bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beneficial effect of indigo naturalis on acute lung injury induced by influenza A virus
Authors: Tu Peng , Tian Rong , Lu Yan , Zhang Yunyi , Zhu Haiyan , Ling Lijun , Li Hong , Chen Daofeng 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Infections induced by influenza viruses, as well as coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic induced by severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to acute lung injury (ALI) and multi organ failure, during which traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) played an important role in treatment of the pandemic. The study aimed to investigate the effect of indigo naturalis on ALI induced by influenza A virus (IAV) in mice.Method: The anti-influenza and anti-inflammatory properties of aqueous extract of indigo naturalis (INAE) were evaluated in vitro. BALB/c mice inoculated intranasally with IAV (H1N1) were treated intragastrically with INAE (40, 80 and 160 mg·kg-1/d) 2 h later for 4 or 7 days. Animal lifespan and mortality were recorded. Expression of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB-1) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were evaluated through immunohistological staining. Inflammatory cytokines were also monitored by ELISA.Result: INAE inhibited virus replication on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and decreased nitric oxide (NO) production from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peritoneal macrophages in vitro. The results showed that oral administration of 160 mg/kg of INAE significantly improved the lifespan (P < 0.01) and survival rate of IAV infected mice, improved lung injury and lowered viral replication in lung tissue (P < 0.01). Treatment with INAE (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg) significantly increased liver weight and liver index (P < 0.05), as well as weight and organ index of thymus and spleen at 160 mg/kg (P < 0.05). Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were reduced by INAE administration (P < 0.05). The expression of HMGB-1 and TLR4 in lung tissue were also suppressed. The increased production of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and methylene dioxyamphetamine (MDA) in lung tissue were inhibited by INAE treatment (P < 0.05). Treatment with INAE reduced the high levels of interferon α (IFN-α), interferon β (IFN-β), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted factor (RANTES), interferon induced protein-10 (IP-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (P < 0.05), with increased production of interferon γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The results showed that INae alleviated IAV induced ALI in mice. The effect of INAE might be related with its anti-influenza, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation properties, which give a hint that indigo naturalis might be effective on respiratory viruses infected acute lung injury or SAR-CoV-2 caused COVID-19.
Radiology Departments as COVID-19 entry-door might improve healthcare efficacy and efficiency, and Emergency Department safety
Authors: Santos José María García , Martínez Juana María Plasencia , Ortega Pablo Fabuel , Ros Marina Lozano , Ayala María Carmen Sánchez , Hernández Gloria Pérez , Martínez Pedro Menchón 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background Possible COVID-19 pneumonia (ppCOVID-19) patients generally overwhelmed EDs during the first COVID-19 wave. Home-confinement and primary care phone follow-ups was the first-level regional policy for preventing EDs to collapse. But when ppCOVID-19 needed x-rays assessment, the traditional outpatient workflow at the radiology department (RD) was inefficient and raised concerns about potential interpersonal infections. We aimed to assess the efficiency of a primary care high-resolution radiology service (pcHRRS) for ppCOVID-19 in terms of time consumed at hospital and decision’s reliability.Methods We assessed 849 consecutive ppCOVID-19 patients, 418 appointed by general practitioners to the pcHRRS (home-confined ppCOVID-19 cases with negative –group-1- and positive -group-2- x-ray results) and 431 arriving the ED by themselves (group-3). The pcHRRS provided x-rays and oximetry in an only-one-patient agenda for home-confined ppCOVID-19 patients. Radiologists made next-step decisions (group-1: pneumonia-, home-confinement