bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Agrobacterium-mediated co-transformation events in rice using green and red fluorescent proteins
Authors: Li Lihua , Tian Xudan , Wang Lanlan , Zhao Jianhua , Zhou Jie , He Haiyan , Dai Liangying , Qu Shaohong 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background Biotechnologists seeking to develop marker-free transgenic plants have established co-transformation methods. For co-transformation using mixed Agrobacterium strains, the mix ratio of Agrobacterium strains and selection scheme may influence co-transformation frequency. This study used fluorescent GFP and RFP markers to compose different selection schemes for observation of the selective dynamics of transformed rice cells and to investigate the factors affecting co-transformation efficiency.Methods and ResultsWe utilized GFP and RFP markers in co-transformation and tested the combinations of an antibiotic-selectable vector (pGFP-HPT) and a single RFP vector (pRFP) and of two antibiotic-selectable vectors (pGFP-HPT and pRFP-HPT) in rice. The pGFP-HPT/pRFP combination resulted in 70.9 % to 81.2 % of co-transformation frequencies while lower frequencies (56.6 % on average) were obtained with the pGFP-HPT/pRFP-HPT combination. Based on GFP/RFP segregation patterns, 55 % of the pGFP-HPT/pRFP co-transformants contained unlinked T-DNAs and segregated single RFP progeny, which simulated the selection process of marker-free transgenic plants that carry an actual gene of interest. Transgene expression levels in the rice lines varied as revealed by RT-PCR, and tandem-linked T-DNAs were detected in co-transformants, suggesting that transgene expression might be affected by duplicated T-DNA structures.ConclusionCo-transformation via mixed Agrobacterium strains is feasible, and approximately 55 % of the pGFP-HPT/pRFP co-transformants contained unlinked T-DNAs and segregated single RFP progeny. The pGFP-HPT/pRFP and the pGFP-HPT/pRFP-HPT vector combinations showed distinctive selective dynamics of transformed rice cells, suggesting that co-transformation efficiency depends on both vector system and selection scheme.
The predictive impact of socioeconomic status on the pattern of reproductive health in 35-70-year-old women in Ardabil: A Persian cohort study
Authors: Zandian Hamed , Pourfarzi Farhad , Mardi Afrouz , Zahirian Telma , Shadman Atefeh 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
BackgroundWomen often have many reproductive health problems in developing countries. Economic and social factors play an important role in health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive impact of socioeconomic status on reproductive health in Ardabil women aged 35 to 70.MethodA cross-sectional study was performed on the population of women aged 35 to 70 years who participated in the Ardabil Persian cohort study. Out of 9,000 eligible populations, 368 participants were randomly included in the study. A checklist was used to collect all patient information from the Ardabil Persian Cohort Center. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression and multivariate regression analysis.ResultsThe results showed that there was a significant statistical relationship between socioeconomic status and women reproductive health (p<0.001). Women with greater socioeconomic status had fewer reproductive health issues, such as infertility, tubectomy, abortion, stillbirth, atypical menopause, and hysterectomy.ConclusionsThe findings of the study indicated the relationship between socioeconomic status and women reproductive health. It should promote the health of women through fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and implementing government policies to empower and improve women's socioeconomic status.
Improvement in sensitivity for lateral flow immunoassay of ferritin using novel device design based on gold-enhanced gold nanoparticles
Authors: Ruecha Nipapan , Preechakasedkit Pattarachaya , Teekayupak Kanyapat , Citterio Daniel 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
This work introduces a low-cost adhesive tape combined with a hydroxylamine/polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene oxide (HA/PVA/PEO) blend film to fabricate novel devices for improving sensitivity of gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) via two platforms: (1) LFIA device with integrated gold enhancement and (2) LFIA device with two independent sample inlets. The detection of ferritin has been used for proof-of-concept. The adhesive tape inserted in the devices assists to separate two solutions independently flowing from two different inlets toward a nitrocellulose membrane. On-device gold enhancement was achieved by the enlargement of AuNPs via the catalytic reaction of KAuCl4 and HA using the HA/PVA/PEO blend film easily prepared via a solution-casting technique, which could delay the flow of HA released from the film for 180 s and improve storage stability of the device. Under optimal conditions evaluated by naked eyes, the gold enhancement (LOD = 0.5 ng/mL) and double-sample inlet (LOD = 2 ng/mL) devices exhibited 20-fold and 5-fold higher sensitivity respectively than a conventional device, verifying the sensitivity improvement. Furthermore, the proposed device was successfully detected ferritin in human serum samples within 10 min via naked-eye observation, exhibiting rapidity and simplicity of use, and the capability to perform on-site assays.
