bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness and diet quality in a 3-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial (The BALANCE trial)
Authors: Torreglosa Camila Ragne , Sarti Flávia Mori , Ferreira Ângela Cristine Bersch , Weber Bernardete , Santos Renato Hideo Nakagawa , Silvestrini Murilo Mazzotti , Filho Alexandre Dias Porto Chiavegatto 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: A healthy diet is essential to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and mortality. However, recent studies lack conclusive evidence on the affordability of cardioprotective diets worldwide. The Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program Trial (BALANCE Program) is a randomized multicenter clinical trial that proposes regionally adapted cardioprotective diet that achieves nutritional recommendations and incorporates accessible and affordable foods. The study aim is to analyze cost-effectiveness of the BALANCE Program in comparison to generic dietary advice for individuals, based on diet costs and nutritional quality among patients with high adherence to the study protocol in both control and intervention groups. Methods: We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of subsample from the BALANCE Program (1,161 individuals with previous event of CVD and high adherence to study protocol enrolled in 35 research sites throughout Brazil) after a 3-year follow-up. Direct costs and nutritional quality of diets reported by participants were estimated at the individual level. Diet costs were based on market prices collected from five major supermarket chains. Effectiveness was measured in terms of diet quality, according to adherence to the Brazilian Health Eating Index Revised (BHEI-R). Mean differences were compared between groups using generalized estimating equation. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to comprise probabilistic sensitivity analysis regarding trends in the comparison between groups. Results: At baseline, mean direct diet costs were equal (U$3.9/day), and there were small differences in BHEI-R between groups (53.5 points in BALANCE Program, and 51.8 points in control group). After the 3-year follow-up, the intervention was associated with a mean cost saving of U$0.31/day (95%CI: -0.59; -0.04) and mean BHEI-R increase of 4.38 (95%CI: 2.81; 5.95). The intervention was dominant strategy in terms of cost-effectiveness due to higher effectiveness at lower costs in comparison with the control group. Conclusions : There was a statistically significant effect of the intervention regarding increase in diet quality and reduction in cost after 3 years compared to the control group. The BALANCE intervention may be an option to improve diet quality with lower costs among Brazilians with CVD. Trial registration NCT01620398. Registered June 2012. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01620398
Diagnostic biomarkers for invasive aspergillosis utilizing weighted gene co-expression network analysis
Authors: Deng Weiwei , Ma Yubo , Liang Panpan , Huang Chen , Zhang Yi , Zhang Kai , Liu Xiao , Shao Jin , Chen Jian , Li Ruoyu 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) has a significant mortality in immunocompromised patients. In recent years, with more aggressive immunosuppressed therapies, the incidence of IA was increasing. However, diagnostic biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity remain rare. To get new diagnostic biomarkers, microarray dataset GSE78000 was analyzed. Methods: Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify hub genes. Roc curves were employed for investigating diagnostic biomarkers for IA.Results: Hub genes were TLR4, TP53I3/PIG3, TMTC1, ITGAM, CYSTM1, FAR1, GAS7 and MKNK1. However, after we compared gene expression of hematological patients suffering from IA with non-IA patients, only TLR4, TP53I3/PIG3 and TMTC1 were significantly high expression in IA patients. At the optimal cut‐off value, TLR4 can diagnose patients with IA with 78.3% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity. TP53I3/PIG3 can diagnose patients with IA with 91.3% sensitivity and 54.5% specificity. TMTC1 can diagnose patients with IA with 78.3% sensitivity and 81.8% specificity. In addition, the data of hematological patients suffering from Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E.coli) infections were also analyzed. The results showed that TLR4 and TP53I3/PIG3 were also significantly high expression in S. aureus and E.coli infections, while only TP53I3/PIG3 was obviously higher expression in patients with bacterial infections compared with IA. As for TMTC1, we cannot annotate the gene from the microarray data. Conclusions: our results suggested that TLR4, TP53I3/PIG3 and TMTC1 might be used for the diagnosis of IA, and TP53I3/PIG3 can also be used to discriminate hematological aspergillosis and bacterial infections.
Efficacy of natural compounds from Tinospora cordifolia against SARS-CoV-2 protease, surface glycoprotein and RNA polymerase.
Authors: Sagar Vasanthkumar , Kumar Arun HS 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Antiviral activity of natural compounds from Tinospora cordifolia (Amritaballi) were evaluated for their efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 targets involved in virus attachment and replication. Materials and Methods: The binding efficacy (binding affinity, Ki and IC50 values) of natural compounds from Tinospora cordifolia were tested using Insilco tools against four key SARS-CoV-2 targets i.e., 1) surface glycoprotein (6VSB) and 2) Receptor binding domain (6M0J) both responsible for attachment of the virus to host cell, 3) RNA dependent RNA polymerase (6M71) and 4) main protease (6Y84) responsible for replication of the virus in the host cell. Results: Berberine, Isocolumbin, Magnoflorine and Tinocordiside showed high binding efficacy against all the four key SARS-CoV-2 targets. Tinocordiside and Isocolumbin showed IC50 value of < 1 µM against both 6Y84 and 6VSB. Conclusion: At least four natural compounds from Tinospora cordifolia showed high binding efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 targets involved in attachment and replication of the virus. Hence validating the merit of using Tinospora cordifolia in the clinical management of infection caused by SARS-CoV-2.