follow-up; group-2: pneumonia+, ED assessment) according to x-rays results. ANOVA and Bonferroni correction, t-student, Kruskal-Wallis, and Chi2 tests were used to analyse changes in the ED workload, time-to-decision differences between groups, and pcHRRS performance for discriminating need for admission. Results The pcHRRS halved ED respiratory patients (49.2%), allowed faster decisions (group-1 vs. home-discharged group-2 and group-3 patients: 0:41±1:05h vs. 3:50±3:16h; group-1 vs. all group-2 and group-3 patients: 0:41±1:05h vs. 5:36±4:36h; group-2 vs. group-3 admitted patients: 5:27±3:08h vs. 7:42±5:02h; P <0.001) and prompted admission in most cases (84/93, 90.3%).Conclusions A Radiology Department pcHRRS may be a more efficient entry-door for ppCOVID-19 by decreasing ED patients and making expedited decisions while guaranteeing social distance.
Ablation of Histone Demethylase KDM5B in Melanoma Augments Anti-Tumor Immunity through Upregulation of Retroelements
Authors: Zhang Shang-Min , Cai Wesley , Liu Xiaoni , Thakral Durga , Micevic Goran , Booth Carmen , Blenman Kim , Jilaveanu Lucia , Damsky William , McGeary Meaghan , Sznol Mario , Kluger Harriet , Iwasaki Akiko , Bosenberg Marcus , Yan Qin 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Epigenetic therapies are emerging strategies to prime host immune system to immunotherapies. Here we show that depletion of H3K4 demethylase KDM5B in melanoma cells induces anti-tumor T cell immunity through up-regulation of retroelements, which activates cytosolic nucleic acid sensing pathways and subsequent type I interferon responses. Mechanistically, KDM5B recruits H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 to the chromatin to repress these retroelements. Ablation of KDM5B enhances responses of poorly immunogenic melanoma tumors to anti PD-1 treatment. Our studies suggest that therapies targeting KDM5B are a novel approach to enhance tumor immunogenicity and overcome immunotherapy resistance.
3S-IoT an Algorithm to make the Network Secured and Smart
Authors: Pant Maneesh , Singh Brij Mohan , Gupta Dharam Vir 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Internet of Things (IoT) evolving and widespread presence has made the lives of all comfortable and handy, while on the other hand posing various challenges, i.e. less efficiency, less security, and high energy drain, threatening smart IoT-based applications. Compared to unicast communication, multicast communication is considered more powerful in group-oriented systems, because transmission takes place using less resources. This is why many of the IoT applications rely on multicast in their transmission. This multicast traffic needs to be handled explicitly for sensitive applications requiring actuator control. Securing multicast traffic by itself is cumbersome as it requires an efficient and flexible Group Key Establishment (GKE) protocol. We propose a three-tier model that can, not only be used to control the IoT, but also to control multicast communications. The architecture is built with a 256-bit keyless encryption technique to protect the authentication to create the network link. Machine learning-based chaotic map key generation is used to protect GKE. Finally, using MD5, the system key is authenticated. The algorithm is checked for energy used, bandwidth, and time taken. The proposed model is applied and evaluated against numerous benchmark attacks such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), Man in the Middle and Fishing.
On the study of the dynamic model of COVID-19 in Wuhan
Authors: You Chong , Gai Xin , Zhang Yuan , Zhou Xiao-Hua 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
The current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has quickly spread across countries and become a global crisis. Understanding the transmission mechanism and effects of interventions is critical to the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent study by Hao et al (2020) provided an interesting perspective on the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in Wuhan and inferred that 87% of the infections before 8 March 2020 were not laboratory-confirmed. However we believe that there are a few major issues due to the vagueness in the definitions of compartments and inconsistence in the settings of parameters. In this paper, we clarify the definitions of the model compartments and raise questions in regard to the