bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hematological indices and abnormalities among patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Kosti city of the White Nile state, Sudan: a comparative study
Authors: Elkhalifa Ahmed M. E. , Abdul-Ghani Rashad , Tamomh Abdelhakam G. , Eltaher Nur Eldin , Ali Nada Y. , Ali Moataz M. , Bazie Elsharif A. , KhirAlla Aboagla , DfaAlla Fatin A. , Alhasan Omnia A. M. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Hematological abnormalities are common features in falciparum malaria but vary among different populations across countries. Therefore, we compared hematological indices and abnormalities between Plasmodium falciparum-infected patients and malaria-negative subjects in Kosti city of the White Nile State, Sudan.

Methods
A comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Clinical Laboratory Unit of Kosti Teaching Hospital from June to December 2018. A total of 392 participants (192 P. falciparum-infected patients and 200 malaria-negative subjects) were recruited in the study. Hematological indices of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets were measured, and their median values were statistically compared.

Results
The majority of P. falciparum-infected patients (67.6%) showed a low-level parasitemia. The median values of Hb concentration, RBC count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular Hb (MCH) and mean corpuscular Hb concentration (MCHC) were significantly lower in P. falciparum-infected patients, while the median red cell distribution width (RDW) was significantly higher in the patients compared to malaria-negative subjects. Anemia, low MCV, low MCH, low MCHC and high RDW were significantly associated with falciparum malaria, but parasitemia level was not significantly associated with anemia severity. The median total WBC count was non-significantly higher in P. falciparum-infected patients, with neutropenia being significantly associated with falciparum malaria. The median platelet count was significantly lower in P. falciparum-infected patients, with thrombocytopenia being significantly associated with falciparum malaria.

Conclusions
Falciparum malaria among patients in Kosti city of the White Nile State, Sudan is predominantly of low-level parasitemia. It is significantly associated with anemia, low MCV, low MCH, low MCHC, high RDW, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. However, parasitemia level is not a significant predictor of anemia severity. On the other hand, leucopenia is not useful to predict falciparum malaria. Further large-scale studies in community and healthcare settings and inclusion of patients with complicated or severe malaria and those with high parasite densities are recommended.
Association between Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) with adverse pregnancy outcomes in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran
Authors: Dastoorpoor Maryam , Khanjani Narges , Khodadadi Narges 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
There are few epidemiological studies on the relation between temperature changes and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) with adverse pregnancy outcomes including stillbirth, low birth weight (LBW), preterm labor (PTL), spontaneous abortion (SA), preeclampsia and hypertension in Ahvaz, Iran.

Methods
Distributed Lag Non-linear Models (DLNM) combined with quasi-Poisson regression were used to investigate the effect of PET on adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this study the effect of time trend, air pollutants (NO2, SO2 and PM10), and weekdays were adjusted.

Results
High PET (45.4 C°, lag = 0) caused a significant increase in risk of stillbirth. Also, high levels of PET (45.4, 43.6, 42.5 C°, lag = 0–6) and low levels of PET (9.9, 16.9 C°, lags = 0, 0–13, 0–21) significantly increased the risk of LBW. But, low levels of PET (6.4, 9.9, 16.9 C°, lags = 0–6, 0–13) reduced the risk of gestational hypertension.

Conclusion
The results of this study showed that hot and cold thermal stress may be associated with increased risk of stillbirth, and LBW in Ahvaz.
Matrine suppresses cell growth of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma via inhibiting CaMKIIγ/c-Myc/CDK6 signaling pathway
Authors: Gu Jianyou , Wang Xiao , Zhang Ling , Xiang Jingjing , Li Jingya , Chen Zheng , Zhang Yu , Chen Junfa , Shen Jianping 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
C-Myc aberrations confer a more aggressive clinic behavior in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Matrine is an alkaloid extracted from Sophora flavescens Ait. It possesses anti-cancer property through inhibiting the cell proliferation and inducing the apoptosis. The present study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of matrine in suppressing the cell growth of DLBCL.

