bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Persistence of P. Falciparum Ring-Stage Parasites 42 Days After Artemisinin and Non-Artemisinin Combination Therapy in Naturally Infected Malians
Authors: Mahamar Almahamoudou , Lanke Kjerstin , Graumans Wouter , Diawara Halimatou , Sanogo Koualy , Diarra Kalifa , Niambele Sidi Mohamed , Gosling Roly , Drakeley Chris , Chen Ingrid , Dicko Alassane , Bousema Teun , Roh Michelle 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa relies upon prompt case management with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Ring-stage parasites, measured by sbp1 quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR), were previously reported to persist after ACT treatment and hypothesized to reflect temporary arrest of the growth of ring-stage parasites (dormancy) following exposure to artemisinins. Here, we examined the persistence of ring-stage parasitemia following ACT and non-ACT treatment. Methods: We used samples from naturally infected Malian gametocyte carriers who received dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP) or sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP-AQ) with or without gametocytocidal drugs. Gametocytes and ring-stage parasites were quantified by qRT-PCR during 42 days of follow-up. Results: At baseline, 89% (64/73) of participants had measurable ring-stage parasites. Following treatment, the proportion of ring-stage parasite-positive individuals and ring-stage parasite densities declined for all four treatment groups. Participants who received DP had 81% lower post-treatment ring-stage parasite density compared to participants who received SP-AQ (p<0.001). Gametocytocidal drugs did not influence ring-stage parasite persistence. Ring-stage parasite densities on days 14 and 28 after initiation of treatment were higher among individuals who subsequently experienced recurrent parasitemia compared to those who remained free of parasites until day 42 after initiation of treatment (pday 14=0.011 and pday 28=0.068). We observed no association of ring-stage persistence with gametocyte carriage. Conclusions: Our findings of lower ring-stage persistence after ACT treatment without an effect of gametocytocidal partner drugs affirms the use of sbp1 as ring-stage marker and argues against preferential persistence of low densities of rings following ACT treatment. The implications of our findings for monitoring drug sensitivity require further study.
Transcriptional expression of ZICs as an independent indicator of survival in gliomas
Authors: Han Zhao cheng , Jia Jingnan , Lv Yangting , Wang Rongyanqi , Cao Kegang 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: The functional significance of the zinc-finger of the cerebellum (ZIC) gene family in gliomas remains to be elucidated. Methods: Clinical data from patients with gliomas, containing expression levels of ZIC genes, were extracted from CCLE, GEPIA2 and The Human Protein Atlas(HPA). Univariate survival analysis adjusted by Cox regression via OncoLnc was used to determine the prognostic significance of ZIC expression. We used cBioPortal to explore the correlation between gene mutations and overall survival (OS). ZIC expression was found to be related to immune cell infiltration in gliomas via TIMER analysis. GO term and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed with Metascape. PPI networks were constructed using STRING. Result: The expression levels of ZIC1/2/4 in gliomas were significantly different from those in normal samples. High expression levels of ZIC1/2/5 were associated with poor OS in brain low-grade glioma (LGG) patients, while low ZIC3 expression combined with high ZIC4 expression was related to favourable OS in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). ZIC mutations were associated with poor prognosis in LGG patients and related to favourable prognosis in GBM patients. We observed that the expression of ZICs was related to immune cell infiltration in glioma patients. ZICs were enriched in several pathways and biological processes involving arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and tissue morphogenesis. The PPI network revealed that some coexpressed proteins of ZICs played a role in the pathogenesis of gliomas. Conclusions: Differences in the expression levels of ZIC genes could provide a significant marker for predicting prognosis in gliomas.
