bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of sports participation on components of metabolic syndrome in adolescents: ABCD Growth Study
Authors: Menezes Verônica Alves , Torres Wésley , Mesquita Eduardo Duarte de Lima , Chagas Lucas Gabriel Moraes , Morano Ana Elisa von Ah , Urban Jacqueline Bexiga , Júnior Ademar Avelar Almeida , Christofaro Diego Giuliano Destro , Fernandes Romulo Araújo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objective The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of sports participation (12 months of practice) on components of the metabolic syndrome of both sexes.Methods Observational longitudinal study, party of the study entitled “Analysis of Behaviors of Children During Growth” (ABCD Growth Study), Presidente Prudente, SP. The sample consisted of 171 adolescents [112 boys and 59 girls], the groups were divided between non-sport and sport, according to the inclusion criteria: age 11 to 17 years; absence of known diseases previously diagnosed; no regular use of medications related to blood pressure or lipid metabolism; involvement in sports in the las 12 months (sports group) for at least one year without any regular involvement in sports training routines or physical exercises (non-sports group), signed written consent form parents and adolescents. The high-density cholesterol lipoproteins (HDL-c), triglycerides (TG), and glucose were analyzed by the dry chemical colorimetric method and processed biochemically. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were assessed using an automatic device. Body fat (BF) was estimated using a densitometry scanner. Ethnicity, sex, maturity, and body weight were treated as covariates.Results The adolescents involved in the sport were younger [p-value = 0.001] and with lower PVC [p-value = 0.001] than the non-sport group. The differences () after 12 months were of greater magnitude for the sports group when compared to non-sports group [p-value = 0.013], glucose (moderate magnitude in favor of the sports group; p-value = 0.001), HDL-c (small magnitude in favor of the sports group; p-value = 0.0015) and MetS (moderate magnitude in favor of the sports group; p-value = 0.001). Sport with high cardiorespiratory demand has more pronounced benefits than other groups. Sport seems to have a positive relationship in the variables sports participation, weekly volume, and load intensity. Conclusion Sports practice in adolescents had a protective effect on the metabolic components of the metabolic syndrome.
Parked Vehicles as Cluster Heads and Gateways for Efficient Routing in VANET
Authors: Kadhim Ahmed Jawad 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Vehicular Ad hoc Network (VANET) refers to wireless connection of a large number of moving and stopped cars to transfer some knowledge about some events (e.g. accident, traffic jam, weather condition, etc.) to the passengers and drivers. The mobility of vehicles in unexpected directions destroys the network links and decreases the stability of the route between vehicles. This problem leads to repeat the routing discovery and maintenance operations and as a result increases the overhead and delay. Several classes of routing polices were proposed such as flat, hierarchical, cluster based, etc. Moreover, in the cluster based routing protocols, number of cluster head selection and cluster formation schemes have been suggested. Unfortunately, the stability of cluster heads and links was not satisfied. This paper aims to solve this problem by producing a new clustering formation technique. This technique selects the parked and stopped vehicles to work as cluster heads and gateway nodes with high stability. Moreover, a new cluster based routing protocol to build optimal paths with maximum stability and minimum delay called CRSD depending on optimization model is suggested. Several simulation scenarios with various mobility speeds and numbers of stopped and parked vehicles showed that CRDS is better than link reliability-based clustering approach (LRCA) and cluster-based VANET oriented evolving graph (CVoEG) according to network overhead, average end to end delay, path stability, and packet delivery ratio.
A Multidisciplinary, Collaborative, Inter-agency and Comprehensive Approach for the Control of Chagas Disease as a Public Health Problem in Guatemala.
Authors: Monroy Maria Carlota , Penados Daniel , Pineda Jose , Laparra-Ruiz Elisa , Agreda Emmanuel odilio , Alcantara Belter , Rodas Antonieta , Lange Karla , Weinberg D , Bazzani Roberto , Marchiol Andrea , Herazo Rafael , Abril Marcelo , Chuit Roberto 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background : Central America is considered a hotspot for Chagas disease transmission and the most important vector in the northern region is Triatoma dimidiata; a native vector adapted to multiple environments, including intra domestic and peri-domestic habitats. Chagas Disease is the leading cause of death associated with heart disease in Latin America, affecting mostly low-resources populations and the presence of the vector is associated to poor house constructions. Methods: A multi-institutional project named “Alliances for the elimination of Chagas in Central America” was created to help reduce the incidence of the disease in the region. Each institution performing specific role including aspects of vector control, quality of housing, surveillance implementation, diagnosis and treatment of individuals, health promotion, and training of human resources. Results: Eleven villages were entomologically evaluated; five villages were found to have high infestation rates (>20%), three had average infestation rates (10-20%) and three had low-infestation rates (<10%), coinciding with the type of risk-dwelling found in each of one. Additionally, all the villages had colonization rates greater than 50%, and several showed important levels of triatomine overcrowding. This high colonization dynamic represents a high risk of vector transmission of Chagas disease; it was necessary to improve the household so as to make them refractory to infestation, reducing those characteristics that are appropriate for colonization. Serological tests carried out in two of the 11 villages showed that children under five years of age were not infected and the prevalence of infection was higher in women than men, showing the importance of women in the disease transmission dynamics, making education and empowerment directed towards women critical for transmission control. Conclusion: Several institutions working together with specific roles promotes the community partition in several activities as vector control and patience attendance. Some epidemiological factor of the native vector was described. Trial registration: The study received clearance from San Carlos University bioethics committee, Guatemala City, Guatemala (AC-010-2018).
