bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MARS: leveraging allelic heterogeneity to increase power of association testing
Authors: Hormozdiari Farhad , Jung Junghyun , Eskin Eleazar , J. Joo Jong Wha 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn standard genome-wide association studies (GWAS), the standard association test is underpowered to detect associations between loci with multiple causal variants with small effect sizes. We propose a statistical method, Model-based Association test Reflecting causal Status (MARS), that finds associations between variants in risk loci and a phenotype, considering the causal status of variants, only requiring the existing summary statistics to detect associated risk loci. Utilizing extensive simulated data and real data, we show that MARS increases the power of detecting true associated risk loci compared to previous approaches that consider multiple variants, while controlling the type I error.
Seroepidemiological study of toxoplasmosis in women referred to a pre-marriage counseling center in Alborz Province, Iran
Authors: Shahighi Melica , Heidari Aliehsan , Keshavarz Hossein , Bairami Amir , Shojaee Saeedeh , Sezavar Monireh , Salimi Mahboobeh , Teimouri Aref 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objectives
The aim of the current study was to assess prevalence of Toxoplasma infection and its associated risk factors in women of childbearing-age in central Iran.

Results
Of 400 serum samples assessed for anti-T. gondii antibodies, 81 (20.25%) samples were positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies, including 74 positive samples (91.3%) for anti-T. gondii IgG and seven positive samples (8.7%) for IgG and IgM. Of seven IgG and IgM positive samples, five and two samples were high and low in IgG avidity, respectively. Based on PCR analysis, Toxoplasma infection was detected in one sample with anti-T. gondii IgM and low IgG avidity. The Chi-square test showed significant correlations of T. gondii seropositivity with history of undercooked meat consumption and contacts with cats (p < 0.05). In the present study, 79.75% of the participants were negative for IgG against T. gondii infection. Furthermore, recently acquired Toxoplasma infection was found using IgG avidity and PCR assays among women of childbearing-age in the study area, which would increase the risk of their fetus becoming infected. Educational program and antenatal screening of childbearing-age women for T. gondii infection may be important primary prevention strategies and help reduce the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis in this population.
Correlation of 4′-[methyl-11C]-thiothymidine PET with Gd-enhanced and FLAIR MRI in patients with newly diagnosed glioma
Authors: Norikane Takashi , Mitamura Katsuya , Yamamoto Yuka , Maeda Yukito , Tanaka Kenichi , Hatakeyama Tetsuhiro , Miyake Keisuke , Toyohara Jun , Nishiyama Yoshihiro 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To elucidate the biological association between tumor proliferation, tumor infiltration and neovascularization, we analyzed the association between volumetric information of 4′-[methyl-11C]thiothymidine (4DST) positron emission tomography (PET) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T1-weighted gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in patients with newly diagnosed glioma.

Methods
A total of 23 patients with newly diagnosed glioma who underwent both 4DST PET/CT and Gd-enhanced MRI before therapy were available for a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) for tumor (T) and the mean SUV for normal contralateral hemisphere (N) were calculated, and the tumor-to-normal (T/N) ratio was determined. Proliferative tumor volume (PTV) from 4DST PET and the volume of Gd enhancement (GdV) and hyperintense region on FLAIR (FLAIRV) from MRI were calculated.

Results
All gliomas but 3 diffuse astrocytomas and one anaplastic astrocytoma had 4DST uptake and Gd enhancement on MRI. There was no significant difference between PTV and GdV although the exact edges of the tumor differed in each modality. The FLAIRV was significantly larger than PTV (P < 0.001). Significant correlations between PTV and GdV (ρ = 0.941, P < 0.001) and FLAIRV (ρ = 0.682, P < 0.001) were found.

