bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geographical Distribution of Soil Transmitted Helminths and Plasmodium falciparum Co- Infections among School Children in Bugesera District, Rwanda
Authors: Marcelline Umwanankundi , Humphrey Mazigo D. , David Tumusiime , Joseph Mucumbitsi , Sharma Arpita , Banson Barugahare John 
Published: May 2022

Aims: Soil Transmitted Helminths and Plasmodium infections are ubiquitous within the tropical and subtropical regions. However, the extent and consequences of Helminthic and Plasmodium infections and co-infections - geographical distributions are not fully understood. This study aimed determining the geographical distribution of these parasites.
Study Design: Cross Sectional Survey.
Place and Duration of Study: The survey was conducted in Bugesera District, Eastern Rwanda, between May and December 2020.
Methodology: The survey was conducted among children between ages 5 and 18 years, across 21 randomly selected primary schools. Stool samples were collected and screened for soil transmitted helminths using Kato-Katz, while finger-prick blood samples were examined under the microscope to determine Plasmodium infection.
Results: P. falciparum was common throughout the study area, with highest prevalence in provinces of Nyiragiseke (22.78%) and Shami (18.99%). The geographical distribution of STH was variably dominated by A. lumbricoides. The co-infection exhibited geographical variation consistent with the A. lumbricoides prevalence.
Conclusion: The un-proportional distribution of and higher prevalence of P. falciparum in the provinces of Nyiragiseke (22.78%) and Shami (18.99%) calls for the review of the control methods, strategies and mechanisms to address the unique conditions and activities in each province. The variably dominant A. lumbricoides- Plasmodium co-infection calls for targeted control strategies and mechanisms for these parasites since this association has been attributed to severe malaria.
Patterns and Determinants of Utilization of Antenatal Care Services in Tanta, Egypt
Authors: Hamza Eman Abdulhamid , Saied Shimaa M. , Ataallah Asmaa Abd Elrheem , Atlam Samir Abdelmageed 
Published: May 2022

Background: Antenatal care (ANC) is the health care given to pregnant women, to monitor the pregnancy and reduce the risks for the mother and baby during pregnancy and at delivery. To be most effective, it is recommended that all pregnant women should have at least four antenatal checkups during pregnancy, started as early as possible in the first trimester.
Aim: The study aimed to determine the utilization pattern of antenatal care facilities and to identify the determinants of utilization of the antenatal care services in family health centers in Tanta District.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 women attending four family health care facilities in Tanta city. The tools of the study were a predesigned, pretested structured questionnaire that inquire about socio-demographic data, obstetric history, medical history, the content of antenatal care program and utilization pattern, the attitude of the studied pregnant women towards ANC. Informed consent was obtained from each participant and data confidentiality was guaranteed. The data were collected through interviewing the selected women.
Results: More than half of participants (51.3%) started the first visit of ANC in their first trimester. Most of them (62.3%) received adequate ANC. Mothers in rural areas utilized ANC more than urban ones. The age of pregnant women was significantly lower among those who received adequate ANC than those with inadequate ANC. A higher percentage of adequate ANC recipients were more educated however the difference was not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant difference between adequacy of ANC and family income. Gravidity, parity, and children’s numbers did not significantly differ according to the adequacy of ANC.
Conclusion: Age of the women, residence, obstetric complication, the way to the health facility transportation cost, transportation comfortability, the number of work hours of health care providers were the significant predictors for the determination of utilization pattern of ANC services by the studied pregnant women.
Effective Inhibition of H5N1 Influenza Virus Infectivity using Safe and Calculated Low Power Generated from Life Restoration device under Different Conditions
Authors: Madboly Waleed Ezzat , Abu-Dief Ahmed M. 
Published: May 2022

