bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychosocial Distress and Exposure to Sexually Explicit Materials as Correlates of Sexual Intercourse among Adolescents in Dodoma–Tanzania
Authors: Hussein Abdalla , Ismail Abbas , Malero Augustine , Dadi Habibu , Charles James , Sando Mery , Fawzi Wafaei , Vuai Said 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Adolescents’ sexuality is topical in public health discussions owing to its ability to increase the risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. Research shows that adolescents’ sexual behavior, psychosocial distress, and exposure to sexually explicit material are interconnected in that they need collective health interventions for adolescents. However, although mental health factors, such as psychological distress, are common in developing and middle-income countries, including Tanzania, mental health factors are less considered in HIV research. Thus, there is a need to raise awareness on the role of mental health factors in HIV epidemic. This study is, therefore, a response to this requirement by examining the contribution of psychosocial distress and exposure to sexually explicit materials on sexual intercourse among adolescents in Dodoma Region using Dodoma Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) data. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five villages of Chamwino District from April to June 2017 among 1,226 adolescents of 10-19 years age. The villages of Chamwino District were used as sampling strata while a stratified random sampling technique was used to select the respondents.A weighted logistic regression model was used to examine the independent contribution of psychosocial distress and exposure to sexually explicit materials on sexual intercourse while accounting for study design.Results: The overall lifetime prevalence of adolescent sexuality was 20.38%. The prevalence was observed to be higher among males (32.15%) as compared to females (10.92%). Adolescent sexuality was significantly associated with both psychosocial distress and exposure to sexually explicit materials. The odds ratios showed that adolescents reported psychosocially distressed (AOR=1.61, 95 %CI: 1.32- 1.96) and those exposed to sexually explicit materials (AOR=4.26, 95% CI: 3.65- 4.97) were at higher risk of having sexual intercourse. Other variables associated with sexual intercourse were age, sex, alcohol use, and current schooling status.Conclusion: The analysis made through this study came to the conclusion that as HIV risk continues to be a serious concern among adolescents, adolescent sexuality, psychosocial distress, and exposure to sexually explicit materials are interconnected. This calls for upfront interventions on school health education and services, particularly on the ventures to lower psychosocial distress and avert exposure on sexually explicit materials to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
High Prevalence of Stunting in Preschool Children (1-5Years) attending selected Health Centers in a Food Rich Area - Bushenyi District Southwestern Uganda
Authors: Mugarura Douglas , NINSIIMA HERBERT IZO , Kinyi Hellen wambuyi , Eze Daniel Ejike , Tumwesigire Sam , Prossy Vickie , Andrew Ndamira 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background; The prevalence of stunting and helminthiasis among children in Uganda and Sub-Saharan Africa is still high and if Uganda is to achieve the food-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it must urgently invest in improving nutrition and sanitation . In a food rich area like Bushenyi, chronic under nutrition could be due to several other factors than mere scarcity of food. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and socio-clinical factors responsible for chronic under nutrition (stunting) among pre-school children aged 1-5 years in selected Health facilities in Bushenyi district.Methods: A cross-sectional study on prevalence of chronic under nutrition (stunting) and related factors among children 1-5 years. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire and using anthropometric measurements (height/ length), and standard laboratory procedures (stool analysis for eggs of soil transmitted helminthes), then recorded in a data card. Stool samples were collected from 206 children and analyzed for soil transmitted helminthes’ eggs using Formol-ether concentration method. Results: Majority were female (59.7%) aged above two years, with a median age of 2.1 years (IQR= 1.6-2.8). Most children (92.2%) stayed with their parents and resided within Bushenyi municipality (54.9%). Many lived within an extended family (52.4%) and 92.2% had been brought to the health center by their parents who were married (71.8%). children who were likely to be stunted were those who drank unboiled water (aPR=1.21, 95%CI 1.10-1.34) and were exclusively breastfed (aPR=1.35, 95% CI 1.11-1.65). The proportion of children with stunting was 89.3% (95%CI 83.3-92.9).Although most of the children were dewormed twice a year (64.1%), they did not wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating (84.6%). Furthermore, a majority of them (76.2%) rarely wore shoes. Almost all of the caregivers (96.1%) reported that they had never received any form of education on how to feed their children. However, many of the children (74.3%) had or were being exclusively breastfed and half of them (50.5%) drank boiled water. A few of the children (10.7%) were infested with soil transmitted helminthesConclusion: The prevalence of chronic malnutrition is in Bushenyi district is very high despite the abundance of food. This is due to several factors including parents’/care takers’ low knowledge. The study therefore recommends intensive continuous education on proper nutrition of preschool children and its benefits to the communities in Bushenyi District.Trial registration: Not applicable.
