bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular epidemiology of mosquito-borne viruses at the China–Myanmar border: discovery of a potential epidemic focus of Japanese encephalitis
Authors: Fang Yuan , Li Xi-Shang , Zhang Wei , Xue Jing-Bo , Wang Jia-Zhi , Yin Shou-Qin , Li Sheng-Guo , Li Xin-He , Zhang Yi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Mosquito-based arbovirus surveillance can serve as an early warning in evaluating the status of mosquito-borne virus prevalence and thus prevent local outbreaks. Although Tengchong County in Yunnan Province—which borders Myanmar—is abundant and diverse in mosquitoes, very few mosquito-based arbovirus investigations have been conducted in the recent decade. Herein, this study aims to evaluate the presence and the diffusion of mosquito-borne pathogens, currently prevalent in this region.

Methods
We collected 9486 mosquitoes, representing eight species, with Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Anopheles sinensis as the dominant species, during high mosquito activity seasons (July–October) in Tengchong, in 2018. Samples collected from 342 pools were tested using reverse-transcription PCR to determine the species, distribution, and infection rates of virus and parasite, and further analyze their genotypes, phylogenetic relationships, infection rate, and potential pathogenicity.

Results
Fifteen Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) strains from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus pools were detected. Seven strains of insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFVs), including two Aedes flavivirus (AeFV) and Yunnan Culex flavivirus strains each, one Culex theileri flavivirus, Yamadai flavivirus (YDFV) and Anopheles-associated flavivirus (AAFV) strains each were detected in Aedes albopictus, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. vagans, Cx. pseudovihnui, and An. sinensis pools, respectively. The whole-genome was successfully amplified in one strain of JEV and AeFV each. Phylogenetic analysis using the E gene placed all the newly detected JEV strains into the GI-b genotype. They showed highly nucleotide identities, and were most closely related to the strain detected in Tengchong in 2010. The comparison of the E protein of JEV strains and vaccine-derived strain, showed six amino residue differences. The bias-corrected maximum likelihood estimation values (and 95% confidence interval) for JEV in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus collected in Tengchong in 2018 were 2.4 (1.4–3.9).

Conclusions
A potential Japanese encephalitis epidemic focus with the abundance of host mosquitoes and high JEV infection rate was observed in Tengchong. In addition, at least five species of ISFVs co-circulate in this area. This study highlights the importance of widespread and sustained mosquito-based arbovirus surveillance in local areas to prevent the transmission of JEV, and other emerging/re-emerging mosquito-borne pathogens.

Graphic Abstract
Demand for longer quarantine period among common and uncommon COVID-19 infections: a scoping review
Authors: Li Zhi-Yao , Zhang Yu , Peng Liu-Qing , Gao Rong-Rong , Jing Jia-Rui , Wang Jia-Le , Ren Bin-Zhi , Xu Jian-Guo , Wang Tong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
As one of the non-pharmacological interventions to control the transmission of COVID-19, determining the quarantine duration is mainly based on the accurate estimates of the incubation period. However, patients with coarse information of the exposure date, as well as infections other than the symptomatic, were not taken into account in previously published studies. Thus, by using the statistical method dealing with the interval-censored data, we assessed the quarantine duration for both common and uncommon infections. The latter type includes the presymptomatic, the asymptomatic and the recurrent test positive patients.

Methods
As of 10 December 2020, information on cases have been collected from the English and Chinese databases, including Pubmed, Google scholar, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) and Wanfang. Official websites and medias were also searched as data sources. All data were transformed into doubly interval-censored and the accelerated failure time model was applied. By estimating the incubation period and the time-to-event distribution of worldwide COVID-19 patients, we obtain the large percentiles for determining and suggesting the quarantine policies. For symptomatic and presymptomatic COVID-19 patients, the incubation time is the duration from exposure to symptom onset. For the asymptomatic, we substitute the date of first positive result of nucleic acid testing for that of symptom onset. Furthermore, the time from hospital discharge or getting negative test result to the positive recurrence has been calculated for recurrent positive patients.

