bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aquatic habitats of the malaria vector, Anopheles funestus in rural south-eastern Tanzania
Authors: Nambunga Ismail Hassani , Ngowo Halfan S. , Mapua Salum A. , Hape Emmanuel E. , Msugupakulya Betwel J. , Msaky Dickson S. , Mhumbira Nicolaus T. , Mchwembo Karim R. , Tamayamali Gerald Z. , Mlembe Slyakus V. , Njalambaha Rukiyah M. , Lwetoijera Dickson W. , Finda Marceline F. , Govella Nicodem J. , Matoke-Muhia Damaris , Kaindoa Emmanuel W. , Okumu Fredros O. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: In rural south-eastern Tanzania, Anopheles funestus are a major malaria vector, and have been implicated in nearly 90% of infective bites. However, little is known about the natural ecological requirements and survival strategies of this mosquito species.Methods: Potential mosquito aquatic habitats were systematically searched along 1000 m transects radiating from the centres of six villages in south-eastern Tanzania. All water bodies were geo-referenced, characterized and examined for presence of Anopheles larvae using standard 350mls dippers or 10L buckets. Larvae were collected for rearing, and the emergent adults identified to generic or species level, to confirm habitats containing An. funestus. Results: One hundred and eleven (111) habitats were identified and assessed from the first five villages (all <300m altitude). Of these, 36 (32.4%) had An. funestus larvae co-occurring with other mosquito species. Another 47 (42.3%) had other Anopheles species and/or culicines but not An. funestus, and 28 (25.2%) had no mosquitoes. There were three main habitat types occupied by An. funestus, namely: a) small spring-fed pools with well-defined perimeters (36.1%), b) medium-sized natural ponds retaining water most of the year (16.7%), and c) slow-moving waters along river tributaries (47.2%). The habitats generally had clear waters with emergent surface vegetation, depths > 0.5m and distances < 100m from human dwellings. They were permanent or semi-permanent, retaining water most of the year. Water temperatures ranged from 25.2 to 28.8°C, pH from 6.5 to 6.7, turbidity from 26.6 to 54.8 NTU and total dissolved solids from 60.5 to 80.3 mg/L. In the sixth village (altitude >400m), very high densities of An. funestus were found along rivers with slow-moving clear waters and emergent vegetation.Conclusion: This study has documented the diversity and key characteristics of aquatic habitats of An. funestus in south-eastern Tanzania, and will form an important basis for further ecological studies towards improved control strategies. Given the observed characteristics, An. funestus habitats in the area can indeed be described as fixed, few and findable. Future studies should therefore investigate potential of targeting these habitats with larviciding or larval source management to complement malaria control efforts in areas dominated by this vector.
Investigation of Pindan Soil Modified with Polymer Stablisers for Road Pavement
Authors: PARK HYUN KYU , Lee Hyuk , Vimonsatit Vanissorn 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Road failures are often caused by structural weaknesses, and particularly unsealed roads are vulnerable to water as water easily flows into road structures. Moisture susceptibility of materials is an important aspect when pavements are designed as moisture can weaken bonds between aggregates. Pindan soil is a red soil, known as a soft and moisture sensitive soil. Polymer stabilisers have been proved that they can improve soil mechanical properties by providing an internal waterproofing. Studies of the polymer-Pindan soil stabilisation have been focused on engineering performances, but literature shows little information on the fundamental information of Pindan soil. This project focuses on fundamental information of Pindan soil and its improved performances using polymer stabilisers. Plastic index, specific gravity and particle size distribution were tested to obtain the basic properties. Compaction, Unconfined Compressive Strength and California Bearing Ratio tests were performed to determine the mechanical properties. The chemical property was examined using X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, the waterproof effect of the polymers on the stabilised Pindan soil was investigated from capillary rise tests. In addition, the mechanical properties of individual soil grains were investigated using nanoindentation tests. The materials used for this investigation primarily consisted of Pindan soil collected in Broome, Western Australia, and three polymer products manufactured in Australia. Based on the results, it is evident that the failure behaviour, strain and strength as well as the basic properties of the soils are affected and changed by the Polymer stabilisers. The type of polymer influenced the optimum moisture contents and strengths rather than the amount of polymer. Similarly, Nanoindentation technology provided various information such as elastic modulus, hardness, packing density, stiffness, cohesion and fracture toughness of soils at nano-scales. Polymers can reduce water ingress and minimise moisture in the pavement structures. Thus, the structures can maintain its strength and prevent deformation, which will increase the lifetime of unsealed pavements.
