bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hyalomma spp. ticks and associated Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. on the Iran-Pakistan border
Authors: Choubdar Nayyereh , Karimian Fateh , Koosha Mona , Nejati Jalil , Oshaghi Mohammad Ali 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis are tick-borne diseases affecting humans and livestock, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Animal husbandry is the main activity of people on the borders of Iran and Pakistan, with thousands of cattle crossing the border each week.

Methods
PCR and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to determine the percentage and geographical distribution of the pathogens carried by Hyalomma spp. (n = 306) collected from 126 goats, cattle and camels in the region between November 2017 and late March 2018.

Results
In total, 1124 hard ticks including 1020 Hyalomma spp. ticks belonging to six species (Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma asiaticum, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma schulzei, and Hyalomma detritum) were found on the borders of Iran and Pakistan, with H. anatolicum being the most prevalent tick species. Anaplasma spp. and/or Ehrlichia spp. DNA was found in 68.3% of the engorged tick specimens (n = 256). Sequencing of a subset (12.6%) of PCR-positive samples revealed Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma marginale, and Ehrlichia ewingii DNA in 81.8%, 9.1%, and 9.1% of the ticks, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. ewingii, an important human pathogen, in Iran.

Conclusions
Based on molecular analysis, three pathogenic Anaplasmataceae were detected in six Hyalomma spp. parasitizing cattle, goats and camels, confirming the presence of these pathogens along the Iran-Pakistan border.

Graphical Abstract
High levels of pyrethroid resistance and super-kdr mutations in the populations of tropical bed bug, Cimex hemipterus, in Iran
Authors: Ghavami Mohammad Bagher , Ghahremani Zarafat , Raeisi Narges , Taghiloo Behrooz 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe tropical bed bug,Cimex hemipterus, is an important ectoparasite causing various health problems. This species is mainly confined to tropical regions; however, insecticide resistance, global warming, and globalization have changed its distribution map. Molecular information on pyrethroid resistance, which is essential for the development of control programs, is unknown forC. hemipterusin expanded areas. The present study was designed to determine the permethrin resistance status, characterize the pyrethroid receptor sites in voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene, and identify the resistance-related mutations in the populations of tropical bed bug in Iran.MethodsLive bed bugs were collected, and adults ofC. hemipteruswere selected for bioassay and molecular surveys. Bioassay was performed by tarsal contact with permethrin 0.75% in mixed-sex of samples. Conventional and quantitative TaqMan and SYBR Green real-time PCR assays were conducted to characterize thevgscgene and genotypes of studied populations.ResultsIn the bioassay tests, the mortality rates were in the range of 30.7–38.7% and 56.2–77.4% in 24 and 48 h, respectively. The knockdown rates of studied populations were in the range of 32.2–46.6% and 61.5–83.8% in the first and second days, respectively. The KT50and KT90values in theCimex lectulariusKh1 strain were presented as 5.39 and 15.55 h, respectively. These values in the selected populations ofC. hemipterusvaried from 27.9 to 29.5 and from 82.8 to 104.4 h, respectively. Knockdown time ratios (KR50and KR90) in these populations varied from 5.17 to 6.17-fold compared with those of theC. lectulariusKh1 strain. Fragments ofvgscgene with 355 bp and 812 bp were amplified. Analysis of sequences revealed the A468T substitution,kdr-associated D953G, andsuper-kdrM918I and L1014F mutations in all populations.ConclusionsThe specific/sensitive, safe, and rapid diagnostic assays developed in this study are recommended for detection ofkdr/super-kdrmutations and frequency of mutant alleles. The presence ofsuper-kdrmutations and high resistance to permethrin in all the populations necessitate the reconsideration of control approaches againstC. hemipterus.Graphical Abstract
The citrullinated/native index of autoantibodies against hnRNP-DL predicts an individual “window of treatment success” in RA patients
Authors: Marklein Bianka , Jenning Madeleine , Konthur Zoltán , Häupl Thomas , Welzel Franziska , Nonhoff Ute , Krobitsch Sylvia , Mulder Debbie M. , Koenders Marije I. , Joshua Vijay , Cope Andrew P. , Shlomchik Mark J. , Anders Hans-Joachim , Burmester Gerd R. , Hensvold Aase , Catrina Anca I. , Rönnelid Johan , Steiner Günter , Skriner Karl 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundThere is a need for biomarker to identify patients “at risk” for rheumatoid arthritis (risk-RA) and to better predict the therapeutic response and in this study we tested the hypothesis that novel native and citrullinated heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP)-DL autoantibodies could be possible biomarkers.MethodsUsing protein macroarray and ELISA, epitope recognition against hnRNP-DL was analysed in sera from different developed RA disease and diagnosed SLE patients. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/9 and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88)-dependency were studied in sera from murine disease models. HnRNP-DL expression in cultivated cells and synovial tissue was analysed by indirect immunofluorescence, immunoblot and immunohistochemistry.ResultsHnRNP-DL was highly expressed in stress granules, citrullinated in the rheumatoid joint and targeted by autoantibodies either as native or citrullinated proteins in patient subsets with different developed RA disease. Structural citrullination dependent epitopes (SCEs) of hnRNP-DL were detected in 58% of the SLE patients although 98% of these sera were α-CCP-2-negative. To obtain a specific citrullinated signal value, we subtracted the native antibody value from the citrullinated signal. The citrullinated/native index of autoantibodies against hnRNP-DL (CNDL-Index) was identified as a new value for an “individual window of treatment success” in early RA and for the detection of RF IgM/α-CCP-2 seronegative RA patients (24–46%). Negative CNDL-index was found in SLE patients, risk-RA and early RA cohorts such as EIRA where the majority of these patients are DAS28-responders to methotrexate (MTX) treatment (87%). High positive CNDL-values were associated with more severe RA, shared epitope and parenchymal changes in the lung. Specifically, native α-hnRNP-DL is TLR7/9-dependent, associated with pain and ROC analysis revealed an association to initial MTX or etanercept treatment response, especially in seronegative RA patients.ConclusionCNDL-index defines people at risk to develop RA and the “window of treatment success” thereby closing the sensitivity gap in RA.
Gut microbiota mediated the therapeutic efficacies and the side effects of prednisone in the treatment of MRL/lpr mice
Authors: Wang Mingzhu , Zhu Zhengyang , Lin Xiaoying , Li Haichang , Wen Chengping , Bao Jie , He Zhixing 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Growing evidences indicate that the alterations in gut microbiota are associated with the efficacy of glucocorticoids (GCs) in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, there is no evidence to prove whether gut microbiota directly mediates the effects of GCs.

