bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microparticles Immobilized Tamarindus Indica Extract Bioremediates Toxic Chromium in Tannery Effluent and Contaminated Soil
Authors: Katsayal Babangida Sanusi , Muhammad Aliyu , Ahmed Ambi , Sallau Abdullahi Balarabe 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Bioreduction of certain environmental toxic metals using plant-derived antioxidants has been proven effective and promising bioremediation approach. The Redox state of specific metals, in particular chromium, determines its environmental solubility and toxicity. Antioxidant-rich extract of tamarind leaves was extracted and its Cr(VI) reduction potentials in tannery effluent and Cr(VI) contaminated soil determined under acidic and neutral pHs. Microparticles immobilized tamarind extract were produced and similarly tested for Cr(VI) reduction capacity in tannery effluent and contaminated soil. The particles were initially characterized to evaluate their physicochemical properties, encapsulation efficiency as well as release kinetics. The particles produced were irregular in shape with a very high extract adsorption efficiency (87.06%). The particles shows high release kinetic constant and a lower half-life. About, 50 and 60% Cr(VI) reduction was achieved by tamarind extract immobilized microparticles in tannery effluent and 60 and 80% in Cr(VI) contaminated soil after 4hrs at pH 6.7 and 2.0, respectively. Cr(VI) in tannery effluent and contaminated soils was efficiently reduced and immobilization enhanced and preserved the extract effectiveness for a longer period of time. Therefore, immobilization of antioxidant-rich extract into microparticles was found to be essential in attaining maximum Cr(VI) reduction. Therefore, findings from this work could be very helpful in industrial waste treatment and environmental cleanliness.
Can Nutrition Education Improve the Nutrition Behavior and Anthropometric Indexes among Patients with Hypertension based on the Health Promotion Model?
Authors: Mirkarimi Kamal , Charkazi Abdurrahman , Heidari Alireza , Davaji Rahman Berdi Ozouni- 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Following the rapid urbanization, unhealthy diet, enhanced life expectancy, and sedentary lifestyle has led to an increase in the prevalence of CVD and its risk factors, such as hypertension. Self-care is introduced as “behaviors directed toward oneself or the environment to formulate one’s functioning in the interest of one’s life, and well-being. Can nutrition education improve the nutrition behavior and anthropometric indexes among patients with hypertension based on the Health Promotion Model?Methods: A quasi-experimental and single-blind study was conducted on patients with hypertension attended to the Health Houses of Gorgan city of Iran between June 2018 and February 2019. To collect information, 68 patients in the control and 68 ones in the intervention arm were investigated. Data were collected by distributing self-administered questionnaires about HPM constructs, and testing 3-day diet record. Education was just conducted in the intervention arm including six sessions during three weeks, and in final, measurement was run two and six months after intervention. Results: There was no difference between the two groups about constructs of the HPM, anthropometric indexes, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and nutritional behavior before education, while after education all variables were significantly changed in two and six months’ follow-ups. Conclusion: HPM-based education might be likely useful to improve nutritional behaviors in patients with hypertension and it can also be applied in the health system of Golestan Province.
Poor Adult Nutrition Impairs Learning and Memory in a Parasitoid Wasp
Authors: Farahani Hossein Kishani , moghaddassi Yasaman , Pierre Jean-Sebastien , kraus stephane , Lihoreau Mathieu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Animals have evolved cognitive abilities whose impairment can incur dramatic fitness costs. While malnutrition is known to impact brain development and cognitive functions in vertebrates, little is known in insects, whose small brain appears particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors. Here, we investigated the influence of diet quality on learning and memory in the parasitoid wasp Venturia canescens. Newly emerged adults were exposed for 24h to either honey, sucrose solution 20%, sucrose solution 10%, or no food, before being conditioned in an olfactory associative learning task in which an odor (orange) was associated to a reward (host larvae). Wasps fed honey showed 3.5 times higher learning performances and 1.5 times longer memory retention times than wasps fed sucrose solutions and starved wasps. Poor diets also reduced longevity and fecundity. Our results demonstrate the importance of early adult nutrition for optimal cognitive function in these parasitoid wasps that must quickly develop olfactory memories for choosing high quality hosts for their progeny.
