bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gut microbiota-derived inosine from dietary barley leaf supplementation attenuates colitis through PPARγ signaling activation
Authors: Li Daotong , Feng Yu , Tian Meiling , Ji Junfu , Hu Xiaosong , Chen Fang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Ulcerative colitis is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease closely associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis and intestinal homeostasis dysregulation. Barley leaf (BL) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine with potential health-promoting effects on intestinal functions. However, its mechanism of action is not yet clear. Here, we explore the potential modulating roles of gut microbial metabolites of BL to protect against colitis and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Results
Using 16S rRNA gene-based microbiota analysis, we first found that dietary supplementation of BL ameliorated dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. The mechanisms by which BL protected against DSS-induced colitis were resulted from improved intestinal mucosal barrier functions via the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ signaling. In addition, metabolomic profiling analysis showed that the gut microbiota modulated BL-induced metabolic reprograming in the colonic tissues particularly by the enhancement of glycolysis process. Notably, dietary BL supplementation resulted in the enrichment of microbiota-derived purine metabolite inosine, which could activate PPARγ signaling in human colon epithelial cells. Furthermore, exogenous treatment of inosine reproduced similar protective effects as BL to protect against DSS-induced colitis through improving adenosine 2A receptor (A2AR)/PPARγ-dependent mucosal barrier functions.

Conclusions
Overall, our findings suggest that the gut microbiota-inosine-A2AR/PPARγ axis plays an important role in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis, which may represent a novel approach for colitis prevention via manipulation of the gut microbial purine metabolite.
Link weights recovery in heterogeneous information networks
Authors: Botterman Hong-Lan , Lamarche-Perrin Robin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSocio-technical systems usually consist of many intertwined networks, each connecting different types of objects or actors through a variety of means. As these networks are co-dependent, one can take advantage of this entangled structure to study interaction patterns in a particular network from the information provided by other related networks. A method is, hence, proposed and tested to recover the weights of missing or unobserved links in heterogeneous information networks (HIN)—abstract representations of systems composed of multiple types of entities and their relations. Given a pair of nodes in a HIN, this work aims at recovering the exact weight of the incident link to these two nodes, knowing some other links present in the HIN. To do so, probability distributions resulting from path-constrained random walks, i.e., random walks where the walker is forced to follow only a specific sequence of node types and edge types, capable to capture specific semantics and commonly called a meta-path, are combined in a linearly fashion to approximate the desired result. This method is general enough to compute the link weight between any types of nodes. Experiments on Twitter and bibliographic data show the applicability of the method.
Use of live chat in higher education to support self-regulated help seeking behaviours: a comparison of online and blended learner perspectives
Authors: Broadbent Jaclyn , Lodge Jason 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHelp-seeking is an essential self-regulatory and metacognitive skill. In the online learning environment, much of the learning is self-directed and there are generally less opportunities to receive help in real time. The uses of email and discussion boards are the most common method of seeking help in these environments. The current study explored students’ perceptions of the use of live chat technology for online academic help-seeking within higher education, with a focus on comparing online and blended learners’ perspectives. Participants were 246 students who were studying psychology online (n = 91) or in blended learning (n = 155) environments. The live chat technology was well received by both groups, especially for its ability to provide instant, real-time, and convenient help. Live chat was particularly well received by online learners, who were more satisfied, felt more cared about by the teaching team, and would be more likely to recommend it to others than blended learners. Further, online learners reported that live chat gave them better access to staff, and felt that this feature was a good approximation for more traditional face-to-face conversations. As an online, synchronous, private help-seeking tool between student and teacher, these findings provide a strong endorsement for the use of live chat in higher education, particularly for online learners.
Impact of Cytochromes P450 3A4 and 2B6 gene polymorphisms on predisposition and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia: an Egyptian case-control study
Authors: Botros Shahira Kamal Anis , El Gharbawi Nesrine , Shahin Gehan , Al Lithy Hend , El Sherbiny Mahmoud 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
It has been postulated that the interaction between environmental risk factors and genetic susceptibility is a possible cause for the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Cytochrome P450 (CYP) detoxification enzymes are responsible for the elimination of oxidative stress. Genetic polymorphisms in these enzymes may cause AML due to enhanced accumulation of reactive oxygen species. To study the association between CYP3A4 (A290G) and CYP2B6 (G516T) gene polymorphisms and the predisposition and prognosis of AML, 50 upfront AML patients and 50 healthy individuals were genotyped for CYP2B6 (G516T) and CYP3A4 (A290G) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. The polymorphisms were evaluated in relation to the response to chemotherapy and survival.

