bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disturbance has lasting effects on functional traits and diversity of grassland plant communities
Authors: Smith Ellen A. , Holden Emily M. , Brown Charlotte , Cahill Jr James F. 
Published: March 2022

Background
Localized disturbances within grasslands alter biological properties and may shift species composition. For example, rare species in established communities may become dominant in successional communities if they exhibit traits well-suited to disturbance conditions. Although the idea that plant species exhibit different trait ‘strategies’ is well established, it is unclear how ecological selection for specific traits may change as a function of disturbance. Further, there is little data available testing whether disturbances select for single trait-characters within communities (homogenization), or allow multiple trait-types to persist (diversification). We investigated how (a) traits and (b) functional diversity of post-disturbance gap communities compared to those in adjacent undisturbed grasslands, and (c) if altered functional diversity resulted in the homogenization or diversification of functional traits.

Methods
Here we emulate the impacts of an extreme disturbance in a native grassland site. We measured plant community composition of twelve paired 50 × 50 cm plots (24 total) in Alberta, Canada. Each pair consisted of one undisturbed plot and one which had all plants terminated 2 years prior. We used species abundances and a local trait database to calculate community weighted means for maximum height, specific leaf area, specific root length, leaf nitrogen percent, and root nitrogen percent. To test the impacts of disturbance on community functional traits, we calculated functional diversity measures and compared them between disturbed and undisturbed communities.

Results
Within 2 years, species richness and evenness in disturbed communities had recovered and was equivalent to undisturbed communities. However, disturbed and undisturbed communities had distinct community compositions, resulting in lower functional divergence in disturbed plots. Further, disturbance was linked to increases in community-weighted mean trait values for resource-acquisitive traits, such as specific leaf area, and leaf and root nitrogen.

Discussion
Disturbance had lasting effects on the functional traits and diversity of communities, despite traditional biodiversity measures such as richness and evenness recovering within 2 years. The trait space of gap communities shifted compared to undisturbed communities such that gap communities were dominated by traits enhancing resource uptake and growth rates. Overall, these results show that short-term disturbance fundamentally changes the functional character of early-successional communities, even if they superficially appear recovered.
A worldwide comparison of long-distance running training in 2019 and 2020: associated effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Afonseca Leonardo A. , Watanabe Renato N. , Duarte Marcos 
Published: March 2022

Objective
The goal of the present study was to investigate possible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-distance running training.

Methods
This is a retrospective study with a within-subject design. We analyzed 10,703,690 records of running training during 2019 and 2020, from 36,412 athletes from around the world. The records were obtained through web scraping of a large social network for athletes on the internet. A potential long-distance runner was defined as a user of the social network who had a record of running at least one of the six World Marathon Majors by 2019.

Results
In 2020, compared with 2019, in total there was a 3.6% decrease in the number of athletes running, a 7.5% decrease in the distance and 6.7% in the duration of running training. There were large variations in these variables throughout 2020, reaching 16% fewer athletes running weekly and 35% lower running distance (Cohen’s d = 0.34, p < 0.001) and 33% lower running duration (Cohen’s d = 0.30, p < 0.001) in September 2020. The beginning of the decrease in running training in the first quarter of 2020 coincides with the beginning of the adoption of measures to restrict the COVID-19 pandemic; but as of the second quarter of 2020, running training appears to have undergone variations unrelated to the preventive measures. Among the ten most represented countries in the dataset, running training in Brazil appears to have been the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and restriction measures.

