bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in Health-Related Quality of Life Before and After a 12-month Enhanced Primary Care Model Among Chronically Ill Primary Care Patients in Australia.
Authors: John James , Tannous Kathy , Jones Amanda 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Purpose: Evidence suggests that Patient-centred Medical Home (PCMH) model facilitates person-centred care and improves health-related quality of life for patients with chronic illness. This study aims to evaluate changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), before and after enrolment into a 12-month integrated care program called ‘WellNet’. Methods: This study includes 616 eligible consented patients aged 40 years and above with one or more chronic conditions from six general practices in Sydney, Australia. The WellNet program included a team of general practitioners (GPs) and specially trained chronic disease management (CDM) clinical coordinators (CCs) providing patient-tailored CDM plans configured to individual risk and complexity. HRQoL was recorded using the validated EuroQol EQ-5D-5L instrument. A case-series study design with repeated measures ANCOVA was used to assess changes in EQ-5D index scores after controlling for baseline covariates. Per-protocol analysis and imputed model, the latter using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm of multiple imputation were analysed. A backward stepwise multivariate linear regression models were conducted to determine predictors of EQ-5D index scores at follow-up. In addition to EQ-5D instrument, a supplementary analysis was carried out with use of the short versions of Knee and/or Hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome scores (KOOS and HOOS) reported by patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Results: Out of 616 patients, 417 (69%) reported EQ-5D scores at follow-up. Almost half (48%) of the WellNet patients reported improved EQ-5D index scores at follow-up. After controlling for baseline covariates, the adjusted mean difference was statistically significant whilst also meeting the bare minimal clinically important difference (MCID) with a change of 0.03 (95% CI 0.01, 0.05). However, the imputed model failed to meet statistical significance. The multivariate regression models determined that baseline EQ-5D scores, positive diagnosis of a respiratory illness, and private health insurance status were significant predictors of HRQoL at follow-up. There were significant improvements across both KOOS and HOOS assessments, specifically, the pain and symptom scores in both scales met statistical significance in addition to meeting the MCID.Conclusion: Patient-tailored CDM plans designed by team of GPs and CDM clinical coordinators could lead to better HRQoL among primary care patients.
Topographic Shifts in Functional Connectivity and Reduced Lateralization in 16p11.2 Deletion Carriers: A Genetics-First Approach to Understanding Autism
Authors: QURESHI ABID Y , Nielsen Jared A. , Sepulcre Jorge 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: The study of autism has been confounded by genetic and etiologic heterogeneity. The current study utilized a genetics-first approach to investigate the underlying neurobiology of autism by studying individuals with copy number variation at 16p11.2. Our aim was to investigate the prevailing theories of brain connectivity in autism – specifically, in regard to (1) distributed brain networks, (2) local and distant connectivity, and (3) functional lateralization. Methods: We analyzed resting-state functional connectivity MRI acquired in 26 carriers of a 16p11.2 deletion and 42 age-matched control participants. We also compared the functional connectivity metrics with measures of language ability, IQ, and social behavior.Results: We do not find widespread disruption of canonical large-scale networks in the deletion carriers. Nor do we find quantitative differences in the degree of local and distant connections. Instead, we discover unique connections in 16p11.2 deletion carriers that are not present in the control participants. Specifically, functional coupling between auditory cortex and regions of the default network is present only in the deletion carriers. In addition to the topographic shifts in functional connectivity, we observe reduced right hemispheric lateralization in the deletion carriers and less left hemispheric lateralization in individuals with poorer language ability.Conclusions: Links or connections between primary sensory areas and higher-order association areas violate fundamental large-scale circuit properties by functionally connecting brain regions specialized in local (hierarchical) processing with those that specialize in distant (parallel) processing. Aberrant hemispheric lateralization and connections between auditory and default networks may underlie difficulties with language and social interactions.
Strong negative covariation between toxoplasmosis and CoVID-19 at a global scale: a spurious indirect effect?
