bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frailty and health-related quality of life among older people living with HIV pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic onset: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Torres Thiago S. , Arabe Daniel , Jesus Jovanice S. , Guaraldo Lusiele , Meque Fabião Alberto , Lessa Flavia , Facchinetti Lívia Dumont , Estrela Rita , Veloso Valdilea G. , Grinsztejn Beatriz , Cardoso Sandra W. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background: Antiretroviral therapy increased the survival and life expectancy of people living with HIV (PWH). HIV infection may have an impact on the aging process, including frailty development. Frailty-related syndromes among older PWH (aged 50 years or older) may affect their health-related quality of life (HQoL). Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted health-related outcomes, including frailty and HQoL. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty among older PWH, and to explore associations of HQoL with the study assessment period and frailty status.
Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted pre- (May 23, 2019 to March 5, 2020) and post-COVID-19 pandemic onset (June 23, 2021 to May 5, 2022), among older PWH at INI-Fiocruz, the largest cohort of PWH in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We measured frailty using a modified version of Fried assessment, consisting of five domains: (1) unintentional weight loss; (2) self-reported exhaustion, (3) weakness (grip strength), (4) slow walking speed, (5) low physical activity. QoL was assessed using the ACTG SF-21, which contains 21 questions divided into 8 domains. We used chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis and ranksum test for comparisons.
Results: Between May 2019 and May 2022, 250 individuals were included in this analysis: 109 (43.6%) pre-COVID-19 and 141 (56.4%) post-COVID-19. The median age was 60 years (IQR:55-64). Most self-identified as cisgender men (152; 60.8%), Pardo or Black (146; 58.4%), with completed secondary education or less (169; 67.9%) and low income (132; 52.8%). Prevalences of frailty and pre-frailty were 9.2% (95%CI:8.1-10.3) and 61.6% (95%CI:54.0-69.2), while frailty prevalences were 10.6% and 7.3% in the post- and pre-COVID-19 pandemic periods, respectively. HQoL was lower among older PWH with frailty compared to those with non-frailty and pre-frailty. HQoL was also lower among older PWH included in the post-COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic periods for four out of eight QoL domains.
Conclusions: We observed low prevalence of frailty, but high prevalence of pre-frailty among older PWH. Our study increases the body of knowledge about aging and HIV and underscores the importance of including frailty and HQoL during clinical assessment, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
New insights into canine milk: a multi-omics approach
Authors: Cohen Alisa , Turjeman Sondra , Levin Rachel , Tal Smadar , Koren Omry 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
A mother’s milk is considered the gold standard of nutrition in neonates and is a source of cytokines, immunoglobulins, growth factors, and other important components, yet little is known about the components of canine milk, specifically colostrum, and the knowledge related to its microbial and metabolic profiles is particularly underwhelming. In this study we characterized canine colostrum and milk microbiota and metabolome of several breeds of dogs and examined profile shifts as milk matures in the first 8 days post-whelping.
Results
Through untargeted metabolomics, we identified 63 named metabolites that were significantly differentially expressed between days 1 and 8 of lactation, whereas the microbial compositions of the colostrum and milk, characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, were, surprisingly, largely similar, with only two differentiating genera. The shifts observed, mainly increases in several sugars and amino sugars over time and shifts in amino acid metabolites, align with shifts observed in human milk samples and track with puppy development.
Conclusion
Like human milk, canine milk composition is dynamic, and shifts are well correlated with developing puppies’ needs. Such a study of the metabolic profile of canine milk, and its relation to the microbial community, provides insights into the changing needs of the neonate, as well as the ideal profile for optimal functionality. This information will add to the existing knowledge base of canine milk composition with the prospect of creating a quality, tailored milk substitute or supplement for puppies.
A brief introduction to the insurance industry of Nepal and its growth
Authors: Ghimire Nabin 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
It has been well acknowledged widely that the insurance industry in Nepal has all grown tremendously beyond expectation in recent years. Many earlier studies conducted focused on how this industry has grown. This research also focuses on analyzing the trend of total premium income growth in Nepal during the period of 2003-2020 and tries to relate this growth with the growth of economy to establish the causal relationship between them.
