bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards COVID-19 among Patients with Musculoskeletal and Rheumatic Diseases in Nepal: A Web- based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Vaidya Binit , Bhochhibhoya Manisha , Baral Rikesh , Nakarmi Shweta 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Introduction/objectives: The global health crisis created by Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) can be a serious concern to rheumatologists. The relationship of rheumatic diseases, their therapies, and COVID-19 with multiple genuine and malicious information available online can influence the knowledge and attitude of rheumatic patients. This web-based google-form study was conducted to understand the knowledge, attitude and practices of rheumatologic patients towards COVID-19 in Nepal. Methodology: A web based cross-sectional study was conducted among the patients with rheumatic diseases. Modified version of questionnaire prepared by Zhong BL et al was used after consent. It was then translated in Nepali language for comprehensibility. The final questionnaire contained a total of 29 questions; 6 for demographic parameters, 12, 5 and 6 for knowledge, attitude and practice behaviors, respectively. Simple descriptive statistics describing the positive responses in each domain. Multiple linear regression analysis done to observe demographic variables associated with the knowledge, attitude and practice. Results: Among 380 participants, 63.2% were female. Most of the participants were aware of the clinical features of COVID-19 (91.6 %), 71.5% had positive attitude towards its control, some (31.5 %) thought that they had greater chance of getting COVID-19 than others and 18.9 % believed that the anti-rheumatic medications could increase their susceptibility to infection. Majority (> 94.7%) practiced preventive measures.Conclusions: Patients with rheumatic diseases were aware of the general clinical features, route of transmission and general preventive measures regarding COVID-19.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children and Newborns: A Systematic Review
Authors: Liguoro Ilaria , Pilotto Chiara , Bonanni Margherita , Ferrari Maria Elena , Pusiol Anna , Nocerino Agostino , Vidal Enrico , Cogo Paola 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
A recent outbreak of a novel Coronavirus responsible for a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading globally. The aim of this study was to systematically review the existing evidence on SARS-CoV-2 infections in pediatric age.An electronic search was conducted in PubMed database. Papers published between the 1st of January and the 7th of April, 2020 including children aged 0-18 years were selected. Fifty-two studies and two reviews were included, with a total sample size of 4.612 children (2.366 males, 51.3%, weighted mean age 7 years). Patients showed mainly mild (1285/2679, 48.5%) and moderate (1035/2679, 39.1%) signs of the infection. Less than 2% of children were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The most commonly described symptoms were fever (49.2%) and cough (44.1%). Laboratory findings were often unremarkable. Children underwent a chest CT-scan in 85.7% of all cases, and 36% resulted normal. Overall, the estimated mortality was 0.07%. A higher proportion of newborns was severely ill (17%) and dyspnea was the commonest reported sign (40%). Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 affects children less severely than adults. Laboratory and radiology findings are mainly nonspecific. Larger epidemiological and clinical cohort studies are needed to better understand possible implications of COVID-19 infection in children.
Spatial distribution and risk area assessment of Aphelenchoides besseyi using geostatistical approaches in Giridih district of Jharkhand, India
Authors: Mondal Sandip , Khan Matiyar Rahaman , Mukherjee Abhishek 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Distributed widely across the rice growing regions of India, the rice leaf and bud nematode (Aphelenchoides besseyi Christie 1942) can cause substantial yield loss in rice. Whitening of leaf tips is the characteristics damage symptom of this nematode and therefore it is popularly referred to as the rice white tip nematode (RWTN). While information on the damage severity of RWTN is available from others parts of the country, to date, no information is available from the state of Jharkhand. In order to generate a detailed information on spatial distribution of this nematode and to identify infestation hotspots, extensive field sampling was conducted across the Giridih district of Jharkhand. In total, 163 samples with each sample consisting of 30 randomly chosen panicles from three nearby rice fields were collected across the district. Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation test confirmed the presence of significant spatial clustering among the sampling locations. Optimized hotspot analysis found the presence of one significant hotspot in Dumri block and cold spots in adjoining areas of Gawan, Tisri, and Dhanwar blocks. Spatial interpolation techniques like inverse distance weighting (IDW) and ordinary kriging (OK) were employed to predict the population density at unsampled locations. Both IDW and OK resulted into generation of similar kind of maps where population density was found to be higher in Dumri, Giridih, Bengabad and some other pockets of the district. Finally, indicator kriging approach was employed which resulted into identifying both risk and nematode free areas. In risk areas, where the probability of the population density exceeding the economic threshold limit is high, immediate quarantine measures should be taken to prevent further dissemination of contaminated seeds. Our study provided a scientifically based decision method to devise preventive and curative protection measures against A. besseyi, a neglected pest of quarantine significance of rice in India.
Preparation of composite adsorbents of activated carbon supported MgO/MnO2 and adsorption of Rhodamine B
Authors: Yue Xiangfeng , Zhao Jianhai , Shi Huanhuan , Chi Yongzhi , Salam Muhammad 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Activated carbon (AC) was modified by MgO and MnO2 through an impregnation-precipitation-calcination procedure. The batch experiments of adsorption of Rhodamine B (RB) by a modified adsorption material, an MgO-MnO2-AC composite, were carried out and the characteristics of the composite adsorbent were evaluated. The results showed that manganese/magnesium loading changed the surface area, pore volume and increased the number of active adsorption sites of AC. The highest Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area (1,036.18 m2·g−1) was obtained for MgO-MnO2-AC compared with AC. The content of AC loaded with magnesium and manganese was 34.24 and 5.51 mg·g−1 respectively. The adsorption of RB on MgO-MnO2-AC was significantly improved. The maximum adsorption capacity of RB on MgO-MnO2-AC was 16.19 mg·g−1 at 25 °C under the RB concentration of 50 mg·L−1. The adsorption of RB by AC and MgO-MnO2-AC increased with the initial concentration of RB. The adsorption of RB increased first and then decreased when pH was between 3 and 11. The results indicated that the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation and Langmuir equation can be used to describe the adsorption of RB on MgO-MnO2-AC.
Antitumor Effects of Docetaxel in Truncated Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor- Functionalized Liposomes Delivered by d-α-tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol 2000 Succinate
Authors: Wen Jiaolin , Wang Zhoufeng , Qiu Neng , Liu Huili , Shu Xiaoming , Zhu Zejiang , Bai Peng , Yang Li , Chen Lijuan 
Published: April 2020

