bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacillus sp. probiotic supplementation diminish the Escherichia coli F4ac infection in susceptible weaned pigs by influencing the intestinal immune response, intestinal microbiota and blood metabolomics
Authors: Luise Diana , Bertocchi Micol , Motta Vincenzo , Salvarani Chiara , Bosi Paolo , Luppi Andrea , Fanelli Flaminia , Mazzoni Maurizio , Archetti Ivonne , Maiorano Giuseppe , Nielsen Bea K. K. , Trevisi Paolo 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Probiosis is considered a potential strategy to reduce antibiotics use and prevent post-weaning diarrhea (PWD). This study investigated the effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DSM25840 or Bacillus subtilis DSM25841 supplementation on growth, health, immunity, intestinal functionality and microbial profile of post-weaning pigs after enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) F4 challenge.

Methods
Sixty-four post-weaning piglets (7748 g ± 643 g) were randomly allocated to four groups: control basal diet (CO); CO + 1.28 × 106 CFU/g of B. amyloliquefaciens (BAA); CO + 1.28 × 106 CFU/g feed of B. subtilis (BAS); CO + 1 g colistin/kg of feed (AB). At day (d) 7, animals were challenged with 105 CFU/mL of ETEC F4ac O149 and then followed for fecal score and performance until d 21. Blood was collected at d 6, d 12 and d 21 for immunoglobulins, at d 8 for acute phase proteins, at d 8 and d 21 for metabolomics analysis. Jejunum was sampled for morphometry, quantification of apoptosis, cell proliferation, neutral and acid mucine and IgA secretory cells, and microarray analysis at d 21. Jejunum and cecum contents were collected for microbiota at d 21.

Results
AB and BAS reduced the fecal score impairment compared to CO (P < 0.05) at d 14. Body weight (BW), average daily weight gain (ADWG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) did not differ between Bacillus groups and CO. AB improved BW at d 7, d 14 and d 21, ADWG ADFI and G:F from d 0 to d 7 (P < 0.05). At d 8, CO had higher plasma arginine, lysine, ornithine, glycine, serine and threonine than other groups, and higher haptoglobin than AB (P < 0.05). At d 21, CO had lower blood glycine, glutamine and IgA than BAS. Morphology, cells apoptosis and mucins did not differ. BAS and AB increased the villus mitotic index. Transcriptome profile of BAS and AB were more similar than CO. Gene sets related to adaptive immune response were enriched in BAA, BAS and AB. CO had enriched gene set for nuclear structure and RNA processing. CO had a trend of higher Enterobacteriaceae in cecum than the other groups (P = 0.06).

