information to recommend better routes for each vehicle is far from achieving the desired requirements of proper transportation management. In this way, context-aware and multi-objective re-routing approaches will play an important role in traffic management. Yet, most procedures are deterministic and cannot support the strict requirements of traffic management applications, since many vehicles potentially will take the same route, consequently degrading overall traffic efficiency. So, we propose an efficient algorithm named as Better Safe Than Sorry (BSTS), based on Pareto-efficiency. Simulation results have shown that our proposal provides a better trade-off between mobility and safety than state-of-the-art approaches and also avoids the problem of potentially creating different congestion spots.