Development of calcium stabilized nitrogen rich alpha-sialon ceramics along the Si3N4:1/2Ca3N2:3AlN line using spark plasma sintering
Authors: Ahmed Bilal Anjum , Hakeem Abbas Saeed , Laoui Tahar 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Calcium stabilized nitrogen rich sialon ceramics having a general formula of CaxSi12-2xAl2xN16 with x value in the range of 0.2-2.2 for compositions lying along the Si3N4:1/2Ca3N2:3AlN line were synthesized using nano/submicron size starting powder precursors and spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The development of calcium stabilized nitrogen rich sialon ceramics at a significantly low sintering temperature of 1500°C (typically reported a temperature of 1700°C or greater) remains to be the highlight of the present study. The SPS processed sialons were characterized for their microstructure, phase and compositional analysis, physical and mechanical properties. Furthermore, a correlation was developed between the lattice parameters and the content (x) of the alkaline metal cation in the alpha-sialon phase. Well densified single-phase nitrogen rich alpha-sialon ceramics were achieved in the range of 0.53(3) ≤ x ≤ 1.27(3). A nitrogen rich alpha-sialon sample possessing a maximum hardness of 22.4 GPa and fracture toughness of 6.1 MPa.m1/2 was developed.
Clubfoot treatment with Ponseti method – Parental distress during plaster casting
Authors: Walter Christian , Sachsenmaier Saskia , Wünschel Markus , Teufel Martin , Götze Marco 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background Clubfoot is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal congenital defects. Gold standard treatment of idiopathic clubfoot is the conservative Ponseti method, including the reduction of deformity with weekly serial plaster casting and percutaneous Achilles tenotomy. It is well known that parents of children with severe and chronic illnesses are mentally stressed, but in recent studies regarding clubfoot treatment, parents were only asked about their satisfaction with the treatment. Largely unknown is parental distress before and during plaster casting in clubfoot.Therefore, we want to determinate first, how pronounced the parents' worries are before treatment and if they decrease during the therapy. Second, we hypothesized that parents faced with an extreme deformity (high Pirani-Score), reveal more distress, than parents whose children have a less pronounced deformity (low Pirani-Score). Therefore, we wanted to investigate weather the Pirani score correlates with the parents' mental resilience in relation to the therapy of the child as a global distress parameter.Methods: To answer this question, we developed a questionnaire with the following emphases: Physical capacity, mental resilience, motion score, parents score and child score with point scores 1 (not affected) to 6 (high affected). Subsequently, we interviewed 20 parents whose children were treated with clubfeet and determined the Pirani score of the infants at the beginning (T0) and at the end (TE) of the treatment with plaster casting.Results High values were obtained in child score (Mean (M) = 3.11), motion score (M = 2.63) and mental resilience (M = 2.25). During treatment, mental resilience improved (p = 0.015) significantly. The Spearman correlation coefficient between Pirani-Score (T0) and mental resilience (T0) is 0.21, so the initial hypothesis had to be rejected.Conclusion The issues of the children are in the focus of parental worries concerning clubfoot treatment, especially the assumed future motion and the assumed ability to play with other children. Particular emphasis should be placed on educating parents about the excellent long-term results in the function of the treated feet especially as this topic shows the greatest parental distress.