underlying homogenous assumption within compartments and settings of the parameters in the dynamic model by Hao et al (2020), and furthermore offer a modified model to resolve these potential limitations. Compared with the model in Hao et al (2020), the active virus carriers were predicted to persist for a longer period in our model which is well consistent with the active virus carriers detected in Wuhan in mid-May. Our model suggests that control measures cannot be easily lifted while continuous efforts are needed to contain the spread of the pandemic; a universal PT-PCR screening is essential to detect hidden cases before lifting control measure. In addition, we also provide a possible solution to solve the problem of heterogeneity transmission rate in disease courses.
Optimum Maternal Healthcare Service Utilization and Infant Mortality in Ethiopia
Authors: Kiross Girmay , Chojenta Catherine , Barker Daniel , Loxton Deborah 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background: Ethiopia has one of the highest rates of infant mortality in the world. Utilization of maternal healthcare during pregnancy, at delivery, and after delivery is critical to reducing the risk of infant mortality. Studies in Ethiopia have shown how infant survival is affected by utilization of maternal healthcare services; however, no studies to date have investigated the effect of optimum utilization of maternal healthcare services based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on infant mortality. Therefore, this study examined the effect of optimum utilization of maternal healthcare services on infant mortality in Ethiopia. Methods: We used nationally representative cross-sectional data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). Sampling weights were applied to adjust for the non-proportional allocation of the sample to the nine regions and two city administrations as well as the sample difference across urban and rural areas. We applied a multivariate logistic regression analysis to estimate the relationship between optimum maternal healthcare service utilization and infant mortality in Ethiopia. Results: The findings from this study showed that optimum maternal healthcare service utilization had a significant association with infant mortality after adjusting for other socioeconomic characteristics. This implies that increased maternal healthcare service utilization decreases the rate of infant mortality in Ethiopia. The main finding from this study indicated that infant mortality was reduced by approximately 66% among mothers who had high utilization of maternal healthcare services compared to mothers who had not utilized maternal healthcare services (AOR=0.34; 95%CI: 0.16-0.75; p-value=0.007). Furthermore, infant mortality was reduced by approximately 46% among mothers who had low utilization of maternal healthcare services compared to mothers who had not utilized any maternal healthcare services (AOR=0.54; 95%CI: 0.31-0.97; p-value=0.040).Conclusions: From this study, we concluded that optimum utilization of maternal healthcare services during pregnancy, at delivery and after delivery might reduce the rate of infant mortality in Ethiopia. The maternal healthcare service intervention packages in Ethiopia should involve a variety of care, spanning pregnancy, childbirth, and post-delivery, which should lead to the improvement of children’s’ survival in their first year of life.
Steam-based thermotherapy for managing nematodes in strawberry transplants
Authors: Khanal Churamani , Gu Mengyi , Peres Natalia A. , Desaeger Johan A. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Aerated steam-based thermotherapy was developed and evaluated for its efficacy in managing three nematode species (Aphelenchoides besseyi, Meloidogyne hapla, and Pratylenchus penetrans) that are often transported as quiescent passengers on strawberry transplants shipped to Florida from out-of-state nurseries. Initial studies were focused on evaluating the intrinsic temperature sensitivity of each nematode species to hot water in laboratory conditions. Each nematode species was exposed to hot water at 40, 44, 48, and 52°C for 1, 5, 10, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min. Exposure for 60 min or higher at 40°C paralyzed all three nematode species when examined immediately after heat treatment. Examination of the nematodes 24 hr post-treatment suggested that 100% mortality