Results
A total of 1920 laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases were included. Among all uncommon infections, 34.1% (n = 55) of them developed symptoms or were identified beyond fourteen days. Based on all collected cases, the 95th and 99th percentiles were estimated to be 16.2 days (95% CI 15.5–17.0) and 22.9 days (21.7‒24.3) respectively. Besides, we got similar estimates based on merely symptomatic and presymptomatic infections as 15.1 days (14.4‒15.7) and 21.1 days (20.0‒22.2).

Conclusions
There are a certain number of infected people who require longer quarantine duration. Our findings well support the current practice of the extended active monitoring. To further prevent possible transmissions induced and facilitated by such infectious outliers after the 14-days quarantine, properly prolonging the quarantine duration could be prudent for high-risk scenarios and in regions with insufficient test resources.
In-depth characterization of a mouse model of post-traumatic epilepsy for biomarker and drug discovery
Authors: Di Sapia Rossella , Moro Federico , Montanarella Marica , Iori Valentina , Micotti Edoardo , Tolomeo Daniele , Wang Kevin K. W. , Vezzani Annamaria , Ravizza Teresa , Zanier Elisa R. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPost-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) accounts for 5% of all epilepsies and 10–20% of the acquired forms. The latency between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and epilepsy onset in high-risk patients offers a therapeutic window for intervention to prevent or improve the disease course. However, progress towards effective treatments has been hampered by the lack of sensitive prognostic biomarkers of PTE, and of therapeutic targets. There is therefore a pressing clinical need for preclinical PTE models suitable for biomarker discovery and drug testing. We characterized in-depth a model of severe TBI induced by controlled cortical impact evolving into PTE in CD1 adult male mice. To identify sensitive measures predictive of PTE development and severity, TBI mice were longitudinally monitored by video-electrocorticography (ECoG), examined by MRI, and tested for sensorimotor and cognitive deficits and locomotor activity. At the end of the video-ECoG recording mice were killed for brain histological analysis. PTE occurred in 58% of mice with frequent motor seizures (one seizure every other day), as determined up to 5 months post-TBI. The weight loss of PTE mice in 1 week after TBI correlated with the number of spontaneous seizures at 5 months. Moreover, the recovery rate of the sensorimotor deficit detected by the SNAP test before the predicted time of epilepsy onset was significantly lower in PTE mice than in those without epilepsy. Neuroscore, beam walk and cognitive deficit were similar in all TBI mice. The increase in the contusion volume, the volume of forebrain regions contralateral to the lesioned hemisphere and white matter changes over time assessed by MRI were similar in PTE and no-PTE mice. However, brain histology showed a more pronounced neuronal cell loss in the cortex and hippocampus contralateral to the injured hemisphere in PTE than in no-PTE mice. The extensive functional and neuropathological characterization of this TBI model, provides a tool to identify sensitive measures of epilepsy development and severity clinically useful for increasing PTE prediction in high-risk TBI patients. The high PTE incidence and spontaneous seizures frequency in mice provide an ideal model for biomarker discovery and for testing new drugs.
Sex-specific DNA methylation differences in Alzheimer’s disease pathology
Authors: Zhang Lanyu , Young Juan I. , Gomez Lissette , Silva Tiago C. , Schmidt Michael A. , Cai Jesse , Chen Xi , Martin Eden R. , Wang Lily 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSex is an important factor that contributes to the clinical and biological heterogeneities in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the regulatory mechanisms underlying sex disparity in AD are still not well understood. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification that regulates gene transcription and is known to be involved in AD. We performed the first large-scale sex-specific meta-analysis of DNA methylation differences in AD neuropathology, by re-analyzing four recent epigenome-wide association studies totaling more than 1000 postmortem prefrontal cortex brain samples using a uniform analytical pipeline. For each cohort, we employed two complementary analytical strategies, a sex-stratified analysis that examined methylation-Braak stage associations in male and female samples separately, and a sex-by-Braak stage interaction analysis that compared the magnitude of these associations between different sexes. Our analysis uncovered 14 novel CpGs, mapped to genes such as TMEM39A and TNXB that are associated with the AD Braak stage in a sex-specific manner. TMEM39A is known to be involved in inflammation, dysregulated type I interferon responses, and other immune processes. TNXB encodes tenascin proteins, which are extracellular matrix glycoproteins demonstrated to modulate synaptic plasticity in the brain. Moreover, for many previously implicated genes in AD neuropathology, such as MBP and AZU1, our analysis provided the new insights that they were predominately driven by effects in only one sex. These sex-specific DNA methylation differences were enriched in divergent biological processes such as integrin activation in females and complement activation in males. Our study implicated multiple new loci and biological processes that affected AD neuropathology in a sex-specific manner.
A survey on artificial intelligence assurance
Authors: Batarseh Feras A. , Freeman Laura , Huang Chih-Hao 
Published: April 2021

AbstractArtificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms are increasingly providing decision making and operational support across multiple domains. AI includes a wide (and growing) library of algorithms that could be applied for different problems. One important notion for the adoption of AI algorithms into operational decision processes is the concept of assurance. The literature on assurance, unfortunately, conceals its outcomes within a tangled landscape of conflicting approaches, driven by contradicting motivations, assumptions, and intuitions. Accordingly, albeit a rising and novel area, this manuscript provides a systematic review of research works that are relevant to AI assurance, between years 1985 and 2021, and aims to provide a structured alternative to the landscape. A new AI assurance definition is adopted and presented, and assurance methods are contrasted and tabulated. Additionally, a ten-metric scoring system is developed and introduced to evaluate and compare existing methods. Lastly, in this manuscript, we provide foundational insights, discussions, future directions, a roadmap, and applicable recommendations for the development and deployment of AI assurance.
Dual edge classifier for robust cloth unfolding
Authors: Gabas Antonio , Kita Yasuyo , Yoshida Eiichi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCompared with more rigid objects, clothing items are inherently difficult for robots to recognize and manipulate. We propose a method for detecting how cloth is folded, to facilitate choosing a manipulative action that corresponds to a garment’s shape and position. The proposed method involves classifying the edges and corners of a garment by distinguishing between edges formed by folds and the hem or ragged edge of the cloth. Identifying the type of edges in a corner helps to determinate how the object is folded. This bottom-up approach, together with an active perception system, allows us to select strategies for robotic manipulation. We corroborate the method using a two-armed robot to manipulate towels of different shapes, textures, and sizes.
Occurrence of Salmonella Typhimurium and its monophasic variant (4, [5],12:i:-) in healthy and clinically ill pigs in northern Italy
Authors: D’Incau Mario , Salogni Cristian , Giovannini Stefano , Ruggeri Jessica , Scali Federico , Tonni Matteo , Formenti Nicoletta , Guarneri Flavia , Pasquali Paolo , Alborali Giovanni Loris 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The serovar Typhimurium (4, [5],12:i:1,2), is the most frequently isolated serovar in case of salmonellosis in pigs in Europe and its monophasic variant (4, [5],12:i:-) has been increasingly responsible for Salmonella outbreaks in humans. A total of 25,215 samples were collected, during the years 2002–2017, from 1359 pig farms located in Northern Italy. Samples were collected from different material sources including fecal samples, rectal swabs, gut content and different organs.

Results
Salmonella was isolated in 15.80% of samples and, among the isolates, 733 were typed as Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) or its monophasic variant (MST). Over time, there was an increase of isolation of MST which outnumbered ST. Most of the strains were isolated in animals during the weaning stage and the growing – fattening period whereas the clinical cases were mainly present in young pigs after weaning.

Conclusions
This study confirms the presence of ST and MST in pig farms although, considering the total of isolated serotypes, with lower percentages than previously reported.
In the last few years, ST has increasingly been replaced by MST suggesting that MST has a competitive advantage over ST, probably due to its different antigenicity and pathogenicity which renders the infection stealthier to recognize and control.
Size-controlled human adipose-derived stem cell spheroids hybridized with single-segmented nanofibers and their effect on viability and stem cell differentiation
Authors: Lee Jinkyu , Lee Sangmin , Kim Sung Min , Shin Heungsoo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background
Fabrication of three-dimensional stem cell spheroids have been studied to improve stem cell function, but the hypoxic core and limited penetration of nutrients and signaling cues to the interior of the spheroid were challenges. The incorporation of polymers such as silica and gelatin in spheroids resulted in relatively relaxed assembly of composite spheroids, and enhancing transport of nutrient and biological gas. However, because of the low surface area between cells and since the polymers were heterogeneously distributed throughout the spheroid, these polymers cannot increase the cell to extracellular matrix interactions needed to support differentiation.

