bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adding team-based financial incentives to the Carrot Rewards physical activity app increases daily step count on a population scale: a 24-week matched case control study
Authors: Pearson Emma , Prapavessis Harry , Higgins Christopher , Petrella Robert , White Lauren , Mitchell Marc 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) targeting physical inactivity have increased in popularity yet are usually limited by low engagement. This study examined the impact of adding team-based incentives (Step Together Challenges, STCs) to an existing mHealth app (Carrot Rewards) that rewarded individual physical activity achievements.

Methods
A 24-week quasi-experimental study (retrospective matched pairs design) was conducted in three Canadian provinces (pre-intervention: weeks 1–12; intervention: weeks 13–24). Participants who used Carrot Rewards and STCs (experimental group) were matched with those who used Carrot Rewards only (controls) on age, gender, province and baseline mean daily step count (±500 steps/d). Carrot Rewards users earned individual-level incentives (worth $0.04 CAD) each day they reached a personalized daily step goal. With a single partner, STC users could earn team incentives ($0.40 CAD) for collaboratively reaching individual daily step goals 10 times in seven days (e.g., Partner A completes four goals and Partner B completes six goals in a week).

Results
The main analysis included 61,170 users (mean age = 32 yrs.; % female = 64). Controlling for pre-intervention mean daily step count, a significant difference in intervention mean daily step count favoured the experimental group (p < 0.0001; ηp2 = 0.024). The estimated marginal mean group difference was 537 steps per day, or 3759 steps per week (about 40 walking min/wk). Linear regression suggested a dose-response relationship between the number of STCs completed (app engagement) and intervention mean daily step count (adjusted R2 = 0.699) with each new STC corresponding to approximately 200 more steps per day.

Conclusion
Despite an explosion of physical activity app interest, low engagement leading to small or no effects remains an industry hallmark. In this paper, we found that adding modest team-based incentives to the Carrot Rewards app increased mean daily step count, and importantly, app engagement moderated this effect. Others should consider novel small-teams based approaches to boost engagement and effects.
The epidemiology of postnatal depression in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Duko Bereket , Wolde Dereje , Alemayehu Yonas 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Postnatal depression is among the common mental health problems that occur during the postnatal period. However, it is left undiagnosed in low- and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to systematically summarize the available evidence on the epidemiology of postnatal depression in Ethiopia and suggest recommendations for future clinical practice.

Methods
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was followed to conduct this systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases for the relevant articles that assessed the prevalence of postnatal depression in Ethiopia. We used a random-effect model to conduct a meta-analysis. We conducted a subgroup and sensitivity analysis to explore the source of heterogeneity. Cochrane Q- and the I2-test were used to check the heterogeneity of the included studies. The presence of publication bias was also checked by visual inspection of symmetry and Egger's test.

Results
The pooled estimated prevalence of postnatal depression in Ethiopia was 20.1% (95% CI 12.7–30.2). The pooled prevalence of postnatal depression in the studies that were conducted in community settings and used the Patient Health Questionnaire to assess postnatal depression [16.6% (95% CI 8.90–28.99)] was lower than the prevalence in studies based in institutions and that used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [23.2% (95% CI 14.50–28.5)]. Further, in a leave-one-out sensitivity analysis the prevalence of postnatal depression ranges between 15.4% and 25.4%. Unplanned pregnancy [AOR = 3.46, 95% CI (2.37–5.04)], age between 15–24 years [AOR = 1.72, 95% CI (1.11–2.68)], marital problems [AOR = 3.07, 95% CI (2.36–3.99)], experiencing the death of infant [AOR = 3.41, 95% CI (1.91–6.09)] and history of substance use [AOR = 3.47, 95% CI (2.17–5.56)] were associated with the increased odds of postnatal depression in Ethiopia.