Public knowledge of novel coronavirus diseases 2019: a web-based national survey
Authors: Liu Yu , Wang Dan , Xu Hao , Xiao Ying , Chen Cui , Chen Ru-Nan , Hu Liang-Hao , Li Zhao-Shen 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Although the existing cases of COVID-19 in China have been reducing since late February 2020, the confirmed cases are surging abroad. Improving public knowledge regarding COVID-19 is critical to control the epidemic. The study aimed to determine the China’s public knowledge of COVID-19 and attitude towards the control measures.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 48 hours, from 29 February 2020, 22:30 to 2 March 2020, 22:30, based on a self-administered web-based questionnaire. The survey was conducted on the WeChat network. Exponential non-discriminative snowball sampling were applied. The questionnaire was voluntarily submitted by WeChat users. The questionnaire covered the basic demographic information, public knowledge about epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19, psychological state, and attitude towards overall control measures. The primary outcome was the Chinese public knowledge regarding COVID-19 and the attitude towards the control measures and secondary outcome was psychological state of the public during this epidemic.Results The study included 10,905 participants and 10,399 valid questionnaires were included for analysis. Participants with tertiary education, younger age and healthcare workers had better overall knowledge compared with other participants (all P<0.05). About 91.9% of the participants believed in person-to-person transmission and 39.1% believed in animal-to-person transmission. No significant correlation between anxiety and regional number of existing cases was found, while participants in Hubei were more anxious than those in other regions. In general, 74.1% of participants acknowledged the effectiveness of overall control measures and it was negatively correlated with regional number of existing cases (r=-0.492, P=0.007).Conclusions In conclusion, the survey revealed that Chinese public had overall good knowledge regarding COVID-19 except for those indeterminate knowledge. With the dynamic change of global epidemic situation and more researches, further study would be conducted to explore the change of public knowledge and attitude about COVID-19 in the future.
Insecticidal and antimicrobial extracts from Leaves and Stem -Bark of Sudanese Albizia anthelmintica﻿
Authors: Ahmed Nashwa Siddig , Issa Tahani Osman , Mohamed Yahya Sulieman , Makhawi Abdelrafie Mohamed , Khider Tarig 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The Purpose: of this study is to determine the toxicity of Albizia anthelmintica leaves and stem bark extracted compounds to some insects. Methods: The phytochemical screening and physiochemical analysis for leaves and stem bark had been carried out by using Standard methods, to study the pharmacological activities of these materials.Results: the findings indicated Albizia anthelmintica leaves powder had significant (p> 0.05) against Tribolium castaneum. Organic extracts of Albizia anthelmintica leaves had toxic effect on Culex quinquefasciatus larve and were effective in reducing the fecundity of Tribolium castaneum adults. The phytochemical screening demonstrated the presence of some secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes, coumarin, cardia glycosides and saponins. The results indicated high nutrients like crude fibre levels 16.15% and 9.5% are found in leaves and stems-barks respectively; beside protein level 8.95%, Crude fat level 2.6%, Moisture content 2.5%, ash content 6.75% and Nitrogen free extract content 63.05%. Minerals like sodium 350 ppm, phosphous 245 ppm, calcium 215 ppm, potassium 1.65 ppm and magnesium 1.25 ppm were showed in two parts. The ethyl acetate of extract of Albizia anthelmintica leaves intermediate activity against some types of bacteria and fungi. The ethanol extract of leaves presented high activity against fungi Candida Albicans.Conclusion: Albizia anthelmintica leaves powder and ethanolic extract had high efficiency on reducing number of pest and their ability of laying eggs.
Prediction of the epidemic trends of COVID-19 by the improved dynamic SEIR model
Authors: Jiang Jingyi , Jiang Lei , Li Gaorong , Luo Jingxuan , Wang Meitang , Xu Haizhou 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a public health emergency of international concern. The purpose of this study was to propose an improved dynamic SEIR (ID-SEIR) model to predict the epidemic trends of novel COVID-19. Firstly, we obtain the values of parameters in ID-SEIR model by using the epidemic data of Wuhan as the training sample. Secondly, we predict the epidemic trends of COVID-19 for the three most serious USA, New York and Italy with our proposed ID-SEIR model, and we can apply the proposed method to predict the epidemic trends of other countries and areas. Finally, we find that the proposed ID-SEIR model established in this paper has strong reliability, which can reasonably reflect the changes in national policies and public behavior during the epidemic. Also, this model can make predictions in line with the actual development of the epidemic and provide reference for infection prevention and control.
Biotechnological Potential of Streptomyces Siderophores as New Antibiotics
Authors: Terra Luciana , Ratcliffe Norman , Castro Helena Carla , Vicente Ana Carolina Paulo , Dyson Paul 
Published: May 2020