ICAM-1-Carrying Targeted Nano Contrast Agent for Evaluating Inflammatory Injury in Rabbits with Atherosclerosis&nbsp;
Authors: Li Ping , Jin Lin , Feng Lan , wang yingchun , Yang Rong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the feasibility of using ICAM-1-carrying targeted nano ultrasonic contrast to evaluate the degree of inflammatory injury at different stages in the abdominal aorta of rabbits with atherosclerosis (AS).
Methods
Twenty-five experimental rabbits were assigned to five groups: the preoperative control group (A); the week-4 after modeling group(B); the week-8 after modeling group(C); the week-12 after modeling group(D); the week-16 after modeling group(E). All groups were given 2D ultrasonography, conventional ultrasonic contrast (SonoVue), and ICAM-1-carrying targeted nano ultrasonic contrast, respectively. Contrast parameters, including the peak intensity (PI), time to peak (TTP), and area under curve (AUC) of the region of interest, were used to evaluate the characteristics of vascular perfusion contrast.
Results
ICAM-1-carrying targeted nano ultrasonic contrast showed that the intensity of targeted micro-signals in the vascular wall of the abdominal bubble aorta gradually increased in B, C, D, and E groups (all P < 0.05). A positive linear correlation between PI and AUC and the expression of ICAM-1 (r = 0.893, P < 0.001; r = 0.934, P < 0.001). In ICAM-1-carrying targeted nano ultrasonic contrast, delayed imaging of the vascular wall of the abdominal aorta was observed, the outer membrane was thickened from week 4 to week 12, and both the intima-media membrane and outer membrane were thickened and with double-layer parallel echo at week 16, which was in line with the progression of atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability.
Conclusion
ICAM-1-carrying targeted nano contrast agent could evaluate the degree of inflammatory injury related to atherosclerotic progression and site high expression of specific adhesion molecules in early atherosclerotic lesions.
Repression of germline genes by PRC1.6 and SETDB1 in the early embryo precedes DNA methylation-mediated silencing
Authors: Mochizuki Kentaro , Sharif Jafar , Shirane Kenjiro , Uranishi Kousuke , Bogutz Aaron , Suzuki Ayumu , Okuda Akihiko , Koseki Haruhiko , Lorincz Matthew 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Silencing of a subset of germline genes is dependent upon DNA methylation (DNAme) post-implantation. However, these genes are generally hypomethylated in the ICM, implicating alternative silencing pathways before implantation. Indeed, in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), an overlapping set of genes, including germline “genome-defence” (GGD) genes, are upregulated following deletion of the H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 or subunits of the non-canonical PRC1 complex PRC1.6. Here, we show that in pre-implantation embryos and naïve ESCs (nESCs), hypomethylated promoters of germline genes bound by the PRC1.6 DNA-binding subunits MGA/MAX/E2F6 are enriched for RING1B-dependent H2AK119ub1 and H3K9me3. Accordingly, silencing of these genes in nESCs shows a greater dependence on PRC1.6 than DNAme. In contrast, GGD genes are hypermethylated in epiblast-like cells and their silencing is dependent upon SETDB1, PRC1.6/RING1B and DNAme, with H3K9me3 and DNAme establishment dependent upon MGA binding. Thus, GGD genes are initially repressed by PRC1.6, with DNAme subsequently engaged in post-implantation embryos.
Identification of CDC20 As an Immune Infiltration-Correlated Prognostic Biomarker in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Xiong Chen , Wang Zhihuai , Wang Guifu , Zhang Chi , Jin Shengjie , Jiang Guoqing , Bai Dousheng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy with a poor prognosis. Some E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases play essential roles in HCC development. We aimed to explore a hub E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase gene and verify its association with prognosis and immune cell infiltration in HCC. We identified cell division cycle 20 (CDC20) as a hub E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase in HCC by determining the intersecting genes in a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HCC data from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and 919 E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase genes from the Integrated annotations for Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-like Conjugation Database (IUUCD). DEGs and their correlations with clinicopathological features were explored in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), ICGC, and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases via the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The prognostic value of CDC20 was illustrated by Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curves and Cox regression analyses. Subsequently, the correlation between CDC20 and immune infiltration was demonstrated via the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). CDC20 expression was significantly higher in HCC than in normal tissues (all P < 0.05). K-M curves and Cox regression analyses showed that high CDC20 expression predicted a poor prognosis and might be an independent risk factor for HCC prognosis (P < 0.05). Additionally, the TIMER and GEPIA results indicated that CDC20 is correlated with the immune infiltration of CD8 + T cells, T cells (general), monocytes, and exhausted T cells. This research revealed the potential prognostic value of CDC20 in HCC and demonstrated that CDC20 might be an immune-associated therapeutic target in HCC because of its correlation with immune infiltration.
