bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Opinions of key stakeholders on alternative interventions for malaria control and elimination in Tanzania
Authors: Finda Marceline Francis , Christofides Nicola , Lezaun Javier , Tarimo Brian , Chaki Prosper , Kelly Ann H. , Kapologwe Ntuli , Kazyoba Paul , Emidi Basiliana , Okumu Fredros O. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Malaria control in Tanzania currently relies primarily on long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying, alongside effective case management and behaviour change communication. This study explored opinions of key stakeholders on the national progress towards malaria elimination, the potential of currently available vector control interventions in helping achieve elimination by 2030, and the need for alternative interventions that could be used to supplement malaria elimination efforts in Tanzania.Methods: In this exploratory qualitative study, focus group discussions were held with policy-makers, regulators, research scientists and community members. Malaria control interventions discussed were: a) improved housing, b) larval source management, c) mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin to reduce vector densities, d) release of modified mosquitoes, including genetically modified or irradiated mosquitoes, e) targeted spraying of mosquito swarms, and f) spatial repellents. Results: Larval source management and spatial repellents were widely supported across all stakeholder groups, while insecticide-spraying of mosquito swarms was the least preferred. Support for MDA with ivermectin was high among policy makers, regulators and research scientists, but encountered opposition among community members, who instead expressed strong support for programmes to improve housing for poor people in high transmission areas. Policy makers, however, challenged the idea of government-supported housing improvement due to its perceived high costs. Techniques of mosquito modification, specifically those involving gene drives, were viewed positively by community members, policy makers and regulators, but encountered a high degree of scepticism among scientists. Overall, policy-makers, regulators and community members trusted scientists to provide appropriate advice for decision-making. Conclusion: Stakeholder opinions regarding alternative malaria interventions were divergent except for larval source management and spatial repellents, for which there was universal support. MDA with ivermectin, housing improvement and modified mosquitoes were also widely supported, though each faced concerns from at least one stakeholder group. While policy-makers, regulators and community members all noted their reliance on scientists to make informed decisions, their reasoning on the benefits and disadvantages of specific interventions included factors beyond technical efficiency. This study suggests the need to encourage and strengthen dialogue between research scientists, policy makers, regulators and communities regarding new interventions.
Phantom and clinical evaluation of bone SPECT/CT image reconstruction with xSPECT algorithm
Authors: Miyaji Noriaki , Miwa Kenta , Tokiwa Ayaka , Ichikawa Hajime , Terauchi Takashi , Koizumi Mitsuru , Onoguchi Masahisa 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Two novel methods of image reconstruction, xSPECT Quant (xQ) and xSPECT Bone (xB) that use an ordered subset conjugate gradient minimizer (OSCGM) for bone SPECT/CT have been proposed. The present study compares the performance characteristics of xQ, xB and conventional Flash3D (F3D) reconstruction using images derived from phantoms and patients. Methods A custom-designed body phantom for bone SPECT was scanned using a Symbia Intevo (Siemens Healthineers) and reconstructed xSPECT images were evaluated. The phantom experiments proceeded twice in different activity concentrations and sphere sizes. A phantom with 28-mm spheres containing a 99mTc background and having tumor-to-normal bone ratios (TBR) of 1, 2, 4 and 10, were generated and its convergence property was evaluated across 96 iterations. A phantom with four spheres (13-, 17-, 22-, and 28-mm diameters), containing a 99mTc-background at TBR4, was also generated. The full width at half maximum of an imaged spinous process (10 mm), coefficients of variance (CV), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and recovery coefficients (RC) of an imaged spine were evaluated with F3D, xQ and xB.Images from 20 patients with suspected bone metastases (male, n = 13) were acquired using 99mTc-(H)MDP SPECT/CT, then the CV and standardized uptake value (SUV) at the 4th vertebral body (L4) were compared with xQ and xB in a clinical setup. Results Mean activity concentrations with various TBR converged accordance to increasing numbers of iterations. Spatial resolution was improved in the order of xB, xQ and F3D regardless of the number of iterations during reconstruction. The CV and RC were better for xQ and xB than for F3D. The CNR peaked at 24 iterations for xQ and 48 iterations for F3D and xB, respectively. The RC significantly differed between xQ and xB at lower numbers of iterations, whereas those of xQ and xB became almost equivalent at higher numbers of iterations. Significant differences in the clinical patients’ SUVmax and SUVpeak were observed in the reconstructed xQ and xB images. Conclusions The reconstructed xQ and xB images were more accurate than those conventionally reconstructed using F3D. Bone SPECT xB imaging offered essentially unchanged spatial resolution even when the numbers of iterations did not converge. The xB further enhanced SPECT image quality using CT data. Our findings provide important evidence for understanding the performance characteristics of the novel xQ and xB algorithms.
