bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Competing Effects of Vegetation on Summer Temperature in North Korea
Authors: Oh Jieun , Lee Eungul 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Vegetation reduction could affect regional climate by perturbing the surface energy and moisture balances via changes in albedo and evapotranspiration. However, it is unknown whether vegetation effects on climate occur in North Korea, where a severe reduction in forest cover has been observed. This study aimed to identify the biogeophysical processes in vegetation and climate interactions in North Korea, using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and climate reanalysis data over the period 1982‒2015. As per the NDVI regression trend results, the highest rates of decreasing NDVI were detected in the western region of North Korea during summer. Based on the detrended correlation analysis of NDVI with surface energy variables at each grid point, including solar radiation, sensible and latent heat fluxes, Bowen ratio, and temperature, we identified a cooling effect of vegetation in the western region (with lower NDVI and lower elevation), but a warming effect of vegetation in the northern region (with higher NDVI and higher elevation). The different biogeophysical effects were induced by the increasing and decreasing Bowen ratio with increasing vegetation in the northern and western regions, respectively. In the western region of North Korea, where large-scale human-induced forest loss has been observed, the increasing summer temperature caused by the decreasing cooling effect of vegetation would be up to 1.5 ℃ by the end of this century, if the current rate of deforestation continues. Thus, we urgently suggest that sustainable management and restoration of forests are needed in North Korea, which is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change now and in the future.
Screening And Genome Sequencing of a di-n-butyl Phthalate Degrading Bacterium J2 Isolated From Peanut Field Soil
Authors: Wang Mingqing , Yu Lina , Sun Jie , Bi Jie , Song Yu , Yang Weiqiang , Jiang Cheng , Shi Chengren , Gong Kuijie , Wang Mei , Yao Qiang , Dong Yanjie 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is commonly used plasticizers in agricultural plastic films, and is a priority pollutant due to its toxicity to human health. A newly isolated strain J2, which used DBP as its sole carbon source, was screened from peanut filed soil by continuous enrichment cultivation. Based on morphological, physiological characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis (GenBank accession No. OK598965), it was identified as Priestia sp. J2. The research results revealed the optimal conditions for DBP degradation as 35 oC and pH 8.0. The strain could effectively degrade 97.6% DBP within 5 days. Substrate tests showed that strain J2 could utilize shorter side-chained PAEs, but could not utilize long-chained PAEs. The whole genome comprises a complete chromosome of 5,067,299 bp and four plasmids of 147,924 bp, 75,940 bp, 11,604 bp, 11,333 bp (GenBank accession No. CP086208-CP086212). This genome harbors 5,585 predicted protein-encoding genes, 130 tRNA genes, and 42 rRNA genes. Gene annotation analyses showed a DBP-degrading gene contained an open reading frame of 930 bp, and the enzyme was named Est-J2-1. The amino acid sequence of the Est-J2-1 exhibited no significant homology with those of reported DBP-degrading enzymes, suggesting the enzyme is a novel enzyme. The gene of Est-J2-1 was found to be located on the chromosome. This study provided strain resource for DBP removal from farmland and other environments.
Impact of The COVID-19 Pandemic on the Malaria Burden in Northern Ghana: Analysis of Routine Surveillance Data
Authors: Heuschen Anna-Katharina , Abdul-Mumin Alhassan , Adokiya Martin Nyaaba , Lu Guangyu , Jahn Albrecht , Razum Oliver , Winkler Volker , Müller Olaf 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and its collateral damage severely impact health systems globally and risk to worsen the malaria situation in endemic countries. Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana. This study aims to analyze routine surveillance data to assess possible effects on the malaria burden in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Northern Region of Ghana. Methods: Monthly routine data from the District Health Information Management System II (DHIMS2) of the Northern Region of Ghana were analyzed. Overall outpatient department visits and malaria incidence rates from the years 2015 to 2019 were compared to the corresponding data of the year 2020. Results: Compared to the corresponding periods of the years 2015 to 2019, overall visits and malaria incidence in pediatric and adult outpatient departments in northern Ghana decreased in March and April 2020, when major movement and social restrictions were implemented in response to the pandemic. Incidence slightly rebounded afterwards in 2020 but stayed below the average of the previous years. Data from inpatient departments showed a similar but more pronounced trend when compared to outpatient departments. In pregnant women, however, malaria incidence in outpatient departments increased after the first COVID-19 wave. Discussion: The findings from this study show that the COVID-19 pandemic affects the malaria burden in health facilities of Ghana, with declines in in- and outpatient rates. Pregnant women may experience reduced access to intermittent preventive malaria treatment and insecticide treated nets, resulting in subsequent higher malaria morbidity. Further data from other African countries, particularly on community-based studies, are needed to fully determine the impact of the pandemic on the malaria situation.
