bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utility of serological biomarker’ panels for diagnostic accuracy of interstitial lung diseases
Authors: Bergantini Laura , d’Alessandro Miriana , Vietri Lucia , Rana Giuseppe Domenico , Cameli Paolo , Acerra Silvia , Sestini Piersante , Bargagli Elena 
Published: October 2020

AbstractInterstitial lung diseases (ILD) are a heterogeneous group of illnesses of known and unknown aetiology. Differential diagnosis among the three disorders is often challenging. Specific biomarkers with good sensitivity and specificity are therefore needed to predict clinical outcome and guide clinical decisions. The aim of this study was to investigate inflammatory/fibrotic biomarkers, to determine whether single mediators or panels of mediators could be useful to stratify patients into three distinct domains: sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (cHP). A total of 163 ILD patients monitored at Siena Referral Centre for Sarcoidosis and other Interstitial Lung Diseases were enrolled in the study. Clinical data, pulmonary function tests and biochemical analytes were retrospectively collected. SAA levels were detected by ELISA kit and Krebs von den Lungen 6 (KL-6) were measured by CLEIA method, for sarcoidosis, cHP and IPF patients. Multiple comparison analysis showed significant differences in C reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC) and creatinine levels between the three groups. In the logistic regression model, KL-6, CRP and WBC showed areas under curves (AUC) 0.86, for sarcoidosis diagnosis. The logistic regression model KL-6 and SAA showed the best performance with an AUC 0.81 for discriminating IPF than cHP and sarcoidosis. For differential diagnosis of IPF and cHP, KL-6 and SAA were considered in the logistic regression model, showed an AUC 0.79. The combination of serum biomarkers proposed here offers insights into the pathobiology of ILDs. These panels of bioindicators will improve diagnostic accuracy and will be useful in the clinical management of ILDs.
Dentists Behavioral Factors Influencing Early Detection of Oral Cancer: Direct Clinical Observational Study
Authors: Jafer Mohammed , Crutzen Rik , Halboub Esam , Moafa Ibtisam , van den Borne Bart , Bajonaid Amal , Jafer Alhassen , Hedad Ismaeel 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the possible factors affecting dentists’ behavior relating to performing oral cancer examinations as part of routine clinical examination. A total of 95 direct clinical observation sessions—utilizing an instrument consisting of 19 evidence-based observational criteria for oral cancer examinations—were observed by four calibrated dentists. Thirty-two final-year students, 32 interns, and 31 faculty members of Jazan Dental School were examined between April 9 and May 4, 2017. A descriptive analysis was conducted to investigate the frequencies/percentages of the performed observing criteria by all examiners. ANOVA and Tukey tests were carried out to investigate the difference between the examiner groups. A total number of 32 patients participated in the study, whereby each patient was examined by three different examiners from each group, as well as by the attending observer/s. Fewer than 50% of the examiners performed the clinical steps necessary for an oral cancer examination—for example, taking into account past medical history, as well as extra and intra-oral examinations. More than 90% of the examiners examined hard tissue, whereas fewer than 30% of them educated their patients about possible risk factors. A significant difference between examiner groups was found in favor of faculty members. A gap between knowledge and actual practice of oral cancer examinations was evident: majority of participants failed to perform the necessary steps for an oral cancer examination. Previous experience and confidence in performing oral cancer examination are possible explanations for the dentist’s behavior toward oral cancer examination.
