bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Haematological Profiles of Pigs on Different Farms Reflect Their Health Status
Authors: Oven Irena Golinar , Svete Alenka Nemec , Hajdinjak Melita , Plut Jan , Stukelj Marina 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundHaematological examination is an important diagnostic tool in the assessment of pig health status. The present study aimed to assess haematological parameters in pigs of different age categories from six farrow-to-finish farms differing in herd health status. The following pig categories were included: 5 age groups of growers (5, 7, 9–10, 11 and 12–13 weeks-old), fatteners and breeding pregnant sows. Individual blood samples for determining complete blood count and white blood cell differential count were taken and group samples of oral fluid and faeces were collected from each animal category in each of the six farms and tested for the detection of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Virus (PRRSV), and Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) using PCR, RT-PCR, and qRT-PCR protocols. Individual blood samples were analysed using an automated laser-based haematology analyser. The following haematological parameters were reported: white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), platelet count (PLT), and percentage and number of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and "large unstained cells" - LUCs. ResultsOn farms free of PRRSV, PCV2 and HEV, age had significant effect on the following parameters: WBC, Hb, MCH, MCHC, PLT, percentage of neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils and absolute numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils and LUCs. On farms with PRRS, PCV2 and/or HEV, age significantly affected all observed blood parameters except the percentage of LUCs. The percentages of lymphocytes, MCV and Hct were significantly lower by PRRSV while WBC, PLT, percentage and absolute number of neutrophils, basophils and LUCs increased. Significantly lower percentages of lymphocytes and increased percentages and absolute numbers of neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils were caused by PCV2 presence. Significantly lower percentage of lymphocytes and MCV and increased RBC, Hb, percentage and number of basophils and percentage of neutrophils were caused by HEV. Conclusions Alterations of haematological parameters reflected the health status of pigs of different categories on infected and on non-infected farms. Age-related changes in haematological parameters occurred in clinically healthy and in infected pigs.
An Efficient and Stable Magnetic Nano-Biocatalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis in Recyclable Ionic Liquids
Authors: Xing Xiu , Zhou Zi Wen , Wei Yun Jie , Liu Yan Hong , Li Kun , Yu Xiao Qi , Wang Na 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Transesterification of jatropha oil obtaining process was studied for biodiesel production. Rhizomucor miehei lipase (RML) immobilized on 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane functionalized magnetic Fe3O4 was employed as a biocatalyst. The immobilized lipase was confirmed by scanning electron microcopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) techniques. The efficient biodiesel synthesis in ionic liquids using immobilized RML was demonstrated. Fifteen kinds of ionic liquids based on different alkyl chain lengths of the methyl imidazolium cation ([C2MIM], [C4MIM], [C8MIM], [C12MIM] and [C16MIM]) combined with [NTf2], [N(CN)2], [PF6] or [BF4] anions were assayed as reaction media for RML producing biodiesel. The highest synthetic activity of immobilized RML appeared in [BMIM][PF6], which is more than five times higher than the free enzyme. The enzyme catalytic activity remained 60% even after the magnetic nano-biocatalyst and ionic liquid had been reused 5 times in a 48-hour reaction cycle. In addition, the immobilized enzyme exhibited excellent storage stability with almost no decrease in catalytic activity after storing at -20°C for 98 days.
Evaluation of qPCR Reference Genes For Taimen (Hucho Taimen)
Authors: Yang Xiaoxing , Tong Guangxiang , Dong Le , Tang Guopan , Zhang Yongquan , Yan Ting , Ma Kai , Yin Jiasheng , Kuang Youyi 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
As a powerful and attractive method for detecting gene expression, qRT-PCR has been broadly used in aquacultural research. Understanding the biology of taimen (Hucho taimen) has attracted increased interest because of its ecological and economic values. Stable reference genes are required for the reliable quantification of gene expression, but such genes have not yet been optimised for taimen. In this study, the stability levels of 10 commonly used candidate reference genes were evaluated using four methods, geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and RefFinder. The expression levels of the 10 genes were detected using samples from 48 experimental groups that consisted of six tissues (blood, heart, brain, gill, skin and liver) collected under five heat-stress conditions (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26°C) and four heat-stress processing times (4, 24, 48 and 96 h). RPS29 and RPL19 were the most stable genes among all the samples, whereas 28S rRNA, ARBPR and 18S rRNA were the least stable. These results were verified by an expression analysis of the heat-stress genes (hsp60 and hsp70) of taimen. In conclusion, RPS29 and RPL19 are the optimal reference genes for qRT-PCR analyses of taimen, irrespective of the tissue and experimental conditions, and these results allow the reliable study of gene expression in taimen.