Dynamics of the compartmentalized Streptomyces chromosome during metabolic differentiation
Authors: Lioy Virginia , Lorenzi Jean-Noël , Najah Soumaya , Poinsignon Thibault , Hervé Leh , Saulnier Corinne , Aigle Bertrand , Lautru Sylvie , Thibessard Annabelle , Lespinet Olivier , Leblond Pierre , Jaszczyszyn Yan , Gorrichon Kevin , Varoquaux Nelle , Junier Ivan , Boccard Frédéric , Pernodet Jean-Luc , Bury-Moné Stéphanie 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Streptomyces are among the most prolific bacterial producers of specialized metabolites, including antibiotics. The linear chromosome is partitioned into a central region harboring core genes and two extremities enriched in specialized metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (SMBGCs). The molecular mechanisms governing structure and function of these compartmentalized genomes remain mostly unknown. Here we show that in exponential phase, chromosome structure correlates with genetic compartmentalization: conserved, large and highly transcribed genes form boundaries that segment the central part of the chromosome into domains, whereas the terminal ends are transcriptionally, largely quiescent compartments with different structural features. Onset of metabolic differentiation is accompanied by remodeling of chromosome architecture from an ‘open’ to a rather ‘closed’ conformation, in which the SMBGCs are expressed forming new boundaries. Altogether, our results reveal that S. ambofaciens’ linear chromosome is partitioned into structurally distinct entities, indicating a link between chromosome folding, gene expression and genome evolution.
General Practitioners’ Perceived Indicators of Vulnerability in Pregnancy- A Qualitative Study
Authors: Venø Louise , Jarbøl Dorte , Pedersen Line , Søndergaard Jens , Ertmann Ruth 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Objective To explore general practitioners’ (GPs’) perceived indicators of vulnerability among pregnant women in primary care. Design A qualitative study with semi-structured in-depth focus group interviews. Setting General practices located in a mixture of urban, semi-urban and rural practices throughout the Region of Southern Denmark Subjects Twenty GPs between 32 and 56 years of age. Main outcome measures Through qualitative analysis and systematic text condensation of the interview data, the following themes emerged: (1) obvious indicators of vulnerability - i.e. somatic or psychological illnesses, or complex social problems and 2) intangible indicators of vulnerability – i.e. identification depended on the GPs’ gut-feeling. From the GPs’ perspective, the concept of vulnerability in pregnancy were perceived as the net result of risk factors and available individual and social resources, with a psychosocial etiology was the dominant framework. Conclusions The GPs demonstrated a broad variety of perceived indicators of vulnerability in pregnancy; most importantly, the GPs were aware of a group of pregnant women with intangible vulnerability. Despite not fitting into the GPs perceived concept of vulnerability, the GPs had a gut feeling that these women might be vulnerable. Misjudging the resources of pregnant women due to their physical appearance could delay the GPs’ identification of vulnerability. Future studies should explore the challenges GPs experiences when assessing vulnerability among pregnant women.
