bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DNA barcoding of the mesic adapted striped mouse, Rhabdomys dilectus in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa
Authors: Matamba Emmanuel , Richards Leigh R. , Cherry Michael I. , Rambau Ramugondo V. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSouth African small mammals are under-represented in DNA barcoding efforts, particularly from the eastern forested regions of the country. This study reports DNA barcoding ofRhabdomystaxa from previously unsampled parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. The complete mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was sequenced for 101Rhabdomyssp. individuals from 16 localities from all three main forest groups (coastal, mistbelt, and scarp forests). Molecular data were supplemented with external morphological measurements, including those deemed potential taxonomically diagnostic characters. Findings indicate the area to be inhabited solely byRhabdomys dilectus chakae. Haplotypes distributed across the three forest groups were separated by shallow sequence divergences ranging from 0.001–0.015 (Kimura 2-parameter model) and displayed very little population genetic structure (FST= 0.071787). Morphological data revealed some regional metric differences in external morphology, but all the head-and-body to tail (HB: tail) ratios match that ofR. d. chakae, and consequently, molecular and morphological data are congruent. These data confirm a range extension ofR. d. chakae, supporting the utility of COI barcodes in the identification of small mammalian species.
Corporate Application of Health Literacy
Authors: Hochmuth Natascha , Sørensen Kristine 
Published: August 2021

Background:
The growing concern of low health literacy in populations combined with the interest of companies to develop cultures of health and the emerging interest in the workplace as an arena for improving health literacy is increasingly acknowledged. This study aimed to explore how companies currently apply the concept of health literacy as part of their health efforts in the work sphere.

Methods:
A systematic literature review was conducted based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis) guidelines. The search was performed in the databases PubMed, Science Direct, and Directory of Open Access Journals from July 2019 to August 2019 and included the search terms “health literacy,” “health literate,” and “health competence” combined with the search terms “company/companies,” “corporation/corporates,” “workplace,” “business,” and “organization.” Studies were eligible for inclusion if they (1) were written in English or German, (2) were concerned with employers/employees, companies, corporations, or organizations, (3) dealt with health literacy in particular, and (4) were formatted as journal articles, systematic literature reviews, or book chapters.

Key Results:
The search identified 20 articles. A thematic analysis resulted in 5 clusters with 2 to 3 sub-themes illustrating the characteristics of how corporations apply health literacy. The clusters entailed the conceptualization of health literacy, its measurement, and the application of health literacy in strategies, interventions, and training.

Discussion:

The literature review reveals that the application of health literacy by companies is in its infancy. More research and practical experience are warranted on how companies can mobilize and facilitate a health literate workforce.

[
HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice
. 2021;5(3):e218–e225.]

Plain Language Summary:
This literature study explored the role of advancing health literacy in companies. Five aspects were identified as important, including the understanding of the concept, its measurement, and its integration into strategies, interventions, and training. The involvement of management and the staff was crucial for success.
Using M-Learning Technology in Teaching Foreign Languages: A Panacea during COVID-19 Pandemic Era
Authors: Dolzhich Elena , Dmitrichenkova Svetlana , Ibrahim Mona Kamal 
Published: August 2021

<p class="0abstract">The higher education system around the world is being rapidly developed towards digitalization – from computers to laptops, from laptops to tablets and smartphones. Accordingly, traditional delivery of instruction is being shifted towards blended learning that is being gradually replaced with distance learning, i.e. higher education is moving forward with mobile learning (m-learning) technologies. The introduction of mobile learning became the most topical event in 2020 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to which many countries had to completely move to distance learning in higher education. The purpose of the study is to analyze the prospects for the widespread use of mobile applications in teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) in Russia to Russian and Arab learners. In the course of the study, an online survey based on a questionnaire consisting of four open and closed questions was conducted. An empirical method was applied to collect the research data. The survey was conducted at the Department of Foreign Languages of the Engineering Academy of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (EA PFUR). The total research sample included 200 participants and consisted of: 50 potential employers, 50 Russian and Arab students of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia studying Linguistics (training program code 035700), 50 faculty members, namely teachers of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, the Institute of Foreign Languages of the Moscow State Pedagogical University and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, as well as 50 administrative staff of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. The purpose of the survey was to collect information about the use of mobile applications (Smartphone Apps) and the introduction of mobile learning technology (m-learning) in the process of teaching EFL to students. According to the results of the survey, instructors are actively using mobile technologies in their professional activities and all participants in the learning process are receptive to their introduction in education. At the same time, respondents believe that technical challenges are the major obstacle to the adoption of mobile applications; these problems must be overcome in order to enable more productive use of mobile applications. In this regard, the study of mobile applications that are suitable for specific aspects of learning a foreign language, such as spoken language, reading comprehension, listening or writing, can be considered a promising research area.</p>
COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and problems faced by patients due to difficult hearing
Authors: Jayarajah Umesh , Basnayaka Oshan , Siriwardena Heshan , Abeygunasekera Anuruddha M. 
Published: August 2021