Cleavage of histone H2A during embryonic stem cell differentiation destabilizes nucleosomes to counteract gene activation
Authors: Garcia Benjamin , Coradin Mariel , Cesare Joseph , Lan Yemin , Zhu Zhexin , Lund Peder , Sidoli Simone , Perez Yekaterina , Lu Congcong , Porter Elizabeth , Roberts Charles 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Histone proteolysis is a poorly understood phenomenon in which the N-terminal tails of histones are irreversibly cleaved by intracellular proteases. During development, histone post-translational modifications are known to orchestrate gene expression patterns that ultimately drive cell fate decisions. Therefore, deciphering the mechanisms of histone proteolysis is necessary to enhance the understanding of cellular differentiation. Here we show that H2A is cleaved by the lysosomal protease Cathepsin L during ESCs differentiation. Using quantitative mass spectrometry (MS), we identified L23 to be the primary cleavage site that gives rise to the clipped form of H2A (cH2A), which reaches a maximum level of ~ 1% of total H2A after four days of differentiation. Using ChIP-seq, we found that preventing proteolysis leads to an increase in acetylated H2A at promoter regions in differentiated ES cells. We also identified novel readers of different acetylated forms of H2A in pluripotent ES cells, such as members of the PBAF remodeling complex. Finally, we showed that H2A proteolysis abolishes this recognition. Altogether, our data suggests that proteolysis serves as an efficient mechanism to silence pluripotency genes and destabilize the nucleosome core particle.
A Theory-Informed Systematic Review To Understand Physical Activity Among Women In GCC Countries
Authors: Osabi Lujain. A. , Klundert Joris , Alhurishi Sultana A , Cramm Jane M 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Aim The aim of this systematic review is to identify health beliefs and modifying factors influencing physical (in)activity among adult women in the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted to locate published studies in the following databases; MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE, the Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of science, and the Google Scholar databases for studies published between 2009 to 2019. The quality of the included studies has been assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Based on the health belief model, the data collection and analysis systematically identified evidence on the relationships of health beliefs and modifying factors with physical activity.Results Six studies are from Saudi Arabia and five studies are from Oman. Two studies were reported from each of Qatar and Kuwait for a a total n=(15) studies. Reported physical ctivity prevalence is low, ranging from 50 percent to almost zero, depending on location, subpopulation and measurement instrument. The evidence on relationship of modifying factors and health beliefs with physical activity is scarce and sometimes inconclusive. Of the modifying factors, middle age and employment are positively associated with physical activity, whereas marital status, education, income, and BMI were not significantly associated with physical activity. Regarding health beliefs, the only conclusive evidence found was that lack of time was not significantly associated with physical activity, for the population of males and females combined. Lack of social support and lack of skills are the two beliefs reported significantly more frequently by female respondents and which therefore may explain the gender difference in physical activity prevalence. Differences in reporting of fear of injury and lack of willpower were non significant.ConclusionsRobust qualitatative and quantitative research on health beliefs and modifying factors explaining low prevalence of physical activity among female adults in the GCC is urgently needed. Current evidence reveals that unemployed women and women of age below 25 and elderly women are less likely to be physically active. Compared to male adults, female adults are more likely to believe to lack social support and skills for physical activity . Many of the known factors and health beliefs appear not to be significantly related to physical activity for adult women in GCC countries.
