bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the effectiveness of measures to control the novel coronavirus disease 2019 in Jilin Province, China
Authors: Zhao Qinglong , Wang Yao , Yang Meng , Li Meina , Zhao Zeyu , Lu Xinrong , Shen Bo , Luan Bo , Zhao Yifei , Cao Bonan , Yao Laishun , Zhao Benhua , Su Yanhua , Chen Tianmu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Based on differences in populations and prevention and control measures, the spread of new coronary pneumonia in different countries and regions also differs. This study aimed to calculate the transmissibility of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to evaluate the effectiveness of measures to control the disease in Jilin Province, China.

Methods
The data of reported COVID-19 cases were collected, including imported and local cases from Jilin Province as of March 14, 2019. A Susceptible–Exposed–Infectious–Asymptomatic–Recovered/Removed (SEIAR) model was developed to fit the data, and the effective reproduction number (Reff) was calculated at different stages in the province. Finally, the effectiveness of the measures was assessed.

Results
A total of 97 COVID-19 infections were reported in Jilin Province, among which 45 were imported infections (including one asymptomatic infection) and 52 were local infections (including three asymptomatic infections). The model fit the reported data well (R2 = 0.593, P < 0.001). The Reff of COVID-19 before and after February 1, 2020 was 1.64 and 0.05, respectively. Without the intervention taken on February 1, 2020, the predicted cases would have reached a peak of 177,011 on October 22, 2020 (284 days from the first case). The projected number of cases until the end of the outbreak (on October 9, 2021) would have been 17,129,367, with a total attack rate of 63.66%. Based on the comparison between the predicted incidence of the model and the actual incidence, the comprehensive intervention measures implemented in Jilin Province on February 1 reduced the incidence of cases by 99.99%. Therefore, according to the current measures and implementation efforts, Jilin Province can achieve good control of the virus’s spread.

Conclusions
COVID-19 has a moderate transmissibility in Jilin Province, China. The interventions implemented in the province had proven effective; increasing social distancing and a rapid response by the prevention and control system will help control the spread of the disease.
Toxic stress, health and nutrition among Brazilian children in shelters
Authors: da Silveira Adriana César , Leite Álvaro Jorge Madeiro , Cabral Poliana Coelho , de Oliveira Ariclécio Cunha , de Oliveira Keciany Alves , de Lira Pedro Israel Cabral 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Living in a shelter is an adverse experience that generates toxic stress. This situation can cause the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and exert a negative impact on health.The aim of the present study was to determine the association between toxic stress and social, clinical and nutritional characteristics in children at welfare institutions in a city of northeastern of Brazil.

Methods
An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with male and female children up to 60 months of age who live in shelters. Hair cortisol was used for the assessment of stress (immunoassay). The anthropometric data collected were height for age, body mass index for age, arm circumference for age, and head circumference for age (expressed in z-scores). We also evaluated food intake using markers proposed by the Brazilian Dietary and Nutritional Vigilance Surveillance System as well as the occurrence of dental caries and anemia.

Results
Sixty-three children one to 60 months of age participated in the present study. Asthma was the most frequent disease (11.1%). The prevalence of short stature, anemia and dental caries in the sample was 22.2, 22.2 and 9.4%, respectively. Cortisol levels ranged from 0.93 pg/mg to 391.29 pg/mg (median: 6.17 pg/mg). Higher cortisol levels were found in children with illnesses (p = 0.012) and those who had been hospitalized after being admitted to the institutions (p = 0.001).