Background:
Siderophores are small-molecule iron-chelators produced by microorganisms
and plants growing mostly under low iron conditions. Siderophores allow iron capture and
transport through cell membranes into the cytoplasm, where iron is released for use in biological
processes. These bacterial iron uptake systems can be used for antibiotic conjugation or as targets
for killing pathogenic bacteria. Siderophores have been explored recently because of their potential
applications in environmental and therapeutic research. They are present in Streptomyces, Grampositive
bacteria that are an important source for discovering new siderophores.

Objective:
This review summarizes siderophore molecules produced by the genus Streptomyces
emphasizing their potential as biotechnological producers and also illustrating genomic tools for
discovering siderophores useful for treating bacterial infections.

Methods:
The literature search was performed using PUBMED and MEDLINE databases with
keywords siderophore, secondary metabolites, Trojan horse strategy, sideromycin and Streptomyces.
The literature research focused on bibliographic databases including all siderophores identified
in the genus Streptomyces. In addition, reference genomes of Streptomyces from GenBank were
used to identify siderophore biosynthetic gene clusters by using the antiSMASH platform.

Results:
This review has highlighted some of the many siderophore molecules produced by Streptomyces,
illustrating the diversity of their chemical structures and a wide spectrum of bioactivities
against pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, the possibility of using siderophores conjugated with
antibiotics could be an alternative to overcome bacterial resistance to drugs and could improve
their therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusion:
This review confirms the importance of Streptomyces as a rich source of siderophores,
and underlines their potential as antibacterial agents.
Promising In Vitro Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Effects of Commercial Chitosan
Authors: Esboei Bahman Rahimi , Keighobadi Masoud , Hezarjaribi Hajar Ziaei , Fakhar Mahdi , Daryani Ahmad , Chabra Aroona , Soosaraei Masoud , Yalveh Rezwan 
Published: May 2020

Background:
Toxoplasmosis is a disease that results from infection with an obligate intracellular
T. gondii parasite, one of the world's most common parasites. Considering the complications of
chemical drugs and the need for an appropriate drug combination for treatment of toxoplasmosis
and also considering the antimicrobial potential of chitosan, as a natural source, this study was
aimed to evaluate in vitro activity of commercial chitosan (CC) on T. gondii.

Methods:
In this experimental study, the tachyzoites of T. gondii was collected from the
peritoneal exudates from infected Balb/c mice. The tachyzoites were diluted in phosphate buffer
saline (PBS). Chitosan with low molecular weight was commercially purchased. Then, at
concentrations of 10, 50, 100 and 200 µg/mL and after 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes the viability
of tachyzoites were determined by using trypan blue 0.1%. Anti-T.gondii activity of CC in all
concentration was significantly higher than pyrimethamine as control group (P=0.05).

Results:
The concentration of 200 µg/mL of CC had the highest effects and killed 30.5, 52, 59
and 81.5% of tachyzoites after 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes. Moreover, IC50 values of CC were
515, 171, 12.5 and <10 μg/mL in comparison with pyrimethamine as 58.82 μg/mL for 30, 60,
120, and 180 min of exposure time.

