bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Macula Pigment Optical Density by a Psychophysical Test in Dry Age Related Macula Degeneration
Authors: Karanfil Feyza Çalış , Özmert Emin 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk factors, macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and factors associated with MPOD in dry age related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: This prospective study included 68 eyes of 68 dry AMD patients and, as the control group, 90 healthy eyes of 90 healthy volunteers with similar ages and genders. Age, gender, family history, smoking, alcohol use, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, height, weight, dietary lutein intake and multivitamin use were questioned in all participants. A full ophthalmic examination of all eyes were made. Colour fundus photography and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images were recorded. MPOD was measured by colour perimetry (CP). To test the short-term repeatability of the technique, a total of 27 eyes of 27 young healthy subjects were measured 3 times on 3 consecutive days.RESULTS: Smoking, obesity, family history, light iris colour, and hyperlipidemia seen more frequently in AMD group. The most frequent fundus finding was hard drusen (79.4%). Average MPOD was measured every three months in the AMD group and values were; 3.69±1.82, 4.74±1.29, 4.99±1.27 ve 5.02±1.35 dB, respectively. In the control group average MPOD measured once at the begining of the study and it was 4.97±1.27 dB. At first visit, the MPOD of the patient group was significantly lower than the control group. Smoking, obesity, poor dietary lutein intake, light iris colour, and hyperlipidemia associated with low MPOD values in both groups. CONCLUSION: The relationship between MPOD and AMD is controversial in the literature. Depending to our results we think there is a relation between MPOD and AMD. Quit smoking, rich dietary lutein/zeaxhantin intake, having normal blood lipid levels and ideal weight is very important for preventing from AMD or AMD progression. The results of the CP method are consistent with the results found in other psychophysical tests in the literature.
The Diagnostic Value Of Soluble CD93 In Chinese Patients With Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: guo Bin , Rao Jiaxin , Wang Qiang , He rendong , Jiang Xingliang , Xie Ning 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Objective: Our aim was to explore the diagnostic value of serum soluble cluster of differentiation 93 (sCD93) for diabetic nephropathy (DN) in chinese patients.Methods: 130 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the serum sCD93 concentration. And renal function and blood lipid-related index in serum or urine were detected using the routine assays. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was exployed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of integrated indicators.﻿Results: The eGFR, ACR (P < 0.05) and the prevalence of DN (P < 0.05) were significantly different between the H-sCD93 group and the L-sCD93 group. The serum sCD93 concentration was correlated with the ACR (r = 0.191, P = 0.029) and eGFR (r = -0.509, P = 0.000). In all albuminuria subgroups, the serum sCD93 concentration increased with the increase in the ACR (P < 0.05). Pairwise comparisons between subgroups indicated that the serum sCD93 concentrations from the N-ACR and M-ACR groups were lower than that in the L-ACR group (P < 0.05), however there was no significant difference between the N-ACR and M-ACR groups (P > 0.05). The levels of serum sCD93, NGAL and Cr in DN group were significantly higher than those in DM group (P<0.05). On the basis of the ROC curve, the best AUC area value was 0.942 from sCD93+NGAL+Cr triple test. ﻿Conclusion: sCD93 was a independent predictor for DN in chinese patients, and integration analysis of sCD93, NGAL and Cr has better diagnostic efficacy.