Conclusions
The majority of children had unhealthy eating behavior. The cortisol concentrations found in the present study were suggestive of dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Hypercortisolism was associated with illness and hospitalization.
Salivary inflammatory biomarkers and glycated haemoglobin among patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus
Authors: Agho Ekhosuehi Theophilus , Owotade Foluso John , Kolawole Babatope Ayodeji , Oyetola Elijah Olufemi , Adedeji Tewogbade Adeoye 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Type 2 diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic proportions worldwide and improved detection techniques and biomarkers are urgently needed across the spectrum of diabetes initiation and progression. Inflammatory biomarkers play a role in the development of the condition and blood is the gold standard body fluid for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Serum glycated haemoglobin is a widely used marker of chronic hyperglycemia, and it is currently used to diagnose type 2 diabetes mellitus and it is the standard biomarker for the adequacy of management. However, saliva offers an alternative to serum as a biological fluid for diagnostic purposes. Non-invasive measures of inflammatory biomarkers (such as saliva diagnostics) are increasingly being investigated due to significant similarities between salivary and serum proteome. The role of saliva diagnostics in diabetes mellitus has not been explored in our study population.

Objectives
This study investigated the association of selected salivary inflammatory biomarkers (Interleukin 6 [IL-6], C-reactive protein [CRP], and Tumour necrosis factor α [TNF-α]) to glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) in type 2 diabetics.

Materials and methods
Seventy-five participants, 39 type 2 diabetics (52%) and 36 (48%) healthy controls were recruited. Saliva and blood samples were collected for each participant. The levels of selected salivary inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, CRP and TNF-α) were estimated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method and glycated haemogloin (HbA1C) was estimated using the liquid chromatography method. Periodontal status of the participants were determined using the Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE).

Results
The mean salivary levels of CRP was significantly higher in diabetics, 0.05 ± 0.04 µg/ml than in controls, 0.02 ± 0.02 µg/ml (p < 0.001). Mean TNF-α was also significantly higher in diabetics, 5.39 ± 12.10 pg/ml than in controls, 1.51 ± 3.66 pg/ml (p = 0.036). Mean salivary IL-6 was also higher in diabetics compared with controls (47.20 ± 18.49 versus 41.94 ± 16.88 pg/ml), but the difference was not statistically significant, p = 0.204. In the multivariate analysis adjusting for age and periodontal status, only the mean salivary CRP was significantly higher in diabetics, 0.034 higher than controls (95% CI 0.009, 0.059 and p = 0.01). There was a positive correlation between salivary CRP and HbA1C levels, which was moderate with r-value 0.4929 and p-value < 0.0001.