Phytohormone release by three isolated lichen mycobionts and the effects of indole-3-acetic acid on their compatible photobionts
Authors: Pichler Gregor , Stöggl Wolfgang , Trippel Daniela , Candotto Carniel Fabio , Muggia Lucia , Ametrano Claudio Gennaro , Çimen Tuğçe , Holzinger Andreas , Tretiach Mauro , Kranner Ilse 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEvidence is emerging that phytohormones represent key inter-kingdom signalling compounds supporting chemical communication between plants, fungi and bacteria. The roles of phytohormones for the lichen symbiosis are poorly understood, particularly in the process of lichenization, i.e. the key events which lead free-living microalgae and fungi to recognize each other, make physical contact and start developing a lichen thallus. Here, we studied cellular and extracellularly released phytohormones in three lichen mycobionts, Cladonia grayi, Xanthoria parietina and Tephromela atra, grown on solid medium, and the effects of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on their respective photobionts, Asterochloris glomerata, Trebouxia decolorans, Trebouxia sp. Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) we found that mycobionts produced IAA, salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA). IAA represented the most abundant phytohormone produced and released by all mycobionts, whereas SA was released by X. parietina and T. atra, and JA was released by C. grayi only. With a half-life of 5.2 days, IAA degraded exponentially in solid BBM in dim light. When IAA was exogenously offered to the mycobionts’ compatible photobionts at “physiological” concentrations (as released by their respective mycobionts and accumulated in the medium over seven days), the photobionts’ water contents increased up to 4.4%. Treatment with IAA had no effects on the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, dry mass, and the contents of photosynthetic pigments and α-tocopherol of the photobionts. The data presented may be useful for designing studies aimed at elucidating the roles of phytohormones in lichens.
Treatment of produced water from Niger Delta oil fields using simultaneous mixture of local materials
Authors: Udeagbara S. G. , Isehunwa S. O. , Okereke N. U. , Oguamah I. U. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractProduced water (PW) from petroleum reservoirs often contains heavy metals and other contaminants that are harmful to the environment. Most of the commonly used treatment techniques have been reported to be ineffective in reducing some of the contaminants’ concentrations to recommended disposal levels. This study evaluated the effectiveness of four selected bio-adsorbents combined for treating PW from Niger Delta oil fields. In this study, orange peels (I), banana peels (II), sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica) (III) and palm kernel fibers (IV) were washed with distilled water, sun-dried (24 h) and dried in the oven at 105 ± 5 °C (3 h, I and II), 150 °C (30 min, III) and 80 °C (3 h, IV). They were ground into powder, sieved (150 μ, Group A) and (300 μ, Group B), washed with 0.4 mol/L HNO3, filtered and rinsed with distilled water. Samples of PW were obtained from fields R, X, and Y in the Niger Delta and analysed for heavy metals using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Samples were treated in adsorption column over 6 h using the adsorbents simultaneously. Treated samples were analysed with AAS and characterised. Adsorption of heavy metals were assessed using Langmuir and Freundlich models. Data were analysed using regression and other statistical methods. For the 150 μ size of sample R, the percentage reductions for the metal concentrations (Pb, Ni, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Cr, Zn, Mn, Ca, Ar, B, Sn and Ba) were found to be 100%, 52.7%, 100%, 100%, 85.87%, 19.48%, 100%, 92.8%, 17.74%, 98.86%, 22.32%, 29.56%, 78.06% and 44.74%, respectively, while the reduction in 300 μ size were 1.52%, 97.2%, 71.4%, 17.1%, 43.8%, 45.6%, 7.04%, 89.6%, 35.4%, 99.6%, 0.0001%, 1.19%, 14.19% and 0.002%, respectively. The finer adsorbents were more effective. Similar results were obtained for PW samples from the other fields. Produced water from Niger Delta oil fields was effectively treated of contaminants using four selected bio-adsorbents mixed simultaneously.
Service Quality of Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit: Passengers’ Views and Perspectives
Authors: Obsie Adane , Woldeamanuel Mintesnot , Woldetensae Berhanu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the service quality of public transportation based on users’ perception is an important input for local governments and transit service providers in their planning efforts to improve system performance. Using the Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AALRT) as a case, this study aims to examine service users' views and perspectives by using 18 quality attributes. Factor analysis and ordered logit model were employed for this study. Factor analysis with principal components was used to extract the most important factors of satisfaction from the 18 attributes. The results showed that safety and security, ticketing system, travel information, crowdedness, frequency, cleanliness, and comfort are the most important factors influencing user satisfaction. The level of importance of these factors varies depending on different socioeconomic and travel characteristics of AALRT users. Riders who use the light rail at afternoon peak hours, have high household income and short travel duration, and use LRT for shopping purposes have a negative perception regarding the crowdedness, frequency, ticketing, and information system of the AALRT. Passengers with longer travel distance, those who use the AALRT frequently, and full- or part-time workers and students have a positive perception towards several attributes of the system.
