bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Numaswitch: an efficient high-titer expression platform to produce peptides and small proteins
Authors: Nguyen Bach-Ngan , Tieves Florian , Rohr Thomas , Wobst Hilke , Schöpf Felix S. , Solano Jóse D. Montoya , Schneider Julia , Stock Janpeter , Uhde Andreas , Kalthoff Thomas , Jaeger Karl Erich , Schmitt Lutz , Schwarz Christian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe production of peptides as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) by recombinant technologies is of emerging interest. A reliable production platform, however, is still missing due the inherent characteristics of peptides such as proteolytic sensitivity, aggregation and cytotoxicity. We have developed a new technology named Numaswitch solving present limitations. Numaswitch was successfully employed for the production of diverse peptides and small proteins varying in length, physicochemical and functional characteristics, including Teriparatide, Linaclotide, human β-amyloid and Serum amyloid A3. Additionally, the potential of Numaswitch for a cost-efficient commercial production is demonstrated yielding > 2 g Teriparatide per liter fermentation broth in a quality meeting API standard.
Nonlocal boundary value problems for ψ-Hilfer fractional-order Langevin equations
Authors: Nuchpong Cholticha , Ntouyas Sotiris K. , Vivek Devaraj , Tariboon Jessada 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn the paper, we study a boundary value problem for a class ofψ-Hilfer fractional-order Langevin equations with multi-point integral boundary conditions. Existence and uniqueness results are established by using well-known fixed point theorems. Examples illustrating the main results are also included.
Lyapunov stability analysis for nonlinear delay systems under random effects and stochastic perturbations with applications in finance and ecology
Authors: Almutairi Abdulwahab , El-Metwally H. , Sohaly M. A. , Elbaz I. M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis manuscript is involved in the study of stability of the solutions of functional differential equations (FDEs) with random coefficients and/or stochastic terms. We focus on the study of different types of stability of random/stochastic functional systems, specifically, stochastic delay differential equations (SDDEs). Introducing appropriate Lyapunov functionals enables us to investigate the necessary conditions for stochastic stability, asymptotic stochastic stability, asymptotic mean square stability, mean square exponential stability, global exponential mean square stability, and practical uniform exponential stability. Some examples with numerical simulations are presented to strengthen the theoretical results. Using our theoretical study, important aspects of epidemiological and ecological mathematical models can be revealed. In ecology, the dynamics of Nicholson’s blowflies equation is studied. Conditions of stochastic stability and stochastic global exponential stability of the equilibrium point at which the blowflies become extinct are investigated. In finance, the dynamics of the Black–Scholes market model driven by a Brownian motion with random variable coefficients and time delay is also studied.
Barriers to implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs in three low- and middle-income country tertiary care settings: findings from a multi-site qualitative study
Authors: Rolfe Robert , Kwobah Charles , Muro Florida , Ruwanpathirana Anushka , Lyamuya Furaha , Bodinayake Champica , Nagahawatte Ajith , Piyasiri Bhagya , Sheng Tianchen , Bollinger John , Zhang Chi , Ostbye Truls , Ali Shamim , Drew Richard , Kussin Peter , Anderson Deverick J. , Woods Christopher W. , Watt Melissa H. , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Tillekeratne L. Gayani 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Antimicrobial resistance has been named as one of the top ten threats to public health in the world. Hospital-based antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) can help reduce antimicrobial resistance. The purpose of this study was to determine perceived barriers to the development and implementation of ASPs in tertiary care centers in three low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods
Interviews were conducted with 45 physicians at tertiary care hospitals in Sri Lanka (n = 22), Kenya (12), and Tanzania (11). Interviews assessed knowledge of antimicrobial resistance and ASPs, current antimicrobial prescribing practices, access to diagnostics that inform antimicrobial use, receptiveness to ASPs, and perceived barriers to implementing ASPs. Two independent reviewers coded the interviews using principles of applied thematic analysis, and comparisons of themes were made across the three sites.