Conclusions
Salivary inflammatory biomarkers especially CRP are higher in diabetics compared with controls and CRP is positively correlated with serum HbA1C levels. The biomarkers show potentials as non-invasive alternative method to evaluate glycaemic control in diabetes.
Current updates in machine learning in the prediction of therapeutic outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma: what should we know?
Authors: Zou Zhi-Min , Chang De-Hua , Liu Hui , Xiao Yu-Dong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWith the development of machine learning (ML) algorithms, a growing number of predictive models have been established for predicting the therapeutic outcome of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after various treatment modalities. By using the different combinations of clinical and radiological variables, ML algorithms can simulate human learning to detect hidden patterns within the data and play a critical role in artificial intelligence techniques. Compared to traditional statistical methods, ML methods have greater predictive effects. ML algorithms are widely applied in nearly all steps of model establishment, such as imaging feature extraction, predictive factor classification, and model development. Therefore, this review presents the literature pertaining to ML algorithms and aims to summarize the strengths and limitations of ML, as well as its potential value in prognostic prediction, after various treatment modalities for HCC.
Prediction of activity and selectivity profiles of human Carbonic Anhydrase inhibitors using machine learning classification models
Authors: Tinivella Annachiara , Pinzi Luca , Rastelli Giulio 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe development of selective inhibitors of the clinically relevant human Carbonic Anhydrase (hCA) isoforms IX and XII has become a major topic in drug research, due to their deregulation in several types of cancer. Indeed, the selective inhibition of these two isoforms, especially with respect to the homeostatic isoform II, holds great promise to develop anticancer drugs with limited side effects. Therefore, the development of in silico models able to predict the activity and selectivity against the desired isoform(s) is of central interest. In this work, we have developed a series of machine learning classification models, trained on high confidence data extracted from ChEMBL, able to predict the activity and selectivity profiles of ligands for human Carbonic Anhydrase isoforms II, IX and XII. The training datasets were built with a procedure that made use of flexible bioactivity thresholds to obtain well-balanced active and inactive classes. We used multiple algorithms and sampling sizes to finally select activity models able to classify active or inactive molecules with excellent performances. Remarkably, the results herein reported turned out to be better than those obtained by models built with the classic approach of selecting an a priori activity threshold. The sequential application of such validated models enables virtual screening to be performed in a fast and more reliable way to predict the activity and selectivity profiles against the investigated isoforms.
MicroRNA expression profile in bovine mammary gland parenchyma infected by coagulase-positive or coagulase-negative staphylococci
Authors: Bagnicka Emilia , Kawecka-Grochocka Ewelina , Pawlina-Tyszko Klaudia , Zalewska Magdalena , Kapusta Aleksandra , Kościuczuk Ewa , Marczak Sylwester , Ząbek Tomasz 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs, 21–23 nucleotides in length which are known to regulate biological processes that greatly impact immune system activity. The aim of the study was to compare the miRNA expression in non-infected (H) mammary gland parenchyma samples with that of glands infected with coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) or coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) using next-generation sequencing. The miRNA profile of the parenchyma was found to change during mastitis, with its profile depending on the type of pathogen. Comparing the CoPS and H groups, 256 known and 260 potentially new miRNAs were identified, including 32 that were differentially expressed (p ≤ 0.05), of which 27 were upregulated and 5 downregulated. Comparing the CoNS and H groups, 242 known and 171 new unique miRNAs were identified: 10 were upregulated (p ≤ 0.05), and 2 downregulated (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, comparing CoPS with H and CoNS with H, 5 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were identified; in both comparisons, differentially-expressed miRNAs were associated with the bacterial invasion of epithelial cells and focal adhesion pathways. Four gene ontology terms were identified in each comparison, with 2 being common to both immune system processes and signal transduction. Our results indicate that miRNAs, especially miR-99 and miR-182, play an essential role in the epigenetic regulation of a range of cellular processes, including immunological systems bacterial growth in dendritic cells and disease pathogenesis (miR-99), DNA repair and tumor progression (miR-182).
A finite-difference discretization preserving the structure of solutions of a diffusive model of type-1 human immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Alba-Pérez Joel , Macías-Díaz Jorge E. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe investigate a model of spatio-temporal spreading of human immunodeficiency virus HIV-1. The mathematical model considers the presence of various components in a human tissue, including the uninfected CD4+T cells density, the density of infected CD4+T cells, and the density of free HIV infection particles in the blood. These three components are nonnegative and bounded variables. By expressing the original model in an equivalent exponential form, we propose a positive and bounded discrete model to estimate the solutions of the continuous system. We establish conditions under which the nonnegative and bounded features of the initial-boundary data are preserved under the scheme. Moreover, we show rigorously that the method is a consistent scheme for the differential model under study, with first and second orders of consistency in time and space, respectively. The scheme is an unconditionally stable and convergent technique which has first and second orders of convergence in time and space, respectively. An application to the spatio-temporal dynamics of HIV-1 is presented in this manuscript. For the sake of reproducibility, we provide a computer implementation of our method at the end of this work.
Production of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) for Biomedical Application using Sugar Industry Waste and Native Micro Flora via Biphasic System.
Authors: Paulraj P , Periyavedi S , Sajna K , T Mohamed Javad P , Sajeesh P , Chandramohan M , Ketharin T 
Published: March 2021

