bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scaling up the '24/7 BHU' strategy to provide round-the-clock maternity care in Punjab, Pakistan: A theory-driven, co-produced implementation study
Authors: Salway Sarah , Mumtaz Zubia , Bhatti Afshan , Dawson Jeremy , Barnes Amy , Jhangri Gian 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

BackgroundPakistan’s maternal mortality rate remains persistently high at 186/100,000 live births. The country’s government-run first-level health care facilities, the Basic Health Units (BHU), are an important source of maternity care for rural women. However, BHUs only operate on working days from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm. Recognizing this severely constrains access to maternity services, the government is implementing the ‘24/7 BHU Initiative’ to upgrade BHUs to provide round-the-clock care. Although based on a successful pilot project, initial reports reveal challenges in scaling up the initiative. This implementation research project aims to address a key concern of the Government of Punjab: How can the 24/7 Basic Health Unit (BHU) initiative be successfully implemented at scale to provide high quality, round-the-clock skilled maternity care in rural Punjab? MethodsThe project consists of two overlapping work packages (WP). WP1 includes three modules generating data at directorate, district and BHU levels. Module 1 uses document analysis and policy-maker interviews to explicate programme theory and begin to build a system model. Module 2 compares government-collected data with data generated from a survey of 1500 births to assess BHU performance. Module 3 uses institutional ethnographies in 4-5 BHUs in three districts to provide a detailed system understanding and identify processes that influence scale-up. WP2 includes two modules. First, two workshops and regular meetings with stakeholders integrate WP1 findings, identify feasible changes and establish priorities. Next, "change ideas" are selected for testing in one district and 2-3 BHUs through carefully documented pilots using the PDSA improvement approach. An integrated knowledge translation approach will engage key policy and practice stakeholders throughout the project. DiscussionThis theory driven implementation research project will co-produce significant new understandings of the wider system in which the ‘24/7 BHU’ initiative is being implemented, and actionable knowledge that will highlight ways the implementation processes might be modified to enable BHUs to meet service provision goals. This study will also produce insights that will be relevant for other South Asian and LMICs that experience similar challenges of programme scale-up and delivery of maternal health services to remote and marginalised communities.
Oral microbiota characteristics in Intra-oral halitosis patients and innovative therapeutic approaches
Authors: Huang Zhiqiang , Cheng Yongbo 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Background: Intra-oral halitosis (IOH), defined as halitosis produced locally by the oral cavity except for systemic diseases, is one of the main causes of interpersonal interactions and psychological disorders in modern society. We compared the characteristics of different ecological sites of oral microbial in patients with IOH to propose a microbiota transplantation treatment based on the goal of restoring oral microecological balance.ObjectiveTo collect saliva, tongue, buccal mucosa, and jaw mucosa microbial samples from patients with IOH and healthy subjects to study the differences in microbial community composition in different ecological sites of their oral cavity, to explore the relationship between IOH and oral microbial, and to explore novel microbiological treatment approaches.MethodsThree healthy subjects (DZ group) and seven patients with IOH who visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University with halitosis as their main complaint (KC group) were chosen at random among patients who visited the hospital between June 2017 and June 2022. Saliva, tongue, buccal mucosa, and jaw mucosa microbial samples were collected from both groups, and breath measurements and tongue scores were recorded independently in each. The microbiota in different ecological sites of the oral cavity was analyzed using the 16SrRNA method for taxonomic comparison, diversity analysis, and inter-group species difference analysis.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in the microbiota diversity of saliva (Z=-1.709, P=0.087), tongue (Z=-0.342, P=0.732), and buccal mucosa (Z=-1.481, P=0.138), or jaw mucosa (Z=-0.342, P=0.732). Adonis analysis showed statistically significant differences only between salivary microbiota groups (R2=0.175, P=0.011), but not between tongue (R2=0.125, P=0.25), and buccal mucosa (R2=0.144, P=0.128), or jaw mucosa (R2=0.132, P=0.178). The structure of salivary microbiota was altered in the 2 groups of study subjects, and among the top 10 species in terms of abundance, the differences were statistically significant at the phylum level for the Spirochaetes (Z=-2.165, P=0.03), at the family level for the Pasteurellaceae (Z=-2.393, P=0.017), and the genus level for the Haemophilus and Actinobacillus (Z= -2.393, P=0.017). LEfSe analysis showed that the saliva of the KC group showed a higher abundance of Microbacterium, Megasphaera, Proteobacteria, Campylobacter, and Spirochaetales.ConclusionsAlteration of oral microbiota structure is the root cause of Intra-oral halitosis, and salivary microbiota transplantation may be a new strategy to restore oral microbiota structure and treat Intra-oral halitosis.
