bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neutrophils and pregnancy-associated malaria
Authors: Djimde Moussa , Kayentao Kassoum , Arama Charles , Dicko Alassane , Mens Petra F. , Schallig H. D.F. Henk 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Purpose: Pregnant women living in Sub-Sahara Africa (sSA) are exposed to malaria and its harmful consequences on pregnancy outcomes. Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells (WBC) in the bloodstream and are innate immune key effectors against infections. Substantial work has been done to study the role of neutrophils in malaria, but little on pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM). This review focuses on neutrophil responses to malaria during pregnancy that may help us to understand their dynamics and effects on pregnancy outcomes.
Source: A literature review covering the topic of PAM and neutrophils were accessed via PubMedâ and Embaseâ databases. In total, 20 unique publications were found in PubMed while 99 in Embaseâ. After excluding 113 irrelevant titles and abstracts, 6 original articles full texts were assessed and included in this review.
Results: Due to oestrogen stimulation, the number of neutrophils is higher in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women. This increase in neutrophil numbers reaches a plateau in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. However, the number of circulating neutrophils in peripheral blood is lower in pregnant women with Plasmodium falciparummalaria than in pregnant women without malaria. The decrease in circulating neutrophils in the context of PAM may reflect the accumulation of neutrophils in the infected placenta. Data showed that the prevalence of children with low birth weight (LBW) was higher in pregnant women with high number of pigmented peripheral neutrophils compared to malaria-infected pregnant women with low number of pigmented peripheral neutrophils. A case of Plasmodium vivaxexflagellated microgametes was described for the first time in pregnant woman neutrophils.
Conclusions: This review aids our understanding of the dynamics of neutrophils during a malaria infection in in pregnant women by providing scientific evidence that suggests that neutrophil dynamics decrease in pregnant women with malaria infection. A negative association between the number of pigmented neutrophils in women with malaria and the birth weight of children points towards prioritizing future research in pregnant women with malaria on these cells involved in the first line of innate immunity.
Impact of agrochemical pollutant mixtures on the selection of insecticide resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Insights from experimental evolution and transcriptomics
Authors: Sadia Christabelle G. , Bonneville Jean-Marc , Zoh Marius G. , Behi Fodjo K. , Kouadio France-Paraudie A. , Oyou Sebastien K. , Koudou Benjamin G. , Adepo-Gourene Beatrice A. , Reynaud Stephane , David Jean-Philippe , Mouhamadou Chouaibou S. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Context: There are several indications that pesticides used in agriculture contribute to the emergence and spread of resistance of mosquitoes to vector control insecticides. However, the impact of such indirect selection pressure has rarely been quantified and the molecular mechanisms involved are still poorly characterised. In this context, experimental selection with different agrochemical mixtures was conducted in An. gambiae and the impact on insecticide resistance was evaluated by phenotypic and molecular approaches.
Methods: Mosquito larvae were selected for 30 generations with three different mixtures of agrochemicals containing i) insecticides, ii) non-insecticides compounds and iii) both agrochemical types. Each five generations, the resistance of adults to deltamethrin and bendiocarb was monitored using bioassays. The frequencies of the kdr west (L1014F) and Ace1 (G119S) target-site mutations were evaluated every 10 generations. Gene expression and polymorphism variations associated with each selection regime were investigated after 30 generations by RNA-seq.
Results: Larval selection with agrochemical mixtures did not affect bendiocarb resistance and did not select for Ace1 mutation. Contrastingly, an increased deltamethrin resistance was observed in the three selected lines as compared to the non-selected line. Such increased resistance was associated with an increased frequency of the Kdr west mutation in the insecticide and non-insecticide selected lines. RNA-seq identified 63 candidate resistance genes over-transcribed in at least one selected line as compared to the non-selected line. These include genes coding for detoxification enzymes or cuticular proteins previously associated with insecticide resistance, and other genes potentially associated with chemical stress response. Polymorphism analyses identified several genes under selection in each line across multiple genomic loci supporting a multigenic adaptive response to agrochemical mixtures.