Plastics are synthetic polymers that changed our daily life due to their applications. But itâ€™s increasing environmental problems had made the researchers find the alternative way such as usage of biodegradable plastics like Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) which has similar properties to the conventional plastic. In this research production and characterization of PHAs using sugar industry wastes as a sole carbon source was carried in order to reduce the cost of production of PHA. Isolation of heterotrophic native micro flora from soil sample contaminated with sugar effluent for amylolytic and cellulolytic activity with PHA production potentials was carried out. Â Suitable conditions for PHA accumulation were optimized with 1X and 2X MSM with sugar effluent as a sole carbon source and bacteriostatic antibiotics as an inducer using bi-phasic system. A total of 14 different heterotrophic native bacterial strains were isolated, among them, 4 isolates showed starch hydrolytic property, 7 isolates showed cellulolytic activity and 7 were PHA producers. The strain with the highest PHA accumulation (99.99Âµg/mL of culture) in 2X MSM with sugar effluent within 6 hours was considered as a potential strain (53% of PHB CWD). The isolate was confirmed as Chryseobacterium Sp. using 16S rRNA sequencing.Â
Phylogenetic Relationship of Barnacles (Fam:Balanidae) Sampled on Artificial Substrata of Kuala Selangor and Morib
Authors: N Roseman N , Rasol R , Ismail A , R Singh H , Z M Yusof F 
Published: March 2021

Barnacles are marine sessile crustacean inhabiting intertidal areas of the Selangor coastline. They are seen attaching themselves to rocks and artificial structures such as jetty, piers, boats and sea walls. Being the most successful biofoulers, barnacles cause economic losses to some extent. Most of barnacles study focused on morphological identification only. Since molecular method gave more accurate results by sequence comparison, species identification was done on samples of obviously different species inhabiting artificial substrata by using mitochondrial 16S rDNA identification. In Kuala Selangor, there was only one species found on artificial substrata in Bagan Pasir and Pasir Penambang which was identified as Amphibalanus cirratus. Two species that differed in their morphological characteristics found on Morib sea walls were identified as Amphibalanus cirratus and Chthamalus malayensis. Phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rDNA showed that all the samples were in the same cluster reflecting that they are in the same clade.Â Â
Comparative Study on Anti-Acetylcholinesterase and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Date and Apple Vinegars Fortified with Centella Asiatica
Authors: I Adenan M , A Jusril N , A Radzun K , Z Hafiz Z 
Published: March 2021

Neuroinflammation and deficiency of cholinergic are major factors of neurodegenerative damage correlated to cognitive impairment in Alzheimerâ€™s disease (AD). We investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities of apple and date vinegars added with Centella asiatica in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The neuroprotective effect of apple or date vinegar added with various percentage of C. asiatica (0, 0.5, 2, 5) % w/v was determined in vitro. The methanolic extract of apple vinegar added with 2% C. asiatica (AV-2% CA) and date vinegar added with 2% C. asiatica (DV-2% CA) Â extracts showed potent neuroprotective effect. Both extracts were subjected to liquid-liquid partitioning yielded aqueous (H2O: AV/DV-2% CA) and ethyl acetate (EA: AV/DV-2% CA) extracts. Anti-inflammatory response against nitric oxide (NO) of all extracts was measured in LPS-induced SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and percentage inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was measured using commercially available test kits. It was found that EA: DV-2% CA showed potent ameliorating effect against LPS-induced inflammation (I50: 563.5 Â± 0.13Î¼g/mL) and was also responsible in the AChE inhibition activity (IC50: 9.087 Â± 0.02). Thus, this extract is suggested to have dual properties of anti-inflammatory and anti-acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity that could be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disease.Â Â Â
Newly Synthesized N-Substituted Thiosemicarbazone as a Potential Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in 1 M HCl
Authors: Z. Nor Hashim N , Kassim K , H. Zaidon F 
Published: March 2021

Two N-substituted thiosemicarbazone derivatives namely as 2-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide and 2-benzylidene-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L1 and L2, respectively) have been tested as corrosion inhibitors on mild steel in 1 M HCl. The ligands were synthesized and investigated using potentiodynamic polarization (PD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).Â The obtained results indicated that inhibition efficiency, (IE, %) L1 increased with increasing inhibitor concentrations which behaved as a good corrosion inhibitor compared to L2. The synthesized ligands were successfully characterized by melting point, elemental analysis (C, H, N, and S), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and NMR (1H and 13C) spectroscopy. The excellent inhibition effectiveness for both compounds on mild steel before and after immersion in 1 M HCl solution containing 40 ppm of L1 and L2 were also verified by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Based on potentiodynamic polarization results, it can be concluded that all investigated compounds are mixed-type inhibitors and obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.Â
Synthesis and Characterization of MgO Doped ZnO Nanorods Prepared by Solution Immersion Method and their Effect on Energy Band Gap
Authors: Khusaimi Z , A.M. Asib N , Z. Umbaidilah S , N. Afaah A , N.E. Syafika C , F. Chayed N. , Rusop M. 
Published: March 2021