Extensive substrate recognition by the streptococcal antibody-degrading enzymes IdeS and EndoS
Authors: Sudol Abigail , Butler John , Ivory Dylan , Tews Ivo , Crispin Max 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Enzymatic cleavage of IgG antibodies is a common strategy used by pathogenic bacteria to ablate immune effector function. The Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium secretes the protease IdeS and the glycosidase EndoS, which specifically catalyse cleavage and deglycosylation of human IgG, respectively. IdeS has received clinical approval for kidney transplantation in hypersensitised individuals, while EndoS has found application in engineering antibody glycosylation. Here, we present crystal structures of both enzymes in complex with their IgG1 Fc substrate, which was achieved using Fc engineering to disfavour preferential Fc crystallisation. The IdeS protease displays extensive Fc recognition and encases the antibody hinge. Conversely, the glycan hydrolase domain in EndoS traps the Fc glycan in a flipped-out conformation, while additional recognition of the Fc peptide is driven by the so-called carbohydrate binding module. Understanding the molecular basis of antibody recognition by bacterial enzymes will facilitate the development of next-generation enzymes for clinical and biotechnological use.
Pirfenidone affects human cardiac fibroblast proliferation and cell cycle activity in 2D cultures and engineered connective tissues
Authors: Meyer Friederike , Santos Gabriela Leao , Doan Thao Phuong , DeGrave Alisa Nicole , Lutz Susanne 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The anti-fibrotic drug pirfenidone (PFD) is currently in clinical testing for the treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, however, its effects on human cardiac cells have not been fully investigated. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the impact of PFD on human cardiac fibroblasts (CF) in 2D culture as well as in 3D engineered connective tissues (ECT).
Methods
We analyzed proliferation by automated cell counting and changes in signaling by immunoblotting. We generated ECT with different geometries to modify the cellular phenotype and investigated the effects of PFD on cell number and viability as well as on cell cycle activity. We further studied its effect on ECT compaction, contraction, stiffening and strain resistance by ECT imaging, pole deflection analysis, and ultimate tensile testing.
Results
Our data demonstrate that PFD inhibits human CF proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 of 0.43 mg/ml and its anti-mitogenic effect was further corroborated by an inhibition of MEK1/2, ERK1/2, and riboprotein S6 (rpS6) phosphorylation. In ECT, a lower cell cycle activity was found in PFD-treated ECT and fewer cells resided in these ECT after 5 days of culture compared to the control. Moreover, ECT compaction as well as ECT contraction was impaired. Consequently, biomechanical analyses demonstrated that PFD reduced the stiffness of ECT.
Conclusion
Taken together, our data demonstrate that the anti-fibrotic action of PFD on human CF is based on its anti-mitogenic effect in 2D cultures and ECT.
An improved normal sawing force model with spherical abrasive particles for ultrasonic assisted inner diameter sawing
Authors: Wang Lu-Lu , Pei Yong-Chen , Zhang Hang , Wang Bin , Liu Qin-Jian , Wang Dong-Xu , Wang Bao-Hua , Sui Wen-Chao 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Ultrasonic assisted inner diameter machining is a common slicing method for hard and brittle materials, and the sawing force is the main factor affecting the quality of workpiece surface and tool life, so to explore the sawing force is to research the sawing process. An improved model of normal sawing force is proposed in this paper with spherical abrasive particles. A series of sawing experiments were carried out with alumina ceramics (99%) as typical hard and brittle materials to verify the correctness of the theoretical model and discuss the influence of machining parameters on the normal sawing force. In the experiment, the results show that the average error and the variance of the improved normal sawing force model are decreased obviously compared with the average error and the variance of the regular tetrahedral abrasive normal sawing force model. So, the model proposed in this paper is more accurate. The establishment of this model has guiding significance for the selection of process parameters, the improvement of processing efficiency and quality in subsequent actual production and processing.
