bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The mitigating effect of Ananas comosus on aluminum-induced oxidative stress on the testes of adult male Wistar rats
Authors: Leko Bankole J. , Olawuyi Solomon T. , Okon Lawrence U. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe mitigating effect ofAnanas comosus(pineapple juice) extract on an aluminum-induced testicular toxicity in male Wistar rats was examined in this study. Thirty healthy adult male Wistar rats with an average weight of 200 g were grouped into six groups; distilled water and 1 ml of pineapple juice extracts were administered to the control and treated animals respectively for 3 weeks. The control group was given rat pellets and distilled water. Negative control was given 100mg/kg/d Aluminum Chloride and pellets; Group 1 was given 100mg/kg/d and 1ml of pineapple juice in distilled water orally; Group 2 was given 100mg/kg/d Aluminum Chloride and 1.5 ml of in distilled water orally; group 3 was given 100 mg/kg/day aluminum chloride and 2 ml of pineapple juice in distilled water orally; group 4 was given 100 mg/kg/day aluminum chloride and 2.5 ml of pineapple juice in distilled water orally. Testicular histology, semen parameters, and testosterone were assessed.ResultsThis study showed a significant (P< 0.05) decrease in testicular volume, motile sperm count, concentration, total count, progressive evaluation, and morphology in the negative control group relative to the normal control and extract control groups. In the groups co-treated with aluminum chloride andAnanas comosusextract, there was improvement in sperm volume, motility, total count, progressive assessment, and morphology. There was also a statistical decrease (P< 0.05) in testosterone hormone in the negative control group, but there was an increase in the aluminum chloride andAnanas comosusextract co-treated groups. Similarly, in co-treated aluminum chloride andAnanas comosusextract, the degenerative seminiferous tubule histoarchitecture due to aluminum chloride in the negative control group was enhanced.ConclusionBased on this current study, it was evident that aluminum chloride induced oxidative stress and retarded reproduction in males whereasAnanas comosusmitigated reproduction in males by improving sperm parameters and microarchitecture of the testes.
Characterization and potential antifungal activities of three Streptomyces spp. as biocontrol agents against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary infecting green bean
Authors: Gebily Doha A. S. , Ghanem Gamal A. M. , Ragab Mona M. , Ali Ayat M. , Soliman Nour El-din K. , Abd El-Moity Tawfik H. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
White mold disease, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum the devastating pathogen, attacks green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and several crops worldwide. The present investigation was carried out to introduce some antagonistic microorganisms as novel antifungal substances to be an alternative and secure method to effectively control the disease.

Results
Three Streptomyces species, i.e., S. griseus (MT210913 “DG5”), S. rochei (MN700192 “DG4”), and S. sampsonii (MN700191 “DG1”) were isolated, biologically, molecularly characterized, and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Molecularly, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and nucleotide sequencing were used to characterize the pathogen and bio-agents. PCR amplification of the pathogen and Streptomyces species (bioagents) exhibited amplicons of around 535 bp and 1300 bp, respectively. The nucleotide sequence analysis of the three Streptomyces spp. indicated that S. rochei was closely related to S. griseus, and both had a distance relationship with S. sampsonii. The evaluation of bioagents was carried out against S. sclerotiorum. Reduction percentages in the mycelial growth of the pathogen ranged between 60.17 and 52.30%, indicating that S. rochie gave the highest inhibition percent. Incorporations of Streptomyces spp. culture filtrate components into culture media proved that S. sampsonii was more efficient as a bioagent in reducing mycelial growth pathogen by 84.50%. The effectiveness of the bioagent volatile compounds inhibited the pathogen growth at a rate of 54.50-72.54%, respectively, revealing that S. rochei was the highest inhibitor followed by S. griseus. The parasitic activity of Streptomyces spp. upon S. sclerotiorum showed deformation, contraction, and collapse when observed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Molecular characterization of the 3 Streptomyces spp. revealed that S. griseus was closely related to S. sampsonii (96%), secondly ranked by S. rochei (93.1%). Viability and germination of pathogen sclerotia were reduced when they dipped into the Streptomyces spore suspensions for 10, 20, and 30 days. Application of the 3 Streptomyces spp. in the field proved a great potential to control the disease.