Genetic Analysis of Children with Congenital Ocular Anomalies in Three Ecological Regions of Nepal: A Phase II of Nepal Pediatric Ocular Diseases Study
Authors: Adhikari Srijana , Thakur Neelam , Shrestha Ujjowala , Shrestha Mohan , Shrestha Murari Man , Thapa Bijaya , Poudel Manish , Kunwar Ajay 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Genetic eye diseases constitute a large and heterogeneous group of childhood ocular morbidity. Individual diseases may cause multiple structural anomalies and developmental features. The Nepal Pediatric Ocular Disease Study (NPODS) was a population-based epidemiological study conducted across three ecological regions of Nepal to determine the prevalence and etiology of childhood ocular morbidity and blindness. In Phase II of this study, genetic analysis was performed for children who were found to have congenital ocular anomalies. Methodology: It was a cross sectional descriptive study. A total of 10,270 children across three different ecological regions in Nepal (terai, hills, and mountains) underwent ocular examinations. 374(3.6%) of these children were found to have ocular abnormalities, 30 of whom were thought to be congenital in nature. Targeted genetic analysis, including genotyping for specific genes specific to the presenting phenotype, was performed for 25 children using serum samples. Results: Out of 25 children, 18 children had meaningful genetic results. Analysis revealed one missense alteration G12411T of ZFHX4 gene in one participant among 10 with congenital ptosis and another missense variation T>C P.Y374Cof STRA6 gene in one participant among 3 with microphthalmos. Conclusion: The study is first of its kind from Nepal and mutant genes were unique to Nepalese Population. Further analysis of genetic factors is crucial to better understand genetic association with ocular diseases and conditions . This helps further in genetic counseling and probably gene therapy to prevent blindness from these conditions.
Development and Validation of a New Risk Score for Infection From Coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) [Ri.S.I.Co], That We Learned on the Field Treating Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Patients
Authors: Fugazzola Paola , Favi Francesco , Tomasoni Matteo , Zaghi Claudia , Casadei Chiara , Prosperi Enrico , Sermonesi Giacomo , Corbella Davide , Coccolini Federico , Praticò Beniamino , Agnoletti Vanni , Ansaloni Luca 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: The pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 asked to change the organization of entire hospitals to try to prevent them to become epidemiological clusters. The actually adopted diagnostic tools are lacking of sensibility or specificity. The aim of the study is to create an easy-to-get risk score (Ri.S.I.Co., RIsk Score for Infection from new COronavirus), developed on the field, to stratify patients admitted to the hospital according to their risk of Covid-19 infection.Methods: This prospective study included all patients who were consecutively admitted in the “suspected COVID-19 department” of the Bufalini Hospital, Cesena (Italy). All clinical, radiological and laboratory predictors were included in a multivariable logistic regression model to create a risk model. A simplified model was internally ed externally validated. Two score thresholds for stratifying the probability of COVID-19 infection were introduced.Results: From 11th March to 5th April 2020, 200 patients were consecutively admitted. A Ri.S.I.Co lower than 2 had an higher sensibility than SARS-Cov-2 nucleic acid detection (96,2% vs 65,4%, p<0,001). The presence of ground glass pattern at lung-CT scan had a lower sensibility than a Ri.S.I.Co lower than 2 (88,5% vs 96,2%, p<0,001) and a lower specificity than a Ri.S.I.Co higher than 6 (75,0% vs 96,9%, p<0,001). Conclusions: We believe that the Ri.S.I.Co could allow to stratify admitted patients according to their risk, avoiding hospitals becoming themselves the main Covid-19 carriers. Furthermore, it could guide clinicians in starting therapies early in severe-onset cases with a high probability of COVID-19, before molecular SARS-CoV-2 infection is confirmed.Strengths and limitations of this study:Ri.S.I.Co., (RIsk Score for Infection from new COronavirus) is an easy-to-get risk-score developed on the field, to stratify patients admitted to the hospital according to their risk of Covid-19 infection.We believe that the Ri.S.I.Co could allow to stratify admitted patients according to their risk, before molecular SARS-CoV-2 infection is confirmed, avoiding hospitals becoming themselves the main Covid-19 carriers.Ri.S.I.Co had an higher sensibility than SARS-Cov-2 nucleic acid detection and an higher sensibility and specificity of the presence of ground glass pattern at lung-CT scan.Ri.S.I.Co was developed and validated on hospitalized patients, further studies would be necessary to understand if it is generalizable to non-hospitalized patients or on the population of other countries with different mean age, different prevalence of comorbidities and different health policies.