Objectives: The use of the antiviral drugs and vaccination against pathogenic viruses induce some disorders and death cases. Therefore, it is urgent to develop an alternative therapy to protect and reduce the virus side effects. Here, in this report we designated a novel device termed as Life Restoration Device (LRD) for viral infectivity reduction.
Methodology: Here in this study, we studied the efficacy of the LRD in the treatment of influenza A virus subtype (H5N1) under different conditions using plaque assay analysis.
Results: This report showed that, the infectively inhibition of the H5N1 virus was 90%, 100% and 90% for 30 min, 60 min and 90 min respectively after exposure to LRD equipped with copper rod and cell culture medium. While the copper-coated nickle rod of LRD induces the infectivity inhibition percentage into 95%, 95% and 100% after 30 min, 60 min and 90 min respectively when exposure to LRD and cell culture medium. The nucleic acids analysis using real time PCR for viral solution before and after treatment confirmed the data provided by the plaque assays test. This data confirms the effective inhibition of H5N1 infectivity using specific electric stimulations even under different conditions. Furthermore, the effective treatment of pathogenic viruses such as H5N1 with electric stimulation generated by LRD is effective and safe therapy but needs further future investigations.
Correlation of Serum Thiamine with Physical and Biochemical Parameters among Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Bilal Sana , Raza Lubna , Khan Muhammad Sajid , Adil Raheela , Bari Ambreen , Anwar Adnan , Siddiqui Ahsan Ali 
Published: May 2022

Objective: Thiamine or vitamin B1 is a fundamental vitamins and minerals and enzyme cofactor that are needed for most of the anabolic and catabolic reaction that occurs in organisms. Deficiency of Thiamine has been associated with numerous complications in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Therefore, this study was intended to assess various biochemical and anthropometric parameters with serum thiamine levels in patients with type I and type II diabetes.
Methodology: This was a case-control study carried out in outpatient department (OPD) of Diabetes Department of Jinnah post graduate medical institute, Karachi by using non-probability convenient sampling technique. This study comprised of 6 months duration after approval of synopsis. A total of 60 participants with type I and II diabetes mellitus of both genders with age < 25 to > 46 years were selected; 30 participants with type I diabetes whereas 30 participants had type II diabetes. The Pearson’s correlation test was used to interpret correlation between thiamine levels and height, weight, heart rate, temperature, Total cholesterol, Triglycerides, creatinine, urea in type I and II diabetic patients.
Results: The results showed that among type I diabetics, none of the patient characteristics studied were significantly correlated with the thiamine levels of these patients. On the other hand, among type II diabetics, significantly negative correlation was observed between height and thiamine level (p=0.045) where patients with greater height had lower thiamine level and vice versa. Moreover, both heart rate and total cholesterol were marginally insignificantly correlated with thiamine level (p=0.065 and p=0.069), respectively.
Conclusion: This study concluded that all anthropometric and biochemical parameters were insignificantly correlated with thiamine levels in type I and II diabetes patients. However, height had significant negative correlation with the thiamine level among type II diabetics reflecting patients with more height had lower thiamine level.
Metamaterial Absorbers: From Tunable Surface to Structural Transformation
Authors: Li Weiwei , Xu Manzhang , Xu He‐Xiu , Wang Xuewen , Huang Wei 
Published: May 2022

AbstractSince the first demonstration, remarkable progress has been made in the theoretical analysis, structural design, numerical simulation, and potential applications of metamaterial absorbers (MAs). With the continuous advancement of novel materials and creative designs, the absorption of MAs is significantly improved over a wide frequency spectrum from microwaves to the optical regime. Further, the integration of active elements into the MA design allows the dynamical manipulation of electromagnetic waves, opening a new platform to push breakthroughs in metadevices. In the last several years, numerous efforts have been devoted to exploring innovative approaches for incorporating tunability to MAs, which is highly desirable because of the progressively increasing demand on designing versatile metadevices. Here, a comprehensive and systematical overview of active MAs with adaptive and on‐demand manner is presented, highlighting innovative materials and unique strategies to precisely control the electromagnetic response. In addition to the mainstream method by manipulating periodic patterns, two additional approaches, including tailoring dielectric spacer and transforming overall structure are called back. Following this, key parameters, such as operating frequency, relative tuning range, and switching speed are summarized and compared to guide for optimum design. Finally, potential opportunities in the development of active MAs are discussed.
Recent Advances in Mucoadhesive Interface Materials, Mucoadhesion Characterization, and Technologies
Authors: Bayer Ilker S. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractMucoadhesion is an extremely important field of adhesion science and the comprehensive understanding and modulation of mucoadhesion can lead to lifesaving materials and technologies. For instance, deadly cases of COVID‐19 (SARS‐CoV‐2) cytokine storm are associated with viral adhesion and overproduction of mucus, which obstructs the airways. Mucin is the key polymeric compound that is known as a family of high molecular weight, heavily glycosylated proteins in epithelial tissues. Mucoadhesion can occur in many different ways such as receptor specific and charge interactions, covalent or noncovalent bonds. New mucin‐mimic polymers that replicate its beneficial traits can prevent biofilm formation and biofouling not only in biotechnology but also in membrane technologies. This review addresses the latest understandings related to mucin's role in wet adhesion considering different physiological conditions and shows how this translates into interfacial polymer adhesion. Advances in mucoadhesion measurement techniques including the rheological aspects of polymer–mucin adhesive interactions are presented. Specific mucoadhesive systems are discussed such as hydrogel mucoadhesion, catechol/dopamine functionalization, and polymeric nanoparticles. This overview may expand the current understanding of mucoadhesion between soft materials but also contributes to elastocapillary phenomena in soft materials design and applications such as new membranes, drugs, pharmaceutical devices, and lubricated surfaces.
CRISPR/Cas9 Screens Reveal that Hexokinase 2 Enhances Cancer Stemness and Tumorigenicity by Activating the ACSL4‐Fatty Acid β‐Oxidation Pathway
Authors: Li Hongquan , Song Junjiao , He Yifei , Liu Yizhe , Liu Zhen , Sun Weili , Hu Weiguo , Lei Qun‐Ying , Hu Xin , Chen Zhiao , He Xianghuo 
Published: May 2022