Dynamic changes of D-Dimer and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Count Ratio as prognostic biomarkers in COVID-19
Authors: Ye Wenjing , Chen Guoxi , Li Xiaopan , Lan Xing , Ji Chen , Hou Min , Zhang Di , Zeng Guangwang , Wang Yaling , Xu Cheng , Lu Weiwei , Cui Ruolin , Cai Yuyang , Huang Hai , Yang Ling 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background Since December 2019, the outbreak of COVID-19 caused a large number of hospital admissions in China. Many patients with COVID-19 have symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome, even are in danger of death. This is the first study to evaluate dynamic changes of D-Dimer and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Count Ratio (NLR) as a prognostic utility in patients with COVID-19 for clinical use. Methods In a retrospective study, we collected data from 349 hospitalized patients who diagnosed as the infection of the COVID-19 in Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital. We used ROC curves and Cox regression analysis to explore critical value (optimal cut-off point associated with Youden index) and prognostic role of dynamic changes of D-Dimer and NLR. Results 349 participants were enrolled in this study and the mortality rate of the patients with laboratory diagnosed COVID-19 was 14.9%. The initial and peak value of D-Dimer and NLR in deceased patients were higher statistically compared with survivors (P<0.001). There was a more significant upward trend of D-Dimer and NLR during hospitalization in the deceased patients, initial D-Dimer and NLR were lower than the peak tests (MD) -25.23, 95% CI: -31.81- -18.64, P <0.001; (MD) -43.73, 95% CI:-59.28- -31.17, P <0.001. The test showed a stronger correlation between hospitalization days, PCT and peak D-Dimer than initial D-Dimer. The areas under the ROC curves of peak D-Dimer and peak NLR tests were higher than the initial tests (0.94(95%CI: 0.90-0.98) vs. 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73-0.87); 0.93 (95%CI:0.90-0.96) vs. 0.86 (95%CI:0.82-0.91). The critical value of initial D-Dimer, peak D-Dimer, initial NLR and peak NLR was 0.73 mg/L, 3.78 mg/L,7.13 and 14.31 respectively. 35 (10.03%) patients were intubated. In the intubated patients, initial and peak D-Dimer and NLR were much higher than non-intubated patients (P<0.001). The critical value of initial D-Dimer, peak D-Dimer, initial NLR and peak NLR in prognosticate of intubation was 0.73 mg/L, 12.75 mg/L,7.28 and 27.55. The multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that age (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.07, P=0.01), the peak D-Dimer (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.04, P<0.001) were prognostic factors for COVID-19 patients’death. Conclusions To dynamically observe the ratio of D-Dimer and NLR was more valuable during the prognosis of COVID-19. The rising trend in D-Dimer and NLR, or the test results higher than the critical values may indicate a risk of death for participants with COVID-19.
Use of Resuscitation promoting factors to screen for tuberculosis infection in household-exposed children in The Gambia
Authors: Loon Welmoed Van , Gomez Marie P , Jobe Dawda , Franken Kees CLMC , Ottenhoff Tom HM , Corninx Michael , Kestens Luc , Sutherland Jayne , Kampmann Beate , Djomkam Leopold Tientcheu 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background Interferon-γ release assays (IGRA) with Resuscitation promoting factor (Rpf) proteins enhanced tuberculosis (TB) screening and diagnosis in adults but have not been evaluated in children. Children often develop paucibacillary TB and their immune response differs from that of adults, which together affect TB disease diagnostics and immunodiagnostics. We assessed the ability of Rpf to identify infection among household TB-exposed children in The Gambia and investigated their ability to discriminate Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) infection from active TB disease in children.Methods Detailed clinical investigations were done on 93 household TB-exposed Gambian children and a tuberculin skin test (TST) was administered to asymptomatic children. Venous blood was collected for overnight stimulation with ESAT-6/CFP-10-fusion protein (EC), purified protein derivative and RpfA, B, C, D and E. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production was measured by ELISA in supernatants and corrected for the background level. Infection status was defined by IGRA with EC and TB disease by mycobacterial confirmation and/or clinical diagnosis. We compared IFN-γ levels between infected and uninfected children and between infected and TB diseased children using a binomial logistic regression model while correcting for age and sex. A Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis was done to find the best cut-off for IFN-γ level and calculate sensitivity and specificity. Results Interferon gamma production was significantly higher in infected (IGRA+, n=45) than in uninfected (IGRA-, n=20) children after stimulation with RpfA, B, C, and D (P = 0.03; 0.007; 0.03 and 0.003, respectively). Using RpfB and D-specific IFN-γ cut-offs (33.9 pg/mL and 67.0 pg/mL), infection was classified with a sensitivity-specificity combination of 73%-92% and 77%-72% respectively, which was similar to and better than 65%-75% for TST. Moreover, IFN-γ production was higher in infected than in TB diseased children (n=28, 5 bacteriologically confirmed, 23 clinically diagnosed), following RpfB and D stimulation (P = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). Conclusion RpfB and RpfD show promising results for childhood MTBC infection screening, and both performed similar to and better than the TST in our study population. Additionally, both antigens appear to discriminate between infection and disease in children and thus warrant further investigation as screening and diagnostic antigens for childhood TB.
