bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Habitat characterization and insecticide susceptibility profiles of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Ifakara area, south-eastern Tanzania
Authors: Kahamba Najat F. , Limwagu Alex J. , Mapua Salum A. , Msugupakulya Betwel J. , Msaky Dickson S. , Kaindoa Emmanuel W. , Ngowo Halfan S. , Okumu Fredros O. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Aedes-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya constitute constant threats globally. In Tanzania, these diseases are transmitted by Aedes aegypti, which is widely distributed in urban areas, but whose ecology remains poorly-understood in small towns and rural settings. Methods: We surveyed aquatic habitats of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in and around Ifakara, a fast-growing town in south-eastern Tanzania. The area was divided into 200m × 200m search grids and habitats containing immature Aedes were characterized. Field-collected Aedes were tested for susceptibility to common public health insecticides (deltamethrin, permethrin, bendiocarb and pyrimiphos methyl) in dry and rainy seasons.Results: Of 1,515 and 1,933 aquatic habitats examined in dry and rainy seasons respectively, 18.87% and 14.64% contained Aedes immatures (container index (CI): 286-283). In the 2,315 and 2,832 houses visited in dry and rainy seasons, 4.9% and 6.6% had at least one Aedes-positive habitat (house index (HI): 114-186). The main habitat types included: a) used vehicle tires and discarded containers, b) flower pots and clay pots, and c) holes made by residents on trunks of coconut trees to support climbing harvesters. Used tires had highest overall abundance of Aedes immatures, while coconut tree holes had highest densities per habitat. Ae. aegypti adults were susceptible to all tested insecticides in both seasons, except bendiocarb, against which resistance was observed in rainy season.Conclusion: This is the first study on ecology and insecticide susceptibility of Aedes in Ifakara area, and will provide a basis for future studies on its pathogen transmission activities and its control. The high infestation levels observed indicate significant risk of Aedes-borne diseases, requiring immediate action to prevent potential outbreaks in the area. While used tires, discarded containers and flower pots are key habitats for Aedes here, this study also identified coconut harvesting as an important risk factor, and the associated tree-holes as potential targets for Aedes control. Since Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in the area are still susceptible to most insecticides, effective control could combine environmental management, preferably involving communities, habitat removal and insecticide spraying.
Effects of Branched Chain Amino Acids on digestive enzymes secretion from pancreas of dairy cows
Authors: Wang Mengya , Ma Xuan , Wu Donglin , Zhao Xueliang , Shao Kai , Li Ru , Xu Ming 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background : The limited ability of ruminant to digest starch in the small intestine may be attributed to insufficient digestive enzyme activity secreted by the pancreas. The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile) and valine (Val) on digestive enzymes secretion from pancreas collected of Holstein dairy cows by tissue incubation in vitro. Methods: Two experiments were designed in the present study. In experiment 1, Five Holstein dairy cows were slaughtered and pancreatic tissue was removed immediately, rinsed with ice-cold normal saline (0.9% Nacl) and cut into small segments (approximately 2 × 2 mm), which were placed in oxygenated Krebs Ringer bicarbonate buffer (KRB) containing no amino acid (control), leu, Ile or Val (2.62, 5.24 or 10.48 mg/mL). Each treatment was repeated for five times and incubated in a 39°C shaker. KRB and pancreatic tissue samples were collected at 60, 120 and 180 min after the incubation. In experiment 2, Five Holstein dairy cows were slaughtered and the pancreatic tissue was immediately removed and treated, which were placed in KRB containing no amino acid (control), leu, Ile or Val (5.24 mg/mL) for incubation 60 min. Results : In experiment 1, The activity of pancreatic α-amylase were increased by Leu ( P < 0.01), Ile ( P < 0.01) or Val ( P = 0.06). Compared with the control group, Leu ( P < 0.05) or Ile ( P < 0.05) could linearly increase the activity of trypsin, but Val ( P > 0.05) had no effect on the trypsin activity. Neither Leu or Val had no influence on the activity of chymotrypsin ( P > 0.05). However, chymotrypsin activity decreased linearly with the increase of the Ile concentration at incubation time 180 min ( P < 0.01). Lipase activity were reduced linearly by Val ( P < 0.05 ). In experiment 2, Leu and Val markedly increased α-amylase activity ( P < 0.05), decreased lipase activity ( P < 0.05). The activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin were not affected by the three amino acids ( P > 0.05), and there was no interaction among them ( P > 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that Leu, Ile and Val can stimulate the secretion of pancreatic enzymes in vitro, especially α-amylase. There was no interaction between the three amino acids on the activities of α-amylase, trypsin and chymotrypsin.
