bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability Among Health Professions Students in Vietnam
Authors: Le Cua Ngoc , Nguyen Uyen Thi To , Do Diem Thi Hoang 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy or refusal has actually been a threat to global health. In the current situation, health profession students are at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection during their internship at healthcare facilities. Furthermore, those future healthcare workers will advise people to accept the COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, the attitude of students towards vaccine acceptance and the predicting factors needs to be elucidated. This study applied the Health Belief Model to determine predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among health professions students. Methods: 911 students participated in a cross‐sectional online survey in Vietnam. Multinomial logistic regression model determined predictors of the COVID-19 vaccine acceptability. Results: The overall vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and refusal rates were 58% (95% CI: 54.7% - 61.3%), 40.4% (95% CI: 37.2% - 43.7%) and 1.5% (95% CI: 0.8% - 2.6%), respectively. Regarding vaccination hesitancy, a predictor such as "Receiving recent flu shots” had a negative correlation, whereas "Vaccines haves little efficacy & serious adverse effects” (Perceived barriers), nationality, and majors were positive correlates. For refusal, "Unvaccinated students feasibly infected COVID-19 during hospital internship” (Perceived susceptibility) was a negative correlate. For both hesitancy and refusal, "Mass media appreciating effectiveness and safety of vaccines" (Cues to action), and " Health professions students get serious complications of COVID-19 if not vaccinated" (Perceived severity) had a negative correlation. In contrast, "Manufacturers do not disclose adverse effects of vaccines" (Cues to action), and "Adverse effect causes death" (Perceived barrier) were positive correlates. Strong Health Belief Model predictors of vaccine refusal were "Manufacturers do not disclose adverse effects of vaccines" (Cues to action) (OR= 5.299, 95% CI: 1.687-16.641, p= 0.004), and "Adverse effect causes death" (Perceived barrier) (OR= 10.255, 95% CI = 3.528-29.814, p= 0.0005). Conclusion: Perceived susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 might lead to vaccination acceptance among students. However, concerns of vaccine effectiveness and safety may still affect the choice of refusal or hesitancy in vaccination. Health information from mass media and transparency of vaccine effectiveness and safety could improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.
Experiences of Trauma Health Care Professionals When Providing Healthcare to Immigrants in Durban Public Hospitals, South Africa.
Authors: Madzamba Rowan , Naidoo Kantharuben , Ngwenya Barbara Ntombi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
BackgroundExisting research on access to health care for immigrants in South Africa has focused on access and use of services by immigrants. Focus has been on immigrants concerns around issues of citizenship acquisition and the burdening of the country’s resource-constrained healthcare system. Limited empirical research has been conducted to explore health care professionals’ views, daily experiences and challenges when attending to immigrant patients in South African public hospitals. This study purports to fill in this knowledge gap by capturing experiences and challenges of trauma health care professionals when providing healthcare to immigrants in Durban public hospitals, KwaZulu Natal province in South Africa.MethodData were collected based on a multicase qualitative study design through face-to-face in-depth structured interviews with twenty (20) trauma health care professionals from four (4) trauma centers in Durban public hospitals. Criterion based expert purposive sampling was used to recruit participants for the study. Data collected were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsInability of immigrant patient to converse in English or any other local language posed a major constraint for trauma medical professional health care service provision. Poor communication and culturally based differences in interpretations of sickness causality as well as desired treatment were also reported as challenges health professionals face when attending to immigrant patients. Doctors were concerned about how these barriers presented risks of prescribing wrong treatment and the possibility of patient’s non-compliance especially those who cannot not speak English or any local language. ConclusionTo health professionals’ language and communication barrier, different cultural interpretation of sickness and cause of sickness is a challenge health professional are facing when attending to immigrant patients. There is need for interpreters at hospitals or for hospitals to make it compulsory for patients who do not speak native language or English to always be accompanied by an interpreter.
