bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Barriers Related to the Healthcare System and Healthcare Professionals in Implementing Quality Intravenous Chemotherapy: A Qualitative Study
Authors: salarvand shahin , Mousavi Masoumeh Sadat , Almasian Mohammad 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to explore barriers related to the healthcare system (HCS) and healthcare providers (HCPs) in implementing quality intravenous (IV) chemotherapy (CT) from the perspectives of cancer patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals.Methods: Using an explanatory descriptive qualitative method, this study was conducted in 2019. Forty-one participants (6 patients, 5 family caregivers, 12 oncologists, and 18 nurses) were selected through purposive sampling. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the data, which were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Lincoln and Guba’s criteria of rigor were employed to ensure the trustworthiness of the study.Results: Data analysis showed two categories, each with three subcategories: Barriers related to HCPs that contains “educational and communication barriers”, “failure to establish trust” and “unskilled healthcare professionals”; Barriers related to the HCS, which consists of “inadequate physical and care infrastructures to provide services”, “lack of support in the disease trajectory from diagnosis to rehabilitation” and “mismanagement of CT wards/procedures”.Conclusion: The identification and removal of the barriers related to HCPs and HCS from routine care are crucial. Education of and communication with cancer patients and their family caregivers are two important pillars in the quality of intravenous chemotherapy (IV CT) and this education and communication should be based on individualized care and tailored to the unique needs of each patient.
Iron(III) hydroxocomplex - methyl viologen dication system as a prospective tool for determination of hydroxyl radical reaction rate constants with environmental pollutants
Authors: Tyutereva Yuliya , Grivin Vyacheslav P. , Xu Jing , Wu Feng , Plyusnin Victor , Pozdnyakov Ivan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Reactivity of oxidative species with target pollutants is one of the crucial parameters for application of any system based on advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). This work presents new useful approach how to determine the hydroxyl radical reaction rate constants (kOH) using UVA laser flash photolysis technique. Fe(III) hydroxocomplex at pH 3 was applied as a standard source of hydroxyl radicals and methyl viologen dication (MV2+) was used as selective probe for •OH radical. Application of MV2+ allows to determine kOH values even for compounds which do not generate themselves optically detectable transient species in reaction with hydroxyl radicals. Validity of this approach was tested on a wide range of different persistent pesticides and its main advantages and drawbacks in comparison with existing steady-state and time-resolved techniques were discussed.
Association between absolute eosinopenia and mortality in SARS-COV-2 infection on the 70+, a discussed observation
Authors: Baudouin Edouard , Kosowki Jill , Mesinele Lea , Pujol Tom , Brunetti Nicoletta , Colas Marion , Neiss Marie , Simon Pauline , Trivalle Christophe , Tiramine Soraya , Laraaj Fahd , Vetillard Anne-Laure , Houenou-Quenum Nadège , Souques Cecile , Verdier Sébastien , Houdre Julie , Sorrel-Dejerine Adrien , Sanchez Joge , Jean-Sebastien Vidal , Guichardon Magali , Jean-Emmanuel Kahn , Collarino Rocca , Duron Emmanuelle 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to seek for an association between absolute eosinopenia (eosinophils count < 10 /mm3) and mortality in an older adults suffering from COVID-19 hospitalized in a specific geriatric ward. Methods: This observational retrospective study was conducted in a French geriatric ward from March 17 to April 18, 2020. All 118 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 over 70 yo in acute stay care were enrolled. Patients with a treatment or a pathology which could interfere with eosinophil count were excluded. Results: No statistical difference was found between surviving or deceased patient regarding age (mean age (SD): 87 years (7)) and sex (34% of males). Differences for the most frequent acute events were statically different: Quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score was ≥ 2 at admission for 23% in the survivor group vs. 23 (72%) in the deceased (p < .001); acute kidney injury concerned 17% of the survivors vs. 69% of the decease (p< .001). Eosinopenia < 10/mm3 was significantly associated with mortality (OR (CI95%)) = 3.5 (1.2-11.4) after adjustment on age, gender, and activity of daily living. Conclusion: Absolute eosinopenia was associated with in hospital mortality in older adults. This result, if confirmed in other study, may help to predict the outcome of a SARS-COV-2 infection on geriatric patients and calls for immunologist to explore more globally the impact of inflammaging on the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Exploring the Inclusion of Under-Served Groups in Trials Methodology Research: An Example from Ethnic Minority Populations’ Views on Deferred Consent
