bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacterial communities inhabiting the ascomata of the ectomycorrhizal summer truffle (Tuber aestivum)
Authors: Siebyła Marta , Szyp-Borowska Iwona 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

This paper continues the studies on the role of bacteria in the environment of summer truffle (Tuber aestivum) (soil and roots), focusing on ascomata at three sites in the Nida Basin (southern Poland). Bacterial species and the number of OTU sequences identified were determined based on analysis of peridium and gleba contamination collected in 2017 and 2018. Both the classical culture method with qualitative analyses, i.e., Sanger DNA sequencing, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were used. In addition, the PERMANOVA test and alpha and beta biodiversity indicators were used. Of the individual bacterial colonies, 140 were used for further molecular analyses. The Sanger method identified six bacterial genera that were dominant in the community: Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Paenibacillus, Rhizobium, and Chryseobacterium, of which Bacillus (86.7%) and Pseudomonas (51.5%) were the most abundant. In contrast, NGS results showed the dominance (at OTUs > 10,000) of representatives of eight families, mainly Bradyrhizobiaceae, Sphingobacteriaceae, Micrococcaceae, Yersiniaceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Rhizobiaceae, Flavobacteriaceae, and Comamonadaceae. The PERMANOVA test for the Bray-Curtis and Jaccard indices showed dissimilarities between samples from sites G and W with respect to beta diversity. Significant differences were found in the bacterial communities colonising the ascomata of T. aestivum and in the root communities with T. aestivum ectomycorrhizae of the tree adjacent to the ascomata. The number of OTUs at the species level was 69 in the roots and 212 in the shoots. Our study allowed us to determine the bacterial microbiome in the ascomata of T. aestivum, leading to a better understanding of the preferences of certain groups of truffle-associated bacteria and how they relate to the presence of truffle ascomata under specific habitat conditions. The results obtained may be useful in selecting and monitoring sites suitable for the formation of ascomata of T. aestivum.
Uncovering the Fate and Risks of Intravenously injected Prussian Blue Nanoparticles in mice by an Integrated Methodology of Toxicology, Pharmacokinetics, Proteomics and Metabolomics
Authors: Qu Haijing , Jin Xing , Cheng Wei , Wu Dongqi , Ma Boyu , Lou Chenmei , Zheng Jian , Jing Lijia , Xue Xiangdong , Wang Yang 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background: Nanomaterials (NMs) have been widely explored in the biomedical field such as imaging diagnosis, drug delivery and novel therapeutics. However, increasing studies have revealed the potential bio-toxicities of NMs. For instance, carbon nanotube (CNT) has been added to the international dangerous goods list as a 2B carcinogen due to the potential carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity after long-term exposure. Therefore, the in-depth understanding of the toxicity of candidate medical NMs is quite essential and very instructive for their further medical applications. Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles (NPs) have been intensively investigated for medical applications, while the in-depth toxicological investigation of PB NPs has not been implemented to date.
Results: In this study, the fate and potential risks of intravenous injected PB NPs were systematically investigated in mice by an integrated methodology of toxicology, pharmacokinetics, proteomics and metabolomics. General toxicological studies demonstrated that intravenous injection of PB NPs at 5 or 10 mg/kg could not induce obvious toxicity to mice, while mice treated with a relatively high dose of PB NPs at 20 mg/kg exhibited loss of appetite and weight decreasing in the first two days post-injection. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that the intravenously administered PB NPs underwent a fast clearance from blood and highly accumulated in the livers and lungs, and finally cleared from mice tissues.
Conclusions:
The integrated investigation demonstrated that slight inflammatory responses and intracellular oxidative stress were induced in the liver and lungs of mice during the exposure to PB NPs. Collectively, our experimental data implies that the high dose of PB NPs may cause potential risks to liver and lungs, indicating that people should pay more attention to these two critical organs if taking PB NPs as therapeutic.
