bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel epitope-blocking ELISA for specific and sensitive detection of antibodies against H5-subtype influenza virus hemagglutinin
Authors: Sączyńska Violetta , Florys-Jankowska Katarzyna , Porębska Anna , Cecuda-Adamczewska Violetta 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
H5-subtype highly pathogenic (HP) avian influenza viruses (AIVs) cause high mortality in domestic birds and sporadic infections in humans with a frequently fatal outcome, while H5N1 viruses have pandemic potential. Due to veterinary and public health significance, these HPAIVs, as well as low pathogenicity (LP) H5-subtype AIVs having a propensity to mutate into HP viruses, are under epidemiologic surveillance and must be reported to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Our previous work provided a unique panel of 6 different monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against H5 hemagglutinin (HA), which meets the demand for high-specificity tools for monitoring AIV infection and vaccination in poultry. In this study, we selected one of these mAbs to develop an epitope-blocking (EB) ELISA for detecting H5 subtype-specific antibodies in chicken sera (H5 EB-ELISA).

Methods
In the H5 EB-ELISA, H5 HA protein produced in a baculovirus-expression vector system was employed as a coating antigen, and the G-7-27-18 mAb was employed as a blocking antibody. The performance characteristics of the assay were evaluated by testing 358 sera from nonimmunized chickens and chickens immunized with AIVs of the H1–H16 subtypes or recombinant H5 HA antigen to obtain the reference and experimental antisera, respectively. The samples were classified as anti-H5 HA positive or negative based on the results of the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay, the gold standard in subtype-specific serodiagnosis.

Results
The H5 EB-ELISA correctly discriminated between the anti-H5 HA negative sera, including those against the non-H5 subtype AIVs, and sera positive for antibodies against the various-origin H5 HAs. Preliminary validation showed 100% analytical and 97.6% diagnostic specificities of the assay and 98.0% and 99.1% diagnostic sensitivities when applied to detect the anti-H5 HA antibodies in the reference and experimental antisera, respectively.

Conclusions
The H5 EB-ELISA performed well in terms of diagnostic estimates. Thus, further optimization and validation work using a larger set of chicken sera and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis are warranted. Moreover, the present assay provides a valuable basis for developing multispecies screening tests for birds or diagnostic tests for humans.
A systematic review of case reports of hepatic actinomycosis
Authors: Chegini Zahra , Didehdar Mojtaba , Tabaeian Seidamir Pasha , Khoshbayan Amin , Shariati Aref 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Hepatic Actinomycosis (HA) is one of the infections that causes disorders in patients when diagnosed untimely and inappropriately.

Methods
Case reports on HA in patients published between 2000 and April 2020 were gathered by carrying out a structured search through PubMed/Medline.

Results
Through a survey of the Medline database, 130 studies were identified and then, 64 cases with HA were included in the final analysis. Asia had the largest share of cases with 37.5% (24 reports), followed by Europe and the Americas. Affected patients were predominantly males (64%) and the overall mortality rate was 1% with only one male patient in his 50 s dying. Nearly all patients (92%) were immunocompetent. However, in four patients, the use of immunosuppressive medication led to depression of the immune system. Most of the patients (80%) experienced complications. In terms of the complications, the most frequent ones were previous history of abdominal surgery (32%) and foreign bodies in the abdominopelvic region (20%). Actinomyces israelii was the most common pathogen isolated from patients. Abdominal pain (66%), fever (62%), weight loss (48%), night sweat, malaise, and anorexia (14%) over about 3.1 months were the most frequently reported clinical symptoms. Extension to one or more surrounding organs was evident in 18 patients (28%). Histopathologic examination confirmed infection in 67% of the patients and samples obtained from liver puncture biopsy (32%) were most frequently used in diagnosis. Surgery or puncture drainage + anti-infection was the most common method to treat patients and penicillin, Amoxicillin, Doxycycline, and ampicillin were the most frequently used drugs to control infection.

Conclusion
HA should be considered in patients with a subacute or chronic inflammatory process of the liver. With accurate and timely diagnosis of infection, extensive surgery can be prevented.
Consolidated bioprocessing of lignocellulose for production of glucaric acid by an artificial microbial consortium
Authors: Li Chaofeng , Lin Xiaofeng , Ling Xing , Li Shuo , Fang Hao 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The biomanufacturing of d-glucaric acid has attracted increasing interest because it is one of the top value-added chemicals produced from biomass. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regarded as an excellent host for d-glucaric acid production.

