bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nationwide molecular surveillance of three Plasmodium species harboured by symptomatic malaria patients living in Ghana
Authors: Amoah Linda E. , Asare Kwame K. , Dickson Donu , Anang Sherik-fa , Busayo Abena , Bredu Dorcas , Asumah George , Peprah Nana , Asamoah Alexander , Abuaku Benjamin , Malm Keziah L. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Clinical presentations of malaria in Ghana are primarily caused by infections containing microscopic densities of Plasmodium falciparum, with a minor contribution from Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale. However, infections containing submicroscopic parasite densities can result in clinical disease. In this study, we used PCR to determine the prevalence of three human malaria parasite species harboured by suspected malaria patients attending healthcare facilities across the country.

Methods
Archived dried blood spots on filter paper that had been prepared from whole blood collected from 5260 patients with suspected malaria attending healthcare facilities across the country in 2018 were used as experimental material. Plasmodium species-specific PCR was performed on DNA extracted from the dried blood spots. Demographic data and microscopy data for the subset of samples tested were available from the original study on these specimens.

Results
The overall frequency of P. falciparum, P. malariae and P. ovale detected by PCR was 74.9, 1.4 and 0.9%, respectively. Of the suspected symptomatic P. falciparum malaria cases, 33.5% contained submicroscopic densities of parasites. For all regions, molecular diagnosis of P. falciparum, P. malariae and P. ovale was significantly higher than diagnosis using microscopy: up to 98.7% (75/76) of P. malariae and 97.8% (45/46) of P. ovale infections detected by PCR were missed by microscopy.

Conclusion
Plasmodium malariae and P. ovale contributed to clinical malaria infections, with children aged between 5 and 15 years harbouring a higher frequency of P. falciparum and P. ovale, whilst P. malariae was more predominant in individuals aged between 10 and 20 years. More sensitive point-of-care tools are needed to detect the presence of low-density (submicroscopic) Plasmodium infections, which may be responsible for symptomatic infections.

Graphical Abstract
LncRNA ZFAS1 regulates the proliferation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and inflammation of high glucose-induced human mesangial cells via the miR-588/ROCK1 axis
Authors: Geng Zhuang , Dong Bingzi , Lv Wenshan , Wang Zhongchao , Wang Xiang , Huang YaJing , Wang Yangang , Xu Lili 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a critical and the most common microvascular complication and its pathogenesis is still faintly understood. Thus, this study was performed to examine the long non-coding RNA ZNFX1 Antisense Gene Protein 1 (lncRNA ZFAS1) biological function and mechanism of regulation in DN.

Method
Human glomerular mesangial cells (HGMC) were induced with high glucose (HG, 25 mM) to establish HG-induced cell viability, pro-inflammation observed in DN. After, target miRNA and mRNA were predicted through Lncbase and Targetscan. Subsequently, the expression of ZFAS1, miR-588, and ROCK1 in DN clinical samples and cell-model was examined through qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. We upheld the targeted interaction between miR-588 and ZFAS1 or ROCK1 through a dual-luciferase reporter assay. The proliferation of the cell was also examined through CCK-8 assay, while the level of HG-induced oxidative stress was established by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and also the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the cell. Lastly, the level of accumulated extracellular matrix (ECM) protein-fibronectin and collagen type IV, and inflammatory cytokines produced by the cell was analyzed through western blot analysis and ELISA.

Results
ZFAS1 was significantly upregulated in the DN blood samples and HG-induced HGMC. Prediction result revealed that the ZFAS1 endogenously targets the miR-588 seed sequence while miR-588 plays a role in post-transcriptional regulation of ROCK1 mRNA. Moreover, we found that miR-588 expression was significantly downregulated in DN blood samples and negatively correlates with ZFAS1 expression. Further results show that silencing ZFAS1 had a protective effect on HG-induced proliferation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and inflammation in HGMC while miR-588 inhibition and ROCK1 overexpression reversed this effect.