Effects of High-Intensity Training on the Quality of Life of Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lavín-Pérez Ana , Collado-Mateo Daniel , Mayo Xián , Liguori Gary , Humphreys Liam , Copeland Robert , Jimenez Alfonso 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Cancer and associated medical treatments affect patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by decreasing functional dimensions of physical, social, cognitive, and emotional well-being, while increasing short and late-term symptoms. Exercise, however, is demonstrated to be a useful therapy to improve cancer patients and survivors’ HRQoL, yet the effectiveness of high-intensity training (HIT) exercise is uncertain. This systematic-review and meta-analysis aimed to analyse the effects of HIT on HRQoL dimensions in cancer patients and survivors as well as evaluate the optimal prescription of HIT. The search followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA) and examined Web of Science and PubMed (Medline) databases. Data was analysed utilizing Review Manager Software. Twenty-two articles were included in the systematic review and seventeen in the meta-analysis. Results showed HIT improved global quality of life, physical functioning, role functioning, social functioning, cognitive functioning, fatigue, pain, dyspnoea, and insomnia, compared to an inactive control group. Whereas no differences were found in contrast to low to moderate-intensity exercise compared to inactive controls. Particular improvements in HRQoL were observed during the cancer treatment and with the following prescription: a training duration of more than eight weeks, a frequency of 2 days/week, a volume of at least 120 minutes/week including 15 minutes or more of HIT. Our findings whilst encouraging, highlight the infancy of the extant evidence base for the role of HIT in the HRQoL of cancer patients and survivors.
Non-Abelian Three-Loop Braiding Statistics for 3D Fermionic Topological Phases
Authors: Zhou Jin-Ren , Wang Qing-Rui , Wang Chenjie , Gu Zheng-Cheng 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Fractional statistics is one of the most intriguing features of topological phases in 2D. In particular, the so-called non-Abelian statistics plays a crucial role towards realizing universal topological quantum computation. Recently, the study of topological phases has been extended to 3D and it has been proposed that loop-like extensive objects can also carry fractional statistics. In this work, we systematically study the so-called three-loop braiding statistics for 3D interacting fermion systems. Most surprisingly, we discovered new types of non-Abelian three-loop braiding statistics that can only be realized in fermionic systems (or equivalently bosonic systems with emergent fermionic particles). The simplest example of such non-Abelian braiding statistics can be realized in interacting fermionic systems with a gauge group Z2 × Z8 or Z4 × Z4, and the physical origin of non-Abelian statistics can be viewed as attaching an open Majorana chain onto a pair of linked loops, which will be naturally reduced to the well known Ising non-Abelian anyons via the standard dimension reduction scheme. Moreover, due to the correspondence between gauge theories with fermionic particles and classifying fermionic symmetry-protected topological (FSPT) phases with unitary symmetries, our study also gives rise to an alternative way to classify FSPT phases. We further compare the classiﬁcation results for FSPT phases with arbitrary Abelian unitary total symmetry Gf and ﬁnd systematical agreement with previous studies using other methods. We believe that the proposed framework of understanding three-loop braiding statistics (including both Abelian and non-Abelian cases) in interacting fermion systems applies for generic fermonic topological phases in 3D.
Angiopoietin 1 release from Human Neutrophils is Independent from Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs)
Authors: Charles Elcha , Dumont Benjamin , Bonneau Steven , Neagoe Paul-Eduard , Villeneuve Louis , Rakel Agnès , White Michel , Sirois Martin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Neutrophils induce the synthesis and release of angiopoietin 1 (Ang1), a cytosolic growth factor involved in angiogenesis and capable of inducing several pro-inflammatory activities in neutrophils. Neutrophils also synthesize and release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), comprised from decondensed nuclear DNA filaments carrying proteins such as neutrophil elastase (NE), myeloperoxidase (MPO), proteinase 3 (PR3) and calprotectin (S100A8/S100A9), which together, contribute to the innate immune response against pathogens (e.g., bacteria). NETs are involved in various pathological conditions through pro-inflammatory, pro-thrombotic and endothelial dysfunction effects and have recently been found in heart failure (HF) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of NETs on the synthesis and release of Ang1 by the neutrophils in patients with T2DM and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (stable or acute decompensated; ADHFpEF) with or without T2DM. Results: Our data show that at basal level (PBS) and upon treatment with LPS, levels of NETs are slightly increased in patients suffering from T2DM, HFpEF ± T2DM and ADHF w/o T2DM, whereas this increase was significant in ADHFpEF + T2DM patients compared to healthy control (HC) volunteers and ADHFpEF without T2DM. We also observed that treatments with PMA or A23187 increase the synthesis of Ang1 (from 150 to 250%) in HC and this effect is amplified in T2DM and in all cohorts of HF patients. Ang1 is completely released (100%) by neutrophils of all groups and does not bind to NETs as opposed to calprotectin. Conclusions: Our study suggests that severely ill patients with HFpEF and diabetes synthesize and release a greater abundance of NETs while Ang1 exocytosis is independent of NETs synthesis.
