bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydroxychloroquine Use Is Not Associated With QTc Length in a Large Cohort of SLE and RA Patients
Authors: Park Elizabeth , Giles Jon T. , Perez-Recio Thania , Pina Paloma , Depender Christopher , Gartshteyn Yevgeniya , Askanase Anca , Bathon Joan , Geraldino-Pardilla Laura 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundHydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a cornerstone therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, reports of its use and subsequent fatal arrhythmias in patients with Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) have raised concern regarding its cardiovascular (CV) safety. Therefore, we examined the relationship between HCQ use and corrected QT (QTc) length in SLE and RA patients without clinical CV disease (CVD).MethodsOne SLE (n=352) and two RA cohorts (n=178) with electrocardiograms (ECGs) collected as part of study data were analyzed. RA cohort participants were recruited from tertiary referral centers with additional referrals from community rheumatologists, while SLE subjects originated from the Columbia University Lupus Cohort. All patients met American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for SLE or RA, and lacked known CVD. The exposure of interest was HCQ use and main outcome measure was QTc length [continuous or categorical (≥440 ms and ≥500 ms)]. ResultsOf the combined SLE and RA cohorts (n=530), 70% were HCQ users and 44% had a QTc≥ 440 ms. The adjusted mean QTc length was comparable between HCQ users vs non-users (438 ms vs 437 ms). In multivariable logistic models, HCQ use was not a significant predictor of a QTc≥440 ms for the entire cohort (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.48-1.23; p=0.27). Importantly, a QTc≥500 ms was inversely associated with HCQ use and not associated with arrhythmias or deaths. A significant interaction was found between HCQ use and use of anti-psychotics. Ultimately, the use of HCQ combined with any QTc prolonging medication as a group was associated with a QTc length (434 ms; 95%CI 430, 439) which was comparable to that of use of HCQ alone (433 ms; 95% CI 429, 437). ConclusionIn a combined cohort of SLE and RA patients without clinical CVD, adjusted QTc length was comparable between HCQ and non-HCQ users, supporting its CV safety in patients with rheumatic diseases.
Inhibition of Enterovirus 71 by Picochlorum sp. 122 via AKT and ATM/ATR Signaling Pathways
Authors: Guo Min , Zheng Ruilin , Wu Hua-lian , Chen Danyang , Su Jingyao , Xu Tiantian , Wu Houbo , Xiang Wenzhou , Li Yinghua , Zhu Bing 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Enterovirus 71 (EV71) pose a critical threat in global public health and may lead to severe and even lethal cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD). No effective antiviral agents are available to the masses for treatment of HFMD caused by EV71. Polysaccharide provides a good clinical application for antivirus. Polysaccharides extracted from Picochlorum sp. 122 (PPE) is a kind of seaweed Polysaccharides, the reports on its antiviral activity are limited. In this study, the antiviral activity was verified in Vero cells. Briefly, PPE has been demonstrated to restrain EV71 infection through MTT assay and cellular cytopathic effect. In addition, the decrease of the nucleic acid and protein levels of VP1 indicated PPE effectively inhibited the proliferation of EV71 in Vero cells. Furthermore, the annexinV-affinity assay suggested that PPE protected host cells from apoptosis. The mechanistic investigations revealed that PPE restrained EV71-induced host-cells apoptosis by AKT and ATM/ATR signaling pathways. In conclusion, these results demonstrate PPE is a hopeful antiviral drug for the infection of EV71.