Information feedback provokes multi-peak dynamics in the modern world epidemic spreads
Authors: Lobov Sergey A. , Zharinov Alexey I. , Berdnikova Ekaterina S. , Kurganov Dmitry P. , Kazantsev Victor B. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
We propose simple agent-based mathematical model of epidemic development capable to generate various multi-peak dynamics typical to COVID-19 pandemic. Agents are supplied with very simple kind behavior moving in a homogeneous interaction space with a constant speed. There is a probability of infection transmission if the agents meet with at certain distance. Next we assume that our agents get three features of intelligences called here: (i) information induced feedback, (ii) delay reaction on danger and (iii) danger adaptation. All these features are accounted in the model by the infection probability that becomes dynamic variable driven by additional differential equation. The information feedback means that this probability decreases with growing number of infected cases. It reflects facts that in modern world information media monitor the pandemic situation and with progressing infection around people start to protect them carefully that finally leads to the decrease of infected cases. Characteristic timings accounted in our model by delay reaction on the information feedback and danger adaptation time are also important in the probability dynamics. Surprisingly, but within these simple assumptions that did not touch any molecular specificity of COVID-19, except quite long exposure time, we immediately get a multi-peak dynamics of the pandemic development. Here, we show different conceptual cases of how such rhythmicity evolves under different parametric conditions.
The neuropeptide PACAP alleviates T. gondii infection-induced neuroinflammation and neuronal impairment
Authors: Figueiredo Caio Andreeta , Düsedau Henning Peter , Steffen Johannes , Ehrentraut Stefanie , Dunay Miklos P. , Toth Gabor , Reglödi Dora , Heimesaat Markus M. , Dunay Ildiko Rita 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Cerebral infection with the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is responsible for inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS) contributing to subtle neuronal alterations. Albeit essential for brain parasite control, continuous microglia activation and recruitment of peripheral immune cells entail distinct neuronal impairment upon infection-induced neuroinflammation. PACAP is an endogenous neuropeptide known to inhibit inflammation and promote neuronal survival. Since PACAP is actively transported into the CNS, we aimed to assess the impact of PACAP on the T. gondii-induced neuroinflammation and subsequent effects on neuronal homeostasis.Methods: Exogenous PACAP was administered intraperitoneally in the chronic stage of T. gondii infection, and brains were isolated for histopathological analysis and determination of pathogen levels. Immune cells from the brain, blood, and spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the further production of inflammatory mediators was investigated by intracellular protein staining as well as expression levels by RT-qPCR. Neuronal and synaptic alterations were assessed on the transcriptional level, focusing on neurotrophins, neurotrophin-receptors and signature synaptic markers.Results: Here we reveal that PACAP administration reduced the inflammatory foci and the number of apoptotic cells in the brain parenchyma and restrained the activation of microglia and recruitment of monocytes. The neuropeptide reduced the expression of inflammatory mediators such as IFN-γ, IL-6, iNOS, and IL-1β. Moreover, PACAP diminished IFN-γ production by recruited CD4+ T cells in the CNS. Importantly, PACAP promoted neuronal health via increased expression of the neurotrophin BDNF and reduction of p75NTR, a receptor related to neuronal cell death. In addition, PACAP administration was associated with increased expression of transporters involved in glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling, that are particularly affected during cerebral toxoplasmosis.Conclusions: Together, our findings unravel the beneficial effects of exogenous PACAP treatment upon infection-induced neuroinflammation, highlighting the potential implication of neuropeptides against neuroinflammatory conditions.