To Identify and Verify the Role and Crucial Genes of Methionine Restriction in Inhibiting the Progression of Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Zhou Liqiang , Chen Zhiqing , Liu Chuan 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Study the potential mechanism of methionine restriction (MR) inhibiting colon cancer (CC).Materials and Methods: The differential expression genes (DEGs) of the CC cell line HCT116 after MR restriction treatment in the GSE72131 and GSE103602 data sets were identified, and functional enrichment analysis was performed. Furthermore, the DEGs of CC in the TCGA database were identified, and the MR-related DEGs were combined to establish transcriptional regulation (TR), competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and identify key genes from it. Then, in vitro experiments were performed to analyze the effects of MR on the proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis of HCT116 cells, and to verify the effects of MR on the expression of key genes identified.Results: In HCT116 cells, 1181 genes regulated by MR were identified, and their functional enrichment suggests that they are closely related to tumor progression. Combined with the DEGs of CC, a total of 330 dysregulated genes of CC were affected by MR. 6 hub genes (E2F1, MIR17HG, FANCI, HJURP, KPNA2, KIF15) were obtained from the TR, ceRNA, and PPI network constructed based on this, and the results were consistent with the analysis by rt-PCR. In vitro studies have shown that MR can inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of CC cells and promote apoptosis.Conclusion: MR may inhibit the progress of CC by down-regulating the expression of E2F1, MIR17HG, FANCI, HJURP, KPNA2, and KIF15.
Role of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-2 and Insulin Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7 for Early Recognition of Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
Authors: CASAS GUSTAVO , Barrera Claudia Alvarado-de la , Escamilla-Illescas David , León-Rodríguez Isabel , Río-Estrada Perla Mariana del , Calderón-Dávila Natalia , Gonzalez-Navarro Mauricio , Olmedo-Ocampo Rossana , Castillejos-López Manuel , Figueroa-Hernández Liliana , Peralta-Prado Amy , Villalobos Yara Luna , Piten-Isidro Elvira , Fernández-Campos Paola , Ávila-Ríos Santiago 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: A high proportion of critically ill patients with COVID-19 develop acute kidney injury (AKI) and die. Early recognition of subclinical AKI could contribute to AKI prevention. Therefore, this study was aimed at exploring the role of the urinary biomarkers NGAL and [TIMP-2]•[IGFBP7] for early detection of AKI in this population. Methods: This prospective, longitudinal cohort study included critically ill COVID-19 patients without AKI at study entry. Urine samples were collected on admission to critical care areas for determination of NGAL and [TIMP-2]•[IGFBP7] concentrations. Demographic information, comorbidities, clinical and laboratory data were recorded. The study outcomes were development of AKI and mortality during hospitalization. Comparisons of individuals who developed AKI during hospitalization vs. those without AKI were made using chi-squared test for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney U for continuous variables. Urinary biomarkers and their cutoff values were selected based on the highest sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve with 95% confidence intervals for prediction of AKI. Selected biomarkers and cutoffs were used in the Kaplan-Meier survival analyses for the time to AKI. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between relevant covariates with AKI and mortality. For all analyses, two-sided P values £0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: Of the 51 individuals studied, 25 developed AKI during hospitalization (49%). The risk factors for AKI were male gender (HR=7.57, 95% CI: 1.28-44.8; p=0.026) and [TIMP-2]•[IGFBP7] ³ 0.2 (ng/ml)2/1000 (HR=7.23 , 95% CI: 0.99-52.4; p=0.050). Mortality during hospitalization was significantly higher in the group with AKI than in the group without AKI (p=0.004). Persistent AKI was a risk factor for mortality (HR=7.42, 95% CI: 1.04-53.04; p=0.046).Conclusions: The combination of [TIMP-2]•[IGFBP7], together with clinical information, were useful for identification of subclinical AKI in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The role of additional biomarkers and their possible combinations for detection of AKI in critically ill COVID-19 patients remains to be explored in large clinical trials.