Conclusions
Altogether, our data suggest that ZFAS1 regulates the proliferation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and inflammation of high glucose-induced diabetic nephropathy through the miR-588/ROCK1 axis.
Ultrasound-guided single thoracic paravertebral nerve block and erector spinae plane block for perioperative analgesia in thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Jian-wen , Feng Xiao-yue , Yang Jing , Wang Zhi-hao , Wang Zhe , Bai Li-ping 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Objective
To explore the effect of a single preoperative ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) and erector spinae plane block (ESPB) for perioperative analgesia in thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy.

Methods
Seventy-two patients aged 40–70 years who underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy under general anesthesia were enrolled and randomly divided into the control group (Group C), the TPVB group (Group T) and the ESPB group (Group E). The primary observation indicators included the visual analogue scale (VAS) at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively at rest and with a cough. The secondary observation indicators included the intraoperative sufentanil consumption, anesthesia awakening time and extubation time, the sufentanil consumption in the analgesic pump, and flurbiprofen ester consumption for remedial analgesia within 48 h after surgery and the incidence of postoperative adverse events.

Results
The intraoperative sufentanil consumption, anesthesia awakening time, and extubation time were lower in groups T and E than those in group C (p < 0.05). Patients in group T had lower VAS scores at rest and with a cough at 1, 6, and 12 h postoperatively than in group C at the same time points (p < 0.05). The VAS scores at rest at 1 and 6 h postoperatively and coughing status at 1, 6, and 12 h postoperatively were lower in group E than in group C at the same time points (p < 0.05).

Conclusion
The ultrasound-guided preoperative single TPVB and ESPB for thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy could both reduce the postoperative pain VAS score and reduce the dose of perioperative sufentanil and postoperative remedial analgesics.
Cell-based therapy in thin endometrium and Asherman syndrome
Authors: Gharibeh Nastaran , Aghebati-Maleki Leili , Madani Javad , Pourakbari Ramin , Yousefi Mehdi , Ahmadian Heris Javad 
Published: January 2022

AbstractNumerous treatment strategies have so far been proposed for treating refractory thin endometrium either without or with the Asherman syndrome. Inconsistency in the improvement of endometrial thickness is a common limitation of such therapies including tamoxifen citrate as an ovulation induction agent, acupuncture, long-term pentoxifylline and tocopherol or tocopherol only, low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin during endometrial preparation, aspirin, luteal gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist supplementation, and extended estrogen therapy. Recently, cell therapy has been proposed as an ideal alternative for endometrium regeneration, including the employment of stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, and growth factors as therapeutic agents. The mechanisms of action of cell therapy include the cytokine induction, growth factor production, natural killer cell activity reduction, Th17 and Th1 decrease, and Treg cell and Th2 increase. Since cell therapy is personalized, dynamic, interactive, and specific and could be an effective strategy. Despite its promising nature, further research is required for improving the procedure and the safety of this strategy. These methods and their results are discussed in this article.
The effect of community water fluoridation cessation on children's dental health: a national experience
Authors: Tobias Guy , Mordechai Findler , Tali Chackartchi , Yaron Bernstein , Beatrice Greenberg Parizer , Jonathan Mann , Harold Sgan-Cohen 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundCommunity water fluoride (CWF) is the proven cornerstone of primary dental health care promotion. In 2002 CWF was made mandatory at a national level in Israel, however a new government revoked these regulations in August 2014. "Maccabi" is the second largest national health care provider with 2.3 million members, "Maccabi-Dent", its dental branch, has 53 clinics, employing 1100 dentists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cumulative effect on treatment rates 6 years after CWF was terminated in Israel, based on the number of dental treatments provided to children aged 3–12 years in “Maccabi-Dent” clinics.MethodsFor this retrospective study, computerized dental treatment codes were collected. The “rate of treatment” was calculated by dividing the number of restorative treatments or extractions, by the number of individuals receiving treatment. The population size and the age group visiting the specific clinic were also considered.ResultsThe independent variables were fluoride concentration in drinking water, age and socioeconomic position (SEP). There was a significant increase in restorative dental treatments after 2014, (R2 = 0.0402), with approximately twice the number of treatments required in the absence of CWF. Age had a significant association (β =  − 0.389,p < 0.001) as did SEP (β = 0.086,p = 0.019).ConclusionAfter CWF cessation in Israel, rates of dental treatments significantly increased.Practical implicationBy examining accepted notions with up-to-date information, new confirmatory evidence helps decision makers understand the importance of adding fluoride to drinking water.
Euler equations for isentropic gas dynamics with general pressure law
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad , Din Anwarud , Yusuf Abdullahi , Lv Yu-Pei , Jahanshahi Hadi , Aly Ayman A. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn this work, we explore the limiting behavior of Riemann solutions to the Euler equations in isentropic gas dynamics with general pressure law. We demonstrate that in the distributional sense the delta wave of zero-pressure gas dynamics is formed by a limit solution. Finally, to present the concentration phenomena, we also offer some numerical outcomes.
Security scheduling and transaction mechanism of virtual power plants based on dual blockchains
Authors: Zhang Xiaohong , Song Zilong , Moshayedi Ata Jahangir ,   IEEE Member
Published: January 2022