Functional hyperemia drives fluid exchange in the paravascular space
Authors: Kedarasetti Ravi , Turner Kevin L. , Echagarruga Christina , Gluckman Bruce J. , Drew Patrick J. , Costanzo Francesco 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The brain lacks a conventional lymphatic system to remove metabolic waste. It has been proposed that fluid movement through the arteriolar paravascular space (PVS) promotes metabolite clearance. We performed simulations to understand how arteriolar pulsations and dilations, and brain deformability affect PVS fluid flow. In simulations with compliant brain tissue, arteriolar pulsations did not drive appreciable flows in the PVS. However, when the arteriole dilated as in functional hyperemia, there was a marked movement of fluid. Simulations suggest that functional hyperemia may also serve to increase fluid exchange between the PVS and the subarachnoid space. We measured blood vessels and brain tissue displacement simultaneously in awake, head-fixed mice using two-photon microscopy. These measurements showed that brain deforms in response to pressure changes in PVS, as predicted by simulations. Our results show that the deformability of the brain tissue needs to be accounted for when studying fluid flow and metabolite transport.Acknowledgements: This work was supported by NSF Grant CBET 1705854.
Comparing the differences in three measures of healthy life expectancy among prefectures in Japan.
Authors: TAIRA KAZUYA , Ogata Soshiro , Kamide Kei 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective: An ecological study using secondary open data from Japanese government statistics was conducted. The study aimed to verify differences in three measures of healthy life expectancy (HLE); namely, disability-free life expectancy without activity limitation (DFLE-AL), life expectancy with self-perceived health (LE-SH), and disability-free life expectancy without care need (DFLE-CN).Results: Each HLE from 47 prefectures in 2010, 2013, and 2016 was extended over time. There were strong Cronbach’s coefficient alpha (α) between DFLE-AL and LE-SH (Minimum α; 0.80, Maximum α;0.90) as well as between LE and DFLE-CN (Minimum α; 0.92, Maximum α; 0.99) in both sexes in every data year. However, the other pairs had weaker associations. In regression analysis with each HLE as a dependent variable and aging rate, mortality, the proportion of unhealthy people as independent variables, the subjective unhealthy rate had significant standardized partial regression coefficients (β) in models with DFLE-AL and LE-SH as dependent variables (Minimum β; -0.56, Maximum β; -0.34). Therefore, DFLE-CN tended to differ from the other HLEs. The subjective unhealthy rate had a significant influence on DFLE-AL and LE-SH.
Circ_0084927 promotes cervical carcinogenesis by sponging miR-1179 that suppresses CDK2, a cell cycle-related gene
Authors: Qu Xinhua , Zhu Liumei , Song Linlin , Liu Shaohua 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is a highly malignant tumor. Evolving researches on CC have unveiled a concept that circRNA exerts important roles in CC progression. In this study, we mainly explored the role of a novel circRNA, circ_0084927, and its regulatory network in the development of CC. Methods: qRT-PCR was applied to evaluate the expression of circ_0084927, miR-1179 and CDK2 mRNA in CC tissues and cells. Dual-luciferase reporting experiments and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were conducted to validate the target relationship of miR-1179 with circ_0084927 and CDK2 mRNA. CCK-8 and BrdU assay was used to evaluate CC cell proliferation. The adhesion and apoptosis phenotypes of CC cells were measured by cell-matrix adhesion and caspase 3 activation assay. Flow cytometry was employed to detect CC cell cycle. Results: Our results indicated that circ_0084927 was up-regulated in CC tissues and cells, and circ_0084927 silence inhibited CC cell proliferation and adhesion, while facilitating apoptosis as well as triggering cell cycle arrest. On the other hand, miR-1179 down-regulation appeared in CC tissues. Additionally, circ_0084927 abolished miR-1179’s inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and adhesion. Our study showed that CDK2 was up-regulated in CC tissues and played a cancer-promoting role. Furthermore, miR-1179 directly targeted CDK2, thereby inhibiting CDK2’s promotion on the malignant phenotypes of CC cells. circ_0084927 revoked the inhibitory effect of miR-1179 on CDK2 by sponging miR-1179. Conclusion: Circ_0084927 promoted cervical carcinogenesis by sequestering miR-1179 that directly targeted CDK2. Our results shed light on the circ_0084927/miR-1179/CDK2 regulatory network that strengthened CC aggressiveness, providing novel candidate targets for CC treatment.
