bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Almost periodic solutions in distribution sense for stochastic Lasota-Wazewska red blood cell models
Authors: Meng Xiaofang , Li Zhouhong , Fei Yu 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The goal of this paper is to investigate the almost periodic solutions in distribution sense of the stochastic Lasota-Wazewska red blood cell models with mixed delays. Using the Banach fixed point theorem, we first establish the existence of almost periodic solutions in distribution sense.In the next step, we use stochastic analysis and inequality techniques to assess Lasota-Wazewska red blood cell model mean square global exponential stability. To illustrate the practicality of our results, we provide two numerical examples and simulations.
Does specialization matter for technical efficiency in beef cattle farming?
Authors: ALHAS-EROGLU NEVRA 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the impact of specialization on technical efficiency of beef cattle farms in Samsun province, Turkey. Farm-level cross-sectional data was collected from randomly selected 171 beef cattle farms. Stochastic Frontier Analysis was used to determine technical efficiency of beef farming and to identify inefficiency determinants. The model results revealed that mean technical efficiency of specialized and combined cattle farms was 0.66 and 0.55, respectively, whereas it was 0.61 on average. The sum of input elasticity was 0.52 and indicated that cattle farms operated under decreasing return to scale. The results of the study highlighted that specialization increased technical efficiency. Inefficiency model revealed that record keeping and herd size reduced the level of inefficiency whereas non-agricultural income, fodder crop area and external input rate increased. Cattle farms should be encouraged to improve farm size and keep farm record with specialization and the government should direct a large part of its support to specialized cattle farms to improve beef farming with technical efficiency.
Effects of Presenilin-1 Familial Alzheimer’s Disease Mutations on γ-Secretase Activation for Cleavage of Amyloid Precursor Protein
Authors: Do Hung Nguyen , Devkota Sujan , Bhattarai Apurba , Wolfe Michael , Miao Yinglong 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
γPresenilin-1 (PS1) is the catalytic subunit of γ-secretase, the “proteasome of the membrane” which cleaves within the membrane of 150 + peptide substrates. Dominant missense mutations in PS1 cause early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD); however, the exact pathogenic mechanism remains unknown. Here we combined Gaussian-accelerated molecular dynamics (GaMD) simulations and biochemical experiments to determine the effects of six representative PS1 FAD mutations (P117L, I143T, L166P, G384A, L435F, and L286V) on the enzyme-substrate interactions between γ-secretase and amyloid precursor protein (APP). Biochemical experiments showed that all six FAD mutations rendered γ-secretase less active for the endoproteolytic (ε) cleavage of APP. Distinct low-energy conformational states were identified from the free energy profiles of wildtype and PS1 FAD-mutant γ-secretase. The P117L and L286V FAD mutants could still sample the “Active” state for substrate cleavage, but with significantly reduced conformational space compared with the wildtype. The other mutants hardly visited the “Active” state. The PS1 FAD mutants were found to reduce γ-secretase proteolytic activity by hindering APP residue L49 from proper orientation in the active site and/or disrupting the distance between the catalytic aspartates. Therefore, our findings provide mechanistic insights into how PS1 FAD mutations affect structural dynamics and enzyme-substrate interactions of γ-secretase and APP.
Hepatic artery intervention combined with immune-targeted therapy is superior to sequential therapy in BCLC-C hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Dong Hanzhi , Jian Yan , Peng Zhiqiang , Wang Meijian , Cheng Na , Liu Fangfang , Zhang Qi , Zhang Wenfeng 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Hepatic artery intervention combined with immunotarget therapy exerts excellent disease control and prolongs survival. However, the arrangement of hepatic artery intervention and systemic therapy confuses clinical decisions.
Methods
A two-center, retrospective clinical study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. From December 2018 to February 2022, patients with BCLC-C HCC who received targeted therapy plus PD-1 inhibitors with or without hepatic artery intervention were included. According to the treatment mode, the patients were assigned to three groups: initial hepatic artery intervention combined with immunotarget therapy, immunotarget therapy sequential hepatic artery interventional therapy, and immunotarget therapy only. The survival, response, and adverse events were compared among the three groups. Subgroup analysis and univariate and multivariate prognostic analyses were also evaluated.