Conclusions
The results suggested that the 3 Streptomyces strains and their secondary metabolites can be potential biocontrol agents and biofertilizers for controlling S. sclerotiorum, the causative agent of bean white mold disease.
Shaping ability of two heat treated rotary NiTi instruments using different kinematics/in vitro study
Authors: Kataia Engy M. , Nagy Mohamed Mokhtar , Kataia Mohamed M. , Khalil Hala Fayek 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundComparing shaping ability of Azure and Fanta AF One in rotation and reciprocation. This study was conducted on 40 resin blocks, having canal curvatures 30°-angle and of 16-mm length. The blocks were assigned to 4-groups according to the instrument and motion used: Azure/Rotation (A/Rt), Fanta AF one/Rotation (F/Rt), Azure/Reciprocation (A/Rec) and Fanta AF one/Reciprocation (F/Rec). For both systems single file 25, taper 0.06 were used. Digital images were taken before and after instrumentation. Adobe Photoshop was used to overlap post and pre-instrumentation images to assess canal transportation at 1, 4, 7-mm; representing apical, middle and cervical levels respectively. Stopwatch was used to document the time taken for canal preparation. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post hoc test, used to compare between more than two groups in non-related samples.ResultsAt the apical level, no statistically significant difference was found between both files in either rotation or reciprocation. However, reciprocation motion showed significantly lower transportation levels in both files. No significant difference was found among groups at the middle and cervical levels. Regarding preparation time, Reciprocation in both groups was significantly longer.ConclusionsThe use of reciprocation motion showed minimized apical canal transportation in both files however in longer preparation time.
The role of IL-4 gene polymorphism in HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients
Authors: Abd-Elfattah Mohy-Eldin , Naguib Mary , Elkheer Mohammed , Abdelsameea Eman , Nada Ali 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Interleukin-4 (IL-4), a pleiotropic anti-inflammatory cytokine, is produced mainly by activated T helper 2 (Th2). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typical inflammation-related cancer. Alterations influencing IL-4 expression may disturb immune response and may be associated with HCC risk. We aimed to verify role of IL4 gene polymorphism (IL-4-589C/T (rs2243250)) in HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients. IL-4-589C/T (rs2243250) polymorphism was examined in 50 patients with HCC on top of HCV, 40 patients with HCV-induced liver cirrhosis, and 30 healthy controls using the polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

Results
Overall IL-4 gene polymorphism (IL-4-589C/T (rs2243250)) showed significant difference between hepatocellular carcinoma group versus liver cirrhosis and healthy control groups. TT homozygous genotype was more prevalent in HCC group (24%) versus (5%) in liver cirrhosis and (3.3%) in control. TT homozygous genotype had 10 times more risk of hepatocellular carcinoma versus healthy control group and 6.33 times more risk versus cirrhotic patients group (p value = 0.018 and 0.016 respectively).