Results
The opi1 gene was knocked out because of its negative regulation on myo-inositol synthesis, which is the limiting step of d-glucaric acid production by S. cerevisiae. We then constructed the biosynthesis pathway of d-glucaric acid in S. cerevisiae INVSc1 opi1Δ and obtained two engineered strains, LGA-1 and LGA-C, producing record-breaking titers of d-glucaric acid: 9.53 ± 0.46 g/L and 11.21 ± 0.63 g/L d-glucaric acid from 30 g/L glucose and 10.8 g/L myo-inositol in fed-batch fermentation mode, respectively. However, LGA-1 was preferable because of its genetic stability and its superior performance in practical applications. There have been no reports on d-glucaric acid production from lignocellulose. Therefore, the biorefinery processes, including separated hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF), simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) and consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) were investigated and compared. CBP using an artificial microbial consortium composed of Trichoderma reesei (T. reesei) Rut-C30 and S. cerevisiae LGA-1 was found to have relatively high d-glucaric acid titers and yields after 7 d of fermentation, 0.54 ± 0.12 g/L d-glucaric acid from 15 g/L Avicel and 0.45 ± 0.06 g/L d-glucaric acid from 15 g/L steam-exploded corn stover (SECS), respectively. In an attempt to design the microbial consortium for more efficient CBP, the team consisting of T. reesei Rut-C30 and S. cerevisiae LGA-1 was found to be the best, with excellent work distribution and collaboration.

Conclusions
Two engineered S. cerevisiae strains, LGA-1 and LGA-C, with high titers of d-glucaric acid were obtained. This indicated that S. cerevisiae INVSc1 is an excellent host for d-glucaric acid production. Lignocellulose is a preferable substrate over myo-inositol. SHF, SSF, and CBP were studied, and CBP using an artificial microbial consortium of T. reesei Rut-C30 and S. cerevisiae LGA-1 was found to be promising because of its relatively high titer and yield. T. reesei Rut-C30 and S. cerevisiae LGA-1were proven to be the best teammates for CBP. Further work should be done to improve the efficiency of this microbial consortium for d-glucaric acid production from lignocellulose.
Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and associations with offspring size at birth and adiposity: a cohort study
Authors: Petry Clive J. , Ong Ken K. , Hughes Ieuan A. , Dunger David B. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective
Previously we observed that maternal multiple micronutrient supplementation in pregnancy was associated with increased offspring size at birth and adiposity, as well as with maternal gestational diabetes risk, in the Cambridge Baby Growth Study. In this study we therefore investigated whether folic acid supplementation specifically is associated with similar changes, to test the hypothesis that folic acid supplementation mediates such changes.

Results
The majority of mothers who reported supplementing with folic acid in pregnancy (n = 776 in total, 526 of which took multiple micronutrient preparations) did so either from pre- (n = 139) or post-conception (n = 637) largely for all or just the first half of pregnancy. A minority of mothers (n = 198) reported not supplementing with folic acid. Folic acid supplementation in pregnancy was not associated with birth weight [β’ = − 0.003, p = 0.9], height [β’ = − 0.013, p = 0.6], head circumference [β’ = 0.003, p = 0.09] or adiposity (ponderal index [β’ = 0.020, p = 0.5], skinfolds thicknesses [β’ = − 0.029 to + 0.008, p = 0.4–0.9]). Neither was it associated with the development of maternal gestational diabetes (risk ratio 1.2 [0.6‒2.2], p = 0.6). These results suggest that folic acid supplementation in pregnancy did not mediate the previously observed increases in offspring size at birth and adiposity, or the raised gestational diabetes risk, in response to supplementation with multiple micronutrients.
Design and assembly of a domestic water temperature, pH and turbidity monitoring system
Authors: Nanyanzi Diana Rita , Ocen Gilbert Gilibrays , Omara Timothy , Bwire Felix , Matovu Davis , Semwogerere Twaibu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to design a domestic water temperature, pH and turbidity monitoring system that could constantly log temperature, pH and turbidity of water and give alerts in case the parameters are outside the acceptable limits for potable water.