Results
The median follow-up time was 18.3 months (95% CI 16.7 to 20.0 months). A total of 163 patients with BCLC-C stage HCC were assigned to three groups: initial hepatic artery intervention plus PD-1 inhibitors plus targeted therapy (HPT, n = 66), PD-1 inhibitors plus targeted therapy followed by hepatic artery intervention (PTH, n = 56) and PD-1 inhibitors plus targeted therapy (PT, n = 41). The median progression-free survival was 8.37 months (95% CI 6.35–10.39) with HPT versus 5.3 months (95% CI 3.48–7.12) with PTH versus 6.33 months (95% CI 3.75–8.92) with PT. The progression-free survival of the HPT group was better than that of the PTH group (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.45–0.97, p = 0.027) and PT group (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.39–0.92, p = 0.01). The median overall survival was 14.6 months (95% CI 10.6–18.7) with HPT, 10.0 months (95% CI 8.2–11.8) with PTH and 11.3 months (95% CI 8.3–14.3) with PT. The 1-year OS rates in the HPT, PTH and PT groups were 50%, 33.9%, and 34.1%, respectively. Overall survival was significantly longer in the HTP group than in the PT group (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.361–0.996, p = 0.032). Compared with the PTH group, the overall survival of the HTP group had a prolonged survival trend (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.416–1.032, p = 0.059). All treatment modalities were deemed equally safe. Multivariate analysis suggested that the mode of treatment, albumin level, Child‒Pugh grade and hepatectomy history were independent prognostic factors for BCLC-C HCC patients.
Conclusions
Initial hepatic artery intervention combined with immunotarget therapy gained survival benefits with tolerable side effects compared with immunotarget sequential hepatic artery intervention and immunotarget therapy alone. Multivariate analysis suggested that liver reserve function was closely correlated with prognosis.
Study of relationship among milk parameters in crossbred dairy cattle.
Authors: Rai Puspa , Adhikari Niran 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the relationship among milk parameters. We included different milk constituents and lactation length as our milk parameters. The cross-sectional milk samples from 246 individual cattle were collected in a sterilized container and were analyzed by the ultra-sonic milk analyzer. The correlation coefficient (r) between SNF, Density, Protein, and Lactose is r ≥ 0.89. The temperature has the highest positive correlation with conductivity (r ≥ 0.46). Salt is negatively correlated with pH and added water r ≤ -0.31, whereas the Freezing point is positively influenced by every factor except pH & added water. Lactation length is positive and significant with the fat r ≥ 0.49 and negative with conductivity where r ≤- 0.14. Based on one of these parameters we can know about another correlated trait. It will be beneficial to understand the overall milk quality, and animal health status and also reduces the milk quality checking costs. All of these will be beneficial both to the farmer and public health.
Prognostic value of coronary computer tomography fractional flow reserve for major adverse cardiac events in suspected coronary artery disease patients with low to intermediate Framingham Risk Score
Authors: Huang Wei , Liu Xiaoqi , Liao Hongli , Cheng Panpan , Li Yumin , Zhou Hongmei , Dong Yue , Liu Yuankang , Wang Pengyun , Xu Chengqi , Xu Xiangyang 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: The purpose was to assess the prognostic value of coronary computed tomography fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) to major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in suspected CAD patients with low to intermediate Framingham Risk Score (FRS).Methods: This retrospective study included 217 suspected CAD patients (651 vessels) who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) between January 2016 and November 2019 in Li Yuan Hospital. Patients were categorized into low to intermediate risk group (FRS≤20%) and high risk group (FRS＞20%) according to FRS. Assesses the patient's total segment involvement score (SIS) and segment stenosis score (SSS) and calculates the FFR value for each vessel based on deep learning. On the patient level, CT-FFR ≤0.8 in one or more vessels was defined as positive. The primary clinical endpoint was 2 years of MACE including non-fatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, revascularization, and cardiac death. Survival analysis was performed, and the C-index and the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) were used to assess the performance of each predictive model. Results: A total of 144 suspected CAD patients (432 vessels) with low to intermediate FRS were analyzed. MACE occurred in 9.7%. Patients with the low to intermediate FRS had a significant difference in MACE rate between the CT-FFR≤0.8 group and CT-FFR＞0.8 group(log-rank, P＜0.001). On multivariate Cox proportional analysis, only CT-FFR≤0.8 was significantly associated with MACE when adjusted for compound factors. Furthermore, the model with CT-FFR had higher C-index results.Conclusion: In suspected CAD patients with low to intermediate FRS, CT-FFR had added prognosis value over CTA for MACE occurred.