Geographic information system based malaria risk analysis and mapping in Erer District eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Amare Maereg Teklay A , kassa Gebrehiwot Gebretsadik , Gebre Esie G/wahid , Abay Abadi , yimer Mekonen , Menkir Sisay , Merid Melkamu 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Erer is one of the districts in Ethiopia where the first malaria transmission season occurs. Although the focus on malaria research has increasingly gained ground, little emphasis has been given to develop quantitative methods for assessing malaria hazard and risk in a temporal and spatial perspective. Objective: To characterize and examine the temporal and spatial malaria trend. The research also aims at producing a predictive model of malaria hazard and risk in Erer district. Methods: In this study a cross sectional research design was used. It was carried out through the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data about the nature of malaria and household’s response towards it. A multi-stage sampling method was used and 136 sample size was determined from the sampling frame of 6203 households. Simple descriptive analysis technique was used to determine the malaria trend of the district. Integration of Geographic information system and analytic hierarchy process was used to determine the weight of each factor pair wise comparison and weighted linear combination was used to aggregate and produce the hazard and malaria risk maps. Results: Results have shown that 19.92%, 27.96%, 32.35%, 18.93% and 0.82% of the district was very high, high, moderate, low and very low malaria risk areas respectively. The malaria trend of the area was found to be variable across time with 2014 the peak year while the minimum case observed was in 2016. Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that risk maps are important for estimating the scale of the risk, and enable detection of high risk areas, thus facilitating decision making and policy formulation for enhanced malaria control interventions. Key words: Analytic Hierarchy Process; Malaria risk; Malaria trend; Weighted overlay
Curcumin nanomicelle versus curcumin improves lipid profile, stress oxidative factors and inflammatory markers in patients undergoing coronary elective angioplasty; A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Helli Bijan , Gerami Hadis , Kavianpour Maria , Heybar Habib , Hosseini Seyed Kianoosh , haghighian Hossein Khadem 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Curcumin exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study, assess and compare curcumin and nano- curcumin effects on lipid profile, oxidative stress index and inflammatory factors of heart patients.Methods: This Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial conducted on 90 patients undergoing coronary elective angioplasty. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups. The first group received a 500 mg capsule of curcumin daily. The second group received an 80 mg capsule of nano- curcumin daily. The placebo group also received capsules similar to curcumin for 8 weeks. Lipid profile, stress oxidative factors and inflammatory markers measured in baseline and end of the investigation.Results: At the end of study, statistically significant changes was seen in the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) in the intervention groups to the control group (p<0.05). These changes in the nano-curcumin group were greater than the curcumin group. Curcumin and nano-curcumin supplementation also caused a statistically significant improvement in plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in comparison to the placebo (p<0.05).Conclusion: Complementary therapy of cardiovascular patients with curcumin and nano-curcumin supplements, could improve lipid profile, stress oxidative index and, inflammatory factors. The effects of curcumin on nano formula may be better for cardiac patients due to high bioavailability. However, further investigation is suggested in this regard.
The extended recovery ring-stage survival assay provides superior prediction of patient clearance half-life and increases throughput
Authors: Davis Sage Z. , Singh Puspendra P. , Vendrely Katelyn M. , Shoue Douglas A. , Checkley Lisa A. , McDew-White Marina , Button-Simons Katrina A. , Cassady Zione , Sievert Mackenzie A.C. , Foster Gabriel J. , Nosten François H. , Anderson Timothy J.C. , Ferdig Michael T. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background Tracking and understanding artemisinin resistance is key for preventing global setbacks in malaria eradication efforts. The ring-stage survival assay (RSA) is the current gold standard for in vitro artemisinin resistance phenotyping. However, the RSA has several drawbacks: it is relatively low throughput, has high variance due to microscopy readout, and correlates poorly with the current benchmark for in vivo resistance, patient clearance half-life post-artemisinin treatment. Here a modified RSA is presented, the extended Recovery Ring-stage Survival Assay (eRRSA), using 15 cloned patient isolates from Southeast Asia with a range of patient clearance half-lives, including parasite isolates with and without kelch13 mutations. Methods P. falciparum cultures were synchronized with single layer Percoll during the schizont stage of the erythrocytic cycle. Cultures were left to reinvade to early ring-stage and parasitemia was quantified using flow cytometry. Cultures were diluted to 2% hematocrit and 0.5% parasitemia in a 96-well plate to start the assay, allowing for increased throughput and decreased variability between biological replicates. Parasites were treated with 700nM of dihydroartemisinin or an equivalent amount of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 6 h, washed three times in drug-free media, and incubated for 66 or 114 h, when samples were collected and frozen for PCR amplification. A SYBR Green-based quantitative PCR method was used to quantify the fold-change between treated and untreated samples. Results 15 cloned patient isolates from Southeast Asia with a range of patient clearance half-lives were assayed using the eRRSA. Due to the large number of pyknotic and dying parasites at 66 h post-exposure (72 h sample), parasites were grown for an additional cell cycle (114 h post-exposure, 120 h sample), which drastically improved correlation with patient clearance half-life compared to the 66 h post-exposure sample. A Spearman correlation of 0.8393 between fold change and patient clearance half-life was identified in these 15 isolates from Southeast Asia, which is the strongest correlation reported to date. Conclusions eRRSA drastically increases the efficiency and accuracy of in vitro artemisinin resistance phenotyping compared to the traditional RSA, which paves the way for extensive in vitro phenotyping of hundreds of artemisinin resistant parasites.