Nikolaus Rungius: Lifestyle and Status of an Early Seventeenth-Century Northern Finnish Vicar
Authors: Väre Tiina , Lipkin Sanna , Suomela Jenni A. , Vajanto Krista 
Published: October 2020

AbstractVicar Nikolaus Rungius’s (ca. 1560–1629) mummified remains have been the subject of research that has provided a wide variety of information on his life. This article examines the ways Rungius’s health and lifestyle highlight his status as a vicar, and this status is visible in his burial and funerary clothing. He was a relatively large man for his time. CT scans even include indications of certain conditions related to being overweight. Likewise, stable-isotope analyses of his nail keratin support the hypothesis that he was consuming a rather heavy, protein-rich diet. Given his status as the vicar of Kemi parish in northern Finland, he likely made sumptuous use of the rich local natural resources of fish, game, and domestic animals as part of his regular diet. In addition to his diet and health, the vicar’s high-quality clothes, while fragmentary, also open an avenue to extend the exploration of his social status and wealth.
Conventional bitewing radiography
Authors: Schwendicke Falk , Göstemeyer Gerd 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAccurate detection and diagnosis of carious lesions is the prerequisite for application of the most effective caries management approach. However, the accuracy of proximal caries detection using visual-tactile assessment is limited. Additional diagnostic measures should therefore be performed to increase the validity of the diagnosis. Amongst various caries detection aids available, bitewing radiographs remain the gold standard for detection of proximal caries lesions. Here we describe a method for caries diagnosis using standardized bitewing holders. With this method the bitewing holders can be placed more precisely and reproducibly in the oral cavity. This approach increases accuracy of bitewing radiographs, which, due to the reproducible placement of the x-ray film, allows for monitoring of carious lesions long term.
Coping with dynamical reaction system topologies using deterministic P modules: a case study of photosynthesis
Authors: Hinze Thomas 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe topology of chemical reaction networks is commonly treated as a static structure. This might be sufficient if substrate concentrations and kinetic parameter values exclusively determine the behaviour of all considered reactions. In contrast, numerous phenomena observed in life sciences imply a different nature by dynamical composition of reaction schemes. Single reactions or functional groups of reactions (modules) become activated or deactivated by external signals such as light intensity while the system is in operation. In other scenarios, reactions emerge or disappear while modules can connect to each other or disconnect due to presence or absence of corresponding trigger signals. We capture dynamical reaction network structures by an extended version of deterministic P modules with evaluation of trigger signals which facilitates detailed in-silico simulation studies and hence an easier understanding and prediction of complex biological systems. A case study dedicated to photosynthesis in plants demonstrates its usefulness beyond pure employment of ordinary differential equations by consideration of events, non-differentiable external trigger signals, and thresholds which collaterally modify the underlying reaction scheme.
iLBE for Computational Identification of Linear B-Cell Epitopes by Integrating Sequence and Evolutionary Features
Authors: Hasan Md. Mehedi , Khatun Mst. Shamima , Kurata Hiroyuki 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Linear B-cell epitopes are critically important for immunological applications, such as vaccine design, immunodiagnostic test, and antibody production, as well as disease diagnosis and therapy. The accurate identification of linear B-cell epitopes remains challenging despite several decades of research. In this work, we have developed a novel predictor, Identification of Linear B-cell Epitope (iLBE), by integrating evolutionary and sequence-based features. The successive feature vectors were optimized by a Wilcoxon-rank sum test. Then the random forest (RF) algorithm using the optimal consecutive feature vectors was applied to predict linear B-cell epitopes. We combined the RF scores by the logistic regression to enhance the prediction accuracy. iLBE yielded an area under curve score of 0.809 on the training dataset and outperformed other prediction models on a comprehensive independent dataset. iLBE is a powerful computational tool to identify the linear B-cell epitopes and would help to develop penetrating diagnostic tests. A web application with curated datasets for iLBE is freely accessible at http://kurata14.bio.kyutech.ac.jp/iLBE/.