Treatment initiation rates of patients with positive anti-hepatitis C virus results in tertiary hospitals in Turkey: a retrospective, cross-sectional chart review (Lost-C Study)
Authors: Çelen Mustafa Kemal , Şengel Buket Ertürk , Kaya Şafak , Demirtürk Neşe , Azap Alpay , Pullukçu Hüsnü , Eroğlu Esma , Yıldırım Figen , Barut Hüseyin Şener , Zerdali Esra , Tartar Ayşe Sağmak , Mete Ayşe Özlem , Şahin Ahmet Melih , Suntur Bedia Mutay , Sarı Nagehan Didem , Yılmaz Emel , Candevir Aslıhan , Şimşek Funda , İnan Dilara , Akhan Sıla , Günal Özgür , Ural Onur , Parlak Mehmet , Çabalak Mehmet , Nazik Selçuk , Hızel Kenan , Kınıklı Sami , Dursun Zehra Beştepe , Batırel Ayşe , Mermutluoğlu Çiğdem , Asan Ali 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: The aim of this national, multicenter, cross-sectional, retrospective chart review study was to determine the rate of patients in Turkey who received hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment after receiving positive anti-HCV results during HCV screening. Methods: Data related to patients’ demographics, laboratory results, the time interval from obtaining a positive anti-HCV result to treatment initiation, the specialty of the physician requesting anti-HCV screening, and type of hospital were collected and analyzed. Results: Among 1000 patients who received a positive anti-HCV result, 50.3% were male and 78.5% were screened for HCV-RNA. Among HCV-RNA screened patients, 54.8% (n = 430) had a positive result. Among patients testing positive for HCV-RNA, 72.8% received HCV treatment in line with their positive anti-HCV results. The median time from obtaining a positive anti-HCV result to initiation of HCV treatment was 91.0 days (interquartile range 42.0 to 178.5). Non-surgical branches requested HCV-RNA testing more frequently than surgical branches (p < 0.001). The rate of access to HCV treatment was higher in patients screened in university hospitals than in patients screened in training and research hospitals (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicate a higher rate of treatment initiation in patients with HCV infection than is described in the published literature. Furthermore, the time from screening to treatment initiation was considerably shorter compared with other international studies. However, because HCV-RNA testing was not requested in a significant portion of patients with a positive test result for anti-HCV, there might be a large patient population with HCV who do not receive treatment.