Authors: Jankowiak Łukasz , Rozsa Lajos , Tryjanowski Piotr , Møller Anders Pape 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Coronaviruses may exert severely negative effects on the mortality and morbidity of birds and mammals including humans and domestic animals. Most recently CoVID-19 has infected over 2,360,000 humans and killed more than 165,000. Susceptibility to this disease appears to differ markedly across different societies but the factors underlying this variability are not known. Given that toxoplasmosis exerts both direct and immune-mediated antiviral effects, we hypothesize a negative covariation between toxoplasmosis and measures of the Covid-19 pandemic across countries. We obtained aged-adjusted toxoplasmosis prevalence of pregnant women from the literature. Since the differences in the CoVID-19 morbidity and mortality may depend on the different timing of the epidemics in each country, we applied a standard measure, i.e. the date of first documented CoVID-19 in each country as a proxy of susceptibility, with a statistical control for population size effects. Using these two indices, we show a highly significant negative co-variation between the two pandemics across 86 countries. Then, considering that the wealth of nations often co-varies with the prevalence of diseases, we introduced Gross Domestic Product per capita into our model. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis co-varies negatively, while the date of first CoVID-19 cases co-varies positively with GDP across countries. Further, to control for the strong spatial autocorrelation among countries, we carried out a Spatial Structure Analyses of the relationships between the date of first COVID-19, prevalence of toxoplasmosis, and GDP. Results of this analysis did not confirm a direct causal relationship between toxoplasmosis and susceptibility to the CoVID-19 pandemics. As far as an analysis of observational data let us to suggest, it appears that the interaction between CoVID-19 and toxoplasmosis is mediated by GDP and spatial effects. This prompts the question whether the formerly known covariation between BCG vaccination and CoVID-19 might have also emerged as a spurious indirect effect.
Molecular Docking Analyses of Phytochemicals Obtained from African Antiviral Herbal Plants Exhibit Inhibitory Activity against Therapeutic Targets of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: AbrahamDogo Goni , Uchechukwu Ohaeri , Umar Uzal , Madaki Aboi J. , Aguiyi John C. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Presently, the global public health threat of international concern is the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), a viral disease of worldwide prevalence caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), at present the disease has no known cure or vaccine. Plants worldwide including plants of African ethnopharmacological relevance are a natural source of abundant and diverse phytochemicals with bioactivity against microorganisms including viruses. We selected 13 plants used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of viral diseases to screen for phytochemicals capable of interfering with SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic targets using AutoDock Vina in silico tool. 25 phytochemicals from these plants that passed the Lipinski rule of drug-likeness were assessed for antiviral activity against three SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic targets, namely: spike glycoprotein, Papain-like protease and 3C-like proteinase. The crystal structure of the viral protein targets was obtained from the protein databank website (https://www.rcsb.org/). The active sites of the target proteins were predicted using SCFBio Server (http://www.scfbio-iitd.res.in/dock/ActiveSite.jsp) from the PDB file as input. The antiviral herbal phytochemical compounds were then docked with prepared targets: Papain-like protease, 3C-like proteinase and spike glycoprotein. The Autodocking hit results generated six lead phytochemicals out of a library of twenty-five (25) phytochemicals from the African traditional herbs with potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. The lead molecules with their binding affinities against Papain-like protease and 3C-Like Proteinase are as follows: Ginsenosides (-9.9 kcal/mol), ursolic acid (-9.4 kcal/mol), oleanolic acid (-9.4 kcal/mol), cynarine (-8.9 kcal/mol), glabridin (-8.5 kcal/mol) and cinnamoyl-echinadiol (-8.2 kcal/mol). ADMET profile shows glabridin, cinnamoyl-echinadiol and neral obtained from Licorice, Echinacea purpurea and lemongrass respectively, exhibited best-fit values as drugs candidate. We advocate for further in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate the activity of these lead compounds with a view to optimized drug intervention against COVID-19 pandemic.
Policy Decisions and Response to Fight 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease in Uganda: A review of Attributes, Comprehensiveness and Implications to Improve Resilience to Future Pandemics
