bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High efficacy of microbial larvicides for malaria vectors control in the city of Yaounde Cameroon following a cluster randomized trial
Authors: Antonio-Nkondjio Christophe , Doumbe-Belisse P. , Djamouko-Djonkam L. , Ngadjeu C. S. , Talipouo A. , Kopya E. , Bamou R. , Mayi M. P. Audrey , Sonhafouo-Chiana N. , Nkahe D. L. , Tabue R. , Fosah D. Achu , Bigoga Jude D. , Awono-Ambene P. , Wondji Charles S. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe rapid expansion of insecticide resistance and outdoor malaria transmission are affecting the efficacy of current malaria control measures. In urban settings, where malaria transmission is focal and breeding habitats are few, fixed and findable, the addition of anti-larval control measures could be efficient for malaria vector control. But field evidences for this approach remains scarce. Here we provide findings of a randomized-control larviciding trial conducted in the city of Yaoundé that support the efficacy of this approach. A two arms random control trial design including 26 clusters of 2 to 4 km2 each (13 clusters in the intervention area and 13 in the non-intervention area) was used to assess larviciding efficacy. The microbial larvicide VectoMax combining Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis (Bti) and Bacillus sphaericus in a single granule was applied every 2 weeks in all standing water collection points. The anopheline density collected using CDC light traps was used as the primary outcome, secondary outcomes included the entomological inoculation rate, breeding habitats with anopheline larvae, and larval density. Baseline entomological data collection was conducted for 17 months from March 2017 to July 2018 and the intervention lasted 26 months from September 2018 to November 2020. The intervention was associated with a reduction of 68% of adult anopheline biting density and of 79% of the entomological inoculation rate (OR 0.21; 95% CI 0.14–0.30, P < 0.0001). A reduction of 68.27% was recorded for indoor biting anophelines and 57.74% for outdoor biting anophelines. No impact on the composition of anopheline species was recorded. A reduction of over 35% of adult Culex biting densities was recorded. The study indicated high efficacy of larviciding for reducing malaria transmission intensity in the city of Yaoundé. Larviciding could be part of an integrated control approach for controlling malaria vectors and other mosquito species in the urban environment.
Biochemical elucidation of citrate accumulation in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 via kinetic analysis of aconitase
Authors: Nishii Maki , Ito Shoki , Katayama Noriaki , Osanai Takashi 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 possesses a unique tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, wherein the intracellular citrate levels are approximately 1.5–10 times higher than the levels of other TCA cycle metabolite. Aconitase catalyses the reversible isomerisation of citrate and isocitrate. Herein, we biochemically analysed Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 aconitase (SyAcnB), using citrate and isocitrate as the substrates. We observed that the activity of SyAcnB for citrate was highest at pH 7.7 and 45 °C and for isocitrate at pH 8.0 and 53 °C. The Km value of SyAcnB for citrate was higher than that for isocitrate under the same conditions. The Km value of SyAcnB for isocitrate was 3.6-fold higher than the reported Km values of isocitrate dehydrogenase for isocitrate. Therefore, we suggest that citrate accumulation depends on the enzyme kinetics of SyAcnB, and 2-oxoglutarate production depends on the chemical equilibrium in this cyanobacterium.
Conjugate buoyant convective transport of nanofluids in an enclosed annular geometry
Authors: Sankar M. , Reddy N. Keerthi , Do Younghae 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA vertical annular configuration with differently heated cylindrical surfaces and horizontal adiabatic boundaries is systematically studied in view to their industrial applications. In this paper, we investigate the effects of conjugate buoyant heat transport in water based nanofluids with different nanoparticles such as alumina, titania or copper, and is filled in the enclosed annular gap. The annulus space is formed by a thick inner cylinder having a uniform high temperature, an exterior cylindrical tube with a constant lower temperature, and thermally insulated upper and lower surfaces. By investigating heat transport for broad spectrum of Rayleigh number, solid wall thickness, thermal conductivity ratio and nanoparticle volume fraction, we found that the influence of wall thickness on thermal dissipation rate along wall and interface greatly depends on conductivity ratio and vice-versa. In particular, we uncover that the choice of nanoparticle in a nanofluid and its concentration are key factors in enhancing the thermal transport along the interface. Specially, copper based nanofluids produces higher heat transport among other nanoparticles, and for the range of nanoparticle concentration chosen in this analysis, enhanced thermal dissipation along the interface has been detected as nanoparticle volume fraction is increased. Our results are applicable to choose nanofluids along with other critical parameters for the desired heat transport.