Methods

We developed the stem cell spheroids that incorporate poly(ι-lactic acid) single-segmented fibers synthesized by electrospinning and physical and chemical fragmentation. The proper mixing ratio was 2000 cells/μg fibers (average length of the fibers was 50 μm - 100 μm). The SFs were coated with polydopamine to increase cell binding affinity and to synthesize various-sized spheroids. The function of spheroids was investigated by in vitro analysis depending on their sizes. For statistical analysis, Graphpad Prism 5 software (San Diego, CA, USA) was used to perform one-way analysis of variance ANOVA with Tukey’s honest significant difference test and a Student’s
t
-test (for two variables) (
P
< 0.05).

Results

Spheroids of different sizes were created by modulating the amount of cells and fibers (0.063 mm
2
–0.322 mm
2
). The fibers in the spheroid were homogenously distributed and increased cell viability, while cell-only spheroids showed a loss of DNA contents, internal degradation, and many apoptotic signals. Furthermore, we investigated stemness and various functions of various-sized fiber-incorporated spheroids. In conclusion, the spheroid with the largest size showed the greatest release of angiogenic factors (released VEGF: 0.111 ± 0.004 pg/ng DNA), while the smallest size showed greater effects of osteogenic differentiation (mineralized calcium: 18.099 ± 0.271 ng/ng DNA).

Conclusion
The spheroids incorporating polydopamine coated single-segmented fibers showed enhanced viability regardless of sizes and increased their functionality by regulating the size of spheroids which may be used for various tissue reconstruction and therapeutic applications.
Patient oriented research in mental health: matching laboratory to life and beyond in Canada
Authors: Johnston Jenessa N. , Ridgway Lisa , Cary-Barnard Sarah , Allen Josh , Sanchez-Lafuente Carla L. , Reive Brady , Kalynchuk Lisa E. , Caruncho Hector J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAs patient-oriented research gains popularity in clinical research, the lack of patient input in foundational science grows more evident. Research has shown great utility in active partnerships between patient partners and scientists, yet many researchers are still hesitant about listening to the voices of those with lived experience guide and shape their experiments. Mental health has been a leading area for patient movements such as survivor-led research, however the stigma experienced by these patients creates difficulties not present in other health disciplines. The emergence of COVID-19 has also created unique circumstances that need to be addressed. Through this lens, we have taken experiences from our patient partners, students, and primary investigator to create recommendations for the better facilitation of patient-oriented research in foundational science in Canada. With these guidelines, from initial recruitment and leading to sustaining meaningful partnerships, we hope to encourage other researchers that patient-oriented research is necessary for the future of mental health research and foundational science.
A case of left ventricular free wall rupture after insertion of an IMPELLA® left ventricular assist device diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography
Authors: Mizuno Akito , Kawamoto Shuji , Uda Shuji , Tatsumi Kenichiro , Takeda Chikashi , Tanaka Tomoharu , Fukuda Kazuhiko 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The IMPELLA® is a minimally invasive left ventricular assist device. We report a case in which transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was useful in diagnosis of left ventricular rupture after IMPELLA® insertion.

Case presentation
A 75-year-old man presented to the emergency room with chest pain and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for 100% stenosis of the left anterior descending branch #7. An IMPELLA® was inserted to stabilize the circulation, but hypotension persisted. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed increased pericardial effusion and suspicion of free wall left ventricular rupture, leading to emergency surgery. TEE revealed the IMPELLA® straying into the left ventricle apical wall and cardiac tamponade. Hemorrhage was observed from the thinning free wall and the tip of the IMPELLA® was palpable. The IMPELLA® was removed and the left ventricular wall was repaired.

