bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct Selection of Functional Insulators in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Tran Anh , Gudynaite-Savitch Loreta , Rasooli Lara , Johnson Douglas Allan 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Insulators are DNA sequences found in all eucaryotes. By forming DNA-protein complexes in vivo they regulate enhancer-promoter interactions and define heterochromatin-euchromatin boundaries. Studies to date have focused mainly on well-studied elements from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Homo sapiens and Drosophila melanogaster. More recently there has been increased interest in insulators in plants such Petunia hybrida and Arabidopsis thaliana, in part due to the increased production of transgenic plants and there use in agriculture. The production of transgenic plants requires the correct tissue-specific and developmentally regulated gene expression of the transgene; however, their construction identified several problems such as nonspecific enhancer–promoter interactions and transgene silencing or “position effects”. Insulators have the potential to mitigate these unwanted effects. Through the study of insulator mutations, we have identified several non-plant insulators that function in the model plant A. thaliana. For the potential of insulators to be maximized, more, different insulators need to be identified. In this paper we describe a novel protocol to isolate de novo insulators, enhancer-blocking DNAs that function as regulatory elements in A. thaliana.Results: The selection of insulators depends upon three vectors we have constructed. pC1 is a negative selection vector. The presence of an insulator blocks the expression of the gene cytosine deaminase (codA) than depends upon the CaMV35S enhancer. Cytosine deaminase converts the non-toxic, cytosine analogue 5-Fluorocytosine (5-FC) into a highly toxic metabolite 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Plants that survive selection are potential insulators. These sequences can to cloned into pB31 that is similar to pC1 except GUS expression is monitored to confirm lack of expression in most tissues. Finally cloning into pL1 is used to verify GUS expression from the tissue-specific expression from the napin, seed-coat specific promoter is unaffected by the CaMV35S enhancer. As a proof of concept, we have recovered five, relatively-short functional insulators sequences from a library of random DNA sequences generated in vitro. Conclusions: The protocol we describe can be easily scaled-up to generate more insulators. Furthermore, the source of the DNA could be any species, and modifications specific for a defined species in other genera could lead to the identification of a wide range of species-specific insulators. The elimination of unwanted enhancer-promoter interactions will impact the design of transformation systems and the recovery of transgenic plants. Now you can create your own!
The Effect of Serum Glucose Levels on Progression of Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection
Authors: Kong Fei , Xu Hongqin , Wang Xiaomei , Chi Xiumei , Wu Ruihong , Gao XiuZhu , Wang Yang , Yu Ge , Lv Juan , Sun Haibo , Zhang Mingyuan , Jia Jing , Pan Yu , Jiang Jing , Niu Junqi , Liu Yawen , Jin Qinglong 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection has a close association with diabetes mellitus. However, Conflicting results exist on the analysis of relationship between serum glucose levels and development of fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of serum glucose levels on the longitudinal development of liver fibrosis. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, a total of 581 CHC patients were followed from September 2012 to September 2014. Advanced liver fibrosis was defined as a The fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) index score above 3.25. We assessed the prevalence of liver cirrhosis and identified related factors. We also examined the association between hyperglycaemia and longitudinal development of advanced liver fibrosis. Results: Among 581 patients, 321 (55.2%) showed no advanced fibrosis, 168 (28.9%) showed progression of advanced fibrosis, 81 (13.9%) showed persistent advanced fibrosis and 11 (3.4%) showed improvement at the final visit. Compared to patients with no advanced fibrosis, older age (OR=2.77, 95% CI: 1.85-4.14), heavy alcohol consumption (OR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.22-3.37), and high HCV RNA viral load (OR=3.01, 95% CI: 1.82-4.97) were positively associated with progression of advanced fibrosis. Older age (OR=4.57, 95% CI: 2.58-8.08), hyperglycaemia (OR=3.53, 95% CI: 1.69-7.38), and high HCV RNA viral load (OR=2.44, 95% CI: 1.28-4.65) were independently associated with increased risk of persistently advanced fibrosis. Conclusions: Hyperglycaemia was not substantially associated with progression of advanced fibrosis in shorter-term, whereas hyperglycaemia was positively associated with persistent advanced fibrosis. Strict control of blood glucose levels should be considered for patients with cirrhosis and diabetes.
