bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparison of PCR and ELISA methods to detect different stages of Plasmodium vivax in Anopheles arabiensis
Authors: Hendershot Allison L. , Esayas Endashaw , Sutcliffe Alice C. , Irish Seth R. , Gadisa Endalamaw , Tadesse Fitsum G. , Lobo Neil F. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
In characterizing malaria epidemiology, measuring mosquito infectiousness informs the entomological inoculation rate, an important metric of malaria transmission. PCR-based methods have been touted as more sensitive than the current “gold-standard” circumsporozoite (CSP) ELISA. Wider application of PCR-based methods has been limited by lack of specificity for the infectious sporozoite stage. We compared a PCR method for detecting the parasite’s mitochondrial (mt) cytochrome oxidase I (COX-I) gene with ELISA for detecting circumsporozoite protein for identification of different life stages of the parasite during development within a mosquito.

Methods
A PCR-based method targeting the Plasmodium mt COX-I gene was compared with the CSP ELISA method to assess infectivity in Anopheles arabiensis colony mosquitoes fed on blood from patients infected with Plasmodium vivax. Mosquitoes were tested at six post-infection time points (days 0.5, 1, 6, 9, 12, 15). The head and thorax and the abdomen for each specimen were tested separately with each method. Agreement between methods at each infection stage was measured using Cohen’s kappa measure of test association.

Results
Infection status of mosquitoes was assessed in approximately 90 head/thorax and 90 abdomen segments at each time point; in total, 538 head/thorax and 534 abdomen segments were tested. In mosquitoes bisected after 0.5, 1, and 6 days post-infection (dpi), the mt COX-I PCR detected Plasmodium DNA in both the abdomen (88, 78, and 67%, respectively) and head/thorax segments (69, 60, and 44%, respectively), whilst CSP ELISA detected sporozoites in only one abdomen on day 6 post-infection. PCR was also more sensitive than ELISA for detection of Plasmodium in mosquitoes bisected after 9, 12, and 15 dpi in both the head and thorax and abdomen. There was fair agreement between methods for time points 9–15 dpi (κ = 0.312, 95% CI: 0.230–0.394).

Conclusions
The mt COX-I PCR is a highly sensitive, robust method for detecting Plasmodium DNA in mosquitoes, but its limited Plasmodium life-stage specificity cannot be overcome by bisection of the head and thorax from the abdomen prior to PCR. Thus, the mt COX-I PCR is a poor candidate for identifying infectious mosquitoes.

Graphical Abstract
Recombinant antigens used as diagnostic tools for lymphatic filariasis
Authors: Pastor André Filipe , Silva Maressa Rhuama , dos Santos Wagner José Tenório , Rego Tamisa , Brandão Eduardo , de-Melo-Neto Osvaldo Pompilio , Rocha Abraham 
Published: September 2021

AbstractLymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic disease caused by the worms Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, or Brugia timori. It is a tropical and subtropical illness that affects approximately 67 million people worldwide and that still requires better diagnostic tools to prevent its spread and enhance the effectiveness of control procedures. Traditional parasitological tests and diagnostic methods based on whole protein extracts from different worms are known for problems related to sample time collection, sensitivity, and specificity. More recently, new diagnostic tools based on immunological methods using recombinant antigens have been developed. The current review describes the several recombinant antigens used as tools for lymphatic filariasis diagnosis in antigen and antibody capture assays, highlighting their advantages and limitations as well as the main commercial tests developed based on them. The literature chronology is from 1991 to 2021. First, it describes the historical background related to the identification of relevant antigens and the generation of the recombinant polypeptides used for the LF diagnosis, also detailing features specific to each antigen. The subsequent section then discusses the use of those proteins to develop antigen and antibody capture tests to detect LF. So far, studies focusing on antibody capture assays are based on 13 different antigens with at least six commercially available tests, with five proteins further used for the development of antigen capture tests. Five antigens explored in this paper belong to the SXP/RAL-2 family (BmSXP, Bm14, WbSXP-1, Wb14, WbL), and the others are BmShp-1, Bm33, BmR1, BmVAH, WbVAH, BmALT-1, BmALT-2, and Wb123. It is expected that advances in research with these antigens will allow further development of tests combining both sensitivity and specificity with low costs, assisting the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF).
Contrasting effects of the alkaloid ricinine on the capacity of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii to transmit Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Hien Domonbabele F. D. S. , Paré Prisca S. L. , Cooper Amanda , Koama Benjamin K. , Guissou Edwige , Yaméogo Koudraogo B. , Yerbanga Rakiswendé S. , Farrell Iain W. , Ouédraogo Jean B. , Gnankiné Olivier , Ignell Rickard , Cohuet Anna , Dabiré Roch K. , Stevenson Philip C. , Lefèvre Thierry 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Besides feeding on blood, females of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae sensu lato readily feed on natural sources of plant sugars. The impact of toxic secondary phytochemicals contained in plant-derived sugars on mosquito physiology and the development of Plasmodium parasites remains elusive. The focus of this study was to explore the influence of the alkaloid ricinine, found in the nectar of the castor bean Ricinus communis, on the ability of mosquitoes to transmit Plasmodium falciparum.