Dopamine-Modified Hyaluronic Acid (DA-HA) As A Novel Dopamine-Mimetics With Minimal Autoxidation And Cytotoxicity
Authors: Kim Sunpil , Kim Ye-Ji , Park Kyoung Hwan , Huh Kang Moo , Kang Sun-Woong , Lee Changjoon Justin , Woo Dong Ho 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Dopamine-modified hyaluronic acid (DA-HA) has been initially developed as an efficient coating and adhesion material for industrial uses. However, the biological activity and safety of DA-HA in the brain have not been explored yet. Here, we report a series of evidence that DA-HA exhibits similar functionality as dopamine (DA), but with much lower toxicity arising from autoxidation. DA-HA shows very little autoxidation even after 48-hour incubation. This is profoundly different from DA and its derivatives including L-DOPA, which all induce severe neuronal death after pre-autoxidation, indicating that autoxidation is the cause of neuronal death. Furthermore,in vivoinjection of DA-HA induces significantly lower toxicity compared to 6-OHDA, a well-known oxidized and toxic form of DA, and alleviates the apomorphine-induced rotational behavior in the 6-OHDA animal model of Parkinson’s disease. Our study proposes that DA-HA with DA-like functionalities and minimal toxicity can be an effective therapeutic substitute for L-DOPA in Parkinson’s disease.
A novel recombination protein C12ORF40/REDIC1 is required for meiotic crossover formation
Authors: Shi Qinghua , Fan Suixing , Wang Yuewen , Jiang Hanwei , Jiang Xiaohua , Zhou Jianteng , Jiao Yuying , Ye Jingwei , Xu Zishuo , Wang Yue , Xie Xuefeng , Zhang Huan , Li Yang , Liu Wei , Zhang Xiangjun , Ma Hui , Shi Baolu , Zhang Yuanwei , Zubair Muhammad , Shah Wasim , Xu Zhipeng , Xu Bo 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
During meiosis, at least one crossover must occur in each chromosome pair to ensure their accurate segregation. However, the mechanism of crossover formation is poorly understood. Here, we report a previously uncharacterized recombination protein, C12ORF40/REDIC1, essential for meiotic crossover formation. A homozygous frameshift mutation in C12orf40 was identified in two genetically unrelated infertile men with meiotic arrest. Subsequent analysis showed that REDIC1 forms discrete foci in the paired regions of homologous chromosomes depending on strand invasion. Mouse models mimicking the patients’ mutation showed reductions in crossover and bivalent formation, leading to spermatogenic failure. Notably, mutant spermatocytes displayed reduced numbers of MSH4 and TEX11 foci, accompanied by synaptic defects. Correspondingly, these phenotypes were also observed in our patients. Finally, biochemical results showed that the identified mutation impairs its ability to bind branched recombination intermediates. Therefore, our findings reveal a crucial role for C12ORF40/REDIC1 in meiotic crossover formation by stabilizing the recombination intermediates, providing prospective molecular targets for the clinical diagnosis and therapy of infertility.
Biodegradation of Monoaromatic hydrocarbons Toluene and Xylene through native bacterial strain Bacillus subtilis RD20
Authors: Doley Ruby , Barthakur Manoj 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
A bacterial strain designated as RD20 isolated from oil contaminated soil and identified as Bacillus subtilis through biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, have the ability to degrade toluene and xylene, the mono-aromatic hydrocarbons of petroleum contaminant. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) analysis showed characteristic peaks, that reveals that the bacterial strain was able to degrade toluene and xylene efficiently within 7 days of incubation periods. Intermediate metabolites of toluene degradation in treated culture media were detected as benzeneacetic acid, acetic acid, 2-Propanol, 1,3-benzenediol, pivalic acid, terephthalic acid, hexanoic acid, pentane, propiolic acid, cyclopentane-1,2-diol, hexanedioic acid and propionic acid through GC-MS (Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry). Whereas Xylene degradation products detected through GC-MS were 4,4-dimethyl-2-pentanol, propane, cyclopropane, hexane, acetic acid, benzyl alcohol, formic acid, propane, ethane, cyclobutane carboxylic acid, phenol, propanedioic acid, pentane, phthalic acid and succinic acid, respectively, which further confirms the biodegradation of the monoaromatic hydrocarbons. This bacteria is thus, suitable for application in bioremediation process in hydrocarbon contaminated sites.
