bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Pilot Implementation of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention on Morbidity in youngChildren In Northern Sahelian Ghana
Authors: Ansah Patrick Odum , Ansah Nana Akosua , Malm Keziah , Awuni Denis , Peprah Nana , Dassah Sylvester , Yarig Sobe , Manful Charles , Agbenyeri John , Awoonor-Williams John , Ofosu Winfred , Oduro Abraham Rexford 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background

In Sahelian Africa, the risk of malaria increases with the arrival of the rains, during which most clinical malaria occur particularly in young children. Following successful trials in 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) in areas where there is a seasonal peak in malaria. This study evaluated the pilot implementation of SMC in Northern Ghana.
Methods

Fourteen communities each serving as clusters were selected randomly from Lawra District of Upper West Region as intervention area and West Mamprusi District in the Northern Region as the control area all in Ghana. The intervention was undertaken by the National Malaria Control Program using Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine plus Amodiaquine and standard WHO protocols. Before and after intervention surveys for malaria parasitemia and hemoglobin levels were assessed as well as monitoring of malaria morbidity.
Results

Incidence rates of severe malaria were 10 and 20 per 1000 person-years follow up in the intervention and comparison areas respectively with P.E of 45% (p = 0.62). For mild malaria, it was 220 and 170 per 1000 person-years in intervention and comparison area respectively with PE of − 25% (p = 0.31). Differences in anemia (Hb < 11.0g/dl) from baseline to end-line was a reduction of 0.16g/dl (p = 0.000) in intervention and an increase of 0.12g/dl (p = 0.002) in the control area. Mean Hb difference between baseline and end-line was a reduction of 0. 24g/dl (p = 0.000) in control and an increase of 0.39g/dl (p = 000) in the intervention area. At the end of the intervention, the proportion of children with asexual parasites reduced by 19% (p = 0.000) in the intervention and increased by 12%(p = 0.000) in the control area.
Conclusion

The feasibility of SMC in Northern Ghana was demonstrated as evidenced by high study retention, reduction in malaria parasitemia and anemia during the wet season.
The Association Between the Gut Microbiota and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, a Meta-Analysis
Authors: XIANG Shate , Qu Yiqian , Qian Suhai , Wang Yao , Jin Yibo , Li Jie , Ding Xinghong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Introduction:

Evaluate the changes of gut Microbiota in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and healthy people by meta-analysis.
Methods

We searched the case-control studies of SLE and healthy controls (HCs) for detecting the diversity of gut Microbiota and the abundance level of some microbiota in the two groups. StataMP16 software was applied for this meta-analysis. The Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of the included studies.
Results

Eleven case-control studies were included. There were 373 SLE patients and 1288 healthy people, involving 5 countries and 9 different cities. Compared with the HCs, the Shannon-wiener diversity index (WMD=-0.22; 95% CI=-0.32 to -0.13; P = 0.000) and Chao1 richness estimator (SMD=-0.62; 95% CI=-1.04 to -0.21; P = 0.003) of gut Microbiota in SLE decreased, and the abundance level of Ruminococcaceae decreased (SMD=--0.48; 95% CI = 0.76 to-0.21; P = 0.001). Enterobacteriaceae (SMD = 0.39,95% CI = 0.11 to 0.66;P = 0.006) and Enterococcaceae (SMD = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.19 to 0.9; P = 0.03) showed higher abundance levels in comparison with HCs. The subgroup analysis showed the abundance level of Ruminococcaceae (SMD=-0.89; 95% CI =-1.34 to -0.45; P = 0.000) was lower and Enterococcaceae was higher (SMD = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.34 to 1.21༛P = 0.001) in Chinese with SLE compared with HCs. In non-Chinese patients with SLE, there were no significant difference between the abundance level of Ruminococcaceae (SMD=-0.22; 95% CI=--0.58 to 0.13; P = 0.216) and Enterococcaceae (SMD=-0.08; 95% CI=-0.49 to 0.32; P = 0.682 ) with HCs. The subgroup analysis also found the level of Enterobacteriaceae was affected by the sample size.