The mental labyrinth of postgraduate research: A qualitative study of the impact and role of the supervisory relationship on postgraduate mental health and wellbeing
Authors: White Naomi , Milicev Jelena , Bradford Daniel R. R. , Rodger Amy , Gardani Maria 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Postgraduate research students (PGRs) experience disproportionately high levels of psychological distress. Many factors contribute to this poor mental wellbeing and relate to each other in complex and dynamic ways. However, the relationship between PGRs and their supervisor(s) is known to strongly affect the wellbeing of the former. This study explores the mental health and wellbeing of PGRs with a focus on the role of the student—supervisor relationship. Using combined qualitative data from a large survey of PGRs and focus groups and reflexive thematic analysis, we found that PGRs experience the overarching process of obtaining a research degree as a mental labyrinth. Three constituent themes were identified: 1) inequity in navigating the labyrinth, 2) the labyrinth as a place of uncertainty and isolation, and 3) supervisors as labyrinth guides, not mental care providers. The results suggest that significant inequities exist which contribute to poorer mental wellbeing in particular subgroups of PGRs, both in general and specifically in relation to the supervisory relationship. Experiences of loneliness and ambiguity around progress were also identified as being detrimental to mental health. Further, although supervisors can be a vital source of support and have a positive influence on PGR mental health, students recognise supervisors cannot reasonably be expected to act as professional mental health care providers and institutions must do more to provide equitable access to mental health support services.
Assessing comprehension of the PATH questions through cognitive interviewing
Authors: Shuman Saskia , Cason Patty , Manze Meredith 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background: Reproductive desires are nuanced, and change over time. In the clinical context, it may be difficult for providers to assess patient reproductive desires. PATH, which stands for "Parenting/Pregnancy Attitudes, Timing and How Important" is a method for providers to engage in a patient-centered discussion about reproductive goals and, when appropriate, contraception counseling, pre-pregnancy care, and fertility support. Few studies have sought to examine the patient experience with the PATH questions. Utilizing cognitive interviewing techniques, this study sought to understand patient understanding of and receptivity to the PATH questions.
Methods: Young adults (ages 18-29) participated in in-depth interviews about the PATH questions using cognitive interviewing techniques to probe for their perspectives on the wording of the questions and their comfort in engaging in a conversation during a visit to a healthcare provider.
Results: Ten participants completed cognitive interviews. The young adult participants receiving care at a FQHC Network demonstrate good comprehension of the PATH questions and general comfort with the idea of answering these specific questions about their reproductive health and pregnancy desires if asked by clinical providers and staff. These data suggest that PATH provides a patient-centered and open-ended tool for engaging in conversations around reproductive desires.
Conclusions: As primary care providers increasingly offer reproductive health services to address patients’ unmet needs, this setting provides an important venue in which to examine patient perspectives on tools aimed at supporting these interactions. These data provide needed patient-driven support for the Centers for Disease Control and Society of Family Planning’s recommendation to implement PATH questions, as a patient-centered method for identifying an individual’s reproductive health needs.
Study on Micro-Forming Taps with Unequal Fluteless Spacing
Authors: Wu Ming-Chang , Chen ChienChung , Huang Yen-Cheng , Teng Hsing-Ming , Hsu Ling-Sheng , Tsao chung-chen 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Tools with unequal fluteless spacing (UFS) feature are used to cut different materials. The UFS tool and a traditional tool differ in terms of the angle between the two cutting edges. The UFS tool experiences smaller axial and radial cutting forces than the traditional tool so cutting vibration is reduced, tool life is increased and the surface roughness of the workpiece increases. This study uses the smaller hole diameter (D), spindle speed (N) and cutting fluid concentration (C) for the central composite design (CCD). MINITAB statistical software is used for the second-order response surface modeling of the maximum thread filling rate (f) and the minimum torque (T) for micro-forming M1.2 mm taps using UFS on AL-7075 aluminum alloy. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results for f and T show that D and C are the important parameters that affect f, and D, N and C significantly affect T. Compared with the predicted conditions, the errors in f and T for the experiment are 2.51% and 2.25%, respectively. This study shows that the two second-order mathematical models that are derived using CCD and the response surface method (RSM) feature good prediction accuracy.
