bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metagenomics Analysis of Race and Age influence on the Vaginal Microbiome in Pregnant and Non-pregnant Healthy Women
Authors: Golestani Zahra , Ghaedmohammadi Samira , Mozdoori Najmeh 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Various human body parts are host to many microbial species and have a mutualistic relationship with them. The presence of these microbial species in reproductive tubes plays an essential protective role against the proliferation of harmful organisms and is an important factor in reproductive health. The vaginal microbiota during pregnancy plays a vital role in the health of the mother and the infant. Microbiota imbalance during pregnancy is associated with many complications. As a result, the detection of vaginal microbiota during pregnancy can reduce the risk of these problems. High-throughput culture-independent technologies allow the study of vaginal microbiome on a large scale. This study aimed to compare the vaginal microbiota between pregnant and non-pregnant healthy women of different age or race using the meta-analysis method. The results from 7 articles having 16S rRNA gene sequences, were extracted and analyzed by CLC. Data from 898 pregnant and 702 non-pregnant women showed that the Bacilli, Clostridia, Actinobacteria and Coriobacteria were the dominant classes in pregnancy. The vaginal microbiota in normal non-pregnancy is also predominated by Bacilli. Still, beta diversity maps demonstrated that non-pregnant vaginal microbiome is more variable than that in the pregnant state. This study reveals new insights into age and ethnic effects on the pregnant and non-pregnant vaginal microbiome and found that the microbiome of Chinese women was more distinct than the other races. It was also detected that the relative number of bacterial classes is dramatically lower in women above the age of 35 relative to younger ones.
Public health impacts of drought in high-income countries: a systematic review
Authors: Vos Valentina , Dimnik Julija , Hassounah Sondus , OConnell Emer , Landeg Owen 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Introduction

The health effects of drought are significant and widespread, but primarily indirect. As climate change projections indicate future increases in drought events globally, it is essential that we continue to develop the evidence base on the health consequences of drought to inform future public health policy and practice (i.e. the quantification of impacts now and in the future).
Methods

A systematic review was preformed using: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Maternity and Infant Care, Global Health, CINAHL and Cochrane. Articles were included in the analysis if they met the following criteria: exposure was specified as drought; outcome was a defined and measured human health outcome; a distinct link had to be made between exposure and outcome; drought was defined as a shortage or deficiency that was climate related; population studied was member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to represent HICs; reported original data; published in English from May 2012 to June 2017.
Results

10,383 citations were initially identified; 24 papers met the eligibility criteria. Additionally, seven papers not meeting the criteria were incorporated as supporting text. The majority of studies were from Australia and the USA. Five main categories of health effects were found: (i) water borne disease (ii) vector borne disease (iii) airborne, dust and respiratory related diseases (iv) mental health and wellbeing and (v) other health effects.
Conclusion

The limited evidence suggests that the mental health impacts of drought in rural and farming populations and outbreaks of West Nile Fever in places that harbour the transmitting vector represent the greatest public health concern for drought prone High-Income Countries (HICs). A range of initiatives were identified, including health services preparedness alongside targeted public health policies. Further studies are needed to address gaps in the evidence including the absence of a standardised definition and/or measure of drought exposure, and methods to measure and assess health impacts related to drought.
Loose Plant Architecture 1-Interacting Kinesin-like Protein KLP Promotes Rice Resistance to Sheath Blight Disease
Authors: Chu Jin , Xu Han , Dong Hai , Xuan Yuanhu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundSheath blight disease (ShB) is a destructive disease affecting rice production. Previously, we have reported that Loose Plant Architecture 1 (LPA1) promotes resistance to ShB. However, the mechanisms by which LPA1 confers resistance against this disease have not been extensively investigated. Notably, interactors that regulate LPA-1 activity remain elusive.FindingsIn this study, we identified the interaction of kinesin-like protein (KLP) with LPA1 in the nucleus of rice cells by yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescent complimentary (BiFC), and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assays. To investigate the role of KLP in promoting resistance to ShB, wild-type, klp mutant, and KLP overexpressor (KLP OX) rice plants were inoculated with Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA. The results indicated that, compared with the wild-type control, klp mutants were more susceptible while KLP OX plants were less susceptible to ShB. Since LPA1 transcriptionally activates PIN-FORMED 1a (PIN1a), we examined the expression of 8 related PIN genes. The results showed that only the expression of PIN1a and PIN3b coincided with KLP expression levels. In addition, a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed that KLP bound directly to the promoter region of PIN1a but not of PIN3b. Transient expression assays confirmed that LPA1 and KLP transcriptionally activate PIN1a, and that coexpression of KLP and LPA1 had an additive effect on the activation of PIN1a, suggesting that KLP enhances LPA1 transcriptional activation activity. Conclusions﻿Taken together, our results show that KLP is a novel LPA1 interactor that promotes resistance of rice to ShB.