Global Analysis of Expression, Maturation and Subcellular Localization of Mouse Liver Transcriptome Identifies Novel Sex-biased and TCPOBOP-responsive Long Non-coding RNAs
Authors: Goldfarb Christine , Waxman David 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: While nuclear transcription and RNA processing and localization are well established for protein coding genes (PCGs), these processes are poorly understood for lncRNAs. Here, we characterize global patterns of transcript expression, maturation and localization for mouse liver RNA, including more than 15,000 lncRNAs. PolyA-selected liver RNA was isolated and sequenced from four subcellular fractions (chromatin, nucleoplasm, total nucleus, and cytoplasm), and from the chromatin-bound fraction without polyA selection.Results: Transcript processing, determined from normalized intronic to exonic sequence read density ratios, progressively increased for PCG transcripts in going from the chromatin-bound fraction to the nucleoplasm and then on to the cytoplasm. Transcript maturation was similar for lncRNAs in the chromatin fraction, but was significantly lower in the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. LncRNAs were 11-fold more likely to be significantly enriched in the nucleus than cytoplasm, and 100-fold more likely to be significantly chromatin-bound than nucleoplasmic. Sequencing chromatin-bound RNA greatly increased the sensitivity for detecting lowly expressed lncRNAs and enabled us to discover and localize hundreds of novel regulated liver lncRNAs, including lncRNAs showing sex-biased expression or responsiveness to a xenobiotic agonist ligand of constitutive androstane receptor (Nr1i3). Conclusions: Integration of our findings with prior studies and lncRNA annotations identified candidate regulatory lncRNAs for a variety of hepatic functions based on gene co-localization within topologically associating domains or transcription divergent or antisense to PCGs associated with pathways linked to hepatic physiology and disease.
The Occurrence of Aflatoxins and Human Health Risk Estimations in Randomly Obtained Maize from Some Markets in Ghana
Authors: Kortei Nii Korley , Annan Theophilus , Akonor Papa Toah , Richard Seidu , Annan Helen , Kyei-Baffour Vincent , Akuamoa Felicia , Akpaloo Princess , Esua-Amoafo Paul 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Maize and its products are most often prone to fungal contamination especially during cultivation and storage by toxigenic fungi. Aflatoxicosis still persist in Ghana despite the numerous education on several ways of its prevention at the farm as well as its adverse health implications which are food safety concerns. A random assessment and human risk analysis was conducted on 90 maize (72 white and 18 colored) samples from markets across all the regions of Ghana. Total aflatoxins (AFtotal) and the constitutive aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) were analyzed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Out of a total of ninety (90) samples investigated, 72 (80%) tested positive for AFB1 and the contamination levels ranged from 0.78 ± 0.04–339.3 ± 8.6µg/kg. Similarly, AFG2 was detected in only 14 (15.5%) samples, and their values ranged between 1.09 ± 0.03–5.51 ± 0.26 µg/kg while AF total ranged between 0.78 ± 0.04- 445.01 ± 8.9 µg/kg constituting approximately 72 (80%). Limits of AFB1 and total aflatoxins (AFtotal) for the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) (5 and 10 µg/kg) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (2 and 4 µg/kg), were used as checks. A total of 33 (41.25%) samples were above the limits for both. Risk assessments recorded for Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (H.Q), Hazard Index (H.I), Margin of Exposure (MOE), av. Potency, and population risks ranged 0.087–0.38 µg/Kg.bw/day, 1.5–6.9, 0.0087-0.38, 3.64–12.09, 0-0.0396 ng Aflatoxins kg− 1bwday− 1 and, 3.5x10− 1 – 0.015 respectively for total aflatoxins. While ranges for aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) recorded were 0.068-0.3 µg/Kg.bw/day, 2.43–10.64, 0.0068-0.030, 4.73–20.51, 0-0.0396 ng Aflatoxins kg− 1bwday− 1 and, 2.69 x10− 3-0.012 for Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (H.Q), Hazard Index (H.I), Margin of Exposure (MOE), Av. potency, and population risks respectively. It was deduced that although there was some observed contamination of maize across the different ecological zones, the consumption of maize (white and colored) posed no adverse health effects on the population of Ghana since computed H.I was less than 1 (< 1).
