bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Policies Applied in the Fight Against Malaria in two African Countries at different Stages of Intervention (Model of Burkina Faso and Model of Senegal) using Data from Surveys and Literature
Authors: BIKUNDI Elvire MFUENI , ROBERT Annie , BOULAND Catherine , AKOTIONGA Edouard , SOUGOU MAREME Ndèye , COPPIETERS Yves 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Malaria is a global public health problem with many cases each year (228 million cases in 2018 with 405,000 deaths). Most malaria cases occur in Africa. Methods: Data used for analysis are from Demographics and Health Surveys (DHS) 2017-2018 for Burkina Faso and DHS 2017 for Senegal. We added information from a synthesis of literature. Linear regression models were performed with an estimation of the mean number of persons using ITNs among groups (urban or rural areas, wealth level, highest education level in the household and age of household head) in each country. We evaluated the importance of co-factors in the relationship between the number of ITNs (insecticide-treated nets) in a household and the number of household members by calculating the R-squared. A criteria grid used for this synthesis of literature included eight important sub-groups: funding sources, entomological monitoring, use of ITNs, use of insecticide, malaria case management, health system organization, communication and surveillance. Results: Senegal and Burkina Faso have the same proportion (51%) of households in which all children under 5 sleep under ITNs. We found R-squared (R2=0.007 in Burkina Faso and R2=0.16 in Senegal) for the relationship between the number of ITNs in a household and household size. When wealth level, age of head of household, area of residence (rural or urban), highest education level in the household and number of bedrooms in the household were controlled for, we found R2=0.106 for Burkina Faso and R2=0.167 for Senegal. We found that Senegal’s national malaria program is decentralized with entomological monitoring in all districts, which is normal considering the intervention stage in the fight against malaria. In Burkina Faso, we found centralization of routine data.Conclusion: Our study synthesized the health policies applied in African countries which are at different stages of intervention in the fight against malaria and which have succeeded in maintaining low malaria prevalence (in Senegal) or in rapidly decreasing the prevalence of the disease (in Burkina Faso). Being close to elimination, Senegal required more active malaria surveillance than passive surveillance. Burkina Faso did not require a lot of active surveillance being not close to malaria elimination. These results merit a review in the context of each African country.
Relationships among structure, memory, and flow in sheared disordered materials
Authors: Galloway Kevin , Teich Erin , Ma Xiaoguang , Kammer Christoph , Graham Ian , Keim Nathan , Reina Celia , Jerolmack Douglas , Yodh Arjun , Arratia Paulo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
A fundamental challenge for disordered solids is predicting macroscopic yield from the microscopic arrangements of constituent particles. Yield is accompanied by a sudden and large increase in energy dissipation due to the onset of plastic rearrangements. This suggests that one path to understanding bulk rheology is to map particle configurations to their mode of deformation. Here, we perform laboratory experiments and numerical simulations that are designed to do just that: 2D dense colloidal systems are subjected to oscillatory shear, and particle trajectories and bulk rheology are measured. We quantify particle microstructure using excess entropy. Results reveal a direct relation between excess entropy and energy dissipation, that is insensitive to the nature of interactions among particles. We use this relation to build a physically-informed model that connects rheology to microstructure. Our findings suggest a framework for tailoring the rheological response of disordered materials by tuning microstructural properties.
Predicting South Africa’s Daily COVID-19 Cases using ARIMA Forecasting Model: 6 March to 6 July 2020
Authors: Claris Shoko , Delson Chikobvu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background and Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic caused approximately 11,421,822 laboratory confirmed cases globally with 196,750 confirmed cases in South Africa by the 6th of July 2020. Coronavirus is transmitted from one person to another even before any symptoms appear, thus posing a severe threat to the society as a whole. This study is aimed at coming up with an ARIMA model to predict daily COVID-19 disease cases in South Africa using data from online sources. Materials and Methods: The study used online data on daily COVID-19 reported cases in South Africa (SA) recorded from 6 March 2020 to the 6th of July 2020. Time series analysis is used to investigate the trend in the daily COVID-19 disease cases leading to the Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model. Results: The time plot of the series suggests the need for differencing of the data up to the second-order to achieve a stationary time series. The best candidate model was an ARIMA(7,2,0). Residuals for the selected model are non-correlated and normally distributed with mean zero with a constant variance as expected in a good model. The fitted model predicted a continuous increase in the daily COVID-19 disease cases for the next 20 days ahead to day 143 with slight falls at a few time points.Conclusion: The results showed that ARIMA models can be applied to COVID-19 patterns in South Afriva. The model forecasted a continuous increase in the daily COVID-19 cases in South Africa. These results are important for public health planning in order combat the pandemic.