Early Ascorbic Acid Administration Prevents Vascular Endothelial Cell Damage in Septic Mice
Authors: Madokoro Yutaro , Kamikokuryo Chinatsu , Niiyama Shuhei , Ito Takashi , Hara Satoshi , Ichinose Hiroshi , Kakihana Yasuyuki 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Ascorbic acid (AsA) therapy for sepsis is thought to have a protective effect on vascular endothelial cells. However, the effect of AsA therapy on endothelial cell dysfunction over time and the appropriate timing for AsA administration to demonstrate efficacy is unclear.Methods: Septic mice were induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The effect of AsA administration (200 mg/kg) on vascular endothelial cell dysfunction in sepsis was examined using septic mice at two administration timings: early group (AsA was administered immediately after CLP) and late group (AsA was administered 12 h after CLP). First, survival rates were compared between the early and late administration groups. Next, the dihydrobiopterin/tetrahydrobiopterin (BH2/BH4) ratio, serum syndecan-1, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were measured as indicators of vascular endothelial cell damage, and liver tissue was examined for organ damage to verify the effect of early AsA administration in septic mice.Results: In survival experiments, the early group showed significantly improved survival compared to the non-treatment group (p < 0.05), while the late group showed no improved survival compared to the non-treatment group. The BH2/BH4 ratio increased after 6 hours following CLP, and the increase was suppressed by early AsA administration (0.12 ± 0.02 vs. 0.07 ± 0.016, p < 0.05). Serum syndecan-1 levels were significantly elevated at 12 h after CLP, and early AsA administration prevented the increase (25.4 ± 12.1 vs. 9.9 ± 2.7 mg/ml, p < 0.05). The expression of eNOS at 12 h after CLP was decreased in the non-treatment group, but the expression was protected by early AsA administration. Moreover, hematoxylin and eosin staining of hepatocytes showed reduced liver damage in the early group compared to the non-treatment group.Conclusions: In septic mice, early AsA administration immediately after CLP may have protective effects on vascular endothelial cells by decreasing the BH2/BH4 ratio, resulting in reduced organ dysfunction and improved survival. To achieve this effect, early administration of AsA is required before BH4 is oxidized.
Estimation and Determinants of Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Cashew (Anacardium) Farmers in Dassa District, Benin: a Bootstrap Data Envelopment Approach
Authors: Akanro Raoul , GERO Abraham AMOUSSOUGA , Attanasso Marie-Odile 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Cashew nut production is becoming more important in Benin’s economy and helps improve rural populations’ living conditions through the income it provides. However, production is characterized by an obsolete technology and a low farm productivity. This paper examines cashew producers’ technical efficiency in Dassa District in Benin using survey data collected from 100 farms in 2020. The research relied on the bootstrap modelling of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) while a censored Fractional Regression Model (FRM) was applied to assess the determinants of producers' technical efficiency. The results show that farms are 34.56% technically efficient. Factors affecting technical efficiency include experience, access to credit, age of farm managers, sale of cashew apples, and expenditure on education. Policies to promote cashew farm efficiency need to focus on promoting formal education in rural areas, establishing a financial literacy training programme for farm managers, and promoting the expansion of agricultural extension for farmers. In addition, producers should also set up a system for cashew apples’ conservation and sale as production waste in order to increase their income.
Strong Interaction Between Thiol and Silver Modified Silica Nanoparticles in the SERS Sensing of Municipal Solid Waste and Tannery Waste Leachate From Groundwater
Authors: A Aarthi , Mahalingam Umadevi , R Parimaladevi , G.Sathe Vasanth 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
A novel surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) based polyvinylthiol (PVASH) and silver modified silica nanoparticles (PSA NPs) was prepared to actively concentrate different types of landfill leachate in water. PSA NPs were characterized with UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, TEM and EDX. SERS sensitivity of the PSA NPs was proved with environmentally ignored leachate from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill. The result shows that, SERS sensing of PSA NPs were improved with the presence of thiol group. Further, PSA NPs exhibited similar vibrational bands of MSW and tannery waste (TW) landfill leachate in their nearest homeland aquifers. Hence, this study provides a novel SERS sensor of PSA NPs in the tile to detect and analyze the environmentally ignored organic and inorganic compounds.