China’s effective control and other countries’ uncharted challenge against COVID-19: an epidemiological and modelling study
Authors: Zheng Lingling , Kang Qin , Chen Xiujuan , Huang Shuai , Liu Dong , Liao Weiyao , Xia Huimin , Tang Jinling , Liang Huiying 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective: In this study, we use the time-dependent reproduction number (Rt) to comprise the COVID transmissibility across different countries.Methods: We used data from Jan 20, 2019, to Feb 29, 2020, on the number of newly confirmed cases, obtained from the reports published by the CDC, to infer the incidence of infectious over time. A two-step procedure was used to estimate the Rt. The first step used data on known index-secondary cases pairs, from publicly available case reports, to estimate the serial interval distribution. The second step estimated the Rt jointly from the incidence data and the information data in the first step. Rt was then used to simulate the epidemics across all major cities in China and typical countries worldwide. Results: Based on a total of 126 index-secondary cases pairs from 4 international regions, we estimated that the serial interval for SARS-2-CoV was 4.18 (IQR 1.92 – 6.65) days. Domestically, Rt of China, Hubei province, Wuhan had fallen below 1.0 on 9 Feb, 10 Feb and 13 Feb (Rt were 0.99±0.02, 0.99±0.02 and 0.96±0.02), respectively. Internationally, as of 26 Feb, statistically significant periods of COVID spread (Rt >1) were identified for most regions, except for Singapore (Rt was 0.92±0.17).Conclusions: The epidemic in China has been well controlled, but the worldwide pandemic has not been well controlled. Worldwide preparedness and vulnerability against COVID-19 should be regarded with more care.
Correlation between Metabolic Specialization and Codon Preference: Analysis of the Ligninolytic Genes from the White Rot Basidiomycete Ceriporiopsis Subvermispora as A Model System.
Authors: Gonzalez Alex R , Corsini Gino R , Lobos Sergio , Seelenfreund Daniela , Tello Mario 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Ceriporiopsis subvermispora is a white-rot fungus that displays a high specificity towards lignin mineralization when colonizing dead wood or lignocellulosic compounds. The lignocellulose degrading system from C. subvermispora is formed by genes that encode cellulose hydrolytic enzymes, manganese peroxidases, and laccases that catalyze the efficient depolymerization and mineralization of lignin in the presence of Mn3+ through the formation of lipoperoxides from unsaturated lipid acids. This highly specific lignin-degrading system is unique among white-rot fungi. Methods: In order to determine if this metabolic specialization has modified codon usage of the ligninolytic system, leading to an increased adaptation to the fungal translational machine, we analyzed the adaptation to host codon usage (CAI), tRNA pool (tAI, and AAtAI), codon pair bias (CPB) and the number of effective codons (Nc). These indexes were correlated with gene expression of C. subvermispora, as evaluated by microarray in the presence of two carbon sources, glucose and Aspen wood.Results: General gene expression of C. subvermispora was not correlated with the CAI, tAI, AAtAI, CBP or Nc indexes used to evaluate adaptation to codon bias or the tRNA pool, neither in the presence of glucose or Aspen wood. However, in media containing Aspen wood, the induction of expression of lignin-degrading genes showed a strong correlation with all the former indexes. Lignin-degrading genes, defined as genes whose expression increases at least two-fold in Aspen wood, showed significantly (p<0.001) higher values of CAI, AAtAI, CPB, tAI and lower values of Nc with respect to non-induced genes. Among ligninolytic genes, cellulose-binding proteins and manganese peroxidases presented the highest adaptation values. We also identified an expansion of genes encoding glycine and glutamic acid tRNAs.Conclusions: Our results suggest that the metabolic specialization to use wood as the sole carbon source has introduced a bias in the codon usage of genes involved in lignocellulose degradation. This bias reduces codon diversity and increases codon usage adaptation to the tRNA pool available in C. subvermispora. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing that codon usage is modified to improve the translation efficiency of a group of genes involved in a particular metabolic pathway.
Accelerating action of Alzheimer’s disease gut microbiota on Tau protein hyperphosphorylation: crosstalk of inflammation and autophagy
Authors: Yinrui Guo , Xiaocui Tang , Longkai Qi , Xin Yang , Ran Li , Xiangxiang Zhu , Miao Zeng , Tianming Deng , Yonghong Fu , Yizhen Xie , Jian Wang , Chen Diling 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The gut-brain axis has been implicated in the complex pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the action is unclear, this study was performed to clarify the effect of ad-related gut microbiota on the pathogenesis of AD during pregnancy and early exposure. Methods: A pilot study of gut microbiota in AD patients was performed.Gut microbiota structure, long-term potentiation (LTP), inflammation levels, AD biomarkers, and metabolomics of serum and fecal were monitored after cohousing by cohousing in early life (from pregnancy 14 days to birth 14 days with 8-month old APP/PS1 mice).The regulatory action of bacterial metabolites on Tau protein phosphorylation was evaluated. Results: Gut microbiota from APP/SP1 mice altered structure of gut microbiota in newborn mice, LTP in hippocampal slices was significantly shortened, and inflammatory markers levels were increased, AD biomarkers were upregulated, with significantly higher Tau protein phosphorylation at multiple sites (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results imply ad-related gut microbiota can change the structure of gut microbiota during pregnancy and early exposure. Changing the structure of gut microbiota in the newborn mice can induce leucine metabolism disorder, induce mTOR mediated autophagy dysfunction and increase the level of inflammation, thus leading to accelerate Tau protein phosphorylation and reduce LTP occurs in AD-cohousing mouse hippocampus.