Results
Barriers to improving antimicrobial prescribing included prohibitively expensive antimicrobials, limited antimicrobial availability, resistance to changing current practices regarding antimicrobial prescribing, and limited diagnostic capabilities. The most frequent of these barriers in all three locations was limited drug availability. Many physicians in all three sites had not heard of ASPs before the interviews. Improved education was a suggested component of ASPs at all three sites. The creation of guidelines was also recommended, without prompting, by interviewees at all three sites. Although most participants felt microbiological results were helpful in tailoring antibiotic courses, some expressed distrust of laboratory culture results. Biomarkers like erythrocyte sedimentation rate and c-reactive protein were not felt to be specific enough to guide antimicrobial therapy. Despite limited or no prior knowledge of ASPs, most interviewees were receptive to implementing protocols that would include documentation and consultation with ASPs regarding antimicrobial prescribing.

Conclusions
Our study highlighted several important barriers to implementing ASPs that were shared between three tertiary care centers in LMICs. Improving drug availability, enhancing availability of and trust in microbiologic data, creating local guidelines, and providing education to physicians regarding antimicrobial prescribing are important steps that could be taken by ASPs in these facilities.
Observing UT1-UTC with VGOS
Authors: Haas Rüdiger , Varenius Eskil , Matsumoto Saho , Schartner Matthias 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe present first results for the determination of UT1-UTC using the VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS). During December 2019 through February 2020, a series of 1 h long observing sessions were performed using the VGOS stations at Ishioka in Japan and the Onsala twin telescopes in Sweden. These VGOS-B sessions were observed simultaneously to standard legacy S/X-band Intensive sessions. The VGOS-B data were correlated, post-correlation processed, and analysed at the Onsala Space Observatory. The derived UT1-UTC results were compared to corresponding results from standard legacy S/X-band Intensive sessions (INT1/INT2), as well as to the final values of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Frame Service (IERS), provided in IERS Bulletin B. The VGOS-B series achieves 3–4 times lower formal uncertainties for the UT1-UTC results than standard legacy S/X-band INT series. The RMS agreement w.r.t. to IERS Bulletin B is slightly better for the VGOS-B results than for the simultaneously observed legacy S/X-band INT1 results, and the VGOS-B results have a small bias only with the smallest remaining standard deviation.
Automatic Segmentation and 3D Printing of A-shaped Manikins using a Bounding Box and Body-feature Points
Authors: Jung Jin Young , Chee Seonkoo , Sul In Hwan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA novel algorithm for 3D-printing technology was proposed to generate large-scale objects, especially A-shaped manikins or 3D human body scan data. Most of the conventional 3D printers have a finite printing volume, and it is the users’ work to convert the target object into a printable size. In this study, an automatic three-step segmentation strategy was applied to the raw manikin mesh data until the final pieces had a smaller size than the 3D printer’s maximum printing volume, which is generally called “beam length”. Human body feature point information was adopted for fashion and textile researchers to easily specify the desired cutting positions. A simple bounding box, especially orienting bounding box, and modified Boolean operator were proposed to extract the specified segments with computational stability. The proposed method was applied to graphically synthesized manikin data, and 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 scale manikins were successfully printed, minimizing the amount of support structure.
DL-3-n-butylphthalide improved physical and learning and memory performance of rodents exposed to acute and chronic hypobaric hypoxia
Authors: Xu Gang , Shi Yi-Kun , Sun Bin-Da , Liu Lu , E. Guo-Ji , He Shu , Zhang Jian-Yang , Liu Bao , Hu Qiu , Chen Jian , Gao Yu-Qi , Zhang Er-Long 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Studies have revealed the protective effect of DL-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) against diseases associated with ischemic hypoxia. However, the role of NBP in animals with hypobaric hypoxia has not been elucidated. This study investigated the effects of NBP on rodents with acute and chronic hypobaric hypoxia.

