bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes in Group B Streptococcus from clinical samples
Authors: Mudzana Raymond , Mavenyengwa Rooyen T , Gudza-Mugabe Muchaneta 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Streptococcus agalacticae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is one of the most important causative agents of serious infections among neonates. This study was carried out to identify antibiotic resistance and virulence genes associated with GBS isolated from pregnant women.Methods: A total of 43 GBS isolates were obtained from 420 vaginal samples collected from HIV positive and negative women who were 13-35 weeks pregnant attending Antenatal Care at Chitungwiza and Harare Central Hospitals in Zimbabwe. Identification tests of GBS isolates was done using standard bacteriological methods and molecular identification testing. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using the modified Kirby-Bauer method and E-test strips. The boiling method was used to extract DNA and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to screen for 13 genes. Data was fed into SPSS 24.0.Results: Nine distinct virulence gene profiles were identified and hly-scpB-bca-rib 37.2% (16/43) was common. The virulence genes identified were namely hly 97.8% (42/43), scpB 90.1% (39/43), bca 86.0% (37/43), rib 69.8% (30/43) and bac 11.6% (5/43). High resistance to tetracycline 97.7% (42/43) was reported followed by 72.1% (31/43) cefazolin, 69.8% (30/43) penicillin G, 58.1% (25/43) ampicillin, 55.8% (24/43) clindamycin, 46.5% (20/43) ceftriaxone, 34.9% (15/43) chloramphenicol, and 30.2% (13/43) for both erythromycin and vancomycin using disk diffusion. Antibiotic resistance genes among the resistant and intermediate-resistant isolates showed high frequencies for tetM 97.6% (41/42) and low frequencies for ermB 34.5% (10/29), ermTR 10.3% (3/29), mefA 3.4% (1/29), tetO 2.4% (1/42) and linB 0% (0/35). The atr housekeeping gene yielded 100% (43/43) positive results, whilst the mobile genetic element IS1548 yielded 9.3% (4/43).Conclusion: The study showed high prevalence of hly, scpB, bca and rib virulence genes in S. agalactiae strains isolated from pregnant women. Tetracycline resistance was predominantly caused by the tetM gene, whilst macrolide resistance was predominantly due to the presence of erm methylase, with the ermB gene being more prevalent. Multi-drug resistance coupled with the recovery of resistant isolates to antimicrobial agents such as penicillins indicates the importance of GBS surveillance and susceptibility tests. It was also observed that in vitro phenotypic resistance is not always accurately predicted by resistance genotypes.
Sea-spray aerosols and SARS-Cov-2: an analysis using AERONET data
Authors: Piazzola Jacques , Desnues Christelle , Parent Philippe , Yohia Christophe , Canepa Elisa 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Even if the people density, habits and displacements probably represent the most important causes of the SARS-Cov-2 virus propagation, the role of the atmospheric aerosol needs to be investigated. Therefore, we aimed to study if the aerosol properties related to the different sources and meteorological conditions we can observe in urbanized areas can have an influence on in the atmospheric transport of the SARS-Cov-2 virus. This paper focuses on the lockdown period to reduce the differences in the social behavior. As an example, we investigated the contamination cases during March 2020 in two specific French areas located in both continental and coastal areas with regard to the meteorological conditions and the corresponding aerosol properties. To this end, we used both the optical depth (AOD) and the Angstrom exponent provided by the AERONET network. The results show that the analysis of aerosol ground-based data can be of interest to assess a virus survey. In particular, our data show that moderate to strong onshore winds occurring in coastal regions, which allow large sea-spray production episodes, deal with smaller COVID-19 contamination rates. This is probably due to the fact that the coagulation of SARS-Cov-2 particles with hygroscopic salty sea-spray aerosols would tend to inhibit its viral infectivity via possible reaction with NaCl, especially in high relative humidity environments. In contrast, out results confirm that the atmospheric transport of the SARS-Cov-2 can be favored by its coagulation with anthropogenic aerosols, which protects the virus particle from ambient humidity and preserves its infectivity.Capsule: Our results suggest that maritime air-masses limit the SARS-Cov-2 impact via the role of the sea-spray.