AbstractAiming at the data authenticity and storage problems in the current coordinated scheduling of virtual power plants, as well as the opaque information and high transaction costs, a dual blockchains security mechanism is proposed to solve above problems. In the process of security scheduling, a hybrid attribute proxy re-encryption algorithm based on ciphertext strategy is designed. The algorithm is composed of an identity encryption algorithm and an attribute proxy re-encryption algorithm with ciphertext strategy. Combining blockchain, tamper-proof smart metering equipment can effectively solve data authenticity and confidentiality in the information transmission process of distributed energy. In the research process of the trading mechanism, a continuous double auction mechanism based on reputation is proposed. In order to create a favorable trading atmosphere, reputation-based market segmentation mechanisms are integrated, and participants are divided according to reputation value. Depending on the properties of the stored information, they are divided into the private blockchain (with coordination scheduling information) and the consortium blockchain (with transaction information). The system analysis shows the reliability of the dual blockchains architecture. The communication and calculation costs of the proxy re-encryption algorithm verify the practicability of the proposed scheme. The case analysis of the auction mechanism declares that the mechanism can operate effective in the electricity trading market.
World NTD Day 2022 and a new Kigali Declaration to galvanise commitment to end neglected tropical diseases
Authors: Elphick-Pooley Thoko , Engels Dirk ,   Uniting to Combat NTDs
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe World Health Organization’s first roadmap and the London Declaration on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have allowed an unprecedented expansion of interventions to control and eliminate this group of infectious diseases that primarily affects vulnerable or marginalised communities. The 2021–2030 NTD roadmap sustains a further acceleration of interventions but also introduces a broader and more ambitious agenda, calling to be accompanied by a new political declaration. Sponsored by the Government of Rwanda, the Kigali Declaration on neglected tropical diseases will be launched in 2022 to renew and reinvigorate commitments to end NTDs, also in the wake of the current setback caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting on World NTD Day 2022, a global campaign “100% Committed” will call on a broad range of stakeholders to sign the declaration and make bold financial and political commitments towards achieving the 2030 roadmap and Sustainable Development Goals’ targets for NTDs.
A case of breast squamous cell carcinoma following breast augmentation with liquid silicone injection after 16 years
Authors: Toyonaka Ryosuke , Ozeki Jun , Koyama Yumi , Takahashi Saaya , Tang Xiaoyan , Kobayashi Hiroko , Amano Maki , Tada Keiichiro , Miki Toshio , Tani Mayumi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundBreast augmentation has been linked to various complications, including cancerous tumors. The majority type of breast cancer associated with breast augmentation is adenocarcinoma. Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is extremely rare in both augmented and non-augmented women. Due to the low incidence, the possible origin and the mechanism of carcinogenesis of the breast SCC are not well understood. Here, we report a rare case of pure SCC 16 years after breast augmentation with liquid silicone injection.Case presentationA 51-year-old Japanese woman was suffered from prolonged breast fluid retention in her left breast. Multiple unknown foreign bodies caused difficulties to investigate the inflammatory focus with ultrasonography. After unsuccessful surgical drainage and antibiotics treatments, the long-standing fluid retention was surgically removed and pathologically investigated. SCC was found in the removed tissue, and the patient underwent a total left mastectomy followed by postoperative chemotherapy. Pathological analysis revealed multiple cystic structures with a hard shell which enclosed high viscous liquid. A qualitative analysis using a Fourier transform infrared spectroscope defined the liquid as pure silicon, which possibly caused the squamous cell carcinogenesis.ConclusionsAlthough liquid silicone injection is not a current option for breast augmentation, the injected silicone could result in cancerous tumor generation after years. This case revealed that unphysiological substances could lead to unexpected biological reactions, which caused difficulties in diagnosis with our routine examination. It will be required that accumulate information from more cases and develop novel diagnostic equipment and biomarkers to address these artificial substance-derived tumors.
Farm characteristics affecting antibiotic consumption in pig farms in England
Authors: Matheson S. M. , Edwards S. A. , Kyriazakis I. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Pig production has been highlighted as one of the highest users of antibiotics amongst livestock, with several studies suggesting a variety of approaches to antibiotic reduction. We aimed to investigate links between antibiotic use (defined as total amount of critically (CIA) and non-critically important antibiotics, and as mg per kg of pig on farm), production stages present on farm (Breeder–Finisher, Nursery–Finisher, and Finisher), and pig farm characteristics using farm data collected through national recording systems in Great Britain for 2017 & 2018. Providing enrichment within pig pens may reduce the need for antibiotics by enhancing both pig welfare and resilience to infection; this was one of the hypotheses addressed by this paper.