Results
The system was designed, assembled and performed as expected. The study indicates that the proposed and designed system outperforms the existing manual monitoring system as it can constantly track and store changes in water quality. This could be used to prepare better treatment processes as well as identify problems in the water distribution system early enough.
Parameters predicting [18F]PSMA-1007 scan positivity and type and number of detected lesions in patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer
Authors: Ahmadi Bidakhvidi Niloefar , Laenen Annouschka , Jentjens Sander , Deroose Christophe M. , Van Laere Koen , De Wever Liesbeth , Mai Cindy , Berghen Charlien , De Meerleer Gert , Haustermans Karin , Joniau Steven , Everaerts Wouter , Goffin Karolien 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Detection of the site of recurrence using PSMA-PET/CT is important to guide treatment in patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of this study was to evaluate the positivity rate of [18F]PSMA-1007-PET/CT in patients with biochemically recurrent PCa and identify parameters that predict scan positivity as well as the type and number of detected lesions. This monocentric retrospective study included 137 PCa patients with biochemical recurrence who underwent one or more [18F]PSMA-1007-PET/CT scans between August 2018 and June 2019. PET-positive malignant lesions were classified as local recurrence, lymph node (LN), bone or soft tissue lesions. The association between biochemical/paraclinical parameters, as PSA value, PSA doubling time, PSA velocity, Gleason score (GS) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), and scan positivity as well as type and number of detected lesions was evaluated using logistic regression analysis (binary outcomes) and Poisson models (count-type outcomes).

Results
We included 175 [18F]PSMA-1007-PET/CT scans after radical prostatectomy (78%), external beam radiation therapy (8.8%), ADT (7.3%), brachytherapy (5.1%) and high intensity focused ultrasound (0.7%) as primary treatment (median PSA value 1.6 ng/ml). Positivity rate was 80%. PSA value and PSA velocity were significant predictors of scan positivity as well as of the presence of bone and soft tissue lesions and number of bone, LN and soft tissue lesions, both in uni- and/or multivariable analysis. Multivariable analysis also showed prior ADT as predictor of bone and soft tissue lesions, GS as predictor of the number of bone lesions and ongoing ADT as predictor of the number of LN lesions.

Conclusion
[18F]PSMA-1007-PET/CT showed a high positivity rate in patients with biochemically recurrent PCa. PSA value and PSA velocity were significant predictors of scan positivity as well as of the presence and number of bone and soft tissue lesions and the number of LN lesions. Our findings can guide clinicians in optimal patient selection for [18F]PSMA-1007-PET/CT and support further research leading to the development of a prediction nomogram.
Colonization with multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae among infants: an observational study in southern Sri Lanka
Authors: Meredith Hannah R. , Kularatna Sarath , Nagaro Kristin , Nagahawatte Ajith , Bodinayake Champica , Kurukulasooriya Ruvini , Wijesingha Nishadhi , Harden Lyndy B. , Piyasiri Bhagya , Hammouda Amr , Wiegmann Brian M. , Nicholson Bradly P. , Joyce Maria , Woods Christopher W. , Van Vliet Arnoud H. M. , Thakur Siddhartha , Tillekeratne L. Gayani 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The timing of and risk factors for intestinal colonization with multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (MDRE) are still poorly understood in areas with high MDRE carriage. We determined the prevalence, timing, and risk factors associated with MDRE intestinal colonization among infants in southern Sri Lanka.

Methods
Women and their newborn children were enrolled within 48 h after delivery in southern Sri Lanka. Rectal swabs were collected from women and infants at enrollment and 4–6 weeks later. Enterobacteriaceae were isolated and identified as MDRE (positive for extended-spectrum β-lactamases or carbapenem resistant) using standard microbiologic procedures. We used exact methods (Fisher’s exact and Kruskal–Wallis tests) and multivariable logistic regression to identify sociodemographic and clinical features associated with MDRE intestinal colonization. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on selected MDRE isolates to identify phylogroups and antibiotic resistance-encoding genes were identified with NCBI’s AMRfinder tool.

