bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Comparison of the Effects of Β-Cyclodextrin Complex and Derivative Complex with Silver Nanoparticles on Cotton Fabric
Authors: SARI CAGLA , ARIK BUKET 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
In this study, sulfated β-cyclodextrin (S-β-CD) which is a β-cyclodextrin derivative was obtained by chemical treatment of natural β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with sulfuric acid. Afterwards, β-CD and S-β-CD were applied to cotton fabrics. In different treatments, β-CD and S-β-CD were bonded to cotton fabrics with EDTA crosslinking agent. Then, all the fabrics were treated with antibacterial agent silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and inclusion complexes were formed. The aims of this study were to increase the washing stability and the antibacterial activity against microorganisms and to compare the effects of β-CD complex and derivative complex with silver nanoparticles on treated cotton samples. So, for this purpose, the properties of the treated samples like antibacterial activity, washing stability, add-on, tensile strength, handle, thickness and color change were tested and compared to each other. In addition, characterization analyzes such as SEM, EDX and FT-IR were performed on the samples and XRD analysis was performed to characterize the AgNPs. As a result of the study, it was observed that AgNPs alone were not sufficient to obtain antibacterial textiles with strong antibacterial effect and good washing stability. The inclusion complexes formed with β-CD and S-β-CD had much more effective antibacterial activity and more robust washing stability. In addition, when the physical properties except stiffness and yellowness were considered besides antibacterial activity and washing stability, the treatment of derivative β-CD complex with AgNPs and crosslinking this complex to cotton sample by means of EDTA was found to be the most favorable method.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Conduct of Clinical Trials: A Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Margas Wojciech , Wojciechowski Piotr , Toumi Mondher 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Globally, healthcare has shouldered much of the socioeconomic brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the area of clinical research, reports indicate that numerous clinical trials have had to be suspended or discontinued. However, these reports have been either qualitative in nature or limited in quantitative scope. The aim of the present analysis was to quantitatively estimate the impact of COVID-19 on the number of clinical trials worldwide. Methods: Data deposited by 219 countries in the ClinicalTrials.gov database between 2007 and 2020 were interrogated using targeted queries. A time series model was fitted to the data for studies ongoing, initiated, or ended between 2007 Quarter (Q) 1 and 2019 Q4 to predict the expected number of trials in 2020 in the absence of COVID-19. The predicted values were compared with the actual 2020 data to quantify the impact of the pandemic. Results: The number of ongoing registered trials showed continuous growth from 2007 Q1 to 2019 Q4 (from 33,739 to 80,319 trials). By contrast, there were markedly fewer ongoing trials in all four quarters of 2020 compared with forecasted values (1.6%–2.8% decrease). When excluding COVID-19-related studies, this disparity grew further (3.4%–5.8% decrease), to a peak of almost 5,000 fewer ongoing trials than estimated for 2020 Q2. Promisingly, however, the number of newly initiated non-COVID-19 trials was higher than predicted in 2020 Q4 (by 9.9%). Conclusions: This quantitative analysis confirmed that the pandemic has had an appreciable impact on clinical trials. Provided that current trends persist, clinical trial activities may soon recover to at least pre-COVID-19 levels.