Global regulatory factor FsveA up-regulate the production of antitumor substance in endophytic Fusarium solani
Authors: Cai Lu , Wang Jiankang , Li Yongjie , Qin Min , Yin Xueming , He Zhangjiang , Kang Jichuan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
A number of studies have demonstrated that endophytic fungi have the potential to produce antitumor active substances with novel structures and significant activities. Our previous studies found that an endophytic Fusarium solani derived from the stem of the medicinal plant Nothapodytes pittosporoides (Oliv.) Sleum had good antitumor activity. Furthermore, overexpression of the global regulator FsveA (FsveAOE) in F. solani led to significant inhibition ratio increasement of human alveolar adenocarcino -ma cell (A549). In comparison with the wild strain (WT), the inhibition rate of FsveAOE was obviously increased ~ 14.69%, and the apoptosis ratio was significantly increased 4.86-fold. A metabolomic analysis revealed that the overexpression of FsveA resulted in a significant increasement in several antitumor secondary metabolites of fungi, including alkaloids (Geldanamycin, Acadesine, Adenosine), terpenoids (Lanosterin, Illudin M), carboxylic acid derivatives (L-Arginine, L-Methionine), phenolic (4-Allyl-2-methoxyphenol) and flavonoid metabolites (Epicatechin gallate). Additionally, the transcriptome analysis also displayed that expression pattern of 48 genes-related to the antitumor activity were significantly changed in FsveAOE, mainly involving glycosyl hydrolases, the Zn(2)-Cys(6) class, Cytochrome P450 monooxygen -ase, 3-isopropylmalate dehydratase, and polyketide synthases. Therefore, we conclude that FsveA mediate multiple secondary metabolic pathways to up-regulate the production of antitumor substance in endophytic F. solani.
Visualization of conformational changes and membrane remodeling leading to genome delivery by viral class-II fusion machinery
Authors: Prasad Vidya Mangala , Blijleven Jelle , Smit Jolanda , Lee Kelly 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a human pathogen that delivers its genome to the host cell cytoplasm through endocytic low pH-activated membrane fusion mediated by class-II fusion proteins. Though structures of prefusion, icosahedral CHIKV are available, structural characterization of virion interaction with membranes has been limited. Here, we have used cryo-electron tomography to visualize CHIKV’s complete membrane fusion pathway, identifying key intermediary glycoprotein conformations coupled to membrane remodeling events. Using sub-tomogram averaging, we elucidate features of the low pH-exposed virion, nucleocapsid and full length E1-glycoprotein’s post-fusion structure. Contrary to class-I fusion systems, CHIKV achieves membrane apposition by protrusion of extended E1-glycoprotein homotrimers into the target membrane. The fusion process also features a large hemifusion diaphragm that transitions to a wide pore for intact nucleocapsid delivery. Our analyses provide comprehensive ultrastructural insights into the class-II virus fusion system function and direct mechanistic characterization of the fundamental process of protein-mediated membrane fusion.
Two Distinct Fetal-Type Signatures Caracterise Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia
Authors: Strullu Marion , Arfeuille Chloé , CAYE-EUDE Aurélie , Maillard Loïc , Lainey Elodie , Piques Florian , Fenneteau Odile , Bruno Cassinat , Fabien Guimiot , Dalle Jean-Hugues , Baruchel André , Chomienne Christine , Bonnet Dominique , Souyri Michele , Cave Helene 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
To investigate whether ontogeny-related features determine the pediatric specificity in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), we compared the gene expression profile of hematopoietic progenitor cells sorted from JMML to their healthy counterparts isolated at different stages of ontogeny. Two groups of JMML were identified. The JMML in the first group had a fetal-like expression profile. Their progenitors showed a stronger monocytic identity than other JMML or healthy postnatal progenitors with overexpression of monocytic/dendritic, inflammasome and innate immunity markers, reminiscent of the monocyte-biased myelopoiesis characterizing physiologic fetal hematopoiesis. The second group, although clustering apart from healthy prenatal and post-natal fractions, was characterized by aberrant expression of the master oncofetal regulator LIN28B, suggesting developmental dysregulation. LIN28B expression was associated with DNA hypermethylation. Analysis of a large cohort of 108 patients with JMML showed that a high LIN28 expression was correlated to a poor outcome. Our findings highlight a strong but complex link between JMML and development, and will be important to guide future treatment strategies in this rare but severe leukemia.