Conclusion
The prevalence of postnatal depression in Ethiopia was high. Therefore, the concerned body should give due attention to improve reproductive health services through early detection of risk factors of postnatal depression.
Phylogenetic analysis and clinical characteristics of the co-occurring mutations in HA and NA genes of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses during 2015–2017 in Beijing, China
Authors: Liu Yafen , Wang Yue , Liu Baiyi , Cong Xu , Ji Ying , Guo Xiaolin , Gao Yan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundInfluenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses have undergone rapid evolution, and in recent years the complementary and antagonistic effects of HA and NA have gathered more attentions; however, the effects of co-occurring mutations in HA and NA on the patients’ clinical characteristics are still poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed molecular epidemiology and evolution of A(H1N1) pdm09, explored co-occurring mutations of HA and NA, and investigated effect of co-occurring mutations on patients’ clinical features.MethodsA(H1N1)pdm09 was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. HA and NA genes were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. Clinical characteristics of the co-occurring mutations were analyzed statistically.ResultsBy analyzing the HA and NA gene sequences of 33 A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses during the 2015–2017 influenza season, we found that all the viruses shared high similarities to each other and the HA genes of these viruses exclusively belonged to subclade 6B.1A. Several unreported substitutions in HA and NA proteins were observed, furthermore, co-occurring mutations of HA-V169T, A278S, E508G, D518E and NA-V67I were detected in 30.3% (10/33) A(H1N1)pdm09 virus strains when comparing with vaccine strains A/California/07/2009 and A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1). Sore throat was significantly associated with co-occurring mutations in HA and NA of A(H1N1)pdm09 (χ2,P < 0.05).ConclusionsCo-occurring mutations in HA and NA were detected in A(H1N1)pdm09 isolated during 2015–2017 in Beijing. Symptomatically, sore throat was associated with co-occurring mutations in HA and NA of A(H1N1)pdm09. Therefore, studying the effect and mechanism of co-occurring mutations in HA and NA on patients’ clinical features is of note needed.
Water hardness influenced variations in reproductive potential of two freshwater fish species; Poecilia reticulata and Betta splendens
Authors: Krishnakumar Abarna , Patrick Anton E. S. , Jayawardena Uthpala A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveHardness of water in the form of CaCO3affects reproductive potential in various fish species, differently. This study evaluates the effect of water hardness on growth and reproduction of two aquarium fishes,Poecilia reticulata(Ovo-viviparous sp.) andBetta splendens(Oviparous sp.) by growing them under 150 (control), 320, 540 and 900 ppm CaCO3levels in semi natural aquaria.ResultsGrowth increased with increasing water hardness, reporting a significant progress ofP. reticulata(p = 0.005) at 900 ppm. Similarly, the reproductive potential ofP. reticulatawas improved significantly, recording the highest fecundity (16.22 ± 3.90) and Gonadosomatic Index (GSI-2.48 ± 0.6) at 900 ppm. However, inB. splendenswater hardness adversely affected the reproduction by resulting a significantly low hatchability and disturbed bubble nests at 900 ppm, compared to the largest bubble nest formed at the control condition (108.58 ± 16.19 cm2). Thus, the study revealed differential effects of water hardness on reproductive potential of the test species, by increasing the potential ofP. reticulatawhile decreasing that ofB. splendens. Though larval survival was affected in both species, larval growth was improved significantly inP. reticulataat 900 ppm level. Understanding reproductive potential of aquarium fishes in natural waters is crucial for their management purposes.
High-fat diet-induced and genetically inherited obesity differentially alters DNA methylation profile in the germline of adult male rats
Authors: Deshpande Sharvari S. , Nemani Harishankar , Arumugam Gandhimathi , Ravichandran Avinash , Balasinor Nafisa H. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundPaternal obesity has been associated with reduced live birth rates. It could lead to inheritance of metabolic disturbances to the offspring through epigenetic mechanisms. However, obesity is a multifactorial disorder with genetic or environmental causes. Earlier we had demonstrated differential effects of high-fat diet-induced obesity (DIO) and genetically inherited obesity (GIO) on metabolic, hormonal profile, male fertility, and spermatogenesis using two rat models. The present study aimed to understand the effect of DIO and GIO on DNA methylation in male germline, and its subsequent effects on the resorbed (post-implantation embryo loss) and normal embryos. First, we assessed the DNA methylation enzymatic machinery in the testis by Real-Time PCR, followed global DNA methylation levels in spermatozoa and testicular cells by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. Further, we performed Methylation Sequencing in spermatozoa for both the groups. Sequencing data in spermatozoa from both the groups were validated using Pyrosequencing. Expression of the differentially methylated genes was assessed in the resorbed and normal embryos sired by the DIO group using Real-Time PCR for functional validation.ResultsWe noted a significant decrease in Dnmt transcript and global DNA methylation levels in the DIO group and an increase in the GIO group. Sequencing analysis showed 16,966 and 9113 differentially methylated regions in the spermatozoa of the DIO and GIO groups, respectively. Upon pathway analysis, we observed genes enriched in pathways involved in embryo growth and development namely Wnt, Hedgehog, TGF-beta, and Notch in spermatozoa for both the groups, the methylation status of which partially correlated with the gene expression pattern in resorbed and normal embryos sired by the DIO group.ConclusionOur study reports the mechanism by which diet-induced and genetically inherited obesity causes differential effects on the DNA methylation in the male germline that could be due to a difference in the white adipose tissue accumulation. These differences could either lead to embryo loss or transmit obesity-related traits to the offspring in adult life.
Amyloid biomarkers as predictors of conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s dementia: a comparison of methods
Authors:   for the Alzheimer Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Sörensen Arnd , Blazhenets Ganna , Schiller Florian , Meyer Philipp Tobias , Frings Lars 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Amyloid-β (Aβ) PET is an established predictor of conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). We compared three PET (including an approach based on voxel-wise Cox regression) and one cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outcome measures in their predictive power.