Results
CYP2B6 gene mutation carries a threefold risk of developing AML (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3–6.9), whereas CYP3A4 gene mutation carries approximately fourfold risk (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.4–10.1). The presence of combined gene mutation conferred about 15-fold increased risk of developing AML compared with the presence of a single gene mutation (OR, 14.8; 95% CI, 1.8–124.2). CYP3A4 gene mutation is associated with worse overall survival (P = 0.030).

Conclusion
CYP enzyme gene polymorphisms are associated with the development of AML. Elimination of oxidative stress in genetically susceptible individuals may decrease the risk of AML and may improve survival.
What does anorexia nervosa mean? Qualitative study of the representation of the eating disorder, the role of the family and treatment by maternal caregivers
Authors: Marinaci Tiziana , Carpinelli Luna , Savarese Giulia 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundAnorexia nervosa is a serious health problem worldwide. The literature widely recognises the roles of the family and caregivers in modulating the onset, development, maintenance and treatment of this disorder. However, few studies have addressed the problem from the perspective of maternal caregivers.AimsThis study aims to fill this gap by exploring how the meaning given to the term ‘eating disorder’ influences how mothers communicate with each other about a family member's health problems, how they present symptoms and how this problem is managed.MethodA narrative research project was conducted to capture the mothers’ experiences of living with a daughter diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. In particular, four semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the ways in which they made sense of the disorder, their roles in treatment and their daughters’ treatment experiences.ResultsThe results show that the ways in which mothers characterise the disease guide their method of tackling it and the relationship they have with their daughter, as well as how they see their role in the care and treatment process.ConclusionsAnorexia is experienced as something that is uncontainable, and a dimension of its accommodation characterises the relationship between mothers and daughters receiving treatment for the disorder. Treatment is accompanied by a delegating dimension, and the clinical implications are discussed in this study.
Ultra-high extinction ratio polarization beam splitter with extreme skin-depth waveguide
Authors: Ahmed Syed Z. , Ahmed Ishtiaque , Mia Md Borhan , Jaidye Nafiz , Kim Sangsik 
Published: April 2021

In this Letter, we present a high extinction ratio and compact on-chip polarization beam splitter (PBS), based on an extreme skin-depth (eskid) waveguide. Subwavelength-scale gratings form an effectively anisotropic metamaterial cladding and introduce a large birefringence. The anisotropic dielectric perturbation of the metamaterial cladding suppresses the TE polarization extinction via exceptional coupling, while the large birefringence efficiently cross-couples the TM mode, thus reducing the coupling length. We demonstrated the eskid-PBS on a silicon-on-insulator platform and achieved an ultra-high extinction ratio PBS (

≈

60

d
B

for TE and

≈

48

d
B

for TM) with a compact coupling length (

≈

14.5

µ

m

). The insertion loss is also negligible (

<

0.6

d
B

). The bandwidth is

>

80

(30) nm for the TE (TM) extinction ratio

>

20

d
B

. Our ultra-high extinction ratio PBS is crucial in implementing efficient polarization diversity circuits, especially where a high degree of polarization distinguishability is necessary, such as photonic quantum information processing.
High prevalence and mortality due to Histoplasma capsulatum in the Brazilian Amazon: An autopsy study
Authors: Rakislova Natalia , Hurtado Juan Carlos , Palhares Antonio E. M. , Ferreira Luiz , Freire Monique , Lacerda Marcus , Monteiro Wuelton , Navarro Mireia , Casas Isaac , Teixeira Marcus de Melo , Castillo Paola , Rodrigo-Calvo Maria Teresa , Marimon Lorena , Guerrero José , Varo Rosauro , Delgado Vima , Quintó Llorenç , Marco Francesc , Letang Emilio , Vila Jordi , Bassat Quique , Menéndez Clara , Ordi Jaume , Martínez Miguel J. 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundHistoplasmosis is acquired by inhalation of spores of the dimorphic fungusHistoplasma spp. Although this pathogen is distributed worldwide, it is more prevalent in the Americas. However, the real burden of histoplasmosis remains undefined in many endemic regions.MethodologyWe conducted a series of 61 autopsies to individuals who died in a hospital in the Brazilian Amazon focused on infectious diseases. We performed a detailed histological and microbiological evaluation with genetic characterization ofHistoplasmastrains with the aim to evaluate the contribution of histoplasmosis to morbidity and mortality. Additionally, we assessed the clinicopathological correlation.Principal findingsEvidence ofHistoplasmainfection was detected in 21 patients (34%). Eight cases were disseminated infections, all of them occurred in HIV-positive patients. Six cases were localized histoplasmosis, limited to the lungs. In seven patientsHistoplasmaDNA was detected by PCR in patients with no histological lesions.Histoplasmainfection was detected in 38% of HIV-positive patients and was a major contributor to death in 22% of them. Lungs, liver and spleen were affected in all cases of disseminated histoplasmosis. Phylogenetic analysis of the strains suggested a high diversity ofHistoplasmaspecies circulating in the Brazilian Amazon. Histoplasmosis was clinically missed in 75% of the disseminated infections.ConclusionsThe high incidence of histoplasmosis, the low index of clinical suspicion, and the severity of the disseminated disease highlight the need of proactively implementing sensitive routine screening methods for this pathogen in endemic areas. Antifungal prophylaxis againstHistoplasmashould be encouraged in the severely immunocompromised HIV patients in these areas. In conclusion, substantial mortality is associated with disseminated histoplasmosis among HIV-positive patients in the Brazilian Amazon.
Estimating true prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni from population summary measures based on the Kato-Katz diagnostic technique
Authors: Bärenbold Oliver , Garba Amadou , Colley Daniel G. , Fleming Fiona M. , Assaré Rufin K. , Tukahebwa Edridah M. , Kebede Biruck , Coulibaly Jean T. , N’Goran Eliézer K. , Tchuem Tchuenté Louis-Albert , Mwinzi Pauline , Utzinger Jürg , Vounatsou Penelope 
Published: April 2021