Conclusion
Bacillus subtilis DSM25841 treatment may reduce ETEC F4ac infection in weaned piglets, decreasing diarrhea and influencing mucosal transcriptomic profile.
The adipokine vaspin reduces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-3B) cells, associated with lower levels of NO and superoxide anion
Authors: Skonieczna Magdalena , Hudy Dorota , Hejmo Tomasz , Buldak Rafal J. , Adamiec Małgorzata , Kukla Michal 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundAmong adipose-derived factors, adipocytokines play roles as hormones and signaling mediators for apoptotic pathway. Among of them, vaspin, regulates the metabolism of adipose tissue itself as an endocrine organ, and stimulates adipocytes to maturation, differentiation, etc. Damaged adipocytes, present in obesity and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) respond with over-production of inflammatory cytokines. Such pro-inflammatory stimulation remains under adipokine control. Pro-inflammatory pathways are connected to oxidative stress and apoptosis, reported as co-existing with an elevated level of some adipokines in cancer cell lines. However, some hormones, such as vaspin, reduce apoptosis, have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative roles in cancer cell lines.MethodsHep-3B cells were cytometrically evaluated under vaspin treatment for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosiss induction. The statistical significant changes to the untreated controls was calculated by T-tests (indicated at valuep < 0.05).ResultsHere we studied the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in cells of HCC line Hep-3B after vaspin treatment. A decreased level of nitric oxide and superoxide anion 24 h after vaspin addition at 5 ng/ml was correlated with restricted, to the physiological level, apoptosis. A protective role of vaspin was displayed as enhanced cell viability and proliferation, which could be a poor prognostic in liver cancer.ConclusionsApoptosis was suppressed after vaspin treatment, together with low levels of nitric oxide and superoxide anions.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Anti-hyperalgesic properties of a flavanone derivative Poncirin in acute and chronic inflammatory pain models in mice
Authors: Afridi Ruqayya , Khan Ashraf Ullah , Khalid Sidra , Shal Bushra , Rasheed Hina , Ullah Muhammad Zia , Shehzad Omer , Kim Yeong Shik , Khan Salman 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundPoncirin is flavanone derivative (isolated fromPoncirus trifoliata) with known pharmacological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-osteoporotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-colitic. The present study aimed to explore the anti-allodynic and anti-hyperalgesic potentials of poncirin in murine models of inflammatory pain.MethodsThe analgesic potential of poncirin was evaluated in formalin-, acetic acid-, carrageenan- and Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain models in mice. Anti-allodynic and anti-hyperalgesic activities were measured using Von Frey filaments, Randall Selitto, hotplate and cold acetone tests. The serum nitrite levels were determined using Griess reagent. The Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to assess the effect of poncirin on mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and anti-oxidant enzymes.ResultsIntraperitoneal administration of poncirin (30 mg/kg) markedly reduced the pain behavior in both acetic acid-induced visceral pain and formalin-induced tonic pain models used as preliminary screening tools. The poncirin (30 mg/kg) treatment considerably inhibited the mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia as well as thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia. The qRT-PCR analysis showed noticeable inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) (p < 0.05) in poncirin treated group. Similarly, poncirin treatment also enhanced the mRNA expressions levels of anti-oxidant enzymes such as transcription factor such as nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) (p < 0.05), heme oxygenase (HO-1) (p < 0.05) and superoxide dismutase (SOD2) (p < 0.05). Chronic treatment of poncirin for 6 days did not confer any significant hepatic and renal toxicity. Furthermore, poncirin treatment did not altered the motor coordination and muscle strength in CFA-induced chronic inflammatory pain model.ConclusionThe present study demonstrated that poncirin treatment significantly reduced pain behaviors in all experimental models of inflammatory pain, suggesting the promising analgesic potential of poncirin in inflammatory pain conditions.
Study on firing temperature of the Song Dynasty (960–1279AD) greenish-white porcelain in Guangxi, China by thermal expansion method
Authors: Tong Yongdong , Wang Changming 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The original firing temperatures of porcelain pieces unearthed from Tengxian Zhonghe kiln, Rongxian Chengguan kiln, Beiliu Lingdong kiln and Guiping Xishan kiln from the Song Dynasty (960–1279AD) of Guangxi were preliminarily studied by thermal expansion method. The experiment results show that the average firing temperature of Zhonghe kiln is 1186 °C (standard deviation 59 °C), the firing temperature relatively concentrated and low. The average firing temperature of Chengguan kiln is 1233 °C (standard deviation 46 °C), with the majority above 1200 °C, indicating that the kiln had a high and concentrated firing temperature. The average firing temperature of Lingdong kiln is 1250 °C (standard deviation 87 °C), the firing temperature are in a broad spectrum. The firing temperatures of Xishan kiln are mostly over 1300 °C (average 1307 °C, standard deviation 75 °C), which are generally considered very high, and the highest one it can go up to 1456 °C, which is the highest firing temperature of ancient Chinese ceramics known to date. Compared with the firing temperature of porcelain in other regions of China in Song Dynasty, it can be concluded that the high-temperature technology of Guangxi porcelain kilns was equal to or even advanced than other kilns. In the light of these findings, we conclude that the ancient Guangxi region of China did not lag behind the central plains in terms of ceramic firing technology and culture.
Construction of gene causal regulatory networks using microarray data with the coefficient of intrinsic dependence
Authors: Liu Li-yu Daisy , Hsiao Ya-Chun , Chen Hung-Chi , Yang Yun-Wei , Chang Men-Chi 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
In the past two decades, biologists have been able to identify the gene signatures associated with various phenotypes through the monitoring of gene expressions with high-throughput biotechnologies. These gene signatures have in turn been successfully applied to drug development, disease prevention, crop improvement, etc. However, ignoring the interactions among genes has weakened the predictive power of gene signatures in practical applications. Gene regulatory networks, in which genes are represented by nodes and the associations between genes are represented by edges, are typically constructed to analyze and visualize such gene interactions. More specifically, the present study sought to measure gene–gene associations by using the coefficient of intrinsic dependence (CID) to capture more nonlinear as well as cause-effect gene relationships.