Conclusion
The wide variations in long-distance running training throughout 2020 are likely related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As for the total volume, the observed decreases of up to 7.5% in the outcome variables related to running training in 2020 could also be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, but other factors such as injury, illness or lack of interest, may also have contributed to these decreases.
Knowledge of Folic Acid Supplementation among Pregnant Women at a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Nigeria
Authors: Ozueh Chioma O. , Alegbeleye Justina O. 
Published: March 2022

Background: Folic acid is an essential water-soluble vitamin that cannot be synthesized in the human body and so its major source is from diet. It plays an important role in embryonic development. Folic acid deficiency in pregnant women results in megaloblastic anaemia, increased risk of preterm delivery and neural tube defects. The assessment of its knowledge is essential in preventing neural tube defects.
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness and knowledge of folic acid as a preventive measure for neural tube defects, and their determinants amongst pregnant women at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 451 antenatal attendees at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital from January 1 to March 31, 2020. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from the women after consent was given. Data obtained was collated, entered in a spread sheet, and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results are expressed in means and percentages. The confidence interval was set at 95% and a p-value of < 0.05 was statistically significant. Chi square test and Pearson’s correlation were used to determine association between knowledge of folic acid and variables.
Results: Majority 258 (57.2%) of the women were aged 30-39 years and were mostly nulliparous 122 (27.1%). Over two-third 330 (73.2%) had post-secondary education and almost all 409 (90.7%) of the women were married. Most 375 (83.1%) of the pregnant women were aware of folic acid and its use in peri-conception care. The main source of information was from healthcare workers (54.8%), followed by family and friends (14.6%) and online media (12.0%). Only 169 (37.5%) were aware of the role of folic acid in preventing NTDs. Knowledge about the role of folic acid in the prevention of neural tube defects was significantly associated with younger age, post-secondary education, occupation, and low parity (p value <0.05).
Conclusion: Age, educational level, occupation, and parity were significantly predictive of knowledge of folic acid in the prevention of neural tube defects.
Awareness of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Medical Students and Surgical Trainees Regarding Surgical Informed Consent: A Cross-sectional Multi-centric Study from Northern India
Authors: Singh Nishtha , Kumar Jain Sudhir , Hameed Tariq , Preet Kochhar Kanwal , Jit Param , Singh Chandra Bhushan 
Published: March 2022

Background: Informed Consent is the cornerstone of modern medical and surgical care. All patients have the right to be involved in decisions about their treatment and care. Obtaining SIC (surgical informed consent) is an important and essential skill that one must acquire in medical training, yet many residents receive very little formal education.
Methods: Multiple choice questionnaire designed and after pretesting circulated on Google formsTM having questions pertaining to knowledge, attitude and practice. Total 463 responses obtained and appropriate statistical tests applied in Microsoft Excel and StataSE.
Result: Knowledge-score remained constant for medical students and trainees, Attitude-score (18.59 to 18.93) and Practice-score (2.30 to 3.62) statistically significant increase in score with clinical exposure was noted. Gender wise difference were in A-score, females scored higher 18.87 and males scored 18.49. For trainee doctors unlike P scores, K and A scores did not increase with experience.
Discussion: Early intervention in undergraduate years and continuous upskilling is the need to bridge the hiatus of doctor-patient relationship. This necessitates scenario and role play based teaching, student teaching patient based learning regarding the SIC.
Conclusion: There is a Knowledge attitude practice gap present not only in undergraduate students but postgraduates residents regarding SIC, for which the current curriculum and the ongoing practical training is insufficient to bridge. Indian curriculum must make amendments to bridge it.
A Comprehensive Scenario on Application of Aqua Drugs and Chemicals for the Fish Health Management in Fish Hatcheries and Farms of South-Eastern Part, Bangladesh
Authors: Yesmin Rahima , Rakeb-Ul-Islam Md. , Banik Partho , Ujjaman Nur As-Ad , Paul Shyamal Kumar , Saha Debasish , Majumdar Priyanka Rani 
Published: March 2022

