bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Features and Lymphocyte Immunophenotyping Analysis in Primary Immunodeficiency Patients With Non-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Authors: Lee Wen-I , Huang Jing-Long , Chen Li-Chen , Yeh Kuo-Wei , Ou Liang-Shiou , Yao Tsung-Chieh , Wu Chao-Yi , Lin Syh-Jae , Chen Shih-Hsiang , Jaing Tang-Her , Liang Chi-Jou , Kang Chen-Chen 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Purpose: Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases and can be classified categorized into the category as being immune dysregulation diseases in primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID) that typically represent as monogenetic X-linked and autoimmune lymphoproliferative diseases (XLP and ALPS). The LPD phenotype extends to other categories in PID and its distribution remains scarce. Methods: The clinical course and lymphocyte immunophenotyping in PID patients with the LPD phenotype who were referred to the PICAR (Primary Immunodeficiency Care And Research) institute were investigated between 2004 and 2020.Results: Of the 96 enrolled patients, 31 (32.3%) (median age 144, range 3-252 months) developed the LPD phenotype mainly encompassing lymphadenopathy (in 10 patients), refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-like with intestinal lymphadenopathy in 8 and hepatosplenomegaly (in 7) during long-term follow-up (median 144, range 3-252 months). The LPD phenotype was most frequently present in the categories of antibody deficiency (in 7: 2 CVID, 2 TTC37, PIK3CD, PIK3R1 and AICDA each), phagocyte (in 6: 4 CYBB, 1 STAT1 and 1 IFNRG1), immune dysregulation (in 6: 2 FOXP3, 2 XIAP and 2 HLH), combined immunodeficiencies (in 5: 2 IL2RG, 1 CD40L, 1 ZAP70 and 1 unknown) and syndromic features (in 4: 2 STAT3-LOF, 1 WAS and 1 ATM) as well as three patients with anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies. Those with the LPD phenotype had a significantly higher mortality rate than those without (p=0.0016) despite a similar age at onset (median 66 vs 44 months) and follow-up duration (138 vs 144 months). EBV virus load was only detectable in the PIK3CD and HLH patient each. An increased senescent (CD8+CD57+) and CD21-low components, and disturbed transitional B (CD38+IgM++), plasamablast B (CD38++IgM-), memory B (CD19+CD27+) and TEMRA (CD27-IgD-) components were often observed in cross-sectional immunophenotyping. However, except patients with CD40L and ZAP70 mutations, those with profound T cell defects who bear almost naïve (T and B cells) components and extreme low in the remaining subsets components trended to develop their LPD phenotype. Conclusion: The spectrum of the LPD phenotype in one third of the PID patients overriding the categorical boundaries had higher mortality and heterogeneous lymphocyte disturbances, especially higher senescent and CD21-low but lower memory B subpopulations. Large-scale longitudinal studies of PID patients are needed to validate the correlation between immunophenotype and the LPD status.
An Evaluation of Childhood Tuberculosis Program in Chegutu District, Zimbabwe, 2020: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Chimsimbe Memory , Mucheto Pride , Juru Tsitsi Patience , Chadambuka Addmore , Govha Emmanuel , Gombe Notion Tafara , Tshimanga Mufuta 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Childhood tuberculosis (TB) is a major global public health concern contributing to significant child morbidity and mortality. A records review of the TB notification for Chegutu District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) showed a low childhood TB case detection rate. For 2018 and 2019, childhood TB notifications were 4% and 7% respectively against the national 12% case detection rate. We evaluated the performance of the childhood TB program in Chegutu.
Methods
We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study. Sixty-six health workers (HW) participated in the study. Interviewer-administered questionnaires and checklists were used to collect data on reasons for low TB case detection, HW childhood TB knowledge, program inputs, processes and outputs. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis was used to assess the childhood TB processes. We analyzed the data using Epi Info 7TM to generate frequencies, proportions and means. A Likert scale was used to assess health worker knowledge.