High-Quality Genome Sequence Assembly of R.A73 Enterococcus faecium Isolated from Freshwater fish mucus Exhibiting high Probiotic Potential
Authors: Jeni Rim El , Ghedira Kais , Bour Monia El , Abdelhak Sonia , Kahla Alia Ben , Bouhaouala-Zahar Balkiss 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Whole-genome sequencing using high throughput technologies has revolutionized and speeded up the scientific investigation of bacterial genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Lactic acid bacteria (LABs) have been extensively used in fermentation and more recently as probiotics in food products that promote health. Genome sequencing and functional genomics investigations of LABs varieties provide rapid and important information about their diversity and their evolution, revealing a significant molecular basis.This study investigates the whole genome sequences of the Enterococcus faecium genome (HG937697), isolated from the mucus of freshwater fish in Tunisian dams. Genomic DNA was extracted using the Quick-GDNA kit (Zymoresearch) and sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq2500 system. Sequences quality assessment was performed using FastQC software. The complete genome annotation was carried out with the RAST web server then NCBI PGAAP. Results: The Enterococcus faecium R.A73 assembled in 28 contigs consisting of 2,935,283 bps. The genome annotation revealed 2,884 genes in total including 2,834 coding sequences and 50 RNAs containing 3 rRNAs (one rRNA 16s, one rRNA 23s and one rRNA 5s) and 47 tRNAs. Twenty-two genes implicated in bacteriocin production are identified within the Enterococcus faecium R.A73 genome.Conclusions: Data obtained provide insights to further investigate the effective strategy for testing this Enterococcus faecium R.A73 strain in the industrial manufacturing process. Studying their metabolism with bioinformatics tools represents the future challenge and contribution to improving the utilization of the multi-purpose bacteria in food.
When altruists cannot help: The influence of altruism on the mental health of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Feng Yi , Zong Min , Yang Zhizun , Gu Wen , Dong Dan , Qiao Zhihong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The positive predictive effect of altruism on physical and psychological well-being has been extensively demonstrated in previous studies, but few studies have examined the effect of altruism on negative mental health outcomes when altruists cannot perform altruistic behaviours. This study explored the influence of altruism on negative affect and mental health (anxiety and depressive symptoms) during the COVID-19 pandemic while people self-isolated at home in China.Method: University students were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional online survey during the outbreak of COVID-19 in China. Self-reported perceived risk, altruism, negative affect, anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Self-Report Altruism Scale (SRA scale), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-9). A structural equation model was used to analyse the mediating and moderating effects on mental health. Results: The final sample comprised 1346 Chinese participants (Mage = 19.76 ± 2.23 years, 73% female). Overall, the higher the risk the participants perceived, the more negative affect they exhibited (β = 0.16, p < .001), and thus, the more anxious and depressed they felt (β = 0.134, p < .001); however, this relationship between risk perception and negative affect was moderated by altruism. In contrast to previous studies, the increase in negative affect associated with the increased perceived risk was pronounced among individuals with high altruism (t = 7.68, p < .001). Conclusions: Individuals with high altruism exhibited more negative affect than those with low altruism, which indirectly increased their anxiety and depressive symptoms. These findings enrich theories of altruism and provide valuable insight into the influence of altruism on mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.