Assessment of Genetic Variation in COI Gene of Horseshoe Crab (Tachypleus Gigas) Population Along the Coast of the Bay of Bengal in Odisha, India
Authors: Tudu Sanatan , GUPTA SANDEEP KUMAR , Dash Bisnu Prasad 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Horseshoe crab (Tachypleus gigas) is an archaic group of marine creature which plays a vital role in the saline ecosystem. Many researchers emphasize and enhance the knowledge about the horseshoe crab's basic biology, morphology, and ecology, whereas very little information is available about its population genetics. We attempted to develop a baseline database about the ecology, phylogeography, and genetic variation among the horseshoe crab population from Odisha, India. We collected 152 samples of horseshoe crab from the coastal area of the Bay of Bengal. The generated Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit I gene (COI) sequences of T. gigas were compared with the sequences of T. gigas obtained from GenBank. The GenBank sequences were of two populations from South China and Malaysia. A total of 26 unique haplotypes were observed in three populations of T. gigas. Pairwise F-statistic distance (FST) between South China-India was 0.708; Malaysia-India was 0.608, and South China-Malaysia was 0.136. It indicated that the South China population was closely related to the Malaysian population and the Indian population was appeared to be genetically distinct from the other two populations. It signifies the ecological importance of the Indian population. Furthermore, the migrant per generation (Nm) was 0.16, which indicated a low gene flow among T. gigas populations. The haplotype diversity (Hd) and nucleotide diversity (π) were 0.58826 and 0.00476, respectively. This study would help lay future strategy and conservation of horseshoe crab across the Bay of Bengal.
Impact of Spherical Anatase TiO2 Nanoparticles on Thermal Properties of Polypropylene Resin
Authors: Bendaoued Ahlem , Messaoud Mouna , Harzallah Omar , Bistac Sophie , Salhi Rached 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Ceramics nanometric reinforced polymer composite is a significant material for catalysis, solar cells, production of hydrogen and energy applications, etc. In order to take benefit from the interesting mechanical properties and thermal stability of TiO2, these ceramic nanomaterials was synthesized by the Sol-Gel process in attempt to study the thermal stability, structure, and morphology of the resulting nanoparticles powders. The obtained results revealed that, the sphere is composed of 20-30 nm nanoparticles with excellent thermal stability of nano-TiO2. This work focused on the thermal characterization and the study of nanocomposite xWt. %TiO2/PP (x=0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 mol%). In this study, the obtained results revealed that the molar ratio of TiO2 influences the final thermal stability and degree of crystallinity of the composite. It was found that the use of TiO2 seems to be an effective and very promising way to increase the thermal properties of the resulting composite. The greatest degree of crystallinity (54.80%) and thermal degradation stability are obtained for composite reinforced by 7.5Wt. %TiO2.
The Influence of Trains on the Seismic Response of Simply-Supported Beam Bridges with Different Pier Heights Expressed through a Safety Factor
Authors: Jiang Lizhong , Peng Kang , Yu Jian , Zhou Wangbao , Zuo Yongjian 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
With the extension of high-speed railways to high-intensity earthquake regions, it is impossible to avoid structural vibrations due to the joint action of trains and earthquakes. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the influence trains on bridge structures exposed to earthquakes. In this paper, a coupled finite element analysis model of a high-speed railway vehicle-bridge was established by considering a simply-supported beam bridge with the China Railway Track System (CRTS) II plate and the CRH2C high-speed train. The correctness of the model was experimentally verified. By considering the ground motion randomness, the influence of the train on the response of the bridge structure exposed to an earthquake was analyzed. Also, the influence level of the running train on the seismic response of bridge structures with different pier heights was studied. The results revealed that the train dynamic effect significantly reduced seismic responses of piers and supports, and that the effect itself decreased with the pier height increase. Furthermore, the dynamic effect of the train increased the seismic response of the track structure, while the bridge pier height had little influence on the dynamic efficiency of the track structure. For different pier heights, the probability distribution model of the train dynamic effect for the track-bridge system seismic response was considered as the normal distribution. This indicated that the seismic response of the track-bridge system under vehicle condition could be simplified as the product of the seismic response and safety factor under no vehicle condition.
The Effect of Malaria on Haemoglobin Concentrations in Extreme Poverty: A Nationally Representative Household Fixed-Effects Study of 17 599 Children under 5 Years of Age in Burkina Faso.