Community-driven tree planting greens the neighbouring landscape
Authors: Buxton Joshua , Powell Thomas , Ambler John , Boulton Chris , Nicholson Arwen , Arthur Rudy , Lees Kirsten , Williams Hywel , Lenton Timothy 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Nature-based solutions to climate change are growing policy priorities yet remain hard to quantify. Here we use remote sensing to quantify direct and indirect benefits from community-led agroforestry by The International Small group and Tree planting program (TIST) in Kenya. Since 2005, TIST-Kenya has incentivised smallholder farmers to plant trees for agricultural benefit and to sequester CO2. We use Landsat-7 satellite imagery to examine the effect on the historically deforested landscape around Mount Kenya. We identify positive greening trends in TIST groves during 2000-2019 relative to the wider landscape. These groves cover 27,198 hectares, and a further 27,750 hectares of neighbouring agricultural land is also positively influenced by TIST. This positive ‘spill-over’ impact of TIST activity occurs at up to 360m distance. TIST also benefits local forests, e.g. through reducing fuelwood and fodder extraction. Our results show that community-led initiatives can lead to successful landscape-scale regreening on decadal timescales.
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure and association with sex hormone concentrations: Results from the NHANES 2015 -2016
Authors: Xie Xin , Weng Xueqiong , Liu Shan , Chen Jingmin , Guo Xinrong , Gao Xinyu , Fei Qiaoyuan , Hao Guang , Jing Chunxia , Feng Liping 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: There is increasing global concern regarding the health impacts of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are emerging environmental endocrine disruptors. Results from previous epidemiological studies on the associations between PFAS exposure and sex hormone levels are inconsistent.Objective: We examined the associations between serum PFAS compounds (PFDeA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOA, PFOS) and sex hormones, including total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), estrogen (E), and serum hormone binding globulin (SHBG).Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, PFDeA, PFOS, and PFHxS exposures were significantly associated with increased serum testosterone concentrations in males. PFDeA, PFOA, and PFOS exposures were positively correlated with FT levels in 20-49 years old women while PFOS exposure was negatively associated with TT levels in 12-19 years old girls. PFAS exposure was negatively associated with estradiol levels including: PFDeA in all females, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOS, and PFOA in 12-19 years old girls, PFNA in women above 50 years old, and PFOA in 12-19 years old boys while PFDeA and PFOS exposures were positively associated with estradiol levels in these boys. n-PFOS exposure was positively associated with SHBG levels in men older than 20 and in all females.Conclusions: Using a large cohort of males and females aged from 12-80, we found that PFAS exposure appears to disrupt sex hormones in a gender-, age-, and compound-specific manner. Future work is warranted to clarify the causality and mechanisms involved.