AbstractMetabolic reprogramming is often observed in carcinogenesis, but little is known about the aberrant metabolic genes involved in the tumorigenicity and maintenance of stemness in cancer cells. Sixty‐seven oncogenic metabolism‐related genes in liver cancer by in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 screening are identified. Among them, acetyl‐CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), aldolase fructose‐bisphosphate A (ALDOA), fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5), and hexokinase 2 (HK2) are strongly associated with stem cell properties. HK2 further facilitates the maintenance and self‐renewal of liver cancer stem cells. Moreover, HK2 enhances the accumulation of acetyl‐CoA and epigenetically activates the transcription of acyl‐CoA synthetase long‐chain family member 4 (ACSL4), leading to an increase in fatty acid β‐oxidation activity. Blocking HK2 or ACSL4 effectively inhibits liver cancer growth, and GalNac‐siHK2 administration specifically targets the growth of orthotopic tumor xenografts. These results suggest a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver cancer.
Microbiota in Tumors: From Understanding to Application
Authors: Xie Yifan , Xie Feng , Zhou Xiaoxue , Zhang Lei , Yang Bing , Huang Jun , Wang Fangwei , Yan Haiyan , Zeng Linghui , Zhang Long , Zhou Fangfang 
Published: May 2022

AbstractMicrobes with complex functions have been found to be a potential component in tumor microenvironments. Due to their low biomass and other obstacles, intratumor microbiota is poorly understood. Mucosal sites and normal adjacent tissues are important sources of intratumor microbiota, while hematogenous spread also leads to the invasion of microbes. Intratumor microbiota affects the progression of tumors through several mechanisms, such as DNA damage, activation of oncogenic pathways, induction of immunosuppression, and metabolization of drugs. Notably, in different types of tumors, the composition and abundance of intratumor microbiota are highly heterogeneous and may play different roles in the progression of tumors. Because of the concern in this field, several techniques such as omics and immunological methods have been used to study intratumor microbiota. Here, recent progress in this field is reviewed, including the potential sources of intratumor microbiota, their functions and related mechanisms, and their heterogeneity. Techniques that can be used to study intratumor microbiota are also discussed. Moreover, research is summarized into the development of strategies that can be used in antitumor treatment and prospects for possible future research in this field.
Autologous Skin Fibroblast‐Based PLGA Nanoparticles for Treating Multiorgan Fibrosis
Authors: Long Qiang , Liu Zehua , Shao Qianwen , Shi Hongpeng , Huang Shixing , Jiang Chenyu , Qian Bei , Zhong Yiming , He Xiaojun , Xiang Xiaogang , Yang Yang , Li Bing , Yan Xiaoxiang , Zhao Qiang , Wei Xiaoli , Santos Hélder A. , Ye Xiaofeng 
Published: May 2022