Conclusion: This study supports the role of agrochemical contaminants as a significant larval selection pressure favouring insecticide resistance in malaria vectors. Such selection pressures impact Kdr mutations, detoxification enzymes but also other more generalist resistance mechanisms which could potentially lead to cross-tolerance to unrelated insecticide compounds. Such indirect effect of global landscape pollution on mosquito resistance to public health insecticides deserves further attention since it can affect the nature and dynamics of resistance alleles circulating in malaria vectors and impact the efficacy of control vector strategies.
Impact of armed conflicts on public health infrastructure in Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Gutema Girma , Kaba Mirgissa , Birhanu Zewdie , Diribi Jilcha , Elemo Ibrahim 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background Oromia is the largest national regional state in the Ethiopian federation. It covers over a third of the country’s landmass. In terms of shear geography, Oromia is about the size of the sovereign European state of Germany. Demographically, Oromia closely matches with Poland among other European countries. Since early 2019, there are actively ongoing armed conflicts in Oromia damaging the public health infrastructure.Objective The objective of this study is to assess and document the impacts of armed conflicts in Oromia on the public health infrastructure.Method The study is a quantitative review of administrative records and reports employing a qualitative analytical prism.Results Oromia has 22 administrative zones of which 11 (50%) host 142 sites sheltering about 1.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). A total of 1072 public healthcare facilities sustained attacks in areas of armed conflicts across Oromia. Among the 159 motor vehicles attacked (ambulances, district health office cars and motorbikes), 44% were Ambulances. Only for the first two weeks of January 2023, 25580 Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) cases were reported by healthcare facilities from the areas affected by armed conflicts in Oromia. In these areas, 11740 patients with malnutrition were enrolled into the Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP), 1050 were put on Subcutaneous infusion (SC) and 7 died due to SAM only in the first two weeks of January 2023. Severe droughts that happened for five consecutive rainy seasons over the last three years have hit hard ten administrative zones in Oromia, thereby compounding the impacts of the armed conflicts.Conclusions Armed conflicts are damaging the public health infrastructure in Oromia. Such conflicts are evicting people from their residential places thereby forcing them to live in poorly thatched out temporary shelters with clear implication for serious health crises. When compounded with natural calamities such as climate-change-driven-drought, the impacts of such conflicts on public health infrastructure and the resultant constraints on provision of vital public healthcare services would be paramount. The authors recommend for further detailed studies on the sustained impacts that these armed conflicts can possibly bring on the provision of vital public health services in Oromia.
Macro- and microstates of resting-state EEG in children with low-functioning autism
Authors: Portnova Galina , Martynova Olga 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The resting-state EEG (rsEEG) is advantageous for the study of brain activity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to their difficulties with following instruction and sensory hypersensitivity. We applied two methods with different time resolutions (macrostate and microstate analysis) to study the transient states of brain electrical activity. 158 children with low-functioning ASD and 177 typically developing children from 2 to 14 years participated in the study. The groups were equalized by age, gender and IQ. The results showed that in the control group, micro- and macrostates exhibited higher age dynamics during maturation. We revealed the micro- and macrostates corresponding to salient, sensory processing and the default mode network (DMN). The coverage of macro- and microstates associated with sensory processing and DMN were significantly higher in children with ASD. Children with ASD had a shorter coverage of macro- and microstates with interhemispheric asymmetry compared to the TD group.
Geographic distribution of C 4 species and its phylogenetic structure across China
Authors: Zhang Aiying , Zhang Hanyu , Ma Liang 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Context Over the past fifty years, the distribution patterns of C4 species, across large spatial scales are largely ignored.Objectives Here, we endeavored to examine patterns in the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of species with C4 photosynthetic pathways across the broad spatial extent of China, and relate those to climatic gradients.Methods We built a database of all plants with the C4 photosynthetic pathway in China. We analyzed the geographic distributions, taxonomic diversity, phylogenetic diversity, and phylogenetic structure of all C4 species, as well as the three families with the most C4 species (Poaceae, Amaranthaceae and Cyperaceae), and compared their values along temperature and precipitation gradients at two scales—the level of the province and at the 100 x 100 km grid cell.Results We found 644 C4 plants (belonging to 23 families 165 genera) in China, with Poaceae (57%), Amaranthaceae (17%), Cyperaceae (13%) accounting for the majority of species. Standardized effect size values of phylogenetic distances were negative overall, indicating that C4 species showed a phylogenetic clustering pattern. Southern China had the highest species richness and the highest degree of phylogenetic clustering. C4 tended to be more phylogenetically over-dispersed in regions with colder and/or drier climates, but more clustered in warmer and/or wetter climates. Patterns within individual families were more nuanced.Conclusions The distribution of C4 species and its phylogenetic structure across China was constrained by temperature and precipitation. C4 species showed a phylogenetic clustering pattern across China, while different families showed more nuanced responses to climate variation, suggesting a role for evolutionary history.