Identification of Multi-Target Directed Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2: Drug Repurposing
Authors: Ayipo Yusuf , Alananzeh Waleed Abdullah Ahmad , SANI NAJIB , Mordi Mohd 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: COVID-19 remains a major global challenge while several drugs identified to ameliorate the syndromes are associated with incessant resistance and lack of prospective potentials to permanently curb the infection. This study is aimed at evaluating the potentials of the existing drug molecules to overcome the viral resistance through multi-target inhibition mechanisms. Methods: Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations have been extensively applied to virtually screen 2826 drugs from Selleckem.com library against some key bio-receptors implicated in the SARS-CoV-2 such as the viral nucleocapsid phosphoprotein, the viral spike glycoprotein and the human host ACE2. Results: Five drugs namely D-(+)-Raffinose pentahydrate (1), (-)-Epicatechin gallate (5), 2797 (7), Rutin DAB10 (8) and Hyperoside (9) display higher inhibitory potentials against N-terminal NTD of SARS-CoV-2 (PDB 6M3M) with XP docking scores of -16.20, -11.98, -11.83, -11.81 and -11.41 than remdesivir and ribavirin with -10.27 and -9.06 respectively. Their estimated binding free energies against the receptor are -27.80, -27.91, -32.39, -27.91 and -29.50 kcal/mol compared to remdesivir and ribavirin with -24.27 and -15.37 kcal/mol respectively. Similar inhibition patterns were observed against the viral S-protein and the human ACE2 with high stability and bio-functionality. Conclusion: The identified compounds show promising potentials amenable for breakthrough against the drug-resistant COVID-19 upon further studies.
Breeding Strategy for Resistance to Striga Asiatica Based on Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Tropical Maize Lines
Authors: Gasura Edmore , Nyandoro Brian , Mabasa Stanford , Setimela Peter S. , Kyalo Martina , Yao Nasser 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major staple crop in southern Africa and is produced on millions of hectares. However, its yield is greatly reduced by Striga spp, a parasitic weed which is causing US$ 7 billion losses annually. Use of host resistance could be an effective way of controlling Striga and resistance to Striga is quantitative, mainly controlled by additive gene action. Understanding the population structure and genetic diversity is therefore key in designing an effective breeding program targeting grain yield heterosis and resistance to Striga. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity and population structure of the key germplasm from tropical Africa. This information could guide in the identification of heterotic groups and potential testers required to kick start a maize breeding program for Striga asiatica in southern Africa. A total of 222 maize inbred lines from IITA and CIMMYT were used in this study. The materials were genotyped using the genotyping-by-sequencing method. A total of 45 000 SNP markers were revealed, and these were subjected to analysis of molecular variance, structure analysis and clustering using the Gower’s distance and neighbor joining algorithm. Molecular variance was lager within individuals (91%) than among populations (9%). The inbred lines clustered into three major groups, with the IITA germplasm clustering separately from CIMMYT germplasm. A breeding strategy for Striga asiatica resistance was proposed with the aim of increasing genetic gains in both the resistance and grain yield.
Electromagnetic-Based Wireless Sensor Networks for Natural Gas Pipeline and Reservoir Monitoring
Authors: Akkaş Mustafa Alper 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we electromagnetically analyzed the wireless sensor nodes for natural gas transport system from the recovery process to our apartments. In light of the problems of poor localization accuracy, low recognition efficiency and high false rates in traditional pipeline security and detection technology, this paper suggests a type of new electromagnetic modeling for the natural gas pipeline and tank system. This paper describes the effect of natural gas at different temperature and pressure levels on the propagation characteristics of electromagnetic waves at Terahertz Band frequencies. Based on the calculated absorption and path losses, the channel capacity and SNR are studied to give an insight of future Terahertz communication networks. Results show that characteristics of electromagnetic waves propagation affected by both the temperature and pressure. As a result, in the paper we come to the conclusion that frequency bands for optimum performance should be determined by reviewing the absorption coefficient.
