bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of The PRECEDE -PROCEED Model in Prevention of Brucellosis Focused On Livestock Vaccination Process
Authors: Bahadori Farhad , Ghofranipour Fazlollah , Zarei Fatemeh , Ziaei Reza , Ghaffarifar Saeideh 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
This article reports the steps of an educational intervention, which is designed to change livestock breeders’ preventive behavior in terms of vaccinating their livestock against brucellosis. The study has been conducted in a rural area in a country with the second highest brucellosis prevalence in the world.
Methods
In a quasi-experimental study and applying PRECEDE-PROCEED model, 45 livestock breeders were trained through basket method, accompanied with constructive feedback from researchers and peers and a brief interactive lecture at the end. The livestock breeders’ awareness, attitude and practice level in the intervention group was compared with those of other 45 livestock breeders in a control group, one and six months after the intervention. The presence of anti-brucellosis antibodies in livestock’s blood was compared in groups and considered as the outcome measure of the intervention.
Results
Immediately and one month after the intervention, the mean scores of knowledge, awareness and practice of livestock breeders in the intervention group were significantly higher. Six months after the intervention, the results of the Rose Bengal tests were positive in more livestock in the intervention group compared to the animals in the control group.
Conclusion
The model-driven educational intervention could significantly increase livestock breeders' awareness, attitude and practice regarding prevention of brucellosis and vaccination of their livestock against brucellosis; however, a period of non-continuous reinforcement and gradual reduction of the number of the reinforcements by health educator workers is recommended in order to increase the maintenance of the learnt behavior.
Trial registration:
Conducting this study was registered at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20180304038945N1). Registered 24 December 2018(https://www.irct.ir/trial/29996).The proposal was registered before enrollment of the first participant.
Topological and Enzymatic Analysis of Human Alg2 Mannosyltransferase
Authors: Xiang Meng-Hai , Xu Xin-Xin , Wang Chun-Di , Chen Shuai , Xu Si , Xu Xiang-Yang , Dean Neta , Wang Ning , Gao Xiao-Dong 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
N-glycosylation starts with the biosynthesis of lipid-linked oligosaccharide (LLO) on the endoplasmic reticulum. Alg2 mannosyltransferase adds both the α1,3- and α1,6-Man onto ManGlcNAc2-pyrophosphate-dolichol (M1Gn2-PDol) in either order to generate the branched M3Gn2-PDol product. The well-studied yeast Alg2 interacts with ER membrane through four hydrophobic domains. Unexpectedly, we show that Alg2 structure has diverged significantly between yeast and humans. Human Alg2 (hAlg2) associates with the ER via a single membrane-binding domain and is markedly more stable in vitro. These properties were exploited to develop an LC-MS quantitative kinetic assay for studying purified hAlg2. Under physiological conditions, hAlg2 prefers to transfer α1,3-Man on to M1Gn2 before adding the α1,6-Man. However, this bias is altered by an excess of GDP-Man donor or an increased level of M1Gn2 substrate, both of which trigger production of the M2Gn2 (α-1,6)-PDol. These results suggest that Alg2 may regulate the LLO biosynthetic pathway by controlling accumulation of M2Gn2 (α-1,6) intermediate.
Biodegradable Star-shaped Poly(Lactic Acid): Synthesis, Characterization and Its Reaction Kinetics
Authors: He Jing , Yu Tao , Yang Weidong , Li Yan 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Biodegradable four-arm star-shaped poly(lactic acid) (4sPLA) was synthesized from L-Lactic acid ( L-LA) and pentaerythritol (PENTA), and the polymerization kinetics was studied. The effects of reaction time, reaction temperature and molar ratio on the polymerization of 4sPLA were discussed. The molecular structure of 4sPLA was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra ( 1 H-NMR). The results showed that the optimum reaction conditions were as follows: the molar ratio of L-LA to PENTA was 12:1, and the polymerization reaction occurred at 160 ℃ for 5 h. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) method was used to determine the polymerization kinetics of 4sPLA consistent with the first-order reaction kinetics.