Periodicity in the rotation of solar transition region and sunspot numbers
Authors: Sharma Jaidev , Singh Nitin Kumar , Banerjee Shyamal Kumar , Vats Hari Om 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

The long term study on the temporal variation of the rotation period of the solar photosphere, chromosphere and corona has been widely known. To date it is unclear whether the temporal variation of rotation period of the solar transition region has a systematic periodicity. In this paper we perform a first study on the temporal variation of the rotation period of the solar transition region. For this purpose, we used Lyman – α line emission at wavelength 121.56 nm corresponding to the solar transition region from the years 1965 to 2019. Autocorrelation analysis depicts that the average sidereal rotation period of transition region (from 1965 to 2019) is 24.8 days. Furthermore we found that a significant periodicity of about 12 years exist in the temporal variation of sidereal rotation period of solar transition region. The results indicate that this periodicity is nearly linked to the 11 year Schwabe cycle. Cross-correlation analysis between the time series of sidereal rotation period and sunspot numbers (as a function of lag in years) exhibits a strong correlation between these aforementioned parameters. From this we can state that sidereal rotation period of solar transition region leads the solar activity by about six months. This strong correlation again approves the periodicity of about 11 years in the rotation period of transition region which is nearly linked to the 11 year Schwabe cycle. From this long term study it seems that solar activity is largely derived by solar rotation.
Non-oxidative ethane dehydrogenation in a packed-bed DBD plasma reactor
Authors: Cameli Fabio , Dimitrakellis Panagiotis , Vlachos Dionisios G. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Plasma-assisted conversion of ethane (C2H6) can produce value-added chemical building blocks using green electricity. Here we employ a simple packed-bed coaxial dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor to convert C2H6 at mild operating conditions unattainable by conventional thermocatalysis. Ethylene (C2H4), acetylene (C2H2), and methane (CH4) are the main products along with small fractions of C3 and C4 hydrocarbons. Interestingly, the C2H4 selectivity is primarily correlated to C2H6 conversion dominated by electron dissociation and recombination reactions irrespective of the dielectric properties of the packed bed material (SiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, TiO2, and BaTiO3), packing material size, supplied power, and C2H6 concentration. While a distortion of the electric field and discharge propagation results in varying dissipated power as materials change, the C2H4 energy yield remains constant. The particle size appears to affect conversion mainly due to pressure alterations. Pd/SiO2 catalyst can change the selectivity, favoring saturated species by expending hydrogen.
REGULARITY AND UNIMODALITY OF $h-$POLYNOMIAL OFCORONA GRAPHS
Authors: Do Trong Hoang , Pham My Hanh , Tran Nam Trung 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Let H = {Hv : v ∈ V (G)} be a family of nonempty graphs indexed by the vertex set of a graph G. The corona graph G ◦ H of G and H is the disjoint union of G and Hv, v ∈ V (G), with additional edges joining each vertex v ∈ V (G) to all the vertices of Hv. In this paper, we are deeply concerned in investigating the (induced) matching number of the graph G ◦ H. It gives a formula for the Castelnuovo–Mumford regularity of edge ideal of this graph. Additionally, we propose a close relationship between independence polynomial of corona graph G ◦ H and h-polynomial of its independence simplicial complexes. Thereby, the formula of h-polynomial of G◦H is established and some properties of its unimodality and real-rootedness are presented.