Authors: Starck Tim , Bulstra Caroline A. , Tinto Halidou , Rouamba Toussaint , Sie Ali , Jaenisch Thomas , Bärnighausen Till 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Although the association between malaria and anaemia is widely studied in patient cohorts, the population-representative causal effects of malaria on anaemia remain unknown. We estimated the malaria-induced decrease in haemoglobin levels among young children in malaria-endemic Burkina Faso. Many children in Burkina Faso live in extreme poverty and are thus particularly vulnerable to suffer from the consequences of malaria-induced anaemia.Methods: We pooled individual-level nationally representative health survey data (2010-11, 2014, 2017-18) from 17 599 children under 5 years of age. We estimated the effects of malaria on haemoglobin concentration, controlling for household fixed-effects, age, and sex in a series of regression analyses. This allowed us to control for observed and unobserved confounding on the household level and to determine the impact of malaria infection status on haemoglobin levels and anaemia prevalence. We further leveraged diagnostic results from microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests to provide a quasi-longitudinal perspective of acute and prolonged effects after malaria infection.Results: Both malaria (survey prevalence ranging from 17.4% to 65.2%) and anaemia prevalence (survey prevalence ranging from 74% to 88.2%) were very high in the included surveys. Malaria is estimated to significantly reduce haemoglobin levels, with an overall effect of -7.5g/dL (95% CI -8.5, -6.5). Acute malaria resulted in a -7.7 g/dL (95% CI -8.8, -6.6) decrease in haemoglobin levels. Recent malaria without current parasitaemia decreased haemoglobin concentration by -7.1 g/dL (95% CI -8.3, -5.9). The in-sample predicted prevalence of severe anaemia was 9.4% among malaria positives, but only 2.2% among children without malaria.Conclusion: Malaria infection has a strong detrimental effect on haemoglobin levels among young children in Burkina Faso. This effect seems to carry over even after acute infection, indicating prolonged haemoglobin reductions even after successful parasite-elimination. The quasi-experimental fixed-effect approach adds a population level perspective to existing clinical evidence.
Histiocytic Sarcoma of Bone Marrow With Partial Cohesive Neoplastic Cells and Hemophagocytosis: a Case Report
Authors: Liang Yang , Mao Li , Chen Yihua , Wang Guangjie 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a rare hematolymphoid neoplasms whose cells show morphologic and immunophenotypic features of mature tissue histiocytes. We herein report a HS case without nodules or lymphadenectasis confirmed with the help of immunohistochemistry (IHC) on bone marrow (BM) biopsy and smear.Case presentation: A 63-year-old female patient with a history of cerebral infarction presented with fever, retching and hypodynamic sign for three weeks. The peripheral blood examination showed aggressive pancytopenia accompanying with the positivity for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody. The computed tomography and abdomen ultrasound scan didn’t reveal any nodules or lymphadenectasis other than hypersplenotrophy. Significantly, the BM aspirate shows vast pleomorphic tumor cells atypically distributed in both forms of single diffuse and cohesive. The hemophagocyte phagocytized granulocytes on BM smear exhibited the lymphoma related hemophagocytic syndrome. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells were immunopositively for macrophage-associated antigen cluster of CD4, CD68, CD163, but negative for the T-cell, B-cell and myeloid lineage markers of CD15, CD20, PAX-5, CD5, CD30, CD3, CD56, CD38, CD138, ALK and MPO, confirming the hypothesis of HS in BM. Conclusion: The rare HS case of bone marrow with atypically partial cohesive pleomorphic tumor cells had the hemophagocytic syndrome, presented highly aggressive clinical course and challenged to the diagnoses.