Background
The prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infection is usually assessed by the Kato-Katz diagnostic technique. However, Kato-Katz thick smears have low sensitivity, especially for light infections. Egg count models fitted on individual level data can adjust for the infection intensity-dependent sensitivity and estimate the ‘true’ prevalence in a population. However, application of these models is complex and there is a need for adjustments that can be done without modeling expertise. This study provides estimates of the ‘true’ S. mansoni prevalence from population summary measures of observed prevalence and infection intensity using extensive simulations parametrized with data from different settings in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methodology
An individual-level egg count model was applied to Kato-Katz data to determine the S. mansoni infection intensity-dependent sensitivity for various sampling schemes. Observations in populations with varying forces of transmission were simulated, using standard assumptions about the distribution of worms and their mating behavior. Summary measures such as the geometric mean infection, arithmetic mean infection, and the observed prevalence of the simulations were calculated, and parametric statistical models fitted to the summary measures for each sampling scheme. For validation, the simulation-based estimates are compared with an observational dataset not used to inform the simulation.

Principal findings
Overall, the sensitivity of Kato-Katz in a population varies according to the mean infection intensity. Using a parametric model, which takes into account different sampling schemes varying from single Kato-Katz to triplicate slides over three days, both geometric and arithmetic mean infection intensities improve estimation of sensitivity. The relation between observed and ‘true’ prevalence is remarkably linear and triplicate slides per day on three consecutive days ensure close to perfect sensitivity.

Conclusions/significance
Estimation of ‘true’ S. mansoni prevalence is improved when taking into account geometric or arithmetic mean infection intensity in a population. We supply parametric functions and corresponding estimates of their parameters to calculate the ‘true’ prevalence for sampling schemes up to 3 days with triplicate Kato-Katz thick smears per day that allow estimation of the ‘true’ prevalence.
The effects of carbon emissions, rainfall, temperature, inflation, population, and unemployment on economic growth in Saudi Arabia: An ARDL investigation
Authors: Islam Md Mazharul , Alharthi Majed , Murad Md Wahid 
Published: April 2021

Objective
While macroeconomic and environmental events affect the overall economic performance of nations, there has not been much research on the effects of important macroeconomic and environmental variables and how these can influence progress. Saudi Arabia’s economy relies heavily on its vast reserves of petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, and copper, but its economic growth trajectory has been uneven since the 1990s. This study examines the effects of carbon emissions, rainfall, temperature, inflation, population, and unemployment on economic growth in Saudi Arabia.

Methods
Annual time series dataset covering the period 1990–2019 has been extracted from the World Bank and General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection, Saudi Arabia. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration has served to investigate the long-run relationships among the variables. Several time-series diagnostic tests have been conducted on the long-term ARDL model to check its robustness.

Results
Saudi Arabia can still achieve higher economic growth without effectively addressing its unemployment problem as both the variables are found to be highly significantly but positively cointegrated in the long-run ARDL model. While the variable of carbon emissions demonstrated a negative effect on the nation’s economic growth, the variables of rainfall and temperate were to some extent cointegrated into the nation’s economic growth in negative and positive ways, respectively. Like most other nations the short-run effects of inflation and population on economic growth do vary, but their long-term effects on the same are found to be positive.