Two Nicotiana occidentalis accessions enable gene identification for Type II hybrid lethality by the cross to N. sylvestris
Authors: Kawaguchi Kenji , Ohya Yuichiro , Maekawa Maho , Iizuka Takahiro , Hasegawa Akira , Shiragaki Kumpei , He Hai , Oda Masayuki , Morikawa Toshinobu , Yokoi Shuji , Tezuka Takahiro 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHybrid lethality, meaning the death of F1 hybrid seedlings, has been observed in many plant species, including Nicotiana. Previously, we have revealed that hybrids of the selected Nicotiana occidentalis accession and N. tabacum, an allotetraploid with S and T genomes, exhibited lethality characterized by the fading of shoot color. The lethality was suggested to be controlled by alleles of loci on the S and T genomes derived from N. sylvestris and N. tomentosiformis, respectively. Here, we extended the analysis of hybrid lethality using other two accessions of N. occidentalis identified from the five tested accessions. The two accessions were crossed with N. tabacum and its two progenitors, N. sylvestris and N. tomentosiformis. After crosses with N. tabacum, the two N. occidentalis accessions yielded inviable hybrid seedlings whose lethality was characterized by the fading of shoot color, but only the T genome of N. tabacum was responsible for hybrid lethality. Genetic analysis indicated that first-mentioned N. occidentalis accession carries a single gene causing hybrid lethality by allelic interaction with the S genome.
The brain mechanism of awakening dysfunction in children with primary nocturnal enuresis based on PVT-NAc neural pathway: a resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Jiang Kaihua , Xue Peng , Xu Yue , Yi Yang , Zhu Jie , Ding Li , Zheng Aibin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPrimary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) affects children’s physical and mental health with a high rate. However, its neural mechanism is still unclear. Studies have found that the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) is among the key brain regions implicated with awakening regulation and its control of the transition between sleep and wakening is dependent on signaling through the PVT-nucleus accumbens (NAc) pathway. So this study analyzed the function of brain regions and their connectivity of PVT and NAc. A total of twenty-six PNE and typically developing (TD) children were involved in the study and the methods of amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF), degree centrality (DC) and functional connectivity (FC) based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) were used to analyze the brain functions. Results showed that there was no statistical significant difference in ALFF and DC between PNE and TD children in bilateral PVT and NAc. And there was statistical significant difference of the comparison of the FC of left PVT (lPVT) and left NAc (lNAc) between PNE and TD children. Meanwhile, there was negative correlation between awakening score and the FC of rPVT and lNAc, and no obvious correlation between awakening score and the FC of lPVT and lNAc in PNE children. Meanwhile, there was both negative correlation between awakening score and the FC of lPVT, rPTV and lNAc in TD children. Therefore, the FC between rPVT and lNAc was more reliable in assessing the degree of awakening ability in PNE children. This finding could help establish the evaluation index of PNE.
Exploration of collagen cavitation based on peptide electrolysis
Authors: Zhai Rui , Chen Hui , Shan Zhihua 
Published: August 2021

AbstractElectrochemical modification of animal skin is a new material preparation method and new direction of research exploration. In this study, under the action of the electric field using NaCl as the supporting electrolyte, the effect of electrolysis on Glycyl-glycine(GlyGl), gelatin(Gel) and Three-dimensional rawhide collagen(3DC) were determined. The amino group of GlyGl is quickly eliminated within the anode region by electrolysis isolated by an anion exchange membrane. Using the same method, it was found that the molecular weight of Gel and the isoelectric point of the Gel decreased, and the viscosity and transparency of the Gel solution obviously changed. The electrolytic dissolution and structural changes of 3DC were further investigated. The results of TOC and TN showed that the organic matter in 3DC was dissolved by electrolysis, and the tissue cavitation was obvious. A new approach for the preparation of collagen-based multi-pore biomaterials by electrochemical method was explored.