Authors: Kiwanuka Frank , Waswa Shafik , Alemayehu Yisak Hagos , Simbeye Joel Abrahams 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Uganda experiences recurrent epidemics. However, policies enacted to prevent or prepare for future epidemics remain unclear. This paper reviews policies that are shaping responses to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Uganda. An integrative systematic review approach using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) was adopted. Databases including organizational websites, bibliographical databases, and newsletters were searched for records on policies addressing response to COVID-19. Quality appraisal was conducted using the von Wright’s logic of events framework and the AGREE II (Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation) checklist. A descriptive qualitative narrative approach was used for data analysis. Fifteen papers are included in this review. Uganda’s preparedness to COVID-19 was initiated before the first case was identified on 21 March 2020. Most documents included in our final analysis were soft policy (nonstatutory) documents (n=10). MoH implemented four public orders: notification of COVID-19; prohibition of entry into Uganda; control of COVID-19; prevention of COVID-19; requirements and conditions of entry into Uganda. In addition, the office of the president implemented three directives as of 08 May 2020; the initial directive included preparatory instructions to the public and ministries before the first case of COVID-19 was registered. Subsequently, three other presidential directives were established; two of these instituted lockdown measures while one instituted the first phase of releasing some lockdown measures. Soft policies identified in this review included guidelines (n=4); press releases (n=4) and mitigation measures. Three out of the four guidelines were clinical practice guidelines, these include quarantine of individuals in the context of containment of COVID-19, COVID-19 preparedness and response plan-laboratory manual, and national guidelines for management of COVID-19 patients.Conclusion: Uganda has experience built from response to previous epidemics. Uganda has robust policies in place to respond to COVID-19. Comprehensive Policies integrating human capital, research and economical aspects of an epidemic can increase and better prepare Uganda for future.
S-Shaped versus V-Shaped Transfer Functions for Binary Manta Ray Foraging Optimization in Feature Selection Problem
Authors: Ghosh Kushal Kanti , Guha Ritam , Bera Suman Kumar , Kumar Neeraj , Sarkar Ram 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Feature selection (FS) is considered as one of the core concepts in the areas of machine learning and data mining which immensely impacts the performance of classification model. Through FS, irrelevant or partially relevant features can be eliminated which in turn helps in enhancing the performance of the model. Over the years, researchers have applied different meta-heuristic optimization techniques for the purpose of FS as these overcome the limitations of traditional optimization approaches. Going by the trend, we introduce a new FS approach based on a recently proposed meta-heuristic algorithm called Manta Ray Foraging Optimization (MRFO) which is developed following the food foraging nature of the Manta rays, one of the largest known marine creatures. As MRFO is apposite for continuous search space problems, we have adapted a binary version of MRFO to t it into the problem of FS by applying eight different transfer functions belonging to two different families: S-shaped and V-shaped. We have evaluated the eight binary versions of MRFO on 18 standard UCI datasets. Of these, the best one is considered for comparison with 16 recently proposed meta-heuristic FS approaches. The results show that MRFO outperforms the state-of-art methods in terms of both classification accuracy and number of features selected.
Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in Northern Cyprus using a Mathematical Model
Authors: Sanlidag Tamer , Sultanoglu Nazife , Kaymakamzade Bilgen , Hincal Evren , Sayan Murat , Suer Kaya , Baddal Buket 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The present study studied the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Northern-Cyprus (NC) by using real data and a designed mathematical model. The model consisted of two equilibrium points, which were disease-free and epidemic. The stability of the equilibrium points was determined by the magnitude of the basic reproduction number (𝑹𝟎). If 𝑹𝟎 < 1, the disease eventually disappears, if 𝑹𝟎 ≥ 1, the presence of an epidemic is stated. 𝑹𝟎 has been calculated patient zero, with a range of 2.38 to 0.65. Currently, the 𝑹𝟎 for NC was found to be 0.65, indicating that NC is free from the SARS-CoV-2epidemic.
Conciencia y subjetividad
Authors: Viola Federico Ignacio 
Published: May 2020