Uncertainty Analysis of Optimal Instruction for WDN Pipes Repair and Replacement Using Fuzzy Cut - Hydraulic Simulation Approach
Authors: Jafari S.M. , Zahiri A.R. , Hadad O. Bozorg , Tabari Mahmoud Mohammad Rezapour 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Optimization of the initial design or pipes repair and replacement instructions of water distribution network (WDN) during operation period is based on the crisp values. Some input variables such as node demand, pipe roughness coefficient and reservoir water level have the uncertain nature. Changing the input parameters values during operation period, due to uncertainty, changes the water distribution network behavior and performance compared to the crisp input parameters values. Recognition and analyzing these behaviors are very important to make the right decision to deal with their consequences and reduce the water distribution network problems. In this research, the WDN nodes pressure uncertainty due to the pipe's roughness coefficient and the nodes demand uncertainty as input parameters, is analyzed after the implementation of the optimal pipes repair and replacement instruction. For the purpose, a combination of simulation model (EPANET) and fuzzy α-cut approach is used. Fuzzy membership functions (MF) of the input and output variables are selected as triangular type. The extreme values combinations of two uncertain input variables, at each uncertainty level, in the form of four scenarios, were considered as the input fuzzy set of the simulation model. Between the research scenarios, the second scenario, which is the combination of the minimum pipe roughness coefficient and the maximum demand, is known as the critical scenario. The results show that in the critical scenario, at the highest uncertainty level, the WDN reliability index is very low and about 30 to 40% due to lack of required pressure of the most nodes. At the uncertainty lower levels, the reliability index rises above 75%, which is relatively acceptable. In the first and fourth scenarios, the network reliability index is always more than 72%. In the third scenario, the network reliability index, at all uncertainty levels, is always more than 90%.
Study of gas-phase reactions within the modified Marcus model. IV. Arrhenius equation for the reaction CH4 + CH3 -&gt; CH3 + CH4
Authors: Romanskii Igor 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The results of a theoretical study (energy calculation level UCCSD (T)/6-31+G**//B3LYP/6-31+G**) of methane with methyl radical gas-phase reaction kinetics (Comp. Theor. Chem. 1125 (2018), Comp. Theor. Chem.1179 (2020) 112767) were used to analyze the Arrhenius equation in the temperatures range 2000 - 10 K. A discussion within the framework of the previously proposed (Russ. Bull. Int. Ed. 2008, 57, 1842-1849) model, which is a modification of the non-equilibrium Marcus model, is based on direct ab initio calculations of the structure and energy of the varied activated reaction complex in a wide range of distances between the reactants. The Arrhenius equation is analyzed in terms of the change with temperature parameters in the reaction rate constant equation. The results obtained make it possible to distinguish three temperature ranges (2000 - 900, 900 - 100 and 100 - 10 K), which are qualitatively different from each other in the nature and degree of influence of various variable factors on the Arrhenius plot.
Inflammation-mediated changes in haemostatic variables of pulmonary tuberculosis infected subjects in the course of treatment.
Authors: OKEKE CHIZOBA O. , Amilo GRACE I. , Manafa PATRICK O , Ibeh NANCY C. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease usually marked by a high level of inflammatory response. Haemostasis and inflammation are closely linked both in health and disease in such a way that inflammation leads to activation of the haemostatic system that in turn influences inflammatory activity. This prospective follow-up study was designed to assess inflammation-mediated changes in haemostatic variables of pulmonary tuberculosis infected subjects in the course of therapy.
Method
A total of 60 TB-infected individuals, aged 18-65 years participated in the study. The individuals were recruited before commencement of therapy and followed up to 6 month into therapy. Tuberculosis was diagnosed using Ziehl Neelsen acid-fast bacilli test and GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay. Pro-inflammatory cytokines: tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-2 (IL-2), anti-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and haemostatic variables: thrombopoietin (TPO) P-selectin (P-SEL), platelet activating factor (PAF), platelet factor-4 (PF-4) and GP IIb/IIIa complex were measured by ELISA methods. These parameters were measured at pre-treatment, 2 month and 6 month into therapy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.