Methods
Datasets were retrieved from the ADNI database. In a training dataset (N = 159), voxel-wise Cox regression and principal component analyses were used to identify conversion-related regions (Cox-VOI and AD conversion-related pattern (ADCRP), respectively). In a test dataset (N = 129), the predictive value of mean normalized 18F-florbetapir uptake (SUVR) in AD-typical brain regions (composite SUVR) or the Cox-VOI and the pattern expression score (PES) of ADCRP and CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 as predictors were compared by Cox models (corrected for age and sex).

Results
All four Aβ measures were significant predictors (p < 0.001). Prediction accuracies (Harrell’s c) showed step-wise significant increases from Cox-SUVR (c = 0.71; HR = 1.84 per Z-score increase), composite SUVR (c = 0.73; HR = 2.18), CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 (c = 0.75; HR = 3.89) to PES (c = 0.77; HR = 2.71).

Conclusion
The PES of ADCRP is the most predictive Aβ PET outcome measure, comparable to CSF Aβ42/Aβ40, with a slight but statistically significant advantage.
Genetic associations of in vivo pathology influence Alzheimer’s disease susceptibility
Authors:   for the KBASE Research Group, Seo Jieun , Byun Min Soo , Yi Dahyun , Lee Jun Ho , Jeon So Yeon , Shin Seong A. , Kim Yu Kyeong , Kang Koung Mi , Sohn Chul-Ho , Jung Gijung , Park Jong-Chan , Han Sun-Ho , Byun Jayoung , Mook-Jung Inhee , Lee Dong Young , Choi Murim 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Introduction
Although the heritability of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is estimated to be 60–80%, addressing the genetic contribution to AD risk still remains elusive. More specifically, it remains unclear whether genetic variants are able to affect neurodegenerative brain features that can be addressed by in vivo imaging techniques.

Methods
Targeted sequencing analysis of the coding and UTR regions of 132 AD susceptibility genes was performed. Neuroimaging data using 11C-Pittsburgh Compound B positron emission tomography (PET), 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET, and MRI that are available from the KBASE (Korean Brain Aging Study for Early Diagnosis and Prediction of Alzheimer’s disease) cohort were acquired. A total of 557 participants consisted of 336 cognitively normal (CN) adults, 137 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 84 AD dementia (ADD) groups.

