bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Malaria Parasite Infections among U.S.-Bound Congolese Refugees with and without Splenomegaly
Authors: Mwesigwa Moses , Webster Jessica L. , Nsobya Sam Lubwama , Rowan Alexander , Basnet Mukunda Singh , Phares Christina R. , Weinberg Michelle , Klosovsky Alexander , Naoum Marwan , Rosenthal Philip J. , Stauffer William M. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTAll U.S.-bound refugees from sub-Saharan Africa receive presumptive antimalarial treatment before departing for the United States. Among U.S.-bound Congolese refugees, breakthrough malaria cases and persistent splenomegaly have been reported. In response, an enhanced malaria diagnostic program was instituted. Here, we report the prevalence of plasmodial infection among 803 U.S.-bound Congolese refugees who received enhanced diagnostics. Infections by either rapid diagnostic test (RDT) or PCR were detected in 187 (23%) refugees, with 78 (10%) by RDT only, 35 (4%) by PCR only, and 74 (9%) by both. Infections identified by PCR included 103 monoinfections (87 Plasmodium falciparum, eight Plasmodium ovale, seven Plasmodium vivax, and one Plasmodium malariae) and six mixed infections. Splenomegaly was associated with malaria detectable by RDT (odds ratio: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.0–3.0), but not by PCR. Splenomegaly was not strongly associated with parasitemia, indicating that active malaria parasitemia is not necessary for splenomegaly.
In vitro evaluation of the antioxidant, anti-Propioni bacterium acne and antityrosinase effects of Equisetum ramosissimum (Jordanian horsetail)
Authors: Savaya Noor Sabah Abed , Issa Reem Adnan , Talib Wamidh Hadi 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: The investigation of Equisetum ramosissimum Desf. (Equisetaceae) extracts for total phenolic content, potential antioxidant properties, and antibacterial activity against Propioni bacterium acne and antityrosinase effects.Methods: The aerial parts of the E. ramosissimum from Jordan were extracted by maceration and Soxhlet methods, using solvents of different polarities. The composition of the extracts were qualitatively screened using standard phytochemical tests. Quantitatively, total phenolic content (mg/mL, equivalent to gallic acid), ABTS free radical scavenging activity (IC50), anti-P. acne (MIC and MBC), and tyrosinase inhibitory effects (IC50) were also determined.Results: The aqueous-methanol Soxhlet extract contained the highest total phenolic content (0.675 mg/mL gallic acid equivalents). Besides, phytochemical screening tests revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and saponins in the aqueous methanol Soxhlet extract, contributing to the antioxidant (IC50 = 0.125) and antityrosinase (IC50 = 1.125) effects. This extract also showed potent antimicrobial effects against P. acne (MIC = 6.250 mg/mL; MBC = 12.500 mg/mL). Other extracts, including ethanol, water and ethyl acetate, showed lower total phenolic content with moderate and weak biological activity.Conclusion: E. ramosissimum is a promising plant species to be considered for antioxidant, antiacne, and antityrosinase effects. However, further testing (including invivo, histological examination, and highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis) is necessary to understand more about its mechanisms of action.
Keywords: Antioxidant, Anti-Propioni bacterium acne, Antityrosinase, Equisetum ramosissimum, Total phenolic content, Jordanian horsetail
Role of modafinil in the treatment of patients with methamphetamine dependence; An update on randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Fard Mahnoosh Tavakkoli , Mansouri Saeid Sadat , Jafari Alireza , Vousooghi Nasim 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant which affects the central nervous system. Here we evaluated the efficacy of modafinil for the treatment of patients with MA dependence.Methods: A randomized parallel controlled trial study was designed to compare the effectiveness of take-home, self-administered modafinil treatment in the intervention and the controlled group in three months. The primary outcome measurements were severity and duration of craving, and self-reported methamphetamine consumption, which was confirmed by urine drug test.Results: The relapse rate in the intervention group was 40%, and the controlled group was 75%, indicating a decrease in relapse rate of MA in the intervention group. During the three months, the severity and the duration of the drug abuse craving in the intervention group were less than thecontrolled group. Patients in the intervention group experienced an increase in the retention rate and a decrease in the slip rate.Conclusion: The use of modafinil is not only effective on craving and relapse reduction, but also changes urine drug screens of patients with MA dependence to negative. The modafinil is safely indicated as an absolutely effective medication to reduce withdrawal symptoms and the craving ofpatients with MA dependence.