Aims: The impact of COVID-19 is considerable in patients with hearing impairment who are faced with difficulties in communication due to masks and social distancing. We aimed to provide a preliminary description about difficulties faced by a group of patients due to hearing impairment. We collected data from 300 consecutive patients from a tertiary care urology clinic at Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka. A self-administered questionnaire was used. Chi-Square test was used for statistical analysis. The mean age of the patients was 55.9 (range:11-85). Eight patients (2.7%) had previous known hearing impairment. Repetition of instructions were required at least once due to hearing impairment in 27.3% (once:14.3%; twice:7.0%; three times:3.3%; >three times:2.7%). However, around 81.7% reported that they had no hearing problems while others reported some dif ficulty (18.3%: mild-10.3%, n=31; moderate-4.3%,n=13 and severe-3.7%,n=11). Nine patients (3.0%) required lowering of the mask to enable lip reading in order to understand the instructions and all reported moderate/severe hearing impairment (moderate: n=1, severe: n=8). Patient reported hearing impairment was significantly higher in those aged ≥65 years (31% vs. 11%, p<0.001). Around 18% of our cohort experienced some form of hearing difficulty. Thus, awareness among the healthcare providers and general public should be improved. Further studies on the impact of this problem with special focus on possible solutions are necessary.
Using community science to explore the spatial distribution of the daylily gall midge (Cecidomyiidae) in Canada’s Maritimes region
Authors: Cattiaux Alicia S.M.A. , Caseley Heather J. , Rutherford Katherine L. , Manning Paul 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe daylily gall midge, Contarinia quinquenotata (Loew) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is an ornamental pest of daylilies, Hemerocallis spp. Linneas (Asphodelaceae). Originally native to Asia, this pest was accidentally introduced to western North America, and it is believed to occur throughout other parts of North America even though its presence has not been confirmed. Using an online survey of gardeners across Canada’s “Maritimes” (the region that includes the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island), we determined that symptoms of the pest occurred at multiple sites across Nova Scotia, but we received no reports from Prince Edward Island or New Brunswick. Sequencing the cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene of the samples submitted by community scientists, we confirmed the daylily gall midge occurs at multiple sites across Nova Scotia. A common garden study that included 517 daylily varieties found that yellow-flowering varieties were almost twice as likely to be affected as nonyellow varieties. Early-flowering varieties were more likely to be attacked than later-flowering varieties. For each day that the date at first flowering was delayed, the likelihood of gall midge attack decreased by 16%. To avoid or mitigate damage where the daylily gall midge occurs, selecting late-flowering varieties with nonyellow flowers can be a useful complement to destructing infested flower buds.
Ubiquitin Specific Protease 1 Expression and Function in T Cell Immunity
Authors: Omilusik Kyla D , Nadjsombati Marija S , Yoshida Tomomi M , Shaw Laura A , Goulding John , Goldrath Ananda W 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
T cells are essential mediators of immune responses against infectious diseases and provide long-lived protection from reinfection. The differentiation of naive to effector T cells and the subsequent differentiation and persistence of memory T cell populations in response to infection is a highly regulated process. E protein transcription factors and their inhibitors, Id proteins, are important regulators of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses; however, their regulation at the protein level has not been explored. Recently, the deubiquitinase USP1 was shown to stabilize Id2 and modulate cellular differentiation in osteosarcomas. In this study, we investigated a role for Usp1 in posttranslational control of Id2 and Id3 in murine T cells. We show that Usp1 was upregulated in T cells following activation in vitro or following infection in vivo, and the extent of Usp1 expression correlated with the degree of T cell expansion. Usp1 directly interacted with Id2 and Id3 following T cell activation. However, Usp1 deficiency did not impact Id protein abundance in effector T cells or alter effector T cell expansion or differentiation following a primary infection. Usp1 deficiency resulted in a gradual loss of memory CD8+ T cells over time and reduced Id2 protein levels and proliferation of effector CD8+ T cell following reinfection. Together, these results identify Usp1 as a player in modulating recall responses at the protein level and highlight differences in regulation of T cell responses between primary and subsequent infection encounters. Finally, our observations reveal differential regulation of Id2/3 proteins between immune versus nonimmune cell types.
Critical Roles of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase δ in the Humoral Immune Response to Trypanosoma congolense Infection
Authors: Olayinka-Adefemi Folayemi , Onyilagha Chukwunonso , Jayachandran Nipun , Hou Sen , Jia Ping , Uzonna Jude , Marshall Aaron J 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
PI3Kδ is critical in generating humoral and regulatory immune responses. In this study, we determined the impact of PI3Kδ in immunity to Trypanosoma congolense, an African trypanosome that can manipulate and evade Ab responses critical for protection. Upon infection with T. congolense, PI3KδD910A mice lacking PI3Kδ activity paradoxically show a transient enhancement in early control of parasitemia, associated with impaired production of regulatory IL-10 by B cells in the peritoneum. C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice treated with the PI3Kδ inhibitor (PI3Kδi) Idelalisib showed a similar transient decrease in parasitemia associated with reduced IL-10. Strikingly, however, we find that PI3KδD910A mice were ultimately unable to control this infection, resulting in uncontrolled parasitemia and death within 2 wk. Assessment of humoral responses revealed delayed B cell activation, impaired germinal center responses, and compromised Ab responses to differing degrees in PI3KδD910A and PI3Kδi-treated mice. To test the role of Abs, we administered serum from WT mice to PI3KδD910A mice and found that lethality was prevented by postinfection serum. Interestingly, serum from naive WT mice provided partial protection to PI3KδD910A mutants, indicating an additional role for natural Abs. Together our findings suggest that although PI3Kδ drives immune regulatory responses that antagonize early control of parasite growth in the peritoneum, it is also required for generation of Abs that are critical for protection from systemic trypanosome infection. The essential role of PI3Kδ for host survival of African trypanosome infection contrasts with findings for other pathogens such as Leishmania, underlining the critical importance of PI3Kδ-dependent humoral immunity in this disease.
IFN-γ Drives TNF-α Hyperproduction and Lethal Lung Inflammation during Antibiotic Treatment of Postinfluenza Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia
Authors: Verma Atul K , Bauer Christopher , Palani Sunil , Metzger Dennis W , Sun Keer 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Inflammatory cytokine storm is a known cause for acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this study, we have investigated the role of IFN-γ in lethal lung inflammation using a mouse model of postinfluenza methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia. To mimic the clinical scenario, animals were treated with antibiotics for effective bacterial control following MRSA superinfection. However, antibiotic therapy alone is not sufficient to improve survival of wild-type animals in this lethal acute respiratory distress syndrome model. In contrast, antibiotics induce effective protection in mice deficient in IFN-γ response. Mechanistically, we show that rather than inhibiting bacterial clearance, IFN-γ promotes proinflammatory cytokine response to cause lethal lung damage. Neutralization of IFN-γ after influenza prevents hyperproduction of TNF-α, and thereby protects against inflammatory lung damage and animal mortality. Taken together, the current study demonstrates that influenza-induced IFN-γ drives a stepwise propagation of inflammatory cytokine response, which ultimately results in fatal lung damage during secondary MRSA pneumonia, despite of antibiotic therapy.
Features and behavior of valvular abnormalities in adolescent and adult patients in mucopolysaccharidosis: an echocardiographic study
Authors: Galzerano Domenico , Saba Seemi , Al Sergani Abdullah , Vriz Olga , Alghalayini Khalil , Ramzan Khushnooda , Elmahi Isra , Cittadini Antonio , Di Salvo Giovanni , Pergola Valeria 
Published: August 2021