Background:
PEGylation of stealth liposomes elevates their stability and prolongs plasma half-life.
Stealth liposomes modified with targeting ligands are expected to be ideal drug delivery carriers.

Objective:
To encapsulate docetaxel in tbFGF (truncated basic fibroblast growth factor)-functionalized liposomes
with mPEG2000-VE (d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate, TPGS2K) and measure their antitumor effects
in vitro and in vivo.

Methods:
TPGS2K and COOH-PEG2000-VE were synthesized, and tbFGF was conjugated to COOH-PEG2000-VE
to prepare tbFGF-PEG2000-VE. Then, tbFGF-functionalized liposomes (DTX-tbFGF-LPs) were prepared by inserting
tbFGF-PEG2000-VE into docetaxel liposomes comprising TPGS2K (DTX-PEG-LPs). The stabilities and
drug release profiles of the formulation were evaluated. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibition was measured by ATPase
assay. MTT and cell uptake were measured with B16 cells. A B16 C57BL/6 mouse model was used to
evaluate in vivo antitumor efficacy.

Results:
Both DTX-PEG-LPs and DTX-tbFGF-LPs exhibited good stability and sustained drug release. MTT,
flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy of B16 cells revealed higher antitumor activity and more efficient
cell uptake for DTX-tbFGF-LPs compared with DTX-PEG-LPs and DTX-LPs. The P-gp ATPase assay showed
that both PEG-LP and tbFGF-PEG-LP formulations inhibited P-gp pump activity in vitro. DTX-tbFGF-LPs had
the highest antitumor efficacy and lowest toxicity in vivo.

Conclusion:
Truncated basic fibroblast growth factor-functionalized liposomes with TPGS2K as drug delivery
nanocarriers were effective chemotherapy agents targeting FGFR-overexpressing tumors.
Synthesis of New 3-Arylaminophthalides and 3-Indolyl-phthalides using Ammonium Chloride, Evaluation of their Anti-Mycobacterial Potential and Docking Study
Authors: Patil Avinash , Duggal Harleen , Bagul Kamini T. , Kamble Sonali , Lokhande Pradeep , Gacche Rajesh , Meshram Rohan 
Published: April 2020

Objective:
The study aims at the derivatization of “Phthalides” and synthesizes 3-
arylaminophthalides & 3-indolyl-phthalides compounds, and evaluates their anti-tubercular and
antioxidant activities. The study has also intended to employ the in silico methods for the
identification of possible drug targets in Mycobacterium and evaluate the binding affinities of
synthesized compounds.