Gut Metabolites Predict Clostridioides Difficile Recurrence
Authors: Dawkins Jennifer J , Allegretti Jessica R , Gibson Travis E , McClure Emma , Delaney Mary , Bry Lynn , Gerber Georg K 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the most common hospital acquired infection in the U.S., with recurrence rates >15%. Although primary CDI has been extensively linked to gut microbial dysbiosis, less is known about the factors that promote or mitigate recurrence. Moreover, previous studies have not shown that microbial abundances in the gut measured by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing alone can accurately predict CDI recurrence. Results We conducted a prospective, longitudinal study of 53 non-immunocompromised participants with primary CDI. Stool sample collection began pre-CDI antibiotic treatment at the time of diagnosis, and continued up to eight weeks post-antibiotic treatment, with weekly or twice weekly collections. Samples were analyzed using: (1) 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, (2) liquid chromatography/mass-spectrometry metabolomics measuring 1387 annotated metabolites, and (3) short-chain fatty acid profiling. The amplicon sequencing data showed significantly delayed recovery of microbial diversity in recurrent participants, and depletion of key anaerobic taxa at multiple time-points, including Clostridium cluster XIVa and IV taxa. The metabolomic data also showed delayed recovery in recurrent participants, and moreover mapped to pathways suggesting distinct functional abnormalities in the microbiome or host, such as decreased microbial deconjugation activity, lowered levels of endocannabinoids, and elevated markers of host cell damage. Further, using predictive statistical/machine learning models, we demonstrated that the metabolomic data, but not the other data sources, can accurately predict future recurrence at one week (AUC 0.77 [0.71, 0.86; 95% interval]) and two weeks (AUC 0.77 [0.69, 0.85; 95% interval]) post-treatment for primary CDI. Conclusions The prospective, longitudinal and multi-omic nature of our CDI recurrence study allowed us to uncover previously unrecognized dynamics in the microbiome and host presaging recurrence, and, in particular, to elucidate changes in the understudied gut metabolome. Moreover, we demonstrated that a small set of metabolites can accurately predict future recurrence. Our findings have implications for development of diagnostic tests and treatments that could ultimately short-circuit the cycle of CDI recurrence, by providing candidate metabolic biomarkers for diagnostics development, as well as offering insights into the complex microbial and metabolic alterations that are protective or permissive for recurrence.
The Effect of 5A Self-management Program on Medication Adherence of Epileptic Patients in During the COVID – 19 Pandemic
Authors: Moosavimoghadam Seyede Fateme , Dehghani Ali , Akbar Rasool Eslami 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Adherence to medication adherence plays a vital role in controlling the problems and complications of epilepsy. During the COVID – 19 pandemic and limitations of face-to-face education, the use of distance education can play an important role in providing education to patients. Therefore, the aim of this study is the effect of model 5A self-management training on medication adherence in epileptic patients.Methods: In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, 56 epilepsy patients referred to Shiraz Namazi Hospital were divided into intervention and control groups using random allocation. Thereafter, 5A self - management training sessions were virtually held in 5 sessions in WhatsApp application for intervention group. The data collection tool was Morisky medication adherence scale at two stages of before and two months after intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21 software.Results: The results of Wilcoxon test showed that in intervention group, the mean drug adherence in patients after intervention significantly increased compared to before intervention (p = 0.005). But in control group, this was not significant (p = 0.909). According to results of Mann-Whitney test, there was no significant difference between intervention and control groups before intervention (p = 0.632). However, by passing two months from intervention, a significant difference was found between intervention and control groups (p = 0.041).Conclusion: Based on results, the implementation of Model 5A can be effective on medication adherence in epilepsy patients. This program can be considered as a suitable method in epileptic patients in during COVID – 19 pandemic.
The Influence of Carbon Emission Disclosure On Enterprise Value Under Ownership Heterogeneity: Evidence From The Heavy Polluting Corporations
Authors: Yuan Liang , Chen Yuying , He Weijun , Kong Yang , Wu Xia , Degefu Dagmawi Mulugeta , Ramsey Thomas Stephen 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
China has put forward the goals of “Emission Peak” and “Carbon Neutrality”. Therefore, whether the restriction of carbon information disclosure could promote the transformation and upgrading of heavily polluting corporations to raise their value and realize the “double carbon” goal is a problem worthy of in-depth study. This article analyzed the impact of carbon information disclosure on the enterprise value of heavily polluting corporations based on the perspective of ownership structure heterogeneity. The paper discussed the moderating effect of carbon information disclosure on enterprise value taking into account government environmental regulations, media evaluation, and corporate image management based on the Gatekeeper Theory. This article found that carbon information disclosure and enterprise value have a “U-shaped” relationship in the short term and a positive correlation in the long term. The government environmental regulation, media evaluation, and corporate image management produced different moderating effects under the difference in ownership structure. Government environmental regulations, media evaluation, and corporate image management made significant moderating effects on state-owned corporations in the short term, while they have no significant moderating effect in the long term. The results also showed that there were no significant effects on private corporations. In order to push heavily polluting corporations to implement environmental protection measures, government and corporations are necessary to promote the long-term mechanism of sustainable cleaner production.