Beliefs and misconceptions about contraception and condom use among adolescents in south-east Nigeria
Authors: Mbachu Chinyere Ojiugo , Agu Ifunanya Clara , Obayi Chinonso , Eze Irene , Ezumah Nkoli , Onwujekwe Obinna 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Misconceptions about the usefulness of condoms and other contraceptives in preventing unwanted teenage pregnancies and sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) among unmarried adolescents, still expose many adolescents to the risk of both conditions due to certain misconceptions. This study explored beliefs and misconceptions about condoms and other contraceptives among adolescents in Ebonyi state, south-east Nigeria. Method: A qualitative study was undertaken in six local government areas in Ebonyi state, southeast Nigeria. Data was collected within a period of one month from in and out-of-school adolescents aged 13 to 18 years using twelve focus group discussions (FGD). The data was analyzed using the thematic framework approach. Result: Majority of the adolescents were knowledgeable about methods of contraception, how they are used and their modes of action. They were also knowledgeable about the dual effects of condoms for prevention of pregnancy and STIs. However, some misconceptions that were expressed by some adolescents were that pregnancy could be prevented by the use of i) hard drugs, ii) laxatives, iii) white chlorine, and iv) boiled alcoholic beverages. Condoms were described by some adolescent boys as reusable. Condoms were also perceived by some adolescents to reduce sexual pleasure, and this opinion was mostly held by boys. Coitus interruptus (withdrawal method) was therefore considered more preferable than condoms for prevention of pregnancy. Conclusion: Although majority adolescents have knowledge about contraception and condom use, some misconceptions still persist. These misconceptions put many adolescents at increased risk for pregnancy and STIs which are detrimental to their health and wellbeing. Concerted efforts should be made through educational and behavior change interventions in schools and within communities to debunk persisting misconceptions about contraception, and properly educate adolescents on safe sex practices. Keywords: Misconceptions, Contraceptives, Condom, Adolescent, Sexual behaviors
Effects of experimental periodontitis on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells in rats
Authors: Huang Yan Li , Cheng Le Da , Fan Ya Jie , Wang Yi , Zhu Baoyu , Li Rui 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background and Objective: The application of ASCs in periodontal regeneration is a good choice. Inflammatory micro-environment influenced the proliferation, mobilization, and osteogenic differentiation of ASCs in vitro.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of experiment periodontitis on the proliferation, wound healing and osteogenesis markers of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in rats. Materials and methods: Ten male rats were divided into two groups randomly. The control (Con) group received a standard diet, and the periodontitis (Peri) group was received a standard diet with placing ligatures around the maxillary first molar. Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-a) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were tested by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The proliferation rate of ASCs was measured through Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The migration speed of stem cells was evaluated by using a wound healing assay. The expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) and runt related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) was evaluated by qRT-PCR analysis and western blot. Graph Pad Primer 7.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results: After 4 weeks, periodontitis model was successfully constructed. The results of IHC and RT-PCR found that in the Peri group, the TNF-a and IL-1β levels of adipose tissues decreased compared with the Con group (P<0.05). The proliferation of Peri-ASCs significantly increased compared with Con-ASCs. Moreover, the wound healing ability of Peri-ASCs gradually increased in a time dependent manner compared with Con-ASCs. Results of RT-PCR showed that ALP and BMP2 gene levels of Peri-ASCs significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the Runx2 gene level in Peri-ASCs was increased, when compared to Con-ASCs. The ALP activity of Peri-ASCs was decreased compared to the Con-ASCs, especially the difference was significant at day 5 day (P<0.01). Western blot results showed that ALP, Runx2 and BMP2 protein levels of Peri-ASCs were significantly lower than those in Con-ASCs after osteogenic induction. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that experiment periodontitis decreased the expression of TNF-a and IL-1β in adipose tissue in rats. Experiment periodontitis promoted the proliferation and wound-healing ability of ASCs, but obviously inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of ASCs.