Methods:
This report briefly explains the synthesis of phthalide derivatives using ammonium
chloride. The synthesized compounds were characterized using spectral analysis. Resazurin Microtiter
Assay (REMA) plate method was used to demonstrate the anti-mycobacterial activity of the
synthesized compounds. An in-silico pharmacophore probing approach was used for target
identification in Mycobacterium. The structural level interaction between the identified putative drug
target and synthesized phthalides was studied using Lamarckian genetic algorithm-based software.

Results and Discussion:
In the present study, we report an effective, environmentally benign
scheme for the synthesis of phthalide derivatives. Compounds 5c and 5d from the current series
appear to possess good anti-mycobacterial activity. dCTP: deaminasedUTPase was identified as a
putative drug target in Mycobacterium. The docking results clearly showed the interactive
involvement of conserved residues of dCTP with the synthesized phthalide compounds.

Conclusion:
On the eve of evolving anti-TB drug resistance, the data on anti-tubercular and allied
activities of the compounds in the present study demonstrates the enormous significance of these
newly synthesized derivatives as possible candidate leads in the development of novel anti-tubercular
agents. The docking results from the current report provide a structural rationale for the promising
anti-tubercular activity demonstrated by 3-arylaminophthalides and 3-indolyl-phthalides compounds.
The Association and Influencing Factors between Antipsychotics Exposure and the Risk of VTE and PE: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Dai Luqi , Zuo Qiunan , Chen Fangying , Chen Lei , Shen Yongchun 
Published: April 2020

Background:Different clinical studies have given inconsistent results on whether the use of antipsychotics increases the risk of thromboembolism. In this paper, we reviewed all relevant literature to provide suggestions for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane and Scopus databases were thoroughly searched up to June 2019. Two researchers independently searched the literature, extracted data. Data were analyzed by Stata 12.0 software.Results:A total of 22 studies involving 31514226 subjects were included. This meta-analysis showed that patients taking the first- or second-generation antipsychotics had a higher risk of venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism than those who did not, and low potency first-generation agents increased the risk of venous thromboembolism more than high potency antipsychotics, and olanzapine, clozapine, haloperidol, perphenazine and risperidone also significantly increased the risk of it. The risk of venous thrombosis in obese people was higher than that in overweight people, patients not less than 65 years old had an increased risk compared with younger patients. In addition, women taking antipsychotics had a higher risk of pulmonary embolism than men.Conclusion:The use of antipsychotics will increase the risk of venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism, which will be affected by the type of antipsychotics and patient characteristics.
Modeling of the Desialylated Human Serum N-glycome for Molecular Diagnostic Applications in Inflammatory and Malignant Lung Diseases
Authors: Farkas Anna , Mészáros Brigitta , Szarka Máté , Szigeti Márton , Kappelmayer János , Szabó Miklós , Csánky Eszter , Guttman András 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Immunoglobulin G and A, transferrin, haptoglobin and alpha-1-
antitrypsin represent approximately 85% of the human serum glycoproteome and their
N-glycosylation analysis may lead to the discovery of important molecular disease
markers. However, due to the labile nature of the sialic acid residues, the desialylated
subset of the serum N-glycoproteome has been traditionally utilized for diagnostic
applications.

Objective:
Creating a five-protein model to deconstruct the overall N-glycosylation
fingerprints in inflammatory and malignant lung diseases.

Methods:
The N-glycan pool of human serum and the five high abundant serum
glycoproteins were analyzed. Simultaneous endoglycosidase/sialidase digestion was
followed by fluorophore labeling and separation by CE-LIF to establish the model.
Pooled serum samples from patients with COPD, lung cancer (LC) and their comorbidity
were all analyzed.