Conclusion

Compared with the diversity of healthy people, richness and evenness of gut microbiota in patients with SLE are impaired. There is a decrease in the abundance level of beneficial bacteria and an increase in the harmful bacteria. Thus, gut microbiota in patients with SLE appear disorder, which may lead to metabolic imbalance, destruction of the integrity of the small intestine, immune system disorders and pro-inflammatory. Regulating the abundance of gut microbiota can be used as one of the key strategies for treating SLE.
Fabrication and Properties of Smart Temperature Epoxidized Natural Rubber
Authors: Riyajan Sa-Ad 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Temperature-responsive polymers are smart materials due to responding to change in surrounding temperature and are applicable for different applications. Here, we prepared the smart rubber from epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) latex, N-vinylcaprolactam (NVCL) as monomer, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as a surfactant and potassium persulfate (KPS) as free radical initiator. The temperature responsiveness of the grafted copolymers was investigated using water swelling and compared with that of pure ENR. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the grafted copolymer was found to be in the range 20-40 ˚C whereas the ENR was not responsive to temperature. The temperature-responsiveness of the grafted copolymer near human body temperature can be utilized to be fabricated as biomedical materials. Based on this study, the temperature-responsive ENR-graft-NVCL would potentially be used as a novel responsive rubber-based material in various applications.
Lipid Metabolism and Microbial Profiles Between Shaziling and Yorkshire Pigs
Authors: Ma Jie , Duan Yehui , Liang Xiaoxiao , Li Tiejun , Huang Xingguo , Yin Jie , Yin Yulong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Shaziling pig, a Chinese indigenous breed, has been classified as a fatty pig model, while the lipid metabolism and gut microbial development in Shaziling pigs were rarely reported. Methods: Here, we compared the metabolic and microbial profiles at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 210, and 300 days of age between Shaziling and Yorkshire pigs. Results: Predictably, there were marked difference in the liver lipids (i.e., cholesterol, glucose, and low density lipoprotein) and the expressions (i.e., SREBP1/2, LXRα/β, DGAT1/2, and FABP1-3) between Shaziling and Yorkshire pigs. Bacteria in the ileal digesta and mucosa were further analyzed, and the results showed that Shaziling pigs had a higher α-diversity and the abundances of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus_johnosonii, Lactobacillus_amylovorus, and Clostridium_butyricum. 35 differentiated metabolites were identified in the mucosa between Shaziling and Yorkshire pigs, which were enriched in the carbohydrate, protein, glucose and amino acid metabolism and bile acid biosynthesis. Furthermore, 7 differentiated microbial species were markedly correlated with 35 metabolites, indicating the role of gut microbiota in host metabolism. Conclusions: In conclusion, Shaziling pigs exhibited different metabolic and microbial profiles compared with the Yorkshire pigs, which might contribute to the diverse metabolic phenotypes.
Semantic Classification for Diagnostic Decision Support
Authors: Joe Jalyoung 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Clinical history and exam findings obtained during the initial evaluation of a patient presenting with neuromuscular complaints are often pivotal in the formulation of diagnostic and therapeutic approach. However, disorders that have diverse overlapping manifestations may pose a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Although case reports can be valuable sources for guiding clinical decisions, retrieval of applicable information from them is not straightforward. Methods: In this paper, we propose a feature-extraction-based method to improve the efficacy and effectiveness of this process. The accuracy of the method in linking clinical presentations to correct diagnoses is examined using 30 case reports of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, monomelic amyotrophy, and inclusion body myositis, obtained from PubMed Central Open Access Subset. Results: The results show that feature extraction not only augments semantic classification with explainability but also improves the performance. Conclusions: If developed further, the approach can be used to provide clinicians with decision support in challenging clinical situations.
