bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasmon-enhanced Quantitative Lateral Flow Assay for Femtomolar Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies and Antigens
Authors: Gupta Rohit , Gupta Prashant , Wang Zheyu , Seth Anushree , Morrissey Jeremiah , George Ige , Gandra Sumanth , Storch Gregory , Parikh Bijal , Genin Guy , Singamaneni Srikanth 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Lateral flow assays (LFAs) are the cornerstone of point-of-care diagnostics. Although rapid and inexpensive, they are 1000-fold less sensitive than laboratory-based tests and cannot be used for definitive negative diagnosis. Here, we overcome this fundamental limitation by employing plasmonically-enhanced nanoscale colorimetric and fluorescent labels. Plasmonic LFAs (p-LFAs) enabled ultrasensitive detection and quantification of low abundance analytes, without compromising the direct visual detection of conventional LFAs. Dynamic ranges and limits of detection were up to 100-fold superior to “gold standard” ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). p-LFAs had sample-to-answer time of 20 min, compared to 4 hours for ELISA, while achieving over 95% analytical sensitivity and 100% analytical specificity for antibodies and antigens of SARS-CoV-2 in human specimens. We also demonstrate that the p-LFAs enable quantitative detection of the target analytes in a standard-free manner. p-LFAs offer potential as a broadly adaptable point-of-care diagnostic platform that outperforms standard laboratory tests in sensitivity, speed, dynamic range, ease of use, and cost.
Perceptions of COVID-19 Self-Testing and Recommendations for Implementation and Scale up Among Black/African Americans: Implications for the COVID-19 STEP Project
Authors: Nwaozuru Ucheoma , Obiezu-Umeh Chisom , Diallo Hassim , Graham Danielle , Whembolua Guy-Lucien , Bourgeau Marie Janeeca , Ritchwood Tiarney , Nelson LaRon E. , Shato Thembekile , Mathews Allison , Moise Rhoda , Ward Maranda C. , Raude Jocelyn , Ahonkhai Aima A. , Young Diane J. , Conserve Donaldson F. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
COVID-19 self-testing (ST) is an innovative strategy with the potential to increase the access and uptake of testing and ultimately to limit the spread of the virus. To maximize the uptake and reach of this promising strategy and inform intervention development and scale up, research is needed to understand the acceptability of and willingness to use this tool. This is vital to ensure that Black/African Americans are reached by the Biden-Harris Administration’s free national COVID-19 ST program. This study aimed to explore the acceptability and recommendations to promote and scale up the uptake of COVID-19 ST among Black/African Americans.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional qualitative study using a semi-structured survey to assess barriers and facilitators to the uptake of COVID-19 ST among a convenience sample of 28 self-identified Black/African Americans from schools, community centers, and faith-based institutions in Ohio and Maryland. Inductive content analysis was conducted to identify categories and subcategories related to acceptability and recommendations for implementing and scaling up COVID-19 ST in communities.
Results
Participants perceived COVID-19 self-testing as an acceptable tool that is beneficial to prevent transmission and address some of the barriers associated with health facility testing, such as transportation cost and human contact at the health facility. However, concerns were raised regarding the accurate use of the kits and costs. Recommendations for implementing and scaling up COVID-19 ST included engagement of community stakeholders to disseminate information about COVID-19 self-testing and creating culturally appropriate education tools to promote knowledge of and clear instructions about how to properly use COVID-19 ST kits. Based on these recommendations, the COVID-19 STEP (Self-Testing Education and Promotion) Project is being developed and will involve engaging community partners such as barbers, church leaders, and other community-based organizations to increase the uptake and use of free COVID-19 ST kits among Black/African Americans.
Conclusion
Findings showed that most participants considered COVID-19 ST valuable for encouraging COVID-19 testing. However, cost and accuracy concerns may pose barriers. Future work should consider implementing interventions that leverage the benefits of COVID-19 ST and further assess the extent to which these identified facilitators and barriers may influence COVID-19 ST uptake.