Kruppel-like factor 4 as a therapeutically tractable brake on lung
fibroblast activation which promotes resolution of pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Peters-Golden Marc , Penke Loka Raghu Kumar , Speth Jennifer , Huang Steven , Baas Jared 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
There is a paucity of information about potential molecular brakes on the activation of fibroblasts that drive tissue fibrosis. The transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is best known as a determinant of cell stemness and a tumor suppressor. We found that its expression was diminished in fibroblasts from fibrotic lung. Gain- and loss-of-function studies showed that KLF4 inhibits fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and differentiation to myofibroblasts, while restoring their sensitivity to apoptosis. Conditional deletion of KLF4 from fibroblasts potentiated the peak degree of pulmonary fibrosis and abrogated the subsequent spontaneous resolution that follows in a model of transient fibrosis. A small molecule inducer of KLF4 was able to restore its expression in fibrotic fibroblasts and elicit resolution in an experimental model characterized by more clinically relevant persistent pulmonary fibrosis. These data identify KLF4 as a pivotal brake on fibroblast activation whose induction represents a new therapeutic approach in fibrosis of the lung, and perhaps other organs.
Correlation Analysis Between Land Use and Urban Street Patterns
Authors: Akiba Yuri , Yamasaki Masaya , Shima Hiroyuki , Sato Motohiro 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Urban morphology, the study of urban forms that were formed by roads represents the result of dynamic interactions between multiple factors, such as transportation efficiency, population size, and local land use. Thus, investigating the geometry of street patterns has the potential to reveal information on the main factors in street pattern systems that drive the formation of street structures. In this study, we speculated and validated our hypothesis that among multiple factors, land use in each region contributed significantly to determining the area of the urban blocks bounded by roads; we found that the areas of urban blocks and land use were closely connected. The results showed that the block area tended to be larger in regions where land use was predominantly meant for companies and schools, while it tended to be smaller in regions where land use was predominantly for residential purposes. This trend in land use, which has been difficult to evaluate quantitatively, was defined clearly for the first time when the concept of land use was examined from the perspective of the ratio of daytime to nighttime population (RDN), which represents the amount of human movement in an urban area.
Nanoplastics induce more severe apoptosis through mitochondrial damage in Caco-2 cells compared to sub-micron plastics
Authors: Lu Zifan , Zhang Yuanyuan , He Lei , Zhou Chunxia , Hong Pengzhi , Qian Zhong-Ji , Ju Xianghong , Sun Shengli , Li Chengyong 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
BackgroundSmall plastic particles such sub-micron- (1μm-100nm) and nanoplastics (<100nm) derived from the environment can enter the human gastrointestinal tract through the food chain. In addition, MPs adsorbed with heavy metals are synergistically toxic to humans. Though the cytotoxicity of different sizes of polystyrene (PS) has been studied, the toxicity study of small sizes PS such as 20 nm on intestinal cells is still utterly limited.ResultsIn the present study, the toxicity of 20 nm and 200 nm PS (PS20, PS200) on Caco-2 cells was investigated. PS20 could disrupt cell membrane integrity at a concentration of 80 μg/mL. The images of laser scanning-confocal illustrated that cell tend to uptake more PS20 than PS200 and those particles were localized in lysosomes and mitochondria. Moreover, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential of PS20 was more severe than that of PS200, which may account for the significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the PS20-treated group. Furthermore, PS20 induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, PS enhanced the cytotoxicity of Methylmercury (MeHg). Overall, this study demonstrates that PS had a size- and concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect on the intestine and an enhanced cytotoxic effect on MeHg.ConclusionsBoth sub-micron and NPs could enter Caco-2 cells. NPS induced apoptosis by inducing mitochondrial damage and was significantly more toxic to cells than sub-micron PS. Both sizes of PS used in the experiments have a synergistic effect on MeHg-induced cytotoxicity. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the strong cytotoxicity of NPs and synergistic toxicity with heavy metals, providing a reference for the environmental toxicity of nanoscale plastics.