Conclusions
The IMPELLA® requires implantation of the tip in the left ventricle, but it should be noted that a fragile ventricular wall can be easily perforated.
Synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of some 4-((thiophen-2-yl-methylene)amino)benzenesulfonamide metal complexes
Authors: Sekhar E. Vijaya , Karki Subhas S. , Rangaswamy Javarappa , Bhat Mahesh , Kumar Sujeet 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Sulfonamides (sulfa drugs) and the metals like mercury, copper, and silver bear antimicrobial properties. The discovery of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones has reduced their use. However, in some instances these drugs are the first-line treatment. The metal-based sulfonamide (e.g., silver sulfadiazine) is considered as first choice treatment in post-burn therapy while the use of silver nanoparticle-cephalexin conjugate to cure Escherichia coli infection explains the synergistic effect of sulfa drugs and their metal conjugates. With growing interest in metal-based sulfonamides and the Schiff base chemistry, it was decided to synthesize sulfonamide Schiff base metal complexes as antioxidant and antimicrobial agent.

Results
The Fe (III), Ru (III), Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II), Pd (II), Zn (II), Cd (II), and Hg (II) metal complexes of 4-((thiophen-2-ylmethylene)-amino)-benzenesulfonamide (TMABS) were prepared and studied for thermal stability, geometry, and other electronic properties. The ligand TMABS (Schiff base) and its metal complexes were screened in-vitro for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive (+ve) Bacillus subtilis (MTCC-441), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 7443), Gram-negative (-ve) Escherichia coli (MTCC 40), Salmonella typhi (MTCC 3231), and fungal strains Aspergillus niger (MTCC-1344) and Penicillium rubrum by agar well diffusion method. Results summarized in Tables 3, 4, and 5 represent the inhibitory concentration (IC50) in micromole (μM). The zone of inhibition (ZI) in millimeter (mm) represents antimicrobial properties of TMABS and its metal complexes.

Conclusions
The synthesized sulfanilamide Schiff base (TMABS) behaved as a neutral and bidentate ligand coordinating with metal ions through its azomethine nitrogen and thiophene sulfur to give complexes with coordination number of 4 and 6 (Fig. 3). The nucleophilic addition of sulfanilamide amino group (–NH2) group to carbonyl carbon (>C=O) of benzaldehyde gave sulfanilamide Schiff base (imine) (Fig. 2). All the metal complexes were colored and stable at room temperature. With IC50 of 9.5 ± 0.1 and 10.0 ± 0.7 μM, the Co, Cu, and Pd complexes appeared better antioxidant than the ligand TMABS (155.3±0.1 μM). The zone of inhibition (ZI) of Hg (28 mm) and Ru complexes (20 mm) were similar to the ligand TMABS (20 mm) against Aspergillus niger (MTCC-1344) as in Figs. 4, 5, and 6. None of the synthesized derivatives had shown better antimicrobial properties than the standard streptomycin sulfate and fluconazole.
Design and optimization of nano invasomal gel of Glibenclamide and Atenolol combination: in vitro and in vivo evaluation
Authors: Anitha P. , Satyanarayana S. V. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
There are many circumstances where chronic disease is associated with other disorders, especially in diseases such as diabetes with noncommunicable disease risk factors, such as hypertension. The current therapies for treating such chronic comorbid diseases are limited and challenging due to the difficulties in overcoming the side effects from complex therapeutic treatment regimen. The present study is aimed to develop and optimize the combinational nano invasomal gel of Glibenclamide (GLB) and Atenolol (ATN) as a novel combination therapy for comorbid treatment of diabetic hypertensive patients. The developed formulations were characterized for various parameters, including in-vitro skin permeation, skin irritation, in-vivo antidiabetic, and antihypertensive activities.

Results
OCNIG showed that the % entrapment efficiency of GLB is 96.67 ± 0.65% and % entrapment efficiency of ATN is 93.76 ± 0.89%, flux of GLB (240.43 ± 1.76 μg/cm2/h), and flux of ATN (475.2 ± 1.54 μg/cm2/h) which was found to conform to the expected value. The results indicated desired release and permeation profiles. Optimized formulation showed significant pharmacokinetic properties, which shows improvement in bioavailability by 134.30% and 180.32% respectively for two drugs, when compared to marketed oral preparation. Pharmacodynamic studies showed improved and prolonged management of diabetes and hypertension in Wistar rats, compared to oral and drug-loaded nano invasomes formulations.

Conclusion
Overall, the results showed that nano invasomal gel was found to be a useful and promising transdermal delivery system for the treatment of concurrent diseases.