Clinical Features of Imported Chinese COVID-19 Patients Following Chinese Inactivated Vaccines Injection Abroad
Authors: Li Jianwu , Jiang Na , Zeng Qing-Lei , Zhang Yue , Chu Yao , Jin Wenni , Liu Yi , Shi Wan , Yang Miao , He Weihan , Han Qing , Ma Le , Xu You , Guo Yaling , Zhang Lei , Ji Fanpu 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination has been demonstrated as an effective way to reduce the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and only a few vaccinees suffered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, limited data concerning the clinical features of these vaccinees infected with SARS-CoV-2 can be identified. Methods We retrospectively collected and analyzed epidemiological and clinical characteristics data of the imported COVID-19 cases who received Chinese inactivated vaccines abroad. Data were extracted from electronic medical records from a designated hospital in the Shaanxi Province of China between March 22 and May 17, 2021. Results Totally, 46 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection patients were enrolled. The mean age was 40.5 years (range 20-61), 41 (89.1%) are male. Eighteen (39.1%) patients were from Pakistan. Fourteen (30.4%) patients had at least one comorbidity. Forty (87.0%) and 6 cases were fully vaccinated and partly vaccinated. The time interval between vaccination and infection was 88 days (IQR, 33-123), 31 (67.4%) and 15 (32.6%) were asymptomatic and symptomatic cases, respectively. Fever (3/46, 6.5%) was the most common symptom; however, none had a body temperature higher than 38.0℃, and no severe case was observed. Notably, the rate of SARS-CoV-2 shedding discontinuation at 7 days after hospitalization in asymptomatic cases was higher than symptomatic one (93.5% vs 40%, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Individuals who received Chinese inactivated vaccines abroad remain have the probability to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, but all the vaccinees infected with SARS-CoV-2 were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms with favorable clinical outcomes.
Detection of High Frequency of MAD20 Allelic Variants of Plasmodium Falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein 1 Gene from Adama and its Surroundings, Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: File Temesgen , Chekol Tsegaye , Solomon Gezahegn , Dinka Hunduma , Golassa Lemu 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: One of the major challenges in developing an effective vaccine against asexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum is genetic polymorphism within parasite population. Understanding the genetic polymorphism like block 2 region of merozoite surface protein (msp-1) genes of P. falciparum enlighten mechanisms underlining disease pathology, identification of the parasite clone profile from the isolates, transmission intensity and potential deficiencies of the ongoing malaria control and elimination effort in the locality. Detailed understanding of local genetic polymorphism is an input to pave the way for better management, control and elimination of malaria. The aim of this study was to detect the most frequent allelic variant of the merozoite surface protein (msp-1) gene of P. falciparum clinical isolates from selected health facilities in Adama town and its surroundings, Oromia, Ethiopia.Methods: A total of 139 clinical isolates were successfully amplified for msp-1 gene using specific sets of primer. Nested PCR amplification conducted, using specific primers targeting K1, MAD20, and R033 alleles followed by gel electrophoresis for fragment analysis. Based on the detection of a PCR fragment, infections were classified as monoclonal or multiple infections.Result: 19 different size polymorphism of msp-1 gene were identified in the study, with 67(48 %) MAD20, 18 (13 %) K-1 and 18 (13 %) RO33 allelic family. Whereas, the multiple infections were 21(15 %), 8(5.8 %), 4(2.9 %), 3(2.2 %) for MAD20+K-1, MAD20+RO33, K-1+ RO33, and MAD20+K-1, RO33, respectively. The overall Multiplicity of Infection (MOI) was 1.3 and the expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.58 indicating intermediate falciparum malaria transmission.Conclusion: The status of msp-1 allele size polymorphism, MOI and He observed in the study revealed an intermediate genetic diversity of P. falciparum clinical isolates, indicating that the ongoing malaria control and elimination effort should be intensified to effectively monitor the potential malaria resurgence in the study area. Moreover, deriving force that led to high predominance of MAD20 allelic variant revealed in such malaria declining region demands further research.
