bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of MpbHLH Transcription Factor, An Encoding ICE-Like Protein, Enhances Foc TR4-Resistance of Cavendish Banana
Authors: Li Haochen , Hu Chunhua , Xie Aifeng , Wu Shaoping , Bi Fangcheng , Dong Tao , Li Chunyu , Deng Guiming , He Weidi , Gao Huijun , Sheng Ou , Yi Ganjun , Yang Qiao-Song , Dou Tongxin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Fusarium wilt is a worldwide problem that restrains the development of banana industry. Isolation and identification of resistance genes is not only significance for the selection of disease resistant varieties, but also important for banana molecular breeding. Results: In this study, an ICE1-like transcription factor containing bHLH domain was cloned from Dajiao (Musa spp. ABB group) and named MpbHLH. We found that overexpression of MpbHLH in Cavendish banana (Musa spp. AAA group) could significantly enhance Fusarium wilt resistance which is caused by Foc TR4. Transcriptomics and proteomic analysis showed that phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and peroxidase (POD) were highly expressed in transgenic plants. Physiological experiments further revealed that transgenic plants, especially their roots, had high POD activity. Conclusions: Overexpression of MpbHLH up-regulates the phenylpropanoid pathway-related genes and POD-associated genes in transgenic Cavendish banana. These changes may eventually lead to the improvement of disease resistance.
Infant Mortality in Rural and Post-Conflict Areas in South Kivu, Eastern DR Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study&nbsp;
Authors: Ngaboyeka Gaylord , Malembaka Espoir , Lyabayungu Pacifique , Lwamushi Samuel , Cikomola Aimé , Mulumeoderhwa Pierrot , Ntambwe Albert , Balaluka Ghislain 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: The infant mortality rate in the province of South Kivu remains one of the highest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The aim of this study is to estimate this mortality by identifying the associated factors in the health zones of Walungu and Miti-Murhesa, rural and post-conflict health zones of South Kivu, eastern DR Congo.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in two post-conflict rural health zones, Miti-Murhesa and Walungu, between July 2016 and September 2017. Our study population consisted of women giving birth from two aforementioned areas during the period of study in which a structured questionnaire assessing the survival of the child resulting from the previous pregnancy was administered. Qualitative variables were described as counts and proportions and quantitative variables as means or medians depending on their distribution. To determine the factors associated with child survival, simple and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed. The materiality threshold was set at 5%. Results: The infant mortality rate is 49.7 ‰ in the two study areas overall and specifically 52.6 ‰ in Miti-Murhesa and 46.56 ‰ in Walungu. The factors associated with this mortality were the age of the mother under 20 years old [adjusted odds ratio ( ORa) = 2.3, 95% CI : 1.1-4.5 ; p = 0.022], household size greater than or equal to 7 people [( ORa = 3.7 ; 95% CI : 1.9-7.3 ; p <0.001 )], prematurity [( ORa = 25.5 ; 95% CI : 9.9-65.4 ; p < 0.001)], home birth [( ORa = 1.9 ; 95% CI : 1.3-2.9 ; p = 0.001)], the inter-reproductive space less than 12 months [( ORa = 5.3 ; ORa : 3.3-8.5 ; P < 0.001 )], not using LLINs [( ORa = 2.2 ; 95% CI : 1.4-3.3 ; P < 0.001 )].Conclusion: Infant mortality in the post-crisis rural area of South Kivu remains high although it is relatively low compared to the national average (58 ‰). However, efforts still need to be made in order to hope to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Role of the Choroidal Vascularity Index in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion with Macular Edema
Authors: Hwang Bo-Een , Kim Mirinae , Park Young-Hoon 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess choroidal vasculature changes in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and macular edema (ME) using the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and evaluate the effectiveness of CVI as a prognostic biomarker. 35 patients (70 eyes) with BRVO and ME were analyzed retrospectively. Luminal and stromal areas in choroids of swept-source optical coherence tomography were calculated using the image binarization technique. The CVI was calculated as the ratio of the luminal to total choroidal area. The CVI of BRVO and ME eyes were compared with that of the unaffected fellow and post anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injected eyes. A regression analysis was performed on the choroidal parameters and logMAR visual acuity (VA) two years post disease onset. The CVI of BRVO and ME eyes was significantly lower than the fellow and post-injected eyes (p<0.05). The regression analysis showed a strong association between two years after logMAR VA and the CVI of fellow eyes (R2=0.433, p<0.001). No remarkable R2 values were observed in the CVI and subfoveal choroidal thickness of BRVO and ME eyes (R2=0.189, 0.155, respectively, p<0.05). Reduced CVI in BRVO and ME suggests that retinal ischemia and choroidal vascular changes might be closely related. The fellow eye CVI could be a useful supplementary prognostic biomarker.
