bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Public Health Surveillance Systems in Refugee Settlements in Uganda, 2016 - 2019: Lessons Learnt
Authors: Ario Alex Riolexus , Barigye Emily Atuheire , Nkonwa Innocent Harbert , Ogwal Jimmy , Opio Denis Nixon , Bulage Lilian , Kadobera Daniel , Okello Paul Edward , Kwagonza Leocadia Warren , Kizito Susan , Kwesiga Benon , Kasozi Julius 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundCivil wars in the Great Lakes region resulted in massive displacement of people to neighboring countries including Uganda, with associated humanitarian emergencies. Appropriate disease surveillance enables timely detection and response to outbreaks. We describe evaluation of the public health surveillance system in refugee settlements in Uganda and document lessons learnt.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey using the US CDC Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems in four refugee settlements in Uganda i.e., Bidibidi, Adjumani, Kiryandongo and Rhino Camp. Using semi-structured questionnaires, key informant and focus group discussion guides, we interviewed health facility in-charges, key personnel and village health teams from 4 districts, 53 health facilities and 112 villages.ResultsAll health facilities assessed had key surveillance staff; 60% were trained on IDSR and most village health teams were trained on disease surveillance. Case detection was at 55%; facilities lacked standard case definitions (SCDs) and were using parallel Implementing Partner (IP) driven reporting system. Recording was at 79% and reporting was at 81%. Data analysis and interpretation was at 49%. Confirmation of outbreaks and events was at 76%. Preparedness was at 72% and response was at 34%. Feedback was at 82%. Recording, reporting, preparedness, feedback and confirmation of outbreaks and events were highly achieved, and capacity to evaluate and improve the system was moderately achieved. There were low scores in capacity to detect, respond and analyse data.ConclusionPublic health surveillance system had high sensitivity, timeliness and predictive value positive. It was simple, acceptable with fair data quality attributes. It was less flexible, less stable with low representativeness. The system had good recording, reporting, preparedness, feedback and confirmation of outbreaks and events. The capacity for detection, response and data analysis and interpretation was low. Lessons learnt were: IPs offer tremendous support to surveillance; training of surveillance staff on IDSR maintains effective surveillance functions; supplies of tools, personnel etc. should be planned and executed; functionalization of district teams ensures achievement of surveillance functions and attributes; regular support supervision of health facilities necessary; harmonization of reporting improves surveillance functions and attributes; appropriation of funds to districts to support refugee settlements is complementary.
Quality of Life Following Two Different Techniques of an Open Ventral Hernia Repair for Large Hernias: a Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: Antic Andrija , Kmezic Stefan , Nikolic Vladimir , Radenkovic Dejan , Markovic Velibor , Pejovic Ilija , Aleksic Lidija , Loncar Zlatibor , Antic Svetlana , Kovac Jelena , Markovic-Denic Ljiljana 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: We compare the health-related quality of life (QoL) of patients with incision hernias before and after surgery with two different techniques.Methods: In this prospective randomized study, the study population consisted of all patients who underwent the first surgical incisional hernias repair during the 1-year study period. Patients who met the criteria for inclusion in the study were randomized into two groups: the first group consisted of patients operated by an open Rives sublay technique, and the second group included patients operated by a segregation component technique. The change in the quality of life before and 6 months after surgery was assessed using two general (Short form of SF-36 questionnaires and European Quality of Life Questionnaire - EQ-5D-3L), and three specific hernia questionnaires (Hernia Related Quality of Life Survey-HerQles, Eura HS Quality of Life Scale - EuraHS QoL, and Carolinas Comfort Scale – CCS).Results: A total of 93 patients were included in the study. Patients operated on by the Rives technique had a better role physical score before surgery, according to the SF-36 tool, although this was not found after surgery. The postoperative Qol measured with each scale of all questionnaires was significantly better after surgery. Comparing two groups of patients after surgery, only the pain domain of the EuraHS Qol questionnaire was worse in patients operated by a segregation component technique.Conclusion: Both techniques improve the quality of life after surgery. Generic QoL questionnaires showed no difference in the quality of life compared to repair technique but specific hernia-related questionnaires showed differences.