Results
The majority 51/66(77%) of HW were nurses and 51/66(67%) of respondents were females. Reasons for the low childhood TB case detection were lack of HW confidence in collecting gastric aspirates 55/66(83%) and HW’s negative attitudes towards gastric aspirate collection 23/66(35%). HW 24/66 (37%) had a fair childhood TB notification knowledge. The district had only one functional X-ray machine for 34 health facilities. Only 6/18 motorcycles were functional with inadequate fuel supply. No desk guide for the management of TB in children for HW (2018) was available in 34 health facilities. Ethambutol 400mg was out of stock and adult 800mg tablets were used. Funds allocated for motor vehicle and motorcycles service ($1612USD/year) were inadequate. The district failed to perform planned quarterly TB review meetings, contact tracing and childhood TB training due to funding and COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
Conclusion
The childhood TB program failed to meet its targets due to inadequate inputs and suboptimal HW childhood TB knowledge. Case detection and notification can be improved through on-job training, mentorship, support and supervision and adequate resources.
Impact of Comorbidities and COVID-19 on the Survival Rate of Geriatric Patients Receiving Anesthesia Services: A Prospective Cohort Study in Indonesia
Authors: Rehatta Nancy Margarita , Susilo Chandra , Sari Djayanti , Lestari Mayang Indah , Senapathi Tjokorda Gde Agung , Nurdin Haizah , Wirabuana Belindo , Pramodana Bintang , Pradhana Adinda Putra , - Isngadi , Anggraeni Novita , Sikumbang Kenanga Marwan , Halimi Radian Ahmad , Jasa Zafrullah Khany , Nasution Akhyar Hamonangan , - Mochamat , - Purwoko 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
As life expectancy increases, the worldwide population aged 60 years and older increases year by year. Consequently, more older people receive medical attention, especially those who undergo surgery. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a global impact on elderly patients, especially those undergoing surgery. This study aims to describe the characteristics and analyze the survival rate of elderly patients who receive anesthesia services, especially those with comorbidities and COVID-19.
Methods
A prospective cohort study at 14 central hospitals in Indonesia analyzed 1621 elderly patients (67.1 ± 6.2 years old). The variables that were recorded included patient characteristics, comorbidities, the COVID-19 status, and the survival rate, including 30-day mortality.
Results
The 30-day mortality was 4.4%. The most comorbidity was hypertension (30.0). Patients with a Charlson's Comorbidity Index Score of 3-4 had a higher death rate (15.3%). The highest mortality rates were in the patients who had dementia, rheumatologic disease, liver disease, previous myocardial infarction, and diabetes with chronic complications as comorbidities. The percent of patients with COVID-19 who died was 26.6%. Patients with several comorbidities and COVID-19 had a lower survival rate than those without (log-rank p<0.05)
Conclusion
Approximately four in ten elderly patients receiving anesthesia died, and the percent increased when the patients had comorbidities and COVID-19.
A Novel Quasi-opposition Based Sine Cosine Algorithm for Optimal Allocation and Sizing of Capacitor in Radial Distribution Systems
Authors: Biswal Saubhagya Ranjan , SHANKAR GAURI 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Increasing trend in load demand has introduced many problems in distribution systems like more line losses, low power factor, voltage fluctuations and so on. These issues have become a vital challenge for the power utilities to resolve and maintain the system under healthy conditions. For handling these issues, optimal capacitor placement (OCP) in radial distribution systems employing an optimization approach is explored in this work. The present work proposes a novel application of quasi-opposition based sine cosine algorithm for solving OCP problem. The effectiveness and superiority of the proposed algorithm is verified over other algorithms using different standard benchmark test functions. For solving OCP problem, at first, the most deserving candidate buses for the OCP are identified using a new proposed sensitivity index that helps in reducing search space for the optimization process. Thereafter, by minimizing the losses and maximizing the net annual profit of the system, the optimal location and selection of the fixed-step capacitor banks are obtained. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm has been verified by comparing the results obtained with that of other state-of-the-art algorithms on the standard IEEE 85 bus and 118 bus radial distribution test systems considering full load and variable load scenarios.