Retrospective Study of Visceral Leishmaniasis in the Health District of Léré in Chad, Central Africa
Authors: KODINDO Israël DEMBA , Vincent Gonnonta , Muller Gunter , Coulibaliy Cheick A , Doumbia Seydou 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that is inevitably fatal without treatment, but early diagnosis and treatment can cure patients. It largely affects people living in underdeveloped countries and is the second leading cause of mortality from parasitic infection after malaria with 20,000 to 40,000 deaths per year. To assess the epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in Chad, we performed retrospective study in the health district of Léré in the southwest of the country area by extracting data from the laboratory records diagnosed visceral leishmaniasis cases between January 2015 to December 2019. Between 2015 and 2019, a total of 1,141 patients were tested for Visceral leishmaniasis in the laboratory of Léré district hospital, with a prevalence of 30% (n=345) among suspected cases. The majority of the positive patients were male (61%) and the peak reporting period of cases was between March and October. The lack of awareness of Visceral leishmaniasis, the underreporting of cases and the increasing incidence recorded at a health facility in Chad, highlight the need for strengthening Visceral leishmaniasis surveillance and case detection capacity in region. To develop appropriate prevention and control strategy of visceral leishmaniasis, further study is needed to characterize the distribution of visceral leishmaniasis and its transmission in the country.
Efficient Treatment of Fish Intestinal Parasites Applying Biocompatible Membrane-penetrating Oral Drug Delivery Nanoparticles
Authors: Mathews Patrick D. , Patta Ana C.M.F. , Madrid Rafael R.M. , Ramirez Carlos A.B. , Mertins Omar 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Nanodelivery of drugs aims to ensure drug stability in the face of adverse biochemical conditions in the course of administration, concomitant with appropriate pharmacological action provided by delivery at the targeted site. In this study, the application potential of nanoparticles produced with biopolymers chitosan-N-arginine and alginate as an oral drug delivery material is evaluated. Being both macromolecules weak polyelectrolytes, the bioparticle presents strong thermodynamic interaction with a biological model membrane consisting of charged lipid liposome bilayer, leading to membrane disruption and membrane penetration of the bioparticles in ideal conditions of pH corresponding to the oral route. The powder form of the bioparticle was obtained by lyophilization and with a high percentage of entrapment of the anthelmintic drug praziquantel. In vivo studies were conducted with oral administration to Corydoras schwartzi fish with high intensity of intestinal parasites infection. The in vivo experiments confirmed the mucoadhesive and revealed membrane-penetrating properties of the bioparticle by translocating the parasite cyst, which provided target drug release and reduction of over 97% of the fish intestinal parasites. Thus, it was evidenced that the bioparticle was effective in transporting and releasing the drug to the target, providing an efficient treatment.
Analysis of Risk Factors for Deep Venous Thrombosis in Patients With Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Retrospective Study of 247 Patients
Authors: Cai Feiyu , Liu Kai , Liu Yanshi , Jielile Jiasharete , Yusufu Aihemaitijiang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background and purpose
The high incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was presented in patients with Achilles tendon rupture (ATR), and affects the prognosis of patients significantly. The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify the risk factors for perioperative DVT and the role of DVT in clinical outcomes, which may provide a guideline for DVT prevention and Achilles tendon repair.
Methods
The study was conducted on 247 patients who underwent surgical treatment for ATR at our institution from 2009 to 2019. Ultrasound results from injury to 4 weeks after operation were collected to diagnose DVT. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated using logistic regression to describe factors associated with DVT diagnosis including sex, age, body mass index (BMI), nicotine usage, mechanism of injury, rupture side, types of rupture, medical morbidity (hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke), time to operation, operative time and blood loss. The outcomes were assessed using the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle Hind-Foot Scale Score at postoperative 3, 6, and 12 months.
Results
There were 216 males and 31 females with a mean age of 37.4 years (range from 20 to 75 years). Out of 247 patients, 113 patients were diagnosed with DVT during the perioperative period, accounting for 46 % of total patients. The independent risk factors were identified with age > 40 years (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.21–0.82; p = 0.013), BMI > 26 (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.19–0.79; p = 0.009), traumatic ATR (OR 2.44; 95% CI 1.22–4.91; p = 0.012), operative time (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.91–1.01; p = 0.028), and blood loss (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.03–1.14; p = 0.001). Worse patient-subjective and functional outcomes were presented in patients with a perioperative DVT according to ATRS and AOFAS.