Gut microbiome signatures of nursing home residents carrying Enterobacteria Producing Extended-spectrum β-lactamases
Authors: BASTARD Quentin LE , Chapelet Guillaume , Birgand Gabriel , Hillmann Benjamin M , Javaudin François , Hayatgheib Niki , Bourigault Céline , Bemer Pascale , De Decker Laure , Batard Eric , Lepelletier Didier , Montassier Emmanuel 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe prevalence of extended beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) has been constantly increasing over the last few decades. These microorganisms that have acquired broad antibiotic resistance are now common human pathogens. Changes in the gut microbiome, induced by antibiotics or other drugs, enable expansion of these microorganisms, but the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. ObjectivesThe main objective was to identify specific bacteria and functional pathways and genes characterizing the gut microbiome of nursing home residents carrying ESBL-E, using metagenomics. Subjects and methodsWe included 144 residents living in two different nursing homes. All fecal samples were screened for ESBL-E and gut microbiome was characterized using shallow shotgun metagenomic DNA sequencing. ResultsTen nursing home residents were colonized by ESBL-E, namely Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae species, and were compared to non-carriers. We found that ESBL-E carriers had an alteration in within-sample diversity. Using a bootstrap algorithm, we found that the gut microbiome of ESBL-E carriers was depleted in butyrate-producing species, enriched in succinate-producing species and enriched in pathways involved in intracellular pH homeostasis compared to non-carriers individuals. Several energy metabolism pathways were overrepresented in ESBL-E carriers suggesting a greater ability to metabolize multiple microbiota and mucus layer-derived nutrients.ConclusionsThe gut microbiome of ESBL-E carriers in nursing homes harbors specific taxonomic and functional characteristics, conferring an environment that enables Enterobacteriaceae expansion. Here we describe new functional features associated with ESBL-E carriage that could help us to elucidate the complex interactions leading to colonization persistence in the human gut microbiota.
Proactive community case management in Senegal 2014-2016: a case study in maximizing the impact of community case management of malaria
Authors: Gaye Seynabou , Kibler Janelle , Ndiaye Jean Louis , Diouf Mame Birame , Linn Annē , Gueye Alioune Badara , Fall Fatou Ba , Ndiop Medoune , Diallo Ibrahima , Cisse Moustapha , Ba Mady , Thwing Julie 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The Senegal National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) introduced home-based malaria management for all ages, with diagnosis by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in 2008, expanding to over 2,000 villages nationwide by 2014. With prise en charge à domicile (PECADOM), community health workers (CHWs) were available for community members to seek care, but did not actively visit households to find cases. A trial of a proactive model (PECADOM Plus), in which CHWs visited all households in their village weekly during transmission season to identify fever cases and offer case management, in addition to availability during the week for home-based management, found that CHWs detected and treated more cases in intervention villages, while the number of cases detected weekly decreased over the transmission season. The NMCP scaled PECADOM Plus to three districts in 2014 (132 villages), to a total of six districts in 2015 (246 villages), and to a total of 16 districts in 2016 (708 villages). A narrative case study with programmatic results is presented. During active sweeps over approximately 20 weeks, CHWs tested a mean of 77 patients per CHW in 2014, 89 patients per CHW in 2015, and 90 patients per CHW in 2016, and diagnosed a mean of 61, 61 and 43 patients with malaria per CHW in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The number of patients who sought care between sweeps increased, with a 104% increase in the number of RDTs performed and a 77% increase in the number of positive tests and patients treated with ACT during passive case detection. While the number of CHWs increased 7%, the number of patients receiving an RDT increased by 307% and the number of malaria cases detected and treated by CHWs increased 274%, from the year prior to PECADOM Plus introduction to its first year of implementation. Based on these results, approximately 700 additional CHWs in 24 new districts were added in 2017. This case study describes the process, results and lessons learned from Senegal’s implementation of PECADOM Plus, as well as guidance for other programmes considering introduction of this innovative strategy.