The Willingness of Malaysian Parents To Vaccinate Their Children Below 12 Years Old Against COVID-19 – A Large Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ng Diana-Leh-Ching , Gan Gin-Gin , Chai Chee-Shee , Anuar Nur Adila Bt , Sindeh Woweham , Chua Wei-Jing , Said Asri B , Tan Seng-Beng 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background:The administration of a new drug such as the COVID-19 vaccine in children could be a major concern for their parents. This study aims to assess the willingness of Malaysian parents to vaccinate their children < 12 years old against COVID-19. Methods:An online cross-sectional study was conducted nationwide in Malaysia from 29th August 2021 to 17th October 2021. Parents with children < 12 years old were recruited by the snowball sampling method. Results:Of the 4,438 survey responses received, 3,528 (79.5%) parents were included in the analysis. Of these parents, 2,598 (73.6%) were willing, 486 (13.8%) were not willing, and 444 (12.6%) were still undecided to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Those who were single parent [odds ratio (OR): 2.0, 95% confidence internal (CI): 1.32 – 3.04, p = 0.001], had secondary or lower education (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.21 – 1.96, p < 0.001), worked as healthcare worker (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.34 – 2.26, p < 0.001), had significant contact with COVID-19 (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.09 – 1.63, p = 0.006), and already received COVID-19 vaccine (OR: 15.4, 95% CI: 9.76 – 24.33, p < 0.001) were significantly more willing to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. The common reasons given by parents who were willing to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 include vaccination could protect their children (99.4%), the vaccination could protect other family members (99.3%), and the vaccine was effective (98.2%). The common reasons given by parents who were not willing to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 include the uncertainty towards the new vaccine (96.1%), worry about the vaccine contents (93.2%), limited information about the vaccine from the doctors (82.3%), and believed the vaccine was unsafe (79.8%)Conclusions:Nearly three-quarters of Malaysian parents were willing to vaccinate their children < 12 years old against COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccination history of the parents was the strongest independent predictor for their willingness to vaccinate their children. Future health education should target parents at risk of vaccine refusal or hesitation, focus to address the common reasons for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, and highlight the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine.
LAA and CoCl2 Pretreated Exosomes Enhance Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell
Authors: Barlian Anggraini , Amsar Rizka Musdalifah , Prawitasari Salindri , Wijaya Christofora Hanny , Ana Ika Dewi , Hidajah Atik Choirul , Notobroto Hari Basuki , Wungu Triati Dewi Kencana 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
BackgroundCells produce extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes and microvesicles, which are used for intracellular communication. Cell-free therapies could be enhanced by using mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes. Preconditioning parental cells affects the properties of their exosomes. This study aimed to investigate the role of L-ascorbic acid (LAA) and CoCl2 in the exosomes produced by human Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJ MSC) and its potential to induce chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells was also studied.. MethodThe cells were obtained from umbilical cords and characterized based on mesenchymal stem cell criteria. The cells were cultured in a serum-free medium containing LAA and CoCl2. Exosomes produced by the cells were isolated and their morphology observed with Transmission Electron Microscopy. The presence of CD 63 was confirmed using ELISA. The particle size distribution and exosome concentration were analyzed with Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA). The ability of exosomes to induce stem cell differentiation into chondrocytes was investigated using the Alcian blue assay and immunocytochemistry.ResultsStem cells were successfully isolated from the human umbilical cord. The cells can differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteocytes. Flowcytometry analysis showed the specific surface marker of mesenchymal stem cells. Exosomes isolated from pretreatment cells showed round-shaped morphology and confirmed the presence of CD 63. NTA analysis revealed that pretreatment of cells with LAA increases exosome yields. LAA supplementation in cell medium under hypoxic conditions induced by CoCl2 produces exosomes that can induce the chondrogeic differentiation of stem cells, confirmed by the presence of glycosaminoglycan and collagen type 2.ConclusionExosomes produced by preconditioning hWJ-MSC with LAA in hypoxic conditions have the potential to enhance human Wharton Jelly stem cell differentiation into chondrocytes.
Spatiotemporal Dynamics Induced by Nonlocal Competition in a Diffusion Predator-Prey System with Habitat Complexity
Authors: Yang Ruizhi , Nie Chenxuan , Jin Dan 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we study a delayed diffusive predator-prey model with nonlocal competition in prey and habitat complexity. The local stability of coexisting equilibrium are studied by analyzing the eigenvalue spectrum. Time delay inducing Hopf bifurcation is investigated by using time delay as bifurcation parameter. We give some conditions for determining the bifurcation direction and the stability of the bifurcating periodic solution by utilizing the normal form method and center manifold theorem. Our results suggest that only nonlocal competition and diffusion together can induce stably spatial inhomogeneous bifurcating periodic solutions.