Nimodipine reduces delayed cerebral vasospasm after intracranial tumor surgery,a retrospective study
Authors: Yu Ying , Li Yunqian , Jin Zheng , Chen Fan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) is a serious neurosurgical complication. This retrospective study was performed to analyze if nimodipine can improve prognosis and reduces ischemia secondary to delayed CVS after intracranial tumor surgery.
Methods

Retrospective analysis of 94 patients with an anterior cranial fossa tumor and underwent intracranial tumor surgery was performed, with 42 cases treated with normal saline and 52 cases treated with nimodipine solution. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and distal extracranial internal carotid artery (eICA). An examination was conducted 1 day before surgery and 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days after surgery. Follow-up was performed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 3 months after discharge.
Results

We showed that in the nimodipine group, CVS occurred in 13 (25%) patients who did not have CVS in the first three days after operation; nine patients had CVS between 4 and 7 days, and 4 had CVS between 8 and 14 days. In the normal saline group, nineteen (45%) patients had CVS, 3 presented with CVS within 3 days, 11 between 4–7 days and 5 between 8–14 days. A significant difference in the occurrence of CVS was observed between the two groups. Preoperative and postoperative MCA velocities were compared, revealing a significant change in the normal saline group (P < 0.05) but not in the nimodipine group. Furthermore, significant differences in the outcome were observed between the two groups at the 3-month follow-up (P < 0.05).
Conclusions

Nimodipine markedly improves prognosis and significantly reduces ischemia secondary to delayed CVS after intracranial tumor surgery, as well as the risks of mortality and morbidity.
Defining the resilience of the human salivary microbiota by a 520 days longitudinal study in confined environment: the Mars500 mission
Authors: Fani Renato , Bacci Giovanni , Mengoni Alessio , Emiliani Giovanni , Chiellini Carolina , Cipriani Edoardo Giovanni , Bianconi Giovanna , Canganella Francesco 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe human microbiota plays several roles in health and disease but is often difficult to determine which part is in intimate relationships with the host vs. the occasional presence. During the Mars500 mission, six crewmembers lived completely isolated from the outer world for 520 days following standardized diet regimes. The mission constitutes the first spaceflight simulation to Mars and was a unique experiment to determine, in a longitudinal study design, the composition and importance of the resident vs. a more variable microbiota—the fraction of the human microbiota that changes in time and according to environmental conditions—in humans. MethodsHere we report the characterization of the salivary microbiota from 88 samples taken during and after Mars500 mission for a total of 720 days. Amplicon sequencing of the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA gene was performed and results were analyzed monitoring the diversity of the microbiota while evaluating the effect of the three main variables present in the experimental system: time, diet, and individuality of each subject. ResultsResults, showed statistically significant effects for either time, diet, and individuality of each subject. The main contribution came from the individuality of each subject, emphasizing salivary microbiota personalized features and an individual-based resilience of the microbiota. ConclusionsThe uniqueness of Mars500 mission, allowed to clearly dissect the environmental variables of salivary microbiota, highlighting its pronounced personalization even after sharing the same physical space for more than a year.
Antenatal exercises during pregnancy: knowledge, attitude, and practice of pregnant women in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Janakiraman Balamurugan , Gashaw Moges , Yinunie Mulualem 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background

“Is pregnancy opportunity or a barrier for engaging in exercise”. Maternal health still is a top priority in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. Participation in exercises during pregnancy in low-middle income countries is constrained. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of antenatal exercises among Ethiopian women during pregnancy, and also to find out why some women do not exercise during pregnancy.
Method:

A descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted and 349 pregnant women receiving prenatal care at the ANC clinic, University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital were recruited. Data were obtained on maternal characteristics, knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers towards antenatal exercise (ANEx) by interview method.