Results
Overall, 199 post-partum women and 199 infants were enrolled; 148/199 (74.4%) women and 151/199 (75.9%) infants were reassessed later in the community. Twenty-four/199 (12.1%) women and 3/199 (1.5%) infants displayed intestinal colonization with MDRE at enrollment, while 26/148 (17.6%) women and 24/151 (15.9%) infants displayed intestinal colonization with MDRE at the reassessment. While there were no risk factors associated with infant colonization at enrollment, multivariable analysis indicated that risk factors for infant colonization at reassessment included mother colonized at enrollment (aOR = 3.62) or reassessment (aOR = 4.44), delivery by Cesarean section (aOR = 2.91), and low birth weight (aOR = 5.39). Of the 20 MDRE isolates from infants that were sequenced, multilocus sequence typing revealed that 6/20 (30%) were clustered on the same branch as MDRE isolates found in the respective mothers. All sequenced isolates for mothers (47) and infants (20) had at least one ESBL-producing gene. Genes encoding fosfomycin resistance were found in 33/47 (70%) of mothers’ isolates and 16/20 (80%) of infants’ isolates and genes encoding resistance to colistin were found in one (2%) mother’s isolate.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that a substantial proportion of infants undergo MDRE intestinal colonization within 6 weeks of birth, potentially due to postnatal rather than intranatal transmission.
Predictors of antibiotic prescriptions: a knowledge, attitude and practice survey among physicians in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria
Authors: Ogoina Dimie , Iliyasu Garba , Kwaghe Vivian , Otu Akan , Akase Iorhen Ephram , Adekanmbi Olukemi , Mahmood Dalhat , Iroezindu Micheal , Aliyu Shamsudin , Oyeyemi Abisoye Sunday , Rotifa Stella , Adeiza Mukhtar Abdulmajid , Unigwe Uche Sonny , Mmerem Juliet Ijeoma , Dayyab Farouq Muhammad , Habib Zaiyad Garba , Otokpa Daniel , Effa Emmanuel , Habib Abdulrazaq Garba 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundAs part of the Global Action Plan against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), countries are required to generate local evidence to inform context-specific implementation of national action plans against AMR (NAPAR). We aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding antibiotic prescriptions (APR) and AMR among physicians in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria, and to determine predictors of KAP of APR and AMR.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we enrolled physicians practicing in tertiary hospitals from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASP) by each selected hospital were assessed using a 12 item ASP checklist. We used a structured self-administered questionnaire to assess the KAP of APR and AMR. Frequency of prescriptions of 18 different antibiotics in the prior 6 months was assessed using a Likert’s scale. KAP and prescription (Pr) scores were classified as good (score ≥ 80%) or average/poor (score < 80%). Independent predictors of good knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAPPr) were ascertained using an unconditional logistic regression model.ResultsA total of 1324 physicians out of 1778 (74% response rate) practicing in 12 tertiary hospitals in 11 states across all six geopolitical zones participated in the study. None of the participating hospitals had a formal ASP programme and majority did not implement antimicrobial stewardship strategies. The median KAPPr scores were 71.1%, 77%, 75% and 53.3%, for the knowledge, attitude, practice, and prescription components, respectively. Only 22.3%, 40.3%, 31.6% and 31.7% of study respondents had good KAPPr, respectively. All respondents had prescribed one or more antibiotics in the prior 6 months, mostly Amoxicillin-clavulanate (98%), fluoroquinolones (97%), and ceftriaxone (96.8%). About 68% of respondents had prescribed antibiotics from the World Health Organization reserve group. Prior AMR training, professional rank, department, and hospital of practice were independently associated with good KAPPr.ConclusionsOur study suggests gaps in knowledge and attitude of APR and AMR with inappropriate prescriptions of antibiotics among physicians practicing in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. Nigeria’s NAPAR should also target establishment and improvement of ASP in hospitals and address institutional, educational, and professional factors that may influence emergence of AMR in Nigeria.
Characterizing the sealing materials of the merchant ship Nanhai I of the Southern Song Dynasty
Authors: Zhou Yihang , Wang Kai , Sun Jian , Cui Yong , Hu Dongbo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Nanhai I is a highly valuable shipwreck of the Southern Song Dynasty for studying various topics, including the shipbuilding techniques. The sealing materials are of significant importance to ensure the ship’s reliability during the voyage across the ocean and they were rarely analyzed. Therefore, the sealing materials of this ship were analyzed by several analytical approaches. The sealing materials included two types, i.e., gap filler with jute fibers and surface coating without any oakum. The main components of both types of putty are calcite with minor Tung oil. The weight ratio of Ca(OH)2/Tung oil range from 4.3:1 to 7.9:1 for surface coating samples and the weight ratio of Ca(OH)2/organics is 3.1:1 for the gap filler sample. Additionally, we first find that the surface coating has a layered structure, where outer layers contain more Tung oil than inner layers. The innermost layer of the surface coating sample might be altered by organic acids from wood deterioration, causing its loose structure and grey color. The composite layers with different formula might be a result of balancing the costs and performances of the putty.
Online medication purchasing during the Covid-19 pandemic: A pilot study from the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Jairoun Ammar Abdulrahman , Al-Hemyari Sabaa Saleh , Abdulla Naseem Mohammed , El-Dahiyat Faris , Jairoun Maimona , AL-Tamimi Saleh Karamah , Babar Zaheer-Ud-Din 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Since the WHO announced that Covid-19 had become a global pandemic, online pharmacies have emerged as an extremely popular way to purchase medication due to the quarantine measures introduced by numerous countries to prevent the virus's spread.