N addition alters non-structural carbohydrates and C:N:P stoichiometry in different organs of Reaumuria soongorica seedlings in Gobi Desert of the Northwest, China
Authors: xie tingting , Shan Lishan , Zhang Wanting 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Reaumuria soongorica is an important biological barrier for ecological protection in Gobi desert of the Northwest, China, where soil nitrogen availability is low. N deposition increasing significantly in Gobi desert, so that the response of R. soongorica to N enrichment may become a problem. However, little is known the effects of N addition on biomass, non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), and carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus (C:N:P) stoichiometry of R. soongorica in this region. Here, we examined changes in biomass, NSC and C:N:P ratios of different organs for one year growth of R. soongorica at four N treatments which is 0 (N0), 4.6 (N1), 9.2(N2), and 13.8 (N3) g m−2 year−1. The N addition ( reach to 9.2 g m−2 year−1) significantly enhanced the biomass of different organs, meanwhile the belowground:aboveground ratio was also significantly increased. The NSC concentration of root significantly enhanced under N addition treatments, but the stem and leaf NSC concentration was only increased significantly at N1 and N2 addition. N addition only enhanced the soluble sugar concentration of leaf and root, and reduced starch concentration of different organs. The N concentration of stem and root were significantly enhanced at N2 and N3 addition and the leaf N concentration was only increased in N3 addition, but N addition had no significant effect on C and P concentrations. The stem and leaf C:N ratio were reduced significantly in N2 and N3 treatments, but the root C:N ratio was decreased significantly in N addition. The N3 addition significantly increased N:P ratio of different organs. Our results suggested N addition changed the biomass, NSC, N concentration, C:N and N:P ratio of different organs, meanwhile the root responded more strongly than stem or leaf, this is beneficial for absorbing more water in arid soil in this region, then to ensure the survival of R. soongorica seedlings.
Cardiopulmonary work up of patients with and without fatigue 6 months after COVID-19
Authors: Thiele Kirsten , Balfanz Paul , Müller Tobias , Hartmann Bojan , Spiesshoefer Jens , Grebe Julian , Müller-Wieland Dirk , Marx Nikolaus , Dreher Michael , Daher Ayham 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The pathogenesis of post-COVID-19 symptoms remains incompletely understood. Therefore, we aimed to determine cardiopulmonary limitations six months after surviving COVID-19 using pulmonary function tests (PFTs), echocardiographic studies to the point of analyses of global-longitudinal-strain (GLS), which describes the cycling myocardium deformation and provides better data on left ventricular (LV) dysfunction than LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and validated questionnaires. Overall, 60 consecutive hospitalized patients were included (61±2 years, 32% treated in the ICU). At follow-up (194±3 days after discharge), fatigue was the most prevalent symptom (28%). Patients with fatigue were more symptomatic overall and characterized by worse quality of life (QoL) scores compared to patients without fatigue (all p<0.05), mainly due to limited mobility and high symptom burden. While PFT variables and LVEF were normal in the vast majority (LVEF=52% (45%-52%)) of patients, GLS was significantly reduced (-15%(-18%_-14%)). However, GLS values were not different between patients with and without fatigue. In conclusion, fatigue was the most prevalent post-COVID-19 symptom in our cohort, which was associated with worse QoL mainly due to limited mobility and the high burden of concomitant symptoms. Patients showed a subtle myocardial dysfunction six months after surviving COVID-19, but this did not relate to the presence of fatigue.