Conclusion
These preliminary results indicate that tumor proliferation assessed by 4DST PET is closely associated with tumor-induced neovascularization determined by Gd-enhanced MRI in patients with newly diagnosed glioma.
Advancing a cascading train-the-trainer model of frontline HIV service providers in South Africa: protocol of an implementation trial
Authors: Kuo Caroline C. , Sibeko Goodman , Akande Morayo , Allie Shaheema , Tisaker Nurain , Stein Dan J. , Becker Sara J. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
South Africa is marked by high rates of both HIV and alcohol use, and there is a detrimental synergistic relationship between these two epidemics. The Institute of Medicine recommends integrated care for alcohol use treatment and HIV, but implementation of integrated services remains a challenge in South Africa. This protocol describes a study designed to evaluate trainer, provider-, and patient encounter-level outcomes relating to the national rollout of a cascade train-the-trainer model of task-sharing to build capacity of the HIV workforce to deliver Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) to address risky alcohol use.

Methods
This 5 year protocol consists of two phases. First, we will finalize development of a robust SBIRT train-the-trainer model, which will include an SBIRT Trainer Manual, Provider Resource Guide, fidelity observational coding system, case vignettes, and a curriculum for ongoing consultation sessions. Materials will be designed to build the capacity of novice trainers to train lay workers to deliver SBIRT with fidelity. Second, we will recruit 24–36 trainers and 900 providers in order to evaluate the effects of the SBIRT train-the-trainer model on trainer- (e.g., fidelity, knowledge), provider- (e.g., SBIRT attitudes, confidence, acceptability), and patient encounter- (e.g., proportion receiving screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment) level variables. Data on patient encounters will be tracked by providers on programmed tablets or scannable paper forms in real-time. Providers will report on SBIRT delivery on an ongoing basis over a 6-months period. Additionally, we will test the hypothesis that trainer-level factors will account for a substantial proportion of variability in provider-level factors which will, in turn, account for a substantial proportion of variability in patient encounter-level outcomes.

Discussion
This protocol will allow us to take advantage of a unique national training initiative to gather comprehensive data on multi-level factors associated with the implementation of SBIRT in HIV service settings. In the long-term, this research can help to advance the implementation of integrated alcohol-HIV services, providing lessons that can extend to other low-and-middle income countries confronting dual epidemics.
Epidemiologic characteristics and double-buffered strategy for patients in orthopedic surgery during the novel coronavirus outbreak: Wuhan’s experience
Authors: Zhou Yan , Ming Jianghua , Liu Shiqing 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The purpose of this article is to summarize the epidemiologic characteristics and double-buffered strategy for patients in orthopedic surgery during the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China, based on our own experience in our hospital.

Methods
A retrospective and comparative study was performed to identify all inpatients at our clinic from February 17 to April 20, 2020 (epidemic group), and from February 17 to April 20, 2019 (control group). Epidemiologic characteristics, screening effect, perioperative complications, and nosocomial infection were analyzed.

Results
In the epidemic group, 82 patients were identified, a decrease by 76.0% than the 342 patients in the same period in the 2019. Patients in the epidemic group (54.6 ± 20.2 years) were older than those in the control group (49.6 ± 22.5 years). For the epidemic group, the proportion rates of traumatic factures (69.5%) and low-energy injuries (86.0%) were higher than that in the control group, respectively (35.4% and 37.2%). The preoperative waiting time (7.0 ± 2.6 days) in the epidemic group was longer than that in the control group (4.5 ± 2.1 days). The postoperative complication rate (12.2%) in the epidemic group was higher than that in the control group (3.5%). No nosocomial infection of orthopedic staff and patients with COVID-19 was noted in the epidemic group.