Dating Violence and Associated Factors Among Male and Female Adolescents in Spain
Authors: Vives-Cases Carmen , Pérez-Martínez Vanesa , Davó-Blanes MCarmen , SanSegundo Miriam Sánchez , Gil-González Diana , Abiétar Daniel G. , Sánchez-Martínez Francesca , Forcadell-Díez Lluís , Pérez Glòria , Sanz-Barbero Belen 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Dating Violence (DV) is a public health problem that is on the rise. In this paper, we aim to analyse different factors associated with DV victimization among female and male adolescents in Spain, considering socioeconomic circumstances, sexual orientation and the presence of different attitudes and experiences related to violence. Methods: Cross-sectional data from a convenience sample of 640 ever-partnered adolescents aged 13 to 17 at schools in the cities of Alicante (n=359, 50.1% girls) and Terrassa (n=281, 51.9%) in the context of an educational intervention to promote healthy relationships. We calculated the prevalence of different forms of DV (physical, sexual and control and fear) and carried out multivariate regression models by sex. Results: 5.5% of girls and 8.7% of boys declared having suffered lifetime physical and/or sexual violence, while 22% of girls and 20.5% of boys reported control and/or fear victimization. The likelihood of DV was higher among migrants and those with foreign-born parents (aPR girls=2.1 CI95%: 1.1-3.9; aPR boys= 1.9: CI95%: 1.0-3.6); prior experiences of abuse (aPR girls= 1.6; CI95%: 1.0-2.6; aPR boys= 1.7; CI95%: 1.1-2.6); and those who showed higher levels of machismo (aPR girls= 1.0; CI95%: 1.0-1.1; aPR boys= 1.0; CI95%: 1.0-1.1). In girls, DV increased among those who reported lesbian/bisexual orientation and poor relationship with teachers.Conclusions: DV is socially patterned and increases among LGB adolescents, migrants, and those with foreign-born parents. Future DV prevention programs should reinforce adolescents’ abilities to recognize social support sources and reject machismo and violence.
The impact of SOD3 on prostatic diseases: elevated SOD3 is a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of chronic nonbacterial prostatiti
Authors: Zheng Shengfeng , Li Hongtao , Lin Xuandong , Gan Xiang , Xiao Shengjun , Liu Jiayi , Xie Zhibin , Lin Zhidi , Song Weiru , Wang Xiao , Li Meiqing , Lan Yue , Zhang Mingjin , Fu Weijin , Yang Xiaoli 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Prostate is the most common gland for the three major diseases in men, such as chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa). However, there is lack of ideal biomarker for diagnosis with prostatic diseases. This prospective study quantified extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3) levels in serum or expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) with CNP, and in the prostatic tissues with BPH or PCa, to evaluate SOD3 as possible surrogate markers for diagnosis and treatment efficacy. The diagnostic ability of SOD3 with CNP was estimated by ROC analysis. The potential function of SOD3 in prostatic disoders was further investigated via bioinformatic analysis. As a result, SOD3 was significantly increased in CNP and BPH, but dereased in PCa compared to controls. SOD3 was significantly elevated in patients with CNP III (6.491643 ± 1.592292, P༜0.001), CNP IV (8.617879 ± 1.535176, P༜0.001) compared to normal controls (4.705892 ± 1.484917), discriminating CNP versus normal controls (accuracy = 0.831, 95%CI: 0.726–0.937, P༜0.001), CNP III versus CNP IV (accuracy = 0.868, 95%CI: 0.716–0.940, P༜0.001). Furthermore, SOD3 in serum were associated with clinical characteristics of patients with CNP including plevic pain, blood pressure and lecithin/leukocyte in EPS. Functionally, SOD3 mainly interacted with CP, DSG2, RBP4, and CFP via spercific amino acid residue, and participated in the signal pathway of superoxide radicals degradation and apoptotic execution phase. Our findings suggested that SOD3 and its interactors might play an important role in prostatic diseases, and SOD3 could be an ideal diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for CNP.