Results
The results showed that TNF-α, IL-6, IL-2 (pro-inflammatory cytokines) and P-selectin, GP IIb/IIIa, thrombopoietin (haemostatic variables) were significantly increased at 2 month into therapy compared to pre-treatment values (p= <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, 0.015, 0.035 and 0.017 respectively) and decreased at 6 month into therapy. Also at 6 month into therapy in comparison to 2-month into therapy, there were significant increase in IL-10 and TGF-β (anti-inflammatory cytokines) (p=0.020 and 0.001 respectively) as well as a significant decline in PF-4 (p=0.030). There were significant positive correlations between GP IIb/IIIa and TNF-α (r=0.372; p=0.031), IL-6 and PSEL (r=0.413; p=0.027), IL-6 and TPO (r=0.335; p=0.046), PF4 and TGF-β (r=0.463; P=0.006), while PAF correlated negatively with TGF-β (r=-0.368; p=0.032).
Conclusion
The changes in the pro- inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-2) aligned with changes in the levels of P-selectin, GP IIb/IIIa, and TPO in the course of TB therapy. This suggests that inflammation modulates the levels of these haemostatic variables in TB individuals.
Long-term Outcomes of Patients With Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Treated With a Polyvalent Vaccine With Bevacizumab Combination
Authors: Kahn Ryan M. , Ragupathi Govind , Zhou Qin C. , Iasonos Alexia , Kravetz Sara , Hensley Martee L. , Konner Jason , Makker Vicky , Tew William P. , Aghajanian Carol , Sabbatini Paul J. , O’Cearbhaill Roisin E. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: To characterize the safety, immunogenicity, and outcomes of patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) in second or greater remission treated with a polyvalent antigen-KLH plus OPT-821 vaccine construct and bevacizumab. Methods: Patients with recurrent HGSOC were treated with the vaccine plus bevacizumab at our institution from 01/05/2011-03/20/2012. Follow-up continued until 03/2021. Blood/urine samples were collected. “Responders” had an immunogenic response to >3 antigens; “non-responders” to <2 antigens. Results: Twenty-one patients were treated on study. One developed a dose limiting-toxicity (grade 4 fever). Two (10%) experienced bevacizumab-related grade 3 hypertension. Thirteen (68%) and 16 (84%) of 19 responded to ≥3 and ≥2 antigens, respectively (Globo-H, GM2, TF cluster Tn, MUC-1). Four of 21 patients were alive >5 years post-treatment. Responders and non-responders had a median PFS of 4.9 months (95% CI: 2.8-8.1) and 5.0 months (95% CI: 0.7-cannot estimate), respectively; median OS was 30.7 months (95% CI: 16.9-52.0) and 34.2 months (95% CI: 12.8-cannot estimate), respectively. On two-time point analysis (baseline, week 17), increased IL-8 exhibited improved PFS (HR as 10-unit increase, 0.43; p=0.04); increased PDGF exhibited worse OS (HR as 10-unit increase, 1.01; p = 0.02). Conclusions: This is the longest follow-up of vaccine administration with bevacizumab among patients with ovarian cancer. The vaccine was well tolerated with bevacizumab. Response was not associated with improved survival. On two-time point analysis, increased IL-8 was associated with significant improvement in PFS; increased PDGF with significantly worse OS. For all time point measurements, cytokine levels were not significantly associated with survival. Trial registration: NCT01223235
Generation of Hollow Airy Beam by Superposing of Two-Dimensional Airy Beams
Authors: Anguiano-Morales Marcelino 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
We study the collisions of four self-focused counterpropagating 2D Airy beams propagating in free space. Their interactions demonstrate that can be obtained hollow beams through the superposition of more than two Airy beams and are well-preserved upon propagation.