Psychological Impairment and Coping Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Students in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Salman Muhammad , Asif Noman , Mustafa Zia Ul , Khan Tahir Mehmood , Shehzadi Naureen , Tahir Humera , Raza Muhammad Husnnain , Khan Muhammad Tanveer , Hussain Khalid , Khan Yusra Habib , Butt Muhammad Hammad , Mallhi Tauqeer Hussain 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTHigh levels of stress are expected when crises affect people’s lives. Therefore, this Web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among university students from Pakistan to investigate the psychological impairment and coping strategies during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Google Forms were used to disseminate the online questionnaire to assess anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and coping strategies (Brief-COPE). A total of 1134 responses (age, 21.7 ± 3.5 y) were included. The frequency of students having moderate-severe anxiety and depression (score ≥ 10) were ≈ 34% and 45%, respectively. The respondents’ aged ≥ 31 y had significantly lower depression score than those ≤ 20 y (P = 0.047). Males had significantly less anxiety (6.62 ± 5.70 vs 7.84 ± 5.60; P = 0.001) and depression (8.73 ± 6.84 vs 9.71 ± 7.06; P = 0.031) scores. Those having family members, friends, or acquaintances infected with disease had significantly higher anxiety scores (8.89 ± 5.74 vs 7.09 ± 5.56; P < 0.001). Regarding coping strategies, the majority of respondents were found to have adopted religious/spiritual coping (6.45 ± 1.68) followed by acceptance (5.58 ± 1.65), self-distraction (4.97 ± 1.61), and active coping (4.81 ± 1.57). In conclusion, COVID-19 caused significant impairment on mental health of the students. The most frequent coping strategies adopted by students were religious/spiritual and acceptance coping. During epidemics, mental health of students should not be neglected.
Management of Mass Death in COVID-19 Pandemic in an Indian Perspective
Authors: Swain Rajanikanta , Sahoo Jyotiranajan , Biswal Sudhanshu P. , Sikary Asit K. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCurrent international experience has shown the vulnerability of health-care systems of developed nations, and of developing nations such as India, to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 pandemic is a disaster with mass casualties. International experience has revealed that, even in the countries where mass disasters are less frequent and not involved in conflicts, they are overwhelmed with COVID-19 deaths. Although, in the current scenario with fewer deaths, India’s health-care system can handle the situation of COVID-19 but should be prepared for the worst in terms of appropriate management, and adequate infection prevention measures including handling the dead without hampering the dignity of the deceased and of the surviving family. Before any crisis overwhelms responders and resources, emergency response plans should be established and activated to ensure the reliable identification and documentation of the dead. The current review was carried out to recommend the proper management of dead bodies in the COVID-19 mass disaster with a particular focus on resource-poor countries, such as India.
COVID-19 Result Follow-Up Process in the Pediatric Emergency Department Setting
Authors: Newman Shaina , Simpson Joelle , Perritt Ashley , Morrison Sephora , Berkowitz Deena , Brown Kathleen , Goodwin Tress 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic upended the world. As emergency departments and hospitals across the nation and world braced themselves for the surge of this new disease, the emergency department (ED) at Children’s National Hospital (CNH) quickly created a process to address surges in patient visits and follow-ups for coronavirus testing. Within 2 wk of the first reported pediatric patient diagnosed with COVID-19 in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, CNH ED implemented a new comprehensive follow-up process. This article describes the novel process that ensured timely notification of testing results, enabled patients to speak remotely with ED providers, increased patient and staff safety by reducing unnecessary exposures, and suggested a good patient experience. With over 1900 patients discharged pending their COVID-19 results, the program is successful. We anticipate expansion into antibody testing and notification as the pandemic progresses.