The analysis of X-linked Alport syndrome caused by a novel COL4A5 gene aberrant splicing
Authors: Siqi Xu , Chen Yiju , Li Hongsheng , Wu Xiaoyan , Mo Juanfen , Xie Aqing , Yu Junjie , Zhang Qi , Li Ranran 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Objective To analyze a novel splicing mutation site in COL4A5 gene in a Chinese X-linked Alport syndrome family, and to show the clinical symptoms in proband and his family, in order to provide a basis for the diagnosis and genetic counseling of the disease. Methods Proband's clinical data were collected from electronic medical records. The underlying genetic causes of AS patients were identified by the whole-exome sequencing (WES). Results The proband had developed hematuria since the age of 3 years old, which was aggravated without obvious inducement on February 2022, accompanied by foamy urine. Renal biopsy revealed mesangial proliferative lesions with ischemic sclerosis. The WES showed a novel nucleotide alteration, NM_000495.5 c.609 + 2T༞G, in COL4A5 gene intron 10 in the proband. This alteration was verified in his mother by the WES. Conclusion A novel COL4A5 gene intron aberrant splicing mutation site was identified. That extended the spectrum of mutations in the COL4A5 gene, and it would be valuable to understand more about the genotype-phenotype correlations.
Fibroblast-specific PRMT5 deficiency suppresses pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis and left ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Katanasaka Yasufumi , Yabe Harumi , Murata Noriyuki , Sobukawa Minori , Sugiyama Yuga , Sato Hikaru , Honda Hiroki , Sunagawa Yoichi , Funamoto Masafumi , Shimizu Satoshi , Shimizu Kana , Hamabe-Horiike Toshihide , Hawke Philip , Komiyama Maki , Mori Kiyoshi , Hasegawa Koji , morimoto Tatsuya 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is a well-known epigenetic regulatory enzyme. However, the role of PRMT5-mediated arginine methylation in gene transcription related to cardiac fibrosis is unknown. Here we show that fibroblast-specific deletion of PRMT5 significantly reduced pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis and improved cardiac dysfunction. Both the PRMT5-selective inhibitor EPZ015666 and knockdown of PRMT5 suppressed the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in cultured cardiac fibroblasts. TGF-β stimulation promoted the recruitment of the PRMT5/Smad3 complex to the promoter site of α-SMA. It also increased PRMT5-mediated H3R2 symmetric dimethylation, and this increase was inhibited by knockdown of Smad3. TGF-β stimulation also increased H3K4 tri-methylation mediated by the WDR5/MLL1 lysine methylase complex, which recognizes H3R2 symmetric dimethylation. Finally, treatment with EPZ015666 significantly improved pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction. These findings reveal that PRMT5 regulates TGF-β/Smad3-dependent fibrotic gene transcription through histone methylation crosstalk and plays a critical role in cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction.
Isolation, bioassay and 3D-QSAR analysis of 8-isopentenyl flavonoids from Epimedium sagittatum Maxim. as PDE5A inhibitors
Authors: Li Juntao , Wu Yue , Yu Xinxin , Zheng Xinyu , Xian Jiechen , Li Senjie , Shi Wanyin , Tang Yun , Chen Zhe-Sheng , Liu Guixia , Yao Shen , Xu Jian , Zheng Xiangwei 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background: As known, inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) has the therapeutic effect on male erectile dysfunction (ED), and the processed folium of Epimedium sagittatum Maxim. (PFES) characterized by 8-isopentenyl flavonoids is a famous herb for treating ED. However, the main flavonoids inhibitory activities, structure-activity relationship (SAR) and signaling pathway have been not systematically studied so that its pharmacodynamic mechanism is unclear.
Methods: We aimed to initially reveal the PFES efficacy mechanism for treating ED. For the first time, 6 main 8-isopentenyl flavonoids (1-6) from PFES were isolated and identified. Then based on HPLC detection, we proposed a novel method with superior applicability compared to traditional radioisotope assay to screen inhibitors among them. We further established three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) models through CoMFA and CoMSIA to analyze the SAR for those inhibitors.