Fire as carbon sink? The global biome-dependent wildfire carbon balance
Authors: Bowring Simon , Jones Matthew , Ciais Philippe , Guenet Bertrand , Abiven Samuel 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Wildfires generally result in biospheric recovery approximating the pre-disturbance state. However legacy carbon(C) gains and losses that have until now been overlooked in global-scale theory and modelling indicate that post-fire C gains through pyrogenic carbon (PyC) production, and losses via fire regime shifts, post-fire mortality, topsoil loss and inland water export, may be central to whether 20th century fires have imposed a net terrestrial C source or sink. Here, we integrate PyC production and soil accumulation into a global terrestrial model (ORCHIDEE-MICT) and estimate wildfire C-gains and losses over 1901-2010, quantifying the fire-C balance at global, regional and vegetation scales. Excluding the effect of PyC mineralisation, fires provide a land storage of +177 TgC yr-1 (63% PyC production), dominated by grasslands. The global balance is nuanced, with forest fires resulting in strong terrestrial net C loss:gain ratios (>-2:1) that are greatest in tropical regions (>-3:1). Frequent tropical grassland fires are responsible for the bulk of the land PyC sink and its environmental persistence, whose theoretical minimum mean residence time we quantify at 2760yrs. We highlight the dependency of the global fire-C balance on vegetation coverage and the potential role of preserving grasslands, particularly those in the tropics, in that regard.
An intermittent detachment faulting system with a large sulfide deposit revealed by multi-scale magnetic surveys
Authors: Wu Tao , Tivey Maurice , Tao Chunhui , Zhang Jinhui , Zhou Fei , Liu Yunlong 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Magmatic and tectonic processes can contribute to discontinuous crustal accretion and play an important role in hydrothermal circulation at ultraslow-spreading ridges, however, it is difficult to accurately describe the processes without an age framework to constrain crustal evolution. Here we report on a multi-scale magnetic survey that provides constraints on the fine-scale evolution of a detachment faulting system that hosts hydrothermal activity at 49.7°E on the Southwest Indian Ridge. Reconstruction of the multi-stage detachment faulting history shows a previous episode of detachment faulting took place 0.76~1.48 My BP, while the present fault has been active for the past ~0.33 My just in the prime of life. This fault sustains hydrothermal circulation that has the potential for developing a large sulfide deposit. High resolution multiscale magnetics allows us to constrain the relative balance between periods of detachment faulting and magmatism to better describe accretionary processes on an ultraslow spreading ridge.
On the limitations in assessing stability of oxygen evolution catalysts using aqueous model electrochemical cells
Authors: Knöppel Julius , Möckl Maximilian , Escalera-López Daniel , Stojanovski Kevin , Bierling Markus , Böhm Thomas , Thiele Simon , Rzepka Matthias , Cherevko Serhiy 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Recent research indicates a severe discrepancy between oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts dissolution in aqueous model systems and membrane electrode assemblies (MEA). This questions the relevance of the widespread aqueous testing for real world application. In this study, we aim to determine the processes responsible for the dissolution discrepancy. Experimental parameters known to diverge in both systems are individually tested for their influence on dissolution of an Ir-based catalyst. Ir dissolution is studied in an aqueous model system, a scanning flow cell coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Real dissolution rates of the Ir OER catalyst in MEA are measured with a specifically developed, dedicated setup. Overestimated acidity in the anode catalyst layer and stabilization over time in MEAs are identified as main contributors to the dissolution discrepancy. The results shown here lead to clear guidelines for OER electrocatalyst testing parameters to resemble realistic PEMWE operating conditions.