Addressing energy poverty through technological and governance innovation
Authors: Anais Varo , Jiglau George , Grossmann Katrin , Guyet Rachel 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Energy poverty has gained much traction over the last decades, holding both high multidisciplinary conceptual value, but also profound implications from a social policy perspective, being closely linked to the quality of life and wellbeing. The goal of our study is to evaluate recent measures aimed at tackling energy poverty in Europe by analysing the extent to which they are innovative on the technological and governance dimensions. We do so by building an analytical tool which combines evaluation criteria along the two dimensions and by employing it for the analysis of twenty measures designed and employed in ten European countries, aimed at tackling energy poverty, selected with the support of an expert panel.
Results
We identify three types of innovative measures aimed at alleviating energy poverty: 1) measures with high technological scores, 2) measures with high governance scores, and 3) measures with high scores on both axes. The most successful measures have a clear goal of behaviour change. They incorporate different actors in sustainable partnerships and implement monitoring tools throughout the process. These are complementary to incorporating new technologies into the domestic sphere and promoting consumer awareness and consumption pattern transformation.
Conclusions
Our findings allow for a better perspective on the shape innovation takes in the context of energy poverty policies. Our research confirms that “innovation” is context-dependent and that the introduction of technological innovations has to be examined within the complexity of political, institutional and cultural context.
Initial experience of a novel ureteral silicone-covered metallic mesh stent in malignant ureteric obstruction
Authors: Choo Seol Ho , Boo Youngjun , Chung Jae Hoon , Han Deok Hyun 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Purpose: To investigate initial experiences and outcomes of a retrograde inserted new silicone-covered metallic ureteric stent (Urexel™) for malignant ureteric obstruction.Methods: We reviewed the medical records for 12 consecutive patients who underwent Urexel™ stent placement for malignant ureteric obstruction from March 2020 to March 2021. The Urexel™ stent is a segmental metallic ureteric stent composed of a nitinol mesh covered with a silicone membrane. We evaluated the clinical outcomes and complications of this new metallic ureteric stent.Results: The mean age of patients was 58.0 ± 9.9 years, and the median follow-up was 4.5 (0.9–12.5) months. One of the 12 patients underwent bilateral stent insertion, Urexel™ stents were placed in a total of 13 ureteral units. There was no technical failure during stent placement. The mean length of obstructions was 10.3 ± 6.5 cm, and the mean length of the stent-indwelled segment of the ureter was 18.9 ± 4.5 cm. Balloon dilation was necessary in 38.5% (5/13 ureter units) of cases. The overall success rate was 76.9% (10/13). Stent migration was the cause of overall treatment failure in all three cases of failure, with elapsed time to failure of 0.9, 2.6, and 12.5 months. Stent migration occurred in three cases. Common complications included persistent pain, acute pyelonephritis, and lower urinary tract symptoms, but they were grade I or II.Conclusions: In this initial series of novel ureteral silicone-covered metallic mesh stents, Urexel™ showed favorable outcomes with a high success rate and acceptable complication rate in malignant ureteric obstructions.
Left ventricular global function index is associated with myocardial iron overload and heart failure in thalassemia major patients
Authors: Meloni Antonella , Positano Vincenzo , Pistoia Laura , Righi Riccardo , Missere Massimiliano , Grassedonio Emanuele , Schicchi Nicolò , Vallone Antonino , Gamberini Maria Rita , Cuccia Liana , Lisi Roberto , Cecinati Valerio , Spasiano Anna , Cademartiri Filippo 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Purpose. The left ventricular global function index (LVGFI) is a comprehensive marker of cardiac performance, integrating LV morphology with global function. We explored the cross-sectional association of LVGFI with myocardial iron overload (MIO), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), myocardial fibrosis, and heart failure (HF) in β-thalassemia major (TM) patients. Methods. We considered 1352 adult TM patients (708 females, 32.79 ± 7.16years) enrolled in the Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia Network and 112 healthy subjects (50 females, 32.09 ± 6.08years). LVGFI and LVEF were assessed by cine images and MIO by multislice multiecho T2* technique. Replacement myocardial fibrosis was detected by late gadolinium enhancement technique. Results. LVGI and LVEF were significantly lower in patients with significant MIO (global heart T2*<20ms) than in patients without MIO and in healthy subjects but were comparable between TM patients without MIO and healthy subjects. In TM, LVGFI was significantly associated with LVEF (R = 0.733; p < 0.0001). Global heart T2* values were significantly associated with both LVGFI and LVEF, but the correlation with LVGFI was significantly stronger (p = 0.0001). Male sex, diabetes mellitus, significant MIO, and replacement myocardial fibrosis were the strongest predictors of LVGFI. Eighty-six patients had a history of HF and showed significantly lower global heart T2* values, LVEF, and LVGFI than HF-free patients. A LVGFI ≤ 44.9% predicted the presence of HF. The LVGFI showed a diagnostic performance superior to that of LVEF (area under the curve: 0.67 vs. 0.62; p = 0.039). Conclusion. In TM patients the LVGFI correlates with MIO and provides incremental diagnostic value for HF detection compared with LVEF.