Knowledge, Opinions and Experiences of Researchers Regarding Ethical Regulation of Biomedical Research in Benin: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: GANGBO Flore , QUENUM Grâce , GUEDOU Fernand Aimé , BOKO Martial 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Ethics in biomedical research is still a fairly new concept in Africa. This work aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and experiences of Beninese researchers in regard to the national ethical regulatory framework of biomedical research in Benin.Methods: This was a cross-sectional, prospective and descriptive study, involving all the researchers fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview using a questionnaire and analysed. Proportions and means were calculated with their confidence intervals and standard deviations, respectively.Results: Of the 110 participants included in the study, 40.9% were medical lecturers and 71.1% had been involved in more than 10 biomedical research as researcher. Less than three quarters (69.1%) were able to correctly quote the basic principles from Belmont report. The quarter (25.45%) of them knew the attributions of the National Ethics Committee for Health Research (CNERS in French) and 38.2%, the content of the legislation on health research ethics in Benin. The common ethical rules were known by 69.1% of the participants. A quarter (25.5%) of participants said they always present the study’s briefing note to their study participants and 62.7% said they systematically request informed consent. For those who do not present the briefing note to participants, the main reasons provided were the researchers' difficulties in writing the note in plain language and the participants ' limitation in understanding it.Conclusions: The foundations of a good ethical framework for health research exist in Benin. However, the deployment and use of the various legal texts deserve to be improved.
Halomonas Jincaotanensis sp. nov., Isolated From the Pamir Plateau Degrading Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon
Authors: Bu Xuying , Xia Zhanfeng , Liu Zhanwen , Ren Min , Wan Chuanxing , Zhang Lili 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
A Gram-strain-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain TRM 85114T, was isolated from the Jincaotan wetland in the Pamir Plateau of China. We identified this isolate was a novel species with an ability to degrade 1-naphthylamine. Strain grew optimally at 30 ℃ and pH 6.0 in the presence of 3% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain TRM 85114T was affiliated with the genus Halomonas, and shared high sequence similarity (97.3%) with Halomonas korlensis XK1T. Strain TRM 85114T contained C16:0 and C19:0 cyclo ω8c as primary cellular fatty acids, Q-9 as predominate respiratory quinone, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phospholipids of unknown structure containing glucosamine, unidentified aminophospholipids, unidentified lipids and three unidentified phospholipids as the major polar lipids. The complete genome of TRM 85114T comprises 3,902 putative genes with a total of 4,126,476 bp and a G + C content of 61.6 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain TRM 85114T and related type Halomonas strains was 78.6–88.9% and 25.7–39.2%, respectively. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and molecular features, strain TRM 85114T represents a novel species of the genus Halomonas, duo to which the name Halomonas jincaotanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 85114T (CCTCC AB 2021006T = LMG 32311T). Degradation rate of 1-naphthylamine by strain TRM 85114T reached up to 32.0 mg/L in 14 days.
Expression of Klotho in Follicles of Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Its Clinical Significance
Authors: Song Yali , Ye Wenting , Xie Tingting , Yang Yi , Luo Xiaoqing , Zhou Lili 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disease related to infertility in women. IVF-ET is the effective way to treat infertility in PCOS patients. But poor oocytes quality of PCOS patients results in low pregnancy rate and the underlying mechanism is unknown. Klotho, an anti-aging factor, was reported up-regulated in PCOS and related to excessive androgens. However, the role of Klotho in poor oocytes quality of PCOS has not been clarified. Method: We enrolled 72 PCOS and 70 healthy participants who underwent IVF-ET and the follicular fluid was collected. In addition, granulosa cells from 15 patients underwent IVF-ET were collected. The level Klotho in follicular fluid was tested by ELISA. The mRNA level of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, IL-6, TNF, PCNA and GDF9 in granulosa cell were detected by qRT-PCR.Results: Compared with the control group, the level of Klotho, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, IL-6 and TNF in PCOS group was significantly higher, especially in the group of PCOS with hyperandrogenism, while the level of PCNA and GDF9 was down-regulated. Correlation analysis shown that level of Klotho in follicular fluid of PCOS group was negatively correlated with the number of mature oocytes. Similarly, we divided the PCOS group into two groups according to the median of Klotho level and found that the number of mature oocytes is significantly lower in the group of high level of Klotho. In addition, the Klotho level in follicular fluid was also positively correlated with serum testosterone, LH, LH/FSH, menstrual cycle and number of total antral follicles in the group of PCOS. Conclusions: These data suggested that Klotho may act as a new biomarker evaluating the quality of oocytes in patients with PCOS, indicating the severity of PCOS and the outcome of IVF in PCOS patients.
