bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A study on the effects of COVID–19 pandemic on Nigerian seafarers
Authors: Okeleke Uka John , Aponjolosun Moses Olatunde 
Published: November 2020

There is no doubt that Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted negatively on global shipping and the effects are also being felt in the Nigerian shipping industry. Through review of extant literature, the effects of COVID-19 on Nigerian shipping industry with specific focus on port operations and Nigerian seafarers were examined. The findings revealed that lock down of the economy and restriction of movements in Nigeria presented a challenging situation for stakeholders in the shipping industry to fulfill their contractual obligations, import and export operations are hampered , Nigerian seafarers are mentally and psychologically disturbed as a result of lack of social support and extension of contract beyond the agreed contractual term with exhausting workload onboard with little or no support from the management who are more concerned about contract execution than the welfare of the crew onboard. However, it was recommended that living and working conditions of Nigerian seafarers onboard in this pandemic era should be given utmost attention by applying practical and pragmatic approach on issues bordering on facilitation of crew change, resupply, repairs, survey and certification and licensing of seafarers.
RISKS AND THREATS OF THE ALTAI REGION ECONOMY AND SOCIAL SPHERE ADAPTATION TO CHANGES IN THE EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Trotskovsky А. Ya. , Sergienko A. M. , Rodionova L. V. 
Published: November 2020

The article is devoted to the study of the regional socio-economic systems' reactions to changes in national macroeconomic parameters. The features of the agro-industrial regions' economy and social sphere adaptation are revealed. The main problems of the development of agro-industrial regions, characterized by peripheral position, are disclosed. The characteristic of restrictions, risks and threats to their development is given. On the example of the Altai Territory, an attempt to comprehensively consider key challenges to the development of the region.
In the field of economics, the following are identified as threats:
— de-industrialization of the region economy;
— limited reproductive capabilities;
— a significantly deeper fall in labor productivity compared with Russia;
— lack of conditions for ensuring modernization and qualitative changes in the region economy.
The three most acute problems in the sphere of population incomes are outlined: low income level; insufficient growth rates; poverty and excessive income inequality.
The most important demographic risks of the sustainable development of the Altai Territory are revealed: population reduction, aging, and imbalances in resettlement.
Therapeutic drug monitoring of methotrexate and its metabolites in the red blood cells and mononuclear cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Gridneva G. I. , Muravyev Yu. V. , Baimeeva N. V. , Sygyrta V. S. , Glukhova S. I. , Guseva I. A. , Samarkina E. Yu. , Aronova E. S. , Kudryavtseva A. V. 
Published: November 2020

Objective: to assess the time course of changes in the concentration of methotrexate (MTX) and its main metabolites in the red blood cells (RBC) and mononuclear cells (MNC) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), by taking into account individual characteristics (age, statin therapy, and smoking).Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 33 MTX-treated patients (mean age 53.2±11.7 years) with RA, who underwent therapeutic drug monitoring to measure the RBC and MNC concentrations of free MTX and MTX polyglutamates (MTXPGs) with 2, 3, and 4 glutamate residues (MTXPG 2–4) in using tandem chromatomass spectrometry after 4, 12, and 24 weeks of therapy.Results and discussion. Following 12 weeks, the concentration of MTXPG4 in the MNC was higher in patients taking statins, while that of MTX and MTXPG2 in the RBC were significantly lower than in smokers. At 24 weeks, older patients were observed to have a higher MTX level and a lower MTXPG4 concentration in the RBC.Conclusion. After 24 weeks of therapy, the RBC concentration of MTPG4 was lower and that of MTX was higher in older patients than in others, which confirms data on a slower MTX metabolism in the elderly. The use of statins is likely to have a positive impact on the accumulation of MTXPG. There is a statistically significantly lower RBC concentration of MTXPG in at 12 weeks of therapy.
Missing Self-Induced Activation of NK Cells Combines with Non-Complement-Fixing Donor-Specific Antibodies to Accelerate Kidney Transplant Loss in Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection
Authors: Koenig Alice , Mezaache Sarah , Callemeyn Jasper , Barba Thomas , Mathias Virginie , Sicard Antoine , Charreau Béatrice , Rabeyrin Maud , Dijoud Frédérique , Picard Cécile , Meas-Yedid Vannary , Olivo-Marin Jean-Christophe , Morelon Emmanuel , Naesens Maarten , Dubois Valérie , Thaunat Olivier 
Published: November 2020