Substrate multiplexed protein engineering facilitates promiscuous biocatalytic synthesis
Authors: McDonald Allwin , Higgins Peyton , Buller Andrew 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Enzymes with high activity are readily produced through protein engineering, but intentionally and efficiently engineering enzymes for an expanded scope is a contemporary challenge. Measuring reaction outcomes on mixtures of substrates, called here SUbstrate Multiplexed Screening (SUMS), has long been used to rigorously quantitate enzyme specificity. Despite the potential utility of SUMS to guide engineering of promiscuous enzymes, this approach has not found widespread adoption in biocatalysis. Here, we develop principles of how to design robust SUMS methods that, rather than assess absolute specificity, use heuristic readouts of substrate promiscuity to identify hits for further investigation. This rich information enables engineering of activity for multiple substrates simultaneously and identifies enzyme variants with altered promiscuity, even when overall activity is lower. We demonstrate the effectiveness of SUMS by engineering two enzymes to produce pharmacologically active tryptamines from simple indole precursors in a biocatalytic cascade. These advances leverage common laboratory equipment and represent a highly accessible and customizable method for enzyme engineering.
Unmasking the truth: experimental evidence of facemask compliance in Bangladesh, Kenya, and Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Grépin Karen , Mueller Valerie , Wu Nicole , Rabbani Atonu 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
High levels of compliance with public health measures are critical to ensuring a successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, most data on compliance are self-reported. Tendency to overreport due to social desirability can yield biased estimates of compliance. We estimate rates of compliance with facemask mandates in Kenya, Nigeria, and Bangladesh using data from phone surveys conducted in March-April 2021. Data on compliance are collected from different survey modules: self-reported compliance (stated) and a list experiment (elicited). We find substantial gaps between stated and elicited rates of facemask wearing for different groups depending on specific country contexts and high levels of overreporting of facemask compliance in self-reported surveys. We observe differences in rates of self-reported facemask wearing among key groups but not using the elicited responses from the list experiment, which suggest that social desirability bias may vary by demographics. Data collected from self-reported surveys may not be reliable to monitor ongoing compliance with public health measures. Moreover, elicited compliance rates indicate levels of mask wearing are likely much lower than those estimated using self-reported data.
Factors Driving Wetland Herbs Distribution Range of Lake-Terrestrial Ecotone in Tibet, China
Authors: Zheng Peiru , LI Chunhua , YE Chun , Wang Hao , Wei Weiwei , Zheng Ye , Zheng Xiangyong 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Lake is a critical part of Tibet's hydrological cycle, the lake-terrestrial ecotone is the most sensitive area in the water and terrestrial ecosystem. For the ecological protection and maintenance of the lakeside zone, defining the upper boundary of the lake-terrestrial ecotone is a key issue that needs to be solved urgently. However, the ecological characteristics of lake-terrestrial ecotone made it diffcult to delimit. Wetland herbs are characteristic plants of the radiant belt toward the land of the lake-terrestrial ecotone, and their distribution range can be used to reflect the upper boundary of the lake-terrestrial ecotone. We took Baksum Lake, Yambdroktso, Namtso, Siling Co as examples, based on the spatial structure of the lake-terrestrial ecotone, used the moving split-window technology (MSWT) delimited the range of wetland herbs.Results:The results of MSWT showed the distribution range of wetland herbs in each lake-terrestrial ecotone with the natural-wetland type sampling line of Baksum Lake, Yambdroktso, Namtso, Siling Co was 51m, 56m, 33~53m, 19~31m. DCA showed number of wetland herbs species,BK1＞YT1=NT1＞NT2＞SC1=SC2. PCA, RDA showed SMO, pH, SSC, and soil nutrient content had obvious correlation with distribution range. Conclusion:MSWT was a feasible method to delimit the distribution range of wetland herbs. SMO, pH, SSC, and soil nutrient content were all-important environmental factors affect the wetland herbs distribution range of the four lakes, however, the SMO was the most important factor. Besides, compare with the lakes in the lower Yangtze Plain,the high-density population distribution,high-intensitive human activity invaded the plants' growth area, resulting in a smaller distribution range.