Results: The results were verified by cellular effects of the screened flavonoids. Among 6 compounds, Icariin (1), 2-O"-rhamnosylicaridide II (2) and Baohuoside I (3) were identified with significant activities (IC50 = 8.275, 3.233, 5.473 mM). Then 3D-QSAR studies showed that the replacement of C8 with bulky steric groups as isopentenyl, C3 with positive charge groups and C4' with a hydrogen bond acceptor substituent could increase inhibitory effects. In contrast, the substitution of C7 with bulky steric groups or hydrophilic groups tended to decrease the efficacies. And compounds1, 2, 3 could increase cGMP level and decrease cytoplasmic Ca2+ of rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs)by activating PKG.
Conclusion: 8-isopentenyl flavonoids could be the main pharmacodynamic substances of PFES in the treatment for ED, and some had significant PDE5A1 inhibitory activities so as to activate cGMP/PKG/Ca2+ signaling pathway in CCSMCs, that was related to the substituents at the key sites such as C8, C3, C4' and C7 in the characteristic compounds.
A combined model based on CT radiomics and clinical variables to predict uric acid calculi
Authors: Wang Zijie , Yang Guangjie , Cao Yuanchao , Wang Xinning , Zhang Xiaofei , Xie Fei , Zhang Yuhao , Jiao Wei , Niu Haitao 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study is to develop and validate a CT-based radiomics and clinical variables diagnostic model for preoperative prediction of uric acid in urinary stones.
Methods: In this retrospective study, 370 patients with urolithiasis who underwent preoperative urinary CT scan were enrolled. The CT images of each patient were manually segmented and radiomics features were extracted. Sixteen radiomics features were selected. Logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM) were used to model the selected features, and the model with the best performance was selected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to screen out significant clinical variables, the radiomics features and clinical variables were combined to construct a nomogram model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), etc. were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the model.
Result: Among the three machine learning models, the LR model had the best result on the training set (AUC=0.855), and the performance in the training set and test set was similar (AUC=0.837). Therefore, the LR model was finally used to construct the nomogram. The AUC of the nomogram model in the training set and validation set were 0.870 and 0.837, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the radiomics model and the clinical feature model.
Conclusion: The radiomics model based on CT has a good performance in distinguishing uric acid stones from non-uric acid stones, and the nomogram model has the best diagnostic performance among the three models, which can provide effective reference for clinical decision-making.
More than skin-deep: visceral fat is strongly associated with disease activity, function and metabolic indices in psoriatic disease
Authors: Blake Tim , Gullick Nicola , Hutchinson Charles E , Bhalerao Abhir , Wayte Sarah , Weedall Andrew , Barber Thomas M 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Objective: To compare body composition between patients with psoriatic disease (PsD), including cutaneous psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and controls, and to explore associations between disease activity and measures of function and metabolic derangement.
Methods: Body composition was assessed by air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and MRI-derived fat segmentation using an automated pipeline (FatSegNet). Function was assessed by Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and metabolic status by fasting lipid profile, insulin and adiponectin. Active and inactive PsO and PsA was defined by body surface area (BSA) and Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and minimal disease activity (MDA) respectively.
Results: 30 patients (median disease duration 15 y; median age 52 y) and 30 BMI-matched controls were enrolled. Compared with controls, all MRI-derived body composition parameters - whole-body volume, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), abdominal adipose tissue (AAT), VAT/AAT and VAT/SAT - were significantly higher in the PsD group, specifically, those with active disease. Body mass, body fat, whole-body volume and whole-body VAT were correlated with higher triglycerides, cholesterol:HDL (high-density lipoprotein), insulin resistance and lower adiponectin as well as higher HAQ and a lower MDA.