Difficulties doctors experience during life-sustaining treatment discussion after enactment of the Life-Sustaining Treatment Decisions Act: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Yoo Shin Hye , Choi Wonho , Kim Yejin , Kim Min Sun , Park Hye Yoon , Keam Bhumsuk , Heo Dae Seog 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

In the Republic of Korea, life-sustaining treatment (LST) for patients at the end of life should be legally discussed by a doctor according to the LST Decisions Act, which was enacted in February 2018. However, little is known about challenges doctors experience during LST discussion. This study aims to investigate the perceived difficulties of doctors during LST discussions after enactment of the new Act.
Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a tertiary hospital in August 2019 and included 686 doctors (432 attending physicians, 141 clinical fellows, and 295 residents) who care for seriously ill patients. The doctors were given a structured questionnaire, and difficulties during the discussion process were examined.
Results

A total of 132 doctors answered the questionnaire. Most (86.4%) experienced considerable difficulties during LST discussions (mean score, 7.4 ± 1.6/10). The two most common difficulties were communication with patients and family and determining when to discuss LST. Two-thirds of doctors found direct discussions with the patient difficult and said they would initiate LST discussions only with family. LST discussions were actually initiated later than considered appropriate. When medically assessing whether the patient is imminently dying, 56% of doctors experienced disagreements with other doctors, which could affect their decisions.
Conclusion

In the present study, most doctors experienced serious difficulties during LST discussions. To alleviate these difficulties, further institutional support is needed.
Utilize of genetic diversity and marker-trait association to improve drought tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Ghazy Mohamed I. , Salem Khaled. F. , Sallam Ahmed 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Drought stress in one of the main problems for rice crop as it reduces the production and productivity of the grain yield significantly. In Egypt, many restrictions were made on the cultivation of rice due to its high water demand. Producing promising drought-tolerant rice cultivars in a combination with high yielding is one of the main targets for rice breeders. To address this challenge, a set of 22 highly diverse rice genotypes were evaluated under normal and drought conditions. Morphological, physiological, yield traits were recorded on each genotype. Drought susceptibility index (DSI) was estimated for six yield traits to identify the most drought-tolerant rice genotypes. High genetic variation was found among genotypes tested in the experiment. Under normal conditions, the highest phenotypic correlation was found between grain yield (GY) and sterility percentage (SP) (- 0.73**), while, it was among GY and chlorophyll content (CC) (0.82**) under drought conditions. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling yielding traits under drought and normal, single marker analysis was performed between all yield traits under both condition and a set of 106 simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker alleles. The genetic association analysis revealed 14 and 17 QTL under drought and normal conditions, respectively. The most drought-tolerant genotypes were selected based on DSI, the number of QTL in each selected genotypes, and the level of genetic diversity. As a result, five genotypes (Giza 178, IET1444, GZ1368-S-5-4, Nahda, Giza 14) were identified as the most promising drought-tolerant rice genotypes. Eight QTL controlling drought tolerance were identified in Giza 178, Nahda, and GZ1368-S-5-4, while, four QTL were found in IET1444. The number of different QTLs were estimated among the five selected genotypes. Giza 178 and GZ1368-S-5-4 shared the same QTLs. Seven different QTLs were found among Nahda, IET1444, GZ1368-S-5-4, and Giza 14. Combining information from phenotypic traits, genetic diversity analysis, and QTL identification was very useful in identifying the true drought-tolerant rice genotypes that can be used for crossing in the future breeding program.
First report of Rotylenchulus reniformis infecting turmeric in Vietnam and consequent damage
Authors: Nguyen Huu Tien , Trinh Quang Phap , Nguyen Thi Duyen , Bert Wim 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is one of the common medicinal crops of high economical value in Vietnam. A survey in the Central Highlands of Vietnam revealed a turmeric growing area showing serious disease symptoms, including stunting of the plant, yellowing or darkening of the leaf margins and tips, and underdeveloped dry and rotten rhizomes. An inspection for plant pathogens in soil samples from this area revealed a high density and frequency of Rotylenchus reniformis, with a significant relationship between the density of R. reniformis, rhizome weight, and level of plant damage. This study provides the first report of R. reniformis found in parasitic association with turmeric in Vietnam with the support of molecular data and examines its resulting damage.
Therapy of neonatal seizures: a two-year retrospective study at Almazov National Medical Research Centre
Authors: Novoseltsev D. V. , Odintsova G. V. , Gorshkov D. V. , Shchetinina A. M. 