Keywords: Modafinil, Methamphetamine dependence, Effectiveness, Clinical trial
Arecoline induces dual modulation of blood pressure in rat, including an initial downregulation and a subsequent upregulation
Authors: Wu Jiashan , Chen Lijuan , Deng Meiping , Ye Xiaowen , Jiang Xiaoxia , Fu Jiangliu , Zhou Peiling , Zhang Changzheng 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To determine the role of arecoline in cardiovascular modulation in rats.Methods: After rats were anaesthetized with intraperitoneal urethane (1.4 g/kg body weight), saline or arecoline (at doses of 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered, and blood pressure (BP) was continuously recorded using a physiological apparatus. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), maximum changes in MAP and reaction time due to arecoline stimulations were calculated and analyzed.Results: Arecoline induced biphasic modulation in BP, including an initial downregulation followed by a subsequent upregulation. The MAP and maximum change in MAP exhibited a concentration-dependent effect in the downregulation phase (p < 0.001 within each group), but not in the upregulation phase (p > 0.05 within each group), while BP reaction time showed a dose-dependent prolongation in both downregulation and upregulation phases (ps < 0.01 within each group). Remarkably, arecoline-induced BP downregulation more rapidly and drastically than upregulation in each arecoline group.Conclusion: These results indicate that arecoline exerts a complex effect in cardiovascular modulation that should be considered as side effects in the clinical use of arecoline and/or with the habitual chewing of areca nuts.
Keywords: Arecoline, Blood pressure, Downregulation, Upregulation
Studies on the therapeutic effects of three TCM methods on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head
Authors: Tan Xuyi , Chen Xiantao , Duan Xiaobo , Gao Shutu , Guo Yuxin , Huang Lu , Kuang Gaoyan , Lu Min 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To determine the therapeutic effects of kidney yang-tonifying, blood-activating and phlegmeliminating methods on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head (SONFH), and their mechanisms of action.Methods: A rabbit model of SONFH was established. Six rabbit groups were used: control, SONFH (given normal saline); tongluo shenggu group, kidney-tonifying group, blood-activating group, and phlegm--eliminating group, which received tongluo shenggu capsule (0.28 g/kg/day), yougui yin (YGY, 2.52 g/kg/day), taohong siwu decoction (TSD, 2.38 g/kg/day) and linggui zhugan decoction (LZD,1.54 g/kg/day), respectively, for 8 weeks. The following serum indices were assayed on the 2nd, 4th and 8th weeks: total cholesterol, triglycerides, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), 6-keto-PGF1α, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL). At the end of the 8th week, mRNA levels of OPG, BMP-2 and VEGF were assayed using real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTF-qPCR).Results: Serum OPG in the kidney-tonifying group was increased, while its RANKL was decreased on the 2nd week, but these parameters, along with mRNA of OPG and BMP-2, reached normal levels at the 8th week (p <0.05). The TXB2 of blood-activating group was decreased, while its 6-keto-PGF1 level was increased at the 2nd week, but both of them attained normal levels at the 8th week, along with VEGF mRNA. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and TXB2 in the phlegm-eliminating group were decreased, while its 6-keto-PGF1α was increased at the 2nd week, but the levels of serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were normalized at the 8th week (p <0.05). Histological examination showed increases in bone trabeculae and bone marrow cells, while the proliferation of fat cells was decreased in kidney-tonifying, blood-activating and phlegm-eliminating groups.Conclusion: These findings suggest that the therapeutic effects of the three different TCM methods on SONFH involve different mechanisms.
Keywords: Steroid-induced osteonecrosis, Femoral head, Yougui yin, Taohong siwu, Linggui zhugan decoction, Kidney-tonifying yang, Phlegm
In silico screening of potentially bioactive-anti-functional dyspepsia constituents of Magnoliae officinalis Cortex based on molecular docking and network pharmacology
Authors: He Jun , Wang Longjing , Lv Guanghua , Wei Yingfang , Yang Meng , Bai Yusha , Jiang Yunbin , Long Fei 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To screen for bioactive anti-functional dyspepsia compounds from Magnoliae officinalis Cortex (Hou Po) and to identify the mechanism(s) of action involved.Methods: The compounds of Hou Po were collected from the literature. The related target proteins were identified from DrugBank. Through “Libdock” module of Discovery Studio 3.5, the compounds were matched with related target proteins. Taking the Libdock score of the original ligand with target protein as standard, components with higher scores than this standard were considered as potential bioactive compounds. Based on Cytoscape software, the interaction networks of the bioactive compound-target protein complexes were mapped. On the other hand, the online DAVID database was used to analyze the GO enrichment and KEGG pathway of each target.Results: A total of 199 chemical constituents and 13 correlated target proteins were obtained. One hundred and thirty-nine (139) potential bioactive constituents were acquired based on molecular docking. Thirty-one (31) bioactive compounds were selected based on degree values in networkanalysis. “Palmitone” and “magnolignan G” which had the highest degree values were considered promising and leading compounds. The result of gene enrichment analysis showed that the bioactive compounds exerted their effects mainly via “neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction” pathway and “Cholinergic synapse” pathways.Conclusion: Based on molecular docking and network pharmacology technique, the material basis for the use of Hou Po in the treatment of FD has been revealed. This finding provides a useful guide in the development of Hou Po-based anti-FD drugs.