Conclusions
Saudi Arabia can achieve both higher economic growth and lower carbon emissions simultaneously even without effectively addressing the unemployment problem. The nation should utilize modern scientific technologies to annual rainfall losses and to reduce annual temperature in some parts of the country in order to achieve higher economic growth.
Could prokinetic agents protect long-term nasogastric tube-dependent patients from being hospitalized for pneumonia? A nationwide population-based case-crossover study
Authors: Huang Kun-Siang , Pan Bo-Lin , Lai Wei-An , Bin Pin-Jie , Yang Yao-Hsu , Chou Chia-Pei 
Published: April 2021

Background
Some studies have indicated that the use of prokinetic agents may reduce pneumonia risk in some populations. Nasogastric tube insertion is known to increase the risk of pneumonia because it disrupts lower esophageal sphincter function. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether prokinetic agents could protect long-term nasogastric tube-dependent patients in Taiwan from being hospitalized for pneumonia.

Methods
A case-crossover study design was applied in this study. Long-term nasogastric tube-dependent patients who had a first-time admission to a hospital due to pneumonia from 1996 to 2013 that was recorded in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were included. The case period was set to be 30 days before admission, and two control periods were selected for analysis. Prokinetic agent use during those three periods was then assessed for the included patients. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for pneumonia admission with the use of prokinetic agents.

Results
A total of 639 first-time hospitalizations for pneumonia among patients with long-term nasogastric tube dependence were included. After adjusting the confounding factors for pneumonia, no negative association between prokinetic agent use and pneumonia hospitalization was found, and the adjusted OR was 1.342 (95% CI 0.967–1.86). In subgroup analysis, the adjusted ORs were 1.401 (0.982–1.997), 1.256 (0.87–1.814), 0.937 (0.607–1.447) and 2.222 (1.196–4.129) for elderly, stroke, diabetic and parkinsonism patients, respectively.

Conclusion
Prokinetic agent use had no negative association with pneumonia admission among long-term nasogastric tube-dependent patients in Taiwan.
Prevalence of anxiety and depression during COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare students in Jordan and its effect on their learning process: A national survey
Authors: Basheti Iman A. , Mhaidat Qassim N. , Mhaidat Hala N. 
Published: April 2021

Rational
During pandemics, including the most recent COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of university healthcare students’ is expected to be affected negatively, impacting the students’ learning process.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess the level of anxiety and depression of healthcare students living in Jordan, and the effect on their learning process during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey completed by students studying a healthcare-oriented degree in a university in Jordan. Participants were recruited through social media (Facebook and WhatsApp). The validated previously published Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire was used as a part of the online survey to assess students’ anxiety/depression scores. Students’ responses regarding their learning process during the COVID-19 was also assessed.

Results
The mean age of participants was 21.62 (SD = 4.90), with the majority being females (67.1%). The HADs’ assessment revealed that 43.8% and 40.0% of participants had normal anxiety and depression scores, while 22.4% showed borderline abnormal anxiety/depression scores (33.8%). Many students (33.8%) were classified to have abnormal anxiety scores, while a smaller proportion (26.2%) was classified to have abnormal depression scores. Smoking (p = 0.022), lower family income (p = 0.039), and use of medications (p = 0.032) were positively associated with higher (worse) anxiety scores. Ranking the learning process during COVID-19 showed that 45.8% of the participants believed it was a ‘good/very good/excellent’ process.

Conclusions
Anxiety and depression levels amongst university healthcare students in Jordan were found to be high when assessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the learning process during the pandemic was not accepted by more than half of the students. Implementing psychological interventions for healthcare students during pandemics is strongly recommended in order to optimize students’ mental health and their learning process alike.
The Сoncept of Procuracy Supervision over Justice Institutions and Legislative Officers Investigating a Criminal Case
Authors: Sinkin Konstantin 
Published: April 2021

This article discusses the concept of procuracy supervision on justice institutions and legislative officers Investigatinga criminal case. The current legislation does not contain the concept under consideration. However, its presence could serve the following practical purposes: stating the fact that the prosecutor oversees only the investigative bodies and does not exercise prosecutorial supervision over the the court; clarification of the essence of this type of prosecutorial activity.
Lexicographic Sources as a Tool for a Forensic Examiner
Authors: Doronina Svetlana 
Published: April 2021

The method of lexicographic analysis is actively used in forensic linguistic examination of controversial statements and texts. Law experts interpret words and expressions as the most important argument in the process of procuring evidence. At the same time, when referring to various lexicographic sources, there are discrepancies known in the interpretation of the word meanings, as well as dictionary lables. The work classifies the problems arising in the course of lexicographic analysis of lexemes that occur in disputable texts. To name a few, the problems of the study of words of literary language and non-literary stratums are analyzed, the features of the study of expressive-stylistic coloring of words are described, the necessity to create a specialized dictionary of encyclopedic character to study "extremist" materials is stated.