Methods
Sprague-Dwaley rats and Kunming mice administered with NBP (0, 60, 120, and 240 mg/kg for rats and 0, 90, 180, and 360 mg/kg for mice) were placed in a hypobaric hypoxia chamber at 10,000 m and the survival percentages at 30 min were determined. Then, the time and distance to exhaustion of drug-treated rodents were evaluated during treadmill running and motor-driven wheel-track treadmill experiments, conducted at 5800 m for 3 days or 20 days, to evaluate changes in physical functions. The frequency of active escapes and duration of active escapes were also determined for rats in a shuttle-box experiment, conducted at 5800 m for 6 days or 27 days, to evaluate changes in learning and memory function. ATP levels were measured in the gastrocnemius muscle and malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and lactate were detected in sera of rats, and routine blood tests were also performed.

Results
Survival analysis at 10,000 m indicated NBP could improve hypoxia tolerance ability. The time and distance to exhaustion for mice (NBP, 90 mg/kg) and time to exhaustion for rats (NBP, 120 and 240 mg/kg) significantly increased under conditions of acute hypoxia compared with control group. NBP treatment also significantly increased the time to exhaustion for rats when exposed to chronic hypoxia. Moreover, 240 mg/kg NBP significantly increased the frequency of active escapes under conditions of acute hypoxia. Furthermore, the levels of MDA and H2O2 decreased but those of SOD and GSH-Px in the sera of rats increased under conditions of acute and chronic hypoxia. Additionally, ATP levels in the gastrocnemius muscle significantly increased, while lactate levels in sera significantly decreased.

Conclusion
NBP improved physical and learning and memory functions in rodents exposed to acute or chronic hypobaric hypoxia by increasing their anti-oxidative capacity and energy supply.
A case of 18 years disease-free survival after combined pancreatoduodenectomy and hemicolectomy for carcinosarcoma of the transverse colon
Authors: Ohwada Susumu , Moro Amika , Amit Nair , Sasaki Kazunari , Sakurai Shinji , Takada-Owada Atsuko , Izumi Masaru , Nakano Yuhei , Kashima Yasushige , Matsuyama Hideki 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Ascertaining the origin of large tumors located in the region of the pancreas head and adjacent mesocolon can pose a challenge preoperatively. En bloc pancreatoduodenectomy with hemicolectomy is often required towards curative tumor resection (R0) of malignant tumors in this region.

Case presentation
Herein we report a case of a 48-year-old man with two contiguous masses each 5 cm in size, located in the pancreatic head. The masses were detected incidentally by abdominal ultrasonography at an annual health check. Endoscopic biopsies revealed inflammation with no malignancy. Cross-sectional imaging showed the tumor direct invasion of the uncinate process of the pancreas, and the third portion of the duodenum. Based on imaging, a malignant submucosal tumor originating from mesenchymal cells in the mesentery of the transverse colon was made preoperatively. The mass required en bloc pancreatoduodenectomy, right hemicolectomy, and resection of the superior mesenteric vein. The final pathology was carcinosarcoma of the transverse colon. The patient survived 18 years after surgery without recurrence.

Conclusions
Malignant tumors located in the region of the pancreas head should be considered for an en bloc curative tumor resection and adjuvant chemotherapy treatments offered that might be beneficial for carcinosarcoma.
Contributing factors to the total fertility rate declining trend in the Middle East and North Africa: a systemic review
Authors: Pourreza Aboulghasem , Sadeghi Ahmad , Amini-Rarani Mostafa , Khodayari-Zarnaq Rahim , Jafari Hasan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
The total fertility rate (TFR) in the Middle East and North Africa has experienced a declining trend in recent years. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to provide a clear picture of the most critical factors affecting the TFR decline in this region.

Methods
This study was a systematic review between the years 2000 and 2016. The different databases like Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct and the Google Scholar search engine were used. At first, 270 articles and then 18 articles were selected and meticulously read for the final analysis.

Results
The results indicated a declining trend in the TFR in the Middle East and North Africa, as in other parts of the world. Regarding the causes of this declining trend, several factors were identified and categorized into five main factors of health care-related, cultural, economic, social, and political.