Authors: Raven-Gregg Timia , Shepherd Victoria 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Deferred consent is used to recruit patients in emergency research, when informed consent cannot be obtained prior to enrolment. This model of consent allows studies to recruit larger numbers of participants, especially where a surrogate-decision maker may be unavailable to provide consent. Whilst deferred consent offers the potential to promote trial diversity by including under-served groups, it is ethically complex and views about its use amongst these populations requires further exploration. The aim of this article is to build upon recent initiatives to improve inclusivity in trials, such as the NIHR INCLUDE project, and consider whether trials methodology research is inclusive, focusing on ethnic minority populations’ attitudes towards the use of deferred consent.Main text: Findings from the literature suggest that research regarding attitudes toward recruitment methods like deferred consent largely fail to adequately represent ethnic minorities. Many studies fail to report the composition of patient samples or conduct analyses on any differences between specific patient groups. In those that do, the categorisation of ethnic groups is ambiguous. Frequently diversely different groups are considered as more homogenous than they are. Whilst deferred consent is deemed generally acceptable, analysis of patient sub-groups shows that this attitude is not universal. Those from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds reported higher levels of unacceptability, which was impacted by previous first or second-hand experience of its use and historical mistrust in research. However, whilst deferred consent was found to increase the numbers of black participants enrolled in some trials, their over-enrolment in other trials may raise further concerns. Conclusions: Inclusivity in clinical trials is important, as highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To improve this, we must ensure that methodological studies such as those exploring attitudes to research are inclusive. More effort is needed to understand the views of under-served groups, such as ethnic minorities, toward research in order to improve participation in clinical trials. Our findings echo those from the INCLUDE project, in that better reporting is needed and increasing the confidence of ethnic minority groups in research requires improving representation throughout the research process. This will involve diversifying research teams and ethics committees.
Concentration of Selected Elements in the Hair of Malagasy Girls in Relation to Their Nutritional Status and Environmental Exposure
Authors: Zielińska-Dawidziak Magdalena , Człapka-Matyasik Magdalena , Wojciechowska Zofia , Proch Jędrzej , Niedzielski Przemysław 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Although the children malnutrition in Madagascar and the environmental pollution of this country has been widely discussed, there is no research on the susceptibility of malnourished Malagasy to toxic elements. Nine elements concentration (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sn, Sb) was determined in 103 samples of schoolgirls scalp hair (8–15 years old), and in twenty samples of water and soil, from two areas: Antananarivo (UR) and Berevo (RU). Samples were analysed by an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer using a microwave-induced nitrogen plasma atomic emission spectrometer. The nutritional status was evaluated by Cole’s Index. The recommended level of Sb was exceeded in the soil samples, while the Al and Ni in the water. Underweight was related to higher accumulation of Al, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Ni in the hair and more common among girls living in RU than UR region (42% vs 28%). . Two-factor analysis of variance showed differences in the Al and Cr content in the girls’ hair depending both on their place of residence and nutritional status. This indicate that the malnourished girls may be more susceptible to soil and water pollution with toxic elements than girls with adequate nutritional status.