Conclusion
During the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China, orthopedic inpatients showed unique epidemiological characteristics. The double-buffered strategy could effectively avoid nosocomial infections among medical staff and patients. Doctors should fully evaluate the perioperative risks and complications.
Pyruvate carboxylase and cancer progression
Authors: Kiesel Violet A. , Sheeley Madeline P. , Coleman Michael F. , Cotul Eylem Kulkoyluoglu , Donkin Shawn S. , Hursting Stephen D. , Wendt Michael K. , Teegarden Dorothy 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPyruvate carboxylase (PC) is a mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes the ATP-dependent carboxylation of pyruvate to oxaloacetate (OAA), serving to replenish the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. In nonmalignant tissue, PC plays an essential role in controlling whole-body energetics through regulation of gluconeogenesis in the liver, synthesis of fatty acids in adipocytes, and insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells. In breast cancer, PC activity is linked to pulmonary metastasis, potentially by providing the ability to utilize glucose, fatty acids, and glutamine metabolism as needed under varying conditions as cells metastasize. PC enzymatic activity appears to be of particular importance in cancer cells that are unable to utilize glutamine for anaplerosis. Moreover, PC activity also plays a role in lipid metabolism and protection from oxidative stress in cancer cells. Thus, PC activity may be essential to link energy substrate utilization with cancer progression and to enable the metabolic flexibility necessary for cell resilience to changing and adverse conditions during the metastatic process.
Paleoceanography of the northwestern Pacific across the Early–Middle Pleistocene boundary (Marine Isotope Stages 20–18)
Authors: Kubota Yoshimi , Haneda Yuki , Kameo Koji , Itaki Takuya , Hayashi Hiroki , Shikoku Kizuku , Izumi Kentaro , Head Martin J. , Suganuma Yusuke , Okada Makoto 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe fluctuating position of the boundary between the Kuroshio (warm) and Oyashio (cold) currents in the mid-latitude western North Pacific affects both heat transport and air–ocean interactions and has significant consequences for the East Asian climate. We reconstruct the paleoceanography of Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 20–18, MIS 19 being one of the closest astronomical analogues to the present interglacial, through multiple proxies including microfossil assemblage data, planktonic foraminiferal isotopes (δ18O and δ13C), and foraminiferal Mg/Ca-based temperature records, from the Chiba composite section (CbCS) exposed on the Boso Peninsula, east-central Japan. Principal component analysis (PCA) is used to capture dominant patterns of the temporal variation in these marine records, and shows that the relative abundances of calcareous nannofossil and radiolarian taxa are consistent with the water mass types inferred from geochemical proxies. The leading mode (36.3% of total variance) mirrors variation in the terrestrial East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM), reflecting seasonal trends dominated by the winter monsoon system. In the CbCS, this mode is interpreted as reflecting the interplay between the warm Kuroshio and cold Oyashio waters, which is likely related to the latitudinal shift of the subtropical–subarctic gyre boundary in the North Pacific. The second mode (15.4% of total variance) is closely related to subsurface conditions. The leading mode indicates that MIS 19b and 19a are represented by millennial-scale stadial/interstadial oscillations. Northerly positions for the gyre boundary during late MIS 19c, the interstadials of MIS 19a, and early MIS 18 are inferred from the leading mode, which is consistent with a weak EAWM and consequent mild winter climate in East Asia. Nonetheless, the northerly positions for the gyre boundary during late MIS 19c and early MIS 19a were not associated with subsurface warming presumably due to the suppressed gyre circulation itself caused by the weak Aleutian Low. Intermittent southerly positions for the gyre boundary are inferred for the stadials of MIS 19b and 19a. Regional sea surface temperature (SST) comparisons in the western North Pacific reveal that the moderate SSTs during MIS 19a through early MIS 18 were restricted to the mid- to high latitudes, influenced by the weak EAWM. Comparison between MIS 20–18 and MIS 2–1 suggests that glacial MIS 20 and 18 had significantly milder winters than MIS 2, likely related to the relatively weak EAWM.
Development of a new quantitative structure–activity relationship model for predicting Ames mutagenicity of food flavor chemicals using StarDrop™ auto-Modeller™
Authors: Kasamatsu Toshio , Kitazawa Airi , Tajima Sumie , Kaneko Masahiro , Sugiyama Kei-ichi , Yamada Masami , Yasui Manabu , Masumura Kenichi , Horibata Katsuyoshi , Honma Masamitsu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Food flavors are relatively low molecular weight chemicals with unique odor-related functional groups that may also be associated with mutagenicity. These chemicals are often difficult to test for mutagenicity by the Ames test because of their low production and peculiar odor. Therefore, application of the quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) approach is being considered. We used the StarDrop™ Auto-Modeller™ to develop a new QSAR model.