Conclusions: We provide the first evidence in patients with PsD for the clinical application of FatSegNet: a novel, automated and rapid deep learning pipeline for providing accurate MRI-based measures of fat segmentation. Patients with PsD revealed excessive total adipose tissue and a greater volume of metabolically unfavorable ectopic fat, including VAT, compared with BMI-matched controls, which correlated with HAQ, disease activity and overall metabolic dysfunction. Visceral fat is a surrogate marker of uncontrolled PsD and may be an important future therapeutic target. This study supports the need for more personalised strategies in PsD that consider the metabolic as well as inflammatory burden of disease.
Regulation of Proline Metabolism in Soybean Leaves Under Drought Stress at Seedling Phase
Authors: WU ZIHAO , Tian Yumei , Zhou Qi , SONG SHUANG , WANG XIN , Liu Jun , WANG XIYUE , Dong Shoukun 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Soybean is the most important oil crop globally; however, droughts are expected to seriously affect the growth and development of soybean in the context of climate change. In this study, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used to simulate drought to explore the regulation of proline metabolism in soybean leaves under different degrees of drought stress at the seedling stage. The results showed that the activities of ornithine aminotransferase and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase increased while the activities of proline dehydrogenase decreased with an increase in drought stress. During the same number of treatment days, the higher the degree of drought stress, the greater the increase or decrease in enzyme activity. The content of leaf proline increased gradually with an extension in stress time at PEG concentrations of 5% and 10%, first increased and then decreased at PEG concentrations of 15% and 20%, and the peak value appeared on the 7th and 9th day, respectively.
Investigation of hydrodynamic parameters in two-pass seawater reverse osmosis systems using computer simulations
Authors: Ghourejili Shamsedin , Yaghoubi Sina , Harzand Farrokhfar Valizadeh , Babapoor Aziz 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
One common method of purifying water is using RO systems. In this article, the effects of using different designs of the two-pass SWRO system on the required feedwater pressure and the amount of NDP and TDS of the output product were investigated. The findings show that in two-pass SWRO systems which use a single-stage hybrid pass, the required feedwater pressure and the amount of NDP and TDS of the output product are lower than in the simple two-pass and hybrid two-pass designs. The findings also showed that designs with a hybrid system in both passes consume less energy than other designs. The presented designs and findings can be used to optimize two-pass RO systems.
Clinical characteristics and outcome of elderly onset adult-onset Still’s disease: A 10-year retrospective study
Authors: Li Sheng , Ying Shuni , Bai Juan , Wang Yuqian , Yang Changyi , Sun Qingmiao , Fang Hong , Qiao Jianjun 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Objective: Our objective was to retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics and outcome of adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) patients with elderly onset.
Methods: Retrospective data of patients diagnosed with AOSD in our institute during 2013-2021 were analyzed. The diagnoses were based on the Yamaguchi criteria for AOSD. All long-term follow-up data were collected from medical records and phone calls.
Results: In total, 281 AOSD patients were enrolled in this study, with the median follow-up interval of 47 months. Thirty-two (11.4%, ≥65 years) AOSD patients were classified into the elderly onset groups. Compared to the younger onset group, the percentage of patients with skin rash (p=0.047), sore throat (p=0.001), myalgia (p=0.001), splenomegaly (p=0.039), hepatosplenomegaly (p=0.002) and the Pouchot’s score (p=0.002) were significantly lower in the elderly onset group. The death rate (p=0.014) of elderly onset group is higher than younger onset group, and the independent risk factors of mortality in all AOSD patients were age at onset (HR: 1.115, p=0.044), disseminated intravascular coagulation (HR: 391.576, p=0.001) and pleuritis (HR: 23.162, p=0.033). The probability of relapse was significantly increased in the patients with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) compared with the patients without MAS (p<0.001), though the different age groups of AOSD patients with MAS showed no difference in the probability of relapse (p=0.737).
Conclusion: Elderly onset AOSD patients were distinguished by several distinct clinical features compared to younger onset AOSD patients. The frequency of relapse and complications were similar to that of AOSD patients with elderly or younger onset. A higher mortality rate was observed in elderly onset AOSD patients, and the mortality of AOSD patients was related to age at onset, DIC and pleuritis. Furthermore, AOSD patients accompanied with MAS have a higher frequency of relapse, with no difference between age groups.