Results
We called 5391 high-quality single nucleotide variants (SNVs) on AD susceptibility genes and selected significant associations between variants and five in vivo AD pathologies: (1) amyloid β (Aβ) deposition, (2) AD-signature region cerebral glucose metabolism (AD-Cm), (3) posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) cerebral glucose metabolism (PCC-Cm), (4) AD-signature region cortical thickness (AD-Ct), and (5) hippocampal volume (Hv). The association analysis for common variants (allele frequency (AF) > 0.05) yielded several novel loci associated with Aβ deposition (PIWIL1-rs10848087), AD-Cm (NME8-rs2722372 and PSEN2-rs75733498), AD-Ct (PSEN1-rs7523) and, Hv (CASS4-rs3746625). Meanwhile, in a gene-based analysis for rare variants (AF < 0.05), cases carrying rare variants in LPL, FERMT2, NFAT5, DSG2, and ITPR1 displayed associations with the neuroimaging features. Exploratory voxel-based brain morphometry between the variant carriers and non-carriers was performed subsequently. Finally, we document a strong association of previously reported APOE variants with the in vivo AD pathologies and demonstrate that the variants exert a causal effect on AD susceptibility via neuroimaging features.

Conclusions
This study provides novel associations of genetic factors to Aβ accumulation and AD-related neurodegeneration to influence AD susceptibility.
High-throughput screening identifies histone deacetylase inhibitors that modulate GTF2I expression in 7q11.23 microduplication autism spectrum disorder patient-derived cortical neurons
Authors: Cavallo Francesca , Troglio Flavia , Fagà Giovanni , Fancelli Daniele , Shyti Reinald , Trattaro Sebastiano , Zanella Matteo , D’Agostino Giuseppe , Hughes James M. , Cera Maria Rosaria , Pasi Maurizio , Gabriele Michele , Lazzarin Maddalena , Mihailovich Marija , Kooy Frank , Rosa Alessandro , Mercurio Ciro , Varasi Mario , Testa Giuseppe 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental condition affecting almost 1% of children, and represents a major unmet medical need with no effective drug treatment available. Duplication at 7q11.23 (7Dup), encompassing 26–28 genes, is one of the best characterized ASD-causing copy number variations and offers unique translational opportunities, because the hemideletion of the same interval causes Williams–Beuren syndrome (WBS), a condition defined by hypersociability and language strengths, thereby providing a unique reference to validate treatments for the ASD symptoms. In the above-indicated interval at 7q11.23, defined as WBS critical region, several genes, such as GTF2I, BAZ1B, CLIP2 and EIF4H, emerged as critical for their role in the pathogenesis of WBS and 7Dup both from mouse models and human studies.

Methods
We performed a high-throughput screening of 1478 compounds, including central nervous system agents, epigenetic modulators and experimental substances, on patient-derived cortical glutamatergic neurons differentiated from our cohort of induced pluripotent stem cell lines (iPSCs), monitoring the transcriptional modulation of WBS interval genes, with a special focus on GTF2I, in light of its overriding pathogenic role. The hits identified were validated by measuring gene expression by qRT-PCR and the results were confirmed by western blotting.

Results
We identified and selected three histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) that decreased the abnormal expression level of GTF2I in 7Dup cortical glutamatergic neurons differentiated from four genetically different iPSC lines. We confirmed this effect also at the protein level.

Limitations
In this study, we did not address the molecular mechanisms whereby HDAC inhibitors act on GTF2I. The lead compounds identified will now need to be advanced to further testing in additional models, including patient-derived brain organoids and mouse models recapitulating the gene imbalances of the 7q11.23 microduplication, in order to validate their efficacy in rescuing phenotypes across multiple functional layers within a translational pipeline towards clinical use.

