bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The network interplay of interferon and toll-like receptor signaling pathways in the anti-Candida immune response
Authors: Salgado Ranieri Coelho , Fonseca Dennyson Leandro M. , Marques Alexandre H. C. , Napoleao Sarah Maria da Silva , França Tábata Takahashi , Akashi Karen Tiemi , Prado Caroline Aliane de Souza , Baiocchi Gabriela Crispim , Plaça Desirée Rodrigues , Jansen-Marques Gabriel , Filgueiras Igor Salerno , De Vito Roberta , Freire Paula Paccielli , de Miranda Gustavo Cabral , Camara Niels Olsen Saraiva , Calich Vera Lúcia Garcia , Ochs Hans D. , Schimke Lena F. , Jurisica Igor , Condino-Neto Antonio , Cabral-Marques Otavio 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Fungal infections represent a major global health problem that affects over a billion people and kills more than 1.5 million individuals annually. Here we employed an integrative approach to unravel the landscape of the human immune responses to Candida spp. (C. albicans and C. auris) by performing a meta-analysis of microarray, bulk, and single-cell RNA-sequencing (RNASeq) of blood transcriptome data. We identified that C. albicans activates a network interplay of signaling molecules commonly involved in both toll-like receptor (TLR) and interferon (IFN) signaling cascades. These molecules form a highly interconnected interferome network, which contains an immune overlap with the anti-viral responses. scRNAseq data confirmed that genes commonly identified by the three transcriptomic methods present a consistent upregulation pattern across innate immune and adaptive cells (CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ lymphocytes). Thus, our results shed new lights on the molecular basis of immune response to Candida spp.
A Mathematical Model of U.S. COVID-19 Deaths, Incidence and Quarantine Adjusted Herd Immunity by Age
Authors: Lovvoll Vikki 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In January 2021, a steep decline in U.S. COVID-19 deaths and case reports were noted, well before herd immunity or vaccinations would have been expected make an impact. This model predicts COVID-19 deaths and infections based on three insights. First, mortality rates differ significantly by age. Second, heterogeneous social mixing by age during quarantine may result in older adults (higher risk) to have more effectively quarantined conferring lower incidence relative to younger adults (lower risk and disproportionate essential frontline work). Third, deaths and Infection Fatality Rates may more reliably predict incidence relative to reported cases by removing uncertainty introduced from asymptomatic disease, testing availability, and false results. Age stratified IFR and deaths through December 5 were used to projected deaths (99% significance, P-value .002). Sensitivities for IFR, immune durability, and vaccinations were also modeled. By end 2020, 42% of the U.S. population had immunity differing significantly by age with 25-44-year-olds near 80%. A “critical mass” of immunity in these ages segments conferred herd immunity to other age groups. Herd immunity exists in the context of historic social distancing (quarantine). A significant percent of high-risk individuals remains susceptible and may facilitate another wave if social distancing restrictions are lifted prior to vaccination. Vaccine administrations through mid-February contributed a nominal amount to declining deaths.
Effect of Adenosine A2a Receptor Antagonist In Haloperidol Induced Model of Parkinson’s Disease.
Authors: Zehra Syeda Najam , Younus Ishrat , Malhi Saima Mahmood , Raza Muhammad Liaquat , Ishaqui Azfar Athar , Khan Sana 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
One of the major causes of neurological disorders is degeneration of neurons which is commonly termed as Neurodegeneration. It is well documented that two of the neurodegenerative disorders i.e., Alzheimer’s Disease & Parkinson Disease comes in top fifteen causes of deaths in United States of America. Due to the neuroprotective property of adenosine A2a receptor antagonists (ZM241385) was evaluated in haloperidol mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. Our results reveal significant antidopaminergic effects of adenosine A2A receptor antagonist that support its utilization as a new treatment approach in Parkinson’s diseases.
Design And Simulation of An Electro-Optic Even Parity Bit Error Detection System
Authors: Uddin Mohammad Rakib , Law Foo Kui , Jalal Ahmed Hasnain 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In the present day, optical communication technology is proving to be one of the potential replacements to the current electronic-based systems due to its much higher data transmission rate with low loss and electromagnetic interference. This paper designed and simulated our proposed circuit of a digital photonic even parity bit error detection system that is widely employed for the long-range digital signal transmission. Silicon photonic micro-ring resonators are used as their core component. Each of the rings is configured to operate as a digital logic XOR mode by taking advantage of the silicon waveguide's resonance shifting properties. Dynamic response characterization was carried out by simulating the proposed circuits at the data rate of 1-Gbps, with the data sampling rate of 1.6-THz. A clear timing waveform was generated to confirm that the proposed circuit operates as the parity bit error detection system.