Aim
The aim of this study was to collect information regarding the extent of online medication purchasing in the UAE and to assess the factors that motivating the purchase of medications from the internet.

Method
A convenience sampling of people living in the UAE was used to conduct an online descriptive cross-sectional study. Respondents were solicited using the social media platforms WhatsApp and Facebook, whereby they were asked to fill in a validated web-based questionnaire. The number of people buying medications from online pharmacies was calculated using a percentage with 95% CIs.

Results
131 respondents (31.2%) [95% CI: 26.7–35.6] stated that they purchased medication via the internet after Covid-19 was classed as a pandemic. It was found that those respondents most likely to have purchased medication via the internet were male, single, and older and with a high school education.

Conclusion
More research should be conducted to investigate and compare the self-medication and associated risk factors between online pharmacies and community pharmacies. Moreover, regulatory bodies need to make and implement changes to the regulations that govern the sale and use of medications during COVID-19.
Reducing day 3 baseline monitoring bloodwork and ultrasound for patients undergoing timed intercourse and intrauterine insemination treatment cycles
Authors: O’Driscoll Victoria , Georgescu Ilinca , Koo Irene , Arthur Rebecca , Chuang Rita , Dempsey Jillian Ann , De Franco Giulia , Jones Claire Ann 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
In the current context of a global pandemic it is imperative for fertility clinics to consider the necessity of individual tests and eliminate those that have limited utility and may impose unnecessary risk of exposure. The purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate a multi-modal quality improvement (QI) strategy to promote resource stewardship by reducing routine day 3 (d3) bloodwork and transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) for patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) and timed intercourse (IC) treatment cycles.

Methods
After literature review, clinic stakeholders at an academic fertility centre met to discuss d3 testing utility and factors contributing to d3 bloodwork/TVUS in IC/IUI treatment cycles. Consensus was reached that it was unnecessary in patients taking oral/no medications. The primary intervention changed the default setting on the electronic order set to exclude d3 testing for IC/IUI cycles with oral/no medications. Exceptions required active test selection. Protocols were updated and education sessions were held. The main outcome measure was the proportion of cycles receiving d3 bloodwork/TVUS during the 8-week post-intervention period compared with the 8-week pre-intervention period. Balancing measures included provider satisfaction, pregnancy rates, and incidence of cycle cancellation.

Results
A significant reduction in the proportion of cycles receiving d3 TVUS (57.2% vs 20.8%, p < 0.001) and ≥ 1 blood test (58.6% vs 22.8%, p < 0.001) was observed post-intervention. There was no significant difference in cycle cancellation or pregnancy rates pre- and post-intervention (p = 0.86). Treatment with medications, cyst history, prescribing physician, and treatment centre were associated with receiving d3 bloodwork/TVUS. 74% of providers were satisfied with the intervention.

Conclusion
A significant reduction in IC/IUI treatment cycles that received d3 bloodwork/TVUS was achieved without measured negative treatment impacts. During a pandemic, eliminating routine d3 bloodwork/TVUS represents a safe way to reduce monitoring appointments and exposure.