Validation of the Wistar-kyoto Rat Kept in Solitary Housing as an Animal Model for Endogenous Depression Using Voxel-based Morphometry
Authors: Yoshii Takanobu , Oishi Naoya , Sotozono Yasutaka , Watanabe Anri , Sakai Yuki , Yamada Shunji , Matsuda Kenichi , Kido Masamitsu , Ikoma Kazuya , Tanaka Masaki , Narumoto Jin 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a common psychiatric condition that is often resistant to medication. The Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat has been suggested as an animal model of endogenous depression; however, it is challenging to translate results obtained in animal models into humans. Solitary housing is a mild stress paradigm that could simulate the environment of depressive patients with limited social activity due to symptoms. We used voxel-based morphometry to directly compare the solitary-housed WKY rat model with data from previous human studies, and validated our results with behavioural studies and correlation analyses. Atrophy in WKY rats was detected in the ventral hippocampus, caudate putamen, lateral septum, cerebellar vermis, and cerebellar nuclei (p < 0.05, corrected for family-wise error rate). Further, locomotor behaviour was negatively correlated with hippocampal atrophy and positively correlated with atrophy of the cerebellar vermis. The regions of brain atrophy validate WKY rats as an animal model for endogenous depression and can aid the translation of study results to humans. Our study also reveals the possibility of a cerebellar contribution to depression.
Hypoalbuminemia, An Independent Risk Factor for Severity and Mortality Affects One Third of Patients in Acute Pancreatitis: Multicenter Prospective International Cohort Analysis
Authors: Ocskay Klementina , Vinkó Zsófia , Németh Dávid , Szabó László , Bajor Judit , Gódi Szilárd , Sarlós Patrícia , Czakó László , Izbéki Ferenc , Hamvas József , Papp Mária , Varga Márta , Török Imola , Mickevicius Artautas , Sallinen Ville , Maldonado Elena Ramirez , Galeev Shamil , Mikó Alexandra , Erőss Bálint , Imrei Marcell , Hegyi Péter Jenő , Faluhelyi Nándor , Farkas Orsolya , Kanizsai Péter , Miseta Attila , Nagy Tamás , Hágendorn Roland , Márton Zsolt , Szakács Zsolt , Szentesi Andrea , Hegyi Péter , Párniczky Andrea , Group Hungarian Pancreatic Study 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Introduction The incidence and medical costs of acute pancreatitis (AP) are on the rise, and severe cases still have a 30% mortality rate. We aimed to evaluate hypoalbuminemia as a risk factor and the prognostic value of human serum albumin in AP. Methods Data of 2461 patients were extracted from the international, prospective, multicenter AP registry of the Hungarian Pancreatic Study Group. Data of patients with albumin measurement in the first 48 hours (n=1149) and anytime during hospitalization (n=1272) was analyzed. Multivariate binary logistic regression and Receiver Operator Characteristic curve analysis were used. Results The prevalence of hypoalbuminemia (<35g/L) was 19% on-admission and 35.7% during hospitalization. Hypoalbuminemia dose-dependently increased the risk of severity, mortality, local complications, and organ failure and is associated with longer hospital stay. The predictive value of hypoalbuminemia on-admission was poor for severity and mortality. Severe hypoalbuminemia (<25 g/L) was an independent risk factor for severity (OR: 48.761; CI:25.276-98.908) and mortality (OR:16.83; CI: 8.32-35.13). Albumin loss during AP was strongly associated with severity (p<0.001) and mortality (p=0.002).Conclusion Hypoalbuminemia is an independent risk factor of severity and mortality in AP, and it shows a dose-dependent relationship with local complications, organ failure, and length of stay.