C/EBP-β LAP regulates chemo-immuno-resistance in hypoxic non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Riganti Chiara , Salaroglio Iris C. , Belisario Dimas Carolina , Akman Muhlis , Vecchia Sofia La , Godel Martina , Anobile Dario Pasquale , Ortone Giacomo , Digiovanni Sabrina , Fontana Simona , Costamagna Costanzo , Kopecka Joanna 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background. Solid tumors subjected to intermittent hypoxia are characterized by resistance to chemotherapy and immune-killing by effector T-lymphocytes, particularly tumor-infiltrating Vγ9Vδ2 T-lymphocytes. The molecular circuitries determining this double resistance are not known. Methods. We analyzed a panel of 28 human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) lines, using an in vitro system simulating continuous and intermittent hypoxia. Chemosensitivity to cisplatin and docetaxel was evaluated by chemiluminescence, ex vivo Vγ9Vδ2 T-lymphocyte expansion and immune-killing by flow cytometry. Targeted transcriptomic identified efflux transporters and nuclear factors involved in this chemo-immuno-resistant phenotype. The molecular mechanism linking Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein-β (C/EBP-β) isoforms LAP and LIP, ABCB1, ABCC1 and ABCA1 transporters were evaluated by immunoblotting, RT-PCR, RNA-IP, ChIP. Oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial ATP, ROS and depolarization were measured spectrofluorimetrically. The role of ROS/HIF-1α/LAP axis was validated in HIF-1α/LAP knocked-out or overexpressing cells, and in humanized (Hu-CD34+NSG) mice bearing LAP-overexpressing tumors. The clinical meaning of LAP was assessed in 60 NSCLC patients prospectively enrolled, treated with chemotherapy.Results. By up-regulating ABCB1 and ABCC1, and down-regulating ABCA1, intermittent hypoxia induced a stronger chemo-immuno-resistance than continuous hypoxia in NSCLC cells. Intermittent hypoxia impaired the electron transport chain, increasing mitochondrial ROS that favor the stabilization of C/EBP-β mRNA mediated by HIF-1α. HIF-1α/C/EBP-β mRNA binding increases the splicing of C/EBP-β toward the production of LAP isoform that transcriptionally induces ABCB1 and ABCC1, promoting the efflux of cisplatin and docetaxel. LAP also decreases ABCA1, limiting the efflux of isopentenyl pyrophosphate, i.e. the endogenous activator of Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells, and reducing the immune-killing. In NSCLC patients subjected to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, C/EBP-β LAP was abundant in hypoxic tumors and was associated with lower response to treatment and survival. LAP-overexpressing tumors implanted in Hu-CD34+NSG mice recapitulated the chemo-immuno-resistant phenotype of patients. Interestingly, the ROS scavenger mitoquinol induced chemo-immuno-sensitization in immuno-xenografts, by disrupting the ROS/HIF-1α/LAP cascade. Conclusions. The impairment of mitochondrial metabolism induced by intermittent hypoxia increases the ROS-dependent stabilization of HIF-1α/LAP complex in NSCLC, producing chemo-immuno-resistance. Clinically used mitochondrial ROS scavengers may counteract such double resistance. Moreover, we suggest C/EBP-β LAP as a new predictive and prognostic factor in NSCLC patients.
Differential expression of m5C RNA methyltransferase genes NSUN6 and NSUN7 in Alzheimer’s disease and Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Perezgrovas-Saltijeral Adriana , Rajkumar Anto Praveen , Knight Helen Miranda 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Epigenetic processes have become increasingly relevant in understanding disease modifying mechanisms. 5-methylcytosine methylation of DNA (5mC) and RNA (m5C) have functional transcriptional and RNA translational consequences and are tightly regulated by writers, readers, and erasers effector proteins. To investigate the involvement of 5mC and m5C effector proteins contributing to the development of dementia neuropathology, RNA-sequencing data for 32 effector proteins across four brain regions was examined in 51 aged non-affected and 56 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) individuals obtained from the Aging, Dementia and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) study. Gene expression profiles were compared between AD and controls, neuropathological Braak and CERAD scores and in individuals with a history of TBI. We found an increase in DNA methylation writers DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B mRNA and reader UHRF1 mRNA in AD samples across three brain regions. While DNA methyltransferases erasers GADD45B and AICDA showed changes in mRNA abundance within neuropathological load groupings. RNA methylation writers NSUN6 and NSUN7 showed significant expression differences with AD and, along with the reader, ALYREF, differences in expression for neuropathologic ranking. A history of TBI was associated with a significant increase in ZBTB4 (p < 0.01) and decrease in NSUN6 (p < 0.005) mRNA. These findings implicate regulation of protein pathways disrupted in AD and TBI via multiple pre- and post- transcriptional mechanisms including potentially acting upon tRNAs, enhancer RNAs, as well as nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling and cytoplasmic translational control. The targeting of such processes provide new therapeutic avenues for neurodegenerative brain conditions.