Efficacy and Safety of Chemoradiation Therapy Using One- Shot Cisplatin via Hepatic Arterial Infusion for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Major Macrovascular Invasion: a Single-arm Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Naruto Kensuke , Kawaoka Tomokazu , Kodama Kenichiro , Ogawa Yutaro , Amioka Kei , Yoshikawa Yuki , Kikukawa Chihiro , Suehiro Yousuke , Yamaoka Kenji , Ando Yuwa , Kosaka Yumi , Uchikawa Shinsuke , Nakahara Takashi , Murakami Eisuke , Ohno Atsushi , Uchida Takuro , Yamauchi Masami , Okamoto Wataru , Takahashi Shoichi , Imamura Michio , Chosa Keigo , Awai Kazuo , Kubo Katsumaro , Nagata Yasushi , Chayama Kazuaki , Aikata Hiroshi 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and macrovascular invasion (MVI) who receive systemic chemotherapy have a poor prognosis. This study aimed to determine if one-shot cisplatin (CDDP) chemotherapy via hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) combined with radiation therapy (RT) prior to systemic chemotherapy could improve the outcomes of these patients. Methods: This study consisted of 32 HCC patients with the following eligibility criteria: (i) portal vein invasion 3/4 and/or hepatic vein invasion 2/3; (ii) received one-shot CDDP via HAI; (iii) received RT for MVI, (iv) a Child-Pugh score ≤7; and (v) an Eastern Clinical Oncology Group Performance Status score of 0 or 1. To determine the therapeutic effect, we collect the information of patients’ characteristics and took contrast-enhanced computed tomography at the start of the therapy and every 2 to 4 months after the therapy initiated. We evaluated the overall response of the tumor and tumor thrombosis according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. We assessed the patient’s data statistically by the Mann-Whitney U-test, fisher’s exact test, and evaluated overall survival and progress-free survival by log-ranked test, and analyzed the predictive factors by as appropriate. Results: The overall response rate at the first evaluation performed a median of 1.4 weeks after HAI was 16% of the main intrahepatic tumor and 59% of the MVI. The best responses were the same as those of the first-time responses. The duration of median survival was 8.6 months, and for progression-free survival of the main intrahepatic tumor was 3.2 months. The predictive factor of overall survival was the relative tumor volume in the liver and the first therapeutic response of MVI. There were no severe adverse events or radiation-induced hepatic complications. Conclusions: One-shot CDDP via HAI and RT were well tolerated and showed immediate and favorable control of MVI. Thus, this combination shows potential as a bridging therapy to systemic chemotherapy.
A Putatively New Family of Alphaproteobacterial Chloromethane Degraders from a Deciduous Forest Soil Revealed by Stable Isotope Probing and Metagenomics
Authors: Kröber Eileen , Kanukollu Saranya , Wende Sonja , Bringel Francoise , Kolb Steffen 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Chloromethane (CH3 Cl) is the most abundant halogenated organic compound in the atmosphere and substantially responsible for the destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer. Since anthropogenic CH 3 Cl sources have become negligible with the application of the Montreal Protocol (1987), natural sources, such as vegetation and soils, have increased proportionally in the global budget. CH3 Cl-degrading methylotrophs occurring in soils might be an important and overlooked sink.Results & Conclusions: The objective of our study was to link the biotic CH3 Cl sink with the identity of active microorganisms and their biochemical pathways for CH3 Cl degradation in a deciduous forest soil. When tested in laboratory microcosms, biological CH3 Cl consumption occurred in leaf litter, senescent leaves, and organic and mineral soil horizons. Highest consumption rates, around 2 mmol CH3 Cl g -1 dry weight h -1 , were measured in organic soil and senescent leaves, suggesting that top soil layers are active (micro-)biological CH 3 Cl degradation compartments of forest ecosystems. The DNA of these [13C]-CH3 Cl-degrading microbial communities was labelled using stable isotope probing (SIP), and the corresponding taxa and their metabolic pathways studied using high-throughput metagenomics sequencing analysis. [ 13C]-labelled Metagenome-Assembled Genome closely related to the family Beijerinckiaceae may represent a new methylotroph family of Alphaproteobacteria, which is found in metagenome databases of forest soils samples worldwide. Gene markers of the only known pathway for aerobic CH3 Cl degradation, via the methyltransferase system encoded by the CH3 Cl utilisation genes (cmu), were undetected in the DNA-SIP metagenome data, suggesting that biological CH3 Cl sink in this deciduous forest soil operates by a cmu-independent metabolism.