Evolution Characteristics of Flood Disaster in Hunan
Authors: Wang Yuhao , Sun Yurong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
With the global climate changing, floods increasingly impede human social and economic development. Extracting flood information from historical flood data and improving human's awareness of flood control and disaster relief promote scientific risk management regarding flood and accurate evaluation about reducing disaster risks. Take Hunan Province as an example. Firstly, this paper selected three indexes - flood-hit population, death toll and total direct economic loss – as independent variables, with taking the skewed distribution characteristics of flood data into consideration, to build a nonlinear model of comprehensive evaluation index of flood disaster in Hunan. Then, from the angle of these three indexes, the disaster situation in Hunan was compared with the national average disaster situation in order to get general understanding of consequences of flood in Hunan. In addition, to eliminate influence of dimension and inflation on the analysis results, the indexes were quantified by using statistical methods from the perspective of economics. Finally, average flood disaster index value of China and Hunan were calculated respectively according to the model. The research shows that Hunan is a flood-prone area in China and that degree of damage by floods in Hunan is always the severest among the country no matter from which angle we choose among the three indexes. Further analysis indicates that severe flood occurs every four years in Hunan, on average.
The Dosimetric Evaluation of An In-House Software Developed For Metal Artefact Reduction On Two Different Radiotherapy Treatment Planning Systems
Authors: Inal Aysun , Us Songul Barlaz 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Metal Artefact Reduction (MAR) is very important in terms of dose calculation in radiotherapy. It was aimed to develop an in-house MAR software as an alternative to commercial software programs and to examine its effectiveness by comparing it with the SMART-MAR software which was available commercially. A phantom containing metal with high atomic number was designed and computed tomography (CT) images of this phantom were taken (Without-MAR images). The obtained CT images were processed with the SMART-MAR software and the developed In-House MAR software. Processed images were compared in terms of Hounsfield unit (HU), absolute dose values ​​in the Accuray and CMS XiO treatment planning systems, and gamma evaluation. The best HU improvement was observed in the developed In-House MAR. The maximum mean percentage differences in absorbed doses at the determined points in Accuray was found 33.3% and 32.5% between Without MAR - SMART MAR and Without MAR- In-House MAR, respectively. The In-House MAR software developed by using MATLAB was shown similar results with the SMART MAR software. Although in-house MAR software needs to be investigated clinically, it is more advantageous than commercially available software in terms of being cost-free, applicability in a shorter time and without reconstruction.
Power Generation at Room Temperature -How to Design of the Sensitized Thermal Cell-
Authors: Kohata Haruki , Obinata Mitsugu , Ikeda Takumi , Sekiya Hayato , Mei Biao , Wang Ye , Mizukoshi Kazushi , Isobe Toshihiro , Nakajima Akira , Matsushita Sachiko 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The effective utilisation of thermal energy is crucial to a world aiming at sustainable development goals. The sensitised thermal cell (STC) is a new thermal energy conversion technology, which was reported in 2017, for generating electricity via the redox reactions of electrolyte ions with thermally excited carriers The effective utilisation of thermal energy is crucial to a world aiming at sustainable development goals. The sensitised thermal cell (STC) is a new thermal energy conversion technology, which was reported in 2017, for generating electricity via the redox reactions of electrolyte ions with thermally excited carriers in semiconductors. STC is attracting attention as a technology that could affect oil prices globally. Here, we report the successful construction of STC, which discharges and recovers well at room temperature, by studying the interelectrode and ion diffusion distances. The fabricated STC is thinner than 0.5 mm and can be rendered flexible. Further, STCs, which possess a power generation capacity of 0.1 mA, 100 mV per 1 mm2 area, and shall be installed “in” internet-of-things (IoT) devices, drainage pipes, and walls in the future.in semiconductors. STC is attracting attention as a technology that could affect oil prices globally. Here, we report the successful construction of STC, which discharges and recovers well at room temperature, by studying the interelectrode and ion diffusion distances. The fabricated STC is thinner than 0.5 mm and can be rendered flexible. Further, STCs, which possess a power generation capacity of 0.1 mA, 100 mV per 1 mm2 area, and shall be installed “in” internet-of-things (IoT) devices, drainage pipes, and walls in the future.