Complications of canine tonsillectomy by clamping technique combined with monopolar electrosurgery without suture – a retrospective study of 39 cases
Authors: Turkki Outi Marita , Bergman Caroline Elisabeth , Lee Marcel H , Höglund Odd Viking 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Canine tonsillectomy is performed due to acute or chronic tonsillitis, neoplasia, trauma or occasionally brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. Several tonsillectomy techniques are used but information about surgical complications is scarce. This retrospective study of patient records at the University Animal Hospital aimed to investigate complications related to canine tonsillectomy performed by 20-minute clamping combined with monopolar electrosurgery.Inclusion criteria were bilateral tonsillectomy performed with “20-minute clamping technique combined with monopolar electrosurgery without suture or ligation”. Exclusion criteria were unilateral tonsillectomy, tonsillar neoplasia, additional surgical procedures other than tonsillectomy and cases where sutures were used initially, cases where tissue sealing only relied on electrosurgery devices or when the technique was unspecified. The search of the patient records of the University Animal Hospital included a 10-year period. Complications that required additional anaesthesia were defined as major complications. Minor complications were handled during surgery or postoperatively without surgical intervention.Results: Of 39 dogs that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 11 dogs had one complication and 1 dog had two complications. Altogether, of the 12 complications, 2 were classified as major complications and 10 as minor.The most frequent complication was bleeding from the surgical site; 10 dogs had one incidence of bleeding and 1 dog bled twice, both intra- and postoperatively. Of these 11 dogs, 7 were intraoperative bleedings and 4 were postoperative. The two dogs with major complications were re-anaesthetized due to post-surgical bleeding. No lethal complications occurred and all dogs survived to discharge.Conclusions: Complications such as bleeding are common during and after surgery for tonsillectomy using a “20-minute clamping technique combined with monopolar electrosurgery without suture”. This tonsillectomy technique is not without risk and revision surgery may be necessary.
Bee Venom Phospholipase A2 reduces Tau phosphorylation through inhibition of GSK3β expression
Authors: Yoo Seung Sik , Han Sang-Bae , Yun Jaesuk , Yeo In Jun , Ham Hyeon Joo , Kim Yeonjoo , Son Dong Ju , Park Eui Suk , Rhee Hae In , Hwang Dae-Youn , Park Pil-Hoon , Choi Dong-Young , Lee Won-Kyu , Hong Jin Tae 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by to neuronal cell death and neuroinflammation. Neurofibrillary tangle (NFTs) is one of the neuropathological hallmarker of AD. Also our previous study indicated that bee venom leads to neuroprotective effects in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AD mouse model. Thus, in this study we investigated whether that phospholipase A2 (PLA2) reduces tau phosphorylation and neuroinflammation, and thus ameliorates AD development.
Results
To validate pathological activities in in vivo, we examined of the inhibitory effect of bvPLA2 on memory loss and tau phosphorylation as well as neuroinflammation by subcutaneous injection of bvPLA2 (0.5 mg/kg) to Tg2576 mice. For in vitro study, we examined the effect of bvPLA2 on cell death, tau pathology and neuroinflammation by treatment of bvPLA2 in LPS-activated PC12 cells. Our study showed that bvPLA2 mitigated memory impairment and spatial memory in Tg2576 mice, Agreed with the memory improvement, tau level and phosphorylation of tau were decreased by bvPLA2 treatment. Expression level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related proteins were also decreased in the brain of bvPLA2-treated Tg2576 mice.
Conclusions
Consideration of reduced tau level and phosphorylation of tau, GSK3β phosphorylation was studied. Phosphorylated GSK3β on Ser9 was significantly increased by treatment of bvPLA2, but a phosphorylated GSK3β on Tyr216 was significantly decreased in the Tg2576 mice brains. These data thus indicate that bvPLA2 prevents memory impairment through reduction of tau phosphorylation.