Realization of electron antidoping by modulating the breathing distortion in BaBiO3
Authors: Cao Hui , Guo Hongli , Shao Yu-Cheng , Liu Qixin , Feng Xuefei , Lu Qinwen , Wang Zhongping , Zhao Aidi , Fujimori Atsushi , Chuang Yi-De , Zhou Hua , Zhai Xiaofang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The recent proposal of antidoping scheme breaks new ground in conceiving conversely functional materials and devices, yet the few available examples belong to the correlated electron systems. Here we demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally that the main group oxide BaBiO3 is a model system for antidoping using oxygen vacancies. The first-principles calculations show that the band gap systematically increases due to the strongly enhanced Bi-O breathing distortions away from the vacancies and the annihilation of Bi 6s/O 2p hybridized conduction bands near the vacancies. The
spectroscopic experiments confirm the band gap increasing systematically with electron doping, with a maximal gap enhancement of ~75% when the film’s stoichiometry is reduced to BaBiO2.75. The Raman and diffraction experiments show the suppression of the overall breathing distortion. The study unambiguously demonstrates the remarkable antidoping effect in a material without strong electron correlations and underscores the importance of bond disproportionation in realizing such an effect.
The ComQXPA Quorum Sensing System May Play an Important Role in the Synthesis of Bacillomycin D in Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens Q-426
Authors: quan chunshan , jin liming , zhou wei , liu jialu , shi xian , zheng wei , liu jing , fan ruochen , zhang liying , zhao pengchao , fan shengdi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Q-426 can secrete numerous cyclic lipopeptides that have antifungal and antitumor activities. ComQXPA is a common quorum sensing (QS) system in Bacillus species. Most B. amyloliquefaciens strains are encoding the QS gene cluster comQXPA, however, the biological function of the ComQXPA system in B. amyloliquefaciens has not been well studied. In this study, we identified the comQXPA gene locus and the chemical structure of ComXQ-426 in B. amyloliquefaciens Q-426, and explored the function of ComXQ-426 in regulating lipopeptide production.Results: We identified and analyzed the comQXPA locus in Q-426. The full length of the comQXPA gene cluster was 4,014 bp, including 912 bp of comQ, 165 bp of comX, 2292 bp of comP, and 645 bp of comA. The comQXPA locus belongs to group B, as comQ and comX overlap by only one base pair. ComXQ-426 consists of six amino acids (GGDWKY) that contain a modified tryptophan residue. The antifungal activity of Q426ΔcomX was significantly affected, and almost no antifungal activity was observed, while the antifungal activity of strain Q426ΔcomX /comQX was restored to the same level as that of the wild-type strain. When the ComXQ-426 was added to the culture medium at a final concentration of 8 μg/L at the early stage of the log-phase, the antifungal activity of the wild-type strain Q-426 was significantly improved. Knocking out the comX gene did not affect the growth of the bacteria, however, the strain Q426ΔcomX lost its swimming ability, was unable to form colonies when spread on a solid surface, and could not form biofilms on the interface between the gas and liquid medium.Conclusions: Disruption of the ComPA signaling pathway in the Q-426 strain resulted in significant effects on bacillomycin D production, morphology, and motility.
“…The Way We Welcome Them Is How We Will Lead Them to Love Family Planning.”: Family Planning Providers in Rwanda Foster Compassionate Relationships With Clients Despite Workplace Challenges
Authors: Schwandt Hilary , Boulware Angel , Corey Julia , Herrera Ana , Hudler Ethan , Imbabazi Claudette , King Ilia , Linus Jessica , Manzi Innocent , Merrit Maddie , Mezier Lyn , Miller Abigail , Morris Haley , Musemakweli Dieudonne , Musekura Uwase , Mutuyimana Divine , Ntakarutimana Chimene , Patel Nirali , Scanteianu Adriana , Shemeza Biganette-Evidente , Sterling-Donaldson Gi’anna , Umutoni Chantal , Uwera Lyse , Zeiler Madeleine , Feinberg Seth 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Rwanda has markedly increased the nation’s contraceptive use in a short period of time, tripling contraceptive prevalence in just five years between 2005 and 2010. An integral aspect of family planning programs is the interactions between family planning providers and clients. Methods: This study aims to understand the client-provider relationship in the Rwandan family planning program and to also examine barriers to those relationships. The data used for this study come from eight focus group discussions with family planning providers and 32 in-depth interviews with family planning users. Results: Data analysis revealed that, despite workplace related challenges – including inadequate staffing, training, and resources, relationships between providers and clients are strong – and that providers work hard to understand, learn from, and support clients in their initiation and sustained use of contraceptives. Conclusion: Via continued and strengthened government support of family planning providers in health facilities and communities, Rwanda will likely sustain many current users of contraception and engage even more Rwandans in contraceptive services in the future.