The effects of S-ketamine on postoperative sleep quality in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery: a randomized study
Authors: Luo Yuanyi , Li Jianli , Zhang Yu , Han Shuang , Rong Junfang , Liu Meinv 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background: Postoperative sleep disturbance (PSD) is a common and uncomfortable experience for patients, which induces various negative clinical outcomes and increases the perioperative mortality. Thus, it is necessary to seek efficient methods to improve PSD. This study was designed to explore whether perioperative intravenous S-ketamine could improve sleep quality.
Methods: Patients undergoing elective thoracoscopic surgery were recruited and assigned into two groups randomly. 0.5 mg/kg of S-ketamine was given to the individuals in the experimental group during the period of anesthesia induction followed by 0.1mg/kg/h intravenous infusion until 15 minutes before the completion of the procedure, while normal saline in the same protocol was performed in the control group. The primary outcomes included the salivary melatonin (MT) concentration on the first day after surgery, and the Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RSCQ) scores on the first three days postoperatively. The secondary outcomes were the rest and movement Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively, the level of serum IL-6 and IL-10 on the first day postoperatively, and the incidence of postoperative negative complications.
Results: In the experimental group, the RSCQ scores on the first three days postoperatively and the level of MT on the first day after the procedure were significantly higher, and the rest and movement pain intensity at postoperative 6, 12 and 24 hours were statistically lower when compared with the control group, while the results at 48 hours postoperatively were comparable in both groups. In addition, the higher level of IL-6 and lower level of IL-10 postoperatively were noticed in the experimental group. In both groups, the incidence of negative outcomes was similar.
Conclusion: S-ketaminecan effectively improve postoperative sleep quality, and reduce pain intensity and inflammation in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery.
Mottling in Septic shock: Ethnicity and skin colour matter.
Authors: Jog Sameer , L Vikram , Rajhans Prasad , Akole Prasad , Pawar Balasaheb , Bhurke Bhagyashri , Mahale Nilesh , Chavan Shailaja , Dalvi Pradip , Marudwar Prasanna , Diwane Dnyaneshwar , Pawar Harshwardhan , Shahane Manasi , Gugale Shraddha 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background:
Skin mottling as a clinical perfusion marker in septic shock is correlated well with severity and outcome in white skinned population and its validity as a clinical sign in dark skinned population is not known. Objectives of this study were to evaluate mottling in septic shock in the Indian ethnic population who has different skin colour as compared to white skinned population and compare mottling as an outcome predictor with Capillary Refill Time(CRT) and other biochemical parameters which are the established clinical markers of perfusion in septic shock.
Methods:
We conducted a prospective observational study of patients with skin colour category 21 to 34 on von Luschan scale or Fitzpatrick type IV and V who had septic shock needing high dose of norepinephrine ≥ 0.2 mcg/kg/min after fluid optimisation. The study was conducted in a mixed medical - surgical ICU over a period of 12 months. Two blinded experts (Dermatologist and a Cosmetic surgeon) independently classified the skin type, validated the occurrence of mottling and scored mottling in our patients. We recorded the demographics, hemodynamic variables, mottling score and observed for the incidence of mottling and its correlation with predictors of severity of septic shock. We also compared CRT, Arterial lactate, central venous oxygen saturation and venoarterial PCO2 gap with mottling as predictor of outcome in septic shock patients.
Results:
We included 108 patients with age 61±16 years. Mean SOFA and APACHE II scores at enrolment were 10.3 and 21.9 respectively. Incidence of mottling was 20.3 % (22/ 108). CRT > 3 seconds was observed in 50.9% (55/108) Development of mottling significantly correlated with mortality; 20/22(90.9%) patients died in mottling group versus 58/86(65.1%) in non-mottling group (p=0.028). Independent t test of mottling score vs death showed that higher the mottling score, ( score> 3) (p=0.008) more the certainty of death . (p=0.008. CRT > 3 seconds did not corelate with mortality; 40/55(72.7%) patients with CRT > 3 seconds died versus 32/53(74.4%) patients died in CRT≤ 3seconds group. Occurrence of mottling could independently predict mortality ; Positive predictive value of 90.9 % which was comparable to positive predictive value of lactate levels > 4mmol/lit, i.e. 94.1% . CRT > 3 seconds did not corelate with mortality; positive predictive value was 72.7 %
Conclusion:
Incidence of mottling in septic shock is much less in patients of Indian ethnicity with brown skin colour as compared to that in White skinned population. Occurrence of mottling and not ­­­delayed CRT, is a better predictor of outcome in this setting.