Conclusion:
Our results indicate chitosan in low molecular weight had potent activity against T.
gondii tachyzoites and could be an appropriate candidate for treatment of at least acute
toxoplasmosis, certainly, after complementary in vivo experiments.
COX and PTGDS Gene Expression Levels in PGD2 Synthesis Pathway are Correlated with miR-520 in Patients with Vessel Restenosis
Authors: Rezaee Shima , Kakavandi Naser , Shabani Mohammad , Khosravi Mohsen , Hosseini-Fard Seyed R. , Najafi Mohammad 
Published: May 2020

Background:
The vessel restenosis is related to the inflammatory events in subendothelial
space. It is proposed that the inflammatory agents affect the prostaglandin synthesis pathway. In this
study, we investigated the COX-1, COX-2, PTGDS and miRNA-520a-5p expression levels and the
serum 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-PGJ2 metabolite values in patients with the stenosed and re-stenosed vessels.
Furthermore, the associations between genes and miR-520 were evaluated in the monocyte transfection
studies.

Methods:
The subjects (n=60) were included three groups; healthy subjects (control (stenosis < 5%),
stent no restenosis (SNR, restenosis < 5%) and in-stent restenosis (ISR, restenosis > 70%)). The
miRNA and gene expression levels were measured by RT-qPCR technique. 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-PGJ2
values were measured by the ELISA technique. The miR-520 was transfected into myocytes using PEI
polymer.

Results:
The monocyte COX-1, COX-2 and PTGDS gene expression levels and the serum 15-Deoxy-
Δ12,14-PGJ2 values increased significantly in the patients. Furthermore, the miR-520 correlated conversely
with the COX-1, and PTGDS gene expression levels.

Conclusion:
The results showed that the PGD2 synthesis pathway is active in the patients and, miR-
520 may be involved in the function of this pathway.
Alsevirone-NF Reduces Serum Testosterone and Inhibits Prostate Cancer Xenograft Growth in Balb/c Nude Mice
Authors: Pokrovsky Vadim S. , Zolottsev Vladimir A. , Latysheva Alexandra S. , Kudinov Vasiliy A. , Anisimova Natalia Yu , Almanza R.L.M. , Alekseeva Olga Yu , Baskaev Konstantin K. , Smirnova Galina B. , Borisova Yulia A. , Ipatova Olga M. 
Published: May 2020

Background:
The goal of this study was to evaluate the anticancer and testosteroneinhibitory
effects of 2‘-[(E) androst-5-en-17-ylidene]methyl-4‘,5‘-dihydro-1‘,3‘-oxazole-3β-oleate
(Alsevirone-NF).

Materials and Methods:
PC-3, DU-145, LnCap and 22rv1 prostate cancer cell lines were used for
MTT assay. 22rv1 subcutaneous cancer xenografts in Balb/c nude mice were used for in vivo efficacy
experiments. Testosterone level was determined after repeated administration of Abiraterone 20, 100
or 200 mg/kg vs Alsevirone-NF 5, 25 or 50 mg/kg daily for 14 days.

Results:
Alsevirone-NF induced more significant cytotoxicity against PC3, 22rv1 and DU-145 cell
lines compared to Abiraterone or Alsevirone-treated control: IC50 7.1 vs 20.6 vs 29.1 μg/ml, 7.7 vs
20.0 vs 12.7 μg/ml, 3.8 vs 43.4 vs 8.5 μg/ml, respectively. IC50 in LnCap cells was almost equal for
all three studied agents, 29.2 vs 26.2 vs 30.2 μg/ml for Abiraterone, Alsevirone and Alsevirone-NF. In
gonadectomized mice, significant reduction of testosterone level was observed in mice receiving
Alsevirone-NF in a maximum single dose of 50 mg/kg (cumulative dose 700 mg/kg): 0.2 nmol/l vs
0.57 nmol/l in control group and 0.83 nmol/l in Abiraterone group, single dose 100 mg/kg. Statistically
significant anticancer effect in vivo was obtained on day 11 after the start of treatment: Abiraterone
T/C = 27% (p<0.05), Alsevirone-NF single dose 1200 mg/kg Т/С = 45% (p<0.05).