Protist.Guru: A Comparative Transcriptomics Database for the Protist Kingdom
Authors: Villanueva Erielle Marie Fajardo , Lim Peng Ken , Lim Jolyn Jia Jia , Lim ShanChun , Lau Pei Yi , Koh Kenny , Tan Emmanuel , Kairon Ryanjit Singh , See Wei An , Liao Jian Xiang , Hee Ker Min , Vijay Varsheni , Maitra Ishani , Boon Chong Jun , Fo Kevin , Wang Yee Tat , Jaya Ryan , Hew Li Anne , Lim Yong Yee , Lee Wei Quan , Lee Zhi Qi , Foo Herman , Santos Adriana Lopes dos , Mutwil Marek 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Summary: During the last few decades, the study of microbial ecology has been enabled by molecular and genomic data. DNA sequencing has revealed the surprising extent of microbial diversity and how microbial processes run global ecosystems. However, significant gaps in our understanding of the microbial world remain, and one example is that microbial eukaryotes, or protists, are still neglected. To address this gap, we used gene expression data from 15 distinct protist species to create protist.guru: an online database equipped with tools for identifying functional co-expression networks, gene families, and enriched gene clusters. Here, we show how our database can be used to reveal genes involved in essential pathways, such as the synthesis of secondary carotenoids in Haematococcus lacustris. We expect protist.guru to serve as a valuable resource for protistologists, as well as a catalyst for discoveries and new insights into the biological processes of microbial eukaryotes. Availability: The database and co-expression networks are freely available from http://protist.guru/. The expression matrices and sample annotations are found in the supplementary data.
Rheum to Diagnosis: A Mixed Methods Study to Uncover Impediments to Accurate Diagnosis of Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis in the United States
Authors: Kiwalkar Sonam , Howard Richard , Choi Dongseok , Deodhar Atul 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
BackgroundDelayed diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is well documented, but little is known about the distinct diagnostic journey and impediments for US patients with nonradiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA).MethodsInterviews of adults with rheumatologist-diagnosed nr-axSpA and of rheumatologists explored the diagnostic journey and barriers to diagnosis. Emerging themes were further explored in an online patient survey. Patients were recruited through Spondylitis Association of America outreach and patient panels. ResultsInterviews were conducted with 25 patients (mean age, 45 years; 80% female) and 16 rheumatologists. Survey responses from 186 eligible patients (median age, 40 years; 67% female) were analyzed. Among surveyed patients, median time from symptom onset to nr-axSpA was 3.25 years. In multivariable analysis, delayed diagnosis was significantly more likely for women and people in rural areas. Most patients consulted ≥4 different types of healthcare providers (HCPs) before seeing a rheumatologist and consulted ≥2 rheumatologists before nr-axSpA diagnosis. Identified impediments to timely diagnosis included the insidious onset of bothersome but tolerable chronic pain; episodic rather than persistent symptom patterns that seemed related to activity; symptoms other than chronic lumbosacral back pain that were dominant and required medical consultation; and widespread unfamiliarity with and misperceptions about nr-axSpA among frontline HCPs, radiologists, and rheumatologists. ConclusionsDelayed nr-axSpA diagnosis is common and reflects HCP knowledge gaps as well as frequent patient presentation with dominant nonaxial symptoms. Targeted HCP education, further research into early disease patterns, and interventions sensitive to the broader spectrum of nr-axSpA manifestations are needed to improve timely diagnosis. Trial RegistrationNot applicable.
HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination Among Health Care Workers During Early Program Decentralization in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Langi Gaby G. , Rahadi Arie , Praptoraharjo Ignatius , Ahmad Riris A. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background

Expanding HIV services by decentralizing provision to primary care raises a possible concern of HIV-related stigma and discrimination (SAD) from health care workers (HCWs) as new service points gain experience in HIV care delivery during early implementation. We surveyed indicators and examined the correlates of SAD among HCWs in a decentralizing district of rural Gunungkidul, Indonesia.
Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey on a random stratified sample of 234 HCWs in 14 public health facilities (one referent hospital, 13 primary health centers [PHC]) during the second year of decentralization roll-out in the district. We computed the prevalence of SAD indicators and used multivariable logistic regression with bootstrap standard errors to estimate the correlates of these indicators controlling for variations across facility units.
Results

The prevalence of SAD among HCWs was ~ 71% in fear of HIV transmission when caring for people living with HIV (PLHIV), ~ 75% in perceived negative image of PLHIV, and tended to differ between hospital and PHC HCWs for avoidance of service duties to HIV key populations (52.5% vs. 63.8%; p = 0.081) and discriminatory practices during HIV care delivery (96.1% vs. 85.2%; p = 0.008). Recent interactions with PLHIV and receipt of training lowered the odds of fear of HIV transmission (p ≤ 0.036). However, the odds of avoiding care duties increased with receipt of training (p < 0.001) and male sex (p = 0.050). Age, HIV knowledge, hospital facility, and non-physician cadres increased the odds of discriminatory practices (p ≤ 0.026). No significant correlate was found for perceived negative image of PLHIV.
Conclusion

HIV-related SAD among HCWs can be prevalent during early decentralization, highlighting the need for timely or preparatory interventions with a focus on building the capacity of hospital and non-physician workforce for positive patient-provider interactions when delivering HIV care.
Bacterial Microbiota Analysis Demonstrates That Tick Can Acquire Bacteria From Habitat and Host Blood Meal
Authors: Li Si-Si , Zhang Xiao-Yu , Zhou Xue-Jiao , Chen Kai-Li , Masoudi Abolfazl , Liu Jing-Ze , Zhang Yan-Kai 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Exploring the bacterial microbiota is imperative to tick control since it has an important role in tick physiology and vector capacity. The life cycle of ticks consists of parasitic and non-parasitic stages, with a diversity of habitats and host blood meals. Whether and how these factors, such as tick developmental stages, tick organs, habitats and host blood meals affect tick bacterial microbiota is poorly elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the bacterial microbiotas of hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis, their blood meals and habitats using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. The bacterial richness and diversity in ticks varied depending on the tick developmental stage, feeding status and the tick organs. Results showed that fed ticks present a higher bacterial richness suggesting that ticks may acquire bacteria from blood meals. The significant overlap of the bacteriota of fed ticks and the host blood also support this possibility. Another possibility is that blood meals can stimulate the proliferation of certain bacteria. However, most shared bacteria cannot transmit throughout the tick life cycle, as they were not present in tick eggs. The most shared bacteria between ticks and habitats are genus of Staphylococcus, Pseudomonus, Enterobacter, Acinetobacer and Stenotrophomonas, some of them are also present in tick organ, suggesting that these environmental bacteria cannot be completely washed away and can be acquired by ticks. As tick reproductive organ, ovary showed the lowest bacterial richness and diversity compared to other organs. The predominant proportion of Coxiella in fed females and ovary further demonstrated that this genus is required for H. longicornis reproduction system. These findings further reveal that the bacterial composition of ticks is influenced by a variety of factors and will help in subsequent studies of the function of these bacteria.
Photocatalytic Adsorption Synergistic Degradation of Tetracycline by Z-scheme Bi2WO6/ZIF-8
Authors: Dai Xiaojun , feng sheng , Wu Wei , Zhou Yun , Ye Zhiwei , Wang Yang , Cao Xun 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
In this paper, in order to improved the photocatalytic activity of Bi2WO6, Bi2WO6 and ZIF-8 were successfully combined by in-situ growth method for the first time. The addition of ZIF-8 effectively inhibited the recombination of photogenerated electron hole pairs and further improved the electron utilization efficiency, and superoxide anion was introduced to greatly improve the photocatalytic activity. The performance of Bi2WO6/ZIF-8 in the photodegradation of tetracycline (TC) was studied under different conditions of proportions of ZIF-8, dosage of catalyst and concentration of TC. The results indicated that B/Z/5/1 (10mg) had the best photocatalytic activity, and 97.8% of TC (20mg/L) could be degraded in 80 minutes under UV light, the rate constant (k) for TC degradation was almost 3 times that of Bi2WO6. The effects of pH, HA and inorganic anions on the degradation of TC were studied in simulated real water. Further, B/Z/5/1 could be reutilized up to five cycles without reduction of efficiency and catalysis performance. Therefore, Bi2WO6/ZIF-8 heterojunction composite material can be utilized as an efficient photocatalyst for remediation of environmental pollution.