Mucopolysaccharidoses, a rare inherited disorder of lysosomal storage, account for less than 0.1% of all genetic diseases. The penetrance is highly variable and clinically it varies from severe fetal-neonatal forms to attenuated diseases diagnosed in adult individuals. The majority of the patients have been reported to show cardiac abnormalities since pediatric age, however, there is a minority of patients with attenuated disease diagnosed in the adolescent and adult age. The haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and enzyme replacement therapy are the current therapies for these disorders. Thanks to these treatments, Mucopolysaccharidoses patients live longer than in the past. Even though enzyme replacement therapy has been demonstrated to reduce left ventricular mass in patients with cardiomyopathy, the efficacy on valve abnormalities has not been clearly demonstrate yet. Furthermore, thanks to the current therapy, to better understanding and to the advent on new technologies, an increasing number of adolescent and adult patients diagnosed with MPS are followed up in the adult echocardiographic laboratory. Indeed, a systematic descriptive study describing the echocardiographic features of valvular involvement and their evolution in adolescent and adult patients lacks of medical literature and this was the aim of our investigation. Our results showed that all the valves are affected, mainly the mitral valve with a higher prevalence compared to the pediatric age. The echocardiographic features of MPS differs from other valvular disease of adolescent and adult age, and knowing them can avoid misdiagnosis. Our observations also suggest that the progression of cardiac involvement slows after the initiation of the therapy in our group of age. Further studies on larger population are required to confirm our results.
Clinical, biochemical, and phenotype profile of the patients newly diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome
Authors: Ghatnatti Vikrant , Patil Shwetha , Kour Harpreet , Bhuyan Ashok Kumar , Choudhary Bipul Kumar , Saikia Uma Kaimal , Sharma Dipti 
Published: August 2021

OBJECTIVES:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age. This study was aimed to assess the clinical, biochemical, and phenotypic profile of patients newly diagnosed to have PCOS.

