bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Duration of Infectious Virus Shedding in Patients With Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 Who Required Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Nomura Toshihito , Kitagawa Hiroki , Omori Keitaro , Shigemoto Norifumi , Kakimoto Masaki , Nazmul Tanuza , Shime Nobuaki , Sakaguchi Takemasa , Ohge Hiroki 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Approximately 5% of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 develop severe COVID-19. Severe COVID-19 requires respiratory management with mechanical ventilation and an extended period of treatment. Prolonged infectious virus shedding is a concern in severe COVID-19 cases, but few reports have examined the duration of infectious virus shedding. Therefore, we investigated the duration of infectious virus shedding in patients transferred to Hiroshima University Hospital with severe COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected and analyzed using both viral culture and reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) tests between December 2020 and February 2021. Of the 23 patients tested, the proportions of those with positive test results at first specimen collection on RT-qPCR and viral culture tests were 95·7% and 30·4%, respectively. All six patients with positive viral culture test results who were followed-up tested negative 24 days after symptom onset but remained positive on RT-qPCR. The longest negative conversion time was observed in a dialysis patient on immunosuppressive drugs. This study indicated that patients with severe COVID-19 remain culture positive for ≥ 10 days after symptom onset. Additionally, immunosuppressed patients with severe COVID-19 could consider isolation for ≥ 20 days.
Antibacterial and Anticancer Efficacy of Different Parts of Pistacia Integerrima Plant Extracts
Authors: Rani Wajeeha , Maqbool Farhana , Bhatti Zulfiqar A. , Iqbal Jamshed , Siddiqui Muhammad Faisal , Pervez Sidra , Kalsoom Umm-e- , Khan Ibrar 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study explored the antibacterial efficacy of Pistacia integerrima gall, leaf and bark in different solvents. Extracts of these parts prepared in ethanol, methanol and distilled water by using rotary evaporator. To check the antibacterial potential of this plant, minimal inhibitory concentrations of each extract analysed by agar well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For anticancer activity, hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of P. integerrima gall, leaf and bark used against human cervical cancer (HeLa) and baby hamster kidney (BHK–21) cell lines. Results showed that maximum zone of inhibition 25mm formed with ethanolic gall extract in 200µL concentration against B. subtilis. P. vulgaris shows resistance to methanol and aqueous extracts but inhibited with ethanolic leaf extract. Among different parts of P. integerrima, n-hexane leaf fraction shown to be most effective against HeLa cell lines with IC50 of 7.45 µg/mL. In case of BHK-21, highest cell inhibition of 46.8% observed with crude leaf extract than ethyl-acetate bark extract (44.9%) of P. integerrima. It is concluded that the effective inhibitor was hexane leaf fraction against HeLa cell lines in which Heneicosane was found (39.7%) which might be responsible for anticancer activity.
Mass Media Exposure and Timing of Antenatal Care Initiation among Women in Uganda
Authors: Sserwanja Quraish , Mutisya Linet M. , Musaba Milton W. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background : Early initiation of quality antenatal (ANC) in the first trimester and received quality care are highly emphasized by WHO in the new 2016 guidelines. Mass media have the potential to promote early initiation of ANC because they have been used successfully in several programmes. However, there is a paucity of literature on the impact of media exposure on the timing of ANC initiation in Uganda. Hence our study aimed at exploring associations between the different mass media exposure and timing of antenatal care initiation among women in Uganda.Methods : A cross sectional study was conducted using the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2016 weighted data of 10,152 women of reproductive age (15–49 years). Multistage stratified sampling was used to select study participants. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between mass media exposure and early initiation of antenatal care. All our analyses were done using SPSS version 25.Results : Almost a third of the women (2953/10,152, 29.1%, 95% CI: 27.9-29.6) initiated their first ANC contact in the first trimester. In the final multivariable analyses, exposure to television (TV) and radio, belonging to the Northern and Western regions, younger age and less household size each had a significant positive association with earlier ANC initiation while lower education attainment had an inverse association. Women who were exposed to TV (adjusted OR (AOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.38) and radio (AOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.29) were 19% and 14% more likely to initiate ANC earlier compared to those who were not exposed to TV and radio respectively.Conclusion : In Uganda, less than a third of women initiated ANC in the first trimester. Young women from a smaller household with access to either a radio or television, and residing in Northern and Western regions were more likely to initiate ANC early enough. In order to promote early initiation of ANC, the government needs to intensify mass media campaigns on local media houses that promote this practice.