Photosynthetic and Antioxidant Activities in Extremophile Microalgae Dunaliella Salina, Cylindrotheca Closterium and Phormidium Versicolor According to NaCl Concentration and Irradiance
Authors: GUERMAZI Wassim , Masmoudi Salma , Gammoudi Sana , Trabelsi Neila Annabi , Ayadi Habib , Morant-Manceau Annick 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Dunaliella salina (Chlorophyceae), Phormidium versicolor (Cyanophyceae) and Cylindrotheca closterium (Bacillariophyceae) were isolated from three ponds in the solar saltern of Sfax (Tunisia) having an average salinity of 350, 100 and 90 respectively. Growth, pigment contents, photosynthetic and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured under controlled conditions: three light levels (300, 500 and 1000 µmol photons m-2 s-1) and three NaCl concentrations (40, 80 and 140 g L-1). The highest salinity reduced the growth of D. salina and P. versicolor, and strongly inhibited that of C. closterium. These results are in accordance with the species distibution in the salt marshes. Irradiance rise only induced a significant increase of net photosynthesis in C. closterium probably due to the efficient nonphotochemical quenching and antioxidative enzyme activities. According to □PSII values, the photosynthetic apparatus of P. versicolor was stimulated by increasing salinity whereas that of D. salina and C. closterium was decreased by irradiance rise. The production of carotenoids in D. salina and P. versicolor was stimulated when salinity and irradiance increased whereas it decreased in the diatom. Antioxidant activity of carotenoids could compensate the low antioxidant enzyme activity measured in D. salina.
Effects of Na2SO4 Concentration and Surface Shape on The Weathering of Granite During Wet-Dry Cycling
Authors: cao yuanpeng , Sun Qiang , Wang Shaofei , Ge Zhenlong , Dong Zhihao , Shi Qingmin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The presence of salts during cyclic wet and dry conditions can cause weathering of rock and is the main cause of damage to ancient and modern buildings. Accordingly, salt weathering, especially of granite, has aroused great interest. Determining the relationship between wet-dry cycling and the physical properties of rock is of great significance to geotechnical engineering. In this paper, granite samples were processed into two shapes (round and semicircular) and subject to 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wet-dry cycles, with the wetting achieved with 0%, 5%, 10% or 20% Na2SO4 solution. The mass loss, roughness and indentation hardness of granite samples all changed to some extent with cycle number, with greater changes occurring at higher salt concentrations. Rock shape also affects the extent of weathering damage, as surface area and features such as corners facilitate the ingress of salt solution.
Correlation of Trigeminopontine Angle with Severity of Trigeminal Neuralgia due to Neurovascular conflict over medial aspect of nerve. Can we prognosticate the reduction in pain in patients on medical management?
Authors: Lamani Pundalik Umalappa , Arora Abhishek J , Kona Kiran Kumar Reddy , Yarlagadda Jyotsna 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Neurovascular conflicts (NVC) are one of the major causative factors in patients presenting with Trigeminal neuralgia (TN). We found great degree of variation in acuteness of medial trigeminopontine angle (mTPA), angle between medial border of trigeminal nerve and anterior border of pons in patients with TN and tried to find its correlation with pain severity due to NVC over the medial aspect of nerve (mNVC).Aims and Objectives: To Correlate mTPA measurement with severity of trigeminal neuralgia due to mNVC. To calculate the reduction in pain in patients kept on medical management and its correlation with medial trigeminopontine angle.Material and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study conducted between May 2018 to October 2020. A total of 41 patients presenting with Trigeminal Neuralgia and showing corresponding Neurovascular conflict were included in the study. Out of the total cases with NVC, 30 cases showed NVC over the medial surface of the nerve. All the patients were evaluated on MAGNETOM Skyra 3T MRI (Siemens). Using Two-line Cobb angle method, trigeminopontine angle was calculated. Pre-treatment pain intensity and post treatment pain relief of each patients were assessed by using numeric rating scale (NRS). NRS with numbers from 0 to 10 (‘no pain’ to ‘worst pain imaginable’). Relevant clinical details regarding pre- and post-treatment pain score as well as treatment plan opted by patients were collected.Results: Patients with post treatment response ≥ 50% is considered as “good response” and < 50% is considered as “poor response”. In our study with trigeminopontine angle threshold of 45 degree, 7 out of 8 (87.5%) patients with > 450 mTPA showed poor response and 15/22 (68.2%) patients ≤ 450 showed good response to medical management for trigeminal neuralgia due to mNVC with statistical significance difference with p-valve of 0.007Conclusion: In our study, we found a negative correlation between the mTPA and percentage pain relief in patients kept on medical management. We realised that mTPA measurement could become an important tool for prognosticating pain relief for patients of trigeminal neuralgia on medical therapy.