Published: May 2020

Introduction.Neonatal seizures are the most common pathological neurological symptom of the neonatal period, requiring immediate treatment. There are 2 directions in the treatment of seizures: relief of acute life-threatening seizures and supportive antiepileptic therapy of the chronic process. Worldwide phenobarbital is still the first-line medication for neonatal seizures. However, due to contraindications the doctors have to select and prescribe other antiepileptic therapy for both stopping seizures and supportive therapy.Objective.To introduce an algorithm for standardized phased treatment of neonatal seizures from stopping an acute debut to starting supportive chronic therapy according to clinical and electroencephalographic indications.Characteristics of children and research methods.The authors retrospectively analyzed 449 patients born in 2016 – 2017. The inclusion criteria: full-term term newborns with clinical and/or encephalographic verification of seizures in the neonatal period. The authors studied the time distribution parameters of the primary realization of seizures from the time of birth, the genesis of convulsive activity, the effectiveness of antiepileptic therapy.Results.Out of 449 treated children (full-term infants with somatic, surgical and cardiosurgical pathologies) 36 (8.0%) patients had neonatal seizures, 35 (97.33%) children of them had symptomatic seizures. Neonatal genetic epilepsy was diagnosed in 1 (2.77%) child (Otahar syndrome). The investigators revealed the prevalence of the primary realization of convulsive syndrome in newborns in the first 4 days of life. Occasionally the initial debut of seizures occurred in children older than 7 days with congenital metabolic disorders, represented by aminoaciduria. The seizures were stopped without anticonvulsants (correction of transient metabolic disorders – hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia) in 3 (8.33%) children, with phenobarbital monotherapy in 5 (13.89%) children, diazepam monotherapy in 4 (11.11%) children, monotherapy with sodium thiopental – in 5 children (13.89%), valproic acid preparations – in 8 (22.22%) children, a combination of first and second line drugs (sodium thiopental + diazepam; sodium thiopental + phenobrobital) – in 11 ( 30.56%) children. Supportive antiepileptic therapy was carried out using phenobarbital monotherapy in 16 (44.44%) children, valproic acid preparations in 7 (19.44%) children, levetiracetam in 4 (11.12%) children, oxcarbazepine in 2 (5.56 %) children; 7 (19.44%) children were discharged without supportive antiepileptic therapy.Conclusion.Currently anticonvulsant monotherapy is effective in less than 50% of neonatal seizures cases; phenobarbital or diazepam remain the first-line medications. 1/3 of the patients require a combination of antiepileptic therapy. It is of great importance to diagnose and correct transient metabolic disorders before the prescription of anticonvulsant therapy.
The correlation of blood pressure changes and cardiac morpho- functional restructuring in young athletes
Authors: Balykova L. A. , Glotov A. S. , Ivyansky S. A. , Shirokova A. A , Soldatov O. M. , Grishutkina I. A. , Varlashina K. A. , Krasnopolskaya A. V. 
Published: May 2020

A steady increase in the number of young sportsmen predetermines the relevance of studying the nature and severity of cardiovascular system remodeling in young athletes, including the development of arterial hypertension (AH) and left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy (LVHM).Objective. To study the prevalence and nature of arterial hypertension (AH) and its associations with signs of cardiovascular remodeling in young athletes taking into account pathogenetic relationship and genetic determination.Characteristics of children and methods. The study included 80 young athletes (including 42 boys, average age 14,5±1,54 years), divided into 4 groups depending on the kind of sports (1 – cyclic, 2 – game, 3 – complex coordination, 4 – power). We used the following research methods: “office” (i.e. during visit to the doctor) measurement of blood pressure, electrocardiography, echocardiography, color Doppler scanning of the neck vessels, daily monitoring of blood pressure, bicycle ergometry, genetic testing using the original panel with 448 markers.Results. An increase in blood pressure at rest was detected in 2,5% of children engaged in power sports, an insufficient decrease at night – in 16,3% of children, and an excessive reaction of blood pressure to dosed physical activity – in 25% of children. These changes correlated with signs of sports remodeling, in particular with the formation of left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy, which was diagnosed in 7–12,5% of athletes. According to the results of genetic testing, pronounced polymorphism in the NO synthase gene at three loci (rs10918594, rs12143842, rs16847548) was associated with a reorganization of the cardiovascular system in 45% of athletes.Conclusion. Violation of the circadian profile of blood pressure and excessive reaction to physical activity demonstrate 7,5–25% of young athletes, especially those involved in complex coordination and power sports. These changes were associated with the severity of sports remodeling and determined by a genetic predisposition.