Quantifying the food insecurity needs from the price escalations among Mexican households
Authors: Nava Noé J , Wood Benjamin D.K. , Garduño-Rivera Rafael 
Published: September 2022

AbstractPrice shocks create and exacerbate poverty. Being able to promptly predict their effect, instead of waiting for households to fall into poverty, to try to assist them later, may greatly reduce the severity of the shock’s damage. However, understanding shock severity and targeting those households most likely to be disrupted requires a level of data often unavailable in the developing world. This manuscript uses the Mexican National Household Survey of Incomes and Expenditure to quantify the household income needs resulting from the recent food price spikes. We estimate a complete food demand system that accounts for the substitution effects across food items to accurately calculate the cost of a poverty alleviation policy tailored to the recent price escalation. Our findings reveal that the price of food increased such that Mexican households require an additional 9% increase in their food budgets to keep a level of welfare like that of the beginning of the year. Demographic comparisons reveal that households led by women require additional monetary aid regardless of geographic location. We find that the cost of alleviating the food insecurity needs in México caused by the recent price escalation to be $48.6 billion pesos ($2.4 billion dollars).JEL codes: C31, D12, I32, Q18
Trauma-focused Therapies for Posttraumatic Stress in Psychosis: study protocol for the RE.PROCESS randomized controlled trial
Authors: Burger Simone Rosanne , Linden Tineke van der , Hardy Amy , de Bont Paul A. J. , Vleugel Berber van der , Staring Anton B. P. , de Roos Carlijn , Zelst Catherine van , Gottlieb Jennifer D. , Mueser Kim , Minnen Agnes van , de Jongh Ad , Marcelis Machteld , Gaag Mark van der , Berg David van den 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Introduction: Many people with psychotic disorders experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In recent years, several trauma-focused therapies (TFTs), including cognitive restructuring (CR), prolonged exposure (PE), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have been studied and found to be safe and effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in individuals with psychosis. However, studies were conducted in different countries, with varying inclusion criteria, therapy duration, control groups, and trial outcomes. RE.PROCESS will be the first study to compare the impact of CR, PE and EMDR with a waiting list control condition within the same context.Methods and analysis: This is the protocol of a pragmatic, single-blind, multicentre, superiority randomized controlled trial, in which CR, PE, and EMDR are compared to a waiting list control condition for TFT (WL) in a naturalistic treatment setting. Inclusion criteria are: Age ≥ 16 years; meeting full DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), with a total CAPS score ≥ 23; and a psychotic disorder in the schizophrenia spectrum confirmed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5). Participants (N = 200) will be randomly allocated to 16 sessions of one of the TFTs or WL, in addition to receiving treatment as usual (TAU) for psychosis. The primary objective is to compare the effects of CR, PE, and EMDR to WL on researcher-rated severity of PTSD symptoms over time from baseline to 6-month follow-up. Secondary objectives are to examine these effects at the separate time-points (i.e. mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at 6-month follow-up) and to test the effects for clinician-rated presence of PTSD diagnosis, and self-rated severity of (complex) PTSD symptoms.Discussion: This is the first RCT to directly compare the effects of CR, PE and EMDR within the same context to TAU on PTSD symptoms in individuals with psychosis and PTSD. Secondary effects on clinical and functional outcomes will be investigated both directly after therapy and long-term.Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN56150327. Registered 18 June 2019, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN56150327
A-to-I edited miR-411-5p targets MET and promotes TKI response in NSCLC
Authors: Acunzo Mario , Romano Giulia , Le Patricia , Nigita Giovanni , Saviana Michela , Micalo Lavender , Lovat Francesca , Morales Daniel del Valle , Li Howard , Nana-Sinkam Patrick 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a tyrosine kinase receptor (TKR) frequently mutated in lung cancer. Despite initially favorable clinical responses of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring an EGFR mutation to treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), rapid resistance occurs mainly because of genetic alterations, including amplification of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET). RNA post-transcriptional modifications that contribute to aberrant expression of MET in cancer are under-investigated. Among them, adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing regulates RNA sequence, function, degradation, and structure. RNA editing has been observed in microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation. High throughput interrogation of the human genome allows for the identification of miRNA editing deregulation in cancer. However, the biological impact of edited miRNAs on lung cancer progression and drug resistance remains largely unknown. A reduction of A-to-I editing in position 5 of miR-411-5p has been identified in several cancers, including NSCLC. In this study, we determined that edited miR-411-5p negatively affects the ERK1/2 pathway, directly targets MET, and promotes EGFR TKI response in NSCLC.
Cold Plasma the Green Alternative for Control of Pulse Beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis L.)
Authors: Pathan Fayaj , Deshmukh Rajendra , Annapure Uday 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
In the current context of the problems created by the use of pesticides, cold plasma treatment found to be the best alternative in the protection of chickpea from pulse beetle invasion during storage up to few years. Cold plasma is proven method of food preservation which control food spoilage at very lower temperatures. The prospective potential of cold plasma treatment to control the pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis L. infestation of chickpea for the storage period of about five years after plasma treatment was studied. Chickpea cultivars Vijay and Digvijay were used. Pulse beetle un-infested plasma untreated, pulse beetle un-infested plasma-treated, pulse beetle infested plasma untreated and pulse beetle infested plasma-treated samples studied for comparative pest status after every quarter. Cold plasma treatment at 40, 50, and 60 W power each for 10, 15, 20 min. was applied. The samples were stored in an airtight zip lock pouch under laboratory conditions. Cold plasma was found most effective in controlling the pulse beetle infestation of previously un-infested plasma-treated and previously infested plasma-treated samples when compared to pulse beetle un-infested plasma untreated and pulse beetle infested plasma untreated chickpea samples. Also, the present research aims to put the step to establish the scientific base to study the stored grain pest infestation for such a long period which will be helpful to validate the results obtained during such preliminary short-term studies.