Assessing the role of blood pressure in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xia Kailin , Zhang Linjing , Tang Lu , Huang Tao , Fan Dongsheng 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Observational studies have suggested a close but controversial relationship between blood pressure (BP) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, it remains unclear whether this association is causal. The authors employed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to investigate whether there is a causal relationship between BP and ALS. Genetic proxies for systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), antihypertension drugs (AHDs), ALS, and their corresponding genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary datasets were obtained from the updated largest studies. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was adopted as the main approach to examine the effect of BP on ALS and four other MR methods for sensitivity analyses. To exclude the interference between SBP and DBP, multivariable MR was used.
Results
We found that genetically determined increased DBP was a protective factor for ALS (OR = 0.978, 95% CI 0.960–0.996, P = 0.017), and increased SBP was an independent risk factor for ALS (OR = 1.014, 95% CI 1.003–1.025, P = 0.015). The high level of targeted protein of Calcium channel blocker (CCB) showed a causative relationship with ALS (OR = 0.985, 95% CI 0.971-1.000, P = 0.049). No evidence was revealed that ALS caused results change of BP measurements.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated that an increase in DBP is a protective factor for ALS, and increased SBP is independently risk for ALS, which may be related to sympathetic excitability. Blood pressure management is important in ALS, in which CCB may be a promising candidate.
Variants in nucleocapsid protein and endoRNase are found to associate with severe COVID-19 in a case-control study in Washington State, USA
Authors: Zhao Lue Ping , Roychoudhury Pavitra , Jerome Keith , Gilbert Peter , Schiffer Joshua , Lybrand Terry , Payne Thomas , Randhawa April K , Thiebaud Sara E , Mills Margaret , Greninger Alexander , Pyo Chu-Woo , Wang Ruihan , Li Renyu , Thomas Alexander S , Norris Brandon M , Nelson Wyatt C , Geraghty Daniel E. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is spreading worldwide with continuously evolving variants, some of which occur in the Spike protein and appear to increase the viral transmissibility. However, variants that cause severe COVID-19 or lead to other breakthroughs have not been well characterized. To discover such viral variants, we assembled a cohort of 683 COVID-19 patients; 388 inpatients (“cases”) and 295 outpatients (“controls”) from April to August 2020 using electronically captured COVID test request forms and sequenced their viral genomes. To improve the analytic power, we accessed 7,137 viral sequences in Washington State to filter out viral single nucleotide variants (SNVs) that did not have significant expansions over the collection period. Applying this filter led to the identification of 53 SNVs that were statistically significant, of which 13 SNVs each had 3 or more variant copies in the discovery cohort. Correlating these selected SNVs with case/control status, eight SNVs were found to significantly associate with inpatient status (q-values<0.01). Using temporal synchrony, we identified a four SNV-haplotype (t19839-g28881-g28882-g28883) which was significantly associated with case/control status (Fisher’s exact p=2.84*10-11) that appeared in April 2020, peaked in June, and persisted into January 2021. This association was replicated (OR=5.46, p-value=4.71*10-12) in an independent cohort of 964 COVID-19 patients (June 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021). The haplotype included a synonymous change N73N in endoRNase, and three non-synonymous changes coding residues R203K, R203S and G204R in the nucleocapsid protein. This discovery points to the potential functional role of the nucleocapsid protein in triggering “cytokine storms” and severe COVID-19 that led to hospitalization. The study further emphasizes a need for tracking and analyzing viral sequences in correlations with clinical status.