Background
Binding of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) to kidney allograft endothelial cells that does not activate the classic complement cascade can trigger the recruitment of innate immune effectors, including NK cells. Activated NK cells contribute to microvascular inflammation leading to chronic antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Recipient NK cells can also trigger antibody-independent microvascular inflammation by sensing the absence of self HLA class I molecules (“missing self”) on allograft endothelial cells. This translational study investigated whether the condition of missing self amplifies DSA-dependent NK cell activation to worsen chronic AMR.

Methods and Results
Among 1682 kidney transplant recipients who underwent an allograft biopsy at Lyon University Hospital between 2004 and 2017, 135 fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for AMR and were enrolled in the study. Patients with complement-fixing DSAs identified by a positive C3d binding assay (n=73, 54%) had a higher risk of transplant failure (P=0.002). Among the remaining patients with complement-independent chronic AMR (n=62, 46%), those in whom missing self was identified through donor and recipient genotyping exhibited worse allograft survival (P=0.02). In multivariable analysis, only proteinuria (HR: 7.24; P=0.01) and the presence of missing self (HR: 3.57; P=0.04) were independent predictors for transplant failure following diagnosis of chronic AMR. Cocultures of human NK cells and endothelial cells confirmed that addition of missing self to DSA-induced NK cell activation increased endothelial damage.

Conclusions
The assessment of missing self at the time of diagnosis of chronic AMR identifies patients at higher risk for kidney transplant failure.
Prediction of Kidney Drug Clearance: A Comparison of Tubular Secretory Clearance and Glomerular Filtration Rate
Authors: Chen Yan , Zelnick Leila R. , Hoofnagle Andrew N. , Yeung Catherine K. , Shireman Laura M. , Phillips Brian , Brauchla Calder C. , de Boer Ian , Manahan Linda , Heckbert Susan R. , Himmelfarb Jonathan , Kestenbaum Bryan R. 
Published: November 2020

Background
Although proximal tubular secretion is the primary mechanism of kidney drug elimination, current kidney drug dosing strategies are on the basis of eGFR.

Methods
In a dedicated pharmacokinetic study to compare GFR with tubular secretory clearance for predicting kidney drug elimination, we evaluated stable outpatients with eGFRs ranging from 21 to 140 ml/min per 1.73 m2. After administering single doses of furosemide and famciclovir (metabolized to penciclovir), we calculated their kidney clearances on the basis of sequential plasma and timed urine measurements. Concomitantly, we quantified eight endogenous secretory solutes in plasma and urine using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and measured GFR by iohexol clearance (iGFR). We computed a summary secretion score as the scaled average of the secretory solute clearances.

Results
Median iGFR of the 54 participants was 73 ml/min per 1.73 m2. The kidney furosemide clearance correlated with iGFR (r=0.84) and the summary secretion score (r=0.86). The mean proportionate error (MPE) between iGFR-predicted and measured furosemide clearance was 30.0%. The lowest MPE was observed for the summary secretion score (24.1%); MPEs for individual secretory solutes ranged from 27.3% to 48.0%. These predictive errors were statistically indistinguishable. Penciclovir kidney clearance was correlated with iGFR (r=0.83) and with the summary secretion score (r=0.91), with similar predictive accuracy of iGFR and secretory clearances. Combining iGFR with the summary secretion score yielded only modest improvements in the prediction of the kidney clearance of furosemide and penciclovir.