Probability Assessment of Slope Instability in Seasonally Cold Regions under Climate Change
Authors: Zhu Yulong , Ishikawa Tatsuya , Yamada Tomohito J. , Subramanian Srikrishnan Siva 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This paper proposes an effective approach for evaluating the influences of climate change on slope stability in seasonally cold regions. Firstly, to semi-quantitatively assess the effects of climate changes on the uncertainty of climate factors, this study analyzes the trend of the two main climate factors (precipitation and air temperature) by the regression analysis using the meteorological monitoring data of the past 120 years in different scales (e.g., world, country (Japan), and city (Sapporo)), and the meteorological simulation data obtained by downscaling the outputs of three different regional atmospheric models (RAMs) with lateral boundary conditions from three different general circulation models (GCMs). Next, to discuss the effects of different climate factors (air temperature, precipitation, etc.) and to determine the key climate factors on the slope instability, an assessment approach for evaluating the effects of climate changes on slope instability is proposed through the water content simulation and slope stability analysis using a 2-dimensional (2D) finite element method (FEM) homogeneous conceptual slope model with considering freeze-thaw action. Finally, to check the effectiveness of the above assessment approach, assessment of instability of an actual highway embankment slope with the local layer geometry is done by applying the past and predicted future climate data. The results indicate that affected by global warming, the air temperature rise in some cold cities is more serious. The predicted future weather will affect the shape of the normal density curve (NDC) of the distribution of slope failures in one year. The climate changes (especially the increase in precipitation) in the future will increase the infiltration during the Spring season. It will lengthen the time that the highway slope is in an unstable state due to high volumetric water content, thereby enhancing the instability of the slopes and threatening more slopes in the future.
Selenium Enriched Bacillus Subtilis Yb-1114246 Improved Growth and Immunity of Broiler Chickens Through Modified Ileal Bacterial Composition
Authors: Yang Jiajun , Wang Jiang , Huang Kehe , Liu Qingxin , Xu Xiaozhou , Liu Guofang , Zhang Hao , Zhu Mengling 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Selenium-enriched Bacillus subtilis (SEBS) was made to add into the diets of broiler chickens to observe combined effects on the bacterial composition and immunity of ileum through its colonization on the site of intestinal mucous membrane to improve the body growth and immunity. Five hundred 1-d-old chickens were divided into five groups randomly: Control, inorganic Se, Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), SEBS, and antibiotic. The feed duration was 42 days (d). Growth performance was recorded and calculated. The strain of B. subtilis and SEBS colonizing in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) were investigated using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the bacterial region of 16S rRNA gene were sequenced. Results: After 42 d of treatment, chicks feed SEBS or Bacillus subtilis had higher body weights than the control chicks or those given inorganic Se. SEBS colonized in distal segments of the ileum improved bacterial diversity, while reducing the number of endogenous pathogen and increasing the number of Lactobacillus sp. in ileal mucous membranes. Species of unclassified Lachnospiraceae, uncultured Anaerosporobacter, Peptococcus, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, and unclassified Butyricicoccus in ileal mucous membranes played an important role in promoting immunity, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-β through spearman’s analysis. Dietary supplementary Se also improved bacterial composition of ileal mucous membranes. SEBS colonization in the ileal mucous membrane optimized bacterial composition, more enhanced the abundances of metabolic and immune genes on body growth and immunity. Conclusions: SEBS improved body growth performance and immunity of broiler chickens through colonization in the ileal mucous membrane and modified ileal bacterial composition.
Sex-stratified single-cell RNA-Seq analysis identifies sex-specific and cell type-specific transcriptional responses in Alzheimer’s disease across two brain regions.
Authors: Belonwu Stella , Li Yaqiao , Bunis Daniel , Rao Arjun , Solsberg Caroline Warly , Tang Alice , Fragiadakis Gabriela , Dubal Dena , Oskotsky Tomiko , Sirota Marina 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a pervasive neurodegenerative disorder that disproportionately affects women. Since neural anatomy and disease pathophysiology differ by sex, investigating sex-specific mechanisms in AD pathophysiology can inform new therapeutic approaches for both sexes. Here, we utilized nearly 74,000 cells from human prefrontal and entorhinal cortex samples from the first two publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing AD datasets to study cell type-specific sex-stratified transcriptomic perturbations in AD. Our examination at the single-cell level revealed that sex-specific gene and pathway differences in AD were most prominently observed in glial cells of the prefrontal cortex. In the entorhinal cortex, we observed the same genes and pathways to be perturbed in opposing directions between sexes in AD relative to healthy state. Our findings contribute to growing evidence of sex differences in AD-related transcriptomic changes, which can fuel the development of therapies that may prove more effective at reversing AD pathophysiology.