Evaluation of Medical Certification of Cause of Death of Tertiary Cancer Hospitals of Northern India
Authors: Anand Akash , Khanna Divya , Singh Payal , Singh Anuj , Pandey Abhishek , Sumer Ram , Budukh Atul , Pradhan Satyajit 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

BackgroundMedical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) can provide valuable health status data regarding disease incidence, prevalence and mortality in a community. It can guide local health policy and help in setting priorities. On the contrary, incomplete and inaccurate MCCD data can significantly impair the precision of a national health information database. In the current study, the accuracy of death certificates at two tertiary cancer care hospitals in Northern India, has been evaluated.MethodsThis retrospective study has been conducted at Tata Memorial Centres namely, Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Cancer Centre and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Varanasi, India on MCCD over a period of two and a half years. Medical records and death certificates of all the deceased were examined. The demographic characteristics, administrative details, co-morbidities and cause of death from death certificates were collected using an approved standardized form. The accuracy of this information was validated using the medical records. Errors in the death certificates were classified according to Haque’s grading scale.1Results778 deaths occurred during the study period between May 2018 to December 2020, and all certificates were accessed for analysis. Only 30 (4%) certificates were error-free. 591(75.9%) death certificates had an inappropriate immediate cause of death. 231(29.7%) death certificates had incorrectly labelled mode of death, such as cardiopulmonary arrest as the immediate cause of death. 585 (75.2%) death certificates had an incorrect underlying cause of death. Majority of the death certificates were prepared by the post MBBS junior residents and this was significantly associated with higher certification errors.ConclusionA high rate of errors was identified in the death certificates completed at our hospitals. Inaccurate death certificates related to cancers can potentially influence the cancer statistics of the defined region and thereby affect policymaking for cancer prevention and control. There is a pressing need for appropriate intervention/s to resolve this important issue. In an attempt to improve the quality of certification, it is envisaged to conduct training for all consultants and residents in proper death certification.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Median Nerve: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Normal Values in Asymptomatic Adults and How They Change in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Rojoa Djamila , Raheman Firas , Rassam Joseph , Wade Ryckie George 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) leads to distortion of axonal architecture, demyelination and fibrosis within the median nerve. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) characterises tissue microstructure and generates reproducible proxy measures of nerve ‘health’ which are sensitive to myelination, axon diameter, fibre density and organisation. This meta-analysis summarises the normal DTI values of the median nerve, and how they change in CTS.Methods: This systematic review included studies reporting DTI of the median nerve at the level of the wrist in adults. The primary outcome was to determine the normal fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) of the median nerve. Secondarily, we show how the FA and MD differ between asymptomatic adults and patients with CTS, and how these differences are independent of the acquisition methods.Results: 32 studies of 2643 wrists, belonging to 1575 asymptomatic adults and 1068 patients with CTS were included. The normal FA was 0·58 (95% CI 0·56, 0·59) and the normal MD was 1·138 x10-3 mm2/s (95% CI 1·101, 1·174). Patients with CTS had a significantly lower FA than controls (mean difference 0·12 [95% CI 0·09, 0·16]). Similarly, the median nerve of patients with CTS had a significantly higher mean diffusivity (mean difference 0·16 mm2/s x10-3 [95% CI 0·05, 0·27]). The differences were independent of experimental factors.Conclusion: We provide summary estimates of the normal FA and MD of the median nerve in asymptomatic adults. Furthermore, we show that diffusion throughout the length of the median nerve becomes more isotropic in patients with CTS.
Heterologous Overexpression of ZmHDZIV13 Enhanced Drought and Salt Tolerance in Arabidopsis and Tobacco
Authors: Wang Fang , Fang Peng , Yan Huiping , Ji Xiangzhuo , Peng Yunling 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The homeodomain leucine zipper (HD-Zip) IV transcription factor is indispensable in the response of plants to abiotic stress. Systematic studies have been carried out in Arabidopsis, rice and other species from which a series of stress resistance-related genes have been isolated. However, the function of the HD-Zip-IV protein in maize is not clear. In this study, we cloned the HD-Zip-IV gene ZmHDZIV13 and identified its function in the stress response. Our phylogenetic analysis showed that ZmHDZIV13 and AtHDG11 had high homology and might have similar functions. The heterologous overexpression of ZmHDZIV13 in Arabidopsis resulted in sensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA), salt tolerance during germination and drought tolerance in seedlings. Under drought stress, the transgenic Arabidopsis showed stronger drought resistance than the wild-type showed (control). The malondialdehyde content of ZmHDZIV13 transgenic plants was lower than that of the control, and the relative water content and proline content were significantly higher than those of the control. After the drought was relieved, the expression of P5CS1, RD22, RD29B, RD29A, NCED3 and ERD1 were upregulated in transgenic Arabidopsis. Also, modified tobacco plants (35S::ZmHDZIV13) exhibited proper stomatal changes in response to drought conditions. These results show that ZmHDZIV13, as a stress-responsive transcription factor, plays a role in the positive regulation of abiotic stress tolerance and can regulate an ABA-dependent signaling pathway to regulate drought response in plants.