Association of Medical Male Circumcision and Sexually Transmitted Infections in a Population-Based Study: A Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimation Approach
Authors: Amusa Lateef , Zewotir Temesgen , North Delia , Kharsany Ayesha , Lewis Lara 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Epidemiological theory and many empirical studies support the hypothesis that there is a protective effect of male circumcision against some sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, there is a paucity of randomized control trials (RCTs) to test this hypothesis in the South African population. Due to the infeasibility of conducting RCTs, estimating marginal or average treatment effects with observational data, are of increasing interest. Using targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE), a doubly robust estimation technique, we aim to provide evidence of association between medical male circumcision (MMC) and two STI outcomes.Methods: We investigated the associations between MMC and the two STI outcomes, HIV and HSV-2, using data from the HIV Incidence Provincial Surveillance System (HIPSS) study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We estimated marginal odds ratios using TMLE and compared estimates with those from propensity score full matching and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Results: TMLE estimates suggest that MMC was associated with 46.9% lower odds of HIV (OR: 0.531; 95% CI: 0.455, 0.621) and 20.5% for HSV-2 (OR: 0.795; 95% CI: 0.694, 0.911). The propensity score analyses also provided evidence of association of MMC with lower odds of HIV and HSV-2. For full matching: HIV (OR: 0.546; 95% CI: 0.402, 0.741), and HSV-2 (OR: 0.705; 95% CI: 0.545, 0.910). For IPTW: HIV (OR: 0.541; 95% CI: 0.405, 0.722), and HSV-2 (OR: 0.694; 95% CI: 0.541, 0.889).Conclusion: Using a TMLE approach, we present further evidence of a protective effect of MMC against HIV and HSV-2 in this hyper-endemic South African setting. TMLE has the potential to enhance the evidence base for recommendations that embrace the effect of public health interventions on health or disease outcomes.
Supporting Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing Through Social and Emotional Learning: A Participatory Study of Conflict-Affected Youth Resettled to the U.S.
Authors: Stark Lindsay , Robinson Mackenzie , Gillespie Alli , Aldrich Jeremy , Hassan Wafa , Wessells Michael , Allaf Carine , Bennouna Cyril 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background A growing literature has drawn attention to the central role that schools play in supporting the adjustment of resettled refugee youth and promoting their mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. In particular, the recent proliferation of school-based social and emotional learning (SEL) initiatives presents an opportunity to strengthen supports for resettled adolescents. This participatory research study aims to understand how high school students resettled from countries in the Middle East and North Africa region are experiencing the challenges and opportunities of acculturation and the ways in which they believe schools can better support them in this process.Methods We analyzed primary data collected during focus group discussions as part of the SALaMA study. During these discussions, we used participatory ranking methodology to elicit adolescents’ suggestions on how high schools can better support students both academically and psychosocially after resettlement. Fourteen focus group discussions were held with male and female adolescents (14-20 years), selected purposively across six public high schools in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Austin, Texas, and Detroit, Michigan. Participants offered suggestions and then ranked them in order of importance using consensus ranking.Results Thematic analysis of the PRM results across sites produced a wealth of suggestions centered around three broad themes, namely: skills related to navigating social and academic challenges, culturally responsive teaching, and socially and culturally equitable learning environments. Conclusions Findings reported illustrate limitations of the conventional, universal SEL model and shed light on how schools can adapt transformative SEL strategies to serve their students better, especially newcomers from conflict-affected countries.