The Environmental Efficiency-Export Performance Nexus: Fresh Evidence from the Top Environmental Performance Index (EPI) Countries
Authors: Awodumi Olabanji Benjamin 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The quest for sustainability and greener economies has intensified the call for more stringent environmental regulation, hence environmental efficiency of production processes that produce growth. Since trade activities represent a huge part of economic growth, while countries are becoming increasingly cautious of their imports, environmental efficiency becomes an integral consideration for trade. This study investigates the link between environmental efficiency and export performance among the top 20 countries on the environmental performance scale utilizing annual data between 1980 and 2019. The classic comparative advantage theory of international trade provides the theoretical basis for the study. Environmental efficiency scores were generated using the slack-based data envelopment analysis while the nature of causality between environmental efficiency and export performance is established using the Pairwise Dumitrescu Hurlin Panel Causality Tests and VECM Granger causality approaches. The export models are estimated using the fully modified and dynamic ordinary least squares approaches.Bidirectional causality is found between export per capita (and export intensity) and environmental efficiency for the panel analysis. Causality results is however mixed at country level with significant unidirectional causal links running from either export to environmental efficiency or otherwise. The FMOLS and DOLS analysis provides evidence of significant positive effect of environmental efficiency on export per capita and export intensity for the panel of the top EPI countries, and confirmed in most of the countries. The study therefore provides strong evidence for the role of environmental efficiency in countries’ efforts to improve their global competitiveness in trade-related activities. Thus, the study emphasizes increased global investment in environmental efficiency as the global economies grow. JEL: F18; Q56; Q58; N40
Spatial and Temporal Variation in Fine Root Biomass, Productivity and Turnover in Shorea Robusta Along the Gradient of Tree Girth Size
Authors: Pandey Rachita , Bargali Surendra Singh , Bargali Kiran 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Fine roots (≤ 2 mm of diameter) contribute diminutive fractions of the overall tree biomass but are highly zestful and functionally remarkable component for assessing forest carbon and nutrient budgets. This study assessed how tree girth influenced fine root biomass (FRB), production (FRP) and turnover rate (FRT) in sub tropical sal forest.Four sites (S1, S2, S3, S4) were established in the bhabhar region of Nainital district, Uttarakhand, India within an elevational range of 405m and 580m. On the basis of girth size, sal trees were categorized in five girth size classes. Fine roots were sampled seasonally to a depth of 60 cm and divided into 3 layers (0-20, 20-40 and 40-60 cm).FRB was significantly affected by tree girth size (p< 0.05) while FRP and FRT showed insignificant effect. FRB was higher in lower girth classes (A-C) as compared to higher girth classes (D-E).Seasonal variation of FRB in all girth sizes showed a keen resemblance as the standing FRB reached pinnacle during rainy season and reached bottom-line in the winter season. Maximum FRB was reported for uppermost organo-mineralic soil depth (0-20 cm) at 1 m distance from tree bole and decreased with increasing soil depth and distance from tree bole while FRT showed a reverse trend. The present study will provide a holistic outlook on variations in FRB, FRP and FRT and the impact of edaphic characteristics and tree girth on fine root dynamics with respect to the studied forest stands.
Combination of IL-34 and AFP improves the diagnostic value during the development of HBV related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Kehui , Ding Yezhou , Wang Yun , Zhao Qingqing , Yan Lei , Xie Jingdong , Liu Yunye , Xie Qing , Cai Wei , Bao Shisan , Wang Hui 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
IL34 involves in host immunity regulated carcinogenesis. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is related to the development of HCC. We explored if combination of IL-34 and APF could improve the diagnostic value in HBV related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBVHCC).
Methods
Serum was obtained from HBV patients or healthy control. Liver tissue was obtained from liver biopsy in CHB, HBV related cirrhosis patients or curative resection in HBVHCC patients. Serum IL34 and MCSF were measured. Hepatic IL34, MCSF and CD68+ tumor associate macrophages (TAMs) were determined.