Cardiac magnetic resonance assessment of right ventricular remodeling after anthracycline therapy
Authors: de Souza Thiago Ferreira , Silva Thiago Quinaglia , Antunes-Correa Lígia , Drobni Zsofia D. , Costa Felipe Osório , Dertkigil Sergio San Juan , Nadruz Wilson , Brenelli Fabrício , Sposito Andrei C. , Matos-Souza José Roberto , Coelho Otávio Rizzi , Neilan Tomas G. , Jerosch-Herold Michael , Coelho-Filho Otávio Rizzi 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThere are limited data on the effects of anthracyclines on right ventricular (RV) structure, function, and tissue characteristics. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of anthracyclines on the RV using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). This was a post-hoc analysis of a prospective study of 27 breast cancer (BC) patients (51.8 ± 8.9 years) using CMR prior, and up to 3-times after anthracyclines (240 mg/m2) to measure RV volumes and mass, RV extracellular volume (ECV) and cardiomyocyte mass (CM). Before anthracyclines, LVEF (69.4 ± 3.6%) and RVEF (55.6 ± 9%) were normal. The median follow-up after anthracyclines was 399 days (IQR 310–517). The RVEF reached its nadir (46.3 ± 6.8%) after 9-months (P < 0.001). RV mass-index and RV CM decreased to 13 ± 2.8 g/m2 and 8.13 ± 2 g/m2, respectively, at 16-months after anthracyclines. The RV ECV expanded from 0.26 ± 0.07 by 0.14 (53%) to 0.40 ± 0.1 (P < 0.001). The RV ECV expansion correlated with a decrease in RV mass-index (r = −0.46; P < 0.001) and the increase in CK-MB. An RV ESV index at baseline above its median predicted an increased risk of LV dysfunction post-anthracyclines. In BC patients treated with anthracyclines, RV atrophy, systolic dysfunction, and a parallel increase of diffuse interstitial fibrosis indicate a cardiotoxic response on a similar scale as previously seen in the systemic left ventricle.
Enhanced (t, n) threshold d-level quantum secret sharing
Authors: Sutradhar Kartick , Om Hari 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe quantum secret sharing is an essential and fundamental technique for sharing a secret with the all participants in quantum cryptography. It can be used to design many complex protocols such as secure multiparty summation, multiplication, sorting, voting, etc. Recently, Song et al. have discussed a quantum protocol for secret sharing, which has (t, n) threshold approach and modulo d, where t and n denote the threshold number of participants and total number of participants, respectively. Kao et al. point out that the secret in the Song et al.’s protocol cannot be reconstructed without other participants’ information. In this paper, we discuss a protocol that overcomes this problem.
Comparison of robotic and manual implantation of intracerebral electrodes: a single-centre, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Vakharia Vejay N. , Rodionov Roman , Miserocchi Anna , McEvoy Andrew W. , O’Keeffe Aidan , Granados Alejandro , Shapoori Shahrzad , Sparks Rachel , Ourselin Sebastien , Duncan John S. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThere has been a significant rise in robotic trajectory guidance devices that have been utilised for stereotactic neurosurgical procedures. These devices have significant costs and associated learning curves. Previous studies reporting devices usage have not undertaken prospective parallel-group comparisons before their introduction, so the comparative differences are unknown. We study the difference in stereoelectroencephalography electrode implantation time between a robotic trajectory guidance device (iSYS1) and manual frameless implantation (PAD) in patients with drug-refractory focal epilepsy through a single-blinded randomised control parallel-group investigation of SEEG electrode implantation, concordant with CONSORT statement. Thirty-two patients (18 male) completed the trial. The iSYS1 returned significantly shorter median operative time for intracranial bolt insertion, 6.36 min (95% CI 5.72–7.07) versus 9.06 min (95% CI 8.16–10.06), p = 0.0001. The PAD group had a better median target point accuracy 1.58 mm (95% CI 1.38–1.82) versus 1.16 mm (95% CI 1.01–1.33), p = 0.004. The mean electrode implantation angle error was 2.13° for the iSYS1 group and 1.71° for the PAD groups (p = 0.023). There was no statistically significant difference for any other outcome. Health policy and hospital commissioners should consider these differences in the context of the opportunity cost of introducing robotic devices.Trial registration: ISRCTN17209025 (https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17209025).