In this research, solid powder form ZnO and MgO-doped ZnO were prepared by using solution immersion method. Mg divalent cation with different atomic percentage of 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% were added in 0.04 M of Zn2+ solution containing zinc nitrate hexahydrates as precursor and hexamethylene tetraamine as stabilizer. Annealing treatment was consequently carried out to transform the precursors into oxide forms. ZnO and MgO-doped ZnO were successfully obtained and the surface morphology, crystallite size and elemental composition were studied using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and Energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) respectively. The band gap energy was determined using Ultraviolet-Visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis). FESEM images showed that the powder form of ZnO and MgO-doped ZnO consist of rod-like shape. A 0.5% of MgO-doped ZnO sample has smallest size of rods with higher aspect ratio compared to others. The EDX result revealed that the sample composed of Zn, O and Mg in the sample. The band gap energy for all samples was determined using Tauc plot and it was found that the band gap energy is reduced with 1.0 and 1.5 % doping while increased at 0.5% doping. The band gap energy was found to range between 3.23 eV to 3.26 eV. The 0.5% of Mg-doped ZnO with higher aspect ratio shows the highest band gap energy value.Â Â
Application of Ziziphus Jujube (Red Date), Camellia Sinensis (Black Tea) and Aleurites Moluccana (Candle Nut) Marinades as Beef Meat Tenderizer
Authors: Afifi Ismail Mohamad , Anuar Ibrahim Mohamad , Rashedi Ismail-Fitry Mohamad 
Published: March 2021

This study was carried out to analyse Ziziphus jujube (red date), Camellia sinensis (black tea) and Aleurites moluccana (candlenut) extract as the potential beef tenderizer. The beef meat chunks (3cm3) were marinated with the extracts at different concentrations (20%, 40% and 60%) for 24 hours at 4ÂºC. Both raw and cooked samples were subjected to physicochemical analyses and sensory evaluation. Overall, there were slight changes in pH values and increased in moisture content for all the treated samples. The increased concentration of extracts resulted in decreased cooking loss and the hardness from texture profile analysis (TPA) of the treated sample compared to the control. The colour analysis showed a significant (p<0.05) different in term of lightness, redness and yellowness of all treated meat chunks. Increased concentration of extracts reduced the redness of meat samples. The sensory evaluation indicated that the tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability of all treated samples were significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to control. It can be suggested that the marination of meat with Ziziphus jujube (red date), Camellia sinensis (black tea) and Aleurites moluccana (candlenut) extracts have the ability to tenderize the meat as the toughness decreased in all treated samples with Ziziphus jujube (red date) was the best tenderizer.Â Â Â
A Systematic Review of Lean Six Sigma Implementation in Food Industry
Authors: Najihah Azalanzazllay Nurul , Abdul Halim Lim Sarina 
Published: March 2021

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is the most current quality management approach being applied recently in many industries to improve food quality and subsequently process excellence in the businesses. The objectives of this paper are to determine the barriers and resistance to change factors of implementing LSS approach in the food industry. This study was conducted as to determine the benefits of applying LSS and comparing the trend of quality management being used in the food industry. It is also based on the application of systematic review of 113 LSS articles, involving a structured approach of data collection and data extraction. The listed barriers and resistance to change factors shown are top management support, lack of quality improvement knowledge, poor training and insufficient skills amongst employees and lack of financial budget thus causing the limitation of LSS approach in the food industry. The result mapped the current quality management approaches implemented in the food industry. The academics and the food industry practitioners may have an insight from this paper by considering their critical success factors, barriers and resistance to change factors that could facilitate towards a successful LSS implementation.Â Â Â