Resurrected ancestral influenza A viruses recapitulate the avian-to-mammalian adaptation of European avian-like swine influenza virus
Authors: Su Wen , Harfoot Rhodri , Su Yvonne , DeBeauchamp Jennifer , Joseph Udayan , Jayakumar Jayanthi , Crumpton Jeri-Carol , Jeevan Trushar , Rubrum Adam , Franks John , Pascua Philippe , Kackos Christina , Zhang Yuqin , Zhang Mengting , Ji Yue , Bui Christine H. T. , Jones Jeremy , Kercher Lisa , Krauss Scott , Pleschka Stephan , Chan Michael CW , Webster Robert , Wu Chung-Yi , Reeth Kristien Van , Peiris Malik , Webby Richard , Smith Gavin , Yen Hui-Ling 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The emergence of a pandemic influenza virus may be better anticipated if we better understand the evolutionary steps taken by avian influenza viruses as they adapt to mammals. We used ancestral sequence reconstruction to resurrect viruses representing initial adaptive stages of the European avian-like H1N1 virus as it transitioned from avian to swine hosts. We demonstrate that efficient transmissibility in pigs was gained through stepwise adaptation after 1983. These time-dependent adaptations resulted in changes in hemagglutinin receptor binding specificity and increased viral polymerase activity. An NP-R351K mutation under strong positive selection increased the transmissibility of a reconstructed virus. The stepwise-adaptation of a wholly avian influenza virus to a mammalian host suggests a window where targeted intervention may have highest impact. Successful intervention will, however, require strategic coordination of surveillance and risk assessment activities to identify these adapting viruses and guide pandemic preparedness resources.
The Prevalence of Disseminated Tuberculosis Among Tuberculosis Patients in Uganda
Authors: Kyagulanyi Eddy , Mirembe Joy , Nantaayi Brandy , Nalukenge Sonita , Mukasa David , Tamale Jaffer , Oriekot Anthony , Kamya Moses R. , Baluku Joseph Baruch 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The incidence of disseminated tuberculosis (DTB) is increasing worldwide yet its epidemiological characteristics in Uganda are not known. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, associated factors, and treatment outcomes of DTB among patients at a national tuberculosis (TB) treatment center in Uganda.Methodology: The study took place at the TB unit of Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. We conducted a retrospective chart review of TB patients who were enrolled in care between January 2015 and December 2019. Eligible charts were for patients with pulmonary bacteriologically confirmed TB enrolled into care in the period under study. DTB was defined as TB at two or more non-contiguous sites.Results: Overall, 400 patient charts were eligible, of whom 240(60.0%) were aged 15 – 34 years and 205 (51.3%) were female. The prevalence of DTB was 8.5% (34/400) (95% CI: 6.0% – 11.7%). Patients with DTB were more likely to be casual laborers (44.1% vs 21.3%, p = 0.023), from Bantu ethnic group (67.7% vs. 40.5%, p = 0.0021), and had at least one comorbidity (82.4% vs 37.2%, p <0.001), of which HIV was the most frequent. Further, patients with DTB (n = 20) were more likely to have empyema (15% vs 2.6%, p = 028) but less likely to have bronchopneumonic opacification (0.0% vs 15.3%, p = 0.043) on chest x-ray imaging. Patients with DTB had higher mortality (26.5% vs 6.37%) and a lower cure rate (41.2% vs 64.8%), p = 0.002.Conclusion: Our findings highlight the need for early detection of TB before dissemination and greater use of TB preventive therapies in HIV-infected individuals to counter the observed high mortality of DTB.