Conclusions
Secretory solute clearance measurements can predict kidney drug clearances. However, tight linkage between GFR and proximal tubular secretory clearance in stable outpatients provides some reassurance that GFR, even when estimated, is a useful surrogate for predicting secretory drug clearances in such patients.
Kidney Single-cell Transcriptomes Predict Spatial Corticomedullary Gene Expression and Tissue Osmolality Gradients
Authors: Hinze Christian , Karaiskos Nikos , Boltengagen Anastasiya , Walentin Katharina , Redo Klea , Himmerkus Nina , Bleich Markus , Potter S. Steven , Potter Andrew S. , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Kocks Christine , Rajewsky Nikolaus , Schmidt-Ott Kai M. 
Published: November 2020

Background
Single-cell transcriptomes from dissociated tissues provide insights into cell types and their gene expression and may harbor additional information on spatial position and the local microenvironment. The kidney’s cells are embedded into a gradient of increasing tissue osmolality from the cortex to the medulla, which may alter their transcriptomes and provide cues for spatial reconstruction.

Methods
Single-cell or single-nuclei mRNA sequencing of dissociated mouse kidneys and of dissected cortex, outer, and inner medulla, to represent the corticomedullary axis, was performed. Computational approaches predicted the spatial ordering of cells along the corticomedullary axis and quantitated expression levels of osmo-responsive genes. In situ hybridization validated computational predictions of spatial gene-expression patterns. The strategy was used to compare single-cell transcriptomes from wild-type mice to those of mice with a collecting duct–specific knockout of the transcription factor grainyhead-like 2 (Grhl2CD−/−), which display reduced renal medullary osmolality.

Results
Single-cell transcriptomics from dissociated kidneys provided sufficient information to approximately reconstruct the spatial position of kidney tubule cells and to predict corticomedullary gene expression. Spatial gene expression in the kidney changes gradually and osmo-responsive genes follow the physiologic corticomedullary gradient of tissue osmolality. Single-nuclei transcriptomes from Grhl2CD−/− mice indicated a flattened expression gradient of osmo-responsive genes compared with control mice, consistent with their physiologic phenotype.

Conclusions
Single-cell transcriptomics from dissociated kidneys facilitated the prediction of spatial gene expression along the corticomedullary axis and quantitation of osmotically regulated genes, allowing the prediction of a physiologic phenotype.
Prevalence and knowledge of premenstrual syndrome among adolescent girls in India
Authors: Katjiukua Chantelle Renee , Simon Naveen , Chatterjee Apurva , Akinola Ajoke 
Published: November 2020

Monthly premenstrual syndrome (PMS) lasts for 6 days up until menopause. During women’s reproductive years they experience an estimated amount of severe symptoms for 3000 days. The present study is aimed to assess the prevalence and knowledge on PMS among adolescents and effectiveness of teaching tools in improving the knowledge of PMS among adolescents using systematic review method. Prevalence and knowledge of PMS were systematically reviewed. A search was conducted using keywords premenstrual syndrome, PMS in adolescents/teenagers in reliable English articles. The initial search 874 articles on PubMed were available. In all 18 articles from the year 2008-2019 that were reviewed has shown there are more than 50% of adolescent girls suffering from PMS in each study and pertaining to the knowledge result shows that girls have a lack/little knowledge on what PMS is, and during an intervention of any sort results show that there was an improvement in the knowledge of the girls after the intervention was implemented, displaying the effectiveness of educational programs regarding PMS and how it increase knowledge regarding PMS. PMS is highly prevalent among female students. Every adolescent girl must be aware of premenstrual syndrome and its effect and how it can be managed, also health education programs regarding PMS and other menstrual problems are very important and secondary schools should include them in the school curriculum to reduce the prevalence of such problems and more teaching methods to be used by future researchers in regards to PMS.
STRENGTHENING DISTRICT HEALTH MANAGEMENT IN LOW-MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES: REFLECTIONS AND WAY FORWARD
Authors: Omar Maye Abu 
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Health systems in low-middle income countries are undergoing considerable changes in a context of ongoing health sector reforms. Districts have, therefore, been increasingly recognised as the level where health policies and health sector reforms are interpreted and implemented. At the same time, decentralisation in its different forms has become a popular reform in many countries, and this increases the importance of ensuring that districts have the organisational capacity to offer a good service.Aim: The article investigates the process, challenges and opportunities of health system development at district level in low-middle income countries.Discussion: While district strengthening is probably necessary in relation to the success of all other health reforms, it is argued that it has not been accorded the importance probably because it is not seen as glamorous. The district health management team must include both strengthening the capacity of individuals, but crucially also, improvement of systems. Many initiatives have been patchy and fail to provide a consistent national approach. The persistence of top-down approaches to health care works directly against districts being able to take charge of their own affairs.Conclusions: A shared vision of district strengthening must be achieved in order to progress with the achievement of Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals. Keywords: district health strengthening, capacity building, low-middle income countries, universal health coverage.
ISLAMIC FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CO2 EMISSION IN INDONESIA
Authors: Iskandar Azwar , Possumah Bayu Taufiq , Aqbar Khaerul 
Published: November 2020