The Lhx8 downstream targeted gene Capn3 is involved in the differentiation of hippocampal NSCs into cholinergic neurons
Authors: Wu Yi , Lin Yujian , Wang Jingwen , Cheng Xiang 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Lhx8, which is specifically expressed in the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE), is believed to be a key factor in the development of cholinergic neurons. Our previous studies have demonstrated that enhanced cholinergic neurogenesis occurs in the sub granular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) after cholinergic denervation, which is closely associated with the core transcription factor Lhx8. This study aims to explore the downstream targeted genes of Lhx8 involved in the differentiation of hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs) into cholinergic neurons.
Method
Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was applied to collect the targeted DNA fragments for Lhx8. DNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were performed to screen for the targeting genes related to neurogenesis. The expression of related targeting genes was verified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Calpain 3 (Capn3) was predicted to be associated with Lhx8. The interaction of Capn3 and Lhx8 was verified using luciferase reporter gene assay, and the gain- and loss-functions of Capn3 in NSC differentiation revealed the effects of Capn3 in cholinergic neurogenesis.
Results
ChIP analysis revealed 71 genes that Lhx8 targets upstream of its promoter within 1 k bp, and on bioinformatics analysis, Capn3 was identified as a candidate gene that Lhx8 targets. The gain function of Capn3 in Lentivirus (LV)-Lhx8 PC12 decreased the protein level of the cholinergic neuron marker choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), while down-regulation of Capn3 in LV-Lhx8 PC12 promoted protein expression of ChAT. Luciferase assay verified that Lhx8 could target the promoter region of Capn3. In a hippocampus NSC differentiation assay, NSCs that overexpressed Capn3 had decreased differentiation into microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2)/ChAT-positive cholinergic neurons; however, down-regulation of Capn3 in NSCs increased the proportion of MAP2/ChAT-positive cholinergic neurons.
Conclusion
Capn3 may be a downstream target gene, negatively regulated by Lhx8, which can impede the cholinergic differentiation of hippocampus NSCs.
The equation f(xy) = f(x)h(y) + g(x)f(y) and representations on C2
Authors: Stetkær Henrik 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Let G be a topological group, and let C(G) denote the algebra of continuous, complex valued functions on G. We find the solutions f,g,h ∈ C(G) of the Levi-Civita equation
f(xy) = f(x) h(y) + g(x) f(y) for x,y ∈ G,
which is an extension of the sine addition law. Representations of G on C2 play an important role. As a corollary we get the solutions f,g in C(G) of the sine subtraction law f(xy*) = f(x)g(y) - g(x)f(y), x,y ∈ G, in which x ↦ x* is a continuous involution, meaning that (xy)* = y*x* and x** = x for all x,y ∈ G.
2020 Mathematics Subject Classification: 39B32 and 39B52.
Circulating levels of T-cell traits and the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Lu Ting , Luo Lijun , Yang Jie , Cheng Xiao , Sun Jingbo 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background：Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Evidence from observational studies indicates that different T-cell subsets may have opposite effects on the development of ALS. However, further studies that can yield higher-level evidence are required to confirm these findings. Thus, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to determine the association between T-cell traits and the risk of ALS.
Methods：Genetic instrumental variables were chosen from a commonly used genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 3757 European subjects to analyze 244 T-cell subsets. ALS summary statistics were extracted from a GWAS encompassing 20,806 ALS cases and 59,804 controls of European descent. Comprehensive sensitivity tests were conducted to validate the robustness of the results. We also performed a reverse MR analysis to determine the effect of ALS on T-cell traits. This study was conducted using the STROBE-MR checklist for reporting MR studies.
Results：After Bonferroni correction, 24 T-cell traits out of the 244 subsets showed potential associations with the risk of ALS. Notably, 75% (n = 18) of the associations involved CD3 expression on various T-cell subtypes (for example, CD3 expression on terminally differentiated CD8+ T cells), indicating a highly consistent negative correlation with the risk of ALS. The proportion of T regulatory cells (Tregs) in CD4+ T cells (odds ratio [OR] = 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.72–0.99, p = 0.032), the proportion of secreting Tregs in CD4+ T cells (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.81–1.00, p = 0.044), CCR7 expression on naive CD4+ T cells (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.01–1.20, p = 0.025), and CCR7 expression on naive CD8+ T cells (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.02–1.33, p = 0.025) were associated with the risk of ALS. The results of the sensitivity analyses were consistent. The reverse MR analysis did not reveal any significant causal effect of ALS on T-cell traits.