Study of Microbiocenosis of Canine Dental Biofilms
Authors: Kačírová Jana , Maďari Aladár , Mucha Rastislav , Fecskeová Lívia K. , Mujakic Izabela , Koblížek Michal , Nemcová Radomíra , Maďar Marián 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Dental biofilm is a complex microbial community influenced by many exogenous and endogenous factors. Despite long-term studies, its bacterial composition is still not clearly understood. While most of the research on dental biofilms was conducted in humans, much less information is available from companion animals. In this study, we analyzed the composition of canine dental biofilms using both standard cultivation on solid media and amplicon sequencing, and compared the two approaches. The 16S rRNA gene sequences were used to define the bacterial community of canine dental biofilm with both, culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. After DNA extraction from each sample, the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced via Illumina MiSeq platform. Isolated bacteria were identified using universal primers and Sanger sequencing. Representatives of 18 bacterial genera belonging to 5 phyla were isolated from solid media. Amplicon sequencing largely expanded this information identifying in total 284 OTUs belonging to 10 bacterial phyla. Amplicon sequencing revealed much higher diversity of bacteria in the canine dental biofilms, when compared to standard cultivation approach. In contrast, cultured representatives of several bacterial families were not identified by amplicon sequencing.
Magnetic resonance T1w/T2w ratio in multiple system atrophy: A combined study with voxel-based morphometry
Authors: Ponticorvo Sara , Manara Renzo , Russillo Maria Claudia , Erro Roberto , Picillo Marina , Salle Gianfranco Di , Salle Francesco Di , Barone Paolo , Esposito Fabrizio , Pellecchia Maria Teresa 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA) may be improved by using multimodal imaging approaches. We investigated the use of T1-weighted/T2-weighted (T1w/T2w) images ratio combined with voxel-based morphometry to evaluate brain tissue integrity in MSA compared to Parkinson’s disease (PD) and healthy controls (HC). Twenty-six patients with MSA, 43 patients with PD and 56 HC were enrolled. Whole brain voxel-based and local regional analyses were performed to evaluate gray and white matter (GM and WM) tissue integrity and mean regional values were used for patients classification using logistic regression. Increased mean regional values of T1w/T2w in bilateral putamen were detected in MSA-P compared to PD and HC. The combined use of regional GM and T1w/T2w values in the right and left putamen showed the highest accuracy in discriminating MSA-P from PD and good accuracy in discriminating MSA from PD and HC. A good accuracy was also found in discriminating MSA from PD and HC by either combining regional GM and T1w/T2w values in the cerebellum or regional WM and T1w/T2w in the cerebellum and brainstem. The T1w/T2w image ratio alone or combined with validated MRI parameters can be further considered as a potential candidate biomarker for differential diagnosis of MSA.
Design, Synthesis, Molecular Docking and Biological Evaluation of Bromo-Pyridyl Containing 3-Chloro 2-Azetidinone Derivatives as Potential Antimycobacterial Agents
Authors: Kusurkar Rakesh V. , Rayani Rahul H. , Vala Anand G. , Parmar Deepa R. , Bhoi Manoj N , Zunjar Vishwanath , Soni Jigar Y. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
A new class of β-lactam pharmacophore series of 2-Bromo-N-[4-(2-{[2-(substituted phenyl)-3-chloro-4-oxoazetidin-1-yl] amino}-2-oxoethyl) phenyl] pyridine-4-carboxamide derivatives were designed, prepared, and screened for their antimycobacterial activities. The hydrazone derivatives were first synthesized via conventional and microwave methods, and then the β-lactam ring could be constructed via a [2+2] ketenimine cycloaddition. The structure of all synthesized compounds was characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and Mass spectroscopy techniques. All the newly synthesized derivatives were found to be effective in inhibiting M. tuberculosis H37RV strain infection at concentrations of 12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 µg/mL using the MABA method. Amongst, the compound (6e) was found to be good potent antitubercular activity at 12.5 mg/mL concentration in comparison with the rest of the compounds using the standard therapeutic agent Streptomycin. Molecular dynamics simulation studies and Molecular docking studies have been performed against mycobacterial InhA enzyme to gain an insight into the possible mechanistic action in search of good potent antitubercular candidates.
Analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer Regions II Gene and Morphology of Paragonimus From Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Yang Binbin , Li Juan , Zhou Benjiang 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
For a long time, there is no clear-cut to identify some species of paragonimus in Yunnan Province, China. This paper involved the distribution of Paragonimus in Jinping country and Baoshan city, Yunnan province. In this experiment, the metacercariae, excysted metacercariae, eggs, adult worms were obtained from different hosts were observed and measured. Cats have been described as the appropriate definitive host of paragonimus sp., which are closed to P. cheni according to morphology. Especially the ovaries of adult worms are few and has no third branches. With SEM observation, their spines in the surface are single, a sharp-pointed knife or half-moon in shape and the end of a few of spines are bifurcate. While the clustered sequences strains of this study in the ITS2 tree clustered of Yunan is out sider of P. skirjabini complex and have the genetically greater distances than other isolates of the P. skrjabini complex. Therefore, the Paragonimus sp. of this study from Jinping County and Baoshan city are the same subspecies of P. skrjabini complex.
High Carriage of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance (PMQR) Genes by Cefotaxime-Resistant Escherichia Coli Recovered from Surface-Leaking Sanitary Sewers
Authors: Adekanmbi Abimbola Olumide , Akinlabi Olabisi C. , Olaposi Adedolapo V. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
There is a rapid rise in the incident of quinolone resistant bacteria in Nigeria. Most studies in Nigeria have focused on isolates from the clinical settings, with few focusing on isolates of environmental origin. This study aimed to investigate the antibiogram and carriage of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes by quinolone-resistant isolates obtained from a pool of cefotaxime-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) recovered from sewage leaking out of some broken sanitary sewers in a University community in Nigeria. Isolation of E. coli from the sewage samples was done on CHROMagar E. coli after enrichment of the samples was done in Brain Heart Infusion amended with 6µg/mL of cefotaxime. Identification of presumptive E. coli was done using molecular methods (detection of uidA gene), while susceptibility to antibiotics was carried out using disc-diffusion method. Detection of PMQR genes (qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6')-lb-cr, qepA and oqxAB) was done using primer-specific PCR. A total of 32 non-repetitive cefotaxime-resistant E. coli were obtained from the sewage, with 21 being quinolone-resistant. The quinolone-resistant isolates showed varying level of resistance to the tested antibiotics, with imipenem being the only exception with 0% resistance. The PMQR genes: aac(6')-lb-cr, qnrA, qnrB, qnrS and qepA and oqxAB were detected in 90.5%, 61.9%, 47.6%, 38.1%, 4.8% and 0% respectively of the isolates. The findings of this study showed a high level of resistance to antibiotics and carriage of PMQR genes by quinolone-resistant E. coli obtained from the leaking sanitary sewers, suggesting a potential environmental and public health concern.
Inter-Kingdom Networks of Canola Microbiome Reveal Bradyrhizobium as Keystone Species and Underline the Importance of Bulk Soil in Microbial Studies to Enhance Canola Production.
Authors: Floc'h Jean-Baptiste , Hamel Chantal , Laterriere Mario , Tidemann Breanne , St-Arnaud Marc , Hijri Mohamed 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The subterranean microbiota of plants are of great importance for plant growth and health, as root-associated microbes can perform crucial ecological functions. As the microbial environment of roots is extremely diverse, identifying keystone microorganisms in plant roots, rhizosphere and bulk soil is a necessary step towards understanding the network of influence within the microbial community associated with roots and enhancing its beneficial elements. To target these hot spots of microbial interaction, we used inter-kingdom network analysis on the canola growth phase of a long-term cropping system diversification experiment conducted at four locations in the Canadian prairies. Our aims were: to verify whether bacterial and fungal communities of canola roots, rhizosphere and bulk soil are related and influenced by diversification of the crop rotation system; to determine whether there are common or specific core fungi and bacteria in the roots, rhizosphere, and bulk soil under canola grown in different environments and with different levels of cropping system diversification; and to identify hub taxa at the inter-kingdom level that could play an important ecological role in the microbiota of canola. Our results showed that fungi were influenced by crop diversification but not by bacteria. We found no core microbiota in canola roots but identified three core fungi in the rhizosphere, one core mycobiota in the bulk soil and one core bacteria shared by the rhizosphere and bulk soil. We identified two bacterial and one fungal hub taxa in the inter-kingdom networks of the canola rhizosphere, and one bacterial and two fungal hub taxa in the bulk soil. Among these inter-kingdom hub taxa, Bradyrhizobium sp. and Mortierella sp. are particularly influential on the microbial community and the plant. To our knowledge, this is the first inter-kingdom network analysis utilized to identify hot spots of interaction in canola microbial communities.