Results
In the first step, we developed a new robust Ames database of 406 food flavor chemicals consisting of existing Ames flavor chemical data and newly acquired Ames test data. Ames results for some existing flavor chemicals have been revised by expert reviews. We also collected 428 Ames test datasets for industrial chemicals from other databases that are structurally similar to flavor chemicals. A total of 834 chemicals’ Ames test datasets were used to develop the new QSAR models. We repeated the development and verification of prototypes by selecting appropriate modeling methods and descriptors and developed a local QSAR model. A new QSAR model “StarDrop NIHS 834_67” showed excellent performance (sensitivity: 79.5%, specificity: 96.4%, accuracy: 94.6%) for predicting Ames mutagenicity of 406 food flavors and was better than other commercial QSAR tools.

Conclusions
A local QSAR model, StarDrop NIHS 834_67, was customized to predict the Ames mutagenicity of food flavor chemicals and other low molecular weight chemicals. The model can be used to assess the mutagenicity of food flavors without actual testing.
Concurrent estimation of lamivudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and efavirenz in blended mixture and triple combination tablet formulation by a new stability indicating RP-HPLC method
Authors: Godela Ramreddy , Kammari Vijayalaxmi , Gummadi Sowjanya , Beda Durgaprasad 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
An easy, defined, rapid, and accurate reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and subsequently validated for the concurrent estimation of lamivudine, efavirenz, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in their pure blend and combined tablet formulation. An efficient and appropriate separation of the three analytes was attained with Zorbax eclipse XDB-Phenyl column, with a mobile phase of methanol: buffer (0.1% v/v formic acid in water) (73:27 v/v) at a flow rate of 1mL/min and isocratic elution by using 260nm as detection wavelength. Equal ratio of acetonitrile and water was used as diluent.

Results
The retention times of lamivudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and efavirenz were found at 2.6, 4.4, and 5.9 min respectively. The linear response for lamivudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and efavirenz was in the range of 15.0–45.0μg/mL, 15.0–45.0μg/mL, and 20.0–60.0 μg/mL respectively. The method validation was done in accordance to ICH guidelines and all validation parameters in compliance with ICH standards. The degradants produced by stress testing were well resolved from the peaks of active analytes, which stipulates the stability-indicating property of the method.

Conclusion
The method has the ability to separate lamivudine, efavirenz, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate concurrently in blended powder and their combined tablet. All degradants produced by application of stress conditions were separated with high resolution and determined with good sensitivity that ensures the stability-indicating property of the method. Thus, the projected method has high probability to adopt in the pharmaceutical industrial sector.
Molecular changes associated with migratory departure from wintering areas in obligate songbird migrants
Authors: Sharma Aakansha , Singh Devraj , Gupta Priya , Bhardwaj Sanjay Kumar , Kaur Inderjeet , Kumar Vinod 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
Day length regulates the development of spring migratory and subsequent reproductive phenotypes in avian migrants. This study used molecular approaches, and compared mRNA and proteome-wide expression in captive redheaded buntings that were photostimulated under long-day (LD) conditions for 4 days (early stimulated, LD-eS) or for ∼3 weeks until each bird had shown 4 successive nights of Zugunruhe (stimulated, LD-S); controls were maintained under short days. After ∼3 weeks of LD, photostimulated indices of the migratory preparedness (fattening, weight gain and Zugunruhe) were paralleled with upregulated expression of acc, dgat2 and apoa1 genes in the liver, and of cd36, fabp3 and cpt1 genes in the flight muscle, suggesting enhanced fatty acid (FA) synthesis and transport in the LD-S state. Concurrently, elevated expression of genes involved in the calcium ion signalling and transport (camk1 and atp2a2; camk2a in LD-eS), cellular stress (hspa8 and sod1, not nos2) and metabolic pathways (apoa1 and sirt1), but not of genes associated with migratory behaviour (adcyap1 and vps13a), were found in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH). Further, MBH-specific quantitative proteomics revealed that out of 503 annotated proteins, 28 were differentially expressed (LD-eS versus LD-S: 21 up-regulated and 7 down-regulated) and they enriched five physiological pathways that are associated with FA transport and metabolism. These first comprehensive results on gene and protein expression suggest that changes in molecular correlates of FA transport and metabolism may aid the decision for migratory departure from wintering areas in obligate songbird migrants.
Smartphone e folder podem ser uma alternativa para reduzir o comportamento sedentário? Estudo piloto
Authors: Santos Douglas de Assis Teles , Galvão Lucas Lima , Santos Rafaela Gomes do , Viana Ricardo Borges , Santos Emille Camila de Oliveira , Silva Rizia Rocha , Tribess Sheilla , Virtuoso Júnior Jair Sindra , De Lira Claudio André Barbosa 
Published: April 2021