A reliable framework for laparoscopic colorectal surgery based on well-structured and standardized surgical and post-operative protocols
Authors: Gkionis Ioannis G , Flamourakis Mathaios E. , Karafoulidou Zafeiro I. , Giakoumakis Michail I. , Laliotis Aggelos , Tsagkataki Eleni S. , Kaloeidi Eleni I. , Strehle Andreas F. , Bachlitzanakis Emmanouil N. , Matzakanis Georgios P. , Alegkakis Athanasios K. , Christodoulakis Manousos S. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Although the number of colorectal operations performed laparoscopically has increased, it has not yet surpassed the number of laparotomies. The purpose of this single centre study was to determine, using various parameters and following well-structured and standardized surgical and post-operative procedures the safety and clinical outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal resections performed in a regional hospital by a team of surgeons supervised by a specialized in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Through this process, it was given the opportunity to evaluate the impact of the learning curve by comparing their performance. Methods: From 2012 to 2021, a total of 234 patients with pathology in the colon and rectum underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection. Patients’ case records and histopathology reports were examined for predefined parameters, statistically analysed and compared.Results: The type of operation had a significant effect on operative time (p<0.001). When the duration of operation was correlated to the number of hospitalization days, a significant positive association was found (r=0.173, p=0.012). The patient’s age showed to affect operative time in a proportional way (p=0.004), while the reverse is true for the number of days after 1st surgery (p<0.001). A reduction in operative times was observed for both the specialized and non-specialized surgeons (r=-0.315, p<0.001, rs=-0.324, p<0.001), with a larger decline for specialized surgeon (r=-0.322, p<0.001, rs=-0.360, p<0.001). Conclusions: Taking into consideration all the parameters, it is our belief that through the framework we have implemented, any surgeon can complete uneventfully the learning curve of laparoscopic colorectal surgery, even in a regional hospital.
Social isolation and Life satisfaction mediating the association of ADL and mild cognitive impairment in rural older adults:A multi-group SEM with latent response variable mediation analysis
Authors: jia gaizhen 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: There are many studies on the relationship between daily activity ability (ADL) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and only the discussion of the relationship between ADL and MCI. However, the mechanism of the potential difference is very important to reduce the impact of cognitive dysfunction in later life. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether social isolation and life satisfaction mediated the relationship between ADL and MCI in the older adults.Methods: A village-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,933 older adults people over 60 years old from Shandong Province, China. ADL, MCI, social isolation and life satisfaction were respectively assessed using the daily living capacity scale for Chinese, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool, the LSNS 6 scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale questionnaire. The multi-group SEM with latent response variable method was conducted to evaluate the association between ADL and MCI mediated by social isolation and life satisfaction.Results: The study found that daily activity ability was negatively correlated with mild cognitive impairment in the older adults. Further analysis of mediating effect found that social isolation and life satisfaction had a partial mediating effect between ADL and MCI in the older adults.Conclusion: These results indicated that social isolation and life satisfaction may act as a partial mediator in the relationship between ADL and MCI, and the mediating effect of social isolation was more pronounced than that of life satisfaction.
Media Addiction Behaviour, Computer Vision Syndrome and Neural Patterns
Authors: Hossain Gahangir , Faiyazuddin Musab 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
These Post-COVID days, seventy percent of businesses have or are working on a digital transformation, which make us to spend more time with media interaction [1]. Media has always existed in much of our history; the shape and function of such media instruments may have evolved over time, but human nature has always been drawn to them. Social networking is one of the most common and addictive media resources available today. They have only been around for a decade, but they're more appealing and addictive in nature. According to a recent survey, there are approximately 400 million social media users, and 5 to 10% of the world's population suffers from gaming or internet addiction [2]. Addiction is described as a person's neurotic behavior that contributes to harmful behavior – social media addiction cannot be the exception. This research explores human brain signals, electroencephalogram (EEG) of addictive media abusers and compare it to that of alcoholics to draw a distinction between these two different types of addictions. We performed brain signal analysis in rest stage and working stages. The magnitude and spatial distribution of beta power in the resting EEG were examined to address the possibility of an excitation-inhibition imbalance in the central nervous system of alcoholics with compared to medica addiction. Similar increase in Beta absolute power was observed in alcohol dependent as well as media addictive subjects. In addition, we observed that human eye blink rates that reflects human attention, also reflects media addiction – especially the Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). While performing attentive tasks on digital screens causes a decrease in eye blink rate (EBR), which leads to the fundamental symptom of eye strain or the CVS.