Isolation, Identification and Pathogenic Effects of Trichoderma spp. from Auricularia auricula
Authors: Dang Hui , Kong Qianqian , Winchester William , Wan Xin , Lei Yu , Zhang Haisheng , Zhao Yu , Liu Xinyu , Xu Ben Bin , Zhang Baoshan , Wang Zhe 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Auricularia auricula, one of the most important edible mushrooms, is affected heavily by Trichoderma. We collected the diseased samples from the main A.auricula cultivation regions to characterize the pathogen and study the effect of Trichoderma spp. on A.auricula species. We identified one Trichoderma species, T.pleuroticola, based on the internal transcribed spacer and morphology characteristics and two types of A.auricula strains, Heiwei 15 (HW 15) and Hei 29 (H 29) were tested in this work. The growth rate of T.pleuroticola was 3.26–3.52 times higher than that of A.auricula and advantageously competed for living space and nutrients. In confrontation culture, T.pleuroticola completely inhibited the mycelium growth of A.auricula and grew on it, resulting in the diverse impact on HW 15 and H 29. In addition, T.pleuroticola can produce metabolites with antibacterial activity. The inhibition rate of volatile metabolites to H-29 and HW 15 was 13.46% and 10.44%, and the inhibition rate of nonvolatile metabolites to H-29 and HW 15 was 36.04% and 31.49%, respectively. These antifungal activities of inhibiting the growth of A.auricula were abbtributed to the organic compounds from T.pleuroticola, nonanal, tyrosine, beta-sitosterol, and wortmannin, which were identified by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectroscopy (GC-IMS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In short, T. pleuroticola was a highly pathogenic fungi in the production of A.auricula.
The whole-of-society approach of mass COVID-19 vaccination in China: a qualitative study
Authors: Wang Qian , Qu Zhiqiang , Tu Shiyi , Chen Xi , Hou Zhiyuan 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background It is vital to summarize the experiences of mass COVID-19 vaccination practice in countries with high vaccination coverage and provide implications for other countries. This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 vaccination system and summarize the implementation experiences from health system perspectives in China.Methods We conducted a qualitative study to summarize the implementation experiences from health system perspectives in five representative cities in China late 2021. Semi-structured interviews and COVID-19 vaccination policy documents were collected and coded by thematic analysis approach. Interview guideline was developed according to six building blocks of health systems framework proposed by the WHO, including leadership and governance, health workforce, vaccination service delivery, financing, access to vaccines, and information system; and a new system building block, vaccination mobilization and communication, was added to the interview guideline.Results Totally 61 participants (nine vaccination program directors of CDCs, four government staffs, and 48 vaccination service workers) were interviewed. We found that China adopted a whole-of-society approach with adequate government engagement and linked health and non-health sectors as a whole to promote COVID-19 vaccination. Key measures included the collaboration of multi-system and multi-department from the governance perspective, allocation of sufficient health workers and resources, large-scale vaccination mobilization and communication, expansion of vaccine financing channels, localized production, and digital information systems. With vaccination system strengthening, the two-doses vaccination coverage reached 89.5% as of July 2022.Conclusions Our study stresses the importance of a government-led whole-of-society approach to promote mass vaccination, and the low vaccination coverage among the elderly should be paid the highest attention. The experiences and lessons from China may serve as a reference for other countries.