Conclusion
IL-4-589C/T (rs2243250) polymorphism, TT homozygous genetic model, may be a risk factor in HCV-related HCC in Egyptian patients.
Prescription Patterns, Initiation, and 5-Year Adherence to Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy Among Commercially Insured Patients With Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhao Hui , Lei Xiudong , Niu Jiangong , Zhang Ning , Duan Zhigang , Chavez-MacGregor Mariana , Giordano Sharon H. 
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND: Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are used as adjuvant hormonal therapy (AHT) for early-stage hormone receptor–positive (HR+) breast cancer. Treatment for 5 years reduces cancer mortality by 30%. Despite this benefit, adherence to AHT has been suboptimal. Here, we evaluated AHT initiation and patient adherence in women with private health insurance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female patients with breast cancer ≥ 18 years of age who underwent mastectomy or lumpectomy between 1999 and 2015 were identified in the IBM MarketScan Research Database. AHT initiation and adherence rates were estimated for all AHT users regardless of HR+ status. Initiation rates were standardized using HR+ breast cancer incidence rates in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. Adherence was defined as medication possession ratio ≥ 80%. Risk ratios, odds ratios, and their 95% CIs were calculated for factors associated with patients' initiation and adherence. RESULTS: Among 80,224 patients, the raw initiation rate was 71.8% and the standardized rate was 87.5%. We found 61.2% patients initiated treatment with AIs and 38.8% with tamoxifen. Patients' 1-year adherence rate was 84.4% and the 5-year rate was 65.2%. Prescription by mail-in order, using a single AHT regimen, 50 to 69 years of age, monthly out-of-pocket drug payment ≤ $11, in US dollars, no depression, no comorbidity, living in the Northeast, treatment in recent years, and receipt of a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery were associated with better adherence. CONCLUSION: Five-year AHT adherence rates are low among female patients with breast cancer with private health insurance. Effective approaches to improve AHT adherence are needed.
The Long Endless Railroads, the Blowing of Winds, and the Invention of the Hebrew Mood
Authors: Berdichevsky Dina 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis article explores the moment of “invention” of the Hebrew mood. Around the year 1900 a new expression for mood appeared in Hebrew: matsav ruah. The articulation of a new linguistic expression was paralleled by the rise of an original atmospheric prose, mood prose, in Hebrew. By analyzing these parallel events, the article suggests that the matsav ruah of the early 1900s was a new form of self-experience and that this new form stimulated original poetic language created by a cohort of Hebrew, East European writers, including Yosef Hayim Brenner, Uri Nissan Gnessin, and others. The author suggests that, with mood, Hebrew prose figuratively stretched language itself, giving form to a new sense of “being there.” Furthermore, this poetics of mood offered authors an alternative to psychological realist prose and to the fixed subject position it implied. Thus, this article suggests that Hebrew phrasing and poetics of mood offer a potent concept for the analysis of epistemological foundations of early twentieth-century modernism in Hebrew literature while drawing an outline for a wider, comparative view on early twentieth-century European modernism in light of the concept of mood.
Rethinking Diaspora through Borders: Contemporary Somali Literature in English and Italian
Authors: Lazzari Gabriele 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis article examines contemporary Somali diasporic literature by proposing a comparative analysis of Nuruddin Farah’s Maps and a selection of texts written by authors of Somali origin currently writing in Italian: Shirin Ramzanali Fazel, Cristina Ubah Ali Farah, and Igiaba Scego. Drawing on diaspora studies, theories of narrative space, and contemporary theories of world literature, this article argues that Somali diasporic literature places at its imaginative and symbolic core the concept of the border. In so doing, Somali diasporic literature interlocks formal and narrative strategies to political and literary histories in order to challenge the naturalized perception of linguistic and territorial boundaries. Through the investigation of how processes of border production and contestation define both the narrative geographies and the dynamics of institutional recognition of Somali literature written by the members of its global diaspora, this article further suggests that Somali diasporic writers engage with border epistemologies to articulate more historically conscious modalities of belonging to place and language.
The Strange and the Familiar in theThousand and One Nights
Authors: Quint David 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis analysis of the structure and meaning of The Tale of the Hunchback, the most novelistic of the tales of the Thousand and One Nights, shows how the Nights stages the relationship of reader to fiction (the fictitious lives of others) as a power relationship and in terms of distance and familiarity. Through its juxtaposition of stories, the tale anatomizes fortunate and unfortunate human lives; it dramatizes the latter through the practical joke. The tale and its storyteller, Shahrazad, try to teach brotherhood and compassion for human weakness to a reader figured as an all-powerful Caliph-King who demands to be amused by the strange and who laughs at stories of the unfortunate. This reader’s power vis-à-vis the stories presented to him is above all to dismiss them as fictions that do not apply to him, as freakish as the deformed hunchback entertainer for whom the stories substitute within the tale. The tale and the larger Nights show how the estrangement that is the means of literary fiction can lie at cross-purposes with the ethical end of self-recognition and empathetic identification with others.
Interdomain interactions regulate the localization of a lipid transfer protein at ER-PM contact sites
Authors: Basak Bishal , Krishnan Harini , Raghu Padinjat 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
During phospholipase C-β (PLC-β) signalling in Drosophila photoreceptors, the phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PITP) RDGB, is required for lipid transfer at endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–plasma membrane (PM) contact sites (MCS). Depletion of RDGB or its mis-localization away from the ER–PM MCS results in multiple defects in photoreceptor function. Previously, the interaction between the FFAT motif of RDGB and the integral ER protein dVAP-A was shown to be essential for accurate localization to ER–PM MCS. Here, we report that the FFAT/dVAP-A interaction alone is insufficient to localize RDGB accurately; this also requires the function of the C-terminal domains, DDHD and LNS2. Mutations in each of these domains results in mis-localization of RDGB leading to loss of function. While the LNS2 domain is necessary, it is not sufficient for the correct localization of RDGB, which also requires the C-terminal DDHD domain. The function of the DDHD domain is mediated through an intramolecular interaction with the LNS2 domain. Thus, interactions between the additional domains in a multi-domain PITP together lead to accurate localization at the MCS and signalling function.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Diffusion-weighted MRI of ischemic stroke at 3T: Value of synthetic b-values
Authors: Sartoretti Thomas , Sartoretti Elisabeth , Wyss Michael , Mannil Manoj , van Smoorenburg Luuk , Eichenberger Barbara , Reischauer Carolin , Alfieri Alex , Binkert Christoph , Sartoretti-Schefer Sabine 
Published: February 2021