Methods
The influence of matrine on the viability of cultured DLBCL cell lines SU-DHL-16 and OCI-LY3 cells were determined by CCK-8. Apoptosis and cell cycle were measured by flow cytometry after matrine exposure. Western blot was taken to investigate the expression of activated Caspase-3, cleaved PARP, c-Myc, phospho-c-Myc (Ser62), CaMKIIγ, phospho-CaMKIIγ (Thr287), CDK4 and CDK6 after matrine treatment. Cycloheximide chase analysis was used to determine the c-Myc protein half-lives before and after matrine treatment. Growth salvage analysis was taken by ectopic expression of c-Myc.

Results
In cultured DLBCL cells, matrine suppressed cell viability in a concentration and time dependent fashion. Matrine treated SU-DHL-16 and OCI-LY3 cells for 48 h with IC50 value of 1.76 mM and 4.1 mM, respectively. Matrine induced apoptosis through a caspase-independent pathway and caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in a concentration dependent manner in DLBCL cells. The protein expression of c-Myc was inhibited while the transcription of c-Myc was not reduced by matrine. c-Myc protein half-lives were decreased from 30.4, 69.4 min to 16.6, 15.9 min after matrine treatment in SU-DHL-16 and OCI-LY3, respectively. As a critical protein kinase of c-Myc, CaMKIIγ phosphorylation at Thr287 was found to be down-regulated and c-Myc phosphorylation at Ser62 was reduced together after matrine treatment in DLBCL. The growth suppression of SU-DHL-16 cells induced by matrine was rescued by over-expression of c-Myc achieved by recombinant adenovirus infection. The decreased expression of CDK6, not CDK4, induced by matrine was rescued by ectopic expression of c-Myc protein.

Conclusions
This study has shown for the first time that matrine suppresses cell growth of DLBCL via inhibiting CaMKIIγ/c-Myc/CDK6 signaling pathway.
External validation of urinary C–C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CCL14) for prediction of persistent acute kidney injury
Authors: Bagshaw Sean M. , Al-Khafaji Ali , Artigas Antonio , Davison Danielle , Haase Michael , Lissauer Matthew , Zacharowski Kai , Chawla Lakhmir S. , Kwan Thomas , Kampf J. Patrick , McPherson Paul , Kellum John A. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Persistent acute kidney injury (AKI) portends worse clinical outcomes and remains a therapeutic challenge for clinicians. A recent study found that urinary C–C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CCL14) can predict the development of persistent AKI. We aimed to externally validate urinary CCL14 for the prediction of persistent AKI in critically ill patients.

Methods
This was a secondary analysis of the prospective multi-center SAPPHIRE study. We evaluated critically ill patients with cardiac and/or respiratory dysfunction who developed Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) stage 2–3 AKI within one week of enrollment. The main exposure was the urinary concentration of CCL14 measured at the onset of AKI stage 2–3. The primary endpoint was the development of persistent severe AKI, defined as  ≥ 72 h of KDIGO stage 3 AKI or death or renal-replacement therapy (RRT) prior to 72 h. The secondary endpoint was a composite of RRT and/or death by 90 days. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to assess discriminative ability of urinary CCL14 for the development of persistent severe AKI and multivariate analysis to compare tertiles of urinary CCL14 and outcomes.

Results
We included 195 patients who developed KDIGO stage 2–3 AKI. Of these, 28 (14%) developed persistent severe AKI, of whom 15 had AKI  ≥ 72 h, 12 received RRT and 1 died prior to  ≥ 72 h of KDIGO stage 3 AKI. Persistent severe AKI was associated with chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, higher non-renal APACHE III score, greater fluid balance, vasopressor use, and greater change in baseline serum creatinine. The AUC for urinary CCL14 to predict persistent severe AKI was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.72–0.89). The risk of persistent severe AKI increased with higher values of urinary CCL14. RRT and/or death at 90 days increased within tertiles of urinary CCL14 concentration.