Results:
Nine significant (>1%) asialo-N-glycan structures were identified both in human
serum and the standard protein mixture. The core-fucosylated-agalacto-biantennary
glycan differentiated COPD and LC and both from the control and the comorbidity
groups. Decrease in the core-fucosylated-agalacto-biantennary-bisecting, monogalacto
and bigalacto structures differentiated all disease groups from the control. The
significant increase of the fucosylated-galactosylated-triantennary structure was highly
specific for LC, to a medium extent for COPD and a lesser extent for comorbidity. Also,
some increase in the afucosylated-galactosylated-biantennary structure in all three
disease types and afucosylated-galactosylated-triantennary structures in COPD and LC
were observed in comparison to the control group.

Conclusion:
Our results suggested that changes in the desialylated human serum Nglycome
hold glycoprotein specific molecular diagnostic potential for malignant and
inflammatory lung diseases, which can be modeled with the five-protein mixture.
Red Blood Cell Indices in Relation to Post-stroke Psychiatric Disorders: A Longitudinal Study in a Follow-up Stroke Clinic
Authors: Wang Haichao , Gong Li , Xia Xiaomei , Dong Qiong , Jin Aiping , Gu Yongzhe , Zhao Yanxin , Liu Xueyuan 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Depression and anxiety after stroke are common conditions that are likely
to be neglected. Abnormal red blood cell (RBC) indices may be associated with neuropsychiatric
disorders. However, the association of RBC indices with post-stroke depression (PSD) and poststroke
anxiety (PSA) has not been sufficiently investigated.

Methods:
We aimed to investigate the trajectory of post-stroke depression and anxiety in our follow-
up stroke clinic at 1, 3, and 6 months, and the association of RBC indices with these. One
hundred and sixty-two patients with a new diagnosis of ischemic stroke were followed up at 1, 3,
and 6 months, and underwent Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the general anxiety disorder
7-item (GAD-7) questionnaire for evaluation of depression and anxiety, respectively. First,
we used Kaplan-Meier analysis to investigate the accumulated incidences of post-stroke depression
and post-stroke anxiety. Next, to explore the association of RBC indices with psychiatric disorders
after an ischemic stroke attack, we adjusted for demographic and vascular risk factors using
multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Results:
Of the 162 patients with new-onset of ischemic stroke, we found the accumulated incidence
rates of PSD (1.2%, 17.9%, and 35.8%) and PSA (1.2%, 13.6%, and 15.4%) at 1, 3, and 6
months, respectively. The incident PSD and PSA increased 3 months after a stroke attack. Multivariate
Cox regression analysis indicated independent positive associations between PSD risk and
higher mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (OR=1.42, 95% CI=1.16-1.76), older age (OR=2.63,
95% CI=1.16-5.93), and a negative relationship between male sex (OR=0.95, 95% CI=0.91-0.99)
and PSA.

Conclusion:
The risks of PSD and PSA increased substantially 3 months beyond stroke onset. Of
the RBC indices, higher MCV, showed an independent positive association with PSD.
Determinants of Use of Long-term Continuous Electrocardiographic Monitoring for Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients without Atrial Fibrillation at Baseline
Authors: Lee Jiann-Der , Huang Yen-Chu , Lee Meng , Lee Tsong-Hai , Kuo Ya-Wen , Hu Ya-Han , Ovbiagele Bruce 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder associated
with stroke. Increased risk of stroke is the same regardless of whether the AF is permanent
or paroxysmal. However, detecting paroxysmal AF is challenging and resource intensive. We
aimed to develop a predictive model for AF in patients with acute ischemic stroke, which could
improve the detection rate of paroxysmal AF.

Methods:
We analyzed 10,034 adult patients with acute ischemic stroke. Differences in clinical
characteristics between the patients with and without AF were analyzed in order to develop a predictive
model of AF. The associated factors for AF were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression
and classification and regression tree (CART) analyses. We used another dataset, which
enrolled 860 acute ischemic stroke patients without AF at baseline, to test whether the developed
model could improve the detection rate of paroxysmal AF. Among the study population, 1,658 patients
(16.5%) had AF.

Results:
Multivariate logistic regression revealed that sex, age, body weight, hypertension, diabetes
mellitus, hyperlipidemia, pulse rate at admission, respiratory rate at admission, systolic blood
pressure at admission, diastolic blood pressure at admission, National Institute of Health Stroke
Scale (NIHSS) score at admission, total cholesterol level, triglyceride level, aspartate transaminase
level, and sodium level were major factors associated with AF. CART analysis identified NIHSS
score at admission, age, triglyceride level, and aspartate transaminase level as important factors for
AF to classify the patients into subgroups.