O objetivo do estudo foi investigar se a exposição a informações sobre vida saudável, via aplicativo de mensagem de smartphone ou folder impresso, reduz o comportamento sedentário (CS) de universitários. Este estudo é um piloto prospectivo quase experimental, constituído por 69 participantes, randomizados por turma, em dois grupos de intervenção via mensagem de texto Whatsapp (grupo MSG) e folder impresso (grupo FOLDER). As intervenções apresentaram orientações semelhantes com foco geral de promover um perfil de vida saudável, reduzindo o CS. As mensagens foram encaminhadas às segundas-feiras por um período de quatro semanas consecutivas. O tempo exposto ao CS foi avaliado a partir do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física na Baseline e após quatro semanas de intervenção. Para avaliar o efeito do tempo, da intervenção e a interação (tempo*intervenção) no CS, foram utilizados modelos mistos generalizados para medidas repetidas, utilizando uma matriz de covariância autorregressiva de primeira ordem (AR1) e foi utilizado o teste post hoc de Bonferroni. Foi adotado o nível de significância de 5%. Foram observados efeitos significantes das intervenções (F = 5,30; p = 0,024), FOLDER (519,71 ± 28,01) e MSG (430,37 ± 26,82), e dos tempos (F = 19,05; p < 0,001) baseline (522,07 ± 22,18) e após 4 semanas (428,00 ± 22,18) mas não foi observado interação entre o tempo e a intervenção (F = 0,430; p = 0,514). Foram observadas diferenças significantes entre os grupos no momento pós intervenção (p = 0,022). Ambas as intervenções parecem ser úteis para a redução do tempo exposto ao CS em uma população de adultos jovens durante o período de quatro semanas.
Noteworthy records of puma (Puma concolor) in Morelos, México
Authors: Castro-Campos Floriely , Valenzuela-Galván David , Meneses Marco Aurelio , Chávez-Tovar José Cuauhtémoc , Pacheco-Bahena Froylan , Barrera-Suárez Mario A. , Rueda-Rosas Adrián 
Published: April 2021

Presentamos registros notables de puma (Puma concolor) en la Reserva de la Biósfera Sierra de Huautla (REBIOSH), Morelos, México obtenidos en fototrampeos hechos en 2019 en ejidos, dentro de esta reserva. Estas fotografías de puma se obtienen pocos años después del primer registro de jaguar (Panthera onca) para esta área natural protegida y para Morelos. Identificamos potencialmente a dos individuos adultos de puma. Estos registros son la primera evidencia fotográfica de puma para la REBIOSH y para Morelos. Existe poca evidencia confirmada de la presencia de la especie, considerada rara o ausente en diferentes sitios del estado. En el caso de la REBIOSH, a pesar de escasos informes anecdóticos por parte de habitantes locales de avistamientos o registros de huellas, su presencia nunca había sido confirmada fotográficamente. Consideramos que estos registros están relacionados con evidencia de estudios recientes que sugieren que la integridad ecológica es, en promedio, moderadamente alta como consecuencia del aumento de la cubierta de bosque tropical caducifolio. Es de suponer que esto ha llevado a un aumento de las poblaciones de diferentes especies que componen la dieta del puma. Además, se ha estimado que la calidad del hábitat de este depredador en la REBIOSH ha ido aumentando. Por lo tanto, consideramos que nuestros registros fotográficos de puma en esta área natural protegida indican que los esfuerzos enfocados en la conservación de la diversidad biológica tienen resultados positivos y sugieren fuertemente que la presencia de puma en el área puede aumentar en el mediano plazo.