Methods
Using the MRL/lpr mice, this study firstly addressed the effects of three doses of prednisone on gut microbiota. Then, this study used fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to transfer the gut microbiota of prednisone-treated MRL/lpr mice into the blank MRL/lpr mice to reveal whether the gut microbiota regulated by prednisone had similar therapeutic efficiency and side effects as prednisone.

Results
The effects of prednisone on gut microbiota were dose-dependent in the treatment of MRL/lpr mice. After transplantation into MRL/lpr mice, prednisone-regulated gut microbiota could alleviate lupus, which might be due to decreasing Ruminococcus and Alistipes and retaining the abundance of Lactobacillus. However, prednisone-regulated gut microbiota did not exhibit side effects as prednisone. The reason might be that the pathogens upregulated by prednisone could not survive in the MRL/lpr mice as exogenous microbiota, such as Parasutterella, Parabacteroides, and Escherichia-Shigella.

Conclusions
These data demonstrated that the transplantation of gut microbiota may be an effective method to obtain the therapeutic effects of GCs and avoid the side effects of GCs.
Intracerebroventricular injection of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells in patients with Alzheimer’s disease dementia: a phase I clinical trial
Authors: Kim Hee Jin , Cho Kyung Rae , Jang Hyemin , Lee Na Kyung , Jung Young Hee , Kim Jun Pyo , Lee Jung Il , Chang Jong Wook , Park Seongbeom , Kim Sung Tae , Moon Seung Whan , Seo Sang Won , Choi Soo Jin , Na Duk L. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Backgrounds
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, and currently, there is no disease-modifying treatment. Favorable functional outcomes and reduction of amyloid levels were observed following transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in animal studies.