HMGB1 induces macrophage pyroptosis and serves as a promising diagnostic marker for chronic endometritis
Authors: Yang Guoxia , Zhang Qingyan , Tan Jinfeng , Xiong Yujing , Liang Yanchun , Yan Jiacong , Gu Fang , Xu Yanwen 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background Chronic endometritis (CE) reflects the local imbalance of endometrial immune microenvironment after inflammation. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is highly involved in both immunity and inflammation. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of HMGB1 on the endometrium of CE.Methods In the pilot study, the expression level of pyroptosis-associated marker GSDMD-NT and its co-localization with macrophages in endometrial tissues collected from CEs and controls were detected by qRT-PCR, western blot (WB), immunohistochemical (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Next, the roles of HMGB1 as a driver of macrophage pyroptosis was investigated in vitro using human THP-1 cells. To evaluate whether HMGB1 could be served as a target for treatment of CE, CE mouse model was established by LPS intrauterine perfusion, and treatment with glycyrrhizic acid, an inhibitor of HMGB1, was given. Lastly, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of endometrium and uterine fluid HMGB1 were constructed to assess the predictive values in a cohort study including 154 patients.Results In the pilot study, we found that pyroptosis-associated marker GSDMD-NT was significantly increased in the CE endometrium(P < 0.05), and co-localization of GSDMD-NT and macrophages were detected by IF staining. In vitro experiments demonstrated that HMGB1 induced pyroptosis in human THP-1 derived macrophage. HMGB1 expression was induced in a dose-dependent manner under LPS stimulation in both cytoplasm and cell supernatant of HESCs. Treatment with HMGB1 inhibitor (glycyrrhizic acid) significantly suppressed endometrium inflammation in LPS-induced CE mouse model. In the cohort study, we confirmed that HMGB1 mRNA level dramatically increased in the CE group (n = 83) compared with those of control (n = 71, 21.04 ± 14.92 vs. 8.89 ± 6.91, P < 0.001). Correspondingly, the expression of HMGB1 in uterine fluid of CE (n = 19) was significantly higher than control [n = 46, 1415pg/ml (616–3656) vs. 638.2pg/ml (318.9–1124), P < 0.001]. Positive correlation was observed between HMGB1 and the number of CD138 (rs = 0.592, P < 0.011). Area under the curve (AUC) for the prediction of CE by HMGB1 levels of the endometrium or uterine fluid were 0.830 (95%CI 0.769 to 0.892) and 0.756 (95%CI 0.614 to 0.898) respectively.Conclusions HMGB1 effectively induces macrophages pyroptosis in human endometrium, and HMGB1 level of endometrium or uterine fluid can be served as a promising diagnostic marker for CE.
A Real-time Detector of Chicken Healthy Status Based on Modified YOLO
Authors: Tong Qing , Zhang Enming , Wu Songtao , Xu Kuanhong , Sun Chen 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
In modern times, the development of an intelligent system that can automatically detect and recognize poultry diseases is vital for efficient poultry farming and reducing human workloads. This paper presents a real-time detector that can analyze frames captured by monitoring cameras and simultaneously detect chickens and identify their healthy status. To overcome the challenge of chickens appearing small and having variant scales in monitoring camera frames, we propose integrating a scale-aware receptive field enhancement module into the YOLOv5 algorithm to enhance the receptive filed of chicken in the frames thus improving detection accuracy. In addition, we utilize a slide weighting loss function to calculate the classification loss. This helps the network to concentrate on classifying hard classified samples, leading to an improved ability to recognize the healthy status of chickens with greater precision. Experimental results demonstrate the proposed detector outperforms the original YOLOv5 and other one-stage object detectors, thus meeting the requirements for automated poultry health monitoring.