Conclusions
This secondary analysis externally validates urinary CCL14 to predict persistent severe AKI in critically ill patients.
Annotation of snoRNA abundance across human tissues reveals complex snoRNA-host gene relationships
Authors: Fafard-Couture Étienne , Bergeron Danny , Couture Sonia , Abou-Elela Sherif , Scott Michelle S. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundSmall nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are mid-size non-coding RNAs required for ribosomal RNA modification, implying a ubiquitous tissue distribution linked to ribosome synthesis. However, increasing numbers of studies identify extra-ribosomal roles of snoRNAs in modulating gene expression, suggesting more complex snoRNA abundance patterns. Therefore, there is a great need for mapping the snoRNome in different human tissues as the blueprint for snoRNA functions.ResultsWe used a low structure bias RNA-Seq approach to accurately quantify snoRNAs and compare them to the entire transcriptome in seven healthy human tissues (breast, ovary, prostate, testis, skeletal muscle, liver, and brain). We identify 475 expressed snoRNAs categorized in two abundance classes that differ significantly in their function, conservation level, and correlation with their host gene: 390 snoRNAs are uniformly expressed and 85 are enriched in the brain or reproductive tissues. Most tissue-enriched snoRNAs are embedded in lncRNAs and display strong correlation of abundance with them, whereas uniformly expressed snoRNAs are mostly embedded in protein-coding host genes and are mainly non- or anticorrelated with them. Fifty-nine percent of the non-correlated or anticorrelated protein-coding host gene/snoRNA pairs feature dual-initiation promoters, compared to only 16% of the correlated non-coding host gene/snoRNA pairs.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that snoRNAs are not a single homogeneous group of housekeeping genes but include highly regulated tissue-enriched RNAs. Indeed, our work indicates that the architecture of snoRNA host genes varies to uncouple the host and snoRNA expressions in order to meet the different snoRNA abundance levels and functional needs of human tissues.
New dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. fruits
Authors: Nguyen Trong Nguyen , Lee Yeong-Geun , Kim Hyoung-Geun , Yoon Dahye , Jeong Jin Tae , Lee Dae Young , Baek Nam-In 
Published: June 2021

AbstractRepeated column chromatography using Sephadex LH-20, silica gel (SiO2), and octadecyl SiO2 (ODS) as well as preparative HPLC column chromatography led to isolation of a new dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan along with four known ones, gomisin L2 (1), L1 (2), M1 (3), and M2 (4). Their chemical structures were fixed based on MS, IR, and NMR data analyses. In addition, the stereochemistry of atropisomers, the absolute configuration of the axial chirality in a biphenyl structure, was confirmed by a CD experiment. The new lignan was named gomisin M3 (5).
Living donor liver transplantation for Budd‒Chiari syndrome with right posterior segment graft and patch plasty using the superficial femoral vein: a case report
Authors: Une Norikazu , Tokodai Kazuaki , Kanai Norifumi , Saitoh Yoshikatsu , Ohta Mineto , Sasaki Kengo , Miyazawa Koji , Kashiwadate Toshiaki , Fujio Atsushi , Nakanishi Wataru , Miyagi Shigehito , Unno Michiaki , Kamei Takashi 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
In living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for patients with Budd‒Chiari syndrome (BCS), there are several concerns about reconstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and hepatic veins. Herein, we report the case of a patient with BCS who underwent LDLT with right posterior segment graft (RPSG) and patch plasty for reconstruction of the hepatic venous outflow, using the patient’s own superficial femoral vein (SFV).

Case presentation
A 19-year-old man, who was diagnosed with primary BCS, underwent LDLT. His main hepatic veins were totally obstructed, and membranous stenosis was seen in the IVC. The LDLT donor was his mother; however, liver volumetric analysis showed that only her RPSG was appropriate. In the recipient surgery, 16 cm of the left SFV was harvested and was cut longitudinally and opened. The right hepatic vein (RHV) of the RPSG was anastomosed to the sidewall of the SFV graft. After explantation of native diseased liver was completed, the stenotic and thickened wall of the IVC was widely resected, and a large anastomotic orifice was created. Patch cavoplasty was performed with the RHV‒SFV graft patch. After portal reperfusion started, hepatic venous outflow was satisfactory, and there was no venous graft congestion. Both his postoperative course and his long-term course after discharge were uneventful.

Conclusions
In LDLT for BCS patients, ingenuity is required for the reconstruction of venous outflow. The SFV patch can be safely harvested from liver transplant recipients and is suitable for venous reconstruction. In addition, RPSG is an alternative type of liver graft for LDLT if a conventional right- or left-lobe graft cannot be used.
Time Course of Metabolic, Neuroendocrine, and Adipose Effects During 2 Years of Follow-up After Gastric Bypass in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Almby Kristina E , Katsogiannos Petros , Pereira Maria J , Karlsson F Anders , Sundbom Magnus , Wiklund Urban , Kamble Prasad G , Eriksson Jan W 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Context
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) markedly improves glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but underlying mechanisms and changes over time are incompletely understood.