MYB44 competitively inhibits the formation of the MYB340-bHLH2-NAC56 complex to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis inpurple-fleshed sweet potato
Authors: Wei Zeng-Zheng , Hu Kang-Di , Zhao Dong-Lan , Tang Jun , Huang Zhong-Qin , Jin Peng , Li Yan-Hong , Han Zhuo , Hu Lan-Ying , Yao Gai-Fang , Zhang Hua 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Anthocyanins, which have important biological functions and have a beneficial effect on human health, notably account for pigmentation in purple-fleshed sweet potato tuberous roots. Individual regulatory factors of anthocyanin biosynthesis have been identified; however, the regulatory network of anthocyanin biosynthesis in purple-fleshed sweet potato is unclear. Results: We functionally determined that IbMYB340 cotransformed with IbbHLH2 in tobacco and strawberry receptacles induced anthocyanin accumulation, and the addition of IbNAC56a or IbNAC56b caused increased pigmentation. Furthermore, we confirmed the interaction of IbMYB340 with IbbHLH2 and IbNAC56a or IbNAC56b via yeast two-hybrid and firefly luciferase complementation assays; these proteins could form a MYB340-bHLH2-NAC56a or MYB340-bHLH2-NAC56b transcriptional complex to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis by binding to the IbANS promoter rather than the IbUFGT promoter. Furthermore, it was found by a transient expression system in tobacco leaves that IbMYB44 could decrease anthocyanin accumulation. Moreover, the interaction of IbMYB44 with IbMYB340 and IbNAC56a or IbNAC56b was verified. This result suggested that IbMYB44 acts as a repressor of anthocyanin in sweet potato.Conclusions: The repressor IbMYB44 affected anthocyanin biosynthesis by competitively inhibiting the IbMYB340-IbbHLH2-IbNAC56a or IbMYB340-IbbHLH2-IbNAC56b regulatory complex formation. Overall, the present study proposed a novel regulatory network whereby several vital TFs play key roles in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis, and it provides strong insight into the potential mechanism underlying anthocyanin biosynthesis in sweet potato tuberous roots with purple color.
Risk Perception and Behavior in Egyptian Adolescent Pesticide Applicators: An Intervention Study
Authors: Rohlman Diane S , Davis Jonathan W , Ismail Ahmed , Rasoul Gaafar Abdel , Hendy Olfat , Olson James R , Bonner Matthew R 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Adolescents are engaged in agricultural work, including pesticide application, around the world. Adolescent pesticide applicators are more likely to be exposed to pesticides than their adult counterparts because of their application practice and hygiene habits surrounding pesticide use. There is a need for low-cost interventions to reduce pesticide exposure. We evaluated a theoretically-based educational intervention to change perceptions about the risk of pesticide use and hygiene habits during and after pesticide application for adolescent and young adult pesticide applicators in Egypt.Methods: Young adult and adolescent male pesticide applicators were given a one-hour educational intervention to inform them about the risk of pesticide use and how to reduce pesticide exposure. The median age of participants was 18 years old. Changes in perceived susceptibility and effectiveness were measured with a survey pre and post-intervention (n=119) on the same day. The same survey (n=95) was given 8-months post-intervention to identify sustained effects. Observational checklists of pesticide application practice were also completed during application seasons before and after the intervention.Results: There was an increase in the proportion of individuals who viewed pesticides as being a long-term health risk (74.7% pre-intervention to 97.9% post-intervention, McNemar test p<0.001). This change remained significant when surveyed at the 8-month follow-up (90.5%, p<0.001). There was also a sustained improvement regarding participants’ view of proper hygiene practice surrounding pesticide application. Applicators were observed wearing goggles, shoes, and masks more frequently post-intervention.Conclusion: This theoretically-based intervention is an example of a low-cost solution that can improve adolescent and young adult’s practices regarding pesticide application and personal hygiene practices during and after pesticide application. The intervention can be applied in other countries with similar safety culture surrounding pesticide application.
Schizophrenia patients with a metabolically abnormal obese phenotype have milder negative symptoms
Authors: Wang Juan , Zhang Yulong , Liu Zhiwei , Yang Yating , Zhong Yi , Ning Xiaoshuai , Zhang Yelei , Zhao Tongtong , Xia Lei , Geng Feng , Tao Rui , Fan Mei , Ren Zhenhua , Liu Huanzhong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Schizophrenia patients with a metabolically abnormal obese (MAO) phenotype have been shown poor cardiovascular outcomes, but the characteristics of their current psychiatric symptoms have not been characterized. This study mainly explored the psychiatric symptoms of schizophrenia patients with the MAO phenotype. Methods: A total of 329 patients with schizophrenia and 175 sex- and age-matched people without schizophrenia from Anhui Province in China were enrolled. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to evaluate the mental symptoms of the schizophrenia patients. The MAO phenotype was defined as meeting 1-4 metabolic syndrome criteria (excluding waist circumference) and having a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28 kg/m2. And, metabolically healthy normal-weight (MHNW) phenotype was defined as meeting 0 criteria for metabolic syndrome and 18.5 ≤ BMI < 24 kg/m2. Results: Overall, 15.8% of the schizophrenia patients and 9.1% of the control group were consistent with the MAO phenotype, and the prevalence of MAO in the schizophrenia group was higher than that in the control group. Among the patients with schizophrenia, the MAO group had lower negative factor, cognitive factor and total PANSS scores than the MHNW group. However, when confounding factors were controlled, only the negative factor remained lower. The correlation analysis showed that the MAO phenotype was strongly correlated with C-peptide and insulin levels.Conclusion: we found that schizophrenia patients with the MAO phenotype had reduced negative symptoms, which may indicate an internal mechanism linking metabolic disorders and negative symptoms.Trial registration: This study was registered in the China Clinical Trial Registration Center (No. chiCTR 1800017044)
QTL mapping of winter dormancy and associated traits in two switchgrass pseudo-F1 populations: lowland x lowland and lowland x upland
Authors: Razar Rasyidah Mohamad , Missaoui Ali 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) undergoes seasonal growth changes based on the perception of photoperiod and temperature. It transitions to winter dormancy in early fall, breaks dormancy in the spring, and resume the cycle starting from flowering which is the cue for senescence. The length of growing season can impact the biomass accumulation and yield. In this study, we conducted QTL mapping of winter dormancy measured by fall regrowth height (FRH) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), spring emergence (SE), and flowering date (FD) in two bi-parental pseudo-F1 populations derived from crosses between the lowland AP13 with the lowland B6 (AB) with 285 progenies, and the lowland B6 with the upland VS16 (BV) with 227 progenies.