Expression of The Fab Enzymes (Fab I And Fab Z) From Plasmodium Falciparum After Exposure To Artemisia Afra Plant Extracts And Drugs Screening
Authors: Kane Ndeye Fatou , Kyama Mutinda Cleophas , Nganga Joseph Kangethe , Hassanali Ahmed , Diallo Mouhamadou , Kimani Francis 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background:The emergence and spread of drug resistance of the malaria parasite to the main treatment emphasis the need to develop new antimalarial drugs. In this context, the fatty acid biosynthesis (FAS_II) pathway of the malaria parasite is one of the ideal target due to its crucial role in parasite survival.Method:We report in this study the expression and the affinity binding of two Fab enzymes (FabI and FabZ) after exposure of the parasite using different extracts of the Artemisia afra and after a virtual screening with the different plant compounds. Two differents strains of Plasmodium falciparum was used: W2 (CQ_resistant) and D6 (CQ_sensitive) with a parasiteamia of 4%. The parasites were exposed during 2 days to different Artemisia afra extracts . Gene expression was done to determine the level of expression of the fab enzymes after treatments. A GCMS was run to determine the different compounds of the plant extracts following by a virtual screening between the fab enzymes and the active compounds using Pyrex. Result:The results showed different expression patterns of the Fab enzymes. FabI was downregulated in the W2 and D6 strains by the ethanolic extract in a higher rate for W2. Hexane and DCM extracts increased the production of FabI respectively in W2 and D6 strains. A different expression pattern was observed for Fab Z. The expression of FabZ in the W2 strain were all upregulated. The enzyme was downregulated only in the D6 strain when exposed to the ethanolic and hexane extracts of the plant. After virtual screening, a lot of compounds were found to interact with the two fab enzymes. Hits compounds for FabI and FabZ with high biding energy were detected. 11alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone and Aspidospermidin-17-ol were found to have high binding energy with FabI respectively (-10.7 kcal/mol; -10.2kcal/mol). Fab Z was having also a high affinity with the two following hits compounds: 11alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone (-10 kcal/mol) and Thiourea (-8.4 Kcal/mol). Conclusion:The study showed that Artemisia afra is a big source of antimalarial drugs, and could act not only as a curative but also as prophylactic due to its effects on the Fab enzymes.
Suicidality in Individuals With Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Review of Registry Survey Data
Authors: Peleggi Analise , Bohonowych Jessica , Strong Theresa , Schwartz Lauren , Kim Soo-Jeong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare, genetic, neurodevelopmental syndrome associated with hyperphagia and early onset obesity, growth and sex hormone insufficiencies, mild-to-moderate intellectual disability, and behavioral challenges such as compulsivity, anxiety, skin picking, social skills deficits and temper outbursts. Given high rates of psychiatric comorbidity and potential risk factors for suicide in PWS, this study sought a first estimate of the prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI) and attempts (SA) in the PWS population and any characteristics associated with suicidality in this population. METHODS: Using the Global Prader-Willi Syndrome Registry, we included all participants who had answered a question about SI. We examined the most recent data from the surveys about social, economic, and demographic factors, genetic subtype, and psychiatric symptoms and treatments. A chi-square analysis was used to compare registry participants who reported SI to those without reported SI. RESULTS: From 750 included survey respondents, 94 (12.5%) endorsed some history of SI. Of these, 25 (26.6%) also reported a history of SA, with an average age of 16.25 years at their first attempt. Those with a history of SI were predominantly male and adult age, and had higher rates of aggression and psychiatric comorbidities, therapies, and medications. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the rate of SI and SA in PWS is comparable to the general population, and that suicide attempts in PWS typically begin in middle-teenage years. Despite unique challenges, individuals with PWS and their caregivers should be included in screens and psychoeducation for suicide and mental health concerns.
Optical and Electrical Properties of Ion Beam Effects in Ge10Se70Bi20 Thin Films
Authors: Abdelhamid M , Reheem A Abdel , Kassem N , Ashour A 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
In this study, chalcogenide material Ge 10 Se 70 Bi 20 thin films have been fabricated utilizing the thermal evaporation technique of bulk samples on glass substrates. After that, the original Ge 10 Se 70 Bi 20 thin films irradiated by different types of an ion beam. The compositions of the original film was determined by the Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX). X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were performed to characterize and examine the induced variations in the structure of Ge 10 Se 70 Bi 20 films after irradiation. From the optical measurements, the absorption edge, bandgap, Urbach energy, Tauc parameter, and extinction coefficient of the unirradiated and irradiated films were determined. In particular, the DC electrical conductivity increased by two orders after the pure film was exposed to an oxygen ion beam. Besides, the activation energy and Mott’s parameters for the original and irradiated Ge 10 Se 70 Bi 20 films were deduced. The reported variations in absorption coefficient, optical bandgap, dc electrical conductivity, and Mott’s parameters propose that the irradiated Ge 10 Se 70 B 20 thin films can be used in important applications, e.g., optical data storage and optoelectronic devices.