An Age-Period-Cohort And Joinpoint Analysis Of Colorectal Cancer Incidence Trends in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam(1996-2015)
Authors: Pham Dung X. , Phung An HT. , Bui Tung D. , Mai Linh D. , Tran Thach S. , Ho-Pham Lan T. , Nguyen Tuan V. , Nguyen Hien D. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundLittle is known about the recent trends in colorectal cancer (CRC) in Vietnam.MethodsBased on the Ho Chi Minh City Cancer Registry data during 1996-2015, we calculated the annual rate of change (ARC) using Joinpoint regression analysis and performed the age-period-cohort (APC) analysis using the United States National Cancer Institute’s web-based statistical tool.ResultsDuring 1996-2015, the overall age-standardized incidence rate of CRC increased from 10.5 to 17.9 per 100,000. CRC incidence elevated more rapidly in men (ARC = 4.7, 95% CI: 2.2–7.3) than women (ARC = 2.6, 95% CI: 0.6–4.8). The highest and lowest increasing ASR observed in the 50-64 years old group (ARC = 5.3, 95% CI: 2.8–7.9) and <50 years old group (ARC = 1.1, 95% CI: -0.7 - 2.9), respectively. Regarding subsites, rectal cancer had the highest rate increase (ARC = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.0-5.7). Furthermore, the APC analysis indicated significant increases in CRC incidence of recent birth cohorts from 1976-1980 in either gender.ConclusionsThe CRC incidence in Ho Chi Minh City increased with the more prominent rising rates among men, older people, and rectal subsites. This study’s result implied the need of launching a population-based CRC screening program in Ho Chi Minh City.
Sensitive Potential Prognostic Markers for Colorectal Cancer Surgery Screened by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS Combined With Metabolomics Technology: UDP-D-Galactose
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Sun Lu , Zhao Zhenying , Zhang Weihua , Zhao Lizhong , Xu Chen , Li Yuwei , Yu Yongjun , Chen Chao , Li Mingsen , Zhang Xipeng , Dong Linyi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor, it is necessary to conduct in-depth research on the pathogenesis, early diagnosis, and prognosis evaluation. The assessment of postoperative prognosis is beneficial to the accurate treatment for patients. Metabolomics can explore the metabolic changes in the process of cancer, to find new markers that can be used for early diagnosis of cancer and evaluation of efficacy. Method: In this study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quarter time of fly mass spectrometer (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) technology was used to screen the metabolomics markers of blood samples from 24 CRC patients who underwent surgery and 24 healthy people. To verify the potential markers found above, At the same time, 8 CRC patients and normal control group were included. Results: UDP-D-galactose, which shown significant concentration changed 2 ~ 3 days after surgery was screened after statistical analysis. Moreover, the analysis of metabolic pathways in tissue samples also fully verified the correlation between UDP-D-galactose and CRC. Conclusion: UPLC-Q-TOF-MS is a practical method for screening metabolic markers. Accurate monitoring the concentration of UDP-D-galactose in blood can provide important assistance for the treatment of CRC patients.
Non-invasive sampling of bats reflects their potential as ecological indicators of heavy metal and trace metal contamination due to open cast diamond mining, northern Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Toussaint Dawn Cory , Taylor Peter J. , Barnhoorn Irene E. J. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Bats have been proposed as reliable bioindicators for monitoring bioaccumulation of elements and chemicals in natural and transformed ecosystems. Non-invasive methods are becoming more popular as research moves away from destructive methodologies. We present the first concentrations of 23 elements in Mops condylurus and Tadarida aegyptiaca (Molossidae) fur and blood from an opencast diamond mine and control site using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations of boron (B), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb) and cadmium (Cd) in the fur of bats were significantly higher in bats from the opencast diamond mine compared with the control site (P = 0.004, 0.02, 0.006 and 0.03 respectively). Manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), antimony (Sb) and mercury (Hg) were significantly higher in the blood of bats from the mining footprint than the control area. Fifteen of the 22 elements (excluding barium (Ba)) were significantly higher in the fur samples than in the blood due to elements being incorporated over time into the fur as it grows, whereas blood reveals short-term exposure to elements. Concentrations of most of the elements were reasonably low except Al, Fe and Zn. In general, the element concentrations particularly in the fur samples were comparable with other international studies reporting elemental fur concentrations from anthropogenically impacted and natural areas. Pending further research on toxic thresholds and physiological and ecological unknowns around element concentrations in bat tissues and organs, fur has the potential to be a viable indicator of toxicity.