Keywords: Magnolia officinalis, Hou Po, Molecular docking, Functional dyspepsia, Network pharmacology
Effectiveness of mental therapy for poor medication adherence in depression: A review
Authors: Xu Shuyin , Liu Bangshan , Zhang Yan 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To review the effectiveness and underlying mechanism of different types of psychotherapy to improve medication adherence (MA).Methods: In this review, the status and possible factors influencing medication adherence in patients with depression patients based on information obtained from various literature.Results: Although the focus of psychologists' analysis of the causes and solutions of mental illness is different, several of these therapies can improve patient compliance with their medications. An effective psychotherapy can change patients’ attitudes towards disease and help them reduce the disease recurrence rate.Conclusion: Psychotherapy has an irreplaceable role in dealing with the major depressive disorder. This review aimed to provide effective instructions for improving medication adherence and reducing disease relapse and recurrence in the future.
Keywords: Depression, Medication adherence, Psychotherapy
Ruscogenin alleviates palmitic acid-induced endothelial cell inflammation by suppressing TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway
Authors: Liu Hongtao , Zheng Simin , Xiong Hongfei , Niu Xiaoli 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To investigate the involvement of ruscogenin in palmitic acid (PA)-induced endothelial cell inflammation.
Method: Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were divided into five groups: control (normal untreated cells), PA (cell treated with palmitic acid), and PA + ruscogenin (1, 10, or 30 μM). Cell viability and apoptosis rate were determined using MTT (3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5- di-phenytetrazolium bromide) and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The levels of cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to evaluate the underlying mechanisms of action.
Results: PA treatment decreased the viability of HUVECs and induced apoptosis (p < 0.05). Ruscogenin attenuated PA-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). On the other hand, PA induced an increase in IL-1β, TNF-α, ICAM-1, MCP-1, TXNIP (thioredoxin-interacting protein),as well as NLRP3 (nucleotide oligomerization domain-, leucine-rich repeat- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3), all of which were attenuated by ruscogenin (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Ruscogenin alleviates PA-induced endothelial cell inflammation via TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway, thereby providing an insight into new therapeutic strategies to treat cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords: Ruscogenin, Palmitic acid, Endothelial cells, Inflammation, TXNIP, NLRP3, Cardiovascular diseases
Eriodictyol attenuates spinal cord injury by activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and inhibiting NF-κB pathway
Authors: Mao Xiaojie , Jiang Zhiyang , Shi Chaohong , Lu Junjun , Rao Gaofeng 
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To investigate the effect of eriodictyol on spinal cord injury (SCI) and its underlying mechanism of action.Methods: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to sham, SCI, and eriodictyol-treated groups (SCI + Eri; 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg). Moderate spinal cord contusion injury was induced to model SCI. Locomotor recovery was assessed based on Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score. Pain wasevaluated by paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and latency (PWL), and spinal cord water content was measured. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Immunoassay was used to determine malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels while Western blotting was employed to evaluate nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NF-κB) levels.Results: Eriodictyol elevated BBB score, PWT, and PWL in SCI rats but reduced spinal cord water content (p < 0.05). Eriodictyol treatment down-regulated TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MDA, whereas SOD, GSH, and GSH-PX levels were elevated (p < 0.05). Eriodictyol administration increased Nrf2 and HO-1 levels but reduced p-NF-κB/NF-κB.Conclusion: This study provides a potential therapy to promote long-term functional recovery following SCI.
Keywords: Spinal cord injury, Eriodictyol, Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, Polymerase chain reaction, Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score
Penerapan Data Mining untuk Mendukung Pemasaran Produk Pinjaman Bank
Authors: Amir Sanusi , Abijono Heri 
Published: January 2021

Competition in the banking sector requires every bank to compete to make types of credit products that are able to attract customers to want to transact with banks. Marketing with a product centric strategy needs to be combined with a customer centric to keep Customer Relationship Management in good order with customers. Customer identity can be used to realize the concept of a customer centric marketing strategy. This study describes the role of Data Mining on customer data accompanied by the application of Decision Tree techniques with the C4.5 algorithm to identify the most influential fields in predicting loan products.
The customer data fields used in this study include total balance, date of birth, occupation, and status. Selection of fields based on the terms and conditions that apply to each type of loan. The results of applying the C4.5 algorithm to customer data in the formation of loan product prediction decision trees show that the work attribute is the dominant attribute (highest Gain value) among the other attributes. Prediction results are validated with Confusion Matrix with an accuracy value for loan product prediction of 82%.