This study aims to investigate the dynamic relationship between Islamic financial development, economic growth, and CO2 emissions with Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) approach in Indonesia over the 2000-2018 period. This study employs the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bound testing approach and the Error Correction Mechanism (ECM) to examine the existence of long-run and short-run relationship between variables. From the results of the model, we do not find any support for the existence of the EKC for Indonesia. Moreover, the results present that there is no dynamic relationship in the short run among growth, Islamic finance development and CO2 emission. Long-run findings suggest that CO2 emission from transport; other sectors, excluding residential buildings and commercial and public services; and residential buildings and commercial and public services sector are significantly associated to the Islamic finance development in Indonesia. The findings of this study shows that Islamic finance development can help the country to adjust its CO2 emissions and play its role in protecting the environment by encouraging environmental-friendly and energy-efficient projects. A strong and efficient financial sector would be helpful in facilitating the investment process by advancing loans for business in condition with curbing CO2 emissions.
Key sur(VIR)val factors in water supply companies: some lessons from Poland
Authors: Chudziński Paweł , Cyfert Szymon , Dyduch Wojciech , Zastempowski Maciej 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis paper presents the outcomes of research on managerial decisions that were made as a first reaction to the economic crisis caused by the SARS-Cov-19 virus (the coronacrisis). The research was carried out among 116 companies from the water supply sector operating in Poland that includes water supply and sewage. The results indicate which elements were perceived by managers as key factors for survival and further functioning. It is clear that the most frequent managerial decisions made were reducing investments and sending employees for home office work, as well as prolonging the payment deadlines. Interestingly, investment reductions were accompanied by sustaining the R&D expenses, as the researched organisations desired to stay competitive and innovative right after the crisis. Only a few of the water supply companies decided to make workers redundant, as the majority declared the intent to protect the workforce, e.g. by sending employees on leave. The research has also shown that the companies approached the coronacrisis rather methodologically and systematically, which indicates a good level of managerial decision-making under pressure, overall enterprise preparedness for crisis situations, as well as staff involvement. Based on our research, we offer some recommendations concerning how the water supply sector organisations can prepare for similar crises in the future. Our research indicates that the decisions made had the following goals in mind: protecting workforce and sustaining cash flow, as well as securing competitive position after the crisis. Our research also focuses on the necessary decisions to be made in water supply companies before the next crises.
Targeting the nucleotide metabolism proteins of the NUDIX family and SAMHD1 in cancer
Authors: Forey Prescillia , Cros-Perrial Emeline , Dumontet Charles , Jordheim Lars Petter 
Published: November 2020