Conclusions
These results represent a unique opportunity for the development of a specific class of compounds for treating 7Dup and other forms of intellectual disability and autism.
Secretory phospholipase A2-X (Pla2g10) is a novel progesterone receptor target gene exclusively induced in uterine luminal epithelium for uterine receptivity in mice
Authors: Park Hee Kyoung , Park So Hee , Lee Miji , Kim Gyeong Ryeong , Park Mira , Yang Seung Chel , Kim Yeon Sun , Lim Hyunjung J. , Kim Hye-Ryun , Song Haengseok 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundAberration of estrogen (E2) and/or progesterone (P4) signaling pathways affects expression of their target genes, which may lead to failure of embryo implantation and following pregnancy. Although many target genes of progesterone receptors (PRs) have been identified in uterine stroma, only a few PR targets have been reported in the epithelium. Secretory phospholipase A2-(PLA2)-X, a member of the PLA2family that releases arachidonic acids for the synthesis of prostaglandins that are important for embryo implantation, is dysregulated in the endometrium of patients suffering from repeated implantation failure. However, it is not clear whether sPLA2-X is directly regulated by ovarian steroid hormones for embryo implantation in the uterus.ResultP4induced thePla2g10encoding of secretory PLA2-X in the apical region of uterine LE of ovariectomized mice via PR in both time- and dose-dependent manners, whereas E2significantly inhibited it. This finding is consistent with the higher expression ofPla2g10at the diestrus stage, when P4is elevated during the estrous cycle, and at P4-treated delayed implantation. The level ofPla2g10on day 4 of pregnancy (day 4) was dramatically decreased on day 5, when PRs are absent in the LE. Luciferase assays of mutagenesis in uterine epithelial cells demonstrated that four putative PR response elements in aPla2g10promoter region are transcriptionally active forPla2g10. Intrauterine delivery of small interfering RNA forPla2g10on day 3 significantly reduced the number of implantation sites, reinforcing the critical function(s) ofPla2g10for uterine receptivity in mice.ConclusionsPla2g10is a novel PR target gene whose expression is exclusively localized in the apical region of the uterine LE for uterine receptivity for embryo implantation in mice.
A secure data deduplication system for integrated cloud-edge networks
Authors: P. G. Shynu , R. K. Nadesh , Menon Varun G. , P. Venu , Abbasi Mahdi , Khosravi Mohammad R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractData redundancy is a significant issue that wastes plenty of storage space in the cloud-fog storage integrated environments. Most of the current techniques, which mainly center around the static scenes, for example, the backup and archive systems, are not appropriate because of the dynamic nature of data in the cloud or integrated cloud environments. This problem can be effectively reduced and successfully managed by data deduplication techniques, eliminating duplicate data in cloud storage systems. Implementation of data deduplication (DD) over encrypted data is always a significant challenge in an integrated cloud-fog storage and computing environment to optimize the storage efficiently in a highly secured manner. This paper develops a new method using Convergent and Modified Elliptic Curve Cryptography (MECC) algorithms over the cloud and fog environment to construct secure deduplication systems. The proposed method focuses on the two most important goals of such systems. On one side, the redundancy of data needs to be reduced to its minimum, and on the other hand, a robust encryption approach must be developed to ensure the security of the data. The proposed technique is well suited for operations such as uploading new files by a user to the fog or cloud storage. The file is first encrypted using the Convergent Encryption (CE) technique and then re-encrypted using the Modified Elliptic Curve Cryptography (MECC) algorithm. The proposed method can recognize data redundancy at the block level, reducing the redundancy of data more effectively. Testing results show that the proposed approach can outperform a few state-of-the-art methods of computational efficiency and security levels.
New viral biogeochemical roles revealed through metagenomic analysis of Lake Baikal
Authors: Coutinho F. H. , Cabello-Yeves P. J. , Gonzalez-Serrano R. , Rosselli R. , López-Pérez M. , Zemskaya T. I. , Zakharenko A. S. , Ivanov V. G. , Rodriguez-Valera F. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundLake Baikal is the largest body of liquid freshwater on Earth. Previous studies have described the microbial composition of this habitat, but the viral communities from this ecosystem have not been characterized in detail.ResultsHere, we describe the viral diversity of this habitat across depth and seasonal gradients. We discovered 19,475 bona fide viral sequences, which are derived from viruses predicted to infect abundant and ecologically important taxa that reside in Lake Baikal, such as Nitrospirota, Methylophilaceae, and Crenarchaeota. Diversity analysis revealed significant changes in viral community composition between epipelagic and bathypelagic zones. Analysis of the gene content of individual viral populations allowed us to describe one of the first bacteriophages that infect Nitrospirota, and their extensive repertoire of auxiliary metabolic genes that might enhance carbon fixation through the reductive TCA cycle. We also described bacteriophages of methylotrophic bacteria with the potential to enhance methanol oxidation and the S-adenosyl-L-methionine cycle.ConclusionsThese findings unraveled new ways by which viruses influence the carbon cycle in freshwater ecosystems, namely, by using auxiliary metabolic genes that act upon metabolisms of dark carbon fixation and methylotrophy. Therefore, our results shed light on the processes through which viruses can impact biogeochemical cycles of major ecological relevance.