Conclusion： ALS risk is associated with 24 T-cell subsets, including those characterized by CD3 expression on terminally differentiated CD8+ T cells, Treg, and CCR7 levels. These results align with and build upon the findings of previous observational studies on the involvement of T lymphocyte subset-induced immunological processes in ALS.
A Combinatorial Approach Towards Ramanujan's Partition Congruences Modulo 5, 7 and 11 In Terms Of Its Corresponding Cranks
Authors: De Subham 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

The primary purpose of this article is to provide an explicit interpretation of Ramanujan’s Partition Congruences, namely, p(5n + 4) ≡ 0 (mod 5), p(7n + 5) ≡ 0 (mod 7) and, p(11n + 6) ≡ 0 (mod 11), p(n) being the partition function corresponding to any positive integer n, in terms of their corresponding Cranks using various combinatorial arguments implemented by Dyson, Atkin, Swinnerton-Dyer and later by Andrews and, Garvan to justify all the necessary concepts pertaining to this topic.
In addition to introducing readers to the Theory of Partitions, as well as defining formally the notion of q-Series and Ramanujan’s Theta Function, we shall further deduce a rough estimate for p(n), a priori applying the so called Jacobi Triple Product Identity and Euler Pentagonal Theorem, and subsequently, providing a thorough explanation for the special case, when n ≡ 4 (mod 5).
Important to mention that, a whole section in this article has been dedicated towards gaining an detailed understanding of Rank of a partition and Crank of a Vector Partition, both introduced by Dyson, due to its significance and relevance to our study. Furthermore, in the later half of the text, we shall indeed prove our main result with the help of an important property of the partition function M(m, j, n) corresponding to any positive integer n with crank congruent to m modulo j. Exclusively, in the final section, rigorous derivations have been provided individually for each case to facilitate the motivated readers of this paper with a better understanding of this subject. Moreover, adequate references have been included, considering the broader aspect of research in this area.
2020 MSC: Primary 11-02, 11P81, 11P82, 11P83, 11P84. Secondary 11B75, 05A16, 05A17, 05A30.
The Prognosis of Fetal Intracardiac Rhabdomyomas
Authors: CAN Sevim TUNCER , Sağlam Ceren , Torun Raziye , Çakır Zübeyde Emiralioğlu , Sever Barış , Özer Mehmet , Ömeroğlu İbrahim , Yıldırım Alkım Gülşah Şahingöz , Pala Halil Gürsoy , Şirinoğlu Tülay Demircan 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the prenatal diagnosis, clinical presentation, and outcome of cardiac rhabdomyoma and its association with tuberous sclerosis.
Methods
Patients diagnosed with fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma between 2016–2022 in the perinatology department of İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital were evaluated retrospectively. Data were collected from the hospital database.
Results
As a result of a 6-year retrospective analysis, 10 cases of fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma were identified. Two of the cases had a family history of tuberous sclerosis. Neonatal or intrauterine death occurred in 4 cases who had concomitant fetal cardiac disease and tumor size of 33 mm. Tuberous sclerosis was diagnosed in fetuses with multiple rhabdomyomas and a family history of tuberous sclerosis. In 5 patients who accepted intrauterine fetal magnetic resonance imaging, no additional finding other than rhabdomyoma was detected. It was stated that there was a trend to regression of intracardiac tumors in live-born cases.
Conclusion
It is thought that patients with cardiac rhabdomyoma who do not have concomitant cardiac diseases and with tumor of a small size (< 20 mm) in the intrauterine period are associated with good prognosis.