Impact of Gene Annotation Choice on the Quantification of RNA-Seq Data
Authors: Chisanga David , Liao Yang , Shi Wei 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: RNA sequencing is currently the method of choice for genome-wide profiling of gene expression. A popular approach to quantify expression levels of genes from RNA-seq data is to map reads to a reference genome and then count mapped reads to each gene. Gene annotation data, which include chromosomal coordinates of exons for tens of thousands of genes, are required for this quantification process. There are several major sources of gene annotations that can be used for quantification, such as Ensembl and RefSeq databases. However, there is very little understanding of the effect that the choice of annotation has on the accuracy of gene expression quantification in an RNA-seq analysis.Results: In this paper, we present results from our comparison of Ensembl and RefSeq human annotations on their impact on gene expression quantification using a benchmark RNA-seq dataset generated by the SEquencing Quality Control (SEQC) consortium. We show that the use of RefSeq gene annotation models led to better quantification accuracy, based on the correlation with ground truths including expression data from >800 real-time PCR validated genes, known titration ratios of gene expression and microarray expression data. We also found that the recent expansion of the RefSeq annotation has led to a decrease in its annotation accuracy. Finally, we demonstrated that the RNA-seq quantification differences observed between different annotations were not affected by the use of different normalization methods.Conclusion: In conclusion, our study found that the use of the conservative RefSeq gene annotation yields better RNA-seq quantification results than the more comprehensive Ensembl annotation. We also found that, surprisingly, the recent expansion of the RefSeq database, which was primarily driven by the incorporation of sequencing data into the gene annotation process, resulted in a reduction in the accuracy of RNA-seq quantification.
Multi-transcriptomic analysis points to early organelle dysfunction in human astrocytes in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Galea Elena , Weinstock Laura D. , Larramona-Arcas Raquel , Pybus Alyssa F. , Giménez-Llort Lydia , Escartin Carole , Wood Levi B. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundOur understanding of the impact of astrocytes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is hindered by the lack of astrocyte-specific omics data from patients diagnosed with dementia due to AD. Studies aiming to profile human AD astrocytes—including single-nucleus RNA sequencing—were limited by the low number of differentially expressed genes detected, and by the small size of cohorts. We improved on prior studies with a novel systems-biology-based approach.Methods Human astrocytic and neuronal gene clusters were generated from RNA sequencing data from isolated healthy human brain cells using a cell-type enrichment score and clustering. The cell-specific gene clusters were localized in 766 subjects from three AD whole-brain transcriptomes generated by the Mount Sinai Hospital, the Mayo Clinic, and the Religious Order Study/Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP), which also contains subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Gene clusters were organized into functional categories and subcategories using manual curation. Functional changes among subject groups were determined by gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and principal component analysis (PCA).Results Hierarchical clustering of transcriptomic data revealed molecular heterogeneity in individuals with the same clinical diagnosis. Particularly in the Mayo Clinic and ROSMAP cohorts, over 50% of Controls presented massive down-regulation of genes encoding for synaptic proteins, as widely documented in AD, suggesting that these subjects might have been at a preclinical stage at the time of death. Conversely, approximately 30% of AD patients showed preservation of neuronal genes as if they were non demented subjects, suggesting that they were resilient to AD pathology (present, according to CERAD and Braak scoring), but developed dementia due to comorbidities. The astrocytic gene profiles in AD patients presenting down-regulation of neuronal genes were termed ‘AD astrocytes’. According to GSVA and PCA, AD astrocytes showed down-regulation of genes encoding for mitochondrial and endolysosomal proteins, and up-regulation of genes related to perisynaptic astrocytic processes (PAP), and survival and stress responses.Discussion Astrocytes undergo a profound transcriptional change in a remarkable percentage of Control, MCI and AD subjects, affecting organelles and astrocyte-neuron interactions. We argue that therapies preventing organelle dysfunction in astrocytes may protect neural circuits in preclinical and clinical AD.