Erythrocyte-derived Extracellular Vesicles Aggravates Inflammation via Facilitating pro-inflammatory Phenotype of Macrophages
Authors: Gao Yuhan , Jin Haiqiang , Tan Hui , Hou Ruiqin , Tian Wenqin , Zhang Jianhua , Yang Ying , Qin Ranran , Sun Yongan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Transfusion of aged erythrocytes is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in the critically infections with incompletely understood mechanism. Previous studies suggested red blood cell (RBC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be potential risk factors for the occurrence of transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM). The purpose of our study is to evaluate the effects of EVs under the inflammation condition and explore the underlying mechanisms. In vivo, the activity of EVs was evaluated in the caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis. Our results showed EVs significantly aggravated the inflammatory response of sepsis in serum and lung tissue by promoting the production of pro-inflammatory factors, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and reduced the survival rate of septic mice in vivo. Importantly, adoptive transfer EVs pretreated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) obviously aggravated the systemic pro-inflammatory factors in mice after CLP surgery. In vitro, the pro-inflammatory properties of EVs were shown as elevating the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1βin LPS-stimulated BMDM. Moreover, EVs promoted the LPS-induced macrophages polarization into pro-inflammatory phenotype. The underlying mechanism was possibly that EVs could up-regulate NF-κB and MAPKs activity to favor macrophage cytokines production.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Intervention for People with Severe Mental Illness in a Low-Income Country Primary Care Setting: A Randomized Feasibility Trial Protocol
Authors: Ng Lauren , Serba Eyerusalem Getachew , Dubale Benyam W. , Fekadu Abebaw , Hanlon Charlotte 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundIn this protocol, we outline a mixed-methods randomized feasibility trial of Brief Relaxation, Education and Trauma Healing (BREATHE) Ethiopia. BREATHE Ethiopia is a culturally and contextually adapted intervention for PTSD in participants with severe mental illness. BREATHE Ethiopia maps onto the World Health Organization’s guidelines for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment in low- and middle-income country primary care settings. MethodsSpecifically, this study includes a non-randomized pre-pilot (n=5) and a randomized feasibility trial comparing BREATHE Ethiopia to Treatment as Usual (n=40) to assess trial procedures, acceptability and feasibility of intervention delivery, and investigate potential effectiveness and implementation. In a process evaluation we will collect data that will be critical for a future fully randomized controlled trial, including the numbers of participants who are eligible, who consent, who engage in treatment, and who complete the assessments, as well as the feasibility and acceptability of assessments and the intervention. Qualitative data on facilitators and barriers to intervention delivery and quantitative data on provider fidelity to the intervention and participant and provider satisfaction will also be collected. Quantitative assessments at baseline, post-treatment, one-month follow-up, and three-month follow-up will assess change in mental health symptoms and functional impairment and hypothesized intervention mechanisms, including knowledge about PTSD, stigma, trauma-related cognitions, and physiological arousal. DiscussionFindings from this study will inform a future fully-powered randomized controlled trial, and if found to be effective, the intervention has the potential to be integrated into mental healthcare scale-up efforts in other low-resource settings. Trial RegistrationRegistered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04385498) first posted May 13th, 2020; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04385498?term=ethiopia&cond=PTSD&draw=2&rank=1.