Clinical Value of Serum β-Catenin Protein in Monitoring of Progress in Patients with Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head
Authors: Huang Junyuan , Zhou Yingchun , Xiao Wei , Deng Peng , Lu Weiguo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is closely related to the pathogenesis Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). β-catenin, as a major component of Wnt signaling pathway, plays a vital role in the proliferation of osteoblasts. But the effect of altering β-catenin level on the early diagnosis and progress of ONFH have not been studied. Our purpose was to investigate the role of β-catenin level in the progress of ONFH.MethodOne hundred and one patients with three stages of ONFH and fifty healthy controls were recruited between May 2016 and November 2016. We divided the patients into 32 cases of stage II, 41 cases of stage Ⅲ and 28 cases of stage IV according to the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) classification. We evaluated the clinical bone histomorphology, expression position and level of β-Catenin as well as the plasma β-catenin level. ResultsWe found that serum β-catenin level was significantly higher in the ONFH group than those in healthy control group (P<0.001). We also found that the area under the curve (AUC) calculated by ROC curve analysis to determine the values for β-catenin levels in ONFH compared with those in the control group was 0.9358(P<0.001), where the sensitivity was 77.23% and specificity was 98.00%.ConclusionOur results indicated that the increased β-catenin may play a vital role in the progress of ONFH. The cutoff concentration may be used as one of the sensitive signs to assess the disease process of ONFH.
Novel Combined Preparation and Investigation of Bergenin Loaded Albumin Nanoparticles for the Treatment and Care of Acute Lung Injury: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations
Authors: Yan Lingqiao , Chen Hui , Xie Mindan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
A new method for targeting lung infections is of great interest using biodegradable nanoparticles. In this study, bergenin loaded BSA NPs were developed against lung injury. Briefly, BG@BSA NPS were synthesized and characterized. HPLC recorded the major peak of bergenin. UV-vis spectra had an absorbance at 376nm. XRD revealed the presence of crystalline particles. FTIR confirmed the occurrence of functionalized molecules in the synthesized NPS. The particles were highly stable with a net negative charge of -24.2. The morphology of NPS were determined by SEM and TEM. The mean particle size was 124.26nm. The production of NO by NR8383 cells was decreased by BG@BSA NPs. Also, in mice, lipopolysaccharide mediated acute lung inflammation was induced. BG@BSA NPs reduced macrophages and neutrophils in BALF and remarkably enhanced wet-to-dry weight (W/D) ratios and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Further, BG@BSA NPs inhibited the production of inflammatory cells as well as tumour necrosis factor. The histopathological studies revealed that the damage and neutrophil infiltration was greatly inhibited by BG@BSA NPs. This indicates that BG@BSA NPs may be used to treat lung infections Therefore, this study has given new insight into producing an active drug for the treatment of lung associated diseases in the future.
Expression Profiling of Contralateral Dorsal Root Ganglia of a Rat Model of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type-i Uncovers Potential Mechanisms Involved in Mirror-image Painexpression Profiling of Contralateral Dorsal Root Ganglia of a Rat Model of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type-i Uncovers Potential Mechanisms Involved in Mirror-image Pain
Authors: Nie Huimin , Liu Boyu , Yin Chengyu , Chen Ruixiang , Wang Jie , Zeng Danyi , Tai Yan , He Dongwei , Liu Boyi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Mirror-image pain (MIP), which develops from the healthy body region contralateral to the actual injured site, is a mysterious pain phenomenon accompanying many chronic pain conditions, including complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). However, the pathogenesis of MIP still remained largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to perform an expression profiling to identify genes related with MIP in an animal model of CRPS-I. Methods: We established a rat chronic post-ischemic pain (CPIP) model to mimic human CRPS-I. RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq), bioinformatics, qPCR, immunostaining and animal behavioral assays were used to screen potential genes in contralateral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) that may be involved in MIP. Results: The CPIP model rats developed robust and persistent MIP in contralateral hind paws. Bilateral DRG neurons did not exhibit obvious neuronal damage. RNA-Seq of contralateral DRG from CPIP model rats identified a total 527 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) vs. control rats. The expression changes of several representative DEGs were verified by qPCR. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that immune system process, innate immune response and cell adhesion were among the mostly enriched biological processes, which are all important processes involved in pain sensitization, neuroinflammation and chronic pain. We further identified DEGs potentially involved in pain mechanisms or enriched in small- to medium-sized sensory neurons or TRPV1-lineage nociceptors. By comparing with published datasets summarizing genes enriched in pain mechanisms, we sorted out a core set of genes which might contribute to nociception and pain mechanism in MIP. Conclusions: We provided by far the first study to profile gene expression changes and pathway analysis of contralateral DRG for investigating MIP mechanisms. This work may provide novel insights into understanding the mysterious mechanisms underlying MIP.
The cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor Roscovitine reverses diet- induced metabolic disruption in obese mice
Authors: Rabhi Nabil , Desevin Kathleen , Cortez Briana Noel , Hekman Ryan , Lin Jean Z. , Emili Andrew , Farmer Stephen R. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Most strategies to treat obesity-related disorders have involved prevention of diet-induced weight gain in lean mice. Treatment of obese individuals will require therapies that reverse the detrimental effects of excess body weight. Here, we show that roscovitine given to mice during the last six weeks of a 19-week high fat diet, reduced weight gain and prevented accompanying insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, visceral adipose tissue (eWAT) inflammation/fibrosis as well as restored insulin secretion and enhanced whole body energy expenditure. Proteomics and phosphoproteomics analysis of eWAT demonstrated that roscovitine suppressed expression of peptides and phosphopeptides linked to inflammation and extracellular matrix proteins. It also identified 17 putative protein kinases perturbed by roscovitine, including CMGC kinases, AGC kinases and CAMK kinases. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that lipid metabolism, TCA cycle, fatty acid beta oxidation and creatine biosynthesis are enriched following roscovitine treatment. For brown adipose tissue (BAT), analysis of upstream kinases controlling the phosphoproteome revealed two major kinase groups, AGC and CMGC kinases. Among the top enriched pathways were insulin signaling, regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, thyroid hormone signaling, thermogenesis and cAMP-PKG signaling. We conclude that roscovitine is effective at reversing prolonged diet-induced metabolic disruption and restoring mitochondrial activity in BAT and eWAT.
Control of Late-life Systolic Blood Pressure and All-cause Mortality Among Oldest-old People in China: The Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey
Authors: Gao Hui , Wang Kan , Ahmadizar Fariba , Zhao Wensui , Jiang Yu , Zhang Lei , Yu Li , Zhou Fangjia , Gu Jialing , Zhuang Jianlin , Xia Zhao-lin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Blood pressure targets for oldest-old people have been long debated due to the concern that more stringent targets are associated with increased mortality. We aimed to investigate the association between late-life systolic blood pressure control (mean SBP) and variability (SBPV) and mortality in oldest-old people.Methods: Based on the community-based Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey with follow-up conducted in the 3-year interval, we assembled a retrospective cohort of 5951 participants ≥80 years with available blood pressure measurements at baseline and second wave. The primary exposures were mean SBP and SBPV (defined as the annual difference in SBP divided by mean SBP) measured between baseline and second wave. The primary outcome was 3-year all-cause mortality assessed between the second and third waves.Results: During 21733.9 person-years of follow-up, 4290 death was recorded. U-shaped associations of mortality with mean SBP and SBPV were identified; the value of 137 mmHg and 2.3 %/year conferred the minimum mortality risk, respectively. The associations of a larger SBPV with an increased mortality risk were observed for both rises and large falls in SBP. The hazard ratio was 1.16 (comparing lowest versus middle quintile; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.28) with large falls in SBPV and 1.10 (comparing highest versus middle quintile; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.21) with large rises in SBPV.Conclusions: U-shaped associations between late-life SBP and SBPV and all-cause mortality were found. Our study suggests that a stable SBP level in the middle range decreases the risk of mortality in the oldest-old people.
Phylogenetically diverse bacteria isolated from tattoo inks, an azo dye-rich environment, decoloize a wide range of azo dyes
Authors: Nho Seong Won , Cui Xue Wen , Kweon Ohgew , Jin Jinshan , Chen Huizhong , Moon Mi Sun , Kim Seong-jae , Cerniglia Carl E 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose: There has been an interest in the microbial azo dye degradation as an optional method for the treatment of azo dye-containing wastes. Tattoo ink is an extremely unique azo dye-rich environment, which never been explored in terms of microorganisms capable of degrading azo dyes. Previously, we isolated 81 phylogenetically diverse bacteria, belonging to 20 genera and 49 species, contaminated in tattoo inks. In this study, we investigated if these bacteria, which can survive in the azo dye-rich environment, have an ability to degrade azo dyes. Methods: We conducted a two-step azo dye degradation (or decolorization) assay. In step 1, a high-throughput degradability assay was done for 81 bacterial isolates using Methyl Red and Oragne II. In step 2, a further degradation assay was done for 10 selected bacteria with a representative of 11 azo dyes, including 3 commercial tattoo ink azo dyes. Degradation of azo dyes were calculated from measuring optical absorbance of souble dyes at specific wavelenths. Results: The initial high-throughput azo dye assay (step 1) showed that 79 isolates had a complete or partial degradation of azo dyes; >90% of Methyl Red and Orange II were degraded within 24 h, by 74 and 20 isolates, respectively. A further evaluation of azo dye degradability for 10 selected isolates in step 2 showed that the isolates, belonging to Bacillus , Brevibacillus , Paenibacillus , and Pseudomonas , exhibited an excellent decolorization ability for a wide range of azo dyes. Conclusions: This study showed that phylogenetically diverse bacteria, isolated from azo dye-rich tattoo inks, is able to degrade a diverse range of azo dyes, including 3 azo dyes used in commercial tattoo inks. Some of the strains would be good candidates for future studies to provide a systematic understanding of azo dye degradation mechanisms