Esta investigación ofrece un esbozo de una forma alternativa de concebir la categoría clásica de la subjetividad que subyace al concepto de objeción de conciencia y de desobediencia civil.
La mayoría de los puntos de vista habituales sobre este tema se centran en el individuo y sus derechos. Demostrando que este enfoque es insuficiente y, por lo tanto, insatisfactorio, esta investigación destaca la importancia de conceptualizar de nuevo la categoría de subjetividad, lo que a su vez hará posible una nueva forma de conceptualizar la noción de objeción de conciencia, es decir, pensar en ella no más como un derecho individual, sino como un deber de responsabilidad social.
Para la explicitación de este enfoque alternativo, esta investigación se basa principalmente en la obra de Emmanuel Levinas, quien centra todas sus reflexiones filosóficas en la perspectiva del otro (autrui).
A Prospective Utilization of the Biomass for the Production of the Biodiesel
Authors: Verma Deepak , Jain Siddharth 
Published: May 2020

:
Continuously growing environmental issues have become a significant problem in the
world. These ecological issues deteriorate our day to day life and are responsible for serious diseases.
Also, the growing industrialization of the world has steeply risen and demanding petroleum products
for their modernization. Economic development has also resulted in a considerable rise in energy
demand. Biodiesel, a less polluting and sustainable fuel replacing diesel, has been gaining significant
attention from researchers from all over the world. The utilization of vegetable oil and waste oil as
fuel is found to be less polluting than the petrochemical products. The fundamental problem in biodiesel
production is that it is more susceptible to oxidation, which results in increased viscosity of biodiesel
concerning time, which in turn creates the problem. Therefore this review paper is focused on
the current fossil fuel scenario concerning with respect to World and India along with the properties
of biodiesel resources and its production processes.
Survival Benefits of N-Acetylcysteine in Rodenticide Poisoning: Retrospective Evidence from an Indian Tertiary Care Setting
Authors: Mark Karen , Hyder Shabnam , Rashid Muhammed , Chandran Viji P. , Seshadri Shubha , Seshadri Sneha , Nair Sreedharan , Thunga Girish 
Published: May 2020