Deficiency of Axl aggravates pulmonary arterial hypertension via BMPR2
Authors: Novoyatleva Tatyana , Rai Nabham , Kojonazarov Baktybek , Veeroju Swathi , Ben-Batalla Isabel , Caruso Paola , Shihan Mazen , Presser Nadine , Götz Elsa , Lepper Carina , Herpel Sebastian , Manaud Grégoire , Perros Frédéric , Gall Henning , Ghofrani Hossein Ardeschir , Weissmann Norbert , Grimminger Friedrich , Wharton John , Wilkins Martin , Upton Paul D. , Loges Sonja , Morrell Nicholas W. , Seeger Werner , Schermuly Ralph T. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is a fatal disease characterized by a pseudo-malignant phenotype. We investigated the expression and the role of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl in experimental (i.e., monocrotaline and Su5416/hypoxia treated rats) and clinical PAH. In vitro Axl inhibition by R428 and Axl knock-down inhibited growth factor-driven proliferation and migration of non-PAH and PAH PASMCs. Conversely, Axl overexpression conferred a growth advantage. Axl declined in PAECs of PAH patients. Axl blockage inhibited BMP9 signaling and increased PAEC apoptosis, while BMP9 induced Axl phosphorylation. Gas6 induced SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation and ID1/ID2 increase were blunted by BMP signaling obstruction. Axl association with BMPR2 was facilitated by Gas6/BMP9 stimulation and diminished by R428. In vivo R428 aggravated right ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction, abrogated BMPR2 signaling, elevated pulmonary endothelial cell apoptosis and loss. Together, Axl is a key regulator of endothelial BMPR2 signaling and potential determinant of PAH.
Effects of serum irisin, neuregulin 4, and weight management on obese adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Cao Shunshun , Hu Yangyang 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The study is aimed at investigating the association of serum irisin, neuregulin 4 (NRG4), and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) with adolescent obesity with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the efficacy of weight management interventions. Serum levels of irisin, NRG4, AMH, sex steroid hormone, body mass index (BMI), serum insulin, and C-peptide were measured in 52 obese adolescent girls with PCOS (PCOS group) and 43 obese adolescent girls without PCOS (non-PCOS group). The levels of AMH, NRG4, serum irisin, sex steroid hormones, BMI, serum insulin, and C-peptide were evaluated in obese PCOS girls before and after one year weight management. The levels of AMH, serum insulin, NRG4, and total testosterone of PCOS group were significantly higher than those of non-PCOS group. On the contrary, serum irisin and serum C-peptide in PCOS group were significantly lower than that in non-PCOS group. The levels of fat mass, percent body fat, total testosterone, AMH, NRG4, and serum insulin in the obese girls with PCOS showed significant decreases compared with before weight management intervention. On the contrary, after one year of body weight management intervention, serum irisin and serum C-peptide was significantly increased. Adolescent obesity complicated with PCOS is significantly associated with glucose and lipid metabolism and sex steroid hormone disorders, but the exact pathophysiological and clinical features are highly variable. Weight management intervention can significantly improve the clinical symptoms and hematological indicators, serum irisin and NRG4 can be used as two essential biomarkers for evaluating weight management.
Obstacle detection and tracking algorithm based on multi‐lidar fusion in urban environment
Authors: Li Jiong , Zhang Yu , Liu Xixia , Zhang Xudong , Bai Rui 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAdjacent obstacles are difficult to be distinguished, and remote obstacle is easily detected as multiple targets. Besides, occluded obstacles are difficult to track, and tracking velocity of the obstacles in rapid acceleration or deceleration converges slowly in the urban environment. In view of this, an obstacle detection and tracking method based on multi‐lidar is proposed. Firstly, based on the vehicle kinematics model, motion compensation is adopted to solve the space‐time synchronization problem among lidars after road segmentation, and data level fusion is completed. Next, the obstacles are detected by combining adaptive voxel grid DBSCAN (AVG‐DBSCAN) algorithm and Region Growing (RG) algorithm. Then, the Breadth First Search (BFS) algorithm and KD tree are adopted to improve the Evolutionary Hungarian algorithm for the fast association of obstacles. Finally, the occlusion rate and dynamic region selection are used to track obstacles accurately, based on the Kalman Filter of uniform acceleration model. The experimental results on the authors' extracted urban dataset show that the proposed method can effectively fuse multi‐lidar data and outperforms other methods in obstacle detection and tracking. Its average accuracy for detection is 97.53% and its average accuracy for tracking is 95.1%. The average duration of the entire process is only 30 ms.