Results
Serum IL34 was 1.7, 1.3 or 2.3-fold higher in HBVHCC than that of CHB, HBV related cirrhosis, or healthy control, which was inhibited following transhepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in HBVHCC patients. Intrahepatic IL34 was higher in HBVHCC than that of the other three groups. Intra-hepatic IL34 was associated with high HBVDNA, HBeAg−, poor differentiation and small tumor size of HBVHCC patients. Intra-hepatic TAMs in HBVHCC were increased 1.7 or 1.3-fold, compared to that from CHB or HBV-cirrhosis patients. Intra-hepatic TAMs were associated with high HBVDNA, high tumor differentiation, small tumor size, abnormal AFP and more tumor number. AFP plus serum IL-34, showed the highest AUC (0.837) with sensitivity (0.632) and highest specificity (0.931), suggesting that AFP plus IL-34 enhances the reliability for prediction of the development of HBVHCC among CHB patients.
Conclusions
Circulating and intra-hepatic IL34 was upregulated gradually in HBV disease progression from CHB, cirrhosis and HCC. IL-34 may be used as a diagnostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for the management of HBVHCC.
Function Analysis of Choline Binding Domains of LytA, LytC and CbpD in The Biofilm Formation Process of Streptococcus Pneumoniae
Authors: Ji Hongsheng , Zhou Yingshun , Zhang Luhua , Wang Ying , Zhang Feiyang , Bai Jiawei , Li Qin , Zhang Zhikun 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: Choline binding proteins (CBPs) are a family of proteins that can interact with pneumococcal cell wall by choline binding domains (CBDs). In this study, we found a modified choline binding repeat (ChBp-I) with a pI of 7.66 can promote the development of biofilm in vitro. Thus, we aim to characterize the function of CBDs of LytA, LytC and CbpD in biofilm formation.Results: By transcriptome analysis, 81 genes were identified as down regulated and 138 genes were up regulated (|log2 fold change|≥1.5) under ChBp-I of 50mg/L. The up regulated genes are well clustered in membrane transport (carbohydrate, lipid, protein, cation and phosphate) and carbohydrate metabolism (fructose, mannose, galactose, starch, sucrose, amino sugar and nucleotide) related pathways. The up-regulated genes are mostly regulated the same under CBD-A, CBD-C and CBD-D. Phenotype analysis reveal high concentrations of CBD-C and CBD-D (>100μg/mL) but not CBD-A (negative charged) can promote the biofilm formation. Meanwhile, the existence of CBD-C and CBD-D promote the growth rate and both CBDs inhibit the autolysis of pneumococcal cell. By component analysis, these three CBDs were proved involved in the regulation of extracellular DNA, protein, cation and phosphate, and promote the forming of insoluble precipitates.Conclusions: The binding of CBPs can influence the membrane transport pathways and react with extracellular DNA and protein to promote biofilm formation in S. pneumoniae.
Association of Circulating IgE and CML levels With in-Stent Restenosis After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation in Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Liu Jing Meng , Chen Qiu Jing , Lu Lin , Jin Qi , Bao Yang Yang , Ling Tian You , Lin Chang Jian , Ding Feng Hua , Wang Xiao Qun , Shen Wei Feng , Shen Ying , Dai Yang , Wu Li Qun 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background: We investigated whether serum levels of immunoglobin (Ig) E and Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) are related to in-stent restenosis (ISR) in patients with stable coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods: Serum levels of IgE and CML were measured in 416 stable angina patients with T2DM who received angiographic follow-up 12 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with third-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation for de novo lesions. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between IgE or CML and ISR. In mice models, femoral artery injury was induced in mice receiving albumin or glycated albumin injection, and immunofluorescence staining of the injured artery segment was performed 4 weeks later using CML and IgE antibodies. Results: Both IgE and CML levels were higher in patients with ISR (n=196) compared with non-ISR patients (n=220). The rate of ISR increased stepwise with increasing tertiles of IgE and CML levels, and IgE correlated significantly with CML. After adjusting for potential confounders, IgE and CML levels remained independently associated with ISR. IgE and CML levels improved the predictive capability of traditional risk factors for ISR, and there existed an interaction between IgE and CML in relation to ISR (P for interaction < 0.01). In mice models, glycated albumin induced increased CML and IgE infiltration in the injured femoral artery segment which was associated with a higher degree of neointimal hyperplasia and luminal stenosis.Conclusion: Elevated circulating IgE and CML levels confer an increased risk for ISR after DES-based PCI in type 2 diabetic patients with stable coronary artery disease.