Conclusions
Routine thromboprophylaxis should be encouraged in patients with ATR requiring surgery, which was caused by trauma. Age > 40 years and BMI > 26 were important risk factors for perioperative DVT. This study also showed that the presence of DVT of patients with ATR in the perioperative period has clear impairment of outcome within one year after surgery, which may postpone the return of athletes to the field severely.
Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Remyelination in Spinal Cord by Driving Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Differentiation Via Tnfα/Relb-Hes1 Pathway: A Rat Model Study of 2,5-Hexanedione-Induced Neurotoxicity
Authors: Li Shuangyue , Guan Huai , Zhang Yan , Li Sheng , Li Kaixin , Hu Shuhai , Zuo Enjun , Zhang Cong , Zhang Xin , Gong Guanyu , Wang Ruoyu , Piao Fengyuan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: N-hexane, with its metabolite 2,5-hexanedine (HD), is a hazardous material widely used in industry and chronic exposure causes nerve demyelination. Demyelinating conditions are difficult to treat and frequently cause disabilities. Stem cell therapy using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is a promising novel strategy. Our previous study found that BMSCs promoted significant recovery of motor dysfunction in rats modelling N-hexane neurotoxicity. The present study aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms and focused on the changes in spinal cord. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were intoxicated with HD (400 mg/kg/day, i.p, for 5 weeks). BMSCs (5×107cells/kg) were administrated by tail vein injection. Demyelination and remyelination of the spinal cord before and after BMSC treatment were examined microscopically. Cultured oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) were incubated with HD +/- BMSCs-derived conditional medium (BMSC-CM). OPC differentiation was studied by immunostaining and quantitative imaging analysis. The expressional changes of Hes1, a key transcription factor negatively regulating OPC-differentiation, were studied. The upstream Notch1 and TNFα/RelB pathways were studied and some key signaling molecules in these pathways were measured. The correlation between neurotrophin NGF and TNFα was also investigated. Statistical significance was evaluated using one-way ANOVA test and performed using SPSS 13.0. Results: The demyelinating damage by HD and remyelination by BMSCs were evidenced by electron microscopy, LFB staining and NG2/MBP immunohistochemistry. In vitro cultured OPCs showed more differentiation after incubation with BMSC-CM. Hes1 expression was found to be significantly increased by HD and decreased by BMSC or BMSC-CM. The change of Hes1 was found, however, independent on Notch1 activation, but dependent on TNFα/RelB signaling. HD was found to increase TNFα, RelB and Hes1 expression and BMSCs was found to have the opposite effect. Addition of recombinant TNFα to OPCs or RelB overexpression similarly caused upregulation of Hes1 expression. The secretion of NGF by BMSC and activation of NGF receptor was found important for suppression of TNFα production in OPCs. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that BMSCs promote remyelination in the spinal cord of HD-exposed rats via TNFα/RelB-Hes1 pathway, providing novel insights for evaluating and further exploring the therapeutical effect of BMSCs on demyelinating neurodegenerative disease.
Factors Associated With Diagnostic Delay of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in China
Authors: Xu Caihong , Zhang Xiaomeng , Liu Yan , Xia Yinyin , Wang Li , Wang Lixia , Zhang Hui 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background Tuberculosis (TB) is still a great challenge to public health in China. Most of the transmission occurs between the onset of symptoms and initiation of treatment. Diagnosis delay is a major barrier to effective management of the disease. Determining the factors associated with patient and provider delay of TB diagnosis and treatment may contribute to TB prevention and control.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of pulmonary tuberculosis registed in the National Tuberculosis programme was conducted in 22 counties of 6 provinces in China. All consecutively registered patients during January to June 2017 were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The time from the onset of symptoms to the date of diagnosis was analyzed. Bivariate and logistics regression were applied to analyze the risk factors of delay.ResultsThe median time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 23 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-53days). The risk of delayed diagnosis was higher in the central (OR=3.27, 95%CI 1.39-7.68) and eastern regions (OR=1.48, 95%CI 1.04-2.10) than in the western regions. Rural TB patients have a longer diagnosis delay than those in urban areas (OR=1.44, 95%CI 1.00-2.08). The asymptomatic TB patients had a longer diagnosis delay than TB patients with clinical symptoms (OR=0.20, 95%CI 0.13-0.31).ConclusionsA high propotion of TB patients showed diagnostic delay in China especially in some low economic level areas. Multiple measures should be taken to shorten the delay, such as to increase public awareness of the disease and expansion the quality assured facility in economic less-developed regions.Trial registrationNot applicable