Vacuum microwave drying of acerola residue: Effects of pre-treatment and operating variables on main bioactive compounds
Authors: Nogueira Geraldo D. R. , Silva Priscila B. , Souza Glaucia F. M. V. , Duarte Claudio R. , Barrozo Marcos A.S. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Even though the residue from the processing of acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) has significant amounts of vitamin C and other bioactive compounds at the same level as the pulp and the juice of this fruit, it also has a high moisture content level (> 80%). In this work, the drying performance of acerola residue in a microwave oven combined with a vacuum environment was investigated. The effect of pretreatment with ethanol on this drying process was successfully analyzed, together with the influence of main process variables on the moisture removal and the main bioactive compounds of this by-product of the fruit industry. The values obtained for the bioactive compounds after drying could be classified as intermediate concentrations, thus showing a good potential to be used as food additives. The growth of mesophilic bacteria, molds, and yeasts in acerola residues was not observed for the dried material at a final moisture content below 26.2% (wb).
Refractory Serositis In Gorham-Stout Syndrome
Authors: Di Hong , Zhang Bingqing , Xu Na , Yin Yue , Han Xinxin , Zhang Yun , Zeng Xuejun 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Gorham-Stout syndrome (GSS) is a rare disorder with various presentations and unpredictable prognoses. Previous understandings of GSS mainly focused on progressive bone destruction, while we identified a group of GSS patients with serous effusion as the first symptom. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with GSS having serous effusion as the first symptom. Methods: Patients diagnosed with GSS were identified through the Peking Union Medical College Hospital Medical Record System. The demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected. Patients who first presented with serous effusion were recruited into the serous group, while those with bone destruction were recruited into the bone group.Results: Of the 23 patients with GSS enrolled, 13 were in the bone group and 10 in the serous group. The median disease duration was shorter and exercise tolerance was lower in the serous group. Despite less frequent bone pain in the serous group, the frequency of bone involvement was similar to that in the bone group. Patients in the serous group had higher rates of bilateral pleural effusion and multiple serous effusion. However, serous effusion also developed with disease progression in the bone group. Of the 17 patients treated with bisphosphonates, 14 reached bone-stable state. However, 5 out of 10 patients with serous effusion still had refractory effusions after bisphosphonates treatment. Three patients received sirolimus treatment, with an improvement in serous effusion. Seventeen patients were followed up; three patients died, two in the bone group and one in the serous group. Conclusions: This study discovered that GSS could first be presented with serous effusion. We believe that this may be a new phenotype of the disease. Sirolimus might help in controlling serous effusion and improving prognosis.
Impact of Infectious Diseases Training in the Perception of Antibiotic Resistance and Rational Use of Antibiotics Among Spanish Medical Students. A Case-Control Study
Authors: Yuste José Ramón , Matteo Andrés Blanco-Di , Gruber Fernando 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is one of the main public health problems worldwide. A key tool to optimize antibiotic prescription is medical training. The aim of this study is to compare the impact of training in infectious diseases in the knowledge of the antibiotic resistance problem and the rationale use of antibiotics. We performed a case-control study in the medical school of the University of Navarra, one of the top private Universities in Spain. We conducted an anonymous presential survey of students in each year of formation. Data were analyzed grouping the students: GROUP 1: first three years of education. They have not trained in Clinical Microbiology (CM) neither in Infectious Diseases (ID); GROUP 2: fourth-year students; they have training in CM but not ID; GROUP 3: Fifth and sixth-year students; they have completed the training in CM and ID. A total of 994 students answered the survey, 80.4% of the eligible students. Almost all students who have completed infectious diseases formation perceive antibiotic resistance as a relevant problem in comparation with students who did not complete the formation (99.5% in group 3 vs 94.5% in group 1, p=0.02). Knowledge of antibiotic stewardship statistically significant change with infectious diseases formation (from 9.2% in group 1 to 52.2% in group 3, p<0.001). In the training questions block we also found an increase in the average of the correct answers (21.4% in group 1 vs 44.7% in group 3, p<0.001). When comparing the results of subgroups 3A and 3B we found a significant loss of knowledge as we move away from training (49% vs 40.9%, p<0.001). The training of medical students is key both to improve the perception and knowledge of infectious diseases. However, we have an opportunity to educational improvement in infectious diseases in both the acquisition of knowledge and its loss when we move away from training.