Conclusion:
Alsevirone-NF exhibited higher cytotoxic activity, comparable anticancer effect in
22rv1-bearing Balb/c nude mice and provided a more significant reduction of testosterone level in
gonadectomized mice in direct comparison against Abiraterone.
The Zygoptera, or Damsel-flies, of Illinois
Authors: Garman Philip 
Published: May 2020

It is with a view to clearing up some of the obscure features of the classification and lessening the labor of determination that nymphs and adults, including both sexes, have been considered together and tables prepared for the separation of both.
All obtainable biological data have been added for the sake of completeness; but it is fully realized that the data given here are incomplete, and can only be made complete after many years of diligent study.
Nymphs of several species which are apparently new have been reared in the course of the study and are described herein for the first time. Some of the remaining species which doubtless occur in Illinois but which have not been collected by the writer, have been obtained through the courtesy of various people, and the list has been completed as far as possible in this way.
On the Numbers and Local Distribution of Illinois Land Birds of the Open Country in Winter, Spring, and Fall
Authors: Forbes Stephen , Gross Alfred 
Published: May 2020

Is has been our general plan to work at first with broad strokes of the full brush, refining upon our neutral background by degrees and endings, as we hope to do in a paper following the present one, with the final details for each species taken up separately and followed all over the state and around the year. This one time more, however, we must resume our method of blocking in the skeletal outlines and the basal features of the local ornithology, as intelligently as we can with somewhat inadequate materials, leaving it to others to give life and finish to the sketch.
Preferential Rating of Duck Food Plants
Authors: Bellrose Frank C. , Anderson Harry G. 
Published: May 2020

An intensive study of the occurrence and use of duck food plants in the Illinois River valley was conducted 1938-1940. A preliminary report covering the results of the 1938 investigation was issued (Bellrose and Anderson, 1940). Altered water levels in 1939 and 1940 greatly changed the food resources of many bottomland lakes through the development of extensive communities of moist-soil plants. This paper summarizes the data for 1938-1940.
Characteristics of Residual Insecticides Toxic to the House Fly
Authors: Bruce Willis N. 
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study was to obtain pertinent information about the residual insecticidal value of chlorinated hydrocarbons applied to various surfaces that had been exposed to different field conditions. The investigations conducted in 1943 at Orlando, Florida, by Lindquist et al. (1944) showed DDT to possess a high degree of residual toxicity to the house fly. They also showed a difference in toxicity of DDT when applied to painted and to unpainted wood. The need for the study reported here became apparent to the author when certain of his field applications of residual toxicants failed to effect adequate insect control. The results of this study, it is hoped, may serve as a guide to persons who are seeking to control insects through applications of residual insecticides and who are concerned with residues on plants. DDT was the most persistent insecticide tested. The residual toxicity of DDT emulsions was better indoors on porous surfaces, such as wood, brick, and Cellutex, than on glass and galvanized iron. Out of doors, residues were more persistent on the nonporous glass and galvanized iron panels. In a study on newer insecticides, 1'4 and 497 on wood and glass produced residues of significant longevity with high toxicity. Other materials tested were less persistent.
Efficiency and Selectivity of Commercial Fishing Devices Used on the Mississippi River
Authors: Starrett William C. , Barnickol Paul G. 
Published: May 2020

N 1944 and 1946, a fishery survey was made of the Mississippi River between Caruthersville, Missouri, and Dubuque, Iowa, under the auspices of the Technical Committee for Fisheries, a subgroup of the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee. Collections of fish were made with various types of fishing devices at 31 field stations. The present paper is a statistical analysis of the catch data relative to the efficiency and selectivity of the various commercial fishing devices used during the survey. It is believed that such an analysis could be of value to persons interested in the management of the river's commercial fishery. The fishery survey was financed by the Illinois Department of Conservation, the Illinois Natural History Survey, the Iowa Conservation Commission, and the Missouri Conservation Commission. The Illinois Natural History Survey's laboratory boat, the Anax, was used as field headquarters.
A Century of Biological Research
Authors: Mills Harlow B. , Decker George C. , Ross Herbert H. , Carter J. Cedric , Bennett George William , Scott Thomas G. , Ayars James S. , Warrick Ruth R. , East Bessie B. 
Published: May 2020

Describes the work of hte Illinois Natural History Survey (and its predecessors) 1858-1958, covering the major areas of work including economic entomology, faunistic surveys, botany and plant pathology, aquatic biology, wildlife research. Includes a list of employees.