Objective
Integrated assessment of neuroendocrine and metabolic changes over time in T2D patients undergoing RYGB.

Design and Setting
Follow-up of single-center randomized study.

Patients
Thirteen patients with obesity and T2D compared to 22 healthy subjects.

Interventions
Blood chemistry, adipose biopsies, and heart rate variability were obtained before and 4, 24, and 104 weeks post-RYGB.

Results
After RYGB, glucose-lowering drugs were discontinued and hemoglobin A1c fell from mean 55 to 41 mmol/mol by 104 weeks (P &lt; 0.001). At 4 weeks, morning cortisol (P &lt; 0.05) and adrenocorticotropin (P = 0.09) were reduced by 20%. Parasympathetic nerve activity (heart rate variability derived) increased at 4 weeks (P &lt; 0.05) and peaked at 24 weeks (P &lt; 0.01). C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells were rapidly reduced (P &lt; 0.01). At 104 weeks, basal and insulin-stimulated adipocyte glucose uptake increased by 3-fold vs baseline and expression of genes involved in glucose transport, fatty acid oxidation, and adipogenesis was upregulated (P &lt; 0.01). Adipocyte volume was reduced by 4 weeks and more markedly at 104 weeks, by about 40% vs baseline (P &lt; 0.01).

Conclusions
We propose this order of events: (1) rapid glucose lowering (days); (2) attenuated cortisol axis activity and inflammation and increased parasympathetic tone (weeks); and (3) body fat and weight loss, increased adipose glucose uptake, and whole-body insulin sensitivity (months-years; similar to healthy controls). Thus, neuroendocrine pathways can partly mediate early glycemic improvement after RYGB, and adipose factors may promote long-term insulin sensitivity and normoglycemia.
High Proton Conductivity from Titanium Oxide Nanosheets and Their Variation Based on Crystal Phase
Authors: Yasutake Hiroki , Islam Md Saidul , Rahman Mohammad Atiqur , Yagyu Junya , Fukuda Masahiro , Shudo Yuta , Kuroiwa Keita , Sekine Yoshihiro , Hayami Shinya 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The specific structural arrangement of atoms in the different crystalline phases of a polymorph material has a significant influence on their electrochemical behavior. Herein, we have demonstrated the proton conductivity of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanosheets based on their different crystalline phases. The successful preparation of three different crystalline phases including rutile (r-TiO2), anatase (a-TiO2) and brookite (b-TiO2) with the sheet size within nanometer range was confirmed using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis. The corresponding TiO2 membrane films were prepared through a reduced pressure-driven route followed by humidity and temperature-dependent proton conductivities measurement. At room temperature and 90% relative humidity, b-TiO2 shows a high proton conductivity of 3.04 × 10−3 S cm−1 which is almost one order higher than a-TiO2 (4.41 × 10−4 S cm−1) and two orders higher than that of the corresponding r-TiO2 (8.04 × 10−6 S cm−1). The activation energies below 0.35 eV for all samples suggest that the proton conduction occurred through the Grotthuss mechanism. The differences in the structural arrangement in each crystal phase of TiO2, which is responsible for the water adsorption ability, can be attributed to the current findings of different proton conductivity.
Music as a non-arbitrary avenue for exploration of the social
Authors: Ojala Juha 
Published: June 2021

The article examines how music affords exploration of social aspects of semiosis: how music signifies the social, beyond the fact that music is an inherently participatory social process.
Pentti Määttänen extends Peirce’s notion of ‘hard fact’ to ‘soft facts’ to which we accommodate our behaviour in order to get along in society. As mutual beliefs, soft facts are continuously tested and updated in inquiry. Representation of oneself is also continuously correlated, thrown together, with that of the rest of the world, yielding positioning of self in ways we call emotions.
In music, com-positions of sound constitute hard facts that stand for other facts, soft or hard, by being their metaphors. Shaping and reshaping music allows for safe playing and testing of acts and events, anticipating upcoming situations and changes through virtual situations of the world, social and non-social.
Music analysis examines how features of sound offer complex ways of constructing and interpreting metaphors, and how the narratives in music unfold through presentation of metaphors of subjects’ existence, identity and relations, evoking dialogue, drama, tension, even crises to be resolved.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding neonatal jaundice among caregivers in a tertiary health facility in Ghana
Authors: Salia Solomon Mohammed , Afaya Agani , Wuni Abubakari , Ayanore Martin Amogre , Salia Emmanuel , Kporvi Doreen Dzidzor , Adatara Peter , Yakong Vida Nyagre , Eduah-Quansah Sean Augustine , Quarshie Shine Seyram , Dey Eric Kwame , Akolga Dominic Amoah , Alhassan Robert Kaba 
Published: June 2021