Fetal left and right ventricular strain parameters using speckle tracking in congenital heart diseases
Authors: Young Krista , Hooton Candace , Zimmerman M Bridget , Reinking Benjamin , Gupta Umang 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background
Assessment of fetal ventricular function is mostly subjective, and currently, for the objective assessment left ventricular shortening fraction is obtained. However, this by itself is not very reliable. Hence, more tools that can provide an objective assessment are needed to increase the confidence of functional assessment. Speckle tracking imaging can provide one such tool.
Goal
: In this study we sought to establish the normative value of global longitudinal and circumferential strain for our fetal patients and for two major forms of congenital heart diseases, namely atrioventricular canal defects (AVC) and uncorrected dextro-transposition of the great arteries (dTGA) to act as a benchmark.
Methods
The study was completed via a single center retrospective analysis on 72 fetal echocardiograms (26 normal, 15 dTGA, and 31 AVC). Tomtec Arena™ echocardiography analysis software was used for analysis.
Results
In normal fetuses, mean left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) was − 22.6% (95% CI -24, -21.1) and mean right ventricular (RV) GLS was − 22.1% (95% CI -23.6, -20.6). In AVC patients LV GLS was-26.6% (95% CI -28,-25.3) and mean RV GLS was − 26.5% (95% CI -27.9,-25.2). In dTGA patients LV GLS was − 22.9% (95% CI of -24.8, -21) and RV GLS was − 21.3% (95% CI was − 23.4, -20.8). There was good intra-rater reliability though poor to fair inter-rater reliability.
Conclusion
Notwithstanding its current limitations, strain imaging can provide useful information that can increase confidence of cardiac functional assessment in fetal patients. However, to be reliable across the board, further automation and standardization is required.
Classification of Aerial Cactus for Conserving Biodiversity Hotspot Zones using Deep Convolutional Neural Network VGG16
Authors: P Arjun K , Atlas L. Godlin , Arvindhan M. , Prasath G. Jerald , Sreenaraya N M 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
There are many exceptional regions in the world with the existence of varieties of unique several endemic plants in biodiversity. Conservation of biodiversity 'hotspots' is protection and maintenance in a sustainable way. The research studies proved a good relationship with a diverse ecosystem would help health, resource consumption, climate changes, and other areas positively. Human activities which lead to the destruction of biodiversity. So our aim is to identify this biodiversity-ecosystem by using automated surveillance and preserve the ecozone. To assess the impact of earth's natural resources, it is necessary to build a model that identifies the columnar cactus in the aerial image and recognizes the vegetation inside the protected areas by identifying the columnar cactus. The proposed model aims to identify and to classify aerial cactus with the help of VGG 16 Convolutional Neural Network architectures. The main work is done with the help of experimentation and evaluation of the performance of the network to recognize a specific type of cactus in aerial imagery. The dataset containing the 21,500 images, this images is provided by the Kaggle and it is a part of the VIGIA project. The proposed model compared with various convolutional neural network models like ResNet26, hyperspectral CNN, LetNet-5 and Resnet50 for the particular problem. The experiment result of the proposed model shown the high prediction accuracy of 98% and 0.98 ROC/AUC score, substantiate the purpose of the perspective to accomplish best in results for the columnar cactus recognition.
High human blood meal index of mosquitoes in Arba Minch town, southwest Ethiopia: an implication for urban vector-borne diseases transmission
Authors: Akirso Adisu , Tamiru Girum , Eligo Nigatu , Lindtjørn Bernt , Massebo Fekadu 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Unplanned population shifts in urban areas are expected to increase the prevalence of vector-borne diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the role of urban vectors and their blood meal sources in the spread of malaria.
Methods
Indoor resting adult mosquitoes were collected using Prokopack and host-seeking mosquitoes using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention light traps in Arba Minch town and identified using a morphological key. Larval collection from artificial containers was done in those houses selected for adult mosquito collection. Anopheles adults collected and emerged from larvae were identified morphologically using a key. ELISA was used to identify blood meal sources in freshly fed Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes, and CSP of Anopheles mosquitoes.