Deep lower-mantle water reservoir implied by the stability of a mixed-valence hydrous iron-rich oxide
Authors: Liu Lu , Yang Ziqiang , Yuan Hongsheng , Meng Yue , Giordano Nico , Sun Junliang , Du Xueyan , Dalladay-Simpson Philip , Wang Junyue , Zhang Li 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The lower mantle, containing both primordial and recycled water, is the most massive potential water reservoir in the Earth. Geophysical and geochemical evidence combined have suggested that the largest heterogeneities in the deep lower mantle may serve as primitive deep-mantle reservoirs hosting a variety of incompatible species including hydrogen. To understand water storage in the deep lower mantle, we conducted experiments in the Fe-O-H, Fe-Al-O-H and Fe-Al-Mg-Si-O-H systems under high pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions, and discovered a previously unknown hexagonal phase (referred to as “H1-phase”) in all the systems. The single-crystal structure of the H1-phase was determined at 79 GPa with a unit-cell of a=10.022(2 )Å and c=2.6121(9) Å and the space group of P63/m, and its composition was obtained as Fe12.76O18H3.7 combining the structure determination and chemical analysis on the recovered sample. More importantly, about 20 mol% of MgO, Al2O3 and SiO2 can be incorporated into the H1-phase in a realistic mantle system Fe-Al-Mg-Si-O-H and its stability field is extended to at least 2400 km along a normal geotherm, implying that the H1-phase can store primordial water in the deepest lower mantle. Therefore, plume-generation zones originated from the deepest lower mantle provide a potential source for higher water contents in basalts associated with mantle plume components.
Chlorpheniramine maleate nasal spray in COVID-19 patients: Case Series
Authors: Torres Joselit , Go Camille C. , Chohan Farah A. , L. Genesis Camacho , Sanchez-Gonzalez Marcos A. , Ferrer Gustavo 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) posted a devastating global health crisis for almost a year already. Very little is known about this virus that scientists, physicians and the medical community struggled to find treatments of this novel virus. The vaccine that can potentially combat this virus is still an unknown reality hence, the repurposing of existing medical treatments such as chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) could be a possible treatment and is being widely utilized. CPM is a safe and effective antihistamine with potent antiviral activity against various strains of influenza A/B, thus highlighting its great antiviral potential. We tested the virucidal potential of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) in a nasal spray composition currently in development as an anti-allergy medication. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a droplet mode transmission with a notably high viral load in the upper respiratory tract, especially the nose. Several studies had already postulated that the nose is possibly the primary route of entry of SARS-CoV-2 owing to the high expression of Angiotensin 2 converting enzyme receptors. We hypothesize that utilizing (CPM) nasal spray as an adjunct treatment to COVID-19 positive patients and reduce their clinical course and hasten their time to negativization via RT-PCR via nasopharyngeal swab. We present a series of four symptomatic patients with mild-moderate risks. CPM nasal spray was added to their current supportive treatment. All four patients showed rapid improvement of their clinical symptoms with a shorter than average time to negativization on repeat nasopharyngeal swab via RT-PCR. No safety issues were encountered during the course of treatment. Given its years of excellent safety profile with remarkable clinical results as shown in this case series, we conclude that CPM nasal spray may be a potential adjunct treatment option in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms.