Methods
Pearson correlation coefficient between phenotypic traits was calculated to determine if some traits can be as surrogates for other traits. Broad-sense heritabilities were calculated to determine the inheritance, and QTL mapping was conducted for two-years phenotypic data to identify QTLs associated with the trais.
Results
We identified 18 QTLs for FRH, 18 QTLs for NDVI, 21 QTLs for SE, and 30 QTLs for FD. The ranges of percent variance explained by these QTLs varied between 4.21–23.27% for FRH, 4.47–24.06% for NDVI, 4.35–32.77% for SE, and 4.61–29.74% for FD. A higher number of QTL was discovered in the BV population, suggesting more variants in the lowland x upland population contributing to the expression of seasonal dormancy underlying traits. We identified 9 regions of colocalized QTL with possible pleiotropic gene action. The positive correlation between FRH or NDVI with dry biomass weight suggests that winter dormancy level could affect switchgrass biomass yield. The medium to high heritability levels of FRH (0.55–0.64 H2) and NDVI (0.30–0.61 H2) support the possibility of using the traits for indirect selection for biomass yield.
Conclusion
Markers found within the significant QTL interval can serve as genomic resource for breeding non-dormant and semi-dormant switchgrass cultivars for the southern regions, where growers can benefit from the longer production season.
Distributed causality in resting-state network connectivity in the acute and remitting phases of RRMS
Authors: Wu Lin , Huang Muhua , Zhou Fuqing , Zeng Xianjun , Gong Honghan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Although previous studies have shown that intranetwork abnormalities in brain functional networks are correlated with clinical/cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS), there is little information regarding the pattern of causal interactions among cognition-related resting-state networks (RSNs) in different disease stages of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients. We hypothesized that abnormalities of causal interactions among RSNs occurred in RRMS patients in the acute and remitting phases.
Patients and methods:
Seventeen patients in the acute phases of RRMS, 24 patients in the remitting phases of RRMS, and 23 appropriately matched healthy controls participated in this study. First, we first used group independent component analysis to extract the time courses of the spatially independent components from all the subjects. Then, the Granger causality test was used to investigate the causal relationships among RSNs in the spectral domain and to identify correlations with clinical indexes.
Results
Compared with the patients in the acute phase of RRMS, patients in the remitting phase of RRMS showed a significantly lower expanded disability status scale, modified fatigue impact scale scores, and significantly higher paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT) scores. Compared with healthy subjects, during the acute phase, RRMS patients had significantly increased driving connectivity from the right executive control network (rECN) to the anterior salience network (aSN), and the causal coefficient was negatively correlated with the PASAT score. During the remitting phase, RRMS patients had significantly increased driving connectivity from the rECN to the aSN and from the rECN to the visuospatial network.
Conclusion
Together with the disease duration (mean disease duration < 5 years) and relatively better clinical scores than those in the acute phase, abnormal connections, such as the information flow from the rECN to the aSN and the rECN to the visuospatial network, might provide adaptive compensation in the remitting phase of RRMS.
SEIR Model for COVID-19 Dynamics Incorporating the Environment and Social Distancing
Authors: Mwalili Samuel , Kimanthi Mark , Ojiambo Viona , Gathungu Duncan , Mbogo Rachel Waema 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic of respiratory disease spreading from person-to-person caused by a novel coronavirus and poses a serious public health risk. The goal of this study is to apply SEIR compartmental mathematical model for prediction of COVID-19 epidemic dynamics incorporating pathogen in the environment and interventions. The next generation matrix approach was used to determine the basic reproduction number R0. The model equations are solved numerically using fourth and fifth order Runge–Kutta methods. Results: The value of basic reproduction number R0 was determined as 2.03, implying that the pandemic will persist in the human population. Results after simulating various scenarios indicate that disregarding social distancing, wearing of masks and frequent washing of hands can have devastating effects on the human population. The model shows that quarantine and isolation are key winners to this pandemic.