Aims: The study was carried out to understand the current status of used drugs and chemicals in fish hatcheries and farms in Feni district, Bangladesh.
Methodology: Data were collected by pre-defined questionnaire interview, personal contact with farm and hatchery owners, and representatives of pharmaceutical companies by market survey.
Results: Twelve different groups of chemicals were being used for disease treatment and fish health management. Traditionally used chemicals were Lime, Salt, Potash (KMnO4) and Melathion. Although Malachite green hazardous to human health, it was widely used in hatcheries. Geotox, JV Zeolite, Amoxy fish, Megavit Aqua, Square aqua premix, Orgavit, Pure Oxy, Vitamin gel, O2-Marine etc. were widely used new chemicals. Renamycin was the most widely (36% farmer) used antibiotic followed by Oxysentin 20%, Orgamycin15% and Otetra vet power 50.
Conclusion: Nearly all farmers did not apply chemicals and drugs at proper doses because they thought the higher the doses applied the more and rapid will be the action. It was found that manufacturers and retailers of the products often neglected to provide farmers with necessary information regarding active ingredients and relevant instructions for safe and efficient use of aqua-drugs and chemicals. Recommended use of chemicals apparently brings good result but indiscriminate use of chemicals can be extremely detrimental to fish and our environment as well as to us and therefore, all of us should be aware of the proper use of chemicals.
Wine Production from Apple (Malus pumila) Using Yeast Isolated from Palmwine
Authors: Ezemba C. C. , Anakwenze V. N. , Ezemba A. S. 
Published: March 2022

The study was aimed at the production of apple (Malus pumila) fruit wine with the use of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from palm wine. Both primary and secondary fermentation of the apple lasted 28 days. Aliquot samples were removed and used daily from the fermentation tank for analysis of alcohol content, specific gravity, pH, titratable acidity, and reducing sugar using standard procedures. During fermentation, pH of the fruit must range from 5.0 to 3.2. There was an increase in alcohol content, which was observed with time. Finally at the end of the 28th day’s fermentation, the alcohol concentration in the fruit wine was observed to be 3.2%. Also titratable acidity concentration of the wine shows steady increase with time throughout the fermentation period. This study has revealed that much acceptable wine with quality could be produced from apple with Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from palm wine. Sensory evaluation results showed there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in flavor, taste, clarity and overall acceptability between apple wine and a reference wine. The apple wine was generally accepted.
Carrot Harvesting Methods: A Review
Authors: Gaadhe S. K. , Tiwari V. K. 
Published: March 2022

Carrot harvesting is one of the critical operations and is done once the carrot is matured after 90 – 110 days. Carrots grow on ridges and are harvested after loosening from the soil surface and pulling out roots by grasping the top. For harvesting carrots manually in one hectare, an average of 250 – 300 man-hours are required which is very expensive for farmers besides the quantum of labor, manual harvesting involves considerable drudgery and human discomfort. The experiment was conduct in 2021-22 at Junagadh agricultural university. During peak time sufficient labors are not available that delay the harvesting and thus result in damage and loss to crop. The harvesting operation of carrots needs to be mechanized for time-saving, reduce drudgery involved, and also reduce harvesting cost due to these, the crop is cultivated on small scale and is one of the main bottlenecks in bringing more area under the carrot cultivation. The large-scale diversification and reduction in the cost of cultivation in carrot crops are mainly possible through the mechanization of the carrot digging process. In this study considered parameters ware digging efficiency, damage percentage, picking efficiency, conveying efficiency and field efficiency. Parameters was statistically analyzed by factorial complete randomized design method.
Improving Health Literacy of TB Patients at Bandarharjo Health Center through TB Literacy Book Media (BuLit TB)
Authors: Ernawati Dyah , Kusuma Edi Jaya , Utami Varesti Widaning , Iqbal Muhammad , Handayani Sri , Isworo Slamet 
Published: March 2022