Conclusions
While taking advantage of the experiences, it is necessary to identify the five main factors and their related issues and hence consider them in the population policy-making.
The expansive effects of polyamines on the metabolism and virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Nanduri Bindu , Swiatlo Edwin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPolyamines are common intracellular metabolites of nearly all cells, and their conservation across a vast diversity of cells suggests critical roles for these compounds in cellular physiology. Most intracellular polyamines are associated with RNA and, subsequently, polyamines have significant effects on transcription and translation. Putrescine and spermidine are the most common polyamines in bacteria. Intracellular polyamine pools in bacteria are tightly controlled by both de novo synthesis and transport. Polyamine homeostasis is emerging as a critical parameter of multiple pathways and physiology with substantial impact on bacterial pathogenesis, including the important human pathogenStreptococcus pneumoniae. Modulation of polyamine metabolism in pneumococci is an important regulator of central metabolism. It has broad effects on virulence factors such as capsule as well as stress responses that ultimately impact the survival of pneumococcus in a host. Polyamine transport protein as a single antigen or in combination with other pneumococcal proteins is shown to be an efficacious immunogen that protects against nasopharyngeal colonization, and invasive disease. A comprehensive description of polyamine metabolic pathways and their intersection with pneumococcal pathogenesis will undoubtedly point to novel approaches for treatment and prevention of pneumococcal disease.
Effect of carbon-to-nitrogen ratio on high-rate nitrate removal in an upflow sludge blanket reactor for polluted raw water pre-treatment application
Authors: How Seow Wah , Ting Choo Xiang , Yap Jing Ying , Kwang Ching Yi , Tan Chee Keong , Yoochatchaval Wilasinee , Syutsubo Kazuaki , Chua Adeline Seak May 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in the developing countries urgently need an efficient pre-treatment for nitrate (NO3−) removal to cope with the increasing NO3−pollution in raw water. An upflow sludge blanket (USB) reactor applied for NO3−removal from domestic wastewater may be adopted by the DWTPs. However, studies on the optimal carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N) and operation of USB reactor at short hydraulic retention times (HRT) for high-rate polluted raw water pre-treatment are lacking. In this study, we first investigated the optimal C/N for biological NO3−removal in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). An USB reactor was then operated with the optimal C/N for pre-treating synthetic raw water contaminated with NO3−(40 mg N L− 1) to monitor the NO3−removal performance and to examine opportunities for reducing the HRT. After operating the SBR with designed C/N of 4, 3 and 2 g C g− 1N, we selected C/N of 3 g C g− 1N as the optimal ratio due to the lower carbon breakthrough and nitrite (NO2−) accumulation in the SBR. The USB reactor achieved complete NO3−and NO2−removal with a lower designed C/N of 2 g C g− 1N due to the longer sludge retention time when compared with that of SBR (10 d). The high specific denitrification rate (18.7 ± 3.6 mg N g− 1mixed liquor volatile suspended solids h− 1) suggested a possible HRT reduction to 36 min. We successfully demonstrated an USB reactor for high-rate NO3−removal, which could be a promising technology for DWTPs to pre-treat raw water sources polluted with NO3−.
Antilithiatic effect of C. dactylon, E. officinalis, K. pinnata, and B. nutans ethyl acetate fraction on glyoxylate-induced nephrolithiasis
Authors: Bigoniya Papiya , Sohgaura Atul Kumar , Shrivastava Birendra 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
The plants Cynodon dactylon (C. dactylon), Emblica officinalis (E. officinalis), Kalanchoe pinnata (K. pinnata), and Bambusa nutans (B. nutans) have been reported to possess diuretic and antiurolithiatic potential against ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride along with in vitro calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal growth inhibition property. Our previous research publications reported a rich presence of antioxidative phytocompounds like polyphenols and flavonoids in ethyl acetate fractions of these plants. This present study aims to explore antiurolithiatic potential of C. dactylon, E. officinalis, K. pinnata, and B. nutans ethyl acetate fraction following 7 days of sodium glyoxalate treatment on mice.

Results
Sodium glyoxylate treatment caused significant (P < 0.01–0.001) reduction in the urine magnesium and creatinine and elevation in oxalate, citrate, calcium, and phosphate levels. Ethyl acetate fraction of K. pinnata and B. nutans showed a highly significant antilithiatic effect by increasing urine volume, normalizing disrupted urine parameters, increasing LDH level, and decreasing kidney tissue oxalate content. E. officinalis and K. pinnata ethyl acetate fraction treatment showed a pronounced reversal of tubular dilation and damage of epithelial cell in kidney tissue with very less inflammatory cell infiltration.