Methods
Females of Anopheles gambiae and its sibling species Anopheles coluzzii were exposed to ricinine through sugar feeding assays to assess the effect of this phytochemical on mosquito survival, level of P. falciparum infection and growth rate of the parasite.

Results
Ricinine induced a significant reduction in the longevity of both Anopheles species. Ricinine caused acceleration in the parasite growth rate with an earlier invasion of the salivary glands in both species. At a concentration of 0.04 g l−1 in An. coluzzii, ricinine had no effect on mosquito infection, while 0.08 g l−1 ricinine-5% glucose solution induced a 14% increase in An. gambiae infection rate.

Conclusions
Overall, our findings reveal that consumption of certain nectar phytochemicals can have unexpected and contrasting effects on key phenotypic traits that govern the intensity of malaria transmission. Further studies will be required before concluding on the putative role of ricinine as a novel control agent, including the development of ricinine-based toxic and transmission-blocking sugar baits. Testing other secondary phytochemicals in plant nectar will provide a broader understanding of the impact which plants can have on the transmission of vector-borne diseases.

Graphical abstract
High-frequency and activation of CD4+CD25+ T cells maintain persistent immunotolerance induced by congenital ALV-J infection
Authors: He Shuhai , Zheng Gaoying , Zhou Defang , Huang Li , Dong Jianguo , Cheng Ziqiang 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCongenital avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) infection can induce persistent immunotolerance in chicken, however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that congenital ALV-J infection induces the production of high-frequency and activated CD4+CD25+Tregs that maintain persistent immunotolerance. A model of congenital infection by ALV-J was established in fertilized eggs, and hatched chicks showed persistent immunotolerance characterized by persistent viremia, immune organ dysplasia, severe imbalance of the ratio of CD4+/CD8+T cells in blood and immune organs, and significant decrease in CD3+T cells and Bu-1+B cells in the spleen. Concurrently, the mRNA levels of IL-2, IL-10, and IFN-γ showed significant fluctuations in immune organs. Moreover, the frequency of CD4+CD25+Tregs in blood and immune organs significantly increased, and the frequency of CD4+CD25+Tregs was positively correlated with changes in ALV-J load in immune organs. Interestingly, CD4+CD25+Tregs increased in the marginal zone of splenic nodules in ALV-J-infected chickens and dispersed to the germinal center. In addition, the proliferation and activation of B cells in splenic nodules was inhibited, and the number of IgM+and IgG+cells in the marginal zone significantly decreased. We further found that the mRNA levels of TGF- β and CTLA-4 in CD4+CD25+Tregs of ALV-J-infected chickens significantly increased. Together, high-frequency and activated CD4+CD25+Tregs inhibited B cells functions by expressing the inhibitory cytokine TGF-β and inhibitory surface receptor CTLA-4, thereby maintaining persistent immunotolerance in congenital ALV-J-infected chickens.
Comparison of different approaches to combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) under the guidance of ultrasound in cesarean delivery of obese patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhou Yilu , Chen Wei , Zhou Shuangqiong , Tao Yiyi , Xu Zhendong , Liu Zhiqiang 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) is commonly performed in cesarean deliveries. However, it is difficult to perform in obese parturients because of positioning challenges. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of different approaches to CSEA under the guidance of ultrasound.

Methods
One hundred obese patients (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) who underwent elective cesarean section were randomly enrolled. Patients were assigned to a median approach group and a paramedian approach group randomly. Clinical characteristics were compared between groups. First-attempt success rate, the median positioning time and total operation time, ultrasonic predicted anesthesia puncture depth, actual puncture depth, anesthesia adverse reactions, complications after anesthesia, and patients’ satisfaction with the epidural puncture were recorded.

Results
The first-attempt success rate was significantly different between the two groups [92% (46/50) vs. 76% (38/50), P  =  0.029]. The median positioning time and total operation time in the paramedian approach group were higher than those in the median approach group (227.7 s vs. 201.6 s, P  =  0.037; 251.3 s vs. 247.4 s, P  =  0.145). The incidence of postanesthesia complications in the paramedian approach group was significantly lower than that in the median approach group (2% vs. 12%, P  =  0.026), and patient satisfaction was higher in the paramedian approach group than in the median approach group (P  =  0.032).