Multiomics Longitudinal Modeling of Preeclamptic Pregnancies
Authors: Maric Ivana , Contrepois Kévin , Moufarrej Mira , Stelzer Ina , Feyaerts Dorien , Han Xiaoyuan , Tang Andy , Stanley Natalie , Wong Ronald , Traber Gavin , Ellenberger Mathew , Chang Alan , Fallahzadeh Ramin , Nassar Huda , Becker Martin , Xenochristou Maria , Espinosa Camilo , De Francesco Davide , Ghaemi Mohammad Sajjad , Costello Elizabeth , Culos Anthony , Ling Xuefeng , Sylvester Karl , Darmstadt Gary , Winn Virginia , Shaw Gary , Relman David , Quake Stephen , Angst Martin , Snyder Michael , Stevenson David , Gaudilliere Brice , Aghaeepour Nima 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Preeclampsia is a complex disease of pregnancy whose physiopathology remains unclear and that poses a threat to both mothers and infants. Specific complex changes in women's physiology precede a diagnosis of preeclampsia. Understanding multiple aspects of such a complex changes at different levels of biology, can be enabled by simultaneous application of multiple assays. We developed prediction models for preeclampsia risk by analyzing six omics datasets from a longitudinal cohort of pregnant women. A machine learning-based multiomics model had high accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) of 0.94, 95% confidence intervals (CI): [0.90, 0.99]). A prediction model using only ten urine metabolites provided an accuracy of the whole metabolomic dataset and was validated using an independent cohort of 16 women (AUC = 0.87, 95% CI: [0.76, 0.99]). Integration with clinical variables further improved prediction accuracy of the urine metabolome model (AUC = 0.90, 95% CI: [0.80, 0.99], urine metabolome, validated). We identified several biological pathways to be associated with preeclampsia. The findings derived from models were integrated with immune system cytometry data, confirming known physiological alterations associated with preeclampsia and suggesting novel associations between the immune and proteomic dynamics. While further validation in larger populations is necessary, these encouraging results will serve as a basis for a simple, early diagnostic test for preeclampsia.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection vs Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Colorectal Polyps. A Meta-Analysis&nbsp;
Authors: Lim Xiong Chang , Nistala Kameswara Rishi Yeshayahu , Ng Cheng Han , Lin Snow Yunni , Tan Darren Jun Hao , Ho Khek-Yu , Muthiah Mark , Chong Choon Seng 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: This extensive meta-analysis sought to compare the surgical, histological, and oncological outcomes between endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) in the treatment of colorectal polyps, with subgroup analysis comparing the efficacy of ESD and EMR between Japan and the rest of the world. Methods: Embase and Medline databases were searched from inception to October 2020 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines for studies comparing en bloc, complete resection, margin involvement, resection time, need for additional surgery, complications, and recurrence rate of ESD with EMR. Results: 281,344 colorectal polyps from 21 studies were included. When compared to EMR, the pooled analysis revealed ESD was associated with higher en bloc and complete resection rate, and lower lateral margin involvement and recurrence. ESD led to increased procedural time, need for additional surgery, and perforation risk. No significant difference in bleeding risk was found between the two groups. Meta-regression analysis suggested only right colonic polyps correlated with an increased perforation risk in ESD. Confounders including polyp size and invasion depth did not significantly influence the en bloc and complete resection rate, bleeding risk and recurrence. In subgroup analysis, Japan performed better than the rest of the world in both ESD and EMR with perforation risk of 4% and 0.0002%, respectively, as compared to perforation risk of 8% and 1%, respectively, in reports coming from rest of the world.Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated increased safety and efficacy of ESD and EMR done in Japan as compared with the rest of the world.
Parenting and Emotional and Behavioral Responses of Children and Adolescents to the COVID-19 Epidemic: A Cross-sectional Survey in China
Authors: Hou Zhiyuan , Du Fanxing , He Li , Francis Mark , Forshaw Mark , Woolfall Kerry , Lv Qian , Shi Lu , Yu Hongjie 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
To investigate parenting and children’s emotional and lifestyle responses to the COVID-19 epidemic, we conducted an online survey of random, representative sample of residents with children aged 3–17 years in mid-March, 2020 in China. 1655 parents were surveyed with 80.1% response rate. During the epidemic, half (49%) of children had stress symptoms and 10% had emotional problems; children had higher screen time, less exercise and worse sleep than before. Socially disadvantaged children were more vulnerable to the epidemic. Children whose parents communicated about the epidemic more frequently, who had irritable parents and experienced worse parent-child closeness had higher probabilities of emotional problems, stress symptoms and worse lifestyles. Improve parenting skills and communication quality is necessary during the epidemic.