Identification of a ZC3H12D-Regulated Competing Endogenous RNA Network for Prognosis of Lung Adenocarcinoma at Single-Cell Level
Authors: Chen Wenhan , Guo Zhifeng , Wu Jingyang , Lin Guofu , Chen Shaohua , Lin Qinhui , Yang Jiansheng , Xu Yuan , Zeng Yiming 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective To identify hub genes from the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and to explore their potential function on prognosis of patients from a single-cell perspective.Methods We performed RNA-sequencing of LUAD to construct ceRNA regulatory network, integrating with public databases to identify the vital pathways related to patients’ prognosis and to reveal the expression level of hub genes under different conditions, the functional enrichment of co-expressed genes and their potential immune-related mechanisms.Results ZC3H12D-hsa-miR-4443-ENST00000630242 axis was found to be related with LUAD. Lower ZC3H12D expression was significantly associated with shorter overall survival (OS) of patients (HR=2.007, P<0.05), and its expression was higher in early-stage patients, including T1 (P<0.05) and N0 (P<0.05). Additionally, ZC3H12D expression was higher in immune cells displayed by single-cell RNA-sequencing data, especially in Treg cells of lung cancer and CD8 T cells, B cells and CD4 T cells of LUAD. In the brain metastasized, the expression of ZC3H12D in macrophages was relatively abundant. The functional enrichment analysis showed that the co-expressed genes mainly played a role in lymphocyte activation and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. In addition, ZC3H12D was associated with multiple immune cells and immune molecules, including immune checkpoints CTLA4, CD96 and TIGIT.Conclusion ZC3H12D-hsa-miR-4443-ENST00000630242 ceRNA network was identified in LUAD. ZC3H12D could affect the survival and prognosis of patients by regulating mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, immune cells and immune molecules. Therefore, it may serve as a vital predictive marker and could be regarded as a potential therapeutic target for LUAD in the future.
Mendelization and Molecular Mapping of a Large-effect QTL Conferring Durable Adult-plant Resistance to Stripe Rust in a Chinese Wheat Landrace ‘Gaoxianguangtoumai’
Authors: Wang Yuqi , Liang Fengying , Guan Fangnian , Yao Fangjie , Li Long , Zhao Xuyang , Duan Luyao , Wu Yu , Li Hao , Li Wei , Jiang Qiantao , Wei Yuming , Ma Jian , Qi Pengfei , Deng Mei , Zheng Youliang , Kang Houyang , Jiang Yunfeng , Chen Guoyue 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The Chinese wheat landrace ‘Gaoxianguangtoumai’ (GX) has exhibited a high degree of adult-plant resistance (APR) to stripe rust in field environments for more than a decade. To reveal the genetic basis for APR to stripe rust in GX, a set of 249 F6:8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was developed from a cross between GX and the susceptible cultivar ‘Taichung 29’. The parents and RILs were evaluated for disease severity at the adult-plant stage in field environments by artificial inoculation with the currently predominant Chinese Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici races during three cropping seasons, and genotyped using the Wheat 55K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array to construct a genetic map with 1,871 SNP markers. Two stable APR quantitative trait loci (QTL), QYr.GX-2AS and QYr.GX-7DS from GX, were detected on chromosomes 2AS and 7DS, which explained 15.5–27.0% and 9.6–15.6% of the total phenotypic variation, respectively. Compared with published genes and QTL, QYr.GX-7DS is likely Yr18, whereas QYr.GX-2AS is probably novel. Haplotype analysis revealed that QYr.GX-2AS is likely to be rare which present in 5.3% of the 325 surveyed Chinese wheat landraces. By analyzing a near-isogenic line population, QYr.GX-2AS was further mapped to an interval with a physical distance of about 1.37 Mb and co-segregated with a Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) marker. Furthermore, three tightly linked KASP markers were highly polymorphic among 109 Chinese wheat cultivars. The short physical interval and tightly linked KASP markers developed in this study will facilitate marker-assisted selection and map-based cloning of QYr.GX-2AS.