Results
A stepwise procedure using the CID along with the partial coefficient of intrinsic dependence (pCID) was demonstrated for the rebuilding of simulated networks and the well-known CBF-COR pathway under cold stress using Arabidopsis microarray data. The procedure was also applied to the construction of bHLH gene regulatory pathways under abiotic stresses using rice microarray data, in which OsbHLH104, a putative phytochrome-interacting factor (OsPIF14), and OsbHLH060, a positive regulator of iron homeostasis (OsPRI1) were inferred as the most affiliated genes. The inferred regulatory pathways were verified through literature reviews.

Conclusions
The proposed method can efficiently decipher gene regulatory pathways and may assist in achieving higher predictive power in practical applications. The lack of any mention in the literature of some of the regulatory event may have been due to the high complexity of the regulatory systems in the plant transcription, a possibility which could potentially be confirmed in the near future given ongoing rapid developments in bio-technology.
Inquiry and critical thinking skills for the next generation: from artificial intelligence back to human intelligence
Authors: Spector Jonathan Michael , Ma Shanshan 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Along with the increasing attention to artificial intelligence (AI), renewed emphasis or reflection on human intelligence (HI) is appearing in many places and at multiple levels. One of the foci is critical thinking. Critical thinking is one of four key 21st century skills – communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. Though most people are aware of the value of critical thinking, it lacks emphasis in curricula. In this paper, we present a comprehensive definition of critical thinking that ranges from observation and inquiry to argumentation and reflection. Given a broad conception of critical thinking, a developmental approach beginning with children is suggested as a way to help develop critical thinking habits of mind. The conclusion of this analysis is that more emphasis should be placed on developing human intelligence, especially in young children and with the support of artificial intelligence. While much funding and support goes to the development of artificial intelligence, this should not happen at the expense of human intelligence. Overall, the purpose of this paper is to argue for more attention to the development of human intelligence with an emphasis on critical thinking.
Peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst reduces vasopressin requirement in ovine MRSA sepsis
Authors: Fujiwara Osamu , Fukuda Satoshi , Lopez Ernesto , Zeng Yaping , Niimi Yosuke , DeWitt Douglas S. , Herndon David N. , Prough Donald S. , Enkhbaatar Perenlei 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundSepsis is one of the most frequent causes of death in the intensive care unit. Host vascular hypo-responsiveness to vasopressors during septic shock is one of the challenging problems. This study tested the hypothesis that adjunct therapy with peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst (WW-85) would reduce arginine vasopressin (AVP) requirements during sepsis resuscitation, using ovine sepsis model.MethodsThirteen adult female Merino sheep, previously instrumented with multiple vascular catheters, were subjected to “two-hit” (cotton smoke inhalation and intrapulmonary instillation of live methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus; 3.5 × 1011colony-forming units) injury. Post injury, animals were awakened and randomly allocated to the following groups: (1) AVP: injured, fluid resuscitated, and titrated with AVP,n = 6 or (2) WW-85 + AVP: injured, fluid resuscitated, treated with WW-85, and titrated with AVP,n = 7. One-hour post injury, a bolus intravenous injection of WW-85 (0.1 mg/kg) was followed by a 23-h continuous infusion (0.02 mg/kg/h). Titration of AVP started at a dose of 0.01 unit/min, when mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased by 10 mmHg from baseline, despite aggressive fluid resuscitation, and the rate was further adjusted to maintain MAP. After the injury, all animals