of all three nematode species was achieved when nematodes were exposed to hot water at a minimum temperature of 44°C for 120 min. Further studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of aerated steam to kill all three nematode species by exposing nematode-infested strawberry transplants at 44°C for 60, 120, and 240 min. Exposure of nematode inoculated plants to steam for 60 or 120 min reduced the populations of all three nematode species, but this was not enough to completely eradicate any of the three nematode species. Exposure for 240 min, however, was the most effective in reducing the populations of the three nematode species. A 240 min of exposure to aerated steam completely eradicated A. besseyi and M. hapla while P. penetrans populations were reduced only by 85%. Furthermore, the aerated steam had minimal to no adverse effect on plant biomass. Results from both the laboratory and greenhouse studies indicated that M. hapla was more sensitive to heat treatment followed by A. besseyi and P. penetrans. Results from this study suggested that aerated steam-based thermotherapy has good potential as a non-chemical method of management of nematodes of strawberry transplants.
The potential of eugenol as a nematicidal agent against Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitwood
Authors: Nasiou Eleni , Giannakou Ioannis O. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.) are the most destructive plant parasites in vegetable production and their control is very challenging. This study aimed to define the nematicidal activity of eugenol on different life stages at 33.75 to 1,000 ppm doses against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) Chitwood, 1949. This work is the first to report the effect of eugenol on egg differentiation and its vapor and sublethal doses activities. Second-stage juveniles (J2) were dead (99.5-100%) after 48 hr of exposure at a dose of 500 ppm. At this concentration, eugenol inhibited more than 70% nematode hatching. Additionally, the use of eugenol at sublethal doses reduced the number of females per gram in tomato roots in a pot test, and also inhibited egg differentiation. To the contrary, no nematostatic effects were observed in nematode motility bioassays. The phenolic monoterpenoid eugenol described herein merits further study as potential nematicide against the rootknot nematode Meloidogyne javanica.
Cultivation of aerobic granular sludge for the treatment of food-processing wastewater and the impact on membrane filtration properties
Authors: Stes H. , Caluwé M. , Dockx L. , Cornelissen R. , De Langhe P. , Smets I. , Dries J. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
A laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor was operated for approximately 300 days, divided into four periods based on the feeding strategy, to develop stable aerobic granular sludge (AGS) while treating chocolate processing wastewater. Application of a prolonged mixed anaerobic feeding was not sufficient to develop AGS and reach stable reactor performance. Through the application of a partially non-mixed and a partially mixed feeding strategy, the reactor performance was increased and stable AGS formation was established characterized by low diluted sludge volume index (D)SVI DSVI10,30) values of 78 ± 27 mL·g−1 and 52 ± 17 mL·g−1, respectively, and a capillary suction time/mixed liquor suspended solids value of 0.9 sec·(g·L−1)−1. The membrane bioreactor (MBR) filtration tests showed a reduction of the fouling rate (FR) and an increase of the sustainable flux (SF0.5) for AGS compared to flocs treating the same industrial wastewater. The SF0.5 (FR &gt; 0.5 mbar·min−1) for the flocs was 10 L·(m2·h)−1 while for AGS the SF0.5 is higher than 45 L·(m2·h)−1 because the FR did not exceed 0.1 mbar·min−1. Additionally, the AGS showed reduced irreversible fouling tendencies due to pore blocking. Our results underline the need for an increased substrate gradient during anaerobic feeding for the development and long-term maintenance of AGS under minimum wash-out conditions. The AGS–MBR filtration performance also shows strong advantages compared to a floccular MBR system due to a high increase of the SF0.5 and reduced reversible and irreversible fouling.
Prediction Models and Scores in Pulmonary Hypertension: A Review
Authors: Mouratoglou Sophia Anastasia , Bayoumy Ahmed A. , Noordegraaf Anton Vonk 
Published: November 2020