Conclusion
The results signify the protective effect of K. pinnata and B. nutans ethyl acetate fraction rich with polyphenol and flavonoid on glyoxylate induced oxidative cell damage and morphological changes in mouse kidneys.
Comparing psychotropic medication prescribing in personality disorder between general mental health and psychological services: retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kadra-Scalzo Giouliana , Garland Jacqueline , Miller Stephen , Chang Chin-Kuo , Fok Marcella , Hayes Richard D. , Moran Paul , Shetty Hitesh , Young Allan H. , Stewart Robert 
Published: March 2021

Background
Although no drugs are licensed for the treatment of personality disorder, pharmacological treatment in clinical practice remains common.

Aims
This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychotropic drug use and associations with psychological service use among people with personality disorder.

Method
Using data from a large, anonymised mental healthcare database, we identified all adult patients with a diagnosis of personality disorder and ascertained psychotropic medication use between 1 August 2015 and 1 February 2016. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed, adjusting for sociodemographic, clinical and service use factors, to examine the association between psychological services use and psychotropic medication prescribing.

Results
Of 3366 identified patients, 2029 (60.3%) were prescribed some form of psychotropic medication. Patients using psychological services were significantly less likely to be prescribed psychotropic medication (adjusted odds ratio 0.48, 95% CI 0.39–0.59, P<0.001) such as antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and antidepressants. This effect was maintained following several sensitivity analyses. We found no difference in the risk for mood stabiliser (adjusted odds ratio 0.79, 95% CI 0.57–1.10, P = 0.169) and multi-class psychotropic use (adjusted odds ratio 0.80, 95% CI 0.60–1.07, P = 0.133) between patients who did and did not use psychological services.

Conclusions
Psychotropic medication prescribing is common in patients with personality disorder, but significantly less likely in those who have used psychological services. This does not appear to be explained by differences in demographic, clinical and service use characteristics. There is a need to develop clear prescribing guidelines and conduct research in clinical settings to examine medication effectiveness for this population.
Development of Machine Learning Algorithms for the Prediction of Financial Toxicity in Localized Breast Cancer Following Surgical Treatment
Authors: Sidey-Gibbons Chris , Pfob André , Asaad Malke , Boukovalas Stefanos , Lin Yu-Li , Selber Jesse Creed , Butler Charles E. , Offodile Anaeze Chidiebele 
Published: March 2021

PURPOSE Financial burden caused by cancer treatment is associated with material loss, distress, and poorer outcomes. Financial resources exist to support patients but identification of need is difficult. We sought to develop and test a tool to accurately predict an individual's risk of financial toxicity based on clinical, demographic, and patient-reported data prior to initiation of breast cancer treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS We surveyed 611 patients undergoing breast cancer therapy at MD Anderson Cancer Center. We collected data using the validated COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST) patient-reported outcome measure alongside other financial indicators (credit score, income, and insurance status). We also collected clinical and perioperative data. We trained and tested an ensemble of machine learning (ML) algorithms (neural network, regularized linear model, support vector machines, and a classification tree) to predict financial toxicity. Data were randomly partitioned into training and test samples (2:1 ratio). Predictive performance was assessed using area-under-the-receiver-operating-characteristics-curve (AUROC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS In our test sample (N = 203), 48 of 203 women (23.6%) reported significant financial burden. The algorithm ensemble performed well to predict financial burden with an AUROC of 0.85, accuracy of 0.82, sensitivity of 0.85, and specificity of 0.81. Key clinical predictors of financial burden from the linear model were neoadjuvant therapy (βregularized, .11) and autologous, rather than implant-based, reconstruction (βregularized, .06). Notably, radiation and clinical tumor stage had no effect on financial burden. CONCLUSION ML models accurately predicted financial toxicity related to breast cancer treatment. These predictions may inform decision making and care planning to avoid financial distress during cancer treatment or enable targeted financial support. Further research is warranted to validate this tool and assess applicability for other types of cancer.