High-resolution Late-holocene Biomarkers Records in Southern Continental Shelf of the Korean Peninsula: Implications for Climate Variations Over the Last 4 Kyr
Authors: Hyun Sangmin , Kang Jeongwon , Cho Jin Hyung , Kim Gil Young 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
High-resolution records for carbon isotopes of organic matter and n-alkane compounds were investigated in two gravity cores (SJP15-2 and SJP15-4) taken from the southern continental shelf of the Korean peninsula to evaluate the influxes of terrestrial biomarkers and their linkage to paleoclimate and marine environmental changes since the last 4 kyr. The total organic carbon contents were < 1%, and the carbon isotope ratio of organic matters (d13Corg) ranged from approximately −21‰ to -22‰ and, they did not highly fluctuate throughout the two cores. However, the vertical distributions of total terrestrial biomarkers, long-chain n-alkanes (nC25-35), and individual n-alkane compounds exhibited distinctive fluctuations. There are two switching points that discriminate patterns of excursion and distribution at ca. 2.5 ka, and 0.5 ka. Several n-alkane combined indices such as average chain length (ACL), carbon preference index (CPI), and paleovegetation index (Paq) were coincident with these switching points, implying that the supply of terrestrial biomarkers was strongly associated with environmental changes at the source area. In particular, variations of compound-specific n-alkanes isotope and the ratios of nC31/nC27 and nC31/nC29 follow those of n-alkanes indices, implying that this millennium records were associated with wetter climate conditions, and thus paleovegetation and paleoclimate variation. Comparison with previous data of the detrital quartz from the East China Sea and aeolian dust in the Cheju (Jeju) Island, South Korea, and Dongge cave oxygen isotope records indicates strong synchronicity with gradual paleoclimate degradation between 2.5 ka and 0.5 ka. Therefore, our high-resolution n-alkane data are very useful for reconstructing past climatic variability, suggesting that paleoclimate system of the East Asian region may have influenced the sediment records of study area since the last 4 kyr.
Effects of Electroporation on Anticancer Activity of 5-FU and Newly Synthesized zinc(II) Complex in Chemotherapy-resistance Human Brain Tumor Cells
Authors: Alkış Mehmet Eşref , Turan Nevin , Alan Yusuf , Kandemir Sevgi Irtegun , Buldurun Kenan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Zn(II) complex of Schiff base derived from the condensation of 4-aminopyrimidine-2(1H)-one with salicylaldehyde was prepared and characterized by various physico‐chemical and spectral methods for structure determination. The cytotoxic activity of the Zn(II) complex was investigated in comparison with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) against two different human brain tumor cell lines (T98G and U118), while primer human dermal fibroblast cells (HDF) was used as control for biocompatibility. Then, the effectiveness of electroporation (EP) on cytotoxic activities of these compounds has been examined. The cytotoxicities of the 5-FU and new Zn(II) complex, alone or in combination with electroporation, were determined by MTT assay. The Zn(II) complex showed good cytotoxicity against T98G and U118 brain tumor cell lines with IC50 = 282.47 and 297.91 μM respectively, while it was safe on HDF healthy cells with IC50 = 826.72 μM. The 5-FU exhibited less cytotoxicity compared to the Zn(II) complex against T98G (IC50 = 382.35 μM) and U118 (IC50 = 396.56 μM) tumor cell lines. The combined application of Zn (II) + EP decreased the IC50 value by 5.96-fold in T98G cells and 4.76-fold in U118 cells. EP showed a similar effect in its combined application with 5-FU, resulting in a decrease of the IC50 value of 4.22-fold in the T98G cells and 3.84-fold in the U118 cells. In a conclusion, the Zn(II) complex exhibited an anticancer potential against both brain tumor cell lines (T98G and U118) and EP greatly increased the cytotoxicity of Zn(II) complex and 5-FU on these chemotherapy-resistant cells.