Biodegradable dielectricmaterial using PLA and luffa fiber modified by medical linear accelerator
Authors: Dalai Sonismita , parida Chhatrapati 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Biodegradable electronic devices are presently in command in various sectors mainly in health care system.The present work comprehends the dielectric properties of biodegradable composites made from biodegradable polymer poly (lactic) acid (PLA) and natural fiber of luffa cylindrica (LC) fabricated using microcompounding and injection molding. LC fibers are an agricultural waste, rich in cellulose.LC fibers were exposed to 6 MeV electron beam of doses 0.5Gy, 1.0Gy, 2.0Gy, 4.0Gy and 10.0 Gy generated from medical linear accelerator(LINAC) in presence of air. Such low doses are normally used for treatment of cancer patients and not for modifying polymers where doses in the range of 20-200KGy are used. The effect of such low irradiation dose on fiber and study if any significant changes taking place is the innovative aspect of the present work. The effects of irradiation dose on dielectric behavior such as dielectric constant and ac conductivity were investigated at different temperatures 260C, 40oC, 60oC and 80oC while keeping frequency constant. The increase in dielectric constant from 57 in virgin PLA at 260C,500Hz to a maximum of 84 in composite sample due to reinforcement of low dose irradiated LC fibers recording 49% increase is an important result of the investigation.
Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma Interactome with 417 Novel Protein-Protein Interactions
Authors: Karunakaran Kalyani B. , Ganapathiraju Madhavi K. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM) is an aggressive cancer affecting the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity and intra-abdominal organs, with a median survival of ~2.5 years. We constructed an ‘MPeM interactome’ with over 400 computationally predicted protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and over 4,700 known PPIs of 59 literature-curated genes whose activity affects MPeM. Known PPIs of the 59 MPeM-associated genes were derived from BioGRID and HPRD databases. Novel PPIs were predicted by applying the HiPPIP algorithm, which computes features of protein pairs such as cellular localization, molecular function, biological process membership, genomic location of the gene, and gene expression in microarray experiments, and classifies the pairwise features as interacting or non-interacting based on a random forest model. 75.6% of the interactome and 65% of the novel interactors in it were supported by transcriptomic evidence in rodent and human peritoneal mesothelioma/mesothelial cell lines and tumor specimens. 152 drugs targeted 427 proteins in the MPeM interactome. Comparative transcriptome analysis of peritoneal mesothelioma-associated versus drug-induced gene expression profiles revealed 39 repurposable drugs, out of which 29 were effective against peritoneal/pleural mesothelioma and/or peritoneal metastasis/primary peritoneal cancer in clinical trials, animal models or cell lines. Functional modules of chromosomal segregation, transcriptional deregulation, positive regulation of IL-6 production and hematopoiesis were identified from the interactome. Genes with tissue-specific expression in 2 sites of extramedullary hematopoiesis (spleen and thymus) and those correlated with unfavorable prognosis in liver, renal, pancreatic and lung cancers were noted. MPeM interactome showed extensive overlap with the malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) interactome and MPM cell line expression profiles. Our findings demonstrate the utility of the MPeM interactome in discovering systems-level functional links among MPeM genes and generating clinically translatable results such as repurposed drugs.
Community Engagement to Tackle Infectious Threats in Bangladesh, Uganda and Ukraine - A Research in Progress on a Social Science Mapping Process
Authors: Jirovsky Elena , Grohma Paul , Naher Nahitun , Rodyna Roman , Nabirye Christine , Dückers Michel , Ahmed Syed Masud , Osborne Jacob , Kaawa-Mafigiri David , Giles-Vernick Tamara , Kutalek Ruth , Artemchuk Oksana 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Successful epidemic preparedness and response require an understanding of social behaviour: social values, priorities and practices fundamentally shape human engagements with measures to prepare for and to prevent epidemics and antimicrobial resistance. Because of its capacity to document and evaluate health-seeking behaviors, local understandings of disease and explanations of transmission, and local reactions to public health interventions, social science, in particular anthropological research is well positioned to facilitate insight into these priorities and practices.Method: The SoNAR-Global project (A Social Science Network for Infectious Threats and Antimicrobial Resistance) undertook a mapping and assessment of existing Community Engagement (CE) models that target infectious threats and/or antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Bangladesh, Uganda and Ukraine, which are integrated in the project through partner universities. We compared our findings with the UNICEF Communication for Development (C4D) Minimum Quality Standards for Community Engagement. Conclusions: On these grounds, we emphasize six critical elements for Community Engagement before and during epidemics. We argue that CE efforts must cooperate and dialogue with people in need and negotiate integrated, localized public health models that improve their lives before and during an epidemic.Results: We identified and recommend currently available social science tools for Community Engagement, which correspond to the six critical elements and can contribute to enhance preparedness and response activities to infectious threats.