Objectives
We conducted a phase I clinical trial in nine patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease dementia to evaluate the safety and dose-limiting toxicity of three repeated intracerebroventricular injections of human umbilical cord blood–derived MSCs (hUCB-MSCs).

Methods
We recruited nine mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease dementia patients from Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Four weeks prior to MSC administration, the Ommaya reservoir was implanted into the right lateral ventricle of the patients. Three patients received a low dose (1.0 × 107 cells/2 mL), and six patients received a high dose (3.0 × 107 cells/2 mL) of hUCB-MSCs. Three repeated injections of MSCs were performed (4-week intervals) in all nine patients. These patients were followed up to 12 weeks after the first hUCB-MSC injection and an additional 36 months in the extended observation study.

Results
After hUCB-MSC injection, the most common adverse event was fever (n = 9) followed by headache (n = 7), nausea (n = 5), and vomiting (n = 4), which all subsided within 36 h. There were three serious adverse events in two participants that were considered to have arisen from the investigational product. Fever in a low dose participant and nausea with vomiting in another low dose participant each required extended hospitalization by a day. There were no dose-limiting toxicities. Five participants completed the 36-month extended observation study, and no further serious adverse events were observed.

Conclusions
Three repeated administrations of hUCB-MSCs into the lateral ventricle via an Ommaya reservoir were feasible, relatively and sufficiently safe, and well-tolerated. Currently, we are undergoing an extended follow-up study for those who participated in a phase IIa trial where upon completion, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of the clinical efficacy of MSC AD therapy.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02054208. Registered on 4 February 2014. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03172117. Registered on 1 June 2017
Chronic inflammation-induced senescence impairs immunomodulatory properties of synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Lee Hyeon-Jeong , Lee Won-Jae , Hwang Sun-Chul , Choe Yongho , Kim Saetbyul , Bok Eunyeong , Lee Sangyeob , Kim Seung-Joon , Kim Hyun-Ok , Ock Sun-A , Noh Hae-Sook , Rho Gyu-Jin , Lee Sang-Il , Lee Sung-Lim 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Although the immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been highlighted as a new therapy for autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the disease-specific characteristics of MSCs derived from elderly RA patients are not well understood.

Methods
We established MSCs derived from synovial fluid (SF) from age-matched early (average duration of the disease: 1.7 years) and long-standing (average duration of the disease: 13.8 years) RA patients (E-/L-SF-MSCs) and then analyzed the MSC characteristics such as stemness, proliferation, cellular senescence, in vitro differentiation, and in vivo immunomodulatory properties.

Results
The presence of MSC populations in the SF from RA patients was identified. We found that L-SF-MSCs exhibited impaired proliferation, intensified cellular senescence, reduced immunomodulatory properties, and attenuated anti-arthritic capacity in an RA animal model. In particular, E-SF-MSCs demonstrated cellular senescence progression and attenuated immunomodulatory properties similar to those of L-SF-MSC in an RA joint-mimetic milieu due to hypoxia and pro-inflammatory cytokine exposure. Due to a long-term exposure to the chronic inflammatory milieu, cellular senescence, attenuated immunomodulatory properties, and the loss of anti-arthritic potentials were more often identified in SF-MSCs in a long-term RA than early RA.

Conclusion
We conclude that a chronic RA inflammatory milieu affects the MSC potential. Therefore, this work addresses the importance of understanding MSC characteristics during disease states prior to their application in patients.

Graphical abstract
High-flow nasal oxygen cannula vs. noninvasive mechanical ventilation to prevent reintubation in sepsis: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tongyoo Surat , Tantibundit Porntipa , Daorattanachai Kiattichai , Viarasilpa Tanuwong , Permpikul Chairat , Udompanturak Suthipol 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
High-flow nasal oxygen cannula (HFNC) and noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) can prevent reintubation in critically ill patients. However, their efficacy in post-extubated sepsis patients remains unclear. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of HFNC vs. NIV to prevent reintubation in post-extubated sepsis patients.