AbstractFibrotic diseases remain a substantial health burden with few therapeutic approaches. A hallmark of fibrosis is the aberrant activation and accumulation of myofibroblasts, which is caused by excessive profibrotic cytokines. Conventional anticytokine therapies fail to undergo clinical trials, as simply blocking a single or several antifibrotic cytokines cannot abrogate the profibrotic microenvironment. Here, biomimetic nanoparticles based on autologous skin fibroblasts are customized as decoys to neutralize multiple fibroblast‐targeted cytokines. By fusing the skin fibroblast membrane onto poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid cores, these nanoparticles, termed fibroblast membrane‐camouflaged nanoparticles (FNPs), are shown to effectively scavenge various profibrotic cytokines, including transforming growth factor‐β, interleukin (IL)‐11, IL‐13, and IL‐17, thereby modulating the profibrotic microenvironment. FNPs are sequentially prepared into multiple formulations for different administration routines. As a proof‐of‐concept, in three independent animal models with various organ fibrosis (lung fibrosis, liver fibrosis, and heart fibrosis), FNPs effectively reduce the accumulation of myofibroblasts, and the formation of fibrotic tissue, concomitantly restoring organ function and indicating that FNPs are a potential broad‐spectrum therapy for fibrosis management.
Bioactive Fish Scale Scaffolds with MSCs‐Loading for Skin Flap Regeneration
Authors: Lin Xiang , Kong Bin , Zhu Yujuan , Zhao Yuanjin 
Published: May 2022

AbstractSkin flap transplantations are common methods for covering and repairing tissue defects in surgery, while the survival rates of these skin flaps are still low due to the vascular crisis and necrosis. To improve this situation, herein a novel biohybrid scaffold is proposed by integrating the advantages of anisotropic fish scales and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for skin flap regeneration. The fish scale scaffold is obtained through its decellularization and decalcification processes, which reserved intact collagen, glycosaminoglycan, and other endogenous growth factors for MSCs and human vascular endothelial cells proliferation. As the scaffold maintains intrinsic anisotropic structures on both surfaces, the proliferative cells can be elongated along the aligned structures on the fish scale, which endow them the capacity to differentiate into multiple directions. Based on these features, it is demonstrated from an in vivo experiment that the MSCs‐loading fish scale scaffolds can effectively convert the activated inflammatory macrophages into anti‐inflammatory properties, reduce the inflammation around the flap, and improve the survival rate. These results indicate that the MSCs‐loading fish scale scaffold is suitable and has the potential for skin flap regeneration and functional recovery.
The newly built Ribb Reservoir fisheries, Tana Sub‐basin, Ethiopia: New fishery establishment, diversity, production, challenges and management
Authors: Mequanent Dagnew , Mingist Minwyelet , Getahun Abebe , Anteneh Wassie , Hailu Benyam 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn the future, agriculture alone may not produce the food needed to feed the increasing world population. Hence, it can be augmented by developing irrigation and water resources, mainly fisheries resources. In Ethiopia, especially in the Tana Sub‐basin, the expanded irrigation practices by building dams and weirs along the tributaries of Lake Tana did not consider fisheries nor the development and management. The aim of this research was, therefore, to promote fisheries and integrate them into the irrigation systems of the Ribb Reservoir in Ethiopia. During the sampling time (from September 2020 to August 2021), primary and secondary data collection and discussions with experts and fishers were conducted. Although the dam prevented the upstream spawning migration of the Labeobarbus species, the reservoir created a new fisheries development. Water quality parameters, such as temperature (23.82 ± 1.38°C), pH (6.36 ± 0.64) and dissolved oxygen (8.84 ± 3.54 mgl‐1), were within the acceptable range for fish. Of the 11 identified fish species, L. nedgia and L. surkis were the most and the least common species, respectively. Riverine and cut spawner species were the sources of the population. However, Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) was restocked in 2017 to increase the livelihoods of fishers. The Fulton condition factor, K values of L. nedgia (1.63 ± 0.25), L. intermedius (1.70 ± 0.27), C. gariepinus (0.61 ± 0.13) and O. niloticus (1.65 ± 0.29), and their ‘b’ values were <3. The newly established fishery in the reservoir is the source of income for fishers, and its annual production has been shown to increase from 148.5 to 1034.1 tons/year, indicating fish are adapting to the reservoir. However, the fishery has faced many challenges, such as illegal fishing, fisher engagement, and fishing gears. Limiting the number of fishers, restrictions on fishing gears and seasonality of fishing are some of the mitigations.
The Intrinsic Role of the Fusion Mode and Electron‐Deficient Core in Fused‐Ring Electron Acceptors for Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Guo Yuan , Han Guangchao , Yi Yuanping 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe A‐DA′D‐A fused‐ring electron acceptors with an angular fusion mode and electron‐deficient core has significantly boosted organic photovoltaic efficiency. Here, the intrinsic role of the peculiar structure is revealed by comparing representative A‐DA′D‐A acceptor Y6 with its A‐D‐A counterparts having different fusion modes. Owing to the more delocalized HOMO and deeper LUMO level, Y6 exhibits stronger and red‐shifted absorption relative to the linear and angular fused A‐D‐A acceptors, respectively. Moreover, the change from linear to angular fusion substantially reduces the electron‐vibration couplings, which is responsible for the faster exciton diffusion, exciton dissociation, and electron transport for Y6 than the linear fused A‐D‐A acceptor. Notably, the electron‐vibration coupling for exciton dissociation is further decreased by introducing the electron‐deficient core, thus contributing to the efficient charge generation under low driving forces in the Y6‐based devices.
Site‐Selective Functionalization of Sila‐Adamantane and Its Ensuing Optical Effects
Authors: Siu Timothy C. , Imex Aguirre Cardenas M. , Seo Jacob , Boctor Kirllos , Shimono Miku G. , Tran Isabelle T. , Carta Veronica , Su Timothy A. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe first syntheses of functionalized sila‐adamantanes via site‐selective reactions are described. Mechanistic inquiry into the isomerization of sila‐adamantane revealed new approaches for installing halides at the 2‐position of the cluster. Meanwhile, isomerization via Lewis acid catalysts with non‐nucleophilic counteranions provided access to sila‐adamantane on the gram‐scale, enabling us to discover strategies for substituting its 1‐, 3‐, 5‐, and 7‐positions with identical or distinct functional groups. Optical absorbance and density functional theory studies show that σ‐withdrawing substituents at the 1‐position strongly perturb optical absorbance in sila‐adamantane, whereas substituents at the exocyclic and 2‐position are optically inert. As silicon diamondoids are atomically precise models for silicon nanocrystals, our findings suggest that passivation at tertiary surface sites carries an outsized impact on the optical properties of surface‐functionalized Si nanocrystals.
Resilin is needed for wing posture in Drosophila suzukii
Authors: Lerch Steven , Yang Yang , Flaven‐Pouchon Justin , Gehring Nicole , Moussian Bernard 
Published: May 2022