The results of this study concluded that the customer database is a source of data in the prediction process of loan products to be offered to customers, which can be used to support the marketing of bank loan products with a customer centric orientation.
Interactive virtual representation of the disappeared convent of El Carmen (Logroño) generated from a paper craft model
Authors: Rodríguez-Miranda Alvaro , Valle Melón José M. , Korro Bañuelos Jaione , Elorriaga Aguirre Garbiñe 
Published: January 2021

<p class="VARAbstract">The concept of mock-up, which share with the drawing the expressive synthesis for the analysis of the architectural form and evolution, is an invaluable asset for the preservation of the heritage. To mark the 175<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Práxedes Mateo Sagasta’s secondary school of Logroño (Spain), an exhibition about the history of the institution was organized at the premises of La Rioja Library. The current school building became operational in 1900 and was built on the former site of a Carmelite convent. In fact, the convent rooms were the first location for the school, after the expropriations of religious communities during the mid-19th century. For the benefit of the aforementioned exhibition, it was considered interesting to generate a three-dimensional (3D) virtual reconstruction of the convent buildings to show how it would have looked. However, the lack of sufficient contemporary graphic information was a challenge, so it was decided that an efficient solution would be to generate the virtual reconstruction from a paper craft model, which had been created by the librarian of the secondary school as a result of his research on this matter. This text describes the 3D modelling of that cut-out element by means of monoscopic photogrammetry (perspective drawing) and the use of non-realistic rendering based on the appearance of the paper mock-up (and not trying to recreate the real image of the buildings) so as to provide a suggestive view of the convent and create interactive exhibition items. Moreover, the text deals with the long-term preservation and the improvement of the re-use of the 3D models. The former by resorting to institutional repositories —from which users can download the full detailed versions— and the latter employing versions able to be visualized in 3D warehouses (such as Sketchfab) and augmented reality (AR) applications.</p><p><strong>Highlights:</strong></p><ul><li><p>A significant part of the architectural heritage is represented by mock-ups of different materials (paper, wood, metal and so on).</p></li><li><p>Virtual modelling and augmented reality (AR) can be appropriate tools for materializing, recovering and disseminating scale models to the public.</p></li><li><p>Techniques for geometric documentation and visual representation need to be adapted in order to tackle the peculiar features of these elements (size, materials, fragility, etc.).</p></li></ul>
Long-term measurement of sub-3 nm particles and their precursor gases in the boreal forest
Authors: Sulo Juha , Sarnela Nina , Kontkanen Jenni , Ahonen Lauri , Paasonen Pauli , Laurila Tiia , Jokinen Tuija , Kangasluoma Juha , Junninen Heikki , Sipilä Mikko , Petäjä Tuukka , Kulmala Markku , Lehtipalo Katrianne 
Published: January 2021

Abstract. The knowledge of the dynamics of sub-3 nm particles in the
atmosphere is crucial for our understanding of the first steps of atmospheric new particle formation. Therefore, accurate and stable long-term measurements of the smallest atmospheric particles are needed. In this study, we analyzed over 5 years of particle concentrations in size
classes 1.1–1.7 and 1.7–2.5 nm obtained with the particle size
magnifier (PSM) and 3 years of precursor vapor concentrations measured
with the chemical ionization atmospheric pressure interface time-of-flight
mass spectrometer (CI-APi-ToF) at the SMEAR II station in Hyytiälä,
Finland. The results show that there are significant seasonal differences in median concentrations of sub-3 nm particles, but the two size classes behave partly differently. The 1.1–1.7 nm particle concentrations are highest in summer, while the 1.7–2.5 nm particle concentrations are highest in springtime. The 1.7–2.5 nm particles exhibit a daytime maximum in all seasons, while the 1.1–1.7 nm particles have an additional evening maximum during spring and summer. Aerosol precursor vapors have notable diurnal and seasonal differences as well. Sulfuric acid and highly oxygenated organic molecule (HOM) monomer concentrations have clear daytime maxima, while HOM dimers have their maxima during the night. HOM concentrations for both monomers and dimers are the highest during summer and the lowest during winter following the biogenic activity in the surrounding forest. Sulfuric acid concentrations are the highest during spring and summer, with autumn and winter concentrations being 2 to 3 times lower. A correlation analysis between the sub-3 nm concentrations and aerosol precursor vapor concentrations indicates that both HOMs (particularly their dimers) and sulfuric acid play a significant role in new particle formation in the boreal forest. Our analysis also suggests that there might be seasonal differences in new particle formation pathways that need to be investigated further.