Increased Circulating/Systemic Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Recurrence After Curative Resection in Patients With Well-Differentiated Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasm Based on the 2017 World Health Organization Classification: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Miura Takayuki , Ohtsuka Hideo , Aoki Takeshi , Aoki Shuichi , Hata Tatsuo , Takadate Tatsuyuki , Maeda Shimpei , Ariake Kyohei , Kawaguchi Kei , Masuda Kunihiro , Ishida Masaharu , Mizuma Masamichi , Nakagawa Kei , Morikawa Takanori , Fujishima Fumiyoshi , Kamei Takashi , Sasano Hironobu , Unno Michiaki 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background The prognostic values of inflammation-based markers in well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms, diagnosed according to the new 2017 World Health Organization classification, have remained unclear. Therefore, we assessed the recurrence predictive ability of such markers after curative resection in patients with these neoplasms.Methods Circulating/systemic neutrophil-lymphocyte, monocyte-lymphocyte, platelet-lymphocyte, and platelet-white cell ratios were evaluated in 120 patients who underwent curative resection for well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms without synchronous distant metastasis between 2001 and 2018. Recurrence-free-survival and overall survival were compared using Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank tests. Univariate or multivariate analyses, using a Cox proportional hazards model, were used to calculate hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals.Results Univariate analysis demonstrated that preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, tumor size, European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society TMN classification, 2017 World Health Organization classification, and venous invasion were associated with recurrence. The optimal preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio cut-off value was 2.62, based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. In multivariate analysis, a higher preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (HR=3.49 95% CI 1.05-11.7; P=0.042) and 2017 World Health Organization classification (HR=8.81, 95% CI 1.46-168.2; P=0.015) were independent recurrence predictors.Conclusions The circulating/systemic neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is a useful and convenient preoperative prognostic marker of recurrence in patients with well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm based on the 2017 World Health Organization classification.
Physiological Significance of WDR45, A Responsible Gene for β-propeller Protein Associated Neurodegeneration (BPAN), in Brain Development
Authors: Noda Mariko , Ito Hidenori , Nagata Koh-ichi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
WDR45 plays an essential role in the early stage of autophagy. De novo heterozygous mutations in WDR45 have been known to cause b-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN), a subtype of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA). Although BPAN patients display global developmental delay including intellectual disability, neurodevelopmental pathophysiology of BPAN remains largely unknown. In the present study, we analyzed the physiological role of Wdr45 and pathophysiological significance of the gene abnormality during mouse brain development. Morphological and biochemical analyses revealed that Wdr45 is expressed in a developmental stage-dependent manner in mouse brain. Wdr45 was also found to be located in the excitatory synapses in biochemical fractionation. Since the WDR45 mutations are thought to cause protein degradation, we conducted acute knockdown experiments by an in utero electroporation method with mice to recapitulate the pathophysiological conditions of BPAN. Silencing of Wdr45 caused abnormal dendritic development and synaptogenesis during corticogenesis, both of which were significantly rescued by co-expression with RNAi-resistant version of Wdr45. In addition, terminal arbors of callosal axons were less developed in Wdr45-deficient cortical neurons of adult mouse when compared to the control cells. These results strongly suggest a pathophysiological significance of WDR45 gene abnormalities in neurodevelopmental aspects of BPAN.