Methods
We conducted a single-centre, prospective, open-labelled, randomised controlled trial at the medical intensive care unit of Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Sepsis patients who had been intubated, recovered, and passed the spontaneous breathing trial were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either HFNC or NIV support immediately after extubation. The primary outcome was rate of reintubation at 72 h after extubation.

Results
Between 1st October 2017 and 31st October 2019, 222 patients were enrolled and 112 were assigned to the HFNC group and 110 to the NIV group. Both groups were well matched in baseline characteristics. The median [IQR] age of the HFNC group was 66 [50–77] vs. 65.5 [54–77] years in the NIV group. The most common causes of intubation at admission were shock-related respiratory failure (57.1% vs. 55.5%) and acute hypoxic respiratory failure (34.8% vs. 40.9%) in the HFNC and NIV groups, respectively. The duration of mechanical ventilation before extubation was 5 [3–8] days in the HFNC group vs. 5 [3–9] days in the NIV group. There was no statistically significant difference in the primary outcome: 20/112 (17.9%) in the HFNC group required reintubation at 72 h compared to 20/110 (18.2%) in the NIV group [relative risk (RR) 0.99: 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.70–1.39); P = 0.95]. The 28-day mortality was not different: 8/112 (7.1%) with HFNC vs. 10/110 (9.1%) with NIV (RR 0.88: 95% CI (0.57–1.37); P = 0.59).

Conclusions
Among sepsis patients, there was no difference between HFNC and NIV in the prevention of reintubation at 72 h after extubation.
Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03246893; Registered 11 August 2017; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03246893?term=surat+tongyoo&draw=2&rank=3
Robust localization in wireless networks from corrupted signals
Authors: Osama Muhammad , Zachariah Dave , Dwivedi Satyam , Stoica Petre 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe address the problem of timing-based localization in wireless networks, when an unknown fraction of data is corrupted by non-ideal propagation conditions. While timing-based techniques can enable accurate localization, they are sensitive to corrupted data. We develop a robust method that is applicable to a range of localization techniques, including time-of-arrival, time-difference-of-arrival and time-difference in schedule-based transmissions. The method is distribution-free, is computationally efficient and requires only an upper bound on the fraction of corrupted data, thus obviating distributional assumptions on the corrupting noise. The robustness of the method is demonstrated in numerical experiments.
Cellobiose dehydrogenase from the agaricomycete Coprinellus aureogranulatus and its application for the synergistic conversion of rice straw
Authors: Nghi Do Huu , Kellner Harald , Büttner Enrico , Huong Le Mai , Duy Le Xuan , Giap Vu Dinh , Quynh Dang Thu , Hang Tran Thi Nhu , Verberckmoes An , Diels Ludo , Liers Christiane , Hofrichter Martin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractFrom the biotechnological viewpoint, the enzymatic disintegration of plant lignocellulosic biomass is a promising goal since it would deliver fermentable sugars for the chemical sector. Cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) is a vital component of the extracellular lignocellulose-degrading enzyme system of fungi and has a great potential to improve catalyst efficiency for biomass processing. In the present study, a CDH from a newly isolated strain of the agaricomycete Coprinellus aureogranulatus (CauCDH) was successfully purified with a specific activity of 28.9 U mg−1. This pure enzyme (MW = 109 kDa, pI = 5.4) displayed the high oxidative activity towards β-1–4-linked oligosaccharides. Not least, CauCDH was used for the enzymatic degradation of rice straw without chemical pretreatment. As main metabolites, glucose (up to 165.18 ± 3.19 mg g−1), xylose (64.21 ± 1.22 mg g−1), and gluconic acid (5.17 ± 0.13 mg g−1) could be identified during the synergistic conversion of this raw material with the fungal hydrolases (e.g., esterase, cellulase, and xylanase) and further optimization by using an RSM statistical approach.
Fashion informatics of the Big 4 Fashion Weeks using topic modeling and sentiment analysis
Authors: Choi Yeong-Hyeon , Yoon Seungjoo , Xuan Bin , Lee Sang-Yong Tom , Lee Kyu-Hye 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study used several informatics techniques to analyze consumer-driven social media data from four cities (Paris, Milan, New York, and London) during the 2019 Fall/Winter (F/W) Fashion Week. Analyzing keywords using a semantic network analysis method revealed the main characteristics of the collections, celebrities, influencers, fashion items, fashion brands, and designers connected with the four fashion weeks. Using topic modeling and a sentiment analysis, this study confirmed that brands that embodied similar themes in terms of topics and had positive sentimental reactions were also most frequently mentioned by the consumers. A semantic network analysis of the tweets showed that social media, influencers, fashion brands, designers, and words related to sustainability and ethics were mentioned in all four cities. In our topic modeling, the classification of the keywords into three topics based on the brand collection’s themes provided the most accurate model. To identify the sentimental evaluation of brands participating in the 2019 F/W Fashion Week, we analyzed the consumers’ sentiments through positive, neutral, and negative reactions. This quantitative analysis of consumer-generated social media data through this study provides insight into useful information enabling fashion brands to improve their marketing strategies.
Male prisoners’ experiences of taking part in research about suicide and violence: a mixed methods study
Authors: Hemming Laura , Pratt Daniel , Haddock Gillian , Bhatti Peer , Shaw Jennifer 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
There is an apparent reluctance to engage ‘vulnerable’ participants in conversation about sensitive topics such as suicide and violence and this can often lead to a paucity of research in these areas. This study aimed to explore the experiences of male prisoners taking part in quantitative and qualitative research on suicide and violence.