Far-field Approximations to the Derivatives of the Green's Function for the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings Equation
Authors: Zhou Zhiteng , Zang Zhengyu , Wang Hongping , Wang Shizhao 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The surface correction to the quadrupole source term of the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings integral in the frequency domain suffers from the computation of high-order derivatives of the Green's function.

The far-field approximations to the derivatives of the Green's function have been used without derivation and verification in the previous work. In this work, we provide the detailed derivations of the far-field approximations to the derivatives of the Green's function. The binomial expansions for the derivatives of the Green's function and the far-field condition are employed during the derivations to circumvent the difficulties in computing the high-order derivatives. The approximations to the derivatives of the Green's function are systemically verified by using the benchmark two dimensional convecting vortex and the co-rotating vortex pair. In addition, we provide the derivations of the approximations to the multiple integrals of the Green's function by using the far-field approximations to the derivatives.
Growth Performance and Intestinal Morphometric Features of Broiler Chickens Fed on Dietary Inclusion of Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio Molitor), Larvae Powder
Authors: Sedgh-Gooya Shadi , Torki Mehran , Darbemamieh Maryam , Khamisabadi Hassan , Abdolmohamadi Alireza 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Climate change and the lack of conventional feed ingredients have made edible insects a highly nutritious alternative to feed production. The use of insects as food may help solve socio-economic and environmental problems around the world and be in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In this study, the growth performance and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens were evaluated under the influence of adding different levels of Tenebrio molitor larvae meal (TM meal) to their diets. One hundred eighty day-old broiler chickens were divided into 3 treatments and 5 replications (12 chickens/pen). The experimental diets included a control diet and treatments containing 2.5 and 5% TM meal, which were fed to birds in the starter (0-10 days) and grower (11-25 days) stages, and during the final period (26-42 days), all birds were fed a regular finisher diet. The results showed that the diet containing TM meal had no remarkable effect on the mortality rate and feed intake (FI) of broilers (P > 0.05). In the period of starter, the addition of 2.5% TM meal to broilers diet increased body weight gain (BWG) than the control group (P £ 0.05). Also, the use of 2.5% TM meal in the starter period showed a significant effect on reducing the feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the birds fed by the control diet (P £ 0.05). Besides, the height of the villus, the depth of the crypt, and the ratio of them were not altered among the different treatments (P > 0.05). Overall, it can be concluded that TM meal could improve growth performance in the starter period, and had no negative effects on broilers' performance and intestinal morphology in all the periods of the experiment.