A EXPERIÊNCIA DO NEXT NOS SEUS OITO ANOS DE ATIVIDADES DESENVOLVIDAS COM O JOGO DE XADREZ NA UNIVERSIDADE
Authors: Pereira Kariston , Pavanati Iandra 
Published: May 2020

O NexT (Núcleo de Estudos em Xadrez & Tecnologias) visa proporcionar à comunidade a oportunidade de aprender, praticar, treinar, competir, estudar e pesquisar o xadrez e suas tecnologias dentro da Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC. Na busca desse objetivo, o NexT tem desenvolvido diversas ações de ensino, pesquisa e extensão deste 2011. Entre elas destacam-se o Projeto “Sextas Xadrez na Universidade”, com o desenvolvimento de oficinas lúdico-didáticas orientadas de xadrez, para propiciar a integração dos participantes e possibilitar a troca de experiências entre os mesmos e o Projeto “Torneios de Xadrez na Universidade”, com a realização de competições e treinamentos entre os membros e potenciais membros do NexT. Vinculadas a este projeto, o NexT também desenvolve competições seletivas para os Jogos de Integração dos Acadêmicos da UDESC (JIUDESC), bem como a preparação dos atletas selecionados. Outro projeto de grande importância no NexT é o Projeto “Cursos de Xadrez na Universidade” que, a cada ano, conduz duas turmas no curso de xadrez de nível básico, permitindo aos aprendizes o acesso ao conhecimento enxadrístico elementar e também duas turmas do curso de nível intermediário, alternando temas como fundamentos de finais, tática, estratégia e aberturas. Na pesquisa, o NexT já orientou trabalhos na Graduação e Dissertações de Mestrado. Vale também salientar conquistas tanto internas como nacionais do NexT enquanto programa de extensão, já que obteve a nota máxima no Edital ProExt 2014 do Ministério da Educação e, em 2018, foi avaliado como o melhor programa de extensão da UDESC. Com o desenvolvimento continuado deste núcleo e suas ações vinculadas, tem-se consolidado na UDESC uma comunidade de prática e treinamento enxadrísticos junto a um ambiente de pesquisa e estudos interdisciplinares, em que o jogo de xadrez é o elemento integrador.
ANÁLISE DA PLATAFORMA SESSA: INSTRUMENTO PARA AVALIAÇÃO DA APRENDIZAGEM EM XADREZ
Authors: Santana Cleiton Marino , Ferreira Ana Julia Candida 
Published: May 2020

Resumo: A assimilação das regras é fundamental para nortear a aprendizagem do jogo e, também, para o desenvolvimento das habilidades educacionais constituídas na prática. Nessa perspectiva de avaliar o nível da aprendizagem dos alunos no xadrez, a plataforma Sessa https://www.plataformasessa.com.br/ apresenta-se como uma ferramenta avaliativa. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar a proposta e funcionalidade da Plataforma. Essa pesquisa caracteriza-se como uma pesquisa aplicada e exploratória, e tem como objetivo gerar conhecimento para aplicação prática para a solução de problema específico. Observou-se que a plataforma Sessa é capaz de avaliar quantitativamente o nível de aprendizagem sobre as regras do xadrez, os resultados dos testes pode ser classificada por níveis, essa qualificação auxilia o entendimento dos alunos sobre o seu nível. Quando aos testes, verificou-se que o básico apresenta resultados mais rápidos e objetivos enquanto o teste completo resultados mais detalhados. A comparação do pré-teste com o pós-testes ajuda os professores a melhorar suas práticas pedagógicas, pois verificaram as habilidades que ainda não foram aprendidas pelos alunos. A plataforma apresenta um grande potencial de avaliação da aprendizagem das regras de xadrez e possibilita ainda reflexão sobre o processo de ensino-aprendizagem dos professores, ela ainda servirá como um banco de dados para estudos posteriores sobre a aprendizagem.