Prospective evaluation of clinical safety and efficacy of left bundle branch area pacing in comparison with right ventricular sepal pacing
Authors: Liu Xing , Li Wenbin , Zeng Jianping , Huang He , Wang Lei , Tian Shaohua , Wu Mingxing 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundLeft bundle branch area pacing (LBBaP) has recently emerged as alternative a new physiologic strategy of pacing to His-bundle pacing (HBP) associated with difficulty of lead implantation, His bundle damage, high and unstable thresholds.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to compare clinical safety and efficacy of LBBaP with right ventricular sepal pacing (RVSP).MethodsFrom February 2019 to May 2020, consecutive pacing-indicated patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into two groups. Ventricular synchrony index such as QRS duration (QRSd), interventricular mechanical delay (IVMD) and septal-posterior wall motion delay (SPWMD), left ventricular function such as left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), pacing parameters, and complications were evaluated in perioperative period and during follow-up.ResultsLBBaP was successful in 45 patients (88.2%), and finally 46 patients underwent RVSP. With LBBaP, the ventricular electrical- mechanical synchrony were similar with the native-conduction system (P = .784). However, the ventricular electrical synchrony (QRSd, 108.47 ± 7.64 vs 130.63 ± 13.63 ms, P < .0001) and mechanical synchrony (IVMD, 27.68 ± 4.33 vs 39.88 ± 5.83, P < .0001; SPWMD, 40.39 ± 23.21 vs 96.36 ± 11.55, P < .0001) in the LBBaP group were significantly superior to the RVSP group. No significant differences in LVEDD (46 [44-48.5] vs 47 [44–52] mm, P = .488) and LVEF% (66 [62.5–70] vs 64 [61–68], P = .759) were noted in both two groups at last follow-up. But, in the subgroup analysis, LVEDD was shorter (46 [44–49] vs 50 [47–58] mm, P = .032) and the LVEF% was higher (65 [62–68] vs 63 [58–65], P = .022) in the LBBaP-H (high ventricular pacing ratio > 40%) group compared with RVSP-H group at last follow-up. There was lower capture thresholds (0.59 ± 0.18V vs. 0.71 ± 0.26V, P = 0.011) at implantation in the LBBaP group than RVSP group, and R-wave amplitudes and pacing impedances did not differ between the two groups. No serious complications were found in both two groups at implantation and follow-ups.ConclusionThis study confirms the clinical safety and efficacy of LBBaP, and that produces better ventricular electrical-mechanical synchrony than RVSP. The event of pacing-induced left ventricular dysfunction is lower in the LBBaP-H group than RVSP-H group.Trial registrationTrial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100046901, Registered 30 May 2021—Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/searchproj.aspx?regstatus=1008001.
Honeybees, Bumblebees and Leaf-cutter Bees Vary in the Effect of a Simulated Pathogen Challenge on Individual Thermoregulation
Authors: Blanchard Victoria , Cresswell James E. , Tarpy David R 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Bees regulate their individual body temperatures by non-flight thermogenesis (NFT). The effects of a pathogen challenge on thermoregulation in bees generally is unknown, although honeybees have displayed opposing responses between two studies. To establish whether bees in general experience disruption of thermoregulation under pathogen challenge, we investigated a representative species of each of three major bee social backgrounds (honeybees, Apis mellifera; bumblebees, Bombus impatiens; and solitary bees, Megachile rotundata) and measured the body surface temperatures of individual bees as they recovered from cold torpor by NFT after injection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) solution, which simulated a pathogen challenge. We found that LPS injection affected rewarming in the annually eusocial B. impatiens, but not A. mellifera or the solitary M. rotundata. Specifically, the pathogen challenge increased post-recovery body temperatures by 2 oC in B. impatiens individuals. Our findings indicate that immune responses by individual bees can interfere with thermoregulation, but this effect is not consistent among major bee species.
Ex Vivo Cultivation Of Primary Intestinal Cells From Eisenia Fetida As Basis For Ecotoxicological Studies
Authors: Riedl Simon A.B. , Voelkl Matthias , Holzinger Anja , Jasinski Julia , Jérôme Valérie , Scheibel Thomas , Feldhaar Heike , Freitag Ruth 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The earthworm Eisenia fetida is a commonly used model organism for unspecific soil feeders in ecotoxicological studies. Its intestinal cells are the first to encounter possible pollutants co-ingested by the earthworm, which makes them prime candidates for studies of toxic effects of environmental pollutants on the cellular as compared to the organismic level. Here, cells are isolated directly from the intestine, maintaining > 90% viability during subsequent short-time cultivations (up to 144 h). Exposure to established toxins comprising silver nanoparticles and metal ions (Cu2+, Cd2+) induced a significant decrease in the metabolic activity of the cells. In presence of microplastic particles (MP particles), namely 0.2, 0.5, 2.0, and 3.0 µm diameter polystyrene (PS) beads as well as 0.5 and 2.0 µm diameter polylactic acid (PLA) beads, no active uptake and no effect on the metabolic activity of the cells was observed. This suggests a tissue rather than cell related basis for the previously observed ecotoxicological effects of MP in case of Eisenia fetida.