:
The nucleotide metabolism has been targeted for many years and in various clinical settings, including cancer.
The increased knowledge of certain enzymes involved in this metabolism and in associated cellular processes accumulated
over the last few years, gives important information to the druggability of certain proteins and to the use of inhibitors for
others. Here, we review recent data on such enzymes with major interest in drug development, i.e. SAMHD1 and the proteins of the NUDIX family. These include information on their roles in cancer progression, correlations with clinical outcome in cancer patients, and development and study of enzymatic inhibitors.
Generative Adversarial Networks in Medical Image Processing
Authors: Gong Meiqin , Chen Siyu , Chen Qingyuan , Zeng Yuanqi , Zhang Yongqing 
Published: November 2020

Background:
The emergence of generative adversarial networks (GANs) has provided new technology
and framework for the application of medical images. Specifically, a GAN requires little to no labeled data
to obtain high-quality data that can be generated through competition between the generator and discriminator
networks. Therefore, GANs are rapidly proving to be a state-of-the-art foundation, achieving enhanced performances
in various medical applications.

Methods:
In this article, we introduce the principles of GANs and their various variants, deep convolutional
GAN, conditional GAN, Wasserstein GAN, Info-GAN, boundary equilibrium GAN, and cycle-GAN.

Results:
All various GANs have found success in medical imaging tasks, including medical image enhancement,
segmentation, classification, reconstruction, and synthesis. Furthermore, we summarize the data processing
methods and evaluation indicators. Finally, we note the limitations of existing methods and the existing
challenges that need to be addressed in this field.

Conclusion:
Although GANs are in the initial stage of development in medical image processing, it will have a
great prospect in the future.
Importance and Analytical Perspective of Green Synthetic Strategies of Copper, Zinc, and Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles and their Applications in Pathogens and Environmental Remediation
Authors: Panhwar Sagar , Buledi Jamil A. , Mal Dadu , Solangi Amber R. , Balouch Aamna , Hyder Ali 
Published: November 2020

Background:
Nanotechnology is a promising field of science which deals with the production
and utilization of material under nanoscale dimensions. The nanoscale regime provides
exceptional applications in various fields of science due to its large surface to volume ratio and
many valuable properties. Hence, the production and use of nanomaterials are the prominent areas
of modern research. Amongst the nanomaterials, metal oxide NPs have gained much attention due
to their vast number of applications in different areas, including electrochemical applications, dye
degradation, catalysis, and are known to be the exceptional entities in the battle against different
pathogens. The metal oxides are viably synthesized through chemical methods that require the use
of many noxious chemicals. Henceforth, it is the demand of the modern world to carry out research
on the synthesis of metal oxide nanomaterials through eco-friendly, greener, and non-toxic routes.
Thus, various green methods are employed to engineer the metal oxide NPs by using different
greener, cheaper, and eco-friendly sources, employing the use of plant extracts, bacteria, fungi and
other biological bodies. The present review covered the green synthesis of CuO, ZnO, TiO2 NPs
and their applicability towards different pathogens and environmental remediation reported from
the year 2015 to date.

Objective:
The exceptional catalytic properties, environmental, and anti-microbial applications of
metal oxide, especially CuO, ZnO, TiO2, are the main highlights of this review articles. The most
cost-effective and greener routes for the synthesis of CuO, ZnO, TiO2, are discussed in the present
review. To date, various green synthetic methods for the preparation of mentioned nanoparticles
and their applicability towards different pathogens and degradation of different hazardous dyes
with some electrochemical applications has been thoroughly covered in this review.

Conclusion:
The biosynthesis of metal oxide NPs using greener and eco-friendly approaches have
been the attentive area in the last decade. Green synthesis requires chemical-free active components
from biological sources, which act as both the reducing and stabilizing agent for the size and shapecontrolled
production of NPs. The future vision of bacterial, fungal, and plant-mediated production
of NPs includes the postponement of laboratory-based work to a large industrial scale, exposition
of different phytochemicals involved in the biosynthesis of NPs using bioinformatics techniques
and stemming the real mechanism involved in preventing the growth of pathogenic bacteria, fungi,
and algae. The plant-mediated NPs can have diverse applications in the arena of pharmaceutical,
food, and cosmetic industries, and thus, became a vital area of modern research.