were placed on a mechanical ventilator and monitored in the conscious state for 24 h.ResultsThe injury induced severe hypotension refractory to aggressive fluid resuscitation. High doses of AVP were required to partially attenuate the sepsis-induced hypotension. However, the cumulative AVP requirement was significantly reduced by adjunct treatment with WW-85 at 17–24 h after the injury (p < 0.05). Total AVP dose and the highest AVP rate were significantly lower in the WW-85 + AVP group compared to the AVP group (p = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Treatment with WW-85 had no adverse effects. In addition, the in vitro effects of AVP on isolated artery diameter changes were abolished with peroxynitrite co-incubation.ConclusionsThe modulation of reactive nitrogen species, such as peroxynitrite, may be considered as a novel adjunct treatment option for septic shock associated with vascular hypo-responsiveness to vasopressors.
The effect of 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid on the morphology and characteristics of electrospun PDA/PU nanofibers
Authors: Kim Myoung Ok , Lee Jung Soon 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn this study, the effect of 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA) on the fabrication of PDA/PU nanofibers was examined. The PDA/PU nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning PU and PCDA at different mixing ratios, followed by photopolymerization. The viscosity and conductivity of the spinning solution and the morphology of the fabricated nanofibers were analyzed. We also examined the chemical structure changes, physical structure changes, and color transition characteristics of PDA/PU nanofibers. The concentrations of the spinning solutions and the mixing ratio of PCDA and PU had significant effects on the viscosity of the spinning solution and the diameter and shape of the nanofibers. The optimum conditions for economic efficiency and the practicality of the fabrication of a PDA/PU nano-fibers were 12–14 wt% spinning solution and a ratio of PU to PCDA of 4 to 1 or greater. For these conditions, the viscosity was in the range of 225–290 cP, which resulted in the production of smooth, uniform PDA/PU nanofibers without beads. The diameters of the nanofibers ranged from 270 to 550 nm. The results of FT-IR, XRD and DSC analyses confirmed that the PCDA were well mixed with the PU molecules and were electrospun. The fabricated PDA/PU nanofibers exhibited color transition phenomenon by external temperature stimulation above 70 °C.
Comparison of time and cost between conventional surgical planning and virtual surgical planning in orthognathic surgery in Korea
Authors: Park Si-Yeon , Hwang Dae-Seok , Song Jae-Min , Kim Uk-Kyu 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background
The purpose of this study was to measure the time of the conventional surgical planning (CSP) and virtual surgical planning (VSP) in orthognathic surgery and to compare them in terms of cost.

Material and method
This is a retrospective study of the patients who underwent orthognathic surgery at the Pusan National University Dental Hospital from December 2017 to August 2018. All the patients were analyzed through both CSP and VSP, and all the surgical stents were fabricated through manual and three-dimensional (3D) printing. The predictor variables were the planning method (CSP vs. VSP) and the surgery type (group I: Le Fort I osteotomy + bilateral sagittal split osteotomy [LFI+BSSO] or group II: only bilateral sagittal split osteotomy [BSSO]), and the outcomes were the time and cost. The results were analyzed using the paired t test.

Results
Thirty patients (12 females, 18 males) met the inclusion criteria, and 17 patients were excluded from the study due to missing or incomplete data. There were 20 group I patients (LFI+BSSO regardless of genioplasty) and 10 group II patients (BSSO regardless of genioplasty). The average time of CSP for group I was 385 ± 7.8 min, and that for group II was 195 ± 8.33 min. The time reduction rate of VSP compared with CSP was 62.8% in group I and 41.5% in group II. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant cost reduction.