Rationale & Objective:
Rodenticide poisoning, either accidental or intentional, is very
common in rural India. The absence of a definite antidote made it a major concern with a high mortality
rate. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) in
rodenticide poisoning as there are recent positive shreds of evidence on it.

Methodology:
A retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital on patients
admitted with rodenticide poisoning during a period of 2012-2017. The Fischer’s exact test and
relative risk were measured to analyze the outcome of treatment and risk factors, respectively.

Results:
A total of 229 patients were enrolled in the study with a mean age of 30.04 ± 15.67 years.
The suicidal attack was the major (86.0%) reason for poison consumption. The survival rate was
significantly (p ≤ 0.03) higher in the NAC treatment group compared to the non-NAC group.
Moreover, the majority (93.4%) of participants did not experience any adverse effects. The mean
oral loading dose and maintenance dose was 7580.95 ± 2204.29 mg and 3694.53 ± 2322.58 mg,
respectively. Yellow Phosphorus poisoning (Relative Risk [RR] 2.888 (1.179-7.079); p=0.020) and
Time lag of ≥ 24 hours (RR 3.479 (1.137-10.645); p=0.029) were the significant risk factors for
mortality.

Conclusion:
NAC is shown to have a significant survival benefit with a good safety profile among
rodenticide poisoners. Further adequately powered prospective researches with more emphasis on
dosing parameters are warranted for better quantification in different settings and for clinical implementation.
Assessment of Ploy Dopamine Coated Fe3O4 Nanoparticles for Melanoma (B16-F10 and A-375) Cells Detection
Authors: Beigi Fahimeh H. , Fatahian Soheil , Shahbazi-Gahrouei Sogand , Shahbazi-Gahrouei Daryoush , Farzadniya Amin 
Published: May 2020

Objective:
Polydopamine coated iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4@PDA NPs) were synthesized,
characterized, and their MR imaging contrast agents and photothermal potency were evaluated on melanoma
(B16-F10 and A-375) cells and normal skin cells. To this end, MTT assay, Fe concentration, and MR imaging of
both coated and uncoated NPs were assessed in C57BL/6 mice.

Methods:
Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized using co-precipitation, and coated with polydopamine. The
cytotoxicity of Fe3O4 and Fe3O4@PDA NPs on melanoma cells, with different concentrations, were obtained
using MTT assay. MR images and Fe concentrations of nanoprobe and nanoparticles were evaluated under in
vivo conditions.

Results:
Findings indicated that uncoated Fe3O4 showed the highest toxicity in animal (B16-F10) cells at
450μg/ml after 72h, while the highest toxicity in human (A-375) cells were observed at 350μg/ml. These
nanoparticles did not reveal any cytotoxicity to normal skin cells, despite having some toxicity features in A-375
cells. MR image signals in the tumor were low compared with other tissues. The iron concentration in the tumor
was higher than that of other organs.

Conclusion:
It is concluded that the cytotoxicity of Fe3O4@PDA was found to be significantly lower than uncoated
nanoparticles (p<0.001), which allows some positive effects on reducing toxicity. The prepared nanoprobe
may be used as a contrast agent in MR imaging.
Antihyperglycemic, Antihyperlipidemic and Antioxidant Effects of Cotula cinerea (Del) in Normal and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Amssayef Ayoub , Eddouks Mohamed 
Published: May 2020

Aims:
The current investigation aimed to assess the antioxidant, antidiabetic and antilipidemic
effects of the aqueous extract of aerial part of Cotula cinerea (C. cinerea).

Background:
Cotula cinerea (Del). which belongs to the Asteraceae family is commonly used traditionally
for the treatment of diabetes.

Objective:
The objective of the study was to study the effect of the aqueous C. cinerea extract on glucose
and lipid metabolism in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats using a single and repeated
oral administration.

Methods:
A preliminary phytochemical screening and the quantification of phenolic and flavonoid
contents as well as the antioxidant activity using three methods (DPPH, FRAP and ABTS) were carried
out. The effect of a single and repeated (15 days of treatment) oral administration of the aqueous
extract of aerial part of Cotula cinerea (AEAPCC) at a dose of 20 mg/kg on glucose and lipid profile
was examined in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Additionally, histopathological examination
of the pancreas and liver was carried out according to the Hematoxylin-Eosin method.

Results:
AEAPCC (20 mg/kg) showed a significant blood glucose-lowering activity in both normal
and diabetic rats after a single and repeated oral administration during 15 days. The aqueous extract
was also able to decrease the plasma triglycerides levels in both normal and diabetic rats after 15 days
of oral treatment at a dose of 20 mg/Kg while no effect was observed on plasma cholesterol levels. In
addition, the results show that AEAPCC exhibits an in vitro antioxidant activity using different tests.
Histopathological analysis of the pancreas and liver of AEAPCC-treated diabetic rats has revealed that
AEAPCC had a beneficial effect on the architecture of these organs while no improvement of glucose
tolerance was noticed using the glucose tolerance test. Furthermore, the results showed that the extract
is rich in several phytochemical compounds and exhibited an important antioxidant activity. The phytochemical
screening revealed that AEAPCC contains polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins,
alkaloids, saponins, quinones, sterols, terpenoids, anthroquinones and reducing sugars. Whereas, it is
free from glycosides.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Cotula cinerea possesses a beneficial effect on
diabetes. Further investigations are required to study the mechanism of action of the antidiabetic effect
of this plant.