Prevalence and distribution of human papillomavirus genotypes among women in northern Henan Province of China
Authors: Wang Xiangpeng , Song Yuan , Wei Xiaofei , Wang Guanyu , Sun Ruili , Wang Mingyong , Zhao Lijun 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can cause cervical and other cancers including cancer of vulva, vagina, penis, anus, or oropharynx. However, data concerning the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV among women are limited in northern Henan Province of China. This study aimed to make an investigation on the current prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV among women and provided comprehensive data to guide HPV-based cervical cancer prevention in northern Henan Province.
Methods

A total of 15616 women aged 16 to 81 years who attended the department of gynecology of Xinxiang central hospital between January 2018 and December 2019 were enrolled in this study. HPV DNA was detected by PCR method followed by HPV type-specific hybridization. The overall prevalence, age-specific prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV were investigated.
Results

The overall HPV prevalence was 19.7% among women in northern Henan Province. Single, double and multiple HPV infections accounted for 13.7%, 4.3% and 1.8% of the total cases, respectively. HPV prevalence was 41.8% among women aged 16 to 19 years, 21.1% among women aged 20 to 29 years, 18.1% among women aged 30 to 39 years, 17.7% among women aged 40 to 49 years, 20.8% among women aged 50 to 59 years, 22.9% among women more than 60 years. HPV infection rates differed significantly across different age groups. Most infections were caused by high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) and single genotype HPV infection was the most common pattern. The most common HR-HPV genotype was HPV16, followed by HPV52, HPV58, HPV53 and HPV39. The most common low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) genotype was HPV6, followed by HPV61, HPV81, HPV54 and HPV11.
Conclusions

HPV infection is common among women in northern Henan Province. The highest infection prevalence was found in women less than 20 years old. The 9-valent HPV vaccine for routine vaccination is strongly recommended in northern Henan Province.
Vibrational energies of some diatomic molecules for a modified and deformed potential
Authors: Onate C. A. , Okon I. B. , Onyeaju M. C. , Ebomwonyi O. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
A molecular potential model is proposed and the solutions of the radial Schrӧdinger equation in the presence of the proposed potential is obtained. The energy equation and its corresponding radial wave function are calculated using the powerful parametric Nikiforov-Uvarov method. The energies of cesium dimer for different quantum states were numerically obtained for both negative and positive values of the deformed and adjustable parameters. The results for sodium dimer and lithium dimer were calculated numerically using their respective spectroscopic parameters. The calculated values for the three molecules are in excellent agreement with the observed values. Finally, we calculated different expectation values and examined the effects of the deformed and adjustable parameters on the expectation values.
Cardiometabolic risk profile in non-obese children with obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Authors: Sessa Anna Di , Messina Giovanni , Bitetti Ilaria , Falanga Costanza , Farello Giovanni , Verrotti Alberto , Carotenuto Marco 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in childhood is a complex disease primarily due both to adenotonsillar hypertrophy and pediatric obesity. Notably, inflammation has been recognized as one of the most important shared pathogenic factor between obesity and OSAS resulting in an increased cardiometabolic risk for these patients. To date, evidence is still limited in non-obese population with OSAS. We aimed to evaluate the cardiometabolic risk profile of a pediatric population of non-obese subjects affected by OSAS. A total of 128 school-aged children (mean age 9.70 ± 3.43) diagnosed with OSAS and 213 non-OSAS children (mean age 9.52 ± 3.35) as control group were enrolled. All subjects underwent a complete clinical and biochemical assessment (including white blood cell count (WBC), platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV),% of neutrophils (NEU%), C- reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), uric acid, fasting insulin, iron, ferritin, and transferrin levels) . A significant association between inflammation markers (including WBC, PLT, MPV, NEU%, ferritin, CPR, and ESR) and OSAS was found (all p < 0.001). Children with OSAS also showed increased transaminase, glucose, uric acid, and insulin levels (all p < 0.001) compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings suggested a worse cardiometabolic profile in non-obese children with OSAS. Given the pivotal pathogenic role of inflammation both for hypoxiemia and metabolic derangements, therapeutic strategies for OSAS might also counteract the increased cardiometabolic risk of these patients, by improving their long-term quality of life.