Optimizing Cisplatin Delivery to Triple-negative Breast Cancer through Novel EGFR Aptamer-conjugated Polymeric Nanovectors
Authors: Agnello Lisa , Tortorella Silvia , d'Argenio Annachiara , Carbone Clarissa , Camorani Simona , Locatelli Erica , Auletta Luigi , Sorrentino Domenico , Fedele Monica , Zannetti Antonella , Franchini Mauro Comes , Cerchia Laura 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Management of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is still challenging because of its aggressive clinical behavior and limited targeted treatment options. Cisplatin represents a promising chemotherapeutic compound in neoadjuvant approaches and in the metastatic setting, but its use is limited by scarce bioavailability, severe systemic side effects and drug resistance. Novel site-directed aptamer-based nanotherapeutics have the potential to overcome obstacles of chemotherapy. In this study we investigated the tumor targeting and the anti-tumorigenic effectiveness of novel cisplatin-loaded and aptamer-decorated nanosystems in TNBC.Methods: Nanotechnological procedures were applied to entrap cisplatin at high efficacy into polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) that were conjugated on their surface with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) selective and cell-internalizing CL4 aptamer to improve targeted therapy. Internalization into TNBC MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells of aptamer-decorated PNPs, loaded with BODIPY505-515, was monitored by confocal microscopy using EGFR-depleted cells as negative control. Tumor targeting and biodistribution was evaluated by fluorescence reflectance imaging upon intravenously injection of Cyanine7-labeled nanovectors in nude mice bearing subcutaneous MDA-MB-231 tumors. Cytotoxicity of cisplatin-loaded PNPs toward TNBC cells was evaluated by MTT assay and the antitumor effect was assessed by tumor growth experiments in vivo and ex vivo analyses.Results: We demonstrate specific, high and rapid uptake into EGFR-positive TNBC cells of CL4-conjugated fluorescent PNPs which, when loaded with cisplatin, resulted considerably more cytotoxic than the free drug and nanovectors either unconjugated or conjugated with a scrambled aptamer. Importantly, animal studies showed that the CL4-equipped PNPs achieve significantly higher tumor targeting efficiency and enhanced therapeutic effects, without any signs of systemic toxicity, compared with free cisplatin and untargeted PNPs.Conclusion: Our study proposes novel and safe drug-loaded targeted nanosystems for EGFR-positive TNBC with excellent potential for the application in cancer diagnosis and therapy.
Lower Limbs Axonal Neuropathy in Polyarteritis Nodosa with Onset of Neuropathic Symptoms
Authors: Liu Qi , Zhou Xiaomeng , Tian Yao , Lv Ping , Song Xueqin , Liu Yaling , Dong Hui 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective

The retrospective study aimed to investigate the most common electrophysiological changes in patients with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) of peripheral neuropathy onset and supply some clinical data to neurologists to pay attention to PAN.
Methods

We reviewed the records of all PAN patients with peripheral neuropathy as the initial symptom who attended The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December 2019 to December 2020. Finally, ten patients and thirteen healthy controls were clinical and electrophysiologically investigated in our study.
Results

Disease onset was subacute or acute style, with asymmetric clinical onset. Nine patients (90%) presented clinical onset from lower limbs, one (10%) from both lower and upper limbs. Symptoms of distal limbs were more severe than those of proximal ones in seven patients (70%). Nerve conduction studies revealed motor and sensory axonal neuropathy with a predilection for peroneal and sural nerves in the lower limbs.
Conclusions

Asymmetric motor and sensory axonal neuropathy, especially severe involvement of lower and distal limbs is the most electrophysiological changes in patients with PAN of peripheral neuropathy onset, which is consistent with clinical manifestation.
Unravelling Consensus Genomic Regions Conferring Leaf Rust Resistance in Wheat via Meta-QTL Analysis
Authors: Amo Aduragbemi , Soriano Jose Miguel 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Leaf rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia triticina Erikss (Pt), is a destructive disease affecting wheat and a threat to food security. Developing resistant varieties represents a useful method of disease control, and thus, understanding the genetic basis for leaf rust resistance is required. To this end, a comprehensive bibliographic search for leaf rust resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) was performed, and 393 QTLs were collected from 50 QTL mapping studies. Afterwards, a consensus map with a total length of 4567 cM consisting of different types of markers (SSR, DArT, Chip-based SNP markers and SNP markers from GBS) was used for QTL projection, and meta-QTL analysis was performed on 320 QTLs. A total of 75 genetic map positions (gmQTLs) were discovered and refined to 15 high confidence mQTLs (hcmQTLs). The candidate genes discovered within the hcmQTL interval were then checked for differential expression using data from three transcriptome studies, resulting in 92 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The expression of these genes in various leaf tissues during wheat development was explored. This study provides insight into leaf rust resistance in wheat and thereby provides an avenue for developing resistant varieties by incorporating the most important hcmQTLs.