Conclusions:
When selecting the high-risk group of patients (with an NIHSS score >12 and age
>64.5 years, or with an NIHSS score ≤12, age >71.5 years, and triglyceride level ≤61.5 mg/dL) according
to the CART model, the detection rate of paroxysmal AF was approximately double in the
acute ischemic stroke patients without AF at baseline.
Bioinformatics-based Identification of Proteins Expressed by Arthropod- borne Viruses Transmitted by Aedes Aegypti Mosquito
Authors: Polanco Carlos , Uversky Vladimir N. , Huberman Alberto , Andrés Leire , Buhse Thomas , Castañón-González Jorge Alberto , Sánchez-Guerrero Alma Fernanda 
Published: April 2020

Background:
The female Aedes aegypti mosquito is a vector of several arthropod-borne
viruses, such as Mayaro, Dengue, Chikungunya, Yellow Fever, and Zika. These viruses cause the
death of at least 600000 people a year and temporarily disable several million more around the
world. Up to date, there are no effective prophylactic measures that would prevent the contact and
bite of this arthropod and, therefore, its consequential contagion.

Objective:
The objective of the present study was to search for the regularities of the proteins expressed
by these five viruses, at residues level, and obtain a “bioinformatic fingerprint” to select
them.

Methods:
We used two bioinformatic systems, our in-house bioinformatic system named Polarity
Index Method® (PIM®) supported at residues level, and the commonly used algorithm for the prediction
of intrinsic disorder predisposition, PONDR® FIT. We applied both programs to the 29 proteins
that express the five groups of arboviruses studied, and we calculated for each of them their
Polarity Index Method® profile and their intrinsic disorder predisposition. This information was
then compared with analogous information for other protein groups, such as proteins from bacteria,
fungi, viruses, and cell-penetrating peptides from the UniProt database, and a set of intrinsically disordered
proteins. Once the “fingerprint” of each group of arboviruses was obtained, these “fingerprints”
were searched among the 559228 “reviewed” proteins from the UniProt database.

Results:
In total, 1736 proteins were identified from the 559228 “reviewed” proteins from the
UniProt database, with similar “PIM® profile” to the 29 mutated proteins that express the five
groups of arboviruses.

Conclusion:
We propose that the “PIM® profile” of characterization of proteins might be useful for
the identification of proteins expressed by arthropod-borne viruses transmitted by Aedes aegypti
mosquito.
Validated RP-LC Methods for Investigating the Degradation Behavior of Acefylline: Application for Analysis in Two Binary Mixtures
Authors: EL-Houssini Ola Mohamed , Zawilla Nagwan Hamdi , Mohammad Mohammad Abdul-Azim 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Acefylline (Acef) is a derivative of theophylline that has bronchodilator effects. Two binary
mixtures were marketed for Acef: Acefylline piperazine/ Phenobarbitone (Acef-P/Phen) and Acefylline
heptaminol/ Cinnarizine (Acef-H/ Cinn). To our knowledge none of the reported methods had the capacity to
determine Acef in its binary mixture in presence of its degradation products and potential impurity theophylline
(Theo).

Methods:
Two validated RP-LC methods were established for the determination of Acef-P/Phen and Acef-H/
Cinn in presence of Acef degradation products and its potential impurity Theo. A complete study of the forced
acidic, alkaline and oxidative degradation of Acef was presented. The methods were based on LC separation on
RP C18 columns using isocratic and gradient elution for Acef-P /Phen and Acef-H /Cinn mixtures, respectively.
Different chromatographic conditions were examined and optimized.

Results:
Linear responses were attained over concentration ranges of 75-500/15-1000 μg/mL and 100-1000 /50-
500 μg/mL with mean percentage recoveries of (100.72±1.23)%/ (99.29±1.12)% and (100.44±1.27)%/
(99.01±0.97)% for Acef-P/Phen and Acef-H /Cinn, respectively. ICH guidelines were used for methods
validation and all parameters were found to be acceptable.

Conclusion:
The methods showed to be accurate, precise and specific for the analysis of Acef-P/Phen and AcefH /Cinn in drug substance, drug product and in laboratory prepared mixtures in presence of Theo and up to 50%
of degradation products. The structures of the main degradation products and the expected degradation pathway
were suggested using the MS data.