Associations of the dietary World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) recommendations with patient-reported outcomes in colorectal cancer survivors 2–10 years post-diagnosis: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Kenkhuis Marlou-Floor , van der Linden Bernadette W. A. , Breedveld-Peters Jose J. L. , Koole Janna L. , van Roekel Eline H. , Breukink Stéphanie O. , Mols Floortje , Weijenberg Matty P. , Bours Martijn J. L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) advise cancer survivors to follow their lifestyle recommendations for cancer prevention. Adhering to these recommendations may have beneficial effects on patient-reported outcomes after a cancer diagnosis, but evidence is scarce. We aimed to assess associations of the individual dietary WCRF/AICR recommendations regarding fruit and vegetables, fibre, fast foods, red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened drinks and alcohol consumption with patient-reported outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. Cross-sectional data of 150 stage I–III CRC survivors, 2–10 years post-diagnosis, were used. Dietary intake was measured by 7-d dietary records. Validated questionnaires were used to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL), fatigue and neuropathy. Confounder-adjusted linear regression models were used to analyse associations of each WCRF/AICR dietary recommendation with patient-reported outcomes. Higher vegetable intake (per 50 g) was associated with better global QoL (β 2·6; 95 % CI 0·6, 4·7), better physical functioning (3·3; 1·2, 5·5) and lower levels of fatigue (−4·5; −7·6, −1·4). Higher fruit and vegetables intake (per 100 g) was associated with better physical functioning (3·2; 0·8, 5·5) and higher intake of energy-dense food (per 100 kJ/100 g) with worse physical functioning (−4·2; −7·1, −1·2). No associations of dietary recommendations with neuropathy were found. These findings suggest that adhering to specific dietary WCRF/AICR recommendations is associated with better HRQoL and less fatigue in CRC survivors. Although the recommendations regarding healthy dietary habits may be beneficial for the well-being of CRC survivors, longitudinal research is warranted to gain insight into the direction of associations.
The Making of a Periphery: A Response
Authors: Bosma Ulbe 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis rejoinder is part of the round table discussion on the book The Making of a Periphery: How Island Southeast Asia Became a Mass Exporter of Labor. It pays tribute to the development economist and Nobel Prize winner Arthur W. Lewis, who studied the predicaments of plantation societies. The rejoinder addresses critical observations made about the above-mentioned book by Elise van Nederveen Meerkerk, Pim de Zwart, Corey Ross, and Alberto Alonso-Fradejas. It underscores the importance of the role of demography and long histories of labour coercion to explain processes of peripheralization and mass emigration. It also points out the limits of classical development economics, namely a relative neglect of the ecological damage attending plantation exploitation. The commodity frontier approach is suggested as a way to address this shortcoming.
Diversity, distribution and changes in communities of fleas on small mammals along the elevational gradient from the Pannonian Plain to the Carpathian Mountains
Authors: Baláž Ivan , Ševčík Michal , Tulis Filip , Zigová Martina , Dudich Alexander 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe causal chain of parasite–host–environment interactions, the so-called ‘dual parasite environment’, makes studying parasites more complicated than other wild organisms. A sample of 65 282 fleas taken from 336 different locations were analysed for changes in the distribution, diversity and compensation of flea communities found on small mammals along an elevational diversity gradient ranging from the Pannonian Plain to the base of the Carpathian summits. The fleas were divided into four groups, which were derived from changes in abundance and occurrence determined from cluster analysis. They are (1) flea species whose range seems unrelated to any change in elevation; (2) species that avoid high altitudes; (3) a group that can be subdivided into two types: (i) host-specific fleas and (ii) mountains species and (4) species opting for high altitudes on the gradient or preferring lower to middle elevations below 1000 m. Our study showed a unimodal pattern of flea diversity along the elevational gradient. It indicated that seasonality significantly conditions changes in biodiversity and patterns of spatial change along the elevational gradient, with specific flea species influenced by their host, while the impact of environmental conditions is more pronounced in opportunistic flea species.