BackgroundNeonatal jaundice is a major reason babies are frequently re-admitted after hospital discharge following delivery. One means of improving neonatal care and reducing potential mortality associated with neonatal jaundice in resource-limited settings is to create awareness among caregivers. Caregivers who tend to have higher knowledge and awareness, also have positive attitudes, and are not guided by outmoded socio-cultural beliefs and practices are more likely to seek early care and treatment for neonatal jaundice.ObjectiveThis study investigated caregivers’ knowledge, attitude and practices regarding neonatal jaundice in a tertiary health facility in the Volta region of Ghana.MethodsThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study that employed a quantitative approach for data collection. A total of 202 caregivers from the Ho Teaching Hospital in the Volta region of Ghana were sampled using a systematic random sampling strategy where quantitative data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed with STATA version 14.0. Ordered logistic regression was used to determine the factors that were associated with caregivers’ knowledge regarding neonatal jaundice and attitude after controlling for relevant covariates.ResultsLess than half of the caregivers demonstrated good knowledge (45.5%) and attitude (47.5%) but 58.9% had good practices regarding neonatal jaundice. Caregivers who had prior awareness and education on neonatal jaundice were three times more likely to have good knowledge about jaundice than those without previous education [AOR = 3.02, (95%CI: 1.59–5.74), p = 0.001]. A caregiver employed in the public sector was two times more likely to have a good attitude about jaundice than those employed in the private sector [AOR = 2.08, (95%CI: 1.03–4.21), p = 0.042].ConclusionLess than two thirds of the caregivers demonstrated good practice with limited knowledge and poor attitude. Efforts to promote well informed and improved caregivers’ attitude will advance positive maternal health-seeking behavior and reduce disabilities and death through early detection and intervention of infants with neonatal jaundice. Public awareness and education about neonatal jaundice especially among caregivers in the private sector should also be intensified.
Assessment of depressive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 during the second wave of epidemic in Myanmar: A cross-sectional single-center study
Authors: Htun Ye Minn , Thiha Kyaw , Aung Aung , Aung Nay Myo , Oo Thet Wai , Win Pyae Sone , Sint Nay Hein , Naing Kaung Myat , Min Aung Khant , Tun Kyaw Myo , Hlaing Kyaw 
Published: June 2021

Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a great impact on every aspect of society. All countries launched preventive measures such as quarantine, lockdown, and physical distancing to control the disease spread. These restrictions might effect on daily life and mental health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 at the Treatment Center.

Methods
A cross-sectional telephone survey was carried out at Hmawbi COVID-19 Treatment Center, Myanmar from December 2020 to January 2021. A total of 142 patients with COVID-19 who met the criteria were invited to participate in the study. A pre-tested Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used as a tool for depressive symptoms assessment. Data were analyzed by using binary logistic regression to identify associated factors of depressive symptoms. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to determine the level of significance with a p < 0.05.

Results
The prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 was 38.7%, with the means (± standard deviation, SD) subscale of somatic symptom, negative effect, and anhedonia were 4.64 (±2.53), 2.51 (± 2.12), and 5.01 (± 3.26), respectively. The patients with 40 years and older (AOR: 2.99, 95% CI: 1.36–6.59), < 4 of household size (AOR: 3.45, 95% CI: 1.46–8.15), ≤ 400,000 kyats of monthly family income (AOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.02–5.54) and infection to family members (AOR: 4.18, 95% CI: 1.74–10.07) were significant associated factors of depressive symptoms.

Conclusion
The high prevalence of depressive symptoms, approximately 40%, was found in patients with COVID-19 in the Treatment Center. Establishments of psychosocial supports, providing psychoeducation, enhancing the social contact with family and friends, and using credible source of information related COVID-19 would be integral parts of mental health services in COVID-19 pandemic situation.