Characteristics of Inflammatory Storm in BALF of Severe Pneumonia in Children
Authors: Deng Fang , Cao Hui Ling , Liang Xiao Hua , Li Qu Bei , Yang Yang , Zhao Zhi Hua , Tan Jun Jie , Fu Guo , Shu Chang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: There are few studies on inflammatory storms in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of children with pneumonia. Therefore, we will retrospectively investigate characteristics of inflammatory storms in BALF of children with pneumonia in our hospital.Methods: 161 children with pneumonia were retrospectively divided into two groups: mild and severe pneumonia, according to the clinic diagnosis. Flow cytometry was performed to detect the levels of cytokines, including IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-α and IFN-γ. We performed receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) and spearman correlation to evaluate the role of BALF inflammatory cytokines and cells in pneumonia.Results: 1) The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, and TNF-α, and ratios of IL-6 to IL-10 and TNF-α to IL-10 in BALF of severe pneumonia group were higher than those of mild pneumonia group. 2) The number of inflammatory cells and the percentage of neutrophils in BALF of severe pneumonia group increased, and the percentage of macrophages decreased, compared with the mild pneumonia group. 3) ROC analysis showed that both the increase of the levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α, and ratios of IL-6 to IL-10 and TNF-α to IL-10, number of inflammatory cells and neutrophils, percentage of neutrophils, and the decrease of the percentage of macrophages exceeding the cut-off value could be used to distinguish children with severe pneumonia from mild pneumonia. Conclusion: In severe pediatric pneumonia, BALF inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cell infiltration are more intense. And these inflammatory signals are important biomarkers for reflecting the severity of pediatric pneumonia.Trial registration: This study approved by the Medical Research Ethics Committee of Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, registered in http://www.chictr.org.cn/, No. ChiCTR2000034048(registration date, June 22, 2020).
Impact of Social Isolation on Mental Health Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Survey
Authors: Rahman Md Ashrafur , Tambi Richa , Mahmud Tarif , Rahman Atiqur , Hasan Mehedi , Berdiev Bakhrom , Akter Hosneara , Eshaque Tamannyat Binte , Faruk Md Omar , Shanjana Easna , Woodbury-Smith Marc , Ghaziuddin Mohammad , Reza Hasan Mahmud , Uddin Mohammed 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Although social isolation is known to limit the spread of a pandemic, the impact of mental health for such measures is yet unknown. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the impact on mental health among different age groups due to social isolation during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: We conducted a carefully designed cross sectional survey on mental health that was disseminated widely by way of email, personal contact and social media to subjects aged between 11 and >70 years. For our analysis we stratified data into three distinct groups: children/young adults (11-40), middle age (40-60) and older adult age (> 60) groups. 3214 respondents answered the survey. Bonferroni corrected Chi-square tests were used to find significant relationships between the demographic groups and mental health related variables. Results: We observed a high percentage of insomnia (79%) in old age respondants compared to children/young adults (61%) and middle age (66%) groups, suggesting that ‘age’ is significantly associated (p= 3.8 X 10-06; odds ratio (OR) = 2.34) with ‘insomnia’. Respondents who were retired also reported a higher prevalence (73%) of insomnia (p = 2.79 X 10-8) compare to employed individuals. A higher level of mental stress (84%) was observed in middle aged respondents followed by old adult (71%) respondents (p=0.001). Significantly higher rates (p = 5.08 X 10-27; OR = 2.06) of mental stress were detected in people with preexisting comorbidities compared with the healthy group. The old age participants were less familiar with the concept of social isolation and 54% of old age participants had a negative perception towards social isolation compared to children/young adults (12%) and middle-aged (7%) respondents. Conclusion: Our results indicate an association between age and mental stress concomitant on the COVID-19 social isolation policy in Bangladesh. Social isolation increased insomnia and mental stress, particularly in old age and middle age group. Moreover, these older age groups also tended to have a negative perception of the COVID-19 isolation policy. Therefore, providing mental healthcare services and policy related education in developing countries should target these older age groups to ensure maintenance of their mental wellbeing and adherence to safe practice.