AbstractResilin is a protein matrix in movable regions of the cuticle conferring resistance to fatigue. The main component of Resilin is Pro‐Rresilin that polymerises via covalent di‐ and tri‐tyrosine bounds (DT). Loss of Pro‐Resilin is nonlethal and causes a held‐down wing phenotype (hdw) in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. To test whether this mild phenotype is recurrent in other insect species, we analysed resilin in the spotted‐wing fruit fly Drosophila suzukii. As quantified by DT autofluorescence by microscopy, DT intensities in the trochanter and the wing hinge are higher in D. suzukii than in D. melanogaster, while in the proboscis the DT signal is stronger in D. melanogaster compared to D. suzukii. To study the function of Pro‐Resilin in D. suzukii, we generated a mutation in the proresilin gene applying the Crispr/Cas9 technique. D. suzukii pro‐resilin mutant flies are flight‐less and show a hdw phenotype resembling respective D. melanogaster mutants. DT signal intensity at the wing hinge is reduced but not eliminated in D. suzukii hdw flies. Either residual Pro‐Resilin accounts for the remaining DT signal or, as proposed for the hdw phenotype in D. melanogaster, other DT forming proteins might be present in Resilin matrices. Interestingly, DT signal intensity reduction rates in D. suzukii and D. melanogaster are somehow different. Taken together, in general, the function of Pro‐Resilin seems to be conserved in the Drosophila genus; small differences in DT quantity, however, allow us to hypothesise that Resilin matrices might be modulated during evolution probably to accommodate the species‐specific lifestyle.