Results

Among 349 pregnant women, 138 (39.5%) and 193 (55.3%) had adequate knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practice respectively. Overall, 108 (30.9) of the respondents practiced antenatal exercise, while only 41 (37.9%) among them had a good practice. Brisk walking (90.7%), relaxation (38.9%), and breathing exercise (36.1%) were most practice ANEx, while pelvic floor 6 (5.6%) and 3 (2.8%) yoga were the least practiced. Enhancing post-natal recovery (71%) and vaginal bleeding (64.5) were perceived as benefits and contraindication of ANEx. More than half of them (53.6) think that ANEx doesn’t suit Ethiopian culture. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of ANEx among pregnant women are significantly associated with higher education, government employees, pre-pregnancy exercise, and being advised on ANEx before. Women with adequate knowledge are more likely to have a good practice (AOR 4.53, 95%CI: 1.64, 15.3).
Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that knowledge concerning antenatal exercise is low and their attitude is reasonably favorable. However, very few Ethiopian pregnant practices ANEx according to recommended guidelines during pregnancy.
The Expression Profiles and Role of Circular RNA in Peripheral Blood of Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Li Qi , Yu Zhongjie , Li Mengyang , Su Zhe , Wang Yuanyong , Wang Jianxun , An Yi , Gao Yufang 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most widespread illnesses seriously harmful to human health. However, the mechanisms of its pathogenesis have not yet been completely proved. circRNA is one kind of non-coding RNA, recently published data suggests that circRNAs play a crucial role in heart diseases, but their expression profiles and role in MI patients are not yet completely defined. Methods: RNAs from peripheral blood samples were recruited for high-throughput RNA-seq analysis; The junction site part of circRNAs was confirmed by PCR with divergent primers; ROC curves were created to estimate the diagnostic value of circRNAs for MI; The expression level of circRNAs in clinical and cell samples were detected by RT-qPCR; MiRNA target site in exons of circRNA loci was verified by using miRanda, The binding sites of miRNA and mRNA were predicted by RNAhybrid; The regulatory roles of circSLC8A1 in cardiomyocytes were detected by TUNEL and Immunoblotting.Results: A total of 3862 circRNAs were detected to be remarkably changed, including 2738 circRNAs being upregulated, 1124 circRNAs being downregulated. circTMEM165, circUBAC2, circZNF609, circANKRD12, and circSLC8A1 were upregulated in MI and had closed loop structure. The results of ROC curves revealed that these five circRNAs had good sensitivity and specificity for MI diagnosis. Moreover, we created networks among circRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs to predict the regulatory roles of circRNAs in MI. Besides that, we also demonstrated that circSLC8A1 contributed to cardiomyocytes apoptosis. Conclusions: In this study, we depicted the expression profiles of circular RNA in peripheral blood of myocardial infarction patients, revealed the five circRNAs may be very beneficial for MI diagnosis and regarded as possible biomarkers. Moreover, we also revealed that circSLC8A1 played a critical role in cardiomyocytes apoptosis.
The Influence of Prolonged High Altitude Deployment on Psychomotor Functions Among Chinese Military Plateau Motor Vehicle Operators: Does Deployment Duration Matter?
Authors: Tu Zhi-hao , Peng Li , He Jing-wen , Shen Xing-hua 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background:Psychomotor functions are necessary for Chinese military plateau motor vehicle operators (PMVOs) to complete their driving tasks. This study aimed to investigate (1) the influence of chronic exposure to high altitude (HA) on psychomotor functions among PMVOs; (2) whether deployment duration at HA moderated the effect of HA.Methods: 196 male PMVOs in Golmud (average altitude: 2,890 m) and 192 male lowland motor vehicle operators (LMVOs) were recruited as the studygroup (HA group) and control group (LA group). Both groups were in turn categorized into 3 groups by deployment duration: Group A (less than 1 year), Group B (between 1 year and 2 years), and Group C (more than 2 years). All participants completed simple reaction time, bimanual coordination test, fine motor dexterity test, and eye-hand coordination test. Between-altitude and deployment duration differences were explored usinganalysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: HA group participants had slower simple reaction time in comparison to LA group (F(1, 387) = 18.041, p< 0.001, ηp2 = 0.045).HA group needed less time to complete the bimanual coordination test (F(1, 387) = 2295.648, p< 0.001, ηp2 = 0.857). HA group had more error times in fine motor dexterity test (F(1, 387) = 5.980, p = 0.015, ηp2 = 0.015). HA group participants had better left aim index (F(1, 387) = 13.205, p< 0.001, ηp2 = 0.033) and more right hits (F(1, 387) = 3.916, p = 0.049, ηp2 = 0.010) in aiming test. The interaction effect of altitude and duration was significant on hit number with left hand in the tapping test (F(2, 387) = 3.327, p = 0.037, ηp2 = 0.017). Butsimple effect analysis showed that the effect of duration was not significant among HA group (p = 0.129).Conclusions: In this study, we found that prolonged exposure to HA may cause psychomotor slowing and declining fine motor dexterity. But, the moderating effect of deployment duration was not supported by this study.