Scalable and Secure Gradient Smart Dempster Shafer Reputation for Development of Smart Cities
Authors: Ayothi Senthilselvi , Johnson Shiny Duela , Sekaran Ramesh , Sankareshwaran Senthil Pandi , Ramachandran Manikandan , Bhaskar Vidhyacharan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Over the last decade, blockchain has been considered an encouraging solution to secure distributed ledgers. Moreover, with the introduction of a pseudonymous payment method without a centralized database or authoritative person, blockchain has also evolved as the future generation for online payment system. However, with the eruption of a large scale database, scalability has also become a demanding issue. In addition to the obstacle mentioned above, challenges like security and scalability stop accelerated adjustments for the development of smart cities. Without directing this essential scalability and privacy issue, such an encouraging method may not help develop smart cities. This paper bestows a measure to analyze both scalability and security aspects of existing blockchain methods with applications of smart city networks. The proposed method is known as Gradient Smart Load Balancer and Blockchain Dempster Shafer Reputation (GSLB-BDSR). Gradient Smart Load Balancer is designed so that even though with the increase in the number of participating sensors, the load is said to balance by applying gradient function, therefore ensuring scalability. Next, to cover the security aspect, with the aid of scalable blocks in the blockchain network, a Blockchain Dempster Shafer Reputation model is proposed. Evaluation outcomes of proposed security solutions outperform conventional solutions.
A First Trimester Prediction Model for Large for Gestational Age Infants: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Monari Francesca , Menichini Daniela , Bascio Ludovica Spano’ , Grandi Giovanni , Banchelli Federico , Neri Isabella , D’Amico Roberto , Facchinetti Fabio 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Large for gestational age infants (LGA) have increased risks of adverse short-term perinatal outcomes. This study aims to develop a multivariable prediction model for the risk of giving birth to a LGA baby, by using biochemical, biophysical, anamnestic, and clinical maternal characteristics available at first trimester.Methods: Prospective study that included all singleton pregnancies attending the first trimester aneuploidy screening at the Obstetric Unit of the University Hospital of Modena, in Northern Italy, between June 2018 and December 2019. Results: A total of 503 consecutive women were included in the analysis. The final prediction model for LGA, included multiparity (OR = 2.8, 95%; CI: 1.6 - 4.9, p=0.001), pre-pregnancy BMI (OR = 1.08. 95% CI 1.03 – 1.14, p=0,002) and PAPP-A MoM (OR = 1.43 95% CI 1.08 – 1.90, p=0.013). The area under the ROC curve was 70.5%, indicating a satisfactory predictive accuracy. The best predictive cut-off for this score was equal to -1.378, which corresponds to a 20.1% probability of having a LGA infant. By using such a cut-off, the risk of LGA can be predicted in our sample with sensitivity of 55.2% and specificity of 79.0%.Conclusion: At first trimester, a model including multiparity, pre-pregnancy BMI and PAPP-A satisfactory predicted the risk of giving birth to a LGA infant. This promising tool, once applied early in pregnancy, would identify women for targeted interventions.Trial registration: NCT04838431
Simulink implementation of a new optoelectronic integrated circuit: Stability analysis and infinite-scroll attractor
Authors: Essebe Eba David , Mengue A. D. , Essimbi B. Z. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this paper a 6-D optoelectronic system consists of a resonant tunneling diode (RTD) driven by an optical injected semiconductor laser (LD) is reported. A stability analysis of the hybrid system is analytically and numerically performed and paramount role of the effective gain coefficient (EGC) is stuck out in the framework of new stability control. As a result, this parameter allows improving the accuracy of the stability study by circumscribing locked and unlocked regions. Besides, a narrow area of stability is pointed up within the sea of unstable points from which a complex fractal attractor so-called infinite-scroll attractor is highligted. Thereby, Simulink shows generation effectiveness of infinite-scroll attractor erratically interpersed by laminar phases. Also dynamics of Lyapunov exponents has confirmed that it refers to a strange fractal attractor. Moreover chaos control is structurally carried out by direct current (DC) polarisation.