Functional analysis of miRNA-146b during myotube differentiation in chicken myoblasts
Authors: Lee Jeong Hyo , Kim Seo Woo , Han Ji Seon , Shin Seung Pyo , Lee Sang In , Park Tae Sub 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
In poultry industry as well as livestock, the precise genetic information is being required for improving the economic traits. Thus, functional genomic studies are widely conducted to build the genetic and genomic information for faster, healthier and more-efficient animal production. Especially, chicken myoblast cells which are required to muscle development and regeneration are important because chicken growth performance is closely related to muscle mass. In this study, we induced expression of microRNA-146b (miR-146b) mediated by piggyBac transposon system in chicken myoblast (pCM cells). Subsequently, we analyzed and compared the proliferation and differentiation capacity, and also examined the expression patterns of related genes between regular pCM (rpCM) cells and miR-146b overexpressing pCM (pCM-146b OE) cells. The overexpression of miR-146b showed that the increased proliferation and up-regulated gene expression related to cell proliferation. In addition, the next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis were performed to compare the global gene expression patterns between rpCM cells and pCM-146b OE cells. We found that the higher proliferation rate of pCM-146b OE cells resulted from up-regulation of the cell cycle related gene sets. Moreover, miR-146b overexpression indicated that inhibitory effect of myotube differentiation in chicken myoblast cells. Collectively, these results demonstrated that miR-146b is closely related to proliferation and differentiation of chicken myogenic cells as a modulator of post-transcription.
The correlation between serum Ca-125 level and clinical pregnancy in in vitro fertilization (IVF): A meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Xin-Lei , Li Zhuo , Zhang Han , Shi Ce , Tong Tong , Liu Rui-Zhi , xi qi 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background Several studies had investigated the role of serum Ca-125 in clinical pregnancy of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF); however, their conclusions had been inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between serum Ca-125 level and clinical pregnancy in IVF.Methods We systematically review the studies in the databases of Mediline OvidSP, EMBASE OvidSP and Cochrane (CENTRAL Central Register of Controlled Trials). Studies on the correlation between serum Ca-125 level and clinical pregnancy in patients underging IVF with or without Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were considered. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was used in the analysis.Results Seven studies involving 558 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the serum Ca-125 level before embryo transfer (ET) between clinical pregnant group and nonpregnant group (SMD 0.72; 95% CI [0.01, 1.43], P = 0.05, I 2 = 88%), and the same conclusion was also reached in patients without endometriosis (SMD 0.31; 95% CI [-0.53, 1.16], P = 0.47, I 2 = 89%); However, after embryo transfer, the result showed that the Ca-125 level has a small but significantly increase in the clinical pregnant group than in the nonpregnant group (SMD 0.39; 95% CI [0.09, 0.69], P = 0.01, I 2 = 0%).Conclusions Berore ET, there was no significant correlation between serum Ca-125 level and clinical pregnancy in IVF; After ET, the Ca-125 level has a small but significantly increase in the clinical pregnant group than in the nonpregnant group, and it might reflect a successful interaction between the embryo and the endometrium in that time period.
The Bifunctional Enzyme, GenB4, Catalyzes the Last Step of Gentamicin 3’,4’-Di-Deoxygenation via Reduction and Transamination Activities
Authors: Chen Xiaotang , Zhang Hui , Zhou Shaotong , Bi Mingjun , Qi Shizhou , Gao Huiyuan , Ni Xianpu , Xia Huanzhang 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
BackgroundNew semi-synthetic aminoglycoside antibiotics generally use chemical modifications to avoid inactivity from pathogens. One of the most used modifications is 3’,4’-di-deoxygenation, which imitates the structure of gentamicin. However, the mechanism of di-deoxygenation has not been clearly elucidated. ResultsHere, we report that the bifunctional enzyme, GenB4, catalyzes the last step of gentamicin 3’,4’-di-deoxygenation via reduction and transamination activities. Following disruption of genB4 in wild-typeM. echinospora, its products accumulated in 6’-deamino-6’-oxoverdamicin (1), verdamicin C2a (2), and its epimer, verdamicin C2 (3). Following disruption of genB4 in M. echinospora △genK, its products accumulated in sisomicin (4) and 6’-N-methylsisomicin (5, G-52). Following in vitro catalytic reactions, GenB4 transformed sisomicin (4) to gentamicin C1a (9) and transformed verdamicin C2a (2) and its epimer, verdamicin C2 (3), to gentamicin C2a (11) and gentamicin C2 (12), respectively. Conclusion﻿This finding indicated that in addition to its transamination activity, GenB4 exhibits specific 4’,5’ double-bond reducing activity and is responsible for the last step of gentamicin 3’,4’-di-deoxygenation. Taken together, we propose three new intermediates that may refine and supplement the specific biosynthetic pathway of gentamicin C components and lay the foundation for the complete elucidation of di-deoxygenation mechanisms.