The environmental niche of soil bacterial, archaeal, fungal and protist communities differ along edaphic and topoclimatic gradients in the Alps
Authors: Malard Lucie A , Mod Heidi K , Guex Nicolas , Broennimann Olivier , Yashiro Erika , Lara Enrique , Mitchell Edward A. D. , Niculita-Hirzel Helene , Guisan Antoine 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe niche concept describes the range of conditions supporting the establishment and persistence of species in the environment. Although widely used in ecology, it has not been often applied to microbes, for which comparative niche analyses are still lacking. Yet, quantifying the niche of microbial taxa is necessary to forecast how taxa and the communities they compose might respond to environmental changes. In this study, we identified important topoclimatic, edaphic, spatial and biotic drivers of the alpha and beta diversity of bacterial, archaeal, fungal and protist communities. Then, we established a method to calculate the niche breadth and position of each taxon along environmental gradients to determine whether microorganisms have distinct environmental niches. ResultsFor all microbial groups, edaphic properties were identified as the most important drivers of both community diversity and composition. Protists presented the largest niche breadths, followed by bacteria and archaea, with fungi displaying the smallest. Niche breadth generally decreased towards environmental extremes, especially along edaphic gradients, suggesting increased specialisation of all microbial taxa in highly selective environments. ConclusionIn this study, we showed that microorganisms have well defined niches, as do macro-organisms, and that these likely drive part of the observed spatial patterns of community variations, but with notable differences among taxonomic groups. Applying the niche concept more widely to microbial ecology should open many novel perspectives, especially to tackle global change challenges.
Liver Stiffness Assessed by Real-Time Two-dimensional Shear Wave Elastography Predicts Hypersplenism in Patients with Wilson’s Disease: A Prospective Study
Authors: Wang Jiajia , Hu Minxia , Zhu Qiang , Sun Lanting 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background To explore the value of liver stiffness assessed by two-dimensional real-time shear wave elastography (2D-SWE）in predicting the occurrence of hypersplenism in patients diagnosed with Wilson’s disease (WD). Methods A total of 90 WD patients were enrolled in this prospective study between May 2018 and December 2018. Clinical data and ultrasound imaging including 2D-SWE liver stiffness of WD patients as baseline data were collected. Patients were followed up for 24 months, or patients developed hypersplenism after enrollment. Risk factors for hypersplenism were determined using cox regression and receiver operating characteristic curve. Results Twenty-night (32.2%) patients were found developed hypersplenism. The age, the diameter of portal vein, and the liver stiffness were independent risk factors associated with hypersplenism in WD. The cutoff value of liver stiffness for predicting hypersplenism was 10.45 kPa, with sensitivity and specificity of 75.9% and 73.8%, respectively. When patients were divided into two groups according to liver stiffness ≥10.45 kPa or <10.45 kPa, the incidence of hypersplenism were 57.9% vs. 13.5% (P<0.001), and the median time between the enrollment and the development of hypersplenism was 15 months vs. 22 months (P<0.001) for the two groups, respectively. Conclusion The liver stiffness measured by 2D-SWE was a reliable predictor of hypersplenism in WD patients. Dynamic monitoring WD patients using 2D-SWE is crucial for the early diagnosis of hypersplenism.
The Relationship Between Sunshine Duration And Air Temperature In Poland In The Face Of Contemporary Climate Change
Authors: Matuszko Dorota , Bartoszek Krzysztof , Soroka Jakub 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The aim of the work is to characterize the trends of sunshine duration (SDU) and air temperature, which may help understand the mechanism of contemporary climate change and explain its causes. The daily totals of SDU and daily data on air temperature from the years 1971–2019, from 25 synoptic stations in Poland are the basic source data. There was a growing trend in both SDU and air temperature. The series of records of the two variables showed that the points of change in the level of stabilization of the value of SDU and air temperature are close to each other, and confirm known in the literature “global dimming” and “global brightening” periods. The linear regression model confirmed that sunshine duration explains well the variability of, and increase in day-time air temperature in Poland in the April-September period. In turn, changes in sunshine duration during winter have no impact on air temperature trends.