Using multiple sampling strategies to estimate SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological parameters from genomic sequencing data
Authors: Inward Rhys , Parag Kris , Faria Nuno Rodrigues 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 virus genomes are currently being sequenced at an unprecedented pace. The choice of viral sequences used in genetic and epidemiological analysis is important as it can induce biases that detract from the value of these rich datasets. This raises questions about how a set of sequences should be chosen for analysis, and which epidemiological parameters derived from genomic data are sensitive or robust to changes in sampling. We provide initial insights on these largely understudied problems using SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences from Hong Kong and the Amazonas State, Brazil. We consider sampling schemes that select sequences uniformly, in proportion or reciprocally with case incidence and which simply use all available sequences (unsampled). We apply Birth-Death Skyline and Skygrowth methods to estimate the time-varying reproduction number (Rt) and growth rate (rt) under these strategies as well as related R0 and date of origin parameters. We compare these to estimates from case data derived from EpiFilter, which we use as a reference for assessing bias. We find that both Rt and rt are sensitive to changes in sampling whilst R0 and the date of origin are relatively robust. Moreover, we find that the unsampled datasets, which reflect an opportunistic sampling scheme, engender the most biased Rt and rt estimates for both our Hong Kong and Amazonas case studies. We highlight that sampling strategy choices may be an influential yet neglected component of sequencing analysis pipelines. More targeted attempts at genomic surveillance and epidemic analyses, particularly in resource-poor settings with limited sequencing capabilities, are necessary to maximise the informativeness of virus genomic datasets.
Qtl Associated With Resistance to Stagonosporopsis Citrulli in Citrillus Amarus
Authors: Adams Lincoln , McGregor Cecilia 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Gummy stem blight (GSB) is a fungal disease affecting cucurbit crops, including watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), leading to significant yield losses. The disease is caused by three Stagonosporopsis species, of which S. citrulli is the most common in the southeastern United States. Currently no gummy stem blight-resistant watermelon cultivars are available to growers. In this study we used QTL-seq in an interspecific population developed from Sugar Baby × PI 189225 (C. amarus) to identify a novel QTL associated with resistance to S. citrulli (PVE = 13.3%) on chromosome 5 (Qgsb5.2) of the watermelon genome. KASP marker assays were developed for selection of Qgsb5.2 to allow breeders to track the allele contributing resistance to GSB, reducing the need for laborious phenotyping. Pyramiding different GSB resistance QTL could be a useful strategy to develop GSB resistant watermelon cultivars.
Retrospective study on prevalence of typhoid fever infection among patients visiting Ejere health center, west Shawa zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Bekele Damtew , Lata Warku 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Typhoid fever is a major public health problem in worldwide including Ethiopia. The study design used in this study was a retrospective study to assess typhoid fever disease among patients in age ranges 1–18 years, who visited Ejere health center during the past three years (2018–2020). This study would also seek to know the conditions that are favorable to high prevalence of typhoid in the district. The results showed that total of 1152 individuals suffered from typhoid fever during the three years period. Of these numbers, 486 (42.18%) were males, and 1158 (57.98%) were females. The highest number of cases was accounted for 422(36.31) in 2020, while the lowest number of cases was 346 (30.03) in 2018. Among this, typhoid fever was higher in patients from rural than patients from urban. Among the age groups, the 14–18 age groups were the most affected. Rural communities living far from health centers were susceptible to typhoid fever. High prevalence was observed during the wet months, although cases occurred throughout the year. This indicated that the risk factors were still continued and that there were no effective control measures in place. Therefore an understanding of factors that influence the occurrence of typhoid fever in Ejere District was important in the management of the typhoid fever and environmental sanitation by communities could minimizes the risk factors.