Results
A total of 16,756 female mosquitoes were collected. Of these, 93% (15,571) were Culex, 6% (1,016) were Anopheles, and 1% (169) were Aedes. Of the 130 adults raised from larval, An. rhodesiensis accounted for 20%, while Aedes accounted for 80%. The container-breeding Anopheles mosquito identified was An. rhodesiensis. Anopheles stephensi was not documented. Out of 823 mosquitoes tested for blood meal origins, 86.3% (710/823) tested positive for human blood, 2.2% (18/823) tested positive for bovine blood, and 11.5% (95/823) were negative for human and bovine antibodies. Anopheles gambiae complex had a human blood meal index (HBI) of 50% (90/180; CI: 42.3–57.5%) and a bovine blood meal index (BBI) of only 0.5% (95% CI 0.01–3.1%). Culex HBI was 96.7% (620/641), and its BBI index was 2.4% (15/641). While it was low (0.8%) in Culex, the proportion of An. gambiae complex with unidentified blood meal sources was 49.5%: 95 CI%: 41.9–56.9%). Among the 1016 Anopheles mosquitoes tested, a single An. gambiae complex (0.1%; 1/1016) was positive for P. vivax CSP.
Conclusions
The high HBI indicates frequent contact between humans and vectors. To reduce human exposure, personal protection tools should be implemented.
Climate adaption strategies using socio-ecological linkages for grassland wetland ecotones in India
Authors: Sharma Jahnavi , Sardar Purnendu , Verma Dhruv , Kumar Praveen 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

From the current understanding on climate science to leading the attention to grasslands, wetlands, and grassland-wetland ecotones, in this paper, we are deriving socio-ecological linkages for nature climate solutions ecosystem like grasslands, wetlands, and grassland-wetland ecotones. The novelty of the study lies in its focus on addressing climate change impacts on grassland-wetland ecosystems from an intersectoral perspective. It aims to understand the linkages between ecological systems, social systems (such as livelihoods and policies), and climate adaptation strategies. We have reviewed, interlinked, and presented potential linkages to factor verticals, existing linkages, and mapping opportunities for socio-ecological indicators in grasslands, wetlands, and grassland-wetland ecotones as they are integral ecological systems supporting lives and livelihood. Our findings are a result of thematic literature review using research articles, published reports, and secondary sources for inter-linkages. We present three critical vertical for climate change adaptation in ecotones, and map the existing inter-linkages connecting the critical vertical for grassland wetland ecotones in particular with livelihood and policy. The outcomes of this paper will help in sustainable planning and management of wetlands and grasslands.
Overcoming physiological dormancy in common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)
Authors: Yalamalle Vishwanath R , Vijay Dunna , Gautam Chawla , Prakash Mishra Gyan , P Vijayakumar H , Ahmad Dilshad , Lal Sandeep Kumar , Joshi Dinesh Chandra , Meena Rajendra Prasad 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

The viability status of every accession stored in a seed bank is essential for effective germplasm conservation, and it is often assessed through germination tests. However, the presence of dormancy can impede this process. The dormancy release protocols for buckwheat seeds, which exhibit physiological dormancy, are not available. This study aims to identify effective dormancy-breaking protocols through the use of chemicals and phytohormones namely GA3, KNO3, and H2O2. Buckwheat seeds exhibited high dormancy with only 21% of seeds germinating. Seed treatment with 0.4% KNO3 enhanced germination to 69%. Both KNO3 and H2O2 treatments significantly reduced the time to 50% germination (t50) (2.37 – 2.55 days) and mean germination time (MGT) (3.02 – 3.23 days). These treatments also enhanced the dormancy index (DI) (253.56 - 217.86). The seedling length was enhanced by 55% with 200 ppm GA3. There was an enhancement in seed vigour indices by 305% and 260% in 20 mM H2O2 and 0.4% KNO3 treatments respectively. Compared to the control, all the seed treatments enhanced the α-amylase activity. Both 0.4 % KNO3 and 20 mM H2O2 treatments recorded the highest α-amylase activity. The result suggests that KNO3 and H2O2 treatments reduced seed dormancy and improved seed germination and vigour by increasing the mobilization of seed reserves. Application of 0.4% KNO3 or 20 mM H2O2 as a dormancy release mechanism can be incorporated during seed testing and germplasm evaluation of buckwheat seeds with physiological seed dormancy.