Lack of Cathepsin D in the Central Nervous System Results in Microglia and Astrocyte Activation and the Accumulation of Proteinopathy-related Proteins
Authors: Suzuki Chigure , Yamaguchi Junji , Sanada Takahito , Trejo Juan Alejandro Oliva , Kakuta Souichirou , Shibata Masahiro , Tanida Isei , Uchiyama Yasuo 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis is one of many neurodegenerative storage diseases characterized by excessive accumulation of lipofuscins. CLN10 disease, an early infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, is associated with a gene that encodes cathepsin D (CtsD), one of the major lysosomal proteases. Whole body CtsD-knockout mice show neurodegenerative phenotypes with the accumulation of lipofuscins in the brain and also show defects in other tissues including intestinal necrosis. To clarify the precise role of CtsD in the central nervous system (CNS), we generated a CNS-specific CtsD-knockout mouse (CtsD-CKO). CtsD-CKO mice were born normally but developed seizures and their growth stunted at around postnatal day 23±1. CtsD-CKO did not exhibit apparent intestinal symptoms as those observed in whole body knockout. Histologically, autofluorescent materials were detected in several areas of the CtsD-CKO mouse’s brain, including: thalamus, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Expression of ubiquitin and autophagy-associated proteins was also increased, suggesting that the autophagy-lysosome system was impaired. Microglia and astrocytes were activated in the CtsD-CKO thalamus, and Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), an inflammation marker, was increased in the microglia. Interestingly, deposits of proteinopathy-related proteins, phosphorylated α-synuclein and Tau protein, were also increased in the thalamus of CtsD-CKO infant mice. Considering these results, it is likely that the CtsD-CKO mouse is a useful mouse model to investigate the contribution of cathepsin D to the early phases of neurodegenerative diseases in relation to lipofuscins, proteinopathy-related proteins and activation of microglia and astrocytes.
Molecular analyses in wheat and Aegilops tauschii reveals a new orthologue of the leaf rust resistance gene Lr19 on 7DL chromosome of Ae. tauschii
Authors: Pourkhorshid Zahra , Dadkhodaie Ali , Shamloo-Dashtpagerdi‎ Roohollah 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Leaf rust is one of the most devastating wheat diseases worldwide, to which many resistance genes have been ‎successfully introgressed ‎from wheat wild relatives. Though the Thinopyrum ‎ponticum-derived leaf rust resistance gene Lr19, is widely effective worldwide and previous studies ‎have shown its likely presence in Aegilops tauschii, no ‎thorough investigation has been conducted to confirm this. The present study aimed to ‎examine the presence of Lr19 in Ae. tauschii using a collection of molecular and bioinformatic analysis. Accordingly, the Thatcher line was used as susceptible, and a Thatcher+Lr19 (TcLr19) and Agatha were used as resistant lines. CDHLQ pathotyping coupled with DNA markers genotyping verified the presence of an Lr19 orthologue on Ae. tauschii 7DL (AtLr19). Sequencing of the GB marker products from Ae. tauschii and TcLr19 showed 99% homology in these fragments, confirming phenotyping and genotyping results. Both isolated segments were matched to a putative melatonin biosynthesis gene, namely O-methyltransferase-2 (OMT2) mapped to 7DL, with 100% identity. A hierarchical gene network was reconstructed using all identified putative genes within a genomic region containing 2.5 cM upstream and downstream of the OMT2 gene. Results indicated that several numbers of important biotic stress-responsive genes such as RPM1, RGA2, TRIUR3, BURP12, and myosin-11, were located downstream of melatonin as a master regulator molecule through the OMT2 node. To our knowledge, this is the first report of finding an orthologue for ‎Lr19 in Ae. tauschii, which provides insights into the possible regulatory route of LR19.
The impact of AI implementation in higher education on educational process future: A systematic review
Authors: Slimi Zouhaier 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been playing a vital role in all life domains. A striking example is AI effective revolution in health and educational services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this systematic literature review investigates how AI impacts higher education (HE) by focusing on its impact on education quality, the learning and teaching process, assessments, and future careers. This review uses a systematic qualitative research method. The data is collected in a systematic review of academic articles on AI impact on HE from 1900 to 2021 from the Web of Science, Scopus, and ERIC. The process went through a systematic inclusion and exclusion procedure based on date, language, reported outcomes, setting and type of publications. Articles selected were screened via Rayyan Software and coded using excel based on the following themes: education quality, learning and teaching, assessments, future careers, and ethics. The total number of articles included is 56. The results vindicate that AI plays an efficient role in providing better education quality services, practical learning/teaching, and assessments approach for a better future career. Likewise, AI impacts future employment, which entails that HE institutions should incorporate more AI to have better graduates that meet the future market requirements. However, studies on AI impact assessments, ethics and future careers are limited and require further investigation.