Adaptive Fractional-Order Fast-Terminal-Type Sliding Mode Control For Nonlinear Robotic Manipulators
Authors: Yu Fujie , Zhu Qilong , Li Qingzhong , Yang Guoqing , Chen Yuan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
An adaptive fractional-order fast-terminal-type sliding mode control (AFO-FTSMC) method is presented to improve the response characteristics of robotic manipulators and reduce uncertainty. This method employs a fractional-order sliding mode (FO-SM) manifold and a fast-terminal-type reaching law to achieve precise tracking, fast response speed, and chatterfree control inputs. The FO-SM manifold contains fractionalorder differential and fractional-order integral terms, which avoids deterioration in tracking accuracy when the system state reaches the sliding manifold. The fast-terminal-type reaching law ensures fast reaching speed and effective chatter suppression. The designed adaptive law realizes an immediate response to tracking error, avoids excessive high or low switching gain, and effectively enhances the robustness against lumped uncertainties by adjusting the switching gain of the SMC online. Therefore, the AFO-FTSMC control method, which combines the respective advantages of adaptive law and FOSMC, can significantly improve the control performance of conventional SMC and has strong robustness to uncertain disturbances. The AFO-FTSMC is also proved to be stable using the Lyapunov method. Finally, both simulation and experiments verify the effectiveness and superiorities of the AFO-FTSMC control scheme.
Consistence Condition of Kernel Selection In Regular Linear Kernel Regression And Its Application In Covid-19 High-risk Areas Exploration
Authors: WangChao  , LiBo  , LiuHuan  , PengPai  
Published: March 2022

Abstract
With the long-term outbreak of the Covid-19 around the world, identifying high-risk areas is becoming a new research boom. In this paper, we propose a novel regression method namely Regular Linear Kernel Regression(RLKR) for Covid-19 high-risk areas Exploration. We explain in detail how the canonical linear kernel regression method is linked to the identification of high-risk areas for Covid-19. Further more, The consistence condition of Kernel Selection, which is closely related to the identification of high-risk areas, is given with two mild assumptions. Finally, the RLKR method was verified by simulation experiments and applied for Covid-19 high-risk area Exploration.
The Value of Preoperative Nutritional Status, the Systemic Inflammation Index and A Nomogram for the Prognosis of Patients with Esophageal Cancer After Radical Resection
Authors: Wang Huike , Yang Yalan , Meng Xiangrui , Luo Xi , Wang Feng 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Controlling nutritional status (CONUT), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) are new parameters that reflect the immune-nutritional status in some cancers.
Purpose
To investigate the relationship between preoperative nutritional status and systemic inflammatory indexes on the clinicopathological prognosis of patients with stage I-IV esophageal cancer and to clarify the predictive value of nutritional status and inflammatory indexes on tumor recurrence, metastasis and long-term survival after radical resection.
Methods
The clinical data of 381 patients who underwent radical esophagectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 5, 2013, to August 1, 2021, were analyzed retrospectively. The preoperative clinical characteristics and hematological examination results were collected, the data on nutritional and immune status were analyzed, tumor recurrence and survival were evaluated by telephone follow-up, and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated. Nutritional data and the immune status, clinical data and survival information were also analyzed.
Results
Analysis of the clinical data of 381 patients with esophageal cancer undergoing radical esophagectomy revealed that preoperative nutritional status was related to preoperative complications, neoadjuvant therapy, TNM stage, tumor location, pathological type, vascular invasion, nerve invasion and regional lymph node metastasis, and the indexes of systemic inflammation were related to neoadjuvant therapy, TNM stage, tumor location, pathological type and nerve invasion. In univariate analysis, vascular invasion, preoperative CONUT, PNI and SII were identified as important factors affecting prognosis. In multivariate analysis, vascular invasion, preoperative CONUT, PNI, and SII were identified as important factors showing an independent correlation with survival time. A nomogram was developed, and the statistically significant influencing factors from the multivariate Cox regression model were included to predict the 2-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates of patients with lung metastasis from gastric cancer.
Conclusion
CONUT, PNI and SII are independent risk factors for predicting overall survival and recurrence-free survival after radical resection of esophageal cancer. The proposed nomogram prediction model can aid in individualized analysis of the prognosis of these patients.