First-Catch, Mid-Stream and Catheterised urine: A Comparative Study of Male Urinary Microbiome by Expanded Quantitative Urine Culture and Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Hrbacek Jan , Morais Daniel , Cermak Pavel , Hanacek Vitezslav , Zachoval Roman 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
BackgroundNumerous studies have emerged in the past decade investigating human urinary microbiota. Alterations in the microbial composition of urine have been linked to structural and functional abnormalities of the lower urinary tract. There has been considerable variation in the methodology of the studies published so far including the cornerstone of any biomedical analysis: sample collection. The aim of this study was to describe the urinary microbiota of first-catch voided urine (FCU), mid-stream voided urine (MSU) and aseptically catheterised urine in men and find the most suitable approach to urine sample collection for the purpose of male urinary microbiota investigations.ResultsForty-nine men (mean age 71.3 years) undergoing endoscopic procedures in our Department of Urology were enrolled in the study. Each of them contributed three samples: first-catch urine (FCU), mid-stream urine (MSU) and a catheterised urine sample. The samples were subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS, n=35) and expanded quantitative urine culture (EQUC, n=31). Using NGS, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were the most abundant phyla in our population. The most abundant genera (in order of relative abundance) included: Prevotella, Veillonella, Streptococcus, Porphyromonas, Campylobacter, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Ezakiella, Escherichia and Dialister. Eighty-two of 105 samples were dominated by a single genus. FCU, MSU and catheterised urine samples differed significantly using ANOVA in three out of five alpha-diversity measures (p<0.05): estimated number of operational taxonomic units, Chao1 and abundance-based coverage estimators. There were no differences found in Simpson and Shannon indices. Beta-diversity comparisons using the PIME method (Prevalence Interval for Microbiome Evaluation) resulted in clear clustering of urine samples according to the mode of sampling.EQUC detected cultivable bacteria in 30/31 (97%) FCU and 27/31 (87%) MSU samples. Only 4/31 (13%) of catheterised urine samples showed bacterial growth.ConclusionsUrine samples obtained by transurethral catheterisation under aseptic conditions differ from spontaneously voided urine samples and represent a better reflection of urinary bladder microbiota. Catheterised urine is the most appropriate way to sample urine in future studies of urinary bladder pathological conditions and their relation to the urinary microbiota.
Structural, Magnetic, and Magnetocaloric Properties of R2NiMnO6 (R = Eu, Gd, Tb)
Authors: Shinde K.P. , Lee E.J. , Manawan Maykel , Lee A. , Park S.Y. , Jo Younghun , Ku K , Kim J.M. , Park J.S. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Double perovskite Eu2NiMnO6 (ENMO) Gd2NiMnO6 (GNMO) and Tb2NiMnO6 (TNMO) ceramic powder have been synthesized by solid-state reaction and their crystal structure, microstructure, cryogenic magnetic properties, and magnetocaloric performance have been investigated. Structural studies by using X-ray diffraction shows that all compounds crystallize in the monoclinic structure with a P21/n space group. A ferromagnetic to paramagnetic (FM-PM) second-order phase transition occurred in ENMO, GNMO, and TNMO around 143, 130, and 112 K, respectively. The values of maximum magnetic entropy change and relative cooling power at an applied field of 5 T are found to be 3.2, 3.8, 3.5 J/kgK and 150, 182, 176 J/kg respectively, for the studied sample. The change in structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric effect ascribed to the superexchange mechanism of Ni2+ – O – Mn3+ and Ni2+ – O – Mn4+. Due to different atomic size of Eu, Gd, Tb changes the ratio of Mn4+/Mn3+ which is responsible for the variation of properties significantly in double perovskite.