Bioactivity Of Fungal Secondary Metabolites Against Some Economic Pests
Authors: Abdelgaleil Samir , Shiono Yoshihito , Taktak Nehad , Saad Mona 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Fungi have been shown to be a good source for lead molecules in drug discovery and development. However, many compounds derived from fungi were not evaluated for their bioactivity against economic pests. In this study, twelve fungal secondary metabolites (1-12) were evaluated for herbicidal activity against Silybum marianum, fungicidal activity against Alternaria solani and Fusarium oxysporum, insecticidal activity against Culex pipiens larvae, and antifeedant activity against Spodoptera littoralis larvae. Among the tested metabolites, brefeldin A (6) and 6-eopxy-4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methyl-cyclohex-2-en-1-one (11) showed potent herbicidal activity against S. marianum with complete inhibition of seed germination at 500 mg/l. Compound 6 revealed an exceptional herbicidal activity as it caused complete inhibition of root growth and strong reduction in shoot growth (I = 74.5%) and germination (10.0%) at 25 mg/l. In addition, anthracobic acid A (7) showed the highest antifungal activity against F. oxysporum (EC50 = 8.21 mg/l) and 19-(α-D-glucopyranosyloxy)isopimara-7,15-dien-3β-ol (2) was the most potent compound against A. solani (EC50 = 140.8 mg/l). Furthermore, dehydroaustin (9), phomaxanthone A (4) and deacetylphomaxanthone A (5) displayed a potent toxicity against fourth larval instar of C. pipiens with LC50 values of 3.27, 57.03 and 63.5 mg/l, respectively. Among the tested metabolites, four compounds (4, 5, 7 and 11) showed antifeedant activity against third-instar larvae of S. littoralis at 1000 mg/l. The results presented in this study should be useful for developing brefeldin A (6) and dehydroaustin (9) as natural herbicide and insecticide, respectively.
Tendencies of Tropical Cloud Clusters Transformation Into Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Kandula Subrahmanyam , Karanam Kishore Kumar , R. Pattanaik D. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Tropical cloud clusters (TCC) play a vital role in earth’s climate by not only releasing a large amount of latent heat into the atmosphere but also by forming the basis for development of tropical cyclones (TC). However, not all the TCCs can be developed into cyclones and only a few of them develop into TC, selectively. There are large uncertainties in present understanding on why only certain TCC develops into a TC and others don't? The present study employs the global TCC observations generated by GridSat and IBTrACS datasets from 1980 to 2009 to investigate the TCC distributions over the various Oceanic basins such as North Atlantic (NA), South Atlantic (SA), East-West and South Pacific (EP, WP and SP) and North Indian (NI) and South Indian (SI) basins. The central objective of the present study is to characterize the size spectrum of TCCs and to investigate their potential transformation into TC. The TCCs are identified based on the different IR temperature thresholds in each basin. The present results suggest that overall ~ 5.5% of TCCs were developed into TCs per year across the globe and there is an increasing trend in number of TCCs that were grown into TCs during the study period. The size spectrum of TCCs showed a dominant peak at 100-200 km2. About 48% of TCCs transform into TCs within 24 hr of being identified. Furthermore, 85% of TCCs develop in to TCs within 84 hr of the first identification and only 5% of TCCs develop into TCs after 84 hr. Further, we have also analysed the background environmental conditions such as low-level wind speed, vorticity, divergence, vertical shear, upper level relative humidly and latent heating (LH) for developing and non-developing TCCs over NI basin. It is noted that the relative humidity in the developing composite is around 10-20% higher than that in non-developing TCCs and LH in developing TCCs is 0.15 K/hr larger than that in non-developing TCCs. The significance of the present study lies in investigating the developing TCCs as function of their size and lifetime including their long-term trends and bringing out the favourable environmental conditions for developing TCCs in the NI Ocean.