Results
The amount of antibiotic used, expressed as mg/kg, reduced between 2017 and 2018 for Breeder–Finisher farms, but not for Nursery–Finisher or Finisher farms. Breeder–Finisher farms were more likely to use CIA compared with other production stages. Larger farms were more likely to use CIA, but farm size had no effect on mg/kg of antibiotic used. As the proportion of pens containing straw increased, the total use of antibiotics decreased for Breeder–Finisher, but not for Nursery–Finisher or Finisher farms. As the proportion of pens containing straw increased, the probability of using CIAs also decreased. Farms with a higher proportion of finisher pens with an outdoor space had a lower use of non-critical antibiotics and lower probability of use of CIA. Farms with a higher proportion of pens with automatically controlled natural ventilation (ACNV) had lower total use of antibiotics, although ACNV had no effect on the probability of using CIA.

Conclusions
We quantified the influence of farm characteristics on the consumption of antibiotics in pig farms in England. Our findings support the hypothesis that farm characteristics have an influence on antibiotic use within a system and suggest that this reflects the balance of effects on both animal resilience and disease challenge. Consistent with our hypothesis, provision of straw was associated with reduced antibiotic use. We also demonstrate the value of using secondary databases, although further structural improvements are required to facilitate effective database combination and ensure maximum information benefits can be realised.
Serotonin receptors and their association with the immune system in the gastrointestinal tract of weaning piglets
Authors: Fabà Lluís , de Groot Nienke , Ramis Guillermo , Cabrera-Gómez Carolina G. , Doelman John 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Immune cell activation and perpetuation of inflammation have been attributed to the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT). Our hypothesis was that the 5-HT system plays a role in GI health and immunity in post-weaning piglets. A disruption of the 5-HT system post-weaning with transcriptional upregulation of 5-HT receptors may be linked to increased cytokine mRNA abundance and immune system activation.

Methods
The objective of this exploratory study was to assess the relationship between 5-HT receptor expression and immune system biomarkers in piglets at 1 (n = 9) and 15 (n = 10) days post-weaning. The mRNA transcript abundance of three 5-HT receptors (5-HTR3, 5-HTR4, and 5-HTR7) measured in jejunum and colon tissues were used to determine the relationship with the immune system and jejunal morphometry at 2 timepoints post-weaning using correlations, mixed models, and multivariate analysis techniques.