Perception of The Teaching of Pathological Anatomy by Students of The Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Lomé, Togo&nbsp;
Authors: Darré Tchin , Djiwa Toukilnan , Adjonko Ama , Brun Luc Valère Codjo , Aman Nguiessan , Simgban Panakinao , Kouyate Mohamed , Napo-Koura Gado 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to assess the perception of the students of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Lomé on the teaching of Pathological Anatomy. Methods: This is an opinion survey carried out in 4 months at the University of Lomé among students of the faculty of health sciences (3rd in 8th year) on the perception of the teaching of Anatomy Pathological. The questionnaire was structured into 5 sections (socio-demographic, course organization, learning process, hospital internships, and general assessment) Results: A total, 395 students responded to the questionnaire. Their mean age was 24.04 ± 2.85 years and the sex ratio (M/F) was 2.4. They were mostly in 7th year of medicine (155). Regarding the course organization, 58.5% of the participants felt that the course objectives were often achieved and 51.6% said the course was well structured. For 49.9%, the important notions of the course were often sufficiently developed, and 55.2% affirm that the hourly volume was sufficient for the comprehension of the course. A statistically significant link was observed between the years of study and certain parameters of the learning process, namely: the adequacy between the theoretical course and the internships (p˂0.0001), the understanding of the course by the learning process (p˂0.0001), the essential documentation for the understanding of the course (p10.0001), the understanding of histological lesions through practical work (p˂0.0001). Concerning the general satisfaction of the course, they were 50.4% to be satisfied and 57.8% to wish a better organization of the courses and practical work. There is a statistically significant relationship between the degree of satisfaction with teaching and grade (p˂0.037). Conclusion: The teaching of pathological anatomy in its current form does not seem to provide the sufficient foundations and prerequisites desired by the students. It makes sense to strengthen their training through better organization of hospital internships and practical work, within the framework of the quality of teaching at the University of Lomé.
What Do Palaeo-Anthropologists Believe About the Disappearance of Neanderthals?
Authors: Vaesen Krist , Dusseldorp Gerrit , Brandt Mark 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The causes of Neanderthal disappearance about 40,000 years ago remain highly contested. Over a dozen serious hypotheses are currently endorsed to explain this enigmatic event. Given the relatively large number of contending explanations and the relatively large number of participants in the debate, it is unclear how strongly each contender is supported by the research community. What does the community actually believe about the demise of Neanderthals? To address this question, we conducted a survey among practicing palaeo-anthropologists (total number of respondents = 216). It appears that received wisdom is that demography was the principal cause of the demise of Neanderthals. In contrast, there is no received wisdom about the role that environmental factors and competition with modern humans played in the extinction process; the research community is deeply divided about these issues. Finally, we tested the hypothesis that palaeo-anthropologists’ stand in the debate co-varies with their socio-political views and attitudes. We found no evidence for such a correlation.
An Epidemiological Analysis Of Maxillofacial Fractures: A 10-Year Cross-Sectional Cohort Retrospective Study Of 1007 Patients
Authors: Juncar Mihai , Tent Paul Andrei , Juncar Raluca Iulia , Harangus Antonia , Rivis Mircea 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Epidemiological data is providing vital indicators for organizing the financial resources related to a particular type of trauma, estimating expenses and training of dental practioners and ambulatory medical staff for collaboration with a certain pattern of patients. Knowing the etiology and epidemiology of a certain pathology is significant for approaching its means of prevention.Methods: A 10-year retrospective statistical analysis of 1007 patients with maxillofacial fractures treated in a University Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Romania was performed. The data were extracted from patients’ medical records. Statistical analysis was performed. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The incidence of maxillofacial fractures was high among patients in the 20-29 age group (35.9%). Male patients (90.57%, M:F=9.6:1), having a low level of education (46.60%) and living in urban areas (53.50%) were more affected. The main cause of maxillofacial fractures was interpersonal violence (59.37%), both in the mandibular and midface topographic regions (p=0.001, p=0.002). In urban areas, fractures caused by interpersonal violence and road traffic accidents were predominant, while in rural areas, most of the fractures were due to interpersonal violence, domestic accidents, work accidents and animal attacks (p=0.001). Conclusions: Interpersonal violence is the main cause of maxillofacial fractures having epidemic proportions. Male patients aged 20-29 years with a low level of education represent the major risk category. Considering the wide area of ​​interpersonal aggression, both the medical staff in the hospital and in the dental offices must be educated in order to collaborate with possible violent patients. Dentists must be prepared to work on a post-traumatic dento-periodontal field. Taking all measures to prevent inter-human aggression is imperative and will lead to a major decrease in maxillofacial fractures and an overall increase of oral health in a population.