SUBJECTS AND METHODOLOGY:
A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 1 year in the Department of Endocrinology, Guwahati Medical College and Hospital. A total of 50 female patients newly diagnosed to have PCOS by the Rotterdam criteria 2003 were enrolled for the study. Clinical Characteristics, thyroid profile, other hormonal tests, oral glucose tolerance test, and phenotypic assessment were done.

RESULTS:
Twenty-four percent of patients had dysglycemia, while the rest 76% had normal glucose levels. Glucose abnormalities were noted in 13.7% of lean PCOS and 32.2% of overweight PCOS. There was no difference in insulin resistance among the three phenotypes of PCOS.

CONCLUSION:
Women with PCOS are at increased risk of developing glucose intolerance and diabetes. Dysglycemia in PCOS women was mainly evident in postglucose challenge glucose levels. Since there is no difference in insulin resistance among various phenotypes, all the phenotypes equally merit screening for glucose abnormalities.
KOH Wet Mount versus Cellophane Strip without Mounting Medium for Rapid Diagnosis in Superficial Mycoses
Authors: Arora Sandeep , Pal Reetika , Suhag Devinder Kumar , Dabas Rajeshwari , Arora Gulhima , Chand Satish 
Published: August 2021

Context:
Diagnosis of superficial mycoses in clinically doubtful cases relies on demonstration of fungal elements on a 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) slide mount which takes 30 min to 2 h. Rapid results will lead to reduced time to diagnosis.

Aims:
A comparative study of conventional 10% KOH wet mount against the cellophane strip method without a mounting medium under bright-field and phase-contrast microscopy was aimed to determine the comparative efficacy of these methods in demonstrating fungal elements of superficial mycoses.

Settings and Design:
The study was conducted at a skin center of a tertiary care hospital between November 2019 and January 2020.

Material and Methods:
One hundred and fifty consecutive clinically suspect cases of superficial cutaneous mycoses were examined. Skin scrapings for 10% KOH were collected with a blunt scalpel on one slide and examined half hour later. A cellophane strip collection of squames stuck onto another slide and examined directly by bright-field and phase-contrast microscopy.

Statistical Analysis Used:
Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was carried out in the present study using SPSS 22.0, and R environment version 3.2.2 was used for the analysis of the data. Chi-square/Fisher's exact test was used to find the significance of study parameters on categorical scale between two or more groups, nonparametric setting for qualitative data analysis. Fisher's exact test was used when samples were very small.

Results:
The mean percentage positivity for fungal hyphae as seen on KOH mount was 76%, for cellophane tape 97.33%, and under phase-contrast microscopy 97.33%. Pityriasis versicolor was detected by all three methods (100%). Tinea corporis had the least positive result on KOH mount.

Conclusion:
Cellophane strip method without a mounting medium adequately demonstrates fungal elements on light microscopy.
Is the nuclear factor kappa-b (NF-κB) pathway and inflammatory status associated with colorectal cancer?
Authors: Atabilen Büşra , Akbulut Gamze , Bacanli Merve , Uncu Doğan 
Published: August 2021

Background:
Although genetic predisposition has a role in the etiology of colorectal cancer, there are many other factors that affect its development. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the NF-κB pathway, inflammatory status and dietary antioxidant capacity in individuals with colorectal cancer.

Methods:
The study was carried out with 40 male subjects diagnosed with colorectal cancer aged between 39-65, years and a control group of the same number of healthy men. Subjects in the case and control groups were subdivided according to body mass index (BMI), as normal (BMI 20-24.9 kg/m2) or overweight/obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m2).

Results:
At the end of the study, NF-κB and interleukin-22 levels were higher in the case group, but no significant difference was found between the groups. Interleukin-23 and 8-Hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels in the case group classified as overweight/obese according to BMI were significantly higher than in the control group (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Considering diet antioxidant capacity, it was higher in individuals in the control group than in the case group. However, there was no significant difference between the groups.

Conclusion:
Inflammatory status and reduced dietary antioxidant capacity are risk factors in the development of colorectal cancer.