Perspectives of Adolescents, Parents, Service Providers and Teachers on Mobile Phone Ownership, Access and use For SRH Information Among Adolescents
Authors: Ochieng Beverlyn Marion , Magadi Monica A , Smith Lesley , Orton Bev , Hayter Mark , Kaseje Margaret , Wafula Charles Ouma , Ocholla Peninah , Owii Salmon , Onukwugha Franklin , Kaseje Dan Clement 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Mobile health (mHealth) programmes offer opportunities to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) for adolescents by providing information. Researchers define mHealth as a “medical and public health practice supported by mobile devices”. mHealth is increasingly used to deliver health interventions including adolescent SRH. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding the utilization and effectiveness of these programmes. This study reports findings of a qualitative study carried out in Homabay County, Kenya. Purpose: We aimed to establish if mHealth would facilitate access of SRH information by adolescents, and whether adolescents would participate in SRH-related content delivered on mobile phones, based on their experiences and existing constraints.Methods: This was a qualitative exploratory study seeking to gain an understanding of the experiences of adolescents concerning their mobile phone ownership, access and use. The study population included adolescents, parents, teachers and health care workers and community health volunteers (CHVs). Data were collected through 25 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 19 key informant interviews (KIIs). The FGDs consisted of five groups each for girls, boys, fathers, mothers and CHVs. We purposively selected five primary school heads, five secondary school heads and nine health facilities in-charges for KIIs. Data were analyzed through thematic and qualitative content analysis.Results: Mobile phone use was frequent among adolescents accessing phones from parents and friends. The most popular use of mobile phones was short messaging service (SMS) with girls and boys citing chatting, SMS and watching movies. Service providers emphasized accessing health knowledge. Teachers emphasized accessing SRH information. All respondent categories highlighting ease of access and potential reach to large numbers of adolescents and hence an effective and efficient approach. Respondents lauded the potential of mobile phones to promote learning of useful SRH information among adolescents to influence their behavior formation, modification and or change by learning about diseases and receiving advice. Mobile phones overcame barriers experienced by adolescents when seeking sensitive SRH information and services such as stigma, discrimination, and lack of privacy and confidentiality. Conclusion: Mobile phones can provide safe, accurate, cost-effective, and timely SRH information and services tailored to the needs of adolescents to influence their behavior
Efficacy and safety of capsule endoscopy in octogenarian and elderly patients: A retrospective study
Authors: Pezzoli Alessandro , Guarino Matteo , Fusetti Nadia , Pizzo Elena , Simoni Marzia , Simone Loredana , Cifalà Viviana , Solimando Riccardo , Caio Giacomo , De Giorgio Roberto , Merighi Alberto 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background

Life expectancy and the number of ultra-octogenarians increased significantly, thus making crucial the appropriateness of several endoscopic procedures in elderly patients. The aim of our study was to provide a retrospective analysis of the efficacy and safety of capsule endoscopy in patients aged over 80 years.
Patients and Methods

In this single-centre study, 900 patients underwent capsule endoscopy between 2002 and 2015 for different indications; of these 106 patients aged ≥ 80 years (group A) and 99 patients aged 40–60 years (control group B) were randomly selected.
Results

Occult gastrointestinal bleeding accounted for 62.1% of all indications for capsule endoscopy in group B, compared to 95.2% in group A (p < 0.001). Although not statistically significant, the diagnostic yield was higher in group A (71%) vs. group B (62%). The percentages of reaching the cecum and the median gastric transit time were uniform within the two groups. In contrast, small bowel transit time was longer in group A vs. B. Small bowel preparation was similar in the two groups. The exam was generally well tolerated in both groups, with capsule aspiration being one of the main adverse events, which occurred in two elderly patients.
Conclusions

Our data expand previous findings confirming that capsule endoscopy can be performed safely even in very old patients and show that the diagnostic yield is similar to that of younger patients.