Objective and Background: The Bandarharjo Health Center reported in 2019 that the number of cases of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis had increased to four. The current program to increase patient TB literacy is only education delivered by TB officers, and no specific media is used to increase patient TB literacy. The purpose of this study was to create literacy media in the form of TB literacy books (BuLit TB) in order to improve the literacy of TB patients at the Bandarharjo Health Center.
Methods: This study included 50 tuberculosis patients whose literacy levels were assessed both before and after the intervention media was administered. In this study, the information gain method is used to determine the level of importance of a variable based on its target value. In addition, non-parametric tests were used in this study to determine the effect of the intervention on respondents' TB knowledge and Health Literacy levels.
Results: According to the findings of this study, testing using a weighting algorithm reveals that education and age variables are important on the level of TB knowledge, with weights of 0.221 and 0.155, respectively. Furthermore, the education and address variables have a weighted score of 0.205 and 0.198, respectively, on the respondent's health literacy level. Non-parametric statistical tests revealed that BuLit TB media was effective in increasing the literacy of TB patients at the Bandarharjo Health Center.
Conclusion: The BuLit TB media can be used by Health Center officers to help TB patients with literacy and education.
Rhino-orbital-cerebral Mucormycosis during Pandemic of COVID-19: A First Case Reported in Libya
Authors: Baayou Mohamed , Elshagmani Eltaher , Emaetig Fatma , Yousef Ben Sase Mohamed , Ahmed Hamasat Mustafa , Hamouda Fatma Ali , Salah Khaled S. Ben 
Published: March 2022

Mucormycosis is an unusual systemic infection caused by multicellular fungi. Despite, few reports have been documented world widely, incidences of mucormycosis are recently increasing due to several predisposing factors such as diabetes, COVID-19 pandemic, and over prescription of corticosteroids. The clinical symptoms of this disease are often unfamiliar and vague. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report that describes a case of clinical human mucormycosis during the COVID-19 pandemic in Libya. This report discusses also the risk factors and steps that can be applied to prevent occurrence of this disease. The patient is a 58-year-old Libyan female who presented with a history of COVID-19 infection, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypothyroidism, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and stable ischemic heart disease. She was complaining of loss of vision of the right eye, redness, and swelling all over the right face with scattered areas of blackish discoloration involving the inner third of the right eye and right face. Clinical examination showed bilateral basal and mid-lung fields fine crepitation, abdominal distension, severe chemosis, proptosis, restriction of all eye movement, aniscoria, upper lid ptosis and loss of corneal sensation of right eye. Computerized tomography (CT-Scan) of brain, para-nasal sinus, and orbit revealed right periorbital cellulitis, right eye proptosis, right ethmoidal, maxillary, sphenoidal sinusitis, and right cavernous sinus thrombosis without bone erosion. The histopathological report showed numerous broad branching aseptate hyphae and spores with acute cellulitis indicating an invasive fungal infection (mucormycosis). Mucormycosis is a rare fatal disease. Physician awareness and early management may significantly reduce mucormycosis severity.
Expression of CD127 Suppresses T Regulatory Cells in Psoriasis
Authors: Tarafder Shirin , Sultana Sabia S. 
Published: March 2022

Background: Psoriasis is a genetically regulated autoimmune skin disease associated with the impaired suppressive function of Treg cells. Foxp3 is the accepted marker of Treg cell, but CD127 (IL-7Rα), a surface marker of activated T cell, can distinguish the functional status of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+Treg cells. The study aimed to demonstrate the functional status of Treg cells in peripheral blood of psoriasis patients, to analyze their association with disease severity and duration, serum IL-17 level, and IL-23R gene polymorphism to observe the relationship with susceptibility to psoriasis.
Methods: Thirty-five psoriasis patients and 35 healthy controls were enrolled. Demographical details were recorded, severity was assessed by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scoring. Treg cells were quantified by flowcytometric immunophenotyping, serum IL-17 level by ELISA, and IL-23R gene polymorphism by Real-Time PCR.
Results: Increased circulatory CD4+CD25+FoxP3+Treg and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+CD127+/pTreg cells observed in psoriatics than in controls (P<0.05) but CD4+CD25+FoxP3+CD127-/tTreg cells significantly decreased (P<0.001). IL-17 levels were elevated in psoriatics (P=0.002). In severe patients, FoxP3 expression decreases in tTreg cells and are CD127+. Out of 35 patients, 23 (65.71%) had an AA genotype of IL23Rrs10889677 gene polymorphism, associated with increased Treg, tTreg, pTreg cells, and IL-17 levels revealed susceptibility to psoriasis.
Conclusion: This study shows the loss of tTreg function and pTreg cell activation in psoriasis, supporting the autoimmune disease model. CD127 expression can better distinguish Treg cells and augmenting the CD127-/low population of Treg cells to restore suppressive activity by anti-CD127 mAb therapy can be a potential treatment option for psoriasis patients.
A Study Protocol to Assess the Effects of Storage on Blood Components and Packed Red Blood Cells in Blood Bank
Authors: Noman Obaid , Pawar Dipali S. , Vagha Sunita 
Published: March 2022