Background::
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious disease with increased morbidity
and mortality. The need for an individualized patient treatment approach necessitates the use of risk assessment
in PAH patients. That may include a range of hemodynamic, clinical, imaging and biochemical parameters derived
from clinical studies and registry data.

Objective::
In the current systematic review, we summarize the available data on risk prognostic models and
scores in PAH and we explore the possible concordance amongst different risk stratification tools in PAH.

Methods::
PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines aided
the performance of this systematic review. Eligible studies were identified through a literature search in the
electronic databases PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Cochrane with the use of various combinations
of MeSH and non-MeSH terms, with a focus on PAH.

Results::
Overall, 25 studies were included in the systematic review; out of them, 9 were studies deriving prognostic
equations and risk scores and 16 were validating studies of an existing score. The majority of risk stratification
scores use hemodynamic data for the assessment of prognosis, while others also include clinical and
demographic variables in their equations. The risk discrimination in the overall PAH population was adequate,
especially in differentiating the low versus high-risk patients, but their discrimination ability in the intermediate
groups remained lower. Current ESC/ERS proposed risk stratification score utilizes a limited number of parameters
with prognostic significance, whose prognostic ability has been validated in European patient populations.

Conclusion::
Despite improvement in risk estimation of prognostic tools of the disease, PAH morbidity and
mortality remain high, necessitating the need for the risk scores to undergo periodic re-evaluation and refinements
to incorporate new data into predictors of disease progression and mortality and, thereby, maintain their
clinical utility.
Injectable In-Situ Forming Depot of Doxycycline Hyclate/α-Cyclodextrin Complex Using PLGA for Periodontitis Treatment: Preparation, Characterization, and In-Vitro Evaluation
Authors: Khodaverdi Elham , Eisvand Farhad , Nezami Mohammad Sina , Shiadeh Seyedeh Nesa Rezaeian , Kamali Hossein , Hadizadeh Farzin 
Published: November 2020

Background:
Doxycycline (DOX) is used in treating a bacterial infection, especially for
periodontitis treatment.

Objective:
To reduce irritation of DOX for subgingival administration and increase the chemical
stability and against enzymatic, the complex of α-cyclodextrin with DOX was prepared and loaded
into injectable in situ forming implant based on PLGA.

Methods:
FTIR, molecular docking studies, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry
was performed to characterize the DOX/α-cyclodextrin complex. Finally, the in-vitro drug release
and modeling, morphological properties, and cellular cytotoxic effects were also evaluated.

Results::
The stability of DOX was improved with complex than pure DOX. The main advantage of
the complex is the almost complete release (96.31 ± 2.56 %) of the drug within 14 days of the implant,
whereas in the formulation containing the pure DOX and the physical mixture the DOX with
α-cyclodextrin release is reached to 70.18 ± 3.61 % and 77.03 ± 3.56 %, respectively. This trend is
due to elevate of DOX stability in the DOX/ α-cyclodextrin complex form within PLGA implant
that confirmed by the results of stability.

Conclusion::
Our results were indicative that the formulation containing DOX/α-cyclodextrin complex
was biocompatible and sustained-release with minimum initial burst release.
Mechanism of Toll-like Receptor 4 on Chronic Post-thoracotomy Pain Via Caspase-1 Activation
Authors: Hu Zhonghua , Liao Juan , Zhang Fan , Qing Wenxiang , Yu Rili , Liao Qin 
Published: November 2020

Objective:
Post-operative chronic post-thoracotomy pain (CPTP) has been linked to restrictions
in mobility and daily activities. However, its potential causes and optimal therapy have
not been well characterized. Here, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Toll-like
receptor 4 (TLR4) in CPTP rats and its underlying mechanism.

Methods:
Initially, rat models of CPTP were established. Then, the mechanical withdrawal threshold
(MWT) was measured after intrathecal injection of TLR4 antagonist (LPS-RS), TLR4 agonist
(LPS-PG), or caspase-1 inhibitor (Ac-YVAD-CMK) in CPTP rats. Levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and
IL-1β in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) were measured by ELISA. TLR4 and caspase-1 were located
by immunofluorescence double staining. TLR4 and caspase-1 levels were assessed by qRT-PCR
and Western blot.

Results:
TLR4 and caspase-1 were up-regulated in SDH of CPTP rats. Compared with Sham and
non-CPTP groups, MWT was effectively decreased while TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in SDH were increased
in CPTP group. Moreover, intrathecal injection of TLR4 antagonist or caspase-1 inhibitor
significantly elevated MWT expression and reduced levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in SDH. Additionally,
high expression of TLR4 promoted mechanical hyperalgesia and inflammatory response,
while intrathecal injection of a mixture of caspase-1 inhibitor and TLR4 agonist reversed
the alleviation of caspase-1 inhibitor on the mechanical hyperalgesia and inflammatory response.
TLR4 and caspase-1 were co-located in neurons.

Conclusion:
TLR4 aggravated CPTP in rats by mediating activation of caspase-1 in SDH.