Non-Invasive Assessment of Liver Steatosis: A Comprehensive Comparison of Biomarkers- and Ultrasound-Based Techniques
Authors: Kozlowska-Petriczko Katarzyna , Wunsch Ewa , Petriczko Jan , Syn Wing-Kin , Milkiewicz Piotr 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background & Aims: In view of limited reliability of the biopsy in the assessment of liver fat, a non-invasive, trustworthy and more accessible method estimating a degree of steatosis is urgently needed. While controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) is used to quantify hepatic fat, its availability in routine practice is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of biomarker- and ultrasound-based techniques for the diagnosis and grading of hepatic steatosis. Methods: This was a prospective study of 167 adults with and without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. As measured against CAP, we assessed Hamaguchi’s score and the hepatorenal index (HRI), and the following biochemical measures: the fatty liver index, hepatic steatosis index and lipid accumulation product scores during a single out-patient visit. Area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) analyses were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of each test and to calculate optimal thresholds for the ultrasound techniques. Results: All non-invasive methods displayed high accuracy in detecting steatosis (mean AUC value ≥ 0.90), with Hamaguchi’s score and the HRI as the most precise. These two tests also had the highest sensitivity and specificity (82.2% and 100%; 86.9% and 94.8%, respectively). We propose new thresholds for Hamaguchi’s score and HRI for hepatic steatosis grading, indicated by optimal sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion: Ultrasound-based techniques are the most accurate for assessing liver steatosis compared to other non-invasive tests. Given the accessibility of ultrasonography, this finding is of practical importance for the assessment of liver steatosis in clinical settings.
Effect of PDCA on Improving the Compliance of Sepsis Bundles
Authors: Liu Chunxia , Liu Yun , Tian Yiqing , Zhang Kun , Hao Guizhen , Shen Limin , Du Quansheng 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background To explore the application effect of plan, do, check and action circulation management mode in improving the compliance of sepsis bundle treatment. Methods 132 patients with sepsis admitted from January 1 to December 31, 2018 were selected as the control group, and the bundle treatment measures of sepsis were routinely implemented, that is, the nurses received the confirmation notice of sepsis, measured the body temperature, blood pressure, central venous pressure (CVP), central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2), indwelling catheter, etc., and the doctor ordered the infusion of antibiotics, rehydration, application of pressor drugs, blood culture and blood gas analysis, blood routine test, procalcitonin and other sample medical orders were immediately implemented by nurses, and the improvement of blood pressure, urine volume and skin endings was closely observed, Doctors and nurses reminded each other to complete the above treatment measures within 6 hours; 138 patients with sepsis admitted from January 1 to December 31, 2019 were selected as the observation group. The Department established a sepsis treatment group. All medical staff, under the leadership of the medical and nursing team leaders, took the same measures as the control group, supplemented by PDCA cycle management. Objective to compare the changes of compliance of medical staff to sepsis bundle treatment before and after the implementation of PDCA cycle management. Results Compared with the control group, the observation group achieved the completion rate of sepsis bundle treatment in 1 hour was 76.8% (65.9%), the completion rate in 3 hours was 82.6% (69.7%), and the completion rate in 6 hours was 87.7% (77.3%). The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions The implementation of PDCA cycle management mode can effectively improve the compliance of medical staff to the bundle treatment of sepsis, improve the treatment efficiency of sepsis, and improve the quality of medical care.
A Digital Method of Evaluating Nonlinear Frequency Response Functions Based on Conditioned Spectral Analyses
Authors: Liu Wen-Tao , Zhang Yun , Wang Shou-Ren 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
This paper focuses on the issue of evaluating nonlinear frequency response functions (NOFRFs) of the nonlinear systems with a general input. A new digital approach of evaluating NOFRFs is proposed based on the method of conditioned spectral analysis (CSA). Firstly, a multiple-input/single-output (MISO) linear system with a series of power characterized inputs is obtained by decomposing a nonlinear system according to the NOFRFs theory. Secondly, the correlations among the inputs of various orders are removed by applying CSA method, obtaining an algorithm of identifying the NOFRFs and evaluating the contributions of different order nonlinearities to the output of the system. In the CSA procedure, the different order inputs are conditioned in the sequence from the first order to the highest order. Lastly, two kinds of nonlinear systems with a general input are simulated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach on evaluating the frequency response properties of nonlinear systems. It is shown that the results reached by the proposed method are very close to the numerical results obtained by the fourth order Runge-Kutta method, verifying that the proposed method is very effective on the evaluation of NOFRFs.