Validation of a Method for Analysis of Sulfa Drugs in Poultry and Beef Samples using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Mou Salma Akter , Islam Rafiza , Shoeb Mohammad , Nahar Nilufar 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Antibiotics residue of any drug above the allowable limit in poultry and cattle farms reduces food safety and quality. The main aim of this study was to develop and validate a sensitive and reproducible method to assess the amount of residual limit of antibiotics. Poultry meat and beef samples were analyzed for the presence of six sulfa drugs i.e., sulfathiazole (STZ), sulfadiazine (SDZ), sulfamerazine (SMZ), sulfamethazine (SMT), sulfamethoxypyridazine (SMP) and sulfadimethoxine (SMX) by LC-MS/MS coupled with ESI and QQQ mass analyzer. Identification and quantification of drugs were carried out by SCAN and MRM methods. Matrix matched calibration curves were linear with correlation coefficients (r2) 0.997, 0.998, 0.997, 0.993, 0.996 and 0.998 for six drugs, respectively. The method was validated by recovery experiments at 2 spiking levels (5 & 10 ng/mL). Extraction was done by QuEChERS method, cleaned up was carried out with C-18 powder & PSA followed by analysis using LC-MS/MS. Intra- and inter-day experiments were done with desirable accuracy and precision, and recoveries were in the range of 86-104%. Poultry meat (n=30) and beef samples (n=30) were analyzed from thirty different markets, super shops, and residues of six sulfa drugs were found below the detection limit.
Predictors of the Effectiveness of Health Education Intervention and Infant Diagnosis for Sickle Cell Disease Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania: a Quasi Experimental Study
Authors: Tutuba Hilda J. , Jonathan Agnes , Lloyd William , Masamu Upendo , Marco Emanuela , Makani Julie , Ruggajo Paschal , Kidenya Benson R. , Minja Irene K. , Balandya Emmanuel 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Background: Globally, Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic disease with high childhood mortality. Early identification of babies with SCD through newborn screening (NBS) and linking them to care are among the recommended interventions. The purpose of this study was to assess the predictors of the effectiveness of health education intervention and the uptake of infant diagnosis for sickle cell disease among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania.Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study which involved pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Buguruni health center, Mbagala hospital and Sinza hospital in Dar Es Salaam. A structured questionnaire was used in data collection. Knowledge on SCD (poor if score <7; good if score 7-10) was assessed for all participants before and after two sessions of health education, and participants in Buruguni and Mbagala were also screened for SCD using Sickle SCAN point-of-care test (BioMedomics Inc, USA). We computed “effectiveness” of health education intervention as the post-intervention minus baseline knowledge score. We used two-sample test of proportions, univariate and multivariate logistic regression to analyze the effectiveness of health education intervention and also predictors of infant diagnosis. Results: Total of 467 pregnant women completed two sessions of health education intervention and 218 were screened for SCD during antenatal visits. The proportion of participants with good knowledge on SCD had significantly increased from 12.4% at baseline to 85.9% following the education intervention. During multivariate analysis, sharing the received education on SCD was an independent predictor of the effectiveness of health education intervention. Likewise, independent predictors of the uptake of infant diagnosis for SCD included maternal occupation, maternal SCD status as well as sharing the received education on SCD.Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that maternal health education and maternal screening for SCD are feasible and effective interventions in raising awareness and improving the uptake of infant diagnosis for SCD. These interventions are strongly recommended to be included in the comprehensive care package for pregnant women attending antenatal clinics, particularly in areas with a high burden of SCD.