Methods
Participants at four male prisons completed a visual analogue scale of mood before and after data collection for both a cross-sectional study and also a qualitative interview. Participants were also asked to give three words to describe their experience of participation. A paired samples T-test was conducted to explore the difference in pre- and post-mood ratings, and content analysis was conducted to explore the positive and negative comments on participants’ experiences.

Results
Overall, participants’ mood significantly improved after participating in a cross-sectional study about suicide and violence (from 4.8 out of 10 to 5.3, p = 0.016), and there was no significant change in mood following participation in a related qualitative study (5.1 to 5.0, p = 0.793). Participants primarily described their experiences as positive, stating that the process had been satisfying, calming, interesting, enlightening and beneficial. A smaller number of participants described their experiences as stressful, challenging, saddening, uncomfortable and bizarre.

Conclusions
This study has found that researching sensitive topics such as suicide and violence with male prisoners did not have a negative impact on mood, rather that participants largely enjoyed the experience. These findings dispel the myth that research about sensitive topics with prisoners is too risky and could inform how future researchers assess levels of risk to participants.
Application of a composite measure of product adherence, protocol compliance, and semen exposure to a phase III microbicide HIV prevention trial
Authors: Jacot Terry A. , Clark Meredith R. , Adedipe Oluwatosin E. , Godbout Susan , Cunningham Tina , Ju Susan , Schwartz Jill L. , Delany-Moretlwe Sinead , Thurman Andrea R. , Doncel Gustavo F. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Strict adherence to antiretroviral-based microbicide use is important for effective HIV prevention. We previously developed a composite measure of product adherence, protocol compliance, and semen exposure for determining vaginal use of tenofovir (TFV) 1% gel applicators through biomarkers and residual drug analyses. In this study, we tested the ability of the composite measure in vaginally used TFV gel applicators from a Phase III HIV prevention clinical trial.

Methods
Used vaginal gel applicators from the FACTS 001 study were swabbed for detection of vaginal bacterial markers (vaginal insertion), semen DNA markers (semen exposure), and residual TFV gel (product use).

Results
Of 1,098 evaluable TFV and placebo applicators, 80% had detectable vaginal insertion biomarkers and 52% had semen biomarkers. Ninety-nine percent of vaginally inserted applicators TFV applicators had detectable residual TFV as measured by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopy (LC–MS/MS). Residual TFV levels were also successfully detected using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR)-based spectroscopy.

Conclusions
Vaginal insertion and semen exposure biomarkers were detectable on used TFV 1% gel applicators. Residual TFV on these gel applicators was detectable by LC–MS/MS and FTIR-based spectroscopy, which has potential to be a more convenient and quicker method for detecting drug use. With continual improvements, this composite measure of product adherence, protocol compliance, and semen exposure has potential to assess use of not only TFV gel but also other topical microbicides or products.