Objectives:
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of ischemic stroke. We assessed the value of computed and acquired high b-value DWI in comparison with conventional b = 1000 s mm−2 DWI for ischemic stroke at 3T.

Methods:
We included 36 patients with acute ischemic stroke who presented with diffusion abnormalities on DWI performed within 24 h of symptom onset. B-values of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 s mm−2 were acquired. Synthetic images with b-values of 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 s mm−2 were computed. Two readers compared synthetic (syn) and acquired (acq) b = 2000 s mm−2 images with acquired b = 1000 s mm−2 images in terms of lesion detection rate, image quality, presence of uncertain hyperintensities and lesion conspicuity. Readers also selected their preferred b-value. Contrast ratio (CR) measurements were performed. Non-parametrical statistical tests and weighted Cohens’ κ tests were computed.

Results:
Syn1000 and syn1500 matched acq1000 images in terms of lesion detection rate, image quality and presence of uncertain hyperintensities but presented with significantly improved lesion conspicuity (p &lt; 0.01) and were frequently selected as preferred b-values. Acq2000 images exhibited a similar lesion detection rate and improved lesion conspicuity (p &lt; 0.01) but worse image quality (p &lt; 0.01) than acq1000 images. Syn2000 and syn2500 images performed significantly worse (p &lt; 0.01) than acq1000 images in most or all categories. CR significantly increased with increasing b-values.

Conclusion:
Synthetic images at b = 1000 and 1500 s mm−2 and acquired DWI images at b = 2000 s mm−2 may be of clinical value due to improved lesion conspicuity.

Advances in knowledge:
Synthetic b-values enable improved lesion conspicuity for DWI of ischemic stroke.
Modular intervention to improve paternal involvement and support for better infant and young child feeding in a district of coastal South India: a randomized controlled trial protocol
Authors: Mithra Prasanna , Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran , Thapar Rekha , Kumar Nithin , Holla Ramesh , Rathi Priya 
Published: February 2021