CDH1 and CTNNA1 Genetic Screening in Tunisian Patients with Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Carcinoma
Authors: AISSA-HAJ Jihenne BEN , Kabbage Maria , Othmen Houcemeddine , Saulnier Patrick , Ferah Azer , Jaballah-Gabteni Amira , Medhioub Mouna , Khsiba Amel , Maaloul Afifa , Belfkih Houda , Touinsi Hassen , Nasr Sonia Ben , Hamzaoui Lamine , Chalbi Emna , Abdelhak Sonia , Boubaker Mohamed Samir , Azzouz Mousaddak , Rouleau Etienne 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: Mutational screening of the CDH1 gene is a standard treatment for patients who meet the criteria for Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC). In this framework, the classification of variants found in this gene is a crucial step for the clinical management of patients at high risk for HDGC. The aim of this study was to identify CDH1 as well as CTNNA1 mutation profiles predisposing to HDGC from Tunisia. Methods: Thirty four cases were included for this purpose with a mean age at diagnosis of 48 years old. We performed Sanger Sequencing for the entire coding sequence of both genes and MLPA (Multiplex Ligation Probe Amplification) assay to investigate large rearrangements of the CDH1 gene. Results: As a result, three cases (8.82%) carried probably pathogenic variants in the CDH1 gene. These variants involves a novel splice alteration, a missense located in exon 14 detected by Sanger Sequencing and a large rearrangement detected by MLPA assay.Conclusion: Our results suggest that the CDH1 p.G761R variant is probably pathogenic and involved in the conformational space shift of the protein. Molecular modeling analysis highlights a putative influence on the conformational properties of the Juxta-Membrane Domain core (JMD) that could result in destabilizing the protein-protein complexes and therefore impacting the downstream pathways. Also, a large deletion from the 5' locus including exons 1 and 2 of the CDH1 gene implicating the signal peptide and a part of the precursor domain of the protein. These findings highlight the critical importance of screening for large CDH1 rearrangements as well as mutations for the management of HDGC families and individuals at high risk for more personalised medicine. We therefore suggest a revision of the status of p.G761R mutation from Variant of Unknown Significance (VUS) to likely pathogenic.
Verification of the Axle Load Spectra Databases Using Stationary and Portable Weight-in-Motion Devices in Overload Corridors of East Texas
Authors: Morovatdar Ali , Ashtiani Reza S. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Axle Load Spectra (ALS) data collected from the Portable Weight-in-Motion (P-WIM) devices, provides the primary Mechanistic-Empirical (ME) traffic data input for optimal and accurate pavement design and analysis. Reliable readings from the P-WIM devices are the key factors that contribute to the accuracy of the analysis results. Therefore, this study was aimed to accurately assess the reliability and quality of the traffic data directly derived from the field data collection efforts. To accomplish this objective, the authors initially deployed P-WIM devices to US281 highway as a representative site in Texas overload corridors to collect the traffic data. The results were synthesized to compile the site-specific axle load spectra database, comprising of traffic information on the axle weights, vehicle classifications, and axle configurations. Subsequently, to assess the reliability of the collected data, P-WIM achieved traffic data were contrasted with those captured by the stationary WIM located at the vicinity of the evaluated site, using the available databases. Comparative analysis results indicated that traffic characterizations using the two WIM systems led to comparable outcomes, validating the accuracy and reliability of the P-WIM data measurements in the field. Additionally, as a practical means to investigate the quality of the recorded data, the longevity of the P-WIM piezo-sensors in several sites with different traffic patterns was investigated. Hence, the deterioration of the calibration factors over the operational life of the installed piezo-electric sensors in the field was analyzed. The post-processed results revealed that the piezo-electric sensors sustained substantial damage after nearly 37 days of operation in the field. Consequently, proper quantification of the ALS should include cross-validation assessments, as well as continuous evaluations of the calibration factors throughout the P-WIM data collection process to achieve good-quality, accurate, and reliable traffic data.