Background: For preservation of Packed Red blood cells (PRBCs), the recommended optimum conditions includes storage at 2-60 C in specialised blood storage refrigerators. PRBCs are required for blood transfusions in some life-saving situations and can be stored for 42 days. But during this storage period, continuous degradation of RBCs occurs and oxygen carrying capacity gets reduced. These changes inadvertently affect the lifespan of stored RBCs. Therefore during this storage period, routine evaluation is recommended. This study aimed to assess the storage effects on Blood Component and internal quality control of packed red cells.
Methodology: This Prospective Cohort study includes analysis of 50 Packed Red blood cells bags for RBC count, Haemoglobin and RBC indices. The analysis will be done on Day 1, Day 21 and Day 42 from the date of blood collection. The study will be carried in Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Blood Centre and Department of Pathology, JNMC, AVBRH, Sawangi Meghe, Wardha. The data collected will be analysed using appropriate statistical tools.
Expected Results: Haemoglobin and Red cell indices with the help of cell counter will be analysed. Effects of storage on packed red blood cells will be drawn from the analysis.
Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Three Novel Hydroxy Flavones
Authors: Kumar K. Vijay , Verma Reena 
Published: March 2022

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of three 7-hydroxy flavone derivatives; 7-HF, 7,3’,4’-THF, and 7,8,3’-THF,
Materials and Methods: The acute anti-inflammatory effect of 7-hydroxy flavones was the effect of 7-hydroxy flavones on certain mediators of pain and inflammation like cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b and TNF- were investigated by using in vitro tests.
Results: The investigated 7hydroxy flavones produced a significant, the test compounds inhibited both the isoforms of cyclooxygenase, a higher degree of inhibition on COX-2 was evident. Concentration-dependent inhibition of other inflammatory cytokines like tumour necrosis factor-a and interleukin-1b was identified in the present study
Conclusion: conclusion of the present study reveal the pain and anti-inflammatory action of the investigated 7hydroxy flavones. The inhibitory effects of 7hydroxy flavone on various pro-inflammatory cytokines provide evidence for the mechanism of action of these compounds against pain and inflammation.
Treatment Effectiveness of Biologic-DMARDs and their Impact on Disease Control among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Authors: Kassab Yaman W. , Salahuddin Amra , Moiz Muhammad Umer Abdul , Ehsan Abdullah , Syed Haroon Khalid , Haseeb Abdul , Alghamdi Abdullah Mohammed , Menon Shashidharan , Iqbal Muhammad Zahid , Shahid Iqbal Muhammad 
Published: March 2022

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate treatment effectiveness of biologic-DMARDs and their impact on overall disease control and management among rheumatoid arthritis patients being treated on biologic-DMARDs.
Methods: The study was performed among RA patients and disease activity score (DAS) were calculated using DAS 28. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to obtained the results. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Different demographic characteristics were studied from the selected cohort of the RA patients. Around 89 of the studied patients were males and 64 were females. More than half of the patients were 60 years or above. Around 50% of the patients were diagnosed with RA five years or earlier. Among the studied RA patients, a significant therapy response was obtained which resulted in overall improvement in disease outcomes and showed treatment effectiveness among them.
Conclusion: From the obtained results, it was concluded that all of the studied RA patients received optimum medication therapy with biologic-DMARDs and achieved significant therapy response which resulted in overall improvement in disease outcomes.