Evaluation of Medical Scribes’ effect on the Emergency Department’s productivity - A before-after cohort study
Authors: Noaimi Muje El , Linde Kristina Bengtsson , Petzold Max , Shakely Delér 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Emergency department length of stay is increasing in Sweden. One contributing factor for the accelerating emergency department length of stay, is the rise in administrative workload on the physicians. Prolonged patient waiting time and overcrowding leads to an unsafe environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the productivity of physicians at the emergency department of Kungälv hospital increased following the introduction of medical scribes.
Method
We conducted a before-after study during 39 days at an emergency department. Data were collected from shifts worked by physicians with different work experience and medical specialties during two different summer periods, one period with medical scribes and the other without medical scribes. All patients visiting the emergency department and requiring healthcare during the period of medical scribes’ presence, were eligible. Patients were excluded from the study if they denied the presence of a medical scribe, or if the physician refused the medical scribe’s presence. We measured the physicians’ productivity by evaluating the mean number of assessed patients per hour per physician. Independent Samples t-test was used for statistical analysis.
Result
We documented a total of 584 physician-hours with a medical scribe and 584 hours without a medical scribe. A total number of 463 patients was assessed with a medical scribe during the period of 2018 compared to 362 patients assessed without a medical scribe in 2017. The physicians assessed significantly larger number of patients per hour with the assistance of a medical scribe, an increase of 0.22 (36%) patients per hour per physician, from 0.61 to 0.83 patients per hour per physician (95% CI 0.13–0.30).
Conclusion
We conclude that scribes do improve physicians’ productivity by increasing the number of assessed patients per hour per physician.
Predictors of root resorption in lateral incisors adjacent to maxillary impacted canines in CBCT images: A retrospective study
Authors: Moshfeghi Mahkameh , Hosseini Maryam , Eslamiamirabadi Negin , Biria Mina 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Diagnosis and early treatment of impacted teeth are crucial for preventing their pathological complications such as root resorption. This study aimed to assess the predictive factors of root resorption in lateral incisors adjacent to impacted maxillary canines using cone-beam computed tomography. Methods: In this retrospective descriptive-analytic study, 150 samples of impacted canines from 138 CBCT images were collected from the files of 12–35-year-old patients. The association between the severity and location of root resorption in lateral incisors adjacent to impacted maxillary canines and the patients’ age, sex, impacted canine’s angulation, position and follicle size was evaluated. Position and angulation of the impacted teeth were measured using the OnDemand3Dä software. Kruskal Wallis test, Fisher’s exact test, Mann-Whitney test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and multinomial logistic regression were used for data analysis.Results: The probability of resorption in the middle-third of the roots of lateral incisors decreased by 20% with each millimeter of increase in the distance between the impacted canines’ cusp tip from the occlusal plane (P=0.009). There was a significant association between the severity of lateral incisors’ root resorption and sex; root resorption was significantly more severe in females (P=0.029). No significant differences were observed between the lateral incisors’ root resorption and age, sagittal and transverse positions of the impacted canine, its follicle size, and the angle between the long axis of canines with the midline, occlusal plane and the long axis of lateral incisors (P>0.05).Conclusion: Among the evaluated variables, the vertical position of the impacted canine influenced the location of the lateral incisors’ root resorption. The severity of root resorption was higher in females.