The Effects of a Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program Involving Traditional Chinese Medicine in Severe and Critical COVID-19 Patients: a Clinical Study
Authors: Ren Yi , Wang Yujin , Liu Huabao , Mou Fangzheng , Yan Xiaofeng , Tang Lilin , Tan Dengyong , Zuo Guoqing 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: A year ago, a new type of coronavirus emerged. Once treated for severe and critical COVID-19 infections, patients are discharged from the hospital for further treatment and rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a newly developed comprehensive rehabilitation program based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the rehabilitation of patients with severe and critical COVID-19.Methods: We recruited a total of 72 patients who had suffered from severe and critical COVID-19 infections and were undergoing rehabilitation in Chongqing, China. A comprehensive rehabilitation program was formulated according to the TCM syndromes of these patients. Specific treatments included oral TCM, Baduanjin, Moxibustion, Acupoint application, and foot baths. Prior to the initiation of treatment, and four weeks after the initiation of treatment, we carried out a range of assessments, including the TCM Syndrome curative effect score, the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea score, the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, the Short Form (SF)-36 Quality of Life Scale, and the 6-minute walking test. We also carried out CT scans, serology tests. Statistical analysis was also conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TCM on severe and critical COVID-19 patients.Results: Analysis showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) when compared before and after four weeks of TCM treatment, in terms of the TCM syndrome curative effect score, mMRC dyspnea score, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire score, SF-36 Quality of Life Scale score, and the 6-minute walking test. We also identified significant differences (P < 0.05) between these two timepoints, with regards to the neutrophil ratio, lymphoid cell ratio, lymphocytes, platelets, red blood cells, and hemoglobin. There were no significant differences when compared between the two timepoints with regards to white blood cells and neutrophils (P > 0.05). The efficacy of chest CT scans was 83.9%. Logistic regression showed that the CT scans of patients who did not take the TCM decoction did not improve significantly. The higher a patient’s score on the 6-minute walking test, the higher the probability of no significant improvement on the CT scan.Conclusions: A comprehensive rehabilitation program based on TCM improved a number of clinical parameters in patients suffering from severe and critical COVID-19 infections, including quality of life, clinical symptoms, exercise endurance, and respiratory function. TCM also enhanced lymphocytes, lymphocyte ratio, platelet, red blood cell (RBC) count, and hemoglobin content. TCM also appeared to contribute to the absorption of lung lesions.
First Results of Undersea Muography with the Tokyo-Bay Seafloor Hyper-Kilometric Submarine Deep Detector MAGMA-HKMSDD Collaboration
Authors: Tanaka Hiroyuki K.M. , Bozza Cristiano , Coniglione Rosa , Gluyas Jon , Steigerwald Sara , Holma Marko , Kuusiniemi Pasi , Leone Giovanni , Mori Hirohisa , Matsushima Jun , Paling Sean , Presti Domenico Lo , Kin Tadahiro , Kamoshida Osamu , Aichi Masaatsu , Oláh László , Sumiya Kenji , Thompson Lee F. , Yokota Yusuke , Varga Dezső , Hayashi Naoto , Nomura Yukihiro , Kato Yasuhiro , Miyamoto Hideaki , Shimazoe Kenji , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Satoh Masaki 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Tidal measurements are of great significance since they may provide us with essential data to apply towards protection of coastal communities and sea traffic. Currently, the tide gauge stations, satellite-based, pressure-based and ultrasonic-based techniques are commonly used. However, with these techniques, sensors have to be either floated on the sea surface or sunk onto the seafloor. The former option makes it difficult to conduct the tide measurements in high traffic maritime sea channels, and the latter option requires the construction of undersea electric and telecommunication infrastructures to support real time monitoring. On the other hand, with muography, sensors can be located underneath the seafloor inside, for example, an undersea tunnel where the electric and telecommunication infrastructures are more readily available. In this work, the world’s first under-seafloor particle detector array called the Tokyo-bay Seafloor Hyper-Kilometric Submarine Deep Detector (TS-HKMSDD) was deployed underneath the Tokyo-Bay seafloor for conducting submarine muography. Time-sequential muographic data were converted to the tidal levels above the detector and compared with the data acquired from the nearby tide gauge station. The results were consistent, indicating that submarine muography could be an alternative tool for tide measurements. We anticipate that if the length of the TS-HKMSDD is extended from 100 m to a full-scale as large as 9.6 km to provide continuous tidal information along the tunnel, muography will become an established standard, demonstrating its effectiveness as practical tide monitor for this heavy traffic waterway in Tokyo and in other important sea traffic areas worldwide.