Background: The major determinant to the well-being of infants and young children (IYC) is their feeding practices. These practices are the responsibility of both parents, meaning that fathers have an equal role to mothers. Fathers’ involvement can have an impact on the overall health of the children. Despite this, paternal involvement towards IYC feeding (IYCF) have not been studied adequately. Methods: This randomized control trial (n=120) will be conducted among fathers of infants (children aged <1 year) and young children (children aged 12-23 months) in selected households in Dakshina Kannada District of the southern Indian State of Karnataka. The study will be conducted after an initial baseline assessment on awareness, attitude and involvement of fathers in IYCF. Fathers with scores less than the 50th percentile in the practice component will be categorized as fathers with poor involvement and will be potential participants for the trial. A visual module will be developed and validated for improving paternal involvement in IYCF. Using a simple randomization technique, the participants will be allocated to modular intervention and control group (1:1 allocation). Each participant in the intervention arm will be visited once a month to implement the module, for six months on a one-to-one basis. Following the intervention, a post-test assessment will be done for both groups to measure the level of paternal involvement in IYCF. Ethics and dissemination: Approval has been obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India. The dissemination plans include scientific conferences and publication in scientific journals. Registration: The study is registered with Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2017/06/008936).
AntiRetroviral Therapy In Second-line: investigating Tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir (ARTIST): protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zhao Ying , Keene Claire , Griesel Rulan , Sayed Kaneez , Gcwabe Zimasa , Jackson Amanda , Ngwenya Olina , Schutz Charlotte , Goliath Rene , Cassidy Tali , Goemaere Eric , Hill Andrew , Maartens Gary , Meintjes Graeme 
Published: February 2021

Background: Dolutegravir has superior efficacy and tolerability than lopinavir-ritonavir in second-line antiretroviral therapy after failure of a first-line non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors-based regimen, when dolutegravir is accompanied by at least one fully active nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). Resistance testing to select NRTIs is not feasible in low- and middle-income countries due to cost and limited laboratory capacity. Evidence suggests that recycling tenofovir plus lamivudine or emtricitabine backbone with dolutegravir could provide an effective second-line option. This study aims to determine the virologic efficacy of tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir (TLD) with and without a lead-in supplementary dose of dolutegravir (to counteract the inducing effect of efavirenz) in patients failing a first-line regimen of tenofovir-emtricitabine-efavirenz (TEE). Methods: We will perform a parallel group, randomised (1:1), double blind, placebo-controlled, Phase II trial, comparing TLD fixed dose combination daily with a lead-in supplementary 50 mg dolutegravir dose versus matching placebo taken 12 hours later for the first 14 days, in patients failing a first-line TEE regimen. The trial will be set in two primary care clinics in Khayelitsha; a large, peri-urban informal settlement in Cape Town, South Africa. We will enrol 130 participants, with follow-up to 48 weeks. The primary endpoint is proportion achieving viral load <50 copies/mL at week 24 using a modified intention-to-treat analysis and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration snapshot algorithm. Secondary endpoints include virologic suppression at weeks 12 and 48, time to suppression, emergence of dolutegravir and new NRTI resistance mutations, safety, and tolerability. Discussion: Impaired viral fitness due to NRTI resistance mutations and dolutegravir’s high barrier to resistance provide rationale for switching patients from a failing TEE regimen to TLD; however, clinical evidence regarding virologic efficacy is lacking. This study provides estimates of such a strategy’s early virologic efficacy with and without a supplementary dolutegravir dosing. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03991013 (19/06/2019).
¿Se encuentra la obligación internacional de rescate en declive ante las políticas estatales de “puertos cerrados”?
Authors: Hellman Jacqueline 
Published: February 2021

Carola Rackete fue arrestada el pasado verano tras atracar su embarcación, Sea-Watch3, en la isla de Lampedusa con más de cuarenta refugiados a bordo. Si bien, finalmente, la justicia italiana desestimó a los pocos días la mayoría de los cargos que la Fiscalía le había imputado, resulta de interés traer a colación los referidos hechos, así como otros muy similares en la medida en que están suscitando un profundo debate en torno al alcance que tiene la obligación internacional de rescate a la luz de estrategias domésticas adoptadas con el objetivo de impedir el desembarco de personas rescatadas. Analizaremos, pues, la regulación internacional aplicable para determinar su eficacia y concluir de qué manera deben proceder los Estados a la hora de procurar un cumplimiento íntegro de la citada obligación.