Conclusions
The time investment in VSP in this study was significantly smaller than that in CSP, and the difference was greater in group I than in group II.
Mesenchymal stem cell therapies for liver cirrhosis: MSCs as “conducting cells” for improvement of liver fibrosis and regeneration
Authors: Tsuchiya Atsunori , Takeuchi Suguru , Watanabe Takayuki , Yoshida Tomoaki , Nojiri Shunsuke , Ogawa Masahiro , Terai Shuji 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be cultured relatively easily and can be obtained not only from the bone marrow, but also from medical waste such as adipose tissue and umbilical cord tissue. Because of its low antigenicity, allogeneic MSC injection is safe. MSCs have been evaluated in more than 900 clinical trials in a variety of fields, with more than 50 clinical trials related to liver diseases. Experiments have suggested that MSCs function as “conducting cells” to affect various “effective cells” such as T cells, B cells, and macrophages. Recent clinical trials have focused on allogeneic MSCs. Thus, studies are needed to determine the most effective cell source, culture conditions, cell numbers, administration frequency, administration route, cost, safety, and liver disease treatments. Recently, the functions of exosomes have gained attention, and cell-free therapy may become possible as an alternative therapy for liver disease. In this review, we introduce general information, mechanism, representative clinical study data, recently started or planned clinical trials, and possibility of cell-free therapy of MSCs.
The roles of small RNAs: insights from bacterial quorum sensing
Authors: Fu Hongchang , Elena Rosalía Cardós , Marquez Paola Handal 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) mainly played auxiliary roles in regulations of genetic processes while recent explorations into small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) in bacteria have broadened the scope of RNAs studies in these processes. sRNAs have been demonstrated to be involved in various genetic processes and to regulate a variety of bacterial physiologies. Comparatively, quorum sensing (QS) is a mature bacterial cell signaling system which regulates bacteria physiologies as well. Prokaryotic sRNAs studies in the status quo have revealed an emerging picture of trans-kingdom signaling regulation and increasing investigations have demonstrated the feasibility of inter-kingdom signaling as the consequence of QS. We therefore review such phenomena and their similarities to investigate the potential of prokaryote-sourced interkingdom signaling and regulation.
Fentanyl versus midazolam as additive to local anesthetic mixture for peribulbar block during posterior segment surgery in adult patients a prospective randomized double-blind study
Authors: Abdalla Mohamed Ahmed , Safan Tamer Fayez 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate analgesic and hemodynamic outcome of fentanyl or midazolam as additives to local anesthetic mixture (LAM) for peribulbar block (PBB) during posterior chamber surgery.

Methods
One hundred thirty-two ASA status I to III adult patients aged 50–75 years scheduled for posterior segment surgery (intraocular foreign body and elective vitrectomy) were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blind trial from which 12 patients were excluded. After signing a written fully informed consent for study participation, patients were grouped into 3 groups (40 patients in each group); group C received local anesthetic mixture plus 1 ml plain saline, group F received local anesthetic mixture plus 25 μg fentanyl in 1 ml saline and group M received local anesthetic mixture plus 1 mg midazolam in 1 ml saline. The primary outcome was the onset time of eyelid and globe akinesia. Also, the duration of the block was assessed in the three studied groups. Intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamic measures were assessed. Postoperative analgesia was hourly-assessed using Visual analogue scale (VAS) and rescue analgesia was provided at visual analogue score of > 3.

Results
The number of patients who had fast eyelid and globe akinesia was significantly higher with significantly lower total 15-min score in group F than the other groups. Intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamic measures were non-significantly different between studied groups. Duration of the block was significantly longer in groups F and M than group C with significantly longer duration in group F. The number of patients who required postoperative rescue analgesia was significantly lower with significantly lower number of requests in group F than the other groups.

Conclusion
Additives to local anesthetic mixture during peribulbar block provided satisfactory anesthetic outcome than local anesthetic mixture alone. Fentanyl was superior to midazolam in terms of significantly speed up onset, longer block duration with significantly longer postoperative analgesia and lesser consumption of rescue analgesia. Both additives provided adjusted hemodynamic measures comparable to the control group.

Trial registration
Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR201708002496243) registered 03/08/2017 retrospectively.