Conclusion
The ultrasound-guided paramedian approach for CSEA is time-consuming, but it can effectively improve the success rate of the first puncture, reduce the incidence of anesthesia-related adverse reactions, and improve patient satisfaction.
Trial registration: This study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900024722) on July 24, 2019
Anesthetic management of super-elderly patients with remimazolam: a report of two cases
Authors: Nakayama Junko , Ogihara Tomomi , Yajima Rui , Innami Yasushi , Ouchi Takashi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Remimazolam is a newly developed benzodiazepine with more rapid onset and offset of sedation effects than midazolam. We report elderly patients in whom a small dose of remimazolam was successfully used for general anesthesia.

Case presentation
Two elderly women (patients 1 and 2, aged 95 and 103 years, respectively) underwent hip fracture surgery under general anesthesia guided by bispectral index (BIS). Anesthesia was induced with 1.2 and 1.0 mg/kg/h and maintained with 0.2 and 0.1 mg/kg/h remimazolam, combined with fentanyl and remifentanil in patients 1 and 2, respectively. Their hemodynamics were stable with a small dose of vasopressor, and they awoke soon after the discontinuation of remimazolam without flumazenil reversal. Their postoperative courses were uneventful without any complications. Conversely, the remimazolam dose required to achieve adequate sedation were much lower than expected.

Conclusion
Remimazolam could be useful in general anesthesia, particularly for super-elderly patients. However, the appropriate dose for induction and maintenance of anesthesia should be carefully considered based on BIS or vital signs.
Interaction mechanism of collagen peptides with four phenolic compounds in the ethanol-water solution
Authors: Liu Xian , Li Xia , Huang Zhangjun , Liao Xuepin , Shi Bi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study demonstrated the interaction mechanism of collagen peptides (CPs) with 4-ethylphenol (4-EP), phenol, guaiacol, and 4-ethylguaiacol (4-EG) in the ethanol-water solution. The ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, zeta potential tests and hydrogen nuclear magnetic spectroscopy manifested that CPs interacted with the phenolic compounds. Meanwhile, Isothermal titration calorimetry determination indicated that the CPs was hydrogen bonded with 4-EP in 52 %(v/v) ethanol-water solution, while the hydrophobic forces played a major role in the interaction of CPs with guaiacol and 4-EG, respectively. Moreover, hydrogen and hydrophobic bonds were involved in the interaction between CPs and phenol. Finally, Head Space-solid Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry analysis indicated that the content of phenolic compounds in model solution efficiently decreased with the presence of CPs. In the real liquor, it was found that the content of volatile compounds (including phenolic compounds) was obviously decreased after CPs added.
Groups 4 Health versus cognitive–behavioural therapy for depression and loneliness in young people: randomised phase 3 non-inferiority trial with 12-month follow-up
Authors: Cruwys Tegan , Haslam Catherine , Rathbone Joanne A. , Williams Elyse , Haslam S. Alexander , Walter Zoe C. 
Published: September 2021

BackgroundDepression treatments are typically less effective for young people than for adults. However, treatments rarely target loneliness, which is a key risk factor in the onset, maintenance and development of depression.AimsThis study evaluated the efficacy of a novel loneliness intervention, Groups 4 Health (G4H), relative to the best-practice treatment of cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) in reducing loneliness and depression over a 12-month period (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: ACTRN12618000440224).MethodThe study was a phase 3 randomised non-inferiority trial comparing G4H with dose-controlled group CBT. Participants were 174 people aged 15–25 years experiencing loneliness and clinically significant symptoms of depression, who were not in receipt of adjunct treatment. Participants were recruited from mental health services in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Randomisation was conducted using computer software. Follow-up assessments and statistical analyses were masked to allocation. Both interventions consisted of five 75 min group-based psychotherapy sessions. The primary outcomes were depression and loneliness, with a non-inferiority margin of 2.20 for depression.ResultsThe trial enrolled 174 participants between 24 April 2018 and 25 May 2019, with 84 in the G4H condition and 90 in the CBT condition. All randomised participants were included in the intention-to-treat analyses (n= 174). The pre–post effect sizes for depression weredG4H= −0.71 anddCBT= −0.91. For loneliness, they weredG4H= −1.07 anddCBT= −0.89. At 12-month follow-up, the absolute difference between groups on depression was 1.176 (95% CI −1.94 to 4.29) and on loneliness it was −0.679 (95% CI −1.43 to 0.07). No adverse effects were observed.ConclusionsG4H was non-inferior to CBT for depression and showed a slight advantage over CBT for loneliness that emerged after treatment completion.
Implementing a Machine Learning Strategy to Predict Pathologic Response in Patients With Soft Tissue Sarcomas Treated With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Crombé Amandine , Cousin Sophie , Spalato-Ceruso Mariella , Le Loarer François , Toulmonde Maud , Michot Audrey , Kind Michèle , Stoeckle Eberhard , Italiano Antoine 
Published: September 2021