Novel Ensemble-Based Machine Learning Models Based on The Bagging, Boosting and Random Subspace Methods for Landslide Susceptibility Mapping
Authors: Mabdeh Ali Nouh , Al-Fugara Akif , Ahmadlou Mohammad , Pradhan Biswajeet 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Indivisual machine learning models show different limitations such as low generalization power for modeling nonlinear phenomena with complex behavior. In recent years, one of the best approaches to this issue is to use ensemble models. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the predictive power and modeling of three novel ensemble models constructed with four machine learning models: Decision Tree (DT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Naive Bayes (NB) models based on three approaches of Bagging, boosting and Random Subspace (RS) in landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) in the Province of Ajloun in Jordan. A total number of 91 landslide locations along with 16 conditioning factors in LSM were identified and used. Also, before modeling, the selection of effective conditioning factors in LSM was done using genetic algorithm and four single models including DT, KNN, NB and SVM. The selected factors were used in modeling with individual and ensemble models. The results show that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for ensemble models is significantly higher than the individual models and the AUC for ensemble models was on average 14% higher than individual models. Based on the results, the most accurate models were RS ensemble model (AUROC = 0.850), Boosting (AUROC = 0.848) and Bagging (AUROC = 0.814), respectively. This study showed that by combining the results of simple machine learning models and making ensemble models, models with the desired accuracy can be achieved.
Association Between Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD) History and Clinical Outcomes in in Vitro Fertilization/intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (IVF/ICSI) Cycles
Authors: Cai Xinyu , Zhang Mei , Huang Chenyang , Jiang Yue , Zhou Jidong , Xu Manlin , Sun Haixiang , Kong Na 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) usually affects young women of childbearing age. After treatment for GTD, 86% of women wish to achieve pregnancy. On account of the impacts of GTD and treatments as well as patient anxiety, large numbers of couples turn to assisted reproductive technology (ART), especially in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). But few studies have investigated whether a history of GTD affects the outcomes of IVF/ICSI in secondary infertile patients and how it occurs. We investigate whether a history of GTD affects the IVF/ICSI outcomes and the live birth rates in women with secondary infertility.Methods: This retrospective cohort study enrolled 176 women with secondary infertility who underwent IVF/ICSI treatment at the reproductive medical center of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020. Participants were divided into the GTD group (44 women with GTD history) and control group (132 women without GTD history matched from 8318 secondary infertile women ). The control group and the study group were matched at a ratio of 3:1 according to patient age, infertility duration, number of cycles and body mass index (BMI). We assessed retrieved oocytes and high-grade embryos, biochemical pregnancy, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, gestational age at delivery, delivery mode and live birth rates.Result(s): We found a significantly reduced live-birth rate (34.1% vs 66.7%) associated with IVF/ICSI cycles in patients with a GTD history compared to those without a GTD history. The biochemical pregnancy and miscarriage rates of the GTD group were slightly higher than those of the control group. In addition, there was a difference in gestational age at delivery between the GTD and control groups (p<0.001) but no differences in the mode of delivery (p=0.267). Furthermore, the number of abandoned embryos in the GTD group was greater than that in the control group (p=0.018), and the number of good-quality embryos was less than that in the control group (p=0.019). The endometrial thickness was thinner (p<0.001) in the GTD group. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed abnormal endometrial receptivity in the GTD group.Conclusion(s): The GTD history of patients undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles had an impact on the live-birth rate and gestational age at delivery, which might result from the thinner endometrium and abnormal endometrial receptivity before embryo transfer.
High Throughput Phenotyping of Cross-sectional Morphology to Assess Stalk Lodging Resistance
Authors: Oduntan Yusuf A , Stubbs Christopher J , Robertson Daniel J 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background Stalk lodging (mechanical failure of plant stems during windstorms) leads to global yield losses in cereal crops estimated to range from 5% - 25% annually. The cross-sectional morphology of plant stalks is a key determinant of stalk lodging resistance. However, previously developed techniques for quantifying cross-sectional morphology of plant stalks are relatively low-throughput, expensive and often require specialized equipment and expertise. There is need for a simple and cost-effective technique to quantify plant traits related to stalk lodging resistance in a high-throughput manner.Results A new phenotyping methodology was developed and applied to a range of plant samples including, maize (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), wheat (Triticum aestivum), poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), and Arabidopsis (Arabis thaliana). The major diameter, minor diameter, rind thickness and number of vascular bundles were quantified for each of these plant types. Linear correlation analyses demonstrated strong agreement between the newly developed method and more time-consuming manual techniques (R2>0.9). In addition, the new method was used to generate several specimen-specific finite element models of plant stalks. All the models compiled without issue and were successfully imported into finite element software for analysis. All the models demonstrated reasonable and stable solutions when subjected to realistic applied loads.Conclusions A rapid, low-cost, and user-friendly phenotyping methodology was developed to quantify two-dimensional plant cross-sections. The methodology offers reduced sample preparation time and cost as compared to previously developed techniques. The new methodology employs a stereoscope and a semi-automated image processing algorithm. The algorithm can be used to produce specimen-specific, dimensionally accurate computational models (including finite element models) of plant stalks.