Results
Overall, 5-HT receptor mRNA expression decreased from day 1 to day 15 post-weaning. Time × tissue interactions showed the lowest 5-HTR3 expression in the colon and lower 5-HTR7 expression in the jejunum at 15 days post-weaning. 5-HTR3 and 5-HTR4 expression were negatively associated with pro-inflammatory (IFN-ɣ) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-12β) cytokines in jejunum, and with TNF-α in the colon at 1-day post-weaning. At 15 days post-weaning, 5-HTR3 in the colon was negatively associated with pro-inflammatory (IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8, and IFN-ɣ) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-12β) cytokines. Furthermore, 5-HTR7 expressed a predominantly pro-inflammatory profile (IFN-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α and IL-12α) in the jejunum at the same timepoint, whereas colonic 5-HTR7 expression was negatively correlated with IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-10 and TGF-β. Lastly, positive correlations were found for increased expression of 5-HTR4 receptor with villus height, 5-HTR7 receptor expression and crypt depth, and increased expression of 5-HTR3 and 5-HTR4 receptor with villus height to crypt depth ratio at 1-day post-weaning.

Conclusions
The 5-HT receptor mRNA abundance was associated with the immune system and intestinal morphometry in piglets. The 5-HT receptors were highly expressed at weaning in both jejunum and colon tissues relative to 15 days post-weaning. Although a clear relationship between immune system and 5-HTR expression is observed, particularly at day 15, a cause-consequence cannot be proven with current data. Further research is warranted to elucidate the effects of 5-HT on gastrointestinal inflammation during the weaning process in piglets, which could be the basis for new interventions to ease weaning stress.
Fintech, regtech, and financial development: evidence from China
Authors: Muganyi Tadiwanashe , Yan Linnan , Yin Yingkai , Sun Huaping , Gong Xiangbin , Taghizadeh-Hesary Farhad 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of fintech on developments in China’s financial sector across 290 cities and 31 provinces between 2011 and 2018. Using a two-stage least squares instrumental variable regression approach and correcting for cross-sectional dependency, simultaneity, and endogeneity of regressors, the results establish a positive link between fintech and financial development. Our findings show that fintech supports financial sector development by enhancing access (loans), depth (deposits), and savings within China’s financial institutions. We also show that the emergence of fintech in the area of financial regulation (regulatory technology: regtech) can significantly improve financial development outcomes. Therefore, it is imperative for regulators to pursue policies that balance growth in the fintech sector while mitigating the associated risks. In addition, we use the difference-in-differences approach to show that policy measures such as interest rates liberalization also positively impacted financial development during the analysis period. In our conclusion, we suggest a policy framework for balanced fintech sector growth in developing countries.
Phase-field simulations of fission gas bubble growth and interconnection in U-(Pu)-Zr nuclear fuel
Authors: Aagesen Larry K. , Casagranda Albert , Matthews Christopher , Beeler Benjamin W. , Novascone Stephen 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe growth and interconnection of fission gas bubbles in the hotter central regions of U-(Pu)-Zr nuclear fuel has been simulated with a phase-field model. The Cahn-Hilliard equation was used to represent the two-phase microstructure, with a single defect species. The volume fraction of the bubble phase and surface area of the bubble-matrix interface were determined during growth and interconnection. Surface area increased rapidly during the initial stages of growth, then slowed and finally decreased as bubble interconnection began and coarsening acted to reduce surface area. The fraction of the bubbles vented to a simulation domain boundary, fV, was quantified as a measure of the microstructure’s interconnectivity and plotted as a function of porosity p. The defect species diffusivity was varied; although changes in diffusivity significantly affected the microstructure, the plots of fV vs. p did not change significantly. The percolation threshold pc was calculated to be approximately 0.26, depending on the assumed diffusivity and using an initial bubble number density based on experimental observations. This is slightly smaller than the percolation threshold for continuum percolation of overlapping 3D spheres. The simulation results were used to parameterize two different engineering-scale swelling models for U-(Pu)-Zr in the nuclear fuel performance code BISON.