Performance of a new flexible 19 G EUS needle in pancreatic solid lesions located in the head and uncinate process: A prospective multicenter study
Authors: Ginès Angels , Fusaroli Pietro , Sendino Oriol , Seicean Andrada , Gimeno-Garcia Antonio Z. , Gratacós-Ginès Jordi , Araujo Isis K. , Rodríguez-Carunchio Leonardo , Alós Silvia , Lisotti Andrea , Cominardi Anna , Montenegro Andrea , Fernández-Esparrach Glòria 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background and study aims The poor flexibility of large-bore EUS needles often leads to technical failure when sampling from the duodenum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical and diagnostic performances of a new Menghini tip 19G nitinol EUS needle for sampling pancreatic solid lesions in the head and uncinate process.
Patients and methods This was a European prospective multicenter single-arm study. A maximum of four passes were allowed. In case of failure, different needles were permitted.
Results We included 75 patients (51 % males) with lesions in the head (n = 68; 91 %) and uncinate process (n = 7; 9 %) (mean size: 33 ± 12 mm; number of passes: 1.8 ± 0.9). Technical success was seen in 71 of 75 (94.7 %). Diagnostic rates were 89.3 % (67/75) and 94.4 % (67/71) in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis, respectively. In the eight cases with failure, diagnosis was obtained with another needle (n = 4), from another lesion (n = 3) or with follow-up (n = 1). A histological sample was obtained in 64 patients (ITT 85.3 % and PP 90 %) and immunohistochemistry was successfully performed in 13 of 15 lesions in which it was required. No differences between rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) and non-ROSE groups were observed regarding diagnostic success (87.5 % vs 91 %, P = 0.582) and diagnosis at the first pass (70 % vs 81 %, P = 0.289). Number of passes was lower in the ROSE group (1.4 + 0.9 vs 2.2 + 0.7, P < 0.001). One adverse event was recorded (1.3 %) consisting in a duodenal perforation after a single session EUS-ERCP.
Conclusions The new nitinol Menghini tip 19G EUS needle showed high technical diagnostic success in safely sampling solid lesions in the head and uncinate process of the pancreas.
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the gastrointestinal tract among patients with negative nasopharyngeal COVID-19 testing prior to endoscopy
Authors: Yang Dennis , Perbtani Yaseen B. , Loeb Julia , Liu Nanlong , Draganov Peter V. , Estores David E. , Lauzardo Michael , Maurelli Anthony , Lednicky John A. , Morris J. Glenn 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background and study aims The clinical significance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the stool remains unclear. We aimed to determine whether SARS-CoV-2 is detected via real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) in the gastrointestinal tracts of patients scheduled for endoscopy and if the virus obtained from these clinical specimens could be isolated in culture.
Patients and methods All patients underwent symptom screening and had negative nasopharyngeal testing for SARS-CoV-2 within 72 hours of their scheduled procedure. Study samples were collected via nasopharyngeal swab, rectal swab, and fluid from the upper gastrointestinal tract and/or colon based on their endoscopic procedure(s). Samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 via rRT-PCR. SARS-CoV-2 positive specimens were isolated and cultured in Vero-E6 cells.
Results 243 patients (mean age 63.1 years;54.3 % men) were enrolled from July 15, 2020 to September 2, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 testing was performed from 242 (99.6 %) nasopharyngeal, 243 (100 %) rectal, 183 (75.3 %) upper gastrointestinal tract and 73 (30 %) colon samples. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the nasopharynx and gastrointestinal specimens in one patient (0.4 %). After a 14-day incubation period, there was no evidence of virus growth in cells incubated with any of these specimens.
Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 was rarely detected in the gastrointestinal tract of patients with negative nasopharyngeal testing prior to endoscopy. No live virus was detected by culture, further highlighting that presence of viral genome on its own is not sufficient proof of infectivity. PCR-based screening provides limited insight into virus infectivity and its results should be interpreted carefully as to avoid unnecessary delays in clinical care or inadvertent risk exposure.