PURPOSE Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been increasingly used in patients with locally advanced high-risk soft tissue sarcomas in the past decade, but definition and prognostic impact of a good histologic response (GHR) are lacking. Our aim was to investigate which histologic feature from the post-NAC surgical specimen independently correlated with metastatic relapse-free survival (MFS) in combination with clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features using a machine learning approach. METHODS This retrospective study included 175 consecutive patients (median age: 59 years, 75 women) with resectable disease, treated with anthracycline-based NAC between 1989 and 2015 in our sarcoma reference center, and with quantitative histopathologic analysis of the surgical specimen. The outcome of interest was the MFS. A multimodel, multivariate survival analysis was used to define GHR. The added prognostic value of GHR was investigated through the comparisons with the standard model (including histologic grade, size, and depth) and SARCULATOR nomogram using concordance indices (c-index) and Monte-Carlo cross-validation. RESULTS Seventy-two patients (72 of 175, 41.1%) had a metastatic relapse. Stepwise Cox regression, random survival forests, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator–penalized Cox regression all converged toward the same definition for GHR, ie, < 5% stainable tumor cells. The five-year MFS probability was 1 (95% CI, 1 to 1) in patients with GHR versus 0.73 (95% CI, 0.65 to 0.81) in patients without GHR (log-rank P = .0122). The final prognostic model incorporating the GHR was significantly better than the standard model and SARCULATOR (average c-index in testing sets = 0.72 [95% CI, 0.61 to 0.82] v 0.57 [95% CI, 0.44 to 0.70] and 0.54 [95% CI, 0.45 to 0.64], respectively; P = .0414 and .0091). CONCLUSION Histologic response to NAC improves the prediction of MFS in patients with soft tissue sarcoma and represents a possible end point in future studies exploring innovative regimens in the neoadjuvant setting.
What Is a “Racial Health Disparity”? Five Analytic Traditions
Authors: Chowkwanyun Merlin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWhat exactly is a “racial health disparity”? This article explores five lenses that have been used to answer that question. It contends that racial health disparities have been presented—by researchers both within academia and outside of it—as problems of five varieties: biology, behavior, place, stress, and policy. It also argues that a sixth tradition exploring class—and its connection to race, racism, and health—has been underdeveloped. The author examines each of these conceptions of racial disparities in turn. Baked into each interpretive prism is a set of assumptions about the mechanisms that produce disparities—a story, in other words, about where racial health disparities come from. Discursive boundaries set the parameters for policy debate, determining what is and is not included in proposed solutions. How one sees racial health disparities, then, influences the strategies a society advocates—or ignores—for their elimination. The author ends by briefly discussing problems in the larger research ecosystem that dictate how racial health disparities are studied.
Queering “The Children's Movement”
Authors: Cheang Kai 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis essay argues that the queer figure of the child that crops up curiously in (post–)Umbrella Movement Hong Kong is a defining political signifier for characterizing the city's youthful protesters and imagining alternative futures for Hong Kong. In many mainland Chinese media outlets, the youthfulness of the Hong Kong demonstrators is often emphasized to critique their fixation on the Western ideology of democracy. For the young resisters and their sympathizers, childishness connotes a different script of identity: it entails a narrative of temporal suspension in the face of assimilation into a Chinese homogeneity. By, for example, comparing the political star Joshua Wong to Peter Pan, who refuses to grow up, or by assigning uniform-wearing grade-school students the role of “the keepers of the Umbrella Movement,” prodemocratic cultural narratives keep alive the possibility of a political alterity that resists the neoliberal, temporal mandates of Hong Kong's government and mainland China. Theorizing that possibility in the context of temporal, queer, children's, and postcolonial studies, this essay contends that the future of resistance in Hong Kong will follow a lateral horizon, a sideways course that will put minor dissenters into new and nonheteropatriarchal relations with the existing order of the city.
Multi mobile robot task allocation using multi-objective optimization techniques
Authors: Τολμίδης Αβραάμ 
Published: September 2021

Σκοπός της διδακτορικής αυτής διατριβής είναι η κατανομή σε πραγματικό χρόνο εργασιών διαφορετικών τύπων, σε έξυπνους πράκτορες διαφορετικού τύπου. Απώτερος σκοπός είναι η βέλτιστη κατανομή των εργασιών στους καταλληλότερους πράκτορες, ικανοποιώντας στο μέγιστο δυνατό βαθμό τους ορισθέντες στόχους, οι οποίοι είναι περισσότεροι του ενός. Ταυτόχρονα, επιχειρείται η εισαγωγή ενός μηχανισμού ο οποίος θα βελτιώσει τον τρόπο με τον οποίο οι πράκτορες κινούνται προς την θέση στην οποία πρέπει να εκτελεστεί η κάθε εργασία, σύμφωνα με επίσης πολλαπλά κριτήρια.