A Distinct Negative Leader Propagation Mode
Authors: Scholten O. , Hare B. M. , Dwyer J. , Liu N. , Sterpka C. , Kolmašová I. , Santolík O. , Lán R. , Uhlíř L. , Buitink S. , Corstanje A. , Falcke H. , Huege T. , Hörandel J. R. , Krampah G. K. , Mitra P. , Mulrey K. , Nelles A. , Pandya H. , Rachen J.P. , Trinh T.N.G. , Veen S. ter , Thoudam S. , Winchen T. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The common phenomenon of lightning still harbors many secrets such as what are the conditions for lightning initiation and what is driving the discharge to propagate over several tens of kilometers through the atmosphere forming conducting ionized channels called leaders. Since lightning is an electric discharge phenomenon, there are positively and negatively charged leaders. In this work we report on measurements made with the LOFAR radio telescope, an instrument primarily build for radio-astronomy observations. It is observed that a negative leader rather suddenly changes, for a few milliseconds, into a mode where it radiates 100 times more VHF power than typical negative leaders after which it spawns a large number of more typical negative leaders.This mode occurs during the initial stage, soon after initiation, of all lightning flashes we have mapped (about 25). For some flashes this mode occurs also well after initiation and we show one case where it is triggered twice, some 100 ms apart.We postulate that this is indicative of a small (order of 5 km2) high charge pocket.Lightning thus appears to be initiated exclusively in the vicinity of such a small but dense charge pocket.
Multi-Tissue Transcriptome Analysis of Two Begonia Species Reveals Dynamic Patterns of Expression Evolution In The Chalcone Synthase Gene Family
Authors: Emelianova Katie , Martínez Andrea Martínez , Campos-Dominguez Lucia , Kidner Catherine 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Begonia is an important horticultural plant, as well as one of the most speciose Angiosperm genera, with over 2000 described species. Genus wide studies of genome size have shown that Begonia has a highly variable genome size, and analysis of paralog pairs has previously suggested that Begonia underwent a whole genome duplication. We address the contribution of gene duplication to the generation of diversity in Begonia using a multi-tissue RNA-seq approach. We chose to focus on the chalcone synthase (CHS) gene family due to its role in biotic and abiotic stress response, and in particular its importance in maximising the use of variable light levels in tropical plants. We used RNA-seq to sample six tissues across two closely related but ecologically and morphologically divergent species, Begonia conchifolia and B. plebeja, yielding 17,012 and 19,969 annotated unigenes respectively. We identified the chalcone synthase gene family members in our Begonia study species, as well as in Hillebrandia sandwicensis, the monotypic sister genus to Begonia, Cucumis sativus, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Zea mays. Phylogenetic and expression analysis revealed the recent origin of CHS duplicates in Begonia, which showed both conserved and divergent expression profiles between duplicates. We conclude that there is evidence for a role of gene duplication in generating diversity through expression divergence in Begonia.
Insilco Analysis of Leishmania donovani Genome to Understand its Gene Expression Regulation
Authors: Jote Kefiyalew , Kebede Mulugeta , Milkessa Ashenafi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Leishmania donovani is an obligate intracellular parasite of human that causes a dreadful visceral infection that may involve liver, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. The specific feature of the species influences its genetics. Changes in parasite adaptation to different environment, development of silent genes and parasite progression through its lifecycle may be determined by transcriptional organizations affecting its gene expression. Hence, Insilco analysis of Leishmania donovani BPK282A1 genome was performed to predict the promoter and regulatory elements involved in gene expression. Forty putative genes of Leishmania donovani BPK282A1 genes were obtained from National Center for Biotechnology Information and investigated using bioinformatic tools, such as Neural Network Promoter Prediction, MEME suite, CpG island finder, GOMo and CLC Genomics Workbench. In this analysis, the number of Transcription Start Sites (TSSs) in promoter regions of Leishmania donovani BPK282A1 varied greatly between 1 and 4 with majority (60%) of them having two or more TSSs. The study also revealed seven candidate motifs in the promoter regions of the gene. The common promoter motif for all Leishmania donovani BPK282A1 genes was MI with an E-value of 4.0e-116. Six of the identified motifs were related to zinc finger proteins that bind to the GC-rich regions in DNA. The study also revealed that most of both the promoter and the gene body regions contain at least one CpG island. Restriction analysis using MspI enzyme showed that Leishmania donovani BPK282A1 genes were CpG rich. In conclusion, the investigation unfolded expression regulation of Leishmania donovani BPK282A1 genes contributing to development of a robust drug and vaccine that targets the regulatory regions.