Effect of Supplemental Irrigation on Tuber Yield, Water Use Efficiency and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Grown in a Mollic Andosol
Authors: SATOGNON Felix , Owido Seth F.O. , Lelei Joyce J. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe yield of potato (8.86 tonnes/ha), the second staple food and cash crop in Kenya is remained low due to a reduction in seasonal precipitation and low soil fertility. Drought or dry periods between rainfall seasons and increased temperatures, which leads to high crop evapotranspiration, are experienced in 70-80% of the smallholder farms. Among major elements require by potato, nitrogen is the most important influential element but it is deficient in most potato-growing soils in Kenya because of nutrient depletion with inadequate nutrient replenishment results from continuous production. Hence the introduction of supplemental irrigation with an adequate application of this nutrient could increase crop yields. Therefore, this study was conducted in Nakuru, one of the major potato growing areas in Kenya, to determine the effects of full supplemental irrigation (FI) and four nitrogen levels, N0(0), N1(60), N2(90) and N3(130 kg N/ha) on tuber yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of potato grown in a mollic Andosol in Kenya compared to conventionnel rain-fed potato production. Results The results showed that tuber yield, marketable tuber yield and NUE significantly differed due to the interaction effect between irrigation and N-fertilization rate (P<0.001) whereas the WUE was statistically different due to the N-fertilization rate (P<0.001). The highest tuber yield 58.28 tonnes/ha was found in supplemental irrigation with an application of 130kg N/ha treatment. Full supplemental irrigation treatment increased marketable yield by 129.84, 94.63, 151.21 and 126.63% for 0, 60, 90 and 130 kg N/ha, respectively compared to rain-fed N-fertilization treatments. NUE increased statistically with an increase in N rate up to 90 kg N/ha, then tended to increase slightly as nitrogen rate increased further. An increase in potato tuber yield was positively correlated with number of tubers/plant (r=0.75), NUE (r=0.95), WUE (r=0.72) (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe high potato yield and marketable tuber yield in mollic Andosol can be obtained when all water deficits of the growing season are eliminated with supplemental irrigation and an application of 130kg N/ha but it is essential to exploit water regimes for acceptable yield with water-saving.
The Correlation Between ATP Measurement and Microbial Contamination of Inanimate Surfaces
Authors: Arkel Andreas van , Willemsen Ina , Kluytmans Jan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background:The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measurements and microbial contamination using a standardized method. Methods: ATP measurements and aerobic colony counts (ACC’s) were conducted on 10 pre-defined fomites in a hospital and nursing home setting. Per fomite two ATP measurements and two agar plate measurements were conducted, each measurement was conducted on a 25 cm2 surface. Both measurements were compared and analyzed for correlation. Results: In total 200 paired measurements were conducted, 200 ATP measurements and 200 ACC’s. The mean of all ATP measurements tested on the same surface was calculated, as was for all 200 ACC’s. There was a strong correlation between the mean of two ATP measurements on two different sites on the same fomite (R=0.800, p<0.001) as well as between two ACC measurements on the same fomite (R=0.667, p<0.001). A much weaker correlation was found between RLU values and ACC’s (R=0.244, p<0.001). Conclusions: Reproducibility of ATP measurements and ACC’s on the same fomite was good. However, the correlation between RLU values and ACC’s on hospital surfaces was much lower. This may be explained by the wide variety of biological material that is measured with ATP, of which the bacterial load is only one of many components. ATP measurement can be used to give a quantifiable outcome for the rating of cleanliness in health care facilities, however the results cannot be translated into the level of microbial contamination.