Diastolic Dysfunction in a Pre-clinical Model of Diabetes Is Associated With Changes in the Cardiac Non-myocyte Cellular Composition
Authors: Cohen Charles D. , Blasio Miles J. De , Lee Man K. S. , Farrugia Gabriella E. , Prakoso Darnel , Krstevski Crisdion , Deo Minh , Donner Daniel G. , Kiriazis Helen , Flynn Michelle C. , Gaynor Taylah L. , Murphy Andrew J. , Drummond Grant R. , Pinto Alexander R. , Ritchie Rebecca Helen 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background:Diabetes is associated with a significantly elevated risk of cardiovascular disease and its specific pathophysiology remains unclear. Recent studies have changed our understanding of cardiac cellularity, with cellular changes accompanying diabetes yet to be examined in detail. This study aims to characterise the changes in the cardiac cellular landscape in murine diabetes to identify potential cellular protagonists in the diabetic heart.Methods:Diabetes was induced in male FVB/N mice by low-dose streptozotocin and a high-fat diet for 26-weeks. Cardiac function was measured by echocardiography at endpoint. Flow cytometry was performed on cardiac ventricles as well as blood, spleen, liver, and bone-marrow at endpoint from non-diabetic and diabetic mice. To validate flow cytometry results, immunofluorescence staining was conducted on left-ventricles of age-matched mice.ResultsMice with diabetes exhibited hyperglycaemia and impaired glucose tolerance at endpoint. Echocardiography revealed reduced E:A and e’:a’ ratios in diabetic mice indicating diastolic dysfunction. Systolic function was not different between the experimental groups. Detailed examination of cardiac cellularity found resident mesenchymal cells (RMCs) were elevated as a result of diabetes, due to a marked increase in cardiac fibroblasts, while smooth muscle cells were reduced in proportion. Moreover, we found increased levels of Ly6Chi monocytes in both the heart and in the blood. Consistent with this, the proportion of bone-marrow haematopoietic stem cells were increased in diabetic mice.Conclusions:Murine diabetes results in distinct changes in cardiac cellularity. These changes—in particular increased levels of fibroblasts—offer a framework for understanding how cardiac cellularity changes in diabetes. The results also point to new cellular mechanisms in this context, which may further aid in development of pharmacotherapies to allay the progression of cardiomyopathy associated with diabetes.
Atmospheric Reaction of Hydrazine Plus Hydroxyl Radical. I. Reliable Pathways
Authors: Douroudgari Hamed , Vahedpour Morteza , Khouini Fahime 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Understanding the mechanism of hydrazine oxidation reaction by OH radical accompanied by the rate constants of all possible pathways is important. They are key parameters to explain the fate of hydrazine in the atmosphere. To reach the mentioned parameters, higher-level calculations by using quantum chemical methods have been implemented comprehensively for reliable channels such as H-abstraction, SN2, and addition/elimination reactions. To estimate the barrier energies of H-abstraction channels accurately, large numbers of the CCSD(T)/X calculations (where X denotes the augmented Dunning and Pople double zeta or triple zeta basis sets) have been applied to the optimized geometries of the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ, MP2/maug-cc-pVTZ, and M062X/maug-cc-pVTZ levels. Contributions of excited states on the computed potential energy surface have been considered by the MR-MP2 (multi-reference) method in conjunction with the large augmented quadruple zeta, aug-cc-pVQZ, basis sets. The direct dynamic calculations have been carried out using the accurate energies of the CCSD(T) method and the partition functions of the second-order MØller-Plesset perturbation theory, and also by the validated M06-2X method with the aug-cc-pVTZ, and maug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. Finally, The VTST and TST theories have been used to calculate the temperature dependence of rate constants of the considered pathways. Also, the pressure-dependent rate constants of the barrierless pathways have been investigated by the strong collision master equation/RRKM theory.
Achieving Macroscale Liquid Superlubricity Using Lubricant Mixtures of Glycerol and Diols
Authors: yu haitao , Pang Haigang , Yuan Gang , Dong Dongfang , Lu Ying , Lun Yue , Li Zhen , Wang Qunying , Dong Wenzhu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundWe aimed to assess a serological biopsy using five stomach-specific circulating biomarkers pepsinogen I (PGI), PGII, PGI/II ratio, anti- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antibody, and gastrin-17 (G-17) for identifying high-risk individuals and predicting risk of developing gastric cancer (GC).ResultsIn the cross-sectional analysis, PGII, the PG ratio, G17, anti- H. pylori IgG were associated with the presence of CAG, and the five biomarkers combined prediction is more effective than single factor prediction (0.692 vs 0.54, 0.604, 0.616, 0.629).ConclusionThe combination of pepsinogens, G17 and anti-H. pylori antibodies for serological analysis is helpful to screen CAG high-risk individuals from the general population and recommend that these people should carry out further endoscopy and biopsy.