Anopheles Bionomics in a Malaria Endemic Area of Southern Thailand
Authors: Wamaket Narenrit , Khamprapa Oranicha , Chainarin Sittinont , Thamsawet Panisa , Ninsaeng Ubolrat , Thongsalee Suttipong , Suwan Veerast , Sakolvaree Jira , Takhampunya Ratree , Davidson Silas A. , McCardle Patrick W. , Mukaka Mavuto , Kiattibutr Kirakorn , Khamsiriwatchara Amnat , Nguitragool Wang , Sattabongkot Jetsumon , Sirichaisinthop Jeeraphat , Kobylinski Kevin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA) could accelerate malaria elimination in the Greater Mekong Subregion. This study was performed to characterize the bionomics of Anopheles in Surat Thani province, Thailand.Methods: Mosquitoes were collected via human landing collections, February - October of 2019. Anopheles were morphologically identified to species. Primary Anopheles malaria vectors were dissected to assess parity status and a subset evaluated for molecular identification and Plasmodium detection.Results: A total of 17,348 mosquitoes were collected. Of 5,777 Anopheles mosquitoes, 15 species were identified morphologically. The most abundant Anopheles were Anopheles minimus s.l. (87.87%, n = 5,035), Anopheles dirus s.l. (7.05%, n = 407), and Anopheles barbirostris s.l. (2.86%, n = 165). Molecular identification confirmed that of An. minimus s.l., 99.80% were An. minimus s.s. (n=484) and 0.2% An. aconitus (n = 1), of An. dirus s.l., 100% were An. baimaii (n = 348), and of An. maculatus s.l., 93.62% were An. maculatus s.s. (n = 44) and 6.38% An. sawadwongporni (n = 3). No Anopheles were Plasmodium positive (n = 879). An average of 11.46 Anopheles were captured per collector per night. There were differences between species in hour of collection (Kruskal-Wallis = 80.89, P < 0.0001, n = 5,666), with more An. barbirostris s.l. and An. maculatus s.l. caught earlier compared to An. minimus s.l. (P = 0.0001, P < 0.0001, respectively) and An. dirus s.l. (P = 0.0082, P < 0.001, respectively). The proportion of parous An. minimus s.l. captured by hour increased throughout the night (Wald Chi-square = 17.31, P=0.000, odds ratio = 1.0535 [1.0279 – 1.0796] 95% CI (n = 3,400). Overall, An. minimus s.l. parity was 67.68% (2,375/3,509) with an intra cluster correlation of 0.0378. A power calculation determined that an An. minimus s.l. parity reduction treatment effect size = 34%, with four clusters per treatment arm, a minimum of 300 mosquitoes dissected per cluster at an α= 0.05 will provide 82% power to detect a significant difference following ivermectin MDA. Conclusions: The study area in Surat Thani province is an ideal location to evaluate the impact of ivermectin MDA on An. minimus parity.
Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Novel Schiff Bases of Thiosemicarbazone Derivatives With Adamantane Moiety
Authors: Zhu Jiahui , Teng Guosheng , Li Dongfeng , Hou Ruibin , Xia Yan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a major threat to human health, and it is particularly important to develop novel antibiotic drugs. Here, we designed a series of Schiff base thiosemicarbazone derivatives containing an adamantane moiety, and carried out structural characterization of the compounds and in vitro antibacterial activity tests. Compound 7e was as effective as the commonly-used antibiotic ampicillin against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, and compound 7g had a good inhibitory effect against Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis. These findings provide data for the development of better thiosemicarbazone antibacterial agents.